Difference between revisions of "Nebraska (USA)"

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<h3>1957 Article</h3> Nebraska, admitted to the Union as the 37th state in 1867. "Nebraska" is the Otoe Indian name for the Platte River, and means "flat water." It was first used by the French explorer Bourgmont in 1714. It was applied to the Platte watershed by John C. Freemont in 1841, and later to the state. It is near the center of the Great Plains region of [[North America|North America]], the eastern border formed by the Missouri River. Its dominant surface characteristic is its undulating prairie. The mean altitude is approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. The population of the state was 1,371,000 in 1952, 1,711,263 in 2000; its area is 77,227 sq. miles. It is predominantly a rural state; in the mid-1950s it had only 36 towns with more than 2,500. The chief natural resource is the rich soil of the loess region, a triangular area of approximately 42,000 square miles extending over the southeastern half of the state. The climate is characterized by rather light rainfall, low humidity, severe winters, hot summers, frequent changes in the weather, and considerable variation in rainfall and temperature from year to year. The average annual rainfall varies from 34 inches in the southeast to 16 inches in the west. Omaha (pop. 251,117 in 1986, 390,007 in 2000) is Nebraska's principal trading center, with livestock market receipts from more than twenty states. Other important trading centers are Lincoln (state capital, pop. 100,000 in 1986, 266,787 in 2000), Grand Island, Hastings, Scottsbluff, North Platte, Norfolk, Fremont, and [[Beatrice (Nebraska, USA)|Beatrice]].
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[[File:Nebraska1.jpg|285px|thumb|right|''Source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_USA_NE.svg Wikipedia Commons]'']]
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= 1957 Article =
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[[File:Nebraska1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_USA_NE.svg Wikipedia Commons] Wikipedia Commons
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Nebraska, admitted to the Union as the 37th state in 1867. "Nebraska" is the Otoe name for the Platte River, and means "flat water." It was first used by the French explorer Bourgmont in 1714. It was applied to the Platte watershed by John C. Freemont in 1841, and later to the state. It is near the center of the Great Plains region of [[North America|North America]], the eastern border formed by the Missouri River. Its dominant surface characteristic is its undulating prairie. The mean altitude is approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. The population of the state was 1,371,000 in 1952, 1,711,263 in 2000; its area is 77,227 sq. miles. It is predominantly a rural state; in the mid-1950s it had only 36 towns with more than 2,500. The chief natural resource is the rich soil of the loess region, a triangular area of approximately 42,000 square miles extending over the southeastern half of the state. The climate is characterized by rather light rainfall, low humidity, severe winters, hot summers, frequent changes in the weather, and considerable variation in rainfall and temperature from year to year. The average annual rainfall varies from 34 inches in the southeast to 16 inches in the west. Omaha (pop. 251,117 in 1986, 390,007 in 2000) is Nebraska's principal trading center, with livestock market receipts from more than twenty states. Other important trading centers are Lincoln (state capital, pop. 100,000 in 1986, 266,787 in 2000), Grand Island, Hastings, Scottsbluff, North Platte, Norfolk, Fremont, and [[Beatrice (Nebraska, USA)|Beatrice]].
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'']]  [[File:Nebraska2.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_USA_NE.svg Wikipedia Commons] Wikipedia Commons
 
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'']]        [[File:ME3_816.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Mennonite Churches in Nebraska, 1950s
 
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Mennonite Encyclopedia, v. 3, p. 816
 
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'']]    The first Mennonites to settle in Nebraska were a group of three [[Amish Mennonites|Amish Mennonite]] families (MC) who came from the East and settled west of [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] in April 1873. In August 1874, 28 immigrant families from [[Russia|Russia]] under the leadership of [[Jansen, Peter (1852-1923)|Peter Jansen]] arrived in Beatrice and in September, under the leadership of [[Buller, Jacob (1827-1901)|Elder Jacob Buller]], another group of Russians arrived in Lincoln. From this group 37 families (206 persons) settled in York and Hamilton counties near [[Henderson (Nebraska, USA)|Henderson]]. From these three early settlements the largest Mennonite settlements of the state, [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]], [[Beatrice (Nebraska, USA)|Beatrice]], and [[Henderson (Nebraska, USA)|Henderson]], have developed. With the exception of the [[Mennonite Brethren in Christ|Mennonite Brethren in Christ]] and [[Grace University (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)|Grace Bible Institute]], the other Mennonite congregations in the 1950s over the state were part of the expansion programs of these three original settlements.
 
