Euphemia Robinson & G.H. Mason/J.S. Hoy

FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY

Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson
1st of 5 children of Thomas Robinson & Esther Waite
Born: Jul 19, 1855, Olin, Jones Co., Iowa
Died: Jun 18, 1918 (age 62), Denver, Denver Co., Colorado; uremia and Bright’s disease
Cremated: ashes interred in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Norfolk, Madison Co., Nebraska
Religion: Christian Science (she was a practicing C.S. healer)
Occupation: Teacher (credentialed in 1877), taught school in Iowa and Nebraska
Married (1): Jun 16, 1880, George Hedges Mason, Aurora, Hamilton Co., Nebraska
Two children: Esther Jane Mason, Kenelm Percy Mason
Married (2): Apr 25, 1909, James Smith “J.S.” Hoy, Green River, Sweetwater Co., Wyoming
No children

(m.1) George Hedges Mason
1st of 8 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges
Born: Mar 17, 1855, Greenfield Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio
Died: Jun 19, 1907 (age 52), Lakewood, Pierce Co., Washington; family legend says he died of mental illness
Buried: Western State Hospital Cemetery in Lakewood, Pierce Co., Washington
Occupation: Laborer, traveling salesman, candy seller
Married: Jun 16, 1880, Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, Aurora, Hamilton Co., Nebraska
Two children: Esther Jane Mason, Kenelm Percy Mason

(m.2) James Smith “J.S.” Hoy
2nd of 6 children of Henry Hoy, Jr. & Mary Ann Smith
Born: Nov 15, 1846, Hoy’s Gap, Centre Co., Pennsylvania
Died: May 31, 1925 (age 78), Denver, Denver Co., Colorado; chronic gastronomic ailments, suffered from Bright’s disease
Buried: Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Jefferson Co., Colorado
Occupation: Bullwhacker, rancher, cattle and horse dealer, writer, author; manuscript “History of Brown’s Hole”
Politics: Wyoming Territory Legislature (5th General Assembly, Republican), Livestock Commissioner, U.S. Commissioner, Justice of the Peace
Affiliations: United Workers for the Blind
Married (1): Dec 23, 1885, Elizabeth M. “Lizzie/Lee” Stickland, Fremont, Dodge Co., Nebraska
Divorced: Nov 15, 1900, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; desertion and non-support
No children
Married (2): Apr 24, 1909, Euphemia Esther “Phemie” (Robinson) Mason, Green River, Sweetwater Co., Wyoming
No children

1. Esther Jane Mason
1st of 2 children of George Mason Hedges & Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson
Born: Apr 7, 1881, Norfolk, Madison Co., Nebraska
Died: Feb 15, 1962 (age 80), Arnold, Jefferson Co., Missouri; cardiovascular failure, breast cancer
Cremated: interred Feb 19, 1962, Mount Hope Cemetery in St. Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri
Occupation: Trained at Columbia School of Oratory in Chicago, Illinois; stage actress, touring the Midwest and Northwest before marriage
Married: Nov 29, 1906, Otho Herbert Johnson, Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington
Two children: Dorothy Marguerite Johnson, Otho Meredith “Meredith” Johnson

2. Kenelm Percy Mason
2nd of 2 children of George Mason Hedges & Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson
Born: Aug 1888 or 1889, (probably Norfolk) Madison Co.), Nebraska
Died: Dec 2, 1891 (age 3 yrs, 4 mo or 2 yrs 4 mo), Norfolk, Madison Co., Nebraska
Buried: Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk, Madison Co., Nebraska

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Five children of Thomas Robinson & Esther Waite
1. Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson
1855–1918
2. Sarah Emma Robinson
1857–1881
3. Grace Louise Robinson
1859–1946
4. Lawrence Ammerman Robinson
1858–1956
5. Henry or Lawrence Robinson
1863–1868

Nine children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges
1. George Hedges Mason
1855–1907
2. Elizabeth Frances Mason
1856–1935
3. Emma Jane Mason
1858–1927
4. Nancy Alice Mason
1859–1860 (died at 1 mo, 7 days)
5. Albert Abram Mason
1861–1903
6. Katherine/Catherine Effie “Kate” Mason
1864–1913
7. Annette Belle “Nettie” Mason
1867–1934
8. Arminta May “Minta” Mason
1868–1937
9. Inez Augusta “Ina” Mason
1871–1926

Six children of Henry Hoy, Jr. & Mary Ann Smith:
1. Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Hoy
1845–1883
2. James Smith “J.S.” Hoy
1846–1925
3. Valentine Shade “V.S.” Hoy
1848–1898
4. Emily S. Hoy
1850–1940
5. Adea Adam “A.A.” Hoy
1852–1926
6. Henry “Harry” Hoy
1855–1906

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Timeline and Records

Spellings and information in letters, census, and other records
are retained as in the original documents.
(italicized clarifications or corrections are in parentheses)

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Nov 15, 1846: Birth of James Smith “J.S.” Hoy, 2nd of 6 children of Henry Hoy, Jr. & Mary Ann Smith, in Hoy’s Gap, Marion Township, Centre Co., Pennsylvania

Oct 11, 1854: Marriage of Thomas Robinson & Esther Waite, the parents of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, in Jones Co., Iowa
Five children:
1. Euphemia Esther Robinson
1855–1918
2. Sarah Emma Robinson
1857–1881
3. Lawrence Ammerman Robinson
1858–1956
4. Grace Louise Robinson
1859–1946
5. Henry Robinson
1863–1868

1854: U.S. Marriage Records:
Name Esther Waite
Gender Female
Birth Place En
Birth Year 1836
Spouse Name Thomas Robinson
Marriage Year 1854
Marriage State Iowa
Number Pages 1

Mar 17, 1855: Birth of George Hedges Mason, 1st of 9 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges, and the 1st husband of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, in Greenfield Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio

Jul 19, 1855: Birth of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, 1st of 5 children of Thomas Robinson & Esther Waite, in Olin, Jones Co., Iowa

1855: Iowa State Census, Hale, Jones Co., Iowa:
Name Thomas Robinson
Residence Age 21
Birth Year abt 1835
Birth Place New York
Residence Date 1856
Residence Place Hale, Jones, Iowa
Gender Male
Marital Status Married
Household members, Name Age:
Thomas Robinson age 21, married, born New York, farmer
Esther Robinson age 20, married, born England
Euphemia Robinson age 0, born Iowa (Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson)

Jun 11, 1860: U.S. Federal Census, Hale, Jones Co., Iowa:
Name Thomas Robinson
Age 26
Birth Year abt 1834
Gender Male
Race White
Birth Place New York
Home in 1860 Hale, Jones, Iowa
Post Office Wyoming
Dwelling Number 128
Occupation Farmer
Real Estate Value 1000
Personal Estate Value 300
Household Members (Name) Age:
Thomas Robinson age 26, farmer, real estate $1,000, personal estate $300, born New York
Esther Robinson age 24, born England
Euphema Robinson age 5, born Iowa (Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, future wife of J.S. Hoy)
Sarah E Robinson age 3, born Iowa
Grace Robinson age 9/12, born Iowa

abt 1863: J.S. Hoy (age 16) runs away a second time. He states in a letter to Emily dated Nov 29, 1906: “I found refuge and a home when I ran away from our dear and Christian uncle, J.M. Smith. They were better friends, then and now, than my own family and friends.”
Note: J.M. Smith is Mary Ann (Smith) Hoy’s younger brother, John M. Smith (b. circa 1826). J.S. had run away to a small town (Hale Township in the County of Jones) 16 miles west of Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked for some period, staying with the Thomas Robinson family, whose daughter would later become his 2nd wife.

Apr 14, 1863: Death of Thomas Robinson (age 28), the father of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, at Young’s Point, Louisiana, while serving in the Union army during the Civil War; died from disease
Note: Assuming Thomas’ muster-out date was his death date

U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865:
Name Thomas Robinson
Enlistment Age 28
Birth Date abt 1834
Birth Place New York, USA
Enlistment Date 9 Aug 1862
Enlistment Rank 6th Corpl
Muster Date 30 Aug 1862
Muster Place Iowa
Muster Company G
Muster Regiment 31st Infantry
Muster Regiment Type Infantry
Muster Information Enlisted
Muster Out Date 12 Mar 1863
Muster Out Place Young’s Point, Louisiana
Muster Out Information died disease
Side of War Union
Survived War? No
Residence Place Clarence, Iowa
Title Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of Rebellion

Note: A total of 1177 men served in the 31st Iowa at one time or another during its existence. It suffered 1 officer and 27 enlisted men who were killed in action or who died of their wounds, and 3 officers and 272 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 303 fatalities.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_Iowa_Infantry_Regiment

Robinson Family in 1863:
Mother: Esther (Waite) Robinson abt age 27 and a widow (born in England)
Daughter: Euphemia Esther Robinson, abt age 8 (note: J.S. will marry Euphemia “Phemie” 46 years later)
Daughter: Sarah Emma Robinson, abt age 6
Son: Lawrence Ammerman Robinson abt age 5 (not listed in the 1860 census)
Daughter: Grace Louise Robinson, abt age 3
Son: Henry Robinson (born Jan 25, 1863)
Father: Thomas Robinson died Mar 1863, serving in the Union army during the Civil War

Oct 6, 1863: Marriage of John Hess & Esther (Waite) Robinson (the mother of Euphemia), in Clarence, Cedar Co., Iowa; Esther’s 2nd marriage
Five children:
1. Baby Boy Hess
1865–bef 1870 census
2. Persis Luella Hess
1866–1953
3. Mary Esther “Essie” Hess
1869–1956
4. Nellie Josephine “Nell” Hess
1871–1956
5. Alice Ward Hess
1874–1956

1863: John Hess & Esther (Waite) Robinson

1863: International Marriage Records:
Name Esther Waite
Gender Female
Birth Place En
Birth Year 1836
Spouse Name John Hess
Spouse Birth Year 1835
Marriage Year 1863
Number Pages 1

Jun 21, 1870: U.S. Federal Census, Hale, Jones Co., Iowa:
Name Ephesiam Robinson [Euphemia Robinson]
Age in 1870 14
Birth Date abt 1856
Birthplace Iowa
Dwelling Number 49
Home in 1870 Hale, Jones, Iowa
Race White
Gender Female
Post Office Wyoming
Mother of Foreign Birth Yes
Attended School Yes
Household Members (Name) Age:
John Hess age 34, Farmer, Real Estate $7,470, PersonalEstate $1,300, born Pennsylvania
Esther Hess age 33, Keeping House, born England (Esther (Waite) Robinson Hess)
Ephesiam Robinson age 14, born Iowa (Euphemia Esther Robinson)
Sarah Robinson age 12, born Iowa, attended school
Grace Robinson age 10, born Iowa, attended school
Lawrence Robinson age 8, born Iowa, attended school
Persis Hess age 4, born Iowa
Mary Hess age 1, born Iowa
John Hack age 25, Farm Laborer, born England

1873: James Smith “J.S.” Hoy, the future and 2nd husband of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, is cattle ranching in Brown’s Hole, Routt Co., Colorado.

1875: U.S. School Catalogs (Academical Department; pg 41):
Name Euphemia E Robinson (age 19)
Publication Year 1875
Publication Place Iowa
School Name: Iowa State University
Residence Place Clarence

1877: Euphemia E. Robinson received her teaching certificate; she taught school in Olin, Iowa, and in South Omaha, Aurora, and Norfolk, Nebraska.

Sep 4, 1877: J.S. Hoy (age nearly 31), living in Natrona County, Wyoming, is elected to the 5th General Assembly of the Wyoming Territory as a Republican representative and serves two years in the territorial legislature.

Jun 16, 1880: Marriage of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson & George Hedges Mason, in Aurora, Hamilton Co., Nebraska
Note: Phemie is age 24, George is age 25
Two children: Esther Jane Mason, Kenelm Percy Mason

1880: Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson:

George Hedges Mason:

Jun 16, 1880: Nebraska Marriage Record:
Name Phemie C. Robinson
Gender Female
Race White
Marriage Age 26
Record Type Marriage
Birth Date abt 1854 (born 1855)
Birth Place Iowa
Marriage Date 16 Jun 1880
Marriage Place Aurora, Nebraska
Marriage County Office Hamilton
Father W. Robinson
Mother C. Robinson
Spouse George H. Mason

Name George H. Mason
Gender Male
Race White
Marriage Age 26
Record Type Marriage
Birth Date abt 1854 (born 1855)
Birth Place Ohio
Marriage Date 16 Jun 1880
Marriage Place Aurora, Nebraska
Marriage County Office Hamilton
Father T.J. Mason (Thomas J. Mason)
Mother Jane Mason
Spouse Phemie C. Robinson

Jun 18, 1880: U.S. Federal Census, Aurora, Hamilton Co., Nebraska:
Mason, Geo. H age 25, Boarder, laborer, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio
Mason, Phemie E age 20, Boarder, wife, keeping house, born Iowa, father born Ohio, mother born England

Apr 7, 1881: Birth of Esther Jane Mason, 1st of 2 children of George Mason Hedges & Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, in Norfolk, Madison Co., Nebraska

1882: George Hedges Mason, daughter Esther, and Phemie (Robinson) Mason:

Dec 23, 1885: Marriage of James Smith “J.S” Hoy & Elizabeth M. “Lizzie/Lee” Stickland, in Fremont, Dodge Co., Nebraska
Note: J.S. is age 39, Lizzie is a month short of 18; this is the 1st marriage for both. Witnesses to their wedding are the parents of the bride, her brother, and Mr. & Mrs. Valentine S. Hoy (J.S.’ brother and wife). 

