FREDERICK FINNUP

Born in Germany in 1840, Frederick Finnup immigrated to the United States at age four, settling with his family in Ohio. From a humble background, he started as a cabinet maker's apprentice before serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. Afterward, he moved to Indiana, becoming a partner in a furniture factory.

However, the "West" captivated him. On a trip to Kansas, he was awestruck by the vast, beautiful prairie, describing it as "just like an ocean." In 1879, he sold his factory share and moved his family to Kansas, bringing goods to start a new business.

While traveling, he met the famous "Buffalo" Jones, who painted such a vivid picture of a new town called Garden City that Finnup felt compelled to see it for himself. This encounter set the stage for Finnup to become one of the city's earliest pioneers.

Black and white portrait of a man with a beard and mustache, wearing a suit and tie, framed in a wood frame.
Black and white vintage photograph of a family with two adults and three children, seated and standing in front of a plain backdrop.
Book cover titled 'The Story of My Life' by Frederick Fonnauf with a portrait of a man with a beard and mustache.
Book cover titled 'The Story of My Life' with a photo of a monument and three men in vintage clothing.

In 1879, Frederick Finnup settled in Garden City and launched a family business that helped shape the town’s early growth. He invested heavily in the local community, receiving Deeds No. 1 and 2 for Main Street lots, where he built a two-story general store selling everything from hardware to furniture. That same year, his wife Wilhelmina and their three children joined him, living above the store and beginning a long-standing family legacy.

Frederick and Wilhelmina both passed away in 1914, but their impact lives on. As noted in Leola Blanchard's The Conquest of Southwest Kansas, Frederick understood his success was built on the loyalty of early settlers who helped transform the prairie into a thriving community.

Determined to preserve his family's story, Frederick wrote an autobiography for his children—something he deeply wished he had from his own parents. Though never intended for publication, his memoir has since been published and is available at the Finney County Public Library.

The updated edition of The Story of My Life, published in 2023, honors Frederick Finnup’s postwar journey of patience, hard work, and dedication—an enduring legacy that continues to influence the growth and spirit of Garden City, Kansas. The volume is currently available through Amazon.