George B. Hanstine, cashier of the People's State Bank at Whitewater, Kan., was born near Columbus, Ind., Nov. 7, 1864, a son of Adam, Jr., and Margaret (Zollinger) Hanstine. The family was founded in America in 1835, by Adam Hanstine, a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, who immigrated to the United States and located at Chambersburg, Pa., where he continued at his trade as a stone mason for the remainder of his life. His trowel is now in the possession of his grandson, George B. Adam, Jr., born in Germany, accompanied his parents to the United States, but in 1855 left Chambersburg, Pa., and moved westward, settling near Columbus, Ind. In 1867 he removed to Polo, Ogle county, Illinois, where he remained until 1876, when the continued "call of the West" brought him to Kansas. He bought 160 acres of land in Harvey county, two miles southwest of Whitewater, and was there engaged in farming until his death, on Feb. 17, 1911. He was a wagon maker and earlier in his career followed that trade. He made a success of farming, however, and at the time of his death ranked among the most prosperous of his county. His wife preceded him in death, her demise having occurred in October, 1905. Six children survive these parents: John H., a merchant at Rockford, Ill.; Anna Marie, the wife of J. S. Gorman, of Eldorado, Kan.; Daniel Luther, a farmer residing four miles northwest of Whitewater; Elizabeth, the wife of Elmer Jennings Bowers, of Jennings, La.; Alice, the wife of Edwin Heroch, of Polo, Ill.; and George B.

George B. Hanstine was educated in the public schools of Harvey county, Kan., and began his independent career as a farmer, first engaging in that pursuit in 1885. In 1887 he purchased the home farm from his father and has in the meantime increased his holdings by purchase until he had 300 acres. Later he bought 400 acres north of Whitewater, and was engaged in general farming and stock feeding until 1903, when he sold out and came to Whitewater to reside, however, he continued to be engaged in buying, feeding and selling cattle, and was very successful in that line of business. In 1908 he organized the Whitewater Alfalfa Milling Company, and was its secretary, treasurer and manager until 1909, when he bought stock in the People's State Bank, and was elected cashier. Mr. Hanstine is a man of splendid business ability and has very capably performed the responsible duties of cashier and has conducted the business of the bank in safe channels. It has a capital of $15,000, a surplus and undivided profits of $5,000, and $85,000 in deposits. His political adherency is given to the Democratic party. Mr. Hanstine takes a great interest in school affairs. He was a member of the Harvey county board of education several years and has also served as clerk of the Whitewater school board. He was elected a member of the Whitewater board on the issue of erecting a new high school building and did most effective work in the campaign to secure the issuing of bonds for its erection. It was built at a cost of $25,000, and stands as a monument to the tireless efforts of those who saw its need and made it possible. It is considered one of the finest in the state in a city the size of Whitewater, has a fine library, and is thoroughly modern in all of its appointments. It has seven teachers in its corps of instructors, and ranks very high for the efficiency of its work. It is a fully accredited high school and its graduates can go into college in the state without examination. Mr. Hanstine is a member of the Lutheran church and is treasurer of the church at Whitewater. He has officiated as superintendent of its Sunday school for twenty years.

On May 8, 1890, Mr. Hanstine was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Alice Hawks, a daughter of Emanuel H. Hawks, of Whitewater, Kan. They have two children: Pearl Evelyn, born March 29, 1891, a graduate of the Whitewater High School, class of 1910; Paul, born March 15, 1892, a student in vocal music at Fairmount College, Wichita. Mr. Hanstine and his family not only take an active part in the educational and church work of their community, but participate prominently in its social life as well, and are numbered among the most valued and esteemed citizens of Whitewater.