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Note: Articles written by and about John Inness do not discuss why they left England in 1870 and at what U.S. port they arrived. Their temporary layover in Indiana is documented by an entry in the 1870 census. By 1880 they were in Nebraska. By the 1920 census, John and Rebecca are living in the village of Shelby, Nebraska.
The Golden Wedding Anniversary Story in the Shelby Sun, Written by John Inness at the request of his children. (Shelby, Nebraska. April 20, 1920)
�i�This is a great day and a great occasion but few are privileged to see. We are truly thankful to kind Providence that granted it. Fifty years ago today we were the first to be married in the New Church (Presbyterian) of Wooler, England of which we were both members. We were presented with a family Bible, both ceremonies witnessed by many friends who know of our going to America. (Preparer's note: This Bible in 1989 is owned by George INNESS of Shelby, NE) Between that day and this, make up the golden opportunities of making a home, the success of which this evening in part will show by the number of children and grand children present of which we have reason to be proud. They are the major results of that home we came here to make. But my greatest prize of today is my Bride of fifty years ago, who has ever been my loving helper. It took a brave heart like hers to leave all friends and cross 3000 miles of stormy sea and as much of land to find a home somewhere in this country. We arrived at Madison, Indiana, May, 1870. We lived with an uncle of mine (Preparer's note: George E. MILLICAN of Jefferson County, Indiana) ten months then rented a farm where everything was furnished for one year. From there to Illinois when our first housekeeping began, in all those places we found dear friends who helped real strangers in a foreign land, their memory will never be forgotten, came here from Illinois, March 12, 1873, followed by my wife April 20, began home making at the very beginning of the industrial life of this community. With a wagon load of stuff hauled over 500 miles of frozen roads and rivers, the contents of that load, 1 plow, harrow and cultivator, the rest furniture and that was more than many others had. After building a sod house of which I was proud of because it was likely to be our own, we all thought we had struck a land of great promise, but grasshoppers, hail and hot winds in after years caused many to change their minds and many left, but we stayed and there began our 47 years of experience. My wife and Maggie our baby began their first housekeeping under very unpropitious and discouraging conditions, all of which were overcome by labor and courage. These bare prairies contained great possibilities that we have lived to see and by which we have come to our present development as a part of the great state of Nebraska. How we managed our part we always worked together for one purpose making home like home. In that my wife was the managing partner and was quite successful. Many happy days were spent on the farm with our family around us and good neighbors about us. I wish to mention the religious side of our life, in that also we worked together and enjoyed its rewards in family and church life. This has been the anchor that held us steady through years of worldly cares and trials. This important part of life we commend to your careful attention. This is the part that will never fail to help in youth or age; a moral necessity to prepare us for this life's best and that which is to come, where we expect to meet our loved ones gone before and where by the Grace of God through Jesus Christ, we all expect to meet again.�/i�
Obituary of John Inness, Shelby Sun. November 15, 1928. John Inness was born in Northumberland (Preparer's note: According to his official birth certificate, his birthplace was Alnwick, Northumberland) England May 23, 1841.
Rebecca Steel of Wooler, England became his bride with whom he in 1870 entered the matrimonial bond which remained unbroken for about 54 years. Soon after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Inness sailed from Liverpool to America. The first two years they lived in Hanover, Indiana then for about a year in Galva, Illinois, after which they came to Nebraska and took a homestead three miles south and one half east of Shelby.
God blessed them with the following children: Margaret, now Mrs. William Scott of Shelby, with whom the departed made his home after mother died; Andrew of Osceola; Christina, now Mrs. G.A. Carlson of Albion; Mrs. Wm. McKeag of Shelby; William, of Shelby, and John G., deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Inness were members of the Presbyterian Church in England. Soon after arriving in America they united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were sincere christians and took great interest in the church. In Nebraska they became charter members of the church in their community. Next to his family, the interests of the church were supreme to him. He faithfully held various official positions in the same. He was a good neighbor and had a large circle of friends.
