Franklin C. Moses, the mayor of Independence, Kan., is the descendant through his father's side of an English emigrant, who came to America in 1620, one of that brave and courageous band that left comfortable homes in the Mother Country and faced the perils of the sea and unknown red savages in a wild country that they might worship God in the manner dictated by their own consciences. On his mother's side he inherits Irish blood, as Isabella Jacobs was born in the Emerald Isle, at Carlisle, and accompanied her parents to the United States when only two years of age. The family located in Vermont, where she was reared and educated at Montpelier Academy. Zabina Moses, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Connecticut, where he spent his life and was at last laid to rest. His son, Myron, was also born in Connecticut, where he was reared, and as a youth learned the carpenter's trade. Later he became a contractor and followed that vocation for many years. He was a true son of the West, and had that roving disposition which has given this country so many sturdy pioneers. He removed to Skaneateles, N. Y., and from there went to Canada, locating at New Castle, Ontario, where Franklin C. was born, on Sept. 24, 1851. Mr. Moses spent his last days at Mount Carroll, Ill., where he passed away in 1863, aged fifty-nine years. Mrs. Moses lived until her fifty-eighth year, when she, too, was laid to rest, having spent her last years in Cass county, Missouri, where her son, Myron, lives. There were eight children in the Moses family; two died in infancy; six grew to manhood and womanhood, but only three are still alive: Myron J., of Cass county, Missouri; Mary E., who lives in Savanna, Carroll county, Illinois, and Franklin C., who was the youngest of the family. His boyhood was spent in Carroll and McHenry counties, Illinois, where he grew up care free and happy, leading the normal life of a country boy, attending school and working on the farm. He was in his nineteenth year when he decided to move West and start in life for himself.

Leaving Illinois, Mr. Moses first located in Cass county, Missouri, where he met and married Ann, the daughter of Robert Dobson, a native of England, who emigrated from the Mother Country and settled in Morgan county, Illinois, where his daughter was born. Mr. Moses remained in Cass county about five years, then removed to Montgomery county, Kansas, in 1883, and settled on a farm in Fawn Creek township, where he engaged in farming for about four years. From first settling in the county Mr. Moses took an active part in local affairs and politics and was appointed under sheriff of Montgomery county. He moved into Independence and acted in this capacity for two years. At the close of his term in office he was appointed deputy register of deeds, holding that office four years, but in 1893 was elected sheriff of the county and proved so efficient and popular that he was reëlected in 1895, serving four years. In 1898 he bought a fine livery business, which he successfully operated for over four years. During this time he was elected councilman of the second ward, and in 1901 was elected mayor of Independence for two years. He was reëlected to the city council at the close of his office as city executive, in 1903, but was again elected mayor in 1909, under the commission form of government, to serve one year, and was reëlected in 1910 for a term of three years, which position he now holds. He has been one of the most popular and successful city executives Independence has ever had and stands well with the substantial and prosperous business men of the community. Mr. Moses' first public office was as township clerk of Fawn Creek township, with the exception of school director, in which capacity he had served before. He has run for public office ten times and never has been defeated at the polls, a rather unusual and successful record. Always a stanch Republican, he is ever working for the interests of that party. His first race for sheriff was made during the years when Populism was at its height in Kansas, and notwithstanding that fact, he was elected by the gratifying majority of 900 votes. He is a member of the independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Pythias. His whole time and attention are now devoted to the interests of the city of Independence. There are three children in the Moses family: Lula Belle, the wife of A. E. Robley, of Neodesha, Kan.; Gertrude E., at home, and Robert E., a school boy. Mr. Moses has been in Kansas and Montgomery county over a quarter of a century, and though not a native son of the soil, he works and takes as great an interest in the state, county and city where he has elected to make his home as if born and bred in the Sunflower State. He is a progressive and influential citizen, of whom the state may well be proud.