Research project for

John Henry Hefley

1888-1980

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research was to identify more information about John Henry Hefley, born 13 Sep. 1888 in Downs, Osborne Co., KS to Arthur William Hefley and Susanna Kaup Hefley. He married Grace Irene Simpson on 20 Nov 1909 in Downs, KS. He died 7 Mar 1980 in Beloit, Mitchell Co., KS and is buried in Downs, KS in the Downs cemetery.

BACKGROUND

I had previously researched John Henry Hefley and documented him in the 1895 and 1925 Kansas State Census and the 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940 Census. I have his marriage record showing he married Grace I. Simpson on November 20, 1909 in Downs, Kansas. He registered for the WWI and WWII drafts but never served in the military. Of interesting note, his sister was the draft registrar and signed his WWI draft card.

The Hefley farm was homesteaded by his father Arthur W. Hefley in the 1870s. After John married in 1909, he and his wife continued to live in the house on the farm. He is shown in each census as renting the house. In 1920 and 1930 his parents and younger sister are living in the town of Osborne and John and Grace continue to live on the farm till the mid 1940’s. In 1940 Johns mother had died and Arthur was again living in the farm house. I need to check deeds to see who the farm and property went to in 1941 when his father A.W. Hefley died. I wonder if it went to John since he had always lived and farmed the property or if it went to all four kids.

In the mid 1940’s John auctioned off all the property on the farm since none of his children wanted the farm. John and Grace moved to Downs.

FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS

I chose to search the Osborne County Public Library digital library archived newspapers. I knew local newspapers are the “Facebook” of yesteryear. You can really learn a lot about a person’s life with what is written about them in small local newspapers. I still have hours of research to do as I have only documented the first three pages (30) for the search “John Hefley” and there are 441 results. I still have to search other name variations and other family so this will be a long-term search. I documented the information as it was listed, (not in date order.) I have started a second spreadsheet that I will enter the information in date order and list all associated names in the articles. Again, this will be a long-term project. I plan on entering all Hefley searches in this timeline chronologically.

CONCLUSION

The John Hefley family seemed to be connected to family, friends and neighbors. Many articles talked of John helping his neighbors and the family gathering for social occasions such as New Years, Thanksgiving and Birthdays. I plan to continue documenting his life as depicted in the newspapers. I have not yet found information about the birth of each of his children. His first child died as an infant. I would think this information would be included in the paper. If after I go through all 441 results, I don’t find it I can search the specific dates for the information.

 

SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE: Information I found in newspapers:

·         In 1914 Roy Kaup was staying at John Hefley home and a shell exploded. He had to go to Concordia to have his eye operated on.

·         In 1914 Mrs. John Hefley (Grace) returned from a two week visit in the eastern part of the state.

·         In 1924 Mr. Simpson helped John with his harvest. He then went out and cut oats for W.M Wiersma while “Arthur Wiersma plowed corn for John.”

·         For 1925, 1934 and 1935 John was paid for road and drag work. (Not sure what this means.)

·         In 1925 it said John was able to be out again. (Have to see if anything before that says why.)

·         In 1929 the Hill family came to visit. John also took home shingles to cover his house. John also wanted to hire a “man and team” to “finish out the header crew.”

·         In 1931 John butchered a hog for Frank Bowers and has been helping other neighbors.

·         In 1935 John lost his billfold in town and placed an ad looking for it.

·         In 1935 his wife Grace had an operation to have gall stones removed.

·         In 1937 the paper stated: “the air was dust laden, but we are optimistic and look for a rain again soon.”

·         In 1938 Johns brother G. W. Hefley of Colorado Springs came to visit and brought Miss Mae Hefley who is employed in Colorado Springs. Mae stayed at her parents’ home. (John and Grace.)

·         In 1938 the family went to Concordia to see Dr. Starr an eye specialist concerning their son’s Lee’s eyes. He has been having eye trouble.

·         In 1940 John lost a horse.

·         In 1941 Johns brother Knox, his sister Mae came to visit “Grandpa Hefley” (Arthur W. Hefley) and his other brother George had tried but was stranded by the snow storm. Arthur had been ill.

·         In 1946 the “Worst Flood” hit Downs and John’s basement was flooded along with many others.

·         In 1946 John grew “rabbit” food in his backyard garden. He took it to the newspaper office to show them and they described it as “a large carrot, apparently changing it's mind when about half grown, and branched out into ten smaller carrots. It (or rather they) weighed one pound and three ounces.”

·         In 1959 “We extend our sympathy to the relatives of Mrs John Hefley who suffered a stroke and died at her home in Downs. We will remember Mae's mother as a kind and gracious lady, at whose home friends were always warmly welcomed. Her main hobby was crocheting and she had done lots of quilting and sewing for members of her family. she was a good 'Mom' to a precious brother of mine and we all will miss her.

FUTURE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

·         Locate Public Sale in the local newspaper 1943-1945 Oct. 3

·         Locate Deed records of the Hefley farm to see ownership after 1941 when A.W. died.

·         Research the names of the Downs News/Downs Times. Find when names changed and why.

·         Research what is meant by road and drag work. Paid to many each year.

·         Research if the Hill family is related to Grace’s Mother whose maiden name was Hill.

·         Ask Dad if they knew about Lee’s “eye problems.”

·         Search Church records