Yuma County, Colorado Photographs

Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

William A. and Kate (Flynn) Sisson, Wray



KATE'S FAMILY

John Flynn and Margaret Fox married in Winnebago County, Illinois on Sept 11, 1857.

In 1870 Winnebago County, Illinois, John Flynn is 35, Margaret 31, Thomas 11, John 10, Mary A. 8, Eliza E. 6, Catherine 4, and James 1.

In 1880 Winnebago County, John Flynn is 43, Thomas 21, Mary A. 19, Eliza E. 16, Catharine A. 14, James 13, Joseph and William 11, And Emma 6.


John is buried in Durand, Illinois 1837-1923 # 112683780.

January 2, 1924 Freeport, Illinois "John Flynn, a resident of this community for many years, died Sunday morning at the home of his son, William Flynn. Mr. Flynn was born in Dublin, Ireland, 92 years ago and came to the United States when he was ?? years of age. His wife died several years ago. He is survived by the following children: Mrs. Kate Sisson, living in Colorado: Mrs. Agnes Goodwin, residing in Minnesota; Jack Flynn, Maryland, Wisconsin; James Flynn Owen, Wisconsin, Joe Flynn, Rockton, Illinois ; Mrs. Ella Meeks, Loyal, Wisconsin, Mrs. Emma Shepardson, Shirland, Illinois; Will Flynn of Durand. Mr. Flynn was a veteran of the Civil war.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic church. Burial was made in the Catholic cemetery."

KATE'S BROTHER
March 1927 "William Flynn dropped into Wray last Saturday and went out to the home of Mrs. W. A. Sisson, six miles west of town, and gave his sister, Mrs. Sisson, whom he had not met in forty years, a surprise visit. Mr. Flynn was on his way to his home in Illinois from a trip to California, stopping here enroute. While in California, he purchased a home and will move there later in the year, intending to pay his sister here an extended visit when he makes this change. He left Tuesday for Illinois to close up his business there."
WILLIAM'S FAMILY

In 1850 Meigs County, Ohio, Nathaniel P. Sisson is 32, Sarah 33, Jessee 8, David 6, Nathaniel 5, Francis 3, and Eleanor 1.

Nathaniel P. Sisson, being a boy of tender years, was apprenticed to his uncle Wilson to learn carpentering. Becoming dissatisfied, he departed from his employer without leave, drifting down the river in a pig trough, for want of a better boat! This early experience determined his calling; for years he followed boating on the Ohio. Subsequently learning the trade of stonecutter, gaining a competence, he bought and improved several farms, the last one being in Rutland township, Meigs county, which is still in the possession of a member of the family. He was married twice—first to Rebecca McKinster. One child was born to this marriage, John M., the mother dying while he was an infant; he now occupies the old homestead. His second marriage was to Sarah Harrington Canode, nee Green, the widow of David Canode, who died leaving two small children, George W. and Mary.
Sarah Harrington Green was the daughter and oldest child of William Green and Mary Green, nee Earhart, whose children were Sarah Harrington, Catharine, Harriett, Samuel, Mary, Josephine, Joanna M., William and Eliza. The grandparents of said Sarah Harrington Green, were Andrew Green and Mary Green, nee Harrington, whose children were, Samuel, William. Deborah, James, John and Andrew (twins), Polly, George W., Jonathan H. and Alafare. The Green family was formerly from Hagerstown, Maryland.
Grandfather Green was among the first set tiers and made the first "clearing" where the town of McArthur, Vinton county, Ohio, now stands. His child Sarah, being the first child born in the village (March 10, 1816), was by the proprietor of the town presented with a town lot in recognition of the fact. She is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Though seventy years have passed since she removed from McArthur she still remembers names of the first settlers and recounts the thrilling incidents of those early times when wolves and wild Indians were the dread of the pioneers.
The children of Nathaniel P. Sisson and Sarah H. Sisson, brothers and sisters of the subject of this sketch, named in the order of their ages, are: Dr. David Sisson, of Meigs county, Ohio; Nathaniel, this subject; Francis M., of Yuma county, Colorado; Eleanor Rebecca, deceased; Ann Eliza, the wife of L. M. Harvey, of Meigs county, Ohio; Sarah Jane, deceased; and Charles, also deceased. The deceased children all died in infancy and are buried with their father in the family's private burying-ground on a very high hill near the middle of the old home farm in Rutland township, the father, Nathaniel P., having died at his home in Middleport, February 18, 1894.

