Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILLIAM LESSIG
For many years past Brown county has had a representative citizen in the person of William Lessig, the subject of this review. He has given the best years of his life to the development of the farming, and incidentally the financial interests of this community where he chose his home. Success has crowned his efforts and he is deserving of all that has come to him in his business career.
Mr. Lessig was born in the town of Fannetsburg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, Septemnber 7, 1844. His father, Jacob Lessig, was a farmer of German descent, and his mother, Maria Moore, of Scotch-Irish stock. He was the eldest member of his father's family of six children and was reared and educated in Pennsylvania, remaining there until after the war. Having served with the militia sixty days, in May, 1863, he enlisted in Company B, 22d Pennsylvania Cavalry, and afterwards was with the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, being one of those who saw service with the Army of the Potomac. He was in the siege of Petersburg and Richmond, through the Wilderness and at Cold Harbor. During the last three years of the war he saw much hard service all the time, participating in many battles, and remainng with his company until he was mustered out at City Point and received as honorable discharge at Philadelphia in 1866. After the close of the war he followed the carpenter's trade in his native town until 1879, when he came west, locating at Great Bend, Kansas. Finding no work at his trade, he went to Leadville, Colorado, where he spent five years in the mines, the smelters, the stamp mills, prospecting and working at his trade; he returned to Pennsylvania, working at different employments for a year. In March, 1887 he again migrated west and came to Omaha, where he worked at his trade until July, 1888, having spent winter at home, working as a carpenter; but becoming dissatisfied with life in the city, he came to Brown county and settled on a farm, near the mouth of Plum Creek, where he lived for a year, before securing his present farm in section 12, township 32, range 23, where he erected his first dwelling, a log shanty, which was his home until 1901. By this time he had accumulated a substantial amount, and began to impove his property, building a large two story house, barns and cow sheds and stocking up the place with a herd of cattle. He is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of good land, part of which is irrigated and engages principally in stock raising. He has had experience in farming on the "Table," in Garfield precinct, where he spent some little time. He now enjoys a pleasant home, surrounded by all the improvements and conveniences of modern farming, and is accorded a place among the foremost citizens of the community in which he resides.
Mr. Lessig was married November 12, 1868, to Miss Sarah A. Jones. a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. where her parents, Samuel and Mary (Davis) died. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lessig, namely: Frank, Ortha, wife of Gaylord W. Hurlburt, Jacob, Ethel, Samuel J. and an infant.
Mr. Lessig takes an active interest in all matters looking to educational advancement of his community, and has been instrumental in organizing different schools and assisting in the betterment of the social affairs of the locality. He is a Republican, and for the past seven years has been committeeman in his township. With his family, he is a member of the Methodist church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
A. A. Wyatt, sheriff of Minden, elected in 1902, and re-elected in 1904, is one of the most popular citizens in this section. He is known all through Kearney county as a man of broad and liberal mind, and esteemed by all who know him for his active public spirit and a gentleman of strict integrity in every way.
Mr. Wyatt is a native of McDonough county, Illinois, born in 1842. His father, Captain J. J. Wyatt, was a pioneer in that section, and a soldier in the Civil war, captain of Company I, 62nd Illinois infantry, serving through the entire war, his death occurring immediately after the close of the war in 1865. Capt. Wyatt was one of the underground railway conductors who assisted many negroes to escape to Canada during those times. He was a Kentuckian, his family originally coming from Virginia, and his wife was Elizabeth Mayfield, of Tennessee. Three sons fought with him in the late war, one having lost his life in the service of his country. Our subject enlisted on May 24, 1861, in the 16th Illinois Infantry, and followed a soldier's fortunes through the entire war, taking part in the Army of the Cumberland, at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and was with Sherman on his famous March to the Sea. He took part in the Grand Review at Washington. Mr. Wyatt came to Nebraska in July 1878, and located in Phelps county, taking a homestead in Prairie township, and there farmed one hundred and sixty acres for several years. He then moved to Holdredge, and in 1879 was elected sheriff of Phelps county, serving for one term. He next went on the Burlington and Missouri Railway and for twelve years was engineer on that road. In 1900 he came to Kearney county, locating at Wilcox, and was appointed deputy sheriff, serving for two years.
Mr. Wyatt was married at Roseville, Illinois, in 1871, to Miss Mary J. Sears, of Guernsey county, Ohio.
Mr. Wyatt is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic in Minden, and has gone through all the chairs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Cephas Ross is well known among the residents of Dawes county, Nebraska, as one of the leading old settlers in this region. Mr. Ross now lives in section 19, township 33, range 51, where he has a comfortable and pleasant home surrounded by many warm friends and good neighbors. His health fails him at times and then he boards in Crawford, Nebraska. He spends a good deal of his time with his son Hiram, who owns a homestead adjoining the father's estate.
Mr. Ross is a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, born in 1838. His father, John Ross, was a miller by trade, of American stock, his ancestors coming to the United States from the north of Ireland. Our subject's mother, who was Elizabeth Stoker, was of German-Welsh descent. He grew up in Pennsylvania on a farm, and at the age of twenty-three years enlisted in Company A, First New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry. He saw service in the Army of the Potomac and participated in a number of engagements during the civil war. After the close of the war he returned to his old home and engaged in farming on his own account, following this up to 1883. He had a nice farm of sixty-three acres, and was successful in operating it, but decided to go west, so sold out and came to Nebraska in 1886. He arrived at Chadron in March of that year, and took up his homestead in Dawes county. He at once went to work building up his farm and now owns one thousand one hundred and twenty acres, and for a number of years has been engaged in stock raising on a liberal scale. His place is well improved with good house and farm buildings, and he has been very successful in his undertakings since coming here, excepting that in September, 1904, his dwelling and the contents were destroyed by fire, and also in July, 1908, another fire destroyed his barns, sheds, corrals and a large quantity of hay. In 1906 he suffered the misfortune of a severe illness, and since that time has disposed of his interest in the stock on his ranch to his son, Hiram, who now operates the land and the father boards with his son most of the time when not boarding in Crawford, but Mr. Ross still owns his land.
In November, 1865, Mr. Ross was married to Miss Johanna Carr, of Hartsville, Pennsylvania, who died there in 1882. In 1894 he married the second time. He has a family of three children. namely; Harvey and Hiram by his first wife, and May, by his second marriage.
Mr. Ross has always taken a commendable interest in local affairs. He was elected county commisisoner (sic) in 1891 and served for one term. Politically he is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
George E. Fowler, one of the energetic and aspiring young farmers of Brown county, Nebraska, who is taking a prominent part in the agricultural development of the country adjacent to the town of Ainsworth, has chosen a vocation in which he many of the most pleasant features of life. Its independent character pleases him. and he is ready to meet its demand for hard work and close application. Its free out of door activities stimulate his sturdy manhood and the winds that sweep across these broad Nebraska prairies are welcome, as they tell a story of liberty, competence and opportunity not surpassed anywhere in the wide world.
George E. Fowler was born on a farm in Jasper county, Iowa, October 15, 1867, and from his early youth was familiar with hard work. His father was a farmer during his active life and an early settler in Brown county. He is still living in Ainsworth, a sketch of his career appearing elsewhere in this work. Of the five children born to his parents, George E. Fowler is the third in order of birth, and one of three now living. The father brought his family to Brown county in the spring of 1883, and made a homestead of the northwest quarter of section 20, township 30, range 22, and here the subject of this narration grew into manhood, having enough hard work to occupy his mind and strengthen his sinews. When he came into the county there were no schools in the town, the first being established in the winter of 1883 and 1884. The young George helped his father build up the family homestead and put the family fortunes on a solid foundation. He passed through some hard times at home, and found it difficult to maintain a stand against the disasters that followed in the wake of the drouth, but he remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, and in after years had no regrets that he did so.
George E. Fowler and Miss Mary E. Barrett were married February 24, 1897. She was more commonly known under the nickname of "Lydia." She was born in Indiana, where her mother died when "Lydia," the nickname by which Mrs. Fowler was commonly known, was nine years old. Her father. I. B. Barrett, was auditor of Bartholomew county, Indiana. at the time of death in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have one child, Frank, born February 3, 1902.
Mrs. Fowler came to Nebraska in 1887 to join her sister, Mrs. Dr. G. O. Remy, who had cared for her after the death of her mother. Illness for three years prevented her going west at the time the Doctor and his wife migrated to the frontier.
After their marriage the young couple lived for some two years on old Fowler homestead, but in 1899 built a house on their own land, where they have now a neat and attractive farm of one hundred and sixty acres. About ninety acres are under the plow, and the balance devoted to pasturage. In addition to his general farming Mr. Fowler is making much of stock raising, and more and more is throwing means and energy in that line.
The family belong to the Congregational Church and Mr. Fowler affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America, of Ainsworth. In political faith he is Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
E. G. Wallin was born in Sweden, March 30, 1857. Coming to America, in 1880, he made his home in New York City for six years, but during that time he made a six months visit to his native land. In June, 1886, he came west to Nebraska, settling in Kimball (then Cheyenne) county. He took a pre-emption claim and homestead, and also a Kincaid homestead later. His home is located on the southeast quarter of section 4, township 13, range 53, where he has surrounded himself with many evidences of wealth, prosperity and comfort. He has been very successful with his farming operations and cultivates a considerable portion of his land, having also a nice bunch of cattle and horses. He has good improvements and his farm is well equipped in every way. In early life Mr. Wallin was an upholsterer by trade and he has followed that business more or less in this country, for some time being engaged thereat in Denver, Colorado.
March 12, 1881, in New York City, Mr. Wallin and Miss Charlotte Lindberg were married. She was a native of Sweden and came to America in August, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Wallin have six children, all at home: Ernest, Prince, Morgan, Hulda, Alfred and Herbert. The parents of Mr. and Mrs. Wallin are all dead. Of two children in his father's family, our subject is the sole survivor.
Mr. E. G. Wallin has taken an active part in the local political matters of his community and is an advocate of the principles of the Republican party. He has been county assessor of Kimball county several different times and is regarded as a safe and capable official. He knows well by experience the hardships of the early days in this western country, and many times his good wife had the care of the place alone while he worked out. Many times she was forced to buy water and get wood from the timber. They had no team and much credit is due Mrs. Wallin as well as our subject for the success they have attained.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Rev. John A. Scamahorn, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of Gordon, is among the well known ministers of this part of the state of Nebraska. He has traveled over most of the state in an official capacity, and has gained a host of friends, highly esteemed by all.
Rev. Scamahorn was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, September 25, 1831. His father, Rev. Jacob Scamahorn, was a minister in the United Brethren Church for forty years, also a native of Ohio, of Holland Dutch extraction, the Scamahorn family having settled in New York in 1600. Our subject's mother was of Irish descent, and he was the second child in their family of three. His parents moved to Indiana in 1850, and settled in Spencer county. He began working on a farm during his young manhood days, and in 1861 enlisted in Company C, 42nd Indiana Volunteers, as a private, and with his regiment was ordered south, serving in the Army of the Cumberland. He followed a soldier's life for four years, and was in many skirmishes and saw hard service. He was all through Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, was captured at Stone River, Tenn. and afterwards exchanged. Was in the battle of Chickamauga, taken prisoner and held for fifteen months, but managed to escape from prison and rejoin his regiment. He was promoted from private to orderly sergeant, then lieutenant, then became captain of his company and later major. After the war had closed and he had received an honorable discharge, he entered the Hartsville University and spent one year and then was licensed as a minister in the United Brethren Church, serving with them for two years. He was elected to the Indiana Legislature from Spencer county, serving one term, from 1866 to 1868. In 1870 he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has served a total of thirty-nine years in the ministry. He held several important charges in the Indiana conference. In 1884 he came to Nebraska at the head of a colony of 105 people from Indiana, settling in the vicinity of Gordon, Sheridan county, and soon afterwards organized the first Methodist Episcopal society in northwestern Nebraska, filling a number of charges in that part of the state, also serving as presiding elder in the Chadron district of the Northwestern Nebraska Conference. In 1903 he took his superannuated relation in the conference, but still does a great deal of active work for the church. He was one of those who took an active part in the settlement of Gordon in the early days, and named the town, having been its first postmaster.
Rev. Scamahorn was married in 1853 to Miss Margaretta McCollum, who died during the civil war. They had three children but none lived. through their infancy. He was married the second time in 1866 to Mrs. Mary C. Radcliff, whose husband was killed in the battle of Chickamauga.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
HORACE GREELEY MILLER.
The gentleman herein named occupies a foremost place among the prominent citizens of Brown County, Nebraska. Mr. Miller is an old settler in this vicinity, and here he has become well known for his square dealing in a business way and by devoting many years of his life to his work, he well merits the success which he has attained. Mr. Miller was born in Union county, Indiana, August 12, 1834. His father, Martin Miller, was of mixed nationality, American born, settling in Indiana with his parents when he was but ten years old. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Cassandra Yeaman, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1805 of American stock; she become the mother of seven boys, of whom Horace Greeley is the fourth in order of birth. He was reared in the county in which he was born, attending the public schools and in his boyhood years became accustomed to hard farm work, going through many pioneer experiences even at that time. He learned the miller's trade when a young man, following in the footsteps of his father with whom he entered into partnership in the business. continuing together until 1864. From that time to 1871 our subject ran the business alone, and then selling the mill, came to Hebron, Thayer county, Nebraska, there engaging in the same vocation. In 1874 he witnessed the grasshopper raids in that region through which he met with heavy losses. He afterwards built several mills for different parties in that vicinity, doing his share in the building up of the country.
In the fall of 1875 he spent some time in Nuckolls county, where he conducted a store at Spring Valley, now Hardy Station, on the Union Pacific; thence he moved to Brown county in 1882, driving across country by team, he and his family camping out on the way in a tent, driving a few head of cattle with them. He located at the junction of Bone and Pine creeks, built a dugout and log cabin combined, in which they lived up to 1896, when it was destroyed by fire. In 1885 he began the erection of a burr-mill, which in 1891 he remodeled and improved, installing the roller system, now making patent flour. He also runs a saw mill in connection, running both by water power from Pine creek in which he has a good dam.
In 1882 Miller took up a homestead in section 5, township 31, range 20, the tract on which the mill stands, and engaged in grain and stock raising, at both of which he has made a success. When he first reached Brown county, his capital was seventy-five dollars in money, his household goods and a few head of stock. Mr. Miller has been a pioneer in several states, always pushing out to the borders of civilization.
Mr. Miller was married February 7, 1861, to Miss Barbara E. Miller, of American stock, born in Union county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have a family of seven children of whom three are living: Winfield S., Minnie, wife of Alonzo S.Barker, farming near Mr. Miller's place, and Moulton. While living in Nuckolls county, Mr. Miller took quite an active part in politics, and served as county commissioner for three years. In establishing the postoffice of Winfield to accommodate the neighborhood surrounding the mill, Mr. Miller was appointed postmaster, an office he efficiently fills. He is Republican in political faith.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
THOMAS LINDBERG.
Among the early settlers in western Nebraska who have watched the growth and aided in the development of this region from its start, the gentleman above named holds a first place. Mr. Lindberg lives on section 2, township 34. range 33, Cherry county, where he has built up a good home and farm, and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of his community.
Mr. Lindberg was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, August 30, 1859, son of Peter Lindberg, a harness maker by trade, and the youngest of a family of five children. He grew up in his native town, and at the age of eighteen went to sea, sailing to England, and afterwards made a trip all through Europe. He had learned his father's trade and worked at that from time to time. In 1878 he came to America, sailing from Liverpool in the steamship Baltic, landing in Portland, Maine, and from there came west stopping at Omaha where he worked for a few months, then began work on the railroad south from that city, He next went to Chicago and remained for five years teaming there; later he was employed in Boston, Philadelphia and Hoboken, New Jersey. In 1887 he enlisted in the United States army at Park Row, New York City, and assigned to Company A, Eighth Infantry, serving at Fort Niobrara for a time. During the Indian outbreak at Pine Ridge in 1891, he was with his regiment there and also at Rosebud, Wounded Knee, and Fort McKinley, Wyoming, receiving an honorable discharge June 26, 1891, having marched one hundred and sixty miles through the mountains, often camping in the snow.
Mr. Lindberg had married prior to his discharge and on his return from the army rented garden ground near Hanson's bridge, east of Valentine, which was not profitable. He then rented a farm for two years in Nenzel precinct and in 1901 filed on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, since then taking up his additional four hundred and eighty acres. Mrs. Lindberg, prior to her marriage, had taken up a timber claim on which the family now resides. During the first years he worked on the section to support his family, and saw many hard times, but conditions have improved and they are now independent. He has been successful since starting here, gradually adding to his land until he is now proprietor of eight hundred acres, cultivating one hundred and ten acres of it and the balance in hay and pasture land. He has good wells and windmills, and his ranch is well improved and one of the most valuable properties in this region.
On August 11, 1890, our subject was married to Miss Johanna Zirfas, a native of the village Baden, Nassau, Germany. Mrs. Lindberg has presented her husband with three children, namely: Mary, born May 29, 1891, Peter, born May 28, 1895, and Joseph, April 7, 1900. They are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Lindberg affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America and Independent Order Odd Fellows of Cody.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
C. K. Davies, residing in Kearney, Nebraska, is one of the best known citizens of Buffalo county. He came to Nebraska with his parents when a boy, and has never lived out of the state since 1867. Mr. Davies was born at Denver, Colorado, in 1862. His father, W. D. Davies, was a well known breeder of stock, and came to Nebraska from Denver. Our subject was for many years in the Shorthorn breeding business at Columbus, Nebraska, and in 1904 came to Buffalo county, establishing himself at Kearney.
He has never exhibited his herd, but has sold many animals to farmers from all over western Nebraska, as when purchasing any of his stock they are sure of getting the very best that can be had. At the head of his herd is the "Goldendrop," strain. He paid $500 for the bull "Fame's Heir," sired by Imported Golden Fame, dam Imported Milkmaid. His Lancaster cow is the favorite in his herd, and the sum of $200 was paid for her daughter before she was a year old. Mr. Davies refused $200 for her last bull calf, which promises to be one of the best of his kind. The best breeders from all over Iowa and Nebraska buy cows from Mr. Davies' herd, and he now has a herd of about one hundred and twenty-five, and runs a large dairy, from which he furnishes most of the milk and cream used in Kearney. He prefers the Shorthorn cattle for all purposes. He states that western breeders have to cross their Herefords with Shorthorn stock, otherwise their herd will run out in a short time. The Shorthorn is A-1 for beef as well as milk. and this makes them the most desirable for both farmers and stockmen, and a Shorthorn bull will improve any strain or breed of cattle.
At one time Mr. Davies was engaged in breeding Duroc Jersey hogs on quite a large scale. and is considered one of the best judges in this locality of these animals. He has no use for a pampered show pig, but selects those that have developed naturally, and followed that line in his work, his animals taking many prizes wherever they were shown. He was offered $100 for Madam Banker, but refused to sell. The state industrial school select their stock of pure-bred hogs from his drove, which is the best evidence of their superiority over any others here.
Mr. Davies has also been a breeder of horses, and his judgment of thoroughbreds is considered among the best. He owned Kitty Fenland, and at the state fair in 1903 she was first in her class, and her colt also took first prize. Both these animals were sold to James Barr, the leading horse breeder in Nebraska, to whom our subject also sold his eight hundred and eighty-acre ranch at Lomax, Nebraska.
Mr. Davies has four sons, and all are interested in the stock business, following naturally in the footsteps of their father. George, who is but twelve years of age, reared and cared for an animal which was pronounced by the best judges in the state to be the most fit thoroughbred ever shown as a yearling. This son also has a bunch of Rosecomb Leghorn chickens that are not surpassed by any in the state. The other sons are Sumner, Alden and Jay.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ANDREW McGINLEY.
Prominent among the early settlers of western Nebraska is the gentleman above named, who has taken part in the history of this region from the beginning, and has done his full share in its development. He was among the first of those to introduce the system of irrigation in this part of the country. He went through many hardships and privations, and during the year 1876 was never inside a house from November until the following May. Mr. McGinley also had many exciting encounters with the Indians, and can relate many interesting anecdotes of the frontiersman's life in the pioneer days.
Our subject was born in county Donegal, Ireland, in December of the year 1838. His parents were of Scotch-Irish blood. The father, William, was a blacksmith by occupation, who married Annie Porter. The whole family came to America in 1850, landing at St. Johns, New Brunswick, and soon afterwards came to Maine, where our subject was reared and educated. In the year 1857 Andrew went to work in the lumber woods of Maine and continued at that work for a number of years. In 1868 he came to Colorado, and teamed south from Cheyenne, being employed by the Union Pacific railway company, getting out ties for that road. The following year he did the same work for the Cheyenne and Denver railway. In 1870 he left the railroad and went into the stock business in Colorado, working as a cowboy on a ranch of his own, and spent five years in that vicinity. He worked as a freighter in connection with his stock raising operations, and this brought him into the western part of Nebraska. He located on a ranch twenty-five miles southeast of Harrison. in 1879, and made that his home up to 1899, and succeeded in building up an extensive ranch which was situated on the Niobrara river. He sold out this property in that year for $20,000. The place contained about two thousand five hundred acres, a large portion of which was irrigated land, and was a valuable piece of land. His partner, W. C. Stovers, was a well-known ranchman and old settler, and these two men were in partnership for over twenty years.
In 1899 Mr. McGinley came to Harrison and bought his present farm, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, and here he has a nice place, with good improvements in the way of buildings, fences, etc.
Mr. McGinley was married in 1865 to Miss Laura Haven, daughter of Joseph Haven, a farmer of Hartson, Maine. Mrs. McGinley was born in Hartson, Maine, of Yankee stock. Our subject has always taken a leading part in the affairs of his community, and has held numerous offices, serving as county commissioner when Sioux county was first organized. and was also one of the men who helped form the county. He is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ORIAL C. GASKILL.
Among the prominent ranchmen and stock raisers of Rock county, the gentleman above named holds an enviable reputation. He is among the oldest settlers in this section of the country, and has aided materially in the growth and success of the region where he chose his home.
Mr. Gaskill is a native of Ohio, born in 1848. His father, Thomas R. Gaskill, was a tanner by trade, and a native of the eastern states. Our subject is the second member in his father's family of five children, and was reared in Ohio until the age of fifteen years, when the whole family left that state and moved to Wisconsin, in the fall of 1863, remaining there for five years. He quit school before coming west, and had only had the advantages of a common school education. After leaving Wisconsin the family settled in Worth county, Iowa, and there he remained at home with his parents for three years, when he went to farming for himself. He followed this occupation for about three years, then purchased a farm in Wright county and worked this for six years. In 1884 he came to Nebraska and located in Brown county, settling in what is now Rock county, eight miles northeast of the present site of Bassett. There he took up a homestead and remained on it for ten years, improving the place wonderfully with buildings, fences, etc. He went through some hard times while on that farm, losing crops by the drouths, hailstorms, and other conditions, he became disheartened, so he sold his holdings there and moved on his present farm situated in section 9, township 32, range 18, located on the banks of the Niobrara River. Here he has built up a pleasant home and fine farm. He has three hundred and sixty acres of land and engages in stock raising principally, and finds this one of the best places he has ever seen for that line of work. He has a valuable property, and well merits the success which he has attained through his hard labors.
While living in Iowa, Mr. Gaskill was married in 1878 to Miss Marion Boswell, an American girl. Their marriage has been blessed with three children. namely; Arthur A., Lizzie and George. All of Mr. Gaskill's time is devoted to the care and supervision of his farm and home, and he has the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen. He is a Republican politically.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Elinon M. Rose, whose handsome home and well-kept farm lies on section 10, township 14, range 51, Cheyenne county, where he is owner of one hundred and sixty acres, beautifully located on Lodgepole Creek, is one of the energetic and persevering citizens of his community, and an old settler in Nebraska. He came to this part of the state in the early days of its development, and has secured for himself a good home and competence in this fertile and productive region. Mr. Rose is a gentleman of broad mind and good practical training, and he has gained an enviable reputation as a gentleman of sterling qualities, esteemed and admired by all who know him.
Mr. Rose was born in Jasper county, Iowa, October 3, 1868, removing with his parents, Francis M. and Tabiatha (Flock) Rose, to Shelby county, that state, when he was about twelve years of age. His parents were highly respected residents of Cheyenne county, coming in 1885, and there they resided for twenty-two years, and now are living at Miller, Buffalo county, Nebraska. Our subject followed in April, 1886, and lived with his parents for about four years, then filed on a claim in section 4, township 14, range 46, upon which he proved up and sold in September, 1908. He purchased his present farm in March, 1907, an excellent property all fenced and with an unfailing supply of water in Lodgepole creek for stock and irrigation. He was very successful from the start; and although met with some discouragements, has, in the main, done exceedingly well, and is recognized as one of the progressive and prosperous farmers of his locality, a good business man and good manager. About sixty acres of his farm are cultivated, and he raises all kinds of small grains, using the balance for pasture and ranching purposes. The dwelling is of unusually neat architecture being one of the prettiest residences in the Lodgepole valley. The grove south of the house is one of the tallest in the region.
Mr. Rose was united in marriage March 20, 1902 to Miss Phebe Stewart, whose parents, Augustus N. and Martha (Coats) Stewart now reside in Keith county, Nebraska. Four children have been born of this union, who are named as follows: Velma Vesta, Viola Mildred, Vernon Lester and Georgia Anna (deceased) ; they form a most interesting and charming family their home being one of the most hospitable in this section. Mr. Rose occupies a foremost position in the affairs of his locality, is active in local politics, and liked by all who know him. Politically he is a strong Republican. Our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ORVILLE R. IVINS.
The gentleman above named is prominent among the younger professional men of Crawford, Nebraska. Mr. Ivins is engaged in the practice of dentistry here, and has gained a large clientage through his skill and genial personality.
Mr. Ivins is a native of Dunlap, Iowa, born in 1880, of American parents. His father, Cyrus Ivins, was a well-known resident of Dunlap, and a successful business man, working as a traveling salesman through the state of Nebraska during the early pioneer days when the region was very sparsely settled. His mother was Martha (Johnson) Ivins. In 1885 the family moved to Fremont, Nebraska, where our subject was reared and educated, attending school in Omaha in 1894. In 1898 he enlisted in the Third Nebraska regiment and went to Cuba with his company, where he saw service in the Spanish-American war. After his return from the Spanish-American war he returned to Nebraska and began his study of dentistry, taking a course at the Omaha Dental College. which is a part of the University of Omaha. He was a brilliant student and graduated from that institution in 1903 establishing an office at Crawford in the same year, where he has built up a good practice and is considered one of the rising young men of the town.
In 1904 Mr. Ivins was married to Miss Myrtle Hogel, whose father, J. H. Hogel, is a well known old resident of Crawford. Mr. and Mrs. Ivins have one child, Myrtle Louise.
Mr. Ivins was elected a member of the city council in 1906, and is now serving on the village board. He is a Republican in politics.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Frank Black, for the past twenty-five years a resident of Dawes county, Nebraska, has identified himself with the interests of Western Nebraska, and by building up a fine farm and lending his influence for good citizenship he has become one of the deservedly successful and prosperous citizens of his locality.
Mr. Black was born in Henry county, Iowa, in 1854. His father, Lafayette Black, was a native of Ohio, and among the pioneer settlers in Iowa. He married Annie Johnson, born in Kentucky. She is now seventy-four years of age and is living in Gentry county, Missouri. Our subject grew up in the latter state, where the family settled when he was about six years of age. He received but a limited schooling, attending the country schools, and much of his time was spent in assisting his parents in performing the farm work and helping build up their home. At the age of twenty he left home and started in for himself, following farm work for two or three years, spending some time in Madison and Henry counties, Iowa, and in the fall of 1876 came back to Missouri, where he was married and began farming on his own account in the same county with his parents. He remained there for eight years, then came to Nebraska with the Sweat colony, arriving at Valentine on April 6th, 1884, and teaming from that place to where he located, spending one month or more on the trip from Missouri. He took up a homestead, his present home, in section 23, township 32, range 48, and built a log cabin on the place; finishing same with a dirt roof, and occupied this, for two years, then building a good log house. He owned some ox teams and these he used in breaking up his farm and hauling timber for different purposes. The first crop he put in was a sod crop of corn, potatoes and vegetables, and had a very good yield. He went through the drouth years, but never had an entire failure of crops, although was often obliged to haul wood and sell it to obtain a living and make up for his short crops. He continued to build up his farm, however, and through industry and perseverance succeeded in getting together a nice property, constantly adding to his acreage, until he is now owner of a fine ranch of 1,000 acres. located on Big Bordeaux Creek, and besides this controls altogether two thousand six hundred acres. The. farm is well supplied with natural timber, wild fruits and good water, and he has it well improved with good buildings, and about twenty miles of fence. He raises considerable corn, and handles a great deal of stock each year.
In January, 1879, Mr. Black was married to Miss Mary A. Green, daughter of Henry and Matilda Freeman Green, both born in London, England, who came to America in 1860, and were early settlers in Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Black, the following children have been born: Sarah May, Thomas, Victoria, Samuel, Annie, Laura, William, Maude, Dickie and Ida. Georgie died at three years of age.
Mr. Black takes a keen interest in local public affairs, at all times lending his aid and influence for good government and the bettering of conditions in his community. He is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John Doe, residing on section 36, Laird township, is one of the successful agriculturists of Phelps county, Nebraska. He is a man of energetic will and industrious habits and richly deserves the success which he has attained here, and commands the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.
Mr. Doe is a native of Illinois. His father originally came from Bangor, Maine, and his mother was a native of Troy, New York, the family coming west when our subject was a child and settling in Illinois, where he grew up. The father later came to Nebraska, his death occurring in Phelps county in 1900, and the mother still lives here.
Father and son farmed in Bureau county for many years, the former living on one farm for forty years.. This farm comprised one hundred and sixty acres, and while they were there raised good crops and accumulated quite a snug little property, but after coming to Nebraska found that the opportunities were much better here, and crops just as good as in Illinois; and climate more agreeable. Mr. Doe is engaged mostly in grain raising, and his wheat crops are of the best. He keeps only enough stock for fanning and domestic purposes, and finds grain raising very profitable. For the past fourteen years he has owned and operated a threshing outfit, and threshes all over this part of the country, deriving a nice income from this source. He is enthusiastic regarding wheat raising, and thinks that winter wheat, if properly planted and taken care of, will make any man. He came to his present farm in 1892, having purchased it six years previously, at that time the land being mostly wild, and he has broken it all up and now has it in a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Doe has never married.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John M. Samuelson, who lives on section 16, township 15, range 40, in Keith county, Nebraska, occupies am enviable position among the old timers and successful ranchers of the county. He was born in the province of Smolan, Sweden, June 23, 1853, his father being a mechanic and carpenter. Our subject grew up in his native land, where at an early age, he learned the cabinet maker's trade, which business he followed in various parts of Sweden and Norway. He in the prosecution of his craft and was for some years connected with the government work of the two countries named, going at one time as far as Trondjam, Norway.
In 1887, with his wife and five children, he came to America, sailing from Gottenburg for Hull, England, on the 14th of July; four days later he embarked at Liverpool in the Arabic and after a voyage of thirteen days, landed in New York the last day of July. Thence he came west to Nebraska, reaching Ogallala, August 5th, where he joined a brother and followed cabinet making for two years. During 1890 and 1891 he lived in the city of Denver, Colorado, plying his trade, after which he returned to Keith county, settling on a farm two and one-half miles northwest of Ogallala, where he entered a homestead on section 26, township 14, range 39. Here he put up good buildings and thoroughly improved the homestead, living there until 1897, when he proved up on the homestead and came to his present farm in section 16, township 15, range 40. He has a splendid ranch of two hundred and sixty acres of fine land, all of which is irrigable; it is thoroughly improved with good house, barns, sheds, granary, corn-crib, two wells and wind mills and a nice grove of forest trees. He has taken special pains in growing a fine orchard of apple, cherry and peach trees. He also has some wild plum trees and an abundance of small fruit. His farm is one of the best in Keith county.
Mr. Samuelson was married in Sweden, in March, 1875, to Miss Anna Johnson, who was also a native of the province of Smolan, in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Samuelson have had six children: Matilda; wife of Clarence Mahafy, ranching near Ogallala: Charles I., who is mentioned below; Francis Oscar, engaged in farming four miles northeast of Ogallala; Theodore, a blacksmith in the county seat; Martin, a teacher at Dodge, Nebraska, and Gustave, who still resides with the old folks at home.
Mr. Samuelson had but little of this world's goods to start on when he landed in Keith county, having but $60 in money and being burdened with debts amounting to ninety dollars. But he was full of grit and determination to win and he has made a fine success of life. He has occupied a prominent place in the affairs of his community and is known everywhere as an upright and progressive citizen. He is a Republican in and a member of the Lutheran church.
Charles J. Samuelson, son of our subject, is farming for himself on five hundred acres of his land, and has proven to be a successful farmer. Charles J. has a finely improved farm, on which he has good buildings, an orchard of spendid trees and all necessary improvements. He settled on his land in 1903 and his industry and good management have, in four years, established him on the road to wealth and prosperity.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John Berney, county judge of Wheeler county, Nebraska, is one of the foremost men of this section. He was elected to his present office on the Republican ticket in 1905, and re-elected in 1907 to same office, and is now serving his second term.
Mr. Berney is a native of Sheffield, Illinois, born in 1871. His father, James B., was born in 1842, in Scotland, at the age of four years coming to the United States with his parents, settled in New York state. Our subject's mother was Mary Henderson, born in New York state, of Irish descent, and she was the mother of nine children, John being the eldest of the brood. Both parents are still living and own a ranch of eight hundred acres in Wheeler county. When our subject was a young man of eighteen years he left Illinois and came west, settling in Platte County, Nebraska, where he bought a small farm. After operating that place for several years he sold out and moved to Boone county where he worked at the printer's trade and remained there up to 1904. He next came to this county and established the Wheeler County Independent, at Bartlett, the county seat, the only county newspaper published in Wheeler county, Nebraska. Mr. Berney was elected to his present position and he is one of the most popular public officials the county has ever had, able and efficient in every respect.
Mr. Berney is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and is active in every movement introduced for the improvement of his locality. He is familiar with every part of his county, well liked and a man of sterling character and honesty of purpose. He is enthusiastic regarding the possibilities of this section and thinks the opportunities for the average man are better here than in the eastern states, also considers western Nebraska superior to any other part of the state as an agricultural section, on account of the healthy climate, good water supply, etc. Mr. Berney has never married.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Fred Guildner, a prominent farmer of Liberty precinct, resides on his well-improved farm of eight hundred acres, and conducts the same in accordance with modern methods and scientific principles. He is one of the old settlers of western Nebraska, and has done his full share in the building up of his locality, incidentally accumulating for himself a fine estate and valuable property in Perkins county.
Mr. Guildner was born in the town of Erford, Germany, in 1860. When he was a small boy his father died, and the mother came to America with her family when he was seven years of age and for a time they lived in New York City, then emigrated to Wisconsin where our subject was raised and educated. As a young man he spent considerable time in the lumber business in Wisconsin, working in the lumber regions near Lake Superior. In 1881 he came to Nebraska, settling in Hamilton county, and lived there for four years. There he began in the well business and followed it up to 1885, then came to Perkins county. Ogallala was his nearest railroad town. He took a pre-emption, proved up on that, and also had a timber claim which he filed on in 1884 but did not prove up on it until 1891. When he came into the country he drove through the vast country, where the settlers were few and far between. He at once built a sod house and went through the usual experiences of the pioneers in the far west. He had no water for domestic use, and was obliged to haul all his water and supplies from Ogallala, a distance of twenty-five miles.
Mr. Guildner had a hard time getting started, breaking up his land for crops, and in 1893-'94 had heavy losses due to drouths, etc. As the times grew better he was able to improve his place considerably, and in 1898 took his present homestead in section 23, township 10, range 38, and now has one of the finest ranches in the section. He farms about two hundred acres and has the rest in pasture and hayland for quite a large bunch of stock which he runs each year. He has good buildings of all kinds, having a fine story and a half house, fourteen by twenty-two and twelve by fourteen feet, which he moved from Grant, seven miles, This was one of the buildings sold in Grant during the hard times. Altogether he now has one of the pleasantest rural homes to be seen in the locality. Along with his farming Mr. Guildner has continued the well drilling business from the time he began in 1881 up to the spring of 1908. He has put down wells all over this and adjacent counties and also in Colorado and has done his share as an old settler in building up the country.
In 1892 Mr. Guildner was married to Miss Sarah Purintun, who is a daughter of Charles Purintun, one of the well known pioneers of Perkins county. Our subject has a family of seven children, namely: Harry, Lewis, Virgil, Percy, Marian. Charles and Gretchen, who form a most charming and interesting group. Mr. Guildner is a Populist in political views. He was elected township assessor in 1908, and has always taken an active interest in local affairs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles H. Evans, whose home is located in section 11, township 28, range 51, Box Butte county, Nebraska, is still in his early manhood, and his industry economical habits and upright life are a credit to his race and blood. He was born on a farm in Michigan in 1876. His father,Willard Evans, a prominent old settler of Box Butte county, and a sketch of whose life appears on another page of this volume, is a native of the state of New York.
When our subject was four years old, the family moved to Missouri, where they settled on a farm and remained in that state for seven years. In 1886 the family came to Box Butte county, Nebraska, and it was in this county, which Mr. Evans has made his home, that he grew into manhood. He received his education attending the county schools, and for two years was a student at the Chadron Academy. He assisted his fatther (sic) in making a comfortable home for the family in Box Butte county, and in 1900 he secured some land of his own. From time to time he secured adjoining tracts of land, until he now has four quarter sections of deeded land. His ranch is located near the Niobrara river, and is well fenced and cross fenced. He has a homestead of three quarters in sections 10 and 11, that he took in 1907. He has erected substantial buildings, has a barn thirty by sixty feet, and a fine dwelling. He has from two hundred and sixty to three hundred acres of land under cultivation, making the raising of small grain and potatoes a specialty. He also raises hogs, cattle and horses on a large scale.
Mr. Evans gives the closest atttention (sic) to his work, and is becoming widely known as one of the progressive and up-to-date tillers of the soil in this county. His ranch is well handled, and he is proving himself a thoroughly alert and vigorous farmer, and a business man of much sagacity as well. The many warm friends that he has made wish him well, and predict for him a bright future.
Mr. Evans was married June 15, 1908, to Miss Carrie Grant, daughter of William and Mary Grant, of Whitewood, South Dakota. Her parents are natives of Kentucky.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Matthew G. Walls is one of the enterprising business men of Springview.
He was born on a farm in Putnam county, Missouri, June 10, 1856. His father, Robert C. Walls, was born in Indiana, of parents who emigrated from Ireland, locating in Missouri, where our subject was reared. At the age of twenty-two he struck out farther west, going as far as Morton county, Kansas, and remained in this part of the country three years, being there during the time of the Indian massacre in western Kansas, experiencing some very exciting times. He then went to Lancaster county, Nebraska and settled down to farming, remaining there until 1884, when he moved to Oklahoma about the time the "boomers" were moving off, and was among the men who saw Oklahoma before that territory had begun its development. He afterwards visited the Ozark mountains in Missouri, remaining there one summer before returning to Kansas, while for a year he engaged in mining at Pittsburg. In 1886 Mr. Walls first saw Keya Paha county, taking a homestead in section 10, township 32, range 21, where he built his first log cabin.
On June 20, 1878, he was married to Miss Effie Stalcup, whose father was an old settler in Kansas, of Swedish descent. They have one child, Inez, who is now Mrs. Lloyd Harris, of Ripple, Colorado.
After settling in Keya Paha county Mr. Walls spent his first years hauling posts, freighting, etc and then went to farming, which he followed for the next fifteen years. During this time he experienced many hardships and privations, witnessing the drouth periods, through losing two entire crops successively and others by hail, wind and storms. In 1902 our subject sold his farm and moved to Springview, reopening a restaurant and confectionery store, and is still engaged in this business, handling groceries, confections, ice cream. etc., and has a flourishing trade in this line.
Mr. Walls is counted one of the solid business men of Springview, takes an active interest in all affairs pertaining to town matters, and has always done his full share towards the development of the financial interests of the community where he has chosen his home. In political sentiment he is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
J. W. Nunn, known throughout his community as an energetic and progressive farmer, as been a resident of Cheyenne county for the past twenty-five years.
