Yuma County, Colorado
Photographs |
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Yuma County Pioneers -
Henry J. and Kate (Jespersen) Wells
In 1870 Grant County, Wisconsin, Henry is 11, with parents Shaler 39 and Catherine 33.
Mary is 18, Sarah 15, Nath 18, Henry 11, Frank 9, and Peter 1. Edwin Cox, 23 is a farm laborer born in Ohio.
In 1875 Lancaster County, Nebraska Shalor Wells is 44, born in New York, with Catharine 43 Pennsylvania.
Sarah is 19, Nat 17, Henry 15, Frank 13, and Shal one month, all born in Wisconsin.
Shaler Henry Wells 1830-1921 is buried in Los Angeles # 62316209,
with Cathryn A. (Garner) Wells 1831-1909, # 62315780,
"She was the 4th of 6 children of Joseph (1794-1875) and Catherine Garner(1795-1880).
. She married Shalor in Linesville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania.
He had been married before to a woman named Mary Frey.
He married her in July of 1850 and she died in Oct 1850, obviously they had no children.
But Kathryn and Shaler did. They were married in July of 1851 and had nine children.
They had the first one, Mary Adelaide in Linesville.
They then moved to Fennimore, Grant, Wisconsin where they had Sade, Nat, Henry, Frank, Minor,
and Peter. Then they moved to Ashland Nebraska with the Cox family because Mary
had married Martin Cox.
Dan and Peter were born in Ashland and one more baby that didn't live in 1877."
In 1880 Saunders County, Nebraska, H. J. is 20, Kate 19. (same movement of families of Jesperson from Lancaster to Saunders County)
Henry J. Wells proved up a quarter in 29, 1N 43W in 1893,
and Leander Wells one next to him in 1890 by a cash claim.
(September 1916
"Uncle Steve Kerns and wife are enjoying a visit this week from
Mr. and Mrs . Leander Wells of Mundon, Kansas.
They will remain here over Beecher Island reunion. Mr. Wells, who
is an uncle of Henry Wells, was a homesteader in Yuma county in 1885 but
left here in 1887, but he has known Uncle Steve for forty-seven years,
and being a comrade with the latter,
a fast and lasting friendship exists between the two."
August 20, 1898 Wray "Miss Jasperson, of Ashland, Nebr.,
sister of Mrs. Henry Wells, has engaged to teach the Weller
School, and arrived at Wray Thursday. She attended the
teachers examination Friday and Saturday."
October 1, 1898 "Edwin Cox and daughter, of Santa Anna, California, a brother-in-law and
niece of H. J. Wells, visited himself and family for a few days this week and last. They are on
their way to Kansas to visit friends there." This is Mary Wells Cox's husband.
Santa Ana, California 
June 1905
"S. Wells and wife of Los Angeles, California arrived here Saturday
evening to visit their son Henry Wells and family.
From here they go on east to Ashland, Nebraska and thence back through
Montana and to the Portland Exposition. Mr. Wells
has been here several times and says he sees evidences
of improvement right along, and on each visit things look
more prosperous than on the proceeding one."
In June 1914 a Santa Fe train wreck, killing two and injuring 14, including "Mary Cox, Santa Ana, bruised, en route to Grand Canyon. Continued journey."
1919 Santa Ana "Mrs. E. Cox is enjoying a visit from her father, Shaler Wells, of London,
Kans., and her brother and wife."
October 5, 1920 "In Santa Ana, California, Oct. 4, 1920, at his home, 806 North Ross street,
Edwin Cox, aged 73 years. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 2 p. m.,
from Smith & Tuthill's chapel. Mr. Cox leaves a widow, Mary A. Cox.
He was the father of Amos N. Cox of Santa Ana, Asa E. Cox of Huntington Park,
and Mrs. W. N. Corwin and Mrs. J. M. Greene of Hemet."
August 1922 Santa Ana "Of much interest to Santa Anans was the announcement of a wedding in Huntington Park which last night united Miss Carmen Cox, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E Cox of that city but formerly of Santa Ana, and the Rev. Eugene Harold Baker, assistant pastor of the Lincoln Heights Methodist church, Los Angeles. Among local guests at the charming affair were Mrs. Mary Cox, grandmother of the bride, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Skiles, Mr. and Mrs Amos N. Cox, Miss Vivian Cox, Edwin and Minor Cox, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Skiles and little daughter.""
April 25, 1932 " Cox. RT. a resident of Santa Ana from 1894 until 1914,
passed away in San Luis Obispo this morning, according to word received here today.
He is survived by his mother, Mary A. Cox, of North Ross street, Santa Ana, a brother,
Amos N. Cox. of the Finley hotel, Santa Ana; his widow, Edna Cox and a daughter of San Luis
Obispo, a son, Elwood Cox, of Hemet and two sis.."