David Sisson and Marinda D. Williams married in Meigs County, Ohio on April 3, 1866.

In 1870 Meigs County, Ohio, David Sisson is a physician and Merinda are both 26, with William 3 and Loyal eight months.

David Sisson and Mary J. Pratt married in Meigs County on August 20, 187.

In 1880 Meigs County, David is 35, Mary 22, William 13, Loyal 9, and Nora 1.

David Sisson was a charter member of the Wray Masonic Lodge in 1888.

Wray Post No. 70, G.A.R. was organized in January, 1889, with the following nine charter members: Josephus Brown, Robert G. Tipton, Oliver Ridgeway, Jacob Cox, Rankin Smith, David Sisson, Major W.R. Hays, Henry Hitchcock and Wickliff Newell, with the latter gentleman as post commander.

Dr. David S. Sisson was the first coroner of Yuma County, serving from March 1889 to September 1889.

David proved up a quarter in section 1, 1N 45W - halfway between Wray and Eckley, and a quarter by Timber next to it in 1895.

William A. Sisson proved up a quarter south of David's in 1898.

Francis M. Sisson proved up a quarter in section 35, 2N 45W in1 894, and timber-claimed 120 acres next to it in 1895.
cash-claimed a quarter in section 2, adjoining David's in 1891.

January 3, 1935 "Francis Marion Sisson, a former prominent Wray business man and the father of Mrs. Elva Groves of Wray, expired at his home at McMinnville, Ore., Tuesday, January 1, according to word received by relatives here Tuesday evening. Mr. Sisson was 87 years of age. Mrs. Groves went to McMinnville several weeks ago and was with her father during his last illness. Mrs. Sisson preceded him in death a few years ago.
F. M. Sisson formerly lived in Wray where he was prominent in the business and social life of the community. During his residence here he was associated with the Sisson Clothing Company which was managed by a son, Brown Sisson. He also had other business and property interests here.
He is survived by four children: Mrs. Groves of Wray, Mrs. Edna I. Dow of McMinnville, Miss Estella Sisson of McMinnville and Brown Sisson of Salem, Ore.
W. A. Sisson of Wray is a nephew of the deceased.
Funeral services and interment will be at McMinnville."

In 1900 Middleport, Meigs County, David is 56, Mary 43, Noar Feb 1878, Flora January 1881, and Sarah H. his mother born March 1816 in Ohio.

Nathaniel Sisson cash-claimed 160 acres in section 3 and 4, 1N 44W in 1890, and timber-claimed another in section 3 in 1895. This was Chief Creek and the North Fork of the Republican, a mile west of Wray.
This is not likely the father of David, but the brother born May 25, 1845 in Meigs County, dying in Nodaway County, Missouri.
"Sisson was a bugler for the Union Army and, according to a number of reports, he was at Appomattox and blew the last call after Grant and Lee ended the war. After the war, Sisson ended up living and dying in Nodaway County. Sorensen painted a youthful picture of Sisson in uniform with his bugle and one based on a photograph in the former soldier’s later years."

1932

Sarah H. Sisson, 1818-1902 is buried in the Sisson Cemetery, Middlerport # 127451724, with Nathaniel P. Sisson 1818-1894 # 127452127.

November 1910 "A telegram was received early in the week relatives in Wray to the effect that Dr. David Sisson was seriously sick and hardly expected to live. His son, Loyal F. Sisson, left Wednesday night for their father's home at Middleport, Ohio. Dr. Sisson spent about a month here visiting relatives and friends and at that time his health was impaired. It seems upon his return home he began to fail quite rapidly and but little hope is given for his ultimate recovery."

