Friday's Faces from the Past - Photographer Soderberg

Here's another unidentified photo from the Old Trunk in the Attic. This Cabinet card measures about 6" x 8" with about a 1" mat on each side. The photographer mark on the bottom is "Soderberg, Sutton, Nebr."  Pater Soderberg was a photographer in his 50's living in Sutton in 1910. His wife Anna and son Clyde were enumerated with him. By 1920, he and Anna moved to Pasadena, California. 

As for who the bridal couple is, I don't have any clues. They may have lived in Clay, Hamilton or York county Nebraska. If you recognize them, please leave a comment or send me an email.

Menke Farm Sale August 15, 1944

For 65 years, this farm near Clatonia was in the Menke family.  My Second Great Grandparents, Henry & Eliza Menke, bought this farm in the spring of 1879. Henry died in 1915, and in his will (written in 1913) eleven of his children were given an equal share. Eliza lived on this farm until past her 90th birthday, and owned it until her death at 102. Six months after her death when the farm was sold, only six of Henry & Eliza's children were still living.

According to the 1885 Agriculture census, Henry grew mostly corn with some oats, wheat and a little rye and some potatoes. He raised chickens, hogs and a few cattle. In her obituary, it says that Eliza was the first in this part of the country to have a mechanical chick incubator and brooder and she was one of the first to operate a sorghum mill. She grew big flower and vegetable gardens and developed new species of fruits from seeds. All on this farm. 

Their youngest son, my Great Grandfather Albert operated the farm for his mother for many years. I suspect it may have been the depression which led him to find other employment. In 1940 he was working in a rock quarry as part of the Works Progress Administration projects. My Grandpa, my Dad, my brother and also now my nephew have all followed in Henry Menke's footsteps and made their living on their own farms. Six generations of Menkes have been farming in Nebraska since 1879.

Newspaper Clippings - Cozad, Nebraska, June, 1896

The Meridian Star, Friday, June 19, 1896

Shirt Waists regardless of cost at Fine's.

Fifty cents pays for the STAR one year.

Try a sack of Fancy patent at Dunning's.

Big 4 cent Calico fast color at Brown and Davies.

Fred Phelps will repair your harness and make as good as new.

If you want the best flour on earth use M G Cozad Roller Mill Co.

Buy stockings cheap; ladies fast black seamless, at 10c per pair. Brown & Davies.

W. J. Neuens reports that he has sold three Buckeye binders and 5000 pounds of twine this week.

Were one desirous of having warm weather that of the past week would be sufficient to accommodate all.

Fine is selling everybody for cash. That's why goods are so cheap in Cozad. Competitors learn to meet the prices.

Percy Donaldson and Earl Swift, left on the 10:14 train Tuesday morning for their home after several months visit with relatives at this place.

See A. E. McCrystal for Hail Insurance. He can place your risk in a good reliable company and give you time until fall to pay your premium.

Elder Gibson and wife and Mrs. Link Southworth of Roten took in the south side the latter part of last week. They were laying in a supply of wild fruit.

On June 12th the home of Mr. and Mrs. McCance was gladdened by the arrival of a little girl. May the future of the little Miss be as bright as the noonday sun.

Beging Monday June 22, we will close our store at 7:30 p. m., except Wednesday and Saturday nights. Please make your purchases early in the evening as we will positively do no business after the hour named. Allen Bros.

Work gloves, shirts and overalls cheap at Fine's.

B. W. Gaskill was down from Roten Wednesday.

Thornton The Jeweler keeps all kinds of Spectacles.

Make your horses laugh with a pair of sweat pads from F. P.

Joe Cramer moved his family into the old Thurber property on north Depot street last week.

James Ware and wife attended a meeting of the Degree of Honor at Lexington Tuesday night.

Charlie Foster spent Sunday last with his parents in Roten Valley. Charley reports crops as looking fine in that nick of the woods.

Brown & Davies have a change in their ad this week, which they kindly invite our readers to read carefully, as they will do just as they advertise.

Quite a number of our citizens hied themselves to the hills south of town during the past ten days in quest of wild fruit, which grow in abundance in that region.

G. W. Fine comes befre the readers this week with a change of ad. It will be found at the top of this page, Read it and learn what he is offering to the public.

We received a communication from Grant Precinct, Custer county, this week, but for want of space we were compelled to omit. Hereafter we will have space to accommodate all.

The Childrens day exercises of the Presbyterian Sunday school which was to have been given last Sunday morning has been postponed to next Sunday evening. Everybody cordialy invited.

For the best summer drinks go to Burgess' Restaurant - he has them ice cold at all times and a full line such as lemonade, soda, pop, gingerale, cherry bounce, raspberry Julip, and soda water. He has his soda fountain in good working order and gives out the best and purest soda water that is to be had anywhere.