Robert Lee Nighswonger: McKeown Genealogy

1917 - 2020 (102 years)

Generation: 1

Robert Lee Nighswonger was born on 15 Jul 1917 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas (son of Jay Nighswonger and Nannie Jane Paisley); died on 11 Jul 2020 in Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas; was buried in Bluff Cemetery, Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas.

Notes:

Robert Lee Nighswonger, Sr. of Springdale, Arkansas
July 15, 1917 - July 11, 2020
Robert Lee Nighswonger, 102, of Springdale, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord July 11, 2020. He was born July 15, 1917 in Viola, Kansas to the late Jay and Nannie (Paisley) Nighswonger. He was a man of God and volunteered in the Cross Church Singing Saints and the Baptistery Ministry until age and health prevented him. He was a WW2 Army Veteran. After serving he became a machinist and retired from both Bowing of Wichita, Kansas and Danaher of Springdale, Arkansas. He moved his family to Springdale in 1970.He recently lived in the Wind Crest Residency. He passed at the Maples Rehab facility where he went when his health declined due to the isolation from the COVID 19. He never got it but he missed his family and friends while locked away. He will be greatly missed here but is enjoying his homecoming in Heaven! He was preceded in death by his spouse of 73 years, Freda (Gubitz) Nighswonger; son, Robert Lee Nighswonger, Jr.; Stepmother Sybil Nighswonger; two siblings, Dale Nighswonger and Annabel (Nighswonger) Libby.

He is survived by three children and 2 in-laws: Pamela (Nighswonger) Ariola, Brenda (Nighswonger) Riecker, Brent A. Nighswonger and wife Vicki (Reed) Nighswonger, Wanna (Reynolds) Nighswonger, spouse of Robert Jr.; 14 Grandchildren and numerous Great-Grandchildren and several Great-Great Grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale, Arkansas with the Reverend Charlie Foster officiating, under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home 3926 Willowood Avenue Springdale, Arkansas 72762. Visitation will be from 2:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. Friday, July 17, 2020 in the chapel of Memorial Funeral Home.

http://www.memorialfhspringdale.com/obituary/robert-nighswonger-sr

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51716818/robert-lee-nighswonger

Family/Spouse: Freda Helen Gubitz. Freda was born on 11 Sep 1921 in Conway Springs, Sumner County, Kansas; died on 18 Nov 2012 in Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas; was buried in Bluff Cemetery, Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Generation: 2

Jay Nighswonger was born on 9 Nov 1887 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas (son of William Peter Nighswonger and Anna Cloadine Parker); died on 24 Dec 1953 in Oswego, Labette County, Kansas; was buried in Harrington Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Other Events:

Census: 1920, Conway Township, Sumner County, Kansas
Census: 1930, Conway Township, Sumner County, Kansas

Notes:

J.W. Nighswonger
Special to the Sun
Oswego – A heart attack suffered while he was doing his evening chores proved fatal to J.W. Nighswonger, Oswego farmer. He died about 6 p.m. Tuesday at his home 1 1/2 miles southwest of Oswego.
Mr. and Mrs. Nighswonger had just returned home a short time earlier from a week’s visit in Viola. He had driven through the snow and complained of being quite tired after the trip.
He was born Nov. 9, 1887 at Viola and had lived there all of his life until he came to Oswego in 1946.
He was married to Nannie Paisley on July 19, 1911 at Kenneth, Kas. She died in August 1918. On Aug. 15, 1929, he was married to Sibyl Drury at Lamar, Colo. She survives. Other survivors include three children, Mrs. Annabelle Libby of Wichita, Dale of Wellington and Robert to Clearwater; five brothers, Perry of Viola, Paul of Howard, Fred of Clearwater, Myron of Hastings, Neb., and Laurence of Wichita; three sisters, Mrs. Ora Teichner, Clarkston, Wash, Mrs. Gladys Kinney of Arkansas City and Mrs. Joy Vaughn of Pueblo, Colo. Nine grandchildren also survive.
He was a member of the Oswego Baptist Church and was chairman of the board. Services will be at the church at 2 p.m. Thursday, conducted by the Rev. Albert Atkinson. The bogy will be taken Saturday to Viola for burial.

The Parsons Sun. Wednesday, 23 December 1951

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20331727/jay-w-nighswonger

Section 4, Lot 13

Jay married Nannie Jane Paisley. Nannie was born on 4 May 1891 in Johnson County, Kansas; died on 27 Aug 1918 in Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Harrington Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nannie Jane Paisley was born on 4 May 1891 in Johnson County, Kansas; died on 27 Aug 1918 in Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Harrington Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Notes:

Mrs. Nighswonger Dead.
Mrs. J. W. Nighswonger died at her home seven miles northwest of Conway Springs, Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock, after an illness of a few weeks. She leaves her husband and three small children, one a baby thirteen months old.
Funeral services were held at the County Line Baptist church this morning at 10 o'clock.

