Document text
G. B. Nebr. TIT,
(Dugln, Ida M.)
Dec. 18, 1938
1,340 words
Omaha Dist. 2.
TARLY EXPrRITNcE$ IN NEORASYA BY rwrir RVALBUT PERRY
First Chapter.
After long years an a farm near Macomb, Minas, my
father H. M. Hurlbut, yielded to the call of the west. Two brothers,
Everett and Tarren, who were living in a little village near Omaha,
had persuaded his that larger opportunities awaited his there. So
in the seventies he packed up all his belongings end loaded them
into a freight car. Since the live stook must be. watered and fed,
he was obliged to ride in the caboose.
My mother, with three small girls went ahead. Upon
reaching Council Bluffs, we found that the bridge over the Missouri
river was not completed and we crossed the river on a shaky —looking
footbridge. Cold winds and icy boards however, did not add to our
pleasure.
Uncle Warren Met 118 and under his guidance we finally
reached Nebraska soil, where an old—fashioned cenveyance awaited
us and we set out over endless and seemingly trackless prairie to
the spot which was to be our 11 -lee.
We were delighted to reach a comfortable home where light,
beat, f-od and a warm welcome awaited us. This house was the home
of Uncle Everett Hurlbut, who was one of the pioneer Congregational
ministers of Nebraska. (1)
(1) Fannie Hurlbut Perry, 4146 N.E. Flanders, Portland, Ore.
Page 2.
As soon as our 'pods came we went to the house that was
to be our new home, it was quite an undertaking however, to make
our furni4hIngs harmonise with the now eurrounding3. The house
had been built by a Mr. F.H. Sherwood from the at, who had come
West with the idea of developing a large stock farm and had already
completed several of the needed buildings, large barns, a carriage
house and servants quarters.
The family intended to live for a time in the house we
were to oc;cupy until the farm was ready for them to build a home
for themselves. Mr. Sherwood however evidently %ie.:Jame discouraged
and finally gave up the whole project. Mr. warren Hurlbut and my
father rented the farm and the two families shared the house. To
us, this house was a mansion with its many spacious rooms, large
halls and verandas, we really could not imagine wanting anything
better.
Several families from the East came to this village of
Irvington bringing with them high ideals in regard to church and
school. There were the frights, two brothers and a sister Mrs.
Hibbard. Their adjoining homes faced the main highway, along this
highway they planted trees, which when we saw them, bad grown so
large that their branches met forming an archway overhead. This
spirit in the community was a forerunner of the time when everyone
would plant trees on 'Arbor day'.
Several families of the Brewsters, lived in another sec-
tion. One of them, Silas Brewster, being a deacon in the church
(1) Fannie Hurlbut Perry, 4146 N.F. Flanders, Portland, Ore.
Page 3.
loved and honored by the whole community. His wife was a daughter
of Reverend Reuben Gaylord another pioneer Congregational minister
cif Nebraska.
Another group consisted of the Stoddards; Mt. and Mrs.
Emerson Stoddatd, a young couple, two brothers Elijah and Wilbur,
and a sister Julia. Another siter, Mrs. Louise Wenrick, who
came twice to visit them she seemed like someone out of a story
book with her fine manners and stylish gowns. Mr. and Mrs. F.
Stoddard lived at the crossroads. Their home, near the center of
the village, was to me the center of interest and spent many
happy hours there.
When later a baby girl, Cora, arrived, Hattie Brewster
and T felt that we were personally responsible for her well-being.
Some years later 'hen the family went back east Cora Stoddard
became a noted welfare worker.
The Hurlbut family at first consisted of the three
brothers but later another, Augustus, lame since childhood,
joined them with his bride. In spite of his tameness be did so
many worthwhile th,ngs; he was a good musician, business man, and an
all around man. Later they moved to Kearney, Nebraska. Later
Everett Hurlbut went to California, where he hoped to regain his
health, but finally came back to Nebraska and spent the remainder
Of his life in Omaha.
Two of his children live to Nebraska, Mrs. Bruce NoCulleoh
of Omaha and Mye. woodruff of Lincoln. Since Warren Hurlbut's wife
longed to return to their old home in Iowa they moved to Clarinda,
(1) Fannie Hurlbut Perry, 4146 N.E. Flanders, Portland, Ore.
Page 4.
Iowa, but after a few years they were obliged to move to Villisca.
Not one of the family however, is now lkiring.
There were many other f,,milies in the vicinity of /rving-
ton and each contributed something to the interesting life of the
community. The parsonage was one of the highlights and its influence
was far-reaching. To its doors we turned for encouragement, comfort
and stimulation.
limp delightful gatherings were held in the school house
before a church was built. The activittss of the church and school
were the chief interests of the pima'.
everyone went to churl* in those days, where they learned
to live and work with each other, and the happy natural life in the
village became the expression of their simple belief in their Creator.
6OURON or INFORNAT/ON:
(1) Fannie Hurlbut Perry, 4146 Not. Flanders, Portland, Ore.
NA: