Noble Thomas Soper, born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, to Arthur and
     Norah Soper, came to Medicine Lodge at age two with his parents. He attended
     school in Medicine lodge, served three years in the army during WWII, spent
     18 months in New Guinea, and returned to Medicine Lodge after the war. He
     worked as bulldozer operator for Henry Abt and later, seventeen years, as
     auto mechanic for Ford Agency.
       Betty Jean (Small) was born in Nottinghill, Missouri, to Robert and Leona
     Small. She, with her parents, brothers and sister, came to Barber County in
     1942, living at Elm Mill, and attending Elm Mill School. They moved to
     Medicine Lodge in 1942. She graduated from high school in 1947, worked at
     the Register of Deeds as typist, after school. Later she worked at Western
     Light, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as operator, and at ASCS office.
       Noble and Betty met in 1946 after Noble's discharge from the army. They
     married in 1947. James Thomas was born in 1948 in Hardtner, Kansas, attended
     school through freshman year in Medicine Lodge, and attended one year at
     Enterprise Adventist Academy.
       Noble and Betty were baptized into Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1953. 
     A son, Steven Gene, was born in December 1954, at Medicine Lodge Hospital.
     He attended school in Mediicine Lodge to fourth grade. In 1964 the family
     moved to California. Jim graduated from Gridley High, attended on year at
     Yuba College, then joined the army. He served one year in Viet Nam. In 1969
     to 1970 Betty attended Yuba College in Marysville, California, graduated as
     a licensed vocational nurse. Steven attended Gridley grade school through
     eighth, then Yuba City Junior Academy for ninth and tenth. Noble worked at
     Gridley Ford Agency seven years.
       The family moved to Auburn, Washington, in 1971, where Noble was mechanic
     foreman for Ford Agency, and Betty ws surgical nurse at Auburn General
     Hospital for the past seven years.
       Steven graduated from Auburn Adventist Academy in 1973. He married Laurie
     Ann Stoble from Enumclaw, Washington. They now live in Buckley, Washington,
     where he works as a logger in all phases, cutting trees and as machine
     operator.
       In 1972 Jim met and married Paralee Ann Bradford from Ballard, Washington.
     In March, 1974, Karen Rachelle was born in North Bend, Oregon, to Jim and
     Paralee, making Noble and Betty grandparents for the first time. Nicole
     Diane joined their family in June, 1976 in Ft. Benning, Georgia. Jim is a
     1st. Lt. in the army and the family is now living in Germany.
       The Noble Soper family still enjoy visiting in Barber County.  
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 430 
     Submitted by: Noble and Betty Soper