Arthur C. North

ARTHUR C. NORTH has played a varied and active part in the affairs of Rush County since he arrived in 1886. He is a man of great practical ingenuity. For many years he has had a wide practice as a doctor veterinary surgery. He has farmed, has built his own houses, has performed his mechanical work, and his resourcefulness has been largely responsible for the success and the influence which he now enjoys.

Doctor North was born in London, Ontario, Canada, in December, 1859. His father, Isaac North, was born in South Lincolnshire, England, October 2, 1838. He sailed from Liverpool to the United States in 1854, lived a time in Madison, Wisconsin, from there went to Canada, but in 1860 returned to the United States, where he died in March, 1905. Isaac North married Sarah M. Kent, who was connected with the English nobility. Her parents were Cartwright and Mrs. (Smith) Kent. Mrs. Isaac North was born in England and her parents died in Canada. She was born October 14, 1834, and died in Newton County, Missouri, August 5, 1902. She was a member of the Congregational Church. The children of Isaac North and wife were: Arthur C.; Joseph H., of Rush County, Kansas; Charles E., of Spokane, Washington; and George R., of Ness County, Kansas.

Doctor North had his first schooling in Rock County, Wisconsin, but when he was a small child his parents moved to Newton County, Missouri, where he lived for about nineteen years. He worked for his father, though he never learned the trade of brick mason, and on reaching mature years he took up the vocation of farming.

Doctor North was married in Newton County, Missouri, and in 1886 came to Kansas, bringing his wife and two children. They came out by wagon, drawn by a team of mules, and beyond this equipment and a few household supplies he had very little cash capital when he began his Kansas career. Altogether he had less than $300, and he spent that money defending a contest filed against his claim. He won the contest, and then proceeded to make a home. His first shelters were a sod house and a sod stable. His house was a single room 14 by 16 feet. He plastered in with native lime, had a board floor, and the roof was covered with boards overlaid with sod. That was the family home for five years. The sod house has now fallen down and disappeared, but it is endeared to his recollection because while living in it the real battle of his existence in Kansas was fought. While living there his wheat, his feed or forage and his cattle raising yielded him enough profit to build a different home.

For the first years the family did not even have a cow. When it was necessary to increase the income derived from the farm produce he did hauling and other work with his team. It was the growing of wheat which started him on his way to independence. From his experience Doctor North believes that the best method of preparing the soil for a wheat crop in this section is by plowing early and allowing a summer fallow. Even that does not always produce a crop in this climate. Doctor North has grown great quantities of this cereal, though many of his crops have been grown on rented land. He is now owner of 560 acres in Rush, Ness and Lane counties. In earlier years he had few tools, but has gradually built up a large stock of farm machinery and implements. He has done his own repair work, including blacksmithing, has been a practical mason and carpenter, and all the buildings on his farm are the result of his own handiwork. He lays his cement walks and has never sought expert labor beyond what he could do himself. Necessity with him was truly the "mother of invention."

Veterinary surgery was almost second nature with Doctor North, and he also studied the subject from authorities. He began his work as a veterinary on coming to Rush County, and for many years he practiced the profession all over the country. He still does some stock dentistry.

Doctor North was a charter member of the Citizens Bank and also took stock in the Farmers Elevator at McCracken. He has been both a patron and supporter of the local schools, for about ten years served as a director, and while living in Newton County, Missouri, he served as constable and deputy sheriff. Otherwise his political work has been chiefly as a voter. He is a republican.

Doctor North was married July 9, 1882, four years before coming to Kansas, to Miss Caroline Morton. Her parents were John and Mary (Harrader) Morton. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, and on coming west lived for brief periods in Indiana and Iowa, and then located in Missouri. He spent his active career as a miller, and he and his wife died in Barry County, Missouri. In the Morton family there were thirteen children, and twelve of them grew up.

Doctor and Mrs. North have children: Ada M., still at home, was well educated and for several terms was a teacher in the rural schools; Charles K., of McCracken, married Lela Carman and has a daughter, Pearl; Arthur is a farmer near McCracken, and by his marriage to Caroline Herdman has a son, Albert Lyle; George H. lives at LaCrosse, Kansas, and married Inez Showalter. The youngest of the family is Joseph Morton. In October, 1914, Doctor North and his wife made a trip to Ashland, Oregon, spending twenty months there for the benefit of Mrs. North's health. While at Ashland Doctor North aided in the erection of the first flour and feed mill at that point, the Ashland Roller Mills. On returning to Kansas Doctor and Mrs. North came back through California and visited many of the interesting points in that state.

Pages 2449-2450.