Arthur J. Rust

ARTHUR J. RUST, a prosperous farmer living in section 9, Mount Pleasant township, Labette county, Kansas, has for many years been one of the leading agriculturists of the county. He has an attractive farm, which he has spent years in cultivating, and being a progressive man he has kept abreast of the times, and availed himself of the modern improvements in farming implements. Mr. Rust was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1849, and is a son of John H. and Eliza (Burgess) Rust.

John H. Rust was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1823, and died in Labette county, Kansas, in 1886. His wife, Eliza (Burgess) Rust, was also born in England, in 1827, and is now living in Altamont, Kansas. They reared the following children, namely: Arthur J., the subject of this sketch; Edith S. (Ryan), of Pettis county, Missouri; John H., a resident of Altamont, Kansas; Eliza (Fowler), deceased; Elizabeth (Dalton), of Junction City, Kansas; and William, Hattie and Mattie, deceased.

Arthur J. Rust came with his parents to America in 1852. They located in Genesee county, New York, where they lived on a farm until 1864. In that year they moved to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, and in 1868 to Pettis county, Missouri. The family remained in Pettis county for four years, and then went to Jasper county, Missouri, where they lived three years. Their final location was in Labette county, Kansas, where Mr. Rust settled on his present farm. He has been quite successful since he established his residence in Labette county, and is well known in the community as a man worthy of the respect and esteem accorded him.

Mr. Rust was united in marriage with Louisa Watkins, who was born in Dade county, Missouri, in 1856. They have no children, but have raised a niece, whose name was Ella Spitler. She married John Stagmeir, and has two children, - Alva and Charles. Mrs. Rust was the daughter of David Watkins, who was born in North Carolina, in 1821. His death occurred in Oregon, in 1889. His children were: Thomas, Clinton, Martha (Spitler), and Josephine, all deceased; Louisa; Orlena (Smith), of Joplin, Missouri; Perry, living at Orlando, Oklahoma; Charles, a resident of Alva, Oklahoma; Lorenzo, of Webb City, Missouri; and David and Winter, twins, deceased.

Mr. Rust is a member of the Populist party, and is the present township trustee. He belongs to the A. 0. U. W. lodge, and is an active member of the Methodist church. His friends are legion.