Clark Haskins, of Augusta, is a venerable old gentleman who bears the distinction of having been a pioneer of two States. He is a native of Vermont, and is a descendant of New England stock. He possesses the liberty loving spirit of his New England ancestors, the same spirit that actuated the early settlers of New England to seek a home in a new country, where limitations of conscience were not known. Clark Haskins was born in Loveland county, Vermont, in 1831, a son of Ezra and Phoebe (Grandy) Haskins, natives of Vermont. They were the parents of the following children: Weltha; Sarah; Charity; Elizabeth; Clark, the subject of this sketch; Edward, who died while serving in the Union army, during the Civil war; John; Edwin, who was a soldier in the Union army, during the Civil war; Edmond, was a Christian minister, and served in the United States Navy during the Civil war, and Edgar, served in the Union army during the Civil war.

Clark Haskins went to Iowa in 1855, and settled on a claim of Government land in Madison county. This was at an early day in the settlement of that section of Iowa. He was engaged in farming there when the Civil war broke out, and in 1864, he enlisted in Company A, Third regiment, Iowa cavalry, serving until the close of the war, or about eighteen months, when he was mustered out of service and honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa. At the close of the war he returned to Iowa, and in 1872, came to Kansas, locating in Walnut township, Butler county. Here he entered 240 acres of land, and later bought additional land, at one time 110 acres and another forty acres, and still another 150 acres. When he first settled in Walnut township, he built a small cabin on his claim, which served as the family home for twelve years, when he built a substantial residence. He engaged in general farming and stock raising, and during his Butler county career, has given special attention to the cattle business. He has not only raised and fed cattle for the market, but has been an extensive cattle buyer as well. Mr. Haskins has not only been a financial success, but his influence has always been for the moral and civic betterment of his community and county; and he is of that type of men who will leave his impress on the future civilization and development of Butler county.

Mr. Haskins was married, in 1865, to Miss Almera Purdy, of Muscoda, Wis., and a native of Vermont. She is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Haskins were born the following children: Charles; Mrs. Lydia Findley, Kettle Falls, Wash.; Frank, Seattle, Wash.; Will, Vancouver, B. C.; George, died at the age of thirteen, and Herman H., living on the home place.

Charles Haskins, the eldest child born to Clark, and Almera (Purdy) Haskins, was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1858. When a boy about fourteen years of age, he came to Walnut township, in 1872, with his parents. He was reared and educated in Butler county, and has made farming and stock raising his principal occupation. He now owns and operates 150 acres of land, adjoining his father's place in Walnut township, and ranks as one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Butler county. He was married, in 1884, to Miss Gertrude Bruce, and three children have been born to this union: George, Charles and Herbert.

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