Dec 23, 1885: Nebraska Marriage Records:
Name Lizzie M. Stickland (Elizabeth M. “Lizzie/Lee” Stickland)
Gender Female
Race White
Marriage Age 18
Record Type Marriage
Birth Date abt 1867
Birth Place New York
Marriage Date 23 Dec 1885
Marriage Place Fremont, Nebraska
Marriage County Office Dodge
Father Jesse Stickland
Mother Mary Townsend (Mary Josephine Townsend)
Spouse James S. Hoy (James Smith “J.S.” Hoy)

Name James S. Hoy (James Smith “J.S.” Hoy)
Gender Male
Race White
Marriage Age 38
Record Type Marriage
Birth Date abt 1847
Birth Place Pennsylvania
Marriage Date 23 Dec 1885
Marriage Place Fremont, Nebraska
Marriage County Office Dodge
Father Henry Hoy
Mother Mary M. Smith (Mary Ann Smith)
Spouse Lizzie M. Stickland (Elizabeth M. “Lizzie/Lee” Stickland)

Dec 25, 1885: Fremont newspaper, Fremont, Dodge Co., Nebraska:
Wedding Bells
MARRIED—In this city on Wednesday evening, December 23rd, at the residence of the bride’s parents by Rev. John Hewitt, pastor of Episcopal church, Mr. Jas S. Hoy and Miss Lizzie M. Stickland.

Surprised again. This bit of news will be unexpected by the friends of the contracting parties. The groom has dodged for a good many years the artful wiles of the fair sex, but he has at last, and somewhat suddenly, succumbed to their charms. Mr. Hoy’s friends will extend to him their best wishes for a long and happy life in his new relations. He has endured many hardships and labored long and faithfully for a competency and now that he has acquired it by his own pluck and energy he is entitled to enjoy its fruits. The bride is comparatively a stranger in Fremont, but during the brief residence with her parents here she has shown herself a true lady of culture and refinement. May they both “live long and prosper!”

Dec 31, 1885: Fremont Tri-Weekly Herald, Fremont, Dodge Co., Nebraska (Thursday, page 6):

Note: J.S. and Lizzie may have separated not long after their marriage. There is no evidence of her from Dec 1885 until 1898. In 1898, Lizzie is working as a domestic and living with her mother back in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan. In the 1900 census, she lists herself as single and again, living with her mother in Detroit. Her brother is living in the same county. Her father is in the Kalamazoo Asylum for the Insane.
Note: The Asylum opened in 1889 and is located in the southwest corner of the state, about 112 miles—as the crow flies—from Wayne County

Aug 1888 or 1889: Birth of Kenelm Percy Mason, 2nd of 2 children of George Mason Hedges & Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, in (probably Norfolk) Madison Co., Nebraska

1890: Federal Census Substitute Directory, Fremont, Dodge Co., Nebraska:
J.S. Hoy: cattle dealer, 210 c Military, Fremont City W

1891/92: City Directory, Fremont, Dodge Co., Nebraska:
Hoy, J.S., cattle dealer, res 210 e. Military, Fremont City, Nebraska

Dec 2, 1891: Death of Kenelm Percy Mason (age 2 yrs, 4 mo, or 3 yr, 4 mo), in Norfolk, Madison Co., Nebraska

Dec 1891: Burial of Kenelm Percy Mason at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk, Madison Co., Nebraska

1891: Billion Graves Index:
Name Kenelm Mason
Birth Date 1888
Death Date 1891
Event Type Burial
Event Place Norfolk, Madison, Nebraska, United States
Longitude -97.428886
Latitude 42.040829
Cemetery Prospect Hill Cemetery

James Smith “J.S.” Hoy:

Jun 9, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, Rome, Jones Co., Iowa:
Name Esther Hess (mother of Euphemia Esther “Phemie”(Robinson) Mason)
Age 64
Birth Date Apr 1836
Birthplace England
Home in 1900 Rome, Jones, Iowa
Race White
Gender Female
Immigration Year 1858
Relation to Head of House Wife
Marital Status Married
Spouse’s Name John Hess
Marriage Year 1866
Years Married 34
Father’s Birthplace England
Mother’s Birthplace England
Mother: number of living children 7
Mother: How many children 8
Years in US 41
Can Read Y
Can Write Y
Can Speak English Y
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
John Hess age 64, Head, born Dec 1835, age 34, born Pennsylvania, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Pennsylvania, Retired Farmer
Esther Hess age 64, Wife, born Apr 1836, age 34, 8 children born, 7 children living, born England, father born England, mother born England, immigrated 1858, 41 years in U.S.

Jun 11, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, Chadron, Dawes Co., Nebraska:
Mason, George Head, age 47, born Mar 1855, married 20 years, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio, traveling salesman, owns home
Emphmin Wife, age 45, born Jun 1854, married 20 years, 2 children born, 1 child living, born Iowa, father born Ohio, mother born English (Euphemia Esther “Phemie” (Robinson) Mason)
Ester Daughter, born Apr 1881, age 19, single, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa (Esther Jane Mason)

1900: Esther Jane Mason:

Esther was on the stage as a young woman, reciting Robert Burns’ poetry in a rich Scottish accent. She trained at the Columbia School of Oratory, Chicago and developed a repertoire, which – before her marriage – she performed as a solo act on tour in the Midwest, Canada, and Washington. (from Sally Smith)

Jun 21, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, Brown’s Park, Routt C., Colorado:
Hoy, James S.: head, born Nov 1846, age 50, widow, born Pennsylvania, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Pennsylvania, owns home, number of farm animals 78
Note: J.S. is age 53 and not a widower as his estranged wife, Lizzie, is alive and well

Nov 15, 1900: Divorce of James Smith “J.S. Hoy & Elizabeth M. “Lizzie” (Stickland) Hoy, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; for desertion and non-support

Nov 15, 1900: Michigan Divorce Records:
Name: Lizzie M Hoy
Marriage Date: 23 Dec 1885
Marriage Place: Fremont, Dodge Co., Nebraska
Decree Date: 15 Nov 1900
Decree Place: Wayne, Michigan
Spouse Name: James S Hoy
State File Number: 21799
Number of Children: 0
Divorce Status: Granted

Nov 16, 1900: Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan (Friday):

Nov 28, 1906: Marriage License Record, Otho H. Johnson & Esther J. Mason, Spokane Co., Washington:

Nov 29, 1906: Marriage of Otho Herbert Johnson & Esther Jane Mason, 1st of 2 children of George Mason Hedges & Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, in Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington
Two children: Dorothy Marguerite Johnson, Otho “Meredith” Johnson

1907: Euphemia Esther “Phemie” (Robinson) Mason in her pudding bowl hat, Seattle, Spokane Co., Washington:

Jun 19, 1907: Death of George Hedges Mason (age 52), 1st of 9 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges, and 1st husband of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, in Greenfield Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio; family legend says George died of mental illness.

Jun 1907: Burial of George Hedges Mason at Western State Hospital Cemetery in Lakewood, Pierce Co., Washington; Plot Grave Number: 842

Note: Currently, just the original marker is on this grave. In time, the Grave Concerns Association will place a marker with the name and dates.

Jun 1907: Washington U.S. Cemetery Record:
Name George H. Mason
Gender Male
Death Date 19 Jun 1907
Cemetery Western State Cemetery
Burial Place Pierce, Washington, USA
Plot Grave Number: 842
Reference Hrp-Western-State-Cem_2153

History of Western State Hospital
Western State Hospital is located on the site of historic Fort Steilacoom, which served as a military post from 1849 to 1868 until the federal government abandoned it. The Washington territory purchased the fort with the intent of turning it into a hospital for people who suffered from mental illness. The hospital, then called the Insane Asylum of Washington Territory, opened in 1871 with 15 male and six female patients.
In 1889, when Washington was granted statehood, the hospital was renamed Western Washington Hospital for the Insane. The hospital was renamed again as Western State Hospital in 1915.

The original buildings of the aylum were demolished in 1886 to make way for a larger structure. It was renamed Western Washington Hospital for the Insane and the main ward was completed in 1887. In each of the following decades numerous out-buildings were constructed. In 1915, it was renamed Western State Hospital and grew in various stages
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_State_Hospital_(Washington)

Many in this hospital either had mental issues or TB, or were ill or destitute, with nowhere else to go.

Jan 15, 1908: Birth of Dorothy Marguerite Johnson, 1st of 2 children of Otho Herbert Johnson & Esther Jane Mason, and the granddaughter of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” (Robinson) Mason, in Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington

1908: J.S. Hoy has a romance blossoming with Euphemia “Phemie” (Robinson) Mason, a woman whose family home he stayed at for a time when he was a young man and she still a child.

Notes on Phemie:
Her maiden name was Euphemia “Phemie” E. Robinson. Born July 19, 1855 in Olin, Jones Co., Iowa. Phemie married George Hedges Mason on Jun 16, 1880 in Aurora, Hamilton Co., Nebraska. Receiving her teaching certificate in 1877, she taught in Olin, Iowa and in South Omaha, Aurora & Norfolk, Nebraska. Her husband died sometime after 1900 (there is a receipt for a burial plot in Norfolk, Nebraska, dated May 1892). Phemie later moved to Seattle, Washington. Phemie and J.S. married April 24, 1909 at Sweet Water Co., Wyoming. J.S. later moved with his wife to Denver, Colorado, where he worked on his Brown’s Hole Manuscript.
by Sally Smith-Wilson

1908: Euphemia (Robinson) Mason, age 53:

(The following newspaper clippings and letters by J.S. Hoy were transcribed as written)

Oct 14, 1908: Letter from J.S. Hoy to Phemie (Robinson) Mason:
Lodore, Colorado
Oct. 14, 1908
I received two letters from you today and check also. Two “old fellows” like myself, old prospectors, miners, hunters, trappers – are staying with me. I gave them the big room with the fire place. They both have new wagons, new harness, good teams and a saddle horse each. They came Oct. 4th. One of them has 236 traps for catching wolves, coyotes, mountain lions and other predatory animals that are altogether too plentiful in this section. He starts out in the morning with the team and sets traps all along the way until time to return – the night of the 6th a lion killed one of my nice, big, six months old gray colts (worth $75) about 100 rods from the house, dragged it 60 feet onto higher ground and covered it with grass and leaves after eating his fill of the neck and withers.

The next night a badger got into my chicken house and killed and carried away (one at a time by the looks of the trail he made) 24 chickens, carried them to his hole away about 100 yards and went into the hole and pulled the hole in after him. The two “old fellows” dug him out, and a few of the chickens, and killed Mr. Badger. He scared the rest of the chickens so much that they now roost in the trees and on the fences about the corral.

About that lion, I first saw him a couple of weeks before across the river as he came out of the thick brush onto the sand bar and lapped up a drink, then pussy-footed it back into the jungle. I saw him again a few days later, but did not think much about him until he killed the colt near the house. Then I investigated and found he had killed two colts across the river and narrowly mised getting two others, they being pretty well scratched and the skin torn as they escaped his claws. This old fellow and “coyote feeler”, scientific trapper with 236 traps set six traps around the colt killed near the house, and said “I’ll get him dead easy”. The next night Mr. Lion came, ate his fill, sprang five of the traps and went about his business. Mr. Trapper said, “I wasn’t quite careful enough when I set the traps but I’ll get him tonight”.

The lion didn’t come again but we trailed him to the mountains and he never came back again. I was boarding this professional trapper and his team and getting my pay by ridding the neighborhood of these “varmints”. I did not tumble to his racket until he and the other old fellow got to talking and … (remainder of letter is missing).
Note: This letter was written six months before Phemie and J.S. married

Nov 29, 1908: J.S. Hoy (age 60) writes to his sister Emily S. Chamberlin (age 56):
Lodore, Colo. Nov. 29, 1908
Dear Sister:
(Note: the first part of this letter refers to his brother’s estate; what follows relates to Phemie)
You have a wrong idea about me and a “hermit” life. I never could get away from or where there wasn’t women and whiskey. You can have both in plenty if you pay the price. I am surprised to know that you think I would select a partner through an Agency. The woman I refered to in my letter to you I have known nearly since she was born, a kind of so-so sweetheart 40 years ago. She is not an adventurus. She always did like me. Her mother was left a widow the winter of 1863 (died in the army) and it was with her I found refuge and a home when I ran away from our dear and Christian uncle, J.M. Smith. They were better friends,then and now, than my own family and friends, and Phemie, that is her given name, offered to furnish me the money to go somewhere for the winter, which of course I refused to take. She lives in Seattle and is a Christian Science Healer, makes more money than I do. She is a good woman, a good family, all right in every way, but I was not married to her nor anyone else yet.

