Thayer County, Nebraska

Bessie Adell Calhoun, daughter of Charles and Ida Smith Luce was born on Jan. 9, 1894 at Hubbell and died on July 19 at her home in Hubbell at the age of 98.

She received her education in the Hubbell Public Schools. She was united in marriage to Ray Calhoun on June 4, 1913 at Hebron.

She lived all of her 98 1/2 years at Hubbell except for a short time spent at Odell Haddam, Kan. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women of Hubbell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ida Luce; her husband, Ray in 1966, two brothers and one sister.

She is survived by nieces including, Marica Luce of Sterling, Colo.; Aleen McChesney and Ethel Askren of Wapello, Iowa; two cousins including Lloyd Luce of Arlington, other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 22 at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Hubbell and conducted by the Reverend Randy Dilts. Interment was made in Hubbell cemetery.

"Little Roy, the 6 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Luce died on last Saturday evening about 6 o'clock. He was a bright little boy and his death brings intense grief to his parents and all who knew him."

[There's also a note in the local news column that Henry Schodr [sic] and wife, of Chester, NE, were visitng friends here last Monday. This is Hattie Smith, sister to the mother of Roy Luce. p. 4 school news column again speaks of the death of Roy Luce]

Following an illness of several years, which for the past three months had almost continuously confined him to his bed, W. E. Smith died at his home, 522 West Third street, at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, of cancer of the liver.

Born at Rockport, Atchison county, MO, July 7, 1866, he was aged 60 years, two months and 29 days. With his father he moved to Hubbell, Thayer county, Nebraska, in 1880.

In 1889 he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie A. Luce, and to this union was born a son, Leonard A. Smith. Later Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Grand Island and, for a number of years, Mr. Smith was in the employ of The Augustine company, ill health having compelled him to resign his position.

Mr. Smith united with the Presbyterian church at Hubbell in 1907. He was a charter member of Grand Island lodge No. 318, A.F. & A.M. throughout his illness he was a patient sufferer and had ever a cheery word for all who called to see him.

Besides his widow and son, he is survived by two grandchildren, his father, one brother, and two sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday from the Presbyterian church, Rev. Glen Rice officiating.

A brief service for the family, will be held at the home at 2 p.m. The Masonic lodge will conduct its ritualistic work at the grave. Burial will be in the Grand Island cemetery.

FUNERAL CARD: "In Loving Remembrance of W.E. Smith - Died Nov. 3, 1926
Gone but not forgotten
A precious one from us had gone
A voice we loved is stilled
A place is vacant in our home
Which never can be filled
God in His wisdom has recalled
The boon his love had given,
And though the body slumbers here
The soul is safe in Heaven."

Merrill Drummond Bottom, of Marion, IL died at 11:25 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000 at Marion Memorial Hospital at the age of 99 years, seven days. He was born Jan. 5, 1901 in Deshler, NE, the son of the Rev. Norphie Ernest and Martha Johnson Bottom.

Anna, IL, a retired Anna dairy farmer and was also retired as a safety inspector for Country Mutual Insurance Company. He was a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church in Marion and a 50-year member of Masonic Lodge No. 89 AF & AM.

Mr. Bottom married Lena Harmon October 8, 1921in Eagleville, MO. She preceded him in death on March 6, 1964. He later married Lena Jones.

Mr. Bottom is survived by his wife, Lena; one sister, Mildred Silvers of Knoxville, TN; eleven nieces and nephews; and one cousin, Mary DeLeonardo of Marion. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; one child in infancy; three brothers, Myron, Morris and Milton Bottom; and one sister, Merida Oliver.

Funeral services for Merrill D. Bottom were held at the Mitchell Hughes Funeral Home in Marion Monday January 17, 2000 with the Rev. James Slone officiating. Interment was in Ebenezer Hall Cemetery near Lick Creek, IL.

Oscar Walter Oeltjen, 90, of Mattoon, Illinois, passed from this life at 5:44 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2007, at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

Funeral services in tribute to his life will begin at 10:30 p.m. on Monday, June 18th, at the Schilling Funeral Home with Pastor Bruce D. Osborne officiating.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Oscar was born May 31, 1917, in Hubbell, Nebraska, a son of George and Emma (Ludwig) Oeltjen. He married Maxine Cooley on December 3, 1949.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine Oeltjen of Mattoon; his daughter, Connie Smith and

husband Jim of Cowden; one sister, Jennie Windhorst of Nebraska; a sister-in-law, Arlys Oeltjen of Fremont, Nebraska; stepgrandson, Kevin Smith of Mattoon; and two step great-grandchildren, Kelsie Smith and Kelso Smith, both of Mattoon. He was preceded in death by his father, George Oeltjen; his mother, Emma Oeltjen Myers; two brothers and two sisters.

