Horace & Mary Greenwood arrived with their two daughters, Iva and Cordelia, in the fledgling town of Wymore in the early spring of 1881. Flush with cash from the grain and lumber business in Red Oak, Iowa, Horace came with sleeves rolled up, ready to invest in this young railroad town. His new building on Block 28 opened as the Bank of Wymore in October of 1881, however he sold the business to Benjamin Burch a few months later. H.A. Greenwood Lumber Co. opened soon after, offering builder's material for the boom town. He served as Mayor of Wymore in 1887-1888. Broker and Stock Dealer WYMORE, NEBRASKA 1886 MR. GREENWOOD'S CAREER in this city, from the day of his arrival until the day of his death, was one of unusual business activity. His judgment along the lines of commercial responsibility as recognized, both locally and throughout the state, as above average. He understood men, intuitively, to a remarkable degree and could decide quickly and accurately the merits of a business proposition. THE WEEKLY WYMOREAN - IN MEMORIAM February 24, 1840 - October 19, 1908 Horace was born on February 24, 1840 in Abbot, Maine. His English Puritan ancestors settled in the future Massachusetts Bay Colony in the early 1600s. They remained in New England for centuries. Educated in the rural schools of Maine, Horace went to work as a helper in the nearby lumber camps while still a young boy. As a young man, he moved west to Illinois and found work as a herdsman, 'often alone for months at a time, facing floods of spring and storms of winter'. At the age of twenty, Horace enlisted in the 8th Illinois Cavalry in September of 1861 and fought for the Union during the next 1 1/2 years through the bloody battles of Richmond and Antietam. In February of 1870, he was wed to Mary
A. Cavanaugh of Loda, Illinois. Three daughters were born to
their union, one passing away in infancy. The other two, Iva
and Cora, grew to womanhood in Wymore. May 6, 1845 - July 31, 1932 Mary Ann was born in County Mayo, Ireland on May 6th, 1845. The daughter of James & Ann Cavanaugh, Mary accompanied her parents to Illinois in 1860 where they farmed near Champaign. The Greenwoods built their Wymore home in 1881 on the corner of Franklin (F St.) and Norwich (9th St) and lived there through the years with his mother Cordelia (Gower) Greenwood - who passed on in December of 1891, their daughters and later husbands, until Mary's death in July of 1932. The 1900 Census lists Horace & Mary, Iva & Lake Bridenthal their daughter, Mary, and Cora as well as a nurse and servant. Cora married Adam McMullen the next year, in June of 1901. The front porch of the house was rebuilt and expanded in the summer of 1908, shortly before Horace's death. Sometime between 1912 and 1925, a spacious addition was added to the west.  NW Corner 9th & F Street One of the most enjoyable events of the season was the 7 o'clock dinner given by Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Greenwood to a number of their friends last Friday Evening. The costumes of the gentlemen were unique and beautiful. The host received the guests standing in full evening costume, Prince Albert coat, white kid gloves, toe slippers and hand-painted fan, his face wreathed in smiles. Each gentleman was presented with a corsage bouquet before entering the parlors. Mr. Weir was enveloped in the mantle of dignity, black kid gloves, congress gaiters - bouquet of hollyhocks. Squire Newton, swallow tail coat, vest a la pompadour - Marshall Neil roses. Dr. Redman, robe de chambre lined with terra cotta, necktie of orange colored polka dots - dahlias and peonies. D.K. Taylor, suit of elephant's breath, sailor collar tied in burnouse loops, corsage bouquet of happy thought. M. Leach, a handsome blonde with melting blue eyes, work a striking costume. Coat with polonaise black, surah sash, surplice waistcoat, accordion plaited shirt front. From the perfume wafted to our olfactories his corsage bouquet was violets. Dr. Given, newly imported costume, directory style, court train escurial passmentaries, Greek draperies, bouquet verbenas. A.D. McCandless, one of the handsomest men present, wore a cut away coat on the bias, Vandyke pants, lavender kids, bouquet of forget-me-nots. Mr. Pirie appeared in the costume of his native country, Highland plaid, red top boots, hair cut entrain, bouquet of pinks. Mr. Sage, Angelo Saxon type of beauty, and Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like unto him. Telegraph blue suit, cut décolleté, elbow sleeves, point lace shirt front, Queen Elizabeth ruff, bouquet sunflowers. J.P. Byers, a petite blonde, wore a suit imported from Worth's for the occasion. Black stockingette jersey, turned black cuffs, crocheted silk stars, French flounced slippers, bouquet rose of Sharon. J. L. Wilson, a languishing widower, was attired in a suit of hunter's green, symbolic meaning being hope, panel with brestelles, silk stockings, white