THE J. J. FISHER FAMILY By Jacob D. Fisher J.J. Fisher, an honored and highly respected citizen of Buckeye township, had been prominently identified with with development and progress of Ottawa County. Born in Cambria County, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on October 12, 1847, he was a son of Ulrich and Margaret (Oilman) Fisher, both natives of Germany. J.J. Fisher upon reaching maturity began learning to farm; he also learned the carpenter's trade which he followed a number of years. In 1889, he journeyed to Nebraska practicing carpentry and returned to Kansas, locating in Saline County. In 1875, he married Caroline Link, the first white child born in Saline County. Mr. J. J. Fisher began farming on rented land in Ottawa County, Section 18, Buckeye township, his residence being a small box house and there he began improving his land. In those early days, Indians were still numerous; game of all kinds was plentiful; large herds of buffalo and antelope were seen roaming the prairies. Courage and integrity and the struggle for existence; he achieved character and success. As the years passed he added to his land possessions until his homestead amounted to 320 acres of the finest land to be found in Ottawa County. He owned three other improved farms thus increasing his acreage to 1200. His last work as a carpenter was the erection of his own two-story frame residence, which is located on a natural business site. It was surrounded by beautiful groves and orchards while large barns and all necessary outbuildings added to the attraction and value of the Fisher residence. The farm is located three miles east and two miles south of Bennington. Mrs. Caroline Fisher was born April 7,1853, the daughter of Robb and Catherine Link, both natives of Wurtemburg, Germany. Mr. Link's occupation was a jeweler. Mrs. Catherine Robb Link lost her husband and father of Caroline during the journey to Kansas from Ohio East. Mrs. Jacob J. Fisher was Saline County's first woman homesteader. The mother secured a homestead claim in the valley of the Smoky and Saline Rivers where she erected a log cabin and began the improvement and cultivation of her land, making her home there for fifteen years. Mrs. Link later moved to Minneapolis where she passed away in death on the 22nd day of January, 1885. Both she and her husband were members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Robb Link's children were as follows: Anna, who became the wife of J. Geissen; Jacob, who died in Saline County; Mary, Mrs. Israel Markley, of Minneapolis; Caroline, who married J. J. Fisher; and Elizabeth, who married J. C. Williams. Caroline Fisher never faltered in the. tasks assigned her during those early days and much of her time was spent on horse back herding cattle She put up with the Indian troubles and the winters spent in the fort, and her early school privileges were those afforded by the subscription schools which she attended for three months during the year. When the family first came to Saline County, the nearest mill was at Leavenworth and with ox teams it took four weeks to make the return trip. When meal could not be obtained, the coffee mill was used to grind the grain. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher was blessed with three children, namely: Charles, who was born September 13,1878 and engaged in farming at the old homestead; May, who was born September 17, 1878; and Bess, born January14, 1883. The family attended the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Fisher was identified with the Republican Party and held offices in the county. Mrs. Caroline Link was president of the Historical Society and for many years was active in social and other circles. J.J. Fisher passed away in his late 90's. Charles attended Kansas University and opened a hardware business in Bennington. In 1905, he married Maud Elmira Dale, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick Dale, sister of Louis Dale, who became the first band director to unify school bands. Maud was the first graduate of Bennington High School in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fisher then took up the business of farming and to this union Willa Genevieve was born, December 22, 1910; she is now Mrs. Victor Merryfield, living in Minneapolis. Jacob Dale was born February 26, 1915, and was married to Mildred Benjamin of Philadelphia. Her parents had fled the Czar of Keiv during the revolution in Russia and came to the United States. Mrs. Jacob Fisher's family consists of four brothers and one sister. Grandfather, Jacob J., was a companion to his grandchildren. Jake attended Kansas State University. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fisher were among the originators of the Episcopal Church in 1904 and the first couple married in the church which was not quite completed. Jake has kept the family tradition of improving the land and is active in the Episcopal Church; he also has been a school board member and in other civic duties. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Dale Fisher, a daughter, Carol Rebecca Fisher, was born December 22, 1952. Charles Fisher died September 2,1957, and Maud Fisher died June 18,1966. RETURN NEXT