HAFER, ARTHUR W.
Arthur was born 12-16-1891, at Chambersburg, Pa. He married 1916, Neva
Mosely a member of a pioneer family. They live in Silver City where he has
been in business and had a very nice shop. He was a cabinet maker and a
fine interior finisher. They have 4 children: Marie, James, Grace, and
Florence. Mr. Hafer deceased.
Marie married Byron Schoening living in Silver City. They have two
children: Linda and James. James, graduated from Silver City High School,
served in Navy during World War II and lives at home in Silver City.
Grace, graduated from Silver City and is married to Winifred Phillips and
they have two children Ronald and Nancy. Florence graduated from Silver
City High School and is married to Don Houser and with their family lives
in Glenwood, Iowa.
HAINES, S. DOUGLAS
Stephen “Douglas” Haines was born in Illinois July 9,1857. He was a
pioneer in Mills County and married Ida Jane Chipps from the East Liberty
community on March 29, 1882. He farmed for a number of years and also
owned and operated several threshing machines. The first of these was the
early type o1 horse power machine, and he owned one of the first steam
powered machines. Mr. Haines was in business in Silver City several times;
the last being from 1918 to 1935 when he was the genial pump and well man.
He died January of 1942 and Mrs. Haines died in October of 1950. They
raised eleven children: Glen married Pearl Young and they had three
daughters, later married Louise Willis. Flossie married Elgie Brookens and
had two sons and one daughter. Harry married Sadie Hauger and has eight
sons and three daughters. Pearl (see Bert Fritz). Mary (see Charles
Conger). Fae (see Harvey Deitchler). Steve married Adah Hougas and had one
daughter and two sons. Sarah married Floyd Hauger and had four daughters
and five sons. Dale married Lottie Weaks. Opal married Ralph Pennell and
had one son deceased. Helen married Jasper Danford, and had one daughter,
later Helen married Hans Kleinfeldt. Pearl, Fae, Opal and Dale are the
only members of this family living.
HALLAM, SAMUEL
Samuel Hallam was born April 9, 1806 in England and passed away September
28, 1890. He was married to Ann Hollingsworth 1833. They migrated to
America in 1852 bringing a family of seven children. Ann Hallam passed
away February 25, 1900.
Children:
1. Mary married — Isaac Cook
2. Sarah married — Amos Meeks*
3. Lettie married Samson Howard*
4. Alice married — Frank Horton
5. Betty married — Silas Morse*
6. Hattie married Ben Ingles
7. Thomas married Martha Hinkle
*Lived in Silver City and community
HAMILTON, ROBERT
The Reverend Robert Hamilton and family moved into the Silver City United Methodist Parsonage in June of 1978. He is serving the Silver City, Hillsdale, Pacific Junction Charge.
Rev. Hamilton was born in Brooklyn, New York while Grace, his wife, is from Illinois. All but two years of their ministry has been in Iowa, so Iowa is home to their family.
Mark graduated from the High School in Strawberry Point, Iowa and is currently a student at Iowa State University in Ames studying Ceramic Engineering. Joanna is a student at Glenwood High School.
Grace is a Registered Nurse and employed part time as one of the Mills County Public Health Nurses.
HAMMER, CARL ERNST
Carl Ernst (Charles) Hammer was born 2-16-1845 at Hohenfelde, Gut Panker, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He came to America and Mills County in 1864 and was married 5-30-1874 to Mary Anna Deitchler, daughter of John and Charlotte Deitchler. He was a successful farmer south of Silver City for many years and was a member of the Lutheran Church. He died 10-8-1921 and Mary Anna died 9-21-1950. They had eight children: Martha Jones (see William Jones history), Minnie Schoening, Vena Asmussen, Charles W., John, Louis, Clara and Herbert.
Minnie married Albert F. Schoening. They lived south of Mineola and had seven children:
Maleeta married John Niemoller, both deceased; they lived north of Mineola and had two sons: Elmer of Mineola, who has five children; Harlan of rural Mineola.
Harvey (deceased) married Mae Kruse of rural Glenwood and have three children: Lois of Pacific Junction, three children; June of Lincoln, three children; Donald of Mineola, three children.
Lillie married Alfred Kierscht and lives north of Missouri Valley; three children: Orville of Missouri Valley, three children; Eloise of Missouri Valley, four children; Alvin of Missouri Valley, three children.
Helen married Lavern Larson and live in Carson.
Albert H. married Mabel Scheel of rural Silver City and lives south of Silver City; she died 5-1-1941. They had three sons: LaVerne of Silver City, five children; Edwin of Ralston, Nebraska, four children; Leroy of rural Glenwood, two sons. Later Albert married Doris Sanders and had three children: Lorna of Glenwood, one child; Dale of Glenwood; Carol Sue of Glenwood, one child.
Woodrow married Loretta Franke; they are of rural Glenwood and have three sons: Marlin of New Hampton, two children; Lynn of Barnard, Missouri, four children; Wayne of Council Bluffs, two children.
Ormand married Arlene Jensen and lives in Glenwood. They have three children: Marilyn of Funk, Nebraska, two children; Gary of rural Glenwood, three children; Kenton died 1917, one child.
Mary Anna (known as Anna), who lived to the age of 95, gave an interview to the Glenwood newspaper regarding her childhood memories of local Indians. She had stated the following:
She remembered when Indians roamed everywhere and were frequent callers at the farm house. They always looked in every window before they finally knocked on the door. They generally wore blankets, deerskin or some form of wrap.
These Indian were expert beggers. Chiefly they wanted flour. They could usually obtain two or three sifters full of it from her mother by persuasive language as, “Plenty squaw” or “Heap more”. A neighboring white man reported to Mrs. Hammer’s family that they carried the flour to the stream where they mixed the dough, wrapped it around a stick, roasted it till brown over the open fire and then ate it.
The Indian method of cooking chicken – was to roll the newly-slaughtered in mud and place it in the coals of the fire. Whenever the mud cracked, the chicken was done. In pulling off the dried mud, the feathers came too.
Another story was that late one night an old Indian couple came to their door and frightened them greatly. All they wanted was a night’s lodging so they slept in front of the fireplace. They left the next morning before the family was up. Several weeks later, the same, Indians returned with beaded moccasins which they had made for her mother and father. These moccasins proved what a careful observer an Indian was. The one for her father’s left foot fit perfectly in spite of the fact that the foot was cripple.
At the time of her death, Anna Hammer had 24 grandchildren, 54 great grandchildren, 18 great great grandchildren and five great great great great grandchildren.
HAMMER, JOHN F.
John F. Hammer, descendant of Charles and Anna Hammer, married Ella Petersen in 1912 and farmed near Silver City, Glenwood and Tabor. They had four children: Fern, Irene, Clara and Marlin.
