Kansas Part 2      

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FADED LOVE: Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. Born 1905 near Kosse, Texas. Wills left Columbia Records in 1947 to record for MGM Records and in 1950, he recorded his classic "Faded Love"- a composition that he and his father wrote with some words added by brother Billy Jack Wills. He toured extensively and relocated to Dallas, where he invested heavily in a dancehall that he called Bob Wills" Ranch House. Due to unscrupulous advisers and accountants, he soon found himself heavily in debt. Faced with jail, he sold his Bob Wills Music Company and accidentally with it, the ownership of "San Antonio Rose". For two years, he struggled to raise funds; he ran two bands - one played at the Ranch House and he toured with the other. In January 1952, he finally sold the Ranch House to a Jack Ruby - a name then unknown outside Dallas, but later internationally known following the assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald (in turn, killer of President John F. Kennedy). Died in 1975.
LAST UPDATED
Sunday, February 24, 2008

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Contents:             

• History  
• Maps
• Census   
  • 1895 Kansas Census: Pratt County
• Howell Family Settlement in Pratt County
• Descendants of Samuel Brady Howell
• Frank Rockefeller Ranches in Kansas

History

The first actual settler in the county was A. J. Johnson, who located in the southwestern corner of the county, in the vicinity of Springvale, in the fall of 1873. Johnson was the first man in the county to break sod and raise a crop. J. W. Black and A. Kelly were the next to settle in the county, and they also located in the southwest corner of the county. I. M. Powell was the next to locate in the county, he also going to the southwest corner in September, 1875. The first male child born in the county was born to Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Black, in September, 1875, and being the first born in the county was named Pratt. The first female child born in the county was born to Mr. and Mrs. I. M. Powell, in 1875, and was named Laura.

The first settlement was made in the southwest part of the county, date not given, by a Mr. Johnson. - No churches have yet been built in the county, and no school houses, except one built of sod; two schools, however, are in operation. - The first marriage was between W. Z. Nutting and Miss Howell. - The first business was a general store at Stafford, 1877, by E. R. Crawford, and the first post office was established at Freeman, Lucy J. Stone, postmistress. The county was organized in 1878. An attempt was made to organize it in 1874, but it was clearly fraudulent, there being no population worth mentioning. Jesse Vickers first settled in Stafford, July, 1876. Robert Anderson was the first resident of Iuka, spring of 1877.  Source: Kansas State Board of Agriculture, First Biennial Report - Pratt County  1878

• Early History of Pratt County

• History of Pratt

• Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912m Pratt County

KANSAS AND THE WEST PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION  Wichita State University
The Special Collections of the Ablah Library at WSU contain historical images of Pratt, Cullison, and Coats. 

Pratt County Cemetery Listings KsGenWeb's page for Pratt County

Maps

• 1878 Pratt County Map

• 1883 Pratt County Map

• 1888 Pratt County Map

• 1891 Pratt County Map

Census

Clues in Census Records, 1850-1930

Howell Family Census Records 

Kansas > Pratt County
1900 Census Samuel B. Howell 
1910 Census 
1920 Census Samuel B. Howell 
1930 Census Samuel B, Howell, Robert S. Howell

Kansas > Kiowa County
1920 Census  Martha Ann (Perdue) & Daniel C. Bryant; Bertain Yancey Bryant. 
Martha was Raleigh Howell's granddaughter. Pedigree Chart. See Kansas I for details.

Kansas > Comanche County
1930 Census  Mahala (Howell) & George Eubank (continued on Page 2 )

Kansas > Ford County
1920 Census Ada Fern (Howell) & John Crittenten Eubank (continued on Page 2 )

Kansas > Grant County
1930 Census Frank Celestian Howell, Alice Martha (Howell) & Raymond Paul White 

Oklahoma > Texas County
1920 Census James Madison Howell, Frank Celestian Howell
1930 Census James Madison Howell

Other Family Census Records 

1895 Kansas State Census

Samuel Brady Howell and Martha Ann Perdue are 1st cousins 1 time removed. Martha Ann Perdue was the sister of John Gilbert Perdue and the daughter of Sara Sally Howell and William Hale Perdue (Descendant Chart), thus a granddaughter of Raleigh Howell. See Pedigree Chart . Descendant Chart of Martha Ann Perdue and husband, Daniel C. Bryant.

Samuel Brady Howell and John Gilbert Perdue are 1st cousins 1 time removed. John Gilbert Perdue was the son of Sarah Sally Howell and William Hale Perdue (see Descendant Chart), thus a grandson of Raleigh Howell. See Pedigree Chart

Howell Family Settlement in Pratt County

Pedigree Chart Samuel Brady Howell

Croft, a village and post office of Springvale township, Pratt county, is a station on the Wichita & Englewood division of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R., about 20 miles southwest of Pratt, the county seat. It has telephone connections, a local trade, does some shipping, and in 1910 reported a population of 30.  Page 484 from volume I of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar. 

