WILLIAM SEAMAN AND ETHEL JANE (ADAIR) CRICHTON RESEARCH RECORD

BIRTH/BAPTISM/PARENTS/CHILDREN RECORDS

DEATH/OBITUARY/CEMETERY RECORDS

Dies: Retired Teacher.  William S. CRICHTON, 78, of 6502 Wirt Street, retired printing teacher, died Wednesday night at a hospital after a lingering illness.  Mr. CRICHTON edited a Bedford, IA paper for several years until he came to teach printing in Tech and South High Schools in 1907.  He retired in 1945 after spending nearly 50 years in the printing industry.  He was a 40-year member of the International Typographical Union.  Funeral services are pending at Kremer Mortuary.  Mr. CRICHTON is survived by his wife Ethel; a son, William L., Lancaster, Cal; daughters Mrs. Marjorie RHODES, Spalding, Neb., and Mrs. Betty Jane JENSEN, Blair, Neb; brothers, Robert M., Deer Lodge, Mont., and Thomas, Sterling, Colo; sisters, Mrs. May BARTOS, Helena, Mont.; Mrs. Leutitia KANZELMEYER, Visalia, Cal; Mrs. Belle THOMASON, Memphis, Tenn., and Mrs. Helen SANDERS, Loveland, Co.

Source:  In material owned by Betty JENSEN.  Paper was probably the Omaha World-Herald.

MARRIAGE/DIVORCE RECORDS

FAMILY BIBLE/RELIGION AFFILIATIONS RECORDS

EMPLOYMENT/MILITARY/ORGANIZATIONS RECORDS

WILL/ESTATE/DEEDS/COURT RECORDS

Henry M. BRISSEY and wife to Ethel A. CRICHTON and William S. CRICHTON.  Warranty Deed.  Filed for record this 1 day of October A.D. 1904 at 11 o'clock a.m.  C.R. HACKER Co Clerk, Nemaha Co, Nebraska.  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:  That Henry M. BRISSEY and Elizabeth J. BRISSEY, his wife of Nemaha Co and State of Nebraska in consideration of the sum of ($300) Three hundred and no/100 Dollars in hand paid by Ethel A. CRICHTON and William S. CRICHTON wife and husband jointly the following described premises, situated in the Co of Nemaha and State of Nebraska, to-wit Lot One (1) of Block Three (3) in the original town of Sheridan now Auburn Nebraska together with all of the improvements thereon and appurtenances therunto belonging.  And we covenant with the said Ethel A. CRICHTON and William S. CRICHTON wife and husband jointly that we hold said premises by good and perfect title; that we have good right and lawful authority to sell and convey the same; that they are free and clear of all liens and encumbrances whatsoever.  And we covenant to warrant and defend the said premises against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever and the said Elizabeth J. BRISSEY hereby relinquishes all her right and title and claime of dowry in and to the above described premises.  Signed this 28th day of September 1904.  In presence of Ford. G. HAWXBY.  Henry M. BRISSEY  Elizabeth J. BRISSEY.

Ethel A. CRICHTON & husb. TO Mary RADMACHER & husb.  Filed for record January 18th1919, at 2; [sic] O'Clock P.M.  WARRANTY DEED.  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That Ethel A. CRICHTON and Will S. CRICHTON, wife and husband in consideration of Two thousan ($2000.00) Dollars in hand paid, do hereby grant, bargain, sell, convey and confirm until Mary RADMACHER and C.A. RADMACHER, the following described real estate, situate in the Co of Nemaha and State of Nebraska, to-wit Lot one (1) in Block three (3) Sheridan, now Auburn, Nebraska, as surveyed platted and recorded. subject to all taxes of the year 1917 and all subsequent taxes thereafter levied.together with all the tenements hereditamenta, and appurtenances to the same belonging, and all the estate, title, dower, right of homestead, claim or demand whatsoever of the said Ethel A. CRICHTON and Will S. CRICHTON of, in, or to the same, or any part thereof; TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the above described premises, with the appurtenances, unto the said Mary RADMACHER and C.A. CRICHTON for ourselves and our heirs, executors and administrators, do covenant with the said Mary RADMACHER and C.A. RADMACHER and with their heirs and assignes that we are lawfully seized of said premises, that they are free from incumbrance that we have good right and lawful authority to sell the same and that we will and our heirs, executors, and administrators shall warrant and defend the same unto the said Mary RADMACHER and C.A. RADMACHER and their heirs and assigns, forever, against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this 16 day of January A.D. 1919 In presence of E.G. MILLER.  Will S. CRICHTON  Ethel A. CRICHTON  [note at the foot:  $2.00]

Last Will and Testament of Wm. S. CRICHTON.  I, William S. CRICHTON, being of sound mind and memory and with the intention of disposing of all of my property, real, personal or mixed, of whatever kind or nature, and wherever situated, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Las Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills and codicils by me made.  I.  I hereby direct that my executrix, hereinafter named, first pay from my estate all of my just debts, funeral expense and expense of last sickness.  II.  I nominate and appoint my wife, Ethel Cline CRICHTON, executrix of this my Last Will and Testament.  III.  I give, bequeath, and devise to the following named persons:  William L. CRICHTON, Lawndale, California; Marjorie I. RHODES, Blair, Nebraska; Betty Jane JENSEN, Blair, Nebraska, all of my property of whatsoever kind or nature and wheresoever situated subject to a life estate in the real property which I hereby give to my beloved wife, Ethel Cline CRICHTON.  Dated this 18th day of March, 1946.  William S. CRICHTON, Testator.  Office of the Co Judge Filed Nov 21, 1955, Robert R. Troyer, Co Judge.  We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do hereby certify that the above named testator in our presence subscribed his name to the above instrument and declared at the same time the same to be his Last Will and Testament, and we, at his request, and in his presence and in the presence of each other, hereby subscribe our names hereto as attesting witnesses.  (signed)  John R. ? and ?? (illegible)
In the Co Court of Douglas Co, Nebraska.  State of Nebraska, Co of Douglas.  In the Matter of the Estate of William S. CRICHTON, Deceased.  Bk. 79 P. 432.  I, Edward G. Garvey, Acting Co Judge in and for said Co, do hereby certify that on December 16th, 1955, the foregoing instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of William S. CRICHTON, deceased, which was filed in this Court on November 21st 1955, was duly proved, approved, probated, and allowed as the last Will and testament of the said deceased, and the same was ordered to be recorded in the Records of the Co Court aforesaid.  In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Co Court, at Omaha, on the date first above mentioned.  (signed) Edward G. Garvey, Acting Co Judge.  (seal) Office of the Co Judge Filed Dec 15 1955, Robert R. Troyer, Co Judge.

