Ira M. Fleming

IRA M. FLEMING, one of the progressive and successful business men of Labette county, Kansas, is superintendent of the Southwestern Coal & Improvement Company, of Parsons, - a position his father held before him. Mr. Fleming was born in Henry county, Illinois, in 1866, and is a son of Thomas Fleming.

Thomas Fleming came west in 1875, to take charge of the McAlester mines of the Osage Coal & Mining Company, and remained with that company until 1885. He then became identified with the Rich Hill Coal & Mining Company of Rich Hill, Missouri. In 1890, he severed his connection with that concern, and was made general manager of the Southwestern Coal & Improvement Company, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his death, in 1894, at the age of sixty-three years.

Ira M. Fleming attended the public schools, and was a pupil in the Missouri State School of Mines. In 1885, he became associated with his father's work, in a clerical capacity, changing from one company to another, when the latter did. On January 1, 1895, his knowledge of the business and his ability received recognition, when he was made superintendent of the Southwestern Coal & Improvement Company, with office at Parsons.

Mr. Fleming was joined in matrimony, in 1889, with, Clara Pye, of Cherokee, Kansas. Fraternally, he is a member of Cherokee Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M.; and Parsons Lodge, No. 527, B. P. 0. E.