Daniel C. Presnell is a native of Tennessee, born April 4, 1846, on a farm in Washington county, that State. He is a son of John and Jane (Francis) Presnell, the former a native of North Carolina, born in 1809, and when nine years old removed with his parents to Washington county, Tennessee, where he spent his life. He died in 1888. His wife was a native of Tennessee, born in 1810, and died January 7, 1893. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: Henderson, born in 1823, was prominent in Tennessee politics and was congressional librarian at Washington, D. C., from 1881 until his death, which occurred in 1905; Margaret, born in 1825, died in 1881; Emiline, born in 1827, died in 1890; James R., born in 1829, died October 29, 1859; Josephine, born in 1831, died in 1878; Melissa, born in 1832, married Adam Broyles, postmaster at the National Soldiers Home, Johnson City, Tenn.; Daniel C., the subject of this sketch; Alexander M., born in 1848, died in 1872; Caledonia, born in 1850, died in 1903 and Martha, born in 1852, died in 1894. Daniel C. Presnall was reared on a farm in Washington county, Tennessee, where he remained until 1872, when he went to Colorado, and engaged in farming and stock raising, and also conducted a mercantile business in that State until 1881. He kept a store in a Mexican village for five years, and during this time he learned to speak and write the Spanish language. He did a prosperous business, and among his customers were Mexicans, cowboys, miners and frontiersmen of every kind and description. He sold out his business, and in 1881, removed to California and remained on the Pacific coast about two years. In 1883 he came to Kansas, locating on government land in Garden township, Harper county, where he now owns 800 acres, mostly all under cultivation, well improved with a substantial residence, good barns and general farm equipment. He has met with marked success, as an extensive breeder of fine Hereford cattle. In 1912 he retired from active business, and is now living in ease and comfort at Harper, enjoying the well earned fruits of former toil. Mr. Presnell was married February 11, 1886, to Miss Susan Templin. She is a daughter of Isaac and Clerinde (Deakins) Templin. She was born March 6, 1849 in Washington county, Tennessee, and belongs to a prominent Tennessee family. Mr. and Mrs. Presnell were school day sweethearts, and their marriage was something of a prolonged romance. They are prominent in the social circle of their home town, and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Presnell is a Republican, but has never aspired to serve the "dear people" or patriotically save his country as an office holder. His fraternal affiliations are with the time honored Masonic Lodge.