  
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The first Mennonites to settle in Nebraska were a group of three [[Amish Mennonites|Amish Mennonite]] families (MC) who came from the East and settled west of [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] in April 1873. In August 1874, 28 immigrant families from [[Russia|Russia]] under the leadership of [[Jansen, Peter (1852-1923)|Peter Jansen]] arrived in Beatrice and in September, under the leadership of [[Buller, Jacob (1827-1901)|Elder Jacob Buller]], another group of Russians arrived in Lincoln. From this group 37 families (206 persons) settled in York and Hamilton counties near [[Henderson (Nebraska, USA)|Henderson]]. From these three early settlements the largest Mennonite settlements of the state, [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]], [[Beatrice (Nebraska, USA)|Beatrice]], and [[Henderson (Nebraska, USA)|Henderson]], have developed. With the exception of the [[Mennonite Brethren in Christ|Mennonite Brethren in Christ]] and [[Grace University (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)|Grace Bible Institute]], the other Mennonite congregations in the 1950s over the state were part of the expansion programs of these three original settlements.
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[[File:ME3_816.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Mennonite Churches in Nebraska, 1950s<br />
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Mennonite Encyclopedia, v. 3, p. 816'']]
 
The [[United Missionary Church|United Missionary Church]] congregations in Nebraska resulted from an evangelistic movement occurring around the turn of the century. Seven congregations were established, all of which are small or have become extinct. The Grace Bible Institute of Omaha was organized in 1943 and serves as an inter-Mennonite school.
 
The [[United Missionary Church|United Missionary Church]] congregations in Nebraska resulted from an evangelistic movement occurring around the turn of the century. Seven congregations were established, all of which are small or have become extinct. The Grace Bible Institute of Omaha was organized in 1943 and serves as an inter-Mennonite school.
  
 
The [[Kleine Gemeinde|Kleine Gemeinde]] of [[Jansen (Nebraska, USA)|Jansen]], founded by 36 families from [[Russia|Russia]], became extinct with the removal of the group to Meade, Kansas in 1906-1908.
 
The [[Kleine Gemeinde|Kleine Gemeinde]] of [[Jansen (Nebraska, USA)|Jansen]], founded by 36 families from [[Russia|Russia]], became extinct with the removal of the group to Meade, Kansas in 1906-1908.
  
