J. T. Short, probate judge of Rawlins county, was born December 27, 1856, at Wiota, Wis., son of R. B. and Narcissia (Hale) Short, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. His father was engaged in stock raising and farming. When our subject was about three years old his parents moved to Pottawatomie county, Iowa, where he was raised and attended the common schools. His grandfather Hale was killed in the Black Hawk war, in 1832, and in 1886 the Government erected a monument on the site where he, with several other men, was killed. At the time of this war the people were sent to Wiota Fort (Wisconsin), and here in later years the subject was born, in the same house that protected the settlers in 1832.

After leaving school Mr. Short engaged in farming and stock raising for two years, and in 1885 came to Kansas, locating at Atwood, where he farmed and worked at the carpenter trade for about nine years. He was then appointed deputy sheriff of Rawlins county and while serving in that capacity worked in a hardware and implement house. After retiring from the office of deputy at the end of four years he continued three years longer in the hardware and implement business. He then engaged in contracting and built the present court house of Rawlins county, the high school, and several other large modern buildings in Kansas and Nebraska, retiring from the contracting business in 1912, for the purpose of looking after his several farms in this county. In the fall of 1912 Mr. Short was elected probate judge on the Democratic ticket. He is a member of the Christian church, and of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Commandery.

Mr. Short was married, January 24, 1876, to Miss Joannah C. McKnight, daughter of Anthony and Cynthia (Soddy) McKnight, the mother a native of Pennsylvania and the father of Tennessee, the latter a minister of the Baptist church. Mrs. Short was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where she was raised and attended common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Short have had six children: Lucy Belle (deceased); Abbie (deceased); Linnie Mabel; Charles (deceased); Eugene (deceased); and Myrtle. Linnie Mabel is married to Claude Hiltabidel and lives in Atwood. Myrtle P. is married to Waldo Blood and lives at Mullen, Neb.