NSGS Ancestree

Nebraska State Genealogical Society Journals

Sunmitted by: Roberta King, Arvada, CO

St. Boniface Catholic Church
St. Boniface Parish
Stuart, Nebraska

Established in 1899, this Catholic parish celebrated its centennial in August of 1999, still going strong and well attended today by many Stuart area residents.

Before 1890, the early Stuart Catholics had to travel to the St. Joseph Church in Atkinson, about ten miles east, to attend Mass; once a month, when Father Edward Engelbrecht came from Atkinson to celebrate Mass, the residents could attend church closer to home. In 1890, the Catholics purchased the old District 44 School Building in Stuart, and Mass was held there until 1897. Then Father Emil Klemenz of Atkinson guided the Stuart mission parish in the building of a new frame church at a cost of about $1400.00. In 1899, Bishop Richard Scannell of Omaha made St. Boniface an independent parish, and Father Anthony Birnbach became its first pastor. In 1911, a new brick church was built to replace the frame structure. The older wooden frame church was moved to Newport, Nebraska, about nine miles west, where it served that parish for many years. Finally, this frame church building was moved to Bassett, Nebraska, where it can now be seen in the City Park in the pioneer exhibit.

ST. BONIFACE CATHOLIC CHURCH (continued)

From this parish, many young women chose vocations:

School Sisters of St. Francis (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

ST. BONIFACE CATHOLIC CHURCH (continued)

Poor Sisters of St. Francis Seraph of the Perpetual Adoration
(Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity
(Denver, Colorado)

Ursuline Sisters (York, Nebraska)

Many of the church members were homesteaders, and the early church records indicate these homestead locations:

ST. BONIFACE CATHOLIC CHURCH (continued)

St. Boniface Parish established a parochial school early on. In 1906, Mrs. Valentin Krieg taught in the school until 1908, when the School Sisters of St. Francis came to Stuart to take over the teaching duties; they have remained at this school since then. The first nuns who taught were Sr. Concordia (Superior), Sr. Hortensia (teacher) and Sr. Thecia (homemaker). In 1912 the school held classes in the basement of the church; in 1962 a new school, which is in use today, was built and dedicated.

The School Sisters of St. Francis, who came 1908, lived on the second floor of the first school building where there was no plumbing, central heat, or electricity. In 1920, a private residence was purchased by the parish, and in 1921 the nuns took up residence there, where they remained until 1995. In 1995, this convent was sold, arid is now a bed and breakfast, appropriately called "The Sister's House".

Sources:

Saint Boniface Church 1899-1974. Atkinson Graphic Publishing Co., 1974.

St. Boniface Church Stuart, Nebraska 1899-1999. United Church Directories, Galion, Ohio. 1999

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MANCHESTER, IA. DATELINE ARTICLE -1899

Abstracted From: The Rod Cloud Nation, Thursday, May 25, 1899, Vol. IX, No. 13

Manchester, Ia., May 17. - Three persons were killed and four are known to gave been seriously injured by a tornado which struck last night near Colesburg, twenty miles northeast of this city. The Dead: George LAANG, Jerane JACOBS, ____ TUPPER, child. The injured: Mr.. RIDEMONT, Mrs. REIDNOUR, two TUPPER children. The TUPPER children will probably die. Great damage was done ... in ... Colesburg the tornado passed along the Turkey river to Littleport ....

Submitted by: Roberta King, Arvada, CO

A List of Burials of Veterans in three Stuart, Nebraska Cemeteries

This is a list of veterans buried in the cemeteries of the Stuart Community Cemetery (noted with initials Comm.), the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery (noted with the initials St. Bon.), and in the Cleveland Cemetery (noted by initials Clev.).

Grand Army of the Republic

Veterans Buried in Stuart Cem. (continued)

World War I (con't)

Veterans Buried in Stuart Cem. (continued)

Veterans Buried in Stuart Cem. (continued)

St. Boniface Cemetery and Stuart Community Cemetery are located 1/4 mile west and 1 mile north of the town of Stuart. The Cleveland Cemetery is located1 mile east, then 14 miles north of Stuart.

The above list was transcribed by Roberta "Bobbi" King from the Memorial Day program of Monday, May 31, 1999. This annual service is sponsored by the Norton Carlisle Post #115 American Legion and Legion Auxiliary.

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GHOST TOWNS OF PAWNEE COUNTY

Submitted by: Ruth Anna HICKS

This article is reprinted from a book compiled by Nancy SOMMERHALDER, Lewiston with informational help from Mrs Billy MILLER & Edwin BREDEMEIER.

MISSION CREEK

An Indian mission was founded by the Presbyterian Church in the 1850's just across the state line in Kansas. When the precincts for Nebraska were laid out, most likely Mission Creek was named for that Mission.

