Person Page - 134

      William Edward Stanley was born on 14 August 1891 at home on the Stanley Farm at Reno County, Kansas. The attending physician shown on his birth certificate was Emily Ann Leamon (midwife), his grandmother. Affidavits for a Delayed Birth Certificate were provided by Cary Elmer Leamon, his mother's brother, and H.G.Smith, husband of Ida May Leamon, his mother's sister.^1,2,3

William attended Hunt Public School, District No. 29 at Valley Township, Reno County, in 1906. He was identified as Edward Stanley. (In the family, William Edward was always called "Ed"; his younger brother, Henry Harland, was later called "Bill.")⁴

William Edward appeared in the Kansas State Censuses of 1895 and 1905, and the US Census of 1900 in the household of his father, John William Stanley, in Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas.^5,6,7

Edward appeared in the census of 1910 in the household of his father John William Stanley at Valley Township. He was 18, born in Kansas.⁸

William Edward was taught at home by his mother until he was about 8 years old and could walk to the Hunt School with his younger sister, Grace. He could read well and skipped grades, easily keeping up with his age group. At the age of 14, he decided high school would be a waste of time so he rode the train from Burrton to Manhattan to enroll in the (then) Kansas State Agricultural College. There he received his high school diploma and graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1912. He sometimes told of how he saved money by wearing clean but wrinkled shirts because he mailed his laundry home. And by buying crackers from the bottom of the barrel because the broken ones were cheaper.

After graduating from Kansas State with a degree in Civil Engineerin in 1912, William was a State Bridge Inspector with the Kansas State Highway Department and a surveyor in California with the United States Land Office.

After that, William went on to obtain a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in 1916. He was an instructor in surveying, astronomy, and hydraulics at Purdue University from 1913 to 1917.

In May 1915, William was awarded the 32nd degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Indianapolis, Indiana.^9,10,11

William appeared in the Kansas Census of 1915 in the household of his father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County. He was 22.¹²  

William registered for the draft in World War I from Valley Precinct, Reno County, Kansas on 5 June 1917 at Valley Precinct, Reno County, Kansas. He was single, age 26, born in Burrton, Kansas on 14 August, 1891. At the time of registration, he was a candidate in Engineer Officer's Reserve Corps at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana. His home address is given as RFD#1, Burrton, Kansas.¹³

William passed the examination for the Engineers Officers Reserve Corps on 27 April 1917. He served from December 1917 to August 1919 with the AEF in France as a First Lieutenant and then Captain in the Corps of Engineers, serving part time with the French and the English in Flanders and with the American Army in the Meuse Argonne offensive. He remained in France after the end of the war to obtain a Certificate in Theoretical Hydraulics from the University of Toulouse.¹⁰

William married Lois Marie Slayton on 17 July 1924 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. They were married at 6053 Woodlawn, Ave. by Charles W. Gilkey, Minister of the Gospel. The marriage was witnessed by her father, Henry H. Slayton, and Nancy E. Beach..¹⁴

From 1919 to 1936 William was employed as a consulting Engineer, Principal Engineer, and Junior Partner with Greeley and Hansen, a prominent civil engineering firm headquartered in Chicago. During that time, he had a major part in the development of many municipal projects in upwards of eighty larger cities, including water purification plants at Hammond and Michigan City in Indiana; Lake Forest, Illinois; and Danville, Kentucky. He was also involved with impounding dams at Decatur and Jacksonville, Illinois, and Bloomington, Indiana; sewerage and sewage disposal in Los Angeles, California, Dallas, Texas, Elgin, Rockford and Springfield, Illinois, Minneapolis and St Paul in Minnesota, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Wards Island in New York City; flood control work at Walla Walla, Washington, and Springfield, Illinois and many other similar assignments. He also worked as technical expert for the State of New Jersey in a Delaware River case before the United States Supreme Court, and as an expert witness in a stream pollution suit for Chicago Heights, and other cases.

During this time, he was a frequent contributor to technical journals and served as the chairman of an ASCE committee on filter materials and engaged in preparing a manual of engineering practices for sanitary engineers.

These jobs required much traveling. He told that at one time his sons were worried that he had lost his job because he was home several days. This was probably an important reason why he finally left Greeley and Hansen in 1935 to become a Professor of Sanitary Engineering at Cornell University. In January 1936 Professor Stanley was presented the Illinois Award of the Illinois Society of Engineers in recognition of his paper entitled “Cost Considerations in Engineering Design” which was adjudged the outstanding contribution during the year 1935.¹⁰

William was listed as the head of household in the 1930 Census in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. He was 38, born in Kansas, and listed as a civil engineer. Included in the household were his wife, Marie (35); his son Billy (3); and a servant, Elizabeth Cannedy (39.)¹⁵

William was listed as the head of household in the 1940 Census in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. He was 48, born in Kansas, and listed as a University teacher. Included in the household were his wife, Marie (45); and his 2 sons, William Jr. (13) and James (9).¹⁶

William registered for the draft in 1942 at Ithaca, Thompkins County, New York. At that time he had already obtained leave from Cornell University for a temporary position with the Construction Division of the War Department.^17,18

Military Service in World War II

In late May 1941 when William was teaching at Cornell, he was asked to take over as Project Manager for the construction of Camp Atterbury in Indiana effective immediately, He was told that 75 surveyers were already on the scene together with the entire Junior class of Civil Engineering students at Purdue under the charge of their professor.

