IRA C. AND ESTELLA [BUTTERFIELD] FOREMAN
Ira C. Foreman and Estella Butterfield were married at Independence,
Iowa, in 1879, a short while before they came to Nebraska. Together
by covered wagon , Mr. and Mrs. Foreman and Mr. and Mrs. Justus
Butterfield, Jr., made the journey from Independence, Iowa, to
Walnut Grove, Nebraska. The Missouri River was crossed by flat boat
at Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. Foreman was born June 16, 1860, at Troy
Mills, Iowa, and his wife was a native of Kalamazoo County,
Michigan, born there February 5, 1860. Their dog made the trip with
them, but must not have liked this country and soon returned to
Independence, a distance of 300 miles.
The Foremans homesteaded the northwest Quarter of Section 18 of
Logan Township, in the Walnut Grove Community in 1880. They first
lived in a sod house until they were able to build a frame house.
They raised a family of eight children, of whom a son, Wesleyn, died
in infancy. Others were: Jay, Leta (Brookhouser), Claude, Floyd,
Blanche (Gross), Joseph, and Marcelous. They observed their 50th and
56th Wedding Anniversaries while still living on their homestead.
Mrs. Foreman passed away January 9, 1935. Mr. Foreman died October
19, 1944. Both are buried at the Enterprise Cemetery near Venus,
Nebraska.
Mr. Foreman took much pride in his farming and accumulated 800
acres, which he left to his children, hoping it would take care of
them as well as it had taken care of him for 64 years. He liked good
horses and always had a good team and would enjoy the challenge of a
race. Mr. Foreman liked to jig and was able to demonstrate this
talent even in later years. Mrs. Foreman enjoyed piecing quilts
which were left to several of their 29 grandchildren.
The following tells a little about Ira and Estella’s children.
Jay Foreman married Bessie Hines December 5, 1899, at Niobrara,
Nebraska. Their children were: Hazel (Campbell),
[pg 247 PHOTO Family of Ira and Estella Foreman about 1917 -
standing from left: Blanche [Gross], Claude, Joseph, Jay, Floyd,
Leta [Brookhouser], Marcelous is not pictured.
Roscoe, Archie, and Robert. The Jay Foremans moved from Venus to
Creighton about 1912, where Mr. Foreman practiced veterinary work.
Claude Foreman married Mary Bosse May 19, 1904, at O’Neill and they
were parents of two daughters: Gladys (Andersen) and Lois (Burchell).
They moved from Venus to Creighton in 1914 where Mr. Foreman
operated a livery service and later a filling station. They
celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1954. They are buried
at Creighton.
Leta Foreman married William Brookhouser and their children were:
Ione (Boelter), Ralph, Earl, Hugh, and LeRoy. Mrs. Brookhouser
passed away in December of 1970 at 85 years of age.
Floyd Foreman married Reah Bowker at Creighton on February 25, 1914.
Their children were: Lola (green), Floyd, George Ellis, Marie (Dittoe),
and Berthol. Reah resided in Creighton after her husband’s death on
April 13, 1926. She passed away September 1982 at the age of 91
years.
Blanche Foreman married Emil Gross of Verdigre on April, 30, 1913,
at Creighton. Children born to them were: Helen (Lewis) and Vernon.
They moved to Alamo, Texas, in 1930, where Blanche died in 1942. The
rest of the family has resided in California these later years where
Emil died in 1980 at the age of 92 years.
Joseph Foreman married Violet Turner at Scribner, Nebraska, and they
were parents of six children: Zell, Arle, Willis, Harold, Verl, and
Norma (Johnson). The Joe Foremans moved to California where they
celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1966. Violet died in
1976 and Joe in 1983. They are buried at Simi Valley, California.
Marcelous Foreman married Bernice Bollen of Orchard and their
children were: Eleanor (Pickard), Dale, Evelyn (Stubben), and
Loretta (Sigismonti). After his first wife died February 26, 1958,
Mr. Foreman married Anna Olson of Sidney. They moved to Center,
Nebraska, in 1973, but later moved back to Sidney. Anna died January
23, 1983, and Marcelous died October 15, 1983. Both are buried at
Sidney, Nebraska.
-Submitted by Lola Foreman Green
Pages
246, 247