There are a number of estate papers involved in settling the above estate (19 in all, plus the 2-page will).  See Original Documents for copies of these papers.

CENSUS/CITY DIRECTORIES/TAX LIST RECORDS

MIGRATION/CHRONOLOGY/MAP REFERENCE RECORDS

INTERVIEW/ARTIFACTS RECORDS

END OF RESEARCH RECORD

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6.1__William Lynn CRICHTON
      b.  12 May 1903, Auburn, Nemaha Co, NE
      child of:  William Seaman & Ethel Jane (ADAIR) CRICHTON
      d.   21 Jul 1993, Lane Co, OR
      Buried:  Memorial Cemetery, Tucson, Pima Co, AZ   Go to Tombstones

     m.  8 Jun 1922, Glenwood, Mills Co, IA

6.1s__Goldie Martel TIDD
      b.  15 May 1904, Dodge, Dodge Co, NE
      child of:  Elija Seigle (b. 1883, IA) & Ida Minnie (KURTZ) (b. 14 Mar 1884, Dodge, Dodge 
                   Co, NE) TIDD
      d.  12 Jul 1994, Portland, Clackamas Co, OR
      Buried:  Memorial Cemetery, Tucson, Pima Co, AZ   Go to Tombstones

                                       

Other Marriages:  None

Children:
6.1a  William Wayne CRICHTON     b.  21 Apr 1923     d.  20 Feb 1984
6.1b  Betty Jane (BJ2) CRICHTON        b.  28 May 1926     d.  28 Mar 2007

Synopsis:  

• Elija, Goldie’s father, was probably born in IA.  Her mother was born 14 Mar 1884 in Dodge Co, NE.  

• The W.S. CRICHTON booklet says that Lynn and Goldie were married 10 Jun 1922 and that daughter Betty Jane was born in 1927.  

• Lynn CRICHTON was one of the family’s favorite characters.  He worked in the aircraft industry, for McDonnell Douglas, in CA and retired to Eugene, OR.  In their final years, they left OR and moved to AZ to be closer to their daughter.  

• While working in the aircraft industry, he worked in NM with the captured German rocket scientists after WWII, including Werner Von Braun, whom he characterized as a “loner” and “arrogant” although not unkind. 

• In CA, he worked with many of the early test pilots who were prominent in the early rocket era following WWII.  Once, while watching TV with Merton JENSEN, an commercial appeared that featured Chuck Yeager.  Uncle Lynn was heard to murmur, “egotistical bastard.”  

• Lynn and Goldie kept Betty Jane (BJ) during summers while her mother was ill and then for a year after her death.  Betty attended 6^th grade in Howells, NE, where Lynn worked for the Telephone Company.  

• Lynn began working for the Bell Telephone Company, stringing lines and repairing lines, out of Omaha, when he was in high school and continued to work for them after he graduated.  Goldie was an operator for “Ma Bell” and that is how they met.  

• While living in Howells, Lynn did special colored lighting effects for the local dance hall – at the time, the largest dance hall west of the Mississippi River.  One of the guest band leaders of the day was a then-little-known Lawrence Welk.  He took Betty to a couple of the dances where Welk and his orchestra played because he had to do the lighting.  So Betty was able to see Welk, live, before he became famous and had a television show!

Source:  Dale and Deborah MORROW, Lynn CRICHTON, and Betty JENSEN

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6.1a__William Wayne CRICHTON
      b.  21 Apr 1923, Omaha, Douglas Co, NE
     child of:  William Lynn & Goldie M. (TIDD) CRICHTON
      d.  20 Feb 1984, Tucson, Pima Co, AZ
     Buried:  Memorial Cemetery, Tucson, Pima Co, AZ   Go to Tombstones

     m.  14 Aug 1948, Inglewood, Los Angeles Co, CA

6.1as__Ruth Ann GINDROZ
      b.  9 Sep 1928, Los Angeles Co, CA
      child of:  Francis H. & Frances R. (LENDY) GINDROZ
      d.
      Buried:

Other Marriages:
Wayne and Ruth Ann divorced 30 Apr 1979, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA [CA Div Index]
Wayne m2. 6 Dec 1981  Marion S. KENDALL, Tucson, Pima Co, AZ.  They operated a trailer park in Tucson.

Children:
6.1a1  Cindy Lou CRICHTON         b.  2 Mar 1958, Inglewood, Los Angeles Co, CA
           m.  25 Apr 1994, Rock Co, WI     Maurice Scott OIUM    b.  c1964
6.1a2  Karen Marie CRICHTON     b.  15 Dec 1959, Los Angeles Co, CA
           Lived Portland, Multnomah Co, OR and Wenatchee, Chelan Co, WA
6.1a3  William Gary CRICHTON     b.  18 Feb 1964, Inglewood, Los Angeles Co, CA

Synopsis:  

• Marriage announcement:  On Sun., 6 Dec 1981, at 2 p.m., in view of God and the mountain, Marion S. KENDALL and William W. CRICHTON will unite and rejoice for their Journey of Life together at 15251 N. Lago Del Oro Parkway.  Chuckwagon Reception following.  Address:  Box 8294 Tucson, AZ  85738.