Fern married Cecil Ruse in 1938. They had three children:
Karen, Mrs. Alvin Gee, Imogene, Iowa, 3 children
Darrell Ruse, Arizona, 4 children
Jim Ruse, Ravenwood, Missouri, 2 children
Irene married Leonard Riley (now deceased) in 1943, Balkow, Mo. They had two children:
Elaine, Mrs. Robert Hill, Omaha, Nebraska, 3 children
John Riley, Des Moines, Iowa, 1 child
Irene married Herschal Asman in 1949 and farmed at Malvern and Tabor. They had two children:
Alan Asman, Des Moines, Iowa
Jo Ella Asman, Tabor, Iowa
Clara married Kenneth Blackburn in 1938 and farmed near Thurman, Iowa
Marlin married Margaret Wyant in 1948 and lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They had three children:
John Hammer, Omaha, 1 child
Marlys, Mrs. Steve Kimes, Ames, Iowa
Terri, Chicago, Illinois
HAMMONS, WILLIAMS
(original title HAMMONS – LONG – BROOKS)
William Samuel Hammons was born in Mill Grove, Missouri in 1862 and was married to Idella Kathryn Looby at Silver City, Iowa, January 14, 1885. Mrs. Hammons passed away in 1907; Mr. Hammons in September 1946. He was section foreman for eleven years and custodian of the Silver City School for 38 years. He was given a diploma at the time of his retirement. They had three children, two daughters: Idella and Dayle, one son William Arthur.
Idella Mae was born in 1888. After graduating from Silver City High School in 1907 she taught country school. In 1909 she married Raymond Long, son of Andrew and Adella Bachman Long. Idella passed away in 1931, and Raymond in 1975. They are the parents of one daughter, LaRue and one son, Raymond Jr.
LaRue graduated from S.C.H.S. in 1929. She married Lindsey Brooks, son of R. L. and Betty Brooks of Wills Point, Texas, in 1931. Lindsey and LaRue live in Newton, Iowa, where he retired from Maytag Company in 1971. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, White Shrine and Za Ga Zig Temple. LaRue belongs to the Eastern Star, Rebekah, and White Shrine. They have two daughters: Idella Sue “Sue” and Lynda Beth, one son, Raymond “Bud”. Idella Sue married Robert (Bob) Eldred, both graduated from Newton High. They live on a farm five miles northwest of Newton. Bob belongs to the Moose Lodge and Sue belongs to the Eastern Star; both work for Farm Bureau and Sue is chairman of the Jasper County women’s group. They have a son, Jeff, who graduated from school in 1979; he plans to attend college at Ames in the fall. The daughter of Bob and Sue, Elizabeth Lyn “Beth”, will be a first grader this year. The second daughter of the Brooks, Lynda Beth, graduated from Newton High School and also from Laboratory X-ray college in Minneapolis, Minn. She married Dr. Paul Lunseth, an orthopedic surgeon, a graduate of the University of Minnesota. Paul served in the Air Force 1966-1968. They now live in Tampa, Florida with two sons, Christopher and Erik. Another member of the Brooks’ family, Raymond “Bud”, graduated from Newton High School and State University of Ames. He was in the service for three years and stationed in Germany, while he was in the army he learned the Russian language. “Bud” married Sandra Smith who was also a graduate of Newton and the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines, Iowa. They lived in Omaha, Nebraska until the fall of 1979, and was transferred to Pekin, Illinois. Bud works for the Caterpillar Company of Peoria, Illinois and Sandra did part time work at Immanuel Hospital. They have one son, Craig Marshall.
Raymond Long Jr. graduated from Baxter, Iowa High School. During World War II he was stationed in Hawaii. Later he attended Creighton University in Omaha. “Ray” lives in Newton, Iowa, where he belongs to the Masonic Lodge and American Legion. He works for Veterans’ Affair of Jasper County. In 1949 Ray married Edna Brunner Slagel; they have one son Tom, who is a guard at the Maytag Company. Tom and his wife Sherli have two daughters, Angela and Alisa. In 1979 Angela graduated from Apple Valley, California High School.
Dayle Hammons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hammons, married Melvin “Cobe” Killmon of Glenwood, Iowa. They had two sons, Lace and his wife Yevett live in Omaha; Tom and his wife, Norma live near Council Bluffs. There are five grandchildren. Dayle passed away on 1978 at the age of 85 years.
William Arthur Hammons, the only son of William S. Hammons and wife, passed away in 1924.
HANSEN, RALPH
Ralph Hansen was born on a farm north of Mineola, Iowa on September 30, 1902. His parents, Gustave Hansen and Pauline Gerards Hansen, were born in Mills County. His grandparents were August Hansen and Anna Kahl Hansen, Jodokus Gerards and Emilie Carstens Gerards. All grandparents came over to America by boat from Germany. Ralph had four sisters, Mae, Helen, Ida and Fern.
When Ralph was a boy of fourteen years, he would drive a team and wagon to Council Bluffs, Iowa to deliver grain. Livestock was driven by foot to Mineola, Iowa three miles away to be shipped by rail to the Omaha Stockyards.
His parents first family car was a Mitchell, purchased from Julius Kiersch of Mineola, then later traded on a New Model A-Ford to car dealer Pete Peterson in Silver City.
Ralph married Isabelle Bond of rural Malvern, Iowa on July 13, 1929. She was born on a farm north of Hancock, Iowa on February 2, 1912. Their home was a former stagecoach inn, giving refuge to weary travelers.
Her parents were William Bond and Millie Breeding Bond, and grandparents were James Kaye Bond and Isabelle Stevens Bond, Benjamin Breeding and Candace Lockman Breeding. James Bond was born in Ohio and Isabelle Stevens on a island on a river near the West Virginia line.
The Breeding grandparents farmed south of Malvern. Isabelle has one brother, Wilbert Bond.
When she was one year old her parents moved on her first birthday February 5, 1913, a distance of 40 miles to a farm east of Silver City, which they had purchased from Thomas McClure.
Ralph and Isabelle farmed on the Hansen home place for twenty-five years. His grandfather was the first to own and break the ground.
They have four children: Beverly, Donald, William and Deanna. Beverly married Paul Smith and lives in Council Bluffs. They have two sons, Gregory and Douglas. Donald lives in Omaha and one son Scott. William farms near Imogene, Iowa and married Betty Perry. They have three children, Richard, Lisa and Holly. Deanna married Robert Cline. They live in Omaha and have two daughters, Cynthia and Deborah.
Their son Donald is an Air Force Veteran of the Korean War and son William is a National Guard Veteran.
