William Hamilton Nighswonger was born on 14. Mar. 1842 at Versailles, Brown County, Illinois. He was the son of
Hamilton Nighswonger and
Mary Bullard. William Hamilton Nighswonger married
Fannie Von Kington, daughter of
William Nicholas Kington and
Magdelenna Garrett, on 30. May. 1869. William Hamilton Nighswonger removed to at Anthony, Harper County, Kansas, in 1883. He resided at at Avilla, Kansas, in 1885. He entered "the run" with his eldest son, William, in April 1889. They settled on the south side of the North Canadian river southwest of Mooreland. He died on 22. Feb. 1911 at Woodward, Woodward County, Oklahoma, at age 68. He was buried a 22. Feb. 1911 at Moscow Cemetery, Woodward, Woodward County, Oklahoma.
The Nighswonger History
Rosalie A. Wegner Maclean
William Hamilton Nighswonger, of Anthony, Kansas, and his eldest son William, entered the "RUN"* when the Cherokee Outlet was opened. They staked a claim on land along the south side of the North Canadian River, about six miles south of Woodward, Oklahoma. They returned to Anthony, Kansas for supplies before building their log cabin. On their return to the site they found squatters on the place. They were able to prove ownership, having duly filed their claim, and continued to build the cabin, cut timber and make furniture before bringing the family there to live.
They brought the family in a covered wagon, bringing only necessities. Fannie, wife of William H., and their younger sons took turns driving the wagon, while the others walked and drove the livestock. One small boy fell out of the wagon and the wheel ran over him, but because the ground was sandy and wet, he was unhurt.
At first, their log cabin had only dirt floors. After harvesting a crop of wheat, they were able to have straw on the floors for warmth. Eventually, Fannie was able to crochet rag rugs for the entire house, wall to wall. Receiving worn clothing from neighbors and friends, she dyed and tore it into strips. Fannie acted as midwife, doctor and nurse to all people in the community.
In those first early years, the whole family turned out to pick up buffalo bones, which they sold to buy provisions and clothing. They also gathered buffalo chips for heat and fuel. Their house was within a few feet of a high cliff or bluff, where they dug a cave room which they used to cool milk, butter, etc. In the winter, they chopped ice from the river to place in the straw-lined dugouts for summer use. In other straw-lined holes, they stored potatoes, turnips and other vegetables. They also raised corn, which they parched in winter, and many watermelons.
The Indians were very friendly with the family and after frost they always came and camped out nearby. William gave them the remaining patch of melons. They picked and ate every one, even the small immature ones. William was known to the Indians as "Big White Chief."
The Nighswonger children would watch as the squaws prepared the meals. One interesting meal consisted of turtles, which they put alive, on their backs in a circle of fire until cooked. Then they ate them from the shell.
For entertainment, the Nighswonger children played musical instruments. Minnie the organ, Fannie the mandolin, Edward the violin, Roy the Jews harp. They also played for community dances with a friend, Billie Metzscar joining them with his accordion. Other entertainment were box suppers, shucking bees, and quilting parties. The children all attended school in a log schoolhouse.
There was much wild game to hunt for food. A family story of the two youngest was that when they went to hunt, Fannie would kneel, hands over her ears, while her brother Roy, rested the barrel of the gun (which was too heavy for him to hold steady) over her shoulder to fire.
In due time, the Nighswongers were able to build a frame house, which in later years washed away when the river, less than a quarter of a mile from the house, changed its course. The youngest son Roy, lived in the house at the time and he lost all of his possessions in the flood.
William Hamilton Nighswonger was born in Versailles, Brown County, Illinois on March 14, 1842 and died on February 22, 1911 in Woodward. His wife, Fannie Von Kington, was born in Hancock County, Illinois and died December 4, 1925 in La Mesa, California.
Seven children were born to William H. and Fannie Von Nighswonger. Cora, 1870, married George Huntoon; William was born in 1873 and his wife was Stella; Minnie, born in 1876 married Owen Smith; her twin, Miney, died at four months; Edward, born in 1879, married Fay Sheldon; Roy, born in 1881, married Lucy Riggs; and Fannie Von, born 1883, married Martin H. Wegner. All are now deceased.
William Nighswonger (my grandfather) was in the Run when the Cherokee Outlet was opened in Oklahoma.
My father, Martin Wegner, with his family of three brothers and two sisters and widowed mother, came to Woodward County in Oklahoma shortly after the Cherokee Outlet was opened. The men all filed for land in the same vicinity. One of their favorite stories is:
One day around noon, two men rode into Grandma Wegner's yard. Her sons were there and as was the custom, they asked the men to stay for dinner. One of the men noticed a pair of beautifully polished horns hanging on the wall. He took them down to inspect them more closely and out fell four hundred dollars, all the money Grandma had in the world. He said calmly, "Well look what I found," and stuffed the money back in the horn.
These men happened to be Jesse James and his brother, the notorious robbers and outlaws. The family was sure they would return and take the money, but they never did.