lace fan. Orange blossoms. T.P. Hargrave, coat of moiré silk, brocade pants, hair ornament (pencil behind the ear), China silk lambrequin kilt plaited. Bouquet of dogfennel. Neil Griffin, hair cut décolleté, mahogany gloves, gold headed cane. Bouquet of potato blossoms. A. Davidson, proprietor of the Touzalin Hotel, a bewitching beauty of Caucasian type, black silk velvet, diamond bracelets, psyche twist, a faraway look in his eyes and the headache. Bouquet - lilies of the valley. Mr. Newbranch, smoke colored kids, fan plaited coat, vest front, opera glass, Bouquet 'Only a Pansy Blossom.' E. W. Fenton, as eastern beauty, dress coat of fish net picot-edge, gross grain necktie, pearl necklace and beads. White rose. J. C. Burch white faille sild pants, armoire vest, hair French twist, jet ornaments and mousquetaire gloves. Bouquet shamrock. Zade Hale, Eiffel colored knee pants, buckles, white silk hose, Queen Anne bodice, emasculate shirt front. Daisies. Ed Kauffman, a rising young lawyer, was the happy possessor of a suit of white brocaded stripe, combined with plain fabric to match, corsage, being a jacket with plaited sleeves and caps on the shoulders; verdigris colored gloves with feather trimmings. Bouquet of catalpa blossoms. L. H. Bromwell and Dr. Gafford were conspicuous by their absence because of their suits being on the ill-fated steamer that was lost in mid-ocean. The ladies present were Mesdames Weir, Newton, McClelland, Redman, Taylor, Leach, Given, Pirie, Sage, Hale, Burch, Fenton, Newbranch, Griffin, Hargrave, Wilson, Byers, McCandless. When the refreshment season was over, the gentlemen hid away to the billiard room for the customary smoke. In the meantime, the ladies took a vote on the most popular gentleman of the evening. The ballot (and a woman's ballot at that) decided unanimously that Mr. Greenwood was the deserving one. After an evening spent in sociability, cards, dancing and billiards the guests wended their way homeward, all made happier by the occasion and not soon will they forget the royal manner in which they were entertained by Mr. Greenwood and this estimable wife. THE WEEKLY WYMOREAN - R. J.
P. In 1894, Horace finished his Greenwood building block on the corner of Niagara (7th) and Bloomfield (E) Street. The First National Bank moved there in January 1895 and from 1896 to 1900 he served as president of the bank. The US Post Office operated from one of the ground floor offices facing E Street. For a time, the first library in Wymore was located upstairs over the bank with Mrs. L.L. Vance as librarian. Local businesses and professionals including Adam McMullen moved in and out of the large building. Greenwood Hall opened in the upstairs and went on to serve the community with dinners, celebrations and as a dance hall well into the 1970s. The new Wymore Community Center opened in the spring of 1975 a block west.
 Greenwood Building Block - 1910 (corner building)
ON FRIDAY EVENING OF LAST WEEK, Miss Cora Greenwood entertained a large number of friends with a dance in the new hall of the Greenwood Block. The hall is large enough for ten or twelve sets to follow the evolutions of the dance with ease, lighted with electricity, well warmed and has a fine floor: no wonder those in attendance express themselves as delighted with their entertainment. A tempting lunch was served in the banquet hall, leading from the ball room and it is needless to say that this pleasing feature of the program was not neglected in the least. The occasion was very pleasant in all respects and Miss Cora won many words of praise as a hostess. THE WEEKLY WYMOREAN In late August of 1906, a new Greenwood business block was progressing rapidly: one story with 25 ft. frontage by 140 ft. long. The finishing touches were decidedly impressive. The Speiler Company of Beatrice installed the cornice work on the front of the building as well as the steel ceiling in the interior. Randall Bros of Beatrice were interior decorators and installed the large plate glass windows. Beatrice Plaining Mill filed a lien on the General Contractor, Martin Hansen, who in turn filed a lien on H. A. Greenwood in January of 1907 for non-payment of their work. Greenwood paid the bills and the lien was released nine months later. A deed to the building was drawn up and dated in July of 1906 transferring ownership to Cora McMullen, however it was not filed with the county until November of 1908.  Greenwood Building Block - 1910 (corner building) The new Greenwood Building had space
for three tenants. The 2nd space to the west was leased by Dave
Rhodes who operated a barber shop. The rear space was leased
to Leo Archard as a real estate office. When his estate was settled in 1913,
it listed 1,630 acres of farmland, the 2 commercial buildings
on Wymore's main street, lumberyards in Wymore and Barneston
as well as his home and other residential properties valued at
$181,846 ($5,668,206 in 2024).
 Cordelia (Cora) & Iva Greenwood - 1885
October 24, 1872 - November 18, 1965  Cora McMullen 1924 Courtesy History Nebraska from the McMullen Collection A glimpse of Cora's memories of her childhood in Wymore in the 1880s - CORA RELATED THROUGH MANY A CHUCKLE, a very serious and strained situation between her father and the railroad and how she and her sister received their first piano. Her father, who was in the lumber and bank business, had gone to Chicago to buy a carload of lumber and while there purchased a piano. He reasoned for expediency purposes he would send it back to Wymore in the same box car with the lumber. All went well until the car reached Beatrice where the station agent, on examining the car's lading, discovered the piano and had it removed and held for a higher freight revenue. Mr. Greenwood became so incensed over the demand that he set out in his own way to make the Burlington Railroad sorry for having played the wrong tune on his daughter's piano. He immediately set out to buy grain and livestock which was driven by wagon through the main street of Wymore and on foot to Blue Springs were he had it shipped on the Union Pacific to its destination. The Union Pacific was more than pleasantly surprised at the great increase in business and laid it all to what they thought was the ability of an enterprising young station agent, who they in due time promoted to a higher position. The Burlington people in the meantime
were feeling pressure from the loss of revenue and made overtures
to establish a friendly relationship between Greenwood and themselves.
How long the feud lasted, Cora couldn't recall but she does remember
one Burlington official remarked that it was probably one of
the most expense pianos in the world. Adam Herbesin McMullen June 12 1872 or 1873 - March 2, 1959  Governor McMullen pictured at the White House in 1928 during his visit with President Coolidge John H. and Mary (Herbesin) McMullen followed two sons, John and James, to Wymore in 1884. The young men operated the Palace Grocery and Bakery of McMullen Brothers. Along with first class produce, they also stocked boot ware. The bakery delivered fresh bread, buns, cakes & pies within a 100 mile radius to other groceries and restaurants daily. Eleven year old Adam attended school and helped with the businesses. In the 1880s into the 90s they lived on Nashby Street (8th).  John McMullen home - 1900 116 N 9th St. Cora Greenwood was a classmate of Adam's and they shared more memories in the 1956 newspaper - TYPICAL AMERICAN KIDS being brought up in the typical American fashion: there was Adam's keen summer delight of going down to the Round hole on Indian Creek, where the old mill was located, and swim. The grand old Fourth of July celebrations when, as ragamuffins, a group of boys would ride in the parades dressed in old clothes and celebrate by throwing fire crackers in the air. The sparkle of Cora's eyes in telling of the very typical way, boy meets girl, when she and Adam, who sat in the desk behind her, would pull her braids. Or how she "snitched" on Adam to her father for stealing cherries from the family orchard. As told by Adam: January 12th started as a mild day for January and by 12 noon when we were let of out of school to go home for lunch, (I had about a mile to go which was not considered far in those days) we noticed only that the wind had picked up tempo, nothing alarming however, nor did we consider it so on our return to school at 1 o'clock. However, by 2 o'clock it had reached such violent proportions that our principle Miss Perry decided on evacuating the school building to take refuge in the Ida Davis home, one block and ½ south of the school building on the other side of the street. She put into operation an ingenious plan by cutting the bell rope and instructing us to all hold on at any cost, that if any of us fell we would all wait for that one to get to their feet before proceeding. She no sooner had called for a volunteer to take the fore end of the rope as a leader, then I was there in that position. Already I had resolved a plan of direction to gain the Davis home. I had reasoned to proceed directly east of the school building and then follow the far side of the street directly south until we reached our destination. As we opened the school door, the bottom step of the steps leading up to the door could not be seen due to the fine swirling snow with absolutely no vision for even your hand in front of your face. We gained the east side of the street by Southwick's house, and I set our course due south as planned. Some did stumble and fall and we fulfilled our instructions by waiting on them in regaining their safety on our life line, the bell rope. I overshot my guess as to the location of the Davis house and we became for a short time hopelessly lost. In due time of circling I came across some out buildings. I determined the side that the doors were on and struck a straight line from them and come safely to the back door of the Davis home. Ida and her family fed and entertained
us until nine or ten o'clock, when the wind went down and we
could start for our homes. During the evening we played 'post
office' and thought the blizzard a good thing. There were no
telephones in town and families with absent children were worried
for their safety.
