Frank E. Myers, president of the Farmers' State Bank of Whiting, Kan., and its oldest merchant in point of continuous business, is a native Kansan. He was born in Jackson county, Oct. 13, 1867, son of Luther M. and Anna (Reightlinger) Myers. His grandfather, who served in the war of 1812, in defense of Fort McHenry, at Baltimore, volunteered from Adams county, Pennsylvania. He was born in Gettysburg, and after the war removed to Virginia, where he followed his trade as a shoemaker, and there his son, Luther M., was born, in 1828. Luther M. Myers received a good education in the common schools, but believed there was more chance for a young man in the new western country, and when only twenty years of age left his home and located at Bentonsport, Iowa, where he at once began to teach school. He remained at Bentonsport only a year, as gold was discovered in California about this time, and, responding to the lure of the precious metal, he joined a party of six men and took the long and hazardous trip over the mountains to California. For a year he engaged in mining but as this did not prove as successful as he desired Mr. Myers returned to his home in Virginia, by way of the Pacific ocean and the Isthmus of Panama. He remained in his native state two years and then came to Kansas, in 1856, filed on a claim at the Kickapoo land office, and walked from that place to his land in Jackson county. Nothing daunted by the fact that he was one of the first settlers in an almost unbroken wilderness Mr. Myers at once began to improve his quarter-section by erecting a home and fences, and ere long had a thriving farm. He entered actively into the life of the community and became an acknowledged leader of the Democratic party in Jackson county. In 1878 he was elected county treasurer by that party and removed his family to Holton. He was reëlected to that office and filled the position very creditably for two terms. At the close of his two terms in office, in 1883, he removed to Whiting and became the pioneer banker of the town, as the residents of Whiting had been forced to do their banking at other towns until that year. For twenty-one years he remained at the head of this banking house, and finally retired from active business life in 1903. After two years of retirement he died—April 14, 1905. Mrs. Myers passed away in 1886.

Frank E. Myers was born on the old family homestead, where his parents began housekeeping. He led the happy, care-free life of the country boy, helping on the farm and attending the district school, until his father removed to Holton, when he entered the public shools[sic] of that city. Subsequently he accompanied his parents to Whiting, and there finished his schooling. He continued to live at home until 1890, when he married Helen, daughter of Dr. J. H. Woodul, of Whiting. While still young Mr. Myers showed marked business ability, and during the '80s he engaged in the wind mill and pump business, and later was employed by Shedd & Marshall for two years in general merchandising. But the young man had conceived the idea of having a commercial enterprise of his own, and in 1889 opened a general mercantile store in Whiting, where he has since continued in business. For five years, from 1890 to 1895, he very creditably filled the position of postmaster at Whiting, while at the same time continuing to look after his other interests. He has keen business insight and everything he undertakes proves successful. In 1908 he became one of the organizers and first president of the Farmers' State Bank, which position he is filling with such satisfaction to the stockholders that they congratulate themselves upon having chosen him for the head of the banking house. The bank is in a most prosperous condition and was moved recently into a fine new building expressly equipped for the business. The stockholders of the bank are all residents of the community. Mr. Myers has been a member of the school board for sixteen years; is treasurer of the board of education; treasurer of the Spring Hill Cemetery Association; treasurer of Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 250; treasurer of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 214; clerk for sixteen years of Camp 2944, Modern Woodmen of America, and is a member of the Royal Neighbors. For years he has been a member of the Kansas State Historical Society and one of its working members. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, but has never had time to devote much time to party work, leaving that to the politicians. Six children have come to brighten the Myers home: Madge, Mildred, Frances, Charlotte, Louise, and one child that is deceased.