E.C. Whitcher, of the firm of Whipp & Whitcher, abstracters, dealers in real estate, and insurance, is a native of Warren, Grafton county, New Hampshire, born in 1860. His father was Levi C. Whitcher, a New Englander, who was engaged in different occupations - lumberman, hardware dealer, and at the time of his death was farming. His mother was Sarah A. (Weeks) Whitcher, also of New England birth and ancestry.

Whitcher was educated in the common schools of New Hampshire and when fifteen years of age, began his career as a clerk in a mercantile establishment. In 1883 he went to California, later returned and located in Omaha, Nebraska, where he railroaded for two years, and was also located at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he filled the position of passenger officer in the Union depot.

In 1886 he came to Washington county, Kansas, where he clerked for two years and then came to Concordia. Here he established himself in the mercantile business, largely groceries, which he conducted for about five years, then sold the same and became associated with Mr. Whipp in their present business. His venture in the mercantile line was during the panic years, when all alike suffered losses.

The present combination is a very successful one. Mr. Whitcher bought the interest of D.M. Stackhouse. This firm had formulated a set of abstract books, the only complete set in the county, and were making a specialty of that line, having since added real estate and insurance.

Mr. Whitcher enjoys the distinction of being the only Democrat at the present time (1902) holding city office, in 1901 being appointed city clerk. He has been twice nominated for registrar of deeds but never made a canvass, from the fact that he was on the wrong side to be elected. Mr. Whitcher was married in 1888 to Lizzie Francouer, formerly of Illinois. She was practically reared in Cloud county, as she came here with her parents when an infant. Her father is Jospeh Francouer, a farmer of Lincoln township, near Concordia. They are of French extraction and natives of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcher are the parents of three daughters, Lillian, Florence and Edith, aged, respectively, twelve, nine and four years.

Mr. Whitcher owns a farm in Aurora township and retains his interest in his father's estate in New Hampshire; has a comfortable but modest home on Broadway and Thirteenth streets. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen and Court of Honor.