Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

Earnest E. and Mary N. (Beavers) Elsey, 6 South 48 West



William Daniel Elsey 1852-1953 is buried in Wayne County, Iowa # 51783410.
"On 10 August 1873, he married Roxie Browning, daughter of James H. & Elizabeth (Cowan) Browning. To this union 6 children were born. Roxie died in 1883 # 62268765 buried in Daviess County, Missouri, and he remarried Janie Huff in about 1885. To this union 3 children were born. "

E.E. Elsey, born in Daniels County, Missouri to Dan Elsey and Rocksy Browning, married Mary N. Beavers on January 1, 1900 in Decatur County, Iowa.
She was born in Page County, Iowa to Jackson Beavers and Sarah Sprague, and was currently living at Woodland, Iowa.

In 1885 Decatur County, Iowa, Andrew is 46, Sarah 44, james 19, Eliz 16, Edmond 15, Philipp 13, Dellia 10, Carry 7, and "Marry" N. 3.

Andrew "Jackson" Beavers is buried in Decatur County, 1839-1902 # 10464654. Sarah (Sparguer) Beavers 1840-1902 # 10464709 is with him - one of 18 Spargur siblings.

In 1900 Decatur County, Iowa, Earnest Elsey born Jan 1882 in Missouri, is just married to Mary Feb 1882 Iowa. His brother William B. July 1875 in Missouri and James, a cousin born Sept 1883 in Missouri, are farming with them.

In 1905 Decatur County, Woodland township, Earnest E. is 23, born in Missouri, mother in Iowa, father in Illinois. He's farming, 14 years in Iowa.

In 1910 Clarke County, Iowa, Earnest E. is 29, with Mary 28. Rocksy C. 5 and Birdie J. 2 were born in Iowa.

July 21, 1910 Lineville, Iowa "Ernest Elsey and Bliss Coontz helped Dan Elsey put up hay last week."
" Mrs. Ernest Elsey and children vis ited at the home of Dan Elsey Tuesday."

The town of Lineville "on the border line between Missouri and Iowa, being situated partly in Mercer County Missouri and partially in Iowa."

November 1910 "Ernest Elsey and John Hodge helped Dan Elsey gather corn last week."

Lineville, Wayne Co., Iowa February 1, 1912
"Ernest Elsey is preparing to go to Colorado, where he has some land. He will charter a car at Lineville. He is hauling Osage orange posts from Weldon and will ship 600 of them with his other effects.
"They had another dance at Sinclair's Sat night. They waltzed around Willie. They say that they completely surprised Mrs. Ernest Elsey with the game, being her 30th birthday. We don't understand just why one would be surprised at a dance when they occur twice a week, but then that's their business and we ain't in it."

On February 10, 1913, Clara Elizabeth Bethards left Leon, Iowa by train for Burlington, Colorado. Arriving the night of February 11th she was met by Orville Vaughn and Ernest Elsey, who made reservations at the hotel for her. On February 12, 1913, at 9:00 AM Clara Elizabeth Bethards and Alex Orville Vaughn were united in marriage by E.H. Haynes County Judge of Kit Carson County, Colorado.
Earnest claimed a tract in sections 13 and 18, 6S, 48W in 1917.

He registered for WWI with an address of Motor Route, Vona, born January 23, 1881, with Mary Neoma Elsey.

School District 16 president was Ernest Elsey, treasurer Charles Vanderkool, secretary W. M. Thorson, Vona.

In 1920 Kit Carson County, Earnest is farming, with Mary, Roxie, Virdie, and Helen M. 3 born in Colorado.

Ernest and Mary divorced in Kit Carson County in 1927.

January 13, 1927 "Mrs. E.E. Elsey held a public sale Saturday on the place occupied by Cole Browning and expects to move in the near future."
June 16, 1927 "Mrs. E.E. Elsey is again employed as housekeeper for C. P. Browning who lives on the B.E. Edwards ranch."

April 28, 1927 Lineville, Iowa "Ernest Elsey went to Clio Sat. to visit with his brother, Wm. Elsey."

August 8, 1929
In 1930 Yuma County, Joes precinct, Mary N. Elzey is 48, widowed, born in Iowa, with Helen M. 13 born in Colorado.
Mary is a servant for the Browning household.

