FRANK NIGH.

FRANK NIGH—For almost a third of a century J. Frank Nigh has resided in Allen County, and is today classed among the wide-awake and progressive farmers and stock raisers of Iola township. He was born in Cowden, Shelby County, Illinois, October 14, 1859. His father, Isaac Nigh, was born in Garfield County, Ohio, December 2, 1829, and his grandfather was a native of the State of Maryland, born in 1803. In 1846 the last named enlisted in Ohio for service in the Mexican war and his regiment was assigned to General Scott's army. He participated in the campaigns of that victorious army from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico, where he was stricken with typhus fever, died and was buried. In civil life he was a frontier farmer and died leaving a family of four children. His wife's maiden name was Mary Beachtel, born in the State of Pennsylvania in 1811. She died in Shelby County, Illinois, in 1898.

Isaac Nigh was the first child of his parents and his boyhood and early youth were passed in Franklin, County, Ohio. At the age of seventeen years he joined the same regiment with his father for service in the Mexican war and followed the army of General Scott to the City of Mexico. He, too, took down with the dread disease, typhus, and was sick near unto death. Upon recovery, and being discharged from the army, he went back to his native county and passed a year upon the farm. The next year he spent in New York City and, upon his return west, he took up his residence in Shelby County, Illinois. He engaged in farming there and continued it until the war of the Rebellion called him to arms. He enlisted in the 115th Illinois Infantry, Colonel Moore, and served three years. From the year of his muster out of the service till 1869 he passed in Illinois on a farm. The latter month and year he journeyed to Kansas and settled in Cottage Grove township, Allen County. He secured a homestead four and a half miles south of Humboldt which he improved and upon which he

made his home many years. The first year Isaac Nigh spent in Kansas he was engaged much of the time in freighting goods from the nearest railroad points along the Kaw River, Lawrence and Kansas City, Missouri, to Humboldt. In this way he was able to the better provide for his family while the initial steps toward farm-improvement and farm-cultivation were being taken.

Isaac Nigh was married in 1853 to Ann Phillips. Mrs. Nigh was born January 6, 1835, in Shelby County, Illinois. She was a daughter of Bryant Phillips and is the mother of two sons and a daughter: Samuel C. Nigh, who died at Chanute, Kansas, in 1894; Mary J., wife of E. A. Gleason, of Humboldt, and J. Frank Nigh, our subject.

At ten years of age Frank Nigh came into Allen County. He began contributing toward his own support upon entering his 'teens and learned the lessons of independence and self-confidence long before he saw his twenty-first birthday. He was schooled passably well in the district schools and this, strengthened by the efficient school of experience, has equipped him for a successful career in life. To enter the railroad service was among the first acts of our subject upon reaching man's estate. He learned telegraphy with the L. L. and G. Railway people and was in their employ at stations along their line, till 1886. Leaving the road he located upon a farm along the Neosho River and has ever since dubbed himself a farmer.

In November 1889 Mr. Nigh was elected Register of Deeds of Allen County and was again elected in 1891, each time by a majority largely in excess of the regular Republican ticket. He performed his official duties with fidelity and efficiency and was regarded as one of our reliable and honorable public servants.

November 16, 1834, Mr. Nigh was married to Miss Lou Hubbard, a daughter of the late pioneer, Samuel F. and Parmelia Hubbard. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard were from North Carolina and came into Allen County in 1857. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nigh: Edna L., Claude H., Matilda M. and James P.

Frank Nigh has acquitted himself well wherever he has been tried. He served his employers faithfully when in the railroad service; nothing wss left undone by him as a public official, which jeopardized the public, or private welfare of his constituents; as a farmer he is broad-gauged and progressive, practicing industry and honesty before all men, and as a citizen he is unassailable and his character stands unimpeached. Being a firm believer in the efficacy of Republican principles he is a loyal and unswerving supporter of the party of his choice. He is a Knight of Pythias, an Odd Fellow and a laborer in the cause of Father Upchurch.

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