Reader, Samuel James, 1836-1914.

Pioneer farmer, soldier, artist; of Shawnee County, Kan.

Samuel James Reader was born in Greenfield, Pa. His mother died the year he was born, and he lived with an aunt, Eliza James (Cole), until he married in 1867. He came to Kansas in 1855 with his adopted family. He claimed land on the north side of Soldier Creek, northwest of the town of Indianola (now part of Topeka). Reader was therefore in Kansas during the "border ruffian" and troubled early days. He worked with "free state" (antislavery) parties who assisted immigrant trains coming into Kansas, especially from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and other States to the east.

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