Henry L. McCurdy, president of the First State Bank of Stafford, Kan., is of sturdy Scotch-Irish descent on the paternal side, and on his mother's side is the descendant of Virginia ancestors. He was born Nov. 3, 1861, at Independence, Mo., son of John G. McCurdy and his wife, nee Miss Elizabeth Beal, whose parents were Virginians. John G. McCurdy was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, March 20, 1818. He learned the wagon-maker's trade, at which he was employed in Virginia during the earlier years of his career, but in 1850 he responded to the call of the West and came to Independence, Mo., where he now resides and where he was engaged as a blacksmith until his retirement a few years ago. As an early settler in Independence he took a prominent part in public affairs and served for some time as a member of the town council. He is a devout Methodist and has always taken an active part in church work. His parent were of Scotch-Irish descent. About 1850 he married Elizabeth Beal, who died at Independence, Mo., in 1878. Of their union were born four sons and one daughter: Elizabeth B., born about 1852, is the widow of Wilson Powell and resides at Independence, Mo.; John S., born about 1854, is a traveling salesman; James W., born in 1856, for twenty years was county tax collector in Jackson county, Missouri, and is now in the real estate business at Kansas City, Mo.; Joseph A., born in 1859, is a blacksmith at Independence, having succeeded to his father's business; and Henry L. is the youngest son.

Henry L. McCurdy was reared in Independence, Mo., and was educated in the public schools of that city. After his school days he worked in his father's shop four years and then, from 1884 to 1887, conducted a hardware store at Oak Grove, Mo. In March, 1887, he removed to Stafford, Kan., where, with his brother, John S., he was engaged in the hardware business ten years. In 1897 he sold his hardware business and returned to his old home in Independence, Mo., where he served two years as deputy county tax collector under his brother, James W. In the fall of 1899 Mr. McCurdy returned to Stafford, Kan., and with his brother, John S., bought a lumber yard, of which he is now the exclusive owner, and which has proved a very profitable business venture. In November, 1906, he became president of the First State Bank of Stafford. This bank was established in June, 1903, with a capital of $20,000, which was increased to $30,000, in 1911, out of the undivided profits of the bank. It is considered one of the soundest financial institutions of Stafford county. The business of the bank was begun in the rear end of a grocery store and now it occupies a modern block of its own, and its success has been due largely to the careful and able management of Mr. McCurdy, who is a man of fine business discernment, energetic and progressive. He has prospered in all of his personal business affairs and has already gained for himself an ample competence.

He was united in marriage Feb. 20, 1892, to Miss Elizabeth Collins of Stafford, a daughter of Thomas Collins, a successful stockman of Stafford county. They have had one child, Veda May, born Nov. 8, 1893, and died March 1, 1902.