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

THE VAN BROCKLIN FAMILY

Daniel and Elizabeth (Krause) Van Brocklin and their four small sons homesteaded a quarter section of land located six miles southwest of Verdigre in 1878. (Elmer Kotrous and his family reside on the farm today.) Daniel Van Brocklin was born in Ancaster, Upper Canada, on May 20, 1840. The parents were Garrett and Anne (Mercer) Van Brocklin who returned to Wisconsin in 1846 with children: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Roxilany, Daniel, and Hosea.

Daniel worked as a sailor on Lake Michigan until the Civil War broke out; he enlisted on February 16, 1863, in the 27th Wisconsin and served three years. Trained as a medical aide, he was mustered out of army on August 29, 1865. Daniel lived at Manitowac, Wisconsin, where he married Elizabeth Krause on December 25, 1866. Two years later the young couple came west and moved to Saunders County, Nebraska, settling near Cedar Bluffs. Two of their sons, Joseph and John, died here of scarlet fever.

Ten years later, in 1878, Daniel and Elizabeth came to Knox County with their four sons: Victor, Henry, Clark, and Frank.

The couple settled on a homestead near the Verdigris Creek and the first home was a dugout near the creek. Buildings were added as needed, a farmstead site being built up on a hill west of the creek. Elizabeth’s father, Alexander Krause of Saunders County, would send food in barrels with travelers to this new home. Apples, potatoes, and meat were welcomed, as well as clothing and blankets.

Daniel and Elizabeth recalled some of the hardships pioneer families endured. Prairie fires were at the top of the list - they learned to plow a fire guard around the buildings. Later these portions of plowed ground were planted to windbreaks. The grasshoppers at times completely ruined their crops, trees, clothing, and even harness were eaten. A scourge of army worms infested corn and oats fields.

Five children were added to the family: Florence Mary, William Jacob, Elizabeth Madeline, Frederick Laurence, and Flora Rosalie. The children attended school at Hildeville, which was just down the creek to the south of the homestead. A store and post office were there, also.

In 1901 Daniel and Elizabeth moved to a farm south on the creek which was later called the Micek Place. Their son Frank married Mary Jackson on April 27, 1901, and moved to the homestead.
In 1904 Daniel had a farm sale which netted him $1900.80, far different from sales conducted later.

Daniel and Elizabeth moved with the four younger children to Creighton, Nebraska, where the house they built stills stands on Redick Avenue. (Mrs. Edward Beckman resides there at this time.) Daniel planted a large orchard - apples, cherries, plums, as well as berries. All his life the medical training from the service served him in visiting the sick and helping their families. He was usually called when a death occurred in the area.

Daniel Van Brocklin died December 8, 1909, at the age of 69 years. Elizabeth (Krause) Van Brocklin died August 30, 1934, at the age of 89 years. Both are buried in St. Ludger’s Catholic Cemetery at Creighton, Nebraska.

[pg 444 photo Daniel and Elizabeth Van Brocklin family - back from left: Elizabeth, Frank, Henry, Florence, Victor, William, Clark . Front: Flora Rosalie, Daniel, Elizabeth, and Frederick]

John T. Van Brocklin is a grandson of Daniel and Elizabeth Van Brocklin. John, with his wife Dorothy Brady Van Brocklin, are living at this time on the farm his father Frederick and Laura (Schula) lived on for many years. John and Dorothy are parents of: John Joseph, James Frederick, Joel David, Marie Agnes, Ann Catherine, Patricia Kay, Garrett Lee, and Christine Sue.

Wilma Van Brocklin, daughter of William and Sara (Hodges) Van Brocklin and granddaughter of Daniel and Elizabeth, was raised by Henry Van Brocklin and Minnie (Thurnau). She resided with them on the Thurnau homestead until her marriage in 1936 to John Sukup, Jr. Their children are Raymond Henry, Daniel Clay, Julie Frances, and David William.

Raymond Henry Sukup married Ann Schlichting in 1960. They still reside on the Thurnau homestead.

Pages 443, 444