Person:Elmer Trotter (1)

    Elmer Trotter and his twin sister Ella were born October 14, 1876 in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York per the Trotter Family Sheet compiled by his daughters Leola Trotter Smith and Esther Trotter Stinson and Elmer Trotter's Burial Card in the Kinsley, Kansas Public Library. In 1877-1878 Elmer moved with his parents, sibling, uncles and other family members to Nrown, Edwards County, Kansas, 
         Elmer and his parents are on the 1880 Federal Census living by his uncles; Robert and Benjamin in Brown, Edwards County, Kansas, Family History Library Film 1254380 
NA Film Number T9-0380, page 241A.

Jason J. Totter, Self, age 32, Born NY, Farmer, Parents born NY

Mary A. Totter, Wife. age 29, Bron MI, Father born OH, Mother born NY

Freddie M. Totter, Son, age 8, Born NY, Father born NY, Mother born MI Martha M. Totter, Dau, age 6, Born NY, Father born NY, Mother born MI Elmer Totter, Son, age 3, Born NY, Father born NY, Mother born MI Ella Totter, Dau, age 3, Born NY, Father born NY, Mother born MI

    On the 1885 Kansas Agriculture Census Elmer is living with his parents in Brown Twp., Edwards County, Kansas by his brothers. 

Jason Trotter, Male, age 33, Farmer, Born NY, came from NY to KS Mary A. Trotter, Female, age 31, Born MI, came from NY to KS F. M. Trotter, Male, age 13, Born NY, came from NY to KS M. M. Trotter, Female, age 11, Born NY, came from NY to KS Elmer Trotter, Male, age 8, Born NY, came from NY to KS Ella Trotter, Female, age 8, came from NY to KS E. E. Trotter, Female, age 1, Born KS

    A Typhoid Fever epidemic hit Edwards Ciunty, Kansas in 1887-1888 taking Elmer's father on December 27, 1887. 
    "Grandma Trotter married Frances Leonard (grandpa Leonard). Papa was the only Trotter boy. Mr. Leonard didn't like him. Mr. Leonard had three boys and one girl. One Sunday Grandma and the girls had gone to church. Mr. Leonard and the boys were home. The boys were all cleaning guns out side. In an accident Eddie Leonard was shot. Mr. Leonard said Papa shot his boy. He grabbed a gun and chased him off, telling him to never come back or he'd shoot him.
    Papa went to his cousin George Trotter and lived with them, even after they lived in Portland, Oregon. George's first wife had died and he had married Mary. They had one child Loveday.
    When Papa came back here he lived with Grandpa and Grandma West. Fletcher Darlington West was a veterinarian and auctioneer. Mary McGill West was a teacher." This is from the Trotter family sheet written by Elmer's daughters; Leoma Trotter Smith and Ester Trotter Stinson.
    Grandma Trotter didn't marry  Frances Leonard until 1891 and Eddie Leonard died in 1888. Elmer and his sister were living with Grandpa and Grandma West in 1895. 
    In the 1895 Kansas State Census Elmer and Ella Trotter are living with Grandpa and Grandma West in Brown, Edwards County, Kansas:

F.D. West, age 44, Born Ohio Mary E. West, age 42, Born Ohio Elmer Trotter, age 18, Born NY Ella Trotter, age 18, Born NY

  In the 1900 Federal Census, Elmer is living in Portland Ward 4, Multnomah County, Oregon.

Elmer Trotter, Boarder, age 23, Born Oct. 1876 New York, Father born New York, Mother born Michigan

    In 1910 Federal Census Elmer and family are living in Brown Township, Edwards County, Kansas.

Elmer Trotter, Head, age 33, Born NY, Married 7yrs., Parents born NY, Farmer Nora M. Trotter, Wife, age 28, Born IN, 3 of 3 children still living Lavina E. Trotter, Daughter, age 6, Born KS Leoma M. Trotter, Daughter, age 4, Born KS Esther L. Trotter, Daughter, age 2, Born KS Luther Evans, Laborer, age 19, Born Kansas, Parents born Kentucky

Taken from the Kinsley Graphic dated August 22, 1918:

                                             OBITUARY
    Elmer Trotter was born in the state of New York on Oct. 14, 1876. and departed this life Aug. 13, 1918. He was united in marriage to Miss Nora Dugger July 26, 1903. To this union five girls were born. He leaves a wife, five daughters, a mother, one brother "somewhere in France," two sisters and other relatives and many friends.
    His death failed him but he bore it patiently and realized he must meet the relentless destroyer of the human race - death, several days before the end came.
    The funeral was conducted from the home August 15, by B. F. Martin of the Church of Christ.
    His mother, Mrs. Mary Leonard of Woodward, Oklahoma, and his sister, Mrs. Martha Barnes of Mooreland, Oklahoma, were present at the funeral. The twin sister of the deceased, Mrs. Ella Jordan of Coleta, Illinois, could not be present.
    In the passing of Mr. Trotter the country has lost a loyal citizen, the community a faithful and obliging neighbor. The large gathering of people that met to pay the last tribute of respect was proof that he was held in high esteem by the entire community.
    The body was lain to rest in the Trotter cemetery.