FAMILY STORIES

list of belongings and farm sale was a total estate of $2523.32½. Some items on the sale bill were: Various hand tools, from $1 to $5; 1 grey horse, $80; 9 first choice hogs, $25; 18 shoats and 1 steer, $15.50; grandfather clock, $25; 4 pieces stoneware, $3; walnut bureau, $7; trundle bedstead and furniture, $5; shoemaker's tools, $1.50; one black woman (slave), 37 years old, $400; black girl, 11 years old, $350; black man, age 19, $200; black boy, age 6, $250.

   William H. Hayes was born in 1824 in Kentucky and married in 1845 to Sedonia S. Harding. Children were William Jr., John Crinington, and Mary. William Henry Sr. settled in Fremont County, Iowa.

   John Crinington Hayes, born in 1848 in Shenandoah, Iowa, was married in 1869 to Margaret Gilkinson. Children were Lue Elle, James, Essa May, George, Elmer Eugene, Herbert, and Orin.

   Elmer Eugene Hayes was born in 1883 in Imogene, Iowa and married in 1905 to Lena May Mowrey. Children were Howard, Marvin, Mary, and Warren Eugene.

   Warren Eugene Hayes was born in 1916 in Shenandoah, Iowa. He was married in 1943 to Doris Maxine Mumm, daughter of Herman and Marion Mumm of Yutan, Nebraska. Their children are: Sandra Maxine, Steven Eugene, and Stuart Tracy. Sandra married Thomas Ratigan; her children are Lori, Brian, Tera, Tasha, Troy, Todd, and Cindy. Steven married Sherilyn Sievers, and they have one son, Travis. Stuart is still at home.

   Warren worked for fifteen years in Radio and Recording, three years in Shenandoah, and many years at Moss Recording Studios in Omaha. In the 'forties' he worked at the Nebraska Ordnance Plant at Mead, during which time he met Doris. During his years in Yutan, he served five years as president of the Fire Dept. He helped organize the first Rescue Unit, known as the Citizen's Rescue. He managed baseball in Yutan for 22 years --town and Legion teams. He has been involved in Boy Scouting 24-25 years, up to the present. At present, he works at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Field Laboratory at Mead, Nebraska.

   Doris worked at Boys Town for thirteen years.

   Willard and Josephine Hedlund of Ceresco, Nebraska were married Oct. 24, 1959. They have one son, Victor, and one daughter, Vera Jo.

Willard Hedlund Family. Seated: Josephine, Vera Jo; Back Row: Willard, Victor.

   Willard's parents were the late Mr. and Mrs. Victor Hedlund, Ceresco. His paternal grandparents were the late Mr. and Mrs. Christian Hedlund, Ceresco. His maternal grandparents were the late Mr. and Mrs. Nels Eliason of Rte. 2, Wahoo, Nebr.

   Josephine's parents were the late Mr. and Mrs. George Weickum, Wewela, South Dakota. Her paternal grandparents were the late Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm Weickum, Naper, Nebr. Her maternal grandparents were the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Berg, Naper, Nebr.

   The Willard Hedlund family resides near Ceresco on the farm which was homesteaded by Christian Hedlund in 1867.

   Willard has a twin brother, Wallace Hedlund of Omaha, Nebr., and two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Moline of Ceresco and Mrs. Geraldine DeLand of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The oldest brother, Verner Hedlund of Valparaiso, Nebraska passed away in March, 1970 as a result of cancer.

   Jo has six sisters and three brothers. They are Mrs. Mary Ertzner, Omaha; Mrs. Twila Holderfield, Carter Lake, Iowa; Mrs. Phyllis Maske, Omaha; Mrs. Vera Kuhr, Mead, Nebr.; Mrs. Georgie Leighton, Golden, Colorado; Ralph Weickum, Helena, Montana; William Weickum, Omaha; and Victor Weickum, Wewela, South Dakota. Submitted by Mrs. Willard Hedlund

   George Heiser was born in Saunders County on Nov. 19, 1908, on a farm west of Valparaiso, Nebraska. He was the eighth of eleven children born to Henry and Christiana Heiser. George attended rural elementary school in Lancaster and Saunders County but was unable to continue his education as his mother had become a widow and he had to stay home and help on the farm.

