Orien L. Slade, a successful lumber dealer of Clay Center, who operates under the firm style of the Home Lumber and Coal Company, is a native of Ohio, and was born on his father's farm in Clermont county, April 6, 1857, a son of John S. and Mary (Willis) Slade. The elder Slade was a native of Kentucky, born in 1837, who became a successful merchant. He married, when a young man, Mary Willis, who bore him three children: A son who died in infancy; Orien L., the subject of this article; Willmina, born in 1859, the wife of J. S. Sweet, a merchant of Holton, Kan. Mrs. Slade died in 1860 and her husband in 1877.

Orien L. Slade was reared in Clermont county, Ohio, and acquired his education in the public schools. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a time, and in 1877 he came to Kansas, locating in Clay Center. He was employed at his trade and as a building contractor until 1883, when he became manager of a retail lumber yard, and remained in this capacity until 1898, when he established his present business, that of the Home Lumber and Coal Company, of which he is the sole owner. The growth of this enterprise has been sound and continuous, and is, in respect to volume of business, one of the largest in northern Kansas, while its owner is known to the trade as one who is thoroughly conversant with all details of the business. The stock, consisting of lumber, coal and builder's materials, is housed under one roof, the building covering seven city lots. During his residence in Clay Center he has been an active factor in civic development and betterment, a consistent worker for a larger, more progressive Clay Center, and has always been found among those citizens who have supported measures and policies worth while. He is a Republican, active in the work of his party and influential in its councils. He has served two terms as councilman from the First ward and was chairman of the committees on ways and means and of streets and alleys. His service as a member of the council reflects credit upon himself and his constituents. He is a director in the Peoples National Bank, of Clay Center, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Slade married, on April 6, 1878, Miss Lorinda Johns, a daughter of G. W. and Mary Johns, of Liberty, Ind., who was born on April 16, 1860. They are the parents of eight children: Albert D., born April 10, 1879, who married, on December 19, 1901, Miss Anna B. Caldwell, daughter of Samuel and Anna (Dexter) Caldwell, of Rice county, Kansas, who was born in Ohio on May 20, 1876. Nellie, the second child, was born March 10, 1882. She married, in 1902, H. M. Roth, a cement and brick contractor, of Clay Center. They are the parents of four children: Donly, Jack, Wanda and Frank. The third child, Laverne, born July 12, 1884, married, on May 17, 1913, E. O. Backer, a retail druggist, of Clay Center. May Elsie, the fourth child, born March 20, 1886, married, on November 20, 1912, Lloyd E. Alquist, a dental surgeon, of Clay Center. She is a graduate of Kansas University, class of 1911. John Paul, born July 16, 1893, the fifth child, was graduated from the Clay Center High School with the class of 1912, and is now a student in the Kansas State Agricultural College at Manhattan. Clyde Edward, the sixth child, was born on June 2, 1897. Bessie Estelle, born March 12, 1899, is the seventh, and George Strange, the eighth, was born on March 11, 1901. The family are popular in the social circles of their home county, are known for their kind hospitality, and are members of the Baptist church.