The Hadwen Family of Lancashire

Maurine, Mrs. Irvin W. Jeffery, lives in Delta. She is the mother of 7 boys (6 are living). She really has her hands full but manages beautifully. She has a calm and patient disposition to deal with the boys liveliness. When all of us get together at Mother’s place for Thanksgiving, she is the one who likes to take over the supervision of the children. She can think up such clever games for the children to play.

She is such a good cook, and people love to go to her home. With all her responsibilities of rearing her family she still finds time to work in the Church and community. Last year the Auxiliary Unit 117, American Legion of Delta honored her as Delta’s “Outstanding Woman of the Year.” Maurine was chosen for this honor because of her community service. She is past president of the Delta Garden Club and it was by her efforts and pleasant personality and many other duties she performed for the garden club, church and community, that she was selected for this honor. A token was presented to her by the present of Unit 117.

She has been Relief Society Chorister since 1949. She sings with the Deseret Stake singing mothers under the direction of Ladd Cropper. They have presented some very interesting concerts. She has been Secretary of “Lyric Lore” a Ladies Literary Club. During the past holiday season she took the part of a Danish convert in Utah’s prize-winning Centennial Play called “Deseret.” They presented this in the two wards in Delta, for the Stake and at Fillmore.

John Sampson Hacking Family Bulletin #2 1956:

Family News from Keren Bingham Hacking:

On February 2 I went to the old folks party in Lehi. It happened to be one of the worst blizzards of the year. February 26 I went to Delta, Utah with Lola and four girls and son William to celebrate Maurine’s birthday a day early. My granddaughter Lorraine made the birthday cake. She is so quick at it by using the electric beater. I stayed and visited over one and a half weeks, then back to Orem, and then to Columbia, Utah for over a week to visit Berniece and her family, returning to Lola’s to see and hear Conference over TV. Altogether I have been gone over a month.

Family News from Maurine:
Delta, Utah; March 30, 1955

Thoughts from Maurine Hacking Jeffery, 2nd Daughter of Thomas William and Keren Bingham Hacking, Wife of Irvin Wilber Jeffery, and Mother of Six Boys --

I feel that I am one of the fortunate grand-daughters of John S. and Jane Clark Hacking. Why? These are the reasons: Because I was born and raised in the house and surroundings that grandfather, grandmother and Aunt Hattie were. I feel that the 3-story house that still stands is a stalwart edifice to these stalwart characters. It was through their faithfulness that I was born under the covenant here in a free land where I can work in the true Church of God.

I remember how pretty the wall paper was with its big designs, and as I grew older I helped paper over those designs, in places pulling off several layers of old paper, all so very interesting. The paint throughout the house was in pleasing tones. The parlor had beautiful stained doors and woodwork. Aunt Hattie’s room, which formerly was grandmother’s and grandfather’s was done beautifully too. Four of the rooms in the house were carpeted. At housecleaning time the carpets were all taken up, using a tack puller, and hung over the clotheslines. I helped beat out the fine dirt that had clung to the rug. Even though we used a carpet sweeper the dirt would sift into the fibers of cloth. I’ve watched mother lay the carpets back down, using the carpet stretchers.

Grandfather and grandmother’s portraits with gilded frames hung in the parlor until father had another colored portrait of them finished. This replaced the two. I’ve studied the faces of them both and still remember how neatly the 2½-inch trimming on grandmother’s dress was crossed in front and held with a brooch. Their wonderful, character shone from their faces. Some of the dainty laces, doilies, scarves and pillowcases were still in use when I was home. As I ironed them I thought to myself – “What beautiful handwork—such tiny stitches!” Grandmother and Aunt Hattie were such good seamstresses. They had 12 to 14 quilts stored in big white sacks that they had made, all done by hand, and in such beautiful designs. There aren’t any left now as Aunt Hattie gave them to the grandchildren.

Little girls like little cupboards. We found that the iron grain thrasher was just the best place to put our play dishes as it had several little iron bars around it. We played on this quite a bit. These are few of the many reasons why I am thankful for my heritage.

I still work in the Relief Society as Chorister. I find satisfaction in doing it. It always seems to be the music department to plan and prepare the special programs for Relief Society parties and the 17th of March program. Irvin is Sunday School teacher. Milton who is nine and Bruce who is eleven are in their daddy’s class. Irvin is also on the ward genealogical committee. Wydell, Bruce, and Milton are all busy with their 4-H Club project – beef, pigs and lambs. This long cold winter has been quite a challenge to a 12-year old paper boy who has to be out at 6:30 and on the job—snow, rain or sunshine—but Wydell did and he is doing the job wel1.