David is buried in Meigs County 1843-1910 # 101181568. So is Mary Jane Sisson 1856-1938 # 101181449.

November 24, 1910 "After an illness of some three weeks Dr. David Sisson passed away Tuesday evening, Nov. 15, about 10 minutes to 8 o'clock, at his home in Middle port. He had suffered considerably from a complication of heart trouble and asthma during his brief illness, but at the last he lay down as quietly as a babe to slumber, his last words to his devoted wife, were words of Christian firmness and fortitude in the hour of death, "all right."
David Sisson was born in Meigs Co. Ohio. November, 1843. At the time of his death he lacked but 11 days of being 67 years old, most of his good lifespan being spent in this community.
Before he was 18 years of age he taught school in what is called the Lower school house still standing and in use in lower Middleport. When the Civil war broke out in 1861 he enlisted to fight the battles of his country and served with devotion and courage throughout the war. After Lee's surrender and the restoration of peace to the distracted nation, he returned to his home and took up the study of medicine, graduating from the Electric Medical College of Cincinnati and afterwards reading medicine with Dr. Bean of Athens Co. After practising some time in Middleport he moved to Guysville where he conducted a drug store and continued his medical practice, fraught with all the hardships of difficult travel, etc. through which the earlier physicians of this country served their fellowmen. He returned to Middleport again after some years, and here resumed his burdensome and often poorly paid labors in the interest of suffering humanity, living here ever since except for a period of nine years spent in Wray, Colorado, where however, he still worked at his chosen profession. While there he was appointed County Assessor, an office that carried with it more of honor than emolument, but showed a deserved recognition of his ability and integrity in the public service. His return to Middleport again was due to his deep devotion to his invalid mother, who was tenderly cared for by him and his good wife through her long years of illness with a love and devotion beautifully fulfilling the Scripture admonition: "Children love thy parents."
Dr. Sisson was twice married, his first wife being Miss Marinda Williams of Rutland township. To them were born three sons, two of whom, William and Loyal, live at Wray, Colorado, and James N. lives at Valley Crossing, South Columbus.
After the death of his first wife he married Miss Mary Pratt, of Pratt's Fork, Ohio. To this union were born two daughters, Mrs. Norah Ewing of Athens, Ohio, and Mrs. Flora Rowley of Middleport.
Besides his wife and five children, he leaves ten grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Anna Harvey, of Pomeroy, and three brothers, one a resident of Wray, Colorado, one in Marysville, Mo., (Nathaniel Sisson 1845-1932 buried in Maryville, # 27418404) and one living near Middleport.
Dr. Sisson's public life in this community is an honored part of the history of Middleport. Ever since his return from Colorado some 14 years ago, he has been a member of the school board and largely through his efforts the standard of the Middleport schools has been raised from a second to a first class place. For a number of years and up to the time of his death, he has been City Health Officer, and has done his whole duty in that difficult and often thankless office without fear or favor. Middleport has had better sanitation and health generally during his administration than at any previous period of her history and his successor will have both the reforms he inaugurated and the excellence of their maintenance to inspire him in his work.
For some years Dr. Sisson has felt unable to carry on his extensive medical practice and has given his time largely to the public service in the school and public health work, but his interest in the medical profession has always continued and he was for many years secretary of the Ohio Valley Medical Association.
Since early manhood he has been an earnest follower of Jesus Christ and a member of the church, being a trustee of the church and chairman or the official board at the time of his death. To the pastor who talked with him of the life to come a week or two before his death he said "I have been preparing for that for a good many years."
Funeral services were held at the home, conducted by the pastor of the Church of Christ, w ith a service at the grave by the Masonic Order of which he was an honored member.
A good man has gone from our midst who will he sorely missed, not only by his devoted wife and immediate family and friends, but by the community of Middleport and the world at large. May his example of stralghtforward Christian life; his unselfishness and his staunch integrity of purpose that was always willing to stand alone for the right, if need be, remain an example to be followed by many of our young men in their life and service, and so while he rests from his labors, his works shall live after him.
Middleport Republican"

Their daughter Flora (Sisson) Riley 1882-1946 is buried in the same cemetery # 101181319.

