Newton J. Hale

NEWTON J. HALE, one of the highly respected retired farmers of Sheridan township, who owns 231 acres of good land situated in section 20, township 32, range 22, was born November 24, 1838, in Washington County, Illinois, and is a son of Meshech and Elizabeth (Maxwell) Hale.

The father of our subject was born in Tennessee, June 23, 1774, and the mother was also a native of Tennessee. They married in that State and then removed to Washington County, Illinois, and settled among the pioneers there. They were farming people and owned considerable land. The father served as colonel of a regiment in the War of 1812 and was a man of importance in his township after his return, filling a number of the local offices. He died April 4, 1848, and the mother also died in Washington County. Of their nine children, the two survivors are: Newton J., and his sister Louisa, who is the wife of Levi Rogers, of Webb City, Missouri. In religious faith they were members of the Baptist Church.

Our subject attended the district schools, as opportunity offered, and grew up on his father's farm, trained to agricultural work. He followed the life of a farmer, in Illinois, until the fall of 1870, when he came to Cherokee County, Kansas, and secured a farm of 120 acres in section 20, township 32, range 22, in Sheridan township, and then returned to Illinois, where on November 9, 1871, he was married to Serena J. Justice, of Perry County, Illinois. This was a wild section of country when Mr. Hale brought his bride here, but both were stout-hearted and industrious and ere long a fair beginning had been made toward the evolution of what is now one of the most comfortable homes and best farms of the township. The farm now includes 231 acres of fine land producing wheat, oats, corn and hay, and sustaining horses, cattle and hogs in large numbers. For some time the labor of the farm has devolved upon Mr. Hale's sons, the time having come for him to take a well earned rest.

Mr. and Mrs. Hale have four children: William B., a farmer of Sheridan township, who married Dora M. Gordon; James Alfred, a farmer of Sheridan township, who married Iva M. Pickering; Matilda E., who married Albert Dunn, a farmer of Sheridan township; and Alva Otto, who is also engaged in farming in Sheridan township, who married Kate Nolan. Mrs. Hale is a consistent member of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Hale votes as his judgment dictates, putting the man before the party. He has never sought office but has always been ready to do his part in public matters, has taken an interest in the schools and in having good public highways, but has believed in a judicious expenditure of the township finances so that all may be equally benefited. He is considered a man of excellent judgment and his advice is often asked. Both Mr. Hale and his estimable wife have worked hard and have passed through many trying times, but their lines now lie in peaceful paths. They are able to take great comfort in the prosperity of their children who have grown up to be respected members of the community, and they are surrounded by friends who hold them in the highest esteem.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 3/11/97.