Apparently Focke J. Goldenstein did not know that his cousin was not supposed to provide testimony in his 1880 era homestead application. Apparently the government wanted an explanation. When you are applying for free government land, you usually find ways to comply with their requirements.
Focke's workaround was to make out an affidavit as to why William Ehmen provided testimony in his pension claim.
"...Deponent further stays that William Ehmen is a cousin his and that he did not know that the relationship would make any difference or he would have brot[sic] one of the others named but that William Ehmen Knew more about his improvements then any one Else and when he found out it made a difference he Could not get one of the others..."
One never knows what tidbits may appear in a homestead appliation-especially to clear up any irregularities with the documentation. I already knew that Ehmen was Goldenstein's first cousin (their fathers were brothers), but if I had not this statement would have been even more helpful.
This homestead claim is for Focke J. Goldenstein who settled in Dawson County, Nebraska. A more complete reference is provided in the image below.
The Nebraska Homestead Records are currently being made available on Fold3.com
I have several family memers who homesteaded in Dawson County, Nebraska, during the 1870-1890 time period. Goldenstein and his wife Anna homesteaded in Dawson County in the 1880s and my great-grandmother Tjode (Goldenstein) Habben was born there in 1882.