1899 Yuma "E. B. Sisson of Chicnao is visiting his mother, Mrs. J. H. Sisson."

December 1899 Wray " Invitations are out announcing the marriage of Miss Edna Sisson to Mr. Simon S. Dow, which will take place at 12 o'clock noon, January 1, 1900. Only the families and relatives of the contracting parties will witness the ceremony."

William and Loyal's cousin Elva (Sisson) Groves 1869 -1949 was a prominent Wray resident.

WILLIAM'S BROTHER FRANCIS

1901 Wray "Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Sisson entertained their relatives on Christmas Day. An old time turkey dinner was served and a Christmas tree given the children of the several families. They were favored with a visit from Old Santa who distributed the presents from off the tree to the proper recipients and left behind him the usual good cheer and fond memories. The guests were Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Groves and children, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Sisson and children, Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Dow and baby, Miss Estelle Sisson, and E. Brown Sisson.

WILLIAM'S BROTHER LOYAL

Loyal F. Sisson, 27, married Mary "Spiers" on October 28, 1896 in Wray.
"Daughter of John Petty Speirs and Martha Manring Speirs."

Loyal F. Sisson is farming, living in Wray on Kiowa Street in 1900, born Sept 1869 in Ohio, married three years to Mary Dec 1875 Iowa. Mason R. January 1898 was born in Colorado.

In 1910 Yuma County, Loyal and Mary are farming, with Myron L. 12 and Mary A. 8.

August 1913 "After a short visit in Iowa, Mrs. Loyal Sisson and little daughter have returned. They were guests of the former's brother, Harvey Spiers."

They're farming in Jefferson County, Colorado in 1920, with Myron R$. 21 and Myra 17.

Loyal, 60, and Mary S. 53 are farming in San Bernardino County, California in 1930.

July 1934 "Mrs. Loyal Sisson of Fontana, Calif., spent several days last week with her sister, Mrs. Mitchell Cruse and family. "

March 1935 "Mrs. M. M. Cruse received a letter this week from her sister, Mrs. Loyal Sisson, stating that her son, Roy Sisson was in a mine explosion at Sunrise, Wyo., on February 28. He suffered injuries to both eyes, a bursted ear drum, two fractures of bones in his hand and brain concussion. Mr. Sisson is a civil engineer for the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. He was taken to the hospital at Sunrise for emergency treatment and will be moved later to the company's hospital In Pueblo, Colorado."

April 1938 Wray "Mrs. Loyal Sisson of Fontana California, is here visiting her mother, Mrs. John Spiers, and other relatives."

Loyal Francis Sisson, born Sept 30, 1869, died August 10, 1958 in San Bernardino County, mother's maiden name Williams.

September 1949 " Loyal F. Sission, former Wray resident and a brother of Will Sisson of Wray, is improving satisfactorily after have suffered a light paralytic stroke at his home at Fontana. Calif., relatives at Wray have learned."

1950 Wray "The three remaining children of the Speirs family, all past seventy years of age, enjoyed a reunion on Friday when Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Speirs entertained Mr. Speirs' twin sisters and their husbands, Mr. and Mrs. Loyal Sisson and Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Cruse of Fontana, Calif., at dinner. "

Loyal 1869-1958 # 81715246 and Mary (Speirs) Sisson 1876-1973 # 81715282are buried in Wray.

WILLIAM'S SISTER NORA

September 2, 1910 " Dr. David Sisson who is visiting relatives in this vicinity has received word of the birth of a daughter in the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Ewing of Athens, Ohio. Mrs. Ewing was formerly Miss Nora Sisson and is known to many of the older settlers in Wray and vicinity."

June 12, 1941 "Mrs. Nora Sisson Ewing, 62, wife of Probate Judge Ed L. Ewing, died at her home in Logan, O., recently. She was a sister to W. A. Sisson of Wray and a daughter of the late David Sisson and spent her girlhood in this community. She also has other close relatives living here. Altho Mrs. Ewing had been ill during the winter her condition had shown some improvement, and death came unexpectedly after an acute heart attack suffered earlier.
Burial was made at Vinton, 0.. conducted by Rev. Cecil Harding."

