"FULLERTON'S FIRST 100 YEARS (1879-1979" PAGES 154-189 This full text transcription was done by Ted and Carole Miller from a copy of the original publication. Submitted to the USGenWeb Nebraska Archives, January, 1998, by Ted and Carole Miller (susieque@pacbell.net) USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial researchers, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, nor for presentation in any form by any other organization or individual. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express written permission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist. *************** Fullerton's First 100 Years (1879-1979) JOHN KELLER John Keller was born January 30, 1874 at Denison, Iowa and passed away April 12, 1948 at Fullerton, Nebraska. He was one of eight children of Mr. and Mrs. David Keller. The others were Margaret, later Mrs. Richard Kinney, David Jr., Tracy, Richard, Albert, Maggie, Emma and Gracie. On April 12, 1903, John married Amanda Downs of Grand, Iowa. She was born January 4, 1874 and passed away March 7, 1940 at Fullerton. The young couple came to the Nance county community to farm and lived here most of their lives. They resided at the south end of the main street leading through Fullerton and many people will recall their trips through Keller's yard, down the hill through the pasture to the Loup river to fish or swim. Along with their farming operations they operated a Dairy at first milking by hand and later adding modern milking equipment. They had two sons, Clifford Wilbur born February 24, 1904 and Keith Kenneth born March 12, 1909 and passed away July 31, 1972. Clifford married Teresa Stittle of Ravenna, Nebraska on August 4, 1945 and live at Fullerton. Teresa is a registered Nurse. Keith married Maude E. Cooper on January 18, 1936. Maude still lives in Fullerton. To this union one son was born. John Jeffrey born on December 4, 1947. He is married to Donna Jean Plumbtree. They have two children, Jeffrey Keith and Beverly Jean and live at Niobrara, Nebraska. WALTER W. FITZGERALD FAMILY Walter W. Fitzgerald, his wife Anna V. (Shiffer) Fitzgerald and their year old daughter, Faye, arrived in Fullerton, Nebraska in 1895, coming here from Nodaway, Iowa. Their first home in Fullerton was what is now 105 Irving Street. Later they purchased a home on the corner of Fifth and Esther Streets in Fullerton, where the family home is still maintained. Three children were born to them there: Ruth L., John F., and Verdilla J. They later moved to a farm near Horse Creek in western Nance county where they resided for several years moving from there to the Sickle Ranch just south of Fullerton. While living there a daughter Ida I. was born to them. Moving back to their home in Fullerton, Mr. Fitzgerald was an assistant to Veterinarian Charles Brown for several years and also fed cattle for the Hord Company. In 1906 the family moved to Belgrade, Nebraska where Mr. Fitzgerald was employed by the Hord Company, returning to Fullerton in 1910 where he operated the Hord Company elevator. After the elevator was closed Mr. Fitzgerald served as sexton at the Fullerton Cemetery until his retirement in 1939. He passed away in Fullerton in 1941 at the age of 83. Mrs. Fitzgerald continued to make her home in the family home in Fullerton until her death in 1962 at the age of 88. Faye M. Fitzgerald retired from the Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Fullerton in 1959 after 45 years of service, 44 of them as chief operator for the company. She now lives in the family home. Ruth L. Fitzgerald was also employed by N. W. Bell Telephone Co. and married a fellow employee, William C. Zieg. They were the parents of one daughter, Donna. All three are now deceased. John F. Fitzgerald was employed by a local men's wear store and later operated his own store in Central City, Nebraska. He is now deceased and his widow, the former Ruth Clayton, lives in Omaha, Nebraska. They have three sons, Darel of Montgomery, Alabama, Donald who operates Fitzgeralds Mid-City Motor in Fullerton, and William of Exeter, Nebraska; and a daughter Patsy Rae now deceased, who was married to Milton Johnson of Omaha. Verdilla J. Fitzgerald (Mrs. Everett M. Black) was employed at the Post Office m Fullerton, the office of the Nance County Clerk of the District Court and as Assistant Cashier of the First National Bank of Fullerton. She now lives in Fullerton where she operates the Black Sales System. She has two step-children James Black of Pierce, Nebraska and Patricia Black Walgreen RN of Osceola Nebraska; and a son, Navy LCDR Theodore Black of Fort Collins, Colorado. 155 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ida I. Fitzgerald, a graduate of Kearney State College, taught in the rural schools of Nance county and in City Schools in Madrid, Nebraska, Fullerton, Nebraska and Coronado, California. She retired in 1968 after 47 years in the teaching profession and now lives in Fullerton, Nebraska. Lucille B. Fitzgerald was employed by the N. W. Bell Telephone Co. in their offices in Fullerton, Nebraska, Loup City, Nebraska and Central City, Nebraska and is now retired and lives in Fullerton. Louise A. Fitzgerald (Mrs. Frank C. Dudek) was employed as a dental assistant in Fullerton. She and her husband are the parents of four children: Cheryl Dudik of Omaha, Nebraska, Charlene Hoye RN of North Platte, Nebraska, Nancy Brown of Grand Island, Nebraska and John Dudek of Grand Island, Nebraska. Robert V. Fitzgerald attended the University of Nebraska and George Washington University. He was employed by the Federal Government in Washington, D. C. and later by the Arapahoe Drilling Co. of Denver, Colorado and is now the accountant for the Heynen Lumber Co., Inc. in Fullerton where he lives in the original family home. RUSH JACOB HOY 1855-1941 Rush Jacob Hoy was born November 13, 1855, son of Ruben and Elizabeth Hoy at Orwigsburg, Pennslyvania (sic) and passed away at his home in Fullerton on October 11, 1941 at the age of 85 years. [Image: Rush Jacob Hoy] In 1868 he came to Warrenville, Illinois with his parents, where he grew to manhood. In 1878 he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Tart. In 1889 Mr. and Mrs. Hoy came to Nance county with their three children. Ten children were born to them. They made their home on a farm north of Fullerton until 1917 when they moved into Fullerton. In 1930 Mrs. Hoy died. In 1892 Mr. Hoy began to follow the auctioneer's profession and during the next 31 years became very prominent. From 1918 to 1920 he was associated with C. A. Miller in the real estate and insurance business. His children were: Arthur 1879-1910 Married Ivy Wolf, 1907 (deceased) Two children: Maybelle (deceased) 2 daughters Maud. Carlton 1882-1883 Ella 1884-1902 Frank 1886-1950 at Fullerton - single. Louella 1887-1952 at Fullerton 156 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Married Ralph Barber in 1908 (deceased) 1977. Two children: Clarence M. (Bus) single Fullerton, Roy E. (deceased) 1977 Elkhorn, Nebraska. Three children. Roger, Rodney. Married Iola Graves Second Marriage: Timothy. Rush C. 1889-1913 from farm accident Clarence W. 1891-1974 at Fullerton Married Blanche Maybon in 1971 (deceased) Two children: Donald Fullerton - single, Kenneth, Fullerton - single. Lester 1893-1934 died from injuries of a farm accident. Married Clara Ellis in 1916, lives at Portland, Oregon. Two children: Fern, Mrs. Walter Larson, Genoa Nebraska. One daughter Jane. Mary Lee Mrs. Irvine Callison, Portland Oregon. Two children. Florence 1895-1927 Married Frank Pebley 1921- no children. Dexter J. 1897-1966 Married Hazel Jennings 1921. Three children: Alvin D. North Bend, Nebraska . Five Children Freda Belle, Mrs. Max Swanson, Belgrade, Nebraska. One daughter: Nancy. Billy W. U.S. Navy Career. Married Shirley Louy, Milton, Florida. THE WOZNIAK FAMILY It is to the credit of records faithfully kept that this brief history possible. The Wozniak family originally came from Poland. Frank and Frances Wozniak owned a prosperous farm on an Island in the Platte near Osceola. As their family grew they decided they should be closer to church and school. Frank then moved his family to Duncan where he ran a General Store. He soon learned that he was a better farmer than businessman and it was the year 1896 that found Nance County District 23 with six Wozniak boys enrolled. Julius was 17, Joseph was 15, John 13, Ladislaus 9, Max 8 and Theo 6. They lived on the farm now owned by Louis Lesiak. In 1901 the farm was sold to William Wetovick and the Wozniaks moved to the Northwest quarter of section 21. Here Frank died at age 85, Francis at age 75 and Joseph at age 51. Pelegia became Sr. Theresa of the sisters of St. Francis. She died in Grand Island. Julius bought a farm adjoining his parents farm where he died in 1940. In 1913 [Image: The Frank Wozniak Family.] 157 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ he married Josephine Nowak. They had one daughter Eleanora. Joseph never married. John married Nancy Spear. They lived in Idaho and had one son Harold. Ladislaus married Ethel Kahl. They had eight children: Lawrence, Frances, Dorothy, Margaret, Raymond, George, Charlotte and Helen. Lad died in 1962. Max married Marie Raferty. They were the parents of one son, Edward and three daughters, Loretta, Mary Lou and Rose Ann. Max died in 1959. Theo married Monica Lesiak. They were parents of two sons and two daughters, Daniel, Evelyn, Richard and Shirley. Theo died in 1976. William never married. He died in 1960. Of the Wozniaks remaining in Nance county there are Ethel Wozniak, her son Lawrence and daughters Fran Wozny and Margaret Koziol; and Eleanora Lesiak daughter of Julius and Josie Wozniak. LAVERNE FAABORG LaVerne Faaborg was born May 16, 1915, on a farm near Boelus, in Howard County, Nebraska. He was the only child of Anton and Helga Jacobsen Faaborg. He attended school at Nysted, District 17, and graduated from Danneborg High School in 1934. He then went to Moler Barber College in Omaha where he attended classes from September 1934 to May 1935. He came to Fullerton in May 1935, on his 20th birthday to work as an apprentice barber for Ernest Lawson. After Lawson closed his barber shop that year, Faaborg finished his apprenticeship at Charles Nixon's barber shop and received his master barber license. In 1937 he opened his own barber shop in a building now where the J & L Tavern is located. He married Adele Luschei of Fullerton at the Fullerton United Methodist Church on July 3, 1938. In June 1942 he left for Army service in World War II. He served with the Ninth General Hospital Unit from New York City in Australia, in New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies and the Philippine Islands until his discharged in December 1945. The couple lived in Grand Island until June 1947 when they returned to Fullerton where he purchased a barber shop from Ted Sample. Faaborg operated a bowling alley from 1950 to 1953. He then opened a barber shop at 414 West Third Street which is still in operation in Fullerton's Centennial Year 1979. His fraternal and civic memberships include Cedar River Masonic Lodge No. 89 at Fullerton, Fred Philbrick American Legion Post No. 151; V.F.W. Post No. 5759; life member Nance County Historcial Society; Fullerton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Fullerton United Methodist Church. He was organizer and first president of The Fullerton Sportsmen's Club which evolved to Nance County Sportsman's Club. His two children are Loren LaVerne Faaborg, born November 22,1947, at Grand Island and Gail LaVerne Faaborg, born May 14, 1950, at Grand Island. Both graduated from Fullerton High School and from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Gail graduated from the College of Nursing with a bachelor of science degree in nursing in 1973 and is a professional registered nurse. Loren received his doctor of medicine degree in 1975, completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University Hospital in Omaha in 1978. At present he is chief of obstetrical and gynecological services at Dover Air Force Base Hospital at Dover, Delaware, where he will complete his tour of duty in October 1980. He will then join Ernest Bussinger in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology at Scottsbluff in western Nebraska. Loren married Mary Jo Wilkins of Fremont at Fremont on June 6, 1971 They have one son, Jeffrey Anton, born May 29, 1976, at Omaha. Gail was married on July 1, 1977, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to John Charles Rogers, M D., of Pawnee City. John was a classmate of Loren's at UNMC and also graduated from there in 1975. Mary Jo graduated from the UNMC College of Nursing in 1974 with a bachelor of Science degree in nursing and also is a professional registered nurse. Gail and John live in Rochester, Minnesota, where John completes a three-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Mayo Clinic in October 1980. They plan to move back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where John will practice his specializations in medicine. At the present time Gail is employed as a public health nurse at Kasson, Dodge County, Minnesota. 