Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

Frank E. and Mary Daisy (Chapin) LaShelle , Wray


FRANK'S FAMILY

In 1880 Washington County, Kansas, James A. Laschell is a farmer, 38, Diantha Laschell 33 Wife, Florence Laschell 10 Daughter, Blanche Laschell 8 Daughter, Daniel Laschell 6 Son, Hugh Laschell 4 Son, and Frank Laschell 2 Son.

James Armstrong LaShelle Birth 3 Dec 1841 Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania, Death 2 Oct 1904 Clay Center, Clay County, Kansas, Burial Greenwood Cemetery Clay Center, Clay County, Kansas, Plot Addition 1, Block 11, Lot 25 Memorial ID 118120502.
"Son of Margaret (Kitzmiller) and Daniel Lashells.
He was a Captain in the Civil War in Companies E and M, Fifteenth Pennsylvania cavalry. He was at the battles of Stone River and Laverne. He contracted typhoid fever while serving in the military. He performed scout duty at the battle of Gettysburg (while recovering from his fever) and was in the signal service.
He married Diantha Seward on March 29, 1868 in Mason County, Illinois. They moved to Lincoln Township, Washington County, Kansas in 1870. He was a painter and he also had a homestead where he raised animals and farmed the land. In 1894 he rented the farm and moved to Manhattan, Kansas. A large tornado tore through the farm and he returned to make repairs before moving to Clay Center, Kansas. James and Diantha had 7 children - Florence Louise LaShelle, Blanche Irene LaShelle, Daniel Seward LaShelle, Hugh William LaShelle, Frank Elmer LaShelle, Charles Omar LaShelle and Ralph Jerome LaShelle."

Diantha Seward LaShelle Birth 24 Jul 1847 Pennsylvania, Death 12 Nov 1909 Junction City, Geary County, Kansas, Burial Greenwood Cemetery Clay Center, Clay County, Kansas, Plot Addition 1, Block 11, Lot 25 Memorial ID 118120533
In 1910 Manhattan, Kansas, Frank Lashelle is a printer, 32, Daisy Lashelle 29 Wife, and Luthena Lashelle 4 Daughter. All three were bron in Kansas

Frank Elmer LaScalle registered for WWI, living in Hanover, Washington County, Kansas, born April 1, 1878, editor and pubisher.

In 1920 Wray, Frank . La Shelle is 42 , Mary D. La Shelle 39 Wife, Luthara L. La Shelle 14 Daughter, Lewis L. Nettleton 22 Lodger, Woodson J. Thompson 18 Lodger, and Samuel N. Hill 24 Lodger.

January 3, 1929

October 1937 "The Editor, Mr. Frank E. LaShelle, the Boss, Mrs. Frank E. LaShelle, the chief Linotype Operator, Mr. Arthur E. Weber, and the Society Editor, Mrs. Arthur E. Weber, departed for a vacation in the east last Sunday morning, leaving the fate of the Wray Rattler in the hands of Allen Cope, as the able business manager, and mechanic, Mrs. Glayds Coad, as the top notch linotype operator, and George Boyes, with the fancy title of Editor but whose duties really consist of answering the telephone and running errands. We wish for the Boss and family, a very pleasant and happy vacation. To our readers, we ask your indulgence and hope you have the fortitude to bear with us for a short time. For ourselves, we only ask the continuance of the support that our friends and readers have given us this week."

August 6, 1942 Wray Gazette
"Frank E. LaShelle, editor and owner of the Wray Rattler since August, 1919, died about five o'clock this morning at his home in Wray. He was. 64 years old. The publisher had been in failing health for more than a year, and a few weeks ago his condition took a turn for the worse. He spent more than a week in a Denver hospital receviing special treatments, but failed to respond and returned home more than a week ago. While it was known that his condition was serious, it was not realized that he was so near death and his passing this morning is a great shock to his family and the community. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Daisy LaShelle, a daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Weber, all of Wray, and other less near relatives. Funeral arrangements had not been completed in time for publication. And so it is Thirty for another Colorado editor, whose personality and industry had made his newspaper one of the best known in Eastern Colorado."

