Yuma County, Colorado Photographs

Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

William J.and Sarah Catherine (Showalter) Walsh, Wray


SARAH'S FAMILY


Sarah Fry and Henry O. Showalter, married in Henry County, Indiana on February 15, 1855.

In 1880 Jefferson County, Nebraska, Henry A. Showalter is farming, 58, with Sarah 54, both born in Virginia. Philander 24, Leander 22, Frank 17, Laura A. 15, Elnora 12, and Sarah 9 were born in Indiana, granddaughter Henrietta Mitchell 14 in Indiana.

In 1885 Jefferson County, Henry 61, and Sarah 59 have Leander 27, Ella 17, and Sarah 14.

Henry O. Showalter 1827-1893 is buried in Henry County, Indiana # 54402269, with Lydia (Brown) Showalter 1825-1854.
Henry's brother Samuel 1821-1903 might be the Samuel A. Showalter who claimed land in Kit Carson County, Colorado in 1891...

Sarah, dying October 9, 1855, is buried in Fairbury # 19784506.

WILLIAM'S FAMILY


In 1860 Linn County, Iowa, Robert Welch is 30, Ann 24, with William 2 an ALonzo M. seven months.

In 1870 Jefferson County, Nebraska, Robert is 40, Ann J. 32, William 11, Alonzo M. 9, Adline 8, Emma 6, Carrie 5, Franklin P. 1, and Thomas three months.

In 1880 Thayer County, Nebraska, W.C.? Walsh is farming, 54, born in Ireland, with Ann June 47 born in Maine. W. J. is 21, W.M 20, Adeline 19, Emaline 18, Liza 15, F. T. 11, Thomas 9, and Robert 6.

Robert C. "Welsh" 1825-1899 is buried in Stratton, Neraska # 103951502.
"Obituary-The following is taken from the obituary notice in the Stratton correspondence of the Trenton Leader of Robert C. Welsh, who died at the home of his daughter two miles south of this city notice of which was published in The Republican last week. He leaves a wife and seven children, five boys and two girls. Three of the sons live here, to wit: Wm. J., Frank P., and Thomas Jr., Mrs. John Wolfe is the other daughter. Two of the sons R.M. and R.A. live in the eastern part of the state and were unable to attend the last sad rites.
The deceased was the youngest son of a family of seven sons, was born January 6th, 1826. He was married to Miss Anna J. Leurman, October 28, 1856 at Galena, Ill. They lived in different parts of Illinois and Iowa until the spring of 1868, when they moved to Jefferson county, Neb., where the deceased took a homestead, seven miles east of the present city of Fairbury. "

In 1910 Ann Welsh, 73 born in Ireland, is widowed, living with son Thomas E. Welsh in Johnson County, Iowa.

She's also there in 1920, age 79, with Thomas 50, Mary 51, marion 23, Earl 21, Guy 19, and Mona 15.


SARAH AND WILLIAM

In 1900 Hitchcock County, Nebraska, William, born June 1858 in Iowa, with Sarah C. August 1870 in Indiana, have Edith Oct 1886 Nebraska, George H. April 1889 Kansas, Ella Jul 1891 Nebraska, Guy P. June 1893 Nebraska, and Haze. April 1897 Nebraska.

The Walsh family moved from Stratton, Nebraska to Yuma County in 1906.

May 1912 "Surveyor W. J. Walsh returned from Yuma last Saturday where he had been to go over the proposed Yu-ina-Kirk road with the “viewers” appointed by the board of county commissioners. The latter consisted of Fred Itten and A. Barbezat of Yuma and Rufus Graves of lvirk precinct. There are two proposed routes and over which one the county will build the road is to be determined by these viewers. Mr. Walsh made the survey"

William proved up 240 acres in 2 and 80 acres in 6, 2N 44W in 1916, and Guy proved up 320 acres in sections 6 and 7, 2N 44W in 1919.

William Ford proved up two quarters in section 32, 3 North 44 West, in 1917.
"Witnesses: William J. Walsh, John Mock, Daniel B. Boeock, Stephen O. Rowan , all of Wray, Colorado."

