Hans Eldor Morck

Hans Eldor Mork was born on January 24, 1875 in Tjotta, Helgeland, Norway. His father was Anders Olai Mork Qvalnes, who was assumed to be a man of the sea, because he is referred to as “skipper” on the birth record of Hans, and in the record of his marriage to Hansine Tanke Hansdatter. He was 45 years old when Hans was born, and his mother was 30 years old at that time. Hans appears to have been the second of 4 children in his family, along with brothers Kristian and Nels, and sister Kristina. Norwegian tradition is that the second son is named after his maternal grandfather, and Han’s grandfather on his mother’s side is Hans Chr. Nilsen. Some six months after his birth, Hans was baptized in Leirfjord Church.
Little is known of Hans’ early life. Hans apparently served in the Norwegian Navy in the 1890s. A letter to his future wife, Jorgine, has been preserved from this time. This letter describes life in the military as very difficult and dreary. In later years, Hans recalled “accepting the Lord as his Savior” at the age of 20 (? 1895).
He married Jorgine Emilie Pedersen on October 12, 1898. In May 1902, at the age of 27, Hans journeyed from Helgeland to England, and traveled on the steamship RMS Lake Champlain from Liverpool to Quebec, Canada, in hopes of starting a new life with his family. He then went by train to a Norwegian community in North Dakota, in Mandan, where his three sisters-in-law had already settled. He arrived with a total of $5 to his name. After being convinced that they could make a go of this new life, he sent for his wife and their two children, who arrived later that year. During Jorgine’s voyage, their youngest son, Harold, died. Hans and his family lived in North Dakota for some 17 years. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States on May 21, 1912. By that time he had changed the spelling of his last name to Morck, the reason unknown. He was a carpenter by trade. In 1918, he listed his occupation as a hedge carpenter. Nowadays, a hedge carpenter is considered to be a person who uses wood that is reclaimed or sourced from environments such as a botanical garden or coppiced woodland. They make handcrafted mirrors, wands, staves and rustic furniture. They usually have minimal training and apprenticeship experience. It is unknown why he described his carpentry profession in this way in 1918. In 1919, he and his family moved to Seattle, Washington, where some of Jorgine’s relatives lived.
While in Seattle, Hans continued his carpentry work, and began working as a contractor in the construction of buildings. He was an accomplished woodworker. One of his woodworking gifts, a soap holder, is still in the possession of Nancy Jeffrey, his grand-daughter-in-law. He was very active in his home church in Seattle, the Salem Evangelical Free Church.
Hans is remembered as a quiet, godly, hard-working man. His daughter, Agnes, remembers often hearing him in prayer as he spent time with his God in the basement in his house. He passed away from a heart attack on August 23, 1942 in Seattle, at the age of 67, and is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery. His newspaper obituary contained these words:
“Hans Morck accepted the Lord as his Savior at the age of 20, and remained steadfast in his faith in the Savior ever afterwards. He had a clear ringing testimony to the reality of salvation and the blessedness of the Christian life. His life and example was a source of encouragement to others. Blessed be his memory!”

RMS Lake Champlain (Liverpool to Quebec)

This is an old postcard of the steamship RMS Lake Champlain. This is the boat that Hans traveled on when he came to America in 1902. The ship sailed from Liverpool, England to Quebec, Canada, arriving in June 1902.

More Photos of Hans Morck

Here are a few more photos of Hans: (Left) As a soldier in the Norwegian navy in the 1890s. (Right) At the age of 36 in 1911 in Mandan, North Dakota.

(Left) The Morck family: Harold, Hans, Agnes, Jorgine, and Elsie.
(Right) Hans in the 1940s in Seattle.