Mr. Oeltjen was formerly employed with Century Broom Works and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church.

He enjoyed reading Louis L'Amour novels, spending time with his family, and Oscar loved playing cards with special friends, Richard Smith, Jim Smith, Dennis Smith, Carl Weber III,

Memorial gifts in his honor are suggested to St. John's Lutheran Church or Lincolnland Nursing.

Published in the Journal Gazette & Times-Courier on 6/16/2007.
Contributed by: Judy Rosella Edwards

Bruning, Neb., Oct. 11.�J. F. Grone, Sr.. died at his home in Bruning, Oct. 9 1917, aged 33 years, 11 months and 26 days.

Mr. Grone was a very active man and was able to attend to his usual business affairs until a few days before his death.

He was born in Bremen, Germany, Oct. 14, 1823, and came to New York City in 1836. and in 1886 moved to near Bruning.

He was married in Sauck County, Wisconsin in 1850 and fourteen children were horn to this union, eight of whom survive him. Mrs. Grone died at the age of 73.

The following are the children who are now living. Mrs Augusta Nippert, Bruning, Neb.; J F. Grone, St. Joseph, Mo ; Mrs. Pauline Moor, Ohlowa; Mrs. Matilda Slasna. Hebron, Neb ; Arthur Grone, Diller, Neb ; Will Grone, Rey-nolds, Neb ; George Grone and F. J. Grone, Bruning, Neb.

Mrs. Ida Luce, whose maiden name was Smith, was born in Atchison County, MO, August 14th, 1872, and died June 19th, 1903, in Lincoln, Neb. She was buried near her old home, Hubbell, Neb. She was at the time of her death, 30 years, 10 months and 2 days old.

When about 10 years of age she moved with her parents into Nebraska and settled on a farm near Hubbell.

She was married to Charles Luce April 14th, 1892. Four children were born to them. The oldest child, a little boy, was laid to rest about four years or a little more before the death of the mother.

Not long after the death of this little boy Mrs. Luce professed her faith in Christ for her salvation and united with the Presbyterian Church of Hubbell. In which faith she remain ed till her death.

At the death of her little boy Mrs. Luce was so deeply affected and prostrated with grief that she became disconsolate and heartbroken and it seemed as though her love for her --ght [torn page] little one was all her solace and ---, and in her grief she could al--t wish to depart and be at rest ---h him in that better land. It has seemed since to many of her friends that this sad bereavement, if not the immediate cause of her affliction which resulted in her death, must have been so great a grief and burden for her to bear, that, together with other complicated troubles, her death was hastened.

A short time before her last sickness her oldest little girl, Bessie was taken seriously ill with fever and so anxious was the grief-stricken mother over the welfare of her little girl, that her bodily informities [sic] entirely prostrated her, from which fated spell she never recovered. Finally death came to her relief on Friday, June 19th.

Mrs. Luce's death is greatly to be lamented. She merited the love and confidence of all her numerous friends and acquaintances. She was agreeable and lovable to all who knew her . She possessed a mild Christian spirit and loving disposition to a marked degree. A kinder neighbor it would be hard to find. She was ever ready to lend a helping hand, even at a sacrifice of her own comfort and convenience, for the good of others.

The sad affliction and death of this good woman causes many hearts to feel sad. We are sorry to record her death, but Christ, her rock of faith, has written her name in the book of life there to abide forever. She died full of faith and good works. She was ready and wanting to go. Her anxious spirit bound up in her feeble and worn-out body, was longing to be free and at rest with her little one, gone before, in that blessed land, where there are no more tears and sorrow. Blessed abiding faith that clung to her in this life's trials and afflictions.

We are sorry of her death, yet we are assured that she is now rejoicing. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.

John Parker Smith was born near Tarkio, Missouri, October 17, 1860 and parted this life at his home north of Kearney, Nebraska, October 16, 1937 at the age of 77 years.

He came with his father to Thayer county, Nebraska in 1880, and in 1908 he moved with his family to Kearney, Nebraska.

