Kit Carson County, Colorado
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George C. and Elizabeth (Swena) FahrionKiowa
 


Judge Fahrion was born in Leonberg, Wurtemberg, Germany, in April, 1832, and came of that fine stock of Germans who preferred to live under the flag of a free country rather than under the military rule of the fatherland. He was seventeen years of age when he came to the new world and in 1860 he made the trip by team across the plains to Colorado.
In 1870 the Douglas County census (at that time there was not a Kit Carson nor Elbert County) has George 34, Elizabeth 22, George 3, Herman 1, and unnamed one-month son.

In 1880 Elbert County, George is a county judge, 44, Elizabeth 32, George A. 13, Herman 11, Thomas 8, Francis E. 6, and Frederick L. 1 In 1885 the Elbert County census has George ranching and a county judge (At that time the Kit Carson area was in Elbert County), 49, born in Germany, with Elizabeth 35 born in Illinois. George A. is 17, Herman J. 15 - both cowboys, Thos E. 1 3, Francis E. 15, Frederick L. 6, Alice E. 2, and Paul nine months. All the kids were born in Colorado.

George "Fabrion" was the first commandant of the Burlington, Colorado, G.A.R. Post, for service in I, 1st Colorado Cavalry.
If he were the Elbert County judge in the 1880's, he likely held court in Burlington, so that witnesses and parties wouldn't have to travel 100 miles to Kiowa.


Probably the most widely known individual citizen and county official in Elbert county, and one who has a most remarkable public record, is George Fabrion, County Judge. Judge Fahrion has lived in Elbert county continuously since 1864. He is a Democrat and Elbert is a Republican county, but Judge Fahrion has served the people continuously as county judge since 1864. This is a most unusual tribute to one man’s capability, faithfulness and integrity, and for 34 years the voters have gone on record as saying Judge Fahrion possesses all of these qualities. There are perhaps very few instances in any state similar to this one.

There are but two men in Elbert county living who were here when he came. While serving in the 1st Colorado Cavalry during the war Judge Fahrion rode over this country and selected his future home. He served from 1861 to 1864 and then settled on the spot be had picked out. From that day in the long ago he has not moved his residence from the self-same spot where he first located. Since then Judge Fabrion has acquired 2000 acres of land around the vicinity. He chose his homestead, original pre-emption and timber claim and there he staid. He settled there two years before the U. S. Government surveyed the land. Judge Fahrion is extensively engaged in raising high grade Shorthorn cattle and his stock is widely and favorably known among buyers in the large markets. Everybody in Elbert county and this section knows Judge Fabrion and his extraordinary record as an official. It is said of him that he never spared neither labor or personal expense to himself to prove that he was right before he decided an important legal point. This is one of the many things that has made for him a reputation that must be a source of satisfaction to himself and a source of pride to his friends.

He was identified with farming and cattle raising for many years and at one time owned as high as two thousand acres of land. In 1918 his heirs sold a thirteen hundred acre tract which had been left to them by their father. There are five sons and one daughter in the family, including Mrs. E. N. Wood, who is secretary of the Kiowa school board."


George Fahrion and Jesse Higgins acquired a quarter in 8, 8S 63W in 1868, by nature of scrip.
Then George acquired another quarter by Homestead in section 8 in 1875.
Then George cash-claimed a quarter in setions 9 and 10 in 1892.
He timber-claimed a quarter in 7 in 1895.
George A. homesteaded another quarter in 8 in 1901. This must be George, Jr...

Frank E. Fahrion proved up a quarter in 9 in 1901.

Thomas E. Fahrion proved up a quarter in 26, 6S 62W in 1902.

In 1900 Elbert County, George, born April 1836 in Germany, with Elizabeth Oct 1849 Illinois, have Thomas E. Nov 1871, Fred L. Oct 1878, Alice E. Aug 1883, and Paul E. Nov 1884.


1906 "Judge and Mrs. Fahrion entertained at a Christmas tree George Fahrion, wife and daughter, Fred Fahrion and wife, Frank Fahrion and wife, Miss Stella West, Ruben Wood, Winnie Shepherd and Glen Brown."


