D. R. Rodwell, a well known farmer and stockman of Chelsea township, is a Butler county pioneer. Mr. Rodwell is a native of California and was born December 15, 1858. He is a son of John and Sarah (Hodgen) Rodwell, both natives of England. The parents were married in their native land, and shortly afterward immigrated to America, settling in Wisconsin. The father was a miner and followed that occupation in Wisconsin for a while and later went West. He followed mining on the Pacific coast and in the mountains, and was engaged in that line of work in Montana at the time of his death.

Shortly after the father's death the mother and D. R. Rodwell, the subject of this sketch, came to Kansas and located at Great Bend. In 1884 they came to Butler county and settled on 160 acres of land in Chelsea township, which is the present family home. They were poor and went into debt for their home and the first few years in Butler county were years of hardship and privation. At that time all their supplies had to be hauled from Emporia.

After having passed through the first few lean and uncertain years, they began to prosper and soon became numbered among the most substantial people of Butler county. The mother, Sarah Rodwell, is one of the Butler county pioneer women who endured many hardships in the early days of Butler county's history. During the hard times of the early years and uncertain crops, she at times found it difficult to maintain the home, but by good management and industry and with the cooperation of her son, they succeeded in getting a start in life. Soon after coming to Butler county, D. R. Rodwell engaged in stock raising, which has been his chief occupation to the present time, and he is one of the successful men in that line in Butler county.

Mr. Rodwell was married in 1896 to Miss Julia Graham, a daughter of Henry Graham. Mrs. Rodwell died, leaving one child, Daisy, who married Oscar Garabrandt, a native of Ohio, who now resides in Butler county. Mr. Rodwell is one of Butler county's substantial citizens and one of the Chelsea township pioneers who has contributed his part to making Butler county what it is today.

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