James A. Garfield, the 20th President, inaugurated in his 49th year, was of English parentage, a member of the Disciples of Christ, served in Civil War, had 4 sons and a daughter. After holding office but 6-1/2 months was killed by assassin Guiteau.

Father increased our home library by buying the book "Life of Garfield", by which Louis learned some history, Charlie coached in his letters and Noah the pictures - all doing their share on the wear and tear of the volume. Other books were, first of all, the Bible, a large family size with Father's name gilded on the front cover. This was earned by Father's salesmanship of like copies among neighbors in 1874. Also a volume history of the world. It is recalled that we had a copy of Pilgrims Progress but believe it was a loan from some good neighbor or relative.

Our parents had joined the River Brethern church - attending their meetings, called love-feasts-oft taking the entire family for a day or more. Between such church episodes, the sacerdotal elect, flowing whiskers and Sunday best, occasionally came for family worship and fried chicken. Prayer, both long and loud, trumpeted out the fear of God and man, to Louie and brothers - albeit this manner of gospeling the mild and loving Christ was earnest.

On August 10th the boys were allowed to have a peek at their new brother, lying beside Mother, born the day before, Tuesday and later to bear the name John Martin. Now there was John the Baptist; John the Evangelist; King John of England; John of Austria; Dutch poet John; Johnny Appleseed and John L. Sullivan. However there being a pair of pretty fine uncles John - our parents claiming one each as a brother - the honors would be even in naming their 4th son after his uncles. The Martin was no doubt named for Mothers brother, which was good for the uncle business. There were two French historians and an English painter of note who bore this name.

After harvest and before corn picking season Father left for Nebraska, to Norfolk, contacting Uncle Mart and seeing examples of booming frontier life. Our neighbors Schwenk, Horn and others, including Uncle John Brubaker, kindly assisting in Father's absence.

Christmas with Grandpa Lederer for the last time before the anticipated move was as exciting as three noisy boys could make it, even though the parents had coached time and again that they must not overburden a strict grandfathers patience. However it was a sometimes sobering expedition to be sent after apples in the dark cellar with a dimly lit candle which would invariably cast spooky shadows - dripping hot melting tallow on hands not sure or steady.

Two famous Americans passed away from the scene of their activities. The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 75 and Author Ralph W. Emerson, 79. These two noted figures will be remembered and quoted long after Father's great grandchildren have had their day. Upon the death of Garfield, Vice-President Chester A. Arthur took office. A Scotch-Irish Episcopalian, the 21st President at 50, had one son and a daughter. Arthur had to battle with the growing era of the professional politicians who labored so hard to gain an office holding that it was often followed by a rest period that lasted during the tenure of the term.

As early as 1870 there had moved to Nebraska, 9665 population of Illinois birth. From then to 1882 the westward trend had reached an all time high in immigration.

Returning from his investigation trip, Father brought some interesting data regarding the states historical status. To mention a few -- "Nebraska" was Indian, meaning "Flat water"; Camels, elephants, tapirs and jungle dwellers once lived here; Coronado and his men were the first white visitors; The Oregon Trail began in Nebraska in 1813; Nebraska Territory was 5 times the size of the state; First survey in 1837; 15th state in size; Had nine important rivers; Most river mileage of any other state; The central state of the Union; Nebraska sent 1,000 men to the Civil War; Indian tribes still in the state: Omahas, Poncas, Winnebagoes, Sioux, Santees, Ogalalas, Otoes, ?.

Mother and Father spent many hours in weighing the possibilities in that Western state. What share might they obtain in its rapid development - what better chance for a home of their own - would it be a better future for their sons that they had experienced in their own lives? These and many other questions had to be answered and prayed about.

By January 1st a decision was reached. A sale. as was planned for early February, was held. On February 8th, many good-bye's were said - some in mourning. All wishing the six Lederers God-speed with an openhearted invitation to a welcome return should the Indians make life too miserable and in case they escaped the tommyhawk!

WESTWARD HO !!!

The first train ride for the four boys, Louis the elder, attempted to set an example of travel decorum but halfway between the Mississippi and the Missouri he was in a horrible boat ride over a non-ending ocean. A combination caboose and day-coach, with sleep and lunch facilities at all hours, was the passenger department, hooked on the rear of a slow freight. This seemed to be stopping at every crossroad, milepost and flag station with the sort of motion and sound like the crack of a whip. When it slowed down, Louis hoped it would hurry on and when it gained a 15 mile momentum and the windows rattled, he wished for the end.

Mother busied with six months old Johnny, with Charlie, Noah and the dizzy eldest, had her saintly patience further tried when Father missed his wallet, containing tickets and savings. What a relief when later the pocket book was found in an overlooked pocket!