Jenny (MacFadden) Jeffrey

Jenny (MacFadden) Jeffrey was born on August 25, 1861 in St. Mary’s, in what is now called Ontario, Canada. St. Mary’s is situated on the Thames River, which, in Jenny’s childhood, cascaded over a series of limestone ledges, providing the power to run the first pioneer mills and giving the community an early nickname: Little Falls. Jenny’s parents were James MacFadden and Catherine McLean. Jenny had 3 sisters and 3 brothers.
When Jenny was 5 years old her family moved to Stratford, Ontario, Canada, which remained her home until she was married in 1887. Little is known about her childhood and young years in Stratford. She met Henry Jeffrey and was married on Wednesday, October 26, 1887, at the age of 26. Henry was 27 on their wedding date. A newspaper announcement (“The Daily Enquirer”) of their wedding reads: “A select party of invited guests assembled at the residence of Mr. James MacFadden, local registrar of the High Court of Justice, Huron Street, this afternoon to witness the marriage of his daughter, Jennie, to Mr. Harry Jeffrey, hardware merchant, St. Catherines, son of the late Hon. Andrew Jeffrey. The wedding took place at 3 o’clock. Rev Thomas McPherson was the officiating clergyman. Miss G. Mothersil was bridesmaid, and Mr. James A. MacFadden, brother of the bride, supported the groom. The bride was attired in seal brown silk. The bride was presented with numerous valuable and useful presents, showing the high esteem in which she was held in this city. The bridal pair left on the 4:10 train for their home in St. Catherines, amid the blessings and good wishes of a host of friends who accompanied them to the station to bid them adieu.” St. Catherines is located very close to the U.S. border with Canada, near Niagara Falls.
Jenny and Henry immigrated to the United States in 1890, and settled in Tonawanda, New York, 20 miles from St. Catherines. Tonawanda is situated on the Niagara River, 6 miles above Niagara Falls. Jenny had her first child, Keith McLean, on September 8, 1890, and her second son, James Leonard, was born August 8, 1895.
They moved to Detroit, Michigan, in 1909 or 1910, where Henry continued working in the hardware business, and his son, Keith, worked alongside him. Keith was to have taken charge of the Pratt & Cady Hardware business in Cleveland, when he had a severe attack of appendicitis, and died shortly thereafter at the age of 21. So Jenny was left with one son, 16 year old James. Five years later, after the outbreak of World War I, James enlisted in the army, and left for France, where he served 2 years in the medical detachment. Jenny volunteered to help in the war effort, and received a commendation from the Detroit chapter of the American Red Cross after the war for “recognition of service faithfully performed in behalf of the nation and her men at arms.”
Jenny and Henry were very active in the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church in Detroit. It was a church located in a very wealthy neighborhood, built by the Dodge family, of automobile renown. Jenny participated in many of the social functions associated with the church, and was remembered as being a very outgoing and friendly woman. She and Henry eventually left Detroit, primarily to be closer to their only son, and his growing family. They finally settled in Santa Monica, CA, arriving in 1934, and living for years at 943 Ocean Avenue. She died of a very severe intestinal cancer on June 25, 1944.
Jenny’s name at birth was Jane. Her name throughout life was Jenny, and was spelled both “Jenny” and “Jennie”, and she seems to have used both spellings interchangeably. Her death certificate is in the name Jennie Jeffrey, but the last letter she wrote to her husband, Henry, is signed “Lovingly, Jenny”.
Jenny was barely 5 ft. tall, but was remembered by many as being very energetic and full of life.

More Jenny (MacFadden) Jeffrey Photos

Here are some more photos of Jenny. The top one is of Jenny in her teens (1870s). The bottom left photo is of her family in Stratford (from left): George, mother Catherine, unknown, James Andrew, father James, Minnie, Jessie, Jenny, and Kate. The photo on the left is from the 1930s.

