James Frederick Herrick, one of the leading representatives of the stock industry of Stanton county, is closely associated with progressive movements in the Southwest, and has served with merit in the public offices to which he has been elected. Mr. Herrick, who at present fills the position of county clerk, was born on a farm in Cass county, Missouri, September 17, 1875, a son of Dudley and Nancy P. (Bowman) Herrick. The father of James was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, February 14, 1835, on a farm where his parents spent their lives. Amid the primitive surroundings of country life he was reared and educated, learning to become self-reliant and capable. In 1870 Mr. Herrick located in Cass county, Missouri, where he engaged in farming for seventeen years, but, hearing of the fine openings in western Kansas, came to Stanton county, locating on a government homestead and preëmptoin[sic] claim, where he died February 12, 1897. Dudley Herrick married Nancy Bowman at Pleasant Hill, Mo., in 1874, and as she was the daughter of George and Nancy Bowman, native of Kentucky, James Herrick traces his ancestry back to the old stock of the Blue Grass State. Mrs. Herrick came to Missouri in 1870 and there met her future husband. There were seven children in the Herrick family, six of whom are still living: James F.; Albert, born in 1876, now a stockman, of Stanton county; George W., born in 1878, also a stockman, of Stanton county; Fannie E., born in 1880, is the wife of Charles H. Willis, and has five children; Harry W., born in 1885, a stockman, of Stanton county, who married Effie Womble, who has one child.

James Herrick came to Kansas with his parents in 1887. He received his education during the first years in Cass county, Missouri, but after the family came west he attended school in Stanton county. From 1893 to 1898 he was in Colorado working on a ranch, where he learned the practical side of the cattle business. On his return to Stanton county Mr. Herrick engaged in the stock business for himself. From time to time he has purchased additional grazing and farm land and today has several sections which are highly improved, where he has been successful to a gratifying degree. In 1900 he was elected clerk of the district court on the Democratic ticket and was reëlected in 1902, holding the office four years. Two years after leaving office he was elected county clerk of Stanton county, was reëlected in 1908, 1910 and 1912, which proves his personal and political popularity in the county. Mr. Herrick is regarded by his friends and associates as one of the leading citizens of Johnson, as he is in sympathy with all movements for the improvement, development and upbuilding of his community and county, where he is ever more than willing to use his influence for civic betterment. As this sketch shows, he is distinctively a self-made man—one of nature's best, and one whom no force of circumstances could defeat. His friends are many and on the list are many of the representative men of the Southwest. On February 28, 1910, Mr. Herrick married Agnes, the daughter of James A. and Maggie Walters, farmers and stock raisers, of Stanton county. Mrs. Herrick was born at Hodgensville, Ky., October 31, 1881, and accompanied her parents to Kansas in 1887. Six children came to bless this union: Nellie Lee, born January 4, 1902; Earl Ray and Pearl May, twins, born January 8, 1906; Pearl, died March 3, 1906; Ralph, born July 28, 1907; Evelyn, born July 28, 1909, and Myrtle, born June 16, 1911.