I am scared of them all. I am sure if I were engaged, the day set, all things ready, we stood before the preacher, and if some one didn’t hold me, I would bolt, flee, hide in the mountains!

I was elected, Me and Taft, at the last election. This is my 12th year successvuly, as Justice of the peace. Somehow my enemies always failed to oust me. The most determined effort to defeat me was when old Fred Chamberlin, the McIanes and Blairs done their best, and failed. My old time enemies, that are left, combined this last election to elect me. The office don’t amount to anything, but we don’t like to be beat at anything.

Now about being old! I do now and always did fight against the idea of “old” age. Really, I feel the same I always did, I dont like old people, they are gouty, crankey, cantankerous as a rule.

We had a dance at the Lodore P.O. Thanksgiving night, danced until daylight, some came a distance of 30 mile. You ought to see me dance. I thought I would like to hug you or Phemie in a waltz. I believe Phemie is a better sister to me than you, but did you ever waltz? I would just like to hold you awhile in a dizzy waltz and have you forget your troubles for a few minutes.

Compared to where you live this is a wilderness, but which of us is the better contented? I know everybody here, they all know me, “Hello J.S.” from young and old, I’ll be missed from here and you will not be from where you are, and that will be lots of satisfaction, after we are dead.

Mrs. E.E. Mason is her name, that is, her mother and everybody then, 45 years ago called her Phemie. I suppose I am morbidly foolish, that I don’t marry her. She is an university educated woman and she knows more than I do, and that is a whole lot, you must admit!
J.S.H.

Dec 1, 1908: Letter from J.S. Hoy to Phemie (Robinson) Mason:
Dear Phemie:
Ladore, Colorado Dec. 1, 1908
Yesterday I burnt all your letters. The river closed with ice the night of Nov. 28 – 29. No snow in the Park and the days are warm. The roads to Rock Spring are good and probably will be generally until Spring. Mrs. W. was good on Election day, all the Bassetts – 7 of them voted for me. Bossy, the cow of ours, you saw her when you was here – had a calf. Nov. 13 so we have milk and cream. Too much bother to make butter during cold weather. I still have the draft you sent me. I haven’t collected any money due me since you were here & I failed to get my steers to eat the hay and pasture. Every dog has his day and it looks as if I have had mine. My birthday was Nov. 15 – born Nov. 15th I am told.

I got the 1st box of candy you sent me Nov. 20, it was stuck together as you thought it might be. The 2nd box I got Thanksgiving night and I thank you for these, for I’ll tell you dear girl, you are the only person that ever gave me, even as little, as a box of candy. Miles’ gave party, dance Thanksgiving night – we danced until daylight. I got home at 8 a.m. – about the time you left I told Josie I never would marry and she has gradually drawn away and judging by the way she nuggled up to one in the last waltz the other night she has her fish hooked, whether she will land him or not. The Election in the country and state went to suit me. Yes, there is no doubt but you are a better cook than I am and there isn’t any doubt but that I am “skinny” for a year or more on an average I didn’t eat more than one of my chickens.

They have found bed rock in Ladore canyon. If they go ahead to build the dam it means much to me. I am going to, and hereby do turn over to you all this marrying business, I am helpless, utterly incapable of carrying the matter through. I dont want to be married in my old clothes, out of respect to you. Nor do I want to be married by a scrub preacher or stupid J.P. I havent had a new suit of clothes for five years and with all I have here I cant get or make enough to pay for a suit with my own money. I am telling you everything so if things go wrong I’ll have – what will I say – of telling you I told you so! You’ll have to provide me my wedding trousseau. In looking over old memorandum books I found this:
“Sunday, Dec. 1st, 1907, got letter from Phemie, the first one in 8 years. You have managed your rounding up of me so successfully that I feel that whatever more you do will be right, brilliant and successful. You feel sure of your footing so I turn over the whole thing to you. I would like to have you here now and I am afraid if you dont corral me before warm weather that I’ll be hard to catch. Yes, you must get a divided skirt and learn to ride, ought to have two, one for the brush and one for the highways. Yellowish gray, with a gilt button for nice, a $7.00 Stetson cowboys cowgirl hat (belly vertie??) in color, or other that becomes you best. I want you to look young and nice. If you come, come to stay. My experience is: it dont make any difference where we were yesterday.
Lots of love to you this time.
J.S.
Please send me another lot of that powder (??), sign of lead, the same as you sent before. You, yourself, would be the finest and best Christmas present you could make me.
Note: J.S. burned Phemie’s letters at her request

Dec 6, 1908: Letter from J.S. to Phemie:
Dec. 6, 1908
We have had warm weather for a week. Yesterday the ice went out and down the river. The weather like everything else goes in streaks. I don’t intend to hide anything from you. There is a mortgage of $5,000.00 on this property, it grows. If I could have bought 400 steers two months ago the increase in value since then would have already paid half I owe. This mortgage is a pest, a pestilence, a sore, an incubus. I think, as you wrote me we ought to be together or quit thinking about it. I can take the team and buggy and go to the railroad and get you anytime, but with a wagon it is different. With a wagon and a buggy I would have to hire a man (if I can) and it will take ten days and cost $6.00 a day. I haven’t $60.00. I am a Justice of the Peace, why can’t I marry us, get a license from the County Clerk, it will go on record, and I’ll address future letters, Mrs. J.S. Hoy, instead of Mrs. E.E. Mason. If you want me too and thus recognise you as my wife which will be all right in society and in law. The weather and roads are as good if not better now than they will be in the spring, up to June. I write you thus so when you feel like walking into the (??soued) you can take the lesser evil and come to me.
J.S.
P.S. I stopped at Mrs. Bernards on my way to the P.O. And she says for me to be married here at my place.
What do you think? Issue cards, and I’ll have you here on time and they’ll give us a great send off.
J.S.

Dec 23, 1908: Letter from J.S. to Phemie:
Dec. 23, 1908
Ladore, Colorado
Dear Phemie,
I am delinquent in writing to you as well as in paying my taxes. If I had only known that you are so rich and liberal as to pay the taxes for others, I would have you to help me. For you, like the bank, are sure to get your money back. Oh, but you are such a silly, silly girl. One thing sure you’ll not have my money to give nor lend to whining old women or scheming young men. You are, without joking, quite a politician, and not being satisfied trying to save individuals, now you want to save the nations, all nations, from the grip of the Pope.

I dont know what I would rather you better send me for a Christmas present. If I were a woman and deeply in love with a man I would do as many as men sometimes do, give them all I have. I hate to shave as most men do, so a Gillette safety razor would be nice. That villan that helped me make hay when you were here stole my watch chain and charm and a scarf pin. Another present would be nice, a suit of clothes, a set of team harness, fifty-thousand dollars. Any of these or all of them. Or better, yourself. I’ll be an awful expense to you. The man that is staying with me is a cook, and is generally known as the dirtiest man in the Park. The only things that he looks for or sees are flies. I am comfortable enough. Like many others I dont know when I am well off. The horse Josie rode when you were here is mine, or yours, just the kind for women to learn to ride as he is quite gentle. Of course Josie would bake bread for me if I asked her, so would other women. But, I’ll not ask any of them. I dont think you really want me to have anything to do with Josie. What is the use, she has had three young able-bodied men, if they couldn’t satisfy her what is the use me trying. Women delight in fooling and hadowning(?) men. So far as I can see everything in this world has got down to a business basis, friendship, love, religion, and all else. Everything has its price and I dont know but it is all right. You would be very, very foolish to marry or love me if I could not give value received. You ought to think long and well before giving up the comforts and luxuries there for the uncertainties here. If I had money to go ahead as once had, I could make enough to supply all needs and do as we pleased. It might be best for me to sell this land for what it will bring and get away. But then what!
J.S.
Note: The Josie whom J.S. is referring to is Josie Bassett.

Jan 6, 1909: Letter from J.S. to Phemie:
Ladore, Colorado
Jan. 6, 1909
Dear Phemie,
I got your letter of Dec. 29th today. A Chinook started yesterday and changed the weather in the park from winter to spring. There is no snow in the Park today, but to the east and south they are having the deepest snow and coldest weather ever known. 20 miles east cattle are starving to death. Winter comenced there the middle of Oct. In the snow storm I wrote you I was caught in, it all went off here but much of it staid there morn following. Big herds are in the snow in Central Routt County the owners trying to get them out and down here. If I could have got steers last Oct. I am just as sure as I am alive I could have doubled the money within a year. I am sick of it, disgusted that I must stay here, like a knot on a log and do nothing. I would like to know what I have done that these bankers will not loan me money and will loan it to men that have no security to back them. I am afraid of this John W. Hay to whom I owe, all I do owe the Rock Springs Nat. Bank. I dont want to go to Expositions at Seattle with you this year, nor no where else. I want to clear myself from banks, creditors. And then perhaps I’ll feel like going somewhere. I dont want to marry while in such Egyptian bondage. I dont want to be eternally humiliated, bulldozed, come here, go there at somone elses beck and not.

About the time I got your letter saying you would be in Rock Springs Jan. 4th the weather was bitterly cold, no one was out if they could help it. Not enough snow between here and Rock Springs to amount to anything. But it is a wretched stretch of country to travel over in winter. On Christmas Eve some men started a lot of cattle across Green river at the mouth of the Vermillion. They bunched, ice gave way and about 120 were engulphed in from 7 to 9 feet of water. They succeeded in getting about 20 out, and 100 were drowned and are now to be seen frozen in the ice. I issued warrants for the arrest of the three men but the prosecution failed to prove anything so I had to dismiss the defendents. You ask who is Madame Freneno? Which shows you must have sent me a clipping without reading it. No, I am not afraid of the D.T.s and I thought as drinking whiskey brought snakes.

The bite of real snakes might cure the D.T.s. Put the victim in a nest of rattle snakes. The hair of the dog is good for the bite. I hate rum sellers (?) men (?) dear do snakes. Mrs. W. and the school teacher who are riding your horse call him “old Hoy” and that is one thing that makes me love my neighbours. “They are a hell of a family”. Old Bernard left with cattle the 16th of Dec. His wife says she hasnt heard from him since. He hasnt paid me any of the ten or eleven hundred dollars for the Harry Hoy hay yet.
J.S.
Note: A Chinook is a warm wind that makes the snow melt and warms up the countryside. One or two Chinooks came to Brown’s Hole each winter. Old Bernard is J.S.’ neighbor, Hi Bernard.

Jan 17, 1909: Letter from J.S. to Phemie:
Ladore, Jan. 17, 1909
Dear Phemie,
I got your letter of Jan. 5th yesterday. I didnt get any mail for more than a week. Does the wind blow through my house! Now it dont and I live in that big room. And I find it the most comfortable room of this house or any other room in the Park. I dont know whether I believe in telepathy, I dont know whether I do or not. I believe in so little that I dont know what I do believe in. I haven’t milked the cow this winter, I don’t care much for milk or any other kind of food. I eat because I have to. I hardly know how much Bossy does give. Red milks in the morning and lets the calf “Jack” have it at night. No, Tom wont drink milk if he can grab meat. We feed him beef. He will be 22 years old this spring and I notice he sleeps more than he did formerly. I got the sugar of (?) lead and like I did before I’ll wait for you to mix it. I havent used any of it yet. The “Thing” has about quit me.

Tell me, what is there about the Dutch. Or about you that attracts them? I think he went about proposing to you in a stupid way. It would take too long for me to tell you how differently I would have done. If I did not know you wasnt, I’d call you a little flirt instead of an anarchist.

Didn’t you guess what that father of eighteen children was thinking about when he said you looked pretty nice? They are all alike “A desparate and carnal crew”. Maybe you will wish someday that you had married the dutchman instead of me, & I admire your courage. Women and children are pretty good judges of men.

We are having April weather now, too warm for the season. The ice in the river is about to break up. At the same time there hasn’t been a whole week of weather fit to make the trip to town and back. We will have to agree on a day and meet at Green River City. The mail carrier can bring your trunks out. But I thought you would want to bring here a lot of that baby food you eat when you were here. I’ll send to M.W. & Co. for a suit as I think I can get it from them for 1/3 to 1/2 cheaper.

The Safety you sent is as good as any. I’ll have to get used to it. It is awkward work now to shave with it. You were alone, which was it, Christmas or New Years night (?), and had a cry all to yourself. I feel the same way sometimes, but I rave and swear instead of crying.

Poor girl, you have got to have some one to cry with you, or keep you from crying. You said I could write as well as Jack London and I enclose something. If you think it worth while to submit it to a magazine you must have it typewritten. You correct any inaccuracies and wrong spelling. I am feeling well enough. Not an ache nor a pain and I can sit up all night without being sleepy.
J.S.

