Roger Mills County

Oklahoma

 "Kiowa Cemetery"

By Leila Ford Evett

Pages 101 - 110

Page 101

NISCHWITZ

    Jesse Hayes NISCHWITZ was born 28 May 1876 in Richmond (Wayne) Indiana.He was the son of Jacob E. NISCHWITZ and Jessie O. LENNOX who were both born inOhio.

    Loretta N. “Lora” LACEY was born 2 July 1882 in Galena, Kansas. Heparents were George Morrison LACEY and Phoeba Florence LANE both children ofMissouri pioneer.

    Jesse and Lora were married in Galena, Kansas and came to Elk City in1902. He was a plumber and tinsmith with mining interest in Flippen, Arkansas.She enjoyed breeding and raising show poultry.

    To this union were born four children, two dying in infancy. DaughtersDaisy (Mrs. Andy) BASS and Betty Burle (Mrs. James) DIDIER living to adulthood.

     Jesse NISCHWITZ died in Elk City on 18 March 1940. Lora lived until 19May 1971. She too, died in Elk City. Both interred in the Kiowa Cemetery as areher parents and one NISCHWITZ infant.

NOBLITT

From The Cheyenne Star, Thursday, 16 July 1981

Cora NOBLITTRites Held

    Funeralservices for Cora NOBLITT were conducted from the First Baptist Church in Hammonon Monday, July 6 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Bart MONTGOMERY officiating.Burial was in the Kiowa Cemetery under the direction of the Martin Funeral Home.

    Mrs. NOBLITTwas born April 13, 1891 in Phoenix, Arizona and died Friday in the CommunityHospital at the age of 90. She moved with her family to Oklahoma in the early1900’s and they settled in western Oklahoma in 1913. She had lived in RogerMills County until moving to Elk City in 1971 where she had lived since. She wasa member of the Methodist Church.

    She wasmarried to Joseph PINKSTON and he preceded her in death November 28, 1930. Shewas then married to Mahlon NOBLITT of Cheyenne. He preceded her in death on May2, 1971,

    Survivorsinclude three daughters; Mrs. May Ann DRIVER and Ola WALKER, both of Hammon andMrs. Mae DODSON of Cheyenne. Also 24 grandchildren and 48 great grandchildrenand 8 great great grandchildren.

    She was preceded in death by her parents and 10 children.

Page 102

PERKINS

    Ola Otera PERKINS born 13 June 1905 was the daughter of James P. PERKINSand Levenus STEWART. Levenus STEWART was the daughter of ________ STWEART and Bell LACEY (daughter of Nathan H. LACEY and Mary Jane STEWART.) Levenus’mother died at her birth and she was reared by her grandmother Mary Jane LACEYand uncle John Evan LACEY.

    1900 Census, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma Territory

     1910 Census, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma

    Levenus or Lee married James Patrick PERKINS. Other children born to thisunion were:

    Abbie Lee, Record, Dena and Lena (twins), Juanita,

    Mary, Anna Belle and Jackson C.

    The family migrated to West Texas round the Lubbock and Brownsfield area.

PERRY

    The Alonzo PERRY family came to Roger Mills County when Alonzo filed forhomestead 21 November 1900 in Section 31, Township 12 North, Range 21 West ofthe Indian Meridian.

    Alonzo PERRY was born 3 March 1869, son of Oliver Hazard PERRY and SusanA. MEADOWS. He was married 20 October 1887 in Stephens County, Texas toElizabeth Jane HODGES, daughter of Riley J. HODGES.

    Known children to this union:

    Riley who died as a young man

    William Arthur who married Doney_______

    George Wesley who married Meda DAMRON

Page 103

    Alonzo PERRY died 3 April 1930 and is interred in Kiowa Cemetery with sonRiley. Also interred at Kiowa Cemetery are:

    Violet PERRY, daughter of George and Meda PERRY

    Infant son of George and Meda PERRY

    Evelyn PERRY, daughter of Val PERRY and Ruby Olive PHARR

    Elizabeth Jane (HODGES) PERRY is buried at Spur, Texas as well as sonsWilliam A. and George W. PERRY

From The Hammon Advocate, 6 September 1956

George PERRYDied At Girard, Texas

    George WesleyPERRY, 63, Girard, Texas, died August 22 of a heart attack. Services wereconducted August 24 at 2:30 p.m. at the Girard Baptist Church.