In 1954 they purchased a farm north of Malvern, Iowa and have lived there for twenty-five years and are now retired. On July 15, 1979, they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary by having open house at the Silver City United Methodist Church.
Isabelle graduated from Silver City High School in 1929 and is a member of the Easter Star and Rebekah Lodges, Silver City Womens Club, and UMW. Both are members of the Silver city United Methodist Church.
HARGITT, FRANKLIN PIERCE
Franklin Pierce was born November 5, 1851 at Rushville, Indiana. He came to Mills County in 18971 and located in Silver City as an early pioneer carpenter and contractor. He married Nellie Herrick on March 9, 1878. They had 5 children; Charles W., Addie E., Josie, Ralph and Stella Ernee (died young). Mrs. Hargitt met with a painful and crippling accident in 1911 when she fell from a cherry tree. She died several years after. Mr. Hargitt died on November 6, 1923. He was a member of I.O.O.F. and a well liked and respected man.
HAYDEN, HOYT
Hoyt is the son of the late Hoyt Hayden and Shirley Jo Kerbunde of Omaha, Nebraska. Hoyt’s father farmed near Glenwood, Iowa and after his death the family moved to Glenwood where Hoyt attended school and graduated in 1970.
Hoyt married Gayle Burgoin, the daughter of Donald and Betty Burgoin of Silver City. Gayle attended Silver City School until the eighth grade and graduated in 1970 from Glenwood High School. She also graduated from the Nebraska Methodist School of Nursing. Hoyt served in the United States Army, finishing his tour of duty in Germany, where Gayle joined him after graduation.
Hoyt and Gayle are now engaged in farming on the home place known as Hilltop Stock Farm. Gayle is nursing at the Glenwood State Hospital School.
HAYS, IRA F.
Ira Hays was born in Cedar Lane, Tennessee. At the age of 18 he came to Hamburg, iowa on an emigrant train, as a caretaker of the animals and household goods in a box car. He took a job as a ranch hand, working for Miller Payne.
Minnie Hays was born in Risco, Missouri. At the age of 16 she moves with her family to Farragut, Iowa. She finished her education in the school there and started teaching rural schools in that area. She taught at one near Hamburg, Iowa on what was called “the island”. There she became acquainted with Ira. She quit teaching to go to Peru State Teachers’ College at Peru for two years. She then taught in rural schools until she and Ira were married in 1915. Four children were born to them: Donald C., R. Duane, Janice V. and I. Thomas.
They farmed in the communities of Strahan, Emerson and Hastings. They quit farming and moved into Hastings, Iowa, where Ira worked on the section crew for the Burlington Railroad. Later he accepted a job as a tank wagon agent for Standard Oil Company in Randolph, Iowa where the family moved in 1923. They lived here until 1928 when the family moved to Silver City, Iowa and Ira took over the operation of the Standard Oil Station at the south end of Main Street. They moved into the old “Thomas Plumb” property; later they moved to the A.P. Reeve house in the east part of town. In 1933 they purchased the Amanda Norwood home, formerly owned by Thomas Plumb family. A new Standard Oil Station was built at the end of Main Street and Ira moved up there.
Minnie Hays was active in the Methodist Church; teaching Sunday School, Junior Superintendent; charter member of the Women’s Society of Christian Service, member of the Woman’s Club, Noble Grand of Rebekah Lodge, President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Librarian of the Silver City Library. She corresponded with the people in the Armed Forces during World War II; she also did knitting and sewing for the Red Cross.
Ira left the service station and was janitor at school for one year. He went to work for Mills County; working on many of the roads in the county. He continued this work until 1946. For a year he carried mail to and from the post office, then retired.
The family grew up and all graduated from Silver City High School. The three boys were in the Second World War: Don in the Air Force, Duane and Tom in the Navy. Don is now living in Kansas City, Missouri; Duane is in Willows, California; Thomas is in Van Nuys, California and Janice in Nebraska City, Nebraska.
Minnie Hays passed away December 23, 1971 and Ira December 26, 1973.
HEIDE, JACOB
Jacob, was born 7-5-1870 at Fulton, Iowa. He came to Silver City as a Missionary of the Mormon Church, he married 7-4-1894 Olive Huffaker a member of a pioneer Mormon family. He was a contractor and carpenter here for many years. He later moved to Oakland and Council Bluffs, finally moving to Chicago in 1926. He built or superintended the building of many of the fine homes in and near Silver City. He died 9-5-1933 at Elgin, Illinois.
They had 6 children: Irene, Erna, Verva, Miles, Marguerita, and Jack. Irene graduate of Silver City High School and Drake University. She taught for a number of years and married to John Noffsinger, Erna graduated from Oakland High School and married Don Tannehill. Has 2 children: Lorraine and Dean. Verva graduated from Oakland High School and also a registered nurse. She married Thomas Kenney and had 5 children: Thomas P., Keith B., Rosemary, Dennis Lemy, and Margaret Mary. Miles married Florence Howser. Marguerita married Walter A. Stabl. Jack married Frances Conger and had a daughter Faith Ellen.
HENDERSON, ALVA E.
Alva E. Henderson, son of James Everett and Clara Elma Henderson, was born at a farm home near Silver City. Alva attended country school called Prairie Valley, also known as Frog Pond, and graduated from eighth grade from this school. He attended Sunday School at East Liberty Methodist Church and church services with his parents. In the year of 1932 Alva and his parents moved to a farm known as the Otto Mass farm northeast of Silver City where he helped his father on the farm.
On October 7, 1938, Alva was married to Ella Pontow of Hastings, Iowa. They too lived on the same farm. To this union were born two sons and one daughter. The Henderson children attended Excelsior School.
In the year of 1950, the Henderson family moved to a farm they bought southeast of Malvern, Iowa. The children attended grade and high school in Malvern where they all graduated from high school.
Their oldest son, Keith, served in the Army and National Guard, is a farmer, and a member of the Golden Hill Pig Corporation. He and his wife Ardeth, live in Malvern, Iowa.
Their son, Marlin, farms near Randolph, Iowa and is in a program of breeding purebred Charolais cattle with his father. He and his wife, Lois have two children, Susan and Chad.
Daughter, Elvera, lives in Arvada, Colorado and is employed by the City of Denver.
Alva and his wife, Ella, have taken part in community affairs, county extension work, 4-H club leaders, Mills County Fair, Farm Bureau, and their church, St. John’s Lutheran of Hastings, Iowa.
HENDERSON, JAMES
The early ancestors of this family came from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the state of New York. James, born September 8, 1836 and his wife Sarah Jane Williams, born April 4, 1844, lived on a farm of his parents in Cabin Hill, New York. In coming to Iowa, March, 1869, they located first at Loveland, Iowa, then to a farm northeast of Missouri Valley, Iowa. In 1883 they moved to a farm west of Creighton, Nebraska. James died January 24, 1889 and his wife died May 31, 1894.
