In 1947 the veterans of the Bellwood Area decided to form an American Legion Post in Bellwood. After several meetings, it was decided to call it the Laverne Schmit Post 327 in honor of Laverne Schmit, who served in the Navy and was killed in a plane crash near Bermuda on Jan. 10, 1943. His body was returned on Nov. 21, 1947 and laid to rest in St. Peter's Cemetery near Bellwood. The American Legion Post 327 received its charter in 1947.

   The following officers were elected: Carl E. Carson. commander; Frank Markus, vice commander; Roe Clark, adjutant; Calvin Sorensen, finance officer; Dr. J. M. McNally, service officer; Rev. D.B. O'Conner, chaplain; and Fred Mansfield, membership chairman.

   The following Veterans were charter members: Carl Carson, Frank Benedict, Leo Bock, Marlin Scholz, Walter Hoshor, Anthony Hiller, Paul Hiller, Ludwig Rohrich, Otto Selzer, Floyd Napier, Otto Selzer, Jr., Fred Dvorak. Jr., Albert Hunt, Raymond Hough, J. W. Eschliman, Roy Bock, Howard Loveless, Bernard Adams, Walter Peters, Harold Bock, Fredrick Mansfield, Ebeart Kamenske, Frank Markus, Frank Beard, J. M. McNally, Wm. Fischer, George Smith, Wilton Gunderson, Francis Besch, Maurice Sylvester, Orsie Adams, Jr., Allen Baer, Leo Schmit, Audrey Kreizinger, Matt Supancheck, Leo Nicolas, Robert Schmit, Bernard Meysenburg, Harold Kroesing, Roe Clark, Leo Adamy, Leonard Adamy, Harry West, Jr., Harry McDonald.
   The following Commanders were elected: Carl Carson 1948, Frank Beard 1949, Cal Sorensen 1950, Leo Bock 1951, Gordon Zeller 1952, Melvin Hiller 1953, Adolph Kosch 1954, Marlin Scholz 1955, Audrey Kreizinger 1956, Ebeart Kamenske 1957, Otto Selzer, Jr. 1958, Gordon Zeller 1959, Frank Markus 1960, Raymond Hough 1961, Otto Selzer 1962, James Cockson 1972, Edwin Mastny 1973, Anthony Hiller 1975, Steve Smith 1978, Jerome Didier 1979.
   The American Legion voted to build a new Legion Hall in 1971, and in October, 1973 they moved into the new building. The Legion Auxiliary helped with the furnishings in the new hall, which became debt free in 1977.
   The American Legion has been active with services on Memorial Day, and with military funerals through the years. They had many fund raising projects from which they contributed to many youth programs in the area. They also contributed to various community projects through the years.

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HILL CEMETERY

3 west, 1 3/4 south

of Bellwood

1835 McDonald, Sylvester CW 1914

1833 Stewart, Dan CW 1902

1836 Miller, Fred CW 1913

ST. JOSEPH CEMETERY

5 west, 3 north of Bellwood

1914 Nebosis, Walter John WW2 1969

1950 Sliva, Donald Vietnam 1973

   Rogers, John

COLUMBUS CEMETERY

Rose Lawn

1917 Bock, Harold WW2 1976

1909 Mikkelsen, Andrew WW2

   Polark, Clinton WW2 KIA

   Higginbotham, Gerald WW2 KIA

   Carson, Carl WWI

COLUMBUS ST. BONS.

   Bock, Leo WW2

1930 Nickolite, Virgil P. Korean 1976

WACO, NEBR. CEMETERY

1917 Dickey, Lawrence WW2 1972

MACKINAC ISLAND, MICHIGAN

1885 McNally, James M. WWI 1967

HEBRON CATH. CEMETERY

1891 Hiller, Jacob WWI 1968

1923 Hiller, Melvin WW2 1975

CEDAR DALE CEMETERY

Papillion, Nebr.

