CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS BIOGRAPHIES ARCHIE C LITTLE. Archie C. Little, a stockman of Concordia, is well known and highly respected, upright in all his business transactions, believing perfect honesty the only basis upon which to found a business and prosper. "Truth is mighty and will prevail," is his motto and governed by that principle his word is as sound as his note and his note is as good as the bank. Mr. Little buys, sells and ships horses and mules exclusively. He began in the stock business when quite young, reaping good returns from his judicious investments. During the Boer war in Africa he handled large shipments of horses and mules, purchasing in various parts of Kansas and Oklahoma, holding and feeding the stock until car loads could be sent as one shipment on the Kansas City markets, from which point they were sold to England. Mr. Little has been a resident of Cloud county about four years. The first two years he was engaged in the livery business, having purchased the C. D. By rum stock of livery and a half interest in the building, C. E. Sweet owning the other half. Mr. Little sold his livery business to the former, still retaining his half interest in the building. While operating the livery barn he was very successful, but was compelled to absent himself too much while purchasing for the market to personally attend to the inside work, which was the sole cause of his selling out. After this sale he went to Lawton, Oklahoma, making the then new city his headquarters. The coming season he expects to purchase a number of high bred trotters. The spring and early winter is the buying season for trotters, and draft horses in the autumn and late winter. Mr. Little is a native of Marshall county, Illinois, where he was born in the year 1869, but when a mere lad came with his parents to Republic county, where they settled on a farm and he grew to manhood. The origin of the name Little is Scotch-Irish. Both parents were born in the north of Ireland. His father emigrated to America when a boy with his parents and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and followed the occupation of machinist. Mr. Little's mother also came to Philadelphia during her infancy and after growing to womanhood met and married Archie B. Little. The young couple emigrated to Illinois and settled on a farm, later coming to the far famed "Sunflower" state "to make a new start in life's run." Mr. Little makes his home with his youngest daughter, owing to the death of his wife in 1885. Archie C. Little is the second youngest of the six children, four girls and two boys, viz: Lizzie, Hannah, Nancy, Katie and John, all of whom are married. Mr. Little in conversation laughingly remarked, "I am unmarried and unhappy," but he lives in hopes of adding a partner to his home and business before the "winter of discontent" overtakes him. He was educated in the country schools, making the most of his opportunities. Every man seems to possess one fad, and happy is he that can enjoy the real comfort in that one. Mr. Little owns to his weakness, the admiration and love of a thoroughbred span of trotters. An automobile, with its electric up-to-date pace, may suit the tastes of many, but to Mr. Little, with the lack of a pair of high steppers, the charm is gone, and he has been heard to say "No matter how large a city may be, let the 'auto' and a neat carriage drawn by a spirited span of horses well handled pass down the same street side by side, the attention of the majority of people, men or women, will be attracted to the noblest of all animals, the horse; the more mettle the more it is admired." He treats his horses with tact and trusts them as he would people, according to their merit, disposition and understanding. In politics Mr. Little is a Republican, but is so much engrossed with business in his line that he devotes only time to vote for the men on his chosen ticket. He is a man of honor and integrity, always in favor of progression and willing to further any improvements toward the making of a live town. Mr. Little has purchased the Byrum lease and opened up a new and fresh stock of livery. E. D. DUNNING. The jewelry store of E. D. Dunning, established in 1899, is especially worthy of mention in the Concordia department of this volume. His stock of jewelry is very complete, both with reference to quality and quantity, and has been selected with a view of catering to the fashionable trade. In matters pertaining to jewels and precious stones, Mr. Dunning is a recognized authority and his judgement is trustworthy. Mr. Dunning has grown to manhood in the city of Concordia, having lived there since he was five years of age. His father, E. T. Dunning, was one of the early merchants, and although retired from business cares, makes Concordia his home. HARRISON, NELSON & COMPANY. The Harrison, Nelson Grocery Company is one of the leading business houses and one of the most up-to-date enterprises in the city of Concordia and one that would do credit, both in magnitude and character, to a much larger city. Their store contains everything that is good to eat, and their manner of exhibiting goods appeals to the appetite of the customer. The firm is composed of J. M. Harrison, William Harrison (a son) and Walter Nelson, all of whom are exceptionally well qualified to cater to the needs of the inner man, by furnishing all the delicacies of the seasons-staple and fancy. The senior member, J. M. Harrison, has been a resident of Cloud county since 1880, when he bought unimproved land four miles south of Concordia, paying eight hundred dollars for it. He sold this land, which he had improved, six years later and opened a general merchandise store in the little town of Rice, and was also postmaster there. Mr. Harrison was very successful, having made two farms from the proceeds of his business. He sold the Rice store, came into Concordia and in the year 1900 engaged in their present business, which was formerly the McCrary stock of groceries. They removed the store to their present stand in the Iron block. Their investment of seven hundred dollars each was wisely expended; their annual sales now reaching forty thousand dollars, often taking in from four to five hundred dollars in one day. The members of the firm have each drawn out two thousand dollars. The room they occupy is twenty-six and one-half feet in the clear by one hundred feet and is filled to the ceiling with everything imaginable that is good to eat, and the most epicurean appetite could be satisfied here. They employ four men steadily, with a larger force on busy days. J. M. Harrison is a native of the Hoosier state, born in 1849. Concerning Mr. Harrison's war record there is a bit of interesting history which gives expression to the patriotism he evinced in early life. He was ambitious and sought for admission into the service of Uncle Sam twice ere he was accepted, owing to his extreme youth, but there were other things to be considered in the estimation of Colonel Straight, one of the men who dug out of Libby prison, for lie remarked with considerable emphasis, I would rather have one little man than two drafted big men," and Mr. Harrison was taken into the ranks of Company C, Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry; October 24, 1864, at the age of fifteen years, and is the youngest veteran living in Cloud county. Mr. Harrison's parents were William Henry and Mary A. (Hanna) Harrison. The paternal ancestry are of the same lineage as the late ex-President Harrison. Our subject's parents still live where they settled-when there were but a few cabins where the beautiful city of Indianapolis now stands-in Noblesville, Indiana. Mr. Harrison is the eldest of five sons, four of who are living, himself being the only member of his family who emigrated westward. Mrs. Harrison, before her marriage, was Miss Isabel Cochran. To their union ten children have been born, only four of whom are living. Their eldest daughter, Olive, the deceased wife of Arthur Carter, died, leaving a little son, now fifteen years of age; he is with his father in Neosho county, Kansas. The second daughter, Lutitia, is the deceased wife of Owen Davis, the station agent at Rice; she left a little daughter, Estella, who is about eight years of age. Hattie is the wife of Elmer Shanks and resides in Marshall, Oklahoma. William Harrison is a member of the firm, bookkeeper and accountant." The son did not need to start at the foot of the ladder as his father before him had to do, but has grown up with the mercantile career, and being well adapted for the business, all the chances for success are on his side. However, he took his position in the firm without a dollar, but prospered with them. He was happily married to Flossie, one of the estimable daughters of A. B. Pennock. in January, 1903, and owns his home, a handsomely furnished cottage. Gertrude is a member of the Harrison & Messall millinery parlors, one of Concordia's recognized headquarters for fashionable and attractive millinery. The youngest child is Mabel, aged fifteen years. She is developing special musical talent and performs well upon the piano. The family are members and attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Harrison is a Republican politically. He takes an interest in matters pertaining to the general welfare of the community and especially in educational affairs. Walter Nelson, the junior member of the firm, enjoys the distinction of having been born and bred in Cloud county and having been reared in the city of Concordia- His father, Andrew Nelson, was associated with Mr. Benson, under the firm name of Benson & Nelson, and established a blacksmith shop in Concordia soon after the founding of the town. His parents, Andrew and Mary (Roswell) Nelson, are still residents of Concordia, comfortably enjoying the returns of well-spent lives, having earned a competency. Our subject was born December 12, 1878. He received a high school education, graduating in 1897. He began his career as a clerk in the Concordia grocery and later in the grocery department of H. N. Hanson's general merchandising store. Young Harrison was employed in the former at the same time; they were close friends and realized their fitness for business association, and from this suggestion their present quarters developed and has proved advantageous to all concerned. Mr. Nelson is a young man of fine ability and a pleasing address that wins friends for him from people in every station of life, and these traits, coupled with the trinity of energy. industry and spirit, will make life a success. Mr. Nelson's parents are of Swedish birth. His mother's family located in the settlement known as "Gottland." Our subject is one of three children, all sons: Albert is a mail clerk on the Burlington & Missouri Railway, running between Kansas City and Omaha The youngest, George Nelson, is aged eight. Politically Mr. Nelson is a Republican. He is a member of the Woodmen and MacCabee Orders. A. R. MARCOTTE. The success of Dr. Marcotte, a young practitioner of Clyde, evidences the tendency of the young man to lead in all the avocations of life. This is less conspicuous among the professions because less common, perhaps, but the pre-eminence of the young man is general in a positive degree, even in the province of medicine. Less than a half century ago none but the snowy heads of the old veterans of this calling would have been trusted to the administering of physics. Although only practicing in his profession since June, 1902, Dr. Marcotte gives promise of becoming one of the leading M. D.s, and already commands the respect of the medical fraternity. He is a son of Dr. F. L. Marcotte, a leading physician of Concordia for many years. It was with his father that young Dr. Marcotte began the study of medicine. He was born in Concordia in 1879. He was reared and received his early education in the high school of his native city. He finished a three-years' classical course in St. Viateur's College of Bourbonnais, Illinois, and a four-years' classical course in St. Mary's College. After having read medicine at different intervals in his father's office, Dr. Marcotte entered upon a course in the Kansas Medical College of Topeka, in 1898, and graduated in 1902. The following June he became associated in the practice of medicine with Dr. W. B. Beach, of Clyde, Though his career has been brief he has won the confidence and good will of his patrons and is building up a substantial and lucrative practice, Since the above sketch was prepared our subject's father, Dr. Frederick Louis Marcotte, has been deceased, and Dr. A. R. Marcotte has removed to Concordia, where he will succeed to his late father's practice. Dr. F. L. Marcotte W3S for many years a leading physician of Con-cordia and known to the people of Cloud county since 1879. He received the degree of bachelor of arts from St. Viateur's