William Spencer Hadley, president of the Citizens' State Bank at Wichita, is one of that city's substantial business men who has risen into commercial prominence through the sheer force of his own industry and ambition. Mr. Hadley was born in Richiand, Iowa, Jan. 18, 1866. His father, Noah A. Hadley, was a native of North Carolina, born in 1833, son of William Hadley. Noah A. Hadley was thrice married, and his first wife died, leaving no children. His second wife was Miss Lousina Hadley and, though bearing the same surname, they were not related. She was a daughter of Spencer Hadley and the mother of two sons: Joseph Grant of Portland, Ore., and William Spencer, who was named for his two grandfathers. The mother died when her youngest son, William Spencer, was but two weeks old. The father's third marriage united him to Catharine Bales, who still survives and resides in Wichita. Of this union were born five children: Lott S. is a resident of Glen Elder, Kan.; Milo D. and Charles A. are engaged in the hardware business at Vera, Okla., under the firm name of HadIey Brothers' Hardware Company; Mrs. Eva German is a resident of Glen Elder, Kan.; and Miss Ella is a stenographer at Wichita. Noah A. Hadley, the father, came to Kansas in 1876 and settled at Beloit; he died in 1905 when seventy-two years of age.

William Spencer Hadley was a lad of ten years of age when the family removed to Kansas, and therefore acquired the most of his education in this state in the public schools of Mitchell county and at Grelette Academy, Glen Elder. After graduating in the academy he engaged in teaching and gave ten years to that profession, five years in the public schools of Mitchell county and five years as principal of the Simpson and Glen Elder high schools. He was appointed deputy county treasurer of Mitchell county, in 1894, and served as such until 1896, when he was elected register of deeds, in which office he served until 1900. At the expiration of his official service he engaged in the drug business at Beloit, Kan., which business he conducted one year. In 1901 he came to Wichita and organized the Citizens' State Bank, with a capital of $10,000, the first institution to engage in business on the west side. The officers of the bank at the time of its organization were as follows: President, W. S. Hadley; vice-president, J. H. Turner; cashier, A. H. Stout. In 1908 the cash capital was increased to $25,000 and W. C. Kemp succeeded Mr. Stout as cashier. The year of 1910 found this banking house a prosperous institution, with a surplus of $15,000 and deposits amounting to $300,000. Mr. Hadley is one of the progressive men of the west side. He has been president of the West Side Commercial League since its organization, in 1907, and takes a lively interest in all that pertains to a greater Wichita. He is a director in the Transportation Bureau of the city of Topeka. He has been a lifelong Republican and served four years as secretary of the Republican central committee of the Fifteenth judicial district. He is also secretary and a director of the Friends University at Wichita. He is a birthright Friend on the paternal side and has always maintained membership in that denomination. His mother's people were Methodists. Besides his connection with the Friends University he is also vice-president of the Wichita Young Men's Christian Association and is chairman of the religious work committee.

On Aug. 29, 1888, Mr. Hadley wedded Miss Lillian E. Outland, daughter of Thomas and Mahala Outland of Glen Elder, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Hadley have one daughter, Beulah M., who at present is a music student at the Friends University, Wichita.