Newspaper Clippings - Peotone, IL, July 1907

Maybe something in this news from Monee and Peotone, Illinois will be of help to someone. I apologize for what is cut off and also for what I could not make out due to the smudges. The circled "Miss M. Belle Jorgenson" is the sister of my Second Great Grandmother Lena Jorgenson-Roscoe. This doesn't tell me much about her, but I grabbed copies of all mentions of my family since I had the microfilm on loan. So, I will share.

Peotone Vedette, July 19, 1907

MONEE LOCAL NOTES

Chas. Plagge, of Harvey, spent Monday in town.

F. C. Pfaff, of Harvey, spent the fourth here renewing acquaintances.

Mrs. Wm. Janssen is visiting at the home of her parents in Beecher this week.

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Tresch, of Chicago spent Sunday at the home of C. K?e.

Mrs. Ernest Smit is entertaining her mother, Mrs. Devine, of Chicago this week.

Ed Binder, of Chicago, spent the fourth at the home of his brother, F. Binder.

Thos. O'Shea, of Chicago, spent the fourth at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wathier.

H. P. Leseberg entertained his brother of South Chicago, several days last week.

There was no meeting of the village board Saturday evening owing to a lack of a quorum.

Luella and Norma Plagge and Ruby K?stedt visited relatives at Peotone several days last week.

Miss Josie Schultz and a neice from Chicago spent Wednesday at the home of Mrs. Lena Plagge.

Oscar Schroeder, of Harvey, spent several days the past week at the home of his cousin, Harry Conrad.

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bemisderfer, of Dauphin Park, visited at the homes of their parents several days last week.

Column 2

yellow and much comment as to what causes it whether it is the green bug or the dry weather. It is hoped that the rain will benefit it now and that it will yeild the usual crop.

A number of relatives and neighbors of Mrs. Adam Holl assembled at her home Wednesday evening to help her celebrate her birthday anniversary. Mrs. Holl soon got over surprise and made the guests feel at home. After spending a very pleasant afternoon and partaking of a delightful luncheon the guests departed wishing their hostess many happy returns of the day.

F. W. Sander transacted business in Chicago Thursday.

Markets: Corn 49-1/2, Oats, 39, New Oats 35, Butter 18, Eggs 13.

Miss Amelia Triem is visiting at the home of Henry Hoffmann this week.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Pries, of South Chicago, is visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Aug. Pries this week.

The horse market Tuesday was quite well attended. Thirty horses were bought and shipped to Chicago and a large number were bought and driven away.

Mrs. J. H. Kolstedt and son, Roy, returned to their home in Chicago after spending a week visiting at the home of Mrs. C. A. Kolstedt.

On account of going out of business I will sell below cost my millinery goods. Also one standing and one side show case. Miss M. Werner.

C. Koepke returned Wednesday from a three weeks' stay with relatives in Marion, Kan. He reports that the wheat crop is very light compared with the past few years and many field have been plowed up and planted to corn.

The wind storm last Saturday moved the Gottschalk hay shed several inches from the foundation and also twisted the water tank so that new supports will be necessary.

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Albers attended the funeral of Mrs. Albers' father, Mr. Henry Schaellein, at Beecher last week.

Bryan Hutchison, of Joliet, will be at Kettering's hotel, Saturday, July 13th, where all those having legal business to attend to can consult him.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schaefer entertained a party of Chicago relatives on the fourth. Among them being Mesdames F. Witt, A. Albesch and Elsie Lederer. The latter will remain here about a week.

Aug. Deutsche went to Stuttgart, Ark., last week to size up the country. His father, Wm. Deutsche bought some land there several...

Column 3

JUST ABOUT PEOPLE

Geo. Croxen took in Chicago sights Tuesday.

Henry Monk was a north bound passenger Tuesday.

Ed Duclos transacted business in Chicago Tuesday.

Mrs. K. J. Baeuerle has been quite seriously sick.

Mrs. Wm. Rauworth is the guest of Lockport friends.

F. C. Jurres was a north bound passenger Wednesday.

Little Katherine Koepke visited Monee friends this week.

