Thomas Wilbert Whiting.—As a representative citizen of Morris county, one who for the past thirty years has been actively identified with its growth and development, Mr. Whiting merits distinctive recognition in this publication. Progressive and energetic in the management of his varied interests, loyal and public spirited as a citizen, he holds a secure position in the confidence and esteem of the community and is contributing in a very large measure to the advancement of the city of Council Grove.

Thomas Wilbert Whiting was born in Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois, July 9, 1862, a son of the late Hon. Richard H. and Elizabeth Hanna (Kirkbride) Whiting. (See sketch of Richard H. Whiting.) His education was acquired in the public schools of Peoria, Ill., and, in 1881, when nineteen years of age, he came to Morris county, where he took active charge of an 1,800-acre ranch, which was leased to him by his father and was situated about eleven miles from Council Grove. As a farmer and stockman Mr. Whiting has been exceptionally successful, and his present holding of 2,400 acres, known as "Sylvan Park Stock Ranch," offers an example of modern farm methods at their best. The property contains every improvement possible at this writing and also has its own railway station building, on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad, a church edifice erected by him for the use of the family and neighbors, as well as a suitable school building. Mr. Whiting was the first to bring Duroc hogs to Morris county, and became an extensive breeder in this line, and also for several years had a large number of registered Percherons, and from 1895 to 1908 he bred Hereford and short horn cattle quite extensively. He has also been a large cattle feeder since coming to Kansas. In 1910 he began to purchase a number of choice business and residence properties in Council Grove and engaged in improving them. He erected the Whiting Garage on Main street, a modern brick and cement building, 80 by 140 feet and equipped with a thoroughly modern machine shop for repair work, and established an automobile, automobile supply and repair business. This plant is considered by the trade one of the two leaders in Kansas, as regards quality of construction, size and equipment. He has in course of construction four modern bungalow residences for rental purposes, and has completed a cut-stone residence for himself, the most ornate and costly home in Council Grove. He has also purchased the old Main Street Hotel property and adjoining buildings, giving him a frontage of ninety-one feet in the center of the business district, with the idea of constructing in the near future a modern hotel building. He contemplates erecting several modern residences for rental and investment. His entrance into the commercial and social life of Council Grove has been of marked advantage to the city, and he is entitled to be called her most progressive citizen. He is also a large stockholder and director in the Farmers' & Drovers' State Bank. He has attained to the Knights Templar degree in Masonry and is affiliated with Isis Temple Shrine of Salina.

Mr. Whiting has been married twice; first, on Oct. 17, 1894, to Stella, daughter of the late Porter L. Howard, a pioneer of Morris county, Kansas. Mrs. Whiting died, July 20, 1897, leaving a son, Howard K., who died March 16, 1911. On April 11, 1898, Mr. Whiting married Alice Howard, sister of his first wife. They are the parents of a daughter, Stella E., born Oct. 2, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Whiting are members of the Christian church and are generous in their contributions to its support.