William F. Thrall

WILLIAM F. THRALL, postmaster at Mound Valley, Labette county, Kansas, and editor of that substantial paper, the Mound Valley Herald, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1853. He is a son of Rufus and Mary (Woodruff Thrall.

Rufus Thrall was born in New York, and his wife was also a native of that state. At present they are living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the former has reached the age of seventy-four years. Two other children besides William F. are living: Mrs. C. B. Woodruff, of Joplin, Missouri; and Mrs. N. S. Gandy, of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

William F. Thrall received his mental training in Decatur, Illinois, to which place his parents moved when he was quite young. In 1873 Mr. Thrall moved, with his parents, to Oswego, Labette county, Kansas, where he entered the office of the Independent, and learned the trade of a printer, and remained there nine years. He then moved to Idaho, where he worked at his trade for two years, after which he returned to Labette county, and located at Mound Valley. There he purchased the Mound Valley Herald, and has edited and published that paper ever since. He engages one printer, but personally manages and edits the paper. It is the only paper in Mound Valley, and has a large circulation. Mr. Thrall is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and is well equipped for conducting a newspaper of this kind. He is a very prominent man in the town, and is highly esteemed by all. November 19, 1897, Mr. Thrall was appointed postmaster of Mound Valley, and in connection with that office handles stationery of all kinds.

Mr. Thrall was united in marriage with Mary Martin in 1878. She was born in Ray county, Missouri, in 1861, and is a daughter of Scott and Catherine (Shartzer) Martin. Her father is of Scotch descent, and was born in Virginia. He was a wagon-maker and blacksmith by trade, and died at the age of thirty-eight years. Mrs. Martin was born in Kentucky, but was reared in Virginia, and died in Oswego, Kansas, aged fifty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Thrall have one daughter, whose name is Vonie. She was born in Hailey, Idaho, November 29, 1883, on Thanksgiving day.

Mr. Thrall is a member of several fraternal organizations, among them the I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W., and M. W. of A. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Thrall has assisted largely in the growth and development of Mound Valley, and no public enterprise is completed without his assistance.