Mar 12, 1909: A single page from J.S. to Phemie:
March 12
…but I keep on doing the same as a hired man. But I am tired of books, of reading and to sit in the house for ten hours is worse than to work. I am tired of Shylocks and waiting on others. It seems since I was eight years old I have always had to wait on others. I wonder who is to blame? I dread to get a letter from the bank folks. I hate to go to the P.O. It does seem that any man of common sense could arrange his affairs so as to avoid a lot of trouble, but I know of no one but has as much or more trouble than I. People wonder at men committing suicide! I don’t.

Get to Green river. It may be after dark when I get there so you better go to the court house room and get the license and have the thing over with as quickly as possible. As, like my horses I am apt to break loose and run for the hills. Put my age at say 55 and yours at 45, but dont swear to it. Say, for instance I am past 55 & you past 45, or which is just as well say we have arrived at the age of consent, legal age.

We must raise the money to pay Hay. Must cut loose from him if we are to have peace and mind at rest. Contrary to what you wrote he can hurt me a good deal. Lands are advancing in price. Cheap lands are a thing of the past. What I want to know is about what amount you can raise before I go to town and be armed to meet the gentleman or villian and try and get the rest while there. It is not necessary for you to send me any. Bring the bank draft (no money, currency, might lose it) with you. It is not likely that you will get back to Seattle soon so clean up your affairs before you leave there. And with all this I’ll leave, I hope I have made matters plain so there need be no hitch.
J.S.

Mar 30, 1909: Letter from J.S. to Phemie:
Dear Phemie,
March 30th, 1909
Ladore, Colorado
They sent for me the 26th, last Friday to go to the upper end of the Park and hold an inquest on a man found dead. I got back Sunday night knocked out. He had been dead a week, his dog was shut in the house with him and had gnawed his head and neck as clean as it could have been scraped. They had whiskey, that and the smell!.

I wrote you about John W. Hay, he wants the money I owe him and I have got to dig it up. He is trying to force me to sell the ranch to a friend of his. We cant afford to sell this ranch at the present time. How much can you raise? I’ll give you my note and mortgage so that you will always be safe. Every little will help, but I need more than a little. I suppose the debt is about $5,000.00, not more.

You said he couldn’t hurt me much anyway, but he can. I have at least three men that want to buy the ranch. About $1500 an acre but the land is really worth double that, and I dont like Hay’s bulldozing methods. I leased Harry’s place last year for $1,000 which is 5% on $20,000 or $26 1/3 an acre. Let me know on receipt of this what & how much you can do so that I can make my arrangements accordingly. It beats anything we ever knew here so far as the weather is concerned. It is all right here in the Park but teams between here and Rock Springs are stuck in the mud. I said somtime ago the spring is two weeks late and if it dont move ahead fast soon it will be a month late. I planted some onion seed, lettuce and radish. And today it snowed and rained Sunday. I got a draft for the bridle for Belone, $30.00. I’ll send it to him by this mail. I told him to remember me to the extent of a fancy hat band. I like gaudy things the same as indians. If you succeed in disposing of the one he sent you for say $40.00 or more, ask him if he can afford to make you a fancy belt with tassels. You can get a silver buckle, gold embossed and (? we?) he will be (?) strictly in it. If I can get things straightened out with Hay I would like to go to Denver and maybe I could get cattle to eat this grass on the ranch. And then I have so many things to do to prepare for high water and put in a little crop of grain, etc.
J.S.

1909: misc. page from J.S. to Phemie:
You read the 23 Chapter of Mathew and it will put you on the trail to gather material for our Book, The Great White Plague. In those days wasn’t the word “scribe” used where we now use the word “lawyer”?

I think Jew lawyers were the ones directly responsible for the crucifying of Jesus. The winter of 1896, I studied Gibbons Downfall of the Roman Empire and he says lawyers and their iniquitous practices was one of the leading causes, factors leading to the downfall. All you and I can do is search for history for incidents of this kind for an example of Shylocks and lawyers, judges, the history has yet been written. Jarndyce is Jurn… in another case. I understand there isn’t a lawyer within the limits of the Chinese Empire. Get a scrap book and paste therein anything you find showing them up. Cases where one court is overruled by another, etc. It has said that Delmas got $100,000.00 fee and now another lawyer is suing for $60,000.00 defending Thaw. Henry is a murderer and was a scondrely lawyer before he gained notoriety in the prosecution of the land fraud cases in Oregon. You have read about the notorious Judge Tannery and the Dred Scott decisions, and the vote of the Supreme Court (?) on the income tax a few year ago. First 5 to 4, the rich raised a brain storm and these honorable judges met again and voted 4 to 5 reversing their decision and against an income tax. The fact is, lawyers, judges, the courts have the people scared. Afraid of these hired parasites. We can collect our data as we go along and when we sell out here and I get out of the strangle hold Shuylock and their side partners… lawyers have on me we can explode… bombs.

You forgot to tell me where to find the story of Jupiter’s daughter. I am glad to hear there are men that would like to marry you and others that think you look nice. It shows you are living right which means with other things that you have good health. I want to keep you looking nice. What a joke and surprise it will be to the folks. You commencing life over again instead of sitting in the corner, a spectacled old woman taking care of their kids and knitting for them. Insted you will be riding a high headed Kentucky single footer. A female bandit.
J.S.
Note: It appears J.S., with the aid of Phemie, is writing a book about his lack of love for lawyers.

Apr 20, 1909: Letter from Phemie (age 54) to her daughter:
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, Seattle, USA
April 20 —
Dear Esther –
When this reaches you I shall be in Green River, Wyoming where I meet J.S. Hoy. After we are married
we get to Rock Springs where we strike the trail south, to his ranch 100 miles away. I am glad to have a home once more altho it is in the wilderness, but he expects to sell soon as the dam is going in. I am sorry not to see you before taking such a long trip. I did not expect to go so soon but the roads have been so bad and will be for a long time. And many are going at this time, for fright, so that it will be better as they can help each other out when stuck. I am glad Dorothy is an active child and don’t be cross with her when she climbs. I have to think how you used to frighten me by climbing and running away. I am up early this a.m. packing my trunk and washing some as I leave tonight. I am sorry to be in such a hurry as I expected to write you so different.
With love to all, Mama
Note: Sent from 1636 Chamberlain, Spokane, Washington; postmarked Seattle, Washington, April 20, 1909

Note from Esther (Mason) Johnson, no date, no address, unsigned:
I gave my mother a quitclaim deed to my share of my fathers estate. That is the deed refered to in this letter. I have the rest of letter with signature if necessary to use it.

Apr 25, 1909: Marriage of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” (Robinson) Mason & James “J.S.” Smith Hoy, in Green River, Sweetwater Co., Wyoming; the 2nd marriage for both.

They married at the Sweetwater County Courthouse J.S. was 62, Phemie was 53; they both list their ages as 21 years on the marriage license, meaning they were over the legal age of 21. J.S. lists his home as Lodore, Colorado, and Euphemia lists hers as Seattle, Washington.

May 14, 1909: Vernal Express, Vernal, Uintah Co., Utah (pg 8):
Brown’s Park Pioneer Weds
Several friends have received cards announcing the marriage of Mrs. E.E. Mason of Seattle, Wash and Mr. J.S. Hoy, of Ladore, Colo. The wedding occurred at Green River April 25th, at 10 o’clock. Mr. and Mrs. Hoy will be at home to their friends after June 1st, at the Pioneer Ranch, Ladore, Colo.

Mr. and Mrs. Hoy called on a number of friends in this city on their way to the Park and received their good wishes and congratulations. Mr. Hoy is one of the pioneer residents of this country and has a large acquaintance in Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. Mrs. Hoy has recently lived in Seattle and visited this country a number of years ago and is glad to return to the mountains once more. The Miner wishes them many years of happiness and prosperity.
Note: It is common for newspapers to pull items from neighboring papers. It appears that this article originally appeared in the Rock Springs Miner, Rock Springs, Sweetwater Co., Wyoming.

Note from Sally Smith: When Phemie decided to marry J.S. Hoy in 1909, I do not think she had ever been to Hoy’s ranch at Brown’s Hole. My Aunt Dorothy said Phemie had done much of the journey on horseback (also a first). We thought she was incredibly brave not only to have married Hoy (9 years older) but also to have launched herself into the unknown on horseback to take up residence in a rather wild place after a lifetime in midwest farming communities and then Spokane. She was a schoolteacher in both Iowa and Nebraska before becoming a Christian Science healer.

May 20, 1909: Craig Courier, Craig, Routt Co., Colorado:
Early Settler Married
The marriage microbe even invaded Brown’s Park this spring and settled on its earliest inhabitant and one of the most prominent men connected with Routt county’s early history. Announcements are out of the wedding of J.S. Hoy of Ladore, Colo., and Mrs. E.E. Mason of Seattle, Wash., at Green River, Wyo., on Sunday, April 25th. J.S. is an old friend of the Courier and we are glad of the opportunity to congratulate him on the passing of bachelor days.

May 26, 1909: Steamboat Pilot, Steamboat Springs, Routt Co., Colorado (pg 8):
The Pilot has received a card announcing the marriage of J.S. Hoy of Ladore and Mrs. E.E. Mason of Seattle, Wash. May the best in the land be theirs.

Jun 6, 1909: Death of John Hess (age 73), the stepfather of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” (Robinson) Mason Hoy, in Olin, Jones Co., Iowa

Jun 1909: Burial of John Hess at Olin Cemetery in Olin, Jones Co., Iowa; Sect 2, Row 1, Space 53

Jun 17, 1909: The Wyoming Journal, Wyoming, Jones Co., Iowa (Thursday):

Sep 8, 1909: Steamboat Pilot, Steamboat Springs, Routt Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Mr. & Mrs. J.S. Hoy of Browns park spent last Tuesday night at J.H. Hitchens’ while on their way to Hahn’s Peak and Steamboat Springs.
Note: J.S. is traveling to Hahn’s Peak to meet with Judge Charles A. Morning to go over issues in the administering of the estate of Henry “Harry” Hoy.

Sep 8, 1909: Steamboat Pilot, Steamboat Springs, Routt Co., Colorado (pg 9):
J.S. Hoy, the old timer of Browns park, accompanied by his bride, visited Steamboat during the celebration. Mr. Hoy is the oldest continuous resident of Routt county, having brought cattle into the western part of the county before there was any settlement.

Apr 27, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington:
Johnson, Ottis Head, age 26, married 1, 3 yrs, born Nebraska, father born Massachusetts, mother born Kansas, add man, dept. store (Otho Herbert Johnson)
Johnson Estha Wife, age 27, married 1, 3 yrs, 1 child born, 1 child living, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa (Esther Jane (Mason) Johnson)
Johnson Dorothy daughter, age 2, born Washington, mother born Ohio, father born Iowa
Note: Esther Johnson, married to Otho Johnson, with daughter Dorothy

May 28, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, Brown’s Park, Routt Co., Colorado:
Hoy, James S.: head, age 70, married twice, married 2 years, born Pennsylvania, stock man, stock farm, owns home, has 129 farm animals
Hoy, Femia: wife, age 62, married twice, married 2 years, 1 child born, 1 child living, no occupation

Sep 9, 1910: Yampa Leader, Yampa, Routt Co., Colorado (pg 8):
News About Our Neighbors
J.S. Hoy of Brown’s park, one of the earliest settlers in Routt County, has leased his ranch for a term of three years and will move to Seattle, Wash. for the present.

Sep 14, 1910: Vernal Express, Vernal, Uintah Co., Utah:
Mr. J.S. Hoy of Brown’s Park, has leased his ranch and everything he has and will sell all his stock. He thinks the drought will bring much loss in its wake.

Sep 14, 1910: Steamboat Pilot, Steamboat Springs, Routt Co,, Colorado (pg 5):
ROUTT COUNTY
J.S. Hoy of Browns park, one of the earliest settlers in Routt county, has leased his ranch for a term of
three years and will move to Seattle, Wash. for the present.

Sep 24, 1912: Birth of Otho Meredith “Meredith” Johnson, 2nd of 2 children of Otho Herbert Johnson & Esther Jane Mason, and the grandson of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” (Robinson) Mason, in Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington

Sep 24, 1912: Washington Birth Records:
Name Johnson
Date of Birth 24 Sep 1912
Gender Male
Birth Place Spokane, Washington, USA
Father Atho Norbert Johnson (Otho Herbert Johnson)
Mother Esther Jane Mason

circa 1914 postcard: J.S. Hoy, Phemie, her daughter Esther, and Esther’s children Meredith & Dorothy:

Aug 16, 1916: Steamboat Pilot, Steamboat Springs, Routt Co., Colorado (pg 6):
A Real Pioneer
Mr. And Mrs. J.S. Hoy were in Steamboat for several days this week, driving overland from Denver, where they have been located for several years, to their ranch in Brown’s park, and probably will make their home there in the future, as they do not like the city.
Mr. Hoy is one of the real pioneers of Northwestern Colorado, the very oldest settler in point of continuous residence. In 1872 he went into Brown’s park from Wyoming, having charge of a bunch of cattle, and became so impressed with the sheltered and delightful spot that he became a permanent resident. His brothers followed him and the Hoy ranches grew to include many thousands of acres along the Green river.
Mr. Hoy’s experiences in that section would fill a book of thrilling interest, and he has promised that some of those experiences will be given the Pilot in the near future.

