James Alderson

 

James Alderson was born in Yorkshire, England, April 27, 1857. When he was five years old he immigrated to America with his parents and settled in Schullsburg, Wisconsin. When a lad of twelve, his parents moved to Argyle, Wisconsin, and here he made his home until he grew to manhood. He received his education there. In 1879, he moved and settled at Seney, Iowa where he met and married Nannie Knewstubb, December 23, 1882. Eight children blessed their home; Myrtle married Charles Wetzel, Irvin married Georgia Neafus, Ellen married Herman Koehler, LeRoy married Minerva Hunter, Bessie married Ray Edwards, Alydthe married Ora Carr, Mary married Ralph Carpenter and Cliff married Arlene Peterson. Mr and Mrs Alderson came to Antelope County in 1888. They settled on a farm near Elgin, Nebraska where they spent their remaining lives. Years ago, Mr. Alderson was president of the Antelope Agricultural and Livestock Association and largely through his efforts the annual county fair has been more successful. Early in life, Mr and Mrs Alderson were united with the Elgin Methodist Church and lived a consistent Christian life. ~Written by Mrs. Dewey Carr (Ruth)

Source: The History of Antelope County Nebraska 1868-1985 by the Antelope County Historical Society, 1986

The James Alderson home in Elgin, Nebraska

James & Nannie Alderson Family, Photograph done in Ewing, Nebraska studio.....six of their eight children are pictured.

Date of this photo unknown -- quite likely this photo shows the first six children, with the two youngest not born yet into the family.

COUNTY MOURNS LOSS OF GREAT LEADER 

The death of James Alderson, which occurred early Sunday morning at his
home northeast of Elgin, was not only  a deep personal loss to the many
who enjoyed the privilege of his friendship, but it was an irreparable
loss to the agricultural interests of Antelope County.  Mr. Alderson had
all of the qualities of a leader and his unselfish devotion to the
public good, together with his indomitable courage, perseverance and
tact brought success to practically every enterprise in which he
interested himself.  Being relieved of much of his farm work in recent
years by his sons, Mr. Alderson was devoting himself unselfishly at the
time of his death to the upbuilding of those Antelope County enterprises
which he considered of benefit to the farm people.
Probably his most outstanding achievement was the building up of the
Antelope County Fair.  For weeks at a time, during the summer months, he
devoted his entire time to this work, never receiving any remuneration
for his work except the satisfaction one derives from unselfish service.
Last fall, following the most successful fair ever held, "Jim" Alderson
radiated happiness, and he began at once to make plans for even greater
things in 1929.  His death leaves a vacancy at the head of the fair
association which will be difficult to fill.
During the past two or three years, Mr. Alderson, devoted considerable
time to the organization of the Calf Clubs in Antelope county and the
successful work of these clubs is largely due to his untiring efforts.
At the time of his death, he was planning to assist in organizing Dairy
Calf and Pig Clubs.
At the time of the organization of the Elgin Co-Operative Creamery, Mr.
Alderson went out among the farmers and sold a majority of the stock
himself.  He believed that the creamery was essential to the development
of the dairy industry in this locality and he did not wait for someone
else to accomplish its organization, and headed a subscription paper and
went out to sell the new concern to his farmer friends.  The people had
great confidence in his judgment, his integrity and sincerity of
purpose, and within a short time the company was formed.  Naturally, the
stock holders looked to Mr. Alderson for leadership and he was placed at
the head of the concern.  In this position he served faithfully and - as
usual-without one cent of remuneration. The Elgin Creamery is another
monument to the vision, unselfishness, and perseverance of "Jim"
Alderson.
About a year ago, when the Elgin Cemetery Association was re-organized,
Mr. Alderson was elected president of the governing board, and the past
year has seen the Elgin Cemetery transformed from an ill-kept
disorganized burying ground into a beautiful, systematically operated
cemetery in with the community may well take pride.  Again, Mr. Alderson
demonstrated his great constructive ability.
Pages might be written about the good works and the kind deed of "Jim"
Alderson;  kindly, genial personality, his modesty and self-effacement.
The high esteem in which he was held by the people of Antelope County
was indicated by the throng which assembled at the Methodist Church
Tuesday afternoon to attend the services in his memory.  The crowd could
not be accommodated within the church, and the church yard was well
filled during the services.  The sermon by Rev. W. A. Rominger, a former
pastor of the Elgin church and friend of the deceased.  The body was
laid at rest in the West Cedar Valley Cemetery. [Nebraska]

