ALYIN AND KATHRYN HAVARD
and
JANE HAVARD WARGO

Alvin

The Havard family originated in Wales. Alvin's grandfather, David Havard, came to America while he was still a single man and settled in Ohio before coming to Iowa. It was interesting that several years ago a lady from Ohio came to check on possible relatives among the Havards in Iowa. There was no question when they discovered that she carried the same photographs the Iowa family has in their albums. Over a course of time David bought two160- acres strips of land in Clarke County, Iowa, Doyle Township, 5miles east of Hopeville, which he passed on to his two sons, Alvin's father Fredrick (Fred), and his uncle, Frank.

The obituary of Alvin's great-great aunt, Sarah Ann, reveals something of the hardships of the mid-1800's as well as the delightful style of writing. It is noticeable in early obituaries that the salvation of the soul, inferred by conversion or church affiliation, is usually mentioned. Sarah Ann Ladd was about a year old when she lost her mother. Mr. Ladd remarried and had five children, Esther being one of them. Mr. Ladd buried his second wife and remarried. They had no children but a son by his first wife was widowed and they took his son and twins to raise. The obituary concludes that the "deceased has been afflicted for over a year with a creeping paralysis. She was a very great sufferer, but patient withal. Her life was simple, but strong and beautiful. In early girlhood, at about the age of fourteen, she was converted and the first person to unite with the Baptist church, built on the Ridge (Ladd Ridge in Sandusky County, Ohio). Her influence for good was strongly felt and profoundly appreciated by the citizens of the community."

The obituary of Alvin's grandmother, Esther Ladd Havard, is also available. It reports that she was born in Ohio on May 11, 1847 and died April 4, 1907. She was united in marriage in Ohio to David Havard, February 29, 1876, and they moved to Hapeville, Iowa. "She united with the Baptist Church at the age of 15 and remained a true Christian until death." Her service was held in Gregg Chapel and the remains were laid to rest in Gregg Cemetery.

Alvin was born on January 31, 1910 to Fred S. and Alta May Welker Havard. In April of that year Fred, lured by the prospect of free land, decided to go to South Dakota to homestead. Several other families - the Brennamens and Redmans -made the trip with them. What courage was involved in that decision! The family consisted of Fred and Alta and their four children­ Virgil, who was about seven years old, Goldie about five, Gladys, three, and Alvin, barely three months old. They went on approximately 60 more miles by wagon pulled by mules. There were stores here and there along the way and places where they could spend the night.

Alvin and Kathryn have a picture of the house the family constructed from a wood frame, which they covered with sod. "Creature comforts" were of no consideration. The home had a dirt floor and must have been impossible to heat in South Dakota winters. Not too far from the homestead there was a store from which they could purchase staples. Once or twice a year, someone would make the journey to the railroad town to take care of other needs. Their meat supply was from hunting for which Fred bought a high powered 30/30 rifle. Large groups went out to hunt together because there was a stiff penalty for violating the law against killing animals such as small deer or antelope. Some in the group were on the watch for the game warden. They ate lots of jack rabbits, which were said to taste like sage because of their diet. Alvin and Kathryn went back to South Dakota in recent years and found the exact place where the family had lived.

On completion of the eighth grade, a test was given to determine whether or not the students were eligible to go on to high school. Hapeville teacher, Clyde Smith, gave the test and Alvin says that he had to take quite a bit of it over. He preferred taking it at the court house in Osceola under the direction of County Superintendent Ora Criswell, and it was only when his older sister, Goldie, intervened that he was given permission to do so. He received a passing grade and he and Goldie enrolled in high school.

It was necessary at the beginning that the two of them live in town. They rented rooms from Mickey Jones' mother, who also lived with them and helped with some aspects of their housekeeping and meals. The house was on Ayres street, very near the railroad. From time to time "bums" who had been "riding the rails" knocked on the door to ask for food. "My sister always slapped a couple pieces of bread together and gave them something to eat." During their high school years it was necessary for them to make several changes in residence with uncertainty between. Alvin and Gladys took the train to spend weekends at home. They left mid­afternoon on Friday, changed trains at Van Wert and went on to Grand River. They returned by the same transportation on Sunday. That was the arrangement until Alvin’s father bought a second car, which would be for their use.

Alvin decided he would like to play football and went to Dr. Harken for his physical. He recalls at that point that Dr. Harken told Fred, Alvin’s father that he had discovered a way to bend wires and remove both tonsils at once. Alvin says he must have been about 14 when he had a tonsillectomy by that procedure and has noticeable ill-effects even now.

