Nebraska was organized as a territory on May 30, 1854, and was admitted as a state of the Federal Union on March 1, 1867. The county of Cedar was carved out o[f] a part of the unorganized territory of this date February 12, 1857. It will thus be seen, that this county as a organized entity, was created before the territory became a State. At the time Cedar county was organized there were very few people, if any, within the present boundaries of the county. It is possible that Hansen WISEMAN, Saby STRAHAM, and one or two others, were here at that time, although L. E. JONES, Sr. , in his excellent history of the county written in the year 1867 does not mention this fact. He states that the first settlement of the county was in the year 1857 and these settlers were Hansen WISEMAN, C. VAN, James HAY, O. D. SMITH, Saby STRAHAN, John ANDRAES, Henry FERBER, Earnest FERBER, Gustav FERBER, Herman FERBER and their aged father Paul FERBER. It is hardly probable, if the first settlement was made in 1857, that these people came as early as February 12th, of that year, for that would be in the latter part of the winter, and one of the most disagreeable as well as difficult months for travel. In 1858, L. E. JONES, Warren SAUNDERS, George A. HALL, Amos PARKER, P. C. NISSEN and C. B. EVEN came to the county. In 1859 Henry FELBER Sr, and his three sons Henry, J. , Jacob and William, with Peter JENAL, Sr. and son Peter Jr, arrived in he county. About the same time (1859) John and David NELSON Ambros AMBRUSEN and Ole ANDERSON settled in the northern part of the county, opposite the present city of Yankton, South Dakota, and in the year 1861, John LAMMERS, Gerhard KOHLS, Bernard WUBBEN, Stephen KLUB, Bernard SUING, John F. WISELER and Herman KOCH settled here. John BECKER, Sr. , came some little time before these last named. It is not my purpose to write a history of the county, but to give a history of the Old Settler's Organization of the county and have e (sic) mentioned this early history to give the reader some notion of the age of this Common Wealth, and who were the founders.
On the 20th., day of April, 1907, Col. Lewis DENNIS, Decatur PECK, James HOUGH, George I. PARKER, Frans NELSON Theodore F. HECHT, J. P. JENAL, Amos S. PARKER, Henry Hoese, Daniel FELBER and Frank X. RIIFF met in the city hall in the city of Hartington for the purpose of creating some organization to promote the friendly intercourse among the old settlers of the county and to keep alive an interest in the early history of this commonwealth. To these men we are indebted for the creation of 'The Pioneers and Old Settler's Association of Cedar County. " Frans Nelson was made the chairman of this meeting and George I. PARKER was selected as secretary. At this meeting steps were taken to form a permanent organization and a committee of five consisting of J. P. JANAL, Dr. H. E. McKINZIE, Decatur C. PECK, Col. LEWIS, Dennis and George I. PARKER were selected to draft the necessary constitution.
The next meeting was held on the 4th day of June 1907, which was attended by a large number of the Old Settlers of the county, who had been notified that as this meeting the constitution, as framed by the committee would be submitted for the adoption or rejection. The Constitution, as submitted was adopted and among the other this, provides as follows:
"Article 1, This organization shall be known as "The Pioneers and Old Settler's Association of Cedar County, Nebraska.
"Article 2. The object of this Association shall be to promote friendly intercourse among its members, keep a record of the
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events occurring in the early history of Cedar county, and to preserve for our children and those who follow us, the memories incident to the early settlement of our prosperous state.
"Article 3. All persons who settled in this county prior to March 1st, 1867, that being the date on which Nebraska was admitted to the Union, shall be entitled to admission as territorial pioneers. Sec 2. All persons who settled in this county prior to March 1st. 1877, shall be entitled to admission as pioneers. Sec. 3 All person who settled in this county prior to March 1st. , 1884, are entitled to admission as Old Settlers.
At this meeting adopting the constitution their first permanent officers of the Association were elected. Frans NELSON was chosen president, George I. PARKER, secretary, Lewis DENNIS, Vice-president, J. P. JENAL, treasurer and Frank X. RIIFF was elected assistant secretary.
