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Full text of "History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska / supervising editors George L. Burr, O.O. Buck ; compiled by Dale P. Stough"

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HISTORY 



OF 



Hamilton and Clay Counties 

NEBRASKA 



Supervising Editors 

GEORGE L. BURR, Hamilton County 

O. O. BUCK, Clay County 



VOL. II 
ILLUSTRATED 



CHICAGO 
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1921 



1192538 



v5 




W. I. FARLEY 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



W. I. FARLEY 



While W. I. Farley initiated bis business career in Aurora by entering the real 
estate field in which he has long operated extensively and successfully he is now 
well known as one of the prominent financiers of Nebraska, connected with many 
of the substantial banking institutions of the state. He is a man strong of purpose, 
sagacious and far-sighted, industrious and enterprising and in the course of a 
long and active career has never stopped short of the successful accomplishment 
of his well defined plans. 

Mr. Farley was born in a pioneer log cabin on the farm of his father in Clarke 
county, Iowa, April 27, 1855. The father was a native of Morgan county, Ohio, 
and in Monroe county, Indiana, wedded Ann J. Curry whose birth occurred in 
County Sligo, Ireland. They removed to Clarke county, Iowa, in the spring of 
1851, Mr. Farley having previously purchased land warrants whereby he secured 
land at a dollar and a quarter per acre. His realty holdings became very extensive 
and he won a place among the foremost business men and successful citizens of 
Clarke county. Both he and his wife died on the old homestead after contributing 
in large measure to the substantial development, progress and improvement of 
their conununity. They reared a family of nine children of whom but three 
are living: Mrs. Mattie Headle, who is residing near Ontario, South Dakota; W. I., 
of this review; and Jennie Lane, who owns and occupies the old homestead fann 
in Iowa. The parents were members of the Protestant Methodist church and the 
father was always a republican in his political views, giving stanch support to 
the party. He served as the first justice of the peace in Clarke county and was 
ever keenly interested in matters pertaining to the general welfare. 

W. I. Farley was reared to farm life, sharing with the family in the hardships 
and privations incident to the settlement of the frontier and bearing his part in 
all the work pertaining to the improvement of the fields. In his youth he attended 
the country schools for about three months each year and finally had the opportunity 
of pursuing a course in the high- school at Osceola, Iowa, through three six months' 
terms. This completed his educational training but in the school of experience 
he has learned many valuable and practical lessons. Taking up the profession of 
teaching he was identified with the schools of Iowa in that connection for two years 
and then in March, 1877, accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper in a hard- 
ware establishment in which the succeeding two years were passed. In the spring 
of 1879 he came to Nebraska, settling at Aurora. He traveled to York, then the 
terminal of the Burlington & Missouri Railroad, and from that point proceeded by 
stage to his destination where he arrived on the 22d of February, 1879. Here he 



6 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

became engaged in the real estate business with H. V. Temple, who had formerly 
been his teacher in the schools of Iowa, and who accompanied him to Nebraska. 
This business association was continued until the spring of 1883, when Mr. 
Farley became one of the organizers and stockholders of the Farmers & Merchants 
Bank in which he was associated with W. H. Streeter and E. J. Hainer. Selected 
as the first cashier of the bank he continued to fill the position and also the office 
of president for five years and later participated in the organization of the Aurora 
Bank Company of which he became president, and as such directed the affairs 
of the company and shaped the policy of the institution for six years. It was 
then consolidated with the Hamilton County Bank, the new organization later 
purchasing the First National Bank of Aurora and Mr. Farley became the vice 
president and one of the directors. Since entering banking circles he has continually 
broadened his activities in this connection and is today one of the foremost 
financiers of the state. In the spring of 1888 he was associated with his brothers 
John J. and George H. Farley in acquiring an interest and taking part in the 
organization of Farley's Bank of Marquette, Nebraska, which has since become the 
First National Bank of Marquette, W. I. Farley being elected to the presidency. 
He is now president of the First National Bank of Aurora, the First National 
Bank of Marquette, the First State Bank of Hordville, the First State Bank 
of Whitman, the First State Bank of Murphy and the Citizens State Bank of 
Thedford. His judgment _is sound, his sagacity notably keen and his enterprise 
and energy unfaltering. The banking institutions with which he is thus closely 
associated have become most important factors in the upbuilding of the various 
communities in which they are located and have done much to maintain commer- 
cial stability. Mr. Farley has also been extensively and actively interested in real 
estate, being associated for some time with F. A. Burt in realty and financial 
interests. He is a large investor in Hamilton county farm land, owning over 
a thousand acres, and he has given much time to the management of his properties 
which at all times are the expression of improved methods of farming and stock 
raising. He keeps abreast ^\^th agricultural progress in every particular and his 
example has been largely followed by others. 

Mr. Farley was united in marriage in 1888 to Miss Anna L. Oyler who was born 
near LaFayette, Indiana, and they have become parents of four children : William 
J., who is connected with his father in business; Alice L., the wife of Donnell 
Gilliam, an attorney of Tarboro, North Carolina; Annie L., the wife of Stanley 
Boykin, of Wilson, North Carolina, where he is engaged in the real estate business; 
and Margaret, at home, now a student in the Martha Washington Seminary at 
Washington, D. C. 

The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Farley is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern 
Woodmen of America. He is a past chancellor commander of the Knights of 
Pythias and at all times has been loyal to the teachings and high purposes of 
these organizations. In politics he has ever been a republican since casting 
his first presidential vote for E. B. Hayes in 1876 and in 1907 he was made the 
republican candidate for the state legislature and elected to the general assembly. 
He discharged his official duties with the same thoroughness and capability that 
have characterized his business career and his labors were attended by beneficial 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 7 

results. He is a forceful and resourceful man, to whom opportunity has ever 
been the call to action and through the period of his connection with Nebraska 
the state has numbered him among her representative and valued citizens. 



EOBERT G. BROWN 



Robert G. Brown, an attorney of Sutton and one of the pioneer settlers of 
Clay county, was born in Clark county, Illinois, October 4, 1847, a son of Samuel 
R. and Mary R. (Howell) Brown, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. 
They were married in Illinois when but nineteen and fifteen years of age and there 
the father passed away about 1858, when between forty and fifty years of age. 
He had become the owner of a small farm in Clark county, Illinois. The mother 
afterward went to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to visit a daughter and there passed 
away in 1897. The parents were members of the Baptist church and Mr. Brown 
cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont. To him and his wife were 
born six sons and two daughters and three of the family are living: George W., 
a retired farmer and president of the Farmers' State Bank at Sargent, Nebraska; 
Robert G.; and Mary E., who is the wife of William L. Weed, a railroad claim 
agent at Denver, Colorado. Three of the sons — Charles W., Francis M. and John 
H. — served as Union soldiers in the Civil war. 

Robert G. Brown obtained a country school education in Illinois and afterward 
attended Marshall College at Marshall, that state. He then began reading law 
in the office of Scofield & Wilkin of Marshall, Illinois, both of his preceptors dying 
while serving on the supreme bench of the state. Mr. Brown began practice in his 
native state, but advancement at the bar is proverbially slow and because he met with 
such difficulty in gaining a professional start he removed to the west, reaching 
Sutton in the spring of 1871. He became the first lawyer of Clay county and has 
remained here continuously since. He and his three brothers also homesteaded 
and became identified with the early development of this section of the state. 
Robert G. Brown proposed that the county should be organized and was the man 
who acted as leader in bringing this about. The work was accomplished October 
14, 1871, at the home of Alexander Campbell, thirteen miles west of Sutton. His 
brother, F. M. Brown, was the first county clerk and Robert G. Brown became the 
first county treasurer. He bought a lot in Sutton for five dollars and this was the 
first deed filed in the county, being recorded on Book 1, Page 1, of the county 
record. He bought this lot in order to be a freeholder, so he could sign the bonds 
for county officers. He also served as a director of the first school district and 
was the first legal adviser of the county. He likewise filled the office of mayor 
in Sutton as the second incumbent in that position and in 1887 served as state 
senator. In 1893 he removed to Beatrice, Nebraska, where he lived for two years 
and a half, practicing law. On the expiration of that period he located in Denver, 
Colorado, where he continued in practice for another two and a half years and 
then again came to Sutton, where he practiced until his retirement from active 
life. In the meantime he had acquired land in Clay county and is also the owner 
of town property. He has ever done all in his power for the benefit and upbuilding 



8 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

of Sutton and Clay county, laying out the town of Clay Center. He was also 
responsible for the purchase of the town site, this occurring at the time Harvard 
was making its fight for the eourthoiise. Believing that Harvard would get it 
away from Sutton, he chose Clay Center as the lesser evil and was instrumental in 
securing the establishment of the county seat there. 

Mr. Brown was married in Illinois to Ella B. Constable, a daughter of Charles 
H. Constable, who was a judge of the circuit court in Illinois, and Abraham Lin- 
coln practiced in his court. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have become parents of three 
children : Alice M., the wife of Dr. E. E. Yocum, a dentist of Belgrade, Nebraska ; 
Jessie Belinda, at home; and Mabel E., the wife of A. W. Burge, assistant manager 
with the Oakland Motor Company at Buffalo, New York. 

Mrs. Brown is a member of the Episcopal church. Fraternally Mr. Brown is 
a Mason, belonging to the Knight Templar commandery and the Mystic Shrine 
at Lincoln, Nebraska. He is a past master of his lodge and past high priest of 
the chapter. In politics he is now a democrat but gave his political allegiance to 
the republican party until 1896. He was a delegate to the national convention at 
Cincinnati in 1876 and has been quite active in political connections, filling the 
various offices already indicated and at all times making a capable record by his 
devotion to the principles which he espouses. 



NELS BENGTSON 



To the pioneers who had the persistence and courage that caused them to hold to 
their course, regardless of adverse conditions and numerous hardships in the earlier 
days, the soil of Hamilton county has been made to give generous tribute, with the 
resultant prosperity that attends many of those who thus endured and labored when 
the civic and industrial history of this section of the state was in the making. Nels 
Bengtson had little of fortifying resources save energy, ambition, good health and 
determined purpose when he and his wife cast in their lot with other pioneers 
of Hamilton county in the year 1877, and in the full enjoyment of peace and 
plenty in later years, he had the deepest appreciation of and loyalty to the county 
and state in which he had found the medium through which to gain this independ- 
ence. In the earlier period of their residence on their isolated prairie farm Mr. 
Bengtson and his devoted wife frequently saw times when they did not have in 
their possession sufficient cash to pay postage on a letter, but they matle the best 
of conditions, worked and planned without losing faith, practiced frugality when 
their circumstances became less straitened, and held true to their purposes in 
fair weather and foul, with the result that eventually they were not denied a generous 
reward for all that they had endured and labored. Thus it was that at the time 
of his death, on the 24th of June, 1907, Mr. Bengtson was the owner of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres of valuable land in Hamilton county and was known and 
honored as a worthy and substantial pioneer citizen of this section of the state. 
A short time before his death he and his wife removed from their farm to tlie 
village of Hordville and in the attractive home which he there provided his widow 
still resides, surrounded by friends who are tried and true, and sustained and com- 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUXTIES 9 

forted by the gracious memories of earlier years, when slie and her husband were 
working side by side. 

Nels Eengtson was born in Sweden in the year 1847, was there reared and 
educated, and was twenty-one years of age when he came to the United States and 
established his residence at Wilcox, Pennsylvania, where he found employment in 
a tannery. In that state in the year 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma 
Magneson, who was also born in Sweden and who was sixteen years of age when 
she came to the United States. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bengtson con- 
tinued their residence in the old Keystone state until 1877, when they came to 
Nebraska, impressed with the belief that in this new and progressive conunon- 
wealth they could find opportunity for winning independence and stable prosperity 
through their own ability and elTorts. Soon after his arrival Mr. Bengtson pur- 
chased eighty acres of unbroken prairie land in Bluffs township, but during the* 
first summer he and his wife occupied a sod house on a rented farm. In the 
following year he erected a little frame house, twelve by sixteen feet, on his own 
land and when the accommodations later became too limited he constructed a sod ad- 
dition to the diminutive building. He utilized an ox team in breaking his land and 
the yoke with which these patient animals were equipped to do this work is retained 
on the old farm today, as a souvenir of the pioneer period. Season followed season, 
some giving generous tribute and others recording losses of crops through drought, 
hailstorms, grasslioppers and other adverse conditions, but the end was prosperity 
and Mr. Bengtson never wavered in faith nor self-reliance. He made good im- 
provements on his farm property and was known as one of the progressive agri- 
culturists and stock raisers of his adopted county. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bengtson became the parents of eight children, the eldest, Wil- 
helm, resides at Central City, Merrick county, where he is a city engineer; Morris 
is a prosperous farmer near Hordville, Hamilton county; Oscar A. died at the age 
of twenty-three years; Thelma is the wife of Aaron Blumquist, a manager of the 
Hordville Lumber Company ; John A. is a successful farmer in this county ; Emily is 
the w^fe of John Yeburg, an enterprising exponent of farm industry in this county ; 
Ivan I\I. is engaged as cashier of the bank at Murphy, Nebraska ; and Gilbert 'is at 
the time of this writing, in 1921, a student in the Omaha University of Medicine. 

Mr. Bengtson's political support was given to the republican party and he was 
an earnest communicant of the Swedish Lutheran church, as is also his widow, who 
is now venerable in years but who bears those years lightly, as she is vigorous in 
mind and physical powers. 



WILLIAM ASHBY 



William Ashby, niayor of Fairfield, Nebraska, where he is engaged in the hard- 
ware business, was born in Champaign, Illinois, in 1867, a son of Martinus and 
Mary (Patton) Ashby, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. 
Their marriage occurred in Oliio and in 1858 they removed to Illinois. There the 
father bought land on which he made his home until 1884 when he removed liis 
family to Nebraska and located in Clay county. The death of Mrs. Ashby occurred 



10 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

on the homestead and his demise occurred in Fairfield. Four children were born 
to that union, two of whom are living : William, whose name initiates this review ; 
and Ernest, a farmer of Guide Rock. Throughout his life Mr. Ashby was a 
stanch republican and the religious faith of the family was that of the Congre- 
gational church. On the paternal side William Ashby was a descendant of English 
ancestors and on the maternal side of Scotch-Irish ancestry. 

William Ashby received his education in the public schools of Champaign and 
in due time entered the University of Illinois, which he attended two years. He 
then started farming, teaching school in the winters and for several years after 
removing to Nebraska also followed that occupation. In 1907, however, he moved 
into Fairfield and established a hardware and plumbing business, in the conduct of 
which he is still active and achieving a great amount of success. 

In 1908 Mr. Ashby was united in marriage to Mrs. Carrie Aiknian, a native of 
Illinois, and a daughter of J. P. Adams. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ashby are members 
of the Methodist church and he is fraternally identified with the Masons and the 
Knights of Pythias. Mr. Ashby has always been a stanch supporter of the 
republican party and in 1894 was elected to the state legislature. In 1920 he was 
elected, to the mayoralty and one of the important features of his administration 
will be the street improvements, which work is now under way. In the line of his 
hardware business Mr. Ashby has built up a large and lucrative trade and he is a 
firm believer in the statement that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. He 
is held in high esteem for his genuine worth and he is a man who at all times can 
be relied upon and who is faithful to every trust committed to his care. 



