These obits are of pioneers b.1860-70-80s who died 1930-40-50s, as well as several obits from the 60's and 70's taken from the scrapbook of Laura Agnes Ewing Brown, who was a long time resident of Allen and Waterbury and now residing in Sioux City. A pioneer of sorts herself at age 88. Some of these items probably came from the old Ponca newpaper, but at this time we are unsure of their origional publications. Note: Misspellings are copied as they appeard, state abbreviations are changed to two letters, abbreviations are used for Mr & Mrs. and some obits do not include the date of death within the text only handwritten notations. |
Allen-Waterbury newspaper obit notices from the scrapbook of Laura Agnes Ewing Brown Submitted to the Dixon County NEGenWeb Project by Daughter in law Ginny Brown |
About Laura.... Dixon County Nebraska native Laura Agnes EWING, daughter of Leroy Everett & Florence Ewing and twin of Lawrence Leroy, was born April 1912. She was christened 26 May 1912 as recorded on the cradle roll of Springbank Friends Church. She moved as an infant with her parents to Central City NE before the birth of second twins in March 1913. About age 14 Laura moved from her parental home into the home of uncle Leonard Ewing and his parents near Allen and graduated Allen High School 1931. She and Leonard, a 30-year Burlington Railroad employee 1926-1956, later moved to Waterbury. In 1924 Bill & Bertha Brown and family moved into the section house across from the Allen train depot. Bill was section boss over Leonard Ewing's crew; son Von also worked for the railroad a short time. Laura remembers Bertha with affection, for they became good friends. Laura cared for baby Elinor while Bertha attended Von during a tonsillectomy at the Sioux City hospital, and Bertha took Laura to Sioux City for senior picture photos. The elder Browns relocated but returned to Waterbury when Bill retired after 34 years' employment with Burlington Railroad. Von worked as a car mechanic for Pierce Brothers in Waterbury. Laura & Von eloped in the spring of 1939 marrying at Tekamah NE, butBertha joined them to apply for a marriage license. Laura's children were born at the old Halstead home in Ponca that became known as the Halstead Memorial hospital, Dr. RE Bray physician in charge. The maternity facility was located in the basement. Three sons grew to manhood in Waterbury; Von owned and operated a garage selling Conoco and Mobile brand gasoline before specializing in welding. Brown's Service inventory sold at auction Sunday, June 11, 1967. Upon retirement Von & Laura settled in Sioux City where Laura currently resides. Von died in 1976. Laura was a homemaker and community volunteer prior to employment in motel housekeeping for 30 years retiring 1998 age 86. Thanks to Laura's collective spirit, we now have additional data to aid us in our research. |
These obits are of pioneers b.1860-70-80s who died 1930-40-50s, as well as several obits from the 60's and 70's taken from the scrapbook of Laura Agnes Ewing Brown, who was a long time resident of Allen and Waterbury and now residing in Sioux City. A pioneer of sorts herself at age 88. Some of these items probably came from the old Ponca newpaper, but at this time we are unsure of their origional publications. Note: Misspellings are copied as they appeard, state abbreviations are changed to two letters, abbreviations are used for Mr & Mrs. and some obits do not include the date of death within the text only handwritten notations. |
