Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:
Benjamin F. and Violet Maude (Rickard) Leeding, 6 South 48 West
In 1870 Republic County, Kansas, John B. Rickard is 33, Helen 30, and Maud 1.
Violet is in Republic County in 1880, with J. B. and Nellie. M. Rickard, both born in Illinois.
Nellie is buried in Munden, Republic County 1842-1918 # 64393689, with John 1836-1923 # 64393655.
In 1885 Republic County, Kansas, "J.Ben" is 19, farming for the J.W. Painter brothers.
In 1900 Republic County, Benjamin is farming, born August 1867 in England, immigrating in 1883, married 11 years to Violet m. June 1870 Kansas.
They're in Republic County for the 1905 census.
They're farming in Vona precinct, Kit Carson County in 1910.
Benjamin claimed a quarter in 22, 6S, 48W in 1917.
In 1920 they're in Yuma County, Joes precinct.
And in 1930, still Yuma County, in Abarr precinct.
In 1940 they're in Eckley, no occupations.
1949 "Mr. and Mrs. Ben Leeding are happy to have as house guests, Mr. Leeding's niece, Mrs. Gertrude Knellm, and her daughter of Langley, British Columbia."
June 1952 "Ben Leeding received a card from his brother's widow from Grafton, New South Wales, Austrailia. Ben's brother passed away there on April 9, at the age of 82 years and the card was a thank you expression. Ben is now the only remaining member of his farmily."
1953 "Mr. and Mrs. Harold Leeding of Belleville, Kansas and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Stafford of Scandia, were here last week for the wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Leeding."
1954 Belleville, Kansas "Mrs. Dale Shannon and Joan of Fort Collins, Colo., and Mrs. Edith Simms of Republic were overnight guests of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Leeding last Sunday; Mrs. Shannon and Joan left on the Rocket Monday morning for Fort Collins. Mrs. Simms joined the Leedings, leaving Monday morning going to Rexford and Brewster and then to Eckley, Colo., to 'visit Ben Leeding who has been bedfast for some time. They stayed overnight in Wrayj Colo., and returned to Belleville Tuesday evening."
Benjamin 1865-1963 is buried in Eckley # 53005930, with Violet Maude 1869-1959 # 53005931.
March 12, 1959
April 23, 1959 Belleville "Violet Maude Rickard, daughter of J. B. and Nell Rickard,
was born June 28, 1869, in Republic County, Kansas. She was the first white girl born in
Rose Creek Center township. On July 14, 1888, she was married to Ben F. Leeding of Belleville,
Kansas. They lived on a farm near Munden, Kansas, for several years. They moved to Yuma, Colorado,
in 1908, where they homesteaded and lived for a number of years on this farm.
Later they moved to Eckley, Colo, living there until they were taken to the Cedardale Rest Home
in Wray, Colo. She was a member of the Baptist cnurch at Eckley.
Her father and mother preceded her in death many years ago. No children were born to this union.
They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary July 14, 1948, at the north school house
in Eckley, Colorado. She leaves to mourn her death, her husband, Ben F. Leeding of the
Cedardale Rest Home in Wray, Colorado; one nephew, H. W. Leeding, Belleville;
two nieces, Mrs. Harold Stafford of Scandia and Mrs. Clarence Simms of Republic;
and other relatives and friends. Interment was in the Eckley cemetery at Eckley,
on Tuesday morning, March 10, at 10 o'clock."
July 4, 1963 
Belleville Kansas " Ben F. Leeding was born August 17. 1865, at Easton Hunting-dome,
England and departed this life on July 1, at the Cedardale Rest home in Wray, Colo.
He came to America and settled in Republic County, Kan., in 1880. He lived in and around
Belleville and Munden several years engaged in farming. He was married to Violet Rickard
July 14, 1888. They had no children. In 1907 they moved to Yuma, Colo., and homesteaded.
They lived on the place several years, then moved to Yuma and later to Eckley, Colo.,
where they lived until both had ill health. They lived at the Cedardale Rest home at Wray Colo.,
for five years until his wife, Violet died on March 7, 1959.
They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary July 14, 1948, at Eckley.
His brother, William Leeding preceded him in death in 1933.
The funeral was held at the Presbyterian church at Eckley on July 3, at 10 a.m.
Interment was in Eckley."
Ben's brother William Leeding 1858-1933 is buried in Chester, Thayer County, Nebraska.
"Surviving him are his wife, Hester Leeding; three children, Mrs. Harold Stafford, Scandia, Kans., Mrs. Clarence Simms, Republic, Kans., Mr. Harold Leeding, Chester, Nebr.; fifteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and three brothers and one sister."
Harold William Leeding
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