Augustus J. Wenkheimer was born of German parentage in Holmes county, Ohio, on August 12, 1852. He was the son of Leonhart Wenkheimer, who had become a prominent citizen in that locality after many years residence. His son was surrounded by German influences as most of the people in that neighborhood had come from the Fatherland, and some of the sterling traits of character and the industry which he displayed were the result of these early associations and training.

While still a very young man, in 1878, Mr. Wenkheimer took a trip through western Kansas and bought the quarter section of land near Belpre which he has occupied with his family for so many years. It was not till 1882, however that Mr. Wenkheimer came here to make his home. In Massillon, Ohio, where most of his youth had been spent, he had been a teacher and had also followed other occupations at various times. He was a man who profited by all experiences and had been a valuable community and home builder through out his residence in Kansas.

When he came to Larned in 1882 the Larned school board offered Mr. Wenkheimer the position of first assistant in the high school. He finished out the term and harvested the wheat he had sown. He then went to Chicago and married a teacher with whom he had been previously associated. This was Lucy J. Stoddard, who came to Kansas also, and was one of the early teachers in the Belpre schools, and one of the most admirable of the Kansas pioneer women. Mrs. Wenkheimer stayed for a short time in Iowa before joining her husband while he planted a wheat crop and taught a term in the Garfield schools.

The next year Mr. Wenkheimer renewed his contract with the Garfield school, took up his residence on his land and Mrs. Wenkheimer joined him. In 1888, he organized the first Belpre school, and continued teaching there for three or four years; his wife remained a teacher for five years. They carried on their farming operations as well and at last prosperity smiled on them and they were able to erect the splendid farm improvements which have been a conspicuous feature of the country near Belpre for many years.

Five children were born to A. J. Wenkheimer and Lucy Stoddard. They are Alberta M., who has been a teacher for many years, Frank, who now lives at Hutchinson, Carl, who is a physician and now lives near Phoenix, Arizona, Mrs. Gladys Milliken, of Amarillo, Texas, and Winnifred, who is also a teacher. The first Mrs. Wenkheimer died in 1905 and in 1910 Mr. Wenkheimer married Miss Margaret Dietriech, who was born in Berlin, Germany. Five daughters, all living at home, were born to this union.

Augustus J. Wenkheimer has been one of the fine community builders of this section of the west. He had accumulated a competency through industry, thrift and the application of good judgment to his affairs. By training, education and notably fine traits of character he won the respect of everyone in the community, and his passing causes general regret and sorrow.

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