Editing Heber-Overgaard, Arizona (section)

===Early Heber===
[[File:James and Margaret Shelley.jpg|thumb|left|James and Margaret Shelley]]
In 1882, [[Heber J. Grant]] was called as a member of the [[Quorum of the Twelve]]. Early on in his service in the quorum he made many trips to Arizona earning the title "The Arizona Apostle".<ref name="Walker 1992">{{Citation |last= Walker |first= Ronald W. |author-link= Ronald W. Walker |contribution= Heber J. Grant |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/3740 |pages= 564–568 |editor1-last= Ludlow |editor1-first= Daniel H |editor1-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |title= [[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]] |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishing]] |year= 1992 |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 }}</ref> On one such trip, he passed through the settlement on his way to Phoenix, and stayed with the Shelleys in their cabin.<ref name = Hunt>{{cite book | title = It is not often... | author = Hunt, Bobbie Stephens | year = 1993 | publisher = Pine Graphics | location = [[Overgaard, Arizona]] }}</ref> The townspeople latter named their settlement after Mr. Grant.<ref name = Granger /><ref name = Hunt />

An alternative version of Heber's namesake history is that John W. N. Scarlett named the settlement after [[Heber C. Kimball]], former Chief Justice of the [[State of Deseret]].<ref name = Granger /><ref name= geonames.usgs.gov>{{cite web | url = https://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=132:3:80765618733058::NO:3:P3_FID,P3_TITLE:29842%2CHeber | title = Feature Detail Report for: Heber | year = 1980 | author =  U.S. Department of the Interior | publisher = usgs.gov }}</ref>

The post office in Heber was established in 1890, and on September 11, 1890, James Shelley was appointed the first [[postmaster]] of Heber.<ref name = Hanchett /> Mail was brought by [[buckboard]] every Wednesday from [[Holbrook, Arizona|Holbrook]] to Heber.<ref name = Hunt /> It was then sorted and distributed. This duty was performed by James Shelley, in addition to being a farmer, cattleman, husband and father.<ref name = Hanchett />

Marion and Clarence Owens came to farm in Heber with their families in 1891. The following year, two practicing [[polygamists]] arrived from Utah to escape prosecution. One was called "Brother Luck". In 1893, Joseph Porter arrived in Heber to help his brother, Samuel Porter, with his farm. Also in 1893, John Nelson occupied a ranch in Brookbank Canyon, and the Baca family had settled near the head of Black Canyon. John Nelson and partner, Nicholas Valentine, were in the sheep business, and the Porters hauled their wool to the Holbrook railroad. Nicholas Valentin died four years later from a [[rabies]] bite acquired from a skunk.<ref name = Hanchett />

Many settlements were located in the fertile cattle [[ranching]] and farmlands of Black Canyon. Potatoes, corn, milk, eggs and large gardens were the livelihood of many families. Potato fields could be found down Buckskin Canyon, near the present day "Buckskin Artist Community". Cornfields and large gardens could be found where the present day [[Mogollon High School|High School]] ball fields and "Tenney's Trailer Park" are located.<ref name = Hunt /> All available land near town and in forests clearings was converted to farmland. Wilford, Jersey Gulch, Baca ranch and present day "Potato Patch" were favorite locations.<ref name = Hanchett />

During this time period, locals were said to be fearful of the [[Apache]] Native Americans. Food was said to be given to all natives, that passed through town, in order to "keep the peace".<ref name = Hunt /> At this time, travel to and from St. Joseph was sometimes perilous due to outlaws and quicksand.<ref name = Hanchett /> Horses were the primary mode of transportation, and horse thieves were a major problem.<ref name = Hunt />

On August 28, 1895, Joseph Porter and Mary Maude Shelley were married. Many locals with the surname of Porter, can trace their family roots to them. In 1896 Samuel, Alva and Nathan Porter divided up their farm. In addition to farming, Samuel Porter was often called upon to administer to the residents of Heber to alleviate pain and suffering by using prayer and [[Supplication|petitions]]. A drought affected the residents of Heber that Summer, followed by crop destroying hail storms in August. In January 1897, Wickliff Bushman, while delivering mail to Heber from Holbrook during a snow storm, contracted the [[measles]] and died at 23 years old. Three of Samuel Porter's children also contracted the disease, but survived. Margaret Shelley had twin boys that June, but only one son survived.<ref name = Hanchett />

[[File:John Hoyle.jpg|thumb|right|John Hoyle in front of first Heber store.]]
In 1891 John Hoyle, Johann Frederick Heil, an immigrant from [[Baden]], Germany, and former cook for the [[Hashknife Outfit]], opened the first Heber store. He was called "Hoyle" rather than "Heil" because some cowboys had trouble pronouncing his name. In addition to his store, he had a farm located down Buckskin Wash. John Hoyle had relocated to Heber from the failed [[Wilford, Arizona]] settlement, 7 miles south of Heber, where he had a store and ranch. Samuel Porter helped him on his farm, and hauled freight to and from Holbrook.<ref name = Hanchett /> He ran the store until his death on August 2, 1912, of paralysis (possibly [[polio]]). He had no heirs to claim the land in the United States. Through a German consulate, twenty-eight distant heirs were located and $3,046 was divided among them.<ref name = Hanchett />

May 1898 was so dry that water was hauled from wells in Wilford for household use. Heber wells still had enough for livestock. A small reservoir had been built below town, and filled up when water ran down the Black Canyon. A diversion dam was built to divert water from the wash to the ditch. When the rains finally came in July, the [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] celebration had cause for additional  celebration. Residents celebrated by firing guns, fire crackers, Pie Nie, and a dance that evening.<ref name = Hanchett /> Years later, The 4th of July would remain just as large a celebration in Heber. Alva Porter's Farm eventually became the [[rodeo]] grounds, where present day Mogollon High School sits. During celebrations, the community roped calves, rode bucking horses, held pistol shooting contests, foot races, and dances.<ref name = Hunt />