timeline of families
when they arrived in table rock
in order of first arrival
1857 - john c. wood
John C. Wood (1835-1912) came here as a single young man of 22 to turn the first furrow on his homstead. He married Mary Heywood in 1870, and spent his life in Table Rock, except the last two years of his wife when he moved to Texas to live his son.
John C. Wood was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, as recognized by the National Park Service in its Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program, which extends to John Wood and other conductors buried in the Table Rock Cemetery.
Left: Mary & John C. Wood are the couple at the center of this photo, which is a detail of a July 4, 1909 family gathering of the inter-related Heywood and Wood families.
John C. Wood was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, as recognized by the National Park Service in its Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program, which extends to John Wood and other conductors buried in the Table Rock Cemetery.
Left: Mary & John C. Wood are the couple at the center of this photo, which is a detail of a July 4, 1909 family gathering of the inter-related Heywood and Wood families.
1857 - the chambers family (william & marilla) left after a year, returned in 1867 & stayed
Photo 2016, labeled as "Mrs. Chambers, mother's aristocratic friend," it is believed to be Marilla Chambers. The photo was donated by Kenneth Boyd; it was from the collection of his mother.
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The October 19, 1939 obituary of their son C. W., gives information about the arrival of the family, which included daughter Maggie and four-year-old C. W., in 1857:
Charles W. Chambers, son of William and Marilla Chambers, was born in Hawley, Penn. January 19, 1853, and departed this life October 14, 1939, having attained the age of 86 years, 8 months and 25 days. |
1860 - the jones family (john & ellen)
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Charles & Ellen Owen Jones (1829-1899, 1835-1916) were both born in Wales. Ellen's family came to America in about 1841; she was 6; they settled in Carbondale, Pennsylvnia. In 1851, Charles came to America, age 22, and also settled in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. In 1858, engaged to Ellen by that time, he came to Table Rock and settled on a farm three miles northwest of town in Clear Creek precinct. As her obituary said, he came ahead and "prepared a home on the eastern edge of the great American desert, and was anxiously waiting to welcome the woman who was to share with him the joys and sorrows of life." In 1860, he went back to Carbondale for her, and they were married in Table Rock that year by Rev. C. W. Giddings. They lived on that farm in Clear Creek all their lives, Ellen's obituary saying that the only move they made was from a log cabin to a house on the same farm.
Charles & Ellen had six children: Lydia died at age 7 but the others survived to adulthood. Ellen's 1916 obituary names the other children as Mrs. Sarah Wright of La Junta, Colorado; Enos O. Jones, Mrs. Mary Herrick and Mrs. Effie Horton of Clear Creek, and Mrs. Katie Henry who had lived in Kansas but died 8 years before. |
Record from family history collection in a genealogy notebooks maintained in the Stehlik Museum
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An 1883 letter to the Jones family in Welsh (from Jones family genealogy in Stehlik Museum):
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1865 - the g. royce martin family
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Gabriel Royce & Phila Wood Martin came to Table Rock from Indiana. The year was 1865, as established by his 1909 obituary. They raised five children. Two of three three sons became doctors, Roy & Charles. The two daughters married the children of other old settlers, Linn & Norris. Son Roy married Nelle Cotton, sister of Ralph C. Cotton.
G. R. Martin is notable as the builder of the Opera House. He was a merchant. He had a meat market at one time and was also involved in the brick yards. He died suddenly and unexpectedly at the dinner table when he was 63; the cause was described as apoplexy, i.e., stroke. |
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December 2, 1882 Argus
1868 - the freeman family (henry & ellen)
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The year of arrival is in Ellen's 1897 obituary, found by Jean Gieser Brandt in a trunk of family mementos and information that had been owned by Maria Gilbert. That obituary reads:
GRANDMA FREEMAN |
Henry & Ellen's son Harry married Lizzy Perry. Lizzy's father Wilber D. Perry was a Civil War veteran and in 2015 a military stone that had been obtained by the Historical Society was dedicated by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Many of Lizzy & Harry Freeman's descendants came, including grandson Tom Freeman (2nd row, 3rd from left, in white shirt) and the children and grandchildren of Tom's brothers Rob & Rich Freeman. Here they are in a photo taken after the ceremony. Can you tell which are Freemans?
