Ervin Whitehead ⁶³

  General Notes:

"In the spring of 1873, Ervin came to Hall County. He had remained in Wisconsin until he was twenty-one and had received his education here in the district schools.
In the fall of 1873, Ervin homesteaded 160 acres of land on two section s in the Cameron district. Later, he purchased forty acres of railroad land. This was an inoportune time to come to Nebraska in search of a permanent home as the memorable blizzard had just swept over the area, leaving death and disaster in its wake. Once again in the years to follow, a snowstorm destroyed a family orchard that had taken years of toil to develop. Like other early pioneers, they missed few of the hardships and struggles of the times.
Mr. Whitehead operated a threshing outfit each fall from 1875 yntil 1916 when his equipment was destroyed by fire. At this time, he developed a herd of Black Gallaway Cattle and found it to be very profitable.
As a young man, Mr. Whitehead was a Republican, but in later years, he found himself in sympathy with the Populist Party, and then became an Independent voter. His interest in education remained even in his retiring years and he served on the school boards until the early 1930's. He was an Assessor for several terms, Supervisor of the Cameron Township, and an active member of the town board for several terms. He was a member of the Woodman of the World, the family attended the Methodist Church, and his parents were also members.
Ervin Whitehead was a highly respected citizen of the community. He shared the misfortunes with the other settlers, but never became discouraged. He remained on the homestead until 1904, then due to failing health, he retired and moved to St. Paul, for a short time, returning to Cairo where he resided until his death. Both Ervin and Susan are buried at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Mr. Whitehead served this community long and faithfully in many public capacities and should be honored and recognized for his efforts in the betterment of this area."

Ervin married Susan Bellamy, daughter of George Bellamy and Jane Hodgson, on 15 Feb 1877 in Nebraska. (Susan Bellamy was born on 1 Jun 1858 in Tuscola Co., Michigan ⁶¹ and was buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Cairo, Nebraska.)