1900 U.S. Federal Census - Bible Grove Township, Clay County, Illinois, USA
Household:
James Connerly [Conley] (41)
Lelitia [Letitia] S Connerly (38)
Pheoby E Connerly (15)
Isavilla N J Connerly (16)
Hariett L Connerly (13)
Josiah Connerly (9)
Gowd [Gould] Connerly (2)

1910 U.S. Federal Census - Deer Creek Township, Custer County, Oklahoma, USA
Household:
William Conley (52) - Farmer (Brother of James M. Conley)
Nancy Conley (43) - wife
Jesse M Conley (20) - son
Leroy G Conley (15) - son
Nellie May Conley (13) - daughter
Hazel C Conley (2) - daughter
Josiah Conley (18) - Nephew - Occupation: Farm Laborer - Able to Read and Write

Oklahoma, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1890-1995
Name: Josiah A Conley - Gender: Male - Age: 23 - Birth Date: abt 1891
Marriage Date: 11 Apr 1914 - Marriage Place: Custer County, Oklahoma, USA
Spouse: Annie E Chastain

The Arapaho (Arapaho, OK) 17 Apr 1914, Fri. Page 2
MARRIAGE LICENSES: Josiah Conley 23 of Custer and Annie E Chastain 18 of Custer"

DEATH OF SISTER, PHOEBE ESTELLA CONLEY HANKS - 8 JUL 1914, NEOGA, CUMBERLAND, IL, USA

The Thomas Tribune (Thomas, Oklahoma) 5 Oct 1916, Thu. Page 2
"DEER CREEK ITEMS - Josiah Conley and wife spent Sunday at Joe Conley's."

U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Josiah Author Conley - County: Custer - State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Illinois, USA - Birth Date: 1 Jan 1891
REGISTRATION CARD:
Name in Full: Josiah Author Conley - Age: 26
Address: R.R.3, Custer County, Oklahoma
Date of Birth: Jan 1, 1891 - Where were you Born? Bible Grove, Illinois, USA
Occupation: Farmer for self - Dependents: Wife & Child
REGISTRAR'S REPORT:
Description: Medium height, Stout build with Brown eyes and Brown hair.

The Arapaho Bee 22 Jun 1917, Fri. Page 1 "CUSTER COUNTY'S (65) SOLDIER BOYS - Includes: Thomas Earl Conley, James Elsie Conley, JOSIAH AUTHOR CONLEY, Edward William Conley and Jessie Monroe Conley."

1920 U.S. Federal Census - Grant Township, Custer County, Oklahoma, USA
Household:
Josiah A Conley (29) - Occupation: Farmer - Able to Read and Write - Living on a rented farm
Anna Conley (23) - wife
Loyd Conley (4) - son

BIRTH OF SON - DEWANE WINSTON CONLEY
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: Josiah A Conley - Spouse: Annie Chastain - Child: Dewane Winston Conley - Birth: 16 May 1921 - Birth Place: Custer, Custer, Oklahoma, USA .

BIRTH OF DAUGHTER -DOROTHY JUANITA CONLEY
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: Josiah A Conley - Spouse: Anna E Chastain - Child: Dorothy Juanita Conley - Birth: 10 Aug 1923 - Birth Place: Custer City, Custer, Oklahoma, USA.

1930 U.S. Federal Census - Grant Township, Custer County, Oklahoma, USA
Residence: Living on a rented farm with a farm house.
Household:
Josiah A Conley (39) - Occupation: Farmer - Able to Read and Write
Anna E Conley (34) - wife
Lloyd O Conley (14) - son
Dwane W Conley (9) - son
Juanita D Conley (6) - daughter
Clifford L Conley (3) - son

Custer Courier (Custer City, Oklahoma) 8 May 1930, Thu. Page 6
"Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Conley were called to Jacksonville, Ill. last week by the serious illness of Mr. Conley's mother."

DEATH OF MOTHER - MRS. LETITIA ANN CONLEY
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 23 May 1930, Fri. Page 7
"Neoga, Ill., May 23 -- Mrs. Letitia Ann Conley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Squire Smith of Clay County, passed away at Jacksonville Saturday.

She was born October 29, 1862, and was married to James M. Conley, also of Clay County, January 12, 1881. To this union were born six children, three of whom preceded her in death. The three surviving are Mrs. Grant Young of Neoga, Joseph A. Conley of Custer, Okla., and Gould Conley of Cleburne, Texas. .."

Clinton Daily News (Clinton, Oklahoma) 11 Aug 1932, Thu. Page 4
"PUTNAM - Josiah Conley thrashed sweet clover for Ed White Wednesday."

DEATH OF SON - LLOYD CONLEY
Clinton Daily News (Clinton, Oklahoma) 4 Apr 1933, Tue. Page 3
"Loyd Conley, the 16-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Conley died Tuesday night at the Thomas Hospital after an illness of several weeks. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at Thomas. He leaves to mourn his going besides his parents, a brother and sister. The Putnam school was dismissed Thursday and a group of classmates attended the services. ..."

Clinton Daily News (Clinton, Oklahoma) 19 Aug 1937, Thu. Page 7
"PUTNAM - Mr. and Mrs. Ed Conley returned last week from New Mexico and Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Conley and family returned Thursday from a two weeks vacation in Colorado."

1940 U.S. Federal Census - Harrison Township, Dewey County, Oklahoma, USA
Residence: The family is living in a rented farm house and Josiah is working on his own account.
Inferred Residence in 1935: Harrison, Dewey, Oklahoma, USA.
Household:
Josiah A Conley (49) - Respondent: Yes - Occupation: Farmer - Education, Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 4th grade.
Anna Conley (44) - wife
Dewane Conley (18) - son
Juanita Conley (16) - daughter
Clifford Conley (13) - son

U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
Name: Josiah Arthur Conley - Age: 51
Birth Date: 1 Jan 1891 - Residence Year: 1942 - Residence: Putnam, Oklahoma, USA
REGISTRATION CARD:
Name: Josiah Arthur Conley - Residence: Putnam, Dewey, Oklahoma
Age: 51 - Date of Birth: Jan. 1, 1891 - State: Illinois
Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Anna Conley, Putnam, Oklahoma
Employer: Self
REGISTRAR'S REPORT
Race: White - Height: 5' 11" - Weight: 165 Lbs -Blue Eyes with Gray Hair and Dark Complexion

Taloga Times-Advocate (Taloga, Oklahoma) 12 Aug 1943, Thu. Page 2
"Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Conley entertained a number of friends at a birthday dinner Sunday in honor of her mother, Mrs. Chastain. Dwayne Conley and family of Thomas and Juanita Conley of Clinton were home for the occasion"

1950 U.S. Federal Census - Medina County, Texas, USA
Household:
Josiah A Conley (59) - Occupation: Farmer - Worker Class: Own Business
Anna E Conley (54) - wife
Clifford L Conley (22) - son

The Hondo Anvil Herald (Hondo, Texas) 18 Jan 1952, Fri. Page 2
"Mr. and Mrs. Joe Connally took quite a trip recently, first to Sweetwater to visit David Ezel; to Plainview, to visit Mrs. Joe H. Hale and family and a son, Clifford Connally, then to Oklahoma where they visited another son, Dewane and family, and Mrs. Connally's mother, Mrs. Mary Chastain, and a brother, Frank Chastain and family. They report a pleasant trip with not much cold weather and no snow at all. They returned by way of Wichita Falls to visit an aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hayes."

The Clinton News (Clinton, Oklahoma) 4 Jun 1954, Fri. Page 3
"NEWS FROM PUTNAM - The annual Conley family reunion was attended by 51 people Sunday, May 30. All the children of Joe Conley were present, and all of Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Howell's children and grandchildren attended.

Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Conley of Texas are visiting relatives and friends."

U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Name: Josiah Conley - Birth: 1 Jan 1891 - Death Date: Oct 1963
Issue Year: 1955 - Issue State: Texas

Texas, U.S., Death Index, 1903-2000
Name: Josiah A Conley - Death Date: 4 Oct 1963 - Death County: Lubbock - Certificate: 65333

Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982
Name: Josely [Josiah] A. Conley - Birth Date: 1 Jan 1891 - Birth Place: Bible Grove, Illinois
Gender: Male - Race: White
Residence: Natalia, Medina, Texas
Father: James Conley - Mother: Laticra [Letitia] Smith
Age at Death: 72 - Date of Death: 4 Oct 1963 - Death Place: Lubbock, Lubbock, Texas, USA
DEATH CERTIFICATE:
State File No. 65333
Place of Death: Lubbock, Lubbock, Texas - Length of Stay: 7 weeks - Hospital: West Texas Hospital - Place of Death Inside City Limits? Yes
Usual Residence: Natalia, Medina, Texas - Residence Inside City Limits? Yes
Name of Deceased: Josiah A. Conley - Date of Death: Oct 4, 1963 - Sex: Male - Race: White - Married
Date of Birth: Jan. 1, 1891 - Age: 72 - Birthplace: Bible Grove, IL, USA
Father's Name: James Conley - Mother's Maiden Name: [Letitia] Smith
Was Deceased Ever in U.S. Armed Forces? No
Informant: Anna Conley
Cause of Death: Cardio-respiratory collapse (Immediate) due to Pneumonia, anemia and atelectasis (17 days) due to ASCVHD (Undetermined)
Death occurred at 5:50 p.m. - Removal to Beck Cemetery, Thomas, Oklahoma on Oct. 5, 1963

The Thomas Tribune (Thomas, Oklahoma) 10 Oct 1963, Thu. Page 9
"NEWS FROM PUTNAM by Mrs. Ray Garman

Mrs. Wanda Lee Davis and Mrs. Huell Watt were visiting Mrs. Ollie Foust on Monday and attended the funeral of Joe Conley at Thomas in the afternoon."

The Thomas Tribune (Thomas, Oklahoma) 10 Oct 1963, Thu. Page 1
"CONLEY RITES HELD TUESDAY

Funeral services for Josiah A. Conley, 72 year old former resident of the Putnam area, were held Tuesday afternoon in the Lockstone Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. William Chace, pastor of the Methodist Church, officiating.

Born in Illinois, he passed away on October 4 at Lubbock, Texas. Burial was in the Beck Cemetery, near Thomas."

JAMES M. CONLEY and LEITITA ANN SMITH FAMILY HISTORY

LETITIA ANN SMITH CONLEY (mother of Josiah Arthur Conley) - Photo to left: Letitia, Phoebe holding daughter, Alice Harriette Hanks, and Gould Conley.
Letitia Ann Smith Conley was committed to the Kankakee State Hospital, Kankakee, Kankakee, Illinois, USA around 1910. The 1910 U.S. Federal Census could not be found for the Kankakee State Hospital. The 1920 U.S. Federal Census places Letitia Conley at the Kankakee State Hospital as a patient. Around January of 1927, Letitia was transferred to the Jacksonville State Hospital for the insane; listed as an inmate on the census report. She died 17 May 1930 at 5:15 a.m. as a result of cancer of the head. Letitia Ann Smith Conley is buried at Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois, USA in the Ulysses Grant Young, Sr.

JAMES M. CONLEY (father of Josiah Arthur Conley)
After the commitment of his wife, Letitia, to the state hospital at Kankakee, James Conley was not able to care for Josiah or Gould Conley, his two young boys. Gould was sent to live with his sister, Phoebe Conley Hanks and Josiah went to live with his Uncle William Thomas Conley in Custer County, Oklahoma, USA. The 1910 U.S. Federal Census places James M. Conley in his sister's household in Grant Township, Custer County, Oklahoma, near his brother, William's residence. His sister, Vinoa "Vina" Ellen Conley Graus was living with her husband, Frank, and their three children: Harold, Ruby and Ralph Graus. The Marital Status of James Conley is listed as DIVORCED on the census report and he was working as a farm laborer. If anyone in the Conley family knows what happened to James M. Conley or his daughter, Hariett Conley, please contact his 2nd Great-Granddaughter at [email protected].

PHOEBE ESTELLA CONLEY HANKS (sister of Josiah Arthur Conley)
Phoebe Estella Conley married Thomas Price Hanks, Jr. 3 Jul 1906 in Effingham, Effingham, Illinois. He was about 58 years old and Phoebe was only 24 years old when they married. They had one child, Alice Harriette Hanks born 13 Jan 1909 in Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois. In April 1910, Gould Conley was living in his sister's household following the commitment of their mother, Letitia Ann Conley to the Kankakee State Hospital. When Phoebe became ill, Gould Conley moved west and by the 1920 U.S. Federal Census he was found in Ranger, Eastland, Texas, USA working in the oil fields. Phoebe died 8 Jul 1914 of tuberculosis in Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois, USA. Aunt Icy Young became a caring aunt for Alice, as she helped Thomas Price with her raising. Aunt Icy's children were considered siblings rather than cousins through out the life of Alice Harriette Hanks. This line of the Conley family remained very close until their deaths.

ICYVILLA "Aunt Icy" NANCY JANE CONLEY YOUNG (sister of Josiah Arthur Conley)
IcyVilla Nancy Jane Conley married Ulysses Grant Young, Sr. 1 Nov 1903 in Toledo, Cumberland, Illinois. On 19 Apr 1910, they were living in Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois, USA on Toledo Road. Their 1st child, Raymond Young was born in 1904 and died the same year. They had three living children: Dorothea born 1906 (special needs child). Dorothy married Dewey Werth and had no children, they lived with Dewey's parents throughout their married life; Ruby Young born 1908, she married William David Checkley and had no children; and Frank R Young born 1910 (special needs child). Frank R. Young lived in a care facility in the latter parts of his life. Blanche Young was born 1913 and died the same year. Mary Jane Young was born in 1914 (special needs child) and lived with family all her life, she never married. Then in 1917, Ulysses Grant "Bud" Young, Jr. was born. Bud was a farmer in Illinois and he and his wife, Charline Ellen Starwalt raised a son, Larry Grant Young. In 1922, Aunt Icy gave birth to a set of twins, Virginia Maxine "Ginny" and Virgil Dean Young. Virgil Dean died at three months and 6 days and Virginia lived to marry Charles Fredrick Ister and adopted a daughter.

HARIETT L. CONLEY (sister of Josiah Arthur Conley)
Hariett L. Conley is listed in the household of James Connerly (Conley) on 15 Jun 1900 in Bible Grove Township, Clay County, Illinois, USA. In 1910, she would have been about 23 years old. It is unknown if she passed away or married before 1910. Died before 17 May 1930 - Source: Obituary of Letitia Conley.

MATTIE ANGEL CONLEY - (sister of Josiah Arthur Conley)
Mattie Conley was born in 1888 and died the same year. The burial place of Mattie Conley is unknown.

JOSIAH ARTHUR CONLEY
After the confinement of his mother, Letitia Conley, Josiah was sent to live with his Uncle William Thomas Conley and his wife, Nancy Ann Ooton Conley in Deer Creek Township, Custer County, Oklahoma, USA. The 1910 U.S. Federal Census for Deer Creek Township, Custer County, Oklahoma confirms his presence in the household. He remained with his aunt and uncle until his marriage to Anna Elizabeth Chastain 11 Apr 1914 in Custer County, Oklahoma, USA.

GOULD CONLEY (brother of Josiah Arthur Conley)
The 1910 U.S. Federal Census for Phoebe Conley Hanks tells us she was living on Maple Street, Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois with her husband, Thomas P. Hanks, along with their daughter, Alice Hanks, who was born on January 13, 1909 in Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois, USA. Gould Conley, brother of Phoebe, was also living in the household. He was listed as a grandson; however, that was incorrect. His sister, Phoebe, died on July 8, 1914 after a prolonged illness of tuberculosis. When his sister became ill, Gould went west to live and on 26 Feb 1920 he is found in Ranger, Eastland, Texas, USA working the oil fields. In 1920 or 1921, he married Beatrice Claudia Black and together they had four children. Gould Conley remained in contact with his Illinois relatives throughout the years.