Edward Elisha Sapp, judge of the district court of the Eleventh judicial district, and a resident of Galena, was born in Jackson, Mich., July 12, 1858. His parents were Resin and Margaret (Peyre-Ferry) Sapp. His father was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1816, of German ancestors. His mother was born at Sandusky, Ohio, and was of French origin. Judge Sapp's father became a Methodist minister. His life work was largely in Michigan, to which state he went in an early day as a missionary among the Indians. He died in that state at the age of fifty-seven. The mother of Judge Sapp lived to an advanced age, dying at Galena in 1897. She bore her husband six children—all sons. Owing to the itinerary of his father's ministry, Judge Sapp was reared at various places in Michigan. He obtained a common school education, learned the printer's trade and was following his trade in Chicago when he began the study of law in the office of Dexter, Herrick & Allen, of that city. He was admitted to the bar in 1883, and Jan. 10, 1884, located at Galena, Kan., and here began the practice of his profession.

In politics Judge Sapp is a Democrat. He was twice elected probate judge of Cherokee county, serving during the years 1897-98-99. In the latter year he was elected judge of the newly created common pleas court of Cherokee and Crawford counties. He served on the bench of this court for one year, and then the court was abolished by a decision of the supreme court of Kansas. Thereafter he practiced his profession at Galena until 1910, when he was elected to his present position. As a lawyer and jurist Judge Sapp has won an enviable reputation. He is regarded as profound in the law, and with keen perception discerns the law, its principles and interpretation. His decisions have been characterized with such accuracy that seldom have they been reversed by a higher court.

During his residence in Galena, Judge Sapp has, aside from his profession, manifested a considerable interest in the development of that mining city. In mining he has also more or less engaged, and entertains a confident hope in mining in the future commercial importance of his home city. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1886 he married Miss Mary E. Aldrich, and their home has been blessed by the birth of three children: Dexter C.. Thomas T. and Vira A.