https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/489/Families-K.pdf b29b172411ae7573d0a7becfcd69a715 PDF Text Text of county commissioners (elected in 1891) and learned to admire him for his earnestness, honesty, and unflinching adherence to right and duty. He had a tact for getting over difficult places and carrying his point, that was simply irresistable. As an instance, one of the commissioners advocated strict parlimentary usage in the board, each member should arise to speak, address the chair, and if recognized should refer to the member of the board, as the honorable commissioner from district etc. Uncle Dan sat and listened without a word and when asked what he thought about it replied about like this, "Boys, parlimentary usage is all right, but it is hard to learn old dogs new tricks, I guess we have killed enough time, lets go to work, Mr. Clerk, what is the first thing on the program this morning?" And the work commenced. He despised fraud and graft of every kind. He was optomistic and charitable. Not only did he nurture faith in God and Christ but he had confidence in mankind. He was a great believer in Eastern Colorado. I do not believe that he ever for a moment thought these plains would finally come to the front as agricultural county. He loved to live here better than any other place. During his last illness when told by his physician that he could not cure him, he quietly and deliberately got his house in order for the change he knew was near. He spoke to me about it, just as he would have a trip to Missouri, or any other place. Speaking about his suffering he said, "I suffer, of course, but there is no kick coming from me, God has been very good to me, better a great deal than I have been to him." Lately, we had a many heart to heart talks together. Good bye, neighbor, friend, comrade, brother, while I live, your memory will be dear to me. When my task on earth is done I confidently hope to have more of your companionship in the world beyond. by C.A. Yersin - lgl4 JONES, FLORY AND PERNA F358 Flory Bruce Jones came to Seibert, Kit Carson County, in 1912 from Goodland, Kansas. He left his wife, Perna and son, Bruce with her parents Cad Wallander Jones (no relative) until she had her second child. He homest€aded some land about 7 miles northeast of Seibert arriving in the spring of 1913 with their eons Bruce and Wayne, in a spring wagon. They told us in order to keep the baby warm they put a kerosene lantern under the blanket and when they got to Seibert he was quite smokey and dark. Often wonder how they lived in those days. Flory started farming and buying cows. We don't knowwhat they lived in, but Wayne can remember when they built a sod house, when he was about 6, cutting the sod from the banks of the Republican River. Bruce and Wayne went to a small country school about 172 miles N.E. from home riding a horse to school. There was a small shed they kept the horse in while in school. They added 5 more children to their family; Emily Jane born Oct. 12, 1914; Clyde Clark born July 28, 1916; James Levi born The Flory Jones family taken 1924. Back row: Emily, Wayne, Bruce, FIory holding Irma, Mother Perna, Front row: Delbert, James o16 gttd.. Dec 17, 1917; Delbert Ray born April 27, 1920; and lrma Mae born Aug l, 1922.They all went to school in Seibert and Bruce graduating in 1929; Wayne 1931; Emily 1932; and Clyde 1934. About 1920 Flory bought a 360 acre farm on Cope highway about 4 miles north from Seibert. There was a large 3 bedroom house. They built a large barn. He also rented, leased or bought more land. They farmed up to 2,000 acres and all with horses; raising mainly wheat, corn, cane, and broomcorn. One time he bought some Jennys, but they disappeared during a storm in the winter. In the spring they appeared under a bluffunder snow drift; they froze to death. They also had cows. They milked up to 20. When the children got old enough, which was about 9 or 10, each one grabbed a pail and headed to the barn to milk cows morning and night (there were no milking machines). At one time they had a dairy and delivered milk in Seibert. Mother Jones always said it was the milk cows that carried them through some of the hard times. Flory tried about everything on the farm. One time in about 1934 he bought a band of sheep. Wayne had to herd them. They only had them about a year. Flory learned to take care of his animals because there was no veterinarian around so it got so the other farmers called on him a lot to look at theirs and he had to pull many calves when the cow couldn't have them. They also had good times, too. In that big barn they had barn dances up in the hay loft. Flory liked to dance and wanted the children to dance, too. Mother Jones would make cake and pies and sell them. Everyone around would come. That big barn was also used for boxing. A mat was put in and they practiced with Flory teaching them. Flory loved to box and some times wrestle. He did most of his training by running about 4 or 5 miles every morning up and down hills. When a carnival came to town, he would either box or wrestle, which ever they wanted. He also was the main feature on some of the American Legion and other cards. One of his last fights was with Pat Andrews of Burlington, Co. about 1931 or 1932. He also taught some of the boys. Wayne was on some of the boxing cards. Beginning of the 30's, times were starting to get hard; one thing on account of the depression and so many of the banks were closing. Flory had lost some money in the bank, too. Also the crops weren't too good because of the dry weather and no rain and what was good, the grasshoppers started eating everything in sight. They would clean out a field in a day. They would have to put a pitchfork handle in the hay stack or they would eat it, too. It kept getting dryer and the dust started to blow; it got so dusty that it would turn dark in midday. When Perna set the table she would set the plates upside down and you still ate dirt. They still tried to farm but it didn't do very good. Weeds would sprout on the hollow of the cows back. The cows were dying, too. The government stepped in and bought them paying from 98 to 916 a head; if they were real bad they shot them and the best ones were shipped away. In 1932 Bruce went to Kansas City to work, Emily wentto Wichita to school, Wayne went to the fruit harvest, picking peaches and apples in western Colorado and shucked corn in Kan. In 1936 Flory decided to go to LaGrande, Oregon to a cousin, see if he could find work. He, Wayne and Jim drove a 1928 Chevy, leaving Clyde in charge of farm and family. They got a job working in a sawmill. Clyde put in some corn and when he went to cultivate it, the grasshoppers ate it to stubs. The rest of the family, Mother, Clyde, Delbert and Irma loaded a L929 Chevy and headed to Oregon, too. Their white collie dog started following so they put him on top and he came to Oregon, too. Flory died in 1950; Bruce in 1951; Perna in 1969; Delbert in 1983 and Emily in 1985. by Wayne C. Jones KAISER, BRUNO F. F359 Bruno F. Kaiser was born at Olean, Indiana, Nov. 13, 1858. He left home at the age of. 22 in the spring of the year 1884, went to Wymore, Nebr., then to Gibben, Nebr., then to Holdrege, Nebr., remaining there for �1 and one-half years. Heard there was government land in Colorado to be had so he started to Colo. in August, 1886, in company with Scott Ready, Wm. Van Osdol, Wm. Stout and Ed Hoskin, by B & M R. R. to Wray, Colorado and took a tree claim and then returned to Holdrege. Later in the fall Kaiser, Ready, Osdol, and (Shorty) Stout left Holdrege by covered wagon for Colorado. After driving over the prairie for about ten days, they stopped at Wray, then drove south to the soddy store. There a man by the name of L.R. Baker, who had a claim nearby, helped them locate. Mr. Kaiser located on Sec. 10-9-44, which was l-t/z miles south of the first Burlington. Only a sod house was in sight at that time, and it was on Sec. 15-9-44. He had to go about 18 miles to the McCrillis ranch to get his mail. He built a sod house on the northeast corner of his claim, and proved up on his claim in the summer of 1887, by paying $1.25 per acre. He received a patent signed by President Benj. Harrison. He built a sod shanty for his anvil and did blacksmithing in Burlington. When the two towns consolidated, and when he got title to his land, he moved to old Burlington, then he moved in 1888 to present Burlington, Lot 28 in block 30. In December, 1888, he returned to Olean, lnd. and married LauraI. Thum of Versailles, Ind., on Jan. 13, 1889, and after a few days returned to Burlington and the house he built there. The house he built is still standing. They lived there for seven years and on Nov. 24, L892, a daughter was born. They nemed her Anna M. Kaiser. On Dec. 25, L892, they had the first Christmas tree in Burlington, which caused considerable comment. Mr. Kaiser reports that very few crops were grown at that time; mostly sheep and cattle were kept on the free range. The land is still owned by the daughter now Mrs. Anna Smith of Versailles, Ind. Mr. Kaiser was elected county treagurer in Nov. 1893 and served for two years. (The house built by Mr. Kaiser is now owned by San and Lucille Hendricks.) (Written in 1935) by Della Hendricks KALB, ADA F360 Ada Kalb cane here in 1905. She was working for Mr. Wtherall as a printer when he told her of the homesteads here. She and her mother sat all night in the Hotel Emery with no rooms, the windows out, and the weather very chilly. Mr. Witherall cnme with a one-horse buggy and took them to Bur- lington to sign up for homestead. On the way he stopped to milk and ate dinner from the lunch they had brought along. He charged ten dollars for locating them. They made a dugout on the hillside with doors on the lowest side. She sometimes had to walk seventeen miles to get the horses for work. There was no rifing machinery then. One neighbor worked a bull and a mule. When still in her eighties she was seen doing her own farming, with a tractor and she drove a Model T Ford car. Her sons, with their families lived on the homestead near her, and they finally had to take her car away form her because it was dangerous for her. One son has passed away and Kenneth retired and moved to Missouri. by Dessie Cassity KENNEDY AND DUNHAM FAMILY F36r In the early 1900's, Elizabeth and William Kennedy ca-e by box car, with their worldly possessions and took up a homestead south of Cheyenne Wells. There was no water to be found so they moved north west ofCheyenne Wells. They had three boys here, Frank, William and George. The mother passed away when George was 15 yrs. old.; with there being three younger children, the three boys started working out, sometimes they got a $1.00 and other times worked for a place to sleep and meals. George worked for Buss Dunlap, Bert Loaper and Tom Taylor. The father passed away in a short time and George had to help care for the younger children who were boarded out in other homes. George worked in helping build the Loveland Pass, in the boom oil fields of Texas and in 1929, he returned to Burlington area and worked for Warren Shamberg, Joe Eastin, and Mr. Bruner, who ran the Foster Lumber Yard, as well as renting the Alvia Bacon farm. He rodeoed at the fairs and helped entertain in the Sun. Afternoon shows. In 1931, he rented Mr. Bruner's farm south of Vona and took a cow herd on shares. In 1932, he and Irene Dunham were married, hard times and dirty dry years had hit. In 1936, they bought a farm South of Seibert, This was beautiful grass country and Oh! how nice it was to get away from the dirt. They had a daughter. Many back-breaking days were spent with Irene picking up cow chips with the wagon for fuel. George was gone from home quite a bit working for the WPA. When he was quite young he contracted the disease of arthritis and the work was doubly hard for him. Times got better and they accumulated a nice herd of cattle along with the ranch. In 1966, due to ill health of both, they sold the ranch, and bought a home in Burlington, and moved there in 1976. George worked at different things until 1980, when he passed away. Elizabeth still lives and enjoys her yard work, daughter and grandsons when she gets to see them. by Irene Kennedy KENNEDY ACKELSON FAMILY F362 Thomas E. Kennedy and Bessie Ackelson met in Yuma County, Colorado, around 1905. They were married March 8, 1908, at Wray, Colorado. Bessie Ackelson cnme to Yuma County at the age of seven with her parents, Willian and Susan Morgan Ackelson, the youngest of eleven children. She was born in Winterset, Iowa on April 24, 1884. Traveling by covered Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kennedv in 1930 at their Stratton home. wagon, her parents migrated from lllinois to Iowa, then Nebraska, and finally Colorado, an area being settled. During the winter months the family would go to the Arkansas River, taking their livestock. Before her maniage she carried mail by horse and buggy to Fox, Colorado. She also filed on a homestead which adjoined her parents home. She had a small two room house built on it. Our parents lived here for five years, and it was here that their eldest child, Hazel, was born. Thomas Edwin Kennedy came to Yuma County around 1905. His birthplace was Cora, Smith County, Kansas, on August 23, 1882. His parents, John Kennedy and Almetta Morgan Kennedy migrated to Kansag from lllionois. He was one of eight children. We recall him telling about playing hockey on ice nearby and he enjoyed playing baseball. He had an excellent knowledge of horses, and we remember the many "horse trades" that he made. You never knew for one day to the other when one would be gone, with a different one replacing it. A desire ofhis early life was to some day own a motorcycle, but he never did own one. By 1916 or so, however, he did purchase a Ford Model T automobile, but he never farmed with a tractor, preferring to use horses or mules. In 1913, the family moved to a homestead that our father filed on, which was seven miles northwest of Stratton. The first "homestead" house was a two story freme covered with black tar paper. It was here that Helen was born in 1915. We left Colorado to reside in Arkansas for one year, about 1920 or 1921. Our father purchased cattle there and shipped them to Colorado by immigrant car where they were sold. It was very difficult life than we were accustomed to, and father soon learned he didn't like chasing cattle in the brushy hills there, so we returned to the open plains ofthe Old Homestead, as we're used to hearing it called. This house burned about 192L or 1922. Mother was home at the time, but she was alone, so most of our possessions were lost. The present house was built in 1923 by a close neighbor, Mr. Malone, who was a carpenter. He built several of the homes still being occupied in Stratton. It was in this home that Tom and Zelma joined the family in 1923 and 1925. The barn was built about 1928. When it was completed, a dance was held in the hay loft. Since Father practiced "diversified" farm- ing, the crops were usually fed to the livestock. Some of the livestock were sold, which provided the cash we had to spend and save. A big part of the food we raised were beef, pork, chicken, milk, butter, cream and eggs. Some eggs and crearn were sold and provided money for most of the staple �groceries. Mother canned all kinds of food items, including beef, chicken, fruit and vegetables. In our memory no food ever tasted as good as the biscuits, pies, cakes, cookies or the roast beefor pork that Mother prepared on the old "Home Comfort" range. We had many chores to do, gathering corn cobs from the pig pens to burn in the stoves, bringing coal into the house, filling kerosene Inmps, washing the cream separator, gathering eggs, 6illrilg cows and feeding the calvee. Living on the homestead was filled KINDRED, CORA AND EARL F363 with daily activity. The family lived on the farm until 1938. Since Father was a lifetime Republican, in 1937 he decided to become a candidate for breaking through the fences and drinking all the water. Duane, Leo, and Dale were born at home on this farm. The boys went to school at Blakeman, 2 miles west of their home. For awhile they had a white horse that Leo and Dale rode while Duane walked; after the horse died they all walked. Perhaps the horse didn't appreciate their wanting a spotted horse and getting Mother's blueing bottle to make a spotted horse, so he gave up the ghost. The country school of Bethel was the meeting place for Sunday School and Church for the neighborhood. It was near where Eddie Herndon now lives. Neighbors were Bordon, Scheierman, dear mother, Father's helpmate, passed away in 1945. After Mother's death, Father lived with his daughter, Helen, and her husband, Eddie Kerl, until his death in 1950. We feel we grew up having a good life. We were taught to work hard, to be honest, and to help others. We were always encouraged to get an education. Our parents were strong advocates ofgood schools, and Dad served on the Idlewild School District Board. We received our elementary education there. It Brantley, Wilson, Hodge, Dunlap, Kalb, was a typical rural school of the times - grade 1 through 8. We had to leave home to attend high school. Hazel graduated from Burlington, while Helen, Tom and Zelma all The first grandchildren, their twin sons, Dona]d T. and Ronald E., were born March 8, 1943. All have resided in the California area for the past forty years. Paul died in 1974. Helen and Eddie Kerl have resided in Stratton since their mariage in 1937. She worked for the Co-op for forty years, retiring in 1975. Since their retirement they are very active in many activities. Tom, Jr. served in the Naw in World War of them a half section of land. Later, her mother and sister, Rose, owned and lived in the house where Allen Greenwood now lives. Leo still farms and land that was Anna Hughes', that Marie Greenwood now owns. Earl and Cora farmed and had livestock and persisted through all the hardships of early settlers. It was always interesting to hear their stories about the blizzards, floods, and the way neighbors helped each other at birthings and deaths, barn buildings, and harvesting crops. It was still open range then and they told of the problem of horses County Commissioner from the second district. He was elected and served two termg. At this time they purchased a houge in Stratton. A few years later the farm was sold. They made their home in Stratton until our graduated from Stratton. Hazel taught school for twelve years in Kit Carson County. She and her husband, Paul Gagnon, moved to the BayArea of California. here and bought quite a bit of land, and nearly all of her brothers lived in or around Stratton at one time, as her father gave each Earl and Cora Kindred taken in 1970. Coraand Earl Kindred came to Kit Carson County in 1921 from Smith Center, Kansas. They, along with Leonard and Kate Calvin, shared a railroad box car to bring their belongings to Stratton. They had purchased a farm three miles east and four south of Stratton, next to a half section that Cora's father had given her. Her father had come out Wood, Bassinger. During the depression and "Dirty thirties" and after Leo's dad was laid off of WPA because he owned land, he and a neighbor, Ed Stevens, went to Castle Rock, Colorado, and got work helping build a new school house. Earl later got a job working for a farmer south of Castle Rock and was able to move his family there. Leo says they moved everything in the back of an old Model A Ford truck even the milk cow and a crate of chickens. When moisture began to fall again, they moved back to the farm and continued to farm there. The war came and Duane was in Australia for four years and, a baby girl, II. He maried Betty Blancken in 1946, residing in Flagler, Colorado. Diana, the first granddaughter, was born January 20, 1950; Karen Kay was born Auguet 31, 1951; Larry Gene was born April 15, 1953. Tom died in 1973. Betty gtill livee in the home there. After graduation from Stratton High, Zelma attended school in Denver where she also worked. She married L.G. Eubanks, and they resided in New Mexico. Their children were Gar5r, born December 15, 1974, and Debra, born March 19, 1951. Debrawas lrilled in a car accident in May, L970.7*lma died in 1980. Surviving Thomas and Bessie Kennedy are two daughters, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. by llazel Gagnon and Helen Kerl ar;'-l'";,S rf' .,.