1872 - the herrick family (William & mary)
William D. & Mary Herrick with five of their six children who survived infancy. John was born in 1879 and looks not more than 2, dating this picture circa 1881. Photo 3963, shared by Brad Bowen.
Mary West and William D'Arcy Herrick (1844-1901, 1835-1902) married in 1864, according to Mary's obituary. They were to have seven children, one of whom died in infancy. Their oldest, Minnie Herrick Asher, was born in in 1867, William Murray Herrick in 1869, and Lola Herrick Phillips in 1872. Then, in about 1872, according to the obituary of Minnie Herrick Asher, the family came to Table Rock. In 1874, an infant was born and died. Walter Herrick was born in 1875, John Herrick in 1879, and Bessie Herrick Covault in 1886. Mary died of typhoid fever in 1901, and her husband William the year after.
1872 - the sochor family (jan & anna)
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The Sochor family's history is detailed in the Table Rock Historical Society newsletter, "History in the News," 2024 #1.
Below is the 1872 arrival record, listing parents Jan & Anna, with 4 children, 3 daughters and son Jan (John) Jr. 
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John (Jr) and Mary Fencl Sochor, with sons Lou and Frank. John was born in Opatove, Humpalec, Bohemia and came here with his parents. A family history gives the year as 1870, but the ship's record says 1872.
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1874
the wood family
charles s. & Nancy slayton wood (1837-1914, 1848-1905)
with children Charles J., Elmer, & emma
C. S. & Nancy Wood came to Table Rock in 1874.
According to the obituary of C. S. Wood, he was born in Conquest, New York. In 1857, "Mr. Wood pre-empted land four miles north of town on the Nemaha," later went to "the Pacific Coast," then back to New York. There, in 1868, he married Nancy Slayton. They came to Table Rock; their son Charles J. Wood had been born in New York, but the birth dates of the other two children is presently unknown.
In an 1883 article in the Table Rock Argus on the occasion of the 15th wedding anniversary of C. S. & Nancy, the words below were written. They don't mention settling near Nemaha.
According to the obituary of C. S. Wood, he was born in Conquest, New York. In 1857, "Mr. Wood pre-empted land four miles north of town on the Nemaha," later went to "the Pacific Coast," then back to New York. There, in 1868, he married Nancy Slayton. They came to Table Rock; their son Charles J. Wood had been born in New York, but the birth dates of the other two children is presently unknown.
In an 1883 article in the Table Rock Argus on the occasion of the 15th wedding anniversary of C. S. & Nancy, the words below were written. They don't mention settling near Nemaha.
C. S. Wood was born about forty five years ago in the old Empire State. He lost his father while quite young, and being left with a widowed mother, stimulated the latent energy of his soul. Soon after reaching majority, being no longer able to endure the cramped and unenterprising state of things in that ancient clime, he started for the star of empire, and to seek his fortune; so westward he came, arriving at Table Rock and looking over this fine prairie country, his sagacious eye (be it remembered he is something of a Nimrod) was not long in discovering the hidden wealth that was here waiting whosoever willed to accept it. Three miles north of town he drove his stake and the quarter-section he then bought became the nucleus around which he finally built the fine thousand acre farm on which he now lives. |
Nancy died of typhoid fever in 1905. In 1910, C. S. married a widow, Allie Tait, daughter of Civil War veteran Thomas T. Tait; Allie's first husband James Fisher had died in 1901.
1874
the johnson family
george "G.B." & mary straight johnson (1847-1919, 1850-1905)
G. B. and Mary were married at their home town in Michigan in 1866. According to G. B.'s obituary, they came to Nebraska in 1869, settling in Johnson County, just across the line from Pawnee County. Daughter Susan Evaline Johnson was born in 1874, and according to an article about her birthday in old age, the family moved from Johnson County to the old A. J. Kovanda farm near Table Rock a "short time" after.
