Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NameFrederick Conrow 
Birth5 Aug 1870, Freehold, Monmouth Co, NJ
Census26 Jun 1880, Dist 10, Tipton Co, TN
Memoroll#1282, pg 444
Census1 Mar 1885, Wabaunsee Twp, Wabaunsee Co, KS
MemoRoll: KS1885_138; Line: 25
Census1 Mar 1895, Caldwell, Sumner Co, KS
MemoRoll: v115_152; Line: 25
Census1 Mar 1905, Caldwell, Sumner Co, KS
MemoRoll: ks1905_161; Line: 10
Census20 Apr 1910, Caldwell, Sumner Co, KS
Memoroll#458, pg 28
Census1 Mar 1915, Brookville, Saline Co, KS
MemoRoll: ks1915_212; Line: 20
Census22 Jan 1920, Brookville, Saline Co, KS
Memoroll#548, pg 266
Census1 Mar 1925, Gypsum, Saline Co, KS
MemoRoll: KS1925_133; Line: 10
Census4 Apr 1930, Gypsum, Saline Co, KS
Memoroll#719, pg 3
Death26 Nov 1939, San Jose, Santa Clara Co, CA
Burial29 Nov 1939, Caldwell City Cem, Caldwell, Sumner Co, KS
MemoSect 6
OccupationStation Agent, Bank Cashier, Banker
Anst File#LTC9-QN9
FatherDaniel Van Note Conrow (1834-1907)
MotherSarah Vanderveer Smock (1831-1911)
Misc. Notes
Stories from Gertrude Ruttan and Frances Poynter, plus newspaper clippings . . .
A family story is that he worked as telegraph dispatcher on the Rock Island R.R. The day the Cherokee Strip opened Oklahoma (Sept 1892) he took the order that sent the train into Oklahoma, then closed and went to see Mamie, who worked in a lawyers office, thinking it was the only one. Another train came in and no one was there . . .
[Marriage] The Caldwell News - Thu, 21 Mar 1895, pg 5
CONROW—COOPER.
Precisely at 7 o'clock two other young and happy hearts were joined as one, and two lives were united in those bonds, the most sacred to human existence. At the elegant home of Hon. Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Cooper, of this city, their only daughter Miss Mamie, was united in marriage to Mr. Fred Conrow. The wedding march was beautifully played by Miss Gertie Waler after which Rev Jesse A. B. Oglevee pronounced the words which made them husband and wife. After the ceremony all partook of a sumptuous bridal feast and the evening was spent in delightful social intercourse.
The presents were handsome and abundant. Mr. Conrow is a telegraph operator at the Rock Island depot, and is a young Christian gentleman of irreproachable character. His bride is one of Caldwell's most highly esteemed and lovely daughters, a lady of many personal accomplishments and one who will make her home full of sunshine and happiness. They left the same evening on the Rock Island train for the home of Mr. Conrow's parents, where they will visit a short time, before settling down to their future home in this city. The best wishes of all their friends go with them through life.
His daughter's birth cert says he was living in Whitewater in 1900 as a Station Agent. In 1910 they were listed in Caldwell, with him as a Bank Cashier, along with Fred Jr. (14) and Louise (9). He owned his home free and clear. In 1911, they moved to Brookville and he bought the bank there. 1920 census lists them in Brookville. Fred as a Bank Cashier, with Mamie and Louise (19) who is listed as "Booker Bank" which probably meant book keeper at the bank. Also living with them was Mamie's mother, Mary Cooper (76), who died that year. In 1921 they moved to Gypsum where he worked as a cashier at a bank and lived there until they went to California in 1935. He was a banker for 27 years and retired in 1932 after paying some of his depositors with his own money during the depression. After that they lived on money from Mamie's inheritance. He died in San Jose 4 years later of ventricular fibrillation and coronary sclerosis.
[Obituary] Oakland Tribune, CA - Tue, 28 Nov 1939, pg B 31
CONROW - In San Jose, Nov. 25, Frederick Conrow, husband of Mamie Conrow, father of Frederick Conrow Jr. and Mrs. Louise Ruttan, a native of Kansas.
His body was returned to Kansas for burial as noted in his wife’s obituary.
A family story is that he worked as telegraph dispatcher on the Rock Island R.R. The day the Cherokee Strip opened Oklahoma (Sept 1892) he took the order that sent the train into Oklahoma, then closed and went to see Mamie, who worked in a lawyers office, thinking it was the only one. Another train came in and no one was there . . .
