Arthur Dale Jellison, banker and one of the leading representatives of business interests in Ellsworth county, was born at Wilson, Kan., June 18, 1876, a son of Asa Adams and Catherine Ann Stahl Jellison. Asa Adams Jellison was a native of the State of New York, and his mother was a descendant of John Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts. Asa Adams Jellison's early life was spent in New York, Ohio and Illinois. In 1872 he came to Kansas and located in Ellsworth county, being one of the founders of Wilson. He was a natural progressive in all matters, was one of the pioneer merchants and a prominent stockman of that section. In politics he was a Republican and took an active part in politics, but would not accept public office, though he served several terms as mayor of Wilson. Mr. Jellison was the chief organizer of the first church in Wilson—;the Presbyterian, and a large contributor to the building fund, which he raised. He was one of the organizers of the Wilson State Bank and the Bank of Holyrood. Ever working for the benefit and improvement of the community in which he lived, he contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of Wilson. In 1896 he passed away, being survived by his widow, who died May 23, 1912. The following children survive: Albert C., of Portland, Ore., an extensive timber and land owner; William C., of Portland, Ore., the president of the Estacoda National Bank, of Estacoda, Ore., and who is interested in lumber and various other enterprises; Charles R., assistant cashier of the Wilson State Bank, and Arthur Dale, who was reared in Wilson.

Arthur Dale Jellison received his preliminary education in the public schools of his native town and then graduated from the Kansas Wesleyan Business College, of Salina, in the fall of 1893. Soon after leaving college he entered the Wilson State Bank in a minor capacity, but showed such ability in the banking business that he was rapidly promoted, successively filling the positions of assistant cashier, cashier and president, succeeding Benjamin Westfall, who died in 1908.

The Wilson State Bank ranks among the first five of the Kansas institutions. It was organized in 1886 and has a capital of $40,000, surplus of $80,000, undivided profits of $20,000, and deposits of $400,000. The bank has the finest of modern furnishings and equipment; the offices are the finest of any State bank in Kansas, as all the wood is mahogany and the metal work bronze. Mr. Jellison is regarded as one of the able and most substantial bankers in central Kansas. In addition to his interests at Wilson he is president of the Bank of Holyrood, vice-president of the Citizens' State Bank, of Dorrance, a director of the Sylvan State Bank of Sylvan Grove, of the First National Bank of Luray, and of the Frederick State Bank; and the present treasurer of the Kansas' Bankers' Association. He is also a director of the Farmers' and Bankers' Life Insurance Company, of Wichita, of the Ellsworth Salt Company, and owns about 1,000 acres of fine farming land near Wilson. He is heavily interested in a 14,000-acre tract of land at Hill City, and in the Page City Irrigation Company. For many years he was a member of the firm of Jellison Brothers, founded by his elder brother, which conducted an extensive lumber business at Wilson. Mr. Jellison is a stanch supporter of the Republican party; and for fifteen years has served as township treasurer; he has been mayor of Wilson and has been clerk of the school board for several years. He takes a deep interest in educational affairs or any movement which tends toward the development of the town or its institutions. In 1910 he gave the high school playground to the town. He is a Knight Templar and Scottish Rite Mason, member of the Isis Temple Shrine of Salina, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a trustee of the Presbyterian church, giving liberally to the building fund for the new edifice and it was due largely to his activity that the new building was secured. On December 20, 1899, Mr. Jellison married Maude S., the daughter of Richard Gifford, a pioneer farmer of Wilson. Mrs. Jellison is very popular socially and is one of the leaders of Wilson and Ellsworth county. Mr. Jellison is an energetic man, fond of outdoor sports and athletics, being one of the most popular men of Wilson.