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The Mennonite congregations in Nebraska (in 1954 numbering 25 with 3,832 members) with their conference affiliation, location, and membership numbers in 1954 were as follows: [[Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches|Evangelical Mennonite Brethren]]—[[Ebenezer Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church (Henderson, Nebraska, USA)|Ebenezer]] at Henderson (96), EMB Church at Jansen (70), total 166; [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]] [[Northern District Conference (General Conference Mennonite Church)|Northern District Conference]]—[[Bethesda Mennonite Church (Henderson, Nebraska, USA)|Bethesda]] at Henderson (1,014), First at Madrid (44), [[Salem Mennonite Church (Wisner, Nebraska, USA)|Salem]] at Wisner (14); General Conference Central District Conference—[[Pleasant View Mennonite Church (Aurora, Nebraska, USA)|Pleasant View]] at Aurora (180); General Conference [[Western District Conference (Mennonite Church USA)|Western District Conference]]—[[Beatrice Mennonite Church (Beatrice, Nebraska, USA)|Beatrice]]at Beatrice (180), [[First Mennonite Church (Beatrice, Nebraska, USA)|First]] (originally called Wehrlose Mennoniten-Gemeinde) at Beatrice (333), Kilpatrick at Beatrice (extinct); total [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]], 1,765; [[Mennonite Church (MC)|Mennonite Church]]—[[Plum Creek Mennonite Church (Beemer, Nebraska, USA)|Plum Creek]] at Beemer (137), [[West Fairview Mennonite Church (Beaver Crossing, Nebraska, USA)|West Fairview]] at Beaver Crossing (156), East Fairview at [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] (444), [[Chappell Mennonite Church (Chappell, Nebraska, USA)|Chappell]] (63), [[Wood River Mennonite Church (Wood River, Nebraska, USA)|Wood River]] (102), [[Salem Mennonite Church (Shickley, Nebraska, USA)|Salem]] at Shickley (257), [[Roseland Mennonite Church (Roseland, Nebraska, USA)|Roseland]] (17), [[First Mennonite Church of Broken Bow (Broken Bow, Nebraska, USA)|Broken View]] at Broken Bow (42), [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] (196), total Mennonite Church, 1,414; [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]]—[[Culbertson Mennonite Brethren Church (Culbertson, Nebraska, USA)|Culbertson]] (14), [[Henderson Mennonite Brethren Church (Henderson, Nebraska, USA)|Henderson]] (274), Paxton (74), total Mennonite Brethren, 362; [[United Missionary Church|United Missionary Church]]—[[Bloomington United Missionary Church (Bloomington, Nebraska, USA)|Bloomington]] (extinct), Cambridge (extinct), [[Franklin Missionary Church (Franklin, Nebraska, USA)|Franklin]] (15), [[Lewellen United Missionary Church (Lewellen, Nebraska, USA)|Lewellen]] (30), [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] (30), Weeping Water (50), total UMC, 125.
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The Mennonite congregations in Nebraska (in 1954 numbering 25 with 3,832 members) with their conference affiliation, location, and membership numbers in 1954 were as follows: [[Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches|Evangelical Mennonite Brethren]]—[[Ebenezer Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church (Henderson, Nebraska, USA)|Ebenezer]] at Henderson (96), EMB Church at Jansen (70), total 166; [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]] [[Northern District Conference (General Conference Mennonite Church)|Northern District Conference]]—[[Bethesda Mennonite Church (Henderson, Nebraska, USA)|Bethesda]] at Henderson (1,014), First at Madrid (44), [[Salem Mennonite Church (Wisner, Nebraska, USA)|Salem]] at Wisner (14); General Conference Central District Conference—[[Pleasant View Mennonite Church (Aurora, Nebraska, USA)|Pleasant View]] at Aurora (180); General Conference [[Western District Conference (Mennonite Church USA)|Western District Conference]]—[[Beatrice Mennonite Church (Beatrice, Nebraska, USA)|Beatrice ]]at Beatrice (180), [[First Mennonite Church (Beatrice, Nebraska, USA)|First]] (originally called Wehrlose Mennoniten-Gemeinde) at Beatrice (333), Kilpatrick at Beatrice (extinct); total [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]], 1,765; [[Mennonite Church (MC)|Mennonite Church]]—[[Beemer Mennonite Church (Beemer, Nebraska, USA)|Plum Creek]] at Beemer (137), [[West Fairview Mennonite Church (Beaver Crossing, Nebraska, USA)|West Fairview]] at Beaver Crossing (156), East Fairview at [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] (444), [[Chappell Mennonite Church (Chappell, Nebraska, USA)|Chappell]] (63), [[Wood River Mennonite Church (Wood River, Nebraska, USA)|Wood River]] (102), [[Salem Mennonite Church (Shickley, Nebraska, USA)|Salem]] at Shickley (257), [[Roseland Mennonite Church (Roseland, Nebraska, USA)|Roseland]] (17), [[First Mennonite Church of Broken Bow (Broken Bow, Nebraska, USA)|Broken View]] at Broken Bow (42), [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] (196), total Mennonite Church, 1,414; [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]]—[[Culbertson Mennonite Brethren Church (Culbertson, Nebraska, USA)|Culbertson]] (14), [[Henderson Mennonite Brethren Church (Henderson, Nebraska, USA)|Henderson]] (274), Paxton (74), total Mennonite Brethren, 362; [[United Missionary Church|United Missionary Church]]—[[Bloomington United Missionary Church (Bloomington, Nebraska, USA)|Bloomington]] (extinct), Cambridge (extinct), [[Franklin Missionary Church (Franklin, Nebraska, USA)|Franklin]] (15), [[Lewellen United Missionary Church (Lewellen, Nebraska, USA)|Lewellen]] (30), [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] (30), Weeping Water (50), total UMC, 125.
  
