Martin & Zelda Capehart Genealogy Website

Martin & Zelda Capehart Genealogy Website

The information on this website has been compiled from many sources. We have tried to document and verify all information as much as possible and will continue to do so. If you find an error or have additional information please contact us.

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~~ In Loving Memory -- John & Sara Elizabeth (Burton) Capehart ~~

Martin's grandparents

John Ellis Capehart

The only photo we have of Sara is of John and her in a group photo.

Two very special people whose lives were cut short. Who never got to see their children grow up or see and hold their grandchildren.

Following their marriage they lived at Hermitage, Missouri where William Arval was born January 13, 1898, then moved to Iowa (they were there when the 1900 U S Federal Census was taken) where Mabel may have been born on June 12 1901 and then back to Hermitage where Retta Lorene was born August 4, 1903. Sometime between 1903 and 1908 they migrated west to Colorado and made their home in the Wiley, Colorado area. Their son, Ray Ellis was born prematurely on February 2, 1908 at their home. His mother was ill with the fever at the time of his birth and died of pneumonia when he was only two days old. His father also had the fever and died of pneumonia when Ray was 11 days old.

Here is an excerpt from their story as written by John's niece, Blanche Severin. I have transcribed it as it was written.

John Ellis Capehart was born Sept. 14, 1865 at Iowa County, IA to George & Sara Ann (McCullough) Capehart. Sara Elizabeth was born Sept. 9, 1871 at Hickory County, MO to William & Mary Jane Burton.

They were married January 27, 1897 at Hermitage, Missouri at the home of Sara's parents.

"Do you know the story of your grandparents - Martin? At the time this typhoid struck, they were living in Wiley, Colorado. Of course, now most of us have had typhoid shots - Especially if one travels around - Our soldiers - school children & many adults have it as a matter of course -

All were very ill - Uncle John - Orville - Mabel and Retta. Seemingly the mother Elizabeth did not actually get it - so nursed & cared for the family - even tho she was pregnant she kept going. Being contagious - it was hard to find help to come in - So the weary mother gave birth to a tiny 7 mo. along baby - Ray - she lived about a week. John was able to be up by that time but the long fever and sickness left him bad off -- bad heart etc - so Dr. told him he would not survive long - So John had written to Mary Sheeder asking her to come get the children - He wanted some of his folks to raise them. So it took awhile to get ready to come - so Uncle Lee Capehart who lived at that time near Walnut in Shelby Co. on a farm - Aunt Mary Sheeder & Uncle Jim Sheeder all went out to Wiley - I expect by train. They had not telegraphed ahead they were coming so Uncle John had been layed to rest before they arrived - The children were being cared for at neighbors - now a days - an infant under 5 lbs is usually kept in an incubator in Hosp - but not then and he had not been born in a Hops - so this 3 lb. baby was lovingly cared for - and brot along with the other children...."

Bye -- Blanche

Transcribed by Zelda Capehart

We obtained their death certificates in May of 2005 and pneumonia is listed as the cause of both of their deaths. They were buried in Fairview Cemetery at Wiley, Colorado in unmarked graves. The cemetery has since been renamed Wiley Cemetery.

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John's death certificate

Sara's death certificate

Creations by Zelda

The Martin & Zelda Capehart Genealogy Website

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