July 19, 1865, Judge Fahrion married Miss Elizabeth Swena, of Denver, who was born in Whiteside County, Illinois, and their union resulted in the following issue: George A., a stock-raiser on Comanche Creek, Elbert County; Thomas, a teacher, who obtained his education in the public schools at Greeley; Frank, a stockman living near Elbert; Frederick, who is clerking for Russell Sage at Peyton, Colo.; Alice; and Paul, who is living at home.

George 1836-1909 and Elizabeth 1849-1921 are buried in Elbert.

December 23, 1921 "Mrs. Elizabeth J. Fahrion, mother of T. E. Fahrion of Steamboat Springs, died Nov. 24. She was the widow of Judge George Fahrion of Kiowa, for many years county judge of Elbert county , who held the record of having held office longer than any other man ever elected to an office in the state. Mrs. Fahrion was one of the very early day pioneers of the Divide country, southeast of Denver."


July 1909 "Mrs. Chas. Stevens and family and Mrs. Wm. Lucas and family of Denver, are visiting their aunt, Mrs. Judge Fahrion of Kiowa."

HERMAN
October 20, 1891 - Herman Fahrion, son of Judge Fahrion, of Kiowa, Elbert County, was fatally injured this evening about 5 o'clock while helping to coral some cattle. A vicious cow turned upon him, throwing his horse, which fell upon him. No hopes are entertained for his recovery, as he had remained unconscious since the accident. Medical aid was summoned from Elbert.
Herman is buried in Elbert.


FRANCIS

On the same page as parents in 1900, Frank Fahrion born Oct 1878, married four years to Hattie A. Nov 1873Misouri, have Julius Sept 1896, Fred Nov 1897, and Ernest January 1900.

In 1904 the Kiowa Rebekah Lodge selected Sister Hattie E. Fahrion as N.G., Sister Libbie J. Fahrion R.S. to N.G., Bro Frank Fahrion L.S. To V.G. "

June 1906 "Frank Fahrion commenced clerking for the Cort-Hames Co. of Kiowa today."

FREDERICK

June 1903 "Fred Fahrion, the bookkeeper for the Russell Gates Co. of this place, accompanied by Miss Lottie West, spent last Sunday with his parents, Judge and Mrs. Fahrion of Kiowa."

At the home of the bride’s mother, Mrs. N. West, at Elizabeth, Wednesday, November 4, 1903, Fred L. Fabrion and, Lottie M. West, Rev. P. C. Smith officiating. The wedding was a quiet home affair, with only a few friends present, and after a nice breakfast the happy couple took the train for Denver, where they will remain a few days before going, to housekeeping in the beautifully furnished home on Kiowa Street, which is already prepared for their home corning. The bride and groom have grown up in this county, and are popular among the young people, and have the respect and confidence of the older residents of the community as well. All join this paper in wishing them joy and prosperity."

August 1908 " Al Talbot and wife and son of Elizabeth, and also Miss Alice Fahrion of Kiowa, were callers at the home of Fred Fahrion and wife last Sunday."

1909 "Fred Fahrion and Sam Taggart, who have been conducting a general store, under the name of the Divide Supply company, have sold out to Moberly & Co., who come from Denver. The retiring partners have not yet decided what they will do."
Fred L. and Sharlotte M. Fahrion are in Elbert County in 1910. The stone in Stillwater County 1906-1906 might mean they had gone to Montana and returned.

In 1920 Stillwater COunty, Montana, Fred 41 is a bank cashier, and Charlotte M. 35 have George W. 3, born in Montana.


In 1940 Stillwater County, Montana, Fred L. Fahrion is county clerk, 62 born in Colorado, widowed. Son George is 24, born in Montana, an electrician with Dorothy 23 Minnesota and Steven L. five months.


Fred 1878-1956 # 73265111 is buried in Stillwater County, with Charlotte M. 1884-1939.



August 10, 1956
Fred L. Fahrion, 77, former Stillwater county clerk and recorder, died late Thursday night at the home of his son, George W. Fahrion. ms Highland. . „r Colorado. Mr. Fahrio was the son of George A. and Elizabeth Farhion. On Nov. 4, 1903 he married the former Charlotte West in Colorado. The couple moved to Columbus in 19?? where he was employed by the Mercantile company and later at the First National Bank. In 1922 they moved to a farm near Columbus and lived there until 1927. At that time they returned to Columbus and Mr. Fahrion worked for the Mccracken stores before becoming City ???. He was later elected county clerk and recorder of Stillwater county, a position he held nearly 20 years. After his retirement, Mr. Fahrion moved to Billings to be with his son, George and family and accompanied them to Helena when they moved here in 1954. George and three grandchildren was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte Aug. 4, 1939.

