Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

Albert C. and Stella (Strode) Fisher, 7S 50W



In 1880 Columbia County, Wisconsin, Albert Fisher is 5, with Lafayette A. 35 born in New York , a carpenter, Minnie 34 born in Prussia. Addie is 12, Carrie 10.

Lafayette H. Fisher 1844-1897 is buried in Seibert # 37960992.
His wife is likely the Minnie (Falleske) Fisher 1846-1894 buried in Dodge County Wisconsin # 6538192.

His mother Louisa Ann (Easterly) Fisher 1816-1898 # 37960992, wife of Aron Fisher is buried in Wisconsin.

In 1900 Kit Carson County, Albert, born January 1875 in Wisconsin, is living alone, franching.


"Cowboys working for the MET Ranch at Riverbend about 8-10 miles west of Limon, Colorado. The crew consisted of Left to Right, George Epperson, Lafey Brafford, Albert Fisher, Frank Edwards, Will Strode, Ed Beaver. Information provided by Jay Strode.
Submitted by Edward Roberts "

April 17, 1902 Hugo, Colorado "Chas. Farr, George Epperson and A. C. Fisher, all of Flagler, with a well-stocked grub wagon, were in town Monday on their way south to receive 400 head of steers which they will drive through to summer range in Kit Carson county."

Stella Fisher, formerly Stella Strode, proved up a quarter in 33, 7S 50W in 1907.

December 2, 1911

In April 1912, Albert cash-claimed 121 acres in 34, 7S 50W and 4, 8S 50W. He cash-claimed another 41 acres in 3, 8S 50W in June 1912, and proved up 322 acres in sections 3 and 4, S 50W and section 34, 7S 50W in 1913.


Stella cash-claimed 121 acres in 34, 7S 50W and 3, 8S 50W in 1917.

Stella was the daughter of Stephen Starnes Strode 1830-1891 buried in Flagler, # 16872467, and Hannah 1841- 1909 # 16872433.

Albert registered for WWI with a Flagler address, born January 12, 1875, farming.

In 1920 Kit Carson County, Albert C. Fisher is 44, born in Wisconsin, with Stella 42 in Texas. Margarete is 14, Ida R. 11, and Weston 9 all born in COlorado.

In 1940 Albert and Stella are still ranching.

The next household is Weston 29, married to Lois L. 34 born in Missouri, with Joan R. 7 born in Colorado.

Albert C. Fisher 1875-1959 is buried in Flagler # 16872496, with Stella 1877-1953 # 16872529.

MARGARETE

One tree said Margarete married Louis Boley -born Sept 15, 1900, and divorced in 1927 in Flagler.
Louis A. Boley 1900-1966 is buried in Battle Mountain, Nevada # 6744175.
So is Marguerite (Fisher) Boley 1904-1977 # 6744176.

Margarete and William George had Bryce Irwin George on Sept 11, 1932 in Rifle Colorado, and he died March 26, 1986, last residence Battle Mountain, Nevada.
June 21, 1985 Jasper William George, a retired employee of Union Carbide Mining and Metals, had been a Rifle resident for many years.
He was born Dec. 9, 1901, at the family ranch on Rifle Creek to Alfred and Clara Vincent Noble George. He attended Rifle Creek Rural School. He was engaged in horse ranching with his brothers, Claude and Harry, for years on the Flat Top Mountain Range, and later in cattle ranching.
Mr. George farmed the Mikkelson ranch on Rifle Creek before joining U.S. Vanadium Corp. in Jun 1940. He was employed by Union Carbide and worked in Uravan and Bishop, California before returning to Rifle in 1945 after World War II. He retired in July 1964. He was also a ditch rider for the Lower End Highline Ditch Co. for four years.
Mr. George was a member of the Rifle Christian Church. He helped organize the Rifle Creek Museum and was active in Rifle Senior Citizens and the Rifle Loyal Order of Moose and the Legion of the Moose Lodge. He had been a member of the Rifle Rock Club. He enjoyed the outdoors, his yard and flowers.
Survivors include his wife Ruby, four stepdaughters, Margie Murphy of Nucla, Sylvia Webster of Greeley, Hilda Sykes of Rifle and Virginia Carol of Littleton; two stepsons, Lawrence Purmort of Eugene, OR, and Walter McKee of Torrance, CA; 15 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Annie Love George and Clara Margaret Brosius; and two brothers Claude and Harry George.
At the time of the 1930 census, Jasper was a general farmer in South Rifle, Garfield County, Colorado. He rented his home on a farm. He had been married 2 years to Marguerite. Social Security had his last residence as Rifle, Garfield County, Colorado. 5
Jasper married Marguerite Frances Fisher, daughter of Albert C. Fisher and Stella D. Strode, on 3 Jul 1928 in Rifle, Garfield County, Colorado. The marriage ended in divorce. (Marguerite Frances Fisher was born on 30 Oct 1904 in Flagler, Kit Carson County, Colorado, died on 5 Sep 1977 in Battle Mountain, Lander County, Nevada and was buried in Battle Mountain City Cemetery, Battle Mountain, Lander County, Nevada.)