This marriage was blessed with eight children: Jeanette married James Adams and had six children, one of whom was Harry Adams who lived in Silver City. Rosa May married Leander Adams and had three children. Mary Annie married Charles Miller and had five children. Robert first married Della Francis and had two children, then married Iva Francis and had two children (See his story). Hettie Henderson and Alexander Henderson had no families. James Everett married Clara Elma Knight (see Knight) and had five children (see his story). Roscoe Blaine married Reta Frye and had three children.
HENDERSON, JAMES E.
James Everett Henderson and his wife, Elma, lived on farms near Silver City and at one time lived in Silver City. They moved to a farm north of Malvern and finally into Malvern. Besides farming, J.E. Henderson was a livestock feed and corn salesman.
J.E. and his wife were parents of seven children: Roy, born October 17, 1905, married Georgia McGill and had four boys. He died August 17, 1971. Edna, born January 4, 1908, married Fay Butterfield and had two girls. Kenneth, born July 26, 1910, married Leona Stille (See Stille) and had one boy and three girls. Wilma Waive, born March 27, 1912, married Louis Leu (See Leu) and had four boys and two girls. Fern died in infancy in 1904. Alva, born June 4, 1914, married Ella Pontow and had two boys and one girl (see separate story). Opal, born February 4, 1917, married Walter Stille and had one boy and one girl (see Stille).
HENDERSON, ROBERT K.
Robert Kinsie, known as R.K. or Rob, son of James and Sarah Williams Henderson, was born May 18, 1873 in Harrison County, Iowa. They moved to Nebraska and came to Mills County in 1888 settling in the East Liberty community where he lived until his death on March 26, 1951. He was a successful dairy farmer, a charter member of the Mills County Farm Bureau, a faithful worker in the East Liberty Church where he was a member of the official board, Secretary and Treasurer, and was Sunday School Superintendent for many years.
R.K. married Della Francis on December 24, 1896. They had two children, Valda and Lester. Della died in 1903. Valda married Fred Alexander (see Fred Alexander history). Lester married Mildred Wyatt and they have two children: Betty, now Mrs. Donald Burgoin (see Donald Burgoin history), and Bob who lives in Glenwood.
On February 27, 1907, R.K. married Iva Francis, a sister of his first wife. Iva died in 1971 at Malvern and the deceased are buried at East Liberty Cemetery. They had two children, James and Mary, both of whom graduated from Silver City High School.
James married Elizabeth Wiles and farmed south of Silver City until his death in 1954. Elizabeth now lives in Glenwood. Their daughter, Janet, married Tom Genung of Glenwood, and they have two children, Elizabeth Arlene and Lynn Thomas.
Mary graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and married Harold A. Terry in 1942. They farm south of Silver City 8 years and they lived in Malvern for 23 years. Their son, Robert, attended school in Silver City in 1948-1949. They now live in Arnold, Missouri, near their son, his wife, Judy, and their three grandsons, Lee, Scott and Mark.
HENDRIX, J.H.
J. H. and Christa Long Hendrix moved to Silver City from the Treynor area in 1917. He and been a harness maker and carpenter and built their new home east of Main Street. She was a teacher and china painter. Many in town bought some of her work and some took china painting lessons from her. She was Postmaster from 1920-1934; then returned to teaching and attended Omaha University in summers, attaining her Associate Degree in Education at the age of 69. The family belonged to local lodges. They are buried at Fairview Cemetery northwest of Carson. They had four children: Harland (1906), Shirley and Sheldon (1908), and Reignald (1912). Because their mother was employed, each had his own job to do, helping with the cooking, milking the cow or putting the mail “on the hook for the Flyer”.
Harland married Janet Stranathan. They live in Council Bluffs and have four children, fourteen great grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. All living in the Council Bluffs area.
Shirley married Harriett Pullman. He served in WWII. They own and rand the Standard Service Station on Main Street for many years until his untimely death.
Sheldon married Marie Jones from Hopkins, Missouri; a teacher in Silver City. They live in Denison; one daughter, Sheryl Haas who lives in Cedar Rapids.
Reignald was the publisher of the SILVER CITY TIMES for a few years. He also served in WWII. On his return he stared and published the Carson Times at Carson, Iowa until 1977. He married Helen Brubaker of Carson 1978 and they reside there.
HETTINGER, JOHN N.
John N. was born 9-13-1846 at Homback, Germany. He came to America in 1848 lived in Chicago and Muscatine, Glenwood and to Silver City in 1880. He was an early merchant in Silver City being associated with his nephew George Pullman. He married Lillian McCoy who died 6-1-1897 and then married Mrs. F. E. Richards. He died 12-30-1914 at Lawton, IA and was buried in Silver City. He was a member of Knights of Pythias Lodges. He had four children: Grover, Allan, Mae and 1 died young.
HETTINGER, LEWIS (surname omitted from Centennial Book)
Lewis was born 1855 in Chicago, Ill, he was also an early business man of Silver City where he operated the Cottage Hotel. He married Alvina Sindt. They had 10 children: 2 died young, Edwin, Harry, Alfred, James, Meda, Belva, Fern and Novella. Harry and Ed were druggist, Alfred was a business man and salesman, Belva married Fred Fogle. Meda married E. A. Stevens, editor of the Silver City Times. Fern is now Mrs. Bolton of Council Bluffs and Novella is Mrs. Bester of Omaha.
HETTINGER, WILLIAM (surname omitted from Centennial Book)
William was born 4-15-1853 at Chicago, Ill and lived at Muscatine before coming to Ingraham Township. He married 2-22-1876 Julia Miller. They had 4 children: Addie, John, Frank and Carrie. He was a successful farmer for many years and was a member of the Methodist Church, I.O.O.F. and Encampment Lodges. Mrs. Hettinger died 9-17-1918 and he died 10-20-1928.
Addie married John Tucker, a native of England. He was a brick layer for many years in Silver City where he died 1-6-1923. He was a member of the I.O.O. F. and Masons. They had 1 daughter Barbara, a graduate of Silver City and the Jennie Edmundson Hospital School of Nursing. She is now Mrs. James Kokrda and has 2 children: Donald and Barbara.
John lived in or near Silver City for many years. He married Georgia VanKirk. He was active in community band and the I.O.O.F. groups. They are both deceased.
Frank lived in Silver City, farmed for several years also lived in Omaha where he died. He married Leona Schultz who is also deceased. They had 1 daughter Doris. Carrie married C.M. Vandas and they had 2 children Charles and Juanita.