George W. Fahrion, 86, of Billings, passed away Saturday, June 22, 2002, at his home.
The son of Fred and Charlotte Fahrion, George was born Feb. 4, 1916, in Columbus. He married Dorothy Blanchard in Malta on May 2, 1938. She preceded him in death on June 14, 2001.
In 1940, George began his career with Mountain Bell, retiring as a project engineer in 1977. He and Dorothy had made their home in Columbus, Ohio, Grand Meadow, Minn., Helena, Billings and Boise, Idaho, during that time. In 1988 they came to Billings to be near their daughter.
George belonged to the Telephone Pioneers of America, the Gideon's, and was an active member of the Eagle Ministries International Church in Billings.
Survivors include three children, Dr. Steven L. Fahrion and his wife, Dr. Patricia Norris of Topeka, Kan., Dr. Sue Ann Blanton of Portland, Ore., and Rev. Mary Cutler and her husband, John, of Billings; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. on Monday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, with interment in Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park. The casket is closed

THOMAS

March 1898 "Mr. Heffley’s little son met with quite a serious accident while playing at school Monday. The teachor is Thomas Fahrion, and the school is situated five miles south of Kiowa. While jumping over a wire , the child caught his foot and fell in such a way as to break his arm in three places. Dr. Bean of Eastonville, set the injured member."



1904 "Kiowa, we are glad to note, will have a graded school the coming school year, the directors having already employed the following excellent teachers : Thomas Fahrion for the advanced room and Miss Tina Griffin of Elbert teacher of the primary department. Miss Cecelia Veniere of Denver has been tendered the school in the lower Kiowa district."

Thomas E. Fahrion and Mary G. Hart married August 4, 1908, recorded in Elbert County.


1909 "The Misses Ruth and Nellie Hart spent Sunday with their sister Mrs. Thomas Fahrion."


1909 "Thomas Fahrion and wife spent three days of this week visiting Mrs. Fahrion’s father, J. D. Hart and family of Elizabeth."

December 16, 1932 Steamboat Springs

GEORGE, Jr.

George A. Fahrion and Anna C. Wood married November 15, 1891, recorded in Elbert County.
Anna was in Elbert County in 1880, with George 33, Caroline 28, Magaret 8, Mary 7, George 5, Carrie 3, Louis 2, and Dell one month.

April 1900 "George Fahrion Jr. has moved his family back to his ranch on the Comanche."

In 1920 Elbert County, George is a cement worker, 52, Anna C. 50, both born in Colorado.
They're in Jefferson County, Colorado in 1930, where George is listed as a farmer, 61, Anna C. 58.

ALICE
1907 "George Fahrion’s daughter Alice will spend the winter in Kiowa to attend school and will board with her aunt, Mrs. Ed Nott."

Alice Fahrion married Earl Wood September 2, 1908, recorded in Jefferson COunty, Colorado.

Alice 1883-1944, # 31564219, is buried in Denver "Alice E. Fahrion Wood was the daughter of George Conrad Fahrion and Elizabeth Jane Swena Fahrion. Alice and her husband Earl Richard "Dick" Wood were the parents of Ray Alexander Wood and Ruth E Wood."


February 19, 1926
Carrie 1853-1926 # 29635001 and George A. Wood 1848-1921 are buried in Denver.

PAUL

1928 Steamboat Springs " Paul Fahrion arrived Saturday trom Kiowa where he went on business and to atend the fair. He brought three of his race horses back with him. He is moving into his new house this week."

1929 Steamboat Springs "T. E. Fahrion and family, and Paul Fahrion, a brother of T. E. Fahrion, visited Sunday at the J. M. Kellogg home in Steamboat."


1932 Steamboat Springs "Paul Fahrion of Deer Park was in town Tuesday."

November 1938 Steamboat Springs "Frank Barkley spent Sunday with Paul Fahrion."


Paul E. Fahrion 1884-1947 is buried in Denver.


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