    PERRY was bornon December 22, 1892 in Stehpens County, Texas. He married Meda DAMRON atCheyenne, Oklahoma and they moved to Kent County, Texas in 1940. He wasconverted to the Christian religion early in life and was a member of theMethodist Church.

     Funeralservices were conducted by Reverend Cal C. WRIGHT, Spur, assisted by Rev. R. M.PARSLEY, Girard and Reverend Vernon HAGAR.

    PERRY was a retired Methodist minister, having preached 15 years.

     He is survivedby his wife; two sons, Val Ernest, Lovington, New Mexico and Benjamin Riley,Stamford; a brother, W. A. PERRY, Girard; six grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. Three children preceded him in death.

    Burial was in the Spur Cemetery.

    Mr. PERRYresided in Herring Community, where he grew to manhood. He was a nephew of thelate Mrs. Algin DAMRON.

Page 104

PINKSTON

    Joseph B. PINKSTON was married to Cora E. EZELL. They lived at Gage,Oklahoma prior to moving to the Herring Community in 1923.

    Children born to this union:

    Mary Ann married Joe DRIVER

    Ola married Ralph WALKER

    Rose married Jesse ALLEN

    Mae married Buster DODSON

    Opal Fay and Lucille Estell died young

    Two stillborn infants not named

    After Joseph PINKSTON died 28 November 1930, his widow married MahlonNOBLITT.

POTTS

    Juanita POTTS was the daughter of _____ABBOTT and Ruth HILL. She was only19 years of age when she died 15 July 1939 from ruptured appendix at Joplin,Missouri. Body was returned to Oklahoma for burial. The Martin Funeral Home atElk City handled local arrangements.

ROWLAND

    Cal ROWLAND, husband of Josephine BRUNER was working onthe Herring Ranch just south of Washita River when he was murdered. No one wasever brought to trial so his death remains a mystery. He and Josephine were theparents of the following children:

    May married Lee WALTERS

    Virginia married W. W. WALKUP

    Sidney married Marie FUNDERBURG

    Sibbie Nell married Jessie Lee BOGGES

    Lola married Emmett JOHNSON

    Ruth married Harvey HUNTER

    Callie (born after Cal’s death) married Joe WALKER

    On the 12 November 1900, Josie ROWLAND filed for homestead on the NE ¼of Section 22, Twp 13N, R21 WIM.

Page 105

    Exact date of Cal ROWLAND’S death is not known. The Hammon Advocate, 3July 1947 under the Kiowa News is quoted below:

    Mr. and Mrs.Sidney ROWLAND, Mr. and Mrs. BURR, Mr. and Mrs. CUNNINGHAM and families calledon friends and enjoyed a picnic on Big Kiowa Sunday. Mr. ROWLAND was reared inthis vicinity. His father, the late Cal ROWLAND, was the third person to beburied in the Kiowa Cemetery.

    Since George V. LACEY was the second person buried on 12May 1899 and Charley EAKINS was buried 5 December 1899, it would place Cal’sdeath sometime between the two dates.

SHANDA

    There are no stones identified as Harriett and Sidney SHANDA but it isbelieved two unidentified stones belong to them.

    On 24 September 1901, Sidney SHANDY made application #20, 304 forhomestead in Section 1, Twp 13N, R22 WIM. Final Certificate 3847 dated 22 April1905.

    1910 Census, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, Kiowa Township

    Charles H. SHANDA filed for homestead 31 April 1901 in Section 34, Twp14N, R22 WIM.

From The Hammon Advocate, 24 April 1913

Obituary

    Harriet SHANDA,age 69 years, departed this life April 14, 1913. Grandma was stricken withparalysis seven months ago and lay helpless during her entire sickness.

    She wasmarried in 1865 to Sidney SHANDA and theirs was an agreeable union. There wereborn unto them five children of which three survived her and were present at hedeath.

Page 106

    Grandmaembraced Christ in her youth and lived a practical Christina life during herlife. Her body was laid to rest in the Kiowa Cemetery, but her spirit to God whogave it, waiting on the reserve prepared by Him until That voice shall say comeup higher. Short religious services were held at home and at the cemetery. Songat home, “God Be With You, Till We Meet Again,” subject of remarks atcemetery, “Why need this body die, or Necessity of Resurrection” and song“Shall We Gather At The River?”

