My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES O. MENTZER. Almost the entire life of Charles O. Mentzer has been passed in Woodson County for he came here when only two years of age with his parents, and throughout the period of his youth and manhood he has been connected with its agricultural and stock-raising interests. He was born in Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois, the eldest son of George and Emma Mentzer, who in 1871 left the prairie state for the Sunflower state, taking up their abode in Woodson County, five miles northwest of Yates Center, where our subject has since resided with the exception of one year which he spent in Illinois. In the schools of the neighborhood he was educated and his training at farm work was received under the direction of his father and was of that practical nature which well fitted him for carrying on the duties which now engross his attention. In 1891 he went to his native county on a visit and remained for about twelve months, after which he returned to Woodson County, where he is now engaged in the occupation of stock-raising. After his marriage he began farming on his own account in North township where his father owns a large body of land, and now his place is well stocked with cattle and horses to the raising and sale of which he is devoting his energies, finding this a profitable source of revenue.

On the 18th of October, 1893, Mr. Mentzer was joined in wedlock to Miss Nettie Wells, one of Kansas’ native daughters, her parents being Thurston and Saloma Wells. Five children have come to bless their union namely: Gladys, Paul and Paulina; twins, George and Herbert. Mrs. Mentzer’s father was a native of New York and when a young man went to Iowa, where he married Miss Saloma Crandall, a native of Ohio They afterward removed to Kansas in 1870, where Mr. Wells made his home until death in June 3, 1893. Of his seven children four are yet living Frank; William, a resident of Iowa; Anna, wife of Fred Mentzer, and Nettie, wife of our subject. All are residents of Woodson County, except William.

Mr. Mentzer of this review is a Prohibitionist in his political preferences, but as that party seldom has a ticket in the field at local elections he supports the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for office. Long residence in Woodson County has made him familiar with its history from an early day and his upright career during this period has gained him a position among the leading and representative young farmers of the community.