Hiram F. Rains

HIRAM F. RAINS, a retired farmer of Cherokee County, residing in a comfortable home in Columbus, opposite the Cherokee County High School building, is one of the old settlers, having located on Cow Creek, in what is now Pleasant View township, May 10, 1866. He was born in Whitley County, Kentucky, June 11, 1848, and is a son of Greenbury B. and Elizabeth (Vanoy) Rains.

The parents never came to Cherokee County, and the subject of this sketch never returned to the old home, so that he never saw them after leaving with his bride for Kansas, in 1866. One brother, Milton Rains, came to Cherokee County after his brother had settled here. He remained several years, and at a later date was accidentally killed by being thrown from a horse, and was interred in Pleasant View Cemetery.

Hiram F. Rains was but 18 years of age when he took upon himself some serious responsibilities, among them being his marriage, and his search in a strange locality for a permanent home. His discharge of both of these exemplified his good judgment, and much of his success in the latter undertaking must be attributed to that in the former. He settled on a claim in Cherokee County, afterward spent two years in Bourbon County, and finally made a permanent home in Cherokee County. He has been a very successful man, engaging mainly in farming and in the buying, selling and shipping of stock. Coming here with practically no capital, it must be a matter of much satisfaction to Mr. Rains to recount his possessions, all earned in the lines of legitimate business. When he felt ready to retire from active agricultural operations, in January, 1903, he sold his farm of 360 acres, which was located in four different sections in Pleasant View township. Recently, however, he has purchased another farm, this being located in Salamanca township. Since removing to Columbus, he has served the city as night policeman. Mr. Rains was married to Nancy M. Skeen, who was born in his native county, and willingly accepted the hardships she knew were awaiting her in the new country which was to be their home. She still survives, and has reared a family of five children, namely: Emily Jane, who married Riley Anderson, and died in 1899 in the Indian Territory, leaving five children; W. B., who is a farmer in Payne County, Oklahoma, six miles southwest of Stillwater; Julia Bell, who is the wife of John Eddington, a farmer of Pleasant View township; Mattie F., who married Isaac Williams, and resides near Joplin, Missouri; and Hattie May, who resides at home.

The family belong to and liberally contribute to the support of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Rains has always been an active Republican, and has frequently served in the township offices,—as school director and road supervisor,—always carefully and faithfully performing a citizen's full duty. He was a charter member of the Cow Creek Minute Men, which body was developed into the Anti-Horse Thief Association. He has long been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is connected with Lodge No. 387 at Columbus.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by students from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 5-7-97