Ukele Family History - Silt Colorado

Clarence C. Ukele is one of the many farmers who moved to Rifle early on and made their living off of the land. In his case, the train brought him and his young family to the Rifle train depot in 1913. Here is his story.
Clarence Christian (aka C.C.) Ukele was born February 23, 1883 at Sabetha, Kansas, and spent his childhood years in western Kansas.
He and Vera Catherine Kirkham were married Christmas Day, December 25, 1910, at Russell Springs, Kansas. Vera (and her twin Vira) was born February 15, 1892 in Logan County Kansas and she spent her childhood in Kansas.
Arriving on the train, the couple moved to Rifle in 1913 with their three year old son Mark. They settled and farmed on acreage just north of the current location of Valley Lumber. Their home was a little cabin along Government Creek. C.C. must have also raised cattle as he registered a stock brand in early 1916.
In 1928, they relocated to what is now Ukele Lane west of Silt, on Silt Mesa. There they farmed, raising and harvesting sugar beets. He listed himself as a farmer in the 1930 census. In 1942 he listed himself as a rancher on his draft registration card.
Together they had 9 children in 19 years, Ruth Louise, Arthur Phillip, Effie M., Mark E, John C., Catherine M., Della, Mary Jane, and Anna P. Their daughter Ruth Ukele Pittenger was, among other things, a member and supporter of the Rifle Creek Museum 337 East Avenue.
Clarence was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 170 in Rifle.
He passed away at Rifle Community Hospital October 20, 1960. Vera passed away in Goodland, Kansas January 20, 1979, where she was residing with her twin sister Vira. She and Clarence are both buried at Rose Hill in Rifle.

  Emmanuel and Jane Ukele - Clarence's parents

 

 

                                                                        Far left is Art Ukele 

  

 

   

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