-..4-zl Earl and Cora Kindred farm southeast of Stratton. They built these improvements in the 20's. The man is Earl Kindred with sons, Duane and Leo. �in that area worked together to put up a Earlene, was born to complete the family. In 1947 they sold the farm and bought the Rose Bud Court in Loveland, Colorado. This was during the time before Esteg Park was telephone line from Stratton to this area. The farmers pooled their labor and set and strung the wire for Mountain Bell and then later sold the line to Mountain Bell for $1.00. Mountain Bell then serviced the line. It has now been torn down and underground wiring has been built up very much and lots of vacationerg stayed in Loveland in order to fish and relax along the Big Thompson Canyon. Earl would work at the sugar factory dwing the winter. In 1951, the Hughes family made good use of the Court and had a farnily reunion, withJim, put in. While on this farm many good things happened to us. We were successful in Clarence, Ray, Ida, Anna, and Rose all farming and ranching. Some of our neighbors that we enjoyed visiting with were the Walt Herndons, Kenneth Scheierman, Herb Scheierman, Walt and Kenneth Kalb, Francis Grubbs, Bill Drietz, Leroy Herndon, Howard Rouse, Fred Storrer, Louis Pickards, Shelby Taylor and Louis Werner. In 1968 we coming. They later sold the court and bought a small acreage in Qampion, a small town south of Loveland. Mom Kindred was active in American Legion Auxiliary and received honorable mention at a national meeting for her work of making lap robes and such for the hospitals. Until her eyesight failed, her hands were hardly ever idle, for she loved to crochet and make quilts. They celebrated their 50th anniversary while living s1 Qnmpion, and we had an open house for them at the Loveland Methodist Church. After several years, they decided that it would be nice to live nearer Duane and Leo, and sold their acreage, and bought a home in Stratton, which was very enjoyable for all of us, and they had a chance to get to know their grandchildren and great-grandchildren who lived here. They enjoyed their comfortable home and neighbors, the Al Kittens and John Hasarts, and usually had a wonderful garden. In 1979. all of us kids and their friends joined them in celebrating their 60th anniversary in the newly completed Fellowship Hall at the Stratton United Methodist Church. Cora died in 1981 at the age of 82. Earl died in 1982 at the age of 88, after living in this mind-boggling era, spanning having only horses for transportation, to taking a trip in a jet plane, and from the time when records were kept with a tedious quill pen, to the coming of the mighty computer. Duane married Netha Hansen, daughter of John and Cora Hansen, and they live in Stratton. Dale is married to Roberta Guy, daughter of Mabel and Gerald Guy. They live in Spokane, Washington. Earlene married Bill Smith and lives near Loveland. (I nm married to Leo, and we own a farm 5% miles south of Bethune. We have a daughter, Carol, who lives at Sterling, Colorado.) had a farm sale and moved to Stratton, Colorado. We purchased the A.J. Dischner home, where we still live. We raised and educated our children in the Stratton Public School. All of them graduated from Stratton High School. After moving to tov"n Duane and Jack Titsworth built the Burlington Commercial Feedlot. Duane later went to Duane and Netha Kindred. 1986 Duane was the first son born to Earl and Cora Kindred. He was born on the farm southeast of Stratton in t922. He attended grade school at the Blakeman School south of Stratton. One of his teachers was Edith Powers Hasart. He attended high school in Stratton. In 1941 he volunteered for the service by joining Co I in Burlington, Colorado In 1941 Co I mobilized and he was shipped to Texas with the unit. Duane spent 5 years in the service of his country, serving in the Pannma and Southwest Pacific. He was discharged in 1945. After being discharged, he returned to Stratton where he did custom trucking and later went into farming with his brother Leo. I was the daughter of John and Cora Hansen. I wag born in Oakley, Kansas. In 1935 I moved with my parents to a farm south of Firstview, Colorado. I attended my first five years of school at the Firstview School. My parents moved to Stratton, Colorado in 1941. I finished my grade school at the Pious Point School. My teachers at this school were Caroline Husenetter and Ruth Gulley. I graduated from the Stratton High School in 1948. by Maxine Kindred KINDRED, DUANE AND NETHA F364 On June 1, f948 Duane and I were married at the EUB Church in Stratton, Colorado with Rev. Erickson officiating. Charles Sholes and Claudine Stoner were our attendants. We had a wedding dance at the Legion Hall. The music was furnished by Mr and Mrs Howard Gall and Clarence and Nadine Pottorff. Our first home was the little house just north of the Church of God. It was at one time the parsonage of the Church of God when Rev. Hooper was the minister. While we Duane and Netha Kindred's wedding day, June 1, 1948 were living there our first son, Dennis was born. In 1951 we sold this house and moved to the ranch of W.J. Garner. Duane and Leo farmed together on this farm. While we were living on this farm another son, Gary was born in L552. A daughter, Janis was born in 1955. While living on this farm we saw many changes being made in the country. When we first moved to this farm there was no electricity. REA csme to the area in 1952. What a sight to see the lights. Driving around the country side everyone had a yard light. It looked like a big city. In 1960 the farmers work for the Stratton Equity Coop. He worked there for 15 years as a feed truck driver. He retired from the Coop in 19&1. I presently am working at the Coop as a receptionist. I have worked for the Coop for 18 years. We have been blessed with two lovely daughters-in-law, Roberta, wife of Dennis and Mary Anne, wife of Gary and a son-in-law, Jerry, husband of Janis. Two grandchildren, Brian and Bridget, are children of Gary and Mary Anne. We will celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary this year, 1988 on June 1st. Through the last 40 years let me relate some the things and happenings, old and new that have come and gone while we were married. They will not necessarily be in order, but just as they come to mind. Consolidation of school into district R-4, eliminating First Central, Pious Point, Blakeman and schools north of Stratton. Needing school buses, Carlos Dillon and Bob Eberhart were the first bus supervisors and owners; Dirty 50's; Bonny parn; new high school; '60 snow storm and the mud that followed. Our children missed 32 days of school due to this storm and mud; black rust in the wheat 1961; closing the Stratton Locker Plant; new grade school; fire that destroyed the feed mill at the Stratton Coop; new Coop Hardware; moving the Coop lumber yard to the new Coop Hardware location; new elevator at the Coop; Interstate I-70, street signs; GPI Motel; new Catholic Hall, Church and Parish; new Legion Hall; new Church of God; new Fellowship Hall at the United Methodist Church: new swimming pool; new library; remodeled Collins Hotel now is Twin Oaks; new First National Bank; Doughnut Shop; new Post Office; the old school gym remodeled into a bowling alley and restaurant, Dairy Delight. Some of the old buildings that once were are now into something else. Red and White Store is Gambles; McCheseny Grocery is Bob Miller; Wolfrums Service Station, (Vacant); Lutheran Church is Jostes home; Seventh Day Adventist Church became the Library; Nazarene Church is Berry home; Spurlin Creemery is the Coop Hardware; Toland Creamery is Kenny Pottorff fertilizer; Hor- nung Realty and Batt Realty are Road Runner; the first sale barn that was in downtown Stratton is the Storage Barn; �Collins Hotel Annex, that was once called the Selby House is the Park Malone home; Homer Shoe Shop and Toland Cafe are B&B Drug; Al and Lil's Bar is the Brandin lron; Zurcher Garage is Jim Leoffler Garage; Cassidy Station is J&B Automotive; Sam Adair Station is Pottorff Fertilizer; Snell Grain is the Coop. I am gure there are many more that have come and gone and that have changed hands and been made into other services. Just as the service station that Del Kordes has run for many years that all may have forgotten was once the Lee Zurcher station where you saw stuffed northern animalg that he and his brother shot and had stuffed and were put on display at this station that many children loved to see. The Medical Clinic is another addition. by Netha Kindred the Dillon Hardware. People were anxious to get their name in line for the machinery orjust parts that were not available during the war. New- elevator bins were going up in all the towng as crops were good and wheat sold for $2.85 a bushel. Wheat harvest meant leaving your truck parked in a long line down main street, perhaps for days, until rail cars csme in; otherwise you made your own wheat pile on the ground. I could watch the Kit Carson Memorial Hospital being built from my window in the County Treasurer's office where I worked under Steve Rockwell and Ssm Travis. The new slab facing was added to the courthouse also. The new sale barn was built on the north edge of Stratton and the old one, practically in the center oftown, was torn down. Bonny Dam was under construction so Burlington was building and booming also. The spring of 1953 we had a beautiful crop ofwheat so Leo and Duane bought a fabulous KINDRED, MAXINE AND LEO F365 new self-propelled combine from Dillon Hardware to replace some old pull combines. But, the rains didn't come and very few bushels were raised that year or for quite a few following. They did some custom cutting in various areas where there was a little more moisture. Leo and Duane both had to find other ways to make a living. We had Federal Crop Insurance, and they had to scratch a little seed in the dry powdery soil to qualify for the payments. The winds blew as they always seem to during a drought and the dust was so dense a lot of days one could hardly see across the street. During the years when no crops were raised, Leo worked at various jobs to keep food on the table along with the dust! Carlos Dillon owned- the school buses at that time and Leo drove a bus. He usually drove the southwest route, but ifhe had to go north, I always worried on the dirty days as the "Rocket" passenger train went through town about evening bus time. he also worked at the Coop station and elevator. This was during the era when an individual from the community went to the homes of property owners to the Crouses by driving a beet truck during the "good" beet years . . and also the muddy ones when it was virtually impossible to get the beets out. Later on, he started driving a school bus for the Bethune district, where our daughter was attending school. After she was older, I also drove one of the buses a lot of the time on regular routes, and to ball games, and special trips. We have tried to figure how many years Leo had drive a bus - with the interruptions here and there. We decided that at least twenty-five years had been spent this way, as he had picked up some Bethune students from the time they started to Kindergarten through graduation. Our daughter graduated inl977, and went to Sterling for college. We were happy for her to seek out her destiny, but we missed the hours of her playing the piano. However, driving the buses gave us the opportunity to continue our interest in young people and school activities. Most Sundays found us at church in Stratton and visiting Leo's parents before their death, or perhaps Netha and Duane, as they live in Stratton. The years of doctoring and coping with the rheumatoid arthritis that Leo has had for twenty-five years began to take their toll and he retired from the school buses in 1985 and has not experienced very good health since. We are still living on our farm, but it is beginning to be time for us to retire from that also. As I nm qryi1i1g this, we are happily looking forward to Carol's marrying the man of her dreams, Monte Keil of Crook, Colorado. She is the office manager at the Superior Fertilizer Company at Crook and they will live on a farm east of there. So we will have new things to interest us with this addition to our lives. I am looking forward to pursuing some of the project that I've never made time for previously. Leo passed on May 31, 1987. by Maxine Kindred assess them for county taxes, and Leo did that for several years under Assessor Park Marine and Leo Kindred. My husband, Leo, was born on his parents farm southeast of Stratton and I have told in my parents (Galen and Emma Stoner) story how I cnme to this vicinity. We were married in 1947 by Rev. Erickson at the Evangelical Church. Leo and his brother Duane farmed together on what was known as the Collins Ranch, owned by Bill Garner. We lived in town in the house just north of where the Coop manager's houge is now. This was during the post WWII time when prosperity and building was in evidence ever5nrhere. The new Legion Hall was built and for awhile roller skating was held there as well as dances and other activities. The big Catholic Church replaced their small one and the Evangelical Church (now Methodist) was remodeled under the guidance of Rev. Bayles, Mrs. Ray Calverey, Vena Scheierman, Adeline Sawyer, and others. The Foster Lumber was a proud and busy business then, as was Guthrie. Even household property was taxed then. Two different years we went to Loveland, where he worked at the sugar beet factory during the fall campaign. We would stay in one of his folks' kitchen units, at their motel. Our first child, Everett, was ill during these years and died in 1956. The summer of 1956 we stayed in Colorado Springs while Leo helped Clifford Messenger, my brother-inlaw. build a house. Leo then worked at the sugar factory in Loveland that winter. There was finally enough rain for crops in 1958. Our daughter, Carol Anne, was born in April 1959 and that fall Leo realized his dream of getting out of town when we moved to a farm 5% miles south of Bethune. Naturally, that was the winter that it never quit snowing until we had at least thirty inches on the level. At that time, most farmers did not have the large equipment to take care of livestock or to get to town. During these years irrigation wells went down all around us (no permits were required), but for various reasons we stayed with dry land farming and running cows and calves. Leo had a self-propelled swather and did quite a KING, CLARENCE F366 The Clarence King family lived south of Bethune from 1915 to 1919, then moved 1 % miles west of Levant, Kan. We went back through Kit Carson County often. In May L927.we moved back south of the Kit Carson County Line, 20 miles straight south of Bethune. Clarence had 10 children, Orvis King, born Nov. 9, 1914, Levant, Kan., Morris M.'King, born July 11, 1916, Levant, Kan., Delores L. King Schroeder, born April 23, 1918, North of Cheyenne Wells, Co., June Y. King Jones, born Oct. 10, 1920, Levant, Kan., Max L. King, born Jan.26, 1923, Levant, Kan. died Nov. 3, 1949, Mary K. King Fuhren, born June 6, 1925, Levant, Kan,. Ord L. King Moore, born Jan. L9, L927, Levant, Kan., Wanda F. King Barnett, born March 29, 1929, North of Cheyenne Wells, Carrol C. King born April 10, 1931, North of Cheyenne Wells, Co., Verlyn F. King, born July 7, 1933, Cheyenne Wells, Co. died Feb. 19, 1969. We bought m{rny groceries in Burlington lot of custom swathing for our neighbors. and Stratton. Went to Dentist, Dr. Flatt, Doctors, Dr. Remington, Dr. Robinson, and After wheat drilling was done, he would help Dr. Hayes. My sister-in-law, Martha Schroe- �summer of 1933 Maynard raised enough feed to last al'nost 2 wintprs. He had an old bull, was born Sept. 1, 1916 and Wilda was born by Mar. 1935 the bull wouldn't eat dusty thistles, so he fed the bull horse manure and molasses. A little gtass grew in July and he Early in 1919, George King went to Denver to be on the Jury, he got the flu and died in Denver. He was about 37 years old. World loaded some old cows and gtandpa's bull and came by our old dusty place and said "I'll get him in to that Burlington sale ring and if Ray McDaniels opens his head just once, he's War I was over and the prices of livestock and gonna own that bull." Maynard was having a hard time getting the furniture down the stairs into the basement, so he said, "When I leave here I hope they take me out feet first." We knew Herndons, Dudley Swaneon, Fred Storrers, Guy McAr- hurs, all the Schlossers, Roy Taylor Tom Taylor. The adobe school and cracker box school, Fred Mathis family, Joe Eastons, The Knapp family, Bill Meads, Bill Smiths Pete The Clarence King Family. Seated, L to R: Clarence L., Nettie E., Verlyn F. King. Standing, L to R: CarroII C., Wanda F. Barnett, Delores L. Schreoder, Mary K. Fuhrer, June Y. Jones, Orda L. Moore, Morris M. King der King passed away in Burlington, age 20, April 1939, with too much