Henry W. Loy.—Among the most important and latest discovered natural resources that have contributed to make Kansas the great state it is are the great deposits of gas and oil that have been found in the southern part of the state, and it was to engage as an operator in these fields that Mr. Loy came to Kansas, in 1902. When twenty-one years of age, in 1892, he left the parental home, in Indiana, and went to Southwestern Missouri, where he engaged as a miner and prospector. He there obtained an interest in zinc mines, in which he made some money. He continued there until 1902, in which year he came to Kansas and, with the financial start he had secured in Missouri, was enabled to enter the Kansas oil and gas fields as an operator. He located at Chanute and at once began to drill for gas and oil, in which business he is still engaged. He now has 2,700 acres of gas land under lease in Kansas, besides a great deal in Oklahoma, and he sells gas to the Cement Works at Chanute and to the Kansas Natural Gas Company, is an enthusiastic supporter of every movement for the greater development of his adopted city, where he stands high in the estimation of its citizens.

Henry W. Loy was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, July 16, 1871, and is a son of Henry and Barbara (Harkins) Loy. The father was born in Ohio and came to Indiana when a young man. He was farmer, but retired from active work, in 1908, and removed to Southwestern Missouri, where he died in 1909. In political views he was a Democrat and in church faith and membership both parents were Presbyterians of the old school. John Loy, the grandfather of Henry W., was born in Pennsylvania and removed from that state to Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life. He, too, was a farmer. Daniel Harkins, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Loy, was of Irish descent and had been a resident of Indiana many years prior to his death.

Mr. Loy was reared to manhood in Indiana and received his education in the common schools of that state. He began his independent career at the age of twenty-one and, in a comparatively short period, through his own efforts, he has won financial success. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party and he has served as a member of the city council two years.

In September, 1898, Mr. Loy married Miss Ella Wilson, daughter of John Wilson and his wife, early settlers in Kansas, but who now reside in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Loy have four children living: Helen, Catherine and Louise, who are in school; and Henry W., Jr. Mr. Loy has a new residence in course of erection (1911) which, when completed, will be one of the finest homes in Chanute. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America.