An Older Post Office

I discovered another early frontier settlement and post office while going through some old maps called 'Blakesly'.  I found it on a 1884 map which represents a period when Bennington was only someone's dream.

It was located just south and a little west of the present site of
Bennington on old Military Highway.  Old Military was the first government road in Nebraska which was surveyed in 1857.  Prior to that it was a wagon trail commonly known as the "Mormon Trail." Military Road was named after its purposed user; the Military since it connected Fort Omaha with Fort Kearney in the West. 

Military Road started in Omaha, ran through Benson, Irvington and then to Elk City before dropping to the Elkhorn-Platte Valley and proceeding to Fremont.  Blakesly was referred to as a 'hamlet' in one reference which suggests it had several buildings.  It was located about half way between two larger settlements; Elk City and Irvington.

No additional information could be found at this time concerning the extent of the settlement but it is likely it had a general store, a blacksmith shop along with the Post Office.   Immediately to the
East was one of the earliest farms in the area, the Summerhill Farm and the rural school, District 26.  Quite possibly, this was all one scattered community.

Blakelsly and Hayes were literally early 'rest stops' where travelers could stop, get repairs, provisions and take care of their horses.  

Douglas County (1884)

 

Another mysteries, secretes and 'ghost towns' are in our neighborhood?  Know of any?  If so, let us know. 

Pig Pen and Breakfast

You might think the association here is bacon but its not; its fuel.  One of our projects is to interview long-time residents on their childhood.  What was life like growing up in this area 70 to 80 years ago?  It is amazing how different it was; especially the things we take for granted today.

For instance, this morning I got up in a warm house and went out to the kitchen in my t-shirt, boxers and bare feet.   I flipped on the lights (still dark out) and turned on the coffee maker.  I slipped some instant oatmeal in the microwave and I had breakfast in a couple of minutes.  The outside temperature was a cool 17 degrees. 

The morning routine was quire different for some of our older residents when they grew up.  In those days, they woke up in a cold house, more often than not it was actually freezing inside.  Their rooms were normally upstairs where there wasn't any heat at all and downstairs the fire in the coal stove would have died long before dawn.

The first heat in the house was often from the cook stove in the kitchen.  A fire had to be built in the stove for it to get hot enough to cook on and the water in the water tank to thaw the ice and to get warm for washing.   No electric stove, no furnace, no gas water heater, seldom did they have electric lights.  Most often the fire was built with paper and wood and then fed with corn cobs which was the primary fuel in the country. 


Two of the ladies I've interviewed told me that one of their many chores while growing up on the farm was to collect corn cobs from the pig pen.  They both screwed up their noses then telling me this was their least favorite chore on the farm. 

You see, not much was wasted in those days.  Wood wasn't as plentiful as it is today and coal was expensive.  Slightly more than a century ago this was simply prairie, and endless see of grass; there were no trees here.  That generation planted those trees. 

Farmers picked corn by hand and the job of shelling it was laborious.  Farm animals were fed eared corn instead of going to the trouble or expense of shelling it.  They ate the kernels and left the cob.  It didn't end up very clean but it was valuable fuel. 

These girls had to pick up and sack these cobs along with others that were used for the kitchen stove.   Cobs were normally kept in a cob bin on the porch.  One lady said her mother told her not to pick up a large handful, because of the possibility of carrying mice into the house. 

I know some people that would consider what these girls had to do child cruelty but honestly, they turned out to be quite lovely and charming ladys.   That is another story! 

Hayes Post Office (1878-1888)

The Hayes Post Office was one of the first established post offices in the immediate Bennington area with mail still being delivered by mail carriers on horseback.  It was described in the 1967 “History of Bennington Centennial Days Book.   The 1967 text reported:

“About 1874, a tiny community called Hayes was established approximately two miles north of what is now the present site of Bennington.  The community consisted of a post office, a general store and a blacksmith shop.  Mail was delivered to the Hayes post office by pony and people in the surrounding area went to Hayes to get their mail.  The community of Hayes was presumably named after President Hayes and eventually vanished after the establishment of Bennington.”

