Robert N. Mark

ROBERT N. MARK, of Protection, is through and through a business man and one does not have to look far in that locality to find ample evidences of his enterprise. He is a breeder and stockman, and has been identified with that and other substantial interests of his locality for many years.

Mr. Mark dates his entry to Comanche County for permanent settlement in the spring of 1889, and has been a resident of the state since 1887. For over a year he was at Wichita, where he and his brother were farmers and gardeners four miles south of the city.

Mr. Mark is junior member of the firm Mark Brothers, his senior partner being his brother J. E. Mark. When they left their garden and farm in Wichita and came to Protection they entered the cattle and horse business. They have made a reputation as breeders of Galloway cattle, breeders of jacks and horses, and the firm has been the means of enhancing mule production all over this region. As years passed they developed a large ranch, and held it intact until recent years, and still have ranching and farming interests in a modest way.

Mark Brothers handle the Belgian, Percheron and French Draft horses, all pure bred animals, and have given this section of Kansas some of its finest work stock. The brothers are stockholders in the standard jack and jennet register of America. In various other ways they have made their enterprise known and have done much to build up Protection. They have erected some of the leading brick business houses and also many residences over the townsite. They are heavy tax payers, and have many things to interest them vitally in the welfare of the community.

Robert N. Mark was born in Meigs County, Ohio, February 10, 1864. The year after his birth his parents removed to Richland County, Wisconsin, and it was from Wisconsin that Mr. Mark and his brother came to Kansas. He grew up in that state as a farmer and acquired much of his knowledge and experience with stock under the eye of his father, who was a man of great ability in the same line. His father was Rev. Jacob Mark, a native of Ohio and son of a former Pennsylvania farmer. Jacob Mark tried to get into the Union army during the Civil war, but was rejected on account of the loss of an eye. He was never in politics, voting independently, and aside from farming his chief interests and enthusiasm was church work as a minister of the Christian Church. He acquired most of his education by his own efforts, but ability as a speaker and zeal in religious work made him rather prominent in the cause.

Rev. Mr. Mark married Catherine Munyon. Both died in Wisconsin. Their children were: Thomas J., who died in Wisconsin; James Ellison, senior member of Mark Brothers at Protection; Lucretia, who married Warren Harris and died in Wisconsin; George W., who died unmarried in Montana; Simon, whose present whereabouts are unknown to his brothers; Robert N., and Isabel, wife of A. L. Fox, of Montana.

Robert N. Mark received a common school education in the country districts of Wisconsin. He lived at home with his parents until after reaching his majority. He began life as a farmer and practically all his capital was represented in his ability to do hard and continuous work. He continued farming after coming to Comanche County, and from that gradually worked into stock breeding and veterinary profession. He qualified himself as a veterinarian by actual practice at home, and his ability in that line is further testified by a certificate from the State of Kansas. He is the main standby of all the stock owners around Protection for veterinary service.

Mr. Mark became affiliated with the Masons at Coldwater, Kansas, and is past master of the Lodge at Protection and is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter. He is a past noble grand of Protection Lodge of Odd Fellows, and is also affiliated with the Encampment degrees.

At Coldwater, Kansas, January 15, 1918, Mr. Mark married Miss Sadie Warburton, who was reared on a farm at Mountain View, Missouri. Mrs. Mark is a member of the Christian Church.