Biographies - Obituaries "B", Seward Co., NE

Biographies and Obituaries, "B" Surnames

Early Residents of Seward Co., Nebraska

Note: If you have any obituaries, biographies, photos, or stories about early residents of Seward Co., Nebraska, please consider adding them to this website. --Alice

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Biographies and Obituaries "B" INDEX

BABCOCK, BAKER, BARNES, BECHTEL, BECKER, BEEBE, BEHRENS, BENDER, BERRY, BERST, BEST, BETZER, BICK, BIRKY, BIVENS, BLACKBURN, BLUHM, BOEKA, BOUGHTON, BOYES, BRADLEY, BRANDON, BRINKMEYER, BROKAW, BROOKS, BROWN, BUCKINGHAM, BURKE, BURNS, BUSCHE

BABCOCK, Louisa Nancy, wife of Garret Vanderveer HAGEMAN, See: Louisa Nancy (BABCOCK) HAGEMAN
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BAKER, Martha Jane, wife of Perry E. BUCKINGHAM, See: Martha Jane (BAKER) BUCKINGHAM
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BAKER, Naomi (MILLS) second wife of Abraham Wilson HAGEMAN, see: Naomi (MILLS) BAKER HAGEMAN
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BARNES, Dr. E. M., son of John Wesley BARNES and Martha (GAGE), husband of Margaret (HENDERSON), who was a daughter of Captain John S. and Josephine (HANDRICK) HENDERSON. This biography is from the Compendium of History, Reminiscence and Biography of Nebraska, Alden Publishing Company, Chicago, 1912, pages 804-805:
[Surnames: BARNES, GAGE, HANDRICK, HENDERSON, SCHOONMAKER, WRIGHT]

DOCTOR E. M. BARNES.

Doctor E. M. Barnes, a native of Nebraska, is linked to the earliest history of the state through his grandfather, Reverend W. D. Gage, who first became identified with the state in January, 1853, when he crossed the river from northwestern Missouri, and visited Old Fort Kearney, now Nebraska City, and held divine services there. He was a native of the state of New York, and at the age of twenty-one was converted to the Christian faith by a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Four years later he entered the New York Conference, and for twenty-six years filled a pulpit in the conferences of New York, Illinois, Arkansas, and Missouri.
In October, 1854, he was appointed to the Nebraska City Mission, the first appointment made by his denomination in the state. The first church was of course a primitive structure and quite small. Before the close of his mission there, Mr. Gage had raised a subscription of two thousand and four hundred dollars for a brick edifice, quite large for that day. He served as chaplain to the first legislature, and was honored by the naming of a county after him. Mr. Gage was born about 1803, and died at Weeping Water, November 20, 1885, full of years and honors. He was married January 1, 1833, to Miss Sarah Schoonmaker, who died in 1862; of their seven children three only were living at the time of the mother's death. A son who had frequently crossed the river to hunt or visit in their old haunts in Missouri disappeared the winter he was seventeen. Whether he was killed by the Indians or broke through the ice and was carried under, the family never knew.
The mother of our subject, Doctor Barnes, who was Martha Gage, was eldest of the three surviving sisters. She was born about 1843, in Illinois, during her father's pastorate there, and was married while the family was residing at Rock Bluff, a settlement now long since abandoned, in Cass county, near Nebraska City.
Our subject's father, John Wesley Barnes, was born at Bowling Green, Kentucky, March 21, 1835. He came of a long line of American ancestors, the first of whom, Stephen Barnes, born in 1604, came to Massachusetts colony in 1630. The successive sons were as follows:
Kitchner, born 1642; James, born 1696; Thomas, born 1734, served in the Revolutionary war in a Virginia Company, his father having removed to the Old Dominion some years prior to that conflict; Stephen, born 1765; Nathaniel H., born 1803, married a Miss Wright and was the father of John Wesley Barnes. The latter came out to Maysville, Missouri, about 1855, and for a time taught school there and then engaged in farming.
When the Burlington railroad built across the Missouri river, Mr. Barnes was employed by them to secure the right of way, and later in their land department until 1901; he was in their employ all these years except for a short time about 1876 which he spent in Utah in the service of the Federal government in the land department. He also represented Cass and Douglas counties in the legislature five terms the ninth and thirteen sessions, inclusive. He made his home in Plattsmouth for years, removing to York about 1885. Here he became interested in banking and was president of the Citizens' State Bank, which was wrecked by the cashier speculating on the Chicago Board of Trade, sweeping away the accumulations of years. His courage was not broken, however, and he went to work with renewed energy in the service of the Burlington, from which he retired, as before stated, in 1901. His death occurred in January, two years later, and the mother's in November, 1906.
Of their children, E. M. Barnes is the seventh in a family of eight children. He was born at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, September 2, 1876, and attended the public schools there and at York. The wrecking of the bank of which his father was president cut short his education and threw him upon his own resources at the age of seventeen. Securing a position in the Burlington freight houses at Denver, he worked industriously for three years and then went to Chicago and matriculated in the Chicago Polyclinic, a night school, reading medicine the while in the office of his brother, Doctor C. D. Barnes, who was a practitioner in the city. He returned to Nebraska and took the scientific course in the State University, and then finished his medical education in the Lincoln Medical College in 1903, coming immediately to Plainview where he has built up a large and lucrative practice. During the summers in Lincoln, Doctor Barnes was employed in checking up the fee accounts of the district clerks, and in this way became acquainted with every county seat and large town in the state; few citizens have seen as much of Nebraska as he.
Doctor Barnes was married at Seward, Nebraska, May 18, 1898, to Miss Margaret Henderson, of that place, and the next day enlisted in Company H, Second Nebraska Volunteers for service in the Spanish-American war. He was transferred to the First Division, Third Corp.'s Hospital service and was first stationed at Chickmauga Park, later being transferred to Fort Mc- [p.805] Pherson Hospital at Atlanta, where he served until the close of the war, returning to Lincoln to finish his medical course.
Mrs. Barnes is a daughter of Captain John S. and Josephine (Handrick) Henderson. Captain Henderson served through the Civil war in a company of Illinois cavalry, and after the close of hostilities returned to Maguam, Knox county, and invested in lands; these he sold in 1875 to a good advantage; he then invested in large tracts of land near Seward, which rising rapidly in value, soon made him independent. He for a time owned the lower mills at Seward but sold and kept his wealth invested in lands. He died in November, 1908; the mother still lives at Seward.
Doctor Barnes is a trustee of the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Barnes is a member. He fraternizes with the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, A. O. O. P., the Elks, and the Royal Highlander lodges. He is also a member of the American Medical society, as well as those of the state, the Elkhorn Valley and Pierce county.
Doctor Barnes was candidate in the second election under city government and was defeated on the "dry" ticket by six votes; his friends ran him in the next electon [sic: election], April, 1909, and he was elected by a majority of sixty-five, showing the growth of temperance sentiment and the Doctor's popularity.
Doctor Barnes takes great pleasure in the public library, for the installation of which he secured subscriptions for three hundred and fifty dollars. It has since been taken over by the city and is proving to be a very popular institution, the reading room having a goodly crowd of patrons every afternoon and evening.
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BECHTEL, Adam, husband of Hulda (TIMM). The following biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 20:
[Surnames: BECHTEL, TIMM, WULLENNAHER]

ADAM BECHTEL

Was born in Germany, July 18, 1845. At ten years of age came to Chicago where he remained five years. The city with all its charms could not longer hold him and he went to Iroquois County where he remained twenty-three years. In 1869, February 21, he returned and claimed the girl he had left behind him, and was married to Miss Hulda Timm. German girl, born in 1849. Children that came to the home are as follows: Lena, now Mrs. H. Wullennaher, May, Clara and Walter. Mr. Bechtel came to Seward County in 1884 and settled in "K" precinct. Sold that farm and now owns one in "L" precinct. He has lived in the city for about fourteen years and is engaged in the feed and flour business. Owns a very commodious and complete ware house.
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BECKER, Rev. Carl H., husband of Louisa (SCHNUTE). This biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, 1905, pages 21-22:
[Surnames: BECKER, SCHNUTE]

