G. Herman Stockhoff

G. HERMAN STOCKHOFF. - As his name indicates, G. Herman Stockhoff is of German origin and in him appear many of those national characteristics which give the German citizen such high prestige - such as honesty, thrift and progressiveness. He is also one of the prosperous agriculturists of the locality, and as is so often the case in this part of Wyandotte county, devotes a portion of his energies to the raising of fruit.

G. Herman Stockhoff was born in Hanover, Germany, February 5, 1848, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Sorenkamp) Stockhoff He received his education in the schools of his native land and had already become an active worker when at the age of twenty years he became imbued with the idea of casting his fortunes with America. He arrived in 1868 and located first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided for about twelve years. He made his livelihood at first by acting as coachman for various wealthy families and in a short time became familiar with the language and the customs of the country of which he had become a citizen.

About the year 1880, Mr. Stockhoff made a fortunate move, by coming to Kansas and locating in Wyandotte county. He was favorably impressed with Quindaro township, where he purchased some forty-two acres of land. This investment represented a capital of two thousand dollars, and, in eloquent evidence of the rapid and amazing rise in the price of land, this same property - of course now much improved - is now worth four hundred dollars an acre, or nearly seventeen thousand dollars. At the time he took up his residence here, there was a little old house upon the place, but Mr. Stockhoff removed this and built his present residence upon the site. This, which was built in 1891, has six rooms, and is spacious and commodious, and the barns and outbuildings are of the best type. The many fine fruit trees have all been set out by the subject, about four acres being devoted to fruit raising.

Mr. Stockhoff was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the second day of April, 1872, Miss Margaret Grimmer becoming his wife. She likewise was a German in nationality and came to America alone when a young woman about twenty-six years of age. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Stockhoff are consistent members of the German Lutheran church and they play an active part in the advancement of its good causes and are useful and popular citizens. Mr. Stockhoff's energies are devoted entirely to farming.