A transcription of pages 195-469,
Family Histories from the Verdigre Centennial Book
Thanks to the Verdigre Library and its volunteers for making this available.
 
The index below only includes the husband and wife for each family.
The maiden name for the wife is used if listed.
For other names, use the search on the Home Page.

Index's A-I, J-P, & Q-Z

WILLIAM DARNELL

William Darnell arrived in Knox County, Nebraska, October 8, 1878, when he made a homestead entry of 160 acres in Section 8, Township 31. He was one of the first settlers of Western Precinct.

He is credited with naming the post office which was established in the community June 20, 1879. William Darnell chose the name of Knoxville after his old home town of Knoxville, Illinois.

[pg 225 PHOTO William and Lettice Darnell]

William was one of six brothers who enlisted in the Civil War. He served for three years in Co. E. Iowa Volunteer Infantry. About 1847 the brothers migrated to Butler County, Nebraska, where William purchased land. He remained there until his trek to Knox County where he lived the rest of his life. His brothers, Joel and Marion, were also homesteaders northwest of Verdigre.

Mr. Darnell was born in Maquon Township, Knox County, Illinois, on living, the son of William, Sr., and Priscilla Thurman Darnell. In 1853 he married Lettice Walter, daughter of John W. and Hannah Sumner Walter. She was born living, in Highland County, Ohio, and died in 1870 in Butler County. He then married Nicey Katherine Strain McWilliams on December 29, 1874, in Des Moines, Iowa. She was the daughter of Andrew and Anne Winegar Strain. She was affectionately known as “Aunt Kate.”

William Darnell died January 1, 1893, and Nicey Katherine died October 13, 1927. Both are buried at Creighton in the Greenwood Cemetery.

The children of William and Lettice were Calvin (1853-1930); Emma (May 13, 1857-Feb 1, 1950) married Will Brown and homesteaded in Boyd County; Rozella (November 1-1858-December 21, 1931) settled a timber claim in Western Township, later married John Spencer and moved to Lynch; Wilber (1861-1863).

One daughter was born to the second marriage. Bessie Darnell (April 8, 1880-?). She married Guy Peyton and lived in Creighton. Her second marriage was to Lyle Tabb. They moved to Colorado.

Pages 224, 225