The Rattler changed hands again this week, Mr. Frank La Shelle, of Hanover, Kansas, beng the new owner. Mr. La Shelle, at one time some years ago was the editor of the Rattler and is familiar with the business at this place and will no doubt give the people of this city and community a lively and interesting paper. We welcome Mr. La Shelle as our new competitor and bespeak for him a liberal amount of patronage and hope that our business relations will be as satisfactory as they have been with our former competitors.
Wray Gazette."

Frank Elmer LaShelle Birth 1 Apr 1878 Kansas, Death 1942 Burial Grandview Cemetery Wray, Yuma County, Colorado, Memorial ID 2458502.

March 1947
Mrs. Frank E. LaShelle will entrain Sunday morning in Denver for Sacramento, Calif., where she will visit with Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Grant and son John. Later she will go on to Richmond to be the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Westfall and little son Dan Alan. She will also visit with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cox at Oakdale, Calif. Mrs. LaShelle will be accompanied as far as Denver by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Weber and Mr. Nickie M. Weber.
July 10, 1952
Funeral services for Mrs. Frank E. LaShelle, widow of a former Wray publisher and a long-time resident of this community, were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Methodist church in Wray, conducted by Rev. William Willcox. Interment followed at Grandview cemetery. Mrs. LaShelle died July 4th at Omaha, Nebr., where she had gone just two weeks previously to be with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Nickie M. Weber. She had been confined to her home for four and a half months, due to a bone fracture, but her death was unexpected and came as a shock to her immediate family and friends. Mary D. Chapin was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Chapin and was born May 11, 1880, at New Auburn, Minn. She grew to girlhood there and then moved with her family to Wray in May 1893. Wray was her home until her marriage. She attended the Wray schools and taught school in the county for more than seven years. She accepted her first position as a teacher at the age of 17. She also served as assistant postmistress of the Wray office for about two years. On March 18, 1905, she was united in marriage with Frank E. LaShelle, and to them one daughter, Luthara, was bom. The first fourteen years of their marriage were spent in Kansas. The LaShclles returned to Wray in 1919 and Mrs. LaShelle made her home here continuously since that time. She had been a member of the Methodist church for many years and was also a member of Chapter AA of the P. E. O. Sisterhood, the Tuesday Study club and the Kensington dub. Her first interest was always her home and the center of her life was her family. She was a loving Wife and a devoted mother. Mr. LaShelle preceded his wife in death on August 6, 1942. Surviving her are her daughter, Luthara; her son-in-law, Nickie M. Weber; one sister, Mrs. Rena Grant of Sacramento, Calif.; two nieces, one nephew, one grandnephew. One sister, Mrs. Grace Cox, preceded her in death. Mrs. LaShelle occupied a prominent place in the community during her long residence here and was held in high regard by her intimate circle of friends. These helped brighten the days of her long confinement. One especially who aided immeasurably was Miss Estella Osmus, a long time companion.



LUTHARA

HER HUSBANDS

In 1910 Butte, Nebraska, William Q. Weber 34 is a hardware salesman, Anna E. Weber 27 Wife, Arthur E. Weber 6 Son, and David A. Harrington 58 Lodger.

In 1930 Butte, Nebraska, William P. Weber 53 has an oil and gas station, Anna E. Weber 47 Wife, Edgar C. Weber 15 Son, Joseph M. Weber 13 Son, Marie H. Weber 10 Daughter, Matthew N. Weber 8 Son, Bernard W. Weber 6 Son, Alice E. Weber 3 Daughter, Herman F. Schultz 32 Son-in-law, and Genevieve C. Schultz 18 Wife.

Matthew Nicholas Weber Age 19 Birth Place Butte, Neb. Marriage License Date 26 Jan 1942 Marriage Place Idaho, Spouse Louise Ringel. Louise was 18, born in Germany.

In 1950 Ogden, Utah, Louise Largo 26 is divorced, keeping house, Bobby Ray Largo 6 Son , Fredrick H. Largo 3 Son, Connie Jean Largo 4 Daughter, and Johnny D. Largo 0 Son.
Louise Large Name Ringel Marital Status Divorced Birth Date 23 Jun 1923 Birth Place Germany Residence Place Ogden, Utah, Weber Marriage Date 25 May 1964 Marriage Place Evanston, Uinta Marriage Registration Place Wyoming, Father Joseph B. Ringel Mother Margaret Ringel Spouse George Taylor Hamilton

Ap4il 1928 "Mrs. F. E. LaShellc and daughter Luthara, accompanied by Arthur Weber of Central City, Neb., motored to Denver on Monday and spent several days in the capital city."



