John M. Pleasant, one of the oldest and most prominent members of the Burlington bar, was born in Crawford county, Indiana, Sept. 30, 1852. His grandfather, Calvin Pleasant, was a native of North Carolina, one of these sturdy pioneers who went to Indiana at an early day and took a homestead in the virgin forest, being one of the first whites to settle in that region. There Robert D. Pleasant, John's father, was born and grew to manhood. He received such education as the time and locality afforded, and engaged in farming. In 1880 he decided to come west and located in Franklin county, Kansas, where he developed a prairie farm. He has retired from active work after a life of toil and now resides at Ottawa, Kan., enjoying the sunset years of life. Mr. Pleasant's mother was Sarah J. Carnes. Her ancestors were among the first white people to locate in Indiana; her grandfather, William Samuels, fought in the Indian campaign in that state under General Harrison and was wounded at the battle of Tippecanoe. John Pleasant was reared in Indiana, attended the public schools and after graduating from the high school, began to teach. After devoting several years to this profession he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1882. He opened an office and practiced for a year and a half, when he was appointed postmaster at Jasper, Ind. Believing there were more openings for a professional man in a new country, he came to Kansas in 1885 and began to practice law at Lyndon. Within a short time he moved to Burlington where he has since remained. Mr. Pleasant is one of the old school lawyers who delights unraveling a legal tangle and is devoted to his chosen profession. He has built up a large practice which brings him a good income. He is a prominent citizen but has always been too actively engaged in professional duties to hold office. Mr. Pleasant's wife was Kate Seacat. Her father was born in Indiana and lived there until 1883, when he came to Kansas and settled on a farm near Winfield, where he lived until his death in 1891. He was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and several of his brothers and three sons served in the Union army during the Civil war. Seven children have come to bless the Pleasant home: Floyd, who is employed in the Colorado National Bank, at Denver, Col.; Ralph, who is in business at Ottawa, Kan.; Hugh B., in business in Denver, Col.; Carl, a graduate of the University of Kansas, who has received his degree of Master of Science and is superintendent of City Asphalt Plant of Kansas City, Mo.; Eunice, a daughter at home; Robert J. and Joe, both at home.