October 1936 "Mrs. Mary A. Cox, 806 North Ross street, accompanied by
her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Amos N. Cox, left this morning for Hemet
to attend the wedding of Miss Ardis Corwin of that city and Willard Councilman of Riverside.
Miss Corwin is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Corwin of Hemet,
son-in-law and daughter of Mrs. Mary Cox. She is a graduate of Riverside Junior college.
Mr. Councilman is a young business man of Riverside, and the young couple will make their
future home in that city. Their wedding was to occur at 4 o'clock this afternoon
in the Corwin home, with only members of the two families as guests."
Mary 1852-1944 is buried in Los Angeles
In 1900 Yuma County, Henry Wells born August 1859
in Wisconsin, married 20 years to Cathrin S. July 1861 in Iowa.
She's had six kids, five living.
Loren S. Dec 1882 and Henry A. August 1883 both born in Nebraska,
Daniel S. Dec 1884 and Alta J. August 1896 in Kansas, and William R. May 1888 in Colorado.
In 1910 Yuma County, Henry J. is 51, Kate M. 49, and Ray W. 22.
March 15, 1902 
February 14, 1908 "Fred Jasperson and bride arrived
in Wray Monday from Greeley, and are visiting at the
H. J. Wells home south of town. Mr. Jasperson is a brother of
Mrs. Wells."
June 17, 1910 
August 19, 1910 Wray "Mrs. Jasperson, mother of
Mrs. Kate Wells, left for Ashland, Nebr., where she will visit
a son several weeks. Mrs. Jasperson has been visiting at the
Wells home since May. Her home is Denver."
December 1913 "Mrs. Paul Williams, who had been visiting
her sister Mrs. Henry Wells, and family of south of Wray,
for five weeks, departed last evening for her home in Leshara
, Nebraska."
October 26, 1916 "Mrs. Kate Wells and son, Ray, left
Friday evening for Kearney, Nebraska, where they went for a
visit with relatives and friends. They are expected to return
the last of this week. They motored over in the latter's car."
October 9, 1919 Wray "Mr. Elmer Jasperson returned to his
home in Ashland, Nebraska, last Friday after a short
visit with his sister, Mrs. Kate Wells."
Henry Wells timber-claimed a quarter in 30, 2N 42W in 1896.
Henry J. Wells proved up a quarter in 9, 3N 43W in 1920.
Henry J. Wells and Kate M. Wells divorced in Yuma County March 17, 1920.
Kate M. Wells is in Wray in 1920, divorced, 54, living on South Arickaree Street.
Kate is buried in Wray 1860-1945 # 61289225.
"Katy (Sarah) Jesperson was born to Lorenz Peeter
and Jane B Montgomery Jesperson in Iowa. By the time Katy
was 10 years old the family had moved to Lancaster, Nebraska
and added some new members to the family;
Elmer Elsworth 1863 and Fredric 1865. By 1880 Anna 1874,
and Grace Gertrude 1876 had joined the family and on
December 24, 1879 in Lincoln, Lancaster, Nebraska
Katy married Henry Joseph Wells.
They had 8 children: Etta, Shaler Lorenz, Henry Arthur, Daniel Ernest, Alta Jane, Ray A, Myrtle and William R. Katy and Henry moved around a bit. They moved to Munden, Kansas about 1883 and then to Wray, Yuma, Colorado in 1888. "
In 1920 Wray, on Republican street, Henry J. Wells is 60, divorced, farming with son Henry A. Wells 36 and Bettie B. 33, both born in Nebraska. William H. 11, Ellen B. 9, Ross P. were all born in Colorado.
1923 "Henry Wells came down from Denver the latter part
of last week to visit relatives and attend to business."
May 1923 "Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wells expect to arrive in
Wray this week to make their home. They will occupy the Wells
residence just west of the town hall. They are having their
household goods brought from Denver to Wray by truck."
November 1936 "HENRY WELLS said he came to Yuma county in the
fall of 1885, in fact he arrived here on Thanksgiving day.
He came from Republic County, Kansas. His home was originally in Wisconsin,
later his father moved to Nebraska, thence to Kansas.
Mr. Wells came out to this country with his uncle.
They homesteaded about eight miles south of Wray,
and batched for some time. When he and his uncle first arrived in Wray,
they climbed the large sandhill to the north of the depot to look over
the flats to the south. Everybody when they first came out did this.
From Republic County, Kansas, they first came out in an old
spring wagon with a team. They brought with them the few necessities
that they needed. They filed on their land in the fall of 1885,
then went back to Kansas for the winter. Then in the spring of 1886
they came out, built their little frame house which was 12 x l4 feet
in dimensions. They broke some sod that spring and harvested a good
but small crop of corn and wheat that summer and fall.
