Almeria, Nebraska

The Grand Island Independent had an article last week in their Silver Salute section on the town of Almeria, Nebraska. Almeria is 10 miles west of Taylor on Highway 91. Some of the names mentioned in the article include Bill and Hilma Strong, Strohl, Rusho, Haythorne, Beals, Nelson, Hyde and many others.

I remember stopping at the Almeria store a few times. I remember skating at the roller rink on the west side of town. We had some school skating parties there where all the area schools were invited. One time I even got up the courage to ask a boy to skate with me...don't ask his name because I don't remember! We went around once and then he tried to impress his friends by seeing if he could scare me by going faster and faster. He didn't scare me and I didn't fall! I especially remember my shock at seeing my dad, who, as a boy, was doing a man's work when he should have been learning to have fun, strap the skates on to his second best Sunday shoes, and take off around the rink like it was the most natural thing in the world. Bless his heart, that was one of the only times I saw dad have fun and probably the first time I realized he had a life before I came along. I was probably 9 or 10.

The Almeria Cemetery is the final resting place of three generations of our ancestors. Frank and Lizzie (Worth) Jones, George and Flora (Swift) Worth, and John and Ann (Dugdale) Worth. Also Uncle Ed Worth and Uncle Will Jones. It is a small and well maintained cemetery south of the highway about a mile.

This was a great article and a pleasure to read. I always appreciate it when Kevin Brown writes about the history of Loup County.

Tombstone Tuesday

Photo of the tombstone of George Clinton and Catherine (Willman) Ferguson, Odell Cemetery, Odell, Nebraska.
Photo taken by Mary Russell Hollowell.

Obituary

Catherine Willman Ferguson, 1834-1905

Catherine Willman was born in Franklin county, Pa., August 10, 1834, and died at her home in Odell, Thursday, December 28, 1905, after an illness of about six weeks duration, at the age of 71 years, 4 months and 13 days.

During her sickness she bore her suffering without scarcely a murmur, meekly submitting to the will of her Heavenly Father.

At the age of four years, deceased removed with her parents to Wayne county, Ind., where they resided for about four years, when they went to Hartford City, Blackford county, Ind., where, on October 28, 1851, she was united in marriage with George Ferguson who enjoyed her companionship for more than half a century.

Shortly after their marriage they moved to Johnstown, Hardin county, Ohio, residing there till the summer of 1855, when they came to Brownville, Nebraska, being among the very first settlers in the state. A few years later they made their way to Cincinnati, now DuBois, in Pawnee county, where they resided until 1878, when they came to Charleston, south of the present town of Odell, and from that time to the day of there departure to the better land "Grandma Ferguson" as she was familiarly called, was an honored citizen of our community.

Thirty years ago she and her daughter Molly joined the United Brethren church at Eagle school house near the Blue river and she remained a faithful and consistent member of that faith until the Captain of her salvation said "Come up higher."

Mrs. Ferguson was an affectionate wife and mother and was fairly idolized by her husband and children and dearly beloved by all who knew her on account of her noble deeds. Her departure left a vacancy in this community that can never be filled.

Deceased left a husband, three sisters, two brothers, five sons, three daughters, thirty-seven grand children, thirty of whom were at the funeral, and eleven great grand children to mourn their loss.

Funeral services were held at the M.E. church, Sunday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev J. H. Rounds assisted by Rev. Scott of Wymore, whose wife is a niece of deceased, and the people came in such large numbers to pay their last tribute to the dead that the church would not hold them. Interment was made in the home cemetery north of town.

We extend to the bereaved husband and relatives our most heartfelt sympathy in their hour of sadness, but they have consolation in knowing that their loss is her gain.

~Source: Odell Weekly Wave, 5 Jan 1906

Tombstone Tuesday

Photo of the tombstone of Frank and Elizabeth Jones, Almeria Cemetery, Almeria, Nebraska.
Photo taken by Mary Russell Hollowell.

Obituary

Frank F. Jones 1877-1951

Frank F. Jones was born in Sheridan County*, Missouri, December 11, 1877. He came to Nebraska in 1909 and lived on a farm near Comstock. In the spring of 1919 he came to Loup County and bought the place where he has since made his home.

He was married September 6, 1922, to Elizabeth Worth of Almeria. To this union were born two children, Mrs. Grace Ferguson of Brewster, and Gerald who lives at the home place.