158 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ADELE LUSCHEI FAABORG Adele Luschei was born October 8, 1918, in Platte County, Nebraska. Her parents were Bruno and Hulda Mohrmann Luschei. Mrs. Luschei died in May 1922. Adele came to Fullerton in 1925 with her father, her brother Armin and two sisters, LaVerna and Elaine. Adele graduated from Fullerton High School in 1936 and was employed at the Nance County Journal office from 1936-1942. After her husband left for overseas Army service in 1943 she was employed at the Grand Island ordnance plant until the end of World War II in 1945. After moving back to Fullerton in 1947, was employed in the Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas Company office at Fullerton from 1952 to 1959. In May 1961 she began her present employment at the Nance County Journal office. She is a member of the Fullerton United Methodist Church where she has served as church treasurer since October 1968; is a permanent member of the Fred Philbrick American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 151; member of the Fullerton V.F.W. Post Auxiliary No 5759, Fullerton Eastern Star Chapter No. 191 and Eastern Star Past Matrons Club; and the Three H Extension Club. She also is a life member of the Nance County Historical Society and present secretary of its board of directors. Her children are Loren and Gail Faaborg as listed on the preceding page, with their spouses. Her father died December 25, 1972, and her brother Armin died January 4, 1976. The Fasborgs' first child, a son, Gary LaVerne Faaborg died at birth October 18, 1946. THE DOWNING FAMILY Mrs. Will Downing and Elizabeth Downing represent a family well-known in Fullerton for the past ninety-six years. The late Will Downing told of his father's decision to move from Illinois to Nebraska: [Image: From left to right: Mrs. Martha Dean Downing (Mrs. James F.) 1853-1935, William F. Downing 1877-1972, James Franklin Downing 1845-1922, Mrs. Margaret Nunn Downing (Mrs. William F.) 1890-.] "My father and his two brothers came out to Lincoln in 1881. The first night at the rooming house they met a trail guide who had been leading settlers through a cut-off of the Oregon Trail which passed through Nance county. He told them what fine opportunities there were up here and how good the land was. Nance county had been a Pawnee Indian Reservation. The Indians had been moved to Oklahoma about 1877, the land surveyed, and settlers were coming in. So they came on up to Genoa where the railroad ended. By livery they came on to Fullerton where they got plats of the near townships and picked out several farms. Then they had to go to the land office at Grand Island to file. Several were already taken but they got three farms up the Loup Valley west of town and one north two miles which my family got (Joe Plebanek place - 1979). We 159 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ lived in town about two years while getting the farm broken out and a house built." Will Downing began school in Fullerton, finished grade school at District 18, graduated from Fullerton High School in 1895 and attended the University of Nebraska several sessions. Mrs. Will Downing (Margaret) first came to Fullerton in 1917 as a teacher of third grade. Some of these students graduated in 1925, the regular class in 1926. She had grown up at Winnebago where her parents, John and Nellie Nunn, operated the trading post at the Indian Agency. She was attending Bellevue Presbyterian College when her father died of typhoid fever and she had to leave college to return home and help with the care of the younger children. She also attended summer school three years at Nebraska Wesleyan and taught at Walthill and Winnebago as well as at Fullerton. Will and Margaret Downing were married in 1920 and moved to the farm three miles north of Fullerton which was their home for the next 49 years (present owner Lawrence Gdowski). Four children were born: Lloyd who is a psychiatrist at San Angelo, Texas, Elizabeth of Fullerton who has retired from Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, Margaret (Mrs. Kenneth Pierson) of Neligh, and Elaine (Mrs. Verlin Francis) of Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. Downing were always active in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Downing served as elder for many years and Mrs. Downing was one of the first women to serve as elder. Also Mrs. Downing was twice delegate to the National Presbytery at Purdue, Indiana, in 1950 and again in 1960. Mr. Downing was active also in District 37 and township affairs, was justice of the peace for twenty years, and took part in political activities (a lifelong Democrat). Mrs. Downing was a promoter of extension work and was county chairman of 4-H several years during the 1930's. Mr. Downing in telling of the 1930's said: "One drouth followed another for eight years and we went to the bottom of what we had and borrowed all we could. When on the very verge of losing our farm Mom was asked to work in the ASC office. She made good there and has been working both at home and outside ever since and saved our home." The job Mrs. Downing started with was AAA Fieldwoman for the county, which she held from January 1940 to October 1944. The job consisted of going to public schools and any organization to which she was invited to give talks on the philosophy of the farm program It also necessitated trips to neighboring counties for speeches. After that she spent a year in the county agent's office coordinating club work - getting paid for the same type work she had done in the 30's as a volunteer. Mrs. Downing entered the Welfare office as a caseworker November 1945 and had been county director of welfare 16 years when she retired in 1965 at the age of 75. After retirement she continued to help with various volunteer programs such as March of Dimes, Heart Association, Easter Seals, county museum, etc., and to hold various offices in the church. Mr. and Mrs. Downing moved to Fullerton in 1969 and celebrated their golden anniversary in 1970. Mr. Downing died in 1972 at the age of 94. Mrs. Downing, 89 in 1979, during the past year visited her sister in Arkansas, spent Christmas holiday with her son's family in Texas, and continues to present programs for the organizations to which she belongs, helps at the museum, and holds open house for her many friends and relatives. She has shared her home at 509 Fuller, Fullerton, with her daughter Elizabeth since Elizabeth's retirement in 1976. MR. AND MRS. FRANK F. KSIAZEK Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Ksiazek were residents of Nance County almost all of their lives. Mrs. Ksiazek (Anna R. Koziol), daughter of John and Kathryn Koziol, was born July 24, 1891 south of Genoa in the Krakow area. Mr. Ksiazek was born February 22, 1884, near Tarnov, Poland, the son of Joseph and Agnes Ksiazek, and came to the Genoa area in 1897, with his 15-year-old brother. They survived a terrifying storm on the ocean voyage to Galveston, Texas, from where they came to be with their two older brothers and their father who had come to Nebraska in 1893. At that time, there were some pioneers in the community, including their father's sister, who were still living in 160 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Image: Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Ksiazek] dugouts, which was a great surprise to him for they had heard such glowing reports of the good life in the New World. In 1898 his mother and two sisters came, so the family was finally reunited. However, like many others at that time, each had to work away from home usually for farmers who had established themselves in the area longer. Frank, at the age of 13, was hired to herd 250 head of cattle with the help of a pony and dog, for $7 a month, his wages increasing later to $15 a month on another assignment. The older brothers were getting around $18, and of course their board and room. At first the family lived in Genoa, then they purchased a farm two miles west of the Krakow church. Plans were for one son to farm with the father, and the others worked away from home and gave their money to their parents to help pay for and operate the new home place. In 1905, he moved with his parents to a farm five miles east of Elba. Later he and his brother, Stanley, farmed in Litchfield where he resided at the time of his marriage. On May 5, 1909, Frank Ksiazek and Anna Koziol were married in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church at Krakow. They farmed in Litchfield until the following year when they purchased a farm four miles north of Genoa. They had the difficult task of moving in the cold and snowy winter which took several days since the cattle had to be driven. In March 1916, they moved to a farm southeast of Fullerton in School District 23. They immediately embarked on a building program which was not completed until several years later when all old major buildings were replaced. They began with a new barn, and also a garage to house their newly-purchased first car, a Ford. The next project was to remodel the home, but sometime after the builders jacked up the house, as a first step in the process, one corner fell into the cellar. It was thought to be a routine and safe procedure, so the children had been left in the house napping. Fortunately, they were not hurt during this disaster. Plans were quickly changed, the old house dismantled and a completely new house built. During this building time, their new garage became the kitchen where the usual good farm meals were cooked for the family and the carpenters as well since that was the custom. A never used portion of the new barn, which was later to become the "milking parlor" was the family bedroom until early winter when the home was completed. It was said many times that that was one winter when no one had colds. Apparently everyone had become very hardy under the circumstances. Both were active in the church, school and community. Mr. Ksiazek for a time wrote articles and reported news of the Polish community in the county to the Gwiazda Zachodu (Western Star) a Polish/English newspaper in Omaha. Mrs. Ksiazek took part in the Extension Club, and later when they transferred their membership from the Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Krakow to St. Peter's in Fullerton, she helped organize the St. Ann's Altar Society, becoming its first President and serving for several years. What started as a hobby of baking and 161 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ decorating birthday, anniversary and wedding cakes for family and neighbors, later became a small business on the farm when she baked not only for those near but received orders for wedding cakes from more than 100 miles away. Their five children: Mrs. Frances Prososki, Mrs. Cecelia NcNallan, Edward Ksiazek, Mrs. Veronica Cuba, and also daughter Carolyn who died in 1915 at the age of 2. This loss was a very sad one for them, as it was for others of the day when there seemingly was no remedy for diptheria (sic). After 49 years on the West Newman Township farm, many very good and some very bad during the drought years, they decided to retire. They built a new all electric home in the town of Fullerton, where they moved in February 1965. They continued to enjoy "farming" in a smaller scale now, by growing their own vegetables and many flowers. Mr. Ksiazek died on December 30,1973 followed by Mrs. Ksiazek fourteen months later on February 28, 1975. They were survived by 4 children, 10 grand children and 10 great grand children. Interment was in the Fullerton Catholic Cemetery. Son Edward married Natalie Uzendoski in 1941 and they have 4 children Carolyn, Harold, Tom and Dick. They moved south of Belgrade in 1946 after returning from military service in World War II, and started farming. In 1951 when Jesse Moon retired as Belgrade Rural Mail carrier, Edward was appointed and served the route until 1974 when Belgrade and Fullerton route # 2 were consolidated he retired and continued farming. At the present time the couple still live on the same farm but are retired. Natalie is a registered nurse and worked for many years at the Fullerton Memorial Hospital and was the director of nurses for Fullerton Manor when it was operated by Drs. Dalton and Bass. CECIL SMITH In the year of 1888 there were 10 families that came from Fisher and Champaign counties in Illinois. They all came together. There were four McCays, Oris, Orlando, Jack and Palace; John Day, Ben Bateman, Al Trotter, Dan Hinton, Pusey family and my Grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Mack Fitzgerald. My Grandfather was born in Ireland. There were six in my grandfather's family, all girls of which my mother was the oldest. She lacked nine months of being 100 years old, when she died. They lived 5 miles north of Central City. The first year my mother said the kids were never in town. In 1890 my Grandparents moved on the Wiltze place that Larry Cunningham now owns. My mother went to Cedar Valley School - I went there - my son Paul went there and all of Paul's kids went there. The building will be 100 years old in four years, and has operated continuously since. The farm was in our family 61 years, always leased and never a written lease. In my mother's family there were six girls - she was the oldest (Mae Workman), Nell Crawford, Stella Jennings, Ethel Pepper Edith Minor and Ina Sidder. There are only two direct decendants (sic) of the original family left now, Van Trotter who lives in the home at Fullerton and Lenna McCay who lives in California. My mother married Wm. Smith in 1892. He was from Winterset, Iowa. When I was a baby they went to Winterset, Iowa in a covered wagon and lost me out at one point. I was always glad they went back and got me. I had two brothers, Faye and Forest. After my dad left my mother, she later married Bob Workman. I have a half sister in California, Geraldine, married to Tom Hughes. He is a railroader. My brothers are both dead. I married Nellie Castle in 1916 - soon be 64 years. We lost our first baby, but since had Paul (He married Fern Sonderup) Virginia (she married Wilton Miller). She is Director of the Nursing School at West Nebraska Hospital in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Dale is married to Georgia Omer. Dale graduated from Juliard School of Music in New York City and now has a conservatory of music in Grand Island. His wife works at the Vet Hospital in Grand Island. Dick is married to Carolyn Miller, a rancher's daughter who works at the Post Office and they live here on the ranch. We have 11 grandchildren and 4 great -grandchildren. 162 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We started ranching on a ranch west of Anselmo which I bought in 1941 and in 1946 I bought the ranch west of Dunning which we now live on. Paul remained on the farm at Fullerton. We will both be 86 years old this year. We were active in church and Masonic and Eastern Star. Nellie was Past Worthy Matron and has her 50-year pin. I was Clerk of Session of Presbyterian Church in Fullerton and an Elder for 35 years, and am Past Master of Masonic Lodge and have my 50 year pin. I am a 32nd degree Mason and all my boys and I belong to the Shrine. I sang in the church choir for 40 years. I also was Worthy Patron of Eastern Star for 15 consecutive years, and when I left I had initiated half of the membership at that time. NELLIE CASTLE SMITH Nellie Castle Smith's father was Marshall Castle (born September 18, 1870) in Mercer County, Illinois. He moved with his parents to Seward, Nebraska in 1883. He later moved to a farm in Nance County, ten miles northeast of Palmer, where he married Elizabeth Kiel on October 4, 1893. Elizabeth's parents had come to America from Germany some time in the late 1840's, but were married in America and settled on a farm near Honesdale, Pennsylvania where their eight children were born. Elizabeth was the youngest and was born October 29, 1865. Their daughter, Nellie, tells an interesting story about the first meeting of Marshall and Elizabeth, who must have been a lively, fun loving girl. She came to Nebraska to visit her brother, Fred, who had moved to Greeley County, in Nebraska but she made so much fun of his sandhill farm that he decided to leave and move to Missouri. They started out, taking all their worldy possessions, but on their way, near the town of Palmer, they met a man on horseback. Elizabeth apparently wanting some fun, thought to herself, "Well I'll never see you again, so I will just wink at you", which she did. However, she was mistaken about never seeing him again, as her brother obtained work with a farmer in that vicinity and remained there, so it ended, as with all good stories, with Elizabeth marrying the man at whom she had winked. Marshall died February 29, 1948, but Elizabeth survived him several years, living until 1965, when she passed away on January 19, at the age of 99 years. Marshall and Elizabeth had six children: 1. Nellie born August 24, 1894, married Cecil Smith in 1916, lived on farm near Fullerton and now on a ranch at Dunning Nebraska. They had five children: a. Son died at birth December 19, 1917 b. Paul Eugene Smith born June 14, 1919, married Fern Sonderup September 16, 1951; five children Calvin, Elwyn, Paul Ed, Donn and Carroll c. Virginia Smith married Wilton Miller June 27, 1944. Two chldren (sic), Cathy and David. d. Dale Smith married Georgia Omer June 22, 1947; three children, Tim, Cindy and Corey. e. Richard Castle Smith married Carolyn Miller August 26, 1956; two children, Laurie and Cindy. 