John Milton Cory, now living near the Country Club of Lansing, Kansas, is one of the pioneers of Leavenworth County, and for many years was engaged in farming. He was born in Hancock, Virginia, now West Virginia, in July 10, 1861, and is the son of Jonathan Davis and Clara Elizabeth Fisher Cory, both deceased. Jonathan Cory was also born in Hancock, Virginia, but moved to Leavenworth County, Kansas in 1867, where he purchased a homestead. He died in 1872 and his wife died in 1884. During the Civil War, Jonathan Cory was a member of the Home Guard of the Federal Army, the minute men of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Cory had the following children: John Milton of this sketch; Lydia, the wife of C. P. Rutherford, an attorney of Leavenworth; W. A., of Kansas City, Missouri, who is in the commission business; and Bessie, deceased, who was the wife of William Weir of Kansas City, Missouri, also deceased.

John Milton Cory received his education in the common schools of Leavenworth County. He bought the home farm from the other heirs and lived there until 1910, following general farming, buying and selling of stock, trading, etc. Mr. Cory bought an additional one hundred sixty acres, making a total of three hundred twenty acres. Mr. Cory was elected county treasurer in 1902 and reelected in 1904 on the Republican ticket. He was a capable and conscientious public officer, and performed the duties of this office to the entire satisfaction of all. In 1910, he bought property owned by J. E. Gamble on the Fort road, just south of the Country Club, and made this place his home. He has a thoroughly modern residence and twenty-five acres of splendid land. John Cory was married the first time to Nancy E. Cleavinger in 1889, who died in July, 1915. They had two children: Luella E., a librarian at the Illinois University, was graduated from the Kansas University in 1916, after which she took a course at Columbia University, New York, and taught two years in Leavenworth, before accepting her present position. Their other child, Homer Davis Cory was commissioned a captain and was in the officers' reserve corps, and when war was declared, he was ordered to report to Fort Riley, which he did in May, 1917. He was immediately detailed as finance officer at Fort Riley, which office he filled during the period of construction at Camp Funston. The expenditures of both Fort Riley and Funston went through his hands up to the time the 89th Division was assembled. In November, 1917, he was made disbursing officer at Fort Riley and during this time, he handled for the government over $20,000,000.00. He was mustered out November, 1919, after about two and one half years of excellent service. He is now bookkeeper for the Missouri Valley Bridge Works of Leavenworth. Prior to his induction into United States service, he had been connected with the First National and Manufacturers National Banks of Leavenworth, and after being mustered out, for a short time was assistant receiving teller for the Southwest Bank of Commerce of Kansas City, Missouri. He married Miss Eloise Catlin in 1917, and they have two children: Clara Elizabeth and an infant son, who was born January 17, 1920. John Cory was married to his present wife in December, 1919. She was Helen L. Fisher, a daughter of H. O. and Elizabeth Fisher. The former lives in Leavenworth, and the latter is deceased. Mrs. Cory was educated in the public schools of this city, and for five years was a graduate nurse at Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Cory is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 32nd degree and a member of the Shrine. His son is also a member of these lodges. Mr. Cory is a prominent man of the county and has always been a public spirited citizen and a man of real worth to his community.

Hall, Jesse A.; Hand, LeRoy T. (2013-03-24). History of Leavenworth County, Kansas (Kindle Locations 6637-6645). Kindle Edition.