Franklin County
Nebraska

Obituaries
A-B Surnames

17 Jan., 1857--3 Dec., 1924.
This obituary is from an unnamed newspaper and was found in the Memorial Record of her funeral.
Mrs. A.M. Averhoff
Margaret Bauman, eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. George Bauman, was born January 17, 1857 at Aurora, Ills., and departed this life December 3, 1924 at 2:10 p.m. at her home southwest of Riverton, Nebraska, the end coming peacefully after a short illness of two weeks.
She spent her early childhood at Aurora, moving with her parents to Clarence, Iowa where they lived for a number of years. Her girlhood was spent at Galesburg, Ills., where she grew to young womanhood. It was here the bonds of childhood friendship were cemented when she was united in marriage to Albert M. Averhoff, formerly of Clarence, Iowa, December 10, 1884.
To this union two children were born, Mrs. Alice [Fred] Massinger and George H. Averhoff [Bernice], who both live at Casper, Wyoming. [This is incorrect. Alice and Fred always lived in Franklin Co., NE.]
Upon their marriage they moved to Franklin County, Nebraska, establishing their home upon the original homestead which Mr. Averhoff entered in 1876. Here they resided until the spring of 1911 when they retired to Franklin, building one of the finest homes in the city. In 1921 they returned to the old homestead southeast of Franklin to live among the revered memories and cherished surroundings of their mutual struggle; to rest in the favored atmosphere of a home wrestled from the virgin prairie.
She is survived by her husband and two children, two sisters and three brothers, Mrs. Frank Van Voler of Tacoma, Wash., Mrs. W.R. Davis of Dexter, Kans., Fred C. Bauman of Crawford, Henry Bauman of Rushville, and George C. Bauman of Burlington, Iowa.
One sister, Mrs. J.C. Sauter of Galesburg, Ills., preceded her to the Great Beyond.
She joined the Methodist Episcopal church in her girlhood and remained a devoted and faithful member to the last. Her faith grew stronger with her years. In her last moments she expressed complete trust in her Creator and lapsed into the final sleep from which none return.
As a bird skims the air before the impending storm, so her spirit peacefully floated out upon the etherial waves to a happier home this earthly body cannot know.
She was through life a trustworthy friend, a kind thoughtful loving wife and mother, who was loved and cherished by all who knew her.
The funeral service was held from the Franklin M.E. church Sunday afternoon with Rev. N.G. Palmer in charge and burial was in Greenwood cemetery.

Passed Away Saturday Morning After An Illness of Brief Duration.
[12 Dec., 1855--17 March, 1934]
Following a brief illness Albert M. Averhoff passed away at the home place southeast of Franklin at 1:30 a.m., Saturday, March 17, aged 80 years, 3 months and 5 days. Funeral services were held from the Hutchins funeral home at Franklin Monday afternoon, in charge of Rev. E. H. Unvert, and interment was made in the family lot at Greenwood cemetery.
Albert M. Averhoff was born December 12, 1855, in Prussia, on the Isle of Ruzen [Rugen] in the town of Putpus. He was the youngest child of a family of six children. His early education was gained in public schools of Putpus. At the early age of 14 years he, together with his two brothers and two sisters, emigrated to America, where they sought new fortunes for themselves. The first seven years were spent in and about Clarence, Iowa, where he attended public school and worked at various occupations.
Moved by the pioneer spirit he decided to come west to Franklin county, Nebraska, arriving in the spring of 1876 and locating on a homestead, which now forms the nucleus of his present farm holdings which, through patient industry and thrift, he was able to hold intact through all the years of hardship known to every pioneer. He took great pride in the fact that despite the extreme hardships and drouths of early days he was never forced to seek or accept aid from any sources, but waged his own successful battle against adversity in the spirit of a true pioneer.
In 1885 Mr. Averhoff returned to Illinois, where he was married to Miss Margaret Bauman in Galesburg, Ill, she being an old school mate in Clarence, Iowa. Together they returned to Nebraska and continued their pioneer endeavor. Mrs. Averhoff passed to her reward December 3, 1924.
Following the passing of his wife he continued to make his home with his daughter, Mrs. Fred F. Massinger, who with her husband, operated the home ranch. Mr. Averhoff spent the past five or six winters at various gulf points and California, where he found the winters more mild, and had hopes of benefiting his gradually failing health.
He leaves two children to mourn his loss, Mrs. Fred Massinger of Riverton, and Geo. H. Averhoff of Casper, Wyo.; also one grand-daughter, Barbara Jeanne Averhoff.
Mr. Averhoff was confirmed at an early age in the Lutheran faith and made the Golden Rule his creed and guide of conduct with his fellow men. He was quiet and unassuming in manner and a great admirer and lover of Nature. He was at ease in her company. He loved the lakes, the trees, the flowers, the spreading hills and prairies, and the wild life. His universe was one of love and friendliness. His vocation brought him enchantment by bringing him in close contact with nature. The life he loved so much is still his, and with great zeal he has entered into new experiences, cheerful to the last.
The last rites were attended by a large number of friends of the deceased, all of whom extended every sympathy to the bereaved ones.

