TOLIN, Richard - Putnam

Family 284

R.J. Tolin 35 Ky Farmer $3200/3000

Rebecca 39 Ky

Leonard B. age 13 Ind

Jno. A 12

George T 10

Mary C 8

Henry C 6

James T 4

Laura A 11 months

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Richard J. Tolin. Among those who cast their lot with the early settlers of northern Kansas came Mr. Tolin, establishing himself as a resident of Jackson County in June 1863. Like his brother pioneers he came hither with a limited capital and has worked his way up, step by step, until he has surrounded himself and his family with all the comforts of life. He was born in Bath County, Kentucky Aug 15, 1824, and is the son of Alexander B. and Mary (Stokes) Tolin, who were natives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia. The paternal grandfather of our subject was James Tolin, who was born in the Old Dominion. Grandfather Berryman Stokes was a native of Virginia and of Scotch-Irish parentage. He spent his last years in Indiana. Alexander Tolin was bred to farming pursuits, which he was also engaged as a butcher. The family left the Blue Grass State in 1829, emigrating to Putnam County, Indiana taking up their abode among its earliest settlers. The father improved a farm from the wilderness, remaining there until his death which occurred in 1880 after he had married at the advanced age of 80 years. The mother passed away in 1854, prior to the decease of her husband at the age of 63. Both were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The elder Tolin was a conscientious worker and liberal supporter of his church in which he was one of the chief pillars, officiating as Class Leader and frequently filling the pulpit as an exhorter. In politics he was a member of the old Whig party and later identified himself with the Republicans. Of h is first marriage there were born two children, Richard J. and his sister, Elizabeth, Mrs. Proctor, who is a resident of Pottawatomie County this state. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received his education in the public school. He remained a member of his father's household until a young man of 22 and then in 1846 was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Mark. Mrs. Tolin is a native of Kentucky. Soon after their marriage they located on a farm in Indiana where they lived until 1863. That year they came to KS and settled on 160 acres of wild land, occupying a portion of Section 10 in Soldier Township. Mr. Tolin built up a good farm from the wilderness, cultivating the soil successfully and effecting modern improvements. In 1884 he retired from active labor and now makes his home near the village of Soldier, which is o Sec 8 and 9. To Mr. and Mrs. Tolin there have been born 7 children, the eldest of whom, a son, Leonard B died at their home in Soldier Township in 1870; John A. is farming in Parke County, Ind; George T; Henry C. and James T are residents of Soldier Township; Mary C, Mrs. Stephenson lives in Grant Township; Laura A. became the wife of Rev. R.B. Francis, the present Sheriff of Jackson County and is now deceased. When in their youth, Mr. and Mrs. Tolin became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church since which time they have continuously retained their membership. Mr. Tolin has taken an active part in church work, officiating as Class Leader and Steward and has been a liberal contributor. He maintains a deep solicitude in connection with the training and education of his children, it being the leading desire of his heart that they should be Christian men and women, and useful members of the community. In politics Mr. Tolin votes the straight Republican ticket. He has served as Twp Assessor one term and several terms as the Treasurer of Soldier Township. During the Civil War he was a Capt of the state militia and was out 20 days after the rebel Gen. Price during his raid across the frontier. He has watched with the warmest interest the growth and development of his adopted county and may justly feel that he has contributed his quota to her prosperity.    --- typed by kbz