HENRY BODER, JR

This gentleman is one whose success in life may be ascribed to positive, determined pursuit of business and to the fact that he is a man of honesty and integrity. He is the president of the Bank of Troy, Kansas, one of the most reliable institutions in the state and worthy the entire confidence of the public which is so freely accorded to him. It was organized in 1870 by Louis and Henry Boder, Jr., and was conducted under the firm name of Boder Brothers until 1891, when it was reorganized as the Bank of Troy, and Henry Boder, Jr., was made its president, which office he still holds. The capital stock is thirty thousand dollars and a large general banking business is carried on.

Henry Boder, Jr., was born in Wayne county, Ohio, near Mount Eaton, January 28, 1837, a son of Henry and Annie (Perne) Boder, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of France. His parents removed to New Orleans in 1840, to St. Louis in 1842, and to St. Joseph in 1844. At the latter place the father died February 18, 1888, and the mother July 3, 1854. His brother, Louis Boder, is now the president of the Merchants' Bank at St. Joseph. Missouri, and is a prosperous and esteemed citizen.

The subject of this review obtained his education in the public schools of St. Joseph, and at a select school, and was sixteen years of age when, in 1853, he was appointed assistant to the postmaster, Charles Dutzschky, of St. Joseph, where he remained for two years. He was next employed in the county clerk's office under Milton H. Wash, and in May, 1857, came to Troy to work in the office of James R. Whitehead, then county clerk, expecting to remain only a few weeks. Mr. Whitehead, however, having been appointed clerk of the United States district court by Judge Lecompte, and not wishing to give up the county clerk's office, appointed Mr. Boder his deputy to serve out his term. The latter was afterwards elected to the office in 1859, and in accordance with the territorial laws he also discharged the duties of registrar of deeds and clerk of the probate court. Subsequently Mr. Boder was elected clerk of the district court, under the state constitution, which position he held until 1865.

In the latter year Mr. Boder engaged in the mercantile business in Troy, which he continued until 1870, when he organized the bank in connection with his brother Louis, as has been stated. Mr. Boder is known as one of the most careful and prudent business men in the state, never speculating or indulging in doubtful enterprises. There has never been a run on the bank, for depositors are confident that their money is safe and ready for them when they need it.

Mr. Boder was married, in 1863, to Miss Anna E. Zimmerman, of Doniphan county, a daughter of George T. Zimmerman, one of the pioneers of Kansas. Two children have been born of this union, Anna L., the wife of L. L. Strong, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Henry L. The saddest event in the life of Mr. and Mrs. Boder was the death of their only son, Henry L., January 16, 1899. He was a young man of unusual ability and great promise, and his loss was a severe blow to all who knew him. He was born in Troy, October 29, 1865, and his early education was obtained in the Troy schools. He subsequently spent two years in the State University, at Lawrence, and afterward attended Ritner's Commercial College at St. Joseph. At the age of eighteen years he was made the cashier of the Bank of Troy, which responsible position he held until his death. On the 1st of November, 1891, he and others organized the Wathena State Bank, of which he was made the vice-president, and on the 1st of November, 1892, he and others organized the Everest State Bank, of which also he was the vice-president until May 23, 1893, when he retired from the concern. He was a most efficient officer, an active, capable business man, well and favorably known and had a wide circle of friends. He was married, October 10, 1889, to Miss Etta V. Hutchinson, a lady of most estimable character and a daughter of Captain Perry Hutchinson, one of the oldest settlers and leading business men of Marysville. Kansas. Henry L. Boder was a member of Troy Lodge, F. & A. M., Troy City Lodge, I. O. O. F., also the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Maccabees.

Mr. Boder is a stanch Republican and is always ready to work in the interest of the party. For a number of years he served as mayor of the city, and his administration was highly commendatory. He is a member of Troy Lodge, No, 55, F. & A. M., and has passed all the chairs in the blue lodge. Personally Mr. Boder is one of the most genial of men. and although his time is fully occupied by the details of his large business interests he always finds time and opportunity to devote to those of his friends whose calls are of a purely social character. He is a thorough exemplification of the typical American business man and gentleman.