Garnett, Kansas (Anderson County)
I visited Garnett, Kansas in June 1986.
It was my first 'official' Hawley genealogy trip and was two-fold.
My Grandma Emma Hawley's family, the Skeens, also came from Kansas. The Skeens hosted
a family reunion every summer so I took the opportunity to attend that
as well as research the Hawley family. My grandma's cousin, Junior Skeens, let me stay with him
during my trip. My great-aunt, Wanda Hawley (Emma's daughter), was born in Paola, Kansas
and decided to meet me there and be a tour guide.
I first learned about Garnett, Kansas, from my great-grandmother, Emma
Skeens Hawley. Emma was born in Paola, Kansas and it was there that she met my great-grandfather Lloyd Hawley.
The Hawley History in Garnett, Kansas is quite extensive. When we visited
in 1986 there were still descendants of the Hawley family living in Garnett
more than 100 years after the arrival of my great-great-great Grandfather,
Martin Hawley and his wife, Adelaide.
Visiting Garnett was like stepping back time. The town looked much like it did when Martin and Adelaide first arrived in 1877. There was a museum downtown and though it was not open every day, we were able to contact someone to let us in. It was then that we met a wonderful lady by the name of Elsie Brown (she may have been the town historian). She was knowledgeable about Garnett and helped us look through old newspapers and photos (in the photo right Elsie is sitting on the bench behind me in the museum). Our contacts in town also included visiting a 95 year old man, Frank Roswell (photo left with my Aunt Wanda),
who recalled being a pall bearer at one of the
Hawley's funerals. We also visited Esther Pralle who was the daughter of
Eugene Nathaniel and August May Hawley. We also met another Hawley cousin, Thelma Raper.
I kept in contact with these ladies long after I left Garnett and Esther (now deceased) would
occasionally send money to help with the Genealogy search.
The Hawley genealogy research included visits to the Garnett Cemetery where many Hawley's are buried, the county courthouse to search property and plat maps, the Garnett museum, and visits to family homesteads to which most are located outside Garnett on long dusty roads surrounded by farmland. See Homestead photos link in right column
History of Anderson County, Kansas
Anderson county is one of the original counties of Kansas. On May 24, 1854, Kansas officially became a territory and was opened to settlement. Anderson county was formally organized on January 7, 1856, and Garnett became the county seat on April 5, 1859. Greeley, the first town in Anderson county, was surveyed and laid out in April of 1857. Anderson county is bordered by Franklin county on the north, Allen county to the South, Coffey county to the west, and Linn county to the East.
History of Anderson County Courthouse (in Garnett)
Source: Anderson County Historical Society http://historyandersoncoks.org/Courthouse.html
On Feb. 15, 1901, the legislature authorized the erection of the Anderson County courthouse. George Washburn, noted architect who built the courthouses in Yates Center, Ottawa, Paola, Olathe, and Hutchison, was contracted to design the building. On July 5, 1901, commissioners met and passed on the bonds and construction began that day, with one year to complete the same given. A railroad spur from the K.N. &D. track was laid into the northeast portion of the lawn to deliver rock and supplies. By July 26, 1901, the first car of stone arrived. The courtroom was described as the most beautiful in the State of Kansas. Cornerstone ceremonies for the new
courthouse were held Thursday, September 26, 1901. In the cornerstone were placed
copies of four local newspapers, a History of Anderson County, Garnett city directory, gold, silver and copper coins,
a magazine with an article on the assassination of President McKinley and the inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt,
a copy of city ordinances, etc. Approximately 6,000 persons attended on Friday, July 4, 1902, as the beautiful
new courthouse was dedicated.
Fireworks started the day and ended the day. Humburg Circus held a grand street parade. C.H.
Clarke's dog & pony show from Ozark township was a highlight.
I visited Garnett, Kansas in June 1986.
It was my first 'official' Hawley genealogy trip and was two-fold.
My Grandma Emma Hawley's family, the Skeens, also came from Kansas. The Skeens hosted
a family reunion every summer so I took the opportunity to attend that
as well as research the Hawley family. My grandma's cousin, Junior Skeens, let me stay with him
during my trip. My great-aunt, Wanda Hawley (Emma's daughter), was born in Paola, Kansas
and decided to meet me there and be a tour guide.
I first learned about Garnett, Kansas, from my great-grandmother, Emma
Skeens Hawley. Emma was born in Paola, Kansas and it was there that she met my great-grandfather Lloyd Hawley.
The Hawley History in Garnett, Kansas is quite extensive. When we visited
in 1986 there were still descendants of the Hawley family living in Garnett
more than 100 years after the arrival of my great-great-great Grandfather,
Martin Hawley and his wife, Adelaide.
