John was born March 1, 1844 in Germany and came to the States at the age of nine years. His first home was in Illinois. He enlisted in the army, Company A, Illinois light artillery and was discharged in 1865. He married Victoria Seger June 17, 1876 and in August of that year they came to Kansas. They resided in Harvey county since that time with the exception of two years in Sedgwick county. He was a well known farmer in the community east of Newton. They had twelve children [see Victoria].
