Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

John C. and Loutharia (Ballenger) Chapin  , Wray


John C. Chapin was born 25 MARCH 1840, in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York.

LOUTHARIA'S FAMILY

In 1860 Wayne County, Indiana, John R. Ballenger is 35, Thursa Ballenger 32, Alweldy J. Ballenger 12, Catharine L. Ballenger 10, William S. Ballenger 8, and Lonthara Ballenger 6.

John Randolph Ballenger BIRTH 23 Aug 1823 Williamsburg, Wayne County, Indiana, USA DEATH 6 Oct 1885 Minnesota, USA BURIAL High Island Cemetery New Auburn, Sibley County, Minnesota, USA PLOT Lot 141 Block 52 MEMORIAL ID 31574765.
Theresa Oyler Ballenger BIRTH 6 Mar 1827 Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana, USA DEATH 7 Mar 1917 Minnesota, USA BURIAL High Island Cemetery New Auburn, Sibley County, Minnesota, USA PLOT Lot 141 Block 52 MEMORIAL ID 31574668.

JOHN'S FAMILY

In 1860 Sibley County, Minnesota, John Chapin is 48, Mary Chapin 49, John C. Chapin 22, Mary A. Chapin 16, and Leddy Chapin 12.

JOHN AND LUTHERA

In 1880 Sibley County, Minnesota, John Chapin is 40, speculates in cattle, Luthara Chapin 26 Wife, and Mary Chapin Daughter.

In 1900 Wray, John C. "Chappin" is a day laborer, 60, Luthera Chappin 46 Wife, Mary D. Chappin 20 Daughter, Grace T. Chappin 18 Daughter, and Rena L. Chappin 16 Daughter.

"John C. Chapin wns born in Ithaca, New York, March 25, 1840. He moved with his parents to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in 1858 and from there a few years later to New Auburn, Minnesota. He was married to Luthara Balinger in New Ulm, Minnesota, on July 20, 1873, and to this union were born three daughters, Mrs. Daisy LaShelle, of Manhattan, Kansas, and Mrs. Grace Cox and Mrs. Rena Grant, of Wray.
They resided in New Auburn, Minnesota, until 1892, when they came west and settled in Wray, May 4, 1883, where they have since resided.
Besides the wife and three daughters the deceased is survived by two sisters, one residing in Washington and the other in Minnesota.
On Saturday morning at 7:30, July 3, 1909, he passed away.
Thus a kind and loving husband anil father has been called from our midst."





RENA

August 1946
Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Grant and son John departed Wednesday morning for California after spending the past two months at their home here. They will visit with their son-in-law and daughter Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cox and with Mr. and Mrs. Dan Westfall and Dan Alan in that state before locating for the winter.


GRACE

H. A. Cox, prominent Wray citizen, died at his home in Wray Tuesday afternoon of this week from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Mr. Cox shot himself through the head with A 22 calibre rifle. The shooting occurred in the yard of his home at about 1:80 Tuesday and death followed a few hours later. There was no one at the home.at the time of the shop ting. Leon Hopkins, who was working fat the yard of his home next to the Cox residence heard the report of the rifle and saw Mr. Cox fall from a swing in the yard. He summoned Mrs. Cox from the Walters Store where she was working and medical akl was called. So far as Is known, Mr. Cox left no messages or gave any indication of his intentions of taking his own life. H. A. Cox was one of Wray's best known citizens. He has resided in this community for nearly fifty years and has taken an active part in business and social affairs. He became associated with the People’s State Bank of Wray about 12 years ago, and a few years ago was made cashier of the bank. He has served a number of terms on the town board of Wray was elected Mayor for two years at the town election last May. He has also served as chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, and at the time of his death was secretary of the organization. Two years ago he was president of the Wray Commercial dub. He was a member of the -Me Lodge, the Wray chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, the I. O. O. F. Lodge and the W. O. W. Lodge as well as other local organizations. Funeral Services will be held from the home this afternoon at 2p. m. conducted by Rev. G. Henry Grew, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of ’ Wray of which he was a member. Interment will be in Grandview cemetery, with the Masonic Lodge in charge. Harve Allen Cox was born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Cox at Seward, Neb., on June 29, 1880. He came to Yuma County, Colo., with his parents when he was but a youngster and for the most part has resided here during his life. He was united In marriage to Miss Grace Chapin on February 8, 1905, and to this union one daughter Elvira, was born. He died at Wray, Colo., Sept. 9, 1930 at the age of 50 years, 2 months and 10 days. He leaves to mourn his death his wife and daughter, six brothers, Dave, Jeff, Oat, Arch, Clyde and George Cox, one sister, Mrs. Jake Fisher, besides many less near relatives and a host of friends.

