Peter Luginbill

History of Richardson County, Spicer Township, NE

Peter Luginbill became a pioneer legended in Richardson County, Nebraska, because he was a happy, generous, hard-working person whom everyone loved. He was the second son of JOhn, born in Ohio (1851) and died in 1926. He is buried at the Four Mile Cemetery surrounded by his children and family friends.

"Grandpa Pete," as he was affectionately called by his many grandchildren, married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Stalder in Falls City, Nebraska, in April 1880. By this time he had a farm of his own and went about the task of making living conditions better for his new bride. It wasn't too long, however, before a family was started, for Fred Luginbill was born in 1881, followed by Rosa in 1882. After a two-year lapse son Peter was born in 1884. Mamie came along in 1887, followed by Jessie in 1888. The remaining two children, making a total of seven, were William (1890) and Lucy (1892).

So Peter Luginbill had to work hard, long hours in the fields or his seven children. But he still found time to enjoy a game of horseshoes, a lively card game or a visit with a relative. The latter he liked best of all and the years slid by all to quickly.

Befor his father died in 1897, Peter was a well-situated and prosperous farmer. In 1891, he built a new house, barn, smokehouse, henhouse and other farm buildings. it is not known which was built first -- the family home o rthe barn. But it is certain that the barn on Peter's farm about a mile north of Four Mile Creek was completed in 1891 and still stands in 1985. It is unique. There are no nails in the structure since wooden pins hold it together. A man made earthen ridge faces the north. Huge stone blocks join the earthen ridge and make up the east and west sides of the building. The south side of the barn is two storeis with a place for livestock below and hayloft above that covers the entire second story.

From the basic earth and stone foundation the barn if completed with wooden beams notched together and pinned. The siding overlaps as only an expert carpenter could manage. A keen imagination must have been at work in the planning of the structure for livestock are protected on the north, east and west by earth and stone. The hayloft affords good insulation above the stall entrances all face south. (It is interesting to note that an identical replica stands on the farm first homesteaded by Peter's father, John. Older, but in good shape this must have been the one Peter copied on his land.)

At the turn of the century (1900) Peter's children were reaching adulthood. The elder son, Fred, was 19 and his sister, Rosa, was 18. And by 1910 only Mamie, William and Lucy remained at home. Peter Luginbill, Jr. and his sister, Jessie, had married and settled elsewhere.

Rosa had taken a job with the telephone company in Kansas. It was there she met her future husband, married and settle down. The year was the early 1900s. The horse and buggy era was giving way to the automobile, an occasional tractor could be seen, the telephone was becoming a popular fixture in homes, and the kerosene lamp was giving way to electricity.

As the years, went by it was evident Peter was slowing down. Also, it could be seen that yet another generation was being groomed to work the land. William Luginbill, born in 1890, was destined to be the one to carry on where first John and then Peter left off. At Peter's death in 1926, William took the helm and managed the two homestead (John's and Peter's) until he died in 1974.

Obituary notice dated October 21, 1926: Peter Luginbill of Near Humbuldt is Dead -- Humboldt, Oct. 21 -- Peter Luginbill, sr., died Wednesday night at the Sabetha hospital, where he had been for treatment from his home five miles southeast of Humboldt. He was a pioneer citizen of that community and had reached the age of 75 years, 10 months and two days. He is survived by a large family of sons and daughters.