DAR records recorded 15 Jun 1969 by Mrs.Gage Vohland. At the time she claimed the records comprised of all the names in the cemetery and were listed alphabetically. Known corrections have been made to her list by Dennis Partridge in 2025.
John Edward Bawel, born in Pennsylvania in 1869, was part of the early twentieth-century Mennonite migration to Nebraska and Iowa. After settling in Milford and later Hall County, he married Katie Gascho in 1902. They had eight children, facing hardships, including the early deaths of two daughters. After Katie’s passing in 1929, John continued farming until moving to Iowa in 1940. He remained active in Mennonite communities, witnessing significant agricultural changes throughout his life, passing away in 1960 at 90.
Alda, Nebraska, emerged in the late 1850s as a waypoint for westward migration along the Platte River Valley. Samuel “Pap” Lamb established a stage station named “Pawnee,” later renamed Alda in 1871 after the first child born there. The arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad spurred rapid settlement, leading to the establishment of businesses, schools, and churches. Despite setbacks like the 1893 depression and the WWII munitions plant, Alda thrived, evolving from a lonely stop to a vibrant community with a history steeped in agriculture and industry.
Doniphan, established in 1879, grew around the Union Pacific Railroad and was founded by W. J. Burger. Recognizing the settlement opportunity, Burger laid out the town, named it after Colonel John Doniphan, and fostered community development. Early settlers included farming families, and the town saw growth in education and religious life, leading to its incorporation in 1884. Despite challenges, such as a devastating fire in 1887, Doniphan thrived, incorporating modern amenities gradually. Today, the town, with a resilient spirit, hosts community events like the Fall Festival, reflecting its rich history and enduring connections among residents.
Heinrich Christopher Ahrens was born December 5, 1839, in Hanover, Germany. He married Magdalena Dierks on November 19, 1868, in Liverpool, England, en route to the United States. She was born on November 18, 1847, in Holstein, Germany. They settled near Yorkville, Illinois, where they lived for three years before traveling by horse to Shelby County, Missouri, where they remained through the winter. This trip took three weeks. In February of 1872, they homesteaded in Lake Township, Hall County, Nebraska. Their children were Alida Christine, who later married Frank Niemoth and lived in Merrick County; Helene, who died at the … Read more