| Name | John Franklin FIRESTONE  |
| Birth | 26 May 18316 |
| Death | 19 Mar 1913, Eskridge,Wabaunsee Co., KS |
| Burial | Pleasant Ridge Cemetary, KS |
| 1 | Matilda Jane STULL |
| Birth | 23 Mar 18546 |
| Burial | Hobart Cemetary, Hobart, OK |
| Children | Olive Mary (1876-1959) |
| Lenna Viola | |
| Scott Everett |
| 2 | Elizabeth |
| Birth | 1833 |
| Death | 1870-1875 |
| Marriage | ? 1851 |
| Children | Florence |
At the age of 65 Mr. Firestone had been persuaded on this venture by his friend Delphos Botchlett, who, with his family, his wife and eight children, joined the caravan that Sept. morning- Destination Mayberry, Nebr.
Florence Firestone Davis and her husband, John, together with their 10 children, were in the caravan. The caravan consisted of 3 wagons and two surreys. Mrs. Davis was a daughter of John firestone by a previous marriage, and was one of nine children by his first wife who had died.
John Firestone had had his wagon specially built for the trip West. It was made longer than ordinary to accomodate two beds, one at each end of the wagon box. This wagon and team was driven through to Nebr. by Olive, the oldest daughter of the Firestones. She was 18 years old at the time. This wagon had Mr. Firestone's full name printed on the side. It attracted attention and he was able to renew acquaintance with many old friends who had left Ohio earlier and were now settled along the westward trail.
The caravan traveled every day except Sunday and that day the travelers spent in Camp, made repairs, cleaned equipment, washed soiled clothing and, the Firestone wagan (sic) being equiped with a small oil-stove with oven, was the center of baking activity as Mrs. Firestone took care of the baked needs for the next week, she included plenty of biscuits as Mr. F. was very fond of them.
The caravan reached and crossed the Mississippe (sic) River on a steam propelled ferry and later crossed the Missouri River at Nebr. City on a ferry propelled by horses.
Their exact destination was Mayberry, Nebr. Mr. Botchlett had a brother who had settled there earlier and had urged them to do likewise. They arrived there Nov. 14, 1892 and lived there for about a year and a half. Olive clerked in a store while they lived there.
Hearing that land was more plentiful and not so crowded in Kansas, they traveled south to a community then known as Welcome. The Firestones rented a farm there and put in a wheat crop. A group of people came down from Nebr. and Seneca, Kans. and rented land for crops near by. The group included Sylvester T. Fisher, known as Dude. He met the Firestone family and soon began going with Olive, their first date being a dance at Brigg's Schoolhouse after the harvest.
Later the Firestones moved to Alta Vista, Kans. and engaged in the Hotel business. Shortly after this move on Mar. 3, 1893 Olive married Dude Fisher and he went into the blacksmithing trade in Alta Vista. The Firestones operated two different hotels in Alta Vista, 12 years in all. Then they were getting tired of so much work so traded for a farm on Rock Creek, not far from Eskridge in Wabaunsee County, Kans. They lived on this farm 8 years then sold out and moved into Eskridge to retire Mar. 1, 1913. The 19th of March Mr. Firestone fell dead on the street in Eskridge. He was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, near Rock Creek Community in Kansas. His eight year old grandson, Frankie, who spent much time with them and who they adored, lies by his side.
Mrs. Firestone survived him many years, being 25 years younger. She later married Delphos Botchlett, whose wife had died some years before and they lived together in on (sic) near Hobart, Okla until her death. She is buried in the Hobart Cemetery.7