 Wymore High School THE SECOND ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT exercises of the graduating class of the Wymore High School were held at the opera house Wednesday evening. A very large audience was present and every chair in the house was occupied and at least 200 were compelled to stand in the isles … The hall and stage were beautifully decorated with pictures, flags, evergreens and flowers. The Class motto "Nulla Vestigia Retrorsuim" (No Backward Steps) was suspended across the front of the stage in silver letters. THE WEEKLY WYMOREAN
The 1889 Class Roll Levi Scott, Elsie Brownell (Horn), Lizzie Haynes (Davidson), Dollie Knees (Brown), Park Lyons, Adam McMullen, Florence Mitchell (Fenton), Meriman Reed, Myrtle Southwick (Kier), Laura Southwick & Zilda Wilner Adam spent the next year working at the Wymore Democrat newspaper to satisfy his interest in journalism as well as working at this family grocery store. In the fall of 1890, Adam enrolled in the University of Nebraska. To support himself, he worked at the Lincoln Evening Call newspaper. He was also one of the editors of the Hesperian, the University monthly newspaper. Adam was lured into politics with William Jennings Bryan's 'free silver issue' and organized 500 young Republicans to gather at Bryan's front door in Lincoln. This gesture caught the interest of Judge Strode, US Congressman from Lincoln, who offered Adam a job in Washington. Adam accepted and went on to attend and graduate from the George Washington Law College of Washington D.C. in 1899.  George Washington Law College - 1900 After graduation Adam served as orderly to Judge Advocate General Liebers in Washington during the Spanish American war and later as secretary to Senator Charles Dietrich of Nebraska. At the close of the Senator's term Adam resigned to return to Wymore ... Adam McMullen and Miss Cora Greenwood Married in Virginia
Courtesy History Nebraska from the McMullen Collection UNDER THE DATE OF THE SIXTH [June 6, 1901], the Washington correspondent of the Omaha Bee tells the following story of the romantic marriage of Adam McMullen and Miss Cora Greenwood. These young people have the respect and good wishes of all who know them and that they may garner a full measure of happiness is the sincere wish of all: One of the most romantic weddings of recent days in which two young Nebraska people figure as the principal participants, was solemnized Wednesday, Christ Church, Alexandria, VA, a church known throughout America as Washington's house of worship and over which he ruled as senior vestryman. The participants were Miss Cora Greenwood of Wymore and Adam McMullen of Lincoln. The marriage ceremony was performed by the rector of Christ Church, Rev. B. Green. It was late in the afternoon when the young couple entered the historic edifice, the Mecca of travelers to the home and vicinage of the first president of the republic. There were no other persons in the church at the time but the rector, who takes great pleasure in showing the visitors about. Mr. McMullen had provided himself with the necessary license and approaching the rector, asked if it was necessary under to rules of the Episcopal faith that witnesses should be present at a marriage ceremony. Dr. Green said it was not necessary and the groom thereupon drew forth his marriage license and asked that he and Miss Greenwood be united according to the Episcopal faith. The rector, a staunch ritualist asked if either had been married before and receiving a negative reply, proceeded to join the two in holy wedlock. The wedding was not contemplated for several months to come, but as Miss Greenwood was traveling in the east, Mr. McMullen thought it opportune to have the marriage take place in Washington's church without any additional delay and the ardor of the young suitor won. Miss Greenwood that was, is the daughter of a former mayor of Wymore, one of the best known citizens of southeastern Nebraska. The groom is the son of John H. McMullen, now a resident of Wymore, the home of the bride's parents. Adam McMullen was graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1896 and during his college career represented the University twice in inter-state oratorical contests. He came to Washington as an appointee of ex-Congressman Jesse B. Strode of Lincoln and entered the department as a clerk, where he was employed. He was graduate of Columbia University in 1899. Mr. and Mrs. McMullen have left on their wedding journey, which is to include New York, Baltimore and the Atlantic seaboard.  