College, which is located at Bourbonnais, Illinois, where Dr. Marcotte was born October 3, 1857. Later he studied medicine and graduated in 1878 from the Northwestern University Medical School of Chicago, Illinois. After one year in Mateno, Illinois, where he began the practice of medicine, Dr. Marcotte removed to Concordia. Except four years spent in California he has practiced medicine there continuously since 1879, and was one of the most successful physicians of that city. His untimely death, which occurred in Leaven worth, March 17, 1903, was universally mourned. DWIGHT M. SMITH. The subject of this sketch, Dwight M. Smith, an attorney of Concordia, is a native of Victory, Ohio, born in T872. Since locating in Concordia ten years ago, Mr. Smith has been progressing steadily. He held various positions prior to reading law. Was general manager of the Lombard Investment Company and in 1892-3 was court reporter. He entered upon the study of law in the office of Pulsifer & Alexander. His choice of association was a wise one and lasting in its influence. In 1900 he opened a law office and has been successful in his profession. The same year he received the nomination for county attorney by the Republican party and was defeated by George M. Culver by a small majority. Mr. Smith is president of the Commercial club of Concordia. His father, J. T. Smith, was formerly engaged in general merchandising, but is now in the real estate business in Norton, Kansas. Mr. Smith was married in 1900 to Miss Georgia Noll, of Marion, Kansas. She was a popular teacher in the primary, department of the Concordia schools. EDMUND A. BELISLE. There are countless young men who start in business with a fair sized bank account to their credit, but totally inexperienced and a few years later oft times finds them bankrupt. Then upon the other hand is the ambitious fellow who has a generous store of pluck, energy and brains; he begins at the foundation and is surprised ere many years have elapsed to find himself with the essential ex-perience which he often combines with the proceeds of his savings and is far better equipped to succeed in the world of business than the former. To the latter class belongs E. A. Belisle, the subject of this sketch, who came to Concordia in April, 1878, and entered the employ of McKinnon & Company as a hardware clerk. He remained with them eight and one-half years, or until 1886, when he associated himself with Cyrus Twitchell, under the firm name of Twitchell & Belisle. Two years later W. F. Groesbeck succeeded to the interest of Mr. Twitchell and the growing business was known under the name of Groesbeck & Belisle. The firm prospered and Mr. Belisle became proficient with all the details of their stock in trade and early in the 'nineties consummated a deal whereby he became sole proprietor. He has steadily increased his stock until his capital now invested is about eleven thousand dollars. Mr. Belisle has dealt extensively in farm implements and machinery; he is closing out the stock in this line, but will continue his well selected department of harness and vehicles. He makes plumbing and tinning a specialty and has practically placed all the pipes and other apparatus pertaining to the water works in every building in Concordia. Under his supervision the city's water works, which is second to none in the country, were placed in 1902. He also piped the Caldwell bank building and the Barons house for steam heat, both of which are a perfect success. Mr. Belisle's trade reaches beyond the limits of Cloud county; in the cornice line he has had patronage from Beloit, Smith Center and other places. He employs the services of four men. Mr. Belisle's interests extend further than Concordia, being a member of the hardware firm known as Belisle, Holcomb & Turner, of Ft. Cobb, Oklahoma. F. L. Holcomb, the second named in the combination, was formerly in the employ of Mr. Belisle, as bookkeeper, for a half dozen years or more, and David Turner is a well-known ex-citizen of Clyde, a son of the late David Turner, Sr. (see sketch). Mr. Belisle is a Vermonter, born in Montpelier in October, 1852. He removed with his parents, in 1855, to Kankakee, Illinois, and lived in that city until emigrating to Kansas in 1878. His father, Onesine Belisle, died in Concordia about four years ago. The family settled near Aurora and lived there until the father's death. Mr. Belisle s mother is still living and makes her home with her children. Of his father's family of eight children (three deceased), all are citizens of Cloud county, except one sister, who remains in Kankakee. Mrs. W. H. Fullerton, of Concordia, is a sister. His brothers are all prosperous farmers. Mr. Belisle was married in 1880 to Adeline Lavalle, a sister of Amedie Lavalle, a prominent hardware man of Clyde. Their family consists of eight children: Roy and Eddie A. Jr., are two manly boys, who give promise of becoming influential men. The former clerks in his father's store, the latter is a student on his second year in the Great Western Business College of Concordia. Their second child is a daughter, Blanche. Ruby is a junior of the high school. The younger children are George, Daisy, Edith and Lucile. Mr. Belisle is a staunch Republican and has never wavered from the principles of his party. He has contributed liberally to the growth and prosperity of Concordia, both by industry and public spirit He was a member of the council for one year under the reign of Mayor Messall and also for the same length of time during Mayor Stewart's term of office. He was an active member of the board of education for two years. Socially he is identified with the National Association of Master Plumbers and also with the State Association. He has been through all the chairs of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Order of Elks. He is a member of the Woodmen, and of the Knights and Ladies of Security. WASHINGTON GEORGE CARTNEY. The subject of this sketch, W. G. Cartney, came to Concordia when the city was in its infancy. When it was a town of tents and shanties, Mr. Cartney pinned his faith unflinchingly to the future metropolis and as a result of this quality of stick-to-it-iveness he is in a prosperous condition financially and one of the leading business men of Concordia. He was a single man and had not yet attained his majority when he took Horace Greeley's advice, "Go west, young man, and grow up with the country." When he landed in the new town in March, 1871, it could easily be imagined Mr. Cartney was a very similar type at that period as is found in his son Walter of today. Mr. Cartney had learned the carpenter trade before coming west, but accepted a position in the pioneer meat market of Bean & King and by so doing laid the foundation of a successful career. Mr. Cartney killed the second beef that supplied the trade of Concordia with meat. This historical event took place on the Sheafor claim, which is situated on Plum creek, and is now known as the Beauchamp farm, but owned by H. A. Swift. Mr. King killed the first beef. In the latter part of the 'eighties Mr. Cartney and J. C. Paradis formed a partnership, which continued to exist for about twelve years. One year after they had mutually dissolved interests Mr. Cartney purchased the market and still continues to conduct the same. To his enterprise and fitness for the business the people are indebted for excellent services, as his refrigerators are always filled with the choicest of meats, that only an experienced caterer could furnish. Mr. Cartney is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1852, but when a small boy removed with his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood, or until emigrating to Kansas. The origin of the Cartney name is Scotch. Our subject's grandfather was the emigrant to this country; he settled near Philadelphia and married into a Pennsylvania Dutch family. Pierce Cartney, the father of W. G. Cartney, was a member of Com pany E, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, and gave his life for his country, not in battle, but from a fate that entailed untold suffering; he died in the Danville prison as a result of privation. Mr. Cartney was married in 1874 to Miss Abbie E. Mallory, who came to Kansas from New York, her native state. Their family consists of two children, Walter and Etta. Their son is now with his father in the market, but was previously engaged as traveling salesman for the S. S. Beef Company, of Kansas City. He was with this firm one and one-half years. The daughter is accomplished in music and elocution. In fraternal relations Mr. Cartney has been a member of the Odd Fellows for a score of years, and is identified with the Woodmen of America, Pyramids, Sons and Daughters of Justice and of U. C. T. Mr. Cartney is a genial man, reliable, honorable and public spirited; he is one of Concordia's most honored citizens and has a host of personal friends. HONORABLE F. W. STURGES. The author believes it is voicing the sentiment of the people to say not a man in Cloud county commands the confidence and regard of the people in a greater measure, nor is there one who, when selected by their ballots, has done more to merit the preferment tendered than Judge Sturges. He is a plain, straightforward, honest man of unquestioned integrity, a forceful and eloquent speaker and stands pre-eminent among the attorneys of Cloud county. In politics he is a broadminded Republican. As judge of the Twelfth judicial district, elected in 1888, he served an eventful career of twelve years and was universally admitted to be one of the most impartial and unprejudiced judges Cloud county has ever had. He was a partner with Judge Strain, one of Concordia's most prominent and esteemed citizens, in the practice of law until the death of that able jurist in January, 1880. The combination was a strong one and two more philanthropic, generous, honorable and capable men were never associated together in the city of Concordia Judge Sturges is a native of Connecticut. He early drifted westward and in 1871 located in Concordia, where he has since been prominent in every worthy enterprise. In 1883 he was chosen to the legislature of Kansas and served one term. JAMES CLITHERO. One of the pioneers of 1867 is James Clithero, now an esteemed citizen of Concordia. He settled in Elk township and homesteaded land adjoining the site of the present town of Ames. He remained through the Indian uprisings and was among the settlers concentrated at the claim of A. A. Bradford, where they joined their forces to protect each other, and while inmates of the little fort slept within, some one of the settlers was detailed to stand guard on the outside. "Jerry" was a colored man, whom Mr. Bradford had with him all through the war, and who followed his master on to the frontier. "Jerry" was a character true to his race and Mr. Clithero relates an incident of the darkey's valor. He was selected from among the number to stand guard one night, and as he marched up and down the line with vigilant eye, ready to give the signal of alarm by firing his gun, the settlers, their wives and children peacefully slumbered on. "Jerry" had performed his duty faithfully, but when morning dawned it was discovered the gun with which he had paraded all during1 the long hours of the night was unloaded, not a trace of ammunition in the formidable weapon that had served "Jerry," who was unconscious of the situation, just as well, inasmuch as the Indians did not appear. Mr. Clithero is a native of Lancashire, England, born in 1841. When a small boy he came with his parents to America and settled in Wisconsin, where his father had secured land ten years earlier and when that country was thinly settled. His parents both died in Wisconsin. In 1866 Mr. Clithero was married to Miss Nannie McEckron, a sister of the Honorable B. H. McEckron. Their family consists of three sons, all of whom are married and prosperous men. Mr. and Mrs. Clithero lost two daughters, aged thirteen and nineteen. Mr; Clithero is practically retired from business, but has been engaged in general merchandising in Concordia until recently. One of the sons is a member of the firm of Boyd & Clithero, grocers, of Concordia. G. G. Clithero is in the railway postal service and runs between Colorado Springs and Kansas City. A. B., the youngest son, is a farmer near Rice, Cloud county. Mr. Clithero is an old veteran of the Civil war and enjoys the distinction of having served almost four years, or all through the war. He enlisted in Company C, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, September 21, 1861, for three years; and when the term expired, re-enlisted for one year. He received a gunshot wound on Sunday, the first day's battle at Shiloh, which disabled him for six months ere he could shoulder arms again. His company was under Colonel S. D. Baldwin and Captain W. S. Swan, both of Chicago. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and actively inter-ested in the association. Mr. Clithero was identified with Clyde for many years, as his homestead was near that city, and was prominent in the organ-ization of the Presbyterian church there, which, after several years of strug-gle, is a monument of pride to its originators, and contains the only pipe organ in the county. Mr. Clithero and Mr. McEckron hauled logs to be sawed for the construction of the church. Mr. Clithero has been a citizen of Concordia thirteen years, where he and his family enjoy a comfortable home. THE GERMAN & LEWIS FURNISHING GOODS COMPANY. The managers of this recently established up-to-date place of business are Roswold German and W. F. Lewis. A finer combination than the above named gentlemen would be difficult to substitute. Both obliging, attentive to business and thoroughly competent, they are assured of success. They have each had practical experience in the lines they carry and will undoubtedly remain leaders in men's furnishings. The elegance of the appointments and the newness of everything gives the impression that the contents of the beautiful show cases of old English and plate glass have just come from the hands of the artist who designed and executed them. The whole interior of this "temple of fashion" is elegantly finished in white enamel and gold immaculate in its neatness and replete with everything that is required for the well-dressed man-for shoddy, inferior or shelf-worn goods are not allowed a place on the shelves of their store, and are justly entitled to the reputation they are rapidly gaining as being authority on the latest fads and fashions of men's hats, shirts and neckwear. Their modern wall show cases and latest designed window fixtures are superior to anything ever shown in Concordia. Their place of business is made very attractive at night by rows of incandescent lights that extend the whole length of their walls. This headquarters for men who appreciate reliable, correct attire was opened to patronage February 1, 1903. Their general stock is supplemented by a suitatorium that is open for operation both day and night. Gernrart & Lewis do a thriving business in this line. To the traveling public this is an admirable feature, for they can send their clothes to be renovated and have them delivered with their call in the morning, or in suitatorium parlance, "Clothes pressed while you sleep/1 This firm are special agents for the Hawes celebrated three-dollar hats. They are also furnishing the suits for the ball players of the Great Western Business College, who play under the name of German & Lewis, as designated by wearing the name of the firm on their shirt fronts. The suits are of the same color and texture as the league uniform. Roswold German, the senior manager of the business, was a commercial traveler for several years and carried the same line he is now interested in. He is also a tailor by trade and worked in Kansas City for a considerable length of time, hence he understands what constitutes a well-dressed man. Mr. German has had a wide experience for a man of his age, for he is scarcely thirty in appearance; he has traveled over many European coun-tries, including France, Italy, Russia and others. Mr. German and his wife are both old residents of Kansas City, where they grew up together from playmates. They are the parents of a bright little boy, who appears in the illustration on the opposite page is demonstrating the correct thing in hats and shirts. Will F. Lewis, the junior member, was a tourist in the commercial world, his special line being hats, and he, too, was a tailor and was engaged in that occupation several years, hence a fine judge of material. Mrs. Lewis was Miss Marceline Martin, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Martin, of the Barons House. Their interesting little son, though scarcely eight months of age, attired in a pair of overalls, occupies an important place in the engraving on the opposite page, seemingly saying, Tall trees from little acorns grow." Stranger things have occurred than that these two "young Americas" should succeed their fathers, or at least become partners in the enterprise. OSCAR R. TAGGART. Among the honored pioneers and citizens of Cloud county is Oscar R. Taggart, who came overland to Kansas in 1867, and in company with the late Judge Carnahan and William H. Anderson, "bached" near Lake Sibley, where Mr. Taggart bought a settler's relinquishment and homestead land in Sibley township. His farm being near the embryo town of Sibley, Mr. Taggart worked hard to secure for it the county seat, but after failing, he transferred his interests to Concordia, expecting to make his home there instead. Mr. Taggart was a member of the state militia, organized for the protection of settlers, and participated in several skirmishes with the Indians. He was one of the guards on duty when the Adkins boy was killed. They had scoured the surrounding country and were just returning to camp when the firing was heard. After the Indian uprisings were quelled Mr. Taggart settled down on his farm. For two or three years the expenses were greater than the profits, as the markets were so far distant transportation to and fro consumed the income. He still retains the old homestead, which is one of the many fine farms in Sibley township, with good buildings, orchards, etc. He owns a forty-acre tract in section 30, one-half mile northwest of Concordia, on the Republican river. This is wooded land and Mr. Taggart expects to clear the ground, and believing that it is well adapted to horticulture, will transform it into a fruit farm. In 1898 Mr. Taggart bought five acres of ground in the Hagaman addition, erected a comfortable cottage on the corner of Cedar street and Greeley avenue in 1901 and expects to make Concordia his permanent home. Mr. Taggart has traveled over various parts of the United States; journeyed overland through Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California, spending eighteen months in his sightseeing expedition, and, while he was pleased with the scenes and possibilities of those states, he was quite content to continue in Kansas, saying, "this is good enough for me." Mr. Taggart is a native of Naples, New York, born in April, 1849. He is a son of James-and Mary J. (Harris) Taggart, both of New England origin. His father followed various pursuits, such as hotel keeping, saw milling and farming. Prior to their residence in Cloud county, the Taggarts lived in Michigan ten years. The father came to Kansas one year later than his son and lived in the vicinity of Concordia until his death in 1896. The mother lived in the home of her son until her death in 1900. Our subject received his early education in the common schools of Michigan, followed by a three-years' literary course in Colon Seminary, St. Joseph county, Michigan. At the age of nineteen he began farming and later engaged in the grain business. Mr. Taggart was married January 1, 1870, to Emma Collins, a daugh-ter of William Collins, who settled in Cloud county in 1866, and a sister of William and John Collins, who were massacred, along with the Cassel party, as related in the account of Indian raids.' Mrs. Taggart's father was of English birth. Her mother's paternal grandfather was born in Ireland; her maternal ancestors were English. She was a native of Maine, and while visiting England met and married William Collins in the city of London. They emigrated to America and settled in Illinois, where they resided until coming to Kansas in 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Taggart three children have been born, but one of whom is living, Mattie, the wife of Henry Neal, a farmer near Hunter, Oklahoma; they are the parents of three children, Mabel, Oscar and Fay. Willie, their only son, was deceased at the age of one year. Carrie, their youngest child, was deceased at the age of thirteen. Politically Mr. Taggart is a Democrat and socially is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Dramatic Order Knights of Khorasan and the Benevolent Order of Elks. E. C. WHITCHER. E. C. Whitcher, of the firm of Whipp & Whitcher, abstracters, dealers in real estate, and insurance, is a native of Warren, Grafton county, New Hampshire, born in i860. His father was Levi C Whitcher, a New Englander, who was engaged in different occupations-lumberman, hardware dealer, and at the time of his death was farming. His mother was Sarah A. (Weeks) Whitcher, also of New England birth and ancestry. Mr. Whitcher was educated in the common schools of New Hampshire and when fifteen years of age, began his career as a clerk in a mercantile establishment. In 1883 he went to California, later returned and located in Omaha, Nebraska, where he railroaded for two years, and was also located at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he filled the position of passenger officer in the Union depot. In 1886 he came to Washington county, Kansas, where he clerked for two years and then came to Concordia. Here he established himself in the mercantile business, largely groceries, which he conducted for about five years, then sold the same and became associated with Mr. Whipp in their present business. His venture in the mercantile line was during the panic years, when all alike suffered losses. The present combination is a very successful one. Mr. Whitcher bought the interest of D. M. Stackhouse. This firm had formulated a set of abstract books, the only complete set in the county, and were making a specialty of that line, having since added real estate and insurance. Mr. Whitcher enjoys the distinction of being the only Democrat at the present time (1902) holding city office, in 1901 being appointed city clerk. He has been twice nominated for registrar of deeds but never made a canvass, from the fact that he was on the wrong side to be elected. Mr. Whitcher was married in 1888 to Lizzie Francouer, fonnerly of Illinois. She was practically reared in Cloud county, as she came here with her parents when an infant. Her father is Joseph Francouer, a farmer of Lincoln township, near Concordia. They are of French extraction and natives of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcher are the parents of three daughters, Lillian, Florence and Edith, aged, respectively, twelve, nine and four years. Mr. Whitcher owns a farm in Aurora township and retains his interest in his fathers estate in New Hampshire; has a comfortable but modest home on Broadway and Thirteenth streets. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen and Court of Honor. HONORABLE RICHARD PARRIOTT WEST. Reverend R. P. West, the subject of this sketch, is one of the most prominent of the pioneer settlers and figures very conspicuously through the pages of this volume. He was not in reality one of Cloud county's settlers, but was jointly connected with this and Republic county, where he resided. Vermilion county, Indiana, is the place of his nativity. He was born August 10, 1829. His father, Jacob J. West, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter by trade, but later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. A chapter in Mr. West's grandfather's life bordered on the romantic. At the age of nine years he was kidnapped in Liverpool England, taken on board a vessel, brought to Philadelphia and disposed of to a Quaker for the consideration of twelve dollars. He lived with this family for a number of years and received uniform and kindly treatment. He used a gun on the British in the famous battle of Lexington, when but twelve years of age. After several times enlisting he finally entered for five years and served during the war. At the battle of Cowpens he received a severe saber wound on the head that disabled him the remainder of his life. When on a scouting expedition he suddenly came upon a squad of red coats and instantly rec-ognized one as his brother. He revealed to him his relationship, but the brother refused to believe him until shown a mark well known to the brother, which no longer left a doubt in his mind as to his identity. They embraced each other, but the next moment the "Johnnie Bull" began upbraiding him for being a rebel. Jacob West died deaf and blind from the effect of the saber wound. He was a self-made man, and, although he had received but a common school education, by assiduous reading he became a compendium of history and famous for his extensive knowledge of current events. He settled in Illinois in 1837. He died in 1864. His wife died on the same day. They laid aside the joys and burdens of life and together entered the mysterious beyond. When troops were called upon to protect the stars and stripes and the honor of the nation, Reverend West was among* the first to respond and joined the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, June 11, 1861. Although not in any