2. William Lemuel born December 14, 1896 died September 18, 1897 3. Elmer born September 15, 1898 married Georgia Campbell, lived at Bennett, Colorado, they have five children: a. Wanda married Joe Davis have 3 children b. Marvin has six children c. Shirley married Clark Beck, lives in Strasburg, Colorado. 2 children d. Philip married and has one son e. Patricia married, has two children, lives in Bennett, Colorado. 4. Vernon Isedore born August 30, 1900 died May 1934 5. Theron Theodore born June 3, 1903 married Bertha Bowder, lives at Roundup, Montana; they have two children: a. Dorothy married George Gracey 163 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ b. Donna Bells married and has one son 6. Ulah born September 23, 1907 DR. J. L. SEBERG I was born at Upland, Franklin County, Nebraska December 29, 1910. We moved to Elwood, Nebraska in 1923. I graduated from Elwood high 1928. I attended the University of Nebraska for six years and earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1936. I bought the office of the late Dr. L.C. Barstow in July and took over September 1, 1936. Dr. Barstow had purchased an office in Sidney, Nebraska. The office at the time was on the second floor of the present Legion building. I moved to the office where Wayne Nicholls is the next spring. I moved to the office where Dr. Maly is in 1940 and was there until going into service. Janet Clark, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. G. A. Clark of Elwood, Nebraska and I were married in Elwood, Nebraska May 1, 1938. Janet was employed by the Tri-County in the Hastings office at the time. Richard L Seberg was born January 14, 1940. He attended school in Fullerton and was graduated from H.S. in 1957. He attended the University of Nebraska seven years and received a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree in 1964. He and Sheila Howard, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. C. D. Howard of Blair, Nebraska were married in Blair June 9, 1961. He was in the regular Navy three years, 1 year at the Oakland, California Naval Hospital and two years in San Diego before resigning to go into private practice. They now live in New Port Beach, California. They have three children Kevin born September 5, 1963, Gretchen born March 30, 1966 and Suzanne born May 13, 1969. Diane (Seberg) Myers was born November 16, 1944 at Elwood, Nebraska. She attended school in Fullerton graduating in 1962. She attended the University of Nebraska two years. She and Allan Myers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lou Myers of Estes Park, Colorado were married November 24, 1964. They live North of Denver at Dacona and both work in Denver. Allan at Blue Cross Blue Shield and Diane at Petroleum Information. They have two children. Danette was born September 19, 1965. Shaun was born July 10, 1969. I had a reserve commission in the Dental Corps and was called into service April 1942. I was assigned to the Med. Det 137th Inf. 35th Infantry Division and spent most of my service with that unit. I was in the E.T.O. 17 months and at the time of my discharge in December 1945 had the rank of Captain, in the Dental Corps. We returned to Fullerton in December 1945. Janet and children had been living in Elwood with her parents for 18 months. I sold my office to Dr. Glen Hadenfeldt in December of 1976 and after 40 years and three months of practice retired. We intend to continue living here. My parents were Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Seberg of Elwood. My father had moved from Iowa while a boy. My grandfather came from Sweden in 1856. He served in the Civil War. My brothers are Glenn L. of Elwood a retired oil dealer, Dr. G. Herbert and Dr. John R., dentists in Hastings. Janet (Clark) Seberg was born in Neligh, Nebraska February 4, 1914. Janet's father Dr. G. A. Clark was born in Central City, Nebraska and practiced medicine in Elwood for 50 years. Her mother Anna (Rollings) Clark was born in Vermont. She attended Peru State Teachers College and taught school before being married. Her brother Richard of Elwood has been in the retail business and lumber business for many years. Her sister Barbara (Clark) Wilson lives in Kalama, Washington. Her husband Jack is a retired plant engineer for Dow Chemical. Organizations - Lions, American Legion, V.F.W., Past Lions and Chamber of Commerce President, School Board 12 years, Hospital Board 10 years. A number of professional societies and organization. Religion - Protestant. (HAROLD PAUL KRAUSE) (no title appears in book) Harold Paul Krause was born on June 10, 1891, at Albion, Nebraska. He is a graduate of the Albion High School and attended the University of Nebraska, 164 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ between 1910-14. On June 4th, 1921, he and Vivian Brengle were married in Ferry, Oklahoma. Vivian was born in Perry, Oklahoma, on September 15, 1894. She and Harold are the parents of two children: Betty Jean. born March 18, 1922 in Fullerton, Nebraska, and Harold Paul, Jr., born July 27, 1928, at Grand Island, Nebraska. Harold served in the Army Field Artillery as a private 1st class in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and in France during WWI. He moved to Fullerton in 1920 to be manager of P. A. Krause & Sons Hardware and retired in 1970. He moved to York, Nebraska in 1978. Harold is a charter member of the Fullerton American Legion Post 151 and continues his active membership to this day. He is a third degree Mason and was awarded the Jordan medal for his seniority status. He was President of both the Lions and the Chamber of Commerce and was Commander of the Legion. He was active in the Drum and Bugle Corps and the Kemp Country Club. PETER JOSEPH BALLINGER Peter (Pete) Joseph Ballinger was born August 13, 1869, at Galena, Illinois. He came to Nebraska in 1888 at age 19 and did farm work. He married Neoma Jane Cooper June 22, 1894, near Belgrade, Nebraska. Neoma Jane Cooper was born April 16, 1871, the daughter of Tom Thomas Cooper and Emily Jane Dyer Cooper. She came to Nebraska with her family when she was 9 years old in 1880. They forded the Missouri River at Avoca, Iowa. They lived about 3 miles east of Belgrade where Sylvester Swalac now owns. Her brothers and sisters were: Lucettia, Milton Wilder, Ada Ora, Cynthia Charilla, Mary Calistia, Clara Melissa, Kate S., Anna Olivia. After Peter and Neoma were married a year, Neoma had been teaching and Pete farming, a hot wind blew and dried up the corn. They moved to Colorado where Pete worked in a stove factory. Their children were Leda Mae. Lola Maud, Joseph Warren, Leonard Clarence, Florence Neoma. Floyd Emerson died at 10 months old. They moved back to Fullerton and bought a place north of Fullerton that Delaney's now own. Leda Mae Ballinger was born July 8, 1895, and was the oldest child. She was going to high school in Fullerton, quit and went to Kearney to State Normal Training School. On September 15, 1915, she married Earle R. Tranbarger. Lucetta married Ben B. Main and lived on the farm near Belgrade where Ben McKeeman now lives. Their children: Lynn, died in infancy; Glen, killed when kicked by a horse, Emma, Eva and Merna. Emma married Arthur Trotter and lived in Grand Island, Eva married Sylvester McKeeman and lived near Belgrade. Merna married Dr. Wilcox of Kearney and later moved to Colorado. Eva's son Ben McKeeman and his wife Ellen live on a farm near Belgrade and have three children, Eva, William and Robert. Florence Neoma Ballinger married to Vernon Haun and lives in Grand Island, Nebraska. Earle R. Tranbarger came to Nebraska to visit in 1909. When he got out here he got a job in the E. B. Penney bargain basement in Fullerton. He then had a chance to be Assistant Postmaster. The Post Office was on the southeast corner of 3rd and Broadway. Joseph Storch was Postmaster. A man had come to Fullerton and started a variety store. He soon advertised the store for sale. Earle saw the advertisement on a card in the Post Office where he worked and he inquired. He bought the variety store in 1914. During the time he was in the store until 1954, he built a new store. He served three terms as City Clerk, and served on the City Council. He was secretary of the Cemetery Association district Governor of Lions Club and president of the Fullerton Lions Club. He died March 18, 1956. Earle and Leda have one daughter, Lucille, who married Alvin E. Burch and they have a daughter, Courtney Jane Burch. Lucille has run a beauty shop in Fullerton since 1937. Leda Mae Tranbarger married John Kerr on February 14, 1960. 165 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JENNINGS William A. Jennings and Lucy Emma Whipple were born and married in Wyoming and moved to Nebraska at an early age. They had eight children, seven boys and one girl. Fredrick Groom and Zylphia Jane Ganierd were born in Casville, Wisconsin, Grant Co. They were married in Wisconsin and had three children, two boys and one girl. They moved to Nebraska when the children were 12 years, 8 years and 11 months old. John Albert Jennings was born June 22, 1879, at Ord, Nebraska, Valley County, son of W. A. and Lucy Emma Whipple Jennings. Olive Hannah Groom Jennings was born December 1, 1879, at Casville, Wisconsin, Grant County, daughter of Fredrick Groom and Zylphia Jane Groom. She came to Nebraska with her parents in a covered wagon at age 11 months. Both the Jennings and the Grooms moved to Petersburg, Nebraska, and lived there for many years. They moved to Nance County in 1932 and lived since then in and near Fullerton. At age 17, John Albert Jennings and Olive Hannah Groom were married. They had 10 children, 6 girls and 4 boys. J. A. Jennings passed away January 1, 1947, and Olive died December 15,1961. At one time they had three daughters, 2 daughters-in-laws and a granddaughter teaching in Nebraska. McKILLIP Joseph H. McKillip was born on January 2, 1902, in Boone County, Nebraska. He is the son of Daniel J. McKillip and Ada Robertson McKillip. He has two sisters Edith and Thelma. His family moved from Humphrey, Nebraska, to Belgrade, Nebraska, in March of 1919 to the Sprague farm just west of Belgrade, now occupied by Ron Scott. Joe finished his junior and senior years in Belgrade High School and graduated with the class of 1921. His classmates were Sadie Campbell, Helen Clark and Dillard Winn. He played on the basketball team in 1920 and 1921. The biggest thrill was the night the team beat the Genoa Indian School team on the home floor. That was quite an accomplishment and honor. Dean Halton was the coach. Some of his high school teachers were the greatest. Professor Riggs, Stella Deaver, Nettie Shively, Miss Hagar and Bess Cooley. Bess Cooley was Spanish teacher, having just returned from the Philippines where she had taught for five years. They made it a real pleasure to attend classes and were real pals out of school as they would join in at our parties and dances. Belgrade was a prosperous and upcoming town in those days. Just a reminder of the business places that we were proud of were: From the west side of main street was Charles Pepper's filling station; Carl and Less Cooper's garage; Jess Clark's pool hall; Belgrade Village Hall built by Frank Bressler, the local carpenter; Charles Smith, grocery and dry goods. Next was George McChesnee's grocery store. Also specialized in Red Goose Shoes. Upstairs were the offices of Dr. Glen Fonda. dentist, and Dr. Delaney, M.D. Just west of the store was Colley's lumber yard. Next was Sam Vosburgh Insurance Office; Norcross and Rose Drug & Jewelry Store, Mark Andersen's cream station; Ira and Floyd Irby's Barber Shop, Dad Clayburg's, soft drinks and cards; Farmer State Bank; Ana Foland's grocery store; Orville (Dutch) Kedel's drug store; upstairs was the Belgrade Opera House, noted for home talent plays and good dance orchestras that drew crowds from miles around. Pearl Osborn's dress shop; H. C. Kayton cream station; you could order machinery repairs through our good blacksmith, Tommy Hinton; and Dr. H. E. King's office were some of the other stores on the west side of the main street. Many stores on the east side of the street were: the Belgrade Herald, Editor Bob Dopf; the Chicago Lumber Yard, A. W. Hetrick, Mgr. later G. V. (Casey) Cahou was manager; Wolcott Harness & Shoe Shop. Belgrade Theater, Delbert Knight showed the latest in good movies; Andrews Implement Store; a 166 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ cafe, the U.S. Post Office; upstairs were Lodge Halls for the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. That building was torn down and now Bessie's Cafe occupies that location. East of the Post Office was a shed that housed the Fire Department's hose cart. Across the street, the Bank of Belgrade and the Belgrade Hotel, now the BelHorst Inn. There was Nelson and Harris's grocery and dry goods. Harris later sold his share to Olie Nelson and moved to Monroe. Fred Brown's Barber Shop; Van Wormer's Meat Market, was later sold to W. P. (Bill) Hayford, Ralph Wolcott helped Bill in the shop and Bill also supplied Belgrade with ice from an ice house at the bayou. Ben Ainlay's Insurance and Real Estate Office and John Eldrige's Bakery, which was later sold to Mr. and Mrs. Cliff DeLancey and they operated a cafe; Dr. Yocum's dental office and Rolf's Boarding House. The Hord Ranch was a big asset to Belgrade, managed by Dan Haun. They employed about 15 families, most of them lived in Belgrade. The farmers could always find a ready market for their surplus grains. Dr. G. W. Jackson was our veterinary. He kept a nice herd of Jersey cows and kept Belgrade supplied with milk. After graduation Joe worked for Olie Nelson in his grocery store. Testing cream and buying poultry and eggs for $35 a month. He received his appointment as rural mail carrier on September 5, 1922 and was the proud owner of a new Model "T" Ford. Our winters were quite severe with a lot of snow and the roads had to be all hand shoveled as there wasn't any snow equipment then. Many days Joe shoveled right along with the crews and would go as far as he could, then he would come home at night. [Image: Winter 1931-1932] In the spring when the thaws came, the roads were impassable for cars, so the route was made by team and buggy. Those were long weary cold days, often from 8 a.m. until 7 or 8 p.m. on cold days. Many times a mail carrier would have to walk along side of the team to keep warm. After Joe's mother's death in 1923, his father sold out on the farm in 1924 and moved to Fremont, Nebraska. Joe joined the Belgrade Fire Department in 1924 and played with the Belgrade baseball team several years. He married Lucille Ainlay on June 1,1925. Their daughter, Betty Jean, was born at Grand Island, Nebraska, on October 15, 1930. There are fond memories of the years we lived in Belgrade. Hunting and fishing in the Cedar River, the old bayou and the old duck pond. Joe also ran a trap line through the winter months that proved quite profitable as furs were a good price. He would catch muskrats, mink, racoon (sic) and skunks. They didn't have gas heat those days and wood was plentiful along the Cedar River. Joe always cut and stored a supply to keep the family warm through the winter. A vacancy on a longer route caused him to apply for a transfer to Genoa, Nebraska, which was granted. We moved on February 1, 1934. Joe had an exceptionally good 75-mile route, but after battling the elements for 43 years, 12 years on the Belgrade route and 31 years at Genoa, he decided he had been through enough winters, so he retired on October 1, 1965. 