FRANK P. TANNER.

FRANK P. TANNER, a well-known representative of the educational interests of southeastern Kansas, now residing in Iola, was born in McLean county, Illinois, January 8, 1872, and is a son of Samuel F. Tanner, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 2, 1828. The paternal grandfather was a native of Germany, his birth occurring in that country near the close of the eighteenth century. He died when his son Samuel was only about five or six years of age, and in consequence the latter was early thrown upon his own resources. His educational privileges were such as were afforded at that time in the old log school houses in frontier settlements. During his youth and early manhood he learned and followed the cabinet maker's trade, and later he worked at the carpenter's trade and at farming.

About the time he attained his majority Samuel Tanner removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, settling near Marietta. There he met and married a Miss Flanders, a native of that state, and they became the parents of the following children: Laura V., wife of L. Chambers; Charity A., wife of B. C. Allenworth; William R.; Iola J., wife of J. S. Sheetz, a resident of Tazewell county, Illinois, as are the other members of the family mentioned above; Ida M., wife of L. Shreve, of Lucas county, Iowa; Mary, wife of R. P. Decker, of the same county; and S. Tellford, who is living in Lucas county. The mother of this family died in 1867, and Samuel F.

Tanner afterward wedded Elizabeth B. Preshaw, the marriage being celebrated June 11, 1868. The lady was born in Ohio, September 9, 1832, a daughter of Alexander Preshaw, who was born in Ireland, March 17, 1793, but was of English descent. He married Eliza Ann McCracken, who was born in Ireland, June 25, 1796, her people having emigrated from Scotland to the Emerald Isle. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Preshaw occurred in Ireland, April 26, 1816, and about 1819 they crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Unto Samuel F. and Elizabeth B. (Preshaw) Tanner were born four sons, but the subject of this review is the only one now living. In 1869 the parents removed to McLean county, Illinois, and in 1874 went to Tazewell county, that state, whence in 1885 they came to Allen county, Kansas. Here on the 21st of August, 1892, the mother died, and in the following year Mr. Tanner removed to Lucas county, Iowa, where he departed this life on the 4th of October, 1894.

Frank P. Tanner was only two years old when taken by his parents to Tazewell county, and was a youth of thirteen when he came with them to Allen county. He remained home until January, 1891, when he was called to complete a term of school in District No. 6, having in the previous summer been granted a teacher's certificate. Since that time he has been identified with the educational interests of Allen and Woodson counties, and is recognized as a very capable instructor, having marked ability in imparting to others a knowledge of the subjects which constitute the curriculum of the schools with which he has been connected.

In 1892 Mr. Tanner was united in marriage to Miss Mattie L. See, who was born in Allen county, Kansas, March 8, 1874, and is a daughter of R. W. See, a native of Virginia, born on the 6th of March, 1842. Three children have been born of their union, but they lost their only daughter, Lena M. Alta R. and Ralph O. are still with their parents. In February 1898, Mr. and Mrs. Tanner removed from their farm five miles west of Iola to the county seat, where they now reside, having a pleasant home at No. 802 North Jefferson avenue. They occupy an enviable position in social circles where intelligence and true worth are received as the passports into good society.

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