ELI B. BARTON 



For thirty years E. B. Barton resided on a farm in Hamilton county and then 
remo'ved to Aurora where his remaining days were spent in the enjoyment of a 
rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved. He was born in Stark county, 
Ohio, August 13, 1843, and his life covered the intervening years to the 28th of 
July, 1910, when he was called to his final rest. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel 
Barton, were both natives of Ohio who passed away in that state where the father 
had followed the occupation of farming. The son was educated in the schools 
of Malvern, Ohio, and was well educated for his day. He began teaching when but 
seventeen years of age and proved most capable in imparting readily and clearly to 
others the knowledge he had acquired. At the time of the Civil war, however, 
he put aside all business and personal considerations and joined the army, enlisting 
on the 13th of August, 1862, as a member of Company I, Ninety-eighth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry. After the war was over and the country no longer needed 
his military aid he removed to Illinois in 1865 and there taught school for two 
years. In 1867 he became a resident of Henry county, Iowa, which was another 
step in the journey that was eventually to bring him to Nebraska. Three years 
were spent in Iowa and in the early spring of 1871 Mr. Barton came to Hamilton 
county where his remaining days were passed. Here he built a small frame house 



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HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 13 

oil the homestead which is still owned by his widow, one hundred and sixty acres 
on section 18, range 10. The lumber for this house he brought from Henry county, 
Iowa, and he and his family resided on the farm for about tliirty-nine years. 
The property now comprises a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of rich 
and productive land. In the year 1879 Mr. Barton was called to the office 
of county superintendent of schools and occupied that responsible position for 
ten years, contributing to the development and substantial improvement of the 
schools through that period. 

It was in 1868 that Mr. Barton was united in marriage to Miss Teresa E. 
Nugen who was bom in West Virginia and when quite young removed to New 
London, Iowa. She was educated in the high school at New London and spent 
her girlhood days at the home of her parents, Silas E. and Martha J. (Kennett) 
Nugen, the foi-mer a native of Indiana and the latter of West Virginia. Mr. 
Nugen devoted his life to farming and ultimately moved to South Dakota where 
his remaining days were passed. To him and his wife were born twelve children, 
of whom ten are living, Mrs. Barton being the second in order of birth. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Barton the following children were born: Lena, the deceased wife of 
Rufus Buckley; Silas E., who died in 1916 on election day. He was running for 
congress and had served a previous term ; Charles, a farmer and carpenter residing 
in Aurora; George, who is engaged in the life insurance business in Omaha, 
Nebraska; Guy, who has recently organized the Policy Holders Life Insurance 
Company at Sioux Falls, South Dakota ; John, who is traveling for the Iron Works 
at Lincoln, Nebraska ; and Maude, the wife of D. L. Moses, who resides in Aurora. 

Mr. Barton held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which 
Mrs. Barton is still identified. In politics he was a republican and fraternally he 
was connected with the Grand Army of the Eepublic and at all times manifested 
the same loyalty in matters of citizenship as he displayed when he followed the 
nation's banner on the battle fields of the south. In his later life, or in June, 
1910, he removed with his family to Aurora and erected a nice residence at No. 
1311 Thirteenth street, which is now occupied by Mrs. Barton and her daughter. 
Mr. Barton enjoyed the high respect, confidence and goodwill of all who knew him. 
He was a man of liberal education with whom association meant friendship and 
elevation. He stood at all times for progress and improvement, was never content 
to use the second best, and his entire life was marked by steady advancement along 
those lines w^hich contributed to the material, intellectual and moral progress of 
the community in which he made his home. 



G. W. BENNETT 



For about eleven years G. W. Bennett had made his home in Hampton, Hamilton 
county, where he engaged in the milling business and upon his death on February i:'., 
1896, a deep feeling of bereavement swept the community in which he had made 
so many friends. He was a native of the state of New York, having been born 
in Cortland county on the 23d of December, 1835. 

He received his education in the schools of his native state and just before 



14 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

the outbreak of the Civil war removed to Illinois. He went into service from 
that state, becoming a member of the Seventy-second Illinois Infantr_y, with which 
he served for three years. After the war Mr. Bennett made his home in Wisconsin 
for some time, his marriage taking place during his residence there, and subse- 
qxiently removed to Iowa, where he engaged in milling at Storm Lake for a 
number of years. He then decided to come further west and as a result came to 
Nebraska, his first residence in this state being at Marquette. He remained there 
less than a year, however, when he removed to Bradshaw and subsequently located 
at Hampton, where he continued to reside until his death. He never engaged in 
farming but throughout his entire life followed the milling business, in which 
line of work he achieved a substantial amount of success. 

On the 26th of August, 1873, in Cadiz, Wisconsin, occurred the marriage of 
Mr. Bennett and Miss Hariett Parmer, a native of Green county, that state, in 
which her birth occurred in the year 1852. To them two sons were born : Charles 
Henry, residing in Chappell ; and Burt, who was born October 26, 1879, and 
passed away March 15, 1903. 

During his lifetime Mr. Bennett was a stanch supporter of the republican 
party but never sought nor desired oflfice, preferring rather to devote his entire 
time to his milling interests. Fraternally he was a member of the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen and was also a member of the Marquette Post, Grand Army 
of the Eepublic. He was one of the few old soldiers of the community and was 
looked upon as an ideal and representative citizen. His death has left a place 
in the community which will be hard to fill. The widow of Mr. Bennett is still 
residing in Hampton, where she has a fine home and is financially independent. 
She is prominent in religious and lodge circles, being a consistent member of the 
Methodist church in which she is a worker in the Ladies Aid, and she is prominent 
in the Highland Lodge, Degree of Honor and the Royal Neighbors, all of which 
belong to the A>irora lodge. 



JOSEPH E. ROGGY 



Since 1886 Joseph R. Roggy has resided in Clay county and during that time 
has steadily advanced along his line of occupation until he is now recognized as 
one of the leading agriculturists of the county and a representative citizen. Mr. 
Roggy was born in Aisace-Lorraine, March 28, 1842, his parents being Joseph 
and Magdalena (Schirtz) Roggy. They came to America in 1848 aboard a sail- 
ing vessel of the early type, which caught on fire and so delayed the journey 
as to take thirty-six days to make the trip. Mr. and Mrs. Roggy made their 
home in Lake county, Illinois, where they engaged in farming, following that 
occupation the remainder of their lives. Joseph Roggy, Sr., became well known 
throughout the county as a farmer and stock raiser of ability. 

Joseph R. Roggy received his education in the country schools of Illinois, 
attending school in primitive frame buildings with hard wooden benches for seats. 
He made his home with his parents until he enlisted for service in the Civil war. 
In 1864 lie became a member of Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 15 

Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was mustered into service at Peoria, Illinois. He 
was on guard duty at Cairo, that state, and at various other points throughout 
Illinois and participated in several skirmishes when Price was raiding Missouri. 
After the >var he returned to Illinois, where he started farming for himself, buying 
land in Livingston county. He owned one hundred and twenty acres of land there 
and engaged in general farming and stock raising. In 1886, after living for some 
time in Bureau county, he came west and located in Clay county. His father had 
purchased some railroad land there in 1880 and Mr. Boggy bought this land from 
his father. He put up a small frame house and shed stable and broke part of his 
land himself. He set out a good orchard and some forest trees. Mr. Roggy suffered 
loss of crops during the droughts of 1893 and 1894 but after that time achieved 
a great amount of success in his agricultural ventures. He is now in possession 
of one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land with fine improvements. 

While residing in Illinois Mr. Eoggy was united in marriage to Miss Lena 
Virkler, a native of that state, and she became the mother of two children : 
Ada, who is the widow of James Fish, at one time a prominent farmer in Minne- 
sota. A son of Mrs. Fish's, Dale, was aboard the Tuscania when it sank. The 
second child born to this union was Lena, who died at the age of six months. 
Some time after the death of his first wife, Mr. Roggy was again wed, taking as 
his wife Miss Hattie Lee, a native of Connecticut, who came to Illinois with her 
parents when but five years of age. To the latter marriage two children have been 
born : C. H., who is engaged in the carpenter business at Trumbull : and A. Le Roy, 
who is farming the old home place. 

Mr. Roggy is an independent voter, giving his support to the man rather than 
to any particular party. .Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist 
church, of which he has been trustee for many years. Fraternally he is identified 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and since 1873 has been a Modern 
Woodman of America. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
belonging to Harrison Post of Trumbull. While residing in Illinois he was for 
some time active in the office of constable. Mr. Roggy has many friends who 
appreciate his sterling characteristics and personal integrity and his success is 
the result of his owti diligence and industry. 



HENRY V. NELSON 



On the roster of public officials in Hamilton county appears the name of 
Henry V. Nelson who is filling the position of county clerk in an acceptable 
manner; He is a native of this county, his birth having occurred in Otis precinct, 
January 10, 1888, his parents being C. P. and Anna (Swanson) Nelson, the 
former a native of Sweden, while the latter was born in the state of Wisconsin. 
They were married on this side of the Atlantic and in 1871 came to Hamilton 
county, Nebraska, where Mr. Nelson homesteaded. He built a sod house in 
which he lived with his family for a number of years and three of the children 
were there born. He afterward erected a frame dwelling and added modern 
equipments and improvements as his financial resources increased. Mrs. Nelson 



16 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

has now passed away but the father resides iu Aurora with his son, having retired 
from active business. In their family were four children, of whom three are 
living : Clarence, a real estate dealer of Chicago, Illinois ; Arthur S., superintendent 
of the Hamilton county schools; and Henry V. Mrs. Nelson, who passed away 
in 1901, was a member of the Swedish church and C. P. Nelson is also connected 
with the church, loyally supporting its teachings and principles. His political 
allegiance is given to the republican party and he served on the village board at 
Hampton when a resident there. 

Henry V. Nelson completed a course in the Hampton high school by graduation 
with the class of 1905 and then attended the Nebraska State Normal School at 
Peru. He later taught school for two years, after which he managed the mill and 
elevator at Hampton for a period of eight years. He subsequently spent four 
years in the office of deputy county clerk and in 1918 was elected county clerk, 
in which position he is now serving for the second year. 

In 1909 Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Ada M. Nichols, who was born in 
St. Paul, Howard county, Nebraska, a daughter of G. W. Nichols who was 
formerly engaged in the milling business but is now living retired in Aurora. 
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have two sons: Wayne, nine years of age; and Dwight, a 
youth of six. Mr. Nelson is a Mason, belonging to the lodge and chapter and 
he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is likewise 
identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in his political views is 
a republican. He devotes his entire time to his office and is most prompt, systematic 
and capable in the discharge of his duti.es, his record reflecting credit upon himself 
and proving at all times highly satisfactory to his constitutents. 



ARTHUR S. NELSON 



Arthur S. Nelson, serving for the second terra as county superintendent of 
schools of Hamiltbn county, was born in Otis township and is a son of C. P. Nelson, 
mentioned elsewhere in this work. In the acquirement of his education Arthur 
S. Nelson attended the high school at Hampton, from which he was graduated 
with the class of 1901. Desiring still further to promote his knowledge he entered 
the Fremont Normal College and afterward attended the Nebraska State Nomial 
School at Peru and the Colorado State Teachers College at Greeley. His training 
has been thorough and comprehensive and at all times he keeps in touch with the 
trend of professional thought and progress. 

Professor Nelson began teaching in the rural schools of Hamilton county in 
1904 and was thus actively identified with the profession: for eight years, acting 
as principal of the schools at Phillips for two years at two different times and 
also one year at Wauneta and Chapman. In 1916 he was elected county super- 
intendent of schools and made so creditable a record in the office that he was 
reelected in 1920 for a second term of four years. 

Professor Nelson is a member of the Knights of Pythias. His political views 
are in accord with the principles of the republican party and upon its ticket he 
was elected to office. He devotes his entire time to the duties of his position and 



HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES ir 

ill this connection has control of over ninety-seven schools, each of which he 
visits semi-annuall}'. There are also three consolidated schools in the county and 
each year he holds a large teachers' institute. He has ever devoted his time and 
attention to school work and has made a most excellent record, inspiring teachers 
and pupils under him with much of his own zeal and interest in the profession 
and at all times recognizing the fact that the only education worth while is that 
which prejjares the individual to meet life's battles nobly and courageously. 



J. 0. LATTA, M. D. 

Holding to high professional standards Dr. J. 0. Latta is successfully engaged 
in the practice of medicine and surgery in Clay Center and his ability is recognized 
by a large patronage. He was born in Plattsmouth, Cass county, Nebraska, August 
9, 1877, and is a son of William E. and Sarah L. (Current) Latta. The former 
was a son of Eobert Latta, who was one of the early homesteaders of Cass county 
and who was a carpenter by trade. The maternal grandfather, James A. Current, 
was born in Indiana, served as a soldier in defense of the Union during the Civil 
war and at an early period in the development of this state established his home in 
Cass county. William E. Latta was born in Ohio and came to Cass county before 
the railroad was built into this section of the state. He devoted his attention to 
farming in the early days but afterwards engaged in merchandising and for many 
years successfully carried on business until his acquired capital was sufficient to 
enable him to put aside the active duties and cares of life and he and his wife 
now reside in Kenesaw, Nebraska. Mrs. Latta is a native of Indiana and by their 
marriage they have become the parents of three children : Eobert Bruce, who died 
at the age of twenty-two months ; Letta, the wife of J. L. Templeton, a real estate 
dealer of Kenesaw, Nebraska; and J. 0., of this review. The parents are consis- 
tent members of the Presbyterian church, having for years taken an active and 
helpful part in its work. In his political views William E. Latta has long been 
a stalwart republican and since taking up his abode in Kenesaw has filled the 
office of mayor, has also served as justice of the peace and has otherwise been 
active in shaping public thought and directing public interest there. 

Dr. Latta, whose name introduces this record, obtained a high school educa- 
tion in Kenesaw, Nebraska, and afterward was graduated from Cotner University 
Medical College at Lincoln, Nebraska, with the class of 1902. Having qualified 
for the practice of medicine he began his professional work at Clay Center, where 
he has won a liberal patronage and is today the oldest practitioner of the town 
in years of continuous connection with professional work here. He reads broadly 
and thinks deeply along the line of his chosen profession, keeping in touch with 
modern methods of practice, and his ability is again and again demonstrated in 
the splendid results he achieves. He is the owner of the Hotel in Clay Center, 
but concentrates the greater part of his time and attention uiton his professional 
duties. , 

In 190-1 Dr. Latta was married to Miss Ada M. Bavinger, a native of Illinois 
and a daughter of George M. and Jennie (Pardun) Bavinger, who removed from 



18 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Illinois to Colorado and afterward came to Clay county, where her father followed 
the occupation of farming for a number of years, but is now living in Clay Center. 
To Dr. and Mrs. Latta have been born two children: Inez, now in school; -and 
William Mitchell, who is in his first year. The parents attend the Congregational 
church and Dr. Latta is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the 
Scottish Bite degi-ees and become a member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise 
belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Dramatic Order of the Knights of 
Khorassan. He is a past chancellor commander of the Pythian Lodge. His 
political endorsement is given to the republican party and he served for nine years 
as a member of the city council of Clay 'Center and for three years was mayor 
of the city. He is largely responsible for the paving of Clay Center and for the 
introduction of many other improvements which have been of great value here. 
Along strictly professional lines Dr. Latta is connected with the State and National 
Eclectic Medical Societies, the Nebraska State Medical and American Medical 
Association, and at one time was a member of the committee for the insane in 
this state and has been a member of the Insane Commission of Clay county for 
twelve years. His life has been strong and purposeful and his energy and ability 
have brought him prominently to the front not only in professional but in other 
connections which have been beneficial to the county at large. 