Henry Jeffrey

Henry Jeffrey (my great-grandfather) was born January 12, 1860 in Cobourg, in what is now called Ontario, Canada. At the time of his birth, Cobourg was a city in “Upper Canada.” It is situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario. His parents were Andrew Jeffrey and Agnes (Moscrip) Jeffrey, Andrew’s second wife. Henry had 12 brothers and sisters, 9 children from Andrew’s first marriage, and 3 more from his marriage to Agnes. When Henry was 3 years old, his father died, and his mother passed away when Henry was 16.
Henry was also known as “Harry” throughout his life. After the death of his mother, Henry left Cobourg in 1876 to live with his oldest brother William, in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, who was 45 years old at the time. He became involved in his brother’s hardware business in Stratford, as well as later running a pleasure steamboat enterprise on the River Avon. He also was a staff sergeant in the Stratford Drill Association.
After Henry’s marriage in 1887 to Jenny Mac Fadden, they immigrated to New York in the United States, and along with working in the hardware business, Henry worked at the Pan-American Exposition in 1901. This fair featured the latest technologies, including electricity, and attracted nearly 8 million people. The Electric Tower was illuminated nightly by thousands of colored bulbs and floodlights. On September 6, President William McKinley was shot outside the Temple of Music at the Exposition. He died eight days later. Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated President after McKinley’s death. Henry Jeffrey became an American citizen in 1904.
Henry and Jenny had two children, Keith McLean and James Leonard (My grandfather). They moved to Detroit, Michigan in approximately 1909-1910, where Henry worked as the manager of the Pratt & Cady Hardware Co. Henry and Jenny were active in the Presbyterian Church, whose members also included the Henry Fords and the Dodges, famous automobile families in Detroit. In 1929 or 1930, Henry and Jenny moved to Seattle, Washington, and a few years later to southern California, to be close to their grandchildren through their son James. They settled in Santa Monica, CA, and lived for many years close to the Pacific Ocean. They were active in the Hollywood Presbyterian Church while they lived in Santa Monica.
Henry is remembered as a kind, sweet-hearted man. He loved the ocean. My father, James Warren Jeffrey, remembers spending summers with his grandfather, and they spent much time at the beach. Henry was also an avid baseball fan. It is a tradition that he became so while following the Detroit Tigers and their famous outfielder, Ty Cobb. My father remembers, while spending summers with his grandfather, that nightly after dinner, Henry would retire to the living room, and listen to the Los Angeles Angels (Pacific Coast minor league team) on the radio.
Henry died June 26, 1952 in Pasadena, CA of prostate cancer.

Other Photos of Henry Jeffrey

Here are a few other photos of Henry Jeffrey. The top photo was taken in Cobourg in the middle 1860s. The middle one is from the late 1870s in Stratford. The bottom one is of the Jeffrey family (Jenny, Keith, Henry and James) in the late 1890s.

How James and Agnes Met and Married

James (my grandfather) had an office in the office warehouse where Agnes worked, in Seattle, WA. He was employed with Schwabacher & Frey Paper Co. This is where they first met. Agnes was smitten with James from the start, and they began to talk on a regular basis. He would visit the office daily to check his mail and messages, and often he would share his life and business with her. James was in his mid to late 20s and Agnes in her early 20s when they met. Agnes recalls an important time in their early relationship, before they began to date, when James came in to the office one afternoon. He collected his messages, and began to talk with Agnes, and had a wonderful conversation. She noticed that he read one of his messages, seemed to be in thought about it, and tore it up and threw it into the trash. She was very curious about the contents, and after he left, went through the trash to discover its message. It was from a woman friend of James, letting him know that she would be in town soon and would like to meet. James didn’t want to see her anymore.
James soon asked Agnes to go for a cup of coffee with him, but when she mentioned this to her parents, they were adamantly opposed to this. They felt that a “salesman” was too worldly a person for her to be dating. She was very disappointed with their opinion, and began meeting with James for coffee without informing her parents, and going on an occasional “secret” date.” Of the many things that they liked about each other, one that attracted them to each other was that they both loved to laugh, and had great senses of humor.
Within months, James asked Agnes to marry him. She said, “Yes”, but her parents forbade it. James gave her an engagement ring, but she dared not wear it in front of her parents. Agnes recalled going to bed at night, taking the ring out of its hiding place, and putting it on, and admiring at it in the moonlight. They finally ended up talking to another pastor, from University Presbyterian Church in Seattle (Agnes had been attending the Swedish Tabernacle), and he agreed to marry them without Agnes’ parents’ consent. So they married on June 5, 1925.
This caused an estrangement from Agnes’ parents, Hans and Jorgine Morck. As Thanksgiving 1925 approached, Agnes’ brother, Harold, approached Hans and Jorgine, and implored them to reconcile with Agnes and James, and accept their marriage. They agreed, and that year spent Thanksgiving together. It only took a short time for them to grow to love James. Agnes and James were married 49 years before James’ death in 1974.

