James Hans Christian

Last Rites are held Friday for Pioneer Rancher James H. Christian

Funeral services for James H. Christian, who died last Tuesday, were held Friday afternoon from the Methodist Memorial Church which was crowded to capacity by people paying last respects to the pioneer rancher.

The Rev. Victor Ireland had charge of the service. Pallbearers were Lester Dunn, Vernon Dunn, Harold Wilson, Ted Davis, John Hammond, and Harry Sides. Honorary bearers were V. C. Kennedy, Tress Powell, Martin Koch, Sam Thomas, Roy ZumBrunnen, Lew Sherrill, and J. A. McClarey.

A quartet composed of Bob Pinnard, Clarence Schnurr, Grant Seifert, and Jimmy Phipps with Mrs. M. H. Koch as organist, provided music. Burial was in the Harrison Cemetery.

Mr. Christian was born March 30, 1884 at Carrol County, Ia. He was one of the 13 children born to Chris L. Christian and Sarah Emma Pace. He moved to Wyoming with his parents, brothers and sisters in 1890 where his father homesteaded in the Kirtley Community. Here he attended rural schools and grew to manhood. In 1906 he attended and finished a business school at Shenandoah, Ia. On his return he entered into a partnership with his father in cattle and farming. He and his brother, Rollie, helped maintain a cattle camp south of Van Tassell and were active in all the roundups far and wide.

In 1907 he filed on land in Nebraska 15 miles northwest of Harrison and adjoining his father's land where he set up improvements. On June 4, 1908, he married Orpha E. Boyles at Harrison. Five children were born to them, three dying in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Christian lived continuously on the ranch until 1949 when they retired and moved to Harrison.

Mr. Christian was active in community affairs, serving on the local school board, on the Sioux County High School board of regents, the Niobrara Electric Association board, and on the village council. He was an active member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge. He was baptized in the Christian faith and joined the Methodist Church in 1957.

Mrs. Christian died December 23, 1960 after a long illness during which Mr. Christian gave her tireless care. He leaves two daughters, Juanita Phipps of Harrison and Mary Fisher of Hot Springs. There are two grandsons, Rodney Phipps of Glenrock and Bob Phipps of Harrison and six great grandsons. Also surviving are two brother, Andrew and Ray of Lusk, and four sisters, Mrs. Florence Wormwood of Glendo, Wyo., Mrs. Mabel Wilson of Asheville, N.C., Mrs. Jennie Moyer of Price, Tex., and Freda Eshleman of Whittier, Calif.

One brother, Rollie, and five sisters, Eliza Nicodemus, Amy Christian, Elmeta Ekwall, Georgia Johns, and Nellie Park, have died previously.

People from away who attended the funeral services included: Mr. and Mrs. Pat Hall of Midwest, Wyo.; Oscar Boyles, Mrs. Grant Boyles, and Mrs. Ed Yancy, all of Casper; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hansen of Newcastle, Wyo.; Mrs. Florence Wormwood and Oliver Wormwood of Glendo, Wyo.; Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McLean of Lance Creek, Wyo.; Mr. and Mrs. Van Hank, Velma Boyles, Leonard and Amil Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Christian and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Christian, all of Lusk; Merle Eckwall of Chadron; and Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Phipps and sons of Glenrock, Wyo.

This gravestone photo was found on nebraskagravestones.org.

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