REV. CARL H. BECKER

Pastor in charge of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Seward, was born at Evansville, Indiana, September 7, 1858. Was educated at Fort Wayne and later took a full course in the Theological Seminary at St. Louis. Commenced his ministerial work at the age of twenty-one and has now been a laborer in the Master's vineyard for a quarter of a century. He came to Seward in January, 1895, and has been the pastor here since that date.
Married Miss Louisa Schnute, November 29, 1883, at Evansville, the native place of his bride, who was born November 23, 1861. They have born to them seven children: Louise, Walter H. W., Karl F. J., Paul, Hugo, Esther and Erwin.
[p.22]Rev. Becker is a highly respected Christian gentleman, of fine attainments.
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BEEBE, W. S. This biography, written by his daughter, is from page 192 of the 1967 book, On A Bend of the River, posted here courtesy of the author, Jane Ramsay Graff.
[Surnames: AHLSCHWEDE, BEEBE, BIRKY]

BEEBE
One of the Pioneer Families
by Mildred Beebe Birky

W. S. Beebe came to Milford in a covered wagon in March 1872. He lived near Milford on the banks of the Blue River. He and William Ahlschwede were bachelor friends. They built a cabin and started a farmstead. In the winter of 1872 my father returned to Iowa and was married. He returned to Milford and my mother came to Nebraska in May of that year. She came as far as Lincoln by train.
They lived in the Milford area until 1876 when they purchased a farm near Glendale. The farm had a small one room frame house on it.
Getting mail in pioneer days was not easy. Settlers had to go to the nearest settlement to get their mail unless someone would be found to bring it to them. My mother was the one responsible for the Glendale mail. She would go to Lincoln on horseback and carry it to all the people in the area. Proof of mail service was the envelope in which the letters were put. The people would then sign the back that the letter had been delivered in good condition.
The first summer that my father was in Milford, one of the men who was playing ball at the 4th of July picnic met with an accident that resulted in a broken leg. At that time there was no local doctor. It was necessary to get the man to Lincoln to have the bone set. Straw and bedding was placed in my father's wagon, and the man was lifted in and laid on this crude ambulance. They drove at a slow pace over the prairie road to Lincoln and the next day returned with him in the same way.
The present Beebe farm house was built in the summer of 1884. Jennie was born in 1874 near Milford, Hattie was born on the farm near Glendale in 1878, Mildred in 1884 and Jared in 1888. I wasn't very old but remember the Blizzard of '88.
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BEHRENS, Alta Katherine (IMIG), wife of Roy W. BEHRENS, See: Alta Katherine (IMIG) BEHRENS HYSLOP HEBB
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BENDER, John M., husband of Barbary (MILLER). This biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County, Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, pages 16-17:
[Surnames: BENDER, MILLER] JOHN M. BENDER

A Canadian boy that got sight of the stars and stripes across the lake and yearned to take shelter under its ample folds. John was born in Ontario July 28, 1861. Came to Indiana when six years old, and to Iowa at twelve, and at twenty-one he continued the march westward and landed in Seward County in the spring of 1882 and settled on Section 8 in "O" Town, among his people, the Arnish [sic: Amish] Mennonites were [sic: where] he wooed and won the heart and hand of Miss Barbary Miller and was married October 5, 1884 at her father's home in the same neighborhood. Miss Miller was born in Holmes County, Iowa, November 27, 1863, and came to Seward County in childhood. They have six children: Ida May, now Mrs. M. R. Bender, David E., Franklin J., Gertie M., Lydia B., and William J. B.
[p. 17] Mr. Bender owns a beautiful farm in a most splendid locality. The church home is with the Amish Merronite [sic: Mennonite].
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BERRY, Donna E. wife of Lyle Harold MILLER, daughter of Lee "Hap" W. and Edith (REED) BERRY, see: Donna E. (BERRY) MILLER
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BERRY, Jabes/James, husband of Mary (REYNOLDS), who was a daughter of Job T. REYNOLDS and Elizabeth (SHIELDS). Note: The book index lists him as "James", but the actual bio calls him "Jabes"(?). This biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 14:
[Surnames: BERRY, REYNOLDS]

JABES BERRY

Was an English born lad of four years when his parents crossed the briny deep and settled in Illinois. He was born November 7, 1862. He came to "J" precinct in 1881. Here Jabes found Mary, the daughter of our old pioneer friend, Job Reynolds, and after due consideration, they were married September 9, 1890. She was born November 4, 1861, in Indiana and came to Seward County in 1863, so she is a pioneer settler. They have three children: Naomi F., Arthur J. and Clee W.
Mr. Berry was raised a farmer boy and sticks to his trade like a good fellow. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the M. W. A.
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BERST, Marie Margaret (IMIG), wife of Philip BERST, see: Marie Margaret (IMIG) BERST
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BEST, Thomas "Uncle Tommy", husband of Jane. This biography for Thomas Best is from the Pleasant Dale, Nebraska Centennial History Book, 1882-1982, page 69:
[Surnames: BEST, BILL, DUNTEN, JONES, KEIM, KIZER, LYNCH, MERRILL, MERYHEW, MULDER, UHRICH, VANCE, WHITING]

BEST FAMILY

Thomas Best, later known to his friends as "Uncle Tommy", was born December 4, 1825. In 1872, at the age of 47, he and his wife Jane, his sons Walter, age 17, George, age 15, Thomas J., age 8, and their daughter Margaret, age 18, left their home in Watertown, in St. Lawrence County, New York, and headed west, where they settled in precinct "I" of Seward County, Nebraska. His son, Walter, helped his father start the farm where they lived.
Young Thomas J. passed away on September 26, 1880, at the age of 16 years. Jane, the wife of Uncle Tommy passed away on December 18, 1879, at the age of 60. Their daughter Margaret later married W. S. Dunten of Pleasant Dale. She passed away on February 15, 1883, at the age of 28 years. George Best, whose wife was Cynthia, passed away on July 23, 1903, at the age of 44 years. Cynthia was a long-time telephone operator in Pleasant Dale. She lived to be 96 years of age. They had 3 sons, Thomas, Clyde, and Ray.
Pleasant Dale was organized May 18, 1883, by Thomas (Uncle Tommy) Best. Also in 1883, Thomas Best and J. H. Merrill laid out a town site on parts of the NE1/4 and SE1/4 of Section 35 town 9, range 4, east. Both men contributed land to start the town.
Walter Best, who helped his father Thomas start the farm, married Elizabeth Lynch at Milford on October 8, 1885. She was born at Monticello, Wisconsin, September 10, 1885 [sic, probably 1856]. Six children were born to Walter and Elizabeth: Maude, born January 26, 1887 (later married to Arthur Meryhew); Mary Onita, born January 5, 1888 (later married to Oren Claude Kizer); Stuart Ross, born December 26, 1893; Shirley Theo, born January 23, 1895 (later married to Richard Keim).
Walter owned and farmed a farm in Section 35 I township just beside Pleasant Dale. He was a member of the Knights of Maccabees and of the M.W.A. The Baptist church was the family home church.
Not only did Thomas Best help organize and give land to start the town of Pleasant Dale, but on April 9, 1909, land was given to the town by Walter and Elizabeth Best. This was known as Best's 6th addition to Pleasant Dale.
Thomas Best passed away May 1, 1904, at the age of 78 years.
Stuart helped his father, Walter, farm their land. Stuart married Maude Ellen Bill, daughter of Bertha and George Bill, on July 19, 1918. Besides farming, Stuart also worked on the railroad, and after he was unable to do that, he was custodian of the Pleasant Dale School. Stuart and Maude had 2 children, a son Faye, and a daughter Esther. Faye married Carol Mulder and they have a son Darrell and a daughter Linda. Darrell is married to Joanie Jones and they have a daughter Shari and a son Robert. So the name of "Best" lives on. Linda is married to David Uhrich. They all live in Lincoln, Nebraska. Esther is married to Robert Vance. They have a son Robert and a daughter Patricia, who is now married to Rick Whiting. They have a daughter Jennifer and a son Stuart. They also all live in Lincoln.
Elizabeth Best passed away July 13, 1927, at the age of 70 years. Walter passed away August 10, 1938, at the age of 81 years. Maude Best, wife of Stuart, passed away January 26, 1958, at the age of 57 years. Stuart passed away on July 25, 1962, at the age of 68 years. Esther Vance
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BEST, Walter, husband of Elizabeth (LYNCH), son of Thomas "Uncle Tommy" BEST. This biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County, Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 16:
[Surnames: BEST, LYNCH]

