The George Henry Kleopfer Family of Hope, Kansas

Taken from: "A Century of Memories - The Ramona Story - Early History and Settlement- 1887-1987" - Kansas State Historical Society

George Henry Kleopfer’s parents had settled in the area northwest of Hope. Henry began farming two miles north of Ramona in 1890. He married Elmina Morr in 1896. The farm became the birthplace of his nine children. He started Veterinary School as a young man and established a practice along with his farming operation. Two children were born of his first marriage, Harvey and Eva. Mrs. Kleopfer died leaving him with two small children. On September 18, 1904 he married Mary Lillian Poe of Martinsville, Missouri and brought her to the Hope farmstead. To this marriage were seven children - Harold, Newton, Milo, Berneda, Winifred, Ramona, and Donald. Ramona died in infancy.

Doctor Kleopfer practiced his profession successfully for many years in this community. The children attended the Rosebank Rural School located on their farm. All but the two oldest graduated from Ramona High School. Harvey was one of the early professionally trained auto mechanics and operated an Auto Repair garage for several years prior to moving to California, where he continued in the same business. He was also a professional race car driver and drove in the Indianapolis Speedway a couple of years. Harold married Mary Koch. They farmed the family homestead for many years and left the farm due to Harold’s poor health. Since his death, Mary continues to live in Hillsboro. Newt married Renata Danitschek. They operated the Ramona Oil Co. until his accidental death. Renata re-married and resides in Herrington. Winifred married Evan Engle and they farmed in the Hope-Ramona community. Berneda Moore resides in Paola, Kansas. Donald graduated with the class of 1941 and has been employed with the Government Service for many years and resides in Newport News, Virginia. The family homestead was sold in 1966 after the continuous ownership for 76 years. Doctor Kleopfer was better known as Hank or Doc to his many friends throughout the community.

Emigration Record

Wuerttemberg Emigration Index
Number: 838271.00
Destination: North America
Application: February 1854
Johann Georg Kloepfer
Birth Date: December 7, 1834
Birth Place: Erbstetten
District: Marbach

The following biographical sketches of George Henry Kleopfer's daughter and grandson comes from the History of Miami County, Kansas:

FRANCIS HAROLD AND BERNEDA LEOTA KLEOPFER MOORE

Francis Harold Moore was born March 29, 1910, at Hatfield, Missouri, the son of Abraham C. and Lulu Gilchrist Moore, and the grandson of David P. and Ava Hogan Moore. He married Berneda Leota Kleopfer November 18, 1936, at Hope, Kansas.

Berneda Leota Moore was born March 12, 1915, at Ramona, Kansas, the daughter of George H. and Mary Lillian Poe Kleopfer, and the granddaughter of David and Martha Sutcliff Poe, and George and Mary A. Eldridge Kleopfer.

Francis and Berneda were the parents of four children: Francis LeRoy, Bernard Eugene, Sharon Kay and Nina Gay.

Francis LeRoy, born August 29, 1937, at Jamison, Missouri, was married February 8, 1958, at Miami, Oklahoma to Barbara McDaniel, the daughter of Joseph R. and Dovie Swearingen McDaniel.

Bernard Eugene, July 24, 1939 Jamison, Missouri, married June 25, 1966 at St. Louis, Missouri, Carole S. Weisert, the daughter of Wilson G. and Betty Moline Weisert.

Sharon Kay, May 26, 1942, Jamison, Missouri, married September 13, 1964 John D. Grother, the son of Walter F. and Elsie Gerken Grother.

Nina Gay, November 13, 1943, Jamison, Missouri, was married June 24, 1962 at the Fontana Christian Church to Wayne E. Diediker, the son of Wayne and Tressie Whitney Diediker.

The Kleopfer family sailed from Wittenburg, Germany, in 1852 to America and settled in Ohio, then in Dickinson County, Kansas, in 1878, where the father became a veterinarian. The mother came from Missouri. I married, lived in Jamison, Martinsville, Gallatin, Winston and Plattsburg, Missouri, before settling in Miami County.

I completed high school at Ramona in 1934, was a bookkeeper in San Pedro, California, ran an adult care home from 1961 through 1984, and baby-sat for working mothers.

Our church preference is Christian. I have been superintendent, secretary-treasurer of Sunday School, 4-H community leader, Senior Citizens Osage Township officer. I loved caring for the disabled and children.

My family traditions back in history have all been living on farms. Mother had a farm near Martinsville, Missouri. That is how I met my husband. The families were at one time neighbors. Mother went to school at Salina for singing lessons; there she met my father. My children, F. LeRoy is a Paola letter carrier, Bernard works for K.C.P.L. at Paola, Sharon K. is a bookkeeper at Winterscheids' Auto Parts and Nina G. is employed at the Osawatomie State Hospital. As of this date, I have nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Francis Harold Moore died July 9, 1956, in Miami County and was buried in the Paola Cemetery.