William 1858-1946 is buried in Eckley # 53151380, with Sarah 1870-1952 # 53151379.
February 14, 1946

1952
"Sarah Showalter Walsh, widow of the late W. J. Walsh of Eckley, died at her home in Eckley Friday evening, April 4. Death came very unexpectedly. Mrs. Walsh was bom August 3, 1870, at Cadiz, Ind., and came to Fairbury, Neb., as an infant. She grew to young womanhood there. On June 6, 1885, she was married to W. J. Walsh at Condon, Kan. Ten children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Walsh, five of whom are living. The surviving children are George H. Walsh of McCook, Neb., Guy P. Walsh of Denver, Hazel B. Gresant of Ft. Worth, Texas, Marion B. Parsons of Boulder and Virginia Walsh of Eckley.
Mrs. Walsh was a devout Christian woman, having joined the Christian church as a child. She was highly respected by all who knew her. Funeral services were in charge of the Ritchey Mortuary and were held at Yuma Sunday, with burial following in the family plot in the Eckley cemetery."

GEORGE

George H. Walsh was born April 13, 1889 at Mahaska, Kansas.

George H. Walsh of McCook, Nebraska, 32, a locomotive engineer, married Pauline White of Sioux City, Iowa, 24, born at Burnham, Missouri to Edward M. White and Fannie Ray, on August 30, 1920 in Woodbury County, Iowa.

Pauline Brooking is in St. Louis Missouri in 1930, 33, married to Earl Brooking one year. Olive Walsh is 9, born in Nebraska.

Olive N. Walsh, born at Mcook to Geo H. Walsh and Pauline White, died in St. Louis February 23, 1934, to be buried in New Bethlehem. The informant was Geo H Walsh of the same address, 1412 Penrose.
FindaGrave # 146805725.
Ella Pauline (White) Brooking 1897-1981 is buried in Holdredge, Nebraska # 36721474, with E. Earl Brooking 1887-1979.

In 1940 McCook, George is divorced, 50, a locomotive engineer, in a lodging house.

GUY

August 1913 "Thursday morning Guy Walsh in climbing a rye stack slipped down, falling on his pitchfork running the tines in his body , making a very painful and serious wound ."

December 1913 "Mr. and Mrs. Guy Walsh and little son came up from their home in McCook, Nebraska, Saturday morning and are visiting Mr. Walsh's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Walsh, and Mrs. Walsh's father, S. O. Rowan."

April 1914 "S. O. Rowan and Guy Walsh were around last week looking up a team for the latter. "

Guy P. Walsh, 19, of Wray and Elsie Rowan, 17, of Wray, married there on September 20, 1932
September 1947 "Guy Walsh of Denver, employed by the Rio Grande Railroad, visited his mother, Mrs. Sara Walsh, and sister, Virginia, overnight Thursday.

September 1947 "Mrs. Gail Carson and daughter Gayle, Mrs. Clifford Carson and sons, Garry, Paul and Jim Carson went to Colorado Springs on Saturday to visit Mrs. Jay Milner and daughter Barbara. While there they enjoyed a family reunion on Sunday when a picnic T..M at Palmer Lake was attended by the father, Steve Rowan, a brother, Jim Rowan and a sister, Mrs. Guy Walsh, both of Denver, the sister, Mrs. Jim Milner, the Wray people and Mrs. Mike Luchetta and children of Denver."

1948 "Mrs. C. C. Carson and Mrs. Gail Carson were taken to Denver the first of the week by Paul Carson. They went to see their father, S. O. Rowan, who has been ill at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Guy Walsh."

1950"Mr. and Mrs. Wayne E. White (nee Florabell Walsh) and Mrs. Guy Walsh of Denver were over the weekend guests of Mrs. Sara Walsh and daughter Virginia."

1953 "Guy Walsh and daughter, Mrs. Mike Luchetta, and her three children of Denver returned home on Saturday after spending the week at the Gail Carson and Louis Menke homes."

VIRGINIA

1927 Wages items in the Yuma Pioneer "Miss Virginia Walsh of Eckley was visiting her sister Mrs. Klington Pirsons last week and incidentally was a visitor at the Wages school also."

Virginia Lee Walsh and William Anthony Fabrizio married in Boulder County on Nov 5, 1936.

In 1940 Eckley, Virginia L. Fabrizio is 25, a cafe waitress, living with parents Wm. J. 82 and Sarah C. 69.

