My Genealogy Hound

JOHN W. QUICK. Long years of earnest labor certainly earn a rest and retirement from business cares and this has been vouchsafed to John W. Quick, who has now put aside the more arduous duties of the farm and is enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He is, however, serving his fellow townsmen in public office, for recognizing his ability and trustworthiness, they elected him to the position of county commissioner and for two terms he has been the incumbent in the office, representing the first district upon the board. This shows his standing among fellow men who entertain for him high regard by reason of his upright life.

Mr. Quick was born in Warren County, Indiana, on the 8th of March, 1833. His father, James Quick, is a native of Virginia, born in 1803, and when only twelve years of age he accompanied his father on his removal to Ohio, where he attained early manhood. He then went to Indiana and in that state was married to Miss Elizabeth Goodwin, a native of Kentucky, who died about 1845. The father is still living in Illinois and has reached the advanced age of ninety-eight years.

John W. Quick of this review was only twelve years of age at the time of his mother’s death. He then returned from Davis County, Iowa, to Indiana in order to make his home with an uncle there, but from that time he was self-supporting. He worked for twenty-five cents per day, which then seemed quite a munificent sum. He acquired only a common-school education, but through experience, observation and reading he has become a man of good practical knowledge. As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life he chose Miss Rachel Jones, the wedding being celebrated January 20, 1853. She was born in Ohio, April 21, 1833, a daughter of William and Rachel (Slaughter) Jones, the latter of New Jersey.

After his marriage Mr. Quick began to learn the miller’s trade and remained in the employ of one firm at Williamsport, Indiana, for six years. He afterward was connected with other milling establishments for a number of years, but finally abandoned the business in order to engage in farming and rented a tract of land which he operated for three years. In 1869 he came to Kansas and secured a homestead of eighty acres upon which he has since resided. He first erected a small house upon his claim and then began contracting for grade work on the railroads. He followed that pursuit for four years and then took up the work of the farm. He is today the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land, all improved. There is a nice grove surrounding his house and barn and everything about the place is in good shape. He has made everything that he has upon his farm through the cultivation of the fields and the raising of sheep, and having gained a handsome competence he is now living retired, his land being rented.

In his political views Mr. Quick is a stalwart Republican and has served for one term as township trustee of Everett township. In 1887 he was elected county commissioner and filled that position for three years. Again in 1898 he was elected to the same office, so that he is the present incumbent. He gives careful attention to his official duties and his administration is practical and progressive, showing that he has the best interest of the county at heart.