a party of 80 people coming to this land of promise. Undoubtedly some are being mentioned.

Randall Collins' brother, Dennis, followed him to Nebraska but was crowded out of Highland Precinct and had to settle in Grove Precinct on a farm south of Meadow Grove where his grandson Woodrow Collins now lives. When Dennis Collins retired, he bought the home which is now the home of Mrs. Victor Klein. His son Elijah T. Collins took over the farm. Being an industrious individual, "Lige" as he is known to his friends — and there are many, acquired other land adjoining the original Collins farm including one now occupied by his son Everett. Mrs. E. T. Collins is a granddaughter of an earlier settler in the vicinity south of Meadow Grove, Major Minatree Hale also from Grayson County, Virginia.

The Major Minatree Hale here referred to, though he did not live in the Battle Creek community, deserves further mention as he was well known by Battle Creek people. Major Hale served in the Confederate Cavalry throughout the War between the States and was engaged in many battles as a part of the confederate Army of Northern Virginia. He was twenty years old at the outbreak of the war. He and his brother Brigadier General Jack Hale were with General Lee at the surrender to General Grant at Appamatox Court House.

Their home was 5 miles south and 1 mile west of Meadow Grove.

Major Hale and his wife, Nancy lie buried in the Emerick Cemetery.

A son Emmet Hale married Emma Lee Sesler, daughter of Mark Hale Sesler. Emmet Hale bought his father-in-law's farm six miles west of Battle Creek "along the creek" when Mr. Sesler bought John Brasher's Harness Shop. this was the farm now owned by Mary Lucht where the Bradstetter family live. The Emmet Hales were Mrs. E. T. Collins' parents.

Another family who came early in 1900 is the L. R. Funk family. Mr. Funk first bought the George Losey farm which is now owned by Walter Freudenburg and occupied by his grandson, Roger Freudenburg. Mr. Funk later traded with Fred Bierman and acquired and occupied the old Thomas Wade farm two and one half miles south of town. The Funks retired to Battle Creek abut 1919. Their home was on the site of the present Willis Grant home.

Mr. Funk was a good Christian and a good neighbor. During the prohibition days, one of the town's bootleggers played a mean trick on him. A stranger came to the bootlegger's home wishing to make a purchase of bootleg whiskey. The bootlegger was wary that the stranger was a "boozehound," so denied having anything to do with such "a sinful, unlawful practice" but told the man where he could make a purchase. He told him the man would deny that he was a bootlegger but "stay with him, he has it." He then directed him to Mr. Funk's residence.

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