H. M. Nolder, the present mayor of Whitewater, is one of the most extensive poultry dealers in central Kansas. Mr. Nolder began business in Whitewater in 1910, and since that time his small beginning has developed into one of the most important business concerns in this section of the State. His business extends over a radius of sixty or seventy miles from Whitewater and by his method of square dealing he has built up a reputation for paying top notch prices for poultry and eggs throughout the section where he does business, which has been a dominant factor in the rapid development of his business. He ships poultry by the car load lots to the principal markets of the East, including New York, Boston and Philadelphia, and in the other direction he markets his produce as far west as Los Angeles.

Mr. Nolder is a native of Kansas, having been born in Harvey county, June 8, 1872, and bears the distinction of being born in a dugout. His parents were George and Mary (Lemons) Nolder, both natives of Ohio. When the father first came to Kansas he was employed on the construction of the Sante Fe railroad from Topeka to Emporia, and by the time that the railroad was extended to Newton he went to work for the company in the capacity of fireman and was thus engaged for a few years. He died in 1876, and his wife departed this life in 1883,

and thus H. M. Nolder was left an orphan in early childhood. He went to live with J. A. Commons, a farmer in Harvey county, at about the age of ten. When he was about fifteen years of age he ran away from his employer and went to Wichita. Here he obtained employment with a farmer near that city by the name of August Gabrison, a Swede, and worked for him for two years and remained in the vicinity of Wichita about six years. He then returned to his former employer in Harvey county. Mr. Nolder obtained a very good education under the circumstances that surrounded his boyhood days. He attended the district schools and Lewis Academy at Wichita, and later was a student in the Halstead High School and the Normal School at Great Bend, Kans. He was married March 15, 1900, to Miss Hattie, daughter of W. S. Evans, who settled at Halstead, Harvey county, at an early date. To Mr. and Mrs. Nolder have been born three children: Howard E., Ella Millicent and George Oscar.

Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Nolder engaged in farming, renting land in Harvey county, which he followed until 1910, when he came to Whitewater and engaged in his present business. His capital was limited and for the first few years he was compelled to proceed with caution, and by strict economy he has accumulated a substantial working capital and today controls one of the important business enterprises of Butler county. He has been a life long Republican, and has served for five years on the city council of Whitewater. In 1915 he was elected mayor and is now serving in that capacity. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and Kansas Fraternal Citizens, and holds membership in the Christian church.

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