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Ophelia "Phe" Ann Heatley

Ophelia "Phe" Ann Heatley, born September 3, 1861, on the banks of Cherry Creek and the Platte River, in Colorado Territory. Daughter of Francis Perrin Heatley and Ellen O'Hanlon Heatley. The family came by covered wagon, drawn by oxen, from Chicago, Illinois, arriving in St. Charles/Auraria about June 6, 1860. Wagon trains arrived daily from the East.

"Phe" was their first child born in the frontier town. They had endured dust, heat and Indians, making their way West with two little girls.

Francis Frank Heatley and Ellen O'Hanlon were married September 25, 1853, possibly in Chicago, where he had been a riverboat captain on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. He was twenty three years old and was born in New York, in 1830, possibly Orange or Ulster County, of English parentage. His father's name, not known. His mother's name was Mary Jane Heatley (maiden name not known, but possibly Perrin), born January of 1796. Ellen O'Hanlon was nineteen years old, born December 22, 1834 in County Kerry, Ireland, in a castle where her mother was a Lady-In-Waiting. She was the daughter of Jeremiah and Margaret Scanlon O'Hanlon. Ellen had a twin sister, Bridget and some brothers.

Eight children were born to this marriage, three before moving west:

1. Ophelia Ann Heatley, (#1) b: May 24, 1855 Chicago, Illinois, d: August 5, 1856
2. Mary Jane "Mollie" Heatley, b: February 10, 1857, Indiana
3. Margaret Ellen "Nell" Heatley, b: May 12, 1859, Indiana
4. Ophelia Ann Heatley, (#2) b: September 3, 1861, Denver City-Colorado Territory
5. Francis "Frank" Heatley, b: October 4, 1863, Denver City-Colorado Territory
6. Herbert "Hub" Heatley, b: October 14, 1865, Denver City-Colorado Territory
7. Edward "Ed" Heatley, b: April 11, 1868, Chicago, Illinois
8. Flora "Flo" Heatley, b: October 2, 1870, Chicago, Illinois

Ophelia Ann was the favorite name of Frank P. Heatley. When the first Ophelia died in infancy, it was decided to give the name to their fourth daughter. The nickname, "Phe" stayed with her all her life.

The family lived at first and Ferry Street, near the confluence of the Platte River and Cherry Creek. This area was called "Indian Row" as there were Indian tepees there, before log cabins were built and then permanent homes in a few short years. The streets were later changed to Eleventh and Wewatta Streets.

Ophelia remembered traveling by flatboat, (houseboat), from someplace in Montana, down the river to St. Louis, Missouri, when she was about three years old. The father had owned a steamship line. She also remembered a black cook who used to threaten her with kisses that would make her black. In later years, this same cook, "Old Cal" still came to see the family and brought broken cookies for the children.

When Ophelia was seven, she and her sisters "Mollie" and "Nell" attended school at Wolfe Hall, a private school for young women only. The school, sponsored by the Episcopal Church, was located at Seventeenth and Champa St. In 1889, the school moved to Thirteenth and Clarkson Streets. Their brothers attended a private Catholic School for boys. Later "Phe" boarded one year at the Convent at Loretta Heights, where she met Kit Dunphey, who attended Day School. They became good friends.

At the age of nine years, Ophelia and her sister "Mollie" joined the Catholic Church, being Baptized, received their first Communion and were confirmed all on the same day, at the beautiful new St. Mary's Cathedral between Fifteenth and Sixteenth and California and Stout Streets. The sister, "Nell" did not join the Catholic Church.

The Heatley family may be related to Edward Joseph Heatley, who emigrated from County Wicklow, Ireland, where he was born September 3, 1843, son of Dr. William Emerson Heatley and Elizabeth Cullen Heatley, settling first in Little Rock, Arkansas before moving to Iowa. Edward J. Heatley moved west in 1864 and became a prominent merchant around Golden, Colorado. He died in Denver, Colorado, January 10, 1912. He may be the cousin that went to Ireland with Frank and Ellen, when Frank died at sea, September 2, 1870 (on an ocean voyage,) of pneumonia that resulted in Quick Consumption, (Tuberculosis.) He was buried in the Atlantic Ocean and was 40 years old.

