Untitled-1

Fred Alonza Rich

Fred Alonza Rich, son of Lorenzo Meriam Rich and Laura M Wiggins, was born on 08 Aug 1869 in Spruce, Bates County, Missouri and died while attending a Flagler County Commission meeting on 23 Oct 1953 in the Flagler County Courthouse in Bunnell, Florida. He was buried on 27 Oct 1953 in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida.

Fred married Gertrude Lenore Keen, daughter of Samuel T, Keen and Elizabeth Jane Young, on 18 Mar 1892 in Bates County, Missouri. She was born on 16 Feb 1876 in Bates County, Missouri and died on 5 Nov 1975 in St Augustine, St Johns County, Florida. She is buried in Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler County, Florida.

Mr. Rich's Missouri doctor advised him to seek a warmer climate, so in the spring of 1912 he responded to a Kansas City Real Estate Company's advertisement of the excellent opportunities found in Florida in growing Irish potatoes. The company brought him to Bunnell and he contracted for some farm land, paying to have some cleared and ready for planting.

They sold their home in Spruce, Missouri and Mrs. Rich and the girls came on to Bunnell by railroad to rent a home and the son came in the boxcar with household possessions as well as some livestock. Mr. Rich came in time to plant his first crop of potatoes, however when the rains came, without proper drainage, that ended the potato farming.

The Real Estate Company in Missouri folded and he was unable to secure title to his land. He then purchased another smaller parcel here, built their home and the family entered other business ventures.

They started a small dairy, and in Mar 1916, he purchased the Dupont Bakery from Mr. S. C. Yarnell and moved it to his home in north Bunnell. Mr. Rich's prior experience as a rural mail carrier in Missouri helped him and the US Postal authorities to establish the star route from Bunnell to the ocean and to Bulow.

In Jan 1917 he was awarded the contract for carrying the mail between Bulow and Bunnell. He arrived in Bunnell at 7:15 a.m. for his first trip. He quickly circulated a petition to have the route changed so that he will leave Bunnell after arrival of train 29, returning by 4 o'clock p.m. He was the first carrier on this route and Mrs. Rich was the substitute on the route.

When the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) some 8 miles east of Bunnell was to be available for homesteading, Mr. Rich went over and spent a day and a night by the ocean, however he said no homesteading in the mosquitoes for him.

The family was active in the affairs of the town and country. Mrs. Rich was active in the local Camp of Royal Neighbors of America and several articles in the Bunnell Home Builder concerning the organization of a brass band in Bunnell, named Mr. Rich as one of the nine organizing members and his continued work with the band. He was a charter member of the Colfax Lodge No 54, International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F) which was instituted in Bunnell, FL on 19 Sep 1921 by a team from Dixie Lodge No 25 of St Augustine - he was the secretary.

They were the parents of three children;

1. Chester Alonzo Rich was born on 04 May 1895 in Deepwater, Bates County, Missouri and died on 14 Nov 1957 in St. Luke’s Hospital, Boise, Ada County, Idaho. He was married on 21 Dec 1915 to Iris Willard, daughter of John Breckenridge “Brack” Willard and Laura Collins. Iris was born on 20 Apr 1892 in Butler, Bates County, Missouri and died 17 Mar 197 in Boise, Ada County, Idaho. They are buried in Morris Hill Cemetery, Boise, Ada County, Idaho.

2. Alma Lorene (Lora) Rich was born 08 Sep 1903 in Deepwater, Bates County, Missouri and died 28 Jan 1990 in St Augustine, St Johns County, Florida. She was married in St. Augustine, Florida on 24 Nov 1934 to Albert Lee Harris son of Melvin Harris and Nellie Entrakin. He was born on 22 Jun 1906 in Carrollton, Carroll County, Georgia and died on 02 Jan 1970 in Duval CO, FL. They are both buried in Barnes Memorial Cemetery, St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Florida.

