The following was written by Mrs. Lillian McCulley, biological daughter of Herbert & Stella Chaffee. Lillian was raised by her Uncle & Aunt, Augustus and Nellie (Chaffee) Weltmer.
In the town of White Cloud*, Brown County, Kansas, on 8 December 1871, a baby girl, Nellie Chaffee was born, destined to meet a boy baby who was born 8 May 1872 and named Augustus Ahu Weltmer, near Hiawatha, Kans. They worked to help out their large families in their teens. Gus (as he was called) worked on farms and building homes and Nellie cooked and kept house for families and often tended the sick and acted as a mid-wife to many Mothers. She became very adept at sewing and made dresses & clothing for ladies who could afford to pay but had no ability to sew. She crocheted and made quilts in her spare time, which was limited, to her busy schedule. As time went by, in the summer of 1890, Gus & Nellie met when they were both 18 years of age and fell in love. Their dream was to have enough money to travel west in Kansas and homestead where there was plenty of land for farming available.
About the same time, Gus' older brother Alonzo (called Lon) married a girl named Crosie and they were desirous of homesteading, but needed more money to get transportation west. The four of them decided to work together and 'pool' their savings to buy a team and covered wagon.
In Hiawatha, Ks. on 3 August 1892 Nellie & Gus were married, and the two couples bought a covered wagon & a team of Morgan horses and prepared to make the trip. Relatives helped with food & bedding and whatever they could spare. They knew they had to go as soon as possible, before winter set in. Nellie brought her treadle sewing machine, Gus brought tools for building, Lon & Crosie brought grain for the horses and as much bedding as there was room for, also a 12 gauge shotgun for hunting and a .22 rifle for game. There were plenty of Buffalo in the area, the Indian tribes were friendly (and hungry) and fishing was plentiful, also rabbits. It was a long and slow trip, and it was nearly October when they reached Smith Center, Ks. and decided to stop and check for land. Because of the cold winter near at hand, they travelled south and east of Smith Center about 10 miles and found a hill that appealed to them and they built a 'dug-out' in the east side and made it as liveable as possible. Gus was good at building and also made a 'lean-to' for the horses to be out of the wind.
It was a hard winter for them but they managed to survive and so did the horses. As soon as the spring in 1893 began, Gus and Lon went to Smith Center to sign up for Homestead land. Gus signed for land about 10 miles south of Smith Center and approximately 2 miles east on one section (160 acres) of land. His brother Lon liked the area north of Smith Center, so he settled there.
As soon as weather permitted, they started building a house for Gus & Nellie, where a hill on one side and a stream at the bottom, went through the land. It was a sturdy house and they bought a coal stove for warmth and a cook stove with a hot water reservoir and oven. By then, Nellie and Crosie were carrying their first sons. Nellie had her son first, born 14 July 1893 and named Ward Wallace Weltmer, who later became a Medical Doctor residing in Beloit, Kansas. Crosie had her son a little later, named Loren Weltmer, who became a lawyer and lived in Mankato, Kansas. Their first year, all stayed together in Gus' house, and they started the house on Lon's property as soon as they could.
Both brothers had winter wheat planted on their land which soon produced a very adequate living. The Morgan horses 'Dan' & 'Nellie' helped to plant the wheat and 'Nellie' (the mare) had a beautiful colt that year. After a few years, William Weltmer and Lawrence Weltmer, also Sarah Weltmer came to Smith Center and homesteaded. Sarah married a Lannigan and had a rock house. They were brothers & sister of Gus & Lon Weltmer. Gus & Nellie had a daughter, Nora Alice born 7 October 1895 and Lon & Crosie had a daughter Ruth. As time went on, Gus and Nellie adopted Lillian Maxine Chaffee (Nellie's brother's child) in April 1914 at 3 months old. This is where I entered the picture, and I loved them so much. They gave me strength, religious background and love. They were the Pioneers and the 'backbone' of Kansas Farmers and I wouldn't change my background. I had to write their story because I feel they contributed to the State of Kansas.
——Lillian Weltmer McCulley
*Note that White Cloud is actually in Doniphan County, KS.
From about 1867 to about 1892, Nellie's parents lived on a farm in Irving Twp., Brown Co., KS, 1½ miles from the county line and roughly 8 miles southwest of White Cloud. (& abt 7 m. N.W. of Highland; Abt. 11m. east/N.E. of Hiawatha) It's possible Nellie was born in White Cloud, but seems more likely she was born at home on the farm.
DEATHS
Weltmer—Mrs. Jerry Sherrer, of Hamlin, received word Saturday night of the death of her sister, Mrs. A. A. Weltmer, of Smith Center, Kans., who died at the Beloit hospital of ether pneumonia following a minor operation. Mrs. Sherrer's son Leonard left Monday noon to attend the funeral, Tuesday at Smith Center.
