Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

John W. and Lena (Bragg) Lipford , 6 South 50 West


Wm. A. "Lifford" married "Barbery" Ann Gunn on Sept 6, 1865 in Montgomery County, Tennessee.

In 1870 Webster County, Kentucky, W. A. Lipford is 35, Martha 25, with Martha 3, Mary 2, and Nancy L. ten months old. Neale Gunn, 22 is with them. So is Geo W. Lipford, 23.

In 1880, Martha 13 is a niece of Jessie 40 and Harriet Lipford 35. There's a John Lipford born June 12, 1877 to Jessie Lipford and Harriett Potts, dying Nov 2, 1951 in Weatherford, Teas.

Mary Lipford, 13, is a niece of T.D. 42 and Ann E. Lipford 35 in Clayville, Webster County in 1880.

"Liennina" (Nancy) Lipford, 10 is a niece of John J. Lipford and Nancy Moseley in 1880 Clay, Webstere COunty.


"Mrs. Mary E. Bragg, the estimable wife of Mr. Sylvanus Bragg, died also last Tuesday night March 10, 1880 after a long and protracted illness. Mrs. Bragg leaves two little children, her noble husband and a large circle of relations and friends to mourn her death. She died of consumption (at 28 years, 2 months, and 2 days) and was buried (11 March 1880) at Shiloh cemetery on last Thursday. Married to Sylvanus Bragg on 6 Apr 1875 in Shelby County, Missouri."

In 1880 Shelby County, Missouri, Silvanus Bragg is farming, 30, widowed, with Thomas 4 and Lena 2.

Silvanus # 41691598 " Sylvanus Bragg, well-known Shelby county resident, died at his home in Bethel,

Tuesday night of last week, 11 May 1921, at the age of almost 75 years, death being due to a form of kidney disease.
Mr. Bragg was born August 1846, and in early life taught school, embarking in the drug business at Newark, removing later to Leonard and from thence to Bethel, where he made his home at the time of his death. He also practiced law for the last twenty years.
Deceased was married twice, his first wife, Miss Mary E. Moore, died early in life, leaving two children. They are T. M. Bragg of Albuquerque, N. Mexico, and Mrs. J. M. Lipford of Flagler, Colo. He was later married to Miss Arminta Rutter and to the latter union seven children were born, all of whom survive: They are Mrs. L. L. Smith of Bethel; Mrs. Theodore O. Drennan of Epworth; Bryon and Miss Jennie of Kansas City; Mrs. J. T. Ballance of Leonard and Edward of Flagler, Colo.
Funeral services were held at Bethel Thursday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev. F. M. Branic of the Shelbyville Christian church. Burial in the Shiloh cemetery. "

John Lipford and Lena M. Bragg, both of Elgin, Shelby County, married there December 31, 1897.

In 1900 Shelby County, Missouri, John is farming, born Dec 1878 in Kentucky, with Lena M. January 1878 Missouri. Henrietta M. was born June 1898. Lena's brother Thomas M. Bragg April 1879 is with them.

In 1910 Kit Carson County, John is farming, 31, born in Kentucky, married 12 years to Lena 32 Missouri, Mary H. 10 and Blanche L. 8 born in Missouri, and Carl W. two months, born in Colorado. On the same page are the Florence 25 and Ethel 21 Hewitt households.
John Thomas Lipford, dying 1912, is buried in Flagler # 21394463.

John claimed a tract in 5, 6S 50W in 1913.
In 1920 Kit Carson County, John and Lena, both 41, have Henrietta M. 20, Blanche E. 17, and Carl W. 9.

In 1910 Kit Carson County, Jacob is 58, Missouri 67, both born in Kentucky, married 36 years
They're next to Walter 34 and Sophia 29, with Ethlyn 7 born in Missouri.

Jacob Curry claimed a tract in section 4, 6S 50W in 1913.

Walter Curry claimed a tract in sections 3 and 4, 6S 50W, Kit Carson County, in 1912.

July 1, 1925 Shelbyville, Missouri "Mr. and Mrs.. John W. Lipford and son Carl, and Miss Jennie Bragg of Quincy spent Sunday with ... to visit at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Curry."

