1905 History of Crawford County Kansas

There are few men who have the opportunity to shape or guide the improvement and upbuilding of a city as does he who is engaged in real estate operations. He can largely control the market in this direction, and he has a most potent influence in advancing the development along substantial and modern lines. Mr. Radley as a member of the firm of Radley & Ringo, real estate agents, has contributed in no small degree to the advancement of Girard's interests, and throughout his business career has maintained a record for activity and honesty that is most commendable.

He is a native son of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Warren county, that state, on the 7th of November, 1859. His parents were Benjamin F. and Elizabeth Overturf Radley, who were likewise natives of Indiana. The father was a farmer by occupation, and after engaging in the tilling of the soil in the state of his nativity for many years he located in Illinois and later came to Kansas in 1879, locating in Cherokee county. There he resumed his labors as an agriculturist and about twelve years afterward he came to Crawford county in 1891. Here he also secured a tract of land and continued farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1898, when he was sixty-six years of age. His wife survived him for a few years and passed away in 1902 at the age of sixty-seven years.

Henry H. Radley pursued his early education in Kankakee county, Illinois, and remained at home during the period of his minority, assisting in the labors of field and meadow when not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom. He thus gained practical experience at farm work and continued to assist his father until twenty-two years of age, when, in October, 1881, he removed to Pittsburg, Kansas. At that time he began work in connection with zinc smelting in the employ of Robert Lanyon & Company. He occupied that position for two years, and then turned his attention to the livery business, which he followed for four years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Chicopee, Kansas, and became a factor in its business circles as a merchant, conducting his store with fair success for ten years. He then sold out to the Mount Carmel Coal Company, but remained in the store as head clerk until he was elected to the position of probate judge in November, 1898. He took the office in January, 1899, and held the position for four years, having been re-elected in 1900 for a second term. His official service was characterized by promptness and fidelity in the discharge of every duty. Upon his retirement from office in 1902 he became a partner of W. L. Ringo in the real estate and insurance business, and both departments of their enterprise are proving profitable. They make a specialty of coal and farm lands and have negotiated many important real estate transfers. Mr. Radley keeps well informed concerning realty values through this part of the state, and he brings to bear upon his work the most modern and enterprising business methods. After relief from the office of probate judge he was elected as an alderman of the city council in Girard in 1903. In September, 1904, he organized the Girard Coal Company, which is composed of H. H. Radley, president; N. A. Nixon, treasurer; L. F. Crawford and W. L. Ringo. It is capitalized at $50,000, under the caption of "The Girard Coal Company." They have opened up mines five and a half miles southeast of Girard.

On the 28th of February, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Radley and Miss Augusta A. Holmes, a daughter of Henry and Hannah Holmes, natives of Pennsylvania. This union has been blessed with three children: Grace G., at the age of twenty years, is now a student in the State University at Lawrence, Kansas; Pearl, at home, is at the age of fifteen years attending high school; and Henry H., a little lad of seven summers, completes the family. The parents are members of the Methodist church, take a deep interest in its work and are also well known in the social circles. Mr. Radley gives his political allegiance to the Democracy and is unfaltering in his advocacy of its principles. He is a valued member of various fraternal organizations, including the Elks lodge, No. 12, at Pittsburg, Kansas; the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 196, at Pittsburg; the Ancient Order of United Workmen, at Girard; and the Triple Tie Benefit Association, at Girard. His entire career has been characterized by faithfulness to duty, whether in business, political or private life, and in the community where he makes his home he is held in high esteem by many friends.