Mr. Nunn was born in Lewis county, Missouri January 1, 1864, and at the age of five years went with his parents to Saline county, that state. There were fourteen children in his father's family, and he was the ninth in order of birth, and has three brothers and two sisters still living. The father's death occurred on the home ranch September 21, 1907, and the mother died February 14, 1906. Both were highly respected old settlers of Cheyenne county, having passed through all the early Nebraska times, coming here in 1884, accompanied by our subject, they homesteading a piece of land which was afterwards sold.
Mr. Nunn now has his home ranch on section 28, township 19, range 51, owning a ranch of one thousand six hundred acres situated on Pumpkin Creek. He has a small part of it cultivated, but is engaged principally in the stock business, having at the present time one hundred and forty cattle. His place is well improved in every way, and he is a prosperous and successful citizen of his township.
Mr. Nunn was united in marriage on March 10, 1897, at Middle Creek, Cheyenne county, to Miss Grace Dugger, daughter of Wm. C. Dugger, a well-known and highly esteemed resident of that locality. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nunn, named as follows: Alvin, Herbert (deceased), Esther, Henry and Francis, all bright and interesting youngsters, and the family have a pleasant and comfortable home.
Mr. Nunn is treasurer of the telephone line of Bridgeport. He takes an active interest in local and school affairs. and is serving as moderator of District No. 106.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ROBERT H. KOONTZ.
Among the residents of Cherry county, Nebraska, none is more highly respected and esteemed than the subject of this review, Robert H. Koontz.
Mr. Koontz was born in Washington, Pennsylvania. November 18. 1861, and came to Council Bluffs when but two years of age. His father, also Robert H. Koontz, was by profession a lawyer, of German descent, and died suddenly just as the family were all ready to move to Iowa. His mother, who was Miss Mary A. Hunter, of Scotch-Irish descent, died in 1901; an only brother had passed away prior to this. Robert H. Koontz started out to make his own way at eighteen years of age, obtaining employment in hotels, and at anything he could find to do, and in March, 1885, came to Cherry county, locating six miles west of Merriman, remaining there until 1899, when he sold out. He had been very successful and made some money in farming and stock raising, but was obliged to give up all hard work on account of failing health. Our subject and Mr. A. Madder were the first white men to settle in this locality; together they passed through all the pioneer experiences with its very hard times, but overcame all difficulties and are now in comfortable circumstances and enjoy pleasant homes with hosts of friends and neighbors.
In 1887 Mr. Koontz contracted a nervous trouble brought on by helping to lift a cow which had been stuck in the quicksands. After assisting at this work he was compelled to ride seven miles to his home in his wet garments and the next morning the disease started in his right foot and gradually affected his entire body, so that he is now almost an invalid. This affliction began twelve years ago, and although be has tried numerous doctors and all kinds of remedies has never been able to get any relief. He has the sympathy of every person in his locality in his affliction, and his neighbors and friends are always ready and willing to do everything in their power to assist him in every way possible. Since his illness he has moved to town and gone out of the stock business entirely.
Mr. Koontz was married in 1894 to Miss Minerva Veria, who died twenty years later, leaving no children. In 1906 he was married to Mrs. Carrie (Hunter) Brown, a native of Monroe county, Iowa, born in 1882. Her father, Frank Hunter, now living in Valentine, was of American stock, by trade an electrical and stationary engineer, and her mother was Louisa Allen, of Scotch descent. One son, Robert H. Koontz, third, has been born of the second marriage. In political faith, Mr. Koontz is a Republican, as were his father and grandfather before him.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Albert R. Kennedy, an old settler and prosperous ranchman of Sioux county, Nebraska, resides at Crawford, Dawes county, Nebraska, where he is engaged in the grocery and meat market business. He is well known throughout the county, and has the esteem of his fellowmen.
Mr. Kennedy was born in Ontario, Canada. in 1857. His mother's people were English. When he was about three years of age the family came to the United States, locating in eastern Iowa where he was reared and educated, attending the common schools and putting in his spare time in farming. After he reached the age of twenty-one he begun farming in Cedar county and followed this up to 1884, then established himself in business at Greenfield, Iowa. In 1888 he came to Nebraska, settling on a homestead in Sioux county. He was the second settler in township 32, range 57, and went through all the hardships that fell to the lot of the pioneers of that section. He was obliged to haul water for ten miles to supply his family, they occupying a small frame shack twelve by sixteen. He steadily built up his farm and home, and added to it until he owned three hundred and twenty acres. In 1893 he moved to Crawford, and for a time was engaged in the butcher business for others here. Later he started in business for himself, opening up a store in a room twelve by twenty-four, with a stock of groceries. He soon gained a wide patronage, and increased his trade to such an extent that he now occupies one of the finest store buildings, twenty-five by one hundred, in the town of Crawford, carrying a complete line of groceries, meats, confectionery, etc. He is a thoroughly up-to-date business man and has met with marked success.
Mr. Kennedy was married September 6 1880, at Springdale, Iowa, to Miss Sarah A. Schooley. They have a family of six children named as follows: Carroll, Nannah, Earl, Clara, Virgil and Avis.
Mr. Kennedy still owns his homestead ranch on which he runs a large bunch of cattle, and his children also own considerable land in the vicinity of his farm. Mr. Kennedy was the man who put down the first well in the township he settled in. He has been a member of the city council for one term, and takes a commendable interest in all local affairs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN M. LARSON.
The gentleman above named resides on section 13, northeast, Sheridan township, and is one of the prosperous farmers of that region. He is a native of Sweden, and came to this country when a boy of fifteen. He landed in New York in 1852, and went to Andover, Illinois, where he settled on a farm, and farmed in Henry county, Illinois for many years, having a farm of one hundred and sixty acres there.
In 1861, on September 1st, he enlisted in the Forty-third Illinois Infantry, Company C, and served for three years and twenty-six days, receiving an honorable discharge on December 26th, at Little Rock, Arkansas. He saw all phases of a soldier's life, and had participated in many battles and skirmishes, being at Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson, Pittsburg Landing, at Corinth, Iuka, Jackson and Vicksburg during all of the siege: Later was under Major General Steele through Arkansas and Louisiana; at Texas, Duvall Bluff, Brownsville, following the rebels all the time, and fighting every day. At the battle of Pittsburg Landing he was shot in the neck.
After the war he returned to Illinois and farmed up to 1884, then came to Nebraska locating in this county, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land from the railway company, paying three dollars and a half per acre. He built up his farm and improved his property in 1883 putting up a fine story and a half frame house and large barn later. His farm is in first class shape and he raises good crops, running quite a good deal of stock all the time.
Mr. Larson was married to Miss Lena Peterson, born in Sweden. She came to America in 1868. To Mr. and Mrs. Larson have been born the following children: Albert, living at Holdrege, engaged in the automobile business; William, a farmer, living at home; Gilbert, who operates a corn shelling and threshing machine; one daughter, Mrs. Phoebe Nye, of Rawhide, Nevada, and Amos at home.
Mr. Larson is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Holdrege, and on of the popular citizens of his community. Politically he is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Alexander Burr, known throughout Cherry county as a man of good citizenship and untiring energy, is a resident of section 26, township 25, range 36; where he owns and operates an extensive ranch. He has been identified with the upbuilding of that locality for many years, and while acquiring his valuable estate has also gained for himself an enviable reputation.
Mr. Burr is a native of Canada, born in Ontario, in 1846. He is of Scotch descent, both parents having been born and reared in Scotland, his mother's name being Isabella Gerry, and his father, also named Alexander, a farmer by occupation. Our subject grew up in Canada where he saw plenty of hard farm work, remaining at home until he was twenty-one years of age, then started out for himself, following farm work.
He came to the United States in 1870, locating in Detroit, Michigan, and from there he went to Kansas, where he was among the earliest settlers. Much of his time was spent in working on the railroad in that part of the country, and he remained there up to 1888, during that time making two visits back to his boyhood home in Canada. He farmed in Kansas part of the time, going through many crop failures caused by dry weather and suffering from the "grasshopper periods" which were frequent in the west in the early years.
In 1887 Mr. Burr came to Western Nebraska, driving from Kansas with a team, camping out along the way. The trip took eighteen days, and he and his family experienced many difficulties and suffered from exposure during the journey, but the people of those days knew how to brave hardships without murmuring. and they finally reached their destination, locating in Box Butte county, about eighteen miles west of where Alliance now stands, and their nearest railroad station was Hay Springs, Sheridan county. Their first buildings were of sod, and our subject went to work to raise crops, improving the place in Box Butte county and lived on it for seven years. He was elected county commissioner of that county and served for one term, and also held the office of assessor for three years, doing his full share in the affairs of his community and was one of the leading pioneers of that locality. He farmed a little, but was engaged principally in stock raising, and did fairly well.
Mr. Burr first came to Cherry county in 1894, locating on section 25, township 28, range 36, twenty-eight miles north of the town of Whitman, Grant county, remained there for several years, building up a good ranch, then moved to his present location in section 26, settling here in 1901. He is now owner of a good ranch, has it fitted up with good buildings and improvements, and has a splendid system of overflowing wells, which makes the place one of the most valuable in the locality. He has plenty of hay land and range for his stock, and has planted many trees, having a fine grove, and also many fruit trees, small fruits, and good garden. He has all of his children well provided for on good ranches, and has stocked them up with one hundred head of cattle each giving them a good start as they commence life for themselves.
Mr. Burr was married in Kansas in 1872 to Miss Adelia Armsbury, whose parents were pioneers there, coming from the New England states. Mrs. Burr died the 20th of August, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Burr were the parents of the following children: Alex C., Elmer L., James N., Frank G., Lewis, John H., and Isabella.
Pullman postoffice was established about 1887, and for the past four years the postoffice has been located on Mr. Burr's ranch, and he is postmaster also.
In local affairs our subject has always taken an active part, and has held many public offices, being elected county commissioner of Cherry county serving for one term, also was assessor for three years. He is a stanch Bryan Democrat, and stands firmly for his convictions.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Jesse P. Griffith, a prosperous and much respected farmer of Perkins county, deserves the abundant success that has come to him as the reward of industry, economy and thrift. He was born April 14, 1939, in Clay county, Illinois, on a farm. The family were Kentuckians, both parents born and reared in Newcastle, settling in Illinois as pioneers, where Jesse grew to manhood. In 1861 he enlisted in the Twelfth Illinois Infantry, and later served in the Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and served in the army. In 1867 he went to Missouri, and there was married to Isadore (Stearns) Carder, daughter of Williams and Margaret Larimore Stearns, both of the state of Virginia. Our subject and his wife settled on a farm in Missouri, lived there for several years, then went to South Dakota. After some years there Mr. Griffith came to Nebraska, settling in Thayer county in 1886, and lived for one year, then moved to what is now Perkins county. He secured employment on the construction of the Chicago. Burlington and Quincy Railway, then being put through the section, and took up a homestead. settling on section 27, township 10, range 39, on May 10, 1887. The first summer the family lived in a tent, then put up a sod house in which they spent several years. Then came on the drouth years and while he met with some losses, did fairly well. and was able to get along comfortably. He was always able to raise a good corn crop, and gradually succeeded in building up his place, putting up better buildings, and getting considerable land under cultivation. He now has a good farm of four hundred and eighty acres. and has eighty of this devoted to diversified farming. also runs considerable stock.
There are nine children in our subject's family, named as follows: John, Eliza, Justin, Samuel, Whistler, Lovie and Katherine, and two sons of Mrs. Griffith by a former marriage: James Carder and Joseph Carder.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Isaiah Fowler, an honored veteran of the civil war, and a highly esteemed citizen of Ainsworth, Brown county Nebraska. was born on a farm in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1834, and during the course of a long and active life has demonstrated the possession in a marked degree of those high qualities and upright motives that make the good American. He is familiar with the experiences of life on the frontier, and knows the privations that go along with pioneering; and he has also enjoyed helping in the development of both Iowa and Nebraska into prosperous and orderly communities. Now as his years advance he has the confidence and respect of all who know him; his years, character and patriotic service demand no less.
Garret Fowler, the father of Isaiah, was a native American, and followed farming all his life in Ohio. His wife was also of American lineage, so that in the veins of our Ainsworth Fowler flow currents of patriotic power that have spoken on many a field of struggle for the higher and better life of the land.
Isaiah Fowler was the sixth in a family of ten or eleven children that blessed the marriage bond of his parents, and was reared on the Ohio farm to a life of hard work, and early taught to help and bear his full share of the common burden. He attended union schools, though the family means were limited, and he had to do with but little school training. He was married in his native state in 1859 to Miss Marian McClintoc, her father being a native of Ireland, and her mother of Germany. She became the mother of five children, three of whom are living: George and Walter. who are now pursuing the occupation of farming, and Adaline, who is living at home, comforting the declining years of her aged parents.
When our subject became of age, he left home to engage in life for himself, and in 1862 enlisted in the Federal army, becoming a member of Company F, Ninety-eight Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a command that saw much active and hard service in Kentucky, Tennessee, and in contiguous territory for three long years.
After being mustered out in 1865, Mr. Fowler spent a little time in his old home community, but in the fall of the same year journeyed west to Jasper county, Iowa, where he secured a farm, and for eighteen years was actively engaged in its cultivation. In 1883 he moved still farther to the westward. and became a resident of Brown county, Nebraska. where he took a homestead and built up a very fine farm, winning for himself a most creditable standing as a citizen, a farmer and a man. In 1899 he sold out his real estate and buying in Ainsworth, has established a home there where he is enjoying that well earned ease and comfort that should property attend the closing of a most honorable and industrious career. He is a member of the Congregational church and in political faith a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Abraham Pense, long and prominently known to the residents of Keya Paha county, Nebraska, as one of the worthy citizens and leading public spirited men of this region, resides on his well-improved farm in section 24, township 34, range 22. Mr. Pense was born in Page county, Virginia, November 27, 1832. His father, Peter Pense, was a farmer by occupation, of German descent, and died when our subject was a lad of ten years. His mother, whose maiden name was Sophia Aleshire, was born, married and lived her entire life in Page county, dying there about 1896. She was the mother of fourteen children, Abraham being one of a pair of twins; he was reared and educated in his native county on a farm, and put in many days of hard work there while still a mere boy. He hoed corn many days when a child, receiving for this work six and seven cents per day.
In 1857 Mr. Pense came west, locating in Cedar county, Iowa, where he started a farm and also worked out by the day and month to make a living. He went into horticulture, working for Hammond & Humphrey, nurserymen, where he learned grafting and horticulture to quite an extent, and followed this for some time. August 7, 1862 he enlisted at Tipton, Illinois, in Company B, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, and saw service along the Mississippi river at Vicksburg and other places. Owing to impaired health, because of fever and ague he was on detached service nearly all of the time, guarding the Indian prisoners at Davenport, Iowa, up to the close of the war.
Mr. Pense had five brothers serving in the confederate army, four of whom were killed, or died of exposure incident to camp life. After the war our subject returned to Iowa again engaging in horticulture, remaining there up to 1887, when he sold his property there, which consisted of an eighty-acre farm near Roland, in Story county, purchased in 1875. He then came to Nebraska, settling on his present homestead in Keya Paha county, May 17, 1884, where he built a log house, in which he still lives, having covered it with weather-boarding. He went through the usual experiences of the pioneers of this region, losing his cattle, five of which died the first spring. He had a hard time to get started, and suffered heavy losses from drouths, storms, and other causes, and often became heartily discouraged, but stuck to it, and now owns a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, eighty of which are cultivated and the balance in hay and pasture. He has a fine orchard containing all kinds of fruits, and his farm is one of the best-kept in his locality.
Mr. Pense was married in Iowa, August 15, 1862, eight days after he enlisted in the army, to Miss Sarah Eliza Humphrey, who was born in Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa. Her father, Aaron Humphrey, was a preacher there, and a native of Connecticut. It required courage for a bride of a week to see her young husband march away to battle and possible death.
Mrs. Pense was a woman of much intelligence and good education, having taken a course at the State University, located at Iowa City. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pense, named as follows: Ernest E., married and living near Bonesteel, South Dakota, father of six children; Ada, deceased; Severn A., also married and living in South Dakota, father of three children; Etta V., married to Joseph S. Bingham, and mother of six children, residing in Keya Paha county; Lenna, married to William Hastings, also living near her old home with one child; George W., residing with his family near Mullen postoffice, South Dakota; Joy, a teacher in the county schools; and Mary and Lillie E., both dead.
Mr. Pense is a Populist, and is active in all local affairs. He has held office at different times, and also served on the school board. The first school organized in this vicinity was held in his house during the first two or three terms. Mr. Pense was reared in the German Baptist church and was at one time a member of the Odd Fellows and Good Templars; the latter organization he joined while in the army to avoid being urged to spend his time and money in drink.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JULIAN E. PHINNEY, M. D.
The medical profession of Sioux county has no more able representative than Dr. Julian E. Phinney, who has spent nearly all his life in the state of Nebraska, coming here with his parents when a child of five years of age.
Dr. Phinney was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1860, an the farm of his father, Calvin E. Phinney. The latter was a native of Ohio; and he married Catherine Olp, of Pennsylvania, of German blood. The father died in 1873; the mother is still living at Utica, Nebraska, aged seventy-three years. The family came west and settled in Utica, Nebraska, in 1863, and were among the pioneers of that region. There our subject was raised and received his early education attending the common schools, and when a young man of twenty-six entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, graduating from that institution as a physician in 1889. Our subject's father served about five years in the civil war, acting as a scout a good part of the time.
After his graduation, our subject immediately begun the practice of his profession, establishing an office at Utica, and remained there for three years, building up a good practice. In 1893 he removed to Harrison, and has extended his patronage by his skillful labors as a physician and surgeon, throughout the whole county. He is a gentleman of pleasing personality, honest and sincere in word and deed, and has gained the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen, professionally and socially. His practice extends a distance of thirty miles from Harrison, and often he has been compelled to go into Wyoming to attend some patient who desired his services.
Dr. Phinney was united in marriage December 24, 1889, at Utica, Nebraska, to Miss Minnie Learned, of Utica, Nebraska. To them have been born the following children: Ernest,Frank, Brownlee, Pearl and Ruby. Dr. Phinney and his son Ernest are joint owners of a large ranch in South Dakota, on which they keep a large number of horses and cattle. Our subject has devoted his entire attention to his professional duties, and his success is well merited.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN E. LAMB, SR.
For over a quarter of a century John E. Lamb has resided in Nebraska. and has become well-known all over Rock county as a prosperous and progressive agriculturist. He was among the first to settle in this section and has watched the growth and development of this region from its early organization.
Mr. Lamb was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, in 1849. His father, Curtis Lamb, was a farmer, of American parentage, born in the eastern states, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Pycan. In 1850 the former started for California, spending the winter at Council Bluffs and in Woodbury County, Iowa, where he was a pioneer settler. He built the third house in Sioux City, and this is still standing, a rude log hut, twenty-eight miles from the city. He was born in Indiana in 1818, and is still living. He has always been a strong Republican. and in his younger days was a prominent politician. There were twelve children in the family, of whom our subject is the fourth member. He was raised and educated in Woodbury county, Iowa, on his father's farm, where he was early taught to do all kinds of hard labor. At the age of twenty years he struck out for himself. He spent two years in Kansas, then returned to Iowa, settling in Linn county. He remained there for several years, and in 1879 came to Nebraska. settling in Knox county, where he took a homestead and lived for six years, proving up and building his farm and home up. He put up his first dwelling, which was a dugout, and the only light which entered the place came through half a window which he built in the side of the hut. He started in with a team and wagon, and twenty-six dollars in money. He was very successful on that place, and got a good start through his energy and perseverance, then came to Rock county in 1886, taking up a tree claim in southeast section 34, township 32, range 18. This was entirely unimproved and he at once set out to build up a home. His first work was to build a house sixteen by twenty. He continued to improve the place, getting it partly under cultivation, and raised good crops on it. He never experienced any of the hardships and losses through the dry years that fell to the lot of so many of the old settlers, and altogether has been extremely fortunate in every venture since coming here. Prior to locating here he had made a trip to the Black Hills by team. He went through the hills, then through South Dakota, coming back through Nebraska along the Niobrara river. This was in the seventies, and before there were any settlers in this section, and not a railroad within many miles of this region. His farm now contains six hundred and forty acres of fine land, and he is engaged in stock raising and mixed farming. He has a splendid bearing orchard on his place which supplies the family with all kinds of delicious fruit, and has also many fine forest trees all over his farm.
Mr. Lamb was married at the age of twenty, while living in Iowa, to Miss Elizabeth A. Wright. They have a family of five boys. named as follows: John E. Jr., Curtis M., E. Dewitt, Warren D., and Willie E. They have a pleasant and comfortable home, and all of our subject's time is spent in improving this and surrounding himself and family with all the comforts of a rural home. He is an Independent voter.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
George C. Fischer, who, as a land owner of Cheyenne county, has done his share toward the development of the agricultural resources of that region, is a widely known and universally respected citizen. He is a man of wide experience, and his good business judgment and integrity have placed him among the prosperous men of his precinct.
Mr. Fisher was born in Switzerland on April 24, 1845, and in that year his parents emigrated to America with the family, sailing from Havre to New Orleans, then went by river to Nashville. Tennessee. thence by wagon to Morgan county, Tennessee, where they lived until he was fifteen years of age. At that time they moved to Nashville, living there three years. Prior to their migration to Highland, Madison county, Illinois, where they lived for many years. In 1884 our subject came to Nebraska, taking up a homestead in section 12, township 12, range 50, and settled permanently on the land the following year, where he has lived constantly ever since. This was raw prairie, but he at once began improving and developing, and has made it one of the valuable estates in the locality, putting up good buildings and improvements of all kinds. He now owns about three hundred and twenty acres of good land, farming one hundred acres, and using the balance as bay and pasture land for his stock, of which he has a large number. He has at different times during the early years in this region met with losses, and had a hard time to get along, but has worked hard and faithfully, and is now recognized as one of the progressive and substantial farmers and ranchmen of his county, prospering through good management and strict attention to the details of his farming, and enjoys a comfortable rural home. Mr. Fischer was married in Madison county, Illinois, on the 30th of December, 1869, to Bertha Bossart, who is now the mother of seven living children; one daughter, Mary, died August 31, 1897. They are named as follows: John Henry, Bertha, Lena, Edward, Eliza, Rosa and Amelia. Lena is now the wife of Edward Colling, and Rose married Elmer Bowman. both living in Cheyenne county, while Eliza married Will Young, at present residing near Crook, Colorado. John H. Fischer, the eldest, born January 13, 1873, is living at home, assisting his father in carrying on the home farm.
Mr. Fischer is a respected citizen of his township; in political sentiment he adheres to the Republican party.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Thomas Quinn, occupying a leading position in Hooker county, is one of the old timers there who has played an important part in its development and growth. He resides on his well-kept and valuable estate.
Mr. Quinn is a native born Nebraskan, and was the first baby boy born in McPherson county, June 17, 1884, being born in a wagon. His father, John B. Quinn, was an old settler in that locality, coming there in 1883, he having been born and reared in Ireland. He married Margaret Elliott, also a native of Ireland, in Iowa, in 1882, then struck out for Nebraska to build a home for themselves, traveling by team to their new location. They raised a family of three children: William J., Anna M., and our subject, Thomas. Their first location after coming to Nebraska was on a homestead in sections 1 and 2, township 20, range 35, McPherson county, and there for three years, Mrs. J. B. Quinn never saw a woman. He worked hard on the home farm, having erected sod buildings, and on December 17, 1899, the father departed this life, leaving to his widow and their children a good ranch and an untarnished reputation as a worthy, public-spirited citizen. He had served as county commissioner for three or four terms in McPherson county. The nearest trading point to the ranch for four years was North Platte, a distance of seventy miles. They were extensively engaged in stock raising, the sons assisting their father in this work up to the time of his death, when Thomas took full charge of the ranch, also filed on a homestead of his own in section 35, township 21, range 35, and has improved the place in fine shape.
Our subject's mother is the owner of a ranch comprising fourteen quarter sections, and besides this she and the children own three Kincaid homesteads, making one of the largest and most valuable estates in the county, and indeed, in that part of the state. On the ranch there are from eight hundred to one thousand tons of hay cut each year, furnishing support for over eight hundred head of cattle.
In 1906 Mr. Thomas Quinn was married to Mabel Sanders, daughter of W. T. Burnham, (Sanders being her step-father's name). She taught school in Hooker county for some time prior to her marriage, and is a lady of good education and charming personality. Our subject has one child, Myra Josephine, now a baby of two years.
While Mr. Quinn takes a commendable interest in public affairs locally, he devotes the larger part of his time to his family and home. His ranch is beautifully situated in the vicinity of Cody Lake, and the old Colonel Wm. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) ranch is comprised in his property.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN R. LEE.
Among the leading old settlers in western Nebraska who has always done his full share in the development of the locality where he chose his home, and who has spent much of his fortune in aiding the public good, we mention the name of John R. Lee, now a resident of section 32, township 27, range 28, Cherry county. Mr. Lee has held many local offices since coming here, was the first postmaster of Brownlee and the first school director, justice of the peace, notary public and road overseer, and has always been held in the highest esteem as a good citizen and accommodating neighbor, and is one of the most popular men of his locality today.
Mr. Lee was born in Ireland, in the town of Monaghan, in 1838. His father, Thomas, was of English blood, a farmer by occupation, who married Ann Martin, of Scotch-Irish descent, they coming to America with their family in 1849. As a small boy our subject attended school in Ireland, and after arriving in the United States he finished his education in the common schools, his parents settling in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania. They lived there up to 1834, then came to Wisconsin where they spent three years, and next to eastern Nebraska. Soon after landing here John begun work as a freighter, and during the early days here hunted all over the state, shooting buffalo on the plains in the western part of Nebraska, and also worked as an Indian trader for three years. much of his time being spent with the redskins in their camps, and he learned to speak their language as fluently as his own. He was always honest in his dealings with them, and they considered him a friend and was glad to have him come amongst them.
In 1877 Mr. Lee went into the Black Hills and did government work at Fort Laramie, for several years leading the typical frontier life, traveling all over the plains and for months at a time did not sleep in a house. He was an eve witness of several battles between the Pawnee and Sioux Indians, himself taking part in some of these engagements. He has traveled all over Wyoming and Colorado, and since those years has been all over the United States. engaged in different enterprises, and is a man of most interesting personality, well-read and intelligent, with whom it is a privilege and pleasure to converse, as he relates some of the most wonderful tales of life in the west during its early settlement.
Mr. Lee finally returned to Nebraska, settling in Saunders county at Wahoo, which town he named, and was the first white man to build a house there. He opened a store and blacksmith shop, and kept the first postoffice at the place, making it his home for about six years, and during that time was instrumental in having the county seat removed to Wahoo. In 1886 he came to Cherry county, landing here in July of that year, his first location being northeast of Brownlee, where he lived for about a year, then moved into the town. He was the organizer of the town of Brownlee, naming the place after a Mr. Brown who was the first man to file on the land where the town was started and himself, making the two names (Brown and Lee) into one. He established a general store there and continued in the business for eight years, also was postmaster of Brownlee. About this time he brought a large bunch of cattle in the county and started in the ranching business, still making his home in the town with his family for about fifteen years, then moved to his present ranch on North Loup river. Here he is owner of nearly seven thousand acres, which is one of the most extensive ranches in Cherry county, nearly all of it good hay land, and. stocked with a large herd of cattle and horses.
While living at Wahoo Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Mary D. Olson, born in Denmark. They have a family of six children, all filling honorable positions in the world, named as follows: Robert S., William M., Charles J., Mary Alice, Henry H., and Roy. Of late years Mr. Lee has given the active management of the ranch over to his sons, who are all good ranch men and capable business men.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
William S. Bacon, among the early settlers of Keya Paha county, Nebraska, has a well improved farm on section 8, township 34, range 24, Norden precinct, and is well known as an industrious and energetic man, highly respected and esteemed in his community.
Mr. Bacon was born in Sheffield, England, December 18, 1849. His father, William Bacon, came to this country in 1856 with his wife and child. The father was a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. and his wife prior to her marriage was Miss Susanna Wamsley, also of English birth. The family settled on the Monongahela river in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in the village of Rock Run, and there our subject was reared and educated until the age of twenty-one, at which time he started out for himself, working in the coal mines. following that work for twenty-one years. He did very well at the mining and accumulated quite a comfortable amount of property, then left Pennsylvania and came west. settling in Cherry county, Nebraska. in 1887. There he bought a farm and lived on it for two years, in 1889 moving to Keya Paha county, locating on a farm in section 4, township 34, range 24. He made many improvements. and succeeded in building up a good home and farm, and spent seventeen years on that place.
In 1906 Mr. Bacon took up his present farm as a homestead, the tract comprising three hundred and twenty acres, on which he is adding improvements all the time, and as it is beautifully situated, he will have one of the valuable estates in this section.
Mr. Bacon was married in 1873, in Pennsylvania, to Miss Nancy J. Melki, and they have a five children. named as follows: Anna, wife of W. C. Jones, of Bruce, South Dakota; Oella, wife of Jacob Swim, of Keya Paha county; Pearl, who married Porter Billings, living near home; James, now at Bruce, South Dakota, and Linnie, wife of John Todd, of Homer, South Dakota.
Mr. Bacon is Republican in politics: he holds membership in the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
FRANK SHAFFER.
The gentleman above named came to Harlan county, Nebraska. in 1873. In the spring of that year he built the first house on what is now the site of the town of Alma, and in April a town site company was organized with Mr. Shaffer as president, Judge A. N. Cook, Captain Murray, Mr. Richmond, Mr. VanNess, Jack Young and Peter Londeville on the committee. They laid out one hundred and sixty acres, and staked off forty acres. and to those who would build they presented a lot. During the following year a blacksmith shop was put up by Mr. Broadmore. and a store by Sappington & Moore. The town began to grow gradually, Mr. Guyer building a store in 1874. and he was appointed the first postmaster. In the same year the county was organized and Alma was made the county seat, a big fight being made over this. In 1883 the railroad was put through the town, the population then being about three hundred, and from that time on the place grew more rapidly. Mr. Shaffer was then in the livery, hotel and implement business. He built the largest hotel west of Hastings, called the Shaffer House, and was the only implement dealer in this county up to 1875. He had a large trade all over this section, selling an immense amount of machinery to the settlers who came to the state and engaged in farming, hauling goods from Beatrice, which is seventy-five miles east of Lowell and from Lowell fifty-five miles east.
He continued in this business up to 1886, then sold his implement store to A. B. Laferty, and the latter was engaged in business here until 1908. Our subject sold his livery barn in 1888, and in the same year rented the hotel to J. B. Hamlon, and subsequently the place was destroyed by fire and a new hotel put up. In 1873 Mr. Shaffer killed a huge buffalo on the spot where the postoffice now stands. He bought farms all over this county, and owned about twenty-two hundred acres at one time, devoting his entire time and attention to the farming and stock raising business. He raised, bought and shipped a great deal of stock. The Alma opera house was built and is now the property of our subject. He started the largest general store establishment in Alma in 1877, which was at that time the largest store in western Nebraska, operating it up to 1887. This was the Double Store, now owned and operated by his son-in-law, S. C. Gould, whose personal history appears on another page of this volume. Our subject now is engaged in farming west of Alma. The farm consists of one hundred and eighty acres of river bottom land and timber and fourteen acres of land in Alma, on which he resides. He is a successful breeder of Poland China pure bred hogs, and sells his stock at private sales. He also feeds from fifty to sixty head of cattle each winter. He breeds standard horses, and produces some fine animals. One month he sold five hundred and sixty-four dollars' worth of hogs, and is of the opinion that the hog business is much more profitable than cattle. as a man can turn hogs from three to four times per year, and this state is an ideal place in which to raise and fatten them cheaply and quickly.
Mr. Shaffer is a native of Pennsylvania. He is a son of Jacob Shaffer, a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, who settled in Iowa and owned a large tract of land, including the site where Waterloo now stands. Our subject lived in Butler county, Iowa, prior to coming to Nebraska, and there held the office of deputy sheriff, at Parkersburg, which town he laid out, and was engaged in the livery business, also running a hotel from 1886 to 1872 (sic). He enlisted at Waterloo in Company C, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry, serving for three years and three months, and was appointed sergeant and elected first lieutenant, but was so young would not qualify. Four brothers who entered the service were all killed. Our subject was ordered east with his regiment, and was at the famous battle of Shiloh, at Pittsburg Landing, on the Red River expedition (after Banks's defeat), under General A. J. Smith, when eighty men in his regiment were killed at Pleasant Hill. He was at Vicksburg, and later in Alabama at the battle of Nashville, then in the Atlanta campaign. He was mustered out at Trenton, Iowa, in September, 1865.
Mr. Shaffer was married in 1872 to Miss Jennie Gutchus, daughter of Morris Gutchus, who at one time owned one hundred and sixty acres of the land on which the city of Chicago now stands, selling it for seventeen hundred dollars, and later moved to Iowa. Mr. Shaffer has ten children, namely: Elmer, a farmer in Prairie Dog township, Harlan county; Ed, a farmer in Floyd, Iowa; John, residing in Alma; Charles, living at home with his parents; Alma; wife of S. C. Gould, a merchant at Alma; Mrs. Mary Yokeman, Butler, Marvin, Jennie and Ethol.
Mr. Shaffer was second commander of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Alma, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the latter for the past thirty-five years. Also an Ancient Order of United Workmen and yeoman and deputy yeoman of all Nebraska south of the Platte river. He is a Republican politically, but would never accept any office.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILLIAM CHESTER.
Among the leading old timers in Brown county, Nebraska, Mr. Chester is given a first place. Mr. Chester is a native of Wisconsin; born in the village of Pewaukee. Waukesha county, December 2, 1838. He is a son of William Chester, an old settler in that region, and a mason by trade. There was a family of eight children, of whom our subject is youngest: he was raised in his native county, and from boyhood became accustomed to hard work, assisting his parents in the support of the family. He had little schooling, and is an entirely self-made man. Starting out for himself at the age of twenty-five years, he came to western Nebraska in company with his brother, Urial Chester (deceased), and took up a homestead in section 3, township 27, range 22, Brown county, on which he put up a sod house and farm buildings, in which he lived for fifteen years. They were extensively engaged in stock raising from the start, beginning with very small capital and gradually increasing their farm and holdings. He followed the life of a ranchman for twenty years. and had a well stocked, finely improved property at the end of that time, and was one of the prosperous men of the region. In 1904 he and his brother sold the ranch for a comfortable sum and retired to Long Pine. Here William Chester bought three hundred and eighty acres adjoining the village and engages extensively in raising hogs. The place is equipped with a comfortable house, numerous barns, hog houses and sheds and has a growing thrifty young orchard.
Mr. Chester was married in Long Pine, May 26, 1891, to Miss Lillie Wanker, a native of Clark county, Iowa. Her father, Ignatius Wanker, was a farmer and old settler in Nebraska, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. and Mrs. Chester have two children named Marcus and Lila.
In politics he is Republican and is a member of the clan of Royal Highlanders of Long Pine.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN G. ANDERSON.
The gentleman here named has for the past thirty years resided at North Platte, where he is well known as a man of industry and a citizen of true worth. Mr. Anderson is connected with the Union Pacific Railway and is one of the genial and trusted employes of that company.
Mr. Anderson was born in Sweden in 1832. He came to this country when a boy and located at Chicago, Illinois, where he began working as a railroad man in his young manhood. He was employed by the Northwestern road for six years, and afterwards by the Burlington, making his headquarters at Aurora, Illinois, from 1870 to 1874. In 1876 he came to Nebraska, locating at North Platte, Lincoln county, and associated himself with the Union Pacific in 1877, and three years later was made conductor on a freight train, holding that position for ten years, then was given the position of passenger conductor and continued at this ever since. He is now running on the Los Angeles Limited, and has a splendid record all through his career as a trainman. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors and a prominent Mason in the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, also a Shriner at Omaha.
In 1880 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Mary B. Rose, a native of Sweden, and they have one daughter, Bessie, wife of F. W. Placek.
Mr. Anderson is a fine specimen of the successful Swede, popular with his fellows, and held in the highest esteem as a citizen in his community and well known and liked throughout railway circles in this section of the country.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN N. BRUER.
Among the prominent old settlers of Dawes county, John N. Bruer is accorded a foremost place. He has been a resident of Crawford for many years past and is well known and highly esteemed by all who know him.
Mr. Bruer is a native of the state of Ohio, born at Toledo in 1861. His father, Jacob Bruer, was born in Germany and followed the career of a sailor during his younger days, coming to America in about the year 1858.
When our subject was a lad of twelve years he left home and started out to make his own way in the world. He went to Iowa, locating in Carroll county, and worked out on farms in that vicinity up to 1878, then went west to Colorado, obtaining employment on a railroad. which occupation he followed for a year. He next entered the government service, located at Fort Russell, Wyoming, remaining there for about a year. In 1880 hestarted in the ranching business in Nebraska, settling on the Niobrara river, in what is now Dawes county, and followed ranching up to 1890. He also took up a homestead and proved up on his land. He did well at the work, but went through some hard times and led rather a tough life, as did so many of the settlers here in those days. He spent many nights in camping out on the prairie, and when he located here there were only two ranches established between the Platte river and Pine Ridge agency. He came to Crawford in 1890 and started in business, still retaining his ranching interests and personally superintending the management of his property. Mr. Bruer is engaged in the real estate and saloon business.
Mr. Bruer was married in 1887 to Miss Minnie Rich, an estimable lady of German descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Bruer six children have been born, namely: Elinora, Flora. John H., Clara, Willie and Minnie. The family occupy a pleasant home and are well liked and popular throughout the community.
Mr. Bruer has always taken an active interest in all local affairs, and has done his share in the building up of his locality and the development of educational and commercial interests there. He is a Democrat in politics.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILLIAM HALSTEAD.
As a citizen of integrity and true worth, and a man of industrious and energetic character, the gentleman above named is well known to the residents of Brown county, Nebraska. Mr. Halstead was born in Lynn county Iowa, March 20, 1858, of American stock. His father, J. M. Halstead, is a carpenter by trade, and was a homesteader and early settler in Brown county, Nebraska, now residing at Cripple Creek, Colorado. The Halstead family was among the pioneer settlers who landed in America from the old country during the early colonial days. Our subject was the eldest member in his father's family of five children, and was reared in Iowa on a farm. where he grew up accustomed to hard work during his boyhood years. At the age of eighteen he began railroading in his native state, and it was while he was engaged in this work that he had the misfortune to lose his right leg in an accident which occurred on the C., R. I. & P. Railway. This unfitted him for a railroad career, and he went to work in a brick yard, remaining for one year, and became an expert brick thrower. In 1880 he came west, locating in Dodge county, Nebraska, and the next four or five years were spent on a farm there: then he left that place and moved to the northwestern part of Brown county. taking up a homestead where he lived for eight years, at the same time proving up on a tree claim in the same locality. His first dwelling place was of the familiar dugout variety. and the second building he erected was a log house. Progress was slow at the start. as he had no capital to begin with, and the first years were spent hauling hay for ten miles over unbroken roads, through all sorts of weather, for an income. He also cut and hauled posts to help eke out a living for himself and family. During these years he never shaved, but allowed his whiskers to grow to considerable length, and many times during the severely cold weather he was obliged to thaw the ice off his face before he was able to eat his meals. However, he stuck to this place through all kinds of hard luck up to 1889. and then moved on his present homestead located in section 32, township 30, range 22. This property was improved with a log house and barn, and he at once began putting up fences and planting trees and making necessary improvements. His farm now comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land, one-half of which is in a high state of cultivation, and on this he raises fine crops. He rents other land, so that in all he has three hundred acres in operation, together with half a section of hay land.
