William Edward Colson, son of William E. and Emma Alice Coilson, came to Alva,
  Oklahoma, in 1908 from Dalton, Missouri, where he was born in 1892. Later that
  year he came to Kansas and worked on farms and ranches. Some of those he worked
  for were George L. Graves, Charley Hickle, Heil Smith, and C.S. Page Sr. He had
  a sister, two half sisters, and three half brothers, who lived in Missouri. All
  are deceased but a half brother.
     In 1912 he bought a quarter section of land fourteen miles northwest of Kiowa
  where he lived more than sixty years.
     Maggie Maude Vannaman, daughter of John Newton and Lottie Mary Vannaman, was
  born in 1898 in Barber County where she attended school, was married; and lived
  all her life. She had five brothers: George, Lewis, and Ray (all deceased), Glee
  of Ashland, Kansas, and Gene of Hutchinson. There were four sisters; Susie (deceased)
  Stella Wallace, and Ferne Marsh of Kiowa, and Ruth Colborn of Medicine Lodge.
     In 1913 Maude and Bill (as he was known) were married. They raised nine children
  on the farm. Bill was a road patrolman for Moore Township for several years.
     Bill loved to play pitch, even though he said he didn't know how! Maude, after
  the family were grown, was well known for her quilt making and quilting for others.
  This was work she loved as she could not sit and be idle, she had to be busy all
  the time. She made far above fifty quilts, several for each of the nine children,
  one for each of the twenty-six grandchildren, and baby quilts for several of the
  thirty great grandchildren.
     Maude and Bill celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in January  before
  Maude passed away in April, 1973. She was loved by her family and all who knew her
  for her thoughtfulness and kindness. Hers was a long illness.
     Bill sold the farm in 1975 when he was no longer able to do the farming. He
  moved to The Kiowa Manor in Kiowa in 1975 where he enjoys new andold friends and 
  family visits.
     The children are all living. Thomas Edward and Marie (Nolke) live in Glasgow,
  Missouri, John Willis and Bessie (Helmey) live in Louisburg, Missouri, Irene Mae
  and Robert Frederick live in Medicine Lodge, Ray LeRoy and Doris (Bush) have made
  Alva, Oklahoma their home. La Ferne and Clarence Anderson live in Kiowa, Laverne
  and Everett Lunsford in Medicine Lodge. Wilbur Donald and Joyce live in Long Lane,
  Missouri, Mary Alice and Tom Gillum live at Smolan, Kansas, and Lawrence Everett 
  and Pam (Grimm) are at Baldwin City, Kansas.
     It is a wonderful experience to attend a family get-together and the children
  strive to continue the custom.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 138 
     Submitted by: Bill Colson