The first meeting of the Association, as a permanent organization, and which was the "First old Settlers Picnic" ever held in the county, was he[l]d in the city of Hartington on the 28th day of August, 1907. The records of this meeting show that the principal address was made by A. O. EBERHARDT, who later became the Governor of Minnesota. Mr. EBERHARDT was born in Dixon county! I believe, but came to Cedar county as a mere boy and lived east of Hartington until he grew to man hood. It was indeed fitting and gratifying that one of "our own boys" should be selected to deliver the 1st annual address for the association, a reminder that Cedar county has, and can produce the very best" in every walk of life. At this first meeting Judge Wilbur F. BRYANT, James LIVELY, and Michael PETERS also made addresses, and the music for the occasion was furnished by The St. Helena Band.
The second annual meeting of the Association was held at St. James on September 2, 1908. James LIVELY was president; H. E. McKENZIE, vice-president; Thomas JONES, secretary; Tom PORTER, assistant secretary and J. C. ZEIGLER was treasurer. At this meeting H. E BURKETT delivered the annual address. J. C. ROBINSON, Hon. J. J. MCCARTHY of Ponca, J. P. JENAL, A. S. PARKER, Wm ROWELL, Col. Lewis DENNIS and C. M. JONES also addressed the Association, and B. READY read the historical address prepared by Lewis E. JONES, Sr.
On August 25th, 1919 the third annual meeting of the Association was held at Coleridge. The officers of the Association for that year were President, George I. PARKER, Vice-president, D. C. PECK; Secretary, J. W. LINKHART; Assistant Secretary Herman HIRSCHMANN and Treasurer, James MORRISON. At this meeting the principal and annual address was delivered by delivered by Judge W. P. WARNER, who was then the United States marshal for the Federal District of Nebraska. An historical account of the early settlement of the county, by Lewis E. JONES, Sr. , was read and Mrs. Dan STARES and Mrs. Lewis C. TOLLES read very interesting papers on the pioneer days in the county. Hartington was selected for the holding of the fourth annual meeting. The officers who had charge of the affairs of the Association for this meeting were J. P. JENAL, president; Louis GOETZ, vice-president;, E. B. HIRSCHMAN, secretary and Frans NELSON treasurer. Hon. C. O. LOBECK, of Omaha, who for eight years, from 1911 to 1918 represented the second Congressional District of Nebraska in the lower house of the federal congress, delivered the principal address. This meeting was held on August 31st, 1910.
(In August 31, 1911, in the city of Hartington, was held the fifth regular meeting of the Association. This was the largest attended meeting up to this time, fully 6000 people being present. The officers of the Association for this year were Louis GOETZ, president; J. C. ROBINSON, vice-president; P. F. O'GARA, secretary; E. B. HIRSCHMAN, assistant secretary and George I. PARKER, treasurer. At this meeting the principal address was delivered by Hon. George WILTSE, of Randolph, who had represented this, the eighth Senatorial District in the State Legislature for two successive terms. Hon W. V. Allen, Ex-United States senator from this state being in the city also delivered a very interesting address. At this meeting Judge Wilbur F. BRYAND delivered the eulogy and memorial address on the life and services of the late, Lewis E. JONES, Sr. , and P. F. O'GARA pronounced the eulogy on the life work of the pioneer, John ATEN, both of these distinguished and much beloved pioneers having passed away since
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the annual meeting of the Association in 1910.
