In the early 1870s, my great grandparents, William T. and Emeline (Heighway) Baker went to Greenwood County, Kansas. Their families both had fairly deep roots in Fulton and Kosciusko Counties, Indiana. No one else in their family went with them. Census information leads me to believe that they were there from approximately 1873-1880. They resided in Branch, Marion County and Eureka, Greenwood County. They then returned to Kosciusko County, Indiana.
William T. fought in the Civil War. On the census, listed his occupation variously as "laborer, carpenter (Kansas), and farmer."
My mother recalled her mother saying she was born in Kansas, but the Indiana roots of her family were so deep that she really thought that she might have misunderstood. She has no clue why the family went there, and why they returned.
I have checked out some Kansas genealogy and history sites, but haven't found any clues as to what led the family to Kansas. Was it a promise of land to war veterans? The chance to make a fortune? I would welcome any historical insights or ideas of places to search for more information.
Thank you!