William Rule was born in Knoxville, Tenn., July 9, 1835, the first child of
  Henry and Nancy Rule. Henry was a Methodist Circuit Rider, Whig, farmer, and
  blacksmith.
     William was married to Susan Elizabeth Williams, April 1, 1855. He seemed
  to be imbued with the spirit of the true pioneer. In the fall of 1860 he moved
  with his family by covered wagon to Hicory County, Missouri, and to Medicine
  Lodge, Kansas, 1882; then to Meade, Kansas, in 1885, where he established the
  first store in the town. Five years later he returned to Sharon, where he
  remained until 1914. At that time he moved to Wichita.
     Before he reached his majority, he learned the blacksmithing trade and 
  followed that trade until he was 65 years old, at the same time engaging in
  farming, stock-raising, and merchandising. He worked at this trade at the time
  every blacksmith made his own horseshoes, horshoe nails, and all the bolts 
  used, even to cutting the threads. When not actively engaged in custom work in
  his shop, he worked at the wagon maker's trade and turned out many good strong
  wagons, making every part but the hubs.
     William was a prominent Mason and a staunch Methodist, a consistent member 
  of each for many years. In politics he was originally a Whig, later a Republican.
  He was unable to vote for Abe Lincoln in 1860, being on his way from Tennessee
  to Missouri on election day. He voted for him in 1864. He had pronounced political
  and religions views but had the happy faculty of being able to express them
  without giving offence to his opponent.
     He was a man of that strictest honor and integrity. In Medicine Lodge and in 
  the Sharon Valley he lived for a third of a century; to know him was to be his
  friend.
     He donated a corner of his farm to Sharon for their cemetery. There was where
  he was laid to rest, Feb. 26, 1929, among his many friends and relatives. Including
  his two sons and two daughters.
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 397 
     Submitted by: Fern Osterhout