engagements he was constantly at the post of duty and dangers until he fell ill and was forced to enter the hospital. Failing to fully recover his health he was honorably discharged March 27, 1862. Reverend West was married October 22, 1848, in Piatt County, Illinois, to Miss Margaret Murphy, who is a most estimable woman and member of a highly esteemed family. Not having been blessed with children of their own Mr. and Mrs. West adopted little May Glovin, a bright child of eight summers, whom they reared and educated. At the age of twenty-one years she was married to William H. Vicker, a very worthy man. One child, Earl, was born to them, but scarcely three years of married life had elapsed ere the "grim reaper," death, had taken her home, preceded by her infant child two months. Reverend West has always been active in politics, believing that all great reforms must be brought about through the intelligent use of the bal lot. He is a-staunch Republican, although he has not at all times approved of the action of his party's conventions, and believing that an honest Democrat is better than a dishonest Republican, he occasionally put that belief into practice. In 1869-70 and also in 1876 he was elected to the house of representa-tives of the state "of Kansas, and at each session he distinguished himself in aiding the progression of important work. Among the many good bills he was jointly responsible for was one to refund his county's' (Republic) indebtedness, whose finances were in such condition that its credit had sunk to twenty-five Cents on the dollar. The passage of his bill immediately brought it up to par, where it has since remained. As an "objector" Mr. West was a terror to all who had "jobs" before the legislature, each and all of which he opposed with the vigor and ability he possessed* He is the man who unearthed an attempted' eight thousand dollar bond steal of the late Colonel Samuel Wood, who was killed in Stephens county several years ago. During the discussion of the case Wood became so infuriated at the remarks of Representative West that he lost control of his vicious temper and violently hurled an ink bottle at Mr. West, who, fortunately, dodged the missile. In the early 'eighties Reverend West's friends put him in the field as an Independent Republican candidate for the state senate, the district being composed of Republic and Cloud counties, but he was defeated by the regular Republican nominee, through the dishonest tactics of his opponent's friends and workers. He has been active in politics ever since and probably always win be until he is gathered to his "Father's home." In 1882 Reverend West moved to the then territory of Washington and engaged in farming, but his old love for Republic county, where he had spent nearly twenty years bravely overcoming the hardships of frontier life, and finally rewarded with peace, pleasure and plenty, caused him to return. He bought a home in Osborne county, and from there moved to Concordia, locating in the eastern part of the city on Fifth street, where himself and wife declare they will live the remainder of their lives in this pleasant home. Reverend and Mrs. West were pioneers of Republic county and settled on a homestead near where Bellville now stands, in 1863, when great herds of buffalo tramped over his farm, both springtime and autumn, and when the coyote and the Indian were too frequent visitors to make life safe and enjoyable. Here this worthy couple kept "open house," where the weary and hungry traveler always found a welcome to rest and partake of their bounteous meals without charge Reverend West was licensed to preach by the quarterly conference of Tuscola-Paris district of the Illinois conference and was ordained in Man-hattan, Kansas, in 1866. Immediately after coming to Kansas he began his life work of preaching the "everlasting gospel" in his own inimitable style and he was "the right man in the right place." He was always present to bury the dead, to chase the marauding bands of Indians, or to hold protracted meetings in every settlement from Manhattan, Riley county, to Jewell county on the west, and was eminently successful in bringing souls to Christ and organizing congregations, nearly always at his own expense. Reverend West withdrew from the conference on account of his wife's failing health, who, from the beginning of his ministerial labors had borne much of the burden of supporting the itinerant circuit rider's home. Beside dispensing free salvation, Reverend West probably contributed more of his worldly stores than many of his parishioners accumulated in the same length of time. Mrs. West was an important quantity, and while commending this fearless clergyman and politician the credit due his devoted companion must not be overlooked. She at all times shared in those days of grief and romance and while speaking of these attributes, Reverend West facetiously remarked, "To Margaret Ann be all the honor." This venerable and worthy couple have always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of their fellow citizens and when the parting adieus are said and life's journey ended, their many good deeds will live on in the hearts of their neighbors and friends. [Reverend R. P. West, the pioneer circuit rider of more than a quarter of a century ago departed this life at his home in Concordia on the nth of December, 1902. He traveled over the prairies on horseback before the days of roads and bridges, administering spiritual advice and comfort to the settlers of Cloud, Republic, Washington and Clay counties. Since his advent in the state in 1863, he was a prominent figure in church and political affairs as references in various parts of this work signify. His aged wife survives him. Editor. ROBERT MISELL. Robert Misell, one of the successful business men of Concordia, is engaged in real estate and insurance and is one of the most reliable agents in the city. He is thoroughly posted on the property of Concordia and surrounding localities, which is essential to success in his line. His father, Thomas Misell, is of English birth, born in 1819. He enlisted in Company B, Fourth West Virginia Volunteers, and served his adopted country for a period of three years. Thomas Misell came to the Solomon valley in March, 1868, and took up land near Glasco, on the Solomon river. He now resides at the home of his son, the subject of this sketch. Robert Misell's mother was of Irish nativity. She died in 1863, Robert Misell was born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, in 1858, and was but ten years of age when he came to Kansas. After several removals his parents settled in the Solomon valley in 1868, during the unsettled times. His brother was killed in the Indian raid of that year, an account of which is given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Misell was reared on their western homestead and lived there until 1880. For three years he followed various pursuits and in 1883, located in Concordia and engaged in the loan, real estate and insurance business. He was married in 1890, to Emma Seavey, a daughter of Dr. John Seavey, a veterinary surgeon of Concordia. To Mr. and Mrs. Misell one child was born, a little son, Robert L., aged five years. Mr. Misell has been prominently identified with the political affairs of Cloud county and affiliates with the Republican party/ He is ranked among the most progressive men of Concordia and is a public spirited citizen. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is exalted ruler of the Benevolent Order of Elks. GEORGE M. CULVER. George M. Culver, who is now serving his third term as county attorney of Cloud county, was born near Albany, New York, July 6, 1866. He is the third of seven sons. His parents were George W. and Margaret H. (Holton) Culver. His father was a native of the state of New York. He was a carpenter by trade, but emigrated to Republic county, Kansas, where he farmed until his demise in 1890. Mr. Culver's mother was born near Cork, Ireland. She died in 1890, being an interval of only three months between his parents' death. Mr. Culver received his early education in the country schools. His father's finances were limited and he could not give his son the educational advantages his ambitions craved, but his object was not relinquished until it became a reality, which has brought its well merited reward. About six months after Mr. Culver had begun the high school course his parents moved temporarily to Colorado, and he entered the Greeley University. remaining three years, taking special work. This was in 1883, but in the meantime he taught school, beginning at the age of sixteen. He taught as a means of earning money to defray his expenses at the university. Beginning with 1888 he took a two years' literary course in the State University at Lawrence, Kansas. From this period he filled the position of principal in several of the best schools of northwestern Kansas. He was principal of the Beloit schools for five years; he had charge of the Bellville Republic county, schools, and also of Cuba, in the same county. During this time he turned his attention to the study of law and read with various attorneys until admitted to the bar. Mr. Culver's career is a good demonstration of what a young man who has force of character can accomplish. Mr. Culver moved from Beloit to Concordia in June, 1896, and opened In 1883 he established the Concordia Bottling Works, manufacturing all kinds of soft drinks, which has been an excellent source of revenue to him. He has a brisk trade in this line during the summer months, having a large wholesale trade. He ships goods to all parts of the state. He is also a wholesale dealer of cigars. In 1888-9 he was associated with Parker & Company in a cigar factory under the firm name of Messall, Parker & Co. He afterward assumed full control of the concern and did an extensive business. Mr. Messall was married in 1879 to Lena Stettnisch, a young German woman who came with her parents to America in 1866 and settled in Marshall county, Kansas. She is a daughter of Carl Stettnisch, a farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Messall four children have been born. Their only son, Louis, died af the age of fourteen years. Their three daughters. Bertha, Mollie and Bessie, are intelligent and talented young ladies. The eldest daughter, Bertha, after a course in the Concordia high school entered the Agricultural College of Manhattan, and in 1900 entered upon a business course in the Great Western Business College of Concordia. Until recent years Mr. Messall affiliated with the Democrats, but transferred his convictions to the Republican party. He has been identified with the city's affairs almost continuously since his residence in Concordia, as a member of the school board and one of the city councilmen. In April, 1901, he was elected to his present office after a hard fight, by a majority of one hundred and ninety-four, the largest ever given a candidate for that office in Concordia. Mr. Messall owns a handsome residence property with a spacious lawn of five lots, on the corner of Washington and Seventh streets. His factory is in the rear of this property. The family are regular attendants and members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Messall is one of the trustees of the church. HONORABLE JOHN STEWART. John Stewart, the wholesale produce man of northwestern Kansas, owes his substantial position in life to his untiring energy and perseverance. The progress connected with his business operations and their magnificent results evidences what a man with courage and enlightened views can accomplish. Mr. Stewart's experiences have been varied. He has not attained his present financial standing without great labor, excellent financiering and an indomitable will that would not recognize the word defeat. The word "fail" does not occur in his vocabulary of thought. He is a son of the "Auld Sod" born in the little village of Malin, County Donegal, November 8, 1861. His parents were James and Margaret (Kalhoun) Stewart, both natives of Ireland. His father early in life learned the carpenter trade, but later engaged in mercantile pursuits. Mr. Stewart's mother died in 1885. After her death his father emigrated to America, where his children had preceded him. He visited Colorado, remaining two years, spent one year with his son in Concordia, and went to Philadelphia, where he died at the home of one of his daughters in 1901. Mr. Stewart is one of six children, five of whom are living, a brother in Idaho and three sisters in Philadelphia. Mr. Stewart was educated in the National schools of his native country and finished in the academic institution at Londonderry, when fifteen years of age. His choice of a profession was engineering. His parents had aspirations for him to become a clergyman, but Mr. Stewart became neither. He left his native country to make a