(From an interview of Eliza Graham States, and published IN: Portrait and Biographical Album of Lancaster County Nebraska, 1888, Chapman Brothers, Chicago. The content of this 1888 interview is paraphrased below with editorial comments in parentheses.)
Eliza Graham States settled with her husband, George L. States, on Sect. 12, West Oak precinct, Lancaster Co., Nebraska in 1869. "Our subject and her husband were among the very early pioneer settlers of the district, having settled in 1870 upon the , then, wild prairie, which under their diligent and united efforts has become one of the best farms in the county. Born in Ireland, she came with her parents, John, a native of Scotland, and Jane Crozier Graham, when she was only 10 years old. They settled in Huron Co., Ohio in 1834, purchasing a farm in the district. (Later became Erie Co., Huron TWSP). She attended the schools of the Huron district and lived at home until 1847, when she married George L. States on November 20. Upon marriage they moved to George's new farm( in Williams County OH, Springfield TWSP), where they lived for 10 happy years.
The family then moved to Iowa in 1856 (Iowa Co., Marengo TWSP) where they resided on a farm until moving to Nebraska in 1869 (according to reminiscences of Eliza). where George L. bought a tract of land (Sect. 12, Oak Creek Precinct, Lancaster County near present day Agnew.) Two years after establishing the homestead, George died. " With a spirit worth of the wife and daughter of New World pioneers she bestirred herself in the affairs of home and business. The united efforts were rewarded and the homestead was brought to a high state of cultivation. She added most of the buildings found on the farm and completed the orchard which is in fine condition besides several other improvements. At the time of settlement in Nebraska the lumber for the first house had to be bought in and hauled from Fremont. All the necessities of life had to be purchased in Lincoln which was also the only market for their farm produce. All the usual hardships and difficulties of pioneer life fell to her lot. Throughout the years of her pioneer life in spite of its dangers and trials, the hardships do not seem to have had one ill effect upon her health for she stiill is in enjoyment of every faculty and is intimately acquainted with that profession which devotes its efforts to the relief of the sick. Our subject reminisces that of the ten children in the John Graham family, eight have survived and that her father and mother both died in Ohio at a good old age (see The Graham Connection chapter). To Mr. and Mrs. States have been given nine children and of that number, only one has since died. The names following are of the living children in order of birth: George F., Gustavus J., Adeline A., Thomas B., Mary E., Elmer E., John G. and Jane. The eldest son is residing in Colorado. The others continue to live in Nebraska, Elmer and Jane being still at home. The church membership of our subject and her late husband was in the Methodist Episcopal Church in which communion they were highly esteemed."
In the winter of 1867-68 a subscription school was established on the States homestead near Agnew, 1/2 mile away. The States Family had moved into a larger home and the original dugout was used for classes. The teacher was Adelbert Melick, brother of Andrew Melick of Lincoln. Four of the Johnson children "batched" from Monday to Friday in the old "dugout" of the States family and attended classes. In 1868-69 a small frame schoolhouse was constructed by Andrew Johnson and his son Rodney near their home by the present site of Valpariaso. Adeline States was the first teacher and later was succeded by J. K. VanDenmark. (Was it any wonder that soon two pairs of these classmates were to marry: a Johnson (Sara) to a States (Gustavus), and a States (Adeline) to a Johnson (Clarence)?. (See: The Johnson Connection chapter).
From the Waverly, NE newspaper, USA Bicentennial edition on Agnew, NE:
"Development of this tiny community began officially on May 2, 1889 when the plat was filed for record by Eliza (Mrs. George) States. It originally was planned for the southwest corner of Section 12, West Oak Creek Precinct of Lancaster County on land owned by the States Family. "Some area residents at that time urged Mrs States to name the new community "Statesville" but she would not agree to it. ....."the depression of the two-room dugout of George and Eliza States is still clearly visible today on the east bank of Oak Creek one-half mile northeast of Agnew. Because a Protestant cemetery was not established in the area at the time of his death, George States was buried under a tree (Juniper) on his farm. Later he was moved to the Valparaiso cemetery."
Apparently G. Frank was the first to leave the nest going to Colorado to search for gold in abt. 1879.
The 1 June 1885 Nebraska Census has the following:

States, Eliza W. F. 68 Head of household widowed b. Ireland
Elmer W. M. 22 son Farmer b. Iowa f. Ireland m. Ireland
John G. W. M. 21 son Farmer b. Iowa
Jane W. F. 16 dau b. Iowa

In the 1900 Nebraska Lancaster County census, Eliza is recorded at age 75 living with her daughter Jane, born Nov. 1871 (should be 1866) in Iowa, at age 28 (should be 34). Also listed is laborer, Lyman Beers, born 1860 in Iowa in 1869.
Eliza died at her daughter's home (Mary Elizabeth Baxter) on 5 March 1907 in Seward, Seward Co. NE. Her obituary reads in part: " Mrs Eliza (Graham) States was born of Scotch-Irish parents in the North of Ireland, in the year 1824 and died in the home of her daughter Mrs. Baxter. She and her husband Geo. L. States came to this state and located at what was then West Oak precinct, but in later years known as Agnew. Two years afterwards, her husband died, thus she was left with only the help of her young sons, to battle with the hardships and privations of pioneer life in what was then a very new region of country; but by her energy and good business abilities she succeeded in securing at last a home of comfort. Her mental powers were above the average and her love of reading enabled her to supplement a common school education with a rare degree of general intelligence. As long as she lived, she retained a deep interest in the great questions and reforms of the day. Her old friends can testify to her sturdy uprightness, her faithfulness to the claims of duty, her hospitatlity, her exceeding kindness of heart and her readiness to help the sick and the poor. In her last days, it was one of her greatest sorrows that by reason of failing health and increasing blindness, she was deprived to such an extent of the power of service to others which she had always loved so well to render."
Eliza's grave beside George in the Valparaiso cemetery is unmarked as is that of her daughter, Jane who lies beside them. (see notes on Jane). Eliza cared for Jane because of an affliction that prevented her from walking and slowed her speech and thought. (see picture of Eliza and Jane). Eliza gave her rocking chair to her granddaughter, Olive States Bentley, who in turn gave it to me. You may sit in it when you come to visit me at Canyon Ranch.