Washington County, Colorado
Pioneer Photos
Reuben and Priscilla (Stratton) Oman
REUBEN'S FAMILY
In 1885 Cuming County, Nebraska, Nels Oman is farming, 38, born in Sweden,
Josephine Oman
31,
Lilly Oman
6, and
Olof H. Oman
5
.
In 1910 Burt County, Nebraska,
Nels Oman is 64,
Josephine Oman
56
Wife, and
Reuben Oman
15
Son
.
Josephine and Nels Oman
with Olof, Lillie, and Reuben
This is Reuben Oman in 1894 - the photo was mailed to a
relative in Sweden, and the scan sent us in 2013
Nels & Josephine Oman's wedding anniversary
They were married in 1878, and Martin was born in 1901
So this must have been their 25th, in 1903
Lyons Nebraska
Nels and Josie and son Reuben moved around 1916 to Cope, where their son Olaf had homesteaded.
They bought a farm about five miles northwest of Cope. .
Nels/Josie's son Reuben also homesteaded near Cope.
PRISCILLA'S FAMILY
In 1910 Cope precinct,
Frank L. "Stretton" 47 is a cattle rancher,
Jean L. Stretton
39
Wife,
Judson C. Stretton
19
Son,
Naomi P. Stretton
16
Daughter,
Priscilla J. Stretton
15
Daughter,
Audrey M. Stretton
6
Daughter, and
James L. Stretton
76
Father
.
March 1904 Cope items "Frank Stratton w-nt to Seibert the first of the week
after posts, wire, and salt to be used on his sand hill ranch. "
April 1904 "Mrs. Frank Stratton and daughter, little Miss Audry, were callers on Mrs Maude Williams Friday. "
July 1912 "F. L. Stratton of Cope was an Akron visitor Tuesday."
August 1914 Akron News "The publisher of this paper visited the prosperous little town of Cope
Monday evening and Tuesday morning. We found two prosperous, well stocked general merchandise stores,
A. Campbell, the Unitéd States commissioner, being the proprletor of one and Frank Stratton, formerly
a prosperous farmer, the owner and manager of the other. We also met Mr. J. C. Cope and Calvin Tice,
both old timers who have resided in Cope for the past thirty years.
Mr. Tice told us of the planting of the famous Cope grove 26 years ago, the trees being
grown from sprouts in the plow furrows."
James Logan Stratton
BIRTH
8 Oct 1832
Adario, Richland County, Ohio,
DEATH
1 Apr 1913
Cope, Washington County, Colorado,
BURIAL
Cope Cemetery
,
MEMORIAL ID
15477412 .
"Though not mentioned in his obituary, James first married Elizabeth Decker on March 15, 1852 in Henry County, Illinois. See the discussion of documents found about her life on her memorial. They had one son, James Logan Stratton, Jr. She married 2nd Matthias Strum Jr. on April 5, 1855. Unable to find the death date or burial place of Elizabeth. Several DNA test matches confirm relationship between the two sets of descendants of James Logan Stratton. It is unknown if James' 2nd family ever knew about the first, but it is interesting that when his son James Jr. died in 1932, his widow indicated that James Sr. was from "Cole" Colorado, which might indicate there had been some contact over the years."
(Elizabeth Sturm
BIRTH
1832
Ohio,
DEATH
1866
Stark County, Illinois,
BURIAL
Burial Details Unknown
MEMORIAL ID
213147426.
In 1880 Stark County, Illinois,
James Stratton is 28,
Harriet Stratton
27
Wife, and
James Stratton
2
Son
.
Harriet Jane Scott Stratton
BIRTH
15 Feb 1856
DEATH
27 Nov 1892
BURIAL
Indian Creek Cemetery
Columbus Junction, Louisa County, Iowa,
MEMORIAL ID
8852421.