—The Hiawatha Daily World (Hiawatha, KS)
Mon Nov 9, 1936, p.1.
In the town of White Cloud*, Brown County, Kansas, on 8 December 1871, a baby girl, Nellie Chaffee was born, destined to meet a boy baby who was born 8 May 1872 and named Augustus Ahu Weltmer, near Hiawatha, Kans. They worked to help out their large families in their teens. Gus (as he was called) worked on farms and building homes and Nellie cooked and kept house for families and often tended the sick and acted as a mid-wife to many Mothers. She became very adept at sewing and made dresses & clothing for ladies who could afford to pay but had no ability to sew. She crocheted and made quilts in her spare time, which was limited, to her busy schedule. As time went by, in the summer of 1890, Gus & Nellie met when they were both 18 years of age and fell in love. Their dream was to have enough money to travel west in Kansas and homestead where there was plenty of land for farming available.
About the same time, Gus' older brother Alonzo (called Lon) married a girl named Crosie and they were desirous of homesteading, but needed more money to get transportation west. The four of them decided to work together and 'pool' their savings to buy a team and covered wagon.
In Hiawatha, Ks. on 3 August 1892 Nellie & Gus were married, and the two couples bought a covered wagon & a team of Morgan horses and prepared to make the trip. Relatives helped with food & bedding and whatever they could spare. They knew they had to go as soon as possible, before winter set in. Nellie brought her treadle sewing machine, Gus brought tools for building, Lon & Crosie brought grain for the horses and as much bedding as there was room for, also a 12 gauge shotgun for hunting and a .22 rifle for game. There were plenty of Buffalo in the area, the Indian tribes were friendly (and hungry) and fishing was plentiful, also rabbits. It was a long and slow trip, and it was nearly October when they reached Smith Center, Ks. and decided to stop and check for land. Because of the cold winter near at hand, they travelled south and east of Smith Center about 10 miles and found a hill that appealed to them and they built a 'dug-out' in the east side and made it as liveable as possible. Gus was good at building and also made a 'lean-to' for the horses to be out of the wind.
It was a hard winter for them but they managed to survive and so did the horses. As soon as the spring in 1893 began, Gus and Lon went to Smith Center to sign up for Homestead land. Gus signed for land about 10 miles south of Smith Center and approximately 2 miles east on one section (160 acres) of land. His brother Lon liked the area north of Smith Center, so he settled there.
As soon as weather permitted, they started building a house for Gus & Nellie, where a hill on one side and a stream at the bottom, went through the land. It was a sturdy house and they bought a coal stove for warmth and a cook stove with a hot water reservoir and oven. By then, Nellie and Crosie were carrying their first sons. Nellie had her son first, born 14 July 1893 and named Ward Wallace Weltmer, who later became a Medical Doctor residing in Beloit, Kansas. Crosie had her son a little later, named Loren Weltmer, who became a lawyer and lived in Mankato, Kansas. Their first year, all stayed together in Gus' house, and they started the house on Lon's property as soon as they could.
Both brothers had winter wheat planted on their land which soon produced a very adequate living. The Morgan horses 'Dan' & 'Nellie' helped to plant the wheat and 'Nellie' (the mare) had a beautiful colt that year. After a few years, William Weltmer and Lawrence Weltmer, also Sarah Weltmer came to Smith Center and homesteaded. Sarah married a Lannigan and had a rock house. They were brothers & sister of Gus & Lon Weltmer. Gus & Nellie had a daughter, Nora Alice born 7 October 1895 and Lon & Crosie had a daughter Ruth. As time went on, Gus and Nellie adopted Lillian Maxine Chaffee (Nellie's brother's child) in April 1914 at 3 months old. This is where I entered the picture, and I loved them so much. They gave me strength, religious background and love. They were the Pioneers and the 'backbone' of Kansas Farmers and I wouldn't change my background. I had to write their story because I feel they contributed to the State of Kansas.
——Lillian Weltmer McCulley
*Note that White Cloud is actually in Doniphan County, KS.
From about 1867 to about 1892, Nellie's parents lived on a farm in Irving Twp., Brown Co., KS, 1½ miles from the county line and roughly 8 miles southwest of White Cloud. (& abt 7 m. N.W. of Highland; Abt. 11m. east/N.E. of Hiawatha) It's possible Nellie was born in White Cloud, but seems more likely she was born at home on the farm.
DEATHS
Weltmer—Mrs. Jerry Sherrer, of Hamlin, received word Saturday night of the death of her sister, Mrs. A. A. Weltmer, of Smith Center, Kans., who died at the Beloit hospital of ether pneumonia following a minor operation. Mrs. Sherrer's son Leonard left Monday noon to attend the funeral, Tuesday at Smith Center.
—The Hiawatha Daily World (Hiawatha, KS)
Mon Nov 9, 1936, p.1.
