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COMANCHE COUNTY, KANSAS: HISTORY & GENEALOGY
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Highway 160 between  Coldwater and Medicine Lodge, Kansas, looking east.  Photo by Phyllis Scherich, 2003.

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Highway 160 between Coldwater and Medicine Lodge, Kansas, looking east.                   Photo by Phyllis Scherich, 2003.

Contributors of Information and Images


Please read the following before sending information or images:

Contributor's Guidelines
for the Comanche County, Kansas: History & Genealogy web site


Heidi Aiem
* Photo: Richard Samuel Wood

Joan Amundsen
* The BOOTH Descendants of The Bairds of Lanarkshire

Cathy Anderson
* Photographs of Fred & Betty Booth of Wilmore, Ks.

Dennies Andersen - Editor and Publisher of The Western Star
* Photographs: After the Ice Storm, January 4 & 5, 2005
* Article: Coldwater Class of 1955 Plans Reunion
* Obituary: Harold Shields Herd
* Obituary: Christie Ann (Maris) Peterson
* Obituary: Ernestine Ziegler
* Permission: Special thanks to Dennies Andersen for his permission to reproduce properly-credited obituaries and articles published in The Western Star on this website!

Jacob Talley Bailey
* Biography & photo: Reverend Joseph S. Bailey

Buddy M. Bardot
* Photographs: Frank & Mary Bardot
* Photograph: Irene Bardot
* Obituary: Evelyn German
* Photographs: Roy & Jane (Holler) German
* Obituary: John William Holler
* Obituary & photo: James M. Holler
* Obituary: Albert Boyd Holler
* Obituary: Lena Maud (German) Smalley
* Photographs: 1955 Senior Class, Coldwater, Kansas

Richard L. "Rick" Beeley
* Photos: Crown Hill Cemetery

Teresa Benz
* Photos & history: Samuel & Christina (Baird) BOOTH
* Memoirs of Christina Sadie (Booth) GRIFFIN nee Wood

Alice Bergeman
* Interview & photos: Robert Emmett & Gladys Leota (Grauberger) NORTON
* Photo: Protection, Kansas, High School Seniors, 1950
* Photos of People in Comanche County, Kansas.

David & Mary (Kane) Bickford
* Photos & history: Memories of Charles Daniel BICKFORD
* Photo: gravestone of Stephen Knecht, Gravestones of Veterans

Ellen (Knowles) Bisson
* Obituary: Orlando Vernon Lytle

Chase Bridges
* Information & photo: The Gravestone & Burial of Chistopher Carson Pepperd

Vanita (White) Blundell
* Humor column: "Country Gal", from The Western Star

Shirley Brier
Transcriber of hundreds of news articles and obituaries for this site. Major sections of this site which include her work are:
* Biography, Family History & Obituaries
* Home Front: Comanche County in WWII
* World War I News Articles from Comanche County, Ks.
* World War I Casualties
* World War II Casualties
* Civil War Veterans
* News Articles
Many new pages will be added to this site from news articles and scans of WWII-era news photos which Shirley has contributed and which she has been patiently waiting to see online. Thanks, Shirley!

Glennda Burt
* Transcription: Coldwater Class of 1955 Plans Reunion in September, 2005.
* Transcription: Protection Mennonite Church
* Transcription: Todds In Kansas

John C. Burt
* His photo & military history: Photos of Veterans

Frances (Parker) Butcher
* Her photo & military history: Photos of Veterans

Loretta (Sooter) Brooks
* Photos: Lt. Ralph J. SOOTER, USAAF, MIA June 5, 1943.

Connie Chancellor
* Photos & history: Hiram J. & Fidelia JORDAN of Protection, Ks.

Teresa (Rumsey) Chapman
* Photos: The Family of John & Lizzie Platt
* History: History of Evansville, Kansas
* History: Dr. Gerard K. Rumsey and Rumsey, Kansas

Carlson-Ford Funeral Home, Salina, Kansas.
* Gravestone photo: Lt. Johnnie L. Casteel, US Army

Pat Carmichael
* Photo & obituary: Samuel Luther Turner

Gyla (Brock) Conklin
* Article: Bill Brock relates Story of Highway Robbery at Meade Park

Martha Crawford
* Photo: William Bryan Raner
* Photo: Jasper Newton Raner, Jr.