sugar in her blood, the doctor couldn't do much about it. Tom Johnston was a real good sheepman. I helped Tom drive sheep 4 t/z d.ays to May Valley, must north of Lamar in Sept. 1930, a wonderful trip for a kid of 14 yrs old. Tom died June of 1939. In 1915 Frank Daily was drilling a well for Ted Stubbs near N. Smokey Hill River, 1 % miles west of the Tom Johnston sheep ranch, a big rattle snake was hid in Ted's dugout, so Boydes, Legter Piersons, So- Allens, John Boggs, Bill Kelly, Fuzzy Walstrom, Fred Nortons, Cage Bunch, Art Low, Charlie Barr, Jim Ausbern, Charlie Smelker, Bill, Alfred, and Mont Pfaffly, Lashers Magnisons, Sedmans, Rollie Smith, Willis Perkins, Charlies Perkins, the Airs Family, Ora Welmans, Art Welmans, Clif Beeson, Ed Beeson, Frank Beeson, The Nazarene Church L2 miles south and 1 mile west of Bethune. The Holstine family, Allen Jenkins, Lee Raines, Bill Schaal and many more. Bill Eslinger didn't speak to good, he said, "I tharmed with a tharmall thour years and didn't raise a thing." Feebe Simpson was like a grandma to me. Harold King stayed with her a lot. Harold done a lot of shop work on everything. He drove us in to Cheyenne Wells just after the March blizzard in 1931 and almost bit his pipe stem in two when he drove by the poor old lady froze stiff about 40 feet from the road, her name was Terall. Harold looked in Daily wouldn't sleep in there. The dog throwed the snake upon Ted under the covers, Ted got the shotgun and said, "I'll shoot the dog." The dog jumped aside and Life Magazine and read where Jim Gurnhart was going to have a mock funeral for himself and said to my mom, "Are you going to Jim's funeral?" She said "well I didn't know he died." and Harold said, "Well he ain't." We went from Yoder and visited Bertha Ted shot holes in his lard bucket and his King, Harold King, Leo E. Kings, Bud Kings, water bucket. Dorthea Humphrey, E.R. Mills, Charles There were lots of stills running in the years of no whiskey. The Andrews, Hightowers and Clarence Brannon, Ray Schlosser played the fiddle for dances. A lot of people went to the Nazarene Church and First Central School to Sunday School. We went from 1929 until 1931. They had Grange in a school about 10 miles south of Bethune. My brother and I passed the 8th grade the spring of 1929. I was about 12 years and 10 months. Mills, Bverett Allman, Doc Burds, Bud Mathews, Duane Taylor, Pete Schlicken- meyer, and Victor Sponsel. by Morris King KING, GEORGE in 1918. grain were down and the wind and dry weather was a problem. Aunt Bertha's children were well behaved and were not bad to drink liquor. There were many bad years for all the people. Bertha King married Ray Knapp. Virgil Bud King and Dorothea were born about 1924 and 1926. In the spring of 1928, Grandma Simpson died. She didn't have many livestock left and others had the so-e troubles. Harold King bought a 640 acre nearby. He could fix almost anything from a pocket watch to a 40 horse on the draw bar tractor, which would weigh about 7,(M) to 10,000 lbs. Mabel King married Ed Mills, about 1930. They worked for wages and did OK. When Charles was born, they got a place 3 miles south of Burlington and milked good Holstein cows and delivered and sold milk in glass bottles. Joyce Mills was born there at Burlington, too. Charles Mills'wife is one of Art Lowe's children. They have been farming in Kit Carson county, south of Vona for a long time. Charles and his family farm wheat, sorghum, corn, and have a feed lot and sell Grade A milk. Ed Mills also spent three years proving up on 640 acre homestead southwest of Hartsel, Colo. Les King married Alpha McCracken, in about 1939. Les worked for wages at farm work, and lived in rented places in the county and in Eade. Their daughter Becky King Morgan has one girl and two boys and lives in Denver. Their son George, helped his father a lot, moved away and is back again. Jim King (born Jan. 18, 1943), has a wife and two boys. Elmer (JUly 28, L944) has a wife, a girl and two boys, and operated King Sale in Burlinton. Leo D. King (June 28, 1945) is with Farm Bureau. has a wife and home north of Lamar. Bertha King is married and has a son and a daughter and lives near Casper, wyo. Tom King has a home in Eads, a wife, two boys and a girl, Bob lives south of Lamar, has wife, two boys and a girl. Les King died in July 1961, and Alpha lives in Eads. Leo E King and V.R. Bud King went into the Army all through World War II. Leo married Charlotte Munstdr. Leo worked at different things, one of which was the trash hauling, Charlotte does official office work. F367 Bud married Mildred and they live in too. I wanted to play the guitar and sing over the radio. I did sing and play a little. I went to a rodeo or two, was that something, it is still my number one show. We broke many horses to work and drove eight head a lot. I worked for A.J. Pfaffley, Guy Thoman, O.C. Dunlap, Leon Smelker and Burt Loper, all in Kit Carson County. M.W. Dunham and Mr. Herrington would ride after horses near Back about 1906, George King an older brother of my father, Clarence King, home- Burlington. He still has his grandma Simpson's place. Their boy Richard was born in Burlington, and a little girl died of Polio. Bqd worked at selling cars and trucks for marty Charlie Peterson and Tom Johnstone's north of what I knew as the Grandma range. Maynard said Johnstone would ask them in for dinner, but Charlie would come to the corral gate and talk and talk, never Simpson place. I helped at farm work and worked out some even say get down and rest your saddle. Maynard saw a sheep herder a mile over there then Maynard rode down in N. Smokey, there was a coat and a dinner bucket, he got offthe horge and had dinner right there. The steaded a northeast 160 acres, 5 miles south and 2 miles west of Bethune in Kit Carson county. Albert and Mrs. Simpson, also her brother, Malin McNare, homesteaded or had land 1 mile west and 2 or 2Vz miles north of where George King's buildings were. Doyle Roberson lived one mile east and 7z mile In the early 1920's, Mrs. Simpson's only child, Bertha married Uncle George King. Not long after, he built his one room sod house. He had a big barn and many head of livestock. Harold King was born, then Mabel King, and then Les King on July 13, 1913. One small boy died no-ed Elmer King. Leo years. Wilda married Joe Humphrey in 1937. The twins Larry and Gary were born in 1938. Ronnie was born in Casper, Wy. Bonnie is a musician and travels all over. Keith Humphrey is a good worker even though one leg is short. Joe's family moved many howes in Wyo. Jack and Kathy were both born in Casper. Jack died in Casper and Wilda and Joe are gone now too. Ronnie died in a truck accident. Dorthea King maried Claud Humphrey in 1944. Claudia Humphrey, the next sister, a third sister and a brother lived in Burlington in the 50's and early 60's. Claud died a few �the children. The Kings still have land near Uncle George's place. by Morris King ltl ':: !:i:r: KLASSEN, ABRAHAM AND KATHERINE &'rl, ,! r,:. F369 Abraham and Katherine Wiebe Klassen 4 _p11t 9f Bqtha King's family. Back row, L. to R.: Claud Humphrey, Mildred King and their little girl, Ed Mills, V.R. "Bud" King, Leo E. King, Charlotte Minster King, Wilda King Humphrey, and small boy, Joe Humphrey, Harold King. Front row, L. to R. Mabel King Mills, Dorothy King Humphrey, Humphrey boy, two of Dorothy's girls, Bertha King, and Dick King. years ago and Ed Mills died in 1984. Aunt Bertha died in 1964 and Harold in Sept 1971. Harry Roberson has been gone some time now, but Dorthy and Doyle are still southwest of Bethune. A Garner boy has some of the King Place. I knew a lot of the cousin's neighbors. Our cousins played a lot of music with our family. The Hightowers played the fiddle too. They were at many gatherings, fish fries, harvest, threshing, hauling feed, and shucking corn. We'd go to Burlington and Eads to the fair and rodeo's. One of America's finest sports I think. Neighbors I knew were: Chandlers, A.V. Harding, many young Smelkers, Schaals, Perkins, Taylors, McMahans, Jim and Richard Ausborn, Clarence Brannen, (who played fiddle for many dances), and Charlie and Geo. Bar, and their bunch. Aunt Bertha could Jan. 19, 1892, Greeley, Co. and I don't know when Bill King was born. Marie died sometime in 1892, Henry died in 1884. The six children were taken to their Uncle Lambert and Annie Brooks' home, six miles west of Colby, Kan., about 2 miles east of the William Waters home, who owned the town of Levant. The 4 older ones were soon working out. Lois and Herman moved northeast of Seattle, Wash. with their Aunt. Bill King lived many places and raised a family. George M. King homesteaded a good 160 acres, 5 miles south and 2 miles west of Bethune, Co. He did well, but died in 1919, leaving his wife Bertha with came from Margenau, South Russia. They came to Marion County, Kansas in 1876. Abraham and Katherine were connected with the Mennonite Church and left Russia to flee from religious oppression. They needed more room so moved to Flagler, Colorado in 1883. Due to a drought they moved to Kirk, Colorado in 1896. Their children were: Marie Klassen Muncy, 18921972; Emma Klassen Elmers, 18gg -; Helen Klassen Heinrichs, 1896-1978: Frank W. Klassen, 1888-1975; Henry Klassen, 18941952; Cornelius K. Klassen, 1880-19b4; Mar- garet Klassen Braun, 1890-1971; Anna Klassen Burkard, 1876-1959; Katherine Klassen Nikkel, 1883-1970; Johannes Klassen, 18851887; Agnes Klassen, 1887-1901; Jake W. Klassen, 1882-1955; Abe W. Klassen, 18281951. Daughters-in-law: May Dulmer Klassen, 1895-1979 and Emma Dulmer Klassen, 1892-1986. Son-in-law: Peter A. Braun, 18881963. Marie, Katherine, Helen and Emma all taught in the early schools in the northern parts of Kit Carson County. These were schools north of Bethune, Stratton, Joes, and Burlington. Emma taught in the Murphy and Brownwood schools in t923-24. Frank. Henrv and Peter Braun all farmed. Abe'was a blacksmith at Kirk, Colorado. Jake was a rancher and Cornelius farmed and ranched north of Vona. tell many stories of neighbors and fun they had. Harold looked at the paper one day and eaid "Aunt Nettie, are you going to Jim Gernhart's funeral?" She said "I didn't know h?dlf,ieT7-'r"E EAsn't", He said. It was one of his mock funerals. I think I left out some important parts and didn't name enough people. The Kings have owned land almost 100 vears. by Morris King KING, HENRY F368 Henry M. King, my grandfather, was born about 1836 and lived on a small farm near Greeley, Co. He enlisted in the Army April 17, 1861, discharged Aug. 6, 1861, at Pittsburg, Pa. He enlist€d again in 1864, discharged Aug. 3, 1865, at Atlanta, Ga. He came to Kellerton, Iowa and married Marie Dun- ii.':l.il bar. Henry and Marie had 6 children. George M. King, born April 27, 1882, Kellerton, Iowa, Laura M. King, born Oct. 14, 1883, Kellerton, Iowa, Clarence L. King, born Aug. 22, L886, Kellerton, Iowa, Lois A. King born May 3, 1889, Kellerton, fowa, Herman A. King, born This picture was taken in front of Gtandmother Klassen's sod house about late 1913 or early 1914. Back Row: Marie Klassen Muncy_, Emma Klassen Elmers, May Dulmer Klassen, Helen Klassen Heinrichs, Frank W. Klassen. Middle Row: Henry Klassen, Jake W. Klassen, Abe W. Klassen, Peter A. Braun, Cornelius K. Klassen. Front Row: Katherine Wiebe Klassen, Margaret Klassen Braun, and Emma Dulrner Klassen holding baby Paul C. Klassen. �The father, Abraham C. Klassen was born Cornelius Klassen was a pioneer resident in 1852 and died in 1900 and mother, of Kit Carson County having lived here for 62 years. In the early years he helped build and died in 1941. the Rock Island Railroad. He rode horseback from Yuma to Hugo, from Limon to the state of Kansas, helping with roundups and eating in chuckwagons. As foreman of the Wm. Lavington Ranch, located six miles north of Vona, Colorado, taking care ofthe cattle and sheep, breaking bronco horses, and buying calves from the homesteaderg were Cornelius's duties. He rode many miles over eastern Colorado and the settlers would invite him to Katherine Weibe Klassen was born in 1854 by Edith M. HugleY KLASSEN, CORNELIUS F370 Jack and Helen Klaseen hunting rabbits on the Republican River on Ned and Prince in 1938. August 8, 1912, Emma Dulmer Klassen and Cornelius K. Klassen in their buggy on their honeymoon trip to t-ireir ranch home five and one-half miles north and one and one-half west of Vona, Colorado, near the Republican River Valley. Loyd Klassen in Merchant Marines in 1943. This ie a picture of Emma Dulmer Klassen and her children, except Mabel. Back Row: Paul C. Klassen, Deitrich A. Klassen, Edith Mae Klassen Hugley, Ervin E. Klassen, Doris L. Klassen Klooz, Loyd J. Klassen. Front Row: Helen M. Klassen Smart, Emma Dulmer Klassen, and Cornelius C. Klassen (Jack). Taken during the 1981 reunion in California. eat a meal. Emma's folks were very hoepitable people, so he was invited to eat and to go to box suppers and church socials. They, no doubt, sold some calves to him. Emma was nineteen or twenty when she fell in love with her cowboy. Cornelius had taken out a claim here in about 1910, so there was already a nice little house and some other buildings, a windmill and big wooden corrals with a snubbing post in the center of one. Here he �The Cornelius and Emma Klassen family in 1935 or 1936, this was taken on the farm north of Vona. Back Row: Paul C., Deitrich A., Ervin E., Doris L., and Edith Mae. Front Row: Mabel T., Jack, Emma (mother), Cornelius (father), Loyd J. and Helen M. i,*t* .,a,..l.l.l ,$ ,.:.,l|,,',i,.,"" ,, was able to take care of the livestock and break the wild horses. The weekends he would spend with his widowed mother and younger sisters and brothers. He suffered some years with arthritis. ',1:tl s s $ st $ t Ford car of C,K. Klassen in 1920. This is a picture of Cornelius and Emma Dulmer Klassen taken in 1911 or 1912, in August or September. Note the large turnip and the fence made of adobe brick. Moving storage tank back to school section after a big storm. Dick and Jack Klassen and their team, Ned and Prince in 1936. Loyd Klassen P.F.C. U.S. Army, 1946, and Bill Corwin E.N.C., U.S.N. and Joan 14 months. q-._*1 h.Fh.n 'k-, n aA Cornelius K. Klassen and his horse Stinger, about 1912. ".,\" - i, l',& q,--'- :\ Deitrich Klassen. conductor on Rock Island Railroad, he worked 40 years for the railroad. �Clarence Klooz. She died at the age of 93 on January 20, 1986. by Edith M.Ilugley KLASSEN, EMMA DULMER F371 Memories Cornelius K. Klassen born August 11,, 1880 in Hillsboro, Kansas and Emma Dulmer, born April 8, 1892, in Garfield, New Jersey, were married on August 8, 1912, at my folk's home 14 miles north of Vona, Colorado. We had just had the house built. It was made of adobe bricks. So this was a big event! The pastor, Charles Ashley, drove out form Vona Paul Klassen, U.S. Marines, 1946. Dick Klassen, U.S. Army and Mabel Klassen, Ensign in U.S.N.R. in 1943. Glenda, one son, Richard (Richy), four granddaughters, one set of twin grandsons. Mabel and William (Bill) Corwin live in Gig Harbor, Washington. They have two daughters Joan and Katherine, two grandsons, one granddaughter. Loyd and Opal live on their farm home about 15 miles north of Vona, Colorado, and one mile east. They have four daughters and three sons, five granddaughters and three grandsons. The daughters are Diane, Marsha, Terri Jo, Virginia Lee; the sons are Bruce K., Verl L., and Troy J. Helen and Herb Smart live in Diablo, Washington. They have two daughters and two sons, three granddaughters. Their daughters are Barbara J. and Joanne E., the sons are Robert L. and Douglas F. Jack and Audry live in Ojho, California. They have one daughter, Emily Lou and two sons, Jack Ryan and Russell Paul, one granddaughter and one grandson. Cornelius passed away on July 1, 1954 of arteriosclerosis and a cerebral hemorrhage. Many of this family served their country throughout the Second World War. Ervin eerved in the Navy and was on the cruiser, Phoenix on December 7, L94L, but survived the holocaust of Pearl Harbor when the Japanese warplanes attacked the home base Ervin Klassen in 1943. Cornelius and Emma Dulmer were married in 1912. They had 9 children and lived on the ranch five and one-half miles north and one and one-half west of Vona, Colorado down near the Republican River Valley. Their children include Paul and Joyce who live in Joes, Colorado. They have one son Darrel, and two daughters, Linda and Jary Lee, two grandsons and three granddaughters. Dick and Esther live in Goodland, Kansas and have two daughters, Pamela and Sally, three grandsons and two granddaughters. Dick retired from working on the Rock Island Raihoad. Edith Mae and Earnest Hugley have one son, Cornelius Claud (Jim), two daughters, Patricia Jo and Janet, three grandsons and three granddaughters, and two geat grandsons and one great granddaughter. Ervin and Vera have three daughters, Debra, Susan and Carolyn, and twin grandsons. Doris and Clarence Klooz have three daughters, Barbara, Beverly and of the U.S. Pacific Fleet on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Ervin received a Purple Heart. Dick served in the Railroad Engineers in Alaska. Mabel T. Klassen Corwin served in the Navy Nurse Corps. Paul served in the Marine Corps. Loyd served in the Army on the Pacific front. Helen Klassen Smart was a Cadet Nurse. Jack joined the Navy Air Force after the war, Mother's sons-in-law who served were Willinm Corwin who was in the Submarine Corps, Clarence Klooz was a Marine and served in the Pacific front. Herbert Smart served in the Army in the Europe Front. There were no war fatalities in this family group, a blessing for which we are all thankful. Mother was about a nine star Mother, and a lot more. Emma made quilts by hand for each of her children and for each of her grandchildren. The folks were charter members of the Vona Baptist Church. Mother's life and testimony have been a great blessing to her family and friends. Mother was usually humming a tune while she worked. Mother spent her last years in Sacramento. California with Doris and to perform the wedding ceremony. Cornelius and I got our license from Burlington a couple of weeks before. We got our pictures taken at Stratton, Colorado, too. We were surprised to have relatives from Hillsboro, Kansas, come to our wedding. My father went to meet the train in Vona. He had a team of horses and a Spalding Spring Wagon with two seats. We just invited the immediate families on both sides to the wedding since that is all we had room for. Everyone had a good time though, the Dutch and the German. We got lots of gifts. We bought some furniture for our house which had two rooms, a small cellar and a porch. We sent an order to Montgomery Wards for a pretty cast iron stove with a warming oven and a reservoir that held about three gallons of water, linoleum for the kitchen floor, a kitchen cabinet, and a bedroom set. We had homemade carpets which I had made. We also bought a table and chair and a few other things. It came to Vona by freight from Denver. Dad hauled it home with his team and wagon. This was all exciting at this time. Vona was new on the map in those days. Mr. S.L. Howell filed on the West side of town and H.K. Haines the East side. There was always lots going on at our ranch with the cattle and horses around. The colts were so cute. My folks would stop by quite often since we were half way to Vona, Our ranch was 6 miles north and a mile and a half west. About this time the First Baptist Church of Vona was organized. Before that we held meetings in the Boger School. The minister, Ira J. Calahan, would drive out and preach. We had good crowds. Later we drove to Vona. Later on my sister Sadie Iler taught school in the Boger school. I remember the picnic ll miles north and 1 east of Vona. It was in a gxove of trees on a timber claim. We had a good crowd. They played games like baseball, foot races, horse shoe pitching, jumping rope and other games. Each family brought dinner. We enjoyed the day. The fourth of July was usually a happy time. There were quite a few roads graded over the country. Each land owner had to pay a tax to work on the grading and plowing of roads. It was easier to get around. Most all the ranchers would plow fire guards too, in case of fire, so the grass couldn't burn up. There had been a fire in the sandhills some years earlier. Mrs. Frank Boger who lived near Hell �miles we had a central station. There was one at Vona, then 12 miles north, then at the Charley George Place, then at Mrs. Coleman's Place and at Kirk, Colorado. As the years went by we had other babies. Our family grew to include besides Paul and Deitrich, Edith May, Ervin, Doris, Mable, Lloyd, Helen, and Jack. We built a room on the north side of the kitchen and made the porch larger. Dad did most of the work. Henry came down from :i.;r:i li,:l,l: 'i.