Springvale, a small hamlet in Pratt county, is located on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R., 15 miles southwest of Pratt, the county seat, and 3 miles east of Croft, whence it receives mail. It has a general store, flour mill, express office, and the population in 1910 was 21.Page 730 from volume II of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar.

  "Pioneer Life at Croft, Kansas"
  Postcard postmarked August 29, 1914 from Frank Howell to his sister Ada Fern (Mrs. John Eubank).

The following memoir of Susie Helen (Corbet) Howell, is from a book on the Corbets; "The Samuel Brady Howell Family", transcribed by  Mahala Ellen (Howell) Eubank. May, 1970.

"I have a lot of good memories growing up on the farm one mile east of Croft. My mom, Susie Helen, was so talented. A very good cook and made many thins sewn, embroidered and crochet by hand. During World War II, she knit sweaters and sock and long scarf’s. I kept begging to knit and when I was about ten years old, she gave in and started the first row. I was then on my own for about two or three months but finished the piece. Mom could paint china . When I was about fourteen years old, a neighbor lady was giving china painting lessons and had a kiln to fire them. Mom talked me into taking lessons for $1 (1/2 day lessons). Mom drove me there in the Model T Ford and she watched. My dad, Samuel Brady Howell, was a very good dad. He always seemed to enjoy taking us kids with him. We were good gate openers for the Model T. He liked to tell stories of dogs and bears. He liked to sleep on the floor on hot, summer nights. "  Frances J. (Howell) Gillam, March, 1997.

Excerpt from the Pratt Mirror, January 14, 1916:
Mr. Marion Bryant and Miss Anna Johnson constitute the teaching force at Croft. The school work there is progressing nicely in spite of rather adverse conditions. Miss Johnson has twenty-four pupils in a little "two-by-four" room; and although she has to hang part of the pupils on pegs in that wall while others recite, she is doing about as good primary work as is to be found in the country. The character of the work done is indicated by samples of school work, art work and construction work recently forwarded to the county superintendent.  Source: The One Room School House Project

Descendants of Samuel Brady Howell

1. Mahala Ellen HOWELL
2. James Madison HOWELL I
3. Eliza Winkler HOWELL
4. Adah Fern HOWELL
5. Frank Celestian HOWELL
6. Clara Helen HOWELL
7. Harvey Roosevelt HOWELL
8. Alice Martha HOWELL
9. Robert Samuel "Pat" HOWELL
10. Frances Josephine HOWELL  
11. Alfred Merl "Bud" HOWELL  
12. Clair Briscoe "Jack" HOWELL 

Samuel Brady HOWELL was born 31 Mar 1861 in Hawk Point, Lincoln Co., MO. He died 23 Nov 1951 in Pratt, KS and was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, Pratt, KS. Death Certificate indicated he died in his sleep from myocardial (heart) failure.

Samuel married Susie Helen CORBET, daughter of Celestian C. CORBET and Elmira HASTINGS, on 11 Apr 1888 in Nonchalanta, Ness Co., KS. Susie was born 17 Oct 1871 in Severance, Doniphan Co., KS. She died 14 Jun 1961 in Pratt, KS and was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, Pratt, KS.  Death Certificate indicates she died of pneumonia.

They had the following children:

1. Mahala Ellen HOWELL was born 21 Jan 1889 in Leona, Doniphan Co., KS. She died 6 Jun 1976 in Shattack, Ellis Co., OK and was buried in Protection Cemetery, Protection, KS. When Ella was eleven years old, Samuel Brady and Susie Helen Howell moved to Pratt, County, KS with their four children, Ella, James, Fern and Frank. Ella went to the Green School and May Steven of Coats, KS was her teacher. Mahala married George DeWitt EUBANK on 6 May 1908 in Pratt, Pratt Co., Kansas. George was born 13 Jan 1886 in Humbolt, Richardson Co., NE. George had started managing elevators for Arkansas City Milling Company at Springvale and Croft. Then, he was sent to manage a new grain elevator in Protection, Comanche County, KS. On July 19, 1919, George, Ella and five children arrived in Protection in a Buick touring car. The household goods came by freight train and they moved in their rented house. A new modern house was also underway for the family. Doctor Craig was at the house on 13-Jul 1921 for the birth of Howard Bradie Eubank, their sixth child. In the spring of 1923, George resigned his position with Arkansas City Milling Company to begin construction of his new modern elevator. The Eubank Grain Company was in operation and buying wheat in July, 1923. George continued this business until May, 1931, selling it to the Protection Co-operative Supply Company, allowing him to devote full time to his farming operation. In the spring of 1926 George bought a farm three miles south of Protection and moved into a big, two-story house. As time passed, the family grew smaller.  In 1942, George and Ella rented the farm to Howard, then moved to Ashland, Clark County, KS, to retire and travel. Howard soon left the farm to serve in the U.S. Army during World War Ii and returned with his wife in 1946, buying the home place in 1947. Due to George’s health problems, George and Ella came back to Protection to build a house with no steps. Thanksgiving of 1964 found them living in their new brick home near five of their children and many grandchildren.  George died 30 Apr 1968 at the age of 82 in Protection, Comanche Co., KS and was buried in Protection Cemetery, Protection, KS.   Ella enjoyed good health for several more years. She loved needle work and being outside in here vegetable and flower gardens. Ella remained active until shortly before she passed away 12-Jun 1976 at the age of 87. Members of the Mahala & George Eubank family, February, 1997.
   
