Wilhelm Hoelzel married Ernestine Christina Hempel about 1853 in Germany. They set off for America with their young daughter, Mina, in 1856. The family arrived in Baltimore, Maryland where they stayed for a time. Their second child was born there.

By the late 1850's, the Hoelzels were again headed west. They were in St. Louis, Missouri briefly before settling permanently on the other side of the state. 7 more children were eventually added to their family while they lived in the Jackson County area.

Wilhelm made several trips back to Germany over the years and encouraged other family members to come to America. While visiting with his brother, Karl, Wilhelm succeeded in convincing 2 of Karl's sons, Emil and Moritz Hoelzel, to move to the states.

Wilhelm became an extremely successful businessman and landowner in his new homeland. When he first came to Missouri, he made several trips along the Sante Fe trail into Old Mexico and brought back hides and ore. The Hoelzels invested their savings in land that would later become part of downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

The Hoelzels cleared their heavily wooded Jackson County property and sold the timber. After the area was converted into pasture land, the Hoelzels became involved with cattle, sheep and hogs. They later developed the land and went into the real estate business.

At the time of his death, which was attributed to senility, Wilhelm was 80 years, 7 months and 24 days old. He was survived by his wife, Ernestine, who passed away in 1914.

Children: 4 daughters, 5 sons.

Father of:
Wilhelmina A. "Mina" Hoelzel Kroos
Louisa Sophia Hoelzel Lampe
William F. Hoelzel, Jr.
John Frank "Frank" Hoelzel
Therese Amelia "Tracy" Hoelzel Lueth
John Anton "Anton" Hoelzel
Rosina Hoelzel (fiancé of Alfred King at death)
Frederick Emil "Emil" Hoelzel
Henry Frank Hoelzel

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Kansas City, Missouri: Its History and Its People, 1800-1908

WILLIAM HOELZEL

William Hoelzel deserves more than passing notice in a history of Kansas City's development, for he came here in pioneer days, taking up his abode in Jackson county in 1856, upon his arrival from Baltimore, Maryland. He was born in Germany in 1829 and spent the days of his boyhood, youth and early manhood in that country. Ere leaving the fatherland he wedded Miss Ernestine Christina Hempel, a native of Germany, and they became the parents of nine children and also have twenty-one grandchildren. Their living children are William, J. Frank, Anton, Emil, Henry, Louise and Theresa, who reside in Kansas City, where they have elegant homes with all modern improvements. Anton married Miss Smidt and their living children are Cornelia, Eliza and Herman. Emil married Miss Frederick and their children are Carl and Clara. Two sisters of our subject, Mena and Rociana, are deceased.

When Mr. Hoelzel crossed the Atlantic he lived for a time in Baltimore, Maryland, and on his removal westward, made his way to St. Louis, and thence by boat to Kansas City, being three days in making the trip up the river. Jackson county was then largely unsettled and undeveloped, and Westport was by far the best landing in this section of the country. Mr. Hoelzel was employed at any occupation he could obtain. He also followed the old Santa Fe trail and made several trips to Old Mexico, having his own outfit and bringing back hides and ore. He likewise engaged in gardening for a time in the early days and lived at the Shawnee mission for three years. He carefully saved his money and, as the result of his unfaltering industry and economy, was at length enabled to purchase property at Twenty-seventh and Holmes streets, Kansas City, and other land in Jackson county. He has since divided twenty acres of this into building lots and has erected many substantial dwellings thereon. When the land came into his possession it was covered with a heavy growth of timber, but he cut away the trees and from the sale of his timber made considerable money. After this was converted into pasture land he began dealing in cattle, sheep and hogs. He has realized larger profits, however, from the subdivision and improvement of the twenty acres, which he has divided into town lots and on which he has erected about fifty houses. He still owns twenty acres, which is today very valuable property. On this tract he has set out find fruit trees and has built a beautiful home in an attractive style of architecture, it being one of the finest residences in that part of the city. Here he constructed a boulevard before any others were thought of in this city.

While promoting his individual interest Mr. Hoelzel has not been unmindful of his duties to the public and has been especially helpful in the work toward Kansas City's upbuilding. He donated the ground on which St. John's Lutheran church now stands and contributed generously toward the erection of the new house of worship and also to three other churches of the same denomination. He also aided in getting the Hannibal bridge and has contributed to many other enterprises for the upbuilding of the city.

In politics, Mr. Hoelzel has always been a stalwart republican, active in the ranks of the party, and his efforts in its behalf have not been without beneficial results. He has always had great confidence in the development of the city and gave evidence of his trust in its future by his early investments in property here. Few men have more intimate knowledge of its history, and the changes that have occurred here than has William Hoelzel, who, for a half century, has resided within its borders and has been an eyewitness to its growth. He has been widely known among its pioneer residents and among its oldest citizens is held in the highest esteem, while in later years he has also won many warm friends.

J. Frank Hoelzel, the second living son of the family, is a native of Kansas City, as are all the other children yet living. He was born in 1864, and was here educated as a public-school student, later spending one year at Elmhurst. He lived at home until he attained his majority and then began doing business for himself as a contractor and builder. Ten years ago his brothers joined in the lumber business, and under the name of the Hoelzel Land, Lumber & Construction Company, they have built up a very extensive patronage.

J. Frank Hoelzel was married in Lawrence, Kansas, to Miss Katherine Altenbernd, and their living children are Frances, Hildegard and Theodore. In the city of their residence the family are well known socially. Mr. Hoelzel manifests many sterling traits of a Germany ancestry, including the unfaltering diligence and persistency of purpose which are marked characteristics of the Teutonic race.

Excerpts taken from:
Kansas City, Missouri: Its History and Its People, 1800-1908 (Volume 3, pages 468-470)
Written by: Carrie Westlake Whitney; published 1908.