home for himself in the land o'er the far distant seas. He sailed for America May 18, 1882, one year before he had attained his majority. His attention was attracted toward the far famed silver mines of Leadville, Colorado. Upon arriving in that city he found work in an iron mine, where he remained four years. In the spring of 1886, he came to Ellsworth, Kansas, in the employ of* a Leadville poultry firm, returning in the autumn of the same year to Leadville, where he resumed work again in the mine. The following March he went to the Pacific coast, intending to visit Alaska. He traveled over various parts of California and visited Vancouver's Island, where his mother's only sister a resides, but retraced his steps to Colorado, where he engaged in the poultry and produce business under the firm name of Stewart & Company. The enterprise was not a financial success. They suspended business in December and for the third time Mr. Stewart entered upon mining a last resort, it would seem. The following March he was again sent to Kansas to buy butter, eggs and poultry. He came to Concordia in 1888, and was at once attracted toward the town as an opening for a produce business. Mr. Stewart estab-lished himself in a cellar, under where the New York grocery now is, on a very limited capital; but his business increased and he soon located in larger quarters, and subsequently finding these too small he found more commodious ones, and later his enterprise assumed such proportions that he leased ground from the Union Pacific Railroad Company and erected a three-story brick building, where this concern transacts a magnitude of busi-ness that is surprising in a city the size of Concordia. Mr. Stewart ships goods all ovtfr the United States, perhaps the bulk of which goes to the Pacific coast. During the winter and early spring months he ships into British Columbia and east to Boston, New York City, Albany, Troy, and many other eastern cities. He transacts over five hundred thousand dollars annually and employs in the produce house upwards of thirty men, makes his own tubs, boxes, etc. He employs about ten agents as buyers in various localities. Within three years from the time of starting operations he built up a trade that footed two hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually. Thus as the world grows older and more progressive we see on every side proof of the assertion that the "self-made" man is the most prosperous and highly esteemed, and from this class many of the best citizens and leading men of our country have been taken. Mr. Stewart is in sympathy with the Republican party, but too much occupied to give a great deal of attention to political matters. However, he was a valued member of the city council in 1893-4, and in 1898 was elected mayor of the city of Concordia serving two years. In 1896, Mr. Stewart was married to Lillian, a daughter of the late Cornelius Archer, a well known citizen of Concordia. He was elected sheriff of Cloud county and served several years. The Archers came from Ohio to Kansas in 1872 and located on a farm five miles west of Concordia, where Mrs. Stewart was born the first year of their arrival. Mrs. Stewart's mother died in 1882, and her father in 1892. After his death she lived with a brother in Kansas City until her marriage with Mr. Stewart. Mrs. Stewart is an educated woman of refined tastes. She received her education in the Concordia graded schools and in the academy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The commodious and substantial home of the Stewarts is brightened by the presence of two children, a son and daughter: John Archer, aged three, and baby Margaret. Mrs. Stewart is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. "THE PICNIC." In October, 1895, George W. Marshall and Harry Barton established "The Picnic which at that time consisted of a stock of general merchandise. They discontinued a diversified stock and in 1901 removed a portion of their goods to their Delphos store, in which they became interested in 1899, and filled their present quarters with a line of gents' furnishings. They are stocked with the character of goods well suited to the trade, from the most fashionable dress suit to the goods of stronger texture for the laboring classes. George W. Marshall, the senior member of the firm, has been identified with many business enterprises in Cloud county since his advent into the state in 1875. He first became associated with Mr. Hinman in a general store. He was the first president of the Concordia First National Bank, has been mayor of the city and has been connected directly or indirectly with almost every interest promoted in the city of Concordia. His home is one of the most modern residences in the city and the scene of many elegant social functions. Mrs. Marshall, before her marriage, was Josephine Truesdell, whose parents were among the early settlers of the county and established the first hotel, as mentioned in the early history of the new town. Her mother still lives in Concordia. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall are the parents of two sons, George and Joe. Harry Barton, the junior member of the firm, was for years a commercial traveler for the well-known wholesale grocery house of Julius Kuhn, of Atchison, Kansas. Mr. Barton had the reputation of being one of the most successful salesmen on the road and supplied almost every firm within the limits of his territory with goods. Mr. Barton married a Concordia young woman and soon afterward left the road and formed a partnership with Mr. Marshall. They are one of the solid firms of the city and their far-reaching enterprise is linked with the growth and progress of their town. BERTHA A. MARLATT. In reviewing the history of Cloud county, no name stands out more pre-eminently or more conspicuously among the educational workers than the name of Bertha A. Marlatt, the retiring county superintendent, who has been associated with the schools of Cloud county since her advent into the community in August, 1888. When Miss Marlatt left her Ohio home, the place of her nativity, and drifted westward, she had mapped out for herself the career of a teacher, and accordingly began her first school work in Cloud county. After teaching successfully in several of the country districts, Miss Marlatt taught a total of four years in the Glasco schools. She has twice been tendered a position in the Concordia schools, but was offered a higher salary elsewhere, and declined for that reason. Miss Marlatt received her early education in the district schools of Ohio, and after going through the High school of New Lisbon, took a two years' course in the Normal school of Canfield, Ohio. In 1898 she was elected to the office of county superintendent of Cloud county on the Republican ticket, was re-elected in 1900 and appointed to fill the vacancy from June until May, 1901, occasioned by changing the beginning of the term of office. Miss Marlatt has made an exceptional record in application, never having lost an hour from indisposition, but at all times and under all circumstances has been found at her post of duty. She has never missed but one summer institute since coming to Cloud county, nor a Teachers' Association within the past eight years. She has been a member of the examining board for about six years, and also president of the Cloud County Teachers' Association. In 1901 she was elected secretary of the thirty-ninth annual Kansas State Teachers' Association that convened in Topeka, and also had that honor conferred upon her the present year 1902. On Thanksgiving clay, November 27, 1902, fifteen counties were represented in a teachers' association held at Clay Center, Kansas. Through the energy of Miss Marlatt, the banner offered for the largest number of representatives from any one county was carried away by the fifty-six teachers in attendance from Cloud county. They also secured the association for the coming year; the first time in the history of its organization that the banner and the association have been given to the same county. The first two years of Miss Marlatt's term in office she visited almost every school twice, spending nearly a quarter of a day with each. The last two years, she has given a full one-half day, with but a few exceptions, and visited a number of them twice. During the first springtime of her office reign she spent from six to nine hours daily on the road. The roads were in an unusually bad condition, and not knowing how to reach the districts conveniently, made her duties exceedingly arduous. From January 9, 1899, until January 9, 1903, she traveled with horse and buggy a total of ten thousand miles, which, at an average of five miles, including good and bad roads, makes two thousand hours spent in the buggy. Miss Marlatt instituted the district associations now held in various parts of the county, and they have been quite successful. Sixteen new school houses have been erected during her career in office, and in three of them furnaces have been placed, namely: Districts Nos. 75, 76 and 68. The highest per cent of attendance that has ever been attained by the schools of Cloud county was in 1901, very few falling below ninety, and most of them ranging from ninety to one hundred. Miss Marlatt is self-educated, paying her own way through school, and at a time and place when opportunities were not so great as those offered to young men and women of Cloud county at the present time. Hence she has not much patience with the student who says he can't go through school dependent at least partly upon his own resources. She lived in a berry country where many hands were given employment. The berries were picked and shipped to various cities. Miss Marlatt says she never looks upon a "berry patch" without recalling her childhood days, for in this humble pursuit she earned the means of educating herself. About this time she conceived the idea of going west, where the avenues of school work seemed more accessible. To carry out this plan required money. So, getting her courage together, she approached a good old Quaker neighbor who was pruning his raspberry bushes, and asked for the loan of forty dollars, saying she "wanted to go to Kansas to teach school." The old gentleman looked dubiously upon her as he replied: "Thee going out there? Thee will get scalped." But he granted the loan, and a few days later Miss Marlatt found herself in Concordia with but little more than a dollar of the borrowed fund left in her purse. She was among strangers, and far from home in the "wild and wooly west;" but facing the inevitable, she dared not to do otherwise than succeed, and went to work with that resolution uppermost in her mind. The world pays deference to the man or woman who succeeds in life solely through their own resources and attains' position. This has been accomplished by Miss Marlatt, and is a fine example to the student struggling for an education. As an official Miss Marlatt is admirably qualified by natural ability, and this, coupled with hef broad fund of acquired knowledge, has done much in the way of promoting progressive projects. She is a woman of much strength of character, possessing a kind and genial disposition. The teachers find her sympathetic and generous, ever ready to extend to them helpful suggestions and encouragement when needed. The fact that she, herself, began at the bottom of the ladder and climbed persistently, but not without discouragements, has in all probability rendered her more generous to the rising young teacher that comes under her jurisdiction. Miss Marlatt's father, William Marlatt, was a Pennsylvanian by birth, subsequently settling in Ohio, where he died in 1878. Her mother is of southern birth, having been born in the city of New Orleans, but came north during the war and located in Ohio. She still lives at the old home near Columbiana. Miss Marlatt's sister Ella, who for several years was a resident of Cloud county, is married and living in Ogden, Utah. Miss Mary Marlatt, who has. been associated with the schools of Cloud county for five years, and is also a very successful teacher, is a sister. She is at present engaged in district No. 8. Lawrence Marlatt, who for five years was in the employ: of the Glasco State Bank, is a brother. He is engaged in the insurance business and resides in Glasco. Miss Marlatt is an active member-of the Christian church, and the Concordia congregation owes much of its success; to her zeal. W. E. SHRADER. The subject of this sketch, W. E. Shrader, came to Kansas with the tide of emigration that foiled into the state during the early 'seventies. He bought the relinquishment of a claim on Oak creek, where he lived from 1873 until the latter part of the eighties, when he sold the homestead and bought a farm on Wolf creek. Mr. Shrader has been successful, owning five hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land, is