The designing and awarding bids for the construction of Camp Atterbury was an exciting time but in March, 1941 William was asked to leave there to take charge of the Sanitary Engineering Section of the Army Construction Division. This required him to move with his family to Arlington, Virginia where he worked in the Pentagon. After several months, Congress shifted all of this Army construction work to the Corps of Engineers.

After about a year William was commissioned a Major in the Corps of Engineers and assigned to England. In England, he was assigned to be Water Supply Officer for a forthcoming expedition and ordered to determine what supplies, how many Engineer troops, and what equipment would be necessary to serve 100,00 troops in North Africa by 5:00pm the same day. He asked for two Water Supply Companies but only one company was available in England requiring an effort to assemble the second company.

Next William was ordered late Saturday night to arrange for shipping 300,000 gallons of London water to North Africa the following Wednesday from a port that would be announced the day before. The Supply Division reported that they had only 20,000 water cans and they were already filled with gasoline. Fortunately the Britsh Admiralty was able to locate a dump of 55-gallon drums downsream from London where London water was available and a battlion of engineers – roughly 2,000 men - was available to load them. They figured that about 5,500 barrels of water would be needed.

At the Supply Dump, the Superintendent estimated that, if he could get special permission to use his women workers overtime, he could fill 175 barrels a week. At that rate it would take 31 weeks to fill the 5,500 barrels. But this was Sunday noon – the barrels had to be ready in two days! So the Superintendent got permission to use his women workers as “instructors” and soon the 2,000 engineers were busy rolling barrels around, first with a cleaning solution and then with a special paint to coat the inside. A special heating unit was constructed to blow hot air through the drums. The commander of the local Fire Brigade then volunteered to have his men fill all the barrels with water as a “fire drill”.

Eventually the water supply operation received a special commendation from General Patton for being ready to supply his armored troops as they moved into Tunisia. William was ordered to take charge of the Construction Division to build a prison camp for 250,000 Italian soldiers that Patton had captured. Subsequently he was called upon to build several large hospitals in North Africa.¹⁹  

Following the war, William spent 13 years as a Professor of Sanitary Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also worked for many years as a consultant for the Biruminous Fiber Pipe Association; as a Senior Associate-Consultant for Ryckman, Edgerley, Burbank and Associates; and with Sun, Low, Tom, and Hara in Honolulu.

William became a Life Member of the American Water Works Association in November 1920. He was also a long-time member of the American Society of Civil Engineering. He was first elected to the grade of Junior Member on May 31, 1916; elected Associate Member on July 9, 1923; elected Member on February 14, 1938; became a Life Member on January 1, 1958; and accorded the grade of Fellow on June 6, 1959.

Following his retirement from MIT in 1965 as Professor Emeritus, William went on to organize Sanitary Engineering Departments at Washington University in St Louis and at the University of Hawaii at Honolulu. He helped to write textbooks for engineering courses for university and graduate study. He also contributed to engineering publications and was a Diplomat in the American Academy of Sanitary Engineers. One of his proudest moments came in 1978 when he was elevated on the official shovel to the highest ridge on the sludge bed with the title of Select Sanitary Sludge Shoveler by the Sentral States Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers of the Central States Water Pollution Control Association.

William died on 29 September 1982 of congestive heart failure at Plymouth Place at LaGrange Park, Cook County, Illinois, at age 91. The attending physician at death was Dr. Wm. A. Moore, La Grange, Illinois. He was cremated at Oakridge Abbey, Hillside, IL, on 30 Sep 1982. The cremation and burial were arranged by Hallowell & James Funeral Homes, LaGrange, IL. Memorial services were held at Dole Hall, Plymouth Place, La Grange Park, IL on 2 Oct 1982, Dr. John Biegert officiating..^20,21,3 He was buried in the Sec 13, Lot 431 of the Mount Hope Cemetery at Chicago, Illinois.^22,23

     John Robert Stanley was born on 25 November 1892 at home on the Stanley Farm at Reno County, Kansas.^1,2,3,4

John Robert appeared at Kansas Census of 1 March 1895 in the household of his father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County.⁵
John died on 5 November 1898 at age 5.^2,6,4 He was buried in the Valley Township Cemetery at Haven, Reno County.^7,4

      Grace Emily (Glennis) Stanley was born on 21 July 1894 at home on the Stanley Farm at Reno County, Kansas.^1,2,3,4