1997 Sorensen, Calvin W. WW2 1978

ST. PETERS AND PRESENTATION

CEMETERY

Beckius, Leonard 1913-1973 WW2

Ebel, Howard 1917-1951 WW2

Hiller, Paul 1923-1962 WW2

Hough, William 1896-1968 WWI

Kelly, Leo 1921-1945 WW2

Klein, Joseph 1896-1965 WWI

Mais, Bernard 1848-1897 Civil War

Markus, Frank 1892-1976 WWI

Proskovec, James L. 1909-1970 WW2

Schmit, Eugene 1928-1962 Korean

Schmit, Lavern 1921-1943 WW2

Schmit, Leo C. 1894-1954 WWI

Steiner, Peter G. 1846-1978 Civil War

Supancheck, Matt 1892-1959 WWI

Kosch, Adolph C. 1895-1978 WWI

Selzer, Otto J., Sr. 1896-1979 WWI

BELLWOOD CEMETERY

   Allen, W. C. - CW

1842 Bear, J.D. - CW 1921

1896 Beard, Frank - WW 1 & 2 1976

1909 Bell, Ira-WW 2 1972

1917 Bell, Dorothy - WW2 1967

   Bell, Samuel - Confederate

1892 Bock, Adam -WWI 1918

1837 Bouton, Albert A. - CW 1921

1845 Bouton, Smith A. - CW 1919

1839 Buffalo, Bryant - CW 1920

   Canahan, James W. - SP. AM.

1897 Canahan, William - CW 1911

1846 Carpenter, Judson - CW 1922

1843 Cleland, Robert - CW 1939

1915 Davis, Darrell D. - WW2 1969

1894 Fischer, Wm. S. - WWI 1971

1893 Gaither, Ernest - WWI 1971

1846 Grisinger, Israel-CW 1889

   Hadcock, Frank - CW

1893 Jackson, Ben - WWI 1973

1838 Jacob, Henry - SP.AM. 1937
1844 Jerdon, James E. - CW 1915

1942 Kallenbach, Clinton Jr. -Vietnam 1968

1838 Kellogg, John E. - CW 1898

1924 Kennedy, Phillip - WW2 1950

1888 Mansfield, Fred - WWI 1963

1827 Mark, John A. - CW 1899

1916 McDonald, Harry - WW1 1956

1835 Miller, Samuel D. - CW 1914

1895 Minnick, Arlie - WWI 1918

1836 Olney, M.V. - CW 1911

1841 Pace, George W. - Confederate 1918

1825 Randall, Flavious - CW 1909

1952 Raric, David - Vietnam 1976

   Rittenhouse, Alfred - WWI 1934

1828 Robbins, L.B. - CW 1883

1889 Rohrick, Ludwig - WWI 1965

1928 Romshek, Henry Jr. - Korean 1974

1891 Rose, (Pete) Ernest - WWI 1949

1845 Rose, Joseph - CW 1923

1891 Schutt, Benjamin F. - WWI 1918

1830 Sheldon, Charles M. - CW 1907

1920 Smith, Deryl - WW2 1952

1845 Smith, Phillip - CW 1913

1834 Thompson, Charles A. - CW 1903

1826 Warren, M. W.W. - CW 1891

1826 Waldo, L. M. - CW 1902

1845 West, James A. - CW 1934

1849 Wilsey, H.N.- CW 1876

1841 Young, F. M. - CW 1923

1878 Young, Roscoe - SP. AM. 1899

   Died in Manila

1919 Gunderson, Wilton H. - WW2 1978

1892 Langhorst, Fred H. - WWI 1979

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   Our unit is named for LaVerne Schmit who served during World War II in the Navy. At the time of his death on January 10, 1943, he was on an Atlantic Air Patrol Flight off shore from Bermuda.
   An application for our charter was made in April of 1950. We had 32 senior members and two junior members. Continuous charter members for the past 30 years are: Lillian Benedict, Opal Benedict, Viola Stack, Marguerite Hiller, Meraldeen Hough, Delores Kreizinger, Ella Markus, Claryce Selzer, Lucille Selzer, Mary Margaret Zeller and Linda Hiller..
   Our main program is to help the American Legion and their families in time of need. We also have Girls State, Poppy, Hospital Community and several other projects..
   We have one Gold Star member, Delores Kreizinger. There are now 44 senior members and 14 junior members.

   Original charter was issued in 1964. Scoutmaster was Frank Beard. Assistants: Gerald McDonald and Eb. Kamenske.
   1980 Scoutmaster: Harry Lee Wilson
      Assistants: Robert Bell and Robert Wilson
   There are fifteen active members in the troop. Projects for 1980 include a hike and camp, April 27th, clean up and paint at the Ball Park, and a float in the Centennial Parade.

