City and County of Broomfield, Colorado        

                                        

 

                                                              PIONEER BIOGRAPHY

 

Druella Coulson, Broomfield�s First Postmaster

            On 26 September 1884, Broomfield was officially named by the U.S. Post Office. According to the Record of Appointment of Postmasters, Miss Druella Coulson was Broomfield�s first postmaster serving from 26 September 1884 to 10 July 1886 .1

            Druella Coulson was born April 1860 in Yellow Creek Township, Linn Co., Missouri.2 She was the youngest of seven children born to Joseph Coulson and Nancy Newton.3 Joseph, his father Jeremiah, and brothers Isaac and Jacob migrated to Linn County from Virginia sometime before 1840 as all are listed on the 1840 Linn County Census.4

            Joseph Coulson, son of Jeremiah Coulson and Martha McIntyre,5 was born about 1812 in Virginia6 and probably died June 1870 in Linn Co., Missouri.7 Joseph married Nancy Newton about 1838.8 Nancy was born about 1819 in Kentucky.9 Both of her parents were born in North Carolona 10

Children of Joseph Coulson and Nancy Newton were:

 i. Elizabeth, born July 1839,11 and died Enterprise, Wallowa Co., Oregon on April 23, 1910.12 She married Jonathan J. Putman at Linn Co., Missouri on 11 August 1859.13  Jonathan J. Putman, son of William Putman and Sarah Head,14 was born November 1835 and died 16 January 1899.15 They had the following children: William, Ida, Mary, and Sophie.16

            ii. Susan J., born ca. 1841 and died 14 February 1926, Beverly Park, Snohomish Co., Washington.17

            iii. Isaac, born ca.1844, may have moved to Oregon.18

            iv. Mary L., born ca. 1849,19 married Edward J. Cautwell.20

            v. William, born ca. 1851.21

            vi. John Robert., born ca. 1856, died 1944.22 May not have married. He was single and living with his mother in 1880.23

            vii. Druella, born April 1860, married Robert S. Ketron.24

            Druella�s father, Joseph Coulson, died in June, 1870 naming his 10 year old daughter, Druella, in his will.25 She can be found living with her mother, Nancy, and brother, John Robert in the 1870 Census taken 8 July 1870.26 Druella continued to reside in Linn County, and by the 1880 Census, she was living with her sister, Mary Cautwell and Mary�s family.27

            Druella went to Colorado between 1880-1884.28 She was probably drawn to Colorado because her sister, Elizabeth Putman, moved to Denver about 1876.29 In June of 1880 when the census was taken, Elizabeth, her husband John and children, William, Ida, Mollie, and Sophie, were living at 16 15th Street, Denver.30

            Twenty five year old Druella was enumerated on the 1885 Census in Broomfield directly after her nephew, William Putman.31 William�s occupation was brickmoulder and he was living with his wife, Alice Waterhouse, who he had married 5 November 1883 in Denver,32 and his seven month old son, Arthur. William�s father, Johnathan J. Putman was a broom maker in Denver so perhaps the Putman family had connections to the area because of its broomcorn crop.33

            Lewis Crain took over as Broomfield�s Postmaster in 1886.34 It was around that time that Druella returned to Missouri. She married Robert J. Ketron about 1887 in Missouri.35 Robert was a carpenter who was born September 1841 in Missouri.36 Three of Druella�s children were born in Missouri before she returned to Colorado. The Ketron family settled in Denver about 1893.37 By 1900 the family was living at 1043 Gaylord St. , Denver.38

Children of Robert J. Ketron and Druella Coulson:

1. Robert Roy, born 5 August 1888 in Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Missouri.39 He married 1st Katherine Pendleton, 3 May 1922 ,
Denver.40 He divorced Katherine and  married 2nd Ruth Darrow, 10 March 1934 in Jefferson County, Colorado.41 He died  
25 January 1966 in Denver.42 Robert and Katherine had one son, Frederick Roy Ketron. Frederick was born 27 August 1923 and died 31 October 1994 in Helena, Montana.43 Frederick had three children and lived most of his life in Helena.