Grace appeared at Kansas Census of 1 March 1895 in the household of her father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County. She was 9 months old.⁵

Grace was listed in the US Censuses of 1900 & 1910 in the household of her father, John William Stanley, at Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas.⁶

Grace appeared in the Kansas Census of 1 March 1905 in the household of her father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County.⁷ She attended Hunt Public School, District No. 29, in Valley Township, Reno County, in 1906.⁸

Grace appeared in the Kansas Census of 1915 in the household of her father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County. She was 20.⁹

Grace married Fred Bates Hill on 22 March 1916 in Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas.¹  

Grace appeared in the census of 1920 in the household of her husband Fred Bates Hill at Valley Township, Reno County. She was 25, born in Kansas.¹⁰

Grace appeared in the census of 1925 in the household of her husband Fred Bates Hill at Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas. She was 30, born in Kansas.¹¹

Grace appeared in the census of 1930 in the household of her husband Fred Bates Hill at Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas. She was35.¹²

Grace had gone to school a bit after 8th grade to do post-graduate work but soon worked full time helping at home or working in homes where help was needed, especially after a new baby arrived. After her mother died in 1914, she felt responsible for her younger siblings. So it was good that she and Fred lived just a bit over three miles west of the Stanley farm. She could sew for the younger ones and invite them over for a visit.

Grace was a Sunday School teacher, active in Ladies Aid, served on the Election Boards and still managed three children and a big garden and orchard with lots of canning. How she learned to drive is an indication of her determination. After a few somewhat impatient lessons from Fred, she decided she knew enough to get by. She pushed the old Model T out of the barn, started it, and drove off to get the mail down at the east corner, almost a half mile away. Grace drove over every day to help her brother Clyde care for their father during his last illness. She helped with her mother-in-law and both sisters-in-law during various illnesses. After her father's death, she was administrator of his estate. Though the family was large, she did not have any problems as everyone was helpful and pleasant.¹³

Grace appeared in the census of 1940 in the household of her husband Fred Bates Hill at Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas. She was 45.¹⁴

Grace lived on the family farm for several years after her husband's death in 1962, then moved to a home she had bought in Haven. She was a member of the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Ladies Aid, all in Valley Township. Her lifelong friend Alta (VanBuren, Johnson) Rawlings lived nearby and they took walks all over Haven. She spent much of her time sewing, especially after polyester material became available for her comforters. A material that did not fade or ravel seemed a miracle to her. But she never did want to use two other "miracles", a microwave or a cordless telephone - and she was awed at the thought of computers. However, she did ride peacefully in airplanes to Connecticut, Chicago, Spokane, Charleston, and Pennsylvania to visit family. And on trains to Colorado and Arizona. Pretty good for a little girl who would dash out to the road to see an automobile go by the Stanley farm.¹³

Grace died on 17 May 1991 at Mennonite Friendship Manor at South Hutchinson, Kansas, at age 96. Funeral services were held at the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Valley Township with Rev. Al Hysom presiding. Her casket bearers were her 7 grandsons (and grandsons-in-law): William R, Ball; Gary Detter; Robert Detter; Michael Dole; Kenneth Hill; Jack Jones; and David Munden..^1,15,3,4 She was buried in the Fairlawn Cemetery at Hutchinson, Kansas.^1,15,3

      Frederick Lowell Stanley was born on 20 November 1895 at home on the Stanley Farm at Reno County, Kansas. He was known as Fred Stanley in most family and civic records throughout his life.^1,2,3,4

Frederick was listed in the US Censuses of 1900 and 1910 in the household of his father, John William Stanley, at Valley Twp.. He was 4 and 14, respectively, born in Kansas.⁵

Fred appeared in the Kansas Census of 1 March 1905 in the household of his father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County.⁶

Fred attended Hunt Public School, District No. 29, in Valley Township, Reno County, in 1906.⁷

Fred appeared in the Kansas Census of 1915 in the household of his father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County. He was 18.⁸

Frederick registered for the draft for World War I on 5 June 1917 at Valley Precinct, Reno County, Kansas. At the time he was living at RFD #1, Burrton, Kansas (probably the family home), single, and working as a farmer for his father, John W. Stanley.¹

Frederick served in as a private first class in the 338 Machine Gun Battlion, Regiment B, US Army from 27 May 1918 to 16 June 1919 during World War I.⁴ A subsequent Special Award in 1927 indicated that he had served in the 188th Machine Gun Battalion.⁹

Fred appeared in the census of 1920 in the household of his father John William Stanley at Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas. He was 24, born in Kansas.¹⁰

Frederick married Elizabeth Retta Howard on 18 April 1920 in Burrton, Harvey County, Kansas. The marriage license was authorized on April 17 by Chas. Fulton, Probate Judge. Fred and Elizabeth were married the next day by S. N. Barley, Minister..¹¹

As of 1927, Frederick Lowell Stanley and Elizabeth Retta Howard lived at 1717 E 14th St., Pueblo, Colorado. He was listed as a steelworker.¹²

He received a Special Award from Colorado Fuel and Iron Co. for saving the life of a fellow worker who came into contact with high voltage lines at Minnequa Steel Works on 30 Aug 1927.¹³

Frederick Lowell Stanley appeared on the census of 1930 at Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado.¹⁴

As of 1931, Frederick Lowell Stanley and Elizabeth Retta Howard lived at 315 E 10th, Pueblo, Peiblo County, Colorado. They were listed at 819 E 15th St in the 1932 Pueblo directory.¹⁵

Frederick was listed as the head of household in the 1940 Census in Precinct 18, Pueblo, Colorado. He was 45, born in Kansas, and listed as a spike packer in a steel mill. Included in the household were his wife, Retta (39); a son, Eugene (16); and a daughter, Benerly (15).¹⁶

Frederick registered for the WWII draft in 1942 at Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado. At the time he was living at 1510 E Sixth in Pueblo and was working at the Colorado Fuel - Iron Corp.¹⁷ As of 1942, Frederick Lowell Stanley and Elizabeth Retta Howard lived at 510 E 6th, Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado. He was listed as a steel worker.¹⁸

Frederick was divorced from Elizabeth Retta Howard in January 1946.¹⁹

Frederick married Ina Gladys Brown on 17 June 1956 in Los Angeles, California. This was the second marriage for both parties..^19,20

In 1959 Fred was living in Venice, California.²¹

Frederick died on 20 December 1961 in Los Angeles, California, at age 66. Funeral services were held on 22 December 1961 at the Little Chapel of the Dawn in Los Angeles with Everett Christie officiating. Services were directed by Gates, Kingsley, and Gates..^2,22,23 He was buried at Oakwood Memorial Park at Chatsworth, California.^2,24

      Mabel Helen Stanley was born on 26 April 1898 at home on the Stanley Farm at Reno County, Kansas.^1,2,3,4

Mabel appeared in the Kansas Census of 1 March 1905 in the household of her father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County.⁵

Mabel attended Hunt Public School, District No. 29, in Valley Township, Reno County, in 1906.⁶

Mabel appeared in the census of 1910 in the household of her father John William Stanley at Valley Township. She was 12, born in Kansas.⁷

Mabel appeared in the Kansas Census of 1915 in the household of her father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County. She was 17.⁸

Mabel appeared in the census of 1920 in the household of her father John William Stanley at Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas. She was 22, born in Kansas.⁹

Mabel married Jesse J. Hudson on 10 November 1923 in Wichita, Sedgewick County, Kansas.^1,10

Jesse and Mabel met when she was working in Hutchinson as a sales clerk. He was living at home and essentially supporting his parents. His mother died after a short illness. Jesse and Mabel cared for Mr. Hudson for years after he had a stroke.

All those years they had no children but often had nieces and nephews visit them. His sister's boys, Jack and Joe Simmons, thought of Jesse as their other father and often went on trips with Jesse and Mabel. Some of Mabel and Jesse's nieces and nephews visited for several days. They loved using a real bathroom, playing in the sprinkler, and going to the little grocery on the corner for candy or ice cream cookies.

Mabel was a member of First United Methodist Church, Hutchinson. She taught children in Sunday School. She walked to the day nursery and asked if there might be some little child who would benefit from being at her place some days. And that is how they became attached to Dorothy Marie and eventually adopted her. Later, when Dorothy married young and then divorced, they cared for her daughter, Cynthia Lou Giles.

Though Mabel had limited schooling, she worked at improving herself. She and her siblings were fortunate that their parents set a good example in speaking. She bought a typewriter and worked at correct writing. She later was able to help Dorothy with her school homework.

Mabel seldom liked pictures of herself. As a result few pictures survived of either of them.¹¹

Mable appeared in the Kansas Census of 1925 in the household of her husband Jesse J. Hudson in Hutchinson, Reno County. She was 27.¹²

Mabel died on 18 September 1991 in the Golden Plains Health Care Center Hutchinson, Kansas, at age 93.^4,2 She was buried in the Fairlawn Cemetery in Hutchinson. The funeral service was held at the cemetery, Pastor Leroy Smoot officiating..^13,2

      Clyde Thomas Stanley was born on 2 February 1899 on the Stanley Farm, Reno County, Kansas.^1,2,3,4

Clyde's sister Grace used to tell that when he was a baby they would put corn cobs under the rockers of his cradle so they would not have to listen to him rock all night. But he learned to get out of the cradle, remove the cobs, get back in and rock away.⁵

Clyde appeared in the Kansas Census of 1 March 1905 in the household of his father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County.⁶

Clyde attended Hunt Public School, District No. 29, in Valley Township, Reno County, in 1906.⁷

Clyde appeared in the census of 1910 in the household of his father John William Stanley at Valley Township. He was 11, born in Kansas.⁸

Clyde appeared in the Kansas Census of 1915 in the household of his father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County. He was 16.⁹

Clyde lost several fingers on his right hand when he was a young man. A gun was leaning against the front of a buggy. When it started to fall, he grabbed it, unfortunately catching it with his small fingers right over the end where they were mangled when the gun went off. It was a painful injury but through his life he was able to use that hand with its strong thumb and forefinger to wield a hammer and do most anything.

Clyde left home and worked as a hired hand most of his life. For many years he lived with the Comes family. Mr. Comes had an illness which made him unable to plan his farm work but he was able to do some of the work. Clyde took over and ran the farm. He seemed to look on the two Comes' boys, Bill and Bo, as his sons. When Bill married and built a house, Clyde did some of the carpentry work.⁵

Clyde registered for the draft for World War I on 12 September 1918 at Reno County, Kansas. At the time, he was living at RFD #1, Burrton, Kansas and working as a farm hand for Elmer Chesshire of Valley Township, Reno County. He stated that he was disqualified from service because he was missing three fingers.¹⁰

Clyde appeared in the census of 1920 in the household of his father John William Stanley at Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas. He was 20, born in Kansas.¹¹

Reportedly, Clyde left home early in life because he did not get along with his father. He came back home to care for his father in his last illness. Since the rest of the family was busy with children or with day jobs, he did most of the care. He was a good cook and housekeeper.¹²

Clyde appeared in the Kansas Census of 1925 in the household of John Dell in Valley Township, Reno County. He was 26 years old.¹³

Clyde appeared in the census of 1930 as a boarder in the household of Ed Comes at Yoder, Reno County, Kansas. He was 31, listed as a truck farm manager..¹⁴

Clyde appeared in the census of 1940 as a lodger in the household of Edd Comes at Reno, Reno County, Kansas. He was 41 and listed as a carpenter.¹⁵

After his father died, Clyde married Betty Lee Gaede circa 1941 They lived in Colorado where they enjoyed fishing. Clyde and Betty had no children..¹⁶

As of 1947, Clyde Thomas Stanley and Betty Lee Stanley lived at 319 1/2 N Main, Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas. By 1949, they had moved to 324 N Star in Hutchinson.^17,18

In 1958, Clyde lived at 410 Hays, La Junta, Otero County, Colorado. At the time of his death, he lived at 1113 West Fifth St. in La Junta. He was then working for the construction department of Western Canning Company who had transferred him to La Junta from Hutchinson about 1952.¹⁹

Clyde died on 27 June 1959 in La Junta, Otero County, Colorado, at age 60. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while fishing at Holbrook Lake near La Junta and died while being rushed to a hospital. Services were held at Peacock-Green Memorial Chapel in La Junta with Chaplain K. T. Trout, pastor of the First Christian Church, officiating. Final services were held on 1 July 1959 at Johnson & Sons Memorial Chapel in Hutchinson, Kansas with Rev. Arlon O. Ebright presiding..^20,1,2,4 He was buried in the Gaede family plot in Fairlawn Cemetery on the south side of Hutchinson. His grave is in the Gaede family plot in Section11, lot 505, space 1..^1,2,21

      Josephine Mae Stanley was born on 12 September 1900 at home on the Stanley Farm on the Reno County, Kansas.^1,2,3,4

Josephine (Josie) appeared in the Kansas Census of 1 March 1905 in the household of her father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County. She was 4.⁵

Josephine appeared in the census of 1910 in the household of her father John William Stanley at Valley Township. She was 9, born in Kansas.⁶

Jo was the first person in the Stanley family to go to the Burrton High School. Later all of the children in the family attended the High School except Alice who chose not to go because she was not strong.⁷

Josephine (identified as Jessie in the census) appeared in the Kansas Census of 1915 in the household of her father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County. She was 14.⁸

Josephine appeared in the census of 1920 in the household of her father John William Stanley at Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas. She was 19, born in Kansas.⁹

Josephine married Charles Harold 'Penny' Eshom on 30 August 1921 at Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, After their marriage, Jo was a hard-working helper to Penny in his farm work, especially during lambing season. Jo's sister, Eleanor, lived with them for a time and Jo sewed her school clothes..^2,10

Josephine appeared in the Kansas Census of 1925 in the household of her husband Charles Harold 'Penny' Eshom in Alta, Harvey County. She was 24.¹¹

Josephine appeared in the census of 1930 in the household of her husband Charles Harold 'Penny' Eshom at Alta Township, Harvey County, Kansas. She was 29.¹²

Josephine appeared in the census of 1940 in the household of her husband Charles Harold 'Penny' Eshom at Alta Township, Harvey County, Kansas. She was 39.¹³

Josephine was a longtime Burrton resident, moving to Topeka at the age of 95. She belonged to the First Christian Church, the Olivetts of the church, and the Order of the Eastern Star, all at Burrton.²