Christ Church Alexandria Virginia about 1900 THE WEEKLY WYMOREAN The years ahead were filled with civic passions and transition for Adam and Cora faithfully supported her husband. In 1902, Adam accepted a position as secretary to Nebraska Senator Charles Dietrich and stayed on in Washington until his resignation in 1903 when the McMullen's returned to Wymore. Through the next 16 years, the Greenwood home provided a stable base to come home to and absence, it seems, made the heart grow fonder for the childhood sweethearts. Adam opened his attorney practice in the Greenwood Building downtown and served two terms in the state legislature in 1904 and 1906. When Cora's father passed on in 1908, the McMullen's helped her mother manage the Greenwood Estate.  Adam McMullen - Nebraska Legislature 1904 & 1908 Courtesy History Nebraska from the McMullen Collection
In the early 1900s, Adams mothers' health
diminished and Mary McMullen passed on in October of 1909. In 1919, the McMullens purchased the Peter Jansen residence in Beatrice, 1112 North 11th St. Jansen was an esteemed Senator from the Fairbury area.  McMullen Home - Beatrice Courtesy - History Nebraska from the McMullen Collection
 Cora & Adam McMullen Nebraska Governor's Mansion 1925 Courtesy History Nebraska from the McMullen Collection John McMullen, Adam's 94 year old father moved there with them but tragically fell ill and passed away in the mansion on September 11, 1925. It was noted that John had become a member of the Old Fellows in 1854 and was believed to be the oldest member in the United States. He had been a member of the Masonic Lodge in Wymore since 1884. 
Daughters of the American Revolution delegation at the White House in 1928 President Calvin Coolidge (center) Cora McMullen (3rd from his left) Courtesy History Nebraska from the McMullen Collection The McMullen's returned to Beatrice in 1930 and occupied their time there for the next 30 years. Adam was appointed postmaster in 1932. Cora was heavily committed to the D.A.R. There was also time spent on their interests in farms and local businesses. There was also time for travel and attention to Mary Greenwood's estate upon her death in 1932. During the noon hour of November 3, 1939, a fire broke out in the attic of the McMullen home in Beatrice. It quickly raged out of control even though both of Beatrice Fire Trucks fought the blaze. Fireman forced their way into the house and removed much of the furniture, chinaware and other possessions on the first floor but it was too late to save furnishings on the 2nd floor. A large crowd gathered to watch the firemen battle the flames. By 2:30, only a shell of the outside walls and the porch remained standing. The McMullen's were out town vacationing in Missouri but returned home a few days later to deal with the loss of their home. The Carriage House remained and was later sold and moved in 1950 to 1106-1108 N 12th and remodeled into a duplex. Adam pursued public office once more in 1949, but lost his bid for state Senator. After the fire, the McMullen's purchased 722 Grant Street in Beatrice where they lived until Adam's death on March 2, 1959. Cora sold the home that spring and moved in to live with her niece, Mrs. Ed McClure. THE WHOLE STRAIN OF HIS REMBERANCES dwelt and centered on a place called Wymore. Exacting in his memory was where the main street was located, how it ran from the Old Touzalin west and north for four blocks. How he would rent a 'rig' from the livery stable to take Cora for a ride through Wymore or into the country. How he would run in all the foot races and many more were the things that Adam dwelt on. He was quick to impress that Wymore is and will always be 'home town' to him and Cora. WYMORE ARBOR STATE October 3, 1874 - August 7, 1934 Iva and Cora attended the new 1884 Wymore School until late into the 1880s. For the next five years, the two sisters attended the Sacred Heart School for Girls in Omaha.
