 Ida
Britton Homestead - Ida, the youngest child, was 21-years old when she arrived
in 1887 with her parents Francis, 69-years old, her mother Mary Ellen (Cherry)
60-years old along with their grandsons Richard Bullard 13-years and Charles 10-years.
Francis and Mary Ellen had raised Richard and Charles Bullard since they were
4 and 1-years old respectively. Ida took out a homestead in 1887 proving up on
it in in 1893 and signing it over to her parents the next day. The group came
from Ft. Madison IA to Larned KS - 450-miles by covered wagon to where their oldest
daughter, Mahala Keran lived. They spent some time with Mahala and family and
then went straight north to Taylor - a distance of about 310-miles. I think all
the families must have traveled to Taylor via Larned KS. Charles Nicholas Britton
- son of Francis also came with this group according to his obituary (age 30-years). |
 James
Albert and Orissa (Reed) Britton Homestead - The James Albert and Orissa (Reed)
Britton family came in 1888. They purchased the Caleb Jeffers quarter section.
They came by way of Larned KS with six children - Phoebe 13-years, Frank 10-years,
Catherine 9-years, William 8-years, Edwin 6-years and Nellie 1-year. Three more
children were born in Loup County - Joe, Jack and Tim. They added to the ranch
until it reached 2000 acres. A tornado destroyed their home in 1904, but no one
was injured. They build a new house. The ranch remained in the family until 1942
when it was purchased by Tom Wake and it is now known as the Circle A Ranch. |
 Frank
and Mary Elizabeth (Britton) Wirsig Homestead - Frank 33-years and Mary Elizabeth
(Britton) Wirsig 23-years, were the first Britton family to come to Loup County
in 1884 or 1886. They were accompanied by three children; John Gotlieb 6-years,
Grace Belle (Patterson) 5-years, and Loretta (Longshore) 2-years. Five more children
were born in Loup County - Otto Allen in 1886, Edith (Jensen), Eva, Leonard, and
Ruby Ann in 1902. Frank was elected Loup County Commissioner in 1889 and Loup
County Treasurer in 1893 and 1895. He was elected Loup County Clerk in 1897 and
1899, an office he held until his death in 1903. Frank and Mary sold the homestead
to his brother Alfred Wirsig in 1892. They purchased a farm 2-miles southwest
of Taylor. They also had a home in Taylor. Frank passed away in 1903 leaving Mary
with four children at home. Otto Allen 17-years, Edith 12-years, Leonard - 6-years
and Ruby Ann 1-year. Mary lived in Taylor until her death in 1922. |
 Jesse
and Hulda (Britton) Cassidy Homestead - Jesse 28-years and Hulda (Britton)
Cassidy 24-years, homesteaded in Sunnyside District in 1888. Hulda taught school
in District 23 for 3-months in 1888, 3-months in 1888-89 and 3-months in 1889-90.
Roy was 4-years when Jesse and Hulda moved to Nebraska. Mabel was 2-years and
Otto 1-year. Ella and Pearl were born on the homestead and Allen was born after
they moved to Burwell. They sold the homestead in 1895. Hulda died of cancer of
the liver in 1912. Jesse moved to Bozeman MT where a horse kicked him in the head
and he died instantly in 1918. Joe and Ida (Britton) Ferguson bought the Cassidy
homestead in 1895 and here Cal, Eva, Mary (Hyde), Jimmy and Lue were born. They
paid $400 for the 160-acres. The house was built in 1910 by Eric and Elmer Coleman
for $500 - labor and materials. The barn was built a couple of years later. Joe
homesteaded 40 acres west of the barn in 1910. The place now consists of about
9 homesteads and has been in the family for about 121-years. |
 Robert
Effroi and Susan (Wilson) Britton Homestead - Bob and Susie came in
1886 to Loup County District 23. District 23 was organized in 1887 with
Bob Britton as the petitioner. Bob 33-years, Sue 32-years and four children;
Mary Ellen 12-years, Thomas Albert 9-years, Bertha Ann 6-years and Francis
B. 3-years. Myrtle and Robert Efferoi were born in Loup County. Sue never
did care much for the wild country. She planted a tree which is still
living on a hill so the kids could find there way home from school. In
about 1895 they loaded up the wagons and along with a small heard of cattle,
made the trip back to Ft. Madison IA. Here two more children; James Clifton
and Mahala E. were born. They later sold the homestead to Joe Ferguson
and the tree claim to Charlie Britton. |
 Charles
Nicholas and Sarah Elizabeth (Cross) Britton Homestead - Charles age 30-years
came with his parents to loup County in 1887. He made a dugout and filed for a
homestead of 160-acres and a tree claim of 160-acres. After the Kinkaid Act of
1904 he filed on more land until he has 640 acres. He also later bought 160-acres.
He married Sarah Elizabeth Cross in 1893. They established a residence a mile
east of the dugout erecting a 2-story home. They were the parents of 13 children
born in District 23; Hulda (Schlafer) - 1894, Charles Lemuel - 1896, Francis Gay
- 1898 (kicked by a horse & died in 1911), Roberta Winnis - 1900 (died at
age 2 0r 3), William "Bill" Marguis - 1902, Harry Anton -1905, Martha
Mahala - 1907, Lawrence Oliver - 1901, Lucy Leota (Robyler) - 1911, Mitchell Patrick
- 1914, Abraham - 1916, Una Rose (Strong) -1918 and Albert Lee - 1921. |
| John
F and Bertha (Wilsey) Britton Homestead - John F. 26-years and Bertha 24-years
were married in New Boston, Lee County IA on August 11, 1886 and came to Loup
County in 1887 and filed on a homestead. Here there son Byron Glasford was born
on 9 June 1887. They never proved upon the claim and returned to Ft. Madison IA
where their second son, George Aleut was born on 24 May 1889. They were the parents
of seven more children born in Ft. Madison; Nancy, John, Marcia, Roy, Belle, Virginia
and a baby boy who died. |