 
Other Mennonite institutions in the state were (1) Abbott Mennonite Mission (MC), established at Abbott in 1951, sponsored by Wood River Mennonite (MC) Church; (2) [[Grace University (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)|Grace Bible Institute]], Omaha; (3) [[Grace Children's Home (Henderson, Nebraska, USA)|Grace Children's Home]], Henderson, sponsored by the [[Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches|Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church]]; (4) [[Mennonite Deaconess Home and Hospital (Beatrice, Nebraska, USA) |Mennonite Hospital]] at Beatrice, sponsored by the General Conference Mennonite churches of Beatrice; and (5) [[Sunset Home for the Aged (Geneva, Nebraska, USA)|Sunset Home for the Aged]] at Geneva, established in 1951, sponsored by the Mennonite Church congregations of eastern Nebraska. -- <em>D. Paul Miller</em>
 
Other Mennonite institutions in the state were (1) Abbott Mennonite Mission (MC), established at Abbott in 1951, sponsored by Wood River Mennonite (MC) Church; (2) [[Grace University (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)|Grace Bible Institute]], Omaha; (3) [[Grace Children's Home (Henderson, Nebraska, USA)|Grace Children's Home]], Henderson, sponsored by the [[Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches|Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church]]; (4) [[Mennonite Deaconess Home and Hospital (Beatrice, Nebraska, USA) |Mennonite Hospital]] at Beatrice, sponsored by the General Conference Mennonite churches of Beatrice; and (5) [[Sunset Home for the Aged (Geneva, Nebraska, USA)|Sunset Home for the Aged]] at Geneva, established in 1951, sponsored by the Mennonite Church congregations of eastern Nebraska. -- <em>D. Paul Miller</em>
  
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<hr/> <h3>1990 Update</h3> There have been several changes in the Mennonite Churches in Nebraska since 1950. Churches that had closed their doors for various reasons by 1987 were Salem, at Wisner (1957), and Roseland, at Roseland (1959). The Mennonite Church at Chapell merged with the Julesburg, Colorado, Mennonite Church in 1974. An [[Old Order Amish|Old Order Amish]] settlement established in 1978 at Pawnee City was dissolved in 1982 because of a conflict with authorities over certified teachers for the settlement's school. The Sunset Home for the Aged at Geneva closed its doors in 1981 after 30 years of service.
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= 1990 Update =
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There have been several changes in the Mennonite Churches in Nebraska since 1950. Churches that had closed their doors for various reasons by 1987 were Salem, at Wisner (1957), and Roseland, at Roseland (1959). The Mennonite Church at Chapell merged with the Julesburg, Colorado, Mennonite Church in 1974. An [[Old Order Amish|Old Order Amish]] settlement established in 1978 at Pawnee City was dissolved in 1982 because of a conflict with authorities over certified teachers for the settlement's school. The Sunset Home for the Aged at Geneva closed its doors in 1981 after 30 years of service.
  
 
[[Mennonite Church (MC)|Mennonite Church (MC)]] congregations established in Nebraska (membership in parentheses) from the mid-1950s to mid-1980s were First Mennonite at Lincoln (56), which is also affiliated with the [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]]; Beth-El, at [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] (118); [[Bellwood Mennonite Church (Milford, Nebraska, USA)|Bellwood]], at [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] (215); and Omaha Mennonite Fellowship (13). Mennonite Church (MC) membership in the state was 1,300 in 12 congregations (1985), including one congregation affiliated with the Afro-American Mennonite Association. Four [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]] congregations (in addition to the dually affiliated Lincoln congregation) had 1,600 members. Faith Mennonite Church at Geneva was established in 1963 (60 members). Four [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]] congregations have been established since 1950. One disassociated itself from the conference in 1977, another closed in 1977, leaving a total of four congregations active in 1987. Five Evangelical Mennonite Brethren ([[Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches|Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches]]) congregations (583 members in 1984) and one unaffiliated Mennonite congregation, completed the roster of the state's 26 Mennonite congregations (ca. 3,700 members).
 