FEANK WANEK, SR. 



Frank Wanek, Sr.. for many years a foremost agriculturist in Hamilton 
county, is now living retired in liis fine home near Giltner, enjoying the fruits of 
a life spent in diligence and industry. A native of Bohemia he was born in that 
country April 1, 1847, a son of John and Catherine Wanek, both natives of that 
country. In 1865 John Wanek with his family and his brothers, Joe and Charles, 
came to the United States and settled in Wisconsin, where they bought land in 
Grant county. John Wanek became a prominent farmer of the community and 
both he and his wife passed away in Wisconsin. 

Frank Wanek received his common school education in his native land and 
was eighteen years of age when he came with his parents to America. Settling 
with them in Grant county, Wisconsin, he worked out for board and later received 
the remuneration of three dollars per month for his labors. He bought forty 
acres of land in Grant county, which he cleared of stones and tree stumps and 
brought to a highly cultivated state, residing thereon until 1872, when he decided 
to come to Nebraska. He first went to North Bend, Nebraska, walked from there 
to Lincoln and then drove to Hamilton county by team \vith two other men, 
paying his share of the e.xpenses. He did not long remain in the west, but returned 
to his home in Wisconsin in the fall of the same year. Subsequently, however, 
he again started west, driving overland in a covered wagon and bringing with 
him two cows. This journey took more than three weeks. He reached Hamilton 
county just after a big prairie fire, when the countiy for miles around looked 
exceedingly desolate. He took a preemption claim of one hundred and sixty acres, 
which he held for thirty-three months and then homesteaded eighty acres, 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 21 

buying soldier's rights and procuring the huid for one hundred dollars. His first 
improvements on the land consisted of a house, half dugout and half sod, twelve 
by fourteen feet, and also dugout barns. He broke his own land, hauled his pro- 
visions from Grand Island and went to mill at Milford and Pleasant Hill. He 
set out shade trees, putting them all around the homestead and also planted a 
ten acre grove. In 1875 the grasshoppers destroyed all of his crops but this 
misfortune did not dampen his resolve to succeed. Willows on the bank of the 
Platteville river he cut for fuel and also burned corn and cornstalks. There is 
no phase of pioneer hardship with which Mr. Wanek is not familiar, but through 
it all he kept his courage, which together with his energy and grim determination 
made it possible for him to overcome the greatest obstacles. From time to time 
he bought more land and at one period of his career was in possession of forty- 
four eighty-acre tracts. In 1910 hfe decided to retire from active farm life and 
built a fine home near Giltner, where he is now residing. 

Mr. Wanek has been twice married. His first marriage occurred in Wisconsin, 
where he was wed to Catherine Talich, and to them six children were bom : 
Charles, who is farming in Hamilton county; John, also a farmer of Hamilton 
county; Frank, engaged in farming in Hamilton county; George, who is cashier 
of the Farmers State Bank at Aurora; Thomas, deceased; and William, who is 
residing in Giltner. Mr. Wanek was later wed to Anna Kulhanek, and they 
are the parents of one child, Katie, at home. The religious faith of the family 
is that of the Catholic church, of which they are consistent members. 

Mr. Wanek is rightly entitled to the proud American title of self-made man, 
for he has risen to his present prosperity solely through his own eiforts. Since 
the time when he helped to build the first sod schoolhouse in this country he has 
been interested in all movements for the deyelopment and improvement of the 
community. 



WORTH L. MINOR 



Since 1901 Worth L. Minor has engaged in the practice of law at Fairfield, 
Clay county, and has won a well merited reputation for success at the bar. He 
was born in Tiskilwa, Illinois, in 1878, a son of William and Mary Ella (Barnhard) 
Minor, both natives of West Virginia. They were married at Orion, Illinois, and 
are still residing in that state. The father was a druggist for a number of years 
but for the past ten or twelve years has been living retired. Three children have 
been born to them: Georgia, who is the wife of William Crouse and lives in Texas; 
Marcia, the wife of a Mr. Donaldson and a resident of Rock Ishmd ; .iiul W. L., 
whose name initiates this review. Both Mr. and Mrs. Minor are consistent iiK-mbers 
of the Catholic church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party 
in the interests of which he takes an active part. On the paternal side W. L. Minor 
is descended from Scotch ancestors and on the maternal side from English ancestors. 

In the acquirement of an education W. L. Minor attended the schools of his 
native county and later entered the Geneseo, Illinois, Collegiate Normal School, 
from which he was graduated in 1897. In tliat same year he came to Nebraska and 



22 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

located in Fairfield. For two years he engaged in the real estate business and 
then entered the State University of Nebraska, taking a law course, and was 
graduated from that institution in 1901, with the degree of LL. B. He began 
the practice of his profession in that year and is one of the most successful attorneys 
in Fairfield. 

In 1901 Mr. Minor was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Y. Ward, a native 
of Ulysses, Nebraska, and a daughter of John Ward, a pioneer homesteader of 
Butler county. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Minor, one child, Ward, has been 
born. He is now fourteen years of age. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Minor the right of franchise he has been a stanch 
supporter of the republican party, in the interests of which he takes a prominent and 
active part. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and fraternally he 
is identified with the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Minor is a self-made man. He 
worked in order to obtain enough money to enter a law school. He is a man of 
well balanced intellect, thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, possesses 
comprehensive general information and an analytical mind, and these qualities 
have won him a substantial success in practice. 



W. J. PEREY 



In the passing of W. J. Perry Clay county lost a representative citizen and 
agriculturist. His death occurred on the 24th of November, 1905, and came as 
a severe shock to his family and many friends. He was born in Knoxville, Illinois, 
on the 1st of August, 1844, and in that state received his early education. He 
remained under the parental roof until the last year of the Civil war when he 
enlisted and was in active service for the remainder of the conflict. After his 
discharge from the army he returned to Illinois and in 1869 was married. He 
was farming rented land there prior to his marriage and soon after decided to 
come west. In the latter part of 1879 he arrived in Adams county, Nebraska, 
rented a farm there and continued in that occupation until 1881, when he removed 
to Clay county. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres on which he put 
up a frame house, modern in every respect for that period, and also erected a 
frame barn. This barn was struck by lightning and burned to the ground soon 
after it was built. Mr. Perry set out a fine orchard and some shade trees but 
the orchard mostly died out during the droughts of 1893 and 1894. While resid- 
ing in Adams county he suffered the loss of his crops during the grasshopper plague 
and at various other times he suffered severe loss as a result of hailstorms. He was, 
however, a man of grim determination and energy and every misfortune seemed 
but to spur him on to greater effort. At the time of his death he was widely known 
throughout the community as a successful and progressive agriculturist, representa- 
tive citizen and a man of true personal worth. 

In Illinois on the 15th of December, 1869, Mr. Perry was united in marriage 
to Miss Martha Henry, a native of Belfast, Ireland. Her death occurred on the 
4th of March, 1897, and came as a !>!ow to her family and many friendT, through- 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 23 

out the community where she had long made lier home. To the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Perry si.x children were born: S. E., who is engaged in the automobile busi- 
ness at Sidney; W. J., also engaged in the automobile service at Sidney; Ellen, 
who is the wife of A. S. Wilson, now farming the old homestead of Mr. Perry; 
Anna, the wife of C. M. Turner, who is engaged in farming in Clay county ; Martha 
M., the wife of C. D. Eader of Clay county, a farmer on a part of her father's old 
farm; and Frank H., who is an elevator inspector in Calgary, Canada. 

Throughout his life Mr. Perry was a stanch supporter of the republican party, 
in the interests of which he took an active part. Fraternally he was a member 
of the Modern Woodmen of America and in the civic affairs of the community 
he served as a director of the school board for many years. He was one of tlie 
organizers of school district No. 71. As a veteran of the Civil war he had member- 
ship in the Grand Army of the Republic and was prominently connected with the 
activities of the local post at Trumbull. Mrs. Perry was a consistent member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. During the many years that Mr. and Mrs. 
Perry resided in Clay county they made many and true friends — friends who 
appreciated their true personal worth and sterling characteristics. Their death 
was a severe blow to the community for in their passing Clay county lost two 
beloved pioneer citizens. 



ELBEET M. EADER 



Since 1918 Elbert M. Eader, who for many years has been prominent in the 
agricultural circles of Hamilton county, has lived retired in Trumbull. He was 
born in Greene county, Tennessee, on the 14th of March, 1855, a son of Andrew 
and Emily (Brittain) Eader, both of whom passed away when their son was 
but a small boy. He was bound out at the age of eleven years and later went to 
live with a man who owned and ran an implement store. He remained with 
this man in Greene county until he was seventeen years of age when he was given 
thirty-five dollars which enabled him to go to Pike county, Illinois. He had but 
two dollars left when he arrived there. He secured work on farms by the month 
receiving twenty dollars a month for his labors and continued in that connection 
until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1876 Mr. Eader was married and then 
engaged in farming on his own account, renting land in Adams county, Illinois. 
He went in debt . in order to buy his first team and his first taxes amounted to 
fifty cents. In 1884, the same year he came to Nebraska, he purchased sixty acres 
in Knox county, Missouri, which he farmed with a gratifying amount of success 
until he disposed of that land and removed to Nebraska, locating in Hamilton 
county. He then bought one hundred and twenty acres of railroad land, for which 
he paid fifteen dollars per acre, built a small frame house and shed stable and 
broke part of his own land. He put out an orchard and also some forest trees 
and brought the place to a highly cultivated state. He suffered the early pioneer 
hardships, however, and lost practically everything in the drought of 1894 and 
also in various hailstorms. However, the greater the obstacle the more determined 
Mr. Eader was to .succeed, with the result that he is now in possession of two 



24 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

hundred acres of the best land in Hamilton county. In 1918 he decided to retire 
from active farm life and removed to Trumbull where he erected a fine home, in 
which he is now residing. 

On the 38th of September, 1876, occurred the marriage of Mr. Rader and 
Miss Lucinda Pine, further mention of whom may be found in the sketch of 
Mrs. Mary Pine on another page of this work. Ten children have been born to 
this union: Charles D., who is farming in Clay county; Frank, engaged in farming 
in Hamilton county; Nellie, who first married Elvan Hart of Adams county and 
who is now the wife of H. W. Cope, Methodist Episcopal minister at Red Cloud ; 
Florence, now deceased, who was the wife of Nelson Lebaron, a lumberman of 
Giltner; Elbert, died in infancy; Lula, the wife of Guy Gayman, a farmer of 
Adams county ; Lida, who is the wife of Chester Munn, who is engaged in farming 
in Hamilton county; Edith, whose death occurred in 1918 and who was the wife 
of Tilton Snider of Trumbull; Myron, farming the home place; and Erma, who 
is living at home. 

Mr. Rader is an independent voter along political lines, giving his support 
to the man he considers best fitted for the office. The entire family are consistent 
members of the Methodist church and he is a charter member of the church at 
Trumbull. Fraternally he is known as a member of the Modern Woodmen of 
America. He has always taken an active part in the civic affairs of the county 
and for twenty years has served his fellowmen as a school director of district 
No. 84. Throughout his life of diligence and industry his efforts have been 
intelligently directed and as a result he is now enjoying a life of retirement and 
is a greatly respected and representative citizen of Trumbull. As an agriculturist 
he is widely known throughout the community, being among the foremost general 
farmers and stock raisers of his section of the state. 



J. C. SPRINGER 



The three hundred and twenty acre farm of J. C. Springer, located in section 
11, Union township, Hamilton county, is one of the finest farms in his section 
of the state. It has been brought to a fine state of cultivation and with its orchards 
and grain fields is one of the show places of the county. It is known as Cedar 
Lawn farm. 

J. C. Springer is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Woodford 
county on the 25th of February, 1863. His parents removed to Livingston county, 
that state, when Mr. Springer was but six weeks old and there he resided on the 
parental farm until 1881. At that time the father brought the family to Nebraska 
and settled in Seward county, where he had purchased some fine land. J. C. 
Springer remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age, at 
which time he rented a farm and a team from his father and started farming on 
his own account. In 1887 he was married and continued to farm in Seward county 
for a few years and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres, paying five hun- 
dred dollars down on the property. About that time the house on this land burnt 
to the ground and he lost all of his household goods. For sixteen years he with 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 25 

a brother ran a threshing machine in the county and achieved a great amount of 
success with this enterprise. In 1903 he bought his present farm of three hundred 
and twenty acres in Hamilton county and it is now one of the most beautifully 
improved farms in that section of the state. Mr. Springer has always specialized 
in the raising of grain, hogs and cattle and along these lines has gained wide 
recognition. An abundance of all kinds of fruit is also grown on the farm, there 
being over three hundred apple trees, eighty cherry trees, peaches, apricots, plums 
and grapes. 

In October, 1887, occurred the marriage of Mr. Springer and Miss Emma 
Eicher, who was born in the same vicinity as her husband, and to them nine 
children have been born: Albert, whose death occurred at the age of eighteen 
years ; Joseph M. ; Salome ; Benjamin J. ; William E. ; Lydia ; Emma E. ; Mabel E. ; 
and Leroy M. 

Although the greater part of Mr. Springer's time has been devoted to his 
agricultural interests he has also been prominent in the business circles of Giltner, 
where he is now a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company. He also 
had the distinction of being the first president of that company. Mr. Springer 
is always interested in any movement for the improvement and development of the 
community and for many years has been a member of the school board. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Springer are consistent members of the Mennonite church and Mr. 
Springer serves that institution as treasurer. Mr. Springer is a self-made man in 
every sense of the word and is readily conceded to be a representative citizen of 
Hamilton county. 



JOHN HEKGENEOTHER 

In the passing of John Hergenrother, Clay county lost another pioneer citizen. 
For twenty-two years he made his home in that county and at liis demise in 1892 
a deep feeling of bereavement swept the community. 

John Hergenrother was born in Germany in 1815 and received his education 
in that country. Later in life he came to the United States, first settling in 
New York and there his marriage occurred. Soon after that event took place he 
went to Iowa and located at Iowa City, where he followed the stone mason's trade 
until 1870, when he came to Clay county. He made the journey through from 
Iowa with wagon and team. Mr. Hergenrother homesteaded eighty acres of land, 
his first house consisted of part log and part dugout and he also erected a log 
barn. Provisions were hauled from Lincoln, the trip taking several days. There 
were many antelopes, deer, elks, and buffaloes in the vicinity of the homestead 
and from one buffalo hunt in the vicinity of where Kearney now stands, Mr. Her- 
genrother returned with a wagon load of buffalo meat. Many Indians passed 
through the homestead on their hunts and stopped for food and warmth. During 
the grasshopper plague Mr. Hergenrother suffered a loss of crops and for several 
days during the Easter blizzard of 1873 he was snowed in the house. He put 
out some shade trees and an orchard but the latter mostly died out. On that 
homestead Mr. Hergenrother resided until his death in 1892. He was widely 



26 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

recognized throiiglioiit the county as a successful agriculturist and a representative 
citizen. 

