Richard E. Landon

RICHARD E. LANDON has spent practically all his active life in Kansas. He has lived in this state for over forty-five years, and has won the prosperity he now enjoys as a homesteader, farmer and active business man. He is now enjoying retired life at his home in Hampton Township in Rush County, where he has lived since 1900.

Mr. Landon was born near Waupun in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, March 8, 1854. His grandfather, Heman Landon, was a New York State man, and among his children were Sextus, Miles, James, Luther, Electa and several other daughters. Luther Landon, father of Richard E., was born in Delaware County, New York, was a man of fair education, and in early life came to Wisconsin. He served as a soldier of the Civil war with the First Wisconsin Cavalry. He was a private, and though he was in active campaigning with his regiment for thirty-four days over three years he was never wounded or captured. Throughout his life he was opposed to all secret organizations, and did not oven affiliate with the Grand Army of the Republic. However, he was an ardent republican, and after coming to Kansas was elected the first county treasurer of Russell County. He took an active part in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Luther Landon was married in Now York to Deborah Carpenter, daughter of Albert Carpenter. Luther Landon died in 1896, at the age of seventy-four, and his wife died when about sixty-seven years of age. Their children were: Rensselaer, who died in Russell County, Kansas, leaving five children; Isabel, who married Charles Nims, of Humboldt, Nebraska; Mary Emily, whose first husband was Ed Harmon and whose second was William M. Trier, and she died in Barton County, Kansas; Richard E.; and Sextus, of Clinton Hollow, New York.

Richard E. Landon got most of his education in the district schools of Wisconsin. He was sixteen years of age when he came to Russell County, Kansas, and he made one of the family household until past his majority. When a young man he secured a government contract to carry the mail from Russell, Kansas, to Red Cloud, Nebraska. He carried both passengers and mail and kept the contract for eighteen months.

His next venture was the taking up of a homestead in Lincoln Township of Russell County. He began proving up as soon as he had abandoned the mail route, and among improvements he erected a frame house 18 by 22 foot, with basement, and lived there and carried on his work as a farmer until his place was substantially developed. He also acquired an eighty-acre timber claim. He was one of the substantial men of Russell County, but in 1900 sold his interests there and removed to Rush County.

On coming to Rush County Mr. Landon bought a half section of land, including the southwest quarter of section 27 and the northwest quarter of section 14 in township 16, range 20. This land had no improvements when he bought it, and he paid $3,000 for the bare land. At the present time 190 acres are under the plow, there is one of the best residences in the township, and it shows other substantial improvements, including barns and orchard. Mr. Landon continued actively farming on this place until 1916, when he rented the land and has since sought release from the heavier responsibilities of life.

When he began voting it was as a supporter of the republican party. He afterward discovered that the party organization and platform did not correspond with his personal views, and he ardently espoused the cause of the people's party. He was an active member of that organization as long as it existed, and for seven years was a central committeeman of Russell County. After the populist party lost its vitality Mr. Landon became a democrat, but in the campaign and election of 1916 was an active prohibitionist. The only other organization with which he has affiliated is the Farmers Union.

In Russell County, Kansas, March 10, 1886, Mr. Landon marred Miss Alice Farnsworth. Her father, Charles Farnsworth, was born in Pennsylvania of English stock, became a farmer and died in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Landon have the following children: Olive is the wife of Clarence Rogg, of Dayton, Washington, and the mother of two children, named Verne and Erma. Jay resides at Lamar, Colorado. Winnie has a claim near Lamar, Colorado. Ernie M. is a resident of Colorado, and by his marriage to Fay Hubbard has a daughter, Lola.

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