Kit Carson County, Colorado
Photographs

 COGenWeb Logo

Kit Carson County Pioneers:

Thomas J. and Elsie J. (Greenwood) Huntzinger, 7 South 51 West



In 1870 Thomas is in Madison County, Indiana, age 6, with J. Huntzinger 33 and Susanna 29. Noah is 9, Isabell 8, Cora May 7, Thomas J. 6, Joseph 4, John M. 3, and Charles 1.
All were born in Indiana.

Charles died in 1929 in Wyoming.



In 1880 Madison County, Jefferson is 44, Susanna 39, Noah 19, Isabell 18, Cora M. 17, Thomas J. 16, Joseph 14, John M. 12, Charles 11, Frank and Frances both 9, Margaret 7, Annie E. 6, Albert O. 4, Elizabeth H. 3and Laura E. 1.

Elsie J. Greenwood and Thomas J. Huntzinger married on October 21, 1891 in Thurman. (Thurman was north of Flagler, but in 1891 was in Arapahoe County, and the nearest county seat for registration was Lincoln County.



In 1900 Kit Carson County, Thomas born May 1863 in Indiana, married eight years to Elseie G. July 1870 in Iowa, have Charles J. Sept 1892, Edith B. Nov 1893, Sidney B. Aug 1895, Harvey H. Jan 1898, and Cora M. Jan 1900, all kids born in Colorado.

Thomas cash-claimed a quarter in section 27, 5S 52W in 1890 (Washington County, but only two miles north of the Kit Carson County line.
He proved up on another quarter in section 27 in 1897.

In 1910 Kit Carson County, Thomas is 46, born in Indiana, with Ida 39 born in Iowa.
Charles 17, Edith B. 16, Sidney V. 14, Harvey H. 12, Cora M. 10, and Ida I. 8 were all born in Colorado.

Thomas claimed 40 acres in section 25, 7S 51W in 1911.


"Huntzinger, T. J., Farmer and Stockraiser, S. 12, T. 7 R. 51 P O. Flagler. Mr. Huntzinger was born in Indiana in 1864, settled in the County in 1900, and married Elsie J. Greenwood. They have seven children."

With two walking plows and the help of Billy Quinn, broke up 160 acres of land. They walked behind the plow from sunup until sundown and there were times when the girls would have to bring the lantern out so they could see to put the horses away, and were their feet sore and tired at night? He raised a bumper crop that year, the largest he ever raised on that land. The land agents would bring land buyers out to show them the great piles of corn that was shucked and piled on the ground, as he had no corn crib in those days, and people could see the piles of corn for miles, and no doubt this crop persuaded many of the eastern people to invest in Eastern Colorado land. He also raised 1000 bushels of nice potatoes that same year and it certainly looked like a land of plenty. Those were happy days on the homestead and all seemed anxious to meet their new neighbors. As we would be on our way to Flagler or Seibert the homesteaders would come out, either wanting to ride to town or send in for their mail or other things they might be in need of they all seemed like one large family, willing to help one another. T. J. Huntzinger was one of the oldest settlers in that neighborhood and a kind, pleasant friend to all new settlers and will always be remembered for the many favors that he extended to them.
Now for a bit of early history of my father. His father and mother, Nathaniel Ball and Mary Esther Wickum (actually Wickham), were born and married in the state of Ohio. From there they drove a yoke of oxen on their wedding trip to Franklin Co, Iowa. Years later my father was born May 6th, 1864 at this place. When he was six years old his father took his family and drove two yoke of oxen to the state of Missouri and located close to the county seat of Musser (actually Mercer) County, a little town called Princeton. His father liked to work in the woods but my father did not like to cut wood as he said "the rattle of the ax hurt his head" so he would pile up the brush that his father told him to and when the pile got large enough so he could slip away without being seen, he would go down to the Grand river with his older brother Nate, and swim all day, his father thinking he was still pilling brush. There is where he discovered that he was a swimmer and diver. He had been swimming since he was six years old, as he always said that he did not have to learn to swim, it just seemed to come natural with him and as he grew older he learned that he could sleep on the water he would laugh and say the deeper the better. There were lots of wild hogs in Missouri at that time and he would stay close to the bank of the river and when ever a wild hog would chase him he would jump in, and if the hog came in after him he would get in the deep water, dodge under it and come up behind and hold on until the hog would be drowned. This was great sport for he and his brother.
Later his father moved the family to Monroe (actually Monona) county, Iowa, near the town of Mapleton on the Sioux (actually Maple) river. This county was also new, with wild deer running the prairie; plenty of Indians lived there. My father, being curious as to how they lived, ventured inside their tepee one afternoon - when his two older sisters came hunting for him the squaw said he was not there; at the same time he was hiding beneath the big fur hide that she was sitting on. How the squaws did laugh; they though it a big joke to fool the girls. Another time when he was helping his father chop wood near the river, he managed to get hold of the two axes, and with one in each hand he swam across the Sioux (actually Maple) river with them. His father called angrily after him: "Good heavens, Elisha, you could have dropped the axes in the river." So my father, fearing that he might be punished, ran out in the bush and stayed until he thought it safe to return home. He still laughs about his dad being on one side of the river and his axes on the other.
At twelve years of age his mother died leaving 8 girls and 4 boys. Soon after that he was out doing for himself. At the age of 17, he and my mother Evalena McCleerey, 14 years old, eloped to Omaha and were married. They farmed in Iowa for several years they moved to western Nebraska, in Wheeler county on a preemption. It was then a very new country, the panthers prowling near the windows at night would scream like some woman in distress, then my father would hang a lighted lantern on the corner of the house and frighten them away. The scream of the bald eagle could also be herd and they come very close to the house in day time.
The settlers would have family gatherings in the evenings. My father often took his family and drove 10 to 15 miles in a wagon, then he would furnish the music by playing his accordion while the rest danced. They would et, sing a few songs then drive home in the wee hours of the morning.
Later my father located at Decatur, Nebraska, just 70 miles north of Omaha on the Missouri river, when the country was still new, mostly Indians lived there, the Omaha and the Winnebago tribes. They liked my father's friendly attitude and would greet him with a "How How Mr. Ball." He learned the way to stay friends with them was not let them get indebted to you. If they wanted to borrow from you, either sell or give it outright to them for if you ever asked one about a loan he would be your enemy.
For many years my father raised and shipped fat hogs and cattle to the Omaha market. He often took his family along for a week's stay in the city, which was a great treat for them. Racing horses horses was in sport at that time and he owned several. Tow, Bonnie Bun and Billy Dugan being great favorites of the family. He won many first and second purses and sweepstakes at different fairs in Nebraska and Iowa.
After the death of his wife and mother of his nine children he took six of the youngest at home and settled on his 320 acre homestead in Colorado where he farmed and bought and sold cattle and hogs.
In June 1910 he married Ellen(?) Bertha Paulsen, also a homesteader from Minnesota. They now live on their farm two miles east of Flagler. He will be 74 years old on May 6th, and still enjoys every minute of his life. His seven married children are doing fine in homes of their own, living in four different states, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and California. He has 45 grandchildren and 26(25?) great-grandchildren living.
My father's greatest enjoyment was rearing his family and still likes having youngsters around as they remind him of his own when they were growing up. He was always a kind, jolly father and made friends and he went. He does enjoy his many friends.
We all loved the Eastern Colorado plains and hope the new methods of farming will stop the wind erosion and everyone becomes prosperous and happy and feel the spirit of homesteading days as of old.
My father still enjoys playing his accordion and harmonica at the same time and when the water is warm his chief delight is swimming and diving. He will find his way to the pool like he used to when he was a boy - only he is not running away from his dad now, but swims on his own time.

Myrtle Ball Quinn
529 N. 3rd Street
Sterling, Colorado
(submitted by David Ball) ---------------------------------

T.J. Huntzinger was treasurer of school district # 14 in 1911, J.A. Thompson president, Roy Bryant secretary.

In 1920, Thomas, 55, Elsie 49, Edith 26, Harey 22, Ida 18, and Ivan 9.

In 1930 Thomas is 65, Elsie 59, Ivan L. 19, Charles A. 27, and Alfareta McAllister 22 - a boarder, school teacher born in Oklahoma.

In 1940 Kit Carson County, Thomas is 75, Elsie 69, with two lodgers.
They're next to Ivan L. Huntzinger 29, who lives alone.

