Mary Sophia Hebbe

The Children of Christoph and Sophia Hebbe:

Mary Sophia

Mary Sophia was born 27 July 1865 near Perry, Jefferson Co., Kansas. She died 11 November 1947 at Topeka, Kansas. An image of her funeral card is here. She married John A. Stein on 9 September 1883, near Perry, Kansas. He died in 1945. A picture of Mary and John is here.

Helen Stein wrote of her parents and their children: "They lived on a farm [near Perry] until October 1902. At that time they moved to a farm at Grantville, Kansas and the last of October 1917 they moved to North Topeka, Kansas. He died April 18, 1945 and she died November 11, 1947 at the home in Topeka. They were the parents of the following children:

-- Twins born December 25, 1885; the girl died January 1, 1886 and the boy, William, never married and died December 17, 1958 at Topeka. He is buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Perry, Kansas.

-- Sophia born February 26, 1888 at Perry, Kansas, married Garfield Shirley February 12, 1913 at the home of her parents at Grantville [a copy of the newspaper report of the wedding is here]; moved to a farm at Thompsonville, Kansas and lived there until her death October 19, 1936 except for two years spent in Canon City, Colorado. She is buried in the Grantville Cemetery. They were the parents of two daughters. [Mary and Helen] [A collection of Shirley family photographs is here.]

-- George born April 23, 1890 at Perry, Kansas; married Bertha Gieg September 12, 1917 at Topeka, but lived their entire married life on a farm at Grantville, Kansas where he died November 29, 1951. He is buried at the Rose Hill Cemetery, Newman, Kansas. They had no children.

Dora

-- Dora born February 10, 1892 at Perry; married Richard T. Weidmer November 13, 1911 at Grantville where they lived until her death June 17, 1912. She is buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Perry, Kansas.

-- Helen, born at Grantville, Kansas April 20, 1904; moved to Topeka in October 1917 where she lives."Helen fell at her home the evening of March 12, 1994, breaking her right shoulder. Due to her palsy, a Hebbe trait that made eating and other tasks difficult, as well as arthritis, osteoporosis and advanced age, she was no longer able to live by herself. Niece Mary Shirley reported Helen's death 3 November 1995 at a Topeka, Kansas nursing facility: "She slipped away early Friday morning. We had graveside services on Tuesday. She had been miserable for months and life wasn’t fun anymore." The newspaper obituary can be seen here.

Helen with cousins

Helen Stein's letter dated April 18, 1986: "My mother’s wedding dress was wine colored taffeta. She ripped it apart later and made dresses for my older sisters and I remember finding a piece of the material that I made a doll dress. The taffeta was narrow and yards were used as her dress had a row of box pleats and a row of knife pleats.
I do not know when a sewing machine was first used, but I do remember the oldest machine mother used before she bought the one I still use. It had a head that was covered with a boxtype cover and I think the name was Wheeler & Wilson. The one I use is a New Home that was bought in 1909 or 1910 for my sister Dora who finished taking dress making lessons and [the machine] was returned to mother after Dora died in 1912."

quilt

Glendon (Hebbe) Starr e-mail March 2001: "One of my earliest memories of Helen Stein and her mother, Mary Stein, was the days right after Dad's death and they came and sort of took over the kitchen duties. I remember them sweeping the dining room floor. After that time Helen always kept up with us and our families. I really appreciate that. … Now about the quilt. Yes, it is lovely and I have seldom used it and then only as a spread to show it off. It has some age spots on it and don’t know if a dry cleaner could get them out or not; but didn’t dare wash it. I understood Aunt Jean to say that Aunt Mary, Helen Stein’s mother, made it and she had made one for each of her brothers. That was one reason Aunt Jean gave it to me, for said it should go to Frank’s side of the family."

Mary Shirley's letter dated March 27, 2001 to Glendon Starr: "You were correct about the quilts. Grandma, Mary Hebbe Stein, did make quilts for all of her brothers. There was always a quilting frame set up in the sewing room upstairs. Grandma, plus help from her sisters, Emma Hebbe Stalons and Esther Hebbe Cavanaugh spent many, many hours visiting and quilting."
"I know Grandma had several brothers besides the two sisters. Uncle Carl, Uncle Frank and seems like an Uncle Albert ring a bell. But seems like I may have left out someone. Sure wish Aunt Helen had done a family tree on paper rather than just talking about it. Or rather, talking about them. Oh yes, Uncle Frank met Aunt Mary during the Spanish-American War. She was a nurse."

Helen Stein letter March 14, 1986: "Emma (Hebbe) Steinke spoke no English when they arrived in Lawrence. She wrote letters in German. My father could read German, but my mother could not. So my father translated Emma’s letter to my mother."

Several letters and postcards from members of the Stein family were found in the attic of the house that once the home of William and Mattie Hebbe.

