Person Page - 144

      John William Hornbaker was born on 30 November 1909.¹

John appeared in the census of 1910 in the household of his father, William E Hornbaker, at Ware Township, Grant County, Oklahoma. He was 1, born in Kansas.²

John appeared in the census of 1920 in the household of his father, Wm Hornbaker, at Medford Township, Grant County, Oklahoma. He was 11, born in Kansas.³

John graduated from the Medford High School in Reno County, Kansas on 24 May 1928.⁴

John resided at Rural, Harvey County, Kansas, in 1935.⁵

John married Maude Eleanor Stanley on 5 January 1935.⁶

John was listed as the head of household in the 1940 Census in Lyons, Rice Township, Harvey County, Kansas. He was 30, born in Kansas, and listed as a oilfield pumper. Included in the household were his wife, Eleanor (25); and his son, John Jr. (3).

Eleanor and John were divorced some time after this.^7,6

John died on 2 October 1955 at age 45. Ruth A Ritchie (John's sister?) was appointed Administratrix of John's estate by James Riddel, Jr Judge of the Sedgwick County, Kansas Probate Court on 26 Oct 1955..^8,9 He was buried in the Hawley Cemetery at Hawley, Grant County, Oklahoma.¹⁰

     Daniel Walter Morehouse was born on 22 February 1876 in Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minnesota.¹

Daniel appeared in the census of 1880 in the household of his father, Aaron Morehouse, at Decoria, Blue Earth County, Minnesota. He was 4, born in Minnesota.²

Daniel married Myrtle Slayton on 9 June 1903 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Daniel and Myrtle had 3 known children; namely Charles Aaron Morehouse (1904-1999),
Vega Larraine Morehouse (1906-1995), and Frances Roberta Morehouse (1913-2002)..¹

Daniel discovered a comet which was named after him on 1 September 1908 at the Yerkes Observatory while completing his graduate work at the University of Chicago.

After earning his Ph.D. from the University of California, Morehouse returned to Drake in 1914 as an astronomy professor. From there, Morehouse quickly rose through the ranks. He was appointed dean of men in 1919 and dean of the College of Liberal Arts in 1920. In 1922 he was made president of the University, a position he held until his death in 1941. While president, Dr. Morehouse made lasting contributions to Drake University. He was instrumental in raising funds for Drake Stadium, the Fieldhouse, and Cowles Library. The Drake Municipal Observatory was established November 5th, 1921 by Dr. Morehouse. This was, and remains, a cooperative enterprise between Drake University and the City of Des Moines. Des Moines provided the land and the building and Drake University contributed the scientific equipment and staff."¹

Daniel was listed as the head of household in the 1910 Census in Ward 1, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. He was 34, born in Minnesota, and listed as a university professor. Included in the household were his wife, Myrtle (32, IA); a son, Charles A (5, IA); and a daughter, Vega L (3, IA).³

Daniel was listed as the head of household in the 1920 Census in Ward 1, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. He was 43, born in Minnesota, and listed as a professor of astromy. Included in the household were his wife, Myrtle (42, IA); a son, Charles A (15, IA); and 2 daughters, Vega L (12, IA) and Frances R (6, IA).⁴

Daniel was listed as the head of household in the 1930 Census in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. He was 54, born in Minnesota, and listed as a university president. Included in the household were his wife, Myrtle (52, IA); a son, Charles A (25, IA); and 2 daughters, Vega (23, IA) and Frances (16, IA).⁵

Daniel died on 21 January 1941 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, at age 64.¹ He was cremated and his ashes buried in the walls of the Drake Municipal Observatory at Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.¹

     Myrtle Slayton was born on 5 December 1877 in Eldora, Hardin County, Iowa.¹

Myrtle (identified as Mertlie May) appeared in the census of 1880 in the household of her father Stephen Charles Slayton at Ackley, Etna Township, Hardin County, Iowa. She was 3, born in Iowa.²

Myrtle appeared in the census of 1900 in the household of her father Stephen Charles Slayton at Des Moines, Polk County, IOwa. She was 22, born in Iowa.¹

Myrtle married Daniel Walter Morehouse on 9 June 1903 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Daniel and Myrtle had 3 known children; namely Charles Aaron Morehouse (1904-1999),
Vega Larraine Morehouse (1906-1995), and Frances Roberta Morehouse (1913-2002)..³  

Myrtle appeared in the census of 1910 in the household of her husband Daniel Walter Morehouse at Ward 1, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. She was 32, born in Iowa.⁴

Myrtle appeared in the census of 1920 in the household of her husband, Daniel W Morehouse at Des Moines, Ward 1, Polk County, Iowa. She was 42, born in Iowa.⁵

Myrtle appeared in the census of 1920 in the household of her husband Daniel Walter Morehouse at Ward 1, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. She was 42, born in Iowa.⁶

Myrtle appeared in the census of 1930 in the household of her housband, Daniel W Morehouse, at Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. She was 52, born in Iowa.⁷

Myrtle appeared in the census of 1930 in the household of her husband Daniel Walter Morehouse at Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. She was 52, born in Iowa.⁸

Myrtle appeared in the census of 1940[ in the household of her husband, Daniel W Morehouse,] at Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. She was 62, born in Iowa.⁹

Myrtle died on 1 August 1964 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, at age 86.¹⁰ Her ashes was buried in the wall of the Drake Municipal Observatory together with her husband at Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.¹⁰

     Nellie Amelia Slayton was born on 28 December 1873 in Eldora, Hardin County, Iowa.^1,2