   Lodema (Rexilius) Heiser was the third child born to John and Ida (Berlin) Rexilius near Ithaca, Nebraska, on March 8, 1918. She attended school in Dist. No. 56 which was located just west of the Swedeburg Grace Lutheran Church. Until 1942, she lived on the farm three and one-half miles north of Ceresco where her parents had moved in 1920.

   After graduating in 1936 from the Ceresco High School, Lodema attended Luther College in Wahoo for one year, and then taught three years in Dist. No. 59 (Shakespeare School) northwest of Ceresco. She continued her education during the summers at Midland College, Fremont, and taught in the rural schools of Saunders and Lancaster Counties until she and George Heiser were married in Ceresco, Nebraska on June 19, 1946.

   George and Lodema lived on the Emil Peterson farm 2 miles east of Highway No. 77 on the Raymond Road until February, 1950, when they moved to the Reuel Hockinson farm (formerly Reuel's Grandpa Freeman's farm) located one and one-half miles east of Swedeburg. George farmed here until the fall of 1977. He also operated the road maintainer and snowplow for the Richland Precinct for more than 15 years. George died of a sudden heart attack on Jan. 23, 1979.

   In 1956, the School Board of Dist. No. 45, east of Ceresco, contacted Lodema and asked her to teach their school. Since she needed to renew her teaching certificate, Lodema began attending night classes at the University of Nebraska, and also during the summers. Later, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University on July 17, 1970. Meanwhile, Lodema taught schools in Saunders County and retired in May, 1977, having enjoyed 30 years of teaching in the elementary grades.

   Two sons were born to George and Lodema: Richard, born on Dec. 27, 1949; and David, on June 26, 1955. David is married to the former Terri Ebert of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. They have one daughter, Tiffany, who is 28 months of age now.

   On August 14, 1974, Richard had a successful kidney transplant, receiving a kidney from his mother.

   Lodema and her son, Richard, continue to live on the Hockinson farm east of Swedeburg. Richard is working for an engineering firm in Wahoo. The family has been lifelong members of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Ceresco. Submitted by Lodema Heiser

   Ottilia Rexilius was born June 27, 1914 near Ithaca, Nebraska, and Frederich T. (best known as Fritz) Heiser was born June 21, 1914 near Agnew, Nebraska to Henry and Christiana Heiser. Ottilia was the oldest of the seven children born to John and Ida (Berlin) Rexilius. Fritz was the youngest child of eleven children in his family. Ottilia and Fritz were married August 23, 1958 in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ceresco by the Rev. Nels E. Olson.

Fritz and Ottilia Heiser, February 1977

   Fritz attended elementary school in Lancaster County. Ottilia attended elementary school in Dist. 56 (Saunders Co.) She graduated from Ceresco High School in 1932. She attended Luther College for one year. Because teaching positions were very scarce, she did not begin teaching until 1936. In the meantime, she took employment as a housekeeper for the Rev. and Mrs. Arthur H. Peterson. Ottilia's first teaching contract was at Dist. 68 in Lancaster County.

   On Dec. 23, 1941, Ottilia married Aaron D. Hedlund, who was a plumber and owner with his father in the Hedlund Hardware of Ceresco. Mr Hedlund died April 6, 1952.

   Following his death, Ottilia resumed her schooling, attending Midland College, Fremont, and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She graduated from U.N.L. in 1968. Her credits were earned in summer and evening classes from 1957 to 1968, while pursuing her career as an elementary teacher. She retired in 1977 after 28 years of teaching.

   Fritz entered military service August 14, 1942 from Lincoln, Nebr. He was discharged honorably on Jan. 1, 1946 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He served with the 863rd Heavy Automotive Maintenance Company in the European theater of action of World War II. After an injury and lengthy hospitalization, he was assigned to the 15th Medical Depot.

   Fritz was a farmer, plumber, and electrician's helper, and for about 15 years, before his retirement in December of 1982, he worked as a road maintenance operator in Richland and Green townships.

   Both Fritz and Ottilia are life-long members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ceresco. Both have been active members of the American Legion Post and Auxiliary #244. Both have been actively involved in the Ceresco Senior Citizens organization, the Sixty Plus, since 1978, serving as officers and volunteers. Submitted by Ottilia Heiser

   Vaclav and Katerina Helman sold their flour mill in Jaromerice, Austria, and, with their seven children, arrived in Saunders County in May, 1876. They purchased 160 acres of land, Southwest ¼, Section 31-15-5, Elk Township, for $7.50 per acre. With the help of neighbors, Jakob and Vaclav Kastl, they made a dugout to serve as their home until lumber was available to build a house. They were members of SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church at Plasi. Their oldest sons, Fred, John, Cyril, and two daughters left for Chase County. Nebraska.

   After several years, due to poor wheat crops, they left for Montana and worked in the lumber mills in the White Fish and Kalispell area.

   Their daughter, Mary, married Frank Rosmahel and lived in Viking, Alberta, Canada. She died at a young age. Her sister, Anna, then married Frank Rosmahel, and continued to live there.

   Apollonia Helman married Adolph Klein, and lived in Brainard, Nebr. Frances, the youngest daughter, born here, was married to Frank Dolezal

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and lived near Bruno. Frank Helman, the youngest son, took over the farming operation from his father. He and his wife, Mary Moravec Helman, lived in the dugout, which also served as a basement under the house until the fall of 1903, when two rooms were added to the home.

   In 1919, Frank and Mary (Moravec) Helman sold the farm and purchased 240 acres near Brainard, Nebraska, which their son, Joseph, and wife, Rita (Yindrick) Helman, own and operate at the present time. He also has possession of the family Bible which lists the name as Wenceslaus Herrmann. Due to an error at the immigration office, the two "r's" were taken for two "l's," thus changing the name to Hellman. In late 1890, it was changed to Helman.

   Bertin E. Hendricks came to Wahoo in 1899 to open a law practice and continued in that practice until his death in 1946. He was born in Butler, Indiana in 1868 to Salathiel P. and Elizabeth Jane Rude Hendricks -- the first of nine children. When he was about a year old, his father and mother migrated by covered wagon to Fillmore, Mo. They lived in Fillmore until 1910 when they moved to Ashland, Nebr. Salathiel was a Civil War veteran having served with the Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

B.E. Hendricks at his desk in the office of the law firm of Hendricks & Kokjer at Wahoo in 1940.

   After attending the public schools in Fillmore, Mr. Hendricks went to Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa. There he met his future wife, Deana (Christina) Fischer of Tekamah. Her father was also a Civil War veteran having been wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Hendricks and Miss Fischer were married in 1893 and lived in Lincoln for a few years while Mr. Hendricks attended the Law School at the University of Nebraska. After graduation he taught school and was Superintendent of Schools at Ulysses, Nebr., then decided to enter the practice of law at Wahoo.

   Three daughters were born to the Hendricks' -- Lorene, Madalene and Lucile (Mrs. R.W. Spencer). Lorene and Madalene were killed in a common automobile accident in Minnesota in 1958. All three of the girls are graduates of the University of Nebraska.

   The Hendricks family was active in affairs in Wahoo and Saunders County. Mr. Hendricks served as County Attorney for one term and was a member of the boards of several banks and the Wahoo Mutual Loan and Building Association. He helped organize the Saunders County Bar Association and was its first president. The family were members of the First Congregational Church, taught Sunday School and sang in the church choir. Mrs. Hendricks was president of the Wahoo Womens' Club and was instrumental in starting the first public library in Wahoo.