[Marriage] The Caldwell News - Thu, 21 Mar 1895, pg 5
CONROW—COOPER.
Precisely at 7 o'clock two other young and happy hearts were joined as one, and two lives were united in those bonds, the most sacred to human existence. At the elegant home of Hon. Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Cooper, of this city, their only daughter Miss Mamie, was united in marriage to Mr. Fred Conrow. The wedding march was beautifully played by Miss Gertie Waler after which Rev Jesse A. B. Oglevee pronounced the words which made them husband and wife. After the ceremony all partook of a sumptuous bridal feast and the evening was spent in delightful social intercourse.
The presents were handsome and abundant. Mr. Conrow is a telegraph operator at the Rock Island depot, and is a young Christian gentleman of irreproachable character. His bride is one of Caldwell's most highly esteemed and lovely daughters, a lady of many personal accomplishments and one who will make her home full of sunshine and happiness. They left the same evening on the Rock Island train for the home of Mr. Conrow's parents, where they will visit a short time, before settling down to their future home in this city. The best wishes of all their friends go with them through life.
His daughter's birth cert says he was living in Whitewater in 1900 as a Station Agent. In 1910 they were listed in Caldwell, with him as a Bank Cashier, along with Fred Jr. (14) and Louise (9). He owned his home free and clear. In 1911, they moved to Brookville and he bought the bank there. 1920 census lists them in Brookville. Fred as a Bank Cashier, with Mamie and Louise (19) who is listed as "Booker Bank" which probably meant book keeper at the bank. Also living with them was Mamie's mother, Mary Cooper (76), who died that year. In 1921 they moved to Gypsum where he worked as a cashier at a bank and lived there until they went to California in 1935. He was a banker for 27 years and retired in 1932 after paying some of his depositors with his own money during the depression. After that they lived on money from Mamie's inheritance. He died in San Jose 4 years later of ventricular fibrillation and coronary sclerosis.
[Obituary] Oakland Tribune, CA - Tue, 28 Nov 1939, pg B 31
CONROW - In San Jose, Nov. 25, Frederick Conrow, husband of Mamie Conrow, father of Frederick Conrow Jr. and Mrs. Louise Ruttan, a native of Kansas.
His body was returned to Kansas for burial as noted in his wife’s obituary.
Spouses
Birth28 Apr 1874, Caldwell, Sumner Co, KS
Death5 Jan 1943, Salina, Saline Co, KS
MemoSt. John's Hospital
BurialCaldwell City Cem, Caldwell, Sumner Co, KS
MemoSection 6
ReligionPresbyterian Church
FatherIsaac Newton Cooper (1835-1914)
MotherMary Louise Wilcox (1840-1920)
Misc. Notes
She was listed simply as female Cooper in the 1875 census, age 1. Then as age 6 in the 1880 census.
According to Frances Ruttan Holland, "she saw Lincoln's funeral train pass by with her mother standing beside her, holding her hand, when she was about 6 years old." She was an only child, her father raised cattle in Ohio and was well off. According to Francis Ruttan "her mother got land on the opening of the Cherokee Strip, and that is where she got some of her money". Graduated from Caldwell High School on May 29th 1891 at the Grand Opera House (their 4th annual ceremony). She inherited the family money when her father died (1914) and used it for living on when her husband used all of their money to pay the depositors of his bank during the depression.
The two of them are listed in Gypsum in 1930, with Fred working as a bank cashier.
They moved to San Jose around 1935. Her husband Fred died in 1939, and she is listed in their house on Chapman street in 1940, widowed and living alone.
Mamie then returned to Brookville, Kansas in Sept 1941, where she lived until her death. She died in St. John's Hospital, Salina of cerebral embolism & _______ thrombosis (stroke) after 10 days in the hospital. Death cert says she lived in Brookville for 31 years, lists her parents and their birthplace, and her birthdate. The information was supplied by her son Fred C. Conrow.
[Obituary] The Echo, Brookville KS - Sat, 6 Feb 1943, pg 4
MRS. MAMIE CONROW
Mamie Cooper Conrow, only child of the late Isaac N. and Mary L. Cooper was born April 28th, 1874, at Caldwell, Kansas. In March 1895 she was united in marriage to Frederick Conrow, continuing to live at Caldwell until August, 1911, when they came to Brookville. Mr. Conrow was cashier of The Brookville State Bank until 1921 when they moved to Gypsum where he was in the banking business for 15 years. They then went to California where Mr. Conrow passed away three years ago.