167 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Image: Eleven mallards killed near Belgrade by Joe McKillip.] His patrons were always the greatest, always so thoughtful and kind to him and he always enjoyed serving them to the best of his ability. Joe helped organize the Nance County Historical Society and served as its first president. It has developed into quite a show place for all of Nance County. Joe's hobbies are hunting and fishing and refinishing old furniture. PELIKAN Anton Pelikan was born in Czechoslovakia on April 20, 1883, and died May 19, 1972. He came to the United States in 1891 when he was 8 years old. He grew to manhood in Saline County, Nebraska. In 1918, he came to Nance County, Nebraska, where he lived on the same farm until 1968 when he moved into Fullerton. He married Anna Nabity at Central City on November 28, 1923. They had two daughters, Alice and Anna. Anna died at age 7. Alice married Richard Gabriel on May 14, 1947. Richard passed away on December 6, 1975. Mrs. Pelikan died on October 25, 1975. There are four grandchildren: Leonard Gabriel, Dennis Gabriel, Vickie (Gabriel) Christensen and Mariann Gabriel. [Image: Mr. and Mrs. Anton Pelikan's 30th anniversary November 1953.] 168 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AINLAY Benjamin Joseph Ainlay was born in Brussel Ontario, Canada, the son of John and Eliza Jane (Walker) Ainlay. In 1876, the family and their six children moved to Howard County, Nebraska, to a place known as Canada Hill, so called because of the large number of Canadian emigrants living there. They settled on a farm near the towns of St Paul and Boelus. Two children were born to them while they lived in Howard County. On March 13, 1880, the family moved to Nance County, Nebraska, where they lived for ten years on Timber Creek on a star mail route named Redwing. The means of travel from St. Paul was by horse team and wagon. They had some teams of oxen, which were used to break prairie and till the land. Five more children were born there. Nance County was a Pawnee Indian Reservation until about that time when the United States government traded the Indians out of it and opened it to settlement as Nance County. John Ainlay, in 1881, purchased a tract of this government land, the deed signed by Chester Arthur, President of the United States - Recorders Receipt No. 1226. Registered November 20, 1882. The price was $3 per acre. The family had been living in a "combination dug out" and sod home, and with the help of neighbors, a 2-story house was erected. A sawmill located down the creek furnished the cottonwood and oak lumber. The first school, a sod and log structure, was built in 1880. Labor was donated by the parents of the district; Ben's father, John Ainlay, who was a cabinet maker and carpenter in Canada; and a neighbor, a Mr. Ellsworth, built the desks and seats. School District No. 9 opened its first term with a large enrollment, including six Ainlay children. Miss Fannie Ellsworth was the first teacher at a salary of $25 a month. Parents furnished the fuel for the school term. Ben Ainlay often recalled and was grateful for the solid training in the little sod school house District No. 9 Redwing. He spoke of the spelldowns, the debate teams, the box socials and the "musicals". The Ainlay's were a happy family and enjoyed singing. In 1890 John Ainlay sold their farm to Henry Hellbusch, Sr., and moved to Farnam, Nebraska, in Dawson County. This time the mode of travel was by Burlington Railroad. The oldest son went to the passenger train with the mother and the younger children to help care for them enroute. John Ainlay, Ben and brother Charles traveled on a free pass, with their faithful dog, "Shep", accompanying the car of livestock, machinery and houshold (sic) effects. Ben completed his schooling in Dawson County, and attended Lincoln Business College. He was a member of a college male quartette (sic) group and spent some time touring with them in the area. He returned to Farnam, Nebraska, and worked in a bank as a cashier for two years. In 1901, Ben Ainlay and his bride, Mayme Garven Ainlay, moved to Belgrade, Nebraska, where he opened an insurance and real estate office. An advertisement appearing in the 1902 History of Belgrade, Nebraska, It's [Image: Ben J. Ainlay] 169 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ resources and Advantages reads: B. J. Ainlay, Real Estate and Loans. Improved and unimproved land in Boone and Nance Counties for sale at prices that make gilt-edge investements (sic) and desirable homes. Lands bought and sold. I show you the country free of charge. This he did, driving a team and a top buggy. As time progressed, a Maxwell car was used. He was active in community affairs from the beginning. With his ability for meeting people he had a keen interest in promoting and developing the civic and educational welfare of Belgrade, serving on the town board, school board and as a member of the volunteer fire department. During World War I, he was a loyal worker on the "Home Front", selling War Bonds, organized Red Cross workers and serving as a "Minute Man", who delivered one-minute "pep talks" at gatherings and movie theatres in Nance County and nearby towns. During the severe influenza epidemic at that time, when often entire families were stricken, he delivered hot soup and checked to get help for their care. As a Republican, Ben Ainlay took an active interest in political affairs and was a faithful worker for the success of the party in Nance County. He served as a delegate to county and state conventions and was chairman of the Nance County Republican Central Committee for many years. He served District No. 50 in the Nebraska House of Representatives, from 1913-1919, and as a member of the Nebrasks (sic) Senate from District No. 9, 1917-1919. He served as director of the Cedar Valley Public Power and Irrigation District. He also served as Nance County Assessor for 10 years. He retired in 1962 after 62 years in the insurance and real estate business in Belgrade. He died on January 25, 1966. His hobbies were music, reading, hunting and fishing. Mayme Morse Garven Ainlay was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, in 1881, to Anthony and Mary Morse Garven. At 8 years of age, she moved with her parents to Farnam, Nebraska. She attended school there and the Franklin Academy, a Congregational school, in Franklin, Nebraska. She was married in 1901 to Benjamin J. Ainlay and came to Belgrade as his bride, where she spent the remainder of her life. In addition to raising a large family, she found time to take part in civic and educational affairs. She was an active worker in the Ladies Aid Society, a member of the school board, serving as its secretary for a number of years; in Red Cross work for the local chapter in World War I. She was a charter member of the Priscilla Rebekah Lodge of Belgrade. She died on August 22,1950. Mr. and Mrs. Ainlay are survived by five daughters: Miss Marguerite Ainlay of Belgrade, Nebraska; Mrs. J. H. (Lucille) McKillip of Genoa, Nebraska; Mrs. Harold (Dorothy) Whitehead of Monroe, Wisconsin, Mrs. Helen Vogt of Bettendorf, Iowa; and Mrs. James (Elinor) Kennedy of Covina, California. Their only son, Benjamin J. Ainlay, of Troy, Kansas, died in October of 1979. THE CHARLES GRAFFT FAMILY The Charles Grafft family moved from Page County, Iowa, to the farm they had purchased in Nance County, Nebraska, in 1907. They built the house on the farm now occupied by Dick Allington. A daughter, Grace, attended rural District No. 37 while the family lived here. She died in 1908 at the age of 13 following amputation of her leg. They sold this farm and purchased a farm at the edge of the seven hills area of Nance County. This farm is now owned by Clifford McCray. Following the marriage of their son, Eben Grafft, to Ruby Hadfield in 1911, Mr. and Mrs. Grafft and daughters, Fannie and Stella moved to the home they built at 713 Division in Fullerton. Mr. and Mrs. Eben Grafft and children moved to Holt County, Nebraska in 1918 or 1919. Stella Grafft married Aaron Hadfield in 1912. They lived in 170 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Image: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Grafft] Nance County, Nebraska, throughout their married life. Mrs. Grafft died in 1917. Mr. Grafft later sold the home at 713 Division and resided in Oklahoma several years, later returning to Fullerton where he died in 1931. A granddaughter, Bethel Hadfield Bearce resides in Fullerton. Fannie Grafft married Frank Baker and lived in Oklahoma. Earl Grafft married Nellie Bearce and lived in Texas, Missouri and Iowa. THE GEORGE RIEKEN FAMILY George Rieken was born at Peoria, Illinois on June 16, 1879. He was the first baby to be baptized in the first Lutheran Church built at Peoria, Illinois. When he was about 12 years old his parents came to Nebraska settling at Humphrey. A few years later they moved three miles north of Cedar Rapids Nebraska, where he grew up. He married Carrie Michael at Albion, Nebraska, on October 2, 1902. Carrie was born at Belgrade, Nebraska on August 30, 1885 to Henry and Ida Michael on the place where Edward Ksiazek lives now. Henry Michael had the first boarding house in Belgrade, just north of where the post office building is now. She put up lunches for the men who built the railroad to Cedar Rapids. After George and Carrie were married they lived north of Cedar Rapids in a sod house where they farmed. Later they moved closer to Primrose, Nebraska and that is where some of us had seen the first power driven car and it almost scared us to death. Mr. and Mrs. Rieken moved to Nance County in about 1907, where George bought 160 acres of land for $900. Without any buildings on the land, they rented a place south of it with buildings. We lived there for two years. The place was south of the Timber Creek Store, about two miles from where Miss Beverly Abbey lives now. George had cut the sod for the last sod house in Nance County and built it himself. It was cemented on the inside and had wooden floors and a shingled roof, which made it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They built a new frame house a short distance from the sod house in 1914. In 1920, they moved to Howard County where more land could be farmed and there was pasture land for cattle. In 1933, they moved back to Nance County and later moved to Boone County where they celebrated their 50th anniversary. In the picture of the sod house, three of the children are pictured with their father in the back, with the first mule colt he raised. He liked to raise horses and would sell a good many matched teams. They raised a family of nine children, of which eight are still living. Our grandfather, Henry Michael, helped to get the first Lions Club started in Fullerton and also the Eagles Club. He was into real estate in Fullerton. They left Fullerton in 1938 for California, where he passed away in 1939. 171 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Image: Rieken sod house. Perle, Gib, and Belle. Grandpa in the background with his first mule.] MOORE John Smiley Moore, grandfather of Nettie (Moore) Myers, was born on February 21, 1829, at Sharon, Ohio. On January 1, 1852, he married Hannah Bigley, who was born on March 13, 1829, at Sharon, Ohio. The following spring they moved to Cascade, Iowa, later moving to Delaware County, Iowa, and stayed there for 21 years. Their seven children were born there. In February of 1857, two-year-old Nancy slid under the ice on the river near their home, (when the new baby was just four days old) the body wasn't found until spring. The family left Delaware County, Iowa, in a covered wagon to Fremont, Nebraska, in the fall of 1873. Moving from there 1 1/2 years later to a homestead at Pinnacle Hill in Boone County, 4 1/2 miles northeast of Belgrade, Nebraska. A sod house was built and later a frame house was built with the lumber hauled from Fremont, the closest railroad town. This new house was their pride and joy, but they nearly froze to death the first winter. On nice winter days they would go to the river in a wagon to cut ice and store it in an ice cave for summer use; they also cut wood for fuel for cooking and to heat the house. They raised vegetables, storing them in the cellar for winter meals. A tribe of Indians lived not too far away and when the Moore's were at the river the Indians would come over to see what was going on and admire and touch the youngest child, (a little blonde blue eyed girl). One winter when the Indian chief was hunting a blizzard came up. The Moore's heard a knock on their door and opening the door they found a very sick Indian; they took care of him until he was well enough to go home to his tribe. The Indians told them they would never have to circle around the Indian Village to go to town that the Moore's were welcome to travel through their village, but all other white people would still have to circle the village to go to town. Later the Indian chief sent one of their ponies to the little blonde girl because the family had been so good to him. The little girl (Lettie) rode the pony to school each morning then turned it loose to go home. Some of the large cattle drives went by the Moore section of land. They liked to stop there knowing they were safe from the Indians. John Moore wouldn't allow any drinking, card playing or other gambling on his place, so the men were always sober and didn't cause trouble with any Indians that might be passing by. John Moore was one of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 172 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pinnacle Hill and with his wife was always active there. After turning 21 years of age in November of 1885, his son, Joseph Wm. Moore bought a quarter section of land in Nance County, just east of his parents' homestead, from the government for $8 per acre. Before that it was Indian land and could not be bought or homesteaded. Joseph Wm. Moore and Carrie Frances Martin were married in November of 1895 and lived on the place for 30 years. They were the parents of four children, Gladys, lives in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and has seven children; Nettie lives in Fullerton, Nebraska, had five children with the second and third deceased, Voil G. lived only seven weeks; and Ilo the youngest passed away in 1975 at 75 years of age. He had seven children. Nettie Moore's husband L. R. (Bunch) Myers was a rural mail carrier for 41 years before he passed away in 1967. She taught school three years before she was married. This is the story of the Moore family who homesteaded in Boone County, but wound up in Nance County. [Image: Joe Moore, Belgrade, Ne.] WETOVICK Mr. and Mrs. William Wetovick were married in Plesna, Poland, on May 7, 1885. They left their homeland for America in 1889, when both were in their 20's. Mrs. Wetovick's brother Jon Fyda was to meet them in the Village of Duncan and the train didn't stop, so it took them on to Grand Island, where they spent the night on an open platform until the next morning when the train came back from North Platte. [Image: Mr. and Mrs. William Wetovick] 173 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ They lived in a sod house until they moved to Nance County in 1893, 9 1/2 miles east of Fullerton in another sod house. In 1903, they moved 4 1/2 miles east of Fullerton. They encountered floods that came from Prairie Creek, north of Central City, and also dry years. In 1915, they bought 38 acres on the east edge of Fullerton's city limits, and lived there until retiring in 1937. They bought a house one block from the Catholic Church and lived there for 12 years. They had six daughters and two sons: Mrs. Sophie Boro, deceased; Mrs. Anna Boro of Silver Creek, Nebraska; Mrs. Emily Koziol, deceased; Mrs. Albina Zima of Ashtabula, Ohio; Mrs. Victoria Warloski of Columbus, Nebraska; Mrs. Leocadia Siemek, of Fullerton, Nebraska; August Wetovick, Sr., deceased; and Edward Wetovick of Kearney, Nebraska. HADFIELD A. R. (Rangley) Hadfield was born in Waukeshau, Wisconsin. His family later moved to Osage, Iowa. Rangley left home at a young age and drove a freight wagon in Colorado, dressed game for the railroad and participated in a cattle drive from Texas to Colorado. He came to Nance County around 1876 and purchased a quarter of land in Loup Ferry Township, south of North Star. He bought a grasshopper breaking plow to work his land and helped other farmers to break the sod on their land earning money in this fashion to pay for his quarter and two additional quarters which he acquired. Rangley married Jessie O. Burke on December 22, 1883. Their five children were Gwendolyn Maybon, Georgie Coakley, Aaron, Ruby Grafft, and Clifford. Though Rangley was essentially a farmer, he never lost his love for livestock. He had a large herd of cattle and the best horses and mules in the area. In 1910, Rangley moved to Fullerton and a home was built at 506 Reynolds now owned by Dr. Donn Simonson. Aaron and later Clifford farmed the home place. Clifford lives in Fullerton, with his wife Emma Alvina, daughter of Hans Frenzen. Clifford and Emma have two children, Mrs. Robert (Wynona) Forbes of Palmer, Nebraska, and Clifford Douglas of Belgrade, Nebraska. Bethel Bearce, a daughter of Aaron, also lives in Fullerton. ROHNER Jacob Benjamin Rohner, familiarly known as Jake, was born on April 16 1865, in Sioux City, Iowa. He was a Swiss descendant, his parents having come from Switzerland. He married Emma May Gelston, who was born in Elk City, Nebraska, in 1870. The family came to Nebraska in 1890 and lived near Belgrade, Nebraska, later moving to Fullerton where he was a dealer in farm machinery and automobile sales. There were two sons, Ralph, born on January 1, 1895. He died on September 1, 1896. Lester Leo was born on May 22, 1904. He married BenDena Monica Zeller and they had one daughter. He is now retired and living in Columbus, Nebraska, where he had owned and operated the Rohner Motor Company, worked for United Finance Corporation and owned and managed the Gottschalk Insurance Agency until his retirement in 1969. BROWN Alfred Brown, Sr., was born in Meigs County, Ohio, in 1841. He was the son of John and Mary Hampton Brown. His father and older brother died when he was 13 years old, leaving him the oldest of the four remaining children. In 1861, he enlisted in the Union Army, and fought in the Civil War for four years. He was engaged in many major battles and was wounded once. His younger brother, Harvey, was killed in a battle near Reseca, Georgia, in 1864. After the war, he farmed for seven years in Ohio before moving to St. Paul, Nebraska, in 1872 with his wife, the former Ruth P. Crowell, and small son, Ora. They were former neighbors of the Paul Brothers, who founded St. Paul. 174 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following spring they moved to Loup City, Nebraska, to their homestead. There he farmed, also served as the first Sunday School Superintendent, County Treasurer and County Commissioner, until they moved to Nance County in 1878. Their farm, which was purchased from the government, was located in the western part of Nance County in the community now known as Glenwood. It took three days to move their livestock which consisted of 935 head of sheep, some cows, a team of horses and a span of mules. That first fall they put up over 100 tons of hay, using very primitive tools. Their first house was made of lumber purchased in Kearney, framed in Loup City and then moved to Nance County. It was a hardship to go to St. Paul after the mail so a post office was established in their home. Also, at that time, a Star Route was formed from St. Paul to Genoa and then they got their mail three times a week. There were four other post offices on the route. After losing many of the sheep to dogs and wolves, they commenced raising cattle and hogs. He bought more land until he owned 480 acres. The family consisted at that time of Ora, Evalina, Jr. Alf., Ben and Mittie. Ora never married. He died in 1944. Evalina (Wages) died in 1905. Her four sons then made their home with their grandparents. In 1913, Ruth P. Brown died. Alfred Brown remarried in 1923 to Mrs. Julia Gage of Palmer. He died in 1933 at the age of 92. Jr. Alf Brown married Ruth I. Niles of Fullerton in 1906. He lived on a farm across the road from the original home his entire life. He raised purebred Belgian horses and did diversified farming. He died in 1972 at the age of 92. Their children were Harvey, Roger, Jack and Ruth Marie. Jack married Maxine Lamberson and died in 1972. Their three children are Joan, Buster and Barbara. Harvey and Roger still live in Nance County. Harvey married Leta Lamberson. Their children are Dyke, Jay R. and Donna who all reside near Fullerton. Roger married Elsie Jacobsen. Their four children are Bryan, Jean, Robert and Kenneth. Ruth Marie married Dale Wages, and lives in Montana. Her six children are Dean, Jean, Joyce, Judy, David and Janet. Ben lived on the home place for many years. He was married twice. His first wife was Myra Carter. His second wife was Inez Gates. His children are: Mildred Ada (Pelican), Beulah (Sterling), Benjamin and Buren. Mittie married Oscar Hadley. Their children are Oscar and Dale. FEHRS John Fehrs, son of Hans and Christina (nee Nitsen Fehrs), was born in Germany on July 24, 1854, and came to the United States May 27, 1881. He lived in Iowa until 1885 before he came to Nebraska. He received his naturalization papers on September 14, 1906. He married on July 12, 1889, Anna Bokelmann, daughter of Peter and Anna Hedwig (nee Vagts), who had also come from Germany. They lived on a farm south of Genoa, one year in the Skeedee area and then came to live in Timber Creek Township choosing this area because of a settlement of people, who had come from Germany and because there was an established Lutheran church. John died in 1928 and Anna in 1924. A brother, Henry, shared their home. There were five children: Henry Hans, born June 21, 1890, died February 1947. Marie Welhemena, born May 24, 1900, died May 25 1900. Peter John, born February 3, 1892, died August 4, 1918. Helena Christina, born April 21, 1893, died in 1968. Herman Carl, born July 26, 1896, died November 1 1970. Henry and Helena, familiarly known as Lena, lived in the family home and continued to do so after their parents' death. 175 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peter served in the United States Army in World War I training at Camp Funston, Kansas, and serving as a Private in Company "A" of the 28th Infantry in France, where he gave his life on August 4, 1918. The family always lived with the added sorrow that he never had a furlough to come home after he was drafted. Herman was married to Helen Naomi Irwin, daughter of Lewis Richardson and Eva Rose (nee Graves) Irwin on October 20,1935, and they lived on a farm in the Timber Creek area moving to the "home" place after the death of Henry. On November 23, 1937 a son, John Allen was born. He attended school at District No. 62 and No. 7, graduated from Belgrade High School in 1955, and from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1960. He enlisted in the United States Navy, was chosen for Officer's Candidate School, graduated and served until 1964. He attained the rank of Lieutenant in the Naval Reserve. He married Sharon Kay Hansen, daughter of Louis and Annabel (nee Rieken) Hansen, on October 17, 1964. They have three sons, Troy Allen, born on March 9, 1966; Steven John, born on April 10, 1968; and David Louis, born on October 3, 1969. They now live at Norfolk, Nebraska. IRWIN Lewis Richardson Irwin was born on September 21, 1875, in Union Mills, Indiana. He came by covered wagon with his parents, James and Martha Virginia (nee Snavely), to Nebraska in 1878 and lived in Seward County. He escaped possible disaster in the blizzard of 1888 because his riding horse refused to be restrained and took him from a neighbor's farm, at a rapid gait, arriving at his parents' home just before the storm struck. He came to Nance County with his parents, three sisters, Eva, Gladys, and Etho, and one brother, Willis, in 1901 and lived on a farm near Genoa. On November 27, 1907, he married Eva Rose Graves, who was born on November 5, 1888, daughter of William Allen and Sarah Martha (nee Pickerel) Graves. She was a Nance County teacher. Lewis died on January 30, 1952 and Eva on December 25, 1958. They had five children all of whom were Nance County teachers at some time. The children are Leta Ramona, born August 29, 1908, who married Vernon Luther Morris on June 1, 1930. They lived on a farm on the western edge of Nance County until they retired and moved to Fullerton in 1978. Ramona was a teacher for 20 years the last five years being in the Wolbach School. They had one daughter, Linda Lu (Mrs. Jack Sample) and three grandsons. Helen Naomi born on her mother's birthday, November 5, 1911. She married Herman Carl Fehrs on October 20, 1935. They lived on a farm in Timber Creek Township. They had one son, John Allen, born on November 23, 1937, who married Sharon Kay Hansen. There are three grandsons. Helen now lives in Fullerton. She belongs to Peace Lutheran Church, Peace Lutheran Church Women, Timber Creek Home Extension Club, Nance County Home Extension Council, Nebraska Contest Writer's Association, first life member of the Nance County Historical Society, a charter member of the Fullerton Flower Belles Garden Club, the Fullerton Woman's Club, served on the Fullerton Park, Tree and Recreation Board and the Advisory Committee of Fullerton Adult Education classes and American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 151. Etho Arlene, born on July 19, 1914, married Marion Howard Wilson on March 30, 1940. They live on a farm at St. Paul, Oregon. Arlene was a teacher in the Salem, Oregon, school system until retiring in 1976. They have one daughter, Marlene Kay (Mrs. John Fox), one son, Douglas Marion, and one grandson and one granddaughter. Richard Leslie, born on September 3, 1917, lives in Rockville, Maryland. He is now Laboratory Director of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He married Lorella Garton on May 25, 1943, and they have two daughters, Cynthia (Mrs. Jim Power); Martha (Mrs. Kerry Fedderly) and one son, Richard Garton Irwin. There is one grandson. 176 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Virginia Eloise, born on September 12, 1923, lives in Fullerton, Nebraska with her husband, Wm. M. Anderson, Jr., whom she married on June 1, 1946. She is a bookkeeper for Whited & Son's John Deere Implement Co. They have one daughter, Jeanne Eloise (Mrs. Ralph Horacek), and one son, William Lee. There are three grandchildren. WILLIAM MYERS William Myers was born December 18, 1854, and in about 1866 came to Nebraska from Calhoun County, Illinois. He resided first at Blair, then Shelton and then in Nance County. He was a farmer, steam boat operator on the Missouri and was a fireman on the railroad. After coming to Nance County, he lived 12 miles southwest of Fullerton on the north side of the Loup River. Abigail Finas was born March 28, 1861, and in about 1868 came to Nebraska from Greggville, Illinois. William and Abigail Myers were some of the first settlers in Nance County when land in the county had been kept by the Government for the Pawnee Indian Reservation but was being sold to settlers as school land for $2.50 to $3.00 per acre. The money was to be used to start schools, so it was called School Land. In 1879, just recently married, they came in a covered wagon pulled by oxen from Shelton, Nebraska. They crossed the Loup River four or five miles west of where the Palmer Bridge now stands on a Ferry Boat run by John Luddington. There were no roads, they just drove across the prairie in the direction they wished to go. They settled on Horse Creek just at the foot of hill country. They had partly hill land and partly valley. They wished to run their cattle in the hills and water them in Horse Creek or the Loup River. They built the first wooden frame house in that part of the country. Others were "Soddies" or "dug outs". They hauled their lumber from Grand Island across the prairie in wagons often getting stuck in the sand south of the Loup River. There was a Pony Express that brought the mail once or twice a week for 2¢ a letter. One post office was on Cotton Wood Creek, land now owned by Alf Brown; another post office closer to them about 1 1/2 miles on land later owned by George Russell. "Amrow" was the name of one and "Lone Tree" the other. The old post office was still standing a few years ago on land now owned by Donald Cunningham. There were no houses between their place and the ferry boat landing west of the Palmer Bridge. Pawnee Indians were frequent visitors at the little house asking for food. Prairie fires and grasshoppers were other problems. Then at the time of the Horse Creek Murder, William was with the possee (sic) that looked for the killer. Abigail stayed at home alone with three small children while the men looked day and night for the killer. She was frightened that it may be their