Hi gang, Here is another biography from: KANSAS COLLECTION BOOKS William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas ATCHISON COUNTY, Part 27 H. L. WHITAKER, was born in Hampden County, Mass., July 24, 1838. He lived in Massachusetts until he was fourteen years of age, when he left home and went to West Meriden, Conn., to learn the machinist trade, at which he worked until January 1, 1855, when he went to Brown County, Ill., where he engaged in farming. In the fall of 1856, he moved the Rev. Pardee Butler from Brown County, Ill., to Atchison County, Kas. Mr. Whitaker then returned to Brown County, Ill., and moved his mother, Mrs. Emeline Whitaker, to Pardee, Atchison County, Kas., took a claim for her in the spring of 1857; left his mother and two brothers on it, while he went to Henderson County, Ill., and engaged in farming. While here, he was married to Miss Harriet E. Merriman, of West Meriden, Conn., September 22, 1857. In the fall of 1858, he came to Pardee, Atchison County, Kas., his sole capital being a team and ten cents in money. He rented a small place that year, and his mother gave him forty acres of the quarter section that he took up for her in the spring of 1857, which is in the southeast quarter of Section 33, Township 6, Range 19. Mr. Whitaker has added to his farm and now has about 500 acres. He has built three houses on this place, the last one costing him $3,600. April 1, 1882, Mr. Whitaker purchased the retail department of the Western Hardware Company. He deals in farm implements, barb wire, shelf hardware, and everything appertaining to an establishment of the kind. Their children are Lyman M., Frank S., Emma M., Mary I., Joseph A., Harry O., Hattie E., John Allen and Arthur. Mr. Whitaker was a member of the Pardee Seminary Co., retaining that position about fourteen years. He was Overseer and Trustee of the Township six years, and Justice of the Peace from 1872 until the spring of the present year, 1882. He has also from the first been identified with the interests of the schools, having held several offices on the School Board. THE END***