Yuma County, Colorado Photographs

Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

David L. Keller, Wray
May 1910 "Dave Keller and daughter, Anna will leave Saturday for Morrill, Nebraska. They will go overland."

David proved up two quarters in sections 21 and 22, 2N 43W in 1916. In 1912 " Claimant names as witnesses: Galveston Leaman, John L. Dalrymple, George W. Bell, and David M. Bell, all of Wray, Colorado."

March 1919 " Lee Keller and wife, who recently sold their place and stock west of Wray, left Monday morning for Twin Falls, Idaho, where Mr. Keller will look for a new location. The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Keller will be sorry to hear they have decided to leave Yuma county."
This might be Lee H. Keller, in 1900 Glendale precinct is Harry L. Kellar, 15, with Charles E. 46 and Addie V. 38. Avery I. is 16, Bessie J. 13, Olive 11, and Blanchae 5.
in 1910 Wray is 25, with widowed father Charles E. 56 born in Wisconsin. Avery is 26, Lee H. 25, and Bessie J. 23, all three born in Nebraska. Olive 21 and Blanche 15 were born in COlorado.

Charles E. Kellar, 56, married Odessa Hadlock on July 4, 1910 in Holyoke, Colorado.
Charles is buried in Wray 1854-1923 # 81577766.
Mr. Kellar, who was born on a farm in Wisconsin, is fifty years of age. At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of a windmill factory, where he remained for eight years. In 1879 he moved to Pleasant Dale, Nebraska, near which place he bought eighty acres of land and engaged in farming. After seven years of energetic effort, he moved to Colorado and located on a homestead nearly nine miles south of Wray, his claim being situated in what was then a portion of Arapahoe county. When Mr. Kellar arrived at Wray he had a team of horses and a wagon and after paying his livery bill and hotel expenses the morning he started for his homestead on the open prairie, his cash capital amounted to just 35 cents. But with a courage that merited his future success, he faced the stern realities of life and commenced improving his claim. He found work for himself and team and gradually secured the comforts of a modest home, while he was preparing to cultivate his land. From the beginning his untiring industry and energy were rewarded by good crops of wheat, corn, oats, millet, vegetables, etc., which yielded him a handsome revenue, and enabled him to extend his farming operations. In a few years he purchased 160 acres adjoining his homestead, making a farm of 320 acres which he still owns and cultivates. He has 200 acres under cultivation, the rest of his land being used for pasture. He owns twenty-five cattle and sixteen horses, his comfortable residence, barn, sheds and generous supply of all needed agricultural implements, proclaiming the prosperity he is enjoying. And in accomplishing all this Mr. Kellar had to overcome serious misfortunes. One year after his arrival here one of his legs was broken badly, which rendered him helpless for nearly twelve months, and since then his wife died after a long sickness. In his early struggles here the gentleman's mechanical skill was of great assistance to him, as he did quite an extensive business in setting up and repairing pumps and windmills.
In 1883, at Lincoln, Neb., Mr. Kellar married Miss Addie V. Ickes, an estimable lady who died last October, leaving two sons and three daughters to mourn the loss of a tender-hearted mother and a faithful devoted wife.
Mr. Kellar is a charter member of the Wray lodge of Odd Fellows, of which he was the first noble grand and was re-elected for a second term. He has filled all the offices in the lodge except treasurer, which he declined.
Last December a mining expert pronounced the country in which Mr. Kellar's farm is located rich in coal and oil and the gentleman is now sinking a test shaft on his land. Should his hopes be realized his farm will be very valuable property.
Personally, Mr. Kellar is a genial honorable gentleman, who is highly esteemed by all who know him because of his many estimable traits of character. Wray Gazette Special Edition, May 12, 1904, Wray, Colorado.

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