In New York the marriage of Mr. Hergenrother and Miss Marie Murhline 
took place and to them were bora five children: Cora, who is the wife of John 
Bishop of Harvard ; John, residing at Oxford ; Peter, who owns and farms the 
homestead; Lena, the wife of Charles Smith of Harvard; and Mattie of Harvard. 
The death of Mrs. Hergenrother occurred in 1910. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hergen- 
rother were members of the Catholic church. 

Peter Hergenrother now owns and farms the old homestead, to which he suc- 
ceeded upon the death of his father. It now consists of one hundred and sixty 
acres of land well improved and highly productive and Peter Hergenrother has 
taken his place among the leading agriculturists of the county. He remembers 
the trip from Iowa to this country, having been ten years of age at the time, how 
the family crossed the river at Nebraska City and how he followed behind and drove 
the two cows and one heifer. His education was obtained in this county and he had 
to walk a distance of a mile and a half every day to his school. Mr. Hergenrother 
always made his home with his parents. Like his father he has proved to be a 
successful and progressive farmer and is also conceded to be a representative citizen. 



JOSEPH H. ^.YSINGER 

Joseph H. Lysinger, who was well known as a pioneer farmer and respected 
citizen of Hamilton county, here passed away April 30, 1919, when about seventy- 
one years of age, his birth having occurred at Rays Hill, Pennsylvania, May 7, 
1848. His parents were Isaac and Eachel (Sparks) Lysinger, who removed from 
the Keystone state to Illinois when their son Joseph was but four years of age. 
There he was reared to manhood amid pioneer conditions and surroundings. Fol- 
lowing the outbreak of tlie Civil war he joined the army as a member of Company 
H, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry, when but sixteen years of age 
and was mustered out in July, 1865. His company was made up of farmers and 
mechanics and won a notable reputation for its splendid morals. The command 
largely did provost duty in Quiney, Illinois. When the country no longer needed 
his aid Mr. Lysinger returned to his home in Illinois and there resided until 
March, 1873, when he came to Nebraska and secured a homestead of one hundre<] 
and sixty acres. As the years passed and his financial resources increased he 
acquired considerable laud and city property and in addition to the development 
of his farm he also engaged in the lumber, coal and grain business at Aurora. He 
was successful in all that he undertook and was numbered among the men of 
affluence in the county at the time of his death. 

In 1891 Mr. Lysinger was married to Miss Ella R. Lyon, who was born in 
De Kalb, Illinois, a daughter of George W. and Sophia (Richardson) Lyon, natives 
of New York and Vermont respectively. They were married, however, in De Kalb, 
Illinois, where they spent their remaining days, the father there engaging in'busi- 
ness as a carpenter and farmer. He was active and prominent in local affairs and 
served as a member of the school board of De Kalb. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COITNTIES 29 

Mr. Ly:~iiigx'r vott'd with the re])uhlicaii party hut was never ainhitious to hohl 
office. He made no professions of religions faith and united with no lodges hut left 
hehind him the record of a good name, his reputahle business career and his sterling 
wortli gaining for him the respect and confidence of all who knew him. Mrs. 
Lysinger has recently tendered to Hamilton county as a memorial to Mr. Lysinger 
a clock with four faces to be placed in the courthouse tower at Aurora — a gift 
■whose financial worth will amount to between two and three thousand dollars. 
She occupies a nice home at Xo. 812 Twelfth street in Aurora, which was built 
in I'JUG. She has long been prominent in the social circles of the city and is 
interested in all those forces which make for moral and civic progress in the 
community. 



JOHX W. SILVER 



Nebraska, once a broad barren prairie, its wide stretches of flatland covered 
with a million wild flowers in June and in December with a dazzling and unbroken 
sheet of snow, has been transformed into a great agricultural state and many men 
recognizing the opportunities in the way of cultivating rich crops here, have won 
substantial success that has placed them with the men of affluence in the state, now 
enabling them to live retired. Such is the record of John W. Silver who now makes 
his home in Sutton. He was born in Bedford townsliip, Bedford county, Pennsyl- 
vania, October 10, 1850, a son of Asa and Rachel E. (James) Silver. The mother 
was born in Rainsburg, Pennsylvania, while the father's birth occurred in Hope- 
well township, Bedford county. They were married, however, in Rainsburg, after 
which the father devoted his attention to farming and thus provided for the support 
of their family, which in the course of years numbered six sons and two daughters, 
but John W. Silver is the only one living. The parents were members of tiie Pres- 
byterian church and the father was a whig in his political views until the dissolu- 
tion of the party, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He was a 
son of Richard Silver, who was born in Frederick, Maryland, and went to Pennsyl- 
vania when eighteen years of age. The great-grandfather, John Silver, was a 
soldier of the Revolutionary war and had in his possession the oath of allegiance 
dated February 21, 1771, a valuable and interesting document which has since been 
handed down to his descendants. Two of his brothers, Samuel and James Silver, 
were also heroes of the Revolution and later obtained land at Lexington. Kentucky, 
in recognition of their services in the cause of Independence. The maternal grand- 
father of John W. Silver was George James, who came from south Wales to the 
new world, the James family being founded on this side the Atlantic while 
America was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. 

John W. Silver was educated in the free schools of Pennsylvania, attending the 
Brush Run school in Bedford county. He afterward worked on a farm in the 
Keystone state until he reached the age of twenty-eight years, and then made his 
way westward crossing the Missouri river, Xovember 17, 1871, en route to Nebraska. 
He only remained in this state, however for about a month, after which he returned 
to Pennsylvania and again resided there for three years. On the expiration of that 



30 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

period he once more came to Nebraska. In 1878 he located in Fillmore county, 
Nebraska, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he 
improved and developed. He has rented this farm for nearly thirty-nine years, but 
still owns the property and throughout the intervening period has gained a good 
rental therefrom. 

On the 19th of February, 1878, Mr. Silver was married to Miss Emma Clark, 
who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and they have become the parents 
of one child, Josephine, who was educated in the Sutton schools and in a musical 
school in Chicago. She now teaches music in Sutton. The parents are members 
of the Presbyterian church and the daughter, Josephine, has membership in the 
Congregational church. Mr. Silver gives his political endorsement to the republican 
party. 

Sutton numbers Mr. Silver among its residents from 1885. He had spent the 
years 1883 and 1884 in the Union Pacific shops and then he came to Sutton, where 
he has always been highly esteemed as a progressive citizen and reliable business 
man. He had enough to buy his farm and put it in condition when he came here 
and as the years have passed success has crowned his efEorts. He is now living 
retired from all kinds of business, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his 
former toil. 



HARRY E. TOOF 



Hamilton county has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied 
her offices for on the whole they have been men of splendid calibre, devoted to 
the welfare and progress of the community which they thus represent. To this 
class belongs Harry E. Toof who is now filling the office of county treasurer and 
makes his home in Aurora. A native of Illinois he was born in Dallas City. 
July 1, 1874, and his parents, Daniel L. and Emily C. (Burr) Toof, were married 
in Illinois of which state the mother was a native, while the father was born in 
Iowa. They resided in Illinois until the fall of 1878 and then came to Nebraska, 
settling in Gosper county where Mr. Toof homesteaded, but later sold his right for 
one hundred dollars. He then removed with his family to Hamilton county in 
1880 and here purchased land, acquiring one hundred and twenty acres of which 
he retained possession for a year. He then sold that property and invested in 
eighty acres more upon which tliere were no improvements. He built a little 
house which he occupied for a short time in 1881 and then removed to a rented 
place which he occupied for four years. He next bought property and gave his 
attention to its further development and cultivation until the fall of 1902, when 
he removed to Aurora. There he made his home until December, 1917, when 
his wife passed away. He is now living retired at Long Beach, California. His 
business affairs had been carefully and ably managed and he won a substantial 
measure of success. He had two wagons, three horses and two cows when he 
came to Nebraska and in the early days picked corn for two cents per bushel 
and boarded himself, but long ago that period of financial hardship passed and 
his labors brought him prosperity as the years advanced. To him and his wife 
were born eight children, of wliom seven are living : Harry E. ; R. E., who is 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 31 

the owner of a farm four miles south of Aurora ; K. B., living on a farm of his 
own four miles southwest of Aurora; Mrs. Clara Gable, a widow residing at 
Sidney, Nebraska; Clyde B., who follows farming east of Dalton, Nebraska; 
Minnie, tlie wife of Walter C. Mower, a farmer of Sidney, Nebraska; and Delia, 
the wife of W. E. Wright, residing at Long Beach, California, where he is engaged 
in the real estate business. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church and the father is a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the 
Masonic fraternity, of the Woodmen and of the Highlanders. His political 
allegiance has long been given to the republican party and he has always main- 
tained a progressive attitude in matters of citizenship. 

Harry E. Toof obtained his early education in the country schools and later 
attended the high school of Aurora and the Western Normal College at Shenandoali, 
Iowa. He likewise spent a year as a student in the University of Nebraska at 
Lincoln. He had to assist in making his way through school and to provide for 
his tuition he taught in rural schools for six years. He divided his time between 
farming in the summer months and teaching in the winter seasons and subsequently 
purchased land in Hamilton county and began farming for himself. In April, 
1910, he removed to Aurora, where for eight years he conducted the mill and 
elevator but put aside business cares to assume official duties when in the fall 
of 1918 he was elected county treasurer, which office he has since capably filled. 
The major part of his time and attention is given to his official duties but he 
also supervises his farming property, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of 
land south of Aurora and an equal tract north of the city. 

In 1900 Mr. Toof was married to Miss Sarah McKern who was born in 
Hamilton county, a daughter of Willia-m and Louisa McKern who arrived in 
Hamilton county in 1871, after which Mr. McKern homesteaded. He passed 
away in this county but his widow survives and makes her home in Aurora. Mr. 
and Mrs. Toof have become parents of five children: Vernon, Emily, Alycea and 
Euth, all in school; and Eobert, who completes the family. 

Mr. Toof has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and 
feels that its platform contains the best elements of good government. Fraternally 
he is connected with the Woodmen and with the Highlanders and in Masonry he 
has attained the eighteenth degree of the Scottish Rite. Both he and his wife 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, leading consistent lives and 
in social circles they occupy an enviable position, enjoying the warm friendship 
and kindly regard of all who know them. 



ANDREW G. GUSTAFSON 

Among the sterling citizens to whom may be ascribed pioneer honors in Hamil- 
ton county is Andrew G. Gustafson who here purchased a tract of raw land at a 
time when development was in its initial stage in this section of Nebraska and 
who has been a resourceful figure in connection with the splendid exploiting of 
the agricultural resources of the county, where he is now the owner of a large 
and valuable farm property, situated in Monroe and Phillips township. 



33 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUXTIES 

Mr. Gustafson was born in Sweden on the 17th of August, 1851, and he 
and two of his sisters are the only survivors of a family of eight cliildren. The 
father, Andrew Gustafson, passed his entire life in his native land and there also 
the mother died, though she came to America and remained here for some time. 
The schools of Sweden afforded Mr. Gustafson his youthful education and he 
was about eighteen years of age when he severed the home ties and set forth to 
seek his fortunes in the United States. He came to this country in 1869 and 
became identified with the grain business in the city of Chicago, his residence 
in that great metropolis having continued until 1881, when with but limited 
financial resources but wth determined ambition to make for himself a place of 
independence and cumulative prosperty, he came to Nebraska and established 
his permanent home in Hamilton county. In Chicago he had effected the purchase 
of a tract of Hamilton county land which he obtained from the Union Pacific 
Eailroad Company and for which he paid five dollars per acre. This original 
purchase comprised one hundred and sixty acres. He and his wdfe established 
their home in a pioneer sod house of the type common to the locality and period 
and vigorously set themselves to the task of reclaiming their land and developing 
a productive farm. They endured their full share of the hardships incidental to 
pioneer life in this now favored section of Nebraska and with the passing years 
substantial and ever-increasing prosperity attended their earnest and well ordered 
endeavors. Mr. Gustafson is now the owner of a well improved property of three 
hundred and twenty acres, and in former years the area of his landed estate in 
the county was even greater than this. His present home farm, one of the 
excellent places of the county, he purchased for eight dollars an acre and this 
land he reclaimed from the virgin prairie. When he established his residence in 
Hamilton county the little farm home had as its nearest town the village of 
Chapman and his principal trading points were Central City and Grand Island. 
His brother, John Nordgren, then em.ployed by the Union Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany, aided him materially in the initial development of his first land, about 
ten Swedish families having come from Chicago and settled in this locality. 

Mr. Gustafson has proved himself a thoroughgoing and progressive agriculturist 
and stock raiser and has been essentially loyal and liberal in his civic attitude, 
so that in all lines he has contributed his quota to the social and material 
development and upbuilding of Hamilton county, where he commands secure 
place in popular esteem. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and is 
an active member of the Swedish Mission church near his home, as was also his 
wife. 

On the 6th of October, 1877, in the city of Chicago, Mr. Gustafson was 
united in marriage to Miss Helen Leontina Orre, daughter of Colonel John and 
Helen Orre, who were natives of Sweden and who came to the United States many 
years ago. Mrs. Gustafson passed to the life eternal August 10. 1912, a 
kindly and gracious woman whose memory is revered by all who came within the 
sphere of her influence. Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson became the parents of eight 
children: Mrs. Lydia Larson, whose husband is a prosperous farmer near Holdrege, 
Phelps county; Reuben, at home, is associated with his father in the work and 
management of the home farm ; Joseph is a successful farmer in Hamilton county, 
and is man-ied, as is also Benjamin, who is engaged in farm enterprise in Phelps 



HAMILTON' AND CLAY COUNTIES 33 

county: Eachel is, in 1921. a student in the business college at York, this state; 
Alma and John remain at the paternal home, and Theodore is at the time of 
this writing a student in the agricultural college of the Universit)' of Nebraska 
at Lincoln. 

Mr. Gustafson has taken livelj' interest in all matters pertaining to the 
community welfare and while he has had no desire for public office his civic loyalty 
has been shovni in his effective service as a member of the school board of his 
district, he having been both its treasurer and a director and his service having 
covered a long period of years. 



J. W. WEEDIN 



J. W. Weedin of Aurora, filling the office of district clerk and through prompt, 
capable and faithful discharge of duty winning the respect and good will of all 
who know him, was born near Princeton, in Bureau county, Illinois, August 18, 
187.J, a son of Andrew and Mary (Sandburg) Weedin, both of whom are natives 
of Sweden. Coming to the new world in 1868 they were married in Sweden and 
the father has since devoted his life to the occupation of farlming. He removed 
to Hamilton county on the 5th of February, 1886, and rented land until he 
purchased eighty acres of land three miles northeast of Aurora in 1891 and in 
1905 he took up his abode in the city, retaining the ownership of his farm, however, 
until the fall of 1919. In the meantime he had prospered, accumulating three 
hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, which he sold at two hundred and twenty- 
five dollars per acre for the two hundred acres and two hundred dollars per acre 
for the other one hundred and sixty acres. He and his wife are now enjoying 
well earned rest in Aurora and have the esteem- and warm regard of many friends. 
They are members of the Swedish Mission church and Mr. Weedin belongs 
also to the Modern Woodmen of America, with which he has been identified for 
many years. In politics he is a democrat. To him and his wife have been 
born eight children, seven of whom are living: Katie, the wife of James Ling, 
a retired farmer residing at Loup City, Nebraska; J. W., of this review: Minnie, 
the wife of J. A. Johnson who is employed in a sash factory at Clinton, Iowa : 
Millie, the wife of E. A. Zartman, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, professor in the 
public schools of that city and teacher of penmanship; Fred, who is engaged 
in farming in Hamilton county, six miles from Aurora ; Frank, who is a twin of 
Fred and resides on a farm near his brother; and Laura, the wife of Gregory 
Blomstrand. an Aurora druggist. Both Katie and Millie taught school for several 
years and the family has long been widely and prominently known in this section 
of the state. 

J. W. Weedin obtained a high school education in Clinton, Iowa, and afterward 
took a course in the real estate and brokerage business through a correspondence 
school of Chicago. His first occupation was that of farming and he was foreman 
and manager of large farms in Minnesota. He remained in that state for about 
eleven years, leaving Hamilton county in 1896 and returning on the 33d of 
December, 1907. He then engaged in the real estate and insurance business, in 



34 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

which he remained active until 1911. On the 4th of November, of that year he 
was elected clerk of the district court and assumed the duties of the position 
January 4, 1912. So capably did he serve in that capacity that he was reelected 
in 1916 and once more in 1920, having no opposition at the last election. No higher 
testimonial of his capability and fidelity could be given than this statement. 

On the 17th of July, 1913, Mr. Weedin was married to Miss Maude Ethel 
Saucer, who was born in Blackhawk county, Iowa, a daughter of Eugene H. 
Saucer, one of the early settlers of that state and a farmer who also conducted 
a dray line at New Hartford, Iowa. He was born in France, but the greater 
part of his life was spent on this side of the Atlantic. Mrs. Weedin was educated 
in the high school of Waterloo and in the State Normal and for three years 
engaged in teaching, after which she pursued a course in shorthand and was 
employed as a stenographer at Waterloo, Iowa, for six and a half years. By her 
marriage she has become the mother of one daughter, Gwyneth, now. in her 
fifth year. 

Mr. and Mrs. Weedin are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
his political endorsement is given to the democratic party. He owns his home in 
Aurora, together with one hundred and sixty acres of land thirty miles east of 
Denver, Colorado, in Arapahoe county. His possessions have been acquired entirely 
through his own efforts and ability and his course illustrates what can be accom- 
plished when there is a will to dare and to do. 



ISAAC N. CLARK. 



No history of Sutton would be complete without extended reference to Isaac 
N. Clark, one of the founders of the town, numbered among its early merchants 
and actively identified with the real estate business for many years. He was 
also the first mayor of the town and his connection with Clay county has always 
been of a most beneficial and helpful character. Mr. Clark was born at Parma, 
Cuyahoga county, Ohio, June 18, 1836, and has therefore reached the eighty- 
fifth milestone on life's journey. His father, David Clark, was born in 1806 and 
when fifteen years of age went to work for Seth Thomas in his clock factory, 
being thus employed for thi-ee yeai's. In 1830 he emigrated westward, settling 
at Parma, Ohio, where he purchased a tract of timber laud which he cleared 
and improved. There he served as justice of the peace and was active in 
recruiting soldiers for the Civil war. He married Ximena Roberts, of Hai'tford, 
Connecticut, who was born in 1808, and proved a most devoted mother to their 
children. 

Isaac N. Clark spent his youthful days in his native state and acquired his 
education in schools of Ohio. His residence in Sutton dates from 1872, at which 
time he came with his family to Nebraska, having previotisly been married in the 
Buckeye state. He embarked in business as a hardware merchant, and in 1873 
admitted Samuel Carney, originally from Altoona, Pennsylvania, to a pai'tner- 
ship, but at the end of about ten years Mr. Carney became .sole proprietor. The 



1192538 




ISAAC X. CLAEK 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 37 

stock of this pioneer hardware store that was handled during the first year was a 
full carload shipped from St. Joseph, Missouri, to a point on the unfinished Grand 
Island Railroad and thence transferred across the prairie to Sutton. After turn- 
ing over the business to Mr. Carney Mr. Clark gave liis attention to the real 
estate business. He was associated with Martin V. B. Clark in purchasing the 
unsold portion of the town site of Sutton in October, 1871. This they afterward 
had resurveyed and platted and set apart four blocks for a public park, which 
was dedicated as Clark Square and was deeded to the city of Sutton. Isaac N. 
Clark also platted Clark's addition to Sutton and Clark's second addition and 
most of the lots have since been sold, many attractive residences standing thereon. 
In the years which have come and gone his active operations in real estate have 
brought to him a substantial competence and at all times he has not only figured 
as a progressive business man of the city but has in every possible way aided in 
the development and upbuilding of this section of the state. 

In early manhood Mr. Clark responded to the country's call for aid at the 
time of the Civil war and enlisted as a member of the Twenty-fifth Regiment of 
Illinois Infantry in June, 1861. He served as a corporal and did guard duty 
in St. Louis. He was discharged after weeks of illness and also on account of 
impaired eyesight. He has since maintained pleasant relations with his old 
army comrades through his membership in George G. Meade Post, G. A. R., of 
Nebraska, of which he has served as post commander and quartermaster. 

At Cleveland, Ohio, Isaac N. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Miner, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. K. Miner, of Olmsted Palls, Ohio, who 
removed to the Buckeye state from West Farley, Vermont. When but fourteen 
years of age his daughter, Mary Miner, began teaching school and so continued 
to her marriage. Leaving Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Clark removed to Champaign, 
Illinois, where they settled on a farm, and while there residing Mr. Clark filled 
the office of assessor and collector of taxes for two terms. In January, 1872, he 
left Illinois with his family and journeyed westward to Sutton, Nebraska, cross- 
ing the Missouri river on the ice. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born five 
children : David and Harry M., twins, who were born January 12, 1864, but the 
former died at the age of five months; Myra E., born September 10, 1867 ; Albert 
W., March 28, 1869 ; and Roy N., born in Sutton, June 28, 1877. The son, Harry 
M. Clark, a native of Champaign, Illinois, was brought by his parents to 
Nebraska in January, 1872, and later he assisted his father in the survey and 
improvement of Clark's first and second additions to the city. He was for two 
years a student in the State University of Nebraska and for fifteen years he was 
in the train service of the St. Joseph & Grand Island Railroad Company. He is 
now collector for the American Electric Company of St. Joseph, Missouri. The 
only daughter of the family, Myra E. Clark, was graduated from the Sutton high 
school in June, 1885. Arrangements had been made whereby Chancellor Mannat 
of the State University attended the commencement exercises and the examina- 
tions which were held for a test in order to bring before the board of the State 
University the question of admitting to the university the students of the 
Sutton high school without further examination. Because of her creditable 
reports and markings in school, Myra E. Clark was the first to enter the State 
University without further examination. She was graduated from the univer- 



38 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUXTIES 

sity in June, 1889, and afterward became the wife of David D. Forsyth, who 
took up ihe work of the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Mr. Forsyth was for ten years pastor and district superintendent of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Denver, Colorado, and was elected corresponding 
secretary of the Home Missionary Society, with headquarters at Philadelphia. 
Mrs. Forsyth was also an active worker in the Woman's Department of Mission- 
ary Education, located at Philadelphia. In the summer of 1920, they visited 
Honolulu and the Hawaiian Islands and from the 20th of February until the 
16th of March, 1921, were in Porto Rico in the interests of the Methodist Epis- 
copal missionary work. Dr. Forsji;h has been most active in behalf of the 
centenary canvass and the excellent work which he did for the Home Missionary 
Society during his first four years' term led to his reelection for an equal period 
in May, 1920. Rev. and Mrs. Forsyth have one son, James, who is in college, 
and a daughter, Margaret, who was graduated from Goucher College at Balti- 
more, Maryland, and from Cohunbia University of New York and is now at 
Smyrna, Asia Minor, where for two years she has been engaged in the work of 
the Young Woman's Christian Association. Albert W. Clark, the second son 
in the family of Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Clark, was born at Champaign, Illinois, 
March 28, 1869, and was therefore but about three years of age when the family 
home was established in Sutton, Nebraska. Here he was graduated from the 
high school and attended the State University for one year. He early engaged 
in the ice business, supplying ice for the entire town for a period of twenty 
years. He also served as a member of the board of supervisors of Clay county 
for twelve years and was president of the board for two years of that period. He 
was likewise elected and served as mayor of the city for the year 1919. He is now 
the manager of the Sutton Opera House and is also engaged in the real estate 
and insurance business. He married Mayme G. Wieden, daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. William Wieden of Sutton, Nebraska. Roy N. Clark, the youngest of tlie 
family, was educated in the Sutton high school and afterward Avas employed 
by the Wells Fargo Express Company as express messenger for a period of four 
years. At this writing he is manager of the Clark farm near Sutton. He 
married Clara Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Andei-son of Chanute, 
Kansas. 

Mrs. Isaac N. Clark was born at West Farley, Vermont, June 27, 1838, and 
when a young girl removed to Olmsted Falls, Ohio. Later she became a success- 
ful school teacher, which profession she followed for eleven years. Coming to 
Sutton, Nebraska, in January, 1872, she was untiring in her devotion as a 
pioneer woman and was active in all that concerned the moral uplift of the com- 
munity, assisting in organizing and raising money for the Sunday school and 
church. She was a loyal and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church 
for many years, and was also a member of the Woman's Relief Corps and the 
Order of the Eastern Star. After a useful and well spent life she passed away at 
her home in Sutton, July 6, 1916, at the age of seventy-eight years. 

Mr. Clark is also an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in 
which he is serying as a trustee. In politics he has always been a republican and 
in April, 1877, was elected the first mayor of Sutton upon its organization as a 
city of the second class. He discharged the duties of the position so capably 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 39 

that he was reelected for a second term and he gave to the city a public-spirited 
and progressive administration. He belongs to Evening Star Lodge, No. 49, 
A. F. & A. M., in which he has been treasurer, to Sutton Chapter, No. 14, R. 
A. M., in which he has held the office of king; and to Solomon Council 
No. 10, R. & S. M., in which he has been recorder. In many connections he has 
been called upon for public service and his record has at all times been that of 
marked fidelity to duty and capability in the tasks put in his charge. For forty- 
nine years — almost a half century — Mr. Clark has been a resident of Sutton, and 
there is no man more familiar with its history or who has done more for develop- 
ment, progress and improvement here. 



CYEUS C. DOBBS 



Cyrus C. Dobbs, prominently kno\\-n throughout Hamilton county by reason 
of his earnest and effective labors in the church and also through his connection 
with the Aurora Republican of which he is the editor, was born in Andrew county, 
Missouri, September 18, 1879, his parents being William and Elva P. (Spohn) 
Dobbs. The father was born in Missouri in 1855 and the mother in Ohio in 1851, 
while their marriage was celebrated in Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1875. They 
are now residing at Savannah, that state, and the father, who devoted many years 
to farming, has now put aside business cares and since 1913 has been enjoying 
well earned rest. He was a son of Russell Dobbs, who went from Tennessee with 
his brother to Missouri, making an overland trip. This brother, Fidille Dobbs, 
afterward settled in Gage county, Nebraska. The maternal grandfather of Cyrus 
C. Dobbs was Jonathan Spohn, a minister of the Dunkard faith. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. William Dobbs are members of the Christian church and his political support 
is given to the republican party. To him and his wife have been born five 
children, of whom four are living, namely: Inez, the wife of Joseph Jenkins, 
a farmer of Andrew county, Missouri; Cyrus C; Clio, the wife of Samuel Sears 
who carries on agricultural pursuits in Andrew county, Missouri; and Leslie M., 
a teacher of St. Joseph, Missouri. 

Cyrus C. Dobbs pursued his education in the public schools of his native 
county and afterwards took up the profession of teaching, which he there followed 
for five years. He entered upon preparation for the ministry at Bigelow, Missouri, 
and then became a student in Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa, where he 
pursued his studies from 1904 until 1907. He was graduated from the Bible 
department in the latter year and while in college acted as pastor at Bigelow, 
Missouri, from 1902 until 1904, and at Palestine and Ravenswood, Missouri, for 
a part of that time. In the fall of 1907 he went to Longmont, Colorado, where 
he filled a pastorate until the fall of 1912 and then accepted a call from the 
church at Scottsbhiff, Nebraska, where he labored until 1914. He then worked 
as an evangelist out of Denver for six months and on the 1st of January, 1915, 
arrived in Aurora, Nebraska, since wliich time he has been pastor of the Christian 
church of this city. He is an earnest and convincing speaker and logical reasoner 
and has been untiring in his efforts to promote the interests of his denomination. 



40 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

the church prospering greatly under his care. He has also edited the Aurora 
Republican for the last year and is thus gaining a still wider acquaintance through 
the community. He has occupied a number of church positions, such as state 
superintendent of the Christian Endeavor and member of the state board of the 
Churches of Christ in Colorado. For five years he was a member of the state 
board of the Nebraska Christian Missionary Society and for one year of that time 
acted as president of the board. He was also president of the Nebraska Christian 
Endeavor for two years and in fact has devoted the greater part of liis life to 
the work of the church. He entered upon his labors in Aurora when the church 
had an indebtedness of over six thousand dollars. Through his untiring labor 
which has won the hearty cooperation of the people of the church and of the 
community he has not only paid off the indebtedness but has to the credit of the 
church five thousand dollars in the bank toward the erection of a new house of 
worship. 

On the 11th of February, 1900, Elder Dobbs was married to Miss Ethel M. 
Kellogg, who was bom in Andrew county, Missouri, a daughter of J. H. and 
Emma Kellogg, both natives of that county, where they spent their entire lives, 
the father there following the occupation of farming. They had a family of 
four children, of whom three are living: Fay 0., who was graduated from the 
high school of Aurora at the age of eighteen years; Flo, who died in 1907 at the 
age of two years; Gurnie E., who is eleven years of age and is now in school; 
and Lenore E., nine years of age, the youngest of the family. 

Mr. Dobbs is a member of the Masonic fraternity also the Brotherhood of 
American Yeomen and the Loyal Americans of the Eepublic. He is likewise 
connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. For a number of years he 
voted the prohibition ticket and is now a supporter of the republican party. He 
has always been a stanch advocate of the cause of temperance, doing everything in 
his power to do away with the use of intoxicants and his activities have been a most 
potent force in the advancement of high standards of life in the communities 
in which he has lived and labored and in the promotion of i'deals among his 
fellowmen. 



JOHN T. PEICE 



The career of this sterling and representative citizen of Hamilton county has 
covered much of the pioneer period in the history of this county, within whose 
borders he established his home nearly half a century ago and in which he had the 
distinction of being the second person to serve as county superintendent of schools. 
His constructive powers touched effectively the civic and industrial development 
of the county and later he became prominently identified with similar pioneer 
service in Greeley county. He is now a venerable pioneer citizen who may well 
take satisfaction in reverting to the part which he has played in the progress 
of the great commonwealth of Nebraska. He is living virtually retired in the 
village of Phillips, Hamilton county, and it is pleasing to enter in this publication 
a succinct record of his career. 