Conway Springs Star, Northfield, Kansas, Thursday, 29 August 1918.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20331753/nannie-jane-nighswonger

Section 4, Lot 13

Children:

Annabelle Nighswonger was born on 19 May 1912 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died on 16 Jan 1989; was buried in Wichita Park Cemetery and Mausoleum, Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Dale Ernest Nighswonger was born on 2 Oct 1914 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died on 12 Apr 1995 in Manhattan, Riley County, Kansas; was buried in Harrington Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
1. Robert Lee Nighswonger was born on 15 Jul 1917 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died on 11 Jul 2020 in Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas; was buried in Bluff Cemetery, Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas.

Generation: 3

William Peter Nighswonger was born on 2 Jun 1856 in Marshall County, Illinois; died on 10 Jan 1918; was buried on 16 Jan 1918 in Harrington Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Other Events:

Census: 1900, Viola Township, Sedgwick County, Kansas

Notes:

William P. Nighswonger
William P. Nighswonger was born in Marshal Co., Illinois, June 2nd, 1856, and departed this life January 10, 1918, age 61 years, 7 mos. And 18 days. Death came after a brief illness of Mayo Carditis. He came with his parents to Sedgwick County, Kans, in March, 1881.
He was married to Anna Parker, Sept. 14, 1881. To this union were born 15 children. He leaves to mourn his loss a devoted companion, and 10 children; Jay and Perry of Viola, Mrs. Mary Comstock and Mrs. Ora Teichiner who live in Gooding, Idaho, Paul in training at Camp Doniphan and Fred in training at San Antonio, Myron, Lawrence, Gladys and Joyce at home. Mrs. Clara Cox died Jan 10, 1917 and was laid away ni the Gooding cemetery, Gooding, Idaho, Jan. 14, 1917. The deceased also leaves a mother past 90 living here, and three brothers, Saul and Isaac of Viola and Frank of Wichita. He also leaves 9 grandchildren. Besides these he leaves numerous other relatives and a host of friends.
He was converted in early manhood and was baptized into the Whitefield Baptist church of Whitefield, Ills. He was a charter member of the Ninnescah church here, concerning the prosperity of which he was always anxious. He was ordained as a deacon in 1886. At death he held membership with the Smoky Hill Baptist church near where he lived concerning the work of which he was much interested, having moved into that community in Logan county, Kans., the spring of 1909.
He was always able to discover and appreciate the happy, hopeful things of life. He was an earnest consistent christian, a faithful husband a good father and a much appreciated citizen and neighbor. While we say he is dead yet he liveth.
Funeral services were conducted in Viola by F. Carey, Baptist pastor, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 1918, and interment was made in the Ninnescah cemetery.

Clearwater Courent, Clearwater, Kansas. Thursday, 24 January 1918

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20331824/william-peter-nighswonger

Section 4, Lot 14

William married Anna Cloadine Parker on 14 Sep 1881. Anna (daughter of Moses Parker and Mary Shuck) was born on 1 Mar 1861 in Mediapolis, Des Moines County, Iowa; died on 22 Jan 1952 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Harrington Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna Cloadine Parker was born on 1 Mar 1861 in Mediapolis, Des Moines County, Iowa (daughter of Moses Parker and Mary Shuck); died on 22 Jan 1952 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Harrington Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Notes:

Nighswonger funeral services arranged
Funeral services for Mrs. Anna C. Nighswonger, 90, who died Tuesday at the home of a son Lawrence Nighswonger, 602 North Grove, will be held at 2:30 Thursday at the Clearwater Baptist church. Dr. George B. McClelland, pastor of the Emanuel Baptist church, here, and Rev. James Bearden, of the Clearwater Baptist church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Harrington cemetery at Clearwater. The Webb mortuary of Clearwater will be in charge of services. Byrd-Snodgrass funeral home is in charge locally.