Nov 24, 1916: Vernal Express, Vernal, Uintah Co., Utah (pg 5):
Local and Personal
J.S Hoy and his wife, who have been residents of Browns Park since the early 70’s, for the past two years have been in Denver but have now returned to Moffat County—Craig Courier

J.S. & Phemie Hoy:

Jul 5, 1917: Death of Esther (Waite) Robinson Hess (age 81), mother of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” (Robinson) Mason Hoy, at the home of her daughter, Grace Louise (Robinson) Somers, in Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska

Jul 1917: Burial of Esther (Waite) Robinson Hess at Olin Cemetery in Olin, Jones Co., Iowa; Sect 2, Row 1, Space 58

Jul 12, 1917: The Olin Recorder, Olin, Jones Co., Iowa (Thursday, pg 4):

1917: Esther & Otho Herbert Johnson with children Dorothy & Meredith:

Feb 13, 1918: Steamboat Pilot, Steamboat Springs, Routt Co., Colorado (pg 6):
ROUTT COUNTY ITEMS FROM THE CAPITAL CITY
(By CHARLES H. LECKENBY)
J.S. Hoy, pioneer of Brown’s park and well known to all old timers of Colorado and Wyoming, is, with his wife, residing in Denver. Recently he has been greatly concerned by the report in the newspapers that the government and the state through its warden and officers had declared war on magpies and intended to exterminate them. Mr. Hoy is a lover of wild life; he knows the birds and the four-footed game as few other men do. He is their friend and in interviews with the game commissioner and other officials and by articles in the press he is entering a vigorous protest. He laughs at the idea that magpies are an injury in any way. And he is for them heart and soul, as he is for every other living thing, and he is going to let his views be known and make a fight for the birds.

Jun 18, 1918: Death of Euphemia E. (Robinson) Mason Hoy (age 62), 2nd wife of J.S. Hoy, at 5:00 in the evening in their home at 416 22nd Street in Denver, Denver Co., Colorado; from uremia and Bright’s Disease.

Jun 18, 1918: Death Certificate for Phemie E. Hoy:

Jun 19, 1918: Phemie’s remains are cremated
J.S. later mails Phemie’s ashes to her daughter Esther—and as Esther has no warning—is quite shocked when she opens the box to find her mother’s urn.

Jun 19, 1918: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado (pg 10):
HOY—June 18, 1918. Phemie E. Hoy, wife of J.S. Hoy, late of 416 Twenty-second street, Denver, Colo. Christian Science service will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock from Miller & Bengston funeral parlors, Colfax and Clarkson. Cremation. Omaha papers please copy.

Summer 1918: After the death of Phemie, J.S. becomes more and more eccentric, living the life of a misanthropic recluse in his log cabin in Brown’s Park, Colorado.

1919: Written note from J.S. Hoy referring to the preceding letters from J.S. to Phemie:
These letters were written the year before we were married, About the time we were to be married Phemie asked me to destroy all her letters, I can not say if I requested her to destroy mine or not, but supposed she had, I found them when looking through her things after she had passed away, I did not remember anything I had written, and found them quite interesting, They give one quite an insight to ranch life in the Rock Mountains, especially about the weather. After looking over memorandums for thirty years past I am surprised how few days of real nice weather we had in Browns Park.
J.S.H.

Jun 1919: J.S. leaves Denver for a few months; removes to Brown’s Park, then visits the Uintah Indian Reservation 25 miles from Vernal, Utah, compiling research for his book, History of Brown’s Hole.

Aug 19, 1919: Letter from J.S. Hoy to Esther Jane (Mason) Johnson (age 37), the daughter of his deceased wife:
Ashton-Kelly Mercantile Co.,
Incorporated, Vernal, Utah
Aug. 19, 1919
Dear Esther,
I left Denver the first of June. Was in Browns Park six weeks then came here to Vernal by auto, one hundred and fifty around the mountains and only 50 miles over. But no getting out of the Park to the south with an auto. For the past ten days I spent among the Indians on the Uintah reservation, 25 miles from here. This was my first visit among these Utes since we furnished them with beef during 1890-92. They have been allotted their lands, the government selling the rest of the land to the whites. The Indians are living a happy life. They won’t work knowing the government will provide for them.

They intermarry, niggers, Indians, whites, half-bloods, quarter bloods, democrats and everything–amalgamation, conglomeration, a degenerate mess of christianity and barbarism. A people without souls or ambition to be somebody. One Indian told me the whites are crazy to which I agreed, so we were friends. Another Indian asked me my age and I told him by raising and lowering my hands and spreading my fingers and he said, “You heap lie”. And to head me off, he said he was one hundred years old. I said you are a bigger liar than I. So we talked and lied and had a real sociable time.

Different parties in Denver, Rock Springs & Vernal have asked me to write a History of Browns Park. Been at me for years to write it. I declined to make the attempt, not wanting to enter into the “harrowing details” and living my miserable life over. But at last I yielded, last February, and have been busy since gathering “stuff” as newspaper reporters call it, on a history of Northwest Colorado. That object brought me to Vernal. I wrote from here to an outlaw, who took a leading part in the devilry in Browns Park, for a few missing links in my story, which I knew he could supply. He answered by mail, daring me to connect his name with my “History” and telling what he would do to me, etc., etc., and then some. I intend to cross over the mountains to Browns Park at the end of a week, stay there a couple weeks and arrive in Denver about Oct. 1st.

This is the driest season ever known in this country, which includes the whole Rocky Mountains region. I am glad I do not own anything that eats. Yesterday I saw a woman pay 10 cents a pound for cabbage; 8 cents a pound for potatoes. They saved the country for democracy! And the democrats are starving them to death. I am glad that I am out of the game—all games. I have some doubts whether I “reflect Divine Principle”.

Most people are crazy but all Christian Scientists are insane.
J.S. Hoy
Note: Phemie, the deceased wife of J.S. Hoy, was a devoted Christian Scientist Healer. Harry, J.S.’s brother, was also a follower of Mary Baker Eddy; Harry died while trying to cure himself through his beliefs in Christian Science. But it could have been the pickles.

Esther Jane (Mason) Johnson:

History of Christian Science
At the core of Christian Science is the teaching that God and God’s creation are entirely good and spiritual, and that God has made all things in His likeness. Christian Scientists hold that the reality of being and of all existence is spiritual, not material. They see this spiritual reality as the only reality and all else as illusion or ‘error’. Christian Science acknowledges that we all seem to be experiencing a material existence, but holds that this experience ultimately yields to a true spiritual understanding of God and creation. They believe that this is how healing through prayer is possible.
Mary Baker Eddy claimed to have discovered this method of healing when she was healed of an injury in 1866 after rereading a passage of one of Jesus’ healings. From her study of the Bible, she wrote, first copyrighted in 1875, the primary source for learning, Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
Christian Science does not rely on conventional medicine but holds that illness, eventually including death itself, can be healed through prayer and growing closer to God. Consequently, health care is not attempted through drugs, surgery, or other physical manipulation, but through “Christian Science treatment”, a specific form of prayer intended to spiritualize thought.
Material medicine and Christian Science treatment proceed from diametrically opposite assumptions. Medicine asserts that something is physically broken and needs to be fixed, while Christian Science asserts that the spiritual reality is harmonious and perfect, and that any false belief to the contrary needs to be corrected.
The Scientific Statement of Being
The Scientific Statement of Being presents a fundamental axiom of Christian Science. It attempts to explain the spiritual nature of man, which is the central belief of Christian Science:
There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.
Source: on-line Wikipedia

Jan 3, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska:
Name Otto H Johnson [Otho H Johnson] (Otho Herbert Johnson)
Age 36
Birth Year abt 1884
Birthplace Illinois
Home in 1920 Omaha Ward 10, Douglas, Nebraska
Street Webster Street
House Number 4815
Residence Date 1920
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Head
Marital Status Married
Spouse’s Name Esther J Johnson
Father’s Birthplace New York
Mother’s Birthplace Iowa
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation Buyer
Industry Furniture Co
Employment Field Wage or Salary
Home Owned or Rented Owned
Home Free or Mortgaged Mortgaged
Able to read Yes
Able to Write Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Otto H Johnson age 36, Head, born Illinois, father born New York, mother born Iowa, buyer for furniture company (Otho Herbert Johnson)
Esther J Johnson age 38, Wife, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa (Esther Jane (Mason) Johnson, daughter of Phemie)
Dorothy M Johnson age 11, Daughter, born Washington, father born Illinois, mother born Nebraska
Meredith O Johnson  age 7, Son, born Washington, father born Illinois, mother born Nebraska

Jan 4, 1920: Letter from J.S. (age 73) to Esther Johnson (age 38), daughter of Phemie:
Hotel DeSoto, 1848 Broadway, Denver, Colorado
Jan. 4, 1920
Dear Esther,
I had made all arrangements about Nov. 15th to visit you, packed your mothers trunk in which I have packed everything of hers that you did not take with you. Just at this hour a man approached me with the desire to buy my ranch. Of course he had to consult a lawyer. He said he “employed an attorney to keep him out of trouble.” They wanted 30 days to look up titles which ended Dec. 22nd, when he made first payment. The sale has not been completed for some reason known only to the buyers. I thought I would not write you until the trade is consummated, is one reason I did not write you sooner. Another reason is the weather. I am as comfortably placed in this hotel as I ever can be. Consequently I did not feel like leaving until cold weather is past. Let me know when you see the first bluebird, then I’ll prepare to flit. I asked the colored maid what she thought would become of her when she died. She said she expected to go to heaven, and that she did not dread dying for she would go to a better place. How about you, she asked? I told her I would rather stay in Denver always than take chances. She said in Heaven they would all be one color, all have red hair. Is it any wonder that I would rather bear present ills than to fly to another I (thot?) not of (?). You need not worry about me. I am having the time of my life. Go to bed when I please, get up when I please, eat what I want and when it suits me. Hot and cold water in my room, heat that I can regulate to suit me and everything. I am frequently reminded of the many blessings vouchsafed me when I hear husband and wife having their usual morning row. I suppose about money matters.
I remember Mrs. Teague quite well. She was fat and fifty, her husband ditto. Both of them were about five six. Each weighed about 225 pounds, and hands equal to their weight. Mrs. Teague gave me one treatment for constipation, her loving spouse gave me three or four. Their lust for money was only exceeded by their gall. I didn’t pay either one of them a cent. The credulity of some people is tremendous and astonishing. Yet Phemie believed in those kinds of people, or pretended she did. Never to answer a letter is the best way to get rid of a correspondent. I hope for our peace of mind that we have heard the last of them. I rejoice with you on your improved prospects. Otto’s raise of salary. To at last be relieved of financial worries is worth all it costs. There is no satisfaction so great to know, come what will: war, famine, pestilence or panics, one can meet all payments. Without the spector of want and not staring him in the face. This position has renewed my youth and made me an object of respect and admiration by the numerous widows and divorcees who infest hotels. They tell me that I am not too old. That is why you should not worry about me. Fifty to sixty thousand dollars will make an old man look young to them.
I should worry, and you will when in your new found prosperity you buy an automobile. You are safe in betting some one will get hurt. That is a thing I do not want. I am afraid of them, so was Phemie. Every time I go out and before crossing a street I cross my breast and count my beads. Can see in my mind, myself ground into a pulp. Every bone broken, my clothes dirtied and my face disfigured. Now as we are above money troubles and still worry, is it any wonder an ignorant colored lady who is working for ten dollars a week, sometimes wears a silk dress when dusting and cleaning rooms, wants to go to heaven where clothing and grub won’t cost anything. There is scarcely any satisfaction greater than living at the expense of some one else. That is, some one else pay the expense of the trip or (? friends). I had three invitations to Christmas dinner. A widow being the piece de resistance for each. Melt away the ache in your heart for I am well taken care of. I have not time to be lonesome. I am busy writing my book. Great Book! I can fill in the whole day and most of the night if I would, but I am trained in moderation. Phemie used to take my papers away from me and drive me out of the house to take needed exercise every day when I got too busy.
I ate turkey New Years day, also with friends, and turned another invitation down. Now, that I can at times, stuff myself at another’s expense and plenty of money to buy all I need, I find I eat less than ever. Nor do I care much for anything I once craved and delighted in. What is that a sign of? Still, I don’t want to die and go to heaven nor anywhere else without knowing where I am going to.
When I left Craig I told friends that I intended to go to Omaha right away. “If you do”, they warned me, “the Omahogs will hang you or run you into the Missouri River and drown you. They are a bad lot down there.” Perhaps it is best I staid away and take chances of cyclones, tornadoes, hurricanes, rains, mud and malaria, none of which have we here. I can begin to see the end of my Book. I think by February 1st I’ll have it in shape to be typewritten. Well, I think I have written a letter long enough to make amends for any neglect in not writing you sooner.
J.S. Hoy

Jan 7, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Denver City, Denver Co., Colorado:
Hoy, James S.: lodger, age 60, born Pennsylvania, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Pennsylvania, retired
Note: J.S. was actually 73 years of age. He is living in the DeSoto Hotel in Denver.

