Butler County Queries

Wanted: Effie Norlund who gave birth to a boy in Garrison, Butler Co. NE. on August 20, 1914.  The boy was adopted October 19, 1914 by a couple in Garrison.  Any info would be appreciated.
Rich Mather, web site at www.familytreemaker.com/users/m/a/t/Rich-Mather/

I am interested in information on the Henry J. and Mary (Bankhead) BROWNING family of Nebraska. Henry and Mary are my wife's great grandparents. Family records indicate that they migrated to NE in 1870 and settled on a farm some 5 miles north of Schuyler. When Henry's health failed (year unknown), they moved to David City. Henry is said to have been born in Boston, MA (date unknown) and Mary in Salt Lake City, UT on 10 Aug 1848. They reportedly had 8 children - George (b.1870), Bert, Gladys, James, John Aaron, Ollie Edward, Lottie (b. 1888), and Albert (b. 1892). Both Henry and Mary died in David City. Henry died first (date unknown) and Mary died 24 April 1944. Both are buried at the St. Mary's cemetery.
Please E-mail me, Ray Smith at [email protected]
My mailing address is
Ray Smith
340 County Road 1687
Cullman, AL 35058
Posted: Aug 26, 1998

Looking for information about g-grandparents Harvey Smith BURGESS (b. 29 Dec 1819 in Greene Co, NY; d. ca 1914 in Rising City, Butler Co, Nebr.) and his wife Harriett C. BREWER b. ?, d. 3 Oct 1878 in Rising City, Butler Co, Nebr.) and their children. Possibly they were in Butler Co. as early as 1850. Know of one daughter, Sally Ann (or Anna) BURGESS (b. 11 Aug 1854 in Butler Co., Nebr.?; d. 16 Mar 1924 in Vinita, OK who m. John Lorenzo CATLIN. CATLIN also lived in Butler Co. He was son of Wright Wilbur CATLIN and wife Mary Ann REYNOLDS. Did Wright and Mary Ann CATLIN live there too? Any information on these family members is appreciated. Sharon (CATLIN) Coleman at: [email protected]
Posted: 3/2/1998

I am interested on any information on John FITZSIMMONS, b. abt 1827 in Toome, Longford Co, Ireland d. unk. John and his family moved to Butler Co. sometime between 1870 and 1880 from Muscatine, IA. On the 1880 Fed Census he is listed in Bone Creek township. I have a letter from John to his sister Eliza Jane Chesebrough that is dated May, 10 1898, otherwise I am not sure when he died. John's wife's name was Nancy, and they had ten children; George P. died young, Thomas, Tammy, Albert, Samuel became a doctor, Orlando, Jessie, George, Virginia, and Catherine. I have lots of information on John's siblings. Thanks
E-mail: Paul Rekow at Johnson/Rekow, [email protected]
Posted Aug. 21, 1998

KAMINSKA, William and Minnie....lived in Rising City and perhaps David City in late 1800's. Immigrated from Prussia with at least three children and six to eight more born in Butler and/or Gage Counties.
E-mail: Carolyn Ashford at [email protected]
Posted: Sept. 12, 1998

Vaclav (aka John) Kaspar, born in Czechoslovakia 11/01/1869, Died, Prague, NE 01/30/1945. Immigrated to US ? Married Magdelana (aka Mary) Rerucha, date unknown. Both are buried at Prague National Cemetery in Prague, NE. Their children: Ludvik, Mary, Tom, Vincent, Frank, Rose, Kathie, Clara - married individuals with surnames: Fencl, Novak, Churda, Volplensky, Hynek, Pacal. Other descendents married names: Stara, Radford, Becher, Mahaffey. Particularly interested in information regarding Vaclav and Magdelana Rerucha Kaspar, my great-grandparents and Ludvik and Antonie , whose son, Raymond was my father. Any information would be appreciated.
E-mail: Carol Radford at [email protected]
Write to:
Carol Kaspar Radford
311 Armstrong Ave.
Hendersonville, NC 28739
Posted: Sept. 23, 1998

My great great grandfather was L.J. Kavalec, who emigrated to Nebraska in 1875 from Bohemia. He lived in Brainard and was the city marshall. His wife's name was Caroline - I do not know her maiden name. They had four children: Emil, Charlie, Lucile and Bessie. Emil was my great grandfather, who married Sophia Horacek, who emigrated from Moravia and was born in 1885. They had several children: Roy, Evangeline, Emil, Eileen, Norman, Dean and Charles. Emil Jr. was my grandfather. I am seeking information on L.J. Kavalec's ancestors in Bohemia, about which I know nothing. I am also interested in additional information on Sophia Horacek's ancestors. I know she is the daughter of Frank C. Horacek and Marie Jindrich, born in Moravia in 1844 and 1848 respectively. Frank C.'s parents were Frank C. Horacek and Theresie Antonin and his grandparents were Frank Horacek and Marie Kloskova, but I do not have birthdates.
E-mail: Kathy Kavalec at [email protected]
Posted: June 7, 1998

I am looking for information about Bernard and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Kosse, brother & wife of my ggp, who spent their early married years in Brainard. I believe that all their children were born there and they were members of the Catholic church. Their children were John, Clara, Edward, William, Sophie, Ben, George, (& Minnie Lucille). I would appreciate any help.
Contact Jolene at [email protected]
Posted: April 19, 1998

I am searching for any information concerning a Bob LATIMER that was my grandfather, John Wilbur BONNELLs', uncle. He was living in David City, NE. Where he met my grandmother Letis June MCLAIN. Letis was working in her uncle's laundry in David City NE. They were married 26 Dec. 1919 I'm not sure if it was in Nebraska or not. I do know that her grandma Ford died on Dec. 14 of that year. I believe that the Fords lived in David City because my aunt told me that Letis lived with them there for a while as a girl. I also found out that John and Letis lived in David City for a while after they were married. I would appreciate any kind of information I can get. Thank You very much,
Mary Shackelford at [email protected]
Posted: April 17, 1998