3. Fern Augusta Rich was born on 18 Dec 1905 in Spruce, Bates County, Missouri, died on 03 Feb 1926 in Palm Beach County, Florida and was buried on 04 Feb 1926 in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida. On 27Feb 1920 in Folkston, Charlton County, Georgia she married Alexander James McKenzie, son of Alexander Duncan Butler McKenzie and Ella Lampkin Hawkins, He was born on 26 Feb 1902 either in Texas or Miami, Dade County, Florida and died on 15 Aug 1934 in Miami, Dade County, Florida.
Issue;

(1) Eugenia Keen McKenzie was born on 27 Mar 1921 in Miami, Dade County, Florida and died 20 Nov 1990 in Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Florida.

She was married on 25 Oct 1939 in Palatka, Putnam County Florida by Rev D D Dieffenwierth to Herbert Grey Allen, son of Gray L Allen and Evie LNU, He was born on 16 Dec 1908, Cuba, Sumter County, Alabama and died on 11 Apr 1981 in the Osteopathic Hospital, Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Florida. They are buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida

Herbert came to Flagler County in 1940 to work on SR 11. He was working on a project when high water from the Mississippi forced a layoff on the Alabama job. Since the firm also had the contract to build SR 11, they send him here to work on that project.

He grew up in the construction business. His father built the levee from Memphis to New Orleans in the days before front end loaders and steam shovels ‑ ‑ he employed 500 black workers and used 500 mules.

Eugenia moved to Flagler County from Miami as a child. She owned and operated Allen's Beauty Shop in Bunnell and was a member of the Bunnell First United Methodist Church, the Royal Neighbors of America and the Pioneers of America. Issue;

A. Fern Evie Allen was born on 09 Sep 1942 in Dr. Rose's Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler County, Florida and married on 24 Nov 1962 in the First Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler County, Florida, James Collie (Jim) Tracey, son of James R. and Mildred Tracey. He was born on 07 Aug 1937 in Rye, Westchester County, New York.

Jim was a 1956 graduate of Hower Vocational High School in Akron, OH and in Aug 1962 was employed at Fairchild Aircraft in St Augustine, FL.

Fern was a 1960 graduate of Bunnell High School and a graduate of Cosmetology at Mary Karl Vocational School in Daytona Beach, FL. In Aug 1962 she was employed by Clara's and Virginia's Beauty Salon in Daytona Beach. Issue;

a. Elizabeth Lynn Tracey was born on 13 Aug 1966 in St Vincent's Hospital, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.

b. Melissa Ann Trace was born on 30 Sep 1967 in St Vincent's Hospital, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.

c. James Allen Stewart Tracey was born on 29 Sep 1970, in St Vincent's Hospital, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.

B. Elizabeth Keen Allen was born on 11 Nov 1948 in Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida and married on 11 Jul 1970 in the United Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler County, Florida, Thomas Dale Herr, son of Orin Kermit (OK) Herr and Willa Mae (Debbie) Roman. He was born on 16 Aug 1948, Ridgewood Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida (Div-7 May 1979).

Tom was a 1966 graduate of Bunnell High School and attended Mary Karl Vocational School (automotive) in Daytona Beach, FL. In Jul 1969 he was serving a tour of duty with the US Army in Vietnam (6th Bat‑33rd Artillery‑108th Field Artillery, Phu Bia, Vietnam).

Elizabeth was a 1966 graduate of Bunnell High School and was graduated of Mary Karl Vocational Cosmetology School. In Jul 1969, she was working at Willia Jean's Styling Salon in DeLand, Florida. Issue;

a. Thomas Dale Herr Jr. was born on 25 Jun 1975 in Orlando, Orange County, Florida

Elizabeth Allen Herr married 2nd on 24 Nov 2000 in the First Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler County, Florida, Dalton Hoke (Cobby) Cobb, son of Hoke Smith Cobb and Wilda Elnora Holland. Cobby was born on 02 Jan 1934 in Palatka, Putnam County, Florida and died on 15 Jun 2003 in Florida Hospital Flagler, Flagler County, Florida. He is buried in Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler County, Florida.