The first settlers arrived in 1856, followed by others. In 1869, W.J. HALDERMAN opened a store in a building owned by Mr. CAROTHERS, on section 22. A harness shop was operated on the second floor by Mr. Otto UTTER. Mr. M.K. WALKER took over the store and postoffice in 1874. Miss KINKADE had a millinery store across the road south, and a blacksmith shop and several dwellings were located there.

Another store, run by Perry MILLER and Daniel SWARTOUT was known as the Grange or STONE Store. It was started a mile west of the Walker store. A blacksmith shop, a drug store, a doctors office, and some dwellings were located here. It was hoped that a railroad would come through the precinct near on of these stores. Above the stores, community meetings were held.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1872. Mr CAROTHERS gave land for both the church and a parsonage. Fires destroyed both of the original buildings.

The Pawnee County Fair was held in Mission Creek from 1876 to 1880. The lair grounds were located on the NW1/4 of section 28, south east of the Grange Store, It was moved because of objections that it was on the far edge of the county and because Kansans and Indians won the prizes.

The Baptist Church was organized in 1879. Baptism took place in Mission Creek.

A sorghum factory was "running full blast" in 1879. In 1882 the railroad came through Liberty, and mail was carried to Mission Creek Post Office located in the store. Later the eastern residents got their mail from Brookwalter and the Mission Creek Post Office was moved to the home of Thomas GRIGGS.

After Brookwalter was laid out, the Mission Creek store and several residences were moved up there. Only the Presbyterian Church and parsonage remain, and the cemetery one mile south and one mile west of the church.

Early residents in this area were: BARTHOLOMEW, David NEILL, Henry MUSFELT, George TANNER, Abe MANLEY, John BOWHAY, Thomas GRIGGS, Christian REES, Perry MILLER, Oscar JENNE, JENNINGS, JOHNSTON, STOUT, CARPENTER, and HALDERMAN.

History of Cedar County, abstracted from THE LAUREL ADVOCATE, 4 June 1898.

Abstracted by Georgene Sones, Omaha.

J. F. MILLS, publisher of the Advocate.

L. E. JONES of St. James, Nebr. recorded early facts & reminiscences. Later developments by J. F. JENAL, clerk of Cedar Co.

Being requested by the LAUREL ADVOCATE to submit a historical sketch I have taken the liberty to present some of the early history by one of our old pioneers who is with us yet. L. E. JONES Sr. during 1876 and thereafter recorded this information in deed record #4, pages 1-14. Jr. JENAL is owner of largest flouring mill on the main Bow creek near village of St. James.

Cedar co. was formed (with later boundary changes) on 12 Feb. 1857 at St. James lying below the mouth of Petite Arc (Bow creek).

Early pioneers who are still in the county: C. C. VAN, James HAY; O. D. SMITH; Saby STRAHN; Hanson WISEMAN; John ANDRES; Henry, Ernest, Gustavus & Herman FELBER, together with their father, Paul FELBER. This colony emigrated from Harrison co. Iowa.

The following Spring the settlements of Waucapona & St. Helena were organized. Those in Waucapona & still residents: Warren SAUNDERS; George A. HALL & Amos S. PARKER. I am only aware of 1 person for St. Helena, P. C. NISSEN. In July of 1858 the writer landed in Cedar co. and with others surveyed & platted the town of St. Helena. In the Spring of 1859, Henry FELBER with 3 sons, Henry, Jacob & William; Peter JENAL Sr. & Jr. together with my own family arrived by boat from St. Louis, Mo. C. B. EVANS & sons arrived during the summer of 1858 from Council Bluffs.

About this time, or previous, a few settlers located in the NW corner of the county opposite Streik-Me-Ree's camp, now Yankton. Saby STRAHM was founder of that settlement. Others & those we still find: John & David NELSON; Ambrose AMBROSEN; Ambrose & Ole ANDERSON. In the Fall of 1861: J. LAMMERS; C. KOHLS: B. WUBBEN: Stephen KLUG; B. SUING: F. WEISLER & C. ARANDS settled near Bow creek where they still live. Indians were hostile. A family of 5 children of Mr. WISEMAN, near St. James, were slaughtered in 1863. In the Spring of 1864 Dr. Alonzo BENTZ was killed.

In the Summer of 1864 they had to fortify themselves against the Indians. (Names mentioned): the writer (L.E. Jones); P. C. NISSEN, Henry FELBER; & Jacob BRAUCH. In the same year the 7th Iowa Cav. Co. B. was stationed here on land now owned by Fred HARDER.

Towns: St. James, St. Helena & Strahmburg. Co. seat moved to St. Helena. St. James was abandoned with exception of O. D. SMITH & family who kept a general store & post office.

