Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 594 - 595 

PETER GETTO, capitalist, is a man of strong and intelligent convictions and of good business tact, and by his numerous shrewd investments has become wealthy. He is a prominent representative of the pioneers of Wichita, coming here in 1871 and settling on the present site of the city. Soon after he took up a Government claim of 160 acres of land, eight miles east of the city, and purchased 160 acres within the city limits. He has also bought some valuable lots, two on the corner of Second and Main streets, two on North Main and Water streets, and later four lots on the same streets, and has been buying land in various parts of the city at different times ever since, so that now he is among the most extensive realty owners in the city. He has erected a fine building on the corner of Main and Second streets at a cost of $45,000; it is an ornament to that part of the city; it is adapted to stores and offices, and yields him a large income. It is supplied with elevators.

            Our subject was born in Bavaria, Dec. 31, 1841. His parents were Michael and Sophia (Eckert) Getto, natives of Germany. His father was extensively engaged in farming and stock-growing. He was a man of wealth and respectability, and held places of trust and honor in his native land. His parents were Michael and Mary (Fisher) Getto, life-long residents of Germany. His father was an extensive stock-grower and farmer, owning a large farm. He was very influential in public affairs, often holding places of responsibility. The parents of the mother of our subject were Christian and Margaret Eckert, natives of Germany. Mr. Eckert was an extensive manufacturer of flour and lumber. He was held in high esteem and often filled places of honor.

            Our subject attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and obtained a substantial education. He was then apprenticed to learn the cabinet trade, and continued to work at the same in his native land until 1864. The three succeeding years he was occupied as a cabinet-maker in France. He then resolved to try life in America, where he thought he could obtain better wages for his work, and have a better opportunity for gaining a competency, and in 1867 he crossed the ocean and proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio, where, as he was a skilled artisan, he had no difficulty in finding work at his trade, and remained there steadily employed for some years. In the meantime, by industry and wise economy, he laid up quite a sum of money. In 1871 he made a new departure, and another move to the West found him in Wichita, whither he had been attracted by its fine location, which he foresaw would one day make it an important city. Ever since that time he has made his home here, and has watched the growth of this metropolis and fostered its development by his enterprise and liberality. He has taken an active and efficient part in the municipal government and City Council, being Alderman, which post he held four years, from 1878 to 1882. He was a stockholder of the State National Bank, of Wichita, and of the Wichita Valley Center Motor and Land Company.

            Our subject was married, Nov. 27, 1872, to Miss Therese Zimmerman, of Baden, Germany, and a daughter of Franz A. and Rosa (Reichenbach) Zimmerman, natives of Baden. His parents were Franz J. and Wallburger (Landman) Zimmerman, natives of Germany. His wife was the daughter of Clement Reichenbach, a native of Baden. None of the elder members of the family ever left their native land. Mrs. Getto has two brothers, Julius and Otto Zimmerman, residing in Wichita.

            The pleasant home circle of our subject and his wife is completed by the presence of four daughters, namely: Sophia, Josie, Therese and Rosa. Mrs. Getto has been a life-long member of the Catholic Church. She is a true Christian woman, and shares with her husband the respect of the community. Mr. Getto bears a good reputation in this community for honorableness in business dealings, and is a worthy member of society.

[ Home ]