The following was written by Mrs. Lillian McCulley, biological daughter of Herbert & Stella Chaffee. Lillian was raised by her Uncle & Aunt, Augustus and Nellie (Chaffee) Weltmer.
In the town of White Cloud*, Brown County, Kansas, on 8 December 1871, a baby girl, Nellie Chaffee was born, destined to meet a boy baby who was born 8 May 1872 and named Augustus Ahu Weltmer, near Hiawatha, Kans. They worked to help out their large families in their teens. Gus (as he was called) worked on farms and building homes and Nellie cooked and kept house for families and often tended the sick and acted as a mid-wife to many Mothers. She became very adept at sewing and made dresses & clothing for ladies who could afford to pay but had no ability to sew. She crocheted and made quilts in her spare time, which was limited, to her busy schedule. As time went by, in the summer of 1890, Gus & Nellie met when they were both 18 years of age and fell in love. Their dream was to have enough money to travel west in Kansas and homestead where there was plenty of land for farming available.
About the same time, Gus' older brother Alonzo (called Lon) married a girl named Crosie and they were desirous of homesteading, but needed more money to get transportation west. The four of them decided to work together and 'pool' their savings to buy a team and covered wagon.
In Hiawatha, Ks. on 3 August 1892 Nellie & Gus were married, and the two couples bought a covered wagon & a team of Morgan horses and prepared to make the trip. Relatives helped with food & bedding and whatever they could spare. They knew they had to go as soon as possible, before winter set in. Nellie brought her treadle sewing machine, Gus brought tools for building, Lon & Crosie brought grain for the horses and as much bedding as there was room for, also a 12 gauge shotgun for hunting and a .22 rifle for game. There were plenty of Buffalo in the area, the Indian tribes were friendly (and hungry) and fishing was plentiful, also rabbits. It was a long and slow trip, and it was nearly October when they reached Smith Center, Ks. and decided to stop and check for land. Because of the cold winter near at hand, they travelled south and east of Smith Center about 10 miles and found a hill that appealed to them and they built a 'dug-out' in the east side and made it as liveable as possible. Gus was good at building and also made a 'lean-to' for the horses to be out of the wind.
It was a hard winter for them but they managed to survive and so did the horses. As soon as the spring in 1893 began, Gus and Lon went to Smith Center to sign up for Homestead land. Gus signed for land about 10 miles south of Smith Center and approximately 2 miles east on one section (160 acres) of land. His brother Lon liked the area north of Smith Center, so he settled there.
As soon as weather permitted, they started building a house for Gus & Nellie, where a hill on one side and a stream at the bottom, went through the land. It was a sturdy house and they bought a coal stove for warmth and a cook stove with a hot water reservoir and oven. By then, Nellie and Crosie were carrying their first sons. Nellie had her son first, born 14 July 1893 and named Ward Wallace Weltmer, who later became a Medical Doctor residing in Beloit, Kansas. Crosie had her son a little later, named Loren Weltmer, who became a lawyer and lived in Mankato, Kansas. Their first year, all stayed together in Gus' house, and they started the house on Lon's property as soon as they could.
Both brothers had winter wheat planted on their land which soon produced a very adequate living. The Morgan horses 'Dan' & 'Nellie' helped to plant the wheat and 'Nellie' (the mare) had a beautiful colt that year. After a few years, William Weltmer and Lawrence Weltmer, also Sarah Weltmer came to Smith Center and homesteaded. Sarah married a Lannigan and had a rock house. They were brothers & sister of Gus & Lon Weltmer. Gus & Nellie had a daughter, Nora Alice born 7 October 1895 and Lon & Crosie had a daughter Ruth. As time went on, Gus and Nellie adopted Lillian Maxine Chaffee (Nellie's brother's child) in April 1914 at 3 months old. This is where I entered the picture, and I loved them so much. They gave me strength, religious background and love. They were the Pioneers and the 'backbone' of Kansas Farmers and I wouldn't change my background. I had to write their story because I feel they contributed to the State of Kansas.
——Lillian Weltmer McCulley
*Note that White Cloud is actually in Doniphan County, KS.
From about 1867 to about 1892, Nellie's parents lived on a farm in Irving Twp., Brown Co., KS, 1½ miles from the county line and roughly 8 miles southwest of White Cloud. (& abt 7 m. N.W. of Highland; Abt. 11m. east/N.E. of Hiawatha) It's possible Nellie was born in White Cloud, but seems more likely she was born at home on the farm.
DEATHS
Weltmer—Mrs. Jerry Sherrer, of Hamlin, received word Saturday night of the death of her sister, Mrs. A. A. Weltmer, of Smith Center, Kans., who died at the Beloit hospital of ether pneumonia following a minor operation. Mrs. Sherrer's son Leonard left Monday noon to attend the funeral, Tuesday at Smith Center.