Again that fall they returned to Kansas to be with their
families that winter and the early part of 1888.
In the spring of 1888 they brought their families out
to Colorado and have lived in Yuma County ever since.
In 1879, Mr. Wells, at the age of twenty, was married.
In this marriage there were four children: Arthur, Ernest, Ray
and Mrs. Ed Ellis. These sons and the daughter live in or close to Wray.
When Mr. Wells brought his family out they lived in the little 12 x 14
frame house on the homestead and lived comfortably. They had a small barn,
chicken coop, and such other improvements that were necessary.
The first water well that he had was a dug well. They had to go 130 feet
to get good water. Mr. Heindel dug the well. Henry and his uncle pulled
the dirt from the bottom of the well by means of a hoist,
while Mr. Heindel did the digging. It took them less than ten
days to do it but it was back breaking work. This hard work was
little in the pioneer's life because if he ever expected to get
any place he had to work hard. They didn't have a pump well
until 1892, until then they had the old dug well which they had
to drop a bucket down into for their water, and for their horses,
cattle and other livestock. Mr. Wells brought his household
goods, livestock, and other things out here in the well
known emigrant car. His family however, rode in a regular
chair car. When he first arrived in Wray there wasn't
a house on the south side of the river, nor a business
building. The main body of the town was on the north side of
the tracks and consisted of a partially finished
"Grand Sod Hotel". Porter's Store which was in the process of
being constructed, a section house, and a depot. There wasn't
a tree in sight, now you cannot see the town for the trees.
The south side of this valley in the summer time was covered
with flowers which grew around the many springs which flowed
incessantly from the sides into the North Fork of the
Republican river. This river was the most beautiful river
that he had ever seen. The business houses didn't
start to move over to the south side of the river until
1886, when George and Fisher built and operated a
general store on the site of what is now Simpson's
Drug Store. Shortly after, they all started
moving their business houses to the south side,
and before long the town was built well into
the south side of the valley."
Henry J. Wells, born August 4, 1859 in Wisconsin, father Wells, mother Garner, died February 23, 1941 in Los Angeles.
RENZ
June 17, 1910 "On Friday, June 10th, Henry Wells received a message
stating that his son, Renz Wells, had been killed by the cave-in of a
sand bank at McCook, Nebraska. He immediately told the mother,
sister and brothers of the accident and accompanied by Steve Gray left
for McCook to bring the remains back to Wray. He learned on arriving
at McCook that Renz had gone to work earlier than the other men
employed at the sand bank. The bank, which had not not been considered
safe for some time, had caved in upon him, but he had been dug out at
once. It was believed that he was killed instantly as tons of
earth had caught him, crushing the body and fracturing a leg in two
places. The sand bank was about two miles from town.
The remains were brought to Wray Saturday morning and taken
to the home of Steve Gray.
Renz Wells was born at Ashland, Nebraska, December 16, 1881.
His parents moved in 1886 to Colorado, where he resided up to
the time of his death. He was the second son of Henry and Kate
Wells, the first being a girl, who died in infancy.
After attending the school near which he lived in the country
south of town he came to Wray and attended high school.
He leaves his father and mother, one sister, Mrs. Alta Ellis,
and three brothers, Arthur, Ernest and Ray, to mourn his early death.
The funeral service was held Saturday, June 11,
at the Christian church, Rev. P. W. Walthall in charge.
A very large crowd was present, many being compelled to stand outside.
The bereaved family has the sympathy of the entire community."
HENRY
In 1900 Bettey B. Lepper is 14, born in Nebraska, with parents Henry Lepper 50 and Lucey A. 48. Ollie E. is 20, Maggie E. 12, and Phillip W. 10.
(Henry Lepper 1849-1929 is buried
in Tumwater, Washington, # 38131377,
with Lucy Ann (Wolf) Lepper 18520-1944.
Bettie Beryl Lepper and Arthur H. Wells married May 4, 1907 in Yuma County.
May 10, 1907
Arthur proved up 320 acres in sections 27, 33 and 34, 3N 44W in 1917.
In 1910 Yuma County, Henry A. is farming 25, with Betty 24, both born in Nebraska. WIlliam H. is 2.
1917 "The marriage of one of Yuma county's well-known young
ladies took place yesterday afternoon when Miss Elinor Lepper
was united in marriage of Otto K. Morrison, of Eaton.
The wedding was solemnized at the home of the bride's sister,
Mrs. Art Wells, of five miles south of Wray at 3:00 o'clock,
Elder D. A. Brown, pastor of the Christian church,
reading the lines. The ring ceremony was used, with the
bride's niece, little Miss Elen Wells, acting as ring
bearer. The service was a beautiful one.
