This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/ZJYBAEB/1136.1 Message Board Post: I would like our family history to begin with my great grandparents. Conrad and Anna Margaretha (Kronnewitter) BEFORT, along with their TWO small children, Paula and Peter, emigrated from OBERMONJOUr, RUSSIA, situated along the Volga, north of Saratov. Leaving on SEPTEMBER 18, 1876, they arrived NOVEMBER 1, 1876. They landed in New York and immediately headed westward Conrad and Anna, along with other immigrants, settled in and founded what is now known as MUNJOR, Kansas. Upon their arrival (as this was open prairie) the first in order of things was to provide shelter. Their first home was built of sod cut from the prairie. After taking care of their immediate needs, and to survive the coming winter, the next most important thing was to build a place of worship. Their first church was built in 1877. They were strong in their Catholic faith, and their lives were centered on their religious training. Conrad and Anna were farmers and were active in their community and church. As the years passed, they eventually had a family of thirteen children. My grandfather, John C. BEFORT, was BORN in MUNJOR, FEBRUARY 18, 1890. He was the ninth child and youngest son. Conrad died AUGUST 12, 1914, survived by his wife and TEN children. Anna lived in her home in Hays, Kansas, for some years, and the remainder of her life with her son and daughter-in-law John and Barbara. John C. BEFORT, son of Conrad BEFORT and Anna Margaretha (Kronnawitter) BEFORT, was BORN on FEBRUARY 18, 1890. Barbara Steinbock, the daughter of Alois and Elizabeth Steinbeck, was a sister to triplets She was BORN on JUNE 3, 1893. On OCTOBER 24, 1911, they were MARRIED in MUNJOR, Kansas. They began their life together on a farm several miles west of MUNJOR. They remained there until 1920. During those years FIVE children were BORN to them; Josephine, 6/27/1912; Albina; 9/3/1913, Clarence, 8/4/1915; William, 2/2/1917; and Alex, 10/17/1919. In the year of 1920, John and Barbara sold their farm and purchased half a section of land half a mile north of Hyacinth, Kansas. The home, barn and other buildings had been built about THREE years earlier. TEN other children were BORN to them the following years; Elizabeth, OCTOBER 19, 1920; Agnes, 7/8/1922; Jane 5/3/1924; John Jr. 9/18/1925, Ester, 8/31/1926; Bernice, 4/24/1928; Irene, 12/13/1929 twins Alois and Conrad, 10/30/1931 and Francis 10/6/1933. John Jr. and Elizabeth died as infants. Alex was a veteran of World War II in the U.S. Army and saw action in Germany and France. He died in 10/1951. He was survived by his wife, Rose (Stecklein) BEFORT, and infant daughter, Gloria. Irene died 8/16/1965, at age 35, survived by her husband, Leroy Wilson and small son, David Conrad (twin son) died in 1947 at Seventeen years of age. Francis died in a power line accident 8/22/1961. He was in the army from 1954-1955. He was age 27 when he passed away. He was survived by his wife Darlene (HAMMERSMITH) BEFORT and TWO small daughters, Rosemary, 4 and Margaret, twenty-THREE months old. John and Barbara worked long hours to provide for and rear their family. Barbara would begin her day at 4'oclock in the morning to do her baking, laundry, and help with outside morning chores, including milking cows and feeding animals. During harvest she was in the fields working along side the men. She was also a seamstress and made most of the children's clothing. Their children received their elementary education at Hyacinth in a ONE-room school, where all EIGHT grades were taught by ONE teacher. Simon GOETZ and Florence Ross were the teachers during those years. Their children walked to school most of the time as it was only about a mile away from home. However, other times, after a particularly heavy snow storm, the children looked forward to going to school in a ONE-horse open sleigh. John would bundle them up in a fur lap robe and don his buffalo fur coat and away they would go. They were members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, also located at Hyacinth, where their children received their sacraments and spiritual training. John died at 43 years of age on JUNE 30, 1933. Barbara died at 48 years of age on JULY 1, 1941. They were survived by thirteen of their children. Gottschalk, Adolph and Jane Adolph was born April 18, 1917, in Rush County, the son of William and Anna (Munsch) Gottschalk of Schoenchen. He