Kathleen Dankanyin
* Photo of gravestone: Pfc. Melvin V. Park, KIA 12 July 1944

Johnny Deewall
* Photos of WWII memorabalia (page under construction)

Gerald & Kathi Desko
* Ferrin Gravestones in the North Jay Cemetery, Essex County, New York.
* Reuben & Hannah Philura (Murch) Ferrin

Michael S. Doran
* Photo: Phoebe Ann (Doran) Holler

Mary Einsel
* History: Kansas: The Priceless Prairie

familyoldphotos.com
* Photo: Tornado over Greensburg, Kansas, 1915

Helen Farrell
* News article: Pfc. Lorin D. Bliss, US Army

Kim Fowles
* Photos: Dora Holmes
* Photos: William E. Holmes
* Photos: Sun City, Barber County, Kansas: Photos from the Kim Fowles Collection
* Photo & news articles: Pat Gallagher, founder of Gallagher, Kansas
* History & photos: Charles Van & Iva Clarice (Holmes) Lott
* Photos: Gerald Lee Lott on John Guyer's page.
* Photos: Coldwater Rodeo, 1923

Kyle Gerstner   http://lightshooter.com
* Photos: Comanche Pool Area Bird & Nature Tour, 21 May 2005.

George G. Gleason
* Research: A New Chronology of the Life & Times of Jonathan Farren

Margaret (Pepperd) Greene
* Story: When the Wind Blows: A Story about a Kansas Dust Storm in the Dirty Thirties: by Margaret (Pepperd) Greene, written in May 0f 2007.

Kathleen Gregory
Kathleen is a volunteer researcher for Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness.
* Obituary: Pearl Vesta (Alexander) Nickel Deck
* Obituary: Eva C. (Stringer) Dickson
* Obituary: Paul Lester Nielson
* Obituaries: Earl and Henrietta (Westervelt) Rhodes
* Obituary: Paul Issac Schmidt

Kevin Groeneweg
* Photo of a Painted Redstart: Comanche Pool Area Bird & Nature Tour, 21 May 2005

John Guyer
* Memories of Wilmore, Kansas

Robert Hackney
* Photos & history: Robert D. & Jean (Harris) HACKNEY

Gayle Yvonne (Petty) Harden
* Photos: Pfc. Warren Lee PETTY, US Army, KIA, 20 Dec 1944.
* History: Michael Willis & Gayle Yvonne (Petty) Harden.
* Photos of Haden H. Hughes and Alfred L. Hughes: Photos of Veterans

Nella Hartley
* Photographs: James Marion Williams family

Mary Ehret Holler
* Burial listing: Protection Cemetery
* Obituary: Leslie Raymond Thornhill
* Obituary: Charles Lorenzo Thornhill
* Obituary: John W. Ashcraft, Jr. Famed aviator.
* Obituary: Marvin Mingus
* Obituary: Christi Ann (Maris) Peterson

Janet (Schrock) Hubbard
* Photos & history: John Edward "Ed" SCHROCK, Photographer.
* Photos: Harve & Nellie Grace (Ray) SCHROCK
* Photos & history: Memories of Mrs. FERRIN & Maude
* Photos: Tornados in the Wilmore, Kansas area
* Photos: Schools in Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas
* Photos: Wheat Harvest with a Thresher
* Photos: Powell Township Cemetery at Wilmore, Kansas
* The 1924 Pocket Directory of Wilmore, Kansas
* Letter: Newell HOWARD to Harve & Nettie Schrock of Wilmore, Kansas.
* Abstract of Title to Lots in Wilmore, Kansas
* Photos: History of Highway 160

