Abraham C. Loper

ABRAHAM C. LOPER, one of Oswego's progressive citizens who has resided in the city since 1878, is extensively engaged in cattle dealing. He was formerly engaged in farming in the county, but retired from that vocation, although he still owns a farm of 160 acres in Liberty township.

Mr. Loper was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1845, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Sommers) Loper. Joseph Loper was born in Harrison county, Ohio, and moved west, to Van Meter, Dallas county Iowa, where he died in 1891, aged seventy-six years. His wife was Sarah Sommers, a native of Western Pennsylvania, who died at an early age, having borne him the following children: John S., deceased; Esther (Fred), deceased; Eliza (Hogue), and Benjamin, who live in Belmont county, Ohio; Abraham Clark; and Cyrus, deceased. Mr. Loper served in various township offices, and was a Republican in politics. He was a member of the Christian church.

Abraham C. Loper received his mental training in the public schools of his native town, and then engaged in the stock business in Ohio, marketing at Wheeling, West Virginia, and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He moved to Labette county, Kansas, and in the spring of 1874 purchased the northeast quarter of section 21, township 34, range 19, in Elm Grove township. He resided upon this property and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for four years. At the end of that period, he moved to Oswego, where he has since resided. He sold his farm in Elm Grove township, and purchased 160 acres in section 2, Liberty township, which he still owns. At present he is not engaged in farming, but devotes his energies to the cattle trade, in which he has been decidedly successful. He is a man of admirable character, and has many friends throughout this section of the county.

In 1869, Mr. Loper was married to Florence Waters, and to them were born two children: William C. and Winifred, both of Oswego. Mrs. Loper died January 7, 1890. In April, 1895, Mr. Loper married Mary E. Million, of Mound Valley, Kansas. Fraternally, the subject of this sketch is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Knights and Ladies of Security. He is a Republican, in politics, and served as deputy to Sheriff J. W. Bennett, from 1893 to 1897. Mr. Loper was also engaged in the cattle business in the Indian Territory during the first years of his residence in Labette county.