2. James Madison HOWELL I  was born 24 Sep 1890 in White Cloud, Doniphan Co., KS. He died 28 Nov 1972 in Tyrone, Texas Co., OK and was buried in Tyrone, Texas Co., OK. James married Mattie May WILBORN on 4 Nov 1914 in Solon, IN. Mattie was born 11 Feb 1890 in Glasgow, Barron Co., KY. She died 20 Jul 1966 in Tyrone, Texas Co., OK and was buried in Tyrone, Texas Co., OK.
   
   Jim met Mattie May Wilborn while she was visiting her Aunt and Uncle, Judith and Bill Goeller who lived near Croft. They carried on a courtship by mail and were married on 4-Nov 1914 in Solon, IN. Mattie May was born in Glasgow, Barren County, KY, the daughter of Moses Wilborn and Lucy Rowland. They made their home on a farm near Croft, KS.   In 1917, they loaded all of their belongings on a train and moved to a homestead relinquishment which they had bought. It was located 4 miles south and 1 mile west of Tyrone, Texas County, Oklahoma. 
   
   "Jim and May were farmers all of their lives with May being a great home maker. Jim served on the Tyrone School Board and Texas County Fair board for many years and was a deacon in the Tyrone Baptist Church for years. Thelma, Mildred and Robert are still very active members.  After retiring from the farm and moving into Tyrone, they traveled extensively. Robert and his wife, Julia, still live on the home place.  May died on 20-Jul 1966 after suffering a stroke and Jim passed away 28-Nov 1972 after a heart attack. My memories of Mom and Dad are such fond ones. We always did so many things together. Mom was a great cook and we had lots of company and did lots of entertaining. I have always felt they were proud of us and really enjoyed their grand children."  Mildred Alice (Howell) Geist, January, 1997.

   "He was a great Dad and we had lots of fun at our house. All of his life he was a hard worker. He talked about shoveling snow for the railroad all through one winter in the early 1900s. he said the railroad went through a cut that drifted with snow time after time. Since he was the oldest son, he always had many responsibilities at home because, I believe, Granddad wasn’t always there. He was a wonderful Christian and served as a Deacon in our Baptist church. He also served as a member of the Tyrone School Board for many years. He loved basketball and seldom missed any of the games. The grandchildren remember him taking them to the Houston to see a baseball game at the Astrodome and the Boy’s Ranch in Amarillo (which he supported for many years). Anita recalls that he would always play Chinese checkers when she was very young and would take her fishing. After Mother died, he was at our house quite often and we loved him very much."   Thelma Lorene (Howell) Murphy, February, 1997.

   "A very good brother, a great teaser, gave me the nickname, Tommy. I was a tom boy, always on the barn roof, trees and windmills."   Frances J. (Howell) Gillam, December, 1996.

3. Eliza Winkler HOWELL was born 12 Nov 1892 in White Cloud, Doniphan Co., KS. was buried 4 Mar 1893 in White Cloud, Doniphan Co., KS.
   
   
4. Adah Fern HOWELL was born 27 Jun 1894 in White Cloud, Doniphan Co., KS. She died 21 Apr 1981 in Pratt, Pratt Co., Kansas. Adah married John Crittenten EUBANK on 10 Dec 1913 in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS. John was born 28 Sep 1889 in Lavrock, OK. He died 30 Aug 1960 in Pratt, Pratt Co., Kansas.
   
   "In the 1930s, Fern, John and family moved to Pratt. We visited often, did crafts and canning together. Fern was always active in community affairs and belonged to a number of clubs. She was always so good around sickness and helped Mom so much after Dad went to heaven." Frances J. (Howell) Gillam, 1996.

    

5. Frank Celestian HOWELL was born 11 Jun 1896 in White Cloud, Doniphan Co., KS. He died 16 Mar 1951 in Halstead, Harvey Co., KS and was buried in Coats Cemetery, Coats, KS.  Frank married Adaline A. BRADEN on 19 Sep 1919. Adaline was born 18 Mar 1900. She died 28 Jun 1923 in Liberal, Seward Co., KS and was buried in Coats Cemetery, Coats, KS.

   "Happy go lucky brother. Nickname was ‘Pete’. Always ready to help someone. It was so sad to loose his wife Adaline and baby. I don’t think he ever recovered from his grief.. I am so glad Stan and I spent time with him at the hospital, even though he was very sick…he never complained. He is buried in the Coats Cemetery by Adaline and baby." Frances J. (Howell) Gillam, 1996.
   