Josephine died on 1 October 1999 at Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, at age 99. Death occurred from a stroke at the Rolling Hills Health Center in Topeka. Funeral services were held at her graveside in Burrton Cemetery with Pastor Mark Dixon presiding..^2,4 She was buried in the Burrton Cemetery near Burrton, Kansas.^2,14

     Alice Mildred Stanley was born on 4 October 1902 in Stanley Farm, Reno County, Kansas. (Her gravestone says she was born in 1903)..^1,2,3

Reportedly, Alice was seriously ill as young girl. She was never strong and did not go to high school like her sisters.^1,4

Alice appeared in the US Censuses of 1910, 1920, and 1930 and in the Kansas State Censuses of 1905, 1915, and 1925 in the household of her father, John William Stanley, all in Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas.^5,6,7,8,9,10

Alice married Paul Louis Collins on 24 December 1930. Reportedly, Alice met Paul through a magazine pen pal column. Paul was a carpenter, had been in the SeaBee's for awhile, and then worked for the prison at Leavenworth. Both Paul and Alice liked to write stories and poetry. They had no children..^11,1,4

Alice appeared in the census of 1940 in the household of her husband Paul Louis Collins at Richardson, Delaware Township, Leavenworth County, Kansas. She was 37.¹²

Alice died on 3 August 1982 in the St. John Hospital at Leavenworth, Kansas, at age 79. Shirley Detter says she died of" stomach trouble" (heart, ulcer, or cancer). Eleanor Eicholz says it was probably her heart. Funeral services were held at the Belden-Sexton-Sumpter Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth, Rev. Gary Nagel, Pastor of the Wullula Christian Church officiating..^13,1,3 She was buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery at Leavenworth.^14,15

      Ruth Marjorie Stanley was born on 15 October 1904 at home on the Stanley Farm at Reno County, Kansas.^1,2,3,4,5

Ruth appeared in the Kansas State Censuses of 1905 and 1915 and in the US Censuses of 1910 and 1920 in the household of her father, John William Stanley, in Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas.^6,7,8,9

Ruth married John Clifton Dole on 15 April 1922 at Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas. After their marriage, Ruth and Clifton had more than 60 years together. In spite of the Great Depression, they were able to care for a family of eight children and lived to enjoy several grandchildren. The daughters often remarked that their mother was a very good cook. One of the sons asked that the Burrton Library be named after his mother. He said that he had moved back to Burrton after some years away because he remembered his happy childhood there..^2,10,11

Ruth appeared in the Kansas Census of 1925 in the household of her husband John Clifton Dole in Burrton Township, Harvey County. She was 20.¹²

Ruth appeared in the census of 1940 in the household of her husband John Clifton Dole at Burrton Township, Harvey County, Kansas. She was 35.¹³

Ruth died on 3 July 1982 in Halstead, Kansas, at age 77. She died in the Halsted Hospital following heart surgery and many days in a coma. Funeral services were held at the First Christian Church, Burrton on 6 July 1982 officiated by Rev Lynn Dickson..^14,15,11,16 She was buried in the Burrton Cemetery, Burrton, Kansas.^17,18,19

      Florence Louise Stanley was born on 22 December 1907 at home on the Stanley Farm at Reno County, Kansas.^2,3,4,5

Florence appeared in the Kansas Census of 1915 in the household of her father John William Stanley in Valley Township, Reno County. She was 7.⁶

Florence and her sister Blanche rented what was called a "light housekeeping room" in Burrton so they could attend high school. Apparently Blanche always said, "Dad always gave Florence the money for our food and rent." And when Florence learned that Blanche was still complaining about this years later. she said "Of course he did, I was the oldest".¹

Florence appeared in the US Censuses of 1910, 1920 and 1930 and in the Kansas State Census of 1925 in the household of her father, John William Stanley, all in Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas.^3,7,8,9

After high school, Florence took some summer school work and got a teaching certificate. She taught in rural Rice County and Reno County. For a time, she and Bill (Henry Harland) were the only two children living with their father. They made a clay tennis court just west of the house on the Stanley farm and put up back stops. Many young folks enjoyed that and were able to have fun in spite of the depression.

Florence was a teacher for many years. In her teaching and in her other activities, she was always ready to try new ideas. She learned to tap dance and her students enjoyed trying that.^10,1

Florence married Wilbur Neal Gresham on 28 November 1935. After their marriage, Florence and Neil lived with her father for a time. They soon moved to an oil field house and later lived in Hutchinson in a house on East B..^11,1

Florence appeared in the census of 1940as a lodger in the household of Kelnicht and Emma Holmes at Loda Township, Reno County, Kansas. She was 30, a teacher, and apparently living apart from her husband, Neil Gresham.¹²

Florence was divorced from Wilbur Neal Gresham in 1943. Afterward, Florence bought a house on Star near Grandview School. Bill's wife Letha and their baby Donna lived with Florence in that house for awhile when Bill (Henry Harland) was serving in the military.. After the divorce, Neal may have married Aletha Rose Gresham (1914-1989) who is also buried in the New Home Cemetery in Nash, Grant County, Oklahoma..^1,13

Florence married Winton Blair on 21 July 1952 in Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, Winton was a farmer and plumber in Lyons, Kansas. He had two young sons, Larry and Steve. Florence was often his helper as well as acting as a mother to the boys.