Source: Daily Oklahoman, Friday, November 13, 1931:
" A Narrative of the Life of O.G. Bailey"
"Orestes G. Bailey was born at Fort Ann, New York, Scotch ancestory, on July 20, 1845. He attended the public schools until Sixteen years of age, and August 5, 1862, he enlisted as private in Co. F, 169th Regiment, New York Volunteers, where he was promoted gradually to a position of Second Sargeant. He participated in some of the severest battles of the Civil War, was wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., and again at Petersburg, at the battle of the mine, and after his superior officers were killed or wounded, he took command of the company until that campaign was over, then it was detached from the regiment and put in the command of the 3rd Division of the 10th Ambulance Corps, where he remained until he was stricken with diphtheria and taken to the general hospital. After peace was declared he was taken to Albany, N.Y., where he was mustered out of the service September 8, 1865, having served three years and two months. He was a brave soldier, never shrinking any duty, never refusing to obey any command of his superior officers. He was highly commended by his regimental officers. After returning to his native town on February 4, 1866, he was married to Orilla McMore, and to this union ten children was born, four sons and six daughters. Of this number, the mother, two sons and two daughters have passed on to the great beyond. The mother died in November 1892 in Bloomington, Nebraska and the following year he was married to Jessie C. Bates who with one daughter still survive. Mr. Bailey departed this life November 6, 1931, at Stroud, Oklahoma. Age 86 years, 3 months and 16 days. He filled important offices, both honorable and lucrative and was appointed by President Harrison and re-appointed by President Grover Cleveland to be Register of the Land Office in Nebraska. He served four years as State Representative in Nebraska Legislature where he made an honorable record among his many friends. He was a good neighbor and a steadfast friend; he was charitable many times beyond his means and no needy person ever plead to him for assistance but that he would give them as good as he had himself, and if necessary a place for him to rest and sleep. He left many friends in the three states in which he lived, who will regret to hear of his departure. "He lived beside the road and was a friend to man." Funeral services were conducted at the Baptist Church Friday afternoon by the pastor, Rev. B. H. Elsey and the body was shipped to Bloomington, Nebraska, Saturday morning for interment

Daniel Webster Baker, 84, pioneer settler of Franklin county died at the home of his nephew Bird Garrett nine miles northeast of Franklin Tuesday morning at 7:20. Mr. Baker had been an invalid with arthritis for about eight years. He was born in Big Rocks, IA. September 2, 1854 and came to Franklin county in 1872, at the age of 18. He took a homestead on the Macon prairie 9 miles northeast of Franklin and was married to Nancy Garrett in 1879. They lived there until 1908 when Mr. Baker retired and they moved to Franklin and had lived here until a few months ago when they went back to the home place to live with his nephew and foster son, Bird Garrett and Mrs. Garrett. Mr. Baker was one of a family of 13 children, all except one his sister Lucy I. Gale of Franklin, having preceded him in death. Other surviving relatives are his wife, his niece, Mrs. Henry Wessels, and Mrs. Beatrice Garber, Mrs. Isabelle McCrae, Mrs. Muriel Britt and Donald Garrett all of San Diego, Calif. and Wayne Garrett, all children of Bird Garrett, also nieces and nephews outside of the state. He was a member of the Methodist church and was quite active in church and community work until he became Ill. Funeral services were held today at the Methodist church at 2:30 with burial in the Greenwood cemetery. Hutchins Funeral Home was in charge. 21 Mar 1939

From THE SENTINEL, FRANKLIN, NEBR. FEB. 21, 1929 this city.
Early Resident of Riverton had been sick only a short time. Funeral held Tuesday.
In the death of Eli Bennett, which occurred at 12:10 o'clock Sunday morning, at the home in Franklin, the city and county loses one of its good citizens. Death is said to have resulted from kidney trouble, although he had seemingly been in good health until about ten days before his death.
Eli Bennett was born at Frederick, Iowa, September 19, 1855, and died at Franklin, Nebraska, February 17, 1929, aged 73 years, 4 months and 29 days. He is survived by four children, born of his first wife, who was Mary Dalyrmple, who are Mrs. George Marshall of Riverton; William Bennett of Inavale ; LeRoy Bennett of Riverton and Perry Bennett of Scottsbluff.
On October 19, 1923, he was married to Mrs. Lydia Shoemaker, who survives him. After leaving his native state he lied near Omaha several years and then moved to Hitchcock County, Nebraska, and later lived at Grand Island. About twenty-five years he made his home near Riverton, and five years ago he and his wife moved to Franklin which had since been the home. He was a fine, Christian gentleman, a member of the Assembly church of God, a kind husband and father and a good neighbor, with hosts of friends, all of whom extend every sympathy to the bereaved wife and family.
Funeral services were held at the Assembly Church of God at 2:00 o' clock Tuesday afternoon, in charge of Rev. George Clopine, in the presence of a large assemblage of relatives and friend and interment was in the cemetery at Riverton.

The Sentinel
No. 50 Franklin Co, Nebr. Friday October 26, 1906
Grandfather Buster No More
(written by J.A.B.)
Although anticipated for some months the death of Grandfather Buster early Tuesday morning was a distinct shock to the citizens of this community, who during his long residence here of thirty-four years have learned to love and revere him. Funeral services were conducted at the Congregational Church Wednesday at two p.m. by Rev. Thos. F. Asbby of Elk Creek, who also was one of Franklin county's earliest settlers, and who paid a fitting tribute to the memory of his departed neighbor and friend. The clergyman referred feelingly to the moral character of the departed who had lived an upright Christian life untarnished by the world of sin about him. In a most fervent prayer Rev. Asbby said that his friend has neither shrank from poverty, nor swerved from the narrow pathway of the righteousness in quest of riches, but had stuck to his ideal true manhood.
The friends were consoled in the thought that Christ is the resurrection and ??? living in Him there is no death. The song service was beautiful and the large ?? assembled to pay a last tribute to a faithful ??? neighbor and a moral ?? husband and father was deeply ?? by the touching sentiments and ?? of such hymns as "Jesus Love of my Soul", and "Asleep in Jesus".
Samuel Henderson Buster was born in Green County, Tennessee, Feb. 29, 1832, removing when a small boy to Platte county, Missouri, where he united with the Methodist church. Later settling in Holt county where on the 28th day of September, 1854, he was united in marriage with Mary M. Young, who has been his boon companion and faithful wife for more than half a century. Two sons and eight daughters have blessed this union of love, all of whom (together with three brothers and three sisters) survive to console the heartbroken widow and testify to the goodness of him whose death marks the first break in the family circle. The Busters settled on a homestead near the site of this city in 1872 and but for a break of three years deceased has lived in this vicinity ever since.
A sketch of the life of Mr. Buster were incomplete were it ended without briefly noting his splendid record as a brave soldier of the Confederacy. At the outbreak of the civil war he cast his fortunes with the command of Gen. Marmaduke which distinguished itself until peace was declared and then immortalized itself by refusing to surrender. The command was marched to the Rio Grande river where the battle scared flag of so many hard fought fields was forever buried beneath the waves of that dark rolling river. After witnessing this sacred disposal of his revered and never surrendered colors Mr. Buster bade farewell to his commander and comrades, turning his face homeward where he swore allegiance to the union he has ever blessed and cherished. Gen. Marmaduke and the remnants of his once glorious and almost invincible command exiled themselves to Mexico, but it is perhaps needless to add that the subject of this sketch has never regretted his return to the land of the free and the home of the brave.
The love of the boys who wore the gray was attested at the funeral by the large attendance of the members of Ben Franklin Post G.A.R.
Mrs. Buster and Children * copied as written, bold face done for clarity, ?? were unreadable. lms

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