Updated: 06 Sep 2009

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Hereford, Nora
Sapulpa Herald, Creek Co. OK
July 27, 1939

MRS. HEREFORD IS TAKEN BY DEATH
PIONEER RESIDENT CAME TO SAPULPA IN 1901; RITES ARE TOMORROW

Mrs. Nora Hereford, widow of the late J. O. Hereford died at 10:20 o’clock last night at her home, 902 South Hickory, after a lengthy illness, at the age of 83 years.

Funeral services will be held at 10 am tomorrow at the Lewis and Landrith funeral home with Rev. Edgar D. Salkeld, pastor of the First Christian church in charge.

Burial will be in South Heights. 

She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. C. L. Armstrong of Portland, one son, Guy Hereford, with whom she lived. There are also three grandchildren.

The death of Mrs. Hereford marks the passing of another Sapulpa pioneer citizen. The family came to Oklahoma in 1897 and to Sapulpa in 1901 and she was resided here continuously since that time. Her husband, Joe Hereford, was an early time stockman and later served as peace officer.

He was a deputy sheriff under Henry Clay King, Creek county’s first sheriff, and had charge of the jail during that term.

He built what was known as the Hereford opera house at the corner of Dewey and Mounds street. When Oklahoma became a state this building was used for the first courthouse. Later all county business was removed to the Ross building on North Main and the Hereford building was turned into an apartment house. A few years ago it was torn down.

When the Herefords came to Sapulpa the little town could hardly be classed as a village, but she had been permitted to see it grow into the present city.

Pallbearers for the Hereford funeral service will include Arthur Lawrence, Joe Bruner, John Fraught, John Welch, George Willibey and Bill Rogers.