Steve remembers Florence as being the best cook ever. No matter who was in the house when a meal needed to be cooked, Florence cooked the meal because she wanted to cook it her way. Not only that but she took the food to the table and decided how much each person got and put it on their plate.

Steve remembers that she did woodworking and always finished any project that she started. She cut her finger off with a power saw but that didn't deter her. She made a kitchen cabinet and a table among other things.

Florence always did crafts and was the leader of Steve's Cub Scout den. Later she renewed her teaching certificate during summer school at Emporia State. Steve went with her and attended summer school too.

In later life, Florence sometimes baby-sat Larry's two girls or Steve's two boys. She loved poetry and took it upon herself to write a poem at the time of most of her sibling's deaths.

Perhaps her best and most lasting legacy to her family was encouraging them to try things - even if they failed - you will learn something in trying, she said..^10,1,14

Shortly after Winston died, Florence moved into Hutchinson to be near relatives.¹⁰

Florence died on 7 May 2009 at Good Samaritan Village at Hutchinson at age 101. Cremation was handled by AllSafe Infinity (Wichita, KS.)^15,16 Florence Louise Stanley was buried in the Valley Township Cemetery at Reno County.¹

      Blanche Elizabeth Stanley was born on 9 March 1910 on the Stanley Farm, Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

Blanche appeared in the US Censuses of 1910 and 1920 and in the Kansas State Censuses of 1915 and 1925 in the household of her father, John William Stanley, in Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas.^8,9,10,11

Blanche married Adrian Bottoms on 17 April 1926.^12,13

Blanche appeared in the census of 1930 in the household of her husband Adrian Bottoms at Burrton Township, Harvey County, Kansas. She was 20.¹⁴

After their marriage, Blanche and Adrian lived in Burrton. Blanche had fond memories of her father coming to Burrton and bringing food, sometimes even steak, for a special meal. Blanche admired how hard her father worked and was a hard worker herself. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed making dresses for her daughter.

In later years, Blanche moved to Hutchinson. She was an employee of Hutchinson Bag Factory for 30 years. She didn't own a car and had to walk to work. She was a member of First Christian Church, Hutchinson.

Blanche's son Larry did not have children but Blanche enjoyed her daughter Naida's three children and later her grandchildren.³

Blanche appeared in the census of 1940 in the household of her husband Adrian Bottoms at Burrton Township, Harvey County, Kansas. She was 30.¹⁵

Blanche resided at 304 N. Bonebrake, at Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, in 1951. She was listed as a machine operator at the Hutchinson Bag Company..¹⁶

Blanche resided at 205 W Ave B, at Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, in 1953. She was listed as a worker in the sewing department of Hutchinson Bag..¹⁷

Blanche died on 6 October 1988 in the Oakwood Villa at Hutchinson, Kansas, at age 78. Funeral services were at Burrton Cemetery with Rev. Melvin Walton officiating..^18,2,3,5 She was buried in the Burrton Cemetery near Burrton, Kansas.^19,2,3,20

      Henry Harland Stanley was born on 20 February 1912 at home on the Stanley Farm at Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas.^1,2,3 Henry Harland was known as "Bill" in the family, reportedly because his brothers refused to call him Henry.

Bill (Henry Harland) appeared in the US Censuses of 1920 and 1930 and in the Kansas State Censuses of 1915 and 1925 in the household of his father, John William Stanley, in Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas.^4,5,6,7

During his school years, Bill often worked on the farm for his brother-in-law, Fred Hill. He graduated near the top of his class academically from the Burrton High School and received a football scholarship to Southwestern College in Winfield. But, during the depression, scholarships were not enough and the lack of money forced him to drop out of college. He and a friend rode motorcycles through western states, working when they could find a job. Back in Kansas, he found work as a "tool pusher" in the oil fields.^8,9

Henry married Letha Philbina Koehn on 22 November 1939 at Phillipsburg, Phillips County, Kansas. Bill and Letha met on a blind date. She accompanied him as his work took him throughout the state..^1,10,8,9

Henry was listed as the head of household in the 1940 Census in Plaineville Township, Rooks County, Kansas. He was 28, born in Kansas, and listed as a oilfield worker. Included in the household was his wife, Letha (27).¹¹

Henry enlisted in the Navy on 22 July 1943 during World War 2. He was released on 3 Nov 1945.¹²  

In 1956, Henry Harland Stanley and Letha Philbina Koehn lived at 322 N Star, Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas. He was listed as a tool pusher.¹³

During World War II, Bill served with the US Navy on submarines. During that time, Letha lived with his sister, Florence.

