Edward Wilford, son of John and Elizabeth (Hardy) Wilford, was born in South Croxton, Leicestershire, England, in 1838, and came to Sheboygan, Wis., in 1858. There was a gale at sea during the voyage, and three sailors drowned. He soon journeyed to Iowa, where he spent four years, when he returned to Wisconsin. He came to Butler county, Kansas, in 1874, and filed on a quarter section of land two and one-half miles northwest of Douglass, which has been his home ever since. He has added considerable land to the original quarter, and has engaged extensively in farming and stock raising.

In 1877, Mr. Wilford married Miss Mary Anderson at Wichita, Kans. Mrs. Wilford is a native of County Armagh, Ireland. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilford are hale and hearty, despite advancing years, and their autumn of life is made cheerful by their four children, who grew to maturity. The Wilford home is on an elevation overlooking the winding Walnut valley for many miles in either direction of its course. Mrs. Wilford is pleased to call her home her castle, and says, that when they get her to leave it, they will have to carry her out. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilford are fond of the progressive farm life which they have made there for so many years. They have no longing for town or city life. They take the best daily papers and periodicals, and keep thoroughly posted on the doings of the world.

The kitchen part of the Wilford home is one of the early landmarks in southern Butler county, it being the original dug-out on the south slope of "Mount Wilford," and in years past, as at present, has been the scene of marked hospitality. The old cellar has been modernized, and a spacious frame house has been built over it, but Mrs. Wilford spends much time in the original room, in which she cooked her first meal in Butler county.

Thos. E. Wilford, an only son, is married and occupies a model cottage close by the old homestead. He conducts the farm work. Other children are: Mrs. Arthur Vint, of Hutchinson; Mrs. Bert Shanks, of Douglass, and Mrs. Jesse Darter, of Douglass.

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