6. Clara Helen HOWELL was born 9 Mar 1899 in White Cloud, Doniphan Co., KS. She died 9 Apr 1899 in White Cloud, Doniphan Co., KS.
   
   
7. Harvey Roosevelt HOWELL was born 15 Apr 1900 in Croft, Pratt Co., KS. He died 16 Apr 1987 in Boise City, Cimarron Co., OK and was buried in Restlawn Memorial, Liberal, KS.Harvey married Lucille G HARRIS.

   In 1924, Harvey moved to Texas County in the Oklahoma panhandle. His brother, Frank Celestian Howell, bached and farmed together. Then, a neighbor, Earla Dobbs, gave Harvey the address of her friend in Arkansas, Lucille G. Harris. Harvey and Lucille exchanged letters and pictures. He went to Arkansas to meet her. He arrived on a Thursday and they were married on Saturday, 9-May 1931 in the county seat at Clarksville, Arkansas. Lucille was the sixth child of Wiley Jackson and Sarah Jane (Garrett) Harris.
   
   "Harvey and Lucille Howell provided a Christian home for their girls. They belonged to the Baptist Church in Adams, OK while they resided on their farm. The girls attended Eureka School at Baker, OK. Harvey was a good farmer and provided well for his family. The main crops were wheat and milo. Harvey inherited a gift of enjoying talking to people. When he could, he spent extra time at the local grain elevators and gas stations visiting. During the snowy winter season Harvey and his neighbor, Jeff Sapp, would play some tight checker games. The neighboring farmers also helped each other butcher beef and pork.   Lucille had many hobbies. Among them were oil tinting portrait photographs, crocheting, sewing most of Wanda’s clothes when Wanda was little. Lucille also sewed some flour and feed sacks for clothing during World War II. Lucille had a lovely rose garden. She also raised a variety of canaries, parakeets, pigeons, white fantail, pheasants and golden neck. She was a very good cook. Her father-in-law, Sam Howell, always enjoyed her cherry and pecan pies. All of Harvey and Lucille’s grandchildren were fortunate to have known and loved their grandparents"  The Family of Wanda (Howell) and Bill Taylor, 1997.

   "Harvey and Lucille lived in Texas County of the Oklahoma panhandle for 54 years. Farming has changed from the Dust Bowl days of the 1930’s when the folks first started during the Great Depression. They stuck it out selling cream and eggs. Harvey farmed for many years raising wheat and some milo. He always had a few head of cattle. He retired in 1976 and let a neighbor start farming his land but they continued to live in the farm house that was built in 1948, the year electricity was make available. In 1985 a new home was built in Felt, Cimarron County, OK. They moved into it in the fall of 1985. Daddy still enjoyed driving the pickup when Claude and the boys moved pipe for flood irrigation in the summer of 1986. They now have sprinklers except for two dry land quarters. So, the family farm continues to operate, except we mainly raise corn and wheat. The boys have a few head of cattle. They always had a small garden until their later years. Dad passed away on 16-Apr 1987 in Boise City and was laid to rest at Restlawn Memorial in Liberal, KS.  Mom is still living and she turned 90 years of age as of 23-Feb 1997. She is in the Cimarron Nursing Home in Boise City, OK." Dyan Lucille (Howell) Smith, Feb-1997.

   "Harvey, the third good brother. He liked to tease also. He had a shinny black coup which he was very proud of. Well polished. We had a pet goat who liked to make a race track on top of Harvey’s coup. We three younger kids thought it was so funny and egged the goat in his tricks. That came to a stop when Harvey caught us. Lucille. I shall never forget the first time we met. Mom and us had been at the Corlis ranch house painting and when we came back to the home place, here was this little bashful girl (Harvey was not around). We wondered who she was. As I remember, Harvey finally appeared and said ‘Mom and Tommy, I want you to meet my wife Lucille!’. I am sure Mom and I stood there with our mouths open, as we did not know he had a girl friend in Dombey, OK. Lucille, I know you were so embarrassed with all the questions being asked and was anxious to head back for Oklahoma. I felt so sorry for you. I am so glad we got to know each other latter and the good times in the motor home. Harvey and Stan fished while we took nature walks. You always seemed like a sister to me."   Frances J. (Howell) Gillam, 1996.
    

8. Alice Martha HOWELL was born 19 Oct 1902 in Croft, Pratt Co., KS. She died 14 Dec 1976 in Kansas City, Wyndotte Co, KS and was buried in Chapel Hill, Kansas City, KS. Alice married Raymond Paul WHITE on 15 May 1923 in Pratt, Pratt Co., KS. Raymond was born 25 Oct 1903 in Memphis, Shelby Co, TN. He died 23 Sep 1987 in Kansas City, Wyndotte Co, KS and was buried in Chapel Hill, Kansas City, KS.
   