[[Mennonite Church (MC)|Mennonite Church (MC)]] congregations established in Nebraska (membership in parentheses) from the mid-1950s to mid-1980s were First Mennonite at Lincoln (56), which is also affiliated with the [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]]; Beth-El, at [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] (118); [[Bellwood Mennonite Church (Milford, Nebraska, USA)|Bellwood]], at [[Milford (Seward County, Nebraska, USA)|Milford]] (215); and Omaha Mennonite Fellowship (13). Mennonite Church (MC) membership in the state was 1,300 in 12 congregations (1985), including one congregation affiliated with the Afro-American Mennonite Association. Four [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]] congregations (in addition to the dually affiliated Lincoln congregation) had 1,600 members. Faith Mennonite Church at Geneva was established in 1963 (60 members). Four [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]] congregations have been established since 1950. One disassociated itself from the conference in 1977, another closed in 1977, leaving a total of four congregations active in 1987. Five Evangelical Mennonite Brethren ([[Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches|Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches]]) congregations (583 members in 1984) and one unaffiliated Mennonite congregation, completed the roster of the state's 26 Mennonite congregations (ca. 3,700 members).
  
 
The Nebraska Mennonite Central Committee [[Relief Sales|relief sale]] has become a major event in the life of the Mennonite churches in Nebraska. Established in 1980, it is held annually on the last weekend of March or the first weekend of April as a joint venture of all the churches in Nebraska. -- <em> Ivan E. Troyer</em>
 
The Nebraska Mennonite Central Committee [[Relief Sales|relief sale]] has become a major event in the life of the Mennonite churches in Nebraska. Established in 1980, it is held annually on the last weekend of March or the first weekend of April as a joint venture of all the churches in Nebraska. -- <em> Ivan E. Troyer</em>
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= Bibliography =
 
= Bibliography =
 
Andreas, W. C. "Highlights and Sidelights of the Mennonites in Beatrice." <em>Mennonite Life </em>1 (July 1946): 21.
 
Andreas, W. C. "Highlights and Sidelights of the Mennonites in Beatrice." <em>Mennonite Life </em>1 (July 1946): 21.
  
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Friesen, J. J. "Remaking a Community, Henderson, Nebraska." <em>Mennonite </em><em>Life </em>5 (October 1950): 10.
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Friesen, J. J. "Remaking a Community, Henderson, Nebraska." <em>Mennonite Life </em>5 (October 1950): 10.
  
 
Friesen, Jacob T. "A Rural Church—Beatrice, Nebraska." <em>Mennonite Life </em>8 (April 1953): 80.
 
Friesen, Jacob T. "A Rural Church—Beatrice, Nebraska." <em>Mennonite Life </em>8 (April 1953): 80.
  
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Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. <em>Mennonitisches Lexikon</em>, 4 vols. Frankfurt &amp; Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe; Schneider, 1913-1967: v. III, 201 f.
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Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. ''Mennonitisches Lexikon'', 4 vols. Frankfurt &amp; Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe: Schneider, 1913-1967: v. III, 201 f.
  
 
Horsch, James E., ed. <em>Mennonite Yearbook and Directory</em>. Scottdale, PA: Mennonite Publishing House (1988-89): 29.
 
Horsch, James E., ed. <em>Mennonite Yearbook and Directory</em>. Scottdale, PA: Mennonite Publishing House (1988-89): 29.
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Miller, D. Paul. "The Story of the Jansen Churches." <em>Mennonite Life </em>10 (January 1955): 38.
 
Miller, D. Paul. "The Story of the Jansen Churches." <em>Mennonite Life </em>10 (January 1955): 38.
  
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Reimer, Gustav E. and G. R. Gaeddert. <em>Exiled by the Czar. Cornelius Jansen and the Great </em><em>Mennonite Migration, 1874</em>. Newton, KS, 1956.
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Reimer, Gustav E. and G. R. Gaeddert. <em>Exiled by the Czar. Cornelius Jansen and the Great Mennonite Migration, 1874</em>. Newton, KS, 1956.
  
 
Schmidt, Theodore. <em>The Mennonites of Nebraska. </em>Lincoln, NE, 1933.
 