The football experience was enjoyable even though their field was a cow pasture by the railroad tracks. Alvin was captain of the team for one year and they won all but one of their games and tied one game each season.

Determination was a significant factor in getting an education in those days. There were 100 in the freshman class when Alvin started high school but it went down fast. The year Alvin was a senior and his younger brother, Oren, a freshman, there was a terrible Christmas blizzard. How would they get back to school? Alvin and Gladys caught the train at Murray, but Oren had lagged behind and was just at the edge of town when the train came. Fortunately they had an uncle who lived there. Oren could spend the night with him and catch a morning train.

By the time of graduation, in 1929, there were not quite 50 left in Alvin’s class. Harley Hale was among the graduates. Nearly 30 years later someone promoted a class reunion and they had one every five years until it became too burdensome. Classmates had scattered all over the nation.

George Smith was a school janitor and suggested that Alvin apply for a Saturday job at the A & P Grocery store. He and another fellow were put to sacking potatoes-taking them from the big sack in which they came from the wholesaler and putting them into small sacks for retail sales. Alvin had never seen so many potatoes in his life! He dutifully completed the day’s work and reported again the following Saturday. That week they put him at the cash register, another new experience. During his school years, Alvin held various jobs to make some money, including popping com at the theater or anything that came to mind.

The difference 70 years has made in all facets of life is hard to comprehend. Can his grandchildren understand the dilemma Alvin faced when school was out after graduation? Opportunities were few to nonexistent. He and Gerald Yost decided to hitchhike to Kansas to get a job in the wheat harvest. That didn't work well. They tried to ride freight trains, hopped on one going the wrong way and had to grab another to get back to where they started. Finally, Fred and Alta drove them to Topeka, which was a day's drive at that time. They had to stay overnight and return the next day.

Alvin had saved some money from his high school jobs and decided that investing it in a car was a wise thing to do. He bought an old Ford with no top and had to spend a day getting it road-ready. He and Gerald started out and came to a place where a flood had washed out railroad tracks. A crew of men were unloading ties to repair them, and when the foreman spotted Alvin and George, he called, "You fellows want to work?" The answer was "Yeah!" It was pretty rough work and these two fellows newly out of high school knew that wasn't what they had in mind. They stayed for two weeks, collected their wages and set out again.

There were not many highways in those days, or many drivers, or places to stop. The car worked pretty well except for going up hills when it barely had power enough to make the grade. The desert heat was stifling in their topless car. Along the way they picked up a third fellow. They made it to Los Angeles but found no work. They went on and about halfway to San Francisco they saw a "Help Wanted" sign at a big fruit orchard. They applied but the rider they had picked up indicated that they really wanted construction work, so the owner of the orchard told them to move along. In a town where they had gone to pick up food for sandwiches, they were asked if they were looking for work. A fellow needed help picking his apricots. They accepted the job which added a little to their earnings.

They went back to the big orchard where apricots were being dried. They worked in that process and then started picking peaches, which were on such low trees that the fellows were literally crawling on the ground. They discovered a dining room and were enjoying a meal when the boss came to tell them either to get to work or quit. They chose to quit. By this time the fellow who had ridden with them became concerned that his girl friend back in Kansas would find someone else while he was gone, so they started back to the Midwest.

When they reached Kansas, they discovered a crew running pipe for what was the beginning of William Brothers Pipeline. The job involved loading pipe on trucks from railroad cars and their buddy couldn't stand it. He simply took the car and left Alvin and George stranded. Winter had begun and they used the money they had made for bus fare.

The expectation was that young men of Alvin's age would be on their own. On his arrival at home, Fred's first words to him were, "What did you come home for?'' Alvin's older brother, Virgil, had gone to an electrical school but hadn't found work. He went with Fred to deliver cattle to the stockyards in Chicago and stayed there. "He did get a solid job but it never paid big wages."

Alvin wondered what to do. There was no point in going back to work at the grocery store. It would cost him all his wages to pay room and board. He drove a truck for Merchants Motor Freight for a short time. He worked for neighbors as they had need, and for his father, who paid him a little. Then an opportunity came along for him to rent a farm. His sister Gladys had married and had two small children when her husband left, so she moved in with Alvin. Things went well until, as he was getting the ground ready to plant com the second year, his draft number came up. He had been called before but couldn't pass the physical. This time, in 1942, they took him. Fred stepped in, got the com out and sold all Alvin's machinery.

Kathryn Mahoney Havard

In 1941 I taught school at Doyle Center. Two of my students were Alvin's sister Gladys' children. There was a time when the school had a pie supper and for entertainment a vote was taken for the best couple. Alvin and I won, and it was then that we began going together.