In 1900 Louisa County, Iowa,
J. L. "Stratter" is 44,
Mary Stratter
30 Wife,
David (probably Daniel) E. Stratter
12 Son,
Iva Stratter
5 Daughter,
Inez Stratter
4 Daughter, and
Lela Stratter
1 Daughter.
In 1925 Louisa County, Iowa,
James L. Stratton is 69, born in Illinois,
Mary M. Stratton
55
Wife,
Claude W. Stratton
18
Son, and
Eva Stratton
16
Daughter.
James Logan Stratton Jr.
BIRTH
26 Sep 1855
Bradford, Stark County, Illinois,
DEATH
24 Jan 1932
Columbus Junction, Louisa County, Iowa,
BURIAL
Columbus City Cemetery
Columbus City, Louisa County, Iowa,
MEMORIAL ID
7657071.
January 30, 1932 Burlington, Iowa "The funeral services of James L. Stratton were held Wednesday afternoon at the home of Columbus City and were conducted by the Rev. E. Jasmann.
The pallbearers were six nephews and all brothers. They were: Arthur Strums, Annawan,
Sam Strums, Burlington; Robert Strums, Davenport and George, Clinton and Howard Strums, Muscatine.
Burial was made in the Columbus City cemetery. Among those from a distance in attendance were
Mrs. Clyde Tisor, Columbus Junction; Mrs. John Colony and Mrs. Eliza Williamson, Rock Island;
Mrs. W. S. Kelley, Ft. Byron,
Mrs. Ray Dellivan, Bagley; Claude Stratton, Columbus City; Mrs. George Kaiser, Ewing,
Dan Stratton of Davenport and Fred Stratton, Conesville, who are children of Mr. Stratton.
Mrs. Clarence Brown, Mrs. Strums and Mary, Mrs. Wm. McLaughlin, Mrs. Bert Dunker, Miss Ozella Hontz,
Muscatine: Farrel Hardman and Mr. and Mrs. James McKee, Conesville; Mrs. Bertha Griffith and Sam Strums,
Burlington; Mrs. Irvin Hill and Mrs. Agnes Beck and three daughters, Davenport:
James Kelly, East Molyine, and Miss Dorothy Cootman, Milan, Ill."
Daniel Elmer Stratton
BIRTH
22 Dec 1887
Harrison County, Iowa,
DEATH
22 Apr 1947
Muscatine County, Iowa,
BURIAL
Greenwood Cemetery
Muscatine, Iowa,
MEMORIAL ID
197503620.
January 1924 Akron News "Mrs. F. L. Stratton of Denver, who has been visiting her daughters. Mrs. F. E Hassit and Mrs. R. Orman, and son, J. C. Stratton, of Cope, left Tuesday for Wolbach, Nebr., to visit another daughter, Mrs. Wm. Burr. "
Jean Leota Hensley Stratton
BIRTH
7 Aug 1870
Wanatah, La Porte County, Indiana,
DEATH
7 Nov 1946
Denver, Colorado,
BURIAL
Fairmount Cemetery
Denver,
PLOT
Blk 41
MEMORIAL ID
35160837.
"Mrs. Jean L. Stratton: Funeral services for Mrs. Jean L. Stratton, resident of Denver for 35 years, will be held at 2 pm today in the Olinger Mortuary, Speer Blvd. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery.
Mrs. Stratton, a member of the Ohio Avenue Congregational Church, died Thursday in her home, 537 S. Pearl St. after a long illness. She was 76.
Born Aug 7, 1870 in Wanatah, Ind. Mrs. Stratton came to Colorado with her husband, Frank L. Stratton in 1896.
Mr. Stratton owned a farm near Cope for a number of years and later was a merchant there. They came to Denver in 1919.
Surviving besides her husband are 4 daughters, Mrs. Audrey Cormican of Denver; Mrs. Hazel Borre, Wolbach, Neb; Mrs. Priscilla Oman, Castle Rock; and Mrs. Naomi Hassig of Englewood, Calif; a son Judson of Denver; a sister, Mrs. Josephine Swank; 23 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren."
