Herbert I. Greene, the eldest son of Wells Lee and Lois Davis Greene, was born at Walworth, Wisconsin, April 28, 1859 and departed this life at his home west of the village early Wednesday, January 12, 1927 at the age of 67 years, 8 months and 14 days. In the fall of 1863 he, with his parents, moved to Alden, Freeborn County, Minnesota. Here he remained until the fall of 1877 when the family came to Nebraska, settling first at Columbus and coming to North Loup the next spring where they settled on a farm two miles north of town.
March 8, 1883 Herbert was married to Emma L. Brace on the George Larkin farm in the 'Big Bend' by Rev. Oscar Babcock. To them were born five children, Mrs. T. W. Greene and L. O. Greene of this city, Mrs. H. R. Van Horn of Riverside, California, Rachel L. who died at the age of 8 years and Emma Leo who lives at home. Besides these, he leaves to mourn his loss, two brothers, Ellsworth of North Loup and Fred of Denver, Colorado. Two brothers and a sister preceded him in death. Many other relatives and friends are saddened by his leave.
When Herbert was a boy of 14 or 15 he was baptized by Rev. J. E. Backus and joined the Carleton, Minnesota Seventh Day Baptist church. When he came to Nebraska he joined the church of his faith at North Loup to which he has since remained a devoted member. He was a faithful attendant during good health, always on time and ready to do his part. He was not a natural leader and yet held such positions as Moderator and church treasurer for a number of years. His one great ambition for himself and children was to live a clean moral Christian life. He often expressed his purpose to be honest in his dealings with his fellow men regardless of the cost to himself. He believed in and always sought to practice The Golden Rule.
In the early years of the organization of the Modern Woodmen in North Loup he became a member and has continued his relationship to the present. Altho he never sought public office, yet for a number of years he was a member of the County Board. He was also township assessor for one or two terms. He was very much interested in good roads and for some time acted as road commissioner of this township.
Mr. Greene would not be considered one of the settlers, yet he may be called a pioneer, coming to the North Loup valley at an early date. In those years he with others spent much time in teaming between here and Grand Island. Except for two years spent in Colorado, he has spent his life farming in this vicinity. For nearly a dozen years he lived on the H. A. Chase farm during which time he bought the small farm west of the village and on which he built in 1909, where he has since lived.
About eight years ago he suffered a stroke of paralysis from which he never fully recovered. However, he rallied sufficiently to be able to get about and do some little work in the garden until about two years ago when a second stroke sent him to bed from which he has never been able to rise. During this time he has been nearly helpless and unable to talk. One of the hard things for his friends to bear was that he was unable to communicate with them. He bore his affliction in a very patient manner, yet for some time he has longed to go on where the spirit is not hampered by the ailments of the body.
He believed in the mercy of God and looked forward to great eternity which has no sorrow. Early Wednesday morning he passed quietly away and his spirit returned to the God who gave it.
Funeral services were held in the Seventh Day Baptist church Thursday morning at 10:30 conducted by Pastor Polan and his body was laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery. G. L. Larkin and wife of Grand Island son George of Brady were present at the funeral, One daughter, Mrs. H. R. Van Horn, was unable to be here, also his brother Fred of Denver. Most of the other near relatives live in this community and were present as were many sympathetic friends.
