Robert T. Ishmael and Helen (Morris) Ishmael started married life
     during the depression years of the 20's and 30's with its severe dust
     storms and heavy financial losses to many others, as well as the Ishmaels.
     To this union three children were born: Robert Jr., Helen May, and Samuel
     T.
        Robert's father, Samuel T., passed away when Robert, Jr., was a few 
     months old. And Robert managed to keep a few head of cattle, even through
     the Depression. In the spring they were taken to pasture west of Hardtner.
     Helen offered to drive the "calf wagon" which was quite an experience.
     Robert kept near the wagon as much as possible in case she needed help.
     Thney arrived at the Sam Good Ranch in a severe rainstorm.
        Forest Good lived there, so they were given good shelter and food.
     The second day was beautiful, and they finished the trip. Several calves
     had been born enroute, so there was plent of noise from both the cows and
     calves. They arrived home in late evening through another severe rainstorm.
        Robert was a Kiowa Volunteer Fireman and made the run to many fires,
     including two that were quite disastrous - the home of Mrs. M.E. Mackey
     and the Singleton General Store. He was also a member of the Vigilantes,
     which organized because there were so many Banks being robbed, including
     the Bank of Kiowa. The Vigilantes caought one of the robbers in the Ishmael
     pasture north of town.
        Being fond of cattle, Robert helped organize and was one of the co-owners
     first Kiowa Sales Company. Their location was in a lot across the alley
     from Fisher-Woods Hardware, now the Tucker Company; later moving to the
     grounds now owned by Bob Sterlings. Robert continued to supervise the
     admission and sale of cattle for many years, until ill health forced him
     to retire.
        A devoted member and secreatary for 50 years of Kiowa's Masonic Lodge,
     Robert was a life member at the time of his passing. They both had life
     memberships in the Kiowa Eastern Star.
        Helen, a registered nurse, began her career during the Depression, often
     assisting doctors with births or even surgery in the home of the patient.
     For 16 years she was the Kiowa School Nurse. When the Kiowa District
     Hospital-Clinic opened, August 17, 1951, Helen was their first Supervisor
     of Nurses.
        Their children are all married, Robert Jr. has 2 children, Melinda Kay
     Shubert and Wesley Lynn. Melinda has 3 children and Wesley is in High
     School. Helen May has 2 daughters, Laurie Ann Goode and Becky Lou Armstrong.
     Sam's children are Ric T., graduate of Arizona University and Caroline Rene 
     Clark, who had two children.
        With the children all married, Helen and Robert moved to Merced, California,
     where Helen worked for 12 years at Mercy Hospital, until she retired to care
     for Robert. After a wonderful life together for 53 years, they remained there
     until Robert's passing in 1978. Helen now lives near Helen May in Missouri.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 250 
     Submitted by: Helen Ishmael