Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

Augustus B. and Ruth (Daggett) Straughan , 6 South 50 West


In 1880 Adams County, Iowa, S. Clark Daggett is farming, 28 born in Indiana, with Lucy 24 Illinois. Ettie May is 6, born in Illinois, Florence E. 4 and Benajamin H. 2 in Iowa.

In 1900 Adams County, Clark is a carpet weaver, 48, Lucy D. 43, with Benjamin H. 22 and Pearl V. 9.

The Adams County Free Press
Corning, Iowa
August 25, 1920

A. M. Straughan died at the home of Dr. C. H. Bryant, in this city, Sunday evening, August 22, 1920, aged 68 years, 11 months and 8 days. The funeral services will be conducted from the Christian church at 2 o’clock this afternoon, Rev. E. C. Sitts, of Neola, Iowa, officiating. Interment will be made in Oak Hill cemetery.
Mr. Straughan had been in fairly good health until July 3, when he was taken ill and went to a Creston hospital for treatment. Later he returned to the home of Dr. Bryant in order to be near his family physician for the necessary medical attention each day.
The subject of this sketch was born on a farm in Mahaska county, three miles southeast of Peoria, Iowa, September 14, 1851. His mother died when he was 8 years of age, and his father three years later, after which he made his home with his eldest sister, Mrs. James Jarard, in Mahaska county. When he attained his majority he came to Fontanelle, Iowa, and worked on a farm until the spring of 1873, when he came to Adams county, which has ever since been his home. Mr. Straughan was married November 26, 1874, to Ada E. Humbert, and the couple settled on the farm a mile south of Corning, which has been the family home until the present time. Mrs. Straughan died April 30, 1910. To them were born two children both of whom are present to attend the funeral of their father. They are A. B. Straughan, of Mesa, Ariz. and Curt Straughan, of Corning. Beside these two sons there are two grand children and one great grandchild. Also deceased is survived by two brothers and two sisters. They are Mrs. James Jarard, of Oskaloosa; T. J. Straughan, Nardin, Okla.; J. W. Straughan, New Sharon, Iowa; Mrs. Sam Robison of Quincy. All but T. J. Straughan will be in attendance at the funeral. Deceased united with the Church of Christ in Corning October 17, 1915.
One of the pioneers of the county, Mr. Straughan had led a busy life, blazing the way for the modern farm home of today. Always a great leader in the social and educational life of the community, his advice and example made better citizens where he lived. He was by nature and education a gentleman in the truest sense of the word, and the many hardships of the early days made him accustomed to self sacrifice. The soul of honesty, he believed that truth, right and justice would eventually prevail, and was optimistic even in the darkest hour. His love for his country was only surpassed by the ties binding him to his home. During the war he gave of his accumulations freely to his country, and not alone did he give money, but he encouraged the younger men in their sacrifices. His children and grandchildren will be left a memory of his stalwart character, which like a beacon light should lead them toward the goal the father had attained. When at the eventide the character of such a one stands out in relief so strongly against the setting sun of life, one almost feels that God’s plan for real manhood has been exemplified here.

August 28, 1920

Last Sunday evening A. M. Straughan, better known as 'Mose' Straughan passed away at the home of Dr. C. H. Bryant of cancer of the porostrate [prostrate] glands, aged 68 years, 11 months and 8 days. His health had been very fair until July 3 when he went to a Creston hospital, but receiving no relief returned to Corning and had since been at the home of his physician where he could receive prompt medical treatment.
He was born near Peoria, Iowa, where his mother and father died when he was 8 and 11 years of age. When a young man he came to Fontanelle and in 1873 came to this county which has since been his home and where he married Miss Ada E. Humbert November 26, 1874, who passed away April 30, 1910. To this union were born two sons, A. B. Straughan of Mesa, Arizona, and Curt Straughan of Corning and both were present at the funeral which was held from the Christian church of which the deceased was a member, Wednesday at 2 o’clock conducted by Rev. E. C. Sitts of Neola, Iowa, formerly pastor of the church Interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery.

Mrs. A. M. Straughan died at her home south of Corning, Saturday morning, April 20, 1920 at 5 o’clock, aged 56 years and 10 days.
Ada E. Evans was born in Clarkville, Clark county, Indiana, April 20, 1856 (1854). At the age of 2 years she came with her parents to Lucas county, Iowa, where they lived one year then moved to Adams county, locating on a farm near Brooks May 1, 1857, where she lived with her parents until 16 years age.
She united in marriage to Joseph Humbert July 4, 1870, and they made their home on a farm one mile south of Corning. To this union was born one child Mrs. F. E. Gerald of Brooks, Iowa. After the death of Mr. Humbert April 6, 1873, she again lived with her parents, near Brooks, until November 26, 1874, when she was united in marriage to A. M. Straughan and they moved to the farm south of Corning. To this union two sons were born, Aug B. Straughan, of Seibert, Colorado, and Curt Straughan, of Corning.
At the age of 18 years she united with the Church of Christ at Brooks, of which she was a faithful member till death.
She passed away April 30, 1910, at 5 o'clock a.m. at her home south of Corning, leaving a husband, daughter, two sons; a sister, Mrs. O. F. Davis, of Camargo, Okla; and two brothers, Joseph O. Evans, of Creston, Iowa, and Charles M. Evans, of Straw, Mont., to mourn their loss. Mrs Straughan made may friends in Adams county during her long residence here and she will be remembered by all who knew her as a kind friend and neighbor and a patient sufferer during her long sickness.
The funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, at the Christian church in Corning, conducted by Rev. I. H Fuller, of Lenox, a former pastor of the Christian church in Corning, and interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery. The Royal Neighbors had charge of the service at the grave.
Those from a distance who attended the funeral were J. W. Straughan, of New Sharon, and Mrs. James Jarard, of Oskaloosa, brother and sister of Mr. Straughan; Charles Ridpath, of Creston, and Ira Day, of Council Bluffs, nephews of Mr. and Mrs. Straughan. A. B. Straughan, of Colorado, visited his mother twice recently, but was called home about a week before death and did not attend the funeral.

1899 Corning Iowa "Augustus B. Straughan vs Hattie Straughan; judgment that plaintiff pay defendant $100 temporary alimony."

1906 Corning, Iowa "Bert Straughan, who recently went to Boulder, Colorado, for his health, is reported by bin mother, Mrs. Mose Straughan, to be recovering. The latter returned yesterday from there, his wife having gone to assist in the care of her husband."

1907 Corning "Mrs. A. B. Straughan and daughter Hazel, of Seibert, Colorado, are visiting friends and relatives in this city."

In 1910 Kit Carson County, Augustus is farming, 34, married 15 years to Ruth E. 34 . They have Hazel B. 13, all three born in Iowa.

Augustus proved up two quarters in 14 and 23, 6S 50W in 1914.
Silas C. Daggett proved up a quarter in 22, 6S 50W in 1914.

1915 Corning, Iowa " Mrs. A. B. Straughan returned to her home in Roggen Colorado, last week after visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clark Daggett, in Corning. She visited in Kansas City on her way home."

October 1915 " Clark Daggett and wife are enjoying a visit from their daughter, and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Straughan, of Flagler, Colorado. The couple drove overland in their automobile, arriving in Corning Monday of this week. Mr. Straughan is a son of A. M. Straughan, of this place."

In 1900 Adams County, Clark Daggett is 48, with Lucy D. 43, both born in Illinois. Benjamin is 22, Pearl 9, both born in Iowa.


Augustus Burton Straughan registered for WWI in Washington County, Colorado, a carpenter in Otis. His reference was Mose Straughan, his father, of Caney, Adams County, Iowa.
Augustus was born April 24, 1875.

Augustus and Ruth E. Straughan divorced in Washington County in 1919.

In 1925 Cass County, Iowa, Augustus is 49, married to Virginia 28. Clarence is 5, Altavene 2.
(Virginia Williams Bollman was born July 12, 1901 in Wayne County, Iowa to Wm. W. Bollman and Hettie M. Kirk.)
Hettie M. Kirk Bollman, born June 29, 1863 to John and Elizabeth Kirk, died July 12, 1938 in Knoxville, Iowa, to be buried in Graceland Cemetery. # 135657578.
She and William Bollman had seven children. They are: Mrs. Myrtle Anderson and John Bollman of Knoxville, Edith Swanson of Nebraska, Vergie Straughburg, Drumstick, Okla.; Seth Bollman, Colo; Opal Castor, McCook, Nebr.; and Bud Bollman, Oskaloosa."

In 1930 Creek County, Oklahoma, Augustus is a carpenter in an oil company, 46, with Virginia 38 both born in Iowa. CLemens is 10 born in Colorado, Altavene 7 in Iowa.

Virginia was in Drumright, Oklahoma in 1949 when her brother died.

Augustus 1875-1949 is buried in Payne County, Oklahoma, # 42339515. So is Virginia 1901-1988 # 42339459.


Clemens Franklin Straughan was born August 4, 1919 in Brush Colorado to Augustus Straughan and Virginia W. Bollman, dying August 1992.

The Adams County Union-Republican Corning, Iowa
June 24, 1925
Died in Oklahoma

Relatives received a telegram Tuesday stating that Mrs. L. E. Russum, had passed from this life Monday evening at 9:00 o’clock at a hospital in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The lady is a daughter of Clark Daggett, of Corning. She leaves her father; a brother Ben Daggett, and two sisters, Mrs. Frank Johnson and Mrs. William Gourd, in this community.

Loma Ezra Russum 1885-1935 is buried in Vancouver, Washington # 90939027.
1917 Hermitage Missouri "Loma Russum came home from Colorado Thursday to visit his mother.

He registered for WWI in Kansas City, a railroad switchman, born June 8, 1883. His reference was Jane Russum of Hickory County, MIssouri.
Charles Wesley Russum 1852-1936 # 20103188 and Nancy Jane Russum 1854-1938 # 20103187 are buried in St. Clair County, Missouri.



"William Gourd was born in Corwall County, England, March 10, 1861 and died at his home in Prescott, January 17, 1929, at the age of 67 years, 10 months, and 7 days. He was baptized in the Church of England when a small child He came with his parents, William and Mary Ann Courd to America in 1867 and settled in Pennsylvania, later moving to Illinois in 1871. From there he moved to Adams County, Iowa where the remainder of his life was spent with the exception of five years in Colorado.
In 1894 he was united in marriage to Florence Elba Dagger. He is survived by his widow and six children, Mrs. L. E. Casey of Greenland, Arkansas, Bryon of Destinies, Iowa, Mrs. C. W. Landay and Mrs, J. N, Clair of Lafayette, Colorado, Theron of Corning, and Ethel who is at home. Also ten grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. T. W. Haviland of Corning, and two brothers, Richard of Corning and Matthew of Greenland, Arkansas.
Mr. Gourd was a devoted husband and father and a kind neighbor, always with his cheerful and willing disposition, offering a helping hand where needed. The community in which he lived mourns his departure and he will be greatly missed by his family and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held from the Methodist Church in Prescott, Saturday, January 19, at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. C. R. Guest. Interment was made in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Corning."

Florence E. is widowed in 1930 Adams County, a restaurant cook, 52, with Ethel 24 and grandson Bernard 8.

In 1940 Bernard is with parents C.B. Gourd 45 and Catherine 37 in Marion County, Arkansas.


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