-Berneda Kleopfer Moore

FRANCIS LEROY AND BARBARA JO McDANIEL MOORE

Francis LeRoy Moore was born August 29, 1937 in Jameson, Davies County, Missouri, the son of Francis Harold and Berneda Leota Kleopfer Moore, and the grandson of Abraham and Lula Gilchrist Coffman. His family moved to Miami County from Plattsburg, Missouri in 1949, locating in the Block area.

LeRoy married Barbara Jo McDaniel, born January 14, 1939 in Paola, on February 8, 1957 in Miami, Oklahoma. Barbara is the daughter of Joseph Ralph and Clara Dovie Swearingen McDaniel, and the granddaughter of Thomas Sharp and Elizabeth Jane Hughes McDaniel. Barbara's family lived in Paola, her mother having come from Colorado and her father coming from Ohio. Barbara's father and grandfather were caretakers in the Paola Cemetery in the 1930's.

LeRoy and Barbara have three children: Richard Allen, Micheal Dean, and Kenneth Lynn. They had twin daughters who died at birth.

Richard Allen was born June 20, 1957 at Paola.
Micheal Dean, born May 29, 1958 at Paola, married Cynthia Kay Cheasbro, daughter of David and Dolores Cheasbro, April 5, 1980, They have one son, Eric Micheal.

Kenneth Lynn was born April 19, 1962 at Paola.
LeRoy graduated from Paola High School in 1955, and Barbara in 1957. LeRoy has worked at the Paola Post Office as a letter carrier since October, 1964. Barbara is employed at Rural Water District #2 in Paola. They belong to the First Baptist Church in Paola.

LeRoy belongs to the Masonic Lodge# 37, and has been Master in the Lodge. Barbara belongs to the Eastern Star, Perfection Chapter # 21. LeRoy and Barbara received their 25 year pins March 12, 1985. They have been Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron in the Eastern Star. Barbara was District Aide in 1984.

LeRoy and Barbara like to travel, having been from San Francisco to New York, and from Galveston to Canada in their truck and camper.

-Barbara Moore

Obituaries

Generation 1

Hope Dispatch
March 19, 1914

George Kleopfer

CONTRIBUTED.

The sands of time flow swiftly by, and four score years seem short. The sturdy oak that has been toughened by many storms, must, in time, fall and return to earth all that it used during its existence, yet when a survey of nature is made it will be found that each year it sends back to earth the acorns that produced other oaks, thus perpetuating its mission, reminding us that back of it all is a Divine Hand which has framed up the principals upon which all life depends.

While the old oak grew it watched the tender shoots that sprang up out of the earth of various shapes and sizes and seemed to know that nature would some time decree that one of those tender sprigs would supplant the older.

Thus is the life of man. He springs up a tender branch, rocked in the cradle of care, and caressed by the loving hands of mother. Soon he is the sunshine of home, there is no care on his part for the morrow. He grows to boyhood, and soon to manhood. One by one the supports fall away and he is out in a world all his own, with destiny before him, Soon the cares fasten on him and he climbs to the summit of life with another beside him. Children have come into the home, and as they stand upon this summit they look back over the past life and no doubt happy reflections pass before them. They look ahead and their path leads down to the shore of time. One by one the family circle is broken, some gone never to return, others in homes of their own. Soon the wife bids him adieu, and alone, with slow trembling steps he looks across the river of death for the ship that will carry him over the tempestuous sea and land him in the haven of rest.

Our dear friend and brother, George Kleopfer started this life that he so nobly spent, on the 10th day of December 1834, in Wittenburg, Germany. Here he spent his childhood days and grew to manhood. Here too, it must have been where he was confirmed into the German Lutheran church, for no doubt the custom was adhered to. In 1852 he sailed for America and located in Putnum county, Ohio. In 1858 he located in Cass county, Illinois. In the year 1865 he choose as his companion through life, Mary Ann Eldridge and they trod the uneven pathway of life together. In 1878 they located in Dickinson county, Kansas, where they both closed a successful life morally, financially and spiritually. What more could success depend on?

December 12, 1895, he united with the Christian church at Hope, and was baptized by E. J. Palmer. We need not say he lived a Christian live, for his daily walk and conversation bore this out. He lived life as he knew it, and he lived it to the limit in the way of a good man. He had his faults to be sure, for he was human. So do we all, none are perfect.

Nine children were born into this family. Three have preceded him into the other world, as well as his dear wife, who recently bid him adieu, August 29, 1913, a little over six months ago. Those living are Mrs. J. H. Covert, Mrs. W. E. Hatfield, Mr. G. H. Kleopfer, Mrs. Fred Altman, and Mrs. I. S. Kauffman, and 11 grandchildren.

On the 14th day of march, at the close of the week and of day, he came in from the fields of labor, paying earth his just debt, bearing the records and deeds of the short space of 79 years, 3 months and 4 days to his Maker for approval.

Services were held at the home Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by the pastor of the Christian church Bro. W. W. Blanchard, and the earthly part was laid away in the Pilgrim Home cemetery. Hope has lost a kind and true citizen, the church circle will be short one link (a strong one), and the home will be closed forever.

