Frank W. Sponable, cashier of the Farmers' Bank at Gardner, was born at Gardner, Kan., July 3, 1870, a son of Hon. John W. Sponable, deceased (see sketch). He was reared in Paola, to which place his father removed in 1873, and was educated in the Paola High School. When eighteen years of age he entered the Central Bank of Kansas City, Mo., as a clerk and was there employed seven years, until January, 1895, when he came to Gardner and organized the Farmers' Bank of Gardner, the first regularly organized bank in that town. He became its cashier and has filled that position to the present time. Possessed of splendid business acumen, he has by wise and careful judgment so guided the business of the institution during the past sixteen years that it has steadily grown in financial prosperity and stability and is recognized as one of the soundest financial institutions of the county. Mr. Sponable is also president of and holds a controlling interest in the Johnson County Telephone Company, and is also interested in a number of other financial enterprises.

In 1895 occurred the marriage of Mr. Sponable and Miss Stella West, of Mason City, Iowa. To them have been born three children: John W., Josephine, and Mary Estella. Politically, Mr. Sponable is a stanch Republican and has been chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Johnson county for the past seven years. He very ably represented his district in the state senate, from 1900 to 1904. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order. As a financier, politician, and senator he is recognized as one of the ablest men of Johnson county, and enjoys the universal respect of his fellow citizens.