retired from the busy farm life and, with his wife, is enjoying the proceeds of their accumulated interests in a pleasant home, a brick cottage located on East Seventh street, Their three sons and three daughters are all married and have homes of their own. His sons are all practical farmers and stockmen, and as they add other lands and their herds increase; .their property holdings will be numerous as those of their sire. Mr. Shrader made every dollar of his present fine estate in Kansas and, although he has met with many reverses and was in straitened circumstances during the grasshopper raid, he prefers the Sunflower state. Mr. Shrader was born and reared in Washington county, Ohio, near Marietta, the oldest town in the Buckeye state, but asserts he could not gain a livelihood there after having lived on the prairies of Kansas. However, there were times during his early career in the state when, had it been possible to gather up his family and depart for fairer fields, he would have joyfully done so; but like most Kansans he was bound down and could net leave, for which condition he is now duly thankful. He is most happy that he continued in Kansas to raise cattle and hogs, having made the bulk of his property in stock raising. Our subject was nurtured in the principles of Democracy and still clings to that faith. Socially he is a member of the Concordia encampment of Odd Fellows. The Shraders are attendants of the United Brethren church, of which Mrs. Shrader is a member. G. C WILSON. There are several first-class grocery houses in Concordia, and in referring to the best of them the well-arranged store of G. C. Wilson would be included as one in the foremost rank. His methods of doing business entitled him to a place among the most progressive, as his industry, perseverance and superior qualities have placed him in line with men of good citizenship. Mr. Wilson succeeded C. A. Betournay in the grocery business in the spring of 1900. Mr. Wilson has been a resident in the state since 1884. He accepted a clerkship at Kirwin, Kansas, and six years later he entered the grocery department of H. C Annan, of Beloit, as manager, and the length of time he was retained by Mr. Annan-seven years-is emphatic evidence of his reliability. But our subject was not satisfied to continue as an employee and established a business of his own. He purchased the J. J. Abercrombie stock, which he sold back to its former owner six months later and became proprietor of the Hugh Gants grocery. One and one-half years later he disposed of this stock, removed to Kensington, Kansas, and engaged in general merchandising. After locating at the last named place Mr. Wilson's health became impaired and, selling his interests in that town, he returned to Kirwin in 1889. Although it is said "every move is equal to two fires Mr. Wilson, owing to various circumstances, made several changes, but it remained for him to find a greater field, such as Concordia afforded, and where, from the very start, he proceeded to establish a reputation for enterprise and fair dealing. He carries a full line of staple and fancy groceries and conducts a first-class bakery in connection which receives a large patronage. In this busy store five men are employed. A brother, Theodore L., a practical baker, is in charge of the bakery and has filled that position for one and one-half years. James Edward, another brother, is learning the trade with him. Mr. Wilson's father, Peter Wilson, was of Scotch birth He emigrated to the state of New York when quite young and lived there until his death in 1893. Mr. Wilson's mother was of German birth. She died in 1873. There were seven sons and two daughters in his father's family, all of whom lived to maturity. A sister died in 1894 and a brother in the spring of the present year (1903). Mr. Wilson's family consists of his wife, one daughter and two sons: Bernice, Lynn and Karl Marx. They occupy one of the pleasant and desirable cottage homes on West Sixth street. Politically Mr. Wilson affiliates with the Republican party and socially he is a Woodman, a MacCabee and a member of the Sons and Daughters of Justice. Mr. Wilson is entirely self-made, he has worked hard, attended strictly to business affairs, is kind, courteous and obliging, upright in all his dealings qualities that are always winners, and our subject is no exception to the rule. W. F. SAWHILL, M. D. One of Concordia's most progressive physicians, Dr. W. F. Sawhill, hails from Philadelphia and opened an office for the practice of medicine in March, 1883. By his skillful methods and successful treatments Dr. Sawhill commands the patronage of many of the most prominent people of the city. He is not only one of the most competent practitioners but one of Concordia's most useful citizens as well, and prominent in public affairs. He is identified with the school board, a body he is qualified to render efficient service. Dr. Sawhill is a man of family and maintains a pleasant home. ALFRED B. PENNOCK. A. B. Pennock, proprietor of the Concordia elevator, is one of Concordia's most esteemed citizens and business men. He was born in Barry county, Michigan, in 1849. He is a son of Ozias and Mary Ann (Rafler) Pennock. Ozias Pennock was a native of Vermont, but emigrated to Michigan in the early settlement of that state. He was seemingly fond of pioneer life for he emigrated to Allen county, Kansas, in 1859, and removed to Doniphan county in 1863. He subsequently returned to Michigan, where he died in 1898, followed by the wife and mother one year later. Mr. Pen-nock's mother was a native of Ireland and came to America with her parents when about five years of age. Mr. Pennock received a limited education in the common schools of Michigan. He came to Kansas when the country was new and when there were no schools, in 1857. He crossed the plains when but fifteen years of age, driving six yoke of cattle for the freighting company of Stebbins & Porter, who were well known- in those days. He went through to Central City, Colorado, returning in 1865 to Doniphan county, and later, with his father's family, to Michigan, where he worked on a farm until 1870, and again came to Kansas and filed on a homestead in Aurora township, Cloud county, which he improved and lived on for five years. Retaining his homestead he came to Concordia and began working at his trade, that of stone mason and plasterer, which he had learned during his last residence in Michigan. Four years later he entered the employ of William Blair, the man who established the elevator Mr. Pennock now operates. He bought grain for him four years. Mr. Blair was succeeded by Glucose & Company. Mr. Pennock remained in their employ for one year and then established a grain business for himself in the town of Aurora. At the expiration of two years he, with his father-in-law, who owned a half section of land together, returned to the farm for one year, and in 1891 moved to Concordia. In 1892 he was appointed under sheriff and jailor, under Sheriff Archer. Two years later he bought the elevator and has since been successfully engaged in the grain business. On Mr. Pennock's advent in Kansas he had practically nothing, but now owns two farms in Aurora township, one he purchased and the other is his old homestead. They are both finely improved. He has a handsome residence property on the corner of Broadway and Eleventh streets, in the city of Concordia. He was married in 1873 to Kesiah Prince, a daughter of E. L. Prince, a farmer of Aurora township, and an old settler who came to Cloud county in the early 'seventies. Mr. Prince left the homestead in 1876 and established a grain business in Jamestown, owning an interest in an elevator there. They now reside in Concordia. To Mr. and Mrs. Pennock four children have been born: Ada, Florence, Alfred and Hazel, all educated in the Concordia schools. Mr. Pennock is a Republican in politics and was deputy sheriff, under John Wilson, the second sheriff of Cloud county, for four years. He has also served as constable of his township. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, Knights and Ladies of Security and Triple Tie. By his industry and integrity Mr. Pennock has accumulated a comfortable fortune. He possesses a kindly and benevolent disposition. Although an unpretentious, quiet man, he has a host of friends who appreciate his good qualities. W. H. L. PEPPERELL. Few men in Cloud county have risen from obscurity and gained the prominence accorded W. H. L. Pepperell. The interesting story of his life strikingly illustrates what a man can ac complish when he possesses ambition and the energy and the steadfastness of purpose to execute them. From poverty, a "little boot black as he is pleased to call himself, our subject has risen to prosperity, occupies a high standing as a citizen and is admired for the broad learning and scholarly attainments he has acquired from where and when it would be difficult to determine exactly for he began his career ere his school days had fairly dawned. But with the same determination that he has hewed down every obstacle in his path, he gained knowledge and ac-quired much of his book learning while in the employ of Mrs. Truesdell; furthermore it was of a practical kind, the quality that is a boon to the boy who turns pathfinder. Mr. Pepperell was born in Plymouth, England, in 1862. In 1870 he came to America with his parents, who settled in Junction City, Kansas. As a mere child he evinced the same sort of emotion and ambition that beats in the breasts of more mature and restless humanity. His extreme youth nor the influence of his parents, who were in limited circumstances, did not prevent him from taking the "world by the horns. He learned through a traveling salesman, that a position awaited him at the "Truesdell House' in Concordia. The conditions were, a "rustler/' and, in addition, could earn fees blacking boots, doing errands, etc. As a result of having fasted all day, Mr. Pepperell arrived in the new town of Concordia with twenty-five cents in his pocket. He left home with enough to pay his car fare from Junction City to Clyde, and started to finish his journey on foot, but a kindly farmer gave him a ride in his wagon. Mr. Pepperell says should he live a century he could never forget the appearance of Mrs. Truesdell, in her silken gown, as she summoned him into her presence. He had expected to be ushered into a hearing with a grim-visaged landlord instead of this gracious woman, who appeared to him like a queen. She was a handsome woman and her grace appealed to the little stranger, as she mapped out a routine of duties for him to perform. Late in the afternoon Mrs. Truesdell discovered a look of weariness on the boy's face and thinking he may not have dined, true to her kindly nature, ordered a bunch prepared for him. Mr. Pepperell asserts that was the most sumptuous meal he ever partook of in his life, not excepting the scores of banquets he has since attended. He found a home with Mrs. Truesdell, a home in all that the word implies, and for a half dozen years lost his identity and was known as "Billy" Truesdell. In the meantime our subject had established a reputation for shrewdness, coupled with honor and integrity, the first requisites to success, and when the hotel burned down he was offered a clerkship, but refused a position with a salary to enter the law office of Laing & Wrong, that he might satisfy his longing for knowledge, an exceptional sacrifice for a penniless boy, but a wise one, for here he acquired his business education, and at the expiration of one year had gained enough knowledge to form an association with N. E. Carpenter, an attorney and justice of the peace, in the real estate business. From this period he began to rise and in 1882, before having reached his majority, he was elected chairman of the Democratic county convention, and turned down an appointment, under Governor Glick, because he had aspirations to become postmaster in Concordia. In 1884 he was elected a delegate to the national convention and also a member of the Democratic central committee, with which body he is still identified and has been secretary of for twelve years. This body comprises five counties. He became a candidate for postmaster in 1885 and, succeeding a hard fight, which continued through eleven months, Mr. Pepperell was placed in official position, under President Cleveland's first administration, and served with marked satisfaction for three years. Being among the following who believe "to the victor belongs the spoils/' Mr. Pepperell resigned, under President McKinley's reign, six months prior to the expiration of his term. He was again chosen a delegate to the National convention that convened in 1892 and nominated ex-President Cleveland the second time. No better evidence of the efficient service he gave the people could be given than his second appointment to the position