Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:
Smith McNichols married Margaret Byers in March 1843 in Belmont County, Ohio.
Dotty Hunt wrote "Smith McNichols was born 2 Jan
1823 in Belmont County, Ohio, son of William and Rachael Smith McNichols. He is
the spouse of Julia Ann Hopton. Smith and Julia Ann were married 19 May 1853 in
Belmont County, Ohio. Their daughter, Hannah Jane McNichols is the wife of
Jonathan Wesley Hunt. Jonathan and Hannash Jane are my husband's great
grandparents."
In 1850 Belmont County are Smith 27, Margaret 27, William 7, John 5, Rachel
3, and infant Mary.
Margaret died, and Smith married Julia Ann Hopton May 19, 1853 in Belmont
County.
Still in Belmont County in 1860, Smith is 38, Julia Ann 34, William 16, John
S. 14, Rachel A. 12, Mary L. 10, Sarah M. 7, Joseph G. 5, Nathaniel 3, and
four-month-old Hannah.
It looks like Rachel married John L. Moore and stayed in Belmont County
William served in the 9th Ohio Cavalry during the war.
In 1870 they're in Clarke County, Iowa, with William, 25 "Breaking Prairie",
John S. 23 farming, Sarah 16, Joseph 14, Nathaniel 12, Hannah 10 and Ellsworth
7.
In 1880 Clarke County Smith and Julia only have Nathaniel J. 22 and Elswerth
S. 18.
All four are living on Webster Street in Osceola in 1885
Smith, Julia and Nathaniel are still together in Clarke County in 1900.
Julia died February 21, 1903. Smith died April 3,1910 and both are buried
in Maple Hill cemetery, Osceola
Of these children, probably three claimed land in Yuma County.
WILLIAM ALFRED McNICHOLS
William married Mary Olive Orr in Clarke County May
26, 1875, In 1880 Clarke County they have Lulu 3, Bertie 1,
and a hired hand.
In 1885 Clarke County besides Luna and William, they have
Harvy, 4.
One Ancestry submitter said that Carl Clarence McNichols
was born in Osceola, Clark County December 5, 1886.
William "Alf" began his Yuma County life.
Harvey, Alf, and Bert McNichols attended the first Old Settlers day, in
September 1888 at John Eckman's place, about ten miles northwest of their
claims. Because the Eckley Centennial article didn't mention Mrs.
McNichols, she possibly was not in Colorado. His family said they moved to their place 14 miles north and one mile west of Eckley. William proved up a homestead quarter in 1896, a cash-claim
quarter in 1891, and a timber-claim in 1904.
"Alf and Mary McNichols were good managers, frugal and
industrious. Alf was quiet and soft-spoken. His ambition was to take
care of his own business and observe the Golden Rule. He had a sense of humor and
possessed a dry wit.. Besides being a good housekeeper, a good manager,
and a tireless worker, Mary was "motherly" The school teachers boarded
with her for many years.
In 1899 "W. A. McNichols was in town (Yuma) Tuesday.
His two-year-old stock was delivered at Holyoke Saturday, and averaged 1025."
Probably it means W.A. took his cattle to Holyoke, and they weighed an average
of 1025 pounds.
The OLD SETTLERS has been held in Eckley since 1900.
Before then, it was held at various homes, the first in September 1888 at John
Eckman's (seven miles further north of Alf's. In 1898 it was in Eckley, per J.A.
Conley, Secretary. Bert McNichols of Yuma was the prize-winner in the foot
race. In 1889 it was at Will Bingaman
(just a few miles west of Wages. . Both of these are in the far north part
of the county. In 1890 it was at the Timberlake place. One year at
Henry Holder's (near later-day Waverly) and one year was held at the W. A. McNichols
In May1900 "Misses Banks and Maude Johnson visited at the
McNichols home north of town (Yuma) last Saturday."
The Wray newspaper wrote in 1925
In February 1907 "Our old friend W.A. McNichols has
leased his ranch for a term of years and will move to Haxtun."
In 1909 the Yuma paper "Arrange to celebrate July 5 at the
McNichols ranch." as a general invitation. Later "At the McNichols ranch
some good races were put on and when we mention the ball game all has been said
as far as entertainment is concerned, the said game between the "sluggers" and
Yuma team also produced the display of fire works, shootmouth. (sic
- might mean 'sure enough'). In the fourth inning the Yuma boys had eight
scores to their credit while to the "Sluggers " it commenced to look like this
00000000, when Giant Fire Cracker Buzzell went up in the air with a ball bat and
proclaimed our umpire, H.H McDonald, rotten ! It was then that some one
accidentally touched off a Bartlett First Fizzle and IT said Buzz knew what he
was talking about so McDonald was pulled off and a man who knew nothing of
up-to-date rules was selected by the Fizz and Buzz which won the game by one
score. We will admit, however, that they had two ball players in the bunch
and they are no other than Davison and Sylvester.