It was briefly mentioned in the 1992 Centennial Book.  Hans and Catherine Johannsen were reported to walk to the Hayes Post Office for their mail (Bennington Centennial Book, 1992).  Their address was Washington County, Nebraska.  

Melvin Tiedje recalled his Grandmother Tiedge showing him a picture of the Hayes Post Office and pointing out where it laid; on the north side of the present intersection of  156th Street and Dutch Hall Road.   The Tiedje farmstead was located just east of the site on the Douglas County side.  He remembers her showing him a small photograph of the post office which showed a sod hut with a man and flagpole in front. That photo disappeard and we have been upable to locate any other photos of the Post Office.

We’ve recently received copies of Post Office documents describing the location and tenure of Hayes’s Post Office.   The documents are internal forms sent to the Post Office Department’s Topographer’s Office describing the physical location and surrounding landmarks of local post offices and providing hand drawn maps on the back.   The maps were crudely drawn, some not to scale and in varying degrees of accuracy.   They provided legal locations which confirmed earlier descriptions and accounts.

It’s believed Hayes was primarily a stage station that started around 1874 to service wagon traffic traveling just north of the present site of Bennington.  An Overland Wagon Road ran near the Douglas and Washington County line between the present site of Highway 133 and Elkhorn City which today is known as Elk City.   Other wagon roads ran north to Kennard, Blair, Bell Creek which was renamed “Arlington” when the railroad came.  This was before Bennington and Washington existed and the nearest services prior to creating of Hayes were found in Florence, Benson, Irvington, Blair, Elkhorn City, and Elkhorn.  This could be nearly a full day’s ride roundtrip.  Hayes was a logical location for a new stage and freight stop. 

One of the Post Office documents is a request from Postmaster Randolf Peters to James N. Lyner, First Assistant Postmaster General for the creation of a new post office at Hayes.  The request was dated February 20, 1878.   The post office’s location was;

 “to be situated on the S.W quarter of Section 34, Township 17, Range 11, in the county of Washington, State of Nebraska.  It will be on or near route No. 34043, being the route from Omaha, Neb to Elkhorn City, on which the mail is now carried 3 times per week.”

That places Hayes near or at the present intersection of 156th Street and Old Dutch Hall Road.  One map suggests that buildings were situated on both sides of the wagon trail, but the post office was definitely located on the north side; in Washington County.  Documents show that Randolf Peters remained the Haye’s Postmaster at least until 1885. 

Hayes Post Office, Washington County, Nebrasks

The area witnessed remarkable growth during that decade.  Lands were surveyed and roads straightened and improved and farms fenced.  The Fremont and Missouri Valley Railroad was building a railroad line from Omaha to Fremont which resulted in the establishment of Bennington, Washington and renaming of Arlington which was originally called “Bell Creek.”   Bennington and Arlington had Post Offices by 1888.  Tracks were being rapidly laid and train service reached the area in 1889 resulting in the mail being delivered by train, rather than by stage or horseback.

Anticipating the arrival of train service, the Hayes Postmaster (signature not legible) formally requested the creation of a new post office named “Washington” in the newly created village bearing that name on January 20, 1888.  That request was granted and postal services were moved from Hayes to the newly constructed depot on the south side of town.  The Post Office better served a village of 50 rather than one of possibly 5 people.  The move was slightly more than 2 miles.   Later, a separate Post Office building was constructed in Washington.

The Hayes Post Office operated from 1878 to 1888 a period of ten year.  It played an important role in the early development of our community.  It was the only link for early settlers to write and receive letters from loved ones back in Europe and in other parts of the country.  The railroad radically changed this country; it increased communication, made travel easier and sped the development of this part of eastern Nebraska.  The need for Hayes disappeared as the railroad towns of Bennington, Washington and Arlington further grew and became important local commerce sites.   Modern technology in the form of the railroad caused the demise of both the Hayes Post Office and its successor, the Washington Post Office.  The memories and sod shanties have long past dissolved into the prairie soil.   

