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Below is a family biography included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HON. MARTIN MOHLER.
Hon. Martin Mohler, formerly secretary of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture, was born March 20, 1830, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and died at Topeka, Kansas, March 20, 1903.

In his youth Mr. Mohler had more than the usual amount of boyish enthusiasm to secure a good education, this seeming to him the goal toward which he must direct every effort. Fortunate circumstances gave him an opportunity to enter Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois, where he finally graduated, one of the three members of the second graduating class of that institution. His home remained in Pennsylvania, and thither he returned, with the idea of devoting his future to educational work.

Time brought changes and other interests came into his life, and in 1871 he removed from Pennsylvania to Osborne County, Kansas, where he secured a half-section of land. This was early in the settlement of that part of the State, conditions were hard and the rewards of toil were only won through the greatest effort. The work by which Mr. Mohler transformed his wild tract of land into what seemed then a garden spot doubtless aroused the deep interest in his mind which later brought him so prominently forward and identified him so closely with agricultural matters.

Mr. Mohler held several positions of trust in Osborne County, and he resided there until he was appointed to the State Board of Agriculture in 1888. He then moved to Topeka, where he resided until his death, serving through two subsequent terms. During his administration as secretary, he aroused great public interest in the study of soils, seeds and climate and it is undoubtedly due to his efforts that Kansas stands today as one of the greatest agricultural States of the Union. The sixth biennial report, issued under his direction, was awarded a medal and diploma at the Paris exposition, in 1889, as the best of its kind in the world.

Mr. Mohler is survived by his widow and by two daughters and two sons, namely: Margaret L., wife of W. A. Neiswanger, manager of The Capitol Real Estate Company, of Topeka, with offices at No. 116 West Sixth avenue; Laura M., wife of Rev. H. C. Buell, of Willmar, Minnesota; Jacob C., assistant secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, residing at No. 1224 Fillmore street; and Frank M., a student, who resides with his mother in the family home at No. 1611 Warren street. Mrs. Mohler is a daughter of Christiana C. Hoover, of Pennsylvania, a farmer by vocation, now deceased. Mr. Mohler was a member of the Presbyterian Church and one whose life was in consonance with his professions. He was a Mason and had other fraternal associations, being a man of social instincts. He was also one whose culture, education and refinement impressed his companions as did his strong personality and sterling attributes.

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This family biography is one of 206 biographies included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  For the complete description, click here: Shawnee County, Kansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Shawnee County, Kansas family biographies here: Shawnee County, Kansas

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