May 3, 1920: Letter from J.S. (age 73) to Esther Johnson, daughter of Phemie:
May 3, 1920
Dear Esther,
I was already to start, took the trunk to the station and at the last minute at the 12th hour, I changed my mind and sent the trunk by express and returned to the hotel. Each year I am less inclined to move, to make a change. I become attached to a domicile, a ranch or a particular section. I like Colorado with all her faults. I realize that I must get a move on me before I take root. There is something about the cool or cold Colorado air that makes me swell up, distend my nostrils, and if it wasn’t that nice people were around I would snort like a buck deer in the mountains. The word “sultry” in your letter had a debilitating effect on my mind.
Last Tuesday I wrote “Conclusion” to my manuscript. The typewriter finished Saturday, May 1st. I was so busy and interested in the work that I was about oblivious to everything else, which includes widows. The heroine of my book wrote me lately that she trapped 30 coyotes and wild cats this winter which she sold for $300 dollars. In conversation she calls a spade a spade and pleads guilty to being a cattle rustler. I call her “Ann of Douglas Mountains”. She is a Terror and considerable of a wild cat herself.
Keep the letters in the trunk that I wrote Phemie. I may want to use them sometime.
Well, so long.
J.S. Hoy
Note: J.S. is living at the Hotel DeSoto, 1848 Broadway, Denver, Colorado. The heroine he refers to in this letter is Anne Bassett.

1921: J.S. Hoy (age 75) visits Phemie’s daughter, Esther (Mason) Johnson (age 40), in Omaha, Nebraska

Esther (Mason) Johnson:

Jul 8, 1922: Letter from J.S. Hoy to Esther Johnson:
Hotel De Soto, Denver
July 8, 1922
Dear Esther,
I have a box of letter paper and envelopes to match that I use when writing to ladies. When I opened it to answer your last letter of July 3, 1922, I uncovered your other last letter dated Oct. 1, 1921. Answered November 3rd, 1921 which shows how much my correspondence has dropped off. One reason is, I sent photographs of myself. Which one of them, a niece, who had in every one of her letters inquired about my health. She said I did not look to be more than 50. So she quit writing, evidently thinking it would be a waste of time and postage to wait for me to croak, die, hoping to get a share of my estate. It is too bad to disappoint them, but I don’t want to die just yet, preferring to live in Denver and Colorado, than to die and go to heaven. I would rather listen to jazz music than to angels playing harps, or go to the other place that I thot not of. Everybody who can afford it and can leave their business are on the move. Not satisfied with anything.
Denver has spent millions to make the city beautiful. Parks, lakes for fishing, lakes for boating, lakes for bathing, conventions, music, prize fights and everything to amuse them. But off they go to California, the mountains, Yellowstone Park, anywhere the notion takes them, just because somebody else is going. It’s the fashion to go is the main reason. For they would be better off to stay at home. The reason I don’t go is because “I have travelled” and know of no better place to go. I am content here is the main reason. You made my visit to Omaha a year ago as pleasant as you could. I have no fault to find. But it was so hot down there, and my health was wretched. How different now! I have “come back”, I feel as well as I ever did so far as I can remember. If I were with you now, I would run you and your Hubby to death, instead of crippling along apparently on my last legs. At the same time I would rather hire somone to play golf for me than play the game myself.
If I had felt as well a year ago as I do now, I would maybe have sidled up to May Sommers. Query: Why is it that May hasn’t married? She was brought up right, is capable of making her own living, knows the value of money, of a good family and is good looking enough to make any man a good wife. So Dorothy was peeved because I criticised her penmanship. Children of the present day are rebellous and will not stand “fault find” on the part of their elders, parents and teachers. Their parents are afraid to correct them for fear they will run away and go to the bad. They are cunning. They study their parents, know them, know just how far they can go and get away with it. Whatever you do with the urn will be satisfactory to me, though I think Olin is the proper place. I could just as well run down and visit you again this last spring, but I dread the hot weather, the thunder and lightning. To my mind October in Nebraska is the pleasantest month in the year, when the grasshoppers and crickets sing and the frost is on the pumpkins and the corn is on the cob, or whatever it is. I’ll stay in Denver, in Colorado during the hot weather, whatever else I do. From what they say business – except restaurants and hotels – is in the dumps, dull, half dead. I see nothing in the near future that indicates improvement. The farmers are having the worst time in the history of the State, are being robbed coming and agoin.
J.S. Hoy
Note: Dorothy is Esther’s daughter. J.S. is referring to Phemie’s urn of ashes, which he had sent to Esther

Jan 1925: J.S. Hoy becomes seriously ill and is treated for heart disease; a few weeks later, he is diagnosed with Bright’s disease.
Note: Bright’s disease is a disease of the kidneys, also known as nephritis. It was an extremely painful, dreaded, and common disease for which no cures were known.

Jan 19, 1925: J.S. Hoy makes out his will in his own handwriting in Denver, Denver Co., Colorado

May 31, 1925: Death of James Smith “J.S.” Hoy (age 78), at his home in Denver, Denver Co., Colorado, of Bright’s disease.

Jun 1, 1925: Burial of J.S. Hoy by the Olinger Mortuary at Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Jefferson Co., Colorado.
Note: Despite his specific request in his will, J.S. Hoy’s gravesite remains unmarked. General location of his burial: block 15, lot 47, section 10.

Jun 2, 1925: Denver Post, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado (pg 8):
JAMES HOY, PIONEER WHO NEVER
FOUGHT INDIANS, IS LAID TO REST
Funeral of One-Time U.S. Commissioner Recalls
Thrilling Days When Brown’s Hole Was
Rendezvous of West’s Worst Outlaws.
Funeral services for James Smith Hoy, pioneer Colorado resident, who died at his home, 2018 California street, Sunday, were held at the Olinger mortuary in charge of the United Workers for the Blind, Monday. Interment was at Crown Hill cemetery.
Hoy’s life in the west was filled with colorful adventure, altho it was always his boast that he was the “only pioneer who had never fought Indians or killed a bear or a buffalo.” However, during the warfare between ranchers and outlaws in the Brown’s hole country, Moffat county, in the ‘70’s, Hoy saw plenty of action.

Hoy was born at Hoy’s Gap, Pa., in l847 and at an early age was sent to live with an uncle. The two disagreed so violently that the youth soon ran away, finally stopping at a settlement sixteen miles west of Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked for several years. Leaving Iowa, Hoy went by boat to the Union garrison at Natchez on the Mississippi river, and stayed with another uncle, James Smith, the commanding officer, for a time, but soon returned to Iowa. In l864 Hoy set out for the west, arriving in Denver in the fall of that year. After spending the winter at a wood camp near Central City, Hoy returned to Denver and engaged in freighting between Denver and Omaha.

With his brother, Valentine, Hoy settled on a ranch near Brown’s hole, which soon became famous as the gathering place for outlaws and desperadoes from all sections of the west, men driven to the wilderness by the ever advancing tide of settlers.

The brothers were involved in many of the cattle wars and fights with these outlaws during the next few years, until 1897, Valentine Hoy was shot and killed by Harry Tracy, notorious western bandit. Tracy had escaped from the Utah penitentiary, making his way to the comparative safety of unsettled northwestern Colorado. Valentine Hoy was leading a posse in search of the bandit and his pal when a shot from ambush ended his life.

During this period, James Hoy spent some time in Wyoming, at Natrona, being elected to the fifth general assembly of that territory in l876. He came to Denver to live several years ago.

Hoy had also served at various times as justice of the peace, livestock commissioner and United States commissioner. He was a member of the United Blind Workers altho he had never lost his sight.

Sep 10, 1928: Final will of J.S. Hoy completes probate and is settled. The largest amount paid from the estate is $10,000 to Esther J. Johnson, daughter of Euphemia Hoy, deceased wife of J.S. He had borrowed the $10,000 from Phemie and Esther.

1933: Marriage of Margaret Louise Morphy & Otho Meredith Johnson, son of Otho Herbert Johnson & Esther Jane Mason, in Douglas Co., Nebraska
Two children: Sally Ann Johnson, Robert B. Johnson

Nov 16, 1936: Marriage of Josef Nissley Null & Dorothy Marguerite Johnson, 1st of 2 children of Otho Herbert Johnson & Esther Jane Mason, and the granddaughter of Euphemia Esther “Phemie” (Robinson) Mason, in Franklin Co., Ohio; his 2nd marriage

1936: Ohio County Marriages:
Name Dorothy Johnson
Gender Female
Marriage Age 28
Marriage Place Franklin, Ohio
Spouse Josef N Knull
Film Number 001862043

Name Josef N Knull
Gender Male
Marriage Age 45
Marriage Place Franklin, Ohio
Father Harry E Knull
Mother Minnie Kinsley
Spouse Dorothy Johnson
Film Number 001862043

1936: Marriage Record of Josef Nissley Null & Dorothy Marguerite Johnson:

Oct 16, 1940: U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:
Name Otho Meredith Johnson
Gender Male
Race White
Age 28
Relationship to Draftee Self (Head)
Birth Date 24 Sep 1912
Birth Place Spokane, Washington, USA
Residence Place Poplar Bluff, Butler, Missouri
Registration Date 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place Poplar Bluff, Butler, Missouri
Employer U S Forest Service
Height 74
Weight 170
Complexion Light
Hair Color Blonde
Eye Color Blue
Next of Kin Margaret Johnson
Household members, Name Relationship:
Otho Meredith Johnson Self (Head)
Margaret Johnson Wife

Feb 15, 1962: Death of Esther Jane (Mason) Johnson, 1st of 2 children of George Mason Hedges & Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson(age 80), in Arnold, Jefferson Co., Missouri; cardiovascular failure, breast cancer

Feb 15, 1962: Death Certificate for Esther Jane (Mason) Johnson:

Feb 19, 1962: Cremation (Missouri Crematory) and interment of Esther Jane (Mason) Johnson, at Mount Hope Cemetery Mausoleum and Crematory, in Lemay, St. Louis Co., Missouri

Feb 19, 1962: Daily News Democrat, Festus, Jefferson Co., Missouri (Monday, pg 1):

Feb 15, 1967: Death of Otho Herbert Johnson (age 83), 1st of 5 children of Charles Henry Johnson & Julia Frances Dawson, and the husband of Esther Jane (Mason) Johnson, in St. Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri; cerebral thrombosis, general arteriosclerosis

Feb 15, 1967: Death Certificate for Otho Herbert Johnson:

Feb 17, 1967: St. Louis Dispatch, St. Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri, (Thursday, pg 64):

Feb 17, 1967: Cremation (Valhalla Crematory) and interment of Otho Herbert Johnson, at Mount Hope Cemetery Mausoleum and Crematory, in Lemay, St. Louis Co., Missouri

Apr 24, 1975: Death of Josef Nissley Knull (age 83), husband of Dorothy Marguerite Johnson, in Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio

Apr 26, 1975: The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio (Saturday, page 21):

Apr 27, 1975: Burial of Josef Nissley Knull at Hummelstown Cemetery in Hummelstown, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, alongside his 1st wife, Evalyn Ivan (McMahon) Knull; Section AA, block 52, lot 1, space 2

Jun 24, 1992: Death of Dorothy Marguerite (Johnson) Knull (age 84), 1st of 2 children of Otho Herbert Johnson & Esther Jane Mason and the 2nd wife of Josef Nissley Knull, in Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio; cancer

Jun 28, 1992: The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio (Sunday, pg 26):

Apr 25, 1993: Death of Otho Meredith Johnson (age 80), 2nd of 2 children of Otho Herbert Johnson & Esther Jane Mason, in St. Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri; cancer
Note: Body donated to Washington University School of Medicine

Apr 28, 1993: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri (pg 17):

May 6, 2002, Death of Margaret Louise (Morphy) Johnson O’Neill (age 89), daughter of Harry Gowans Morphy & Rena Miller and the wife of (m1) Otho Meredith Johnson and (m2) Robert Jay “Bob” O’Neill, in Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska

May 22, 2002: Omaha World-Herald, Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska (Wednesday, pg 20):

May 24, 2002: Interment of Margaret Louise (Morphy) Johnson O’Neill at Trinity Cathedral Columbarium in Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska

***************************

Research Correspondence

Jul 14, 2004:  Note from Sally Smith (great-granddaughter of Euphemia (Mason) Hoy), regarding J.S. Hoy to me:
Dear Catherine:
How good of you to get in touch.  Gordon has already given me so much information about the Hoys that I hesitate to ask for more.
I am glad to know that the information held by my brother and me about J.S. Hoy and Phemie has proved useful to your own research. Hardly a day goes by now without some little clue adding to the whole. While I am focused on J.S. Hoy and his immediate family, anything that will round out his character and background would be most welcome. I seem to have run dry on the Colorado Historical Society archive but have sent some copies to Gordon. The next step will be to go back to Fort Collins to see if they will let me have a copy of something titled “Hoy tries a romance.” This was mentioned by CHS but as the original was held at Fort Collins they refused to send me a copy. Could be more clues there!
Regards, Sally

Aug 11, 2004: Note from Sally Smith to me:
Dear Catherine:
Your amazing draft family tree arrived today. What a lot of work and editing you have done. It is lovely to have the photographs incorporated with the text. I will have a thorough look at the Hoy material to see if I have any comments but presume you have already received the suggestions sent previously by email.