   Lucile married Ralph Spencer of Talmage, Nebr. in 1935 and has not lived in Saunders County since that time, but enjoys visiting whenever possible. They are the parents of three children and have seven grandchildren who also have happy memories of visits in Wahoo. By Mrs. R. W. Spencer

   Hans Peter Henrichsen was born January 21, 1859 in Neukirchen, Germany, Schlesvig-Holstein. He was married in 1883 to Maria Katherina Paulsen who was born February 4, 1859 in Leck, Germany. In 1886, the couple emigrated to the United States with their two young sons and arrived in New York on June 1 of that year aboard the S.S. Saveria.

Hans P. Henrichen Family -- 1905. Front Row, L-R:Hans P. Henrichsen, Magdelena, Hans, Mrs. Hans P. Henrichsen, Back Row, L-R: Henry, Anna, Gerhart, Kathel.

   The family settled in the Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska vicinity and farming became their lifetime occupation. In 1901, Grandfather purchased 160 acres of land in Douglas Precinct. On this farm they remained until their retirement when they moved to Cedar Bluffs.

   Ten children were born to this union, of which six survived, as follows: Henry A. Henrichsen, born March 13, 1884 -- married Barbara Ann McDaniel; Kathel A. Henrichsen, born March 17, 1885 -- married Agnes Miller; Anna Maria, born November 22, 1887 - married Jens K. Miller; Gerhart P. Henrichsen, born August 29, 1894 -- married Ellen Johnson; Magdelena Catherine, born February 22, 1898 -- Arthur C. Larson; and Hans Henrichsen, born November 28, 1900 -- married Helena Harding.

   To date there are nineteen grandchildren, sixty-nine great-grandchildren and a number of great-great-grandchildren.

   One surviving member of the early family, Helen Harding Henrichsen, lives in Fort. Dodge, Iowa.

   All of the sons farmed in Saunders County.

   The family experienced many of the hardships that our early settlers were confronted with during those years. In the year 1888, year of the 'School Children's Blizzard,' our grandfather was out riding his horse on the afternoon of January 12, enjoying the pleasant weather, when the storm suddenly struck with such great force. Due to the intensity of the storm he was unable to find his way home. Fortunately, he came upon a vacant barn where he and his horse took shelter and spent the night. He returned home, nearly frozen, the following day.

   Along with the heavy work of rearing a large family, Grandmother helped with the milking and would churn large quantities of butter for market at the family grocery store.

   In 1918, their daughter-in-law, Barbara, wife of Henry Henrichsen, passed away, leaving her husband and four young children. The grandparents gave of themselves to come and help the struggling family.

   Both grandparents were members of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church during their residence in Cedar Bluffs.

   Since then a grandson, Arnold Larson, has traveled in Germany and in the area of our grandparents' origin. This was of great interest to our family.

   In 1977, a Henrichsen Reunion was organized and has continued to meet annually in Ceresco, Nebraska. This is an enjoyable time to share with relatives from far and near.

   As granddaughters we are grateful for this opportunity to write about our early settler family and parents with whom we shared many happy years of our lives in Saunders County. Submitted by Catherine Henrichson Hagstrom, Norma Henrichson Johnson, Irene Miller Henrichson

   Duane Henrichson was born December 22, 1933 in Wahoo, Nebr., to James and Jessie Ileta (Beaman) Henrichson. His grandparents were Jesse and Estella (Bennett) Beaman and Henry and Barbara (McDaniel) Henrichson. After graduation from Ceresco High School in 1951, he spent 4 years in the U.S. Navy. He has two brothers, Willis of Ceresco, and Merlin of Lincoln, and a half-brother, Jimmy, of Omaha.

   On February 14, 1957, Duane and I were married at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Bruno. I was born on July 25, 1933 and grew up in the Bruno vicinity. My parents were Joseph A. and Anna (Pekarek) Kozisek. My grandparents were Karel and Mary (Malovec) Kozisek and Ignac and Catherine (Milacek) Pekarek.

