From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1189
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

WILBER H. WARNER

   Wilber H Warner, a resident of Victoria township, Rice county, Kansas, is a well known, intelligent and prosperous farmer, who early took up his abode in this section of the state locating in the county in 1879, upon a tract of wild land.  He was born at Three Rivers, Michigan, and represents a family noted for industry and integrity.  His natal day was November 5, 1853, and he is a son of Henry Warner, a farmer, who was left an orphan when six years of age, after which he was reared by his uncle, Thomas Pond.  In the Buckeye state he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Stetler, who was born in Pennsylvania.  After their marriage Mr and Mrs Warner removed to Michigan, taking up their abode near Three Rivers, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits.  He was a thrifty farmer and his industry and good management resulted in the development of a splendid farm, which yielded to him a handsome income.  In politics he was a strong Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the principles of the party.  He died April 1, 1890, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife passed away in 1900, when well advanced in life.  She was a devoted and tender wife and mother, a consistent neighbor and was loved by all who knew her.  This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, of whom seven are yet living, four sons and three daughters, namely:  Mrs Effie Ann Kern, of Flowerfield, Michigan; Mrs Hannah Matilda Kern, also of Flowerfield; William, a prominent citizen of Victoria township, Rice county; Wilber Henry, of this review; Anson I, of Centerville, Michigan; and Herbert E, who is living in Rice county.  Those who have passed away are Ella, who died at the age of twenty years; Mrs Mary A Kerley, who was a resident of Akerly, Michigan; and one who died in infancy.

   Wilber H Warner, whose name forms the caption of this review, was reared upon a Michigan farm and was early trained to habits of industry, economy and fair dealing.  He attended the public schools, and his knowledge was supplemented by experience in the practical affairs of life, by reading and observation.  He remained at home until he was nineteen years of age, when he started out in life on his own account.  In Marcellus, Cass county, Michigan, he was united in marriage to Miss Ruth A Youells, a cultured lady, who to him has been a faithful companion and helpmate on the journey of life.  She is a native of the Empire state, and at the age of nine years became a resident of Michigan, being reared and educated in St Joseph county.  Her parents were Mordecai P and Venus Lewis (Andress) Youells, both of whom were also natives of the Empire state, but the former is now deceased.  They had three children:  Peter T, who was a soldier in the Civil war, and is now a resident of Michigan; Mrs Warner; and Abraham, who was a soldier of the Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry and served throughout the entire war.  He died in May, 1898.  The marriage of Mr and Mrs Warner has been blessed with six children, namely: Lewis H, who is engaged in the grain business in Pollard for the firm of Cooper& Dinsmore; Leslie Pierson, who is engaged in operating land belonging to his father in Victoria township; Elsie, the wife of James Batterson, of Mitchell township, Rice county; Charles Wilbert; Sarah Luella; and Ruth Alvaretta, all at home.