The mother, Ellen, stayed in Ireland just long enough for the next boat back to the United States, returning to Chicago on Saturday, October 1, 1870. On Sunday, October 2, 1870, her eighth child, Flora, "Flo" was born, a month after her husband's death. The mother returned to her family in Denver, where she continued to raise her family alone. This was quite a tragedy for the large family.

Mr. Heatley had been a partner in the "Heatley and Chase Progressive Club," a Gambling Parlor and Saloon between 14th and 15th streets on Blake St, with "Big Ed" Chase. The establishment was one of the better known saloons of its time. On April 19, 1863, it was destroyed in the "Great Fire," which completely leveled the entire business heart of the city. Heatley and Chase rebuilt their business with pink brick, made from local clay. This may have been the beginning of the "Palace Theater," as dates vary in different accounts. The history of the business is listed under Francis P. Heatley's biography.

Upon the death of Phe's father, Ed Chase continued in the flourishing business and managed it, giving his partner's widow a share of the profits and of several real estate holdings they had around Denver. Since she was not a business woman, it was felt she didn't always receive her fair share and the family knew many hard times. When "Phe"s brother, Herbert was old enough to work, he went to work for Mr. Chase and looked out for his mother's interests.

Ophelia and her brothers and sisters liked listening to stories told about their father, when he was a riverboat captain, on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Many trips were made to Dubuque, Iowa. Edward Joseph Heatley also lived in Dubuque at one time.

When Ophelia was about seventeen years old, she and her friend Kit Dunphey opened up a millinery shop in Georgetown, Colorado. While in Georgetown, they persuaded the engineer of the train to let them ride on the cowcatcher, from Georgetown to Idaho Springs, about an eight mile ride.

In Georgetown, Ophelia met Eugene Stevens, who had come from Joliet, Illinois, about April of 1876. He was born in Joliet, February 17, 1854, son of John W. and Harriette (Deverson) Stevens. He had two brothers, Walter and Irving Stevens. Their history listed under Eugene Stevens.

July 28, 1880, Eugene and Ophelia were married, in Denver, by a Priest from St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church. It is related that when Ophelia told her mother she was marrying Eugene, the mother said, "You have made your bed, now you will have to lay in it." Apparently there were ill feelings about the marriage, due to religious beliefs.

After the marriage of Ophelia, Kit Dunphey returned to Denver, where she established a prominent millinery shop. Later in life, Ophelia always wore beautiful hats, probably from Kit's shop.

Eugene and Ophelia moved from Georgetown to the Red Elephant Mine, a mile above Lawson, Colorado. The mining history is listed under Eugene Stevens, here, Georgetown and in Leadville, Colorado. Two children were born at the Red Elephant.

Five children were born at Leadville:

1. Leo Irving Stevens, b: June 12, 1881, Red Elephant Mine, Lawson, Colorado
2. Ella Katherine Stevens, b: January 25, 1883, Red Elephant Mine, Lawson, Colorado
3. Edgar Clarence Stevens, b: November 15, 1884, Leadville, Colorado
4. Jean Stevens, b: December 20, 1886, Leadville Colorado
5. Viola Irene Stevens, b: February 3, 1889, Leadville, Colorado

After the Red Elephant Mine closed, Eugene and Ophelia moved to Leadville, Colorado, in the spring of 1883, with their two small children, Leo and Ella, where Eugene became well known in mining. Around Georgetown he studied geological formations of the mining districts and followed all branches of mining, working there for seven years and held every position in and about mines. His knowledge concerning mines and mining was wholly practical and he acquired his knowledge of the mining business from start to finish by these methods.

