In 1888, James died. The same year Josie married John VanHuss, the grandfather of Robert VanHuss.
Image from http://the-cottage-at-pollywog-pond.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-dont-need-bigger-house-just-less.html.
The following is an extract from rootsweb.ancestry.com.
"Josie BREWER "Aunt Josie" b 18 Jun 1865 near Allendale, Worth Co, MO d 3 Oct 1912 Latham, Butler Co, KS; M-24 Apr 1888 John Van Huss b 25 Apr 1859 d 3 Nov 1939, bur: Latham, KS.
Their children: Bula Van Huss m-Everett Schooling and had Ann m-Phil Coffin, Bill Schooling, married and had Billie Jean, Jack Everett and Sharon Louise Schooling; Jack Schooling.
Fred Van Huss m-Beulla Phillips, d/o Dr Phillips of Beaumont, KS and they had Jimmie and Robert Van Huss; Luva Van Huss m-Ernest Foote and they had Richard and Ted E Jon Foote; Elmer Van Huss m- Irene (___); Lois Van Huss m-Mr (____) Gresham."
There is no journal or diary which relates the reason why the Brewers left their farm in Allendale. They had lived there for almost 20 years.
What is known is that the years following the Civil War were tumultuous for Missouri. Outlaws and bandits roamed the state. Jesse and Frank James were from Clay County, to the south of Allendale and Worth County. The James along with many others were Southern sympathizers. James Brewer who came originally from Ohio and then Iowa, was likely northern in his sympathies.
Second, a severe economic depression struck the United States in the 1880's and the effect on farmsteads was severe as produce prices plummeted and banks called in mortgages.
Finally, the Homestead Act passed previously in 1863, was amended in 1880 to open up new opportunities for settlers in both Kansas and Nebraska. the fact that the Brewer family received a land grant from President Chester A. Arthur is evidence that free land was a strong reason for leaving Missouri and settling in Kansas.
"As the story goes...
When they came to Butler County (Kansas)-they came in covered wagons--three families together: Mary Jane & Joseph T Wright, Margaret & James BREWER, and Hephzibah "Aunt Hippy" & Mathew Hightower.
The Hightower's son Otto took sick on the way, and they camped at Eureka (Greenwood County, KS) with him for 'quite a while.' The other families stayed with them for about a week before moving on. Otto died and was buried in Eureka Cemetery before the Hightower's wagon left camp to join the others in Butler County. ...
The James M BREWER family, after fruit was stored and canning done, would load supplies into a covered wagon and travel to Medford, OK, to visit Jim BREWER's brother Henry, camping at regular campsites along the way at such places as Atlanta and Arkansas City in Kansas, giving the children the opportunity to play with other children who were also camping
there. ..."
