Thomas and Elizabeth Brigham
Thomas Brigham was born June 20, 1813 in England and died August 20, 1896 near Padonia, Kansas. He married Elizabeth Riley November 11, 1841 in Andrew County, Missouri.
Thomas Brigham, of Padonia, aged 83 years, one of Brown County’s oldest settlers, having come here in 1854, was buried Friday at 1 p.m. – Brown County World, August 21, 1896
Elizabeth Riley Brigham was born February 10, 1822 in Kentucky and died July 24, 1899 at the home of her son James.
Grandma Brigham, mother of Jas. Brigham died at the home of her son Monday night. The funeral was held at the house Tuesday afternoon. – Kansas Democrat, July 27, 1899
They had 2 children Susan and James H.
Burial is in the Hart Cemetery near Reserve, Kansas.
Mausoleum’s of Brown County
Submitted by Lyle Hinz
Brown County has 3 mausoleums. The first one is in the Powhattan Cemetery for the ADAMS family. I have often wondered who was buried in the mausoleum. Here is a little history about the couple; Samuel and Martha Adams. They were married in 1877. Samuel M. Adams was born March 22, 1839 in Ohio and died January 27, 1908 at his home one-half mile east of Powhattan. Martha J. “Mattie” Adams was born March 9, 1846 in Virginia and died October 14, 1910 at her home near Powhattan.
When Samuel died Mattie didn’t want him buried under ground. She had him embalmed and held at the Hinthorn undertaking business in Hiawatha until a mausoleum or vault could be built so he could take his eternal rest above ground. The total cost was $2,200.
In October of 1908 the body was brought to the cemetery on a Friday afternoon and placed in the Barre granite vault.
Samuel and Mattie had no children.
2nd Mausoleum
The second mausoleum in Brown County is located in the Horton Cemetery. It has no names or death dates on it except for Fair-1908-Long. Horton City Hall has no records as to who was buried in this mausoleum if anyone.
The lot was purchased in 1908 and that was when the mausoleum was built. An article in the Horton Headlight Commercial dated March 26, 1908 states that Minnie Long, wife of Abraham Long, and daughter of Lewis Fair died on March 25th and was buried in the mausoleum on March 27th. Minne was born at Galesburg, Illinois, February 5, 1863 and died in the 45th year of her life at her home in Horton at the corner of Main and North Streets. She and Abraham had three children who died in infancy. Survivors were two “adopted” daughters, Mrs. Harry (Florence) Whiffin and Mrs. Henry (Ruth) Brown.
Abraham’s obituary appeared in the February 6, 1919 Horton Headlight Commercial; Abraham was born October 31, 1857 at Ringold, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and died at Blackwell, Oklahoma on January 29, 1919. His young man-hood days were spent in Galesburg, IL and that is how he met his wife. In 1880 Abraham and his widowed mother moved to a farm in Atchison County, Kansas. In October 1881 he returned to Galesburg, IL to claim his bride. In September 1907 they moved to Horton. After the death of his wife, Minnie, Abraham married Sadie Andre and she preceded him in death in April 1917. Abraham is buried in the mausoleum and Sadie is buried next to her first husband in the Horton Cemetery. Abraham had just gone down to Oklahoma to visit a cousin when death overtook him. The funeral record states that he committed suicide. His body was returned to Horton for burial.
According to the Brown County World, September 5, 1899 “Mrs. Long, mother of Abe Long living near Everest, died Saturday and was buried yesterday. A floating kidney caused her death.” Another quote from the Horton Semi-Weekly Leader, February 7, 1899; Mrs. Abe Long, living four miles southeast of Everest, is at the point of death having been very ill a long time. Mrs. Long is a mother-in-law of L. Fair’s daughter. Mr. Fair and wife left today to be at the bedside of Mrs. Long.
Lewis and Louesa Altman Fair were the parents of Minnie Long. The Horton Commercial dated November 7, 1918 reports that Lewis was born October 9, 1838 in Meigs County, Ohio and passed away November 1, 1918. They were married at Blairsville, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1860 and were the parents of four children: Edwin C., Minnie E., Frank L. and Nettie L. Mrs. Louesa A. Fair died April 1, 1931, aged 92 years, 9 months and 10 days at the home of her son in Superior, Nebraska. Her body was returned to Horton for burial. The funeral was held at the First United Methodist Church and burial in the family mausoleum. Louesa was born in Blairsville, Pennsylvania on June 21, 1838. The family moved to Everest, Kansas in 1884 and into Horton in 1889. – Horton Headlight-Commercial, April 6, 1931.
The 1880 census has the Lewis Fair family living at Delaware, Defiance County, Ohio and the 1900 census has them in Horton, Brown County, Kansas.
It concludes that there are at least 4 people buried in the mausoleum.
Hiram Gilbert
Hiram Gilbert was born October 9, 1862, in Brown County, Kansas, where he lived until a week before his death. He was taken to the Sabetha hospital, where he died July 7, 1928, at the age of 65 years, 8 months, 29 days. He lived on a farm 11 miles south of Sabetha. He took care of his mother until her death, 21 years ago. Since then he has lived alone. He is survived by one brother, William Gilbert of Fairview, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews. – The Hiawatha Daily World, July 16, 1928
Hiram was the youngest of six children of Ezekiel Gilbert and Elizabeth Jane McGuire Gilbert. He was preceded in death by brother James in 1915 and sisters, Nancy in 1904, Margaret in 1911 and Elizabeth in 1914.
Hiram is buried in the Comet Cemetery.
Edward James Crooks
Edward James Crooks, son of James and Addie Crooks, was born March 14, 1880 and died March 1, 1945; at the age of 64 years, 11 months, 17 days.
February 14, 1940, he was married to Elizabeth DeFreese, of Hiawatha. He was a member of the veterans of Spanish American was, member of Hiawatha Camp No. 33, USWV.
Mr. Cooks was a lifelong resident of Hiawatha. He is survived by his wife, 1 brother, Harry Crooks, of Salina, 1 aunt, Mrs. Martha Rogers, of Hiawatha; sister-in-law, Mrs. Delbert Adams, of Hiawatha.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon, March 3, at Johnson-Dews funeral home. Rev. Cecil Swinehart was in charge of the service.
Mrs. Eva Jones, Mrs. Lillian Alter sang 2 songs, “Rock of Ages,” and “Old Rugged Cross.” Interment was in the Hiawatha Cemetery. – Hiawatha Daily World, March 5, 1945
Pioneer Settler
Franklin Jefferson Robbins was a pioneer settler of Brown County. He came in a covered wagon; with his parents Moses B. and Mary Best Robbins, during the winter so they could cross creeks and rivers on the ice. When they came to the Missouri River Mrs. Robbins got out and walked across carrying the baby so if the wagon would break through she and the baby would be safe.
Franklin Jefferson Robbins was born in St. Charles County, Missouri, February 28, 1827. This is where he lived until the Mexican War broke out.
He became a member of Company B of the Oregon County Battalion of the Missouri Volunteer Calvary, commanded by Colonel Powell. He enlisted in June 1847 and discharged at Fort Leavenworth in the fall of 1848.
He received several serious injuries. Ophtalmia (inflammation of the eye) brought on by his Mexican War service prevented him enlisting again in the Civil War.
After his discharge he went to Andrew County, Missouri where he resided until May 1855 when be brought his family and settled in Brown County, Kansas.
He became a farmer and stock raiser in Section 20, Township 2, Range 16 with the Post Office at Carson.
He ended up owning four farms in Walnut Township which altogether comprised of 567 ½ acres.
His home farm contained 240 acres. There was a 9 room frame house surrounded by evergreens, shrubbery and shade trees.
His main crop was corn. He kept about a dozen head of stock cattle, 75-100 head of Poland-China and Berkshire hogs and 12 head of horses.
He was married in Andrew County, Missouri in 1849 to Martha A. Kersey. She was born December 24, 1828 in Versailles, Indiana.
Martha’s younger days were spent in Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri. She was the teacher in the first Sunday School at the Carson Schoolhouse.
Frank and Martha were the parents of nine children: George W. (1852-1913); Mary F. (1854-1861); Louvicia J. (born 1857), married Irving Hanson; Franklin Benjamin, (1859-1911) married Eva Bertha Hatfield; Richard (1861-1861); Abagail Cecelia, (born 1861) married Henry Sewell; Martha E., (born 1867), married George S. Burk; William B. (born 1870), married Clara B. Wagoner; Edward A. (1872-1956), married Maude E. Eley.
Franklin Jefferson Robbins died April 28, 1902 at Fairview, Kansas. His wife, Martha A. Kersey Robbins died July 24, 1924 at Hiawatha, Kansas. They are both buried in the Old Fairview Cemetery. ~~ Way Back When, by Lyle Hinz Brown County Genealogical Society researcher
Jacob & Magdalena Marak
Jacob Marak who died September 27, 1935 was born in Moravina, Austria, July 13, 1844. He came from Austria to America with his parents, Francis and Barbara Marak, in 1857, crossing the ocean on a sailing vessel, a voyage that took 6 weeks. They came as far as Quincy, Ill. there bot and ox team, drove thru to Brown county, Kansas, settling at what is now known as Marak, which is 3 ½ miles northwest of Everest. Mr. Marak married Magdalena Diebold. Three sons survive the parents; Thomas of the home, George and John of Kansas City, Kansas. Mr. Marak is also survived by one brother, Peter Marak, of Shawnee, Oklahoma. The death of Mrs. Marak occurred July 11, 1921. For some years Mr. Marak conducted a general merchandise business at Marak, then in 1882 he moved to Everest where he continued the business until 1885 when the store burned. Following his he conducted a drug store in Everest until 1900 at which time he retired, his sons took over the business. He served as mayor of Everest. – Hiawatha Daily World, September 27, 1935
Mrs. Magdalena Marak, aged 76, died Monday night, July 12, 1921 at her home in Everest. Magdalena Diebold was born in Ditweiler, Alsace, France. She came to American with her family in 1869. October 3, 1871, she was married to Jacob Marak, at All Saints Catholic Church. 4 brothers, one sister, who came with her, all have died; she was the last one of the family. Mrs. Marak was a devout member of the Catholic Church. About 5 years ago she was partially paralyzed had been almost helpless ever since. During all this time she bore her suffering with patient confidence. Her faithful husband, 3 sons, a large circle of friends remain to mourn her departure. Funeral was held in Everest Thursday morning Burial in All Saints Cemetery. – Hiawatha Daily World, July 18, 1921.
Jacob’s father Francis Marak founded Marak and was the first postmaster of Marak. –History of Brown County
William Beam
William Beam was born in Indiana, December 25, 1844 and died in Brown County, Kansas, January 15, 1936.
He enlisted December 1, 1863 in the Civil War. He was a private in Company A, 19th U.S. Infantry. He was discharged from active duty on July 21, 1865.
William married November 7, 1894 to Harriet A. Wright in Brown County, Kansas. The 1900 census says that Harriet was born in April 1833 in Ohio and that she was the mother of 12 children, 8 living. They lived in Horton, Kansas.
JOHN ABRAM & JULIA A. DAWES
John A. Dawes was born 7 May 1839 in Harrison County, Missouri and died 26 November 1893 in Hiawatha, Kansas. Julia A. Dawes was born 22 March 1843 in Missouri and died 31 January 1922. They are both buried in the Hiawatha Cemetery.
John’s parents were John Wesley Dawes (1808 -1880) and Mary Jan Prather (1818-1883). John A. and Julia A. Dawes were married 12 January 1869 in Andrew County Missouri.
The 1870 Census has John & Julia living in Platte Township, Andrew County, Missouri. The 1880 Census has them living in Fox Creek Township, Harrison County, Missouri. John A. was 41 years old and a farmer, his wife was 37 and the children were Mary L., age 8; Gilbert L., age 6; Nelson, age 4; Oscar H., age 1. Julia’s father was born in Pennsylvania and mother in Illinois. The 1885 Kansas State Census has John & Julia living in Hiawatha, Brown County, Kansas. John was 45 years old and a carpenter, Julia was 43 years old, Letta was 12 years old and B. was 10 years old.
Mary Levinia Conner
Mrs. Mary Levinia Conner died at her home, five miles east of Reserve, Sunday, July 16, at 1 a.m. after a long and painful illness. The deceased was born in Talbot County, Maryland, and has been a resident of Brown County for many years. The funeral was held from her residence, conducted by Father Hoffmann, of Rulo, and interment was made in the Los Creek cemetery. Mrs. Conner has always been a good and sincere Christian and bore the sufferings of her long sickness with Christian patience. Byer her charitable nature she had gained the love and affection of all who knew her, a fact that was beautifully confirmed by the large number of neighbors, friends and acquaintance that attended the funeral rites. She leaves three children to mourn the loss of a good mother. May she rest in peace. ~~ Hiawatha Daily World, Saturday, July 22, 1899
Henry J. Weltmer was born in Dauphin County, PA September 18, 1831 and died at Robinson, KS August 26, 1906. He married Susan M. Hinkle February 13, 1851. They moved from Pennsylvania to Missouri in 1851 and to Brown County, Kansas in 1868. Susan Weltmer died May 8, 1923 of a stroke. Their children: John J. of Hiawatha; D.A. of Robinson; Laura J. Swartz of Hamlin and Susan E. Wyer of Hiawatha.
Daniel Weltmer, son of Henry J. & Susan Weltmer, died at Hiawatha. The body was taken to Hamlin for burial.
Nancy Weltmer, mother of Henry J., was born February 27, 1804 in Pennsylvania and died February 27, 1879 at Hamlin, Kansas. She was married to Daniel Weltmer who was born in 1799 and died in 1852 at Edgerton, Missouri. They were the parents of 8 children: Henry J.; Jacob J.; Elizabeth, Mary, David, Samuel, Sarah and Abraham.
Henry J. Weltmer – 1831 – 1906
Susan M. Welter – 1830 – 1923
Daniel A. Weltmer – 1854 – 1914
Nancy Weltmer – 1804 – 1879
Edward D. Hoban
Edward was born in Killkenny County, Ireland in 1843 and died December 18, 1899 at Padonia, Kansas. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery at Padonia.
Edward Hoban was born in Killkenny County Ireland in 1843 and died December 18, 1899. He came to Padonia in 1882 where he lived until his death. On May 1, 1868 he was married to Katherine Dempsey. Three sons and one daughter are left to mourn their loss. He was a quick, peaceable man and a good citizen. He will be missed by his many friends. The funeral services were held at the house at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. He was laid to rest beside his two children in the Padonia Cemetery. – Brown County World, December 22, 1899
Sylvester Meredith died Sunday evening, September 18th 1881, of dropsy. Sylvester T. Meredith, aged 37 years, 7 months and 27 days. Mr. Meredith was an old citizen of this county, and a man who was highly respected. His death is the sadder that besides a widow his leaves a family of small children. His funeral was held at the M.E. Church on Monday, and his remains were followed to the grave by a very large procession of mourning friends. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity and was buried with
Sylvester Meredith died Sunday evening, September 18th 1881, of dropsy. Sylvester T. Meredith, aged 37 years, 7 months and 27 days. Mr. Meredith was an old citizen of this county, and a man who was highly respected. His death is the sadder that besides a widow his leaves a family of small children. His funeral was held at the M.E. Church on Monday, and his remains were followed to the grave by a very large procession of mourning friends. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity and was buried with the rites of that order. ~~ The Hiawatha Dispatch, September 22, 1881.
Additional information was taken from Sons of the American Revolution application for Walter Meredith Smith. Sylvester Thomas Meredith was born January 22, 1842 in Freeport, Ohio. He married Sarah Sprague in Brown County Kansas on August 26, 1866.
the rites of that order. ~~ The Hiawatha Dispatch, September 22, 1881.
Additional information was taken from Sons of the American Revolution application for Walter Meredith Smith. Sylvester Thomas Meredith was born January 22, 1842 in Freeport, Ohio. He married Sarah Sprague in Brown County Kansas on August 26, 1866.
William & Charlotte Fortmeyer
Friedrich Wilhelm Vortmeyer was born May 2, 1828 at Oldendorf, Westfalen, Germany and died February 26, 1905 at his home. Although his health had been poor for some time the end came rather unexpectedly. He leaves an aged wife, four sons and one daughter. His son Wm. Fortmier, Jr. of Goodland, Kansas and Fred Fortmier who is spending the winter in San Diego, California could not be present at the funeral.
