William Thompson, Chautagua County, KS
William Thompson, farmer, P. O. Cedar Vale, was born in Washington County, Ind., in 1819, and lived there until 1855; going from there to Iowa, locating in Benton County, and engaged in blacksmithing, following this business until 1857, when he engaged in farming. In July, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty- eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving until December, 1863; was in the battles of Champion Hill, through the siege of Vicksburg, Fort Gibson and many others. In 1871, he came to Kansas, locating in Chautauqua (then Howard County), and took a claim on Section 26, Town 33, Range 8; it was nearly 100 miles from a railroad, and there were but a few families in this part of the county. Mr. Thompson has improved his place, having it all enclosed with fences, fifty acres under cultivation, a fine orchard of three acres and fine buildings. He has been engaged in stock-raising for the past few years, his farm being well adapted for this business. In 1844, he was married to Miss Eliza Armstrong, of Indiana; their children are -- Lizzie S., Richard L., Mary E., Noville A. (deceased), Jennie E. (deceased)., Mattie M., Gertrude B., William O. and Berdie N. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

Andrew J. Huffman, Miami County, KS
Andrew J. Huffman, farmer, Section 13, Township 18, Range 24, P. O. New Lancaster. Mr. Huffman was born in Parke County, Ind., November 2, 1836; moved to Illinois with his parents, when ten years of age; eight years later to Iowa, and in the fall of 1865 to Kansas. He located on his present farm of 186 acres in 1869. He was married in Benton County, Iowa in 1858, to Miss Margaret I., daughter of Joseph and Margaret Humphrey. Mrs. Huffman was born in Pennsylvania. They have four children, two sons and two daughters-Mortimore G., Mary L, wife of C. Bodenhammer, of Miami Township, Clara J., wife of John Woldridge, of Cass County, Mo. and Clyde Sherman.

John Mosshart, Republic County, KS
John Mosshart, farmer, P. O. Chester, Neb., was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio in 1842, and was raised there until 1861, when he enlisted in the Eightieth Ohio Volunteer infantry, serving until June, 1865. After coming out of the army, he emigrated to Iowa, locating in Benton County, where he was farming the most of the time. In 1870 he came to Kansas, locating in Republic County, and took a homestead on Section 30, Township 1, Range 2, of 160 acres. There were no improvements on the prairie at that time, and but few settlers in the county. Has 190 acres under the plow, forty-five acres fenced for pasture, and about five acres of forest trees planted. Has a fine peach orchard of 250 trees, 125 apple trees, thirty plum trees and seventy-five grape vines, besides a large amount of blackberries and raspberries. Has since added forty acres, which takes in Rose Creek, making a fine pasture, as there is plenty of water and fifteen acres of timber. He is raising considerable stock; has forty-two head of cattle, 140 hogs, and usually buys and feeds a car of stock every winter. Has done well. He came here without anything, and had to go sixty-five miles to market, and has met with many draw-backs, but has mastered them all, and is as thrifty a farmer as there is in the township. Has a good house and stable, and a pleasant home. Was married in 1869 in Benton County, Iowa, to Miss Elizabeth Blotter. They have four children--Olive May, Edward C., Alice Maud, and Charles J. Is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association.

Prof. Ira D. Graham, Riley County, KS
Prof. Ira D. Graham, superintendent of telegraphy in the Kansas Agricultural College, was born in Benton County, Iowa, August 29, 1855. Educated at Abingdon College, Abingdon, Ill., leaving the institution, on account of business, but a few days before graduating. He immediately entered the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company and remained three years. He then taught in the public schools of Illinois two years; and in 1878, came to Kansas and taught a year at Elmdale, Chase County. In 1879 he was appointed to his present position, and has been in the chair since. He is secretary of the Faculty, and bookkeeper to the Board of Regents. He is now devoting his leisure to the study of natural history, to which department he expects to devote his future life work. Is as correspondent of eminent scientists in Switzerland, Germany and London. He has made collections in geology, entomology and zoology, and is a practical taxidermist. He was married at Manhattan, June 12, 1882, to Miss Mary McConnell of Topeka.