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Cambridge, Henry county, Illinois, December 17, 1851; was raised on a farm.
He went to sea in 1863 as messenger boy on board the man of war Chaumet. He enlisted as a marine in
1866 and served as orderly to Captain C. D. Hebb until 1869 when he was discharged on account of disability received at Pensacola, Florida,
by falling from main of the vessel to the deck. He fell on his hands and received permanent disabilities in his wrists.
While in the service he was on the Colorado, Tyconderoga and Wisconsin, all  flag-ships.
In 1870 he came to Kansas and settled at Clyde; he spent some time in Colorado, Washington and Oregon and came to Norton county in 1878 and settled on the Solomon near Edmond.
He was elected sheriff in 1879, defeating Jim Campbell, democrat, and Jack Conarty, independent.
He was re-elected in 1881 defeating George Thompson, greenbacker and low salary.
During his four years' service as sheriff he was a terror to evil doers. He was a faithful and competent officer and made many friends by his leniency in collecting delinquent taxes.
He was married Christmas day 1879 to Anna M. Neville; they at once took up their residence in Norton and have remained here continuously ever since Bro. Joel Simmons furnishes the following gem which appeared in the Advance during Jim's term: Sheriff Vining has the whole Long list of names upon the roll Whose personal tax for 1880 Remains unpaid to present date. The list is some five hundred long But every one will get his song Of warning sent on personal card At sole expense of faithful bard. By giving heed and paying soon You'll save another tune. And cheat the chaps who seldom fail To buy cheap goods at public sale. Last year this tax, though not so heavy Was all brought in without a levy, And the sheriff will not be to blame If this year it is not done the same. Five children have been born to them. Jim Vining has always been active in politics as a republican. He was a delegate to the state convention in 1883, supporting Capt. J. B. Johnson for governor and was a bitter opponent of St. John; was also a delegate in 1884 and supported John A. Martin. He has been a delegate to nearly all the congressional and district conventions held here since 1880. He was door keeper in the State Senate in 1891. His father died in Cloud county in 1868. His mother married S G. Waters in 1874; they came to Norton county in 1876 and settled near Edmond, their domestic life was unhappy which caused Mrs. Waters to commit suicide. Her remains were taken to Clyde and buried beside her former husband. Mr. Waters died in 1889. Dick Vining came here in 1880 and has lived here most of the time since. He was city marshal for two years and was deputy sheriff in 1881. He is now employed as a bridge carpenter on the Rock Island railroad. George G. Vining came here with his mother in 1876 when he was a small boy |
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