I. F. Sarver. It was due to his personal popularity and his high business standing that I. F. Sarver was elected sheriff of Sedgwick County in 1914. It was the first and only office for which he was ever a candidate, and he was elected by a large majority by his wide circle of friends in both parties, and reelected in 1916 by a large majority.
Sheriff Sarver is almost a native son of Kansas, having been brought to the state when two years of age, and is thoroughly typical of the splendid spirit of this commonwealth. He was born in Champaign County, Ohio, January 24, 1869. In 1871 his parents Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Sarver came to Kansas and located near Topeka in Shawnee County. His father is now a resident of Topeka and still owns a section of rich farming land in Shawnee County, besides some valuable business and residence properties in Topeka.
Besides an education in the common schools, I. F. Sarver spent two years in Washburn College at Topeka. He grew up on a farm and while he has a host of loyal friends he has always been strong, vigorous and self reliant in carving out his own destiny. In 1898 he came to Wichita, and for several years was associated with his father-in-law in the hotel business there. As Wichita is one of the chief livestock centers in Kansas, he took up the livestock commission business there, and gave his efforts successfully to that work for six years. During 1911-12 Mr. Sarver was captain of police in Wichita, and it was his creditable record in that office which undoubtedly contributed to the substantial majority which was paid him when he became a candidate for sheriff.
Mr. Sarver is a republican, is a member of Queen City Lodge No. 296, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Wichita Encampment No. 29, for the past seven years has been president of the Sons and Daughters of Justice and is a member of the Sons of Veterans.
On January 2, 1898, he married Miss Mary R. Guyer of Wichita. They have one child, Josephine Bell, born October 3, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Sarver are active members of the Wichita Presbyterian Church.