   "Alice met Raymond Paul White during his frequent visits to his sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Orville Mears, at Croft, KS. Raymond was truly a product of a large city atmosphere and unaccustomed to a farm environment. In a short time, however, a life long closeness to the Howell and other area farm families developed and bonded. Alice married Raymond Paul White on 15-May 1923 in Pratt, KS. Alice and Raymond farmed with Frank Celestian Howell during the late 1920’s in Grant and/or Haskell County, Kansas. One day he brought home a fake egg from one of the store displays for refrigerators and, without being detected, placed it in the home refrigerator. Alice tried to crack the egg one morning for breakfast and promptly made Betty Jean take the faulty egg to the local grocery store for exchange. They moved permanently to Kansas City, KS in 1930 where Raymond later opened an appliance store. The three children of Alice and Raymond appreciably inherited from them the love and compassion of the farm environment. "   Thomas Lee White, 1997.

   "A dear beloved sister. She was happy, good-natured, even-tempered. She was five years older than me. She went to the "Old Times" get-together parties at Croft. I never understood why I couldn’t go! The only time I played "Skip to my Lou" was when they came to our house when I was about 7 years old. Alice was married when I was 14 years old and I was going to High School in Protection. She moved to Kansas City and I did not want to go back to school. Later on when I was 18 and teaching at the Mulberry School in Barber county, southwest of Coats, Alice’s daughter, Betty White, came to visit the grandparents, Sam and Susie. Stan and I had only kept company for about six months or more when we were at a restaurant in Pratt. Everyone knew Stan but not me. He held Betty on his lap while eating. Soon there was a roomer that Stan was going with a widow woman. Once in a while Alice and I would have some arguments. One in particular, mom almost got hit in the head. This must have been a very noisy argument. Mom decided to scare us. We were in the kitchen and couldn’t see the dinning room door. Mom walked heavy, knocked on the door, rattled it, then we could hear the "boogie man" coming. Alice ran in the pantry where I was churning butter. I pulled the paddle and lid from the churn and almost hit mom over the head. What a mess to clean up!"  Frances J. (Howell) Gillam, 1996.
   

9. Robert Samuel "Pat" HOWELL was born 23 Jan 1905 in Croft, Pratt Co., KS. He died 12 Jun 1997 in Pratt, Pratt Co., Kansas. Pat married (1) Hattie Ruby HARRIS on 25 Aug 1929 in Pratt, Pratt Co., Kansas. Hattie was born 6 Oct 1910 in Medicine Lodge, Barber Co., KS. She died 12 Sep 1985 in Pratt, Pratt Co., Kansas and was buried in Coats Cemetery, Coats, KS.
   
   "Pat met Ruby Harris in 1928. He had just bought a new Ford car and was in Sun City, KS. He saw Ruby and another girl and asked them if they would like to take a ride in his new car. They came out to the car and looked it over but wouldn’t ride with him. A week or two later he saw Ruby again as she was on here way to the church’s young people’s meeting, and he went with her.  They were married in 1929. Their first home was in Croft. The house has been gone for many years now but was on the west side of the road across from the little house where they later lived and where Robert Marlow Howell and family lived. Pat and Ruby’s first house had a lumber yard just south of it. In 1927 Pat bought a bulk oil business in Croft and he ran it. In 1933 he began working for Hunter Milling Company and continued to have his bulk oil business. In 1934 he bought the west elevator and quit working for Hunter Milling. He leased the elevator to Hunter until 1939. At that time he took it back and ran it himself until 1946. He then sold it and later in 1961 bought it back. He bought the gas station in Sun City in 1930 and sold it in 1946. He bought the Howell Hardware in Sun City in 1940 and maintained it until 1985. Pat did not graduate from Coats High School. He finished the 8^th grade at Croft. He said that only Frances, Bud and Jack went to High School. Frances went to Protection to high school where she lived with Ella, and Bud and Jack went to Coats High School. The farm home at Croft was built by Pat and Ruby in 1956. They moved to Pratt in 1973 to a home on Mound Street.  "Nancy (Hill) Howell, 1997

