John Wesley Laury, register of deeds of Allen county, is a native of the Keystone State. He was born in Carbon county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1853, a son of Godfrey and Anna Marie (Dreisbach) Laury, both natives of Pennsylvania. The former of Scotch, and the latter of German descent. Godfrey Laury was a blacksmith and wagon maker, and was engaged in the manufacture of carriages when the Civil war broke out. He enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment, and served until the close of the war, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Mahanoy City, Pa., where he remained until 1878, when he removed to Kansas, and located at Lawrence, for a short time, when he went to Humboldt and engaged in farming. He was one of the successful farmers of Allen county, and followed that vocation until his death, March 29, 1897. His wife died, September 27, 1885. John Wesley Laury was educated in the public schools of Pennsylvania and Union Seminary, New Berlin, Pa. He began life as a traveling salesman with a line of tobacco and cigars. After a year on the road, he became a clerk in his father's store, and was engaged in various capacities in his native State until 1878, when he came to Kansas, locating at Waterville. He remained there a short time when he went to Allen county and settled on a farm, east of Iola. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising, in a small way, until 1885, when he engaged in the butchering business. This enterprise proved a success from the start, and he soon build[sic] up a large business. His business extended over a large section. He continued in the meat business until January, 1911, when he assumed the duties of the office of register of deeds to which he had been elected the preceeding fall. His sons carried on the meat business about a year, when they disposd[sic] of it, and engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Laury was reelected to the office of register of deeds in 1912, and is now serving in that capacity. He is an efficient officer, and his courteous manner in serving the public has won for him many friends. He was one of the organizers of the La Harpe State Bank and has been vice-president of that institution since its organization. This bank is capitalized at $10,000 and its business has had a substantial growth since its doors were opened to the business public. Mr. Laury was married May 16, 1882, to Miss Phoebe Alice, daughter of William and Jane E. (Sparks) McCray, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Indiana. The McCray family came to Kansas in 1872, and located near Coyville, Wilson county. Mrs. Laury was born in Iowa, and educated in the public schools, and taught school for a number of years before her marriage. She began teaching at the early age of fourteen. To Mr. and Mrs. Laury have been born twelve children: Lola Mariah, died in infancy; William Godfrey, a graduate of the Moran High School and Baker University, married Phoebe Ellis, of Ottawa, Kans., and they have one child, Edna Marie; Charles McCray, a graduate of Moran High School and Baker University; Clara Olivia, a graduate of Iola High School and Baker University; Ellen Rebecca, deceased; John W. Jr., graduate of the Iola High School and Baker University, now professor of science in the Montgomery County High School; Emma Alice, a graduate of Baldwin High School, and now a student in Baker University; George Aldrich, was killed in a run away accident, July 11, 1907; Raymond Hiram, a graduate of the Iola High School; Everett Moses, a student in high school; Ruth Jane, a student in the public schools and Mary Evaline, died in infancy. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Laury has been a steward and trustee for a number of years. He is a charter member of the Moran Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and politically he is a Republican, and has been active in local politics for a number of years. He has attended four State conventions as a delegate, and is a member of the Republican County Central Committee.