Gus Barben

GUS BARBEN has been a man of prominence and influence in Wyandotte county for a period of thirty years, during which time he has ever commanded the unqualified confidence and esteem of all those with whom he was brought in contact, in recognition of the rectitude and honor which have characterized him in all of the relations of life. For seventeen years he successfully conducted a dairy business and for the past nine years he has been still more prosperous in the management of the store in Rosedale of which he is the proprietor.

Mr. Barben is a native of Switzerland, where his birth occurred in 1862. His parents, Sam and Mary Barben immigrated to America in 1879, coming direct to Kansas, where they bought a large farm near Lawrence on which they lived for many years and where they died. They were the parents of seven children, all born in Switzerland, six of whom are living, as follows: Samuel, Elmer, Gus, Fred, Maud, now Mrs. Frank Hickock, and John.

Gus Barben is the third son of his parents. He passed his boyhood days in his native country, where he obtained his educational training and when he had passed his seventeenth birthday he accompanied his parents, brothers and sister to the United States. He came direct to Kansas City, Missouri, and one year later, in 1879, he took up his residence in Wyandotte county. Six years later he established a dairy business in Rosedale and during the seventeen years of its continuance he was regarded as a remarkably successful dairyman. In 1902 he sold his dairy business and bought property on Kansas avenue, Rosedale, where he built a large business block, opened a general store and proceeded to build up his business. He handles everything in the way of grain, hay, coal, wood, groceries, fresh meat, etc., and aims to sell only high grade products at the lowest possible prices. During the nine years which have elapsed since he opened his store the trade has steadily increased, a sufficient indication of the satisfaction he gives to his numerous patrons. He is now building a very handsome ten room residence, which will soon be ready for occupancy.

Mr. Barben married Miss Mary Kettler in Kansas City, Missouri, a native of Germany, although her girlhood was almost entirely spent in America. She is the mother of four children, Charles, Samuel, Emma and Sophia. The eldest son, now a promising young man of twenty-four years, at the conclusion of his public school training, entered his father's store as his assistant, was later taken into partnership and now practically has full charge of the business.

Mr. Gus Barben is a member of the Lutheran church. He has not aligned himself with any political party, as he prefers to vote independently, selecting with great care the man he believes the most suitable for the office.