Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

Joseph M. Whitted, 9 South 51 West


In 1870 Sarpy County, Nebraska, Joseph M. Whitted is 43, Rebecca Whitted 39, Aliece J. Whitted 17, Cornelius Whitted 15, Charles Whitted 9, Hattie Whitted 6, Willie Whitted 4, and Bertie Whitted 7/12.

Rebecca Bottorff Whitted BIRTH 23 Mar 1831 Clark County, Indiana, DEATH 11 Oct 1872 Sarpy County, Nebraska, BURIAL Fairview Cemetery Papillion, Sarpy County, Nebraska, PLOT Section 12, Row S06 MEMORIAL ID 10196719.
Joseph M. Whitted 50, born in Murray Co., Tennessee, son of William and Arena Whitted, on 14 Jun 1877 in Gilmore, Sarpy County, Nebraska, married Hannah Sophia Wold.

In 1880 Sarpy County, Joseph M. "Whitten" is farming, 53, Hannah S. Whitten 32 Wife, Samuel W. Whitten 18 Stepson, William C. Whitten 13 Stepson, Birthie Whitten 11 Stepson, Adolph Whitten 8 Stepson, Anette Whitten 5 Daughter, and Mabel Whitten 2 Daughter.
Joseph claimed a quarter in section 9, 9 South, 51W in 1891.


THANKS TO THE WHITTED FAMILY

JOSEPH MARION WHITTED, a Sarpy County, Nebraska, pioneer, was born in Duck River, Tennessee, on October 8, 1826. He was of Welch ancestry and a member of the Quaker faith. His forefathers came from Wales and settled in North Carolina. Both of his grandfathers served in the Revolutionary War and both were wounded. In 1833, Joseph s family moved to Parke County, Indiana. He acquired a common-school education and taught short terms in Parke County.

Joseph Whitted eventually settled in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he met and married Rebecca Bottorff. They both had plans to go to the far west, and favored the westward move, even though the distance was great and there was so much to be considered. They chose the Conestoga wagon for the family’s safety.

The spring trip across the clay roads of Iowa was a real hardship, because of the heavy rains, and Nebraska Territory indeed seemed far away. One April day they arrived at the ferry which would carry them across the Missouri River to Bellevue, Nebraska. They had long looked forward to a big welcome among good people again. Imagine their disappointment only to find the town astir with fright. They were told that Indians were threatening an outbreak, and that things would be bad unless "Pete" could stop the Indians. Pete proved to be Peter A. Sarpy, who had a magic way with Indians. Joseph Whitted was shown the way to Sarpy's barge, and from that hour they were fast friends. Rebecca and their two children remained in their wagon and she said, "Joe, if this is a sample of what is before us in the Great West, we will go no farther." And they didn't.

The new life of Joseph and Rebecca Whitted in Sarpy County was continued on a farm in Farview precinct near another Bottorff family.

At the age of 36 Joseph volunteered to serve in the Union Army, having first made provision for Rebecca and their four children on the farm. His enlistment began on October 17, 1862, a year later (as was the practice during the Civil War, enlistments were for one year) he was honorably discharged as a Sargeant in Co. D., 2nd Nebraska Cavalry. Most of the time was spent at Fort Kearney in western Nebraska. His lifelong love of horses gave him an immediate place in charge of training cavalry for "Abe Lincoln's Army as it was called.

He returned home at the end of his enlistment with an arrow hole in his blue army cap. Indians were a constant menace in the Fort Kearney area. He was heard to say in later years that he worked all that year far beyond his strength. His homecoming was hailed with delight by family and friends. It was with great pride that he again entered into community life.

He bought a farm near Gilmore Station, where he remained until 1885, when he moved to Douglas County near Florence, north of Omaha. Rebecca died in the Gilmore home in 1871, leaving him with six children. Their home was desolate and family and friends gave aid as best they could.

In 1874 he married Mrs. Hannah Wold of Omaha, a widow with two small children. To this union five were born (Accie, May, Josephine, John, and Benjamin) thus uniting three families. They lived in great happiness and harmony. Hannah died in 1895.

Joseph could tell many priceless important stories, more of which should have been recorded. One of his favorites was about a Winnebago Indian mother who tried to trade her black-haired papoose for a white red-headed baby who was two weeks old. The Indians were picking wild grapes in the Whitted pasture for the Omaha market. Grapes were ripe in August. Of course the offer was refused and it was thought the deal was closed. The next offer was a pony, with a dozen homemade baskets, to insure the bargain. It was refused again. One morning Hannah was getting vegetables from the garden and heard her baby cry. It had been left on the porch asleep. She hurried to the house, only to find an empty cradle, and to hear the cry again from the pasture. She reacted there just as a squaw mother with a very large shawl around her handed the baby to someone in the wagon, with the family on ??? ready to leave. Mother stopped the wagon and held out her arm. They handed the baby to her and drove off. Their wailling could heard far down the road. (Ed note: The missing words indicated by a "?" are unknown)

The declining years of the peace-loving soldier and pioneer of Nebraska early days were ??? in Omaha with his daughter Josephine and family, the Jonathan Frye's. He regularly attended Nebraska No. 1 Masonic Lodge ??? wore the Jordan Medal for being the oldest Mason in the state. His youngest son Benjamin Harrison Whitted married Mildred Daniel, a granddaughter of A??? Gates, another Sarpy County engineer, who lived near Gilmore ??? left a son and daughter, Richard of Papillion, and Ruth Dimmit of Omaha.

