Moved to Kansas

The difficulties Iowan farmers experienced in the late 1860’s and 1870’s may have contributed to Abraham and his family re-locating to Graham County, Kansas. Another influencing factor was the ill health of their daughter, Estella. She suffered from convulsions and her doctor suggested that if they moved, her health might improve. Estella stated that this pleased her father because he wanted to move to Kansas anyway.[1] Abraham packed up his family and their belongings and moved by covered wagon to Graham County, Kansas, three miles from Roscoe. Abraham built a sod cabin with a wooden roof, floors and partitions, and five windows, in addition, they bought a cook stove, a dining table with six chairs, and two bed stays.[2]

Abraham and Orpha were the parents of  five children, two sons and three daughters. Some details about the first two children are as follows.

  Brent Newkirk birth and death date is not know. Family tradition states that Brent was born in 1868. He was not listed on the 1870 census with his parents. If Brent did exist and was their child, he died before 23 June, the day the census was taken.[1]

Abraham Newkirk and Orpha Gregory were the parents of the following children:

Josephine Ellen Newkirk was born on 30 August 1869 at Brookfield, Clinton, Iowa. Troutman on 30 January 1890 at Southwest City, McDonald, Missouri.[2] She married Leander Hiner Troutman on 30 January 1890 at Southwest City, McDonald, Missouri. It should be noted that this was Leanders second marriage.[3] His first wife, Ellen A. Lotridge, died from a miscarriage on 14 April 1886.[4] Josephine died on 13 November 1929 and was buried at the Tribbey Cemetery located in Tribbey, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma.

---

[1] Abe Newkirk household, 1870 U.S. Census Brookfield, Clinton, Iowa, population schedule, page 35A, sheet 35, dwelling number 105, family number 105; NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 1761. Ancestry.com. [database on-line]. Accessed 17 September 2012.

[2]Marriage Records, 1865-1951, McDonald County, Missouri, FHL Film #930076, Book D, page 227.

[3] Leander Troutman and Ellen A. Lotridge marriage certificate, Ancestry.com: Bjhfturner added this on 14 Oct 2009. Copy received from the Courthouse in Hill City, Kansas. Accessed 23 September 2012. 

[4] Ellen A. Troutman Headstone, Died 14 April 1886. Age 27 years, 6 months and 7 days. Daughter of D.J. Lotridge.  Accessed 23 Oct 2012. Doc

 

---

[1] Abraham Newkirk family history, Hand written letter by daughter, Estella Eldora Newkirk Turner, Life at Roscoe, Graham, Kansas Page 2,  on-line <http://Ancestry.com>. Accessed 5 November, 2012. Document 154.

[2] Abraham Newkirk family history, Hand written letter by daughter, Estella Eldora Newkirk Turner, Life at Roscoe, Graham, Kansas Page 2,  on-line <http://Ancestry.com>. Accessed 5 November, 2012. Document 154.