January 8, 1904
A few days prior, H.H McDonald had participated in a
Children's Day program at the Yuma Methodist Church - With Miss Irene English
they performed a violin and clarionet (sic) duet.
In 1915 "Mrs. Louisa Webster, who had been a guest at the
home of her sister, Mrs. W.A. McNichols, departed Monday for Thayer, Kansas."
In March 1915 "A.D. Moran, who bought W.A. McNichols'
large ranch northeast of Yuma a few weeks ago, and his brother-in-law arrived
last week with their household goods and agricultural implements and took them
out to the farm. The families of the two men came in from Republican City,
Nebraska, on the noon train Tuesday."
lf and Mary left the ranch in 1917 and moved to Yuma,
living on 4th and Birch. Alf died October 15, 1924 and Mary May 10, 1945.
October 16, 1924
"William Alfred McNichols was born in Belmont County, Ohio on March 10, 1844, and died in
Yuma October 17, 1924, aged 80 years, 7 months and 5 days.
During the civil war he served seventeen months in the United States army.
After the war he returned to Ohio and resided in that state until 1869, at which time
he and his father Smith McNichols moved to Clark County, Iowa.
In 1875 he was married at Osceola, Iowa to Mary O. Orr on May 6.
To this union three sons and one daughter were born.
Mrs. Albert Petrie of Yuma, W. B. McNichols of Yuma, Harvey O. McNichols of Tribune, Kansas, and Carl C. McNichols of Casper, Wyoming. In the spring
of 1888 he moved to Yuma County, taking up a homestead twenty-three miles northeast of Yuma.
About seventeen years ago he and his wife moved to Yuma and they have resided in this city since that time. Besides the wife and four children he
leaves twelve grandchildren, three sisters and four brothers to mourn his loss. All the children were here at the time of his death.
Funeral services will be held at the Presbyterian
church this Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev.
W. I. Breckenridge officiating. The interment will be at the Yuma Cemetery."
Carl also claimed a quarter, but much later - a homestead in 1914 -
about two miles northeast of his parents.
In 1922 that quarter was part of the five quarters of A.C. Churchiill.
That must be Addison C. Churchill, who was in Wray in 1920, a 69-year-old
widower. He was a school teacher in 1880 Nuckolls County, so might have
known John McNichols there. In 1930 Addison is in Lincoln, Nebraska,
married at age 79 to 59-year-old Jennie. In 1936 Jennie B. (widow of
Addison) is in Lincoln and is in directories at least through 1950.
William Bert was born October 16,
1848 in Osceola, and
came to Yuma
"Bert was allowed to own his own saddle horse and was
allowed to trade them off or swap for other steeds. Bert thought he was a
pretty good horse trader. He would often ride off with his current mount
and return with a different steed. His father, although he didn't
interfere, was sometimes critical of his judgment and on one occasion, after
sizing up Bert's latest acquisition, remarked wryly, "Bert, about two more swaps
like this, and you'll come walking in carrying the saddle"
Bert met Agnes Rhoades on one of his frequent trips into
Yuma. They were married on April 19, 1906 by E.M. Potts, JP in Yuma.. Agnes was born to March
1, 1890 in Neodasha (sic) Kansas. She came to Yuma when she was about
eleven years old. There were 13 children born to the union.
In 1900 the Yuma Pioneer "Since purchasing a fine new
buggy of Stoner, Bert McNichols is found right along in the procession."
In January 1910 "the local burying ground will be
purchased by a cemetery association, and will be greatly improved and
beautified. At an informal meeting, held in this office yesterday morning,
this fact was practically decided upon. Bert McNichols, owner of the
cemetery was present, and he agreed to sell ten acres for the sum of $200.
The plan is to raise the amount of the purchase price, and as much more as
possible by subscription... J.F. Heiserman pledged $25, Bert McNichols
$10, E. Loring $10, Ali Barbezat, $5.
In 1920 Bert and Agnes are living in Yuma, with six
children, Vera 12 the oldest, then Margaret 8.
In 1930 Yuma they have seven children, the oldest
16-year-old Nellie I. Muirheid - married.
In 1940 Yuma they have Robert 15, Delbert 13, and
Charlotte 6.
They moved to Loveland, Colorado in 1948, where Agnes died in 1963.
Bert moved to Denver, living with his daughter Bertha (Mrs. Leo Wages) He
then moved to Beaumont, California, living with his youngest daughter Charlotte
(Mrs. Don Simmering). He died November 5, 1971.
The cemetery records show
McNichols Inf. Dau. of Bert 1934 Original 40
McNichols Inf. Dau. of Bert 1938 Original 206
McNichols Triplets 1939 Original 206
(
Delbert served in WWII, died March 26, 1981, and is buried at Riverside
(California) National
Vera, born July 20, 1907) married Lester George Aageson born December 18,
1906, and they remained in Yuma. Vera ran a cream station for many years.
Les (February 1988 per SSDI, December 2, 1987 on the tombstone) and Vera E.
(August 6, 1987) are in the Yuma cemetery.
Margaret married F. Lester Dorrance, and in 1930, both 18, they are living on
South Railroad in Wray. Lester is a "common laborer.
In 1940 Wray Floyd L. is a W.P.A. road worker, and they have Floyd L. Jr 9,
Mary J. 6, Jacqueline L. 4, and Margaret C. 3.
In 1988 - 1993 Margaret Royal is in Oregon, where she died in 2006. Her
SS card was issued in California before 1951
Velma Bertha married Leo G. Wages, and they're in 1940 Yuma. Leo is a
tractor mechanic, and they have Freddie 3 and Billie 2.
Luna married Albert Petrie, and they were living on Wesley Avenue (renamed to
Birch Street) in Yuma in 1920 - Albert is a gasoline/oil merchant. They're
on the same census page as both sets of parents. Albert was born in New
York in 1879, and in 1900 was a stock herder near Yuma for his father
Albert and Luna are in Yuma in 1930 and 1940. living with widowed Mary.
No occupation in 1940. Albert (1951) and Luna Luella (1974) are in the
Yuma Cemetery.
Albert O. McNichols, 91, of Longmont, CO passed away May 2, 2012
at the excellent Life Care Center of Longmont.
He was born on
May 14, 1920 in Yuma, CO to William B. McNichols and Agnes
(Rhoades) McNichols. He grew up in Wray, CO where he attended
school and participated in athletics. As a young man he was a
promising golden gloves boxer until a badly broken hand ended
the endeavor. He later attended trade school and became a
specialty welder and was employed by Remington Arms Company. In
1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy carrying on a family tradition
that began with the American Revolution. During his service he
was a petty officer and was deployed to Guam as a ship fitter.
He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the following
citations; American Victory medal and the Asiatic Pacific
Service Medal.
On August 21, 1937 he was united in marriage to Elsie Dickson
in Brighton, CO, this union lasted 51 years ending with her
death in 1988.
Throughout his lifetime Albert did a variety of things. He
was in law enforcement as a Chief of Police and County Sheriff
retiring in 1968 with 22 years of service. He later worked for
the City of Longmont, CO as a building inspector and in the
water department as Superintendent retiring in 1981. He also
held a broker associate license and was part owner of McNichols
Realty. Since his retirement he traveled extensively living in
Houston, TX; Laughlin and Reno, NV; Tucson, AZ; Palm Springs,
CA; and Mt. Hood, OR. In 2010 he returned to Longmont and lived
at Beatrice Hover Manor and Life Care Center of Longmont.
He is survived by his son Ron McNichols and Wife Sally of
Longmont, CO; a grandson Steve McNichols of Longmont, CO; sister
Charlotte Simmering of Billings, MT; and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Albert was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Elsie;
significant companion Dorothy Carver; sisters Vera Angesen,
Margaret Royal, Irene Oatsman, Bertha Wages, and Nellie Murhied;
brothers infant Arthur McNichols, Wilbert McNichols, Robert
McNichols, and Delbert McNichols.
A graveside inurnment service will be held May 7, 2012 at
3:00 PM at Longmont Mountain View Cemetery. With Military Honors
by the U.S. Naval Honor Guard and American Legion Post #32.
Cremation at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Donations can
be made to Disabled American Veterans in care of Ahlberg Funeral
Chapel 326 Terry St. Longmont, CO 80501.
December 2011
Dr. Bilsborrow reports the arrival of a
baby girl at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W,
B. McNichols, September 5. -Yuma
Pioneer.
This baby girl was given the name of
Bethel Irene by her parents William Bert
(Bert) and Agnes Rhoades MeNichois. She
joined four sisters, Vera, Margaret,
Nellie and Bertha. Later Wilbert,
Albert, Robert, Delbert, and Charlotte
joined the family.