   We have six children: Dean of Weston, Susan of Lincoln, Gregory, Julie, Kevin, and Amy at home. We have lived on the farm 3 miles west and 3 miles north of Ceresco for over 25 years.

   Duane, Greg, and Kevin farm almost 900 acres. Kevin has also started a hog project for FFA. During his spare time Duane does a lot of car and machinery repair work. Dean works for Hellstar in Wahoo. Susan works in Lincoln for the Lincoln Telephone Company. Julie will graduate in May, 1983 from Raymond Central where Kevin is a sophomore. Amy is a 5th grader in Ceresco.

   We belong to St. Mary's Parish, Davey, where I belong to the Altar Society and I sing in the choir. Duane has been a board member of the Farmers Coop Elevator in Ceresco for 12 years, 4 of which he served as president. He is now on the Rural Fire District Board, an FFA Advisor, and a member of the FFA Alumni at Raymond Central, and also treasurer of the Mt. Zion Cemetery board. Submitted by Mary (Kozisek) Hendrichson

   In 1879, my father, Henry Lincoln Henry -- always known as "Link" -- moved with his parents and family from Farmington, Illinois to Ashland, Nebraska. When he was a lad of 14, his legs were caught in machinery in a mill in Farmington. They were so badly mangled that it was necessary to amputate both legs at the hip. When the amputations healed so that the flesh was sound, he was unable to hold his body erect. He fell over, being unable to balance himself. He soon overcame this difficulty and had complete mastery of himself.

Dr. H. Lincoln Henry

   Despite his handicap, he made a success of his life. After graduating from high school, he was a bookkeeper but decided to study dentistry. There being no dental college in Nebraska, he attended the University of Iowa College of Dentistry where he received his degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. In 1892, he opened his office in Ashland where he

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continued to practice until 1927 when illness forced him to retire.

   Dr. Henry walked by throwing his body between his arms. In his office he used a chair which had the legs shortened and the back removed. By tilting his body he was able to manipulate the chair in a walking fashion. When working with a patient he used a high stool. To get to and from home and office he had a special built tricycle which he propelled with his arms, guiding it with his body by turning the seat of the vehicle. He played violin, was an avid fisherman, hunter and excellent swimmer.

   In 1903, he married Tillie Zaar of South Bend, Nebraska. Her parents immigrated from Sweden in the mid-eighteen hundreds. Two children were born to this union: daughters, Iva and Josephine. Iva married Brigadier General M.W. Schewe. They had two children: daughter Carrol, who married Colonel Ralph M. Cline of Rockville, Maryland, and a son, Jerry, of Lessville, Louisiana. Iva died in 1955 in Frankfurt, Germany. Dr. Henry died in 1928.

   I, Josephine, am an active member of the First Christian Church of Ashland, the same church in which my parents, sister, and my children were baptized. I have taught Sunday School there for approximately 50 years. I am past president of Christian Women's Fellowship, P.E.O., and past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, and was also involved in starting the first Band Mothers Club in Ashland.

   In 1934, I married Dr. Oscar Ziegenbein in Ashland. We have two children: Elaine, now Mrs. James R. Carlson of Phoenix, Arizona, and Dr. Kent E. Ziegenbein a dentist in Cooper, Texas whose wife is the former Susan Wiste. We have one grandchild, James Carlson, Phoenix. Submitted by Josephine (Henry) Ziegenbein

   Thorvald Herfordt came to Chicago from Norway in 1868. His wife, Lena Hanson, came to Chicago in 1869. In the spring of 1869, they came to Nebraska City and traveled to Saunders County in a prairie schooner. They took up their homestead a mile and half northwest of the present city of Wahoo. In March 1, 1906, they retired from the farm and moved to Wahoo where they lived until Thorvald's death. Lena continued to live in Wahoo until 1926 when she moved to York where she resided until her death April 24, 1940.

   She was the last Charter Member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Wahoo which she helped institute in the early days.