August 1945


Virginia Walsh Fabrizio 1914-1961 is buried in Pueblo # 12112665.
August 5, 1961 Pueblo

ELLA

Ella Walsh and Ernest Gant married on June 4, 1910 in Yuma County.

Ernest S. Gant 1887-1919 is buried in Wray # 63691196.

They had Earl Samuel Gant on October 24, 1915 in Omaha, Nebraska, who died January 25, 1998.
He's buried in Sacramento, California # 165250386, which has his birth date as October 24, 1917.
Dorothy M. Gant 1922-2001 is buried with him.

In 1920 Wray, Ella is 28, widowed, with Edard 9, Ella W. 6, Edna M.4, and EarlS. 2.

In 1930 Wray, Ella is 38, Edward G. 18, E. Wanda 16, Edna May 14, and Earl S. 11.

Ella Gant is buried in Wray 1891-1942 # 63691171.
"Funeral services for Mrs. Ella Gant, who died Tuesday morning at the Wray hospital after an illness of several months, will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Hitchcock Mortuary with Rev. Lloyd M. Balfour officiating. Burial will be in Grandview cemetery.
Ella Gant, daughter of William J. and Sarah Walsh, was born at Stratton, Nebraska on July 16, 1891 and passed away November 10, at the age of 51 years, three months, and 25 days. Mrs. Gant spent the first fourteen years of her childhood and early youth at Stratton, Nebraska, where she received her education. In 1905 she moved with her parents to a farm north of Wray. On June 4, 1910, she was united in marriage to Ernest S. Gant at Wray. To this union two sons and two daughters were born. She and her husband resided first in McCook, Nebraska, then in Omaha, Nebraska, until 1919 when they returned to Wray.
Several years ago Mrs. Gant became a member of the Wray Christian Church. She was also a member of the Royal Neighbor Lodge. She will be long remembered as a faithful and devoted mother who maintained the high esteem and tender regard of her children through the years. She proved to be a true friend to many and always had a kind word to speak for everyone and deeply appreciated the kindnesses shown her in return for her expressions of friendship. During the times of more vigorous health she was found on many a Sunday morning at the church services and was willing to help in the work of the church whenever she could. She had a trusting faith in God and was an earnest believer in the Bible and prayer. Mrs. Gant lived her faith in a quiet way and added her part to the great Christian heritages of the past. She was preceded in death by her husband on October 5, 1919, and also by three sisters, June, Edith, Ethel, and one brother Floyd. She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Walsh of Eckley; three sisters, Virginia Fabrigio of Eckley, Hazel Gresant of Fort Worth, Texas, Marion Parsons of Boulder; two brothers, Guy Walsh of Denver, and George Walsh of McCook, Nebraska; two daughters, Ella Wanda Barr of Fresno, California, Edna Beverlin of Stockton, California; two sons, Earl of Haywood, California, and Edward of Wray, and other less near relatives."

So is Edward G. Gant 1910-1976 # 63691143, with Viola B.

HAZEL

A.G. Gresant, 32, of Winchester, Texas, married Hazel B. Walsh, 26, of Stratton, Nebraska, on July 17, 1924 in Charles Mix County, South Dakota.

In 1940 Fort Worth, Texas, Hazel B. Gresant is 42, Adolphus A. 47.

In 1956 Fort Worth, Hazel is a special investigator for the Fort Worth redit Bureau, living at 2321 Carter Avenue. Adolphus is not mentioned.

Hazel B. Walsh 1898-1992 is buried in McCook # 103769558 "sister"


GEORGE

George H. Walsh 1889-1962 is buried in McCook, # 94313288 "brother"

FLOYD

Floyd B. Walsh 1903-1922 is buried in Eckley # 53151378.
October 19, 1922 "Residents of Eckley and vicinity were inexpressibly shocked and grieved Saturday when it was learned that Floyd Walsh, 18-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Walsh, had at last succumbed to the ravaging effects of consumption. Last March the deceased was compelled to quit school and has since been fighting a losing battle, culminating at last on Saturday, when his eyes were closed forever and his soul winged its way back to its maker. Services were held at the Presbyterian church Sunclay at 2:30, Rev. L. O. Smith presiding. The pallbearers were chosen from among Floyd's companions. Interment was made in the Eckley cemetery. The Tribune joins with the host of friends in extending heartfelt sympathy to the sorrowing family in this dark hour of grief.
Eckley Tribune."