Irene, as she was known by family and
friends, spent the majority of her
growing up years and school years in
Yuma County, either in Yuma or Wray.
There were short periods that were spent
at Benkelman, Nebraska, and Tribune,
Kansas.
The family was living in Wray when Irene
met Fred H. Oestman at a dance at the
Wauneta Hall north of Wray. Irene and
Pearl Oestman, Fred's sister, were
friends who went to the dance together.
These dances were the main entertainment
for the farmers and others around the
area.
Irene and Fred were married on January
18, 1936, at the Christian Church
parsonage by Reverend Clark Bower with
Elmer E. Oestman and Margaret Dorrance
as attendants.
Fred and Irene set up housekeeping on
the farm just north of the Wauneta Hall.
Fred farmed for himself and others while
Irene was a homemaker and raised the
seven children that were born to this
marriage, Larry, Jerry, Bethel,
Patricia, Judy, Bob, and Don.
Fred and Irene raised the majority of
their food. There was always a big
garden, cows and pigs, and of course
raising and processing chickens. Since
corn was the main crop Fred raised, corn
on the cob was another addition to meals
during the season.
Irene held all the offices at one time
in the Wauneta Community Club and was a
member of this club until it was
disbanded. Most of the members had moved
to Wray before the club was disbanded
and these members continued meeting in
Wray for several years.
She was also the Wauneta news
correspondent for the Wray Gazette for a
few years. Since she did not have a
telephone in her home she would drive
down to Dorthea and Elmer's home just
south and use their phone to gather the
news every week.
The family now consisting of Fred,
Irene, Bob and Don moved into Wray in
the winter of 1964 and lived at 440
Cedar for many years. Before the move to
Wray, Irene had started employment at
Farmers Cafe and continued working as a
waitress for Farmers and The El Patio
for many years.
Irene was a member and officer of the 55
And Over Club and was in charge of the
craft fair for many years. She was an
avid quilter and made quilts for all her
children, grandchildren, great
grandchildren, and great- great
grandchildren. Wednesdays was the day a
group of ladies met at the center to
quilt and made numerous quilts for
people throughout the years. It was just
in the last few years she had to give
this up.
Irene's journey on earth
ended peacefully Tuesday evening, July
5th at Melissa Memorial Hospital in
Holyoke.
Besides her parents, her siblings
that preceded her in death were Vera
Aagesen, William Arthur (as a child),
Margaret Royal, Nellie Muirheid, Bertha
Wages, Wilbert, Robert, and Delbert
MeNichols, and baby girl and Buelah,
both in infancy. Also preceding her in
death was her oldest son, Larry in 1986,
and husband, Fred in 2003.
Survivors include her six children:
Jerry and wife LaVerne of Denver, Bethel
Oestman and husband John Van Metre of
Texas, Patricia Oestman of Wray, Judy
Oestman of Denver, Bob Oestman of Wray,
Don and wife Sharon of Wray, and Ida
Oestnian, Larry's widow, of Banning,
California. She has two siblings
surviving her who are Albert McNichols
of Longmont and Charlotte Simmering of
Billings, Montana. There are 15
surviving grandchildren, 22 great
grandchildren, several great-great
grandchildren, as well as numerous
nieces, nephews, a few cousins, and many
friends.
A Celebration Of Life will be held on
Saturday, July 16th at the Wauneta
Community Fire Hall starting at 4 p. a
An evening meal will be served followed
by a “Hand & Foot” tournament.
Contributions may be made to the
Wauneta Fire Department. Cremation was
requested. Spellman-Schmidt was in
charge of arrangements.
Harvey Orval McNichols, on his WWI registration near Haxtun,
said he was born August 9, 1880, and was farming by himself.
August 1904 "Harvey McNichols, the rustler on the
McNichols ranch, is repairing the old Leonard place and is said will soon take a
Russel (er) as a partner. Several of his friends have given him some
little red Jersey pigs."
(In 1906 "Mrs. and Mrs. H.O. McNichols of Haxtun are
over on a visit with his parents." Has to be Harvey
In 1910 Harvey, wife Mary E. (21, born Colorado) are
living on Colorado Avenue in Haxtun. Pearl 9 and Grace 8 Hendrix, listed
as nieces, are living with them. (Pearl is in far-away Trindad, Colorado
in 1920, niece in the George and Mayme Powell family
The 1920 Los Angeles, California has an H.O. McNichols,
single, farmer in Kansas, which is odd, but H. O. McNichols is in Greeley
County Kansas in 1930, married to Fannie, with Jim Dizmang 17, Edna Dizmang 14,
and Ruth Mcnichols 1.
