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

THE CARL BOELTER FAMILY

Carl Herman Emil Boelter was born August 3, 1883, in Frienwalde, Germany, and came with his parents to Knox County, Nebraska, on July 13, 1884. His mother passed away when he was six years old. His parents were Johann (John) and Ernstine Agusta (Block) Boelter. Both were born in Germany. Two of John’s brothers, Karl F., who changed his name to Charlie after he came to America, and Ernest F., came at the same time. John and Ernstine homesteaded one mile west and ½ mile north of the Walnut store. They chose the hills because in Germany the hills were the best farm ground.

John’s children were August, Martha Effle (Jake), Annie Melrose (Earl), and Carl. They had two daughters in America, Marla and Bertha E. L., who both passed away in 1889 from diphtheria.

On February 22, 1907, Carl married Edna Butterfield, one of 11 daughters born to Fredrick Schuler and Lillian Belle (Vorce), always known as Belle Butterfield. Edna was born November 9, 1888, 2 ½ miles south of the Walnut store. They met at the Walnut Grove bowery where they used to attend dances. They were married in her parents’ home.

[pg208 PHOTO Carl Boelter family - back from left: Delores, Willis, Delbert, and Francis; front: Carl, Edna, and Lucille Boelter.]

They set up housekeeping on John’s farm where Carl had “batched” before they were married. They also lived on Fredrick Butterfield’s “Timber Claim,” which is now owned by the Heggemeyers. They also lived one mile west, one north and ½ west of the Walnut store. They lived their last years 1 ½ miles south of the Walnut store. They spent their married lives in the Walnut community, with the exception of four months in Fall River County, South Dakota. Drought took its toll. One morning the horses were missing and Carl set out to find them, hunting three or four days. When he did find them, they were headed home, so he decided that was a good idea. They came back to the homestead.

Carl farmed until 1947, but continued to operate a small acreage and raise a large garden. For 20 years prior to his death on February 13, 1959, they operated the Walnut Telephone Co. switchboard. Though Edna was going blind, she continued to run the switchboard alone until she moved to Creighton in 1963. She passed away July 16, 1974.

Carl and Edna had five sons: Richard Martin, who passed away on his 21st birthday. Delbert Roscoe of Creighton, Julian Cedrick, who died in infancy, Willis Wesley of Orchard, and Francis Carl of Page; and one daughter, Delores Eleanor Kocina (Elmer) of Platte Center. They adopted Edna’s sister Edith and Fredrick Boelter’s baby girl, Lucille Edith Alder (Elmer) of Emmet.

Delbert had four daughters. Arlene Dora Montgomery (Bernard) of Orchard, Edythe Marie Hamilton (Elven) always known as Marie, of Verdigre, Vivienne Viola LeMasters (Max) of Orchard, and Beverly Ann Rokahr (Norman) of Page.

Pages 207, 208