Dalton Cobb married 1st, 08 Aug 1956, First Baptist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Eleanor Faye Irvin

Dalton Cobb married 2nd, 25 Jan 1974, Seminole CO, FL, Karen Kierce

Thomas Dale Herr married 2nd, 29 Oct 1980, Volusia CO, FL Judy Hayes

Source: The First Families of Flagler by Mary Ketus Deen Holland who cites as her sources, Census, Published Articles and Elizabeth Allen Herr.

Additional sources used by the compiler were:

THE BUNNELL HOME BUILDER, February 1913, Mar 1916, Jan 1917; THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL, 22 Nov 1990; THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE, Bunnell, FL, 04 Feb 1926, 09 Nov 1939, 10 Sep 1942, 19 Aug 1948, 11 Nov 1948, 21 Nov 1957, 30 Aug 1962, 29 Oct, 1954, 18 Aug 1966, 04 Jun 1970, 22 Oct 1970, 03 Jul 1975, 13 Nov 1975, 16 Apr 1981;

1880 United States Federal Census, Deep Water, Bates CO, MO; 1900 United States Federal Census, Butler, Bates CO, MO; 1910 United States Federal Census, Precinct 5, Choctaw CO, AL, Deepwater, Bates CO, MO, Kansas City, Ward 10, Jackson CO, MO; 1920 United States Federal Census, Precinct 4, Choctaw CO, AL, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Kansas City Ward 10, Jackson CO, MO; 1940 United States Federal Census, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Rye, Westchester CO, NY;

US World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917‑1918 Record; US Find A Grave Index, 1600s-current; US Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; US Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014;

1945 Florida State Census, Precinct 1, Flagler CO, FL, Precinct 9, St. Johns CO, FL; Florida Death Index, 1877‑1998 Record; Florida Marriage Collection, 1822‑1875 and 1927‑2001; Florida Divorce Index, 1927‑2001;

Idaho Death Records, 1890-1966; Missouri Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900; Family Data Collection ‑ Individual Records; Latimer Family Tree on ancestry.com and the Tracy Family Tree on ancestry.com

Please send questions, corrections or additions to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 or email him at Sisco_Deen@hotmail.com

Updated: 12 Mar 2018

Fred Alonza Rich, son of Lorenzo Meriam Rich and Laura M Wiggins, was born on 08 Aug 1869 in Spruce, Bates County, Missouri and died while attending a Flagler County Commission meeting on 23 Oct 1953 in the Flagler County Courthouse in Bunnell, Florida. He was buried on 27 Oct 1953 in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida.

Fred married Gertrude Lenore Keen, daughter of Samuel T, Keen and Elizabeth Jane Young, on 18 Mar 1892 in Bates County, Missouri. She was born on 16 Feb 1876 in Bates County, Missouri and died on 5 Nov 1975 in St Augustine, St Johns County, Florida. She is buried in Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler County, Florida.

Mr. Rich's Missouri doctor advised him to seek a warmer climate, so in the spring of 1912 he responded to a Kansas City Real Estate Company's advertisement of the excellent opportunities found in Florida in growing Irish potatoes. The company brought him to Bunnell and he contracted for some farm land, paying to have some cleared and ready for planting.

They sold their home in Spruce, Missouri and Mrs. Rich and the girls came on to Bunnell by railroad to rent a home and the son came in the boxcar with household possessions as well as some livestock. Mr. Rich came in time to plant his first crop of potatoes, however when the rains came, without proper drainage, that ended the potato farming.

The Real Estate Company in Missouri folded and he was unable to secure title to his land. He then purchased another smaller parcel here, built their home and the family entered other business ventures.

They started a small dairy, and in Mar 1916, he purchased the Dupont Bakery from Mr. S. C. Yarnell and moved it to his home in north Bunnell. Mr. Rich's prior experience as a rural mail carrier in Missouri helped him and the US Postal authorities to establish the star route from Bunnell to the ocean and to Bulow.

In Jan 1917 he was awarded the contract for carrying the mail between Bulow and Bunnell. He arrived in Bunnell at 7:15 a.m. for his first trip. He quickly circulated a petition to have the route changed so that he will leave Bunnell after arrival of train 29, returning by 4 o'clock p.m. He was the first carrier on this route and Mrs. Rich was the substitute on the route.

