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Widow’s list in 1913 – 1914 Madison County, Nebraska

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1913 – 1914 Keiter Directory Company
Norfolk City & Madison County, Nebraska Directory

The following are extractions for those listed as a widow in this book. Wid is
abbreviation for widow. The husband’s name follows. Then in some places it listed
occupation or with whom she was living at that time.

Battle Creek Population listed as 715
Allberry, Elizabeth, (wid Caleb C.);
Armstrong, Phoebe, (wid Milton C.);
Avery, Rose F., (wid John L.);
Barnes, Hannah (wid Wm. A.);
Cartney, Bridget, (wid George);
Clark, Sarah A., (wid James);
Gardels, Bertha, (wid John R.);
Haman, Clara, (wid Charles);
Hansen, Ida E., (wid Conrad);
Hoover, Josephine, (wid John D.);
Jackson, Xantippe, (wid Jefferson);
Ludwig, Sophie, (wid Wm.);
Pratt, Frances, (wid George J.);
Scheerger, Karlina, (wid Fred), Proprietor Battle Creek Roller Mills;
Scott, Lillie M., (wid Robert D.);
Senske, Bertha, (wid Paul), milliner;
Severa, Anna, (wid Joseph);
Simmons, Mary, (wid D. B.);
Willis, Rachel L., (wid Frank);
Zimmermann, M. Eva, (wid Charles), boards at F. E. Martin;
Zohar, Johanna, (wid Joseph).

Meadow Grove Population listed as 444
Higbee, May, (wid Isaac), boards at Milan Saltz;
McFarland, Anna, (wid Simon I.).

Newman Grove Population listed as 995
Anderson, Betsy, (wid Erick);
Brager, Marit, (wid Sever A.);
Dagsgaard, Magnhild, (wid Lars), boards at C. J. From;
Doty, Lucinda, (wid John);
Hauge, Anna, (wid John M.);
Huseby, Margaret, (wid John), boards at J. O. Huseby ;
Johnson, Christina, (wid Ole M.);
Johnson, Hilda, (wid Alfred);
Johnson,  Larine, (wid Andrew), boards at H. O..Johnson;
Johnson, Nellie, (wid John);
Larson, Annie, (wid Ole), boards at Ole Larson;
Long, Mary, (wid Sven);Murdock,
Margaret, (wid George), boards at H. B. Murdock;
Olson, Clara, (wid Nels W.);
Olson,  Mary, (wid John);
Olson, Ragna, (wid Hans);
Peterson, Hulda, (wid John);
Rasmuson, Gunild, (wid Samuel);
Rosenberg, Betsey, (wid John J.);
Rustad, Ingborg, (wid Gustav);
Swanson, Alice, (wid Peter);
Torgerson, Julia, (wid Enoch).

Emerick Population was not listed
No widows listed.

Enola Population listed as 48
No widows listed

Tilden Population listed as 996
Ashburn, Jane, (wid Jerd);
Bentley, Nell E., (wid Thomas), Mrs. Nell E. Bentley and Mrs. Anna L. Dunlevy,
              Proprietors of Hotel Tilden;
Childs, Inez A., (wid Edwin);
Danes, Nettie, (wid Charles E.);
Delts, Celia, (wid Gilbert), boards at Mrs. Ella Thornton;
DeWolf, Helen E., (wid John A.);
Draube, Caroline, (wid August), boards at Bernard Whitwer;
Erskine, Jane, (wid Nesbit);
Graham, Betsey E., (wid John), boards at O. W. Beebe;
Hannah, Mary, (wid John);
Hough, Margaret, (wid John), boards at Wm. Corrin;
Kierstead, Cordelia, (wid James H.);
Lovergren, Anna, (wid Lars M.), boards at C. W. Kunzmann;
Mackey, Daisy F., (wid George S.), boards at H. W. Frink;
Mason, Mary, (wid Henry C.);
Nelson, Margaret, (wid John);
O’Callahan, Bridget M., (wid John H.);
Page, Ellen E., (wid George W.), boards at W. H. Page;
Rockofellow, Emma, (wid Wm.);
Saxton, Abbie, (wid Jay);
Scott, Jane, (wid James), boards at John Scott;
Springsteen, Lydia E., (wid Lewis K.);
Stanley, Mary, (wid Leroy);
Thornton, Ella, (wid George W.);
Utley, Helen C., (wid Charles A.);
Warren, Charlotte, (wid Seth H.), boards at E. E. Crue;
Whitney, Mary A., (wid Daniel W.);
Whitwer, Amelia, (wid Peter);
Whitwer, Annie, (wid Nicholas);
Whitwer,  Mary, (wid Ulrich).