Source:  Lynn CRICHTON, Wayne CRICHTON, Betty JENSEN

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6.1b__Betty Jane CRICHTON II
     b.  28 May 1926, Omaha, Douglas Co, NE
      child of:  William Lynn & Goldie M. (TIDD) CRICHTON
      d.  28 Mar 2007, Tucson, Pima Co, AZ
      Buried:

       m2.  24 Feb 1951, Reno, Washoe Co, NV

 6.1bs__Thomas REES
      b.  11 Nov 1917, ID
     child of:  Gomer Vaughan (1883-1971) & Eliza Mae (1888-1967) (WILLIAMS) REES
     d.  25 Apr 1964, Lane Co, OR
     Buried:  Ogden City Cemetery, Ogden, Weber Co, UT  (Plot:  J-R-11-3E)

Other Marriages: 
Betty Jane m1. Mar 1945
     ? LEDBETTER

Children:
6.1b1  Kristine Lynne REES     b. 12 Mar 1953, Reno, Washoe Co, NV
           m1.  4 Aug 1972, San Diego City, CA    Richard A. WHEATLEY    (Div. 25 Jun 1975)
           m2.  9 Oct 1983, Alexandria, VA by the Rev. G. Richard FOWLER, United Methodist Clergy
                   Mark Towse DALY Jr.    b.  12 Aug 1955, NY
                   child of:  Mark Towse & Olga Pauline (GUERICO) DALY
6.1b2  Thomas John REES     b.  5 Jun 1954, Lancaster, Los Angeles Co, CA

Synopsis:  

Source:  Lynn CRICHTON, Betty JENSEN

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6.2__Marjorie Irene CRICHTON
      b.  11 Dec 1905, Auburn, Nemaha Co, NE
      child of:  William Seaman & Ethel Jane (ADAIR) 
                    CRICHTON
      d.  8 Jan 1982, Salinas, Monterey Co, CA
      Buried:  Ashes scattered over 
                   Monterey Bay  
                   Go to Tombstones

     m.  18 Aug 1925, Auburn, Nemaha 
           Co, NE

6.2s__John Rupert RHODES
      b.  6 Feb 1903, Ansley, Custer Co, NE
      child of:  John Ross (1859-1933) & Dora (1860-1931) (PATRICK) RHODES
      d.  May 1951, Spalding, Greeley Co, NE
      Buried:  Ansley, Custer Co, NE  Go to Tombstones

Other Marriages:  None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children:
6.2a  John (Beezie) Crichton RHODES     b.  11 May 1927
6.2b  Marjorie Joan RHODES                  b.  20 Nov 1928
         d.  29 Jan 1999, Sun City West, Maricopa Co, AZ

Synopsis:

• John (Choppy) RHODES was an assistant football coach at the University of Nebraska from 1926-1929.  

• He played on the Nebraska football team that beat the legendary “Four Horsemen” of Notre Dame.  

• He was head football coach at the University of Wyoming from 1929-1932, the St. Louis Blues, a professional football team, from 1938-1939.

• Twice, he coached high school football at Blair High School, and while Betty Jane was living with them there in the summer of 1939, met Merton whom she married the following October 1939.

• Article commemorating University of Nebraska Athletes:  94 - John "Choppy" RHODES  Ansley/1902 or 1903-1951, Football, track & field, baseball, basketball.  Played for:  Ansley High and Nebraska Cornhuskers.  Best moment(s) as an athlete:  Nebraska's two wins against Notre Dame and its legendary "Four Horsemen."  From 1922 through 1924, the Fighting Irish went 27-2-1, with their only losses coming to the Huskers.  RHODES also went on to score a crucial touchdown in 1925 in a 14-0 win over Red Grange and Illinois.  Grange was held scoreless at home for the only time in his career.  John "Choppy" RHODES was the pride of the town of Ansley in Custer Co and was known for his all-around athletic skills.  RHODES held three state high school track records at the same time (vault, long jump, high jump), helped Ansley win a pair of state basketball titles and also played baseball.  He was the first state gold medal winner to clear 6 feet in the high jump and the first winner beyond 21-2 in the long jump.  He was player/coach of Ansley's first football team in 1920, and was later selected to the Omaha World-Herald's first all-state football team in 1921.  After graduating from high school in 1922, RHODES went on to earn eight varsity letters at the University of Nebraska - three in football and track, and two in baseball - one of only six athletes to accomplish the feat at the time.  As a defensive end and running back for the Huskers, RHODES went on to earn All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 1924, and in 1925 helped the Nebraska baseball team capture a conference title.  He also went on to win the all-around championship at the University of Illinois Relays in 1926.  RHODES, who operated an automobile dealership in Spaulding and died at the age of 48, followed up his athletic endeavors by coaching several sports.  Hewas a football assistant at Nebraska and  coached NU's baseball team for two seasons, winning a conference title.  RHODES went on to coach football and serve as athletic director at Wyoming from 1930 to 1932 and coached the St. Louis Gunners pro football team in 1934.  He also coached the Blair Bears for three seasons. - Joe Clark.  Go to Original Documents.  He was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1993.  RHODES considered an offer to  play baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1925, but instead opted to return to school for his senior year.  [The article in Original Documents was edited and updated with information from Choppy's write-up as #95 at UNL because some additional information was provided so the information here varies slightly from what is in the actual article.]

• Choppy held several jobs as a traveling salesman and finally acquired the Ford dealership in Spalding, NE.  An alcoholic, he had difficulty holding a job for very long.

