Farmers’ Valley Cemetery hosts annual Memorial Day Service
The peonies planted around the historic gravestones inside Farmers Valley Cemetery in Hamilton County bloomed just in time for the annual Memorial Weekend celebration. Photos by Kerri Pankratz
By KERRI PANKRATZ York News-Times Staff Writer
Reprinted from York News-Times
HENDERSON — Surrounded on three sides by the winding Blue River, beneath the protection of ancient pine and oak trees stands a small collection of gravestones. The first cemetery in Hamilton County, Farmers’ Valley Cemetery, was established in 1776 when homesteader John Brown donated four acres of his land to create this sacred place.
Brown was a sea captain, born in Glasgow, Scotland, who emigrated to the United States and was later known for building the very first log home in the Farmers’ Valley precinct, according to Hamilton County Genealogy Trails. The log home was a step up from the sod houses that dotted the banks of the Blue during those early days.
This sun-dappled speck of land in the midst of rolling cornfields became the final resting place of many men and women who endured the rigors of a new frontier. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2024, long distant family members and friends came together to pay homage to those who came before them.
Just like the cemetery they gathered at, this was a different kind of Memorial Service. More like a family reunion, complete with rounds of volleyball and a potluck lunch
“Make sure you stick around for the meal.” said one of the attendees. “There’s always plenty of delicious food.”
When asked if she knew most of the people in attendance, which was assumed due to the family gathering atmosphere, she replied, “No, I don’t really know hardly anyone here. But it’s always a wonderful service in such a beautiful place.”
Young children ran in and amongst the moss-covered tombstones, dodging bright pink peony plants scattered amongst the stones while playing tag as others decorated the markers of family members. The county’s history can be seen through inscriptions on those weathered stones planted in this holy place for over a hundred years.
One marks the grave of Phillips Hunt, the first person buried in Farmers’ Valley Cemetery in 1874, according to Hamilton County Genealogy Trails. Another signifies the resting place of Mrs. Mary F. Kaily, 23, and her son, Otto, 4, who lost their lives in the famous Easter blizzard of 1873. There’s the two children of Newell Hopkins, who died in the diphtheria epidemic of 1878, and Marion Littlefield, 23, who was killed January 20, 1874, at Pebble Creek in a battle with the Sioux Indians and is buried at Farmers’ Valley along with his parents Elijah Littlefield, a Civil War Veteran and his wife.
In total, nine Civil War Veterans are buried at Farmers’ Valley, with the first being Capt. Alex Jackson who died in 1879. Other historical figures include the son of J.D. Westcott, C.O. Westcott, and the first county treasurer; Mrs. Ella White, the wife of “Buckskin Charlie” White, an old Indian Scout and blacksmith and Nebraska State Senator Perry Reed, who served in office from 1919 to 1938. Next to Reed’s grave is a bench made from the pillars left over from the second state capitol of Nebraska.
As the potluck tables started to fill up with food, members of the Aurora American Legion started making their way down the winding gravel road. Those gathered started to turn their lawn chairs around in anticipation of the upcoming ceremony.
“We’re always the last ceremony of the day.” said yet another attendee. “The Aurora Legion members are kind enough to come all the way out here to perform our ceremony.”
Following a prayer and speech acknowledging current members of the American military serving overseas a 21-gun salute was performed followed by a rendition of “Taps” by a lone trumpeter. As the mournful notes faded off into the distance, participants gathered up their silverware and plates, preparing to dig in while enjoying a lazy summer afternoon with the community around them.
