James S. Chase, in point of service the oldest, and in
his knowledge of court records the most accurate, of the clerks of the
Superior Court, was born November 15, 1847, in Starkboro,
Vermont. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, attending district
school in the winter. His education was completed by a course at
the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, from which he was graduated in
1866. He came to Kansas City at once and went into the insurance
business. He also taught school for a while in Clay
County. Mr. Chase became connected with the Circuit
Clerk's office in 1871, being appointed first deputy. He served
as Division clerk under Judges Jenkins, Woodson, Sawyer, Gill, and
Henry. When the intricate park condemnation proceedings were
begun Mr. Chase was given charge of the park land records, with the
title of Condemnation Clerk. He was never known to make an
erroneous entry. Mr. Chase often saved the judges themselves
from mistakes.
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