of postmaster in 1893, with virtually no opposi-tion, and held the office another four years. His popularity among political circles is shown by repeated gifts of the people and those in office. July 1, 1898. he was appointed a director of the penitentiary by Governor Leedy and filled that office one and a half years. Mr. Pepperell also has an enviable fraternal record. He has been through all the chairs of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has been a delegate to the grand lodge for sixteen consecutive years, without missing a session. In December, 1886, Mr. Pepperell was married to Miss Josephine Paradis, a popular Concordia young woman. Mrs. Pepperell is receiver for the auxiliary department of the Ancient Order of United Workmen for the state of Kansas. They are the parents of one son, William Earl, aged fourteen, who has a fine school record. Since he began his school career his report cards have ranked first in every instance but two; in these they ranked second. Mr. Pepperdl's parents are both deceased, his father dying in 1897 and his mother in 1884. They died in Grand Junction, where they settled upon coming to America. He has two older brothers, Thomas L. and Andrew, and one sister, Mrs. Sarah Jane Mannering. Mr. Pepperell has continued in the real estate business through his political career and has been exceptionally successful; large sums of money are placed through his agency and he is entrusted to the management of extended interests. He represents several of the leading insurance companies, and whoever gives Mr. Pepperell their patronage is sure of courteous and careful consideration the key to his success and popularity. No citizen has done more for the upbuilding of Concordia than he. No project is promoted that he is not a conspicuous figure and he has conducted the politics very acceptably to the Democracy of Cloud county. RAINES & NELSON. The firm of Raines & Nelson is composed of Dr. T. E. Raines and Dr. George E. Nelson, of the homeopathic school of medicine. Dr. Raines, the senior member of the combination, began his professional work in Concordia in the early 'eighties. His practice has steadily increased since that time until his services are constantly in demand. Dr. Raines is a skilled physician and surgeon and when his attention is not engaged in attending his patients he is delving deeper into the researches of science, thus keeping abreast of the times. Raines & Nelson constitute the health officials of Cloud county. The Raines residence is one of the most comfortable homes in the city; while modest without it is elegant in its interior appointments. He and his family are accorded a conspicuous place in the social ranks of Concordia's citizens. Dr. George E. Nelson is a native of Republic county, Kansas. He is a son of James Nelson, a prominent farmer and stockman well known through his specialty as a breeder of pure Poland China hogs, having made one of the best records in this line as far west as Republic county. He is a grandson of the late Reverend Nels Nelson, Sr., of whom an extended account is given in the data of the Jamestown vicinity. James Nelson settled in Grant township, Cloud county, in 1869, but a year or more later traded his homestead for a team and pre-empted eighty acres of land in Republic county, two miles north of the Cloud county line. Dr. Nelson's mother was Mary Hansen before her marriage, and is a sister to John O. Hansen, the popular Jamestown postmaster. Dr. Nelson is the second of four children: Minnie is the widow of C. M. Houghton, who died in 1902, leaving his wife, two sons and two daughters. Charles R., the third child, is a student of the Kansas City Homeopathic Medical College, where Dr. Nelson matriculated, and will complete his course in 1903. Dr. Nelson has been given superior educational advantages. After leaving the common school he entered the Manhattan Agricultural College, where he pursued a scientific course during the sessions of 1894-5, 1895-6 and 1896-7. To further his knowledge of Latin he entered the Emporia State Normal School. Medicine was Dr. Nelson's chosen profession; from boyhood he had dreamed of becoming a physician. In 1898 he entered the Kansas City Homeopathic Medical College and graduated from that institution in March, 1901; came to Concordia directly afterward and became associated with Dr. Raines, with whom he had practiced the year prior, on a student's license. Thus it will be seen Dr. Nelson has not had the obstacles to contend with that confront many young men. e seems to be one of fortune's favored ones, reaping the harvest sown by his prosperous father and distinguished grandfather. To many self-made young men his life would seem "a happy song." Drs. Raines & Nelson have handsome office quarters on the second floor of the Caldwell Bank building. EDWARD J. ALEXANDER. The present county clerk of Cloud county, Edward J. Alexander, who was elected to fulfill the requirements of that office by the Republican party in November, 1902, has been a resident of Concordia since the autumn of 1885, when he accepted a clerkship in the Hinman dry goods store and continued in that capacity until, as a candidate, he started on his electioneering tour. Mr. Alexander is a native of Kankakee, Illinois, born in i860, of French Canadian parentage. His family consists of a wife and the daughter of a brother, whose wife is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander adopted the little girl, who is now thirteen years of age. The family are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Alexander is identified in a prominent way with the Catholic Order of Foresters. He has represented the order as a delegate to different conventions for several years. Mr. Alexander is an accommodating official and worthy of the office bestowed upon him by the people of Cloud county. ARTHUR E. RENARD. A. E. Renard, of the firm of Choquette & Renard, furniture dealers, and also a member of Renard Brothers' New York Grocery, is a native of France, born near Paris in 1867. He is a son of John B. and Zella (Neveux) Renard, also natives of France. Mr. Renard's father was a telegraph dispatcher; he emigrated to Saline county, Kansas, in 1871, where the family resided until 1895, when they came to Concordia, since which time he has lived a retired life. John B. Renard served seven years in the army of France as a musician, which took him over various parts of Africa, South America and the West India Islands. He visited his native country in 1889 and again, accompanied by his wife, in 1898. The venerable father of the Renard brothers, when a soldier with the French army, was stationed from 1851-4 at St. Pierre, the seaport recently destroyed by the eruption of Mount Pelee. He, together with other soldiers of his company, climbed to the summit and reported finding the ground hot like an oven. Many of the company could not reach the top and fell back overcome with the intense heat. With this experience Mr. Renard naturally feels much interest in the volcanic eruption of Mount Pelee. A. E. Renard's paternal grandparents came to America in 1851 and were thirty-two days crossing the water. They settled in Indianapolis, Indiana, and in 1878 came to Kansas, where they both died in 1885, at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Renard, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Salina Normal School, where he took a commercial course and graduated in 1891. In his early life he worked on his fathers farm (which he still retains), but after finishing school clerked two years in a grocery store and then accepted the position of cashier in the Ellsworth County Bank, where he remained three years. In 1895 he came to Concordia, forming a partnership with his two brothers, Aurore and Jule V., and established the popular grocery known as the New York Grocery. They carry one of the largest stocks in the city and control, in connection with this business, the entire ice trade in the city, doing a business of six thousand dollars annually in the ice trade, and from twenty-five thousand to thirty thousand dollars in the grocery, and employ nine men. In 1898 the Renard brothers formed a partnership with N. J. Choquette in the furniture business, with a capital stock of about four thousand dollars. They have, in connection, an undertaking department and make a specialty of this line. Mr. Renard is a licensed embalmer of the state of Kansas, a student of the Champion Embalming College of Kansas City. Although a comparatively new firm, they do an annual business of from twenty thousand to thirty thousand dollars and are steadily increasing. A. E. Renard is one of four sons: Aurore, Jule V. and Emile, the latter living on a farm in Saline county, Kansas. The Renard brothers own eight hundred acres of fine bottom land in the heart of the wheat belt in Saline county and raise on an average eight thousand bushels annually. Mr. Renard was married in 1895 to Virginia Serrault, who was bom and reared on a farm in Saline county, Kansas. To this union three children have been born, viz: Lewis, the eldest child, and a pair of twins, a boy and girl, Marcellus and Marcella, aged two years. Mr. Renard is something of an inventive genius; he has patented an extensible iron bedstead, which can be changed from three-quarter to full size, and is destined to become a pop-ular piece of furniture adapted to small rooms, etc. He has patented it in the United States and has applied for same in Canada and Belgium. He has refused twenty thousand dollars for the right in the United States. He is also patenting a buckle and a revolver. Mr. Burger is interested in the latter. The gun will shoot sixteen shots and has no cylinder. A magazine is supplied instead and acts by motion of the trigger throwing the cartridge into the magazine. Mr. Renard is a member of various lodges and insurance companies, among them the Woodmen of the World, Catholic Foresters, Home Forum, Modern Tontines, has been past commander of the Maccabees and has been through most of the chairs of the orders of which he is a member. Politically he is a Populist, though not radical in politics. Himself and family are members of the Catholic church, of which he is a trustee. Mr. Renard is considered one of the reliable business men of Concordia, being industrious, enterprising and public spirited. In the summer of 1902 the Renard Brothers purchased the interest of N. J. Choquette and continue business at the same place. HONORABLE N. B. BROWN. The magnificent residence overlooking the Republican valley from its location on the summit of a hill to the westward of Concordia, is the home of Colonel N. B. Brown, one of Cloud county's distinguished citizens. On a fine summer day the landscape, as seen from this imposing site, is one of rare and picturesque beauty. Looking down upon the city to the east are handsome homes, public buildings, churches, with their spires gleaming in the sunlight, almost hidden within a forest of trees and shrubbery. To the west and north the productive and fertile valley of the Republican river stretches far beyond, and outlined against the sky is a terraced line of purple hills, marvelous panorama of natural beauty and one of the most enchanting views of the entire valley. ALBERT R. MOORE. The subject of this brief sketch is Albert R. Moore, who has, for the past five years, filled the important office of county clerk of Cloud county. He was born March 30, i860, in the state of Iowa, his parents moving to Ohio while he was yet a babe. Four years later they emigrated to Missouri, where they remained until October, 1883, when they located in Cloud county, Kansas. His father was a farmer, a native of Iowa, a sojourner in Ohio and Missouri, but settled on a farm in Arion township, Cloud county, Kansas, in November, 1883, where he died ten years later. His mother's maiden name was Kennedy; she was born and reared in the state of Ohio, where she died when Mr. Moore was but three years of age. From this marriage three children were born, Laura B., Albert R. and Alonzo G. Previous to his election as county clerk Mr. Moore's entire life was spent upon the farm, where neither time nor opportunity afforded the necessary schooling so needful to the youthful mind. During- the political whirlwind that swept Kansas in the early 'nineties and caused such transformation of public sentiment, he studied closely the various problems of general interest and was thoroughly conversant with the most intricate questions of national importance and magnitude. Politically Mr. Moore has always been a Republican, and was nominated by that party and elected in 1897, when his three colleagues were defeated and the opposition party was at its zenith. During his term of office his cheerful, pleasant and obliging manner won for him many new friends, and he was re-elected in 1899 by a much larger majority, while his three political