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A History of Merrick County, Nebraska to 1895

Alfred & Elizabeth Bader of Merrick County, Nebraska

Merrick County /

Alfred William Fredrick Bader, born on August 9, 1903, in Chapman, Nebraska, was a pivotal figure in local agriculture and community service. Son of Fredrick William Bader and Mary Amelia Loeffelbein, Alfred married Elizabeth Louise Giesler on March 10, 1925. The couple were known for their extensive contributions to community infrastructure, including donations to local medical facilities and public utilities, and for their support of various civic boards and community organizations. Notably, Alfred’s innovative farming techniques included the early adoption of mechanized combines. His legacy is commemorated through various local landmarks and community awards recognizing his service and philanthropy.

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A History of Merrick County, Nebraska to 1895

Heinrich Ahrens Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

Hall, Merrick County /

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

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A History of Merrick County, Nebraska to 1895

The Abbott Family of Merrick County, Nebraska

Merrick County /

Jacob W. Abbott and Elizabeth Abbott, our great-grandparents, settled in Chapman, Nebraska, in 1877. Born in Ohio in 1845, Jacob fought in the Civil War and later farmed in multiple states before homesteading in Kansas and returning to Nebraska. Jacob and Elizabeth had eleven children, whose descendants mainly remained in Nebraska, many involved in farming and local businesses. The Abbott family endured the typical hardships of early settlers, including the brutal 1888 blizzard. Their story reflects the broader historical and personal narratives of pioneering American families, dealing with frontier challenges and contributing to community development. The details sourced from C.E. Persinger’s 1981 history of Merrick County portray a vivid picture of their legacy.

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