Hiram Alfonso Kingsley, manager of the Kaw Paving Company and formerly special examiner for the United States Pension Bureau, at Topeka, was born at Sycamore, DeKalb county, Illinois, July 22, 1857, son of Silas H. Kingsley, a native of New York state, who, throughout most of his life was a farmer, but was a brick and stone mason trade. The mother of Mr. Kingsley was Eleanor Jane Demarest, born in Brooklyn, N. Y. Both parents are dead. They were the parents of seven children: Albert F., of New York City; Charles A., of Boise City, Idaho; Henry M., of Chicago, Ill.; Erwin L., of Madison, S. D.; Bertie F., of Toledo, Ore.; Eldora Lewella, who is the wife of George W. Appel, of Shell Rock, Iowa, and Hiram A. It will be seen that these seven children reside in seven different states.

In 1862, when Hiram A. Kingsley was five years old, his parents removed from Sycamore, Ill., to Waverly, Bremer county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood on a farm. He attended the public schools of his locality and the Waverly High School, and was graduated in the latter at the age of nineteen. He remained at the parental home until he had reached the age of twenty-one, when he went out into the world to build up his own fortune, taking with him not only his parents' blessings, but also their example and precept for a life of probity and integrity. He first went to Nebraska, where for a few months he was employed as a feeder of a threshing machine, and while thus engaged gained the distinction of being the champion feeder of the locality. In May, 1879, he went to Washington, D. C., where his eldest brother, Albert F., resided at the time and held the position of chief of a division in the United States Pension Bureau. Shortly after his arrival at Washington he was appointed to a clerkship in the Indian Bureau. On July 3, 1879, he was appointed to a clerkship in the United States Pension Bureau and was in the constant service of that bureau until Aug. 1, 1910, a period of thirty-one years. He was employed in the pension bureau at Washington until Nov. 22, 1882, when he became a special examiner and held that position continuously until he severed his connection with the department, on Aug. 1, 1910. For twenty-eight years he was a special examiner, and at different times was located as such at La Crosse and Madison, Wis.; Portsmouth, Ohio; Hastings, Neb.; and Topeka, Kan. He was special examiner at Topeka from February, 1894, more than sixteen years. Meanwhile he had studied law, and in 1891 received a diploma from the National Law School, of Washington, D. C.

Mr. Kingsley was married Nov. 1, 1883, to Miss Cora B. Webster, of Washington, D. C., and they have four children—two sons and two daughters—Ethel Frances, born July 25, 1886; Hiram Webster, born Aug. 1, 1888; Mabel Eleanor, born Dec. 8, 1891; and Ralph Demarest, born Feb. 7, 1894.

Mr. Kingsley is vice-president and general manager of the Kaw Paving Company of Topeka. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. The following letter which Mr. Kingsley received explains itself:

"Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions.

"Mr. H. A. Kingsley, Special Examiner,
"Topeka, Kan. "My Dear Sir:—In looking over your record for the year ended July 1, 1901, I find that you are borne on the rolls as 'Excellent.' This is the highest order of merit in the Bureau. I have no doubt of your continued good service.

The above letter is only one of many testimonials Mr. Kingsley has received from his superiors, testifying to the high character of his services during the long period he was in the government employ. The following is a letter written him at the time he offered his resignation of his position in the pension service:

"Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions.

"Office of the Commissioner.

Washington, Oct. 13, 1910.

"Mr. Hiram A. Kingsley, 1410 West Sixth street, Topeka, Kan
My Dear Mr. Kingsley:—Your resignation came to hand just now and will go forward to the secretary for acceptance. I was in hopes the other day when I wrote you that you would not resign, although I could see no other way to help you out, if you had to have a year's leave. I don't think that anyone ever resigned from the Pension Bureau leaving behind a better record than yours. You take with you from this service the best wishes of a host of friends for you success in your new undertaking. For myself, I assure you you have my kindest regards.

Pages 490-492 from volume III, part 1 of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar. Transcribed December 2002 by Carolyn Ward. This volume is identified at the Kansas State Historical Society as microfilm LM195. It is a two-part volume 3.