HITCHCOCK, LETHA (BACHMAN)
Letha Bachman Jones Hitchcock, daughter of Roy and Sadie Bachman married Alva R. Jones son of William and Martha Jones. To that marriage four children were born, Willard, Jean, Lee Roy and Gerald. An automobile accident in 1946 took the life of Alva. Letha moved to California in 1949 and later remarried.
Letha recalls her early childhood in Silver City with sisters Lila, brothers Woodrow and Robert as the good years and remembers when one Dentist Dr. Baker and two Medical Doctors, Dr. Moore and Dr. McCue served the needs of the people. Also, special in her memories were the Spellbring Band Concerts held each summer weekends at the City Band Stand.
Sister Lila Bachman Wilson is now deceased, spent the last thirty years of her life in California. Brother Woodrow now retired resides in Branson, Missouri and brother Robert resides in Berkeley, California. Both brothers served in the U.S. Army during World War II with duty assignment in the South Pacific.
Letha spends her time with family in the Silver City area and California; however, Silver City is home and as she says – always will be.
HODGES, GRETCHEN
Gretchen (Hill) Hodges, born October 4, 1919, daughter of the former Floyd and Mae Hill of Silver City. She graduated from Silver City High School in 1937 and from Brown’s Cosmetology Academy in Council Bluffs in 1938. Gretchen married in 1940 to Lyle Hodges at Rockport, Missouri, and moved to Burbank, California. In 1952 they moved to Lake Elsinore, California. They had four children; Jeffrey, a building contractor who lives in Carlsbad, California, married and has two sons, Travis and Jason. Joseph, a son who died in infancy. Timothy is married and living in Monterey, California and is employed with Harvester Pontiac. One daughter Lisa is completing her Bachelors at Cal. Poly. Univ. and working part time substitute teaching in the Lake Elsinore school district.
HOFFMAN, RICHARD
Richard Hoffman, son of Edward and Elnora Hoffman, was born in Glenwood, Iowa on October 5, 1931. Richard graduated from Glenwood High School in 1949. After graduation he was a meat cutter for Kaimans in Glenwood until 1957. Then he went to work with Shavers Food Stores and has been a meat cutter with that firm for twenty-two years.
Richard married Elsie Adair July 7, 1957. Elsie, daughter of Harold and Laura Adair, was born may 17, 1935 in Malvern, Iowa. She moved to Silver City in 1949 and graduated from Silver City High in 1953. After graduation she worked as a I.B.M. operator at First National Bank in Omaha. Richard and Elsie lived in Omaha twelve years before moving to Silver City in 1969.
Four children were born to Richard and Elsie:
Jeffrey Dean Hoffman, born in Omaha, Nebraska, September 10, 1959. Jeff was a senior in high school at the time of his death due to an automobile accident April 27, 1978.
Jeanette Lynne Hoffman, born in Omaha, Nebraska on June 2, 1961 and died June 3, 1963.
Infant daughter died at birth on July 24, 1963.
Diane Marie Hoffman, born in Omaha, Nebraska on June 4, 1965. Diane is a ninth grade student at the Glenwood Community School.
HOOVER, JAMES W.
James W. Hoover and Annarpy Huffaker brought their family from Bureau County, Illinois to settle in Silver City, the town Mrs. Hoover’s brother, Henry Harrison Huffaker was instrumental in founding.
James W. Hoover was born in Pennsylvania on August 23, 1836. He was a veteran of the Civil War. He died of a heart attack at the age of 46 years. Annarpy, an invalid died July 22, 1894, leaving two daughters: Nettie and Birdie Almaretta. Two daughters, Mary A. and Blanchie preceded him in death.
Daughter Nettie later married Charles Sell and daughter Birdie, who was adopted by Henry Harrison Huffaker, later married William A. Wilkins.
HOPKINSON, JOHNATHAN
Johnathan Hopkinson was born August 11, 1843 in Warren County, Ohio. He came to eastern Iowa with his parents, served in the Civil War and came to Mills County in 1873. He was a carpenter, blacksmith and wagon maker. In 1872 he married Frances Smith and they had one child, Mary, who married and made her home in Mapleton, Iowa. On March 26, 1884 Johnathan was married to Margaret A. Bell and they had two children: Iva who died young and Otis. Mr. Hopkinson died December 15, 1912 and Mrs. Hopkinson died March 21, 1933.
Otis was a barber in Silver City for a number of years until moving his family to Pacific Junction where he continued in that occupation. He was married to Mabel Crouch and they had five children: Clyde, Furman who died as a small boy, Victor, Burnell, Charles and Patty. Victor and Patty married Pickenpaughs (see George W. Pickenpaugh history). Charles is presently living in Omaha and the other brothers are deceased.
HOWARD, SAMSON FAMILY
The pioneer of this family, Samson Howard, born January 1, 1835 at Bassingham, Lincolnshire, England and passed away May 8, 1922 at the age of 87 years, at his home in Silver City, Iowa. The parents of Samson were John and Elizabeth (Joses) Howard, who were married in England May 14, 1816. Samson was one of twelve children: five of the children came to America: Thomas, William, Joseph, Harriet Ann and Samson. One brother, John, was buried at sea. Samson came to the United States at the age of 19 years, locating first in Loraine County, Ohio, where he followed the occupation of farming.
Samson Howard was married to Lettie Hallam July 20, 1861 at Mendon, Michigan. Lettie was born July 4, 1842 at Walbourne, Lincolnshire, England and passed away in Silver City, March 3, 1930 at the age of 87 years. Lettie, the daughter of Samuel and Ann Hollongsworth Hallam, came with her parents from England in 1851, living in Michigan and Ohio until moving to Iowa in May 1871, locating on a 40-acre prairie farm four miles north of Malvern or three miles east of Silver City, more acres were added in later years.
Five of the eleven children were born before the family came to Iowa. George Henry was the first of the children to be born in Mills County, Iowa.
The eleven children that blessed the couple:
Mary Etta – married Lafe C. Alexander, home Mills County. Children: Olive Wise, Harry, Howard, Fred, Frank, Ona Hurst, Ora Clay, Charlie, Faye McClure and Fern Rew. Three living: Frank, Ora and Fern. (see L.C. Alexander)
1.
Elmer Ellsworth – (d. 1948) married Minnie Collgan; lived in Brush, Colorado. Children: Frank, Ivan, Florence and Myrtle – all deceased.
2.
Ella Jane – married John Skerritt, home Mills County. Children: Elsie Hielman, Edith Elder, Ralph, Ethel Hall, Fern Burgoin, Glenn and Gayle. Ralph and Glenn are deceased. (see J.T. Skerritt)
3.
