James Haley Mettes 19 April 1888 or 1889 - 1967 James Haley Mettes, circa 1908 James Haley Mettes was born on 19th April 1888 or 1889. James Haley married Mary Leona Delaney. The photo on the left is part of a picture of James Haley and Mary Leona, taken around the time of their wedding, circa 1908. James Haley and Mary Leona had eight children. Of the smaller photos below, the one on the left shows James Haley with his son Bernard Adrian and the one on the right shows Mary Leona - these photos are parts of a group photo at the Healy Settlement, taken 11 July 1921. James Haley and Bernard Adrian Mary Leona   James Haley Mettes was born as the third child in the family of six children of John Simon Mettes and Mary Ann (Mollie) Lynch. The photo below is part of a family picture of John Simon and Molly with their five oldest children. James Haley Mettes, circa 1893 James Haley was fortunate to have a civil service job during the Depression. James Haley was a postman in the Macon, Atlanta, and Edina areas, as well as in Kansas City. He was able to support his family while others were having a tough time. Sometimes on his postal route he would deliver sample boxes of cereal. He was known to stuff the mailboxes of the needy families with as many samples as would fit in the mailbox. His original routes were through the country where he would ride a horse or use a buggy. As his children grew up he had an opportunity to take a postal job in Kansas City. In this way his children knew both rural and urban life. How did James Haley Mettes and Mary Leona Delaney get together? The story goes that as a young Irish lass, Mary Leona Delaney hit her croquette ball all the way across the court and hit the ball of a young Dutch lad, James Haley Mettes. James had no chance after being smitten by this young lady. The marriage and eight children were inevitable. The marriage took place around 1908. James Haley and Mary Leona lost one son (Glennon Mettes) as a young boy and another (Joseph Denver Mettes) who was an Army pilot shot down over New Guinea. Two other sons also served during WWII. One was a Navy pilot (Anthony Merle Mettes) and another (Bernard Adrian Mettes) was wounded during service in the Pacific.  [ source: Mettes Family Recollections1 by Chris Mettes ] The photo on this page shows James with Bernard Adrian. This photo is part of a group photo at the Healy Settlement, taken 11 July 1921. James and Mary had seven children: 1. Irene 16 jan 1910 - oct 1973 Irene 2. Glennon (Glennen), 1912 - 1920 3. Mary Lorene, born 28 Sep 1914 - 4. Joseph Denver, 1916 - 1944 5. Bernard Adrian (Mark), 10 Oct 1919 - 14 Jul 1994 (Mark was given name as a religious brother) Mark 6. Anthony Merle, born 13 Jan 1922 - Anthony Merle 7. Robert Lee (Hilary), born 12 Dec 1923 - (Hilary was given name as a religious brother) Hilary 8. Constance Fern (Connie), born 11 Dec 1926 Connie James Haley Mettes died in 1967. back to Mettes family tree page [photos provided by Chris Mettes and David Garth Mettes]