Frank Leon Stratton
BIRTH
18 Jul 1862
Tontogany, Wood County, Ohio,
DEATH
20 May 1955
Denver, Colorado,
BURIAL
Fairmount Cemetery
Denver, Colorado,
PLOT
Blk 41
MEMORIAL ID
35160836.
REUBEN AND PRISCILLA
Reuben married Priscilla Stratton December 21, 1916.
From the
History of Cope
February 24, 1972 "Services for Reuben O. Oman, 77, Castle Rock, Colorado,
were held at 2 p. m. Saturday, February 19, at the Castle Rock United Methodist Church.
Burial was in Cedar Hill Cemetary, Castle Rock. Mr. Oman died Thursday morning after a long illness.
He was born May 22, 1894 in Lyons, Nebraska, where he attended schools and joined the Presbyterian
Church as a child. He was active in community and church affairs and moved to Cope, Colorado in 1915.
He married Priscilla Stratton December 21, 1916 in Cope, They farmed near Cope until 1934,
when they moved to Castle Rock. Mr. Oman was a livestock dealer, dairyman, rancher and farmer in
Castle Rock.
Mr. Oman is survived by his widow, Priscilla, two sons, Alan of Littleton and
Leslie of Pueblo, Colorado and a daughter, Mrs. Eloise Lewis of Dallas, Texas,
six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter."
Reuben O. Oman
BIRTH
22 May 1894
Lyons, Burt County, Nebraska,
DEATH
Feb 1972
Castle Rock, Douglas County, Colorado,
BURIAL
Cedar Hill Cemetery
Castle Rock, Douglas County, Colorado,
MEMORIAL ID
31103042.
December 17, 1994 "Priscilla Josephine Oman, 99, of Castle Rock, died Monday at the Castle Rock
Care Center in Castle Rock. There will be a memorial service at a later date. Cremation was held.
Mrs. Oman was born Feb. 6, 1895 in Jericho, Mo. Her parents, Frank and Jean Stratton,
traveled with their four young children from Missouri by covered wagon to Cope, Colo. Mrs. Oman stayed in
Denver while attending high school. She then attended a teacher’s institute in Akron. She was hired to
teach in a small school near Cope. During the summers she worked at the Post Office,
which was housed in the grocery store operated by Strattons. It was there Rueben Oman came to town to
trade and met his petite schoolmarm. He began calling on her and it didn't take the handsome young man
long to persuade Priscilla to give up teaching and become his wife and life-long companion.
They were married in December 1916, and during the years of 1918 and 1925, three children were born.
Alan, Eloise, and Leslie attended school in Cope, Sunday school at the Congregational Church,
and all other family enjoyments in a farming community.
Reuben's parents had bought a ranch in Cope, and in 1929, when they no longer could run it,
Reuben and Priscilla moved in to take over. Times were hard during the ‘30s. with the
dust bowl conditions and depression.
After their parents died, the Omans left Cope. They came to Douglas County in 1933,
and settled on a farm between Franktown and Castle Rock. After a few years, they moved to a place
just south of Castle Rock, then in 1944 they moved to a little house in town.
They owned a small acreage near town, where Rueben raised and traded livestock.
Mrs. Oman kept busy with her family gardening, canning and needlework. She found time also to
be an active member of the First Methodisi Church, serving as Church School teacher
and superintendent. She belonged to the Dorcas Class, Woman's Society, and Service,
working on programs and projects and helping serve meals. She also was a member of the Castle Rock
Garden Club.
Her children attended Douglas County High School, married, had children and scattered.
Her son Leslie was a printer for the Castle Rock paper, The Record Journal, and married
Midge Case, daughter of Virgil Case, publisher of the Journal. Leslie passed away in 1974 in
Pueblo, where he had established a printing business.
Priscilla and Rueben celebrated their Golden Anniversary in 1966 at a reception arranged
by their children and their families. They moved to an apartment in Castle Rock in 1970.
