Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Alonzo M. Tolbert
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
ALONZO M. TOLBERT, a representative
farmer of Wheatland Township, Dickinson
County, residing on section 14, was
born in Belmont County, Ohio, on the
26th of June, 1844, and is the sixth child in a family
of twelve children whose parents were John
and Ianthy (Bradfield) Tolbert. The father was
a native of Rockingham County, Va., and the
mother was born in Loudoun County of that State.
For many years they resided in Belmont County,
Ohio, where they were living when called to their
final rest.
Upon his father's farm in the county of his nativity,
our subject was reared to manhood.
During
the summer months he aided in the labors of
the farm, and in the winter season he attended the
common schools, acquiring a good English education.
After he had attained to mature years, he
embarked in business for himself as an agriculturist,
and has followed that pursuit throughout life,
he continued to reside in Belmont County until
1872, when he came to Illinois, locating in Macon
County. In the spring of 1874, he came to Kansas,
and took up his residence in Dickinson
County, purchasing a farm in Wheatland Township
in company with his brother, the late Albin
A. Tolbert. Our subject has been a resident of
Wheatland Township since that time, and is regarded
as one of its prominent farmers. He now
owns and operates four hundred acres of arable
land, the greater part of it being under a high
state of cultivation. The many improvements
which he has made upon the place add to its
value and attractive appearance, and indicate
the thrift and enterprise of the owner. He is a
successful farmer, and by his industrious efforts
has acquired a comfortable competence.
Since coming to this county, Mr. Tolbert was
married on the 11th of October, 1877, Miss Jane
A. Bell becoming his wife. The lady is a sister of
Clement Bell, of this county, and a daughter of
Edward A. and Leah (Kennedy) Bell, both of
whom were natives of County Antrim, Ireland.
About 1848, they bade good-bye to the Emerald Isle,
and crossed the Atlantic to America. Their first
settlement was in Belmont County, Ohio, but afterward
they removed to Guernsey County, and subsequently
to Muskingum County, that State. Mrs.
Bell died in Concord, Guernsey County. Mr. Bell
is still living, and has made his home in Dickinson
County, Kan., since 1876. This worthy couple
had a family of five children, of whom Mrs. Tolbert
is the fourth in order of birth. She was born
in Belmont County, Ohio, January 2, 1854. Our
subject and his wife have six children: Walter H.,
Ianthy L., Edith M., John E., Arthur M. and
Daisy B. The family circle remains unbroken,
and all the children are still under the parental
roof.
Mr. Tolbert is a public-spirited and progressive
man. and manifests a commendable interest in all
that pertains to the welfare of the community. He
has held the office of Township Treasurer. His
life has been well and worthily spent, and his
straightforward and honorable career has won for
him the confidence and good-will of his many
friends. His wife is a most estimable lady, whose
many excellencies of character have won her warm
regard. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tolbert are members
of the Christian Church.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP