W. E. Staige

W. E. STAIGE. This gentleman is the popular editor of the Edna Sun, and is one of the most influential citizens of that city. He was born on Christmas day, in 1859, near Burlington, Iowa, and is a son of J. E. Staige.

J. E. Staige was a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, and removed to Iowa, in 1839, soon after the trouble with the Indians had culminated in the Black Hawk War. He took up a homestead in Des Moines county, where he resided until 1882, when he came to Kansas. He carried on farming until his death, which occurred December 12, 1899. His wife was born at Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio, and died January 3, 1894, aged sixty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Staige were married in Louisa county, Iowa, and reared seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The names of the five living are: Sarah E. (Creighton), of Oakville, Iowa; Mary (Luckenbill), of Huron, Iowa; M. R., of Porterville, California; W. E., the subject of this sketch; and Joe, of Kinnison, Indian Territory.

W. E. Staige, whose name appears at the opening of this personal sketch, received his primary education in Iowa, and in 1885 and 1886 attended a business college at Sedalia, Missouri. His first active business for himself was in the newspaper line. November 22, 1894, he established the Edna Suit, there being no other paper in Edna. His first office was north of his present location, over J. C. Arnold's grocery store in the brick block. Each year has brought an increase in business, and the Sun now has a circulation of 700, extending into the Indian Territory. This is exclusive of the foreign list, exchanges, etc. Mr. Staige has a plant worth $1,200, runs two presses, and employs competent help. He is a well informed man, and keeps posted on all current topics.

Mr. Staige was married in Labette county to Jennie Rhodes, November 26, 1889. She died February 8, 1892. He formed a second union, January 6, 1896, Mrs. Warren Fullerton being the bride. They reside in a fine home in Edna, which is worth $1,500. Mr. Staige is a strong Republican, and is at present serving as city clerk. He does not belong to any fraternities, nor is he a member of any church. Mr. Staige has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business with W. H. Pottorff, for the past six years, under the firm name of W. H. Pottorff & Company. No public enterprise is complete without Mr. Staige's assistance, which he gives readily, and he is one of Edna's most public spirited, active citizens. Mr. Staige is an ardent temperance worker and has devoted much of his time and money to assist in freeing his town from the blighting curse of the rum power. His paper, the Sun, has been given up largely in the past three years to fighting the "joint" evil and while he has made enemies his friends have increased in number, and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. He attributes his success and financial standing at the present time to the position taken by him in favor of the enforcement of the, prohibitory laws, and to his close adherence to strict business principles.

    "There is a tide in the affairs of men,
    which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune."