From Illustrated biographical album of northeastern Nebraska:
GEORGE F. WOLZ is the proprietor of restaurant and bakery at 530 Main Street, Fremont, the successor to C. Balduff, who established the business in 1872. He has owned the institution since 1882. The first three years, however, he was a partner of W. S. Balduff, now of Omaha. Mr. Wolz succeeded Balduff & Wolz, as the firm was called, and has conducted it from that time since alone, and in a very able manner. He keeps constantly in service three wagons, two for the bakery department and one for the fruit delivery. He has an extensive wholesale trade among the surrounding towns, both on the Elkhorn and Union Pacific railroads. He has been increasing his wholesale trade, until his is the largest of the kind found in Fremont. He is the only real caterer of the place, and during the heated term of the year he has an extensive ice cream trade, over a large radius of country, and in the fall of 1891 Mr. Wolz added to his business the manufacturing of Wolz Saratoga Potato Chips, which have been so famous throughout the State, the trade on which is constantly growing.
Mr. Wolz is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born December 30, 1861. His parents were George and Christianna (Easier) Wolz, who were of German descent. Our subject's father died during the War of the Rebellion, from sickness contracted during his service, while in the Union Army. Our subject was but three years of age when his father died. The mother is still living and resides in Fremont and is now the wife of C. Balduff.
George F. Wolz came to Fremont when but six years of age, hence the greater portion of his life has been spent in Dodge County. He received his education in the public schools at Fremont, and during his youthful days he was engaged as clerk in the establishment in which he later became owner. February 15, 1883, he was united in marriage to Maggie L. Pfeiffer, who was also a native of Philadelphia. To them have been born two children : Ida, born April 4, 1885, and Laura, born January 14, 1891.
Mr. Wolz is a Republican in his political belief. He is an honored member of Centennial Lodge No. 59, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand. He also belongs to Apollo Encampment No. 22, of which he is P. C. P.; Canton, Fremont, No. 4, of which he is commandant ; belongs to the Daughters of Rebecca, is a member of Fremont Lodge No. 15, A. F. & A. M. ; Signet Chapter No. 9, Mount Tabor Comradery No. 8, Triumph Lodge No. 32, of the Knights of Pythias Order and Uniform Rank, Fremont Division, No. 21, Knights of Pythias, also a member of Pawnee Tribe No. 11, Independent Order of Red Men, of which he is K. of W., and is at present commandant of L. D. Richards Camp No. 5, S. of V.
As a business man, our subject is a decided success, which may be verified by the statement that he commenced business when twenty years of age, without a dollar, purchasing his first stock and fixtures on time, and borrowed five dollars for change. Today one finds him situated in an elegantly arranged business house, with magnificent dining parlors, to which there seems to be a continuous flow of customers. This, together with the large amount of goods he ships daily, to various parts of the country, gives him a lucrative business. The building he occupies he owns, the same being a two-story structure one hundred feet in depth. He employs nine persons to assist him in operating his business. His worthy lady has stood nobly by him, in all his business career, giving a helping hand whereever she could work to the best advantage. Mr. Wolz is an exceptional business character; commencing before he had reached his majority, absolutely without a dollar, but with character and ability, which secured him his first Invoice of goods, he has gradually grown into a large business within a few years. Indeed he is an example of what industrious and temperate habits will do for a young man, in this country, who has a will to do, and dare, in the prosecution of a legitimate business calling.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Louis Metzler, Jr., a highly respected citizen of Chadron, Nebraska, was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1872. He comes of old German stock, his father, Louis Metzler, and his mother, who was Miss Kate Rice, having been early settlers in western Nebraska. Their family consisted of four children, of whom our subject was the second member, and he grew up in the city in which he was born, learning the trade of a cigarmaker in his father's shop when he was a boy. At the age of nineteen he left home and spent five years in Chicago and Naperville, Illinois, working at his trade, and has made his own way in the world since then.
Mr. Metzler came to Nebraska in 1896, locating permanently at Chadron, he having visited the place in 1894. His father was engaged in business here, and he worked in his shop up to 1901, then purchased the place and started in on his own account. He has built up a good business and his trade extends all over this part of the country, where he is well known as an industrious and energetic worker, and a shrewd and capable business man.
In political sentiment Mr. Metzler is a Republican, taking an active and leading part in party affairs throughout the town and county. He is now on the town council and has served as a member of that board for five years.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
W. F. Everist, one of the influential citizens of Redwillow county, residing in McCook, has followed the ranching and stock business for many years, and is one of the substantial and prosperous residents of the locality in which he lives.
Mr. Everist is a native of DeKalb county, Missouri, and came to Nebraska in 1879, at the age of six years. He was raised on a farm, and has grown up in the stock business, and is one of the best informed men in this section of the country on the subject of ranching and stock raising and breeding. He has a brother, Egbert H. Everist, who is the owner and manager of a large ranch in this county, situated near the Kansas line.
Mr. Everist started in the live stock business for himself in 1883, buying and shipping stock, and also raising cattle, horses and hogs, and has continued this ever since, making a success from the first. During the year 1897 he handled 10,000 cattle, purchasing them and selling them over again to farmers in this and surrounding counties. Nearly all his feeders are imported from the west and southwest, and he has traveled all over the western states in his work, and is thoroughly familiar with conditions existing all over the country pertaining to the stock business. His ranch is located on Driftwood creek, seven miles from the city of McCook. In three years he shipped five hundred cars of stock per year to Davis & Son, of St. Joseph, Missouri, In January of this year Mr. Everist organized the McCook Live Stock Company, and is manager of this concern, This firm has purchased the Allen ranch comprising three thousand acres of land in Redwillow county, and on this ranch they have put two hundred and fifty white face cattle. They also have one hundred and twenty-five head grazing on the Sheridan ranch, this place containing two thousand acres. This concern will buy, raise, feed, ship and handle cattle, hogs and horses on a very large scale, and expect to make a great success in their venture. They have five hundred hogs at present which they are getting ready for market, and our subject alone has one hundred head of horses. The headquarters of the firm will be at the Allen ranch, and the postoffice address is McCook.
Mr. Everist firmly believes that Redwillow county is the best place on earth for farming and stock raising. It is great in growing alfalfa and beets, and all stock product can be fitted for market here cheaper per pound than in any other section of the United States. The climate is immensely in its favor, being warm and dry all through the winter, and stock make a good gain when not exposed to severe weather. Mr. Everist always makes a specialty of buying nothing but the best grades, and he also deals in mules to quite an extent. He has investments in McCook that are valuable and expects to make his home there.
Mr. Everist was married January 1, 1887, to Miss Minnie Albright, of Cambridge, Nebraska, and they have a family of four daughters.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
FRED BORK
Left fatherless when only two years old, Fred Bork has had most of his own way to make among surroundings that require grit, hard work and persistent effort. In his native country he had some advantages for an education and attended the German schools. Fred Bork has made a success and it has been done through the qualities named above.
Our subject was born on a farm in West Prussia, Germany, in 1855. His father, Gottlieb, died when Fred was two years of age, and the mother, Caroline, died after the son came to America.
Fred Bork came to America in 1880, landing in New York, from thence going to Illinois and later to St. Louis. After a short time he went to Wisconsin, thence to Minnesota, and from that state to Iowa. engaging in various occupations. Then in 1883, he came to Nebraska, settling on a farm near Burwell, and, in 1885, he came to Loup county and located on his present farm in section 4, township 21, range 17. He had practically nothing to start with, other than an abundant capacity for hard work and a strong determination to make his prairie farm a good home and a means of livelihood. He made the first road from his neighborhood to the city of Burwell. He built a sod house and commenced the improvements on his land. He has done well and been successful in every way. His fine farm of three hundred and seventeen acres has been equipped with a good house and other buildings, and he cultivates about one hundred acres of land. He raises cattle and hogs, his sales of cattle in 1908 bringing $600.00, and he still has forty-one head left, besides forty-six head of hogs, and is increasing his herds all the time. He is a very energetic hustler.
Mr. Bork has built up a good business and is looked upon by every one as a man of energy and enterprise. He has done his part as an old settler and has merited the respect of his fellow citizens.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles A. Erlewine, whose handsome and well-kept farm home is in section 22, township 12, range 38, Perkins county, where he owns six hundred and forty acres of good land, is one of the old-timers of that region. and has passed through all the old Nebraska times. He was born in Monroe county, Ohio, October 27, 1857. He is a son of Isaac Erlewine, who comes of German stock, and was one of the earliest settlers of Fremont, Nebraska, locating there in 1872. He married Eliza McCoy, of Scotch stock, the family coming to Nebraska together, and Charles A. grew up on a farm near Fremont, going through all the pioneer experiences, witnessing drouths, grasshopper raids, etc. One instance of these times is well remembered by our subject, when he saw an entire field of corn completely eaten up by grasshoppers, the destruction consuming just two hours, and then the pests left the place.
Mr. Erlewine lived with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, then struck out for himself, following farm work. He took a homestead on section 22, township 12, range 38, built a sod house fourteen by twenty feet in size, lived in that for many years, and it still stands on the same spot. His start was a team of horses, wagon and two cows, and with these he began to develop a farm and build up a fortune. His nearest trading point was Ogallala, a distance of some fourteen miles, and he hauled all his supplies from that town for several years. During the years 1892 to 1896, he witnessed drouths and had a hard time to raise any crops, often being out even the seed he put into the ground, but never thought of giving up his place, and as the seasons become more favorable he was able to improve his farm, constantly adding to his original homestead, and is now owner of a fine ranch of six hundred and forty acres, cultivating about eighty acres and on which he raises good crops of grain, etc. He runs considerable stock, and besides his own ranch leases land in the vicinity which he uses as hayland and pasture for his stock.
Mr. Erlewine was married in 1883, to Miss Ida Moore, daughter of Daniel Moore, a well known pioneer in Nebraska. They have a family of four children, namely: Eunice, Hazel, Rexford and Dale, all bright and intelligent young people and a credit to their parents' training. Our subject is an Independent in his political views, and has always taken an active part in local affairs, helping to establish the schools of his locality, and lending his influence at all times for good government. In about 1896 he was elected county commissioner, holding the office one term, and has held minor offices in his community.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN D. RICHARDS
The gentleman whose name heads this personal history is one of the very oldest settlers of the west, and has experienced very (sic) phase of life on the frontier, and to his efforts not a little of the success and prosperity today enjoyed in different regions is due. He traveled all over the country, most of the time with pack horses, when the whole section was infested with Indians and wild beasts, and can relate many thrilling incidents connected with those days. Mr. Richards is now owner of a good ranch, situated in section 18, township 29, range 38, which he has improved in good shape, and is one of the foremost citizens of his community. and numbered among the truly substantial residents of Cherry county.
John D. Richards was born near Canton, Ohio, in 1848. His father, Adam, was of American stock, and a farmer all his life. His mother's maiden name was Lydia Hayden. He spent his childhood days in his native county, and about 1858 the family moved to Williams county, Ohio, where the old folks made their home for many years. In 1864 John enlisted in the Civil war, becoming a member of the One Hundred Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his regiment was sent south. He saw active service in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky, serving in the Fourth Army Corps under General Thomas, also participated at the following battles: the battle of Nashville, the battle of Franklin, Williamson county, Tennessee, and the battle of Columbia. He saw every side of a soldier's life, and the horrors of war, and was honorably discharged in April, 1865.
After leaving the army Mr. Richards returned home, and afterwards went to Michigan, where he spent three years in the lumber woods of that state. He next struck out for the west, first going to California. where he worked on different ranches as a cowboy, riding the plains for two years. He finally drifted into eastern Oregon, and engaged in the cattle and horse raising business, establishing a ranch of his own, and succeeded in making a success of the venture, remaining there for nine years and in that time building up two ranches, each time selling out when he had everything in first-class shape. In 1880 he went to the Big Horn Basin, Wyoming, and settled on a ranch which he operated for two years, and from there came to Hat Creek Valley, Sioux county, Nebraska, locating close to Pine Ridge, at the head of Whitehead Creek. He started another ranch there, and lived on the place for four years, that being the fourth ranch he had opened up and improved
Mr. Richards first came to Cherry county and located permanently in 1889, taking his present ranch as a homestead, which is situated in section 18, township 29, range 38, on which he erected sod buildings and gradually added good improvements. The ranch contains four hundred and eighty acres, the greater part of it being good hayland, and he uses the place principally as a cattle ranch. He has done exceedingly well since locating here, although has suffered some stock losses, the worst year being in 1892, when he lost thirty-five head cattle through severe storms.
While living in Wyoming, Mr. Richards had many bitter experiences with the Piegan Indians. At one time they ran off six head of cattle from his ranch, and altogether they stole one hundred and fifty head of stock from the locality. A party of ranchmen banded together, our subject being one of the number, and they followed the thieves for many miles, but one by one the searchers became weary and discouraged, dropping out of the party, so that finally the hunt was abandoned and all returned to their homes, and gave up trying to recover their property, especially when they found that the cattle had all been eaten by the redskins during the cold weather.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
HEVNER & SONS.
Messrs. Hevner & Sons, of Franklin, deal in stock and are the most extensive dealers in this business in that locality. The firm is composed of H. W. Hevner, banker and stockman of Hardin, Missouri, and his two sons, C. W. and John Hevner, of Franklin, the former occupying one of the finest residences in Franklin, and both highly esteemed by all.
They located at Franklin in 1904, purchasing a forty-acre feed lot one mile east of the town, where they feed about 800 head of cattle each year, shipping them to St. Joseph, Kansas City and the Chicago markets. At Hardin they also feed about 600 each season, buying these feeders all over western Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas. The business at Hardin has been successfully conducted for the past twenty-one years, and they are widely known as the leading shippers in their section. Hevner & Sons feed also about as many hogs as cattle at each place, so that they prepare for market from 2,500 to 3,000 animals each season. In the four years they have resided in Nebraska they have established a reputation as skillful feeders and expert judges of live stock, being among the best posted men in the business on the art of feeding and preparing for market, which is a profession needing careful study and attention down to the smallest detail. They weigh everything used, even the salt fed, and have a record of the increase in weight, the time taken, and cost, also the proper amount of feed, rotation, mixing and diet given their stock, and have reduced to a science each detail of the work. They now have on foot plans to increase their Franklin business to three or four times its present volume in the near future, so that they will here feed from 2,500 to 3,000 cattle and as many hogs each season. They have already demonstrated that it pays better to ship cattle here from Missouri and pay the freight here and then to market, rather than feed in that state, as they consider this the best feeding country to be found, there being less storms, better climate and plenty of alfalfa and corn. They buy feed and ship it in here by train, hauling it to their yards themselves. They have recently bought four hundred acres located two miles east of Franklin on the river bottom, in addition to their forty-acre yards.
One brother, Clarence, came to Franklin in 1908; he owns a farm of two hundred and fifty acres close to Franklin, and to an extent engages in the feeding business, and in partnership with the old firm, Hevner & Sons. He is married and has a family.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN M. COBLE
Among the prominent business men and old settlers of Keya Paha county is John M. Coble.
Mr. Coble was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, December 14, 1856. His father, Abraham Coble, was an Ohioan of American stock, while his mother, Mary Miltenberger, a lady of German descent, was born in Pennsylvania. He is the second in a family of four children, all reared and educated in Indiana. At the age of eighteen years he began life for himself. making several trips west, and in 1879 settled on a farm near Waterloo, in Douglas county, Nebraska, where he remained until 1884, when he moved to Keya Paha county, securing a homestead on section 22, township 33, range 21, where he erected a frame shanty. Here he hauled lumber twenty-five miles, camping out nights under his wagon, a large part of the first summer. As soon as he settled here he began to break up part of his farm, and his first year's crop was a sod crop of corn. He afterwards filed on a tree claim three-quarters of a mile west of Springview where he witnessed the devastating drouth periods, thereby sustaining heavy losses.
In 1884 he was elected sheriff, serving for four years. This supplied him with ready money, and helped him pull through the dry years, and during this time he sold his homestead, later buying a tract of land three miles northwest of Springview, which he still owns. This land comprises a ranch of one thousand and eighty acres, including three hundred and twenty acres of leased land, two hundred of which are under cultivation devoted principally to corn and oats; the remainder is given over to stock raising. He has a sixty-acre tract adjoining Springview with several houses thereon and where he has resided since he was first elected sheriff.
In 1893 he was appointed deputy U. S. marshal, under President Cleveland, and served three years. In '97 was again elected sheriff, making a total in the sheriff's office of ten years. Mr. Coble has always taken an active part in the politics of Keya Paha county and although a Democrat has frequently carried a Republican county.
In 1884 Mr. Coble was married to Miss Eliza Peany, daughter of Robert Peany, a native of Ohio, of American stock, and a pioneer farmer in Douglas county, where he has a ranch near Omaha. Mrs. Coble died in March 1889, leaving one child, Rena, now the wife of Emanuel Boshart, principal of the schools of Bellview, Nebraska. In 1890 Mr. Coble was married to Mary Hassed, a widow with two children, William, editor of the "Burton Independent"; and Walter, a practicing physician of Springview.
Mr. Coble enjoys the close friendship of a host of people, and is universally respected. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Highlanders. He affiliates with the Democratic party.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Edward J. Barry, a successful business man and ranchman of Alliance, Nebraska, has been a resident of Box Butte county for many years past. He is one of the leading old timers of that locality and has always been foremost in the development of the commercial interests of his community.
Mr. Barry was born in New York state in 1864. His father, Lawrence Barry, was a native of Ireland, who came to this country when a young man, settling on a farm in Dixon county, Nebraska. He married Bridget Ryan, who also was born in Ireland, and came from the same county. When our subject was a small boy his parents moved to Iowa and there lived in different places for several years, then, in 1877, came to Nebraska, and settled in Dixon county, where he grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-three years he left home and started out for himself, coming to Box Butte county, where he took up a pre-emption and tree claim and opened a ranch which he operated for a year. Alliance was just starting at that time, and he put up the third building at that town, erecting a hotel which was called "The Barry House." He owned and ran the hotel for three years, and also spent one year in railroading. The hotel is now carried on by his sister.
Mr. Barry owns a fine ranch located four miles from Alliance, and he is interested to quite an extent in stock raising on that place. In 1899 he engaged in the saloon business at Alliance, and was proprietor of one of the leading places there. The town "went dry" at the last election and saloons became a thing of the past. Besides these interests Mr. Barry owns considerable stock in the Black Hills mines.
Mr. Barry was married in 1902 to Miss Lizzie Creason, daughter of Carl Creason, a prosperous farmer of Yolo county, California.
In political sentiment Mr. Barry is identified with the Democratic party, and is a stanch (sic) advocate of the principles of that organization. He takes an active part in all local affairs tending toward the improvement of conditions in his locality, and is universally respected and esteemed.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
RICHARD KRUEGER
Among the prosperous and enterprising farmers of Colton precinct, Cheyenne county, Nebraska, none is better known or more highly respected than the subject of this review. Mr. Krueger has devoted many years of his life to the pursuit of agriculture in this region, and has been a potent factor in producing the present prosperity enjoyed in his locality. His home is on section 29, situated at Colton Siding, which he purchased from the Union Pacific company.
Mr. Krueger was born in Prussia, Germany, a few miles from Berlin, April 19, 1855. He came to America in 1856 with his parents, the family settling in Burlington, Wisconsin, where he spent his boyhood years. In 1879, after a short residence in Grand Island, Nebraska, he came to Cheyenne county and filed on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres located in section 32, township 14, range 48, on which he proved up and to which he has since added many acres. Mr. Krueger's land is situated along the banks of Lodgepole Creek, and is admirably located for all farming and ranching purposes. He has put the whole tract in the finest shape possible having on the place an artificial lake of ten acres known as Krueger lake, which he has stocked with fine fish. He has a good system of water works, irrigating about half of his farm, and has a good set of substantial stone farm buildings, including a handsome ten-room house, enlarged and remodeled in 1908, and a large stone barn. He is engaged in the ice business, cutting immense quantities during the winter months, and furnishes Sidney with its supply of ice in the summer, having built up an excellent trade along this line. About one hundred of his one thousand three hundred and twenty acres are under cultivation, a large portion being devoted to the raising of alfalfa, and many acres are in hayland and pasture, supporting about one hundred and twenty-five head of stock.
Our subject was married January 1, 1887, to Miss Alice Carey, who is a native of Portage, N. Y., and came to Nebraska in 1885 with her father, the mother having died in the East. Mr.Carey at present resides north of Sidney, in Cheyenne county. Mr. Krueger and his good wife are the parents of seven children, named as follows: William F., Elmer T.; Frank, who died in January, 1904; Jessie; Richard E.; Grace E., and Chester G. The family comprises a charming and interesting group, and the home of our subject is one of the most hospitable to be found in the community. Mr. Krueger is one of the foremost citizens of his locality, and enjoys the confidence of all who know him. He is Republican in politics and is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Maccabees at Sidney.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
George W. Vroman, of North Platte, Nebraska, is well-known among railway men throughout the western part of Nebraska. He was passenger engineer for the Union Pacific railway, on the Chicago & Denver special.
Mr. Vroman is a native of Dane county, Wisconsin, born in 1841. His parents settled there in 1836, coming from near Syracuse, N. Y., of German descent. Our subject came to Nebraska in 1869, in the year the Union Pacific railway was completed, the last rail being laid on May 10th of that year at Promontory, Utah. He had been with the Wabash railroad for six years prior to this, beginning with them in 1862. He worked as a passenger engineer up to 1881, then was foreman up to 1884, having charge of the machine shops. After that time he resumed his place on the road as engineer. In April, 1877, he organized the first general committee of the engineers on the Union Pacific and was elected as chairman continuously until 1905, with the exception of one term of two years. At first the jurisdiction of this committee extended from Omaha to Ogden on the main line, and over all the branches; i.e., the Oregon Navigation Company and the Colorado Central, but after 1891 those branches were put under another jurisdiction of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. At the beginning of this organization there were only eight on the committee, and now there are over 500 engineers in this territory. Mr. Vroman has attended as delegate, thirteen national conventions of the brotherhood. He was salaried chairman from 1891 to 1894, with twenty-four lodges of engineers under him. When the Union Pacific was in the hands of a receiver in 1894, they issued an order reducing the wages of the scheduled men on the road, our subject representing the engineers of this 8,000 miles of road, and really, as well representing the case of the firemen, conductors, shopmen, brakemen and other employees. He took the matter before Judge Caldwell, at Omaha, in the U. S. Circuit Court, and the evidence introduced by him covered forty-one pages of the record. The decision was that the old schedule was fair and proper, and the receivers' lower schedule should not take effect. This is the highest court that any labor question has so far reached, and this was one of labor's greatest victories. The case was entered in February and decided in April, 1894. The first case in America in which questions between railway employees and the company was arbitrated, was on the Union Pacific railway in 1879, at North Platte, with Mr. Vroman as chairman of the committee of the Brotherhood, he taking the case before the arbitrator, Captain Rustin, on one day, and the next day the decision was given, favorable to the employees. From this time the employees never make a demand, but put their grievances or wishes in the form of statements and requests. These are fairly considered by the officials and the matters agreeably adjusted. On the day the first award was given, a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Vroman, and she was named "Arba T."
The most thrilling experience Mr. Vroman ever had in his railway work was when his train was held up at Big Springs, Nebraska, one night in September, 1877, at 10:30 P. M. The train stopped at this way station, but the robbers had compelled the agent to put out a red light to make sure. There were eight of them in the gang, two appearing at the side of our subject's engine and one at the fireman's side. One was on the coal tender. As Mr. Vroman saw the gun from above pointed at him he ducked and the bullet struck the boiler head, put out the lights and filled his cab with smoke. In the confusion he went by the window over the boiler to the other side, when the bandits called for a surrender and he would not be injured. They secured $63,000 and got away, but five of them were mortally wounded in resisting arrest, and the other three never were apprehended.
Mr. Vroman was married at Indianapolis, Indiana, to Miss Mary Jordan, the marriage taking place November 1, 1874. Six children were born of this union, who are named as follows: Blanche E., Clarence, employed in the Union Pacific shops at Omaha; Walter J., Clay W., in the U. S. mail service on the same railway; Arba T., and Ralph W.
In 1882 Mr. Vroman served one term in the town council. He is an independent voter. The family are members of the Unitarian church at North Platte.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John W. Dyer, retired, is one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Franklin county, Nebraska. He resides in the city of Franklin, where he has built up a pleasant home, surrounded by a host of warm friends, and is regarded as one of the representative old settlers of this locality. He has crossed the continent from Atlantic to Pacific four or five different times, each time taking a different route.
Mr. Dyer was born in Milo, Maine, and is a son of John Dyer, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and Betsy Goodrich Dyer, who was born in Industry, Franklin county, Maine. Our subject's uncle, General Nathan Goodrich, was one of the heroes of the Mexican war, and Commander Nathan Goodrich, a second cousin, was with Dewey at Manilla, on the gunboat Raleigh as assistant engineer for three years.
In 1861 our subject enlisted in the Second Maine Infantry, Company L and served with his regiment up to August 5, 1862, and re-enlisted in the Second Maine Cavalry, Company G, and with this regiment saw service through the Red River expedition, also in Florida, Alabama and Georgia under General Steele and later General A. J. Smith, Sixteenth Army Corps. The regiment was mustered out at Barrancas, Florida, December 16, 1865, a few months after the close of the war. While with the Second Maine Infantry he was in the battle which took place at Yorktown, at Hanover Court House, Fairoaks or Seven Pines, and also in a number of exciting skirmishes under General Martin Dale, commander of the brigade, and General Porter was the division commander. At this time General Mc Clellan was in command of the army.
In 1872 Mr. Dyer came west to Smith county, Kansas, locating twelve miles south of Franklin, and October 1st of that year homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres and lived on it, farming until 1901. When he landed here, after filing on his homestead, he had just forty-two dollars left with which to face winter and supply himself, wife and two children with provisions, clothes, etc., so he and a companion went to Fort Dodge, Kansas, where thousands of buffalo roamed through the plains, and in four days had killed and taken the hides from eighty buffalo, all they could carry on their wagon. After selling them at the nearest station he started for home with sixty-five dollars in his pocket and enough buffalo meat to last him all winter, and dried meat which lasted throughout the following summer. At that time there were hundreds of hunters through that section of the country and had it not been for the buffalo many of the pioneers could not have survived those times. During the first years our subject's family lived in a dugout, then built a log house in which they lived for some time, and being there for eleven years they were able to build a good residence. He broke up his land gradually, and by dint of hard work and strictest economy on the part of himself and wife began to get ahead, purchasing more land as he was able until he owned three quarter sections. His home farm of three hundred and twenty acres was brought up to a high state of cultivation, and he had added improvements until it was one of the most valuable estates in the locality. He engage largely in raising and feeding stock, which he shipped to market, each year disposing of a car of hogs and from fifty to one hundred steers, this netting him a very snug income. Mr. Dyer farmed in Jasper count (sic), Iowa, for five years coming there from Bureau county, Illinois where he had farmed for about a year, and in his opinion the Republican valley is a much better place for farming and stock raising than either Iowa or Illinois, as the climate is healthier and there is no mud to contend with. Here the land is easier to work, so that one man can till as much ground as two men can do in those states, while the average crops and prices obtained for them are equally as good. In addition to his eastern experience, visited California and Oregon twice in 1904, making a careful study of conditions there. He took his wife and children with him on the last trip, and all agreed that there was no country ahead of Nebraska, so they returned to Franklin and intend to make this their permanent home. In 1905, after his return from the west, he purchased twenty-four acres of land located in the northwestern part of Franklin, and on this built a nice residence. He has the place in a very fine condition. In the fall of the same year, he purchased eighty acres of second bottom land lying about a mile west of Franklin. Before he went to California Mr. Dyer bought thirteen acres located on the high grounds overlooking Franklin and the river and valley, on which he erected a handsome two-story house, planting trees and making it into a beautiful spot, then sold it. He also owned a farm of one hundred and twenty acres situated two miles northwest of Franklin, which he disposed of to good advantage. Mr. Dyer has the greatest faith in the possibilities of this country, and with good managment and industry he has from a very small beginning worked up to a position of ease and prosperity.
Mr. Dyer was married in 1867 to Miss Anna Peterson, of Galesburg, Illinois, her parents being natives of Sweden. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dyer, named as follows: George W. Dyer, a prosperous farmer of Smith county, Kansas, operating a farm of four hundred and eighty acres; Addie May, wife of Seth E. Roath, of Smith Center, Kansas; John Clayton Dyer, owner of a fine one hundred and sixty acre farm in Marion township, this county; Grace, wife of William Gretchell, a farmer of Smith county, Kansas; Nathan G. Dyer, living on his farm three and one half miles northwest of Franklin; Anna P. Dyer, a graduate of the Franklin Academy, of marked musical ability, holding three diplomas and now teaching music in Franklin and neighboring towns; Daniel E. Dyer, recently married, a farmer living eight miles from Franklin, and the youngest, Oliver R. Dyer, helping his father at home.
Mr. Dyer is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic post here, and a man of active public spirit. He is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Winfield P. Townsend, Ainsworth, Nebraska, takes an honorable place among the early settlers of Brown county, and has enjoyed those rich rewards which agriculture is ever ready to render to those who engage in its pursuit with foresight and industry. He has had much to do with the early settlement and general improvement of this part of the state, and illustrates in his own experience the value of character, perseverance and industry as habits of life.
Mr. Townserd was born June 22, 1849, on a farm in Muskingum county, Ohio, where his father, Jonathan Townsend, had long been established, not only being engaged in the tilling of the soil, but also following the butcher and carpenter trades. About 1855 he moved to Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he followed farming for years. He came to Holt county, Nebraska, at an early day, and died here in January, 1890. He came of Welsh and German lineage, and was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, serving as a member of Company D, 18th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He married Martha Goldrick, daughter of an Irish blacksmith, who married a Welsh girl. Winfield P. was the fourth child in a family of eight born to his parents.
When the subject of this sketch had reached the age of six years his parents removed to Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood, in the meantime attending country school and securing such educational training as the scanty opportunities of the times afforded. He was familiar with hard work from his early youth, and was ready to start out in the world for himself at the age of twenty-two years. His marriage to Miss Viola T. Chase occurred March 5, 1871. She was born in Vermont, and came from a family long associated with the early New England history. Her parents were farming people, and represent in their own history many of the best traditions of that section where their fortunes had long been cast. To this marriage were born ten children, of whom are living: Julia A., wife of Alva H. Brobst; Myrtle V. T., who married Burdette L. Lovett; Clyde A., Lowell J., Alice L., Cornelia, William A. L., and Leon E. M. The two older children were born in Wisconsin, and all the others in Nebraska.
While the young couple lived in Wisconsin Mr. Townsend was engaged in farming, and at times "worked out" to sustain his family. In 1878 he removed to Nebraska, reaching Butler county the fifth of July, and settled in Clay county in the fall of that year, where he lived on rented land for three years, making his home in a sod house, enduring such privations as were common to a new country. In 1880 he came to Brown county, "to look over the country," and was so pleased with it's general appearance that he made haste to cast in his lot with its earliest settlers. Renting land for one year, he took a homestead on section 6, township 30, range 22, in the spring of 1882, and this he soon transformed into a neat and profitable farm, modern and up to date in every respect. Mr. Townsend in coming from southern Nebraska, drove across the country; reaching Brown county he installed his family in a "dug-out," which was their only home for two or three years. Now he has an estate consisting. of two hundred and forty acres, on which he has erected a comfortable rural home; ample barns and other farm buildings, a windmill and has provided an ample equipment of machinery for the operation of such a place.
The place is known as "Victory Farm," from his winning a nine years' contest before the land office, twice carrying the case up to the Secretary of the Interior. Secretary Noble settled the contest in favor of Mr. Townsend, November 16, 1892, giving him a clear title forever to the land now known as "Victory Farm."
Mr. Townsend began bridge building in 1892, and has since been actively engaged in this work on a very extensive scale. He has a complete outfit for bridge building, including a pile driver and all necessary machinery and he has built bridges all over the county. Mr. Townsend is a staunch Democrat politically. He is a consistent member of the Methodist church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Louis F. Hoevet, an old-timer of Dawes county, Nebraska, has succeeded in building up a good home and valuable estate here through his industrious habits and sturdy perseverance. He resides in section 11, township 31, range 51, where he has a comfortable home and is highly esteemed by his fellow-men.
Mr. Hoevet is a native of Lake county, Indiana, born in 1860, on a farm. His father, Charles Hoevet, was a farmer, born in Germany, who came to Nebraska in 1880, first settling in Clay county, later settling in Dawes county in 1894, where he died January 6, 1904. He married Miss Elizabeth Ritter, born in Ohio in 1843, of German stock. A sketch of Charles Hoevet will be found on another page of this volume. Our subject grew up in Illinois, where the family had moved when he was a boy, and he attended the common schools during his spare hours, assisting his parents in the farm work. In the fall of 1879 he came west to Clay county, Nebraska, the rest of the family coming out the following year, and there they were among the first settlers in the region. He farmed in Clay county for several years, then moved to Perkins county, where he took up a pre-emption and proved up on the land. There he lived in a sod shanty and went through all sorts of pioneer experiences, but.stuck to it and succeeded in building up a good home and farm and made money.
In 1894 Mr. Hoevet came with his family to Dawes county, having sold his pre-emption in Perkins county, and here settled on section 11, township 31, range 51. He is the owner of two hundred acres of good land, seventy of which is under cultivation, and the balance in pasture for his stock, of which he keeps quite a large number of cattle, hogs and horses. His place is well improved and he has everything in first-class shape, showing good management and improved methods of agriculture.
Mr. Hoevet left home when he was twenty-six years of age, and at that time was united in marriage to Miss Armenta Hiatt, daughter of Riley and Lementine Hiatt, early settlers in Appanoose county, Iowa. He was from North Carolina, and married Miss Clementine Jones, born in Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Hoevet are the parents of three children, namely: Edna, Fay and Helen.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles Hoevet, who was one of the prominent old settlers of Dawes county, died January 6, 1904. He had been in failing health for some time and on the 30th of December he was seized with paralysis and from that time there was little hope for his recovery, and he gradually sank until the end came. The funeral was held at Bethel church and the services were conducted by the Reb. Mr. Shull of Crawford. The whole country turned out in respect to the memory of this highly esteemed neighbor.
Mr. Hoevet was born in Mecklenburg, Schwerin, Germany, on the 3rd day of June 1832, and consequently attained the ripe age of seventy-two years, seven months and three days. He was the youngest of nine children, all of whom he survived. In 1852 he emigrated to America and for a few years resided in Indiana and afterwards settled in Kankakee county, Illinois, where he made his home until the spring of 1880. In that year he removed to Clay county, Nebraska, and in 1892 to Dawes county, where he established himself with his family upon a well improved and beautiful farm east of Crawford, where his life was brought to a close. In 1859 he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Ritter, who was the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Hammond) Ritter. The children of this union were nine in number, seven of whom, with the aged widow, survive to mourn the loss of a husband and father, and all of whom were present at the deathbed and funeral. The living children are: Louis, Charles, Delia, Otto, Edward, Albert and Floyd.
Mr. Hoevet was one of the most substantial and respectable citizens of Dawes county and his death will be recognized as a distinct loss to the community.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
CHARLES T. HOWARD
On the banks of the Lodgepole creek, Cheyenne county, Nebraska, stands the handsome residence of one of the leading citizens of that county. Among those who have endured many hardships and succeeded in spite of many discouragements which fell to the lot of the early settler of Western Nebraska, no one is more deserving of prominent mention than the gentleman who forms the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Howard was born in Plattsburg, New York, on September 14, 1845. He grew up in that locality, and at the age of eighteen years moved to Will county, Illinois, where he acquired an eighty acre farm one mile north of Manhattan. He first came to Cheyenne county in 1885 and filed on a homestead in section 25, township 13, range 49, and spent eight years on that place, making good improvements. He then purchased and moved onto a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 31, township 14, range 47, situated on Lodgepole creek, and still occupies this last mentioned place. Here he has made a fine farm, and owns in all one thousand two hundred acres, which includes the original homestead. He devotes about thirty acres to crops, and has sufficient pasture for the stock he owns. He has erected good farm buildings, fences and necessary wells and windmills for care of about thirty head of cattle and fifty horses which he keeps. The family occupy a fine modern residence, and every corner of the place shows good management, prosperity and painstaking care in its operation.
Mr. Howard was married at Mokena, Illinois, on the 24th day of November, 1876, to Miss Alice Turner, a daughter of James and Abeygail (Crandle) Turner, born near Ashtabula, Ohio. Six children blessed this union, named as follows: Harry (deceased) ; Lila, wife of Leroy Dyke now living in Portland, Oregon; Winifred, who married Carl Homan, of Sedgewick, Colorado; Lee, Lucy and Potter, the three last named all living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Howard are of a most hospitable nature, and have a family of intelligent. and congenial children, making a happy family which it is a pleasure for one to meet. Our subject himself is a man of very pleasant personality, and a gentleman of superior qualities of mind and character. Owing to impaired health, Mr. Howard spent the winter of 1908 in southern California, in which place he rapidly recuperated. He has always voted the Republican ticket, and takes an active part in local and county affairs. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and with his family, of the Episcopal church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILLIAM E. GAMEL
The gentleman above named is a leading merchant of Loomis, Nebraska. In 1899 he bought out the hardware business of D. T. Garrett, and has since that time successfully conducted the store, increasing his stock, and has more than trebled the business, so that his patronage extends all over the territory adjacent to Loomis. Mr. Gamel has one of the largest and finest stores in this section, handling hardware, furniture, harness, paints, oils, tin and kitchenware, stoves and ranges, plumbing and the last year adding automobiles, and enjoys a great measure of prosperity and an enviable reputation as a business man and worthy citizen.
Mr. Gamel is a native of Champaign county, Illinois, and is a son of O. J. Gamel, who came to this county locating in Lake township with his family in 1888, his death occurring there in 1894, at the age of forty-eight years. He was the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land in that township, and was a very successful farmer and agriculturist. He was by profession a druggist being a registered, pharmacist, and was engaged in that business, also the grocery business before coming to Nebraska. Prior to the time of our subject starting in business in Loomis, he was engaged in the profession of a teacher here, having followed this for seven years, also taught in Lake township and the last three years spent in the Loomis public schools.
Mr. Gamel was married in 1894 to Miss Helen Potter who, prior to her marriage, was a teacher in the Loomis schools, and a lady of much intelligence and charm. She was a native of Owego, New York, daughter of John Q. Potter, now a resident of Denver, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Gamel have two children. Mr. Gamel received his education at the Fairmont, Nebraska, high school, and later attended the Franklin Academy and Lincoln Normal, receiving a state certificate. Mr. Gamel is a genial, intellectual gentleman, popular in business and social circles, universally esteemed and respected.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Bernard J. McGuire, who enjoys the comforts of a rural home in section 10, township 26, range 28, Cherry county, is one of the well known and wealthy residents of his locality. He is one of the old settlers there and his labors have become a part of the history of the county.
Mr. McGuire was born in Roscommon county, Ireland, in 1865. His father, Michael McGuire, came to America several times on a visit, but spent his entire career in his native land engaged in farming. He married Mary Buchanan, and they owned a good home and farm, on which our subject grew to the age of thirteen years, at which time he came to America by way of England, landing in Philadelphia. He spent five years in the east, then came to Nebraska. While in Pennsylvania he attended school, and also worked in the mines until coming west to Jefferson county, Nebraska, then went into the Black Hills and was there at the time of the Indian massacre, taking part in subduing the insurrection of the redskins. During that trip he slept on the ground and often awakened in the morning with his blanket covered with snow. He roughed it for two years in that vicinity, working as an engineer in a sawmill. As early as 1885 he came to Cherry county.
Mr. McGuire was married at Fairbury, Nebraska, January 31, 1891, to Miss Anna Shanley, daughter of Patrick Shanley, who was an old settler in Cherry county. After their marriage they went to Denver and remained in that city for five years, where Mr. McGuire was engaged in the ice business. He held considerable ranching property in Cherry county, having quite a herd of cattle and horses, which brought him in a good income. He acquired his present ranch in 1895, and the following year moved with his family on the place, which they have occupied ever since. At that time it was highly improved land, with good buildings, wells and windmills, and he has continued to improve it and keeps it in good shape. The place consists of one thousand nine hundred and twenty acres, all deeded land, and he also controls one thousand two hundred and eighty acres of leased land in the vicinity, using it almost exclusively as a stock ranch, running a large bunch of cattle and other stock. Since coming to his present ranch the only bad luck he has experienced was loss sustained through a cyclone which came along and blew the roof off his house and utterly destroyed a shed on the place, together with smaller damage.
Mr. and Mrs. McGuire have a family of five children, named as follows: Michael B., Mary, Letta Beatrice, Berenice Rosetta and Patrick Leo, and they form a most interesting family group, all bright and intelligent, their home one of the most pleasant to be found in the community. They have a large circle of friends a acquaintances who enjoy their hospitality. Most of Mr. McGuire's time is devoted to his family and the interest of his ranch, and while he takes a commendable interest in local affairs, has never sought public office.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
D. C. SHETLER
For the past twenty-five years the gentleman above named has been an important factor in the development and progress of the section lying south of the Platte, river, covering Phelps and Kearney counties, Nebraska. He came to Nebraska in 1879, from Johnson county, Iowa, locating at Wilcox, Nebraska, and in 1886 engaged in the lumber business at Wilcox, which he conducted for five years. He was the first chairman of the village board of Wilcox, organized in 1889, and held the position of postmaster of that town for five years. Wilcox now has a population of five hundred, and boasts two banks, two papers, three elevators and a number of fine stores. Our subject is at present occupying the position of cashier of the Exchange Bank of Wilcox. This institution was established by him in 1905, with a capital and surplus of $12,000, and since its organization the bank has built up a prosperous and growing business. It now owns and occupies a fine new brick building, and is one of the most reliable banking institutions of Kearney county. For the past twelve years Mr. Shetler has owned the Wilcox Herald, for which he has recently erected a substantial brick building and installed a new, up-to-date press and job office, supplied with a gasoline engine, new press, and every improvement, at a total cost of $3,500 for the plant. This paper has a wide circulation in the four counties of Phelps, Harlan, Kearney and Franklin, the town of Wilcox being located at the corner of these counties. The paper is managed by J. B. Lane. Mr. Shetler also is interested largely in the real estate, loan and insurance business, with his headquarters and office at Wilcox, and has sold large tracts of farming lands in the four counties above mentioned, amounting to millions of dollars. His is the largest agency of its kind in this section, and has located hundreds of farmers in Nebraska, and is constantly advertising its advantages. Land in this vicinity has advanced 200 per cent. in the past fifteen years. Our subject is now owner of two thousand five hundred and twenty acres of fine farm land, three hundred and twenty acres of this being located near the town of Wilcox, one thousand six hundred acres in different parts of Nebraska and six hundred and twenty-five acres of it in Iowa. All of these lands are under rental, and he derives a substantial income from this source. He also owns five hundred head of Duroc Jersey pure-bred hogs, from the best strains in the country, and one hundred head of Shorthorn cattle. He has fed from five to ten cars of cattle and hogs annually for the past ten years, which he ships to the markets. The past year he raised one hundred acres of wheat which netted him $1,739 after paying expenses of $533. He is a strong advocate of sowing fall wheat at the end of August. He is also a firm believer in the state of Nebraska as a banner crop producer. Mr. Shetler also has large interests in Holdredge,. where he now lives.
He was married in 1876 to Ella Garey and they have been blessed with three children: Ethel, Fay and Louise. Mr. Shetler was born in Ohio.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ANTON UHRIG
The gentleman above named was one of the first to settle in Box Butte county, and has since the earliest days of settlement in this section, taken a leading part in the public affairs of the section, having been the first mayor of Hemingford. Mr. Uhrig is held in the highest esteem by all who know him, and his name will figure prominently in the history of the development and growth of this part of the country. He occupies a pleasant and comfortable home adjoining Hemingford, and is one of the substantial and worthy citizens of the town and township.
Mr. Uhrig was born in Nassau, Germany, in 1847, and his father was a merchant at that place, who spent all his life in his native country, his death occurring there in about 1873. Our subject was reared in the old country, learning the harness-maker's trade and followed the work for six years there, and when he was twenty years of age he came to America, landing here in 1867, and came directly west to Illinois, locating in Carlyle, where he followed his trade for about two years, and later spending a short time at St. Louis. He then went to Council Bluffs and Omaha, working at his trade in both cities, then went to Mondamin, Iowa, where he opened a harness shop of his own, manufacturing and selling harness.
Mr. Uhrig next moved to a farm in that vicinity, and after farming for one year left the place and located in Mexico, Missouri, where he attended school for one year, striving to gain a better knowledge of English language to help him in his business career. He later engaged in the furniture business at that place, being manager of the store for over a year, and then begun as a traveling salesman for the firm of Heller & Hoffman, chair, and other furniture manufacturers, and continued in that work for three years, traveling principally through western Iowa and Nebraska, having been the first salesman the concern had ever employed in the territory of western Nebraska.
In 1884 Mr. Uhrig took a pre-emption and a tree claim, both proved up on later, and later a homestead three and a half miles southwest of Hemingford, and part of that town is now located on what was his tree claim. He sold the first carload of furniture that was shipped into Rushville, and in the fall of 1885 made another trip on the road.
Mr. Uhrig started farming in the year of 1885, in addition to his other business enterprises, and the following year opened his store in Hemingford, dealing in furniture, hardware and saddlery, and he had the first stock of hardware and saddlery that was ever brought into the town. He located here before the railroad was built in and also when the county seat was located, and was one of the men who went to Lincoln to interview the railroad officials and offer inducements to the company for bringing the road to his town, part of his tree claim being presented to the railway company as a bonus for locating here.
Since coming to this locality Mr. Uhrig has been remarkably successful, and has accumulated a fine property through his good management and steady perseverance. He is owner of six hundred and two acres of land near Hemingford, also two blocks, a part of the town site. He has a fine store building twenty-five by sixty feet, with a basement and second story, on one of the main streets of the town.
In 1886 Mr. Uhrig was united in marriage at Mexico, Missouri, to Miss Augusta Basse. Mr. and Mrs. Uhrig are the parents of the following children: Nettie, Frank, Ida, Otto, Winfred, George and Margaret.
Mr. Uhrig is a Democrat and a strong party man.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Carmel E. Cheney has been intimately identified with the early history of Brown county, Nebraska, and is known in the vicinity of Ainsworth as one of the most reliable and prominent representatives of its best farming circles. He owes his present forward position to honest purpose, fair dealing and industrious habit. His father, John Cheney, was a native of New England and achieved a competence in Nebraska by dint of thrift and labor. Carmel E. Cheney, born near the line of Lynn and Delaware counties, Iowa, December 29, 1860, was the third in his father's family and grew to manhood in his native state, where his characteristics early indicated a substantial success in whatever occupation he might address himself. His parents resided in Lynn and Delaware counties, Iowa, until he reached the age of fifteen. They removed to Marshall county about 1876 and to Crawford county a year later. In the spring of 1882 the entire family came into Nebraska, and made a home in Brown county. Here the subject of this sketch located on his present farm property, taking it under the pre-emption law, later making it a homestead claim, upon which, in due time, he made all the legal proofs and acquired a clear title. In the beginning it was a raw prairie, and all the improvements that now make it sightly and pleasant owe their existence to the indefatigable labors of Mr. Cheney. For a time he "batched," and then lived with his father until his marriage, April 8, 1896, when Miss Ellen McKeever became his wife. She was born in Iowa of American antecedents, and was a lady of more than the usual gifts and graces. Before her marriage she had taught school for some years in Boyd county, Nebraska. This union has been blessed with four children: Zenas D., Bessie M., Cordelia C. and Earl V.
Mr. Cheney is the proprietor of a well appointed farm of one hundred and sixty acres. It is all fenced and devoted to both grain and stock farming. The Cheneys take a very active part in school matters, and have been very instrumental in the successful operation of literary societies, and other intellectual stimulants in the neighborhood in which they live. In politics Mr. Cheney is a Democrat and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Ainsworth.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN Z. VAN HOUTEN.
An honorable position among the pioneer settlers of Loup county is readily accorded this gentleman, better known as "Jack Houten," by every one with whom he is acquainted. He occupies one of the large and well-improved ranches of the county, and is greatly respected in the community where he has lived for so many years.
Mr. Van Houten was born in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1857. His father, John Van Houten was born in the state of New York, a farmer by occupation and was of Holland-Dutch and Scotch ancestry. The mother was a native of Rhode Island, and her name before marriage, was Cornelia Johnson.
The subject of our sketch lived in Illinois until 1862, when the family moved to New York state, where they resided for about (???) years, at the end of which time they came west to Humbolt county, Iowa, where our subject grew up on a farm and attended the county schools. In 1879 the family drove through with team and covered wagon to Loup county, Nebraska, and our subject settled on a homestead in section 27, township 21, range 17. He built the regulation sod shanty and prepared for the experiences of pioneer life. He had a team and drove to St. Paul, Nebraska, for supplies and materials. He remained on the farm, and, although there were three successive failures of crops during the drouth years, he stuck to his work and (???) has a fine farm of four hundred and seventy acres along the North Loup river. His parents lived and died in the county and (???) were respected and revered by all who knew them.
In 1881 Mr. Van Houten was married to Miss Carrie Reniff, daughter of Philo and Mary (Wickson) Reniff, old settlers of Nebraska. The father was a native of New York state. Mr. and Mrs. Van Houten have (???) children: Burt, Harry, Horace, Jack, (???) Peter, Mattie and Ella. Before her marriage Mars. Van Houten was a school teacher of good abilities and she has always been deeply interested in the educational affairs of the district.
Mr. Van Houten has been an active participant in local political affairs, has been precinct officer, assessor, road overseer and has held other minor offices. He is outspoken and frank in all things and his stand for advancement along all lines is firm and decided.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles H. Sailor, a leading citizen of Gordon, Nebraska, is a prosperous merchant, widely known as a gentleman of good business ability arid true public spirit.
Mr. Sailor was born in Hancock county, Illinois, in 1864. His father, Richard A. Sailor, was a native of Kentucky, reared and educated in Missouri, and followed farming as an occupation all his life. Of a family of seven children our subject was the third member, and he was raised in Illinois until he reached the age of twenty, attending school until eighteen years of age, when he started to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1883 he came to Nebraska and settled in Antelope county, where he remained for two years. In July, 1885, he moved to Gordon, where he took up a homestead situated ten miles south of the town on Niobrara river. His first dwelling was a log house and he lived in this for five and a half years, proving up and improving the place. He had early learned the carpenter and builder's trade, and in 1891 moved to Gordon and followed this work for several years. He did well at this, and in 1901 begun to deal in farming implements and has gradually increased his business until he is now enjoying a lucrative trade. He established himself in his present location in 1903 and now handles all kinds of farming machinery, pumps, windmills, piano, organs, sewing-machines, etc., his patronage extending all through Sheridan and the adjoining counties. He and his son now have the finest hardware store in Sheridan county.
Mr. Sailor was married in 1885, during the month of October, to Miss Lydia Wyman, of American stock, whose father, Charles M. Wyman, was a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Sailor have a family of five children, namely: Ralph, Ray, Hallie, Chester and Dwight, all born in Sheridan county.
Mr. Sailor is prominent in all local affairs it tend to advance the commercial interests of his locality. He has acted as president of Sheridan county agricultural association for six years, and has served as county assessor for the past four years. He was a member of the school board for about five years, and for ten years was village clerk. He has aided in the bettering of conditions in his town as when he first came here Gordon had thirteen saloons and about three stores, and since then the town shows wonderful growth and improvement. He is a strong Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
William G. Fernau, one of the earliest settlers in Brown county, Nebraska, is a prosperous farmer of this locality, and has gained a comfortable competence and enviable reputation as a worthy citizen.
Mr. Fernau was born on a farm in Washington county, Wisconsin, March 10, 1855. His father, John Fernau, was a shoemaker and farmer, who came to this country from the province of Hesse Cassel, Germany, while a young man, settling in Wisconsin, where our subject was reared, receiving a common school education. He was the sixth member in a family of eight children, and during his boyhood days assisted his father in the farm work, and thus grew up accustomed to good hard labor. In 1885 he came to Nebraska and settled on a homestead and the first building he put up was a small shanty, in which lie lived for some time. He went to work improving his farm, but the dry years came on and his crops were all ruined by the drouth and hail storms, and this discouraged him so greatly that he gave up trying to do anything, and left his homestead, going to Chicago, determined to change his occupation. He remained there for a year, working in a furniture factory and a cooper shop, saving his money, and then returned to Brown county and started over again; from that time on he plodded along, slowly but surely, building up and improving his farm, in the hard times being very careful of expenditures, until now he is the owner of five hundred and twenty acres of good farming land, of which all but sixty acres are under cultivation and improved with a good house, barns, and other buildings, all his land being fenced, and well stocked with cattle, hogs and a number of horses. The land is well adapted to potatoes, of which Mr. Fernau is an extensive cultivator, having some years five thousand bushels at the digging.
In 1879 Mr. Fernau was married to Miss Lavina E. Fye, a native of Wisconsin, whose father came of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and her mother of German descent. They are the parents of seven children, who are named as follows: John, Emma, George, Edward, David, William and Warren. The two eldest were born in Wisconsin, and the younger five in Nebraska.
Mr. Fernau deserves much praise for the substantial success which has attended his labors. Beginning with the most modest capital, he has worked his way up to the competence he now enjoys, and is an exemplary member of the community in which he chose his home. In politics he is Democratic, and with the family, a member of the Congregational Church of Ainsworth.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
William E. Roudebush, who for the past many years has resided in Deuel county, Nebraska, is the possessor of a fine estate and one of the highly esteemed citizens of Chappell, where he now makes his home.
Mr. Roudebush was born in Henry county, Iowa, in 1871, and was raised on a farm. His father, Jacob h> Roudebush, was a native of Pennsylvania, of old American stock, and later was one of the early settlers in Deuel county, Nebraska. He married Anna H. Brown, born in Indiana, of American blood. When our subject was a lad of fifteen years he came to Deuel county with his parents and has lived on the frontier since that time, being familiar with every phase of ranch life, helping his father build up his extensive ranching interests, and is a thorough judge and master of the business from start to finish. When a very young man he began in the cattle business on his own account, taking a homestead on section 9, township 20, range 44, built a shanty and roughed it for several years. The town of Alliance, thirty miles away, was his nearest railroad station, and from there he had to haul all his supplies. He lived on this ranch until 1900, building up a valuable estate, then sold out and moved to near Oshkosh, still running his ranch himself. He owns in all one thousand six hundred acres, which is devoted to stock raising.
In 1905 Mr. Roudebush was elected treasurer of Deuel county, served his term and was re-elected in 1907, still occupying the office. He moved to Chappell several years ago and has a pleasant home here.
Our subject was married in 1896, at Alliance, Nebraska, to Miss Mary Applegarth, daughter of Henry Applegarth, an old settler of this county. He located here in 1888 and is well and favorably known throughout the vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Roudebush have a family of three children, named as follows: Claude, aged ten; Elma, aged five, and Myron, a baby of three years, and they form an interesting and charming group.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILLIAM WILSON
Among the old settlers and prominent residents of Chadron, Nebraska, the name of William Wilson deserves a foremost place. Wilson is well known all over the western part of Nebraska as a successful ranchman and farmer, owning valuable property in Dawes county, and he is one of the public-spirited citizens of his community, at present making his home in the town of Chadron.
Mr. Wilson was born in Morgan county, Indiana, in 1833. His father was Alexander Wilson, of American stock, owner of a fine farm in the timbered region, and was owner of a large sawmill plant; was killed there in August, 1862. His mother was Mary Maxwell, also of American blood. William grew up on his father's farm on the frontier, and was married in that neighborhood in 1856, to Miss Mary A. Hollis, whose parents were American born. Our subject entered the service of his country in 1862, enlisting in Company H, Seventy-ninth Indiana Infantry, and served in Kentucky and Tennessee. He was at the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, and Perryville, Kentucky, seeing actual service for many months. The following year, 1863, at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he received his discharge and returned to his native county where he remained for several years, then came to Missouri and settled on a farm in Harrison county, on which he lived for twenty years. There he opened up as fine a farm as was to be found in that part of the country, within two miles of Ridgway, Missouri; that town being established years after he settled there. When he first came the country was all open prairie. Mr. Wilson's whole life has been. spent on the frontier in Indiana, Missouri and Nebraska.
Mr. Wilson first came to Dawes county in 1889, settling on a ranch six miles east of Chadron, and he built up that place and operated it for eighteen years. He had three hundred and twenty acres of good range land, part of which was cultivated, and made a success of the work from the beginning. Mr. Wilson was township treasurer in Missouri for years, in which capacity he collected the money and hired and paid the school teachers of the township; and he has been treasurer of the first agricultural association of Dawes county, Nebraska. He moved to the city of Chadron in 1903, and has since made that city his home, and where he has a fine residence. He is police judge of Chadron having held that office for four terms. He is well known and esteemed as a leading citizen and politician, a man of high character and progressive ideas.
Mr. Wilson suffered a sad bereavement in June, 1906, in the death of his wife, who left the following children: William A.; Lovica, wife of Peter Tanner, residing in Missouri on a very fine farm; Grace, now Mrs. J. P. Owen; Jennie, now Mrs. E. R. Whetstine; John T.; Dolly, now Mrs. R. A. Bowes, Fred K.; Henrietta, wife of C. B. Owen, all settled in this vicinity except Lovica. as stated above.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
J. A. Gibson, one of the leading citizens of Alma, Harlan county, was born in Marion county, Illinois, in 1848. He is a son of James and Margaret (French) Gison, the former born in Monongahela county, West Virginia, the latter of Champaign county, Ohio. The family moved to Marion county, Iowa, in 1854, where the father became one of the active pioneer settlers in that part of Iowa. Our subject's grandfather, Hugh Gibson, came from Kennykajig, in the north of Ireland, early in the seventeenth century, and settled at the mouth of the Cheat river, West Virginia, then Virginia. He married Miss Peggy Foreman, of Jamestown, Virginia.
In 1864 our subject enlisted in the Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry. at the age of sixteen years, and served until the close of the war. He was with his regiment all through Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas, taking part in the battle of Big Creek, Arkansas, and in other engagements of that division. He had two brothers in the war, serving in the Ninth Iowa Cavalry.
Mr. Gibson came to Nebraska and located Harlan county in 1878. He drove here in a covered wagon, accompanied by his wife and three children. They took up a homestead situated north of Alma, and resided on this until 1892, when they removed to the town of Alma, where Mr. Gibson engaged in the grocery and produce business. He operated this store up to 1894, and since that time has conducted a feed and poultry business here. He has built a fine residence and is one of the prosperous business men of this section. Mr. Gibson has held different local offices, having served as Justice of the peace and township supervisor. He was a candidate for sheriff on the Republican ticket. Later he was appointed sheriff and filled an unexpired term. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Alma, and past master of the Masonic lodge here.
In 1871 Mr. Gibson married Miss Margaret Wilson, a resident of Sheridan, Iowa, at the time. They have a family of six children living, who are named as follows: Mary, wife of J. R. Punshon, of Morton, Kansas; Clara, now Mrs. Kirkpatrick, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Nellie, now Mrs. Moore, also of Colorado Springs; Mrs. A. L. Burkey, of Alma: John L. Gibson, of Alma, and Bessie Gibson, living at home. They also have two adopted children, taken from the New York Orphans' Home. Bennie and Ida Jones.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
GEORGE D. BERRY.
Among the prosperous and wide-awake business men of Bassett, Nebraska, who has been in this section since the pioneer times, we mention the name of George D. Berry. He has been intimately identified with the upbuilding of that locality and is widely and favorably known throughout Rock county.
Mr. Berry is a native of Juneau county, Wisconsin, born September 5, 1854. His father, also George Perry, was born in England and emigrated to this country when a young man, settling in Wisconsin, where he farmed for many years, prior to establishing himself in Iowa, where he died. When our subject was five or six years of age his parents settled in Corydon, Wayne county, Iowa, where he attended the common schools, receiving a fair education. At the age of thirteen years he began working for himself, being employed as farm boy for a time. In 1884 he came to Nebraska and located in Rock county, where he secured a place in a grocery store as a clerk, and continued at this work for several years. He came to Bassett in 1884 and settled on a homestead south of the town, clerking in Long Pine for some time. After settling here he opened a grocery store in Bassett on his own account, and in 1899 traded his homestead for a lot and building in the town. He made a success of the business from the start, and built up a profitable trade among the residents of Bassett and all over the surrounding country by his strict integrity and honest and fair treatment. He has accumulated a comfortable property and is regarded as a successful business man and worthy citizen.
Mr. Berry was married in Iowa September 5, 1886, to Miss Sadie C. Stewart, a native of Iowa, born at Henry. Her father, Charles Stewart, was a farmer by occupation, born of Irish stock, while her mother, Susan Ireland, was of Yankee and Dutch blood. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Berry, namely: George Milo and Harvey Park.
Mr. Berry is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Odd Fellows and Workmen at Bassett.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILLIAM C. DUGGER.
Another of the well-to-do residents and old-timers of western Nebraska is found in the person of the gentleman above mentioned, who is owner of a valuable estate in Cheyenne county.
William C. Dugger was born in Scott county, Illinois, on December 10, 1857. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother born in England, the latter dying in 1864, and the former is also deceased. They lived in Illinois until William was seven years of age, then, after the mother's death, the father went to Kansas with his children, settling in Clay county, where he lived for about thirteen years. From there he moved to Linn county, that state, and came to Cheyenne county in 1886, landing in the region April 22d. He first took a pre-emption and homestead, the latter on section 11, township 18, range 51, which now forms the home ranch. There are four hundred acres lying along Pumpkin creek and three hundred and twenty acres on Middle creek, all good range and farm land. He has one hundred acres cultivated, raising small grains, and he runs about one hundred and twenty head of cattle and twenty horses. There are good buildings and improvements on the place and Mr. Dugger is one of the leading men of his locality.
On June 2, 1877, our subject was united in marriage in Linn county, Kansas to Miss Avilla J. Millsap, who was born in Iowa, and reared there. They raised a family of six children, named as follows: Grace A.. married to J. W. Nunn, living near her father's ranch, mother of four children; Amanda married W. J. Cochran, and they have one child; Marion A., Thomas, Florence and Naomi, the last mentioned four living at home. The mother died September 22, 1907, leaving many sorrowing friends to mourn her loss, as she was a most estimable lady, greatly beloved by all who knew her.
Mr. Dugger is president of the Court House Rock Telephone Company, and active in all local matters of public benefit. He is serving as moderator of school district 143 at the present time. In political views he is a stanch Republican, and was elected commissioner in 1905, and re-elected for the following term, which will expire in 1910.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
James P. Sweeney, a prosperous agriculturist and one of the leading citizens of township 28, range 37, Cherry county is called one of the old settlers of western Nebraska, although he is one of the younger men in his locality.
Mr. Sweeney was born in Oil City, Pennsylvania in 18??. His father, Michael Sweeney, was a farmer and teamster of that state for many years, later a pioneer in western Nebraska, where he settled with his family in 1883/5 ? locating at first in Holt county, and from there moved to Sheridan county, where he lived for a number of years. He was one of the well known men of the region, and died on May 2d, 1907, in Cherry county, Nebraska, leaving his widow, whose maiden name was Miss Mary R. Zink, and five children, namely: Kate, married; Joe B.; James P. (our subject); Ed. and Rose M. In 1895 James came to Cherry county with the family, landing here in the spring of that year, his father taking up a homestead on section 28, township 28, range 37. The place has been improved in good shape, is all fenced and our subject is engaged in stock raising principally, and is making a splendid success of the work with his two brothers, Joe and Ed., they being equally interested in the ranching business. The mother and his sister, Rose M. both live with our subject. The ranch contains nine quarter sections of deeded land and is one of the most valuable estates in the county. All the children have Kincaid homesteads adjoining their mother. They have three flowing wells, five windmills, and six or seven lakes abounding with fish, ducks, geese, etc. They put up annually about two thousand tons of hay. They run large herds of cattle and horses each year for the markets.
Mr. Sweeney is an honest, industrious young man, who gives his entire time and attention to the operation of his extensive interests, being associated with his two brothers as before stated, and is on the high road, to success. All three are strong Bryan Democrats.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Thomas V. Jaques, one of the leading old settlers of Keya Paha county, resides on a well-improved farm in Custer precinct, and is thoroughly conversant with agricultural pursuits and is a successful and progressive member of the farming community of this section of the country.
Mr. Jaques was born in Burlington Plain, near Hamilton, Canada, March 18, 1849. His father, Thomas Jaques, was a native of England, of French ancestry, who came to Canada when a young man, and in 1871 came to the states and settled in Greene county, Iowa with his family, consisting of his wife, who was Margaret Bird, of English stock and their eight children, of whom our subject was the fourth member. At the age of twenty-one years he started out for himself, following farm work, as his boyhood years had all been spent on a farm and he had had plenty of hard work to do in assisting his parents on their home farm in Iowa, where they located. In 1884 he came to Keya Paha county, settling on a homestead one mile from Springview, and lived on the place for ten years. He then bought his present home, located on section 1, township 33, range 21, which was partly improved at that time. He is considered one of the leading old settlers of this county, having built up two farms here, also planting many trees and groves on his own and others places, having on his own farm ten acres of the finest grove to be found in the county. He has nine hundred and sixty acres of land, mostly in pasture, keeping one hundred and eighty head of cattle and some horses and hogs. At no time during the distressing drought periods were the crops of his farm a total failure.
Mr. Jaques was married, November 4, 1874, to Miss Lavina Clopton, whose parents were among the early settlers in Iowa, where they still reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Jaques have been born the following children: Marshall B., Joseph F., William A., Ralph B., Guy D., Nettie Pearl, Bessie O., and Ethel I., all grown up.
In political faith Mr. Jaques is a Republican, although he does not take any active part in politics. He is a member of the Methodist church and the Royal Highlanders of Springview.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
William C. Sollenberger, one of the well known and highly esteemed farmers of township 24, range 50, is one of the substantial citizens of his community, and owner of a large tract of valuable land in Box Butte county, all of which he has acquired since taking up his residence in this region, and is the result of his earnest labors and good management.
Mr. Sollenberger was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1862. His parents were of Pennsylvania Dutch blood and followed farming all their lives. Our subject was reared in Ohio, until he was a young man of nineteen years, during his boyhood doing all kinds of hard farm work, receiving but a limited education through attending the country schools. He went to southeastern Kansas, and remained for one summer, then to Indian territory and remained one winter. He next moved to Missouri, then to Iowa, remaining there up to the spring of 1885, then came to Nebraska, locating in Box Butte county and taking up a homestead in four miles southwest of where Hemingford now stands. During the first summer he hauled timber which was used for the first buildings put up in Nonpareil and Hemingford. He had a team of mules, harness and wagon, breaking plow, and went to work breaking land in the vicinity of his claim, working for his neighbors who had no teams, and also built a number of shanties for others. He lived there until the spring of 1888, then moved to the southwestern part of Box Butte county, and settled on his present ranch. This is situated eighteen miles from Alliance, on section 29. He improved the place in fine shape, built a fine house of concrete, together with good barns and other buildings. He has planted plenty of trees, both fruit and shade varieties, and everything is kept up in the finest possible condition, and is one of the show places of the county. Mr. Sollenberger is an up-to-date agriculturist and progressive stockman, energetic and industrious. He has done considerable experimenting in growing different kinds of crops, striving to get the best possible results from the soil and conditions in the section.
Our subject was united in marriage in 1886, to Emma Scofield, whose parents were old settlers in Iowa, where she was born and reared. Children have been born to this union, named as follows: Marion, Ward, Agnes, Emma, Freda and Kenneth. They form a most interesting and charming family, and their home is one of the most hospitable in the locality.
When Mr. Sollenberger first came to this region he drove out from Valentine through the Sand Hills, camping out along the way. He was one of the organizers of the first schools established in this locality, and took an active part in every movement started for the building up and developing of the country. In politics Mr. Sollenberger is a Republican, and he has always been active in local affairs, serving as assessor, also as justice of the peace for a number of years. In school affairs he takes a part, acting as treasurer and director for his district.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Hon. J. S. Canaday, ex-state senator for Kearney, Phelps and Harlan counties for two terms, resides in Hays township, Kearney county, and is well known all over the western part of the state of Nebraska as a man of active public spirit. and one of the foremost citizens of this region. He was county superintendent of education for Kearney county from 1892 to 1896, and has been a member of the Farmers' Alliance since 1890. He is now serving as president of the Farmers Local Co-operative Association. and is secretary and treasurer of the Farmers' Co-operative Grain and Live Stock State Association, having held the latter office for three years. He was the first president of this organization elected in 1903, and re-elected to the office in 1906. Mr. Canaday is a state lecturer in this organization, the object of the society being to keep the local elevators of farmers alive and active. These local elevators have been of immense benefit to the farmers here, and our subject is one of the active members of the society and on the legislative committee, looking after the laws and every interest of the farmers in this region.
Mr. Canaday is a native of Indiana, born in 1861. His great-grandfather was the only one of his family who escaped being massacred by the Indians in Kentucky during the time of Daniel Boone.
Mr. Canaday came to Nebraska in 1883, locating in Seward county, from Clark county, Illinois. His family originally came from Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1884 he came with his parents to Kearney county, settling southeast of the town of Minden. He had received a good education during his young manhood, attending the country schools in Illinois, and after locating in Nebraska taught school in this county for several years. He is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred acres in section 13, Hays township, and the family occupy a beautiful home here.
In 1890 Mr. Canaday married Miss Jane Winters, of West York, Illinois. They have two sons and a daughter, named as follows: Ralph, Walter and Mary Goldie. Mr. Canaday has two sisters living in this county and he is their only brother. They are members of the Christian Science church, giving generously of his time and money to this belief.
Mr. Canaday is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and was active in the society of the Knights of Labor. He was district master workman for the fifth congressional district in about 1894 and 1895. In politics he is an Independent. Mr. Canaday was a candidate for state auditor of Nebraska in 1904 and again in 1906, on the Fusion ticket.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John H. Bartell, one of the prominent residents of section 5, township 31, range 55, Sioux county, Nebraska, has spent many years in this part of the country and is well known as a man of energetic habits and sterling qualities.
Mr. Bartell is a native of Jackson county, Iowa, born in 1854, on a farm, and grew up there, following farm work during his boyhood. His father, John, of American stock, was a farmer all his life. In 1875 our subject went into western Iowa and settled in Adair county, where he followed farming for several years. He did very well there, but decided to try Nebraska, so came to Sioux county in 1888 (?) and located on a homestead near Harrison, and there engaged in mixed farming and stock raising and proved up on his land and has made a success here, building up a good home and farm. He had seen hard times, going through the growth periods when he was unable to raise a crop for several years, and just managed to get along and keep his farm going.
In 1897 Mr. Bartell moved to Harrison and established a mercantile business, starting here in February of that year in a little store with a small stock of general goods. He succeeded exceedingly well and his trade grew so that he was compelled to seek larger quarters, so in 1902, bought his present store, situated on one of the best corners in Harrison, having a fifty foot frontage, and here he has a fine store and does an excellent business. This is now one of the best equipped stores in Harrison, and he conducts it along the latest business methods and carries a complete, up-to-date line of merchandise.
In the fall of 1904 Mr. Bartell filed on four hundred and eighty acres under the Kincaid law, located four miles east of Harrison, and he makes this his home. He is improving this place in splendid shape, putting up fine buildings, and intends to devote it to ranching purposes.
Mr. Bartell was married while living in western Iowa, in November, 1879, to Lorenia Bricker, whose father, David Bricker, was a farmer and stock raiser of that section. Her mother was Henrietta Cherrington, of Galesburg, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Bartell have a family of ten children, namely: Dotha, George, John and Maud, born in Iowa, and Fred, Bertha, Edith, Lula, Harry and Floyd, born in Nebraska. George, Bertha and Floyd are deceased.
In the fall of 1901 Mr. Bartell was elected county judge of Sioux county, following an appointment of one year in that capacity. He has held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years past, and also served his community in numerous capacities. Politically he is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Welby B. Allison, who lives on section 1, township 9 range 35, is a well and favorably known citizen of Perkins county, where he has spent a large part of his career as an agriculturist. He has passed through all the early Nebraska times and has done much in the way of helping in the advancement of his region, incidentally building up for himself comfortable home and good farm.
Mr. Allison was born in Floyd county, Iowa, in 1863. His father, Perry Allison, was born the east and married Levina Dawley, who is of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and they lived on a farm in Iowa for a number of years, where our subject was reared and educated, remaining at home until he was twenty-two years of age, then went west in company with a party of men who were seeking new homes. He had his own team and covered wagon, and traveled through the country, camping out on the plains, finally landing in Lincoln county, Nebraska, where he took a homestead on section 31, township 10, range 34. During his first summer in that locality he freighted from North Platte to different parts of the country and made long trips, roughing it and suffering many hardships and privations while on these journeys, but continued at it for several months, in the fall of the year building a sod shanty on his claim and started to develop his farm. His shanty was a small rough affair, about twelve by fifteen feet, with a brush roof, and there he got his own meals and batched it for about a year, working hard to get a start and meeting with many discouragements. He proved up on his land and lived on it up to 1897, then moved to Perkins county, coming to his present location in 1906. During his residence in Lincoln county he went through hard times, witnessing drouths and other setbacks, several seasons losing his crops, and at different times was obliged to work out in order to get along. Since coming to Perkins county he has met with better success, and has a quarter section of deeded land besides controlling considerable leased land. He has improved his farm with good buildings, fences, etc., and has a very good home.
Mr. Allison was married in 1888 to Miss Laura F. Jack, who was born and raised in Iowa, her father being well known at Phebe, Nebraska, where the family spent a good many years. J. F. Jack carried the mail from North Platte to Phebe Postoffice, which was established in 1885. Mrs. Jack acted as postmistress and Laura Jack as assistant. In connection with the postoffice Mr. Jack carried a stock of groceries and provisions, which he freighted from North Platte. Mr. and Mrs. Allison have five children, named as follows: Royal, Mabel, Esther, Wilma and Clarence. Our subject is a strong Republican and active in local affairs. He has served as justice of the peace in Perkins county.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN MURRAY.
One of the highest tributes to be paid to a citizen is to say that he is a leading old settlers, and the gentleman named here is certainly entitled to this honor, richly deserving a foremost place in the list. Mr. Murray came to Nebraska in 1869, a member of the Fifth Cavalry, United States army, at Fort McPherson. He had enlisted with his regiment in 1858, at New York city, and served for ten years, all through the civil war. He was with the Army of the Potomac throughout the whole war, and his regiment was in the advance at the first battle of Bull Run. Afterwards he took part in the battle of Antietam and many smaller battles and skirmishes, his regiment earning a great reputation as a fighting squad, and each commander always wanted them when detailed on a hard emergency call. Mr. Murray called General J. B. Stuart the night he left Fort Washington at midnight to join the rebels, and at the battle of the Wilderness Stuart was killed. Our subject's regiment was practically fighting all through the war, and at Malvern Hill took part in the charge against the Jackson brigade, which took place at sundown. After the fighting was over he found thirteen spent balls imbedded in the rubber coat which was rolled up on the saddle in front of him. In 1868 he re-enlisted in Company G, Fifth Cavalry, and was made sergeant of it. He comes of good, old fighting stock, being a native of county Westmeath, Ireland, which has furnished thousands of brave soldier for the Union army. He has fought in Indian battles here, when for two weeks the Fifth were in the saddle night and day, fighting the bands of Indians who would appear in war paint near North Platte, three to four hundred strong, breaking into fifties and leading the soldiers a merry chase round and round, all the time being close to the Indian village and did not know it. At last, by a night march the Fifth caught them in the village and succeeded in breaking up the gang as far as depredations were concerned in this part of Nebraska. While pursuing them the soldiers did not dare build fires at night, and were often without food or water, thus suffering much privation. General Carr was in command of this Indian expedition. Mr. Murray afterwards served for fourteen months in Arizona, and in 1872 left the army and settled on a ranch near Fort McPherson, in Lincoln county, and remained on this ranch until his removal to North Platte in 1906, where he is retired from all active business and enjoys a life of peace and quiet, after so much adventure and hard work.
The Murray family are members of St. Paul's Roman Catholic church of this place, and highly esteemed as worthy citizens and good neighbors by all.
Mr. Murray is a man of wide intelligence and varied experience, and can tell many interesting incidents connected with his life on the frontier. He is now strong, erect and hearty, and a splendid specimen of physical manhood.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Enoch Proctor, residing on section 29, township 22, range 15, Garfield county, Nebraska, was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1832, and was reared in that country. In 1877 he came to Michigan and remained there until 1884, when he moved to Iowa, spending one year in that state, then left there and struck out for Nebraska, landing here in 1885. He settled on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in section 7, and lived there up to 1893, following farm work. He became dissatisfied with conditions here at that time and sold out, going to Oklahoma with a view of settling in that country, but after looking around did like it very well, so returned to Nebraska and purchased a timber claim, which he has developed into his present home. He has tried different states and has come to the conclusion that the chances for a poor man are much better here than in the east, or almost any other state, and is glad he located here. Mr. Proctor has a good farm, and the one great trouble in the earlier days was the insufficient water supply, but he has of purpose on his farm and in his home.
One thing Mr. Proctor says is a drawback here, and that is that this is not a very good country for fruit, as apple, peach, cherry and pear trees do not thrive well, but there are plenty of smaller fruits, such as wild blackberries, etc. Also, the fuel is rather a scarce article, as coal is hard to get, especially from the railroads, and in many localities corncobs are used extensively for fuel, as the corn is all shelled. When our subject first came to Nebraska there were quite a number of deer in the vicinity where he settled, and lots of prairie chickens, quail, snipe and wild ducks, although now the latter are not so plentiful during the springtime of the year.
In the year 1894 he had a total failure of crops, due to the hot winds which swept his section of the country, but ever since that time has had good success. His principal crops are corn, oats, wheat and rye. He keeps quite a good deal of stock for domestic purposes, but does not aim to raise any great amount for market.
Mr. Proctor, although seventy-five years of age, is hale and hearty, and although he has never been much of an athlete, has never in his life been sick enough to call a doctor. He is of a cheerful disposition, and is still capable of doing considerable work. He has an excellent memory, is well read and keeps fully posted on all the current topics of the times, as he is an inveterate reader. He has always taken an active interest in county affairs and willing at all times to do all he can for the betterment of conditions locally. He is well known throughout Garfield county, and everyone who knows him is his friend.
In 1865 Mr. Proctor was married to Miss Dora Garbutt, a native of Canada, and they are the parents of three children, one son and two daughters, the latter having died during young womanhood, aged seventeen. The son, Ira, is a well-to-do farmer of Garfield county. The family have always been members of the Congregational church of Burwell, and are highly esteemed in the community. Our subject is a Republican and a strong party man. He was elected county judge in 1892 and resigned his office when he left Nebraska to go to Oklahoma.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JAMES H. BURNS
Among the prominent railroad men connected with the B. & M. Railway in western Nebraska, James H. Burns occupies a foremost place. He resides at McCook, where he is well known and highly respected as a citizen and business man.
Mr. Burns is a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and was raised and educated there. He came west in 1882, previously having been connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad on the Pittsburg division for one year. He is the oldest employe (sic) in point of service with the B. & M. and has been a conductor on that line since 1884. For a year he was trainmaster at Sterling, Colorado, and all the rest of the time has been at McCook continuously. He had charge of the special train which carried President Harrison from Hastings to Denver while on a trip through the west, and remembers this incident with great pleasure. He ran the first automatic brake train over the line from Hastings to Denver, this being the Westinghouse test train. All the old-time officials were on this train watching the test, and it was one of the great events in railroad history. He also had charge of the world record train on the main line, which for fourteen and a half miles between Akron and McCook made 96.66 miles per hour actual time. From Denver to Ray it made up forty minutes on one run. In 1882 while on a run when near the Colorado line he saw the last herd of buffalo which roamed through this country grazing in the distance, watching them while the train was speeding along. Mr. Burns was treasurer of Division 95, B. & M. Order of Railway Conductors, for three years, and is one of the best informed men in the railroad service. He has a brother, W. J. Burns, who was connected with the mechanical department of the Pennsylvania Railway for many years. He is a prominent member of the Masonic lodge at McCook and takes an active part in all local affairs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
SQUIER JONES
Prominent among the successful farmers and ranchmen of Brown county, the gentleman here named occupies a foremost place. Mr. Jones resides in Ainsworth precinct, where he has a large and valuable estate, well improved and his entire attention is devoted to its care and management.
Mr. Jones is a native of Harrison county, Iowa, born March 3, 1869. His father, John M. Jones, was a farmer and stock raiser of Welsh descent, American born, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sophia Swift, was also of American stock. His parents were old settlers in Bon Homme county, South Dakota, where they moved in 1872, and it was there that our subject was reared, attending the country schools of the neighborhood. He was a strong, sturdy youth, and assisted his father in carrying on the farm work, plowing corn at the age of eight years. When he was fourteen his father died, and he then started out to make his own living, going to the Black Hills, where he remained for six years, working on different cattle ranges in that vicinity. He came to Nebraska in 1890, having made a trip through Holt, Rock, Brown, Cherry, Sheridan and Dawes counties before deciding upon locating here. He looked the ground over thoroughly, camping out at night and roughing it for some time, becoming used to this nomadic life through his experience on the cattle ranges, where he had spent the entire summer outdoors; in fact, had at times slept in the open the greater part of the year. On coming to Brown county he filed on a homestead in section 24, township 29, range 22, and built a sod house, in which he lived for three years. All his farm buildings were of the same construction. He at once began farming and stock raising, in which he was successful from the beginning, and gradually added to his land until he now owns a farm of fifteen hundred and forty acres. Eight hundred of this he has in hay land and two hundred cultivated, with the balance in range and pasture. He has a fine property, with good, substantial buildings, and has twenty-four miles of fence on his land. There are four wells and windmills, with concrete tanks, and one flowing well, which is now in the bed of a fine pond from which the summer's supply of ice is harvested. An elevated supply tank, also of concrete, supplies the bath room and kitchen sink with an abundance of excellent water.
Mr. Jones, although a young man, has accomplished a good deal in the time he has been here, and owes everything he has to his industry and good management, and well deserves his success. The numerous barns and buildings look like a small village; a blacksmith shop makes ordinary farm repairs a matter easily managed; an ingenious device for handling wild stock, breaking them to the halter and making them tractable, is one of the most ingenious inventions to be found in the state. A concrete dipping vat is not the least of the excellent conveniences of the ranch.
On December 31, 1889, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Viola Steele, daughter of Daniel Steele, an old settler in Cherry county, the family locating there about 1885. Six children were to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, namely: Margareta, Velma, Garnett, Katie, Dale and Glenn.
Mrs. Jones died April 8, 1903. A second marriage was contracted November 9, 1907, with Miss Edith A. Gross, a native of Shenandoah, Iowa, where she attended the State Normal School. Later a business education fitted her for responsible positions in the west. She had been teaching in Brown county prior to her marriage. Mr. Jones is a Democrat politically and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Ainsworth.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
E. M. BENSON
The gentleman whose name heads this personal history is a leading farmer and stockman of Riverton, who has had wide experience in this line of work and has thoroughly mastered the art of getting the best possible results from his operations. Mr. Benson was born in Darke, county, Ohio, in 1840
He is a son of James and Susan (Murray) Benson, both natives of Maryland. He grew up in Ohio with his brothers, John W., James M. and Ephraim B., and all four served through the Civil war. Our subject enlisted in 1861 in Company G, Forty-fourth Ohio, the regiment being under the command of Colonel S. A. Gilbert, and served for three years, first in the Army of Fremont, Virginia, then under Burnside at Knoxville. His third year as a soldier was spent in General Sheridan's army.
In later years, after settling in Nebraska, Mr. Benson was first lieutenant of Compny H, First Nebraska National Guards, and served two years. In this time he helped settle the strike in Omaha in March, 1882. His experience in the Civil war gave him his position as lieutenant, and because of this experience he was given a responsible position during the Omaha strike. It was during this strike that a man named Armstrong was killed and Mr. Benson was placed in command of the guard at that time.
Mr. Benson came to Nebraska in 1873, settling in Nuckolls county, where he took up a homestead and farmed for twenty years, and during nearly all that time served as justice of the peace there, and was one of the leading old settlers.
In 1893 Mr. Benson came to Riverton, purchasing a farm four miles from the town. There he carried on mixed farming for several years, and in 1901 he went into the stock business, buying, selling and shipping, and has been very successful, shipping thirty-five carloads per year. One year he shipped forty-five carloads, He is also engaged to quite an extent in the real estate and land business, and handles a great deal of farming lands in Franklin and the adjoining counties. Since July, 1908, Mr. Benson has retired from an active business life and intends to take a well earned rest. In 1901 Mr. Benson was united in marriage to Miss K. A. Crilly, daughter of Hugh Crilly, a pioneer settler of Franklin county, who came to this country in his young days from the north of Ireland.
Mr. Benson has the following children: J. H., who lives on the homestead on one hundred and sixty acres near Riverton; W. H., who enlisted in the Third Nebraska during the late war with Spain, and who was the first one of his regiment to die at Jacksonville, Florida; J. A., who died in 1904, aged thirty-four years. He was a farmer; Myrtle L., now Mrs. Tom Glenn, of Riverton, and Mrs. Charity Susan Merritt, of Altoona, Kansas.
Mr. Benson has always been a man of active public spirit, and has assisted materially through his labor and example in the upbuilding of the farming interests of his community, well meriting his high standing as a good business man and worthy citizen. For five years he held the office of assessor of Grant township, and takes a deep interest in all local affairs. He has been past commander in the Grand Army of the Republic posts at Riverton and Nelson, and for a long time was adjutant in that body in both those towns. Mr. Benson is now serving as commander of the Franklin post.
Mr. Benson became converted in 1857 in Ohio and united with the First Christian church, and since coming west he has joined the Congregational church and holds the office of clerk in this organization. He has taken an active part in religious work for years.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
HUGH P. SLAWSON
The gentleman above named resides on a fine estate and is one of the well known old-timers of Cheyenne county, where he has passed about twenty-five years, and has seen all of the stages of the growth and development of that region. Mr. Slawson is engaged in dairying on a large scale, and has a finely equipped dairy place on his ranch in section 30, township 14, range 46, and ships large quantities of cream and other products to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Hugh P. Slawson was born in Elmira, New York State, on the 21st day of March, 1854, and when a small boy his parents moved to Pennsylvania, where he grew up, his father being engaged in the lumbering business in that state. During his boyhood he learned the blacksmith's trade, and later went into the piano, organ and sewing machine business, following that up to 1884, when he came west, locating in Cheyenne county. He at once filed on a homestead in section 20, and after farming for several years there sold the place and took up his present ranch, now being proprietor of three hundred and twenty acres, one hundred and sixty of which was acquired by homestead rights and the balance by purchase. Here he cultivates one hundred acres and runs quite a large number of cattle and horses, at present having seventy head of cattle and fourteen head of horses. Connected with our subject in the dairying business is his son, Fred N. Slawson, and together they are doing a fine trade. The son is now occupying the ranch home with his father, he being married and having one, Hugh, born January 5, 1900.
On July 4, 1873, Mr. Slawson was united in Marriage to Alice E. Brooks in Pennsylvania, she being a native of Potter county, that state. Two children were born to them, named as follows: Fred N., who is with his father on the ranch, and who owns three hundred and twenty acres adjoining, thus making six hundred and forty acres in one body. The other is Rho, married and living in Council Bluffs, Iowa, engaged in the mail service, also carrying on a grocery business there. He has two sons, Rho, Jr., born April 9, 1901, and Kenneth Brooks, born September 14, 1904. The parents of both our subject and his wife are now deceased. In political matters Mr. Slawson is an independent voter.
Mr. Slawson was indeed a pioneer in the new country in which he settled in 1884. He built the first frame building in the town of Lodge Pole excepting the railroad buildings and the little school house. His new building stood on the site of the present Park Hotel. He afterwards went on his homestead in section 20, township 14, range 46, and built a home for his family, which consisted of four sod walls (with the luxury of a floor), the roof being boards bent over a piece of timber, sod and dirt being freely applied to shut out cold and storm. That year his children attended school in town, two and one-half miles away, that, by the way, being their nearest neighbor. The next year Mr. Slawson was active in organizing a school district, No., 25, and as it was the first of its kind it was called the "Pioneer" district. The school house was built of sod, 16x20, minus a floor. Here his boys attended school, while his wife taught the school two years after the district was formed. Mr. Slawson drilled the first well that was ever drilled on the north divide, erecting the first windmill. Afterward drilled many wells and put up mills in the surrounding country.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Andrew J. Robbinault, one of the oldest settlers of Blaine County, Nebraska. lives on a fine ranch of eight hundred acres on the North Loup river. He was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1860. His father, Jeremiah Robbinault, was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and was a pioneer of western Nebraska. The mother, Margaret Gillespie in her youth, was of Irish parentage.
When our subject was six or seven years old the family came west, locating in Crawford county, Iowa, where they were among the earliest settlers on a farm three miles from the town of Denison. Our subject grew up accustomed to plenty of hard work. He remained with his father until he was twenty-six years old.
Andrew J. Robbinault was married in 1887 to Miss Ella A. Golson, who was reared in southern Nebraska. She was the daughter of J. C. Golson and Della (Trainer) Golson, pioneers of Blaine county, Nebraska, where they settled in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Robbinault have two children--Della, now Mrs. Porter C. Riggs, and Joseph.
Our subject and one brother came to Nebraska in 1883, picked out land and located a homestead on the Little Wild Horseshoe Flats, later called Edyth Valley. They drove through from Iowa with team and covered wagon and were two month on the road, doing some carpenter work at Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. The brothers put up sod shanties, very rudely constructed, and their first good house was built of prairie sod. The same year another brother-in-law came out and in the fall the father joined his sons. They all drove through in covered wagons, bringing all the stock they could. The nearest railroad town was North Loup, eighty-five miles away, and from this town all the supplies were hauled.
When Blaine county was organized Mr. Robbinault was elected the first sheriff of the county and was widely known as the "boy sheriff." He, with his brother as deputy, captured the notorious criminal Yocham. Since those days our subject has participated in political affairs, holding various political positions with honor to his community and credit to himself. He has been a constable and also a justice of the peace. He is now United States mail carrier from Dunning to Prichard, Blaine county.
Mr. Robbinault's first ranch was ten miles from Brewster, where he lived until proving up on his land in 1893. He then went to California, locating twenty-two miles from Los Angeles, living there fourteen months. From thence he went to Dickinson, Texas, where he remained a year, then to Houston, where he lived six months, and then he returned to Blaine county, Nebraska.
Our subject has had many trying ordeals through which to pass, among them the destructive fire which burned him out in 1893, destroying barns and buildings on his Nebraska ranch, at which time he lost six fine horses in the flames. In spite of all the setbacks, however, our subject has constantly made headway and has established his fortunes on a safe and gratifying basis. His fine ranch of eight hundred acres is well improved with a good home, barns, wells, fences and trees, and he has some of the finest hay land in the county. He cultivates only about sixty-five acres, giving almost all his attention to stock raising. Mr. Robbinault occupies a prominent and influential place in the affairs of his county and is looked upon as one of the most progressive and well-to-do old-timers.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILLIAM E. STILSON
Although the gentleman above named is still a young man, he has spent considerable time in the pursuit of agriculture in western Nebraska, and during that time has managed to accumulate a nice property by dint of industry and good management, and is classed among the successful citizens of his community. Mr. Stilson resides in section 4, township 27, range 36, Cherry county, where he has a pleasant and comfortable home, and is highly esteemed by his associates.
William E. Stilson was born in La Salle county, Illinois, in 1870. He is a son of Samuel E. and Melissa Ferguson Stilson, both of Scotch descent, the former both in America and the latter in Canada. they having been married in 1869 in Illinois. There was a family of six children, our subject being the eldest. The others are Cora, Gertrude, Sarah, Samuel and Grace, and they all grew up in Illinois, coming to Aurora, Nebraska, about 1885, where they were among the earliest settlers, the father engaging in the grain and milling business. They lived there for five years, then removed to Hyannis, arriving there on December 20, 1890, bringing with them fifty-three head of cattle and their household goods, driving in a covered wagon. They took a homestead six miles south of Hyannis and started to develop a farm, proved up on the claim and remained for six years, then sold the place at a profit, having improved it in good shape with substantial buildings, etc. They went through hard times while living there, and Mr. Stilson was obliged to hunt grouse for a living, worked as a cowboy on ranches in the neighborhood, and did anything that would bring a little money to help in the support of the family. They next moved to a ranch north of Hyannis, and farmed for three years, coming to his present location in July, 1900. This is situated on section 4, township 27, range 36, his ranch consisting of about sixteen sections, located thirty-eight miles north of the town of Hyannis, which is devoted principally to the ranching business, running about seven hundred head of cattle at the present time. He makes a specialty of breeding and raising Aberdeen Angus cattle, and has a fine bunch of these animals at the present time.
The father of our subject was a prominent and public-spirited citizen in his section of the country, having been elected county judge for three terms, and was the third man to hold that office in Grant county. He had traveled all over western Nebraska on hunting trips during the very early days, and while engaged in the grain business made many heavy shipment of grain into the county.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Louis K. Mote, one of the best known pioneers of Dawes county, Nebraska, was one of the first settlers of that region, and is a business and public man of more than ordinary capacity, conducting numerous extensive enterprises during his career. He is possessed of wide and varied experience and a character of the highest integrity. Mr. Mote resides in Chadron, and is now filling the office of sheriff of Dawes county, elected in 1905 by the Republican party.
Mr. Mote was born in Miami county, Ohio, on May 15, 1859. He is a son of Samuel and Anna (Macey) Mote, the former a farmer of American blood, who settled in western Nebraska in 1891, coming from Marshall county, Iowa. They are both still living at the advanced age of eighty-two and seventy-three years, respectively. Our subject was reared in Iowa, where his parents had settled on a farm in Marshall county in 1865, and his boyhood days were spent in assisting his father in the hard work on the home farm. He received a good education, attending a Quaker school, and later the academy at Le Grand, Iowa.
In January 1886, Mr. Mote came to Chadron, where he took up a homestead and for seven years farmed and engaged in the ranching business. In 1893 he left his farm and moved into the town of Chadron, where he entered the business world, opening up a feed and transfer establishment and ran this for several years, selling out his holdings in 1905. He had been appointed deputy sheriff in 1901, and held the office for four years, then was elected sheriff and is still acting in that capacity. His services to the county which he represents have been invaluable, and of such a character that he has become universally esteemed and admired by his fellow-men and associates.
Mr. Mote was married March 4, 1886, to Miss Carrie E. Gifford, daughter of William B. Gifford, now a resident of California, the family coming from Albany, New York, where Mrs. Mote was born. To this marriage six children have born, namely: Walter, who is a bookkeeper in the First National Bank in Chadron; George, Ester, Howard, Anna and Francis.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
C. L. Granlund, of Holdrege, Nebraska, deputy county treasurer of Phelps county, is one of the honored public officials of the county and a business man of enterprise and capability.
Mr. Granlund was born in Sweden in 1861. His parents, John and Caroline Granlund, were born in Sweden and came to the United States when young people, locating in Porter county, Indiana, where they settled on a farm near Porter Station, later removing to Illinois. The father was a successful farmer, and in 1879 the family came to Nebraska, settling in Laird township, this county, taking a homestead in section 8. Here they broke up the land and farmed one hundred and sixty acres, the father dying in 1891 at the age of fifty-eight years. Our subject remained on the homestead up to 1887, then started in for himself clerking in stores. Mr. Granlund finally sold the father's property in Laird township, which he had previously bought from the heirs. During the years 1891 to 1902, inclusive, Mr. Granlund was engaged in the general merchandise business at Loomis in partnership with C. E. Magnuson, and the firm did an extensive business.
Mr. Granlund located in Holdrege in 1902 and since coming here has been one of the leading men in public affairs, being elected county treasurer of Phelps county in the fall of 1901 and 1903, serving two terms. He is a strong Republican and one of the best known men in this locality, popular with all classes and enjoying an enviable reputation as a worthy citizen and good neighbor, always lending his influence for the betterment of matters in his community. He was deputy county treasurer of Phelps county for one year.
Mr. Granlund is a member of the Swedish Mission church here, and while living in Loomis served as secretary of the church at that point. He has one brother, Andrew E. Granlund, a successful and prosperous farmer of Center township.
Mr. Granlund was married in 1885 to Miss Emma Anderson, of Laird township. To Mr. and Mrs. Granlund four children have been born, namely: Minnie V., Agnes Luella, Carl Bennett and Evald Ferdinand, and the family have a pleasant home and enjoy the friendship of a host of people.
Since January, 1908, Mr. Granlund has been in the hardware business in Holdrege.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Burt E. Cheney is one of the progressive young farmers of Brown county, Nebraska, and counts a host of friends at Ainsworth and the vicinity, where his manly and upright character, his push and energy have brought him well to the front. The occupation to which he has addressed himself is a noble one, and the price it demands for success, honesty, integrity and industry Mr. Cheney is ready to pay.
The subject of this writing was born in Lynn county, Iowa, December 3, 1875, where his father, John Cheney, was engaged in farming. He was born in Milford, Massachusetts, coming with his parents when a boy to Jackson county, Iowa. After his marriage he bought a farm in Dubuque county. He came to the state at an early day, living successively in Lynn, Delaware, Marshall and Crawford counties prior to moving to Brown county. He settled on a homestead in section 16, township 30, range 22.
The first house which he constructed for his family home was a rough log cabin, which later gave place to a one and a half story log dwelling, which was afterwards covered with siding resembling a frame house.
Burt E. Cheney was seven years old when the family sought a location in Nebraska, and here he was reared and educated. He remained at home as long as his father lived, and when he died took charge of the paternal estate. In 1898 he bought it, and here he has since made his home.
Mr. Cheney and Miss Emma Baker were united in marriage December 19, 1897. She was born in southern Nebraska, a daughter of Samuel Baker, a pioneer in Brown county, where he settled in 1884. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Cheney has been blessed with three children--Freda I., Niel B. and Floyd A.
They own a choice farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all fenced and in fine condition, with a large new barn replacing the log structure which in earlier days served as a dwelling. In political views Mr. Cheney is Democratic.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
SWAN ANDERSON
Through exceptionally good management and persistent labors the gentleman here named has acquired a well developed farm, and is enabled to enjoy the comforts of modern farming. He is of a progressive nature and has had a wide experience in farming and every detail of his work is looked after and personally supervised by himself. His estate is situated in section 25, Westmark township, Phelps county, Nebraska.
Mr. Anderson was born in Wormland, Sweden, in 1852, and came to this country in 1880, bringing his mother with him to this state, where she died in 1903. His father died when he was an infant. After landing in this country he came to Chicago and worked for three years in the McCormick Reaper Works, and there are now hundreds of his Swede Coworkers employed there, and all of them put together could not raise sufficient capital to buy the land and stock owned by our subject, and this is one of the strongest arguments in favor of able-bodied men quitting the cities and wage work and getting onto farms, and young men to get out in the country and take hold of the breaking plow. Mr. Anderson's judgment and foresight realized this and he acted on his convictions, bought a team with his last money and came west, and the old saying, "He came, he saw, he conquered," holds good here. He landed in Phelps county in 1883, and bought a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Center township, improving it, putting up a house, barn and other buildings, planted over seven thousand trees, and soon afterwards bought one hundred and sixty acres in Anderson township. These two pieces of land he exchanged for four hundred and eighty acres on which he now resides; also bought eighty acres adjoining that, and has bought several pieces more, so that his farm consists of six hundred and forty acres, and also has property in Holdrege. He also has three hundred and twenty acres of pasture land in Cottonwood township and a six hundred and forty acre ranch in Dawson county, where he rents an additional one hundred and five acres. In 1905 he sold six cars of cattle and one car of hogs, which netted him seven thousand dollars. He now has thirty-five horses, one hundred hogs and two hundred and thirty-five head of cattle, the latter all raised by him for market. From the above it will be seen that he is one of the most successful farmers in this county, and he can say that it was all made since coming to Nebraska, by his own unaided work and hustling along intelligent lines, for he is a man of cast-iron constitution, full of "go" and energy. He is well posted on farming, stock, markets and local and national affairs, in all of which he takes a keen interest, shrewdly recognizing what makes for success and general prosperity, and expressing his views with force and reason. He is owner of a threshing machine, which he uses on his farm, doing only a limited amount of outside work. This year (1906) he raised four thousand bushels of wheat, thirteen hundred bushels of barley and oats and two hundred and thirty acres of corn, which promises a yield of fifty bushels to the acre. He had a large crop of hay also. He markets very little of his crop, preferring to make the profit by feeding it and selling the resulting fat cattle, hogs and colts. When he first came here he could not even harness a team properly, but was not discouraged, as "Where there's a stout heart, strong arms, and a will, there's always a way," and he has certainly proven that it pays to go at a thing right and stick to it.
Mr. Anderson was married in 1900 to Miss Emily Swanbert, and has a family of four children, as follows: Elmer, Ruth, Priscilla and Phoebe. The family are members of the Free Mission Swedish church at Phelps Center, and Mr. Anderson is a trustee of the same. For the past several years he has been a school treasurer for his section. He is a Republican, and takes a lively interest in all local and state affairs of his party. Our subject was burned out in 1906, lost barn, granary and corn cribs, and six horses and other valuable property. He has rebuilt and has better buildings and also added to his house.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Louis Aufdengarten, a well and favorably known resident of Paxton precinct, has the honor of being the oldest settler now living in Keith county, Nebraska. Mr. Aufdengarten was born in Prussia, April 17, 1847. His father, Herman Aufdengarten, was a farmer and linen manufacturer, who spent his entire life in Germany, as did also his mother, who was Mary Witte.
When our subject was fifteen years of age he left home and took passage at Bremen the middle of September on an emigrant steamer, the "Hansa." for America, landing after a stormy passage of seventeen days in New York City, and went direct (sic) to Toledo, Ohio, where he lived for about two years, employed in a sash, door and blind factory, the latter part of the time as shipping clerk. He then went to Omaha, Nebraska, ascending the Missouri by steamer from St. Louis. He spent four years in Omaha as a clerk in a grocery store. After that he went to Julesburg, Colorado, which was then the old town and situated six miles from where the present town of Julesburg is located. In 1869 Fort Sedgwick was moved from old Julesburg to Sidney, and he located at Ogallala, where he established a store, the first opened in that town. He also was the first man to erect a residence in Ogallala, and his son Henry was the first white child born in the locality. He put in a small stock of general goods, dealing principally with the Pawnee Indians and scouts, and with the white soldiers in the region. The buffalo soon began roaming through the region and then the hunters came in large numbers, which increased his business to a great extent. Soon after this period the ranchmen and cowboys began to settle in the country, and he was obliged to constantly enlarge his stock, so that he carried a stock of $20,000 to $25,000, and had the biggest establishment in that part of the state. He carried on this business until 1876, when he sold out and went into stock raising, which he tried for three years, then went back to the mercantile business, continuing until 1886, but as his health began to fail he was obliged to quit, starting a mill, the first in Ogallala. The mill was burned in 1894.
In 1898 Mr. Aufdengarten came to his present location, which he had taken as a tree claim in the early days, and he then began to build up a farm. He improved it rapidly, and now has a tract of three hundred and twenty acres, with irrigated meadow land, pleasant premises, good buildings of all kinds, etc. He has ten acres devoted to fruit, having apple, peach, plum and cherry trees, besides grapes and other small fruits. There are over two hundred grape vines bearing splendid fruit, and his is one of the finest equipped and best cultivated farms in the vicinity, having the finest grove to be found in the region surrounding a dwelling.
Mr. Aufdengarten has been a leading citizen of Keith county since locating here, and was one of the men who helped organize it as a county in 1873. He was appointed the first county clerk and held the office for eight years. Later he served as county treasurer for four years, and has held other important offices in the region. In politics he is a Democrat and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Patrick Henry O'Rourk, one of the best known residents of Sheridan county, is honored as a public-spirited citizen and one of the ablest attorneys in western Nebraska. He lives in Gordon and for the past thirteen years has followed his profession here, building up an extensive business, and is one of the interesting characters of this section of the country.
Mr. O'Rourk was born in Granville, Milwaukee county, Wisconsin. His father, Michael O'Rourk, was born in Ireland, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Rogers, both coming to the United States when quite young, locating in Syracuse, New York, where they were married by the Rev. Father Hayes. Our subject was the second member of his parents' family of twelve children, and grew up in Wisconsin, attending the common schools, and has made his own way in the world since he was a small boy. He was an apt scholar and at the age of sixteen years began teaching school, and at the same time kept up his studies in law, graduating from the law department of the University of Wisconsin, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws and being admitted to the bar of the supreme court of Wisconsin, before he was of age. He tried his first case in the courts of law when he was nineteen years of age.
Mr. O'Rourk early developed marked ability as a public speaker and was elected to the lower house of the Wisconsin legislature, being the youngest member in the assembly, and the first man born in the state elected to the legislature of the state. He was afterward elected to the senate of Wisconsin and served two terms in that body, and while serving as a senator, Senator Spooner, of Wisconsin, styled him "the Marc Antony of golden-edged oratory." Mr. O'Rourk built up a prosperous law practice and was attorney for John Fitzgerald, an extensive railroad builder, and he handled cases for this gentleman in the Dakotas, Nebraska and several other western states.
In 1873 he acted as reporter for different papers in the east and traveled through the West Indies and Australia, and was also in some of the western states in this capacity, and it was during this year that he first traveled through the Platte Valley. In 1893 he came to Gordon and located, opening a law office, and has since made this his permanent residence. For some years he was a lecturer and earnest worker in the cause of temperance, and lectured on the subjects of "John Wesley and the Methodist Church," The Soldier and His True Dignity" and "Sisters of Charity."
He has done a great deal of newspaper work in the past years, and had become so thoroughly conversant with conditions throughout the west that his writings of this section of the country influenced immigrants to these states to a large extent.
Mr. O'Rourk is widely known throughout the western states as "Senator" O'Rourk, and through his varied experiences has met many of the leading men of the times, among whom he is accorded a prominent place.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ALONZO S. BARKER
For many years past the gentleman whose name heads this review has been one of the prosperous farmers of Brown county, Nebraska, where he has built up a fine home and farm through his industry and good management.
Mr. Barker is a native of Albany county, New York, born July 13, 1862. His father, Nathaniel Barker, was a carpenter by trade, who moved to Ford county, Illinois, when our subject was a boy, and there on a farm Alonzo learned to endure the hard work of the farm in his younger days, receiving a common school education. In 1884 he came to Brown county with his parents, where they located on a farm on Long Pine creek. The father died in Fillmore county in 1898.
Alonzo, on reaching maturity, took up a pre-emption in section 18, township 31, range 20, and proved up on his claim, living on that place for two years. He then homesteaded his present place in section 17, at that time a barren tract of land. He built a log cabin and other buildings, adding improvements as he could and purchasing more land as he was able, until he now owns a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, with a good dwelling and sufficient barns, sheds, cribs and other buildings. He has thirty-five acres under cultivation and engages principally in stock raising, which has proved very profitable to him.
Mr. Barker operates in all, with leased land, three hundred and forty acres, being recognized as one of the progressive citizens of the county. When he first came to this locality he met with many reverses, losing three crops in succession, beginning with 1898, through the ravages of chinch bugs and by hail.
On March 1, 1886, Mr. Barker was married to Miss Minnie Miller, whose father, Horace G. Miller, is an old settler in Brown county. His sketch appears on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Barker have a family of three children, all of whom were born in Brown county, named as follows: Nellie, Audrey and Dale.
Mr. Barker takes a commendable interest in all local affairs that tend to better conditions in his community and is held in high esteem by his fellow-men. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Royal Highlanders at Long Pine.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
CAPTAIN JOHN F. MORGAN AND MRS. MARY R. MORGAN
The esteemed couple above named are prominent residents of Alma, Harlan county, Nebraska, having made this town their home for the past quarter of a century. Captain Morgan is a native of Ohio, born near Urbana, Champaign county, in 1842. He is a son of John and Sarah (Foster) Morgan. Mrs. Morgan was born at New Lexington, Ohio, and is a daughter of Andrew Ashbaugh, the families of both having been pioneer settlers in their respective states. Mrs. Morgan's great-grandfather, Ebenezer Donaldson, was killed in the Wyoming massacre in Pennsylvania.
Captain Morgan came to Harlan county in 1878 and located on a homestead in Fairfield township. He remained there for two years, then removed to Alma, renting his farm. He served all through the late war, having enlisted October 14, 1861, in Company A, Sixty-sixth Ohio Regiment, under Colonel Charles Candy. This was a company of volunteers from Champaign county, Ohio, and they saw service in many large battles. He remained with this regiment up to December 16, 1863, then re-enlisted on Lookout Mountain. In October, 1862, he had been made sergeant and filled this post with honor. June 20, 1865, he was commissioned first lieutenant of Company A. He was in Virginia at the battle of Winchester and Port Republic. Also at Cedar Mountain and Antietam, and at the latter place he received a severe wound which forced him to the Baltimore hospital for several months. He took part in the battle of Chancellorsville, and also in the battle of Gettysburg, this battle lasting for three days, and the horrors of that famous action are still fresh in our subject's mind. He was then ordered to Chattanooga, Tennessee, with his regiment, having been transferred to the western army. Here he participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Ringgold, Dallas and Pumpkin Vine Creek, where there was continual fighting between the Federals under General Sherman and Confederates under Johnston. He participated in the ten days' siege at Kenesaw Mountain, at Peach Tree Creek and at the siege and capture of Atlanta. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, at the siege of Savannah, and through South and North Carolina, and at the battle of Richmond and later at the grand review at Washington, D. C.
Captain Morgan has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic since 1878, and of Van Meter Post No. 94, as a charter member, and for a number of terms has held the office of commander and adjutant. He was on Captain Henry's staff while department commander and in 1905 on the staff of Corporal Tanner, major general and commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, and others.
Mrs. Morgan is one of the leading members of the Woman's Relief Corps of Alma. On May 11, 1886, she became a charter member and first president of Van Meter Relief Corps, and has been one of the hardest workers in that body. She was appointed press correspondent for the Department of Nebraska, and assistant national inspector in June, 1886; served for two years as president of the Department of Nebraska, and was for two and a half years treasurer of that department, one year was department secretary, and is now serving as department counselor. She was the national secretary for the years 1905 and 1906, and at the present time is acting as chairman of the national executive committee of the Woman's Relief Corps. In this order there are over one hundred and fifty-five thousand members in the United States.
In 1888 Captain and Mrs. Morgan edited and published "The News-Reporter," of Alma, an independent paper in the interest of the temperance cause, and this had a wide circulation in western Nebraska. They sold out their interest in this organ in 1900. Both Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are active in public affairs all through this section, the latter having served from 1881 to 1888, inclusive, as county superintendent of education for Harlan county. Captain Morgan is a prominent member of the Masonic order and an active worker in Harlan Lodge No. 116; also an Independent Order of Odd Fellow, being a charter member of Alma Lodge No. 81, which was the first of this order organized in Harlan county--in 1878.
He is an active Republican and has held the office of assessor, township clerk and treasurer of the town of Alma, and many other local offices. Captain Morgan has now retired from all active business interests and his time is devoted to his family and in the enjoyment of his comfortable home, surrounded by a host of warm friends and acquaintances.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ALVIN M. MILLER
A leading old-timer of Box Butte county who has watched the growth of that part of the county since its early beginning, resides in Hemingford, where he is engaged in the milling and lumber business and is one of the prosperous and successful business men of the town.
Mr. Miller was born in McHenry county, Illinois, in 1844. His father, Worthington Miller, was of American birth and his mother was Miss Harriet Everett before her marriage, and who died when he was six years old. When he reached the age of twelve years our subject started out for himself, working on different farms in Kankakee county, Illinois, for a number of years, and at the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and saw active service along the Mississippi river and in Florida. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg; also at the siege of Mobile and spent three years in a soldier's life. He was in the last battle of the war, fought at Fort Blakely. His company went into the war in 1862 with one hundred men, and at the close of the war only twenty-two men answered the roll call, while the company had been recruited to the extent of fourteen men during that time. At the battle of Fort Blakely there were thirty-three men who went to the front, and after the battle came out with a loss of eleven men. After the close of the war he came back to his old home and went to farming and remained in Illinois up to 1880, moving to Chebanse, Illinois, in 1879, where he was engaged in the creamery business for five years. In the spring of 1885 he came to Hay Springs, Nebraska, locating on a homestead five miles from Hemingford, and here his first building was a sod house, at first occupying a tent for a few months after landing, with the tent pitched in the road. During the first years here he hauled wood and timber from Pine Ridge, and worked at different things to make a living and get a start on his farm, and broke up some land, proving up on the homestead after two years, using his soldier's right.
About the year 1891 our subject moved to Hemingford, where he started in the milling business, purchasing an interest in the Hemingford Flouring Mills. This mill was built in 1890 by Schlunts & Thomas, who operated it for a time. The mill has a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day, and has been a success from the start, and Mr. Miller was connected with business for sixteen years, and is now sole owner of the establishment. He also handles lumber and coal, and has a wide patronage throughout the town and county.
Besides his business interest in Hemingford, Mr. Miller owns a farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Iroquois county, Illinois, which was operated under his personal supervision for fourteen years, and he still spends much of his time at the place, although giving much of his attention to the milling and lumber business in Hemingford. Mr. Miller owns about one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the town of Hemingford, which is well improved.
Shortly after returning from the war Mr. Miller was married in Illinois to Miss Addie Pearson, and they are now the parents of two children, namely: Melvin L and George A. Melvin L. is in Iroquois county, Illinois, on the farm, and George A. is in Hemingford.
Mr. Miller was elected county treasurer of Box Butte county in 1895 and 1898, holding that office for two terms. He has been on the town board for a number of years, and has always taken an active and leading part in local affairs of his community. He is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Henry H. Ganow, one of the pioneers of western Nebraska, is known throughout Cherry county as a prosperous and energetic ranchman and farmer. He has been closely identified with the development of this region since 1880, when the family moved into this part of the wild west, and his name will occupy a place in the making of history of this part of the country. He resides on section 15, township 32, range 38, where he has a valuable estate of eight hundred acres, improved with a good house and barns, larger and better than the average in this part of the west.
Mr. Ganow was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, June 13, 1871, where almost the entire population were Indians, and he grew up amid the excitement of a wild and dangerous people, witnessing many uprisings of the redskins.
Mr. Ganow's father, Mallory B. Ganow, was a prominent old-timer in the west, coming to the plains many years ago. He acted as pilot for large herds of cattle and sheep driven from Texas and Mexico into this section, some times having as high as twelve thousand in a drove. He had a contract for ties and lived in the Colorado mountains for three years without seeing anything of civilization. There were six children in the family, of whom our subject was the fourth member, and he was raised in Colorado and Nebraska, coming to this region in June, 1881. His parents settled on White Clay creek, north of Rushville, Sheridan county, on ranch, and it was there that Henry began his career as a cowboy when but nine years of age. He afterwards rode all over this part of Nebraska and into South Dakota, leading a typical life of the wild west, camping out nights and experiencing many rough and dangerous times, and of his many narrow escapes that of a bear fight, while a friend, his brother and himself were on the Big White river, was the most exciting. The Bruin referred to was one of the largest ever seen in this territory. In 1899 he settled on a homestead, which he still occupies and on which he has resided continuously since. His first house was destroyed by a cyclone on August 3, 1900, in which everything was demolished. He has since erected a good set of buildings, a commodious frame dwelling, barns and sheds 26 feet by 80 feet in extent, wind mills, irrigation reservoir, fences, etc., making it one of the best equipped farms and ranches in that part of the country.
His ranch contains eight hundred acres, with sixty acres under cultivation, and he has it well improved with a fine orchard and many kinds of small fruit.
In July, 1900, Mr. Ganow was married to Miss Kathenka L. Beck, a native of the village of Nyckjobing, Denmark, and a daughter of James P. and Hannah M. (Elsberg) Beck. They came to America in 1874, sailing from Copenhagen in the Humboldt. The father was an expert machinist and traveled in Denmark, where his work carried him. He died in the old country. The mother with her little family came to America and settled in Chicago, where Kathenka attended kindergarten and school. Later on coming to Omaha she became forewoman in a mattress factory and nurse for a wealthy family who traveled a great deal.
Mr. and Mrs. Ganow have a family of four children, namely: Laurine B., Harold E., Valerie M. and Curtiss C. Mrs. Ganow is educating her children personally, there being no schools nearby, and is instilling into them refinement and love for books not common in the ranch country. She is teaching them music as well as the ordinary branches of elementary learning and for politeness they are not excelled by children city bred. Mr. Ganow is a Republican and takes a lively interest in all local and state party affairs. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
CHARLES E. ELL
The gentleman above named resides in North Platte, Lincoln county, Nebraska. He holds the post of passenger engineer on the Union Pacific Railway, and has a record as one of the most successful engineers on the road, his work being of such a high order that he is chosen by the railroad officials for the most of the special runs requiring skill, nerve, and a cool head. He is very popular in railway circles, and has the esteem and friendship of a host of people.
Mr. Ell is a native of Columbus, Ohio, son of John P. Ell, who came to Lodgepole, Nebraska, in 1868 with his family. The father enlisted in the Eighteenth United States Infantry, and served all through the Civil war in the Army of the Potomac under Phil Sheridan, taking part in all the great battles of the war. When the barracks were built at Omaha he was sent there, then being a member of the Twenty-seventh United States Infantry. He also served in the Mexican war with the Ohio troops, and owing to his experience in that war was offered promotion in the Civil war, but declined the honor. In 1870 he came to North Platte and resided here up to the time of his death, which occurred in June 1882, aged sixty-four years.
Our subject began with the Union Pacific Railroad here in 1870, working in the roundhouse wiping engines, then was a fireman from July, 1871, to November, 1876, and since that time has been an engineer. He has the record of having made the fastest runs west of here, taking his train from Sydney to North Platte, one hundred and twenty-three minutes, in one hundred and nine minutes. The train was late, and this is the record run for this division. He was engineer from Sidney to North Platte on the celebrated run made by E. H. Harriman, president of the Union Pacific, and Mr. Harriman had a record of this trip made and framed, sending a copy to each conductor and engineer who took part in it.
Mr. Ell is member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, joining that lodge in 1877. Mr. Ell was married in February, 1879, to Miss Maggie McGinn, of Pittsfield, Illinois, and they have a family of two sons--John, a conductor on the same road his father is with, and George, brakeman on that road.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Dr. John W. McLeran, a rising young dentist of Springview, has gained the confidence and respect of a large circle of acquaintances as a skillful practitioner and worthy citizen.
Dr. McLeran was born December 7, 1873, in Marshalltown, Iowa, and is the son of Samuel R. McLeran, a prominent resident of Marshalltown, who has served as clerk of the district court in Marshall county for fifteen years. He was born in Vermont, of Scotch-Irish parents, served in the Civil war, and is widely known in political circles. His mother, who was Theresa P. Jones, died at the time of his birth.
Our subject was reared in Marshalltown, and after graduating from the high school there entered the State University at Iowa City, and afterwards the dental department of the Northwestern University, in Chicago, Illinois. After receiving his diploma he remained in Chicago for two years practicing his profession, and from there went to Boston, where he spent two years. In 1899 he located at O'Neil, Nebraska, practicing in that town for four years, then removed to Springview, where he has since been located. He is building up a splendid reputation and practice and is one of the solid men of Springview.
On May 3, 1905, he was married to Miss Lena McKnight, whose father, Dr. McKnight, is a prominent old settler of Brown county, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. One daughter, Ruth, has been born to them, her nativity occurring at Long Pine.
The Doctor is a Republican in politics. He has served the Masonic lodge at Springview as master since the institution of the lodge, and also affiliates with the Workmen. He deals extensively in real estate, has served as county surveyor and as editor of the local paper.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
S. J. Dunn, one of the leading citizens and foremost public men of Cheyenne county, Nebraska, is a worthy representative of an old Nebraska family. He is a brother of I. J. Dunn, who has the honor of having nominated William J. Bryan for the presidency in Denver, July 9, 1908. The Dunns are all well known in politics and have taken leading parts in the upbuilding and progress of western Nebraska from its early settlement.
Our subject was born in Omaha, May 14, 1862, living there until he was four years of age, when his parents removed to Sarpy county, where he grew up on a farm. Of the children in the family there were six sons and two daughters, and S. J. was the second oldest. The father is now dead, but the mother occupies the old farm in Sarpy county.
Mr. Dunn came to Cheyenne county in 1895, arriving here in May of that year, and immediately took up a homestead on section 18, township 19, range 48, which he proved up on and has since added land to his original tract, owning at the present time three hundred and twenty acres, which he uses for grain and stock raising, running quite a bunch of cattle and horses.
Mr. Dunn has been very successful in his ventures and is one of the well-to-do residents of his township. He has a pleasant home and well improved farm, and is up-to-date and progressive in his method of farming. Politically he is an Independent.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WARREN G. TOWNSEND
In driving through the farming district of Brown county, Nebraska, many well kept, highly cultivated and splendidly improved places are seen but none is more carefully conducted or successfully operated than that owned by the subject of this review. Mr. Townsend has spent many years on this farm and has become well versed in all modern methods of agriculture, and by experience and observation has acquired a wide knowledge, to which his success is in a large measure due.
Mr. Townsend was born in Vernon county, Wisconsin, October 22, 1857. He is a son of Jonathan Townsend, a farmer of Pennsylvania German origin, and Martha Goldrick, who was also a native of the Keystone state. He is the seventh member of a family of eight children, was reared on a farm, beginning at an early age to assist his father in the hard work of which every one who has ever lived in the country knows there is much. He received a common school education, and after attending the state normal school began teaching in his native county. At the age of twenty-one he left home and began a career for himself. Coming west he first settled in Hamilton county, Nebraska, in 1871, where he followed teaching for two years. In 1880 he came to Brown county an remained there through the severe winter of 1880-81, having taken a homestead in the northwest quarter of section 11, township 30, range 23, where he put up a two-story dwelling built of hewed logs, and "batched" it for several years. In 1890 this house burned and all his household goods were lost. During these years all his supplies had to be hauled from Oakdale and Neligh, a distance of about one hundred miles, and in making these trips he was obliged to spend several nights camping out on the road. He was employed part of the time during the early years here in teaching the district school in his locality, and has since first coming always taken a deep interest in all educational matters in the county, for two terms serving as superintendent of schools of Brown county. In 1894 he purchased his present home, located in section 12, township 30, range 23, moving on it in the same year. This was entirely unimproved property, and he went to work building up a good farm, and now has a complete set of substantial and comfortable buildings, with windmill, fences, etc., which makes it one of the best farms in the locality. He enjoys peace and prosperity and his pleasant home is surrounded by all the comforts of country life. He engages principally in grain raising, which he finds very profitable, also keeps quite a goodly number of stock.
Mr. Townsend was married November 15, 1887, to Miss Leona Hagerman, a native of Wisconsin, Her father, Calvin Hagerman, is an old settler in this county, and a sketch of this gentleman's life will be found in this volume on another page. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have a family of four children, who are named as follows: Glen R., Lura B., Lyndon E. and Lisle M. They are a happy family, and highly respected in the community in which they reside.
Mr. Townsend has been a man of successful endeavor, and is now numbered among the substantial and prominent citizens of this locality. In political faith he is a Democrat and affiliates with the Ainsworth camp.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
DR. HAL. C. SMITH
The gentleman above named is one of the well known and highly esteemed residents of Franklin, Nebraska, where he has practiced medicine for the past two years. He is a young man of exceptional intelligence and good judgment, and has fitted himself for the profession which he has chosen for his life work by a superior education and years of hard study and close application. Dr. Smith is a native of Pike, county, Illinois, a son of Rev. John T. Smith, a well known minister of the Christian (Disciples) church, and our subject grew up in Illinois. He was educated at the Nebraska City high school and later the Lincoln Medical College, graduating from the latter institution in 1904. He then took a post graduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic College and attended Pratt's Course in Chicago during 1905 and Northwestern the following year. Dr. Smith is also a graduate of Neiswanger's School of Electro-Therapeutics, and in 1908 he attended the surgical clinics at the Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital of Chicago and also Dr. Pratt's Course the same year at Herring Medical School. In addition to this, he spent some time at Dr. Mayo's Hospital, Rochester, Minn., and has thoroughly prepared himself for his career. In May, 1904, he located at Brownsville, and came to his present location in 1906, where he is now enjoying a large practice, and rapidly gaining recognition as a master of the work.
Dr. Smith is a Mason and Shriner, also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Republican Valley and the Nebraska State Medical Associations, also secretary of the County Medical Association, and special examiner here for the New York Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Bankers' Life, of Lincoln, and the Security Mutual Insurance Company, of Lincoln, besides acting also for the Middle West, of Lincoln, and the Union Central, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and State Mutual Life Assurance Company, of Worcester, Mass. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Allen G. Fisher, whose name is familiar to all acquainted with the business men of Northwestern Nebraska, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in September, 1863, of Scotch-Irish, Pennsylvania Dutch and English blood. His father, George W. Fisher, senior, is a Presbyterian minister, still in charge of the First Presbyterian church of Trenton, Illinois, of which he was made pastor in 1868.
Our subject was educated at McKendree College, Lebanon, Ill., where though youngest he took third honor in his class with the degrees of A. B., LL. M. and A. M. In 1884 he took third honors and degree of LL. B. at Washington University, St. Louis. He served as deputy clerk of Cumberland county, Illinois, for twenty-eight months, and May 1, 1886, located at Chadron, where he was a member of the firm of Fall, Spargur & Fisher, the first lawyers in Chadron. He has practiced law there continuously since, except 1898, when he was in the army. He took a homestead in section 32, township 30, range 56, in Sioux county, Nebraska, and still owns this and other lands. His practice extends all over central Wyoming and Black Hills, and all over Nebraska. He is a Republican and from January, 1897, to June, 1898, was county attorney of Dawes county, being elected by the same majority that the county gave Bryan, and Holcomb for Governor on the fusion ticket. For three years he served as city attorney of Chadron. Having been since 1887 a member of the National Guard, he was commissioned captain for services in Sioux war in 1891, and in 1898, at the declaration of war with Spain, he raised Company H. Second Regiment, Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, and was elected captain and commissioned as such and went south with it to Chickamauga Park, Georgia. They were mustered out with this regiment at Fort Omaha, October 24, 1898, at the end of six months' service, and he was offered a similar commission in the Philippine army, but the war being ended, declined this. During this service the county board removed him from the office of county attorney as a political stroke, but was placed on the ticket as candidate for representative, after his muster out, to fill vacancy, by declination of Republican nominee, and he carried the district (then and later fusion by more than 800 votes) by a substantial majority.
Mr. Fisher was married in 1884 to Miss Flora Yanaway, also a native of Ohio, and they are parents of six living children: John G., a Sioux county rancher; Bessie V. and Winnie, both graduates of Chadron High School and Wesleyan students at University Place; William Allen, Alice Regina and Charles Andrew, who survive their brother, George, who died in 1905.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN N. STANDT
Among the business enterprises which contribute in a marked degree to the prosperity of Holdrege, Phelps county, Nebraska, is the wholesale bakery and confectionery establishment of John N. Standt, sole proprietor and manager.
Mr. Standt is a native of Bundenbach, Rhineland, Germany. His parents having died, our subject left his native land with an uncle when only a boy, going to London, England, and he there learned the baker's and confectioner's trade, working at it up to 1885, and at that time came to the United States where he has been in the same business ever since.
In 1889 he came to Holdrege and began in business, starting in on small scale as he had not much capital, but he made a success from the start, and his good bread, cakes and confectionery brought him an ever increasing trade and he is accounted one of the leading business men of the town. He now turns out from one thousand five hundred to two thousand loaves of bread per day, and his cake and candy output is correspondingly large, employing four bakers all the time. He sends his goods all through the western part of Nebraska, also into Colorado. He does not keep any solicitors to sell his goods, but sells them entirely on their merits. Mr. Standt owns his store and factory building, which is located on one of the main corners of Holdrege.
Mr. Standt is one of the active public-spirited men of his community, and takes a leading part in all matters that tend to the advancement of commercial and educational affairs. He has been city treasurer for the past eight years. At different times has held the office of chairman and secretary of the county central committee of the People's Independent party of Phelps county. He is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, the Highlanders, the Mutual Protective League, also the National Protective League, besides other fraternal and social organizations. He has a genial, social disposition and pleasing personality which makes and keeps him friends in all walks of life.
Mr. Standt was married in 1901 to Miss Anna K. Standt and they have one child, John N. Standt, Jr.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John L. Roseberry, residing on section 25, township 28, range 35, Cherry county, was born in Green county, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1866. His father was a farmer and a veteran of the Civil war, who died in 1865 from the effects of his service during his career as a soldier. The mother's maiden name was Julia A. Stewart, and both parents were American-born, descendants of old American stock.
Mr. Roseberry was reared in Pennsylvania on a farm, living at home until he was twenty-one years of age, then started for himself, coming west and locating in Clay county, Nebraska, where he spent two years farming. He then came to the western part of the state and took a tree claim on Dismal river, returned to Pennsylvania and spent a year, then back to Nebraska, this time settling in Cherry county, taking a homestead here in 1890, which he has occupied ever since. He was the first white settler to begin improving land in the Dismal country and put up some of the first buildings, making the first fence in the locality. His buildings were all of sod, and his teams were oxen, which did all his farm work for a number of years. He got together quite a herd of cattle and other stock, and during the severe storms which swept the country in 1892 lost one hundred and forty-five head of stock, and for a few years went through very hard times, losing crops, stock, etc. He used his old tree claim as a summer pasture for his cattle, farming a small portion of his homestead, and about 1895 sold the former and afterwards leased land and ran stock for others, forging ahead slowly and bettering himself as he was able. He gradually added land to his original claim and is now possessor of three thousand three hundred and sixty acres of deeded land, besides leasing four sections all of which is used for a stock ranch, having plenty of pasture and hay land.
Mr. Roseberry has a fine ranch house 36x40 feet, two stories, and water piped throughout the residence, a good barn, workshop and other buildings, wells, wind mills, three flowing wells, and has built sixty miles of fence. He also has a fine fruit orchard, has seven hundred apple trees bearing the finest fruit, also plums, cherries and small fruits. He has eighty acres of alfalfa, and cultivates one hundred acres, raising small grain of all kinds. Mr. Roseberry has done considerable experimenting with grasses and different grains, in order to ascertain which is the best adapted to the soil and climate, and the past year has tried raising Mexican peas, and shipped a crop of five hundred pounds. He has also given much time to the patenting of a hay stacker, which proved to be a success, and on which he took out a patent on February 21, 1905, called the Roseberry Stacker, which is in quite common use in the western states, claimed to be one of the best on the market, and has made a nice income for the inventor. Mr. Roseberry deals heavily in cattle and horses, running annually from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred of the former, and at present has eighty horses. His ranch is one of the best equipped and finest in the west, he devotes his entire attention to its management, and deserves the success which has come to him.
Mr. Roseberry was married in 1893 to Miss Oscee G. Garrett, daughter of James H. and Alice (Hamm) Garrett, well known in Nebraska as one of the pioneer families here. They have the following children: Ira L., Ray, Paul T., Alice, Mabel, Oscar, Irena and a baby, Garrett. Our subject has always taken an active part in local affairs, serving as justice of the peace at different times, and was county commissioner for one term. He is president of the Hooker and Cherry County Telephone Company, organizer of that company and was active in getting the line established through the section.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
OSCAR E. FORSLING
The office of sheriff of Kimball county has been bestowed upon this gentleman, and he is discharging the duties of the position with rare ability and increasing popularity. He was elected in 1907, and prior to that time had served as deputy sheriff for four years, in that time becoming thoroughly familiar with the work, and he is deservedly honored and esteemed by his fellow-men.
Mr. Forsling was born near the city of Gothenberg, Sweden on July 19, 1873. His father was a native of that country and followed farming as an occupation, also was for eighteen or twenty years a government officer, being well and prominently known in this part of the country. He was a very wealthy man, owner of two extensive estates, and a very influential citizen. In 1883 he came to America with his family, locating in Kimball county, Nebraska, in 1885. He took a homestead and built up a comfortable home and became one of the prominent residents of that locality, known all over the section as one of the very old-timers and successful stockmen in that part of the state. A sketch of Mr. Forsling appears in this volume on another page.
Our subject left home and started for himself at the age of thirteen years, beginning as a cowboy and at a very tender age rode the range all over the western part of Nebraska and the adjoining states, "punching" cows during the summer months and hunting and trapping through the winters. A considerable portion of his time was spent in Wyoming, Dakota, Montana and Colorado, and he roughed it during summer and winter, camping out on the ground wherever he happened to stop in his travels. He finally settled permanently in Kimball county, and is now living in the town of Kimball, where he has a good home and is one of the leading citizens.
On November 25, 1900, Mr. Forsling was married to Miss Ethel Whitman, who is a daughter of F. M. Whitman, proprietor of the leading hotel in Kimball. Mrs. Forsling is a very charming and estimable lady, and their home is one of the most hospitable in town.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
EARL R. BATTY, D. D. S.
The gentleman above named is among the rising professional men of Alma, Nebraska. He has gained an enviable reputation in his line during the comparatively short space of time in which he has practiced, and is regarded as a man of sterling qualities, well qualified for the work he has undertaken, and has the support of a large patronage.
Dr. Batty is a native of Illinois, and is of English descent. He is a son of E. H. Batty, who settled in Alma in 1887, who was engaged in the real estate, and later the flour, feed and grocery trade, and now resides at Hastings. He invested largely in farming land, which he sold at a good round figure, and now owns considerable business house property in different towns in this section. He was for a time owner and publisher of the Alma Record, which was the Republican organ of the county, and still owns this paper, but leases it to other parties. He came to Nebraska from Jo Daviess county, Illinois, in 1886, with his family, locating in Alma, where our subject was reared, graduating from the Alma high school in 1896. After finishing high school he worked under Dr. Hill of this place and later studied dentistry at the Kansas City Dental School, and graduated from that institution with the class of 1901. He at once established an office at Alma, and is the oldest dentist in length of time practicing in Alma at the present time. His clientage (sic) extends all over Harlan and the adjoining counties, and has made an immense success in his profession. One brother, Dr. A. J. Batty, is in the same profession, with office at Wilcox, Nebraska.
Dr. Batty was married in 1905 to Miss Anna Stewart, daughter of C. W. Stewart, a merchant of Alma.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
EVERETT M. ELDRED
Among the old-timers in western Nebraska who have watched the development and growth of this part of the country from the time of the organization of the counties, and who has been an important factor in the upbuilding of this section, the gentleman above named holds a prominent place. He resides on section 9, township 21, range 34, Deuel county, where he has a fine ranch and valuable estate.
Mr. Eldred was born in Jones county, Iowa, in 1864, and raised in that locality. He is a son of E. J. Eldred, a native of New York state, who was among the first settlers in Jones county, where he settled on a farm. Our subject is the second member of a family of four children, all boys. At the age of sixteen years he left the home of his uncle with whom he was then living and came to Saline county, Nebraska, where he followed farming, working out on ranches in that vicinity, and afterwards was engaged in the livery business for some years. He remained there up to 1888, when he moved to Deuel county, taking a homestead, which is the farm he now occupies. When he struck here he had very little capital, but he went to work building a set of sod buildings and began to start his farm. His brother Edgar came with him, and they had brought about one hundred and fifty cattle, and from that start gradually worked into the stock business, and have been engaged in this ever since. He batched it on his claim for ten years, constantly adding to his land, until he now owns a ranch of six thousand acres, on which he runs three thousand head of cattle and about two hundred horses. A large number of the horses are used in handling the cattle, as he requires five men to assist him in the care of this stock and operate the ranch. His place is well improved, and his hay land, of which he has a large tract, is all fenced. He has never been through anything like hard times, and has been successful from the beginning. In 1906 he had about five hundred tons of hay which he was unable to cut on account of the valley where it was grown being wet, and this was quite a severe loss to him. He built a comfortable frame house in 1893, but this was burned down in 1895, and he then erected a brick adobe and plastered with cement. This is well finished off inside and has a fine porch around it. He has a pleasant home, burns coal for fuel, which is rarely done in this locality, and is a great believer in having the comforts of life. He is well contented here, but intends to move to town in the near future, as his wife wants to leave the hills.
Mr. Eldred was married to Miss Mary Ellen Avery in 1898. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvenus Avery. Mr. and Mrs. Eldred have no children.
Mr. Eldred is an independent voter, believing it best to give the best man on any ticket the chance, and has never taken an active interest in politics, although he always gets out to vote. He has made a great success since coming to this country. and is satisfied with the result of his ventures in the cattle business. The nearest mail station from his ranch is at Orlando, a distance of one and one-half miles. His nearest trading point is Alliance, thirty miles distant. Lakeside, in Sheridan county, on the B. & M. Railroad, twenty-five miles distant, is his shipping point.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Alex Lowry, who is an old settler and highly estemed (sic) citizen of Harrison, Sioux county, Nebraska, and the owner of a neat little restaurant and confectioner's store at that place, is a man of good business judgment and sterling character. He is well known throughout his community as a man of energetic habits, and is well-to-do and one of the leading citizens in local affairs.
Mr. Lowry was born in New Lenox, Will county, Illinois, in 1856. His father, J. W. Lowry, was a farmer all his life. He married Jane Davis and the family lived in different parts of Illinois during our subject's boyhood days. In July, 1861, the family went to Iowa, where they remained about eighteen months, then back to Illinois in the spring of 1863, remaining two years, then to Canada for a year, and in 1866 they returned to Illinois. In the spring of 1877 he again moved to Iowa and farmed there for four years in Warren county. From there he went to Calhoun county, Iowa, in 1881, purchasing a farm on which he lived up to 1892. Soon after leaving the last mentioned place Mr. Lowry came to Harrison, and here filed on a homestead situated three and a half miles east of the town, and improved it, living on the place until he proved up on his claim. He then rented land near Harrison and farmed for ten years, also was interested in the live stock business to quite an extent. In August, 1903, Mr. Lowry left his farm and came to Harrison to reside permanently, opening up a restaurant and confectionery store, purchasing the building which he now occupies. He has done exceedingly well and has built up a good trade, carrying a nice line of goods, and has his place fitted up with all modern appliances for the proper handling of his business.
While living in Illinois, Mr. Lowry was married, October 19, 1876, to Miss Alice Corwin, daughter of Nathan and Eliza (Cole) Corwin. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry are the parents of three children, namely: Mabel, Della and John. The family occupy a pleasant home and are popular in their neighborhood as worthy citizens.
Mr. Lowry was elected sheriff of Sioux county in 1900 and at the expiration of his term was again chosen. He proved a most capable and efficient public officer and served in all five years in this capacity, lacking about ten months of serving three full terms.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Hugh Booth, a respected and successful farmer of Brown county, Nebraska, has a home and a habitation near Long Pine, where his cheerful countenance and genial ways have long been known and welcome, The vast farming interests of northern and central Nebraska have long been suspected, but it has taken the labors of men like Mr. Booth to show something of what might be done in this, so long a barren and dreary waste. For many years he has been associated with pioneer experiences, and in any record of what has been done "out west" to make a garden out of a wilderness the name of Hugh Booth will deserve a prominent place.
Mr. Booth was born at Forest Lake, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1860, where his father, William Booth, was at the time engaged as a miller. William Booth was a native of England, near Nottingham, in Derbyshire, where he married Hannah Wheatcroft and where his first two children were born.
Hugh Booth was the seventh in a family of eight children born to his parents, all of whom are now living. He spent his childhood and youth in his native state, where he secured his education by attending the public schools. When he reached the age of twenty years he started for himself. After some years spent in various occupations, mostly in farming, he settled in 1882 at West Point, Cuming county, Nebraska, where he resided five years, then moved to Keya Paha county, teaming from Cuming county to their new location, the trip consuming ten days. Mr. Booth and his family made a location on a homestead near the Keya Paha river, and their first home was a sod house. Here Mr. Booth lived until his election as sheriff five years later. He was the third to be elected to that position in the new county. While sheriff he made his home in Springview, where his wife died. His wife was Mary Whiteman, to whom three children were born -- Fred, Mary and Hugh, Jr. In 1892 he was married to Mrs. Eliza Hains. Three children have blessed this union -- Oscar, Stella and Rose. By her first marriage Mrs. Booth bore three children -- Alice, John and Fern. In 1892 Mr. Booth removed to Brown county, where two years later he settled on a farm in section 1, township 30, range 22, which he sold in 1907 and bought one hundred and sixty acres in section 24.
He is a true type of the best American farmer, upright and manly, industrious in his habits and of a kindly heart. Politically he is Bryan Democrat.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Ed. T. Ross, one of the early settlers in the western part of Nebraska, resides in Gordon, Sheridan county, where he is widely known as a successful ranchman and business man. Mr. Ross was born in Fayette county, Texas, in 1862. His father, Anderson Ross, was a prominent merchant and cattleman, who lived on a large ranch in southern Texas, where our subject was raised. He was the fifth in a family of five children, and his father died when he was a small boy, leaving his mother, who was Mary Page Ligon before her marriage, to rear her large family of children. There was plenty of hard work to be done in carrying on the farm, and he assisted in this until he reached the age of twenty, then left Texas, and came north to Nebraska, helping to drive a bunch of horses to that country. He with his companions camped out during this trip and traveled over the spot where Gordon now stands in 1882. After coming to this state he worked on the E. S. Newman ranch, called the "N" Bar ranch, up to 1885, then moved to Montana, where he remained until 1889.
In 1891 Mr. Ross came to Gordon and settled on a homestead twelve miles northeast of the town. He proved up on his claim and bought adjoining land until he owned a large tract, then sold it all out and purchased another ranch located eighteen miles northeast of Gordon. He is now proprietor of nineteen and a half quarter sections, and is extensively engaged in the cattle business. He has a very valuable estate and has been most successful in all his ventures since coming to this region. He personally superintends the ranching business, although he resides in Gordon, having built a fine residence there in the fall of 1897.
Mr. Ross was married in 1888 to Miss Bessie Arnold, of Texas, Her father, J. C. Arnold, was a farmer of Fayette county, and her mother was of English descent. Seven children resulted from their marriage, named as follows: Roy, Jessie, Mary (deceased), Eva, Anderson (deceased), Hope and Robert.
Mr. Ross is a staunch Republican and takes a leading part in the affairs of that party.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ADAM SCHIMKA
Among the successful self-made men of Cheyenne county, Nebraska, may be truly noted Adam Schimka. He came to the new world from his mother country when but a mere boy, and since his residence here has displayed an enterprising spirit and the exercise of good judgment in a manner that commends him to all as one of the prominent and worthy citizens of his community. He now resides in section 4, township 12, range 48, and is a prosperous agriculturist and active, public-spirited resident. He settled in the region as a pioneer and has accumulated a fine property, now possessing three hundred and twenty acres of deeded land, also controlling thirteen hundred and twenty acres under lease. Mr. Schimka has closely applied himself to the study of his calling, is well versed in the same and possesses what years of experience teach to the observing only.
Mr. Schimka was born in Bohemian Austria on the 24th of December, 1859, and grew to the age of thirteen years in his native country, then came to America, landing in New York City on June 1, 1872. He came to Missouri and settled in Benton county, remaining there until March 1, 1875, then moved to Wilber, Saline county, Nebraska, and lived in that place up to 1887. From there he removed to Lodgepole, Cheyenne county, arriving there April 9 of that year. He filed on a homestead in the southeast quarter of section 4, township 12, range 48, and developed a good farm, put up good buildings, etc., and still occupies the original homestead. He cultivates about one hundred and seventy acres and uses the balance of his ranch for range and pasture, keeping about one hundred and fifty head of stock. mostly cattle. Mr. Schimka has been most successful during later years, but in the early days of his residence in this region he went through many crop failures and became discouraged, but determined to remain and has become one of the most successful ranchmen of the county, and especially prominent among those who have come to America from the old world and succeeded in building up a valuable estate and comfortable home.
Mr. Schimka was married September 28, 1882, at Wilber, Nebraska, to Mary Novak, born in Bohemia, and who came to the United States in that year, than a girl of twenty years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Schimka are the parents of seven children, who are named as follows: Edward, now living at Colorado; Mary, wife of Joe Brown, of Sidney; Emma, Rose, Joe, Ella and James, the last five all living at home, Three children, two boys and one girl, died in infancy, and both our subject's and his wife's parents are dead.
Mr. Schimka is prominent in local affairs. He has been assessor of Colton precinct for a number of years. Politically he is a Democrat.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILLIAM KACKMEISTER
Among the successful self-made men of Brown county may be truly mentioned the gentleman whose name heads this review. He came to the new world form his native country when a very young man, and since his residence here has displayed an enterprising spirit and the exercise of good judgment in a manner that commends him to all as a worthy citizen. Mr. Kackmeister was born in the village of Kissdorf, Holstein, Germany, October 25, 1857. His father, Claus Kackmeister, served in the German army during the war of 1848 against Denmark and again in 1852. Our subject was the fourth member in a family of five children, and was reared on a farm, receiving a common school education, and grew up assisting his father in all the hard farm work. At the age of twenty-one he entered the army, serving six month. In 1881 he came to the United States, sailing from Hamburg on the steamer Pennsylvania, landed in Philadelphia April 29. Here he remained for one year, working in a village near Reading, then came west to Omaha, securing employment on a farm near the city. He worked at this for a short time, then began railroading on the Union Pacific Railway, but soon became dissatisfied and quit that. He next bought a team and rented a farm near Omaha, but only remained on this place one year and one on a farm in Sarpy county, then moved to Howard county, there renting land which he worked for three years. From there he moved to Cherry county, where he settled on a homestead on the North Loup and engaged in the cattle business. Here he lived in a sod shanty, twenty-five miles from a railroad, proved up on a pre-emption claim and took a homestead. He remained on this homestead until 1893, and then came on to Brown county, settling on rented land and farmed for nine years, when he bought his present farm, located in section 33, township 30, range 21. He at once went to work improving this property, and now is proprietor of four hundred acres of land in one piece, with eighty acres three miles north of this farm and a tract on one hundred and sixty acres south of the home place. His farm buildings are substantial and conveniently arranged, and he has a good supply of water the year around. He has a fine apple orchard and other small fruits nicely growing, surrounded, as are also the buildings, by a thrifty grove of forest trees. He is progressive in his farming methods, and is one of those who has done a great deal towards securing good schools in this locality.
Mr. Kackmeister was married June 3, 1879, to Miss Sophia Schuman, a daughter of Joseph and Katharine (Goetch) Schuman, who was born and raised on a farm near his old home. Ten children have been born to them. named as follows: Henry, Annie, Willie, August, Tillie, Mary, Sophia, John, Katie and Nellie.
When Mr. Kackmeister first came to Cherry county his sole possessions were a covered wagon and eighteen head of cattle and from this small beginning he has watched his fortunes and reputation expand and broaden until today he is the proud possessor of everything which goes to make up the comfort of a peaceful and happy home. He enjoys the friendship and esteem of a large circle of people, and is perfectly contented to remain in this locality the balance of his life. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Lee VanVoorhis, the efficient and popular postmaster of Crawford, Nebraska, is a prosperous and successful business man of that thriving town. He is one of the progressive and consequently esteemed men of his community, and has built up a home of more than usual comfort through his energy and good business foresight.
Mr. VanVoorhis was born at Oxford Mills, Jones county, Iowa, in 1861. He is the son of Garrett VanVoorhis, a native of New York, and Lottie Smart VanVoorhis, also a New Yorker. The family moved to central Iowa when our subject was born and there he was raised, learning the miller's trade, and also spending some time in a hardware store in Union, Iowa, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of that business. In the spring of 1885 he came to Hay Springs, Nebraska, where he opened the first and only hardware store in the place, and his store was the second frame building ever erected on the main street. He ran this business for two and a half years, and in the fall of 1887 sold out there and moved to Crawford, settling here on January 2 of the following year. He then purchased the W. F. Rockwell hardware store and continued this business up to 1896, then sold out and opened up a fruit and confectionery store, at which he did well, building up a nice trade in the town.
On February 11, 1903, Mr. VanVooorhis was appointed postmaster, served one term and was reappointed January 31, 1907, proving a most capable man for the position, well liked by the general public for his accommodating manner and thorough fitness for the work. He has been active in local affairs from the time of locating here, serving on the village board for several terms, also a member of the school board for a number of years. He is a strong Republican.
Mr. VanVoorhis was among the earliest settlers in this locality, coming here before the C. & N. W. Railroad was laid as far as Chadron. When he first arrived he took up a homestead and built a sod house in which he lived for about three years. This place was three miles from Hay Springs.
In 1878 Mr. VanVoorhis was married to Miss Mary O. Humeston, whose parents were early settlers in Iowa. To them have been born five children, named as follows: Lottie. Roy Garrett, Edna and Josephine, the last named having died in December, 1891.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Henry E. Ericson, treasurer of Phelps county, elected in 1905, resides in Holdrege, where he has a fine residence and is highly esteemed by a host of people. Mr. Ericson has been engaged in farming for many years of his life, and has met with pronounced success in this line of work. He has also taken an active interest in public affairs, and is one of the leading citizens of his community and county.
Our subject is a native of Chicago, Illinois. The family resided in Iowa prior to settling in Nebraska, and his brother, A. S. Ericson, is well known throughout Phelps county, as he served as county clerk and resided at Funk, Divide township, for some years. (See sketch in this book.) The father, Andrew Ericson, homesteaded here in 1884 and farmed for many years. Our subject now owns six hundred and forty acres in section 19, Sheridan township, and has his farm improved with fine buildings and every modern improvement for the proper running of a model farm. He has given close attention to good stock, has one hundred head of Shorthorn cattle and a number of fine Percheron and Clyde horses, considering the first mentioned the best animal for the farmers in this vicinity, as it is good both for farm work and general purposes, whereas the Clydes are only good on the farm. He has pure bred Jersey hogs, and prefers this breed to any other for this section. Owing to the high price of land here the farmers will be compelled to work into the higher grades of stock for which best prices are obtained, otherwise it would not pay to encumber the land with poor stock. Alfalfa is a great boon to this county. Four hundred and fifty acres of Mr. Ericson's farm is under cultivation, seeded to wheat, oats and corn, and his wheat crop in 1906 showed a yield of thirty-three and one-third bushels per acre. The average each year is about twenty-five bushels, and corn from forty to sixty, and has gone as high as seventy-five bushels per acre. Twenty-eight years ago our subject's father bought land at two dollars and fifty cents an acre, and the same land is now worth seventy-five dollars.
Mr. Ericson was clerk of his township for eight years, also has served as treasurer of the school board in this district for several years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a prominent Mason, and he is a popular and worthy citizen as well as a good neighbor and friend. In political faith he is an independent voter. In 1891 Mr. Ericson was married to Miss Amanda J. Carlson.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
NEIL PHILIP EASTMAN
Through exceptionally good management and persistent labors the gentleman here named has succeeded in building up a well developed farm and comfortable home, and is enabled to enjoy the comforts of modern farming. He is of a progressive nature and has had a wide experience in farming, and every detail of the work is carefully looked after and personally supervised by him. He resides in Rock county, Nebraska, where he is widely known and highly respected.
Mr. Eastman was born in Madison county, New York state, March 22, 1860. His father, Neil Eastman, was a farmer and interested in the oil business; he was born of Scotch-Irish parents. The mother, whose maiden name was Ellen Cassady, was of Irish descent. Our subject is the eldest member in a family of four children, and was reared and educated in the state of his birth. At the age of nine years he lost his mother by death and at that time began life for himself, having ever since made his own way. He drove a canal boat on the Erie canal for several years, and part of the time was engaged in working out on a farm. When he was fifteen he served an apprenticeship of three years in a blacksmith shop, thoroughly mastering that trade, at which he worked in his native state for two years, then came west to Iowa, where he followed that trade in Cass county and other parts of the state, spending some time in Des Moines. He first came to Nebraska in 1884, locating in Rock county, where he took up a homestead and tree claim. He immediately began improving his farm, put up a sod house as his first dwelling place, and lived in this for six years. He still followed the trade of blacksmith, driving each day to Bassett, where he had a shop. Continuing this for years, he prospered reasonably well, escaping many of the hardships usual to pioneer experiences. In 1888 a terrible blizzard swept over that region, causing them much suffering and loss, as did also the drouth (sic) periods. He operated the farm up to 1905, at the same time continuing at his trade in Bassett, whither he had previously removed with his family, and in the last named year traded his farm for a hardware store located in Edgar, Nebraska. Soon afterwards, however, he disposed of this business, and the same year bought his present farm of eight hundred acres, mostly in hay land. Here each he mows and bales many tons of excellent hay for shipment to the eastern markets.
Mr. Eastman was married in 1886 to Miss Lida Hunter, of American stock, born in Champaign county, Ohio. Her father, James Hunter, lived for fourteen years in Champaign county, Illinois, before moving to Nebraska to become an old settler in Keya Paha county, securing a farm there in 1884. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Eastman taught the first school in the district near their home. The school house was a log cabin, with rude benches for seats, and no modern paraphernalia to assist her in her work. She was one of the pioneer school teachers in that locality, and her experiences were many and amusing. Mr. and Mrs. Eastman have a family of six children, who are named as follows: Ellen L., James N. (deceased), Grover C., Amy B., Laura G. and Jessie M. The family is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which they reside, and enjoy a pleasant and comfortable home, surrounded by a large circle or (sic) friends. They are members of the Church of God.
Mr. Eastman has risen from a start of practically nothing to his present prosperous state, and well deserves much credit for his success. He has been one of those who helped build up this region, and is one of the regular old-timers in Nebraska. He is a Democrat politically and fraternally a member of Bassett camp, Modern Woodmen of America.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOSEPH E. WATKINS
In a county as well settled as Perkins county, Nebraska, it would be difficult to name the most prominent citizen, but a high station is willingly accorded the gentleman whose name heads this personal review. He has resided here many years and is always found standing on the side of right and justice, and has been one of the leaders in the development and upbuilding of his community.
Jospeh E. Watkins was born in Will county, Illinois, in 1867. His father, Peter Watkins, was born, and raised on a farm in England, came to the United States when a young boy, and died in Illinois in 1881. He married Mary Phillips, also born in England, who came to America when a child. When our subject was twenty years of age, the family came to Perkins county, the mother taking a homestead on section 25, township 9, range 41, and Joseph also a pre-emption and proved up on it. The built a dugout and sod house on the mother's farm and improved the place as rapidly as possible, although during the first few years it was rather uphill work, as conditions were not favorable for the raising of good crops, and they had many setbacks. Joseph remained at home up to 1902, helping run the home ranch, then settled on his own farm and improved it in good shape. In 1907 he bought his mother's old homestead and now runs the place, operating a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in all. He has about one hundred acres cultivated, and keeps quite a bunch of stock. The farm is well fenced, has good buildings and improvements of all kinds, and he is classed among the progressive and up-to-date agriculturists in his locality.
Mr. Watkins was married in 1905 to Miss Florence Smith, whose father was a prominent pioneer of Perkins county. To them has been born one child, Goldie, a very charming baby. Mr. Watkins is a Democrat and takes a commendable interest in local and county affairs.
In 1905 the vicinity of our subject's farm was swept by a very disastrous prairie fire, and he suffered severe loss. The head fire came within a few feet of his buildings and it was only by the hardest kind of fighting that they were saved. As it was, he lost several horses, some hogs, seventy-five tons of feed and other personal property.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
FLOYD JENKINS
Among the younger members of the farming fraternity of Brown county, Nebraska, is the gentleman whose name introduces this article. He has set a high mark of efficiency in the following of his chosen profession and means to be a successful farmer in the best sense of the term. Familiar with the conditions that attend the tilling of the soil in what was once the eastern verge of the great American desert, and having passed through storm and drouth (sic), he knows Nebraska farming from beginning to finish, and under his cultivation the soil smiles and puts forth abundantly.
Mr. Jenkins is a son of Benjamin Jenkins and was born on a farm in Carroll county, Illinois, February 23, 1879. His father is an old settler in Nebraska, a sketch of whose life and career appears on another page. Floyd Jenkins is the third member of a family of ten children born to his parents, and his youth and early manhood were spent in this part of Nebraska. Plenty of hard work was dealt out to him, and but little schooling, as the country was very new and the schoolmaster, as yet, hardly abroad in the land. At twenty-three he left home and taking upon himself the burden of his own support began life as a farm laborer in Burt county, Nebraska, where he worked for about a year. His next move was to buy a farm in Brown county, settling on a homestead in section 24, township 30, range 23, where he has six hundred and forty acres in addition to two hundred acres of deeded land.
Mr. Jenkins was married in 1903 to Miss Pearl Homan, daughter of Palmer Homan, an old settler in this state, and a man highly respected for his sterling worth and industrious habits. Mrs. Jenkins is the mother of one child, Goldia.
After their marriage the young couple devoted themselves to the improvement of their place and converted it into one of the best to be found in the county. It comprises some eight hundred and forty acres, as above stated, one hundred and twenty being under the plow and the balance devoted to meadow and pasturage. Here they have a good house, a roomy barn and other farm buildings with such machinery as the successful operation of the place may demand. Mr. Jenkins is independent in politics.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
A. H. MATTSON
Among the most successful men in Phelps county, Nebraska, may be mentioned A. H. Mattson, a prominent farmer and stockman of Laird township, and a leading citizen of this locality.
Mr. Mattson is a native of Sweden. He lived near Oneida, Knox county, Illinois, and came to Nebraska in 1885, locating on one hundred and sixty acres in section 17. He built a comfortable home, and soon afterwards bought the adjoining one hundred and sixty acres, also homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, on which he now lives, adjoining Loomis on the northeast. He has resided on this farm for eighteen years, and now owns eight hundred acres of land located in Buffalo county, which he uses for pasture and hay land. Since settling here he has been a heavy buyer and shipper of stock, also a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He had a drove of forty head of thoroughbred cattle on his home farm, and from two to four hundred graded cattle in the past. He raises and also buys and sells stock for the market, so that his herds vary constantly. For years he has had control of the hog market at Loomis, shipping from one hundred and fifty to three hundred cars per year. He has been partly succeeded in this business by his son Ed Mattson, also a resident of Loomis. Mr. Mattson prefers the Poland Chinas to any other breed of hogs, both for shipping and farm use, as they are the easiest to fatten and get ready for market, and it takes less feed to keep them than other breeds. He also has a preference for Shorthorn cattle as good feeders, milkers, beef and all general purposes. He has been very successful in his ventures, both farming and stock raising and shipping. His possessions consist of a seven hundred and twenty-acre farm in Phelps county, besides the ranch of eight hundred acres located in Buffalo county, and has his place well improved. He has lately sold two hundred and forty acres of land, leaving twelve hundred and eighty acres he now owns.
Mr. Mattson was married to Miss Carrie Bjorgland, who died, and our subject was married again, taking to wife Anna Johnson. Mr. Mattson has one son and two daughters, namely: Ed, mentioned in the foregoing; Mrs. Charles Sansted, of Holdrege, and Hannah, who lives at home. The last daughter, Hannah, is by the second wife, the other two from the first marriage.
During his business career here Mr. Mattson has won the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact through business dealings, and is recognized as one of the sharpest business men and best citizens of the county.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
William Fosket, retired, is one of the old settlers and former prominent ranchmen of Box Butte county, where he has lived for many years past, and built up a valuable property through his industry and energy. Mr. Fosket now resides in Hemingford, where he has a comfortable home, and is held in high esteem by his fellow-men.
Mr. Fosket was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1844, on a farm. His father, Alvin Fosket, was of Scotch-Irish stock, a native of New York, and he married Miss Maria Shaw, of Pennsylvania German descent. Our subject grew to manhood in Mason county, Illinois, where he attended the country schools and helped in the work of carrying on the home farm up to 1864, then enlisted in Company C, Second Illinois Cavalry, and went to Florida with his regiment, where he saw hard service, and also in Alabama, Louisiana and Texas, in actual service up to the close of the war. He was mustered out in San Antonio, Texas, and after leaving the army returned to his old home in Illinois, where he followed farming for a number of years. In 1871 he came to Gage county, Nebraska, settling on a homestead located south of Lincoln, and there started to build up a farm and home, going through the experiences of the early pioneers in that section. He sold this place out prior to moving to Perth, Nebraska, where he was engaged in the livery business for fourteen years, and in 1885 came west to what is now Box Butte county, settling on a claim twelve miles northeast of Hemingford. There his first house was a dugout, in which he lived for one year, then built a sod house, hauling all his supplies from Hay Springs. He spent seventeen years on this ranch, and was in the cattle and horse business principally, controlling three sections of land at the time he left the locality. He had put good buildings and improvements on the property, and made a great success of the enterprise, and in 1906 sold out the ranch for a good round figure. In 1902 he had taken up his residence in the town of Hemingford, and has since resided here. For the past thirty-five years Mr. Fosket has been an auctioneer, and is widely known all through this section of the state. He has also for many years past dealt in horses, buying and shipping out to the different eastern and western markets.
While living in Mason county, Illinois, Mr. Fosket was married to Miss Mary Piper, whose father, Ed T. Piper, was a well known physician and army surgeon. Mr. and Mrs. Fosket are the parents of six children, who are named as follows: Addie, married, now the wife of Ralph Jackson; Grove D., Orrian, Blanche, Almeda and Earl.
Mr. Fosket is one of the leading pioneers of both eastern and western Nebraska, and has done his share in the building up of both sections, helping to establish schools and has always taken an active interest in local public affairs. In political view he favors the Republican party, and is a strong party man.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Firth Booth, one of the prominent farmers of Lodgepole precinct, Cheyenne county, who resides on his fine estate in section 29, township 14, range 47, is one of the earliest pioneers of that locality, and has during his residence there passed through all the changes that have taken place in the county, watching its growth and development from the time of its early settlement. During his residence here he has manifested true public spirit and gained the esteem and respect of his associates by his industry and persistent labors.
Mr. Booth is a native of England, born in 1852. He grew up in his native country, and spent the first nineteen years of his life in the village of his birth. The parents resided there until death. Our subject quit England in 1872 and started for the new world, taking passage on a steamer bound for the United States. His first employment was a machinist in the locomotive works at Paterson, New Jersey, where he remained for about one year. In 1874 he came west and settled in Wisconsin and remained for a number of years, engaged in farming in Waukesha county. He then came to Nebraska, arriving in Cheyenne county in January, 1880, and shortly after took up a homestead in section 20, township 14, range 47, where he spent a number of years, and developed a good farm. He next moved to section 29 in the same township, where he has built a large, commodious home. He is now proprietor of a ranch consisting of over three thousand acres, all lying along or near Lodgepole creek, nearly all of it being in one body, admirably situated for farm and ranching purposes. He has three hundred and twenty acres under irrigation and raises splendid crops of potatoes and grain. There is also a fine lot of hay land and pasture, and he handles at times one hundred and fifty head of cattle each year and from twenty-five to fifty horses. He owns in all about three sections of grazing land, and has one of the finest places in the county. He has a complete set of good ranch buildings, fences, etc., and is considered one of the wealthiest men of this section. He is probably the earliest settler in the valley between Sidney and Lodgepole who has remained on his land.
In 1888 Mr. Booth was married to Miss Essie L. Loomis, a native of Metamora, Woodford county, Illinois. Our subject and his estimable wife have a family of eight children, all living at home at the present time. They are named as follows: James Eli, George M., Esther Ann, Louis, Leah Elizabeth, Firth, Jr., Paul and Eunice Lockwood. They are a happy and congenial family and have a pleasant and comfortable home, surrounded by a large circle of warm friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Booth is prominent in affairs of his township and county, and is among the leading public-spirited citizens who have always been found ready and willing to lend their best efforts for the improvement of conditions in their immediate community. In political sentiment he is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
REV. BAZEL HUNT
Prominent among the leading citizens of Cherry county is the gentleman whose name heads this personal history. Mr. Hunt is well known all over this part of the country as an old-timer and one who has done everything in his power to aid in the upbuilding of this region, giving liberally of his time and influence in every instance when he could be of assistance to his fellow-men.
Mr. Hunt was born in Harrison county, Missouri, September 10, 1851. His father, Joseph Hunt, was a farmer and nurseryman, and his mother was Flora Ensley, both of American stock. There was a family of ten children, of whom he was the seventh in order of birth. He was reared in his native state, and his early years were spent in assisting his parents in the work of their farm, attending the country schools during the winter months. He started for himself at the age of fourteen years, at which time his father and mother both died, and he had to aid in taking care of the younger children. Mr. Hunt first came to Cherry county in 1890, landing here November 13, and his object in coming was to establish a home and farm of his own. He settled on Missouri Flats, thirteen miles south of Merriman, and his first dwelling place was a dugout, so familiar to the pioneers of this state. He soon afterwards built a sod house 36x20 feet in size, which was of large proportions compared with the usual settler's home. During the first years he handled ox teams and did freighting, working out on ranches in the vicinity, at the same time building up his farm, and succeeded in proving up on his claim. He then invested in land twelve miles west of Cody and lived there for four years, later taking up a Kinkaid homestead, which he now lives on, in section 9, township 34, range 35. This was unimproved property, and their first home was a tent. He soon had a good house erected, and all other farm buildings, putting down a good well and fencing his land, etc. He farms twenty acres, raising good crops.
Mr. Hunt is of a strongly religious nature and early became interested in religious work. He was licensed as a local preacher in Missouri and in 1896 was ordained by the Methodist Episcopal conference at Chadron as a circuit preacher in this section. He has since preached at Conley Flats in addition to serving his denomination at Merriman, Cody, and La Vaca at different times. He is beloved by all in every community in which he has worked.
Mr. Hunt was married February 12, 1871, to Miss Melinda V. Koger, of Worth county, Missouri, and they have a family of ten children, named as follows: Mary, Ulysses, Barbara, Jessie R., James L., Amy, Ransom, Delsina, Alcy and Lulu.
Mr. Hunt is a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Odd Fellows lodges.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
LUDWIG P. WALTER
To the men of perseverance and stalwart determination who went to Nebraska when that region was in the early stages of development as an agricultural and commercial section, the present prosperity enjoyed there is due. Among the early settlers of Cherry county, who has been intimately identified with its development and has gained an enviable reputation as a citizen, may be mentioned Ludwig P. Walter, a successful and leading farmer and ranchman of his precinct.
Mr. Walter was born in Germany, in Wurtemburg, in 1857. He was reared there and served in the German army the time required by every loyal subject. When he was fifteen years of age he came to America, but returned to Germany and remained until he was twenty-five years old, then made his second trip to this country.
Our subject was married in 1884 at Taylor, Loup county, Nebraska, to Miss Paulina Lotzen, a native of West Prussia, Germany, and she was raised there. After their marriage they located on their present homestead, coming into the region with a team and covered wagon, as did most of the pioneer settlers here. At that time Long Pine and Ainsworth were the nearest trading points, and many trips had to be made to those towns for supplies, the journey taking considerable time, the nights being spent in camping out along the way under their wagon, and many times Mrs. Walter and her children were forced to spend the night in a storm which overtook them. During the first years they were able to raise fairly good crops, but as soon as the dry seasons struck the country they met with severe losses, one year losing their entire crops. In one particular instance they had forty acres of corn standing in the finest shape and in one day the hot winds totally destroyed the crop. They experienced many hardships and privations in order to keep their homestead, and were obliged to dispose of a big drove of hogs, selling the best shoats for fifty cents each in order to get a little money, and because he had nothing to feed them on. They lived for many years in a sod house which they had built when first coming here, and subsequently built others of the same material. Of late they have erected a fine frame dwelling. Mr. Walter worked out at anything he could find to do, railroading, etc., during the years 1894-95, the family living at Halsey while he was employed as a section hand. He kept on trying to farm, gradually got into the stock business, and constantly improved his ranch as he was able. In the early days he has made trips taking seven or eight days in search of poles for a barn roof, and when the hard times were being experienced in his vicinity he burned chips for fuel. He also had different severe fires, losing fence posts, hay, grass, trees, etc. His ranch now contains eleven hundred and twenty acres, situated on the Loup river. He has sixty acres cultivated and raises good crops, having a nice bunch of stock. There is a fine grove of trees which he himself planted, and many fruit trees are growing near their residence. There are several running springs and the water is pumped by windmills for all purposes.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter have five children, named as follows: Elma A., now a teacher in the schools in Thomas county; Kate, married to C. Florey, and Frank, Mabel and Raymond at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Walter are strong believers in the education of their children.
When our subject settled in this vicinity there were only four families in the section, and during those times their only church services were held in a sod building. Since then they have seen the county grow to be one of the most fertile and thriving communities, and have the satisfaction of feeling that they have been a part and parcel of this growth.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Peter Jerman, one of the prosperous ranchmen of Cherry county, is an old settler of Merriman precinct, and has a wide circle of acquaintances in the community in which he resides. He has built up a good home by his industry and honest dealings, and enjoys a comfortable income from the fruits of his labors.
Mr. Jerman was born in Jackson county, Iowa, March 10, 1852. His father, Peter Jerman, Sr., a French Canadian, was a miner. He was accidentally killed four months before our subject was born, leaving a wife (who was Mary Ann Flathers, of Irish descent), and a family of two small children to support. Our subject lived with his uncle, Thomas S. Flathers, in Center county, until he was thirteen years of age, then struck out and hustled for himself, making his own way ever since. During his early life he attended school three months in the year, having to return three-fourth of a mile at noon to do the chores and get his lunch. He severely froze his feet the winter he was ten years old. He took a man's place in the harvest field at nine years of age, following farm work in different parts of Iowa, clearing new land, which was rather rough work for a boy of his years. He was also employed on a railroad for nine months, after which he went to farming and continued at that for two years. At the end of this time he gave it up and went to work for a lime manufacturer in Iowa, having charge of three lime kilns at Maquoketa, remaining at that work for the following eight years. In 1885 he first landed in Cherry county, and located on sections 18 and 19, township 33, range 36, on the Niobrara river. When he struck this place all the capital he had was one cow and a calf, one pig and eight dollars in cash. He lived here for nearly three years, proved up on pre-emption, and then took his present homestead in section 29, township 34, range 37, where he has lived continuously ever since. This farm comprises eight hundred acres of good land, including homestead claims, and he has a hundred acres under cultivation, and on this raises "banner" crops. Most of his land excepting the new homestead is valley land. He has sixty head of cattle and other stock. The place is well improved with buildings and fences, has a large number of young trees planted, and all machinery for conducting a model ranch and farm. In addition to his ranching Mr. Jerman has for a number of years been employed on section work for the Northwestern Railroad at Merriman.
Mr. Jerman was married November 1, 1875, to Miss Mary Ann Greener, born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1856. Her father, Joseph A. Greener, was born in Bohemia, was reared there until twenty years of age and then came to this country, where he was married in Garrone, Jackson county, Iowa, to Rosa A. Clark, of American stock. Mr. and Mrs. Jerman have five children, named as follows: Joseph W., Mary R., a successful teacher of Cherry county; Flora E., wife of E. G. Ward; Florence G., wife of Ira Rose; and Francis. Mr. Jerman and his family are now in position to enjoy the fruits of their hard labor. They have a pleasant home and farm, and he is glad now that he stuck to Nebraska, although he has seen some hard times, often felt discouraged and ready to give up, but is satisfied that he could not have done as well in any other place.
He takes a commendable interest in all local affairs and has served his community as constable for a number of years. He has never held any political office, as he says he has had too many other things to engage his attention. He is a Democrat, and with the family an adherent of the Catholic faith.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John H. Lacy, one of the foremost business men of Harrison, is a member of the firm of Lacy & Dieckman, handling hardware, harness, lumber, grain, coal and machinery, and they conduct one of the largest stores of its kind in Sioux county, Nebraska
Mr. Lacy was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1867, on a farm. His father, Patrick, was also a native of that country, of Irish blood, and his mother was Elsie Hudgin, born and reared in Montreal. When our subject was a lad of about eight years, the family left Canada, and settled in Iowa, where he was raised and educated in the country schools, assisting his father in the work of carrying on the home farm. When he became of age he went to Ida county, in western Iowa, and there worked on farms for about six years, and at the end of that time began farming on his own account and remaining there for about two years.
Mr. Lacy came to Sioux county in 1895, taking up a homestead located seven miles northwest of Harrison, and proved up on his land, improved it in good shape and putting up good buildings. The farm contained one hundred and sixty acres of good land and he lived on that place for about seven years. He was principally engaged in raising small grains and also in the stock business on a small scale, and did fairly well, but finally gave it up and bought a ranch farm in Kansas and spent one year and a half in that state. In 1903 he came back to Nebraska and purchased his present business, and has made his home here continuously since that time. The firm have (sic) improved the store considerably, putting in a large stock of goods and have built up a good trade. (A sketch of the life of Mr. Lacy's partner, John Dieckman, who came into the business in 1906, will be found in this volume on another page.)
Our subject is also owner of a Kinkaid homestead consisting of four hundred and eighty acres in section 6, township 31, range 55. He has put over three thousand dollars' worth of improvements on this place and is still engaged in farming and ranching to quite an extent.
In 1892 Mr. Lacy was united in marriage to Matilda Dieckman, a sister of his partner. Mrs. Lacy's father, Henry Dieckman, is an old settler and well known resident of this county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lacy, namely: John H., William H., Elsie and Chester.
Mr. Lacy takes a commendable interest in all local political and school affairs, and has held school office for many years and done his full share as a citizen. He is a Democrat.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Albert E. Johnson, President, and A. G. Johnson, Cashier of the Farmers' State Bank of Loomis, Phelps county, Nebraska, are conspicuous examples of the success attending the Swede settlers who come to this country to carve out for themselves a home and fortune. This bank was organized in 1900, and purchased by the two gentlemen mentioned in 1905. The entire management falls upon A. G. Johnson, who was educated in the public schools. He qualified himself as a thorough accountant by a corespondent course with Bryant and Stratton College, and by strict application and hard work became an expert in his line of work.
The father of our subjects was a native of Sweden who came to America when a young man, settling in Kane county, Illinois. He was married in Sweden previous to coming to America but all of his children were born in America. In 1880 they came to Nebraska, locating in Phelps county, homesteading a quarter section in section 6, Laird township, and so well did they plan and work that at the death of the father, which occurred April 24, 1901, he left four hundred eighty acres of fine land, each son thus receiving an ample estate.
As an instance of the prosperity of this county, A. G. Johnson states that in 1896 the total deposits in Loomis banks was $6,000, and at the present writing, the deposits amount to over $250,000. The stockholders of the Farmers State Bank are James McClymont, President; A. G. Johnson, Cashier; Lynn Snodgrass, Vice-President; A. L. Johnson and Albert E. Johnson.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
T. B. Campbell, the popular and efficient train dispatcher for the Republican Valley division, resides at McCook, Nebraska, and is well known all through this locality as a citizen of true worth.
Mr. Campbell was born at Sheppard, Isabella county, Michigan, in 1858, and removed to Mansfield, Ohio, with his parents when a small boy. His father, Samuel J. Campbell, was county clerk of Isabella county and a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and family originally coming from the north of Ireland, where our subject's grandfather, John Campbell, was born. His mother was Jane A. Barnett, daughter of James Barnett, an old resident of Philadelphia, who was a manufacturer of edge tools. The Barnetts came from Holland to this country, locating in New York, and were in the Revolutionary war. A brother of our subject, J. W. Campbell, is assistant cashier of the 'Frisco Railway, located at Memphis, Tennessee, and another brother, J. B. Campbell, is a banker at Yuma, Colorado. When he was eighteen our subject began for himself, obtaining employment with the Pennsylvania Railroad at Mansfield, Ohio, in 1876, and ran from there to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Two years later he went to the superintendent's office, where he learned train dispatching, and the following year was attacked with malaria fever and was compelled to go west, and settled in Nebraska, and since that time his health has been perfect. During the year 1880 from April 25 to June 1, he was on the construction force of the B. & M Railway from Lister to Table Rock, and at this time the telegraph outfit was moved from Pawnee City to Fremont Butte, five miles south of Akron. In 1882 there was one passenger train per day each way, and now there are in all eight heavy passenger trains in a day. Between 1882 and now the freight record is: Then one freight train per day, and now there are four or five each day, and one of the trains now would have made four of that time, and this business has increased easily twenty-four per cent in twenty-six years. Today there are more operators in the McCook office than there was in 1882 on the whole line. At that time T. G. Rees was chief dispatcher and J. F. Forbes, J. F. Kenyon and our subject were trick men between Hastings and Denver. Today there are nine trick men, two chief dispatchers and one relief man.
The most exciting experience that Mr. Campbell ever had in his work was in March, 1886, when twelve cars loaded with coal were blown out of the Akron yards onto the main line and sent east on the down grade. The first intimation he had of this accident was a message from Hyde, Colorado, that these cars had just passed there at sixty-five miles an hour. The St. Louis passenger for Denver, with every seat taken, should just at that moment be taking water at Haigler. Engineer Hoag was in charge, who in the strike of 1887 was chairman, for the B. & M. division. Mr. Campbell called Haigler and No. 39 had just pulled out. This passenger train was sixteen miles east of Wray and the freight cars running wild thirty-four miles west, so our subject laid his plans at once. He called the agent at Wray and told him to get the night operator at once, and for the agent to go to the west switch, and the night man to the east switch, and put whichever train came first onto the siding and let the other one through on the main line. He also ordered the section men at Wray to go the curve or siding and to ditch the freight cars if the passenger train did not get on the siding and clear. The wind was blowing at a terrific rate, so that the section had just before been obliged to abandon their work, but they obeyed the orders. The first to come was the passenger at full speed. The night operator threw the switch and signaled to take it without a slow-down. In it rushed, and at that moment the runaway cars rounded the curve at a terrific rate, and the agent gave them the main line, and in a moment they had cleared the station and rushed on down the track. The engineer, conductor and passengers were horror-struck when they saw the terrible engine of destruction pass them and realized that they had escaped by a few seconds, for the whole train would have been ground to atoms, and hardly a person could have hoped to escape a horrible death. It was just twenty-one minutes from the first message to the time of safety. The superintendent stood by our subject breathless during this time, watching him operate the wires, and both seemed to grow years older in those few moments. An east bound freight was put on sidings at Benkelman, and the engine took after the runaways, when they went by. They overhauled the cars in an eight mile run and the fireman jumped from the footboard to the car and going to the farther end applied the brakes and brought the cars in without any mishap. Years later this incident was written up for Harper's Magazine by Spearman, and was regarded as one of the hairbreadth escapes among railroad incidents.
Mr. Campbell was married in 1881 to Miss Ella M. Alter, of Parnassus, Pennsylvania, whose family were well-known pioneer settlers in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have three children, named as follows: Harry A., with the B. & M. Ry., employed as timekeeper; Mrs. E. J. Kates, residing at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and Ruth, at home.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Clarence A. Ripley, one of the pioneers of Keya Paha county, has served his county in different capacities for many years, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen.
Mr. Ripley was born in Lockbridge, Jefferson county, Iowa, February 20, 1858, the eldest in a family of three children. His father, Wm. E. Ripley, now deceased, was a well-known merchant descended from Yankee stock; his mother, Miss Isabella Vanwinkle, was born in Indiana of American parents. The family removed to Osceola county, Iowa, where the boy remained until twenty-two years of age when he returned to Jefferson county and entered the employ of the C. B. & W. Ry., as telegraph operator at Lockridge, remaining with that company for three years. In 1882 he was married to Miss Hester L. Cutshall, daughter of Eli Cutshall, of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, an old settler in Buchanan county, Iowa. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ripley, named as follows: Jessie B., Bessie M., William E., Hazel D., Madge E., Sterling M., and Genevieve. After his marriage Mr. Ripley farmed in Iowa for two years, and in 1884 came to Keya Paha county and took a homestead in section 14, township 32, range 21, and for seven years led the life of a farmer.
In 1891 he moved to Springview and established a livery business, continuing in this for a year, when he was appointed postmaster of the village, holding this office for about six years. In the fall of 1899 he was elected county clerk on the Republican ticket, and twice re-elected, performing his duties faithfully and well. Mr. Ripley is a public spirited citizen, takes an active part in both local and state politics, and has represented his county at several state congressional conventions. He has been engaged in the abstract and real estate business and in August, 1907, purchased a lumber yard in Springview, to which he is devoting his energy; he also has extensive farming interests, owning several bodies of land aggregating one thousand one hundred and twenty acres, of which three hundred and forty acres are under cultivation. He is recognized as an able and efficient business man who well deserves a place among the makers and builders of Keya Paha county. He is actively interested in the Masonic, the Pythian and the Woodmen lodges of Springview.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
AUGUST G. NEUMANN
Among those who have passed through all the early Nebraska times in building up a home and establishing a reputation for themselves, this gentleman deserves special mention as a worthy and substantial citizen of his community. Mr. Neumann is an active public-spirited man, and has held many important positions since becoming a resident of Deuel county, many years ago.
Our subject was born in the Province of Rosen, Germany, in 1854. When he was an infant his parents came to America, the father settling in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and there he was raised and educated, attending the common schools and assisting his parents in the work on the home farm. When a young man of twenty-five years he came to Nebraska, locating in Sidney, and purchased a ranch near Lodgepole, making that his home for eight years, engaging in the sheep business and carried it on all of that time, during the first four years living all alone, roughing it most of the time, camping out winter and summer. After leaving that ranch he came to Deuel county, settling on a ranch three and a half miles southeast of Chappell, and there began raising cattle and horses. He put up good buildings, planted trees and fenced the place, improving it as rapidly as possible, and finally became owner of two thousand six hundred acres, which lies along Lodgepole Creek for a distance of two miles, making it an ideally situated ranch. He occupied the place up to 1893, then moved to Chappell and took possession of the old Johnson House, and was proprietor and manager of the hotel for thirteen years. He became a familiar figure in public affairs, and was known far and wide to the traveling public as a genial and popular host, his house being liberally patronized by all the commercial men going through this part of the state. Mr. Neumann was married in 1884 to Miss Mary Barrett, whose father, Harry Barrett, was a pioneer in Western Nebraska, and who helped in the construction of the Union Pacific Railway when it was built. Our subject is the father of four children, who are named as follows: Guy, Grace, Harry and Mary.
Politically Mr. Neumann is a Republican, and is now serving as County Commissioner, this being his second term. During 1885-'87 he held the same office in Cheyenne county. He has helped establish the schools in his community, and held various school offices, at present being a member of the School Board of Chappell.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Honorable W. G. Coie, residing in Hays township, Kearney county, retired farmer, is proprietor of a fine estate adjoining Minden, where his family occupy a beautiful new residence. Mr. Coie was elected on the Democratic and Peoples party to represent Kearney county in the state legislature for 1896 and 1897. He has always been active in political affairs here, having been assessor of Sherman township for five years, and also township clerk for several terms.
Mr. Coie is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio. His father, Robert Coie, was born in Donegal, Ireland, and came to America when a young man, settling in Ohio, where he met and married Miss Mary Elder, who resided in Coshocton county. She was one of a family of nineteen children, her father also a native of Ireland. In 1872 our subject came to Nebraska, locating at North Bend. He came here from Iowa, where he had farmed in Munroe county and later in Ringgold county. His brother, John Coie, was a member of the Iowa state legislature elected on the Republican ticket from Ringgold county to represent his district. One brother lives in Columbiana county, Ohio, and two others, Thomas and Samuel, served in the Union army for four years, the latter dying during the war. He was wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro.
In 1884 Mr. Coie came to Sherman township, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of school land and farmed there up to 1906, at which time he met with a serious accident through being kicked by a horse. He then sold out his farm and moved to his present place. While farming, he dealt largely in stock, making a specialty of pure bred hogs and fine horses and cattle, and was the owner of a number of as fine animals as could be found in this part of the state.
In 1873 Mr. Coie was married to Miss Margarette J. Dunlop, of Mount Ayr, Iowa. They are the parents of five children, namely: Nannie, William R., Mabel O., a teacher in the Minden schools; Mary and Una. The family are members of the United Presbyterian church and are highly esteemed throughout the community as worthy citizens and good neighbors.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
William H. Ketcham, an enterprising and energetic business man and worthy citizen of Crawford, Nebraska, is one of the pioneers in this section of the country.
Mr. Ketcham is a native of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, born in 1841. His father, Lorenzo Ketcham, was a prominent man of Northumberland, of American descent; his mother's maiden name was Catherine Crissman. He was reared in his native state until he reached the age of fourteen years, then went with his parents to Washington city and from thence to Philadelphia, where he learned the printer's trade. He afterwards worked on newspapers in different cities, including New York, Pittsburg, Louisville, Chicago and St. Louis, and for twelve years worked on the morning papers in different cities. In 1875 he settled in Indiana where he started a paper called The Gosport Gazette, and ran this for four years, then went to Kansas for a short time. In 1881 he came to Pawnee county and established the Argus Tabarock, but soon sold out and moved into Holt county, locating in Stuart and there started the Stuart Ledger, which was the first paper printed at that place He was editor and proprietor for about four years, and built up a large circulation and made a success of the enterprise.
In 1886 Mr. Ketcham landed in Crawford, and began working on a newspaper, the Crescent, which he ran for a year, then established what is now called "The Tribune." This is one of the principal papers of the town and has a wide circulation, surviving twenty-nine competitors since its start. Mr. Ketcham has a complete, up-to-date job and printing office and does all kinds of work in this line.
In 1898 our subject was appointed postmaster of Crawford under President McKinley, and re-appointed at the end of his term, but resigned to devote his entire time to the management of his business. He takes an active interest in matters of local importance, politically and otherwise, has always been a strong Republican, and an ardent anti-railroad and corporation control man.
Mr. Ketcham was married in 1871 to Miss Sierra Navader Brannock, a native of California. They have a family of four children, namely: Roy, Nellie, Willie and Harry.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
C. A. EDWARDS
Among the leading public spirited citizens of Kearney, Buffalo county, Nebraska, the name of C. A. Edwards merits a foremost place. He is a business man of more than ordinary ability and has gained the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has had to do since locating in Nebraska.
Mr. Edwards was born in Moline, Ill. He was educated at Valparaiso, Indiana, and from 1894 to 1902 held the position of manager and engineer of the Gothenburg Water Power and Irrigation Company, located at Gothenburg, Nebraska. He built for this company twenty miles of irrigation ditch, also the orchard and alfalfa ditch at Cozad. In 1902 the Gothenburg company sold out all their interest to the Platte Valley Cattle Company. From 1887 to 1891 he was county surveyor of Dawson county, and he was the engineer in the building of the Kearney & Black Hills railway, from the former place to Callaway. Prior to coming to Nebraska our subject was a resident engineer on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern railway. He has platted many of the town sites through the western part of the state of Nebraska, and he has calls from all over this part of the state for his services. He has followed his profession as civil engineer and surveyor for the past twenty-four years in this part of the country, first coming to Nebraska in 1885, when he located at Guernsey, near Sumner. In 1902 he was elected county surveyor of Buffalo county, also city surveyor of Kearney, and has filled both of these positions with credit, and met with marked success in every undertaking. Mr. Edwards is also interested in agricultural pursuits to some extent, and is the owner of a fine farm in Dawson country. He was married April 14, 1865, to Miss Alvina Lulen, a native of Dows, Iowa. They have five children--Florence, Gordon, Herbert, Gladys and Frank, all at home.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
E. A. Carrier, who owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 16, township 20, range 51, is one of the substantial farmers and highly esteemed citizens of his community. He is a pioneer of his county, and has devoted his entire career to farming and ranching, making a success of the business.
Mr. Carrier was born in New York state February 11th, 1859, and lived there until he was seven years, then came to the eastern part of Nebraska, where our subject was reared. When he was twelve years old, his father died, and in 1887 E. A. left his mother's home and came to Cheyenne county, taking up a homestead on section 14, township 20, range 51, which he has improved in good shape. All of this is under ditch and consists principally of hay land. He has good buildings, plenty of water and every convenience of modern farming.
The father and mother of our subject are both dead. On November 30th, 1880, he was united in marriage at Arlington, Neb., to Melissa Lamberson, who was born and reared in Stark county, Ohio. To them have been born seven children, named as follows: Laura, married to Robt. E. Davis, they living at Bayard; C.C., who is married, and R. L. S., Myron, Florence, Myrtle and Julia, who are living at home
They have a very pleasant home and form a most interesting and congenial family circle. Mr. Carrier is a man of exemplary character, most pleasant and cheerful disposition, held in the highest esteem by his fellowmen. He is director of School District No. 44.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ED. COLLINS
Among the leading merchants of Merriman, the gentleman above named is accorded a first place by reason of his industry and integrity, through which he has built up a splendid patronage and gained the esteem and respect of all with whom he has ever had any dealings. Mr. Collins has made Nebraska his home since his early boyhood, and is thoroughly familiar with the entire western part of the state, and is one of the substantial citizens of his community.
Mr. Collins is a native of Ulster county, New York, born December 29, 1869, on a farm. He is a son of T. H. and Louisa (DePew) Collins (the latter dying in New York while Edward was a small child). T. H. Collins came to western Nebraska in the spring of 1885 with his family of three children, taking up a homestead in Dawes county. The family drove from Sidney on the Fort Robinson and Black Hills trail into that county to their homestead, the trip consuming many days and nights, the latter spent in camping out in a tent. Mr. Collins built one of the first frame houses ever put up in this region. In 1890 our subject started out for himself, going to Bessimer, Wyoming, where he worked at the printer's trade, then went to Casper and was employed on the Casper Derrick, remaining there for two years. He next went to Whitney, Nebraska, his old home town, where he opened a store and was in business there for a number of years. In 1900 he sold out this store and came to Merriman, purchasing the general store of Frank E. Coffee, who had established the enterprise about two years previously. Mr. Collins has built up a large trade and carries a complete and up-to-date line of goods. His store occupies a floor space 24x74, his success being due to his good management and thorough knowledge of the business.
On June 13, 1894, Mr. Collins was married to Miss Grace Canfield, at Whitney. Her father, S. G. Canfield, was a pioneer in Dawes county. Mrs. Collins was teacher prior to her marriage, a graduate of the Chadron schools. Four children came to bless this marriage, named as follows: Edna, Florence, Harold and Doris, the first three born in Dawes county, and the youngest in Cherry county.
Mr. Collins takes an active part in all local affairs, and is a member of the town board. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Merriman.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
W. P. Hunnicutt, who resides on section 31, Laird township, is one of the prosperous farmers of Phelps county, Nebraska, and has gained a valuable estate and enviable reputation as a worthy citizen through his industry and enterprising labor.
Mr. Hunnicutt is a native of Indiana, reared and educated in Randolph county, where he assisted his father in running his farm, and from his experience in that and other states prior to coming to Nebraska, is of the opinion that the latter is superior to almost any place as a farming region. In Indiana the soil is nearly all clay and wears out quickly, while the greater of this state has loamy soil and is richer and lasts better, and one man here can do as much as two men there. He first came to Nebraska in 1882, and in the fall of 1884 purchased his present farm. Since locating on this place he has gone in mostly for grain raising, but always keeps a number of head of good stock--from thirty to fifty head of Red Polled cattle and about fourteen fine Norman horses for use on his farm. He also runs from fifty to one hundred hogs most of the time. He prefers the Red Polled cattle as best for all general purposes, being good milkers, beefers and gentle, having no horns. Mr. Hunnicutt raises fine crops of corn, the grain averaging forty to sixty bushels per acre, and oats from thirty-five to sixty bushels. Wheat is also a good crop with him, yielding twenty-five to forty bushels per acre, and A1 in quality. For three years, from 1882 to 1885, he farmed in Seward county, but likes it better here than there. He has three sons who assist him in carrying on his farm, and each cultivates one hundred and eighty acres of land, keeping it in first-class shape, where in Indiana it would take four or more men to work the same number of acres. When Mr. Hunnicutt first located on his place there was only forty acres broken up, and only two frame houses between his place and Holdrege, and the development and growth of this region has been very rapid since that time. He has a fine large grass pasture. He also has a nice ten-acre patch of alfalfa.
Mr. Hunnicutt was married in January, 1885, at Louisville, Indiana, to Miss Susan Binford, of Henry county, Indiana, and they have a family of three sons, namely: Frank B., Charles A. and Jonathan Raymond, all at home with their parents. The good wife died September 28, 1908, mourned by all the family and a host of warm friends. She was a model mother and home-maker and is intensely missed by the members of the home.
Mr. Hunnicutt's father was a native of Virginia, settling in Indiana when a boy, and died there in January, 1907, at the advanced age of ninety-one.
Our subject belongs to the Independent People's party, and was for some years on the county central committee, attending all the conventions as a delegate. He was also on the district school board for nineteen years. He and his family are members of the M. S. church at Pleasant View, and Mr. Hunnicutt acts as a trustee of that church, also is superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is one of the foremost citizens in all matters of local importance, and recognized as a leading public-spirited member of the community.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Calvin H. Hagerman is one of the older residents of Brown county, Nebraska, and is widely known around Ainsworth as a man who is to be respected alike for his plain and honest character, his upright life and his long service in the Union army during the war of the great Rebellion, when he bore arms for liberty and law. Now that his day is nearing the sunset of life it is his privilege to look backward over a long and useful career and to feel that he has done something for the world and the welfare of man.
Mr. Hagerman was born on a farm in the state of New York, February 18, 1833; his parents were also born in that state, though his father came of English ancestry, while his mother was of German descent. He was one of a family of eighteen children that blessed their union, eleven of whom reached maturity. He was reared in Michigan, whither his parents removed in 1836, being numbered among the first pioneers of the state. He was reared in Lenawee county, of that state, and secured limited school privileges until he was ten years of age; schools and teachers were not plentiful in a new country, and the young lad was early thrown on his own resources. While still a boy he made a trip in 1852 to Wisconsin working on farms but returned to Lenawee county to remain until he was twenty-three years of age. In 1856 he made a permanent settlement in Bad Axe county, now Vernon county, Wisconsin, and for three years was in the employ of a brother in that state. In the meantime the country had gone wild over the stories of gold in the Colorado mountains, and our subject started for Pike's Peak in search of this fabulous wealth. But like many another craze, the closer he drew to the scene the less real it appeared and meeting over five hundred teams returning, before he reached the mountains, he had determined, after camping three days on Turkey Creek, near the Kansas-Colorado line, to turn back, as the chances seemed all against him. It was during this delay he enjoyed his first buffalo hunt. Starting out on foot, he met a herd coming his way. Hiding in the grass, he waited until they were in range, and then fired at a big bull but the shot missed. However, a second shot grazed the bull, which enraged him, and he started to hunt the hunter. The enraged bull was rapidly nearing the young hunter, who discovered at this juncture that his gun was useless. This was a serious matter, as he had only a hunting knife left with which to defend himself. Fortunately for our subject, the herd alarmed by the strange actions of the bull, stampeded, and in the wild scramble which followed, the bull was turned from his course. A bullet having lodged in the barrel of Mr. Hagerman's gun, he was unable to shoot at the now fleeing animals.
Shortly after this he went to Missouri, where he passed a year and a half. Then for the third time went to Wisconsin. This was in 1861, and in the meantime the war for the Union had broken out, and Mr. Hagerman was among the first to enlist from Wisconsin, becoming a member of Company A, Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery. The battery very soon saw active service at Cumberland Gap and near the Cumberland and Kanawha. It passed the Vicksburg campaign, and took part in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, and Black river, being sent the next year to the relief of the Red River expedition. Throughout the war they were employed much of the time in hard and dangerous campaigning. The captain of the company, J. T. Foster, of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, became the colonel of the battery, and achieved a reputation as one of the very ablest artillery officers in the service. About the time of his discharge Mr. Hagerman was sent to New York as one of the detail in charge of a body of rebel prisoners. He was discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, on the expiration of his enlistment, in 1864. The company started out with an equipment of light brass guns, but were soon supplied with twenty-pounders, and before the close of the war had two full batteries of the heavier cannon.
When Mr. Hagerman returned to civil life he found work in a Wisconsin saw mill, and later was engaged in farming for several years. For a period of three years he lived in Iowa, and about 1880 settled on the Platte river in Nebraska. In 1882 he located in Brown county, having filed on a claim in September, 1881, and partially constructed a sod house. They drove across country from the Platte, the trip occupying from February 9 to March 1, the day they reached their homestead in what was then almost an unbroken wilderness for miles around.
Mr. Hagerman was married November 2, 1861, to Miss Sarah J. Crandall, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, a daughter of Ezekiel Crandall, and a descendant of an old American family; the mother Jane Coburn, was of German descent. Her father was a farmer, and is remembered as an honorable and upright man. Mr. and Mrs. Hagerman became the parents of the following children: Leona, Elmer (dead), Hattie, wife of George A. Smith, Oran (dead), Edgar, Melvin, Worthy and Grace, wife of Leve Lindquist.
When Mr. Hagerman and his family came into Brown county to make their new home they drove overland from the Platte. The journey across the prairie was a hard one at this time of the year. They rested on the trip for three days at O'Neill before proceeding on their journey through the rain and snow. On arrival at their destination they found the only improvement on the place consisted of a sod house with but half a roof and no floor. A start had been made, however, and after some six years the sod house was replaced with a better home. Mr. Hagerman was always improving and today has a fine establishment. He began with ox teams, and at first all the money he secured was from the sale of cedar posts, which he cut in the canyons and sold at the railroad station. At the present writing, 1909, Mr. Hagerman owns nearly a section of land, of which some three hundred and twenty acres are under active cultivation, and here it is said that he has the finest set of farm buildings in the county. The farm house is a fine and imposing two-story structure, with one story addition. Here he has cultivated a considerable orchard, one hundred and eighty apple trees and many cherry and plum trees. The small fruits are plenty, and his front lawn is regarded with admiration by all who see it, ornamented as it is with deciduous trees and evergreens, interspersed with flower beds. He has a supply tank for irrigating and the house is equipped with two telephone lines. The genial hosts dispense their hearty hospitality in true western style.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Lind Nelson, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Franklin, retired, has been a resident of western Nebraska for over thirty-five years. He has acquired a valuable property through his industry and thrift, supplemented by good management and honest dealings, and well merits the success he has attained.
Mr. Nelson was born in Christianstadt, Sweden, in 1849, and in 1869 came to the United States, locating in Sangamon county, Illinois. He farmed there up to 1872, then came to Nebraska, locating in Nemaha county and lived there for six years; then to Gage county, where he bought a farm which he lived on up to 1900. In 1895 he was elected sheriff of Gage county and served for two terms. The first time he ran for office the Republican majority in Beatrice was seven hundred, and the cry was to defeat a foreigner. Our subject went out among the Bohemians and Germans, who were Democrats, and succeeded in getting enough votes to offset his opponents and succeeded in capturing the office, and the following term was elected without any trouble at all, the cry being to "let that Swede alone." He farmed two hundred acres, buying feeding and shipping stock, and also raised grains, all of which he fed out on his farm and bought more besides. In 1899 he purchased four hundred and twenty-seven acres situated on the river one mile east of the Franklin depot, and engaged in mixed farming and stock feeding, running from three to four hundred cattle each year, and the same number of hogs. In one year his profits from this source alone was six thousand dollars.
Mr. Nelson is a splendid specimen of the Swedes who have made prosperity for themselves and the state of Nebraska by their perseverance and earnest efforts to get ahead. He is a finely developed man of large frame, enjoying perfect health, genial and generous in disposition, well liked by everyone with whom he comes in contact.
Our subject was married in 1874 to Miss Anna Miller, of Nemaha county, daughter of Simon Miller, a pioneer of that locality, originally from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are the parents of seven children, who are named as follows: Carl, cashier of the State Bank, of Franklin; L. C., formerly of Cody, Wyoming, connected with Buffalo Bill, and now at Belle Fourche, South Dakota; John, owner of a three hundred and twenty-acre farm at Elsie, Nebraska; Austin, cashier of the State bank, at Naponee; George, at home; Lena, also living at home, and Bessie, wife of C. C. Butler, of San Francisco. All of the children are graduates of the Beatrice or Franklin high schools, and are bright, intelligent young people, highly esteemed throughout their home community. The family are members of the Christian church at Franklin.
For three terms Mr. Nelson was supervisor of Glenwood township, and on the school board at O'Dell for eleven years. He is an active Republican and takes a keen interest in all affairs of a political or educational nature in his locality. He is a Mason and has been a member of that lodge for over thirty years, and is also an Odd Fellow.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Thomas H. McCandless, a well-known resident of Hemingford, Nebraska, was for some years engaged in ranching in Box Butte county. He is well known throughout that section and is held in high esteem by his associates. Mr. McCandless is now engaged in the practice of law at Hemingford, and also handles real estate, and is in the newspaper business to some extent.
Mr. McCandless was born in Mercer county, Illinois, in 1856. His father, William, was a farmer, and was soldier in the Civil war, and was killed during the battle of Stone River at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The father married Miss Sarah Ann Duncan, of Pennsylvania.
Our subject was reared in Illinois, and was educated in the common schools, as a boy helping in the work of carrying on the home farm, after the death of his father being compelled to help support his mother and the family. When he reached the age of twenty he went to Iowa, locating in Page county, where he remained for four years, then to Leadville, Colorado, engaging in newspaper work at the latter place, working on the Herald Democrat and other newspapers for many years. He spent one year in Cripple Creek, Colorado, and then came to Box Butte county in 1897, arriving here in July. He immediately went on a ranch and was engaged in ranching up to 1905.
In 1906 Mr. McCandless located in Hemingford and engaged in his present business, handling real estate all through this section, and also practicing law.
Our subject's mother came to this county in 1886, accompanied by one son, Wm. J. McCandless, a younger brother of Thomas, who was then a land locater in this section. William became well known in the locality, and went through pioneer experiences, also following the profession of a lawyer, and is well known throughout the county, his death occurring in 1895, after witnessing Box Butte county's early development and growth.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
PERRY A. YEAST
In presenting to the public a history of Nebraska, the list would not be complete without having mentioned the name of the gentleman above. Mr. Yeast is one of the leading old settlers and prominent ranchmen of western Nebraska, having spent the past twenty years and more in the vicinity of his present homestead. He has always been engaged in ranching on an extensive scale, and has made a complete success of the work.
Perry A. Yeast is a native of McDonough county, Illinois, born in December, 1861, on a farm. His father was Adam Yeast, of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and was an early pioneer in Illinois. Our subject grew up in his native county, where he followed farming, assisting his father on the home place, and at the age of eighteen left home and came to Nebraska, locating in Saline county, forty miles from Lincoln. In 1883 he moved to Keith county, locating on the Platte river, and there went into the cattle business, working as a cowboy, rounding up herds of cattle, and seeing every phase of frontier life. About 1887, he came to Grant county, locating south of Hyannis, and has also spent some time in the vicinity of old Alkali Lake, twenty miles southwest of Hyannis. While there he did a great deal of hunting, as game of all kinds was plentiful in the early days in Nebraska, and during his first year's residence on his present ranch a buffalo was killed on the place. He also freighted during those years, hauling stuff a distance of ninety miles, from Ogallala.
At one time Mr. Yeast went into Iowa and bought a farm, starting in the cattle feeding business there and ran the place for several years. He has also bought and sold numerous ranches, and assisted in the establishing of Wyoming, where he ran cattle and made a success, having built up and operated three ranches in that state. He began in the stock raising business as soon as he settled permanently in Grant county on his homestead, which he improved in fine shape and still owns. In 1888 he began building up the Farm Valley Ranch, situated twenty miles southwest of Hyannis, mentioned above, which is also at present a valuable piece of land. Aside from his own extensive ranching interests, owning in all three thousand four hundred acres, he manages and operates two ranches in Cherry county, which are the property of the Standard Cattle Company, which contain in all about eighteen thousand acres of land.
Mr. Yeast married, in 1883, Miss Nancy Markland, daughter of Wm. R. Markland, who is an early settler of Saline county, where he still occupies his original homestead, taken in the early Nebraskan days. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Yeast, namely: Lillie, Frank and Ruth.
Mr. Yeast may be truly called a veteran ranchman, and during the time he has been in this vicinity has done his full share in the building up of the region.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
MELVILLE E. PRATT
What may be accomplished by industry, good management and honest dealings is demonstrated by the life of the gentleman whose name heads this review. For many years past he has been a resident of Keya Paha county, and by honest endeavor has acquired a valuable estate and an enviable reputation. He is an agriculturist of intelligence and capability, operating his farm in a thorough and painstaking manner.
Mr. Pratt was born in Solon, Iowa, July 23, 1862. His father, Charles Pratt, was born in Maine, and came to Solon in the early days of that vicinity, where he was a prominent merchant, until 1890, when he disposed of his business and moved to Iowa City, where he died in 1906. He had settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1840, and during the gold fever in the early fifties, went to California. He married Miss Annie N. True, a native of Maine, and they had a family of six children, of whom our subject is the second member. At the age of twenty-one he started out for himself, working on farms in their locality. He went to Montana in 1884, herding cattle for a time, then returned to Iowa and worked his father's farm for four years. In 1891 he first saw Keya Paha county, coming here in April and locating on section 20, township 35, range 18, on which he "squatted" for eight years before filing on it as a homestead. When he landed here he had very little money, but has worked hard and now owns four hundred acres of good land, cultivating fifty acres of it. He keeps twenty horses and thirty mules, and has raised a good many of the latter animals for the market during the last eight years. Prior to that time he dealt extensively in sheep, but gave them up as he thought mules could be made more profitable. His place is well improved with good buildings, fences, etc., and he is one of the foremost farmers in his section of the country, and has done his full share in developing the county and community.
Although Mr. Pratt is a strong Republican and takes a commendable interest in local affairs, he has never held any office.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JAMES EDWARD ESTLACK
A man's part has been played in the making of Rock county, and conversion of the shining prairies of Nebraska into fertile and well kept farms by him whose name begins this article, and whose home is in Kirkwood precinct. Plain and unpretending in his manner, he is honest and straightforward in his character, industrious in his habit, and has proved himself reliable at every point as does become a man.
Mr. Estlack was born in Morrow county, Ohio, April 7, 1859, and the farm on which he first saw the light was set in the depths of the towering beech woods. His father, Erwin Peter Estlack, was a farmer through a long and useful life; was of Dutch descent, and a native of Pennsylvania. His wife, Martha A. (Roach) Estlack, was born of Irish parentage, though native to American soil. They had a family of eight children, of whom Edward was the fifth. The year following his birth the family left Ohio and settled in Benton county, Iowa, making their home near Blairstown, where the father died. When he was eight years old the mother, with her family went to Sioux City, where presently a very exciting experience was had with the Sioux City and Pacific railroad. Their coming to that place had preceded the coming to the railroad, and when the right of way for the first road was laid out it passed directly through the center of their little home. No agreement for compensation was reached, and suddenly the railroad hands swooped down on their house, and set it bodily out of the right of way. After this somewhat rough and ready experience the family spent three years in Sioux City, and then settled in Clay county, South Dakota, where the grasshopper plague fell on them in all its malignancy. No headway could be made against so complete destruction, and they returned to Sioux City, where James Edward Estlack mastered the butcher's trade, and was in the employ of one man for a period of fourteen years. Rheumatism compelled a change of vocation, and for some six years he was engaged as express driver and messenger. Then for a time he was in the restaurant business for himself at Yankton, South Dakota, and in 1901 came into Rock county, Nebraska.
In 1902 Mr. Estlack was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary Ellen Turpin, a pioneer settler of Rock county, and the widow of Robert N. Turpin, who came to what is now Rock county in 1878.
Mr. Estlack now possesses a well-tilled farm of three hundred and ten acres, in the cultivation of which he takes much pleasure. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres farther to the west, and is pushing rapidly to the front as one of the leading stockmen and grain farmers of this western country. As a man and a citizen, Mr. Estlack enjoys the respect and confidence of the public, and taking, as he does, an intelligent and active interest in political affairs, his influence is exerted for the welfare of the town and state. He has been a lifelong Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
PAGE T. FRANCIS
Perseverance and diligence are the stepping stones to success. These characteristics, supplemented by honesty and good citizenship, are among the many attributes possessed by the gentleman herein named. Mr. Francis has resided in different parts of the state of Nebraska for the past forty years, and is one of the representative men of the west, highly esteemed by all who have met him either in a business or social way.
Mr. Francis is a native of Maine, born on the 12th of February, 1843. His parents, Samuel and Naomi (True) Francis, lived in Androscoggin county, where the former owned and operated a farm for many years. Our subject grew up in his native state and at the age of eighteen years enlisted in the Third Maine infantry. He participated in the first battle at Bull Run, and was with the army of the Potomac for the first two years. He was in the Peninsula campaign, and was severely wounded at Fair Oaks, being discharged soon after on account of these wounds. In 1863 he re-enlisted in the Thirtieth Maine regiment and saw service in Louisiana. He was with General Banks, up the Red river, and was again wounded at Cain River Crossing and transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and during the balance of the war served in Pennsylvania, hunting deserters and clerking on court martials.
In 1867 Mr. Francis came west, locating in Otoe county, Nebraska, as a pioneer. He bought government land, and soon sold this out and came further west, settling in Webster county in 1870, where he remained for two years then moved to Redwillow county. He hunted buffalo all through this section, and became thoroughly familiar with all of the country. He went into the Black Hills from Sidney on the Union Pacific, from 1876 to 1880, and during the entire winter of '76 slept out doors under his wagon. He had always made his Redwillow farm his home up to 1895, and then came to Dawes county where he took charge of the ditching of the Crawford Irrigation & Water Power Company, and ever since that time has been identified with that work. He is at present acting under the secretary of state, and board of irrigation. In the early days Mr. Francis freighted lumber from Nebraska City to Lincoln before the railroad had reached this part of the country.
Mr. Francis was married in 1882 to Miss Betsy Johnson, and to them have been born four children, namely: Frank, a sheep rancher in Montana; Ruth, working as a teacher in Chadron; and Bonnie and Grace, at home.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Benjamin Jenkins, Ainsworth, Nebraska, was very active in the settlement of Brown county, and is widely known as an earnest and reliable citizen, an energetic and hustling farmer, and a man who is to be relied upon and trusted in any and every circumstance. Coming here when northern Nebraska was a wilderness, and the coyotes close neighbors, he has seen the wilderness, and the wild beasts vanish, while blooded stock and alfalfa came into the land.
Mr. Jenkins was born in New York in 1849, on a farm on which his parents had lived for many years. Coming of an old American family the best traditions of the east are preserved in his career. He was the only child of his parents, and when he was some four years old, his mother removed to Illinois and settled in Carroll county. His father had already died in New York. There he was reared to manhood and given such educational advantages as the rural schools of the day afforded, finishing with a year at a more pretentious military school. In 1870 he was married to Miss Nora Green, a daughter of an old American family, though her mother's people were Irish. This union has been blessed with eleven children: Lizzie, who married Louis Pouton; Frank, Floyd, Lydia, Maude Ethel, Nellie, Daisy, Clara Belle, Elmer, Earl and Harry. The first three of the children were born in Illinois; the others were Nebraska born. Mr. Jenkins lived in Illinois for nine years after his marriage, and was employed part of this time by "the Diamond Jo" line, a noted Mississippi river transportation company. Before leaving that State he was also engaged in farming for three years. In 1878 he came to Nebraska, and lived for some three years in Hamilton and Merrick counties, before his removal to Brown county, which occurred in 1884. He made the trip across the State in a covered wagon, and had many unique experiences on the way. He secured his present farm property as a tree claim. He began operations here on another farm, but finally made permanent settlement where his is found today. Here he has lived some fifteen years, and out of somewhat hard and unfavorable conditions has reaped a rich reward. He owns a half section of land, about two hundred acres of which are under a high degree of cultivation and the balance devoted to pasture and meadow, and commands the respect and confidence of the community as a fair and straightforward man and a citizen of good repute.
In politics Mr. Jenkins is a Democrat.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
P. L. Mairs, who is owner of a good ranch, is an old settler in Kimball county. He was born in Sullivan county, Missouri, on July 17, 1862, and was the fourth member in a family of six children, having two brothers and three sisters. His father and mother were both born in Ireland, came to America when quite young and were married in Virginia, the father coming to the United States about 1840, settling in Jackson county, West Virginia, and afterwards went to Kansas and located in Ness county, where he died in 1904. Our subject grew up in Missouri, following farming there up to 1900, then came to Kimball county, Nebraska, and at once settled on a homestead on section 18, township 12, range 53, securing in all one thousand two hundred acres, which is the home ranch. Here he cultivates about two hundred and fifty acres, and has met with splendid success.
Mr. Mairs is progressive in his methods of operating his ranch, and has many improvements in the way of farm machinery, every kind of good buildings, etc. He deals extensively in sheep, running from four thousand to six thousand each year, and derives a handsome income from the same. He runs from one thousand five hundred to two thousand on each of his three improved ranches, marketing his sheep at Omaha.
Mr. Mairs was married in Kirkville, Missouri, February 24, 1885, to Miss Ida Wilks, who is a native of Missouri. They have two children, Charles Allen, who has taken up a homestead on section 12, township 12, range 54 adjoining his father's home place, farming in summer, teaching school in winter; also Elsie Lee, who is attending school. Mrs. Mairs' mother is a resident of Kimball, living with a daughter. Mr. Mairs has two sisters living in Kansas, one in Oklahoma; one brother in Missouri and the other brother in Kansas. Mr. Mairs and his family occupy a comfortable residence in Kimball, but he give his entire time to active management of his ranch. He is a Republican and strong party man, is well and favorably known, and since coming to this vicinity has taken an active part in local affairs and has left his impress on the history of his county. He is a member of the county committee, chosen in 1905. He was active in establishing a county high school, the first in Nebraska.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John B. Tillinghast, an influential and reputable pioneer of Loup county, lives on his comfortable home farm in section 8, township 21, range 17, where he located in the year 1883. Mr. Tillinghast was born in the town of Exeter, Washington county, Rhode Island, in 1853, his parents being Clark and Sarah (Brown) Tillinghast. His father was a farmer by occupation and was of old English stock, and he reared five boys, Clark, Frank, John, Thomas and Byron; also four girls, May, Sarah, Annie and Nellie. John and Thomas are the only ones that came west. Thomas remained until 1895, then went to Mississippi.
John B. Tillinghast was reared and educated in Rhode Island, and, later, followed farming in Rhode Island. He came west to Loup county in 1883, and located on his present farm, and he has worked hard to improve his fine ranch of three hundred and twenty acres. He drove here with team and covered wagon and camped out several weeks on the way. His first buildings were built of sod, in the pioneer style, and he passed through many of the hard and rough experiences that always come in the history of the pioneer. Drought and hail storms worked havoc with his crops several years and then, to add to his troubles, fire came and destroyed his barns and harnesses, etc. But Mr. Tillinghast has weathered the storms of adversity and hardship and is now enjoying the well-earned fruits of his hard labor, and intelligent planning.
Our subject has always been interested in the political movements of his community, and he has, by word and deed, sanctioned everything that tended toward the betterment of the vicinity in which he lives. He is an honored and respected citizen. Mr. Tillinghast is surely one of the old-timers and it is a pleasure to meet him and hear his interesting reminiscences of early days.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John R. Chaloud, whose biography forms an interesting page in the history of the early settlement of Nebraska, is a resident of section 22, township 28, range 29, Cherry county, where he has become widely and favorably known. He has developed a fine farm and ranch there, is one of the energetic and prosperous citizens, and enjoys a pleasant home and many warm friends.
Mr. Chaloud was born in the province of Moravia, which is a province of Austria, in 1872. His father was of German stock, born in Moravia, and when John was a child of three years the family came to America, settling at first in Colfax county, Nebraska, and were among the pioneers in eastern Nebraska. The father took a homestead and begun (sic) to build up a home, our subject attending the common schools as a boy, assisting his parents in the farm work. When he was fourteen years old he left home and secured employment on farms and ranches in the vicinity of their home, and for the first four years gave all his earnings to his family. He came to Cherry county, in 1887, and worked out on ranches for fourteen years, beginning as a stock ranger, and working himself up to be foreman of big ranches. He rode all over the western part of the state as a cowboy, camping out on the plains both winter and summer, and knew every bit of the country as well as a scout, in his work of rounding up cattle. He trailed herds of cattle from Wyoming and Colorado into Nebraska, and has seen as much of western ranching life as any man of his age here. In 1903 he started in business for himself, his first location being on Goose Creek, where he lived for two years, then came to his present ranch, which is situated twelve miles northwest of Brownlee. Here he has worked hard to build up and develop a good ranch, and is now proprietor of one thousand two hundred acres which is all fenced, with good buildings and improvements. He has a fine grove of trees which he planted, also plenty of fruit trees for home use, and farms a small portion of his land, raising small grain and vegetables for his family. There is a good supply of water from wells, with wind mills, and everything is in the finest shape possible. His surroundings are very pleasant, and he is justly recognized as one of the leading ranchmen of his township.
Mr. Chaloud lived a bachelor existence up to 1906, on January 26th of the year taking as wife Miss Helen Anderson, born in Sweden, and daughter of Herman Anderson, a prominent old settler in Omaha. Two children have been born to them, Delmer Luverne and Vera Christine.
Our subject takes a leading part in township affairs and has done his share as a public-spirited citizen.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Steven L. James, a successful and prominent ranchman and farmer of section 18, township 25, range 31, Cherry county, Nebraska, was born in Alleghany county, North Carolina, close to the Virginia line, in 1853. His parents, James Y. James and Elizabeth (Scott) James, were of old American blood, farmers by occupation, and our subject was reared on the home farm, remaining with his parents up to 1880. In that year he emigrated to Texas, and settled on rented land and tried to open a farm. He first started to raise cotton, but was unable to make a success of it, and after remaining there for seven years and not getting on very well, gave up the struggle and came to Nebraska, filing on a pre-emption and tree claim in Cherry county. The first five years were spent in working hard to get his ranch started, breaking up land, and also working out in the vicinity to help in getting a living, and went through all the pioneer experiences.
In 1893 Mr. James took a homestead, built a sod house and started to develop the farm and ranch where he now resides, using a pair of oxen for all his work, and while he did pretty well, saw many hard times. He kept at it, however, and added improvements as he was able, and each year was able to raise some crops. He worked faithfully, gradually adding more land to his original possessions, until he is now proprietor of a fine ranch of six hundred and forty acres deeded and besides this deeded land controls and operates quite a big tract of leased land and also has a Kincaid homestead, engaging in cattle raising and mixed farming. He has built up a good home, with fine improvements, orchards, etc., and is numbered among the well-to-do and progressive ranchmen of his community.
Mr. James was married in Grayson county, Virginia, to Virginia Boyer, daughter of John Boyer and Jane (Fielder) Boyer, both of whom died in Grayson county, on their old homestead. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. James, named as follows: Enice, Fay B., Loy, Lillian and Cora. Both sons are homesteaders and have good farms near the father's ranch, and are also extensively engaged in the stock business, and are energetic and successful ranchers.
Mr. James is a leading citizen, active in local affairs, and is a prominent member of the Independent party.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN H. DIECKMAN
Among the prominent settlers of western Nebraska we mention the name of John H. Dieckman as being one of the best known from the fact that he has spent the past fourteen years of his career in this region, and during that time has devoted his best efforts to aiding in the development of the natural resources of Sioux county, and helped to build up the community in which he chose his home. He is now a resident of Harrison, where he occupies a pleasant home and is a partner in the firm of Lacy and Dieckman, handling hardware, harness, lumber, coal, machinery of all kinds, grain, etc.
Mr. Dieckman was born in Holstein, Germany, in 1871, and came to America with his parents, the family settling in Chicago, where they remained for about five years. They next moved to Iowa, and lived in Ida county up to 1895, then came to Nebraska, locating in Harrison, landing here on January 11th, of that year. John located on a homestead situated four miles southwest of Harrison, where he started a farm, "batching" it in a rude shack and began to improve the claim. He lived on this homestead for five years, then moved to Harrison and purchased a livery business which he conducted for about five years, then sold out the establishment and returned to his ranch and farmed for two years. He moved back to Harrison at the end of that time and went into the hardware and lumber business as partner of John H. Lacy, and together they have built up a good trade, and are doing well. Both gentleman are first-class business men, and well liked by all with whom they have to do in a business or social way.
Mr. Dieckman was married in 1904 to Myrtle Pontius. Mrs. Dieckman is a daughter of E. F. Pontius, one of the old settlers of this region, and he is at present serving as county clerk of this county. Our subject is the father on one child, Frank.
Politically Mr. Dieckman is a Democrat. He is a member of the town board of Harrison, and takes a commendable interest in local and county affairs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles A. Weir, of North Platte, is prominently known in railway circles in the western part of the state of Nebraska. He is conductor on the Union Pacific railway, western division. His father, James Weir, was connected with this road, at the beginning of its construction, and remained in this department up to the winter of 1886. Weir Siding was named after him. Prior to coming here he was in Canada on the Grand Trunk railway, having come there from Ireland, where he was born in 1826. Our subject's grandfather, James Weir, died in 1898, aged one hundred and nine years, at Montreal, Canada.
Mr. Weir was born at Julesburg, in 1868, and at the age of twenty began railroading at Sterling, Colorado, with the Union Pacific railway in 1884, employed as section foreman, then went west in the train service, and has been conductor on that road for the past ten years. He is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors, and past chief conductor of that lodge. He has five brothers, all of whom are, or have been, railway men nearly all their lives. W. J. Weir is trainmaster on the Midland Valley railway at Forth Smith, Arkansas; Frank Weir, conductor on the El Paso & N. W. Railway, of Texas; Andrew Weir, retired conductor, residing at Colorado Springs; Joseph Weir, retired railway man, now a farmer at Sterling, Colorado, where the father also resides; Robert Weir, with the Union Pacific, now conductor at Denver. Our subject's wife, who was Miss Kelker, of Pueblo, Colorado, had six brother who were all railroad men, and two sisters who married engineers. Four members of her family have met death through railway accidents. One brother, John Kelker, is master mechanic at Lima, Ohio. Mrs. Weir is a daughter of John Kelker, born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Her father as a young man went to Baldwin Locomotive Works, at Philadelphia, and became a traveling salesman. He took the first engines to the Rio Grand railway at Pueblo, and afterwards entered the service of that road, and for twenty-five years, up to 1903, was master mechanic of the first district of the Rio Grand system. He is now eighty years of age, hale and hearty, living at Pueblo. Mr. and Mrs. Weir have two children, namely; George and Elizabeth. Mr. Weir's mother was, prior to her marriage, Elizabeth Granger, born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Mr. Weir was a delegate to the National Convention of Railway Trainmen, held at Galesburg, Illinois, in 1895. He is a prominent Mason and at present senior warden of No. 32 lodge at North Platte, having passed all chairs. He has served with the Union Pacific company for twenty years, and has never received a demerit mark, and is justly proud of his record.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles J. Portrey, a Nebraskan born and bred, is a typical westerner. He is an intelligent and progressive citizen of Cheyenne county, and classed among the successful farmers of Brownson precinct. He is a gentleman of firm characteristics and his high standing as a worthy citizen is well merited.
Mr. Portrey was born in Richardson county February 20, 1865. His parents, Charles and Catherine (Santo) Portrey, were natives of Ohio, of French and Italian lineage respectively, though their parents were born in Germany. Both are now deceased. When our subject was five years of age the family moved to Kansas and made that state their home for many years. When he was about twenty-three years of age he left home and drifted around through Colorado, Wyoming and the western states, finally locating in Idaho Springs, Colorado, where he spent about nine years, engaged in mining. In 1898 he came back to Nebraska , and settled in Cheyenne county, locating on the southwest quarter of section 12, township 14, range 51, where he filed on a homestead, and on March 6, 1905, added an additional half section under the Kincaid law, all located in Lodgepole valley. He farms one hundred and sixty acres, raising good crops of small grains and has plenty of pasture and hay land for about eighty head of stock. Mr. Portrey has succeeded in building up a good home, having erected a good set of buildings and put many improvements on the land since coming here. His residence is situated near Brownson station on the Union Pacific railroad.
Mr. Portrey was married to Miss Eva Andrews on February 30, (sic) 1893, at Idaho Springs, Colorado. Mrs. Portrey was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Warren and Sarah (Ray) Andrews. Her parents now reside at Morrell, Scotts Bluff county, Nebraska. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Portrey, named as follows: Pence, Charles, Frank, Nellie, Gertrude, Viola and a baby. Four are at present attending school, and all live at home, forming an interesting and congenial family. Our subject is a man of energetic and industrious habits, prominent in all local affairs, always lending his best efforts for the improvement of conditions in his locality. In political views he is a staunch Socialist, using every effort to increase the membership of that party.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JAMES H. DAVIS
Prominent among the old settlers in western Nebraska who have aided in the development and growth of this section from its early days, is the gentleman above named. Mr. Davis resides in Gordon, Sheridan county, where he is well and favorably known as an enterprising business man and worthy citizen.
Mr. Davis was born in Union City, Darke county, Ohio, in 1856. His father, Andrew C. Davis, was of American stock, born in the south, and a railroad man by occupation. There was a family of eight children, our subject being the fifth in order of birth, and he was raised in Ohio and Indiana.
In 1883 he struck out for the west, spending a year in Kansas, then came to Valentine, Nebraska, driving from there by team to Gordon, where he arrived September 30th, of the year 1884. He located on a homestead four and a half miles northwest of the small town of Gordon, and there lived during the winter of 1884-'85, having a hard time to make a living those first days. He worked at freighting, teaming from Valentine to Gordon, and experienced many rough times. He lived in a sod house which he had put up on his place, and batch it for two years, and altogether spent five years on this farm. He then moved to Gordon and established a mercantile business and has since been engaged in this enterprise with the exception of two years. He engaged in the restaurant and hotel business at different times, also dealt in stock for a time, but finally went back to the mercantile business and he now has a fine general store with a good stock and is doing a large business. He had a hard time to get along during the years from 1892 to 1900, but times gradually got better and he has succeeded in a marked degree, enjoying an extensive trade all through this section.
In 1890 Mr. Davis was married to Miss Carrie Parker, whose parents were among the early settlers in this region.
Mr. Davis has done his full share in building up the town of Gordon, and takes an active interest in all that tends to its value as a commercial center. He has served on the town board for three years, and is a leading spirit in all local affairs. He is a strong Bryan man, and has always voted the Democratic and Fusion tickets.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John Weyer, an honored veteran of the civil war out of which he came with scars and honor, is a Brown county pioneer settler and now a resident of Buffalo precinct, east of Ainsworth, where his high character and useful career command public respect and confidence. Locating in this region in the very early days, he has passed through all the vicissitudes that belong to the frontier, but with grim determination he has held on, and long since passed from penury and want to comfort and plenty. In his declining years he is enjoying a competence which he wrested from the soil by hard and unremitting labor, and many here are to say him "well done."
John Weyer was born on a farm in Canton Berne, Switzerland, August 19, 1839, and was reared to an agricultural life in which his father, Benedict Weyer, had won success. In 1850 the family emigrated to America, sailing from Havre, France, and after a voyage of thirty-five days, landed in New York. The father settled with his family in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on a farm in what was then very largely a new country. Here the young lad grew strong and sturdy, and imbibed from his first associations a great devotion to the welfare of his adopted country, and on the breaking out of the great rebellion was ready to take up arms to protect the union. Accordingly he enlisted in Company K, 80th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and for three years was in the western army, seeing hard and dangerous service in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and elsewhere, participating in the great battles of Corinth and Iuka and the siege of Vicksburg. He was also engaged in many skirmishes that in a less mighty struggle would have been dignified by the name of battles. In the spring of 1865 he was discharged, being at the time of the expiration of his enlistment on the "March to the Sea" and on arrival at Savannah he received his mustering-out papers.
The war-worn veteran, young in years but old in the lore of camps, returned to his old home, and in the spring of the same year went to Benton county, Iowa, where he resumed the peaceful vocation of farming. For three years he made his home in Benton county, and for fifteen years was a resident of Webster county, where he farmed on his own land. There he was married in 1870 to Miss Elizabeth Switzer, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, but reared in Bureau county, Illinois. Her father, Morris Switzer, was born in Switzerland, and made agriculture his life-long vocation. To this union have come five children: Edwin, Etta Lovelea, wife of George Wheeler, Brown County; John LeRoy, Stephen M. and Frank Elmer.
In February, 1884, Mr. Weyer and family came to Nebraska, and effected a location on what is now their comfortable and well cultivated homestead, and at once constructed a small frame house, sufficient to meet their immediate needs, and devoted themselves to the preparation of the claim for cultivation the ensuing season. Here Mr. Weyer and his family passed through many trials, and only strength of character and persistent purpose enable them to win out at the last. Several crops were lost in dry seasons, and more than once he has had to drive his cattle thirty miles into the sand hills that they might not perish for want of grass which in the flats was parched and dry. While still in Iowa he was burned out, losing all his household goods and furniture, but that seemed almost a tame experience compared with what befell on his attempt to make a home in Nebraska.
Now. Mr. Weyer owns a ranch of sixteen hundred acres of as rich land as lies in Nebraska, and is largely engaged in both grain and stock raising. In 1906, he had four hundred acres under active cultivation. Here he has erected what is conceded to be the finest country residence in Brown county if not in western Nebraska. It is supplied with flowing water, bath, and other conveniences; heated by steam in winter and has a small steam engine installed for use on washdays and other times when hand power would otherwise have to be used. Other buildings on the place are a large barn, a cow-shed, hog-house, two granaries and several smaller buildings. He is well provided with the machinery needed to carry on the cultivation of his broad acres. Without question he is a thoroughly modern and up-to-date farmer, a wide awake and progressive citizen, and generally one of the leading men of this community. He is Republican in politics, a member of the Modern Woodman of America, and with the family a communicant of the German Reform church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
DALLAS HENDERSON
As an old settler of Buffalo county, and an agriculturist of untiring energy and perseverance and a worthy citizen, the gentleman here named needs no introduction to the people of his locality. He has spent over thirty years of his life in their midst, has gained a host of stanch friends, and incidentally acquired a good home and placed himself in position to enjoy his declining years in peace and quiet. He is a resident of Centre township, section 9, township 9, range 15.
Mr. Henderson was born in Centre township, Buffalo county, Nebraska, and is a son of Abraham and Elenor Henderson, who were the first settler on the "Divide," on which the Indians were then roaming in large numbers. The Hendersons came from Missouri, and started a farm here on which our subject grew up, attending the public schools, and later the Military Academy at Kearney and the Normal University at Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1898 he enlisted in Company I, First Nebraska Infantry, and was with the second expedition to the Philippines. There took part in the capture of Manilla (sic) by land forces, and was with the company in defending Manilla (sic) against the attack by insurgents, also the San Juan fight, lasting from 9 o'clock a. m. to 6 p. m. of the second day. The 1st Nebraska regiment was in the detachment that advanced to the water works. Mr. Henderson was also in the expedition which marched against Mololos, the insurgent capitol, and took part in all the battles of this campaign, from Manilla to Mololos. After a year's service there our subject entered the educational department and taught in the schools for four years, and he opened the first government night school in Manilla. (sic) He had seven hundred and fifty pupils, and five American assistant teachers, also two native assistants. He was principal of the day school with an enrollment of four hundred and fifty pupils, and had two American and four native teachers under him. Mr. Henderson considers the Philipinos (sic) a fine race with great capacity for acquiring the language and good imitative powers, but absolutely no initiative qualities. They would develop splendid clerical ability under proper training, and in time will equal the Japanese as students. After remaining two years in Manilla our subject was sent to San Fernando, which is the largest city in the province, and there was appointed principal which position he retained for two years, having one thousand eight hundred pupils, twelve native and two American teachers as assistants. While in the Orient Mr. Henderson traveled all over the Philippines, also Japan China during the time of the Boxer troubles, and there saw the "army of the nations."
In 1903 Mr. Henderson returned to the states, and back to Nebraska, where he has since remained. He bought a fine tract of land on which he built a comfortable two-story frame residence, and put up substantial barns and has improved the place in fine shape. He was married in 1904 to Miss Mayme B. Williams. They are the parents of one child--Laura Marie. Mr. Henderson is an active Republican, and one of the public-spirited citizens of his community.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN J. HARVEY
In the person of the gentleman above named we find one of the leading old timers of Dawes county, Nebraska. Mr. Harvey came here when the country was in the earliest stages of development, and he has been an important factor in its growth, aiding materially in the upbuilding of its agricultural and commercial resources. He resides in the town of Crawford, where he held the office of city marshal for seven years up to May 1, 1908, and is esteemed and respected by the entire community.
Mr. Harvey was born in Missouri, near Roanoke, in 1852. He is a son of John H. Harvey, a farmer of Virginian stock, and Eliza A. Markland, a native of Kentucky. He was reared in his home county, assisting his parents in the work of carrying on the home farm, and had the misfortune to lose his father by death when he was a boy. At the age of eighteen he left Missouri and went to Montana where he freighted and worked with the Circle Dot Cattle Company up to 1874. In that year he went back to Missouri and remained for eleven years, engaged in the mercantile business at Armstrong. Mr. Harvey came to Nebraska April 18, 1886, taking up a pre-emption five miles from where Crawford now stands, putting up a dug-out in which he lived with his family for some time, he having married ten years before. He proved up on this land and then began railroading on the C. & N. W. Ry. and followed this work off and on up to 1900. Mr. Harvey moved to Crawford in 1900, with his family, and was appointed city marshal in the spring of 1901, serving for seven years. He has a wide acquaintance all over Dawes and the adjoining counties and is one of the leading public spirited men of the community, having always been active in local affairs.
Mr. Harvey was married in April, 1876, to Miss Lillie D. Phelps, daughter of William P. and Lizzie Finnell Phelps, of American stock. To Mr. and Mrs. Harvey nine children have been born, five of whom are now living, named as follows: George, Ethel, Lee, Guy and Alicia.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
A. S. Ennis, the gentleman who is the subject of this review, is a young man of great push and natural ability in his line of work, is a promising business man who bids fair to be one of the leading contractors of western Nebraska. He located in Toledo, Tama county, Iowa, and came west to look the country over, locating in McCook, at Alma, taking the contract there for all the work of stone, brick and plastering to be done on the twenty-five thousand dollar high school, which is now completed, and is one of the finest buildings of its kind in this part of Nebraska. He also had the mason work on the Danbury high school, costing seven thousand dollars, and was the man who got the contract for all the stone, brick and plastering work to be done on the McCook high school, which is to cost forty-five thousand dollars. This building is to be completed by August 15, 1907, and will be a large and fine building, of which the city may be justly proud. He has also put up a large store building at Orleans, Nebraska, costing ten thousand dollars, and a bank in Marion, Nebraska, making in all five big contracts which he secured in this year. Prior to his moving to Nebraska, he together with his brother had many big contracts all over the state of Iowa, and also in Illinois, and they were very successful in every instance, giving the best of satisfaction in every way. He had decided to remain here permanently, and will shortly build a fine residence.
Mr. Ennis was married in Iowa, to Miss Selma Studebaker, and they have one child.
Mr. Ennis is a member of the Woodmen Lodge of McCook, and a worthy citizen of the town, highly respected by all who know him.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Geo. H. Williams was born in Rice county, Minnesota, October 2, 1875, on a farm. His father, Edwin C. Williams, is one of the prominent old settlers and pioneers of Keith county, Nebraska, having settled there with his family in 1885, his sketch appearing elsewhere in this volume. The mother was Roxalina Woodworth in her youth.
Our subject was ten years old when the family came to Keith county, where he was reared, helping his father on the farm and receiving a limited education. He was in partnership more or less with his father in the cattle business, and located his present homestead on section 34, township 16, range 41, in 1899. He planted trees early and some are now twelve or fourteen inches in diameter and adorn and beautify the premises. Our subject has been industrious and progressive and has made a fine success. He has eight hundred acres with about seventy-five acres under cultivation, and also has other leased land which is needed in his extensive stock raising on which he runs a hundred head of cattle and twenty-five horses.
Geo. H. Williams was married May 22, 1899, to Miss Lena M. Thies, daughter of Peter Thies, a leading old settler of the county and whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Miss Thies taught school in the early days and has been deeply interested in the educational work of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been blessed with three children: Lucy, Marguerite and Edwin.
Mr. Williams has always taken a deep interest in affairs of general importance in his locality and has held various offices of trust and responsibility. He stands high in the regard of his fellows as a successful and progressive farmer and a public spirited member of the community; he is Republican in political beliefs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
T. W. CAMPBELL
The gentleman here named occupies a first place among the prosperous ranchmen of western Nebraska, and has built up a valuable estate in section 22, Deuel county, where he is well and favorably known.
Mr. Campbell was born in Mills county, Iowa, in 1858, and raised on a farm in that locality. His father, Adam Campbell, was a native of Kentucky, of English-Scotch descent, and was a farmer by occupation. His mother, who was Sarah E. Rankin before her marriage, was also a native of Kentucky. Our subject is the seventh member in a family of ten children, and when he was sixteen years of age his parents moved to Kansas, and he remained with them until he was twenty-six. His father was engaged in the stock business in Kansas, and our subject started in this line for himself at that time in Norton county. In the fall of 1885 he came to Deuel county, Nebraska, with his family, and located on his present homestead, driving the entire distance, and bringing thirty-two head of cattle with them. Previous to this time, in the spring of that year, he had made a trip here looking for a ranch location, and had picked out this place. He went to work at once, built a sod house and barns and began improving the place. During the first year he was obliged to haul all his supplies for the family use and also for his ranch from Ogallala, a distance of eighty miles away, which was also his postoffice. The road for a part of the way was of heavy sand, which led through a wild country, the trips being hard to make and consumed quite a long time. Part of the way there were no roads at all, he being the first to travel that way, together with two other men who had settled in the hills during the same year. The neighbors were very far apart, and the settlers often went forty miles to see friends. When he first came here there was a great deal more grass in the valleys than in these days. He at first tried to farm some, but soon saw that it would not pay and devoted all his attention to the stock business, always having had plenty of range for pasture and good hay valleys. He has found this good cattle country, and although he had been troubled considerably with cattle rustlers in the early days, they have not bothered him much of late years. At one time they took twenty-one head from him, but he had been used to wild countries, Kansas having been newly settled when the family moved there.
Mr. Campbell now has a ranch of one thousand and forty acres of deeded lands, most of this being valley lands. He runs four hundred head of cattle and about one hundred head of horses, and he, together with his son, does all the work of operating this place with the exception of the haying season. He also keeps a few goats, and these pay out fairly well. He is well satisfied with this region and would not care to sell out until he gets what he thinks his place is worth. Would not care to go east to live, as here the family have always enjoyed the best of health and have everything that goes to make up a comfortable and pleasant rural home.
Mr. Campbell was married March 4, 1883, to Miss Josephine F. Stonehocker, born in Iowa. Her father, Perry Stonehocker, was a farmer, of German descent, also her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have five children, named as follows: William T., Sarah E., Jesse O., Mabel F., and Perry, the two oldest born in Kansas, and the younger children in Nebraska. For four years after settling here there was no school in their vicinity, but there is now a good school one-quarter of a mile from their home, and their nearest mail station is Mumper postoffice. Mr. Campbell is a Democrat, but has never held any office except local, as he has devoted his entire time and attention to the building up of his farm and home.
May 26, 1908, Mr. Campbell suffered the sad loss of his wife. Three of the children are living with him, and two are married, one living in California and the other adjoining his estate in Deuel county, Nebraska.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
August E. Anderson, one of the prosperous business men of Holdrege, Nebraska, has gained his success by the exercise of business tact, supplemented by the strictest integrity of word and deed. He occupies a comfortable and pleasant home in Holdrege, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen.
Mr. Anderson is a native of Helsingborg, Sweden, where he was raised until he was nineteen years of age. His father, Andreas Anderson, came to America in 1882 and homesteaded land on section 23, Laird township, residing on that place up to about 1901. His death occurred in 1905, aged eight-five years. Our subject's mother, who was Christine Erickson, was a native of Sweden, and is now a resident of Holdrege, aged sixty-nine. One brother, Charles Anderson, went to Colorado where he studied mining, working his way through the best schools there, obtaining the degree of M. D. He afterwards went to Mexico where he engaged in mining, and through his business qualities and knowledge of the subject has made a success. He is now cashier of the United States Banking Company at Parral, Mexico. Another brother, Oscar Anderson, owns and operates a general store at Stamford, Nebraska, and although still a very young man, is a successful merchant and has established a large trade throughout that section of the country. Mr. Anderson also has one sister, who is the wife of C. L. Granlund, deputy county treasurer of Phelps county, formerly county treasurer for two term. Mr. Granlund and our subject now own a hardware store in Holdrege which engages their time. This partnership was formed in January, 1907.
Mr. Anderson went to Loomis in 1886, in the year the town started. He first engaged in buying grain for the Scott Elevator Company, and continued at that business up to 1893, then formed a partnership with J. W. Jackson, engaging in the lumber business at Loomis. Since locating at Loomis he has been one of the active citizens of the county. He has been successful in business, and also owns land in Kansas. In January, 1907, he removed to Holdrege, where he now resides.
Mr. Anderson has always been a strong Republican, active in parity politics. For the past four years he has been a member of the county central committee.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Jacob U. Bruns, who is proprietor of a fine estate in section 8, is one of the prominent and successful ranchmen of Cheyenne county, Nebraska. He has made this region his home for over twenty years past, and is well-known throughout the locality as a progressive and up-to-date farmer and one of the well-to-do citizens of the community in which he resides.
Mr. Bruns was born in Germany, December 25, 1859, and came to America when about ten years of age, the family settling in Hancock county, Illinois. There were ten children in his father's family, Jacob being the second in order of birth, and they settled on a farm where he grew up, while a mere boy learning to do all sorts of hard farm work. He received a common school education, and remained in Illinois until he was about twenty-seven years of age, then came west, locating in Cheyenne county, landing here in March of the year 1886. He at once filed on a homestead situated in section 8, township 15, range 47, and went to work to build up a good home. He has succeeded remarkably well, although during the hard times that have struck the region has met with many discouragements and reverses financially, but finally was able to add many improvement to his farm, also has added to his original homestead so that he now owns a fine ranch of one thousand two hundred and eighty acres, which is used partly for farming and partly as a ranch. He has about one hundred and thirty acres cultivated, plenty of hayland and pasture, and runs one hundred head of cattle and a small bunch of horses. He has good buildings of all kinds on the place, and altogether one of the best equipped ranches in the vicinity.
Mr. Bruns was married on March 2, 1886, at Carthage, Illinois, to Hannah M. Wenhoner, who was born in Germany, and came to this country in 1879. Both of Mrs. Bruns' parents are dead, but our subject's father is still living in Hancock county, Illinois, the mother's death having occurred June 19, 1892.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruns have a family of six children, who are named as follows: Ubbe J., Anna J., now wife of Harry Thompson, they residing in the county; Herman J., Trintje, Metha J. and Mary J.
The family have a pleasant home, and are among the highly esteemed residents of the community. Politically, Mr. Bruns is a Republican, and he takes an active interest in local affairs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Herbert A. Daniels, one of the extensive and prosperous ranchmen of Cherry county, Nebraska, is an old settler in that region. He is a man of wide experience, and by good management and industry, supplemented by honest dealings, has acquired a valuable property and become recognized as one of the substantial and worthy citizens of his county. He resides in section 26, township 29, range 29, where he has a pleasant and comfortable home located on Beaver Lake, Cherry county.
Mr. Daniels was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1863, where his father farmed for many years. The latter, David Daniels, was of Scotch blood, born in this country, and he married Mary Potter, who came of old Yankee stock. Our subject was reared in his native state until he was thirteen years of age, then went to Council Bluffs where he spent two years, and in 1878 came to Kearney county, Nebraska. This was a drouth (sic) year, when everything was burned out by the hot winds, and he became discouraged at the prospects and only remained one year, returning to Illinois and later went to Wisconsin and Iowa, drifting round for three or four years. Also spent some time in Arkansas and did not locate permanently until 1886, then struck Cherry county, where he has remained ever since. He first located on Watts Lake, and when he landed there his sole capital was four dollars and fifty cents; but he went to work, put up a sod house and barn and begun (sic) to break up land for crops. His first team was a pair of oxen, and for several years he lived alone, doing his own cooking and getting along as best he could. During the early days he witnessed prairie fires, and about 1888 was entirely burned out, losing crops, tools, grain, etc., suffering a severe loss, as he had a hard time to get along anyway. He has fought fires for two or three days at a time, and used every possible means of saving his property, together with others who worked hard with him, but usually were compelled to abandon their efforts and see everything swallowed up in the destroying fire.
Mr. Daniels has a ranch of one thousand six hundred acres, a portion of which is leased land, which he uses principally as a stock ranch. He has plenty of good water on the place, with beautiful lakes filled with fish and game, and owns one of the finest homes in his locality. His property is situated near Beaver Lake, to which location he came in 1904, having sold his homestead on Watts Lake in the preceding year.
In 1905 Mr. Daniels married Miss Lizzie Hays, whose parents were pioneers in Cherry county. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Daniels taught school in this county, and is a lady of superior education and charm. They have one child, May, aged sixteen months.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN J. JOHNSON
Some of America's best citizens claim their nativity in far off lands across the sea, and their immigration to the home of the stars and stripes has added many strong, sturdy characters to our population. Such a one is John J. Johnson, who first saw the light in Sweden, May 21, 1859. Very soon after attaining his majority he sailed for the United States, taking up his abode in Michigan where he remained for nine months. He then went to Chicago and engaged in various enterprises in that great city for about three and a half years. Then the call of the west came upon him and he came to what is now Kimball county, then Cheyenne county, Nebraska, and in November, 1885, located on a homestead on the northwest quarter of section 34, township 15, range 53. He also took a timber claim in section 28 and it was not long until he purchased all of section 27, township 15, range 53, which is now the home ranch.
Mr. Johnson has proven one of the most successful farmers of Kimball county, and his industry has placed him in a most prosperous condition. He bought all of section thirty-four, except fifty-nine acres, and now owns, all told, one thousand three hundred and sixty-one acres. Mr. Johnson also owns a store at Dix postoffice, and was postmaster from 1897 to 1900. His home ranch is well improved with a nice dwelling and good buildings for stock. On this ranch there are only about one hundred and twenty acres under cultivation, much of Mr. Johnson's attention being directed in caring for his herd of mixed breed of cattle, numbering about one hundred and twenty head, in addition to a small bunch of horses. At stockraising he has been very successful, and has built up a good home and ranch. He has watched with untiring interest the growth of the western country.
The subject of our sketch was united in marriage June 27, 1899, with Ida C. Standberg, also a native of Sweden. The wedding was a happy one and nicely celebrated at the Standberg home place near Sextorp postoffice. This union has been blessed with four children: Hilde Marie, Carl August, Alma Elizabeth and Lennart Julius, all of whom are still at home. Mrs. Johnson's parents who were old settlers in Cheyenne county, have both been called from earth to their eternal rest and this is also true of Mr. Johnson's father. His mother still lives in Sweden. Our subject stands high in the good opinion of his neighbors and he is recognized by all as a broad-gauged, public-spirited citizen. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, of whose interests he is an active supporter. He is treasurer of school district No. 1, and has helped establish and build up the schools of this region. He has also served as assessor for two terms, and has taken an active interest in the affairs of the community.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
NORBERT FROHNAPFEL
The gentleman above named is one of the leading business men and prosperous citizens of Hemingford, Nebraska, where he is engaged in the merchandise business, and has built up a good trade throughout Box Butte county.
Mr. Frohnapfel was born in Hesse-Nassau Province, in the town of Fulda, Germany, in 1874. He grew up on his parents' farm there, and received a common school education, learning the tailor's trade when a young man, and followed it in Germany for several years, coming to America when he was seventeen years of age. After landing in New York he came west to Hemingford, arriving here April 23, 1892. He afterwards worked in Chadron, Crawford, and Fort Robinson, and while at the latter place enlisted in the United States army, serving for five years and nine months in the Eighth Infantry Band, at the same time following his trade. While he was in army service he was at Fort Russell, Fort Duquesne, Utah, and at Jackson Hole, Idaho, and was discharged from the service November 28, 1898. After retiring from the army he opened and ran a tailor shop at Cheyenne, Wyoming, for one year, and in 1900 returned to Hemingford and opened a shop here, remaining just a year. He next went to Alliance where he engaged in the work there, also clerking for W. D. Rumer and W. W. Norton. In July, 1903, he came back to Hemingford and erected a store building, and is now engaged in the general merchandise business, occupying a floor space of twenty-four by eighty-four feet, carrying a complete line of goods. He has a large patronage in this section, and is one of the leading merchants, well-liked for his honest dealings and business ability. He is also engaged in the hotel and livery business at the present time.
On May 27, 1898, Mr. Frohnapfel was married to Miss Lizzie Ehlers, of German descent.
Our subject is a strong Republican, actively interested in party affairs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
W. H. Coltrin, whose biography forms an interesting page in the history of the early settlement of Nebraska, is a resident of Bloomington township, Franklin county, where he is widely known and highly esteemed. He has developed a fine farm and home there, and is one of the energetic and progressive farmers, well meriting his success and enviable reputation.
Mr. Coltrin is a native of Ohio, where he was born in 1842. His father was Elisha Coltrin, who settled in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, in 1852, going there from Berea, Ohio. In 1861 our subject enlisted in the Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry and served up to 1864 with Company B, Seventeenth Army Corps, under General McPherson and then General Blair. He was at Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Vicksburg, Corinth, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, and other battles until July 22, 1863, then was taken prisoner and thrust in Andersonville prison where he remained for two months, going through all the horrors of that place. He was then exchanged and rejoined his regiment, taking part in the march to the sea, and was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia. After leaving the army he worked at brick masonry for some time, and in 1872 he came to Nebraska, homesteading in Hanover township, Adams county, on one hundred and sixty acres of land which he farmed up to 1886. There he was active in county affairs, serving on the county committee, and attending all the county and state conventions as a delegate. He was on the school board, also the township board, and for several years served as township clerk, being elected on the Republican ticket. He has always been active in Grand Army of the Republic circles, and a leading citizen wherever he has made his home. In 1886 he left Adams county and went to Brown county, where he bought a ranch of eight hundred acres, also renting a lot of government land, running from four to five hundred head of cattle, good grade stock, and some thoroughbred Galloways, and made a success of the stock business. In 1903 he purchased his present home of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, improved with good buildings, fences, etc., and is one of the leading farmers of the locality. He considers the state of Nebraska far ahead of Illinois, and the Republican valley, his present home, as the very best part of the whole state.
Mr. Coltrin was married in 1882, to Miss Many Sinclair, and this union has been blessed with eight children: William H. is engaged in railroad work; Charles is attending Franklin Academy; Clara and Sarah are teachers. Mary, Dollie, Francis and Martha are the other children. Our subject and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Martin J. Weber, one of the early settlers in Dawes county, Nebraska, is well-known throughout the community in which he resides as a successful and prosperous business man and citizen of true worth. He has always taken a deep interest in the development of the locality in which he has chosen to reside, and he is widely known and universally respected and esteemed.
Mr. Weber was born at Hansler's Landing, on the Genesee river, New York, in 1863. His father, Frank Weber, was born in Germany, a furniture dealer by trade, and his mother was an American girl, of German blood. Our subject grew up in New York, and at the age of eighteen came west to Nebraska, arriving here in 1880. He enlisted in the United States regular army and served for five years, coming to Fort Robinson in the year 1880, and saw service at Forts D. A. Russell, Fred Steele and Jefferson Barracks, being discharged at Fort Robinson in the latter part of 1884. He entered the service as a recruit, and when he received his discharge he held the position of first sergeant of his troops, and had a brilliant record as a soldier.
After leaving the army service he started ranching on the White river, and followed this work up to 1905. He has been all over the northwestern part of Nebraska, and in the early days camped out altogether, never knowing what it was to sleep in a bed for many months at a time. He was often out in heavy blizzards and rain storms for hours and days at a time, and experienced much suffering from exposure, but in spite of all these hardships, enjoyed the wild life of the west. He had taken up a homestead in the first days of coming here on which proved up, and had altogether eight hundred acres of land well improved with buildings when he sold the place out in 1903. In 1905 he established his present business, feed and grain store and elevator, and has built up a nice trade and made a marked success in this work.
Mr. Weber was married in 1884 to Miss Mary Bendixon, whose parents are old settlers in Chadron. They have a family of three children, namely: May, who is a teacher in the Crawford high school; Roy, attending the high school, and Frank, at home.
