Isaac Coslett, one of the first settlers of Harper county, Kansas, is a native of Wales, born August 21, 1849. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Morgan) Coslett, both, also, natives of Wales, the father born in 1818, and was an iron worker in early life in his native land. In 1862, he immigrated to America, locating in Scranton, Pa., where he remained until 1869, where he removed to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he also followed the vocation of an iron worker. He died in 1888, from the effect of an injury received in a steel mill two years previously, which rendered him deaf and blind. The mother was born in 1826, and died in 1904. They were the parents of twelve children, three of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: Thomas, born December 18, 1847, died in 1912; Isaac, the subject of this sketch; Evan, born in 1851; Anna, born in 1853, died in 1902; Edward, born in 1855; John, born in 1857; Mary, born in 1859; Elizabeth, born in 1861, and William, born in 1863. Isaac Coslett, whose name introduces this review is a notable example of a self-made man, and his success in life is due to his own unaided efforts. He began work as a puddler in an iron mill, at the tender age of eight, and followed that vocation until he was twenty-nine. In 1878 he came to Kansas, locating on government land, ten miles east of the town of Harper, Harper county. This was the year that Harper county was organized. His original homestead is still in his possession, and he now owns over 1,000 acres of fine land, all under a high state of cultivation. He followed farming and stock raising until 1907, when he retired and removed to Harper. While Mr. Coslett has been active in his private affairs, in which he has been very successful, he has also taken a keen interest in public affairs, as well. He is a Republican, and prominent in the councils of his party in Harper county. In 1899 he was elected county commissioner, serving one term of three years. He has served as a member of the Republican County Central Committee, and has been a delegate to numerous county and State conventions. He served eight years as trustee of Chicaskia township, and held the office of justice of the peace for five years. He is a stockholder in the Danville State Bank, of Danville, Kans., and was one of the organizers of The Farmers Alliance Insurance Company of McPherson, Kans., and has been one of its directors since 1896. This company is now rated as one of the strongest mutual fire insurance companies in the United States. Mr. Coslett was married at Pittsburgh, Pa., September 3, 1872, to Miss Margaret Ann, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Reece) Thomas, natives of Wales. Mrs. Coslett was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., February 3, 1852. She died at Harper, Kans., October 18, 1908, mourned by many friends. She was a deeply religious woman, and lived a consistent Christian life. To Mr. and Mrs. Coslett were born five children: Mary Jane, born December 27, 1873, resides with her father; Evan, born April 21, 1876, married Inza Sturns, October 19, 1904, and they have two children, Ellen, born December 4, 1908, and Velma, born November 6, 1911; William, born June 2, 1880, married Oscie Grime, July 10, 1907, and they have two children, Margaret Ann and Fern; John Albert, born December 8, 1882; Edward Morgan, born September 18, 1885, married Rose Doolin, February 22, 1908, and they have three children, Glen, born April 2, 1909; Edward, Jr., born May 26, 1910, and Blanche Maxcine, born July 10, 1911.

Mr. Coslett is one of the substantial men of Harper county, who has made good and earned the well merited success that has crowned his efforts. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.