From A
Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 757
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902
JASPER J. GREENLEE
Jasper J Greenlee is a well known merchant of Sterling, dealing in groceries, confectionery and bakers’ goods. He was born in Mississippi, February 28, 1838. His father, Peter Greenlee, was a native of South Carolina, born about 1809, but was reared and married in Mississippi, the lady of his choice being Miss Eliza Beaty, also a native of South Carolina. The father died in Mississippi about 1844. They reared their six children, but our subject is the only one now living. At the death of the father the mother was left without means of support, and in order to aid in providing for the family Jasper Greenlee began working in the cotton fields, hoeing and picking cotton when only eight years of age. Three brothers and two sisters assisted him. He lived with his uncle, Mr Beaty, for two years, and at ten years of age accompanied his mother to Arkansas. In 1860 Mr Greenlee went north, and at Monmouth, Illinois, in August, 1861, he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company I, Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served as a private and on the expiration of his first term re-enlisted. Twice he was in the hospital with fever, and after the declaration of peace he was mustered out on the 13th of August, 1865, at Springfield, Illinois. He was in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Allatoona Pass, and was with Sherman on that memorable march to the sea, and took part in the grand military review at Washington.
Mr Greenlee then returned to his home at Spring Grove, Illinois. He was first married in Arkansas, but lost his first wife, and their only child died at the age of fourteen months. On the 16th of August, 1866, Mr Greenlee was again married, his second union being with Rebecca J Thompson, who was born in Ohio, in 1842, a daughter of R S and Rebecca Thompson. By this marriage there are ten children, of whom seven are yet living: William, who is married and resides in Pawnee, Kansas; John, who assists his father in the store at Sterling, and has a wife and three children, twin sons and a daughter; Stewart C, who is also living in Pawnee county; Florence, at home; Emmett, a clerk in Sterling; Idella, who is in school; and Frank, a youth of fourteen years. The three other children died in infancy.
In 1871 Mr Greenlee removed to Huntsville, Alabama, where for eight years he was engaged in merchandising, dealing in dry goods and groceries. For seven years he was in business in Ford county, Illinois, and in September, 1883, he came to Kansas, locating first in Newton, where he remained for eighteen months. He then removed to Ness county, and secured a half section of land as a pre-emption and tree claim. For four years he engaged in farming, improving his claim to a large extent. On the expiration of that period he sold his claim and went to Ness City, where he engaged in the bakery business from 1888 until 1893. The latter year witnessed his arrival in Sterling, and here he established his present store. He is engaged in the bakery business, and also carries a large line of groceries and confectionery. In the fall of 1900 he purchased his brick store building, which is now well equipped and tastefully arranged. The goods which he places upon the market are of excellent grade, and he, therefore, receives a very liberal patronage. During the past five years he has also conducted an eating house in one of his two stores.
In his political affiliations Mr Greenlee is a Republican, and is now serving as a member of the city council of Sterling. He is deeply interested in the welfare of his adopted city and its progress along substantial lines of improvement, and he therefore exercises his official prerogative in support of every measure calculated to prove of general good. He also belongs to the United Presbyterian church. He has practically made all that he has since coming to Kansas, for when he removed to his claim he had but sixty-five cents. As the years have passed his diligence and unflagging energy, guided by sound judgment, have enabled him to annually augment his income and to day he is a prosperous merchant of his adopted town.