June 1931 "A deal was completed on Monday of this week whereby Arthur Weber disposed of the Wray Tailor Shop to Ernest Smith and Mr. Smith took charge of the business at once. Mr. Smith, the new owner has an announcement in this issue of the Rattler that will be of interest to the general public. The business will be continued at the old stand in the room just east of the Rattler office. Ernest is a Wray boy and he has a lot of friends in this community who will be glad to note that he has engaged in business in his home town. Mr. Weber will remain with the new owner for some little time until he is perfectly familiar with the work. Mr. Weber, who is a son-in-law of the editor and owner of the Wray Rattler, disposed of the Wray Tailor Shop in order that he might become associated with the Rattler office. He will begin work in this office in a few days and will endeavor to become familiar with every phase of the country newspaper business including the mechanical end of the newspaper office."

May 1938 "Ed. Smith, former teacher in the Wray high school is now associated with Radio Station KOA in the capacity of studio technician, having begun his new work May Ist. In a recent letter to Arthur Weber of The Rattler office Mr. Smith tells about his work at KOA. His duties include the setting up of microphones for radio programs both at the studio and at remote points, care of studio amplifiers and lines, playing transcriptions, making recordings, fading and mixing programs, and switching local and national programs. Mr. Smith stated that his first solo job was to handle the Denver Post broadcast last Monday evening. The work is not entirely new to Mr. Smith because he was associated with KFKA radio station at Greeley for six and one-half years. His many Wray friends will be pleased to learn that he is meeting with success in his chosen profession. While teaching in Wray Mr. Smith was interested in short wuve radio and he was in close contact with the “hams” here. In his letter he expressed pleasure at learning that Arthur Weber is now on the air with his short wave radio equipment."

October 1936 "The editor and wife and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Weber had rather an unusual experience Sunday night after they had motored to Denver late in the afternoon. A heavy snow was falling and highways and streets became blocked so badly with snow drifts and broken down trees, high voltage wires, etc., that it was impossible to leave the city. The LaShell e-Weber party had motored . to Denver with the idea of returning home Sunday evening and had there* fore made no plans or preparations for an over night stay in Denver. But all members of the party made the best of the situation and rather enjoyed the unusual experience. Mrs. LaShelle was attired in a summer suit and she substituted an auto robe for a winter coat when she went from the hotel to dinner and breakfast. It was rather a new style of wearing apparel to be seen on the streets of Denver. Arthur wore his ice cream suit and it looked rather Summery, to say the least. It felt that way too. Luthara and her Dad, as luck would have it wore clothing suitable for the kind of weather encountered. •While in Denver we had an opportunity to see the terrible wreckage wrought by the storm. It will linger long in our memories. The trip home Monday morning was a hazardous one but it was negotiated without a mishap. A great time was had by all but the next time we leave town well take our “nighties” along."

June 1, 1939 "Arthur Weber received a message Wednesday evening stating that his mother, Mrs. W. P. Weber of Butte, Neb., had passed away. Arthur and Luthara will leave tomorrow morning for 'Butte to be present at the funeral which will be held Saturday morning."

September 1939 "Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Weber left this morning on a vacation trip to the east and north. They plan to visit the World's Fair in New York and they also hope to visit many other interesting places in that great city. At the conclusion of their stay in New York Mr. and Mrs. Weber will tour the historic New England states. They will visit such important cities as Boston, % Mass„ Portland, Maine and others and they plan to visit many of the historic spots in the New England states. The return trip will be by way of Niagara Falls."

March 1943 "William P. Weber, 63, father of Arthur Weber of Wray, died at Wayne, Nebraska, Monday. He had been in failing health for the past five years. Besides Arthur, survivors include four sons—Edgar of Spirit Lake. lowa, Joe of the U. S. Coast Guard, Matt of Los Angeles, California, Bart of Butte, Nebraska; and three daughters—Mrs. Herman Schultz, Mrs. Henry Sexto and Miss Alice, all of Butte, Nebraska. The wife and mother died several years ago. Funeral services will be held Friday at Butte, where the family made their home and burial will be in the cemetery at that place. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Weber will leave today to attend the services."

