E.H. Fitzgerald (Eli)(1854-1926) arrived in Topeka, Kansas, by covered
  wagon in the early 1870's. He ran cattle on the Pottowatomie Indian
  Reservation and was a friend of the Indians. At this time Eli originated
  the Five Bar, 5 cattle brankd. The brand is still owned by his heirs.
     Eli met Kathrine Landis (Katie)(1864-1923) while in Topeka. The Landis
  family moved to Barber County in the late 1870's and settled 2 miles north
  and 1 mile west of the town, Old Kiowa. They took out patented land 1 1/2
  miels north of Gerlane town site, right on the Medicine River.
     Katherine and Eli were married and built a two-story home on the river.
  In 1883 they had a large cattle loss in the blizzard, and in 1884 the river 
  flooded their home. The couple were rescued by "Uncle" Nat Lane and "Uncle"
  Fad Allison, swimming their horses through flood waters just prior to the
  breaking up of the 2-storied home.
     They bought 1 1/2 miles southwest of Gerlane, patents issued 1885 by
  Benjamin Harrison administration. They built another home which still is in
  living condition.
     The couple had four children, Elizabeth Mae, George C., Feliz E. and
  Robert (deceased at 2 yr.). Elizabeth married T.E. Bliss of Oskaloosa, Kansas,
  in her parents home in 1912; they had one son, Byron (1913). Byron Fitzgerald
  Bliss was the only grandchild Eli and Katherine had.
     Elizabeth M. Bliss, Byron's mother, was unable to care for Byron from 1915-
  1919, being ill and an invalid during that time. Therefore, Byron, lived with
  his grandparents, Eli and Kathrine, attending Roundup School west of Gerlane.
  He rejoined his paretns in 1919 after his mother's health improved, living in
  Fort Worth, Texas. Byron attended public schools in Fort Worth and the University
  of Texas, receiving his BBA in 1937.
     Byron worked for Montgomery Ward from 1937-1942 as an executive and assisted
  in opening the new Montgomery Ward Store in Houston, Texas, where he met and
  married Evelyn Mariorie Crow in 1938.
     Byron's living his early life on the farm in Barber County instilled the
  love of farming and handling cattle. Evelyn and Byron with their daughter,
  arrived in Barber County in 1947, moving into the old Eli Fitzgerald home.
     The couple had two daughters, Bonnie Beth (Mrs. Gary Slack), born in
  Chickasha, Okla., and Byra Lynn (Mrs. James Hart), born in Fort Worth, Texas.
     Both daughters attended Gerlane Country School before attending Medicine
  Lodge Public Schools. Bonnie Beth received her Master's Degree from Wichita
  University. She and her family are still residing in Wichita.
     Byra Lynn, a graduate of Cottey College, Nevada, Mo., went on to graduate
  from the University of Arkansas. She and her family live in Louisville, Miss.
     In 1978 Evelyn and Byron moved from their farm home to their home in
  Medicine Lodge. Byron, being retired, took the part time job of Bus Dispatcher
  at the Medicine Lodge High School. Evelyn teaches art through Pratt community
  College and works in the church. At this time she is Winfield District President
  of the United Methodist Women, Kansas West Conference.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 176 
     Submitted by: Evelyn Bliss