Mr. Halstead was married in Avoca, Iowa, July 24, 1880, to Miss Mary Ella Plum, a native of the state of Illinois, born of American stock, her father being an old soldier and one of the pioneer settlers in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Halstead have a family of thirteen children, who are named as follows: Harp, Hazel, for three years a teacher in Brown county, now engaged in teaching in Montana; Hollis, Hal and Hugh (twins), Mary, Heath, Holcomb, Harold, Harry, Hope, William Harvey and Helen. All excepting the two eldest children were born and reared in Brown county. Mr. Halstead has telephone connection in his house and everything which goes to make up a pleasant and comfortable home. Much of his time is spent in literary work, and he is a writer of no mean ability. He is a Democrat politically, a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with his wife has taken the degree of honor of that order.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
CONSTANT GUENIN.
The highly cultivated fields of Nebraska and well equipped ranch properties bear little semblance to the land as it was in the time of the pioneer settler, when he found it a vast wilderness or barren prairie, perhaps covered in parts with brush or submerged. None of it was in shape for cultivation, and yet many of those who went to that country under these unpromising conditions have remained to become the owners of some of the finest farms in the state. Deuel county was one of the most unseemly farming regions of the state, and it is now one of the most prosperous. Among those who have bought about this most pleasing condition is the gentleman above named Constant Guenin, who has a pleasant and comfortable home in Sughrue precinct. Mr. Guenin has opened up and developed a fine estate, and is one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of his locality.
Our subject is a native of Switzerland, born April 6, 1867, and grew to the age of twenty-five years there, following the life of an agriculturist during his boyhood and as a young man. He landed in America in 1892, settling at first in Scott county, Kansas, where he spent one year, then came to Deuel county, and in September, 1893, filed on homestead rights, built a dwelling and proved up on his claim. He went through many hardships in getting his home started, meeting with discouragements and partial failure of crops during the first few years, but stuck bravely to his work and gradually improved the land, erecting good buildings, etc. His home ranch is now on section 20, township 15, range 43, and he is the owner of sixteen hundred acres, which he uses mostly as a stock ranch. He has about sixty acres under cultivation, and has a large bunch of stock, at present running two hundred cattle and a number of horses. His house is a comfortable one and he has started fine shade and fruit trees and has many improvements which make it an ideal rural home.
He has also a complete set of farm buildings and all necessary machinery and equipment for conducting a modern farm.
Mr. Guenin was married while still living in Switzerland to Miss Anna Guenin, the event occurring on January 10, 1891, and the young pair struck out for America to seek their fortune the following year. Mr. Guenin's father is dead, but his mother still lives in her native land, while both parents of Mrs. Guenin are dead. To our subject and his wife have been born the following children: Mark, born in April, 1892; George, born in March, 1896; Morris, born in February, 1899; Walter, born in November, 1900, and Helen, born in May, 1904, all living at home. Mr. Guenin is a wide-awake citizen of his community and politically is identified with the Republican party.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Ralph Lewis, residing on section 29, township 35, range 19, is one of the old settlers and worthy citizens of Keya Paha county. Mr. Lewis was born in Farmersville, New York, April 3, 1842, and was raised and educated on his father's farm. The latter, Caleb Lewis, was born in Rhode Island, and his family were all killed at the Wyoming massacre except his father and grandmother. He died in 1856 at the age of sixty-six years.
Our subject's mother, who was prior to her marriage Miss Johanna Wade, was a descendant of the Wade family of Ohio, whose ancestors came to America and landed near Newark New Jersey, in the seventeenth century.
In a family of eleven children our subject was the tenth member and at the age of nineteen years he started out for himself, enlisting in Company D, Sixty-fourth New York Regiment, in the Army of the Potomac, and served for three years and three months, later enlisting in Hancock's corps, known as United States Veteran Volunteers, serving for one year. He took part in fourteen battles and many skirmishes.
After the war he began farming in New York, and continued at that up to 1878. He was employed in team contracting in McKean county, Pennsylvania, until the spring of 1882 and for the following year was employed in Warren county. Migrating west, he arrived in Keya Paha county in April, 1883. Here he took tip a homestead and pre-emption on the north one-half of section 29, township 35, range 19, and also took a tree claim, and still lives in that section. He went through the usual pioneer experiences, and lost considerable stock during the raids by the cattle rustlers, as he lived right on the line over which they drove their stolen stock. Mr. Lewis was one of the vigilantes during those times, and was one of the foremost in trying to suppress these thieves. He built up his place steadily and early planted trees, now having about one hundred and sixty acres of fine forest trees, including the natural timber on the river. His ranch, known as Clover Leaf Ranch, consists of sixteen hundred and forty acres of good land, and of this he cultivates two hundred acres, keeping the balance for hay and pasture. He runs over three hundred head of Hereford cattle and forty horses and uses a great deal of the grain raised on his farm at home. His place is well fenced and crossfenced, and he has a complete set of good farm buildings, altogether owning one of the most valuable estates in the county.
Mr. Lewis was married April 3. 1866, to Miss Emma Otto, born in Allegheny county, New York, July 25, 1844. To them have come the following children: Stilman 0., Frank A., Harry O., Mary L. (wife of Frank J. Rhoades), Guy W. and Ernestine, wife of James Runyan, all now settled within eight miles of the old homestead. Seventeen grandchildren may be gathered into a family reunion, a record creditable beyond the usual family.
Mr. Lewis is a Populist, or "Old Abe Lincoln Republican." He has never taken a very active part in politics, except to act as delegate to county and national conventions, although he lends his influence and aid in the interest of good government. He was elected the first treasurer of Keya Paha county after its organization, but has not held office since that time, preferring to spend his time in the building up and improving of his home and farm.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
MISS MARY SHADIE.
The estimable lady who bears the above name is well known and greatly esteemed by all who know her. Miss Shadie has been a resident of Crawford, Dawes county, Nebraska, from the time the town was first started, and has since that time been one of the prominent citizens and an important factor in the development of its business interests.
Miss Shadie is a native of Knox county, Maine, and was reared and educated in the state of her birth. In 1884 she came west to Chicago and from there went to Pine Ridge Agency, where she taught the Indian school for two years, then came to Nebraska. At that time all traveling was done by team, and she was obliged to drive through the country from Valentine, camping out for two nights on the trip. Miss Shadie moved to Crawford in 1886, and taught school for a year, and in August of the following year opened one of the first millinery stores in the place, buying out a Mrs. Russell, who had run a small store for a short time. She put in a first-class stock of goods and built up a good trade, running the business alone for a number of years. In 1903 she purchased an interest in the Crawford Mercantile Company, of Crawford, and three years later increased her interest in the business, so that she is now one of the principal stockholders in the company. and the firm is doing a splendid business. This store carries a large stock of dry goods, shoes, millinery, etc., and is a thoroughly up-to-date and first-class establishment, their trade extending throughout Dawes and the adjoining counties.
Miss Shadie is an alert and active business woman of marked force of character and a lady of tact and good business judgment, which is fully evidenced by her success in the work to which she has given her entire time and energy for so many years, and is one of the highly esteemed and worthy citizens of her community.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John A. Nugent, who for four years was the popular postmaster at Carns, Nebraska, is well known all over the county as a prominent citizen and capable business man.
Mr. Nugent is a Canadian by birth, and he is a son of Edward Nugent, a mechanic by trade, and an old settler in Gentry, Missouri. Our subject was born April 1, 1863, in Hamilton, and came across the border with his parents when a child, settling in Gentry county, Missouri, on a farm, where he was raised and educated, assisting his father in the farm work. The latter died when John was six years of age, and two years later he was obliged to get out and hustle for himself. He has made his own way ever since, remaining in Missouri up to 1881, then came to Nebraska and settled in Clay county. Three years later he moved to Rock county, following farm work, being employed by the month until he was twenty years old. then learned the printing business, and afterwards was editor of the Bassett Herald for one year. He was appointed deputy county clerk of Rock county, and he transcribed the Brown county records of Rock county when the latter was organized. In 1889 he went to Washington, where he remained for a year, then came back to Rock county and acted as principal of the Newport schools for two years. In 1891 he was elected county superintendent of schools, and re-elected in 1893, serving for four years in this capacity. After this he opened up a farm and lived on it for three years. and also spent one year in White Cloud, Michigan. In April 1903. he took charge, as manager, of E. L. Myers Mercantile Company at Carns, and in that year, on May 25th, was appointed postmaster. He combined the two businesses and handled a large amount of merchandise each year. He resides on his homestead, which he took in section 23, township 32, range 19, in Rock county, and the farm comprises two hundred and sixty acres, situated on the Niobrara river. He is a hustler of the first water, and it is through his industry and good management that he has acquired the comfortable competence which he enjoys, and he well merits much praise for his success.
On May 2. 1902, Mr. Nugent was married to Miss Ruth Kershner. They have one child, named Jennie.
Mr. Nugent is a strong Republican and deeply interested in all party affairs. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen lodge at Carns.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Warren L. Jewell, who takes a leading part as an agriculturist in the affairs of Box Butte county, Nebraska, where his ranch of many broad acres shows him to be both industrious and persistent, was born in Stratford, near Bridgeport, Connecticut, June 19, 1858. His father, George Jewell, was a butcher by trade and came of Holland, Dutch stock. His mother, who was Elizabeth (Lewis) Jewell, was of English descent. The start of the Jewell family in America is dated from the settlement of three brothers, who located on the Hudson river back in colonial days.
The boyhood days of Mr. Jewell were spent in Connecticut, where he received his education attending the common schools. Here he remained until 1876, when he left his home, and coming west into Iowa, entered the drug business in Des Moines as a clerk. After gaining the necessary experience in this line he started in business for himself, opening a store in the same city. Here he remained for about ten years, during which time he engaged in different business enterprises. He also spent some time in Hamilton and Green counties, Iowa, where he was engaged in the mercantile business.
The subject of this narrative came to Box Butte county in 1887, and the following year took a preemption claim on which he proved up. He had a dugout for two years, and lived the life of a bachelor for the first five years here. In 1892 Mr. Jewell and Miss Hattie Bass were united in marriage. Her father, Moses Bass, was a pioneer of Box Butte county. Her mother, Elvira (Moberly) Bass, was a native of Missouri. One boy, George O., was born to this union.
In 1895 Mr. Jewell returned to Iowa, where he spent four years in farming. He returned to Box Butte county in 1899. In 1902 he settled on the place which is his present home in section 2, township 27, range 52. He has added many acres of adjoining land to his original entry, and now has a ranch of eleven hundred and twenty acres, upon which he has constructed five miles of fence. He cultivates one hundred acres, and engages extensively in the raising of horses, sheep, hogs, cattle, small grain and potatoes. He did not escape the periods of drought and the many hardships which confronted the early settlers in this western country, but met the years of adversity with a determination which has resulted in grand success.
Mr. Jewell votes the Republican ticket. He is prominently identified with the history of Box Butte county and has always taken a keen interest in local affairs. He devotes his time very closely to his ranch, and his many warm friends consider that he has done wonderfully well, and that his career in Box Butte county is to be regarded as a marked success.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
FRANK H. KING.
In Frank H. King, of King precinct, Cheyenne county, we have one of the oldest settlers in that region, and a leading citizen of the locality in which he lives.
Mr. King was born in Wisconsin, September 2, 1855, and when a small boy his parents moved to Iowa, where they lived for two years, then to Missouri, where he remained until of age. He left home at that time and spent two years in Texas. He "trailed" a large bunch of cattle from Texas into this country, it taking about three months with two Texas cow ponies; then returning to Missouri and going into the Black Hills. This was in 1876, and he traveled through the wild country by wagon, going through Kearney. One summer was spent in the hills, and it was about this time that the country was stirred by the incidents surrounding the killing of "Wild Bill." He next went to Red Cloud Agency, remaining there during the winter of 1877, this at that time being a part of Cheyenne county before its division. About 1885 he took a preemption and timber claim, and a short time later homesteaded on sections 5 and 6, township 19, range 49, proving up on all three. During the early years he passed through all kinds of hardships and privation in getting started, and no one is better acquainted with the early history of the state than himself. He is a genuine old-timer, who has through all time had the greatest faith in western Nebraska, evidenced by his continued residence here through the years of drouth and all hard times, and has come out successful and prosperous. He has a finely equipped ranch and farm, owning in all over six hundred acres of River ranch, which is under ditch, besides other land in the vicinity. One hundred acres are in alfalfa, and he cultivates one hundred and seventy-five acres in crops. also a fine large hay ranch. He has a large tract of leased school land which he uses for pasture for a large bunch of cattle and horses. He is owner of the old Brown Creek Ranch, which is famous for having had the first house built on it north of the river. There is every kind of improvement on the ranch, and he has a fine grove of trees, making it altogether one of the finest and most valuable in the region.
On February 8, 1885, Mr. King was married to Grace Raynes, at Humansville, Missouri. She was born in Washington, D. C., and when she first settled in Nebraska on the Platte River Ranch she was the only woman within a radius of forty miles, which was a rather unique experience for one reared in a city. The father of both Mr. and Mrs. King is dead, while their mothers still live. Six children, all of whom are living at home, were born to our subject and his estimable wife, and are named as follows: Harry R., Fred A., Grace C., Hazel, Frank H., Jr., and Kathryn, a baby. They occupy a fine ranch house, and usually spend the summers there while the winters are spent in Sidney, where they have a handsome residence, and where the children have received their education.
From 1898 to 1902 Mr. King held the office of sheriff of Cheyenne county. He has always taken an active part in county and state affairs, voting the straight Republican ticket. King precinct in Cheyenne county was named after him.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
FRED DUERFELDT.
Among the successful and prosperous citizens of Gordon, Nebraska, Fred Duerfeldt is counted as worthy a prominent place. He is engaged in the lumber business here, and has built up in extensive trade through his strict integrity and honest dealings.
Mr. Duerfeldt was born in Richardson county, Nebraska, in 1868, on his father's farm. He is a son of Fred Duerfeldt, Sr., a native of Germany, and his mother was also born in Germany, coming to this country when young people, both having died when our subject was a young lad. There was a family of nine children and he was the fifth in order of birth. He was reared in his native county and since he was eight years old has been compelled to hustle for himself and also assist in supporting his younger brothers and sisters. In 1886 he first came to Sheridan county, remaining here for two years, then went to Wyoming where he followed the life of a cowboy on different ranches. being employed by the Swan Land & Cattle Company for three years. He afterwards returned to Gordon and worked on a ranch thirty miles from town, employed by W. A. Margrave as foreman for eight years, putting in altogether ten years in his employ.
In 1901 Mr. Duerfeldt came to Gordon and established a lumber yard, buying out one of his competitors. This yard is now owned by Margrave & Duerfeldt, and in addition to handling lumber, they deal in tank manufacturing, and it has come to be one of the largest business enterprises of Gordon.
Mr. Duerfeldt was married in 1894 to Miss Mary E. Margrave, her father, T. E. Margrave being one of the old settlers in Sheridan county, and a pioneer ranchman. He is the senior member of the firm of Margrave & Duerfeldt. Mr. and Mrs. Duerfeldt have had a family of five children. one of whom, Frederick T., is dead, the others named as follows: George M., Catherine, Clifford and Leonard.
In political faith Mr. Duerfeldt is a Republican, and takes an active part in all local and county affairs of his party. He is now serving as a member of the town board, and for eight years held the office of assessor in the Spring Lake precinct. He is also president and manger of the Gordon Telephone company, and occupies a high station as a citizen and man of affairs here.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
CHARLES T. BRADY.
The gentleman whose name heads this personal history is one of the old-timers, and well-to-do farmers of his precinct, and his career has been interesting since he settled in the western country. He has not come to his present comfort and ease without passing through many trials and much privation in the early days. He is at present residing on section 1, and has taken an active part in the growth and development of this western country for twenty-five years past.
Charles T. Brady was born in Hills county, Texas. in the town of Hillsborough, in 1866. His father, Alexander, was a farmer and ranchman in that county, and he married Elizabeth Todd, whose parents were plantation owners and had always resided in the south, being thoroughly familiar with the old slave days in that country. The family moved to Missouri when our subject was a baby, and he grew up there to the age of six, then they came to Nebraska, settling in the southern part of the state, homesteading in Nuckolls county where they spent about seven years. Our subject next located on the Loup River, in Custer county, where Charles started to work for himself, remaining in that vicinity for a year, then came up on the Platte River to Lincoln county, where he worked as a horse breaker and cowboy for a time. His next move was to what is now known as McPherson county, locating there about 1882, where he engaged in ranching and led a typical cowboy existence, part of the time camping out on the plains, both in winter and summer, and seeing all sorts of rough life. He took a ranch of his own in McPherson county and made that his home up to 1892, running his own place, also doing considerable work for John Bratt & Co. He sold his ranch and moved to Grant county in 1894, locating twelve miles south of Whitman, where he run a herd of cattle, and remained there for about twelve years and built up a good place, but finally left and moved to Pullman, Nebraska, where he worked as a mail carrier, for about a year and a half. He came to his present location in 1904, at first being employed by the Standard Cattle Company, then established his own ranch, which is situated in section 1 township 26, range 34. Here he has all good buildings, the ranch all fenced and in good condition. He farms a small part of the place, but nearly his whole section is devoted to ranching purposes, running quite a large number of stock.
In 1896 Mr. Brady married Miss Lottie Whitton, daughter of J. F. Whitton, a pioneer in Nebraska and Kansas. and whose sketch appears in this volume. They have a family of five children, named as follows: Esther, Florence, Victor and Ruth, and Elizabeth, and form an interesting and charming group. The family is held in high esteem by all who know them, and they have a happy and pleasant home.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
EUGENE A. BIGELOW.
The gentleman above named is one of the oldest settlers of Sioux county, and one who has always taken an active part in its development since its earliest days. He has been prominent in the political affairs of his community, and is well-known all over this section of the state.
Mr. Bigelow was born in LeClair, Scott county, Iowa, in 1854. He is a son of Benjamin F. Bigelow, a farmer and stonemason, who spent many years of his career in Iowa. One brother, Payson B., has given a review of his life for this volume also, which will be found on another page. Eugene was raised in his native state, and grew up there to the age of eleven years. then with his parents moved to Jasper county, and later to Adair county, remaining in Iowa up to 1888, following farming all of that time, most of the time working rented land. He came to Sioux county in the latter year (1888), starting at the bottom of the ladder, with very small capital, taking up a pre-emption and later a homestead, and proved up on both; and in 1904 filed on the additional land as a Kincaid homestead, the latter located in section 18, township 32, range 56. His first building here was a rough shanty, in which he "batched it" until his family (whom he had left in Iowa) could join him, then he erected a log house which they occupied for a number of years. During the first several years the two brothers were in partnership, their start being five head of cattle and sixty dollars in money on landing in the county. The first fall they were here Eugene had the misfortune to break a leg, and he was laid up by this accident all of that winter. He gradually improved his place and succeeded in building up a good home and is now proprietor of a ranch of one thousand one hundred and twenty acres, all deeded land, besides four hundred and eighty acres of Kincaid land, altogether controlling about one thousand nine hundred acress (sic), all well fenced and improved with good buildings, etc. He uses one hundred and sixty acres for farming purposes and runs a large number of cattle, having plenty of good pasture and hayland.
Mr. Bigelow was married at Newton, Iowa, in 1883, to Miss Elizabeth C. Cope, a native of Illinois. Her father, Levi, was a wagonmaker by trade, who emigrated to Jasper county, Iowa, and lived in that vicinity for many years then went to South Dakota where be died in 1903. Five children have been born as a result of this union, who are named as follows: Mabel L., Lee Franklin, Delmar, Cleo, and Ray. Mr. Bigelow and his family spend the summers on their fine ranch. and in the winter occupy a handsome residence in Harrison, where their children have better advantages for attending the city schools. Mr. Bigelow has for a number of years been an auctioneer, "crying" sales all over the county, and is well-known by every man in this section. In 1901 he was elected county commissioner, served his time and was then re-elected, still acting in that capacity. He is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
F. W. Harris, whose name is familiar to nearly all the residents of Franklin county, is a worthy representative of the progressive farmer of western Nebraska. He was one of the earliest settlers in this county, coming here in 1884, and has lived here continuously since that time. Mr. Harris resides in Bloomington, where he has a nice home and is highly respected and esteemed by his fellowmen. Mr. Harris is a native of Brattleboro, Vermont, born in 1848, and is a son of Olive Milton Harris, born at Marlborough, Massachusetts, and his mother, who was Miss Minerva A. Fasterbrook, born at Brattleboro; the latter descended from the Wells family, which settled on Long Island in 1644. The family removed to Pamfret township. Chautauqua county, New York, where they lived for sixteen years, then came to Bureau county, Illinois, where they lived for nineteen years. Here our subject farmed during his young manhood, and from his experience in the east and here, considers Nebraska far superior to any place he has been, as the climate here is better and the soil easier to work. The Republican Valley is one of the best feeding countries known, and in the future the farmers here will have to farm less land and till it more carefully, raising the grade of stock, as the land here is getting too high priced to keep poor stock and for careless farming.
In 1899 Mr. Harris bought the quarter section he lives on, adjoining the town of Bloomington on the north, for which he paid two thousand dollars, and could now easily obtain ten thousand dollars for it, but does not wish to sell. He keeps a drove of from seventy-five to one hundred pure bred Poland China hogs, which he disposes of at private sale to the farmers in this county and vicinity. In 1906 his sales of hogs amounted to $800. He does not exhibit his stock, but fixes fair prices and any statement he makes in regard to his animals can be absolutely relied upon. His hogs are of the old substantial Tecumseh strain, crossed by Expansion, which is one of the best. He also has some of the Perfection E. L. and also keeps quite a herd of cattle, milking from twelve to fifteen cows all the time, selling to the Bloomington trade.
Mr. Harris has always done his part in local public affairs, serving as road overseer in his precinct for some years, also as township assessor several terms. In 1897 he was elected county clerk, serving for four years. He was nominated for the office on the Fusion ticket and elected by a large majority.
Mr. Harris was united in marriage in 1876 in Bureau county, Illinois, to Miss Maggie Gingrich, daughter of Otto and Anna Gingrich, both natives of Germany, born near Hesseldornstadt, who came to America in 1850, locating in Illinois, where they built up a fine farm and home. Mrs. Harris has a brother living in Washington township, engaged in farming, E. J. Gingrich, by name, also one brother, Otto Gingrich, living just over the line in Kansas, directly south of Riverton, Neb., also a farmer, who has lately built a fine new house and barn. Mr. Harris and his wife are the parents of the following children: Cora, wife of L. G. Bevis, of the firm of Bevis Bros., loan brokers of Mt. Ayr, Iowa: Lucy, at home, and Otto, of Bloomington, operating the home farm.
The family is highly esteemed by all who know them, and Mr. and Mrs. Harris are enjoying the declining years of their life surrounded by all the comforts of modern times, which were gained from long years of labor during the pioneer days. They are genial, contented and happy, and richly merit the success which has come to them.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN H. CANNON.
The well regulated farms and ranches in Keith county contribute largely to the wealth of that region, and the gentleman whose name introduces this review is proprietor of one of the valuable estates situated on section 22, township 13, range 39, in Paxton precinct. He is prominent in local affairs, and one of the substantial and esteemed citizens of his community.
John H. Cannon first saw the light in New Holland, Pickaway county, Ohio, July 18, 1843. He is the son of Minas M. and Mary (Dawson) Cannon, who were old settlers in Ohio, the former a carpenter by trade, who died at Camp Point, Illinois, in 1869, and the latter departing this life in Ohio when John was a child four years of age. The father settled in Brown county, Illinois, as a pioneer in 1850, and there our subject was reared and educated, following farm work until 1861; in that year he enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Volunteer Infantry, serving for three months in state service, and re-enlisting May 24, 1861 at Kelly's Ferry, Tennessee, and serving for three years. He served in Missouri with his regiment for several months and later was with the Army of the Cumberland through the Chattanooga and Nashville campaigns, participating in the engagements around Atlanta and served under Sherman in the march to the sea. On December 23, 1863 he re-enlisted as a veteran, remained in the army until the close of the war and in all his service received but one slight wound, an injury to his thumb. He was in the ranks at the grandreview and returned to his home in Illinois full of honors.
In 1865 Mr. Cannon went to Quincy, Illinois, and followed railroading on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific railway, employed in train service for twenty-one years. He came to Nebraska in May, 1886, settling in Keith county, where he filed on a homestead situated seven miles southwest of Ogallala, and. there started a farm, building a sod house, breaking up land for crops, planting trees, and improving the place as best he could during the first years; while meeting at times with losses through failures of crops, he was on the whole very successful. He also filed on a tree claim two miles nearer town, proving up on both tracts. Since locating here he has followed ranching and farming constantly, and now owns four hundred and eighty acres, all of which is irrigable, having one hundred and fifty under cultivation, and a large herd of cattle and other stock.. He has a good house, substantial barns, wells and wind mills. In 1905, during April, he had the misfortune to lose his barn by fire, but replaced it with another and better building, although the loss was a heavy one to him. In February, 1906, he sold the homestead.
In 1866 Mr. Cannon was married to Miss Georgia Wright. One child was born to them, Clarence, who married Miss Emma Reed, and resides in Green River, Wyoming. They have three children. The wife and mother died in Illinois in 1871.
In 1873 he married again, taking as a wife, Miss Maria E. Giddings, daughter of Austin R. and Aletha C. (Keller) Giddings, natives of Ohio and North Carolina respectively. Mr. Giddings was a nephew of Joshua Orr, for many years a senator from Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Cannon have one adopted daughter, Grace L., who is a successful teacher in the Keith county schools.
Mr. Cannon is a loyal Republican, and has always been prominent in county and national politics, holding local office at various times, and for ten years served as justice of the peace in his township.
The family are members of the Methodist church, while Mr. Cannon holds membership in the Grand Army and the Workmen.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Horatio G. Newcomb, one of the leading old settlers of Dawes county, Nebraska, is known throughout that locality as a gentleman of good business capacity and active public spirit. He is a resident of Crawford, where he has been one of the prominent citizens and foremost business men for many years.
Mr. Newcomb was born in Franklin county, Vermont, in 1848, where his father was engaged in the butcher business. The latter was a native of Boston and married Charlott Sixby, born in St. Armond, Province of Quebec, of German stock, she dying when our subject was but three years of age. He was reared in Montpelier, and while a young man learned the butcher's trade, working for different parties in his home town for several years. For a time he traveled extensively, going across the Isthmus of Panama, and all along the coast of Central America, and saw a great deal of that country about which be relates many interesting incidents. He also spent three years on cow ranches in California, and in 1875 went to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he worked as a cow puncher for T. A. Kent, a large ranchman and banker of Cheyenne. He also was employed by Hy. Kelly and Butcher Phillips for some time, and became very familiar with that part of the country. In 1877 he started a ranch of his own on Reshaw Creek, Wyoming, and ran that for two years, then sold out to Hamilton, Hall & McCrary and acted as ranch foreman for them for some time. He next moved to the Platte river, where he lived up to 1883, when he started in the sheep business on a large scale, and in that year was unfortunate enough to lose 2,000 head of sheep, so he gave that up and went to Fort Laramie where he owned and ran a hotel for three years. There be served as deputy sheriff for three years.
In 1887 he left Fort Laramie, as the place was being abandoned, then had a ranch at Lusk, Wyoming. He was among the early settlers at Chugwater, Wyoming, and there went through rough experiences in that new country. He landed in Crawford, December 1889, and followed the saloon business to 1900, then got the Klondike fever, so went to that country and remained a year prospecting and looking over the country: He had a rough time while there, from July 10th to September 15th, covering one thousand two hundred miles on foot, and soon got enough of that place and came back to Crawford, where be has since remained, engaging in the saloon business ever since.
Since coming to this country Mr. Newcomb has seen all the pioneer experiences of the early days, witnessing the immigration into the Black Hills, and has been a potent factor in the building up of the region where he chose his home.
In 1875 Mr. Newcomb was married to Miss Martha Holsapple, a native of the state of New York, whose parents were early settlers there from Canada, her father being a farmer and cabinet maker. To Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb two children were born, namely: Jay F. and Jessie.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Samuel Fairhead is one of the most progressive and enterprising ranchmen of Cherry county, Nebraska. He resides in section 11, township 34, range 37, where he is the proprietor of a fine ranch and comfortable home and enjoys his well deserved success and high standing as a citizen.
Mr. Fairhead was born in Sidney, New South Wales, Australia, and was of English stock. The family lived in Australia until 1860 when they returned to England, living in the shire of Suffolk, where the father died in about 1870. At the age of thirteen, Samuel went to London, and secured employment as clerk, receiving at the age of sixteen years one pound sterling per month, large wages for a boy at that time. Resigning his position as clerk he embarked with his older brother, James, to Canada, living in Ontario for thirty years. The brother, James, engaged in the ice business from which he has accumulated a good fortune. In 1885 our subject, in company with two brothers, Joseph and Garrold, came to Cherry county, Nebraska. When he landed here he did not know the first thing about farming or the care of stock, so went to work on the railroad, which was then in the course of construction, driving a team, working as far up as Buffalo Gap. He was unfamiliar with the value of land around here, and after a time went back to Canada and worked there a while, but was not satisfied with conditions there and became anxious to again go back to the frontier, so ten years later be returned to Cherry county, and since that time has never lived away from this locality. On his last arrival here he had just forty dollars in cash and for five years worked on ranches in this vicinity. saving his money, and by being careful and industrious got a pretty fair start, although had he been able to begin earlier he would have been much better off today than he is. He only regrets that he did not stay in Cherry county when he first came here, instead of returning to Canada. He now owns a ranch of one thousand two hundred and eighty acres, well improved with good buildings and fences, and keeps one hundred head of cattle and some horses. He has accumulated all this property in nine years, which is doing very well, and speaks well for his good judgment and business ability.
Mr. Fairhead was married in Toronto, Canada, July 23, 1874 to Miss Fannie Long, who was a native of Ontario, born in 1854, of English stock. Mr. and Mrs. Fairhead have two children, namely: Alvin S., a plumber by trade, working all over the southwest, is married and now living in California; and Laura M., married to Percy St. Jean, of French descent, living in Idaho.
Mr. Fairhead takes a commendable interest in all public affairs of local importance, has at different times held offices of trust, and at present is serving as roadmaster for his township. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of Merriman, and with his wife, a communicant of the Methodist church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ELHANAN W. CARPENTER.
One of the beautiful country places to be found in the farming districts of Dawes county, where everything about the premises bespeaks care and pride in its appearance, is found in that of the gentleman above mentioned. Mr. Carpenter's home presents a beautiful sight to the eye of the visitor in this section, having a comfortable and handsome house, fine lawns and beautiful shade trees all around it, also a fine fish pond, and everything about his home shows careful attention and good management.
Mr. Carpenter was born in Chenango county, New York state, April 13, 1833. His father, Jesse K., was a blacksmith, a native of Windsor, Vermont, and a veteran of the war of 1812, who married Polly Beckwith, also born in Vermont, in 1800.
When our subject was a young boy his family came to Indiana, settling in Parke county, where they were among the pioneers, and there he grew up until he was about fifteen years of age, when his parents moved to Illinois. After living there a short time they came to Iowa, and again went through pioneer experiences in Clayton county and Elhanan remained in that vicinity up to 1855, when he moved to Washington county, and lived up to 1885, again leading the early settler's life in that region. In the latter county he started a farm, and built up a good home and made a success of his venture. He was the owner of one hundred and twelve acres, and helped to establish schools, and aided in every way possible the advancement of the section, serving in numerous capacities as a public official, and was well and favorably known to all as a worthy citizen of the locality. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, and saw service in the Army of the Cumberland, at the siege of Vicksburg, and in all participated in twenty-one hard-fought battles. He was all through Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi with his regiment and encountered many thrilling incidents while in the service. At the battle of Shiloh he had three balls put through his hat at different places inside of fifteen minutes, and at another time a ball was fired so close that it tore through his trousers while in the line of battle. He was held a prisoner at Andersonville for nine months and eighteen days, and only released at the close of the war, and his experiences while at that terrible prison are most interesting to hear. He received his discharge at Davenport, Iowa, in 1865.
After returning from the war Mr. Carpenter farmed for a number of years, then sold his farm in (I)owa and came to Dawes county, Nebraska. landing in this part of the state in 1885. He had been through the locality the year before and was favorably impressed with the location, so he settled on section 28, township 34, range 47, as a homestead. Here his first building was a dugout in which he lived for four or five years, and opened up a farm, purchasing good machinery and expending quite a sum for equipment, but was only able to raise one crop. The first year he planted some corn and this showed a yield of sixty bushels to the acre, then came on the dry seasons and he was unable to get a crop of any kind of grain. He gradually worked into the cattle business and devoted his efforts to building up that branch of the business, and met with good success. His ranch now consists of eight hundred acres, all of which is fenced, and he has good buildings, house, barns and every improvement in his buildings to make easy the work of operating his place to the best advantage. He has a fine fish pond which he had built in his front yard, and this is a pleasant sight for all who passes to view. His place is well supplied with timber, furnishing him with plenty of fuel and posts.
Mr. Carpenter was married in Washington county, Iowa, in 1856, to Miss Charlotte Layton, who was born and raised in Maine, of Yankee blood. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have a family of five children living named as follows: Marian, Martha, Della G., Stephen W., and Edwin Francis. They have three children dead: Mary P., Ann N. and Daniel W.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Albert S. Enyeart is a man who is widely and favorably known in Box Butte county as a farmer and stockraiser of much skill and high personal character. He was born in Wabash county, Indiana, in 1860, a son of William J. and Amy (Slyter) Enyeart, and was the eleventh of a family of thirteen children. His father was born in Ohio of Pennsylvania Dutch stock and was a pioneer of Indiana, where he cleared the place upon which our subject was born. His mother, who was a Quaker of Scotch and Welsh descent of Vermont, was also a native of Ohio.
In 1866 the family moved to Missouri and settled in Sheridan county. Here our subject attended the country schools, and spent the early years of his life assisting his father in the work of making a home in that state. He was the youngest living son of the family and remained at home, and for several years rented his father's farm. In 1892 Mr. Albert S. Enyeart came to Box Butte county, Nebraska, and located on a farm near Marsland, which he rented. Here he remained for two months. He then bought a farm in section 5, and homesteaded a claim in section 6, township 27, range 50, where he has made his home ever since. There were no other improvements on the place but a sod shanty and stable when he secured possession. He started the work of building a frame house, but owing to repeated loss of crops and lack of capital, he was unable to complete the work he had started, and for seven years lived in the sod shanty. However, he was not discouraged by these reverses, and his faith in this western country remained unbroken. He went to work with a determination to succeed, and as the result of his untiring efforts, and the practice of thrift and economy, he has attained a success of which he may well be proud. From time to time he added adjoining tracts of land to his original entry, which he has worked hard to improve, and now has a well appointed ranch of two thousand five hundred acres of good land together with about one thousand acres of leased land. He has built a substantial and commodious house, together with a good barn, forty by fifty feet, with a nine foot basement, erected at a cost of $1,000, irrespective of his own labor. He has fifteen miles of fences on his place. He also engages extensively in the raising of live stock, and is the owner of one hundred head of horses and eighty bead of cattle. He engages largely in raising small grain, and makes potatoes a specialty.
In 1882 occurred the wedding ceremonies of Mr. Enyeart and Miss Alice Bonds. Her father, Creed A. Bonds, a native of Virginia, was a farmer, and a man who gave his life for his country, having died while in the service of the union army at St. Louis. Her mother, Elizabeth (Grace) Bonds, was born in Indiana. Eight children came to bless this union, -- Earl T., U. May, Winnifred B., Herbert E., William J., Thomas Ross, Alice Fay and Izetta Amy. In 1897 Mrs. Enyeart passed away at their home in Nebraska. In 1898 Mr. Enyeart contracted a second marriage with Belle Martin, whose parents were pioneers of Illinois, where she was born and reared, and where she resided at the time of her marriage.
In political matters Mr. Enyeart adheres to Republican principles. He is a man who has always been prominently identified with matters of local interest, and since the age of twenty-one years has held local offices of importance. Through years of adversity and prosperity he has left no stone unturned in working out for himself a comfortable home, and giving his energies to the upbuilding of the locality in which he lives. Upright and honorable in all his dealings he has manifested on all occasions a high integrity and a strict adherence to principle.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
OTTO KURZ.
In reviewing the history of Cheyenne county. Nebraska. the citizens who have contributed to her welfare must be given special mention, and a prominent place among this number is the gentleman above named. Mr. Kurz is a pioneer settler, and is perhaps one of the best known and most highly esteemed men of his locality. He is a prosperous farmer and large land-owner, and has gained his success by the exercise of business tact, supplemented by the strictest integrity of word and deed. He has a comfortable stone dwelling in Bronson precinct, and enjoys the comfort and contentment of a peaceful rural home.
Otto Kurz was born in Germany, at New Barnim, near Berlin, on March 14th, 1853, and grew up there, receiving a limited schooling as a boy, and at the age of fourteen, he was apprenticed to the builders trade, at which he worked until coming to America at the age of twenty-eight years. Sailing from Bremen late in October, after a stormy passage of seven days, he landed in New York, early in November, 1881. He came directly west, joining his brother at St. Louis, where he remained one year working at his trade. He then went to Scribner, Dodge county, Nebraska, and then in 1883, he came to Cheyenne county, where he secured work in a butcher shop at Sidney, and was thus employed for some eight years. In 1891 he took up a homestead on the southeast quarter of section 8, township 13, range 50, and has followed ranching ever since. He owns a quarter of good land, leasing a section of school land, and is engaged principally in stock raising, running about fifty head of cattle and twenty-five head of horses. He has a fine set of stone ranch buildings of all descriptions, and his place shows every evidence of good management and thrift in its operation.
Mr. Kurz was married on the 6th day of June, 1891, in Cheyenne county, to Mrs. Caroline (Marder) Wolf, who was born in Germany on August 21st, 1865; she resided there until at the age of twenty-one years she emigrated to the United States, coming directly to Nebraska, and settling in Cheyenne county. Mr. and Mrs. Kurz have a family of eight children named as follows: John, Pauline, Frank, Emma, Otto, Caroline, Catherine and Annie.
In political views Mr. Kurz is a Democrat, and he takes a commendable interest in local and county affairs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ARTHUR E. MOON.
One of the reliable and successful citizens and business men of Taylor, Loup county, Nebraska, is Arthur E. Moon, who is a contractor and builder. He is a native of the state of New York, being born in Schuyler county in the year 1859. His great grandfather was a veteran in the revolutionary war and his grandfather saw service in the war of 1812. Our subject's father was Sylvester A. Moon, a native of the state of New York. His mother, born in New York state, was Fanny Wickson in her youth.
Arthur E. Moon was reared and educated in his native state, coming west to Nebraska in 1879. His parents came at the same time and were among the oldest settlers. The father died in 1887, and the mother died in 1901. Our subject settled on land near Kent, on the North Loup river, after driving from Grand Island, from which city he hauled freight, etc., camping nights under the wagon in all kinds of weather.
Mr. Moon was married in 1882 to Miss Clara B. Truax, born in Nebraska, in Nemaha county, 1863. Her father, James M. Truax, was one of the pioneers of that county and was an honored and loyal citizen, having been a veteran of the civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Moon have seven children: Flora, now a teacher; Mabel, married; Harry, James, Fanny and Emma, both born in Indian Territory; and Wilbur, born in Taylor, Nebraska, all born in Taylor, Nebraska excepting Fannie and Emma.
In 1893, our subject left the farm and followed his trade of carpenter, going to Indian Territory where he was employed on government works and remaining in that section of the southwest for eight years. In 1901 he returned to Loup county and located his home in Taylor, the county-seat. He has been engaged in the business of contracting and building and the evidences of his operations may be found in all parts of the county. Mr. Moon is a man of conscientious principles, is public-spirited and enterprising, and is widely and favorably known.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Professor Adolphe d'Allemand, of Arapahoe, Furnas county. Nebraska, is one of the oldest settlers in Nebraska, coming to Plattsmouth in 1870 from Kilkenny College, Ireland, where he has been an instructor in the French and German languages for fourteen years. Prof. d'Allemand is a native of Strasburg, France, now Germany, and was born January 27th, 1836. He received his education at the Strasburg College, and at Munich, Bavaria, and is a son of Indas d'Allemand, who for twenty years was connected with the Bible Society, in London, England. On the revision of the Bible he was a distinguished Greek and Hebrew Sanscript scholar, and wrote a great deal on these subjects. After locating in Arapahoe, our subject owned, edited and published the "Pioneer" in that town for twelve years. After he came to Plattsmouth, he taught in the Academy there, and in 1872 was elected principal of the Plattsmouth High School, which position he held for one year before coming to Arapahoe. In 1884 he was elected superintendent of the county schools of Furnas county, serving for three terms, up to 1890. In the meantime, during the year 1874, he had taken a homestead pre-emption and tree claim, four hundred eighty acres.
Professor d'Allemand was elected secretary and treasurer of the Farmers' National Alliance and was for two years state master workman of the Knights of Labor. In 1891 he was a candidate for state superintendent of education, and was elected regent of the State University in 1892, but was counted out and never held office. He is also a Mason of high degree, having been a member of this order since 1870, and is Past Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Nebraska. When the Populist party was organized, Professor d'Allemand was an active worker in its development, and campaigned for the cause in French and English all through Nebraska. He has also been very successful in his farming operations, assisted by a large family, and engages principally in stock raising and mixed farming, but is now practically retired from active business. He holds the office of president of the Farmers' Co-operative Grain Association, which company he helped to organize in 1904. He also built one of the largest and best elevators here, capacity sixteen thousand bushels, which has been of great benefit to the farmers in this locality. He is secretary of the Farmers' Business Association, organized in 1890, to ship their own hogs and cattle, and since it's organization the regular stock buyers have left town. This association pays no dividends, but gets operating expenses out of the profits, the farmers getting all the rest.
Prof. d'Allemand also holds the office of secretary of the Arapahoe Creamery Company, organized in 1898. This has been very profitable, paying the stockholders seven per cent. and has been of great benefit to those who are in the dairy business. The Beatrice Creamery concern took Prof. d'Allemand all over the western part of Nebraska, speaking French and German for them to the residents of that part of the state.
Prof. d'Allemand was married in England, at St. Helen, to Miss Marion Wood daughter of Thomas and Helen Edgar Wood, both of the Highlands, Scotland. They have a family of nine children. named as follows: Charles, now living at Des Moines, Iowa; Fred, of Louisville. Colo.; Nellie, wife of William Hellmann, now mayor of Arapahoe; Albert, also a merchant of Arapahoe; David, of Loveland, Colorado. farmer by occupation; Alfred, also a merchant of Arapahoe; Louise, wife of W. S. Curry, of this town; Ubert, a farmer living in this vicinity; and Benoit, connected with the United States Forestry department at Santa Barbara, California, now at Garden City, supervising two hundred thousand acres of land. Altogether the descendants of Professor d'Allemand number forty members. He is an active worker in the Episcopal church, and is classed among the eminent and useful men in western Nebraska.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILLIAM M. LEE.
In the person of the above gentleman we have a representative native born Nebraskan, and he is one of the prosperous and well-known farmers among the younger residents of section 6, township 27, range 28, Cherry county.
William M. Lee was born in Saunders county, Nebraska in 1880. His father, J. R. Lee, is one of the early settlers in western Nebraska, whose sketch appears in this volume on another page. When William was a boy about eight years of age the family came to the western part of the state, settling at Brownlee, and there he was reared and educated, receiving a very good schooling through attending the grammar schools in the latter place, also became familiar with different kinds of work, farming and ranching at different times during his younger years. He started out for himself in 1902, settling on his present ranch, which is situated four miles north of Brownlee, and had nothing to begin with in the way of capital except his strong hands and brave spirit. He eventually proved up on the claim, working hard to improve the place, and has a ranch consisting of one thousand nine hundred and twenty acres, all of which is fenced, a complete set of good buildings and improvements. He cultivates about fifty acres, but engages principally in ranching, running quite a large bunch of cattle and other stock. For so young a man Mr. Lee has accumulated a remarkably valuable property, due entirely to his thrift and good management. He has passed through some few disappointments in the way of crop failures, but knows absolutely nothing of the hardships which assailed those who came to the region in the beginning of its development as a farming community.
In 1902 Mr. Lee was married to Miss Cora Campbell, daughter of S. G. Campbell, who is an old settler here, and formerly were pioneers in Dawes county, Nebraska where she was reared. Her mother's maiden name was Lizzie Kesterson. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are the parents of one child, Caldona, aged five years and a very bright youngster. They have a pleasant and comfortable home, and are surrounded by congenial neighbors, well liked by all.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
A. A. Munn, of Kearney, Nebraska, is a rising young veterinary surgeon of that locality. He is a gentleman of excellent education, and applies himself closely to the study of his profession, meeting with much success in his practice. He is a conscientious and thoroughly reliable man, and in the comparatively short time he has been in that vicinity has gained the respect and esteem of everyone with whom he has come in contact, either professionally or in a social way.
Dr. Munn is a native of Canada, born July 29, 1879. His father, Duncan Munn, was one of the old time captains and bridge superintendents of Ontario, Canada, who later on located on a ranch at Cambridge, Nebraska, where he engaged in raising thoroughbred stock. An uncle of our subject, named Thomas Andrews, also of Cambridge, has one of the finest herds of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle in the west, having come to this state from Canada in the early days. He is a gentleman of wide experience in the breeding and raising of cattle, and has established a wide reputation as an authority in that line of business throughout the United States.
Our subject is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, Toronto, Canada, having completed his studies at that institution in 1904. He immediately began practicing in Nebraska, and has built up a large patronage throughout this section of the country, his work extending from Minden and Kearney to the Colorado state line. He enjoys a large practice among the owners of the best thoroughbred animals and also the graded herds, and he is regarded by all to whom he has given his services as a man of superior knowledge in his line of business, and has one of the finest hospitals in the state. He first located in Furnas county, later moving to Kearney. He is considered by all as one of the substantial and worthy citizens of his community. In 1905 Mr. Munn was appointed assistant state veterinary for Nebraska, which place he still holds, and this fact speaks greatly in his favor for so young a man. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Brotherhood of Protective Order of Elks, Eagles, Foresters, Woodmen of America and Highlanders.
Dr. Munn was married June 2, 1907, to Nellie Hull, daughter of H. J. Hull, state oil inspector.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
James L. Hogle, classed among the old-timers of Dawes county, Nebraska, is also one of the earliest settlers in western Nebraska. He has passed through many experiences on the frontier and endured many hardships in the early days, and as a result of his energy and perseverance has built up a comfortable estate and enjoys a pleasant home and numerous friends throughout his community.
Mr. Hogle was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1860, of German stock. His parents were both born in Canada, and he was reared and educated fifty miles from Montreal. His father died when he was a child two years old, and he lived with his mother on a farm until he was twenty, then was married to Miss Eliza Holsapple, also a native of Canada. The young couple came to the United States, going to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and landing there on May 20th, 1880, where they remained for a short time. Mr. Hogle then moved to Fort Laramie and engaged in the hotel business which he run successfully for some time. He next moved to Lusk, Wyoming, and spent nine years in that state. In 1889 he came to Crawtord and established his present business. For five years he was proprietor of the Gate City Hotel, and this was one of the leading hotels in the place. He ran a first-class house and it was patronized by the best people, being the popular stopping place for commercial travellers, his success being largely due to his genial and pleasant personality which is so necessary to a man in the hotel business. Mr. Hogle has other interests in this vicinity, owning a large ranch situated ten miles east of Crawford, on Ash Creek, besides his residence and business property here, and he is counted one of the prosperous citizens of the town.
Mr. Hogle is an influential citizen of his community, taking a keen interest in all local affairs, but although he has many times been urged to accept office has repeatedly refused to serve, preferring to lead a private life and devoting his entire time to business. He is a Democrat.
Mr. Hogle's family consists of himself, wife, and one child, Myrtle, now Mrs. Ivins, wife of the leading dentist at Crawford, Nebraska.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
William Parker Carr, retired, a prominent citizen of Alma, Harlan county, Nebraska, came to this county before it was organized, in 1871, and has seen this section grow from a wilderness to one of the most prosperous communities in western Nebraska. He came here from Cheyenne, Wyoming, by train to Kearney, driving from the latter place with a team and wagon, locating in Prairie Dog township, where he took up a homestead and pre-empted and farmed for sixteen years.
Mr. Carr was born in Antrim, New Hampshire, in 1831. He is a son of William and Martha (Parker) Carr, His father served at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, when the British were expected to attack that place in the war of 1812. His grandfather, William Carr, also served for over seven years in the Revolutionary war. The Carrs are of Scotch-Irish descent, coming to New Hampshire long before the latter war, and the Parker family were originally from England, coming to America in the early pioneer days, of New England, our subject was raised in the vicinity of his birthplace, and first came to Nebraska in 1853, crossing Bennett's Ferry with a freight outfit. Friel Nuckolls (after whom Nuckolls county was named), had a contract to supply corn to the troops at Forts Kearney and Laramie, and our subject together with Gideon Bennett, took a sub-contract, and made one trip with twenty-six wagons at Fort Laramie, completing the journey with perfect safety, going over the old California trail. They made two trips to Fort Kearney the same season. At that time corn was worth thirteen dollars per bushel at the former point, and nine dollars at the latter. In 1854 they had a contract to move the Otoe and Missouri Indians from Otoe, Nebraska, and from Rhulo, and outfitted there and worked the whole of both tribes, seven hundred in all, to the Blue, near Beatrice, on the Otoe Reservation. The outfit carried flour, bacon and blankets, and all supplies for the Indians. They traveled one day and issued five beeves and a large amount of flour, laying there until this supply was all eaten up, then would move the Indians on empty stomachs, telling them when the next feed would be, and they would move rapidly to the designated place. They carried about sixty head of beef, and kept a guard of fifteen men around the supplies, to keep the Indians from stealing the stuff. Mr. Carr could speak the language of the Otoes, Missouri and Iowa tribes, and got on very well with the savages. At the Otoe reservation he had to break one hundred and sixty acres in 1854, receiving for this work six dollars per acre. The Indian agent traveled with the tribes all through the expedition, and our subject spent all of 1855 on this reservation. In the following year the free soil agitation raged in Kansas near the reservation, and in these times no man ever opened his door wide until he was assured that it was a friend he was to admit, as the country was full of rough characters and unfriendly Indians. In 1856 while returning from a point in Kansas, Mr. Carr passed the camp of Jim Lane and three hundred abolitionists, forty miles from the Otoe, and a little later about fifty South Carolinians forced Mr. Carr to lead them to Lane's camp, but seeing the latter's strength they released their captive and fled. Mr. Carr remained in this region up to 1861, then enlisted in the Second Kansas Cavalry, and served for two years under General Curtis, mostly in scouting at the battle of Carthage and other fights. In 1862 he was discharged owing to disability, and went back to Kansas near the Otoe reservation where he was connected with the Overland Stage Company on the California trail for five years. These stages were robbed four times within four miles of the station, but our subject's stage was never robbed, although on one occasion, in 1864, on the Little Blue River, when he had one lady and two men passengers, with two guards with the United States mail, he was chased by a party of from twenty to twenty-five Indians, who were all on fleet-footed ponies. He pitted his four horses against these savages, lashing them into a run and they followed him so near the station that the guards heard the firing and came to his assistance, when the Indians retreated. One guard, a boy of fourteen, all this time had stood on top of the stage, firing repeatedly at the Indians. One bullet from the Indians' guns struck the near wheeler's bridle and brought the horse to his knees, but only for a second when he regained his feet and sped onward. Another whizzed past the hind boot of the coach carrying the mail and lodged in the seat directly behind the driver, and the lamp which was fastened beside him was hit and smashed to pieces. It was an exciting chase, but no serious results followed, and it has remained a strong memory in our subject's mind of those wild days. In 1853 he carried the mail from Nebraska City to Fort Kearney. The carrier who had traveled this route before he took it, had disappeared and never been heard from after starting out on a trip to the latter point. Soon after he started on these trips, one night the mule driven by our subject gave indication that there were Indians very near, and he rode for dear life and reached his destination safely. For some time he carried mail in Nevada, traveling between Rhulo and Hamilton City. He also spent some time at Bitter Creek, Wyoming, where he worked three teams and three men during the building of the Union Pacific railway, receiving eighteen dollars per day for his services. He contracted under Tom Majors, well known to all westerners of the pioneer days, and also was employed by the Union Pacific company in bridge building, for which he received six dollars per day.
In 1867 Mr. Carr and Jos. Reed had charge of the stage horses at a ranch located on the Smoky River in Kansas. They had a negro who shod the horses. At one time twenty or twenty-five Indians appeared at the stables and showed fight, when our subject and his companion escaped through a back door of the barns, running to a buffalo wallow which was about eighteen inches deep in the open prairie, thinking the Indians would steal the horses and take their departure, but instead they came after the three men and tried their best to capture them, but were held at bay until darkness came on, when they managed to crawl to a place of safety. The negro was shot through the forehead during the early part of the fight, and his body was placed in front of the other two men serving as an additional guard, and strange as it may seem, he came to after a time and did not object to the defensive use he had been put to. Much of Mr. Carr's time during these years was spent in the service of the government in driving stage, and he worked at this in Salt Lake, California and Nevada. He knew of the richness of the lands through the Republican Valley, as in 1863 he had hunted there before the Indian raid of that time, securing buffalo, elk and deer for Ben Holliday, the stage contractor, from Atchison, Kansas, to San Francisco, so when the party was organized in Cheyenne to settle in Harlan county. Nebraska, he readily joined it. He located in Alma in 1888, and was the first coroner elected in Harlan county. He also owned a fine farm in Alma township.
Mr. Carr was married in Harlan county, in 1873, to Miss Harriet Lucinda Ellenberger, a native of Iowa. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Carr, namely: Mary Elizabeth, wife of Owen Carroll, a farmer of Prairie Dog township, this county, and James Jerome Carr, a resident of Alma. Mr. Carr has been a member of the Masonic lodge since 1857, and is also a prominent Grand Army of the Republic man.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
James Hughes is a man whose name will figure as one of those who has watched the development and growth of the locality in which he makes his home, and where he has resided for many years past. Mr. Hughes was born near Howard, Center county, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1847. His father, Thomas Hughes, who married Nancy Gardener, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Ireland and came to the United States when a young man, and after reaching the new world was for many years general overseer and foreman in the immense iron works at Howard. He also held responsible positions in the coal and iron mines at that place, and lived in Howard at the time of his death, which occurred in 1860. Our subject is the third member in a family of ten children, and was raised in the town of his birth. At the age of fourteen years he entered the army enlisting at Howard in Company E, Fifth Pennsylvania regiment, on June 8, 1861, and was mustered in at the state capital. They were ordered south, and joined the Army of the Potomac, serving in all the campaigns of that body of soldiers, enduring much hard service. He also belonged to the Pennsylvania Reserves, and was one of the bravest men in the company, always at the front of the line and in the thickest of the fights. At one time he was one of a detail of eighteen soldiers on a scouting expedition, the night before the battle of Antietam and out of this number he was one of only three that lived to tell the story of the encounter. Lieutenant Petrican, in charge of the detail, being one of the slain. He remained with his company and served his country until after the battle at Fredericksburg under Burnsides, and in February. 1864, was honorably discharged at Washington, returning to peaceful pursuits with the consciousness of duty well done, in spending three years of his life in the noblest war that men ever fought. After leaving the army he went to West Union, Iowa, remaining one year, then on to Bates county, Missouri, for six months. Here he suffered so severely from an attack of the ague that he was unable to remain, and traveled on to the western plains where he freighted from Hayes City on the Kansas Pacific railway in Kansas, to Camp Supply, Indian Territory, following this work for one year. At this time the country was overrun with buffalo and Mr. Hughes joined a hunting party, handling thousands of dollars worth of hides during the three years he remained at that occupation in that part of the country. He was compelled to live on the open plains in order to recover his health, which had been severely impaired through an attack of typhoid fever, and it was during this time that he lived the free and adventurous life of the plainsman, hunting buffalo all over the state of Kansas.
His next move was to Nebraska City, where he remained for two years, then he came on to Brown county in 1882, and on June 15th, located on a pre-emption claim north of Niobrara river in what is now Keya Paha county, also took a homestead in the northwest quarter of section 2, township 29, range 22. He settled on this before the railroad had reached Ainsworth, and at once went to work in establishing a home, building a sod house and gradually improving his farm. He now has a grove of ten thousand trees planted on his homestead with three hundred fruit trees, all nicely growing. He has since taken up a Kincaid homestead of four hundred and eighty acres with forty acres of deeded land, improved with good buildings, in section 14, township 24, range 21, near Long Pine.
In January, 1867, Mr. Hughes was married at West Union, Iowa, to Miss Emily F. Nestlerode, who was born at Beach Creek, Pennsylvania, of German stock, and died September 20, 1902. Ten children were born to them, of whom seven are now living: Anna, wife of Charles Briggs, Nebraska City; Nancy, who married John Tscharner, of Chadron; Josephine, wife of Frank Weid of Chicago: Mitchel; George; Blanche, who married William Wiltse, who is in business at San Francisco, and James.
Mr. Hughes is a Republican in political faith. He has always taken a deep interest in all public affairs and is an upright citizen, enjoying an enviable reputation as one of the foremost men of his community. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order at Long Pine, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Grand Army of the Republic, at Ainsworth. In Iowa he was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John Pike, whose pleasant home in Loss Creek precinct bespeaks painstaking care in its management, is a pioneer settler of Deuel county and a well known agriculturist, stockman and business man of that region. He has met with pronounced success in his different lines of work, has accumulated a fine property, and enjoys the well merited prosperity and the respect and esteem of his fellowmen.
Mr. Pike is a native of Bourbon county, Kansas, born February 4, 1858, and is a typical western man. He was raised and educated in that state, the family living there up to 1879, when father, mother and five sons (of whom our subject was the second in order of birth), moved to McLean county, Illinois. The father died in Kearney, Nebraska, in 1898, while the mother is still living at that place. Mr. Pike came into Perkins county, Nebraska, in 1891, remained in that vicinity for about two years, then came to Deuel county and homesteaded on section 35, township 18, range 43, proved up on the claim and then sold out. He afterwards took a Kincaid claim on section 11, township 17, range 43, acquiring four hundred and eighty acres, and this is now the home ranch. He has improved it in good shape, has fifty acres cultivated, and runs some stock. One brother, Albert Pike, owns a ranch which adjoins his land on the south, and he has also met with decided success as a farmer and ranchman.
Mr. Pike is one of the prominent and well-to-do bachelors of Deuel county. He is quite heavily interested in the real estate business in Oshkosh, owns a fine building located on one of the best business lots in the town, and has met with considerable success in this line. In his township he is one of the leading public-spirited citizens, taking an active part in school affairs, and has held the office of moderator of district No. 23. Politically, he is a Democrat, and although he has never sought public preferment, has held numerous local offices. He is vice-president of the Antelope Valley Telephone Company, which he helped organize. He was also instrumental in the organization of the Antelope Valley Horse Company, and has been its treasurer for two years.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
FRANK CILEK, JR.
Prominent among the successful business men of Gordon, Nebraska, is the gentleman above named. Mr. Cilek is engaged in the retail meat trade, and has one of the finest and best equipped markets in Gordon. He has built up a good trade through his strict honesty, and his market is one of the best patronized here, catering to the best class of people.
Mr. Cilek was born in Howard county, Nebraska, in 1882, and is a son of Frank Cilek, who came to Sheridan county in 1889, now a farmer in Dawes county. He had a family of four children, and our subject is the second member. He grew up in Dawes county, assisting his father in the hard work always to be found in carrying on a farm, and there received a good training for his later years. In 1901 he returned to his old home in Harvard county, and there worked at teaming, and in the butcher business at St. Paul, Nebraska, for some time. He then went west and spent a year traveling through California and Oregon, and in 1903 came to Gordon, where he worked in a meat market here. In 1906 Mr. Cilek bought a half interest in this business, and since that time has taken over the entire management of the place, and is well liked by everyone with whom he comes in contact in a business or social way.
Mr. Cilek is a young man of sterling character, industrious and energetic, and well deserves the success he has met with since beginning in business. His market is a model of its kind and he enjoys a good patronage.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
William H. Sellers, residing on section 6, township 31, range 35, is one of the old settlers of that region, and by his efforts he has aided materially in the development of the agricultural resources of Cherry county. He is a gentleman of good character, worthy citizen and kind neighbor, and has a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Sellers was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania. November 18, 1846, and reared and educated on his father's farm, moving to Vermillion county. Illinois, with his parents in 1861 where they remained for twenty years. His father was Cyrus Sellers, a native of Pennsylvania, born of American stock, for many years a forgeman and later a farmer. Our subject is the third member in a family of five children, and at the age of eighteen years began working for himself and also assisted in the support of his parents until he was twenty-nine years old.
In 1880 he moved to Harlan county, Nebraska, where droughts ruined his crops so that he was unable to make even a living and, leaving there, he went to Otoe county, where he farmed for three years, followed by two years' residence in Holt county. In 1886, he first came to Cherry county, where he took a homestead on the Niobrara river above the month of Bear creek, on which he lived for eight years, making some improvements, his one and a half-story log house being at that time the largest in this region and the favorite resort for dances and frolics. He soon afterwards sold this and then took up a tree claim which he improved with buildings. After proving up on this and securing title, he sold at a good figure and in 1904 took his present homestead of four hundred and eighty acres, of which he is making a fine place, putting up good buildings, enclosing all with substantial fences and having a goodly portion under cultivation. He has trees, brome grass and alfalfa growing thrifty, and keeps considerable stock.
When he first came to Cherry county he had a hard time getting started, losing several successive crops through severe storms and drouth, but has done well since the good years came on and likes the region immensely now. His first house was a dugout, and the family lived in this for a time, before a good log house could be erected.
In 1875 Mr. Sellers was married to Miss Hanna Alice Crane, born in Fountain county, Indiana, in 1858. Five children were born to them, namely: Nora H., wife of George W. Seiler; Guy W., Charles P., Erastus Lee, and Artie Leela, the three elder born in Illinois and the younger two in Nebraska. Mrs. Sellers died February 12, 1891, and in her loss the family suffered a sad bereavement and she was sincerely mourned as a good mother and wife by them.
Mr. Sellers is one of the foremost citizens of his locality in all matters of public interest, and does all he possibly can to advance the best interests of his community. He is generally a Democrat, but votes for the best man in local elections. When General Grant was a candidate for president the first time, our subject cast a vote for him, showing a liberal spirit, such as all Americans should cultivate, and which makes for better citizenship.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN D. BEEMAN
The gentleman whose life history is here presented is widely known as one of the oldest settlers and most influential citizens of Keya Paha county. Mr. Beeman was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, July 16. 1853, and reared and educated on a farm where he endured a great amount of hard farm work as a boy. When seven years of age he moved with his parents to Crawford county, Iowa, remaining there until 1867; then the family came to Nebraska, settling in Antelope county. The father, Aaron N. Beeman, was of American stock, and devoted his entire time to farming; our subject's mother was, prior to her marriage. Miss Nancy Powers. born in Indiana; she had a family of seven children, of whom our subject was the fifth member. He began life for himself when seventeen years of age, harvesting in Dakota for a season, then followed threshing below Sioux Falls. In the spring he secured a position on a steamer running between St. Louis and Fort Benton. In 1873, the boat attempted to make a third trip which, owing to low water, was not finished until the next season, the boat being frozen in sixty miles above Fort Burford. After three years on the river he secured a place as cook for General Custer, but after a month, secured a place as a scout and followed that vocation for over eighteen months, quitting the service about a year before the battle of Wounded Knee. Had it not been for his brother-in-law's influencing him to come to Keya Paha, Mr. Beeman would have been in that famous battle and might have been one of the number killed. He came into Keya Paha county in the summer of 1879, locating on section 23, township 32, range 20, and still occupies this farm. There are about sixty acres of natural timber on the place, out of which he hauled cedar posts in the early days to Neligh, where he sold them for twenty-five cents each, a method of supplying provisions for the family, quite common in those days. He sold off his home place seven thousand of these posts. Mr. Beeman gradually improved his place and added to the acreage, now owning two hundred acres, all low farming and hayland except forty acres. He has under cultivation about sixty acres, on which he raises good crops, and keeps about fifty hogs, with enough cows and horses for farm use. He has an orchard of seven hundred and fifteen fruit trees, all in fine growing order, and from these he gets all the fruit he can use and also sells considerable in the home market. Nearly the entire tract is irrigated by a good stream, so a dry year has no terrors for the owner of this fine estate. There is still an abundance of fine timber on the place that is increasing rather than diminishing.
On July 4, 1883, Mr. Beeman was married to Miss Susan Rickman, whose parents, Samuel N. and Mary (Mash) Rickman, were early settlers in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Beeman have been born the following children: Albert D., Nancy, wife of Ebba Jackson, of Herring, South Dakota; Gussie and Nellie, the two latter still living at home at the present time.
Mr. Beeman is the oldest settler in Keya Paha county at this time, and has always taken a leading part in its development and growth, and witnessed its advancement from practically a wilderness to its present prosperity. He has always voted the Republican ticket and taken a commendable interest in local affairs in his community, but has never sought office.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
GEORGE W. DAVIS.
The gentleman whose name heads this personal history is a prominent ranchman of Sioux county, Nebraska. He was one of the early settlers of that region, and has made many friends since his residence here, by all of whom he is highly esteemed.
Mr. Davis was born in Jackson county, Iowa, in 1863. His parents lived on the Mississippi river, at the town of Bellevue, and there George was reared and educated. His father, Henry, was of German descent, the mother being of Irish birth. The father was a soldier in the Civil war, and met his death at the battle of Vicksburg, on July 4, 1863.
Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Katherine O'Connor, after being left a widow, raised her family of children, of whom our subject was the second member, and had a hard struggle to get along. She died in 1871, in Jackson county, Iowa. After the mother's death, George was sent to the Soldiers' Orphans Home at Davenport, Iowa, until he was thirteen years of age, when he left that institution and struck out for himself, from that time on making his own way in the world.
Mr. Davis came to Cambridge, Nebraska, where he spent two years, then became a cowpuncher on a ranch in that vicinity and later worked on a ranch near North Platte city, being employed by several different cow outfits, subsequently working mostly along the South Loup river. In the spring of 1881, Mr. Davis and a partner came to a ranch near where the town of Crawford now stands and remained there for about a year. In the following year he trailed a large bunch of cattle in Montana, and during that trip was obliged to live almost entirely on buffalo meat. He saw every phase of the frontiersman's life in those early days, when his cow-punching experiences reached from the city of North Platte, Nebraska, to Tongue river, Montana. In 1883, our subject located near Chadron, connecting himself with the Half Diamond E. outfit, and remained with the company for about a year, and the following three years were spent in Montana employed by different ranching outfits.
Mr. Davis finally got tired of roaming around and decided to settle down permanently, so returned to Nebraska and took up a homestead twenty-five miles northwest of Harrison, in the fall of 1888. He proved up on his land in due time and operated his ranch for sixteen years, then purchased a tract of land situated four and a half miles south of Harrison, and here he has improved a good farm and ranch, having five hundred and twenty acres, engaging in cattle raising principally. He has put up good buildings and improvements, all of his place is fenced and cross fenced, with good wells and windmills.
Mr. Davis was married March 26. 1890, to Miss Elizabeth Sutton, daughter of Lewis C. Sutton, who was a veteran of the Civil war, his death occurring in 1882, at Jerseyville, Illinois. Mrs. Davis' mother was Helen Terrill, of Henry county, Missouri, and now lives at Jerseyville, Illinois. As a result of the above marriage, three children were born, who are named as follows: Cora, Lewis and Helen. Mrs. Davis' grandmother was among the early settlers in Sioux county, driving overland when coming here, from Greenfield, Iowa, in a wagon containing all their possessions.
Mr. Davis occupies a foremost position as one of the leading old-timers of his locality, and has aided very materially in the development of this region.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
William Lisco, residing in Cheyenne county, Nebraska, is a genuine old-timer of that region, and one of the picturesque type of western pioneer cattlemen who was prominently connected with the early life on the plains. He has been largely interested in ranches owned by the Lisco Brothers, which are now merged into the concern known as the Pine Creek Land and Cattle Company.
Mr. Lisco was born in Canada in 1851, coming into the states when quite small, his parents :settling in New York at first, and remaining for several years. They then went to Iowa, and next to Nebraska, landing in this state in 1872. Our subject was in Colorado for about two years, and in 1876 came into Cheyenne county, arriving here in February of that year. He was subsequently employed on different big ranches in the vicinity, following the range up to 1885, then located on a homestead on section 29, township 18, range 46, this tract being situated on the Platte river, the home ranch consisting of four hundred and eighty acres. He started in the ranching business at once, and succeeded in a marked degree, building up a good place, and gradually extending his possessions until he is now classed among the wealthy men of the county. Besides his ranching interests he engages in farming on a small scale, having about forty acres in crops, and the balance in hay land. At the present time he is running seventy head of cattle and fifty head of horses. Two hundred and eighty acres are tinder ditch, and all of his ranch is valuable land.
Mr. Lisco was married at Chappell, Deuel county, Nebraska, in 1896, to Miss Myrtle Norton. They had one child, Gladys, born in 1898, and the mother died here in 1904.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JAMES J. COOPER.
One of the leading old-timers of the state of Nebraska may be found in the person of James J. Cooper, the gentleman whose name heads this personal history. He settled in Rock county where he now resides in 1884, and has seen all the changes which have taken place since the early days, and done his full share towards making the history of this part of the state of Nebraska.
Mr. Cooper was born in West Troy, New York, March 10, 1838. He is a son of James Cooper, who was a cattle driver and farmer, and his mother was of Scotch descent, her maiden name being Sarah Kinkade. When our subject was two and a half years old the family moved to St. Lawrence county, New York, where they were among the pioneer settlers. He is the youngest member in a family of seven children, and was reared and educated in St. Lawrence county on his father's farm, where he assisted his father and brothers in carrying on the farm work. He spent eleven winters in the pineries, and in his young manhood learned the millwright's trade in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, following that occupation for twenty-two years. He lived in different parts of the Badger state during those years, employed in equipping a large number of the mills in that state.
When the war broke out our subject enlisted during 1861 in the Thirty-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry, and saw service with the Army of the Potomac. He participated in twenty-two big battles during his service as a soldier, besides numerous skirmishes. He saw three stands of colors shot to pieces from the heads of this regiment. When he entered the regiment he went in with one thousand men, to which were added six hundred recruits, and when the regiment disbanded there were but four hundred and eighty left. During different battles men on both sides of him were shot down and killed, while he escaped without receiving any severe wounds through all the time he spent in the army, which was over two years.
In 1884 he came to Nebraska and located in Rock county, taking up a tree claim in section 33, township 32, range 18, and proved up on it. He has improved one timber claim, put up a number of buildings, and acquired three hundred and twenty acres of land, all fenced with over forty-five acres of plow land. This he sold in the fall of 1907, after a series of accidents, including a stroke of lightning and a headlong fall from a hay stack, incapacitating him for manual labor. He has been very successful since coming to Rock county, both at farming and the carpenter's trade, having put up many houses in the town of Stuart, and a number of schoolhouses in the county. He was employed in the building of the Rock county courthouse, in 1893, the one which was destroyed by fire.
Mr. Cooper was married November 17, 1866, at DePere, to Miss Christina Bandow, whose parents came to American shores from Prussia in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have a family of four children, two of whom, the oldest and youngest, are living: Myrtle, widow of William Bullard, and Henry. James and Lilly are deceased. The family live in a comfortable cottage in Bassett, whither they removed after the sale of the farm. Mr. Cooper is a Republican in politics, and with his family is a member of the Church of God.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
WILLIAM M. STEVENS
Energetic effort and intelligence go hand in hand in the building up of ones fortune, regardless of the vocation to which they are applied. One of the well developed and highly improved estates of Perkins county is that owned and operated by William M. Stevens, who resides in Sawyer precinct and the possessor of three thousand and forty acres, situated five miles northwest of Madrid. The comfortable circumstances enjoyed by this gentleman have been brought about by the exercise of judicious labor and painstaking care, and every appointment of the place bespeaks good taste and splendid business ability.
William M. Stevens was born in Hancock county, Illinois, in 1861, his birthplace being the town of Hamilton. His father, Joseph, was a merchant, born in Maine, an early settler in Butler county, this state, his family being the second to settle in David City, locating in Butler county in the fall of 1870. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Philadelphia. During the first week of their residence in Butler county a band of seven hundred Indians came through that part of the country, and there was some uneasiness regarding their presence there, although they were at peace with the settlers and made no disturbance.
Our subject was raised on the frontier, going through all the pioneer times, witnessing grasshopper raids, drouths, etc., and saw every phase of life on the plains. In 1885 he came to Perkins county and took a homestead on section 24, township 11, range 38, and started to build up a farm. Ogallala was then the nearest trading point and postoffice. In the spring of the following year Mr. Stevens built a sod shanty twelve by fourteen feet, and in this began his bachelor existence, continuing to live alone for five years. During the first few years he worked at whatever he could get to do in the vicinity of his homestead, being employed at contract work on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railway, constructing six miles of the road during the winter of 1886-87. He went through ox team experience, and as late as the fall of 1890 drove into Deuel county with a team of oxen. When the drouths struck the section he left his farm and went to eastern Nebraska, and also spent one season in Montana.
Mr. Stevens located on his present homestead, which is situated on section 26, township 11, range 38, in the spring of 1891. Here he has put many improvements in the way of good buildings, fences, etc., and is engaged in mixed stock raising and farming, for the past few years devoting his time and efforts principally to the former. For the past six years he has held an auction annually, selling off considerable stock which he raises constantly, and these sales are largely attended from all parts of the country near him, as he has the reputation of handling high-grade animals, and is known to be a good judge of stock.
Mr. Stevens was married in 1890, to Mrs. Mary Beatty, who was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. The family consists of the following children: Cora and John, both married and living near the home ranch; these two are Mrs. Stevens' children by a former marriage. Harry, Minnie, Morgan, Kittie, Leonora, Lela and Grace, all of whom are willing assistants to their parents in running the ranch. In 1905, the wife and mother departed this life, and since her death, which was deeply lamented by her sorrowing family and a host of warm friends, Minnie has had charge of the home.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Hon. Victor Anderson, who represented his county in the legislature from 1901 to 1905, elected on the Fusion ticket is one of the prominent men of that region. He has resided in this part of the state of Nebraska for many years, and is held in the highest esteem by his fellowmen.
Mr. Anderson was born in Kane county, Illinois, in the city of St. Charles. His father, N. P. A. Anderson, was a native of Smoland, Sweden, who settled in Illinois, and later in Iowa. He was a man of good education and followed farming as an occupation. coming to Nebraska in 1875, taking up the homestead on which our subject now lives. He died at the age of seventy years, his death occurring May 23, 1906, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He left a family of three children. Our subject's mother, Mary S. Anderson, died on the farm February 7. 1908. One son, Emil, also lives with them as well as a sister of our subject, Josie, and they operate a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, renting out three hundred and twenty acres. He is proprietor altogether of six hundred and forty acres of land, all cultivated and well improved, handling also a large number of cattle and some pure-bred Poland China hogs, also raising considerable wheat and corn. Among the farm equipment is a modem automobile. He is a most successful farmer and employs modern methods in operating his land. In 1902 his wheat yield was thirty-eight bushels per acre, and his corn crop ran sixty bushels per acre in 1889. He raises about ten thousand bushels of grain each good crop year, and uses the greater part of it on his farm. He keeps from seventy-five to one hundred head of hogs on an average. Our subject became a stockholder and director in the Kearney County Lumber Company in 1907, and still is interested in the business.
In 1904 Mr. Anderson was nominated for senator from Kearney, Phelps and Harlan counties. He is at present acting as president of the Kearney County Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, having been elected to this office in 1904. He has been director of his school district since coming of age. Mr. Anderson is a very popular young man, of off-hand, sociable manners, and one of the most intelligent and progressive citizens in this section of the country. He has a host of warm friends and admirers, and highly esteemed as a man of excellent character and good business judgment. He belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church, and gives freely of his time and support.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
George H. Pruden, proprietor of a valuable ranch in Merriman precinct, Cherry county, is comparatively a recent settler in this locality, but has become very well known as a worthy citizen and prosperous ranchman. He is a mar of strict integrity and persistent industry, and well merits his high standing and financial success.
Mr. Pruden was born in Sidney, Ohio, October 20, 1869. His father, Peter W. Pruden, was a farmer of American stock who came to Nebraska, in 1888. During the civil war he served three years in Company F, Eighty-third Illinois regiment, and was in many different battles and skirmishes. After locating in Nebraska he farmed near Chadron for some years until the drouth struck that locality, and his crops were ruined and he lost everything he had. He died January 23, 1903, leaving a wife who still lives in Nebraska, and a family of seven children of whom our subject is the fourth member. At the age of eighteen he started out to make his own living, working on different ranches in the vicinity of his home for twelve dollars and a half a month, and was very glad to get that. He also broke horses for ranchmen, and was able to earn fifteen dollars per month by this labor, continuing in this work for the following nine years, then together with his brothers, established himself in the cattle business. They succeeded very well in this venture, and now have a ranch of four hundred and eighty acres, besides each having good homestead lands.
In November, 1890, Mr. Pruden came to Cherry county, and on landing here, there was altogether in the possession of the family just one hundred dollars in cash, and added to this small start, for the first two years their crops were a total failure. During the first winter they were obliged to buy the potatoes for the family supply, and paid one dollar per bushel for them. However, they stuck together, our subject and his brothers securing work by the day or month, and in this manner supported the family, and after the hard times had passed they were very successful in their farming operations and accumulated a nice property, now being counted among the prominent and substantial residents of Cherry county, all interested in the ranching business. The ranch is improved with a complete set of good farm buildings, all fenced and fitted with all the equipment necessary for conducting a model ranch. They have a fine drove of three hundred head of cattle, and quite a number of horses. October 7, 1907, Mr. Pruden purchased a meat market in Merrimac, which he operates in connection with his ranch.
In 1903 Mr. Pruden was married to Miss Martha K. Herbaugh, a native of Nebraska, born in 1880. Her father, John W. Herbaugh, served in the Civil war for four years, as a member of an Indiana regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Pruden have one child, John Clark Pruden.
Mr. Pruden is a Republican, but takes no active part in politics, devoting his entire time and attention to the building up of his home, surrounding himself and family with all the comforts and conveniences of a model farm home.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
IRA A. HAMMOND.
Among the leading old-timers of the state of Nebraska, none is better known or more highly respected than the subject of this review, Ira A. Hammond. Mr. Hammond is a native of Tama county, Iowa, born November 15, 1858. His father, Matthew Hammond, born in Vermont, was of American lineage. He came to Tama county. Iowa, about 1856, and while here, served as postmaster of the postoffice which was located on his farm. The family consisted of twelve children, of whom our subject was the tenth member in order of birth. He was raised in Tama county until four years of age, then his parents moved to McDonough county, Illinois, where Ira grew to manhood. He was taught to do all kinds of hard farm labor, attending the country schools during the winter months, and in this way received a common school education. He lived with his parents assisting them until the death of his father, which occurred in 1890, then supported his mother until her death in 1902. In 1885, Mr. Hammond came to Brown county, settling on a farm two and one-half miles west of Johnstown. Here he built a dugout, or sod house, which was the first building ever erected on his farm, and in this he lived for some time. He lived here up to 1891, when he sold out his property and moved to Ainsworth, plying his trade as a mason, at which occupation he has worked constantly since coming to Ainsworth. After two years in Ainsworth he rented a farm and worked this besides working at his trade when there was masonry to do. In 1901 he bought his present farm of two hundred and eighty acres, the north half of section 31, range 22. This property is improved with a good set of farm buildings, fences, etc., and he engages in stock raising and mixed farming. In the early days he often had a hard struggle to get along, but he has steadily pushed forward, has a comfortable home and now enjoys a nice income from the fruits of his labor. In the spring of 1907, Mr. Hammond began the manufacture of concrete brick and cement blocks, and is extensively engaged in concrete paving in Ainsworth and elsewhere in Brown county.
Mr. Hammond was married December 25, 1889, to Miss Mary C. Murray, born in Illinois, whose father, John Murray, is a farmer and old Settler in Brown county. Mr. and Mrs.. Hammond are the parents of five children, who are named as follows: Vernie L., Leslie M., Mary E. (deceased), Grace I., and Fred.
Mr. Hammond votes the Republican ticket, and takes a commendable interest in all party affairs. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Ainsworth.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
MORGAN J. WILLIAMS.
A typical pioneer of western Nebraska is represented by the gentleman above named, Morgan J. Williams. He has lived many years in this section of the country and has been a part of the growth and development of this region, building up for himself a substantial home and fortune by his perseverance and thrift, and has come to be one of the foremost citizens of Dawes county.
Mr. Williams was born in Sparta, Monroe county, Wisconsin, in 1858. He is a son of Morgan Williams, of Welsh descent, born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and of Mary Jones, a native of England, born of Welsh parents. Our subject was reared in Wisconsin, and came west about 1871, going first to Nebraska, then to Colorado, and was there at the time the railroad was built from Cheyenne to Denver. He saw Leadville when it was known as California Gulch, and those were the days when Leadville experienced its liveliest times. Mr. Williams was prospecting and mining at that time, and spent six or seven years in that state, witnessing many wild times there. He was also in Wyoming and was the first white man to build a house in Douglass, that state. He afterwards came to Fort Robinson, where he did contracting, moving to Crawford about 1889. Previous to this he had been in Big Horn Basin, Wyoming, and had helped build half of the towns of Glenrock and Casper. From 1889 up to 1895 he ran the only brickyard and contractor's business in Crawford, and in the latter year established a lumber yard there, and has been in business here since that time continuously. When the Burlington railroad came from Alliance he boomed the towns along that line and put up buildings, etc. At Owensville, a now extinct and once tough town, he erected an immense dance hall, completing the place in one day, and this was a gathering place for all the tough characters of the country, and was under the management and control of a famous and successful dance hall man. Besides his business interests in Crawford, Mr. Williams boomed different towns along the lines of the Chicago & Northwestern railway, also the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and was successful in making considerable money out of these different enterprises.
During the early part of his career in the west Mr. Williams worked as a cow-puncher, running large herds of cattle over the western part of Nebraska. He has been all through the western states, and has watched the growth and development of this section from the very start.
Mr. Williams was married in 1879 to Miss Ida Jane Vincent. born in Illinois, and they have a family of eight grown children, and are grandparents to several youngsters. Mr. and Mrs. Williams's children are named as follows: Maudie, Cora, Clarence, Arthur, Winnie, Lena, Homer and Francis.
Mr. Williams has always taken an active part in the politics of his home town, acting as a delegate in representing the silver Republicans at the national convention which nominated William Jennings Bryan the second time in 1900, but he did not get there. He has been on the village board for seven years, and takes a leading part in his community.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
HENRY C. HENDERSON.
Henry C. Henderson, an agriculturist of prominence in Cheyenne county, resides in Bronson precinct, and is one of those substantial citizens whose integrity and industry, thrift and economy, have added so much to the material wealth and growth of Nebraska. Agriculture forms the basis of wealth in that part of the country, as, indeed, in most sections of the United States. It, is, therefore, of great importance that the class of people who inhabit the great farming regions of the country should represent those elements of sterling worth so prominently displayed by the majority of the early settlers and their descendants. Mr. Henderson is a veteran of the Civil war, a worthy citizen and a good neighbor, and richly deserves all the success which has come to him.
Mr. Henderson was born in Vermillion township. Vermillion county. Illinois, on the 21st of June, 1842, and lived in that vicinity for fifty years. He enlisted in Vermillion county, in Company C, Seventy-third Illinois Volunteers, on July 5, 1862, and was mustered in nine days later, at Indianapolis. Indiana. During active service at the battle of Chickamauga. he was seriously wounded and was sent to the hospital, where he remained for six months, and then was transferred into the Veteran Reserve Corps, from which he was mustered out July 5, 1865, just three years to a day from the date of his enlistment.
Our subject returned to Illinois after being discharged from the army, and farmed there up to 1892, then came west to Buffalo county, Nebraska, farming in Valley precinct about twelve years in that locality before removing to Cheyenne county, where he has since resided. Reaching Sidney March 20, 1905, he filed on a homestead in section 18, township 13, range 50, and began to develop a home. The place is well situated and contains as fine land as is to be found in this region. One of the natural curiosities of the region, Tower Butte, is situated but a few rods from the dwelling, and is one of the landmarks of the region.
Mr. Henderson was married in Vermillion county, Illinois, March 7, 1872, to Mary F. Jones, a widow, whose maiden name was Lough. Mrs. Henderson was born in Ritchie county, West Virginia, in 1849, and she had one child by her first marriage, Dora M., who married Abraham Long, and resides in Kimball county. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have a family of six children who are named as follows: Druzilla E., now Mrs. Charles Stafford, of Sidney; John R. Henderson, now living in Kimball county; James F. Henderson, of Buffalo county; Donna M., wife of William Davis, of Kimball county; E. C. Henderson, of Cheyenne county. One son, Nathaniel Beeson, is living at home, and assists his father in carrying on the home much. While living in Illinois the family were all members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and Mr. Henderson was a comrade in the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Republican in politics.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Peter Rehder, a prominent farmer and stockman living on section 20, township 22, range 15, is well known throughout Garfield county as a progressive and successful agriculturist, highly esteemed by all with whom he has had to do.
Mr. Rehder is a native of Germany, born in 1854. He grew up in his native country, and in 1881 left home and struck out for the new world, arriving in America in May, 1881. After landing in New York he came across the country locating in Davenport, Iowa, where he remained for a time, then emigrated to Nebraska in 1885, on account of the land there being cheaper and the better chances a poor man had for gaining a competence, locating in Garfield county on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. Here he succeeded in developing a good farm, engaged in mixed farming and stock raising, and now owns about two hundred and fifty acres of good land, half of it under cultivation, raising splendid crops of corn and oats, with some wheat and rye. He has a good supply of water from deep bored wells, and his place is well improved with good buildings and a comfortable residence, fine groves, orchards, etc.
Mr. Rehder is of the opinion that the average man here is much better off financially than in Iowa, as the land here costs less and crops grow just as well with less labor, one man taking care of a hundred acres as easily as he could fifty in Iowa. Since locating here he has had fair success every year with the exception of 1894, when his crops were burned out by the hot winds, and that year everyone suffered some bad luck; but after the coming of the better years he was very fortunate, and has accumulated a nice property. The only disadvantage here is the poor schools, but these are now being improved wonderfully, and it will only be a short time before they will be as good as can be found anywhere. The school section embraces about twelve square miles
Mr. Rehder raises and feeds stock for the market, mostly cattle and bogs. He has a small orchard, and for the past two years, 1906 and 1907, has had excellent crops of apples. The trees do not do so very well here, but he states that with good care and close attention they can be made to produce very fair crops, and there are plenty of blackberries growing wild in the vicinity of his farm, which is sufficient for their home use.
Mr. Rehder is a typical German farmer, honest, industrious and a hard worker. He has made considerable money since settling here, and is classed among the wealthy residents of his section.
In 1884 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Mohr, also a native of Germany who came to America with her parents in 1881. To Mr. and Mrs. Rehder four children have been born, two of whom. Fritz, aged fourteen and Rudolph, aged seven, are still living. Two daughters died in 1892.
The family are members of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Rehder is a Democrat but has never held office, as he has never had time to worry over politics, preferring to devote his whole attention to the building up of his home.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Christian M. Pedersen, a progressive farmer and ranchman of Cherry county, is owner of a fine estate of eight hundred and eighty acres in township 28, range 29. His residence is on section 22, of the above township, and he is the proprietor of one of the most valuable ranches in the section as a result of his good business ability and untiring energy.
Mr. Pedersen was born in Denmark, on a farm, in 1869. His father was a carpenter by trade, and followed that in connection with his farm work, and was also handy at many different occupations, making a good living for his family. Our subject was reared in his native village, as a boy learning the miller's trade, and, in 1891, came to America, arriving in New York city on December 13th of that year. He went directly west to Nebraska, settling in Nuckolls county, but only remained for about eight months, then came up the North Loup and next to Thedford. He secured employment on a ranch and followed that work up to 1894, when he moved to Swan Lake and filed on a homestead, later went to a homestead on Goose creek, Cherry county, and proved up on the latter place. He "batched it" during all this time and worked throughout the region, operating a well outfit which he purchased, and became familiar with many of the old settlers in the county and surrounding country. Two springs were spent in Wyoming and Montana shearing sheep, and during these times he managed to lay by considerable money, finally returning to Nebraska and spending about two years in Brownlee, where he was engaged in the well business. In 1904 he went into South Dakota, driving through the country with a team and covered wagon, locating near the mouth of Belle Fourche river on the Cheyenne river, but did not like the country and only spent one summer there, then came back to Nebraska with his family, settling on his present homestead, which is situated nine miles northwest of Brownlee. Here he has improved a good place, having two hundred acres broken up which he uses for grain raising, and is constantly breaking more ground, as he intends to devote most of his time to farming. He has good buildings, wells, windmills, several miles of fence, and keeps quite a bunch of stock. When he took the ranch there was simply an old sod house which was ready to tumble down, and he has lately erected a good residence, and has every kind of farm machinery and improvement for the proper operation of a model farm and ranch.
In 1901 Mr. Pedersen was married to Miss Kate L. Auguston, whose father was born in Denmark and her mother in New York state, of German stock. Three children have been born to them, John, Herman and Peder. Mr. Pedersen is classed among the leading old-timers in the region, as he has taken an active part in the development of the commercial and agricultural interests for the past eighteen years.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
FREDERICK WILLIAM JOHANSEN.
F. W. Johansen, a prominent business man of Hay Springs, Nebraska, is a young mail of exceptional energy and ability, and his success in the enterprises in which he has been engaged from time to time is due to these characteristics combined with his sound business judgment.
Mr. Johansen was born on a farm near Yankton, South Dakota, on the 24th day of June, 1876. His father, Christian A. Johansen, of Danish descent, is a ranchman and farmer in Sheridan county, Nebraska, having settled there in the spring of 1885, with his family, his wife's maiden name having been Anna Wortman, whose parents were of German descent. There were ten children in his father's family, and Fred is one of the twins, his twin brother's name being Ferdinand J. Johansen.
Fred was raised on a farm and ranch combined, in Sheridan county, attending the country schools during his boyhood, and later the normal school at Rushville. After leaving school he. followed teaching for three years ears in Sheridan county, then went to Chadron, Nebraska, where he attended the academy for a year and following that, five terms at Fremont Normal College, graduating from that institution in the scientific course with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1899.
He again took up teaching and taught in Sheridan and Dawes counties. After this he returned to the Fremont Normal College and received the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogy, graduating in the didactic course in 1902. He was then principal of the public schools of Gresham, Nebraska, in the year 1902-03. In the summer of 1903 he established an implement store at Hay Springs and realizes a profitable trade from the surrounding townships. He also sells many pianos, and is a successful real estate dealer.
In the fall of 1903, the People's party tendered him the nomination for county superintendent of public instruction. There were three tickets in the field that fall, namely: Republican, Democratic and People's party, consequently his chances for election were few. Although not elected, he was the youngest of all candidates and was often termed the "Boy Candidate."
The following year, on September 3, 1904, he purchased the Hay Springs Leader, a weekly newspaper, and changed its name to the Hay Springs Enterprise. This paper was established in January, 1897, and has changed hands several times, and it has been run under different names also. This paper is of the Democratic and Populist faith, and is one of the reliable mediums of this section.
F. W. Johansen is a man of marked character, showing a determination to do right in all cases whatsoever. He has always been much opposed to intemperance and he now enjoys, above everything else. the distinction of having been the first person in Sheridan county to start and to sign a remonstrance against the liquor traffic. He now lives in a quiet, progressive town, which has had no saloon for the past three years, and there is none at present in all Sheridan county. Mr. Johansen delights in Christian work also; at present he is one of the deacons of the Congregational church, and superintendent of the Sunday school. He has served the Christian Endeavor as president for a number of years, and was among the first to organize Sheridan County Sunday-School Association, and has served different times as secretary, treasurer and president; the same is true of the Sheridan County Anti-Saloon League. He was its first secretary and foremost organizer. For three years he was scribe of the Congregational church west Nebraska.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ERASMUS PETERSON.
A striking example of what may be accomplished by the exercise of industry, perseverance and good management, is found in the life of the gentleman here named. Mr. Peterson had a very small start, and he is now one of the successful and prosperous agriculturists of Sheridan county, Nebraska, highly esteemed by all who know him.
Mr. Peterson was born in Denmark in 1857 and was raised on a farm there. His father and mother never left the old country, and he remained with them, the sixth member in their family of eight children, until he struck out for himself and crossed the ocean, locating in Kasson, Dodge county, Minnesota. He had partly learned the mason's trade in his native land, and he followed it in Minnesota for nearly nine years. In 1882 he went to South Dakota, settling in Yankton, where he worked for two years, and in the fall of 1884 first came to Nebraska. The following spring he took up a claim in section 13, township 31, range 46, and the first summer lived in a covered wagon, later building a log house, in which he lives, having sided it over and plastered it inside making a very comfortable dwelling. He went to work breaking up his farm and put in twenty acres of corn and raised a good crop. By the time dry years came on he was farming quite heavily and for three years his crops were a total loss, so that he never cut them. He became discouraged and went to work for the Homestake mines, following his trade of a mason for nearly seven years. During the last four years he has gone back to farming, and raised good crops, but still does quite a lot of mason work. He has added to his homestead until he now owns eight hundred acres of good, rolling farm land, and of this he cultivates about two hundred acres, keeping about one hundred head of cattle and twenty-six horses. He has experienced his share of hard times in the earlier days and would not care to go through the homesteader's life again, although the first years in this section were the best the family ever saw. At one time he would have sold out if he could have persuaded his wife to sign the papers. but is glad he stuck to it, and now intends to make this his permanent home. He has every convenience on his farm and in his home, with telephone connection and rural mail delivery.
He was married in Yankton, in 1883, to Miss Flora Johansen, a native of Effingham, Illinois, who moved to Yankton with her parents in 1873. Her father, Christian A. Johansen, was born in Denmark, and came to this country at the age of eighteen years. He was a farmer and cooper in the old country. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have one child living, Charles, who resides with his parents. He graduated, in 1908, from the high school at Hay Springs. They have lost two children, one who died in infancy, and Roy at the age of sixteen, the death of the latter being caused by the kick of a horse. Mrs. Peterson is a great money maker, as well as her husband, keeping her own bank account. She sells large quantities of poultry, eggs, butter, etc.
Mr. Peterson is a strong Democrat and an ardent admirer of the Bryan faction. He has never held any except local offices, and states that he is not even boss of his own house. The family have a pleasant home, and enjoy the friendship of a host of people in their locality, who frequently partake of their general hospitality.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Ferd. J. Johansen, one of the leading business men and highly esteemed citizens of the thriving town of Hay Springs, Nebraska, is a young man of exceptional business ability. He is a man of enterprising spirit and strict integrity, and .has gained the confidence and respect of his associates.
Mr. Johansen was born near Yankton, South Dakota, June 24, 1876, and was reared in Sheridan county from the time he was nine years old, attending the common schools and later the Rushville Normal and Chadron Academy, graduating from the Fremont Normal College in 1899. After leaving school our subject taught school in Sheridan and Dawes counties for several years.
In 1899, Mr. Johansen became manager of the Hay Springs Creamery Company, and from that gradually drifted into the produce business and later into the general merchandise business. On October 1, 1906, he formed a partnership with Herman E. Clements in establishing a large general store, and they have built up a good trade and made a success of the venture. Mr. Johansen is also agent for the DeLaval Separator Company, also for a threshing machine company and for the Waltham automobile.
Mr. Johansen was married to Miss Levina May Bolin, daughter of Elridge Bolin, an old settler in this county, who, prior to her marriage, was a teacher in the schools in this county, and a graduate of the Hay Springs high school, class of '99. Mr. and Mrs. Johansen have a family of four children, who are named as follows: Enona Dell, Ethelyn Flora, Burnetta May and Viva Anna Johansen.
Mr. Johansen is a voting man of great promise, and has already accomplished a great measure of success in the different enterprises with which he has been associated. He is an active member of the Peoples party.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
CHRISTIAN A. JOHANSEN.
The gentleman whose name heads this personal history is a native of Denmark, born in 1841. He is a son of Peter Johansen, a Dane. who came to America in 1859, settling in Illinois, where he remained up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1865. Our subject is the fifth member in a family of twelve children, of whom but eight were living at the time the family came to this country. At the age of twenty-one he started in on a farm for himself, as he had always assisted his father in the work on his various farms and was early accustomed to this business. He remained in Illinois, living near his father's farm up to 1873, when he left that state and went to Yankton, South Dakota, where he took a farm and operated it until 1886, but he had hard times there, grasshoppers destroying his crops during the first years and sustaining many financial losses. He liked Dakota and would have remained there, but for the fact that he wanted to get where his children could get free land as they grew up, so bought a relinquishment in Sheridan county, Nebraska, on which he field (sic) as a pre-emption and began to build a home. There was an old sod house on the place when he came, but this soon went to pieces and he then put up a frame house, putting in a large basement and made a very comfortable dwelling. He began breaking up the land and put in some crops and just got nicely started when the dry years came along and caused him severe losses which put him back considerably.
Mr. Johansen was married in 1862 to Miss Anna Wortman, a native of Ohio, born in 1843, of German descent, whose parents come to this country when they were both very young. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johansen, who are named as follows: Flora, Edward, Caroline, Alice, Ferd J. and Fred W. (twins), Dora, Emma, Albert and Arthur, all of whom live near their parents' homestead except one daughter, who resides in Iowa, and all are on the telephone lines.
Mr. Johansen has had the experiences of a pioneer settler in two new countries, both in Dakota and here, and state's that were he voting again he would not mind trying it over. He had a large family to support, and his labors were hard and they suffered much hardship during some years, but his heart was in the work and they were happy together, and through all the trials he enjoyed himself and has no fault to find with those times. He has done well and accumulated a fine estate, his farm now comprising three hundred and twenty acres of good farming land, cultivating about two hundred acres, and runs sixty head of stock. He does not feed much through the winter, but roughs them through, and also keeps some stock on shares. In addition to operating his own land he leases a school section which he uses for hay and pasture for his stock. He milks a good many cows, and derives a snug income from this source, and it was due to this that he was enabled to get through the dry seasons with so little financial loss and suffering. He also manufactured a large amount of cheese which he shipped and for which he received a good price. He has improved his farm, and has good buildings and fences, also a large number of trees growing nicely. He says that he hardly knows where he saw the hardest times, whether in South Dakota or Nebraska. In the former state he did not have much to start with, but it was harder to make a living, and since coming to Nebraska, has had more money but always had a large family to support. His children have been a great help to him since growing up, however, and at one time he had seven children engaged in teaching in Sheridan county.
Mr. Johansen is an independent voter in local affairs, but in national matters leans toward the Populists. Although he takes a keen interest in all matters of county and state he has never had time to devote to party work, and never cared to seek office.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN SAUERWEIN.
Among the successful self-made men of Box Butte county, Nebraska, may be mentioned John Sauerwein, who came to the United States from his mother country, Germany, when he was a young man twenty-three years old, and since his residence here has displayed an enterprising spirit and the exercise of good judgment by the manner in which he has forged ahead, that commands the respect and esteem of all who know him. He now resides in section 13, township 27, range 50, and is one of the prosperous farmers of his locality.
Mr. Sauerwein was born in 1860, in the Province of Hessen, Germany, on a farm. His father, Jacob, farmed all his life in his native land, assisted by his sons, who lived at home up to 1883, and after his father's death, which occurred in 1877, our subject carried on the home farm alone, and was the mainstay and support of his mother. Mr. Sauerwein left his native land in 1883 and started out to seek his fortune in the new world, and after landing in New York went to Pennsylvania, where he worked in the mining regions, employed in the car shops as a carpenter and at odd jobs around the plant.
Our subject came to Nebraska, locating in the eastern part of the state and followed farm work for about six months, then in the fall of 1885 came to Dawes county, making his first settlement seventeen miles west of Hemingford, on the Niobrara river. There he built a log house and worked in the timber regions, hauling wood, etc. He handled ox teams and worked on his place, and for seven years hauled water from the Niobrara river. He lived in Dawes county about eleven years and succeeded in building up a good farm and ranch and accumulating a nice property there, although he suffered many failures of crops during the dry years, and during several seasons was only able to raise enough of the different grains he planted, to get the seed back. He sold his place there and moved to Box Butte county in 1896. Here he bought the place he now occupies and has built up a fine farm and ranch, owning altogether seven hundred and eighty acres, and farms about one hundred and sixty of it, using the balance as hay and grain pasture for his stock, as he runs quite a herd of cattle on the ranch. He also raises quite an amount of small grain and makes raising potatoes a specialty.
Mr. Sauerwein was married in 1886 to Mary Marchen, a native of Germany, who came to America as a young girl. Mr. and Mrs. Sauerwein had a family of four children, namely: Jacob. Amelia, Anna and Susie. In 1893 the mother departed this life, and after three years, our subject married the second time, taking his wife Emma Hoffman, daughter of Rudolph Hoffman, one of the oldest settlers in Dawes county. She was reared and educated in Germany. Of this union seven children were born named as follows: Birdie, Eliza, Minnie, Fritz, Hattie. Ruth and Albert.
Mr. Sauerwein is of the Seventh Day Adventist religion and has followed this faith closely, adhering strictly to the rules of the observing the seventh day of the week always as the Sabbath day. Politically, our subject is a Republican, taking an active part in local affairs since he located here, and has served his township as road overseer for two years.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ELISHA C. RICE (DECEASED).
The gentleman above named was for many years one of the leading citizens of Keith county, and to his efforts were due much of the prosperity enjoyed in that region. He was a man of strong character, and during his lifetime enjoyed the esteem and respect of all with whom he came in contact, and his memory is cherished by a host of warm friends throughout the country.
Elisha C. Rice was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, January 31, 1834, and grew up in that state, during his young manhood being engaged in newspaper work. He was business manager of the "Norwich Morning Bulletin" for fifteen years, and later established an evening paper at Norwich, of which he was editor and proprietor. On account of ill health he came to Nebraska in 1885, locating in Keith county, in company with his father-in-law, John C. Palmer, and they were partners in establishing what was called the "Lone Tree Ranch," situated on the North Platte river. On this tract they put fine improvements, and the old "Lone Tree Ranch" will be long remembered by old settlers in these parts as a place of large cattle operations. The buildings are all on section 26, township 14, range 36, and the house on the place is today the largest ranch house Keith county. The tract contains two thousand acres lying along the river, and is a valuable property.
About the year 1890 Mr. Palmer established a bank at Paxton, which was one of the first banking institutions in the county. Both he and Mr. Rice were active in building up the commercial resources of the region, and they were largely instrumental in getting the first church and Sunday-school established in the eastern part of the county.
Mr. Rice was married April 22, 1874, at Norwich, Connecticut, to Mrs. Susan A. Mason, only daughter of John C. Palmer, above mentioned, who, in his younger life, was a wholesale provision merchant at Norwich. His wife was Miss Louise Brown, and all are natives of Newport, Rhode Island. Mrs. Rice had been previously married and had three children, namely: Elmer P. Mason, Kittie L. Mason, now married and living at Springfield, Massachusetts, and Julia May, now deceased. To our subject and his good wife were born two children: Leon C. Rice president and manager of the Ogallala and Keystone telephone line, and Grace M., now married to George P. Boardman, a merchant of Paxton. Mr. Rice departed this life January 17, 1896, and Mr. Palmer died on December 30, of the same year, leaving the entire management of the ranch and other large interests to Mrs. Rice, who at once saw that she could not handle the extensive herds successfully, so she had a sale and disposed of the greater part of them. She afterwards imported some pure blood Shorthorn cattle, and was one of the first ranchowners in this part of the state to begin the raising of registered stock for the market. By this move, in reducing the size of her herd by one-half and improving the quality of her stock, she has made a decided success, and in the present year, 1908, she has begun to dispose of the entire herd and intends retiring from the active management of so large a business. The same year the ranch was divided into farms and sold, leaving Mrs. Rice free to spend the winters in the south and summers in the east with her children.
Mr. Rice was a Republican in politics and a strong advocate of prohibition. He was a lifelong member of the Baptist church, and while in the east affiliated with the Masonic order, as did Mr. Palmer.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
L. SCHMITT.
The gentleman above named, residing in Gordon, Nebraska, has won for himself a good standing, where he is highly respected for his many excellent qualities and manly worth.
Mr. Schmitt was born in Germany in 1852, in the village of Poppenrod. His parents were farmers and never left the fatherland. Our subject was raised there until he was nineteen years of age, then came to America and located in Indiana where he remained for a short time, then went on to Chicago where he obtained employment as a bricklayer, having learned this trade during his young days in Germany. He left Illinois in 1877 and wandered to South Dakota, settling west of the city of Yankton, there taking up a homestead and began to build up a home. He first put up a frame shanty and lived in this for some time, breaking up his land and doing teaming for a living, and, in fact, anything that he could get to do. After remaining there for eight years he struck out for Nebraska and landed in Sheridan county in 1885, driving here by team. He located in Gorden, and was one of the first men to enter into business in that town, opening up a mercantile establishment. He began on a very small scale, in a store twenty by twenty-six feet, and he has gradually increased his trade so that he now occupies a building twenty-five by one hundred feet, carrying a large general stock of merchandise. He has a wide patronage from the farmers all through the county, and is one of the prosperous and successful business men of the place. In addition to conducting this enterprise he is interested in the land business, and owns thirty-two quarter sections in Sheridan and Cherry counties, and is engaged in farming to quite an extent.
Mr. Schmitt was married in 1880 to Miss Elizabeth Kirsch, born in Wisconsin. They have a family of eight children, named as follows: Carrie, Rose, Anna, Mamie, John, Helena, George and Raymond. The family have a pleasant and comfortable home in Gordon, and are well and favorably known.
Mr. Schmitt takes an active part in all local affairs, and has been a member of the town board for years, and is at present serving on the school board. He is numbered among the old settlers of this region, and his name will occupy a prominent place in the early history of Nebraska.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN L. SMITH.
Among the prominent old-timers of western Nebraska who have done their full share in the building up of the region in which they chose their home in the early days, the gentleman above mentioned is recognized as a leading spirit. Mr. Smith has a nice farm in section 32, township 35, range 24, of Keya Paha county, where he is prepared to enjoy the fruits of his many years of labor, surrounded by his family and a host of good friends.
Mr. Smith was born in Saginaw county, Michigan, February 14, 1865. His father, John L., Sr., was a farmer; the mother was Ermina Rhodes in youth. The father died in 1864, and shortly, afterwards the latter married Ezra J. Smith, born in Buffalo, New York, who settled in eastern Nebraska in 1875. Our subject was reared in the eastern part of Nebraska on a farm, where he became inured to hard work during his boyhood years, remaining at home and coming with his parents to Keya Paha county in 1889. Here he took up and improved a homestead, which is his present home. Here he has built up a good farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of deeded land, with one hundred and fifteen acres held under lease. He went through the dry years when for several seasons he was unable to raise a crop, and during that time was compelled to work out to make a living for himself. When he first took this place he had two cows as a start in the cattle business, which he had increased to seventy head at the time he disposed of them to discontinue cattle raising. His dwelling is a commodious grout house, with substantial out-buildings, good well and windmill.
Mr. Smith is a strong Republican, and has held the office of assessor of his district for the past three terms.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John N. Ferguson, one of the representative citizens of Brown county, Nebraska, was born in Richland county, Ohio, April 18, 1838. His father was a farmer of Scotch descent, and his mother, who was Margaret Snook, was of American blood, German descent. In a family of six children he was the second member, and when he was three years old the family came to Jefferson county lowa, where they were among the pioneers of that state. Our subject was reared on the frontier, where he became accustomed to all kinds of hard farm work, receiving but scant schooling in his boyhood days. At the age of twenty he went to Des Moines, where he attended school for a time. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Second Iowa Infantry, and saw service in Missouri during the first year of the war. He was at the battle of Belmont, and with Grant's army during the winter of 1862 and 1863, guarding prisoners at St. Louis. He also participated in the charge on Fort Donelson, at the battle of Shiloh. the advance on Corinth and later the battle there. He also took part in the Atlanta campaign, then through Savannah and to Washington in the grand review, and was mustered out in 1863 at Louisville Kentucky. He served in the army for four years and three months, taking part in thirty-one battles, in all that time received only one slight wound.
After the war closed he went into Montana and spent one year in the mining regions, then to Iowa, where he bought a farm in Taylor county and farmed for six years. In 1880 he came to Nebraska, bringing his family with him in a team and covered wagon, settling at Blue Springs, in Gage county, where opened an office and was engaged in the real estate business for four years. In the spring of 1884 he purchased his present farm in section 8, township 31, range 24, moving his family here in the same way they had come into the state, by team and wagon, driving through during of heavy rain storms, much of the time compelled to camp out during the night. His was the first white family who came to Porter Valley and for three or four years they occupied a rude sod shanty, at the end of which time they erected a log house. The dry years came on, but he managed to raise fairly good crops and got along pretty well, later engaging largely in stock raising. He has accumulated a splendid property, his ranch containing two thousand eight hundred and forty acres, which includes homesteads of his sons, Frank and Charles, and a section of leased school land. He has summer pasture for one thousand head of stock, and farms some of his land. He has erected a good set of farm buildings and has altogether one of the most valuable estates in Brown county. When he first came here Wood Lake had only one small store, and the town of Johnstown boasted of just a section house. He helped to build a house and organize the first school, and was for many years director, also treasurer for two or three terms. Mr. Ferguson was married in Iowa, September 3, 1868, to Miss Alice Slatten, who died in October, 1879, leaving one child, Guy, now living in Kansas City, Missouri. Our subject married again, May 2, 1880, Miss Ida C. McCasky, daughter of Reuben McCasky, of Scotch descent, in Pennsylvania, and an early settler in Ohio and Iowa. Five children were born of this union namely: Francis V., Charles M., Nellie, Fred and Winnifred (deceased). Mr. Ferguson adheres to the Republican party and affiliates with the Masonic lodge at Wood Lake.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ROBERT D. TAYLOR.
Probably no citizen of Franklin township, Franklin county has shown a more active public spirit, or done more for the upbuilding of the better interests of his community, than the gentleman whose name heads this review. Mr. Taylor has resided in Franklin county for the past thirty years, where he has formed a wide acquaintance and is held in the highest esteem as a progressive agriculturist and worthy citizen. He is a man of unquestionable character, and well merits his success and enviable reputation.
Mr. Taylor is a native of Scotland, born in May, 1847. He grew up there and during his young manhood was a conductor on the Caledonian railway there. In 1878 he came to America, coming direct to Nebraska, after landing in New York, and bought his home place from the railroad company, paying five dollars and fifty cents per acre for the land. The same land he now values at seventy five and eighty dollars per acre, which is a pretty good gain. He owns two hundred and thirty-six acres in the home farm.
On his place he has a herd of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, and some pure-bred Poland China hogs, raising from one hundred to three hundred hogs each year. He used to keep about one hundred and seventy-five head of cattle during the earlier years here, but later marketed but one carload a year. At the present time he has sold all stock. He has done exceedingly well here and is well satisfied with what he has accomplished,
In 1904, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Mrs. Jane Simpson, also a native of Scotland, daughter of Alexander Murray, now of Rhode Island, United States of America. Mr. Taylor has three nephews with him, namely: William, David and Robert. Mr. Taylor is one of the pioneers in Nebraska. When he came to Nebraska, antelope, deer and all kinds of wild game was plentiful.
Our subject was county supervisor for three terms, elected the first time in 1893, and for a second term in 1901, and again in 1903, serving six years altogether. Mr. Taylor and his wife visited Scotland in 1906. They are held in the highest esteem by the people of their locality, and enjoy a pleasant home and many friends.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Fred. A. Macomber, prominent among the progressive farmers of Dawes county, Nebraska, is a young man of sterling character and strict integrity. He is energetic and industrious and has gained a valuable estate and has a pleasant home in section 27, township 32, range 52, and is highly esteemed by his associates and well merits his success and enviable reputation as a worthy citizen.
Mr. Macomber was born in Bennington county, Vermont, in 1860. His father was a mechanic, of Vermont. When our subject was a small boy the family moved to New York, where he grew up, and at the age of twenty-one came west to Iowa, where he spent two years, then came on to Nebraska, locating in Brown county, but only lived there one year. In 1883 he arrived in Dawes county, driving from Valentine by team, with three other men who wished to locate in the section. Here he "batched it" for several years, living in a log house and during the first few years went through many hard times and much privation. He was severely affected by the drouth periods, when he could not raise a crop, but kept on building up his farm and home as best he could, and finally succeeded in getting together a little property. He gradually added to his acreage, and now owns a ranch of one thousand acres, five hundred of which can be irrigated, and is counted among the prosperous and successful farmers of the county. The ranch is finely located and well supplied with good water and natural timber, and is a valuable property.
In 1889 Mr. Macomber was married at Conway, Iowa, to Miss Emma Rowland who was born in Illinois. Mrs. Macomber died in 1901, leaving a family of two children, Arunah and Prudence.
Mr. Macomber is a Democrat in political views.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
James G. Johnston, who for the past many years has been successfully pursuing agriculture in Phelps county, Nebraska, is a gentleman of energetic spirit and capable mind. Mr. Johnston has a pleasant home in Prairie township, and there is enjoying the fruits of a well-spent career.
Mr. Johnston is of Scotch-Irish descent, born in Pike county, Illinois. The family came from Fermanaugh county, Ireland, in the early days. His father, Ezekiel Johnston, owned a good farm in Logan county, Illinois, on which he was reared, and as he is thoroughly familiar with farming conditions in that state, is capable of good judgment in comparing the two sections, preferring Phelps county as an agricultural and stock raising proposition. A young man can not get land in Illinois as they can here, and those who were tenants and remained there are tenants still, whereas tenants from there who settled in Nebraska now own fine farms. When he first came here, in 1887, he paid two thousand dollars for a quarter section, and the same land is now worth five or six times that amount. He brought with him good stock and has bred and handled Clydesdales and Shires ever since, also gone in for thoroughbred Poland China hogs and Shorthorn cattle. His farm comprises two hundred and eighty acres in section 26. The land is all improved, and he has a nice residence, barns, orchard and altogether owns one of the show places of the county. His thoroughbred horses have been famous, Jubilee Roberts taking first prize at the Nebraska State fair. He also owns Iams Roberts, who took second premium at the Harvest jubilee held at Holdrege in 1903, and is the sire of two first prize winners at the same show. He is also sire of a two-year-old filly which beat a registered filly that sold for three hundred and forty dollars. His hogs are equally well-known, and he has some out of Old Expansion, and a number of fifty dollar pigs, keeping altogether about one hundred and fifty hogs all the time. He keeps from five to eight brood mares all the time and breeds for the market, making more money from the colts than from the horses.
Mr. Johnston is a director in the Farmer Elevator Company, and was the only organizer and a director until recently of the Phelps County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He is an Independent in politics and has never sought public preferment. To show the advantage to the farmers of the organization of the Elevator Company before this elevator was built, all they receive for their product was thirty-six cents per bushel for wheat, and after the elevator was in operation the price jumped to fifty cents.
In 1884 Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Sarah E. Keys, a native of Pike county, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston the following children have been born: Elmer, Silas James, Ernest Paul, Ethel Bell, Susan Jane and Bertha May.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
C. K. Lawrence is a bright and pushing young business man of Potter, Cheyenne county, where he is engaged in the lumber and hardware trade, and is bidding very successfully for his share of the public patronage. The firm is known as The Potter Lumber Company, and was established in 1907. For a number of years Mr. Lawrence was a well-known educator, and was engaged in teaching in this vicinity.
Our subject was born in Racine, Wisconsin, June 9, 1872, and during his boyhood lived in that city and Milwaukee with his parents, and received his early education there. The family located in eastern Nebraska in 1880, spending some time in Seward county, also made Lincoln their home for about twelve years where he attended school most of the time. They next came to Cheyenne county, landing here about 1892 and bought a large tract of ranch land and, engaged in the stock business, following the work for a number of years, but Mr. Lawrence finally sold out his interest to a brother, although he still owns, about fifty head of horses which he runs on the ranch. He is a progressive and up-to-date business man, and is making a success at his line of work.
On June 9, 1904, Mr. Lawrence married Juanita Maud Rose, in Bayard, this county. The event was the occasion of a double wedding, a sister of Mr. Lawrence being married at the same time to Mr. Ben Wagner, of Redington. Mr. Lawrence's wife is a native of Shelby, Iowa and both brides are charming and accomplished young women. The parents of Mrs. Lawrence are now living at Miller, Nebraska. Our subject's father resides in Fremont, Nebraska.
Mr. Lawrence is active in local affairs, and is fast becoming one of the leading men of his town, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of all who know him.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Fred. H. Robinson through his long residence in Cherry county, Nebraska, and his wide experience in farming has become thoroughly versed in the growth and development of that region. He is one of the leading citizens in his community, and has acquired valuable possessions by his industry and good management, supplemented by honesty and integrity.
Mr. Robinson was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1864, and raised there. His father, Reverend Hugh G. Robinson, was connected with the English Endowment School Commission of England and Wales, and served on this commission for nearly twenty years. Later he was on the commission looking toward the higher education of Wales, and while in this position was associated with some of the best known and most prominent men of Europe. His mother, who was Miss Emma Chamblers, is a second cousin of Wm. E. Gladstone. She is still living, and at the advanced age of eighty years is hale and hearty, and spends a large part of her time in climbing the mountains in Wales, where she resides. They had a family of nine children, all but one of whom are now living.
At eighteen years of age our subject left his parents' home and came to America, locating with Hughes' English Colony in Tennessee, remaining there for two years. In 1881 he went to Denver and was employed on different ranches there for three years then came to Nebraska. and located northeast of Chadron, engaging at first in ranching, and later in farming to some extent. When the dry years came he lost what he had worked so hard to gain, and in 1891 gave up trying to farm and moved to Cherry county, taking a homestead near his present place, and engaged in the cattle business. Since coming here he has been very successful, and is now the proprietor of a ranch comprising fifteen thousand acres, two thousand of which is good hay land. He has about eight hundred head of cattle and sixty horses. When he first came to Nebraska he went through some hard times, living in a sod house where he "batched" it for several years. He was obliged to go one hundred and fifty miles for his supplies during those times, and although he does not regret the time and hard labor spent in the building up of his home, he would not care to go through the same experiences again. His ranch has all the improvements of a model farm, and he has a fine grove of trees which he planted, plenty of water, and everything that goes to make up a comfortable rural home.
Mr. Robinson was married in 1896 to Bessie Taylor, born in Alabama in 1874, and raised in California. Her father, Captain M. F. Taylor, of good old American stock, was on General Robert E. Lee's staff during the civil war, and is now manager of W. R. Hearst's estate in California. Her mother was a daughter of Colonel Thornton. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have two children, namely: Butler B., and Frederick Hampden, both born and raised in this locality. Mr. Robinson is a Democrat, always voting for the best man on the ticket.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
ANTHONY H. SMITH.
Among the early settlers in the western part of Nebraska who came here when the place was still practically a wilderness and out of its wild state has succeeded in building up a good home and valuable possessions, is the gentleman above named. Mr. Smith has spent many years of his life in this region, and has now reached an independent position after his hard struggles and endeavors to acquire a competence by industry and strict integrity, and is recognized as one of the leading old timers and worthy citizens of his locality.
Mr. Smith was born in Jackson county, Tennessee, in 1838. His father, Calvin M. Smith, was of American stock, who followed farming all his life, and he married Miss Susan Pennington, also of American blood. Our subject grew up in his native state until he was thirteen years of age, then, with his father, came to Iowa in 1851, where they were among the pioneers, leading frontiersmen's lives and building up a farm there. In 1870 Mr. Smith came to York county, Nebraska. and again went through pioneer experiences, remaining there for seven years, when he moved to Furnas county and took up a preemption and lived on it up to 1894, building up a good home and farm and was most successful in his operations in that county. In the latter years he sold out his holdings in Furnas county, Nebraska, and came to Sheridan county, same state, settling in the Sand Hills forty miles east of Alliance, and started in the stock business, ranching it for six years. In 1900 he came to Dawes county and purchased his present farm, located in section 10, township 31, range 50, this being a partly improved place. He now has a ranch of one thousand four hundred acres, one hundred of which are under cultivation, and he is engaged in the ranching and stock business. He has some fine horses and a large herd of cattle. The place is admirably adapted to his business, as Indian Creek runs through the ranch, furnishing plenty of living water the year around for his stock.
