Quaker Cousins - Minerva (Albertson) Malone

Another one of Nathan Elias Albertson's 1st cousins was Minerva Albertson, so she was my 1st cousin 3 times removed. She was the daughter of Aaron R and Elizabeth (Harris) Albertson. Aaron was one of Nathan's younger uncles, being just 6 years older than Nathan. Aaron came with his parents and the rest of the family from Indiana to Hardin County Iowa in 1855 when he was 12 years old.

Aaron married Elizabeth Harris in Hardin County 18 Feb 1864. Minerva was their oldest child, born 5 Jan 1865. Minerva can be found on many censuses, beginning in 1870. She was only 5 years old, but already had 3 younger siblings: Mary, Phineas and Jesse. The family had moved from Hardin County to Lincoln in Story County Kansas. But by 1880 they had returned to Hardin County and Minerva, who was listed as attending school, had 5 younger siblings. Apparently Phineas had died, but the family had added Nathan, Olos and Cora. Her father's occupation was stone mason.

Nebraska had a state census in 1885 and the Albertson family appeared there in Emmet, Holt county Nebraska and now Aaron was listed as a farmer. Minerva was still living at home as well as Jessie, Nathan, Cora and Earl. But that didn't last too long because Minerva was married to Eldridge Malone there in Holt County 17 Dec 1885.

It appears that Aaron had applied for a homestead there in Holt County as he was granted a patent 1 Jul 1890. But he didn't stay there and the family was back in Hardin County Iowa by 1900. However, Minerva and Eldridge didn't go with her family as by 1900 they are listed on the census in Lavaca, Cherry County Nebraska. In the 14 years they had been married they had 7 children, 4 boys and 3 girls. This is where Eldridge applied for a homestead. He got a patent for 160 acres on 19 May 1903. Cherry County is the largest county in Nebraska with just over 6000 square miles. making it larger that the state of Connecticut. Cherry County is in the north central part of the state, adjoining South Dakota. The largest population historically was in 1920 when there were almost 12,000 people. The 2010 census counted less than 6000 inhabitants.

I am not sure how he did it but Eldridge obtained another homestead there a few miles away from his first one. This time it was for 479.1 acres and the patent was dated 25 Sep 1911. The 1910 census lists their location as Merriman, Cherry County. By now Eldridge was 56 and Minerva was 45 and their 9 living children ages 22 to 7 were living in the household.

It appears they spent the rest of their lives in Cherry County. They are listed at Eli in the 1920 census and there are still 6 children at home and a married son was living next door. Minerva became a widow when Eldridge died in 1924. He was buried at Center Cemetery there in Cherry County. By 1930 Minerva was listed as the operator of a general farm, even if she was now 65 years old. One daughter, Lola, who was a 32 year old unmarried school teacher, was living with Minerva. The married son with his family still was living nearby. It was in 1936 when Minerva died and was buried in the same cemetery as her husband.

I believe that I will remember Minerva (Albertson) Malone as one of the pioneer women from the homesteading days in the sand hills of Nebraska.