Wichita Evening Eagle, Wichita, Kansas. Wednesday, 23 January 1952.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20330477/anna-cloadine-nighswonger

Section 4, Lot 14

Children:

Perry Parker Nighswonger was born on 16 Sep 1882 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died on 2 Mar 1954 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Harrington Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Mary Ellen Nighswonger was born on 6 Jul 1884 in Kansas; died on 6 Dec 1945 in Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho; was buried on 10 Dec 1945 in Kohlerlawn Cemetery, Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho.
2. Jay Nighswonger was born on 9 Nov 1887 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died on 24 Dec 1953 in Oswego, Labette County, Kansas; was buried in Harrington Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Clara Nighswonger was born on 18 Oct 1889 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died on 10 Jan 1917 in Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho; was buried on 11 Jan 1917 in Elmwood Cemetery, Gooding, Gooding County, Idaho.
Paul Emerson Nighswonger was born on 31 Jan 1891 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died on 2 Feb 1965 in Kansas; was buried in Viola Cemetery, Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Fred Theodore Nighswonger was born on 1 Mar 1894 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died on 25 Nov 1957; was buried in Clearwater Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Myron Sellars Nighswonger was born on 15 Nov 1896 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died in 1968 in Nebraska; was buried in Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.
Ora Gail Nighswonger was born on 29 Oct 1898 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died on 6 Apr 1963 in Clarkston, Asotin County, Washington; was buried in Vineland Cemetery, Clarkston, Asotin County, Washington.
Lawrence Richard Nighswonger was born on 8 Jun 1900 in Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died on 20 Feb 1974 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Gladys Nighswonger was born on 9 Dec 1902 in Kansas; died in Mar 1984; was buried in Peotone Cemetery, Viola, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Joy Nighswonger was born in 1907 in Kansas.

Generation: 4

10.

Moses Parker was born on 27 May 1827 in Ireland (son of John Parker and Margarett McBride); died on 25 May 1918; was buried in Clearwater Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Other Events:

Occupation: farmer and Baptist minister
Census: 1860, Yellow Springs, Des Moines County, Iowa
Census: 1870, Panola, Woodford County, Illinois
Census: 1880, Ninnescah, Sedgwick County, Kansas
Census: 1885, Ninnescah, Sedgwick County, Kansas
Census: 1895, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas
Census: 1900, Ninnescah, Sedgwick County, Kansas

Notes:

William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas. First published in 1883 by A.T. Andreas, Chicago, IL. Sedgwick County, part 21. Clearwater. This pretty little village was platted in 1872. It is quite off the line of railway communication, and has not grown very much. It is in Ninnescah Township, on the banks of the Ninnescah River, one of the most beautiful streams in Southern Kansas. Clearwater has a postoffice, two general stores, and a blacksmith shop. It has a good class of settlers in and surrounding the village.

Biographical sketches - Ninnescah Township.
MOSES PARKER, farmer, Section 31, and clergyman, P. O. Beverly, was born in Ireland, in 1826. Is a son of John and Margaret McBridge Parker. Was married in 1858, to Miss Mary Shuck, daughter of William and Elizabeth Sappenfield Shuck. Has eight children - Anna C., Margaret E., John W., Robert L., Elmer E., Ira E., Elmira M., and Charles L. Parker. Came to Kansas in 1876, located on a farm, where he now resides. Owns 480 acres of land. Is engaged in farming and stock raising. Commenced the work of the ministry in 1858; was ordained as pastor of the Huron Baptist Church, in Iowa. Remained pastor for seven years, then went to Carlisle to assist in erecting a church building. Was pastor of the church until the completion of the building. Was appointed missionary for the American Baptist Publication Society, supported by the Burlington and Keokuk Associations. Was engaged in that work for two years, then took the pastorate of two churches in Woodford County, Ill. Remained five years, then removed to Des Moines County, Iowa, remained four years, then moved to Kansas. Since coming to Kansas, has been instrumental in organizing five Baptist Churches. Is Postmaster of Beverly P. O. Has held the office for two years.

http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/sedgwick/sedgwick-co-p21.html#CLEARWATER

Text taken from Clearwater Baptist Church website, but in 2017 the text is no longer there:
In the later 1800s, when Clearwater was a young community, some people saw the need for a Baptist Church. Moses Parker and his brother Wililam Parker were contacted in Illinois and asked to come to Clearwater and help start a Baptist Church. They came and the church was organized on 9 September 1876. There were 18 members.

From the Fraternal Order Death Index, 1873-1969. Moses Parker was a member of 100F Lodge No.265.

Rev. Wm. Parker and Moses Parker, both members of the Baptist church, the one from Iowa and the other from Illinois, have purchases places near Clearwater. The Lacon Journal speaks very highly of Elder Wm. Parker and notices the fact that eh started two cars loaded with find cattle and sheep, fruit trees and implements for Wichita, and speaks with regret of the loss to the schools of Miss Nettie, his daughter. We welcome the gentlemen to our valley.
The Weekly Eagle, Wichita, Kansas. Thursday, 6 April 1876.

