OBITUARY

~ Liberty F. Grant ~

LIBERTY F. GRANT was the last of seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Grant. Himself a pioneer, he was the son of pioneers. His father went from New York to Wisconsin as a young man, one of the first seven settlers in Jefferson County. They cleared space in the forest and built their own log cabins. His father was a farmer, but in addition served as a teacher in the public schools, register of deeds and state legislator.

Mr. Grant was born February 23, 1857. He came of Nebraska at the age of 16. At that time the Missouri Pacific railroad was being constructed from Omaha to Kansas City. In December 1882, he was married to Miss Minnie Miner, of near Tecumseh. They farmed a few years in Nemaha and Johnson counties, and then homesteaded in Chase County, Nebraska, where they remained for 10 years.

While there he served as chairman of distribution of aid to the needy during the drought and depression of the early 90’s. Forced by the drought to leave, be brought his family back to eastern Nebraska. He farmed successively on a farm near Bracken, a 320 acre farm on the Muddy, and finally purchased a farm northeast of Howe adjoining the Church Howe land. He was an expert mechanic and carpenter. In both western and eastern Nebraska he managed threshing and corn shelling crews, thus becoming acquainted with the farmers all over these territories. And there are barns and other buildings scattered over these counties which he built.

In 1912, he retired to Auburn, where he purchased acreage and planted an orchard and vineyard. His grapes and other fruits were widely recognized for their superiority. His love of the work and his sturdy qualities were exemplified by the fact that he sprayed his orchard and pruned his trees and vines till he was 86 years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Grant celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary in December 1942, with a family dinner. Mr. Grant spent the next two years with a son in Lincoln, and the three years since with another son in California. While there,  he made a trip back to Nebraska for a last visit with friends and relatives, flying both ways. He declared that that was the only way to travel. His last days were not filled with suffering, as he was never really ill. He just gradually grew weaker, and finally went to sleep one night and did not awaken.

He is survived by three sons, H. R., of Baker, Oregon, Frank C., of Lincoln and Ralph J. of Inglewood, California; four grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.

Mr. Grant loved and participated in sports and games. He loved music, and without much training was a skillful violinist. He loved the Bible and his country’s flag and all they stand for. He never talked very long to anyone with out referring to “The Good Book” and  “Old Glory.” His most outstanding characteristics were his industry, his patience, his adaptability to difficult circumstances, and his honesty. The last named quality was no doubt inspired by the words of his father to him when he was leaving home at 16. He said; “Liberty, there is just one thing I want to say to you for you to remember – “Pay your honest debts, and wear out your old shoes.”

Funeral services were held Sunday, October 14th at the Casey and Timm funeral home with Rev. H. D. Keefer officiating. Mrs. Esther Wells sang, with C. E. Hohensee playing the accompaniment.

Pallbearers were John Zacharias, Ernest Fellers, Paul Milam, Ralph Hawkins, Clarence Coeur and Fred Rothert.

Interment in Howe cemetery.

Nemaha County Herald

Thursday

October  21, 1948

NEMAHA COUNTY HERALD

THURSDAY

MARCH 25, 1943

Mrs. L. F. Grant

Died Wednesday

Mrs. L. F. Grant who celebrated her 80^th birth anniversary, March 15^th, quietly passed away at their home on South “P” Street at about 3:30 Wednesday morning, following a period of declining health. Her passing comes as a distinct shock to her great host of friends.

Minnie Miner was born at Ipava, Illinois, March 15^th, 1863, only daughter of a family of seven children. In 1872 her father brought his family his family to Nebraska, making the trip in a covered wagon, in which they endured the hardships known to those stalwart and hardy pioneers of that era. They settled on a farm about five miles south of Auburn. They later moved to Johnson County where they resided for a time.

She was united in marriage to Liberty F. Grant, December 14, 1882, and with Mr. Grant had the pleasure of celebrating their 60^th wedding anniversary this past December. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Grant moved to a farm southwest of Howe, where they resided for a time. They later moved to Johnson County, staying there for two years. The urge of the western section of the state called them and they took a homestead in Chase county in 1896, where they lived for some little time before returning to their former home county, that of Nemaha. To this happy union there were born three sons, all of whom survive their mother.

Mrs. Grant was a member of the Avenue Methodist Church where for years; she took an active part in the affairs of this group. Her pleasures and joys centered around her home life, and doing those things for others that she could so capably do.

Her husband, Liberty F. Grant, and three sons, H. R. Grant, Baker, Oregon, Frank C. Grant, Lincoln, and Ralph J. Grant, St. Paul, Minnesota, survive her. Two sons, Frank C. and Ralph J. Grant, were able to be present for the funeral rites of their mother.

Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at the Casey and Timm funeral home at 2 p.m., with Rev. M. R. Willis, Franklin, former pastor of the Avenue Methodist church in this city, conducting the services. Interment will be made at the Howe cemetery.