FAMILY OF ERNEST F. BOELTER
Ernest F. Boelter, born in Teschendorf, Germany, October 1, 1846,
came to America in 1870. He spent four years in Wisconsin, then came
to Nebraska and settled in Knox County, west of Walnut near a
brother, Carl F., who had come to America from Prussia a few years
previously. Ernest became a U. S. citizen April 25, 1883. His
brother, Carl, also known as Charlie, became a citizen of the U. S.
on October 17, 1881. Carl never married. He was born January 26,
1841, and died August 9, 1906.
[pg208 PHOTO Carl F. Boelter]
Ernest was married April 7, 1881 to Mary Odren, whose parents were
Joseph and Elizabeth Odren, also living in Knox County at the time
Ernest and Mary were married. Mary was born October 2, 1862, in
Branch County, Michigan. Her father was a soldier in the Civil War
at the time of her birth, and he did not see his daughter until she
was two years old.
[pg208 PHOTO Ernest F. and Mary [Odren] Boelter married April 7,
1881]
Seven sons were born to Ernest and Mary, namely Alvin Fredrick -
February 4,1882; Arthur James - March 29, 1885; a son - February 22,
1887; Joseph Ernest - September 24, 1888; Ralph L. - September 20,
1892; Charles Wayne - November 7, 1894; infant son; and Roland
Edward - November 8, 1905. Two sons died in infancy. All were born
in Knox County except Roland.
The Boelters lived on the Knox County farm until 1904 when they
moved to Orchard, Nebraska, in Antelope County. The older sons
stayed in Knox County on the homestead near their uncle, Carl
(Charlie). Fred and Arthur and their families continue to live on
the land after they were married. The Boelter home was located in
the northeast part of Orchard. Mary passed away may 17, 1912. Ernest
and son, Roland, continued to live in Orchard. He worked and served
for many years as a janitor in the Orchard schools and the
Oddfellows Hall. The last several months of his life he spent with
his son Arthur, and family because of his failing health. He passed
away September 17, 1922. Ernest’s granddaughter, Myrtle E. Boelter
Miller recalls, ‘I remember him knitting dozens and dozens of pairs
of socks and mittens for the soldiers in World War I. He played the
accordion and furnished music for house dances while living on the
homestead (some of the houses being made of sod with dirt floors.)”
A grandson, Albert, son of Arthur, and his wife, Fern, resided on
part of the land. Albert passed away April 11, 1984. The homestead
had been in the Boelter family for 100 years.
Arthur Boelter married Hattie Butterfield May 16, 1905, and they had
five children: Myrtle, Albert, Evelyn, Ernest, and Wayne..
Alvin F. (Fred) married Edith Butterfield on May 15, 1906. They had
11 children: Roy, Leonard, Vera, Homer, Cecil, Reno, Jane, Boyd, Kem,
Lucille, and an infant who died at birth.
Joseph Boelter married Carrie Heiland on December 12, 1910. Their
three children are Kenneth, Floyd, and Neva.
Charles married Mary Brazda and they had three children, Robert,
Richard, and Margaret.
Roland married Faye (maiden name unknown) and they had a son and
daughter.
The following are buried in the Walnut Grove (also known as Grimton)
Cemetery, north of Orchard, Nebraska: Carl F. (Charlie), Ernest,
Mary and two infant sons; Fred, Edith and one infant son; Arthur,
Hattie and sons, Ernest, Wayne, and Albert.
Joseph and Carrie are buried at Rowley, Iowa.
Charles is buried in California, and Roland is buried in Whittier,
California.
-Submitted by Granddaughter, Myrtle E. Boelter Miller
Pages
208, 209
