West Virginia

Biography of Elisha Wesley McComas, Hon.

Elisha W. McComas, born in Cabell County, Virginia, emerged as a prominent national figure through his legal and political pursuits. He served as a captain in the Mexican War and was elected lieutenant governor of Virginia in 1855. Following his resignation, he practiced law in Chicago, gaining fame in notable cases like the Jumpertz trial. After returning to Virginia and later moving to Kansas, he became a respected community leader in Fort Scott. McComas authored several philosophical works and played a key role in local public affairs.

Biography of Jacob Ramer Blackshere

Jacob Ramer Blackshere, born September 2, 1834, in West Virginia, played a pivotal role in Kansas agriculture, particularly in introducing alfalfa to the state in 1875. He established Clover Cliff Ranch in Chase County, growing it to 4,635 acres, where he also pioneered black Galloway cattle and forage crops like kaffir corn. A dedicated farmer and rancher, Blackshere resisted political ambitions, focusing instead on agricultural innovation. He passed away on November 10, 1894, leaving behind a legacy celebrated in Kansas’s agricultural history.