HANEY, ROY AND FLORENCE (FOX) FAMILY

by Florence Haney

Entry F177 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Roy and Florence Haney shortley before their 40th
Anniversary 1978

Roy Everett Haney was born March 31,
1910, 30 miles southwest of Mullen in Hooker
County on the homestead (tree claim) of his
parents William and Sarah Gibson Haney.
He was the youngest of six children. After he
grew up he stayed on the ranch for several
years as his Dad had had a stroke and unable
to work.

Florence Fox Haney was born on
1971 to Richard S. and Mable Fox, at the
ranch home of her parents whose home was
on the Dismal River several miles east of the
old "High Bridge". Her father purchased the
Evergreen Hotel in Mullen in 1919 and later
about 1924 moved the family to town for
school. Florence graduated from Hooker
County High School in 1934 and taught
country schools for four years in Hooker
County. She met Roy while teaching at the
Hatch Country School in 1934-`35. Later
Florence and Roy were married May 28, 1938
at Alliance, Nebraska.

Roy and Florence started their new life
together north of Mullen about 15 miles on
the "Stansburg Ranch" and they lived there
for four years ranching, milking cows and
breaking horses to ride, etc. They moved
cattle to the Sarah Haney ranch to summer
and there were many exciting moments
trailing them and in crossing the Loup and
Dismal Rivers, as quicksand in the spring was
a problem. The mules and wagon got down
once on the Loup and also saddle horses but
all ended well.

In 1942, Roy and Florence moved to the
"Campbell Place" in southwest Hooker
County and lived there for 2 years, ranching,
milking more cows and also raising hogs. It
was a hard trip to town as roads were bad and
no auto-gates. In 1944, they purchased land
8 miles southwest of Mullen, known as the
"Otto Maire" place and later purchased more
land adjoining this. In late March of 1944,
they moved to this permanent home where
they lived together for 42 years. When the
move was made, there was at least a foot of
snow on the ground and very cold. All of our
possessions were moved by hayrack over the
tops of the hills about 15 miles and the cattle
were trailed of course. Thahks to the good
neighbors helping, they made it - our old
neighbors, Buck Carr and our new neighbors,
Herman Maires.

Shortly after, our first born, a baby girl,
Bonita Jean 1944 born at Alliance,
Nebraska came to join us. In 1947,
a son Thomas Roy was born at Mullen and
died at birth. In 1949 a son
Harold Isaac, was born at North Platte,
Nebraska.

Bonita `Bonnie' grew up going to the
Mullen Schools and graduated from Hooker
County High School in 1962 and attended
Kearney State for one year.

September 22, 1963 she and Gaylord Porth
were married, they have 3 children: Bradley,
20 years, Dirk 18 years and Kari 15 years.
They live on their ranch about 18 miles
southeast of Mullen. (their story elsewhere in
the book)

Harold or "Ike" also attended the Mullen
schools and graduated from Mullen High
School in 1968 and then went to the Nebraska
School of Agriculture at Curtis, Nebraska for
2 years graduating in 1970. He married Tresa
Applegarth of Hyannis on May 31, 1969.
They live on their place near Oconto, Nebras-
ka. They have 4 children; Joseph 17 years,
Christine 15 years, Thomas 6 years and
Michelle 2 1/2 years.

Roy and Florence raised and enjoyed their
little family through good times and bad
times, and took part in all their activities.
Bonnie and Ike inherited Roy's love of horses
and many things they did together. Roy
started a Girls' Patrol in the Mullen Area
when Bonnie was about 13 and had learned
to ride well. The girls all had fun and even
performed at the famous July 4th Rodeo in
Mullen! Roy and Florence both helped in 4-
H activities when younger and Roy was a
leader for 20 years. He also helped with our
county fairs and was chairman of the board
for many years. He served several terms as
Hooker County Commissioner.

Roy and Florence were both members of
the United Methodist Church and helped out
through the years. They continued to ranch
and raise registered horses as the years went
by and enjoying the Sandhills and their many
friends. Roy passed away December 2, 1986
and Florence is still living on the ranch.