Comments:
Befort, Conrad and Anna Conrad Befort and Anna Margaretha Kronnewritter (1876) Paulina (Phillip Pfannensteil) Agnes died as an infant Clara (Peter Pfannensteil) Anna (Adam Brull) Margaret (Joseph Binder) Carl (Mary Goetz) Catherine (Alois A. Engle) Casper died as an infant Agnes (Oscar Anderson) George died as an infant St. John The Baptist Church - Hyacinth, Kansas I would like our family history to begin with my great grandparents, Conrad and Anna Margaretha (Kronnewitter) Befort, along with their two small children, Paullina 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 after the style of their forefathers in Russia. The lower part of the building dug into the ground, and the upper part 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 the ninth child and youngest living 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 remaining of her life with her sons and daughter-in-law John and Barbara Befort. John C. Befort, the son of Conrad Befort and Anna Margaretha (Kronnewitter) Befort, was born on February 18, 1890. Barbara Steinbock, the daughter of Alois and Elizabeth Steinbock, 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, June 27, 1912; Albina, September 3, 1913; Clarence, August 4, 1915; William, February 2, 1917; and Alex, October 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, July 8, 1922; Jane, May 3, 1924; John, Jr., September 18, 1925; Ester, August 31, 1926; Bernice April 24, 1928; Irene, December 13, 1929; twins, Alois abd Conrad, October 30, 1931; and Francis, October 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 October 1951. He was survived by his wife, Rose Stecklein) Befort, and infant daughter, Gloria. Irene died August 16, 1965, at 35 years of age, 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, August 22, 1961, age 27 years. He was survived by his wife, Darlene (Hammersmith) Befort and two small children, Rosemary, age four, and Margaret age twenty-three months old. John and Barbara worked long hours to provide for and rear their family. Barbara would begin her day at four o’clock in the morning to do her baking, laundry and help with all outside morning chores, including milking the cows and feeding all animals. During harvest she was in the fields working alongside the men. She was also a seamstress and made most of the children’s clothes. Their children received their elementary education at Hyacinth in a one-room school, where all eight grades were taught be 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 snowstorm, the children looked forward to going to school in a one-horse drawn sleigh. John would bundle them up in a fur lap robe and don his long 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. John C. Befort Birth: 1890 Death: 30 Jun 1933 Hyacinth, Kansas Burial: 2 Jul 1933 St. Johns Cemetery-Hyacinth, Kansas Marriage: 24 Oct 1911 St. Francis Catholic Church-Munjor, Kansas Spouse: Barbara Steinbeck Birth: 1891 Russia Death: 1 Jul 1941 Hyacinth, Kansas Burial: 3 July 1941 St. Johns Cemetery-Hyacinth, Kansas Children: 1F Josephine Befort Birth: 3 Sep 1913 Spouse: Alex P. Pfeifer Marriage: 19 Aug 1941 St. John the Baptist Catholic Church- Hyacinth, Kansas 2M: Alexius Befort Birth: 17 Oct 1918 Hays, Kansas Spouse: Rose Stecklein Marriage: 31 Jan 1950 St. Josephs Catholic Church-Hays, Kansas 3M Paulina Elizabeth Befort Birth: 24 Oct 1920 Hyacinth, Kansas Death: 13 Sept 1921 Hyacinth, Kansas Burial: 14 Sept 1921 St. Francis Catholic Cemetery- Munjor, Kansas 4F: Agnes Virginia Befort Birth: 8 Jul 1922 Hyacinth, Kansas Spouse: Alfred England Marriage: 19 Oct 1943 St. John the Baptist Catholic Church-Hyacinth, Kansas 5F: Jane Francis Befort Birth: 2 May 1924 Hyacinth, Kansas Spouse: Adolph Gottschalk Marriage: 2 Mar 1943 St. Anthonys Catholic Church= Schoenchen, Kansas 6 M: John (Jr.) Befort Birth: 4 Sep 1925 Hyacinth, Kansas Death: 7 Sep 1925 Hyacinth, Kansas Burial: 7 Sep 1925 St. Johns Cemetery-Hyacinth, Kansas 7F: Ester Maria Befort Birth: 31 Aug 1926 Hyacinth, Kansas 8F: Bernice Clara Befort Birth: 24 Apr 1928 Hyacinth, Kansas Spouse: Norman England Marriage: New Bedford, Mass. 9 F: Barbara Irene Befort Birth: 15 Dec. 1929 Hyacinth, Kansas Spouse: Leroy Wilson Marriage: 15 May 1957 Hays, Kansas 10 M: Conrad Befort Birth: 31 Oct 1931 Hyacinth, Kansas Death: 1948 11 M: Aloys Befort Birth: 31 Oct 1931 Hyacinth, Kansas 12 M: Francis John Befort Birth: 6 Oct 1933 Hyacinth, Kansas Spouse: Darlene Ann Hammersmith Marriage: 28 Jul 1956 Plainville, Kansas 13 F: Albina Befort Death: 4 May 1986 Spouse: Edwin J. Pfeifer Marriage: 21 May 1946 St. John the Baptist Catholic Church-Hyacinth, Kansas Notes for John C. Befort Parents of John C. Befort were Conrad and Anna Margaret Kronewitter Sources: 1. Baptism Records: St. John the Baptist-Hyacinth, Kansas 2. St. John