WALTER BEST

Son of Uncle Tommy Best, one of the pioneers of "I" precinct, was born among the stumps and stones of St. Lawrence County, New York, October 27, 1856. The family came to Seward County in 1872, and here Walter helped make the farm and when he grew to be a man he formed an attachment for Miss Elizabeth Lynch and they were married at Milford October 8, 1885. She was born at Monticello, Wisconsin, September 10, 1856. They have six children: Maud J., Mary, Hazel, Ethel, Stewart R. and Shirley.
Mr. Best now owns a farm in Section 35 of "I" Town, just beside Pleasant Dale. He is a member of the Knights of Macabees and of the M. W. A. The Baptist church is the family home.
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BETZER, Edward C. The following biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 21:
[Surnames: BETZER]

EDWARD C. BETZER

An Iowa boy that made his way to Seward County when but a lad of twelve. Was born at Pella, Iowa, March 30, 1874, and came to Seward County in 1886 where his parents settled on Section 2, "F" Town and where Edward still resides with his widowed mother, and runs the farm.
Ed is an industrious farmer. He belongs to the Royal Highlanders.
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BICK, Hon. J. Henry Bick, son of Frederick and Johananette (or Henrietta) BICK, husband of Amelia (SCHUMACHER). The following obituary, submitted by great-grandson Jon A. Bick, is from the Blue Valley Blade, 5 Feb 1890. Photo also courtesy Jon A. Bick. Note: Please let us know if you have any information about his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Bick, they just disappeared in Seward after 1885; also seeking info on a NELSON connection [write:].
[Surnames mentioned: BICK, CHESTNUT, SCHUMACHER, SPEIDEL]

Death of Hon. Henry Bick.

This community was shocked on Saturday morning last, February 1st, to learn of the death of Hon. Henry Bick, which occurred at his home in F town about 7 o'clock a.m. It was not generally known that he was ill, and the suddenness of the announcement of his death was a great surprise, especially as he was known to be a man who had apparently always enjoyed robust health. He died from hernia, and suffered intensely from Monday evening up to the time of his death. His case became so serious that a surgeon was called from Lincoln and an operation performed at 3 o'clock on the afternoon of that day, but he lingered in great agony until about 7 o'clock Saturday morning, when death came to his relief.
Hon. Henry Bick was born in Woldeck, Germany, in 1842, and came to America in 1852 with his parents, the family settling in Wisconsin. When the rebellion broke out he volunteered in the 9th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served his adopted country faithfully to the close of the war.
Returning to Wisconsin after the war, he was in 1867 married to Miss Amelia Schumacher, who survives him, together with five children aged from 8 to 21 years, the eldest son being in Colorado, and unable to reach home in time for the funeral.
In 1870 Mr. Bick came to Nebraska and located in Seward county, where he has ever since resided, being one of the earliest settlers of the county.
In 1880 he was elected as one of the representatives from this county in the legislature, and was again elected in 1886.
Mr. Bick was a kind neighbor, and stood high in the community in which he has so long made his home, and as ample evidence of the high esteem in which he was held it is only necessary to state that the procession from his late home to the church was composed of forty teams. His neighbors turned out for miles around to pay their respects to his memory. He was ever ready to do a kindly act for a neighbor and aid him in every way possible.
He was a member of the German Evangelical church, which was crowded on the occasion of his funeral, Rev. Speidel officiating in German and Rev. Chestnut in English, the funeral taking place on Sunday afternoon.
[Note: burial was in Greenwood Cemetery, City of Seward]

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Card of Thanks.

I desire to express my grateful thanks to my kind friends and neighbors for their many acts of kindness, aid and sympathy during the recent illness and death of my beloved husband.
AMELIA BICK.
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BIRKY, Christian C., husband of Elizabeth (ROTH). This biography, written by his granddaughter, is from pages 192-193 of the 1967 book, On A Bend of the River, posted here courtesy of the author, Jane Ramsay Graff. Photo courtesy of Jane Ramsay Graff and the Seward Co. Historical Society, from Seward County Nebraska, 1982, p.33.
[Surnames: AHLSCHWEDE, BEEBE, BIRKY, BRAUNER, HALL, MOUFIELD, REYNOLDS, SCHLUETER, WARNKE, WATKINS, WELCH]

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BIRKY
by Granddaughter,
Alvera Mary Welch Brauner [sic, Brawner]

Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Birky and family came to Nebraska from Benson, Illinois, in the early spring of 1887. Mr. Birky had come the year previous, with a group of land seekers and purchased a 160 acre farm near Milford in Seward County.
They and their six children settled in a small home on the Blue, a number of miles from their farm, where they lived until they could build a home of 4 rooms on their own farm.
While living in the rented home, the water was carried, for all family needs, from a spring near the home.
During this time Mr. Birky broke sod and began to farm, driving to and from work in early morning and late evening.
Mrs. Birky spent long hours of baking, washing, mending and cooking nourishing food from a meager larder. But being a very conservative and frugal person she supplied all the necessities for her family.
[p. 193] They moved into their new farm home in the fall of 1887. Mr. Birky got a windmill and cistern for the winter supply. The milk house had running water to keep the milk, cream, and homemade butter cool.
They were expecting their next child in the winter of 1888. They had been warned about blizzards. They kept a large supply of fuel and water for cooking and drinking in the house.
The little daughter arrived a few days after the big blizzard of '88. No doctor could be secured so a neighbor lady helped them.
They all felt they had experienced a good taste of Nebraska's winter fury, but thanked the Lord they had been well taken care of.
Many trees were planted for shade, two large fruit orchards were put out, as well as a large vineyard. A garden was laid out near the house where Mrs. Birky supplied much food for her family. She stored much away for winter use by drying that which could not be stored otherwise.
Mr. Birky soon had all the farm except the homesight and pasture under cultivation and raised the customary crops of corn, wheat, and oats within a few years.
Three more children joined the family in the following years, making a total of 10. The children received as much education as the average child in the little Country School. Several graduated from the Milford High School and a Normal School and taught a time before marrying.
They were confirmed in the Lutheran Church near their home.
The children's married names are follows:
Mrs. Andy J. Welch (Mary), Mrs. C. Irvin Moufield (Millie), Mrs. Herman F. Ahlschwede (Elizabeth), Mrs. Bert R. Reynolds (Emma), Mrs. D. E. Warnke (Fannie), Mrs. S. D. Hall (Minnie), Mrs. Charley Schlueter (Lydia), Mrs. James A. Watkins (Anna), Henry, only son, married Miss Mildred Beebe.
Mr. and Mrs. C. Birky had the courage, determination and stability of all pioneers.
Their only concern was to create a better standard of living for their family and see they had a good education and religious training.
All the children, 25 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren will long remember the courage, foresight and efforts in securing a great heritage for their families. They have a good example to follow.
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BIVENS, Francis S., son of John and Mary (LEAFTI) BIVENS, husband of Lizzette (FEGLEY). This biography is from the Compendium of History, Reminiscence and Biography of Nebraska, Alden Publishing Company, Chicago, 1912, page 758:
[Surnames: BIVENS, CONWAY, FEGLEY, LEAFTI, OSCHLO, TUCKER]

FRANCIS S. BIVENS.

