REDDINGTON, IRA AND ISABELLE (ROBINSON)

by Leonard Hauck

Entry F355 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Ira Reddington was born in Greensburg,
Ind., June 25, 1854. Sarah "Isabell" Robinson
was born in Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 3, 1867.
They started their life together April 17,
1884.

For a few years they traveled through
several states in a covered wagon drawn by
Tom and Jerry, a prized team of oxen. A few
years later horses were used.

Ira and Isabelle were both well versed in
the stories of Frank and Jesse James. They
met and talked with Buffalo Bill in North
Platte and often spoke of this event.

Indians caused them no trouble. They
always shared their food with the Indians
who were especially fond of Isabelle's freshly
baked homemade bread.

Children came along one by one and after
the first seven they decided it was time to
settle down and obtain a better education for
their brood.

In the late summer of 1900, Ira and Isabella
left Hay Springs and the Black Hills area to
file on a claim in Cherry County, 10 miles
north of Mullen. Their first home was sod.
Two more children arrived, both born in the
soddy. A frame house was built a few years
later and remained their home for many
years.

For entertainment the family enjoyed the
simple things such as oyster suppers, taffy
pulls, popped corn and card playing shared
with friends and neighbors.

For two years they lived in Scottsbluff' and
June of 1922 they returned to the home place;
engaged in the usual farm and ranch activi-
ties.

The Reddington home was a place where
many farmers and ranchers from farther
north could stay overnight when hauling
supplies from Mullen.

Two sons, Clarence and George, saw active
duty in World War I. Sons, William and Alex
were registered for the draft and would soon
have gone had the war not ended. John,
because of a severe physical handicap, was
unable to serve.

Ira died Aug. 31, 1926. Isabelle, children
Ezra and John, remained on the place until
the early 1930's, moving to Mullen.

Etta, never married, assisted her mother in
all the duties associated with the rearing of
a big family. She died April 20, 1948 at the
age of 63. John died Feb. 14, 1947. Isabelle
died Feb. 12, 1962, to join her husband and
a six children who had preceded her. She was
95.

Clarence raised a family of five children
and twostepsons. He died April 6, 1945 at 58.
George had a 1-year-old son when he died
Feb. 1, 1937 at age of 48. Eva had four
children. She died Aug. 22, 1936. Pearl had
four daughters. She died May 13, 1968 at the
age of 73. William had three children. Two
girls died in infancy. Alex was the father of
one boy and one girl. He died Feb. 23, 1959.
Polly has one son. William and Polly are the
only children still living.

There were hard times, good times and sad
times but the wonderful memories will last as
long as life itself.