IDA

On October 16, 1925, James M. Gwyn, 29, of Flagler married Ida R. Fisher, 16, of Flagler, daughter of August C. Fisher. Witnesses were A.C. Fisher and S.D. Fisher.
James M. Gwyn 1894-1959 is buried in Flagler # 15698179, with Ida R. 1908-1994.

"Ida Ruth Fisher was born April 10, 1908 in a sod house at Flagler, Colorado, A.C. Fisher and Stella Strode Fisher. Her parents came to the Flagler area in 1887.
She and her brother and sister were active in the family farm and ranch work.
Ida married Jim Gwyn on October 16, 1924. To this union three children were born, Albert Gwyn, Maggie Schiferl, and Agnes Jones.
Jim and Ida spent most of their lives living on their place on the Republican River. They moved to Flagler in 1957 due to Jim?s failing health. Jim passed away in 1959. At a very early age Ida learned to love horses. She became quite a horsewoman and at the age of 60 she started barrel races. She has had many hobbies including crocheting, embroidering, tatting, and quilt making. Each one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren has special hand-made gifts by her. Ida was very interesting and has been consulted many times by local historians, especially Lyle Stone. She was on the Kit Carson County Carousel Restoration Committee in its early stages. She was a faithful member of the Rebekah Lodge for many years.
She passed away at Denver Presbyterian Hospital on July 27, 1994, at the age of 86 years, three months and 17 days.
Ida was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one sister, one son in law, and one grand-son-in-law. She is survived by her three children, 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Source unknown, probably the Flagler News."

Lifetime Flagler area resident and native daughter, Agnes Jones, passed away on May 27, 2015 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Lakewood, CO. She was 82 years old.
Agnes Irene Gwyn was born in a sod house August 8, 1932 on the Kneise Ranch between Flagler and Seibert to James Martin Gwyn and Ida Ruth Fisher Gwyn. Agnes's great-grandfather LaFayette Fisher and great-grandfather Stephen Strode settled in this area in 1887.
Agnes attended the Rose School along with her sister, Margie and brother Albert. Agnes started first grade at the age of 4 years old. She graduated from Flagler High School in May of 1949.
On June 5, 1949 Agnes married the love of her life, LeRoy Jones. The two remained constant companions and partners until LeRoy's death in 2012. In 1950, the young couple moved to their ranch northeast of Flagler where they raised Black Angus cattle.
Agnes and LeRoy were longtime 4-H club leaders. They were an inspiration to countless 4-H'ers with their work ethic, love of life and sense of humor. Agnes never had a lazy bone in her body. Besides working outside at the ranch, Agnes was an employee at Stop and Shop in Flagler for many years. After her retirement, Agnes was a constant caregiver for her husband and her son.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Jim and Ida Gwyn, husband, LeRoy, son, Jim, brother Albert and great-granddaughter Abby Jo Michal. She was also proceeded in death by sister-in-law, Phyllis Sweet, brother-in-laws, Clyde Sweet, Paul Schiferl, Steve Kasza, 3 nephews and one niece.
Agnes is survived by her sister, Margie Schiferl, two sisters-in-law, Erma Kasza and Alta Gwyn, brother-in-law, Don (Lynda) Jones, a daughter Jan (Chris) Michal and their son, LeRoy and his family. She is also survived by her son Jim's two sons, JW and Will and their families. She is survived by several cousins and numerous nephews and nieces.