In 1895 he was united in marriage to Eliza Jane Boyd. To this union were born seven children, one passing away in infancy.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife, and six children: Ellis Smith and Elsie Cornell of Crows Landing, California; Lila Vest, of Riverdale, Nebr.; Eliza Stephens of Elm Creek, Nebraska; and Andrew and Jacob at home. Also seven grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Hattie Schroder of Riverside, California; two nieces; four nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.

When a young man he united with the Methodist church at Hubbell, Nebraska. He was a kind and loving husband and father.

We with to thank Rev. Dinsdale, the singer, neighbors and friends, for their comforting words, songs, and beautiful flowers, and the kindness and help during our recent sorrow. Signed: The Family"

Note: his daughter "Lila" was Delila Ann Smith, the only grandchild named for Delilah Robertson Smith. John is buried in Riverdale Cemetery, Buffalo County, Nebraska.

Funeral services for Leonard Andrew Smith, 78, of Aransas Pass, Texas, father of Arthur L. Smith of 2716 Beldon drive, Port Arthur, were held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Cage-Marshall Funeral chapel at Aransas Pass. Burial was in the Prairie View cemetery there.

Mr. Smith died Monday at 12:30 p.m. in the Spohn hospital at Corpus Christi following a long illness. He was a native of Hubbell, Neb., and had been a resident of Aransas Pass for nine years. He was a retired railway worker, a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, the Eagles lodge and the First United Methodist church of Aransas Pass.

His son and daughter-in-law, Mrs. June Smith, a staff writer for The News, had been in Aransas Pass the last several days.

In addition, Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Mrs. Laura Smith; and one daughter, Mrs. James S. (Thelma Lorraine) George both of Aransas Pass; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

After an illness of eight months Hon. E. M. Correll, editor and proprietor of the Hebron Journal, died this afternoon at 4 o�clock.

Mr. Correll was a prominent republican, being elected to the lower house in 1881, and at once became a conspicuous member. He was elected state senator in 1892 and was president of the senate in 1893. He acted as governor for two days in August of the same year while Governor Crounse and Lieutenant Governor Majors were absent from the state.

Hon. Erasmus M. Correll was born in Canada August 4, 1846. His parents were citizens of the state of New York, near Buffalo, but were on a visit to that portion of the queen�s dominion when Correll was born.

When young he removed to Illinois with his parents, from which state in 1852 they proceeded to California, returning in 1853 to Rockford, Ill.

In 1865 he attended Eureka College, where he studied civil engineering and surveying under Major R. Remington, and came to Thayer County, Nebraska, in 1869, in the capacity of surveyor.

Mr. Correll is the father of the press of Thayer County, having started the Hebron Journal in 1871, when there were about three houses in the town. He edited the paper up to the date of his death, and it was one of the most aggressive, ably edited publications in Nebraska.

He studied law in 1871 and 1872 while justice of the peace, and was admitted to the bar in 1873.

He also established the Western Woman�s Journal at Lincoln, which won a national reputation. It did much for the woman�s suffrage cause.

He was the author and champion of a bill to submit a woman�s suffrage amendment to theconstitution.

At its annual meeting in October, 1881, at Louisville, Ky., the American Woman�s Suffrage

Association elected him president. He was also elected president of the Nebraska Editorial Association in the same year.

Joseph Stainer of Deshler, Neb., died very suddenly at the Hebron Hotel yesterday at 12:30 p. m. of asthma and heart failure.

Mr. Strainer has resided in Thayer County for about twenty years, most of the time west of Hebron, in the German settlement.

Lately he was managing the Deshler Broom Factory, being an honest employee. He was respected by all who knew him.

He had resided in this county eighteen years, and leaves two sons , a daughter and wife to mourn his loss.

The remains of Dr. F. E. Tanner, who died at Grand Junction, Colo., on Wednesday, from consumption, were brought home by his wife, daughter and James Dinsmore, who went west Thursday as far as Denver as a representative of Hebron lodge, No. 43, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, of which order the deceased was a member in good standing.

He was also a member of Blue Valley lodge, Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order United Workmen and Independent Order Odd Fellows, all of which orders escorted the remains to the First Presbyterian church, where a short and impressive sermon was preached by Rev. Cook, assisted by Rev. Wilcox.

Herman V. Lyle, one of this city�s prominent business men, dropped dead at the breakfast table at the Hebron house this morning.

Last night when he retired he was in good spirits, and this morning he was uncomplaining. He chatted with his fellow boarders until the moment of his death.

Heart disease carried him away. Mr. Lyle has been subject to this affliction for several years, but his friends think that recent business reverses hastened his death.