John Sampson Hacking Family Bulletin #5 1961:

Maurine Hacking and Irvin W. Jeffery Family: April 24, 1961

Dear Alice: This is a report of our family. We live in Delta with our seven boys and 10-year old Indian girl. Irvin still runs his own custom slaughtering business and freights from Salt Lake to Delta for his brother's Quality Market. He is a ward teacher. At present I am Choral Director in Primary and love this work very much. I have always liked music and encourage my boys to study music along with their school work. I sing with the Stake Singing Mothers. I usually try to take an extra class in adult education during the winter, but it seems that just to keep the washing and ironing and cooking done keeps me busy. Wydell, our oldest, is 19 and attends the Technical Trade School in Salt Lake as he received a scholarship from there. He is specializing in diesel mechanics. He likes it and rates among the highest in his marks. He sings beautifully and responds willingly to any requests made of him. Last winter he traveled to different wards with his Uncle Orvil, who is on the High Council, and furnished the music. He received special award for his accomplishment in music, solo work, opera and band when in high school. He is an expert water skier. Bruce, our 2nd son, graduates from Seminary next month. He just received his 5th individual award. When Irvin is gone, he is the boy I can depend on to do the chores and take care of things for me. He has done exceptionally well in art work at Delta High. He played on the 2nd Ward basket ball team. Milton, our 3rd, will be 16 on the 29th of this month. He likes school and studies hard. He lacked ½ point of being on the high honor roll. He made the honor roll the past 2 semesters. He won 2nd place in State wrestling in the 98 lb. weight. Wydell teased him about his good luck as "Wrestler to Wrestler," for he had taken 2nd place in the 136 lb. weight at State the year before. Milton is active in his scouting and church. He is president of his Teachers Quorum and has won 4 individual awards. He is a Life in his Explorer Group, of which he is president. He and Keith attended the National Scout Jamboree at Colprado Springs last July and they still talk about the wonderful time they had. Boys from Hawaii, Japan and California were in their troop. Milton and Keith still have the Salt Lake Tribune route. Milton plays cornet in the high school band. Keith, our 4th son, is l4. He has high hopes of doing so many interesting things in life, for instance—taking the little race car Wydell started to build and make a real fast racer out of it. He wants to Chrome arid paint it real bright and race it on the drag strips; then he would like to get just the right twist in his hair so that favorite girl would fall for him. He hopes to be a great artist some day too; He plays trumpet in the Jr. High band and won a superior rating at the music festival in St. George in March. He loves sports and played on the Ward basket ball team. Steven, our 5th, is 10 and in 5th Grade. He has a Hawaiian teacher—Miss Kaloe. She has taught him many good study habits and is very firm and thorough. It has been good for him to have her for his teacher. Whenever he has a birthday or at Christmas, he always asks for a ball, mit, kick ball, etc. He is our sport fan and hopes to be a good athlete some day. He plays saxophone in the beginners' band. I can always depend on Steven to take good care of the two younger boys when I leave him in charge of them. He makes a very good baby sitter. This winter I have rotated jobs with Alita and find it works out better than having them work together. Marion, our 6th boy, loves the out-of-doors and is happiest when he is with his Daddy so he can help him. He teases and plays with his little brother Lester. To eat a big bowl of Irvin's home-made ice cream is the greatest delight of these two boys. He is thrilled to go to Sunday School, and participates in the singing and other activities. Lester is a lovable little fellow. We all look out £ or him and love him so much. He cries to go with Irvin in the truck. I have to watch him very closely so he does not get behind the cars or trucks when they are backing out of the drive-way. Alita Bennett, a 10-year old Indian girl lives with us and goes to the 4th Grade. She came to us through the Relief Society Indian Placement Program. She is from Kaibito T. P., Tonalea, Arizona. We all have had to make some adjustments with a little girl in our home. It has been a new experience for us all. I have found it takes much patience to handle her. I was able to make her two new coats and dresses when mother came down to help me for three weeks. She is a care-free happy child and mixes well with all the children. She takes her church assignments very seriously and has given the sacrament gem in Sunday School. She takes part in her Sunday School and Primary classes. She is a beautiful writer and is doing well in school, but she could do better if she would take a little more time to do her assignments. She comes from a family of seven and has two little brothers, so she likes to play with Lester and have a good time. Her three older sisters and an older brother are away from home. This is the first time she has been away from her home for so long a time and she is getting quite excited about going home for the summer. She is adept with her hands, thus holds the championship in jacks games.