Today, postal services are once again being forced to transform to emerging technology.  This time it’s the INTERNET and smart phones.  There is no need to write letters, you simply call friend and family and with a touch of a button, you can pay your bills and mail electronically.   What will come next?   

Gordon Mueller       

Faces and Names

What did your ancestors look like?  Every once in a while we run into an exceptional photograph of a group where someone took the time to identify individuals.  This section is dedicated to those "Faces" who we have "Names".   Listed in chronological order.

1889  Bennington Rifle Club

Top Row (l-r) Bernhard Storm, Henry Simonsen, Ed Cook, Emil Storm, Hans Hansen, Middle Row- Charles Gottsch, Pete Diederichsen, John Rohwer, Hans lamp, Herman Timme Sr.  Front Row- Christ Steinert, Herman Timme, Jr., Willam Cohrs, Ferdinand Kuhl, Heinrich Gottsch.

1907 (1st half)

25th Wedding Aniversary of Rosa and Eggert Oft.  Back Row (l-r), William Druse, Hans Johannsen, Adolph Septhmabn, Eggert Ehlers, Willam Voss, John Harder, Hans Harder, Frank Hoteling-Kermit, Willam Weseman Sr., William Steffin, Pete Peterson, Middle Row, Herman Mueller, Dena Tiedje, Adolf Mueller, Mrs. John Johannsen, Mrs. Adolph Spethman, Mrs. Frank Hoteling, Mrs. Hans Meeves, Mrs. Herman Busch, Mrs. Jacolb Peters, Mrs. Hans Johannsen, Chris Bergman, Jacob Peters, George Ohrt, Minna Ohrt & Russel, Meta Oft, Mans Oft, Third Row, Mrs. August Witte & Clara, Mrs. William Voss, Mrs. Scott, Annie Boyer, Paulina Mangold, Mrs. Miller, Jurgen Ohrt, Henry Lage, Mrs. Henry Lage, Rosa Oft, Fourth Row, Mrs. Claus Hamann, Mrs. Herman Mueller, Mrs. Martin Grotte, Julia Paulson, Lenna Cook, Mrs. Max Lamp, Mrs. Pete kuhl, Mrs. Calus Lamp, Mrs. Hans Harder, Fifth Row (children) Roy Hotelling, Henry Homan, Bert Boyer, Elmer Desler,Rosa Dornacker,Eggert Ohrt, Sophie Penke.

1907 (2nd half)

Back Row (l-r), Pete Petersen, Henry Shroeder, John Mueller, Henry Moeller, Willaim Sierk, Otto Hansen, Henry Meyer, Hans Meeves, Henrich Tiedje, Pete Kroeger, Detlef Desler, Chris Backhuus, Max Lamp, Second Row, Hans Oft, Nancy Oft, Kate Dornacker, Henry Dornacker, Lizzie Jorgenson, Anna Sierk, Hans Lebbert, Claus Lamp, Louie Nieman, John Johannsen, George Mangold, Rev. Ahrens, Mrs. Willam Weseman, Third Row, Rosa Oft, Eggert Oft, Anna Jorgensen, Ella Jorgensen, Mrs. Henry Moeller, Mrs. Hans Lebbert, Tanta Bergman, Mrs. Chris Bergman, Mrs. Otto Hansen, Mrs. Louie Nieman & Leonard Mangold, Mrs. John Harder, Fourth Row, Mrs. Ahrens, Mrs. Henry Meyer, Rose Cunningham, Mrs. Chas Penkem Perarl Boyer, Mrs. Pete Backhuus, Albert Jurgenson, Mrs. Pete Kroeger, Mrs. Herman Iltzch, Mrs. Eggert Ehlers, Mrs. William Steffan, Mrs. William Kruse, Margaret Stark, Laura Shebal, Mary Ohrt.