October 1943 "Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Weber went to Denver Saturday morning to visit a brother of the former, Matthew Weber, who has recently been inducted into the armed forces. He is located for a short time at Buckley Field."

July 1946 "Nickie M. Weber, brother of The Rattler's editor, is now stationed at Ohofu, Japan, with an Air Depot Group. The airfield is quite near Yokohama and only 20 miles from Tokyo. Nickie recently received a promotion and now holds the rating of Staff Sergeant. Congratulations S-Sgt. Nickie Weber!"
Arthur Edward Weber Birth 30 Apr 1903 Butte, Boyd County, Nebraska, Death 30 Sep 1947 Wray, Yuma County, Colorado, Burial Grandview Cemetery Wray, Yuma County, Colorado, Memorial ID 24585484.

"The editor of The Wray Rattler has written his last story. The Master Printer wrote “Thirty'* to the earthly career of Arthur E. Weber a few minutes before midnight Tuesday, September 30. Death struck suddenly and without warning from coronary thrombosis. Mr. Weber worked on his newspaper until 9:00 o'clock that evening, and appeared to be in his usual health.
Shortly before midnight he aroused from his sleep and raised up in bed, then fell back lifeless.
Mr. Weber had been editor and pubisher of the Wray Rattler since 1942, and had been associated with his father-in-law, the late Frank E. LaShelle, on the publication since 1931.
He was born at Butte, Nebr., April 30, 1903, the eldest of eight children. His education was received in the schools of his native state and he received degrees in music and English from the Nebraska State College at Wayne. Following his graduation he taugny school two years, then became a member of an orchestra.
In May of 1928 he came to Wray and purchased a cleaning shop, which he operated for two years. He was married to Luthara LaShelle on December 30, 1928, and during the years she has been his able and active partner, both in newspaper office and in the home. He became associated with his father-in-law on the Wray Rattler in 1931, and following Mr. LaShelle's death in 1942 he became publisher and editor of the paper, a position he held with trust and honor.
Mr. Weber took keen interest in community activities, and was a leader in musical groups, lodges and civic organizations. For many years he directed the town band, and has served other organizations as pianist, as well as in other official capacities. He was Past Master of A. F. & A. M. and Past Noble Grand of the Odd Fellows Lodge, a member of the Wray Chamber of Commerce, of the Methodist church, and the Rotary Club of Wray.
Arthur Weber was held in highest esteem by newspaper groups and was a member of the Colorado Press Association.
The deceased is survived by his wife, Luthara Weber, his mother-in-law, Mrs. Frank LaShelle; three sisters, Genevieve Schultz of Butte, Nebraska; Alice E. Weber of Chicago, Illinois; Marie Sextro, of Butte, Nebraska; four brothers, Nickie of Wray; Joe of San Francisco, California; Edgar of Webster City, Iowa; and Bart of Chicago, Illinois.
His parents preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be conducted front the Methodist church in Wray at 2:00 o'clock Saturday afternoon, in charge of Rev. K. Orlando Lee, and burial will be made, in the family plot at Grandview cemetery. '30'"

"The following relatives from out-of town came to Wray the latter part of last week to attend the funeral services held Saturday for the late Editor of the Rattler, Arthur Weber: Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Grant and John Grant of Sacramento, California, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cox of Oakdale, California, Lt. (j. g.) Joseph M. Weber of San Francisco, California, Mrs. Herman Schultz and sons ißob and Joey and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sextro and Nick Weber, all of Butte, Nebraska, Mr. and Mrs. Bart Weber of Chicago, Illinois, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Weber and two daughters of Webster City, lowa, Dr. and Mrs- C. 0. LaShelle and Mr. Hugh LaShelle of Manhatan, Kansas, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph La Shelle of Junction City, Kansas, Mrs. Dan La Shelle, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Miller and daughter Sally May of Salina, Kansas, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Henderson of Mahaska, Kansas."