received his elementary and high school education in the Schoenchen schools. He married Irene Stecklein, the daughter of Jacob and Barbara Stecklein of Antonio. Their daughter Gladys was born September 28, 1940, in Lacrosse, Kansas. Irene died several months later. Jane Befort was born May 2, 1924, the daughter of John C. and Barbara (Steinbeck) Befort of Hyacinth, in Ellis County. She received her elementary education at Hyacinth, attending one-room school, where all eight grades were taught by one teacher. Adolph and Jane were married March 2, 1943, in Schoenchen, Msgr. Francis J. Riedel performed the nuptial mass. We began our married life on the family farm, located several miles east of Schoenchen, in Rush County. One year later, we moved to a farm two miles west of Munjor. We remained there for a period of six years, engaged in wheat and dairy farming. We then retuned to the family farm in Rush County, and have remained there where our family was reared. We are the parents of none children, and all received their education in the Ellis County schools. Our children are as follows: Gladys was born September 28, 1940, at Lacrosse, Kansas. She is a graduate of Schoenchen High School, 1957. She married Richard Herrman, son of Bonaface and Mary Herman of Liebenthal, in Hays, March 30, 1958. They have three children; Mary (May 13, 1959); Alan (March 13, 1960); and Lori (November 21, 1961). They have three granddaughters; Amy, Katherine, a and Eliza—parents are Mary and Joseph Jackson. Richard served in the United States Air Force from 1955-1959, serving 18 months in Guam. They make their home in Emporia, Kansas. James William was born November 16, 1943 in Hays. He graduated from Schoenchen High School, class of 1962. He married Shirley Basgall. She is a graduate of Victoria High School, Class of 1963. They have three children; Gail (January 21, 1966); Stephanie (April 17, 1968); and Bradley (May 5, 1975). They also have one granddaughter, Megan (September 17, 1988). Robert Dean was born June 12, 1945, in Hays. He is a graduate of Schoenchen High School, class of 1963, and Vo-Tech, United States Trade School-1964, Kansas City. He married Ida Koerner, November 21, 1965, in Munjor, the daughter of Julius and Florence Koerner, Hays. They have two children, Brian (August 14, 1966) and Sandra (July 24, 1969). They divorced. He later married Barbara Morris of Denver on February 17, 1986, mother of Jeffery, Julie, Cheryl, and David. They have two grandchildren: Malcom (parents Sandra and Jeff Cathy Cook). Bob and Barbara make their home in Westminister, Colorado. Timothy, was born March 25, 1948, in Hays, a graduate of Schoenchen High school, 1965, a graduate of Fort Hays State University with a B.S. degree in Business, 1970, and a Masters in Business Accounting, 1974. He married Julie Zimmerman on May 29, 1970, in Schoenchen. She is the daughter of Albert and Felicatas Zimmerman of Hays. She is a graduate of Shoenchen High School and Fort Hays State University with a B.S. in psychology and a Masters in Special Education. They have two children: Jill (September 1976), Andrew (October 7, 1978), and Abby (December 3, 1984). They make their home in Bellville. Karen Marie was born October 13, 1949 in Hays. She is a graduate of Sublette High School in 1968. She married Fred Patterson on January 30, 1967, in Schoenchen. He is the son of Frank and Marietta Patterson of Oklahoma. They have two children; Tammy (July 31, 1967) and Timothy Page (March 3, 1970). They divorced. Karen later married Bob Sarles of Dodge City. They have one daughter, Kimberly Lynn, born April 17, 1976. He died in 1989. Karen has one grandson born November 2, 1990. The parents are Mark and Tammy Thompson. Mark is a sergeant in the United States Air Force, stationed in North Dakota. Karen and Kimberly reside in Hays. Randall was born January 9, 1951. He is a graduate of Hays High, class of 1969. He enlisted in the United States navy, 1969 to 1971. He served as Ships Service man on the U.S.S. Oklahoma City stationed at Yokohama, Japan. He married Eileen McCullough in June 1974, in Goodland. They have two children: Angela (July 28, 1979) and Sheena (June 3, 1982). They divorced and he later married Gina Fiure of Manville, New Jersey, 1986. He makes his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Loren was born January 24, 1954, in Hays. He is a graduate of Hays High, Class of 1972. Graduated from Atlantic Air