E. H. Stassen and son, Harold, were in Chicago Monday.

Mrs. Samuel Pearson was a Chicago passenger Wednesday.

John Carstens transacted business in Chicago Wednesday.

C. Veuve is entertaining his son, August and wife of Chicago.

Mrs. John Schneider is visiting her brother at Tomah, Wis.

Miss M. Belle Jorgenson is spending a few days in Milwaukee.

Miss Mattie Rains entertained Mrs. C. C. Jewel, of Otto, Tuesday.

Hilma Imholz visited Harvey relatives a few days this week.

Robert Cann, of Chicago, spent Sunday with Peotone relatives.

Mrs. Aug. F. Schroeder was a Chicago passenger this morning.

Miss Florence Troughten, of Chicago, visited Peotone friends Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Piper sent Saturday and Sunday in Kankakee.

Chas. Henry, of Tiskilwa, is the guest of his aunt, Mrs. Harvey McFarlin.

Mrs. Wm. Conrad is entertaining her cousin, Miss Bessie Schneider, of Itasca.

W. W. Smith, of Joliet, attended the K. P., installation service last week.

Wm. Roloff, of Chicago, spent a few days of the week with Peotone friends.

Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Stassen, of Chicago, spent Sunday with Peotone relatives.

Mesdames Henry and Albert Baird spent the day in Kankakee yesterday.

Miss Tressie Harken entertained Miss Mabel Salomon, of Chicago, over Sunday.

Mrs. Margaret Wabls and son, Wilbur, were north bound passengers this morning.

Miss Katie Johnson, who came down from Chicago to celebrate the... 

1934

Maybe it was the depression. Maybe it was the big dust storms in 1934.  Maybe at 65 years old, Cicero Bell was just ready to retire from farming.

"We are sorry to loose another family from our midst. Mr. and Mrs. Cicero Bell have a sale on October 17 and will move to Aurora where Mr. Bell will take charge of his oil station there. The aid society of the Christian church will serve lunch that day." Aurora News-Register, October 12, 1934

HIS oil station?

Giltner Gazette, October 11, 1934, Transcribed below.

Son? Cicero has 6 sons, which ONE does this refer to?

 "Cicero Bell and Son, will hold a public sale 1 mile west and 2 1/2 miles north of Giltner, Wednesday, October 17th. They will offer 4 horses, 6 cattle, 11 hogs and a complete line of farm machinery. Sidders and Hagarity are auctioneers and the First National Bank in Aurora will clerk the sale.

Ed and Stanley Bell have purchased the Conoco Service Station located at the intersection of the SYA and KND highways at the northeast corner of Aurora. Elmer Foss who has operated the station for the past two months will move into the MacDougal residence on east M Street. The Bell brothers will handle Conoco product and will conduct the lunch room in connection with the Service Station."  Aurora News-Register, October 12, 1934 

I wonder what they served in their lunch room. There's a McDonald's at that corner now.

Aurora News-Register, October 12, 1934

Aurora News-Register, October 26, 1934

When I get a chance, I hope to find out how long the Bell Brothers Service Station was in business. Ed was married and had a daughter when he bought this station. My Grandpa, Stan, was single and 27 years old.  By 1937 he was working for the Nebraska Light & Power Company according to his Social Security application.

Maybe Art McGrath did business at the Bell Brothers Service Station.  Maybe his daughter Violet was with him sometimes. Violet, my Grandma, never learned to drive. She was 17 in 1934.

------------
Transcription of Sale Bill:

PUBLIC SALE!

Having purchased the Conoco Service Station at the northeast corner of Aurora  we will sell to the highest bidder at the farm 1 mile west and 2 1/2 miles north of Giltner, on
Wednesday, Oct. 17
commencing at one o'clock the following property
4  Head of Horses  4
One black mare, weight 1200, smooth mouth.  One black mare, weight 1400, smoth mouth
One black mare, weight 1400, smooth mouth.  Sorrel saddle pony, wt. 1100, smooth mouth.

6  Head of Cattle  6
One Holstein cow, fresh 6 weeks, 5 years old.  One black cow, giving milk, 4 years old.
One black cow, fresh 6 weeks, 3 years old.  One red cow, heavy springer, 7 years old.
One part Guernsey, fresh 5 months, 2 years old.  One red cow, heavy springer, 7 years old.

