J. I. Tanner

J. I. TANNER, who formerly represented Labette county, Kansas, in the legislature, and is one of the highly respected farmers living in Osage township, was born In 1855, in Green county, Missouri. He is a son of Elias and Eliza Tanner, who are deceased. He is one of eight children, namely: Marion; Martha, who married Samuel Sliger, and now lives in Kansas City, Missouri; William; David; J. S.; Samuel; Stewart; and Louisa.

When his mother died, J. I. Tanner was very young. In 1870 he came to Labette county, where he was reared at the home of his brother-in-law, Samuel Sliger, who had taken a claim in section 11, township 32, range 17, in Osage township. Mr. Sliger died in 1877. There J. I. Tanner made his home until he reached his majority. His first work was on the farm in Osage township. In 1882 Mr. Tanner purchased his present farm, in the southeast quarter of section 2, township 32, range 17, in Osage township, which has since been his home. The claim was first conveyed to Mr. Sinclair, an early settler, who afterward removed to Washington. Mr. Tanner carries on diversified farming and stock raising, and has a thorough knowledge of agricultural matters. He is a self made man, of good business ability.

Mr. Tanner was united in marriage with Nellie Wheelock, who was born in Illinois, in 1862. They have five children, namely: Ethel; Mabel; William; James; and Homer. Politically, Mr. Tanner is a Democrat, and was elected representative of the county in 1891, serving two years. He has not accepted any nominations since that time. Fraternally, he is a member of the organization of the Sons and Daughters of justice at Cherryvale. In religious views, he is liberal.