2. Myrtle E., born October 1889 in Missouri.44 She married John Ellis Chambers, 3 May 1928 in Weld Co., Colorado.45 Myrtle worked for Syman Brothers Jewelry in Denver before her marriage.46 She probably died about1928 (her husband is listed in the 1930 Census as a widower).47 She had one child, John Ellis Chambers, Jr., born 1 December 192848 and died March 1981 in Olympia,
Washington.49

3. Edward E., born 3 June 1891 in Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Missouri.50 He moved to Detroit, Michigan and worked as a mechanic for the Studebaker Corporation.51

4. Lloyd C., born 23 April 1903 in Denver 52 and died 29 July 1974 in Detroit, Michigan.54 He married Elsie (unknown maiden name) and moved to Detroit, Michigan about 1930.53

            Duella and Robert Ketron can be found living in Denver during the 1900, 1910, and 1920 Censuses.55 Robert is listed in the Denver city directories until 1927.56 Druella and Robert both either died or moved from Denver by 1 April 1930 when the 1930 Census was taken. They were not found in Riverside or Fairmont Cemetery records in Denver.

            If you have additional information about Druella Coulson Ketron, email me at julie@jpmresearch.com.

___________________________________________
ENDNOTES:

[1]. Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832 - September 30, 1971, volume 50, page 472; National Archives microfilm M841, roll 14; Records of the Post Office Department, Record Group 28, National Archives and Records Administration.

[2]. Robert S. Ketron household, 1900 U.S. census, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado, E.D. 113, page 9A, dwelling 172, family 178; National Archives microfilm T623, roll 120. Joseph Coulson household, 1860 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Township 58, Range 18, page 18, dwelling 133, family 133, line 21; National Archives microfilm M653, roll 630. The 1900 Census states that Druella was born April 1860 yet she is not listed in the 1860 Census with her parents. She may have been born in August or simply forgotten by the enumerator or the person giving the information to the enumerator.

[3]. Joseph Coulson household, 1850 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , District 50, stamped page 26, dwelling 344, family 344, line 16; National Archives microfilm M432, roll 405. 1860 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Township 58, Range 18, page 18, dwelling 133, family 133. Nancy Coulson household, 1870 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Yellow Creek, page 305, dwelling 367, family 325, line 16; National Archives microfilm M593, roll 788.

[4]. 1840 U.S. Census, Yellow Creek, Linn Co., Missouri , page 248; National Archives microfilm M704, roll 225.

[5]. Jeremiah Coulson and Martha McIntyre Family Group Sheet, Ancestry World Tree, Ancestry.com, Shannon Kerr contact, updated 19 Aug 2006. Jacki Richey to Julie Miller, e-mail dated 12 November 2013; citing Susan J. Whitelock death entry (sister of Druella), "Washington Deaths, 1883-1960", Ancestry.com.

[6]. 1850 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , District 50, stamped page 26, dwelling 344, family 344. 1860 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Township 58, Range 18, page 18, dwelling 133, family 133.

[7]. Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry, compiler, Will Records of Linn county, Missouri 1820-1878 (Chillicother, Missouri: Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry, 1965), 13.

[8]. Year based on the birth of first child in 1839. Jacki Richey to Julie Miller, e-mail dated 12 November 2013; citing Susan J. Whitelock death entry (sister of Druella), "Washington Deaths, 1883-1960", Ancestry.com.

[9]. 1850 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , District 50, stamped page 26, dwelling 344, family 344. 1860 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Township 58, Range 18, page 18, dwelling 133, family 133. Nancy Coulson household, 1870 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Yellow Creek, page 305, dwelling 367, family 325, line 16; National Archives microfilm M593, roll 788. Nancy Colson [sic] household, 1880 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri, Yellow Creek, E.D. 191, dwelling 110, family 110, line 8; National Archives microfilm T9, roll 700.