NOTE: Date of death, January 6, 1929

Source: Unknown publication, January 1929

 

FAMILY GROUP SHEET

Husband James Alderson
Birth 27 Apr 1857 - Yorkshire, England
Death 06 Jan 1929 - Elgin, Nebraska
Marriage 23 Dec 1882 - Plymouth Co. IA
Father John Alderson (1822-1876)
Mother Elizabeth nee' Alderson (1826-1897)
   
Wife Nannie Knewstubb
Birth 13 Feb 1862 - Argyle, Wisconsin
Death 21 Jan 1943 - Creswell, Oregon
Buried Elgin, Nebraska
Father William Knewstubb (1819-1887)
Mother Sarah Bowsfield (1823-1903)
   
Children  
1. (F) Myrtle Mae Alderson
Birth 29 Sep 1883 - Seney, Plymouth Co. IA
Death 18 Mar 1966 - Creswell, Oregon
Buried Eugene, Oregon
Spouse Charles Wetzel
Marriage 20 Aug 1936
2. (M) William Ervin Alderson **see note below
Birth 20 Mar 1886 - Seney, Plymouth Co. IA
Death 25 Jan 1962 - Holdrege, Nebraska
Buried Elgin, Nebraska
Spouse Georgia Ethel Neafus
Marriage (1st) 23 Dec 1908
Spouse Pearl Ethel Tuttle Dagget
Marriage (2nd) 29 Oct 1930 - Elgin, Nebraska
Spouse Rachel Moore
Marriage (3rd) 12 Dec 1959 - Bertrand, Nebraska
**Note abt his name County records in Plymouth County Iowa (Elgin Township, Book 3, page 117, birth records) show the name William Ervin Alderson, and is listed that way in the ALDERSON family bible. However, he always went by the name Irvin W. Alderson, which is the way his name was recorded on his death certificate.
3. (F) Sarah Ellen Alderson
Birth 23 Oct 1888 - Elgin, Nebraska
Death 28 Dec 1969
Buried Grandview, Washington
Spouse Herman Russell Koehler
Marriage 16 Jul 1913 - Elgin, Nebraska
4. (M) Leroy James Alderson
Birth 01 Jan 1891 - Elgin, Nebraska
Death 19 Feb 1974
Buried  
Spouse Kitty Minerva Hunter
Marriage 22 May 1916
5. (F) Bessie Gertrude Alderson
Birth 28 Mar 1893 - Elgin, Nebraska
Death 03 Oct 1970
Buried Rose City Cemetery - Oakdale, Nebraska
Spouse Ray James Edwards
Marriage 01 Aug 1923 - Oakdale, Nebraska
6. (F) Alydthe Mary Alderson
Birth 12 May 1895 - Elgin, Nebraska
Death 18 Apr 1975
Buried Oakdale, Nebraska
Spouse Ora Ross Carr
Marriage 06 Jun 1917 - Elgin, Nebraska
7. (F) Mary Elmira Alderson
Birth 24 Apr 1899 - Elgin, Nebraska
Death 28 Oct 1966
Buried Neligh, Nebraska
Spouse Ralph Sanford Carpenter
Marriage 08 Mar 1921
8. (M) Clifford Robert Alderson
Birth 01 Jul 1901 - Elgin, Nebraska
Death  
Buried  
Spouse Arlene Marie Peterson
Marriage (1st) 12 Nov 1930 - Center, Nebraska
Spouse Bernice M. Roberts
Marriage (2nd) 10 Dec 1966