Mr. Weber has always been prominent in local affairs and lent his aid in all matters that tended to the advancement of educational and commercial interests of his locality. He is a Republican, and was county commissioner in Sioux county for six years, and helped to establish the first schools in that county.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John S. Myers, who is a prosperous and successful member of the farming community of Liberty precinct, Perkins county, takes high rank among the thrifty and honorable agriculturists of this part of Nebraska. He was born in Indiana in 1855, and grew to the age of seven years on the homestead in Putnam county. His grandparents came from the old country, his father being of English and German descent, while his mother was of French-Scotch blood. His father a was farmer by occupation, and when he was a child the family settled in Illinois, living in Champaign county for two years. There the father followed railroading, and from the time John was eleven years until he reached the age of twenty-eight, he also worked at railroading, being on construction work all over the state of Illinois. He spent some time at carpenter work there, and also as a clerk in the mercantile business in Christian county.
In March, 1886, Mr. Myers came to Perkins county, Nebraska, took up a homestead on section 8, township 10, range 38, and started to build up a home for himself. During the first months here he worked in a lumber yard in Grant, employed by the firm of Russell & Patton, also worked for the Brule Lumber Co. He came here with practically no start, and was compelled to work out, following his trade as a carpenter, also clerked in different stores for two years, in order to make a living and get a little money ahead and improve his farm. He has the distinction of having built the first house in the old town of Grant. He was appointed postmaster at Grant in 1893, and held that office up to 1897, then went back to his farm. He has lived on it continuously since that time, and now has eight hundred acres, well stocked and improved with good buildings, etc. Of this he farms two hundred and eighty acres, and uses the rest as a stock farm, having plenty of pasture and hayland.
Mr. Myers was married in 1882, at Clayton, Adams county, Illinois, to Miss Louise C. Conn, and to them have been born two children, T. Wayne and Porter H.
Politically, Mr. Myers is a Democrat, and has always devoted considerable time to the upbuilding of his locality and the good of his fellowmen. He has served in different capacities, holding the office of township assessor during one year. Mr. Myers is now "building up' a second farm, this being for his son, Porter H., who was married November 15, 1908.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Benjamin F. Price, a capable and prosperous farmer, is a gentleman possessed of a broad mind and excellent business ability, and has ben prominent in agricultural circles in Box Butte county for over twenty years. He was born in Berrien county, Michigan, in 1862. His father, John P. Price, was a farmer all his life descended from Welsh-Irish stock, who married Katherine Hines, of Pennsylvania-Dutch blood.
Our subject was reared and educated in his native county, and grew up on his father's farm, where he had plenty of hard work to do during his boyhood years, receiving his education at the country schools. Both parents died before he reached the age of fourteen years, and he was obliged to hustle for himself from that time on, following farm work, hiring out by the month in the vicinity of his home, and he remained in Michigan until he was twenty-three years old. In the spring of 1886 he came west, and located in Box Butte county, filing on a homestead in Nonpareil precinct. When he landed here he had nothing to start with excepting $160.00 This money he had brought with him from Michigan, and he used it in opening up his farm, at once building a ten by twelve frame shanty in which he lived for a time, then built a sod house and held down his claim until proving up on it. During this time he lived all alone, "batching it," and experienced some pretty hard times in getting a start. He occupied this place up to 1901, then sold out and went back to his native state where he spent nine months, then returned to Nebraska, and purchased his present farm, situated in section 11, township 27, range 50. During the time he lived on his first farm in the region, he had several total failures of crops, and in the eight years he was there only raised enough grain to thresh twice.
Mr. Price now owns a ranch of eight hundred and sixty acres, farming seventy-five acres of it, and keeping the rest for hay and pasture for his stock, as he raises cattle and horses for the market. He has erected good buildings, has a good well with windmills, tanks, etc., and every corner of his place kept in the best possible shape. Our subject has met with fine success in his agricultural ventures, and is numbered among the well-to-do men of his locality who have always taken an active part in the history of this region from its early development and done their full share as an old settler in helping to build up the schools in his locality.
Mr. Price resides about three miles from the town of Hemingford, which place is his postoffice address.
In 1890 Mr. Price was united in marriage to Miss Luzilla Best, also of Michigan, her parents being pioneer settlers of Box Butte county. The marriage was celebrated near Alliance, Nebraska. Two children were born of this union, Gail, aged eleven years; and Merle, aged six years.
Soon after Mr. and Mrs. Price were married they took stock, and found that their sole possessions in the way of personal property was a team of horses and one or two cows, and they experienced a great deal of hardship and privation during the hard times which swept their locality in the dry years, from 1891 to 1896. For a time they gave it up, and went to Denver, where they spent a few months, but decided to come back stick it through, and are now very glad that they did.
Politically, Mr. Price is a Democrat.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ADAM FRICKEY
Although one of the recent settlers in Phelps county, the gentleman herein named has gained the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact by his industrious habits, and honesty of dealing with his fellowmen. Mr. Frickey was born in 1854. His father, August Frickey, came from Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Illinois, where he farmed for many years.
Mr. Frickey came to Nebraska twenty-nine years ago, and later bought a farm in York county, in 1877, on which he lived for twenty-one years. He was engaged in the livery business at Benedict, and also in the horse business, dealing in imported animals. In 1905, our subject settled in Laird township, Phelps county, and here he has raised three as good crops as he ever saw any place, his wheat in 1906 running thirty bushels and corn from fifty to sixty bushels per acre. He states that farming is much easier here, the soil is better and there are less obstacles to contend with in wet weather, the roads are better, as a man can drive a load over them at any time without any trouble. He intends to start in raising registered red hogs soon, as he thinks this an ideal place for the raising of hogs and cattle. He took a trip through the west some years ago, and of all the places he encountered says there is no better than this county for farming and stock raising.
Mr. Frickey was married in 1878 to Miss Regalia Troutman. To Mr. and Mrs. Frickey six children have been born, four sons and two daughters, namely: Lillian, Warren, Earl, Scott, Ford and Lucile.
Politically, our subject is a stanch Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Joseph Hulinsky, one of the best known men in Valley county, Nebraska, is also one of the oldest settlers in his locality, having located here with his parents in 1880, and has lived here ever since that time. He now resides in section 6, township 20, range 16, owning a nice property and enjoying a comfortable home.
Mr. Hulinsky was born in Austria in 1871. He, with his parents, came to America when he was a boy of eight year, the father, Albert Hulinsky, taking up a government tract as a homestead in Valley county, and proved up on it, and at the time of his death which occurred in 1898, he owned a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all good land. The mother continued to live on the home farm until she also died, in 1905, when it went to the children.
Our subject is now proprietor of three hundred and twenty acres of farm land, on which he raises fine crops of corn, oats, wheat, etc. He also handles considerable stock each year, and has met with decided success in his different enterprises. He is a practical farmer, industrious and a good manager, as every appointment of his farm and home bears evidence, and is classed among the well-to-do citizens of his locality.
In 1898 Mr. Hulinsky was married to Miss Mary Hosticka, also a native of Austria, who came to America with her parents in 1881, the family settling in Valley county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Hulinsky are the parents of four children, one son and three daughters, named as follows: Annie, Frank, Mary and Agnes. The family are devoted members of the Bohemian Catholic church of Valley county, Nebraska.
Our subject has always taken an active part in local affairs and has done his share in advancing the interests of his community. He has served as justice of the peace and township clerk, representing the Democratic party; has always voted that ticket since a young man, and is a supporter and admirer of William Jennings Bryan.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN A. MACUMBER
The above named gentleman is one of the prominent old-timers of Dawes county, Nebraska, where he has materially aided in the growth of that region. Mr. Macumber is familiarly known as "The Headlight of Bordeaux," the cognomen which was applied to him through the Alliance meeting. He is a warm friend and admirer of James C. Dahlman, the "cowboy mayor" of Omaha, with whom he became acquainted when he first came to this country.
Mr. Macumber was born in Gallia county, Ohio, on April 8, 1852. His father, J. A. Macumber, was also a native of Gallia county, and died January 23, 1907, having settled in Madison county, Iowa, in 1853, when our subject was but one year of age, he having been a twin, and one of a family of eight children by the second marriage of his father who also had four children by a first marriage. The homestead in Iowa where they lived for many years is still owned by a nephew, Emory Calison, and it was there that the children all grew up. There John learned to do all sorts of hard farm work and assisted his parents in building up a good home and farm, going through pioneer experiences when they were obliged to suffer many hardships and privation, handle ox teams, etc., and at the age of twenty-one years started in for himself, following farm work. He owned a two hundred acre farm there, and went through the panic of 1873, coming out of the trouble in very good shape financially.
In 1886 Mr. Macumber came west, arriving in Dawes county in the month of March; went back to Iowa, sold his farm and returned with his family on the 8th of April 1886. They located in section 34, township 34, range 48, on Bordeaux creek, this stream also running through his land. He has plenty of natural timber on the place, and ninety acres is irrigated, on which he raises fine crops, and in all has one hundred and fifty acres under cultivation. The ranch consists of eight hundred acres, and is well supplied with good water, wild fruits, and he has many acres of good hayland and grass for pasture. The first dwelling put up on the farm was a dugout in which they lived for one year. The dry years followed soon after he located here and many were the losses and discouragements they experienced, and also in 1890 and 1891 they were occasioned much discomfort and anxiety through the Indian uprisings throughout this part of the state, but no one was injured. During the first years here he broke up all his land and did all the farm work with the help of two yoke of oxen, and used these faithful animals for five years. The ranch is now all fenced and well improved, free from all indebtedness, and he has one of the valuable pieces of property in the county, and a comfortable home.
Our subject was married while living in Iowa, April 20, 1873, to Miss Melissa Shearer, a native of Indiana, who settled in Illinois, when a girl, with her parents, and in 1866 they moved to Iowa where they were among the pioneers of Madison county. Mr. and Mrs. Macumber are the parents of five children, named as follows: William H., Edward A., James W., A. Jr., and Alida G., all married except John A. Jr., who lives in South Dakota. James W. also lives in South Dakota. The balance of the family live in Dawes county, Nebraska.
Mr. Macumber is a stanch Democrat, inclining strongly toward Socialism, and has always worked along reform lines and been closely identified with all reform movements in his section for many years. He is a man of superior intelligence and progressive ideas, and one of the foremost citizens of his locality.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Albert L. Schnurr, who occupies a prominent place among the younger business men of Harrison, Nebraska, is a man of very pleasant personality, well liked for his straightforward character and genial disposition.
Mr. Schnurr was born at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in August, 1879. His father, William, was a shoe merchant at that place, a good business man and well known throughout that section of the country. He married Rose Rukgaber, who was born in Richmond, Virginia, and reared in Iowa. Our subject's grandparents on his father's side were natives of Germany. Albert was reared and educated in his native state, graduating from the Mt. Pleasant high school in 1896, later attended the Mt. Pleasant academy and graduated from the commercial department of the Iowa Wesleyan University in 1898.
In 1899 Mr. Schnurr came to Omaha and entered the law office of W. A. Saunders, and studied law with that gentleman up to 1905, and in April of that year he came to Sioux county with the intention of engaging in the cattle business. He was admitted to the bar in 1906, and the following year was elected county judge of Sioux county, and is still serving in that capacity. He received the office by a vote of all parties, and against his own personal wishes in the matter, and has proven a most capable official.
Mr. Schnurr is secretary and treasurer of the Harrison Real Estate & Loan Company, and is also organizer and promoter of that concern, incorporated in 1906, with officers as follows: E. F. Pontius, president; John A. Anderson, vice president; A. L. Schnurr, secretary and treasurer; R. B. Schnurr, assistant secretary. This firm deals in real estate, ranch and farm lands. They have handled immense deals in town properties, and their responsibility and financial standing is unquestioned.
R. B. Schnurr, brother of our subject, was born in Iowa, April, 1886, and received practically the same training and education as Albert, coming to Harrison to locate permanently in June, 1907, when he associated himself with the firm as above mentioned.
Albert L. Schnurr is interested in considerable ranching property in this county, and he has been very successful since locating here, gaining an enviable reputation as a worthy and enterprising citizen of his community.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Fred W. Rincker, owner of the book and music and stationery store at North Platte, came here in 1894, and has since resided at this place, where he has a pleasant home and is highly esteemed as a worth citizen.
Mr. Rincker was born in McLain county, Illinois, in the town of Lexington, in 1857. He is a son of Dr. Rincker, a native of Germany, and early settler in Illinois, who received his education as a physician in his native country. Our subject was raised in Illinois, and began working on the railroad in 1880 at Cheyenne, Wyoming. He first was employed by the Union Pacific railway as a freight brakeman, continuing at this for two years, then was given the position of freight conductor, and in 1887 was appointed passenger conductor, holding his position continuously up to January 2, 1907. He was on the fast mail running from Cheyenne to Council Bluffs, from 1890 to 1894, and later on the limited train from North Platte to Cheyenne. Mr. Rincker is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors, and has been ever since 1883, filling all the offices in the local lodges, having held the post of chief conductor for several terms at different times. He was the second oldest conductor in the service up to 1907, and has never had an accident attributed to himself. He belongs to North Platte Masonic lodge.
Mr. Rincker was married in 1884 to Miss Hattie White, born in Yankton, South Dakota. Her father, Clarence Sylvester White, went there in 1830 and located at Sioux Falls, later at Yankton, where he was engaged in freighting in the early days, in partnership with Colonel Laurence, also associated with W. A Paxton, of Omaha, and he was well known throughout the western states among all the pioneers. He used a large number of teams and men in this business, and was at the head of a large force when he was killed from ambush.
Mr. White built the first house in Yankton. He came originally from Vermont, first settling in Minnesota and driven out by the Indians, then moved to South Dakota. Mrs. Rincker's mother was, prior to her marriage, Miss Elizabeth B. Welch, a native of Vermont. Two chidden were born to our subject and his wife, namely: Ernest W., and Charles A.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Edward V. S. Pomeroy, one of the prominent citizens of Cheyenne county, Nebraska, resides in Brownson precinct. He was born in Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, February 11, 1865, and grew up there. His father, Edward Pomeroy, was also a native of that state, lived there for many years, and died in 1889. Our subject's mother, who was Lucretia Van Sanvoord, was born and reared in New York state, and she still lives on the old homestead in Massachusetts.
Mr. Pomeroy left home in 1885, and came to Nebraska, settling in Cheyenne county, where he pre-empted a claim in section 26, township 15, range 51, which is his present home. He immediately went to work and proved up on the land, built up a good home, and has gone through all the pioneer experiences of the early days in this section. He started with a very small capital, worked with untiring energy and succeeded in a marked degree. His is now proprietor of a ranch containing three thousand and forty acres of deeded land, known as the "Montauk Ranch," and controls considerable leased land in addition to this.
He erected a fine two-story stone house in 1886, and has good substantial farm buildings and all necessary equipment for operating a model ranch, and is one of the leading ranchmen of his locality. He is a genuine lover of fine stock, and breeds good running horses, many of which have been trained for the race track and proved to be among the best racers on the turf, winning many ribbons in different events. He has a fine track on the ranch where his racers receive their first training for the racing events. He is also a lover of outdoor sports and in the earlier days of his ranching here devoted much time to hunting and fishing.
Mr. Pomeroy has about two hundred acres of land cultivated, and raises grains, fruits, etc. He deals quite extensively in the cattle business, running about two hundred and fifty head annually, and keeps from one to three hundred horses on his ranch at all times. His ranch is beautifully located on Lodgepole creek, the main part of it lying north of the stream on the tableland.
Mr. Pomeroy was married in New York city, April 27, 1887, to Mary A. Platt, of that state, whose parents lived there for many years. The mother is now dead, but the father still occupies the old home. Mr. Pomeroy and his good wife have two adopted children, whom they took into their hearts and home when small and they are named Lucretia Ely, and Mary Ruthven Pomeroy. Mr. Pomeroy has devoted much of his time and efforts to the upbuilding of his locality and is prominent in local affairs. He is a Republican and stands firmly for his convictions. He is a member of the Episcopal church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Grant Bixler, who holds a prominent place among the pioneer settlers of Cherry county, is a very successful stockman and farmer. Mr. Bixler was born near Minonk, Livingston county, Illinois, July 5, 1868, living there until he was seven years old. In 1875 the family moved to Panora, Iowa, later they moved to Berwin, in Guthrie county, where the father bought a farm. His father was Samuel Bixler, of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, was a farmer, and served in the Forty-seventh Illinois for four years and nine months during the war. Though he fought in two battles he was never wounded, and is now living in Gordon. His mother was Miss Mary Desano, of English descent, born in Philadelphia, where Mr. Bixler now has relatives living. He is the second child in a family of six, and started in life for himself when eighteen years of age, following farm work. In 1884 he came to Broken Bow, Custer county, remaining here four years, and in 1888 moved into Cherry county and took pre-emption which he sold and took a homestead, in section 26, township 25, range 37, still holding it as a ranch and has added to it until he now has six hundred and forty acres of deed land, nearly all hay land excepting a small portion which is hilly range. On this ranch he runs about two hundred and fifty head of cattle and a number of horses. He is also owner of some town property and makes his home there during the winter. Excepting for about two years in which he was engaged in the livery business, he has engaged exclusively in stock raising.
Our subject was married to Miss Alice Pruden in 1897, whose father was a farmer of English descent. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bixler, named as follows: Lottie, Lottie, (sic) George, Clyde and Frost, all of whom were born in Cherry county.
When Mr. Bixler landed in Cherry county all he had in the world was a horse, saddle, and clothes he wore. He has seen hard times, for several years working for different ranchmen by the year for $14 a month. He now has his ranch well improved, all fenced, and has about thirty acres of broken land, and some tame grasses started.
Mr. Bixler moved into town in order to give his children the benefit of the better schools. He has always worked hard and has met with success in the ranching business, but feels that his labor has not been in vain. In political faith he is a Republican, and is firm in his convictions. He is a member of the Merriman lodge of Modern Woodmen of America.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
GEORGE A. EVANS
The subject of this review was born in Iowa, in 1863, and was reared on a farm, becoming accustomed to hard work of which there was plenty to do. His father, Hugh Evans, was born in Indiana, but was of Welsh ancestry. Our subject's mother was Susan Davis, native of Indiana.
George A. Evans started out for himself in 1884, engaging in agricultural pursuits. In 1886, he came west to Loup county, Nebraska, working for a while in Taylor, the county seat. In 1887 he took a pre-emption claim in Blaine county, on the Loup river, and in 1890 he located a homestead three miles west of Taylor.
In 1890 Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Hooper, who was reared in Loup county, where her father was one of the earliest pioneers. Her mother was Miss Mahaley Kinser before marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have four daughters: Cristie, May, Ina and Blanche.
George Evans had only a team of horses when he made his start in Loup county, but he has proven a man of ability and enterprise by building up a fine farm and home. He bought the place where he now lives in 1898, and has three hundred and twenty acres with nice improvements, good house, barns and fine trees. For three years he engaged in the implement business in Taylor and was active in the upbuilding of that city. He has been one of the prominent pioneer settlers and old-timers of Loup county and has done his share in advancing the interests of that community.
George A. Evans has taken an active part in the politics of the county and has been honored with several offices in the gift of the people He has been road overseer, assessor and has held other minor offices. For several years he was chairman of the county central committee of the Populist party. In 1901 he was elected sheriff of Loup county and was re-elected in 1903, 1905 and 1907, and is the present incumbent of that office.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JUSTIN E. PORTER
Among the professional men of Dawes county, Nebraska, an able representative is found in the person of Justin E. Porter, an attorney of Crawford. He is a gentleman of broad mind and good practical training, and has built up for himself a good business and enviable reputation as a lawyer and public-spirited citizen. Mr. Porter is at present serving as county attorney, having been elected in 1904 and re-elected in 1906.
Mr. Porter is a native of Prince Edward Island, Canada, born in 1866, on December 25th, being a Christmas gift to his parents, who were of Scotch-Irish descent, his father a leather dealer in Canada. Our subject was reared and educated in that county, (sic) attending an Episcopal school and was graduated as a barrister in Winnipeg in 1891. In 1894 he came to Nebraska and settled in Crawford, where he opened a law office and has continued in that work ever since, building up a large and lucrative practice in Dawes and the adjoining counties. He has done well since locating here, and has accumulated a good property by persistent and faithful efforts supplemented by good management, and is one of the leading attorneys of this region.
Mr. Porter is a Republican politically, and has taken an active part in party politics since locating here. He has been chairman of the county central committee for two years, and has acted as city attorney off and on for many years past.
Mr. Porter has a family of two children, namely: Waldo and Caroline.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
S. C. GOULD
The above gentleman, residing in Alma, Harlan county, Nebraska, is the genial proprietor of "The Double Store," which carries the largest stock of general merchandise of any establishment of its kind in the county, amounting to $35,000. Mr. Gould began as a clerk in this county, mostly under his father, G. H. Gould, who for years, managed a large mercantile business in Republican, and the former started in business in 1897, with a capital of $1,100, being successor of his father-in-law, Frank Shaffer, widely known as the pioneer settler and merchant of Alma.
Mr. Gould is a native of Iowa, born in 1870. His father, Gavin H. Gould, of Republican, Harlan county, is a native of Lincoln county, Maine, born December 19, 1845, and is a son of Joseph and Mary E. (Hamilton) Gould, the former born in 1815. He has one brother, Albert H. Gould, residing in Harlan county. The Gould family moved from Maine to Handy Hollow, New York, then to Yeoman's Mills, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, having been engaged for at least two generations in the lumbering business in Maine, New York and Pennsylvania. At the breaking out of the civil war Albert H. enlisted in the Eighty-sixth New York regiment, and served until April 2, 1862. He was at the first battle of Bull Run. His father, Joseph Gould, also belonged to the same company of soldiers.
After the war the latter came with his family to Marengo county, Iowa, and in 1871 came to Nebraska, locating in Harlan county, where he was one of the earliest settlers, his death occurring there in 1882. Gould Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Republican City, was named after him, and he was the first probate judge of Harlan county. His son, Garvin H. Gould, entered the Elmira Commercial College in 1884, and engaged there in the grocery business as Gould Bros., remaining there until 1869, then came west settling in Marengo county, Iowa, and farmed for three years. At that time he came to Harlan county, taking a homestead in the Republican valley. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, also a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres two miles west of Republican City. In 1874 and 1875 he was appointed by the state aid society to distribute relief over the east half of Harlan county, and has served on the local school board almost continuously since 1872.
Mr. Gould's business extends over a section covering a radius of thirty-five to forty miles. He carries a full line of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, and ladies' and gents' wearing apparel of the best quality and most up-to-date styles. His whole time and attention is given to the management of this business, and his strict honesty in business methods, and honorable and square dealings win him many friends. He is of a frank and genial personality, and is greatly admired and esteemed by the entire community.
Mr. Gould was married in 1895 to Miss Birdie Shaffer, daughter of Frank Shaffer, of Alma, whose sketch appears in this volume. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gould, namely: Clarence, Clayton and Harold. Mr. Gould was an only child, his mother's death occurring December 2, 1873 at Republican. Mr. Gould was educated at the Commercial College, located in Republican, having attended the county schools here during his boyhood years. He is one of the public spirited citizens of Alma, but has little time to devote to taking an active part in affairs. He is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, and a Knight of Pythias.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN F. HORNBECK
Among the most successful farmers of Phelps county, Nebraska, is the gentleman above named, who resides on section 35, in Laird township. He has a valuable estate and is one of the foremost citizens of his community.
Mr. Hornbeck is a native of Macon county, Illinois, born in 1854. His father, Abraham Hornbeck, was from Kentucky, and an early settler in Illinois, and there our subject was reared and educated. In 1888 he first came to this county and township, where he farmed on rented land up to 1900, and at that time purchased the place and erected a fine house, barn and other buildings on the place. He engaged in grain raising almost exclusively and was very successful from the start. The land has trebled in value since he bought it and he is perfectly satisfied with his efforts and the result of his hard work. He likes this country much better than Illinois, and thinks it is better for a poor man to get along and make money, as once a renter there, always a renter, while here there is a better opportunity for a man to get ahead and own his own farm and home. The soil is also much easier worked here, one man being able to do as much as two can do in Illinois, while the crops are as good, and in most cases better. His wheat crop here runs thirty-five bushels to the acre, and corn sixty. He has also dealt in stock to quite an extent during the past few years, and finds this very profitable, keeping red hogs, and high grade Shorthorn cattle, with enough horses for his farming purposes. Besides working his own farm Mr. Hornbeck rents land adjoining, operating about four hundred acres in all.
Mr. Hornbeck has three children: Olive, owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land at Maywood, Nebraska; Carl, owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land at Trenton, Nebraska, and Cecil, who owns one hundred and sixty acres at Elwood, Nebraska.
Mr. Hornbeck is highly esteemed by all who have come in contact with him in a business or social way, and is one of the influential citizens of his community. He has gained an enviable reputation as an energetic and successful man, and is a fine example of what the settlers from Illinois in this region have accomplished. In political sentiment he is a Democrat.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JAMES C. FOSTER.
In the person of the gentleman above named we one of the old-time Sand Hill ranchmen and cattlemen, who has been through all the early western Nebraska times, taking an active part in the upbuilding of that part of the state, and who has remained to see what time and progress has done to the country which was in its most primitive state when he settled there. Mr. Foster now resides in Oshkosh, moving into that town in 1907, and is retired from active work on his large ranch, now occupying one of the finest residences in town.
James C. Foster was born in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1847, and grew to manhood there. At the age of about seventeen he enilsted (sic) in Company B, First Battalion Infantry Volunteers of Pennsylvania, and later re-enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Regiment, and was mustered out at Clarksburg, West Virginia in the fall of 1865. During his service as a soldier he was with his regiment on scouting expeditions, etc. His elder brother, Hiram T. Foster, had entered the army in 1861 and served for three years, then re-enlisted and was killed in action while marching from Petersburg to Richmond, prior to Lee's surrender. The father of our subject had enlisted during the first part of the war, but before the time came for him to join his regiment, he was taken ill and died. Another brother, William M., was in service about two years, and was a prisoner in the famous Libby prison, suffering all the tortures that befell those unfortunates who fell into the hands of the rebels.
At the close of the war Mr. Foster returned home to Pennsylvania, and engaged in the lumbering business in Clearfield county, on headwaters of the Susquehanna river, and also on the Big Mahoning river, continuing in that line of work up to 1876, then came west, locating at Pawnee, Nance county, Nebraska. He spent about twelve years there, ranching most of the time, and for four years worked in the vicinity of the Indian schools for George Willard, a ranchman and farmer. He was proprietor of a ranch in Nance county, which he sold out, finally coming to Deuel county in 1886. Here he filed on a homestead on section 7, township 22, range 44, and became owner of eight hundred acres, which he improved in first-class shape, equipping it with every convenience and stocked with cattle, making it one of the most valuable estates in the. county.
Mr. Foster married Miss Carrie M. Douglas, a native of Minnesota, their marriage occurring at Genoa, Nebraska, on May 2, 1881. They have six children, named as follows: Nettie, wife of Edward Miller, of Oshkosh; Rosalie, wife of Green Ross, living in Deuel county; Mary, Maude, William, and J. C., the four last named living at home on the ranch.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
B. J. BURT.
Of the prominent and leading old settlers of western Nebraska, none are held in higher esteem by their fellow citizens than B. J. Burt, who resides on section 12, township 14, range 59, of Kimball county.
Mr. Burt was born in Essex county, Massachusetts, on the 8th of September, 1844, and grew to manhood in that vicinity. He was one of a family of three children, two girls and himself, and his father lived to the ripe old age of eighty-seven, his death occurring in about 1903. Our subject left in 1869, coming to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and there followed the range as a cowman for a number of years, in 1887 coming to Kimball county, Nebraska, where he took up a homestead on section 12, township 14, range 59, and also purchased railroad land in section 11. He proved up on his homestead and has made a good home out of it, putting up good buildings, fences, etc., and runs a large bunch of stock each year, having at the present time one hundred and fifty head of cattle and quite a bunch of horses. He has a fine grove of trees on his ranch, a good water supply, and everything necessary in the way of machinery and improvements. Mr. Burt has about fifty acres of irrigated land, the ditch running through the farm east and west. This practically insures a hay crop each year.
Mr. Burt was united in marriage October 28, 1891, to Miss Mary Ann Tracy, who was born in Iowa. She was a most estimable and charming lady, beloved by all who knew her, and departed this life on February 20, 1906, leaving a sorrowing family and many warm friends to mourn her death. She was the mother of three children, Isabelle Maude, Earl and Francis, all of whom were born on the home ranch in Kimball county, and now living with their father.
Burt is an active public-spirited citizen, well and favorably known throughout the region where he makes his home, and is one of the very few really old-timers left in this locality. He is a Republican and strong party man. At the present time he is serving as moderator of school district No. 7.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Willard M. Evans, a well-to-do farmer and ranchman and a leading citizen of Box Butte county, whose residence is located on section 14, township 28, range 51, presents in his own career a striking illustration of the field of opportunity this new western county abundantly offers the ambitious, as well as the rich results that have long waited on industry and integrity. He was born in Freetown, Courtland county, New York, in 1840, a son of Benjamin and Catherine (Familiar) Evans.
The boyhood days of Mr. Evans were spent in his native state, where he attended school and assisted his father in the cultivation of their farm. Realizing the opportunities the great western country offered the ambitious, Mr. Evans, at the age of twenty-five years, decided to seek his fortune there. and leaving his home came west into Michigan and Missouri, where he spent several years. It was in 1886 that he came to Nebraska, settling in Dawes county. For a time he did teaming and hauling from Hay Springs, and assisted in some of the first work of constructing the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad through this part of the country.
Mr. Evans is now the proprietor of a fine ranch of from one thousand two hundred to one thousand four hundred acres of land located on the tableland south of the Niobrara river, three hundred acres of which he has under cultivation. The first building which our subject erected for his home was a sod house. Through years of adversity and prosperity he has held the handles of the plow, working out for himself a comfortable home. He did not escape the hardships with which so many of the early settlers of this western country had to contend. His ranch is now well fenced throughout, and the improvements with which it has been fitted are modern in every respect.
Our subject enlisted in Company F, Nineteenth New York Regiment, and during the civil war served in the army of the Potomac and on guard duty at Washington, and took part in many hard fought battles.
In 1866 Mr. Evans was married to Carrie Kellan, at Syracuse, York. She was a daughter of E. L. and Dorothy Kellan, natives of Germany. Four children blessed this happy union, namely: Jennie C., Willie, who died in September, 1881; Charles H., and Lydia. Mr. Evans is a man whose career is a striking illustration of persistence, pluck and energy, and shows what possibilities this great western country have opened to those who could see an opportunity, and had the courage to embrace it.
Mr. Charles H. Evans, the only living son of Willard M. and Carrie Evans, was married June 13, 1908, to Miss Carrie Grant, daughter of William and Mary Grant, of Whitewood, South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. William Grant are Americans by birth, being born in the state of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Evans live on a ranch which adjoins the ranch owned by Mr. Evans' father. They have built up a fine ranch and have a very comfortable home. His farm is considered one of the model farms of the community, as he has built some of the finest buildings in the county. Mr. Chas. H. Evans' biography appears elsewhere in this volume.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILLIAM H. HART.
The gentleman above named, who came to Nebraska when he was a boy, is today one of the representative farmers of Rock county, where he owns and operates a large tract of land. He has reached his present success through his own unaided efforts, and is numbered among the successful leading citizens of the county.
Mr. Hart was born in Guthrie county, Iowa, June 19, 1867. His father, Daniel Hart, is an old settler in Nebraska, having come here in 1879, with his family. Eight children completed his family circle, of whom our subject is the seventh member. They settled on the Niobrara river, in section 17, township 32, range 18, where they went through many pioneer hardships and privations in getting a home started. Their first building was a log house, and they lived in this for several years. During his young manhood our subject handled ox teams, which were generally in use at that time as it was almost impossible to keep horses on account of the prevalence of glanders in the section. All the supplies had to be hauled from Oakdale, a distance of over a hundred miles. It took eight days to make this trip and the way led over the roughest roads, often having great difficulty in getting to their destination.
Mr. Hart was familiar with all that part of Nebraska, and from boyhood has watched the growth of this section, aiding in its development and becoming one of the substantial citizens. He is now proprietor of a farm of five hundred and sixty acres of deeded land, and engaged in grain and stock raising.
In 1894 he was married to Miss Clara Wallace, a lady of American lineage, born in Iowa. Four children have come to bless this union, namely: Ethel, Belle, Roland and Amos.
Mr. Hart always takes a commendable interest in local public affairs, and lends his influence and aid in the upbuilding of the community where he has made his home. He and his family are highly respected, and their home is one pleasant cheer and generous hospitality. His vote is usually cast for the Republican candidates; his lodge membership is with the Ancient Order United Workmen at Carnes, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bassett.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Carl Wagoner, one of the prominent early settlers of Cheyenne county, Nebraska, is one of the leading ranchmen of the region, also farms to quite an extent, and has met with marked success in his work. He is a gentleman of untiring energy, excellent business capacity and strict integrity, and well merits his high standing as a worthy citizen and well-known old-timer of western Nebraska.
Mr. Wagoner was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on December 14, 1857. He lived in that vicinity until he was ten years of age, one of a family of eleven children, and the parents are now living near Peru, this state. In 1864 the family left Ohio and came to Nebraska, settling in Nemaha county, where the father took up land and began farming, improving a place with the aid of his children, and our subject remained at home until 1884, at that time coming into Cheyenne county, homesteading on section 26, township 19, range 48. He went through all the old Nebraska times in getting started with a limited capital, and at times found it difficult to more than make a living on account of the failure of crops, etc., but managed to stick to his farm, and as the better times came on, succeeded in improving the farm in good shape, adding to his acreage as he was able, until he is now owner of a ranch containing one thousand eight hundred acres lying along the river. One thousand acres of the land is under cultivation, the home ranch being in the Sand Hills, while his buildings are on section 21, township 21, range 47. The place is known far and wide as the "Wagoner Ranch," and is one of the valuable properties in the county. He has about seventy acres of sugar beets at the present time, and plenty of grain, hay, etc. His stock includes from 1,200 to 1,500 head of cattle and 100 head of horses. The entire ranch is well equipped with every building and convenience.
In the early days it was necessary to go 25 miles to Camp Clark to get mail. This trip was made only about once a month, and in a busy time, once in two or three months. The nearest railroad town was Sidney, 35 miles away. The trip to town was made once a year, bringing supplies to last for that period. It was 25 miles to the nearest polling place, and churches and schools were unknown for many years in this country.
Mr. Wagoner was married in March, 1881, to Mary Ann Durell, the event occurring in Nemaha county. Mrs. Wagoner was born and reared in Beardstown, Illinois. Her father is dead, but her mother resides in Oklahoma, her parents coming to Nemaha county in 1864, residing near Auburn until 1903.
Our subject is a Republican politically, and active in local and county affairs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILBUR A. McNALL.
The gentleman above mentioned is one of the prosperous younger members of the farming and ranching community of Cherry county, Nebraska. whose entire career has been passed in this state, he being born here in 1874, on a farm in Seward county, where his father was a pioneer. The latter, Wilbur, sr., was well known in that vicinity, and died when our subject was a child of six years, his death deeply deplored as a worthy citizen and progressive farmer, who did all in his power to help build up the section where he chose his home. He married Miss Mary Jackson, who several years after the death of her husband, married the second time to Hiram Edgar.
When Wilbur was twelve years of age the family located in Cherry county, driving up the Loup river by team in a "prairie schooner," arriving in February, 1887, bringing with them a bunch of stock. They located on the North Loup, on section 8, township 26, range 27 and started to build a home and ranch. Our subject lived at home until he was twenty-one years of age, farming using ox teams, and they lived in a sod house during those years. He began for himself in 1900, taking a homestead, on which he proved up in good time, improving it with buildings, and met with good success. He purchased an interest in his father's old ranch in 1895, and later bought the whole place, his parents removing to Valentine where they now reside. When he first came to this region Johnston was their nearest trading point, and remained so for several years, the towns being very far apart, and the pioneers were obliged to travel long distances for supplies, through wild prairie, when the country abounded with wild game and Indians were by no means uncommon sights, and often met with exciting adventures.
In 1901 Mr. McNall married Miss Lillian Correll, born in Greenville county, Tennessee, where her parents settled many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. McNall have two daughters, Hazel and Thelma. The family have a very pleasant home, surrounded with all the comforts of rural life, and a host of friends and acquaintances who enjoy their hospitality. The ranch consists of one thousand, one hundred acres, with good buildings of all kinds, fine groves of trees and many fruit trees, all in the finest growing shape, and is one of the well-kept and best improved ranches in the county. Mr. McNall has always done his share as an old settler, active in local affaairs, and has held numerous township offices.
