Perkins Co. NEBRASKA Obituaries

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Schroeder, Mary M. age 83  (12/10/1925-02/19/2009)
Mary Moul Schroeder passed away in the presence of  her daughters on Feb. 19, 2009, after a valiant effort to beat aplastic  anemia. Mary Ellen Moul was born Dec. 10, 1925, in Madrid, Neb., to Sarah "Sally" Ford and George "Mick" Moul.  After graduating from Madrid High  School in 1943, Mary received a scholarship to attend the Colorado  Business School in Denver. She was one of three students selected from  this school for a position with the Pentagon where she worked until she  was chosen for a secretarial position with the Atomic Energy Commission in  Los Alamos, N.M. While in Los Alamos, Mary met Harvey Schroeder, a  security inspector for the Los Alamos Laboratory, and they married on Jan.  31, 1948. They remained happily married until Harvey's death in October  2000. When Harvey was transferred to the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in  1956 they moved to Livermore, Calif., where Mary raised her family. Harvey  and Mary lived in Livermore until they moved to the Willamette area of  West Linn and built a home along the Tualatin River in 1976. Mary worked  as a bookkeeper for Youth Adventures from 1976 to 1988. After her  retirement, she remained an active member of the West Linn - Willamette  Chapter of the Lions Auxiliary and served as a treasurer and president.  She enjoyed keeping track of all of the wildlife that lived along the  river and was a member of the Tualatin Riverkeepers. Mary began taking  piano lessons in 2000 and became a skilled pianist who enjoyed playing the  piano daily. She loved to travel, whether it was a day excursion or a trip  across the country. She took special pleasure in trips to see her brothers  who lived in California, Idaho, Illinois and Nebraska. Mary was very proud  of her grandchild, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great-nieces  and great-nephews. She enjoyed tracking and sharing their progress in  life. A wonderful cook, Mary made pies with a crust that could not be  matched. Every year during berry season, she would fill the freezer with  homemade jam which she was happy to share with family and friends. Mary is  survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, George and Betty Moul of  Folsom, Calif., John and Pat Moul of Chicago, Francis and Janet Moul of  Livermore, Calif.; her daughters and sons-in-law, Lorraine and Steve  Wilkins of Portland and Sarah and Ron Brown of West Linn; her grandson and  his wife, Zachary and Reanna Brown, and great-grandchildren, Alexander and  Emily Brown, of West Linn. She was preceded in death by her husband,  Harvey; parents, Sally and Mick Moul; brother, Keith Moul; and brother and  sister-in-law, Willis and Eileen Moul. A service will be held at 10 a.m.  Friday, Feb. 27, 2009, at Holman-Hankins-Bowker & Waud, 715 7th  Street, Oregon City, OR 97045.
Source: The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, Wednesday, February 25, 2009.

Benjamin Franklin Brown was a son of Richard Gibson Brown and Rhebecca (Moore) Brown, born in Rock Island County, IL on 31 May 1844. The family farmed near Illinois City located in Section 7, Buffalo Prairie Township, Rock Island County, IL. In 1849, Franklin Brown received a land patent for 40 acres in Section 31, Buffalo Prairie Township, located just north of Illinois City and on the Mississippi River. By 1851, the family had moved to Lots 3 and 4, Block 23, Illinois City, Rock Island County, IL. As an adult, he was known as “BF” and in 1870, as “Doc.” Nothing is known of BF's early life but he received an education and assisted his father and then step-father on their farms. In 1860, he was known as Franklin and lived with his mother and step-father, Rebecca Moore Brown and Plat Mott; his siblings and the hired hand, Joseph Mills in Eliza, Mercer, Illinois (Township 15 N 5 W) and attended school.

BF at the age of 22 enlisted as a Private in Company B Unit 126 Illinois US Infantry (Vaughn's Independent Battery, Light Artillery on 11 February 1865 in Joliet, IL for a period of one year, although the end of the war shortened his stint. His residence was listed as Troy Grove, LaSalle County, IL. He mustered in on 15 February at Joliet, IL going to Pine Bluff, AR. On 12 July 1865, the entire Company B mustered out under Lieutenant Hussey. BF's service was limited to Pine Bluff, AR where he didn't experience any conflicts.

By 1866, BF moved with his mother and step-father to Magnolia, Harrison, IA, where BF purchased 200 acres in Section 34 and 35, Range 43W of the 5th Prime Meridian, Township 80N, Magnolia, Harrison, IA, according to the "1884 Harrison County Atlas and the “1884 Township Patrons Directory,” BF was listed as a farmer and stock raiser, having come from Illinois in 1866. "BF" married Lucinda Ann, "Lucy," Brayton on 5 Feb 1868 in Rock Island, IL at her parent's home. Lucy Ann was born to Stephen and Catherine (Coleman) Brayton on 19 September 1847. After their marriage, BF and Lucy lived on the 200 acres in Harrison County, IA. They had 7 known children: Richard (born but died 17 October 1868 at age 6 months and 1 day and is buried in the family plot of Frazier Cemetery in Harrison County, IA. The replacement stone incorrectly has 1888), Gertrude Lenore (1869-1961), Frank Melvin (1872-1961), Sanford Leonard (1873-1960), Kathryn Rebecca (1876-1956), Clyde Lloyd (1879-1957), and Merrill Brayton (1881-1963). For some reason yet to be discovered he was known as “Doc” and the 1870 census actually records “Dr. B. F. Brown”. It is doubtful he was an MD, but perhaps he provided medical care to the animals he raised and others in the community. In the 1880 US Census, he is listed as Benj. F. Brown. His brother-in-law, Stephen Brayton, Lucy's brother, lived with them for a period and assisted in cattle buying/selling and raising. Lucy died in 1881 shortly after giving birth to her last child, Merrill Brayton Brown whose birth occurred on 19 February 1881. She is buried in the Frazier Cemetery, but her stone has been replaced. The young children went to the Lutheran Orphanage until "Doc" married Lucy's sister, Mary Jane Brayton Andrews. Mary Jane was the widow of Hiram Andrews with most of her own children grown. They married on 7 September 1881 in Des Moines, IA.

By 1885, the family had moved to Barneston, Gage, NE. Curiously, no land patents have been found to date for BF in either Gage or Jefferson counties. The acreage he owned is not listed in any online records. By 28 June 1887, BF and family were in Keith County, NE when he purchased 160 acres located at NE ¼, Section 13, Township 10 North, Range 38 West of the 6th Prime Meridian in Grant, Perkins County (formerly Keith County), NE, through the Pre-Emption Act, as listed in his Probate Records and Land Tract Book. About 300 miles West of Barneston lies Perkins County, NE (formerly Keith County). It is situated in the western corner of the state where the state's panhandle begins.The Land Patent was registered 15 September 1893. Directly under his name it appears that the SE 1/4 was taken by Russell Charles Andrews, minor heir of Hiram Andrews. On 6 July 1887 receipt #3886 for $200 (land value $1.25/acre) was created; the patent was registered on 28 April 1891 Volume 8, page 136.

In 1887, BF was the Republican nominee for county clerk in the newly formed Perkins County. He spent the day in Ogallala, NE awaiting the results. Early returns showed his Democratic opponent, F. P. Dickerson, winning.This is curious as F. P. Dickerson signed the document certifying that BF won the election for Perkins County Clerk. BF won and on Jan. 6, 1888, was installed as the first county clerk but died a month after making his acceptance speech (1888).

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15 Feb 2018 02/27/2009
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