11  Head Summer and Fall Pigs  11
Four Hampshire Shoats, weight 125 pounds.  Seven Chester White Shoats, weight 50 pounds.

Farm Implements, Etc.
One Mitchell Grain Wagon; One rack and truck, One low-wheel wagon and box; One three-section harrow and cart; One 6-ft McCormick mower, good shape; One 5 ft. McCormick mower; One 10-ft hay rake; One single-row Western Bell lister; One 12-hole Buckeye drill; One field disc; One John Deere 12-in gang plow; One 6-in Burr Grinder, and Ford power.

FEED
About 5 tons corn fodder.   Some cane hay.    Stack of thistles.

HOUSEHOLD GOODS
One No. 12 DeLaval separator, nearly new; Cream cans; Lamps; Dishes; Ironing board; One cot; One dresser; Four rockers; One heating stove.

MISCELLANEOUS
One 50-gallon oil barrel; One 15-gallon lard kettle; Grinding stone; Two sets harness; Four good leather collars; Forks; Scoop shovels; Some poultry wire, etc.; 1500-chick size Blue Flame brooder; Brooder house, 10x12; Two small brooder houses; Fifty White Leghorn pullets.

LADIES OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH WILL HAVE LUNCH ON SALE.

TERMS - Cash, or see clerk before sale if time is desired. All property at purchaser's risk when bid off and not to be removed until settlement is made.

C. BELL & SON, Owners
Sidders & Hagarity, Auctioneers  First National, Aurora, Clerk

Declaration of Intent of Henry Menke

Becoming a US citizen in the 1860's involved three different documents: the Declaration of Intent, the Petition and the Certificate. I have found the Declaration of Intent for Henry Menke, still searching for the others.

Here's a quick explanaton of the process from the National Archives website  (https://www.archives.gov/research/naturalization/naturalization.html):

General Rule: The Two-Step Process

Congress passed the first law regulating naturalization in 1790 (1 Stat. 103). As a general rule, naturalization was a two-step process that took a minimum of 5 years. After residing in the United States for 2 years, an alien could file a "declaration of intent" (so-called "first papers") to become a citizen. After 3 additional years, the alien could "petition for naturalization." After the petition was granted, a certificate of citizenship was issued to the alien. These two steps did not have to take place in the same court. As a general rule, the "declaration of intent" generally contains more genealogically useful information than the "petition." The "declaration" may include the alien's month and year (or possibly the exact date) of immigration into the United States.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                      State of Ohio, Scioto County, SS

I, <Henry Menke>, do declare on oath, that

it is bona fide my intention to become a citizen of the United States,

and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign

Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly

to <The King of Hanover>

Sworn to, and subscribed in open Court, this <Seventh> day of 

<October>, A. D. 18<65>.     <signature of Henry Menke>

<J. C. Seuel>, Probate Judge, S. C.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                 State of Ohio, Scioto County, SS

Be it remembered, that on the <7> day of <October>

A. D. 18<65>, <Henry Menke>, a free white person

an alien and native of <Hanover> , personally appeared

in open Court before me, <J. C. Seuel>, Probate Judge,

in and for said county, and declared on his solemn oath, that he

first arrived in the United States in the month of <September>

A. D. 18<59>, and that it is his bona fide intention to become a

citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance to

every foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatsoever, and

particularly to <The King of Hanover>.

                                <signature of Henry Menke>

Signed and declared in open Court, the day and year above written.

                                 <J. C. Seuel>, Probate Judge. S. C.

The King of Hanover in 1865 was George Fredrick Alexander Charles Ernest, son of Ernest Augustus. George V, as he was known, was the last King of Hanover.

There are several Henry Menke's who immigrated from Germany, but comparing this signature from the top form

to the signature years later from Henry Menke's will, I feel pretty sure it's the same Henry Menke.

