W. S. Rentfro (Biography)

[genealogynut]

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

W. S. RENTFRO, farmer, P.O. Oak Valley, was born in Menard County, Ill., 1833, where he lived until 1849, when he migrated to Iowa, locating in Keokuk County.  Enlisted in June 1861 in the First Iowa Cavalry, serving three years.  in 1866, he emigrated to Kansas, locating in Cherokee County, and took a claim.  Was among the very first of the settlers in that county, and was 160 miles from Kansas City, the nearest railroad point at that time.  In 1870, he located near Elk City, in Montgomery County, taking a claim before this county was organized, and the Indians collected a tax of $2 r5o $3 per annum of each of the settlers.  After improving his place and living there five years, he sold out and bought a farm in Longton Township, Elk County, on Section 27, Town 31, Range 13.  Has his place finely improved, has one of the best orchards in the county and raises a large amount of fruit, also raises stock.  His farm is well watered by Elk River, with timber for shelter. Was Commissioner of the township.  He settled in Montgomery County and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for several terms.   Was married in 1858, at Martinsburg, Iowa, to Miss Mary E. Williams.  They have one son -- C.A.

[Wilma]

I find it interesting that so many of these early settlers had fine orchards.  I wonder what they did with all that fruit since the nearest markets were so far away.

[genealogynut]

I think they canned much of it, then stored the jars of canned fruit in the cellar.  And what they didn't need or use, they shared with others.  It was called Christian hospitality.  All of us need to keep in mind that not every year was a bumper crop, when it came to raising their own year's supply of food, as sometimes food was rather scarce.  The farmers today can tell you all about trying to raise crops, etc.  It largely depends on the weather conditions.

I'm glad that I'm not stuck in the hot kitchen, slaving away trying to can fruits and veggies, doing the laundry by using a washboard, and having to use a smelly outhouse!

[genealogynut]

Wilma.........maybe this is all my imagination........but in these biographies from the History of the State of Kansas, it strikes me that the men of that day must have been having a bragging contest.   So many of them tell how many acres they have, how many acres of this or that, blah, blah, blah.........     Nowadays......what would people do with so many acres of orchards?  Just goes without saying......times are much different now.

I wonder if there were any wagers of who had the best bio.............  I just can't visualize anyone writing a bio like that today.  People of today  have a tendency to keep things private, etc.

[Wilma]

I have noticed that, too.  And they are all pretty much alike.  I wonder if the same person did the actual writing.  Like you, I am glad I don't have to work over a hot stove and use an outside privy.  Funny how they used to cook inside and go outside to the privy.  Now we cook outside and have an indoor bathroom.  Is there something funny about this?