Longtime Burlington resident, Julius Albert Gwyn passed away on November 3, 2007 at his home south of Burlington. He was 79 years old.
Julius Albert Gwyn was born on November 7, 1927 to James Martin and Ida Ruth (Fisher) Gwyn. He was the first child born to this union. He attended Rose School five miles northeast of Flagler, Colorado and quit after the eighth grade to be a cowboy. He would become a cowboy and an avid horseman, and this was his occupation until his last day. He had a gift of understanding horses and cattle very well, and this was proven many times over throughout his life. As a young boy Albert would enlist the help of his younger sisters and rope the neighbors' cows as well as the family milk cow to practice his cowboy skills. At age 11 he attended a rodeo in Hugo, Colorado, where bull riding champion Kid Fletcher was riding. Kid put Albert on his first bull that day, and Albert rode. It wasn't long before Albert was traveling to rodeos riding bulls and broncs with best friend Jack Moody. He later trained two trick horses and traveled to perform in Kansas, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. "Albert Gwyn and His Flying Spots" act lasted several years until he retired his horses. Afterward he began raising Quarter Horses, and never quit. Albert was a student of blood lines and champion quarter horses, and several of his horses went on to race. Horses were always his passion, and he was a skilled cowboy and horseman. He was 76 years old the last time a colt fell with him, and he never took a lame step. He was honorary member of the American Quarter Horse Association and a member of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Albert was a long time employee of KC Electric Association, McCormick Feedlot, and Plains Feeders. He made many friends over the years and will be missed dearly by those who had the same calling… cowboys, horsemen and cattlemen. He seemed to share a special bond with those in his line of work, and could relate to all ages of cowboys, whether they were a young bull rider of an old timer. He was gentle in his nature, both with horses and with people he knew. He also held a deep appreciation for the outdoors and tender respect for his Lord.
Albert was first married to Charlene Armitstead and from this union two children were born, Dave and Mary. He later married Jo Ellen Wright and to this union one child was born, Lisa.
Later in his Albert married Alta Wood on April 17, 2003 in Genoa, Colorado. Alta was a childhood friend of Albert's. Alberts's folks would visit Alta's house on occasion and they grew up together. They would happily share the last several years of Albert, s life together. Albert held his dear wife tenderly in his heart, and had a deep appreciation of her way with horses as well. Albert reached his sunset, tipped his hat and departed this life on November 3, 2007 on a beautiful fall day at his home at the age of 79. He will be dearly missed.
Albert was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ida Gwyn, one grandson Andy Gwyn and one brother-in-law Paul Schiferl.
Albert is survived by his wife Alta of the home, his son; Dave Gwyn and wife Donna of Stratton, Colorado, two daughters; Mary Tart and husband Larry of Athens, Texas, Lisa Nolder and husband Chad of Lamar, Colorado, two sisters; Agnes Jones and husband Leroy of Flagler, Colorado and Margie Schiferl of Flagler, Colorado, and grandchildren Leslie, Adrienne, La Dawn, Amber, Katina, Jordan and Hayden. He is also survived by four great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, good friends, and one faithful cowboy partner champion of 27 years, his gelding John.
Funeral services for Albert were held on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 10:30 AM at the Church of Christ in Flagler, Colorado with Pastor Hugh Brown officiating. Albert was laid to rest at the Flagler Cemetery after one last horse drawn carriage escort.


Margie Gwyn, born Sept 10, 1929, married Paul Schiferl, born February 6, 1922 on June 12, 1949 in Stratton.

Paul 1922-1985 is buried in Flagler # 15698135.


WESTON

Weston Fisher married Lois Lee Potter on July 26, 1932 in Kit Carson County.

In 1940 Albert and Stella are still ranching.

