Obituaries
Died: Alexander Anderson at his home in Calamus precinct at 6 o’clock Monday evening, October 15, 1900 of typhoid pneumonia after an illness of 8 days. Deceased was born in Dronley, Scotland, January 18, 1853, coming to this country in 1877. He spent the first half year in Connecticut and the rest of his life in Nebraska, the last 14 years near Burwell. He was one of our most highly respected citizens, honorable, upright, with a ready, friendly word for everyone and will be greatly missed by a wide circle of acquaintances. He leaves a wife and 6 children and one brother, and a sister and brother in Scotland.
The Modern Woodmen of America, of which he was a member, held a short service at the home and formed an escort to the Burwell Congregational Church, where they held their regular church services, assisted by Rev. Campbell, a male quartet and a mixed quartet; thence the escort (over 40 Woodmen) accompanied the body to the Burwell Cemetery, where, after their short services and a beautiful song, bade farewell to the brother who had gone before.
The pallbearers in Woodman costume were Messrs. Matthews, Banks, Webster, Beynon, Janes, Johnson. Among the profusion of flowers were the Woodman emblems—axe, square and wedge—made of beautiful blossoms.
The lodge at this place passed the following resolutions of condolence.
Whereas, it has pleased our heavenly father in his infinite wisdom to remove from our midst our beloved neighbor, Alexander Anderson, be it
Resolved that we, the officers and members of Burwell Camp No. 1468, desire to express our heartfelt sympathy for the bereaved wife and family, resolved
In the death of neighbor Anderson, Burwell Camp #1468 laments the loss of a worthy neighbor and true friend, therefore be it
Resolved that our charter be draped in mourning for a period of 60 days and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the bereaved family, also that a copy of the same be placed on our Journal and a copy sent to the press for publication.
Committee: F. A. Webster, P. P. Scott
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Died. At the home of her sister Mrs. David E. Anderson on Thursday evening, November 1, 1900, of typhoid pneumonia and paralysis, after an illness of 12 days, Margaret Josephine [Coffin] wife of the late Alexander Anderson, aged 30 years and 4 months 27 days. Deceased was born in Boston, Mass. and has lived the past 21 years in Nebraska, the last 15 years near Burwell. She leaves 6 children, mother, sister and brother, and a wide circle of friends to mourn her loss. Her death occurring 17 days after that of her husband makes it seem doubly sad.
The funeral services were held at the Congregational Church Saturday afternoon, November 3, by Rev. Campbell, and the music was by a special quartet. There was a profusion of beautiful flowers. Interment was in the Burwell cemetery and the pallbearers were Messrs. Beynon, Matthews, Janes, Johnson, Banks and Webster.
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Died: Miss Dorothy Louise Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander and Margaret Anderson, was born June 27, 1891 at her Uncle’s home near Burwell, where she has spent many years of her life. Death was caused by heart failure [actually suicide] and she passed away in the same room in which she was born. Her father and mother preceded her about 18 years ago, she being the eldest of their six children. She leaves to mourn her passing 2 bothers, Colin and Karl, and 3 sisters, Jessie, Harriet Merriam, and Margaret, her grandmother, Mrs. Harriet Frances Coffin, and Uncle, Harry Coffin and their family, and her Uncle, D. E. Anderson and his daughter, Louise. She also has a number of relatives in Boston and in Scotland and many friends and neighbors who will long remember her gentle and loving nature. She united with the Congregationalist Church about 12 years ago and she lived a quiet life of service for those she loved and we believe she is
Safe in the arms of Jesus
Safe on his gentle breast
And by his love o’ershadowed
Sweetly her soul doth rest
Funeral services were held in the Congregational church Monday afternoon, Rev. S. A. Van Luver officiating and many faithful friends followed this beautiful life to the last resting place by the side of her mother and father in the Burwell cemetery.
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Died. At Grand Island July 4, 1928, following an operation [an appendectomy] at the same hospital, Margaret Josephine [Anderson], daughter of the late Alexander and Margaret Anderson of Burwell, and wife of Homer J. Diefenderfer, at Wood River, Nebraska.
