WILLIAM STERTON

More than three decades ago William Sterton took up his permanent abode in Grasshopper township, Atchison county, and none of the citizens are more genuinely respected. He is one of the native sons of Canada, his birth having occurred December 22, 1827. in the village of Wellington. His father, James Sterton, was born in Scotland and was married, in that country. to Janet Crichton. Ten children were born to them, namely: Dove, Elizabeth, Christiana, John, William, Janet, James, Margaret, Joseph and Alexander. The father was seventy-six years of age at the time of his death. He was a member of the Episcopal church and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.

In his boyhood William Sterton had very limited educational advantages. The schools of that early day, in the new and sparsely populated district where he lived, were poor in quality and of a pioneer description. Often the teacher was obliged to cook a meal or two for his pupils, as sudden storms sometimes rendered roads impassable. From his youth Mr. Sterton has devoted his energies chiefly to agriculture and by hard, honest labor has won a livelihood for himself and large family. Beginning without capital, save a good constitution and an ambition to succeed, he has amassed a considerable amount of property. In 1868 Mr. Sterton concluded to try his fortunes in Kansas and from that day until the present he has been occupied in farming here. He owns two hundred and twenty-four acres of rich land, all of which is kept under cultivation. As the years rolled away he made substantial improvements, including a good house, barns, fences, orchards, shade trees and everything comprising a modern homestead.

For more than twenty years Mr. Sterton has officiated as a member of the local school board and for four years has been one of the trustees. Politically he is affiliated with the Democratic party'. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason, his membership being with Huron lodge.

When twenty-eight years of age Mr. Sterton married Isabella Ellis, who also was a native of Canada. She was one of the children of Richard and Elizabeth (Morley) Ellis, both of whom were natives of Yorkshire, England. The father died when seventy-five years of age and the mother attained the extreme age of ninety-five. They were consistent members of the Episcopal church. Their children were named as follows: George, John, William, Thomas, Mary, Esther, Frank, Richard, Moses, Isabella and Charles. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sterton three have been summoned to the better land. One daughter, Isabella, died in infancy. Elizabeth, wife of James Andrews, of Lancaster township, died in 1888, leaving six children. James C. died at the age of thirty years and left widow and one child to mourn his loss. Of the living children of our subject, Dove resides near Guthrie, Oklahoma. John and George are assisting in the management of the old homestead. William and Joseph are enterprising farmers of this township, Mrs. Janet Wilson resides in this locality. Charles and Anna Belle, wife of A. Russell, are residents of Knoxville, Arkansas. All of the children were given as good educations as their parents could afford and were trained in the duties of citizenship.