Anne Marie Luise Charlotte Overing was born March 17, 1831 in Westfalen, Prussia and died April 14, 1915 at Fairview, Kansas. She was the daughter of Friedrich Wilhelm Overing and Marie Dorothea Rueter.
William and Charlotte were the parents of William Franklin, Louisa Charlotte, John Fred, Mary A., Ernest W. and Henry W
J.G. Marcum died Friday October 11, at the home of his father, 4 miles north of Robinson, at the age of 45 years, 2 months and 13 days. He was unmarried and had always made his home with his father and mother. The funeral was conducted by the Rev. J.M. Harrington of the Church of God, from St. Joseph, Missouri. The pall bearers were F. Honer, C. Peterson, W. Wyatt, D. Cotton, R.H. Gilmore and H.F. Hiskey.
J.G. Marcum was born July 28, 1862 and died October 11, 1907. Buried in the Ununda Cemetery. He has a metal tombstone.
Judy Lynn Hammond, Pagosa Springs, Colorado passed away December 27, 2017 at the age of 63. She was born July 27, 1954 in California to Fred Richard Hammond and Alberta Jane Cassel Hammond. Judy visited us at the Genealogical Library a few years ago while doing research on the Cassel family and she was a very pleasant person and enjoyed finding information about her family. She donated all of her genealogical research to the Brown County Genealogical Society and we have it sorted and stored at our library. She is survived by a brother Richard and a sister Kathleen both of California.
Judy Lynn Hammond, Pagosa Springs, Colorado passed away December 27, 2017 at the age of 63. She was born July 27, 1954 in California to Fred Richard Hammond and Alberta Jane Cassel Hammond. Judy visited us at the Genealogical Library a few years ago while doing research on the Cassel family and she was a very pleasant person and enjoyed finding information about her family. She donated all of her genealogical research to the Brown County Genealogical Society and we have it sorted and stored at our library. She is survived by a brother Richard and a sister Kathleen both of California.Judy Lynn Hammond, Pagosa Springs, Colorado passed away December 27, 2017 at the age of 63. She was born July 27, 1954 in California to Fred Richard Hammond and Alberta Jane Cassel Hammond. Judy visited us at the Genealogical Library a few years ago while doing research on the Cassel family and she was a very pleasant person and enjoyed finding information about her family. She donated all of her genealogical research to the Brown County Genealogical Society and we have it sorted and stored at our library. She is survived by a brother Richard and a sister Kathleen both of California.Judy Lynn Hammond, Pagosa Springs, Colorado passed away December 27, 2017 at the age of 63. She was born July 27, 1954 in California to Fred Richard Hammond and Alberta Jane Cassel Hammond. Judy visited us at the Genealogical Library a few years ago while doing research on the Cassel family and she was a very pleasant person and enjoyed finding information about her family. She donated all of her genealogical research to the Brown County Genealogical Society and we have it sorted and stored at our library. She is survived by a brother Richard and a sister Kathleen both of California.Judy Lynn Hammond, Pagosa Springs, Colorado passed away December 27, 2017 at the age of 63. She was born July 27, 1954 in California to Fred Richard Hammond and Alberta Jane Cassel Hammond. Judy visited us at the Genealogical Library a few years ago while doing research on the Cassel family and she was a very pleasant person and enjoyed finding information about her family. She donated all of her genealogical research to the Brown County Genealogical Society and we have it sorted and stored at our library. She is survived by a brother Richard and a sister Kathleen both of California.
The families that she was researching are: Anderson, Casselle, Cassel, Clifton, Creech, Hammond, Howard, Scott, Simmons, Sparks, Stolte and Vaughn.
Phebe Hendershot
Was born February 5, 1829 and died April 4, 1901; she is buried in the Comet Cemetery.
Fairview Enterprise, Saturday, April 13, 1901: “An old lady, Mrs. Hendershot, near Comet was buried Friday. W.G. Schlarb went down with hearse and the day was terrible stormy and muddy.”