1908  Bennington District 59

Back Row (l-r), Leona Petersen, Lilly Oft, Enima Fredrichsen, Nancy Oft, Theo Hansen, Bert Boyer, ? Crink, Earl Mangold, Walt Hansen, Emma Dickey, Minnie Schliep, Belle Barr, Frieda Cook, Front Row- Otto Oelrich, Walt Mangold, Pete Dickey, Henry Witt,  George Voss, Bill Gottrsch, Rudolph Hansen, Theodor Friedrichsen, Denny Barr, Elmer Witte, Emil Hansen.

1910  Bennington Music Club

Bennington Music Club   Back Row (l-r) Mable Witte, Elmer Witte, Myrtle Leach, Teacher Mrs. Middleton, Nancy Oft, Rudy Hansen, ?.  Front Row- Misfeldt sister Misfeldt sister, Clara Witte, Annie Gottsch, Eta Witt, Mina Witte

1910  St. John's Lutheran Church Choir



Back Row (l-r) Hans Oft, Adolf Mueller, Henry Schroeder, John Mueller, Merman Mueller
Front Row:  Annette (Mueller) Grote, Johanne (Weseman) Mueller, Pastor Ahrens, Meta (Oft) Jungbluth, Mrs. Ahrens.

1912  The Grau School

The Grau School.   Back Row (l-r) Bess Grau, Florence Grau. Middle Row- Teacher Nora Sumner, Irene Grau. Front Row- Ted Grau, Edith Grau, Fred Grau.

 

1914? Drama Club

Back Row (l-r), Hulda Petersen, Mable Witte, Florence Grau, Lilly Oft, Clara ?, Freda Stark, Mary ?, Nancy Oft, Front Row Sitting, Rema Witte, Leona Petersen, Alma Gottsch.

191?

(l-r), Ernest Klabunde, Chas Litzler, Chas Penke

1915 School District #63

Back Row (l-r)- John Hansen, Henry Steinert, Mary Phalen, Mary Hansen, Edna Heitmann, Lucy Phalen, Misss Lora Cubbertson, James Petersen, Rose Petersen, Arthur Wilt, Fred hansen, Lawerence Petersen, Cecilia Steinert, Helen Phalen, Front Row- Edna Mohr, Laura Steinert, Paul Heitmann, Anna Heitmann, Edwin Heitmann, Martha Heitmann, Grace Petersen, James Hansen, Chris Petersen, Lester Wilt, Lena Hansen.  

1916?  District #59



Back L to R: Teacher O'dell, Irene (Grau) Boeteger, Mary Dierks, Florence (Grau) Lebbert, Ann (Logemann) Neu, Nellie Temperely, Ada Waterman, Adelite Paulsen, Alma (Gottsch) Desler, Alma (Petersen) Friedricksen, Mable (Witte) Neumeyer.  Front: Al Baker, Alfred Glandt, George Dierks, J. Pilant, Pube Petersen, Herb Ericksen, Henry Hamann, ? Baker, Leonard Mangold, Rudy Glandt. 

1917  Basket Ball at the Woodmen

Front Row (l-r) Walt Mangold, Tim Ohrt, Fred Hagedorn, Back Row- Charlie Ringsted, Lennie Mangold, Elmer Witte.  Basket ball played at Woodman of the World Hall

1918  Duck Lure Lodge

(l-r), Henry Neumeyer, George Mangold, Pete Bunz, Henry Neumeyer Sr.

1919 (about)

(l to r): Hanna Cook, Dorthy Sorensen (Logemann), Grace and Marjorie Sorensen

1922  Bennington District 59

Bennington Dist. #59, 4th, 5th & 6th Grades.  Front Row (l-r) Bob Bunz, ?, Alfred Petersen, Melvin Bunz, Verna Paulsen, ? , Norman Petersen, Raymond Gottsch, Minnia Petersen, Wilma Paulsen.  Back Row- Norman Mangold, Doris White, Georgia Nelsen, Rosie Persen, ? , Bernice Boonstra, Fern Paulsen, Florence Petersen, Verna Gottsch, ?, Charlotta Boonstra, Margret Paulsen.

1922  Bennington District 59, 10th Grade Graduation Class 

10th Grade District #59  Top Row (l-r) Alven Jipp, George Isham, Florence Timperley, Middle Row- Clarence Petersen, Helen Gottsch, Ferris Kramer, Alma Schneckloth, Otto Glandt.  Front Row- Laird Kramer, Ester Wrigg, Miss Swanson, Walt Suverkrubbe, Dora Dierks.

1922  Washington School

First Row: ?, Glen Gottsch, Second Row: Ella Masson, Grace Sorensen, Sena Jensen, Dorothy Christensen, ?, Agnes bertelsen; Next Row: Margaret holstein, ?, Roma Gottsch, Thelma Jefferson, Ama Hansen Huber, ?, Helen Berry (teacher) ?,?, Peter Rasmusssen, Loma Shulz, ?.

1923?  Bennington District 59

Bennington School District #59.  Front Row (l-r) Chris Christensen, Ernest Ellerbruch, Ernest Kroeger, John Mordhorst, Harry Mordhorst, Herman Mordhorst, Verna Johnsen, ? Mordhorst.  2nd Row- Art Dornacker, Myron Melton, Matt Johnsen, Ray Johnsen, Raymon Puls, Elma Ellerbruch, Herman Meeves, Earl Quinn, Alfred Mordhorst, Herbert Gottsch, Rymber Fedde, Elmer Mordhorst.  3rd Row- Elsie Meeves, Earline Gotsch, Lily Puls, Leona Johnsen, Alma Andersen, Gladys Johnsen, Anita Mordhorst, Elizabeth Meeves.  4th Row- Frances Gottsch, Anna Puls, Anita Puls, Edna Johnsen, Erma Fedde, Emma Droeger, Teacher-Rosalie Foley, Annie Meeves.

Mid-1920's,  Intersection of 156th and Bennington Road



Henry Neumeyer, Ed Paulsen and Ben Petersen in Bert Seymour's Car

1927? Bennington District 59


Front Row (l-r)- Vernon Nolte, Alfred Petersen, Royle Paulson, Paul Jackson, Warren Suverkrubbe, Ted Bunz, Middle Row-Alice Gottsch, Evelyn Pruess, Pauline Gottsch, Bernice Christensen, Arlene Petersen, Alvina Shroeder, ? Jackson, Apal Atte, Florence Bohl, Elain Paulson, Helen Briedericksen, Hazel Petersen, ?, Back Row-Celyde Miller, Irvin Petersen, Teacher-Nellie Woods, Bill Petersen, Elmer Petersen?, Melvin Bunz, Bob Bunz.

1930?  District #40


Front: Marion Logemann, Byron Palke, Lorene Logemann, Rollin Logemann
Back:  John Petersen, Willam Logemann, Adelyn Logemann, Harry Logemann, Roy Petersen, Morma Werning, Alvin Logemann, Lester Logemann, Edna Mohr (Teacher) Thomas Polke, Alma Werning, Lylvia Logemann, Clarence Pruess, Helen Logemann

1933?

(l-r)- Irvin Petersen, Buck Grant, Donald Gottsch, Johnny Grant, Elmer Petersen, Harland Suberkrubbe.

1933-34,  District #40


Front: Donald Palke, Gus Holling, Esther Polster, Betty Schroder.  Middle: Marion Logemann, ? Polster, Byron Palke, ? Polster, Lorene Logemann, Rollin Logemann,  Back:  Martha Bainsbridge (Teacher) Roy Pruess, Thomass Palke, Clarence Pruess, Johnny Petersen, Adelyn Logemann.

1934   Masquerade Ball at Oft's Hall


Masquerade Ball at Oft's Hall "Dion Quintuplets"  Front Row (l-r), Bernie Kramer, Mable Neumeyer, Avel Tandy, Florence Lebbert, Roma Hickey, Back Row- Ferris Kramer, Lumas Tandy, Henery Newmeyer.

