Plumb, Preston B., 1837-1891

Preston Plumb was born October 12, 1837 at Berkshire, Delaware County, Ohio. He was the first born of, David and Hannah Marie (Bierce) Plumb. He later added the middle name to improve the appearance of his signature. David was a wagon maker and Preston worked with him in his shop. The family moved to Berlin Township in 1843 and then to Marysville, Union County, Ohio in 1846. Preston attended prep school for three years. Preston attended Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio by working in the printing office. After three years he returned to Marysville and worked as compositor on the Tribune. In 1854, as a sixteen year old, both he and a partner established the Xenia News on February 24. He studied law with Colonel Low while he published the paper. In 1856 he traveled to Leavenworth, Kansas and then Lawrence, and Lecompton. He encountered the Border Ruffians and was kept safe by Colonel Philip D. Elkins, a fellow Ohioan. Once back in Ohio, Plumb watched Kansas events with keen interest. Preston returned to Xenia and then left for Chicago. He offered his services to the National Kansas Committee who sent him to Iowa City. Preston formed a company which sent arms and ammunition into Kansas Territory. Preston then got a job in Lawrence with the Kansas Herald of Freedom. He established the Kanzas News (Emporia) in June of 1857. His parents followed him there. At age twenty he was not only running his own newspaper, he was becoming a community leader too. His paper vigorously advocated the Free State cause. Plumb served as a delegate to the Leavenworth Constitutional Convention (1858).