Their children were all born in Nebraska: M. B. Johnson (1868-1953), Frank Johnson (1871-1953), Susan Evaline (Eva) Johnson Linn (1874-1968), Myrta Johnson Pattison (1879-1966), Alvena Johnson Burow (1882-1960), Nathan Johnson (1884-1938), Andrew Johnson (1888-1953), Ralph Johnson (1891-1893), and Charles Johnson (1895-1896).
TABLE ROCK ARGUS, Feb. 22, 1962.
OBSERVES 88TH BIRTHDAY AT HER HOME FEB. 19.
Susan E. Linn, better known as "Eva", quietly celebrated her 88th birthday at her home in Table Rock, Monday, February 19.
She was born in 1874, the third eldest of a family of nine children, born to Mr. and Mrs. George Byron Johnson, on a farm just over the line in Johnson County, in a sod and log house.
A short time later the Johnson family moved south about a mile to the farm purchased by Mr. Johnson and later known as the A. J. Kovanda farm, and this farm is where she grew to womanhood.
Since her marriage in 1893 to J. Charles Linn, she has made Table Rock her home, except for a year and a half spent in California, where the Linn family moved in 1908. Returning to Table Rock in 1910 they settled again in Table Rock and her home has been here since.
Although never enjoying real good health, Mrs. Linn has lived an active life.
In 1902 she and her husband set up the first permanent photo gallery in Table Rock, located on the corner north of the present Mertes Produce. Mrs. Linn took the pictures and finished the photos while her husband did his work of interior decorating and house painting in town and the surrounding area.
Later they sold the gallery to John F. Wilson and Mr. Linn continued doing the work for Mr. Wilson for several years. Many homes in Table Rock have pictures taken by Mrs. Linn among their older photos.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Linn, Edwin Charles who passed away in California; Marvin Elmer, who with his family live in Birmingham, Alabama; and Mrs. Ines Madden, who lives with her mother since 1959. She has three grandchildren, Markee Eugene, John Charles and Debbie Janelle Linn of Birmingham.
Mrs. Linn has taken care of a garden, except for last year, and is looking forward to working in the garden this spring and summer.
Her activities lately have been impaired by a fracture of her arm in 1951 and a fracture of her hip in 1953, which were also her only hospital confinements.
Of her family of nine children, six brothers and three sisters, she and her sister, Mrs. Myrta Pattison, survive.
Their children were all born in Nebraska: M. B. Johnson (1868-1953), Frank Johnson (1871-1953), Susan Evaline (Eva) Johnson Linn (1874-1968), Myrta Johnson Pattison (1879-1966), Alvena Johnson Burow (1882-1960), Nathan Johnson (1884-1938), Andrew Johnson (1888-1953), Ralph Johnson (1891-1893), and Charles Johnson (1895-1896).
TABLE ROCK ARGUS, Feb. 22, 1962.
OBSERVES 88TH BIRTHDAY AT HER HOME FEB. 19.
Susan E. Linn, better known as "Eva", quietly celebrated her 88th birthday at her home in Table Rock, Monday, February 19.
She was born in 1874, the third eldest of a family of nine children, born to Mr. and Mrs. George Byron Johnson, on a farm just over the line in Johnson County, in a sod and log house.
A short time later the Johnson family moved south about a mile to the farm purchased by Mr. Johnson and later known as the A. J. Kovanda farm, and this farm is where she grew to womanhood.
Since her marriage in 1893 to J. Charles Linn, she has made Table Rock her home, except for a year and a half spent in California, where the Linn family moved in 1908. Returning to Table Rock in 1910 they settled again in Table Rock and her home has been here since.
Although never enjoying real good health, Mrs. Linn has lived an active life.
In 1902 she and her husband set up the first permanent photo gallery in Table Rock, located on the corner north of the present Mertes Produce. Mrs. Linn took the pictures and finished the photos while her husband did his work of interior decorating and house painting in town and the surrounding area.
