H. W. Baney, a pioneer business man of Kansas, who for over thirty-five years has been actively engaged in business at Holton. He is a native of the Keystone State, born at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, November 3, 1855. He is a son of William and Susan (Flinchback) Baney, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of York county, Pa., of old Pennsylvania stock. The parents spent their lives in Elizabethtown and are now both deceased. The father was a butcher, and conducted a meat market in Elizabethtown, practically, throughout his life. H. W. Baney received his education in the public schools of Elizabethtown, and, as a boy, worked in his father's meat market, and learned the butchers trade. One of the incidents of his boyhood which was firmly impressed upon his mind, was the battle of Gettysburg. His home was about twenty-five miles from that field of carnage, and, as a boy about eight years old, he distinctly remembers of hearing the cannonading, during the battle. He remained at home with his father until 1876, when after attending the centennial at Philadelphia, he came west to Decatur, Ill., remaining a short time, then worked as a journeyman butcher at Warrensburg, Ill., when he was compelled to return home on account of poor health. He remained at home until February 11, 1879, when he started west again, this time with Kansas as his destination. After spending a few months in Lawrence, he went to Holton, which has since been the scene of his business activities. Here he opened a meat market, and did a prosperous business until 1887 when he sold out. He then entered the employ of H. W. Stewart and worked in the "Checkered Front" grocery store about a year, when he engaged in the shoe business with a Mr. Pyers, under the firm name of Pyers & Baney. In 1892 he sold his interest in this business to A. D. Walker, and bought his old meat market back, which he conducted until 1910, when he sold it again, and lived on his farm about a year, and in 1911 he engaged in the meat business again, in which he has since continued. He is one of the veteran meat men of Jackson county, and has several customers today who were among his patrons thirty-five years ago, when he embarked in business in Holton. He has seen many changes since coming to Kansas. Holton has more than doubled in population, since he came here. Mr. Baney is a hard worker, and is as active in business as he was the first day that he saw Kansas. He has a fine farm about, three and a half miles from town, where he makes his home, driving from there to his market each day. Mr. Baney was married July 3, 1880 to Miss Emma L. Seltzer, of Mount Joy, Pa. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Modern Woodmen of America, and Mrs. Baney is a member of the Presbyterian church.