Mr. Smith was married in Iowa, December 15, 1859, to Miss Missinda Criddlebaugh, who is a native of North Carolina, daughter of William Criddlebaugh, a farmer and shoemaker by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children, Chelesta, born in 1860, and Celia, born in 1875.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
CHAS. H. NEWMAN.
Among those who have contributed to the prosperity of Sioux county, Nebraska, in no small degree, and whose pushing energy and well-directed industry have brought individual competence, may be mentioned the name of Charles H. Newman, whose valuable estate in section 12, township 30, range 56, evidences his success.
Mr. Newman is a native of Ontario, born on April 21, 1866. His parents were of English blood, born in Canada, the father a wagon-maker by trade. The family left Canada and came to the United States, settling in Greenville, Michigan, in 1871, and our subject grew up there until he was about ten years of age. At the age of ten years he left home and began working on a farm, and from that early age has made his own way in the world. The whole family moved to South Dakota in 1881, locating in Bon-Homme county, where they were among the pioneer settlers, and five years were spent in that vicinity. In 1886 our subject came to Chadron, Nebraska, walking through the country to Sioux county, and upon arriving here had just seven dollars in money in his pocket. He immediately went to work on a ranch as a cowboy and followed that work for several years, going through many hardships and privations, when for months at a time he slept on the ground through all kinds of rough weather. During a part of this time he worked at freighting, and managed to make a living and lay by a little money. He traveled on horseback all over the western part of Nebraska and into Wyoming, and for a time drove stage into Lander, Wyoming, from Casper, and transferred to the Rawlings line, and was in that vicinity of the country at the time of the Indian outbreak. In the year 1896 Mr. Newman filed on a claim in the Sand Hills, situated thirty miles from Harrison, and there put up a rude shack and other rough buildings, and started in the live stock business. About eight years were spent on this ranch, and he then sold the place for eleven thousand five hundred dollars, left the country and opened a hardware store in Harrison, handling in addition to his hardware stock farm implements, and succeeded in building up a good trade, conducting the business for about two years. He sold out his interests in the business in 1904, and purchased the ranch on which he now resides, located in section 12, township 30, range 56. This place contains one thousand one hundred and twenty acres, all fenced, having in all about fourteen miles of good fencing. There are good buildings and improvements on the ranch, and he is extensively engaged in the stock and grain raising business, cultivating about one hundred acres, and running one hundred head of cattle, and other stock.
Mr. Newman was married September 14, 1898, to Miss Catherine Christensen, who was born and raised in South Dakota, whose parents were natives of Denmark, the father, Claus, coming to this country when a young man and settling in Sioux county, Nebraska, where he is well and favorably known as a worthy citizen and prosperous farmer, a sketch of his life appearing elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Newman have a family of four children as follows: Arthur, Lottie, Harry and William. Mr. Newman is one of the oldest settlers in the county, and has always taken an active part in local affairs tending to the betterment of conditions in his locality. In political views he is a Democrat.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles A. Skoog, residing on the east one half of section 13, Prairie township, is the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of fine land, six hundred and forty acres of this being in one block and the balance near by. Mr. Skoog has abiding faith in this country and his sterling qualities in a business and social way, coupled with great thrift and industry, have made him a prosperous citizen. He came here at the age of eighteen, in 1876, with his father, Charles P. Skoog, and on coming of age, in 1878, homesteaded the quartersection of land on which his fine residence stands, surrounded by a fine orchard and grove. He also took the adjoining quarter section as a tree claim, beginning with no capital, and there were some years of disappointment, hardship and struggles, which is the penalty paid in all new settlements for the privilege of occupying the virgin soil Mr. Skoog states that they did not know the country nor how to crop and till the soil until they had been here some time and learned by bitter trials and experience. Every one went in for small grains, with spring wheat the leader, while mixed farming would have produced better results, as they now know.
During the first years our subject met with heavy losses, in 1880 one entire crop being destroyed, and another in 1894, but the last four have been exceptionally good and he has most successful. When the railway was built in here in 1884, a number of Mr. Skoog's relatives and friends were tempted by the one thousand six hundred dollars and one thousand eight hundred dollar prices offered for their land, and sold out and moved to other parts, the result proves his wisdom in remaining and refusing all offers. He has never offered an acre of his land for sale, but, as he prospered bought more at prices constantly increasing, showing his judgment in keeping what he had. He purchased a half section in 1898 and since time another quarter and an eighty. This year - 1906 - has been one of the best for years, and his yield was twenty-five to forty bushels per acre, of A-1 quality, although there was no rain from April until after harvest, which shows the soil here stands a prolonged dry spell. Again, in a very wet season crops are very good and do not drown out as in some sections of the country.
Mr. Skoog devotes a great deal of his attention to stock raising, always keeping a good grade of cattle, and he now has a few head. His imported Belgian horse, Sacratiff, cost three thousand dollars. Last year he searched the entire country for two imported fillies, and selected from a number of others, paying one thousand dollars for them. As yearlings they weighed one thousand four hundred and eighty and one thousand five hundred and ten pounds, and are both splendid animals. He now has twenty work horses on his farm, and a number of fine colts. He keeps about one hundred and fifty pure-bred Poland-China hogs.
For several years Mr. Skoog has owned one of the best threshing outfits and corn shellers, operating them each season with great success, contrary to the old adage, "Run a threshing machine until all your money is in." On this account he keeps a good share of his land in pasture and does not farm on so large a scale. He was one of the organizers of and has been president for twelve years, of the Phelps County Mutual Insurance Company, fire and lightning risks. He is also a shareholder and director in the Farmers Elevator Company, and of the Anderson Grain Company, both successful and strong companies. The former has its elevators all paid for and the investors have their money back, and it has been the means of keeping up the price of grain in local markets and a great boon to the farmers of the county.
Mr. Skoog was born near Johnshipping, in Smoeland, Sweden, in 1856, and came to this country at the age of ten years. In 1882 he married Miss Sophia Bergstrom, a native of Sweden, and they have a family of eight children, named as follows: David, Melvin, Alvin, Alfreda, Esther, Carl, Leone and Iva.
Mr. Skoog takes a commendable interest in all local and public affairs, is an independent in politics, and was one of the first to join the reform movement and very active in that party, but did not care to hold office. For the past twenty years he has acted as school director in his district, and is a member of the Swedish Mission Church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
EDWARD RILEY.
For the past quarter of a century the gentleman whose name heads this personal history has been a resident of Keya Paha county, and has aided materially in the development and growth of the agricultural section of the county. He is among the oldest settlers in western Nebraska, and is familiar with all the early history of these parts.
Mr. Riley was born in County Cavin, Ireland, March 16, 1832. He was reared on a farm, and learned to do all kinds of hard work there, which experience stood him in good stead during his later years. He came to America at the age of eighteen years, sailing from Liverpool on the "Siddons," a sailing vessel and after four weeks landed in New York City in 1850. He went direct to Vermont to join a brother and sister who has preceded him and there he obtained employment in the marble works, remaining for four years; he then came west and settled in Grant county, Wisconsin. He spent eight years there working in the lead mines during the winter, and in the summer season worked on farms. From there he went to Minnesota, locating at Stillwater, and rafted there for two years in the lumber woods. After this he went into the lumber region of Arkansas and remained a winter, then returned to Wisconsin walking from St. Louis to Dubuque having exhausted his funds. After working in the lead mines for some time, he moved to Iowa Falls, in Hardin county, Iowa, and worked in that town four years, then went to Des Moines, where he was employed in the coal mines an equal period, and in the brick yards for three years. His next move was to near Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he opened a farm and operated it for seven years. Then he first came to Keya Paha county, landing here in 1883, driving through the country with a team and wagon, camping out at night along the way. His wife came as far as Long Pine by train, and when she arrived there could find no hotel accommodations. Their first experiences in this section were very hard, as they were obliged to haul all supplies from Stuart, a distance of thirty miles. He located on section 21, township 32, range 19, building a log cabin in which he and his family lived for a year and a half. His first crop on this land was utterly ruined by hailstorms, and the following year met the same discouragement, then came the dry years, and for two years was unable to raise anything. However, he stuck to it, and kept on cultivating his land, and adding improvements gradually, until he now owns a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, with about seventy-five acres under cultivation on, which he raises fine crops, and the balance is devoted to pasture and hay land. The whole place is fenced, and he is engaged largely in stock raising, running from forty to fifty head of cattle.
Mr. Riley was married in Des Moines in July, 1867, to Miss Matilda Powell, a native of Missouri, whose father was a farmer originally from Kentucky, and her mother of an old Virginia family, and who located in Iowa when she was twelve years of age. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Riley, who are named as follows: Mary, Edward R., Rose Ann (deceased), John P. (deceased), Elizabeth Julia, Thomas W., and Frank. During the past twenty-five years the whole family have never been off the farm but one night. Mr. Riley votes the Democratic ticket. and is a member of the Catholic church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
D. K. Atkins was a native of Iowa, his birth occurring in Davis County, February 1, 1871. His father, P. L. Atkins, was a farmer by occupation but after years of residence in the Hawkeye state, left and went with his family to Missouri in 1882, from thence in 1887, removing to Kimball county (then Cheyenne county), Nebraska. The father, the mother and two sons composed the little family that here started the foundations of solid and advancing fortunes. They homesteaded the southwest quarter of section 30, township 16, range 53, and in the fall of 1886 took a tree claim. After living on the old homestead for about twelve years they purchased and moved to a large ranch of nine hundred and sixty acres, being the northwest quarter of section 2, township 15, range 54, and all of the school section adjoining. The father died December 12, 1907, and the widowed mother is now residing in the town of Kimball, Nebraska. Our subject lives at his original homestead on the southwest quarter of section 26, township 16, range 54, which he located in November, 1900 and he also owns all the balance of section 26, which is his Kinkaid homestead.
D. K. Atkins was united in marriage, on April 15, 1900, at Potter, Nebraska, to Miss Minnie Brothers, daughter of Ben E. Brothers, an old settler, of whom more extended mention appears on another page. Three children have come to bless this union -- Vernon D., Florence L. and Glen D. The home of the Atkins is an important factor in the social life of the community and Mr. Atkins is a prominent figure in all public affairs, being now director of School District No. 12. He is well and favorably known as a successful man and ranch operator. Mr. Atkins is administrator of his father's estate attends to the management of the old home ranch. On our subject's home farm the visitor sees good buildings and improvement of all kinds, his herd of cattle numbers about one hundred head and he also runs a small bunch of horses. In politics Mr. Atkins trains with the party of Jefferson and is faithful in his adherence to Democratic principles.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
GUSTAV WENDLER.
In listing the self-made men of Cherry county, who have become well-to-do agriculturists and ranchmen and have aided materially in the development of the farming interests of this region, a prominent place is accorded the name of Gustav Wendler. For many years this gentleman has followed this line of work in section 33, township 29, range 28, and has met with pronounced success and is now known as one of the substantial citizens and well merits his high standing.
Mr. Wendler was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1860, and was reared on a farm. His father, Frededick Oswald Wendler, was a shoemaker and mason by trade, following that occupation during his lifetime. His death occurring when Gustav was thirteen years of age, and he has been on his own resources ever since. His mother, whose maiden name was Ernestine Geier continued to live in their native province after her husband's death, and raised her little family, our subject remaining in Germany until he was twenty-three years of age, when he struck out for the new world, landing in New York City, May 1, 1884. His first location was in Cedar county, Nebraska, spending six months in that vicinity, then went to Dickson county for three months, coming to Cherry County from there, settling thirty miles from Wood Lake. After filing on a homestead he was ten dollars in debt, but he worked hard and improved his place his circumstances permitted, learning during these early days to master the English language. He met with hard luck at times, having all he could do to make a living, his dwelling for many years being a sod house, and he also used sod barns and other buildings. He broke up his first ground with a pair of bulls, and went through all the pioneer experiences witnessed by those who tried so hard to build up homes in the West. He gradually became more prosperous, starting in the stock business and in that way accumulated money more rapidly, which he put in land constantly, and now owns nine hundred and sixty acres of deeded land, with four hundred and eighty acres of Kinkaid homestead, which he uses exclusively as a stock ranch, running a large herd of cattle and other stock. He has most of his ranch fenced, has all good buildings, a nice residence thirty by forty-eight feet, fitted with many modern conveniences, substantial and commodious barns, etc., and a fine grove of trees surrounding his buildings. There are wells and windmills, which furnish a good supply of water for all purposes.
There were five children in our subject's father's family, namely: Gustav, first in order of birth, then Herman, Henry, Ida and Max, the latter coming to America with his family in 1908, and now resides with his brother Gustav.
Mr. Wendler is a man of sterling qualities of heart and mind, and a good neighbor, bearing an excellent reputation as a friend and citizen.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Henry Deans a well-to-do farmer and stock raiser of Dawes county, presents in his own career a striking illustration of the field of opportunity this western country offers the ambitious children of the old world, as well as the rich results that have long waited on industry and integrity. A portrait of him appears on another page. He was born in Roxburgshire, Scotland, in 1849. His father, Peter Deans, was a game keeper. His mother, Agnes (Elliott) Deans, was a daughter of one of the Elliotts of Lidysdall.
When our subject was ten years of age the family came to America, landing in Quebec, Canada, and settling in the province of Ontario, about thirty miles from Godrich. Here he spent the early years of his life, where he assisted his father in clearing one hundred acres of land.
In 1871, Mr. Deans decided to seek his own fortunes, and with this end in view came to Michigan, where he worked in the lumber woods for two years. He then became associated with the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company, assisting in the surveying. While working on the surveys of this road, our subject had many hard experiences. On a certain trip of over ninety miles, Indians had been hired to carry provisions, but soon after the start, however, the Indians deserted, leaving the provisions in the snow. Mr. Deans and his companions took one day's supply, and, expecting to find a camp but a short distance, made a start for that point. Upon their arrival, however, they were disappointed, for the camp which they had expected to find was no longer there. Starvation stared them in the face from Tuesday until the following Monday, one cup of tea being the limit of food or drink, and there being no other alternative they commenced to walk the ninety miles through deep snow and brush, arriving at the starting point exhausted and nearly starved to death. After spending a winter in Wisconsin and Michigan, and stopping for some time in Hancock, Michigan, Mr. Deans went to Cheyenne, Wyoming. He traveled extensively throughout the west. He spent winters in Wyoming and Nevada, and then became associated with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in California in the capacity of a foreman. He returned to Nevada, and after spending one summer on an alfalfa ranch, went into the Black Hills, working in a saw mill. In 1873 he made a trip to Lead City, but remained in the Black Hills until 1877. He then went into the Big Horn Mountains, where he spent but a short time, and returning to Lead City, worked in a mining camp until 1894. During this period the Indians were very hostile in this section of the country. While on the trail to the Big Horn Mountains, just outside of the Black Hills. our subject found many men who had been murdered by the Indians, six being killed in one day.
After making a trip to the exposition in New Orleans, Mr. Deans returned north and settled in Dawes county, Nebraska, where he has a large ranch of six quarter sections of land. His residence is located in section 32, township 31, range 49. He cultivates one hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Deans engages extensively in stock-raising, having a herd of one hundred and forty cattle and twenty horses.
In 1887, Mr. Deans and Miss Anna Luther were united in marriage. She was a daughter of a prominent physician of Iowa. Four children came to bless this happy union: Clara, Henry, William, and one child deceased.
In politics Mr. Deans adheres strongly to Populist principles. He is prominently identified in matters of local interest, a popular and capable citizen, and a man of whom the people of the surrounding community are justifiably proud. Mr. Deans has had quite an experience in the gold mining business. For six years he was foreman or guard for the Homestake Mining Company for all the gold they retorted. This was a most responsible position and he was thoroughly capable to fill the place.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
THEODORE SCHRACK.
For over a quarter of a century the gentleman whose name heads this review has been associated with the agricultural interests of Harlan county, Nebraska, and as an old settler and worthy citizen he is prominently known.
Mr. Schrack is a native of Clinton county, Pennsylvania. Later he settled at Freeport, Stephenson county, Illinois. He was raised and educated in Illinois, and enlisted in Company B, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, served in the army of the Tennessee at Vicksburg all through the siege, and at Corinth prior to this siege. While at Collierville he was captured and taken to Andersonville prison, where he was incarcerated in that terrible place for four months and fourteen days, then paroled and taken to Jacksonville, Florida. He was exchanged and discharged at Clinton, Iowa, toward the close of the war. Our subject began farming in Blackhawk county, Iowa, after the close of the war, and in 1870 moved to Dallas county, Missouri. From there he went to Hickory county, and soon after struck Harlan county, Nebraska, where he took a homestead in Eldorado township, also a pre-emption, and began to build up a farm and home. He bought more land later until his ranch comprised four hundred and eighty acres, then sold this out and purchased one hundred and sixty acres near Alma, investing largely in property in that town, and is now owner of four houses and sixteen lots there. In the years 1873-'74 and '75 he experienced his hardest times going through grasshopper raids, and not having had much of a start, he became almost disheartened at his failures. In the year 1876 he lost everything, stables, farming implements, and his year's crop of grain by fire, and had to start all over again. However, he began again and by hard work and the utmost perseverance soon got on his feet and gained back his losses. He was always of the opinion that where one loses is the place to find, and he worked on this principle with great success. The sod school house of his district was three miles distant from his home when he came to this township. This he helped build. He was made road overseer and held this office from 1875 to 1886. He was also superintendent of Sabbath school for five years, and was on the county board for two years. He remained on his homestead for thirty-one years, engaged principally in stock raising, as this county is one of the best for this industry to be found in western Nebraska. He also engaged largely in raising alfalfa when this grass was first introduced in this locality. He usually kept from one to two hundred head of hogs, and a large number of cattle, and found this branch of his work very profitable. In 1902 he moved into Alma, and had his first experience with windmills, as on his farm he had natural springs and hydraulic wells, with water all through the house and barns.
Mr. Schrack was married in Stephenson county, Illinois, in 1861 to Miss Catherine Meyers, daughter of Conrad Meyers, a Dunkard minister, who came to Illinois from Pennsylvania. Mrs. Schrack shared all her husband's hardships in the pioneer days in the west, and for weeks stayed alone in their home while he was obliged to be away working in order to make a living for the family. She died in April, 1904, aged sixty-four years. They had three children named as follows: John E., residing in Alma, A. G. Schrack, of Caron, N. W. Canada, and Ervin D., now living on the homestead in Eldorado township, which he purchased from his father. In 1906 Mr. Schrack was married Miss Rebecca McHoes, of Phelps county, Nebraska, who came to this state in 1883 from Feyette county, Iowa. She is a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Schrack is now one of the prosperous citizens of this locality, but he has passed through many discouragements, in 1889 suffering heavy losses on his farm. At one time fourteen of his best cows were killed through poison in the cornstalks, which was so prevalent that year, and also lost fifty hogs from cholera. All this tended to put him back, and he deserves much credit for the stick-to-it-iveness he has exhibited his misfortunes.
Mr. Schrack is an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge in Alma, also of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has held the office of commander of the local post several times. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and takes a deep interest still in all local and state party affairs. Mr. Schrack had one brother, L. F. Schrack. who formerly lived in Harlan county, and had since removed to Oklahoma, where his death occurred. Mr. Schrack has two brothers in Iowa, David and Jonas Schrack. He also has one sister there, Rebecca Betts.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Jens P. Jensen is a gentleman of active public spirit and sterling character who has taken a leading part in the upbuilding of the region where he chose his home some twenty-three years ago. Mr. Jensen is a typical representative of the westerner who has gone through many hardships and privations in building up a home and fortune by overcoming difficulties which would seem insurmountable to many who come of a less sturdy and independent race of people.
Mr. Jensen is a native of Denmark, born there in 1861, and reared on a farm. His father owned a good home and farm, and. our subject grew up accustomed to doing all kinds of hard work. At the age of twenty-one years he decided to leave his native land and seek his fortune in the new world, accordingly set out on his journey, landing in New York City at Castle Garden in March, 1882. He was the first of his family to leave his native country, and he promised those he left behind to send for them if he found the new land all that it was pictured to be. After landing here he started west, locating in Douglass county Nebraska, where he worked on different farms for two years, also spending one year in Washington county, where a sister and brother-in-law had settled a few months after he came to the United States.
In 1890 his parents also came over, settling in Washington county, Nebraska, and along about this time our subject traveled through the western part of the state and came through Valentine looking for a place to locate. He was well pleased with the appearance of the country in Box Butte county, and settled on section 3, township 26, range 50, in the fall of 1885, building a cabin and started his farm. He owned a team of mules and besides breaking up his farm, worked at railroading on the Chicago & Northwestern line, which was being extended through this region. He lived all alone and did his own cooking, "batching it" for a number of years. After just nicely getting started, the dry years overtook him, and he was unfortunate in losing several crops, in 1891, suffering a severe set-back by the hard storms which swept that section, destroying his grain, and he became about discouraged. He purchased a number of cows soon after coming here and during the hard times these were almost his only means of support and their products brought him through many tight places. He gradually worked into the cattle business, also raising horses, and kept on buying land until he owns about one thousand seven hundred and sixty acres, on which he has built seven and a half miles of fence, and the whole place is improved in fine shape.
In 1887 Mr. Jensen decided to join the ranks of "benedicts" and was united in marriage to Miss Anna Lund also a native of Denmark, our subject having made a trip to his boyhood home for his bride, returning with her to his new home in the summer of the year 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen never had any children, but reared three adopted children, namely: Helga, Christine and Emma, all three sweet and beautiful girls and devoted to their adopted mother and father.
Mr. Jensen has held different local offices serving as assessor, and being elected county commissioner in the fall of 1906 on the Populist ticket. He is also a member of the school board, and has been sitting in this body for the past twelve years.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Edwin R. Gould, engaged in farming in Ainsworth precinct, Brown county, Nebraska, is a gentleman of wide experience who has become well known throughout this region as a worthy citizen and representative agriculturist.
Mr. Gould was born in Chautauqua county, New York, February 29, 1836, of English descent. He is the ninth member of a family of twelve children, and during his infancy his parents moved to Boone county, Illinois, where he was reared, receiving a common school education, and afterwards attending an academy at Poultney, Vermont, where he prepared for a college course, but circumstances were such that he was obliged to give up his college career. After leaving school he began teaching, and followed this intermittently for several years. He had been admitted a member of the Methodist Episcopal conference, preaching in Fayette and Benton counties, Iowa, for a time. During the last year of the war he enlisted in Company E, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, being mustered in at Marengo, Illinois, after honorably serving his country as a soldier in the noblest war ever fought; he was discharged at St. Louis, June 6, 1865, and again took up his work in Benton county, Iowa. He remained there for a short time, then came to Saline county, Nebraska, in 1871, where he settled on a homestead and lived a pioneer's life for eleven years. In 1882 he came on to Ainsworth and located on his present homestead as a tree claim. He remained here for a short time only, then traveled north through Idaho and Oregon, where for seven years he spent his time preaching and exploring the country; finally drifting back to Brown county, Nebraska, he began to improve his farm and now has a very comfortable and pleasant home of one hundred and twenty acres of excellent farming land, on which a thrifty young orchard and grove are growing.
During his young manhood years Mr. Gould was one of the most clever and advanced men of his age, possessing an active and versatile mind which enabled him to successfully engage in almost any profession requiring more than ordinary intelligence and quick perception, and it was a severe disappointment to him that he was compelled to forego the advantage of a college education.
Mr. Gould was first married in Buchanan county, Iowa, April 2, 1866, to Miss Libbie Robinson, to whom two children were born. The surviving one, James B., is a resident of Brown county. The second marriage of Mr. Gould was solemnized at Ainsworth, April 4, 1907, Mrs. Anna Mowery, of Michigan, assuming the duties of helpmeet at that time. Politically Mr. Gould is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Sylvenus Avery, residing in section 21, township 21, range 45, Deuel county, Nebraska, on Pioneer Ranch, is a native of the Green Mountains, Massachusetts, born March 13th, 1837. His parents moved to Canada in the same year he was born and remained there until he was seventeen years of age, then came to Michigan, locating in the northern part of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Avery were both of American stock. and had a family of thirteen children, of whom Sylvenus was the fourth member. Since growing up their children are scattered all over the country. Two were killed in the war of the Rebellion in taking Arlington Heights. Our subject left home at the age of seventeen, and since that time has never returned to his father's home where he was raised, but some of the family have visited him here. He began working on railroads, being employed in the work of grading, and continued at that business up to 1890. He first began on the railroad in Canada, and has always done his work by contract, never working for anyone else. He was following this occupation in the southern states when the Civil war broke out. In December, 1861, he went to Cuba where he worked on grades, and he has the record of having laid the first steel rail on the island of Cuba. While in that country he heard of the Union Pacific road starting out from Omaha, so he went to that place and held the first plow used in the building of that road. This was in 1865, and Nebraska was still unsettled at that time, and Omaha was merely a small village. He helped put this road through and afterwards assisted in the building of every railroad in the state of Nebraska. He has railroaded all over the western part of this state, also in sections of Wyoming and Colorado, working on the Chicago & Northwestern, when it was laid across Nebraska. In 1885 he went to Chadron and worked north of that place for a time, and was a resident of both Chadron and Valentine when they first started as towns, and were without officers of any kind. When the Burlington & Missouri railroad was put across this state he went to Lincoln and helped build it clear through, and while on this road made up his mind to quit the railroading business for all time, so in the fall of 1887 he came to this locality hunting, also looking about for a location for a cattle ranch. He looked the country over thoroughly, and on this trip camped out one night where his house now stands. The following spring he settled on his homestead in section 21, township 21, range 45, Deuel county, Nebraska, and has lived on this place ever since, occupying a sod house for some years, and this still stands where it was built. The first year he tried farming, but lost over four thousand dollars, and then came to the conclusion that farming did not pay in this locality, so started in the cattle business on a small scale. He at once saw that he needed more land so he figured that the thing to do was to "get the land and the cattle will come," and followed this idea, which was correct. He had a hard time the first years as the whole country was infested with cattle and horse thieves, but he was used to rough frontier life and knew something of how to handle them and did not have much trouble from this source.
Mr. Avery is now proprietor of four thousand acres of deeded land, all hay land, and he also purchased another ranch costing him thirty thousand dollars, and runs about two thousand head of cattle and two hundred horses. He has as fine a bunch of stock as can be found in the hills, and is more than successful in handling his stock. His son Charles, who has been with him all his life, is now interested with him in the business. and when he gets done with the ranch Charles will get this property. They divide the work on the place, the father looking after the horses and the son after the cattle end of the business. Mr. Avery's family consists of his wife and three children, they having lost one son by death when six years of age. Those living are Charles, mentioned above, Ellen, now Mrs. Eldred, and Belle, wife of Richard Brennan. Mrs. Avery is a daughter of William Pierce, a native of New Jersey, of English descent, who, with her family came west in 1845, settling in Nebraska in 1857. Mr. Avery first met the lady who afterwards became his wife, while working on the Union Pacific railroad.
Mr. Avery has one of the most valuable estates in this section of the country, and would not sell his holdings for two hundred thousand dollars. He is perfectly contented here and will probably spend the balance of his life in this locality. His postoffice is Orlando, located in his house about seven years ago, and his son Charles is the postmaster. His nearest trading point is Alliance, Box Butte county, Nebraska, thirty miles distant. His shipping point is Lakeside, in Sheridan county, on the Burlington and Missouri railroad, twenty-five miles distant. Politically he is a Republican. He was raised a Democrat and always voted that ticket. He was a stanch Bryan man in 1896 and a great admirer of that gentleman for a time, but after meeting him he was sadly disappointed and since then has changed his political views. He does not take any active part in politics further than to aid his locality in voting bonds for railroads.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JAMES H. TEAFORD.
Prominent among the old settlers and ranchmen of Blaine county, Nebraska, stands the name of James H. Teaford. He is accorded a high place because of his excellent business traits acquired in early life on the farm and in the employ of one of the leading railroad corporations of the country. No one is more public spirited than he, and his progressive attitude relative to matters of a local nature, bring him to the front in the affairs of his community.
James H. Teaford was born on a farm near New Albany, Floyd county, Indiana, in 1849. His father Jacob S., was a native of Virginia; his mother Phoebe Hickman, before marriage, was born in Indiana.
When our subject was sixteen years old, the family moved to Illinois, settling in McDonough county, where he was reared to manhood, receiving a good common school education. He was reared on a farm and, as with most farmer boys, became inured to hard and systematic work. On attaining his majority he went to Hamburg, Iowa, and engaged at clerking. Entering the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway Company he was made check clerk, holding the position for thirteen years, also performing some work as expressman and baggage man.
At Hamburg, in 1873, our subject was married to Miss Laura Mapes, a daughter of Thomas and Martha (Swinney) Mapes, who came from Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Teaford have four children, all grown to man and womanhood: Mrs. Gertrude Stewart, Ralph, Mrs. Mattie Stewart, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Samuel.
In the year 1888 Mr. Teaford came to Nebraska, and located on a homestead in Blaine county, in the North Loup river valley, two miles from the town of Purdum. Here he lived for eight years, building a sod house and, commencing with nothing but wild prairie land, he worked out a fine farm and comfortable home. Then he proved up on his homestead and soon after came to his present location where he purchased a farm of considerable size. He has eight hundred acres in his ranch, has constructed comfortable and commodious buildings and has made many valuable and up-to-date improvements. Our subject's son has considerable land, and, between them, they operate a large ranch of two thousand five hundred acres. This ranch with its excellent improvements, buildings, fences, groves and fine spring of water, is one of which its owner may be justly proud, and the visitor is impressed with the tokens of thrift and good management that present themselves at every hand for Mr. Teaford has been a successful farmer in every sense of the word and has laid broad and deep the foundations of wealth and prosperity. He has done his part among the old settlers in developing the material growth of his community and has been deeply interested in all matters of a local nature. He was county commissioner for two terms and has proven a capable official in various other political positions.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John Ewbank, one of the well known and most highly esteemed citizens of Kimball county, Nebraska, has been a resident of that region for the past ten years. Prior to locating here he spent many years in western Nebraska, going through all the pioneer times in developing different farms, and has been an important factor in the growth of the localities where he has lived. He now resides about one mile north of the village of Kimball.
Mr. Ewbank was born in Yorkshire, England, August 15th, 1856, and grew to manhood there. Both parents spent their entire lives in their native land, and are now deceased. When our subject was twenty-five years of age he struck out for the new world, and after landing in the United States settled in Wisconsin, remaining one year, then went to Custer county, Nebraska. He lived in that section for about six years, homesteaded, and proved up on a tract of land, then went to Wyoming, locating on a ranch situated a short distance northeast of Cheyenne, and followed ranching there for five years, going to Colorado in 1892. There he established a ranch in Weld county, and prospered in a marked degree, now having large interests, owning a big herd of cattle and about twelve thousand sheep. Mr. Ewbank came to Kimball county in 1899, purchased two thousand four hundred acres of land north of Kimball, now known as the "Ewbank Ranch." He has put sixty acres under cultivation, has seventy acres of good alfalfa, and raises small grains, fruit, etc. He has erected a fine house and other buildings, and has every improvement, his ranch being one of the best equipped in Kimball county.
Mr. Ewbank was married to Alice Ann Wilkinson, May 4th, 1889, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Mrs. Ewbank is a daughter of John Wilkinson, a well-known resident of Pine Bluff, Wyoming, his family coming from the same section in England as our subject. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ewbank, seven of whom are living, named as follows: Mary Alice, Isabel Deborah, Margaret Elizabeth, John T., Robert J., Evalina Ada, and Helen Lenore. Mr. Ewbank is a member of the Kimball town school board, district No. 3, and takes an active interest in local affairs. He is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOSHUA B. SONES.
For over twenty-two years the gentleman here named has been closely identified with the farming interests of Cherry county, and during this time he has acquired a valuable estate by dint of his industry and honesty, and is classed among the substantial and highly esteemed citizens of the locality in which he resides.
Mr. Sones was born in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1847, and was reared there. His father, Isaac Sones, served in a Pennsylvania regiment during the Civil war, and was a farmer by occupation. Of a family of twelve children born to his parents, our subject was the sixth member in order of birth. At the age of fifteen years he began working out, his first employment being the hauling of iron ore. In 1874 he came west to Warren county, rented land and farmed one year, then returned to Pennsylvania for eighteen months, during which time he was married and afterwards came west the second time in the spring of 1877, locating in Iowa near his former farm; arid here remained for six years before moving to Nance county, Nebraska. Farming there for four years, he migrated to Cherry county, enduring many hardships before arriving at his destination. He was snowbound for five days on the way west and suffered a great deal. After many difficulties in starting anew in the west he was just nicely settled and everything seemingly prospering when the dry years came on and he was compelled to sell part of his cattle and work out by the day in order to make a bare living for his family, at times hauling wood seven miles, with the proceeds of which he purchased scant provisions, at times paying fifty cents a bushel potatoes. He lives in a sod house for a while then in a dugout on his pre-emption which the family occupied for sixteen months, at the end of which time he erected a good log house which with a frame addition makes a good farm residence. The family also owns a neat cottage at Gordon, which they occupy and where the children have been attending school since 1906. The family have seen the hardest of pioneer experiences but conditions have improved in this locality and of late years they have had good crops. Mr. Sones has been adding to his farm until he now owns nine hundred acres, stocked with two hundred head of cattle and a number of horses. His place is all fenced except a very small portion. He has good buildings and plenty of farm machinery, having under cultivation about one hundred and seventy-five acres, partly on leased land of which he controls nine hundred and sixty acres. He has seven acres of alfalfa growing.
In January, 1876, Mr. Sones was married to Miss Mary Francis, born in Pennsylvania in 1855, of German parents. Mr. and Mrs. Sones have a family of seven children who are named as follows: Annie (deceased), who married Ulysses Hunt; Arthur, John Burton, William (who died when the family first came here), Cora, Minnie, and Elsie. The family enjoys a pleasant home and are highly respected in their community.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
CHARLES SPEARMAN
Charles, one of the foremost agriculturists of Dawes county, resides on his farm in section 7, township 32, range 51, where he has built up a good home and is widely known as an old settler and worthy citizens of his community.
Mr. Spearman was born in Mt. Pleasant, Henry county, Iowa, in 1838. His father, J. D. Spearman, was extensively engaged in the cattle business in Iowa for many years, and when our subject was twelve years of age the family moved to Sarpy county, Nebraska, and during the trip they crossed the Missouri river on the ice, the river being frozen from bank to bank. There they went through pioneer experiences, and Charles attended the country schools, at the same time helping his parents build up their farm and home. When he reached the age of twenty-one he started in for himself, going to the southwestern part of Kansas where he spent one year, then to Springfield, Nebraska. He started in at railroading, running from Columbus to Fullerton, Nebraska, and next went to Oregon, where he remained up to the fall of 1884, engaged in general work. Mr. Spearman first located in Dawes county in 1885, settling near Crawford, where he lived for a time in a tent, and then a dugout, which he occupied for a period of six months, doing all sorts of work in order to make a living, and beginning his farm. He saw hard times, and worked at freighting, and hauled bones to Chadron, receiving nine dollars per ton for them. He located on his present farm in 1898, and has a ranch of one thousand two hundred and eighty acres, all deeded land, and is engaged in the stock raising business. He has two hundred and fifty acres of his ranch irrigated, and has made a success of the work he has undertaken. He has one hundred and twenty-five acres in alfalfa and harvests a large quantity each year.
In 1889 Mr. Spearman was appointed postmaster of Crawford and held the office for four years, and in 1893 was elected marshal serving for four years and also was state water commissioner for three years. He has always taken an active part in public affairs, and to his efforts are due much of the success of this region as an agricultural and business section.
Mr. Spearman was married in 1881 to Miss Josephine Meyer, daughter of Frank Meyer, a farmer and old settler of Sarpy county Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Spearman are the parents of the following children: James B., Cyrus, Grant, Eliza, Merle, Eunice and Francis.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
GEORGE W. SWIGGART.
During his career as a farmer and ranchman and one of the pioneers in western Nebraska, the mentioned gentleman above has incidentally become one of the best known citizens of this section of the country. He came to this region during its earliest stages of development and has remained to see it changed into a splendid fertile farming and ranching community, and has the satisfaction of knowing that to his efforts part of this growth has been due. He now resides in section 4, township 21, range 36, on his Kincaid homestead where he occupies a pleasant rural home, and has a host of good friends by whom he is held in the highest esteem.
George W. Swiggart was born in 1857, in Sullivan county, Missouri. He is a son of George W., Sr., and Martha (Grimm) Swiggart, the former of German and the latter of English descent. The family came to Nebraska when our subject was an infant, first settling in Omaha, arriving there in 1860, and there George grew to manhood, attending the common schools, and he well remembers when the Union Pacific railway was built through and west of that vicinity. They went through every phase of pioneer life in the west, and had many bitter experiences during those days. At the age of eighteen George emigrated to the western part of the state, locating near McCook, in Redwillow county, and there again went through pioneer trials and privations, following ranch work, traveling all through that section of the country as a cowboy, rounding up cattle, etc.
Mr. Swiggart settled in Grant county, driving in with a team and covered wagon, locating on section 10, township 21, range 36. He erected a sod house and other necessary buildings, and at once started in the stock business, but had a hard time to get ahead, as the region was swept by prairie fires at regular intervals, and one year he lost nearly all of his bunch of cattle in this way. He kept improving the place as he grew better able, and added to his ranch so that he finally became owner of two thousand and forty acres, a large part of which he has lately sold to his sons. He has a good house, large barns and many improvements, and the entire place is fenced and cross fenced. He has about fourteen acres of heavy grove that he planted himself on his south ranch, which is a valuable part of the property. The place is devoted exclusively to stock raising and he keeps a large number of cattle which he uses for breeding and market purposes.
Mr. Swiggart has a family of seven children, named as follows: Ralph, Grace, Edith, Ora, Walter, Ray and Georgia, the last mentioned a child by a second marriage, his first wife having died in this county in 1892. Her maiden name was Susan Doyle, of Lancaster, Nebraska, of Irish descent. Mr. Swiggart's second wife's maiden name was Lyda Worth, of Washington, county, Kansas, daughter of John R. Worth and Margaret (Dunlap) Worth, old settlers in Kansas. Our subject was one of the organizers of the county in which he now resides, and was elected one of the first county commissioners, having held that office for twelve years. He has been a member of the school board for many years past, has helped organize many schools, and always given liberally of his time and money in aiding every movement toward the advancement of the best interests of his locality and the county.
Mr. Swiggart has traveled extensively through the west, and is thoroughly familiar with conditions existing in Wyoming, Montana and Colorado, having spent considerable time in those states while following his ranching interests.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
PATRICK ROWLAN.
The gentleman above named resides in Cheyenne county, where he is the owner of a good ranch and one of the substantial and prosperous men of his locality.
Patrick Rowlan was born in Canada, growing up there to the age of nine years, then came to the United States with his parents, they settling in Kansas about 1873 and lived there until he was seventeen years old. In the fall of 1880 he went to Nevada and there followed freighting for a time, returning to Kansas after about one year, and then back to Nevada, this time purchasing a horse and cattle ranch in that state. He only remained about a year and a half, at the end of that time going to Wyoming. In 1893 Mr. Rowlan came to Cheyenne county and took a homestead on section 35, township 19, range 48, proved up on same and added more land to his original tract so that he now is owner of three hundred and twenty acres of deeded land besides controlling a section of leased school land. During the first few years he went through hard times in getting his ranch started, but gradually improved his place, erecting good buildings and getting a portion of it under cultivation, so that he now crops one hundred and fifty acres, has plenty of fine bottom hay land, etc.
Mr. Rowlan runs about four hundred and fifty head of cattle, and a bunch of seventy-five horses. His land is connected with Brown's Creek Ditch Company, and he also has a private ditch. He also owns and controls about one thousand acres situated fourteen miles northwest of his home ranch, besides some Bridgeport property. He has a handsome ranch house and substantial barns and every modern device in the way of machinery for the proper operation of his ranch and farm.
