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Genealogy

Reinhardt Genealogy

A Reinhardt History
By Patricia Reinhardt

Velma Viola Neely
Mother Of Floyd Earl Reinhardt
The parents of Floyd Earl Reinhardt are George Edward Reinhardt and Velma Viola Beeman. They were married in Cuming County in 1897. The 1900 census shows them living at Westpoint, Nebraska. Their children were:

Floyd Earl Reinhardt was born on May 27, 1901. His only memory of his father was, when he was three years old. Floyd was walking beside his dad, wearing his dad's hat. After the divorce, Myrtle went to live with some people who could give her an education.

Floyd Earl lived with a Swedish family when he was in his pre- teen years. He boarded at their house and attended school in Omaha. The family made wine and beer in the basement and served delicious food.

Floyd's job was to work in the garden and drive the horses. He would drive to Hanscom Park to pick up his employer. On Easter Sunday, 1913 he was waiting for his employer with the team of horses when a severe tornado struck Omaha. Floyd was not injured, but much destruction occurred in the city.

Floyd Earl Reinhardt's mother later married Samuel Lee Meredith. They had two children:

In about 1916, Velma and Samuel Meredith went to live near Piedmont, South Dakota. Floyd stated that he had to ride in the cattle car while his sisters sat in the coach. At the train stops he would have to see that the cattle were watered.

In Piedmont, Floyd had a misunderstanding with his step- father. He was about 14 when he left home.

One of his first jobs was to load gold bars onto train cars in Rapid City, South Dakota. He also spent a year at Fort Robinson, near Chadron. Here he helped the Army train horses.

Then, he moved to Wyoming and worked as a cowboy for a bachelor rancher. He recalled the food being below par and monotonous as the bachelor was a poor cook.

Next, Floyd and a guy from back East went to a place near the New Mexico border and homesteaded. The venture failed. Floyd moved to Texas. He made an agreement with a man that if Floyd farmed the land, the guy would give him a parcel of land. This was about 1818. The area suffered a drought during both seasons that Floyd farmed in Texas.

It is said that about this time Floyd received a letter from his mother asking him to come home. It was after his return to Omaha that he met Margaret Rotherham.

Samuel Meredith died in 1928. Later Velma Beeman married Harry Neely. They lived in Omaha.

Velma was an excellent seamstress. She worked in downtown Omaha in a sewing and alterations shop called Peasingers. Floyd Edward "Tubby" and his mother, Margaret, would stop at the shop to visit with Grandma Neely when they were in downtown Omaha.

Harry Neely died April 6, 1942 at 60 years of age. Velma Viola Neely died July 14, 1963 at age 82. Both Velma and Harry are buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha.

VELMA BEEMAN REINHARDT NEELY
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L. TO R. VELMA IN PATTERNED DRESS - OTHERS IN PICTURE UNKNOWN. DATE OF PICTURE UNKNOWN.

VELMA BEEMAN REINHARDT MEREDITH NEELY
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VELMA BEEMAN REINHARDT NEELY
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L. TO R. CATHELINE REINHARDT, VELMA NEELY, STANDING - BESSIE ROTHERHAM WITH MARGARET AND BERNADINE REINHARDT - PICTURE TAKEN IN OMAHA, NEBR. ABOUT 1945

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VELMA BEEMAN REINHARDT NEELY
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OBITUARY OF MRS VELMA V. NEELY IN THE OMAHA WORLD HERALD ON JUNE 16, 1963

NEELY - Mrs. Velma V., 3706 N. 40th
St., Sunday, age - 82 years. Survived
by 4 daughters, 1 son, several grand-
children and great grandchildren, 1
brother Edward Beeman.
Services Tuesday 1 p. m., Crosby
Kunold Drawing Room Chapel. 32d
Ave. and Farnam St. Committal
Forest Lawn.

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