• Marriage Announcement:  Nemaha Co Herald, Friday, 1 Jan 1926.  Headline:  “Choppy RHODES makes public Auburn wedding.”  Subheadline:  “Marriage of a Famous Athlete Performed While Connected with Auburn Ball Team, And Kept A Secret Until Now, Is Announced – Ceremony Took Place August 18.”  The cat is out of the bag and the marriage of “Choppy” RHODES which was performed in Auburn August 18 last, by Rev. J.W. Henderson, of the First Methodist Church, is announced through the Omaha World Herald in its Monday’s issue.  Just what sort of hokus-pokus Mr. RHODES worked to keep the matter secret all these months is not explained.  It was while he was a member of the Auburn Base Ball Team last summer that the happy even was consummated and his most intimate friends here claim they had no knowledge of the event.  In announcing the marriage, the World Herald says:  “On August 18, at Auburn, Neb., John RHODES of Ansley, Neb. became the husband of Miss Marjorie CRICHTON of Oamha.  During the months of September, October and November, it seemed that almost every citizen of the Cornhusker Commonwealth knew everything worth knowing about John RHODES.  In masses ranging from 10 to 45-thousand, they assure him that he was all right, that he as a Nebraska man, the peer of any halfback ever to wear the scarlet and cream of Nebraska.  But they never knew that he was a married fellow.  His bride continued teaching in a rural school, the location of which neither she or John will define with any exactitude.  John continued carrying the ball off track or through center or around end.  Both continued to keep silent.  Just now the secret is out.  John at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.S. CRICHTON, 2021 Castelar Street, told about the ceremony.  He said he would have told about it sooner only no one asked him.  After helping to pitch the Murphys to another title in the Metropolitan League last season, RHODES went to Auburn to pitch hay and carry ice and otherwise shape up for the football season.  Miss CRICHTON went there to visit friends.  On August 18, they were married.  RHODES will return to Nebraska next fall to complete his course there, although his days as one of the Scarlet’s greatest, if not the greatest, all-around athletes, will pass with the end of the track season.  Mrs. RHODES, who attended Nebraska, will resume her studies next fall also.  Mrs. RHODES is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.S. CRICHTON, formerly of Auburn and was born and raised in this city, as was her father before her.  The father was, for several years, publisher of the Auburn Republican and was the man who changed its name from that of Auburn Post.  Leaving Auburn several years ago, Mr. CRICHTON located in Omaha, where he has been head of the printing department of the Technical High School for some years.”

• John Ross RHODES (28 Jul 1859 - 19 Apr 1933) was the son of John and Matilda (FORSHEY) RHODES.

• Dora Patrick Rhodes (1860-1931) was the daughter of George (1835-1911) and Emily (1836-1909) (HURNDON) PATRICK

• History of Custer Co, Nebraska.  p. 830.  John R. RHODES. - Since he began the practice of his profession at Ansley, in 1903, John R. RHODES has lent dignity and stability to professional affairs in his part of Custer Co, and thus has maintained and even added to a reputation for ability and resourcefulness established during his residence in the state of Pennsylvania.  Judge RHODES is a native of the Keystone state, as he was born in Blair Co, Pennsylvania; July 28, 1859, a son of John and Matilda (FORSHEY) RHODES.  His paternal grandfather, Abraham RHODES, who was born in Virginia and owned a large plantation there, adopted the cause of Abolition and freed his slaves, following which he went to Pennsylvania.  Henry FORSHEY, the maternal grandfather, was a soldier of Napoleon and was one of those who went on the ill-fated expedition to storm Moscow, and after his return to France he immigrated to the United States.  He was a man of superior intellectual and educational attainments, and when he came to America he brought with him a large and comprehensive library, his home being on the present site of Altoona, Blair Co, Pennsylvania.  John RHODES was born in 1812, in Virginia, and was eight years of age when taken by his parents to Pennsylvania.  There he grew to manhood and became a prosperous farmer, and he was a man widely known for his ability and integrity.  He was a Republican in politics.  He died May 6, 1864, in the faith of the Lutheran church, of which his wife also was a member.  She was born September, 1825, in Pennsylvania, and died in October 1904.  Their marriage was solemnized in 1855, and they became the parents of three children - Sarah is the wife of Thomas GROVE, a farmer of Blair Co, Pennsylvania; John R. is the subject of this sketch; and Kezziah, of Pennsylvania, is the widow of the late John CALLAHAN, who for many years was an engineer on the Pennsylvania Central Lines.  After attending the public schools of Blair Co, John R. RHODES became a student at Juniata College, Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, being graduated from that institution in 1877.  He next began the study of his chosen profession, in a law office, and he was admitted to the bar of Pennsylvania in 1882, continuing to practice in his native state until 1890.  In that year he came to Nebraska and bought land, and in 1903 he began the practice of law at Ainsley, since which time he has devoted himself chiefly to his calling, his practice having been materially extended with the passing years.  He is a broad-minded and progressive practitioner, a careful observer of the courtesies and amenities of his profession, at all times seeking its most intelligent and praiseworthy compensations, and is a member of the various bodies of the calling.  He has been called upon to serve in several local offices of a public character, and from 1894 to 1898 was Co judge of Custer Co.  While he has engaged to a considerable extent in farming during his career, the law has had his main interest, and to it he gives the most of his attention.  Judge RHODES in his political support subscribes to the principles of the Republican party.  In March, 1881, Judge RHODES married Miss Dora PATRICK, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of George and Emma (HERNDON) PATRICK, early settlers of Indiana, who spent their last years in Nebraska.  Judge and Mrs. RHODES are the parents of eight children:  Emma Kezziah is the wife of Leslie R. CLAY, a civil engineer of Craig, Colorado; Orlando Ross is a farmer of Bushnell, Nebraska; Laura Belle is the wife of Timothy HANLEY, a painter of Ainsley; Marcellus Roy, who is a farmer of Ainsley, married Elsa HYATT; Roscoe Bryan is at the time of this writing with Company A, Three Hundred and Forty-second Machine Gun Brigade, Sixty-eighth Division, American Expeditionary Forces in France; Edith, a graduate of Ainsley high school, class of 1918, remains with her parents, as do also Maude and John R., Jr., who are still attending school.  Mr. RHODES is a consistent member of the Baptist Church.