   "My memories of Bob’s family are warm, happy ones, and I am so grateful for the many happy years I have spent in this family. My mother-in-law, Ruby, taught me many important things in life. She was such an excellent cook and housekeeper, an oh, how she could clean up the shed or the granary! I thought her house was spotless most of the time. She did so many good things for people in need, many things that others never knew about. She loved her family and never ceased showing them how much she cared. I am still saying prayers of thanksgiving that I have been so blessed with a father-in-law such as Robert Samuel "Pat" Howell. He continues to be a jewel in my life and brings much happiness and encouragement to me. During the first years I knew him I thought I had never seen anyone work so hard or spend so many hours taking care of his family and others. He was a diligent worker in the Coats Baptist Church and served on many community committees. He was an avid promoter of the establishment of Skyline School and remains interested in the school at this time. How his brilliant mind can compute figures in mind boggling to me! I would take his mind over any computer on the market today! He was such an athlete in his younger days and can still update me on most current ball games when I ask. Many bowling trophies are in his possession, and he seemed to excel in any athletic endeavor he chose. His card playing abilities are unmatched by anyone! Through the years after being always defeated by him, I have thought that he surely must cheat at the games, but there is not a more honest man anywhere on this earth, so I know I must remain a good loser and only admire his skills. This is on one of the many traits I admire and love in this dear father-in-law of mine. Helyn Joyce was already married to Karl when I became a member of the clan, but she and Karl always found time to take part in the family activities. Wendell was a younger brother that loved to tease me (even about mice) but was a great best man when he raced across Kansas City just minutes before Bob and I were to be married to retrieve the forgotten marriage license we had to have! Sally and Marilyn were the little sisters still at home, and it was fun watching them grow up and become admirable young ladies with homes of their own. It was an honor to get to move into the farm home and be such a part of it when Pat and Ruby moved to Pratt. There we raised out family and lived there until Bob’s death. I first became acquainted with a member of this wonderful Howell family in September, 1957, when I met Robert Marlow Howell on a blind date at Kansas State College. One year and nine months later we were married, and then I was a member of this large family! Having been a member of a much smaller family with only two first cousins, it was almost unbelievable that Bob could have so many relatives! What fun I had becoming a part of the family and getting to know all of these fantastic people. My first visit to meet Bob’s family and see what life was like in South-central Kansas was very enlightening. I loved his family, but thought I had never seen such flat land, and where were all the trees and hills I was so used to? Being from North Kansas City, Missouri, I thought farm life meant no indoor plumbing, unpleasant farm smells, and none of the comforts I was used to. Was I ever mistaken! Although apprehensive about learning how to become a farmer’s wife, I loved Bob so much I would have followed him to the end of the earth. He soon taught me that farm life was the best life in the world, and there we raised our three children, Robert, Cynthia, and Pamela. We were always so busy and happy, and our children never lacked for anything to do. We were not only very involved in our family farm but also in Skyline School, where Bob was on the school board for 20 years, from where the children all graduated, and where I have taught for 30 years. After Bob’s death in 1989, I moved to Pratt, and Robert and his family took over the farming operation. It is very heartwarming to know that the farm is still in our family, and my prayer is that it will remain so for many more generations because I think Grandpa Samuel Brady Howell would be very happy knowing this."  Nancy (Hill) Howell, 1997
   
   "My card playing buddy. I never did figure out why he always won. I thought he cheated. But now I know he is very smart with a very good memory. He liked to play tricks on me. One time we played a game which one could drink the most salt water. It was cattle salt from the granary. I thought the salt water was going to kill me. I was so sick. To this day, I use very little salt. Ruby was energetic, and a good mother and a delightful young person. We were about the same age. We visited a lot when Stan and I lived in Pratt. We had a lot of good times in high school and various dates with boys. I knew Ruby’s family quite well as had her three sisters in my first school (Mulberry)."  Frances J. (Howell) Gillam, 1996.
   

10. Frances Josephine HOWELL was born 23 Aug 1907 in Croft, Pratt Co., KS. She died 16 Feb 2002 in Garden City, KS at the age of 94. Frances married Albert Stanley GILLAM on 16 Aug 1927 in Pratt, Pratt Co., KS. Albert was born 7 Nov 1901 in Pratt, Pratt Co., KS. He died 30 Jul 1975 in Taos, Taos, NM and was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, Pratt, KS.
    
    Nickname was "Tommy". Frances attended school at the Green School from 1913 to 1915. Kitty Smittle was the teacher. When the new Croft school opened in 1916 she started the 4^th grade with Anna Johnson as the teacher. She completed the 8^th grade at Croft with Vera Chin as the teacher. She attended high school in 1921-1922 at Protection, Comanche Co., KS and lived with her eldest sister, Ella. She attended Coats High School from 1921 until graduation in May of 1925 in a class of six girls. In September of 1925, after she received her Kansas Teaching certificate, she taught 13 students at the Mulberry school southwest of Coats. She then taught from Sep-1926 to May-1927 at the rural school south of Cullison. She then met Albert Stanley Gillam on a blind date and married him on 16-Aug 1927 in Pratt, KS. Stan was the third child of Alan W. Gillam and Mary E. (Smith) Gillam. They rented his sisters home in Pratt, KS for six months then bought their first home located at 417 S. Mound in Pratt. He worked for Woolwines and did lathe work. Stan was a machinist and mechanic. In the dust bowl days of the thirties, Stan and Frances bought farm land in western Kansas in Hamilton County. One quarter of land was purchased from her Uncle Dan and Aunt Edna Corbet who had originally homesteaded the land. Susie Helen (Corbet) Howell’s father, Celestian C. Corbet was living with his son, Dan, when he died on 11-Feb 1922. Mr. Corbet was buried 13 miles south of Dan’s homestead at the cemetery located near Kendall, KS. Dan and Edna Corbet sold their land to Stan and Frances Gillam and moved to Oregon. Stan was a mechanic at the Pratt Air Base during World War II. He then went into business building fuel tanks at a shop on S. Mound. After living at the home at 417 S. Mound for 29 years, they moved to Garden City in Jan-1955 and bought a home at 619 N. 10^th Street. They also had a vacation cabin near Taos, NM. It was there that Stan passed away 30-Jul 1975 at the age of 73. Stan and Frances enjoyed 48 years of marriage.
    
