S.S. Franconia

S.S. California

James Hebdon, one of 10 children, all of whom survived, was the 4th born of 6 sons and had 2 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father Matthew Thorpe Hebdon was born at Easingwold, Yorkshire in 1857, his mother Mary Kirk in 1862 at Ovingham, Northumberland, they were married at Easingwold in 1881. In 1891 they were living with their children John William (8), George Ernest (6), Edith (4), James born September 15th 1888 and new born Elizabeth, in the village of Sainforth, just north of Settle in Yorkshire, where Matthew was employed as a railway plate layer. By the time Charles was born in 1895 they had moved to Willington, County Durham, Norman was born at Annfield Plain in 1897 and Hannah in 1900 at Willington. Living at East Castle, Annfield Plain, County Durham, in 1901 Matthew was employed by the railway as a signalman, their elder children, including James, had left home and they had a new born baby girl Hannah, Thorpe and Mary were also born at East Castle, in 1904 and 1907 respectively. James (15) and Charles (10) in 1911 were employed as miners, their father had remained with the railway, the younger children with the exception of Mary were scholars.

Coal miner James Hebdon was married in the district of Lanchester in 1913 to Annie J. Turpin born at White-le-Head, near Tantobie, County Durham, January 9th 1894. James left his pregnant wife in the care of his family at 4, Railway Cottages, Annfield Plain and emigrated to America, May 26th 1914, via the port of Liverpool aboard the S.S. Franconia, arriving at Boston, Massachuttis, June 4th 1914. His wife, along with their daughter Lydia born in the district of Lanchester, August 24th 1914, joined him having sailed aboard the S.S. California from Liverpool, December 11th 1915, arriving at New York on December 22nd.

The United States of America since the outbreak of war in August 1914 had wanted to appear to remain neutral, although her banks assisted her allies by making loans to Britain and France who in turn used the money to buy munitions, raw materials and food. An encoded telegram intercepted by British Intelligence, from Germany, making a secret offer to help Mexico regain territories lost during the Mexico-American War was published by the newspapers of the day. This so angered the American public that President Wilson asked Congress to approve, “a war to end all wars” and declared war with Germany, April 4th 1917 and with the Austro-Hungarian Alliance, December 7th 1917. American troops began arriving on the Western Front in 1918.

James Hebron who by now had settled at 852, Camanche Avenue, Clinton, Iowa, on the banks of the Mississippi, answered the call, leaving his employed as a labourer at the Clinton Sugar Refining Company and was registered June 5th 1917. No further details available. During WW2 at the age of 53 years he was also registered for the draft.

Post-war he returned to his home at Clinton and was naturalised June 24th 1925 as an American citizen. He and Annie had a total of 8 children. Lydia Hebdon-Brondrick born August 24th 1914 in England died March 18th 2004, Orange County, California. Pearl Hebron-Johnson born November 18th 1916 died October 1988, Illinois. Norma Hebdon-Greve born November 14th 1918 died November 26th 2010 at Scot County, Iowa, interred Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Gilbert Hebdon born September 22nd 1920 died May 5th 1967, Iowa, interred Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Denis born April 10th 1922 died April 21st 1997 at Clinton, Iowa, interred Clinton Lawn Cemetery. David Eugene Hebdon born January 24th 1925 served with the American Navy, August 6th 1943-December 29th 1945, he died April 5th 2002 at East Moline, Rock Island, Illinois. Marjorie Hebdon Hindrichs born 1928 died May 1971 at Clinton, Iowa. James Oliver Hebdon Jnr born August 10th 1929 served in the American Air Force September 16th 1950-November 9th 1953, he died in 1983, Iowa, interred at Clinton Lawn Cemetery along with his wife Gertrude May McCoy 1929-1995. Their son James born January 29th 1963 served with the American Army, October 1st 1982-November 30th 1984, he died March 28th 1993 at Wood County, West Virginia. Terry Hebron born April 28th 1965 died at Morrison Community Hospital, Tuesday, July 11th 1989 as the result of an auto-train accident at Comanche, Clinton County, Iowa. Mentioned in his obituary is not only James but also a brother Steven and sisters Christine Hebron-Roling and Cheri Hebdon, details unknown.

James Hebdon born at Coldwell, Barnard Castle, County Durham in 1888 died in 1970 aged 82 years, his wife Annie Jane Hebdon nee Turpin aged 79 years in 1973, both registered at Clinton, Iowa and interred at Clinton Lawn Cemetery.

James’ mother Mary Hebdon nee Kirk died during the 2nd quarter 1935 aged 73 years, registered in the district of Lanchester. Matthew Thorpe Hebdon of 10, Burn Row, East Holywell, Northumberland died aged 83 years, February 16th 1940, at Victoria Terrace, Whitley Bay. Effects of 414 pounds and 5 pence were assigned to his son George Ernest Hebdon, coal miner.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.