John B. Mon Cravie of Arkansas City, a successful retired farmer of that city, is, as his name indicates, of French descent and is of the second generation of that family native born to American soil. Mr. Mon Cravie was born in Richardson county, Nebraska, Jan. 1, 1868, a son of Alexander B. and Elizabeth Louise Mon Cravie. John B. Mon Cravie, the grandfather of the subject, was a native of France who settled in Montana, where he engaged in stock raising. There Indian depredations and outrages were so severe, however, that he and his family were compelled to seek a residence elsewhere. The Indians burned his home, drove off his cattle and ruined him financially. The family then removed to Iowa, but subsequently became residents of Nebraska, in which state marauding bands of Sioux Indians made the life of the early pioneer a very hard one, as not only was his property destroyed but his life and that of his family were in constant danger. John B. Mon Cravie, the grandfather, engaged in farming and stock raising in Nebraska and died there. His son, Alexander B., the father of the subject, was married in that state to Miss Elizabeth Louise, a daughter of Edward Paul Louise, a native of Nebraska, and was employed in that state as manager for the American Fur Company. He died in St. Louis. Alexander B. Mon Cravie was a farmer and stock raiser by occupation. He was a loyal defender of the Union during the Civil war and died in 1875 from the effects of wounds received while in the service. He was a stanch Republican and took an active interest in the success of his party.

John B. Mon Cravie of this review was but eight years old when his father died. He received his education in the schools of Omaha, Neb., except two years' study in the schools at Dakota City, Neb. He began farming for his mother, with whom he remained until 1889, in which year he moved to the Osage reservation in Oklahoma. From there he removed to Arkansas City, Kan., in 1905 in order to secure better educational facilities for his children. He now owns 4,600 acres of valuable farm land in Oklahoma which he rents out for cash rent. He has been an extensive cattle and stock raiser and is a lover of fine horses, of which he owns a number. By a number of years of energetic business management and well directed efforts he has provided a competence which has enabled him to retire from active business cares early in life and gives him leisure to enjoy the outdoor sports of fishing and hunting, of which he is very fond.

Mr. Mon Cravie has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1892, was a Miss Anna Fronkier from Osage, Okla. She died in 1893 and in 1896 Mr. Mon Cravie wedded Miss Florence Slade, a daughter of Joseph Slade, a native of France. To this union seven children have been born: Sylvester A., who is attending the Arkansas City High School; John N., Alexander C., Bareda J., Vivian L. and Anna A., all students in the grades at Arkansas City; and Harry E., not yet of school age. Fraternally, Mr. Mon Cravie is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and has served as a trustee of the last named order. In politics he is a Republican and is an active worker in his party's behalf. He and his family are devout communicants of the Roman Catholic church and are numbered among the most respected families of Arkansas City.