Joseph died suddenly on the afternoon of April 30, 1918 in the Frye home in Omaha. Nebraska No. 1 Masonic Lodge conducted final rites. A service was conducted at the Presbyterian Church in Papillion. He was laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery, where he had once lived.

He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Mabel Richards, Glen???, California, and Mrs. Josephine Frye, Indianapolis, Indiana; a great grandson, Richard D. Whitted, is present Sheriff of Sarpy County.
(This was an article collated by Josephine Whitted Frye for the Nebraska Historical Society. The authors have one of the original articles where Josephine Frye tells of Joseph Whitted remembering his experiences in the year 1833, "the year of the falling stars . The author checked the validity of the 'falling stars' and found a Shower of Meteorites (actually a shower of Leonids, named because the Leonids originate in the Constellation of Leo) occurred in 1833 according to an article in Encyclopedia Americana, Vol. 18, p 713. Copyright 1960.)

An article also collated by Josephine Frye appeared in the Nebraska Historical Society. Quotes from the article expand the above article.

"... were wounded. General Green was their Commanding Officer." "In 1833, 'the year of the falling stars', which he remembered well, Joseph's family moved to Parke County, Indiana. He acquired a common school education and taught several short terms in Parke County.

"He spent some time in Illinois where he took up land. Claim jumpers interferred with forged papers which were cleared through an attorney named Lincoln. However, the swindle was uncovered and, after much searching, Lincoln located Joseph in Iowa and offered to hold the land title until his return. But, by that time, Joseph had married and had well-laid plans to go to the far west. While he still lived in Illinois, the many wagon trains he saw headed westward lured his thoughts in that direction." "Their departure was delayed for Joseph loved good horses and to find the kind he felt sure could finish the trip took extra time and money. In that interval, he joined the Masonic Lodge in Mt. Pleasant. This proved to be a fruitful act, not only for himself and family but for his followers.

"The right team of horses was found for that unwieldy Conestoga. So heavily loaded with not only Rebecca's household items but farm machinery as well. Their spring trip across the clay roads of Iowa meant real hardship because there was a great deal of rain. The Nebraska Territory seemed far away."

"The scare died but their first night in the Nebraska Territory was never forgotten. Joseph's oldest brother, Robert M. Whitted, was Sheriff of Douglas County. They had not met in a long time, and the reunion was a happy one. Joseph learned his youngest brother, P. I. Whitted, known as "PI", from Exira, (Iowa), had been in Nebraska to assist Robert in the survey of public lands.

Hannah Sophia Strarn Whitted BIRTH unknown DEATH 31 Jan 1896 BURIAL Anderson Grove Cemetery Bellevue, Sarpy County, Nebraska, MEMORIAL ID 29548419

In 1900 Douglas County, Nebraska, Elkhorn precinct, J. M. "Whited" is widowed, born October 1826 in Tennessee, Josephine August 1881, Accie, son, born January 1885, and Benjamin February, all three in Nebraska

Joseph Marion Whitted BIRTH 6 Oct 1826 DEATH 30 Apr 1918 Nebraska, BURIAL Fairview Cemetery Papillion, Sarpy County, Nebraska, PLOT Section 12, row S07 MEMORIAL ID 10196742 .
"Joseph Marion Whitted, ninety-three years old, oldest member of Nebraska lodge No. 1 of the Masons, and a civil war veteran, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Josephine Frye, 3522 Grand avenue. A remarkable feature of Mr. Whltted's enduring life waa that he maintained full possession of his mental and physical faculties almost up to the time of his death. He began to fail less than two months ago. Mr. Whitted was born in Tennessee In 1828. From there he moved to Iowa, and later to Nebraska. The greater part of his life waa devoted to agricultural pursuits. He married in 1852, and following the death of his first wife he was married again in 1876. He is survived by two daughters by his first marriage, Mrs. Joseph Taylor and Miss Hattle Whitted of Minneapolis, a daughter, Mrs. J. S. Richards of Tacoma, Wash., and a son. Benjamin H. Whitted. Gilmore, Neb., by his second marriage."

Josephine Whitted Frye BIRTH 1881 DEATH 1971 BURIAL Fairview Cemetery Papillion, Sarpy County, Nebraska, PLOT Section 18, S03 MEMORIAL ID 10196983.