Agnes and James with James' Parents

This is an early photo of Agnes and James with James' parents, Henry and Jenny Jeffrey. The date is unknown, but looks to be in the late 1920s or early 1930s.

Agnes (Morck) Jeffrey

Agnes Morck was born on February 23, 1900 in Tjotta, Norway. Tjotta is located among a large group of islands in the middle of Norway at the Arctic Circle. This coastal area of Arctic Circle Norway is said to be the World’s most beautiful coastline. The area is known for excellent fishing, a rich bird life with Puffins, Sea Eagle, Eagle Owl and many more.
When Agnes was 2 ½ years old, she left Norway with her mother, Jorgine Mork, and her younger brother, Harald (1 ½ years old). They traveled to the United States on a steamship to meet Agnes’ father, Hans Mork, who had gone before them, and had settled in a Norwegian community in Mandan, North Dakota. Jorgine kept a journal of the trip, and this is a treasured story of God’s faithfulness during a very traumatic trip. Agnes’ brother Harald, died at the end of the trip when they arrived in Philadelphia.
Agnes spent her childhood in the community of Mandan, North Dakota. Hans and Jorgine had two more children after reaching America, Harold and Elsie.
It in unknown why Hans settled in North Dakota, but many other emigrants were, at that time. The railroads, the North Dakota territorial government, land speculators, and land offices all used a variety of means of luring settlers to North Dakota. Publications, newspaper articles, and flyers painted glowing pictures of the area. The Dakotas were portrayed as a virtual farming utopia. Titles of these flamboyant publications reflect their tone: “Red River the Eden of the Northwest”; “Land of Fine Horses, Fine Cattle, Fine Sheep, Good Health, Good People, and the Best Bread in the World”; “Land of Golden Grain”; or “North Dakota; Land of Peace, Prosperity, and Plenty, where the Farmer makes the Laws.” Resources in Dakota, published in 1887 by the Territorial government, was a veritable handbook for the Dakota settler. Later North Dakota Magazine was published by the state government to encourage immigration to the state: it proclaimed on one of its covers a “battle cry for 1909 -- 100,000 new settlers.” Between 1878 and 1890 the population increased from 16,000 to 191,000, and settlers continued to stream into the state until the 1930s. Probably half were emigrants, especially from Norway, Canada, Russia, Sweden, England and Ireland.
Agnes went away to school at a Covenant school in Minnesota (?). Her parents moved to Seattle, Washington during the time she was at school, primarily to follow Jorgine’s sisters, who had previously moved. After graduating, Agnes went to work for the Great Northern Railway in their offices. As a result, when she decided to follow her family to Seattle, she was able to take the train there for free. Once in Seattle, she and her family attended the Swedish Tabernacle Church in Seattle with many other Scandinavians. She went to work as a typist in an office warehouse. Zane Grey had an office in the warehouse, and Agnes typed one of his manuscripts for him. Agnes also met her husband at this office warehouse, since he occupied a sales office there. They were married in 1925. Her first child, James Warren (my dad) was born in 1929.They moved to Santa Monica, California, in 1931 because of James’ job, and lived in various communities in southern California over the years, including Los Angeles, Pasadena, Fullerton, and Whittier. Agnes had two more boys in California, Robert Morck in 1931, and William Keith in 1934.
They were active in many large churches in southern California, including Hollywood Presbyterian, Vermont Ave Presbyterian, and Lake Avenue Congregational.
One of her daughters-in-law described Agnes like this: “She was everything you would want in a mother-in-law: a great listener, loved to laugh, loved to do things for you, made you feel important, and she loved her boys!”
Agnes loved to garden. At each of her residences, she loved to tend to her flowers, especially roses and chrysanthemums. She loved to play the piano. She played the piano at many of the churches she attended, including Vermont Avenue Presbyterian, Bethany Baptist in Whittier, and others. She had an uncanny ear for music. One of her cousins described how Agnes’ piano teacher was continually frustrated, because, instead of learning the principles of reading music, Agnes would instead be able to play a song beautifully after just hearing it played a few times. This gift would remain her whole life. She also loved to cook, and would usually have something ready for visitors whenever they showed up. Holidays were fun for her, as she would get a chance to spend time in the kitchen.
Agnes stayed active even into her 80s. She passed away in a tragic automobile accident February 12, 1989, at the time on her way to play the piano at a retirement facility.