Bobbi Huck
Photographer, writer and researcher. She is this website's "in-country" embedded Comanche County Correspondent and Content Contributor. She is currently working on a complete listing of all burials in Crown Hill Cemetery with biographical information, when available, for each person. Some of the pages on which her work may be found are:
* Tales from Tornado Alley
* Complete Listing of all burials in Powell Township Cemetery at Wilmore, Kansas
* Map of Burials in Powell Township Cemetery at Wilmore, Kansas
* Crown Hill Cemetery
* Other Cemeteries
* Diamond Jubilee
* Schools in Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas
* The Wilmore Methodist-Christian Butchering Bee Prelude to Supper
* The Buttermilk, Kansas, Softball Team, circa 1950.
* Antioch Church, Avilla Township, 1917 Dedication & 1959 History.
* Dedication of the Wilmore Christian Church, March 15, 1913
* Veterans
* Civil War Veterans
* Gravestones of Veterans
* Heritage Park Memorial
* Home Front
* Memorial Rose Garden
* Photos of Veterans
* World War I
* World War I Casualties
* World War II Casualties
* John and Martha Ann (Bird) BELL
* Robert and Mildred (Adams) BELL
* Thomas & Rowena BERREY
* Thomas & Gertie (Duran) BIBB
* Memories of Charles Daniel BICKFORD
* Mark & Esther (Libbey) BROWN
* Lt. Howard R. BURNETT, USAAF, MIA August 4, 1944.
* Gertrude Helena (Wood) CORDRAY
* Silas A. and Grace (Fretz) DELAIR
* James Rolla & Agnes L. (Wallace) DOIG
* ESTILL Pioneer Ranch
* Loren David FERRIN
* Oscar & Ellen (Curran) GUSEMAN
* Robert D. & Jean (Harris) HACKNEY
* Jessie Ann (Powell) HUBBARD
* John & Lydia (Kindsvater) HUCK
* Jacob and Eva (Birig) KINDSVATER
* Don & Helen (Roehr) KING
* Frank & Almada (Parker) KING
* The James Monroe McCAY Family
* The Oliver Paul McCAY Family
* John and Lizzie PLATT
* Levi & Abbie Mabel (Witters) ROBBINS
* Herbert L. SEYFRIT, Aviation Cadet, USNR.
* George Nelson & Emma Sophia (Dewees) SHERMAN
* Clifton & Anna Mae (McDaniel) WOOD
* Bibliography
* FAQ
* Guest Book - Sign
* Links
* Records

ET2 (SW) C.J. Huck, USN
* Photographs: U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force Joint Exercise, 2006

Ada (Rumsey) Jackson
* Photos: The Family of John & Lizzie Platt

Angela Jacquette
* Photo: Melvin V. Park, Pfc., US Army Paratrooper

Karen Jarnagin
* Assistance with burial listing: Protection Cemetery

Marty and Shari Koehn
* Photo: Sgt. Eugene D. Smith, U.S. Air Force

David Lawrence
* Photos & history: Ernest & Gene Ann (Mathews) LAWRENCE
* Photos & history: History of the Wilmore Baptist Church

Elloise Leffler
* Photos: A Gallery of Photos From Sun City, Barber County, Kansas

Hiram Lewis
* Photos: People's State Bank, Coldwater, Kansas

Yvonne Lay Logue
* Information: Rebel E. Goddard

Orlin Loucks
* Photo: Snow in Protection, Kansas
* Photo: Tornado seen from Protection, Kansas, 21 Mar 2005.
* History: Protection Mennonite Church

Clara Louthan
* Press release: Comanche Pool Area Bird & Nature Tour Invitation - May 21, 2005

Roberta (Bliss) Malone
* Bliss & Malone photos & military history: Photos of Veterans
* Grand Army of the Republic   Open letter from Capt. B.M. Veatch of the Scott Post, Coldwater, Kansas, dated May 8, 1894.
* Memorial Day, The Western Star, June 2, 1905.
* Article: Charles V. Jones
* Article: Todds In Kansas

Eugene Markstrom   www.Markstrom.org
* Map: 1892 USGS Topographical Map of Comanche County, Kansas

Nate Massey
* Comments: Lt. Gerald Lee Lott, USNR

Claudia Hamilton Meyer
* Photos: Gravestones of Robert C. Palmer and William F. Doorley.

Brenda McLain
* Photos: A Gallery of Photos From Sun City, Barber County, Kansas

Trudy McCreary
* Research assistance on the poetry of Ira Leighton Metzker.

Robert E. Nelson
* The Baker and Powell Families

Peggy Wilson Newsome
* Interview: The Tornado of May 7, 1927, As Told by Florence Mills Wells

James Allen Nichols
* Photo & history: The Wilmore Church of Christ

Rhonda (Cline) Nickel
* Photos: Coldwater Christian Church, Coldwater, Kansas
* The Tiger, 1953: Wilmore, Kansas, School Yearbook (1952-1953)
* Photos: Wilmore Tornado 1949, photos by J.R. & Gloria Cline
* Photos & Obituaries: James Russell "Junior" & Gloria (Wilson) Cline
* Photos: Hueston Hyne "Jack" & Jessie Alma (Winch) Cline
* History & photos: Raymond Everett Cline
* Photos: Russell Fay Cline
* Photos: Lester Frank & Edith (Cline) Martin
* History & photos: Frank Leighton and Lucy William (Allen) Metzker
* Photos: Leta Hazel (Cline) Thompson
* Photos & Obituary: Vertie Marie (Boughner) Wilson

