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.
William Walter Novell was born March 4, 1835 in Bromley, Kent County, England. His parents were John Novell and Hannah (Skinner) Novell. He served in the British Army. Upon return from the Crimean War (1853-56) his regiment was ordered to Ireland to put down a rebellion. According to family tradition he and seven others left the British Army and stowed away aboard ship for Canada. Upon arrival in Canada they scattered.
William married Mary Jane Retan on July 30, 1859 in Watertown, New York. Mary Jane was born in 1842 in Canada. Her parentage and the date of her arrival in the United States are unknown.
William enlisted in Company H, 10th Regiment of New York Heavy Artillery Volunteers on December 31, 1863 at Watertown, New York for a period of three years at the age of 27. He listed his occupation as farmer and was described as having hazel eyes, brown hair, a fair complexion and 5 foot, 5 inches tall. He was admitted to the 3rd Division General Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. In January 1865 he was given a 10-day furlough from the Hospital returning on February 11. He apparently had erysipelas which particularly affected the left foot. March 6 1865 he was transferred to Augur General Hospital showing on their record March 16, 1865. He was mustered out in Washington, D.C. on April 28, 1865.
Following his discharge from the Union Army William and Mary Jane took up residence in Watertown, New York where the two older children were born; William Walter (1867-1951) and Mertella G (1870-1896). They apparently sojourned in Copenhagen, New York as that is where the third child, Frederick George (1872-1943) was born. They then moved to Columbus, Nebraska in 1874 where they homesteaded a farm in Shell Creek Township North of Columbus. The fourth child, Carrie Belle (1876-1943) was born on the homestead. He was known among his neighbors as Uncle Billy and was often called upon for veterinary services.
Mary Jane did not like the farm, but, agreed to remain, if he took a "tree claim", which he did. However, this still did not satisfy Mary Jane for she took the two girls and moved into town. He remained for a time on the homestead with the two boys, but soon followed Mary Jane into town. He was for many years the janitor at the 3rd Ward School on 16th street in Columbus.
The fifth child, Wallace Wellington was born in 1877 in Columbus. His birth was followed by a child which died at birth in 1880. The burial took place on November 2, 1880 in the Columbus Cemetery.
William Walter died August 1, 1906 in Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska after a year’s illness. Cause of death was given as asthma and dropsy. He is buried in the Columbus Cemetery.
Mary Jane lived on spending her latter years with her children. She was afflicted with asthma for several years preceding her death. She died January 21, 1911 at home of pneumonia and heart trouble. She, too, is buried in the Columbus Cemetery.
Prepared by:
Carroll J. Jones, Sr., grandson
4895 Galicia Way
Oceanside, CA 92056-5126
760-758-0991
carrolljones@cox.net
January 25, 1999
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