Friday's Faces from the Past - First Names Only

Besides their cute faces, one thing these children's photographs have in common is that there is a first name only written on the back of each one of them. As with several other of my Friday's Faces from the Past posts, I don't know the identity of these children. Another thing these four pictures have in common is that they once belonged to someone in my Negley family of Eldorado, Nebraska. These children are not relatives that I'm aware of, but they must have crossed paths with the Negley's at some point in time.

Gracie and Blanche had their picture taken at G G Bruckert studio in Harvard, Nebraska. Using the 1900 census, I found a family with daughters named Gracie and Blance who lived in Eldorado. Levi (age 43) and Maggie Kaufman (41), with their children Bennie (16), Winnie and Minnie (13), Grace (8) and Blanche (5).  About 30 miles away in Fairfield, there is another possible family with a Grace and Blanche - William (35) and Clara (37) Woolman with children Daisy (13), Mamie (11), Grace (9), Blanche (7), William (4) and Deborah Woolman (67).

Edna must only be about a year old in this picture. There is no photographer's logo, nothing to help identify her, but she might have been born near Eldorado, Harvard or Stockham, Nebraska. There are too many Edna's in that area in 1900 to try to guess what her last name could be without the date of the photo.

Lester has the sweetest smile! Again, Lester is a common name and there is no young child named Lester in 1900 living in Eldorado. I can't really narrow down a list of possibilities for him. Hopefully, someone will see this and have the same or similar photo that is labeled. 

Marie was photographed by J J Willy. I haven't found a J J Willy in the 1900 census, but there is a J A Willy and also a George J Willy (age 63) in Hebron, Nebraska. In 1910 George has moved to Sutton, Nebraska (within 30 miles of Eldorado). Both J A and George J, who it appears were father and son, were music merchants. Maybe photography was something one or both of them did as a side business or hobby.

Marie Stack, daughter of James and Katherine Stack was born in 1896.  Marie Traudt, grandaughter of Adam and Katie Traudt was born in 1898. Both of these families lived in Eldorado in 1900 and either one of them could be the girl with this sweet face.

If you can tell me about any of these cute kids, please leave a comment or send an email.

Newspaper Clippings - Gage County, Nebraska, 1919

Barneston, Clatonia and Cortland are three little towns near Beatrice, Nebraska. These gossip columns are from the Beatrice Daily Sun, January 8, 1919. I copied these from microfilm because of the mention of my Great Grandmother Lottie Menke's brother. Oliver Roscoe was a victim of the influenza epidemic of 1918-19. Another clipping I have says he became ill with the flu in Vancouver, Washington and was sent to Camp Funston for discharge where the flu turned to pneumonia. The two articles differ on how long he was at home. This incorrectly says he was survived by only one sister, but there were two. Mrs. Laura Kyle from Carman, Manitoba, Canada should also have been mentioned.  

For any others who might have relatives listed, here is the "latest gossip". 

Gage County Gossip

Barneston Items.

Mrs. Ed Schmidt returned home from Lincoln last Saturday where she had been visiting with relatives and friends a week.
Mr. and Mrs. Charley Day and daughter arrived home from Beatrice Thursday morning where they had been visiting at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. F. Davis.
Mrs. J. B. Webber came down from Beatrice Thursday morning to visit with relatives at the Commercial Hotel.
Wm. Townsend is on the sick list this week.
George Whittmore, the horse buyer, from Liberty was in town Saturday.
John Wolken's moved into the parsonage last week.
John King of Liberty was a Barneston visitor Saturday.
Ben Fisher and Jim Baker went to Virginia Saturday evening being called there by the death of their brother-in-law.
Fred Weyer, last week purchased a farm from John Anderson trading his 80 acres east of town in the deal.
Rea Sevier returned home from Tarkio, Mo., last Friday morning, where he had been attending a training school.
Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Evans have moved to Tecumseh where Mr. Evans has purchased an elevator.
F. C. Wasmund went to Beatrice Saturday evening to spend Sunday with his wife.
Jim Turner and Mrs. Combs have returned to their homes at Fairfax, Mo., having been called here by the death of their niece.
Charley Robinson is reported to be on the sick list.
Miss Corale Pickett returned home Saturday morning from Beatrice where she had been working.
Quite a large crowd attended the Frank Hroch sale, east of town last Friday.
Joe Shalla's moved to town last Monday into their property which they recently purchased from John Wolken.
Arthur Bohner of the S. A. T. C. at the state university has returned to Lincoln to resume his work.
Vern Christlieb is reported to be slowly recovering from his severe illness of pneumonia.
The young folks tried their first skating on the river here Sunday.
Miss Elma Fredrickson left for Lincoln Saturday evening where she will attend a business college.
Miss Biggs was shopping in...       