Mel Owings, Caddo County, Oklahoma, Genealogical Society lookup volunteer.
* Photographs: Gravestones for the C.M. Cade Family

Harlow Peaster
* Article: Bill Brock relates Story of Highway Robbery at Meade Park

Everett Perry:
* History of the USS CANOPUS, the submarine tender on which Squire Booth Zane was serving when he was killed in action.

Morene (Seyfrit) Potter
* Photo: Herbert L. SEYFRIT, Aviation Cadet, USNR.

Heather Puderbaugh
* List: Sheriffs of Comanche County, Kansas, 1885 - 2006
* List: County Officers, 1885 - 2007

Al Pruett
* Photos: Rick Beeley's cropdusting airplane
* Photo: Glenn & Marie (Schrock) Dillinger (grain elevator)

Question Point Oklahoma: Ask A Librarian
* Box Ranch for Sale, 1 May 1910
* Research information: Robert C. Palmer

Evelyn (Lenertz) Reed
* The Not-So-Gay 90s Comanche County in the 1890s.
* Ira SCHULTZ: Death Notice and Obituary
* History of The Zoo
* Archeological Excavations by Kansas Anthropological Association in Comanche County: A Bibliography
* Coldwater Centennial Notebook, 1884 - 1894: a history of Coldwater's 1st 100 years.
* Report: Comanche Pool Area Bird & Nature Tour, 2005: Buds, Birds and Buffalo
* Report: Comanche County Nature Tour, 2007: Nature Tour a Flowery Event, with Music by Feathered Friends

John Rider
* Articles: Lt. Johnnie L. Casteel, US Army

Amy (Booth) Ring
* Photos of the burial of Christina (Baird) Booth

David Rose
* Photos: Wilmore Opry History
* Photos: Wilmore Opry Performers & Family
* Photos: Wilmore Opry News
* Photos: Wilmore Opry Photos

Rick Sabral
* Photos: Wilmore Opry News
* Photos: Wilmore Opry Photos
* Photo: Dan & Linda Winter

Ralph Sanders
* Article: Sanders Brothers See Many Months of Service (WWII)

Phyllis Scherich
* History: Roster of the Names of All the Old Cowboys I Knew.
* History: Jessie EVANS of Evansville, Comanche County, Kansas
* History & photos: Evansville, Kansas & the Merrill Ranch
* Photos: Billie HILL, The Comanche Pool's Bronc Buster
* Photos & history: Highway 160
* Biography: Douglas Alan Scherich
* Biography: Henry "Hank" Scherich
* Biography: Kevin Lynn Scherich
* Biography: Larry "Dee" and Phyllis Scherich
* Biography: Steven Scott Scherich
* Photos & history: William & Martha (Landrum) STEWART
* Photos: WILDFLOWERS, Comanche County, Kansas
* Photos & History: Come Home to Coldwater Quilters Club
* Photos & History: Coldwater Quilt - 2003
* 1934 Map of Highway 160.
* 1936 Phillips Petroleum Map of Kansas, detail of southwestern Kansas area.
* 1936 Phillips Petroleum Map of Kansas, detail of Comanche County area.
* Photos & history: Dr. Gerard K. Rumsey and Rumsey, Kansas
* Photos: Comanche Pool Area Bird & Nature Tour Invitation - May 21, 2005
* History: Measurement Incorporated TM
* History: Merrill Ranch

Scott Seltman
* References: Field Checklists for Kansas Birds & Online Kansas Birding Resources

Ellen Selzer
* Proofreading: Mennonites In Comanche County, Kansas

Lawrence Selzer
* Proofreading: Mennonites In Comanche County, Kansas

Phillip Shelley
* Photos of Heather Shelley: Wilmore Opry News, 2004.

Calvert Sims
* Photo of himself: Photos of Veterans

James E. Shaw
* Research: A New Chronology of the Life & Times of Jonathan Farren

Allen Shutler
* Photos: Gravestones of Robert C. Palmer and William F. Doorley.
* Photographs: Gravestones for the C.M. Cade Family.