   Children born to the Herfordts were Mary, Ragnild, Hilda, Max, Cora, Leno, Tillie, Edna. The Herfordt children attended District 70 school. They were neighbors of the Martin Larson family. Submitted by Vernon R. Larson

   It was in April, 1961, that Harold, Joyce and Larry Heyen moved to their home ½ mile north of Ceresco.

   Harold, the son of George and Mary (Garrels) Heyen, grew up on a farm northwest of Deshler, Nebr. There were ten children in his family, 9 boys and 1 girl. He was the 7th child.

   Joyce, the daughter of Emor and Bernice (Christenson) Swanson, lived in the Swedeburg area as a child and attended Dist. 48 grade school along with her brother, Leland and Loren Swanson. She graduated from Wahoo High in 1954.

   Harold and Joyce were married in April, 1958 at Grace Lutheran Church near Swedeburg, where they and their family are still members. Joyce has been a member there all her life, as well as her father, Emor, and his parents, Nels and Elna (Mattson) Swanson, and Elna's parents, John and Hannah Mattson. At present we are 4 generations going to Grace with a 6-generation continuous membership.

   Our children, Larry Heyen and wife Patricia (Heussmann), and daughter Natalie, live and farm 1½ miles north of Ceresco. Larry graduated from Raymond Central in 1977 and Patricia, a native of Lincoln, graduated from Northeast High in Lincoln in 1978, and Lincoln School of Commerce in Nov., 1979. They were married at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Lincoln in March, 1980.

   Idonna lives and works in Lincoln. She graduated from Raymond Central in 1979.

   Arnold and Stanley are living at home and presently attending Raymond Central. Arnold is a Jr. and Stanley is in 7th grade. They all attended grade school in Ceresco Elementary and were involved with 4-H and in the agriculture.

   Harold is a 20-year member of the Saunders County Livestock Assn. of which he has served as a director for several years.

   Joyce has kept active in church work and is presently a member of the Ceresco ALA and works at a local cafe.

   Everette Duane Hilfiker became a resident of Saunders County in late 1945 when he returned from military service to live with his parents who had moved from Fremont to Yutan while Everette was in the Army.

   Born November 3, 1924 at Osmond, Nebraska, to Roy Lawerence and Kathleen Elizabeth (McCabe) Hilfiker, he was raised in the Presbyterian faith. After graduation from Osmond High School, he was a projectionist at a Longmont, Colorado theater and worked at the Nebraska Ordnance Plant (NOP) at Mead before entering the military service in March, 1943. Most of his time in the service was spent in the European Theater of Operations in the Infantry.

   In 1946, he returned to work at NOP. It was here that he met Genevieve May Johnson who was also working there. She lived in Mead with her parents, Joseph Leonard and Leila Faye (Gilchrist) Johnson. Genevieve was born on a farm north of Ashland, Nebraska, October 31, 1923. The family moved to Mead in 1925. After graduating from Mead High School and Lincoln School of Commerce, Genevieve began to work in 1942 at NOP, which was being constructed south of Mead. Everette and Genevieve were married in Mead, September 22, 1946, and have lived in Mead since then.

   Most of Everette's working life has been spent in Disaster Control operations. He was a firefighter at NOP, trained with the Omaha Fire Department, served as Deputy Fire Chief at Lincoln Air Force Base and as Base Disaster Control Officer at Offutt Air Force Base, after which he retired with a total of 32 years in firefighting and disaster control work. He has been an active volunteer fireman at Mead for 35 years, serving as Fire Chief for several years. Two of the more memorable events during this time are the rescue of a man from Silver Creek floodwaters over Highway 92, and receiving the Ak-Sar-Ben award for outstanding firemanship in 1967. He was instrumental in the formation of Rural Fire District 8.

   Presently, Everette is on the town board, and has also served several terms in the past. He has been mayor part of that time. Besides the town board and fire department, he is also a member of Tangier Shrine and several veterans organizations. He enjoys woodworking and mechanics.

   After working in various offices at NOP for several years, Genevieve became involved in PTA, Reading Club, and Covenant Church work. She served several years as organist, Sunday School teacher, and held other church offices.