Mr. Rowlan's father and mother are both dead, and he is the youngest of a family of eight children. He was married on May 19th, 1896, at Alliance, Nebraska, to Miss Annie C. Hoggerty, who was born and reared in Illinois. They have a family of two children, Stella May and John Francis, both bright and interesting youngsters. Mr. Rowlan is well and favorably known to all the old residents in his vicinity, and is active in local affairs, at present serving as treasurer of school district 128. In political faith he is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John Pavlat, one of the extensive and wealthy farmers of Lodge Pole precinct, is a prominent citizen of Cheyenne county. He has built it himself a valuable estate and an enviable name as a man of sterling worth and active public spirit, well meriting his high standing and success.
The subject of this sketch was born in the village of Dodleb, Bohemia, on the 19th of June 1846; he grew up there, and came to America in 1867, landing in New York on March 15th of that year, after a voyage of nine and one-half days. The first three years after coming to the new world he spent in Chicago at harnessmaking, and then went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he remained for about five years working at his trade; next moved to Hanover, Kansas, and for about eleven years followed his vocation in that state. He first saw Cheyenne county in the spring of 1887, arriving on the last day of April, he immediately filed on a homestead located in section 32, township 14, range 47 and has remained on that place ever since, leading a typical ranchman's existence, having gone through all the experiences that fell to the lot of the early settler in that region. He worked hard and faithfully, and succeeded in developing a good farm and ranch, now owning four hundred and eighty acres of good land. He cultivates about eighty acres and deals in stock quite heartily, running at the present time fifty head of cattle and twenty horses. His ranch has a good set of buildings, and every part of it shows good management and thrift in its operation. Besides his ranch property Mr. Pavlat owns considerable property in Lodgepole, which is his postoffice address. On Christmas day 1871 he was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Tehel, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was born in Bohemia, coming to America when eight years of age with her parents. Her parents are both deceased, the mother's demise occurring in the spring of 1908. Both of Mr. Pavlat's parents have also passed away. To our subject and his estimable wife the following children have been born: John, married and living at Sidney; Joseph, married, residing in Denver; Mary, wife of Joseph Bell, living in Oklahoma; Rosa, now Mrs. J. L. McIntosh, living at Sidney; Vlasta, now Mrs. Frank Doyle, living, in Old Mexico; Libbie, now Mrs. Noah Walters, residing at Rock Springs; Richard, Jennie, Millard, Lilly, Henry and Frank, of whom the four youngest are living at home. Two children, Jennie and Ray, are now dead.
Mr. Pavlat has always taken an active interest in political affairs, both state and county. He has been school director of District No. 12 for the past few years, and prominent in township matters of importance. In politics he is a Democrat.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Harry J. Boyles, residing in Gordon, Nebraska, is the genial and popular proprietor of a pool room which furnishes amusement and pastime to many of the younger members of Gordon families, and is a man well known and liked in the community.
Mr. Boyles was born in Bellefonte, Center County, Pennsylvania, in 1867. His father, Ebenezer Boyles, was a glassworker in Nebraska, and later moved to Nebraska, where he farmed for many years, taking up a homestead in Sheridan County, in 1886. Our subject was reared in his native state, and came west with his parents, the family settling four and a half miles east of the town of Gordon. Here they put up sod buildings and started in to improve the place. While living in Pennsylvania our subject had learned the glassworkers' trade and after coming west attended school in Denver two years, then went to San Francisco, where he worked at his trade. He next returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained for twelve years working in different parts of that state, following his trade all the time. This broke down his health and he was obliged to leave there, so came back to Nebraska to recuperate. Prior to this he had been to Findlay, Ohio, and also Shirley, Indiana, working at his trade, but did not like those places well enough to settle permanently. In all he spent twenty years as a glassworker, and in 1903 came to Gordon. He purchased his father's ranch, and operated this for one year, then gave it up and moved to the town of Gordon, where he established a pool room in June of the latter year taking active management of this business in 1904. He runs a first-class place and has the patronage of the best citizens, enjoying the respect of all who know him in a business or social way.
Mr. Boyles was married in 1895 to Miss Elizabeth E. Pethnes, of French descent, whose father was a glassworker. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyles, namely: Leonora, aged eleven, and Sarah, now four years old.
Mr. Boyles is classed among the old settlers here, having gone through the pioneer days with his parents, and at different times has worked all over this section of the country and become acquainted with many of the early settlers located here.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Henderson Murray, a well-known old settler of western Nebraska, resides on his pleasant farm in Bloomington township, Franklin county. He came to this county in 1872, taking a homestead in Marion township, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres which he broke up and on which he built a log house and farmed for a period of twenty-five years, then bought another one hundred and sixty acres there which he used for farming and hog raising purposes. He kept steadily at work and has accumulated a nice property, and is one of the solid and progressive citizens of his locality.
Mr. Murray was born in Campbell county, Tennessee, and his grandfather, Thomas Murray, was one of the first settlers in that state. Our subject's father, James D. Murray, married Susan Langley, who was a native of Surry county, North Carolina, daughter of Mathew and Patience (Osborn) Langley, who moved from there to Campbell county, Tennessee. Our subject's great grandfather, James Langley, served in a North Carolina regiment through the Revolutionary war, and received a severe wound in one of the battles. His father's ancestors were pioneers of Tennessee, and went through terrible experiences, especially fighting Indians, when at times women were known to take up arms. Our subject came to Cass county, Nebraska, when a boy, with his father, James D. Murray, who located in Rock Bluffs, where he became a member of the town board and occupied a prominent place among the leading citizens of his community, holding different local offices. Mr. Murray was united in marriage in 1875, to Miss Bridget Doher, a native of Ireland, who came to America with her parents when a child, the family settling in Virginia, and later moving west. Mr. and Mrs. Murray have a family of seven children, who are named as follows: Stephen A., of Franklin; Horatio J., assistant cashier in the Exchange Bank of Franklin; Ernest E., with his father on the farm; William H., also at home, and Susan M., wife of Charles E. Shoemaker, of Franklin, and two dead. Our subject has been a Mason since 1868, and a prominent member of that organization. He is held in high esteem by all who know him, and is a man of high character and sterling qualities which gain him friends in every walk of life. Politically he is a Democrat. In 1891 he was elected county treasurer, and reelected the following term, and has served as assessor of his township at different times.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
HERMAN SCHULTALBERS.
A striking example of what may be accomplished by the exercise of industry, perseverance and good management is found in reviewing the life history of the gentleman above named. He started his business career without means excepting a strong heart and willing hands, and is now classed among the foremost substantial citizens of Box Butte county. He is an old settler in that region, is a prosperous farmer, owns a fine farm, and is enjoying a comfortable and pleasant home.
Mr. Schultalbers was born in Hanover, Germany, July 3d, 1857. His father was a farmer and lived and died in Germany, as also did his mother. Our subject was reared in his native country until he was twenty-five years of age, at which time he struck out for the new world, landing in Baltimore, December 23d, in the year 1882. He came directly west, to St. Louis, and joined a colony of German settlers in St. Louis county, Missouri, and there worked out by the month, spending about four years in that vicinity. He then came to Cuming county, Nebraska, worked one summer and came to Box Butte county in 1886 and bought some land, picked out a location and filed on a tree claim, later took up a pre-emption in 1888 and a homestead in 1889, all on the same section, then returned to Missouri and worked for another year, at which time he came back to Nebraska and began to improve his land. He broke ground for crops, put up a sod shanty, and from the spring of 1889 began living in the house, steadily improving his place, doing all his work with the aid of a team of mules during the first years. He "batched it" up to 1894, and in that year returned to St. Louis and was married to Mary Moellerhaus, who was born and reared in Germany and came to America in the year 1894, being here only a short time before being married.
Mr. Schultalbers bought his present farm in northwest quarter section 3, township 27, range 48, in 1886, and moved to the place with his bride after his marriage and begun building up the place as a permanent home. He has improved the farm splendidly, and now owns eight hundred acres of deeded land, also operating three hundred and twenty acres of leased land all of which is fenced and kept in first-class condition. He farms about seventy acres and raises good crops, and even during the dry years was fortunate in always having a fair yield. In August, 1896, lightning struck his barn and completely destroyed the building but he at once rebuilt it and was getting along well, when three years later during a severe electrical storm he was struck by lightning and was unconscious for quite a long time, but recovered, although the report soon became circulated that he had been killed. He was severely injured, by the shock, one-third of his body being entirely burned over but he suffered no very permanent injury, being left a little deaf. At the same time one of his cows was struck and the animal killed within a few feet of where our subject stood.
Mr. Schultalbers' family consists of himself, wife and six children, who are named as follows: Mary, Lena, Rose, Henry, Freda and Annie.
Our subject is a strong Democrat, active in local politics, always working for the best interests of his locality. He has been on the school board for several years past.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
H. H. BERRY.
Among the prominent and successful business men of McCook, Nebraska, we wish to mention the name of H. H. Berry, the subject of this review. He is well known all over the surrounding country as a man of ability, industrious and a citizen of true worth.
Mr. Berry is a native of Illinois and was born in 1845. His father, Keeling Berry, was a old settler in Illinois, locating there in 1822. He was a native of old Virginia, where the family were early settlers. At the breaking out of the war our subject determined to aid his country in the fight for liberty and freedom, but waited until 1864 and enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Illinois Regiment at Virginia county, Illinois, and served until the close of the war. In 1884 he came west locating at McCook, where he took charge of a dry goods department in one of the leading stores, continuing in this position for three and a half years. He then established himself in the grocery business and remained at that for two years, then started in the real estate business, in which he has continued up to the present time. He is also a capable auctioneer, and is well known all over Redwillow and the adjoining counties where he has acted in that capacity. He has been judge of probate court for the past sixteen years, and has held the office of police judge for over fourteen years, and has proved himself a popular and efficient public official.
Mr. Berry was married in 1870 to Miss Amanda L. Mitchell, a native of Illinois. They have six children, who are named as follows: Carl R., with Colorado Iron & Fuel Company as master mechanic, located at Sunrise, Wyoming; Everly N., a druggist at Parsons, Kansas; Floyd M., connected with the Burlington & Missouri railway at McCook; Elbert W., with the Maxwell Company, Chicago; Chester B. was assistant train dispatcher on the Burlington & Missouri railroad for a time and now in the train service at McCook; Mildred F., living at home with her parents.
Mr. Berry is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church at McCook, and now is and for many years has been local minister here. He is also a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has filled all the offices in that lodge in the past. He has always voted the Republican ticket, and takes an active interest in all party affairs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles LaRue, residing on section 34, town 33, range 23, Keya Paha county, Nebraska, one of the leading old settlers in this county, and has always been foremost in helping to develop the region where he chose his home.
Mr. LaRue was born on a farm in Grant county, Indiana, April 3, 1823. His father, Britton LaRue, was of French-American blood, and followed farming and sawmilling all his life, and Charles also worked at this for many years, beginning when a young man. The mother died when he was so young he does not remember her, and at the age of fourteen he started to make his own way in the world. He followed freighting and mine work in different states, also spent a part of his time in hunting in Colorado, Wyoming, Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and other western states, and during those years killed an immense number of buffalo, deer, antelope and other game. For fourteen years he wandered all over the western states and saw much of pioneer life in the west, crossing, during that time, every stream between the Rio Grande and the Canadian border, finally settling in Keya Paha county in 1882, where he took up a homestead, on which he now resides. When he landed here he had only ten dollars in money, and a team and wagon. He went to work at once building up his place, and now is proprietor of five hundred acres of good land, farming one hundred and twenty-five acres of this, and runs about seventy head of cattle and the same number of hogs. His land was well covered with timber, and before he was able to build had to clear it off, putting up a log house, which is still a part of the family dwelling. His land has two and a quarter miles of river front. The garden tract is irrigated. There are twenty acres of alfalfa, producing large crops of that excellent forage plant. He has seen hard times occasionally since coming here, and often did not know where their next meal was coming from. He worked out to support his family, but although it was often discouraging, he never felt like giving up, but stuck to it, and has been most successful. At one time he went to Canada to look for land, but came back satisfied to remain here.
Mr. LaRue was married in Gosper county to Miss Harriet Board, October 25, 1879, and they have eight children, namely: Clyde, Ethel, wife of Fred Hutton, of Rock county; Marion, Lester, Bertha, wife of Bert McDonald, of Wyoming; Leon, Angeline and Therese.
Mr. LaRue is a straight, unadulterated Democrat. He has been on the school board for the past twelve years, and active in school affairs. He is a member of the Odd Fellows. Mr. LaRue is an interesting storyteller and his account of the many stirring incidents of his life read like romance. Since settling on his present farm he has killed five of the last six deer to cross the place.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Sam Swinbank, a thrifty and energetic resident of the township of section 13, township 32, range 52, where his business ability has put him well to the front in the ranks of progressive farmers, was born in Westmoreland, England, in 1860. His father, John Swinbank, was a farmer in his native land, and came to this country with his family in 1875. There were eight children, of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth, and he attended the common schools in England as a lad, growing to manhood in Kane county, Illinois, where the family settled after landing in America. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, assisting them in carrying on the farm, then came to Nebraska in the fall of 1886, settling half a mile south of Whitney. There he started a farm, and through failure of crops and other misfortunes, lost every cent, only succeeding in raising one crop in five years. While on that place he kept "bachelor's hall," and had a hard time to get along, meeting many discouragements so familiar to the old settlers in this region.
Mr. Swinbank then gave up farming and started in the stock business, borrowing money for a beginning, and met with better success. He located in Sioux county, in section 14, township 34, range 53, where he built a dugout for his first dwelling place and lived in it for two years. He built up the place in good shape and remained for twelve years, and made a success, purchasing his present farm in 1902. This is situated in section 13, township 32, range 52, which is a well improved property, and he is in the stock raising business, dealing mostly in horses. He has a fine house, supplied with every convenience, with a complete tank and water works system, and uses this as a wintering place, as he also has a large ranch in Sioux county. His ranch consists of six hundred and forty acres here, two hundred of which are irrigated, and he raises large quantities of alfalfa, wild hay, etc.
Mr. Swinbank was married while living in Sioux county, in 1894, to Miss Katie Raben. Mrs. Swinbank's father was an early settler in that county, also well-known, ranchman of the section. Mr. and Mrs. Swinbank have two children. John Chester and Ruth Marguerite.
Politically, our subject is no party man, advocating good government and voting for the best man on any ticket.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
John W. Brill, one of the oldest settlers in Brown county, Nebraska, is one of the best known residents in this region. He was one of the first men to take out papers filing on government land in this section of the country, and has resided here continuously ever since, building up a good home and farm, and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of his community.
Mr. Brill was born in the town of Franklin, Franklin county, Vermont, April 24, 1838. His father, Thomas Brill, was a farmer by occupation and carpenter by trade, who came of old Yankee stock. Our subject was reared and educated in Vermont, and at the age of twenty-one years started out to make his own way in the world, following farm work as an occupation. He came west in June, 1861, settling in Rice county, Minnesota, and was among the pioneers of that state, remaining there for five years. The journey was made by lake from Ogdensburg to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the propeller "Ogdensburg," by rail thence across the state to McGregor, Iowa, where they proceeded by boat to Redwing, Minnesota, from which point they went overland forty miles to Rice county. At the close of the war he moved to Blue Earth county, securing land in the Winnebago reservation, and remained there up to 1879 forming the acquaintance of Charles Cowley, with whom he came to Nebraska in that year, driving through the country by team, their families following later on also by team and covered wagons. Mr. Brill located on a pre-emption on Plum creek and a tree claim on the tableland. He, spending most of his time on the latter, which lay in section 5, township 30, range 23, Brown county. His first house was a log cabin built by himself, and his first team was a yoke of oxen, and these he used for several years in breaking up his land and starting his farm. During the years 1894 and 1895 his crops were total failures, and he had heavy losses. He recovered from these as soon as the good years came on, and built up and improved his land until he was the proprietor of as good a ranch as could be found in that locality. In November, 1905, he sold out his place for $4,000, and then located on Evergreen creek, where he owns a section of land, and each of his two sons also owns a section of land in the vicinity of their father's property. They run two hundred head of cattle and twenty horses all the time, constantly improving their herds. During the early days of his residence in this part of the state Mr. Brill hauled all family supplies from Neligh, a distance of one hundred and sixty miles from his home, the distance being reduced as the railroad proceeded westward until their supplies could be procured within a few miles of home. He cut cedar posts, and hauled them all this distance to pay for the provisions needed, camping out nights under his wagon during the trip back and forth through both summer and winter weather. He has seen his share of pioneer life, and is now content to enjoy the fruits of his hard labor in days gone by.
Mr. Brill was married in Vermont, November 10, 1859, to Miss Helen Coffrin, a native of the town of Morristown, Vermont. Seven children were born to them. three of whom are now living, namely: Nellie R., wife of Alfred Murcuson of Los Angeles, California. He is largely interested in water power, electric light and other utilities in Lower California. They have one daughter, Emma Grace; John W. and George. Mr. Brill a stanch Republican in political affiliations, never having voted any other ticket since attaining his majority.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Henry Strohm, a representative farmer and agriculturist of Rock county, Nebraska, resides on his valuable estate in Long Pine precinct. He is among the early settlers in this locality, and can recount with accuracy many of the pioneer experiences of the settlers of this county who braved the hardships and privations, becoming permanent settlers and prosperous farmers. The above mentioned gentleman has succeeded in acquiring a good farm and home and gained the confidence and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances.
Mr. Strohm was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, April 24, 1860. His father, George Strohm, was born in France on the Rhine, and after serving about fourteen years in the French army emigrated for America about 1846 and made his home in Wisconsin some five or six years later. The mother of our subject, Mary Mogal in maidenhood, was born in Germany, near the Rhine, and of her nine children, Henry is sixth. He was reared on his parents' farm in Wisconsin, receiving a common school education in the country schools there. He was early taught to do all kinds of hard farm work and the training he received at home fitted him for the hard labor he encountered in later years. At the age of twenty he left home and moved to Tama county, Iowa, where he remained for two years. He then went to Hamilton county, Iowa, remaining about two years before returning to the former place, where he lived for another twelvemonth.
In 1884 he came to Nebraska, and at Valentine filed on a pre-emption claim on the White river. He remained there for a short time only, then came on to what is now Rock county, driving overland, camping out nights under his wagon. He traded for a relinquishment on which there was a log house, covered it with a dirt roof, and where he lived with his family for a time. During these first years he had but one horse, one cow, a heifer, and a few chickens with which to make a start as a stock man. Prior to locating his present farm, Mr. Hastings had made several trips to Colorado by team, coming back by way of Colorado Springs and Hastings, Kansas, preferring Nebraska, settled on the farm where he now resides. When he located on this there were no improvements whatever, except the log house above mentioned, which has since been replaced with a substantial dwelling, good buildings and fences. He has planted trees and now has a fine orchard started. Rock creek runs through his farm, and this stream furnishes plenty of good water the year round for his stock. The farm comprises a homestead entry of one hundred and sixty acres and four hundred acres of deeded land, of which seventy acres are under cultivation. He is largely engaged in stock raising and dairying, running eighty-five head of cattle with ten or a dozen milch cows. At one time he, together with J. R. Hughes, owned and operated a threshing outfit, and carried on this business for three years in the early days, covering a territory of some thirty miles square, throughout which they became thoroughly acquainted. He was obliged in the early days to haul wood to help make a living for his family, and turned his hand to whatever he could find to do.
In 1887 Mr. Strohm was married to Miss Mattie A. May, whose father, Thomas May, was among the early-settlers in Rock county, having come here in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Strohm have two children, Lura and Etha.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Strohm uses his influence and vote for the candidates of that party. He is a member of the Workmen's lodge at Carnes.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles W. Hickox is a native of Ohio, born in Summit county, born January 25, 1839. His father, Watson Hickox, who was American born, was in business as a clothier, and came to Illinois in 1840; the mother, Sarah Scott, was a native of the state of New York.
Charles W. Hickox was reared on a farm in Lee county, Illinois, until he was fourteen years of age, when the family moved to Waukesha and thence to Richland county, Wisconsin, where they were among the early pioneers. Our subject spent a number of years in the timber of northern Wisconsin, lumbering and logging, and learned woodcraft thoroughly. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, and was sent south, joining eastern army corps. He saw three years and three months of active service, being in twenty-six engagements. He was severely wounded in the battle of Rappahannock Station and was confined in the hospital until he was discharged from the service.
After his discharge, Mr. Hickox returned to Wisconsin and was married August 11, 1864, to Miss Julia Dean, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Charles W. and Ellinor (Seeley) Dean; her father was also a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hickox have had six children: Myrtle, wife of Joseph Moyer, living west of Brule; and Ellinor, married to Nathaniel Prebble, of Mitchell, Scott's Bluff county; Roy, Ernest, Mary and Rosie.
In 1880, our subject moved to Nebraska, coming overland by team and covered wagon to Lancaster county, and settling on a farm where he lived for seven years. They then came to Keith county, locating on their present farm in section 18, township 13, range 38, where they located a wild prairie homestead. Our subject has a splendid little farm of one hundred and sixty acres, almost all of it under cultivation. Mr. Hickox is a thorough farmer and has made a fine success: in agricultural lines, although he has had many losses, especially in the years of drouth. Of late years, owing to advancing age, Mr. Hickox has been living a somewhat retired life, not being able to personally perform the hard work of the farm. He has a good force of helpers in his sons and attends to the management while they perform the work. He is now enjoying the golden fruits of years of toil and his later days find him in peace and possessed of a comfortable competency. Mr. Hickox is among the earliest settlers of his community and has won many friends by his public spirit and excellent traits of character. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Ogallala post, Grand Army of the Republic. In Wisconsin the family were members of the close communion Baptist church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
SHERMAN G. WRIGHT.
Among the younger ranchmen of Cherry and Grant counties, Nebraska, an able representative is found in the person above mentioned. He is proprietor of an extensive ranch, and one of the substantial citizens of his locality. His career has been devoted to outdoor pursuits, and he is thoroughly conversant with modern methods of operating his estate, conducting it in a thorough and painstaking manner. Since locating in this vicinity he has gained many friends, and well merits his success and good name. His home is in section 34, township 27, range 37.
Mr. Wright is a native of Vernon county, Missouri, born in 1872. His father, George Wright, was a farmer and prominent pioneer in Missouri, later settling in Cherry county, coming here in 1888, when that region was in the early stages of its development. Both parents were born of American citizens, the mother's maiden name being Mary Charles. The family lived in Missouri until our subject was fifteen years of age, then moved to Nebraska, at first settling in Custer county remaining there until April of the following year, when they came to Cherry county. In making the journey to this state from Missouri, they came by team, with a covered wagon containing all their goods, camping out at night along the way, and they were thirty days on the road.
After spending about two years in this vicinity, Sherman began working on his own account following ranching and hunting for a living, and in this way became thoroughly familiar with the country in his travels on the range and in making long hunting trips. When he was twenty-one he filed on a homestead situated twenty miles north of Whitman, and in 1893 he began to establish a ranch, his location being one of the very best in the region, having a fine range and large tract of fertile valley for his stock. He batched it for about ten years, living alone in a sod house, put up sod stables and sheds at once started to gather a good herd together. He was successful from the first and has now become owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of land, and he operates four acres of leased land besides his own ranch, which he uses for range and pasture.
In 1898 Mr. Wright was married to Lila Peacock, daughter of William and Mary Dixon Peacock, her father a native of England and her mother of Michigan, but both reared in Ohio. Our subject has a family of three children, who are named as follows: Grace, Claude and Clarence. All were born and reared in Cherry county. The family occupies the ranch in Cherry county as a summer residence, but during the school months reside in Whitman, in order give the children the benefit of the city schools.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Burton E. White, one of the prominent business men of Merriman, Nebraska, and long associated with the commercial and business interests of Cherry county, has built up an enviable reputation for integrity and ability.
Mr. White was born in Buchanan county, Iowa, May 26, 1865: His father, John E. White was a farmer and an old settler in western Nebraska. His mother's maiden name was Mabel L. Peterson. There was a family of eight children, our subject being the eldest, and all but one are now living. They were reared in Iowa, our subject being his father's mainstay in the work of carrying on their farm. When he was about eight years old the family moved to Jewel county, Kansas, remaining three years, witnessing the grasshopper raids. Returning to Montgomery county, Iowa, the family remained until 1885, when they came to Dawes county, locating seven miles northwest of Hay Springs, there going through sod shanty experiences and the usual pioneer hardships. The father soon built a log cabin and begun to improve the homestead he had taken up in that vicinity. The family came into the county by team and covered wagon, driving from Iowa. They started on the journey April 22, 1886, and arrived at their destination June 2d, having had many uncomfortable experiences during the trip. In 1887 the father pre-empted a claim of one hundred and sixty acres which he later sold.
During the first two years after starting in here Mr. White, the subject of this sketch farmed for his father and taught school during the winters. He taught the first school that was established in that region, located at the head of Bordeaux creek, which opened in the fall of 1887. He also clerked in a general store at Hay Springs, and since then has been in the mercantile business constantly. In 1896 he came to Merriman and on June 1st took charge of the branch store of Mills Brothers, of Gordon, remaining in that position for six years. He then entered into partnership with Edward Collins (whose sketch appears in this work), and remained with him for three years, then on June 22, 1905, started in the general merchandise business for himself. He has a good location, large floor space, and carries a fine stock of goods, enjoying a large patronage throughout the surrounding country.
Mr. White was first married June 12, 1889, to Miss Ann Hahn, to whom seven children were born. The living are: Mabel, John, Alberta, Stella and Graydon. On March 4, 1902, Mr. Mite married Miss Faith Hail, who is the mother of a daughter, Fern. They have a pleasant home and are well liked by all who know them. Mr. White has always been a great lover of sport, and hunted all kinds of game in the early days through Nebraska. Wyoming, the Dakotas and Colorado. During his younger days he was a member of Company F, Second Regiment Nebraska National Guards, acting as captain of that body; was serving as lieutenant at the time they took part in the Indian war of 1890-'91, doing patrol duty along the state line. He was a member of the southwestern Iowa baseball league and took a leading part in many games played in Nebraska and Iowa. He still loves to twirl a ball with the boys.
Mr. White has always taken an active and leading part in all local public affairs, and been one of the foremost citizens in building up his community. On August 18, 1896, he was appointed postmaster, in which office he is still incumbent. He, with his family, is a member of the Methodist church, and fraternizes with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America and its auxiliary degree.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles Roberts, a prominent resident of Cherry county, Nebraska, is an old settler in this state, and through his efforts in his locality has added materially in bringing that region into one of thrift and prosperity. He is proprietor of a well improved estate, and is one of the well-to-do men of his community.
Mr. Roberts was born in Denmark, January 3, 1848, and reared on a farm until he was twenty years of age. His father and mother never left Denmark. He is the second member in a family of three children. In 1868 he left his parents' home, sailing from Hamburg to Hull, crossed England and sailed from Liverpool to New York, landing May 11, after a voyage of seventeen days. Coming to Wisconsin, he remained for six months, and in the fall of that year he came to Omaha, where he remained until the spring of 1871. He worked that summer in Iowa and started for the south, passing through Chicago at the time of the great fire. He worked in Mississippi and Arkansas for a time, and in 1874 he settled in Howard county, opening a general merchandise store there, and was engaged in this business for eight years at the time the grasshopper raids were so frequent in that part of the state, and on account of the crops being ruined his trade fell off so that he lost everything and was obliged to close out his store. From here he went to Brown county and farmed there for three years, and in 1884 he sold his property there and took a homestead, his present home, in section 20, township 33, range 40, in Cherry county, and the following year moved on this farm, driving the entire distance with a team, his family coming on later by train. Here he went through the drouth periods, and for three years was unable to raise a crop, and the family had a hard time to make a living, but he stuck to it, and when conditions changed and the better years came he raised good crops and succeeded in building up his farm, improving it all the time, gradually adding to his property, buying when land was cheap, until he now owns and operates eleven quarter sections. He farms about five hundred acres of this, and keeps a large drove of cattle. He has built a fine two-story, eight-room house and commodious barns, granaries, etc., and has all the machinery necessary for properly operating the farm to best advantage, and his success only demonstrates what may be done by strict attention to business and honest hard labor.
Mr. Roberts was married in Howard county, November 27, 1875, to Miss Elsie Petersen, born in Denmark, who came to this country when a young girl to join a brother and sister who had preceded her. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have a family of eight children, named as follows: Otto (deceased), Fannie, Alvania, wife of Ralph Culp; Louisa, Otto, Walter, Hattie and William. The family is highly respected and classed among the enterprising and industrious citizens of the community. In politics they are Democrats.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Ed. F. Carpenter, an extensive and wealthy farmer of section 30, township 34, range 47, is a well-known citizen of Dawes county. He has built for himself a valuable estate and an enviable reputation, and well merits his high standing and success.
Mr. Carpenter was born in Washington county, Iowa, in 1867. His father, Elhanan W. Carpenter, is an old settler in Nebraska, coming here in 1886, and his mother was Miss Charlotte Laten, prior to her marriage.
Our subject was reared in Iowa, and was taught to do all kinds of hard farm work as a boy, attending school in the country and receiving a limited early education. He remained with his parents until some little time after they settled in this state, then started out for himself. The father settled on a ranch in section 28, township 34, range 47, and erected a rude dugout for his family, and later a log cabin in which they lived for about eight years. They had the troubles of the majority of pioneers in this section, visited by drouths, etc., and had a hard time in getting started in their farming operations. In 1897 our subject located on land of his own and opened up a ranch. He remained on that place for some time, then moved to his present homestead, in section 30. Here he has built a good home, barns and other buildings, and has made great success of his undertaking. He has seventeen quarter sections of deeded land, besides operating eight quarter sections of leased land. He is extensively engaged in the cattle business, also raises a large number of horses each year. His ranch is all fenced, and has plenty of good living water for his stock, natural timber, etc. His ranch joins that of his father E. W. Carpenter.
Mr. Carpenter was married in June, 1898 to Miss Lilly M. Augustine, whose father John Augustine, is a prominent farmer of Marshal county, Iowa, where Mrs. Carpenter was reared. Our subject has one child, Bernice.
Mr. Carpenter is actively awake to the interests of his community, and aids materially in its advancement. He votes the Republican ticket, and is a strong party man.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN SHEARER, DECEASED.
For over twenty years the gentleman whose name heads this personal history has been associated with the agricultural interests of county, and as an old settler and one of her worthy citizens he was prominently known. Mr. Shearer was proprietor of one of the fine farms of that locality and accumulated his property and gained his good name by his persistent and honest labors. He resided in section 34 up to the time of his death, which occurred in May 1903 and he was sincerely mourned by a host of warm friends and relatives.
Mr. Shearer was born in Grant county, Indiana, in 1849. His father, John Shearer was a farmer of Irish stock, and his mother was of German stock, both born in Guernsey county, Ohio, and from there moved to Grant county, Indiana, where the whole family of fourteen children were born. They moved to Mercer county, Illinois, and then to Fort Madison, Iowa where the parents died. Our subject grew up in the east, but during his younger days traveled considerably all through the western states, and finally located in Dawes county about 1885, filing on the homestead which he occupied for so many years. This was located in section 34, township 34, range 48, and was entirely unimproved property, but he went to work to build it up, but it was up-hill work, as the drouths overtook him during the first years there, and several crops were total losses. He had a few cows and chickens, and the products from these formed the principal food for his family. Since the demise of Mr. Shearer times have changed for the better. His family have been able to raise crops, and they have gone into the stock raising business on quite a large scale, have steadily forged ahead and his widow is entirely free from debt on their farm. They have a good home and farm and have put up a complete set of good buildings and added many improvements. There are one hundred and sixty acres in the farm, which is located on Big Bordeaux creek, and the place is supplied with plenty of natural timber, wild fruits, etc. Mrs. Shearer has a fine orchard started, and the good order prevailing in every part of the farm bespeaks good management and thoroughness of purpose.
Mr. Shearer's wife was Miss Mary Derrick, of Randolph county, Missouri, daughter of John D. Derrick, a native of Germany who was a farmer, and came to the United States when a young man and spent a great deal of time in traveling all over the country. Mrs. Shearer's mother was Sarah Ann Hurd, of Pennsylvania-Dutch blood, and the family settled in Randolph county, Missouri in 1868, where the wife of our subject was born. In 1887 she came to Dawes county with her parents, where she met Mr. Shearer and their marriage resulted. Four children were born to them, as follows: Bessie, now aged eighteen; Homer, aged sixteen; Nellie, thirteen and Sadie, ten years of age.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Dr. J. A. DeCow, of Holdrege, Nebraska, veterinary surgeon, is well known throughout Phelps county as a man thoroughly familiar with his profession and capable in all branches of the work.
Dr. DeCow is a native of western Ontario, born in 1876. He is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, at Toronto, Canada, and after leaving school located at Holdrege in 1905, and since coming here has built up a large practice, traveling all over Phelps, Harlan and Kearney, counties. He has been most successful, and likes this part of the country, as the stock here is exceptionally good, every farmer having good grades. The horses are splendid for the road and as draughters, and the cattle are gradually improving through the importation of thoroughbreds, while the hogs are also A-1. His father, Daniel DeCow is a large breeder of Shropshire Sheep and this last year sold twenty-two ewes and rams for $740. He is an authority on these and has devoted eighteen years to the sheep business, also deals quite extensively in horses.
Dr. DeCow practiced for two years and four months in the veterinary department of the British army, and in this way secured a vast deal of experience which has been of immeasurable value to him in following his profession. He has traveled over Canada, South Africa and Great Brittin, and thinks this country the best of all.
Dr. DeCow is a young man of sterling qualities, thoroughly equipped for the practice of his profession, and in the short time that he has been in this locality has gained the esteem and confidence of a host of people, who all join in wishing him the greatest success in his work.
He was married January 25, 1908, to Miss Lena Jorgensen, of Holdrege, Nebraska. Her parents are old settlers in Nebraska, coming as early as 1888, she being four years old at the time. Her parents came direct from Denmark.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles M. Rebbeck, the popular and energetic proprietor of the restaurant at Gordon, Nebraska, was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1865. His father, Frederick Rebbeck, was a tailor by trade, and came to America with his family in 1871. Our subject is the oldest of six children, and on landing in the United States they struck out for the west, settling in Hillsdale, Michigan, where the mother still lives.
In 1885 Mr. Rebbeck left his parents' home and started out for himself, spending one year in Chicago, where he was connected with a wholesale and retail grocery house, then came on to Nebraska, locating in Gordon in 1886. He worked on ranches in this vicinity for two years, then took up a homestead situated fourteen miles northwest of the town, where he at once put up a sod shanty and remained there until he had proved up on his claim. During the years 1888 to 1891 he was mail carrier, traveling from Albany, Nebraska, to Wounded Knee postoffice in South Dakota, and was at the place where Wounded Knee battle was fought in 1890, the postoffice having been abandoned shortly before this event took place. He became thoroughly familiar with the country, and was afterwards employed as a scout for the Nebraska National Guards during that uprising, and was an eye witness of the battle.
After this Mr. Rebbeck spent one year on a farm, and in February, 1894, bought the Albany store in Sheridan county, and ran this business up to October, 1904. During this time he was also the local representative of the Kimball Bros. Marble Works, of Lincoln, and he was the man who sold the Wounded Knee monument to the relatives of the Indians who were killed in the battle at that place. This monument now stands on the old battle ground, and is a lasting tribute of respect and love from the loyal redskins of that section of the country, having been erected on May 30, 1901.
In 1904, Mr. Rebbeck sold out his mercantile business and moved to the town of Gordon for better school advantages for his children. Here he has opened a restaurant and confectionery store, and does the largest business in this line of any one in Gordon. He has been engaged in the stock business for a time, while living at Albany and shipped a large number of cattle and horses.
On December 29, 1891, our subject was married to Miss Paulina Polzin, daughter of Richard Polzin, a farmer and old settler in Richardson county, Nebraska, she having settled on a homestead in this county during the early days, where she met the man who subsequently became her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Rebbeck are the parents of four children, namely: Jerene, Theresa, Amelia and Fred.
Mr. Rebbeck is widely known throughout this section of the country as a man of active public spirit, counted among the oldest settlers who has assisted in the building up of the region from its early days. He is a hard working and industrious citizen, well liked by all who know him. He has held different local offices, and served as justice of the peace for ten years in Wounded Knee precinct. Politically, he is a Bryan Democrat.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
George W. Sisler, an old-timer of Cherry county Nebraska, lives on his valuable estate situated in section 12, township 34, range 30. He was born on a farm in West Virginia, July 24, 1853, a son of Jacob and Margaret (Teets) Sisler, and was reared and educated in his native state, learning in his boyhood to do all kinds of hard farm work. Their home was in the timber country, and he helped his father to clear and open up a farm and build up a home. At the age of seventeen his father died and he then started out to make his own way in the world, following farming on the old home place for six years. In 1860 he left West Virginia. settling in Sibley county, Minnesota. There he farmed for two years, then returned to his old home, remaining until February, 1884, when he again went to Minnesota. His next move was to Cherry county, where he landed in October, 1886, filed on a homestead northwest of his present residence on the 27th of that month. He immediately went to work on his place, putting up a sod shanty, and using a team of oxen to break up his first piece of land. In the winter of 1887, a severe storm and blizzard struck his locality, and he sheltered his seven head of cattle in his sod shanty to protect them from the severe weather, fearing that he might lose them if left out in the open. He had only two rooms, and the family lived in one and the stock was kept in the other. To such straits as this were the early settlers subjected, hardships almost incredible to be endured. He was obliged in that time to haul his wood and provisions for twenty miles, from Valentine. One of his worst hardships was to get stuck in with a load of wood in the winter time when the ice was floating, and was compelled to get out in his bare feet and float the load to shore. These were hard times to him, and he experienced much suffering and privation with his family until the country was more thickly settled and a trading post established near his home. There he went through the drouth periods an other financial losses, but stuck to the farm until he attained success.
In 1901, he sold his first possession and moved to his present place, where he has a fine farm of four hundred acres of deeded land located on Minnechaduza creek. This is improved with the necessary buildings, and as fine a grove of trees as is to be found in the county. Wild plums grow in abundance on the place and a fine young orchard will, in a few years, be bearing in abundance.
Mr. Sisler was married in November, 1874, to Miss Rosa Glass, a daughter of Moses and Lena (Kimmel) Glass. They are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are now living, named as follows: Margaret L., wife of William Mowan: Nora V., wife of William Ayres, Sarah C., wife of Samuel Swinger, all three living in Washington; Ada B., wife of John Brown, of Mississippi; Mary V.; John M., who has a six-hundred-acre homestead south of Crookston, and Jesse L. The family have a pleasant home and a host of warm friends in their community. Mr. Sisler has held different school offices, and takes an active leading part in building up the schools in his locality. He votes the Prohibition ticket, and is an earnest advocate of the principles of that party. Together with his family, he is a member of the Dunkard church.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
William Eli Fry, the subject of this review is one of the representative farmers of Brown county and a man who has done his full part in promoting the development of the agricultural interests of the community in which he lives.
Mr. Fry was born in Harrison county, Iowa April 8, 1869. His father and mother were farmers, both of American stock. Of eight children, William Eli is the fourth member. He was reared in Iowa, receiving a common school education, assisting his father in the hard work always to be found on a farm, out of school hours, becoming from early life inured to hard labor. In 1889 he came to Brown county, Nebraska and settled on a tract of land on the Calamus river in the southern part of the county. Here he put up a rough sod house and "batched" it for several years. Going extensively into the cattle business, he remained on this range for nine years, when he received a good offer and sold out his herd. He spent the following summer in the mining camps and fruit districts of Colorado, looking for a place to locate, but decided that the opportunities offered there were not nearly so good as in Nebraska. Returning to Brown county in the fall of 1889, he purchased his present home, located in section 10, township 29, range 22, which was partly improved with a house and a nice grove of young trees. Here he made a success from the start, and is now proprietor of a farm of seven hundred and twenty acres, with three hundred and twenty acres of this under cultivation on which he raises fine crops. The balance of his farm is in meadow and grazing land. He has his place all improved with good barns, sheds, windmills, fences. etc. One hundred and sixty acres of the land lies northeast of Ainsworth, and on this he has also erected a good set of buildings and improvements. Everything is in the most perfect order, evidencing thrift, industry and good business judgment in its operation.
