This is a biographical manuscript titled, "The Joseph Thoes Story," which details the life of the German immigrant Joseph Thoes, who moved to the Kansas Territory in 1854. Joseph Thoes, his brother, Peter Thoes, and their brother-in-law Ed Krapp moved to what is now Wabaunsee County and each built log cabins along Mill Creek. A second biographical sketch, titled, The family of Joseph Thoes, dated 1975, was probably created as a joint effort of several of the Thoes/Palenske family members. Funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission through the Kansas State Historical Records Advisory Board.