Madison Population listed as 1,993
Adelman, Annie V., (wid Joseph);
Annuschat, Minnie, (wid Julius);
Baker, Carrie, (wid Sextus), dressmaker;
Barlow, Jane, (wid Henry);
Bauch, Ollie M., (wid Philip N.);
Besk, Caroline F., (wid Wm.);
Brannian, Ida M., (wid Benjamin F.), librarian Madison Public Library;
Bussard, Emma, (wid Aaron), boards at I. M. Dawson;
Christianson, Anna C. (wid Henry);
Clark, Elizabeth M., (wid Charles);
Cloyd, Matilda, (wid Joseph);
Collins, Sarah C., (wid Marion M.);
Dittberner, Annie, (wid Charles), boards at Fred Comrock;
Friederichs, Sophia, (wid Gustav), boards at Emil Hiille {typed as found in book};
Gibbs, Nancy C., (wid James B.);
Hamilton, Mary,(wid Leonard D.), boards at Mrs. E. M. Johnson;
Hide, Elizabeth, (wid Thomas R.), boards at J. R. Hide;
Hiille, Sophia, (wid Christian), boards at Emil Hiille;
Hoffmann, Annie, (wid Fred), boards at J. F. Hoffmann;
Irwin, Jennie, (wid W. George);
Jacque, Mary, (wid Myron L.), dressmaker;
Jenkins, Josephine, (wid Charles D.);
Johnson, Christina, (wid August);
Johnson, Emma M., (wid Wm. D.);
Johnson, Regina, (wid Christian);
Lauver, Mary, (wid Samuel);
McKay, Margaret, (wid Frank);
Malony, Lydia A., (wid Richard A.);
Martin, Sadie, (wid Frank);
Maurer, Phoebe, (wid Henry);
Mead, Martha P., (wid Walter);
Moran, Adelia, (wid Michael);
Mossman, Thirza, (wid Alexander), boards at S. J. Arnett;
Mott, Sarah M., (wid Aaron J.), boards at Wm. V. Allen;
Moyer, Anna L., (wid Morris J.);
Oline, Mary, (wid Olaf), boards at Rev. Henry McClenaghan;
Palmer, Mary, (wid Samuel H.);
Polensky, Bertha, (wid Gotlef C.);
Ramsier, Mary, (wid Charles);
Remender, Ellen, (wid Fred), boards at H. C. Lowman;
Rowlett, Mary E., (wid Edwin);
Schwank, Alvina, (wid Christian);
Schwartz, Katherine (wid Andrew);
Trine, Cynthia, (wid Wm.);
Utter, Mary, (wid Wm. H.);
Wahl, Johanna, (wid Jerard);
Ward, Mary, (wid Charles P.);
Williamson, Martha J., (wid Stephen B.), boards at D. T. Hodson;
Wilson, Dorothy E., (wid Rensaeller);
Wyatt, Mary A., (wid John E.);
Young, Nancy J., (wid Claus);
Zessin, Ernestine, (wid Herman);
Zumbrunn, Bertha, (wid Matthew).

Kalamazoo
A discontinued country post office, located in Kalamazoo precinct.

Kent’s Siding
A siding on the C. & N. W. Ry., 5 miles northwest of Norfolk.

Warnerville Population not listed
A station and post office on the Union Pacific Ry., 5 miles southwest of Norfolk.

In addition to the widows listed below. The death dates of some of the
individuals are also listed below.
The publisher of the book also wrote about spellings of surnames. Here are the
ones they wrote that may have a different spelling:                                                        Clevitter, see Klavitter;                                                                                                   Deering see also Duehring;                                                                                                Duehring, see also Deering;                                                                                               Harrington, see also Herrington;                                                                                      Herrington, see also Harrington;                                                                                     Jung, see also Young;                                                                                                         Liese, see Lease;                                                                                                                Miller, see also Moeller and Mueller;                                                                                Mueller, see also Miller and Moeller;                                                                                 Olson, see also Ohlson;                                                                                                 Reardon, see Riordan;                                                                                                  Reuss, see also Rice;                                                                                                      Rice, see also Reuss;                                                                                               Schaefer, see Shafer and Shaffer;
Schmidt, see also Smith;                                                                                               Schneider, see also Snider and Snyder;                                                                        Snider, see also Schneider.