I was born on August 25, 1916, to Willie E. And Sylvia Bright Mahrrey, Willie's grandfather, Dennis, had come to America from Ireland and the family was proud of their Irish heritage. My grandmother Mahoney passed away in 1917 so I don't remember her. Grandpa and Dad's sister lived in the Irish settlement southeast of Leon and Grandpa would drive the team and buggy six miles to visit us fairly often. We liked that.

Alvin and I became engaged but the war interrupted everyone’s lives. He was drafted into the Army in May, 1942; Edward enlisted in the Navy in 1943.

I taught fourth and fifth grade Social Studies at Dike, Iowa. In the summer, several other teachers and I went to Chicago where we worked for the government filing war bonds. The war dominated everyone’s thoughts and influenced most of our decisions in those days. There were times when it seemed that the war was ending, other times when we thought it would never end. I returned to Iowa and taught a rural school near Indianola in order to be nearer Alvin's home. Alvin's letters helped sustain me through it all. I received one almost every day.

His letters helped me understand how he was being introduced to military life. His unit was sent first to St. Louis which Alvin called one of the hottest places he had ever been. At daylight they had to get up and "run up and down the hills and then head out for mess call." The hospital quickly began filling and Alvin was among those being treated during the month they were there. When a rumor began circulating that the unit was going to be moved out, he was determined that he was going to move with them!

They went by train to Ohio, stopping first in Burlington, Iowa, where a box of apples was purchased. That became their dinner and supper. When they arrived they quickly set up a supply base and learned their designation as the 21st Air Depot Group. On Thanksgiving Day 1942, Alvin crossed the Atlantic on rough seas to England to serve in the Ground Air Force. He was there 3Yi years. He did not appreciate the climate- they had few clear days, but he was too engrossed in his work to think much about it. He became the chief storekeeper for commercial hardware in the largest supply depot in England. It wasn’t long before he had 50 men working under him, with day shifts as well as two shifts at night. He became very knowledgeable about the operation and in time was transferred to France to set up a similar depot. The war ended during that time and he was given an opportunity to reenlist. He chose not to do so but spent a short time in Germany on his way back to Iowa. It was on another Thanksgiving Day that Alvin was crossing the Atlantic again, on his way home!

In 1945 we received word that my brother William Edward was killed on June 7. He was on the Aircraft Carrier USS Randolph in the South Pacific. It was a sad time for our family. We missed him very much.

Alvin and I were married February 8, 1946, by Dr. C. Clifford Bacon. We would like to have been married in Gregg Chapel, but unfortunately it had been tom down by then. We moved onto Fred and Alta’s farm. They had retired and moved to Osceola in 1945. In those days neighbors were an important part of life, and we particularly enjoyed Myron and Blanche Coon, Mickey and Freda Jones, Roy and Merle Burchett, and Harley and Helen Hale. We all visited back and forth, particularly on Sunday nights.

I taught just one-half year after we were married. Our daughter Judy Kay was born April 22, 1947. At a very early age she became interested in helping her father with the chores, being out with him as much as he would allow. She liked feeding the calves and watching the little pigs, but her favorite pet was her pony. She liked riding over the farm and up and down the roads. When she was old enough, she became involved in home economics and livestock projects in 4-H. One year her Hereford heifer won the championship ribbon at the County Fair. She learned to sew and put it to practical use, sewing for the family. She became active in the Methodist Church youth group.

Joseph Michael was born on August 18, 1948, and was welcomed by his sister, Judy. The two children were wanderers. They would take hold of hands and off they’d go. Like her, he loved the out-of-doors. He liked to bring animals and birds into our home and, as far as he was concerned, stray dogs were always welcome. He traded horses with our neighbor, John, and like his sister, enjoyed riding them over the farm and countryside.

The house on Alvin's parents’ farm had two rooms downstairs and two upstairs. I often think of Alvin's mother and wonder how she managed with five children. Besides taking care of the house and children, she raised chickens - Wyandottes - which I inherited, and we bought more. We had baby chickens, baby pigs, and baby calves as well as puppies and kittens.

In 1949 we bought a farm near Weldon and rented it to tenants until we would be ready to move in. In July the house burned to the ground. A solution seemed to be to dig a basement and put a roof over it. We moved there in the spring and began construction on the remainder of the house in the fall. The last year we lived on Alvin parents’ farm was 1950, during which year the road past our house was graveled. It had been a dirt road over to Lacelle, which was about four or five miles from our home.

