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

Karen Hefley Obituary

Karen Suzette Hefley

Bellah Gallo

August 11, 1964 - February 26, 2019

This is a memorial to my sister Karen. She left us on February 26, 2019 and we are still all in shock. Karen was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, cousin, co-worker, boss and friend. Karen had a natural happy presences and was liked by all. 

Karen was born August 11, 1964 in Fort Worth, Texas. Her parents were Ed Hefley of Downs, Kansas and Linda Hardee of Fort Worth, Texas. Ed was in the Air Force and stationed at Carswell Air Force Base and met Linda at the drive in where she worked. They were married November 15, 1963. They lived in Fort Worth for a while and then Ed was sent to remote duty in Alaska and Linda and Karen stayed with family in Fort Worth and Downs. 

Karen with her Grandparents Joe and Dessie Hardee in Texas. Her first cowboy hat!

Karen's first Birthday, celebrated in Downs, Kansas.

Karen's first Christmas.

When Ed returned from Alaska the family moved to Laredo Air Force Base (AFB) and lived there for five years. During that time Karen welcomed her new sister Tina to the family. 

Karen and Tina Hefley in Laredo, Texas.

The family then spent four years at Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado, two years at Lajes Field in the Azores, one year in Fort Worth, Texas while Ed was stationed in Korea, three years at Barksdale AFB in Bossier, Louisiana and two years in Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska. Karen attended multiple schools in multiple states. 

Tina and Karen in 1974 Colorado.

Karen in 1975 in the Azores wearing dress made by Grandmother Irene Hefley.

Tina and Karen in 1976 Azores.

Karen in red shirt with cousins Christmas Eve in Texas, 1977.

Karen in 1980 in Louisiana.

Karen's school and graduation photos.

After Karen graduated high school she moved to Texas and stayed with family. She met and married Tony Bellah in Texas. Her parents had been transferred to Florida and Karen and Tony moved there and their first child was born in 1985. 

Chris Bellah, 7 months old.

In 1987 they had a daughter, Lavona, named after Karen's Aunt Lavona. 

Karen and Lavona 1988.

Karen and Tony divorced and in 1993 she married Tom Gallo. They merged their families and Karen raised four children.

Chris, Lavona, Stephanie and Tom.

Karen raised four children, worked a full time job and put herself through school to earn her Masters Degree. This was not an east task and it shows what an amazing person she was. She supported the family and loved the jobs that she had. She started in Civil Service and had a security clearance to work on the projects she was assigned. She then worked for Siemens in Orlando and later transferred to the Georgia location as she moved up the ranks.

I didn't get to see Karen as often when she moved to Georgia but some of her kids still lived in the area and she would return for holidays and birthday celebrations. I loved Thanksgiving and Christmas because everyone would get together as a family. We had a lot of memorable times as a family.

Texas rings from Dad made from a Texas quarter.

Shadow box of our military lives made by Dad.

A few days before this last Thanksgiving Karen and I sat in the living room in our parents house and the four of us got to spend some time together. We talked, reminisced and laughed. I loved that special moment, it just felt so good. I'm so glad we were able to spend that time together.

I miss my sister every day. Her memory will remain alive in my heart.

My Sweet Angel Karen

Grace Irene Simpson Hefley - My Great Grandmother #2

Grace Irene Simpson Hefley - My Great Grandmother

52 Ancestors in 52 weeks #2

I never met my Great Grandmother Grace. She died before I was born. But, through research I know she was born 8 February 1890 in Downs, Osborne County, Kansas. Oral history said her family lived in a sod dug out when they first arrived in Osborne County. 

Grace had three brothers, Charles Henry and William Edward both older and born in Keokuk County Iowa and one younger brother Ernest "Ernie" Leroy also born in Downs. 

Her parents  William Henry and Mary Jane Hill Simpson were farmers, so I would assume she grew up helping her mother in the house and doing farm chores. The 1940 census states she attended school through the eight grade.

She married John Henry Hefley 20 November 1909 in Downs, Kansas. She miscarried her first child in 1910. She went on to have three children: Mildred Mae born 1912; Howard Henry born 1914 and Lee Earl born 1917 (my Grandfather.)

From photos that I have seen of her, she was a large women. Oral history said that she had thyroid problems which caused her weight gain. 

She died 20 October 1959 in Downs, Kansas and is buried in the Downs Cemetery. 

John Henry Hefley - My Great Grandfather #1

John Henry Hefley - My Great Grandfather

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks #1

I know a lot about John's father and his son (My Grandfather) but, I don't really know a lot about him. I do know he was born 13 September 1888 in Downs, Osborne County, Kansas. His obituary states he was born at the farm home. He had two older brothers Knox and George and one younger sister Hazel May. John's parents were Arthur W. Hefley and Susannah Kaup Hefley.

He attended school to the 8th grade according to the 1940 census and I would guess he spent much of his youth helping run the farm. When John was eleven years old his father Arthur W. Hefley was elected to the 1899 House of Representatives for Kansas. I would image that John and his older brothers would keep the farm running while their father was away in D.C.

On 20 November 1909 he married Grace Irene Simpson who was also born in Downs, Kansas. They are listed in the 1910 census living in Arthur and Susan's Hefley homestead house with his younger sister and John's parents. 

 

 John's 1917 World War II Draft Registration Card lists him as tall height, Stout build, light brown eyes and dark hair.

John and Grace raised three children on the Hefley homestead. Mildred Mae, Howard Henry and Lee Earl (my grandfather.) John made his living raising livestock and farming. I can only imagine how hard this must have been during the dust bowls of the 1930 and the depression to support a family.

In the 1920, 1930 and 1940 census John is listed as renting the farm. So looks like his father Arthur keep ownership of it till his death in 1941. I do not know if the farm was given to John or if all four kids received part of it. But, I do know John and Grace lived on the Hefley homestead till he retired around 1943/1945. None of his children wanted the Hefley homestead, so in 1945 John had an auction and sold off the farm contents. I remember my Grandfather, Lee, telling me that John had called him while he was away in the service to see if he wanted the farm and he had told him he was not interested. 

In 1945 an auction was held to sell all the contents of the Hefley homestead. Everything is listed out. Oh how I would love to still have the "Roll top desk. Office chair. Bookcase and desk, walnut."

John and Grace moved to a house in town and lived there till their deaths. John died 7 March 1980 at the age of 91. 

I knew my Great Grandfather, John but, I don't really remember a lot about him. I was 12 when he passed away. I wish I could go back in time and ask him about his life growing up on the Hefley farm and raising his family there.

Two of his obituary's are listed below. 

OBITUARY - 1980 - Paper Unknown

"John Henry Hefly (sic) was born Sept. 13, 1888 north of Downs. On Nov. 20th 1909 he was united in marriage to Grace Simpson. To this union four children were born. His wife and two children preceded him in death. He resided on his father's homestead for a period of 60 years, farming and raising livestock. In 1943, he retired and moved to Downs. He attended the Rose Valley Church. He died at the age of 91 at the Mitchell County Memorial Hospital on Friday, March 7th, 1980. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Mae Folger of Downs; one son, Lee Hefly (sic), also of Downs; 5 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. Services were at the Domoney Funeral Home, Downs, Kansas. Officiating clergyman was Rev. Jim Hancock. Pallbearers were Keith Quillen, Irvin Burmeister, Howard Hofer, Tony Heinen, John Muck and Milton Voss."

1980 - Paper Unknown
John H. Hefley

DOWNS - The funeral for John Henry Hefley, 91, a lifelong resident of the Downs community, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Domoney Funeral Home, Downs, the Rev. James Hancock officiating. Burial will be in the Downs City Cemetery.
Mr. Hefley died Friday at the Mitchell County Community Hospital, Beloit, after a short illness. He was born Sept. 13, 1888, at the farm home north of Downs where he farmed and raised livestock until 1943 when he retired and moved to Downs. He attended the Rose Valley United Methodist Church.
Surviving are a son, Lee, and a daugher, Mrs. Mae Folger, both of Downs; five granchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
The family suggest memorials to the Downs Mid-America Nursing Center.

Lee Earl Hefley & Thressa Irene Stegman Hefley

Many of my summers were spent visiting Downs, Kansas where my paternal grandparents lived. It is a small farming town in North Central Kansas. Not only was the Kansas landscape different than any place I had ever lived, the small town of Downs offered a  uniqueness like no other. I loved how everyone knew everyone else and the coziness of the town.

My paternal grandparents were two fun loving people. I always had a good time with them. They took us camping, fishing, boating, water skiing, swimming and just out exploring the world. My Grandmother was always making some kind of handiwork. Knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching, quilting, sewing, painting, you name it she could do it.  My grandfather spent hours in his basement "piddling around" making the most wonderful things out of wood. He was a self taught master carver who even had some of his pieces featured in a magazine. Some of my most treasured items were made by my grandparents.

LEE HEFLEY

The Hefley's arrived in Downs, Kansas in 1873. My grandfather Lee Hefley grew up on the farm homesteaded by his grandfather Arthur W. Hefley. Lee's parent's John and Grace Simpson Hefley resided on the farm for 60 years where they farmed and raised livestock.

Lee Earl Hefley was born May 22, 1917 on the farm north of Downs, Kansas. He was the youngest and fourth child of John and Grace Simpson Hefley. Their first child died at birth in 1910, Mildred Mae was born August 25, 1912;  and Howard Henry was born December 17, 1914. All children were born on the farm.

Lee grew up on the Hefley farm Homestead. His father was a farmer and raised cattle, horses, pigs and feed. He made most of his money from cattle. The family was poor and I would assume all the kids helped out around the farm.

Lee  and his older sister and brother attended a one room school in District 34 called Rose Valley.  Lee started attending Rose Valley at the age of 6 during the school year of 1923-1924. 11 children attended Rose Valley during this time between the ages of 6 and 14. Lee must have been a dedicated student as he never missed a day of school. I can image him and his brother and sister walking the few miles down the dirt road to school everyday carrying their lunch pails.

In his youth Lee taught  himself woodworking. He could often be found sitting beside a tree with a chunk of wood whittling away.  Later in life he became a Master Woodcarver.

Lee attended Downs High School and participated in track and football. He continued to never miss a day of school and graduated in 1935.

Lee Hefley- Downs High School Football

Lee worked various jobs in his youth. His Uncle Ernie Simpson owned a pool hall and Lee worked for him at the pool hall and unloading coal. Lee also worked for different trucking companies driving trucks. He work for Jacking Company and also Mets Trucking Company.

Lee’s right fingers were almost cut off by a large buzz saw while cutting and processing firewood. The cut went through the palm toward the index finger. Dr. Hardig at Beloit put his hand together. Another Dr. wanted to just cut it off. Lee carried a rubber ball and worked this rubber ball to get the use of his hand back. Lee and Irene were dating during this time.

Lee had dark brown hair, kinky curly, his brother's hair was curly but not not as curly, and Mae’s hair was wavy. Lee may have taken his hair after mother. Lee had brown eyes and was 6ft and 170lbs in his late teens.

IRENE STEGMAN

Theresa Irene Stegman was born July 29, 1917 in Ellis, Ellis County, Kansas.  She was the first child of Adam and Ora Parsons Stegman. Adam worked for the Union Pacific Rail Road. Irene was about 5 when Union Pacific RR went on strike in 1922 and the workers went to work for Missouri Pacific Rail Road in Downs, Osborne County, Kansas. Adam went to Downs first and then Irene and her mother followed later.  Irene remembered riding the train with her mother Ora from Ellis to Downs and seeing the Downs Train Station and Gazebo for the first time. She thought it was so beautiful.

A two story house on Ray Street was the first house they lived in. She went to the school that was down the street. Then they moved to a little house north of town. Her father, Adam, always said Ora would move them every time the moon rose. The school she attended was torn down and she went to the school up on the hill. (Where the Downs school is now.)

In 1925 when Irene was seven her sister was born February 25, 1925 in Downs. Jewel Nadine Stegman was born while Irene was at school and Irene remembered sitting on the front steps of the house after she got home that day and a friend of hers asking if she had seen the stork and she told them no she had been at school. 

Five weeks later the family can be found living in Grant Township, Osage County, Kansas on the Kansas State Census of 1925. Adam is listed as a machinist for the Missouri Pacific Rail Road. A current rail road map shows BNSF now goes through Osage City, Kansas. I don't know why or how long they were there but was surprised to find them there in 1925. It seems Adam had to move around at times for the rail road. I can only image how hard it must have been for Ora to pack up and move her family not long after giving birth. My great grandmother seemed to have a, make the most out of life attitude so I could see her just doing what needed to be done.

By 1930 they are back living in Downs according the the Census. The 1930's brought the dust bowl years which brought black blizzards. These were severe dust storms that covered everything and could get into the smallest cracks of homes. They would blow in large dark clouds and reduce visibility to a few feet.  Irene said she remembered the "Dirty Thirties" well. When a black blizzard would come through the school would close and they would stay home and play music and dance. After the storm they would have to help clean all the dust and sand out of the school. [They lived in town so I can only imagine it was much worse on the Hefley farm north of town.] There was not a lot of work in the 1930's so Irene and Jewell felt very lucky their dad had a rail road paycheck.

Irene and Jewel shared a room and slept in a double bed. Many mornings they would wake up with a dog between them. Adam and Ora loved the outdoors and  would drag Irene to the river to go fishing. Irene was not a fan of the outdoors and would get mad and sit in the car and read. Many times after supper they would go for a ride in the car. Irene and Jewel loved to stop for ice cream and loved to get “Out West.” The 7^th Day Adventist had a settlement and a big garden out there.

Adam and Ora lived in Concordia for a few years. Jewel went to high school and they had an apartment. They closed up but kept the house in Downs.  Then they moved to Kansas City for Adam  to work with Missouri Pacific Railroad. Adam retired in Kansas City and got a Railroad pension. Ora worked at Montgomery Ward in Kansas City to get social security. Irene lived in a boarding house while they were gone. [My grandmother told me this and I have tried to figure out the years for this time. I am guessing Jewell went to High School starting in 1939 and graduated in 1943. Since Irene lived in a boarding house it had to be before 1940 when she was married and the  Stegman family was on the 1940 census in Downs.  So I am guessing they moved to Concordia and Kansas City in the late 1930's, maybe between 1937-1939.]

When Irene was in her 20’s she had brown, straight hair and green eyes. She was 5’2” and was between 120lbs-130lbs.  She was an average student and was into everything. She was a cheerleader at Downs High School and had a cheer leading club. They wore purple skirts, white blouses and purple beanie hats. There were the Downs Dragons. One time a boy took her hat and she chased him all the way across the grass to get it back. She doesn’t remember why but one time she marched the cheerleaders across the basketball court with a toilet bowl plunger in her hand. I can image my grandmother doing this with a big smile on her face.

Irene Stegman in her front yard in Downs, Kansas

Irene graduated from Downs High School in 1936. She wanted to be a beautician; Ora took her by train to Kansas City but would not let her stay because the city was dirty. On the way back they stopped in Lansing to visit  a friend named Minnie. Minnie gave her a job. She then worked in Lansing Kansas for Minnie Payton at the grocery store she and her husband owned. She worked there for a couple of years and then came home because she hurt her arm. She then worked at Darby Laughton’s Drug Store as a clerk. She worked every day from 8 a.m. till night, she went home for lunch. She did everything- sold merchandise, made sodas, decorated windows, and made malts and Sundays. The drug store got the first soft serve ice cream maker in the area. Irene and Bill, the owner’s son, would decide which flavor ice cream they wanted to make. They would crush up peppermint or cut up strawberries for the ice cream. For all this she made $10 a week.

DATING

Lee was working for Mets Trucking Company and Irene was working for Laughton's Drug store when they started dating.

Lee Hefley and Irene Stegman

I will be writing about their life together soon.