Francis S. Bivens was one of the very early settlers of Nebraska, and now owns a fine grain and stock farm on section thirty-one, township seventeen, range seventeen, Custer county. He is a native of Fulton county, Pennsylvania, born January 13, 1845, fifth of nine children born to John and Mary (Leafti) Bivens, who had five sons and four daughters. The father died in Pennsylvania in March, 1865, and the mother, with four of her children, removed to Illinois, where they lived on the line of Knox and Fulton counties for eleven months. Late in October, 1867, they moved to Seward county, Nebraska, and became true pioneers of that section of the state. She and her son, Francis, each took a homestead there, and later two of the other sons, on coming of age, did the same.
Francis S. Bivens was born and reared on a farm, and in early life spent a short time at mining in Bradford county, Pennsylvania. He was married, March 9, 1865, to Miss Lizzette Fegley, and in the fall of 1867, removed to Illinois. The following year he came with an ox team from Illinois to Seward county, the six weeks' trip being one of hardship and even danger; in some places even water was refused them, either for personal use or for stock. His mother and some of her children came with him, and his wife, in speaking of the trip, tells of walking many miles of it. There was at that time but one cabin at Seward, and but two at Lincoln.
On first coming to Seward county, Nebraska, the family lived in a log house, which was later replaced with a large soddy, and this in time by a good frame dwelling. At that time buffalo still ranged the prairies west of Kearney, and the Indians at times were hostile, committing occasional depredations. Mr. Bivens well remembers the three-day blizzard of March, 1869, one of the worst since civilization spread to the west of the Missouri. On the fourth day, when the storm abated, he took a load of charcoal to Lincoln, to market. Those were strenuous days of great hardship, but easily borne, because of the early settlers' great hardihood.
Mr. Bivens and wife have nine children: Thomas, married and living in Sherman county, has five children; George, married and living in Rossville, New Mexico, has one child; Minnie, wife of Henry Oschlo, of Custer county, has six children; Daniel C., married and living in Hitchcock county, Nebraska, has two children; Harry, married and living six miles north of Sargent, has five children; Mary, wife of William Oschlo, of Greeley county, has four children; Daisy, wife of Otto Conway, living in the state of Washington, has two children; Frank, at home, and Pearl, wife of John Tucker, of Custer county, has one child.
In political views, Mr. Bivens is democratic on national questions, but votes for the man in local elections. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
After being identified for many years with the upbuilding and progress of the earlier settled portion of Nebraska, Mr. Bivens sold out there in 1890, and moved to the state of Washington, but returned to Nebraska the following year, and purchased the northeast quarter of section thirty-one, township seventeen, range seventeen, Custer county, where he has a fine farm and a comfortable home. He and his wife are well known in the community, and are considered desirable additions to the social life of the neighborhood where they live. They are both busy and active in all public matters calculated to advance the general welfare, and have a wide circle of friends.
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BLACKBURN, Joseph. The following biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 24:
[Surnames: BLACKBURN, BLANCHARD, CROWEL, DILLENBECK, HALLET, HELM, WARD]

JOSEPH BLACKBURN

One of the old soldier boys, who was born under the flag of old England in Yorkshire, March 8, 1831. In his young days, he learned of the better land beyond the sea, and came to America, and at Rockford, Illinois, he found a young war widow, and he followed the scriptures injunction to "visit the widow" and it resulted as such visits frequently do. They were married November 5, 1862. There was a little son that he became heir to under the transaction, Frank J. Crowel. The union brought eleven children, five of which died in infancy. Those yet living are: Ella, now Mrs. Wm. Hallet, Alice E., now Mrs. J. W. Helm, Harry B., Elizabeth, now Mrs. E. Blanchard, Rose, now Mrs. F. Ward, and George.
Mr. Blackburn showed his loyalty to his adopted land by enlisting in the 67th Illinois regiment and again in the Company D, 11th Illinois infantry, where he got to smell burnt powder in plenty. Was at Zazoo City in a death struggle. Was on the run toward Champion hill and finally saw the other fellows run. Was in the campaign at Poncher Train, Blakely and Mobile. Took a long ride up Red river and was discharged at Marshall, Texas, in October, 1865. Came to Nebraska in 1869, and pre-empted the gold field now owned by friend Dillenbeck in "P" precinct, and sold his right for three dollars, gold and all.
Later he settled in "K" precinct. Has for many years made his home in Seward.
Is an enthusiastic member of the G. A. R. Votes the republican ticket when opportunity offers.
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BLUHM, Carolina Anna (IMIG), wife of Rudolph BLUHM, see: Carolina Anna (IMIG) BLUHM
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BOEKA, Ella Louise, wife of Frederick "Fred" Edward IMIG, daughter of August Adolph and Emma Sophia (MEYER) BOEKA, see: Ella Louise (BOEKA) IMIG
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BOUGHTON, Eliza. This biography, apparently written by her great-granddaughter, is from page 193 of the 1967 book, On A Bend of the River, posted here courtesy of the author, Jane Ramsay Graff.
[Surnames: ANDERSON, BABBITT, BINGHAM, BOUGHTON, HEUMANN, OST, SIMMONS, TURNER, UNDERHILL]

BOUGHTON
by Edith Ost

Mrs. Eliza Boughton, the widow of the Rev. Newell Boughton, and her daughter, Anna, of Baraboo, Wisconsin, came to Seward by train in the 1870s. Her son, Augustus, brought their household goods in a covered wagon. They opened a candy store on the east side of the square, where Heumann's is now located. The mother and daughter made candy to sell, and also had stick candy in large glass jars. They lived in the back of the store. The son moved on to Willow County. Mrs. Boughton bought the house at North 7th Street. Anna was married to Frank G. Simmons in 1879. He had come to Nebraska from New York City as an orphan, and lived with the Morris Underhill family, west of Seward. He taught school in a sod house, known as the Anderson School House, in that neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons lived in the house on 7th Street and their 5 children were born there. They were: Ruby, Mrs. Charles Babbitt of Lincoln (deceased); Iva, Mrs. John Bingham of Lincoln (deceased); Arthur of Portland, Oregon (deceased); Edith, Mrs. Percy Ost of Seward and Fern, Mrs. Harry Turner of Lincoln.
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BOYES, Carlos Eugene, husband of Elsie Melissa (CLARK), son of Hiram L. BOYES and Esther (HIBBARD). This biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 21:
[Surnames: BOYES, CLARK]

CARL BOYES

February 14, 1841, in old Cataraugus County, New York, among the rocks, everlasting hills and Cataraugus Indians, Carl first saw the light. He can't tell just how he got out of those hills, whether he came "a foot or on horseback". Says he is no "injun" although born on their reserve. Like most of the bright New York boys, he wanted to get out of that tangled mass of brush and briars, and by easy stages he wandered westward and in 1867 we find him working at the dam by the mill site on the Blue, where he threw dirt, cut brush and fished; then rolled logs and did all kinds of work in helping to lay the foundations of the great mill.
July, 1872, he married a pioneer girl, Miss Elsie Clarke (sic: Clark), who was born in New York among the icebergs near the St. Lawrence river, and came to Seward County in the spring of 1866, and was one of the class that attended the first school in the old log cabin.
Children of the house hold are as follows: Burdette, Eugenie, Myrtle, now Mrs. J. Anderson and Don C.
Mr. Boyes is now the oldest mill man in the county having been connected with the business for over a third of a century, and has grown rich and gray in the work.
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BOYES, Elsie Melissa (CLARK), wife of Carlos Eugene BOYES, daughter of Rev. Elipha Lyman CLARK, Sr. and Nancy (MUNGER). Submitted by Clark researcher Pat Ryan White. This obituary is from an unnamed, undated newspaper (probably Seward, NE, May 1941) clipping, on file at Seward County Genealogical Society. Photos courtesy of great-granddaughter Jane Ramsay Graff.
[Surnames: ANDERSON, BOYES, CLARK, FUQUA, JONES, MOFFIT, MUNGER, SELMAN, STEEL]