• John Ross RHODES.  Ansley Area History, Ansley, Custer Co, NE, pp. 144-148, U.S. Genweb.org, Nebraska, Custer County.  Judge John Ross RHODES Family History Written by Edith RHODES KING.  John R. RHODES was born July 28, 1859 in Blair County, Pennsylvania, a son of John and Matilda FORSHEY RHODES, and departed his life at Ansley, Nebraska, April 19, 1933, at the age of 74 years.  Mr. RHODES grew up in the faith of the Lutheran Church, the Church of his parents.  His maternal grandfather was a soldier under Napoleon, who after the Napoleonic wars emigrated to America.  Judge RHODES attended the public schools of his native state and later graduated from Juanita College at  Martinburg, Pennsylvania, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1880.  He left Pennsylvania and moved to Ute, Iowa, where he bought some land.  He met and married Dora Frances PATRICK.  She was the daughter of George and Emily HERNDON PATRICK; and was born in Indiana.  In 1867 she moved with her family to Monoea County in Iowa.  On February 16, 1881 she was united in marriage to John Ross RHODES.  In 1890 they moved to Custer County where he bought a homestead and farmed and practiced law.  They moved to Broken Bow, Nebraska, where he was County Judge from 1894 to 1898.  In 1903 he opened a Law Office in Ansley and gave his attention to his work.  While in Ansley he was an Attorney for the Bank of Ansley and was Village Clerk for many years.  Mrs. RHODES lived a very happy life, and gave service to all around her.  She was a member of the Baptist Church of Ansley.  She was a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and helped organize the local chapter of the Nebraska War Mothers.  Mrs. RHODES was an active member and served as State Treasurer of this organization.  A special trip by boat was offered for all War Mothers to visit France.  Mrs. RHODES planned this trip, but because of a heart ailment, she was unable to go.  They retired at Ansley, Nebraska, and spent the winters in California.  They were the parents of eight children.  The oldest daughter, Kizzie RHODES CLAY, received her education in the public schools and the Custers Teachers College in Broken Bow, Nebraska, and later attended Wesleyan University.  She taught in rural schools before her marriage to Leslie CLAY, son of a pioneer family of Ansley.  They moved to Craig, Colorado, where they lived until his passing in 1920.  Kizzie came back to Ansley and taught in various rural schools, including Janesville, for twenty-three years.  After her daughters had all graduated from the Ansley Public School she moved to Lincoln, Nebraska.  Her later years were spent with Wilma, her oldest daughter, at Grass Valley, California, where she passed away in April 1973.  They were the parents of five daughters.  Wilma CLAY moved to California as a young girl and worked for her brother-in-law for many years.  She passed away one year after retirement.  Mona CLAY attended and graduated from the Ansley Public School.  She married Elmer (Bud) HOSHAW and they farmed near Westerville, Nebraska.  She taught school and attended College.  After they quit farming and moved to Broken Bow, Nebraska, Elmer worked as a Custer County employee and Mona taught school in Broken Bow.  They are now retired and live there.  Dorothy and Virginia have lived in California for thirty-five years.  Virginia married Homer ALLEN, a Custer County boy.  Dorothy and her husband are retired and live in Reno, Nevada.  Gwynne CLAY married and lived in Oregon for many years, where she passed away in 1974.  Ross RHODES was born in Ute, Iowa, came to Nebraska with his parents and received his schooling in Broken Bow, Nebraska.  He married Elva DADY and they are the parents of two children.  Ross moved to Bushnell, Nebraska, and was in business there for many years.  Ross remarried and moved to California where he was in the insurance agency.  He lived in that state until his passing.  He has one son, Leland, living in California.  He remarried and they have five children.  Belle RHODES HANLEY was born in Ute, Iowa, and moved to Broken Bow, Nebraska, with her parents where she received her schooling.  As a young girl she worked for the Bell Telephone Company.  She was married to Timothy HANLEY and they resided in Omaha, Nebraska, where their daughter, Ruth, was born.  After moving back to Ansley, Timothy worked as an Interior Decorator.  Their son, John (Jack) was born at Ansley.  Belle worked as a nurse for Doctor HOUSEL for three years.  For thirty-eight years she clerked at the Landmesser General Store.  She purchased the store, changed the name to the Belle HANLEY Store, and managed and operated it for eight years before she sold it to retire.  She then decided to take part-time employment and was Librarian for the Ansley Township for fourteen years.  It was while working at the Library that she fell and injured herself.  During her days spent in Ansley, Belle was given a verbal orchid by the Grand Island Independent for being an outstanding citizen, for her good neighborly acts.  Belle was a free baby sitter, she seldom ever refused to baby sit for friends and neighbors.  She was always helping new ministers to get started in the Christian Church of which she is a member.  Whenever help was needed in her neighborhood, she was always there to lend a hand, no matter what the occasion may be.  Belle still resides in Ansley, and because of ill health is unable to go much, but every day she has friends call and visit her.  Ruth passed away when very young at Ansley.  Jack HANLEY received his schooling and graduated from the Ansley School.  He married Hazel HENDRICKSON and they lived in Ansley where Jack was employed.  Their children, Phyllis and Neal, were born at Hastings, NE.  Jack was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad for over thirty years and spent much of that time at Julesburg, Colorado, and North Platte, Nebraska.  Hazel was employed by the J.M. McDonald Store.  They are both retired, now, and living in Como, Colorado, where they are building a new home.  Phyllis HANLEY married Bill DYE of Julesburg, Colorado, and they are the owners and operators of the Dye Hardware Store.  She is the author of two books that were published.  One was an article about music, and the other a story for children in Sunday School.  They are the parents of five children.  Neal graduated from Sedgwick County High School and the Nebraska Christian College with a Bachelor of Arts, Ministerial Degree and a Bachelor of Theology Degree.  He was united in marriage to Sheryl PRICE at Earlham, Iowa.  He was ordained as minister at Wymore, Nebraska, July 20, 1975, at the Church of Christ.  He received his ordination vows from his father, John R. HANLEY.  They are the parents of two children.  Roy RHODES was born at Ute, Iowa.  He moved with his parents to Custer County and attended school in Broken Bown, Nebraska.  He married Elsie HYATT and they started farming on his father's farm south of Ansley.  Roy farmed at Myrtle precinct for fifteen years, and then he bought a farm north of Mason City, Nebraska, and farmed there for twenty-seven years before moving to Mason City to retire.  Roy served as County Supervisor from his District for twelve years and served on the school board of District 169 on the Mason City School Board for ten years, also sixteen years on the Custer Public Power District.  He was a member of the Christian Church, serving forty years as Sunday School superintendent.  His wife, Elsie, passed away October, 1957 and Roy passed away April, 1961.  Seven children were born to this union.  Roland RHODES was born near Ansley, Nebraska, and received his schooling at Mason City, Nebraska.  He married Carolyn PETERSON of Mason City.  They moved to Minden, Nebraska, where he was employed as a mechanic.  They have three children.  Carolyn passed away in July 1973.  Roland is now remarried and they are living in Texas.  Sara RHODES LAMB was born near Mason City, Nebraska, she received her schooling there and attended Kearney State College, and taught school.  Sarah married Clarence LAMB of Mason City, Nebraska.  He has farmed most of his life until at present he works for the school system as a bus driver and custodian.  Melba RHODES was born at Mason City in 1920.  She passed away in 1932.  Melvin RHODES graduated from Mason City School and graduated from the University of Nebraska.  He and his family live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he is an electrical engineer.  They are the parents of four children.  Donald RHODES graduated from Mason City schools and the University of Nebraska.  