On March 29, 1895, Mr. Fry was married to Miss Lillian Lewis, whose father is an old settler in Brown county. Here she followed teaching for some years prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Fry have two children, namely: Leo, born in 1897, and Murle, born in 1902. They are a happy little family and enjoy a pleasant and comfortable home.
Mr. Fry is a Democat (sic) in political faith, and Mrs. Fry is a member of the Methodist church of Ainsworth.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
George H. Worth has made a good record as prominent settler of Loup county, Nebraska, where he settled April 29, 1884. Through all the pioneer struggles he has done his part in the upbuilding of the general interests of the county and has won the respect and confidence of his neighbors.
George H. Worth was born in Henry county, Illinois, in 1857. His father, John Worth, was a native of England and came to America before the Civil war, settling first in Illinois and later in Iowa, where he was one of the early pioneers. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Ann Dugdil before marriage and she was also a native of England.
Our subject was reared on an Iowa farm, living in three different counties. He worked at home untill (sic) he was twenty-three years old, helping his father build up a good home and farm, and in 1880 took the management of the homeplace.
Mr. Worth was married December 23, 1880, to Miss Lucinda Swift, the marriage being performed in Creston, Iowa. The bride's parents were Charles F. and Unice (Hurlbert) Swift. Mr. and Mrs. Worth have a family of seven children living and six dead: Grace A., Elizabeth, Nellie, Ralph, born in a tent, Walter, Edwin and George Dewey, all living. Calista A., John A., Freddie, Robert O., Lester H. and Harriet are deceased. Several of the children are accomplished musicians, playing the violin and organ, and taking a leading part in all local musical entertainments.
In 1884, our subject and family drove through from Crawford county Iowa, in covered wagons to his present farm in Loup county, Nebraska, coming in company with several other families. His parents came also and lived and died in the county. Our subject took a homestead and settled down to pioneer farming, living in a tent the first summer, where the son Ralph was born. He owned a team of horses and a yoke of cattle, but otherwise had only limited means to start with. Mr. Worth and Ashley B. Coolley, one of the oldest settlers, built the first bridge across the Loup river in this vicinity. He built the usual sod shanty and put in all the sod crop he possibly could, and this was mostly sod corn, but he raised a fine garden and had a good supply of vegetables. North Loup was the trading point for all the surrounding country and his place was the stopping place for the settlers coming up and down the river. The years passed with varying experiences and the returns from the farm were not large and during the drouth years our subject had to employ his time at different things in order to make a living. He hunted and trapped, bagging many prairie chickens in his long tramps over the country. He marketed a part of his game at Ainsworth, fifty miles away, and he obtained good prices for everything he could bring in. He proved up on his homestead in 1903 and now has an additional homestead in Kinkaid, where he makes his home. His farm embraces all told, about two thousand two hundred and eighty acres, belonging to the family, and it is one of the best farms in this part of the country. The North Loup river runs for a mile along the boundary of the farm. There is a fine spring on the place and groves of forest trees with some fruit. Mr. Worth is extensively engaged in the live stock business, carrying large herds of cattle, horses and hogs and ships to the different markets in the east.
Mr. Worth has always exhibited an active interest in all political matters. and has held various offices of honor and trust within the gift of the people. He assisted in the organization of the school district and for years was a school officer.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Andy L. Stephenson, whose fine farm in Perkins county is a credit to his locality, is a man of untiring energy, and is classed among the wealthy and substantial agriculturists of that county. He settled here during the pioneer days, witnessed the drouth years, but never had a failure. As the hard times came on he gradually worked into the stock raising business, and has made a splendid success of his different enterprises.
Mr. Stephenson was born in Madison county, Kentucky, in 1850, on a farm. Both his parents were natives of that state. and his great-grandfather was an early settler there, he being killed by the Indians. This was one of the historical events of those days, the house being attacked by the redskins, and on being fired at from the inside of the house they all fled except one chief. This savage attacked Mr. James and they fought for some time, the Indian being killed, but Mr. James was severely wounded and never recovered from his injuries, his death occurring during that year.
Our subject was reared in Gentry county, where the family settled about 1855 and his entire early life was spent on the frontier. He started for himself at the age of twenty-one, buying part: of his father's farm, and worked that up to 1886, then came to Perkins county and took a homestead on section 18, township 9, range 39. He built a dugout and went through the usual pioneer experiences in getting his farm started. His nearest railroad town and trading post was Ogalalla, thirty miles away. All the water he used had to be hauled a distance of six miles. He worked hard and proved up on his claim, then moved to his present location, where he has a fine ranch of eight hundred acres of deeded land and one section leased, cultivating one hundred and seventy acres. He has good improvements, substantial buildings of all kinds. He has built ten miles of fence on his ranch. During the first years here when he was just getting started on his homestead, he owned a good team of horses, and had the misfortune to lose them by lightning. He was unable to buy another team, so his neighbors got together and bought him a team and presented them to him.
In 1871 Mr. Stephenson married Martha Swearingen, who was born in Iowa. She was a daughter of Thomas Swearingen, an old settler in Missouri, and a colonel in the civil war. Six children were born to our subject, namely: Minnie, Lulu, John, Thomas, Dale, and Florence, now deceased.
Mr. Stephenson is a Democrat. He has been active in local politics, serving as road overseer and district treasurer, and also helped greatly in building up the schools of the locality.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
H. B. Kauffman, who owns a valuable estate on section 18, township 14, range 58, is one of the prosperous and highly esteemed citizens of Kimball county. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and first saw the light on November 9, 1853. His father still lives in Bedford county, but his mother has been dead for some years. There were three sons in his father's family, but one besides our subject now living.
When Mr. Kauffman was twenty-seven years of age he left Pennsylvania and emigrated to Missouri, spending about six months there and went to South Dakota, traveling in a prairie schooner, having with him his wife and their household goods. They remained in that state for five years, thirty miles west of Yankton, and then moved to Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, where he was proprietor of the Pine Bluffs hotel, and also was connected with the Union Pacific Railway Company for six years, making Pine Bluffs his home up to 1897. In 1903 he came to Nebraska and took a Kinkaid homestead in Kimball county, locating on section 18, township 14, range 58. Here he has four hundred and eighty acres homesteaded, and besides this has one hundred and sixty acres of deeded land in the same section, making in all a whole section. He has about fifty acres cultivated, and runs quite a good bunch of stock. His place is improved in good shape, and every corner of the same shows good management and care in its operation.
While living in his native county he was married to Annie Chrisman, who was also born and raised there, the event occurring in 1880, and Mrs. Kauffman has proven a true helpmeet to her husband in every sense of the word. They an the parents of two children, Enda, now the wife of Frank Bloom, they residing on section 34 of township 13, range 58, Kimball county. They have two children, Rayona and Harry. Our subject's son, Raymond C., is also married and living on leased land, in school section 36, township 13, range 58, and is the father of one child, Fern Elizabeth. His wife's maiden name was Florence Extrom, of Pine Bluffs.
Mr. Kauffman is a Bryan Democrat, and strong party man. He is director of school district No. 7. He was elected county commissioner of Kimball county, Nebraska, and has held the office for three years. He takes an active interest in local affairs.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
George Dickinson, whose valuable and well kept farm home is in section 32, township 14, range 48, Lodgepole precinct, Cheyenne county, where he owns three hundred and twenty acres, is one of the young men who were reared in that region, a true Nebraskan in spirit, and one who has made for himself a good home in this fertile and productive section of the state. He is the son of Friend Dickinson, one of the prominent old-timers of Western Nebraska, who now resides in Lodgepole, of whom more extensive mention is made elsewhere in this work. Our subject was born in Sidney, Nebraska, on October 28, 1878, and has never lived outside Cheyenne county. He has seen the many changes that have taken place in that region and watched the growth and development, and since attaining to manhood has done much to aid in the upbuilding of the locality. He is proprietor of a half section of good farm land, situated in section 32, township 14, range 47, known as "Dickinson Ranch." He engages in stock raising on quite a large scale, farms about thirty-five acres, and has the place well improved with a complete set of substantial ranch buildings. The ranch is beautifully located on Lodgepole creek, and is one of the most attractive spots in the section.
Mr. Dickinson was married on January 8, 1905 to Miss Fannie Kilgore, who was born in Arkansas in 1888, and came into Cheyenne county with her parents in 1892, they going through pioneer experiences in this region. Both of Mrs. Dickinson's parents are living, and reside a short distance east of Lodgepole.
Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have two children, namely, George and Nellie. Charles Dickinson, a brother of our subject, lives on the ranch. He was married to Pearl Kilgore, a sister of his brother's wife, on April 8, 1907. George Dickinson takes a commendable interest in local affairs, and is a strong Democrat in political views.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Karl F. Gross, known throughout his precinct and the surrounding country as a prosperous farmer and ranchman, has been a resident of Deuel and Grant counties for the past eighteen years, and incidentally has aided materially in its development. He owns a valuable estate and has gained the same by dint of well directed industry supplemented by the strictest honesty and well merits his success and high standing.
Mr. Gross was born in Baden, Germany, in 1860. His father was a farmer in that country and lived and died there, Karl living at home and also followed farming during his boyhood up to his twentieth year, then struck out for himself, taking passage on an emigrant ship for America, landing in New York City in February, 1880. He traveled west to Iowa, locating in Lynn county, and worked on farms in that vicinity for five years, then came to Nebraska, settling in Omaha, and followed different occupations, for the most part employed in street car barns and packing houses.
He next moved to Logan county and followed ranching for about two years, then went to Deuel county and took up a pre-emption, tree claim and homestead and began to improve the ranch. At that time, in 1890, his nearest trading point was Hyannis, a distance of thirty miles, and the postoffice was twenty miles away. He put up sod buildings, beginning on a very small scale to improve his claim, at first trying to farm, but soon worked into the cattle business, and for eleven years worked faithfully to build up the ranch, succeeding well, although he met with numerous disappointments and losses at different times, in one instance losing all his hay crop and barns by fire. In spite of all hardships and discouragements he stuck to his ranch, and accumulated a nice property. In 1901 he sold his ranch in Deuel county to M. C. Hubbel for a good sum and he then took a trip to New York City and Germany, returning in 1902 to Grant county, Nebraska, and purchasing a large ranch which is located two miles west of Hyannis. He purchased this property outright for a good round sum and is finely located. Here he has twelve quarter sections and he devotes the entire place to cattle raising. This is one of the most extensive cattle ranches in the county, and he has it improved in splendid shape with good buildings, handsome residence, etc. While living in Deuel county our subject had considerable experience with horse thieves. At one time they took seven head and at another forty-eight head of fine horses. But he succeeded in getting them all back and capturing the band of robbers, and one of the party was sent to the penitentiary for five years.
Mr. Gross was married in 1885 to Josephine Parks, she being of American stock, her father, Morgan S., being one of the pioneers of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a well known and highly respected citizen of that vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have never had any children of their own, but in 1893 adopted a little girl, Erma, who is now eighteen years old.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOSIAH ZERBE, DECEASED.
The gentleman whose name heads this personal history has been identified with the agricultural interests of western Nebraska for over a quarter of a century, and was well known as a prosperous and successful citizen.
Mr. Zerbe was a descendant of French ancestors, and was born in 1838 in Pennsylvania, his family having been pioneer settlers in that state. His grandfather, Daniel Zerbe, came to American shores from France in 1776, to take part in the Revolutionary war, and his son Thomas is our subject's father, his mother having been Miss Elizabeth Garmen prior to her marriage.
Our subject came to Nebraska, from Shamokin, Northumberland county. Pennsylvania, locating in Harlan county in 1879, homesteading in Prairie Dog township, afterwards purchasing adjoining lands, and now is proprietor of four hundred and forty acres, all in one block, having sold off considerable land which he formerly owned. He has been engaged principally in the stock business, handling a large number of cattle, hogs and horses. For several years he was engaged in the butcher business in Alma and resided in that town for ten years. At one time he was burned out and lost all his effects, as he had no insurance on his property. When he started here he had only fifteen dollars in money, and by his own industry and perseverance has been very successful in farming and stock raising. He feeds about one hundred cattle and hogs, and uses all his corn and hay on his place.
Mr. Zerbe was appointed the first marshal of Alma in the early days, and served in that capacity for several years. He was a member of the city council for four terms, and president of the board all of this time. He was also mayor of the town for four terms in succession, elected three times by those in favor of saloons, and once by the local option people who recognized the fact that he had been fair and honest in his dealings as mayor. He was acting as mayor of Alma during the bad years and by his careful management of the finances made work for all the people and won their confidence by his strict integrity and fair treatment in all matters.
In 1872 Mr. Zerbe married Miss Angelina Reed, a native of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Moses and Marion Kanter Reed, this family having been pioneers of Pennsylvania. Mr. Zerbe had three daughters from a former marriage, namely: Martha, widow of Andrew Kachalries, of Alma, Elizabeth, wife of N. D. Feese, a farmer living near Alma; Ida, now Mrs. Albert Bove, whose husband is a leading merchant of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Mr. Zerbe is a member of the Evangelical church and a trustee of that church. He belongs to the Masonic order, having been a member of the blue lodge in Pennsylvania. In political faith he is a Republican. Mr. Zerbe died August 8, 1908, mourned by the family and a large number of friends and acquaintances.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Sam. A. Carlson, an old and prominent resident of Phelps county, resides on his well improved farm in section 2, Prairie township, on which he settled in 1877. Mr. Carlson was born in Sweden, and came to America in 1870, settling in Chicago where he worked for a time, then in other places until he finally landed in this vicinity.
After striking Nebraska Mr. Carlson at once settled on a homestead and tree claim later selling the latter. He broke up the land on his farm, built a house, and for some years had a hard time to get along on account of the dry years and bad weather generally. He kept at it, however, and gradually improved his place, putting up good buildings, and of late years has raised good crops and been very successful. His wheat has shown a yield of thirty bushels per acre and corn fifty, and besides farming he engages in stock raising to some extent. He has a good many draught horses all the time on his farm, and enough cattle for his own use, besides hogs and other stock. He is counted one of the best farmers of the township, and as he has plenty of help with his force of seven sons, is not obliged to hire any work done, which is of immense saving to him.
Mr. Carlson was united in marriage to Miss Emily Samuelson, a native of Sweden. They have a family of eight children, named as follows: Nora, Roger, Carl, Theodore, Lawrence, Leroy, Eddie and Albert.
Mr. Carlson and his family are members of the Lutheran church of Holdrege, and he has served as treasurer for the past fifteen years. He was one of the organizers of the Church. He is also moderator of his district school. In political faith he is a Republican. Mr. Carlson has gone through many hardships in the building up of his home and farm here, but has overcome all the struggles and adversities of the pioneer life, and success has crowned his efforts in the possession of a fine estate and happy home surrounded by his family and friends, and richly deserves it all.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
PETER SCHAEFER, DECEASED.
To the early settlers of Sioux county the name of Peter Schaefer is well known. He located on a homestead in 1894, where the region was but slightly developed, and there was little in sight to reward the struggles and hardships through which he must pass, but he was possessed of indomitable will and stanch courage, and he took up his work with success as his watchword. For many years he labored faithfully and at his demise his widow took up the management of the farm and is now the owner of one of the best estates in the county and in the management and labors she has been assisted by her sons and daughters, and the family is well known locality and highly esteemed.
Peter Schaefer was born in Ausendorf, Prussia, April 1, 1847. His father, John, was a day laborer; his mother, who was Susan Haman, a native of Praesen, Germany. Our subject grew up in his native land working as a laborer, and in 1869 came to America, landing in New York, from whence he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he spent nine years, engaged most of the time in working for the Baldwin Locomotive Works. His health began to fail and from there he came west. He settled first in Seward county, Nebraska, on a farm, and remained on that place for seventeen years, succeeding in building up a good home and developing a farm, and in 1894 came to Sioux county, taking up a homestead, utterly unimproved land, and started to farm. He had poor success at first, and worked hard in trying to raise crops. Two years after locating here he died, in 1896, and his wife and children were obliged to take the management of the farm. The sons worked faithfully to help their mother in carrying on the place, and steadily improved it with good buildings and fences, and they now have everything in the finest possible shape, and are doing splendidly. Mrs. Schaefer has bought more land and the ranch now comprises sixteen hundred acres, which is situated on Sow Bellie creek. Three hundred acres of this land can be irrigated when there is a dry season, and they have considerable timber, also many fruit trees bearing good fruit, which they have planted themselves and are in fine growing condition. They also have a quantity of wild fruits along the creek. The ranch is pleasantly situated, there are many acres of hay land, also large alfalfa fields, and it is considered one of the model ranches of Sioux county.
Our subject was married in 1871 to Miss Anna Margaret Liebert, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Schaefer was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1850. Both her parents were born, lived and died in that country. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer, named as follows: Peter (dead), Anna and Nicholas, born in Philadelphia, and Mary, Peter, Susie (deceased), Fred, Margaret, John and Joseph, born in Nebraska. They are all bright and intelligent children, and have been a great help and comfort to their mother, giving their best aid in the carrying on of the home place since the death of their father, whose death was a great affliction to his family and the many friends in the vicinity.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN O'NEIL.
The gentleman above named is one of the very oldest settlers in Deuel county, Nebraska, and is familiarly known as "The Father of Chappell," having made that town his home for the past quarter of a century, and since his earliest residence here he has been one of the leading citizens who by his influence and personal aid has helped in a wonderful degree the development of the region. Of late years Mr. O'Neil has devoted his time to the real estate business, although he has practically retired from active business cares. He is an enthusiastic admirer of his adopted country, and while he has traveled considerably during his career and seen many different parts of the United States, he is always anxious to get back home and declares there is no place to compare with it.
John O'Neil was born in New York City in 1853. He is of Irish descent, both father and mother being born in Ireland, coming to America in their youth, where the former followed the moulder's trade, and there our subject grew up, attending the public schools, and later the Bailey College, taking up a commercial course, and graduated from the same in 1879. In his boyhood he came to Illinois, settling in Whiteside county, where be grew to manhood, following farm work for several years. When he was seventeen years of age he began the study of telegraphy, and as soon as he mastered the profession secured a position at Converse, Indiana, as railroad operator, living there for a number of years, and later holding positions in Iowa, Ohio and Illinois, and came to Nebraska in 1880, locating first at Omaha, then in Lincoln, remaining there up to 1881, when he came to Chappell and opened the first telegraph station, working as operator and agent. Four years later he entered the land department of the Union Pacific railway, and handled this business for the company all over the Chappell district, representing the United States government, also handling school lands throughout the region for twenty-four years. During the past many years here Mr. O'Neil has been largely interested in ranching and stock raising, also in the general mercantile business. He has the distinction of having erected the first building in Chappell, and was one of the few here when the county was organized and laid out. He also selected the original town site of Chappell in 1884 and the following year laid out the O'Neil addition. He ran a store here for some years, building up an extensive cowboy trade.
When Deuel county was organized in 1888 he took a leading part in the affairs and assisted in the establishment of schools, holding school office for many years afterwards. In 1901 he was elected county judge, and at the expiration of his first term was re-elected, serving in all two full terms.
Mr. O'Neil was married in 1886 to Miss E. Allie Warner, who was born in Madison county, New York, where she was reared. They have one daughter, Mabel Alice, born January 17, 1896. Prior to her marriage Mrs. O'Neil taught school in Chappell, and was the teacher of the first school established in that town. She was also a homesteader, proving up on a pre-emption in 1886. She has always been one of the foremost ladies of the community, taking active part in the affairs of her circle, and is a most estimable lady. Mr. O'Neil was made Mason in 1891 and has taken an active part in the affairs of that lodge, now being worshipful master, serving his second term.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Edwin Case, one of the older settlers of the western part of Nebraska, who has long since made his mark in the affairs of Sioux county, is widely known throughout his locality as a hard-working farmer and a worthy and estimable citizen. His entire career has been passed in mechanical pursuits, and since coming to this region he has taken a leading part in its development, incidentally building valuable estate for himself by strictest integrity and perseverance. He has a pleasant home in section 34, township 32, range 55.
Mt. Case was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1836. His parents were of America stock, the father, Uri Case, following the trade of carpenter and joiner during his lifetime. Our subject was raised in Ohio until he was sixteen years of age, when the family moved to Michigan. settling at Edwardsburg, and there Edwin was married to Miss Helen Covey, who is a daughter of Luther H. Covey and Julia Covey, well known pioneers of that state, the father being a wagonmaker by trade.
After the breaking out of the war our subject enlisted in the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, Volunteer Company B, in 1863, was sent with his regiment to the fortifications at Washington, D. C. Later he was at Harbor, Virginia, Monocacy, Maryland, and Winchester. Virginia, seeing actual service in all these places. During the action at Winchester, Virginia, he was so wounded that he was obliged to leave his company and remained disabled until close of the war.
In 1868 Mr. Case returned to Michigan and there followed the carpenter's trade and furniture and undertaking business for a number of years at Edwardsburg. In 1878 he started the furniture and undertaking business at the city named and followed that for over twenty years, and during that time twice sold out the establishment, but each time again went into business at a new stand in the same town. Finally his health failed, and he was compelled to give up his work and seek another climate, so he came to Nebraska and located seven miles northeast from Harrison, where he has succeeded in developing a good farm on his Kincade homestead of four hundred acres, all good land, which is devoted to mixed farming and stock raising. He has erected a complete set of substantial farm buildings, putting them up himself, as he is skilled in mechanical work. He enjoys that work more than farming, which be has adopted for his health's sake. He has improved his health in a great measure and thinks the west is a great country.
Mr. Case and his wife and one daughter, Bessie A., occupy a pleasant and comfortable rural home, and have a host of warm friends in their community. Bessie A., his daughter, has a section of good land adjoining her father's and it is well improved, having lots of good timber on the place. She settled here two years before her father and mother came, on a Kincaid homestead.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles H. Stewart was a resident of Keya Paha county, Nebraska, for the past twenty-five years, associated with the agricultural interests of that section of the state, and helped the growth of that county while it was yet a part of Brown county, always assisting in the advancement of all matters tending to its improvement and commercial value. Mr. Stewart is now a resident of Sioux county, where he lives on section 35, township 32, range 56.
He is a native of Ray county, Missouri, born in 1851. He is a son of William A. Stewart, a farmer, and Caroline (Smith) Stewart, both of American stock. He is the fourth member in his parents' family of thirteen children, and was raised in the state of his birth, receiving a common school education and learning to do all kinds of hard farm work. At the age of twenty-three years he worked in the woods, and also farmed for two years. In 1883 he came to Nebraska and settled in Brown county, taking a homestead in section 9, township 32, range 19. His first building was a log shanty, and he batched it there for five years, going through the dry years, and lost his crops, but did not lose faith in northwest Nebraska. Since the good years began he has been very successful in his farming operations, and has also engaged to quite an extent in stock raising, and now owns a fine ranch of six hundred and forty acres all fenced and cross fenced. He has a substantial farm house, 36x26, one and a half story high, and a splendid set of farm buildings with all improvements necessary for conducting a model farm. All this has been accomplished by his unaided efforts, supplemented by hard work and good management, and he is well known all over the county as a prosperous farmer and worthy citizen. He is a firm believer in improved stock. In 1907 he purchased a small herd of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, consisting of eighteen cows and one bull, all registered.
October 10, 1888, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Margaretta Draine, whose parents are old settlers in Keya Paha county. Eight children complete their family, named as follows: Harold, Arthur, Donald, Amy, Alta, Elsie, Clyde and Glen.
Mr. Stewart takes an active interest in local affairs, and has been on the Republican central committee for six years. He has served his locality in different capacities at various times, and is one of the worthy and influential men of the county. In October, 1908, partly on account of his daughter's health and partly to take advantage of the better school facilities, Mr. Stewart moved to Sioux county, but he still owns his farm in Keya Paha county.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Samuel H. Goucher, one of the most potent factors in the development of the commercial and agricultural resources of Cherry county, is also one of the oldest settlers in this part of the state, where he owns a valuable estate he has gained by careful management and honest industry, well meriting his high standing as a citizen.
Mr. Goucher was born in Ripley county, Indiana, February 4, 1854. His parents moved first to Illinois, where they resided one year, and then to Harrison county, Missouri, in about 1856. His father, David Goucher, served in the Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry for four and a half years during the war. Samuel H. was the eldest member of seven children in his father's family, and started out for himself at the age of twenty-one, working out by the day for neighbors and living at home until he was twenty-four. In 1878 he moved on a farm and worked for himself until 1886, when he came to Cherry county, Nebraska, driving over the old Kearney trail with a team and covered wagon, and located near where he now resides. He built the first log house on the place and lived in this place for a long time. He at once began farming and was just nicely started when the dry years came and all his crops were lost. He was compelled to work out by the day to make a living for his family, and was employed on a ranch for five years near his farm. These were his hardest times. All he was able to earn by working on farms in the neighborhood was twenty dollars per month and the work then was much harder to do before the farms were equipped with all the modern machinery which is in use today. His farm of eight hundred acres, which is located in section 31, township 33, range 37, is well improved and well stocked. He has erected all good farm buildings, and enjoys a comfortable and pleasant home, and is classed among the leading agriculturists of his township.
Mr. Goucher was married August 7, 1877, to Miss Ida Zerbe, born in Ohio in 1862. Her father. William Zerbe, is a native of Pennsylvania, engaged in farming and stock raising, and her mother, who was Mary Gilbert, was born in Ohio of English-German descent. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Goucher, nine of whom are living, namely: Nora E., wife of William Kyte; Floyd H., Roby W., Zora Etta, wife of Bert Nichols; Ora Ocy Belle, Meda M., Leona Pearl, Bert and Berlie.
Mr. Goucher has never sought political preferment, but attends strictly to his farm duties, and is known as a gentleman of good citizenship and honest principles. He is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Merlin D. Barnes, a progressive and intelligent young business man of Cody, Nebraska, has become one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of that place.
Mr. Barnes was born in Butler county. Iowa, February 25, 1882. His father, Moses Barnes, came to Cherry county with his family in 1900, where he in partnership, with his son, our subject, established a hardware and furniture store in Cody, of which the latter is now sole proprietor, the former having returned to Iowa, where he now resides. Mr. Barnes is the eldest of two children, and was raised and educated at Dumont, Iowa, where he worked on a farm while still a boy. Since opening up his present establishment in Cody he has built up a large trade and made a success of the mercantile business. He has a store 48x60 and carries a complete stock of hardware, furniture and machinery, and is recognized as one of the enterprising and progressive merchants of the town. While his father lived here he was active in commercial and political affairs and served for a time on the town hoard.
Mr. Barnes was married September 27, 1903, to Miss Florence Jackson, daughter of Joseph Jackson, a prominent ranchman of Cherry county, who owns and operates a large ranch two miles southeast of the town of Cody. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have one child, Rena. Mr. Barnes is a member of the Cody camp, Modern Woodmen of America.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
HENRY H. LIBBY.
The gentleman whose name heads this view is a typical western rancher and farmer, genial and generous in disposition, and he has been most successful in his career, gaining a comfortable fortune, and building up a good home in the region to which he came many years ago. He resides in section 36, township 14, range 47, Lodgepole precinct, and is well and favorably known throughout Cheyenne county.
Henry H. Libby was born at Gardiner, on the Kennebec river, Maine, May 7, 1852. His parents moved to Massachusetts when he was an infant, and he was reared and educated in the public schools of Amherst, remaining there until he was twenty years of age. He then came to Sidney, Nebraska, and engaged in the meat business, following that work intermittently for about ten years. During the early days in this section he also freighted through the country, making numerous trips into the Black Hills during 1876-77. He finally drifted into ranching, and cattle raising in 1879, purchasing his original ranch of six hundred and forty acres in section 36, township 14, range 47, and still occupies this place. The ranch is known as "The Meadows," and when first purchased there was not a tree on the place; now it is splendidly improved with good buildings, wells, windmills, fences and groves, being beautifully situated on Lodgepole creek. It is one of the most valuable properties in the county. He runs about two hundred cattle and sixty horses, and has been for many years past one of the largest dealers in stock raising and shipping, principally cattle, out of Cheyenne county.
Mr. Libby has made many visits back to the east, both on business and pleasure trips, but is loyal to the home of his adoption, and is one of the few men left in this vicinity whose residence in this region dates back as far as his own.
In 1886 our subject married Miss Mary Bull at Amherst, Massachusetts, who was a native of Pittsfield, that state. Both her parents and her husband's are now deceased. Two children have been born of this union, namely: Roy H., now attending school at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He is in his senior year and has merited the first lieutenancy of the Cadets. The daughter, Barbara, is the life and delight of her fond parents. The family enjoy a pleasant home, and it is one of the bright spots in the traveler's itinerary.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
D. C. Bliss, engaged in the nursery business, occupies a fine residence surrounded by beautiful grounds which adjoins the town of Minden. He has been in the nursery business since 1883, at which time he moved to Minden, and grows and handles all kinds of trees, and deals only in the very best varieties. He is well known all over Nebraska, and the products of his nursery are shipped to every part of this state as well as through the adjoining western states. He is a thorough judge of his business, and any one obtaining plants and trees from him is sure to receive the very best that it is possible to get.
Mr. Bliss was born in Jefferson county, New York, in 1843. His father, David B. Bliss, came to Wisconsin in 1845, traveling by way of the Great Lakes, the journey consuming four weeks, and reached Sheboygan on July 4, of the latter year. At that tire our subject was two years old, and he grew up there, following teaching for some years, in 1864 enlisting in Company G, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, serving up to the close of the war, and was mustered out at Madison, Wisconsin. He located in LaSalle county. Illinois, shortly after this, where he engaged in teaching and farming, remaining there up to 1874, then came west, settling in York county, Nebraska, and lived there until 1883, then moved to Minden, where he has remained ever since.
Mr. Bliss was married in LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1868, to Miss Sophia C. Hart, and they have a family of three children, who are named as follows: Dr. H. O. Bliss, practicing dentistry at Bridgeport, Nebraska; Jennie M., now engaged in photography, running a studio at Minden, Nebraska. She is a graduate of the College of Photography at Effingham, Illinois; Dr. R. W. Bliss, practicing physician and surgeon, connected with the Omaha Medical College, also on the staff of two hospitals in Omaha and a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, class of 1903, and also a graduate of the Nebraska State University. He has practiced at St. Luke's Hospital, Chicago, for some time, and later at the Cook County Hospital of that city, and is a physician of prominence and a skillful surgeon. Mr. Bliss and his family are members of the Presbyterian church here, and highly esteemed as worthy citizens and good neighbors.
Mr. Bliss traces his ancestry to English extraction. All the Bliss families in America sprang from three brothers and one sister, who came to this country previous to 1640: Thomas Bliss was born at Belle Stone Parish, Devonshire, England, 1580; John Bliss, of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1640; Ebenezer Bliss was born in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, in 1693; Ebenezer Bliss was born in Longmeadow, Massachusetts in 1725; Rev. Enos Bliss, born in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, in 1763; David B. Bliss, born in Watertown, New York, in 1808; and David Cleveland Bliss was born in Loraine, New York, in 1843.
David C. Bliss, our subject, has two sons, Dr. Harley Orin Bliss, who was born in York, Nezraska (sic), in 1875, and Dr. Rodney W. Bliss, who was born in York in 1878.
A daughter of Thomas Bliss was tried for witchcraft in 1645. Margarette Bliss, the wife of Thomas Bliss, was a very remarkable woman. After her husband's death she supported a family of twelve children. She owned a small tract of land about a mile square. That tract is now in the center of Springfield, Massachusetts, and worth millions of dollars.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Charles H. Gay, one of the earliest settlers in western Nebraska, resides on his large ranch in section 18, township 31, range 39, Cherry county, and is classed among the leading citizens of this region.
Mr. Gay was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 22, 1837, and was reared in East Randolph, Orange county, Vermont, where his parents moved when he was a small child. His forefathers were among the early settlers in America, a-great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and a grandfather, Captain Bradford F. Story, served in the Mexican war. Charles H. Gay was the oldest of his parents' seven children, and at the age of fourteen years started out for himself, firing on a switch engine, and for two years followed this work. Later he fired in Wisconsin for several years, and at the age of eighteen was an engineer on the railroad. He continued at railroading for twenty years, then quit the business and came to Nebraska, settling in Holt county, where he stayed for four years. He next went to Sheridan county, taking up a tree claim in 1883, moving onto the claim May 31, 1884. There he started a farm and ran it for four years, then moved to near Irwin and remained for a few years. During the dry years he sold this place and in 1900 settled on his present home, where he has a range four miles long and about two miles wide, keeping about two hundred head of stock and one hundred and twenty-five cattle and seventy-five horses. Mr. Gay drove through from Holt county when he came here, as this was before the railroad was begun west of Valentine, and the entire country around was in a wild state. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in 1864 in Minnesota, and served four years and four months.
In 1874 Mr. Gay was first married to Rachel Comers. Three children were born to them, namely: Frank E., William B. and Henry W. Mrs. Gay died in 1872 and he was married the second time, to Alice Sutcliffe, they having the following children: Geneva M., Ellen E., Sarah E. (dead), Edward Joseph and Edna Josephine (twins), and Maude (deceased), all of his second family growing up in Nebraska.
Mr. Gay is a Republican and takes an active part in politics.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
JOHN A. BUTLER.
The gentleman whose name heads this review is one of the earliest settlers in the western part of Nebraska, and who came to this region when the country was practically a wilderness, when Indians and tough characters were thick here and he has seen the development of the agricultural and commercial resources from the very beginning. Mr. Butler resides in section 33, township 33, range 47, Dawes county, and is well-known and highly respected as a good neighbor and worthy citizen.
Mr. Butler was born in Gentry county, Missouri, in 1858. His father. Madison Butler, was a pioneer in northwestern Missouri, a southerner by birth, from old Virginia, and a man of superior intellect and ability as a farmer and citizen. He married Miss Eliza Brown, of Kentucky, and of American ancestry. Our subject was reared and educated in Missouri, remaining at home up to the time of his twenty-sixth year. His father died about the year 1882, and the mother and children kept up the home farm from that time on. He then came to Nebraska, freighting from Valentine, arriving in Dawes county, April 19, 1884, and settled here, locating on a homestead on Bordeaux creek, camping out on the ground for a few days after landing here. His wife was with him, also their child and a younger brother and for several months they all lived in a tent. Shortly after coming here Mr. Butler made a second trip to Valentine. His first crop was corn, oats and potatoes; which yielded a fine crop the first year, but on a small scale. He kept steadily building up his place, putting up a log house, and the farm buildings which he erected twenty years ago are still in good condition; of late he has built a fine frame house near them. He has gone through many hard times since coming here, and often met with discouragement and loss, but stuck to it, and has built up a fine farm and good home, the farm now containing four hundred and eighty acres, one hundred of which is in a high state of cultivation, and the rest in bottom land and pasture. He has it all fenced, plenty of natural timber, and raises nice crops of wheat and corn the latter in some seasons running fifty bushels to the acre. He has fine alfalfa fields, also a fine young orchard coming along nicely.
Mr. Butler was married, in 1881, to Sitha J. Wilson, daughter of an early settler in Dawes county. Mr. and Mrs. Butler are the parents of seven children, namely: Edward, Pearl, Ella, Thomas J., Sally, Naomi and Bessie.
Mr. Butler has always been active in school and local affairs, has served as school treasurer for about fifteen years. He was also census taker in 1900 and constable some years ago. He is a Republican in politics.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Mathias Hedlund, residing on section 31, Divide township, is the owner of a fine four hundred-acre farm, splendidly improved with good buildings, and his grove of shade trees is one of the finest in the section. Mr. Hedlund was born in Jafleborgs Lane, Sweden, in 1832. He was reared there, never attending any school, his mother taught him his letters and how to read and write. His father and mother, Olaf and Elizabeth (Johnson) Hedlund. never left the land of their birth, the former dying there in 1844.
Mr. Hedlund came to America in 1837, settling in Knox County, Illinois, later moving to Henry county, where he farmed for some time. He had no capital to start with, but worked hard and through industry and perseverance gained a large measure of success. He had worked on farms in Sweden, and so was familiar with that work, although the methods of doing the work are widely different in the two countries. In 1896 he sold his farm in Illinois and came to Nebraska, and his verdict is that this is a better country all around for a poor man than Illinois. He has helped and encouraged many Swedes who were rich men's tenants in Illinois to come here, and although they went through many hard times in the early days, both they and their children are now well to do, and own fine estates. When Mr. Hedlund first settled in Illinois the settlers went through the same struggles and adversity that they have here. He was the first of the Swede settlers to invest in land in Phelps county, purchasing his present farm for three dollars per acre from the railway in 1876, ten years before he finally came here to live. A brother, Olaf Hedlund, came to this county in 1876, taking up a homestead and tree claim, and held it up to three years ago, when he sold it at the high prices now prevalent in this vicinity. He now resides at North Platte, and is well known all over this section of the country, being prominent in the Lutheran church, the only ruler in the county, and in all church matters is the leader. He has preached as a local preacher all these years, and now at the age of seventy-six years the people flock to hear him as they did years ago. He has always taken an active part in relieving the poor and oppressed, and is beloved by all. His son, P. O. Hedlund, was for many years the foremost man in Phelps county in public affairs, and at different times has held office, serving as county treasurer, county clerk and county surveyor. At the present time he holds an important position in the land department of the Union Pacific railway.
Mr. Hedlund has done a great deal toward introducing thoroughbred draught horses here, bringing in a number of imported sires, and he now owns Nebraska Chief, one of the best animals in the country and a prize winner at the Holdrege Jubilee in 1906. He has also a fine herd of thoroughbred cattle, and takes a great deal of pride in his stock. Mr. Hedlund has done remarkably well since locating here, and although he lost $25,000 through the misdeeds of others he has paid every dollar of the money and is still a rich man, happy and contented, aiming to do right in every way, and still helps those who need it in every way in his power. He is now seventy-six years of age, hale, hearty and cheerful, well liked by everyone. He now rents out his farm and with his wife is enjoying the evening of their days in peaceful quiet on the homestead place.
Mr. Hedlund was married in Illinois, in 1859, to Miss Betsy Auckrland, who was born in 1830, in Sweden. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hedlund, namely: Emma, now Mrs. Westberg, of Holdrege, and Mrs. Ida England, of Osborn, DeKalb county, Missouri.
While living in Illinois Mr. Hedlund helped to organize the Lutheran church, and was a deacon in that church the entire time of his residence there. He is now a deacon in the Holdrege church. Politically, he is a Republican.
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Horace Homer Heath, one of the leading and responsible residents of this region, is an early settler in Dawes county, Nebraska, where he has accumulated a competence through honest industry and perseverance, coming to western Nebraska when the country was new and watching its development and growth from the earliest days.
Mr. Heath was born in McHenry county, Illinois, in 1845. His father, Elisha Heath, was a farmer of American descent, and our subject was reared on the homestead in his native state where he learned to perform all sorts of hard labor as a boy. He lived at home until he reached the age of twenty-two years, then started out for himself. working out on farms in that vicinity until he was sixteen years old, his work consisting of breaking up wild prairie land and clearing up new country. He then went into Iowa where he followed the same line of work, and later owned a farm in that state up to the time of coming to Burt county, Nebraska. He first settled in the latter county, but only lived there a short time, then came to Dawes county early in 1888, taking up a pre-emption and beginning in a very small way, as he had not much capital. He put up a rude shanty on his preemption and began to build it up, purchasing his present farm soon after, which is located in section 15, township 32, range 52. He has spent most of his time since then on this farm, and has built up a nice home, erecting a good set of buildings, fences, etc. He raises and ships stock, and also engages in mixed farming. Eighty acres of his farm is irrigated land. While living in Burt county he had the misfortune to be burned out twice, both times losing everything except a part of his household goods, and this was a severe loss to him, as he had a hard time in getting along anyway, the first six years being unable to raise but one good crop.
Mr. Heath was married, in 1871, to Miss Elizabeth Tuttle, of Burt county, Nebraska. Three children have come to bless their union, named as follows: Edwin, Jessie and Walter.
The family is held in the highest esteem in their community, and have a happy and comfortable home, well supplied with every convenience of a rural life. Mr. Heath is a Republican.