[10]. 1880 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Yellow Creek, E.D. 191, dwelling 110, family 110.

[11]. Elizabeth Putman household, 1900 U.S. Census, Arapahoe Co., Colorado , Denver , E.D. 113, page 8B, dwelling 166, family 172, line 81; National Archives microfilm T623, roll 120. In the records that I examined, Putman and Putnam were used interchangeably.

[12]. Elizabeth Putman obituary, Wallawa Chieftain (Enterprise, Oregon), 28 April 1910, page 3; photo of headstone; both items supplied by Elizabeth's descendant, Fred Schaeffer. Elizabeth is living with her daughter, Mary P. Merryman, in Enterprise , Wallowa Co., Oregon in 1910. 1910 U.S. Census, Wallowa Co., Oregon, Enterprise, E.D. 294, sheet 8B, dwelling 157, family 165; National Archives microfilm T624, roll 1284.

[13]. Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry, compiler, Linn County , Missouri Marriage Records 1857 - 1870 (Chillicothe, Missouri: Elizabeth Ellsberry, 1956), 8.

[14]. Jonathan and Elizabeth Putman, living in the William Putman household, 1860 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri, population schedule, Twp. 60, range 19, page 67, dwelling and family 448; National Archives microfilm M653, roll 630.

[15]. J. J. Putman entry (1899), Denver Death Index, database, Colorado State Archives, http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives, accessed 3 September 2006 .

[16].   Johnethan [sic] Putman household, 1870 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri, population schedule, Yellow Creek, stamped page 390, dwelling 297, family 256; National Archives microfilm M593, roll 788. John Putman household, 1880 U.S. Census, Arapahoe Co., Colorado , Denver , E.D. 17, page 15, stamped page 356, dwelling 102, family 115; National Archives microfilm T9, roll 88.

[17]. 1850 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , District 50, stamped page 26, dwelling 344, family 344. 1860 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Township 58, Range 18, page 18, dwelling 133, family 133. Jacki Richey to Julie Miller, e-mail dated 12 November 2013; citing Susan J. Whitelock death entry (sister of Druella), "Washington Deaths, 1883-1960", Ancestry.com.

[18]. Ibid.

[19]. Ibid.

[20]. Edward Cautwell household, 1880 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Bucklin, E.D. 177, page 14B, dwelling 114, family 116, line 37; National Archives microfilm T9, roll 699.

[21]. 1860 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Township 58, Range 18, page 18, dwelling 133, family 133.

[22]. Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry, Volume I of Southern Linn County , Missouri Cemetery Records (Chillicothe, Missouri: Elizabeth Ellsberry, 1963), 7.

[23]. 1880 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Yellow Creek, E.D. 191, dwelling 110, family 110.

[24]. 1900 U.S. census, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado , E.D. 113, page 9A, dwelling 172, family 178.

[25]. Ellsberry, Will Records of Linn county, Missouri 1820-1878, 13.

[26]. 1870 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri , Yellow Creek, page 305, dwelling 367, family 325.

[27]. 1880 U.S. Census, Linn Co., Missouri, Bucklin, E.D. 177, page 14B, dwelling 114, family 116.

[28]. Based on the 1880 census when she was in Linn Co., Missouri and her starting date of 26 September 1884 in the Record of Appointment of Postmasters.

[29]. Corbett, Hoye & Co.'s Denver city directory for 1877 (Denver: Corbett, Hoye & Co., 1877), 196.

[30]. John Putman household, 1880 U.S. Census, Arapahoe Co., Colorado , Denver , E.D. 17, stamped page 356, dwelling 102, family 115, line 25; National Archives microfilm T9, roll 88.

[31]. William Putnam household, 1885 Colorado State Census, Boulder Co., Colorado , E.D. 1, page 7, dwelling 64, family 65, line 6; National Archives microfilm M158, roll 2.