Mrs. Elsie Clark Boyes
Mrs. Elsie Clark Boyes, long a resident of Seward, died at the age of 87 years and 4 months.
Mrs. Boyes was born in East Constable, New York, on Jan. 12th, 1854. She was next to the youngest of eleven children, her father, being the Rev. E.L. Clark; her mother Nancy Munger Clark. In 1866 [sic: 1865] Mr. Clark came west and homesteaded southeast of Seward on the tract now the home of Delbert Clark. The following year Mr. Clark sent for his family, met them in Nebraska City, drove them with horses and spring wagon to Seward, where they were warmly welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. L. Moffit, who sheltered them---as they did many other new arrivals---until their own primitive home was ready for them. Mrs. Boyes never forgot the kindness of the Moffits and often spoke of it to her children in later years.
On July the 2, 1872, Elsie Clark was united in marriage with Carlos E. Boyes, who preceeded her in death on June 16, 1924. Surviving them are two sons, Burdette of Oakdale, Nebr., Don Carlos of Atlanta, Ga., and two daughters, Mrs. Joseph Selman of Atlanta, Ga., and Mrs. Myrtle Anderson of Seward, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, May 11th, 1941, at the Chain & Wood chapel, conducted by Rev. L.C. Fuqua of David City, assisted by S.H. Jones of the Presbyterian church of Seward, Mrs. Cal Steel of Dorchester, a granddaughter, sang at the funeral. Burial was in the family lot in the Seward [north] cemetery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Card of Thanks
We shall always remember with deep graditude[sic] the comforting expressions of sympathy of our friends and neighbors during our recent bereavement.
The Boyes Family.

Alice & Burdette Boyes, Millie & Don DuBois, Genie & Joe Selman, Myrt Anderson. Carlos, Sumner Anderson, Barbara Boyes, Elsie, Bobbie Selman. Donnie DuBois, Margaret Anderson.

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BOYES, Hiram L., husband of Esther L. (HIBBARD). This obituary is from Blue Valley Blade, Seward, NE, handwritten date, June 20, 1900, on file at Seward County Genealogical Center. Photos courtesy of Jane Ramsay Graff and the Seward Co. Historical Society, from Seward County Nebraska, 1982, p.44.
[Surnames: BOYES, HIBBARD]

—————
Another Pioneer Gone.

Hiram L. Boyes, who has been suffering from the infirmities of old age for several weeks past, died at his home in this city, Tuesday morning, June 19, 1900, at 1 o'clock.
Mr. Boyes was born in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, January 9, 1812, and was consequently 88 years of age his last birthday, truly a ripe old age. He was from a hardy Scotch-Irish and French descent. His father moved to Cataraugus county, New York, when Hiram was but three years old. Mr. Boyes was married in 1836 to Miss Esther L. Hibbard of Erie county, New York. In 1844 the young couple went to the wilds of Michigan and settled in St. Joseph county. In 1849 Mr. Boyes went to California, going around Cape Horn, spending four years in the mines. After returning home the family removed to Story county, Iowa, and in 1867 came to Seward, and he built the first mill in Seward, which was a great convenience to the early settler, and has been indentified [sic] with the mill business ever since.
Mr. Boyes was a public spirited citizen, and during his active business life did his full share in the development and advancement of Seward and Seward county, taking great interest in everything calculated to be of benefit to the city and county. He retired from active business pursuits several years ago to enjoy the comforts of home in his declining years.
The funeral will take place from his late residence in South Seward at 10 o'clock, a.m., Thursday, June 21st, and his remains be laid to rest beside those of his wife, who died in 1890, in the family lot in the north cemetery.
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BRADLEY, Harry H. This biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 15:
[Surnames: BRADLEY]

HARRY H. BRADLEY

The first colored boy born in Seward was born March 12, 1875. Was educated in the city schools. Harry has had a wide experience as a traveler. He has visited London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Paris at the World's Exposition. Has held many places of trust at the great expositions at Chicago, Buffalo, Omaha and St. Louis. Was chief steward of the Nebraska sod house at Buffalo. He had charge of the roller-chair storage house of the Clarkson Concession Company. He was also an exposition guide.
Harry has through all his eventful career earned the respect of the people wherever employed and stands high in the estimation of the good people of Seward.
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BRANDON, Dr. George W., son of B. F. and Margaret BRANDON, husband of Laura A. (HAVERSTOCK). She was the daughter of John F. and Rebecca HAVERSTOCK. This biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County, Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, pages 17-18:
[Surnames: ASTOR, BATES, BRANDON, HAVERSTOCK, HENIGAN]

DR. GEORGE W. BRANDON

The oldest living practitioner in Seward County, was born in Lee County, Illinois, June 22, 1847, and was third son of B. F. and Margaret Brandon. These old people died at the doctor's home in Milford. George was a wandering boy from the time he was six years old. Commenced his school days at Dixon, Illinois, and completed his studies at the seminary there. Then he went through the Chicago Medical College, also the medical department of the University of Michigan. He graduated at Rush Medical College in 1871. Spent a year in Soublette, Illinois. Full of life and ambition, Illinois could not hold him. He saw the rising star in the west and hither he came in 1872. He found just the spot to his liking in the Blue Valley at Milford and put up his shingle, nailing it so thoroughly that it has not blown down in thirty-two years. The Doctor took a liking to Miss Laura A. Haverstock, and they were married. Laura was the eldest daughter of John F. and Rebecca Haverstock, near Milford. She was an Ohio girl but now an old time resident of Seward County. They have but one child, Ida M., yet at home.
The Doctor was appointed coroner of the county a long time ago, and has been elected several times to the same office. Has been a pension examiner for eight years. Was coroner and officiated in the Bates [p. 18] murder trial, and took a hand in the famous Henigan and Astor trial where the sheriff was a party.
Doctor has been a Mason for twenty-nine years and has taken the thirty-second degree. Has been their Secretary for fifteen years. Is also a member of the A. O. U. W., the M. W. A. and the Knights of Macabees. Doctor says he is and has been a republican from "away back".
In his long career he has traversed these prairies through storm and sunshine. He knows all about night rides in blizzards, of worrying through snow drifts with jaded horses. He knows something about Indian war dances, of which we will tell more on another page.
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BRINKMEYER, William T. The following biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 20:
[Surnames: BRINKMEYER]

WILLIAM T. BRINKMEYER

Is another of the home lads, born April 6, 1878 and was raised on a farm in "J" precinct five miles south-west of Seward, where he yet resides.
He belongs to the United Workmen and is a member of the Evangelical Church.
The story of his marriage must be told by the future historian. We trust it may be a most successful marriage and well told. Seward County boys generally do well when they have half a chance.
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BROKAW, Adeline "Addie" Corena, daughter of Jane Adeline (HAGEMAN) and William Augustus BROKAW, wife of Albert James FAUST. This biography is from Our Brokaw-Bragaw Heritage; photo courtesy Eve Brokaw Adams.
[Surnames: BROKAW, FAUST, RUNKLE]

Adeline Brokaw was mar., Apr 22, 1891, in the St. Paul Episcopal Church, in Lincoln, Nebr., to Albert James Faust, b. July 23, 1870, son of Lt. Emanuel and Sarah (Runkle) Faust, who were from Pennsylvania. Albert Faust was b. at St Charles, Iowa, and was a farmer, and they lived near the town of Ruby, Nebr.
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BROKAW, Francis Hastings Sr., son of Jane Adeline (HAGEMAN) and William Augustus BROKAW, husband of Margaret "Maggie" Rebecca (FOREMAN). This biography is from Our Brokaw-Bragaw Heritage, p. 494; 1921 photo courtesy Paul Kennedy.
[Surnames: BROKAW, FOREMAN]

Francis Brokaw was born on the parental farm, near Fairview, Fulton County, Illinois, and raised there to 1869, when the family moved to Nebraska, where he grew up on a prairie homestead, which was near Nebraska City and some other small towns. And, later, the town of Milford sprang up nearby. Margaret Foreman, born at Milton, Pike Col., Illinois, moved to Nebraska when the folks did, and she and Frank Brokaw were married in Milford. They lived on a farm, which was near the small town of Lamar, where the first two children were born, and in Milford where the next three were born, and the others were born at Seward, all of which were nearby, and in Seward County.
They were living in Lincoln, Nebraska, when William and Margaret died.

