Second son of Melvah E. and Mildred C. (Nelson) Lonker, Jim was born
     March 7, 1938 at Wichita, Kansas during near blizzard conditions. Child-
     hood was spent on the Lonker Ranch Southwest of Medicine Lodge where he
     now lives with his family. Melvah moved his family into Medicine Lodge 
     while Jim and his older brother Don, attended school. The family resided
     at 211 E. Lincoln until 1961. Melvah had met with untimely death at age
     56 in 1959.
        Jim graduated from Medicine Lodge High School in 1956 and from Kansas 
     State University in 1960 with B.S. in Animal Husbandry. He was active in
     many organizations including 4-H, FFA, Collegiate Livestock Judgin, Alpha
     Zeta Honorary Fraternity, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, KSU Band, and since
     graduation has served in the Barber County Cattlemen's Association, Barber
     County Draft Board, Barber County representative on the area FHA Board,
     and currently is serving on the School Board of USD 254.
        During college at KSU he met Bobbie Rittgers of Hutchinson, Kansas
     through his room-mate who happened to be her cousin. They were married
     on December 27, 1961 and have lived on the Lonker Ranch since that time.
     The family includes James Dale, born in 1964, Jamie Lee born in 1966, and
     John Andrew, born in 1970. Bobbie has always been artistic, and has used
     this talent extensively in community and church activities. She is active
     in Barber County Cowbelles, Barber County Fine Arts Council, PEO, Beta
     Sigma Phi, Monday Afternoon Club, Girl Scouts, Methodist Church, and many
     other activities.
        The family has continued to improve the Hereford cow herd which was
     begun by Jim's great-grandfather, William M. Longcor. In addition, they
     run and extensive herd of feeder cattle and have been involved in full-
     feeding to finished beef both at home and in feed-yards.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 281 
     Submitted by: Bobbie Lonker