Mr. Price was born in Rush county, Indiana, on the 21st of November, 1845, 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 41 

and is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Stewart) Price, both natives of the state of 
Ohio. The father early settled in Indiana and there he reclaimed and developed 
a farm in Rush county. In 1876 he became one of the pioneer settlers of Hamilton 
county, Nebraska, whither his son John T. had preceded him by about four years 
and he obtained land and took up his abode in a sod house of the type common 
to that early period, where he instituted the reclamation of his land to cultivation. 
Here he remained until his death at the venerable age of eighty-five years and his 
name merits enduring place on the roll of the honored pioneers of the county. 
His wife died in Indiana, at the age of fifty-two years, their children having been 
ten in niunber: Elizabeth, eldest of the children, died in June, 1920; Abbie and 
Christy likewise are deceased, as is also Jane, who died in 1920; John T., of this 
review, was the next in order of birth; Frances M. is a missionary in China; A. 
W., a railroad man, resides at University Place, near Lincoln, Nebraska; and D. E. 
is a resident of Grand Island, Hall county. He served as county commissioner of 
Hamilton county and secretary to Congressman Stark. The father was influential 
in public affairs in Hamilton county. Prior to coming to Nebraska he had been for 
a number of years a resident of Iowa. 

The common schools of his native state afforded to John T. Price his early 
education, which was supplemented by his attendance at the Illinois Wesleyan 
University, at Bloomington. He became a successful teacher in the public schools 
of Illinois and it was in the spring of 1873 that he set forth from that state, with 
team and prairie schooner, to initiate his pioneer experiences in Nebraska. Nearly 
four weeks were required to complete the trip to Hamilton county, this state, he 
having crossed the Mississippi river at Burlington, Iowa, where a ferry transferred 
his team and wagon, a similar medium having been utilized in crossing the Platte 
river, at Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Mr. Price adjusted himself readily and effectively 
to pioneer conditions after his arrival in Hamilton county and that his ability 
along pedagogic lines did not long wait special recognition is shown in the fact 
that in the year of his arrival here he was chosen as the second incumbent of 
the office of county superintendent of schools, in which office he continued one 
term, or two years. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of railroad land 
in the present Phillips precinct and paid for the same at the rate of three dollars 
an acre, the contract terms providing that the full payment should be completed 
within a period of ten years. On his land he erected a small frame house of primi- 
tive type, the lumber and other material used in its construction having been 
hauled overland from Grand Island, twenty-six miles distant. His original barns 
on the place were constructed of straw and he personally took charge of the break- 
ing of his new prairie land and making the same available for cultivation. His 
experiences, many of which are more pleasing in retrospect then they were in 
realization, were those of the average pioneer of the locality and period and he 
recalls that in the early period of his residence here the bones of buffaloes were to 
be found scattered about the open prairies and that deer and antelopes were fre- 
quently seen. 

Mr. Price continued his residence on the Hamilton county farm until 1881, when 
he amplified his pioneer activities by removing with his family to Greeley county, 
where, by taking up homestead and timber claims he became the owner of a tract 
of three hundred and twenty acres. He bent his energies to the improving of this 



42 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

property and eventually perfected his title thereto. From the farm he finally re- 
moved to the village of Scotia, that county, where he effected the organization of 
the Greeley County Bank, of which he continued the vice president for the ensuing 
seven years. For three years thereafter he conducted the Walker House, a leading 
hotel at St. Paul, Howard county, and he then returned to Hamilton county and 
resumed his active association with farm enterprise. Here he remained from 1898 
until 1907, in which latter year he removed to the city of Lincoln, in order to give 
to his children the advantages of the excellent educational institutions of the 
capital city. There he remained until 1914, after which he lived with his children, 
at different points in the state, until 1920, when he established his home at Phillips, 
where he remains as an honored citizen of the county in which he gained his initial 
experience as a pioneer of the state. 

The year 1876 recorded the marriage of Mr. Price to Miss Nancy Lutz, who 
was born in Indiana and who was a resident of Hamilton county, Nebraska, at the 
time of her marriage. Like her husband Mrs. Price is an earnest member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Of their children the eldest, Elizabeth, died August 
19, 1912; Mary is the wife of Chris Husted, D. D. S., of Omaha; Georgia is the 
wife of Clarence Shahan, a commercial salesman of Omaha ; and Ruth is the wife of 
D. M. Davis, a farmer in Wayne county, this state. 

Mr. Price is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the republican party, and 
while a resident of Greeley county he served in various local offices, including those 
of justice of the peace and to^^aiship assessor. His religious faith is that of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and he is affiliated wdth both York and Scottish Eite 
bodies of the Masonic fraternity, in which he served eight years as master of the 
lodge of Free & Accepted Masons at Scotia and also at Phillips. Mr. Price has 
vritnessed and taken part in the splendid civic and material development of 
Nebraska and in reverting to conditions in Hamilton county at the time of his 
arrival here he states that when he passed through Aurora, the present county seat, 
he found .the town represented by a single house. 



A. E. SIEKMANN 



The business career of A. E. Siekmann should well serve to inspire and 
encourage others, showing what can be accomplished through individual effort, 
determination and ability. He came to Hamilton county in 1878 practically with- 
out means and at various periods has lieen identified Avith farming, real estate 
and banking. Mr. Siekmann came to Nebraska from Stephenson county, Illinois, 
where he was born May 5, 1855, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Siekmann. Mr. 
Siekmann attended the Lawrence University at Appleton, Wisconsin, and Rock 
River Seminary at Mt. Morris, Illinois, thus qualifying for life's practical and 
responsible duties. He was early trained to the work of the farm, soon becoming 
fajiiiliar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. His 
attention when not in school was given to farm work in Illinois and in 1878 
he came to Hamilton county where he lived on the farm until 1888 when he 
removed to Aurora and turned his attention to real estate and insurance. In 




MR. AND MRS. A. E. SIEKilAN-: 



HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 45 

1905 he entered banking circles, becoming a stockbolder and the president of 
the Fidelity National Bank, since which time he has remained as the chief 
executive of the institution. The careful management of his business affairs 
and the simple weight of his character and ability have carried him into important 
business relations. 

In 1879 Mr. Siekmann was united in marriage to Miss Virgilia Fox, daughter 
of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Fox of Stephenson county, Illinois. 

Mr. Siekmaim is most prominently known through his connection with the 
Royal Highlanders. He was one of the organizers of the fraternity in 1896 and 
has since served as its chief treasurer. The order has made an excellent showing 
from the beginning and is steadily growing along substantial lines. 

Politically Mr. Siekmann believes in the party of Lincoln, McKinley, Eoose- 
velt and Harding. 



C. C. FRAIZER 



C. C. Fraizer, who is engaged in law practice in Aurora where he took up his 
abode in 1917, becoming a partner in the iirm of Hainer, Craft, Edgerton and 
Fraizer, was born in Montpelier, Indiana, a son of A. J. and Amelia (Cooper) 
Fraizer who were likewise natives of the Hoosier state where they were reared and 
married. They still reside within the borders of that state, now tnaking their home 
at Muncie, Indiana, and from early manhood Mr. Fraizer has devoted his attention 
to the drug business. The father and his wife are members of the Christian church 
and he is a faithful follower of the teachings of Masonry, of the Knights of 
Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political endorsement is 
given to the republican party. To him and his wiie have been born two children : 
C. C. of this review, and Joseph H., who is now in school in Los Angeles, California. 
In tracing the ancestral record still farther it is learned that Abraliam Fraizer, 
the grandfather of C. C. Fraizer, was one of the early settlers of Indiana, where he 
took up farming in pioneer times and the maternal grandfather, Robert Cooper, also 
established his home on the frontier of Indiana. 

C. C. Fraizer mastered the work of the grades and of the high school at Muncie, 
Indiana, being graduated with the class of 1910. It was his desire to become a 
member of the bar and with that end in view he studied law in the University of 
Pennsylvania from 1910 until 1911 and then completed his studies in the George 
Washington University, at Washington, D. C, the year of his graduation there being 
1914. He at once entered upon active practice in the national capital where he 
remained for three years, and in 1917 he arrived in Aurora where he became a 
partner of the present firm of Hainer, Craft, Edgerton & Fraizer. He is thus con- 
nected with one of the strong law combinations of the city, a firm that enjoys an 
extensive clientage of an important character. Mr. Fraizer has served as deputy 
county attorney of Hamilton county and also as city attorney of Aurora and he 
devotes his entire attention to his professional interests and duties. 

In October, 1916, Mr. Fraizer was married to Miss Nelle McCarthy, a native 
of Muncie, Indiana, who there attended the high school, gi-aduating in 1911, while 



46 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

later she continued her education at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 
and was graduated from the University of Denver. She taught school for a year 
in Wyoming and is recognized as a lady of liberal culture and innate refinement. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Fraizer has been born one son, Theodore J., now two years of age. 
Mr. Fraizer is a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a college fraternity. He 
served with the intelligence department of the navy during the World war, enlisting 
in June, 1918. He was stationed at Chicago where he remained the entire time 
until discharged on the 1st of January following. ' He is a member of the American 
Legion. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party 
and he has kept thoroughly informed concerning governmental problems, having 
during six years of residence in Washington made a special study of the national 
government. 



GEORGE C. EATON 



When cognizance is taken of the fact that George C. Eaton was born on the 
farm which is his present place of residence and that the date of his nativity was 
January 10, 1878, it becomes evident that he is a representative of a family whose 
name has been linked with the history of Hamilton county since the early pioneer 
days. The excellent farm which now challenges his most vigorous and progressive 
activities as an agriculturist and stock raiser is situated in section 6, Hamilton town- 
ship, and is one of the well improved properties of the county. George K. Eaton, 
father of George C. Eaton, came from Lee county, Iowa, to Hamilton county, 
Nebraska, in the year of 1873, and in Hamilton township look up a homestead 
of eighty- acres of unbroken prairie land. He erected a sod house and made other 
preliminary provisions essential to the primitive demands of the pioneer district 
in which he thus established his home, and while he endured his full share of the 
hardships and trials of the early days his staying qualities and persistent efforts 
eventually brought to him a generous measure of prosj^erity, the wliile he gained 
inviolable place in popular esteem and was honored as one of the sterling pioneers 
and constructive workers of Hamilton county. Here he continued his residence 
until his death, which occurred on the 3d of January, 1918, his \nfe having preceded 
him in 1906. 

George C. Eaton was reared on the farm which is now his home and in addi- 
tion to receiving the advantages of the local scliools he attended the Nebraska State 
Normal School at Fremont. At the age of twenty-seven years he assumed the 
active charge and management of the old home farm and his finely improved 
estate now comprises two hundred and forty acres, devoted to diversified agriculture 
and the raising of good types of live stock. In connection with him there can be 
no application of the scriptural aphorism that "a prophet is not without houor save 
in his own country," for he has been essentially the prophet and apostle of progress 
in his native county and has proved himself qualified for no little leadership in 
public affairs, the while he commands unqualified confidence and respect, as shown 
in the fact that he has been called iipon to serve as a member of the board of 
county commissioners, in which position he has been the advocate and loyal sup- 
porter of progressive measures and enterprises and of whicli body he served as 



HAMILTON" AXD CLAY COUNTIES 47 

chairman in 1920. He is a stanch republican and he and his wife hold member- 
ship in the Methodist Episcopal church. 

In the year 1913 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Eatonr to Miss Edna 
Newell, and they have four children: Sidney, Margaret, Clare, and Harold. 



J. L. EVANS 



Prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of 
Aurora is J. L. Evans, bank president and manager of the telephone company. 
He was born in Centerville, Iowa, December 28, 1860, his parents being Jesse and 
Ehoda A. (Martin) Evans, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter 
was born in Illinois. They were married, however, in Iowa, to which state Mrs. Evans 
removed with her parents in 1836 when it was a frontier region, and in 1856 Mr. 
EVans took up his abode within its borders. He devoted his life to farming in Iowa 
and there resided until 1873 when he came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, and 
located a homestead six miles south of Aurora. Upon this he built a small frame 
house and here he and his wife reared their family, his attention being given to 
the development of the farm until his life's labors were ended in death in 1889. 
The mother died at the home of her son, J. L. Evans, on an adjoining farm in 
1899. Mr. Evans was a member of the Church of God while his vdte had mem- 
bership in the United Brethren church. In politics he was a prohibitionist, doing 
everything in his power to advance the cause of temperance and bring about the 
abolishment of the liquor traffic. He served in the Civil war as a member of Com- 
pany F, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, for a period of two years and throughout his entire 
life manifested the same loyalty and patriotic attitude toward his country that he 
displayed when he followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the south. 
The family came from Pennsylvania, for it was in that state that Daniel Evans, the 
grandfather, was born and made his home until called to his final rest. The 
maternal grandfather, Samuel Martin, was born in Kentucky and in early life 
went to Illinois, while in 1836 he became one of the pioneers of Iowa and took up 
the task of developing wild land into a cultivated farm. Upon the frontier of 
Iowa his daughter, Mrs. Evans, was reared and by her marriage she became the 
mother of three children: J. L., of this review; Ehoda A., the widow of Jacob 
Sherer and now a resident of Payette, Idaho; and Clara Belle, the wife of T. W. 
Condon, a fruit rancher of Garden Grove, California. Both Mr. and Mrs. Evans 
had been previously married and she had four children by her first marriage, of 
whom two are living : J. S. Bickf ord, a carpenter of Oregon ; and Ruth A. Porter, 
living in Clearfield, Iowa. By his first marriage Mr. Evans had seven children, of 
whom three are living: John, a retired rancher residing in Oklahoma; Mrs. 
Margaret Stewart, a widow of California ; and Edward, who is a retired rancher 
living at Orange, California. 

J. L. Evans was quite young when brought to Nebraska and obtained liis 
education in the common schools of Hamilton county. His youthful experiences 
were those of the farm bred boy who early becomes familiar with the work of the 
fields and the best methods of caring for the crops and the live stock. He remained 



48 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

upon the home farm until 1909 and then removed to Aurora. Here he has en- 
gaged in banking, becoming identifieil with the Farmers' State Bank, of which he 
has been the president for ten j'ears. He supports a safe, conservative policy in the 
conduct of the bank and in financial affairs displays sound judgment and keen 
discrimination. In 1914 he became connected with the office of the Hamilton 
County Farmers' Telephone Association as manager and is now devoting the greater 
part of his attention to the telephone business but still owns four hundred acres of 
well improved and valuable farm land in Hamilton county, from which he derives 
a very gratifying annual income. 

In 1882 Mr. Evans was married to Miss Mary J. Denton, a native of Illinois, 
whose parents were among the early settlers of that state, removing to the Mississippi 
valley from the state of New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been bom three 
children: Ealph L., who is located on his father's farm; Francis J., a farmer 
residing at Aurora; and Grace, a high school pupil. Mrs. Evans belongs to the 
United Brethren church. Mr. Evans is identified with the Royal Highlanders and 
with the Modern Woodmen of America. He formerly gave his political support to 
the populist party and is now a democrat but with independent tendencies. He 
served for one term in the state legislature, having been elected on the populist 
ticket in 1909. His interest in public affairs has always been of a helpful nature 
and his progressiveness has contributed to the upbuilding and benefit of the state 
along material, intellectual, social and moral lines. Moreover, his life record indi- 
cates what can be accomplished through individual effort, for it is by industry, 
perseverance and capability that Mr. Evans has reached a position among the 
substantial and prosperous citizens of Hamilton county. 



FEANCIS A. MILLSAP 



The conditions and incidents of the pioneer era in the history of Hamilton 
county have left a definite impression upon the memory and appreciation of 
Francis A. Millsap, who was a vigorous youth of seventeen years at the time when 
the family home was established here nearly a half ceutuiy ago and he has used 
his ability and powers so effectively as to gain high standing as one of the successful 
exponents of the agricultural and live stock industry in this section of the state. 
He is a member of one of the most honored pioneer families of the county and 
the name of his father is here held in specially reverent memory, owing to the 
fact that he brought to bear his fine intellectual powers and fervent Christian 
faith in aiding and uplifting his fellowmen throughout this part of Nebraska in 
the early days, having been a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
for a time the only local Christian minister in Hamilton county. His life was 
one of consecrated zeal and devotion and while he did not achieve great temporal 
prosperity, his was the broader success of noble service and true human helpfulness. 