He and his family live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he is an Atomic Chemist.  They are the parents of four children.  Marvin graduated from the Mason City School and the University of Nebraska.  He works in Agricultural Research at the University, and lives with his family in Lincoln, Nebraska.  They are the parents of four children.  Marcelli RHODES graduated from Mason City and the University of Nebraska.  She married James WELCH, and is a medical technologist and they live in Rockville, Maryland.  They are the parents of four children.  Roscoe RHODES was born at Broken Bow, Nebraska.  He moved with his family to Ansley at an early age.  He attended school at Ansley and graduated in 1914.  He was an all-around athlete, especially a great football player.  He attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska, with honors.  He was an Ex-Huster Great, and served as Captain of the Cornhusker Team.  After graduation from the University, he enlisted in the United States Army.  He was killed in the Argonne Battle on October 25, 1918, and is buried in France in Meuse Argonne National Cemetery.  Edith RHODES spent her younger days in ANsley graduating from high school.  She taught in the rural schools of Box Elder and South Happy Hollow.  She attended the University of Nebraska and then taught three years at Merna, Nebraska.  She married Edmund KING from Berwyn.  His boyhood was spent in the vicinity of his birth, where he also received his education.  After his schooling he farmed with his father until his induction into the armed services in World War I, where he served in France.  After our marriage he assumed the management of the T.B. Hood Elevator at Ansley.  He continued in this work at Exeter, Aurora and Colon.  Because of ill health we returned to Custer County where he farmed until 1944 and we moved to Aurora, Nebraska, where Edmund was a Butter Maker in the Farmers Union Creamery.  Edith taught four years near Berwyn at the Kimball School, where Harry WEEKLY, County Superintendent brought the normal training classes to observe my teaching.  She taught in the rural schools of Happy Hollow and Cat Creek.  It was my pleasure to teach the second generation in these schools, some of the nicest people in Nebraska.  After moving to Aurora, she worked in the Hamilton County Court House as a Case Worker for the Welfare Department.  Edmund's health failed and he retired in 1957.  We continued to live in Aurora.  He passed away in the Veterans Hospital on December 23, 1970.  The Lester S. Harter Post 42 American Legion was in charge of the military rites.  We belong to the Methodist Church of Aurora.  We are the parents of three daughters.  In 1973 Edith married John G. KING, brother of Edmund.  They are retired and live at Aurora.  Betty Lou KING was born at Ansley, where she graduated from High School.  She married Doyle GARWOOD, son of Roy and Clara GARWOOD.  They farmed near Ansley until 1952 when they moved to Aurora, Nebraska and Doyle has been Superintendent of the Aurora Cemetery.  Betty was Executive Director of the Aurora Housing Authority for eight years.  They are the parents of one daughter, Marva Jean GARWOOD SIDEL.  Marva Jean GARWOOD was born at Ansley and received her school there and at Aurora.  She married Marvin SIDEL, who is an auto mechanic and they are residing at Richland, Nebraska.  Marva worked at Becton-Dickinson in Columbus and Behlen Manufacturing Company.  They are the parents of four children.  Donna Belle KING was born at Colon, Nebraska, moving back to Berwyn with her parents.  She received her schooling at Berwyn and Ansley, Nebraska.  She married Maynard MASON, son of Harris and Lorraine MASON, who spent his early life near Ansley.  They farmed near Ansley and at Cumro, Nebraska.  In 1959 they moved to Grand Island, Nebraska, where they are both employees of Sears Roebuck and Company.  They have three children.  Linda MASON was born at Broken Bow, Nebraska, and received her schooling at Cumro and Grand Island, Nebraska.  She is married to John Price, who is an accountant at Redmans Sales Company.  They are the parents of two children.  Steven MASON was born at Cumro, Nebraska and went to grade school there.  He moved to Grand Island with his parents and graduated from high school there.  He is presently working for New Holland Manufacturing.  Terry MASON was killed in a tragic car accident when he was three and one-half years old.  He is buried at Ansley, Nebraska.  Roma Dee KING was born at Berwyn, Nebraska.  She attended school in Custer County until she came to Aurora where she graduated from high school. She attended Midland College and went back to teach school at Cumro, Nebraska.  She then moved to Delaware, where she was employed at the Chrysler Corporation.  She moved back to Aurora to make her home with her parents.  She married Oscar LUNDQUIST, Jr.  Roma is employed at the Assessor's Office at the Hamilton County Court House and her husband is a Farm Manager.  They are the parents of two girls.  Sandi is in Aurora High School and will be touring Europe while singing with "The Young Nebraskans."  Sherri will be in high school next year.  Maude RHODES was a graduate of the Ansley High School.  She attended Kearney State College and taught in the rural schools near Ansley. She married Chester McKENZIE and they lived in Hastings, Nebraska.  After the children were out of school, Maude bought and managed the White Eagle MOtel at Kearney, Nebraska.  She is retired and lives in Cooper City, Florida.  They were the parents of our [sic?] children.  Dorothy GOODWIN and husband live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they are both teaching.  They are the parents of three boys.  Bonnie KING is married and lives in Wichita, Kansas.  Her husband is a retired Army Office, they have one son who is a Doctor.  Gordon is married and lives in California.  He is a retired Army Officer, and they have three children.  Donald is married and lives in Massachusetts where he teaches school and they have three children.  John (Choppy) RHODES was born at Ansley and attended grade school.  He graduated from Ansley High School in 1922.  Choppy as his friends called him at Ansley, and who gave him this nickname, was an all around athlete.  A great football player and he was a good track man.  He was the first Nebraska athlete to jump six feet in a state meet.  He cleared this height as an Ansley prep star in 1922 and that same year he broad jumped twenty-one feet ten and one-half inches for a new state mark.  Choppy's first State record was in 1921 when he pole vaulted eleven feet eight inches, this record was broken by Morris of Grand Island, Nebraska.  After graduation, he enter the University of Nebraska.  At the University he played football.  In track Choppy was one of the greatest, probably the best all-round athlete developed by the late Henry F. SCHULTE.  He was a four Star Athlete, competing in all events.  Choppy was a watch word among Nebraska football fans in 1923 and 1924.  He helped lead the Cornhuskers by victories over Notre Dame and many of the stronger teams in the country.  His dashing speed and efficiency on the field became legendary.  Choppy also was a great baseball player.  He was a port side hurler and dependable hitter.  In all sports he was a great competitor, probably the finest builder of team spirit in Cornhusker annuals [sic].  After graduation from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Nebraska, he stayed at the University as an assistant football and head baseball coach.  Later he was a coach at the University of Wyoming and also, the Saint Louis Gunners, a professional football club.  He coached at Blair, Nebraska.  These write ups were taken from his scrap book which contains many more events in Choppy's life.  He was married to Marge CREIGHTON [sic] of Omaha, Nebraska, and they had two children, John RHODES, Jr. and Joan, who both graduated from the University of Nebraska and are now living with their families in California.  Choppy operated an Automobile Agency at Spalding, Nebraska, until his sudden death in May 1951.  He is buried at Ansley, Nebraska, where he wanted to buried among his relatives and friends.  We still thing of Ansley as our home town.  We visit Ansley once or twice a month to help my sister and visit with her.  We are proud of Ansley with a nice school building, new churches, new businesses and your new swimming pool.  Of course we enjoy that friendliness you all extend to every one.  As I think of that sign when I was younger "Push That's Ansley" I know ever citizen has done a great deal of pushing to make it an outstanding city.

