My Genealogy Hound

FREDERICK FREVERT. In the pioneer epoch of the history of Woodson County, Frederick Frevert came to Kansas and took up his abode in Owl Creek township among its first settlers. He is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred near Lippe-Detmold, November 14, 1828. His father, Conrad Frevert, was a farmer there, his ancestors having lived in that locality from time immemorial. He married Sophia Bohlman, and unto them were born five children, namely: Conrad, of Columbus, Indiana; Wilhelmina, who is yet in Germany; Frederick; Henrietta, deceased, and Henry, who is also in the fatherland.

Mr. Frevert of this review spent his early boyhood in herding cows, and in his youth he was employed by a paper manufacturer and a brick maker. For a year and a half he served as a soldier in the German army and according to the law of the country would have had to remain in the army for five years had he not come to America. An officer, who was his friend, secured him a pass to Bremen and there he took passage on a westward-bound vessel, which in 1852 dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. Landing at the metropolis he thence made his way to Lake County, Indiana, where he spent a year and a half as a farm hand, during seven months of the time receiving only seven dollars per month, although he did more work than most farm hands who are now paid three times that amount. He worked on the railroad for three years at a dollar and a quarter per day and about that time he met the lady whom he married, Miss Minnie War wick becoming his wife in 1856. She is a daughter of Andrew Warwick, a Prussian, who brought his family to the United States in 1848 and located in Lee County, Illinois, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-six years. He wedded Mary Russe, who was born in Thuringia, near the Black Forest, and died in 1854, at the age of fifty-four years. She had five children, the three now living being: Mrs. Frevert; Ernest, of Lee County, Illinois, and Mrs. Hannah Miller, also of that county.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Frevert loaded their household effects into a wagon and bringing with them some cows and chickens started for Kansas. They were several weeks upon the road, finally crossing the Missouri river into Kansas, at Leavenworth, on the 4th of July, 1858. Their journey was continued to Neosho Falls, which contained one store in a log cabin, this being the trading point for most of the settlers along Owl creek. Mr. Frevert secured a claim of one hundred and twenty acres of land on section two, there locating a Black Hawk land warrant. He also took up a homestead claim and as time passed he purchased other tracts, becoming the owner of extensive and valuable realty, portions of which he has since given to his children.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frevert have been born the following: Frederick; William, of Humboldt, Kansas; Louisa, who became the wife of August Koenig and died in 1881, leaving a daughter, Mary, who has married August Kirchtoff, of Woodson County; Annie, wife of William Bowser, of Elk County, Kansas; Mary, wife of Robert Kemerer, of Yates Center; Verilla who married Thomas Bell, of Woodson County; Matilda, wife of Henry Stockebrand, of Yates Center; Martha, wife of Emil Stockebrand, of this County; Rosa, wife of Frank Stockebrand; Frederick, who married Clara Henderson, and Henry who wedded Flora Durby. Both Fred and Henry reside near the old family homestead.

In early life Mr. Frevert voted for the presidential candidates of the democracy but when Abraham Lincoln was nominated he cast his ballot with the Republican party with which he was allied for a number of years, but for some time he has been a Prohibitionist. He belongs to the German Evangelical Association and his wife is a member of the United Brethren church. They are people of sterling worth and are numbered among the honored pioneers of the county in which they have so long made their home. Mr. Frevert has more than realized his anticipations of gaining a good home in the new world. He has prospered in his undertakings by improving his opportunities and his valuable property is an indication of the busy and useful life he has led.