John G. Poole, M. D., a man who stands high in the medical profession of Kansas City, Kan., was born in Warren county, Illinois, Jan. 11, 1849, a son of Amos and Eliza (Ward) Poole. His paternal grandfather was a native of New York, but removed to Pennsylvania, where he spent his life. Amos Poole was born in the State of New York, but immigrated to Pennsylvania and about 1845 went to Illinois, where he engaged in farming. In 1866, accompanied by his family, he drove across the country to Kansas, settled in Linn county, took up land and became one of the well known agriculturists of that locality. Subsequently he sold his farm and moved to Parker, Kan. In politics Mr. Poole was a stanch supporter of the Republican party and the family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Poole's maternal grandfather, John G. Ward, was born in New York. He was a farmer and also a Baptist minister.

Dr. Poole received his academic education in the public schools of Linn county, attended the high school and then entered the Keokuk Medical College, Keokuk, Iowa. Later he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he graduated in 1892. He returned to Kansas, located at Downs, where he built up a large practice during the time he was there. In 1894 Dr. Poole decided to seek a larger field for his professional work and removed to Kansas City, Kan., where he has built up a gratifying practice and is regarded as one of the leaders in medical lines. The Doctor is a member of the county and state medical societies, and the American Medical Association. He is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being a Thirty-second degree Mason, past master of the Downs Lodge, No. 204, also past master of Armourdale Lodge, No. 271, and he has served on important committees in the grand lodge.

In 1886 Dr. Poole married Sadie H., the daughter of Horton H. Hollister, who was born in New York, but immigrated to Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his life. Both Dr. Poole and his wife are members of the Congregational church.