CALVIN AND MARY [YOUNG] DARNELL
Calvin Darnell, an old settler of Western Precinct, Knox County,
Nebraska, was born December 13, 1853, in Knox County, Illinois. He
was the only son of William Darnell and his wife, Lettice (Walter).
Calvin Darnell had been a farmer in Butler County prior to October
8, 1878, when he homesteaded 160 acres, a Pre-emption in Section 8,
Township 31, Range 8 West in Knox County, Nebraska. Five years later
he had “proved up” on this claim and received his patent. At that
time he had forty acres under cultivation and improvements
consisting of a stable, a cellar, well, hog pen, and a log house
15x12 feet.
On September 27, 1883, Calvin Darnell and Mary Young were married.
She was the daughter of William P. and Elizabeth Jane Query Young,
born August 9, 1865, in Tippacanoe County, Indiana. The bride moved
into the log cabin, thus beginning the adventurous life of a hardy
pioneer woman on the Nebraska prairie. They endured the hardships
common to the struggling settlers, often wondering where the next
meal was coming from. They experienced the blizzard of 1888 and were
often visited by Indians whose intentions were to dip into the
pantry supplies or to feast on Mary’s freshly-baked bread.
Calvin operated a ferry across the Niobrara River and later
supplemented their meager income by working with the bridge gang,
helping build the Pischelville bridge.
Cattle were driven 16 miles to market at Verdigre and the nearest
grist mill was at Pischelville.
Calvin lived many years out west of Verdigre. He died October 29,
1930, and is buried at Creighton, Nebraska. Mary died January 31,
1940, and is at rest in the Lynch cemetery.
Their four children were Ovella, George, Lillie, and Lema.
Ovella Varie (1883-1930) married Will Fannen and lived in Tecumseh,
Nebraska.
George William Darnell (1885-1941). (See history.)
Lillie Odessa (1893-1977) married Roy Johnson, then Roy Lord. She
died in California.
Lema Armona (1901-1982) married Gene Sherman, then married J. D.
Porter. They lived in California where she died.
[pg 223 PHOTO Mary and Calvin Darnell, George and Varie
Page 223