This second biography of Francis Hastings Brokaw, Sr. is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 25:
[Surnames: BROKAW, FOREMAN]

FRANK H. BROKAW

Another of those Fulton County, Illinois, boys that got on the western trail in early youth and has grown up with the county sure enough. Was born October 20, 1864, and spent his youthful days on his father's homestead, helping to open up the farm. His neighbor, Foreman, had a nice little girl, Maggie R., and Frank and Maggie played together and bye and bye Frank won her heart and they were married October 20, 1885.
She was born in Pike County, Illinois, August 7, 1867. They have eight children, viz: Augustus D., Elsie L., Eva J., Frank A., Alletta A., Frank W., Maggie N. and William R.
He owns a splendid farm four miles south of Seward. Is prosperous and contented. Church home is with the Christion church at Seward.
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BROKAW, William Augustus, son of Isaac I. and Aletta (SCHENCK) BROKAW, husband of 1) Jane Adeline (HAGEMAN) (dau. of William Brown HAGEMAN and Aletta Quick STRYKER), and 2) Mary Albina "Bina" (COX). The first biography is from Our Brokaw-Bragaw Heritage, p. 353; c. 1900 photo courtesy Glen F. Houdersheldt.
[Surnames: BROKAW, HAGEMAN, STRYKER, VAN LIEW]

William Brokaw, born on a farm, near Fairview, Fulton Co., Illinois, attended the schools there, and was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, in Fairview. Was married in that church to Jane Hageman. She was also born in Fulton Co., as a daughter of William and Althea (Stryker) Hageman. She was a first cousin to Louisa B. (Hageman) Van Liew, the grandmother of Mr. Cecil D. Van Liew, who contributed the bulk of the records on the Isaac Brokaw families. After they were married, William and Jane lived in Fulton County until 1869, when they removed to Nebraska. There he took up an 80 acre homestead, in J Precinct of Seward Co., which was near Lincoln and Nebraska City. Their first home was a dugout; they had to haul lumber from a town 50 miles away. He improved the land and acquired more, until he had 120 acres of good land. A long biographical sketch, called 'Memorial and Biographical Records of Butler, Polk, Seward, York and Filmore counties, Nebraska,' in which was given some on William Brokaw. The census recs. of 1870 listed them in Seward Co., near Nemaha and 1880 in Milford Precinct.
The little villages of Seward and Milford had only a few stores each, and not many settlers, and in 1874, the grasshoppers completely destroyed their corn crops; in 1875, the wheat crops. William Brokaw eventually owned 620 acres land, had good house and farm buildings; was active in public affairs and was treasurer of the township. Was supervisor, 2 yrs, and Dist. Treasurer of the school. In 1895 he was chosen to represent the 29th Dist. in the State Legislature. Both he and Jane d. at Milford, and bur. in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

The second biography, courtesy of Pam Rietsch, is from Memorial and Biographical Records of Butler, Polk, Seward, York and Filmore counties, Nebraska, 1899, pages 401+402. Note: we need the photo from the book; this group of photos, submitted by Glen F. Houdersheldt, is of W.A. (on the right of his father), his parents, and siblings (identification needed).
[Surnames: BROKAW, COX, HAGEMAN, SCHANCK/SCHENCK, STRYKER, VAN LIEW, WASHINGTON]

HON. WILLIAM A. BROKAW.--One of the active, prominent and enterprising citizens, as well as one of the honored pioneers of Seward county, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and who is at present engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 14, J precinct. He made his first appearance upon the stage of life in Fairview, Illinois, June 12, 1843. His father, Isaac I. Brokaw, was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, January 21, 1800, and at an early age enlisted in the United States army; serving as lieutenant when only eighteen years old, and later as captain and major. In 1824 he was one of General La Fayette's escort on his last visit to this country. He was married in New Jersey, in 1825, to Miss Alletta Schanck, a daughter of Josiah Schanck [sic, SCHENCK], who served as baggage master in George Washington's army. Our subject is the sixth in order of birth of the seven children born of this union, of whom four are still living.
William A. Brokaw is indebted to the common schools of Illinois for his educational privileges, and his business training was obtained upon the home farm. On the 14th of October, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane A. Hageman, of Fairview, Illinois, by whom he had four children, namely: Frank H., Alletta, Addie C. and Willie H., all of whom are married and living in Seward county with the exception of Willie H. who is now twenty-one years of age and is at home. Mrs. Brokaw, who was a devoted wife and loving mother, was called to her final rest March 12, 1894, and was buried in Mt. Pleasant cemetery. Our subject was again married July 3, 1898, his second union being with Albina Cox, of Seward county, a daughter of Jefferson Cox.
It was in 1869 that Mr. Brokaw came to Nebraska and took a homestead of eighty acres in J precinct, but he now has three hundred and twenty acres of the finest land in Seward county, it being under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good buildings. His first home here was a dugout, and he was compelled to haul his lumber from Nebraska City, the round trip being one hundred and fifty miles. It was therefore slow work to get a building erected. Groceries could be bought in Lincoln, but a railroad had not yet been built, the first road into that city being completed in 1870. The town of Seward contained only a few stores and Milford was somewhat the larger at that time, while the few settlers were widely scattered over the prairies of Seward county. In 1874 the grasshoppers entirely destroyed the corn crops, and the following year the wheat crop was destroyed by the same insects.
Mr. Brokaw has ever taken an active and prominent part in public affairs, and has filled a number of local offices, such as treasurer of his township, assessor, supervisor two terms and school district treasurer for twenty-five years. In 1895 he was also the choice of the people to represent the twenty-ninth district of Nebraska in the state legislature, and filled that position with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. As a citizen he ever stands ready to discharge every duty devolving upon him and justly merits the esteem in which he is uniformly held.

This third biography, written by his granddaughter, is from pages 193-194 of the 1967 book, On A Bend of the River, posted here courtesy of the author, Jane Ramsay Graff; c. 1900 photo courtesy Glen F. Houdersheldt.

[Surnames: BROKAW, COX, FAUST, HAGEMAN, ROBBINS]

BROKAW
by Laura Jane Robbins Goehring

Wm. Augustus Brokaw, born June 12, 1842, near Fairview, Ill., and Jane Adeline Hageman, born Sept. 14, 1844, near Fairview, Ill., were married Oct. 14, 1863. To this union were born five children, Francis Hastings, Oct. 20, 1864, died May 20, 1935; Allie Josephine, Aug. 8, 1867, died Oct. 7, 1867; Alletta S., (Mrs. Wm. Oppie Robbins) March 10, 1869, died Febr. 17, 1936. The three children were born on a farm near Fairview, Ill. The family migrated to Seward County in 1869. Wm. Augustus Brokaw purchased the farm from a homesteader, located two miles south of Seward, Nebr.
"Gus" Brokaw as he was known in the vicinity built the three story home hauling the lumber from Nebraska City. Here Addie Corine (Faust) was born March 26, 1873, died Nov. 1, 1910; Wm. Hageman (known as "W. H.") was born Sept. 27, 1877, died Sept. 11, 1965 at Lincoln, Nebr. The Mt. Pleasant Cemetery was donated by Wm. Augustus Brokaw. The family plot is there.
Wm. Augustus Brokaw was a represent-[page 194]ative of Seward County in the Legislature at Lincoln. Wm. Augustus Brokaw was married the second time to Albina Cox, July 3, 1898. She died August 11, 1901. Mr. Brokaw was struck and killed by a train pulling into the Ruby station from Seward, June 10, 1911.