August 18, 1926 "Mrs. Martha M. Curry, widow of the late Jacob Curry, and a lifelong resident of the Bethel community, died at the home of her son, Walter Curry, at Bethel Thursday at the age of 84 years. Mrs. Curry, whose maiden name was Martha Missouri Hewitt, was born near Bethel, February 26, 1842. On December 9, 1872, she was married to Jacob Curry, in Kentucky, in which state they resided for a time, later coming to the Bethel community where she had lived ever since.
One son, Walter, with whom she had made her home for the past few years, was born to this union, and survives her. She also reared, as her own son, a nephew, John W. Lipford of Flagler, Colo. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Ethlyn and Stanley Curry; one brother, L. G. Hewitt, of Flagler, Colo., and one sister, Mrs. Belle Magruder, of Leonard. She united with the Baptist church at the age of sixteen years and remained a faithful member to her death.
Funeral services were held at that church in Bethel Friday after noon at 2:30 conducted by the pastor, Rev. Wilkinson. Interment was at the Shiloh cemetery."

In 1930 John is managing a grain elevator, and Lena have only Carl W., 20 - a laborer at the grain elevator.

John, a grain buyer, and Lena are alone in 1940 Kit Carson County.

Providence, Kentucky "Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Ann Aldridge, 78, were held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Franklin Funeral Home in Clay. The Rev. E.G. Sisk of Little Zion officiated and burial was in I.O.O.F. cemetery, Clay. Mrs. Aldridge, a former Clay resident, died Saturday, January 20, 1945 at her home, 1511 Judson street, Evansville, Indiana. Survivors are six sons, W.A. Larkin and J.B. Williams, Evansville, John H. and Dewey Williams, Milan, Mich, and J.K. Williams, St. Louis, Mo.; three daughters, Mrs. Maude Hicks, Ypsilanti, Mich., Mrs. Thomas Stanley, Evansville, and Mrs. Charles Pearson, St. Louis, Mo.; a brother, John W. Lipford, Flagler, Colo.; sixteen grandchildren; and fourteen great grandchildren."
Her death certificate says her parents were "Billie" Lipford of Kentucky and Barbara Gunn of Kentucky.

John 1878-1962 # 21394484, and Lena 1878-1944 # 21394500 are buried in Flagler.


John Will "Jack" Lipford, born 08 Dec 1878 Boardley, KY; died 26 Jul 1963 Colorado; married Lena Moore Bragg 29 Dec 1897 Shelby, Missouri.

"Jack had been born on Dec. 8, 1878 in Boardley, Kentucky, to John William Lipford and Mary Henrietta (Hewitt) Lipford. His father died when he was only 6 months old and he and his mother then made their home with his mother's sister and husband, Jacob and Missouri (Hewitt) Curry and their son, Walter. Upon Jack's mother's death when he was 2 1/2, he was raised by the Currys, who moved to Shelby County, Missouri, to avoid any claims other relatives might have on him. It was some years before he knew he had been orphaned and when he was 18, he began using the Lipford name.

(Jacob 1841-1924 and Missouri HEWITT Curry 1842-1926 are buried in Shelby County, Missouri.)
On Dec. 29, 1897, he and Lena (Moore) Bragg were married at the home of her uncle, John Moore, and made their home in the Bethel community, farming. Lena, born Jan. 3, 1878, was the daughter of Sylvanus and Mary E. (Moore) Bragg. Her father was in the drugstore business as well as farming and cattle raising. Lena and her brother, Tom, were born to this union. After her mother's death, her father remarried after several years, with seven children being born in that family. After completing public school, she attended an academy at Columbia, Missouri, for a year. When she was 16, she inherited some money from her mother's estate and bought an organ. The organ came west with the Lipfords and is now owned by Gus and Vella Vassios of Flagler.

The Lipfords and their two daughters possibly made the move to Colorado for Mrs. Lipford's health. A son, Carl W. was born in 1910 and in 1912, a second son, John Thomas, was born on June 8, but lived only until October. A Dr. Wheeler, who had moved to Colorado for his health had homesteaded south of Cope, delivered both Lipford sons.