Later they sold the gallery to John F. Wilson and Mr. Linn continued doing the work for Mr. Wilson for several years. Many homes in Table Rock have pictures taken by Mrs. Linn among their older photos.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Linn, Edwin Charles who passed away in California; Marvin Elmer, who with his family live in Birmingham, Alabama; and Mrs. Ines Madden, who lives with her mother since 1959. She has three grandchildren, Markee Eugene, John Charles and Debbie Janelle Linn of Birmingham.
Mrs. Linn has taken care of a garden, except for last year, and is looking forward to working in the garden this spring and summer.
Her activities lately have been impaired by a fracture of her arm in 1951 and a fracture of her hip in 1953, which were also her only hospital confinements.
Of her family of nine children, six brothers and three sisters, she and her sister, Mrs. Myrta Pattison, survive.
1880 - rebecca barnhart (1823-1915)
The 1880 is stated in her obituary. She was born in Pennsylvania, her family moved to Ohio when she was a child. She married in 1844 and soon after she and her husband moved to Illinois and later to Iowa. They had 11 children. She was widowed in about 1865 and then lived variously with her adult children. She came here in 1880 according to her obituary. Why or with whom she came is uncertain. Her daughters, "Mrs. McDougal" and "Mrs. Stewart" lived in Table Rock at the time that Rebecca died at the age of 92. Her son Jesse Barnhart (1851-1919) is buried in Table Rock, as is daughter Sarauah ("Sarah") and husband Henry Stewart.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38265396/rebecca-barnhart
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38265396/rebecca-barnhart
1885 - the carmichael family (hiram & elizabeth)
The date 1885 is stated in Hiram's obituary. Hiram & Elizabeth Fowler Carmichael (1825-1902, 1828-1903) had married in 1851. Hiram's obituary says that they sold their farm on February 25, 1885 and moved to Nebraska. Elizabeth's obituary, the next year, said the couple had come to Nebraska in 1858. Their son Charlie's obituary gave 1885 as the date. Charlie was born in Merced County, Pennsylvania in 1864. It is likely that 1885 is the correct date, with the date 1858 a typographical error.
Hiram was apparently born in Pennsylvania, but Elizabeth had come from England with her parents when a child. Hiram's obituary said, by the way, that he "was a man of high resolve, never stooping to expediency where honor and integrity were involved. He was somewhat stern of character, but withal kind and loving. He was six feet, one inch in height, straight and without any surplus weight, well muscled, black hair and eyes."
Hiram & Elizabeth had 9 children, who are buried in Table Rock, Pawnee City, Pennsylvania, and California. Their son Charlie is buried in the Table Rock Cemetery, see below. Their daughters Sarah Carmichael Borland (1852-1931), Eliza Carmichael Snyder (1854-1933), Margaret Carmichael McClellen (1861-1930) and Minette Carmichael Sopher (1868-1951) are buried in Pennsylvania. Their daughter Harriet (1866-1939) married Robert Wishart Taylor (1860-1935) and is buried in Pawnee City, as is their son son Andrew (1855-1930) who married Mary Alexander in Pennsylvania and they came here, both are buried in Pawnee City. The others are buried in California.
The above information was found on the Findagrave.com memorials of the family.
Hiram was apparently born in Pennsylvania, but Elizabeth had come from England with her parents when a child. Hiram's obituary said, by the way, that he "was a man of high resolve, never stooping to expediency where honor and integrity were involved. He was somewhat stern of character, but withal kind and loving. He was six feet, one inch in height, straight and without any surplus weight, well muscled, black hair and eyes."
