Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

James T. and Elzira Rightsell, Wray


M.C. Rightsell married Lettisha Linder on August 29, 1844 in Coles County, Illinois.

Lettisaha Linder had claimed 80 acres in section 21, 12N 7E in Coles County in October 1840
Letisha Rightwell died April 7, 1847 ?, and is buried in Coles County # 61257459.

In 1860 Coles County, Illinois, Mack Rightsell is 53, a wagon maker born in Tennessee, with Mary J. 15, James 11, and Martha A. 9.
He's next to wagon maker I.W. D. McCrary 33 and Delilah 32, both born in Tennessee.

In 1860 Coles County, James F. Rightsell is 11, Martha A. 8 are listed a second time, living with Michael and Elizabeth Spidel, both 32.

Mary Jane Rightsell married Ephriam Z. Sparks on June 10, 1861 in Coles County.
Mary Jane, born June 1, 1845 at New Paradise, Illinois to "Mack Rightsill" born near Knoxville, Tennessee and "Lisletin Linder" born in Illinois, died November 7, 1924 in Mattoon, Coles County.

John Sawyer's wife's mother was a sister to Sarah Bush who married Johnson, who died, and she then married her old sweetheart, Thomas Lincoln. A half mile further lived on Isaac Linder, who had four children, Elisha, Daniel, Polly and Isletta. This Isaac Linder had a brother, Daniel Linder, who was the father of Ursher Linder, who rode the circuit with Abraham Lincoln -both at that time were Illinois' great men.

This Paradise holds in history the greatest of the Lincoln history and the committee has prepared a map running through that section which will soon be recognized as Lincoln history. The old Linder home, the schoolmate of Abe's, his friend and a friend of the Lincolns not only here but in Kentucky where they were born. Mrs. Elisha Linder, a daughter of John Sawyer, and a first cousin of Abe Lincoln's step-mother,Sarah Bush Johnson Lincoln, in this house Aunt Sally as we all called her, had been more than a hundred times. The house where Abe Lincoln came and stayed all night and took the plans for his Springfield home - an exact duplicate of it. In this house Ursha Linder and Abe Lincoln ate many meals together and stayed all night.


November 7, 1924 "Mrs Mary Jane Sparks, 79, widow of Epbralm 8parks, passed away in her apartments in the Tubman building at 1:25 o'clock this morning of yellow jaundice. She had been suffering from the malady for several weeks, and her condition became serious on Wednesday.
The funeral will take place from the First Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, under the auspices of the Woman's Relief Corps, with Rev. Marlon Hull officiating. A vocal solo will be sung by Frank 0. Finfrock, with Miss Nettie Hall at the organ.
Burial will be in Dodge Grove beside the body of the husband, who died in November, 1913.
Mrs. Sparks was born at Little Wabash Point, southwest of Mattoon, on June 1, 1845, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mack Rightsell. She waa reared in that neighborhood, and on June 11, 1861, was married to Epbralm Sparks. Elder Thomas Threlkeld performed the ceremony in the presence of James T. Cunningham and Sarah Cunningham as witnesses.
Eight children were born of the union, six of whom are living, as follows: G. R. 8parks, F. R. Sparks. W. U Sparks, Mack Sparks, J. H. Sparks and Miss Ruth J. Sparks, all of this city.
Besides the surviving children there are thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and one brother, James T. Rightsell, of Wray, Colo.
Mrs. Sparks lived her long life in and near Mattoon. She was for many years a prominent worker in church and lodge circles. She was a member of the old Cumberland Presbyterian church of Geneva Rebekah lodge, No. 274; of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; of the Woman's Relief Corps and was for twelve years its chaplain."

In 1865 Coles County, Mack Rightsell has eight people in his household. The image is blurred, but it looks like there are four males, four females
M.C. Rightsell married Mrs. Elizabeth Erskine in Coles County on September 20, 1866.

James Rightsell is in Coles County, Illinois in 1870, 25, with sister Mary Sparks, who is married to Ephraim Sparks.

James married "Elzoia" Graham in Coles Count December 5, 1871.

In 1885 Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Waveland township, James Rightsell is living in section 8, 36, born in Illinois, with Elzira 33, both born in Illinois. Eva is 8, born in Pottawattamie County.

Olive Rightsell was born July 20, 1885 in Cass County Iowa to John T. Rightsell and Eliza Graham.

Olive attended the Independence school about six miles west of Wray.


Olive Rightsell cash-claimed 160 acres in 1, 1N 44W in 1910 - about where the airport is now.
James T. Rightsell proved up a quarter in section 20 in 1894, about six miles southwest of Wray.

March 11, 1910


Olive Rightsell is in Wray in 1910, 24, born in Iowa, a reporter. She lives on Railroad street with her widowed father James T. Rightsell 61, a nursery stock salesman. Eva M. Sherman, widowed daughter of James, 33, with James E. Sherman 12, Duane 12 and Elsie V. 10, all three born in Colorado.

