My dad, Ernest Alexander "Ernie" Melkus, was born, the second son of Frederick
  and Mabel Culver Melkus, on January 9, 1907 just before Oklahoma became a state.
     He lived on a farm near Farry, Oklahoma which his father had filed a claim on
  in 1898. His childhood years were spent helping his dad on the farm. He walked
  2 1/2 miles to the Farry school. Dad liked music, and with a little help from a
  school teacher learned to play the organ and violin. He also liked sports,
  although baseball was his favorite. He was a pitcher and played for years in
  Oklahoma and later in Kansas. In 1924 he met a young woman who was the postmistress
  of the Farry post office. Dad would ride his horse "Shy" several miles to court
  her. Many time "Shy" would get tired of waiting, get loose and start for home.
  Sometimes dad would find "Shy" grazing, but usually he would have to walk all the
  way home.
     My dad and mother were married on October 17, 1925. Mother was the daughter of
  Rose and Preston Turnage. In the fall of 1926 they lived on a farm near Old
  Freedom where dad put out a wheat crop. Later in the year they moved to Medicine
  Lodge. In April of 1927 dad started working for Best Brothers Keene Cement Company.
  He held nearly every job at the mill until in 1951 he was made Plant Superintendent
  and continued until he retired in 1972.
     Quoting part of an article published in a National Gypsum magazine called "Five
  Men and a House," it read: Realizing in 1937 that rent was high and houses were
  scarce, five National Gypsum employees decided to build their own houses. The
  men were Bill Lalicker, Earl Martin, Bob Warren, Max Shaw, and Ernie Melkus. By
  1940 all were living in modern homes which they had built themselves, from basement
  to attic, all helping each other. The only labor hired was Burl Gaunt who dug the
  basements. They were proud of the fact that their project was the first of its
  kind in Medicine Lodge; soon others followed, Ray Sheldon, Virgil Adams, Shorty
  Peirson and Eddie Good. Dad was active in his community serving as city councilman
  for eight years. He was one of the founders of the local golf club. He enjoyed
  hunting and fishing. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge for 35 years.
     My parents have two children, a daughter, Fola Mae Axline, born October 29, 1926
  and a son, Harold Dean, who was born February 6, 1932.
     I am married to William L. Axline, and we have three children and three grand-
  children. We have one daughter, Carol Anne, and she has a daughter named Tracye.
  Our oldest son, Irwin Clay, and his wife, Helen (Abt), have two sons, Greg and
  Josh. Our youngest son, Mark Lane, is unmarried.
     Dean is a dentist in Topeka and is married to Kay (Palango). They have two
  children, a boy named Jay, and a girl named Megan.
     Dad passed away on April 20, 1977, and is buried in Highland Cemetery. Mother
  resides in their same home here in Medicine Lodge.
     
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 325 
     Submitted by: Fola Axline