Francis Edwin (Frank) – married Elizabeth Schroder, home Mills Co. Children: Lyle, Arline and Edwin. Lyle and Arline are deceased. Edwin and wife Margaret live in Colorado and have one son.
4.
Lettie Eliza – married John Wilson – home in California. Children: Floyd, Lawrence and Howard.
5.
George Henry – married Florence Schroder – home Mills County. Children: Fern Mayberry, Mrs. Howard passed away in 1977 at the age of 99 years. (see C. Schroder).
6.
Charles William – married Mattie McIntire – home in Iowa, later Brush, Colo. Children: Mildred, twins Esther and Eldon. All deceased.
7.
Herbert Parker (Bert) – married Minnie Leu. They lived on and farmed the “homestead” until retiring and moving to Malvern. He passed away November 19, 1966. They have two daughters: Vera married Paul W. Jabker who died March 25, 1975 and have one son, Eugene. She now lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Dorothy married Gerald J. Maher of Imogene; he died September 29, 1975. They have two children: Gary and Genene.
8.
Walter Otis – married Anna Theresa Leu and lived in the East Liberty neighborhood. Mrs. Howard died March 21, 1914. There was one daughter, Veda, married Archie Haines; one son, LaVerne. After Archie’s death Ved married Mr. Wohrl. Both Veda and LaVerne now live in Union City, Tennessee.
9.
Grace – married Henry Rommel – home Silver City. Children: Erma Shenefield, Ruby Hauger and Clifford. (see H. Rommel)
10.
Clarence Edward – never married, lived in Nebraska and Colorado; died in Colorado in 1974.
11. Mrs. Minnie Howard, wife of Herbert (Bert) is the only living member of this family. She is 94 years old. Of the thirty-eight grandchildren, nineteen are still living.
HOWSER, GEORGE H.
George H. Howser was born and married in Ohio. He married Elizabeth Niswanger on August 25, 1861. They moved to Pottawattamie County in 1869. After his death the family moved into Silver City in 1886 where Mrs. Howser and her sons owned and operated the Tremont House. Later these sons went to Utah where they established themselves. Mrs. Howser died March 11, 1900 at her home here where her daughters, Mrs. Heath and Mrs. Susie McDermott, cared for her. Mrs. Howser was a member of the Methodist Church. Mrs. McDermott married William Pullman (see Will Pullman history).
Francis Marion was born in Logan County, Illinois on December 11, 1867. He was only two years old when his parents came to Mills County. Frank was a painter and decorator and was well known and well liked by all. He married Lena Clayton on September 8, 1891. They had six children: George Alfred died young. Mabel married a Scott, Leona and Iva both married Moores, Clayton and Lloyd. Mr. Howser died October 15, 1919 and she died November 28, 1933.
Harrison H. was born in Lincoln, Illinois march 24, 1872 and came as a small boy to Mills County with his parents where they farmed for a number of years. He worked for the Wabash as a section hand and later for many years at the C. H. Kruse elevator. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. and was well and favorably known as Hal Howser. He married Katie D. Moore February 3, 1898. They had two daughters: Adah is now Mrs.l Clifton Cross whose husband is deceased and she presently lives in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Lola is Mrs. Raymond Kruse of Glenwood. Harrison died December 16, 1933 and she died September 24, 1962.
HUFFAKER, ISRAEL FAMILY
Israel Huffaker was my grandmother’s father. He was the son of John and Priscilla of Wayne County, Kentucky and married Ann Marie Kurtz in 1834, after serving in the Black Hawk War. They came to Silver City area in 1890 from Bureau County, Illinois. They had eight children, four figuring Silver City History: son Harrison and daughters: Sarah Elizabeth, Annarpy and Harriett, My Grandmother.
Harrison – written up elsewhere in the book.
Sara Elizabeth married Mr. Spake and had a son Lafayette (Lafe) whose daughter Edith married John Mills, lived in the Silver City area, children: Clifford, Vera, Grace, Evelyn, and Geneva.
Annarpy married James Hoover; daughters: Nettie and Bird. Nettie married Charles V. Sell; children: Mildred, Genevieve and Harrison. Bird married W.A. Wilkins; children: Vardaman, Albert, Mary and Lila.
Harriett – my grandmother married Powell Anderson. Children were: Harry lived in Armstrong, Iowa while we were growing up, later moving back to Silver City. Children: Edna, Dale, Berniece, Dorothy and Ona Lee.
Anna married Ed Catterlin, Spanish American Veteran. They lived on a farm one mile west of Burgoin corner for a while and their children attended Silver City School; Paul, Myrtle Lee, June and Ed, Jr. (a WWII veteran)
Israel (Is) married Cassie Barnes; they farmed a mile west of the Cemetery corner. Children: Alzo, Azell, Eurel, Teresa (deceased age 2 yrs.) Iona, Stuart and Powell; all graduated from Silver City High School.
Myrtle married Roy Stranathan. We lived with Grandma in her father’s house (built by Miles E. Huffaker) until she died in 1918 when I was ten. Victor, Chester, Bonnie and I drove a horse and buggy to school when we were younger; often in a bobsled in winter. We’d driven to the Livery Barn and leave our horse until school was out. Harry Anderson (no relation) would hitch up our horse and tuck us “in” with blankets for the cold two miles home. We did walk the tracks sometimes and the “Flyer” almost hit me crossing the trestle in town. Later Victor was allowed to drive us in the Model T. I finished my last two years at Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, taking a Normal Training Course. Victor and Bonnie graduated from Silver City High School.
Mom died April 26, 1928. Victor died at Idaho Falls several years ago; Chester went down on the USS Peary in 1942 during WW II.
Bonnie learned to give Readings from Edith King, whose father was our Baptist minister for four years. She will always be remembered for the readings she gave for our enjoyment on many occasions. She married Don Riggins who moved here from Malvern; their children: Jeane, Eddie and Jim. She passed on December 3, 1978.
I (Janet) married Harland Hendrix in 1926; he had moved her from Treynor area in 1917. We lived on a farm west of Silver City; it was part of my Grandmother’s farm. Shirlimae 9/28/27 and Bob 11/21/28 were born here. When Shirlimae was not yet two she followed our dogs away. Mrs. Keesee gave the “Line Ring” to all Silver City telephone lines. In not time many people were combing our lots and fields looking for her; a couple of hours later Ed Hunt found her lying in his cornfield. We continue to be grateful for all the help and concern. She has worked for the Union Pacific Railroad since 1946; she has two children: Gayle and Harland (Hal) Barnes and one grandchild, Bob, a brick layer – married Mary Alice Simons. They have six children: Stephen, Cynthia, Robert Dean, Terri LeAnn, Marsha DeAnn and Douglas, also one grandson.