October 5, 1922 "Mr. and Mrs. James Rightsell and Mrs. Mason Chamberlain left Saturday for Kansas City, Mo., where Mr. and Mrs. Rightsell will spend the winter.


OLIVE
May 12, 1911

1912 "Miss Tressie Wheatley accompanied Mrs. John Paynter to Wray for a day's visit last Thursday."

EVA

Eva was born May 7, 1876 in Pottawattamie County, marrying Luther W. Sherman in Yuma County on November 24, 1895.

In 1900 Yuma County, Laird precinct, Luther is farming, born May 1872 in MIssouri, with Eva May 1876 Iowa. James E. born April 1897, and Elsie V. April 1899 were both born in Colorado.

1906 Wray " Mrs. Luther Sherman and children, of Holdrege, Nebraska, who had been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Rightsell, returned to her home yesterday morning."
1909 " Mrs. Luther Sherman and little son Emmett arrived from Holdrege, Nebr., to spend the Fourth with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Rightsell."

June 28, 1912 "Mrs. Mason Chamberlain died in Denver Monday night and was brought here Tuesday, the funeral being held at the home northwest of Vernon Wednesday forenoon. Mrs. Chamberlain was taken to Denver for a Caesarian operation, but did not survive the ordeal. Beside grown children, she leaves a husband and an infant. The Chamberlain family are old residents of the county, and considered among the leading citizens.
Her loss will be quite keenly felt among a host of warm friends, to say nothing of the grief of the sorrowing relatives."

July 19, 1912 Wray "Mason Chamberlain, whose wife died a few weeks ago, and who was left with an infant babe went to Denver Saturday and returned Monday evening with the baby. The baby was left in the hospital where the mother died, and was taken care of by the nurses until this time."

August 1913

1915 "Emmet Sherman returned home last Sunday from Superior, Nebraska, where he spent the winter. He went to visit his mother, Mrs. Mason Chamberlain, this week. Emmet will remain here and attend high school next year."
May 6, 1915 "Miss Elsie Sherman spent Saturday and Sunday in the home of her mother, Mrs. Mason Chamberlain, of south of town."


March 23, 1916


May 11, 1916

James E. Sherman married Marie Fisher July 28, 1916, recorded in Denver.

November 1916

December 21, 1916 "Mrs. Emmet Sherman came down Friday evening and joined her husband, Emmett, who had proceded her a few days and they are visiting Emmett's mother, Mrs. Mason Chamberlain and family of ten mile southwest of Wray. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman reside in Denver."

May 3, 1917 "Mrs. Emmet Sherman came down from Yuma Thursday and remained over until Monday visiting her mother-in-law, Mrs. Mason Chamberlain of ten miles southwest of Wray."
November 1917 "Mrs. Emmett Sherman came down from Denver Friday and remained over until yesterday for a visit with her husband's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mason Chamberlain of southwest of Wray."

December 20, 1917
ESTIMABLE LADY DIES SUDDENLY
( By Jessie Wiilliams. )
Word was received this morning in Wray of the death of Mrs. Artie Chamberlain, of four miles southwest of Vernon. Mrs. Chamberlain had not been strong for several years and recently had suffered an attack of la grippe. She had recovered from this to a great extent, but her heart was left in a much weaker condition. She was taking care of her usual work yesterday and was up and around as usual. In the evening, she became ill, but thought it was just an attack of heart trouble such as she had experienced for several years past. However, she passed away very suddenly at the hour of 10:30. Mrs. Chamberlain, or Leila, as she was always spoken of by those who knew her, was the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. McGinnis, of seven miles northwest of town. At the age of twenty-two, a little over six years ago, she was married to Artie Chamberlain, a son of Mason Chamberlain, of southwest of Wray. To this union two little sons were born, iu-Onis, age three years or so, and Delbert, now a babe of three months. Leila was one of the sweetest characters it was ever our pleasure to know. She possessed the gift of making and holding the friendship of all who met her. From her true and lovable girlhood she developed into an equally true and lovable wife and mother. It is with deep regret that we speak of the death of Leila; words are inadequate to express the beauty of her womanhood. Funeral services will be held tomorrow ( Friday ) at one of the Vernon churches — which one has not yet been designated. The services will be in charge of Rev. A. N. Wolff, pastor of the Presbyterian church of this place. Mrs. George Johnson, her sister, was notified and will be in this evening on No. 14 from her home in Denver. Her brother, Frank McGinnis, is stationed at Camp Kearney, in the southern part of California, and would not be permitted to come home. He is being notified by letter. Our most sincere sympathy is given to the husband and babies and to the parents in this hour of their deep sorrow.

July 10, 1919 "Mrs. Ollie Paynter and friend, Mrs. E. Taylor, arrived Wednesday in Wray to visit for a few days with the former's father, J. T. Rightsell, and her sister, Mrs. Mason Chamberlain. Mesdames Paynter and Taylor intend to visit in Denver and in the mountains before returning home. Mrs. Paynter and her husband reside in Kansas City, Mo., and are engaged as chiropractors at that place."