    Grandma leftus at death with that smile she had always met us with in life, and was ever abride of youth unto her buried husband and a jewel unto her bereaved children.May God help us (as the song sang) to gather at the river.

SHELTON

From The Hammon Advocate, Thursday 12 May 1949

Obituary

    MenardMaderson SHELTON was born March 3, 1874 in Cass County, Texas near HughesSprings. He was the son of A. M. and Sarah Blanton SHELTON. Menard’s motherdied when he was 4 years old, and he lived with his grandparents until hisfather remarried a few years later.

    He came towhat is now Oklahoma and filed on his farm near Herring in Roger Mills County in1900.

    On December11, 1904, he was married to Miss Pearl BLUE. Four children were born to thisunion, Wesley Mack B. preceding him in death. They lived on their farm beforemoving to Elk City for two years, after which they returned to the farm andlived there until five years ago, when they moved back to Elk City because ofMr. SHELTON’s failing health. Since which time he had been bedfast a greatpart of the time. He departed this life May 14, 1949 at the age of 75 years, 2months, and 11 days.

    He wasconverted and joined the Methodist Church in early youth. Several years ago herenewed his trust in God and had been a devoted Christian since.

Page 107

    He leaves tomourn his passing his faithful wife, who bravely endured many hardships andsuffered with him, never shirking her duties; two sons, O. V. SHELTON, Reydon,Oklahoma and B. M. SHELTON, Imperial, Nebraska, one daughter, Mrs. Leo KIRKSEY,Booker, Texas; five grandchildren, Billy, Donnie, Halbert and Gary SHELTON, andBobby Leo KIRKSEY; two brothers, M. G. and Alpha SHELTON; two sisters, Mrs.Leila ABERNATHY, Beaumont, Texas and Mrs. Effie COOK, Dallas, Texas and otherrelatives and friends.

    Funeralservices were conducted in the Methodist Church in Elk City, May 16, 1949 at2:30 p.m. The burial was in the Kiowa Cemetery.

    An obituary was not found for MacGrover SHELTON who wasthe son of A. M. SHELTON and Ellen CALLOWAY. He was born at Hughes Springs, CassCounty, Texas on 17 April 1891. He came to Oklahoma and was married to ElverdaJewell YOST on 29 August 1916. To this union were born six children:Infant daughter born & died 1923, Winford, Goldie Pearl, Edmond, Juneand Margene.

    Mr. SHELTON died 8 November 1977 and is interred at Kiowa.

From The Elk City News, 7 November 1980

Verda SHELTONRites Saturday

    Funeralservices for Elverda “Verda” Jewell SHELTON will be conducted from theMartin Funeral Chapel Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Don ADAMSofficiating. Burial will follow in the Kiowa Cemetery.

    Mrs. SHELTONwas born June 18, 1889 at Hammon and died Thursday in the Cheyenne Nursing Homeat the age of 82.

    She wasmarried to Mac Grover SHELTON August 29, 1916 at Cheyenne, and he preceded herin death November 8, 1977. She had lived all her life in Roger Mills County.

    Survivorsinclude 2 sons: Winford SHELTON of Elk City and Edmond SHELTON of Amarillo,Texas; 3 daughters, Goldie Flynt SHELTON, Juen MORAIN, and Margene ROWELL, allof Amarillo; two sisters, Pearl SHELTON of Cheyenne and Goldie MILBOURN ofMission Hills California; 16 grand children and 16 great grandchildren.

Page 108

    She waspreceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. YOST, one brother and oneinfant daughter.

SPARKS

From The Roger Mills Democrat, Elk City, OT, 5 July 1906

    On Saturday,June 30, 1906, funeral services were held over the remains of Nathan B. SPARKSwho was born March 15, 1846 in Wilson County, Tennessee, being 60 years old lastMarch.

    He was marriedto Margery MAXWELLON, November 9, 1873 in Grace (sic) County, Texas. He leaves awife and seven children and two who have passed away. He was converted when hewas about 15 years old and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church atGainsville, Texas, and removed to Roger Mills County, Oklahoma seven years ago,where he has since resided, ten miles north of Elk City, Oklahoma, where helived a consistent Christian life.