Benjamin H. Whitted BIRTH 6 Feb 1889 Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, DEATH 26 Jul 1947 Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, BURIAL Anderson Grove Cemetery Bellevue, Sarpy County, Nebraska, MEMORIAL ID 29548389.

The entire community was terribly surprised and shocked when the news Saturday morning of the death of Ben H. Whitted, prominent Fort Crook farmer, became known. Mr. Whitted had not been ill and was working in the field when a sudden attack caused him to be taken to an Omaha hospital Friday afternoon, where examinations preliminary to an operaton were being made. Death was due to complications and heart failure. He had enjoyed excellent health his entire life. Benjamin H. Whitted was born at Florence, Nebraska, son of the late Joseph M. and Hannah Wold Whitted on February 6, 1889. He was united in marriage to Miss Mildred Ruth Daniel in October 1909. They started housekeeping immediately on what Is known as the Watson farm near Fort Crook where they have since made their home.
The survivors are his wife, Mildred R., one son, Richard D. of Fort Crook, one daughter, Mrs. Ruth Dimmltt of Gretna, by three sisters: Mrs. Mabel Richards of Glendale, California, Mrs. Josephine Frye of Indianapolis, Ind., and Mrs. Nettie Samuels of Tacoma, Washington, and by one brother, Alphen J. Wold of Seattle, Washington. Four grandsons, Duane, Denny, and Danlel Whitted and Walter Leigh Dimmitt, one granddaughter, Cheryl Mae Dimmitt, also surrive and by many other relatives and a host of friends. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Kubold chapel to the Anderson Grove church with Rev. Werner Welchert, pastor of the Friedens Lutheran church of Papillon officiating. The floral tributes were very lavish and meaningful, testifying in a way to the high esteem and respect in which Mr. Whitted was held. The capacity of the rural churdh was greatly overtaxed and scores of attendants at the last sad rites were compelled to stand outside. The active pall bearers were Messrs. Robert F. Clarke, Martin Allen, Herman Platt, Nova Arr, Adolf Steenbock, and Frank Kru."


Bert Whitted BIRTH 6 Nov 1869 Sarpy County, Nebraska, DEATH 11 Oct 1900 Nebraska, BURIAL Fairview Cemetery Papillion, Sarpy County, Nebraska, PLOT Section 12, Row S08 MEMORIAL ID 10197377.

Bert Whitted 1869–1900 Marriage: 19 February 1896 Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, married Luella F. Richards.

In 1900 Douglas County, Lewella Whitted is a dressmaker, widowed, born December 1879 in Illinois, Robert Whitted 3 Son.

In 1910 Kit Carson County, Luella F. Smith is 36, born in Illinois, husband Wiley R. Smith 36 born in Iowa, and son Robert M. WHitted 13 born in Nebraska.

Luella F. Smith, formerly Whitted, cash-claimed a quarter in section 24, 10S 47W in 1911.

In 1920 Goodland, W. R. Smith is a carpenter for a railroad, 46, Luella Smith 46 Wife, and Robert Whitted 23 Stepson.

In 1930 Goodland, William Smith 56 is running a pool hall, Luella Smith 56 Wife.

He's still running it in 1940.

Luella F. Richards Smith BIRTH Dec 1873 Illinois, DEATH 1942 Goodland, Sherman County, Kansas, BURIAL Goodland Cemetery, PLOT 13-5, MEMORIAL ID 93438742.

W. R. Smith BIRTH 1873 DEATH 1948 BURIAL Goodland Cemetery PLOT 2-8, MEMORIAL ID 93438955 ,

Robert M. Whitted Age: 32, married Helen "Fregemba" on 11 Jun 1929 in Jackson County, Missouri.
" Mrs. Anna H. Tregemba announces the marriage of her daughter Helen to Mr. Robert M. Whitted. The wedding took place at 5 o'clock June 12 at the home of the bride, 3305 Michigan avenue. Dr, Harry C, Rogers of the Linwood Presbyterian church read the service in the presence of the families and close friends. Mr. and Mrs. Whitted left for a motor trip through Colorado and will be at home after July 15 in Goodland Kansas."

In 1940 Goodland, Robert Whitted is 43, Helen Whitted 39 Wife, and Lousamie Whitted 9 Daughter.

In 1984, one family member wrote "There is another Whitted grandson in Goodland, Kansas. Robert, son of Albert. He's 88 years old; very senile - born 1896. One daughter, Lee Ann -— wife, Helen same age. Rarely, (he) contacts any of us. My mom would writw to him — I;ve been to see them on way to and from Denver."

Robert Morris Whitted BIRTH 3 Jan 1897 Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, DEATH 8 Mar 1985 Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, Idaho, BURIAL Goodland Cemetery PLOT 17-2, MEMORIAL ID 93361718.

Helen T. Tregemba Whitted BIRTH 24 Jan 1901 Kansas, DEATH 10 Aug 1986 Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, Idaho, BURIAL Goodland Cemetery Goodland, Sherman County, Kansas, PLOT 17-2 MEMORIAL ID 93361684.


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