Cass County

The News yesterday contained an account of the accidental shooting of Orvil [sic] HUFF, up in Wyoming precinct, while out hunting with his brother-in-law, Herman SCHARP, and was brought to this city for medical treatment. He rested only fairly well yesterday, but from the start it was clearly evident to his physician that he could not survive and told the family so. He lived until about supper time last evening and passed away, with the members of his family at his bedside.

Orvill HUFF was born at LaCrosse, Kans., Nov. 22, 1886, where he grew to manhood and five years ago came to Nebraska with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. JUFF, and engaged in farming two miles west of Wyoming, where he has since made his home. He was a young man who attend [sic] strictly to his own affairs, was agreeable and won a host of friends. He was of most exemplary habits and very industrious. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of this city and always took an active part in the lodge work. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Huff, three sisters, Mrs. E. McMullen, Mrs. Herman Scharp, and Miss Velma HUFF. The bereaved family have the heartfelt sympathy of all.

The funeral will be held Sunday forenoon in the J.E. church at 11 a.m. in Wyoming precinct and Rev. RANDALL of Union, will conduct the services. The pall bearers are Creighton WEST, Carl WEST, Harry BARKHURST, Ivan BALFOUR, Charles FERGUSON, and Elmer HENDRICKS.

The death angel came suddenly in the home of John E. Schutz, yesterday when the wife and mother of a four-year-old daughter was summoned from this world. Mrs. Schutz had been taken with the influenza on Christmas day, and had gotten along very well. She has nursed her husband and daughter through the malady and was taken herself later. The husband was first taken, and has gotten well, the little daughter who is four years of age, was then stricken, and was extremely ill, for some time, and caused the mother much concern. She nursed the little one with much solicitude, and was pleased at her improvement.

Yesterday morning, Mrs. Schutz whose temperature showed two degrees of fever, sank rapidly from seven o’clock, until just before nine, the temperature showing 99 1/2., which placed a strain on the heart. The family physician had been called and was at the home at the time of the passing away of the good lady. The cause of death is said to be caused by the undue work imposed upon the heart on account of the rapid fall of the temperature, at the time of the braking of the fever.

Miss Saphronia PELTON was born at Conneaut, Ohio, and was past twenty-eight years of age, and came to this city to live some twelve or fifteen years ago. When a small child, the black dyptheria [sic] claimed her father and sister, while she and mother were very sick also with the disease. Mrs. Pelton subsequently was united in marriage with Mr. A.L. TODD, they moving to this city. Miss Pelton was united in marriage to Mr. John E. Schutz, on March 15th, 1911, the Rev. W.T. RATCLIFF of the Christian church officiating. From the union there were two children born, the oldest a son, who died in infancy about six years ago. The other , the little daughter, who is now bereft of her mother.

Mrs. Schutz was a most ameable [sic] woman, and has friends wherever she is known, her ambition was to make home the dearest place on earth, which she has done, and the calling of this good woman, will break one of the ideal homes, which is the mainstay of this country. Mrs. Schutz leaves besides her husband and daughter, a mother, Mrs. A.L. TODD, a sister, Mrs. E.J. MEISINGER,, AND A BROTHER, Chester TODD, to mourn her death, besides a host of friends, who extend their sympathy to the husband and daughter whose loss is so severe.

The funeral will be held from the late home, and will be private. It will be conducted by the Rev. L.W. SCOTT, minister of the Christian Church of which Mrs. Schutz was a member, at one o’clock tomorrow Tuesday afternoon, the burial will be at the Oak Hill cemetery. The casket will be open for the viewing of the remains, from ten until noon tomorrow at the home.

In Memoriam – Robert WILBURN, who died at his residence January 1, 1877, from paralysis of the brain and heart, was one of Cass county’s most reliable and venerable citizens. He was born in Kentucky on the 11th of August, 1815. He was taken from there at an early age to Sangamon county, Illinois, and settled near where Springfield now stands, in the year 1818. He was a friend and intimate acquaintance of the venerable Peter CARTWRIGHT; also a neighbor and associate of the long-to-be remembered Abraham Lincoln, president of the U.S. He accumulated a handsome estate there, and in the year 1872 he disposed of his property there and moved to Nebraska on account of ill-health in his family, which he hoped to improve by a change of climate, and settled in Cass county, near Greenwood. He was a man of the most honest principles, eminent piety and sterling integrity. He carried his religion into practice in every-day life; was a faithful friend, a loving husband and venerable father. He was formerly a member of the Baptist church, but finding no church of his choice near enough so that he could attend regularly, he attached himself to the Christian church at Greenwood,. He was stricken down on Thursday, December 28th, about 8 o’clock p.m. and after three days of patient suffering without a murmur or sight of discontent, he passed peacefully away just as the sun arose on the first day of January, 1877, to receive his happy New Year’s greeting by the blessed angels in the horse of the blest. His funeral sermon was preached on Tuesday, January 2, by Rev. J. Henry WHITE of the Baptist church, Wahoo, Neb., from Job 11:15, 17. The grief-stricken family have the sympathies of all who know them, while the community and church realize that they have lost a useful citizen and exemplary Christian.