  

Marysville Saturday.
Miss Helen Sherwood who visited here a few days last week left Saturday evening for Lincoln where she will attend state university.
Miss Bertha Meyers went to Oketo Thursday where she is working for the Keck family.
Word was received here Monday from Beatrice stating that Henry Hellmer had died there in the hospital.

Clatonia Items.

Mr. and Mrs. P. Wullschager returned to University Place after spending some time with relatives here.
The following people were Lincoln visitors Friday: Misses Emma Kindschi, Sophia Alpers, Matilda Alpers, Lena Vonderfeet, Sophia Steinmeyer, Mrs. Jacob Alpers, Mrs. J. H. Meyers and daughter Dorothy, August Kindschi and Dan Theasmeyer.
Mrs. B. M. Deardorf spent Thursday and Friday in Lincoln.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Bute entertained the following guests at a New Year's dinner: Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Walker, Wm. and Fred Roker, Edwin Alpers and the Misses Rosa and Amelia Reichers, Mabel Warnken, Alma A. Alpers and Ella Konigsbrugge.
Art Eckel and Win Roker made a business trip to Beatrice Thursday.
Oliver Roscoe who received his discharge and arrived home on Christmas day, was taken seriously ill with double pneumonia and died on New Year's Day. He enlisted in the army soon after was was declared and has been stationed at various training camps since that time. The sympathy of this community is extended to the bereaved parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Roscoe, through the early death of their son. He leaves to mourn his death, his parents, one sister, Mrs. Albert Menke, and three brothers, Cleve who is in France, Frank who is also in the service and Harlow. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon.
Glen Chittenden and Dan Theasmeyer received their discharges and arrived home on New Year's Day. The former was stationed at Camp Wadsworth, S. D., and the latter at a camp in North Carolina.
Miss Martha Steinmeyer returned from Martell Sunday evening after spending a week with relatives.

Cortland Items

Private George Bartoe of Camp Funston arrived Saturday evening on a four days furlough, to visit his mother, Mrs. Fred James. He returned to camp Tuesday. At a meeting of the town board Thursday evening, it was decided upon to lift the influenza ban from the town Monday morning. The public school which has been closed on account of the influenza opened Monday morning, and churches will hold services next Sunday.
Word has been received here of the death of Mrs. John Bintz, jr., formerly a resident of this vicinity. Mrs. Bintz was formerly Miss Minnie Buehler and lived for years in Wisconsin. About nine years ago she was married to John Bintz, jr., a Cortland boy. To this union three daughters were born. Besides her husband and daughters she leaves to mourn for her several brothers and one sister, Mrs. John Lucke, who lived for years in this locality, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Buehler. Funeral services were held at the family home in North Dakota.
Private Lloyd Baer of Camp Funston spent Sunday with this parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Baer and sister, Alta.
The officers of the Farmers Lumber Co. are busy invoicing this week preparing for the annual meeting which will be held some time in February.
Will Bartoe and family of Lincoln spent Sunday with his mother, Mrs. Fred James and family and George Bartoe of Camp Funston.
Henry Pfeiffer and family have moved to town where they will spend the rest of the winter.
Emil Schaad and family have moved to the farm he recently purchased from Henry Packard, which is situated east of Hallam.
Fred Moormeier autoed to Lincoln Thursday.
James Hammand has been doing Oscar Haupt's chores while the latter is in Kansas.
Erin D. Masters of Camp Funston is visiting this week with Cortland friends.
Harold Miltenberger of Columbus, Kas., arrived Saturday evening for a week's visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miltenberger and other relatives.
Little Ruth Staatz, youngest child of Rev. and Mrs. W. C. Staatz of Clatonia passed away Saturday afternoon at her home in Clatonia. Had she lived until February 9 she would have been three years old. Ruth was born at Cortland. Besides her parents she leaves a sister Helen, two brothers Wilbus and John Staatz. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at the home and burial will be in the Clatonia cemetery.

