Submitted by Sandra Wakkuri

Copied from a handwritten account of the Withers family by Hildred Withers Higgins.

Franklin B. Withers born 6-15-1846 died 1-23-1917, wife Margaret Delancey Children:

1. Charles Devere married Syrena Thurston 1-21-1899
     Children:

1. Hildred K. born Feb. 21, 1900
2. Donald Devere born 5-15-1901
3. Delancey Thurston born 9-29-1902
4. Charles William born 6-30-1911  2. George Stephen born 2-24-1874, wife Effie Blackmer Chapman

THE WITHERS FAMILY IN HOLT COUNTY NEBRASKA

   Frank B. Withers and Margaret Delancey Withers were born in Homer County, Ohio. Their parents brought them to Linn County, Iowa, in the 1800's. In 1898 Frank purchased land 16 miles south of Atkinson, Nebraska, and moved his family there. He rented a railroad car and brought besides his household goods, machinery, harness, innumerable tools, (he came from a blacksmith family and could make or fix almost anything) a half car of hardwood posts to fence the pasture, which were still solid and in the ground when Charles D. and his brother George disposed of the ranch in 1938. He built two houses. His wife and George lived in one and Charles and family in the other until Charles left and started his own spread.

   Frank came to Nebraska to visit his brother-in-law, Hark Blenkhorn (typewritten above handwriting: James Harker Blenkiron) who had a ranch there. He recognized the opportunities offered in the undeveloped country but the great enticement was probably the abundance of small game and his grandchildren have fond memories of their rambles with him and his comments on small game -- prairie chicken, grouse, ducks, rabbits, and fish were considered delicacies by the family.

   Margaret died in 1911 and Frank in 1917. They are buried in Prairie Chapel Cemetary in Linn County, Iowa.

   In his early twenties Charles left Iowa and went to Laural and Hardington, Nebraska where two of his Delancey uncles lived. He worked in a lumber yard there for two years then went to Grant County where he worked on the Diamond Bar Ranch at that time owned by the Mason family in Iowa. Here he married Syrena W. Thurston. They were married January 21st, 1899 and immediately left for Atkinson, Nebraska.

   They lived always in the Inez Valley. Their daughter Hildred was born in Grant County in 1900. Their sons Donald Devere (Cap) and Delancey Thurston (Lance) were born at the ranch. Cap in 1901 and Lance in 1902. Charles W. (Farmer) was born in Atkinson in 1911.

   The Withers children all began school at the Inez Valley School. The schoolhouse was moved from Sunnieside, west of Inez, in 1906. The first teacher was Glades Lumsden from Atkinson. Her father, Bob, was our mailman. We were on a star route and received mail everyday except Sunday. Our second grade teacher was Emma Culfie. I think she was from Missouri. Another teacher was Jennie Bauman from Atkinson. Pearl Coolidge taught us three different terms. Mabel Phillips in 1911-12 and Julia Hurley in 1912-13. Lucille Merideth from O'Neill taught in 1914-15.

   In 1915 the school board voted to start a high school. The first teacher was Esther Adamson. She was from Lincoln, Nebraska. As I recall the pupils in school in 1906 were: Seneca Hubbell, Edna Hubbell, Alta White, Earl Feezer, Emma Feezer, David Feezer, Dewey Feezer, Nora Feezer, Hildred Withers, Devere Withers, Hazel Fowler. The next year 1907 Lance Withers and Ray White started. Soon after that Theodore Moss' children Wilma, Beulah, and Helen entered. Also the Northrup children Emma and Henry and the Blackhaus children, Cora, Pearl, Minnie, and Ray and Helen Hubbell.

   I don't know the year the post office was established. When my folks went there it was in Rourke's home. Their daughter Maggie married John Moss and he moved it to the final location "Inez." It was part of a general store. There was a blacksmith shop there. The blacksmith was Charlie Preston. John Moss sold his ranch and store to John O. Hubbell in 1906 and he was postmaster until 1917 when he sold his holdings to Mike Higgins. (The late M. B. Higgins of O'Neill.)

   We lived in a five room house. Our Mother sewed carpet rags and had them woven for floor covering. We had ample furniture: a cook stove and work table plus several shelves for storage and a wash stand with basin and "roller" towel. The living-dining room had the usual table and chairs, a "safe" for china and silver in the upper half and storage space for food in lower half. We gathered here to read, write, do homework, sew, etc. We played games such as checkers, dominoes, and cards. Most evenings from early autumn until spring there was popcorn. Our birthdays and all holidays were kept with our grandparents attending. We were well loved and cared for and our childhood was happy.

   For transportation we had a buggy with side curtains for winter and a regular buggy team. In summer there were leather fly nets for their harness. We had a bobsled for winter. Grandfather had made it and brought it from Iowa. We always hoped for snow so we could use it during Christmas season. Our first car was a Chevrolet bought in 1917. Our second a Dodge in 1920.

   Church services were held in the school house. I recall a resident minister and his family lived west of the post office before I began school. I think he preached also in Green Valley and Amelia. The second minister I remember was Rev. Wilson from Stuart. One winter he held a series of Revival Meetings. They were well attended. We went regularly. At Christmas there was always a tree and program. The parents brought presents to place under the tree and everyone got a colored net bag of Christmas candies and nuts. Santa hurried in with sleigh bells jingling to distribute the toys. For us it was the highlight of the year.

   Several times a year to raise money the ladies had a pie box or ice cream supper or perhaps oyster soup. There would be entertainment. The children sang songs, spoke pieces, and performed dialogues. At Easter our Sunday School teacher gave us colored eggs and picture cards. We usually had picnics on the 4th of July--foot races, horse races, choose up sides ballgames, and dancing in the evening. There was also Children's Day. I can't recall the date but it was always in warm weather and usually held in Hiatt's Grove.

   I believe we were a peaceful community. We had no vigilantes or law officers until game wardens became necessary. I remember one sheriff campaigning in our valley. He had dinner with us. I think his name was Bob Hall. I recall him because he gave each of us children a coin.

   There were big blizzards then as now, but our family never suffered bad losses. Our stock was well fed and able to withstand winter weather. We had corrals and sheds as needed. Sometime lightening set a haystack on fire, and occasionally a critter was killed. We did have some runaways.