What lucky boys we were in choosing such parents! Always trying to make us comfortable and the train ride interesting, which to this day, is one of the most treasured pages of our memory.

At Missouri Valley, the nearly finished railway bridge was crossed slowly and then Nebraska!

Thru the long weary night of February 9th, with switching stops at Fremont, West Point, Scribner and Wisner, we dragged into Norfolk Junction. What a relief to be sitting on something, somewhere that didn't move or bump around, awaiting the dawn of February 10th! Here Uncle Mort greeted us and hustled six tired Lederers into the straw bedded wagon box for the 5-1/2 mile ride to his home - a dug-out in the hillside.

Uncle Mort had come West from Pennsylvania to Illinois, in his teens, later on to Iowa where he met and married Ann Deuel. They ox-teamed to Nebraska in the late 70s.

A neighbor, old Uncle Johnny Best, and old-timer with tobacco stained, flowing whiskers, recounted early hair-raising experiences, when with an ox drawn covered wagon he came to build a log cabin of cottonwood in the early 70s. This was not long after the first colonists from Wisconsin started the Norfolk settlement and before his sone Morse had been discharged from the Army.

In 1861, a soldier in blue, Daniel Freeman, furloughed to Nebraska Territory and to about 5 miles west of where Beatrice is located, building a log hut. On January 1st, 1863, he came back on furlough from St. Louis to file his homestead entry.

Today, January 1946, a son of this Daniel Freeman, John by name, living a half block from the author, ok's the above reference to his father, having been born at said homesite in 1872. His parents lie buried at the site of this early settling and the US Government has created a National Monument of this, the first homestead entry - Land Patent Number ONE.

The above three references are mentioned because they are representative of the "Joshuas", who came to reconnoiter the lands as promised by Uncle Samuel and who broke trail for the hosts of pioneers that followed, saw and conquered. Father and Mother were of those who came to build, to home the countryside and to aid the growth of villages into towns and cities.

On February 11th, there was unloaded at the SC&P R.R. depot a large box, billed household goods and marked Charles Lederer. Its weight 550 lbs and freight charges $7.54. This box was hauled along the snow rutted main street to the Palmer store building at 120 Main Street Ave. Too large to lug up the narrow stairway, the box was opened and the sole effects of the family, oft to be reminders of Illinois, were carried to the one south room upstairs. Here the small window was the lookout for us boys to sight an occasional Indian or some of the 620 village population passing along the old wooden walks or slopping along the melting muddy street. Neighboring to the east was the Moldenhauer shoeshop (their cow our milk supply) and next the Waggoner Hotel. Across the street the drugstore and post-office (Widdeman the Postmaster).

September 12th 1881, the Norfolk settlement had been declared a village. The following names were officials or taking an active part in civic affairs; Mathewson - Koenigstein - Wigton - Schwertfeger - also Piller the casket maker. Pilger - Lukas - Loney - Spalding - - - -

The first village act passed requested all places of business be closed Monday September 26th, for an hour, in memory of President Garfield, whose funeral occurred at that hour.

Father attended the first village election, April 4th, where he met neighbors: Glass - Putnam - Sattler - Gardner - Bell - Hayes - Bear - Marquardt - Asmus - Braasch - Freeland - McClary - Pasewalk - Rudat - Obanion - Flynn - Whyman - Burrows - Doc Verges. Father's acquaintance with these and many more soon ripened into kindly fellow citizenship or warm friendship.

On April 28th, bonds for $5,500 were voted for the new school building to be the brick Lincoln school on South 3rd. 100 votes for, 3 against, 3 women voting. Father voted aye. Maintenance of streets began in 1882.

Father's first job in Nebraska was carpenter work for Uncle Mart and on a number of buildings in the village. The second one was on the railroad bridge spanning the Northfork river (still serving in 1947). The next was work on the UP roundhouse, where he met Frank Marks, a mason by trade, a jovial pal when at work - musician with the violin and a wit for story telling when the day was done. Mark had a rich background of frontier experience as government scout, could tell Indian Sioux language and had helped string up cattle rustler Kidd Wade, besides aiding in the capture of horse thief Doc Middelton, Limber Dick and others, some of whom took pot shots at Marks that missed their target.

The first school for the two elder boys was held at 413 Main and the first Sunday school was attended at the Congregational Church, 315 Main, built in 1872.

From the Sterling Beobachter* we learned of the birth of Frank Williams at the Seidel home, November 16th, and a letter from Grandpa at Erie indicated he was well at the Pfundstein family home. (*Beobachter - never heard tell of it, myself)

Our Christmas of 82 was an underground one at Uncle Mart's farm. The dug-out or cave was excavated into the slope of a steep rise - dirt roof with frame and doorway of cottonwood logs. Here Uncle and Aunt, the boys Charles, Les, Oren and Art and we 6 Lederers were crowded in the 10 by 14 room - the eight boys happy with few gifts and much noisy association. Father's homemade set of dominoes, sawed from lath and pencil dotted together with Indian yarns spun by Aunt and Uncle kept mischief to a bearable minimum.

