Thomas Clayton Peffer, late of Eureka, Kan., was called to his reward from a successful career in the prime of manhood. At the time of his death he was the editor of the Eureka "Herald," and for years was regarded as the leading educator of Greenwood county. Mr. Peffer was born March 17, 1873, at Punxsutawney, Pa., and was a son of William and Virginia (Wright) Peffer. The father was a teacher and came to Kansas to 1870, settling on Government land in Greenwood county. He taught school for several years after coming to this State, and also followed farming. He died on his homestead in March, 1887. His wife, Virginia Wright, was born at Alexandria, Ky., August 4, 1845, of Virginia parents. She married Mr. Peffer at Alexandria, Ky., in March, 1871, and three children were born to this union: Thomas Clayton, the subject of this sketch; Charles C., born September 20, 1876, now employed in a railroad office in Houston, Tex., and May, born December 29, 1878, now employed as a stenographer in a railroad office at Kingsville, Tex. She owns a half interest in the Eureka "Herald."

Thomas Clayton Peffer was educated in the public schools of Kentucky and Kansas. He graduated from the high school at Severy, Kan., and later attended Baker University at Baldwin, Kan., two years. He then engaged in teaching, and followed that profession fourteen years in Greenwood county, seven years of which he was principal of the Severy schools, and four years principal of the Madison schools. From 1904 to 1908 he was superintendent of public instruction of Greenwood county, discharging the duties of that responsible position with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituency. At the expiration of his term of office, he accepted the position of assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Eureka, and on January 1, 1911, he purchased the Eureka "Herald," in partnership with his sister, and was editor of this paper until the time of his death. Mr. Peffer was a Mason and a Republican. He was a man of unusual ability, with a broad range of versatility. Whether in the capacity of an educator, banker or journalist, he seemed to be best fitted for whatever he was doing at the time. His early demise was a sad blow to the entire community, as well as to those who were near and dear to him.

Thomas Clayton Peffer and Miss Susie Florence Hayes were united in marriage June 1, 1897, at Severy, Kan. She is a daughter of John F. and Lorena (McEwen) Hayes, of Severy, Kan. The father is a native of Indiana, born at Columbus, June 26, 1852, and the mother was born in Kenton county, Kentucky, February 11, 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayes were born eight children: Susie Florence, born June 2, 1879; Margaret E., born January 8, 1882; Howard A., born June 11, 1883; Kathleen, born March 25, 1885; Grace F., born December 2, 1886; Ruth M., born August 25, 1893; Beth M., born September 30, 1895; Harold H., born March 9, 1898. To Thomas Clayton Peffer and Susie Florence (Hayes) Peffer were born three children: Helen Hayes, born February 6, 1899; Thomas Clayton, Jr., born January 25, 1907, and Virginia L., born November 29, 1909. Mrs. Peffer was educated in the public schools, graduating from the Severy High School in the class of 1895, and was a successful teacher in Greenwood county for six years prior to her marriage. At the death of her husband she became the editor and active manager of the Eureka "Herald," succeeding to his half interest in that newspaper. The "Herald" is the pioneer newspaper of Greenwood county, having been established in 1868. Notwithstanding the sad circumstances under which the management of this paper fell to Mrs. Peffer, she has proved herself to be a newspaper woman of no ordinary type. The "Herald" is up to the standard of the best country newspapers, and its columns bear the imprint of ability, industry and consistent editorial policies.