The next household is Weston 29, married to Lois L. 34 born in Missouri, with Joan R. 7 born in Colorado.

Weston, born August 14, 1910, died August 29, 2001, last residence Flagler.

Lois Fisher 1905-1982 is buried in Flagler # 5100076, with "Buck" 1910-2001 # 20997428.

Joan Craig was born March 9, 1933 to Weston (Buck) Fisher and Lois (Potter) Fisher in Flagler, Colorado, and was reunited with her husband, 2 sons and her Savior on December 29, 2020. She attended school at Rose Country School in Kit Carson County and was taught by her mother. She graduated from Flagler high school in 1951.
Joan met the love of her life, Marvin Craig, while roller skating in Seibert. Joan tells of how she wanted to attend a business college in Denver but Marvin wanted to get married. So she broke up with him and she went. Marvin soon showed how persistent he was by driving up to see her quite regularly. They were married Sept 12, 1951. Their first home was a 2 room sod house and they lived there for 9 years. She and Marvin welcomed son Gary in 1954, Son Ricky in 1956. In 1960, while pregnant, she excitedly moved into the home they built together. After moving into their new home they welcomed Mark in 1960, James in 1962 and Delman in 1965. Joan l oved to garden and can the bountiful harvest. She always had a huge garden. She shared her expertise with her daughters-in-law and taught them to can. Joan was also a wonderful seamstress. She made many of the family's clothing and spent hours patching jeans. Joan's life revolved around her family and the farm. She helped with milking cows, wheat harvest, calving, branding and whatever else she was called upon to do. Later on she watched the grandkids and took meals to the field during harvest while everyone else was in the wheat field. Joan and Marvin followed their sons to many music and sporting events. They loved to watch them wrestle and often said they didn't know who worked harder, the boys or them. Joan had the knack of being able to put a meal on the table in 10 minutes no matter who was there. She enjoyed people. We have often said she could get news out of a fence post. She loved to visit and people enjoyed visiting with her. Joan accepted Christ at the S unny Dale Evangelical Free Church and taught many Sunday School classes, VBS classes and women's Bible Studies there and later at the Cope Community Church. VBS was very important to her. She taught for many years or helped with the crafts and provided bushels of cookies. Jim's kids would come up and spend the week to attend and then Mark's kids would come over in the afternoons to play. Joan had the patience of Job. She also played piano for Church services, funerals, and weddings until she could no longer see the music. Joan was loved by many for the way she could freely share Christ's love with them. She shared her love for Christ with her children and their wives. We would sit and talk about the Bible when the 'guys' went outside. She taught us girls so much about Jesus.
Joan loved to follow her grandchildren. If they were involved in something, she was there to see it. They traveled to many sporting events and music contests in Flagler, Seibert and Arickaree watching the grandkids. She visited with a lot of people there too!! She was always encouraging the kids to keep at it. Once in a while she might have even blamed a ref for a bad call!! In later years Joan and Marvin bought a travel trailer and spent many years traveling the US. They visited almost every state in the union and attended many of Marvin's army reunions. She made many friends there too. Imagine that! They also enjoyed 3 cruises to Alaska, Nova Scotia, and Panama. Joan's niece has described her as being genuine. Joan would say she was just being herself and trying to be a good and faithful servant to her Lord Jesus Christ. She was such a wonderful role model for all of us.
Joan will be missed by all. She was preceded in death by her husband Marvin, of 67 years and 11 mo. Also by her parents, Buck and Lois Fisher, her son Gary and son Ricky.
She is survived by her sons Mark (Diana) of Cope, Jim (Katie) of Flagler and Delman (Terri) of Cope. Her grandchildren Emily (Nathan McCaffrey) and children Amber and Austin of Vona, Nathan (Hannah) Craig and children Peyton and Caiden and baby #3 of Cope, Larissa Craig of Dodge City KS, Chance Craig and fiance Emily Smith of LaSalle, CO, Kelsi Craig of Greeley, CO and Rachel Flammio of Littleton, CO.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 16, 2021 at the Seibert Community Center at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cope Community Church, or to the South Y-W Ambulance Service of Kirk, CO.



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