Claudius Chalmers Stanley, a representative member of the bar of Kansas and of the well known legal firm of Stanley & Stanley, of Wichita, was born at Hesper, Douglas county, Kansas, June 9, 1872. He is the eldest son of Edmund Stanley, president of the Friends' University (see sketch), was reared at Lawrence and was graduated in the Lawrence High School. Entering Kansas University he spent three years in the pursuit of his literary education, but completed his course in the liberal arts at Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., where he graduated in 1895, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then spent two years in the offices of the Kansas State School Fund Commission, at Topeka, as bond clerk, in the meanwhile reading law. He entered the law department of Kansas University in the spring of 1897, and graduated with the class of 1898. He located for practice in Kansas City, Mo., where he formed, with his brother, Frederic B. Stanley, the firm of Stanley & Stanley. In August of that year the brothers came to Wichita, where they have since resided. The firm of Stanley & Stanley is one of the most prominent and influential in the state, and has appeared in connection with important litigations in both the state and Federal courts. During his years of practice Mr. Stanley has gained prestige and success, his methods being clean and forceful, and his knowledge of the law broad. His political allegiance has been given to the Republican party, and of his party and its policies he has ever been a consistent and active supporter. He was elected police judge of Wichita in 1901, and was reëlected in 1903. He is a member of the Eighth district Congressional committee. He is senior member of the firm of Stanley Brothers, real estate and investment brokers, and vice-president of the Red Fern Cloak Company, of Wichita. He has attained the Thirty-second degree in Masonry, and is affiliated with Midian Temple Shrine at Wichita. He has taken an active and influential part in the affairs of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Kansas, is a member of the law committee of the Kansas Grand Lodge, and has served as recorder of the Wichita body for the past fourteen years. He is president of the Sedgwick County Alumni Association of Kansas University, and is a member of Alpha Xi Chapter, Sigma Chi, Greek letter fraternity. He is also a member of the Sedgwick county and Kansas state bar associations.

Mr. Stanley married, June 5, 1902, Miss Jetta Grover Campbell, daughter of Melville C. Campbell, a former chairman of the Kansas State Live Stock Commission, and one of the most prominent stockmen and ranch owners of the state. Mrs. Stanley is a woman of broad culture and refinement, and is popular in social circles of Wichita, in which she is a leader. They are the parents of two daughters: Virginia Campbell, born April 16, 1903, and Priscilla, born Sept. 7, 1907. Mr. Stanley is in all respects a high type of the energetic, virile American, diligent in his various duties and commercial affairs, and conscientious in all things. He has attained not only a prominent position in his profession, but also is one of the recognized leaders in the social and religious life of Wichita.