In September, 1941, Mrs. Conrow came to Brookville where she lived until her Master called her; passing away at St. John's Hospital in Salina, January 5th, 1943. While Mrs. Conrow had poor health for a number of years, she was critically ill but a few days. She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church. She belonged to the Rebekah Lodge, Ladies Aid, Sunday School and
P. M. O. Club of Brookville. She will be sadly missed everywhere by relatives and friends.
She leaves one son, Fred of Salina, a daughter Louise Ruttan of San Jose, California, and four grandchildren; Phyllis and Dick Conrow of Salina, Jean Ruttan of San Jose, California and Bill of the U. S. Marines.
Funeral services were held at the Rush Smith Funeral Home at Salina, Friday afternoon, January 8th, the Reverend Kerns officiating. The remains were then taken to Caldwell for burial. Services were held in the Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon January 10th by the Reverend Holland. She was laid to rest beside her husband.
NOTE: in going thru a closet full of family albums after her granddaughter’s death in 2001, a scrapbook of Mamie’s was found with newspaper clippings for her grandfather’s obituary, a cousin’s obituary, quotes of her father relating to Custer, and other publications relating to or wirtten by various relatives, plus lots of poems,
According to Frances Ruttan Holland, "she saw Lincoln's funeral train pass by with her mother standing beside her, holding her hand, when she was about 6 years old." She was an only child, her father raised cattle in Ohio and was well off. According to Francis Ruttan "her mother got land on the opening of the Cherokee Strip, and that is where she got some of her money". Graduated from Caldwell High School on May 29th 1891 at the Grand Opera House (their 4th annual ceremony). She inherited the family money when her father died (1914) and used it for living on when her husband used all of their money to pay the depositors of his bank during the depression.
The two of them are listed in Gypsum in 1930, with Fred working as a bank cashier.
They moved to San Jose around 1935. Her husband Fred died in 1939, and she is listed in their house on Chapman street in 1940, widowed and living alone.
Mamie then returned to Brookville, Kansas in Sept 1941, where she lived until her death. She died in St. John's Hospital, Salina of cerebral embolism & _______ thrombosis (stroke) after 10 days in the hospital. Death cert says she lived in Brookville for 31 years, lists her parents and their birthplace, and her birthdate. The information was supplied by her son Fred C. Conrow.
[Obituary] The Echo, Brookville KS - Sat, 6 Feb 1943, pg 4
MRS. MAMIE CONROW
Mamie Cooper Conrow, only child of the late Isaac N. and Mary L. Cooper was born April 28th, 1874, at Caldwell, Kansas. In March 1895 she was united in marriage to Frederick Conrow, continuing to live at Caldwell until August, 1911, when they came to Brookville. Mr. Conrow was cashier of The Brookville State Bank until 1921 when they moved to Gypsum where he was in the banking business for 15 years. They then went to California where Mr. Conrow passed away three years ago.
In September, 1941, Mrs. Conrow came to Brookville where she lived until her Master called her; passing away at St. John's Hospital in Salina, January 5th, 1943. While Mrs. Conrow had poor health for a number of years, she was critically ill but a few days. She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church. She belonged to the Rebekah Lodge, Ladies Aid, Sunday School and
P. M. O. Club of Brookville. She will be sadly missed everywhere by relatives and friends.
She leaves one son, Fred of Salina, a daughter Louise Ruttan of San Jose, California, and four grandchildren; Phyllis and Dick Conrow of Salina, Jean Ruttan of San Jose, California and Bill of the U. S. Marines.
Funeral services were held at the Rush Smith Funeral Home at Salina, Friday afternoon, January 8th, the Reverend Kerns officiating. The remains were then taken to Caldwell for burial. Services were held in the Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon January 10th by the Reverend Holland. She was laid to rest beside her husband.
NOTE: in going thru a closet full of family albums after her granddaughter’s death in 2001, a scrapbook of Mamie’s was found with newspaper clippings for her grandfather’s obituary, a cousin’s obituary, quotes of her father relating to Custer, and other publications relating to or wirtten by various relatives, plus lots of poems,
Marriage20 Mar 1895, Caldwell, Sumner Co, KS
Marr Memoby Jesse Oglevee
ChildrenFrederick Cooper (1895-1976)
Anna “Luise” (1900-1955)