Letter postage reduced to .02 cents; Civil service debated; High tariff was piling up profits, mainly for the manufacturers. These were some of the nations topics Father was interested in.

Norfolk had become a Railway center - the F. E. & M. V., now C&NW, reaching here September 15th 1879, was now extending west of Oakdale and north to Plainview. The UP finished in 1880. The St. Paul and Sioux City now the CST&PM&O April 15th 1882.

Father, with Frank Marks, joined a building gang on the UP Railway to Columbus, Grand Island, Kearney and North Platte. They became interested in improvements for better railroading, resulting in working out a patent on a car brake. With Marks, he invited local capital in the venture. May 5th, C. Selby invested $100 and May 12th, B. W. Jones invested $50,000 in the enterprise. On July 10th 1883, Patent #281085 was issued - signed by E. M. Marble, commissioner of Patents and H. M. Teller, Secretary of the Interior. This is the same Henry M. Teller who later became US Senator from Colorado, and who, as a silver Republican, championed the cause of Wm. J. Bryan in 96.

Father had his long range plans made to take up land for farming and home building, therefore sold out his interest in the patent rights to the afore mentioned investors. These later learned that the Westinghouse patent had superceded theirs by a narrow margin. All concerned came to realize how unsuccessful the way of a patentee might be.

Father rented a house at 709 Norfolk Avenue, to which we moved just before spring time flood. This was one of the worst high water tides Norfolk had experienced since her settlement year, with water over the entire laid out portion. We scholars, coming out of the carpenter shop building at 406 Main, the temporary school room while the brick structure was finishing, found board sidewalks floating about and being used as rafts for our home-coming as well as fine sport for all kids and not a few elders. Later on this year a dike was thrown up along the North Fork at a cost of $300.00.

We kids learned some things by experience. In one melon time, the older Koenigstein boys hired us young Lederers to invade gardener Crow's patch for an armful or two of juicy specimens (we were to be paid in melons). After the first trip, our courage weakened when we beheld the owner. We decided home was the better place to be. Father's lecture about the affair was remembered better than melon flavor.

Our folks bought a lot on North Ninth, next door to A. J. Durland, and across the street from the Whyman door. A house was erected with lumber from Gerecke's lumber yard, where Father fashioned the framing. Durland had put down a 29 ft well on the lot line which was our water supply. On June 14th, Father sold this home to Will Durland, reserving possession until our move to the farm.

Meanwhile we began neighboring up with the Marks family. Like ants, their brood of four and we Lederer four back and forthed from kitchen to kitchen, keeping busy our maters, who even as we, enjoyed the togethers.

Other acquaintances and worthy additions to the Norfolk population: Serabine; Cartrick; Phillips; Eisley; Lowe; Daniel; Schwenck; Dagner; Mayer; Hardy; Egbert; Pichards; Grauel; Norton; Rev. Kidder; Rev. Spencer and Dr. Macomber.

Father believed in the keen observance of Independence Day. July 4th meant to him the birthday of a wonderful US - land of his soul deep adoption. Norfolk celebrated this year - Father with friend Marks were in the parade as Mr. and Mrs. "Pioneer" riding in an ancient buggy drawn by an ox. Father gowned as the old lady held a rag doll baby whose wailing voice was created by one of the Marks boys under the seat. Old timer (Marks) with club and rein dodging out of the parade line and arguing with his old lady to keep their offspring quiet at the same time signaling for more squalling.

As the brick school on South Third neared completion, we oldersters looked forward to the enrolling date. Miss Yakley was to be our teacher with such names as Koenighstein, Freeland, Madsen, Marquard, Collmar, Eisley, Spalding, and Marks among our fellow students.

Father's carpenter job for Collmar, 36 days brought in $72.70. August 13th, Father bought "Fly" mare, mule colt, 2 cows (whiteface and cherry), a drag and cultivator for $222, leaving all in Uncle Marts care till moving time. Later sold the mule for $50.00.

Brushing up on his good husking ability at David Best and at the McKibben farm, Father received 3 cents per bushel. He always kept a careful account of all transactions, every item interesting. Always ready to help out a friend, he loaned grocer Jonas $300 for three months, this being paid on time and in full with interest. A suit of clothes for himself cost $8.

Thanksgiving was our parents 10th wedding anniversary. Father was 33, Mother 30, and we boys 2, 5, 7, and 9. Per Fathers books, some purchases just before Christmas were 1 pair boots, 1 pair shoes, bologna and candy. Our memory has it that we kids were all made happy with Mother's candy and Father's toy making.