After the war, Bill worked as a tool pusher in the oil fields in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, and Canada for 35 years. At that time, they lived in Winfield, Kansas. However, with school days approaching, Bill and Letha moved to a house near Grandview School in Hutchinson in 1952. Letha stayed in Hutchinson so that the children would have a stable home while Bill went where his job took him, even into Canada.

Bill retired from the oilfields in 1961. He then worked for the Hutchinson Vending Company for 20 years. During those years, Bill and Letha did a lot of bowling and joined the Hutchinson Bowling Association.

In 1974 Bill received a $500 reward for his part in apprehending two juvenile store robbers.

Bill finally had to quit bowling because he had Parkinson's disease. But he was able to remain at home for several years before finally going into the Golden Plains Nursing Home.^14,8,9

Bill died on 21 February 2006 at the Golden Plains Care Center at Hutchinson, Kansas, at age 94. His cause of death was listed as pneumonia..^3,9,15 He was buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery Hutchinson, Kansas. His grave is in Dev 3 24 5-A..⁹

      Maude Eleanor Stanley was born on 11 June 1914 at 10 p.m., Friday at home on the Stanley Farm at Reno County, Kansas. When her mother died immediately after her birth, Eleanor's grandparents, Thomas and Emily Leamon, took Eleanor to live with them for more than a year. The older children remembered her crying for "Bampa" when they brought her back to the Stanley home because they could no longer care for her..^1,2,3

Eleanor appeared in the Kansas State Census of 1915 and in the US Censuses of 1920 and 1930 in the household of her father, John William Stanley, in Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas.^4,5,6

Eleanor graduated from the Burrton High School in Harvey County, Kansas on 14 May 1931.⁷

Eleanor lived with her sister Jo and Jo's husband Penny during one school year. She went to Hunt School other years, then to Burrton High School where she she graduated on 14 May 1931 as salutatorian of her graduating class.^8,9

Maude married John William Hornbaker on 5 January 1935.¹⁰  

Eleanor appeared in the census of 1940 in the household of her husband John William Hornbaker at Lyons, Rice Township, Harvey County, Kansas. She was 25.^11,10

After her divorce, Eleanor held a variety of jobs: waitress, tombstone artist, pottery maker, perhaps others. She had considerable art ability and her sisters received many hand-painted plates and other products of her talents. Her nieces remember the fabulous paper dolls she made for them.

After her son John, John William Jr., finished school, he became an Army officer and Eleanor visited him in many places. She worked summers at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs and drove to Florida to work in a restaurant there in winter for several years.⁸

Maude married James Eicholz on 14 December 1952 at Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas.¹² She was divorced from James Eicholz some time later.

Maude Eleanor Stanley died on 14 February 2003 at the Colonial Columns Health Center at Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, at age 88.^13,14,3 She was buried on 26 April 2006 at Valley Township Cemetery, Valley Township, Kansas, Memorial services were held in the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church near Haven, Kansas, Pastor Larry Ankrom officiating.^13,14,15

      Lois Marie Slayton was born on 2 October 1894 at Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. She was usually called Marie in the family.^1,2,3

Marie appeared in the census of 1900 in the household of her father Henry Howard Slayton at 1st Ward, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. She was 5, born in Iowa.⁴ In the census of 1910 she appeared in the household of her father Henry Howard Slayton in the 7th Ward at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. She was 15, born in Iowa.⁵

Lois Marie appeared in the census of 1920 in the household of her father Henry Howard Slayton at Chicago Ward 7, Cook County, Illinois. She was 25, a teacher in a private school, born in Iowa.⁶

Marie married William Edward Stanley on 17 July 1924 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. They were married at 6053 Woodlawn, Ave. by Charles W. Gilkey, Minister of the Gospel. The marriage was witnessed by her father, Henry H. Slayton, and Nancy E. Beach..⁷  

Marie appeared in the census of 1930 in the household of her husband William Edward Stanley at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. She was 35..⁸

Marie appeared in the census of 1940 in the household of her husband William Edward Stanley at Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. She was 45..⁹

On Wednesday, July 21, 1982, Marie had bad "trouble" with her throat and stomach. The tube by which Marie feeds herself came out. She was taken to the Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center where surgeons operating through her throat found and removed part of a abscess in her stomach.At the time, her primary care doctor, Dr. Robert Slayton was on an Investional Cancer Research trip.¹⁰

Lois died on 7 January 1986 of cerebral thrombosis at LaGrange Park, Illinois, at age 91. Her death was certified by Dr. William A. Moore. She was cremated at Oakridge Abbey, Hillside, IL, on 8 Jan 1986. The cremation and burial were arranged by Hallowell & James Funeral Homes, LaGrange, IL. Services were held at Dole Hall, Plymouth Place, La Grange Park, IL on 11 Jan 1986, Dr. John Biegert officiating..^11,12,2 She was buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery at Chicago, Illinois.^13,14