In 1940 Kit Carson County, probably the town of Vona, Ernest has no occupation , said he's married but living alone, 59.

Mary N. Elsey 1882-1944 is buried in Vona, # 95315789.
So is Ernest 1881-1945 # 95315697.

ROXIE

Cleo Elsey married James D. Inman on August 18, 1923 in Kit Carson County.
He was the son of David B. Inman 1853-1930 buried in Lincoln # 99442262.
October 10, 1930 Lincoln "David B. Inman, 77. died at his home. 420 South Thirtieth street at 12:25 o'clock Friday afternoon. He is survived by his wife Ellen, three .sons and four daughters. Mr. Inman had lived in Lincoln for nine years. The body is at Henw Brown's pending funeral arrangements. "

In 1929 Lincoln, Nebraska, Jas. D. (Cleo R.) is a driver and they live at 1800 N. 26th. David B. (Mary E.) live at 420 S. 50th.

James Inman, born June 17, 1903, died July 1966.

In 1930 Kit Carson County, Roxie Inman is 25, married at 19 but no spouse. James is 6 born in Nebraska, Paul G. 4 and Frances D. 3 in Colorado, and Doris two months, born in Nebraska.

They're living with Leo D. Gagnon 25 and Virdie D. 22 and Eugene D. 5 Gagnon born in Nebraska.

In 1940 Kit Carson County, Chester A. Monroe is 55, Cleo R. 35, both born in Iowa. Vaughn D. 7 and Jean M. 3 were born in Colorado. James C. Inman is 16, Paul J. 14, Frances 13, and Doris I. 11.

Cleo Roxie Monroe 1904-1961 is buried in Vona # 95399789.

Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA Wed. April 10, 2002
James C. INMAN, 78 yrs Born 16 Feb 1924, Lincoln, NE Parents: James David & Cleo Roxie (Elsey) Inman
Education: HS in Vona, CO. 1942: graduate of Univ. of Northern CO.
Military: WW II, US Army 150th Eng. Combat Batt.
Married 1957, Gloria Hansen
Career: Insurance
Associations: Elks, VFW and Amer. Legion
Died 8 Apr 2002, Bremerton, WA
Survived by wife, a son & his wife, grandchildren. Also survived by a brother, two sisters and several half-siblings.
Memorial services: 13 Apr, 2:30 pm at Port Townsend Elks Lodge.
Kosec Funeral Home in charge.

December 1944 Greeley marriage licenses "Pvt. James M. Foyne, Jr., Los Angeles, and Frances D. Inman, Greeley."
Frances D. Inman, 35, married Joseph Gonsalves on October 28, 1961 in Alameda County, California.
"GONSALVES JOSEPH (March 9, 1916 - August 7, 2001) - Entered the kingdom of God surrounded by his family. Born and reared in California, he lived in Oakland and Hayward most of his life. A decorated WWII Veteran, he enlisted in the Army in 1939, saw action in the Pacific Theatre through five campaigns. He was awarded the Bronze Star on the battlefield. As a combat soldier he rescued many men which was above and beyond the call of duty. He then became an ambulance driver in the medical corp. Through his efforts many men both friend and foe, were given safe passage. His war experiences have been a highlight of memories for his family. A 39 year member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, he served tirelessly for the benefit of others. A lover of growing things he served his church by maintaining house and grounds. He cheered many elderly people with his generosity of spirit, he nurtured their gardens giving them immense delight and pleasure. Mourning his death are his wife of 39 years, Fran, children, Alicia, John, Julie and Colleen; his sisters Marie and Lida and brother Manuel. Surviving him are seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will include a military guard at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 18651 Via Toledo, San Lorenzo on Saturday, August 18th at 2:00 p.m"

1952 Greeley "Miss Marjorie Jordan, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. K. D. Jordan, will be married to Paul G. Inman of Cheyenne Sunday, Dec. 21, at Park Congregational church in Greeley."
Paul Inman, August 15, 1925-May 24, 2005 is buried in Cheyenne Memorial Garden.


