Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

Gottlob Amman, Herman Amman, 7 South 45 West



In 1880 Franklin County, Nebraska, Gottleib Amman is 36, farming, with Elizabeth 31, both born in Germany. Charles N. 13, Paul 11, Herman C. 7, Mary A. 6, Anna A. 4, and Emma 1 were all born in Iowa.

Gottlob claimed a quarter in section 19, 7S 45W in 1910.
" In 1901 grandfather again got the “Western Fever” as homesteads were plentiful in Colorado and some of the children were old enough to file on a homestead. So once more they headed WEST. My father, Herman Amman, filed on the place where Phillip Stolz and family are living now north and west of Bethune, Colorado. My grandfather bought a relinquishment one and ½ mile south of us. A relinquishment is buying the rights of a person who had homesteaded and had made some improvements and wanted to sell. We moved to Colorado in April of 1902.
Herman Amman was born on September 4, 1872 in Bremer County, Iowa and his wife, Auguste Peter Amman was born on January 30, 1875 in Johannstadt, Germany. Their children are Albert G. born on September 18, 1901 in Ash Grove, Nebraska; Viola Amman Barrett born on December 4, 1903 at Bethune; Lillie Amman Hattan born October 23, 1905 at Bethune; George C. born August 7, 1907 at Bethune; Louis C. Amman born August 8, 1909 at Bethune; and Freda Amman Scarpace born November 21, 1915 at Riverton, Nebraska. "

HERMAN

Herman Amman, 24, married Augusta Peterson on December 30, 1896 in Ash Grove, Franklin County.

In 1900 Franklin County, Herman, born Sept 1872 in Iowa, is farming with Auguste January 1876 born in Germany.

Herman claimed a quarter in section 7, 7S 45W, also in 1910.

In 1910 Kit Carson County, Herman is 37, AUgusta 34, with Albert 8 born in Nebraska, Viola 6, Lily 4 and George 1 born in Colorado.

Herman was Justice of the Peace of Precinct No.2, along with Chas. Bortles. Frank Chandler and Rossar Davis were Constables. in 1910.
He was also president of the District # 28 school board, secretary J. P. Evans, treasurer G. M. Fisher.

In 1920 Herman and Augusta are back in Franklin County, Nebraska, with Albert 18, Viola 16, Lillie 14, George 11, and Louis 9, all threeborn in Colorado, Frieda 4 in Nebraska.


In 1930 Augusta is a nurse in Greeley, Colorado, widowed, 52, with George 21a school teacher, Louis 19, and Freda 14.
Herman is buried in Bethune 1872-1934 # 118827959.

In 1940 Augusta is in Denver, 64, with daughter Viola E. 34 a nurse. Janice Marie is 3, born in Colorado.

LILLIE

In 1930 Franklin County, Lillie B. is 24, married to Everett I. Hattan 25, with Ellis E. 6 and Lois L. 3.

All four are in Estes Park in 1940.
Lillie, born October 23, 1905, died in May 1978.
Everett Hattan, born Aug 2, 1904, died September 19, 1991.

Ellis Everett Hatton and Guinevere Griggs married on May 26, 1945 in Nueces County, Texas.

Ellis E. Hattan 1923-2009 is buried in Littleton, Colorado # 140527407, with Guinevere 1924-2011.
"Guinevere Fay Hattan died on Dec. 14, 2011. A Memoral service will be held in the summer of 2012 in Estes Park, Colorado. Gwynne was 87 and the daughter of Fred and Hester (Gish) Griggs."

Lois Hedberg, born April 13, 1927, dying May 15, 2005, is buried in Los Angeles County, California # 53667929.

FREDA

Freda Mable Amman was born Nov 21, 1915 in Riverton, Nebraska, name Scarpace in 1963, dying September 12, 2003.
She's buried in Erie County, New York # 118031740, with Frank R. Scarpace 1916-1974.
He was the son of Mariano Scarpace and Marianna Longo Snasone.
One tree said they had a daughter Theresa Scarpace on May 5, 1952, who married Robin Huckaby.

It also said their son Mario born October 7, 1953, mariried Diane taglienti.
ALBERT

" In September of 1907 Albert started to Union school. My first teacher was Mrs. Hayes. She had her sister Miss Sprague to stay and live with her in the school house. They had a folding bed which they would let down each evening and put it up early the next morning before school took up. Some times my father would bring me to school on horseback but most of the time when the weather was nice I would walk. Later on when my sister started to school, we had a buggy to ride in.
I remember one night before Thanksgiving we had a heavy snow and school was postponed until the roads could be traveled. Aunt Martha was going to get married in Denver to George Fisher. My mother took my brother George and me along. It took four horses on a wagon because of the deep snow to take us to Stratton to get on the train. We stayed at the hotel managed by Mr. and Mrs. George Elsey. This was the first time I had seen DeLestial, the girl I later married. I remember that she was very pretty and she was two years old and I was seven. Early the next morning about 3:00a.m. the train came in and I was standing between the depot and the train tracks; when the engine came by I would have fallen over backwards if someone had not caught me. It was the biggest moving thing I had ever seen.
We did not see my aunt get married as they got in a hurry and got married without us. Mother and I thought it was a dirty trick not to wait for us.
After dad's folks were all moving back to Franklin County, Nebraska, he thought it would be nice for us to try and trade our property for a place hack there. In July of 1911 we had a chance to trade our place for a farm near Riverton, Nebraska.
We had a large sale in August to get rid of the many things we would not need on the Nebraska place. We shipped a car of furniture and farm machinery. We had to haul part of the things in wagons and drove the cattle and horses to St. Francis, Kansas. The reason for this was to get on the Burlington Railroad so we would not have to reload at Norton, Kansas from the Rock Island Railroad. We had some very good neighbors who helped us move.
We lived on the place at Riverton until 1920 when Dad bought a place near Naponee, Nebraska. We moved again. I came back out to Bethune and Kit Carson County in 1926 and farmed with Gus Adolf.
I located DeLestial Humphrey in the summer of 1926 and we continued going together. We were married on September 7, 1927 in Goodland, Kansas. Our family consists of; Albert G. Amman born on September 18, 1901 in Franklin County Nebraska and DeLestial Humphrey born on September 16, 1906 in Jackson County Missouri. Our children are Ivan Robert Amman born on July 28, 1929; Gene Doyle Amman born on February 26, 1931, both born in Greeley, Colorado. Maureen Amman Fellger born on August 3, 1933 and Delos Albert Amman born on December 17, 1935, both in Bethune Colorado.
We lived and farmed one mile east of the Lutheran church north of Bethune. Our nearest neighbors were Frank and Mary Kramer. Albert started to carry mail on Route 2 south of Bethune in 1936 so they moved into the town of Bethune that year.
An incident that happened on the route on December 24, 1968 was this. We had a blizzard a few days before which left some deep drifts and the county maintainer had went through once and the weather warmed up. A truck loaded with a tank of water had went through the evening before to water the livestock located a mile north of Duaine Beeson’s place. The night was very cold and froze real hard. The next day it warmed upreal good and the ice was very slick. Here I come about thirty miles per hour and the front end of the car caught the edge of the snow drift throwing the car end for end and upsetting it on top of a snow bank. It happened so fast I did not have time to get scared. It was the first time I had rolled the windows to get out of the car. I had money (stamp money) all over the car as I had not closed the box that contained the stamps and change.
There were many times in the thirties and forties when I started out on the route and the wind would come up and the dust was so bad that I could not see the road and hoped that someone else would not be coming up the road and have a collision. I am truly thankful that never happened.
On October 18, 1966 I started out with the mail. It was cloudy and misting. When I had driven several miles it started to rain and when about half over the route it started to snow. I stopped at the Post Office and left what mail I had picked up and picked up the mail that came in as the mail truck was late that morning. I thought that it was not too bad to take care of the south half of the route. I got to the south end and started west when it got worse. I made it to Leonard Beeson’s place and going north when the wind came up blowing about sixty miles per hour and snowing so I couldn’t see anything and the wind blew me in the ditch. They had had rain earlier and the blow dirt was very slick. I was stuck so I stayed in the car until the storm let up and then I walked down to Leonard Beeson’s to get help to pull my car on the road. Lucky for me when I got down there Len was home and putting chains on his pickup. He had come down to the place that morning to take care of the cattle. He pulled my car up on the road and I came here.
Albert and DeLestial are active members of Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Bethune since 1927. He was elected to the board council and served several years. Later he was elected Chairman of the church board and served for three years from 1971-73. Albert served as secretary of the Bethune School board, District #24 and also served as secretary of District I in Bethune for several years. He served on the town board of Bethune from 1937 to 60 and was elected Mayor of the Town of Bethune in 1970-82. Albert was a member of AF and AM Lodge #77 of Burlington.
Albert carried mall out of Bethune, Colorado from 1936 to 1965 on Rural Route #2 and when Routes #1 and #2 were combined he carried mail from 1965 to 1971 for a total of 35 years retiring in 1971.
Albert and DeLestial are still living in the home in Bethune where they raised their children. Delestial spent her years managing the home and making many quilts and also helping Martha Weiss and Mrs. Minnie Chalfant with the repairing and dressing of dolls that were collected for distribution to the less fortunate. "

Albert is farming in Kit Carson County in 1930, 24, wtih Delestal 24 born in Missouri, and Ivaan newborn.

In 1940 Albert is a postal carrier in Bethune, 38, wtih DeLestal 33, Ivan 10, Gene 9, Maurean 6, and Delos 4.

Albert G. Amman 1901-1993 is buried in Bethune # 118827927, with DeLestal Rose (Humphrey) Amman 1906-1997.
Maurean Joyce Amman and Merrill Christ Felliger had Jan Marie on Sept 21, 1964 in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

"Gene Doyle Amman passed away on April 12, 1012 of myeloproliferative disorder. He was born February 26, 1931, to Albert Gottleib and Delestal Rose Amman. He married Jeanette Knodel, June 14, 1954, in the Territory of Hawaii, while serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
He grew up on the shortgrass prairie of Eastern CO, graduating from Bethune High School in 1949. Gene started college at Colorado A&M in Fort Collins in 1950. He was interrupted in his academic pursuits by the Korean War. He returned to Colorado A&M in 1955, and graduated with a B.S. degree in 1956, and an M.S. degree in 1958 from Colorado State University, the name having been changed from A&M. Gene worked summers for the Rocky Mountain Forest Range Experiment Station, U.S. Forest Service, while pursuing his M.S. He said he joined the Forest Service looking for shade.
Gene's first job after graduation was with the U.S. Forest Service, Southeastern Forest and Range Experiment Station, Asheville, NC. After 4 years, he began pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Forest Entomology at the University of Michigan, moving his family to Ann Arbor, MI. After a year of course work, he moved his family back to Asheville, NC where he completed language requirements at North Carolina State University. His thesis was on native predators of the Balsam Wooly Adelgid, an exotic pest of the native Fraser Fir. His degree was awarded in 1966.
In 1966, Gene and Family moved west to Ogden, UT where Gene was employed by the U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. He authored and co-authored more than 100 publications about the Balsam Wooly Adelgid and Mountain Pine Beetle. In 1983, he was presented the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Superior Service Award by Secretary John R. Block in Washington, DC, for his research on the Mountain Pine Beetle. In 1991, Governor Norman Bangerter awarded Gene the Medal of Science and Technology for his research. In 1994, Gene received the Founders Award from the Western Forest Insect Work Conference in recognition of a career of research accomplishments.
Gene had been active in Boy Scouts of America, serving in a number of capacities from committee member to merit badge counselor and participated in many scout camps. He was one of the original founders of the Ogden Nature Center and remained a lifelong member.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanette, of 58 years; 3 sons: Anthony of North Ogden, UT, Alan of Los Angeles, CA, David of Helena, MT and 2 daughters: Susan (Raymond) of Lakewood, CO and Mary (Miles) of Haines, AK; 4 grandchildren: Madeline Madsen, Andrew Raymond, Jenna Amman, and Julia Amman; two brothers: Ivan of Fairbault, MN, Delos of Chula Vista, CA and one sister: Maurean (Fellger) of Buffalo, MN.
Services to be held in Colorado at a later date."

GEORGE

Mary Amman was born in Eaton to Eaton pioneers John D. and Marie R. Wilson. After graduating from Eaton High School, she attended Colorado A&M College, now Colorado State University, where she majored in music and obtained her teaching certificate. She taught music and elementary classes in the Briggsdale School. It was there that she met George C. Amman, also a teacher at the Briggsdale School. They were married in Eaton on June 20, 1933.
The following year they moved to Colorado Springs.
In 1936, the Ammans moved to Fort Morgan where they opened the Coast-to-Coast Store. In 1988 their store made a name change to Amman Hardware. A Fort Morgan resident for the past 70 years, Mrs. Amman was an active member and former deacon of the United Presbyterian Church, a member of Chapter EG of PEO, and Eastern Star, as well as a member of many other organizations. She enjoyed spending time with her family and outings with them, travel and music. She was an avid football fan of the Fort Morgan Mustangs, the Colorado Buffaloes and the Denver Broncos. Mrs. Amman died Tuesday, December 15, 2006 at her home.
Survivors: Two sons and their wives, John and Sara Amman of Littleton and Don and Sherry Amman of Fort Morgan, and daughter and her husband, Joyce and Sam Smith of Juneau, Alaska; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Brad and Ann, Bruce and Kara and Barry and Trisha Amman, all of Littleton, Douglas and Jennifer Amman of Winlock, Wash., Jill and Dave Kallweit and Julie Schwindt, all of Fort Morgan, Greg and Jeanine and Roger and Alicia Smith, all of Juneau, Alaska; and 24 great-grandchildren, C.J., Luke, Conner, McKenzie, Cameron, Tanner and Lexi Amman, all of Littleton, Nichole and Zach Schwindt, Brandon Elliott, and Eric, Travis and Randy Kallweit, of Fort Morgan, Derrick, Darren and Kayla Amman and Tara, Tyler, Dylan and Austin Jones, all of Winlock; and Duncan, Gillian, Justin and Joel Smith, all of Juneau. Also surviving are two brothers, Thomas R. Wilson of Sun City, Ariz., and J. Fred Wilson and wife Sarabeth of Rancho Bernardo, Calif., and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by: Her husband, George C. Amman, who died in 1996; and her parents and two brothers, Norman and Robert Wilson."

LOUIS

1931 Briggsdale, Colorado "Mr. and Mrs. Louis Ammon and son of Fort Morgan, who have been spending a week's vacation at Evergreen, were guests last week of Mrs. Amman's aunt and uncle,k Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ross. Mrs. Amman was a former teacher at Briggsdale."

January 1937 "Louis Ammon resigned as teacher of the East Fusston school, before the holidays and has accepted a position as teacher in the Ault school."

May 15, 1937 "Mrs. A. B. Ross entertained at a delightful dinner party Wednesday evening at her home honoring Miss Margaret Cheairs and Louis Ammon who recently announced their engagement. A bouquet of spring flowers formed an attractive center piece and covers were laid for Miss Cheairs, Mr. Ammon, Margaret Adams, Peter Freeman, Lenora Johnson, John Kemp, Mr. and Mrs. Ross. "

June Margaret CHeairs and Louis C. Ammon married on May 23, 1937 in Kersey, Colorado.

In 1940 Johnston, Colorado, Louis C. "Ammon" is a teacher, 29, with Margaret C. 26, and newborn Nancy.

October 1942 Greeley " Louis Ammon returned home Monday night from Fando where he is employed on construction during vacation. He will spend a few days at home recovering from a severe cold."

1943 "Mr. Louis Ammon, former princlpal of the grade school, is leaving for Wichita, Kan., on Tuesday morning, where he has accepted a position in the Wichita schools. Mrs. Ammon and daughters, Nancy and Maridei will spend a few days with Mrs. Ammon's mother, Mrs. C. M Christenson of Greeley after which she will join Mr. Ammon."

Jane Margaret Biggs 1913-2004 is buried in Arapahoe County, with Frasier C. Biggs 1909-1975.
"Jane Margaret "Peggy" Biggs, 90, of Hopedale Twp., IL, formerly of Denver, CO (1947-2002), went to be with the Lord Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at 4:35 PM. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 20, 2004 from 2-4PM at Olinger Hampden Mortuary in Denver. Funeral will be held on Monday, June 21, 2004 at 3:00PM at St. Gabriel Episcopal Church, 6190 E. Quincy Ave., Cherry Hills Village, CO. Cremation will be accorded following the services. Inurnment will be in St. Francis Memorial Garden located at St. Gabriel Episcopal Church at a later date. Memorials may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Association. Peggy was born December 15, 1913 in Goodland, KS to Joseph and Frances Trett Cheairs. They preceded her in death, as well as her step-father Christian Christensen. Surviving is her first husband Louis Ammon of IL, formerly of Denver; one son Robert (Nancy) Ammon of CO, two daughters, Debbie (Bill) Barnhart of IL and Nancy (Jim) Roth of MN; stepchildren Donald (Linda) Biggs of MA and Monte (Shannon) Biggs of TN; her brother Edward (Joan) Christensen of GA, her sister Bonnie Bunch of OR, and her brother in law Elmer Norris of NM; grandchildren Tony (Terri) Ammon of CO, Rebecca (Christian) Andersen of CO, Christine (Fred) Bertram of CO, Daniel (Amanda) Barnhart of NY, Scott (Lainnie) Barnhart of IL, Davana (Mark) Kosek of NE, Rick (Adolia) Roth of MN, Randy (Sally) Roth of MN and RaeJeanna (David) Stillson of MN; step-grandchildren Brian (Michelle) Biggs of ID, Jenna Biggs of OR, Casey Biggs of MA, Kevin (Anita) Biggs of NC, Melanie (Doug) Forrester of SC and Roddrick Biggs of TN; many great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her second husband Frasier Biggs, her sister Edith Norris of NM, her grandson Mark Barnhart and a brother in law Bob Bunch. Peggy taught school in eastern CO; in Greeley, CO; one year at International School in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; and at South Jr. High School in Aurora, CO from which she retired. She was also very active in the Girl Scouts as a leader. Peggy traveled extensively with her sister Bonnie, enjoyed playing the guitar and enjoyed camping and hiking in the Colorado mountains. She was an avid bridge and cribbage player and also loved fishing and playing golf. Peggy was an active member of St. Gabriel Episcopal Church for many years. "
Louis C. Ammon, age 95, of Redwood Falls, MN, went to be with the Lord on February 19, 2006. He was born on August 8, 1910 in Stratton, CO to Herman and Augusta Amman. He was raised in rural Colorado and Nebraska, graduated from Naponee High School, Naponee, NE in 1928. He moved to Colorado and graduated from Colorado State College of Education with his BA Degree in 1939 and his Master's in 1945. Lou began his teaching career in Colorado rural schools, then in Denver Public Schools for 45 years, retiring in 1975.
He married Janey Margaret "Peggy" Cheairs on May 23, 1937 in Kersey, CO. He lived in Weld County until 1943, moved to Wichita, KS until 1945 when he moved to Denver.
In 1976, he moved to Albuquerque, NM, and in 1991 to Longmont. In 2002, he moved to Hopedale, IL and finally moved to Redwood Falls in December 2004.
He was a master carpenter and worked the trade every summer during his teaching years. After retiring from teaching, he worked for 17 years designing, building and installing swimming pools and satellite dishes in Albuquerque, NM.
He was always ready to help anyone in need; many had a "Lou list" with jobs they knew would be done well by him. He enjoyed his family, cabinet making, reading, singing, traveling, fishing, and was an active member of St. John's United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; a grandson, Mark Barnhart; two brothers, Albert and George; and three sisters, Bette, Lillie, and Freda.
He is survived by two daughters, Nancy Roth (Jimmy) of Redwood Falls and Debbie Barnhart (Bill) of Danvers, IL; a son, Robert Ammon (Nancy) of Franktown, CO; ten grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Janet Nathlich (Bob) of Broomfield, CO; sister-in-law, Mary Amman of Ft. Morgan, CO; and many nieces and nephews.
His Funeral Service was Saturday, February 25, 2006 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel; interment at Crown Hill Cemetery in Denver, CO.

Nancy M. AMmon, 21, married Jimmie G. Roth on AUgust 21, 19961 in San Joaquin, California.

EMMA

Kleber, John A -- Arriba, Lincoln Co married Amman, Emma B -- Claremont, Kit Carson Co on 6/22/1905 in Claremont Kit Carson County.
witnesses H M Kleber and Nannie Amman "

Emma Barbara (Amman) Kleber 1878-1913 is buried in Republican City, Nebraka # 73480889.
John Adam Kleber, Jr. 1877-1938 is buried in Arriba, Colorado # 65649129.

NANNIE

Kleber, John A -- Arriba, Lincoln Co married Amman, Emma B -- Claremont, Kit Carson Co on 6/22/1905 in Claremont Kit Carson County.
witnesses H. M. Kleber and Nannie Amman

In March 1911 Miss Nannie Amman of Bethune led a duscussion of the Kit Carson County teachers.
" The school in district 28 was reached and a short time was given to Miss Nannie Amman and her orderly school. Although Miss Amman has taught school in the east, like a true daughter of the centennial state, she has come to her home district to devote the best of her talents to the training of our Colorado boys and girls. Both the blackboard and the walls bore evidence of good work on the part of the pupils."

In 1920 Lincoln County, Colorado, Nannie, 30, is married to August F. Kleber 35, with Hulda 5.

August F. Keber died in King County, Washington on June 16, 1965.

Nannie Kleber, born August 23, 1889, died in May 1974, last residence Kirkland, Washington.

Hulda Kleber is a stenographer in 1938 and 1939 Spokane, Washington.

1940

Hulda Merz, born 1914, has a stone in Bellevue, Washington # 8011963, with Albert H. E. Merz 1909-1983.

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