Line School, Kansas City, 1973 and attended the University of Illinois from 1985 to 1986. He married Linda Randa January 12, 1974, in Liebenthal. the daughter of Marvin and Ann Randa of Liebenthal. She is a graduate of Lacrosse High, 1972. They have two daughters; Kayla (May 21, 1975) and Sarah Dawn (October 25, 1976). They make their home in Lenexa, Kansas. Michelle Ann was born April 14, 1958, in Hays—Class of 1976. She married David Sander April 30, 1977, in Schoenchen. He is the son of Adam and Leona Sander of Victoria and graduate of Victoria High School, class of 1972. They have three children: Christopher (September 16, 1977); Mark (October 12, 1978); and Kristin (July 28, 1982). Michelle is a member if the Daughters of Isabella #364 St. Fidelis Circle, served as Regent for three years (1984-1987). Currently, she was Past Regent for three years. They make their home in Victoria. DeeAnn was born July 21, 1961, in Hays. She is the graduate of Marian High in Hays, class of 1979. She married Jerry Garrison on September 10, 1984, in Hays. He is the sons of Francis and Marie Garrison of Hill City and a graduate of Hill City High School. They have four children: Kyle (December 11, 1972) and Brandon (December 27, 1982); and Nathan (June 12, 1987). They make their home in Hays. We have retired for several years but remain active in various activities. Adolph continues to be involved in church and community activities and gardening. I remain active with crafts, interior design and in home care of the elderly, and above all, our grandchildren are our pride and joy. Submitted by Jane Gottschalk PETITION FOR PROPABATE OF WILL AND ISSUANCE OF LETTERS TESTAMENTTARY COMES NOW Jane Gottschalk, Petitioner, a and alleges: 1. Jane Gottschalk is a resident of Ellis County, Kansas, whose address is 2515 Felton Dr., Hays, KS 67601 2. Petitioner has an interest in decedent’s Estate as the Executrix named in the "Last Will and Testament of William John Befort," deceased, dated August 21, 2000. 3. William John Befort died testate at Hays, Kansas, and November 22, 2000; at the time of death descendent were a resident of Ellis County, Kansas, and a citizen of the United States. 4. The names, ages, relationships, residences and addresses of the heirs of the decedent as far as known and can with responsible diligence are ascertained are: Name Age Relationship Address Bernice England Adult Sister 256 Maywood St. New Bedford, MA 02745 Ester Stals Adult Sister 2660 Acushnet Ave. New Bedford, MA 02745 Aloysius Befort Adult Brother 2312 West 6th St. Grand Island, NE 68803 Josephine Pfeifer Adult Sister 2502 Sherman Ave. Hays, Kansas 67601 Agnes England Adult Sister 258 Church St. New Bedford, MA 02745 Jane Gottschalk Adult Sister 2518 Felton Dr. Hays, KS 67601 (Albina Pfeifer, predeceased sister, who left no issue) (Clarence Befort, processed brother, who left no issue) (Alex Befort, preceased brother, whose issue is as follows :) Gloria Befort Adult Niece 302 N. Jefferson Smith Center, KS 66967 Irene Wilson, preceased sister, whose issue is as follows :) David Wilson Adult Nephew 211 E. 7th, Box 385 Lacrosse, KS 67548 (Conrad Befortm preceased brother, who left no issue) (Francis Befort, preceased brother, whose issue are as follows :) Rosemary Shiever Adult Niece 152 N. Broadway Salina, KS 67401 Margaret Mae Heart Adult Niece 708 W. 12th, Apt. 1-A Hays, KS 67601 5. So far as known or can with reasonable diligence be ascertained descendent had no spouse, children, issue of deceased children or other heirs who survived the decedent other than the person above named. 6. The written instrument dated August 21, 2000, and filed with this Petition is the Last Will and Testament of the decedne and is entitled to be admitted to probate. 7. Administration is not sought under the Kansas Simplified Estates Act. 8. The name, residence and address of the named Executrix of the Will are: Jane Gottschalk, 2518 Felton Dr., Hay, KS 67601. 9. The names, ages, relationships residences and addresses of the devisees and legatees so far as known can with reasonable diligence be ascertained are: Name Age Relationship Address Jane Gottschalk Adult Sister 2518 Felten Dr. Hays, KS 67601 Aloysious Befort Adult Brother 2312 West 6th St. Grand Island, NE 68803 Fort Hays State University Endowment Association 610 Park St. Hays, KS 67601 Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church of Hays, KS 1805 Vine St. Hays, KS 67601