C A Menke at Two Points in Time

June 5th, 1917 - the year was left off the Registrar's Report below, but I did the math (notice his birthday is in November). Charles Albert Menke was 30 years old when he filled out his Draft Registration card for "The Great War". Born in Clatonia, living and farming in Clatonia with his wife and 6 children. Another child was on the way - my Grandpa was born in November of 1917. Albert had no prior military service. He described himself as medium height, medium build with brown eyes and dark hair, not bald and no physical disabilities. 

World War I Draft Registration Card 1917-1918, from Ancestry.com

He signed the above card with his full name. In 1942 he signed "Albert Menke" on what is sometimes referred to as the "Old Man's Registration" below.  He was 55 years old, living in Virginia Sherman, Gage County, Nebraska. I wonder why he listed his sister Rose Wayman as the "Name and address of person who will always know" his address? He was married at the time with 3 children at home under 18. He was working for the W. P. A., or Works Progress Administration in Homesville, about 14 miles southeast of Beatrice. It doesn't look like he had a telephone. 

World War II Draft Registrations 1942, from Ancestry.com

He was 5 ft, 6 inches tall, approximately 150 lbs with brown eyes, black hair and light brown complexion. He wrote "none to my knowledge" in the blank for "obvious physical characteristics that will aid in identification".  Under the statement: "I certify that my answers are true; that the person registered has read or has had read to him his own answers; that I have witnessed his signature or mark and that all of his answers of which I have knowledge are true, except as follows:", something appears to have been erased. 

He did not get drafted and was able to stay at home with his family during both wars. It was the same case for my other paternal Great Grandfather C L Mann. 

Friday's Faces from the Past - Mrs Murphy

"Mrs Murphy" was written on the back of this photograph, nothing more. Several wives named Murphy lived within a 50 mile radius of Eldorado, Nebraska in 1900, but a few were in their 70's or 80's. A Mrs Mary, wife of William Murphy was 48 years old and lived in Edgar. Also Mrs Eliza, age 50, wife of J E Murphy lived in York. Both towns not too far from Eldorado. But the most likely candidate for this picture is Mrs "L L", wife of Andrew Murphy, who was enumerated just 12 households from the Negley family in Eldorado. This photo came from the stash that once belonged to my Great Grandmother Sadie (Negley) McGrath or someone in her family. 

"L L" turns out should actually be Sarah Lenora, who went by Sallie. She was 38 years old in 1900. Of course, I don't know what year this picture was taken of her. Besides her husband Andrew, a daughter named Maud, 15, was also living in the household. I've posted a photo of a Maud before, but I didn't include Maud Murphy in my list of who it could be. Either I missed her or was off in my estimation of the time of the photo. Maud's and Mrs Murphy's photos have the same type of frame, although the photographs don't look like they were taken the same year. There is no photographers logo on either one. 

If I'm right, these women are mother and daughter. What do you think?

Tracing the Career Path of Rev G O Bell

Unexpectedly finding an ancestors name in an unexpected location while searching for something else in old newspapers is a perfectly acceptable reason for going down the rabbit hole. When that ancestor is a preacher, you know you're going to easily find his name in newspapers - a lot. His service at funerals, weddings, special church events and every time he accepts a new pastorate can all make the paper. With enough online searchable old newspapers, you can follow the breadcrumbs of a minister through his entire career.

My Grandpa's older brother was Uncle Oren to family, but professionally he was known as "Rev. G. O. Bell". Years ago he recorded on audio cassette a family history which I've posted before as Amenuensis Monday - Oren Bell's Recorded History.  He leaves out quite a bit of his own personal history in his recording. I've learned more about the places he lived and the churches he served from various online Nebraska newspapers.

Born in 1894 in Wayne County, Kentucky, his mother died in Flint, Texas when he was 6. Eventually he moved to Kansas, and started working as a teacher in 1917. After a short time in the Army YMCA at Camp Funston during WWI, he was married to Viola Noon in 1919 and they moved to Nebraska.

By 1921 he was getting his name in the papers in college as a student at Cotner College in Bethany (now a part of Lincoln). The Nebraska State Journal covered the news from the colleges and universities around the state (issues between 1910 and 1921 are not online). At Cotner, Uncle Oren served on various committees and was involved with the Y. M. C. A., referred to as President once. During the same time, he was named resident pastor of the First Christian Church in Odell, Nebraska about 60 miles south of Lincoln.

