The Edd Sterling family is the third generation of this Barber County
     pioneer family.
       Edd's father, William James Sterling was the first-born of Robert and
     Mary R. (Taylor) Sterling. Robert immigrated from North Ireland to
     Mauchchunk, Pennsylvania, with his parents, Henry and Martha Sterling
     in 1832. Robert moved west to Sullivan County, Missouri in 1835 and by
     entry and purchase secured a tract of government land, where he lived
     until his death in 1888. In 1859 William wed Mary, born i Tennessee in 
     1837 to Mr. and Mrs. Mekin Taylor. Their seven children born in Missouri,
     resided in Barber County for many years. They were: William J.; Sarah 
     (Mrs. W.J. May); Nancy (Mrs. Powell Willhite); John; Samuel; Jennie (Mrs.
     M.M. Grever); and Ida (Mrs. Thomas Kenney).
       In 1884 William, age 23, accompanied his brothers and sisters to Barber
     County. Although individual siblings preempted a claim, for some time they
     maintained a common home; their only neighbors were antelope and prairie 
     dogs.
       In less than 20 years through his diligent labor and discriminative
     management, William expanded his claim to 1700 acres, 800 of which were
     under cultivation. As a stockman he maintained 400 head of cattle, and his
     swine production's annual sales averaged $13,000.
        William and Nora (Whilhite) Sterling were married December 24, 1885;
     their sons were: George, born in 1890 and Eddie, November 7, 1892.
       Edd, after graduation from Wichita Business College, took over the family
     agriculture. He married Helena Bartz, October 31, 1915. Helena, a Barber
     County teacher was from Roxbury, Kansas. They parented five children: Erma
     May, born May 28, 1920; William James II, March 3, 1923; Robert Edd, December
     22, 1929; and two daughters who died in infancy.
       Erma (Mrs. Temple McQuirk) and her husband live at the family home in
     Hardtner. She has three children: Mickey Mac Ewing, born November 23, 1939;
     Franklin Burk Ewing, November 14, 1940; and Annie Marie Ewing Barber, September
     6, 1942.
       William II (Bill) married Joyce Martin, July 20, 1947 and moved to the
     family home. Bill was very active in farming, school board, Legion, Masonic
     Lodge and Boy Scouts. In 1955 they moved to Hardtner and built the Adobe
     Motel and Bob returned to the family farm. Later Bill moved to Uncle John
     Sterling's farm and built a modern home, where they raised their three
     children: Michel Brent, born July 26, 1948; Sharon Kim, March 12, 1952; 
     and Patrick Blake, October 19, 1957. Bill passed away September 18, 1977.
       Bob Sterling's history appears elsewhere in this volumn.
       Edd was very active in the community - a school board member 26 years;
     a member of Odd Fellows and Masons; a state legislator, 1948-1950; a
     County Commissioner who promoted the new courthouse building in Medicine
     Lodge.
       Edd and Helena retired and moved to Hardtner in 1947. They celebrated
     their 50th anniversary in 1965. Due to failing health Edd spent his later
     years in Share Memorial Home in Alva, Oklahoma; he passed away March 10,
     1972. Helena continued to reside in Hardtner, actively participating in
     church and community; she passed away January20, 1978.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 436