Cyrenius W. Gragg

CYRENIUS W. GRAGG, a general storekeeper of Dennis, Labette county, Kansas, has been postmaster of that village for the past four years. He was born June 5, 1848, in Pulaski county, Kentucky.

His father was born in Virginia, and lived to the age of sixty-eight years. His mother was a native of Kentucky, and also reached the age of sixty-eight years. They reared 12 children, namely: Emily F.; H. H.; Amanda; Ella; William P.; J. B., deceased; Cyrenius W.; L. B.; Paulina and Amelia, twins, both deceased; and Alice and Bell, deceased.

Cyrenius W. Gragg spent his early life in his native state, Kentucky, and engaged in the drug business during 1871 and 1872. He was appointed U. S. storekeeper and also postmaster at Monticello, Kentucky, which position he held until 1884. In that year, Mr. Gragg decided to move west, and accordingly located in Labette county, Kansas, where he lived, near where the notorious Bender family in previous years committed so many awful murders. He conducted his farm for one year and then traded it for his store in Dennis, where he now lives. He was made postmaster of that village four years ago, and in connection with this position operates a general store. He has been very prosperous, and his trade increases each year. In connection with his general business, he has shipped 73 car-loads of corn and oats, and 20 car-loads of hay. Mr. Gragg is very generally and favorably known in Labette county, and is one of the influential men of Dennis, no public enterprise being completed without his assistance.

Mr. Gragg married Wiletta Burton, who was partially reared by Allen Burton, United States Minister to one of the South American governments, under Grant's administration. Mr. Burton was a brother of Mrs. Gragg's father. Mr. and Mrs. Gragg have been blessed with three children, namely: Bessie, Hazel and Helen. Mr. Gragg belongs to the Anti Horsethief Association. He is a stanch, Republican, in politics. Religiously, he attends the United Brethren church, in which he is an interested worker. He is very popular in Dennis, and is one of the best citizens in the town.