Sacred Heart School In 1892, Cori and Iva studied at the Boston New England Conservatory of Music. Cora graduated in June of 1893.  Boston Conservatory of Music It is unclear when Iva changed her educational course to attend the Chicago School of Oratory. Upon her graduation early in 1895 she came home to Wymore. The April 13, 1895 Weekly Wymorean noted that Iva had decided to give lessons in elocution and physical culture to a limited number of pupils. May 22, 1895 Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock, Iva Borradell, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Greenwood was married to Lake Bridenthal. Rev. Canon Whitmarsh of Omaha performed the ceremony according to the ritual of the Episcopal Church, always beautiful and impressive. The rooms were tastily decorated with flowers and darkened, the glow of incandescent lamps adding enchantment to the scene. Miss Cora, sister of the bride and Miss
Satherwaite of Mr. Pleasant Iowa, acted as maids of honor and
Sam Rengler of this city and Mr. Madam of Mt. Pleasant, was best
man. The wedding march was played by Miss Beatrice Fenton. A
fine repast was served by Balduff, the well-known caterer of
Omaha. The presents were numerous and valuable. THE WEEKLY WYMOREAN August 11, 1864 - August 16, 1942
 Monmouth College Their son, Lake, attended Monmouth College and was affiliated with Phi Delta Theta. Lake moved with his family to Gage County in 1884 where they farmed in Sicily township until 1904. Lake taught school in Virginia, NE. He became casher of the City National Bank in 1887 at the age of 22 and went on to invest in the organization of the First National Bank in 1889. In the summer of 1900, Lake sold his interest in the First National Bank to devote his time to the lumber yards in Wymore and Barneston. The Bridenthals had inherited the lumber yards from Iva's father upon his death in 1908. Lake sold the Wymore yard in 1911 and the Barneston yard in 1912.  Lake Bridenthal & Co. Lake and Iva lived at the Greenwood home with her parents and Cora until 1900.  Built in 1900, this Queen Ann demonstrates the style in transition, incorporating more contemporary Neo-Classical Revival elements in its original design. The porch, with columns of simplistic design common at the turn of the century, is prominent. George Franklin Barber (July 31, 1854 - February 17, 1915) was an American architect based in Knoxville, Tennessee best known for his residential designs, which he marketed worldwide through a series of mail-order catalogs. One of the most successful domestic architects of the late Victorian period in the United States, Barber's plans were used for houses in all 50 U.S. states, and in nations as far away as Japan and the Philippines. Over four dozen Barber houses are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and several dozen more are listed as part of historic districts. Lake would have received these catalogs at his lumber yard and selected Plan #4 from Barber's Victorian & Cottage catalog. 
This mail order plan was for a house on a corner block, but Lake exchanged correspondence with Barber to customize the house to its lot and the rooms to his needs. The carriage house is original with additions made in recent years. The carriage was kept here and the horses were livered in a barn down the street. Repairs to the façade and porches have been carefully made to the detail of the original house.
Dozens of rich, red chrysanthemums were arranged through the dining room. The luncheon consisted of four courses and was served at small tables. The favors were small bouquets of sweet violets and the name cards were violet tinted in hand painted letters. The potato race was the amusement of the afternoon. John Land and Erie Fenton were awarded the prizes. About fifty ladies were present. Mrs. and Mrs. McMullen will leave in about a week for Washington, where Mr. McMullen will resume his duties as private secretary to Senator Dietrich. BEATRICE WEEKLY TIMES
 OLD FENTON HOME - MARSLAND The large home had eight sleeping rooms on the 2nd floor. On the ground floor there were three sitting rooms, a dining room, lavatory and dressing room. A kitchen and bathroom was added later. About sixteen years ago Robert Fenton and Richard Livsey, with their families, came to Blue Springs direct from England. That was before the town of Wymore was thought of. They were a jolly lot of people. This country as well as the people no doubt seemed rather wild to them, but never the less they seemed to be delighted with the country. In fact, they couldn't help but like it, for the greater portion of the country lay just as nature had formed it, before marred or changed by the hands of men. There was not a house or habitation of any kind at that time between where Mr. Fenton now lives two miles due west of Blue Springs and Sicily Creek. Michael Kechley was the frontier settler who let his cattle, horses and hogs run at large and seemed to be lord of all the eye could survey. Mr. Fenton purchased some two or three sections of raw prairie land at $5.25 an acre and seemed to contemplate purchasing all the land between that which he had bought and Sicily creek. He wrote back to England stating he had purchased two or three sections of land and requested the money to be forwarded so he could purchase several