-i.i Kirk and helped him. The material was .rl.:: hauled from Vona. The school district rented a little sod house 7z mile west where Paul and Deitrich went to school. We had pretty good .:I'i:: crops. The grass was good too. We would irrigate from the storage tank when it would run over. We had some fruit trees and a strawberry patch. We all enjoyed the berries with the rich cren- from the cows. About this time we got a washing machine. Dad bought it from Harlin Haines Hardware in Vona. I could get a big washing out in half a day with a little help! Later the new Murphy School was built. It was in the center of the school district. There were lots of people and farms and ranches in the country by this time. Cars were in style by this time. Dad had the first Model T Ford in Kit Carson County. We even made a cover of light weight canvas to keep it clean. We all enjoyed riding in it. We didn't have too many good roads yet, mostly cattle and horse trails. The driver had to watch out for loose sand. The above was written by Emma Klassen after she turned eighty years old. She wrote much more. Still living in the area are her son Lloyd Klassen, grandsons Bruce Klassen and Troy Klassen and grand daughter Virginia Johnson. Emma died on Jan. 20, 1986. She was 93 years,9 months, and 11 days old. Edith May Hugley KLASSEN, MARY DULMER F372 In December of 1909 we left for Out West. Nick Brownwood had made trips to Colorado with groups of men to interest them in homesteading. He bragged about the country and had no trouble getting men to travel to see the area. My father, Cornelius Dulmer, was one of them. It was in June when the land was green and beautiful. Dad thought it was Cornelius and Emma Klassenn August 8, 1912' a beautiful place and wanted to own the land that he could get by homesteading. Several Creek said she could read the paper by the light of the flames shooting up over the hills! To go north from our ranch we always had two big hills to climb. We called them the Spark Hills. We always had to go 4 miles north to the school section Dad had leased for several years. We fenced it in and had a well drilled. The well was deep. We had a big storage tank to have a supply ofwater for the Iive stock. On August 29, 1913, Paul was born. My mother was at our house. Dad rode with the teo- and buggy to get the doctor. They got back in time. The work was different then. We had the baby to feed, bathe and play with. He was a good baby. Henry Klassen brought Grandma Klassen over to see the baby. Bv this time the Brownwood Store was open for business. Nick Brownwood did the hauling for supplies with a team and wagon. Edith, my sister, worked in the store. They bought creo- and eggs. There was a new school built a half mile west of their store. It was called Elfis, Colorado. It was 15 miles north and 1 west of Vona. We had a mail route north of Vona 20 miles. Mr. August Carlstead was our mail carrier. He drove a team and buggy. Our baby Paul was growing. On May 25, 1916, Deitrich was born. Dad drove to Flagler to get Dr. McBride. They got home in time. I had an oven full of bread baking. The doctor sure thought the house smelled good. Later on I had help again. Dad herded the cows and broke the horses. He had help. Telephones came in style by this time. They run the lines on the fences, about every 12 of the Dutch families decided to go along. We had to be there in six months. We arrived on December the 9th, 1909. We had a special car on the train for all ofus to travel on and bring our belongings. We arrived in Seibert at eight o'clock in the morning. It was 28 degrees below zero! All of us went over to a big hotel there and had a hot breakfast. Myron, my brother, was there. He had a spring wagon with a closed top and side curtains. There were other spring wagons there to take us to my sister Edith Brownwood's home, many miles to the north. We travelled all day, stopping whenever we could to watm ourselves at peoples' houses on the way. Edith's house was a two-room frame house with no insulation. The walls weren't completed. It was very cold. There were many of us to sleep �in that little two room house. Later Nick built Mother and Dad, May and Frank Klassen a much nicer home and opened a store called are dead now and leave fond memories for us the Brov,rnwood Store. We all stayed in with Edith until the men had houses built for us to cherish. to move into. I want to tell you about the comet. Well, it was so beautiful out there outside in the cold. You know, you could see for miles and miles, which we weren't used to, coming from New Jersey. There were no trees around us and the prairies were so flat. But on the tenth ofJanuar5r, I looked out one evening an here was this comet called Halley's Comet. It was just beautiful!There was a large head to begin with and out from that streamed a long, huge tail. Oh, it was so beautifuMt seemed to light up the whole sky. That was January 10, 1910. It showed for several nights. Then, all of a sudden it was gone. It cerne back in June with an eclipse of the moon and this comet. That was the most gorgeous sight I have ever seen. It kind of made a hissing noise. Later on after she married Frank Klassen he would tell about this comet that they had stayed up all night to watch. He lived near Joes then. Later they met and were married. Well, when they began to build for us on our land, Dad and Nick and the others built our barn first. They partitioned off part of the barn for us to live in until they could get the house built. We had to make the adobe blocks. We had to fir a place where a horse went around and around to mix the mud or adobe. There was a lagoon close to the place to use the water to mix the mud for the adobe. We had forms to fill with this mixture. We made these adobe blocks by the hundreds. Just one after another. It only took them a short time to dry with the wind and the hot sun. Our house had two bedrooms and a big living room and kitchen combined. He made a pantry and clothes closet and a place for a milk separator. We had a warm place. It didn't get cold in that house. Mother kept plants in there all winter. We brought some furniture with us and we ordered some from the mail order house. We had to help Dad with the cows. I was 14 and my sister Emma was 17. We'd stack feed. Clean the barns. We used to help put up fences. We did everything around there. Of course, there would be cows to watch the cows always wanted to get into the cornfield. I'd be the one to ride herd. Myron gave me a big black whip which I always was thankful for. As I rode along watching cows I'd kill rattlesnakes. I killed with the whip. The whip had a swirl handle and all I had to do was snap it at their heads. Sometimes I'd be on the horse and some times I'd be off, but I killed lots of snakes. Then we had meetings at the Brownwood schoolhouse. People from here and there and everywhere would meet and get acquainted. We had socials. On Sundays we would have youth meetings. Sometimes we'd have a visiting preacher come and hold services. This is how Emma met Cornelius Klassen. Later I met Cornelius's brother Frank and we were manied. Frank had a homestead near Kirk where we lived until our oldest son Robert was ready for school. Then we traded the Kirk homestead for the one that my Dad had improved and owned. Our children went to the Brownwood School until we had to sell our belongings and leave, since the bank foreclosed in 1925. By then we had Robert, and twins, Philip and Phyllis, and Miriam and Deane. Deane was a baby when we left the farm and moved to Denver. by Phyllis Klassen Rehmer KLIESEN FAMILY F373 Joseph Conard Kliesen was born on Febru- ary 5, 1906 and grew up on the family farm near Wright, Kansas. Loretta Schaffer was born March 3, 1910 and was raised in nearby Speawille. J.C. and Loretta were united in marriage June 22, 1931 and moved to a farm south of Dodge City, where they lived for 14 years. They had two sons: Leon, born Januar5r 2L, L932 in the hospital at Dodge City; and Roger, born at home during a dust storm October 27, 1935. Both attended country school at Rickland Valley as young boys. In the spring of 1946 they moved to Stratton, Colorado with all their belongings in a car and a pickup with a horse trailer. Their first home, which had been the old telephone office, was located south of the Collins Hotel (now Twin Oaks). This twobedroom home was purchased for $4000 and was one of three in town at that time with an indoor bathroom. At that snme time, they purchased 80 acres for $3000, which now is the Stratton Golf Course. They lived on a farm northeast of Stratton for a year and moved to their present residence on 340 Colorado Avenue in September of 1960. This house was built by J. W. Borders, and originally had a maternity ward on the second floor. Leon attended school in Stratton, after moving with his parents, and attended the Abbey School in Canon City his junior and senior years of high school. In May of 1951 he married Dorothy Drietz at St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton. They have two sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren: Darrell and family of Ft. Morgan; Dennis, who lives in California; and Jody and family of Denver. Leon passed away June 19, 1981. Roger graduated in 1954 from Stratton High School. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from January 1955 to December 1956 on the U.S.S. Wisconsin. During his tour of duty, he spent time in Denmark, Spain, Scotland, England, South America, Cuba, Haiti, and New York City. After returning home, he attended Northeastern Junior College and was a member of the NJC football team. On August 2, 1958 he married Marcia Peters of Burlington at St. Charles Church. Soon after their marriage, Roger and being the new elementary school. At the time they moved out of the "soddy", Roger and Marcia had two daughters: Kendra, born November 13, 1959 and Moira, born October 7, 1960. Soon to follow were another daughter, Trina, born May 17, 1962, a son, Wade, born November 2, 1963, and their youngest daughter, Dana, born August 1, 1966. All five children graduated from Stratton High School. They now have one grandchild, Sheena Hawks. Kendra married Bryce Monasmith from Burlington on August 23, 1980. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in March of 1986 with a B.A. in secondar5r math and currently teaches at Bethune High School. Bryce taught and coached at Stratton High School for three years. They now reside in Burlington. Moira was very active in the Future Homemakers of America while in highschool, serving as a State President and a national officer for two years. She manied Bob Hawks from Flagler June 6, 1981. She graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in occupational therapy in 1983 and now works for the East Central BOCES as an occupational therapist. Bob and Moira presently live in Burlington with their daughter Sheena, born May 10, 1985. Trina married Russ Benson from Flagler September 5, 1981. She graduated from NJC with a degree in cosmetology in 1983 and now works at the Hair Gallery in Stratton. Russ and Trina live north of Stratton. Wade is currently attending the University of Southern Colorado. He is pursuing a degree in industrial arts. Dana graduated from NJC in 1986, where she was a member of the volleyball term. She currently is a student at UNC majoring in special education. J.C. and Loretta have enjoyed their 40 plus years living in Stratton and they and their farnily remain close to the community and its people. by Loretta Kliesen KNAPP - BARKLEY FAMILY F374 My Grandad, James Harvey Knapp, cnme to McDonald, Kansas, in a horse and ox drawn covered wagon with his parents, John H and Lucy E. Knapp from Winchester, Illinois in 1885. After helping his parents establish their Marcia moved seven and one-half miles south of Stratton, where they farmed, milked cows, and lived in a sod house. In December of 1960 they moved into a new home built just a few feet away from the old "soddy". This home is their current residence. Roger decided to sell the milk cows in 1962 and bought Angus beefcows. In 1966 he started breeding his cow herd by the procedure of artificial insemination (A.I.), which was somewhat revolutionary at the time in commercial beef cattle. By 1972, all the breeding was completely done by A.I., and a herd bull hasn't been owned since then. Roger served on the Stratton School Board from 1965 through 1983 and during that time the school saw many changes - one Right: James Harvey Knapp, Left: Son John W. Knapp (Hans). Taken 1943. �.laii:rr. , ,llr:tri dren: Virginia Mae Kelley, Duane Arnold tt Kelley, Junior Darrell Kelley, Kenneth Lloyd Kelley, Ronald Lee Kelley, Marvin Gerald Kelley. In January they started to school in Seibert. That spring we had to move our fences so the county could grade up the road, which now is road nineteen by our house. At this time there were still roads thatwere more or less just trails. lai:'r::'1. Grass was good for the cattle and we Right to Leff John W. Knapp (Hans), James Harvey Knapp, and Jap Willin-s. Drilling well in Wyoming. Picture taken 1920. home at McDonald, Kansas, he worked at various jobs that were available. In 1887 he walked to Kit Carson County and chose a homesite 15 miles northeast of the present Burlington, Colorado. The Rock Island Railroad ca-e into being the following year. In these years he dug many wells with a shovel. October 1, 1889 James Harvey Knapp married Celia Hester Barkley of McDonald, Kansas and lived on the homesite he had school. It was now 1906 that he purchased the Penfold Property, now 489-15th Street in Burlington. The house is presently owned by his daughter Lucy A. (Knapp) Russmann. The family lived here during the winter; come spring they moved back to the ranch, and all the children had jobs to do. Grandma Knapp died September 1, 1920 from cancer; leaving a couple young children. Grandad later manied her sister Della, loved and known to the familv as Auntie. by Iva Gross selected, then known as a pre-emption. Their first home was a little dugout, but it was "A Home in The West". After the railroad was built. Jo-es and Celia made several trips during the winter to Pueblo where Jnmes would work in the F376 LucyA. Knapp (Russmann, ClydeA. Knapp, Cora Zella Knapp, Jomes Harvey Knapp Jr., Zuella M. Knapp (Homm), John W. Knapp, Nettie V. Knapp (Homm), Donald W. Knapp, and Elsie M. Knapp (Schutte). The Knapp's moved to several different locations and they always had to build a house and dig a well. There houses ranged from a little dugout to a 2 room sod house with dirt floor and finally a frame home. Celia served as the Post Master of the Goff Post Office for some time. Grandad Knapp followed the Well Drilling Business all his life. From digging with his shovel, then a derrick with a pulley pulled by a horse, then to a well auger which resembled an auger in the carpenter's brace and bit, (pictured is his well drill). He drilled many water wells as well as oil wells in Wyoming. It has been related that he drilled the first town well for Burlington. My Dad, John W. Knapp (Hans) drilled the first town well for Burlington. My Dad, John W. Knapp (Hans) drilled with him for many years, then later on his own. Jgmes H. Knapp raised lots of cattle and his ranch was well known of over the country for his fine herd. Jemes H. Knapp was elected Kit Carson County Sheriff in 1906 and served thru 1910. It was at this time he moved the family to town so he could be cloee to the Sheriffs Office, also so the children could go to a better Seibert. by Ruby Knapp KNODEL FAMILY F376 Gottlieb and Christena Knodel and seven children started the trip on November 20, i,ffiaN& smelters and Celia cooked for the laborers. To this union there were 9 children born; farmed mostly wheat and feed. Fields blew pretty easy in the fifties and we had many a dirty day with schools being dismissed. It was one ofthese days January 1, 1956, when we were blessed with a baby girl, Janice Marie Knapp. The "Flagler News" man came to our farm and took pictures of Fay listing some of our land to keep the land from moving. All our children graduated from Seibert High School. The school bus came by our door for twenty-five years. The spring of 1958 we planted a large six row windbreak on the north and west sides of the buildings. The wind break took a lot of hoeing and replanting of trees for several years. We did some remodeling in 1958 and added a new addition in 1966. Through the years with seven children, twenty-one grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren we've had no great excitement but a good