Widows and Deaths in Norfolk, Nebraska
Anderson, Fredericka, (wid Aaron C.), residence 514 Hastings Ave.
Anderson, Minnie, (wid Julius), boards at 401 S. 2nd.
Apfel, Mary, (wid Charles), residence south side Grove 2 house east of 4th.
Asmus, Louise, (wid Charles), residence 434 S. 5th.
Barney, Louise, (wid George L.), boards at 1216 Koenigstein Ave.
Barrett, Mary D., (wid Burt W.), residence 401 S. 8th.
Barritt, Sarah E., (wid Lawler), residence 1104 Blaine.
Beal, Mary, (wid Sparks R.), boards at 434 S. 4th.
Beemer, Levi S., Died March 17, 1912, Age 78.
Beemer, Mary C., (wid Levi S.), residence 210 Braasch Ave.
Benish, Anna, (wid Carl), boards at 214 S. 9th.
Benson, Matilda, (wid James A.), boards at 610 S. 9th.
Best, Viola, (wid John W.), residence 700 S. 1st.
Black, Ella, (wid Adam), boards at H. J. Rohwedder.
Bleakney, Jeanette A., (wid George W.), boards at 1103 Madison Ave.
Bley, Susannah, (wid August), residence 700 S. 7th.
Boeck, Bertha L., (wid John F.), boards at 50 Madison Ave.
Bondurant, Mathilda, (wid John), boards at 1200 S. 4th.
Brandenburg, Wilhelmina, (wid August), boards at August Brandenburg.
Brandenburg, Wilhelmina, (wid August, Jr.), boards at August Brandenburg.
Briggs, Myra, (wid Robert), residence 1103 Park Ave.
Brown, Sarah J., (wid John H.), residence 1100 Cleveland.
Burton, Etta, (wid Joseph), residence 112 S. 13th.
Burton, Joseph, Died Dec. 27, 1911, Age 59.
Cantwell, Mary, (wid Thomas C.), residence 202 N. 8th.
Cantwell, Thomas C., Died April 15, 1911, Age 57.
Carberry, Margaret, (wid Patrick H.), residence 300 S. 12th.
Carrabine, Elizabeth, (wid Thomas), residence 609 S. 10th.
Chapman, Annie, (wid Amasa E.), boards at 312 S. 5th.
Chesney, Margaret, (wid David), residence 106 N. 8th.
Chester, Evelyn, (wid Uriah), boards at 910 Madison Ave.
Clark, Henry C., Died June 18, 1912, Age 56
Clark, Nora, (wid Henry C.), residence 707 S. 3rd.
Creamer, Delia, (wid John), boards at 715 Norfolk Ave.
Crew, Lissie E., (wid Arthur), music teacher, 1216 Taylor Ave, residence same.
Davenport, Mary E., (wid George), residence 109 N. 9th.
Davidson, Ella M., (wid Charles W.), dressmaker, 305 S. 11th, residence same.
Davis, Dora M., (wid Nelson J.), boards at 505 S. 8th.
Davis, Ellen, (wid Samuel), boards at 717 S. 1st.
Dean, Minerva, (wid George W.), residence 1103 Madison Ave.
Degner, Julius, Died Nov 4, 1911, Age 77.
Degner, Wilhelmina, (wid Julius), boards at 418 S. 5th.
Delahoyde, Amanda E., (wid Wm. H.), residence 421 S. 3rd.
Demmon, Anah M. C., (wid George H.), boards at 605 S. 9th.
Desmond, Elsie, (wid Daniel), residence 910 Nebraska Ave.
Dick, Martha, (wid Jonas S.), residence 707 S. 4th.
Donnar, Albertina, (wid Wm.), residence 609 S. 5th.
Doughty, Mary J., (wid Harrison), boards at 604 S. 9th.
Duehring, Wilhelmina, (wid August), boards at 37 Madison Ave.
Eberly, George T., Died Jan. 31, 1911, Age 73.
Eberly, Lydia, (wid George T.), residence 1 block north of E. Norfolk ave. [Park Add.].
Eccles, Martha V., (wid Robert J.), residence 1000 Cleveland.
Eccles, Robert J., Died April 4, 1912, Age 49.
Endres, Bertha, (wid Michael), residence 611 S. 10th.
Everett, Mary J., (wid Robert), residence 424 S. 3rd.
Ferguson, Emma J., (wid Thomas), rooming house 1208 S. 1st, residence same.
Fix, Geeske, (wid Joseph), residence 215 N. 7th.
Forrest, Laura, (wid John), residence 204 S. 8th.
Foster, Marilla, (wid George W.), boards at 214 S. 12th.
Fowler, Mary J., (wid Wm. A.), residence 75 Philip Ave.
Fry, Barbara, (wid Andrew), boards at 1006 Blaine.
Gaylord, Irene, (wid L. Marion), residence 403 Philip Ave.
Gildea, Nellie, (wid John), residence 419 S. 5th.
Gillette, Elizabeth, (wid Nathaniel N.), residence 309 Philip Ave.
Goodell, Rose T., (wid George), boards at 412 S. 4th.
Groom, Hattie, (wid Alfred E.), residence 1005 Philip Ave.
Haase, Augusta, (wid Ferdinand), boards at 205 S. 10th.
Haase, Lizzie, (wid August), residence north side 8th 2 south of Victoria Ave.
Hagey, Wm. H. H., Dr., Died Oct. 8, 1911, Age 70.
Hancock, Alice, (wid Samuel W.), housekeeper, 406 S. 8th.
Hastings, Mary A., (wid Oliver P.), boards at 1211 Nebraska Ave.
Heckmann, Carolina (wid Gottlieb), boards at 720 S. 1st.
Heitzman, Belinda, (wid Samuel F.), residence 813 S. 8th.
Hewins, Adelia A. (wid Sheldon E.), residence 305 S. 12th.
Hicks, Ottillia, (wid Wm.), dressmaker 408 Park Ave., residence same.
Hills, Clara M., (wid George W.), residence 311 S. 12th
Hull, Annie E., (wid Philip W.), residence 434 S 3rd.
Huntsberger, Meta A., (wid John W.), residence 303 N. 11th.
Hurford, I. Mae, (wid Louie C.), boards at 1308 Norfolk Ave.
Illgen, Charlotte, (wid Charles), proprietor Atlantic Hotel, 111 S. 6th.
Jansen, Herman, Died Feb. 14, 1912, Age 72.
Jansen, Julia, (wid Herman), residence 312 S. 11th.
Johnson, Julia, (wid Herman), residence 312 S. 11th.
Johnson, Margaret M., (wid A. J.), boards at 1101 Koenigstein Ave.
Kampman, Annie, (wid Conrad R.), restaurant 1211 Cleveland, residence 1224 S. 1st.
Kampman, Conrad R., Died Oct. 14, 1911, Age 45.
Kanzler, Katherine, (wid Fred), residence 715 S. 4th.
Kayl, Ricka, (wid John), residence 600 S. 4th.
Kendall, Mary E., (wid Arthur B.), boards at 210 3d ave.
{Ed. Note: is this 3rd ave or 3rd street and then north or south 3rd street?}
Kenerson, Mary, (wid Charles), residence 1212 S. 1st.
Kiepke, Lena, (wid Carl), residence 310 S. 12th.
Kierstead, Susan, (wid George), boards at 601 S. 8th.
King, Ada, (wid Alonzo), helper Oxnard Hotel, boards at 207 S. 10th.
Klentz, Christina, (wid Carl), residence 605 S. 4th.
Knohl, Lena, (wid Vincent), residence 410 Lincoln Ave.
Kummetz, Katherine, (wid Christian), boarding house 126 S. 5th.
LaFarge, Clara E., (wid George W.), clerk Fair Store, boards 1100 Prospect Ave.
Lamb, Julia, (wid Silas), boards 1108 Taylor Ave.
Law, Wm. H., Died June 15, 1911, Age 79.
Lenz, Bertha, (wid August), residence 700 S. 3rd.
Leu, Bertha, (wid Ferdinand), residence Cottonwood St. [Park addition].
Lidtka, Fredericka, (wid Frederick), boards at W. F. Ahlman.
Light, Joseph A., Died April 4, 1911, Age 57.
Loucks, Eda V., (wid Robert), boards at 601 S. 10th.
Lunbeck, Margaret, (wid Lemuel S.), boards at 508 S. 9th.
McCarthy, Elizabeth, (wid Justin), residence 500 S. 14th.
McCaslin, Ora, (wid Cyrus S.), residence 1105 Hayes Ave.
McChestney, Margaret, (wid David), residence 106 N. 8th.
McGhan, Mary A., (wid James F.), residence 1202 Madison.
McGrane, John F., Died march 9, 1912, Age 40.
McGrane, Vina M., (wid John F.), residence 1109 Cleveland
McMillan, Martha A., (wid Jesse), residence 207 N. 9th.
McNeely, Wilhelmina, Mrs., Died May 27, 1912, Age 52.
Maass, Amelia, (wid Wm.), boards at 705 S. 4th.
Maass, Wm., Died April 9, 1911, Age 75.
Machmueller, August C., Died Jan 25, 1912, age 51.
Machmueller, Minnie, (wid August C.), residence 1102 Blaine.
Madsen, Anna M., (wid Christian), boards at 410 Madison Ave.
Maher, Ella, (wid Timothy F.), boards at 401 S. 8th.
Mallory, Mary, (wid Charles), boards at M. C. Jewett.
Mapes, Lucinda D., (wid Wm. E.), boards at 515 N. 10th.
Masters, Sarah, (wid Samuel), boards at 402 S. 4th.
Mather, Lucy, (wid Samuel), residence 104 S. 1st.
Mathewson, Mary G., (wid Joseph), boards at 1102 Norfolk Ave.
Meister, Anna, (wid George T.), residence 407 N. 11th.
Meister, George T., Died Jne 21, 1912, Age 45.
Mills, Mary C., (wid Harvey), boards at 400 S. 6th.
Mittlestadt, Emelia, (wid Julius), boards at 201 N. 12th.
Moldenhauer, Amelia, (wid August W.), residence 116 Norfolk Ave.
Montague, Mary, (wid John), boards at 507 S. 9th.
Napier, Pearl M., (wid Robert), clerk S. K. Brown, boards at 408 S. 10th.
Nenow, Mary, (wid August), residence 416 S. 6th.
Nethaway, Louise L. (wid Ezer), residence 401 S. 3rd.
Nichols, Sarah B., (wid Joseph), boards at 800 S. 4th.
O’Brien, Mary, (wid Michael), residence 504 S. 7th.
O’Brien, Michael, Died Aug. 13, 1911, Age 74.
O’Donnell, Catherine E., (wid James), boards at 1307 Norfolk Ave.
Osborn, Mary H., (wid Albert), residence 206 S. 6th.
Page, Cordelia, (wid Zeno D.), residence 408 S. 10th.
Pahn, Louise, (wid Martin), residence 409 S. 11th.
Parker, Flora, (wid George C.), residence South 1st beyond city limits.
Parker, Olive G., (wid Wm. T.), residence 1101 S. 1st.
Pilant, Christina, (wid Joseph; Pilant & Kingsley), residence Pacific Hotel. {Ed. Note:
Pilant & Kingsley, (Mrs. Christina Pilant, Welch A. Kingsley), Proprietors Pacific
Hotel 5th southwest corner Norfolk Ave
Powers, Elvira, (wid Isaac), boards at 200 N. 9th.
Rader, Lizzie, (wid Albert E.), residence 307 S. 12th.
Rainbolt, N. A., Died Feb. 21, 1912, Age 70.
Recroft, Jane, (wid Thomas), boards at 510 S. 7th.
Reeson, Martha K., (wid Samuel), residence 207 S. 5th.
Reuss, Letie, (wid Joseph), boards at 304 S. 9th.
Revolon, Helen M., (wid Gus), furnished rooms 0233 Norfolk Ave., residence same.
Robertson, Anna G., (wid Wm. M.), residence 301 S 4th.
Rock, Anna, (wid Reuben A.), residence 512 S. 1st.
Roeske, Anna, (wid Charles), residence 603 S. 4th.
Rojahn, Anna, (wid Fred), residence 208 Madison Ave.
Romine, Helen, (wid James), residence 310 Braasch Ave.
Rozalez, Katherine, (wid Juan), boarding house 300 Philip Ave., residence same.
Rudat, Augusta, Mrs., Died Jan. 21, 1912, Age 54.
Salmon, Mary J., (wid Wm. H.), residence 301 S 3rd.
Sanders, Mary, (wid John), boards at 305 N. 11th.
Satterlee, Ann, (wid George), boards at R. W. E. Boyd.
Schelly, Regula, (wid Frederick), residence 109 N. 7th.
Schmer, Elizabeth, (wid Philip), residence 400 S. 14th.
Schmidt, Henrietta, (wid Carl), housekeeper 208 S. 5th.
Schmode, Augusta, (wid Carl), boards at 201 N. 12th.
Schram, Charles, Died July 2, 1911, Age 60.
Schram, Minnie, (wid Charles), residence 506 S. 3rd.
Schultz, Wilhelmina, (wid Carl), boards at 501 S. 4th.
Schwartz, Albertine, (wid Wm.), boards at 201 S. 1st.
Schwertfeger, Emila, (wid Ernest R.), residence 120 Norfolk Ave.
Searle, Ida M., (wid Wheeler J.), boards at 210 S. 12th.
Selling, Augusta, (wid Wm.), residence 402 S. 1st.
Shapley, Jennie L., (wid Carl), boarding house 420 S. 5th, residence same.
Shaw, Clarence F., Died March 21, 1912, Age 42.
Shaw, Frances E., (wid David), boards at 600 S. 1st.
Shaw, Grace A., (wid Clarence F.), residence 613 S. 8th.
Shorten, Eliza, (wid James), residence 421 S. 3rd.
Show, Levi, Died June 15, 1911, Age 89.
Shurtz, John S., Died May 12, 1912, Age 83.
Siecke, Charles L., Died Jan. 7, 1911, Age 73.
Siecke, Dora M., (wid Charles L.), residence 407 Lincoln Ave.
Smith, Dora E., (wid Eli), boards at 608 S. 9th.
Smith, Lucretia, (wid John L.), boards at G. D. Smith.
Southwick, Ina R., (wid Bert), dressmaker 311 park Ave., residence same.
Spaulding, Mary E., (wid Henry L.), residence 304 S. 9th.
Spencer, Martha, (wid Wm. B.), boards at 405 S. 5th.
Stamm, Emma J., (wid Wm. E.), housekeeper 811 Cleveland.
Stegelman, Elizabeth, (wid Adolph), residence 313 S. 10th.
Stein, Augusta M., (wid Albert T.), residence 402 Park Ave.
Stolzenburg, Charlotte, (wid Frederick), residence 106 N. 10th.
Tappert, Emma, (wid Otto F.), residence 607 S. 10th.
Taylor, Lida, (wid Edgar B.), residence 1119 S. 4th.
Teal, Mary, (wid Andrew), residence 615 S. 4th.
Thompson, Anna, (wid Charles), residence 704 S. 3rd.
Trennapohl, Fannie, (wid Fred), domestic 1102 Koenigstein Ave.
Trowbridge, Jennie, (wid Frank), boards at 200 S. 10th.
Truelove, Maria, (wid Wm.), furnished rooms 101 Norfolk Ave., residence same.
Tubbs, Maude, (wid Charles), clerk Fair Store, boards at 112 S. 13th.
Uecker, Martha, (wid Gustav), residence 1103 Philip Ave.
Uecker, Minnie, (wid Theodore), residence Park Addition.
Van Every, Almira C., (wid Peter McK), boards at 1006 Prospect Ave.
Walters, Mary, (wid Frederick G.), boards at 601 S. 8th.
Warnstedt, Emma, (wid Theodore C. A.), residence 418 S. 3rd.
Warnstedt, Theodore C. A., Died July 18, 1911, Age 48.
Warrick, Harriet E., (wid James), boards at 907 Norfolk Ave.
Weekes, Anna, (wid James), boards at 1307 Norfolk Ave.
Weills, Helen, (wid Rev. John C. S.), boards at 700 S. 9th.
Weills, John C. S., Rev., Died June 30, 1912, Age 65.
Werner, Louise, (wid Fred), boards at 414 S. 5th.
Westervelt, Amelia A., (wid Ira G.), residence 400 S. 6th.
Widaman, Wm. H., Died June 18, 1912, Age 72.
Wille, Bertha, (wid Frederick), residence east side 7th 3 north of Elm.
Witters, Olga F., (wid Fred L.), residence 429 S. 5th.
Zastrow, Amelia, (wid Wm.), residence 417 S. 4th.
Zastrow, Wm., Died May 16, 1911, Age 70.

