Joseph J. Stotler

JOSEPH J. STOTLER. - One of the vital things about a man's existence is his love for the country and country life. Back to the land is the advice that the heart and soul offer man when unrest torments him in his city life. The man who can heed this cry is very fortunate. Mr. Stotler is one of the city men who are engaged in farming. He has found the ideal life, where he does not have the worries of the city and yet is near enough to have all of the conveniences. It used to be thought that brains were not necessary to manage a farm, but that age has passed. One man can grow forty bushels of corn an acre and another on the same kind of land can only get twenty. The cause for this difference is in the grower's head rather than in his field. It is a fine thing for the country that so many college men engage in farming, bringing their intelligence to bear on the land itself and causing it to bear crops to its fullest extent.

Joseph J. Stotler was born in Ohio, in 1852, a son of Joseph Stotler and his wife, Sarah Reece Watkins. He went to school in Ohio and after he had been through the public schools and high school he went to college in Ohio. In 1886 he came to Wyandotte county, Kansas, and taught school. Then he went to Lawrence, Kansas, where he was dean of a private school. Later he came back to Kansas City, Kansas. In 1891 he bought the beautiful piece of ground of one hundred and twenty acres on which he now lives.

In 1870 he married Miss Sarah H. McWilliams, who was also a native of Ohio. They have seven children. The eldest, Joseph E., is division superintendent of the Fowler Peg Company. The second is Philip E. Sarah Bell is the third, and she married C. J. Jaggard. James E. is the fourth. Mary E., the fifth, is now the wife of Frank Wahlin. Next in order comes Donald LeRoy and the youngest is Cecil I.

Mr. Stotler does not subscribe wholly to the platform of any party, but he is inclined towards the Socialists. He is a Mason of high standing and takes a great interest in the workings of that order. He is a leader amongst them. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Pythias and of Ben Hur. He is a member of the Christian church and he practices his religion in his every day life. He has many friends and they all agree in designating him a good fellow.