The Lipfords lived like the other homesteaders, with a lot of hard work for all members of the family. Hetty was her father's helper while Blanche helped with the household chores although both did the farm chores typical of the era. After moving to the homestead, they found they were closer to Flagler, so came to Flagler for their trading like others heading across the prairie in the straightest line possible. When telephones came to the area, it was transmitted by the fence wires but was an improvement on not having a phone. When the family acquired a surrey with "a fringe on the top", it made the trips across the prairie more comfortable.

In the fall of 1915, when Hetty was ready for high school, the Lipfords rented a house, between 5th and 6th on Navajo (now remodeled and moved to Main Street). They moved to town on Oct. 15, 1915, the day the cornerstone of the new brick school building was laid in Flagler.

After living in town during the school year for two terms, the Lipfords returned to the homestead and Blanche started high school in the new Shiloh Center school where they offered the first year of high school. After a few weeks, the family sent her back to Shelbyville, Mo., where she stayed with relatives and completed her freshman year. In 1918, the Lipfords moved back to Flagler from the homestead, soon buying the house on 3rd and Ouray, which remained their home for the rest of their lives.

After they moved to town, Mr. Lipford worked for W .H. Lavington in his store and also owned a clothing store for awhile in what is now the Pool Hall on Main Avenue. In 1923, he became manager of the Flagler Equity Co-operative Assn., which he managed until his retirement in 1952. Among the activities of that business was a flour mill, operated by Joe Eckert, which ran for many years. Coal was also sold. Jack helped organize the Fire Department in 1920 and was a member until 1946. He also was a member of the Masons, IOOF Lodge, Modern Woodmen of America and the Eastern Star. Lena Lipford passed away suddenly on June 1, 1944, of a heart attack. Jack continued to make his home in Flagler after his retirement. He passed away on July 26, 1963, at the age of 84 years."

by Blanche Lipford Carper

John Will Lipford married Dorothea C. Rodebaugh on September 1, 1951 in Kit Carson County.
Dorothea C. (Hanson) (Radebaugh) Lipford 1885-1967 is buried in Flagler # 157506297.

J. W. Lipford, born about 1879, married Florence L. Wyatt on January 19, 1948 in Kit Carson County.

HETTIE

Hettie "Lippard" 28, married Carl H. McCormick, 25, on October 19, 1927, in Stratton, recorded in Douglas County, Colorado.

In 1930 Carl is a Nabisco salesman in Colorado Springs, 28, born in Colorado, with Hettie M. 300 born in Missouri.

They're still in Colorado Springs in 1940, no kids.

Mary Henrietta McCormick 1898-1968 is buried in Flagler # 21394540.

Carl 1901-1974 is buried in Pueblo # 111280188, with spouse Madeline 1909-1995.

CARL

Carl W. Lipford married Margie Jane Ellis on December 29, 1937 in Kit Carson County.

In 1940 Carl W. Lipford is in Flagler, 30, with Jane M. 23 born in Nebraska.

In 1951 Carl was the mail carrier in Flagler, and one human-interest article describes how his delivering bees to Kenneth Cronkhite had two of them escaping into his vehicle.

So is Carl 1910-1960 # 13491332.

BLANCHE

In 1925 Blanche Carper 23 and Harold C. 29 are in Jennings, Decatur County, Kansas.

In 1940 Flagler, Blanche is a beauty operator, 25, with Harold C. Carper, 44. They have Jaqueline F. 4 born in Kanss.

Blanche Carper 1905-2000 is buried in Flagler # 5090460,
She's on the same stone as Harold Carper 1896-1976 # 5100322 "The only barber in Flagler for at least 40 years."

Jacqueline Fae Carper was born January 18, 1929 at Jennings, Kansas, dying December 25, 2005 as Jacqueline Fae Spiars in Arizona.
Nannie A. Lipford married George Robert Turner in Union County, Kentucky January 30, 1886.

In 1900 Union County, George born Nov 1865, and Nannie January 1864 Kentucky have Herman A. 12, Bertha U. 11, and Jesse D. 6. - so this Nannie is five years older than John's sister Nancy.
She's the daughter of Jessie - and is buried in Union County 1865-1902.

Jesse David Turner was born in Kentucky September 10, 1893 to George Robert Turner and Nancy Lipford, dying in Cook County, Illinois Feb 12, 1968, to be buried in Eldorado Illnois, Wolf Creek Cemetery.




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