—The Hiawatha Daily World (Hiawatha, KS)
Mon Nov 9, 1936, p.1.
In the town of White Cloud*, Brown County, Kansas, on 8 December 1871, a baby girl, Nellie Chaffee was born, destined to meet a boy baby who was born 8 May 1872 and named Augustus Ahu Weltmer, near Hiawatha, Kans. They worked to help out their large families in their teens. Gus (as he was called) worked on farms and building homes and Nellie cooked and kept house for families and often tended the sick and acted as a mid-wife to many Mothers. She became very adept at sewing and made dresses & clothing for ladies who could afford to pay but had no ability to sew. She crocheted and made quilts in her spare time, which was limited, to her busy schedule. As time went by, in the summer of 1890, Gus & Nellie met when they were both 18 years of age and fell in love. Their dream was to have enough money to travel west in Kansas and homestead where there was plenty of land for farming available.
About the same time, Gus' older brother Alonzo (called Lon) married a girl named Crosie and they were desirous of homesteading, but needed more money to get transportation west. The four of them decided to work together and 'pool' their savings to buy a team and covered wagon.
In Hiawatha, Ks. on 3 August 1892 Nellie & Gus were married, and the two couples bought a covered wagon & a team of Morgan horses and prepared to make the trip. Relatives helped with food & bedding and whatever they could spare. They knew they had to go as soon as possible, before winter set in. Nellie brought her treadle sewing machine, Gus brought tools for building, Lon & Crosie brought grain for the horses and as much bedding as there was room for, also a 12 gauge shotgun for hunting and a .22 rifle for game. There were plenty of Buffalo in the area, the Indian tribes were friendly (and hungry) and fishing was plentiful, also rabbits. It was a long and slow trip, and it was nearly October when they reached Smith Center, Ks. and decided to stop and check for land. Because of the cold winter near at hand, they travelled south and east of Smith Center about 10 miles and found a hill that appealed to them and they built a 'dug-out' in the east side and made it as liveable as possible. Gus was good at building and also made a 'lean-to' for the horses to be out of the wind.
It was a hard winter for them but they managed to survive and so did the horses. As soon as the spring in 1893 began, Gus and Lon went to Smith Center to sign up for Homestead land. Gus signed for land about 10 miles south of Smith Center and approximately 2 miles east on one section (160 acres) of land. His brother Lon liked the area north of Smith Center, so he settled there.
As soon as weather permitted, they started building a house for Gus & Nellie, where a hill on one side and a stream at the bottom, went through the land. It was a sturdy house and they bought a coal stove for warmth and a cook stove with a hot water reservoir and oven. By then, Nellie and Crosie were carrying their first sons. Nellie had her son first, born 14 July 1893 and named Ward Wallace Weltmer, who later became a Medical Doctor residing in Beloit, Kansas. Crosie had her son a little later, named Loren Weltmer, who became a lawyer and lived in Mankato, Kansas. Their first year, all stayed together in Gus' house, and they started the house on Lon's property as soon as they could.
Both brothers had winter wheat planted on their land which soon produced a very adequate living. The Morgan horses 'Dan' & 'Nellie' helped to plant the wheat and 'Nellie' (the mare) had a beautiful colt that year. After a few years, William Weltmer and Lawrence Weltmer, also Sarah Weltmer came to Smith Center and homesteaded. Sarah married a Lannigan and had a rock house. They were brothers & sister of Gus & Lon Weltmer. Gus & Nellie had a daughter, Nora Alice born 7 October 1895 and Lon & Crosie had a daughter Ruth. As time went on, Gus and Nellie adopted Lillian Maxine Chaffee (Nellie's brother's child) in April 1914 at 3 months old. This is where I entered the picture, and I loved them so much. They gave me strength, religious background and love. They were the Pioneers and the 'backbone' of Kansas Farmers and I wouldn't change my background. I had to write their story because I feel they contributed to the State of Kansas.
——Lillian Weltmer McCulley
*Note that White Cloud is actually in Doniphan County, KS.
From about 1867 to about 1892, Nellie's parents lived on a farm in Irving Twp., Brown Co., KS, 1½ miles from the county line and roughly 8 miles southwest of White Cloud. (& abt 7 m. N.W. of Highland; Abt. 11m. east/N.E. of Hiawatha) It's possible Nellie was born in White Cloud, but seems more likely she was born at home on the farm.
DEATHS
Weltmer—Mrs. Jerry Sherrer, of Hamlin, received word Saturday night of the death of her sister, Mrs. A. A. Weltmer, of Smith Center, Kans., who died at the Beloit hospital of ether pneumonia following a minor operation. Mrs. Sherrer's son Leonard left Monday noon to attend the funeral, Tuesday at Smith Center.
—The Hiawatha Daily World (Hiawatha, KS)
Mon Nov 9, 1936, p.1.
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