Thomas Corwin Honnell, born in Shelby County, Ohio, in 1840, taught in Ohio schools by 1857, became a captain in the Union Army in 1861, was injured at Chickamauga, shook President Lincoln's hand, bought a 160 acre farm two miles southeast of Everest in 1870, became one of the founders of Everest in 1883, founded and became president of Union State Bank in 1901, and served two terms in the Kansas State Legislature in 1905. His life was one of service to his family, community, and country, marked by innumerable acts of kindness, great success, and a vast circle of friends. Hiram Malcolm Means, born in southern Illinois in 1859, taught in Illinois schools by 1880, moved to Kansas in 1886 and earned a teaching degree at Emporia State, moved to Everest in 1896 and became principal of Everest High School, married Maud Honnell in 1898, joined Union State Bank in 1903, founded Everest Christian Church in 1907, and by 1919 was president of Union State Bank, board president of the Everest Library, and director of the Everest City Band. His contributions were significant in shaping Everest as it grew after the pioneer era, and he was remembered as a man of integrity, a counselor, and a friend to all who knew him.