• Marjorie stayed in Spalding for several years after his death, running the dealership.  Circa 1956, she moved to CA, probably because her children were there, settling in Salinas and teaching school there until she retired.  

• Obituary:  Blair Pilot Tribune:  Former Blair Resident Dies in California.  Mrs. John “Choppy” RHODES, a former resident of Blair, died Friday, Jan 8, 1982, after a lengthy illness.  She was 76 years of age.  Funeral services were held in Salinas, CA, at St. George’s Episcopal Church.  A private burial was held in the Garden of Memories.  Mrs. RHODES taught at Salinas High School until she retired in 1971.  She had lived in Salinas for 26 years.  She came to Blair in 1937 when her husband was hired as football coach at Blair High School.  She is survived by one daughter, Joan BEATTIE of Salinas; and one son, John C. RHODES of San Jose.  One sister, Betty (Mrs. Merton) JENSEN of Blair; one brother, Lynn CRICHTON, of Cheshire, OR; 5 grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, John “Choppy” R. RHODES in 1951.  Memorials are preferred to “Dollars for Scholars” Fund at Salinas High School or Mission Trails Heart Association.  Jan 1982.  

Source:  Marjorie RHODES, Betty JENSEN, U.S. Genweb.org

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6.2a__John CRICHTON RHODES
     b.  11 May 1927, Omaha, Douglas Co, NE
     child of:  John Rupert and Marjorie Irene (CRICHTON) RHODES
     d.
      Buried:

     m.  16 Mar 1948, Lincoln, Lancaster Co, NE

6.2as__Joan Marcia (Willie) WILLBERGER
     b.  2 Nov 1929, NE
     child of: ? & ? (LOCKWOOD) WILLBERGER
     d.  19 May 1994, Contra Costa, CA
     Buried:  Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Lafayette, Contra Costa Co, CA

Other Marriages:
Joan m2. ? CONSUL
John (Beezie) RHODES m2.. Allison Margaret GARAVENTA STEVENSON   
Allison m1. ? STEVENSON
b.  12 Apr 1927, Oakland, Alameda Co, CA
d.  20 Nov 2008, Hollister, San Benito Co, CA

Children:
6.2a1  LeeAnn RHODES     b.  12 Jan 1949, Lincoln, Lancaster Co, NE
           Children:  Robert SCOTLAN
                           m.  2017   Dawn
6.2a2  Susan Yvonne RHODES         b.  16 Aug 1950, Spalding, Greeley Co, NE
           m.  24 May 1970, Contra Costa Co, CA     Michael T. BRAY
6.2a3  Marjorie Catherine RHODES  b.  8 Nov 1965
           m.  18 Jun 1986, Capitola, Santa Cruz Co CA     Mark Randall OUSLEY     
                 b.  3 Dec 1965 (adopted)
           child of:  Paul & Linda (?) OUSLEY
           Children:  Trent OUSLEY

Synopsis:  

• LeeAnn was born in Lincoln, Lancaster Co, NE; Susan was born in Spalding, Greeley Co, NE; and Marjorie was born in CA (probably San Jose).  

