Yuma County, Colorado
Photographs

 COGenWeb Logo
Home Page Photograph Index Site Index

Yuma County Pioneers -

Preston and Leona Stephens

In 1870 Osage County, Kansas, Loren Stephens is 35, born in Ohio, with Sarah 3 Pennsylvania. Maggie is 8, Iowa, Alice 2 Iowa, and Preston six month Iowa.
Sarah R. Stephens died February 3, 1877, buried in Osage County # 61365270.
Lauren 1835-1904 is also buried there, # 61365199.

In 1880 Osage County, M.L. is 45, Maggie 18, Alice 12, Preston 10, Cora 8, and Mabel 7.
In 1885 Osage County, Lauren is 49, Alice 17, Preston 15, Cora 13, and Etta M. 12.

Leona Stice married Preston STEPHENS, son of Lauren Martin STEPHENS and Sarah Ross CLEVELAND OR CLELAND, in 1892 in Lyndon, Osage, Kansas, United States. Preston was born on 10 Dec 1869 in Indianola, Warren, Iowa, United States. He died on 30 Mar 1947 in Azuza, Los Angeles, California, United States. In 1895 Osage County, Preston is 25, Leona 21, and Harry eight months.

In 1900 Washington County, Colorado, "Creston" Stephens is a stock raiser born Dec 1868 in Ohio, Leona M. July 1873 Kansas, Harry C. July 1894 Kansas, Manrord L. Feb 1898Kansas, and Vera M. March 1899 Washington.
1902 "Preston Stephens has bought the old Crenshaw ranch and will stock it with sheep."
October 1903 April 1904 August 1909 "Harry and Manford Stephens and Merrill Loring drove to the Fckley old settlers picnic Thursday."
April 29, 1904 "W. A. Bills has been engaged by Preston Stephens to build the second story to the City restaurant.
A masquarade ball was held in Yuma in March 1905 "A delicious oyster supper was served by Mr. and MRs. Preston SStephens of the Yuma Hotel, and nothing had been spared to make it the best."
January 1907 "It may not be known, generally, but it is a fact nevertheless that Preston Stephens is having his building fitted up with fixtures for a stock of groceries. He has ordered his opening stock and hopes to open his doors to the public inside of thirty days. The building is being repapered and painted and is pitting on a neat appearance."



November 29, 1907 " Thanksgiving was certainly a sad one for our citizens because of the taking away of two bright little girls, who have not only been a comfort to their parents, but have been a ray of sunshine in both the public and Sunday schools where they will be sadly missed by their playmates. Helen, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Gerdts, about a week ago, contracted diptheria and on Wednesday evening near eight o clock she passed to her reward.
At about nine o clock on the same evening, Vivian, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Stephens, answered the Masters call. Suffer Little Children to Come Unto Me, for Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
At 3:30 p. m. Thursday afternoon while the school bell tolled the ages, the remains of the two little schoolmates were being taken to their resting place in the Yuma cemetery . Services were conducted at the graves by Rev. S. T. Megaw."


January 22, 1909 "Mrs. Alice Craig of Waverly Kansas, is out on a visit at the home of her brother Preston Stephens.
(Alice Craig 1868-1947 is buried in Waverly # 26031318.)

April 1910 "B. M. Wear, Jr. has purchased the Preston Stephens building occupied by the Home Store, the consideration being $ 2500."

In 1910 Yuma, Preston Stephens is a retail food merchant, 40 born in Ohio, maried 17 years to Mary L. 37 born in Kansas. They have Harry C. 16 Kansas Manford L. 12, Kansas, and Vera M. 11 Washington.
June 1912 "Mrs. Maggie Duvall of Waverly, Kansas , who has been visiting with her brother Preston Stephens and family, returned to her home Tuesday afternoon."
(Maggie Ethelda Duvall 1862-1932 is buried in Waverly, # 53536272.)

1915 "Preston Stephens, who had been looking after his property interests in Yuma for a couple of weeks or more, departed Sunday for his home at Mahton, Washington."
"Before his departure for the state of Washington, bought the M. Ingram residence property in the west part of Yuma."

June 16, 1921
(Preston is in Long Beach California in 1925, with Leona M. living at 1134 Olive. Manford L. (Charlotte) is a trust officer for the California National Bank
Preston and Leona are in Long Beach California in 1920, with Harry C. 25, WSarren H. 9, Roy C. 6, and Dorthy J. 4.
In 1930 Fontana, California, Presten is 60, Leona M. 56, son Roy C. 16 Washington, and grand-daughter Dorothy I. 14, Colorado.
Preston died in 1947, and is buried in Colton, California # 139418864, with Leona on the same marker 1873-1958.
April 1, 1947 San Bernardino County Sun
" Preston Stephens, 77, a native of Iowa and formerly a resident of Fontana 20 years, died Sunday at his home in Azusa. He was a retired citrus grower and had resided in California 25 years. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Leona Stephens of Azusa, one daughter, Mrs. Ivan Hart, Sierra Madre; a sister, Mrs. Alice Craig, Emporia, Kan.; four sons, Manford L. and Roy, both of San Bernardino, Harry C. of Wichita, Kan. and Warren H. of Los Angeles; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow from the Kremer chapel with interment following in Montecito Memorial park.
March 1915 "Manford Stephens, after a few years' residence in the state of Washington, returned to Yuma last Friday evening and has accepted a position in the general merchandis store of W.F. Ryan."


January 1923 Manford Stephens sold his interest in the Stephens Mercantile Company to his brother Harry C. Stephens, and left with \E.R. Netusehil, C.A. Poling, Jerry Curry and Wm. Smalley for California."


May 20, 1942 San Bernardino "Mr. and Mrs. Manford L. Stephens of 498 Twentieth street gave the second of their trio of lovely daughters in marriage Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, when Miss Darlyne Lois Stephens became the bride of William Frank Blatnick, in the presence of 300 guests, who came from San Bernardino and surrounding communities, as well as from distant places in Southern California. "

October 1, 1943 "In an impressive double-ring ceremony, witnessed by the couple's immediate families and intimate friends, Miss Bonnie Lee Stephens, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Stephens, became the bride of Thomas Jack Bradley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Bradley, Saturday evening, Sept. 18, at the First Christian church."

July 1949 "Mrs. S. H. Bulkeley of Anaheim returned last week from a two-month stay in the east, and is making a visit in San Bernardino with her daughter, Mrs. M. L. Stephens, and family. She was accompanied home by her sister-in-law, Mrs. Charles Rowe, of Denver, who expects to spend most of the summer in California. Mrs. Bulkeley, former resident of San Bernardino, visited a son and daughter in Yuma, Colo., en route to Omaha, where she spent several weeks. She went from there to Minneapolis and was a guest of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Don Earl Boatman (Gail Yingling), and children, attending the graduation exercises at Minnesota Bible college, where Mr. Boatman is an instructor."



1937 "Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Stephens and daughter, Dolores and Mrs. I. B, Sweatman, of Barstow, and Miss Maxine Yingling of Long Beach have returned from an enjoyable trip through the western states, including many of the famous beauty spots and historic places. Mrs. Stephens with Dolores, Mrs. Sweatman and Miss Yingling, who is Mrs. Stephens' sister, left a month ago by motor, stopping at Boulder dam, Zion and Bryce canyons en route to Colorado. In Denver they did shopping and climbed the Daniels' and Fisher tower, where one has a 200-mile scenic view of the Rocky Mountain range. From Denver, they went to Yuma, Colo., to visit Mrs. Lena Yingling, mother of Miss Yingling and Mrs. Stephens, and were joined there by Mr. Stephens, who left August 7 by airplane. The party motored on to McCook, Nebraska, to visit a sister of Mrs. Stephens and up into South Dakota, where Mrs. Sweatman's former home at Lead was visited. They saw Wind caves, Mt. Rushmore, where the likenesses of famous patriots are being carved from the rock, and many large gold mines. They stopped at Deadwood to see the Adams museum and graves of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. The drive across Wyoming was much enjoyed, the cowboys being an interesting sight for the Californians, and Yellowstone National park was included in the itinerary. Returning by way of San Francisco, the party drove over the new bridge, through Golden Gate park and took the coast highway to Carmel and Santa Barbara, reaching there just in time for the fiesta"

