Beauford Hoyer has been a lifelong Nuckolls County resident for 88 years. He was born on a farm near Spring Creek south of Ruskin. He said when the doctor arrived, he was laying between his mother’s legs. He has always been an early riser.
Hoyer attended Beach School which is now a part of the Nuckolls County Museum. He graduated from Superior High School with the Class of 1951.
He went to work on a farm until he was inducted into the United States Army. While serving in the army, he attended heavy equipment school. He was transferred to the United States Air Force and helped construct airport runways in southern Japan. Upon his honorable discharge, Hoyer returned to Nuckolls County. His father Jens, had purchased a quarter section of land near Cadams for him while he served his country. It was rented out until he returned home. Hoyer subsequently acquired more quarters in the area.
He raised and milked dairy cows for 24 years. He met and married his wife of 64 years, Earnestine. The couple have four children: Mike, who farms with Beauford and resides in Cadams, Eugene, who lives in Sibley, Iowa and is retired from milking 2,500 dairy cows, Cindy Hoyer who is employed in the banking field in Abilene and Belinda Genung, operator of the Superior NAPA store.
Hoyer was a representative for the Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance Company after he exited the dairy business. He also continued to farm.
Hoyer was the son of Jens and Gertie Hoyer. Jens emigrated to the United States at the age of 16. He used his confirmation gift money to finance his voyage. Before departing Denmark, he asked that his family keep an eye open should a certain farm come on the market. He worked on a farm, met Gertie in a cafe in Ruskin and they were soon married.
Jens’ family informed him that the farm he wished to own was available for sale. Jens had money saved and purchased the farm. He and Gertie returned to Denmark. There was a farmhand working on the farm as well as two milk maids. Both the milk maids were with child from the farmhand and he had married neither of them. Jens was perturbed with what he perceived as a lack of morals. He sold the farm, after nine months, at a loss of $10,000. He and Gertie returned to Nuckolls County and a successful farming career.
This reporter was present at a Memorial Day ceremony at Ruskin’s Spring Creek cemetery several years ago. A young man stood aside and played Taps at the conclusion of the ceremony. Hoyer said the young man had been working on his farm for several months. A request had come from Denmark to host the young man, Morten Petersen, who was a chef. Upon further inquiry, Hoyer discovered he knew one of Petersen’s relatives. The Hoyer’s took Petersen to Colorado and other areas to experience the country.
Hoyer worked to obtain permission for Petersen to live and work in the United States. He was ultimately unsuccessful in this endeavor. He has kept in close contact with Petersen who is employed in Denmark. He speaks with him by phone weekly. Hoyer is planning to travel to Denmark and visit Petersen once COVID-19 imposed travel restrictions are lifted.
Hoyer has made nine previous trips to Denmark. He looks forward to seeing Petersen and the sights, sounds and foods of Denmark once again. It does seem a long trip for Danish pastries though.
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