Francis A. Millsap was born in Hancock county, Illinois, on the 24th day of 
August, 1855, and is a son of Rev. William L. and Matilda E. Millsap. The father 
was born in the state of Tennessee and was a child when his parents numbered 
themselves among the pioneer settlers of Indiana, where he was reared and educated 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 49 

and whence he eventually removed to Illinois, where he engaged in farm enterprise. 
Later he removed with his family to Iowa, where he continued his residence sixteen 
years and not only engaged in farming but also gave effective service as a minister 
of the Methodist church. In October, 1872, he and his family drove overland from 
Iowa to Hamilton county, Nebraska, where he filed claim to a homestead of eighty 
acres, in section 2, township 12, range 5, in what is now Otis township. The 
following spring he purchased eighty acres of railroad land in the same locality 
and here, amid the most primitive of pioneer conditions and influences, instituted 
the reclamation of a productive farm from the unbroken prairie land. The family 
made the journey to Nebraska with teams and wagons, and the son, Francis A., 
walked such portion of the distance as he did not cover by riding horseback, five 
horses having been brought from Iowa, but no other live stock. On his embryonic 
farm the father, with the aid of his sons, built a sod house with sod roof and dirt 
floor, and as this medium of construction was new to them no little perplexity 
and difficulty were experienced before the rude building was made ready for habi- 
tation. Here the family experienced the full force of the historic Easter blizzard 
of April, 1873, when this entire section of the state was virtually snowbound for 
three days. Francis A. Millsap assumed practically the entire active management 
of the home farm the second year, when he was eighteen years of age and found 
pleasure in his various hunting expeditions in the new country, where antelopes, 
deer, prairie chickens and wild geese were plentiful. He relieved his father of 
the many cares and labors of the pioneer farm and the latter gave the major part 
of his time to Christian service and the furtherance of the general civic interests 
of the community. He was one of the revered and patriarchal pioneer citizens of 
Hamilton county at the time of his death in 1892, after he had passed his eighty- 
eighth birthday, his devoted wife having passed away at the age of sixty-nine 
years, a gentle and gracious woman, who effectively supplemented the service of 
her husband and who upheld in her home the highest ideals of culture, refinement 
and hospitality. Eev. William L. Millsap was the first moderator of the first 
school district organized in Otis township, this district, known as No. 18, was 
eight miles in length and the first schoolhouse was erected in July, 1873 — a frame 
building sixteen by twenty-four feet. He organized several Methodist churches in 
this part of the state, including those at North Blue, Kingston and one in the Dory 
district in York county. He spared himself no labors nor hardships in carrying 
forward his ministrations as a clergyman in the pioneer community. He drove 
long distances and held services in various private homes throughout this section 
of the state, and became guide, counselor and friend to many families that later 
were prominent and influtotial. He and his family suffered their share of losses 
through drought, grasshoppers, prairie fires, etc, and he and his sons had occasion 
to aid in fighting back a number of prairie fires. 

Francis A. Millsap gained his early education principally in the public schools 
of Iowa, besides having the fortifying influences of a home of distinctive culture 
and refinement. As previously stated he soon assumed active management of the 
pioneer farm, with the activities of which he continued to be identified until he 
was about twenty-five years of age. He finally purchased the old Burtwell home- 
stead, in section 2, Otis township, where he has since maintained his residence. He 
bought this property from his brother who had purchased it from Mr. Burtwell, 



50 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

the original owner. Mr. Millsap has made this one of the model farms of the 
county, has improved it with modern buildings, and on his present valuable estate 
of three hundred and fifty-seven acres, he has provided two complete sets of farm 
buildings. He has been emphatically a progressive and vigorous representative 
of the agricultural and live stock industry, has contributed through his labors 
to the general development and upbuilding of the county and in all of the rela- 
tions of life has well upheld the prestige of the honored family name. 

In April, 1886, w'as solemnized the marriage of Mr. Millsap to Miss Marie E. 
Wildman, who was born in Ohio, and who was a resident of Hamilton county, 
Nebraska, at the time of her marriage, her parents having passed the closing years 
of their lives in Ohio and her father never having resided in Nebraska. Mr. and 
Mrs. Millsap have four children : Mark I. resides on and has charge of the old home- 
stead farm of his paternal gi-andfather; Euth is the wife of Frank J. Zimmerman of 
Deuel county; and Paul and Lois remain at the parental home, which is widely 
known for its generous and unostentatious hospitality. 

Mr. Millsap is a republican in politics, has served as justice of the peace and 
except for an interim of three years he has held the office of treasurer of school 
district No. 18 since 1877. He and his family are active members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church at Hordville. 



DANIEL FYE 



One of the fine farm properties in the north central part of Hamilton county 
is that belonging to Daniel Fye, an honored pioneer citizen since the year 1872, 
and the original homestead on which he still resides, in section 32, was the first 
one on which entry was filed within the present limits of South Platte township. 
Thus it may readily be understood that he was numbered among the very first 
of the sturdy and determined pioneers who instituted the work of development 
and progress in that township and is one who has played effectively his part in 
the civic and industrial upbuilding of Hamilton county and who has stood the 
exemplar of loyal and upright citizenship. He was born in Cambria county, 
Pennsylvania, on the 9th of May, 1843, and is a son of Conrad and Sarah Fye, 
both natives of the old Keystone state, where they continued their residence 
until about 1845, when they removed to Illinois and established their home in 
Stephenson county, where the father obtained land and developed a productive 
farm, both he and his wife having passed the remainder of their lives in that 
state, where he died at the' age of eighty-four years and his widow at the age of 
eighty-seven years. . 

Daniel Fye was two years old at the time of the family removal to Illinois, 
where rudimentary education was acquired in the rural schools, principally 
during the winter terms, when his services were not in demand in connection 
with the work of the home farm. His youthful patriotism was exemplified in his 
eighteen months of service as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war, he having 
enlisted as a member of Company H, Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
with which command he participated in numerous conflicts on the battle fields 




DANIEL FYE 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 53 

of the south and with which he accompanied Sherman's forces on the historic 
march from Atlanta to the sea, on through the Carolinas and thence to Wash- 
ington, D. C, where he participated in the Grand Review of the victorious 
troops at the close of the war. His continued interest in his old comrades is 
indicated by his affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic. 

After the close of the war Mr. Fye followed the work of the carpenter's 
trade and also was engaged in farming about two years in Illinois. In 1872, 
with a wagon and team of horses he drove through to Iowa, where his brother 
J. D. was then residing, and there he traded his horses for three yoke of oxen, 
with which plodding animals he completed the journey to Hamilton county, 
Nebraska, his progress on this trip having been at the rate of about fifteen miles 
a day, much of the way over the unbroken prairies through which no definite 
roads had been made. Upon his arrival he filed entry on the first homestead in 
South Platte township and in that same spring a number of other settlers from 
Illinois here established their residence, the mutual interests and neighborly con- 
sideration of the early settlers being shown in their helpfulness to each other, 
especially in the constructing of habitations and other preliminary work which 
a settler could not well compass alone. After selecting his homestead of one 
hundred and sixty acres, Mr. Fye and his wife lived in their covered wagon until 
he could complete the little frame house, which was twelve by fourteen feet in 
dimensions, two days having been required to complete the trips to and from 
Sutton, where the lumber for the modest house was obtained. Another prere- 
quisite was the digging of a well and barns of the sod tj^pe were soon added to 
the pioneer farm equipment, while fuel was obtained principally from trees 
along the Platte river. The Fye home became a popular stopping place for 
travelers passing through this section, and its hospitality was in inverse pro- 
portion to its limited accomodations. Mr. and Mrs. Fye arrived in time to 
witness the great Easter blizzard of 1873, a storm that held this section of the 
state snowbound for three days. This storm has gone on record as one of 
the worst in the history of Hamilton county. At the time when Mr. Fye 
here established his home the present county seat, Aurora, had but one store, 
two days were required to make the trip to and from the nearest mill, and 
antelopes and deer were much in evidence in this locality. The Eye farm 
suffered from the grasshopper plague in the later '70s, and, like the other farms of 
the county, Mr. Fye lost about all of his crops. It required courage and 
determined purpose to endure the trials and hardships of the early days and 
the pioneers who have remained have well merited the ample success that had 
rewarded their efforts in connection with the development of the great natural 
resources of this now favored section of Nebraska. Now venerable in years, 
Mr. Fye has retired from the labors and responsibilities that were long his 
portion and the finely improved farm is now under active management of his 
only surviving son, with whom he lives. 

In Illinois, in 1870, Mr. Fye was married to Miss Louise Fue, who was born 
and reared in that state and who proved his devoted companion and helpmeet 
during the pioneer days in Nebraska. Their children are: Charles "W., the 
elder, who was born in 1871 and died in 1916; and Ira D., the yoimger son, 
who has active charge of the old home farm. The Fye farm estate now comprises 



54 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

one hundred and sixty acres. The widow of Charles W. is now using 
eighty acres of the homestead. 

Mr. Fye is a stalwart supporter of the cause of the republican party and while 
never desirous of public office, he gave fifteen years of effective service as treasurer 
of school district No. 63. He holds membership in the United Brethren church, 
as did also his devoted wife, who died in February, 1916, at the age of seventy- 
two years. 



CHAELES A. VOORHEES 

Charles A. Voorhees, prominent in the banking circles of Edgar, as president 
of the Clay County State Bank, was born at Pennington, Mercer county. New 
Jersey, January 17, 1854, a son of Isaac and Helen (Hunt) Voorhees, both natives 
of New Jersey. The great-grandfather of Charles Voorhees was Abraham Voorhees, 
a native of Holland, who was given a land title by King George of England. His 
son Jacob, the grandfather of our subject, was born in New Jersey and there 
passed his entire life, a successful and prominent man. The Hunt family are of 
English lineage, the first members of that family having made their homes in New 
Jer.sey. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Voorhees were married in their native state, where they 
lived until death, the father being a progressive and successful farmer. They were 
the parents of three children, of whom Charles A. is the only one living. Throughout 
their lives they were consistent members of the Presbyterian church and Isaac 
Voorhees was a stanch supporter of the republican party. 

In the acquirement of an education Charles A. Voorhees attended the schools 
of his native state and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming the 
homestead until he was twenty-eight years of age. At that time he decided to 
come west and on the 12th of April, 1882, he arrived in Edgar, where he has since 
remained. For a time he engaged in the loan business but in the fall of 1882 
he commenced banking, having erected a small brick building. He has devoted his 
entire time to his banking interests and is now the president of the Clay County 
Bank of Edgar, being a most popular official and doing everything in his power to 
promote the interests of the bank and protect the rights of its depositors and its 
stockholders. The bank has a capital stock of twenty-five thousand, profits and 
surplus of eight thousand and average deposits of three hundred thousand dollars. 

On the 15th of November, 1877, occurred the marriage of Mr. Voorhees and 
Miss Lucy A. Titus, a native of New Jersey and a daughter of Noah and Louisa 
Titus. Her father was a successful farmer and died on the home place in New 
Jersey. Five children have been born to the imion of Mr. and Mrs. Voorhees, 
namely: Fred, who is cashier of the Clay County State Bank; Bertha, who is 
the wife of Orvil C. Johnson of Idaho, where he is engaged in farming; Olita, 
now the wife of Frank Johnson, a dentist of Twin Falls, Idaho; Clair, who is 
assistant cashier in the bank; and Edward R., also an employe of the bank. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Voorhees the riglit of franchise he has been a stanch 
supporter of the republican party and the principles for which it stands. His 
religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and fraternally he is identified 
with the Knights Templars. For five years he served as master of his lodge in 
Edgar, that being the longest term of service ever required of one man. The 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 55 

success that Mr. Voorhees has achieved is the result of determined effort on his 
part. Progress and improvement find expression in his life and his enterprise has 
carried him into successful and important business relations. He is indeed a rep- 
resentative citizen of Edgar and one of whom any community would be proud. 



AUGUST H. EEISER 



In section 9 of Deepwell township, Hamilton county, is to be found the well 
improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, that in its appearance and definite 
productiveness gives evidence of the success that has attended the well ordered 
industry of its owner. This farm represents the concrete evidence of the admirable 
achievement of August H. Eeiser and shows that he has made good use of the 
opportunities and advantages that have been afforded him in the state of his adop- 
tion. He was born in Germany in the year 1860, was there reared and educated 
and was a sturdy young man of resolute purpose when, in 1884, he came to the 
United States, where he felt assured of winning eventual independence through 
his ovm ability and efforts. Soon after his arrival he came to Nebraska and for 
a time was employed at farm work in the vicinity of Grand Island. He also worked 
in brickyards at a wage of one dollar a day. Upon coming to Hamilton county 
he found employment on the farm of James Kirkpatrick, near Phillips, hiring 
out by the year and receiving sixteen dollars a month for his services. This work 
engrossed his attention three years and in 1888 he went to Perkins county and took 
up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. He put up a shanty to live in 
and then set himself to the work of breaking the soil of his embryonic farm. 
He there remained two years and then returned to Hamilton county and resumed 
his service as a farm employe. In 1898 he married and thereafter was engaged 
in farming on rented land, this having been in the drought years of 1893 and 
1894, when crops were almost a total failure in this section of the state. In reward 
for his efforts in one of these dry years he was able to harvest only nine bushels 
of corn and four bushels of potatoes. Within a short time after this experience 
he purchased his present farm, on which had been erected a small frame house 
and barn. He planted native trees, including cedars and also set out an orchard. 
As the years brought increasing prosperity Mr. Eeiser brought his farm up to a 
high standard, with excellent buildings and other permanent evidences of thrift 
and progressiveness. He is thus to be designated as one of the representative 
agriculturists and stock raisers of Deepwell township and is a citizen wlio has 
secure place in community confidence and esteem. 

In 1892 Mr. Eeiser married Miss Louise Sundermeier, and of their family of 
twelve children nine are living: Emma is the wife of Otto Tuenge, of Grand 
Island ; Edward represented Hamilton county in the nation's military service in 
the World war, having been called into service on the 28th of May, 1918, and 
having received his preliminary training at Camp Dodge, Iowa, and Camp Mills, 
New York. From Philadelphia he sailed with his command in the latter part of 
July, 1918, and as a member of Company C, Three Hundred and Thirty-ninth 
Machine Gun Corps he was ten months in active service in Alsace-Lorraine, his com- 
mand having been a part of the Eighty-eighth Division of the American Expedi- 



56 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

tionary Forces in France. He finally was returned to his native land and at Camp 
Dodge received his honorable discharge on the 'i'th of June, 1919, his record as 
a gallant young soldier of his native land having been such as to reflect lasting honor 
upon his name and his native state. He is now associated with his father in the 
activities of the home farm. At the parental home remain also the seven other 
children, namely: Matilda, Carl, Theodore E., Elsie, Homer, William and Viola. 
Mr. Reiser is a stockholder in the Farmers' Grain Elevator at Phillips and 
from that village his home receives service on a rural mail route. He served 
eight years as moderator of the school board of his district and has otherwise shown 
loyal interest in community affairs. Both he and his wife hold membership in the 
Lutheran church. 