Mrs. Grace Cox slipped quietly out of this life at sunset Saturday evening, March 28, 1936. Death was the result of an illness that had held her in bondage nearly thirty months, during which time she suffered greatly from ills to which the human flesh is heir, but through it all she bore her suffering with a fortitute that challenged the admiration of all. The funeral service was held at the family home Monday, March 30, at 2 p. m., with the Rev. A. R. Dickson officiating. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hedrick sang several songs with Mrs. Harve Graham playing the piano accompaniment. The remains were laid to rest in Grandview cemetery.
Grace Theresa Chapin, second daughter of the late John and Luthara Chapin, was a native of Minnesota. She came to Wray, Colorado, with her parents and sisters in 1893 as a young girl. She received her schooling in Wray and following her graduation she became a teacher in the schools of Yuma county. In this work, as well as in other activities to which she gave her time and talent, she excelled and her worth as an instructor received deserved recognition.
February 8, 1905 Grace Theresa Chapin became the wife of Harve Allen Cox, the marriage having been the culmination of a school day romance. After a brief residence in Omaha Mr. and Mrs. Cox returned to Wray and established their home. Into this home came a baby daughter Elvira, who now grown to womanhood, is bereft of both mother and father, the father having died in 1930. The death of Mrs. Cox is a distinct loss, not alone to the daughter and sisters and other relatives, but also to the town she loved so well. She was a lady of charming personality, cultured, talented, and gracious. One of the finest traits of her character was her unswerving loyalty to her home, her loved ones, her friends, and her ideals. Prior to the time when death crept into her home and took therefrom her companion, and when illness laid its hand heavily upon her. Mrs. Cox Gave freely of her time and (talent to the church, to social life, and even to the business life of this town. She was accorded many honors in the social and fraternal life of Wray. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, the P. E. O. Sisterhood, the Eastern Star, the Tuesday Study Club, and the Star club. I She gave herself wholeheartedly to whatever cause she championed and her inherent aptitude for doing well the task at hand presaged success in all her undertakings. Though in her earthly pilgrimage she suffered the handicap of a delicate body that made her heir to many human ills, she managed to get much out of life—much of pleasure—much of satisfaction. She rowed always up stream, never drifting with the tide, and in her life there were many happy landings.
Surviving Mrs. Cox are her daughter Elvira, and her sisters Mrs. Daisy LaShelle and Mrs. Rena Grant. There are also many less near of kinship, as well as a host of friends, who mourn with the daughter and sisters.

ELVIRA

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Westfall of 1560 Syracuse Street, Denver, are the parents of a son born Sunday evening, August 4th, 1940 at the Presbyterian hospital in Denver. A message to Mrs. from Mrs. Grant Sunday night stated that both mother and son were doing nicely. Mrs. Westfall was formerly Miss Elvira Cox of Wray. Here's congratulations Elvira and Dan, may your tiny bundle from Heaven bring you worlds of happiness.

