J. J. Tilley, of Frankfort, Kansas, is a representative of the successful stockmen of Northern Kansas. Mr. Tilley was born in Upper Canada, November 25, 1859, a son of James and Margaret (Watt) Tilley. The father was a native of England, and the mother of Canada. James Tilley was only six years old when his parents emigrated from England to Canada, and here he grew to manhood and was married. In 1870 he came to Kansas with his family, locating in Wells township, Marshall county, where he took a homestead, and followed farming there until his death, and his widow now resides there. J. J. Tilley, whose name introduces this sketch, obtained most of his education in the public schools after coming to Kansas, and the old school house which he attended is still standing, but has long since been abandoned for school purposes, and is now used as a barn. It was the custom of farmer boys in those days to attend school about three months during the winter season and work on the farm the balance of the year, and such was the experience of young Tilley. When he was about nineteen years of age he began farming for himself on a rented place. He continued here a few years as a renter and as an evidence of his success he now owns the farm. His father was a successful stockman, and quite an extensive breeder of pure-bred Hereford cattle thirty-five or thirty-six years ago, and when J. J. took up stock raising as a business for himself he naturally followed in the footsteps of his father, and also became a Hereford breeder. He now has one of the largest herds in Marshall county. He is also extensively engaged in feeding and has been successful in that line. He is also a successful hog raiser, and an extensive producer of "baby beef," fattening large numbers of calves for the market while they are still young. He has the distinction of shipping the best carload of baby beeves sold on the Kansas City market during the year of 1913. Mr. Tilley takes an active interest in public affairs and has served on the school board over eighteen years, and was treasurer of Rock township two terms. In 1912 he was elected to the legislature from Marshall county, and was active in the legislation of that session. He served on the taxation, railroads, horticulture and temperance committees. Politically he is a Democrat, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of Frankfort Lodge, No. 110, and the Tilley family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Tilley was married November 25, 1882, to Miss Jerusha Ann, a daughter of Solomon and Mary E. (West) Dotson, both natives of Virginia. The Dotson family resided in Missouri for a time, where the father was engaged in farming, and in 1869 they came to Kansas, settling in Marshall county, where they homesteaded, the father following farming until his death. Mrs. Tilley was born in Missouri and was only a child when her parents came to Marshall county. She received her education in the district schools of Marshall county and the Axtell High School. To Mr. and Mrs. Tilley have been born three children: Charles A., married Miss Georgia Shrout, and they have one child, Anna Lucile; Alvah H., at home with her parents; and Frederick, a student at Moody College, Chicago, Ill. Mr. Tilley is progressive, public-spirited, and one of the substantial men of Washington county.