Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

Walter H. Conarty , 10 South 49 West


Patrick Henry Conarty was born in Coothill, [illegible] County, Ireland, September 12, 1841. With his parents, he came to New York City when he was 5 years of age. In 1856 he moved to Apple River, Illinois. He enlisted in the Union Army on September 21, 1861 and was discharged November 11, 1864. He was united in marriage in 1868 to Mary Margaret Walter in the town of Shulsburg, Wisconsin. They moved from Illinois to Republic county, Kansas in 1873, and to Norton County in 1875, where he located in Grant Township. To this union was born eight children, four boys and four girls, two of whom having preceded the father in death: Mrs. Minnie Bright and Edward Conarty of Norton. Six survive him: John of Norton, Susie Thompson of Fairview, Oklahoma, Walter of Burlington, Colorado, Mrs. Ada Smith of Stinnett, Texas, Mrs. Maggie Ricky of Norton, and Will of Seibert, Colorado; 24 grandchildren, two adopted; 33 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Two sisters and three brothers preceded him in death; three brothers survive him. He was called out of this life after passing his 90th birthday by two hours. He leaves to mourn his loss a loving wife, the above-mentioned children, other relatives and a host of friends. "Pat" was directly and closely connected with much of the early history of Norton county, and held several important positions politically and otherwise, in all of which he proved a genuine manhood,; always prompt in his performance of duties and general actions toward those with whom he came in contact. he [sic] was an A-1 neighbor and staunch friend. No citizen can be more staunch in his patriotism and love of country, and no man was prouder than he while parading under the waving Old Glory which he carried on all occasions as color bearer of the G.A.R. This patriotic duty he performed while marching to the cemetery to place the bodies of 53 comrades in hallowed ground. For 19 years Pat delivered mail on Route 3, resigning this work in 1920 when it became too strenuous for his enfeebling body. Since then he had been weakening physically, much of the time confined to the home. His later ambition was to live to his 90th birthday. This was accorded him, the grim reaper calling him to pass through the valley of death at 2 o'clock of the morning after his 90 years well spent. His body now lies at rest among the comrades who preceded him, in the Norton Cemetery.

In 1900 Norton County, Patrick Conarty is 58, Mary M. 50, with William F. 20 and Maggie L. 17.

CONARTY WALTER H. married KINZER INA L. on 3/23/1902 in Norton County


Walter proved up two quarters in 25 and 30, 10S 49W in 1912.

Murphy, Lelan C -- Seibert, Kit Carson Co CO married Conarty, Opal C -- Flagler, Kit Carson Co
3/27/1926 Burlington Kit Carson Co CO
Husb Age: 20 Wife Age: 20
husbands father Ellis Murphy husband's DOB 4/26/1905
witnesses W H Conarty and J L Conarty

Walter 1878-1940 is buried in Flagler # 13491645 with Ina Lucinda (Kinzer) Conarty 1884-1965.
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WILLIAM
In 1900 Norton County, Mabel Hoover, born July 1881 in Kansas, is with mother Lydia Hoover Nov 1846 Indiana, divorced.
In 1880 Norton County Reuben Hoover 36 and Lydia 34 had Jeannette 15, Axey 13, Alfred L.8, Albert C. 7, Edward E. 4, Minnie A.3, and William E. 1.
In 1885 Norton County, Reuben and Lydia have Gerettie 20, A.J. 18, A.L. 13 A.C. 10, E.E. 9, M.A. 8, W.E. 6, Mabel 3, M.O.2, and Ida M. three months.

CONARTY WILLIAM F. HOOVER MABLE 11/5/1901 Norton County
In 1905 Norton County, W.F. is 25, Mabel 23, with Walter 2.
They're in Republic County, Kansas in 1915.

William Francis Conarty registered for WWI in Seibert, born March 27, 1880, farming, relative Mabel Conarty of Seibert.
In 1920 Kit Carson County, William F. Conarty and Minnie are both 39, farming.
In 1930 Kit Carson County, William and Mabel are farming, with son Walter C., born inUtah about 1904.
William, Mable, and Walter are in Jefferson County, Colorado in 1040, (in Caldwell, Idaho in 1935)

JOHN PATRICK and DELLA MAE (CURTIS) CONARTY, Cheyenne County, Colorado.



