My Genealogy Hound

JOHN EISENBART. A great transformation in appearances, conditions and improvements has been made in Woodson County since John Eisenbart took up his abode within its borders to become identified with its agricultural interests, which yet claim his attention. He was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1850, a son of Mathias and Eve (Pahlen) Eisenbart both of whom are now deceased. They were of German birth and the father was a coal miner. They had four children, but only two are now living: John and Margaret, the latter now the wife of Peter Kauffman, of Humboldt.

Throughout his entire life Mr. Eisenbart of this review has been familiar with the work of the farm. His educational privileges were limited and his youth was largely a period of toil. In 1856 he left Pennsylvania and spent one year near Kankakee, Illinois. In 1858 he filled a small company en route for Kansas and was reared upon the Moerer place in Everett township, working in the fields and meadows from the time of early spring planting until the harvests were garnered in the late autumn. He chose as a companion and helpmate on life’s journey Miss Helena Koppers, a daughter of Henry Koppers Sr. and Johanna Franken. Her father was born in the Rhenish province of the Kingdom of Prussia in Europe, and in 1872 became a resident of Kansas, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1897 at the age of eighty-two years. His children are: Mrs. Eisenbart; Mrs. Herman Tholen, of Humboldt, Kansas; Mrs. B. H. Achter, of Humboldt; Anton, also of Humbolt; Minnie, of Yates Center; John, of Woodson County; Henry and Martha.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Eisenbart was celebrated April 18, 1875, and they began their domestic life upon their present farm on Section ten, Owl Creek township, where he secured a homestead claim of eighty acres. Later he purchased an additional tract of one hundred and sixty acres and has developed a very fine farm, improved with all modern accessories and conveniences. All the buildings and accessories upon the place stand there as monuments of his labor and his enterprise. The first home was a rude house built of native lumber, and snakes sometimes made it their hiding place and toads their rendezvous, but such conditions have long since been done away with and the farm is now one of the most attractive and desirable in this part of the county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eisenbart have been born nine children: Mary, now the wife of Will O’Donnell of Woodson County; Henry, John, Will, Johanna, Elizabeth, Albert, Clara and Edward, all of whom are still with their parents. From the time he attained his majority down to the present Mr. Eisenbart has been a supporter of the Democracy and has served as a member of the school board, although he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He feels justly proud of the changes that have been wrought in the county since his arrival, the great strides of civilization and the onward march of progress, placing the county on a par with any in this great commonwealth. He might also well feel proud of the advancement he has made, having worked his way upward from a humble financial position to a place among the substantial and well-to-do agriculturists of the community.