George (1876-1966) and Katie Cornelius (1885-1959) Keimig came to Barber
  County in 1915. They purchased 320 acres southeast of Isabel for $50 an
  acre. The farm had a large five bedroom house and all upstairs bedrooms had
  large closets. There was a bathroom upstairs, but the plumbing wasnt installed.
  The house was only a few years old.
     George and Katie were married October 3, 1903, at Zenda. George farmed
  and was a partner in the Keimig Bros. Mercantile at Zenda. He had also been
  a carpenter.
     George was born at Elizabeth, New Jersey, and came to Kansas when he was
  seven years old. His parents, Severin and Mary Kramer Keimig, came from
  Germany as young people. Katie was born near Zenda. Her parents, France and
  Mary Dornberger Cornelius, also came from Germany when young.
     Sand Creek makes a horseshoe bend through the Keimig's farm and in 1915
  there were no trees on the creek, and arrowheads could be found in the rocky
  creek bed. Fishing was good in the waterholes. Now there are many trees on
  the creek and few waterholes. A wagon freight line that traveled from
  Hutchinson crossed this land, and the trail could be seen until a few years
  ago.
     In 1929, 240 acres of land that joined the farm were purchased at $55 an
  acre. The Depression and drought hit and times were hard. In 1933 wheat made
  3 bushel an acre. In 1938 George planted 230 acres of wheat and it all blew
  out. Dirt storms were terrible and days became as dark as night. Some 1934
  records show wheat sold for 94 cents a bushel, maize 50 cens, corn 94 cents,
  calves at $2.00 and $3.50 a hundred pounds. Cream for the month brought in
  $13.84 and bought groceries. Gasoline was 9 cents a gallon. 1936 records
  show interest on money 6% and pasture rent 75 cents an acre.
     The seven Keimig children, Elmer, Edmund, Clara, Dale, Kenneth, Esther,
  and Gerald attended Eldred Grade School, and all graduated from Isabel High
  School. After the death of Katie's parents, her younger brother, Ray Cornelius
  made his home with them and attended Eldred and graduated from Isabel High
  School in 1925.
     George served on school, township, and church boards. The family was
  active in the Isabel Methodist Church.
     About 1920 hot and cold running water was installed and a bathtub and sink
  were added to the bathroom. The water was heated by pipes that were attached
  to the wood burning cookstove. Butane and electricity added in 1948 made life
  easier.
     Tree shelterbelts were planted in 1936. This protected the homestead and
  stopped soil erosion.
     In 1947 the farm was rented to Kenneth, who married Odetta Lawrenz, daughter
  of Ella and Henry Lawrenz on March 28, 1946. A house was built for them in
  1948. George was the carpenter. In 1968, Kenneth bought the farm.
     The Kenneth Keimig's have four children, Mike, Glenna, Steven, and Scott.
  An unusual fact is that all their great-grandparents came from Germany.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 256 
     Submitted by: Odetta Keimig