Born March 25, 1847, in Logansport, Indiana, died on Saturday, November 3, 1917, at his home in Union, Nebraska, aged 70 years, 7 months and 9 days.

The death of Mr. Chidester removes another of the old and respected citizens of this village, one who had resided here for more than twenty years. His health had been failing for the past few years, and been quite rapid, being due in part during the past year his decline had to the hardships of soldier life, he having served faithfully as a Union soldier during the war of the rebellion.

He was married January 2, 1878, to Miss Anna Hudson, and they became residents of this county in 1887. – Union Ledger

It was sad news that was conveyed to the many friends of Grandma DelesDernier that she had peacefully and quietly passed to the Great Beyond after a lingering illness of several months. The end came on Thursday, March 18, 1915, at 2:30 o’clock at the home of her son, William DelesDernier, in this city.

She was one of the early pioneers of this section of the county. She came with her husband, and son from Indiana. Several families also came at the same time. Travel in those days was mostly by water. They left Indians in the early part of January, 1866, following the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers. It was not until March 25, 1866, that they reached Nebraska City, where they landed. Mrs. DelesDernier was taken sick with pneumonia. From Nebraska City they went to a farm house and after spending the night there they went on to a farm near Nehawka, where they spent about two years. Since that time, Grandma DelesDernier had lived on the old homestead near town until she came to town to live with her son.

During those early days she underwent many hardships. Her husband was a stage driver in the seventies, and this took him away often for a number of days at a time. This left her alone and to manage things until he should return. She was a woman of happy disposition, a friend to all, and a noble mother. All had learned to love this good woman and she will be greatly missed.

Sarah PORTER was born in Ireland, December 25, 1835. She came to America when a small girl with her parents, landing at New Orleans, where she lived for a number of years, losing her parents with the yellow fever. Being the oldest of the family that was left, she kept house for the remaining two brothers and sister until all were old enough to care for themselves.

She was married to William DelesDernier and moved to Memphis, Tenn., where her only son was born December 3, 1856. One year later they moved to New Albany, Indiana, where a daughter was born August 5, 1858, who died at the age of 10 months and 23 days. This was their home until January, 1866, when they moved to Nebraska.

She and her husband united with the Christian church in 1878, of which she remained a member until called to the better land. She lost her husband in 1880 on the 17th of April. Eighteen years ago she moved to Elmwood, where she had since resided.

She leaves to mourn her loss: One son, attorney William DelesDernier; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a great host of friends and neighbors.

Funeral services were conducted at the Christian church by the pastor W.H. ROBB, and interment was made in the Elmwood cemetery. – Elmwood Leader-Echo.

Last night just after the passing of the midnight hour, Humphrey Lee OLDHAM, ONE OF THE OLDEST AND MOST HIGHLY ESTEEMED RESIDENTS OF Cass county, passed to his final reward at his home in Murray. Mr. Oldham had been in very poor health for the past several months, and a few days ago heart trouble was added to the complications of his sickness and hopes of his recovery were dispared [sic] of by the physicians and the family and they could only smooth his last hours with loving deeds and await the coming of the messenger that was to call their loved one from their home.

Humphrey Lee Oldham was a native of Missouri, having first saw the light of day in that state at Brunswick, on December 7, 1845. Here he made his home with his parents for a number of years, and during the bitterness of the civil war a conflict was waged there on their farm between the forces of General Sterling PRICE and the federal forces. At the close of the war in 1865, the Oldham family removed to Iowa, locating in Pottawattamie county. After the family located there Mr. Oldham embarked in the freighting business, which was then in its prime, and made several trips across what was then called the plains to Colorado and the western towns which were compelled to secure their supplies in this manner. It was while Mr. Oldham was so engaged that the family removed to Nebraska in 1866 and settled in Cass county on the homestead known as the half-way house, east of Murray. Later, after his marriage, Mr. Oldham located on a farm, which has since become a part of the village of Murray, and here the family has made their home since that time. He was united in marriage on November 9, 1871, to Miss Sarah M. SOTREY, who, with two daughters, Misses Pauline and Fay OLDHAM, are left to mourn his death, as well as two sisters, Mrs. Cussie [sic] BAKER and Mrs. Dora MOORE, and one brother, George OLDHAM, the last two being residents of Plattsmouth. The funeral of this splendid citizen and friend will be held tomorrow from the late home in Murray at 1 o’clock.

