Gilmore, Hiram Arthur

The following data is extracted from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans.

Hiram Arthur Gilmore has during the greater part of his residence in Elk County been identified with the educational forces of the community, and on the basis of his individual record as a teacher and his thorough familiarity with school conditions he was elected on November 7, 1916, county superintendent of schools.

Mr. Gilmore was born at Pomeroy, Ohio, November 19, 1867. His ancestors came from Ireland, and the family was established in Ohio either by his grandfather or his great-grandfather. His grandfather Samuel Gilmore was a farmer, and died at Rutland, Ohio.

John H. Gilmore, father of Hiram A., was born in Meigs County, Ohio, in 1830, grew up and married in that state, became a farmer, and from Pomeroy he removed to Rutland, where he died in 1879. He was a republican and a member of the Free Will Baptist Church. By his marriage to Miss Hysel, who was born in Meigs County, Ohio, in 1828, and died at Middleport in that state in 1904, there were seven children, namely: W. S., a farmer at Harrisonville, Ohio; Robert N., a teacher in the schools at Everett, Washington; John H., a carpenter at Wichita, Kansas; Mary M., who died in Colorado after her marriage; Luther L., a farmer at Perry, Ohio; Hiram A.; and Lewis L., a physician and surgeon at Wichita, Kansas.

Hiram A. Gilmore spent his early life on his father's farm, and remained at home until he was twenty years of age. In the meantime he had profited by attendance at the public schools of Rutland, and after a brief experience in the ore industry at Lysle, Tennessee, he returned to Rutland and for two years was a teacher in the local schools.

Mr. Gilmore came to Kansas in 1890, locating at Howard, and the first three years he spent as a farmer. He then taught in the country districts of the county for ten years, and in 1902 became principal of the grade schools at Howard, an office he held continuously until his election as county superintendent in 1916.

Mr. Gilmore served two years as a trustee of Union Center Township and was a member of the city council of Howard two years. In 1914 he was secretary of the Republican County Central Committee, and is one of the most influential members of his party in Elk County. He was elected to the county superintendency for a term of two years and his friends expect splendid results to follow from his administration.

Mr. Gilmore takes part in teachers' organizations, belonging to the Southeast Kansas and the Kansas State Teachers associations. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is secretary of the Sunday school, served two years as master of Hope Lodge No. 155, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a past noble grand of Howard Lodge No. 134, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He also belongs to Howard Camp No. 935, of the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Knights and Ladies of Security.

Mr. Gilmore and family reside on Mulberry Street, where he owned a comfortable home. In 1905 at Howard he married Miss Alpha Carpenter, daughter of G. W. and Mary (Estes) Carpenter. Her parents live on a farm near Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore have one daughter, Mabel M., born January 11, 1910.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

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