turn next. There were some good times too, when neighbors dropped in for a night of square dancing to William's violin music. New neighbors kept coming into the territory. Some of them were Bales, Lawrence's, and later the Russell's. They lived on the same farm all their lives enlarging the house as needed to hold ten children. William died in 1922 and Abigail in 1942. Their children were Leatsy Mae, married to Ed McCloud, now deceased. Purl Oscar, married Marie [Image: Mr. and Mrs. William Myers] 177 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Henke, now deceased. George Wesley, now deceased. Emery William, married to Ida Grouch and then to Alice Owens, now deceased. Luella E. of Ft. Morgan, Colorado, Estella Grace, married Harry Gravis, now deceased. Bernice Marie married Harley Scott, now of Ft. Morgan, Colorado. Iva Zerelda married William Fredricken, now of Fullerton. Ina Carolyn married Melvin Williams of Fullerton. Abbie Fern married Guy Gilson now of Fullerton. Ina Carolyn married Melvin E. Williams on June 24, 1922, at Fullerton, Nebraska. To this union 9 children were born. Barbara June married Ed Bridgland of DeGraffe, Minnesota. Evelyn Darlene married Elmer Meyer now of Belgrade, Nebraska. Wilford Melvin, married Rachel Peterson, now deceased. Wesley Wayne, married Florence Berst, now of St. Paul, Nebraska. Richard Ray, married Patricia Ohern, now of Genoa. Ralph LeRoy, married Donna Wicht, now of Dannebrog. Melva Jean married Lyle Nicholson, now of St. Edward. James Lynn, married Jeanette Nelson, now of Central City. Carolyn Kam, married Micheal Brannan, now of Norwalk, Iowa. WILLIAM A. SCARLETT William A. Scarlett was born in Orange County, North Carolina, on October 9, 1830. When he was 14 years old his parents moved to Indiana where he lived until 1849. In 1849 he crossed the plains with a small party going to California where he gained considerable wealth in the new gold field, later returning to Indiana. On December 13, 1853, he married Lydia A. Faucett in Orangeville, Indiana. When they heard of the government selling land for $3.50 an acre in Nance County, Nebraska they immediately decided to come west and look the land over. On March 3, 1879, they left Illinois. They started out in three covered wagons driving cattle and horses making from 13 to 25 miles a day. There were a lot of prairie chickens and wild game along the journey and by baking bread they got along nicely. He bought 492 acres. Buying four places, 160-160-92, giving Tom Scarlett and George Scarlett 80 acres apiece. Ernest Fickwiler buying the 92 acres. Eight miles west of the town, now Fullerton, which was only a land office and a postoffice at that time, they lived in a cabin on Horse Creek until the house was built. The lumber for the building was hauled from Central City over old buffalo trails and crossing the Loup River on a Ferry. In the fall of 1880, Almira and four other members of the family went back to Iowa in a covered wagon. Roads had improved, put the team in a stable for 10¢ when starting back to Nebraska went to hotel bought coffee three quarts for 15¢. Slept in a new barn and paid 10¢ for each of them. January 29th., crossed the river at Council Bluffs, Iowa, on ice and camped at Fremont, Nebraska. Then Schuyler and Genoa arriving home safe. Later William gave a corner of his home place for a building of a school house in 1884, and in 1900 donated more land north of the school house for a Methodist Church. They resided on the 169 acres which they settled on until their deaths. To this union were born eight children, six girls and two boys. William died July 6, 1905, and Lydia died March 6, 1907. Emily Jane Scarlett was born October 15, 1854. She married W. Eli Lawrence on April 19, 1878. They had four children: Gertie, Arland, Pearl and Lessie. Emily died January 4, 1937 and Eli January 18, 1937. Evander Thomas (Tom) Scarlett was born in Mercer, Illinois December 25, 1858. He was united in marriage to Arbell Versaw, February 24, 1879, at Altoona, Iowa. Five children were born to this union. Jessie, Olin, Vernie, and Clarence and Clara, twins. Tom died August 3, 1918, and Belle died on December 6, 1945. Their daughter Jessie married Munson Knowles. George A. Scarlett was born in Mercer, Illinois, on April 20,1861. He was united in marriage to Nancy Morrison, born June 28, 1881, at Fullerton, Nebraska. Three children were born to this union: Minnie, Charley, Lydia. He died October 24, 1895, and Nancy died January 25,1948. Almira Anna was born in Mercer, Illinois, on September 28, 1856. She married Ernest E. Fickwiler October 31, 1888. They had a large home wedding. 178 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eighty invited and a big feed. Bought their home place, 1/2 mile south of Scarlett's place, in 1890 where they lived until 1911 when they moved to Fullerton. ERNEST E. FICKWILER Ernest E. Fickwiler, son of Anna and Chris Fickwiler, was born in Trenton, New Jersey on April 10, 1862. When he was four years old, he moved to Pennsylvania and in 1870 they moved to Blue Mound near Bloomington. At the age of 22, he decided to go west. He and two other boys started out on January 29, 1885. No one had heard of Fullerton, Nebraska so they could only buy tickets to Genoa. They arrived in Fullerton by train at 12 o'clock at night, staying at the hotel. After the other boys looked around in the morning, back home they went. When he arrived in Fullerton there was a livery barn, hotel, land office, post office, Wilk's bank and Bake's grocery store. Ernest went to the livery barn and hired a team and driver taking a sled for there was lots of snow. Paid the driver $1.50. He was gone all afternoon until very late at night. The country was all prairie with very few homes. He drove up the Cottonwood and the places he saw was Judson Loucks, Chas Downing then the Scarlett places. No more until Horse Creek. In less than a week he went out again with Mr. Green on his way to Cottonwood. Stopped and got work at Dan Bridgland. Wages were $16.00 a month or $200.00 per year. Started farming the next year by himself boarding with Theo. Lenker. Batched the next year until he married in the fall. Bought six chairs for $1.00 and they are still in the family. Sold 50 bushels of oats for $5.00 to buy the wedding ring. People burned corn for fuel in 1895. Corn was 8¢ a bushel. Corn made 50 and 60 bushel per acre. Four children were born to this union. Clara Eva was born October 11, 1889, on a farm eight miles west of Fullerton. Married John O. Rishel on April 24, 1921. Bought a place and lived a block east of Knowles Garage in Fullerton. John passed away April 19, 1959. Elsie Emma was born June 9 1892. She married Hestle Elmore on August 28, 1949. She died October 14, 1969, and Hestle died September 20, 1970. Effie Mae was born March 12, 1894. She married Allen Moses on August 28, 1949. Effie died July 23, 1957. Lydia Almira was born August 12, 1896. She married Allen Waggoner on February 22, 1928. They moved to a farm four miles north and west of Clarks. They had two children, Donna Jean, born January 18, 1929, married Carl Hoffer and lives in California. Ivan Eugene, born February 10, 1932, married Marylin Knox on November 2, 1955. Allen Waggoner died September 20, 1949. Clara worked in the grocery store and as bookkeeper at the creamery for over 15 years. Lydia worked at the Post Office for eight years. Ida Florence was born in Mercer, Illinois, on November 26,1863. United in marriage to S. W. Downing on November 11, 1885. Four children were born to this union. Willie, Eva, Ethel and an infant. Mother and baby both died in childbirth on December 21, 1899. She was 36 years old. Billie Downing died February 9, 1923, in Idaho and Eva died in 1918. Minnie Elizabeth was born in Polk County, Iowa, on December 23, 1865. United in marriage to John W. Reeves on December 13,1883, at Fullerton. Four children were born to this union. Alta, infant who died, Hazel, infant who died. Minnie died May 7, 1913. John Reeves died July 22, 1935 at Los Angeles, California. Rose Mae was born in Polk County, Iowa, on May 13, 1868. United in marriage to George W. Moore September 16, 1891 at Fullerton. Six children were born to this union. Vera, Leslie, Ira, Percy, Harry and Ruth. They moved to Idaho in 1902. Rose died November 23, 1923. George died September 19, 1937. Bertha Ellen was born in Polk County, Iowa, on January 15, 1877, and died March 24, 1877. MUNSON LIVINGSTON KNOWLES Munson Livingston Knowles was born December 31, 1873. He married 179 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jessie Mae Scarlett on September 23, 1896. Born to this union was Leonard F. Knowles, 1899; Ina Mae Newman on June 12, 1903 and Theo. T. Knowles born June 6, 1907. He died December 15, 1955. Munson died April 28, 1941. Leonard married Mildred Richards on August 12, 1919. They have one son Richard Munson, born on January 5, 1924. Richard married Janette Depue on January 15, 1942. To this union was born three children, Barry, February 17, 1945, Beverly, December 31, 1946 and Susan Faye, November 19, 1954. Barry married Cindy Hannuman September 22, 1978, Beverely married Joe Ferguson September 30, 1965 and Susan married Joe Miller April 6,1974. MARTIN JOHN SCHUMACHER Leona Adele Steffes and Martin John Schumacher were married on October 20, 1924, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Leona was born on December 30, 1893, in Humphrey, Nebraska, to John Thomas Steffes and Lena Marie Edwards Steffes. Martin was born on Janaury (sic) 5 1897, at St. Mary's, Nebraska, to Christian and Helen Schumacher. Leona attended school in Humphrey, Nebraska graduating from high school. She attended Kearney Normal in Kearney, Nebraska, 1918-1919 and the School of Music in Lincoln, Nebraska, 1919-1920. She taught in Wymore, Orleans and Blair, Nebraska. Martin moved to Fullerton, Nebraska from Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, in 1923. Four children were born to this union: Marion Helen, John Martin, Leonard Joseph and Janet Louise. MR. AND MRS. ART LOFTUS Arthur R. Loftus was born at Fullerton, Nebraska, on January 23, 1912. He served in the Army during World War II. On May 2, 1949, he married Clara Barbara Steiner at Fremont, Nebraska. She was born on June 27, 1916, at David City, Nebraska, to Frank M. and Margaret M. (Beringer) Steiner. Mrs. Loftus began an early career in cafe and restaurant work. She worked in the Home Cafe at Genoa for one year, and following its sale in 1942, she came to work as a cook in the Griffin Cafe at Fullerton. She became manager of the restaurant in 1943 and in 1944 she leased the business. She later sold her stock in the cafe to Larry Pachunka. In 1945, she opened her own restaurant, Clara's Cafe, in the building which now houses Wayne's Clothing The business was later moved to the Griffin Cafe building where it was destroyed by fire. Mr. and Mrs. Loftus reopened the business some months later in the building now the Eagles annex. They operated the cafe there until their retirement in 1978. The are the parents of a son, LaVern Arthur Loftus, born on May 31, 1951. CHARLES OTIS NESBITT Charles Otis Nesbitt was born at Champaign, Illinois, in 1878. He came to Nance County in about 1885 and lived with the G. B. Bateman family, five miles northwest of Fullerton. After working on farms for several years, he began farming on his own in 1898. He married Ella Peregrine in 1902. The couple farmed northwest of Fullerton until 1909 when they bought their first farm eight miles southwest of Fullerton. The couple had six sons, Merle, Oliver, Edwin, Kenneth, Alvin and Melvin. Kenneth Nesbitt resides in Twin Falls, Idaho, and Melvin Nesbitt resides at Fullerton, Nebraska. The other sons are decreased. Two grandsons, Oliver Nesbitt and Donald Nesbitt, reside in Fullerton. Charles Otis Nesbitt donated the land for the South Side Evangelical Church and was also very instrumental in forming the church and keeping it going. He taught the Sunday School class as well as firing up the furnace on winter mornings. In later years the church was sold and removed from its original site, 5 miles south and 3 miles west of Fullerton. Charles Otis Nesbitt died in 1955. His wife died in 1952. 180 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HENRY J. MASON Henry J. Mason was born on August 25, 1852, in Will County, Illinois. He married Mary Jane Peck on May 28, 1876, at Homer, Illinois. He was a school teacher by profession until coming to Nebraska in about 1884. The couple purchased the SW1/4 of Section 33, Township 16, Range 6 in Nance County, Nebraska. This was part of the Pawnee Reservation. The couple had four children, two of whom died in 1885, and his wife died in 1886. On April 13, 1892, he married Mattie S. Kimball. To this union, six children were born. They were Guy, Lowell, Muriel, Robert, Lyle and Dolly. The two daughters, Mrs. Maurice (Muriel) Myers and Mrs. Merle (Dolly) Nesbitt; still reside at Fullerton, Nebraska. Lavida Mason (Robert's wife) also lives at Fullerton. Edna Mason (Lowell's wife) resides in Colorado. Grandchildren residing in Nance County are: Mrs. Dale (Mary) Milby, Mrs. Glen (Alice) Sprague, Mrs. Nelson (Donna Rose) Weller, Larry Mason, Garry Mason, Oliver Nesbitt, Donald Nesbitt, Mrs. Gary (Connie Jo) Loseke and Martin Milby. JOHN C. AUGUSTUS An invasion of Army worms in the early 1880's caused the John C. Augustus family to leave their farm near Shattuck, Illinois, and come to Fullerton, Nebraska. They loaded two covered wagons for the long trip. One of the wagons was driven by 11-year-old John A. Augustus, who became known in Fullerton as Art Augustus. Other members of the family making the trip were Argenta, Josulyn, Arthur William and John C. Augustus and his wife Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Martin, a nephew, and his family followed in a covered wagon. Other families who came to Fullerton from the Shattuck area were the Baldridge's, Donson's and Copple's. Arthur Augustus grew to manhood and married Lillian Ridell, who had come to Fullerton from Taylor, Nebraska. The Augustus family lived on a farm on the south side of the Loup river in the Whitney neighborhood. Their children Josulyn Valerie, born September 7, 1903, and Dale, born October, 2, 1905, attended District 55 school. When the children reached high school age, their parents moved to a farm three miles south of Fullerton on Highway 14. Dale died of pneumonia on December 4,1921. Valeria graduated from Fullerton high school with the Class of 1923 and in 1927 graduated from the University of Nebraska. She taught school in Monroe, Fullerton and Clarks. On October 7, 1945, she was married to her old school mate, Paul [Image: Standing: Lillian Augustus, (mother), and Valerie Augustus, (daughter). Seated: Dale Augustus, (son), and Arthur Augustus, (father).] 