When the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) some 8 miles east of Bunnell was to be available for homesteading, Mr. Rich went over and spent a day and a night by the ocean, however he said no homesteading in the mosquitoes for him.

The family was active in the affairs of the town and country. Mrs. Rich was active in the local Camp of Royal Neighbors of America and several articles in the Bunnell Home Builder concerning the organization of a brass band in Bunnell, named Mr. Rich as one of the nine organizing members and his continued work with the band. He was a charter member of the Colfax Lodge No 54, International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F) which was instituted in Bunnell, FL on 19 Sep 1921 by a team from Dixie Lodge No 25 of St Augustine - he was the secretary.

They were the parents of three children;

1. Chester Alonzo Rich was born on 04 May 1895 in Deepwater, Bates County, Missouri and died on 14 Nov 1957 in St. Luke’s Hospital, Boise, Ada County, Idaho. He was married on 21 Dec 1915 to Iris Willard, daughter of John Breckenridge “Brack” Willard and Laura Collins. Iris was born on 20 Apr 1892 in Butler, Bates County, Missouri and died 17 Mar 197 in Boise, Ada County, Idaho. They are buried in Morris Hill Cemetery, Boise, Ada County, Idaho.

2. Alma Lorene (Lora) Rich was born 08 Sep 1903 in Deepwater, Bates County, Missouri and died 28 Jan 1990 in St Augustine, St Johns County, Florida. She was married in St. Augustine, Florida on 24 Nov 1934 to Albert Lee Harris son of Melvin Harris and Nellie Entrakin. He was born on 22 Jun 1906 in Carrollton, Carroll County, Georgia and died on 02 Jan 1970 in Duval CO, FL. They are both buried in Barnes Memorial Cemetery, St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Florida.

3. Fern Augusta Rich was born on 18 Dec 1905 in Spruce, Bates County, Missouri, died on 03 Feb 1926 in Palm Beach County, Florida and was buried on 04 Feb 1926 in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida. On 27Feb 1920 in Folkston, Charlton County, Georgia she married Alexander James McKenzie, son of Alexander Duncan Butler McKenzie and Ella Lampkin Hawkins, He was born on 26 Feb 1902 either in Texas or Miami, Dade County, Florida and died on 15 Aug 1934 in Miami, Dade County, Florida.
Issue;

(1) Eugenia Keen McKenzie was born on 27 Mar 1921 in Miami, Dade County, Florida and died 20 Nov 1990 in Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Florida.

She was married on 25 Oct 1939 in Palatka, Putnam County Florida by Rev D D Dieffenwierth to Herbert Grey Allen, son of Gray L Allen and Evie LNU, He was born on 16 Dec 1908, Cuba, Sumter County, Alabama and died on 11 Apr 1981 in the Osteopathic Hospital, Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Florida. They are buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida

Herbert came to Flagler County in 1940 to work on SR 11. He was working on a project when high water from the Mississippi forced a layoff on the Alabama job. Since the firm also had the contract to build SR 11, they send him here to work on that project.

He grew up in the construction business. His father built the levee from Memphis to New Orleans in the days before front end loaders and steam shovels ‑ ‑ he employed 500 black workers and used 500 mules.

Eugenia moved to Flagler County from Miami as a child. She owned and operated Allen's Beauty Shop in Bunnell and was a member of the Bunnell First United Methodist Church, the Royal Neighbors of America and the Pioneers of America. Issue;

A. Fern Evie Allen was born on 09 Sep 1942 in Dr. Rose's Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler County, Florida and married on 24 Nov 1962 in the First Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler County, Florida, James Collie (Jim) Tracey, son of James R. and Mildred Tracey. He was born on 07 Aug 1937 in Rye, Westchester County, New York.

Jim was a 1956 graduate of Hower Vocational High School in Akron, OH and in Aug 1962 was employed at Fairchild Aircraft in St Augustine, FL.

