Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 537 - 538 

JAMES A. NOBLE, an intelligent and prosperous farmer and stock-raiser on section 21, town 29, range 2 east, Rockford Township, was born in Fayette County, Ind., Oct. 13, 1843. His parents, John and Eleanor (Darter) Noble, were both natives of Indiana, and did their full share in advancing the prosperity of their native State. His father was a tanner by trade, but after following that occupation for a few years, turned his attention to agriculture and became a very successful tiller of the soil. He was a strong Abolitionist and warmly advocated the cause of the oppressed, being in full sympathy with such leaders of the anti-slavery movement as William Lloyd Garrison, John Brown, and others. All of his philanthropic works were seconded by his wife, who was in hearty accord with his efforts to elevate society. and in her death, which occurred in March, 1875, he lost a true helpmate. Mr. Noble survived her until Jan. 1, 1884, when he too peacefully passed away. To them had been born a family of eight children, five of whom are now living.

            The subject of this sketch passed his early life in his native State, receiving a good common-school education, and being trained in the duties incidental to farm life. On the breaking out of the late Civil War he enlisted in the defense of his country, in Company D, 34th Indiana Veteran Volunteers, and served three continuous years, being an actor in the following engagements: New Madrid, Island No. 10, Ft. Pillow, Memphis, Tenn., siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., Opelousas, Carencrow, Bayou Sabine, Cross-Roads and Pleasant Hill.

            Mr. Noble was married at Tipton, Ind., March 23, 1863, to Miss Martha M., daughter of William and Louisa (Askren) Robinson, natives of Ohio. They removed to Indiana in 1854 and located in Tipton County, where he engaged in farming until his death in 1861. Mrs. Robinson died May 16, 1887, in Kansas, where she had lived the previous sixteen years.

            Our subject came to Kansas in 1869 and located in Howard (now Elk) County, where he lived five years. Then disposing of his property in that locality he returned with his family to his native State, where, in Madison County, he bought a tract of forest land from which he improved a farm, remaining there several years. But Kansas, however, still had attractions for him, and in February, 1883, he sold out and again left Indiana for this land of promise, this time selecting Sedgwick County as his location, and bought the farm where he now lives. His active industry and good management are apparent to the observer, who can see in his well-tilled soil, fine orchards, and fruitful garden, evidences of the labor bestowed on them. Besides attending to the cultivation of his land, our subject raises many fine graded cattle, and keeps a large stock of mules.

            Mr. Noble, though a comparatively new-comer here, has identified himself with the interests of the township, and especially in educational affairs, realizing that the future prosperity of the State will be in the hands of the rising generation, and it must be fitted for the responsible position it is soon to occupy. He has served as Clerk of School District No. 125, of Rockford Township. In politics Mr. Noble is a stanch Republican, and works for the interests of that party, believing firmly in its principles.

            Mr. and Mrs. Noble have no children of their own, but out of kindness of their hearts, and to add comfort and brightness to their home, they have adopted a daughter, Mary Viola, and she, with the excellent wife of our subject, is a member of the Methodist Church, at Rockford Center.

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