People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1895 — An Old Citizen. [ARTICLE]

An Old Citizen.

The following is copied by request from the Olathe, Kansas, Herald: Major J. B. Mahaffie was born in Fayette county, Ohio, in 1818, emigrated to Cass county, Indiana, and in 1843 moved to Jasper, Indiana, and in 1844 was married to Miss Lucinda Henderson. In 1857, came to Johnson county, Kan., living a short tim einOlathe then moved to and located on the farm one mile north-east of Olathe, on the old Santa Fe road, where he kept the first hotel and stage station that part of the county and for a great many years the Mahaffie hotel and station was known by all travelers from Westport, Mo., to Santa Fe. Mr. Mahaffie, while on the farm, was an extensive stock raiser and cattle feeder. In 1859, he raised more corn and wheat and fed more men than any other man in this part of Kansas. In that year he sold the first wheat ever bought by the Wayndotte Mills from Johnson county, 400 bushel at $1 per bushel. In 1865 he sold to the Washington Mills in Wayndotte 1300 bushels of wheat at $2.40 per bushel. He was a member of the Ist board of directors of the K. C, F. S. & M. R. R. Co. Out bf that board of 11 members, Mr. Mahaffie, Judge Burris and J. T. Weaver are all that are now living. He was a charter member of Iriquois Lodge No. 1431. O. O. F. of Rensselaer. Ind., also a charter member of Olathe Lodge No. 59, and of Harmony Lodge No. 84, also a charter member of Olathe Grange. He was an industrious and thrifty farmer, his latch string was always out. and he always made his guests and friends welcome. His acquaintence being so extensive, he often had them stay with him for weeks at a time.

His family consists of four sons and three daughters, all married but the youngest daughter. A few years ago when he became too old to carry on active business, he moved to Olathe and one of the most familiar faces to all the people of the county and especially to the old settlers is old Uncle Beaty Mahaffie. He has children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren around his happy home. Mystic bicycles for rent at the Pilot office.