THE CEDAR COUNTY ADVOCATE was est. in early 1874.

First county officers: George A. HALL, then I. S. McCOUBRY (who left co. in 1863); then Peter JENAL to present. 1st co. clerk was George L. ROBERTS, then Moses H. DEMING: S. P. SAUNDERS: then W. H. COLLAMUR and since 1863 P. C. NISSEN. Present (1898) officers are: Silas REYNOLDS, W. 11. POWELL, C. A. EVANS, John LAMMERS, Henry MORTEN, L. E. JONES & A. McNEAL.

In 1877 there are 8 postoffices.

1860 & 1861: private schools taught by: Geo. L. ROBERTS: T. C. BUNTING & P. CLARK.

Hartington was est. during 1883 & is now the co. seat with 1000 inhabitants. Randolph spring up during 1886. Then came Belden & Laurel. Laurel's Growth:

Laurel dates from the Spring of 1892. J. P. GALLAGhER, is present agent

Cedar Co. from THE LAUREL ADVOCATE, 4 June 1898.

of Pacific Short Line. S. E. REED is agent for CStPM&O RR.

Laurel Townsite Co. is composed of T. F. CLARK, now residing at Traer, Iowa; L. C. TOLLES. W. M. MARTIN had 1/4 interest in original town. The Goltz addition was laid out in 1893 by L. C. GOLTZ, now of Winside.

The U.B. Church was built in 1892; W. N. ROUSH, 1st pastor. Rev. Ida THOMAS is now in charge; Rev. W. K. CRAY organized a Methodist class in 1894; followed by Rev. F. M. CLARK, then Rev. Wm. R. PHELPS. Rev. F. HEFNER of Coleridge holds meetings for a branch of the German-Lutheran church at the UB. church. Rev. H. A. HILPERT came in 1895 & built a church for German Lutherans.

Postoffice was est. in July 1892 with O. M. WAITE, postmaster. Next Fred PHILBRICK; J. M. MILLS is the present one. Waite is of the firm of EVERETI' & WAITE. Philbrick of firm of ADAMS & PHILBRICK. Mills is an old soldier who came here 4 years ago from Cleghorn, Iowa.

J. J. MOORE came in 1893 & is with Peavey grain elevator. C. V. PATRICK came from Rock Rapids, Iowa 5 years ago.

C. W. MILLER, pres. of Farmers State Bank.

COBURN & W. T. FISHER engaged in lifestock. Fisher moved to Randolph. ANKENY & EVERETT also in lifestock since 1897. Everett have from Lyons 6 years ago.

J. W. TURNER, came from Omaha last. Oct., has Park hotel. L. D. BREAK came in 1893, owns the Hotel Laurel.

W. W. COLLINS & Chas. KLEVER have restaurants. Mrs. MURPHY from Belden sells pies, cakes & meals.

M. T. WOODRUFF in seed busines for more than 5 yrs. His daughter was first child born in the city. He built here in 1892.

G. P. CHESSMAN & Harry VRANDERBERG built roller mill in 1892. CHESSMAN bought out Vranderberg and put E. F. Chessman in charge. In 1896, A. T. FORTNEY traded the Park hotel for the mill and is running it. Fortney has resided here for 6 years coming from Wisconsin.

Laurel Butter Co. began in the spring of 1895. Officers: Geo. BOLLEN; H.A. ANKENY; L.C. TOLLES and B.J. HAEUSSLER

MITTELSTADT Bros. came in July 1893 and bought lumber yard of J. W. McDWEITT. There are 3 brothers: Louis C. at Norfolk; Adolph C. came to American from Germany 6 years ago, is married and lives here; Edward R. has been in this country for 7 years. He has matrimony in contemplation. Waite & Douglas have a lumber business started 1 Jan 1896.

WAITE is a retired farmer living at Lyons. DOUGLAS came from Omaha.

Everett & O.M. WAITE have general merchandise started April 1892.

COBURN & FISHER, bought the general merchandise of BRUCE & BLEICH in Oct. 1894, coming from Atkinson, Nebr. Firm is composed of J.H. COBURN, his son, D. D. and W.T. FISHER.

Z.T. FUNK, general merchandise, came during winter of 1896 from Atkinson. His son, Zack, assists in store.

W. O. TOLIVER from Norfolk has started a new store.

J.H. BURNS, general merchandise, came in spring of 1895.

C. W. MILLER & son, E. W., came from Concord in spring of 1892 and started Farmers State Bank. H.H. CLARK had an interest but sold to Rev. F. X. MILLER, brother of C. W. Miller.

Laurel State Bank, incorporated 15 Aug. 1895 Officers; T. F. CLARK of Traer, Iowa; F. A. McCORMACK of Sioux City; E. R. BURNEY; W. T. GRAHAM