Emerson K. Kellenberger, one of the most popular physicians of Yates Center, Kan., came to that city in 1883, and during the quarter of a century and more that has passed since then has won a high standing, both professionally and as a citizen. He was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, July 28, 1850. His father was George J. Kellenberger, and his mother was a Miss Kate Gladden prior to her marriage. George J. Kellenberger was a native of Ohio and in an early day removed to Indiana, where he was engaged in the milling business, at Dayton, Tippecanoe county, for a number of years. He removed to Kansas in 1890, and near Yates Center bought a farm, which he traded later for a mill in that city. He sold his mill property, however, a short time before his death, in 1907. In politics he was first a Republican and later a Populist, and had served as county commissioner of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, prior to his removal to Kansas.

Dr. Emerson K. Kellenberger was reared in Indiana and was educated in the common and high schools at Dayton and at a private school at Frankfort, Ind. He began the study of medicine in 1868, and concluded his professional training in the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati in 1871. He began his practice in his home town of Dayton, but shortly afterward became a partner of Dr. John T. Rice of Attica, Ind. The West, however, offered a newer and a less crowded field for one of his profession, and in that same year of 1871 he came to Kansas, locating first at Ottawa, where he remained until 1880, and where he served one term as coroner of Franklin county. He then removed to Eureka Springs, Ark., where he practiced until 1882, and during that time served as secretary of the first board of medical examiners of his judicial district of Arkansas, taking in several counties. In February, 1882, he and his brother, Melvin, conducted a cattle ranch seven miles southwest of Yates Center, and in June, 1883, he located at Yates Center. He was first in partnership with Dr. O. J. Skinner and since that time has been in continuous practice, being now one of the oldest practicing physicians in the county in number of years. He has extensive practice and gives considerable attention to surgery, in which branch of medicine he leads in Woodson county. His professional interest and standing are further indicated by his identification with the different medical associations, being secretary and treasurer of the Woodson County Medical Society, and a member of the Kansas State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has been local surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company twenty years. In politics he is a Democrat and, while not a political worker, takes a keen interest in the issues of the day. Yates Center numbers Dr. Kellenberger as one of its most worthy and respected citizens.