Card of Thanks

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who assisted us in the sickness and death of our beloved father. Also for the beautiful floral offerings. - Mrs. J. H. Covert, Mrs. W. E. Hatfield, Henry Kleopfer, Mrs. G. C. Alexander, Mrs. Fred Altman, Mrs. I. S. Kauffman.

Generation 2

Hope Dispatch
Thursday, July 24, 1947

SERVICE FOR HENRY KLEOPFER HELD SUNDAY AFTERNOON

G. Henry Kleopfer of Hope passed away last Thursday at his home, and funeral services were held last Sunday afternoon at the Wuthnow Funeral Home with Rev. Alvan T. Ball in charge of the service. Mr. Kleopfer was born at Philadelphia, Illinois, February 10, 1874. The family moved to Hope little over a year ago from, their farm near Ramona.

Interment was in the Pilgrims' Home Cemetery.

The Hope Dispatch
Thursday, June 13, 1946

FOUND DEAD IN HER BED MONDAY MORNING BY SON

Mrs. Emma Hatfield, one of the long time residents of this community was found dead in her bed on Monday morning of this week by her son Robert, who called her, and into her room. Her death was attributed to heart failure, and it was thought death had come only a few hours before. Before retiring, Mrs. Hatfield had said she was feeling very well.

Funeral services were held this Wednesday afternoon at the Hope Christian church. Interment was in Pilgrim's Home cemetery.

Hope Dispatch
Thursday, March 24, 1938

OBITUARY

Louise Kleopfer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Kleopfer, was born September 10, 1868, at Virginia, Illinois.

When she was nine years of age, the family came to Kansas, settling upon what became later familiar as the Kleopfer homestead, located four and one-half miles northwest of Hope. Her childhood was spent in this community, as well as her school life, and her on September 27, 1888, she was united in marriage with Mr. James Covert.

The first year following their marriage was spent in the state of Missouri, and then returned to her home community and settled upon the place only a few miles from the parental home. Two children, Clinton and Nellie, were born to this union.

Mr. Covert passed away in 1914, and Mrs. Covert and the two children continued residence in the home, farming and developing the place for a number of years, butt of recent years the land has been rented to others.

Mrs. Covert became Christian in the year 1903. While, of necessity held quite close to the home, she has been constant in her faith and a dependable supporter of the financial necessities of the church. Few of the community have been so well known as a minister to homes when sickness and sorrow came; while her own home has been a haven for ones in need of understanding and comfort.

For some considerable time she has not been in good health and about four months ago entered the hospital for treatment. It was sincerely hoped that upon her return home, she might again experience reasonable health, but she began shortly to decline until the early morning of March 19th, when this earthly life ceased to be. She had been a patient sufferer and came to the parting in full confidence.

The two children, Clinton of the home and Mrs. A. P. Sherman of Buffalo, Oklahoma, three sisters, Mrs. Walter Hatfield, Mrs. Annie Alexander, and Mrs. I. S. Kauffman, all of Hope, one brother, Mr. Henry Kleopfer of Ramona, seven nephews and five nieces of the immediate family survive her. Tow sisters and two brothers preceded her in death.

Truly a host of neighbors and friends are made sad at her going.

Descendants of George Kleopfer

1 George Kleopfer Born: December 10, 1834 in Wittenburg, Germany Died: March 14, 1914 in Hope, Kansas Age at death: 79
+Mary Ann Eldridge Born: January 09, 1845 Married: November 30, 1865 in Cass County, Illinois Died: August 29, 1913 in Hope, Kansas Age at death: 68
2 Infant Kleopfer
2 Kate Louise "Lou" Kleopfer Born: September 10, 1868 in Virginia, IL Died: March 19, 1938 in Hope, Kansas Age at death: 69
+James Covert
2 Emma Jane Kleopfer Born: March 07, 1870 in Philadelphia, IL Died: June 10, 1946 in Hope, Kansas Age at death: 76
+Walter Elwood Hatfield
2 John W. A. Kleopfer Born: January 04, 1872 Died: November 10, 1895 Age at death: 23
2 George Henry Kleopfer Born: February 10, 1874 in Philadelphia, IL Died: July 17, 1947 in Hope, Kansas Age at death: 73
+Elmina Morr Married: 1896
*2nd Wife of George Henry Kleopfer:
+Mary Lillian Poe Born: 1881 in Martinsville, MO Married: September 28, 1904 Died: 1962 Age at death: 81 est.
2 Ann Elizabeth Kleopfer Born: April 1876 in Philadelphia, IL Died: March 1944 Age at death: 67 est.
+George Clark Alexander
2 Flora Isabelle Kleopfer Born: March 1879 in Hope, KS Died: May 1928 Age at death: 49 est.
+Fred Altman
2 Charles F. Kleopfer Born: July 1882 Died: March 1903 in Oklahoma Age at death: 20 est.
2 Ida May Kleopfer Born: December 28, 1886 in Hope, KS Died: October 1969 in Hope, KS Age at death: 82 est.
+Ira Samuel Kauffman

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