Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

William B. and Jessie (Lipsey) Harris, 6 South 50 West

Harry E. and Eva (Ressler) Harris, Stratton


If anyone has information on the deaths of William (in Denver in 1940 with second wife Mary) or Jessie (in Cedar Rapids Iowa in 1942 named Gerber), please let us know.
JESSIE'S FAMILY
In 1880 Decatur County, Iowa, Jessie Lipsey is 4, with Aden 30 and Annie 34, farming. Eva is 8, Laura 6, Jessie 4, Edwin 3, and William 1.

William Aden Litsey 1845-1929 is buried in Greene County, Iowa # 78668488, with Anna 1845-1938, # 78668487.

1922 Lawrence Kansas "Nina' Litsey of this city has filed a divorce suit against William M. Litsey in district court charging him with gross neglect of duty and further charging that in November 1920, he abandoned her and has refused to return to his home or support her. They were married in August, 1919, in Minneapolis.

William M. Litsey 1879-1949 is buried in Cedar Rapids, # 69568273.

Eva Lipsey married Austin Comstock Tallman, moving to Montana, buried in Gallatin County 1873-1962.

Laura, 22, married Henry Johnson on February 27, 1896 in Clarke County, Iowa.
She's buried in Bozeman 1874-1954 # 51339078, with Henry Finley Johnson 1870-1932.

Roy A. Litsey married Minnie Jacque on August 17, 1908 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
They're in Woodbury County, Iowa in 1910, and Dakota County, Nebraska in 1920. He was born August 1887, a barber, dying May 30, 1927 in Sioux City, from a gunshot wound "Homisice in self defense."
He was to be buried in the Floyd cemetery.

Estella married Jesse Lorentzen, and they're in Greene County, Iowa in 1910. She is buried in Greene County # 78668503, 1890-1918.
Jesse F. Lorentzen 1883-1967 # 78668504 is also buried there.

"Esther Lorraine Hedges, age 102, of Scranton passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at Greene County Long Term Care in Jefferson. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Scranton, Iowa with Rev. Joyce Webb officiating. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the service. Organist for the service will be Karen Murphy and soloist will be Laura Minnihan. Casket bearers will be John Stanley, Andrew Carter, Randy Christensen, Matt Christensen, Stan Curtis, and Kent Curtis. Burial will be in the Scranton Township Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Born on September 26, 1912, she was the daughter of Jesse Frederick and Estella Mae (Litsey) Lorentzen. Esther grew up in Greene County and attended country school as a girl and graduated from Scranton High School in 1931. She later married to Clyde Conant on February 14, 1939 and lived in rural Churdan. The couple moved to the Varina - Newell area where they lived on a farm and operated the local grain elevator. Clyde passed away in 1964. Esther later married Howard Hedges on September 12, 1970 and made her home on their farm near Scranton.

Esther loved recipes, cooking, baking and entertaining. Her passion in her later years was making and collecting dolls, especially porcelain dolls, as well as crocheting afghans. Another thing she really loved was to travel. She and Howard traveled to 15 countries. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Scranton and held the position of Worthy Matron in Eastern Star.

Esther is survived by her brother, Lyle Lorentzen of Montana, four step-sons; George (Thelma) Hedges of Scranton, John Hedges (Judy Hubbell) of San Francisco, CA, Carl Hedges (Carol) of Annapolis, MD, and Walter Hedges (Jean) of Appleton, WI; 10 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, brothers: Harold Lorentzen and John Lorentzen; sisters: Rhea Linn and Marie Helin; a step-sister Georgie McFarland Gebhart, and a great-granddaughter. "

In 1930 Greene County, Iowa, Anna Litsey is widowed, 84, and Fred 41 a tinner, Emma 27, Lionel 3and David 2.

Fred F. Letsey married Emma Thompson on June 1, 1925 in Deuel County, South Dakota.

Fred F. Litsey, 46, married Emma Thompson Litsey on March 22, 1932 in Jefferson County, Iowa.

Emma's mother Anna Thompson had died in 1904, and Emma 7 and sister Tilda 16, were the adopted daughters of Salamon and Anna Stenevik in 1910 in Lisbon,k Minnesota.

