William F. Means, a prominent attorney of Hiawatha, Kans., is a native of Missouri, born in DeKalb county, August 1, 1861. He is a son of Andrew L. and Elizabeth (Atterbury) Means, both natives of Missouri, and descendants of pioneers of that State. William F. Means spent his boyhod[sic] days on his father's farm and attended the district schools, and later took a course at the Kirksville Normal School, Kirksville, Mo. He then followed teaching about a year, and in that way obtained funds to continue school. He then attended the University of Missouri, where he graduated in 1885 with a degree of L. B. He then entered the law department of that institution and was graduated in the class of 1887 with the degree of L. L. B., and was admitted to the bar the same year. He immediately came to Kansas, and began the practice of law at Horton. He built up a very satisfactory law practice, and in the fall of 1890, was elected county attorney of Brown county. Upon assuming the duties of that office, in January, 1891, he removed to Hiawatha. He served two terms in that office and at the expiration of the last term, continued to practice at Hiawatha. While practicing at Horton, Mr. Means formed a partnership with Flintoft Smith, under the firm name of Mean & Smith. This partnership continued until 1897. In 1900, Mr. Means was again elected county attorney, serving two terms. In 1905, he returned to private practice, forming a partnership with W. E. Archer, the present county attorney of Brown county. They had an office in Horton, as well as the one in Hiawatha, and Mr. Archer had charge of the Horton office until 1912, when he became county attorney. Mr. Means has been city attorney of Hiawatha several years, and is also a member of the board of education. He is a Republican, and has taken an active part in politics, and has represented his county in several State conventions. He was one of the organizers of the Citizen's Bank of Hiawatha, and has been a member of the board of directors since the organization of that institution. Mr. Means was married at Horton, Kans., June 18, 1890, to Miss Mary Harris, a daughter of William O. Harris. She was a native of Iowa, and reared and educated at Rock Island, Ill. Mrs. Means died June 4, 1891, leaving one child, Mary. On March 6, 1895, Mr. Means was united in marriage to Miss Fannie, daughter of John and Mary Ingle, natives of Indiana. They came to Kansas in 1881, where the father followed farming and stock raising. Mrs. Means is a graduate of the Hiawatha High School, and taught school in the districts and the Hiawatha city schools before her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Means have been born two children: Lucile, a graduate of the Hiawatha High School; and Walker, now a student in the Hiawatha schools. Mr. Means is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. The family are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Means is superintendent of the Sunday school and chairman of the official board. He has largely confined his law practice to the civil side of the courts in recent years, and is regarded as one of the able lawyers of Northern Kansas, and has built up a large practice. He is a close student of the law and a very successful trial lawyer.