Vaughn D Monroe 79, passed away Sunday, March 18 2012 at University Park Care Center. He was born November 18, 1932 to Chester and Cleo (Elsey) Monroe in Vona, Colorado. Vaughn graduated from Vona High School in 1950. He married his high school sweetheart Betty May Jackson, on February 24, 1952. Their first home was 13 miles south of Seibert, Colorado; land that Vaughn and his brother Ron are still proud to own today. Vaughn accepted the lord at an early age. He was baptized at 18 years old, which was very important to his mother. Vaughn served the US Army from 1954-1956. His overseas tour took him to Europe. After his military service, Vaughn moved his wife and young son to Pueblo, Colorado. He worked at the Colorado State hospital, retiring after 32 years. During that time he also started his own business, the Arkansas Valley Precast CO and was an equestrian director at the El Pueblo Boys Ranch. The greatest loves in Vaughn's life were his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty preceded him in death on February 05, 2007. They were blessed with two sons: Randy (Eileen) Monroe, and Rodney (Sherry) Monroe: four grand children: Elizabeth (Andrew Beck) Monroe, Brian (Stephanie) Monroe, Ashley (Sean) Greenway and John Monroe: four great-grandchildren: Macgwire Beck, Keegan Ruiz, Bryce Beck and Jackson Monroe. Vaughn was raised in a large, blended family. His mother, a widow and mother of 4, married a widower and father of 10. Together they had 9 more children. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Vaughn loved spending time outdoors and with all his animals. In high school, he was active in 4H and raised a grand champion Jersey cow. Later in life, he enjoyed his horses, a donkey named Bernie, a dog named Dog, and a chicken named Chicken. (That way nobody would forget their names). They loved to travel. Vaughn, Betty and their sons traveled extensively through the western U.S. and into Canada. Vaughn and Betty enjoyed trips to Hawaii and Alaska. He also loved his elk hunting trips with family and friends. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great grand-children play. He had an entire shed dedicated to yard toys that they never tired of playing with. All the wonderful stories and his memory will be lovingly treasured. Funeral Services, 11a.m, Saturday at Imperial Funeral Home Chapel at 5450 Hwy 78 West, Pueblo, CO 81005. Family would like to thank the staff at the University Park Care Center as well as the Sangre de Cristo Hospice team for the kindness and care they provided Vaughn. In lieu of food and flowers donations may be made to Dreamweavers through the funeral home.

2011 "I lived just north of Vona and there were two elevators at that time in business. Vona even had a train station at that time. Well remember the sound of trains going thru there had to stop befor crossing the tracks as the elevator blocked your view of the east bound trains. Doris Inman"


Malvern Iowa, January 22, 1931 marriage licenses " Harold C. Graves, 24, Lincoln - Beatrice Convey, 19, Omaha. "
The Desert Sun Published Sept. 24, 2016
Frances Inman Gonsalves was 3 years old when she last saw her father – a man she knew as James David Inman.
It was 1929 and her family was living in Lincoln, Neb.  The stock market was about to crash and America was headed toward the Great Depression.
He walked out the door on a random August day never to return, leaving behind a wife who was six months pregnant, Gonsalves and her two older brothers.