In Leadville, he learned Assaying in the office of Hershey and Woods,110 E. Fifth St, next door to Augusta Tabor's home, which later became a museum. In the city directory of 1890-1891, he was listed as an Assayer and Chemist, in his own office at 100 E. Fourth St, where he had the most complete facilities available. In the directory of 1884, the family was listed at 528 E. Seventh St, but Edgar was born at 205 E. Fourth St. in November 1884. In the book, "Mines and Mining Men of Colorado," in the Denver Public Library, Eugene is listed as one of the most prominent assayers of the great Carbonate Camp. The thoroughness and accuracy of his work, secured for him the confidence of all whom he had business dealings with. His work consisted mainly of control assaying on ore settlements and umpire control work, where referee assaying was necessary, for a settlement between miner and the smelter. For five years he did the check work on the American Smelter bullion.

There are pictures of the assay office on E. Fifth St. and it looks exactly like the one on E. Fourth St, that was torn down to make room for a bank drive-in. All that is standing on the one on E. Fifth St., is the brick kiln and the smokestack, as late as the early 1990's, next door to Augusta Tabor's Museum. There is a photo of the kiln, in the family files.

The children's histories are listed separately and partially under Eugene Stevens.

In Leadville, the family attended Annunciation Catholic Church, where the children were Baptized by Reverend H. Robison. Edgar on January 25, 1885 and Jean in April of 1887. No dates available for the other children. Eugene was a Baptist, by faith and this may have been a factor several years later when a divorce shattered the family over birth control. The children attended Leadville Public Schools.

About 1890, the children contracted Scarlet Fever, (Diphtheria)-there were conflicting stories as to which disease it was. Edgar, at the age of seven years, was left with a loss of smell and of hearing, which impaired his hearing the rest of his life. On March 7, 1891, the youngest daughter, Viola Irene died of Malignant Scarlet Fever, at the age of two years. On March 7, 1892, a year to the day, the oldest daughter, Ella Katharine died of Dropsy, at nine years of age. They were both buried in Calvary Cemetery, in Denver. When the cemetery was moved to make way for Cheeseman Park and the Denver Botanical Gardens, their bodies were not moved as the mother felt they had been there so long, there was nothing left to move.

During the early years in Leadville, Ophelia had a woman come in to do the family washing. There were no conveniences such as we have today. Water had to be hauled and was purchased from water wagons for 25 cents a barrel. The water man came by daily and stopped whenever the water sign was out. He carried the water in huge buckets, eight of them at a time and filled the water barrel. A ticket was given, marked in buckets and the water man punched it each time. Milk was purchased the same way. The tickets were marked in quarts, at 5 cents a quart. The milk man brought milk in a 2 quart can and poured one quart into a lard pail, which was the container the family had. There was no refrigeration in those days and milk and water was not wasted. Food and clothing wasn't wasted either. After the Silver Panic of 1893, Eugene decided to take Edgar, at the age of nine years to his mother, Harriett Stevens Bush's home in Joliet, Illinois, at 224 North Hickory St, to see if the lower climate and better medical help would improve Edgar's hearing, but to no avail. He left his son there and returned to Leadville.

Early in the spring of 1894, Eugene asked his wife for a divorce, saying there was another woman. It was related that when Ophelia asked Eugene what he wanted for supper that evening, he stated, "I might not come home at all." This, with all the other tragedy in her life, was quite a blow to her, especially due to her religious faith, that did not believe in divorce.

The family compared this to that of Augusta Tabor's life, whence a hard working, economical, courageous wife was deserted for the younger, more frivolous, extravagant woman. The Silver Panic and the loss of their children caused considerable pressure on both Eugene and Ophelia. She held her head high and with a breaking heart, gave him the divorce he wanted.

Eugene did nothing to support the family in Leadville, but did support the son, Edgar in Illinois. At the time of the divorce, Ophelia asked for alimony instead of child support. The alimony was denied and no child support was granted, setting a precedence for future cases. It was related that Eugene went to South America for two years, until the statue of limitations ran out, so he wouldn't have to pay child support, thus making part of the family bitter toward him, as he deserted his children in Colorado.

May 6, 1896, Eugene married Ino Thomas Kissell, who divorced her husband, a wealthy business man in Leadville. They were married in Buena Vista, in Chaffee County, Colorado, where Eugene held some mining interests in several mines.

Ophelia remained in Leadville, maintaining herself and two children, Leo and Jean, by cooking for miners and taking in washings and working very hard. Leo was twelve years old and did odd jobs to help his mother. He also helped in his father's assay office. In the fall of 1894, Leo and Jean, who was about eight years old, went to Denver to attend school, living with the grandmother, Ellen O'Hanlon Heatley, in the big house at 347 Bannock St, where so many of the family returned in time of sorrow or trouble. Ophelia went East to get her son, Edgar and when she saw how well he was being taken care of, she decided to leave him, as she knew what a struggle she was having taking care of the two children in Colorado.

In Joliet, Edgar attended public school and went to the University of Illinois, at Champaign/Urbana for two years. About 1904, he returned to Colorado for his sister Jean's eighteenth birthday, December 20, 1904 and it is felt he possibly stayed in Colorado, as there was a history of him having worked at Eagle, Colorado and for a Dairy on Sand Creek, east of Denver, but the time element is not known.

June 9, 1909, Edgar married Mary Ellen Jackson, whom he had met in Champaign, while attending college. They were married at her aunt and uncle, Mary and Will Robinson's farm, near Holdredge, Nebraska. Upon moving to Colorado, they lived in Idaho Springs, Sugarloaf and North Denver, before moving to West Denver, where they raised their family. Five children born to this marriage, two died at birth. Their history listed separately.

After attending school in Denver, it is believed Leo went to Regis College. June 28, 1905, he married Helen Fink, in Denver. Three sons born to this marriage are listed separately. There are different versions on Leo's death. Leo died on October 26,1919, at the age of 38 years. One version is that he died from Peritonitis, following a horse and buggy accident on the Colfax and Larimer Street viaduct. The horse bolted at the sound of a street-car and turned the buggy over. Another version is that Leo was driving some men to work and that a horse bolted in front of them and caused an accident and he died from his injuries. Another version stated that he was ill and was operated on and died at 5 o'clock, Sunday morning. No mention of what the illness was, (It was stated, he had appendicitis.) He was buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, where his mother and wife were later buried beside him.

Jean Stevens attended Sherman School and returned to Leadville for one year. Then back to Denver, where she graduated from West Denver High School, (where Baker Junior High School is now.) In 1893, it was at West Fifth Ave and Twelfth St. Sherman School was built in 1893, at East Second Ave and Sherman St. After graduating from High School, Jean attended Teacher's College in Greeley, Colorado, returning to Leadville where she taught Elementary School for one year.

With her children grown and gone from home, Ophelia sold the home in Leadville and moved to Frisco, Colorado to cook for miners in a boarding house. Jean returned here and met Thomas F. Riley, a miner. They were married December 16, 1908 at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Denver, with a breakfast at 347 Bannock St. Jean and Tom had six children.

Ophelia returned to the family home, where she helped her mother, Ellen O'Hanlon Heatly care for other members of the family who became too ill to care for themselves. She and her mother and sister "Nell" became "Mothers"" to her older sister Mollie's children, after she died in childbirth. For about eight years, she was like a mother to Mae, Gertie, Frank and Regina Hagar, the baby who lived with Grandma Heatley until she was eighteen years old, when she died. Frank went to boarding school, Mae and Gertie attended St. Mary's Academy.

After the mother, Ellen, died in 1910, Ophelia and "Nell" kept house for their two brothers, Herbert, "Hub" and Frank. "Nell" died in 1923 and "Phe" became the "Housekeeper" of #347 and a Practical Nurse, performing a "Labor of Love" for mother's and their new babies in the family.