    A lovingfather and a good neighbor, his end was peace, and he was entirely resigned. Hesaid at the last “all is light and bright.” He was a great sufferer beingafflicted with cancer for several years. The funeral discourse was preached byReverend D. J. M. WOOD of the M. E. Church, at the cemetery near the residence,where a large company of his neighbors were in attendance.

    In the 1900 Census, Roger Mills County, OklahomaTerritory, Elk Twp

From Elk City Statesman, 22 Jan 1904

    White Shield News.           N. R. SPARKS has built an addition on to his dwelling house, whichimproves the appearance very much.

Page 109

SPITZER

    Daniel SPITZER and Harriett Alice FITZWATER were both born in Virginia,coming to Oklahoma by way of Missouri where they were married. They were of theDunker faith. Besides raising their own children, they also raised Nellie DUREE,a niece of Mrs. SPITZER and their grandson, Earl “Dink” ING, son of Jim INGand Odessa SPITZER.

    The SPITZER family were the kind of neighbors that made the pioneersucceed. They were honest, hardworking, self sufficient, with always a helpinghand to a neighbor that needed it.

    Alice SPITZER died 18 September 1930 after several months suffering fromcancer of the liver.

     Alice and Dan SPITZER were the parents of Joseph, Charlie, Rosco, Lizzie,Ralph, Fannie, Solon and Odessa.

    The Kiowa Community felt a great loss when Daniel SPITZER with his sonSolon and family left the Kiowa Community. Daniel lost an eye in later yearswhile helping to build fence which resulted in his losing sight in both eyes.

     Daniel SPITZER died 17 April 1959 while living with his daughter FannieLUTTRELL and her family.

From The Elk City Daily News, April 19, 1959

Daniel SPITZERRites Set In Berlin Monday

    Services forDaniel SPITZER, western Oklahoma pioneer who would have been 100 years old nextFriday, will be held from the Berlin High School Auditorium at 2 p.m. Mondaywith Reverend Marvin NELSON and Reverend H. P. ELLIOTT officiating.

    Born April 24,1859, Mr. SPITZER died Friday, April 17, 1959 at age 99 years, 11 months and 23days.

    He was marriedto Harriett Alice FITZWATER March8, 1883. She preceded him in death September18. 1930.

    Mr. SPITZERcame to Oklahoma in 1897 and homesteaded on land which is now the homesite ofCleo WALTER. He became a member of the Dunkard Church at age of 25 years.

Page 110

    Other than hisown family of 11 children he reared two grandchildren, Earl and Buelah ING, aniece, Nellie DUREE, and an orphan boy Claude SPINKS.

    Survivorsinclude four sons, C. R., Elk City: S. C., Cheyenne; D. R., Grover, Californiaand Ralph, Rocklin, California; two daughters, Mrs. O. D. NIX, Elk City, andMrs. H. E. LUTTRELL, Cheyenne; 46 grandchildren, 75 great grandchildren and 23great great grandchildren.

    For the past23 years, he had made his home near Cheyenne with his daughter, Mrs. LUTTRELL.

    Preceding himin death, other than his wife, were children; Joe, Odessa, Lee and infantsClyde, Claude and Franklin.

    Burial will bein Kiowa Cemetery under direction of Moore Funeral Home of Sayre, Oklahoma.

STANFORD

    On the same stone of Charity Samantha WILSON there is the name IdelerSTANFORD. Marriage records at Cheyenne, Oklahoma reports: Jed STANFORD, AGE 23AND BORN IN Texas married Miss Della WILSON, 22 and also born in Texas on 21December 1903. Both living near McArthur, O. T. (near present site of StrongCity, Ok.)

STATON

    John F. STATON married C. Belle NEWBY. They came to Oklahoma Territorywhere they filed for homestead 26 May 1901 in Section 27, Twp 13 N, Range 22 WIM.

     They were the parents of Roy, Claude, Bill, Rosco, Lottie, and Mable(there may have been others). Lottie died of typhoid and was interred in KiowaCemetery. The STATONs returned to Texas settling near Mobeetie. Rosco STATON hadmarried Bertie SNOWDEN and Mable who married Roy JONES remained in Oklahoma.Rosco STATON and brother-in-law Roy JONES ran a wagon yard and post office atSedalia (school district #69) Roy and Mable JONES’ son Alan JONES stillresides in the area.