One by one, the old-time residents of the community are called away to their last, long rest, but as they go, they leave with those who tarry, as well as the future generations, an inspiration that will promote them to higher ideals, and such will be the result of the life of our well loved citizen, Humphrey Lee OLDHAM, who passed away at this home in Murray on Wednesday night, April 7, 1915.

Mr. Oldham was typical of the generation who had assisted in the developing of the great west, and in his last days he could look back over the years gone by with a feeling of the utmost satisfaction, as he had taken a great part in the work of forming the government and assisting in the progress of the community in which for so many long years he was a prominent man and well loved figure. None knew Mr. Oldham that did not esteem him for his many exalted traits of character that endeared him to all with whom he came in touch, and in his passing it is safe to say that the grief of the host of friends was most sincere and heartfelt.

Mr. Oldham came of a sturdy pioneer family and was born at Brunswick, Missouri, on December 7, 1845, where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. OLDHAM, were among the early settlers, and in the hard pioneer days of the then young and sparsely settled state of Missouri, the young man was reared and secured his education as good as could be found in the frontier parts of the country at that early day. Living there at the time of the outbreak of the civil war, the Oldham family were given an opportunity of seeing the real bitterness of the struggle as it being a border state, there were large factions of both northern and southern sympathizers residing there. Near the Oldham home the confederate force under General Sterling Price met and engaged in battle with the northern forces, and a portion of the battlefield was laid on the Oldham farm. Under these stirring scenes, the subject of our sketch was reared to manhood, and at the close of the war the parents of Mr. Oldham decided to leave the old home and go to Iowa to make their home, and in 1865, they removed to Pottswattamie county, Iowa, where they located. As soon as the parents were comfortably located in their home, there Lee decided to take up the business of freighting across the plains, and sever trips were made by him to and from the Missouri river to the great west with supplies for the residents of that part of the country. During one of the trips of Mr. Oldham west, his parents removed to Cass county, Nebraska, and settled on a farm southeast of Murraw [sic], where the old homestead, now gray with the storms and sunshine of fifty years, still stands near the Lewiston school and is a spot filled with many fond recollections for the members of the family of the father and mother.

On November 9, [looks like] 1871, Mr. Oldham was united in marriage with Miss Sarah M. STOREY, and located on the place where he had since resided at Murray, although when he and his wife as bride and groom first settled there it was a new farm just opened for cultivation, and later was brought into what is not Murray. As the community progressed, Mr. Oldham assisted by his council and assistance in [illegible]-iding the welfare of his home community and his going will leave a place hard to fill in Murray and vicinity.

The funeral of this grand good man was held Friday afternoon at 1 o’clock from the late home at Murray and a host of friends and relatives were present to pay their last tribute to one who had been so much to them in life. The services were conducted by Rev. H.G. MC CLUSKY, pastor of the first Presbyterian church of this city, and the minister spoke to the sorrowing family and friends words of comfort on the taking away of their dearly beloved husband, father, brother and friend, with the promise of a future meeting with their loved one in the realms where the griefs and partings of this earth shall come no more to chill the heart. A choir from the church at Murray sang several of the old well loved hymns which Mr. Oldham had enjoyed so much when living. At the close of the services the cortage [sic] wended its way to the cemetery east of Murray, where, amid the scenes he had known and loved during his many years’ residence, he was laid to sleep.

To mourn his passing there remains the widow and two daughters, Misses Pauline and Fay OLDHAM, who reside at home and three sister [sic] and two brothers, Mrs. Cassie BAKER, Mrs. Dora MOORE, Plattsmouth, Mrs. LaErma CONNELLY, Pagus, California; George OLDHAM, Plattsmouth; and Richard C. OLDHAM, Neopollis, California, and a niece, Mrs. H.D. SNYDER of Fairfield, Iowa.

William STOTLER, who has been a resident of Liberty precinct for more than half a century, died last night at this home in Union. He was born in Ohio, September 15, 1827, and came to Cass county in the early 50’s and has since made his home there. He was married in Ohio to Lucinda SNYDER, and twelve children blessed this union, those surviving are Mrs. IRY, of Lincoln/ Mrs. WAYANT of Idaho; David, Lawrence; Carey, George Walter and Mrs. ELLSWORTH.