December 25, 1948
Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Stephens of 2960 Muscupiabe drive, telephone 5-9338, are serving turkey dinner today to a large group of relatives. The party numbers Mr. Stephens' mother, Mrs. Leona Stephens, of Azusa; his brother-in-law and niece, Ivan Hart and daughter, Carol, of Sierra Madre; Mrs. Stephens' mother, Mrs. Lena Bulkeley, of Anaheim; Mrs. Stephens' niece, Diane Polltsch, of Pomona; Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Bradley (Bonnie Stephens) and twin sons, Tommy and Jonnie, Long Beach; Mr. and Mrs. Karl McGowen (Delores Stephens) and children, Stephen and Kathryn, Victorville; Mr. and Mrs. William Blatnick (Darlyne Stephens) and son, Terry.

April 1947 "Mr. and Mrs. Karl McGowen welcomed a daughter at St. Bernardine's hospital Tuesday morning, April 22, at 5:45. She weighed five pounds, three, ounces, and has been named Kathryn Jean. Her mother is the former Dolores Stephens and the maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Stephens of 2960 Muscupiabe drive. The paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Walter McGowen of Rialto. Kathryn Jean has two great-grandmothers, Mrs. S. H. Bulkeley of Anaheim and Mrs. Preston Stephens of Azusa. She also has a brother, Stephen Lee, four years old."


September 16, 1958 San Bernardino Califronia
"MRS. LEONA STEPHENS Mrs. Leona M. Stephens, 85, of 2960 Muscupiabe St., died Sunday at a San Bernardino hospital. She was a native of Melvern, Kan. She was a resident of San Bernardino two years. She was a member of the Methodist Church of Yuma, Colo.
Survivors are four sons, Harry C. Stephens of Wichita, Kan., Warren H. Stephens of Baldwin Park, Calif., Roy C. Stephens of Fontana and M. L. Stephens of San Bernardino; 10 grandchi dren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday at the Stephens & Bobbitt Chapel. The Rev. Lloyd C. Schubaugh will officiate. Interment will be at Montecito Memorial Park.

July 2, 1968 "Mr. and Mrs. Manford L. Stephens of 620 Ramona, Laguna Beach, and 1155 Lugo St., San Bernardino, were honored at a golden wedding anniversary reception in the Capri Room and patio of the Laguna Hotel. Hosts and hostesses were the sons-in-law and daughters of the honorees, Mr. and Mrs. Karl K. McGowen of San Bernardino, Mr. and Mrs. William F. Blatnick of San Bernardino and Mr. and Mrs. T. Jack Bradley of Rialto. Also assisting were sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and seven of the couple's nine grandchildren.
A grandson, Lt. (j.g.) Stephen L. McGowen, and Kathryn McGowen, a granddaughter, were unable to attend. Out - of town guests include Mrs. Stephens' sisters, Mrs. Roger Johnson of Dallas, Tex.; Mrs. Don E. Boatman of Joplin, Mo.; Mrs. Glen W. Robertson of Yuma, Colo.; Mrs. William Crawford of Long Beach and Mrs. A. L. Wells and husband of Long Beach. Mrs. Stephens' brother, Lewis L. Yingling of Fallbrook, and wife also attended. Brothers of Stephens attending were Warren Stephens and wife of Upland and Roy C. Stephens and family of Fontana. Other guests came from San Bernardino, San Diego, Pomona, Orange, Torrance, Tustin, San Jua,n Capistrano, Huntington Beach and Rialto.
Following the reception, 40 relatives were entertained at a garden buffet in the Stephens' Laguna Beach home. The couple, married June 19, 1918, in Otis, Colo., moved to San Bernardino in 1929. Stephens, who retired from American National Bank in 19R2 as senior trustee officer and vice president, has been a member of San Bernardino Elks Lodge 836 for 25 years and during that time has served as a trustee. He is a member of the Akron Lodge 74 AF&AM in Akron, Colo., and was a 33-year member of the San Bernardino Kiwanis Club and charter member of the Edgehill Club.
Mrs. Stephens served as president of the San Bernardino Council of Camp Fire Girls, on the board of the YWCA as chairman of the International Relations Committee, citizenship chairman of the San Bernardino Women's Club, president of the Mizpah Club and active member of the Central Church of Christ."

