Families of Merrick County Nebraska Archives – Page 5 of 6

Floyd Belle Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

A History of Merrick County, Nebraska to 1895

Floyd Belle was born on September 10, 1911, in Nance County, Nebraska, to John and Lottie Belle. After moving to Central City in 1930, he met and married Edna Fullington on January 4, 1933. They had a son, Carrol, in 1937 and later moved to Hamburg, Iowa, in 1940, working at Butler Dairy. They experienced numerous floods while living between the Missouri and Nishnabotna Rivers. Their daughter, Connie Jo, was born in 1947. Floyd later worked in a locker plant, and Edna in the school cafeteria. Floyd died in a tractor accident in 1973. After his death, Edna returned to Central City to be near family.

John & Lottie Belle Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

Lottie Sophia Burr, born on June 1, 1883, in Palmyra, New York, was one of eight children of Henry and Charlotte Barnes Burr. After losing her parents young, she moved to Nance County, Nebraska, in 1909 with her husband, John Henry Belle, and his daughters. They farmed and raised three children together. Lottie, an early telephone operator, later worked in the W.P.A. sewing program and as a nurse. John died in 1944, and Lottie lived until age ninety-seven, passing away on July 13, 1980. Known for her quick wit and kind heart, she was beloved by her family and community.

Roger C. Beck Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

Roger Beck and Mildred John Beck, born in Merrick and Valley Counties respectively, married on March 12, 1949, in Lexington, Nebraska. They initially farmed near Clarks, Nebraska, before purchasing acreage in Clarks in 1954 and later moving to Holt County in 1962. They were active in 4-H, church, and community events. They settled east of Central City in 1964, continuing their farming and horse interests. They raised three children—John, Jerry, and Charlene—and have three grandchildren. The Becks enjoyed family gatherings, community involvement, and travel, marking their life with memorable holidays and activities.

Henry & Minnie Beltner Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

Henry W. Beltner was born on February 2, 1862, in Hannover, Germany. He immigrated to the United States, working as a farmhand in Chapman, Nebraska. Henry had three children with his first wife: Fred, Herman, and Lena. After her death, he married Minnie C. Herre on October 6, 1907. The couple bought a farm near Chapman, where Henry was also a township overseer. He died on September 24, 1924.

Minnie Caroline Beltner, born on March 2, 1882, in Germany, immigrated to Nebraska at age 24. After Henry’s death, she lived with her nephew, William Schuette, and later moved to Chapman and Grand Island. Minnie was an active Lutheran church member and known for her love of gardening. She passed away on May 4, 1969.

Jacob C. Benner Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

Jacob C. Benner was born on December 18, 1882, on a farm southwest of Central City, Nebraska, to Lewis and Anna (Hilton) Benner. He married Jennie L. Gaw on June 28, 1916, and they had two children, Alice Hoback and Charles Benner. Jacob farmed until the early 1950s when his son took over. He moved to Central City in 1957 and lived there until his death on January 20, 1969. Jacob attended District #48 School and had five sisters: Mary Cox, Gertrude Bowers, Lena, Margaret, and Ester Benner. The Benner farm received the Ak-Sar-Ben Award in 1976 for being in the family for 100 years.

Donald & Shirley Berg Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

Donald Berg was raised near Elm Creek, Nebraska, by his parents, Ernest and Mildred (Einspah) Berg. He attended school in Overton and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. After his father’s death, his family moved to Grand Island, Nebraska. Donald worked at the Twin Rivers Egg Plant before joining the Aluminum Supply Company in 1964, later part of Gifford Hill, where he has worked for sixteen years. In 1965, he married Shirley Schuette, with whom he has four sons: Bradley, Calvin, Steven, and Travis. The family is active in the Messiah Lutheran Church in Grand Island and resides near Chapman.

Bell Edward Berryman Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

Bell Edward Berryman, a prominent businessman in Central City, Nebraska, was known for his ability and straightforward principles. He, along with his brother James, established one of the first buildings in Merrick County and later founded the J.H. Berryman and Brother Mercantile Business. Bell married Ellen Riley in Kentucky in 1873 and they had four children: William, Clyde, Mary Sue (died in infancy), and Cary. After Ellen’s death in 1903, Bell retired and pursued the bee industry until his death in 1940. A Mason, he was honored for his long membership. His descendants include his granddaughter Martha McAleer, who shared these historical details.

James H. Berryman Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

James Hayden Berryman, born June 20, 1837, near Hartford, Kentucky, settled in Lone Tree (now Central City), Nebraska, in 1866 after his honorable discharge from the Union Army. Initially serving in the Confederate Army, he was captured and later joined the Union Army. In Lone Tree, he built the first frame building, which hosted the first district court session. James married three times: Mary Comstock, Kate Howsley, and Kate’s sister Amanda. He had five children, but only four survived to adulthood. A prominent early settler, James was active in the Methodist and Friends’ Churches and the Masonic Lodge. He died on January 17, 1905, in a train accident.

Frank K. and Rose Betts Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

Frank Klar Betts was profoundly influenced by his grandparents, who raised him after his father’s early death. Living with them from 1917, he returned to Scudder School and absorbed their values of justice, honesty, and community involvement. Active members of Pierce Chapel church, they instilled in Frank a commitment to community service. As an adult, Frank served nearly twenty years on the District #7 school board, contributed to the farm program’s early development, and was involved in the county Soil Conservation Service board. He also helped expand the Farmers Cooperative Association. Frank married Rose (Shepherd) Colby in 1965, and they settled in Clarks, Nebraska.

Stanley & Opal Bice Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

On July 19, 1931, Stanley B. Bice and Opal Daniels eloped and married secretly in Papillion, Nebraska, later announcing their marriage on Stanley’s birthday, October 17, 1931. Stanley, the son of William H. and Etta Campbell Bice, and Opal, daughter of B.D. and Emily Roark Daniels, began their married life on the Bice family farm near Central City. Due to the drought and depression, Stanley transitioned to welding and worked in various industries, including war work and heating and air conditioning. The couple lived in Denver for 32 years before retiring to Central City in 1978. They have one son, Thomas Newell, who, along with his wife Marilanne, joined them in Central City, where they run an antique business. Stanley and Opal are active in the Christian Church and enjoy various hobbies and community activities.