CHARLES

Charles is buried in Douglas, Wyoming 1892-1962 # 83269595.
"Charles J. Huntzinger, a resident of Converse County for more than forty years, passed away at Veteran's Hospital, Ft. Meade, South Dakota. He was born at Thurman, Colorado; the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Huntzinger. He was reared and educated in Kit Carson, Colorado. He enlisted in the Army during World War I from Luverne, Minn. He served in France with the 1008 Demolition Group, 132nd Engineers, being honorably discharged as a Sgt. July 19, 1919. He married Ruth Marie Blomquist on June 3, 1925 and they lived in the home they built west of Douglas. He is survived by his wife; four children, Carl of Menlo Park, Cal.; Doris Hoff of Bellvue, Colo.; Joyce Maurer, Douglas; John, Shirley Basin, Wyo.; seven grandchildren; and three brothers and three sisters, all of whom reside in Colorado."
EDITH

Edward W. Gering married Edith B. Huntzinger, 26, on September 8, 1920 in Burlington.

Edith 198301974 # 24415820 is buried in Flagler, with Edward 1887-1978.

SIDNEY
Huntzinger, Sidney V -- Flagler, Kit Carson Co CO Brandenbury, Gerda H -- Flagler, Kit Carson Co CO 6/26/1917 Burlington Kit Carson Co CO Husb: 21 Wife: 18 witnesses Conrad Erich Brandenberg and Cora Myrtle Brandenburg

Sidney Vaughn Huntzinger 1895-1983 is buried in Flagler # 5097399, with Gerda Helene Huntzinger 1899-1993.

HARVEY

Harvey Henry Huntzinger is buried in Flagler 1898-1988 # 27185502, with Ella Esta (Robb( Huntzinger 1905-1987.

CORA
Huntzinger, Sidney V -- Flagler, Kit Carson Co CO Brandenbury, Gerda H -- Flagler, Kit Carson Co CO 6/26/1917 Burlington Kit Carson Co CO Husb: 21 Wife: 18 witnesses Conrad Erich Brandenberg and Cora Myrtle Brandenburg
Cora Myrtle (Huntzinger) Brandenburg 1899-1980 is buried in Flagler # 15722238, with COnrad 1882-1987.

"My wife and I are originally from Flagler Colorado. I knew some of the Brandenburgs very well. They were Oscar, Konrad (Koonie), and Orville. Oscar died several years ago, a batchelor. Konrard and his wife also died several years ago. They had at least one son, Orville. He is still living in Flagler. He and his wife have a brillient daughter, who I believe is living in Denver. I vaguely remember Sidney Huntzinger, burt he and his wife died several years ago. All are buried in the Flagler, Co Cemetery"

IDA

Ida Irene (Huntzinger) Jensen 1902-1987 is buried in Flagler # 5231514, with Oliver 1902-1998.

THOMAS

Thomas Howard Huntzinger 1907-1908 is buried in Flagler # 27163760.
IVAN

Ivan Lewis Huntzinger 1910-1986 is buried in Flagler # 15708120,
Mamie Lucille (Kyle) Huntzinger 1915-1976 is buried in Flagler # 15708091.

"Memorial services for Tom Huntzinger, 69, Lawrence, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 3, 2017, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Private family burial will be at a later date. He died January 27, 2017, at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas.
Tom was born April 25, 1947, in Flagler, Colorado, the son of Ivan and Mamie (Kyle) Huntzinger.
He graduated from Colorado State University with a Master's Degree in Agricultural Engineering.
He worked for the U.S. Geological Survey, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and Applied Ecological Services. More recently, he was a private consultant working with Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS), which coordinates the watershed restoration and protection efforts for Clinton reservoir. He was a passionate environmentalist.
He was a member of numerous organizations, including the American Society of Professional Engineers, Sierra Club and Friends of the Kaw. He was president of the local chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Associations. He enjoyed sailing, kayaking, painting and gardening, and he was an avid bicyclist. He adored his four grandchildren and shared a love for KU Soccer with his oldest granddaughter.
He married Patty L. Basler on February 2, 1974, in Choctaw, Oklahoma. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his daughters, Amber (Jeff) Randel and Erin (Mike) Oliva all of Mission, KS; one brother, Larry Huntzinger of Rocky, OK; and four grandchildren, Anna, Samantha, Alexander and Lucy.:"


Return to Biography Index.

This page is maintained by Steve Stein.