During his youth he worked in the coal mines of Missouri. He always enjoyed a game of baseball. Skating, playing horseshoes, and many other games were of interest to him.

He was converted to the Christian faith in 1929 and had lived faithful to his belief. He often expressed his desire to see children being taught the Christian way in the Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible schools.

He passed away June 22, 1951, at the age of 73 years, 6 months, and 11 days. He was staying in Sargent where he was under the doctor's care at the time of this death.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Lizzie, his daughter, Grace Ferguson, his son, Gerald, three grandsons, and two grand-daughters, and many relatives and friends.

In the years he has lived in this community, his many neighbors have known him to be kind and helpful.

His patience during his illness endeared him to all who cared for him.

Among the relatives in attendance at the service were Mr. and Mrs. Jim Jackson and Vesper of Alliance; Mrs. Rhoda Hulbert and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Garnis of Ansley; Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Hulbert of Arcadia; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Pernie and John of Weissert; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lambert of Sargent and George Lambert of Broken Bow; Mrs. Nellie Simon and Carol of Sargent; and Mr. and Mrs. Guy Cone and Carole of Burwell.

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~Source: Sargent Leader, undated clipping

*Probably Chariton County instead of Sheridan County.

Note: Alternate spellings for relatives' names: Rhoda Hurlburt, Henry Garniss, Leroy Hurlburt, Earl Pirnie;

Tombstone Tuesday

Photo of the tombstone of George Clinton and Catherine (Willman) Ferguson, Odell Cemetery, Odell, Nebraska.
Photo taken by Mary Russell Hollowell.

Obituary

George Clinton Ferguson, 1830-1907

Geo Clinton Ferguson was born May 23rd 1830 at Ross' Corners near Gregsville, Livingston Co. N.Y. and died at Odell Nebr., Feb. 3nd 1907 Aged 76 years, 9 months and 29 days. His mother was a descendant of the McPherson clan of Scotland.

True to American instincts, he followed the star of Empire Westward and Oct. 22nd 1851, found him at Hartford City, Indiana, where he married Catherine Willman, who here to this union 10 children, eight of whom are living, the mother herself departing from this life but a little over a year ago. After helping complete the Pittsburg and Fort Wayne R. R. Mr. Ferguson while living at Johnstown Ohio, was engaged by Paul Rogers one of the original 13 settles (sic) of Omaha and a member of the Brownville Townsite Co., to come to Nebr. to set up and run a sawmill which had been purchased at Cincinnati*. For this work he was to receive the expenses of himself and family and $5.00 per day. The company arrived at Brownville by boat May 16th 1855.

He sawed the first lumber in Nebraska, an event which was celebrated by a dance and a barbecue to which 1200 Otoe Indians were invited.

He witnessed the first marriage in Nebraska, the contracting parties being one Sam Stairs and a woman named Nancy Swift of Nemaha Co.

In 1856 he put up a sawmill in Nehawka, Cass Co. for Pollard and Sheldon, the latter, the father of Governor Sheldon. He then sawed the lumber for the house in which the Gov. was born and has been living, it is said.

Father Gage an old pioneer Methodist preacher for whom this count is named, was well known by the deceased.

When an expedition was planned against the Indians who were on the warpath, only 50 c. was found in the crowd and aid for provisions came only when Mr. Ferguson turned in an order for which two wagon loads of bread stuffs and bacon were furnished the company.

Deceased moved to Old Charleston in 1878 and has lived in the vicinity of Odell ever since.

Following are the children of the deceased:
William Ferguson of Odell, Mrs. Mollie Dalrymple, Hanover, Kans., John Ferguson, Odell, Nebr., Clinton Ferguson, Hollenburg, Kans., Melvin Ferguson, Washington, Kans., Mrs. Anna McMullen, Greenleaf, Kans., Henry Ferguson, Barns (sic), Kans., and Mrs. Maggie Smith, Narka, Kans.

The grandchildren number 39 and great grandchildren 17.

The funeral was conducted from the M.E. church Monday at 1:30 under directions of Diller Lodge A.F. and A.M., Rev. O. W. Rammell (sp?) preaching the sermon. Interment was made in the home cemetery.

