This is from an old book called "That Promised Land" where people wrote in to tell about their lives or stories of their ancestors on the prairies. I'M NOT RELATED. I did look these people up in the 1850, 1860 & 1870 censuses to be sure I got the right places and right people. I know nothing more of any of these people. SMOKE SIGNALS FOOLED THEM ALONZO NOBLE knew his sister and her family were coming to Nebraska, and as it happened, 160 acres across the road from his farm were available for homesteading. Alonzo was desirous of having his brother-in-law settle there. On that land, he threw up a shack, and if a covered wagon was seen coming over the hills, he would build a fire in the little hut. As the wagon approached, smoke would come pouring from the chimney, and the driver, assuming somone lived there, would continue on his way. And then the proper wagon appeared bringing the JAMES OSTRANDER family from Wisconsin in 1865, and Alonzo's brother-in-law took immediate steps to file a claim on the land. And this is how, I am told, my great-grandparents came to own the last quarter section to be homesteaded in JOHNSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA. Written by MYRON REESE of Farraqgut, Iowa This James Ostrander was the son of Christopher and Catherine Ostrander. In 1850, there are 2 other Ostranders living on either side of Christopher and Catherine, which I would assume to be brothers to James. One is John and the other is Jacob. In 1860, Christopher is missing and Catherine is living with James, still in Dane Co., WI. In 1870, James and wife, Jane Noble Ostrander are in the Nebraska census. In 1860, Alonzo Noble is in Whiteside Co., Illinois with his mother, Ophelia. He's 19. His father, Ozin is in the 1850 Huron Co., NY census, but missing by 1860. Amy J. (Jane), 17, Betsy, 11, and Chas A. 6, are siblings of Alonzo. Did Betsy marry a man named ? George and have 2 daughters, Elizabeth and Lizzy? They are living with Ophelia in 1860 but Betsy is missing.