I'm trying to find any info on the Lawthers family that lived in Butler county. James Edward Lawthers was a farmer. He was born in 1858 and died 6-15-1915. He had four sons, James, Clarence, Cecil and Oliver. I would appreciate any help on the ancestors.
E-mail Delores Johnson at [email protected]
Posted: Sept. 4, 1998

In researching my family, I am at an impasse concerning my grandfather's family. Frederick Earle Malone was born 3 Mar 1896 in Ulysses. He was the son of Minor McClellan Malone, born in Missouri, and Ella Viola Leavitt, born in Minnesota. They married 25 Jun 1890 in Nebraska--perhaps in Ulysses? They were doubtless farmers. Fred is buried in Waverly, but perhaps his parents rest in Ulysses. If anyone has any info to share, I'd appreciate it greatly. Thanks.
E-mail Marilyn Williams at [email protected]
Or write:Marilyn Williams
1116 Highland
Montrose, CO 81401
Posted: Oct. 21, 1998

Researching Cornelious and Lydia (Eshliman) Miller family. My grandfather, Roy Miller was born March 6, 1898 near Rising City in Butler Co. Also, researching the other side of the family -- Clarence H. Sheldon, (his father was Henry Sheldon) who lived around David City and Bellwood.
Thanks. E-mail Vicky (Sheldon) Childers at [email protected]
Posted: May 9, 1998

Seeking information on Dr. Thomas J. Murphy, born in Ireland in 1843, who established a practice in David City, Nebraska around 1870-80. Thomas enlisted in the 2nd Iowa Cavalry Co. M in 1862. He later transferred to the 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry, U.S. Vols. where he served as Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster until suffering a severe wound to his left arm, February 1865. I am seeking information about his post-military life and final resting place. I am also seeking information about his older brother, John.

John Murphy, born about 1837 in Abbeyfeld, Ireland, enlisted in the 1st U.S. Cavalry in 1855 at Dubuque, Iowa and was promptly sent west. At the opening of the Civil War he was a Corporal and assigned as Acting Sergeant Major of the 4th U.S. Cavalry detachment attached to the Army of the Ohio. He was detailed to assist in the organization of the 5th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment U.S. Volunteers. in which he was commissioned as a Major in early 1863. In 1864 he was commissioned the Colonel and Commanding Officer of the 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry, U.S. Vols. In 1865, having been mustered out of Volunteer Service, he received a Commission as a Lieutenant of the 4th U.S. Cavalry through President Andrew Johnson and was posted in Texas. In 1867 he was placed in command of Ft. Mason, TX. He resigned from regular army service July 31, 1869 and died February 26, 1871. I am seeking information about his post-service life and final resting place.
Please respond to William Morris at [email protected]
Posted March 19, 1998

My great-grandfather and great-grandmother, John David McLEAN and Florence OHME, were married in Brainard, Butler Co., NE January 1, 1898. Florence was the daughter of Adolf OHME and Louise RICHTER. I would appreciate any information about the Ohme or McLean families. Thank you.
E-mail Kim McLean Mayo at [email protected]
Or snail mail at: Kim McLean Mayo, 5408 Potomac Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001
Posted: May 26, 1998

I am looking for any information on the PEEBLES , PEBBLES or PEBLES families from Butler County, Nebraska. I would appreciate any help and also have some information to share. Thanks...
E-mail Mark Peebles at [email protected]
Posted Aug. 31, 1998

I am looking for relatives and information on the Charles RABB, Carl PETERSON, and PIATT families. Most of them are buried in the David City Cemetery. Any information will be appreciated. Thanks...
E-mail Jane Case at [email protected]
Posted July 7, 1998

I am looking for any information about the Sedlak and Rech family history. So far I know that Antone John Sedlak Sr. was born in Vesnice, Moldavia about May 1880 and came to Brainard NE and married Josephine Rech born abt 1884 and died abt 1956. They had 8 children that I know of. Any information is appreciated.
E-mail Jeff Sedlak at [email protected]
Posted: June 21, 1998

My great-grandfather, George Zahler was a resident of David City from 1871 to ?. We have been attempting to find anything on the Zahler family and came across Mary Jane Lapp Zahler's obituary in an old family bible. It states she died at her home in David City February 17, 1915. She and George Zahler moved from Freeport, Ill. to David City in 1871. There were 8 living children at the time of her death: Elizabeth, John (or Joseph?), Anna, Grace, Charles, Alfred, Francis, and Edward (my grandfather). My father also remembers a Theresa. Any hints or directions would be greatly appreciated.
E-mail Paula Zahler Allerdyce at [email protected]
Posted: July 9, 1998

I'm researching Joseph(Jos.)ZELENY and all known relatives. Joseph ZELENY was born near Pohledec in the district of Jihlava, Moravia, 8-2-1859. His parents were Joseph ZELENY and Anna SUTERA. Joseph ZELENY emigrated to the US in 1881. He purchased land in Butler County in 1883, from William and Clarinda Hall. He married Anna HAVLIK in 1885. She was the dau. of Joseph and Anna (KRONTIL)HAVLIK. Joseph Sr. and Anna ZELENY had one son, Joseph Jr., 3-10-1886. Anna died before Jos. Jr. was 2yrs. old. Joseph ZELENY Sr. then married Mary TUPY in 1888. He moved to Oklahoma in the late 1890's. He is buried at Artesia, NM. I would appreciate any information pertaining to the above surnames.
E-mail Phyllis Zeleny [email protected]
Posted: Sept. 29, 1998

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