HISTORY OF NORTON COUNTY KANSAS
In November 1874 John, Pat and Ed Conarty and John E. King came to Norton county and settled on Cactus and Buck creeks in the south east part of the county. . Their father, Edward Conarty, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, November 10th, 1808. Was married there to Susan King in 1847; came to the United States in March 1856. Eight children were born to them, two of them, Pat and John were born in Ireland, the other six were born in this country. He came to Norton county in May 1883 and died in Norton November 5, 1893. His widow lives here still. . Patrick II was born September 12, 1841; was married Feb. 16, 1868 to Mary Walters. They have eight children. Pat volunteered September 21, 1861 in the U.S. Army, served in John M. Glover's 3 Missouri cavalry; was in the battle of Chillicothe, was in the entire Missouri campaign; has always been a republican, was a candidate for sheriff in 1883, but was defeated by Lisbon Sheley in the convention; was under sheriff from 1878 to 1880. He moved to Norton in 1877, had been constable of Center township for two years; was trustee of Grant township for six years and says he is a wheel horse in Grant township yet. . Jack Conarty was born June 2, 1844; was married to Anna Attebury February 2, 1878; they have had five children, four of them still living, three girls and one boy whose name is Pat. . Jack volunteered in company K 30 Wisconsin, mustered out in 1866; was elected sheriff on Leota ticket in 1877; defeating Charles W. Posson by one vote. He was defeated for the nomination in 1879 in the Republican convention by Jim Vining but was an independent candidate at the polls but failed to get votes enough. . During Jack's term as sheriff he arrested the men charged with the murder of John Landis by his zeal and fearlessness in connection with the arrest of Dr. Cummings and others. At that time he incurred the displeasure of the Leota partisans which probably cost him a re-election as sheriff. He joined the populist party in 1890, was a candidate for sheriff on that ticket in 1893, but was defeated by Wm. Burnham. He resides on Cactus Creek at this time on the old Tom Attebury farm. . Ed Conarty came here with Pat and Jack; was married to Elizabeth Slater in 1878; they have nine children: left here in 1889. He now resides in Union, Oregon. . Joseph Conarty came here in 1884; was married to Miss McFarland in 1886; they now live in Sand Creek township; have three children. . Maria Conarty was born in July 1860; she married Charles Moore and now lives in Cheyenne county. . Thomas Francis Conarty was born in 1862 and lives in the eastern part of the county. . Mr. Conarty's other two children, Mary and Felix, died in infancy. .
In 1900 Norton County, Kansas, John P. Conarty is 55, with Annie 37, Julia 19, Maud 11, and John P. 7.
In 1910 Norton County, John is 65, with Annie 47, Maud J. 20, John P. 17, and hired man Alfred Holmes.
CONARTY JOHN P. CURTIS DELLA M. 4/13/1918 Norton County
In 1920 J.P. 27 and Della 20, born in Kansas, are in Cheyenne County, Colorado, farming.
Della married Otto Barnett, and they're in Laclede County, Missouri in 1940, with Charley Conarty 19, Juanita Conarty 14, and Claud Walters, 23, lodger.
John registered for WWII in Elko, Nevada, working for the Western Pacific R.R., with siser Maude Bauguess of Densmore Knasas as reference.
Juanita married Vernon S. Eggen, per one tree, and they lived in Denver,

CHARLEY
Charley E. Conarty, and Doralan M. Conarty, both of Multnomah County, Oregon, married in Skamania, Washington December 1952. witnesses Vernon S. Eggen and Juanita M. Eggen.
Charles 1921-2003 and Doralan M. Conarty 1928-2014 are buried in Portland, Oregon, # 143937375.
Federal Way, Washington - Doralan Hall Conarty, 86, of Federal Way, Wash., and formerly of Jerome, died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, at her home. A graveside service will be held at noon Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Portland, Ore. Doralan Maxine Conarty Daughter of Houston and Maud Hall sister of 9 siblings, Passed away peacefully at home with her Grandchildren, and Great grandchildren, Thursday September 11,2014. She is survived by her sister Beverly Reed of TwinFalls, ID. Four grandchildren Tracy Boykin,Shawna Lloyd,Cathi Conarty, and Michael Steele. Four Great Grandchildren Brittni Johnston,Joseph Boykin, Hollie Lloyd, and Jamie Steele, and her long time friend and son Timmothy Irwin of Salem, Ore.

EDWARD

Early Life Real name, Edward L Conarty. Conarty was among the many Lexington survivors that were assigned to the U.S.S. Alabama (BB-60) to put it into commission. Conarty was known for his boxing skill and was a member of both the Lexington and Alabama boxing teams. Nicknamed “Jack” Conarty during his service aboard the “Mighty A,” he was known as an exciting boxer who “packed a blockbuster in his left (southpaw) and would take anything his opponent could hand out just long enough to unload one of his bombs.” It is said that he never lost a single boxing match in his entire service aboard BB-60.
Bob Murphy (July 22, 1922 – August 17, 1961), was an Irish-American light heavyweight boxer who fought from 1945 to 1954. He was born Edwin Lee Conarty in Flagler, Colorado, but fought out of San Diego, California. In 2003, Murphy, who was a southpaw, made the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
He unsuccessfully challenged Joey Maxim for the light heavyweight championship on August 22, 1951. Although Murphy entered the ring as the favorite, Maxim clearly outboxed him and won a unanimous 15-round decision. Murphy's biggest win came on June 27, 1951 against former middleweight champion Jake LaMotta, who had moved up to the light heavyweight division after losing his crown to Sugar Ray Robinson. LaMotta appeared poorly prepared for the bout and was floored (the only knockdown of LaMotta's career). The match stopped when LaMotta could not answer the bell for the eighth round. Murphy and LaMotta fought a rematch on June 11, 1952, and La Motta won the decision. Murphy retired in 1954 with a 65-11-1 record with 57 knockout wins.
Murphy was killed in a road accident in Boston, when he crashed his motorcycle and broke his neck on August 1, 1961.