This fourth biography of William Augustus Brokaw is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, pages 24-25:
[Surnames: BROKAW, COX, FAUST, HAGEMAN, ROBBINS]

WILLIAM A. BROKAW

Is one of the great host of Fulton County, Illinois boys that found their way to Seward County in pioneer days. The lad was born near the little old town of Fairview, June 12, 1843 [sic], when that county was yet a wild wilderness. Gus (as we call him) there grew to manhood and married Miss Jane A. Hageman, October 20, 1863 [sic]. She also was a native of Fairview, born September 4, 1844. She died at the family homestead east of Ruby, March 12, 1894 [sic]. They had six children, viz: Two died in infancy. The living are Frank H., Alletta, now Mrs. W. O. Robins [sic: Robbins]. Adie C., now Mrs. A. J. Faust and William H.
The family came to Seward County in 1869. In 1898, July 3, Mr. Brokaw married Miss Albina Cox of Seward County.
She was born in Pike County, Illinois and came to Seward County in 1878 with her parents. She died August 11, 1901. Mr. Brokaw settled [p. 25] in section 14 "J" precinct. He is a long time member of the A. F. and A. M.
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BROKAW, William Hageman, son of Jane Adeline (HAGEMAN) and William Augustus BROKAW, husband of 1) Jessie Hannah RILEY (dau. of Austin RILEY and Emily MORTON), 2) Bertha Grimes GRISWOLD GAYLORD. This biography is from Our Brokaw-Bragaw Heritage, p. 495; photo courtesy Eve Brokaw Adams.

William Brokaw, born on his parents' homestead in Seward County, Nebraska, received his early education at a country school near Seward, then went to high school, and then the University of Nebraska. Jessie Riley, born at Lawrence, Kansas, was a daughter of Austin and Emily (Morton) Riley. The William Brokaws lived in Seward, where he was the County Superintendent for years. He was also the Superintendent of Agriculture and Home Economics; for thirty years he was Director of the Extension of Agriculture at the University of Nebraska, at which time they lived in Lincoln. He was still living there when he sent family records. He is the one who is mentioned in the record of Bourgon Broucard at the very beginning of these records, who went to Germany on a mission for the United States Army, and was in the Section, near Manheim, and visited at the home of Mrs. Bockmeyer, and from her he received some information regarding the Huguenots, etc.
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BROOKS, Joseph, husband of Nancy A. (CRISS). The following biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, page 25:
[Surnames: BROOKS, BURNSIDE,CARLYLE, COX, CRISS, QUEIN, SHERMAN]

JOSEPH BROOKS

Adjutant of the Soldier's Home at Milford. Was born September 15, 1837, in Athens County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and received his education. When the war broke out and he heard the drum beat his soul was fired with patriotism and July 25, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, 30th Ohio Infantry. Was with General Cox in Virginia, and in 1862 with General Burnside and was in West Virginia a while then with General Sherman. At the siege of Vicksburg was commissioned Second Lieutenant. After the siege was in the conflict at South Mountain, at Antietam, at Jackson and followed Sherman to the sea and to Washington and was at the grand review as Captain Brooks. Then was sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was mustered out. He returned and married the girl he had left behind, Miss Nancy A. Criss, in 1866.
She was born at Harrisonville, Ohio, December 25, 1846. There were born to them three children: Effie, now Mrs. Carlyle, Etta, yet at home and Mattie, now Mrs. R. Quein.
Captain Brooks moved to Iowa in 1870 and to Nebraska in 1878 where he bought land at Odell in Gage County and made a farm. Was appointed Adjutant of the Home in 1901, where he seems to be making a good record. Has decided that Seward County is the proper place to make his home.
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BROWN, Daniel. This clever eyewitness account of one of the great scourges facing Seward County farmers is from page 194 of the 1967 book, On A Bend of the River, posted here courtesy of the author, Jane Ramsay Graff.

"The following is a poem written by Daniel Brown who homesteaded in L precinct in 1879 and was written in 1935."

THE GRASSHOPPERS
They came in clouds of millions
Like a snowstorm settling down
Until the earth was covered.
You could hardly see the ground.
And they were very hungry,
And soon commenced to eat
To satisfy their appetites.
I never saw the beat.
They ate all vegetation,
But what they liked the best
Was our early truck patch garden,
But they did not leave the rest.
They ate the sweet corn and the beans,
The cabbage and the peas,
And when it came to onions,
They left us none of these.
Our wheat was ripe, we had it
Mostly in the shock.
So they could not eat it.
They thought it was of rock.
They ate the paint from our tools,
And seemed to think it good.
And if they had no paint on,
They would eat upon the wood.
They settled on the railroad track,
Gathering on the rails so thick,
And when manufactured into soap,
They caused the train to stick.
They were so thick in the air at times,
You could not see the sky,
For they did not all come down you see.
The rest kept passing by.
They stayed about a week or so,
And then commenced to leave
In bunches as they came, you know,
The cause, I can't conceive,
Unless it was the lack of room
That made them leave by bunch.
There was not room to spread their wings,
So all could leave at once.

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BUCKINGHAM, Martha Jane (BAKER), wife of Perry Emmett BUCKINGHAM. This obituary is from the Beaver Crossing Times. Submitted by Ann Miller White, great-granddaughter-in-law of deceased.
[Surnames: BAKER, BARNES, BUCKINGHAM, DRUM, HAAGENSON]

MRS. P.E. BUCKINGHAM SUCCUMBS TO PARALYSIS

Martha Jane Baker was born near Syracuse, New York October 16, 1859. She died at her home near Beaver Crossing July 26, 1926 at the age of 66 years, 9 months, and 2 days. At the age of four years, she moved to Hinckley, Illinois. In the Spring of 1887 she moved to Friend, Nebraska. On December 12th, she was united in marriage to Perry E. Buckingham. To this union were born five children: John William of Pierre, South Dakota; Edgar Edward, Viola May Barnes, and Roy Carlos of Beaver Crossing, and Mary Fern Haagenson of Riverton, Nebraska.
She joined the Baptist church at Hinckley, Illinois at the age of sixteen years. She was a member of the Victoria Rebecca Lodge No. 60 of Beaver Crossing, from which she received the decoration of chivalry.
During her married life she moved on a homestead in Banner County,Nebraska, and after four years returned to Friend, Nebraska.
On March 1, 1896, she moved to a farm near Beaver Crossing, on which she lived until her death. She leaves to mourn her death a husband, three sons, two daughters, eleven grandchildren, one brother, and many other relatives and friends.
Dearest Mother, thou has left us
Here thy loss we deeply feel.
But it is God that has bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal.
Yet again we hope to meet thee
When the day of life is fled,
There in Heaven with joy we great three,
Where no farewell tear is shed.
Funeral services were conducted in the Methodist Church by Rev. F. E. Drum, Wednesday afternoon and burial was made in the Beaver Crossing Cemetery.
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BUCKINGHAM, Mary Fern, wife of 1) Mr. ARMAGOST, 2) Mr. HAAGENSEN. This article is from the Seward County Independent, 10/18/1961. Submitted by Ann Miller White, granddaughter-in-law of deceased.
[Surnames: ARMAGOST, BAUMHOVER, COCKLE, DEXTER, HAAGENSEN, JORN, KITTINGER, RERUCHA, SCHRINER, SOUCHEK, SOUKUP, SPAHR, THIESSEN, WHITE]