We moved in the spring of 1950 and I will never forget moving day. Alvin had to leave early to take the cattle to our new place so I was the one in charge. Neighbors came to help ­ Truman Jones, Blanche and Fred Gill, Mr. and Mrs. John Harlan, Billy and Jim Jones, Mickey and Freda Jones, Bob Burchett, and my sister Marguerite and her husband, Ardon Williams. The women packed and swept floors. Myron and Blanche Coon had called a few days previously and offered to take care of the children, ages four and two. Men knew something about moving and loaded the outside items. It was such a job, and what a blessing all these good friends were! I can never thank them enough.

We missed our old friends when we moved to a new neighborhood, but Alvin having lived there before made it easier for me. Soon we made fine friends in the community. Our nearest neighbors were the John Hackers, who also became our neighbors after we moved to Osceola. We spent a lot of time together. Others were Oliver and Herron Hines, the Audelhelms, Wallaces, Jacksons and others. We lived near the Friends Church and for awhile the children attended Sunday School and Bible School there.

Judy and Joe started to school at LeRoy. When the state reorganized the school districts, the children went to school at Weldon in the Clarke Community district. They completed the eighth grade in Weldon and graduated from high school in Osceola.

While we were living near Weldon, Pastor Wilkens came to minister at the Weldon Methodist Church. He left his calling card in the door one day while we were gone. Alvin had been baptized by him in Grand River when he was 20 years old. We started going and joined that church. We attended regularly and took part in the activities. I taught Sunday School and Alvin served on the church board. It was a joy having Christ in our lives. Our children were baptized in the Weldon Church. The ministers changed from time to time. They all seemed dedicated and delivered Christ-centered messages to enrich our lives and renew our faith.

Jane Ann was born January 15, 1958. Jane was soon busy going with her mother to take brother and sister to all their activities. They had school involvements, were active in 4-H, and the Weldon Methodist Church was important in their lives. Jane’s favorite pet was her pony, a brown spotted white colt named "Paint." She trained him and he even became her diving board when she was swimming in the pond. She played, went for rides, and went swimming with Jeanie Audlehelm.

Jane had pet kittens, too but most unusual, she had a pet coon which she occasionally took with her when she rode Paint. The coon was up to lots of tricks. It could open the screen door and grab bread off the table. One day this happened when my mom was there and she thought I was living in wild country. When the coon had four babies, I knew we mustn't keep them even though we loved their mother. A crisis came when she got out of a box where we had put her, and around the pond she went with us chasing after her. Alvin was not in a bit good humor. The coon ran under an old car, and Alvin had to jack up the car to get her out from under it. We did catch her and I stood on the box until we could haul her and the litter to a timber pasture. We were sorry to do that because coons love sweet com, and the neighbors would not appreciate their presence.

Kathy has worked at various jobs. They now live in Weldon and are active in the LDS (Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints) Church. Kathy has coached softball, worked with Scouts, is now chairman of the Decatur County Republicans, and cares for granddaughter Samantha in their home. Joe is presently working at Firestone.

All of Joe’s children spent a lot of time with us because we lived here in town and were close to the school. Throughout the school years of six children, we made two or three trips to the school almost every day. It made for a lot of togetherness and it was a joy to have them here to laugh, work, and play with. We had then and still have birthday parties nearly every month and always celebrated Christmas and Thanksgiving with our families. The boys participated in various sports, particularly football and wrestling. They spent most of the day at school from early morning until rather late in the evening and managed to stay out of trouble. It is a good thing they were busy.

Grandpa Alvin never missed a ball game or wrestling meet. He didn't want to miss any of their sports. With four boys in different grades, we went to a lot of games and meets all over the state. Conway went to the state wrestling contest in 1986. At that same level Niles won second and Phillip placed fifth. Conway wrestled in national meets in college. Joe, Kathy, Troy, Alvin, and I went to Bismarck, North Dakota to watch Conway at the national meet in 1990, when he won third place; and to Butte, Montana, to watch Conway wrestle in 1991 at the nationals. What an effort wrestlers go through!

Conway married Pam and currently is serving in the U.S. Air Force in Hawaii. He is almost finished with his college course, loves being in Hawaii and his parents loved visiting him there in 1998. Niles and Phillip are also taking classes to get their college degrees. Niles was in the National Guard and Army Air Force for a few years at North Fork, South Dakota and is now attending college there. He married Amber who has her Master's degree in science and began teaching last semester. Phillip has served four years in the Army Air Force at Omaha, Nebraska. He is now serving in Korea. Niles and Phillip each served two times in Saudi Arabia.