colleagues were again defeated. In the spring of 1900 he was elected a member of the city council, but resigned in a short time that he might devote himself more fully to other important matters. In December, 1897, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Millie, the youngest daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth Dotson, who emigrated from West Virginia in 1870 and settled on a homestead in Arion township, Cloud county, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore three children have been born, viz: Norman, Ross and Lawrence. Mr. Moore is also an earnest advocate of Christianity and preaches for the Church of Christ at Concordia, as well as other points. He is one of the few who assisted in the erection of a house of worship in the city of Concordia, which is neither sectional, factional or denominational. This house was built by worshippers alone, for the purpose of worship alone. In business Mr. Moore is clever, progressive and enterprising. He has acquired more than the average degree of knowledge and is a man of recognized ability and authority on various questions of vital interest and importance. In religion he sees no creed but the Bible, no faith but the Christ. In his official capacity he is competent, courteous, kind and obliging, and those who know him best are his warmest friends. ERNEST V. KING. Success in photography more than in almost any other business or pro-fession depends upon the natural endowments and the fitness of the individual who has chosen that field for his labors. To become even a mediocre in the art, the operator must exercise his faculties incessantly, for, while frequenting picture shops, the author has discerned that even the most proficient are far from being invariably sure of results. Whatever the skill of the photographer may be, however well adapted for his chosen calling, he does not gain prominence without extended and intense application to work. The subject of this sketch, E. V. King, many of whose photographs furnish illustrations for this volume, has made rapid gains toward the goal of his ambitions, since establishing his studio in Concordia in August, 1897. Mr. King "loves art for art's sake" and seemingly does not recognize a limitation. He is an indefatigable worker and can be found in his studio from early morn until the lengthening shadows drive him from the work he seems to have an irresistible passion for, and which makes it possible for him to acquire skill. Mr. King is young in years, having been born in 1874, but there is no time in the life of an artist (for a photographer must be an artist to succeed) when he is not a student. Lincoln, Nebraska, is the place of his nativity. He was reared in his native state and began his present vocation as an apprentice with William Griffin, of Hebron, Nebraska, Mr. King conducted a gallery for one year prior to his advent in Concordia. He has a commodious and up-to-date studio on the second floor of the Dunning block, and has built up a lucrative patronage. He employs W. E. Gates, a practical photographer. Mr. Gates is formerly of Ohio, the state of his birth, but with his parents emigrated to Nebraska, where he and Mr. King were friends in their boyhood days. Mr. King was married in the spring of 1897 and his family is represented by a wife and two sons, Lyman and Karl. The illustration on the opposite page shows the growth of Lyman, their first born, and also demonstrates the progress Mr. King has made in art in the intervening space of time. Mr. King is a Republican politically, is a member of the city council and the member-elect of the school board from the Third ward. Mr. and Mrs. King are charter members and active workers of the Christian church, Mr. King being one of the church officials. NAPOLEON JOSEPH CHOQUETTE. N. J. Choquette is one of the substantial business men of Concordia. He is a native of Canada and was born in 1863. He is of French extraction on his father's side, but his maternal ancestors were of Scotch origin. He is a son of Napoleon and Theresa (McDuff) Choquette, both natives of Canada. N. J. Choquette is a graduate of St. Cesaire Commercial College of the class of 1883. He started in life as a clerk in his own town, St. Damase, in a general merchandise store. In 1889 he came to the United States, locating at Fall River, Massachusetts, where he filled the position of bookkeeper for two years. In 1891 he came west and stopped at Concordia. He was penniless and in debt ere he obtained employment. With a five weeks' board bill confronting him he secured a clerkship in the grocery store of C. A. Betourney, which position he held for nine years. At the expiration of this period he became associated with Mr. Renard in the furniture business and by their thrift, enterprise and close attention to business they built up an extensive and lucrative trade. In 1902 Mr. Choquette sold his interest in the furniture house of Choquette & Renard and after a few months had elapsed he opened a place of business on Main street, between Washington and Broadway. His stock is new and fresh and Mr. Choquette will doubtless command his share of the patronage. Mr. Choquette was married in 1890 to Mrs. Minnie Ragsdale, who died in 1894, leaving a child by a former marriage, who now resides with her grandparents in Iowa. In 1897 he was married to Ella Smith, a popular young woman, who had been employed in the primary grades of the Concordia schools for several years. She is a native of Iowa and received her educational training at Monticello. They are the parents of a bright and interesting little daughter four years of age. The Choquettes have a very desirable home near the end of Sixth street. Mr. Choquette is a Republican voter, a member of the Order of Maccabees, Knights of Pythias and the Modern Tonties. PARK B. PULSIFER. The legal profession is represented in the city of Concordia by some exceptionally bright talent and among those who have won marked distinction as a leading member of the bar within the space of a comparatively few years is Park B. Pulsifer. For five years prior to casting his future with that of Concordia Mr. Pulsifer was associated in the office of the well-known attorneys, Taylor & Pollard, of St. Louis, one of the leading firms of that city. Mr. Pollard, an ex-congressman from the Tenth Missouri district, is an uncle of Mr. Pulsifer. Mr. Pulsifer has come to the front rapidly since he came to Cloud county in 1885 and proven himself especially adapted to the profession. He is a popular and logical speaker, has been engaged in many important cases and is regarded as one of the most shrewd attorneys in northwest Kansas. VIVIAN E. ZIMMERMAN, M. D. Among the young physicians of the county few have gained more prominence in the same length of time than Dr. Vivian E. Zimmerman, the subject of this sketch. Not far distant from the city of Denver, among the foothills of Weld county, Colorado, he first opened his eyes to the light of day. in the year 1877. He is a son of A. J. Zimmerman, of Grant township {see sketch), and with his parents came to Kansas in 1878. He received his rudimentary education in the district schools and by pursuing his studies at home, for, as a boy, he was a student, and early in life had dreams and aspirations tending toward a professional career. When a lad about six years of age he sustained a serious loss in the death of his mother, a woman of gentle and noble character. After her demise he was taken into the home of his paternal grandparents. His boyhood days were not all sunshine, but he worked his way through the common branches, and his determination to gain a profession rendered the undertaking possible. Not at the instigation of family or friends did he choose the career of an M. D., but from youth adopted medicine as his choice and never wavered from his purpose. Prior to studying medicine, however, he entered upon a course of pharmacy at home, more as a means of gaining the desired end, than from a taste for that calling. At the age of seventeen years he secured a position as drug clerk and continued in that capacity between three and four years. In the meantime he read medicine with Dr. C I. Tidd, of Geneva, Iowa, and later with Dr. G. L. Goss, of Sheffield, Iowa, gaining a credit of one year in the medical college of St. Joseph, Missouri. After two years in that institution, his first experience in professional work was ' at Longford, Kansas, in the autumn of 1900, under a preceptor. Desiring more complete medical knowledge he subsequently entered the Nashville Medical College, graduated from there in the spring of 1901 and returned to Longford. In December of the same year he located in Concordia, where he has since been established. January 16, 1902, he received the appointment of county physician and held that office one year in connection with his private practice, which is steadily increasing. Cramping restrictions incident to financial situations were experienced in Dr. Zimmerman's struggle to gain a profession and he has encountered many obstacles along his career, requiring much energy and courage to tide over these years of anxiety. However, success came as it invariably must to the energetic and faithful. It may safely be predicted that the future years hold for Dr. Zimmerman professional honors. He is a close student, devoted to his profession, and, like hundreds of western young men, is self-educated and self-made, a demonstration which carries with it a recommend. HONORABLE WILLIAM T. SHORT. William T. Short, one of the prominent residents of Concordia, ex-rep-resentative and well-known building contractor, was the first white child born in the township where his parents resided in Stark county, Indiana. His birth occurred May 20, 1847. He is a son of Job and Nancy Short, who were both born in Sussex county, Delaware, in the years 1812 and 1810, respectively. They were married in 1830 and eight years later emigrated to Cass county, Indiana, and thence to Stark county, where they remained thirteen years and then removed to Plymouth, in the same state. When they left their native Delaware there were not many railroads in existence, especially to the westward, and the greater part of their journey was accomplished on flatboats that plied the Ohio river. Their neighbors in the new home consisted largely of wild Indians, but with the industry and perseverance that characterize the pioneer of every country, they cleared a farm in the wilderness and gained a home. Their family consisted of nine children, six sons and three daughters, four of whom are living. Mr. Short's parents were also pioneers of Kansas. They settled in Washington county, five miles east of Clyde in 1867 and subsequently removed to Concordia, where they lived until their deaths. The paternal ancestry of Mr. Short were Danish, his forefathers having emigrated to Delaware in the sixteenth century. They are a long lived race, all having lived to a ripe old old age. Mr. Short received a good common school education at Plymouth, Indiana, and pursued an academic course, but ere he had finished he enlisted his services to sustain the stars and stripes. He was a member of Company E" One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Indiana Regiment After being discharged he re-entered school, but in 1866 he began learning the trade that has brought him good financial returns. That he might more fully complete the requirements he went to Chicago in 1871, where he resided until 1873, when he came to Concordia, his present home and where probably he has erected more buildings than any other two men who have been, engaged in contracting. Mr. Short has always been an uncompromising Republican, voted while in the army for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and has clung to the "old bark" through evil as well as good repute. He was elected to represent Cloud county in the legislature in the autumn of 1898 and re-elected in 1900. la the various orders with which he is associated he has advanced to the highest office in the lodge. He is identified with the Knights of Honor, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of the Maccabees and Grand Army of the Republic. He has served three terms as member of the city council and two terms on the board of education in Concordia. In summing up his characteristics, social and official career, Mr. Short jocosely remarked, "I am a full-blooded Methodist, but have not been working at the business much of late." Mr. Short was married October 7, 1877, to Miss Belle F. Hale, of Jewell county, Kansas. Mrs. Short left Nova Scotia, the place of her nativity, when twelve years of age and became a citizen of Kansas. To their union have been born two promising sons, Rial A., born September 1, 1878,, and Floyd L. born June 16, 1881, and a little daughter, Garaett E., born January 27, 1892.

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