   The Brownie Girl Scout Troop No. 136 was started in 1970 with 19 members. As the girls became too old for Brownies, they advanced to the Junior Girl Scouts.
   The Junior Girl Scout Troop No. 134 was started in 1972 with six members. Again as the girls became too old for Juniors, they advanced to the Cadet Girl Scouts. The Cadet Girl Scout Troop No. 137 was started with four members.
   The purpose of Girl Scouts is to teach the girls to help other people, be courteous, and to do her duty to God and her country.
   The Brownies sold calendars, and the Junior and Cadet Girl Scouts sold Girl Scout cookies to make money to help pay for their different projects. The girls make Christmas gifts for their parents and made favors for the residents of the Villa and david place. The girls made several art projects for themselves and their families.
   The Girl Scout Troops had a brunch for their parents and families to help celebrate Girl Scout Week and they sang at church. The Girl Scouts have sung at the cemetery at several of the Memorial Day Services. They collected money for the Heart Fund, helped sell chances on different items that helped the retarded. They went Christmas caroling. The Girl Scouts helped clean up the town on different occasions.
   The following have been Girl Scout leaders: Barbara Hahn, Sharon Haley, Janice Bykerk, Cora From, Beverly Kallenbach, Ethel Reha, Chris Cockson, Betty Hiller, Janelle Schmale, Diann Nester, Rhoda Cook, Pat Mick, Barbara Trofholz, Joyce Navrkal, and Dorothy Oborny.

   Bellwood entered the C.I.P. in 1971 and 1972. The first meeting was held on February 26, 1971 and the following were appointed as the board of directors: Glenn Forre, Ray Kouma, Lumir Oborny, and Robert Wilson. The board of directors then elected the officers: Chairwoman, Mrs. Ruth Cockson; Vice-chairman, James Cockson; Secretary, Anna Kinnison; and Treasurer, Robert R. Bell.
   Progress was shown in our town with five new picnic tables in the park, trash cans placed in front of each business place, and three flower beds were made in the town park with members of the W.W.T.K. Club furnishing the first flowers. The cement form that was made helped to keep the garden intact. Trees were planted by the Boy Scouts. Forty trees were cut down in the residential area. The removal was necessary because many of the trees had died from Dutch Elm disease.
   With encouragement from the Club, many buildings were painted, others beyond repair were torn down. Three old time business buildings were among those - namely, The

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Bellwood Hotel, Gunderson Drug Store, Peck's Confectionery and Didier's Grocery store on the west side of main street.
   The Firemen took the lead in full participation of the improvement program. Grounds were cleaned, new sidewalks were made, the inside of the fire hall was painted and a new kitchen and furnace were installed. They also added new fire fighting equipment purchased by the Bellwood Rural Fire Protection District.
   The bleachers at the ball park were painted by the Fertile Valley 4-H Club. Bellwood can boast of the most colorful bleachers around as all colors of paint were used.
   Several new homes have been built and due to the serious illness of Mr. Perry, volunteers helped Mr. and Mrs. Perry landscape their yard after their mobile home was moved onto the site of the old Bellwood Hotel lots.
   In 1972, the same officers were elected and hoped to continue the Community Improvement Program. Five-hundred tulip bulbs were planted in the park flower garden, more trees planted, new fronts were added on store buildings and new street improvements were made in the business district and near the school.
   Due to ill health, Mrs. Cockson quit as chairwoman in April and the program was abandoned. In spite of the fact the program was short-lived, the Bellwood citizens are proud of their new look.
   In recent years we can boast of two new churches, the Bellwood Methodist Church and St. Peter's Catholic Church, a new elementary school, community hall and ball park improvements and playground equipment adjoining it.

