A special thanks to Carroll J. Jones, Sr. for providing this information. If you have any comments or have an interest in this family, please contact him.
Frederick George Novell was born May 24, 1872 in Copenhagen, New York to William Walter Novell (1833 - 1906) and Mary Jane Retan (1842 - 1911). He moved with the family in 1874 to Columbus, Nebraska where he was to spend the rest of his life with the exception of a year in Richland, Nebraska.
Fred married Mary Haney of Columbus on February 26, 1893. They had six children: Robert (1894-1897), Ethel (1896-1961), Fred Ray (1897-1965), Lillian Louella (1899-1951), Mary Elsie (1905-1982) and Louise Margarite (1909-1985).
Mary Haney was born in Polk County, Nebraska on February 2, 1875, the daughter of Mr. Haney and Mary (Gabrel) Haney, both born in Germany. Mr Haney owned a blacksmith shop near Shelby, Nebraska and died early. They had nine children: Adolf, Frank, Raymond, Lens, Rosie, Mary, Joe, Augusta and Louise. Mary Gabrel Haney married Robert Schaad after the birth of Louie. Mary Gabrel died in 1928 in Columbus, Nebraska.
Mary (Haney) Novell was a devoted Methodist; played piano and the dulcimer. Fred owned and operated a bowling alley on 13th street in Columbus for some time. He and Mary lived at 2920 18th street in Columbus. An accomplished carpenter and cabinet maker by trade he and his son Fred built his daughter, Ethel, a home. Many other homes in Columbus were built by Mr. Novell. He played the violin for square dances and family entertainment with his wife, Mary. Mary had been in poor health for some years and bedfast for four months preceding her death on March 26, 1914. Death was due to complications of gallstones. She is buried in the Columbus Cemetery.
Following Mary’s death Frederick married Lottie Mason, on January 18, 1926 in David City, Nebraska. Lottie had two daughters and three sons by a previous marriage. She was born Lottie M. Joseph May 16, 1884 on a farm in the O’Kay community, the daughter of Lorenza and Hannah Joseph. Fred and Lottie made their home in Columbus for two years. Then Fred retired from active carpentry and they moved to a farm seven miles South of Columbus where Fred had built a home in 1927. Lottie died after a three-year illness June 3, 1942. She is buried in the Columbus Cemetery.
Fred died January 28, 1943 at the home of his daughter, Ethel Stovicek. Ailing since October 28, 1942, he was hospitalized for three weeks and following his dismissal on November 15 had been residing with his daughter, Ethel. He is buried in the Columbus Cemetery.
Prepared by:
Carroll J. Jones, Sr., nephew
4895 Galicia Way
Oceanside, CA 92056-5126
760-758-0991
carrolljones@cox.net
January 25, 1999
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