JAMES T. TREDWAY.

JAMES T. TREDWAY—While the race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong, tireless energy, resolute purpose and sound judgment never fail to gain success, and though Mr. Tredway spent his youth amid rather unfavoring circumstances and has had to depend entirely upon his own labors, he has risen to a position of affluence and is classed among the substantial citizens of Allen County. He was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, April 10, 1849, and is of English lineage. His parents, however, were natives of Maryland, and were married in Wheeling, West Virginia. The father died when James was only two years old. The surviving members of the family are: Mrs. Olivia B. Littell, whose husband was a captain in the Civil war and later was captain of police in Cincinnati; Thomas Albert, who is married and lives with his family in Kentucky; John W., who is general manager in the offices of the Selmer Hess Publishing House, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; James T.; and Almira E. Nesbitt who resides at the old home. Of the sons, Thomas served as one of the boys in blue in the war of the Rebellion.

At the father's death the mother was left to care for her six small children, but she nobly took up the work and ably prepared them for the practical and responsible duties of life. She gave them good educational privileges, and after attending the common schools James T. Tredway continued his studies in Clermont Academy in Ohio. When still young he went to Cincinnati, where for five years he served as a streetcar conductor in summer and stencil cutter in the winter season. He also spent two years in St. Louis, Missouri, as foreman in the stencil and steel-stamp establishment of J. G. Harris & Company.

He resigned this position and returned to Ohio to wed Miss Josephine Brede, of Cincinnati. She was born of German parents. Her father served in the war of the Rebellion and was taken prisoner and spent many months in Andersonville and other southern prisons. He returned home after the war but in a few years died from the effects of prison life. Her mother is still living with Mrs. Tredway on the farm at the age of seventy-five years.

They began farming in Ohio and after several years of up hill work concluded to go west and were attracted to Allen County by circulars of George A. Bowlus, real estate agent.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tredway have been born five children, who are a source of great comfort to the parents. Guy, the eldest, is a graduate of the State Normal College, at Emporia; Charles is among the first teachers of Allen County; Edna is a graduate of the Iola high school; John is a student in the Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kansas, and Alt at fourteen is still with his father on the farm.

In his business career Mr. Tredway has experienced many difficulties, but the obstacles in his path have served as an impetus to renewed effort. When he came to Kansas he had nothing but a team of mules, and, renting a farm of Jacob Zike, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. The firm of Scott & Goforth, of Iola, furnished him with provisions for a

year and with characteristic energy he began his work, which brought to him a good return. He purchased his farm without paying a cent down, but soon discharged his indebtedness and bought an adjoining eighty. The building which is now utilized as a barn served as his house for eight years, but as the years passed he added substantial improvements to his property and has made it a very desirable and attractive place. All of which has been made possible only by the aid of his dutiful wife.

In politics Mr. Tredway has always been a Republican, has taken an active part in the work of the party and has been chairman of the county central committee. He has, however, never sought office as a reward for his service, which has been given because he believes earnestly in Republican principles. He has been elected president of the County Farmers' Institute for several years and has been twice elected president of the County Sunday School conventions. He and his family are members of the Reformed church. His life demonstrates most clearly what may be accomplished by determined purpose and shows that success does not depend upon fortunate circumstances, upon inheritance or the aid of influential friends, but upon the man. His career is creditable and honorable and should serve as a source of inspiration to others who are forced to begin life empty-handed, as did Mr. Tredway.

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