G. A. Kenoyer, of Leon, Kans., is one of the representative farmers and breeders of Butler county. Mr. Kenoyer was born in Indiana in 1852, and is a son of Elijah and Sarah Kenoyer. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: G. A., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Mason, Ulysses, Kans.; Mrs. Citney Ballinger, Hutchison, Kans.[sic]; John F., San Francisco, Cal.; W. H., Chehalis, Wash.; Mrs. Ida Blanchard,

Orwell, Ohio; Charles V., Hutchinson, Kans.; Mrs. Joe Hogue, Mobile, Ala.; and E. E., Chehalis, Wash. The Kenoyer family came to Kansas in 1879 and located on a farm near Hutchinson. Here the father died, and the mother died in Washington, in 1913.

G. A. Kenoyer was united in marriage in 1873, to Miss Martha E. Ballinger, and in 1877 came to Kansas and located in Little Walnut township. He taught school and farmed for the first few years. He was one of the men who laid the townsite of Leon, and later became postmaster of Leon, serving in that capacity for six years. He then became assistant cashier of the Leon State Bank, and later its cashier.

Soon after coming to Kansas, Mr. Kenoyer became interested in breeding thoroughbred horses, and still has in his possession direct descendants of the strain of horses with which he began in 1885. He is developing a very fine strain of Wilkes-McGregor and Wilkes-Nutwood race horses. He has combined in these breeds most of the fine blooded race horses known to the race-loving public. Mr. Kenoyer's method of handling his horse business, is to select a colt and develop it to its best. He has never followed racing himself, however, as a profession, but for demonstration purposes. He produces the race horses, and lets the other fellow do the racing.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kenoyer have been born six children, as follows: Mrs. Pearl Royse, Leon, Kans.; Mrs. Grace La Rue, Salina, Kans.; Mrs. Luvena Clifford, Wichita, Kans.; G. G., Los Angeles, Cal.; Mrs. Faith Erwin, Cabool, Mo.; and John J., Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Kenoyer is one of Leon's substantial and highly respected citizens.

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