Among the prominent men of Miltonvale is John Squires, the subject of this narrative. He started on a business career in Miltonvale along with W.W. Bright in 1884, under the firm name of Bright & Squires, dealers in implements, coal and grain. In 1889 Mr. Bright withdrew from the firm and in 1892 E.M. Squires became a partner and the father and son have since conducted the business, the extent of which takes in a radius of many miles. In the same year (1892) they added to their stock, pumps and windmills and have done an extensive business in this line. They have also operated a well drilling machine with successful results. This firm is agent for the Champion Buckeye Harvesting machinery, the J.I. Case thresher and the Dempster windmill.

Mr. Squires was born in Kentucky, near the city of Lexington, January 4, 1840. When five years of age he went with his parents to Wabash county, Indiana, where he was reared and received a common school education. He had scarcely attained his mnajority when he responded to his country's call for volunteers and in and in 1862 enlisted in Company A, seventy-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Samuel Steel, who resigned and was succeeded by Captain Isaac McMillan. Mr. Squires saw active service throughout the war. Starting at Louisville, Kentucky, he was in the army of the Cumberland under the noted General Rosecrans and at Chattanooga under General Thomas and with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea. Mr. Squires entered the service as a corporal and was promoted to first sergeant. He was a non-commissioned officer a greater part of the time during the war. He participated in the battles of Chickamaugua, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta skirmishes and was almost continuously under fire during the entire campaign.

The Squires ancestry were early settlers in Virginia. Mr. Squires' maternal ancestors were related to the prominent Taylor family, of Connecticutt. He is one of six children, three of whom are living, including himself. A brother, William Squires, is a farmer living in South Dakota, and a sister Mrs. Flory, is living in Indiana. Mr. Squires' parents both died in 1862, his father in February and his mother the following December.

After the war Mr. Squires farmed in Benton county, Iowa, for ten years. In 1877 he came to Kansas and bought the relinquishment of a homestead in Ottawa county, five and one-half miles south of Miltonvale, where he lived until he became identified with his present interests.

He was married in 1860 to Mary O. Sampson, of Indiana. To their union have been born four children, two of whom are living. Cora A., wife of Joseph Neill, a farmer living two miles north of Miltonvale. Mrs. Neill is a high school graduate and taught in the schools of Miltonvale; has been organist at the Christian church for several years and has considerable musical talent. E.M., who is associated with his father, was married in 1892 to Josephine Trople. They are the parents of two children, Lois and Emery V.

Mr. Squires and his family are members of the Church of Christ. Mr. Squires is a pillar in the church, has filled the office of mayor, police judge, councilman and a member of the school board. In political faith he is a Republican and in all his busy and useful career has discharged his duties faithfully, religiously, socially and politically. He has been chaplain of the Miltonvale Grand Army of the Republic Post almost since its organization.

Mr. Squires is a man of unquestionable character and one who contribtutes liberally by industry and his stores of a worldly nature to the prosperity of public enterprises. Mr. Squires' residence is located on Main street, a comfortable seven room house built in 1883.