Ora Parsons Stegman - My Great Grandmother #4

Ora Parsons Stegman - My Great Grandmother

52 Ancestors

Ora Parsons was born December 16, 1896 in Benedict, Wilson Co., Kansas. Her parents were William and Mary Scates Parsons. Ora had four siblings, Ruth Parsons born 1893, Cress Parsons born 1894, Opal Parsons born 1897 and Osie Parsons born 1898.

In the 1900 Census Ora is four years old and her Mother Mary is listed as the head of household and widowed. So the kids grew up without their father.

Ora Parsons in Benedict Kansas - Date unknown

In the 1910 Census Ora is 14 years old and listed as working as a servant in a private family. Her Mother works as a laundress for a private family and her brother Cress is a laborer of odd jobs. It does not sound like they had an easy life and were all doing what they could to survive. I would love to know what family Ora worked for and if she lived at home or lived with the family.

Sometime between 1910 and 1916 Ora moved to Kinsley,  Edwards County, Kansas and was working at a hotel that was run by Mary Denning. I was not able to find Ora in the 1915 Kansas State Census, she is not listed with her family who were still living in Benedict, Kansas. I do not know how she ended up 370 miles away from her family to work in a hotel. At that age you would have to have courage to travel that far away by yourself. But, for whatever reason she ended up at that hotel it turned out to be a good thing because Mary Denning was the older sister of her future husband Adam Stegman. He was out there for work and I would guess stayed at the hotel since it was run by his sister. I would love to hear the story of them meeting for the first time.

They married on March 29, 1916 in Fredonia, Wilson Co., Kansas.

They lived in Ellis County Kansas where Adam was from and their first daughter Irene was born in 1917. I had thought Ora converted to Catholicism when they got married but after I looked at the records at St. Mary's in Ellis County I discovered that when Irene was baptized, Ora is listed as "non-catholic." Ora was later baptized July 11, 1921 at St. Mary's.

In 1922 Adam went on strike with the railroad and ten months later he was hired by Missouri Pacific Railroad, which required them to move to the small town of Downs, Kansas. Adam went first and Ora and Irene traveled by train later. Irene remembered the train trip and her first view of Downs was the Gazebo. She thought it was beautiful.

A two story house on Ray Street was the first house they lived in. Then they moved to a little house north of town. Adam always said Ora would move them every time the moon rose.

 In 1925 they rented a house on Osborne Street and this is where their last daughter was born. As of 2018 my Great Aunt is still alive.

In 1926 Ora threw a surprise Birthday party for Adam and this is what is listed in The Downs News and Times:

          Mrs. A. Stegman entertained at a birthday party in honor of Mr. Stegman on Monday evening,   Nov. 1. The guest congregated at the home and all were out of sight when Mrs. Stegman summoned her husband from town on the pretext that relatives had arrived for a visit. The evening was spent with cards and dancing. A delicious lunch was served to the following guest at a late hour: Mr. and Mrs. Vern Rollins, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hoover, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Ewing, Mr. and Mrs. M. McNall, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Bryant and Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Addams.

According to the 1930 Census, they owned a house on Beal Street that is worth $800 and they own a radio. 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. Ora liked a clean house so I'm sure she had lots to clean after a dust storm would blow through. I can't even imagine having to clean all that fine dust out of everything.

One day Adam came home and put one paycheck on the table and said you can buy anything you want. He give Ora one paycheck every month. Ora always wanted something new, carpet, curtains or something for the house or girls. She kept the girls clothed and the house clean and updated. She was always hitting Adam up for extra money according to Irene.

Ora was 5’1, green eyes and light brown hair. She was a short heavyset woman. She always did handiwork, crochet, sewed, embroidered. She was a good housekeeper. She would tell Irene, “don’t care what your husband does, what your doing, get cleaned up before your husband comes home.”

The depression was in full swing during the 1930's and the family knew they were lucky that Adam had a good job.

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 and Irene stayed to work for her.

They made it through the 1930's and in 1940 they owned a house at 821 Osborne Street in Downs and it was worth $1,000.

Around 1938 the family moved to Concordia Kansas for Adam to work with the railroad. They didn't stay long because in 1940 they are listed as living in Downs again.

There are two banks in Downs. Ora and Adam had separate bank accounts. When the State Bank accidentally took money out of her account that should have been taken out of Adam’s account she took all her money out of the bank and opened an account at The National Bank. Guess she wanted to make sure that didn’t happen again.

Their oldest daughter, Irene married in 1940. In 1942 I found this newspaper article that Irene had pasted in her photo album.

Mrs. Adam Stegman went to Concordia last Thursday evening to spend the weekend with her daughter Mrs. Lee Hefley and Mr. Hefley. The following morning however, found a new member in the Hefley family for Mrs. Stegman to visit with - a grandson, the little man arriving at the home in company with Daddy Stork during the early morning hours.

Ora Stegman with Grandson Ed in 1943

Ed remembers as a child "Momo" as he called her, would come and pick him up when the town sirens would go off for a fire. He would run outside and wait for her to pick him up and they would go to the fire. Sounds like a fun and adventurous Grandma to me.

In November of 1953 Adam's job again required them to move. Adam and Ora closed up the house and moved to Kansas City, Missouri. While there Ora worked for Jones Wholesale Company to be able to collect social security.  In 1958 he retired and they moved back to Downs Kansas.

I believe once they retired they were able to do more camping and traveling. They both loved being outdoors.

In 1966 they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary and in 1976 they celebrated their 60th Anniversary. I always felt they were a couple truly in love and they both loved life.

Adam and Ora Stegman

Ora's Obituary
Died August 27, 1984

Ora Stegman was born to William and Mary Parsons on December 16, 1896, at Benedict, Ks. Ora departed this life at the Downs Nursing Center on August 27, 1984. She was married to Adam Stegman March 29, 1916. To this union of 67 years was born 2 daughters, Irene Hefley and Jewell XXXX. She enjoyed the good home life she made for herself and family. Her most enjoyable moments were quilt making, needle work and enjoying God's great outdoors camping and fishing. Ora is survived by her husband, Adam, Downs Nursing Center; daughters and sons-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Hefley (Irene), Downs, Ks., and Mr. and Mrs. Frank XXXX (Jewell), Kansas City Mo.;2 sisters, 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. The Funeral services were held August 29 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church. Father James Hoover and Father Roger Mietl celebrated the Mass. Organist for the service was Mrs. Doris Mick. The following served as Pallbearers, Irvin Burmeister, Al Stroh, Tony Heinen, Alan Feist, Dean Bihlmaier and Amos Chapman. Interment was made at the Downs Cemetery. A memorial has been established for the Downs Nursing Center or St. Mary's Church. Domoney Funeral Home was in Charge of arrangements.

Adam Stegman - My Great Grandfather #3

Adam Stegman - My Great Grandfather

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Since my Dad was military we moved around every few years. But, if we could, we would spend summer vacations either in Texas with my Moms side of the family or in Kansas with my Dads parents. 

So summers were spent with my Paternal Grandparents in Downs, Kansas and my Great Grandparents Adam and Ora Stegman would always come to the house to visit. 

I remember them as very happy people. The would drive over and park out front on Main Street. I could see them walking up through the big picture window in the front of the house if I wasn't sitting out front on the porch swing, which was where I usually was. They had a white poodle that went everywhere with them. Adam had even build a wooden box for the middle of the front car seat so the poodle could see out the window of the car. I don't remember the name of the dog, but they spoiled him. 

Adam Stegman was a first generation American. Both his parents had immigrated from Russia. They were Volga Germans, who spoke the German language. I don't know if my Great Grandfather spoke Volga German or not. I would guess that since it was his parents first language that he would hear them speak it, or maybe they did away with the German language to be more American. Adam did not have any type of accent. I never knew about his Volga German ancestors till I started doing research. He never spoke about his family.

Adam was born 1 November 1893 in Pfeifer, Ellis County, Kansas to immigrant parents Christ and Apollonia Basgall Stegman. I don't know anything about his life growing up but he was born and raised on a farm and would assume he helped around the farm.

Adam Stegman - Date Unknown

Adam started working for Union Pacific Railroad in March of 1915 as a Machinist Apprentice. He was 22 years old. According to his Railroad Pension papers he worked as an apprentice for four years. In March of 1919 he became a Machinist in the mechanical department in the Kansas Division. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad till July 1922.

Then things changed...

But first...

Adam married Ora Parsons on March 29, 1916 in Fredonia, Wilson County, Kansas. Ora was from Wilson County, Kansas. Oral history says Adam was working in  Kingman, Kansas for the telephone lines and this is where he met Ora. I would guess they lived in Ellis County, Kansas after they married as this is where their first child, my grandmother was born on July 29, 1917. My Grandmother went by Irene but was named Thressa Irene Stegman.

 Adam filled out his Draft Card for the war on June 5, 1917. He is listed as married, tall height, slender build, grey eyes and brown hair. He never served in the military.

Adam and Ora are found in the 1920 census living in Ellis Township, Ellis City, Ellis County, Kansas. (Say that three times fast!) He is 25 years old and a machinist at the railroad and speaks English. I find it interesting that both his parents were born in Russia but he lists them as born in Tennessee and Kentucky.

Then everything changed July 1, 1922.

400,000 railroad shopmen workers walked out of their jobs and went on strike. This was in response to the Railroad Labor Board cutting wages, and work rule changes on the railroad. This came to be known as the Great Railroad Strike of 1922 and commonly known as the Railway Shopmen's Strike. The railroad shopmen were the workers who maintained the rolling stock, the rails and the rail beds. This included Adam who was a machinist. Not all of the railroad unions went on strike, so the trains did not stop running. It was long term that the trains would be affected.