Ophelia was fifteen years older than her niece, Mae Hagar and even when she was struggling to make a living in Leadville, Mae was always welcome at Phe's home. Here Mae told her of the young man in her life, Frank Gardell, whom Mae married February 7, 1901. When their children were born, "Phe" helped with their births and stayed in the home, doing what she could. Frank Gardell was always glad to have her. Then she would return to her duties at "347," where she had taken over the reins.

There were many deaths among the Heatley and Hagar families in the next few years. In October, 1919 when Leo Stevens died, he left three young sons to be raised by their mother, Helen, alone. At Leo's funeral, "Phe" was kneeling down in prayer and her former husband, Eugene reached down and took her hand, saying, "if I had stayed with you, I would have been a wealthy man today," thus expressing regret he had divorced her many years before.

In spite of all her sorrow and tragedy, Ophelia remained jolly, witty and had a good sense of humor. She loved to tell stories of the "Olden" days, to her grandchildren and great nieces and nephews, of the great Ice-Palace in Leadville and the many experiences in her life. She was idolized by her grandchildren, remembering how she used to ride the Inter-urban Street Car to Boulder and ride with the mailman on his wagon to Sugarloaf, to visit the Riley family. After the dishes were done, she played games with the children, in the evenings. Ophelia could only go when Frank was willing to cook for "Hub."

Her two nieces, Mae and Gertie, would ride the street car to West Fourth Ave. and Broadway and walk to "347," for lunch and a visit with "Phe." Gertie had married James C. Sweeney and they had two children, Dorothy and James Jr. Irene Gardell had more time to spend with Aunt "Phe," as she went to school about 1 and 1/2 miles away, in the mid 1920's and spent the night with her, watching her put her hair up in "Kid Curlers." They walked to the local movie house 6 blocks away.

Emma May Stevens remembers the Holiday Dinners at her Grandmother's house. All the plates were put in front of Uncle "Hub" and he cut the meat and served the plates. The children ate what was put in front of them and didn't say, "I don't like that." Grandma Stevens made lots of apple pies. She peeled a dish pan full of apples and the pie was served with a piece of cheese. She wore long sleeved dresses and the sleeves were rolled up while she cooked. If the doorbell rang, she rolled down the sleeves and buttoned the cuffs, before she answered the door. Emma May went to visit with her parents and Grandma let her stay overnight, washing out her clothes, drying and ironing them, so she had clean ones to put on the next day.

July 10, 1930, Ophelia died at her daughter's home in Boulder, of Myocarditis, 68 years, 10 months old. She is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Section 9, Block 4, Lot 17, next to her son, Leo. His wife, Helen, was buried there when she died, August 11, 1968.

The book, Our State, Colorado by Hafen & Hafen (page 173), states, "Private and Church Schools were the first to give instructions beyond the grade school level." There wasn't a public school or high school in the territory the first decade. In 1864, Colorado Seminary, later the University of Denver, was established by the Methodists. St. Mary's Academy was begun by the Sisters of Loretto, during the same year. In 1868, Denver's Wolfe Hall, a school for girls, was opened by the Episcopal Church. Ophelia's "Ship of State," was always on a steady course and with her at the helm, it glided smoothly over the stormy seas of life. For her, I hope we have lived better lives. I know I have been able to meet life's stormy seas with smoother sailing. Thanks to the "Grand Lady of 347."

With this history of the family settling in Colorado Territory, by 1861, they were classified as a "Territorial Family of Colorado," with Ophelia's birth qualifying her for membership and her descendants, children, grandchildren, etc., and anyone coming after her, now can be qualified for membership. The Heatley history has been sent to the "Colorado Territorial Family" program, having been researched and prepared by Emma May Stevens Noland and her daughter, Mary Wilson Miller, through many long hours of hunting information, contact with cousins and typing long pages of history.

Thanks to our grandmother, we are a part of the History of Colorado. We are proud of her being born in Colorado as she was the start of 6 (six) generations born here, five in Denver and one in Leadville.

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