life south of The Knapp hackberry tree, Nov. 1985 I remember, when in October, L947, we, Fay and Ruby Knapp, bought the Ned and Grace Clark farm located eight miles south, three miles east and one-fourth mile south of Seibert. Ned and Grace Clark homesteaded here about 1914 and lived in their sod house till they built the house we now live in. On a trip back from Iowa, Ned brought back a small hackberry tree in his suitcase. They planted the tree south of the house by the stock tank. This tree was thirty years old when we bought the farm and is now a graceful seventy years old. December, L947, we moved to the farm from McDonald, Kangas, with our six chil- 1906 to America. I em Eva Knodel Schaal. We came from Josephdorf, South Russia. My sister Mary was 16 years old, Edward, 13 Gottleib, 10; David,8; Eva 6; Benjo-in 4; and Gustave, 2. We went by train to Bremen, Germany, and spent a week there for physical examinations, shots and so on. Then we were loaded on a freighter ship; that's how poor people traveled. It took us 16 days and nights to cross the Atlantic Ocean. It was a tiresome trip when you don't see nothing but water and sky. Gottlieb and David got scarlet fever and were real sick. We never saw them for days. The rest of us never got it. Dad took us kids on deck on nice days and the sharks swam along the ship to grab anything that was thrown overboard. Sometimes the sea was really rough and the waves splashed against the port hole or windows. Mother prayed aloud that the Lord be merciful if it's His will to bring us to shore safe. Finally one clear day word spread all over the ship, "We can see the Statue of Liberty". Soon we landed in New York. Another physical for health's sake. Mother was expecting her eighth child and got sick there and was put in the hospital. Our Uncle John and Dora Knodel and their children were on this trip with us so we went on by train to Burlington, Colorado. We left Mother and Dad behind to have the baby. When we cnme to Burlington, Dad's cousin, Peter Knodel was there to meet us in the wagon. That night nearly everything was moved out of the kitchen to make beds on the floor for us fourteen visitors with our feather ticks which we brought with us. I want to say this: we called this cousin Uncle Peter and his wife �Aunt Christena and they were worthy of hauled to the elevator in town. The oats were being called that. Who would do such a good deed for so many people at once today? Dad and Mother came a week later with baby Andrew but he died. A month later we moved in an old house belonging to a family nemed Martin Stahlecker, total strangers but shocked by hand after being cut with a binder. The corn was picked and shucked by hand and piled in long ricks to be shelled by a custom cornsheller, Jim Weaver, and again ground and then hauled to the elevator in really good Christian people. Uncle John's moved into a granary at Uncle Peters until our soddy, one room, was built on our town in a lumber wagon pulled by two horses. Fred later bought a Hart Parr tractor with which to farm. hospital bill took everything Dad had. Here we were a family of nine and nothing to go on. But the good people which were poor too, shared. They brought food to keep us until we moved in our soddy and dad went to work for a big rancher to help support the rest of Daisy. Bessie married George Stubbs, Flora married Henry Drager, Rosa married Bus Rhule, and Bertha married Clifford Hines, all men from this locality. homestead. We were terribly poor and that us. The worst ofall happened after a couple of weeks that we left Uncle Peter: their six children got scarlet fever and three died inside of a week. The other three got well; they were Ted, Lydia, and Emil. The school with the neighbor help. Corn was piled on the All the Klooz children graduated from Burlington High School except Bessie and Claude served in the armed service in World *war I in 1918. Clarence, Lawrence, Ra5rmond, and Earl served in World War II and all returned safely home. Flora and Bessie still reside in this area. The rest live in different parts of this state with the we're all older we realize with a grief and heartache that must have been on Uncle Peter and Aunt Christena. No one will every exception of Clarence and Raymond who live in California. Fred Klooz died of a heart attack in 1929 leaving his wife, Flora, to rear young children and manage the farm. The family moved into know. Burlington. Flora died in 1964. was closed and no one else got sick. But since The first years were awful, drought, no rain but gradually things picked up. Oh how homesick the folks used to be for Russia. They left a paradise, everything grew there because ofthe rich soil and plentiful rainfall, fruit of all kinds and grapes, the very best. But never enough to own a home because each farmer had a few acres, just enough to make a living. Our parents have been gone for years. Mother died in December, 1935, at the age of 66 from sugar diabetes. Dad died in 1940 at the age of 71 from cancer of the bowels. Mary died at the age of 44 due to heart trouble in 1941. Brother Gus died due to cancer of the lungs in 1967 at the age of 62. Sister Lydia died due to hardening ofthe liver in 1954 at the age of 46. Brother David died on March 6, 1982 at the age of 83. Brother Ed died on February 22, 1983 at the age of 88. Sister, Eva Schaal, lives in Loveland, Colorado with her husband Bill. by Fern Gramm KOOZ, FRED by Flora Klooz Drager KORBELIK FAMILY F378 The Fred Klooz family arrived in Kit Carson County in a 1914 Model T touring car at Burlington on August 1, 1919, Colorado Day. They settled on a farm two miles north of Burlington. The family consisted of wife, Flora, and children Bessie, Daisy (now deceased), Flora, Rosa, Bertha, Clarence, and Lawrence. Raymond and Earl were born in Burlington. Claude, Fred's son from previous marriage whose mother died, came in a railroad car on the Rock Island line with the horses and milk cows to water and feed them as it was a three day journey from the home at Farna-m, Nebraska. The farm grew wheat, oats, and corn. The wheat was hawest€d with a push binder called a header which was done by six horses. The cut grain was elevated into a header barge and hauled away and put into a stack to be threshed later by a thresher and a crew and helo from neiehbors. The crain was Carson County to stay. They moved to Section 16-9-42 and it was their home for many years to come. This is where their son, Harvey Lee was born in 1937. The crops were poor in the 30's due to the drought and the hungry grasshoppers and rabbits. Adolph found summer employment in various areas. He worked for a farmer near Holyoke and while there one day they were blessed with a nice rain at home. So Rose went out with tractor and grain drills and sowed the millet seed into damp soil! (Yes, it made a short crop.) Another summer, Adolph, along with a group of local men helped with wheat harvest near Imperial, Nebraska. Their house was destroyed by fire on January 26, 1938. The dense smoke awake- ned Vernetta and her screams awakened them. Harvey was a baby asleep in his crib. They got the children into the car and Rose hurried them a half mile to the neighbors, Fred and Mildred Schaaf. From there she drove another half mile to Harold and Minnie Schmidt's for help and back home. There was no phone in the area at that time and the severe cold and high wind made the fire too far along to save the house. Somehow, Adolph managed to pitch a cream separator out the west window and also tried to pull a mattress Hauling water from the creek to mix concrete for the basement of the house. 1931. Adolph and Rose Korbelik F377 sold weighed 400 lbs. and they got $2.75 for it (total). They rented a tractor for use in drilling wheat that fall. Soon csme the beginning of the dust years, remembered as the dirty 30's, and also as the "depression years" nationwide. Farmers tried very hard to stop the fields from blowing. The government was paying 25 cents per acre for working the ground with a lister. Adolph listed many acres in our community, which eventually helped pay off the new International tractor he had purchased at a cost of $1,025.00. In 1934, in the fall, they were back in Kit In 1931, Emil Frank Korbelik and Catherine Marie Korbelik came to Kit Carson County, Colorado from Milligan, Nebraska with their six song: Emil, Jim, Sylvin, Arvil, Lee and Adolph, with Adolph's new bride, Rose. They made their new home on a half section of land which they had purchased southeast of Burlington, now part of the Green Valley community. They arrived two days ahead of the "Big Blizzard" of 1931. What later beco-e the barn was the first building they built there and was where they lived until the basement of their house was finished enough to move into. So the "barn" was where the family also survived the blizzard. Adolph and Rose rented a farm 16 miles north of Kanorado. Kansas in 1933. Their daughter, Vernetta, was then 2 years old. They lived in a sod house there, which was a new experience for them. The landlord had a herd of Angus cattle, which they cared for for half the calves born. The first calf they through a window, not realizing it was on fire and guffered severe burns on his hands. His parents were still living two miles east so they lived there for a few years together. Adolph's father passed away in November, 1938. Ray and Persis Mangus lived and farmed about a mile north with their four sons: Glen. Jack, Dale and Leslie and their two daughters: Ona Jean and Ina Lea. Vernetta rode to school with the Mangus children in their buggy in good weather and horses and wagon sled when the snow was too deep. During these depression years, cattle grazed on free range and were herded on horseback, usually by the "kids". Cow chips were gathered for fuel. Rabbits were hunted for feed for hogs. Grasshoppers and dust storms and drought made survival a struggle. Russian thistles were harvested and stacked for feed for cattle. by Rose Korbelik �Harbor, but happened to be out at sea at the time of the attack. Alois was wounded in the battle of the Solomon Islands and hospitalized for a time at Guadalcanal. Germany and Italy declared war on the United States of America a few days after the President declared war on Japan. Everyone in our country was issued "War Ration Books" of stamps to be used in buying sugar, flour, shoes, fuel, etc. during the four year war. Harold Schmidt and Adolph sponsored a dance at the Armory in Burlington in honor of our local servicemen who were leaving for war duty. Adolph and Rose helped organize the Green Valley 4-H Club in 1944 and were active as 4-H leaders, Rose for five years and Adolph for 17 years. Rose was a charter member of the Green Valley Home Demonstration Club. In May, 1948, the Green Valley Home Demonetration Club painted the basement walls and hung pretty curtains in the windows in the schoolhouse. They also built a much needed storage cabinet in the basement. That summer there was much of the interior finish work that needed to be done in the new Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital. The club was happy to be of Korbelik'e "barn" houge. L. to R.: Emil Korbelik Sr., Emil Korbelik Jr., John Kucera (Roge's father)' Jim Korbelik, Bill Koca, Catherine Korbelik, Helen Kucera (Rose's sister), Rose Korbelik, Adolph Korbelik and Darlene Koca in front, 1931. KORBELIK FAMILY F379 or pitching horseshoes, children played together and the ladies visit€d. Musical talent in the community made dances and suppers together a treat. Neighbors visited often in the evenings or played cards together. Children enjoyed vieits listening to the grownups tell stories of their experiences or of the "old days". Our community remembers the first big tornado, June 8, 1941, when the George BlomendaN farm wae taken and it plowed its ugly path through the McCullough farm where it tore the baby from Mrs. McCullough's arms and left her badly injured. (The assistance. Rose remembers they were applying an oil finish on the doors and shellacing chairs. Later on there was landscaping to be done. Rose attended the groundbreaking ceremony and broke ground in the southwest area of the hospital for the evergreen tree which the club donated in memory of their deceased member, Julia Broadsword. Years later the hospital was enlarged. There was an addition to the south and so the plantings there were removed. by Rose Korbelik KORBELIK FAMILY F380 baby was found unharmed). Because of flooded roads, Mrs. McCullough had to be transported milee out of the way to get to a Korbelik family moving to Colorado, 1931. doctor. The tornado continued its devastation into Kangas and past Ruleton before it lifted. The family was happy to be relocated back to Section L6-9-42 (Road 57 and S) in March, 1942. They had replaced their house, which they lost by fire, with one which they found south of Kanorado. It was just a ehell and they had to plaster the walls and remodel. They were then only a mile and a half from the brand new Green Valley school. Their son, Hawey, start€d his first year in school in the 1942-43 term in the Green Valley school. Their daughter, Patricia Jane, was born then in March 23. 1943. By this time, the depression had broken up Firgt Korbelik home built in Colorado, later beco-e the barn after their house was built. Adolph and Rose Korbelik These were hard years but they were also years that created warm memories of close friends and togetherness. Neighbors helped each other and got together regularly for basket dinners where the day was spent with the men and boys playing ball in the pasture the family with Jim returning to Nebraska, Sylvin and Arvil working their way west and settling with jobs in California, Lee working his way through electrician school and finding himself settled in Washington. Emil moved to Burlington and Adolph remained to beat the depression and build his farm. Our United States had been at war since December 8, 1941 when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared war on Japan, after the Japanese Air Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th. Rose's younger brother, Alois, was in his third year in the Naw at the time. He was stationed at Pearl Emil Frank and Catherine Marie Korbelik with granddaughter Vernetta Korbelik, 1936. �Green Valley School in 1944. In 1948 she reigned as homecoming queen and graduated a$ valedictorian from Burlington High School. She went on to Colorado A&M (now CSU), was attendant to Kit Carson County Queen when Bonny Dam was dedicated and aleo Engineer Queen Attendant at Colorado A&M. She transferred to Barnes Business College in 1951 and latpr studied under Florence Keeeler School of Dance and Fred Astaire Studios in Denver. She then taught dance for Fred Astaire Studios, sang and did dance exhibitions with her dance partner, _# Korbelik's new houee built in 1942. Bob Tate. She earned her private pilot's license in Lafayette, Louisiana, where she also met and married Eno Mallet in 1960. They had four sons: Rick Anthony, Todd Joseph, Gary James and Christopher Jnmes. The family moved to Arnold, Missouri in 1963 where Eno worked for the Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis. That was home for 15 years during which time Vernetta was involved in civic, community and church affairs. She held office on the parish council, taught third grade in School ofReligion, organized and led The house that burned on January 26, 1938. the second metropolitan 4-H Ctub in Jefferson County, which rapidly grew to second largest in the country. She served on County Adolph and Rose Korbelik Council and was awarded outstanding leader of the year in 1976 by the President of the Rose worked for a time in the Kit Carson County Clerk's office. Adolph was a charter member of the Isaac Walton League. He was Co-Op Board member fot 25 years, Farm Bureau member and officer. school board member and officer 17 years. He helped organize and establish the Green Valley Telephone Association in 1948. Their phone system was sold and became part of the S&T Telephone Cooperative Association in 1955. He helped otganize and establish REA electricity in Green Valley. John Guthrie and Eddie Johnson hooked the wiring to their house and their lights were turned on at noon March 4, L952. In 1947 they bought Section 17-9-42 and planned to build a house there some day. They planted a few rows ofpine tree seedlings for a windbreak the next year. The new house was built in 1974 and ready to move into on Christmas Eve. They, with their family, enjoyed a special Merry Christmas! They continued to raise Hereford cattle and stayed with the cow-calf operation until their retirement a few years ago. Life got better but things still happened. In the early 60's, Adolph experienced another tornado. This time he was in it. Caught working in the field, he held tight to the one way plow he was using, while lying as flat as he could in a furrow as, first, the front of the tornado hit, then the eye and, finally, the back. Finding himself still alive, he made his way to his pickup as tennis ball size hail began to hit. He found the pickup with one glass left in it. As he started for home the hail claimed that glass too. When the family helped him into the house they found him bleeding from the hailstone pelting and in shock but alive, thank God! Rose and Adolph say, "Thinking back to the 30'swhen some families moved awayfrom the "dust bowl" area, we were tempted to do 80, too. Ifwe could have found a buyer for the stack of millet we had, we might have left, also. Wethank God we didn'tfind the buyer". Vernetta graduated from eighth grade in University of Missouri for work in Career Education and for getting it recognized by the schools and as an approved 4-H project in the State of Missouri. She was a charter member of the Arnold Chapter of the National FISH organization started by combined efforts of five churches in the Arnold area. She served there as counselor for five years until she moved back to the Green Valley community in Kit Carson County in 1978 to finish raising her four sons. She went into partnership in Western Engravers and Designers in 1976 and took sole ownership of the business along with her move to Colorado Adolph Korbelik farnily. Back row, L. to R.: Vernetta, Rose and Adolph. Front: Patricia and Harvey, 1946. in 1978. Rick graduated from Burlington High School in 1979 and went on to the University of Southwest Louisiana as did Todd one year later. Todd graduated with honors in Business Management and is presently Night Audit Manager atthe Downtown Holiday Inn in Denver. Rick moved to Denver in 1987 and went into business with his mother. Gary graduated from Burlington High School in in sports, dramatics and many other activities during his four years at Burlington High School. He received a scholarship to Colorado School of Mines but after one semester decided to enlist in the Air Force. Four years being able to finish raising her own sons in her home Green Valley community and to watch them do well and graduate from her he spent in the Air Force, most of the time being in Texas. He was honorably discharged in the rank of S/Set. in 1959. During 1959 he worked on the construction of the East elevator at The Kanorado Co-Op. In October of 1960 Harvey was united in marriage with Connie Still. They had five children, two of which died in infancy. Susan Marie is now the wife of Russell Corliss and they live northwest of Bethune. Williem lss is engaged in farming and ranching with his parents. David Dean is presently a freshman same Burlington High School. at Burlington High School. 