More photos of Agnes (Morck) Jeffrey

Here are some more early photos of Agnes. The top photo is of Agnes, her brother Harold John, and sister Elsie Marie, probably taken when they lived in Mandan, North Dakota. The other portraits look to have been taken in Agnes' 20s, but the actual dates are unknown.

More James Leonard Photos

Here are a few more photos of my grandfather, James leonard Jeffrey. The two on the top are most likely taken after World War I (as a young businessman, and swimming while on vacation , and the lower one as a schoolboy in Michigan.

James Leonard Jeffrey

These first two photos are of my grandfather, James Leonard Jeffrey. He was born on August 8, 1895 in North Tonowanda, New York. His parents were Henry Jeffrey and Jenny MacFadden. James was a veteran of World War I. He served as a Sergeant 1st Class in the Medical Detachment 182nd Field Artillery, and was stationed in Dijon, France from July 1917 - June 1920. After the war, he worked as a furniture salesman and served in the Mighigan National Guard. He then began working for Schwabacker & Frey Paper Co. as a salesman, and was so successful that he was promoted to West Coast Sales Manager, and moved to Seattle, Washington in 1924.

He met his wife, Agnes Morck, in Seattle, where they married and had their first son, James Warren (my father) in 1929. He moved with his young family to southern California in 1930 and lived in Santa Monica, and then Los Angeles. In the early 1940s, James left Schwabacker & Frey, and entered in partnership with two other men, building houses . Their company was called C & M Homes. They built their first tract of homes in what is now Watts in Los Angeles. They built many new homes in southern California, in cities such as South Pasadena, Ontario, Arcadia and West Covina.

James left c & M Homes in 1953, and sold homes for Brummett & Demblon Builders for a brief period. He then opened his own Real Estate office in Whittier, California in 1954. In addition, he started selling lots in the new city of Hesperia in the California high desert. He had a very large office on Main Street in Hesperia, with 20+ sales people working for him.

James and Agnes had three sons: James Warren, Robert Morck, and William Keith.

He died of emphysema on October 22, 1974 in Los Angeles.

Where I've come from

For my first post on my blog, I'd like to share one of my pastimes that I've been working on in recent weeks - genealogy. I was first drawn to researching my "roots" when my sister, Janet, and I decided to investigate what our mother's roots were. My Mom, Nancy Jeffrey, was raised in a loving Christian foster home, and adopted as an adult. She never knew who her parents were, and where they came from. After getting "lucky" in our research, my sister and I came across the identity of my mom's natural parents, and their nationality. My mom's natural father was 1/2 Cherokee Indian, and her natural mother's family was from England. This genealogy was interesting and surprisingly fun. So over the years, I have built a "tree" of my ancestors, and my wife, Donna's ancestors. I've also accumulated old photographs of these ancestors. I have a goal of producing a book of photos and short bios of these ancestors within the next year. I'll share a little about these ancestors on my blog in the coming weeks. I don't know how systematic these posts will be, but I"ll try my best.