M. M. Kingsbury

M. M. KINGSBURY is a progressive business man who has been engaged in the drug business in Oswego, Labette county, Kansas, since 1870. He is senior member of the firm of Kingsbury & Frick, leading druggists of the city. Mr. Kingsbury was born in Franklin county, Indiana, October 12, 1839, and is a son of George W. and Rebecca (Remey) Kingsbury.

George W. Kingsbury was born, reared and schooled in the state of New Hampshire. He learned the trade of a carpenter, and followed it during the early part of his business life, but later pursued the occupation of a farmer. He located in Franklin county, Indiana, where he was united in marriage with Rebecca Remey, of that county. They journeyed west, to Labette county, Kansas, in 1866, where the husband took up a farm, and where he lived until his death. He died at the age of sixty-seven years and his widow at the age of eighty-two years. They were parents of eight children: Theodosia (Ruble); James T., deceased; Adelaide (Conover); M. M., the gentleman whose name heads these lines; Joseph J.; Winfield S.; William R.; and Elizabeth (Dickerman). George W. Remey was a Republican, in politics; in religious attachments he was a member of the Baptist church.

M. M. Kingsbury received his primary education in the common schools of his native county, and in Howes Seminary at Mount Pleasant, Iowa. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in Company G, 11th Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., and was in the campaign of Vicksburg, and later, with the army of Gen. Sherman. He enlisted as a private, but was promoted to be captain of Company F, 46th Reg., U. S. Colored Troops, and was mustered out of the service in February, 1866. He participated in much hard fighting and was in the following important engagements, in addition to many of less note: Pittsburg Landing, Vicksburg and vicinity, Alexandria, and the Red River expedition. After returning from the war he attended a mercantile school at Kansas City for six months, and in 1867 took a claim in Oswego township, Labette county, Kansas. He then went back to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he was married to Lisette Cozier. He returned to Labette county, in 1867, and in 1870 established the foundation of his present thriving drug business. From a small beginning it grew, as its patronage justified, into a large store, well stocked and handsome in its appointments, and commanding the best drug trade of the city. Since 1890 he has had associated with him Mr. P. C. Frick, - a very enterprising man, - the firm name being Kingsbury & Frick.

In politics, Mr. Kingsbury is a strong advocate of Republican principles, and has taken an active interest in party work. He has served in the city council. Fraternally, he is a member of Post No. 150, G. A. R.; and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. A portrait of Mr. Kingsbury accompanies this sketch.