My Grandfather Adolph Achenbach was the second son of Jacob Achenbach 
 and Elizabeth Rathgeber Achenbach. He was born on April 8, 1876, in Taylorville, 
 Illinois. He moved with his father at the age of eight to Barber County, Kansas
 in 1884.
      They moved to Barber County because of the increase in settlement, they ran 
 out of room for their cattle to graze. In his hearly years Adolph worked on his
 father's ranch, where he became an excellent horseman and rifleman.
      In 1905 Adolph married Wilhemina Hauser of Kiowa, Kansas. The Hauser's had
 moved to Kiowa in 1904, and Minnie had worked for Elizabeth Achenbach. Two sons
 were born to this union: Leonard Jacob and Howard Otto. Leonard was born on Dec.
 9, 1906, while Howard was born on May 13, 1909. Howard died at an early age, and
 the death came as a shock. Howard wore braces, but he had a lot of strengh in his
 legs. He always seemed to be a lively little boy before his sudden death on Oct.
 18, 1915. After Adolph and Minnie were first married, they lived with Jacob and
 Elizabeth Achenbach. Jacob built a new house and moved into it, and this left
 Adolph and Minnie living in the old house. Leonard was a small boy when they
 moved into a house 2 1/2 miles west of Hardtner. Matilda Hauser spent a lot of
 time in the summer helping her sister and alsodoing some baby sitting with Leonard
 and Howard.
      Adolph became a deputy sheriff of Barber County, Kansas. He was a deputy for
 a number of years. This job took him away from home a lot and started creating
 some problems. Adolph was also a member of the anti-horsethief association. All 
 of their meetings were held above the Hardtner Supply. It seemed that any meeting
 in town was held above the Hardtner Supply. A family by the name of Eckert provided
 the music.
      Minnie was the oldest daughter of Jacob Hauser and Doretta Reese Hauser. She
 was born on Oct. 22, 1876, in Raymond, Illinois. She moved with her parents to 
 Kiowa, Kansas in 1904. Minnie, being the oldest went out to work. She worked in
 St. Louis for a while until she married Adolph.
      Adolph always told stories of his adventures as a cowboy in New Mexico. I hear
 some of them were pretty wild. Adolph also was a good prankster. He made some gravy
 for Cam Smith, who worked at the store, out of radishes. Joe Hinning worked for
 Adolph on his farm west of Hardtner. Minnie was a good seamstress and made all of her 
 clothes. As I said, problems had developed and Adolph and Minnie were divorced in
 1928. Minnie died on Nov. 8, 1940, and Adolph died on Feb. 6. 1946. I didn't get
 to know either of these grandparents because I wasn't born until 1952. I sure
 wish that I could have known them.
     
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 78 
     Submitted by: Charles Edward Achenbach