Born in Hazelwood, Illinois, USA on 1 Sep 1891. Francis Huddleston married
Harve O McNichols and had a child. Francis married
James Chester Dizmang and had 2 children
The 1925 Kansas census has widow Fannie, Jim and Edna
Dismang in Greeley County, so they must have married soon after 1925.
Harvey (November 18, 1957) and Fannie E. )March 20, 1976)
are buried in the Lamar, Colorado cemetery
Carl McNichols 22, married Bessie Hake, 18 in Akron
December 26, 1908- although one license was in Yuma County. It was also
registered in Washington County by William John, minister., as Bessie P. Hokes
JOHN
John, born 1848 in Ohio, is with his parents through 1870. In 1880
Clarke County, Iowa he's with Mary E. 28, and they have Enola 8, Ethlyn 7,
Wm. B 5, Claude 3 and Edna 1.
John S. McNichols did a cash claim for two quarters a mile north of Joseph
and William, one in 1890 and another in 1891.
Because of the date, the type of claim, and the proximity, it's likely
this John is William's brother.
IIn 1900 Nuckolls County Nebraska they have William 25,
Wellington 16, Mildred (probably MILTON) 13, Breloine 13, A. Clarence 11, A
Pearce 9, and B. Nellie 7.
February 1900 "Luthur Mustain, Jos. Brower, John
Felderman, John McNichols and G.H. Hatcher all from north of Yuma, brought
horses and mules to Pickett Tuesday" (C. D. Pickett was a livestock dealer)
In 1910 Nuckols County they only have Milton 23 and Nellie 17.
IN 1920 John S. is in Hartford, Sebastian
County, Arkansas
He's 73, widowed, with Jelen V. Sinsel and
Mildred I Sensel. Mildred was born in Iowa about 1887
In 1910 Mildred and Glen were in Yakima
Washington
In 1930 a John McNichols is in Hartford, a stationary engineer" saying he's married,
but with his brother-in-law George F. Carl and Mattie M. Carl.
MISSOURI death certificate has John S. McNichols,
widower of Mary Ellen McNichols, miller, born June 30, 1846 dying 1926 in
St. Louis. To be buried in Eager, Nebraska
Mary born December 2, 1853 died December 1915 in
Missouri, to be buried in EDGAR Nebraska Father W. M. Duncan born
Kentucky, mother Mary Jane Morgan born Indiana.
William Belmont McNicols, born April 26, 1875 in Clarke County, married
Hannah (Jennie) Stansbury in Nickolls County October 25, 1900
In 1910 Nuckolls County he and Julia have Cecil 9, Very 5, Fay 4, Monte 3 and
six-month son Berle. The 1940 Julesburg census said he was married, but no
wife listed, and that in 1935 he lived in Garden, Nebraska.
William Belmont McNichols died in Julesburg Colorado October 10, 1944 (only
sixty miles north of the McNichols land in Yuma County)
JOSEPH
Joseph G. McNichols, born August 1855 in Ohio, married Julia E. about 1875.
(might be the Julietta Dowell, 14 in 1970 Des Moines County Her widowed
mother is Sarah, 42 - and Sarah Dowell is in Clarke County in 1880 with her son
William). about 1875.
In 1880 Clarke County they have Minnie B. 5, and Charles E, ten months.
They're in the Iowa 1885 and 1895 census, and there's no mention of any
Joseph McNichols in the Colorado newspapers. So the 1891 cash claim in 4N
46W joining Wimmian A.'s 1891 cash claim is very likely this Joseph. It's
the same land where A.D. Moran built his big house after buying the "William
McNichols" ranch.
In 1900 they were in Clarke County, Iowa, With Minnie B.25, Atta S. 16,
William H. 13, May E. 10, Jennie M. 8 and Joseph H. 5. Sarah Suitzer, 73,
grandmother, is with them.
THIS COULD VERY WELL BE THE SARAH SWITZER WHO CLAIMED A QUARTER IN 4N 46W IN
1891 adjoining Joseph's.
In 1910 they're still in Clarke County, with only Jennie and Joseph.
In 1920 Omaha J.G. and Julia have Harvey, a musician in a theater, and
granddaughters Margaret Elizabeth Griffin and Mary Alice Griffin.
In 1930 Omaha Joseph and Julia are with daughter Jennie and her husband Roy
Stroud.
In 1940 widowed Joseph Mcnicols (sic) is with Roy Strond (sic) in Omaha
Joseph (1943) and Julia (1932) are buried in Clarke County, Iowa.
This page is maintained by M.D. Monk.