From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1312
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

F. W. KOONS, M.D.

   F W Koons, a leading physician and surgeon of Chase, Kansas, is a native of the state of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Wayne county, that state, on the 30^th of March, 1872.  He is a son of Simon W and Minerva (Grady) Koons, both natives of the Buckeye state, where they were married.  The paternal grandfather, John Koons, was a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and was a farmer by occupation.  He reared a large family of sons and daughters, and during the Black Hawk war he served under William H Harrison.  Simon W Koons was reared in the state of his nativity, and there learned the carpenter’s trade, following that occupation as a means of livelihood for many years and also engaged in teaching school.  He remained in Ohio until 1877, when he came to Kansas, locating a homestead claim in Rice county, where he improved a good farm and where he yet resides.  Since coming to this state he has also worked at his trade and taught school, in addition to following farming and stock-raising.  In later life, however, his sons have had charge of the farm, and he has devoted his time to the operation of threshing machines, running two machines during the threshing season.  He is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party and takes a deep interest in the political issues and questions of the day, and yet has never been an aspirant for public honors.  His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Minerva Grady, is a daughter of John Grady, a native of Pennsylvania, and a descendant of an aristocratic Irish family.  He subsequently located in Ohio, and in 1884 became a resident of Kansas, purchasing a good farm in Rice county, where he successfully followed agricultural pursuits for many years.  His death occurred in April, 1901.  He was a member of the Reformed church.  His children are:  Minerva, the mother of our subject; Lodema; William W, now deceased; Ida, now Mrs E M Black; and D W, who resides on the old homestead.  Six children have been born unto Mr and Mrs Koons, namely:  F W, the subject of this review; Nola, the wife of B Burroughs; Callie, now Mrs W A Coldwater; Guy G, who is operating the home farm; and Lela and Bryson, who are yet at home.  The parents are consistent and worthy members of the United Brethern church.

   F W Koons, whose name initiates this review, came with his parents to Kansas when five years of age, and was reared to manhood on a farm in Rice county, acquiring his early education in the common schools.  While on the home farm, and when yet in his ‘teens, he began reading medicine.  When twenty-two years of age he continued his studies under Dr Trueheart, of Sterling, who continued as his preceptor for two years, and during that time he accompanied the Doctor on many of his professional calls, thus largely adding to his knowledge.  On the expiration of that period Mr Koons matriculated in the Kansas City Medical College, where he took three courses, and was graduated in that institution in 1898.  He soon afterward located at Conway, McPherson county, Kansas, where he engaged in the practice of his profession, remaining there until October, 1900.  In that year he came to Chase, Kansas, and immediately established himself in practice.  He is a skilled and efficient representative of his chosen calling and faithfully performs each duty as it comes to him.  He enjoys a prosperous and constantly growing patronage, which extends for many miles throughout the country.  He owns a beautiful residence in Chase, and there hospitality reigns supreme.

   In Rice county, Kansas, in October, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Dr Koons and Miss Alberta Talbott, a woman of refined taste and culture.  She was born in Indiana, in 1876, a daughter of Albert R and Sarah (Newman) Talbott, both natives of Indiana, in which state they were married.  In 1884 they came to Kansas and for many years he successfully carried on farming in Rice county, but he is now retired from the active cares of life, making his home in Sterling.  While in Indiana he owned and operated a flour-mill.  He is of English descent, and his paternal grandfather was an English lord.  Three children were born unto Mr and Mrs Talbott, namely:  Fannabell, who died when young; Alberta, the wife of our subject; and Frank, who is engaged in farming in Oklahoma.  The wife and mother departed this life in Indiana, and Mr Talbott again married, his second union being with Julia Latham, and they have two children, - Albert, a representative of the dental profession, and May, yet at home.

   In his social relations Dr Koons is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.  He is a man of scholarly tastes and studious habits, and by his perusal of the leading medical journals and text-books he keeps thoroughly abreast with the latest discoveries and theories advanced in connection with the science of medicine and is very successful in applying these to the needs of his professional work.