   The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War is the oldest Women's Patriotic organization. On June 3, 1885, five young girls held a meeting to organize the First Tent named Mrs. Major McKinley Number One in Massillon, Ohio.
   The tents are named for army nurses who served in the Civil War and loyal women of the Civil War era whose patriotic deeds were recorded or known in their community. Members number about 20,000 in a majority of the states of the Union.
   On May 19, 1934, thirteen daughters and granddaughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War met at the home of Mary E. Smith, mother of Mary (Mrs. Fay) Smith. for the purpose of instituting a tent in Bellwood. The Department President of Nebraska had charge of this meeting at which the plans were laid and the officers were nominated.
   The Tent was then chartered on May 25, 1934 in the school gymnasium with the Department officers conducting this meeting. Julia Grant Tent No. 22 of Surprise exemplified the Ritual Work and installed the officers of Kady Brownell Tent. Estella Reichwein was the first tent president elected and installed. The Charter was signed by fourteen members. Two of these charter members remain in the Tent today, namely, Mary (Mrs. Fay) Smith and Viola Stack, although Viola's membership was not continuous since she was away from the area for over ten years during the 40s and 50s.
   The work of the organization is designed to perpetuate the memories and aspirations of our Civil War ancestors. The historical projects include maintaining the museum and headquarters in Springfield, Illinois, placing commemorative plaques and markers at appropriate universities, public buildings, parks and battlefields, and recording and preserving Civil War monuments throughout the country.
   Patriotic projects include flag presentations, participation in patriotic ceremonies on national holidays, and cooperating with other patriotic organizations. Kady

Brownell Tent No. 25 cooperates in planning for Memorial Day services every year and places flowers on graves of departed sister members and deceased servicement [sic] of the Civil War as well as all other wars.
   The organization is highly rated for its outstanding work at Veterans' Hospitals, Soldiers and Sailors Homes, and in many other areas. Many volunteer hours are donated by many many members.
   A college scholarship program is maintained for worthy descendants, and special awards are given at various United States service academies.
   Eligibility for membership in the organization is through lineal descent only and a war record of one's ancestor must be furnished. The minimum age is eight.
   Kady Brownell Tent No. 25 had the honor of having the National President during the 19177-78 year, namely, Anna Kinnison. Anna is presently the National Treasurer residing at Headquarters and Museum in Springfield, Illinois during the 1979-80 term.

   Mr. Conrad Meister, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Bellwood, called for a town meeting November 12, 1912, for the purpose of organizing a fire department. The meeting was held at the office of the Farmers Grain Company. Charter members of the organization were as follows: O. A. Brandenburgh, John P. Delaney, John B. Reemts, Roy Classen, Elles Roberts, Jas Hall, Jr., H. A. Taylor, Dayton J. Smith, John M. Sauser, Phillip G. Smith, A. T. Curtis, Daniel E. Burkey, Will S. Andrews, Henry A. Whitney, Chad J. Rumler, John W. Grant, Thurman Fox, Peter Powers, Jr., Matt J. Sauser, John H. Thomas, and Virgil H. Graves.
   John Grant was elected the first Chief, Dan Burkey, Asst. Chief, John Delaney, John Thomas, and Peter Powers, Jr., Trustees.
   On Jan. 6, 1913, a resolution was read and passed to request the Village Board of Trustees to purchase a 34 inch bell from W. S. Nott Co. of Minneapolis for use as a fire alarm. The bell can be found today on the tower at the north end of the center park on Main Street.
   The first fire apparatus consisted of a (soda-acid) chemical tank, mounted on wheels, some hose and leather buckets. This was pulled by man power to the location of the fire. In 1922 a used Model "T" Ford was purchased, and the chemical tank was mounted on this. This was later transferred to a 1931 or 32 Chevy truck.
   The first water pumper truck was a 1936 Chevy truck with the pump mounted in front. The truck is with the department today, used mostly as a parade showpiece.
   In 1951 a Rural Fire District was formed. Utilizing the increased tax base from this expansion, more modern equipment was purchased from time to time. The department presently has a 1951 Ford Pumper, 1971 Chevy Tanker, 1959 Chevy Van, 1952 Dodge Utility 4 x 4, 1952 GMC 6 x 6 Tanker, and a 1974 Chevy Ambulance. The Department presently provides fire protection and ambulance service for all residents of the Bellwood community. Present active members in the department are as follows:
   Jack Selzer, Gene Moyer, Ray Hough, Everette Hough, Robert Trofholz, Jerome Didier, and Robert Bell, Jr.
   Jack Romshek, Joe Romshek, Ray Kouma, Charles Oborny, Garland Mais, Ralph Romshek, and Harry Wilson.
   Robert Wilson, Jim Cockson, Don Peters, Tom Hough, Chris Brandenburgh, Bill Hough, and Jerry Oborny.
   Dave Hough, Gary Navrkal, John Kula, Dan Hough, Doug Romshek, Jim Sylvester, and Jerry Hiller.

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