    "Stan could fix most anything. We never had a car in the shop in the 48 years we were married. We had 1 new car, 1 new pickup, 2 used cars and 1 used pickup. Stan and I had so many good times together building our little cabin in New Mexico. We would go to the cabin after the wheat was planted. We would stay until there was a danger of getting snowed in for the winter. The deer would come to drink in the lake in front of our cabin. The golfers would loose golf balls across the road in back of the cabin. I have a small bucket of golf balls. It was at the cabin I said goodbye to Stan before Gaylon took him to the hospital in Taos. I could not go as I had Gaylon’s three small children. Gaylon stayed all night at the hospital. Stan was feeling good at 8am. Told Gaylon he was OK. Not having a phone at the cabin, we didn’t know he had gone to Heaven. I had planned to stay during the days and Gaylon at nights until he was better. I get very lonely sometimes, but I keep busy at something. Crochet is my hobby. I can do that and watch TV. Frances J. (Howell) Gillam, December, 1996.

11. Alfred Merl "Bud" HOWELL was born 17 Dec 1909 in Croft, Pratt Co., KS. He died 15 Feb 1985 in Pratt, Pratt Co., Kansas and was buried in Haviland Cemetery, Haviland, Kiowa Co., KS. Bud married Mary Louise FANKHAUSER on 7 Feb 1932 in Pratt, Pratt Co., Kansas. Mary was born 3 Feb 1910 in Haviland, Kiowa Co., KS. Mary was one of eight children of Harvey William Fankhauser and Alice (Amerine) Fankhauser.  She died 25 Feb 1985 in Haviland, Kiowa Co., KS and was buried in Haviland Cemetery, Haviland, Kiowa Co., KS.
    
    Bud attended grade school in Croft and graduated from Coats High School in 1927. In the late 1920’s, Bud played on a local basketball team, the Croft Cowboys and traveled in and out of state to play ball. Bud and Mary set up their first home in a one room, sandstone home known as the Green place. It was located a few miles south of the Sam Howell home place near the Pratt-Barber county line. Bud and Mary eventually moved to the original Sam Howell home place located one mile east of Croft. He farmed with his dad and other brothers. During World War II, specifically, July, 1942, the house caught fire and burned down in the middle of the night. None of family was lost but they lost a good part of their personal possessions.  They set up home in the garage until they built their new home.  In 1946, the family took its first vacation to Colorado and New Mexico in their "Kansas motorcoach", a truck fitted with a canvas top, living quarters and provisions. Bud was a farmer and stockman raising wheat, milo, corn, hay, Herefords and quarter horses. He also raised greyhounds for hunting coyotes. Bud was active in the Pratt County Fair Association and a superintendent of the Beef Barn for many years. He was a board member of the Pratt County Farm Bureau and honorary member of the Kansas Sheriffs Association.  The summer months were always busy with farming and raising cattle. However, Bud and Mary encouraged their children to become active in the local 4-H club. They raised beef and horses for showing at the fair. They also were involved in arts and crafts, cooking and canning. Mary was very gifted with the arts and gardening. She loved to paint landscapes but she also enjoyed ceramics and also wrote poetry. Both Bud and Mary were active members of the Coats Baptist Church. Bud was very active in school sports when he was young and continued the traditions with his children and grandchildren in his adult life. He would always have a car full going to football, track and basketball games and tournaments at both the high school and the local junior college in Pratt. In 1977, Bud and Mary retired and built a new home in Haviland, Kiowa County, KS (Mary’s home town). Bud took up a few new hobbies including raised exotic chickens and gardening. Mary continued her art, painting, poetry and gardening. Bud suddenly passed away 15-Feb 1985 at the age of 75 due to heart failure. Mary’s battle with cancer ended 25-Feb 1985 at the age of 75. I truly believe God had a plan when he took Dad, with no warning, just ten days before Mom passed away. They were always together to the end of their lives after 53 years of marriage. Tom Howell, 1996
    
    "Bud was a little pest at times. Sometimes he spent more time trying to get out of work than work itself. One time I gave him a shower bath. I went to the well to get a bucket of water. I had a clean starched dress on. He takes the big cup at the well and throws water on my dress and runs toward the house. I filled my bucket with water and I gave him a shower bath with the bucket over his head. Growing up with boys wasn’t easy but I wouldn’t trade them off. Bud picked a dear one for a wife, Mary Louise Fankhauser. So talented in anything she did. Beautiful oil paintings, china and textile. Creative in many lines of art. So much patience with her well behaved children. No problem to take anywhere. She was a beautiful sister, wife, mother and friend." Frances J. (Howell) Gillam, December 1996

12. Clair Briscoe "Jack" HOWELL was born 5 Jun 1912 in Croft, Pratt Co., KS. He died 18 Jan 1987 in Pratt, Pratt Co., Kansas and was buried in Coats Cemetery, Coats, KS.Jack married Nelle Jeanette Piester on 24-Jun 1934 in Pratt, KS in the home of A. Stanley and Francis (Howell) Gillam. Nelle Jeanette Piester was born Dec. 4, 1912, in Reading, Kansas the daughter of Clyde C. Peister and Maude Alice (Nickel) Piester. She attended Pratt High School. She taught in one-room schools for two years and was a homemaker. Nelle Jeanette Howell, 95, died Feb. 5, 2008, at Pratt Regional Medical Center and laid to rest at the Coats Cemetery.
    