The funeral will be held Friday afternoon, the cortege leaving the family home at 2 o’clock and the services will be at the Mount Hope cemetery, at 2 o’clock.

Mr. Stotler was a man quite well known and had many friends.

Anna W. STOLL was born in Cass county, Nebraska, in the year 1869, and passed away at her home Sunday afternoon, April 11, 1915, aged 45 years, 6 months and 14 days. In 1894, she was married to George W. INGWERSON. She leaves to mourn her departure, husband and son, mother and three brothers, besides a large number of relatives and friends. Mrs. Ingwerson spent her entire life in Cass county and had a large number of friends. She was a splendid woman and had the good will of all who knew her. Early in life, she was confirmed in the Lutheran church. Later she united with the United Brethren church. The funeral services were held at the Otterbein U.B. church and were conducted by the pastor, J.F. HEDGES. Burial was made in the German cemetery northwest of Nehawka. The funeral was largely attended by relatives and friends, who came from far and near to pay a last tribute to this noble lady.

Vilas, the little 5-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. PHILPOT, died at their home last Saturday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock, after five days of illness from diphtheria. The dread disease seemed to grip the little fellow from the very start, and while all the medical aid possible was brought to him, his life could not be saved. The case from the start was so serious that Dr. GILMORE performed an operation upon his throat in order that his life might be saved, but only prolonged by this surgical skill. A specialist was brought from Omaha with only the same results. The little fellow was laid to rest Sunday afternoon in the weeping Water cemetery, without services, owing to the strict quarantine. Funeral services will be held later, after the quarantine is lifted from the Philpot home. Mr. and Mrs. Philpot have the deepest sympathy of the entire community in their hours of sorrow and bereavement.

Mrs. Will HUNTER and daughter, Helen, of Plattsmouth, came down on Sunday to attend the funeral of Vilas PHILPOT, which was held that afternoon.

This morning a telephone message was received at the office of County Attorney COLE announcing that A. CHILDERS, or “Dad” as he is better known, had been found dead in his bed at a shack near the Platte river where he has been making his home.

The discovery of the dead man was made by Eddie TODD, near whose farm Mr. Childers lives. As soon as possible, Coroner J.F. BRENDEL of Murray was notified of the fact of the finding of the body, and motored up to this city and in company with the members of the coroner’s jury, drove out to the Childers home to examine the body.

On reaching the home it was found that the dead man had passed away probably about midnight as he gave all signs of being dead from eight to twelve hours. The surroundings of the home of Mr. Childers were very poor and the only means of heat had apparently been an old cook stove that was fireless when the body was found. Mr. Childers has been in very poor health for the past year and suffered from what seemed a severe attack of the grippe for the last few months and this has evidently been one of the causes of his death, with the exposure that he must of necessity have suffered in his quarters where the dead body was found. Standing guard by the side of his dead master was a faithful little dog, and it was with great difficulty that chief BARCLAY could induce the pet to leave the side of its lifeless master. The watch, pocketbook containing $4.30, and a gun and revolver were found near the bed, where they had evidently been placed by Mr. Childers. He leaves two children, William CHILDERS of Julesburg,Colorado, and Mrs. Alice GRAY, as well as his sister-in-law, Mrs. George LAMPHERE of this city, to mourn his death. At the time of his death, Mr. Childers was seventy-two years of age and had spent the greater part of the last few years in fishing and trapping along the Platte river. The body was brought in and placed in the undertaking rooms of John P. SATTLER to await word from the relatives as to what was desired to have done in regard to the funeral. The verdict of the coroner’s jury was death from natural causes and no signs of foul play.

[EAGLE Beacon] William LEE passed away at his home, southeast of Eagle, early Wednesday morning, after several weeks of suffering from bright’s disease. Funeral services will be held from the Catholic church at Palmyra, Friday morning at 11 o’clock.

This morning at the Capital hotel in Lincoln, Joseph MULLIN, one of the old residents of the western part of Cass county, was found dead in bed in his room. The discovery was made when an attempt was made to arouse Mr. Mullin, and he failing to respond, an investigation revealed that he had passed away some time during the night, and without making an alarm in any way.

He was for a number of years one of the best known men in the vicinity of Elmwood, and during his long residence in the county had been prominently identified with the democratic party, and several times had been a candidate for different county offices on this ticket.

Mr. Mullin had not been in the best of health for some months, and has been taking medical treatment, but his health continued to grow worse until death came last evening to his relief. He was a member of the soldiers’ relief committee of this county and a man who was an immense favorite with all with whom he came in contact, and it is with the greatest of regret that they learn of his death. He was the father of Mrs. John Gerry STARK of Elmwood.