Mr. Oman preceded Priscilla in death in 1972. In 1982 Priscilla moved to the Reyn Rock
Plaza in Castle Rock until her need to go into the Castle Rock Care Center.
At the Reyn Rock, she and Amelia Roehling lived on the second floor. They were both very small
people and being inseparable, they were called “The Bobbsey Twins.” These two delightful
senior citizens brought much history and joy to the other tenants at Reyn Rock by relating
their life-long experiences and the history of many places in Douglas County.
The Oman family history would not be complete unless it included the traumatic
experience that Rueben and Priscilla lived through during the flood in 1965.
That they survived was nothing less than a miracle. Their car was washed off the road by a
deluge of water which crossed the highway, north of Castle Rock.
Water and hail entered the car and filled it almost to the top. The couple managed to
keep their heads above water until it began to recede. However, there was little oxygen
left, and they had given up hope of being able to open or break a window.
Their prayers were answered when a rock struck the windshield, allowing an opening to be
made. Workmen in a truck stopped and discovered the car was occupied. They rescued the
Omans (thoroughly soaked and chilled) and took them to a hospital, where they were
examined and released.
Besides her husband. Mrs. Oman is preceded in death by one son,
Leslie Oman, and one daughter, Eloise Lewis.
Mrs. Oman is survived by her son, Alan and his wife Ruth Oman ot Littleton;
her sister-in-law Ona Stratton of Wheatridge; six grandchildren, Joe Oman,
Elaine Johnsen, Audrey Waskeiwic, Robert Oman, Virginia Vest, and Leslie Ann MacDaniel;
eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Andrews Caldwell Gibson Funeral
Home in Castle Rock was in charge of arrangements."
Priscilla Josephine Stratton Oman
BIRTH
6 Feb 1895
Jerico Springs, Cedar County, Missouri,
DEATH
12 Dec 1994
Littleton, Arapahoe County, Colorado,
BURIAL
Cedar Hill Cemetery
Castle Rock, Douglas County, Colorado,
MEMORIAL ID
31103049.
February 1940 "A miscellaneous shower was given hy Mrs. F. Ted Adair and Madeline last Saturday afternoon
in honor of Miss Eloise Oman, who is to be married in the near future. The afternoon was spent in playing
. games, and visiting. A mock wedding was performed, which was greatly enjoyed by ail present.
Those present were: Mrs. R. O. Oman and Eloise, Mrs. Chris Christensen. Mrs. Wm. Bader, Mrs. H. G.
Hooper and Miss Ruth, Mrs. A. E. Kuiinkt and Miss Wilma, Mrs. E. S. Triplett, Mrs. H. R. Campbell,
Dorothy and Marjorie, Mrs. L. J. Monk, Mrs. H. E. Olson and Margaret, Mrs. Andrew Newbill,
Mrs. S. E. Livingston, Miss Esther Blaford. Mrs. Henry Endernd and Bonnie, Mrs. W. A. Palmer,
Miss Marjorie Case, Mrs. Harold Adair and Jimmy, Mrs. Verna Sheets, Mrs. Osmer Sheets,
Mrs. A. A. Ritter, Mrs. T. A. Band, Mrs. L. V. Conver, Mrs. L. Cox and Alice, Mrs. Hassig,
Mrs. F. L. Stratton, Mrs. J. C. Stratton, Mrs. Iveon Stratton, Mrs. Smith ami Mrs. Cormiean, all
of Denver.
Delicious refreshments were served , and all wished the guest of honor the best of luck.
She received many beautiful as well as useful gifts."