MARION

Kingdon Parsons and Marion Walsh married in Holyoke, Colorado on December 4, 1926.


1927 Wages items in the Yuma Pioneer "Miss Virginia Walsh of Eckley was visiting her sister Mrs. Klington Pirsons last week and incidentally was a visitor at the Wages school also."

In 1930 Kingdon, born in Missouri, and Marion W. Parsons, both 23, are teaching in Kanorado, Kansas.

They're in Boulder, Colorado in 1940, Kingdon an interior decorator, both 33, with Kingdon 9, Landis 7, Particia 4, and Virginia 1. all born in Colorado. They were in Kit Carson County in 1935.

Kingdon K. Parsons, born Dec 6, 1906, died May 23, 1997, last residence Boulder.

Marion W. Parsons, born Feb 6, 1907, died August 3, 2001, last residence Boulder, Colorado.

"Landis Laurelle Parsons died at his home on August 1st, 2009 of natural causes. He will be missed by all that knew him. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend.
He was born August 29th, 1932 to K.K. and Marion Parsons in Burlington, Colorado. His family moved to Boulder in 1936 and Landis spent his early years on their ranches on South Boulder and Lee Hill Road.
After graduating from Boulder High School, Landis enlisted in the Army in 1950. He fought in the Korean War. When he was discharged, he married Wilma Burton and they settled in Boulder while Landis attended the University of Colorado. All during his high school and college years, Landis worked with his father as a painter.
After completing his master's degree in Business Administration at C.U., Landis and Wilma moved to Albuquerque, N.M where he began work at the Sandia Corporation. Later they moved to Livermore, CA when Landis was transferred to Sandia's Livermore facility. After a year in California, they moved back to Albuquerque where their son, Mike was born.
Landis accepted a position at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in 1966 and they moved back to Boulder where their daughter, Julie was born in 1967.
All of his life, Landis was an outdoorsman and a survivalist who taught his skills to his children and to his younger brothers and sisters. He had a lifelong love affair with the Southwest, especially the Four Corners area around Bluff and Mexican Hat.
He always said that he felt renewed after a trip through the desert with its austere beauty.
Landis was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma, an infant daughter, his parents, K.K. and Marion Parsons, his beloved brother, Kurt and his sister Patricia. He leaves behind his son, Mike Parsons (Elizabeth), daughter Julie Parsons (Scott), much loved granddaughters Kaitlynne and Jodi Parsons, brothers King Parsons II (Barbara), Phil Parsons (Sammi), sisters Virginia Aragon (Jack), and Dixie Baker (Willy) and numerous nieces and nephews. "

July 1997 Colorado Springs "Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Collins of Minneapolis announce the engagement of their daughter, Constance R. Walters, to Kingdon K. Parsons III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kingdon K. Parsons Jr. of Colorado Springs. An Aug. 30 wedding at Fox Run Park is planned. She graduated from Southwest High School and is employed by Carlson Wagonlit. He graduated from Wasson High School and is employed by Hewlett Packard. "

