George Mentzer Purchases 304 Acres in Woodson County
One of the joys of genealogy research is finding records that place an ancestor in a specific location at a specific point in time. Land records are especially valuable because they can document residency, property ownership, financial transactions, and family relationships. This week’s Monday’s Diggings focuses on a deed recorded in Woodson County, Kansas, in October 1899 involving my ancestor, George Mentzer.
The Record
The deed was recorded in Deed Book 35, pages 142–143, in the Woodson County Register of Deeds office. Dated 5 October 1899, the document records a transaction between John E. Frost and Margaret E. Frost of Topeka, Kansas, and George Mentzer of Woodson County, Kansas.
The deed describes the property as:
The fractional north half of Section 19, Township 24, Range 15 East of the Sixth Principal Meridian, containing 304.28 acres, more or less.
This tract was located in Woodson County and represented a substantial amount of land for a Kansas farmer at the close of the nineteenth century.
More Than a Simple Land Sale
At first glance, this appears to be a routine land transfer. However, a closer reading reveals that the property was subject to a previously recorded Trust Deed, dated 30 September 1898. Because of that encumbrance, a third party was involved in the transaction.
The deed identifies William O. Jansen of Chicago, Illinois, as trustee. His role was to formally release the property from the lien of the trust deed so that George Mentzer could receive clear title to the land.
The document states that the release was necessary:
“…in order to give a perfect title to the party of the second part…”
Thus, the deed served two purposes: transferring ownership to George Mentzer and clearing the property’s title.
What Does This Record Tell Us?
While the deed does not identify family members, it does provide several important clues:
- George Mentzer was living in Woodson County by October 1899.
- He acquired ownership of a sizeable tract consisting of more than 300 acres.
- The land had previously been owned by John and Margaret Frost of Topeka.
- The transaction involved financing or security arrangements that required the release of a trust deed.
- The legal process extended beyond Kansas, involving a trustee located in Chicago, Illinois.
The deed was acknowledged before notaries in both Kansas and Illinois and was finally recorded in Woodson County on 18 October 1899.
Why Land Records Matter
Land records often provide a framework for understanding an ancestor’s life. Census records may tell us where a person lived, but deeds can reveal when property was acquired, sold, inherited, or mortgaged. They can also help track migrations, establish residency, and place individuals in a community between census years.
For George Mentzer, this deed documents an important milestone: ownership of a substantial Woodson County farm at the turn of the twentieth century.
Final Thoughts
This deed may seem like a routine legal document, but it helps paint a clearer picture of George Mentzer’s life in Kansas. Each land record adds another piece to the puzzle, helping transform a name on a pedigree chart into a person who worked the land, made financial decisions, and built a life for his family.
Have you discovered a deed or land record that helped you better understand an ancestor’s story? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Complete Transcription
as done by ChatGPT from images
Deed Book 35 – Page 142
Woodson County, Kansas
Deed of Release
Indenture entered into this 5th day of October, 1899 between John E. Frost and Margaret E. Frost his wife of the City of Topeka, County of Shawnee, and State of Kansas, parties of the first part; George Mentzer of the County of Woodson, and State of Kansas, party of the second part; and William O. Jansen, as Trustee of the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, party of the third part.
Witnesseth, that:
Whereas, the parties of the first part have sold the premises in Woodson County, Kansas, hereinafter described to the party of the second part; and
Whereas, the said premises are subject to the lien of a Trust Deed dated September 30, 1898, and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds of said Woodson County, Kansas, in Volume 5, at page 579, on April 19, 1899; and
Whereas, a release from the said Trust Deed is necessary in order to give a perfect title to the party of the second part of the property hereinafter described and conveyed.
Now Therefore, This Indenture Witnesseth, That the parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) and other valuable considerations to them duly paid by the party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have conveyed and warranted, and by these presents do convey and warrant to said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, the following lands situated in the County of Woodson, State of Kansas, to wit:
The fractional North half (N½) of Section Nineteen (19), Township Twenty Four (24), Range Fifteen (15) East of the Sixth Principal Meridian, containing Three Hundred and Four and Twenty Eight one hundredths (304.28) acres more or less, according to United States Survey.
To have and to hold the said premises with the appurtenances unto the party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever.
And in consideration of the premises William O. Jansen, as Trustee, party of the third part, hereby releases from the lien and operation of said trust deed to the said George Mentzer, party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, the said premises and property hereinbefore described and conveyed.
Page 143
In Witness Whereof, the parties of the first and third parts have executed this indenture the day and year first above written.
John E. Frost
Margaret E. Frost
by Mary E. Frost, her attorney in fact
William O. Jansen, (Seal)
as Trustee
(#360 Rev Con)
State of Kansas, Shawnee County, ss.
Be It Remembered, that on this 5th day of October, 1899, before me, a Notary Public duly commissioned in and for the County and State aforesaid, came John E. Frost and Margaret E. Frost, his wife, by Mary E. Frost, her attorney in fact, who are personally known to me to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument of writing as grantors, and they duly acknowledged the execution of the same.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal the day and year last above written.
(Seal)
Leo H. Porter, Notary Public
My Commission expires January 21, 1901.
State of Illinois, County of Cook, ss.
Be It Remembered, that on this Seventh day of October, 1899, before me, a Notary Public duly commissioned in and for the County and State aforesaid, came William O. Jansen, who is personally known to me as the same person who executed the foregoing instrument of writing as Trustee, and who is known to me to be such Trustee, and he duly acknowledged the execution of the same.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal the day and year last above written.
(Seal)
A. E. Speirs, Notary Public
My Commission Expires June 13, 1903.
Filed for record Oct. 18th, 1899 at 11:30 A.M.
Geo. L. Martin
Register of Deeds