Martin Sizemore
* History & photo: Blow Dealt Polio By 311 Sore Arms: Protection Protected
* History & photos: Hueston Hyne "Jack" & Jessie Alma (Winch) Cline
* History & photos: Raymond Everett Cline
* Photo: Family of Philo & Lula Agnes (Metzker) Gregg
* History & photos: Lester Frank & Edith (Cline) Martin
* Photo: Leta Hazel (Cline) Thompson
* Photo: Registered Nurses at Comanche County Hospital
* Photos: The Western Star newspaper office

Joan Skaggs
* Census reading: Lt. Clifford E. Case, USNR

Nancy Smith
* History & photos: William Romulus & Mary Ashanna (Messenger) COBB
* Photos: Wilmore School Yearbook 1958-1959
* Photos: Wilmore School Yearbook 1969
* History & photo: Walter Smith: Sermons in Song
* History & photos: Wilmore Bank Robbed Last Week, The Western Star, 1 Sept 1966.
* Anecdote: A Bonnie & Clyde story: Flat Tires In Belvidere, Kansas

Guyneth Snyder
* List: Sheriffs of Comanche County, Kansas, 1885 - 2006

Patricia & Rowena Snyder
* Photo & military history of Carl Snyder, Jr.: Photos of Veterans

Patricia Snyder
* Obituary: Hazel Marie (Thompson) Wilcox nee Crouse
* Grand Army of the Republic   Open letter from Capt. B.M. Veatch of the Scott Post, Coldwater, Kansas, dated May 8, 1894.
* Memorial Day, The Western Star, June 2, 1905.
* Obituary: Anna Pearl (Taylor) Carleton
* Obituary: William Ira Colter
* Obituary: Glenn Martin Dillinger
* Memorial Folder: Rema Mary (Davidson) Filson
* Article: Charles V. Jones
* Obituary: Fred Foster
* Obituary: Ida Mae (Riner) Foster
* Obituary: Effie M. McCay
* Obituary: Matilda Josephine Moores
* Obituary: Rex Delbert Parks
* Obituary: Terry Lynn Snyder
* Obituary: Russell Eugene Ward
* Scans: Crown Hill Cemetery (aerial photos)
* Early Days At Protection by Mrs. Blanche Denney-Towner
* Article: Bill Brock relates Story of Highway Robbery at Meade Park

David G. Stuart   http://stuart.cjb.net/
* Photo: Gravestone of Donald R. "Cannonball" Green.
* Photo: Gravestone of Milton Grover Barnett

Addie Ellen (Burnett) Thomison
* Photos of her brother, Lt. Howard Reason Burnett III, U.S. Navy

Lila Carol (Williams) Trummel
* Article: Alva Trummel Kidnapped, The Western Star, September 8, 1933.

Marji Turner
* Biography: William Bryan Raner
* Biography: Jasper Newton Raner, Jr.

Roland Zane Unangst
* Photo: Water Tender 1st Class Squire Boone Zane, U.S. Navy.

Michael E. Venters
* Photos: Coldwater Rodeo, 1923

Dave Webb
* Dave Webb is author of Protection Paragraphs, and one of the primary contributors to Comanche County History, Vol. 1

Cindy Weigand
Cindy Weigand, great-niece of Jack Ashcraft and Francis Ashcraft, is a writer of women�s military and aviation history. She has written several articles, including Yankee Doodle Gals of World War II, and one book, Texas Women in WWII, which is available through amazon.com.
* Photos & history: Sgt. John W. Ashcraft, Jr., a.k.a. "Jack Ashcraft".

Gene & Sue Wilmore
* Photos & history: Thomas J. WILMORE & Some of His Descendants

Kerry & Arah Wright
* The Memoirs of Grant Lucius WRIGHT

Kenneth Lewis Williams
* Letter from Mira A. Bruner to Mr. Williams Regarding the Carnifax Family

Dan & Linda Winter
* Wilmore Opry History
* Wilmore Opry Performers & Family
* Wilmore Opry News
* Wilmore Opry Photos
* Floyd R. & Vivian A. (Williams) Ruth
* Dan & Linda (Ruth) Winter

Barbara Wood
* Obituary: Robert Edwin Wood

Faeylyn Wylder
* Obituary & photos: Rebel E. Goddard

Brian Yeagle
* Comment: Memoirs of Grant Lucius Wright

Wade & Ernestine Ziegler
* Photos & military history of Wade Ziegler: Photos of Veterans


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