From A
Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 243
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902
HENRY B. NEWMAN
Henry B Newman is a progressive farmer residing one mile north of the city of Sterling. He was born in Rising Sun, Indiana, October 30, 1854. His father, Henry B Newman, was accidentally drowned when the son was only six months old. He was a cripple, and in falling from a boat at Rising Sin was unable to help himself and thus found death in a watery grave. He left three sons and two daughters. The mother bore the maiden name of Mary Walton and died in Rising Sun in the fall of 1893, at the age of sixty-seven years. The father of our subject was a native of England, but was brought to America during his childhood. His crippled condition was caused from a white swelling. At the time of his death he was engaged in the drug business in Rising Sun, and to his family he left a comfortable home and a small property. His children were: Charles, now a painter of Rising Sun; Oliver, a farmer of that locality; Sarah Frances, who became the wife of A R Talbott and died when about thirty years of age, leaving two children; Harriet, who died when about twelve years of age; and Henry B.
Mr Newman, of this review, received a fair common-school education, continuing his studies until thirteen years of age, when he began working in a woolen mill, where he was employed for six years. He subsequently worked in a brick yard, receiving but small wages. At the age of twenty-three years he left home and came to Rice county, Kansas, reaching his destination on the 27th of February, 1877. He made his way to the home of his brother-in-law, A R Talbott, a miller of Rising Sun, Indiana, and later came to Rice county. After his arrival here Mr Newman formed the acquaintance of Miss Isabel Heter, and their friendship ripened into love, their wedding being celebrated on the 20th of April, 1879. The lady was born in Bellevue, Ohio, a daughter of Levi and Mary (Shock) Heter. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania, born in February, 1834, but was reared in Ohio. The father was born in the latter state on the 17th of April, 1829, and was married in Ohio in 1852. Their daughter, Mrs Newman, was the eldest of their eight children, of whom four sons and three daughters reached mature years, and all are yet living and are married with one exception. The parents still reside in Bellevue, Ohio, where the father for many years conducted a large farm, but is now retired. Mr and Mrs Newman took up their abode six miles northwest of Sterling, remaining for two years upon the Talbott farm, after making a puchase of one hundred and sixty acres of land for one thousand dollars. The former owner had been Mr Heter, the father of Mrs Newman, who had come to Kansas on a prospecting trip and purchased this land as in investment. There were a few improvements on the place and Mr Newman has added many others, making his farm a very desirable property. The home has been blessed with four children: Ralph A, who was born June 27, 1884, and is now a student in the high school in Sterling; May Gladys, born May 3, 1886; Rose Fern, born December 21, 1889; and Winnie Belle, born October 28, 1891. All are students in the schools of Sterling.
Mr Newman carries on general farming, making a specialty of the production of wheat and corn and also raises cattle and horses. At one time he was extensively engaged in raising hogs, but cholera rendered this unprofitable and he now devotes his energies to other lines of farm work. He is a man of marked industry, energy and determination. His home is embowered amid many ornamental shade trees and he has also planted many fruit trees, which have reached a bearing condition and add to the value of the place. Few farmers starting out in life without cash capital have in so short a space of time achieved as creditable success as has crowned the efforts of Mr Newman. He is now the possessor of a handsome competence, which will enable him to carry over his crops for better markets if he does not desire to dispose at the prevailing prices. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and enjoy the warm friendship of many with whom they have come in contact, for their many sterling characteristics have ever commanded the respect and regard of those with whom they have been associated. They have labored together earnestly, the work of the one supplementing and rounding out the work of the other, and their attractive home is a fitting monument to their labors.