1936  District #59  Basketball Team



Alvin Andersen, Clyde Kerstetter, Bob Dornacker, Bud Buhl, Chris Fredricksen, Gilbert White,
Suppertendant & Coach Gropper

1937 School District 52.

Front Row (l-r) Lloyd Peters, Loren Cohrs, Billy Pilant, Glen Peters.  2nd Row- Rose Marie Hagedorn, Daniel McNew, Robert McNew, Lorraine Peters, Doris Fleischmann, Duane Gottsch, Back Row- Roy Wulf, Kenneth Espersen, Dorothy McNew, Ester Pilant, Marlin Cohrs, Leo Gottsch, Ester Fleischmann, Teacher- Miss Wilma Liesche.

1938  Bennington District 59


Bennington Dist. #59.  Standing (l-r) Gene Nelson, Pete Christianson, Don Rasmussen, LaVonne Nelson, Marilyn Mangold, Loise Archer, Lowell Neumeyer, Gene Bunz, Billy Glandt.  Front Row- Phillip Sievers, Fred Fredrichson, Gerald Archer, Jerry Roe, Don Kruse, Lee Bunz and Mick Nelson.

1939-40  Badgerettes



Back Row (l-r) Roma Kroeger, Margaret Stoltenberg, Jeanette Gordon, Bernice Klabunde, Frances Pilant, Donna Mae Petersen, Betty Christersen, Iris Sass, Norma Jean Bohl, Margaret Buverkrubbe, Alberta Appleby, Ilse Fleischmann, Lorene Logemann.  Middle Row- Vernell Penke, Isabel Townsend, Glenda Meeves, Doris Townsend, Pauline Glandt, Audrey Glant, Myra Lee.  Front Row-Cheerleaders Elfrieda Petersen, Evelyn Wiese, Betty Jirovsky, Bernette Haden, Vernelle Ohrt, Geraldine Neumeyer, Ruth Glandt, Viola Petersen, Latern Nelson, Sylvia Paulsen, Lois Neumeyer.

1939-40  District 59, Faculty


(l-r): Ruby Bohl, Elizabeth Maynard, Wilma Witte, Ethel Bertelsen, Eina Jensen, Edna Mohr, Lynn Dankle 

1939-40  District 59, Senior Class

Front row- Haryy Nordhorst, Norma Misfeldt, Harry Sorensen, Junior Appleby, Clark Sorensen.  2nd row- Betty Jirovsky, Elfrieda Peters, Evelyn Wiese, Iris Sass, Margaret Suberkrubbe, Vernelle Ohrt, Frances Pilant. Back row-Geraldine Neumeyer, Ruth Glant, Sponsor--Mr. Dankle

1939-40  District 59, Senior Class

Front row-Wayne Fackler, Nic Friedrichsen, Orvill Petersen, Calvin Penke, Roland Gottsch, Clarence Dahl, Narion Logemann.  2nd row- Letter Men: Clark Sorensen, Hrry Sorensen, Russel Kroeger, Chris Fedde, Harry Mordhorst, LeRoy Hansen, Coach Dankle, Raymond McNew.

1941  "School Pictures"

(l-r): Joan Roe, Jerry Roe,  Kenny Fredrichson, teacher-Dorothy Logemann

1945,  Bennington High School Pep Club 1944-1945

Back Row: Shirley Backhuus, Ruth Timm, Lenora Sass, Margaret Stoltenberg, Anita Schakat, Verda Andersen, Doris Fleischmann.  Front Row: Evelyn Weseman, Dolly Powles, Carol Sckwaninger, Doris Townsend, Wanda Lou Timblin, Myrtle Suverkrubbe, Cheerleaders: Donna Lee Glandt, Beverly Penke, La Vonne Kroeger.

1948, Opening Day of New Bennington Library

Left to right:  Mrs. Gerald Cline, Miss Shirley Backhuus, Mrs. Robert Dornacker, Mrs. Warren Suverkrubbe, Mrs. Marvin Kierks, Mrs. Orville Kahler, Mrs. Frank Timblin, Mrs. Ellis Rhodes, Mrs. Kenneth Steinert.  Mrs L. A. Mangold is fixing up the library card for Dickie and Jr. Hawkins. 