Sept 25, 1952 Mrs. Dan Westfall, the former Elvira Cox of Wray, died early Monday morning in a hospital in Richmond, Calif., according to word received by Roscoe Smith, mother of Mr. Westfall. The funeral services are being held in Richmond. Mrs. Westfall was the only daughter of Harve and Grace Cox, former Wray residents who both preceded their daughter in death. She grew up at Wray. After her marriage to Mr. Westfall they lived in Denver and early in the 1940’s moved to Oregon and from there to California. She is survived by her husband and one son, Dan Allen Westfall.

DAISY

1919 "The corporate company owning the Wray Rattler, Wray's oldest paper, sold the same the past week, Frank La Shelle, of Hanover, Kansas, being the purchaser and taking immediate possession. Mr. Herbert Gee, who has operated that paper under lease since last January, has not yet announced his future intentions, but a man of his capabilities and talents will not long be idle. Mr. LaShelle is not any stranger to Wray and Yuma county, he having been in charge of the Rattler for Cary L. Will, 1903 to 1906 or 7, and Mrs. LaShelle was formerly Miss Daisy Chapin of Wray. They have a large circle of friends here who rejoice to welcome their Return. Frank is not only a likable fellow, but he is a man of extensive newspaper experience and will give his clientele a good paper. We understand he will change the politics of the paper from Democratic to Republican.
—Colorado Patriot.

The Rattler changed hands again this week, Mr. Frank La Shelle, of Hanover, Kansas, beng the new owner. Mr. La Shelle, at one time some years ago was the editor of the Rattler and is familiar with the business at this place and will no doubt give the people of this city and community a lively and interesting paper. We welcome Mr. La Shelle as our new competitor and bespeak for him a liberal amount of patronage and hope that our business relations will be as satisfactory as they have been with our former competitors.
Wray Gazette."

March 1947
Mrs. Frank E. LaShelle will entrain Sunday morning in Denver for Sacramento, Calif., where she will visit with Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Grant and son John. Later she will go on to Richmond to be the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Westfall and little son Dan Alan. She will also visit with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cox at Oakdale, Calif. Mrs. LaShelle will be accompanied as far as Denver by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Weber and Mr. Nickie M. Weber.
July 10, 1952
Funeral services for Mrs. Frank E. LaShelle, widow of a former Wray publisher and a long-time resident of this community, were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Methodist church in Wray, conducted by Rev. William Willcox. Interment followed at Grandview cemetery. Mrs. LaShelle died July 4th at Omaha, Nebr., where she had gone just two weeks previously to be with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Nickie M. Weber. She had been confined to her home for four and a half months, due to a bone fracture, but her death was unexpected and came as a shock to her immediate family and friends. Mary D. Chapin was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Chapin and was born May 11, 1880, at New Auburn, Minn. She grew to girlhood there and then moved with her family to Wray in May 1893. Wray was her home until her marriage. She attended the Wray schools and taught school in the county for more than seven years. She accepted her first position as a teacher at the age of 17. She also served as assistant postmistress of the Wray office for about two years. On March 18, 1905, she was united in marriage with Frank E. LaShelle, and to them one daughter, Luthara, was bom. The first fourteen years of their marriage were spent in Kansas. The LaShclles returned to Wray in 1919 and Mrs. LaShelle made her home here continuously since that time. She had been a member of the Methodist church for many years and was also a member of Chapter AA of the P. E. O. Sisterhood, the Tuesday Study club and the Kensington dub. Her first interest was always her home and the center of her life was her family. She was a loving Wife and a devoted mother. Mr. LaShelle preceded his wife in death on August 6, 1942. Surviving her are her daughter, Luthara; her son-in-law, Nickie M. Weber; one sister, Mrs. Rena Grant of Sacramento, Calif.; two nieces, one nephew, one grandnephew. One sister, Mrs. Grace Cox, preceded her in death. Mrs. LaShelle occupied a prominent place in the community during her long residence here and was held in high regard by her intimate circle of friends. These helped brighten the days of her long confinement. One especially who aided immeasurably was Miss Estella Osmus, a long time companion.

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