Slem Lisle

SLEM LISLE, deceased, formerly county treasurer of Cherokee County, and for many years one of its most prominent citizens, located here as one of the early settlers, and for 18 years was identified with its agricultural, business and political life. Mr. Lisle was born February 8, 1824, in Wayne or Holmes County, Ohio, and died at Los Angles, California, December 9, 1887.

Mr. Lisle recevied the best mental training the local schools afforded, and in 1846 began farming in his native State. Two years later, he removed to Berlin, Holmes County, Ohio, where he embarked in the grocery business, which he continued until the discovery of gold in California aroused the adventurous spirit of the youth of the land; in 1850 he sold his grocery and went to the West. There he engaged in mining for two years, and then returned to Ohio, where he bought 80 acres of good land in Allen County. This continued to be his home until 1856, when he moved to Lima and was there engaged in the mercantile business until 1868.

Deciding to select a permanent home in the West, Mr. Lisle removed to Kansas City, and a year passed before he had definitely settled upon a locality which he considered most desirable. In the fall of 1868 he returned to Ohio, settled up his affairs, and came back to Kansas in the spring of 1869, locating on the "Military Road" in Cherokee County, not far from Baxter Springs. Mr. Lisle was a man of caution and excellent judgment, and, after a careful survey of the country, he purchased a section of land in Shawnee township, where all the desirable conditions of fine prairie land and good water supply were combined. Here he conducted a large stock farm for six years, dealing principally in Texas cattle, buying, feeding and selling. When ready for the market the cattle were driven to Carthage, Missouri, whence they were shipped by railroad. This business was very successful, as were all of Mr. Lisle's enterprises, managed as they were with the greatest good judgment and fore-thought. In 1873 his Republican friends insisted upon his accepting the office of county treasurer, and he served in this capacity four years and four months,— up to 1878. He served also as councilman at Columbus, and was always actively interested in the success of his party.

After closing his service as treasurer, Mr. Lisle devoted his attention to the buying and selling of real estate, and improved about 12 different farms. At the time of his decease, he left four fine farms. He was largely interested also in lead mining at Webb City and Galena, being one of the first investors upon the discovery of ore there.

Mr. Lisle was a Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Columbus and the Commandery at Oswego, and with his wife was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. As an Odd Fellow he was very prominent, and had the honor of instituting Lodge No. 56, at Columbus.

At the age of 20 years, Mr. Lisle was first married to Lamenta Steel, of Wayne County, Ohio. She died at Lima, Ohio, in 1867. The second marriage of Mr. Lisle took place February 16, 1869, when he wedded Anna Jenkins, of Lima, Ohio, who still survives, and is one of the most highly esteemed ladies of Columbus. The death of Mr. Lisle left her with many business responsibilities. With remarkable ability she has successfully handled them. For about 10 years she conducted the four farms which came into her possession, and then disposed of two of them; she still manages the other two, which are located within 10 miles of Columbus. She also retains her interests in the mines at Galena.

For a number of years it had been Mr. and Mrs. Lisle's pleasant custom to winter in California and, as the climate seemed to agree with them, he was making preparations to establish a permanent home there, at the time of his death.

Mrs. Lisle has probably traveled more extensively than any other resident of Cherokee County. She has made 20 trips across the continent, and has enjoyed all the advantages which wealth and leisure afford in her own country. She has also extended her travels through England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Switzerland and Russia, and is one of the few American ladies who have penetrated to the northernmost city of Hammerfest, and rounded the North Cape, in the "Land of the Midnight Sun." It is gratifying to her own people and to the city of her residence especially, that one who has enjoyed such unusual opportunities to see the finest and best things of other lands, should prefer to return to the old home, and pass the evening of her life among old surroundings satisfied with the respect and affection of old friends.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Bobby Lake, student from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 12/20/96.