Yuma County, Colorado Photographs

Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

Bessie F. (Roberts)(McQuown) Bailey, Wray


Bessie Florence Roberts was born May 13, 1894 in Hanson, South Dakota to David Roberts and Lucinda Susanna Frazier.

In 1910 David and Lucinda, both 53, are in Cheyenne County, Kansas,. Bessie F. is 15, Martha W. 27, and Lucy A. 28.

Bessie F. Roberts and David James McQuown married in Yuma County on December 24, 1913.

James D. McQuown was in Dundy County, Nebraska in 1900, 9, born in Nebraska with his brother George T. McQuown 7. Their mother Martha M. Ruggles 27 born in Illinois is married to Lewis B. Ruggles 39 born in Iowa, and daughter May B. 1 born in Nebraska.

They had Elvadore Ellsworth McQuown in Wray on October 4, 1914, who died January 26, 1994 in Seattle, Washington. Elvadore married Kathryn Petersen, and they had Daniel Lee Mcquown born and died in 1945 in Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington.

James David McQuown, born March 23, 1891 in Dundy County, Nebraska, registered for WWII in Lincoln, Nebraska, working for the WPA Sanitary District.
He's buried in Lincoln 1891-1965 # 20856015, with Lola Anna (Keenan) McQuown 1890-1989.


Bessie cash-claimed 40 acres in section 26, 2N 44W in 1919.

In 1920 Denver, Claude E. Bailey is a laborer for a gas company, 27, born in Colorado, Florence 25 bornin "North Dakota" with Elvadore 5 and Phyllis ten months old both born in Colorado.

Claude had TWO wives named Bessie. He had married Bessie A. Taylor, 21, in Wray on February 17, 1915, and she died April 10, 1916, buried in Idalia # 13540836.


In 1930 Denver, Claude E. Bailey is 37, born in Colorado, with Bessie F. 35 born in South Dakota. Elvadore E. 15 and P. Eugene 11 were both born in COlorado.
Viva Higgins is a niece 17, born in Kansas, and Claude's mother Esther 76 born in Illinois is with them.

Bessie F. Bailey and Claude E. Bailey divorced in Jefferson County, Colorado on October 20, 1933.

Claude Eugene Bailey and Edith Alice Taylor married in Brighton, Colorado on October 14, 1933.
"David Roberts, aged 68 years, 4 months and 26 days, died at his home in east Wray Thursday, March 1, following a brief illness. Funeral services were held at the Nazarene church in this city last Saturday morning at 11 o clock, conducted by T. C. Etherton. Burial took place in Grandview cemetery.

"Lucinda Frazier was born March 13 1857, in Wayne County, Indiana, and departed this life at the home of her daughter near Rifle Range, Colo., June 18, 1930 at the age of 73 years, 3 months and 6 days. She moved with her parents to Jefferson County, Iowa, when she was the age of nine years. She was united in marriage to David Roberts, October 17, 1875, moving immediately to Dickson County, Neb. To this union were born nine children. Four of them with the father, (who passed away seven years ago,) preceded her in death. She, after living some time in two or three states, came to Yuma county, Colorado, in 1913, spending the rest of her life in Colorado. While she has been a sufferer all her life, the last two years her suffering has been intense, she being bedfast most of the time She was a devout Christian woman, converted early in life and was a member of the Quaker church until she united with the Church of the Nazarene in 1920 at Wray, Colorado.
She leaves to mourn her departure, four brothers—Mr. Frank Fraziar of Siloam Springs, Ark., Rev. S. S. Frazier of Topeka, Kans., Mr. Will Frazier of Wallace, Kans., and Jake Frazier of Orleans, Nebraska. Also five children, Mrs. Lucy A. Pinkcard and Mrs. Martha M. Eklund, both of Golden, Colo., Mrs. Delpha Smith of Allen, Nebraska, Mrs. Luella Frazier of Plainsville, Kansas, and Mrs. Bessie Bailey of Denver, Colo., besides a number of grandchildren and a host of friends.
We sorrow, but not as those who have no hope. We say good-bye for awhile, but not forever.
Funeral Services were held Friday, June 20, at 10 a. m. at the Nazarene church, conducted by the Rev. Mrs. Lulu Haug, pastor of the Nazarene church at Wray. Interment was in Grandview cemetery."

Lucy A. Pinckard is in Yuma County in 1920, 38, with Lee E. 29. Sylvester D. is 6, Valera V. 5, Susia M. 3, Melvin L. 2,, and Delbert E. newborn.
Lucy A. Pinckard, born July 25, 1881 in Kansas, died Sept 11, 1975 in Plumas County, California.

Martha M. Eklund, born January 26, 1883, died in San Bernardino County, California June 28, 1968.

September 1935 "Roy Frazier and family of Plainville, Kansas, stopped over Monday to visit Mrs. Frazier's sister, Mrs. Eklund. The Fraziers are moving to Idaho. They formerly resided three miles west of Wray."

Viva Higgins, born in Kansas, and Claude Williams had David Lemuel Williams on December 10, 1931 in Buhl, Idaho, who died in February 1932.
Viva Higgins Williams wife of Claud Williams Daughter Velda Fancher Son Delvon Williams Son Terry Williams Son Claud Williams Son Elvin Williams Daughter Tammy Bartos Son Tim Williams
Viva Kathleen (Higgins) Williams 1912-1994 is buried in Albany Oregon # 34454438 "Married to Claud Wyatt Williams on Aug 30 1930. "Viva was the daughter of David Fred Higgins and his wife Cora Luella Roberts." "
Viva's mother, Cora Luella (Roberts) (Higgins) Frazier is buried in Caldwell, Idaho # 86257607.

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