   Everette and Genevieve have one daughter, Gail Marie, who is married to Mark Glenn Reeder of Fremont. They live in Lincoln, Nebraska. Both are graduates of the University of Nebraska -- Lincoln and are teachers at the junior high level.

   Everette has 1 brother, Harlan, and 3 sisters -- Margy (Yardley), Sara (Gohr), and Chirile (Rasmussen). Genevieve has 1 brother, Elwyn, and 2 sisters -- Joan (Blankenship) and Joyce (Carden).

   Frank J. Hills, son of Harriette and Martin (Tim) Hills, was born in Maringo, Illinois on March 4, 1868, weighing only three pounds at birth. He moved to Nebraska with his parents in September of 1870 at the age of three. He attended District #75 which his father started and was the first teacher of. The school was started in their home as there was no schoolhouse in the district.

   He was united in marriage with Adele Tawney on November 30, 1894. To this union were born five children: Mrs. Claude (Alta) Smith who was active in Red Cross work during World War I, and one of the organizers of Arthur Adolphson American Legion Auxiliary Post; George, 1895-1970, a World War I veteran and one of the charter members of the Arthur Adolphson American Legion Post; Ray, 1899-1968, who lived in Minnesota for about forty years; Mrs. H.J. (Jack) (Frances) Banghart, who got the homestead; and Mrs. Frank (Ann) Machovec, who lived in Kansas City for a number of years and now lives in Wahoo. Mr. Hills has two living children, eight grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

   During his lifetime he was a member of the Dist. #75 school board, a trustee of the Presbyterian Church that was once in Malmo, served on the election board for many years and also served, along with his daughter, Alta, during World War I bond drives.

   His wife passed away in June of 1922. The oldest daughter Alta, stayed home and kept house for her father and grandmother who hadn't walked for ten years and the two younger sisters who were still in school at the time their mother became ill.

   The last years of Mr. Hills' life he enjoyed visiting with his friends in Malmo and Prague, and telling many stories. Mr. Frank Hills passed away in October, 1959 at the age of 91 years.

   M.S. Hills was born in Maringo, Illinois on October 22, 1840. On September 4, 1861, he enlisted in the Union Army, Company C, 95th Regiment of the Illinois Infantry and served the duration of the war. He fought in the Battle of Vicksburg under Grant. During this battle he was wounded and was hospitalized for thirty days. He then joined General Sherman on his march through Georgia to the sea. He returned to his home on April 18, 1865. He learned the harness makers trade and worked at it for five years. On July 4, 1867, he was united in marriage with Harriette DeGrote. One son, Frank Jr., was born to this union.

   Mr. Hills and Mr. Grover, both of whom served in the Army, came by covered wagon to Nebraska and, being Civil War Veterans, were allowed 160 acres of land. They crossed the Platte River at Fremont by ferry and traveled in a southwesterly direction. When they met a team and wagon, the man stopped them and inquired as to where they were headed. They told him they were going to Kansas. They both had served in the south and liked the people. The driver told them that they should not pass up Nebraska, that it was the Garden of Eden. Mr. Hills then asked where to go to file for a homestead. He was told to go to Wahoo, to keep going in their same direction and they would reach it by sundown. They could not find the town, so made camp along what is now Wahoo Creek. Not far from the bank was a long building. Mr. Hills went to inquire if they could buy some milk and eggs and where was Wahoo. Mr. Lee answered the door and told him that he was in Wahoo. The name was printed above the door.

   The next morning they set out to find their homestead. Mr. Hills filed his claim and homesteaded the south half of the north half of section 2, township 15, range 6. Mr. Grover filed on the north half. They built the first house on the four corners of the eighties, with lumber that was hauled from Fremont. First, it was hauled to Wahoo for a dance platform for the fourth of July dance. People came from as far away as Iowa Ridge. Then they moved the lumber to the homestead and built the house as one long room that was divided by blankets. Years

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