Schoolcraft Township 57 Families

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Schoolcraft Township
Madison County, Nebraska

The following comes from the book “The Franciscans in Nebraska” by The
Rev. Eugene Hagedorn, O. F. M. This book was published in 1931.

In Chapter 22, St. Francis De Sales Church, Schoolcraft, Madison County the names that
follow where found. The names are typed as found in the book. In looking at the
other material in this chapter it was found that the successor to Father
Bonaventure was the Rev. Valentine Dorenkemper, O. F. M. in January, 1893.

List of Fifty-Seven Families at Schoolcraft
(By Fr. Bonaventure, O. F. M.) (Note: this list was made before 1893)

Patrick Manning,
Frank Murphy and Helen Brock,
Wm. Jilg and Mary Frisch,
Peter Finnegan and Brodget Rooney,
Peter S. Carraher and Mary Ryan,
Jacob McMahon and Sara Carey,
Wm. Gossen and Margaret Doran,
Frank Dietterich, and Mary Bolz,
Joseph Gampa and Johanna Fietter,
John O’Brien and Bridget Roch,
Joseph Clinch and Mary Barron,
Patrick Carraher and Mary Sidley,
John Casey and Helen Green,
Mathias Herda and Anna Ambroz,
Joseph Kuhash and Katherine Kooridoa,
Jacob Holy and Mary Kooridoa,
Jacob Blazny and Catherine Bashtish,
Joseph Kinklar and Mary Wyt,
Thos. Lestina and Veronica Vlazny,
Frank Ambroz and Anna Lazena,
Frank Broz and Elizabeth Nachazel,
Jacob Carrol and Mary Tully,
Jacob Hartlitzki and Catherine Dusa,
Thos. Carraher and Catherine E. Silk,
John Francis Dvorak,
Joseph Schuyler and Catherine _______,
John Kukra and Frances Sasha,
Adalbert Brozek,
Francis Ambroz and Mary Sitza,
Joseph Brozek and Mary Pracma,
Joseph Dworik and Frances Richeka,
John Rasenshek and Anna Jedlicka,
Joseph Vech and Barbara Shamonoa,
Jacob Ambroz, and Mary Broz,
Andreas Boncar and Catherine Bomba,
Joseph Panek and Elizabeth Dworik,
Joseph Psoda and Mary Dobruska,
Joseph Chutka and Rosa Bolek,
Justus P. Carraher and Catherine Cunningham,
Joseph Vlazny and Elizabeth Ambroz,
Carl Schider and Cecilia Niesner,
Frank Hauck,
widow Anna Kolar,
Haworka,
Michael Nemecz and Anna Kamis,
John Groz,
Christian F. Baish and May Kuech,
Joseph Pospisil and Frances Chrastil,
Frank Duffy and Helen Casey,
Joseph Storek and Mary Adamek,
Wenceslaus Adamek and Mary Duklansky,
Frank Broz Jr.,
John Dvorak,
Joseph Lewis and Eleanore Mulvihill,
Albert Lovelace and wife.

Tintype Photos

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Tintype Photos Were Made Quickly, Mrs. Varner Says,                        by Alice Leffler

Tintypes were among the popular kinds of pictures when the late Ezekiel Rowlett operated a picture gallery in Madison, according to his daughter, Mrs. H. A. Varner. As she recalls the procedure, four tintypes were made simultaneously, the picture being imprinted directly upon the tin which was immersed in a developing fluid, a fixing solution and then varnished to prevent scratching and fading.

Farmer women and girls would have their pictures taken when first arriving in town, then call and receive them before leaving in the late afternoon. Mrs. Varner does not remember the price, as she was a school girl when her father was Madison’s photographer, but says they were cheaper than photographs, the popular priced photo being $2.50 a dozen.

While the tintypes were slipped into a folder with a paper fly-leaf to protect the face, the
photographs were pasted upon a fancy card. It took longer to make photographs then, than it does now, as the sun developed the pictures and one had to watch—well, here was the process:

There was a wooden frame with a glass face and a back which was hinged about two-thirds up and locked by means of a clamp. One placed the negative next the glass, then put in a sheet of sensitized paper, then firmly locked the back in place so the paper could not slip on the negative and blur the picture.  This was done in the ‘dark’ room which was light, but so-called as only a red light was used for illumination in order to protect the sensitive paper. The frame would then be carried out of the ‘dark’ room, care being taken that the opening door did not destroy exposed paper. The frame would be set in a sunny window for an approximate number of minutes, the exact time depending upon the brightness of the sun, the time of day and the condition of the glass plate, which corresponds with the present camera film.

Mrs. Varner has often tried to figure out the exact location of her father’s gallery but can not owing to the changes in Madison during the years when she lived in the vicinity of Warnerville and Enola.  She recalls that James and Marion Thomas had a general grocery store when her parents first came to Madison, and Mr. Prince operated the hotel. Later, Gillespies had a store; Earl Fichter ran the livery stable and W. J. Brinkman was the druggist. That was back in ’82, her father, a Civil War veteran, living in Seward county prior to that time, settling there in ’76.

Mrs. Varner attended school in Madison the winter her father homesteaded southwest of Warnerville, then known as Munson, as buildings had not been erected. Literaries, in which the children and adults sang, spoke pieces, debated, had spelling matches and play parties, were among the early day amusements for both Mr. and Mrs. Varner. Mr. Varner also enjoyed dancing, of which Mrs. Varner’s parents did not approve, but the Methodist church which she attended provided considerable entertainment in the form of sociables.

Mr. Rowlett helped build the Warnerville church which was dedicated in 1906 by the Rev. W. R. Peters, who was a circuit minister, serving Bega, Warnerville, Hoskins and Dover school district. Dr. Tyndall, presiding elder, preached the dedicatory sermon. The Rev. Kimball of Madison and previously preached at Warnerville, Hoskins and the Dover school district. Mr. and Mrs. Varner, after their marriage in ’88, farmed and kept store in Enola then moved to a farm near Enola and subsequently to Madison.