Manford 1897 -1980 is in the same cemetery # 105885426, with Charlotte 1899-1983 # 105885397.

April 4, 1983

Darlyne Lois Blatnick, 93, wife of William F. Blatnick, went home to be with the Lord on Monday July 13, 2015. She is lovingly remembered by her husband of seventy-three years, Bill, and their two sons and their wives: Michael and Catherine and Terry and Lisa and her grandson, Brian. She will be dearly missed by her niece Radha Speer and her nephew Stephen McGowen. Darlyne is also survived by her sister Bonnie Bradley and her family as well as by her aunts: Maxine Wells and Gail Boatman, both from the Yingling side of the family. She is also remembered by her sisters-in-law: Mary Blatnick and Jackie Blatnick.

Born on April 9, 1922 in Yuma, Colorado, Darlyne, along with her two sisters Dolores and Bonnie, grew up surrounded by the love of their mother, Charlotte Stephens and their father, Manford L. Stephens. Charlotte was one of eight Yingling daughters. Darlyne held dear memories of her aunts, especially time spent living with Aunt Maxine's family in Long Beach in 1941 when Bill was at Boot Camp. Darlyne and Bill began their married life on May 17, 1942.

Once the war was behind them, they began their family life on Edgemont Drive in San Bernardino with the birth of Terry in 1947 followed by the birth of Michael in 1957. Sixty-eight years later, you can still see Darlyne's touches everywhere in the house especially in the garden where she spent her happiest hours.

She inherited her green thumb from her mother, Charlotte, or Mama as she was called. Remembering Mama and Steve's home on Muscubiabe Street along with Mama's fruit trees and flowers brings fond memories for the entire family. Darlyne carried on the family talent for gardening in Laguna where she tended the hibiscus, roses and wild strawberries that Mama had planted there.

Always ready to help others, Darlyne spent forty years as a volunteer for the St. Bernardine's auxiliary helping to care for patients during their stay by bringing comfort items like candies or reading materials to their room on a cart. She also helped to run the gift shop there for many years.

Darlyne and Bill have spent their recent years enjoying time in both San Bernardino and Laguna. At home, Darlyne continued to care for their home while Bill enjoyed his regular golf game. In Laguna, they spent all their time together either relaxing or enjoying a meal out. Her favorite activities were jigsaw puzzles and listening to audio books.

Throughout her life, Darlyne had more than her share of challenges. As a family, we want all to know what a fine example of fortitude she has been. She was slow to complain about her physical discomforts and her optimism kept her focused on the bright side of any situation.

We have all been blessed by her presence in our lives. We will treasure our memories of her and we bid her a loving farewell. Rest in peace, Darlyne.

March 19, 1919
July 26, 1923 "Miss Lois Stansberry came in from Superior, Nebraska, on the early morning train Tuesday and is a guest at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Harry C. Stephens.
Also July 26, 1923
Harry C. Stephens 1894-1969 is buried in Superior, Nebraska, with Grace Louisa (Jones) Stephens 1895-1960.
November 16, 1922
January 1923 Manford Stephens sold his interest in the Stephens Mercantile Company to his brother Harry C. Stephens, and left with \E.R. Netusehil, C.A. Poling, Jerry Curry and Wm. Smalley for California."