Troy married Jennifer Stump before they finished high school at Clarke Community School. Troy participated in football and wrestling the first two years, then worked in grocery stores and Pizza Hut. He served in the National Guard and the Army, each for three years. They have two children-Alysha and Tyler. Troy and his family moved back to Iowa and lived in Osceola and Indianola before buying a home in Carlisle. Troy works for Firestone and Jennifer for a dental clinic in Indianola.

Tonia Sue was married to Mike Baccus while visiting Conway in Hawaii in 1999. They had a reception at the Botanical Center in Des Moines. He is a landscaper and she works as a certified Med-Aid for a home in Johnston. Rebecca married Robert Phillips and they had a daughter, Samantha. She later married Josh Decker and they have two children, Josephine, and at the time of this writing a brand new baby named Christopher Kayel, born July 4, 2000. They live in Murray.

Jane Ann was married by Rev. Lloyd Latta, to Jim Wargo in the Weldon Methodist Church. They live in Osceola. Jane has worked at various jobs in Osceola and now works in the high school cafeteria. For a number of years Jim has been an engineer at Dekko Manufacturing.

Alvin and I sold the farm and moved to Osceola in 1978. In 1987 I had double by-pass surgery. In 1989 we made a trip to England and visited Bill and Enid Havard in Enfield. Bill was a thorough guide, showing us many sights - great buildings, some beautiful and elaborate churches with tall, tall steeples. He wanted us to see everything. We saw much damage done to England in World War II. Such a shame! I was much impressed with the changing of the guards at the Queen's palace. We traveled to Wales, the home of Alvin’s ancestors. It is a beautiful green country. We spent some time in Ireland, the country of my father’s ancestors. It was my first and last time on an airplane.

In 1996 we celebrated our 50th anniversary. In 1997 Alvin also had heart surgery. He had five by-passes and replacement of a heart valve. He is presently on oxygen.

On January 31, 2000, Alvin celebrated his 90th birthday. Taking into account current health conditions, we considered it a true highlight that most of the family members were able to attend Stephanie's marriage to Ben Richards in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in April, 2000. Family is of utmost importance to each of us members and has given strength to all of us throughout the years.

Alvin's father, Fred, died on January 22, 1952. His obituary states that he was born May 27, 1880. "With the exception of 18 months spent in South Dakota, he lived his entire life on a farm near Hopeville until 1945, when they retired and established residence in Osceola. During an evangelistic meeting under the leadership of Evangelist E. 0. Jones, he was converted in the Methodist Church at Murray. He was deeply devoted to his family and his grandchildren and had many friends. One brother, Frank William Havard, preceded him in death." Alta lived until August 9, 1965, and passed away when she was 85.

Of course, the later years of our parents and grandparents brought changes and deaths. My grandparents moved to Lineville when they retired. It was the last of so many moves! Being a farmer in those days meant that they moved often. It amazes me when I think how many places they lived. On the road to Lineville from our old home near Boothtown I can remember where some of the places were. Most of the houses are gone. My grandparents, Charles and Mary Jane Bright are buried in Lineville.

My parents also retired from the farm to Lineville and my brother Jerry lived with them. My father died in 1955 and my mother in 1965. Such dear people to pass away too soon. My sisters Marguerite Williams, Anna Jean Place, my mother's sister Mildred Casey Rockhold and her family also lived in Lineville. Now my brother Jerry is the only one left there. Anna Jean passed away on April23, 1995, and her husband moved to Norwalk. My sister Marguerite lost her husband, Ardon, in 1997, and moved to Osceola. My aunt moved to Independence to be near her daughter. My sister Elaine McNamara and family are in Minnesota; brother Larry and family live in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. My Aunt Cecilia Shultz lived in Des Moines, after retiring from teaching. She died June 3, 1980 at the age of 84. Her husband, Guy, died July 22, 1992 at the age of 96. They are buried in Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines. I'm proud of my relatives and glad that we all kept in touch as much as we have.

I had an uncle Charles who was a sheep herder in South Dakota. He had a homestead at one time and owned a house at another place. He was never married. Such a nice person. His grave is in the Catholic cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. Alvin and I traveled there and went on to find our parents’ homestead. We did find them. The land looked pretty bare. No wonder they didn't stay long. Charles had been born May 26, 1884 and died October 5, 1963.

Within the last several years, Alvin lost two family members-his youngest brother, Oren Havard, of Moravia, who had been born September 19, 1913, and died September 2, 1998. His sister Gladys Havard Lee died in Ojai, California. She had been born April4, 1907, and died February 23, 1999 at the age of 91. Cancer had taken the life of Alvin's niece, Catherine Donita Havard of Moravia, on December 30, 1990.

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Last Revised August 25, 2012