the Baptist Church at Hyacinth, Kansas by Donald V. Schmitt 3. St. John the Baptist Death Records-Hyacinth, Kansas 4. St. Francis Catholic Church Marriage Records: Munjor, Kansas 5. Wedding Records of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church-Hyacinth, Kansas 6. St. Josephs Catholic Church Marriage Records - Hays, Kansas 7. St. Jospehs Catholic Church Baptism Records - Hays, Kansas 8. St. Anthonys Parish: Baptism-Marriages-Deaths-Schoenchen, Kansas 9. Hays Daily News Obits. Last Modified: 28 Jul 2000 Created: 10 Oct 2000 Military Service for Francis John Befort He was single at the time of Military Service. Father was single at time of service Social Security Number: 510-32-73 Birthplace of biological father: Hyacinth, Kansas Occupation of biological father: Oil field worker Military Service: Army Service Number: US 55 460 6333 Grade Rate-Rank and Date of Appointment: Pfc. (T) 12 Feb 55 Component and Branch of Class: AUS AAA Specialty Number of Symbol: 161.10 - AAA (AW) Crewman Reason and Authority of Separation: SR 600-450-10 SPN 35 (See Item 38) Place of Separation: Fitzsimons Army Hospital Denver Colorado Description: Caucasian Male Color of eyes: Blue Height: 5' 8" Weight: 165 Registered Selective Service number: 14 20 33 125 Selective Service of Local Boards Number (City, County, State) #20 Hays, Ellis, Kansas Private E-1 Date and Entry of Active Service: September 17, 1954-55 Place and City: Kansas City, Missouri Home Address at Time of entry into Active Service: RFD #1 Hays Ellis Kansas National Defense Metal Army of Occupation Medal with German Clasp Grammar School: 8th grade Occupation: Farmhand (Self-employed) 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 education and high school education in the Schoenchen schools. He married Irene Stecklein, the daughter of Jacob and Barbara Stecklein of Antonino. 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 (Steinbock) Befort of Hyacinth, at Ellis County. She received her elementary education at Hyacinth, attending a one-room school, where one teacher taught all eight grades. Adolph and Jane were married March 2, 1943, in Schoenchen. Msgr. Francis J. Riedel performed the nuptial mass. They began their married life on the family farm, located several miles east of Schoenchen, in Rush County. One year later, they moved to a farm two miles west of Munjor. They remained there when their family was reared. They are the parents of nine children, and all received their education in the Ellis County Schools. Their 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 Herrman 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, 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, November 21, 1964, in Loretta. She is the daughter of Jerome and Regina 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 in 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 White) and Tara Lynn (parents Jeffery and Cathy Cook). Bob and Barbara make their home in Westminster, 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 Schoenchen High School and Fort Hays State University with a B.S. degree in Psychology, 1972, and a Masters in Special Education, 1976. They have three children; Jill (September 6, 1976), Andrew (October 7, 1978), and Abby (December 3, 1984). They make their home in Belleville. Karen Marie was born October 13, 1949, in Hays. She is a graduate of Sublette High School, 1968. She married Fred Patterson on January 30, 1967, in Schoenchen. He is the son of Frank and Maurietta 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 at Ships Serviceman on the U.S.S. Oklahoma City stationed at Yokohama, Japan. He married Eileen McCullough, 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 Scottdale, 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. She is graduate of Lacrosse High 1972. They have two daughters; Kala (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. She is a graduate of Marian High 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 a 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 of the Daughters of Isabella #364 St. Fidelis Circle, served a Regent for three years (1984-1987). She was past Regent. They make their home in Victoria. DeeAnn was born July 21, 1961, in Hays. She is a graduate of Marian High in Hays, class of 1979. She married Jerry Garrison on September 10, 1984, in Hays. He is the son of Francis and Marie Garrison of Hill City and a graduate of Hill City High School. They have four children; Kyle (December 27, 1982); and Brandon (December 16, 1975); Erin Michelle (December 27, 1982); and Nathan (June 12, 1987). They make their home in Hays. Adolph and Jane Gottschalk retired for several years but remained active in various activities and gardening. Jane Gottschalk is active with crafts, interior design and