Fred was not mentioned in Emma's census in 1940 Minneapolis.
Fred 1880-1962 is buried in Fort Snelling, Minneapolis # 73372092.
Litsey, Emma, b. 05/31/1902, d. 09/26/1992, Section D, Site 4189, Wife of Fred F Litsey, US ARMY, PVT, WORLD WAR I

September 19, 1942 Des Moines Iowa "John E. Litsey, 65, of 1163 Nineteenth st., a Spanish-American war veteran, died Friday at the Veterans hospital after a lingering illness. In the Spanish-American war he served with Co. H, 50th. Iowa infantry.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Litsey; a son, Ezra Litsey, Des Moines; three sisters, Mrs. Lora Johnson and Mrs. Eva Tallman of Bozeman, Mont., and Mrs. Jessie Garber, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and three brothers, William Litsey, Cedar Rapids, Harry Litsey, Grand Junction, Colo., and Fred Litsey, St. Paul, Minn. Services will be at 9 a. m. Monday at St. John's Catholic church."

August 4, 1966 "Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Litsey, 93, formerly of Des Moines, died Tuesday at Evangelical Hospital in Marshalltown. She was ill a month.
Mrs. Litsey was born in Emmetsburg. She lived in Fort Dodge, then in Des Moines from 1910 to 1951, when she moved to the Iowa Soldiers Home at Marshalltown.
Mrs. Litsey was a member of St. John's Catholic Church and its Rosary Society, the Degree of Honor, Marshall County Spanish-American Ladies Auxiliary and was a former president of the Des Moines Spanish American Ladies Auxiliary.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Webb, Marshalltown; son, Vincent Fallon, Bossier City, La; two brothers, Michael Jackman and Robert Jackman both of Escondido, Calif.; sister, Mrs. Charlotte Campagna, Cedar Rapids; and four grandchildren.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John's Church here, with burial at Glendale Cemetery. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today at the Caldwell-Brien Funeral Home there."

In 1900 Clarke County, Jessie is 24, born Sept 1875, married to Valentine T. Gomner, 32. They have Glen 3 and Gale 2.

Valentine F. Gaumer 1867-1900 is buried in Clarke County # 14304043.

The sudden, yet expected news of the death of Valentine Gaumer who was frightfully burned on the evening of October 20th [1900], spread over our town yesterday morning as our citizens were going to their various avocations of life, he having died at 11:40 p.m. Friday, and as the message passed from ear to ear, faces were sobered and a gloom over shadowed the sympathetic, as the deceased, since the evening of his fatal misfortune, has been the subject of heart felt pity, and while all realized that the poor fellow had passed out and beyond all suffering and pain, the news of his untimely death was received with sorrow.

Many of the NEWS-UNION readers will remember reading of the fire in which Mr. Gaumer was burned and caused the destruction of two barns on the evening of October 20, 1900. The fire was originated by the upsetting of a lantern in Mr. Gaumer's barn, while the deceased was feeding his team of mules. The hay was soon on fire and in an instant the building was a mass of flames. Mr. Gaumer successfully got the mules out of the burning building and it was while trying to save a cow from the flames that he was most frightfully burned especially on his body, having falllen into the burning hay. Since that hour Drs. Hasty and Carver have done all that medical science could do for the sufferer and in fact the wounds were healing nicely and had it not been for the presence of dropsy, which caused death, Mr. Gaumer would have no doubt been able to recover.

Funeral services will be held in the Methodist Episcopal church in Hopeville today at 11:30 o'clock. The funeral train will leave the residence for Hopeville prompltly at 10 o'clock. The services will be conducted by Rev. J.W. Bott, of Murray. Interment will be made in the Hopeville cemetery. The wife[Jessie Litsey], parents, brothers and sisters and all mourning relatives have the sympathy of our people.

He married Jessie Litsey on 10 September 1895. They were the parents of 2 children, Glen Everette and Gale Austin Gaumer.

In 1917 Glenn Everett Gaumer applied for employment with the Northern Pacific in Livingston Montana, mother Mrs. W.B. Harris of Toledo, Ohio.

Glen is a machinist in 1940 Boston, 42, married to Marian 35.
She's probably Marion B. Singleton, daughter of Daniel S. and Madge J. Singleton.

Glenn Everett Gaumer died January 21, 1942, serving from May 5, 1917 to January 21, 1942. Mrs. Ethel Gaumer applied for his stone to be placed in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, Massachusetts.