She is survived by her sisters, Miss Jessie Anderson, Miss Merriam Anderson and by her brothers Karl and Colin and by her grandmother Mrs. H. J. Coffin. Another sister, Dorothy, preceded her to the other land some 10 years ago. Deceased was a graduate of the Burwell High School and while attending there made her home with Mr. & Mrs. L. B. Fenner. She fitted herself for teaching and at this work she was very successful; for 6 years taught at Blue Springs, Nebraska and later 2 years at Wood River, Nebraska, where she met and was united in marriage June 11, 1927, to Homer Diefenderfer. Short funeral services were held at Wood River last Friday morning and the body then brought to Burwell where services were held at the Congregational Church, conducted by Rev. Houser, Friday afternoon, interment in the Burwell cemetery following the service. The deceased had many friends in Burwell and vicinity and all will learn of her untimely death with deep regret.
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Harriet Frances Merriam was born in Boston, Mass February 21, 1835 and died October 2, 1928 at the home of her son, H. J. Coffin of Burwell, Nebraska. She grew to womanhood in her native city and was married to Henry J. Coffin in 1858. To this union 3 children were born, a son and 2 daughters.
Mrs. Coffin was of a quiet, home-loving nature and few people have lived such a long and eventful life. Left an orphan in early childhood, she was reared as an only child by foster parents, the mother coming west with her in 1879, and now rests [sic] at Richland, near Schuyler, Nebraska, where the Coffin family resided, and they came to this community 42 years ago.
Her ancestors were of sturdy New England stock, liberty-loving and God-fearing people. Having a home in Boston during the thrilling days of the Civil War, she has seen Pres. Lincoln, also Harriet Beecher Stowe and has heard Henry Ward Beecher preach some of his famous sermons, also seen many other noted people of those days. After coming to Nebraska she fell happily into the ways of pioneer life and did her part nobly. She united with the 1st Congregational Church about 23 years ago and kept her faith to the last.
She liked to travel and twice visited her beloved Boston after coming west. She visited California and spent 2 months in Corpus Christi, Texas. Mrs. Coffin’s friends held her in high esteem and her heart beat loyal and true to friends both old and new.
Her husband preceded her in death 34 years ago and one daughter, Mrs. Alexander Anderson, was taken 28 years ago. The other daughter, Mrs. David E. Anderson, was taken 23 years ago. She is survived by her son of this place and with whom she had made her home continuously the last 21 years. She also leaves 8 grandchildren, [lacuna est] great-grandchildren, and 2 nieces to mourn her going.
In the quiet of a beautiful autumn morning, her tired soul found rest and her spirit returned to its maker. The friends who watched and waited could almost discern the joyful meeting with loved ones, as if a rose had climbed the garden wall and blossomed on the other side. Funeral services were conducted from the Congregational Church this Thursday afternoon, officiated by Rev. Houser. Interment made in Burwell cemetery.
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David Ewart Anderson was born in Perth, Scotland, October 4, 1851 and passed peacefully into the Great Beyond, Monday January 13, 1930. When a young man he came to America, the call of the pioneer country prompting this move. He stopped in Connecticut for several years making his home with friends. A short time following his return from a visit in Scotland he left the New England states and came to Nebraska settling near Schuyler in 1878. He was one of the Loup Valley pioneers coming to the valley in 1884, and locating on a homestead at the forks of the Loup and Calamus rivers. He endured the hardships and adversities incident to the settling of a new country and it was on this homestead, which he named "Forks Hall"* that he toiled and saved until eventually he had improved his farm and it is one of the most desirable properties in the Loup Valley. On October 12, 1893 he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Louise Coffin. One daughter blessed this union. His wife preceeded him to eternal rest May 24, 1905. Mr. Anderson grew up in the Presbyterian church later casting his lot with the Congregational Church of Burwell, of which he has been a member for many years. He was a man of sterling qualities, possessing a quiet, happy disposition, ever willing to lend a helping hand to a friend. He loved nature and because of this chose farming for his life's occupation. He had a great love of travel and during his life not only visited his native Scotland, but toured his beloved United States from coast to coast and from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. He was a member of the Modern Woodman of America for 35 years and an Odd Fellow since its organization. The office of County Commissioner and several precinct offices have been filled by him with credit. The school district near his home was organized by him and he helped to build both school houses, the first one being of sod. He has been director continously since its organization more than forty years ago. It was while in the line of duty at the little school house, which he had guarded over with the same love that a mother doth her child, that God's beckoning hand called him home. He leaves to mourn his passing his daughter, Louise Wicks, who has cared for him faithfully and devotedly during his declining years; two grandchildren, Onnolee and Robert David Wicks and a wide circle of friends.