March 8, 1923 "Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Stephens drove over to Hugo ... and when they returned they were accompanied by Mrs. Stephens parents Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Smith of Kansas and Mrs. O.A. Kline of Trinidad, this state.
In 1924 Harry was in Sterling and in 1927 in Denver.
1929 "Harry C. Stephens of Denver and his brother Manford of San Bernardino, California were greeting friends in Yuma."
Harry is in Denver in 1930, treasurer of a wholesale association, 35, with Grace 33 and Aileen 6.
March 1934 Harry, of Denver who had been general manager of the Colorado Grain Growes association, was named treasurer by the Wichita Bank for Cooperatives, a unit of the Farm Credit Administration. ..his banking experience at Yuma and Otis...
In the 1940 census Harry is in Wichita, Kansas, 45, treasurer of the cooperative bank, with Grace 44, and Adrin L. 16.
October 30, 1958 September 22, 1960 "Grace Stephens, wife of Harry C. Stephens, passed away Friday, September 16 at Wichita, Kanas. They were residents of Yuma a number of years ago. She is survived by her husband and one daughter."

November 1965
Harry C. Stephens 1894-1969 # 63985323 and Grace # 63985367 are buried in Superior, Nebraska.



Dorothy Irene Stephens was born at Yuma October 2, 1915 to Harry C. Stephens and Hazel B. Tribbett, name Brunlow in 1938, dying December 9, 1990 in San Diego Countyas Dorothy I. Foster.
Aileen Louise Stephens was born in Sterling August 28, 1923, dying as Aileen Lou Moran June 7, 2007.
She's buried in Sun City, Arizona # 107962247, with Charles Reese Moran 1921-2005, # 107962250.

Roy Cleland Stephens 1913-1994 is buried in Riverside National # 1220864, with Verna Janette Stephens 1917-2011 # 72609931.

Warren H. Stephens, born Sept 1, 1910 in Colorado, died Dec 30, 1972 in Los Angeles County. He's buried in Ontario, California # 151235188.
In 1940 Los Angeles, he's 29, a mechanic, with Ernestine 21, Warren 9, and Gerald C. three months.
George C. Stephens 1940-1986 is buried in Medford, Oregon # 133939620.

Vivian Maude STEPHENS was born on 24 Mar 1899 in Hyde, Washington County, Colorado. She died on 27 Nov 1907, and is buried in Yuma # 74303483.

In 1930 Los Angeles County, Ivan E. Hart is a bank inspector, 31, born in Nebraska, Vera M. 31 Washington, with Ivan E. Jr. 3, born in California.
In 1940 Los Angeles, Ivan is 40, Vera 41, with Ivan E 13.

Vera Hart, per one tree, died in 1948 in California. She might be the one buried in Whittier # 119393307.
The Ivan Elton Hart buried there, born in 1899 in Gage County, Nebraska, dying 1966, # 119684173.

Manford died on 16 Apr 1980 in San Bernardino, California.

Vera May STEPHENS was born on 4 Apr 1899 in Yakima, Washington. She died on 11 Nov 1948 in Arcadia, Los Angeles, California


Back to Pioneer Photographs.

This page is maintained by M.D. Monk.


Mrs. Grace Louisa Stephens, wife of Harry C. Stephens of Wichita, Kans., passed away at Wesley Hospital in Wichita Friday, Sept. 16, 1960.

She was born in Fairfield, Nebraska, attended school in Edgar, and later lived in Superior, Nebr., and Yuma, Colo. She had resided in Wichita since 1934. She was married to Mr. Stephens on Nov. 6, 1922, at Denver, Colorado.

Mrs. Stephens was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Superior, a member of the Twentieth Century Club in Wichita, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Aileen, of the home; a step-daughter, Mrs. Cecil Foster, of Chula Vista, Cal.; two sisters, Mrs. Mae Groves of Denver, Colo., and Mrs. Charlie Ritterbush of Nelson; numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of close friends.

Mrs. Stephens was a devoted wife and mother, and an inspiration to all who knew her.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, in the Megrue Funeral Home in Superior, Nebr., with the Rev. Robert Wigert officiating. Burial was made in Evergreen Cemetery.

The Nelson Gazette, Thursday, September 22, 1960.