Nellie appeared in the census of 1880 in the household of her father Stephen Charles Slayton at Ackley, Etna Township, Hardin County, Iowa. She was 6, born in Iowa.¹

Nellie married Clarence Ray Aurner on 2 July 1896 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.^3,2

Nellie died on 15 July 1961 in Silver Springs, Montgomery County, Maryland, at age 87.² She was buried in the Woodland Cemetery at Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.²

     Clarence Ray Aurner was born on 2 August 1861.^1,2

Clarence married Nellie Amelia Slayton on 2 July 1896 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.^1,3

Clarence died on 22 January 1948 in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa, at age 86.^1,2 He was buried in the Woosland Cemetery at Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.²

     Wilbur Neal Gresham was born on 23 July 1910 in Kansas. His parents were Reginald Nolan Gresham and Laura Edith Marr.^2,3

Wilbur appeared in the census of 1920 in the household of his father, Reginald Gresham, at Burrton, Harvey County, Kansas. He was 9, born in Kansas.⁴

Wilbur married Florence Louise Stanley 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..^5,6

Wilbur was listed as the head of household in the 1940 Census in Valley Township, Reno County, Kansas. He was 30, born in Kansas, and listed as a pumper for Dicky Oil Co.. Apparently he was living alone at this time.⁷

Wilbur was divorced from Florence Louise Stanley in 1943. 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..^6,8

Wilbur served as a Sergeant in Company B, 152nd Infantry, 37th Division in the Pacific in WWII (1942-45). He received the Silver Star for :meritious service" in the Philippines.^9,10

Wilbur married Althea Rose Coburn on 13 April 1952 in Larned, Kansas.^11,12,10

Wilbur died on 25 May 1972 in Liberal, Seward County, Kansas, at age 61. He was employed by the Wakefield Drilling Compant, Liberal, Kansas at the time of his death..^2,3,10 He was buried in the New Home Cemetery at Nash, Grant County.¹³

     Althea Rose Coburn was born on 21 March 1914.¹

Althea married Wilbur Neal Gresham on 13 April 1952 in Larned, Kansas. Althea had at least 2 children from her first marriage, namely Charles, Derl, and Bonita Coburn.^1,2,3  

Althea died on 29 January 1989 at age 74.¹ She was buried in the New Home Cemetery at Nash, Grant County, Oklahoma.¹

     Winton Blair was born on 28 April 1922 in Little River, Rice County, Kansas.¹

Winton appeared in the census of 1925 in the household of his father, Orville Blair, at Mitchell, Rice County, Kansas. He was 2, born in Kansas.² Winton was the son of William Orville and Edna May McIntire Blair. He had two sisters, Georgia Wright and Margurite Moss, and a brother Hewitt. Winton was a life-long resident of the Lyons area. He was a farmer and former owner of Blair Plumbing and Heating.^1,3

Winton appeared in the census of 1930 in the household of his father, Orville Blair, at Mitchell, Rice County, Kansas. He was 7, born in Kansas.⁴

Winton married Florence Louise Stanley 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..^5,6,1

Winton died on 1 May 2001 in Hutchinson, Clay Township, Reno County, Kansas, at age 79.¹ He was buried in the Lyons Municipal Cemetery at Lyons, Rice County, Kansas. Services were held at the Sillin Funeral Home with Rev. Grant Davis presiding..^7,1

     James Eicholz was born ??? 1912.¹

James married Maude Eleanor Stanley on 14 December 1952 in Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas.² Dad's notes on Stanley Family in 1953 (Doc.S-1) show he was a telephone engineer.

James and Eleanor were divorced some time after 1953.

     Betty Lee Gaede was born on 21 October 1904.^1,2

Betty married Clyde Thomas Stanley circa 1941 They lived in Colorado where they enjoyed fishing. Clyde and Betty had no children..³

As of 1947, Betty Lee Stanley and Clyde Thomas Stanley lived at 319 1/2 N Main, Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas. By 1949, they had moved to 324 N Star in Hutchinson.^4,5

Betty died on 15 November 1961 at age 57.^1,6 She was buried in the Fairlawn Cemetery at Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas.^1,7

      Letha Philbina Koehn was born on 7 February 1913 at Pawnee County, Kansas. She was the daughter of John A. Koehn (12 Sep 1881 - 1966) and Amelia "Millie" Unrah (1886-1977). She had a brother Wilbur, still living in 2008, and a sister, Thelma, who died before her. Both of their parents are buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson.^2,3,4,5

Letha appeared in the Kansas Census of 1915 in the household of her father, John Koehn, at Pawnee County. She was 2, born in Kansas.⁶

Letha appeared in the census of 1930 in the household of her father, John Koehn, at Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas. She was 17, born in Kansas.⁷

Letha graduated from the Reno County High School and was a resident of Hutchinson since 1951. She was a homemaker.³

Letha married Henry Harland Stanley on 22 November 1939 in Phillipsburg, Phillips County, Kansas, Bill and Letha met on a blind date. She accompanied him as his work took him throughout the state..^8,2,9,10

Letha appeared in the census of 1940 in the household of her husband Henry Harland Stanley at Plaineville Township, Rooks County, Kansas. She was 27.¹¹

In 1956, Letha Philbina Koehn and Henry Harland Stanley lived at 322 N Star, Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas. He was listed as a tool pusher.¹²

Letha died on 21 September 2008 in the Hospice House at Hutchinson, Kansas, at age 95.^3,13,14,15 She was buried in the Penwell-Gabel Cemetery (aka Memorial Park Cemetery) at Hutchinson, Kansas. The funeral service was performed by Reverend Sara Davis-Blodgett..^3,13,15