Luther M. Axline, postmaster at Medicine Lodge, Kan., and for nearly thirty years identified with the publication of the "Cresset" at that place, is one of Barber county's best known and representative citizens. He was born Aug. 2, 1861, at Fairfield, Iowa, a son of Rev. Andrew A. M. and Almira (Sterer) Axline. The father was born at Zanesville, Ohio, in 1833, and was descended from German ancestors who came to this country in 1700. He was a college graduate and also a graduate of a theological school, where he was prepared for the ministry of the Lutheran church. For some years he devoted his services to the Lutheran denomination, but later transferred to the Presbyterian ministry and was pastor of the Presbyterian church at Arlington, Kan., at the time of his death, in 1894. He became prominent in both church and educational work. He removed from Ohio to Iowa and was engaged in ministerial duties at Fairfield and Bloomfield, Iowa, for a number of years. For a few years he was also president of a college at Fairfield, and later assumed similar duties at Bloomfield, preaching, however, in the meantime. In 1877 he removed to Kansas with his family, and located in Pratt county, where he took up government land. He served as pastor of the first Presbyterian church organized in Pratt county, which was located at Iuka. He was appointed the first county superintendent of schools of Pratt county and afterward held the same office by election. In 1879 he removed with his family to Medicine Lodge, and served as county superintendent of schools of Barber county, first by appointment and then by election for one term. He returned to Pratt county in 1885 and remained there until called to the pastorate at Arlington, where he died. He was a chaplain in the Union army during the Civil war, with the Second Iowa infantry. In 1856 Mr. Axline was united in holy wedlock with Miss Almira Sterer, whose parents were natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Her father was a farmer and a gunsmith and was a pioneer of Fairfield, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Axline were born seven children, as follows: Althea L., born in 1857, now the wife of E. Smith, a banker at Riverton, Iowa; Katherine E., born in 1859, now Mrs. A. W. Ellis, of Pratt, Kan.; Luther M., of this review; David H., born in 1863, now a farmer in Pratt county, Kansas; Willard S., born in 1865, now a live stock man at Anadarko, Okla.; Mary B., born in 1874, now Mrs. A. S. Fay, of Pratt, Kan.; and George A., born in 1876, now president of the Idaho State Normal School, at Albion.

Luther M. Axline had the inestimable advantage of being reared under the guidance of parents of more than ordinary culture and education, and from them he inherited a vigorous personality and stern probity of character. He acquired his education in the public schools and at the normal school at Bloomfield, Iowa. At the early age of twelve years he began to learn the printing trade. Accompanying his parents to Kansas in 1877, he assisted his father with farm duties until the family's removal to Medicine Lodge, in 1879, when he became foreman in the office of the "Medicine Lodge Cresset." In April, 1882, he became a partner of Hon. Thomas A. McNeal, who has since served as state printer of Kansas, and was associated with him in the publication of the "Cresset" until 1885, when Mr. Axline purchased Mr. McNeal's interest and has remained the owner and editor of the paper to the present time. In the beginning the publication was devoted mainly to live stock news on the range, Barber county at that time being one vast open range for cattle. Its pages were filled with cattle brands, cowboy news, personals and articles pertaining to the cattle interests. As the conditions of the country changed so changed the character of the paper. It is now a weekly newspaper and a strong advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party. Mr. Axline was secretary of the state senatorial convention held at Coldwater, Kan., in 1889, which nominated ex-United States senator, Chester I. Long, for the first office he ever held, and he was an earnest supporter of Senator Long in all of his subsequent contests and successes. He was also secretary of the Seventh Congressional district central committee from 1892 to 1905. In 1889 Mr. Axline was appointed postmaster of Medicine Lodge for four years; was reappointed to that office in 1905 and again reappointed in 1909, and is now filling that position.

On March 10, 1886, Mr. Axline was united in marriage with Miss Caroline C. Cartan, a daughter of Roger and Calista Cartan, of Beloit, Wis. Mrs. Axline was born Oct. 15, 1859, in Canada. They have five children, viz.; Axis C., born April 26, 1887, died Nov. 10, 1892; Roger A. born Dec. 20, 1889; Frances M., born July 20, 1891, now assistant postmaster under her father; Ralph C., born July 5, 1893; and Albert W.. born Dec. 4, 1896.