Mrs. Mary Jane Hartley, 'Mother' of North Park, Dies

Mary Jane "Jennie" (Tibbetts) Hartley, 1852-1940.  Image courtesy of HermitInTheValley (Ancestry user).

My final Hartley obituary related to my great grandfather George Henry Hartley (1878-1949) is his mother, Mary Jane "Jennie" Tibbetts":

San Diego Union (San Diego, CA) from GenealogyBank
10 Dec 1940
page 24 

Mrs. Mary Jane Hartley, 'Mother' of North Park, Dies 

Mrs. Mary Jane (Grandma) Hartley, 88, often referred to as "Mother" of the North Park district, died yesterday morning at her home, 3827 Thirty-first st.  She is survived by four children--Mary C. Reed, George H. and Paul Hartley, all of San Diego, and Mrs. Maude McDougall, of Berkeley. 

Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at the Plymouth Congregagional church, with the Revs. William Forshaw and N. C. Wallin officiating.  The Lewis mortuary will have charge.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope cemetery. 

Native of Iowa 

Mrs. Hartley was born in Waverly, Ia., in 1852, and her husband was James M. Hartley, who died here in 1904, after he had a far-seeing vision of the development of the North Park district, that is now populated by more than 25,000 persons. 

The Hartleys took a homestead at Dehesa.  Five of their children grew up there.
It was in 1894 that they bought 40 acres in the North Park district.  About the only living thing there then was sagebrush and jackrabbits. 

City Grows Rapidly 

It wasn't long until San Diego began having "growing pains," as Grandma Hartley used to tell friends.  Mr. Hartley said he would take up the lemon trees and put on a tract development.  He started it and the family knew his vision, and after his death a son, the late J. C. (Jack) Hartley, continued the development. 

Town lots were put on the market and homes began springing up as sage brush disappeared.  San Diego pioneers have regarded the North Park growth as one of the most remarkable in the city. 

Recalls 'Hard Times' 

In a birthday interview given eight years ago, Grandma Hartley said:
"People may think they are having hard times now, but should have been here back in '98.  We really did have a desperate struggle trying to make a livelihood.  But we got along all right, just kept smiling and did the best we could." 

Grandma Hartley led an extremely active life, and when there was a big civic gathering in the North Park district, she always was given a prominent place at the speakers' table.  High tribute was paid to her at such gatherings and friends and neighbors spoke of her in most affectionate terms. 

Enjoyed Three Hobbies 

She had three hobbies--flowers, her grandchildren and piecing quilts.  In one year she pieced 25 quilts that she gave to her children and grandchildren.  She was a member of the San Diego Pioneer society and the Women's Relief corps.  All her life in San Diego Mrs. Hartley was interested in social and philanthropic work.  She donated generously her time and money to charity work. 

Survivors listed 

There are three surviving sisters--May Jarvis, Olive Puryear and Jessie Lamb, all of San Diego.  Mrs. Dee Stevens, a daughter of Mrs. Hartley's, died two years ago.  There are 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. 

When the Hartleys settled in the North Park district and set out their lemon trees, they built a ranch house on almost the identical spot of the house in which Grandma Hartley died.

© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Obituary for My 2nd Great Grandfather, James Monroe Hartley (1846-1904)

James Monroe Hartley, in an undated portrait (Courtesy of HermitInTheValley (Ancestry user)).

Grandson of Solomon Hartley (1775-1815), son of George W. Hartley (1805-1880) and Rebecca Paul (1806-1901), husband of Mary Jane Tibbetts (1852-1940), and father to Mary Catherine Hartley, Delia Anna Hartley, John Charles Hartley, George Henry Hartley (my great grandfather), Maud Lillian Hartley, Joseph "Joey" Hartley, and Paul James Hartley.

San Diego Evening Tribune (from GenealogyBank) 

23 Jul 1904, page 4 

J. M. Hartley Dead 

James M. Hartley, formerly a well known real estate and insurance agent and for many years a resident of this city died at his home early this morning.  He was a prominent member of the Grand Army and his funeral, which will be held tomorrow afternoon, will be under the auspices of his old comrades.  Mr. Hartley is survived by three sons and three daughters, all of whom reside in this city.  Mrs. John Hartley, a daughter-in-law of the deceased is a daughter of J. M. Dodge.

© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Paul Hartley, Long-Time Civic Leader, Dies

Paul James Hartley with his mother Mary Jane (Tibbetts) Hartley.  Courtesy of HermitInTheValley (Ancestry user).

My great grandfather George Henry Hartley's youngest sibling was Paul James Hartley (1894-1969):

San Diego Union (GenealogyBank)
page 20
21 Nov 1969 

PAUL HARTLEY, LONG-TIME CIVIC LEADER, DIES 

Paul J. Hartley, a prominent civic leader and former city councilman, died yesterday at his home, 955 Harbor View Drive.  He was 75. 

Funeral arrangements are pending at Lewis Colonial Mortuary.
Hartley was one of San Diego's leading insurance underwriters for more than 30 years.  He was the Third District representative on the City Council from 1941 to 1947. 

SAN DIEGO NATIVE 

Hartley was born in San Diego in 1894.  His parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hartley, migrated here from Iowa in 1883 and were among the first settlers in the North Park area. 

In 1910, Paul's older brother, the late J. C. Hartley, and a business partner opened the first subdivision in the area and are now recognized as the founders of North Park.
Paul Hartley played a prominent role in the early development of Mission Bay as chairman of the first citizens committee for bay development. 

CRASH KILLED SON 

One of Hartley's sons, the late William Hartley, also was a city councilman.  He was killed in an air crash midway through his first term of office in 1961. 

Hartley was highly active in yachting circles for 25 years until recently and his 32-foot sloop, Wings***, was one of the most common sights in and around the harbor. 

Survivors include his widow, Yolande: three sons, Capt. Paul J. Hartley Jr., USN, commanding officer of the high speed transport Dubuque on patrol in the Western Pacific, Kenneth H. and Donald J.: one sister, Mrs. Maud MacDougall, and 12 grandchildren, all of San Diego.

 A little bit more information on him in his memorial services:

San Diego Union (GenealogyBank)
22 Nov 1969
page 15 

Paul J. Hartley Services Today 

Memorial services for Paul J. Hartley, 75, former city councilman and semi-retired insurance and real estate executive who helped encourage the growth of North Park and other areas here, will be at 1 p.m. today in All Souls' Episcopal Church. 

Hartley, a member of a pioneer San Diego family, died Thursday at his home, 955 Harbor View Drive.  Although he had suffered a heart attack in July, he continued to take part in his family's insurance and real estate business. 

A leader in many civic, community and historical organizations, Hartley on the day of his death attended a reunion of members of the East End Gang, comprising former pupils of early San Diego schools. 

SAN DIEGO NATIVE 

Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hartley, who moved here from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1883, Hartley was born in his parents' home at the corner of what is now 30th Street and University Avenue.  He attended school in a building near the site of the present Alice Birney Elementary School.  He was graduated from San Diego High School. 

Hartley's father established the family insurance business, specializing in fire underwriting because fires were a continuous menace to the early settlers of the North Park district, then semi-rural and without sufficient water to fight such outbreaks.
Paul Hartley's older brother, the late J. C. Hartley, joined the late W. J. Stevens in 1910 to open the first subdivision in a 40-acre tract between Ray and 32nd streets and University and Myrtle avenues, which James M. Hartley had developed as a lemon grove in 1892. 

FORMER COUNCILMAN 

Hartley served as Third District councilman in 1941-1947.  One of San Diego's leading insurance underwriters for 30 years, he was a past president of the San Diego Association of Life Underwriters. 

Hartley was widely known as a civilian sailor, although he served in the Army in World War I.  HI 32-foot sloop, Wings, was a familiar site in the harbor and at San Diego Yacht Club, of which he was a member.  He was host to many distinguished visitors from this country on sailing excursions.  He was active in yachting a quarter of a century. 

Hartley in 1950 was named chairman of the Citizens Committee for Mission Bay, pushing passage of a $2 million bond issue for bay development.  In 1964, he was named  winner of the third annual community leader award of the North Park Business Club, of which he was a founder. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES 

A founder and past president of the North Park Lions Club, Hartley also was active in All Souls' Church, San Diego Post 201 of the American Legion, San Diego Historical Society, the Boys' Club and other community organizations. 

Cremation and private inurnment are planned. 

The family suggested memorial contributions to All Souls' Episcopal Church or the American Cancer Society, of which Hartley served as special gifts division chairman.  Lewis Colonial Mortuary has charge of the arrangements. 

***History: WINGS is believed to be the oldest PC in exhistance. She was built in San Diego, for Mr. Ed Depew (a builder). In fact, George Kettenburg Jr. agreed to build the boat in trade for a piece of land on Point Loma, that the Kettenburg family still owns. She was sold to Mr. George Jessop (of the Jessop Jewelry family) at a later date. Eventually sold to Mr. Paul Hartley Sr. in 1946. Upon his death, his extended family continued to enjoy the yacht. The Hartley family donated the vessel to the San Diego Maritime Museum in the 80's, when she was beginning to show her age. The museum was unable to fund a restoration, and rather than scuttle her, the museum board elected to give the boat to Richard S. "Rish" Pavelec. A member of the SDYC and active PC fleet member, Rish developed a plan to raise funds to restore the vessel and give her back to the museum. After almost 3 years of planning, work began. Koehler Kraft (of San Diego) was responsible for the restoration with Rish acting as project coordinator. The vessel was completed in early 2003 and has been sailing on San Diego Bay ever since. Soon, the rig will be removed and the hull will be put on display to be sailed only for special museum occasions.  (Source: http://www.kettenburgboats.com/pc.htm)


© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

J. C. Hartley, 61, North Park Founder, Dies; Friends Praise His Activities

My 2nd great uncle, John "Jack" Charles Hartley (1876-1937), in an undated photo (Courtesy of HermitInTheValley on Ancestry).

On Saturday and Tuesday I presented the obituaries for Mary Hartley Read and Delia Hartley Stevens, who were my 2nd great aunts (sisters to my great grandfather George Henry Hartley).  Today I'll present their brother John Charles Hartley:

San Diego Union (San Diego, CA)
Saturday, November 6, 1937
page 1 and 2 

J. C. Hartley, 61, North Park Founder, Dies; Friends Praise His Activities 

J. C. Hartley, 61, founder of North Park and for many years prominent in business circles in that district, died yesterday at his home, 3827 Herman Ave., after a prolonged illness. 

Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10 at Bonham Brothers mortuary, with the Rev. William Forshaw officiating.  Burial wil be in Glenn Abbey Memorial Park. 

Mr. Hartley was a native of Bremer county, Ia.  At the age of five and one-half years he came to San Diego with his parents.  He grew to manhood on his parents' ranch at Dehesa, in the upper Sweetwater valley.  In 1900 he went to Devil's Lake, N.D.  He returned to San Diego three years later because of the illness of his father, James M. Hartley, and took over management of his father's 40-acre lemon orchard. 

Forms Partnership
In 1905 he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, W. J. Stevens, under the firm name of Stevens & Hartley, and went into the real estate and insurance business in the downtown district.  In 1912 they moved the office to Thirtieth st. and University ave., and in 1912 Mr. Hartley put the North Park addition on the market, this being the site of his father's lemon orchard.  The tract fronted on University ave. and extended to Myrtle st. on the south and from Ray st. on the west to Thirty-second st. on the east. 

In 1927, Stevens & Hartley dissolved partnership and Mr. Hartley moved his business to its present address. 

He helped organize the North Park Business club and the North Park Lions club and was elected as the first president of each.  He also served on the board of freeholders in preparing the city charter. 

He was married Dec. 26, 1901, to Ella S. Dodge and is survived by her and by their three children, Marian Hartley Knowlden, E.J. and John M. Hartley.  He also is survived by his mother, Mary J. Hartley, 3827 Thirty-first st., three sisters and two brothers, all but one of whom reside in San Diego, and by five grandchildren.  The surviving brothers are Paul and George.  The sisters are Adelia Stevens, Mary Read and Maude MacDougal. 

J.M.(Jack) Dodge, father-in-law of Mr. Hartley, recalled recently San Diego's big days in the baseball world. 

"This grand old boy was one of the best baseball players San Diego could boast of," said Mr. Dodge. "When I first saw him he played for me at old Recreation park, then located about where the old St. Joseph hospital stood at Sixth and University aves.
Popular Ball Player
"Jack Hartley became a member of our San Diego team and played at the old May View ball grounds.  I was in partnership with George Carey, running the pack.  Of all the ball players that played at the old park Jack Hartley displayed the most ability with the bat.  Jack was called the "Home Run King" of the bunch, and he certainly could handle the hickory.  Jack played with us for some time.  He married my eldest daughter, Ella, in 1901 and then moved to Devils Lake, N. Dakota.  It was not long before the people of that locality recognized Jack's ability as a ball player and he signed to play with the Devil's Lake professional team as an outfielder.
"The young ball players of San Diego can testify as to his ability as a player, and he delighted in getting a bunch of the young boys, members of the high school teams, to tell them many things about the game that served to be of great genefit to them later on.  He loved to have these boys gathered about him.  He certainly was a father to all of them and he loved them all as if they were his own.  Two of Jack's sons--Gene and John Hartley--were members of the high school teams, and through the training they received from their capable father they became splendid players.  No one loved the game more than did Jack, and his ball playing here will be remembered by the oldtimers." 

"Word as Good as Bond"
Emil Klicka, bank executive, when informed of Mr. Hartley's death, said:
"In the North Park district, where Jack's word was as good as a government bond, we did some team-work in the upbuilding of North Park.  I soon learned to know him as a man of high integrity.  As a real estate man he did all he could to sell properties, but he always kept in mind a high sense of honor and ideals that made him a beloved citizen.  When I organized the old San Diego State bank, Jack became one of the directors.  Later he became a member of the advisory board of the Bank of America and retained that place up to the time of his death.  Residents in the North Park district have Jack Hartley to thank for many of the public blessings they enjoy now, because the growth of that section of the city came as a result of his leadership." 

"Had I been called upon to say farewell to Jack Hartley, I could truthfully have said, "in all the 50 years I have known you, I never knew of you doing a questionable act," said John F. Forward jr., former mayor. "Jack put through the title company properties representing many thousands of dollars.  It was a pleasure to handle his business.  He was an ideal son, husband and father." 

Mayne Voices Tribute
George Mayne, civic leader and hotel manager, was close to Mr. Hartley for many years.  "Jack was my kind of a man--dependable to the utmost and deeply devoted to his friends and every civic movement he supported," said Mayne.  "There are a few men we have to thank for outstanding achievement in the development of San Diego when it was a comparatively small town, and Jack Hartley may be numbered as one of that class."
Mayor Percy J. Benbough characterized Jack Hartley as "A friend of man and whose death is a distinct loss to San Diego." 

Mayor Benbough recounted some of Mr. Hartley's baseball days. "He played baseball on the square and he did business in the same way."  continued the mayor. "Young men entering upon affairs in the business world would profit well by practicing fairness and honesty in business as Jack Hartley did." F.W.

© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Delia Hartley Stevens....useful life ends

3 generations: Mary J. (Tibbetts) Hartley, granddaughter Dorothy (Stevens) Dunlop, and daughter Delia (Hartley) Stevens. Mary J. Hartley's son George Henry Hartley (not pictured) was my great grandfather. Courtesy of HermitInTheValley (Ancestry).

On Saturday I posted the obituary for my 2nd great aunt Mary Hartley Read.  I've been neglecting my Hartley side for a while and thought it might be good to review them.  Here is the obituary for Mary's sister Delia (Hartley) Stevens, who was a teacher, like Mary.

San Diego Union (San Diego, CA)
Friday, 25 Nov 1938
page 16, col 7
from GenealogyBank 

Delia Hartley Stevens....useful life ends 

S.D. Pioneer, Teacher, Dies 

Delia Hartley Stevens, who taught in little red schoolhouses at Julian, Jamul, Chollas valley and El Cajon many years ago, died Wednesday night at her home, 3506 Arizona st.  She was the wife of William Jay Stevens, North Park business man. 

Mrs. Stevens was born in Des Moines, Ia., coming here with her parents, pioneers, in 1882, when eight years old.  The family settled in Dehesa valley where Delia and her two brothers and sisters grew to high school age.  Then they came to San Diego where the children graduated from the old Russ High school. In 1892 Mrs. Stevens and her sister, now Mary Read, graduated from the State Normal school, Los Angeles.  For nine years Mrs. Stevens taught school in San Diego county. 

AIDED DEVELOPMENT 

In 1901 Delia Hartley was married to Will Jay Stevens and lived in El Cajon valley for several years, later moving to San Diego where Mr. Stevens entered the real estate business.  In the North Park district, where Mr. Stevens' mother now resides, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were active in developing that section of the city.  Mrs. Stevens was active in San Diego chapter D.A.R.  She was beloved by everybody in the North Park district, because before her long illness began she was prominent in all civic affairs in that rapidly growing section of San Diego.  She inherited her admirable North Park spirit from her parents, as did other members of the Hartley family.  Her mother, affectionately known as Grandma Hartley, is referred to as the "mother of North Park." Jack Hartley, another prominent figure in the North Park district and a brother of Mrs. Stevens, died Nov. 5, 1937. 

HUSBAND SURVIVES 

Besides her husband, Mrs. Stevens is survived by a daughter, Dorothy Dunlop, and a grandson, Richard Davis Stanley; also her mother, Mary J. Hartley; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Read and Mrs. Maud MacDougall; two brothers, George and Paul Hartley.
Services will be held this afternoon at 1:30 at Bonham Brothers' mortuary.  The Rev. William Forshaw, La Jolla, formerly of the North Park district, will officiate.

© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Three Hartley Family Portraits

James and Mary (Tibbetts) Hartley, with their children in the early 1890s.  Clockwise from left: Delia Hartley, John "Jack" Hartley, Mary Catherine Hartley, and George Hartley (my great grandfather) in the center. Maud Hartley is at the bottom.  From my personal collection.

The first portrait was likely taken before James and Mary's last son, Paul Hartley, was born in 1894 (an eleven year difference from their last child, Joey, who died as an infant in 1883).  The picture was likely taken in either Los Angeles, where they were in the early 1890s, or in San Diego.

Hartleys about 1901.  Unfortunately I do not have a better resolution picture so making it bigger makes it more blurry.  My dear cousin Sarah sent this to me recently and I was very excited because it appears that my great grandfather George Hartley's first wife, Jane Denby, is in the picture (back row far left, next to my great grandfather).  I'm not sure where this was taken.

About 1904, almost certainly in their citrus grove in North Park, San Diego.  James Monroe Hartley (1846-1904),seated, would die by July, most likely from cancer.  John "Jack" Hartley (1876-1937) is crouched beside his father, little brother Paul Hartley (1894-1969), stands behind him.  Mary Jane (Tibbetts) Hartley (1852-1940) is resting her hands on James.  I'm unsure who the three women on the right of her are, likely Delia, maybe Jane Denby, and  Mary Catherine??.  My great grandfather is in the center back holding his first son, James Denby Hartley, and  it is likely Ella (Dodge) Hartley, Jack's wife, holding their first child, Marian.  Courtesy of dear Hermit in the Valley (Ancestry), who has countless images of Mary Jane Tibbetts' relations.

© 2017 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.