J. W. Dennis
J. W. Dennis is the oldest of a family of four sons and two daughters. One sister, the wife of W. Furlow, died in ’53, the other, the wife of B. Cramer, is now living at Lee’s Summit, Mo. The youngest of the family, Milton L. is also living at Lee’s Summit; one brother, Wm. H., died at Jacinto, Miss., July ’62, a member of Co. D., 7th Ill. Reg.; Fletcher S., a member of the same co., fell a sacrifice to his country’s cause, while on board a hospital transport in ’64. The subject of this sketch was born in Ross co., O., July 6th, 1836, and immigrated to Ills. with his parents in ’52. Mr. D. was a member of co. A., 9th Mo. Vol;, afterwards changed to the 59th Ill. reg. He was united in marriage to Miss Louisa J. Barnet in March ’63. They have had two children-one son living. Immigrated to Cass County, Mo., and in ’71 came to this county, locating just southwest of Olathe, on the open prairie, and selecting as a site for his buildings a beautiful eminence overlooking the town. All the improvements, fencing, buildings, trees, and shrubbery on this farm, (as seen in his view on page 35) have been placed there by Mr. Dennis within the last two years, which shows what may be done by energy and industry, as he has brought 160 acres under cultivation in that time. He is a quiet, unassuming man, and whatever he undertakes, he accomplishes without unnecessary display. He is not one of those who alternately complain of “too much rain” and “too much dry,” “bad luck” and “poor crops,” because he does his work well, and in season, which insures him success. While much of his farm is set aside for grazing, he gives his principal care to the raising of hogs, Poland China being his favorite breed which he has brought to a very high standard. Perhaps he has received from the east more pure blooded hogs, to stock his farm with, than any other breeder in the county, during the past year.
Atlas Map of Johnson County, Kansas, E. F. Heisler and Co., 1874, p. 54.