A letter by Mary dated Oct. 25, 1898 and postmarked Perry, Kansas the next day, is addressed to Mrs Mattie Hebbe, Potter Oklahoma. Despite Mary's dire remarks about her health and anticipation of death, she lived another 49 years. It seems likely she was suffering from depression if not other ailments. The letter mentions her sisters Emma and Esther, her husband John, and Mattie's daughter Georgia who was eleven years old at the time..

Perry Kans Oct. 25th 98
Dear Brother & Sister
    I recived your letter and was glad to hear from you. and I was glad to see Georgia, but I dident get to see her but an hour or to it was late when Emma and Georgie came and they went a way early. I think Georgie looks like she always did. She hant as large as I thought she would be. I wanted her to stay with me any go to school but they would not let her stay here. was sorry soon of corse Emma had to learn the Dress making but mama would not let me learn it. when ever I would want Emma or Esther to come down hear they would say they could spare them but Emma can go to Okla.
    Well mattie I was down to K. C. and seen Doc Minor and he ask me how you was getting a long. I told him. Doc. Minor thinks that he cant do any thing for me. So I am left to die or live in this horribale way life hant worth living this way and i don't want to live this way. I am taking medicine now from Doc. minor and tow weaks I am to go down to K. C. and see what he can do with my case. I am sure he will say he cant cure it. for he as good as said so when I was here the other time.
    Well Mattie I am going to make my close for wich they can bury me in I am going to comenst next weak to make them. Well I have had coruge but now I have give up and my life is a burden to me. Knight after Knight I lay and cry it is hard to leave the children but I cant stand this. you have no Idea what I have went through with last summer and last winter all so. if it is Gods will that I must suffer and not get well I do hope that he will let me die before Spring as I can not and will not live this life much more . mattie excuse such a letter and don’t let the children see it to put any thing on their mind for it mabe my last letter that I will right. I do love the children so. as well as I do love miss ours

Doc Burnes got robed the other Knight they knocked him in the head and cut a big gash in his head and took his coat and hat and watch and $8 in money. Doc was Drunk when it hapend. Madie Baines is going to get married next wendsay. She is going to marrie a mr Jim Merman he is a Doctor yes and by the way Esther has got a fellow coming to see her I think Esther has for got she said she dident want any fellow

papa told John that he thought as much of one of his children as he did of another but he said that his advise woud be not for him to spend any more money on me for I would not get well any how. and it would finely break John up that is how much they think of me. Mat don’t let this go any forther will you Keep this for my sake, so your not the only one. Money is Spent on for nothing. I have got so I hate hate money. Well I must close for this or for ever with much love from us all to you all I am as ever Mary S.

We have two letters inside one envelope, postmarked Topeka, Kans, N. Topeka Sta. Feb 5, 1913 12 M. Addressed to W. C. Hebbe, Dover Oklahoma, both are written on lined tablet paper.

Grantville, Kansas January 13, 1912

Wm C Hebbe
Dover Okla

Dear Brother
    I will write a few lines this morning and hope that you are feeling well we are all able to be about I was in Perry yesterday the rent on the estate last year was $85500 tax $113. leves $742 and we made a distribution of $800. to each. Carl will Sent you check for Same today Tom made me a bid on the home place yesterday of $1050000 and Said that was the best they would do, and would I think give us until the First of march but I cant be Quite Shure to that, but I don't think that Esther will take that for her part and I dont think that Mary will until She hears from the others you Ab & Frank The place is on the market at $7500 and 2 1/2 per cent of we are having fine weather
    Your brother
    J A Stein

Grantville Kansas Feb 4 1913

W C Hebbe
Dover Okla.

Dear Brother
    Irein landed here alright this morning I was Down to Parry last Friday and Saturday It is Something in regard to pa's Bank Book It turned cold I dit not git Tom Carl and Esther together but I in tend to go tomorrow but I think Tom is going to Ship hogs to night So I will go __ht next day Carl and I where together for two hours I think If it will go as I have planed then tom will git the place and if not then Tom will be out of it Tom Carl and Ab will take $1500.00 each for there Share in the home place, Esther Mary Frank and you think that it is worth $75.00 per acer I think you four ort to buy them out at the $150000 I think the money could be got here on the place then there would be no one in the way to keep it from Selling
    Ike Knap bought the Green farm I think they claim 116 acres. It was Sold for $9950.00 And Ike Knaps automobile there is not much cash in that deal
    If Tom dont buy it then he will leve the place, and we will have to rent it to Some one And I would like to git a good renter on it, let me hear from you Soon
      Your Brother
        J A Stein

This Christmas Greetings postcard from Mary is postmarked Grantville, Kansas, Dec 24; the year is not readable. Addressed in black ink to Mrs. Mattie Hebbe Dover Oklahoma, it reads:

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy New year.
As ever
Mary Stein

We have two 1915 postcards from Sophia. A card postmarked Perry, Kans Feb 12, 1915 is addressed to Miss Irene Hebbe, Dover, Okla. Sophia signed it as "Soplina," which may have been a pet name or perhaps a joke they shared.