KATIE AND WILLIAM

Katie Flynn of Eckley and William A. Sisson of Robb married in Yuma on December 3, 1891, witnesses David and Mary J. Sisson. John N. Norvill, minister, performed the ceremony.

In 1900 they're living on Kiowa Street in Wray, William is farming, born January 1867 in Ohio, Katie De 1866 in Illnois, Lilla M. Dec 1893 and Earle D. Sept 1899, both born in Colorado.

In 1910 Yuma County, William and Catharine are both 43, Lila M. 16 and Earle H. 10.

September 1915 " The W. A. Sisson home west of Wray was the scene of an enjoyable dinner party last Sunday. It was in honor of Miss Mary Williams and Mr. and Mrs. N. R. Baker of Augusta, Illinois, who are visiting the Sisson families. Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Sisson and the T. H. Groves, S. S. Dow and L. F. Sisson families, Mrs. Belle Berdue and Miss Estelle Sisson and Isabel Grigsby, also Mr. and Mrs. Binus Hogue of Akron, who were guests of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Sisson, made the company. The Sisson families, Mr. and Mrs. Baker, Miss Williams and Mr. and Mrs. Hogue were boy and girl friends back in Meigs county, Ohio, before coming west and some in the company had not met for many years.

In 1920 Yuma County, William is farming, 52, born in Ohio, Kate 52 in Illinois. Lila 24 and David E. 20 were born in Colorado.

1932 Wray "Mrs. Agnes Goodwin and two daughters from Minnesota are visiting Mrs. Goodwin's sister, Mrs. Will Sisson and other relatives."
"Bringing to an end months of illness, death claimed Mrs. W. A. Sisson, widely known and highly respected pioneer resident of west of Wray, Thursday afternoon of last week, July 8, 1943 at the Wray hospital where she had been a patient for many weeks.
Old time friends thronged the Hitchcock Mortuary Saturday afternoon to pay final respects to the memory of their long-time friend and neighbor, and to hear Rev. William Brown, who had come from Fort Morgan to conduct the funeral service, praise her life so richly lived in high ideals and devotion to family and friends. Burial was in Grandview cemetery.
The following obituary was read at the funeral service:
Kathryn Ann Flynn, the daughter of John and Margaret Flynn was born December 17, 1867, near Durand, Illinois, where she spent her girlhood. In 1888 she came to Yuma County. She was united in marriage with William A. Sisson, son of a pioneer physician of this locality, on December 2, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Sisson established a home on land which they homesteaded six and a half miles west of Wray, where they have lived fifty one years.
To this union two children were born, Mrs. Harald Bettex of Wray, and Captain D. E. Sisson, now serving in the United States Army Dental Corps, at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. There is one grandson. Earl M. Sisson, a student at Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College, College Station, Texas.
Mrs. Sisson is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Ella Meeks of Rockford, Illinois, and Mrs. Emma Shapardson of Shirland, Illinois, and by two brothers, Will Flynn of Rockford, Illinois, and James Flynn of Owens, Wisconsin. There are also several nephews and nieces, among whom is Mrs. James Karas of south of Wray. Mrs. Sisson had been confined to her bed for several years.
For the past months she had been a patient at the Wray Hospital. Through all her illness and suffering, she kept her interest in her home, in her family, and in her friends. Mrs. Sisson was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. The Sisson home was one where relatives, neighbors, and friends loved to come because of the sincere, cheerful hospitality found there. Often it was styled "the house by the side of the road". Mrs. Sisson was a woman of high ideals. She possessed enjoyment of life, the country which she and her husband have helped develop, flowers, music, nature and above all, her friends. Her ready wit and humor were a source of delight to her friends. The memory of her smile, of her originality of thought and expression, and her gracious personality remains as a cherished gift to her friends and to the members of her family."

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