We moved to Council Bluffs early in 1930, here Dick was born 5/13/30; he is also a brick layer. There are four boys in his family: David, Chester, Brian and Ed; also four grandchildren. Kathryn Ann 7/6/43 is a Teacher’s Aid and has two girls: Alisa 9/27/66 and Diana 10/27/70 Castillo.
We are very fortunate to have all our family in this area except one grandchild and one great-grandchild. Most of our grandchildren are or will attend A.L.H.S. Three of Dick’s boys graduated from Underwood High School.
Silver City is still “Home” for Harland and “I”. My Great-Grandparents, My Grandparents, My Mother, Sisters, one granddaughter, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins are buried in the Silver City Cemetery.
HUFFAER FAMILY – CATTERLIN BRANCH
My mother, Anna Marie Anderson, granddaughter of Israel Huffaker and Anna Marie Huffaker, daughter of Harriet (Huffaker) Anderson and Powell Anderson, was born August 27, 1876 in Bureau County, Illinois, near Princeton, Illinois. She moved to Silver City, Iowa when she was 13 years old and lived with her grandparents, Israel and Anna Huffaker, in order to attend school in Silver City.
In 1900, January 1, she married Edward N. Catterlin. To this marriage there were born 4 children: Paul Vernon, Myrtle Lee, June Frances, and Edward N. Jr. Anna and Ed Catterlin both died in 1966 and are buried in the Silver City Cemetery. Paul married Edythe Norton and lived in Council Bluffs until his death in 1977. Myrtle Lee married Donald H. Spetman (deceased) and lives in Shawnee Mission, Kansas; she has two sons: John Steven (adopted) and William Edward; also 5 grandchildren. John and Annette have 3 children: Donnie, Christie and Bret. Ted (William Edward) and Patti have 2 children: Amy and Scott. Both boys live in Kansas City area. Edward N. Jr. (Ted) married Rose Marie Doroff and had 2 children: Christine Ann and Edward N. III. Ted died in 1960. Christine is married to Robert Weber and lives in Escondido, Calif. with their two sons, Scott and Shawn. Edward N. III (Eddie) lives in St. Cloud, Minn. with his mother Rose Marie.
HUFFAKER, HENRY HARRISON
Henry Harrison Huffaker was born January 24, 1840 in Dover, Bureau County, Illinois, the son of Israel and Ann Maria Kurtz Huffaker. He came to Mills County, Iowa in the spring of 1868 when the country was still wild and unsettled.
Mr. Huffaker was ordained as an Elder in the Mormon Church on January 8, 1872. He married Miss Mary Jane Post at Attica, Iowa on December 11, 1872. In 1878 Mrs. Huffaker opened her house as a means of abode to many of the men who were constructing the Wabash Railroad through the area. In 1879 Mr. Huffaker laid the foundation for a future town by securing a depot on his land from the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad.
From this beginning an embryo town began to grow. Having remembered the kindness shown the men who were building the railroad, by Mrs. Huffaker, the officials repaid her when they asked her to name the little village which was springing up on land leased by her husband for that purpose. The officials had suggested the village be named “Huffaker” but Mr. and Mrs. Huffaker were against this. So, because of the sparking clear little Silver Creek near-by Mrs. Huffaker preferred either “Silver Creek” or “Silver City”. The officials chose “Silver City” and thus the little city was named by one of the most loved, honored and respected women of the community. She passed away February 4, 1911.
Mr. Huffaker held numerous offices of importance both political and civic in Mills County and in 1908 was elected to a term in the State House of Representatives. He was not a candidate for a second term.
A very successful farmer and stock raiser, Mr. Huffaker accumulated quite sizable land holdings. He also enjoyed traveling and traveled extensively for his time going to such places as Alaska, Mexico, Cuba, Canada and England as well as touring the United States. In 1912, Mr. Huffaker wrote a book entitled “Seeing America” which was an account of his travels. It was published by The Times, Silver City, Iowa.
Mr. Huffaker’s parents came to Mills County in 1890 to be near their son. Israel fought in the Blackhawk War in 1831-32. In 1844 he was ordained as Bishop in the Mormon Church and was later designated one of the lineage of Levi. Family tradition has it that Israel’s wife Ann Maria Kurtz was a first cousin to President Abraham Lincoln. Research so far has neither confirmed or discounted this. It is still being researched by present descendants.
Harrison Huffaker passed away December 12, 1922. He is buried in the Silver City Cemetery along with his wife and parents.
Mr. Huffaker had one daughter by adoption, she was Birdie Almaretta Hoover Huffaker, the daughter of James W. Hoover and Annarpy Huffaker, a sister of Henry Harrison. Birdie married William Albert Wilkins and they lived in and around Silver City throughout their lifetime. Mr. Huffaker’s sisters were Mary Jane who married Noah Hester, Sara Elizabeth who married Mr. Spake, Annarpy who married James Hoover, Catherine who died in infancy and Harriett who married Powell Anderson, also one brother Vardaman.
Mr. Huffaker was of the fourth generation in America. His lineage being Michael and Catherine Cokely Huffaker, John and Priscilla Duvall Huffaker, Israel and Ann Maria Kurtz Huffaker, Henry Harrison and Mary Jane Post Huffaker.
HUFFAKER, LEWIS W.
Lewis W., born August 11, 1838, in Versailles, Ripley Co., Indiana, is the son of Rev. Miles and Harriet (Townsend) Huffaker. After his father, a Methodist Minister died when he was 14, he went to Bureau County, Illinois to live with his uncle Israel. He was educated at Dover Academy, Rureak College and Byran Stealton College in Chicago. He served in the Civil War. He married Sarah Ann Henderson on January 11, 1867 and came to Ingraham twp. Mills County in 1870. He moved into Silver City in 1881.
He was a farmer, teacher, Justice of Peace for 37 years, real estate and insurance dealer for 28 years, a member of Rigdonite branch of Church of Christ, a leader in Masonic, I.O.O.F. Encampment, and G.A.R. circles. They had 6 children: Charles, Miles, Harry died young, Lewis Dale, Ida May (See Dr. McCue) and Viva Grace (See E.F. Landon). Mrs. Huffaker died August 29, 1916 and he died June 11, 1918.
HUFFAKER, MILES E.
Miles E. Huffaker born 7-19-1851 in West Lebanon, Warren County, Indiana, son of Rev. Miles and Harriet (Townsend) Huffaker. After his father’s death, he lived with his mother at her old home in Versailles, Indiana; later going to live with an older sister, Mrs. Olive Wilson. At the age of 16 he went to Bureau County, Illinois to live with his Uncle Israel Huffaker. Miles E. came to lngraham Township in 1869 where he married Sarah Alice Hunt 3-16-1871.
