This page contains documents discovered of the Delp Family transcribed from copies of the originals. No attempt has been made to correct mispellings, change format, or improve grammar. Comments are made after each, if warranted. The links below can be followed to the document of your choice:
This is the obituary of Ellen Almira (Doolittle) Delp as found in the "Marysville Advocate," 22 March 1934, p. 10, col 1 - [Marysville, Marshall Co., Kansas]:
Mrs. E. A. Delp, affectionately known as "Grandma" Delp by all of the
Summerfield community, where she has resided since pioneer days, passed peacefully away at
her home here Monday evening, March 12, after a short illness. She was held in high esteem
and was regarded as an unusually capable lady, both mentally and physically, for one of
her advanced years, as she went quietly about the daily routine of her home. During the
past few years a daughter has been her companion, but for many years since the death of
her husband, who was a Civil War veteran, Mrs. Delp resided alone, cultivating her
favorite flowers, paying neighborly courtesies and letting the years go softly, until the
final summons which called her from time to eternity, following a long life of devotion.
Ellen Almira Doolittle Delp was born in Albany, N. Y., February 14, 1846. She was united
in marriage to George W. Delp in Sterling, Ill., September 18, 1866. Mr. Delp preceded her
in death nearly 50 years ago, October 11, 1884. One son, Bertram Delp, also preceded her
in death.
Mr. and Mrs. Delp moved from Sterling, Ill., to Sterling, Nebr., shortly after their
marriage, where they homesteaded. In 1892, eight years after the death of her husband, she
came to Summerfield, Kans., where she has since made her home. She was a member of the
United Presbyterian church.
The deceased leaves to mourn her passing five children, two sons and four daughters:
Walter E. Delp, Adams, Nebr.; Mable Portlock, Allie Watkins, and Frank Delp of California;
Myrtle Hutchison of California; who has been here for the past five years caring for her
mother; also a host of friends whose sympathy goes out to the bereaved loved ones.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 14, at the Summerfield Presbyterian church,
Rev. Robbins officiating. Burial was made in the local cemetery.
This is taken from a short two-page manuscript found in the possession of Laura Aurelia (Picklum) Tyner in 2009. It appears to have been written by her mother, Ruth Ethelyn (Delp) Picklum on the 11th of December 1969:
In western Kansas in the winter of 1911 - 1912 the most severe winter ever
known in that country followed a drouth-stricken, cropless summer.
Extremely heavy snows prevented livestock from grazing and made it necessary to
shelter milk cows and calves and to keep them alive by manger feeding.
Thousands of range cattle piled up in fence corners and froze to death.
Hay, grain and coal was shipped into the stricken area and rationed to the needy
farmers. The thirteen mile trip to town had to be made every other day to
get the meager rations of feed. The trip took nearly all of a day.
Several neighbors went together - breaking trail for each other. It was
too dangerous to go alone through the deep drifts and the almost continual
ground blizzard that covered the trail almost as soon as it was made.
My father maintained his family by making brooms. He would make brooms all
on night - bundle them - usually about three dozen and join his neighbors in the
wagon train to Leoti in the morning. Arriving in town about four oclock in
the afternoon, they would load their wagons with the precious bales of hay and
bags of coal and go to bed. An early start the next morning would get them
home about four that afternoon. After feeding his animals my father would
begin his broom-making to be ready for next day's harrowing trip. From
early November until March this was the pattern. The day before Christmas
was going to town day. And Christmas Eve was the night to sleep.
With a few bits of Christmas presents and mail my father started home alone as
soon as he had his wagon loaded. We had communication by barb-wire
telephone and knew when he left town. As he made the torchurous trip
people along the way called my mother to report that he was passing their place
- "he's riding now - or "he's walking again." The danger
was that he might ride too long and freeze to death on the wagon in the sub zero
temperatures. My mother roused me to sit with her. At last we heard
him as the wagon wheels screeched in the hardened snow. The we could see
him. He drove up to the door and we helped him into the house and began
treatment for frostbite. His face, ears and feet were frozen. Mother
put the horses away, then we filled the Christmas stockings. There was
Christmas for the children. We were together.
So at this season when we honor the Father who gave us a Savior, our family also
remembers to honor a father who gave us a priceless memory.
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Author: Roger L. Roberson, Jr. • Last updated: 27 December 2009