Edward Lee Conarty 1922-1961 is buried in Flagler # 116265959.

1913 - 2010 On a cold, snowy day in December, on the 30th day, Ina Kinzer Conarty and Walter H. Conarty were blessed with a new baby girl named Georgia Rose Conarty. Her dad, Walt, and her Uncle George went for the doctor, but before they could return, six feet of snow had fallen. Her Aunt Maggie had delivered Georgia Rose in their "soddie" home that had only a dirt floor built by Walt and his brother in law, Milton Kinzer.
She was the daughter that had a special place in her dad's heart. To this day she says that she can still feel his hand under her chin while he combed her hair when she was getting ready to go to school. She can also remember that he would waltz her around the dance floor at the Odd Fellows Hall in Flagler only one time before he had to stop due to a heart condition. She adored both of her parents, but there were so many children that came before her, she always was daddy's girl.'
Her siblings were Irma, Opal, Tom, Ed, Orley, Pauline and Baby June. Opal was the babysitter and Georgia's first words were, "Opal, take her". Before Walt married Ina Kinzer, he was a professional gambler. Once he met Ina, he told her that being a gambler was not the kind of life he wanted, so later on he became sheriff of Kit Carson County. When Walt informed Ina that they were to move to Colorado from Norton, Kan., she was concerned that there would not be a school for the children. He told her not to worry, he would build a school. He and several others set out to build Second Central School. There were only two students in Georgia's class, Georgia and Ted Wickham. One of Georgia's most fond memories of her brother Tom is when he tried to teach her to drive. She was 10 years old. They took off for town with Tom driving, and then she was to bring the car home. Tom taught her how to drive and steer the wheel but forgot one important element; how to stop the vehicle. She took off for home and Tom told her to stop and get gas before going home. She drove right into the filling station and right out since she didn’t know how to stop. Tom nor Georgia never lived that one down. Each child had duties to perform. Georgia definitely was not a farm girl, so she went to town and did housework and ironing for 25 cents a week.

In the summer months, Georgia would work at the Buell Ranch, and whatever wages she made, she turned over to support the family. In 1929, she went to work for a Mrs. Millasack. This lady was particularly picky about how the house was to be cleaned. She had a carpet with fringe on it, and Georgia had to comb each strand to straighten it before she was done for the day. At the end of the summer, with only earning $1.00 a week, she asked for a raise and they let her go. She said, "Mrs. Millasack was particular, but she sure taught me how to clean and organize a house." During the first half of her ninth grade year, Walt became Sheriff of Kit Carson County, so he moved the family to Burlington. Georgia and her best friend, Vivian Keifer, were inseparable. If Vivian wasn't at Georgia's house, Georgia was at Vivian's house. Georgia graduated from Burlington High School in 1932, and lettered in basketball in 1930, 1931 and 1932. After graduation, she lived with Irma and Dave Rowden, and she went to work at the Flagler Phone Company as an operator for four and a half years. She fondly remembers Irma's cooking and those homemade cinnamon rolls. Irma would wash and iron her starched sheets and make sure Georgia would get to work on time at the phone company. Dave Rowden was such a positive influence in Georgia's life after her dad, Walt, died. Georgia also had some not so fond memories of Dave laying a dead mouse at her feet while hanging clothes on the clothes line. Irma sure gave him a spanking over that ordeal! Walt didn't want city life to influence his children, so he put a pool table in their home so that the boys could play pool without going to the pool hall. Walt didn't allow any liquor in his home and had strict rules for everyone to follow. He ran a pretty tight ship. Georgia heard later that often times some of the boys would come to the house to see the Conarty girls rather than just play pool. While Walt was Sheriff, he had to call upon his cousin, Pat Conarty, who lived south of Flagler. Pat worked hard at making a moonshine still. Since it was prohibition, Walt and Pat had a run in. Pat threatened to shoot Walt, but somehow it worked out because no one died!
Georgia wanted to go to beauty school in Denver, so Tom sold a cow to help provide the money for her schooling. Blanche Carper was to help her get enrolled, however, something went wrong and Georgia never was able to go to beauty school. Not being able to realize her dream, Georgia headed off to the big city of Denver. Georgia became employed by Montgomery Wards, (Monkey Wards). Georgia worked there for almost 10 years while living with Pat and Pauline McCart. Georgia met and married George Cummings and they had a daughter, Janice, in 1948. They remained married for five years then divorced.
After the divorce, Georgia needed to take care of her daughter. Realizing that there wasn't too much future at Wards,she enrolled in Opportunity School. Pat would pick her up from her job and rush her to school every night. He never forgot to bring her a sandwich that Pauline had made for her. While attending school in Denver, Georgia had to leave Janice with her sister, Opal, and her husband, Elmer "Bub" Joy.
It was so hard to leave Janice, but she would come to Flagler each weekend, driving her 1952 Flathead Ford. Georgia had learned by this time how to stop an automobile. Gram Conarty lived with the Joys and taught Janice and many others how to make pie crust with those crippled hands. Georgia fondly remembers how Gram Conarty was trying to discipline Ina Lou Murphy Trahern when she was a little girl. Ina Lou bit her sister, Norma Jean Murphy Moore, and during the screaming, Gram decided to teach Ina Lou a lesson by biting her. Ina Lou laughed and said, "Gram, you didn't have your teeth in."

