C. W. Poston (biography)

[genealogynut]

Taken from History of the State of Kansas, by William G. Cutler


C. W. POSTON, farmer, P.O. Longton, was born in Athens County, Ohio, in 1841.  The same year his parents emigrated to Iowa, where the subject of this sketch was raised until seventeen years of age, when he went to Missouri, and remained there two years.  In the spring of 1860, settled in Kansas, locating in Douglas County.  In 1862, he enlisted in the Second Kansas Cavalry, serving three years and thirty days in active service.  He was in the battle of Prairie Grove, Cane Hill, Fort Smith and many others.  After coming out of the army he opened a grocery store in Douglas County.  After eighteen months he engaged in freighting across the plains, following this business until 1871, when he settled in Howard County, and took a claim in Longton Township, on the Elk River, on Section 10, Township 31, Range 12.  Has 137 acres of choice bottom land, with ninety-five acres under cultivation, 106 acres fenced, thrity-two acres of timber, fine stone barn 30 x 36, good frame house, 16 x 32, and an ell 14 x 18.  Has a fine orchard, and is doing a good stock business, shipping and feeding stock, and is raising about fifty head of cattle per annum.  Mr. Poston was among the early settlers on the Elk River, and was sixty miles from a railroad point, and twenty miles from a post office.  He has been very successful. He started without anything.  He was married in 1860, in Douglas County, to Miss Martha McClelland.  They have three children--Charles, Carrie, and Lizzie.  He is a member of Mulligan Post, No 91, G.A.R. and Longton Lodge No. 26, A. F. & A. M.  Was Treasurer of the lodge for four years. Is a member of Excelsior Lodge, No 61, I.O.O.F. of Lawrence and was a member of Longton Lodge No 160, K. of H. while the lodge was in working order.