He was living on the present site of Silver City when his cousing, H.H. Huffaker brought his bride here in 1872. The two families shared a large log cabin, which was divided into two separate living quarters. This cabin stood on the ground, later to become North Main Street at about the present location of the Kirlin building.
Mr. Huffaker was one of Silver City’s first residents and being a contractor, he built many of our business houses and homes here of which many are still in use today. He was a member of the Church of Christ (Morman), I.O.O.F. and Wayside Encampment. He served as Mayor of Silver City many years and was holding that office at the time of his death 10-24-1912. Mrs. Huffaker lived until 8-20-1934.
They had five children:
1. Herbert H. married Jennie Belle Virtue; both were buried at the Silver City Cemetery. Their children were: Irven, W.W.I veteran, deceased, Clarence, Mrs. Velma Daughtery and Mrs. Darlene Cavett.
2. Orvil died young, buried at East Liberty Cemetery.
3. Lydia Olive married Jacob Heide (See Heide Family).
4. Margaret “Emma”, a Silver City graduate and taught Primary Room for several years. She married Albert Moore, another Silver City teacher. They lived in Canada where Mr. Moore was in the lumber business. They had a son, Albert Keith and a daughter Virginia.
5. Carlisle Etanier born in 1890, a Silver City graduate; he was associated with the Silver City Times during his high school years. Later he edited the Henderson, Blanchard and Randolph papers. He married Grace Donner of Blanchard; one son, Gamble Etanier, was born to this couple. “Carl” as he was called by his friends published a booklet, “History of Silver City” in 1905 while he was working at the “Times” office. He set the type without assistance; good work for a lad of fifteen years. A very capable young man but the end came 2-29-1920 – too soon; services at Randolph and interment at Blanchard.
HUNSTON, HENRY J.
Henry was born 12-13-1834 at Bedford, Indiana. After his service in the Civil War, he came to Glenwood, Iowa to the home of a sister. He married 12-11-1870 Phoebe Ann Creamer, and about the same time moved to the farm 4 miles east of Silver City, where he lived until he retired in 1902. Then he went to Oakland to live with his daughter Annie Stevens where he passed away 11-27-1915 and laid to rest in the Malvern Cemetery. They had 2 other children: Nellie who is deceased and Marshall J.
Marshall J. was born 5-6-1875 at the home farm east of Silver City where he grew to manhood. He was united in marriage to Allie Coiner Sept. 27, 1905, and they started their life together on the farm where he was born. After eighteen years they moved to Silver City where they made their home until his death, June 4, 1951. Mrs. Humston lived in their lovely home in Silver City until her death in 1965. He was a member of the City Council for a number of years and a supporter of the Methodist Church. Also a active member in Masonic and Eastern Star Lodges.
HUNT, ALBERT M.
Albert May Hunt was born July 26, 1867 at Aurora, Nebraska. He married Tressie Elizabeth Robinson on October 19, 1886. She was born May 1, 1870 in Lucas, Iowa. They came to Silver City area around 1900 and lived on farms in this vicinity until April 4, 1936 when Mr. Hunt passed away. Mrs. Hunt made her home in Silver City and later with her children until May 5, 1950 when she died.
They had four children: Carrie born November 18, 1889 (see G.W. Pickenpaugh); Edna (Mrs. Charles Mills) born December 1, 1893 (see Samuel Mills); Viva born March 30, 1897 (see Arch Decker); Richard (see his history). They all made their homes in or near Silver City. There are numerous descendants of this family, many living in the Silver City area.
HUNT, CECIL "WARD"
Cecil “Ward” Hunt, son of Dick and Evelyn Williams Hunt, was born July 8, 1925 athe home of his grandparents about 3 miles northeast of Silver City. He attended Excelsior, Pleasant Hill, Sand Hollow and Silver Creek rural schools and worked for several farmers in the area unitl 1942, when he, Jack Burgion and Dick Clipson went to N.Y.A. Welding School in Omaha. They went to Seattle, Washington to work for Winslow Marie Ship Bldg. for a few months, returning to Silver City in the fall.
In August of 1943, Ward, Jack and Dick enlisted in the Navy and they were sent to boot camp at Farragut, Idaho. Ward was sent to Hawaii where he was assigned to the cruiser Wichita. After a year on board, Ward was injured on Friday, the 13th of October, 1944. Another year passed while he was recovering and he came home October 9, 1945.
He began farming in March 1946.
On February 11, 1951 he married Catherine Skerritt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Skerritt; they have two children: Rodney Ward born August 20, 1951 and Sheila Lynne born August 13, 1956. After living on several farms in the area, they purchased 80 acres from J.T. Skerritt Estate, continuing family ownership of the land for over 100 years, and in 1967 they purchased her parents’ farm and moved there.
Rodney attended school in Silver City and Malvern where he was active in sports and National Honor Society and graduated Salutatorian of his class of 1969. He went to Dana College for one semester returning to farm with his father. On August 28, 1971, he and Lori Biermann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Biermann of Glenwood, were married. They lived in Malvern until 1973 when they purchased his grandfather’s farm (Dick Hunt). They built their home in 1976. Their daughter Brenna Leigh, was born February 5, 1976 and their son, Quincy Ward, was born February 28, 1979. Lori attended the Glenwood schools, graduating in 1970, and ISU before her marriage and is a very talented pianist and organist. They are active members of St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola.
Sheila attended the Malvern Schools and graduated in 1974. She graduated from a two year Data Processing Course at IWCC in 1976, is now a computer operator at Omaha National Bank and lives in Council Bluffs. Sports, music and band
were her main interests in school and now she plays on three softball teams, going to St. Louis in 1979 to a National Tournament with the O.N.B. women’s team where she played second base or pitcher. She especially enjoyed the Snoball (softball) Tournament in Omaha when they played in drifting snow at 14 degrees below zero in January 1979.
HUNT, RICHARD C. “DICK”
Richard Cecil Albert Hunt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hunt, was born December 18, 1905 on a farm 1 ¾ miles north of Silver City owned by H.H. Huffaker. “Dick”, as he was called, attended rural schools in the area. Dick married Evelyn Williams, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Williams. They have two sons, Cecil Ward, born July 8, 1925 and William Albert, born August 13, 1929. Playing the bango is one of Dick’s talents, in his early years he played at dances, many of which were held in the homes in those days. Their main interest through the years has
been their home and family. They purchased their farm in 1951 and lived there until they built their home in Silver City and moved there in August 1973. Dick and Evie are fortunate to have spent more than fifty happy years together.
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