While attending Opportunity School, Georgia met Zeke Martinez, and in 1962, they were married. They did a lot of traveling together visiting far away destinations such as Israel and Jamaica with her brothers and sisters-in-law. Afte retiring in 1972, she volunteered for the Department of Social Services. She answered phones, helped distribute food and helped organize rides for those who couldn't get to their doctors appointments. Georgia and Zeke did this marvelous task for over 20 years. After Zeke died, her daughter, Janice Cummings Walters decided Georgia should come and help her with her skin care clinic. Georgia has worked at Complex Skin Fitness Clinic in Lakewood full-time from her 80th birthday until her 94th birthday. After she suffered many mini-strokes, Georgia had to give up driving at 94 years of age. Georgia still comes in on a regular basis when possible. Jan is married to Bob Walters from New Orleans and has three children, Tara Medina, Tamira Trujillo and Randy Cain. Tamira and Randy live in Colorado and Tara and her family now live in Okinawa. Jan keeps Georgia traveling. She has had the opportunity to go to Sicily for the birth of her first great-granddaughter, Sienna Rose Medina whose father, Marcos Medina, serves proudly in the United States Navy. In February, Jan and Georgia will travel to Okinawa for the birth of their second great-granddaughter. Jan and Bob Walters took Georgia to Ireland to stand on the ground that her family came from, CooteHill County Cavan. She was the only one of the siblings to ever go back to the land of her forefathers. She remembers fondly asking about the Conarty clan while there and having a young man whose eyes were as blue as the sky ask around, “Would you be for knowin how to find the Conarty Clan?” It was a memorable trip. To be able to stand in the church yard where your relatives could only make an X by their name to signify births, deaths and marriages was amazing. Georgia has housed many nieces and nephews in her home in Denver while they would attend various schools to better their education. She is loved by many and we all wish her the happiest birthday. Funeral services will be held at the Lookout Mountain Community Church (534 Commons Drive) in Golden, Colorado on Thursday, December 30, 2010. A luncheon will follow the services at the church. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. (same day) at Evergreen Memorial Park in Evergreen, Colorado.

2012Juanita Marie Conarty Eggen passed away February 6, 2012 with family by her side. Nita was born at home near Flagler, Colo. Nov. 2, 1925 to John Patrick Conarty and Della Mae Curtis. She lived in Kansas and Missouri. At the close of her sophomore year she went to Twin Falls Idaho to be with her dad and brother. In Twin Falls she met the handsome Vernon S. Eggen. They were married September 20, 1942 (Nita was sixteen and Vern was nineteen). Vern was drafted into the Army soon after and Nita stayed and graduated from Twin Falls H.S. Several years later Nita joined the LDS Church and their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. Vern and Nita spent most of their life together in Oregon, Colorado and Utah.Nita was fun, spunky, and beautiful. She had a flare for fashion and a feisty Irish personality. She held several jobs and was very efficient at steno and type. She loved to read. She served many years in the Jordan River Temple walking on crippled legs and feet that would swell and cause her great pain, but she was a brave and strong woman and continued to serve faithfully. Vern and Nita are the parents of five children Deanna (Dick) Arnold, Stan (Tammy) Eggen, Karen (Joe) Erickson, Shawna (Doug) Meredith, and Kelly (Ron) Waterlyn . They have 27 grandchildren and 54 great grandchildren.Nita was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers Edward and Charley and most recently by her grandsons Mikey and Jake and a couple of weeks ago by little Peyton. Her sweetheart Vern passed away in 2007.A viewing will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11th at 11:00 one hour prior to the 12:00 service at the Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South. Interment: Valley View Memorial Park.

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