Stella Irene Parsons and Conrad C. Van Natta
CONRAD C. VAN NATTA was born August 20, 1867 in Kansas,456 and died March 7, 1934 in Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas.6755 He is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas.456
He married STELLA IRENE PARSONS on January 9, 1895 in Salina, Saline, Kansas,4694, 4727 daughter of KATHARINE AMANDA HOUSTON and LUKE FISHER PARSONS. She was born July 28, 1872 in Salina, Saline, Kansas,456 and died in 1962.456 She is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas.456
Children of STELLA IRENE PARSONS and CONRAD C. VAN NATTA:
- FREDERICK PARSONS VAN NATTA, b. May 9, 1902, Salina, Saline, Kansas;7377 m. LEAH LEONA BRINTNALL; d. December, 1985.456, 56
- CONSTANCE IRENE VAN NATTA, b. February 29, 1908, Kansas;10749 m. JOSEPH MARION GARDNER; d. January 7, 1971, Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas.10750
Constance
Marriage Announcements and News
Salina Daily Republican-Journal, January 10, 18954727
VanNatta—Parsons.
The marriage of Mr. Conrad C. VanNatta and Miss Stella Parsons was celebrated last evening at the home of the bride's parents, about three miles northeast of town. The ceremony was announced for 8:30, and at 8 o'clock the house was well filled with guests. It was a beautiful night and everyone seemed impressed with the idea that the future was to be bright and happy, not only for the bride and groom, but for the company of young folks and older ones present. The wedding was a simple one. Only the intimate friends of the bride and groom and the relatives of the bride were in attendance. The ceremony was none the less impressive for being brief and plain. The bride looked charming and the groom's many face was a pleasure to behold. Their right hands "joined together," the Rev. Mr. Foulkes officated in the simple yet impressive words which made them man and wife.
Congratulations followed from the company of friends. A wedding supper was then served in adjoining rooms, and while the guests partook of the dainty repast, amny a merry jest went round, and the house was filled with good cheer.
The bride's cake was cut and passed around. Each "lad and lassie" with due reverence and aw took his portion, resolving to inveigle from the breast of Morpheus the secret of the mysterious future. A large number of useful as well as elegant present accumulated were slight tokes of best wishes for fair sailing and a prosperous voyage.
Miss Parsons is the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Parsons, old and esteemed residents of this county. She attended the Wesleyan at one time and has many friends who truly wish her a life of happiness and prosperity. Mr. VanNatta has been foreman of the REPUBLICAN-JOURNAL job rooms for a number of years. He is an industrious, energetic young man and carries with him the benediction of many personal friends. May the "Be blessed with health and peace and sweet content."
Obituaries
Clinton Eye, March 15, 19346755
FRIEND OF CRIPPLED CHILDREN DIED
One of the benefactors of Henry County's crippled children, Conrad C. Van Natta, died at his home in Topeka, Kansas, March 7, of heart disease. Mr. Van Natta was 66 years old and is survived by his wife and two children, Miss Constance and Fred Van Natta.
Mr. Van Natta was an employe of Senator Capper 35 years and was superintendent of the magazine composing room for Capper Publications at the time of his death. It was in his capacity as administrator of the Capper Crippled Children's Fund that he brought sunshine and happiness to many a home, without hope as a small crooked back or leg could not be straightened because of lack of finances. He did more to help the crippled children in Henry county and throughout several states than any other individual.
Through Mr. Van Natta, in connection with Capper's Crippled Children's Fund, ten children in Henry County have been aided. The expense of treating them amounted to thousands of dollars and the only payment that Mr. Van Natta received were the smiles of joy the children gave when they found that they were straight and well and could walk like their playmates.
The crippled child is handicapped in his race in life, for he cannot enter into strenuous competition as can the normal child. Mr. Van Natta's understanding brought to him the vision of making honest, upright citizens of small warped bodies. He was truly a friend to the crippled children as well as to the community as a whole for he worked for its betterment by making useful citizens from cripples.
Mr. Van Natta was enthusiastic and worked unceasingly. The Crippled Boy picture used at the head of the Crippled Children's column on the front page of this week's Eye was designed by Mr. Van Natta of which he was very proud. He appreciated having it used in connection with news articles of the Crippled Children.
His association with Senator Capper's Crippled Children's Fund and the publishing of the newspaper whose columns were the channels for the work of the Fund gave him an acquaintance nationwide in scope. His friendly helpfulness was such that after you had known him two hours you would call him "Con," and realize that here was a man who really had the betterment of humanity at heart. He promoted a great work by following the diving example to heal those who were afflicted and he will reap his reward.
Salina Journal, January 19, 19626756
Granddaughter Of First Saline Sheriff Dies
TOPEKA (AP) — Funeral services for Mrs. Stella Van Natta, member of a pioneer Kansas family, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Wall-Diffenderfer Chapel here.
Mrs. Van Natta was the widow of Con Van Natta, composing room foreman at Capper Publications for several years, and the first administrator of the Capper Foundation for Crippled Children.
Mrs. Van Natta's grandfather was one of the signers of the Kansas Constitution and a founder of Bluemont College, Manhattan, forerunner of Kansas State University. Her mother was a member of the first graduating class of the college.
Mrs. Van Natta's father was a member of John Brown's abolitionist forces and later became the first sheriff of Saline County.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Constance Gardner, a member of the society staff of the Topeka Capital-Journal, and a son, Fred Van Natta, Topeka.
Her Father Was Luke Parsons
Mrs. Van Natta grew up in Salina. Her father, Luke Parsons, was the first sheriff of Saline County and her mother, Kate Houston, was the city's first public school teacher.
Parsons came to Salina in 1860, two years after the town was founded by Col. William A. Phillips and his friends. The young man walked here from Lawrence. He was elected sheriff the first year when Salina was named a county seat.
Mrs. Van Natta's grandfather was Samuel Houston, a founder of Bluemont College and a signer of the Kansas Constitution.
Mrs. Van Natta's husband, Con, worked for the Salina Journal before joining Capper Publications.
Helen Mitchell, 415 S. 8th, a teacher at Lincoln-Roosevelt junior high school, is a neice of Mrs. Van Natta.
Census Records
| Date | Location | Enumerated Names |
|---|---|---|
| June 29, 18804726 | Elm Creek, Saline, Kansas | |
| June 6, 19006754 | Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas |
|
| April 19, 19104479 | Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas |
|
| April 16, 19304481 | Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas |
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