Schmidt, Theodore. <em>The Mennonites of Nebraska. </em>Lincoln, NE, 1933.
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{{GAMEO_footer|hp=Vol. 3, pp. 815-817; vol. 5, p. 621|date=1990|a1_last=Miller|a1_first=D. Paul|a2_last=Troyer|a2_first=Ivan E.}}
 
{{GAMEO_footer|hp=Vol. 3, pp. 815-817; vol. 5, p. 621|date=1990|a1_last=Miller|a1_first=D. Paul|a2_last=Troyer|a2_first=Ivan E.}}
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[[Category:States of the United States]]

Latest revision as of 14:08, 19 March 2023

Source: Wikipedia Commons

1957 Article

Nebraska, admitted to the Union as the 37th state in 1867. "Nebraska" is the Otoe name for the Platte River, and means "flat water." It was first used by the French explorer Bourgmont in 1714. It was applied to the Platte watershed by John C. Freemont in 1841, and later to the state. It is near the center of the Great Plains region of North America, the eastern border formed by the Missouri River. Its dominant surface characteristic is its undulating prairie. The mean altitude is approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. The population of the state was 1,371,000 in 1952, 1,711,263 in 2000; its area is 77,227 sq. miles. It is predominantly a rural state; in the mid-1950s it had only 36 towns with more than 2,500. The chief natural resource is the rich soil of the loess region, a triangular area of approximately 42,000 square miles extending over the southeastern half of the state. The climate is characterized by rather light rainfall, low humidity, severe winters, hot summers, frequent changes in the weather, and considerable variation in rainfall and temperature from year to year. The average annual rainfall varies from 34 inches in the southeast to 16 inches in the west. Omaha (pop. 251,117 in 1986, 390,007 in 2000) is Nebraska's principal trading center, with livestock market receipts from more than twenty states. Other important trading centers are Lincoln (state capital, pop. 100,000 in 1986, 266,787 in 2000), Grand Island, Hastings, Scottsbluff, North Platte, Norfolk, Fremont, and Beatrice.

The first Mennonites to settle in Nebraska were a group of three Amish Mennonite families (MC) who came from the East and settled west of Milford in April 1873. In August 1874, 28 immigrant families from Russia under the leadership of Peter Jansen arrived in Beatrice and in September, under the leadership of Elder Jacob Buller, another group of Russians arrived in Lincoln. From this group 37 families (206 persons) settled in York and Hamilton counties near Henderson. From these three early settlements the largest Mennonite settlements of the state, Milford, Beatrice, and Henderson, have developed. With the exception of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ and Grace Bible Institute, the other Mennonite congregations in the 1950s over the state were part of the expansion programs of these three original settlements.

Mennonite Churches in Nebraska, 1950s
Mennonite Encyclopedia, v. 3, p. 816

The United Missionary Church congregations in Nebraska resulted from an evangelistic movement occurring around the turn of the century. Seven congregations were established, all of which are small or have become extinct. The Grace Bible Institute of Omaha was organized in 1943 and serves as an inter-Mennonite school.

The Kleine Gemeinde of Jansen, founded by 36 families from Russia, became extinct with the removal of the group to Meade, Kansas in 1906-1908.

The Mennonite congregations in Nebraska (in 1954 numbering 25 with 3,832 members) with their conference affiliation, location, and membership numbers in 1954 were as follows: Evangelical Mennonite Brethren—Ebenezer at Henderson (96), EMB Church at Jansen (70), total 166; General Conference Mennonite Church Northern District Conference—Bethesda at Henderson (1,014), First at Madrid (44), Salem at Wisner (14); General Conference Central District Conference—Pleasant View at Aurora (180); General Conference Western District Conference—Beatrice at Beatrice (180), First (originally called Wehrlose Mennoniten-Gemeinde) at Beatrice (333), Kilpatrick at Beatrice (extinct); total General Conference Mennonite Church, 1,765; Mennonite Church—Plum Creek at Beemer (137), West Fairview at Beaver Crossing (156), East Fairview at Milford (444), Chappell (63), Wood River (102), Salem at Shickley (257), Roseland (17), Broken View at Broken Bow (42), Milford (196), total Mennonite Church, 1,414; Mennonite Brethren—Culbertson (14), Henderson (274), Paxton (74), total Mennonite Brethren, 362; United Missionary Church—Bloomington (extinct), Cambridge (extinct), Franklin (15), Lewellen (30), Milford (30), Weeping Water (50), total UMC, 125.