About twenty guests were present, those from away
being, the parents of tho groom, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Morrisson, of Grand Island, Nebraska,
and Miss Ida Cloyd, a cousin of the bride, from Sterling. After the service,
a three-course dinner was served by Mr. and Mrs. Wells, and the young couple were the
recipients of many beautiful gifts.
Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, accompanied by the grooms parents, left that evening for
Grand Island, where they will spend a few days before going to their home,
near Eaton where the groom is engaged in farming. We feel a great interest
in this marriage as Mrs. Morrison is essentially one of Wray's products as she has
spent almost her entire life here and was a graduate of our public and high school.
For the past two or three years, she has been in Portland, Oregon,
from which place she returned about three weeks ago.
The groom is a stranger to us, but from what we learn, is of a high
character. We wish this young couple many years of happiness together."
1922 "Mrs. Ellen Morrison, whose husband was killed in an
auto accident several weeks ago, is expected to arrive in a
few days for a visit at the home of her brother-in-law
and sister, Mr, and Mrs. Art Wells, and with other relatives
and friends. Mrs. Morrison was formerly Miss Ellen Lepper.
Her girlhood days were spent in this city. Philip Lepper,
a brother of Mrs. Morrison and Mrs. Wells, is also expected
to come to Wray for a short visit before returning to his
home on the western coast. Philip came to Greeley on
account of the death of his brother-in-law.
Art Wells did not go to Greeley on account of the
death of his brother-in-law, as reported in the Rattler
last week. Mrs. Wells went to Greeley as soon as the
news of the unfortunate accident was received.
She returned home the latter part of last week."
In 1930 Yuma County "Art H." Wells is 46, "Bittie" 44, William 22, Elen 19, Ross 17, Beryl 10, and Bettie Lee 4.
Elen Wells married Harold L. Race on Sept 1, 1930 in Phillips County,. Colorado.
Robert L. Race was born June 26, 1931 at Wray, and was a ticket clerk when married in July 1965 in Olympia to Jeannette R. Williams, age 19 - her second marriage.
May 11, 1939 Wray "Hans Christiansen, who lived here in the years
of 1886-87-88, visited at the home of Henry Wells until Tuesday.
Hans came to this county from Denmark to work for the Wells and
when he arrived here could not speak a word of English.
He is now 70 years old and lives in Oklahoma City.
He is a veteran of both the Spanish-American and World wars."
In 1940 Henry and Bettie are farming
in Thurston County, Washington, with Betty Lee 14.
Elen is 29, married to Harold L. Race 46 born in Iowa - both restaurant cooks. They have Robert L. 8 and Jeanne 7 both born in Colorado.
Henry 1883-1959 is buried in Tumwater, Washington # 38621490.
William Henry Wells, born about 1908 in Wray to Art Wells and Bettie Lepper, married Orpha Shamate in 1936 in Olympia, Washington>
Philip Ross Wells, 1913-1962 is buried in San Rafael, California # 1 q29189863.
In 1940 Elaine is 20, married to Marion Robbins 22, living in Grays Harbor County, Washington.
Marion Robbins 1918-2002 is buried in Tumwater # 160284981.
Beryl married Thurl Livy Robbins 8n 155, and he's buried in Thurston County 1910-1963.
Elen B. Robbins 1910-2005 is buried in Tumwater # 104016134.
ALTA
Edward M. Ellis 28, married Alta J. Wells on December 25, 1905 in Yuma County.
In 1920 Wray, Alta is 23, married to Edward M. Ellis 32. They have James W> 2 and Agnes K. newborn.
Alta 1886-1967 is buried in Wray # 17926614 with Edward Mitchell Ellis 1877-1953.
DAN
Dan is farming next to Henry in 1910, 25, with Bessie 21, both born in Nebraska.
In 1916, Daniel E. Wells proved up two quarters in 28, 3N 44W, next to Arthur.
In 1920, Daniel is farming, 35, born in Kansas, with
Bessie M. 31 Arkansas. Ruth L. is 9, Earnest L. 7, Esther M. 5,
and Robert E. 3, all born in Colorado.
Bessie's mother Mary E. Smith 72, widowed, born in Kentucky is with them.
In 1900 Marion County, Illinois, Bessie was with parents
John W. 53 and Mary E. 52, both born in Ohio. Noah W. May 1874, Marion O. Dec 1882 both born in Ohio, and Bessie M. July 1888 in Arkansas
Daniel Ernest Wells 1884-1969 is buried in Wray, with Bessie Marie (Smith Wells 1888-1970.
RAY
Ray William Wells 1888-1975 is buried in Wray, with Beulah Leona (Briggs) Wells 1897-1969.
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