Katherine Elizabeth Maynard, born March 8, 1867, in Perryville, Ind., was known since childhood as "Dollie." In 1884 she and her parents, Victor and Lucy McCormick Maynard, came to Dade City. Two years later, in 1886, she married Col. JA. Hendley, a young lawyer who had just returned from the Constitutional Convention of 1885. Hendley, who started practicing law at age 14 in Texas, was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1885 that enacted the Florida Constitution. He also was the first senator from Pasco County, but he retired after four years. He returned to politics in 1945, at age 95, as a representative in the Florida Legislature. There were many political and social functions at the Hendley home, and activities of the many organizations Dollie Hendley was instrumental in founding. The mother of one son, physician J.R. Hendley, one of Dollie Hendleys earliest activities was organizing and teaching a large class of young men in the Baptist Sunday school. She led them in efforts to build the new church, and her class presented a memorial window as a gift to her. When the Dade City Woman's Club was organized in 1905 as the Woman's Civic Club, Dollie Hendley was there as one of the leading spirits and for 17 years served as the president. It was under her leadership that the club diligently worked for city beautification, better schools and better health conditions. Through the club Hendley also was instrumental in getting the first home demonstration agents, now extension agents, in Pasco County. And, as club president, she called for a mass meeting for the reorganization of the chamber of commerce in 1922. The current Dade City Woman's Club building on Palm Avenue was also built under her leadership. Hendley took a prominent role in the state Federation of Woman's Clubs, serving as vice president. She organized the Pasco County Federation of Woman's Club about 1920. Other accomplishments include helping organize the Fort Dade Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1929. She served as organizing regent and then regent and was a member of state and national DAR committees. But Hendley's most outstanding service was during war when, as county chairwoman of the National Red Cross, she organized the agency into working units of "practically every woman in the county and inspired them with such enthusiasm for their work that they more than fulfilled the requests of the government," according to information from her obituaries in the Dade City Banner. After a long illness, Dollie Hendley died June 7, 1935, at age 67, just days before the holiday she encouraged as a tribute to fathers. Pieces of the Past is a weekly column to help newcomers, old-timers and anyone in between learn more about Pasco County's colorful history.

The Tampa Tribune - 07 May 2004, Fri