The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1891-12-29
MIR. PLUMB's CAREER.
The Ear:y Struggles and Triumphs OF the
Dist. n guIshed kansan.


Preston Il. Plumb was born in Delaware
county, Ohio. Oct l2, 1881. 1t fell to his
lot to receive only a common school educa-
ton and when IL years of age he entered
upon an apprenticeship in the office Of tho
Western Episcopaliau at Gambler, o. In
1853, in connection with J. w. Dumble, he
started the News at Xenia, o. He re-
NAMED there until ls56, when in the early
spring he set out for the west, little dream
ing, probably, of the possibilities that lay
before him at the end of his journey. Kan
sas was where he chose TO stop.
Mr.. Plumb first located near where the
town OF Salina now is, but afterward
worked for a short time at the printing
business in Topeka During the winter Of
1867 he was foreman 9; the Herald OF
Freedom Office in Lawrence. His pre-
decessor in that position was Thomas A.
Osborn, subsequently governor and min
ister to Brazil
In the spring of 1857 Mr.. Plumb was one
Of five to lay out the city of Emporis, those
associated with him in the ownership OF
the town site being General G. W. Deitzler.
G. W. Brown, Lyman Allen and Columbus
Hornsby, all Of Lawrence. Naturally he
was Of the opinion that not even a town
could exist without a newspaper, so he
started the Emporia News, the first issue
Of which appeared June 6, 1857.
Mr.. Plumb took prominent part In the
discussion Of the questions which agitated
Kansas in those anxious days preceding
the civil war and was 4 member of several
free state territorial conventions. He al
ways advocated the most radical measures
Of the anti-slavery party. He was elected
a delegate to the Leavenworth constitu-
tional convention in ISIS. Although one
the youngest members of that body he
was yet one Of the most active and infuen-
tial
Mr.. Plumb finally decided TO turn his at
teniIon 10 the law and in 1851 was admitted
to the bar, having previously attended two
terms at the Cleveland, o., law school.
He opened law office in Emporia and
practised for several years with success.
his partner being Judge Ruggles: In ls62
he again entered political life, being
elected TO the legislature, where
he served as chairman of
the judiciary committee. Shortly
after this he was appointed reporter OF the
state supreme court, but soon resigned
that position for the purpose OF recruiting
| troops for the union army. He was mus
tered into the army as second licute nant
=
and served as captain, m'ior and licuten-
ant colonel and in 49, was commissioned
colonel of the regiment
After the war Mr.. Plumb was again
elected TO the Kansas house of represeu-
tatives aid served two terms. Daring his
! first term-in lSj6-he was speaker. Back
| TO the law he went in 1865 and continued
| its active practice until lsi2 when he
practically gave up the profession on ac-
count of i'll health and engaged in enter
prises that permitted plenty of outdoor
exercise. From 1873 to 1877 hs was presi.
dent of the EmpOria national bank, In
which he was associated with Major Cal
win Hood.
II was January 81. 1877. that Mr. Plumb
was first elected to the United States SEN
ate. his competitors for the horCr being
Governor Osbo-1. Senator Harvey. ex
Congressman Lows Judge Sears and Wal
ter l.. Simons. he made senator
after the idea OF the vast ma
jority of the people of Kansas. In
1883 he was reelected practically by {
unanimous vote aad did not even come
home at he time of :bs election. He wa:
elected for the third time IN lss9 and agar
| secured the nouor with practically No Up
position. Four years. Of Ms term, which
would have ey pIre1 ;arch 3, 1897, remain
to be filed by some oas else
Undoubtedly Senator Plumb succeeded
in stamping his strong Individuality upol
the legislative history OF the United state
in more permanent character than bay