• Beezie retired from IBM in the late 1980’s and he and Allison live golf.  He previously worked for Willis Jeep.  

• Beezie got his nickname when his father, “Choppy,” looked at him in the newborn’s nursery and saw him screaming and crying, all red and wrinkled and told Marge that he looked “just like Beelzebub.”  Beezie stuck!

• Letter from John and Margie RHODES to the family, in memory of Allison RHODES:  Allison Margaret STEVENSON RHODES.  April 12, 1927 - November 20, 2008.  A Celebration of Her Life.  The Ridgemark Woman's Golf Club.  December 11, 2008.  Allison RHODES, a loving wife, sister, aunt, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully after a tragic invasion into her lungs by an insidious form of pneumonia known as Acute Interstitial Pneumonia.  Through all of this, Allison was so brave.  She fought to survive this ordeal every step of the way.  She suffered a lot of pain and discomfort along the way.  The nurses in the ICU were more like Angels from Heaven the way they cared for her and tried to keep her comfortable.  In the end, Allie peacefully slipped away at 2:15 am Thursday, November 20th, 2008.  Allison was born in Oakland, California and liked to point out that she was a "Native Born Californian."  She grew up in Oakland attending McChesney Elementary and Holy Names High Schools, where she graduated in 1945.  Allison continued her education on a scholarship in her freshman year at Holy Names.  She then enrolled in what is now the Haas School of business at the University of California, Berkeley, to prepare for an accounting career in the business world.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree on June 16, 1949.  She then pursued her ambition, working in a number of accounting positions to gain experience and expertise in her chosen field.  Allison established her career when she accepted a position in 1961 with Value Inc., a Berkeley, California vertically integrated construction and management company.  She pursued her career in Berkeley until she relocated with her family in San Jose, California.  However, at that time Values was relocating their principle offices to Watsonville, California as well as maintaining their presence in Berkeley.  Allison arranged to commute from Almaden to Watsonville, thus extending her Values career, now doing business as California Construction and Management primarily in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties as well as Berkeley.  She enjoyed a successful career with CC&M functioning as an Accountant, Comptroller, Financial manager and Treasurer until she retired in 1987.  Allison enjoyed a number of leisure activities such as recreational camping, world wide vacation travel, a ladies luncheon bridge club, and golf.  Being an excellent golfer, she was active in a number of women's golf groups and in fact she scored six holes in one.  One ladies golfing group nicknamed her the "Hole in One Lady."  A quiet, gentle, unassuming lady, she always actively supported the groups with which she was involved.  Allison was loved and respected by everyone that knew her.  She is survived by her husband John, her daughter Marjorie and husband Mark RHODES-OUSLEY, two stepdaughters Lee Ann RHODES and Susan and husband James BARLEY, two grandsons Trent Roscoe RHODES-OUSLEY and Robert SCOTLAN, her niece Karen and husband Robert SPYCHALA and their daughter Kellyn.  I want to thank everyone for the get well cards and sympathy cards we have received and truly appreciated.  In one of the cards, someone said it all:  "Allison was such a lovely lade, she will be greatly missed!!"  Margie and I wish to thank all of you, our friends and family, with our love for helping us to fill the void we are facing.  Margie & John.  Given the time of the year, Allison, Margie and I hope you will enjoy the blessings of the Christmas Season and pray this coming year the entire world will regain a true prosperity for all of us to share!  With Allison's Love, Margie and John.

Source:  John RHODES, Betty JENSEN

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6.2b__Marjorie Joan RHODES
      b.  20 Nov 1928, Omaha, Douglas Co, NE
      child of:  John Rupert & Marjorie Irene (CRICHTON) RHODES
      d.  29 Jan 1999, Sun City West, Maricopa Co, AZ
      Buried: Springview, Keya Paha Co, NE

     m.  31 May 1952, Lincoln, Lancaster Co, NE

6.2bs__Richard Leon BEATTIE
     b.  20 Nov 1928, Springfield, Sarpy Co, NE
     child of:  Leon Reuben & Gertrude (LEAR) BEATTIE
     d.
     Buried:

Other Marriages:  None

Children:
6.2b1  John RHODES BEATTIE     
           b.  4 Sep 1953, Ainsworth, Brown Co, NE
           m.  24 Jun 1983, Kathy KAPPAS      b. 31 Jan 1960.  
                 Divorced in late 1980’s
           Children:  Kendra BEATTIE
                           Zachary BEATTIE
6.2b2  Lisa Jo BEATTIE     b. 10 Aug 1955, Riverton, Fremont Co, WY
            m.  6 Mar 1982, David LeRoy BAUER  
                  b. 7 Oct 1958 in Las Vegas, Clark Co, NV
           Children:  Kristy Jo BAUER     b. 23 Aug 1983

Synopsis:  

• John was born in Ainsworth, Brown Co, NE.  John became a first mate in the merchant marine and lives (2002) 6 months of the year in Arkansas and is at sea 6 months of the year.  

• Lisa was born in Riverton, Fremont Co, WY.  She was married first on 14 Jun 1980 in Montecito, Santa Barbara Co, CA, to Scott CATHCART.  Her second husband, David BAUER was born in Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co, CA.

• Leon Reuben BEATTIE was born 9 Aug 1899 in Norton, KS and died in Jun 1985.  Gertrude LEAR was born 21 Dec 1900 in Springfield, NE.

Source:  Betty JENSEN, Joan BEATTIE

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