Nebraska State Journal, "In University Circles", February 7, 1921

Omaha World Herald, May 7, 1921

Nebraska State Journal, Cotner Column, March 12, 1922

Omaha Morning Bee, August 26, 1922

This clipping says he had been at the Odell church for four years before resigning in 1922. The clipping below shows he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1924. Maybe during those two years he focused on finishing his degree.

Nebraska Evening Star Journal, May 29, 1924

It was Ord, Nebraska where I accidentally found Uncle Oren. In his oral history he didn't say he had ever lived in Ord. The earliest I found his name in the Ord Quiz was in February of 1924 (prior to his graduation from Cotner), with just a note in the news from the Christian Church of "Mr. Bell's bible school class" having a party. In June, 1925 the birth of Oren & Viola's third child was announced in the church news column. Their oldest, Dorothy was born in 1921, next was David in 1923, then Robert followed later by Oren Duane in 1927. That would be my Great Grandmother Allie Bell who traveled from Aurora to stay with them for a while when Robert was born.

Ord Quiz, June 4, 1925

In 1926 he moved from Ord to Exeter and he apparently took even more classes at Cotner. Exeter is right at an hour drive from Lincoln with the I-80 speed limit at 75 mph. It may have taken him a little longer in 1926. I am wondering if there were correspondence courses available in those days.

Ord Quiz, February 1926

There are no newspapers from Exeter online, but from his history I knew that Norfolk was where he was living in 1929 when he officiated the wedding of his brother Ben to Marie Dieckman.  The article below from the Norfolk Daily News explains it was in 1927 when he left Exeter and began his pastorate at the Christian Church in Norfolk.

Norfolk Daily News, April 30, 1927

THE REV. L. BERRY RESIGNS PASTORATE

THE REV. G. O. BELL OF EXETER ACCEPTS CALL TO CHRISTIAN CHURCH

The Rev. Lawrence Berry, who has been pastor of Park Avenue Christian church since September, 1924, has resigned in order to attend Yale divinity school at New Haven, Conn., where he expects to receive his B. D. degree. He will be succeeded by the Rev. George O. Bell, of Exeter. Mr. Berry graduated nearly two years ago from Cotner College, being student-pastor of the church at that time.

The resignation takes effect June 15, as it is necessary for the Norfolk pastor to be at New Haven at that time in order to take a pastorate which he will supply during his course which begins the last week in September.

The Rev. Mr. Bell, who held special meetings here before Easter, has accepted the unanimous call to the Norfolk church and plans to be here by the time Mr. Berry leaves. The local church has made a larger percent of growth during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Berry than it has in any like period since its organization.

There are plenty of search results for "Rev G O Bell" in the Norfolk Daily News from 1927 through 1935. Online access to that newspaper was only temporary and I didn't keep copies. He kept busy with his services at funerals, weddings, special church events, prayer meetings, and his weekly radio broadcasts.

In the 1940 census Uncle Oren was living in Bargersville, Indiana. Not in newspapers, but through a simple Google search I found his name in the book "Christian Chronicles: Bargersville First Christian church, 1861-2006".  He began his pastorate there in 1935 and continued until 1941.

I saw Uncle Oren just a few times when I was young, and I don't really remember him. He was living in Oklahoma in the 1970's and 1980's. Through online Oklahoma newspapers I found him there in March of 1941 when he performed a wedding as pastor of the First Christian Church in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. He spent the rest of his life near Oklahoma City. Before finding all of these newspaper clippings, all I knew about his career was from his oral history and this from his obituary:

"Rev. Bell held pastorates at the First Christian Church in Kingfisher, MWC, and Capitol Hill in OK C.  Between pastorates, he was also the director of rural church work for Okla. Christian Missionary Society." 

In the family history which he recorded when he was in his 80's, he spoke slowly and deliberately telling his story from memory. I can imagine during his sermons his deep baritone voice soothed the congregation until a perfectly-timed sudden rise in volume startled awake any parishoner who had had a late Saturday night.

He passed away in 1988 at age 94 and is buried in Resthaven Gardens in Oklahoma City. Viola died in 1979. I don't know what year he retired, but he had a long respectable career serving as Pastor for several congregations in three different states.

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.