THEODORE BARTON MARSH (The Land Man of Anthony)
Theodore Barton Marsh was born in 1847 in Racine,
Wisconsin.In July 1878 T.B. left Peoria, Illinois for Kansas. He took the
train to Wichita and then a stage coach the rest of the way. He was met
by Edward M. Moss. Moss had married his wife's sister and had preeeded
him by 3 months.Marsh received land in an area known as Mid Lothian which
was one mile south and two miles east of Freeport, Harper County,Kansas.
T.B. was an educated man. He became
the Notary Public and associated with the Central Loan and Land Co. of
Emporia. He would assist settlers in filing their claim papers and also
in securing loans.. He acquired quite a bit of land for himself in Harper
and Sumner counties in the early 80's. In 1885 he traded some land for
a hardware store in Anthony, Harper County Busniess thrived from 1885 -1887
and he acquired more land.
1889-1893 were depressed times. Marsh was forced to sell
most of his land and move back to the farm. After the turn of the
century Marsh again entered the land business this time working for the
Missouri Pacific Immigration Bureau which was promoting Kansas. The business
prospered and it was at this time that T.B. Marsh became known as "The
Land Man".
(taken from ANTHONY-FIRST CENTURY, pg61)
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