Michael Link

MICHAEL LINK. - One of the prosperous farmers and good citizens of Wyandotte county is Michael Link, a native of Prussia, who came to this country when a young man and who has ever since resided in Kansas, successfully engaging in the great basic industry in various localities. Mr. Link possesses the fine German characteristics and he is widely and favorably known in the splendid county in which his interests are centered. The birth of Mr. Link occurred on April 17, 1845, in Prussia, Germany, his parents being Peter and Barbara Link, who lived and died in their native land. In 1868, young Michael, who received his education in the excellent German schools, and who had attained to the age of twenty-three years, decided to join an uncle, John Link by name, who had located at Kansas City, Kansas, and whose experiences in the new land had been sufficiently pleasant to justify him in recommending it to his relatives. Michael accordingly bade farewell to the old friends and the old associations and crossed the Atlantic, upon his arrival in New York, at once turning his face westward to Kansas where so many fruitful years were to be spent. For three years he lived with his uncle, making his livelihood in various ways and he then tried his hand at farm work, continuing thus employed until 1877. As soon as he was able he bought a tract of land and after cultivating it for some years, he sold it and went to Hutchinson, Reno county, Kansas, where he again bought land. After remaining there for three and one half years, he again sold out and returned to Wyandotte county, of whose charms he had ever retained vivid memory. About this time he made a journey to Germany and not only enjoyed a visit with his relatives, but on February 28, 1876, he married one of his young countrywomen, and brought her back with him to America. The young woman in question was Catherina Harter, of Prussia. She first came to Wyandotte county, and in a short time she and the subject went to Reno county, but remained there for only a brief period, and returned to Wyandotte county. Here Mr. Link, for thirteen years, conducted the county farm and meantime purchased fifty-two acres of land on the Kaw river. A few months later he sold that and bought eighty acres near Edwardsville, Kansas, this being improved land. This newly acquired property he rented out to others, but retained possession of it until November, 1897, when he sold this in turn and bought one hundred acres of partly improved land, upon which he now lives. He has rebuilt the original residence and given it several additions, has constructed barns and made numerous other improvements, the whole estate being now thoroughly up-to-date, and one of the prettiest country homes in Wyandotte county. He also owns eighty acres in another farm upon which his son-in-law lives. He is thus a substantial land holder and has no reason to regret the step which took him to "the land of the free and the home of the brave." He continued actively engaged in general farming until 1911, when he retired from the active management of his estate and now has leisure to enjoy the fruits of his previous industry and thrift. He and his admirable wife are the parents of two children, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Robert Cahill, whose husband manages one of the subject's farms; and Fred, who is an agriculturist residing not far from Mr. Link.

Mr. Link and his family are faithful communicants of the Catholic church and the head of the house belongs to the C. M. B. A. In politics he is in harmony with the policies and principles of the Republican party.