Transcribed from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Chicago : Lewis, 1918. 5 v. (lvi, 2731 p., [228] leaves of plates) : ill., maps (some fold.), ports. ; 27 cm.

John F. Denton & Glenn Limbocker

DENTON & LIMBOCKER. More of the business of the town of South Mound in Neosho County, is handled through the firm of Denton & Limbocker than any other one commercial organization. They are grain dealers, merchants, farmers, bankers, and both partners also have an important part in public affairs, Mr. Denton being postmaster of South Mound, while Mr. Limbocker is a county commissioner.

John F. Denton was born in Pulaski County, Missouri, September 9, 1878. His ancestors were Scotch-Irish people who were early settlers in Kentucky. His grandfather, Thomas Denton, was born in Kentucky, moved into Missouri, and died in Hancock County of that state in 1896.

F. M. Denton, father of John F., was born in Kentucky, in 1851, but was reared and married in Pulaski County, Missouri. After farming for a few years he engaged in merchandising at Hancock in Pulaski County, and in June, 1889, came to Kansas. After a month at St. Paul he removed to South Mound, and there took up merchandising and the grain business, which he followed until his death, in May, 1915. He was always a loyal democrat, and was an active supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as trustee of the church at South Mound. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. F. M. Denton married Mollie J. Decker, who was born in Illinois, in 1853, and is now living at South Mound. Their children were: C. A. Denton, who was a boilermaker at Parsons, Kansas; John F.; Mollie, wife of F. H. Hoover, a farmer at South Mound; Hattie V., wife of Mr. Glenn Limbocker, partner of John F. Denton; E. E. Denton, who is a railroad engineer with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, living at Parsons; the sixth child, a daughter, died in infancy; A. A. Denton is a boilermaker at Springfield, Missouri; and Ethel E., wife of Roy E. Burt, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, living at Lawrence, Kansas.

John F. Denton received his early training in the public schools of South Mound, and afterward took a course in the business college at Sedalia, Missouri. While he has had a most successful career, he is one of those men who do well in various occupations. He was a farmer for three years at South Mound, and then for eight years was a railroad man, being employed in the general offices and shops at Springfield, Missouri. Returning to South Mound, he engaged in the mercantile business, and the firm of Denton & Limbocker now have an immense trade, extending all over the country around South Mound. They also conduct a grain elevator, this elevator being situated on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas tracks, while the store is on Main Street. Mr. Denton also has a good residence on Main Street. The firm owns and uses as an adjunct to their business a farm of 110 acres in South Mound.

Mr. Denton was reared a democrat, and has always been active in that party. In April, 1915, he was appointed by President Wilson as postmaster at South Mound. At one time he served a term as township treasurer. He is a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is affiliated with Lodge No. 53, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Osage Mission, with Parsons Lodge of Masons, with South Mound Camp No. 8036, Modern Woodmen of America. Much of his time Mr. Denton gives to his office as president of the South Mound State Bank.

In 1903 at South Mound he married Miss Lettie P. Limbocker, a sister of his business partner. Her parents, J. G. and Jennie (McKee) Limbocker, reside at South Mound, her father being a farmer.

Glenn Limbocker, of the firm of Denton & Limbocker, and present county commissioner of Neosho County, was born at South Mound, Kansas, on a farm, September 15, 1877. His ancestors came from Germany, the family having lived in America for several generations. His father, Joseph Gilbert Limbocker, who lives on a farm 2 1/2 miles east of South Mound, was born in Iowa in 1854, spent the first sixteen years of his life there, and about 1870 came to Neosho County, Kansas, and established his home within half a mile of the farm where he now resides. He has been a successful man and has a highly-improved place of eighty acres. In politics he is a republican, and has served two terms as township trustee in Neosho County. His church is the Methodist. He married Jennie McKee, who was born in Indiana in 1852. The oldest of their children is Mr. Glenn Limbocker. Earl, who died in 1904, at Van Buren, Arkansas, had made a balloon ascension and was drowned after his descent. Lettie Pearl has been mentioned above as the wife of John F. Denton. Lettie's twin sister died in infancy.

Glenn Limbocker acquired an education in the common schools of South Mound and lived on his father's farm until the age of twenty-two. After that he was farming for himself until 1907, and then moved to South Mound and was a general merchant for two years, at the end of which time the present firm of Denton & Limbocker was established. Mr. Limbocker owns a good residence on Main Street and is a stockholder in the South Mound State Bank.

While his partner is a loyal democrat, Mr. Limbocker is equally firm in his allegiance to the republican organization. In 1914 he was elected to the office of county commissioner, and has filled that office since January, 1915, his term expiring December 31, 1918. Some years ago he was elected constable and served two years, and he was the republican postmaster of South Mound under President Roosevelt and President Taft, serving for eight years. He is a member and steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

December 7, 1899, at South Mound, he married Miss Hattie D. Denton, sister of his business partner, John F. Denton, Three children were born to their marriage: A son that died in infancy; Paul L., born September 15, 1902; and Hazel C., born April 19, 1905.

Transcribed from volume 4, pages 2158-2159 of A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Secretary of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, copyright 1918; originally transcribed October 1997 , modified 2003 by Carolyn Ward.