Other Mennonite institutions in the state were (1) Abbott Mennonite Mission (MC), established at Abbott in 1951, sponsored by Wood River Mennonite (MC) Church; (2) Grace Bible Institute, Omaha; (3) Grace Children's Home, Henderson, sponsored by the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church; (4) Mennonite Hospital at Beatrice, sponsored by the General Conference Mennonite churches of Beatrice; and (5) Sunset Home for the Aged at Geneva, established in 1951, sponsored by the Mennonite Church congregations of eastern Nebraska. -- D. Paul Miller

1990 Update

There have been several changes in the Mennonite Churches in Nebraska since 1950. Churches that had closed their doors for various reasons by 1987 were Salem, at Wisner (1957), and Roseland, at Roseland (1959). The Mennonite Church at Chapell merged with the Julesburg, Colorado, Mennonite Church in 1974. An Old Order Amish settlement established in 1978 at Pawnee City was dissolved in 1982 because of a conflict with authorities over certified teachers for the settlement's school. The Sunset Home for the Aged at Geneva closed its doors in 1981 after 30 years of service.

Mennonite Church (MC) congregations established in Nebraska (membership in parentheses) from the mid-1950s to mid-1980s were First Mennonite at Lincoln (56), which is also affiliated with the General Conference Mennonite Church; Beth-El, at Milford (118); Bellwood, at Milford (215); and Omaha Mennonite Fellowship (13). Mennonite Church (MC) membership in the state was 1,300 in 12 congregations (1985), including one congregation affiliated with the Afro-American Mennonite Association. Four General Conference Mennonite Church congregations (in addition to the dually affiliated Lincoln congregation) had 1,600 members. Faith Mennonite Church at Geneva was established in 1963 (60 members). Four Mennonite Brethren congregations have been established since 1950. One disassociated itself from the conference in 1977, another closed in 1977, leaving a total of four congregations active in 1987. Five Evangelical Mennonite Brethren (Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches) congregations (583 members in 1984) and one unaffiliated Mennonite congregation, completed the roster of the state's 26 Mennonite congregations (ca. 3,700 members).

The Nebraska Mennonite Central Committee relief sale has become a major event in the life of the Mennonite churches in Nebraska. Established in 1980, it is held annually on the last weekend of March or the first weekend of April as a joint venture of all the churches in Nebraska. -- Ivan E. Troyer

Bibliography

Andreas, W. C. "Highlights and Sidelights of the Mennonites in Beatrice." Mennonite Life 1 (July 1946): 21.

Friesen, J. J. "Remaking a Community, Henderson, Nebraska." Mennonite Life 5 (October 1950): 10.

Friesen, Jacob T. "A Rural Church—Beatrice, Nebraska." Mennonite Life 8 (April 1953): 80.

Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. Mennonitisches Lexikon, 4 vols. Frankfurt & Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe: Schneider, 1913-1967: v. III, 201 f.

Horsch, James E., ed. Mennonite Yearbook and Directory. Scottdale, PA: Mennonite Publishing House (1988-89): 29.

Miller, D. Paul. "The Story of Jansen, Nebraska." Mennonite Life 9 (October 1954): 173.

Miller, D. Paul. "The Story of the Jansen Churches." Mennonite Life 10 (January 1955): 38.

Reimer, Gustav E. and G. R. Gaeddert. Exiled by the Czar. Cornelius Jansen and the Great Mennonite Migration, 1874. Newton, KS, 1956.

Schmidt, Theodore. The Mennonites of Nebraska. Lincoln, NE, 1933.


Author(s) D. Paul Miller
Ivan E. Troyer
Date Published 1990

Cite This Article

MLA style

Miller, D. Paul and Ivan E. Troyer. "Nebraska (USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1990. Web. 22 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Nebraska_(USA)&oldid=175313.

APA style

Miller, D. Paul and Ivan E. Troyer. (1990). Nebraska (USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 22 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Nebraska_(USA)&oldid=175313.



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Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, pp. 815-817; vol. 5, p. 621. All rights reserved.


©1996-2024 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.

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