The village of Wynot was the gathering place of the "Old Guard" for the sixth annual meeting, which was on August 22, 1912. The officers were Thomas JONES, president; James LIVELY, vice-president; Mads SCHMIDT, treasurer and Edward MILLER, secretary, The usual program was carried out, the principal address was delivered by P. F. O'GARA. This was one of the largest attended meetings of the association. The fact that it was held on "Historic Grounds," the vicinity of Wynot being the site of the first settlement in the county, attracted people from all parts of the country. Fully 5000 people attended this reunion of the pioneers, and as the Wynot Tribune said: "Verily, such a vast concurse had never before entered the gates of Wynot in one day. They came by train, buggy, wagon and by the automobile route. "
In the year 1913 on August 21, Coleridge was the "Mecca" of the Old Settlers. The arrangements for this the seventh annual gathering, was intrusted to Herman Hirschman, president, Col. Lewis DENNIS, vice president; Ben WILSON, treasurer and F. C. MILLER, secretary. At this meeting the annual address was delivered by P. F. O'GARA.
The officers for the eighth annual gathering of the old settlers meeting were John Albert OLSEN, president; P. F. O'GARA. , secretary and George I. PARKER, treasurer. This meeting was held in Hartington on August 19, 1914. Hon. Edward MARTIN, of Omaha, delivered the annual address. His address was most interesting and able, and the fact that he is the son of Rev. MARTIN who was one of the pioneer church-men and one of the finest characters who ever lived in this county, added to the pleasure of his fine address.
The ninth annual reunion and meeting of the Pioneers, under the auspices of the Old Settler's Association, was held at Wynot on the eight day of August, 1915. Hon. John H. REIFENRATH was the principal speaker, and delivered a splendid oration. Mr. REIFENRATH is the son of pioneers of this county. He was born in Cedar county in the year 1873 and for two consecutive terms represented the 17th Representative district of this state in the lower house of the State Legislature. A Cedar county product, he is known throughout the state as one of the strong and able public men of Nebraska. His address was most interesting and instructive, as his knowledge of Cedar county history was first hand, having seen the county grow from a wilderness to its present splendid social, industrial and economic prominence. The officer os (sic) the association for the year 1915 were James LIVELY, president; F. A. LEISE, treasurer and Albert W. JONES, secretary.
On August 23, 1916 for their annual meeting the Pioneers of Cedar county gathered in the ancient city of St. Helena, the former capital of the county, and in the pioneer days the metropolis of Northeast Nebraska. The town of St. Helena has a charm for the pioneer. Although trade and traffic has passed her by and the decaying hand of time has robbed her of her former beauty, yet to the Old Pioneer fond memories cling around her. It was here that so much of the early history of the county and of Northeast Nebraska was made. It was here that Lewis E. JONES, one of the most noted and historic character of Cedar county landed; it was this "Queen City by the flowing river" that John LAMMER, Sr. , the most noted businessman and financier Cedar county has yet produced located his homestead; it was in this "City" that the first printing press brought to the county was located. and the first journalistic work in the county was done. We of the "Old Guard" can well remember when St. Helena was "some town. "
The Annual address was delivered by Hon. John H. MOREHEAD, the governor of the state. Although St. Helena can only be reached by wagon road, the gathering was one of the largest in the history of the association and practically every old settler and pioneer in the county who was able to travel was present. It was the "last" of the "Gala days" for the famous old town and the citizens of the town and( vicinity are to be congratulated for the splendid way in which the meeting was conducted.]
The officers who had charge of the affairs of the association for the year 1916 were Frank BENDER, president, William P. SCHALLER, treasurer and Ivo STRATMAN, secretary.
on August 29, 1917, the old settlers journeyed to the "south-land" to the town of Laurel for their eleventh annual gathering. This was the first time in the history of the association that the southern; part of the
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county had been thus honored. It was not that the association had any preference as to the locality or place of its annual meeting, but as the early settlement of the county were in the north, along the river very few of the pioneers and old settles lived in the southern part of our county. A Mr. GROFF (I do not recall his Christian name) L. C. TOLLES and H. T. ANKENY were really the only pioneers of that section of the county, and L. C. TOLLES and H. T. ANKENY were the only ones to remain permanently, both remaining until their death. Consequently up to this time the meetings of the association were in the northern towns of the county. The meeting at Laurel was a most successful and excellent one. The town out-did itself to make the pioneers and Old Settlers to feel at home, and the "latch string" was hung outside. A most interesting program was had and the Hon. Henry C. RICHMOND, the Secretary of the State Council Of Defense delivered the annual address which was able and eloquent The association is indebted to the untiring efforts of J. R. DURRIE, president; L. C. TOLLES, vice-president; Guy WILSON, treasurer and W. T. GRAHAM, secretary for this splendid meeting, they being the officers of the association for the year 1917.