181 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ludington, a returned World War II veteran. The couple continued to make their home on the farm 3 miles south of Fullerton and later retired and moved into Fullerton where they were engaged in the antique business. Their daughter, Mrs. Robert (Julie) Becker and family of four children reside at Columbus. J. A. Arthur Augustus was born on February 28, 1875, at Shattuck, Illinois, and died at his home south of Fullerton on March 31, 1949. Lillian (Ridell) Augustus was born on January 5, 1881, and died on January 24,1943. LUDINGTON AND McMILLIN FAMILIES My grandfather Ludington came to this area in 1873 and located his farm. Then the family came in a covered wagon from Adel, Iowa, with two daughters. They settled on a farm on the north side of the river in the Merrick county strip, which is one-half mile wide. When Nance County land was sold, my grandfather purchased 60 acres in Nance County adjoining his 160 acres. He operated a ferry boat and a sorghum mill, besides farming. Their descendants living in Nance County are Mrs. Ray (Lenore) Peregrine, the late Mrs. Donald (Bette) Horacek, Paul Ludington of Fullerton and Mrs. Elmer Lund of Genoa. My grandfather McMillin and his wife came from Vinton, Ohio, in 1874. They settled in Howard County. When Nance County opened up in 1879, he purchased a quarter of land near Glenwood. The land is now owned by the Forbes family. My grandfather McMillin stayed in Nance County only one year. He planted it to corn. However, ducks ate his corn that year so he moved back to Howard County near Cushing. Both my grandfathers attended the first political convention held in Nance County. Genoa had a slate of candidates and Fullerton had one, too. The Fullerton candidates were nominated, the last one being for county superintendent. The Genoa candidate had the floor and he was running a filibuster. My grandfather Ludington was sitting on the platform. He took his cane and pulled the speaker down in his chair and held him. The convention chairman then recognized a Fullerton delegate. He nominated Dan Barber who was later elected as our first superintendent. My parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Ludington came from South Dakota to Fullerton in 1908. We spent the winter in grandfather and grandmother Ludington's home. It was the Brad Slaughter house and stood where Dr. Seberg's home is located now. Mr. Kellogg, the father of the late County Clerk Wilbur Kellogg, had a broom factory in a two room house on my grandparents' place. I enjoyed watching them make brooms. All the machines were foot-powered. They would let me pedal the machine that wound the wire at the top of the broom. My brother, Forrest, had pneumonia. The doctor had given him up. Grandmother Ludington brought in a tub of hot water and they sweated him out. The fever broke and he lived. I remember Minnie (Freeman) Penny. Her husband, Ed, operated a department store in the building from which the Fullco Store now operates. The Penny's took part in politics. Ed Penny was a republican delegate to the national convention which nominated President Harding in 1920. Mrs. Penny was the first state president of the American Legion Auxiliary. THE HEBDA FAMILY John P. Hebda was born in Austria in 1871, son of George Hebda and Anna Mlodelska. He married Mary Kolodzei, who was born on September 3, 1875, at Tarnov, Poland, at Columbus, Nebraska on November 6,1895. She was the daughter of Bartholomew Kolodzei and Katy Chiohan. Among the couple's three sons and three daughters was Steven Hebda, who was born on September 182 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13, 1904, at Columbus, Nebraska. The family moved to Nance County about 1916. On February 22, 1927, Steven Hebda married Frances Uzendoski in Sts. Peter and Paul Church at Krakow. She was born on May 8, 1907, in Nance County. She is one of the seven children of Peter and Catharine (Speas) Uzendoski, who were married on May 9, 1899, at Krakow. Peter Uzendoski was born on June 22, 1873, in Poland, and died in Fullerton, Nebraska, on October 14, 1942. Catharine Speas was born in Nance County on October 4, 1881, and died at Fullerton, Nebraska, on May 6, 1969. Her parents were Simon and Maryanna Jaworski and had eight children. [Image: The Peter Uzendoski Family.] Following their marriage, Steven and Frances Hebda lived on a farm west of Fullerton. Later they moved to a farm about 11 miles south and east of Fullerton where they resided until 1944 when they moved to their present farm, 3 1/2 miles south and east of Fullerton. They are the parents of three children, Evangeline (Mrs. Lowell Nesbitt) of Imperial, Nebraska, born June 24, 1928; Clarence S. of Fullerton, Nebraska, born January 23, 1930; and Raymond J. of Silver Creek, Nebraska, born November 4, 1932. After graduation from Fullerton high school and serving in the U.S. Navy Clarence S. Hebda married Mary Ann Krzycki, daughter of Joseph and Edith (Shotkoski) Krzycki of Genoa, Nebraska, in Sts. Peter and Paul Church at Krakow on April 7, 1951. Joseph Krzycki, son of John and Victoria (Borowiak) Krzycki, was born on February 9, 1906, at Columbus, Nebraska and died on March 18, 1979. Edith Krzycki, daughter of Andrew (Henry) and Sophia (Paprocki) Shotkoski, was born on March 5, 1909 in Nance County, Nebraska. Clarence and Mary Ann Hebda are the parents of six children. Diane Marie born August 24, 1952, and married to Austin Bechtold, Jr., on January 8, 1972, Doris May, born May 4, 1954, and married to Gary W. Allen on June 21, 1975; Debra Margene, born October 7, 1955; Donna Margaret, born March 19 1958; Dwain Mark, born February 17, 1967; and DaNell Monica, born June 8 1969. They have two grandchildren, Andrew Christian Bechtold, born January 23, 1978, and Patty Delrossi Bechtold, born April 20,1972. The latter is an adopted foster child. In 1961, Clarence and Mary Ann Hebda purchased the Nance County Journal from Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Plourd. Mr. Hebda had been employed at the newspaper for 15 years prior to purchasing it. After serving in various district press association offices, Mr. Hebda was elected to the board of director of Nebraska Press Association in 1964 and was elected as state president of the Association in 1974. Since 1970, Mr. Hebda has served as Ambassador for Ak-Sar-Ben of Omaha in Fullerton. Mr. and Mrs. Hebda are active in community affairs and St. Peter's Catholic Church where he has been a lifelong member. He has served on the hospital board, been associated with the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also served 15 years on the Fullerton Volunteer Fire Department. Both are life members of the Fullerton Historical Society. 183 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Taped by Mrs. Clyde Russell Mrs. Harry (Sadie) Vogel's Story I was born in 1895 in the little square house about 2 1/2 miles up the valley from Fullerton where I had come back to live in 1946 and still call home. My mother, I can't claim to know or remember except for pictures, for I was only five days old when she died. She had come up from Maryville, Missouri with her father's family. The mother and sisters rode the train while brothers rode her Indian pony and drove the livestock across "The Wide Missouri River" on the ice. I recall the peculiar scar on her flank that my father showed me was the Indian brand. Eight years later he allowed me to ride "Old Baldy" to the country school until I was out of country schools, then she was put out to pasture until she died at the age of 33. Speaking of early schools, not all had schoolhouses. I believe District 11 was held in the home a mile west of Vogel's for a time. Grandfather Scarlett gave the school grounds and church yard for as long as it was used for those purposes. His son, Tom lived farther west as also did the younger son, Clarence, a little farther on. So District 11 was organized. West of us was District 56, which was built a month later and my mother taught September to Christmas there in 1894. Sarah Marcella Storch and Geo. Franklin Loucks were married June 4, 1894. Winter heat was furnished through the stove pipe from the room below as was the custom. The stove pipe ran through the ceiling up for another five feet and then go right angled through a wall to take the chill off another room before entering the chimney. How's that for economy? Children weren't allowed to run around for they might get burned or knock the pipe down. I liked to go to school. It had pretty wallpaper, the only school I recall having seen wallpaper. Lots were whitewashed and years later painted. We used Barnes Readers, Dowman's Reader in third grade, Barnes for the upper grades. To get back to living - after Mother died my Dad and I lived with his parents and an adopted daughter, Dollie May Loucks, whose mother had died. I loved to watch Grandpa Loucks churn with a barrel churn, large enough I'm sure to have put me into it. Certainly not a woman-size job. To use, several gallons of cream were put in, locked the lid on - then thumpety-thump, thumpety-thump at a steady rate until it sounded like it was ready to open. Then we could hear the buttermilk go swish after the cream had gathered in to little balls. I must have been a prime nuisance. Grandmother gathered the balls with a wooden butter paddle, poured off the buttermilk, then poured cold water into the churn. That rinsed the butter and made it easier to pick up with her wooden butter paddle and put it into her wooden butter bowl which was about two feet in diameter. Woe me if I showed up to watch with uncombed hair for a hair in the butter was the baddest thing imaginable. She combed the butter anyway just in case. Sometimes a cow's hair was found but mighty seldom. I liked fresh butter and Grandma wore a heavy thimble, once was enough for the little fingers getting too near, thank you. I usually found a flower to visit and once a bee was busy there and I received its undivided attention. I went crying to Grandma. She took a leaf from three different fruit trees, bruised them with her cobblers hammer for a poultice on my finger and told me to run out and play. Sure enough it cured. Women and Men often did their own shoe mending for the family. Mrs. Bertha Loucks had a last, a shoe shaped top on an iron post about a foot high and bought sole leather and tacks; cut the leather to shape it, soaked it a while to soften it and tacked it into place with brass brads. They felt a little clumsy at first but they were okay soon unless a brad had failed to clench properly and pierced a toe instead. Then it went back to the last or was pulled out with pincers or pliers. Always I was read to in the evening as a little child to get quiet at bedtime. The book Little Bright Eyes is here with me, much worn but no pages gone. It was a gift from Grandma when I was three - three quarters of a century ago. I have had many since but none with so many good lessons to learn. Grandpa ordered The Youth's Companion for me when I was old enough to read it. 184 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Monday evening I went to Grandpa to read the funnies and munch Jonathan apples. At home we sometimes had popcorn; if neighbors came in, there was often a batch of toffee made. I recall one family who had moved away asked us over for hot maple syrup over snow. Now nothing before or since has tasted so good as rolling up the chilled strings on a fork and getting my teeth stuck in it. I think the prettiest fall picture is a flock of Blue Jays that lit suddenly in a young ash tree that was pure gold. I just heard of the battle of the Blue Jays for the first time. It seems Mr. Vogel had a young orchard bearing nicely. A neighbor, Mr. Scarlett, also had a young orchard and Jays were doing lots of damage. Twas back in black powder days. Neighbors saw a puff of smoke, heard the bang and saw the flock of Jays fly up from the other orchard. Then puff, bang! The Jays went back. I hear that went on until the last Blue Jay was killed. Certainly better than the feuds we hear, of, wasn't it? In school at District 56 were the Claridges - Ada, Frank and Myrtle. They lived on the Theodore Reimers ranch where Mike Uzendoski lives. Two families were there - Curries with Nettie and Chalmers. Where Hambleton's live now on the Eli Mangus farm with Roy, Ben, Bill, Gerald, and Lollie. At one time a family named McGuire lived at the ranch. I only remember Carl and Alice. Where Kotlarz live now was called the McCurr farm. Living there was the Simpson family, one boy, Rudolph, and sisters, Helen, who played the guitar, Carrie, my own age, and one older sister. Altha Bake was my first teacher. She married Theo Reimers and lived in a house up on the road where the Zimmer family lives. I always adored her. Olive Bergen followed her and Olive and Charles P. Cunningham were married when I was seven. Merton, Lester, Gladys and Bruce came to school. We carried water for drinking from there. Two went together careful to use two of a size, we got more water that way. At one time Knipphals lived on the ranch and their daughter, Amanda, came to school far later than when I was there. They moved to the Penney place when that house was new and lived there until both of them died. Ad or Adrien Douthit lived south of the road east of them and Ted and Leonard went to school at 56. Wes Adamson followed them with Edna, Pearl, Bessie and Shirley and I don't remember Tommy going to school there. Across the ditch and east on the north side I remember first the Cole family with Phil and Nettie in school and after them Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Dyer with their son, Paul. I believe Dyer's finally moved to town and the John McAfee family followed them and Gail, Beatrice, Mamie, Bessie and Ethel. Different ones have lived on Grandpa Loucks farm but none with country school children. On east Ad Douthit moved and Beatty went to high school but "Buster" was younger. His name was Lewis but I never heard him called that! On north lived a Norwegian bachelor, Chris Johnson, who had the George Sovereign Family live there and keep house and cook. Their daughters were Bertha (my 8th grade teacher), Bessie Ethel, and Elsie - the youngest who simply wrapped Chris around her little finger with her "fanny, Tris, Tanny". Ethel was older. They were in town district and she married James Avery Bell. Bertha married George Vaughn. Bess was Mrs. Charles Green. Where Cuba's live was the Pillsbury farm and the road leading west up the ridge was called Pillsbury Hill. And then we come to Grandma Barheit's house where I spent many happy Saturday afternoons so Mrs. Loucks didn't have to bother with me. Mr. Barheit's name was John. Were you aware that the two hills in the west of town were Mt. Jehu and Mt. Royal? Ralph Barber was Mrs. Barheit's grandson. I believe where the CCC home is now was once the town cow pasture, from Main Street east. Mr. Vogel said that in 1879 he could see nothing but a sea of prairie blue stem as far as the eye could reach. It was horse-high and the Indians could lie along their ponies and not be seen. There were no trees along the river and only one in the bend of the creek behind our house had escaped the frequent prairie fires that burned over thousands of acres. I was horrified to see the big hill blacking over as a fire got away from a neighbor and spread in our pasture. One night when we were coming home from tending trout lines in the river 185 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ we could see three-quarters of a mile where a sweet clover patch and a ravine were burning. It was a terrifying sight to me for it seemed to be going towards a neighbor's home. We raced home. Harry phoned. "No Thanks! We need no help; we burned that out on purpose". The old fire guard streaks were still visible at that time and I got all the thrill without the danger. Our love was for big trees and hundreds of others were killed by the elm blight so it seemed terrible to see their whitened skeletons lying about the yards and where the shady places had been in the pastures. Back when Nance County was made an Indian Reservation the Pawnees were allowed to pick as much land as a man could ride around in a day's time. They picked the best hunting grounds, of course, which may explain its odd shape. There's an Indian Hill in the west end of the county where hundreds are buried and single graves still come to light as cow paths are washed out by hard rains. That was because the Sioux overran the Pawnee and killed all the women, old men and children. The warriors had left to gather fall fruit while other warriors went to meet the enemy. No Indians were here after Mr. Vogel came except those riding through to do hunting farther west. Once Freddie, eight years older than little Harry, saw some coming and ran with Harry across the creek to hide in the sweet corn patch where they waited with held breath for they'd heard tales of Indian massacres; but the Indians went on peaceably at that time. The creek, Colt Creek, was spring fed and running. Mr. Vogel dammed it up above the buildings and put a row boat in which gave many hours of pleasure to anyone with enough time to enjoy it. In spring, wild roses, elkhorn plant, honey suckle plants, crocus' Indian head, Grandpa's whiskers, vine and wild hock caught the eye of the school child going slowly over the road to and from. Buffalo beans and wild sweet peas were lovely. Canterbury bells were on hand in the pastures for Memorial Day. Some smaller white bells also and some we called Indian paintbrush also the white stars of flowers on grass banks along the river and sand flowers developed their pretty paperlike blooms. They grew along the roads south of the Loup and were much liked for Decoration Day because they never seemed to wilt. Mr. Julius Vogel, living on what we know as the Dinsdale Ranch, went out one spring day and got a box wagon load of white geese in a day so his wife might have a white feather bed and pillows. The geese were red with mites and not fit to eat but that was life in Nebraska at that time. The Vogel Brothers would reminisce and laugh heartily but I thought I was too busy to listen. Perhaps Bertha and Helen can remember; they loved to listen to their Grandfather and Uncle. I have been proud to say that I used all horse-drawn machines on our farm except for a check-row corn planter and lister, but I cultivated acres and acres of corn with a one-row riding cultivator. My dad, my grandpa and I could be heard singing the day long each in his own field. Usually hymns, but Dad put a bit of swing into it. He had enjoyed playing in home town groups to entertain so he knew a lot I didn't. Also he learned some while in the militia and Nebraska National Guard. Harry asked if I would like to go hunting one winter day on the river. I guess he thought I should know how time flies hunting. We got up at 3:30. I put up lunch and made a pan of corn meal mush. We ate daintily licking around the edge while it was still warm and soon the pan was empty. Harry had the team to the spring wagon, metal boat on the hay and coffee and sandwiches down. We started trotting down the road. Pat had once gone down one track snarling at a traveler in the other which proved to be a big skunk homeward bound. Pat led the team on to the river without trouble. We enjoyed the diamond sprinkled sky got to the river while it was still dark. Harry took his gun out to the blind on the ice. I roamed the bank with my camera, found a young Mallard drake with a broken wing which I carried under my arm until Harry was ready to go home and said I had better leave it where it was used to being and it was just doing nicely. 186 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECOLLECTIONS BY MRS. MARK ANDERSEN My father G. F. Malander, who was an early resident of Nance County, was born in Slotto Sweden, to John and Kristina Malander, on February 28, 1867, the same year that Nebraska became a state. Pictures of their home in Sweden show it as a comfortable place located near a beautiful lake. But for some reason, perhaps a pioneering spirit or because of political difficulties in the country, they decided to bring their family of seven children to America making the long tiring trip in a sailing vessel, of course. The father and one son came first in 1870 and the mother and other children came in 1871 to Boone, Iowa, bringing the family and belongings to a log cabin near Dayton, Iowa, in a horse-drawn dray. Times were very difficult for the large family. At one time all except two had typhoid fever at the same time, the mother dying. From then on most of the children made their own way in life. Upon reaching 21, Gus went to Colorado and proved up on a government land, paying $1.25 an acre. Driving back to Iowa in a "spring wagon" pulled by a team of mules, he stopped overnight at a farm home northeast of Genoa, and worked there for some time. There he met my mother, Mary Nelson, whose father, Nels Nelson, had come to Nance county from Geneva, Illinois and purchased and improved a home about 3 1/2 miles from Genoa in 1887. Gus Malander and Mary Nelson were married in 1894 and farmed in the Genoa and also in the Plum Creek area. In 1900, they purchased a farm about 2 1/2 miles north east of Belgrade and farmed there until retiring to Belgrade in 1925. They had three children: Muriel, who married Mark F. Andersen in 1921; Gerald N., who married Ina Swanson of Fullerton in 1925 and later married Clara Johnson of Newman Grove; and Carroll, who died in infancy. I have very pleasant memories of growing up in the Belgrade area. The town is located on a hillside overlooking to the west the beautiful valley of the Cedar river. A railroad track had been built along the valley from Columbus to Spalding. The work was done for the most part by local people and had not been contracted out. O. F. Andersen had come from Chicago in 1879 and helped in laying the track to Cedar Rapids. Later he owned farms north of the tracks near Belgrade. A combined freight and passenger train made the trip daily and later on, what we called the "motor" carried passengers daily. In 1900, there were a few businesses and not very many homes but Belgrade did have three churches. The Free Methodist church was in the south part of town. The Friends Church has a minister come from Clarks but was moved later to the Fairview community. The Methodists built a new church in 1893 and a Rev. Trezona was the first minister I remember. The Methodists had a parsonage in Belgrade but shared their minister with the Pinnacle Hill Church. There was a good-sized school located on the hill side just north of what is now called Bel-Horst Inn. Only 10 grades were offered so many came to Fullerton for their twelfth grade work. I attended the Fullerton School in 1911-1912 and later attended the Nebraska Wesleyan College. I taught school in Belgrade, Central City and Clarks. There was no water or sewage system and the water came from back yard pumps. There was no electricity or telephone service. Some of the businessmen of the time were Mr. Cooley, who came in 1891 and did much to improve all phases of the town. There were also G. S. McChesney, who had come to Nance County in 1871 and later owned a general store; Ben and Chas Smith also a general store. A weekly newspaper was started by Mayfield, later taken over by Bob Dopf who married Mae Ludington. Some of our farm neighbors were Dave Main, Ed Nelson, John Anstine, Mr. Cedargreen, Henry Rolf, Ben Main, Thomas Trotter and Chas Waisner. Because of the railroad, the fertile farmlands, the enterprising citizens and farmers the town grew quickly. In 1910 water and electric bonds were voted in. There were at least two general merchandising stores. Dr. Ford and Dr. Bates were our first doctors and after they left Dr. King served us for many years. He 187 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ also served in World War I. There were two thriving lumber and hardware stores and two banks. At one time two dentists and the Osborne drug store which was replaced by Kadel Drug. The Andrew Bros. came to town and started a bank, implement business and later on a Buick Agency. I remember standing in line one Fourth of July Celebration, waiting to pay 25¢ to ride a mile in an automobile. A. F. Kleise had a furniture store and undertaking business. Miss Alice Helms, who married Wilbur Kellogg, operated a millinery store. At one time the Query Harness Shop was a busy place. Will Hutchinson bought local cream and churned butter for shipment which Mark Andersen later took over. There was a telephone office with a "Central". The town prospered until the long drouth, the great depression and larger use of the automobile. Gus Malander's son, Gerald, lived and farmed in the Belgrade area until his death in 1975. Now his two grandsons, Gerry Malander and Galen Malander, and their families still live and farm in the Belgrade area. After our marriage we lived near Belgrade and in town until we moved to a farm near Clarks in 1947. I taught the neighboring school for one year and then taught the kindergarten and first grade in Clarks for nine years. My husband died in 1963 and I came to Fullerton in 1965 Our daughters, Gus Malander's granddaughters, are Mrs. Roberta Christensen of Fullerton, Mrs. Elizabeth De Vol and Mrs. Ruth Toll of Fort Collins, Colorado Mrs. Gus Malander died in 1958 and he in 1960 at the age of 93. Both had been active Methodist Church members since 1900. Both were members of the Order of the Eastern Star and he a member of the Masonic Lodge. He helped organize the Farmers Cooperative Elevator and also the Co-operative General Merchandise Store and any other activity for the betterment of the community. HELPED CAPTURE YOUNGER BROTHERS Stoughton -- Tenets Thompson, of Fullerton, Nebraska who helped to capture the Younger brothers, back in 1876 when the nationally known bandits with the James Boys, were terrorizing the country, is visiting at the home of Abner and Martin Halverson. Thompson is 69 and was but 23 years old when the three brothers, Cole, Bob and Jim Younger robbed the bank at Northfield Minnesota. The Youngers had been forced to leave their horses and were fleeing on foot and stopped to get something to eat at a farmhouse nearby. Tosten joined in the chase as the posse came by and captured the three, six miles west of Madelia. Men from Nance county, who died in World War II were: Charles Abel, Jesse Bishop, Robert Brower, Austin Davis, Harold Dufoe, Cecil Hickey, Bernard Knudson, Emil Koziol, Jerome Koziol, Irving Larson, Russell Martin, Lawrence Meyers, Cornelius Nelson, Gerald O. Stenzel, Eldon Theel, Bennie F. Urkoski, Joseph Urkoski, Hugo Vogel and Carroll R. Wilson. Journal Co., Fullerton, NE 188 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (insert at back of the book) Hans Frenzen was born in Schlessing Holestin, Germany, on September 3, 1853. He came to America in 1879. In 1880, he was married to Celia Grage of Manilla, Iowa. They came to Nebraska in 1888 and settled on a farm north of Central City where they lived for 13 years. In 1901, Hans brought his family to Nance County. They settled on a farm 5 1/2 miles northwest of Fullerton. The farm nestled under the bluffs on the west with the lazy Cedar River winding along the east side of the farm on its way to the Loup. There were 497 acres of land in this farm with part of it in pasture and the rest good rich farmland. Irrigated out of the Cedar River. To this union were born eight children, Louis, Frank, Edward, Anna, Emma, LaVida and Arthur. Mrs. Hans Frenzen died in 1906 at the young age of 44 years. Hans Frenzen died on January 17, 1932. Louis Frenzen died in early childhood. Henry Frenzen married Anna Wilkins of Grand Island. To this union were born two children, Elsie, now deceased, who was married to Oscar Niemoth of Grand Island. There was one son, Donald. Ellen became Mrs. Paul Gibbons of Grand Island. No children. Henry Frenzen died at his home in Grand Island, August 21, 1927. Frank Frenzen married Lillie Stacy of Central City. To this union were born Clarence, Thelma, Glenn and Donald. Frank died in Fullerton on May 21, 1970. Clarence Frenzen married Annita Zipf of St. Edward. They are the parents of two sons and they live in Fullerton. Marlin married Judy Basel of Ithaca, Nebraska, July 23, 1961. They are the parents of five sons, Craig, Kent, Scott, Rick, and Kurt, and they live near Fullerton. Galen married Gwen Logan of Diller, Nebraska, on August 25, 1979. They live near Fullerton and are the parents of one daughter, Genna, born on October 3, 1981. Thelma married Gerald Hanlon of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. They have seven children, Karen, Kenneth, Suella, Kevin, Gene, Marcia and Edward. Thelma lives in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Glenn Frenzen married Lorene Dinger of Missouri. They are the parents of two sons, Ronald and Darrell, and one daughter, Judy. Glenn lives in Fallon, Missouri. Ronald is married to Sara Andrews and lives in Michigan. They have a daughter, Ellen. Judy is not married. Darrell is married to Susan West, and has two children, Seth and Amber, and lives near St. Louis, Missouri. Donald Frenzen married Maxine Moore of Albion. Donald lives in Longmont, Colorado, and has four children, Marlene, Lynette, Cristi and Donald, Jr. Marlene is married to Dave Miller and has two boys, Mark and Lon. They live in Longmont, Colorado. Lynette is not married and lives in Lindsborg, Kansas. Cristi is married to Mike Walles and lives in Oakley, Kansas. Donald, Jr., is married to Judy Augdahl and has two sons, Rick and Brent, and lives in Longmont, Colorado. Edward Frenzen never married. He died May 20, 1964. Anna married Walter Matthiessen. To this union were born Darlene, LaVern, Marvin and Wayne. Anna died August 25, 1969. Emma married Clifford Hadfield and they are the parents of Wyonna and Douglas. LaVida married Robert Mason. They had four children, Robert, deceased; Donna, Garry and Larry. Arthur married Arlene Scott and they are the parents of two girls, Dixie and Penny. Arthur lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. Dixie is married to Kenneth Gannon and has three children, Kim, Scott and Dawn, and lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. Penny married Hugh Robinson. They have two boys, Paul and Ward, and they live in Lincoln, Nebraska. --Written by Anita Frenzen. October. 1979