Daniel Bloomheart, a prominent citizen of Chanute, and one of the most successful merchants of that city, is a fine example of the self-reliant and self-made man, who, through the force of his own energy and ambition, has attained no uncertain position in the commercial circles of Kansas, and by industry and determination has risen from a modest beginning to the enjoyment of a well earned success.

Mr. Bloomheart was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, March 24, 1856, a son of Peter and Almira (Tucker) Bloomheart, natives of Indiana. Peter Bloomheart devoted his whole active career to agricultural pursuits and resided in Indiana until 1816, when he moved to Illinois. In 1867 he came to Kansas and died there in 1896. He was a stanch Republican. Daniel Bloomheart, the grandfather, was a pioneer settler in Indiana and a soldier in the war of 1812. He, too, was a farmer and continued to live in Indiana until his death in 1858. Samuel Tucker, maternal grandfather of Mr. Bloomheart, was a native of Ohio, but removed to Indiana in an early day and resided there until his death.

Daniel Bloomheart, our subject, attended the pioneer schools of Kansas and received but a limited education, so far as schools and teachers were concerned, his total attendance having been but for a period of twelve months. Keen and alert, however, he has, in the broader school of experience, corrected to a large extent his earlier deficiency and is well informed on the live topics of the day. His independent career began on a farm and he continued to be engaged in farm duties until thirty years of age, or until 1886. In that year his connection with the mercantile business, to which he has now devoted a quarter of a century, began in a small way, when he removed to Parsons and engaged in the grocery business. Three years later, in 1889, he removed to Chanute and there established a grocery store which he conducted as such until 1895, when he added to the business a large line of shoes and gents' furnishings. Since then he has also acquired a half interest in another clothing and furnishing store with Fred C. Warren, and in addition to the mercantile interests mentioned he owns one of the best farms in Kansas and has other extensive realty holdings on which have been found valuable deposits of oil and gas. A man of superior business judgment, Mr. Bloomheart has won his way to succss by a long period of untiring labor and legitimate methods, for he began his business career without capital, other than ability and the will and energy to do. Associated with him in all of his interests is his brother, Charles, who is two years younger than Mr. Bloomheart. They own everything in partnership—the store, the farm, and the city real estate—and the close tie of affection between them is a worthy exemplification of the devotion of Damon and Pythias.

In 1883, Mr. Bloomheart was united in marriage to Miss Bertha, daughter of Robert Patterson, who was an early settler in Neosho county, Kansas. Fraternally, Mr. Bloomheart holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He is a Republican in his political views and has served as a member of the city council of Chanute two terms. In 1910 he was elected president of the Merchants' Association of Kansas. He takes a lively interest in public affairs and is heartily identified with all movements for the progress of Chanute and his state.