August 30, 1918 was the date of the twelfth annual meeting which was held in the city of Hartington. This meeting was conducted by Martin NELSON president and assisted by Wilhur F. BRYANT, vice-president; J. C. ROBINSON, treasurer and P. F. O'GARA, secretary. The annual address by Hon. W. H. WARNER of Dakota City was most interesting and entertaining. Judge WARNER is a pioneer of Dakota county of this state, familiar with our history and personally acquainted with many of the old settlers or this county.
'The Old Settler's Association has attempted to keep a record of all of the Pioneers and Old Settlers, their residence (that is of those who have left the county) and a record of the death of its members. At every annual meeting of the association the "Memorial Report" is made and this record is as complete as the diligent and watchful efforts of the Memorial secretary can keep it.
A greater effort should be made by the association while some of the pioneers are yet with us to collect all the information and data possible, relative to the history of the county. An effort should also be made by the association to collect such relics of the Pioneer days, as many yet be found in the county or can be located. We understand that the first printing press brought to this county is still in existence, and many other objects of historic value and interest to our people. A permanent place should be secured and everything of historic value safely preserved.
Submitted 12 July 1993
by Eleanor Francisco AMENS
Crofton, NE
Note: Stray punctuation marks, omission of capital letters, etc - appear in the original article above.
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JOHN BECKER FAMILY BIBLE & FAMILY RECORD CEDAR COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Submitted by Eleanor Francisco AMENS, Crofton, NE
This bible was written in German and translated by Joyce Becker ZUCKERMAN.
Marriage Certificate
It is hereby certified that Mr. John BECK ER and Miss Elisabeth BERENS were competently united in Holy Matrimony In Garnavillo, Clayton Co. Iowa,
On: December 2, 1851
Day: Tuesday, Dec. 2nd in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty One according to the regulations of the Church and the Laws of the Land
Witnesses: Anna M. BERNZ and Theodor BERNZ
BIRTHS
1. Our oldest daughter was born on October 7, in the year 1852 and baptized in Garnavillo, Clayton Co. , Iowa on. the 7th of January, 1853, and she received the name Elisabeth.
2. God granted us a son on March 28, 1854. Died and became a little angel on August 18 in the same year.
3. And she presented a 2nd daughter to me on October 28, at 7:00 P. M. in 1855, and she was baptized on May 18, 1856 in Osh Kosh in Winnebago Co. , Wisconsin. She was assigned the name Maria Marq.
4. The third daughter was born on Dec. 19, at 3:00 A. M. in the year 1857 in Clayton County, Iowa, and she was baptized on January 13 in Garnavillo, and sponsors were Caspar BECKER and Anna Maria BERNZ, and she received the name Mathilda.
5. The 4th daughter was born on Feb. 18, 1860 Sunday morning at 1:28, near St. Helena, Cedar Co. , Neb. Baptized on August 19th by F. Thomas B. Sponsors were Stefen KLUG, M. BETZ, Name is Katharina.
6. God granted us a son on March 5, 1862 at 10:00 a. m. and baptized on August 15, 1862. By Fr. Thomas Ben. Sponsors: John LAMMERS, Mrs. SUING. He received the name John.
