Ella Bird and George Washington Lott left Ohio in 1889 to join her Van
     Horn relatives in Kansas. They had been married February 12, 1878, in 
     Shelby County just before her parents, Grandma "Peggy," sisters - Dora
     Columbia, Artha Lee, Flora Gay - and brother, Lewis Wardner Van Horn,
     accepted the Santa Fe Railway's invitation to buy land.
        With George and Bird came eight-year old Lillian Blanche and four-year
     old Tiry Clifton. Soon the four Lotts were settled on a Turkey Creek farm
     adjoining Joe and Artha Massey's ranch. To the Lott family were added
     Charles Van in 1893 and Laura Bernice in 1896.
        In 1903 the Lotts moved farther south on Turkey Creek so that Blanche
     and husband, Burt Kennedy, could locate in their former domicile. By 1908
     the Lotts were affluent enough to build the house described under "Sun 
     and Lake City Happenings" in an item saved by Blanche:
        'George Lott has completed and recently moved into his city residence.
     A more comfortable and up-to-date home than this one is not often found
     in western Kansas. Besides having the acetylene light system, water system,
     ect., he has purchased a new $600 player piano to add to the refinement
     and enjoyment of home life. When Mr. Lott came to Barber County many years
     ago he was not at all burdened with the luxuries of this life, but by hard
     work and good management he has acquired considerable wealth. Besides two
     fine farms and a city residence, he has plenty of good stock. If any one 
     has a right to take life easy it is Mr. Lott.'
        Tiry had moved to the second farm upon his marriage to Lola Shutts
     November 17, 1908, but George still farmed the eighty acres surrounding
     his new home. He was president of the Sun State Bank and on the school
     board. Artha Massey and Bird helped to found the Sun City Baptist Church,
     Bird having been baptized at the age of eleven and Artha at eight into
     the Baptist Church of Lost Creek, West Virginia.
        On December 14, 1914, Bernice married Clifford Hoagland, and on December
     29, 1915, Van married Iva Holmes. After 1916, the Lotts went frequently to
     Ochiltree County, Texas, to see land bought with Tiry. Eventually they
     made their final move to a house on Main Stree.
        In 1932 George died of cancer. Bird continued serving others with her
     wonderful food, gardening, and needlework. Sun City teachers often lived
     in her home. In 1940 she prepared her own eightieth birthday dinner for
     fifty relatives. During World War II, Bird was very proud of her grandsons,
     Gerald Lott and "Bill" Hoagland, serving their country. Through Van Lott's 
     son and grandsons, the Lott surname is being prolonged. Bird's great heart
     beat steadily on until April 13, 1946.
        The only descendants of the George W. Lotts still adhering to their
     beloved Barber County are thier great-grandchildren, Ronnie and Dick
     Hoagland, with their families in Lake City, ang granddaughter, Deloris
     (Hoagland) Carriker (Mrs. Steve), in Hardtner.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 282  
     Submitted by: Ella Blanche (Kennedy) Penny