1984, attended University of Southwest Louisiana and went on to graduate with honors from Colorado Aero Tech in 1986. He now works for Continental Airlines in Den- ver. Chris is now a freshman at Burlington, is also following in Gary's footsteps as a drummer. Vernetta is feeling great satisfaction in by Rose Korbelik KORBELIK FAMILY F381 Adolph and Rose Korbelik Harvey went eight years to Green Valley School graduating in 1950. Harvey was active Harvey, Connie and family started farming with Harvey's parents in the early 1960's. The family farm has expanded and is still in operation southeast of Burlington. The emphasis being on successful farming and raising quality type cattle. Harvey and Connie are most proud of raising three wonderful children who all have a great sense of community spirit which has been instilled in them through active involvement in their schools, their 4-H and FFA work and their church. Youngest of three children, Patricia �Jane, known a Patsy in early years, was one of the luckiest kids I know. Growing up on a small eastern Colorado farm with a beautiful big sister and a big brother whom she worshipped, in a home full of love, is not KORBELIK - STILL FAMILY F382 everyone's good fortune. The Korbeliks were not rich but Patsy never felt deprived. She was happiest in blue jeans, barefooted and riding her pony, Stardust, pigtails flying. She went to school eight years at Green Valley School, which had a Korbelik enrolled every year of its existence. Don Gilbert and she were the last eighth grade graduating class. She attended and graduated from the old Burlington High School in 1960. The old one-room Green Valley schoolhouse offered students much personal attention. Recesses were spent playing ball, Kick the Can, Fox and Geese, plus, and all ages played together. Green Valley and Smoky Hill had a track meet one year, thanks to organization by Dorothy Baney. Willa Zick, County Supt., used to bring "outside readers" to the country schools. She remembers Catechism and summer school in the basement of the old Catholic Church in west Burlington. Saturday late afternoons and evenings were spent in Burlington doing the weekly shopping. While the neighbors visited at Red Front Grocery, then on Main Street, the kids sat at W-B Drug reading comic books, which could be bought for a dime. The family would grab a bite of supper at Carpers Cafe and then take in a picture ghow at the Midway, hoping they'd be the lucky "Bank Night" winners. Women's Lib wasn't needed on their farm. Mom drove the tractor, helped work cattle and helped Dad whenever he needed it, and Dad, in turn, helped Mom when needed, too. The kids grew up doing the sayne thing. Pat remembers the sound of hundreds of baby chicks, purchased from Mrs. Stewarts Hatchery in Goodland, all in boxee in the living room and remembers rubbing and drying baby calves in the kitchen if they were unfortunate enough to be born during a blizzard. The whole farnily was very involved in Green Valley 4-H Club and the Annual Kit Carson County Fair was a highlight every year. There were basket suppers, minstrel shows, and skits put on by the HDU club. In 1961 she moved to Goodland, where she met and fell in love with James Allnman from Wallace, Kansas. They married in June 1962. Jim is now owner of and self-employed at Jim's Independent Mechanic Shop in Goodland and Pat is employed by Goodland CoOp as Grain Accountant. They have three children. Their oldest daughter, Terri, graduated from college with a degree in Animal Science and Industry and is currently a freshman in Veterinary School at Kansas State University. Their second daughter, Cindy, is married to Mike Weaver and resides in Dillon, Colorado. Mike is employed in lift maintenance at the Keystone Ski Resort and Cindy is teller at a bank in Frisco, Colorado. They will become parents in September! The youngest, a son, Monte, has graduated from NWKA Vo-Tech in Communications Technology and is employed by Northern Telecom, home-based in Dallas, Texas. Katy Korbelik, came to farm in 1931. by Connie Korbelik KORDES, TONY AND ELTZABETH F383 Tony Kordes was born in St. Anthony, Indiana on September 5, 1878. His parents were Valentine and Phelomena Kordes. He moved to Nebraska in March of 1907. He farmed for an aunt and uncle for a while. Elizabeth Reining Kordes was born in Harvey and Connie Korbelik on their wedding day, October 29, 1960. Hawey Korbelik and Connie Still were married October 29, 1960. The sun was shining at the wedding but as they started on their honeymoon trip it began to snow, complete with white shoe polish whipping in the wing window off the car. Reaching Limon, the muffler fell off the car, there's Harv under the car trying to fix it. Back on the road again they were stopped by a patrolman for having a headlight out. They were maried five years or so before Connie realized Harvey could use some Ferdinand, Indiana on February 7, 1888 to Herman and Sophia Reining. It was in Lawrence, Nebraska that Tony and Elizabeth were married on February 16, 1909. They had six children. Tony did not have enough to farm in Nebraska so he sold the land he had there and moved to Colorado in 1930. They put everything they owned on a train and stayed in a hotel when they got to their new farm. He had bought 3 quarters for $30 an acre. There was lots ofland to rent and grandpa and the boys raised corn and feed for the cows and had lots of hogs. Before he came to Nebraska he worked in a foundry in Kentucky for a year. He played the harmonica in a band in Indiana but I don't remember him ever playing it for us profanity - or vise versa - raising pigs can do that! One sow they owned had a favorite trick of lifting the yard gate off its hinges and plowing up the lawn. Loading the fathogs can when we were growing up. In September of 1950 they sold their farm be a trying experience! around the house and her crocheting. I guess all the grandkids will always remember her most for her angel cookies, her flowers and her beautiful crocheting. Elizabeth died on July 22, 1985 at the age of 97. The last summer of her life she was still making fancy work for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Each great grandchild has at least They were blessed with three children, Susan, Bill, and Dave. Susan had a passion for her blanket as a child. If Connie tried to wash her favorite, Susan would be found under the clothesline - blanket in one hand and the other thumb in her mouth. The only child who had to be convinced that Linus (off of Charlie Brown) didn't really take his blanket to school! BiU is a goer. When he was two, he disappeared. Looking eve4mhere - checking stocktanks, creeks - no Bill - finally someone spotted Sparky, the family dog, in an adjoining sugar beet field. Heading in that direction, we found first one shoe, a sock, another shoe, another sock - as Billy had run out of them in the tailwater mud. About 3/t of the way across the field, there we found Bill. Had it not been for little Sparky's trick ofjumping straight up in the air, we would never have seen Bill in those towering beets! Dave, with the help of his much older brother and sister, developed an early use of words and questions. When he was first starting to talk, he was out helping Grandpa Korbelik fix pasture fence. Grandpa warned him to be careful of snakes. Davey replied, "Don't worry Grandpa, we've been over this 'territory'before." As a three year old, he also caught on to the phrase, "Dad, let's drag main!" Actually, it didn't work any better for Davey than it did for his brother and sister. Though there have been a few sorrows, including the loss of their daughter, Sharon, by Rose Korbelik parents, R.A. and Frieda Still, came here in 1923 and Harvey's grandparents, Emil and to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, there have been endless joys in their married life. They are both proud of having long time roots in Kit Carson County. Connie's grand- and moved to a new home in Stratton. Grandma kept busy with beautiful flowers one piece she made when she was 97 years old. Tony was the most perfect grandpa anyone could have. He loved to play with the grandkids, and I know we remember the hand clapping games he used to play. We never could get to be as fast as he was. I still remember the aroma of his pipes when you would come in. He walked downtown to play cards with his friends everyday, even when his rheumatism w{Nl hurting him very much. He always had a smile or was laughing about something. Until a week before he died he still was walking downtown to see his friends. He always had a pony beer before he walked home. Tony and Elizabeth attended Mass everyday or a communion service as long as they were able. Tony died in November 22, 1970 at the age of 92. He used to tell us grandkids that he would catch turtles of all sizes and make turtle soup. He always would tell us kids something and then laugh about it and we were never really sure whether to believe him or not. Grandpa and grandma celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with all the children and most all the grandkids there. Ferdie lives in Stratton. Sophie married Ervin Wolf and lives in Burlington, Colo. They have 6 boys. Delbert lives in Stratton and has 3 children. He married Wilma Schmidt Bruckner. Val lives in Stratton and �grass. Dad also farmed a quarter of wheat land for his dad and rented land from Pat Doughtery from Lincoln, Nebraska for many years. Denny (5-14-194f) is married to Kathleen Hoffman and they have4 kids, Scoot, Wendy, Kelly and Tony. Denny workg for IBM and lives in Denver. Betty (L-22-19,14) is married to Larry Brachtenbach and they had 3 children, Laura, Dee and Matthew. Laura and Dee died as young girls. They farm in the Stratton alea. Beverly (L-26-L947) ig married to Gene Beattie and they have 2 children, Troy and Aaron. They live in Seattle, Washington. Patsy (8-13-1951) ie married to Mike Eieenbad and they have 4 children, Brandy, Clint, Ryan and Jill. They farm in the Stratton area. Valerie (7-21-1955) is married to Ron Thyne and they have 4 children, Denise, Ronda, Clay and B.J. (Bradley). They live in and work in Wray, Colorado. We had a good life on the farm when we Tony and Elizabeth Kordes at their 50th wedding anniversary, L to R: Ferdie, Val, Del, Tony, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Sophie and Joe. has 5 children. He maried Leona Huppert. Dorothy lives in Denver and has 4 children. She maried Richard Schreiner. Joe lives in Goodland, Kansas. The family that still lives in Kit Carson County are Ferdie, Sophie, Val and Del. Grandchildren are Larry Wolf, Jerry Wolf, Patsy Eisenbart and Betty Jean Brachtenbach and their children. Grandpa was really a hard worker and the age of 70 would come out and help my dad shock feed and could stay way ahead of everyone else helping. by Betty Jean Brachtenbach KORDES, VAL AND LEONA F384 My mother and dad both moved to Kit Carson County from Nebraska. Dad came from Lawrence, Nebraska in 1930. He was born January 27, 19L4. His parents were Tony and Elizabeth Kordes. He has two gigters and three brothers. My mother, Leona Huppert Kordes, was born on May 25, l9L4 in Blue Hill, Nebraska. She came to Stratton with her father and brothers and sisters in June, 1923. Her mother had passed away in August of L922, from sugar diabetes. There were two boys and 9 girls in her family. She attended St. Charles grade school and to the tenth grade in high school. Her father died in 1926 after they had been here three years. Mother and Dad were married in January 16, 1940 in St. Charles Catholic Church. They moved to a farm west of Stratton and rented it from Fritz Kruse. Their son, Denny and daughter, Betty Jean, were born while living there. They then bought a farm from Dick Kruse northwest of Stratton. They raised wheat, corn, feed and had cattle and hogs. Three more daughters wete born, Beverly, Patsy and Valerie. Dad bought five more quarters west of their home place. It was farm ground and some grass. Eventually he broke it all out and raised wheat. All of us took our turn running the tractor for Dad and helping with the gummer work. Dad and Uncle Ferdie worked together on some of their farming. My dad has always been an avid card player and likes nothing better than to get into a good challenging card game. He also enjoys very much the greyhound dog races. He also likes to travel whenever he gets a chance to. Dad always tried to teach us kids the true value of a friend. Mother is always happy at home doing her fancywork or just making a home for all of us to come to. She is a very important part of the ladies sewing circle at St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton and has quilted on Wednesday afternoons at the church hall for many years. She also helps arrange the Taken at Val Kordes' place the day of grandma's funeral. Back row: Denny, Beverly. Front row: Mom, Betty, Patsy, and Valerie. flowers for the altar every week. In 1980, they sold the home place to Terry and Shelly Hornung and moved to Stratton into a new home. They enjoy living in town and having friends drop in and being so close to church. After they moved to town Dad rented the rest of the land out to Patsy Eisenbart and her husband Mike. In 1986 he began to sign it all up into the conservation reserve progrnm and is drilling it all back to were growing up. Even when times were hard somehow Mom and Dad seemed to make holidays special. They gave us a set of values that we have been able to call on during our lives. We will always be forever grateful for our parents. by Betty Jean Brachtenbach KOUNTZ FAMILY F386 James R. Kountz, wife Emma and three daughters, Hazel, Betty, and Pauline, moved to Kit Carson County in 1920. They were late arrivers but still found many hardships. Mr. Kountz visited the county the summer of 1919 and found such relief from his hay fever and asthma that he purchased a ranch 15 miles south of Flagler, consisting of a four room house and small horse barn and a good well. He returned to Crawford County, Kansas, sold most of his livestock and prepared to move. In March of 1920, he loaded his horses, Model T. Ford, and family and moved to the southwest corner of Kit Carson County. He soon found that the Model T Ford could not get over the hill at the "brakes" south of Flagler except in reverse, so until the road was changed, they backed over the hill. Shortly after arriving and getting settled, he went to Denver to purchase cattle and in a few days returned home with a herd of sheep. This was a profound shock to his family. By fall, he had built a sheep shed and suitable corrals to handle sheep. Through the years he algo accumulated a small herd of cattle, two more daughters and two sons Allie Jo, June, James R., and Richard - Hazel and Betty started school at Texarado school, about 3 miles across the prairie from their home and one by one all the children attended this country school. For many years, a herd of wild horses many of them locoed, tore up fences and watering tanks. During the depression and drought these disappeared but the Kountz's prospered and remained on the ranch. Through drought, grasshoppers, hail, and severe winters, Mr. Kountz continued to love Colorado. Many hired men and sheep herders �later, his health failing and age a handicap, he eold his livestock and moved to Seibert where he passed away in 1947. by clune Pottorff KRAMER STAHLECKER FAMILY Lutheran Church. We are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Bill served on the church board for five years as V. Chairman in the late 1950's. Theresia taught Sunday School for many years and also served as Tri-State Conference A.L.C.W. Sec. of Education for one term beginning in 1967. Theresia also is active in her local A.L.C.W., serving as an officer through the years. In 1969, she had a heart attack, While the kids were home, Bill and Theresia were leaders for the Settlement 4-H Club. We are active Farm F386 Bureau members, attending the Settlement Farm Bureau Community organization until it was disbanded. We always had a Christmag progrrm with skits and "readings", singing and treats. Theresia performed many humerous readings and skits for her community and church. In 1981, Theresia was selected as Kit Carson county "Heart Mother of the year". In 1983, Theresiawas asked to prepare the program for Church Women United. Theresia and sisters Martha and Lydia wrote their families'story about the Stahlecker and Dobler families. by Theresia Kramer The Bill and Theresia Kramer farm north of Bethune, Colorado showing Bill and his tenm of Mules, Jack and Jerry. KREOGER FAMILY F387 Louis Kreoger was born on November 21, 1881 in Smith County, Kansas, in a dugout. The water in Kansas was poor and scatce, so in 1902 Louis cnme to Colorado with his dad, \{illinm, and his brother Charles. They drove their cattle and brought all of their belong- ings, including their dog. They lived in a dugout northeast of Burlington for a while, and William eventually bought a farm nearby with a sod house on it. Lou homesteaded some land on the Repub- lican River near Hale, Colo. He did this because it was easier to raise good hay on the river bottom, and they hauled the hay with a teem and wagon back to the farm northeast September, 1985, the new home of BiIl and Theresia Krn-er north of Bethune, Colorado. This house replaces the home that burned on April 13, 1985. William (Bill) Kramer and Theresia Stahlecker were married in 1928, at Mosca, Colorado. "The boys ceme and got us girls back to Bethune." Bill bought the Reinhold Weiss homestead in the mid'20s. We lived in the small house with 2 rooms down stairs and 2 attic rooms up stairs for 19 years. InL947, we felt we could build a bigger house that we are still living in now. We have lived on the snme farm all our married life. This house burned to the ground on April 13, 1985, due to a gas leak. Everything