I am pleased that my brother Bob has given you copies of his Phemie and J.S. Hoy photographs. The letters he has are the same ones I sent to Gordon some time ago. Bob and I checked through a list of what we had and are convinced that we both hold either originals or copies of all that there is in our family.

Sorry you had to add so much postage to your mailing. I sent some further material from the Hoy collection at the Colorado Historical Society last Monday so it should arrive about the time Gordon returns from his camping trip.
Thanks again. Sally

Nov 21, 2004: note from me to Sally:
Subject: Re: J.S. Hoy excerpt from internet source (truth or somewhat fictionalized?)
Hi Sally, nice to hear from you again.
Do you think J.S. attended medical school? That was the first that I heard he went there too. And then the story went from one women to several wives. Things do grow with time and translation, don’t they?

Gordon, Marian (his wife) and I had a great time in Salt Lake City, Denver, Vernal, and Brown’s Hole, met Valentine’s grandson & wife (Val & Jan Hoy) and actually found out quite a bit. Gordon has added it all to his binder. I don’t think I have any of it on my computer yet to forward to you, but we’ll figure something out.

Yes, I did make the changes from your post, and my apologies, I thought I had sent you an email acknowledging I received it and thanking you. There were a couple of things I had questions about, but have temporarily moved on to a couple of other projects, so when I get back into the Hoys, I’ll find it and go over it with you.

We met with Neva’s daughter, Ruth (Richardson) Coopersmithand Ruth’s son, Jim Coopersmith, while we were in Southern California. He is the one with the famous J.S. Hoy trunk, (I have it built up that trunk contains everything I ever wanted to know about Emily, all of J.S. writings, the missing first 36 pages of his Brown’s Hole manuscript, the bullet that killed Valentine, family letters, pictures of Winnie and Harry, J.S.’s medical degree from Paris, his watch and stick-pin, and his testicles), but it is like pulling teeth to get him to find it and open it.
Regards, Catherine

Nov 21, 2004: from Sally Smith to me:
Thanks for sending this Catherine. I do not suppose we will ever know the whole truth of the matter but I suspect that there may be something to this oft-repeated tale. Two facts tend to support it: 1) his first marriage seems to have ended very quickly and since I can find no record of her death, perhaps the marriage was annulled.
2) he was a handsome man, but seems to have had no further serious relationships apart from my great-grandmother when she was past child-bearing age. And, there (so far) has been no hint of a child being fathered by him. J.S. Hoy seems destined to be something of a mystery.

Did Gordon get anywhere further after his meeting with the Valentine Hoy family in Salt Lake? I have not heard from him since before that visit so hope he is well and still researching. Did you get the comments on your draft family tree that I sent by post?
Best wishes, Sally

Apr 9, 2005: Note from Janice Hoy to me:
I think I mentioned to you that Jim Coopersmith came out for an afternoon visit a few weeks ago. He had a golf tourn in Primm, so drove over for lunch the day before the tourn. We had a good time, talked about a few recent ancestors, talked about Ruth’s upcoming trips, and Ruth’s 85th birthday April 16, which reminds me I need to get a card in the mail by Tues or Wed. Then he showed us a letter from a “step-cousin” in Scotland, a descendent of Phemie.

The letter:
Dear Mr. Coopersmith:
Please forgive me for writing to you without a formal introduction. As you can see from the letterhead, I live in Scotland but formerly grew up in Omaha, NE. My Omaha grandmother Esther Mason Johnson gave me few clues about her mother’s interesting life and so I have had to glean them from wherever I could find them. The internet has helped a lot and this is how I have found the connection between us.

My great grandmother was Euphemia “Phemie” Mason Hoy. She
married J.S. Hoy in April 1909 and moved with him to Brown’s Hole. I have quite a few letters from J.S. Hoy to Phemie and this has sparked my interest in finding out more.
I understand that you are related to J.S. Hoy’s brother, Valentine Shade Hoy, through his daughter Neva Louise Hoy and wonder if there is anything you might be able to add to my research about J.S. Hoy and my great grandmother.

I have an incomplete copy of his manuscript about the History of Brown’s Hole which makes reference to some missing pages which chart J.S. Hoy and his family’s early life in PA, WI and then Iowa and the beginning of his career with cattle. Do you have any material which would fill in these
gaps. It would be good to hear from you, whether or not you can help.
Yours sincerely,
Sally Johnson Smith
Dunglass Mill
Cockburnspath
Berwickshire
Scotland

I wrote to Sally Smith the very next day. Introduced myself. Explained that Jim gave me a copy of her letter and asked if I would respond for him. Jim is interested in the family history but doesn’t have any organized written information about the family, but that I have quite a bit on my computer. I mentioned you and Gordon (not by name, but as cousins) and said you had a lot of information and were in the process of writing a book. I said we would all like to share with her, would she please e-mail me. I gave her my email, snail-mail, and phone number. I thought we could have a good network via email for sharing information.
Jan

Jan 26, 2006: From Gordon Clemens to Sally Smith, great-granddaughter of Phemie Robinson Hoy:
Dear Sally,
Thanks for the email. When Jan Hoy (wife of Valentine Hoy, great-grandson of Valentine Hoy who was killed in Colorado by outlaws) was in Fremont, Nebraska a few weeks ago she found articles in the Fremont Tribune Newspaper of Nov. 19, 1884, which mention, “V.S. Hoy has received from his brother J.S. Hoy, an illustrated French paper. The subject was the strife after wealth, which was a good deal like the American Puck and Jingo caricatures.” Jan & Val Hoy visited the museum on Nye St. and discovered a book that mentions J.S. Hoy going to France to select some Percheron stock to bring back to Fremont. J.S. shipped some of the horses back to his ranch for breeding and sale as the Percheron horses were imported and raised in Fremont, Nebraska by Hoy Bros. (J.S. Hoy and Valentine) in the 1880s. The book was stored in a refrigerator, hoping to protect it from heat and light, as it was very old and fragile. My sister Catherine and I traveled to Colorado last year with Jan & Valentine and visited Brown’s Park and saw the ruins of the old J.S. Hoy ranch. The area is now a National Park, and Hoy Bottom lands are all parklands. We had a picnic there.
When we were in Denver, Colorado, we went through the final will and estate papers of J.S. Hoy. There was a handwritten pencil note in J.S. Hoy’s handwriting on an envelope addressed to Fra Madame Elizabeth Christophe, Noel, 1884, Paris, France. 1884 was the year J.S. Hoy was in France, according to the newspaper.
Sincerely,
Gordon Clemens

Apr 2006: Note from Sally Smith to me, regarding the Mason family:
Dear Catherine,
You asked for some background information about my grandmother, Esther Mason Johnson (daughter of Phemie E. Robinson Mason Hoy). Esther was born April 7th, 1881 in Norfolk, Nebraska to Euphemia E. Robinson and George Hedges Mason. She married Otho Herbert Johnson in 1906 in Spokane, Washington. Esther died of breast cancer on Feb 15, 1962 at Arnold, Jefferson Co., Missouri (a rural town twenty miles south of St. Louis).

Esther Jane (Mason) Johnson:

Esther was on the stage as a young woman, reciting Robert Burns’ poetry in a rich Scottish accent. She trained at the Columbia School of Oratory, Chicago and developed a repertoire, which – before her marriage – she performed as a solo act on tour in the Midwest, Canada and Washington. She used to entertain me while she ironed, reciting “To a Mouse” by Robert Burns.

There are some letters of appreciation which cite: her delivery, her skill in elocution, strong intellectuality, pleasing personality, dignified bearing, strength in humour and in heroism, presenting Scotch literature with its native flavour, an appearance which is easy and graceful, strength in impersonation and emotion, a freedom and naturalness of manner, and a power of mimicry. Most of the reviews comment on her humour and her Scottish dialect.

Esther’s father George Hedges Mason is a bit of a mystery (born 1855 in Ohio). I think he made it to Spokane but I cannot trace a record of his death. Family legend says he sold candies but died of a mental illness. He and Phemie also had a son who died at age 2 in 1891.

George Hedges Mason, 1880:

When Phemie decided to marry J.S. Hoy in 1909, I do not think she had ever been to Hoy’s ranch at Brown’s Hole. My Aunt Dorothy said Phemie had done much of the journey on horseback (also a first). We thought she was incredibly brave, not only to have married Hoy (9 years older) but also to have launched herself into the unknown on horseback to take up residence in a rather wild place after a lifetime in midwest farming communities and then Spokane. She was a schoolteacher in both Iowa and Nebraska before becoming a Christian Science healer.
Best wishes, Sally

Jun 5, 2006: Note from Sally Smith to me:
Dear Catherine:
I hope you are returned to good health again. You must be better in view of your forthcoming trip to Denver and Hoy-land. Regarding more Hoy research, I will check my files and come back to you as I am sure there are a few things I was keen to check.

Phemie was cremated in Denver and one day my Grandmother Esther (in Omaha) received a strange parcel in the post which turned out to be Phemies ashes – sent by J.S. Hoy without warning. I have a proper telling of the story somewhere. I will come back to you on the further Hoy research stuff.
Sally

Jun 6, 2006: Note from Sally Smith to me:
Dear Catherine:
1. Phemie non burial. I found the source for this story. My stepmother wrote to me in 2004 in reply to my questions about any family history my grandmother Esther might have told her when they lived next door to one another:
After her mother died old J.S. (Hoy) mailed her Mother’s ashes to her – NO WARNING – She (Esther) had quite a shock when she opened the box and found an Urn of Ashes. I (Sally) do not know what was done with her ashes-Grandma never mentioned it. That is the extent of the story.

1. More research in Colorado. I have looked at my correspondence with the Colorado Historical Society. I received a list of material they hold on J.S. Hoy and ordered copies of several items. I photocopied all that were sent to Gordon. However, there were some items which they did not send for some reason, possibly because they were too fragile:
   Box 2 ff4 – miscellaneous illustrations clipped from magazines
   Box 2 ff5 and 6 – part, perhaps chapters of the Hoy manuscript, the originals of which are held elsewhere
   Box 2 ff 7 – handwritten (fragile) pages of Hoy’s notes

Also, looking at this same list, I notice that Box 1: 6-12 contains J.S. Hoy manuscripts (chapters 1-25) and miscellaneous pages. They are labelled ?typescript drafts 1952?. There may be a slight chance that amongst these papers is the missing text which relates to J.S. Hoys story of his early life and family. If I had the opportunity, I would do a thorough rake through their Hoy archive. Maybe you have already done so.

What are you and Gordon hoping to find? There are some Denver Hoy burials which come up on an internet search so I suppose you will be looking for these. Also, at one time my grandfather had a trunk full of family stuff which my father mostly chucked (grief on my part). I remember, however, an old newspaper which appeared to feature the death of J.S. Hoy on the front page (Denver Post). That might be worth finding and perhaps not too difficult since you have the relevant date.

