The story about the beginning of Evansville mentions my great grandfather, Dr. G. K. Rumsey, in general merchandise, Rumsey's Pioneer Store: "Evansville's growth as a town apparently started when the post office at the nearly settlement of Rumsey relocated there in August 1885... Dr. G.K. Rumsey, in general merchandise, is a pioneer settler; and with the whole territory to choose from, selected this part of the county...".His full name was Gerard K. Rumsey (don't know what the K stands for), he was born Jan 6, 1841 in Westport, Connecticut. He was a widower when he married my great grandmother Sarah Josephine Tennison, born Feb 29, 1864 in Shawnee, Johnson County, Kansas. They were married Oct 9, 1887. Their son Gerard Cleveland Rumsey was born Sept 22, 1888 in Evansville, Kansas.
Sometime between 1888-1900 they moved to Cimmaron, Oklahoma. I found them in the 1900 census in Cimmaron.
My grandfather Gerard Cleveland Rumsey married my grandmother Vaneta Gibler in Kansas. Their son, (my father) was D. Lowell Rumsey born Feb 26, 1920 in Hayden, Colorado. He passed away when I was a young girl, Aug 1960.
I was born and raised in California, and still live in California. Didn't really know much about my Rumsey side till I got my computer. My great grandmother's sister was Elizabeth "Lizzie" Ann Tennison Platt married to John W. Platt. John and Elizabeth Platt are buried in the Aetna Cemetery. Don't know how close that is to Evansville.
The cyclone pictures from 1927 were given to me by my aunt. She recently gave me all her photos and keepsakes. She's 85 years old and said she wanted to make sure I got them. She remembers her family going out to the Platt ranch after the cyclone. It was my grandfather Gerard Rumsey, her father that rebuilt the house and barn. Lizzie Platt was his aunt. She and his mother were sisters. His mother was married to Dr. G. K. Rumsey of Evansville.
-- Teresa Chapman, from an email to Phyllis Scherich.
When we were all out at the Platt Ranch, Mike mentioned that my grandfather was the one who rebuilt the house and barn (after the Platt tornado). Up until he met me he had no idea he was related to the Rumsey's.
My great grandparents, Sarah Josephine Tennison & Dr. G. K. Rumsey divorced in 1905. Sarah must have married ? Evans not long after the divorce. For the life of me I can't find his first name. I asked my aunt and she doesn't know either. She just remembers her grandmother being married to Mac McCombs. I found them in the 1930 Oklahoma Census living in Enid. His name was Charles McCombs. I'm pretty sure he was the Chief of Police 1927-1929 in Enid. Sarah is buried in Tonkawa next to her son, Gerard C. Rumsey. Her head stone reads "Sarah Rumsey Evans"
-- Teresa (Rumsey) Chapman, from an email to Phyllis Scherich.
1886 map of Barber County, Kansas,
note the location of the town of Rumsey just west of the Comanche County/Barber County line.