Visiting Garnett was like stepping back time. The town looked much like it did when Martin and Adelaide first arrived in 1877. There was a museum downtown and though it was not open every day, we were able to contact someone to let us in. It was then that we met a wonderful lady by the name of Elsie Brown (she may have been the town historian). She was knowledgeable about Garnett and helped us look through old newspapers and photos (in the photo right Elsie is sitting on the bench behind me in the museum). Our contacts in town also included visiting a 95 year old man, Frank Roswell (photo left with my Aunt Wanda),
who recalled being a pall bearer at one of the
Hawley's funerals. We also visited Esther Pralle who was the daughter of
Eugene Nathaniel and August May Hawley. We also met another Hawley cousin, Thelma Raper.
I kept in contact with these ladies long after I left Garnett and Esther (now deceased) would
occasionally send money to help with the Genealogy search.
The Hawley genealogy research included visits to the Garnett Cemetery where many Hawley's are buried, the county courthouse to search property and plat maps, the Garnett museum, and visits to family homesteads to which most are located outside Garnett on long dusty roads surrounded by farmland. See Homestead photos link in right column
History of Anderson County, Kansas
Anderson county is one of the original counties of Kansas. On May 24, 1854, Kansas officially became a territory and was opened to settlement. Anderson county was formally organized on January 7, 1856, and Garnett became the county seat on April 5, 1859. Greeley, the first town in Anderson county, was surveyed and laid out in April of 1857. Anderson county is bordered by Franklin county on the north, Allen county to the South, Coffey county to the west, and Linn county to the East.
History of Anderson County Courthouse (in Garnett)
Source: Anderson County Historical Society http://historyandersoncoks.org/Courthouse.html
On Feb. 15, 1901, the legislature authorized the erection of the Anderson County courthouse. George Washburn, noted architect who built the courthouses in Yates Center, Ottawa, Paola, Olathe, and Hutchison, was contracted to design the building. On July 5, 1901, commissioners met and passed on the bonds and construction began that day, with one year to complete the same given. A railroad spur from the K.N. &D. track was laid into the northeast portion of the lawn to deliver rock and supplies. By July 26, 1901, the first car of stone arrived. The courtroom was described as the most beautiful in the State of Kansas. Cornerstone ceremonies for the new
courthouse were held Thursday, September 26, 1901. In the cornerstone were placed
copies of four local newspapers, a History of Anderson County, Garnett city directory, gold, silver and copper coins,
a magazine with an article on the assassination of President McKinley and the inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt,
a copy of city ordinances, etc. Approximately 6,000 persons attended on Friday, July 4, 1902, as the beautiful
new courthouse was dedicated.
Fireworks started the day and ended the day. Humburg Circus held a grand street parade. C.H.
Clarke's dog & pony show from Ozark township was a highlight.
More about Garnett ...
PHOTOS and more...
Kansas Homestead Photos
Census Records
Plat Map of Garnett/Lincoln Kansas 1901 This maps shows how Martin and some of his sons had land next to each other
Osawatomie State Hospital
Osawatomie State Hospital where Adelaide died.
3 Hawley Generations
in Garnett, Kansas:
-----Generation I:-----
Martin and Adelaide Hawley
Martin's children:
Walter (son) and Louie Hawley
Eugene Nathaniel (son) and May Hawley
Stephen (son) and Daisy Hawley
Jay (son) and Achsa Hawley
-----Generation II:-----
Walter and Louie Hawley
Walters Children:
Bertha
Myrtle
Lloyd (son) and Emma (Skeens) Hawley
Guy
------Generation III:------
Lloyd and Emma (Skeens) Hawley
Lloyds Children:
Inez Mae(daughter) and Vic Bolinger
Wanda Lou (daughter)
Floyd Calvin (son) and Delores Johnson
Howard Martin (son) and Nancy Fern
PHOTOS and more...
Kansas Homestead Photos
Census Records
Plat Map of Garnett/Lincoln Kansas 1901 This maps shows how Martin and some of his sons had land next to each other
Osawatomie State Hospital
Osawatomie State Hospital where Adelaide died.
3 Hawley Generations
in Garnett, Kansas:
-----Generation I:-----
Martin and Adelaide Hawley
Martin's children:
Walter (son) and Louie Hawley
Eugene Nathaniel (son) and May Hawley
Stephen (son) and Daisy Hawley
Jay (son) and Achsa Hawley
-----Generation II:-----
Walter and Louie Hawley
Walters Children:
Bertha
Myrtle
Lloyd (son) and Emma (Skeens) Hawley
Guy
------Generation III:------
Lloyd and Emma (Skeens) Hawley
Lloyds Children:
Inez Mae(daughter) and Vic Bolinger
Wanda Lou (daughter)
Floyd Calvin (son) and Delores Johnson
Howard Martin (son) and Nancy Fern