more. The answer came by way of a cablegram which cost Mr. Fenton some sixteen dollars. He answered and received a long letter urging and praying that he should not purchase any more land and intimating that he must have gone crazy to think of having so much land way out in the wilds of America among the Indians, and as the money was coming through Mrs. Fenton's father, the old gentleman but a veto so that the money could not be drawn without his consent. Mr. Fenton's land speculations were stopped. Within eighteen months the B&M RR company built the main Denver line through the county and extended the line from Lincoln to connect with the Denver line at the point where Wymore is now located. The land which Mr. Fenton purchased at $5.25 an acre and all that he had contracted, jumped up in price to $35 and $40 an acre. Mr. Fenton sold all he had bought for $40 an acre except for 1,000 acres which he improved for a home. It is in fact and elegant home. One of the best improved farms in Gage County, an elegant large house, barn 40x60, tenant house and barn nearby for carriage horses and drivers, stock sheds and outbuildings of all kinds, five bearing apple and peach orchards, two wind mills and water tanks for stock in various lots and a large tank to supply the house and lawn, in short, a complete water plant, natural groves and six and one half miles of hedge fence. It is a home that some of his relatives from England have been out to see and look upon in astonishment. They could then see where they had made a mistake in interfering with Robert's land deal. THE WYMORE REPORTER The 1890's were certainly 'gaye' for the Fenton family as well as the Blue Springs and Wymore social communities. The newspapers made announcements with open invitations to garden parties, musical events, barn dances, Episcopal Church socials, symphony orchestras, an 1899 Alumni Reception, fund raising events attracting 200 people as well as afternoon Kensington's staged in the large parlors and spilling onto the veranda. In the early 1900s, as the children grew up and Mrs. Fenton spent summers in England, social events dwindled but the farm was bountiful. He worked the farm himself until passing management on to his son Walter in 1906 and leased out parts to tenants. By then land was selling at $75 an acre. THIS YEAR, Mr. Fenton raised 300 acres of corn averaging twenty-five bushels to the acre. His 110 acres of wheat will average twenty two bushels to the acre. As an experiment which promises to be successful, he has planted 25 acres of alfalfa. BEATRICE DAILY EXPRESS In May of 1909, Fenton sold the 640 acre farm and buildings to Iva Bridenthal for $48,000. Robert's plan was to leave for Boulder, Colorado later that summer where his wife and adult children had already relocated. Saturday, November 20th had been a busy day in Wymore with his son, Walter. Returning home about 6 o'clock Robert complained of weariness. He entered the house and seated himself on an armchair and fell asleep to a fatal stoke. His funeral was held in St. Luke's Episcopal Church and he was laid to rest in Wymore Cemetery. Ethel Fenton and four of their daughters rest together in the Green Mountain Cemetery in Boulder Colorado. There seemed something magical about these 640 acres, and as its new owner, Lake Bridenthal embraced farm life.
 Owned by Michigan State College, this is a photo of Treviso, foaled in 1917, an excellent example of the Percheron breed of horses. TWENTY-FIVE HEAD of thoroughbred Percheron horses, including five stallions and twenty mares, were disposed of by Lake Bridenthal at Pine Ridge Farm, west of Blue Springs Friday. The sale was held under canvas and was largely attended. Mr. Bridenthal, whose horses have been prize winners at the state fair for several seasons, is going out of business. Most of the horses sold were purchased by Gage county men. One stallion sold for $1,050, another for $1,400 and a third for $750. One mare sold for $975 and a team brought $1,520. BEATRICE DAILY EXPRESS Lake's father Jasper W. Bridenthal (1836-1917) passed away on December 7th. His mother, Elenor-Elan, (1839-1918) passed on a few months later on July 8th. They were both laid to rest in the Wymore Cemetery.
December 21, 1898 - December 29, 1961 Mary grew up in the family homes on 9th Street, surrounded by parents, grandparents and her aunt & uncle, the McMullens. LITTLE MISS MARY BRIDENTHAL is driving the swellest outfit in the city. It consists of her pony hitched to a small cutter and wearing a brand new harness of Henry Schmitz's finest make. The outfit is a present from her father and Miss Mary is making the most of her opportunity for sleighing. THE WEEKLY WYMOREAN Mary attended Wymore School until her high school years, when in 1914 she was attending the Brownwell Talbot School for girls in Omaha.
Brownwell Talbot Hall - 1920
In 1920, she was a freshman at the University of Nebraska and a pledge to the Delta Gamma sorority. Mary spent the summer of 1921 traveling in Europe - France, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Scotland and England. She arrived back in New York on August 31, 1921 having sailed on the White Star liner Olympic. She arrived back in Wymore on September 9th. Later that fall, she attended Mount Vernon Seminary School in Washington, D.C. and graduated in 1922. 