In 1909 Mr. and Mrs. Inness retired from farming and moved to town. After 15 years residence in town his companion who had been with him so many years sharing joy and sorrow and the hardship of pioneer years was summoned to the better world. Since then the now deceased very much longed to depart and join those who had gone before and be with the Lord whom he so dearly loved and served in life. Poor health intensified his longing. However he was contented, patient and submitted to the will of the Lord. Just as his wife was taken during the early hours of the Lord's Day, July 13, 1924, so he also departed on a Sunday morning, November 11, 1928. And while others were preparing to celebrate the Armistice of the World War he answered the call to lay down the weapons of the Lord for the temporal warfare and join the great Armistice with that victorious throng before the throne of God.
The bereaved ones are the children mentioned above, besides 19 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, a brother Robert, of Shelby, and 2 sisters, Mrs. Oswald Palmer and Mrs. J. Gunn of Canada.
Pallbearers Inness Carlson of Albion, George Inness of Osceola, Nean McKeag, Earl, John, and A.I. Scott of Shelby. Interment was made in the Shelby cemetery.
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Continued: The description of the enumeration district where John and Margaret lived is, "in that part of Clayport Ward in the Town of Alnwick, comprising Monkhouse's Square, South side of Greenbat, Howick Street, on Lisburne Street, Bellevue, Hope Terrace, South Street, Percy Place..." John (1841-1828) was only 2 weeks old in this census. John Sr.'s occupation is joiner i.e., carpenter. The record says all four members of the family were born in this county.
Inness, John. Age 25. Joiner. Born this county [Northumberland].
Inness, Margaret. Age 25. Born this county [Northumberland].
Inness, Elizabeth. Age 3. Born this county [Northumberland].
Inness, John. Age 2 weeks. Born this county [Northumberland].
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Continued: Parish: Chatton
Village: Coldmartin
Page 23
79 Coldmartin
Millican, Elizabeth. Head. Widow. Age 74. Farmer. 199 acres. 3 laborers. Born Scotland.
Millican, Cath. Daughter. Unmarried. Age 48. Born Whittingham.
Glaholm/n, George. Servant. Age 21. Shephard. Born Whittingham.
Moore, Dorothy. Servant. Age 21. House Servant. Born Lowick.
80 Coldmartin
Inness, John. Head Fam. Age 39. Steward. Born Chatton.
Inness, Marg. Wife. Age 36. Wife. Born Chatton.
Inness, Eliz. Daughter. Age 12. Scholar. Born Alnwick.
Inness, John. Son. Age 9. Scholar. Born Alnwick.
Inness, Isabella. Daughter. Age 7. Scholar. Born [looks like ditto].
Inness, Georgianna. Daughter. Age 6. Scholar. Born North Chatton.
Inness, George M. Son. Age 3. Born North Chatton.
Inness, Catherine. Daughter. Age 1. Born North Chatton.
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Continued: Inness, John. Head. Widower. Age 48. Farmer of 187 acres employing 3 men and 2 women workers housekeepers. Born Chatton.
Inness, Elizabeth. Daughter. Unmarried. Age 22. Born Alnwick
Inness, John. Son. Unmarried. Age 19. Ag. Lab. Born Alnwick.
Inness, Margaret Isabella. Daughter. Unmarried. Age 17. Born Chatton.
Inness, Georgina. Daughter. Unmarried. Age 16. Born Chatton.
Inness, George Millican. Son. Age 13. Scholar. Born Chatton.
Inness, Catherine. Daughter. Age 11. Scholar. Born Chatton.
Inness, Robert William. Son. Age 8. Scholar. Born Chatton.
Inness, Eleanor. Daughter. Age 5. Scholar. Born Chatton.
Inness, James Millican. Son. Age 2. Scholar. Born Chatton.
Inness, Margaret Millican. Daughter. 9 months. Born Chatton.
Millican, Catherine. Sister-in-law. Unmarried. Age 57. Nurse and guardian.l Born Glanton.
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