Bert Fancher, the popular postmaster at Claflin, and well known to the citizens of Barton county as the editor and owner of the "Claflin Clarion," is a young man of energy and push who has entered actively and prominently into the business and public life of the community since his residence in Claflin. He is a native of Illinois, where he was born on a farm in Winnebago county, Nov. 17, 1874. He is a son of Charles Fancher, who was born Jan. 25, 1836, in New York state, and with his family removed to Kansas in 1876, locating on a farm near the city of Wichita. He was married in Illinois in 1862 to Miss Julia A. Wakeman, the daughter of Zelma and Elvira (Thornton) Wakeman, of Rockford, Ill. The mother died Aug. 18, 1908, at Newton; the father still survives and now lives retired at Claflin. They became the parents of three children: Belle L., born April 24, 1864, in Ogle county, Illinois, and is the wife of William Keefe, a farmer in Meade county; Jessie, born March 14, 1870, is the wife of W. H. Hatch, a contractor at Herbert, Ill.; and Bert.

Bert Fancher received his education in the public schools of Halstead and at the age of thirteen entered a printing office at Halstead to learn the trade. After mastering it he was employed at his trade in different offices in Kansas until May, 1907, when he purchased the "Claflin Clarion," which was established in 1889 and of which he is now the editor and owner. It is Republican in its political nature and is devoted to the interests of the Republican party. He was appointed postmaster at Claflin in 1907 and is still holding that position. The office at the time of his appointment was one of the fourth class, but became an office of the third class in 1909.

On April 25, 1900, at Newton, Mr. Fancher was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Sanner, the daughter of James and Hattie Sanner, the former of whom was a pioneer merchant of Newton. To Mr. and Mrs. Fancher two children have been born: Gladys, born in Hutchinson April 19, 1904, and Gerald B., born in Great Bend Jan. 21, 1906. Mr. Fancher associates fraternally as a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.