July 1948 "Luthara LaShelle Weber, who with her mother, Mrs. F. E. LaShelle, has owned and operated the Wray Rattler at Wray since the death a few years ago of the late Frank E. LaShelle, and her youthful publisher and editor, Nickie M. Weber, younger brother of Mrs. Weber's late husband, Arthur E. Weber, are honeymooning following festive rites that celebrated their marriage Saturday forenoon at St. Andrew's Catholic church. Fr. Jos A. Korb officiated at the marriage ceremony.
Invitations were extended to a large number to attend the service, which was followed by a breakfast at the LaShelle-Weber home. About forty selected friends were guests at the breakfast.
Mrs. Weber wore a "Colorado blue” nylon chiffon gown in the new length, with a white straw hat from which white nylon scalloped veiling fell to the waist. Her elaborate bride's bouquet was centered with a white orchid. Her matron of honor, Mrs. L. J. McMillan, wore pink chiffon. Mr. Weber was attended by Mr. McMillan and ushers were C. Neill Ross of Lindsay, Okla., and Henry Pattock.
The bride has spent the greater part of her life at Wray. Soon after her graduation from the high school here in 1924, she became associated with her father in publishing the Wray Rattler.
Her present husband came to Wray after he was discharged from the Air Corps in December 1946 to make his home with his brother and wife and to be associated with the newspaper.
After the death of his brother last September, he became editor and publisher and shortly afterward the masthead carried his name as part owner of the paper with Mrs. Weber and Mrs. LaShelle.
The couple plans to honeymoon for two weeks and then return here to continue with their work."


"Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Weber and two little daughters of Webster City, Iowa arrived Friday afternoon for the wedding of Edgar’s brother Nickie M. Weber to Luthara L. Weber."

January 1949 "Lt. (USCG) and Mrs. Joseph M. Weber of San Mateo, California are the parents of a baby daughter born January 14th. The young lady tipped the scales at 7 lbs. V 4 oz. She has been named Rebecca Jane. The new arrival is a neice of Mr. and Mrs. Nickle M. Weber."

May 1951 " Lt. and Mrs. Nickle M. Weber of Lackland Air Force Base at San Antonio, Tex., have been here this week. Mrs. Weber will remain for a visit with her mother, Mrs. F. E. LaShelle, and Lt. Weber will return to the Base by plane on Sunday."

January 1952 "Mr. and Mrs. Gene Warner were in Denver from Saturday until Monday. While gone they attended the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. The Warners were accompanied up by Mrs. Nickie M. Weber who spent the weekend with Lt. Weber who is stationed at Lowry Field while taking a special course in photography. "

April 1952 "Lt. and Mrs. Nickie M. Weber came Saturday morning from Offutt Field, Omaha, to see Mrs. Weber’s mother, Mrs. F. E. LaShelle. Lt. Weber returned to his base on Sunday and Mrs. Weber remained to spend three weeks with her mother."

May 1953 "Mrs. Nickie Weber will dispose of many furniture items and other household goods at the LaShelle residence on East Fifth street on Saturday afternoon starting at 1:30 o’clock. "

Luthara LaShelle Weber Birth 1906 Kansas, Death 1968 Burial Grandview Cemetery Wray, Yuma County, Colorado, Memorial ID 24585444.

"Mrs. Luthera Weber, 62, a longtime residhit of Wray and a former editor of the Wray Rattler, died of a heart attack Friday, Feb. 2, at 11:30 a. m. at the Rancho Sierra Motel in Reno, Nev.
She and her husband, Nickle, were returning to their home in Bellevue, Nebr., after visiting with relatives in San Francisco. Calif.
Cremation was performed at Obrien and Rogers Funeral Home in Reno with the remains mailed to Lockwood Mortuary in Wray. The ashes arrived Monday and are being held at the mortuary, apparently to be placed at the family plot located at Grandview Cemetery.
Following the death of her father, Frank E. LaShelle, in 1942, Mrs. Weber and her first husband, Arthur, operated the Rattler until he died Sept. 30. 1947. Approximately four months later she married Arthur's brother. Nickle.
They operated the Rattler until it was sold to the Wray Gazette in April, 1949.
From Wray the Webers moved to Bellevue, where they made their home. After working a short time for the Bellevue Press, Mr. Weber became engaged in real estate.
Before making their trip to California, Mrs. Weber was a patient at the Wray Community District Hospital from Dec. 29 until she was released Jan. 8."

Matthew Nickolus Weber Birth 25 Feb 1922 Butte, Boyd County, Nebraska, Death 9 Sep 1992 Burial Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery Fernley, Lyon County, Nevada, Memorial ID 62157255.

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