Arthur Ripley Lasley.—The successful business career of Mr. Lasley, as set forth in this biography, is an illustration to the ingenious and ambitious youth of our country of what pluck and energy can accomplish, and that though there is no set formula for success, so there are no obstacles which determination, industry, and courage cannot surmount.

Mr. Lasley was born on a farm in Meigs county, Ohio, Oct. 12, 1852. His father, Abraham J. Lasley, was born in the same state and county, June 10, 1825, son of parents who were natives of Pennsylvania. Abraham J. Lasley was a farmer and fruit grower by occupation and continued to be a resident of Ohio until his death, in 1900. He was twice married. His first wife was Maria Tate, whom he married in 1846 and who died in 1848, leaving a son, Jonathan B. His second marriage united him, in 1851, with Miss Mary Ripley, who bore him three children—two sons and one daughter: Arthur Ripley is the eldest; Anson Sprague, born June 8, 1854, is a fruit grower at Fountain, Col.; and Mary Maria, born Jan. 1, 1859, is the wife of J. J. Weakly, a railroad conductor at Kansas City, Kan. The mother died Sept. 20, 1876. Arthur Ripley Lasley received both a common and high school education at Pomeroy, Ohio. At the age of eighteen he was thrown upon his own resources, but with undaunted courage and staying qualities he began the business career upon which he can now look back with pride for its accomplishment. His character, energy, and shrewdness became apparent from the very start. The first business venture of the young man was the planting of a patch of potatoes, which yielded him three bushels. His crop was traded for a silver watch, and subsequent exchanges were made until he came into possession of a watch that he sold for $18. Keeping that sum he added to it his wages, for work with a threshing machine, until he had $82, which he invested in pigs. Later they were marketed for $664, and with that capital he invested in young stock. After being engaged six years in farming and stock growing, in Ohio, where he was very successful, he sold out, in 1885, and sought the greater opportunities of the West, removing to Kansas. He participated in the organization of Scott county, in 1885, and there took up government land, which he still owns. He has one farm of 3,200 acres, but two miles distant from Scott, the county seat, and also owns several other improved farms, besides city property. He has transformed the raw prairie into valuable farm land, admirably equipped in regard to modern rural conveniences and in excellent condition for stock raising, in which he is also extensively engaged. Progressive and scientific methods characterize the management of his farm and stock interests, and with a driving and judicious head he has made agriculture a profitable business. He has given considerable attention to the raising of fine, blooded live stock, and in this line of endeavor the same progressive spirit manifests itself that has distinguished his course in every other direction.

After coming to Kansas Mr. Lasley identified himself with the growing interests of the state and has always lent his influence and substantial assistance to enterprises for the benefit of Scott county. He represented his county in the Farmers' National Congress, both in 1906 and in 1910. The benefit of his cool and shrewd judgment has been given to other projects, aside from his farming interests, he having served as president of the first bank organized in Scott county and as president of the company that published the "Scott County News," before its consolidation with the "Chronicle," as the "News-Chronicle." In politics Mr. Lasley is a Republican and he is active in both county and state politics, having served as a delegate to all the different conventions of his party. In 1887 he was elected county treasurer of Scott county and served in that office two years. Fraternally, he is a Mason is of very high rank in the Masonic order, having attained the thirty-second Scottish Rite degree, is both a Knight Templar and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

On Jan. 5, 1878, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lasley and Miss Livona E., daughter of Lewis Darst, a pioneer farmer of Meigs county, Ohio. Mrs. Lasley was born in Meigs county Dec. 23, 1858, and died in a hospital, at Kansas City, Mo., March 28, 1910. This union was blessed with one son, Glenn Darst, born in Meigs county, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1884. Mr. Lasley chose for his second companion in life Mrs. Mary O. Godfrey (nee Givens) of Scott City. She is a native of Missouri, but came to Kingman county, Kansas, with her parents when a child. For the last twelve years she has been a resident of Scott county, Kansas. The marriage ceremony took place at Colorado Springs, Col., Aug. 21, 1911.