Individual Details

Census (family)

J. N. ALDERMAN Self M Male W 24 IA Farmer OH OH
Martha ALDERMAN Wife M Female W 20 NY Keeping House ENG VT
Otto R. ALDERMAN Son S Male W 3M NE IA NY

Census (family)

Head James A Alderman M 45 Iowa
Wife Martha Alderman F 44 New Jersey
Son Otto R Alderman M 20 Nebraska
Daughter Effie M Alderman F 18 Nebraska
Daughter Florence A Alderman F 16 Nebraska
Daughter Lulu Alderman F 14 Oregon
Daughter Alta Alderman F 9 Nebraska
Son Lloyd Alderman M 5 Nebraska

Death

dau of James Wesley and Anna Clark Abbott
married 1879
Covering an illness that covered a period of many years, Mrs Martha Alderman, one of the pioneers of the Loup Valley, passed away at her home in Ord, June 26,1945, being 85 years, 11 months and 19 days of age. She was the youngest child of John and Ann Abbott and was born in Moore's Forks, NY, July 7,1859. When 8 years of age, she moved with her parents to East Paw Paw, Ill, and when 19 years of age, the family came to Nebr, where she has since resided for more than 60 years. She was married to James R Alderman in 1879. He and 1 daughter, Lula (Mrs Thead Nelson), proceded her in death many years ago.
During her girlhood she and her father used to ride horseback through the timber in Illinois, to attend church services. After a few years her father came to the Loup Valley where he filed on a claim and built a house before sending for his family. At that time the railroad extended only as far as Grand Island, so the rest of the journey was made by team and wagon.
In 1879 she and her husband moved to a farm which he had purchased southeast of Burwell, and as was common in those days, their first house was called a dug out, but a two story log house was in the course of construction. About 1887 they moved to Eugene, Oregon where they resided 2 years then back to Nebr. After settling in Burwell she united with the Congregational Church. She loved her church and was loyal to its various activities, althoug for about the past 15 years she had been practically a shut in and unable to attend services. She has spent much time with her Bible and listened to serments on the radio. She was quiet and unassuming, thoughtful of her family, of cheerful disposition, nearly always singing as she worked.
She left us behind, but we feel no fear for her on her long journey. We believe her soul will find its way home, as a bird over half a world to an old nest, with never a chart nor mile post to show it the way to go.
Her remaining children are Otto Alderman of Grand Island, May (Effie Mae) (Flourney Butts) of Burwell, Florence Jorgensen of Fullerton, Alta Jones and Lloyd Alderman of Ord, and a granddaughter Doris Alderman, whom Mattie and James helped raise, At the time of Mattie's death she had 4 grandsons serving their country.