1950,  St. John's Church Bake Sale

Left to right:  Dr. W.W. Hickey, Mrs. Emma Nelson, Mrs Irene Kruse and Mrs. Marie Mueller

1952: June 15,  "Dr. Hickey Parade"

June 15, 1952, Dr. Hickey Parade.  Cub Scout Float.  Phil Lund, Steve Mangold, Alvin Westphal, Sam Sorson, Ed Westphal, Clancy Laaker, Jim Ives, Bob Witte, Ed Gray.

1952: Bennington High School Seniors and Juniors in front to Peetz's Place.

(l-r) Wayne Sass, Rolland Harder, Charlie Gottsch, LeMara Misfeldt, Ivan Nelsen, Burton Schwaunger, Maxine Laaker, Ida Kruse, Marybeth Knudsen in front of Peetz Place

1979: Bennington's Lion's Club

(l-r) front: Douglas Schroeder, Rick Anderson (president) Les Nelson, Back: Dick Knoch, Chuck Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Russell Johns, Ken Sukraw, Lowell Neumeyer.  Taken at Oft's Hall.

Gifts and Donations

The following members and friends of the Bennington Historical Society have the following donations.  Thank you for your interest and support!


HISTORICAL ARTICLES, IMAGES  AND GIFTS

Lois Peterson--Bennington School photographs
Melvin Tiedje--Images of Bennington (1950's)
Julie Dunn--Bennington Centenial plates and mugs
Tracy Sothman--Summer Hill Farm photographs
Oft's B&B--Historical walking tour guide and family images
Sharon Rodgers--Images of family store
Bob Musel--Business token
Jerry Roe--Image of bank and interview
Jerry Miles--Interview
Doris Hoier--Family images
Addie Backhuus--Family images
Kay Miles--Images of St. John's Lutheran Church
Lee Bunz--Image of Bunz Implement
Doris Hoier--Family farm images and interview
Dee (Finke) Micheel--Benn. Food Mart pictures & items
Greg Pooley--Articles and images of the Hickey family
Lorene Andersen--Images and interview
LaVern Mueller--Images and interview
CoeLeta & Darrel Logemann--Images
LeMara Eicke--Images and interview
Ed Wesphall--Images
Brian Penke--Family history
Chris Curzon--Legal services
Lois Musel--Images and articles


MONITARY GIFTS

Mohr Family--Memorial donation for Glenn Mohr
Bev VanArsdel--Cash donation
Logemann Family--Memorial donation for Dorothy Logemann
Julie Dunn--Post Office Box rental
Janiece Coe--Cash donation

Bennington's Founding Families

Founding Families

The Bennington Historical Society is honoring the families who founded the Bennington community through the presentation of their names on our 2011 tree entry into Festival of Trees sponsered by the Bennington Woman's Club.  The tree will be on display with others at St. John's Lutheran Church from November 17th through the 19th.  Proceeds go to the Library Fund. 

We were able to find nearly 150 family names in local and church records that predated 1900 (History of Bennington, Nebraska--1887--1967,  Bennington Woman's Club, 1967; Bennington, Nebraska 1892--1992, Bennington Centennial Book Committee, 1992; St. John's Lutheran Church and Zion Luteran Church records).  While the list is undoubtedly incomplete, it does identify many of those who were instrumental in developing our community and its institutions.  We pay tribute to you.  For those families we missed; we offer our humble apology. 




