Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:
John and Celia (Jeffrey) Keegan , 8 South 51 West
John cash-claimed a quarter in section 26, 8S 51W in 1891.
John Keegan made an affidavit on May 29, 1894, before notary
C. Leon McKesson, El Paso County, but notarized in Kit Carson County,
and that was the basis of a court case in 1913.
1895 Hugo, Colorado "John Keegan, the popular host of the Ponce
de Leon hotel of Flagler, was in town Tuesday. "
(Henry Flagler, a co-founder of Standard Oil (with Rockefeller), Flagler is perhaps best known for opening the Atlantic Coast of the Sunshine State to tourists and residents through the expansion of his Florida East Coast Railway. The route eventually led all the way to Key West. Flagler has also been giving the distinction as the “father” of both Miami and Palm Beach.
Flagler eventually settled in Saint Augustine, where he built the Ponce de Leon Hotel. The building now houses Flagler College. Though he died in Palm Beach, Flagler is entombed in Saint Augustine. Today, his name appears in many other areas around Florida (including Flagler County here in Central Florida), and elsewhere across the country, such as the town of Flagler, Colorado._)
"A reported visit to the rail head of an investor interested in checking on progtess of the railroad.
His name was Henry Flagler and reports of his empire in Florida preceded him. A city had been named to honor
him. He had just built a fine hotel, the "Ponce De Leon" and he proposed to build a rail line down through
the keys. He had performed miracles in transforming part of Florida into a garden spot. To commemoratc his
visit, a plan to rename the settlement and afford him a proper welcome was devised. A new name,
Flagler, was acceptable; a very new hotel, hastily erected by Mr. Keegan, was renamed "Ponce De Leon,"
with an appropriate sign affixed to be visible from the depot. An additional
sign was painted and placed near the section - house to assure recognition of the hotel's name.
A gala celebration was January 20, 1909, "spring Fever" on Main St. was planned.
A 1918 Progress Edition of The Flagler News and The Flagler Progress newspapers record
the events of this visit. It was stated Mr. Flagler was quietly pleased with the honors
bestowed upon him. (His character did not generally allow him to enjoy celebrations of this sort)."
"Mr. Keegan operated his "Ponce De Lion" hotel along with a very active livery stable.
Records tell us this hotel was located where the IOOF building was later erected. The hotel burned
First Flagler Day in 1914.
"
August 1895 "Messrs. John Keegan and
W. H. Lavington of Flagler made final proof
for their claims at the United States Land office
last Saturday. G. O. Gates and J. W. Hunt,
also of Flagler, were present as witnesses."
1897 
John proved up a quarter in section 11, 9S 51W in 1897.
ONE POSSIBLE
In 1870 Story County, Iowa, Lewis J. Jeffrey is 59,
Rebecca Jeffrey 47,
William P. Jeffrey 27,
James O. Jeffrey 24,
Alexander T. Jeffrey 21,
George Jeffrey 19, MARCELIA Jeffrey 16,
Jennie Jeffrey 13, and Addie Jeffrey 6.
Lewis Johnson Jeffrey 1811-1889 # 41751113 and
Rebecca A. Wilson Jeffrey 1823-1898 # 41751114
are buried in Corning, Iowa.
John Leegan and Mercelia Jeffrey married in Ames, Iowa in 1875.
In 1880 Adams County, Iowa, John is a peddler, 30, born in Ireland, Celia 26, and Harley A. 1.
In 1885 Butler County, Nebraska, John is 34, Celia 31, and "Harlin" 6.
He is a mining broker in 1900 Denver, born March 1853 in Ireland,
immigrating in 1854. He's married 24 years to Celia born August 1867 in Indiana,
and they have son Harley A. Nov 1878 Iowa, a U.S. surveyer.
Keegan, Harley, 26 , of Victor, Teller County, married Edith Parke, 23, of
Flagler, on 6/21/1905 in Flagler.
September 1908 Oak Creek, Colorado "W. J. Parke and wife came down from Yampa Sunday for a weeks
visit with their daughter, Mrs. H. F. Keegan."
June 1909 "H. A. Keegan of the Bell Mercantile company's Oak Creek store was in Yampa yesterday.
Mrs. Keegan came up with him and will remain here with her sister, Mrs. Fred Stratton, for a couple of weeks,
while some improvements are being made on their house at Oak Creek."
John Keegan died May 16, 1908 in Denver, born in Ireland, buried in Fairmount Cemetery.
FindaGrave # 122522486.
Mercelia Keegan and William John Wagoner married on March 24, 1918 in Jefferson County.
Celia J. Wagoner is in Denver in 1940, 86, wife of William J. Wagoner, 84 born inNew York.
Waggener, William J. 19 Jan 1942 obituary on page 5 of the Denver Post,
Waggoner, Celia J. Mrs. on 07 Dec 1944, page 20 of the Post.
HARLEY
In 1920 Denver, Harley Keegan is a paint salesman, 40, Edith 37, Kirk A. 13, and Helen A. 10.
Harley A. Keegan 1878-1923 is buried in Wheat Ridge # 58119940,
"Harley A. Keegan of Denver, at one time a resident of Routt county,
died Tuesday, after having been in poor health for several years.
In 1910 and 1911, Mr. Keegan was a stockholder in the Bell Mercantile company,
which was then operating stores in Yampa and Oak Creek, and he was associated
with Louis F. Castello in the management of the store which the firm opened in
the latter town, very soon after the town of Oak Creek was first established.
When the town was incorporated, he was one of the town trustees.
Mr. Keegan is survived by his widow and two children, Kirk and Helen,
and by his mother, Mrs. W. J. Wagoner. Mrs. Keegan is a sister of
Mrs. Fred M. Stratton of Oak Creek."
Edith Keegan and John Bate, 45, married in Boulder on October 9, 1926.
In 1930 Denver, Edith is 48, married to John Bate 49 born in England, with his children Bernard 25 and Ina 19. Kirk A. Keegan is 28, , and daugther Helen A. Kress 21, married but no spouse.
September 1931 "Mrs. Edith Keegan Bate and son Kirk and Miss Margaret Owen of Denver
were dinner guests at the Beryl Stratton home Thursday evening. Mrs. Bate is an aunt of Mr. Stratton
and they are spending a week visiting in Oak Creek and Steamboat."
Edith is widowed in 1940 Denver, 51, with a young couple lodging with her.
KIRK
Kirk A. Keegan married Margaret Mary Owen
on 06 Jul 1933 in Denver.
Kirk A. Keegan died 1n Oct 1972 in
Weymouth, Norfolk, Massachusetts, born in Colorado.
HELEN
Helen Keegan, 19, married Una E. Kress on June 25, 1927 in Littleton, Colorado.
Helen A. and "Ina" Kress divorced in Denver in 1931.
In 1940 Una is in San Antonio, married to Hazel 32 born in California. June 7 was born in Hawaii. All wee in Honolulu in 1935.
Una 1904-1957 is buried in Golden Gate National,
a Lieutenant Colonol in WWII, # 73982255.
Hazel Irene Kress, father Aujoux, mother Dieu, was born 1911 in California, dying July 16, 1989 in Sacramento County.
This page is maintained by Steve Stein.