I will be interested to know what you two manage to find.
Best of luck,
Sally

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Otho Herbert Johnson & Esther Jane Mason Family

1. Esther Jane Mason
1st of 2 children of George Mason Hedges & Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson
Born: Apr 7, 1881, Norfolk, Madison Co., Nebraska
Died: Feb 15, 1962 (age 80), Arnold, Jefferson Co., Missouri; breast cancer
Interred: Feb 19, 1962, Mount Hope Cemetery Mausoleum and Crematory, in Lemay, St. Louis Co., Missouri
Occupation: Trained at Columbia School of Oratory in Chicago, Illinois; stage actress, touring the Midwest and Northwest before marriage
Married: Nov 29, 1906, Otho Herbert Johnson, Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington
Two children: Dorothy Marguerite Johnson, Otho “Meredith” Johnson

Otho Herbert Johnson
1st of 5 children of Charles Henry Johnson & Julia Frances Dawson
Born: Dec 4, 1883, Monmouth, Warren Co., Illinois
Died: Feb 15, 1967 (age 83), St. Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri; cerebral thrombosis, general arteriosclerosis
Interred: Feb 17, Mount Hope Cemetery Mausoleum and Crematory, in Lemay, St. Louis Co., Missouri
Occupation: Buyer/manager for furniture company
Two children: Dorothy Marguerite Johnson, Otho Meredith Johnson

1. Dorothy Marguerite Johnson
1st of 2 children of Otho Herbert Johnson & Esther Jane Mason
Born: Jan 15, 1908, Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington
Died: Jun 24, 1992 (age 84), Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio; cancer
Cremated
Occupation: Entomologist (PhD, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio)
Red Cross Volunteer for University Hospital for 26 years
Married: Nov 16, 1936, Josef Nissley Knull, Franklin Co., Ohio (his 2nd marriage)
No children

(m) Josef Nissley Knull
Son of Henry C. “Harry” Knull & Minnie N. Nissley
Born: Oct 12, 1891, Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Philadelphia
Died: Apr 24, 1975 (age 83), Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio
Buried: Apr 27, 1975, Hummelstown Cemetery in Hummelstown, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania
Occupation: Entomologist, University Professor: Zoologist & Entomology
Married (1): Sep 8, 1925, Evalyn Ivan McMahon, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania
No children
Married (2): Nov 16, 1936, Dorothy Marguerite Johnson, Franklin Co., Ohio
No children

2. Otho Meredith Johnson
2nd of 2 children of Otho Herbert Johnson & Esther Jane Mason
Born: Sep 24, 1912, Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington
Died: Apr 25, 1993 (age 80), St. Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri; cancer
Buried: Body donated to Washington University School of Medicine
Occupation: Forester (U.S. Forest Service), mechanical engineer at Ford Motor Company
Married (1): Sep 11, 1933, Margaret Louise Morphy, Dundee, Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska
Two children: Sally Ann Johnson, Robert B. Johnson
Married (2): Sep 22, 1945, Ora Moselle/Mosola (Fears) Cash, St Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri
No children

(m) Margaret Louise Morphy
Daughter of Harry Gowans Morphy & Rena Miller
Born: May 7, 1912, Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska
Died: May 6, 2002 (age 89), Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska
Cremated: Trinity Cathedral Columbarium in Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska
Occupation: 
Married (1): Sep 11, 1933, Otho Meredith Johnson, Dundee, Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska
Two children: Sally Ann Johnson, Robert B. “Bob” Johnson
Married (2): bef 1950, Robert Jay O’Neill
No children

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Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges/Lydia Amspaugh
Photo of Mason Siblings

Back row – Emma Jane Mason (married Edward Bare); Albert A. Mason (married Ethel Graham); possibly Annetta Mason (married Alexander Bittle, then James Richmond); Ina Augusta Mason (married Peter Short, then Albert Anderson, then Frank McCone); Edith Mason (married Joseph Snyder).
Front row – Martha (Myrtle) Mason (married Harry Jones, then Charles Tinkham); possibly Aminta May Mason (married Horace Gordon); George Hedges Mason; possibly Effie Katherine Mason (married Laurel Robinson, then Orin Beach, then John Avey); Elisabeth Frances Mason (married Henry Hempy, then William Efner)

There weren’t any names on the photo, so IDing them was a bit of a guess. George and Albert were easy, as were Ina, Edith, and Martha. I had pictures of Elisabeth and Emma when they were older, so I’m confident those two are correct. Annetta, Aminta, and Effie were difficult as I had no photos for comparison.
Edith and Martha were daughters of Thomas Mason and his second wife, Lydia Amspaugh.
(Photo and above identification contributed by Margaret Foster, descendant of George Mason’s sister, Elisabeth Frances Mason)

Birth order: George Hedges Mason, Elizabeth Frances Mason, Emma Jane Mason, Nancy Alice Mason (not pictured, died young), Albert Abram Mason, Katherine/Catherine Effie “Kate” Mason, Annette Belle “Nettie” Mason, Arminta May “Minta” Mason, Inez Augusta “Ina” Mason; Edith S. Mason, Martha A. Mason

Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges/Lydia Amspaugh Lines

Thomas Jefferson Mason
Parents unknown, both born in Virginia
Born: Sep 17, 1827, Bloom, Fairfield Co., Ohio
Died: Mar 8, 1902 (age 74), Lisbon, Linn Co., Iowa
Buried: Lisbon Cemetery in Lisbon, Linn Co., Iowa
Occupation: Farmer
Married (1): Feb 17, 1853, Jane Hedges, Fairfield Co., Ohio
Nine children: George Hedges Mason, Elizabeth Frances Mason, Emma Jane Mason, Nancy Alice Mason, Albert Abram Mason, Catherine “Effie/Kate” Mason, Annette Belle “Nettie” Mason, Arminta May “Minta” Mason, Inez Augusta “Ina” Mason
Married (2): Sep 3, 1873, Lydia Amspaugh, Anamosa, Jones Co., Iowa
Two children: Edith S. Mason, Martha A. Mason

(m1) Jane Hedges
Daughter of Abraham Hedges & Maria Alice McCleary
Born: Jun 1834, Hocking, Fairfield Co., Ohio
Died: Apr 5, 1873 (age 39), Linn Co., Iowa
Buried: Lisbon Cemetery in Lisbon, Linn Co., Iowa
Married: Feb 7, 1853, Thomas Jefferson Mason, Fairfield Co., Ohio
Nine children: George Hedges Mason, Elizabeth Frances Mason, Emma Jane Mason, Nancy Alice Mason, Albert Abram Mason, Catherine “Effie/Kate” Mason, Annette Belle “Nettie” Mason, Arminta May “Minta” Mason, Inez Augusta “Ina” Mason

(m2) Lydia Amspaugh
Daughter of John Amspaucher & Katherine/Catherine Rittgers
Born: Aug 27, 1845/46, Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio
Died: Apr 26, 1933 (age 86/87), Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., Wisconsin; heart attack
Buried: Lisbon Cemetery in Lisbon, Linn Co., Iowa
Married: Sep 3, 1873, Thomas Jefferson Mason, Anamosa, Jones Co., Iowa
Two children: Edith S. Mason, Martha A. Mason

1. George Hedges Mason
1st of 9 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges
Born: Mar 17, 1855, Greenfield Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio
Died: Jun 19, 1907 (age 52), Lakewood, Pierce Co., Washington; family legend says he died of mental illness
Buried: Western State Hospital Cemetery in Lakewood, Pierce Co., Washington
Occupation: Laborer, traveling salesman, candy seller
Married: Jun 16, 1880, Euphemia Esther “Phemie” Robinson, Aurora, Hamilton Co., Nebraska
Two children: Esther Jane Mason, Kenelm Percy Mason

2. Elizabeth Frances Mason
2nd of 9 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges
Born: Jan 2, 1856, Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio
Died: Jul 2, 1935 (age 80) Sioux City, Woodbury Co., Iowa
Buried: Greenwood Cemetery in Pierson, Woodbury Co., Iowa
Married (1): abt 1875, Thomas Henry Hempey
Three children: Alice M. Hempey, Almattie Bertha Hempey, Harlan Harwood Hempey
Married (2): Jul 5, 1893, William Johnston Efner, Sioux City, Woodbury Co., Iowa
Three children: William Mason Efner, Logan Johnston Efner, Una Frances Efner

3. Emma Jane Mason
3rd of 9 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges
Born: Mar 8, 1858, Fairfield Co., Ohio
Died: Oct 5, 1927 (age 69), Pierson, Woodbury Co., Iowa
Buried: Fairfield Cemetery in Correctionville, Woodbury Co., Iowa; C2
Married: Jan 14, 1877, Edward Franklin Bare
Five children: Charles William Bare, Chester Arthur Bare, Bert Bare, Willis Bare, Edward Franklin Bare

4. Nancy Alice Mason
4th of 9 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges
Born: Dec 26, 1859 (calculated from death date), Fairfield Co., Ohio
Died: Feb 2, 1860 (age 1 mo, 7 days), Fairfield Co., Ohio; putrid sore throat
Buried: Riegel-Hedges Cemetery in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio

5. Albert Abram Mason
5th of 9 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges
Born: Jun 28, 1861, Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio
Died: May 1, 1903 (age 41), Viola, Linn Co., Iowa
Buried: Prairie View Cemetery in Gilman, Marshall Co., Iowa; Plat 3, Lot 221
Occupation: Farm laborer, Reverend
Married: Oct 3, 1894, Ethel N. Graham, Early, Sac Co., Iowa
No children

6. Katherine/Catherine Effie “Kate” Mason
6th of 9 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges
Born: Nov 26, 1864, Fairfield Co., Ohio
Died: Jan 31, 1913 (age 48), Albion, Marshall Co., Iowa; pneumonia
Buried: Albion Cemetery in Albion, Marshall Co., Iowa
Occupation: Paper hanger
Married (1): Jan 31, 1884, Lawrence Ammerman Robinson, Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa
Two children: Nellie Izora Robinson, Esther Leona Robinson
Married (2): Jul 7, 1892, Orin Clifton Beach, Clarence, Cedar Co., Iowa
Three children: Clarence Eldon Beach, Edna May Beach, Bessie M. Beach
Married (3): Nov 28, 1906, John D. Avey, Marshall Co., Iowa
No children

7. Annette Belle “Nettie” Mason
7th of 9 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges
Born: Mar 3, 1867, Knoxville, Jefferson Co., Ohio
Died: Mar 9, 1934 (age 67), Dell Rapids, Minnehaha Co., South Dakota
Buried: Mount Hope Cemetery in Mapleton, Monona Co., Iowa; Block 7, Lot 18
Occupation: Seamstress
Married (1): Dec 20, 1885, Alexander Bittle, Cedar Co., Iowa
Three children: Raymond Dale Bittle, Hazel Ione Bittle, Myrtle Bittle
Married (2): Jul 9, 1901, James Wiley Richmond, Monona Co., Iowa
Three children: Goldie Celuta/Celeste Richmond, Sylvia Richmond, Charles Herold Richmond

8. Arminta May “Minta” Mason
8th of 9 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges
Born: 1868, Lisbon, Linn Co., Iowa
Died: Oct 27, 1937 (age 68-69)
Buried: Olin Cemetery in Olin, Jones Co., Iowa
Married: Feb 17, 1886, Horace Franklin “Frank” Gordon, White Oak, Cedar Co., Iowa
Eleven children: Charles Harland Gordon, Franklin Roland “Frank” Gordon, Earl Raymond Gordon, Harold Mason Gordon,  Wilbur Ward Gordon, Willard H. Gordon, Lyle Edward Gordon, Lucille Mae Gordon, Mildred Louise Gordon, Leonard Carlton Gordon, Kenneth Malcom Gordon

9. Inez Augusta “Ina” Mason
9th of 9 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Jane Hedges
Born: Feb 14, 1871, Jones Co., Iowa
Died: Sep 4, 1927 (age 56), Minnehaha Co., South Dakota
Buried: Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings, Brookings Co., South Dakota
Married (1): Oct 1, 1888, Peter Short, Woodbury Co., Iowa
Four children: Charles Edward Short, Grace Melissa Short, Omar Franklin Short, Lyle Mason Short
Married (2): Apr 17, 1922, Albert Anderson, Minnehaha, South Dakota
No children
Married (3): May 12, 1926, Frank J. McCone, Rock Rapids, Lyon Co., Iowa
No children

Two children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Lydia Amspaugh
Edith L. Mason, Myrtle Almeda Mason

1. Edith L. Mason
1st of 2 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Lydia Amspaugh
Born: Sep 9, 1874, Cedar Co., Iowa
Died: Jul 8, 1962 (age 87), Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., Iowa; pneumonia
Buried: Mount Vernon Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Linn Co., Iowa
Married: Sep 13, 1894, Joseph Frank Snyder, Lisbon, Linn Co., Iowa
Four children: Ruth Faye Snyder, Myrtle Irene Snyder, Mabel Marie Snyder, Helen Clara Snyder

2. Merta Almeda “Myrtle” Mason
2nd of 2 children of Thomas Jefferson Mason & Lydia Amspaugh
Born: Sep 12, 1878, Pioneer, Cedar Co., Iowa
Died: Oct 19, 1950 (age 73), Los Angeles Co., California
Buried: Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Los Angeles Co., California
Occupation: Traveling agent in life insurance
Married (1): Jan 4, 1899, Harry L. Jones, Lisbon, Linn Co., Iowa
Two children: one living, Thelma Jones
Married (2): May 1, 1913, Charles Perry Tinkham, Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois
No children

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Mar 29, 1933: The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (pg 2):
Lydia (Amspaugh) Mason obituary, stepmother of George Hedges Mason

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2026: Researched and compiled by siblings Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau and Gordon Clemens, the great-grandchildren of Emily S. Hoy
Fellow contributors:
Marian Clemens: Gordon’s wife, for her assistance, research, and patience
Sally Smith-Wilson and Bob Johnson: siblings and great-grandchildren of Phemie (Robinson) Mason Hoy: photos, documents, letters, and stories regarding Phemie and the family line
Margaret Foster: Mason Hedges wing; contributed Mason family photos and information
Dana (Walker) Conway: newspaper and obituary research
Therese Gallagher: AI-generated photos created from some of the faded originals

Note: The cemetery headstone photos from Find A Grave contained herein are the property of those who photographed them.