Mount Vernon Seminary School - 1915 While Mary's first marriage was brief, her wedding was a gala affair … The marriage of Mary Eleanor Bridenthal of Wymore to Earle Tamblyn Howey of Beatrice was solemnized in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends, Wednesday at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lake Bridenthal. The Rev. W. A. Mulligan, pastor of the Christ Church Episcopal, officiating. The Bridenthal home was beautifully decorated for the occasion, palms, chrysanthemums & smilax being used profusely. The ceremony occurred in the hall of the Bridenthal home under a bower of smilax, chrysanthemums and orchids. Proceeding the ceremony, which occurred at 9:15 o'clock, Mrs. F. A. Mullen of Lincoln sang 'I Love You Truly' and 'Possession'. The bridal party entered to the music of Lehengrin's wedding march rendered by Menzenforf's orchestra of Lincoln. The bride entered on the arm of her father, Lake Bridenthal, who gave her in marriage. She was gowned in silver brocaded satin with a beaded girdle of rhinestones and pearls. She wore a court train of stain trimmed with orange blossoms, the headdress of the vail being of rose point lace. The bridesmaids were Miss Grace Gafford of Wymore, Miss Burnetta Hepperlen of Beatrice and Miss Edna Fitzsimmons of Lincoln, Mrs. Melvin Howey, sister of the groom, was matron of honor. She wore a gown of white Romaine crepe beaded with crystal beads and carried an arm bouquet of Russell roses tied with an orchid bow of tulle. Miss Betty Lemon of Lincoln preceded the bride as flower girl. Mrs. Gerald Froemke of St. Louis, a former roommate of the bride at Mr. Vernon seminary, Washington D.C. was one of the attendants. She was attired in a gown of turquoise blue brocaded silk cloth trimmed with silver lace. Miss Hepperlen, one of the bridesmaids, wore a gown of coral georgette over sliver cloth. She carried an arm bouquet of orchids and yellow chrysanthemums. Miss Gafford wore an orchid chiffon dress beaded with orchid beads, orchids and yellow chrysanthemums. Walden Howey, a brother of the groom,
acted as best man. Mr. and Mrs. Howey left immediately following the ceremony for a honeymoon trip to points in the east. On their return they will make their home at 7th and Lincoln streets in this city. The bride is a graduate of Mount Vernon seminary, Washington D.C. and a former student of the state university. The groom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Howey of Beatrice, a graduate of the state university and connected with the First National Bank. BEATRICE DAILY EXPRESS The 1920s were years of beginning and endings for the Bridenthal family. The 1920 Census shows Lake residing at the new Cadman Hotel in downtown Wymore, Iva and daughter Mary are living with Mary Greenwood ... it's not clear whether they were living at the Greenwood house or the Bridenthal Queen Ann. Lake, who was 10 years older than Iva, had found his passion on the farm raising fine stock. LAKE BRIDENTHAL'S FARM near Blue Springs was the next stopping place. A delicious picnic dinner had been prepared by the farmer's wives and was served in the Bridenthal grove. The farm, one of the show places of the county, consisting of 540 acres of the world's richest land, improved to the utmost and containing an 800 tree orchard and vineyard, was gone over by the crowd, piloted by Mr. Bridenthal. He proved a royal host. The boys judged Bridenthal's Duroc Jersey swine, representing the world's best blood lines …. Boyd Rist - County Agriculture
Agent Mary was divorced in the spring of 1926. Somewhere along the way, she met Albert E. McClure, Jr. The McClure's were a prominent family whose seat was in Lakewood, Ohio. Their June 7, 1926 Ohio Marriage License states their residence as 16718 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio.
Albert & Mary made their home in the pretty Queen Ann Victorian in the late 1920s, occasionally moving to Beatrice and into the grand 4 Square home on the farm east of Blue Springs, as opportunities for work demanded. For the most part, the hired farmers and their families lived in the old Fenton house on the farm until 1958.
After ten years of living separate lives,
Lake and Iva Bridenthal were divorced in the summer of 1930.
Their property settlement had already been decided long before.
Two years after her mother's death, Iva passed on August 7th
1934 after a short illness at her daughter Mary's home, her death
came as a shock to the community. Iva rests in the Greenwood
Mausoleum in the Wymore Cemetery. Ed McClure III moved his young family to the farm after serving in the military in 1958. They rebuilt after the 1973 tornado and the McClure family continues to live on the land. The Queen Ann Victorian was sold out of the family in 1972. Tornado Levels McClure Farm Home September 25, 1973  Tragically, family photos were also lost in the storm … In a long family tradition, the McClure descendants carry on their love of family, agriculture and civic duties.
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