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*Cincinnati, Nebraska, was located about 1 mile south of Dubois, Nebraska, in Pawnee County. Source: http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/pawnee/dubois/

~Source of obituary: Odell Weekly Wave, February _, 1907, page 1.

George Clinton Ferguson (1830-1907) - James Clinton Ferguson (1863-1942) - George Melvin Ferguson (1895-1972) - George Clinton Ferguson (1921-1953).

The Basic Cemetery Tour

We took a belated Memorial Day cemetery tour today...well, actually, today IS the traditional Memorial Day until it was changed into the "FIRST WEEKEND OF SUMMER" holiday in the early 1970s. Mom has always taken flowers to the graves of her loved ones on Memorial Day, the traditional day or Monday, whichever. Since she moved to Grand Island 7 or so years ago, she and I have continued the tradition. Some years we spent the night at the Red Roof but that got to be too much for her about three years ago. This year my daughter Liz and her two kids joined us and we rode in her van. With the heat and mom's strength not being what it used to be, I wondered if she really wanted to go. But one thing about mom, she will never say no to a question that begins "Do you want to go...?"! Mom was able to get in and out of the van with the help of a handy old fruit crate that was just the right height. She was excited to see the country and mostly remembered who lived where along the way. We hit the road about 9 o'clock for the Basic Cemetery Tour.

The Basic Cemetery Tour includes stops at four cemeteries. First we drive by the house they lived in in Sargent for about 23 years to see that all is well with it. Then we head west to West Union cemetery. There are several great tombstones in the cemetery, including two that we saw today that are in the form of tree trunks. Liz and I learned last year on the Grand Island Cemetery tour that you can count the branches that come out from the trunk to see how many of the person's children lived to adulthood. Branches cut off flush with the trunk indicate children who died in infancy. If you have the chance to go on the cemetery tour around Memorial Day, do it. You will be amazed at all there is to learn about cemeteries and tombstones.





Dad is buried next to his first wife, Florance Predmore Baker Russell. She died during an operation for a bleeding ulcer. They had been married for about nine months. I'm sure at the time dad never thought he would ever remarry - he was 38 when he married her, his first marriage. So he bought the plots and had his name put on the tombstone and went back to living the life of a bachelor farmer.



Also buried in the West Union cemetery is dad's mother, Della West Patch Russell. She is buried beside her first husband, Louis Patch. (Dad's parents divorced after the children were grown.) Her grave is towards the north end of the cemetery and dad's is near the south end, close to the flag pole. Dad told me that his mother didn't really like the idea that he had gotten married and she didn't really like Florance. I wonder if that is why he picked a burial plot quite a ways away from hers. Maybe not. Maybe all the plots around grandma were for her other children. Eunice, Ralph, and Earl are buried near their mother (Della). (Lola is buried in Montana and Glen in Wyoming.)

Back on the road and we go to the cemetery in Taylor to pay our respects to Uncle Gerald Jones. This trip, mom didn't get out of the van at the cemeteries, but we stopped and talked and Liz and I took photos. (I must have taken a picture on moms camera instead of mine! Next trip!)

Usually, we stop at the Almeria cemetery next but this year the kids were getting hungry (and so were the adults!) so we headed for the Red Roof. Thanks, brothers, for your hospitality, even when you're not there! We ate our lunch in the shade of the ancient cottonwoods and when we were done we headed for the Brewster cemetery.





Mom usually brings peonies for George's grave but mine were done blooming already this year. Also in this cemetery are Aunt Nellie and Uncle Dewey. Pictures of those tombstones another time.

Back on the road with a final stop of the day at the Almeria cemetery. I told Liz we should bring divining rods sometime like the cemetery tour guide talked about and demonstrated at the Grand Island cemetery tour. I understand there are quite a few unmarked graves in the southeast corner of the Almeria cemetery.



Relatives buried at the Almeria cemetery include mom's parents, Frank and Elizabeth Jones, William Jones, George and Flora (Swift) Worth, John and Ann (Dugdale) Worth, Samuel E. Worth (known to us as Uncle Ed), Walter and Stella Worth, John, Freddie, Robert, Lester and Harriet Worth, infant children of George and Flora Swift Worth and our cousin Debra Buckbee Dunbar.

Some weekend this summer I hope to take the Extended Cemetery Tour, which includes Somerford, Moulton, Westerville and Ansley cemeteries. I'll post about that when (if) it happens.