One tree said Gale Austin Gaumer born May 24, 1898, died January 25, 1919.

One tree said Jessie E. Litsey, born September 1875, died 1960.
"Jeanne Chamberlain Gaumer, unknown subject in "John Gaumer 1880 Clarke County Iowa"

WILLIAM'S FAMILY

Abigail (Hoopes) Harris 1849-1877 is buried in Guilford, Columbiana County, Ohio # 744996288.
"Husband: D. M. Harris"

David M. Harris married Sarah V. Shrock on January 7, 1869 ?? in Highland County, Ohio.
David M. Harris married Abigail Hoops on September 2, 1869 in Columbiana County, Ohio.

She was the daughter of William HoopEs 1817-1887 # 39102426 and Elizabeth Jane (Yates) Hoops 1818-1910 # 82916110.

In 1870 Ross County Ohio - on the same page as parents Ignatius and Anna Harris, both 57, David 24 is farming, with Sarah 21. George is seven months old, all born in Ohio.

In 1880 Columbiana County, Ohio, David M. Harris is 34, Sarah A. 22. Arvilla G. is 50, Charles H. 8, Firman 7, and Ernest ? 2.

Next household is Robert Hoopes, 60, with Sarah 55, Joshua W. 38 and Rebecca A. 22.

David Milton Harris 1845-1931 is buried in Highland County, Ohio # 59232856, with Sarah Victoria (Shrock) Harris 1848-1914
Firmen Harris, born March 19, 1874 at Salem Ohio to David M. Harris and Abigail "Hopps", died March 27, 1961 in NezPerce Idaho, widowed, to be buried in Normal Hill Cemetery, Lewiston.
Firman married Nora Camp, 24, on March 19, 1899 in Columbiana County, daughter of Casper Camp and Margaret Conson.

Arvilla L. Yates, born June 8, 1871 to David M. Harris and "Abigle" Hoopes, spouse Charles W. Yates, died April 214, 1945 in Clarkston, Washington.
FindaGrave # 28631343 has the ston with Charles in Vineland Cemetery, Clarkston.
WILLIAM AND JESSIE

William B. Harris, a carpenter, 27, born at Columbus Ohio to David W. Harris and Abbie Hoops, married Jessie Saumer, 27, daughter of Adam Litsey and Anna Slaughter, on April 3, 1903 in Clarke County, Iowa. She was born at Weldon Iowa.

Jessie E. Harris is in the 1905 census of Clarke County, Iowa, 29.

In 1910 Kit Carson County, William B. Harris is 33, born in Ohio, married (second for each) seven years to Jessie E., 34 born in Iowa. Stepson Glen E. Gaumen 13 was born in Iowa.

William claimed a quarter in 18, 6S 50W in 1914.


WILLIAM AND MARY

Mary A. Palmer, 20, daughter of Benjamin Palmer and Eliza Goss, married Eli W. Ashton on June 16, 1897 in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Mary Ann was born at Fall River, Massachusetts on August 16, 1876.

Eliza (Goss) Palmer 1845-1909 is buried in Fall River, # 84343321, with Benjamin 1841-1928 # 84343214.
Eli Wray Ashton, born November 18, 1875, registered for WWI in Denver, working for the American Express at Union Depot. His wife was Mrs. Mary A. Ashton of Fall River, Massachusetts.

Eli Wray Ashton 1875-1921 is buried in Fall River, Massachusetts # 67042757.

Mary Ashton married W.B. Harris, 44, on July 15, 1922 in Littleton, Colorado.

In 1930 Denver, William is a carpenter, born in Ohio, with Mary born in Massachusetts. Both are 53.

They're in Denver in 1940, William still a carpenter.

William Harris, born Feb 12, 1877, died in October 1963. One tree said he died October 31, 1962.


HARRY EVERETT LITSEY

Harry E. Litsey, 23, married Eva M. Ressler on November 23, 1903 in Calhoun County, Iowa. She was 18, daughter of Raymond R. Ressler and Rebecca Pencil.(Rebecca Jane Pensyl)


Harry registered for WWI in Stratton, Colorado, born February 23, 1881, a real estate agent, with Eva Maud Litsey.