"He had no employment … and I know it was more than this man could possibly handle," she said. "I remember the day he disappeared. Him leaving, him walking out the door. I was the last person who saw him. I always felt in my heart he had done that to avoid the responsibility of taking care of a family."
The spry 90-year-old Palm Desert resident never knew what happened to her father until earlier this year.
More than 80 people – family and friends - showed up to the party at Portola Country Club to help Gonsalves celebrate the milestone and meet the new family members.
"This is my nephew," Gonsalves said to Kunkle as Chuck Inman introduced himself to the two women sharing a couch.
"I mean our nephew," she quickly corrected herself.
Julie Foxworthy, one of Gonsalves' daughters who lives in Connecticut, thinks the discovery of a long-lost relative is exciting for her mother – especially at her age – and the positive manner in which she is handling it is extraordinary.
She learned he had  jumped on a bus to Omaha where he joined the Army and then met a young lady named Beatrice. He wound up getting married in the early 1930s and had three daughters. He started a new life. To his new family, he was Harold C. Graves.
On Thursday, Gonsalves met Joanne Kunkle of Nebraska, one of those half-sisters she never knew existed, for the first time. It's an unusual sibling setup as they shared the same father, but knew him by a different name.
The two newly introduced sisters and their families bonded again Saturday during Gonsalves' 90th birthday party in Palm Desert.
Kunkle began to research her father's ancestry just before he passed and continued  in earnest after his passing. Jeanie Boll took over the genealogy for her mother in the early 90s after Kunkle fell ill. She made phone calls to schools, sent lots of e-mails and visited his relatives to find out all she could about Harold C. Graves.
About a decade ago she called the high school where he said he graduated from and they had never heard of him.
"I knew at that time he changed his name," said Boll.
No one knew who Graves was, but the last name of Inman kept popping up in her research, which led Boll to reach out to Gonsalves and her family and realize his true identity.
A DNA test through Ancestry.com clinched the link between the two families, revealing that Kunkle and Gonsalves' younger sister and therefore Gonsalves were close relatives, or in their case, half-sisters.
"It took decades. It wasn't easy," said Boll of her research. And when she found out that her grandfather had walked out on his first family, she cried.
"I couldn't imagine anyone abandoning their family … their pregnant wife," said Boll.
But everyone involved is looking at the silver lining. "All the families are now able to connect … and that's kinda  cool," said Boll.  "All these families coming together."
"My heart was filled with love. When she walked into my home, it was wonderful. The most wonderful thing that has happened because now our family is complete," said Gonsalves of the reunion.
Her birthday celebration is likely the last time the two will get to interact in person.
"This is the first time and last time we'll get to see each other probably, because we're both old," said Kunkle. "And we don't travel much."
But it won't be the last time they talk. Gonsalves said they plan to talk and write to each other – in essence make up for lost time. "We're gonna be very close," she said.

Beatrice J. Graves, last residence Omaha, born Feb 1, 1911, died September 15, 1998.


VERDIE

Verdie Irene Elsey married Leo D. Gagnon on Sept 10, 1927 in Stratton.
In 1940 Mary is widowed, living with Leo Gagnon, who's married Verdie, widowed. Verdie 4 and Virgil 2 aer with them. , and stepson Eugene Elsey 15. Mary 58 is widowed, with them.

HELEN

Helen Madeline Elsey married Wendel George Anslinger on January 3, 1939, recorded in Yuma County.

When Wendel George William Anslinger registered for WWII in 1942, his address was Flagler, a rancer, with Helen his next of kin.

Helen M. Anslinger 1916-1942 is buried in Vona.

Wendle George Anslinger, born in Kit Carson County 1902, died 1970 in Haskell County, Kansas, buried in Doniphan County, Kansas # 28157265, with Cleo Katherine (Baylie) (Anslinger) Henderson 1922-2011, # 68926988. "She was born Aug. 17, 1922, to James and Emma Kate Martin Baylie. She married Wendell "Bill" Anslinger Aug. 26, 1943. He died March 15, 1970. She married Tom Henderson Jan. 17, 1974. He died Nov. 17, 1999. "


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Donald E. Elsey 1924-1988 is buried in Stratton # 136896908, Yeoman 3 U.S. Navy.

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Elsey, J. A., Garage. Vona. Mr. Elsey was born in Missouri in 1881, settled in the County in 1919, and married Carrie E. Thompson. They have two children.

1932 Greeley " Several relatives who have been guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Elsey over the week end, returned to their homes Monday. The group came to Greeley following the funeral of Mrs. G. W. Elsey in Vona, the family all being called to Vona at her death. Those here Included Mr. Elsey's aunt,, Mrs. Belle Scott of Loreda, Mo.; his sister, Mrs. J. H. Banker of Guthrle,' Okla.; and his father, of Vona."


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November 13, 1947 "The body of George Elsey was brought to Kirk cemeetery for re-interment from a Pueblo cemetery last week."

August 25, 1966 "Bill Thompson and son, Everett, and son Garnett and family were guests at the William Liming home. They were returning wehre they had attended the funeral of his sister, Edna Elsey."


October 1969 "Four of the Elsey sisters called on Helen Meade Saturday afternoon en route to Denver. They are former residents of the community west of Kirk and all taught in schools in this area a number of years ago."

George Elsey, probably, had daughters Jessie, Goldie, Maude, and Ida.


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