in home care of the elderly, and above all their grandchildren are their pride and joy. Children: Rosemary Anne Befort and Margaret Mae Befort Date of Birth for Rosemary Anne Befort: June 20, 1957 Date of Birth for Margaret Mae Befort: September 24, 1959 Place of birth: Hadley Memorial Hospital Location: Hays, Kansas Address of Hospital: 109 W. 10th St. Date of Local register for Magaret Mae Befort: 10-3-59 Age of father at time of first child: 23 Age of father at time of second child: 25 Age of mother at time of first child: 22 Age of mother at time of second child: 24 Alois or Aloysius Steinbock and his wife, Elizabeth ( Geta ) Steinbock came to the USA from Germany about Nov. 1905. They brought with them a daughter, Barbara Steinbock who was born June 3, 1893 who was 11 years old and Henry Steinbock who was born: date unknown. There was another child born to them in Russia who died there. They settled in Wamega, Kansas as Alois was a railroader. On November 3, 1906, his wife, Elizabeth gave birth to Triplets: two boys and a girl. Their names were Adam, Susanna and Joseph. Alois's wife, Elizabeth died on November 16, 1906. Alois didn't have the means to care for the triplets and work, too, so he wanted them to be adopted by Catholic families. Susanna was adopted by: George and Barbara Prockish and the boys still hadn't been adopted. They were all baptized on November 5, 1906 at St. Bernards Church, Wamega, Kansas. Sponsors were: Adam Reichenborn, Mrs. George Gareis and Joseph Macht. Susanna got ill and died Feb. 28, 1907 at Wamega, Kans. Susanna and her Mother are buried on the same plot at the Wamega cemetery. NOTE: Aunt Jane Gottschalk looked up this information in 1995 and located the grave and put a tombstone there. I have certificates of births, Baptisms and newspaper articles of Elizabeth and Susanna on their death, and church records of the cemetery plots all obtained from Aunt Jane Gottschalk, Hays, Kansas Then in 1907, Alois, Barbara and Henry headed west and there's where he met and married Agatha Wasinger Werth on Jan. 15, 1909. Barbara would have been 15 years old at this time. It has been said that Barbara was doing housekeeping for the Bahl's, possibly her stepmother's sister Annie Bahl and, as the story goes, there was a Werth in Schoenchen who was a matchmaker and got John C. Befort and Barbara Steinbock to marry on October 24, 1911 making her 18 years old. NOTE; I don't have much on Henry Steinbock. I do know he and his wife, Mary, had two daughters and lived in Chicage, Ill. I have the original photos of Henry and Mary and another one of Henry, Mary and the two girls. I also have the large oval pictures of Barbara and John C. Befort on their wedding day and one of Henry Steinbock. I would like to find the members down from Henry if anyone can help me obtain this information. I was told he died in the 1960's. NOTE; Aunt Jane Gottschalk never could find where Alois Steinbock was buried or where the two boys were placed. I have two people working on the Aloysius Steinbock genealogy from the Topeka area as of this week. According to church records, he spelled his name Aloysius. Barbara Steinbock is my Grandma, my Norma Ruder's Mother. And yes, the last name was spelled wrong in Mothers obituary, but I was over- ruled on that. I was disgusted when I found out the truth after the fact when I went through Mother's things and found some letters written to my Mother from Grace Steinbock. I didn't know her Uncle Joe and Aunt Grace, but when I came upon these letters, I sent Grace a letter and obituary advising her of Mothers death. Then one day, I got a call from Grace and we talked for an hour. I did get to meet her July 1, 2002, just a few weeks ago. This is where I got all these writings. Very interesting. Just wanting to let you read the enclosed article and wanted to point out that BARBARA STEINBOCK was not a triplet, BUT A SISTER TO THE THREE TRIPLETS. Barbara was born in Russia along with her brother, Henry and they came to America and about a year after Aloyius Steinbock and his wife Elizabeth Geta Steinbock came to America, she gave birth to Triplets, two boys and one girl. And their last name is spelled: STEINBOCK Wittman, Peter and Catherine Peter was born March 10, 1838, in Russia. He is the son of Alexander and Katherine (Folwerk) Wittman. Peter married Katharine Nussbaum. She was born July 7, 1842, in Russia. In 1876 Peter, Katherine and two of their children left Bremen, Germany, to sail on the SS Mosel. On July 29, 1876, they arrived in New York. It was then that they made their way to Kansas. Peter and Katherine bought land in the Victoria-Walker area. He continued his farming occupation. Children of Peter and Katharine are Anna (Geist), Joseph, Agnes (Quint), Barbara, Maria, John, Margaret (Klaus), and Anna Geist