Hiram & Elizabeth had 9 children, who are buried in Table Rock, Pawnee City, Pennsylvania, and California. Their son Charlie is buried in the Table Rock Cemetery, see below. Their daughters Sarah Carmichael Borland (1852-1931), Eliza Carmichael Snyder (1854-1933), Margaret Carmichael McClellen (1861-1930) and Minette Carmichael Sopher (1868-1951) are buried in Pennsylvania. Their daughter Harriet (1866-1939) married Robert Wishart Taylor (1860-1935) and is buried in Pawnee City, as is their son son Andrew (1855-1930) who married Mary Alexander in Pennsylvania and they came here, both are buried in Pawnee City. The others are buried in California.
The above information was found on the Findagrave.com memorials of the family.
1886 - the john smith family (JOHN & NANCY)
Nancy Jane McCurry Smith, undated. Shared by Marilyn Smith, whose husband Dave is related to Nancy.
John and Nancy Jane McCurry Smith (1857-1937, 1862-1907) came to Nebraska in 1885. She and her husband first went to Gage County, along with Nancy's parents and siblings, and after a year she and he moved to Table Rock. They had married in Tennessee in 1878. When she died of illness in 1907, she left John and two young children, Alonzo (Lonnie) and Etta (1882-1974). Nancy's obituary reported that she was a devout Christian; she belonged to the Clear Creek Baptist Church. "Sunday night before she died, she called her children to her side and had a last talk with them; among the things she said to them were these: "I know that my time to go is near, but I am ready to go; my work is done, I can not come to you again, but you can come to me."
When John Smith died in 1937, that was the last of the Smith's, although his stepson Cecil carried on in Table Rock.
John's 2nd wife was Alyce Palmer Harmon Horton (1873-1974). According to her obituary, she was born in Iowa in 1873 and when she was a child, the family "came in a covered wagon and settled on a farm in Clear Creek." She belonged to the Baptist Church. In 1893, she married Albert Harmon at Tecumseh and had children Boyd and Ralph. (Presumably there was a divorce because Albert did not die, in Table Rock, until 1931.) In 1903, she married Abraham D.Horton (1856-1906) a widower of 8 years with 5 children. Alice and John had two children, Ruth (married a Spradley) and Cecil (1904-1976). In 1911, she married John Smith. and they made their home in Table Rock. (Cecil married Ollie Lang and they had at least one child, Alice (1933-2015), who married Ross Siske (1932-1966).
When John Smith died in 1937, that was the last of the Smith's, although his stepson Cecil carried on in Table Rock.
John's 2nd wife was Alyce Palmer Harmon Horton (1873-1974). According to her obituary, she was born in Iowa in 1873 and when she was a child, the family "came in a covered wagon and settled on a farm in Clear Creek." She belonged to the Baptist Church. In 1893, she married Albert Harmon at Tecumseh and had children Boyd and Ralph. (Presumably there was a divorce because Albert did not die, in Table Rock, until 1931.) In 1903, she married Abraham D.Horton (1856-1906) a widower of 8 years with 5 children. Alice and John had two children, Ruth (married a Spradley) and Cecil (1904-1976). In 1911, she married John Smith. and they made their home in Table Rock. (Cecil married Ollie Lang and they had at least one child, Alice (1933-2015), who married Ross Siske (1932-1966).
1902 - the kreifel family (henry p. & mary)
1910 - the albin family (william & mary)
William and Mary Jones Albin (1858-1939, 1867-1935) arrived in 1910, according to Mary's obituary. Both are buried in the Table Rock Cemetery.
1955 - the uhri family
Dr. Robert J. and Leota Uhri brought their family to Table Rock in 1955, according to daughter Carolyn Sue Uhri Rottmann. There was Bob, Bill, and Sue. Bob, the oldest, was 10. A fourth child, Meri Lou, was born in Table Rock.
1959 - the sitzman family (bob & becky)
Bob & Becky Roberts Sitzman (1930-2013, 1934-2007) moved here from Elk Creek at Christmas, 1959. Bob & Becky lived here the rest of their lives. They are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery south of Auburn. The arrival date is based on the 1st person recollection of their oldest child, Sharla Sitzman Cerra. The children who arrived were Sharla, Sandy, Sherry, and baby Larry. Eight more were born in Table Rock.