Fire in Eldorado!

The Updike Elevator in Eldorado, Nebraska on fire, April 30, 1914

Unknown Eldorado residents looking at the rubble from the fire.

Omaha Daily Bee, May 1, 1914

Updike Elevator at Eldorado Destroyed

HARVARD, Neb., April 30. - (Special Telegram.)- The Updike elevator and lumber yard at Eldorado, seven miles northeast of this city on the Northwestern road, was entirely destroyed by fire this afternoon with a loss exceeding $30,000. The blaze was discovered in the elevator between 12 and 1 o'clock while the men were at dinner. The elevator contained several thousand bushels of grain. The manager had been cleaning up and shipping. A considerable quantity of wheat was also stored in the building.

The wind carried the fire to the lumber yard and that was soon beyond control, there being no fire fighting apparatus in the village. Much other property narrowly escaped and was only saved by desperate efforts.

Updike Elevator can be seen in the background of this photo of the Eldorado schoolhouse.

These photos were possibly taken by someone in the Negley family who lived in Eldorado. All three are postcard photos that were never mailed. Eldorado's peak population was in 1910 with 100 residents. Eldorado's Post office opened in 1888 and closed in 1943. For a while there was a general store owned and run by the Negley Brothers Bill and Cal, but I haven't learned when. My Second Great Grandparents both served as Justice of the Peace, Josiah Negley from 1912 until his death in 1922, and Sarah Negley from then until 1925. Today, the land in the above photo is nearly all a cornfield. 

Friday's Faces from the Past - A Closer Look

In September, 2014 I posted this photograph which I thought read "This is Myrtle and Deril". The "da." on the next line I thought might be an abbreviation of "daughter". After looking at it closer, I think my eyes neglected to see a hypen because the name "Derilda" was not familiar to me. That little hyphen made me take another look for Myrtle and her daughter "Derilda".

Still looking in the 1940 census because I thought the picture had been taken around that time based on the printed photograph and the way they were dressed, I found no Myrtle and Derilda. But when I searched other online family trees for a mother/daughter without using any dates, I found a family that has a connection to my ancestors. By the ages of that Myrtle and Derilda, the photo had to have been taken 20 years earlier than I was thinking.

I found a Myrtle Jessie and Helen Derilda who had the last name Hebert. This tree showed Myrtle's maiden name was Pitt. That name was familiar to me. Years ago I had heard from someone named Pitt. Myrtle's father was William Pitt, her mother was Martha Berkstresser. I knew how the Berkstresser name fits into my family tree.

For ease of explanation I'll say this photo was originally given to my Second Great Grandparents, Josiah and Sarah Negley who lived in Eldorado, Nebraska.  Sarah's maiden name was Lee, her brother was George W. Lee. George was married to Christine Berkstresser. Martha and Christine were sisters. So, Myrtle is Sarah Negley's sister-in-law's niece.

The Berkstresser and Negley families had both lived in Bedford County, Pennsylvania before moving first to Bureau County, Illinois, and then the Clay county, Nebraska area. Josiah Negley and Christine Berkstresser were both born in 1846, Martha was about 10 years younger.

Myrtle Jessie Pitt was born in 1894 and Derilda in 1914, so in this picture if Derilda is about 3 years old, Myrtle would be about 23. Between 1900 and 1910, William & Martha Pitt moved from Eldorado, Nebraska to Fergus county, Montana. That is where Derilda was born. Following Helen Derilda Hebert in the online trees, she was shown to have married Robert Chester Holmes and had at least a couple of children. She died in 1968 in Seattle, Washington.

The only explanation I have for the stamp "United Photo Service, LaCrosse, Wisconsin" is that whoever took the photo sent their film there for processing. We used to send our film somewhere to be processed. I remember the fun of getting the pictures back! Sometimes it took from Christmas to the county fair to finish a roll of film. You never knew what would be in that envelope.