From the Loess Hills of Iowa with The Descendents of Dennis Conyers

About the Book

Iva Agnes conyers grew up in Iowa in the 1890's. Orphaned at age eight, she suffered ill treatment and loneliness. Through hard work, grit and determination, she overcame her circumstances and became a teacher. In later life, she wrote her memoirs, which have been revised and expanded by her grandaughter, Arden Iva Sleadd. The book relates the events of Iva's early life; the death of her mother; living with her Mormon grandparents; the remarriage of her father; their move by covered wagon to Kansas and Idaho; the death of her father; and the heartbreak that followed. Includes brief memoirs by Iva's children and others who knew her, along with her personal photos.

Part Two of the book contains the Conyers family history, compiled by Terri Napoli. It contains over 3400 names of descendants, reflecting ten years of research, and includes the accounts of two other Conyers pioneers: Enoch Ward Conyers and John Hiram Conyers. Other surnames included are Hanscom, Hansen, Ballentyne, Hornback, Mitts, Mayfield, Vredenburgh, Horseman and many others.

About the Author

Terri: I don't descend from the Conyers, but my fiance does, John David Conyers. I've been addicted to genealogy since 1989. I've attempted for several years to gather information on my family to no avail. All my research is in Sicily and Sweden and it is very difficult gathering information. When I met John in 1992, he and his oldest son had just begun their research. I began helping them and soon took over. I have a Bachelor of Science in Business and many hobbies. I love photography, animals, reading scary books, creating scrapbooks, and, of course, genealogy.

John has four children: John (Gina), Kelly (Deb), Michael (Amy), and Karen. He was a heavy equipment operator of the gas company in Chicago for 31 years and retired in February 1997. He enjoys dog training, which is how we met.

Arden:Arden Sleadd is the home-educating mother of five children and a former music teacher. She began preparation of her grandmother's memoirs while in college in 1980. The present book is expanded to include historical and genealogical research in Iowa and Oregon. She resides with her husband John and children in Grants Pass, Oregon.