Eggert Oft Family (ca 1895)

 

FAMILIES FOUND IN LOCAL RECORDS PREDATING 1900

A:  Anderson, Andressen, Arp, Auch

B:  Backhuss, Barr, Barthelamann, Baumann, Bergmann, Biel, Bohl, Boyer, Braesch, Bramley, Bruggmann, Brunchmann, Bunz, Braack,

C:  Christensen, Christiansen, Cizek, Cohrs, Corliss, Crink, Cramer, Carlson

D:  Dahl, Deerson, Deidrichsen, Desler, Dierks, Dohse, Dornacker

E:  Ehlers, Ebner

F:  Fedde, Fick, Frederickson

G:  Glandt, Gloe, Gottsch, Gradert, Grau, Grothusen, Godeker, Ganer,  

H:  Hagedorn, Hansen, Hanson, Harder, Harmsen, Heide, Heitmann, Henning, Hickey, Holdort, Holling, Holst, Hesemeier,

I:

J:  Jipp, Joens, Johannsen

K:  Kaehler, Kahler, Kahnk, Kammeyer, Kay, Keiser, Kirschner, Kniep, Kobs, Kramer, Kroeger, Kruse, Kunnermann, Knaus, Kordas, Kloninger, Klinker,

L:  Labs, Lambrecht, Lamp, Lebbert, Logemann, Luschen, Lyman, Ludi,

M:  Mangold, Matthiessen, Meeves, Messenger, Misfelt, Moeller, Mohr, Mordhorst, Mueller, Mumm, Moll,

N:  Neimann, Neuhaus, Neumeyer, Nitz

O:  Oft, Ohrt, Olerich, Oldigs,

P:  Paulen, Penke, Peters, Peterson, Pratt, Pruess, Puls, Pfaller, Prochnow,

Q:

R:  Rieken, Rix, Roe, Rohwer

S:  Schneekloth, Schleip, Schmidt, Schneider, Schroeder, Schwock, Scott, Siert, Somonson, Skinner, Stark, Steffer, Stiener, Stender, Stolterburg, Storm, Straton, Sunds, Surts, Suverkrubbe, Struthmann, Steyer, Storm,

T:  Tiedge, Timm, Timme, Topp, Tuttle, Thaden, Toensfeldt

U:

V:  Valnack, Voss, Vahlcamp,

W:  Wagner, Wallace, Walter, Wendt, Wesemann, Wilke, Wiltze, Witt, Witte, Wolly, Worth, Wrick, Westphall, Wrasse,

Other Bennington Businesses and Institutions 1890 to 1915



Photograph (ca. 1890) taken at the intersection of 156th Street and Bennington Road looking southwest where Schettler's is now located.  The oldest businesses were located along the south side of the road between Bennington Road and the Papio Creek.  This land was not in the original town site (1888).  Herman Timme built the first store in 1887 which also housed Bennington's first Post Office.  To the south of him was Cook's Blacksmith Shop and next to the creek was Schneider's Saloon.  This area was developed by Clause Oft and was the first annexation to Bennington. 



Photograph (ca. 1889?) is believed to be of railroad workers laying track in the Bennington area.  Photograph was marked 'Jack Wagner" and is believed to have belonged to Jack who was a long-time resident of Bennington. 









Photograph (ca. 1900?) taken near the intersection of Bennington Rd. and Stark Street looking west at St. John's Lutheran Church  parsonage (church in background).  The church was built in 1898.




Photograph of Public School District 59, Built in 1892 and destroyed by a 1910 storm.  The school was located on the most prominent hill in town, located on North 2nd Street between Molly and Stark Streets.

Photograph (ca.?) of Oft's Grist Mill located on the west side of 156th Street south of the Papio Creek.  Photograph is looking east toward the 'old' 156th Street Bridge.

Photograph (ca. post 1910) looking northeast toward Bennington showing Clause Oft's Grist Mill and spring flooding on the Papio Creek.  This was taken prior to the creek being dredged.  Bennington Public School is seen on the hill in the background. Ice from this pond was harvested during the winter and stored in icehouses throughout town for later use in the summer.    

 


Photograph of the 1903 flood taken from the elevator looking west at 156th Street.  Oft's Grist Mill is seen in the upper left corner and on the right side of the railroad tracks you see Schneider's Saloon and Cook's Blacksmith Shop. The white house behind those businesses was built in 1893 and still survives