*Alexander and Margaret Anderson named their nearby homestead "Riverview"
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Funeral Services Held For Joseph Chaffin
Funeral services for Joseph Chaffin, who died at the family home near Inavale, on Wednesday, were conducted from the District 41 schoolhouse on October 17, by Rev. P. J. Kirk, pastor of the Methodist church in Inavale. Interment was made in the cemetery near the schoolhouse. A large crowd of relatives and friends were present to pay their last tribute of respect to the deceased.
Joseph Chaffin was born in Ross County, Ohio, on March 27, 1849 and departed this life on October 16th, 1935, at the age of 86 years and 6 months.
He was united in marriage to Sylvina Lash, on February 15th, 1872. Five children were born to this union. One daughter, Clara Pichler, preceded him in death eighteen years ago. He leaves to mourn his passing, his widow, three sons and one daughter, Elmer Chaffin, of Sacramento, California, Ora [sic] S. Chaffin, of Burwell and LeRoy Chaffin, of Superior and Mrs. Bert Grossman, of Inavale; twenty-seven grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren and one sister of South Dakota, as well as many friends.
When he was a young man he united with the Methodist Church and was active in the work while he was able. He followed farming as his life's work and was most successful. A man of many excellent traits of character, kind and thoughtful of others, a good neighbor, he had many warm friends who will sorely miss him.
With the exception of his son, Elmer, who was here last year, all the children were present at the funeral service.
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Funeral Services for ORRIN S. CHAFFIN Conducted Saturday
Funeral services for the late Orrin [sic] S, Chaffin, were conducted from the Christian Church in Burwell, Saturday afternoon, July 22nd, with Dean Donner, Minister, in charge. The selections, "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" and "Beyond the Sunset," were sung by Mrs. Marietta Donner and Mrs. Virginia Olcott; Mrs. Iva Helmkamp, accompanist. Pallbearers were: Leonard Graves, Vernon Lowery, Charles Cassidy, Leslie Westover, Trevor Brandenburg and Albert Bolli. Interment was made in Cottonwood Cemetery, Burwell.
OBITUARY:
Orrin Summer [sic] Chaffin, son of Joseph and Olive Chaffin, was born March 18, 1890, in Webster County, Nebraska, and passed away July 20, 1961 at the age of 71 years, 4 months and 2 days, at the Burwell Hospital, after a lingering illness.
He became a member of the United Brethren Church about 55 years ago. He helped build a new church south of Inavale.
August 30, 1910 he was married to Edith Dickerson. To this union seven children were born.
In 1925 they moved to the Erina Community and resided there until 1937 when he moved to Burwell and later to Grand Island.
He is survived by two daughters, Lois Horwart and Doris Cass of Burwell; and five sons, Wayne of Grand Island, Leland and Jerald of Burwell, Leslie of Norfolk, Gerald of Bassett; fourteen grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren; one brother, Roy of Sargent, and hosts of nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, two sisters and one brother.
Out-of-town relatives attending the services: Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Chaffin, Grand Island; Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Chaffin and family, Norfolk; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Chaffin and Scott, Bassett; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Guggenmos and family, Ord; Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Chaffin, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Chaffin, Mrs. Warren Womble, Sargent; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Pickler [sic] Val Pickler, Gayle Pickler, Larry Pickler, Grand Island; Lon Pickler, Norfolk; Miss May Dickerson, Lincoln. Friends: Mr. and Mrs. Howard Samsel, Lincoln; Mr. and Mrs. John Kruml and Vencil, Grand Island.