Parker Re-union
The descendants of Rev. Moses Parker gathered at the country home of Jay Nighswonger near Viola for a big Christmas re-union.
Mr. Parker is a pioneer of Sedgwick County and organizer of the early Baptist Church in Southern Kansas.
Those present were: Mrs. Anna Nighswonger, Mr. Perry Nighswonger and son and daughter, Harold and Wilda; Jay Nighswonger and children, Annabell, Dale and Robert; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Nighswonger and daughter Lois; Fred Myron, Lawrence, Gladys and Joy Nighswonger; Mr. and Mrs. Claude Harrington and children, Lloyd, Ray, Don and Margaret; Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Drury and children, Sibyl, Leslie, Merle, Edith, Verne, Raymond and Roy; E.E. Parker; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Parker and family, Wayne, Alice, Catherine, Moses, Browne, Mellisa and Willard.
Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Parker and family of Hays, Kansas, were unable to be present.
Clearwater Courant, Clearwater, Kansas. Thursday, 25 December 1921, page 1.

"Uncle" Moses Parker, 91 years old and for 60 years a Baptist minister in Sedgwick county, died at Chearwater this week. He was born in Ireland and had played a prominent part in the pioneer days of southern Kansas, and had also been one of the "49ers" in old California days.
Coffeyville Daily Journal, Coffeyville, Kansas. 7 June 1918. Page 4.

Uncle Moses Parker was county Pioneer. Sixty years he served as a minister of the Baptist church. With the death of "Uncle Moses" Parker of Clearwater recently, there passed away one of the oldest and best known pioneers of Sedgwick County. He was 91 years old and for 60 years was a Baptist minister. Most of those 60 years were spent in the vicinity of Clearwater, as he came to Kansas in 1876 and settled close to that place soon after.
He had a prominent part in the development of Southern Kansas. He was born in Ireland and was an Odd Fellow. Altho in later years a minister, he was one of the "49ers". He took part in the strenuous rush to California for gold in the early days before Kansas was known to many persons. He was then but about 20 years old, but went thru with many hardships before returning and settling down. He is survived by six children.
The Wichita Beacon, Wichita, Kansas. 6 June 1918. Page 6.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23876318/moses-parker

Section 1, Lot 93, Grave 2

Moses married Mary Shuck in 1858. Mary was born on 1 Mar 1838 in Iowa; died on 23 Feb 1905 in Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Clearwater Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

11.

Mary Shuck was born on 1 Mar 1838 in Iowa; died on 23 Feb 1905 in Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Clearwater Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Notes:

Died: At her home in Clearwater Feb. 23rd, Mrs. Mary Parker, wife of Rev. Moses Parker. She was buried in the cemetery at Clearwater on the 25th. Had she lived til March 1st she would have been 67 years old. Mrs. Parker was well known by the people of this city, and highly esteemed for her many christian graces.
The Reflector, Garden City, Kansas. Thursday, 2 March 1905.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23876314/mary-parker

Section 1, Lot 93, Grave 3

Children:

Emma Parker was born about 1860 in Iowa; died before 1870; was buried in Old Stone Church Cemetery, Dodgeville, Des Moines County, Iowa.
5. Anna Cloadine Parker was born on 1 Mar 1861 in Mediapolis, Des Moines County, Iowa; died on 22 Jan 1952 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Harrington Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Maggie Parker was born about 1862 in Iowa.
John William Parker was born on 2 Sep 1863 in Iowa; died on 21 May 1947 in Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Clearwater Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Robert Lincoln Parker was born on 10 May 1865 in Iowa; died on 30 May 1949; was buried in Clearwater Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Elmer Edwin Parker was born in 26 Feb 1867 in Mediapolis, Des Moines County, Iowa; died on 16 Feb 1948 in Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Clearwater Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Ira Erskine Parker was born on 12 May 1868 in Iowa; died on 23 Aug 1908; was buried in Liberty Cemetery, Pond Creek, Grant County, Oklahoma.
Daughter Parker was born about 1870 in Iowa; died before 1880.
Ella I. Parker was born about 1873; died on 13 May 1875; was buried in Old Stone Church Cemetery, Dodgeville, Des Moines County, Iowa.
Almira May Parker was born on 11 Sep 1874 in Mediapolis, Des Moines County, Iowa; died on 4 Jul 1945 in Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Clearwater Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Charles Leslie Parker was born on 25 Aug 1879 in Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas; died on 8 Sep 1920 in Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas; was buried in Clearwater Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

McKeown and Shields Families

Robert Lee Nighswonger