    "In the early years of married life, Jack made a living by milking his five jersey cows and doing farm work for his father, Sam Howell. Jack shipped a 5 gal. Can of cream every five days and received a $5 to $6 check for each can of cream. Jack enjoyed coon hunting at this time of his life. This was during the depression years of the 1930’s, and a trip to Pratt and picture show was their recreation. Jack and Nelle lived their married life on the Corlis ranch east of Croft, except for the summer the family spent in Syracuse, KS where Jack was farming. Sam Howell bought the Corlis ranch in 1929. Joann and Neil attended school in Coats, KS and rode the school bus. In the mid 1940’s, Jack sold the milk cows and chickens and started farming in Hamilton County. Jack always had cattle to feed through the winter months in Pratt County. Even though Jack was very busy, he nearly always took time for a family trip during the summer to the mountains or another place of interest. Jack enjoyed ball games and rarely missed any. Jack and his brother, Pat, were on the same bowling team in Pratt for a while. In the later years when Jack was semi-retired, he an Nelle had many trips and tours by air, bus, train and motor home. They belonged to local motor home clubs, the Winnebago International Travelers club and square dance clubs. Jack and Nelle enjoyed a very happy and healthful life together for 53 years. Following Jack’s sudden death in January, 1987, Nelle bought a home in Pratt and moved there in September, 1987. " Nelle Howell, January, 1997.

Frank Rockefeller Ranches in Kansas

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Early days on the Frank Rockefeller Ranch in the summer of 1902, Belvidere, Kansas.
by Christina Griffin

We went to work in the spring of 1902. I helped cook for some of the men as there were about 40 men working there at that time. Some of the men were married so they would board some of the workers and the rest would board with the boss and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pelton. We just got 15 cents per meal in those days. They were doing lots of building that year so they kept a carpenter and stone mason all the time as the large barns were mostly built of stone. Mr. George Hubert,Sr. was the stone mason and Mr. Stearman was the carpenter. I don't recall the wages they got but the ordinary help just received $20 per month. They had a large bunk house as they called it in those days and the hired help all slept there.

There were three divisions of the ranch as follows: The south house where Mr. and Mrs. Dan Gillet lived, the middlehouse where my husband and I lived, it was a nice new 5 room house so had plenty of room and was located right by the creek. I could go out and fish so did catch some nice ones. And the house up on the north side. I have forgotten the name of the people who lived there. In later years my brother Joe and his wife lived there so had three bothers working at the ranch. They had a zoo and had many wild birds and animals there. Also had buffalo but they were in a pasture to themselves. There were plenty of sight seers there on Sunday as there were quite a lot of things to see such as a fine herd of thoroughbred cattle.

The Rockefeller family consisted of three daughters and the mother and father. The youngest girl was a cripple. They would spend about three months at the ranch. Mrs. Pelton and I would go to Wellsford to buy the groceries. We went in a spring wagon and drove horses. She did the driving. We traded at the Anderson store. At the time there was two stores, the other one by the name of Powell but we did not trade there. The Anderson store finally burned down so now there is nothing left at Wellsford. Just eight people living there. That was a very thrifty little town in those days. The Rockefeller home was a very large house with lots of room. It finally burned so not much of a house there any more. The Rockefeller's liked it there but I thought it a very lonely place where we lived. Did not have any close neighbors and we lived close to the railroad. There were tramps in those days and several came to my home. Some would want something to eat so I always gave them food even though I was scared as I was alone most of the time. So we just lived there for six months and moved to Wilmore and are still in Wilmore at this time, January 28, 1970.
Christina Griffin

Source: The Family History of Samuel and Christina Baird Booth, 1865-1983, compiler unknown. The letter was written in answer to a request in the Home Town News, Wichita Eagle, for information about the Frank Rockefeller Ranch from someone who had worked there.

Supper Time

The table long ago was set for only two;
A man, his wife, at eve when day was thru.
Then, one by one, more little plates were placed
Until the number ten - the table graced.
Full, happy years sped by and one by one
A plate was taken off, when day was done.
Each found a mate and started life anew.
Again, she set the table, just for two.
Time passed - two plates were taken from the board.
The couple now are present with the Lord.
Where they anxiously wait once more to see;
Ten golden plates at "Supper Time" - eternally.

Mary Louise Howell - 19 Jun 1968

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