7. And a son born on May 23, 1864, Joseph. Sponsors: Michal PETERS and Kathrina KLUG.
8. The 3rd son born April 17, 1866. Sponsors: Bernard SUING, Josephine PETERS. His name was given him, Bernard.
9. And a daughter born February 12, 1868. Her name is Anna. Sponsors: Mathias BECKER and Mrs. SCHREMP.
10. And a son was born on Feb. 22, 1870. Sponsors: Franz P. STRATTMAN, Mrs. M. BECKER. His name is Frank P. BECKER.
11. And a daughter born May 31, 1872. Sponsors: John SUING, Maria BETZ. Her name Josephine.
Today: the 2nd of April, 1883, near St. Helena, Cedar Co. , Neb. I hereby declare that my father, Peter BECKER, was born in Otzenhausen, Ilerrenskeill District, Administrative area of Trier, Prussia. Europe. And my mother, Katharina BLASIUS was born in the Waidmuhle in Muhlfeld or Farrei Mettnich. (** Village Walmuhle now known as Primstal. ) Otherwise as above.
And my wife Elisabeth BERENS was born in Hochlar
near Recklinghausen in Westfalia, district of
Munster, Prussia. Europe.
** Hitler changed names of many villages & towns.
I, John BECKER, was born on Feb. 28, 1821 in Muhlfeld in the Waidmuhle. Baptized in Mettnich. In the year 1845, in May, travelled (sic) to France, and in the year 1847, in October, travelled to America.
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Last Will and Testament of John BECKER, Sr., St. Helena, Cedar County, Nebraska
31 Oct 1899
(Probate record #7 pages 35-36, Cedar Co. Ne
Filed 2 Dec 1900, signed by Chas PLUMLEIGH, County Judge))
Submitted by: Eleanor Francisco ARENS, Crofton, NE
In the name of God, I John Becker, Sr., widower of St. Helena, cedar County and state of Nebraska, aged 78 years and being of sound mind and me mary, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say. First. I direct that my funeral expenses, the expenses of administrating my estate and all my debts be paid out of my personal property. If that be insufficient I authorize my Executor to hereafter name to sell so much of my real estate as may be necessary for that purpose.
Second. I give and bequeath to each of my daughters Elisabeth, wife of F. W. REIFENRATH, Mary, wife of Clemens ASBRE, Mathilda, wife of John SUING, Katharina, wife of Daniel SCHREGEL, Anna wife of Wm FEINER, and Josephina, wife of Joseph SUING, each Three Thousand ($3,000.) dollars in cash and I authorize my Executor hereafter named to sell so much of my Real Estate so said repective amounts above name can be paid to each of my daughters as here in stated.
Third. I give and bequeath to my son Joseph BECKER, the sum of Eight Hundred ($800.) dollars in cash.
Fourth. I give and bequeath to Rev. Henry SCHOOF, of St. Helena, Cedar Co., Nebraska, the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) dollars in cash. I authorize my Executor I authorize my Executor hereafter named to sell so much of my Real Estate so said respective amounts above name can be paid.
Fifth. The remainder of my property, both personal and Real Estate, after the above mentioned sums have been paid, I desire to have equally divided, share and share alike between my children to wit: John, Joseph, Bernard and Frank, my sons and Elisabeth REIFENRATH, Mary ASBRE, Catharina SCHWEGEL, Mathilda SUING, Anna FEINER & Josephina SUING, my daughters.
Sixth. I hereby appoint my son-in-law Frederick Wm REIFENRATH, of Cedar Co, Ne. Executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety nine.
We whose named here hereunto subscribed do hereby testify that John BECKER, Sr, the testator, subscribed his name to this instrument in our presence and. in the presence of each of us and declared at the same time in our presence and hearing that this instrument was his las will and testament and we at he bequest and in his presence signed as attesting witnesses.
Joseph STRATMAN of St. Helena, Cedar Co, Ne.
Carl BRUENING of St. Helena, Cedar Co, Ne.
Joseph BONERTZ of St. Helena, Cedar Co, Ne.
(Probate record #7 pages 35-36, Cedar Co. Ne
Filed 2 Dec 1900, signed by Chas PLUMLEIGH, County Judge)
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