In 1920 Yuma County, Vernon precinct, Mason Chamberlain is 58 born in Ohio, with Eva M. 43 Iowa. Vivian J. is 7, William D. (grndson( 2 born in Colorado.

In 1930 Yuma County, Mason is still farming, with Eva and Delbert, 2 grandson.

Mason died in 1931, and is buried in Vernon with his first wife Minnie Foreman Chamberlain, who had died in 1912.

In 1940 Los Angeles County, Eva is 63, now married to Elmer Lapham 79 born in Michigan.

Eva May (Rightsell) (Sherman) (Chamberlain) Lapham 1876-1959 is buried in Pomona, California
Married first Luther W. Sherman on 24 November 1895 in Wray, Yuma County, Colorado - divorced on 15 June 1910 in Yuma County, Colorado
Married second Mason C. Chamberlain on 15 April 1915 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado
Delbert Chamberlain born Sept 15, 1917 in Colorado, died in Los Angeles County May 5, 1967, mother's maiden name McGinnis.

Married third Elmer Duncan Lapham on 11 June 1933 in Pomona, Los Angeles County, California

James Emmett Sherman registered for WWI in Yuma County, born April 28, 1897 at Vernon. His father was born in Montgomery County, Missouri, and his wife was Eda Marie Sherman at 1853 Welton in Denver. He was employed by Warren Bowen of Wray.

James E. Sherman was in Camp Riley, Kansas in 1920.
He married Maude Maret in July 1920 at Kansas City, and she married Oscar Powell in 1929 in Kansas City. So it didn't last.


March 16, 1933

James Emmett Sherman 1897-1955 is buried in Wray, # 63325598.

1917 "Miss Claire Leininger has accepted a position with the Wray Mercantile Company and will begin her duties there in a short time "

Clara Leininger was in Wray in 1920, 20, with parents George 49 and Belle Leininger 47.
Clara married "J. J. Smeehuyzen" on June 1, 1920, recorded in Yuma County.
The SMEEHYUZEN couple divorced in 1924 in Yuma County.

One possibility is that Joseph changed his name upon naturalization.....

1922 " Mrs. Joe Hoffman is spending the week with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Leininger, north of Wray."

There's a Joseph J.Hoffman in 1930 Denver, 41, widowed, born in Pennsylvania, a painter, renting a ho room. He was first married at age 27 - which woulbd have been 1916.
He was widowed in 1940 Denver, and registered for WWII in Denver, born March 4, 1889 at Tarentown, Pennsylvania. His reference was Lida K. Hoffman.

In 1947 Denver, Lika K (wid Jos J. ) is living at 4571 Wolff.

In 1930 Wray, Clara B. Hoffman is 30, living with parents. She has Dorothy A. Hoffman 9.
Dorothy Anita Hoffman was born in Wray January 2, 1921 to Joseph J. Hoffman and Clara, dying as Turkowsky on November 6, 1998.
She - a divorcee, married Adolph Turkowsky of Vancouver Washington on December 11, 1941.
In 1940 Denver, James is a stationary engineer, 42, with Clara 40 born in Iowa.
James is buried in Wray 1897-1955.

June 18, 1917 "Mrs. Myrtle Hogate, of Wray, took charge of the local (Yuma) telephone exchange last Friday. Miss Elsie Sherman, also of Wray, is assisting Mrs. Hogate."

August 3, 1917

November 2, 1917

October 17, 1918 "Miss Elsie Sherman, eldest daughter of Mrs. Mason Chamberlain, was united in marriage Tuesday morning to Mr. Clyde Goodpasture, of Denver, the ceremony taking place at North Platte, Nebraska. Mrs. Goodpasture is a well known young lady in Wray and vicinity, having grown to womanhood here. She was for several months telephone operator here, and has since been employed in the Foltmer Garage. The groom is not so well known here, but is interested in the Auto Supply Co., of Denver. He became acquainted with Miss Sherman through business dealings with the Foltmer Garage.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodpasture will take a short trip through the west and south, after which they will make their home in Denver."

Nathan Clyde Goodpasture registered for WWI in Denver, an auto equipment salesman, born May 15, 1879, wife "Emma Louise"

He might be the Clyde Goodpasture, age 23, who married Irene Taintor in Chicago July 29, 1907.
In 1910 Springfield, Illinois, Clyde, 24 born in Illinois, has a shoe store, with Irene 24 born in Illinois.
The FBI poster of 1941 might explain the absence of records on him..


In 1940 Los Angeles County, Elsie is 40, married to Fred H. Clark 50 born in Illinois, with three lodgers. All the men are bartenders in a cafe.
In 1948 Pomona, Fred and Elsie livea at 129 W. Monterey avenue.


Elsie Vivian Sherman Clark born April 22, 1899, died October 5, 1952 in Los ANgeles County.
She's buried in Pomona # 37414999
Fred was in Imperial County, California, divorced, 40, with son Roy H. Clark 17 born in California. His mother Susan P. Clark 76 was also born in Illinois.
Fred H. Clark, born August 26, 1889, died in Riverside County Feb 10, 1971.

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