March 1940 "On Monday, February 26th, 1940, Miss Eloise Oman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Oman,
of Castle Rock, became the bride of Mr. Ralph Ganamone, of Denver. The wedding occurred
at the home of Father Moran in Golden in the presence of Mrs. Frank Garramone, mother of the groom,
Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Oman, parents of the bride, and Mr. and Mrs. Pete Fieore, god-parents of the groom
and their daughter, Mrs. Jimmie Garramone and son, Bobby, and Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Stratton,
grandparents of the bride. At the wedding, the bride wore a beautiful ensemble of dusty rose,
with navy blue accessiues. She wore a corsage of orchids and rosebuds. The groom was
dressed in the conventional black. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Oman,
of Castle Rock. She was born at Cope, Colorado, where she lived with her parents until the
family came to Castle Rock to make their home. She attended Douglas County High School,
graduating with the class of 1938. The gioom lived at Golden, where he attended school,
graduating from the high school there. After graduating from high school, he moved to Denver,
where he holds a responsible position with the Coors Brewing Company. The newlyweds will make their
houte in Denver. Conigratulations and best wishes are extended to Mr. and Mrs. Garramone by a host
of friends."
June 1954 "Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Longley, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Oman and children spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Oman.
Mrs. Oman returned to Denver with them to spend a few days with her father.
May 1956 "Mrs. Jay Longley, Lake Brownwood, Texas, arrived in Caatle Rock Saturday for a visit with
her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Oman."
August 1974 "Leslie Dean Oman, Pueblo resident past 12 years, late of 2019 Driftwood,
passed away Parkview Episcopal Hospital July 31, 1974, following a brief illness. At time of his death,
Mr. Oman was owner-manager of Midwest Printing Co. Veteran, U.S. Navy WW II.
Member, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Pueblo Charter Lion's Club, and past president of
Castle Rock (Colo.) Lion's Club.
Survived by his widow, Mrs. Marjorie E. Oman of the family home, and two daughters,
Mrs. Virginia Vest and Mrs. Leslie McDaniel, both of Pueblo.
His mother, Mrs. R.O. Oman, Castle Rock, Colo., one brother, Alan W. Oman, Littleton,
and one sister, Mrs. Eloise Lewis, Dallas, Texas, also survive, as do two sons-in-law,
Michael T. Vest and James A. McDaniel. Pueblo. Three grandchildren also survive.
Services 2 p.m. Friday, T.G. McCarthy Chapel, with Father Fred Johnson, chaplain,
Parkview Episcopal Hospital, officiating. Interment Mountain View.
Those who wish may make contributions to Pueblo County Heart Fund in memory of Mr. Oman."
May 1987 "Naomi Hassig of Woodland Hills, Calif, died April 11, 1987 in Elgin, I11.
of a sudden illness. The former Broomfield resident was 93. Born July 23, 1893 in Elgin,
I11., she married Frank Hassig Aug. 9, 1913 in Cope, Colo. He preceded her in death in 1943 in Grand
Junction. She moved to Broomfield in 1948 when two of her sons, Mel and Carl Hassig,
started Cozy Comers at Federal and U.S. 287. She moved to California three years ago. She was a homemaker who enjoyed reading, baking and knitting. She was also a traveler who had been to Europe, the Holy Land and the Orient, as well as to Alaska and Hawaii. Survivors are daughters Pat Smith of Broomfield, Jeanne Bean of Modesto, Calif.; Margie Allen of Woodland Hills, Calif., and Hope Smith of Parks Springs, Calif.; sons Marvin Hassig of Denver; Donald Hassig of Granada Hills, Calif.,
Carl Hassig and Marion Hassig, both of Broomfield; and Jack Hassig of Montrose; sister Pricilla Oman
of Elgin, I11,; 24 grandchildren; 23 greatgranchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services were April 16 at the Northwest Church of Christ in Westminster. Services were also held in California. She was cremated and buried next to her husband in Grand Junction."
July 1954 Castle Rock, Colorado "Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Oman went to Denver on Sunday to attend the Open
House given for her father, F. L. Stratton, who was 92. Mr. Stratton has five children,
23 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren. The youngest, Mark Hassig, six weeks of Cozy Corners near
Broomfield, and oldest, Coleen Frost, of Champlain, I11., were among the some 40 relatives and
friends who attended the party at the home of a daughter, Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Cormican, in Denver.
