LaFayette A. Barkdoll was born in 1849, and his wife, Ellen, in 1850. They came to Nebraska in 1872 from Stryker, Ohio. They located in Meadow Grove. The only place of employment at that time was at the flour mill. They then moved to St Clair Valley where he homesteaded. He farmed in and around this area until he retired and moved into Tilden. They had three children, Byron B, Eugene, and Gertrude. LaFayette drove a single horse pulling a small cart leading a beautiful stallion which he used to breed many mares in the vicinity. He died in 1926 and his wife died in 1925.
Source Unknown: Originally submitted for this website in June 2007