"Virginia Aragon describes growing up on ranches owned by her parents, Kingdon Karlisle Parsons and Marion Parsons, on South Boulder Road and later on Lee Hill Road (the Wineglass Ranch) I was born in Boulder. I'm one of the rare Boulder natives. I was born in 1938. My folks had a ranch on South Boulder Road, and that's where I was born, at home. It is where the Days Inn is currently located, sort of at the intersection of 36 and 28th Street, I guess.
There were seven of us. My youngest brother and one of my sisters are deceased, so there's five of us left.
My mother and dad were both born in eastern Colorado. My dad was born in Burlington, my mother was born in Wray. They grew up there, they taught school there, they raised horses there—that's where they started raising Appaloosa horses. They went through the Great Depression there and Dust Bowl years there.
About 1936, they had had enough of eastern Colorado, and moved to Boulder. My grandfather, my dad's dad, had moved—he and his wife had moved to Boulder earlier. I'm not sure at this point if that's why Mom and Dad came, but I suspect it was, because they had family here, and so they moved. They lived various places until they bought the ranch on South Boulder Road, and they lived there I think about four years. Then they moved to a place on North 26th Street, which is currently—I think the subdivision is called Keller Farms. They had 10 acres there. At that time N. 26th Street was very rural, as was Iris, which was not Iris then, it was 9th Avenue. Those were all little 5- and 10acre ranches and farms.
Yes, in the early 40s, because although I was little, I remember the news of World War II ending. I remember that broadcast [laughing], which was a huge event. People listened to radio, there wasn't any television. This makes me sound REALLY old, [laughs] but Liz and I were just talking about the difference in technology and what changes have happened, and I guess that's just one of them. Then in 1946 the family who owned the Wineglass Ranch—what I now call the Wineglass Ranch on Lee Hill Road—was a family named the Euler's. It was spelled E-ul-e-r. Mrs. Euler was a widow, and I think she had four or five sons. But her health was failing, and she needed to move to Arizona for health reasons. They approached my parents about buying the ranch on Lee Hill Road. At that time this was a huge financial undertaking, because they were asking $25,000 for the ranch. After a lot of soul searching and thinking about it, they decided they would do that. They actually closed on the property, and we moved in on December 22, 1946. Although the City owns most of it now. "


EDITH

August 15, 1918
"Last Monday morning Angels hovered over the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Walsh, living north of Wray, and called their loving daughter and sister, Edith, home to rest. She, the oldest child, leaves the entire family and host of friends throughout the entire vicinity to mourn her loss.
Obituary: Edith Walsh was born October 5, 1886, at Stratton, Nebraska, and died at her home at Wray, August 8, 1918, at the age of 31 years, 10 months, 3 days. She leaves to mourn her loss besides her father and mother, five sisters and three brothers, George Walsh of McCook, Nebraska; Guy and Floyd Walsh here; Mrs. E. Gant of Omaha; Miss Hazel Walsh of McCook; Mrs. Marion Gentry of Wray, and Marion and Virginia, at home.
Card of Thanks
We wish to express our thanks to those who helped us in the sudden death and burial of our darling daughter, Edith, and for the beautiful floral offerings
Mr, and Mrs. W. J. WALSH, Mr. GEORGE WALSH.
Miss HAZEL WALSH,
Mrs. MARION GENTRY,
Mr. GUY WALSH "

ETHEL

In 1920 Wray, Ethel is 18, married to Marion E. Gentry, 26, with Alfred C. newborn.

In 1930 Wray, Marian E. 35 and "Elsie J." 28, are living with his mother sadie O. Gentry 55.

Marion is divorced in 1940 Wray.
Marion E. Gentry 1893-1975 is buried in Wray # 63706825, with Anna M. 1904-1986.

Alfred Charles Gentry, born Dec 6, 1918, died in Sacramento County October 29, 1994.


July 5, 1928
"Ethel Walsh was born at Stratton, Neb., May 13th, 1901 and died at Wray, Colo., June 28th, 1928 at the home of her sister, Mrs. Ella Gant, age twenty-seven years, one month and 15 days. In the spring of 1905 she came to Wray with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Walsh. She was married to M. E. Gentry, Aug. 24th, 1917. Two children came to bless their home, Alfred 9 years and Annabelle 2. She leaves to mourn her departure besides her husband and children her father, mother, who now live at Eckley, Colo. Two brothers, Guy P. Walsh of Wray, George H. Walsh of McCook, Neb. and four sisters, Mrs. Jack Gresant, of Decatur, Ill., Mrs. Marion Parsons, of Burlington, Colo., Mrs. Ella Gant of Wray and Virginia at home. Two sisters and one brother have gone on before. Ethel has been a very patient sufferer for many months. She has made a heroic effort to win in the battle with sickness, but in spite of her strong constitution, the fight was a losing one. Sometime ago she realised that she could not win, that the odds were too great, thinking it all over and hoping for the best for her family she kept up her nerve and courage to the end. She believed in God and the book that gives hope beyond the grave, and calling in the minister and the family a few weeks before her death rite made her funeral arrangements and publicly confessed her faith in a Divine Savior. She was a firm believer of the Nazarene church, the funeral service was conducted from the home of her sister, Friday, June 29th at 2 p. m. by Rev. and Mrs. Nelson of the Nazarene church. Interment took place in the Eckley cemetery."

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