[32]. Denver Public Library, Colorado Marriages, 1858-1939, CD ROM ( Denver : Colorado Genealogical Society, 2004),16,870; Putnam-Waterhouse entry, Denver County , 5 November 1883 , license no. 2098.

[33]. Corbett, Hoye & Co.'s Denver city directory for 1877, 196.

[34]. Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 472.

[35]. 1900 U.S. census, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado , E.D. 113, page 9A, dwelling 172, family 178.

[36]. Ibid.

[37]. Ballenger & Richards twenty-second annual Denver city directory: containing a complete list of the inhabitants, institutions, incorporated companies, manufacturing establishments, business firms, etc. in the city of Denver for 1894 (Denver, Colorado: Dallenger & Richards, c1894), 574.

[38]. 1900 U.S. census, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado , E.D. 113, page 9A, dwelling 172, family 178.

[39]. National Archives and Records Administration, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-18, draft board 8, Denver, Colorado, Robert Roy Ketron; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com: accessed 2 September 2006): from National Archives microfilm M1509, roll CO15.

[40]. Colorado Marriages, 1858-1939, 11073.

[41]. Ibid.

[42]. Robert Roy Ketron obituary, Denver Post, Wednesday, 26 January 1966 , page 53, column 4. U. S. Social Security Administration, �Social Security Death Index,� database, Ancestry.com, accessed 2 September 2006 , for Robert Ketron, no. 523-09-7875.

[43]. U. S. Social Security Administration, �Social Security Death Index,� database, Ancestry.com, accessed 27 September 2006 , for Fred R. Ketron, no. 524-12-3955.

[44]. 1900 U.S. census, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado , E.D. 113, page 9A, dwelling 172, family 178.

[45]. Colorado Marriages, 1858-1939, 3425.

[46]. Ballenger & Richards fifty-fifth Denver Directory 1927 (Denver: Ballenger & Richards, 1927), 1396.

[47]. John Ellis Chambers, brother-in-law in the William Snodgress household, 1930 U.S. Census, Denver Co., Colorado, Denver, E.D. 16-213, page 28A, dwelling 413, family 418, line 19; National Archives microfilm T626, roll 240.

[48]. Ibid.

[49]. U. S. Social Security Administration, �Social Security Death Index,� database, Ancestry.com, accessed 4 September 2006 , for John Chambers, no. 524-20-2277.

[50]. National Archives and Records Administration, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-18, draft board 20, Detroit, Michigan, Edward E. Ketron; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com: accessed 2 September 2006): from National Archives microfilm M1509, roll MI42.

[51]. Ibid.

[52]. Lloyd C. Ketron entry, City of Denver Birth Records , 23 April 1903 , database, Colorado State Archives (www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/), accessed 3 September 2006 .

[53]. Loid [sic] C. Ketron household, 1930 U.S. Census, Wayne Co., Michigan, Detroit, E.D. 82-308, page 25A, dwelling 206, family 195, line 34; National Archives microfilm T626, roll 1043.

[54]. U. S. Social Security Administaration, �Social Security Death Index,� database, Ancestry.com, accessed 2 September 2006, Lloyd Ketron, no. 372-07-6358. Michigan Department of Vital Health Records, �Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996,� database, Ancestry.com, accessed 4 September 2006, Lloyd C. Ketron entry.

[55].  1900 U.S. census, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado , E.D. 113, page 9A, dwelling 172, family 178. Robert S. Ketron household, 1910 U.S. Census, Denver Co., Colorado , Denver Ward 13, E.D. 173, page 11A, dwelling 293, family 293, line 34; National Archives microfilm T624, roll 117. Robert S. Ketron household, 1920 U.S. Census, Denver Co., Colorado , Denver , E.D. 167, page 7A, dwelling 115, family 166, line 21; National Archives microfilm T625, roll 160.

[56]. Ballenger & Richards fifty-fifth Denver Directory 1927, 1396.

 

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