Mrs. Fern Haagensen, 66, of 514 South 10th Street in Lincoln, formerly of Beaver Crossing, was killed in an automobile accidence, Friday, October 13, three miles east and three miles south of Seward on highway 15 about 6:20 P.M. Mrs. Haagensen was traveling south in her 1948 black Chevrolet coupe at the time of the accident. Nebraska Safety Patrolman Lora Baumhover, who investigated the collision reported she was driving with only one parking light on.
Also involved in the mishap was a northbound 1957 Mercury driven by Gary Cockle, 18, of Gresham. Passengers in his care were Miss Kathy Dexter, 17, of Clarks, Miss Marilyn Kittinger, 19 of Lincoln, formerly of Exeter.
According to County Coroner, Russell Souchek, Cockle was passing a 1955 Chevrolet driven by Margaret Rerucha of David City when the collision occurred. The Rerucha car was not involved in the accident. Her passengers were Maxine Soukup of Brainard and Darlene Spahr of rural route 3, Seward. The left fronts of the Cockle and Haagensen automobiles collided.
The Seward rescue squad took the three teenagers from the Cockle car to the Seward Memorial Hospital. Cockle, the driver, apparently suffered a dislocated hip, chest injuries, and facial cuts. Both the Kittinger and Dexter girls received facial cuts and Miss Dexter had possible chest injuries.
Mrs. Haagensen was driving alone, returning to Lincoln after spending the day with her daughter, Mrs. Frank Schriner in Seward. Among her survivors are a son, Loran Armagost of El Sequdo, California and four daughters, Mrs. Schriner of Seward, Mrs. Lynwood Thiessen of Broadbend, Oregon, Mrs. Clarence White of Beaver Crossing, and Mrs. Stanley Jorn of Arapahoe.
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BUCKINGHAM, Perry Emmett, husband of Martha Jane (BAKER). This obituary is from the Beaver Crossing Times, March, 1940. Submitted by Ann Miller White, great-granddaughter-in-law of deceased.
[Surnames: BAKER, BUCKINGHAM, CHRISTENSEN, DIMERY, FOSTER, GAKE, HAAGENSON, HAMPP, HOUCHEN, MILLER, PETTIJOHN, SAMUELSON, SEAVER, STEUCK, WHITLOCK]

OBITUARY: PERRY E. BUCKINGHAM

Perry Emmett Buckingham, son of John and Rebecca Buckingham, was born in Rock Island County, Illinois, near what is now the town of Hillsdale, on October 4, 1859. In the Spring of 1871, the family moved to a farm about three miles east of what is now the town of Friend, Nebraska. They lived in a sod house until lumber could be hauled from Lincoln by team and wagon, to build a frame house. There was no railroad further west than Nebraska City. About a year later, the railroad came through and the town of Friendville was founded, and the name later was changed to Friend.
He grew to manhood there and on December 12, 1880, was united in marriage to Martha Jane Baker. To this union, five children were born, three sons and two daughters.
About 1889, he took his family to the western part of the state where they homesteaded on a farm in Banner County, about twenty miles northwest of Kimball. They lived there several years and then moved back to a farm east of Friend. In 1896, they moved to a farm southwest of Beaver Crossing where he resided until his death.
He was a kind and loving father and a good citizen. He was always willing to help his family, neighbors, and friends. He stood for good government and the betterment of his community. He was a veteran member of the Beaver Lodge No. 124 I.O.O.F. of Beaver Crossing.
He was one of the few left who settled this country when it was in its primitive state. When Indians, the buffalo, and wild game were still making it their home. He recalled seeing Lincoln when it was only a few scattered buildings. He knew the hardships of the pioneer setting out to develop a new country.
After many months of patient suffering, he passed away at his home Monday morning, March 4, 1940, at the advanced age of 80 years and 5 months. He leaves to mourn his passing his five children: John William of Pierre, South Dakota, Edgar E., Mrs. Viola Steuck, and Mary Fern Haagensen of Beaver Crossing, and Roy C. of Winside, Nebraska; a sister, Mrs. Sarah Miller, and a brother, Ira Buckingham, of Friend, twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and many other relatives and a host of friends. His wife preceded him in death in 1926. One sister and one brother have also been taken.
Active pallbearers were: Otto Hampp, L. G. Gake, Knude Christensen, Chris Christensen, William Samuelson, and Paul Houchen. Honorary pallbearers were Fred Dimery, B. F. Whitlock, Dr. F. Pettijohn, C.O. Foster, E. L. Seaver and Dr. D. W. ______.
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BURKE, John C.; and his son Mark BURKE, Sr., husband of Nellie J. (DENEEN). This double-biography is from the Compendium of History, Reminiscence and Biography of Nebraska, Alden Publishing Company, Chicago, 1912, pages 240-241.
[Surnames: BURKE, DENEEN, MATSON, MCCULLOUGH]

BURKE FAMILY SKETCH.

John C. Burke was born in Ireland, and in his young manhood learned the trade of boilermaker. At the time that the confederate vessel "Alabama" was being built at Shields, England, Mr. Burke and his brother were employed on its construction, and upon its completion, a large part of its crew enlisted for service out of the shops, supposing the vessel was destined for South African service. Upon being launched and equipped for sea service, the "Alabama" sailed under sealed orders, which when opened revealed the fact that they were bound for the United States and enlisted in the confederate service. Thereupon a mutiny occurred and the men were returned to the original shipping port. But some months later on Mr. Burke came to the United States in the early sixties, when he enlisted in the Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, [p.241] and served until the close of the war. He then returned to Iowa, living there until coming to Nebraska, from Linn county, Iowa, in the spring of 1869, when he was in the employ of the government at Fort McPherson. In the fall of 1869 Mr. Burke returned to Linn county, Iowa, for his wife and baby (son Mark) and removed them to McPherson station on the Union Pacific railway, in Nebraska. About 1870 Mr. Burke was in partnership with John McCullough in the cattle business in Lincoln county, Nebraska, and in 1878 Mr. Burke disposed of his interests in the ranch and cattle, and removed to Seward county, Nebraska, where he engaged in farming. Mr. Burke died at his home on the farm October 22, 1907, and his wife, Mrs. John Burke, died October 16, 1902.
Mr. and Mrs. [John C.] Burke were survived by four children, named as follows: Mark Burke, Columbus, Nebraska; Mrs. H. M. Matson, Seward county, Nebraska; John C. Burke, state of Colorado; and James M. Burke, state of Iowa.
Mark Burke was born in Linn county, Iowa, October 16, 1869, and came to Nebraska when he was a small babe, and lived with his parents until his twenty-first year, when he went to railroading on the Northwestern railroad, in whose service he remained until the year 1898. On May 10, 1898, Mr. Burke enlisted in Company H, Second Nebraska Volunteer Infantry for service in Cuba, and in November, 1898, was mustered out, returning to Nebraska and began work with the Union Pacific railroad.
In the year 1906, Mr. [Mark] Burke left the railroad service and went into the restaurant business in Columbus, Nebraska, and after a few months sold out and went on the police force, where he remained for two years, and where he was known as a fearless and efficient officer. In January, 1910, Mr. Burke was appointed deputy sheriff of Platte county, Nebraska.
January 21, 1902, Mr. [Mark] Burke was married to Miss Nellie J. Deneen, who is of an old pioneer family of Platte county, Nebraska, and they have one child, Mark Burke, junior.
Mr. [Mark] Burke is state secretary of the fraternal order of the Knights of Columbus, and financial secretary of the local order at Columbus, Nebraska. Mr. Burke is a democrat in politics, and is a young man of many friends and acquaintances.
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BURNS, Jennie Byron, wife of Schuyler Baker CLARK: see Jennie Byron (BURNS) CLARK
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BUSCHE, Henry F., husband of Kate (MEYER). The following biography is from W. W. Cox, History of Seward County Nebraska and Reminiscences of Territorial History, Part Two: Biographical, 1905, pages 20-21:
[Surnames: BUSCHE, MEYER]

HENRY F. BUSCHE

Our skilled and most competent worker with the fragrant weed, (tobacco) was a native of Westphalia, Prussia, born March 24, 1866. Spent his youth and early manhood in the Fatherland, but somehow Henry had a yearning for the great land of promise beyond the ocean, and at twenty-six he took leave of the old home and landed in Lincoln in 1892, but before he came, he wooed and won the heart of Miss Kate Meyer of his native home. She was born December 9, 1865. They have four children: Mary, Elsie, Henry and Arthur.
[p.21] The young couple came to Seward in 1896, where he is engaged in the manufacture of cigars. His "Seward Special" has become known as an extra good article of cigars and is very popular.
Mr. Busche is a member of the A. O. U. W. Church home is with the Evangelical people at Seward.
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