Mr. Oman returned home Sunday evening and Mrs. Oman remained in Denver for a few days with her father."
April 1973 Castle Rock, Colorado " Mrs. Naomi Hassig, and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Marion Hassig,
Broomfield were Friday afternoon visitors in Mrs. R. O. Oman's home. Mrs. Oman and Mrs. Naomi Hassig are
sisters. Mr. & Mrs. Allan Oman, Littleton, spent Easier with Mr. Oman's mother, Mrs. R. O. Oman. "
ALAN
May 25, 1942 San Luis Obispo, California
May 1967 Castle Rock "Miss Elaine Oman and Gerald Edwards will be married at the First Methodist Church, Shepperd Ave. at Datura St. in Littleton, Colorado, on Friday, June 2 at 8:00 p. m. ,
with a reception immediately following in the Fellowship Hall. Elaine is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Oman of Littleton, formerly of Castle Rock and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Oman of Castle Rock. Friends are invited to attend."
Gladys Prince Oman Keighline's obituary was in the Littleton Independent May 1, 2003.
" Gladys Prince Keithline, Littleton. Preceded in death by husband Clinton; brother, Tommy Prince; sister, Mary Elizabeth Prince. Survived by children: Joe Oman of CA; Elaine Johnsen of Monte Vista, CO; Audrey Waskiewic of Littleton, CO; and Robert Oman of Fort Lupton, CO. Also survived by grandchildren: Katie Oman, Lindsay Langdon, Jeffrey Johnsen and Holly Waskiewic. Gladys was a member of Manzanita Chapter #85 O.E.S. Dorsey E. Hall Court #17 Order of Amaranth, S.O.O.B. and Daughters of the Nile. Visitation Monday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with service Tuesday 12 p.m. both at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd."
Alan Wayne Oman, born April 24, 1918 in Cope, died May 18, 1996.
"Robert "Bob" Oman, 62, was born Nov. 17, 1953, and passed away April 22, 2016, after a long battle with cancer. Bob was a resident of unincorporated Weld County in the Fort Lupton-Brighton area. He was born in Denver, the son of the late Alan and Gladys (Prince) Oman. He is the grandson of the late Reuben and Priscilla Oman of Cope and of Castle Rock.
Bob grew up in Littleton, where he graduated from Littleton High School in 1972. He attended Coalinga Junior College in Coalinga, Calif. During his youth, Bob was a member of the Littleton United Methodist Church and participated in DeMolay as a teenager.
Bob's first job, as a very young man, was a paper route. He worked at Arapahoe Acres in Littleton during high school and again after college. Bob worked for Gaylord Braggs Lumber yard while in Coalinga. He started his own business in 1988. Bob was well-respected by his peers and will be missed as a great source of information. He was a member and board member of several organizations.
Bob worked hard his entire life. He honored "handshake deals" and was a man of his word. He loved the country lifestyle. Bob married Ellen (Seavey) in 1997. They shared many years of love, hard work, animals and wonderful friendships. He particularly enjoyed carriage driving with Ellen and their horses.
Bob is survived by his wife of 19 years; a daughter, Katie Vanis (Jason) of Omaha, Neb.; grandchildren, Caleb Vanis and Madeline Vanis, of Omaha; his sisters, Elaine Johnsen (AJ) of Colorado Springs, Audrey Waskiewic (Gary) of Littleton, and his sister-in-law, Linda Churchman Oman (Joe), of Coalinga; several nieces and nephews; a great-niece; a great-nephew; and several cousins.
Bob was predeceased by both of his parents, and his older brother, Joe Oman, who passed in 2014.
Services are at 11 a.m., May 14, at the First United Methodist Church 306 Park Ave., Fort Lupton. Bob's wish was that his ashes remain with Ellen until the appropriate time to bury them near her final resting spot at the Auburn Village Cemetery, Auburn, N.H. Cremation arrangements entrusted to Tabor-Rice Funeral Home."
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