Museum Stories

William Wallace Philleo

B: June 8, 1840 in Port Byron, Illinois D: September 17, 1914 in Ayr, Nebraska      Lilliam Wallace Philleo was born June 8, 1840, in Port Byron, Illinois to Addison and Livonia Philleo. William also went by "Scott," a nickname given to him by his mother who was of Scottish descent. [...]

Louise Vinciquerra

B: May 8, 1899 in Lentini, Syracuse, Italy D: September 13, 1948 in Tombstone, Arizona Louise Vinciquerra. Courtesy of Adams County Historical Society. Louise Vinciquerra. Courtesy of Adams County Historical Society.      Louise Pirruccello Vinciquerra was born to Salvatore and Carmela Pirruccello in Lentini, Syracuse in southern Italy. [...]

Ellen D. Smith

B: November 22, 1884 in Pawnee City, Nebraska D: September 2, 1977 in Hastings, Nebraska      Ellen Elizabeth Dorrance was born November 22, 1884, in Pawnee City, Nebraska, to Joseph and Elizabeth Dorrance. She was raised on her family's farm in rural Pawnee County and attended school in Pawnee City. After [...]

Dr. Amaryllis Robinson

B: June 13, 1870 in Pulaski County, Kentucky D: April 8, 1936 in Franklin, Nebraska      Amaryllis "Amy" Baugh was born on June 13, 1870, in Kentucky to Eli and Ann Baugh. After serving as a corporal in the Civil War, Eli became a farmer. In 1882, the Baugh family [...]

Theodore Smith

B: September 6, 1904 in Hastings, Nebraska D: September 2, 1977 in Hastings, Nebraska      Aheodore "Ted" Roosevelt Smith was born on September 6, 1904, to Harry and Stella Smith. They settled in Hastings during the early 1880s and were involved in the early establishment of the county. Stella passed away [...]

Awana Slaker James

B: August 6, 1864 in Jersey City, New Jersey D: June 27, 1944 in Bloomington, Illinois      Awana Hettie Kersey Painter was born to Quaker parents, Jesse K. Painter and Sarah (Early) Painter in Jersey City, New Jersey. Her family, which could be traced back to colonial times, was full of [...]

Dr. Roger Harano

B: January 14, 1937 in Berkeley, California D: December 3, 1996 in Beaumont, Texas      Roger "Bucky" Harano was born in Berkeley, California, to George and Chieko Harano. Roger's older brother wanted the baby to be named Buck Rogers. Roger was a compromise, but the nickname of "Bucky" stuck. Roger's grandparents [...]

Adam C. Breede

B: November 13, 1874 in Plattsmouth, Nebraska D: March 1, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri Adam Breede with his two sisters and a niece, ca. 1920s. Courtesy of Hastings Tribune. Adam Breede with his animal trophies. Courtesy of Adams County Historical Society. Adam Breede during World War I. Courtesy of [...]

Owen Griffith Evans

B: January 18, 1890 in Little Blue Township, Nebraska D: July 25, 1963 in Hastings, Nebraska      Owen Evans was born on a farm southeast of Pauline, Nebraska, to John and Ann Owens. Owen's parents emigrated from Wales in the early 1880s. John owned and worked his farm with the help [...]

Carolyn Renfrew

B: June 7, 1868 in Marseilles, Illinois D: July 6, 1948 in Hastings, Nebraska Music sheets and programs. Courtesy of Adams County Historical Society.      Carolyn Renfrew was born in Marseilles, Illinois and continued to farm after the family moved to hastings in 1876. Six [...]