Luther Clay Slavens was born August 13, 1836, in
Putnam County, Indiana. His parents were Hiram B. and Sarah
Holland Slavens, of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. Slavens' boyhood
was spent upon a farm in Putman County. He was educated at De
Pauw University, Greencastle, Ind., from which he was graduated in
1858, completing both the law and classical courses. January 8,
1861, he married Miss Sallie Boggs Shelby and began the practice of
law in Covington, Ind., moving thence to Kansas City in 1865, where he
has ever since remained.
As City Counselor and member of the Board of
Public Works, he served the city with great efficiency, one of the
most distinguished services being in connection with the transfer of
the waterworks system from private to municipal ownership. He is
one of the ablest members of an able bar unswerving in his devotion to
principle.
The exacting demands of a busy professional
career have not engrossed Mr. Slavens's attention to the exclusion of
matters of public and political moment. In 1880 he was a
delegate to the National Republican Convention which nominated
Garfield, and he has actively identified himself with the political
movements of more recent years.
Mr. and Mrs. Slavens have three daughters,
Lulu, Mattie, and Dade, all married.
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