Dear Cousin:
Will answer your letter soon. Sorry you have not been well hope you are better by this time. We are going to Manhattan Tuesday.
With Love Soplina

On a card postmarked Perry Kans, Dec 24, 1915 3 PM and addressed to Miss Irene Hebbe, Dover Okla:

My Dear Cousin:
I suppose you wonder why I have not written, but I have been real sick and don't feel very good yet. I have a hired girl. How are all your folks?
Seems like an age since I have heard from you lady don't you write.
Mrs. Shields said Tho. was going to start for Okla tomorrow. I thought you might see him. Write me a letter.
With Love, Sophia

This postcard from Sophia, who signed it "Sofalina," still has its translucent protective envelope. Apparently a "letter" qualified for the postcard rate if its envelope revealed the contents. Postmarked Perry, Kan Dec 22, 1914, it is addressed to: Miss Irene Hebbe, Dover, Oklahoma

Dear Cousin. Did you get home all right. Write & let me know all the news hope your mother was not mad because you did not come home sooner. We sure have been having some snow. If I could see you would tell you lots of things but have not time nor space on this card.
Sofalina

Two years later, this Christmas postcard from Sophia postmarked Perry, Kans Dec 22, 1916 was sent to Irene:

Dear Cousin. Wish you could be with us for Xmas. We are both well. How are you folks? We have been having some cold weather. Wish you all a merry Xmas and happy new year.
Sophia

This envelope for this letter from Garfield Shirley is postmarked Newman, Kans. Jan 13, 1960; the stamp is a 4 cent Lincoln stamp. It is addressed in black ink to Mrs Irene Cline, Dover, Okla. by G. S. Shirley, Perry, Kansas. Garfield Shirley married Irene's cousin, Sophia Stein--the daughter of John and Mary (Hebbe) Stein--in 1913.

Perry, Kansas
Jan 12 -- 1960

Dear Irene:
    I flew down to Texas and spent the holidays with Helen and family as usually Arrived back home Friday night Jan 8 wanted to be home for the Sale up at the Stein Farm. There was Sure a big crowd and things Sold rather high. The farm brought $54,22500 and the perSonal property a little over $1,500 Several things sold for more than new items. As a matter of fact the lawyer said he was going home and call a Sale and buy new goods. The auctioneer Said he was going to stay at the hotel for a week, So as husbands of wives, who had bought things to high could not Call him up and give him hell for letting their wives pay So much for things
    My trip to Texas was much more pleasant than a year ago; however it was foggy and rainy all the time I was down there except four days. To day has been the foggest day I believe I have seen. I am Sure glad I dont have to be out tonight, as it would be extremely hazardous. This has been an exceptional good year for crops, but a very poor one for fruit, as a matter of fact there just was not any. Late freezes got all of it At present time wheat looks, as bad as I ever have seen it for this time of the year. I have been told that it has no root System. that you Can pull it up easily. The weather bureau Said we had the coldest November ever record. No moisture until the day after Xmas. however during the year the rain were Sufficent for good crops. In this immediate vacinity we never had more than 1 inch rain of any one time, while at Topeka and Simular distances, they might have 4 or 5 inches, or in other words a gully washers.
    In regards the pecan tree they are slow growers, and you get the impression that they are about to die, but that is the nature of them. Take trees like the one I Sent you they have been pruned So Severely, that look like they are about to die. I have fourteen and they all look like yours; however in disking around mine I hit one with the disk and peeled the bark and it is sprouting up below the graph. I have planted Several nut and they have long limbs which bend toward the ground.
    In regards to my health, I believe that I am feeling better than I have for several years. However, when I exert a little I get short of breath, but nothing like I did a year ago. I weigh 170 lb. while before I had my sick spell I weigh 198 lb.
    I have just heard the weather man say the temperature is 67 in Topeka, which is a record breaker. I should go to a funeral at Topeka this after noon, but it looks so rainy that I am not going. The body is being brought from Kansas City with grave side Services only.
    You are certainly a good trapper, but then with all vermin you mention your place must be over run with them. When my Sweet Corn started to get ready to use the Coons took over I began to set traps, and caught fie and one of my best Cats, I use to be a professional coyote & fox trapper but am to old to continue in the profession. Dr orders for me is long stockings that come almost to hips, with a garter belt to hold them up. I told the Dr just get me a bra & a dress and I would go as a woman, I'll close for this time before I shock you. The stockings are for varicose veins.
      Gar

We have two postcards from the eight-year-old Helen to her cousin Delma:

Postmarked Grantville, Kansas, Sep. 5, 1912; addressed to Miss Delma Hebbe, Dover, Okla. o/o Will Hebbe:

Sept. 5 -- 1912
Dear Delma
How are you? We are all fine. When are you comeing up and see me? my school began a week from mon. when dose your school began.
from Helen Stein

Postmarked Grantville Kansas, Nov 14 1912; addressed to: Miss Delma Hebbe, Dover, Okla o/o Will Hebbe:

Nov. 1 - 1912

Dear Couin -- I will try and write you a card. How are you all. I am fine. Have you been going to school now. I am going to school. When are you come-ing up and see me?
Helen