Fern was a 1960 graduate of Bunnell High School and a graduate of Cosmetology at Mary Karl Vocational School in Daytona Beach, FL. In Aug 1962 she was employed by Clara's and Virginia's Beauty Salon in Daytona Beach. Issue;

a. Elizabeth Lynn Tracey was born on 13 Aug 1966 in St Vincent's Hospital, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.

b. Melissa Ann Trace was born on 30 Sep 1967 in St Vincent's Hospital, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.

c. James Allen Stewart Tracey was born on 29 Sep 1970, in St Vincent's Hospital, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.

B. Elizabeth Keen Allen was born on 11 Nov 1948 in Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida and married on 11 Jul 1970 in the United Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler County, Florida, Thomas Dale Herr, son of Orin Kermit (OK) Herr and Willa Mae (Debbie) Roman. He was born on 16 Aug 1948, Ridgewood Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida (Div-7 May 1979).

Tom was a 1966 graduate of Bunnell High School and attended Mary Karl Vocational School (automotive) in Daytona Beach, FL. In Jul 1969 he was serving a tour of duty with the US Army in Vietnam (6th Bat‑33rd Artillery‑108th Field Artillery, Phu Bia, Vietnam).

Elizabeth was a 1966 graduate of Bunnell High School and was graduated of Mary Karl Vocational Cosmetology School. In Jul 1969, she was working at Willia Jean's Styling Salon in DeLand, Florida. Issue;

a. Thomas Dale Herr Jr. was born on 25 Jun 1975 in Orlando, Orange County, Florida

Elizabeth Allen Herr married 2nd on 24 Nov 2000 in the First Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler County, Florida, Dalton Hoke (Cobby) Cobb, son of Hoke Smith Cobb and Wilda Elnora Holland. Cobby was born on 02 Jan 1934 in Palatka, Putnam County, Florida and died on 15 Jun 2003 in Florida Hospital Flagler, Flagler County, Florida. He is buried in Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler County, Florida.

Dalton Cobb married 1st, 08 Aug 1956, First Baptist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Eleanor Faye Irvin

Dalton Cobb married 2nd, 25 Jan 1974, Seminole CO, FL, Karen Kierce

Thomas Dale Herr married 2nd, 29 Oct 1980, Volusia CO, FL Judy Hayes

Source: The First Families of Flagler by Mary Ketus Deen Holland who cites as her sources, Census, Published Articles and Elizabeth Allen Herr.

THE BUNNELL HOME BUILDER, February 1913, Mar 1916, Jan 1917; THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL, 22 Nov 1990; THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE, Bunnell, FL, 04 Feb 1926, 09 Nov 1939, 10 Sep 1942, 19 Aug 1948, 11 Nov 1948, 21 Nov 1957, 30 Aug 1962, 29 Oct, 1954, 18 Aug 1966, 04 Jun 1970, 22 Oct 1970, 03 Jul 1975, 13 Nov 1975, 16 Apr 1981;

1880 United States Federal Census, Deep Water, Bates CO, MO; 1900 United States Federal Census, Butler, Bates CO, MO; 1910 United States Federal Census, Precinct 5, Choctaw CO, AL, Deepwater, Bates CO, MO, Kansas City, Ward 10, Jackson CO, MO; 1920 United States Federal Census, Precinct 4, Choctaw CO, AL, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Kansas City Ward 10, Jackson CO, MO; 1940 United States Federal Census, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Rye, Westchester CO, NY;

US World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917‑1918 Record; US Find A Grave Index, 1600s-current; US Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; US Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014;

1945 Florida State Census, Precinct 1, Flagler CO, FL, Precinct 9, St. Johns CO, FL; Florida Death Index, 1877‑1998 Record; Florida Marriage Collection, 1822‑1875 and 1927‑2001; Florida Divorce Index, 1927‑2001;

Idaho Death Records, 1890-1966; Missouri Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900; Family Data Collection ‑ Individual Records; Latimer Family Tree on ancestry.com and the Tracy Family Tree on ancestry.com

Please send questions, corrections or additions to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 or email him at Sisco_Deen@hotmail.com