was lost except the clothes on our backe. A new home was built on the old site and we moved in on September 22 the same year. We have three children, Norman who married Betty Lillich, Irene who married Gilbert Hilt, and Doris who married George Bartchenger. We had our good years and bad years. In the dirty thirties and again in the fifties we were back eating jackrabbits and beans, grinding our own wheat and corn, picking up cow chips to burn and carrying out ashes. We got electricity in 1949 and 1950. This was a real blessing. In 1978, we celebrated our fiftieth Wedding anniversary at Immanuel of Burlington for the cattle and horses. On April 20, 1909, Lou manied Mary Ann Broadsword, born February 28, 1885. They lived on the snme place with Lou's father for a while. Lou and Mary lived in the sod house and his father, William, moved in a small green frame house to live in. Two sons were born to Lou and Mary in that sod house. Carl was born March 7,tglz, and Julian was born September 20, L914. Later they built a frame house where they lived for several years. In 1925 Lou bought a place 13 7z miles north of Burlington along what is now Highway 385. In 1926 Lou moved his family there. He and hig wife Mary lived there for about forty years. Lou farmed and raised cattle until he was about 80 years old. In 1965 Lou and Mary moved to town and lived in Grace Manor because of failing health. They had a lot of good years mixed in with bad ones of hail, drought, grasshoppers and such. They made it through the hard years of the 30's and the 50's. Louis Kreoger died on April 15, 1968 at the age of 86. Mary Broadsword Kreoger died on July 4, L977 at the age of 92. Carl and Julian farmed with their father, and in spare time and lean times they also worked outsome. Julianworked in ldaho four different summers. They both worked for other farmers in the area from time to time. Carl and Julian were both in the army during WWII. Carl was in the Pacific, spending some time in the Phillipines. Julian start€d out in North Africa and worked his way north to Germany. After the army Julian moved to Denver where he married Helen Pitt in 1951. He worked for Gates for a while, then International, and finally the Post Office, where he remained until he retired due to his health. Julian died in July of 197?. Carl remained in Kit Carson County and on March L, L952, he married Doris Keeler, born December 8, 1920. Doris had been teaching at the Broadsword School 14 miles north of Burlington. They moved to a farm 12 miles north of Burlington where Carl farmed for many years. Carl and Doris had two daughters. Margaret was born September 20, 1954, and Marilyn was born October 16, 1956. Margaret moved to Denver where she married Tim McCandlegs in 1977. Theyhave two sons, Danny and Kevin. Marilyn remained in Kit Carson County and took over the family farm in 1979 when Carl and Doris moved to town and semiretired. Carl still stayed active in farming, helping his daughter keep things running. In 1983 Marilyn married Roy Schlichenmayer and they are now engaged in farming north of Burlington and also north of Bethune. by Marilyn Kreoger Schlichenmayer KREOGER FAMILY F388 William Kreoger was born September 5, 1854, at Starr Garr, Germany. He was the youngest of the family of three, his parents passing away when he was around 8 years of age. In L872, he cnme to America aboard a ship as a stowaway, landing in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. In 1878, he moved to Smith County Kansas near Kirwin, where he took a homestead. He married Emma Hoft in 1879. to this union three children were born in a dug out, Louis in 1881, Charles in 18&1, and Louisa in 1888. Emma died at the birth of Louisa and three months later Louisa died. Emma had a daughter from a previous marriage, Katherine Coles. Katherine received a head injury from a pump handle accident after she was grown, and later was entered in the State Mentd Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. William continued caring for her until her death in 1945. In 1889, he married Elizabeth Penicost and in 1896 she died. After the death of his wife and with a desire to find better water, he and his sons came to Colorado in 1902, and settled 14 miles northeast of Burlington, where they lived in a dug out for several years. Later he bought adjoining land with a sod house and other improvements. He with his two sons drove their herd of cattle out from Kansas (200 miles). In later years he sold his cattle herd to his sons, who then developed a Black Angus herd. Louis and Charles held a cattle partnership for 64 years. Having disposed of his herd, and to supplement his income, he ran a medicine wagon selling Baker Products. His route covered the area north ofBethune and ldalia, and many a night was spent at his customer's �Coop which was located at the north end of Main Street. Shoveling coal was his main task. He also worked for his sister, M5rrtle, and husband, Tom Hall,61 ths llalls Hatchery. Maybe this is why he never was fond of chickens while I was growing up. Bill was offered a football scholarship to CU at Boulder, but was unable to take advantage of it because he was needed on the farm. He graduated in 1938. On July 22, 1945, he married Helen Charlotte Wilson, from near Lindon, Colo- rado, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington. To this union were born two This was taken for Charles and Ethel Pearls Kreoger 40th Wedding Anniversar5r. Back row: M5ntle Kreoger HalI, Ethel Kreoger Stewart, William C. Kreoger, Ella Kreoger Runge, Eilene Kreoger Lightle. Front row: Charles and Ethel Pearl Kreoger. home. He helped otganize the Equity at Burlington and was a charter members. He played an accordian and played for many a dance. He told of early dances where there were very few women, so the men tied ribbons on their sleeves and danced as women. The women that were there were very tired as they never got to sit a dance out. He endured many hardships, but there were good times too, and he lived to be almost 98 years old. Louis was married to Mary Ann Broadsword, April 20, 1909, and lived most of their lives on a farm north of Burlington. Two sons were born to this union, Carl and Julian. Charles was married to Ethel Pearl Inman, October 7, 1908, at Goff, Colorado, by H.A. Rankin, Justice of the Peace. Charles had homesteaded the quarter of land with the dug out when he became of age. A few years later the second homestead act came out and he homesteaded an adjoining quart€r of land. Here he built a two room frame building which they lived in until they could build a sod house. The sod house had three rooms with plaster on the walls. The Goff post office was at this site for a short time. For several years after the post office was moved, they would find coins in the dirt where they had fallen through the wood floor. About 1925, they built a modern frame house which they lived the remainder of their lives in. Claude Hall did the carpenter work. age 20 died in 1930, Ethel died in 1974, was married to Calvin Stewart, Myrtle married Thomas Hall and resides in Kennewick, Washington, William died in 1984, was married to Helen Wilson, Ella died in 1972, was married to Harvey Runge, Eilene was married to Harold J. Lightle, June 8, 1956, and stiU resides on the old homestead. In 1976 a new house was built and the old frame house moved to Bethune. Harold and Eilene had two sons, James and Jerry who were raised on the old homestead. Eilene Lightle passed away on September 26, 1985. by Eilene Kroeger Lightle children, Katherine Mar5l, on March 25, 1949, and Charles Louis, on August 29, 1951. Their first home was on the farm ofhis grandfather, William Kreoger. In 1950, they built a brick home on the land they had purchased from Frank Moose. Thiswas one andone half miles west of their first home. During their early years of marriage, Helen taught school in Kanorado, Kansas, Hale, Colorado, and Broadsword School. They also ran the dance hall and were the owners of the town of Hale, Colorado, from the spring of 1946 to November of 1948. At the dance hall, Bill was his own bouncer. Helen helped run the concession stand and was the postmaster. Being an adventurous person, Bill drilled one of the first deep irrigation wells north of town. This well later led to two more and convincing his father, Charles, that he needed one. He enjoyed collecting and restoring antique tractors. Bill's life centered around his family and doing for others. He helped to organize the Kit Carson County Association for Retarded Citizens, which later led to the development and incorporation ofthe East Central Activities Center. He served on numerous local, state and national committees and offices for the retarded citizens. Recognition csme his way from several Colorado Governors for work with the retarded, and from the Colo- rado Association for Retarded Citizens as outstanding contributor to the handicapped. Helen has taught Special Education in elementar5r and secondary levels for the past seventeen years. KREOGER, WILLIAM c. F389 William Charles Wilbert Kreoger was born in a sodhouse, on the homestead of his parents, Charles and Ethel Pearl Inman Kreoger, on September 13, 1920, 14 miles north and 2 miles east of Burlington. He farmed many years with his father using horses and later they used a Farmall tractor with lugs. As a young boy he trained his Bill and Helen were members of the First Christian Church, where he served as elder, both were 4-H leaders, and members of the Rebeka Lodge. Bill joined the I.O.O.F. Lodge nearly fifty years ago so that he could take his Grandfather to the meetings. He served as secretary ofthe Broadsword School Board for seventeen years. In August of L974, Bill and Helen, built a brick home and moved to Burlington. Their daughter, Katherine, and husband Richard Lundien, now live on the homeplace north of Burlington. They have three daughters, Katrina Marie, born December 27, 1973, in favorite dog to pull his wagon. During his early years at the Broadsword School he often told how his older sisters, Meade, Kansas, Annea Jane, born May 28, 1978, in Burlington, and Rylana Lydia, born March 12, 1982, in Burlington. On September Ethel, Pearl's mother, Martha and stepfather, Aaron Gaines, came to Colorado in 1907, and homest€aded a quarter of land a Ethel and Myrtle, would bundle him up, place him in the bottom of the buggy and cover his head with a blanket. It was the 30, 1984, Bill passed away. mile northeast of Charles' place. Aaron never covering ofthe head that made him unhappy. proved up on his homestead and left in 1908, Tbo years of High School were spent at moving to Republican City, Nebraska, and Happy Hollow School. He and Dale Guffy would ride their horses across country to the school. Burlington High School was the site eventually back to Kirwin, Kansas. Charles farmed until he was 80 years old and his eyes began to fail him. He enjoyed farming the land and had a special feel for his cattle. He and Pearl were married 59 years. There were six children in the familu Cecil, of his last two years and his main extracurricular interest was playing on the football team that went to the state playoffs. To earn his room and board he worked at the Equity by Katherine Lundien �The Kruse's, Dick and Margaret, were the parents of Fritz, Peter, Elmer, Hilda and Lilah. They moved to Stratton, Colorado, from the Syracuse, Nebraska, area in March, L926. Elmer, Matilda and son Keith moved to Stratton, Colorado, in March, 1932. Dick and son Peter managed a meat market in Stratton. After the death of his brother, Peter, Elner helped his father in the meat market and also worked for his brother Fritz in the filling station. Fritz had come to Stratton in 1919 and first farmed; later he operated a filling station and was a substitute rural mail carier. Elmer and Tillie in their later years worked in the Stratton post office as clerks. Their son, Keith, graduated from Stratton High School in 1946. He and his family reside in Omaha, Nebraska, where he teaches school. Four generations taken in 1951. L. to R.: Willinm C. Kreoger, Katherine Kroeger Lundien, Charles Kreoger, William Kreoger and Charles Louis Kreoger. KRUSE FAMILY Nebraska, where she now lives. Dad has F39O passed on. The exodus of the Kruse family from Nebraska started when my uncle Fritz Kruse and another uncle, John Harms, migrated to Colorado to farm and raise wheat as wheat prices after the first World War were high. They farmed ground on what later was the George Leoffler farm. In 1926 my grandparents, Johann Dietrich (Dick) and Margaret Kruse moved to Stratton because my grandmother had asthma which could be somewhat alleviated with the drier climate. Moving with them were my uncle Pete and aunts Lilah and Hilda. My After retiring from the post office Elmer and Tillie remained in Stratton until poor health prevailed, and they felt a move back to Nebraska closer to their son would be wise. They chose Syracuse as their home. Elmer passed away March 15, 1986. Tillie stil resides in their home in Svracuse. Nebraska. by Tillie Kruse by Keith Kruse KRUSE, DICK FAMILY KUEKER, ELMER F392 F391 uncle Pete and grandfather then start€d a slaughterhouse and meat market which was open until about 1934. Their slaughterhouse was on a sit€ which was close to the place where Jim and Susie Carnathan nowlive weet of town. My aunt Hilda was in high school and aunt Lilah etill was in grade school in 1926. Hilda married George Claussen and lived on a farm somewhat north of Stratton. thig was the farm where Valley Kordes lived after the Claussens moved to Loveland in the 1940's. My Aunt Lilah graduated from high school in 1934 and was on the famous high Elmer C. Kruee, P.O. mail clerk, November, 1971 school girls'basketball team that I think was state chempions and even defeated gome semi-professional teams from Denver and Kansas City. As I recall from stories, Stella Sholes was the super star of the tenm. Another star player was Helen Bardwell. My aunt Lilah married Wayne Campbell. Neither of the aunts had any children. My uncle Pete died in 1932 and my aunt Lilah died in Elmer Kueker 1953. My parents moved to Colorado in 1932. Dad start€d working with his brothers, operating the meat market and slaugherhouse. In the mid-thirties Fritz and Dad opened a service station and fuel delivery Elmer F. Kueker came to Colorado with his parents, Henry and Bertha, brother Arthur and sisters, Ella, Ester and Clara. Sister Adela died. They cnme to Colorado in 1915. In 1917 the family moved to the Flagler area. Children attended a country school over the service. Dad started working with the postal service in 1940. I graduated from Stratton High School in 1946. I worked for Roy and Gladys Herberger at the Stratton Press for one year and then left to work for the Goodland Daily News. My father and mother moved to Syracuse, line in Lincoln County. Elmer worked for Matilda H. Kruse, P.O. Clerk, November, 1971 others, a necessity to survive in this early day; one employer was the Reece family south of Flagler, where he attended school at Second Central for a time. Ebner was confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church on June 15, 1919 at Flagler by Pastor Bierwagen. In 1919 the �family moved to Southern Colorado, return- ing to the Flagler area in 1924. When the family returned to Flagler, Elmer then attended Flagler High School, where he graduated in 1927. He was a valued tackle on the football tenm and served as class presi- dent in his sophomore and junior years, writing the class prophecy for his graduating class. Elmer attended Concordia College in Sew- ard, Nebraska for a year. On January 12, 1938, Elmer married Natalie Blanken in the parsonage at Arriba, Colorado. Two children, Lawrence and Lucille were born, both dying at an early age. Natalie gave loving care to her aging parents and after their passing, Elner Association. Elmer was a Kit Carson County Commis- sioner in 1959 when a new grandstand was dedicated at the Kit Carson fair grounds. Elmer served faithfully as a county commissioner, representing the county at many meetings taking him far from home and conducted his share of direction of county business to the best of his ability. For many years, Elmer worked to have the State of Colorado assume care of Hwe. 59, becoming a reality just now in 1987. Elmer and "Tollie" moved to Flagler when his health began to fail, ending many years of farming northwest of Flagler. and Natalie occupied the D.F. Blanken homestead, where they lived until retirement when they moved to Flagler. The bitterness of World War II was felt in the Kueker family when Elner's brother, Arthur, lost his life on the coast of France on June 14, 1944. He had enlisted in the army in March, 1942 shortly after the war started. He was a member of the 90th. Divieion. Elmer was vitally interested in affairs of the communityand county, giving aid to most who required his help. Through this unselfish part of his nature, he served the community in many ways. He eerved as president of the Zion Lutheran Congregation for 24 years. He served ae a 4-H Club leader for 14 years, served as a board member of the Flagler Farmers Cooperative Association, often as president, for 24 years. He was elected County Commissioner for his district by his friends, neighbors and electorate, serving faitMully in this capacity for 12 years. In the early 40's, Elmer saw a need and started working toward getting electrical posrer for rural communities. Working through the Flagler Farm Bureau in 1942, a need for such an improvement of rural living was discussed. A committee consisting of Elmer Kueker, Arthur Gaines and Roy Bader were appointed by the Kit Carson County Farm Bureau to look into the possibility of obtaining this service for the area. Much work went into the promotion of electrical power and in 1945, a "sign up" time was reached. Elmer was elected secretary-treasurer on the board of directors of the local REA. When K.C. Electric was organized in 1948, Ebner continued in this capacity. At this time, Elmer wrote a check, which was probably the largest ever written for K.C. Electric in the nmount of $550,000.00 for the purchase of Inland Utilities distribution system in Lincoln, Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties. Elmer continued to serve on this board for many year8. Elner served on the board of directors of the Colorado REA, as vice president in 1954 and '55 and as president in 1957, perhaps serving other years not known. When the hospital was built in Burlington, working through the Farm Bureau, Elmer helped promote a progrnm of donated wheat to aid in financing the building. Other organizations participated in this program. Since the largeet donation ca-e