You can watch a video about the 1922 Railroad strike here and a summary of the strike here.

Adam went on strike with the other shopmen in July of 1922. I can't even imagine how hard of a decision that must have been. Striking meant no income for his family and if the strike did not work out no job. He did not work for the railroad for 10 months. I would guess he found side jobs to bring in income and maybe Ora found a way to make some income too for the family. I don't know. But, in April of 1923 he found a job with another railroad, Missouri Pacific as a machinist in the Mechanical Department of North Kansas Division.This required him to relocate to Downs, Kansas. Adam left first and Ora and Irene followed later. 

Adam Stegman in front of Downs Roundhouse.

Adam would spend the rest of his career working for Missouri Pacific Railroad.

They rented a few different houses in Downs and seemed to settle in and became part of the community.

In 1924 Adam bought a car according to a newspaper article from The Downs News and The Downs Times.

Adam Stegman, one of the boys out at the Missouri Pacific shops, bought one of the late model Maxwell touring cars from the local agens, Jun & Hauptli, last week.

 

On December 4, 1924 the newspaper stated:

Mr. and Mrs. Adam Stegman and Mr. and Mrs.  W. L. Harper motored down to the Glen Elder oil well Sunday afternoon to take in the sights and to enjoy an auto spin into the country.

I know that Adam and Ora loved the outdoors. They would spent time together and later as a family outside enjoying many outdoor activities.

Later that same month this article appears:

Dr. Anson Sollner and wife and A. Stegman and family traded residence properties last Saturday, the former moving into the Biddleman property at 708 East Division street that had been occupied by the Stegman family and they in turn moving into the residence occupied by the Stegman family  occupied by Dr. Sollner and wife in the southwest part of the city.

I asked my Dad about this and he didn't know anything about it. Not sure why they would switch houses but they did.

In 1925 their second and last daughter was born. As of 2018 my Great Aunt is still alive.

According to the newspaper articled the family continued to travel to Ellis to visit family and friends.

In 1926 I found this article and was a little surprised by the tag line:

TOSSES BABY FROM CAR
One evening last week A. Stegman drove his car down town on a mission and when he started to return home, his little baby daughter, who had accompanied him, insisted that she stand on the seat beside him rather then sit down. As he went to turn the car in the intersection at the hotel corner the little tot was thrown from the car, alighting on the pavement. Mr. Stegman immediately stopped the car and picked the little girl up, expecting to find her badly injured, but fortunately her injuries were slight, consisting of only a few scratches and bruises. 

My Great Aunt was not hurt and doesn't remember this, but does remember hearing stories about it. 

In 1938 Adam and the families residence is listed in Concordia, Kansas in his railroad pension papers. I believe, he had to move the family there because that was were the work was with the railroad, but they were back in Downs by 1940.

The 1940 census shows that they owned their house at 821 Osborne St. and it was worth $1,000. He attended school through the eight grade and worked as a machinist for Missouri Pacific Railway and worked 50 weeks in 1939 and earned $2,348. This equals about $40,400 in 2017 values.

In 1953 Adam and the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri to continue working with the Missouri Pacific Railroad. They kept their house in Downs. He worked there from November 1953 to November 1958 when he retired from the railroad. According to his pension record he also worked for Jones Wholesale Co. in Kansas City and that ended November 1958.

They returned to Downs, Kansas after Adam retired. I remember visiting their house and they had a garden in the back. We would enter through the back door into the kitchen. I don't ever remember entering through the front door. Grandpa Adam had a shelf next to his chair and always had a candy bowl that he would let us pick a piece.  That was the highlight of my visit.

In 1966 they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Adam and Ora Stegman 50th Wedding Anniversary.

In 1976 they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

Ora had a stroke around 1980 and went to live in the nursing home in Downs. Adam decided to move in with her so he could be with her. True Love...

Adam passed away August 26, 1986, two years after Ora passed away. His obituary follows:

Adam Stegman was born to Christopher (sic) and Apollonia Stegman on November 1, 1893, at Pfeifer, Ks. Adam departed this life at the Downs Nursing Center on August 26, 1986. He was married to Ora Parsons, March 29, 1916. To this union of 67 years were born two daughters, Irene Hefley and XXXX. Adam was a master machinist for the Missouri Pacific Railroad until his retirement in 1958. He was an avid outdoors man enjoying hunting, fishing and camping. He and Ora were members of the Picnic Ants, a chapter of NCHA. Adam was preceded in death by his wife, Ora. He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Hefley (Irene), Downs, Ks. and Mr. and Mrs. XXXX XXXX (XXXX), Kansas City, Mo.; 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. The funeral Service was held August 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Rev. James Hoover officiating.Organist for the service was Mrs. Doris Mick. The following served as pallbearers: Ted McKain, Dan Cowley, Al Stroh, Lawrence Reinert, Raymond Osborne, and George Fletcher. Internment was made at the Downs Cemetery. A memorial has been established for the Downs 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.