I've "rescued" an old photograph of a young girl identified as Erbie UTZ
which was taken at the J. Ed Tutt Studio in Valley Falls, Kansas. The
photograph appears to have been taken in the 1880's with Erbie likely about
8 years old at the time it was taken. Based on limited research I was able
to locate this family and gather the following information:
Irbie Bell UTZ b. 23 Jun 1878 in Valley Falls, KS to parents Robert Noah UTZ
(b. 19 Oct 1831 in Boone Co, KY) and Susan Marie COFFMAN (b. 22 Feb 1834 in
Covington, KY) who were married on 9 Dec 1855 in Switzerland Co. IN. Irbie
Bell was the last of their 11 children, her siblings included, Larrina
Jenetta; Mary Jane; Harvey Pence; Katie L.; Olive A.; Edwin Curtis; Ira R.;
Carrie May; Arthur Elbert; and Owen W. UTZ, all born between 1856 and 1878
in either Davies Co. MO or Valley Falls, KS.
Census records for the family are as follows:
1880 census of Delaware, KS:
Robert N. UTZ, age 48, a Farmer, born KY, parents born VA/WV
Susan M. UTZ, wife, age 45, Keeping House, born KY, parents born VA/KY
Mary UTZ, dau, age 21, at Home, born MO
Harvey UTZ, son, age 20, at Home, born KS
Olive UTZ, dau, age 16, at Home, born KS
Edwin UTZ, son, age 14, at Home, born KS
Carrie UTZ, dau, age 8, born KS
Arthur UTZ, son, age 5, born KS
Erba UTZ, dau, age 2, born KS
1900 census of W. Delaware Township, KS:
Robert N. UTZ, age 68, born Apr 1831, married 44 years, born KY, parents
born VA, a Farmer
Susan M. UTZ, wife, age 66, born Feb 1834, married 44 years, 11 children/7
living, born KY, parents born VA/KY
Arthur E. UTZ, son, age 26, born Feb 1874, born KS, a Farmer
Irbia B. UTZ, dau, age 21, born Jun 1878, born KS
1920 census of Valley Falls, Delaware Township, KS:
Susan M. UTZ, age 85, a widow, born KY, parents born VA/KY
Irbia B. UTZ, dau, age 44, born KS, parents born KS/KY
I am hoping to locate someone from the family so that this wonderful old
photograph can be returned to their care. If you are a member of this
family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me.
Thanks,
Shelley