My great-grandfather Eli Whitnah moved from Zenia, Ohio, to Utica, Nebraska in 1874, where he purchased a farm for four dollars per acre, broke the prairie soil and [built] a sod home. My grandfather, Charles Whitnah grew up there and [in] 1884 attended the Nebraska Methodist College at York, Nebraska. He then taught school south of Utica. My grandmother, Mae Richmond, came to Utica to be a teacher and Principal, from Brattleboro, Vermont, after graduating from Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass. While there she met Charles Whitnah and they were married in 1890. They set up housekeeping on a farm south-east of Utica. While living there 3 sons were born, Carrell, Mark, and Scott. In March of 1902, the family moved to a farm southeast of Beaver Crossing, which was a "Flowing Well" farm. They lived in a sod and frame house until they could build a new frame one. When the boys reached 10th grade in school, which was the maximum education given at Beaver Crossing at the time, the family moved to Grand Island, so education could continue.

My father, Mark Whitnah, returned to the farm at Beaver Crossing, when he and my mother were married in 1916. They continued to live there until their death, Mother in 1962, and Father in 1972. My sister Eloise, and myself were born there and grew up and attended local schools.

My grandfather, Charles was a member of the Board of Trustees of the First Methodist Church of Beaver Crossing and helped build and finance the church building. He was Superintendent of the Sunday School, a position which my father later held for many years. My Mother was also very active in the Church Women United, and Sunday School classes for the children.

My Mother participated in many of the County Extension programs consisting of Homemakers clubs, AAA County extension women, and 4-H Clubs. I belonged to 4-H clubs for several years and remember fondly the year I was a member of the Seward County Choral group which won State Championship at the State Fair.

Both my parents belonged to the Flowing Well Grange and were one year voted to be the "Beaver Boosters." They enjoyed this group very much and helped with many projects, including an exit off I-80 that goes to Beaver Crossing.

I have been away from Nebraska since 1945 when I and my husband and family moved to Conn. We have owned a Pharmacy in Plantsville, Conn and raised ou family of two boys and two girls here. My sister Eloise, her husband and two girls live in California, but we still have an interest in the old farm at Beaver Crossing. So there are no longer any "Whitnahs" in Seward County, but fond memories will always remain.

Maydene Whitnah Potrepka