The History of the Early Settlement of Norton County, Kansas

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named state in 1879 to Norton county, and took up a homestead in Highland township, which he still owns. About one year ago he moved to Dellvale in Leota township, and purchased a store and is now engaged in mercantile business. He and his wife are both members of the Disciple church, having united with them years ago. Three children have been born to them of which two are now living. Ed, the eldest, was born in Michigan, September 2, 1868. He removed with his parents to this county in 1879 and has resided here since; he received his education mostly through his own unaided efforts as schools in Highland township were few and far between for some years. He has taught several terms of school in Norton county and is a decided success as a teacher. He is in politics a republican and was appointed postmaster at Dellvale by President Harrison. During several of the late political campaigns he has written articles for the local papers, under various nom de plumes, which have attracted considerable attention. He is a member of the Disciple church and also of the Christian Endeavor. He was married in April of this year to Miss Bertha Powell, who was born in Marshall county, Illinois. She moved with her parents while young to Iowa and was educated in the common schools finishing at Cornell college in 1891. She came to this county with her parents; she is an accomplished school and music teacher. Ed is a republican in politics. J. A. Wray, the second son, was born in August, 1870, in Michigan, and received a common school education. He is a farmer and lives with his parents at Dellvale. Della, the youngest, was born in Illinois in 1874 and died in Indiana in 1876.

James Paxton came here in 1873 and settled in Leota township and remained until the spring of 1894. He is now located in the southern part of Missouri where he expects to remain permanently.

Samuel Paxton came in 1874 and has remained here continuously ever since. He is running a boarding house at Delvale at this time.

Thomas Paxton came in 1874. He left in 1892. He resides in Michigan at this time.

William Paxton came here in 1874. He left in 1893. He lives in Michigan also.

Hi Paxton came in 1874. He lives here yet.

Robert W. Ellis came here in the fall of 1874. He took an active part in the upbuilding of our new country. He was county treasurer one term and stood high in the estimation of his acquaintances. He was an old soldier. He died in June 1893 and was buried by the Norton Masonic lodge of which he was an honored member. His three sons, James, John and Robert jr., all live in this county at the present time. His eldest daughter married Dell Morrison. She died in 1893. His second daughter married John K. Gray. His third daughter married Jo Butler. His fourth daughter married Samuel Campbell. His youngest daughter married Charley Cummings.

Gil Wiley came here in the fall of 1872. He was a buffalo hunter by occupation. He left this county in 1875.

Jake Barnett came here in the winter of 1873. He remained here about one year. He was back here with a boarding train when the B. & M. built in.

P. Warner was an old timer; he came here in 1874 and died at Leota in 1881, and is buried at the old Leota cemetery.

William E. Burnham came here in 1879. He was a republican until 1890 since then he has been a populist. He was the candidate of his party for county commissioner in 1891, but was defeated. He was also the populist

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