William F. Sapp, distinguished lawyer and politician, residing at Galena, is a native of Michigan, in which state he was born at Grand Rapids, Aug. 30, 1856. He is one of six sons born unto Resin Sapp and Margaret Lenora (Pyre-Ferry) Sapp. His father was born at Danville, Knox county, Ohio, in 1816, and died in Michigan at the age of fifty-seven. He was a Methodist minister, and at a very early date went to Michigan as a missionary among the Indians, and his life work was performed in that state. The mother of Mr. Sapp was born in Sandusky, Ohio, and was of French lineage. She died at Galena, Kan., in 1897. In Michigan, William F. Sapp was reared, and educated in the public schools of that state, studied law at Grand Rapids, his native city, and came to Kansas in 1879, and in that same year was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Cherokee county. He located at Galena, where he has continued to reside and to practice his profession. As a lawyer Mr. Sapp has long maintained a position among the ablest of Kansas. He has enjoyed the confidence of a large clientage for many years, and aside from his profession he has taken an active part in the development of the mining interests and public weal at Galena, while in political affairs he has been no less active. As a leader of the Democratic party in Kansas he is, perhaps, the most widely known man in the state. Since the year 1880 there has not been a political campaign in which he has not borne a prominent part, for since that date Mr. Sapp has been a noted campaign speaker and political worker and leader. He has been a member of the state Democratic central committee for twenty-two years; was chairman of the committee in 1904, and in 1910 he was chosen the Kansas national committeeman of the National Democratic Committee. He was a delegate-at-large to the national Democratic presidential convention at Chicago in 1892 and has also served as congressional committeeman of his party. He never held and always declined office. Fraternally, Mr. Sapp is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

In 1886, Mr. Sapp married Miss Mary E. Wood, a native of Quincy, Ill., a daughter of Daniel C. Wood, and granddaughter of Governor John Wood, of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Sapp have four children: Peyre-Ferry, Marinne, William and Helen.

Mr. Sapp has always manifested deep interest in public affairs, and among his fellow citizens he is held in highest esteem. He is the archiect of his own success in life. From an humble station in life he has risen to prominence and affluence, forging his way to the front.