William Warner, financier, inventor and manufacturer, was born in Illinois, Feb. 17, 1864, the son of Emory and Priscilla (Ireland) Warner. His grandfather, Hiram Warner, was a native of New York, where he was reared and educated. He married in his native state, and Emory Warner was born there before the family moved to Illinois. Emory was given the educational advantages afforded by the pioneers of that day and when the call for volunteers came at the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighth Illinois infantry. He died at a hospital in Mississippi and was buried at Baton Rouge, La. William Warner's maternal grandfather was born in Tennessee but moved to Illinois at an early day and spent his life in that state.

William was six years old when in 1870 he went to Coffey county with his mother who remained there two years, then moved to Osage county. In 1896 he moved to Malvern and engaged in the manufacture of wire fence. Some years ago he invented and patented a woven wire fence which has come into general use in Kansas and the adjoining states, and organized the Warner Woven Wire Fence Company for its manufacture. Two factories have been built; one at Ottawa, Kan., and one at Pueblo, Col. The Kansas factory is one of the largest manufacturing concerns in the state. Mr. Warner is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and is a willing worker in its interests, but his time is too fully occupied by business affairs to accept public office. He owned and operated a large mercantile establishment for eight years at Malvern and was the president of the Citizens' State Bank of Malvern for six years, but gave up both positions to devote his attention to manufacturing wire fence, the demand for which is always far ahead of the output. He owns and operates a lumber yard at Malvern and his land holdings in Missouri are considerable.

In 1894, Mr. Warner married Edith, the daughter of Chester C. Catlin, who is a native of the State of New York. He served in the Union army during the Civil war, was wounded, but returned to duty as soon as he recovered and served until mustered out of the service. In 1880, Mr. Catlin came to Kansas and located in Osage county, where he engaged in farming. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party and a leader in local politics. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Warner: Grace, who is twelve and attends school, and Wilma, who is two years of age.