from the Farm Bueau, this organization was requested to be present at the laying of the corner etone. Elmer attended this event and an open house at the hospital in 1968. Promotion of FFA in the Flagler School system was another of Elner's interests. This has become a vital part of the school system. He as also active in the Colorado Shorthorn the Flagler Country Club. For the past twelve years he has been a 4-H leader. He is a member of the Lutheran church and serves as superintendent of the Sunday school at Flagler. Mr. Kueker has been very active throughout the years in community and school affairs, and his nnme has been synony- mous with progress and community improvements. by.Ianice Salmane KUKUK, F. \ry. by Lyle W. Stone F394 F.W. Kukuk was born Aug., 1876, and died June 10, 1936. He was born in Germany, a son KUEKER, ELMER FREDRICK F393 Elmer Kueker, one of the leading farmers and ranchers of Flagler, is owner of the KarLyn Farm. Mr. Kueker specializes in Shorthorn cattle, nearly all registered, and raises hogs for sale and home use. His brand is Reverse K Slash Reverse L. Some years ago, Mr. Kueker went into the egg production business and had three thousand DeKalb laying hens, all housed and individually caged. Eggs are shipped to the Denver Market. Mr. Kueker came to Kit Carson County at the age of nine years with his parents, who rented several farms in the area. He went into farming on his own in 1938 when he bought his present place. About half his farm is in pasture and the balance planted in wheat. Ehner Kueker was born on November 14, of Fred William and Carolyn (Boehm) Kukuk. In 1906, he came to Colorado, settling on a homestead southeast of Burlington. He lived there until 1913, when he moved to town and built the blacksmith shop. He also ovmed the lease on Sunset Camp, at the southwest corner of town. During his residence in Burlington, he served the town as mayor, and councilman, and gave honest efficient service throughout the years. by Janice Salmans KVESTAD, BIRGE F396 1905, in Red Bud, Illinois, to Henry and Bertha Hartman Kueker. His parents were married in Illinois. Ebner attended public schools in Kit Careon County. He married Mise Natalie A. Blancken, the daughter of D.F. and Marie Eisenberg Blancken. Mrs. Kueker's parents were married in Missouri and homesteaded the present Kueker farm in 1903. Here Mr. and Mre. Blancken reared their nine children, three of whom still live in the area. Mr. Blancken engaged in the cattle bueinese. His brand was L Cross H. Mrs. Kueker, recalls that early cattle shippers made her parent's ranch their headquarters when bringing cattle from outlying districts. From here they took their cattle to the railroad station at Flagler for shipping. Mr. and Mrs. Kueker have no children. Elmer Kueker has served as county commissioner for three years. He was instrumen- tal in organizing the Rural Electrification Asgociation in Kit Carson County and has served on its board since its inception. He is a member and former president of the Colorado Rural Electrification Association and a member of the Farm Bureau. He has served for the past five years on the board of the Flagler Farmers Co-operative Association and helped organized the Flagler Rural Fire Department in 1947. This is said to be one of the first rural fire depadments to be organized in the state of Colorado. He is a member of the Colorado Cattlemens Association, Kit Carson County Cattlemen's Association, Flagler Soil Conservation Board, and Mr. Bert Kvegtad. In Memory of Birge Kvestad, commonly known as Bert was born April 25, 1886 in Noaa Hardanger Norway, to his parents Ommund and Synva Noaa Kvestad. Bert came to Anerica in 1903 making his home in Iowa for five years then moving to Vona, Colo. here he homesteaded in 1908. Bert was united in Holy Matrimony to Roxie Orcena Gray, April 12,L924 by Rev. W.T. Gatley in the Methodist Church in Burlington, Co. They made their home on the �l,':lil r'i]::t:',tl KYLE - RIESBERG FAMILY 1ir,.111 ;:; :lt:.]:l;::l. ',:il ' ,i:llir il. ,:U:ii, :t:: .ia'f F396 .. ,:1.:r.'rril,. ,:,,: .:.:aai:..:,: ... ...: :',:.ra.,:.. "' ,l :,."';lrl' ' ::a:a:, tr,,,.'i':r'" :1.'.',,tt'' rrtll'l :l.1rl a::i .:t1,1 ::ll:1 ,tli:: Bert Kvestad's homestead in the fall of 1909. Rocking K Herford Ranch, north of Vona until Roxie passed away on July 10, 1956. In the spring of 1957 Bert sold the ranch to the Harris Brothers, and taking his car he returned to Norway to visit relatives and friends. He traveled on the ship Oslofjord Den Norske Amerikalinje (The Norwegian American Line). Following is an excerpt from his own words in a Dairy: "I remember just before our ship left New York - there was a lot of hustle and bustle and moet of the passengers throwed thousands of colors "Streamers" to the relatives, friends or wellwishers on the pier below. So it looked as our ship was "Spider Bound" in colors. Sure pretty and very impressive. Then as the ships motors started and the tugboats begun to pull and push - the ships band played 'The Star Spangled Banner'and after we was out from the pier and turned out the band struck up 'Ja Vi elsker ditta Londe'- It was all so fittin we floated right past the and trilling - and asI could see as well as feel Statue of Liberty, going home for some the queer emotions Leaving home for- others. I remembered -when the big ship "Titanic" went down (In 19f2) with 1,513 lives - it was one of the biggest tragedies of all times. - We also bought a big book and later saw a motion picture show on this sinking, So I have a "Deep" feeling on this matter. - I inquired if we would go near the fatal "Spot" - Oh yes - said the officer - The Spot is marked we got quite close and we will let you know. It was Iater in the afternoon when we heard the Fatal Spot. A quarter or half a mile to our left - I was on the top deck the weather was cloudy windy blustry rough sea and bitter I looked at the spot no humans cold And- as we passed, (almost) I could hear the Titanic's band playrng 'Nearer My God To Thee'- and as we sailed into the their cries for help could-last long out there dark night - just ahead. Life aboard was most interesting and well organized, we had church - Picture shows - dancing Coming home we missed a hurricane -by 10 mi. it rolled some out of their beds - but I really wished we had come closer - we might got a real triller out of it. There was "Only" three meals, each one an Event yes - they in itself with every thing - atOh4:30 P.M. in served coffee and "Bullion" the Garden Lounge. There was flowers and plants all around so it looked like a city park. The coffee was awful strong so I put in a "Liberal" amount of sugar and a lot of thick cream, The Bullion was nothing but a sickly looking greasy water with a few tears floating on top. One evening my waiter come with a I looked Lobster on a fine big Silver Tray - and ugly at them large claws and long legs head and body, but the waitcr said "This is food for the Gods" So I tried to eat some but it was the worst I ever tasted and I said "I am not dead yet take it away" later I found out that Russian Caviar was no better. I hope you enjoyed this little voyage with me." Bert then returned to American in October 1957 and moved to Stratton, Co. where he lived until 1975. Then due to failing health he could no longer live by himself. Bert chose to live with his friends Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Malone. They made their home in Denver, Co. for the summer of 1975 and moved back Loyal and Emma Kyle. It was the year 1918 when three Kyle brothers Thomas, Charles and Loyal came to Flagler, Colo. from a homestead south of Kimball, Nebraska, to make their homes north of Flagler. Thomas was a bachelor and remained so all his life. He had been in the Flagler area earlier when he homesteaded in the Shiloh community, sold it and returned to Kimball. Charles crme as a single man and later married Rachael Hardwood. Loyal came with his wife Emma, whom he met at a dance in a little school house and married Sept. 27, 1913 at Kimball, Nebraska and it is these two people, my parents I will write about. Loyal was born July 16, 1890, in Frontier County, Nebraska to Alexander and Theresa Kyle, and Emma Riesberg was born Nov. 22, 1893 at the now historical site of Pawnee Buttes in Weld County, Colo. to Frederick and Mary Riesberg, her parents who had come from Germany. Loyal and Emma decided to come to Flagler in April 1918, Loyal driving a four horse drawn wagon loaded with their belong- to Stratton for the winter of 1975-76. Bert then spent his last eight months at the ings to a place approximately 16 miles northeast of Flagler. Emma with two little Burlington Rest Home. He went home to be with the Lord, March 18, 1977 while at the Kit Carson Memorial Hospital in Burlington. He had attained the age of 90 years, 10 girls, Mamie age three and Mildred age one, came in a model-T driven by a 14 year old months, and 21 days. by Janice Salmans neighbor boy a few days later. Loyal had drawn a map for them but when they went to cross the Arickaree Rivet they got stuck in the sand, finally got backed up and Emma sat the two little girls on the bank and spread out blankets she had brought along and they got across. Loyal returned to Kimball on horseback to bring a herd of horses. He got back with the horses only to have them get away during the night and he was never able to find them. In 1922 they bought unimproved land 13 miles northeast of Flagler and built a small �cement house and barn. The family in a few years needed more room so a basement house was built, all the neighbors helping. They worked long hard hours struggling to provide for their family, farming with horses, fighting the grasshoppers and the blowing dirt, picking up cow chips to burn in the stove, washing clothes on a washboard, but as time went on progress was made and a tractor and machinery purchased, a new house was built and rural electricity available. Loyal had worked in the 1930's during the real depression years for W.P.A. which was a govern- ment progrnm that built bridges, da-s, buildings, etc. He was in a cave-in on one of the dems; he did survive from a broken back; he lay many months in a full body cast. These were probably the most difficult years for the family, the dirt blowing so bad that Emma would hang wet sheets over the windows to try and prevent dust in the room for those that were ill with pneumonia. Millie and I did finish, I graduated in 1926, and she in 1929. Millie is retired from the telephone service having 55 years of service. She is a golfer and enjoys living in Escondido, Calif. I worked for the telephone 18 years and finally retired to get married. Art and I were married on April 5,L942,so we will be having our 45th wedding anniversary this year. We both belong to the Trinity Lutheran Church on Seventh Street and try to be as active as we can. by Mrs. Arthur J. Lange LANGENDOERFER, ERNEST F398 There were eight children in the family, Mamie, Mildred,Evelyn, Lois, Robert, Thomas, Kathryne, and Imogene. All the children attended school thru the eighth grade at Liberty which was a half mile north of the farm. It was at the school where "Lit€raries" were held, people in the community putting on plays, singing,jigging, rattling bones, playing musical instruments, giving readings or sharing some talent they had. Other social things in the community were box and pie suppers, ball gamsg and going to someone's house for Sunday dinner. The teacher of the school usually stayed at the Kyle home since she could walk to school and get the fire started each morning. Loyal and Emma retired from the farm in 1955 and moved to a home in Flagler. Loyal became ill in 1960 and was in ill health until 1967 when he died. Emma was confined to a wheelchair the last few years of her life with arthritis and she died in 1977. Their son Thomas (Tom) and wife Delores now live on the farm. by Kathryne Daniel LANGE FAMILY Ernie was born on his family's homestead 5 miles west of Idalia in 1917. His descendants were from Weingarten, Germany, and settled in Missouri in the early 1800's. His grandparents homesteaded south of Idalia in 1887. His parents, William and Mnmie (Helling) Langendoerfer had three sons: Harold, Ernie, and Alvin; one daughter, Florence, and raised an "adopted" cousin, Stan Voss, orphaned by the flu epidemic of 1918. The fanily raised wheat'and hauled it to Burlington to sell. It took one day to prepare the wagon for the trip, one day to go and one day to come home. The wagon hauled 55 bushels ofwheat. In 1925, the Langendoer- fers bought a Ford Model-T Truck, which also canied only 55 bushels of wheat, but at a speed of 25 MPH on the level and 5 MPH on the hills, they could make three trips to Burlington in one day, quite an advantage over the tenm and wagon. Ernie married Hazel Homm in 1941 and together they ran a general store in ldalia before moving to the Bar-T ranch in 1943. His father had purchased 2080 acres from Bertha M. Bently, a wealthy Nebraska investor, for $4.00 an acre in 1939. The Republican River bottom land had been heavily damaged in the 1935 flood, which contributed to its depres- F397 Bart and Emily Rice Hoschouer cnme from Friend, Nebr. to Colorado in 1900. They homesteaded southeast of Holyoke, Colo. in Phillips County. They built a two room sod house and other buildings. Dad farmed corn, and wheat. There was a lot of free prairie in those days and we always had cattle. We had many prairie fires, sand storms, rattlesnakes (lots of them), and a tornado once in a while, to say nothing of the blizzards. It was rough going as my mother and dad worked hard. We would pick up the most anowheads and there was a large bucket we'd throw them in. When we sold the farm, we left the anow heads. I have regretted that many times. My dad always said he wanted to have a good education for his family, so we cnme to Burlington. We lived in the house where the late Mable Parkes lived. We later bought a home in east Burlington. My oldest sister, Sylvia eloped with her boy friend and lived in Nebr. Albert quit school and found a job on a farm. Clifford, Clarence, and Glen did get to junior class, then quit and found jobs. sed value. Dad and Mother began by repairing and rebuilding the ranch. The one-room bunk house served as their first home until they built a ranch house the following year. They rebuilt a cattle shed that had burned down, moved in a large barn, built corrals and fences to accommodate the 100 head of cattle they acquired to start their business. They began farming 25 acres of dryland feed, hayed the salvagable meadows for winter feed, and cleaned flood-stricken land oftrash to regen- erate growth. They bred with registered Hereford bulls and saved the quality replace- ment heifers to build their cattle herd. In 1952 they drilled one of Kit Carson County's first irrigation wells and went from farming 30 acres of poor dryJand corn to 300 acres of top producing irrigated corn. Dad told folks he raised "corn, cattle, and kids" on his ranch. The three daughters, Sharon, Beverly, and Sandra were born between 1944 and 1948. Having no sons in the family, we all were enlisted to help with the work, but Mother worked side by side with him. Dad kept a hired family all the time and had neighbors help at roundup and haying time, the big events of the year. We bought and built a sheep herd in the 50's, but bobcats became a vicious predator, killing a large number of the herd. Friends and neighbors hunted and killed the wild animals over a few years time, but not before we were forced to sell the surviving part of the herd. By early 1960's we had &illed three irrigation wells, and broke out 200 acres of pasture land, infested with soap weed, to plant irrigated grass. It was an innovative idea that later became popular for heavy cattle grazing. We also began to cross-breed our Herefords to Shorthorn and Angus bulls. We saw positive results in the feedlot performarce of those cattle. Soil conservation was important to Dad. He put in dnms and terraces and worked at the projects faithfully. He and I would ride the ranch to check cattle and the dams. He was faithful and meticulous about greasing windmills, filling backscratchers, and providing salt for the cattle. In 1971 Dad and Mother moved to a new home they built just outside of Burlington, and Dad became active in feedlot and salebarn management. They sold the ranch to my husband and me, and Dad bought and sold cattle. He always laughing called himself a "bullshipper". He was a devoted Christian who took time to live and grow in his faith. He taught us to trust God's timing for our lives. He died of a heart attack in 1986, and we know it was in God's perfect timing. by Sandee Strobel, daughter LAVINGTON, WILLIAM IT. F399 During the latter part of the nineteenth century stories of gainful opportunities and adventure began to reach the eastern part of the United States. Those stories appealed strongly to ambitious, restless young men. One of these young men was my father, William Henry Lavington. He was born March 5, 1859, near Liverpool, New York, the son of Charles C. Lavington and Elizabeth Price Lavington. He was educated in the Syracuse, New York, area and atten{ed Fulton Academy. About 1881, at the age of 22, my father decided to move west and seek his fortune. He arrived in Fremont, Nebraska, where he farmed for 2 years. Following this he settled near Kearney, Nebraska, and spent three more years farming and teaching school. by then he had accumulated enough money to form a grading contracting business which he operated in Nebraska for two years. He had acquired equipment, horses and worlrmen ready for any grading needed. In 1888 he returned to Syracuse, New York, where he was married on March 14, 1888, in North Syracuse, to Louella Isabel Van Heusen. She was born August 30, 1864, at Pitchers Hill, Salina, New York, the daughter of Captain Stephen Van Heusen and Rachel Delong Van Heusen. After their marriage they returned to Nebraska where they soon learned that the Rock Island Railroad was planning to extend their line west across Colorado. It was af that time that my father moved his entire opera- � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Families of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief biographies of the founding families of Kit Carson County Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Families- K Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource Brief histories of founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with "K.' As told in the book, History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Subject The topic of the resource History Kit Carson County Biography Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>