Tom Malone and his son, Fay, were among the prominent builders in Enola, for whom the town was named. They built several houses still standing, Will Stork; J. C. Hartford and Howard Miller occupying three of them. Ernest Diefenderfer was one of the first settlers. Mr. Varner was a director of the Enola school which was first housed in a small building later moved away that a two-room building might be erected, the plan being such that two rooms later were added, completing the original plan.

Mr. Stork was an early day postmaster, housing the government work in the office of the grain elevator which he and Paul Renner, Sr., owned. Mrs. Tobalo, now of California, and her six children lived in Enola.  Howard, the youngest of the Varner children, was born in Enola and is now with George Callies in the tire and battery business in Madison. The elder son, Harley, lives in Seward county and a daughter, Mrs. Fred Wakeley, near Hartington. There are ten grandchildren of the elder Varners and two great grandchildren.
Source: “Madison Star-Mail”, February 12, 1942, page 3.

Mrs. Mattison Recalls Long Life in Community

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Mrs. Mattison Recalls Long Life In Community by Alice Leffler

Mrs. Frances Mattison has prepared a sketch of the lives of herself and of her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph K. Pracher, who were natives of romantic Czechoslovakia, coming to this country about 1870, both of them being in their teens, her father 18 and her mother 16, both leaving their parents in the homeland.  They spent about five weeks crossing the Atlantic ocean, being overtaken by a severe storm, which was when they first met, although they did not live far distant.

Mrs. Mattison’s father was the son of an extensive land owner, while her mother was a
daughter of a prominent business man of Prague, and was going to Chicago where she had relatives.Mrs. Mattison’s father first located in Chicago, Ill., later leaving for the west where he settled near Crete, purchasing a ranch on the Blue river and where he and his bride set up housekeeping.  Upon leaving of the opportunity which Madison county offered, he loaded his family in a covered wagon and in three days arrived at Madison, locating one mile west on 160 acres for which he paid $10 per acre. This was about 1886. In 1909 the land sold for $100 per acre and in 1915, $200, while in 1920 it brought $243. On this farm Mrs. Mattison spent her childhood days.

Mrs. Mattison’s favorite country school teacher was the late Mrs. Minnie Coope Burnham, who, among other things taught her needlework which became her hobby until it was displaced with the love of reading.  Mrs. Mattison’s sister, Mary (Mrs. Michael Ambroz) was an ardent admirer of horses and became a fine horsewoman. She did not hesitate to mount any horse that could be bridled and became the proud possessor of a side saddle and bridle, also a riding habit which included a long skirt and flowing veil.

Although Mrs. Mattison feared horses and, in fact, any farm livestock, she has a good word for the intelligence of a horse, which she had a chance to test during a flood. While driving a single horse to visit a friend 10 miles west of Madison a cloud burst descended before she could reach home, About four miles west, the low ground was flooded to such an extent that for about 40 rods the road, including a small bridge with low railing could not be seen. Mrs. Mattison undertook to guide the horse to where she thought the bridge was located but the horse refused to respond, so she released the lines and the horse, after a moment’s hesitation, changed the course and crossed the bridge. After reaching unflooded ground, Mrs. Mattison was met by Frank Scheer who marveled at the feat of crossing that stretch of undulated ground.

Mrs. Mattison graduated from the Madison High School with the class of 1898 at which time each graduate was called upon to write, memorize and deliver an oration.  She taught her first school in what was known as the Wehenkel school. One of her pupils was
Otto Scheer, the present mayor of Madison and with whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Scheer, she boarded.  Teaching programs were different than now as pupils took the subjects they wished, to a more or less extent. Salaries were different, also, as one received $30 per month salary and paid $10 per month for board.  However, the country school days were not as dull as one may think. Literary societies were organized and programs consisted of debates, dialogues, recitations, community singing and spelling
bees.

Mrs. Mattison recalls her first auto ride, which was in a Brush, with open sides and high
pressure tires. As there were no smooth roads, passengers were obliged to hand on tight. Worse than the jolting was the noise it made, causing people to open doors for inspection as the car went careening past.  Fourth of July was an outstanding yearly event. Later, the county fair became popular.  Christmas was a quiet, family affair. Mrs. Mattison has in her possession an ABC plate which was her first Christmas gift. It took less to please and satisfy children in early times, she says, than it does now. Most toys were homemade and sweets consisted of stick candy.

Finally Mrs. Mattison realized the ambition of her life, that is, to travel. With her late husband, J. J. Mattison, all of the states in the union were visited, and several trips were made to Canada as well as to Old Mexico, the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the Gulf of Mexico.  While in Atlantic City, N. J., they decided to walk the Board Walk, which is about 20 feet wide and five miles long, but gave it up as too big a job.
Source: ‘Madison Star-Mail”, February 26, 1942, page 4.

Hoppers and Farmers

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Remembers When Hoppers Made Farmers Quit Land by Alice Leffler

 
Work, while possibly no harder in early days was much different than now, according to Mrs. F. A. Preuss, whose people homesteaded in Green Garden, where she was born. Because the grasshopper damage was so great for seven years in that vicinity, her grandfather and an uncle returned to Iowa. Again coming to Madison, they found their homesteads had been taken up by others, so they did not remain.

Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Buettner, stuck it out as did two uncles, Martin and Gottlieb Buettner and their families. Among other neighbors who weathered this difficult period were the Polenske, Maurer, Schwartz, Wells and Teske families.
The cost of a 160 acre homestead was only $16.50 but this small sum was more difficult to pay than the cost of land today, for it was so hard to get hold of even a few cents. Timber claims were given to those willing to plant 80 acres, or half of the land, in trees. Seedlings were scarce, it was hard to get the trees to grow in the newly turned sod and only two persons to the knowledge of Mrs. Preuss, ever attempted to get a tree claim until the government lowered the number of acres of trees to be planted to 40 acres. None of the Preuss stock was lost in the blizzard of 1888, although she believes her father had
a close call himself while trying to get the stock into the open sheds. He fell into a soft drift and his brother had to assist him out. In the morning the cattle were safer, but huddled in the rear of the shed which was otherwise packed with snow.

One year there was no market for barley and, after Mr. Buettner had taken a load to
Columbus where he could find no buyer, his impulse was to empty it on the prairie rather than make the team haul it home. Thriftiness revolted at the waste so he cached it in the granary and the next fall again attempted to see it to have room for his new grain. To his surprise it brought 75 cents a bushel, as breweries using barley had begun operating.
A fall task was making mattresses of the soft inner husks of corn. The men would snap a load and the children would shred the husks and restuff mattresses. Instead of comforters, many families used feather ticks and all but the softest of downy feathers were stripped. In stripping feathers, one pulls the fuzz from the quills which are discarded.
Women knit socks and mittens, many of them using a spindle to work wool into yarn. Men’s clothing was also handmade by many pioneers before sewing machines came into general use, or store clothing was low enough in price to permit the poorer people to get it.

Mr. Preuss was born in Germany and came to Madison county when a small boy. His parents lived in the neighborhood of Battle Creek, having a log house until shortly after he was married, when they erected a frame structure. There were not many log houses in the territory, but many sod shanties, some of which were plastered and all of which were warmer and in some ways more comfortable than frame buildings.
A cyclone which came through here in the early days, doing considerable damage in Madison, destroyed the Charles Preuss homestead. It lifted a granary building off the fanning mil which was undisturbed. A grass mower, much heavier than the mowing machines of today, was ruined. The Young place was torn up and Mrs. Young injured. She was found by Mr. Weinberger. Mr. and Mrs. Preuss farmed in this vicinity until they retired and moved to town.
Source: “Madison Star-Mail”, Thursday, January 15, 1942, page 3.

 

Naturalized September 1931

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Five Madison County People Naturalized
Twenty-four of thirty-five applicants were granted final naturalization papers by Federal
Judge Woodrough at Norfolk Monday.  The list included men and women from over
northeast among them the following Madison county people:
Hermann Thiede, Norfolk, Germany.
Frank Sery, Madison, Czecho-Slovakia.
Georgios Nicholacs Keromitis, Norfolk, Greece.
Henrich Weber, Tilden, Germany.
J. Olivia Rasmussen, Tilden, Denmark.
Source:  “Madison Star-Mail”, Thursday, September 24, 1931, page 1.

Mon R. Bartee

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Mon R. Bartee Passes

A Virginian, Became Resident of Battle Creek in 1909

Mon R. Bartee, died at his home in Battle Creek Sunday morning.  He was born in Wythe county, Virginia September 16, 1886.  Mr. Bartee had reached the age of 62 years, 3 months and 4 days.  He grew to manhood in the mother state and came to Battle Creek in 1909.

He married Miss Blanche James in 1912 and lived on the farm until 1927.  He was the father of eleven children, all of whom are living.

Survivors are his wife, six sons, Merle, Delbert, Donald, Leo, John, and James; five daughters, Mrs. Viola Hickman, Mrs. Gladys Burnett, Mrs. Larinda Lich, Mrs. Geanetta Watson, and Miss Janet. Brothers are Arthur, Jesse, and Fern and sisters are Mrs. Claus Borchers, and Mrs. Sally James.  Thre are twenty-five grandchildren.

Source:  excerpts from Battle Creek Enterprise, Thur. Dec. 23, 1948, page 1.

Mrs. Pat (Lenora Stirk) Carberry

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Mrs. Pat Carberry Dies

Death Follows Stroke—Was Lenora Stirk Before Marriage

Mrs. Carberry, whose maiden name was Lenora Stirk, was born near Battle Creek, sixty years ago.  She grew to womanhood here and was married September 25, 1912, to Patrick Carberry, who established the Carberry Seed company in Norfolk about thirty-five years ago.  Following the death of here husband, Mrs. Carberry continued to conduct the business with the aid of  her sons and was active to the day of her death.  Surviving are here three sons, Patrick Jr., Jack, and Joseph; two daughters, Mrs. William Fisher, and Miss Bettye; two brothers, Howard and W. I Stirk; and one sister Mrs. George Tannehill.  There are five grandchildren.

Source: excerpts from Battle Creek Enterprise, Thursday, Dec. 30, 1948, page 1.

Encroachment of town herd

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Some of the farmer friends living just east of town, feel themselves considerably injured by the encroachments of the town herd which passes by there every morning and evening. There being no fences to the highway, and only boys without ponies to drive the herd, some of the cows often get out of their place and travel over growing crops, orchards, etc. This of course is a matter of damage as well as annoyance to the owners, and if possible some method should be devised to avoid it as those who have the stock in charge lay themselves liable to prosecution.                                                                                  Source: Norfolk Journal, Friday June 8, 1883, page 3.