1918
August 1919 "Among those who spent Sunday up the Poudre were Mr. and Mrs. Harry Litsey and guest, C. J. Brown, of Omaha."
In 1920 he's a real estate agent in Fort Collins, 38, with Eva 33. Forrest D. is 5, Wilma M. 1.

September 1921 "Harry E. Litsey to Nellie Mae Snelling, $l, part of Lot 7, Block 72, Fort Collins. "
Nellie Mae Snelling to Eva M. Litsey, $l, part of NW 1/4 of section 16, 7N 62W.

1921 Fort Collins

December 1921 (this might be Harry)

In 1930 Grand Junction, Harry is a barber, 49, Eva 44, Forrest 15 is doing odd jobs, born in Nebraska. Wilma is 10, Jean 1.

In 1940 Grand Junction, Colorado, Harry is running a grocery store, 59, Eva 54, Wilma 21 is a bookkeeper for a variety store, and Jean is 11.

Harry is buried in Grand Junction 1881-1968 # 117858873, with Eva Maude (Ressler) Litsey 1886-1966 # 117858866.


September 26, 1966

Harry Everett Litsey 1881-1968 is buried in Grand Junction, Colorado # 117858873.
July 7, 1968

Thanks to the Mesa County Library for the obituaries.
Forrest Dale Litsey 1914-1998 is buried in Maricopa County, Arizona # 34022445
"Forrest D. Litsey of Wittmann, died July 13, 1998 in Sun City West. He was 83. Mr. Litsey was born December 2, 1914 in Lincoln, Nebraska. He had lived in Arizona for the past 15 years. Survivors include his daughter, Dorothy Hannay of Wittmann; son Everett Litsey of Santa Rosa, California; sister, Jean Sayer of Colorado; and seven grandchildren. "

Louise E. Bounds, 88, died Thursday, May 11, 2006 at Mantey Heights Rehab and Care Center. She was born to Mott O. and Hattie (McLain) Abshere on September 15, 1917 in Ft. Cobb, OK. Louise married Forrest Litsey in April of 1970 and then later married Bob Bounds in June of 1974. Both have preceded her in death. Her family will remember her as a loving mother, a strong-minded lady and a hard working waitress. Louise lived a very full life that has given her family wonderful memories of her to cherish. Survivors include a brother, Marle Abshere of Oklahoma City, OK; daughter-in-law, Nancy Litsey of Grand Junction, CO; seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Dixie Kay Clathis-Corn; a son, Evert O. Litsey; brothers, Maurice and Lynn Abshere; and a sister Dorothy A. Ballew.

Wilma Maxine Litsey married J.D.(James Richard) Kirkpatrick on Sept 17, 1940 in Mesa County, Colorado.
She was born November 23, 1918 in Fort Collins, dying October 10, 1996.

James had married Genevieve Olson in 1934 in Moab, Utah, and was divorced in 1940 Grand Junction.

He died in Grand Junction, 1914-1994, per # 168725347.

Jean D. Litsey married Edgar William Sayer on January 21, 1946 in Mesa County, Colorado.


EVA'S SISTER MARGARET

January 25, 1960 Mason City Iowa
" Mrs. Margaret McCready, 88, formerly of Plymouth, died Sunday in a Mason City nursing home. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Bowles Funeral Home, Lohrville. The Rev. B. V. Gaul, pastor of the Methodist Church in Lohrville, will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Lohrville. Bride's Funeral Home, Manly, is in charge.
Born July 5, 1871, at Bedford, Penn., she was one of 14 children of Ramer and Rebecca Ressler. She was married to E. M. McCready at Lake City, June 18, 1889. They moved to Worth County in 1920. He died in 1940.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Blanche Sherrard, Carpenter; a son, Blair, Northwood; seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren, three sisters, Mrs. Fred Buffhan, Jeffers, Minn.; Mrs. Anna Hammond, Waterloo; and Mrs. Harry Litsey, Grand Junction, Colo.


Perhaps a cousin - January 10, 1913 Chanute, Kansas The children were Merrill, 8, Leon 6, and Dorothy eleven months old.
October 23, 1903 - Lawrence Kinne, 22 and Blanch Litsey, 19, both of Erie Kansas married
March 15, 1901 Walter Kyle, 25, and Faith Litsey, 18, both of Erie Kansas, applied for a marriage license.


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