FRANK L. MUNN 



For many years Frank L. Munn, now deceased, was active in the agricultural 
circles of Hamilton county and his death on July 8, 1914, came as a severe 
shock to his many friends. Born in New York city August 11, 1849, he went with 
his parents to Wisconsin when a small boy and made his home on a farm. He 
received his education in the country schools of the vicinity, the schoolhouses 
being primitive structures of logs with wooden benches for seats. In 1862 Mr. 
Munn enlisted in the Civil war, running away from his home in Adams county. 
He became a member of Company H, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, with the rank 
of sergeant and served in tliis capacity throughout the war. At its close he 
returned to Wisconsin but soon after removed to Iowa where he rented land which 
he operated successfully for seven years. In 1872, deciding to settle in the west, 
he located in Hamilton county after a twenty day trip with mule team and wagon. 
The Missouri was crossed by ferry at Nebraska City. He homesteaded one hun- 
dred and sixty acres and his first home on this land was a small shanty, the lumber 
for which was hauled from Harvard. His barn was made of straw. The land 
at the time of homesteading was nothing but prairie, but Mr. Munn broke it him- 
self and brought it to a high state of cultivation. During the blizzard of 1873 he 
was snowed in three days but was fortunate in not losing any cattle. Mr. Munn 
took his grist to the mill at Grand Island and his provisions were hauled from 
Hastings, the trips being of difficult and tedious nature, due to the fact that at 
that early date there were no well defined roads running through that section of 
the country. During the grasshopper storms his crops were totally destroyed and 
Mr. and Mrs. Munn remember seeing the grasshoppers so thick that it was impos- 
sible to see the sun. Many Indians strayed past the ranch, asking for food and the 
hospitality received at the hands of Mr. Munn became well known throughout the 
county. The surrounding countrj' was full of deer, antelopes and other game and 
at one time when on a deer hunt with some neighbors, Mr. Munn brought back 
twenty-two deer. At the time of his death Mr. Munn was in possession of four 
hundred acres of well improved land with forest trees and small orchard. His 
widow is now in possession of the homestead. In 1910 Mr. Munn retired from 
active farm life and removed to Trumbull, where he took an active part in civic 
affairs. He was one of the organizers of a school and for some years served as a 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 57 

board member. On the 8th of July, 1914, his death occurred and a deep feeling 
of bereavement swept the town and county in which he had so long resided. 

In April, 1866, Mr. Munn was married to Miss Mary Palmer, a native of 
New York, who removed to Wisconsin with her parents when six years of age. 
Her parents were Alvah and Harriett (Taylor) Palmer and her mother lived to 
the advanced age of ninety-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Munn became the parents 
of six children: Wallace, who lives in Hastings; Leon, now at home; Nellie, the 
wife of Henry Benson; Nora, the wife of John Kingston; Chester A., who runs 
the home farm; and Samuel, who died when eleven months old. 

Throughout his life Mr. Munn w;as a stanch supporter of the democratic party, 
being a firm believer in the principles of that party as factors in good government. 
He was active in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Eepublic, being a member 
of the Harvard Post. Mrs. Munn is very active in the charitable and social affairs 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. Hamilton county lost a representative citizen 
in the passing of Mr. Munn and his place in the community has left a void that 
will not be easily filled. 



HENRY ROSS 



Before the great empire of Russia had been scourged by warfare that brought 
about its national disintegi'ation, it had contributed many excellent citizens to 
the state of Nebraska, and among the number was George and Catherine (Koehler) 
Ross, who established their home in Clay county, this state, when their son Henry 
was thirteen years of age, his birth having occurred in Russia on the 14th of 
July, 1864, and in 1878 the family arrived in Clay county. There the father 
rented land and became a pioneer farmer and to assist further in providing for 
his family he was employed for some time at railroad work. He finally pur- 
chased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and there continued his activities 
as one of the industrious farmers of Clay county until his death in 1893 at the 
age of fifty-three years, his widow being now a resident of Hastings, Adams county. 

Henry Ross gained his initial knowledge of the English language after the 
family came to Nebraska, and he persisted in his efforts until he was able to 
read and write as well as speak the language, besides which he improved every 
opportunity to familiarize himself with the customs and economic policies of the 
land. He continued to be associated with his father in the work of the home 
farm until he had attained the age of twenty-five years, when he came to Hamilton 
county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unbroken land, in Orville 
township. He here built a little frame house, fourteen by twenty-two feet in 
dimensions, his first stable was constructed of poles and straw, and he made a 
dugout to serve as shelter for his chickens. Mr. Ross dug a well on his farm 
and his wife effectively aided him by hoisting the excavated earth with a windlass. 
He broke most of his land with his team of horses and a breaking plow of the type 
commonly used and with unfaltering industry applied himself to the cultivating 
and improving of his farm, with the result that his labors were attended with 
increasing success, as shown in the fact that he is now the owner of a well improved 
farm property of three hundred and sixty acres, the modem buildings and the 



58 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

general evidences of thrift and prosperity marking the owner as a sagacious, vital 
and progressive exponent of agricultural and live stock industry. Success thus 
won is ever worthy of commendation and Mr. Eoss has proved himself true and 
loyal in all the relations of life, besides having gained high repute as one of the 
world's productive workers. He and his wife had their share of trials and per- 
plexities in connection with life on the pioneer farm, but their present prosperity 
fully compensates them for all they thus endured. In addition to his home farm 
estate of three hundred and sixty acres Mr. Eoss has increased his holdings until he 
is now the owner of an aggregate of seven hundred and fourteen acres of laud in 
Hamilton county, the same being improved with three sets of buildings. He is a 
stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Company which owns the grain elevator at 
Eldorado and is a stockholder also in the Hamilton County Telephone Company. 
He served six years as a member of the school board of his district and has other- 
wise been loyal and liberal in the furtherance of community interests in general. 
He and his wife are active members of the Mennonite church. 

In Clay county was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Eoss to Miss Catherine 
Brehm, who likewise is a native of Eussia, and they became the parents of fourteen 
children : Henry W., Sarah, David, Eosa, Hannah, Elma, Eeuben, Emma, Samuel, 
Eaehel, Elda, Tena, Herbert, and Jona. All are living except Henry, who died 
December 16, 191S. 



SAMUEL B. OTTO 



Samuel B. Otto, living on section 18, Aurora township, has one of the beau- 
tiful and well improved farms in Hamilton county and is one of the most suc- 
cessful modern farmers and stock raisers in his section of the state. He is very 
active in all civic affairs and is a representative citizen of the county, where 
he has many friends. 

Samuel B. Otto was born in McLean county, Illinois, on the 17th of October, 
1862, and there received his common school education. In due time he entered 
a bvisiness college and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming on 
his own account at the age of twenty-four. In 1904 Mr. Otto came to Hamilton 
county and purchased his present farm of three hundred and twenty acres in 
Aurora township. His farm is one of the finest improved places in the county 
and he devotes it to the raising and feeding of cattle, which are of the best 
grade. For many years Mr. Otto has served as school director in his district 
and has not been active in agricultural circles alone. He is president of the 
Aurora Elevator Company, president of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Com- 
pany, president of the Aurora Cooperative Creamery Company, and is a member 
of the executive board of the Hamilton County Farm Bureau, to the interests 
of which he devotes a large amount of his time. 

Mr. Otto has been married three times. In Illinois on the 23d of February, 
1887, occurred the first marriage, when he chose Mary S. Basting as his wife. 
Three children were born to that union : Mabel A., Eoy B., and Ealph D. The 
first Mrs. Otto passed away in December, 1893, and on January 5, 1895, Mr. 




IIR. AND MRS. SAMUEL B. OTTO 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 61 

Otto was again wed, this time to Sarah Baumetz, and they became the parents 
of two daughters : Grace and Violet. The second Mrs. Otto passed away in May, 
1901, and on the 5th of June, 1902, Mr. Otto was married to Miss Marguerita 
Baumetz, a sister of his second wife. Two children have been born to the latter 
union : RajTnond E., who was born June 14, 1906 ; and Alta Louise M., whose 
birth occurred on the 30th of October, 1910. 

The religious faith of the Otto family is that of the Methodist Episcopal 
church and Mr. Otto is a generous contributor to all of its charitable institutions. 
Mr. Otto is a man of high principles, sterling personal wealth and integrity. 
He is indeed a representative citizen of Hamilton county and one of whom the 
community may be justly proud. 



B. 0. BERGESON 



For a long period B. 0. Bergeson was actively connected with agricultural pur- 
suits but at length retired from farming and is now making his home in Aurora. 
The appreciation of his capability and trustworthiness on the part of his fellow 
townsmen led to his election to the office of county assessor and he is now filling 
that position. He was born in Norway, January 31, 1852, and is a son of Ola and 
Rachel (Runestad) Bergeson, both natives of Norway, whence they came to the 
new world, settling in LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1856. There the father pur- 
chased a farm upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days. They had a 
family of six children: B. 0.; Erasmus, living near Earlville, Illinois; Mrs. 
Malinda Thompson, whose husband is a retired farmer of Paxton, Illinois; John, 
a physician of Boston, Massachusetts, who is specializing on diseases of the eye, 
ear and nose ; S. E., a banker and merchant of Bismarck, North Dakota ; and Mrs. 
Mary Dahl, whose husband is a merchant of Paxton, Illinois. Having lost his first 
wife the father was married a second time and there were six children of that 
union, of whom five survive: Anson, now a retired farmer living in Iowa; Julia, 
the wife of Thomas Sawyer, a capitalist of Humboldt, Iowa ; Borem, a farmer and 
banker living at St. Cloud, Minnesota; Nelson, a farmer and grain dealer and 
shipper located at Swea City, Iowa; and Eddie, who is engaged in farming at 
Swea City. The father was a member of the Lutheran church and its teachings 
were a guiding force in his life. His political endorsement was given to the 
republican party. In his business affairs he displayed thoroughness and capability 
and won success as the years passed on. 

B. 0. Bergeson was but four years of age when brought by his parents to the 
new world and in the district schools of Illinois he pursued his early education, 
which was supplemented by two or three terms' study in Pawpaw College at Pawpaw, 
Illinois. When his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts and atten- 
tion upon farming and for many years carried on general agricultural pursuits. 
In 1876 he arrived in Hamilton county, Nebraska, and purchased one thousand 
acres of land soon after reaching this state. This was school land for which he 
paid five dollars per acre. He built thereon a frame house and occupied the farm 



63 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

until his removal to Aurora in 1912. In the meantime he had transformed the 
place into rich and productive fields, from which he annually gathered good harvests 
and his careful management of his farming interests brought to him gratifying 
prosperity. He sold his land until he now owns four hundred and twenty-five 
acres in three different farms and three sets of buildings. The early days, how- 
ever, were fraught with hardships and difficulties and he said that in the first 
few years of his residence in Nebraska he had scarcely enough money to buy a 
three-cent postage stamp. He persevered, however, in the work of general farming, 
also bought and shipped stock of all kinds and raised feed. As the years passed 
his industry and diligence brought to him a measure of success that was most 
gratifying and he is now numbered among the men of affluence in Ajurora. 

In 1874 Mr. Bergeson was married to Miss Mary Stephenson, a native of 
Illinois, and they became parents of a son and a daughter: Elmer, who is a real 
estate dealer and auctioneer of Aurora; and Amanda, the wife of Jesse Fowler, 
who is living on her father's farm. The wife and mother passed away in August, 
1916, and on the 25th of December, 1918, Mr. Bergeson wedded Mary E. Lynch, 
the widow of J. B. Cunningham, who for many years was connected with official 
interests at the courthouse. She is a daughter of Thomas Lynch, who came to 
Hamilton county in 1882 and was the owner of a farm here. 

Mr. Bergeson is a member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife has mem- 
bership in the Catholic church. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons as a 
member of lodge and chapter and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. 
Politically he is a republican and during the past four years has served as county 
assessor, making a creditable record in the office. He has purchased a beautiful 
home at No. 1113 Eleventh street and is the owner of four hundred and twenty-five 
acres of well improved land, which yields him a gratifying financial return. Twice 
he has returned on a visit to his native land, his first trip being made in 1878 and 
his second in 1912. On the first occasion he remained for six months and on the last 
trip was gone for seven months, during which time he visited many points of interest 
in Europe. He has never had occasion to regret the fact that his parents left 
Norway in his youthful days, for in this land he and his father both found the 
opportunities for success and in the improvement of the chances which came to 
them made steady progress. By reason of his prosperity he is now enabled to live 
retired and yet enjoys all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. 



MPS. AMILIA WERTH 



For many years Mrs. Amilia Worth, widow of William Worth, has resided 
in Hamilton county. She was one of the early pioneers in this part of the country, 
having arrived here in 1872. 

Mr.' Worth was born in Germany May 24, 1844, and came to the United States 
in 1870, going direct -to Henry county, Illinois. In 1872 he removed to Cass 
county, Nebraska, but in the latter part of the same year located in Hamilton 
county, taking a one hundred and sixty acre homestead on Lincoln creek. For 
about six weeks a wagon box formed the only shelter for him and his wife. Soon 



HAMILTOIST^ AND CLAY COUNTIES 63 

a dugout was built on this land, consisting of one room with a straw roof and dirt 
floor. They had no furniture aud a bed was made from old poles and brush. A 
table was made from an old elm tree, the remainder of the timber being used 
for fuel. Mr. Werth's land was broken with the aid of a horse team, five dollars 
having been the purchase price of one animal. Deer, antelopes and buffaloes 
were plentiful in the vicinity of the homestead and he was a participant in several 
thrilling buffalo hunts. There was one Indian camp in that community and 
Mr. Werth traded with them, ate several meals with them and found them quite 
civilized and friendly. 

It was on the 15th of October, 1870, that Mrs. Werth became the wife of 
William Werth. His death occurred January 21, 1888, being the victim of a train 
accident at Hampton. He was a man of great energy and ambition and became 
widely known throughout the county. In that early day Lincoln was the nearest 
town to their homestead and Mr. Werth when hauling grain to that place would 
stop along the road and secure work in order to obtain enough money to buy feed 
for the horses. On the 13th of October, 1864, he had enlisted in the Union army 
from Springfield, Illinois, becoming a member of Company F, Ninth Eegiment 
Cavalry and was in active service until mustered out at Montgomery, Alabama, 
October 31, 1865. Mr. Werth was one of the first coxmty commissioners of Hamilton 
county and was the builder of the first bridge across Lincoln creek. Mr. Werth 
also had the distinction of having the first postoffice on Lincoln creek which was 
conducted in an old sod house. As a man of sterling character and great business 
ability, Mr. Werth endeared himself to a large number of friends throughout the 
community and his death caused a widespread feeling of bereavement where he had 
so long resided. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Werth; John, born 
in Cass county and who now resides in Hamilton county; Emma and Amilia, 
who died in infancy; Lizzie, who is now Mrs. Jacob Wall of Hamilton county; 
Ida, now Mrs. Henry Keith of Hamilton county; William, at home: Carl, whose 
death occurred in 1911; Augusta and Hannah, at home; and Henry, whose death 
occurred on the 12th of March, 1916. 

Mrs. Werth is now in possession of a farm of three hundred and twenty acres 
of valuable land in Hamilton county, in section 26, Otis township. There were 
many hardships endured in the reconstruction period after the Civil war and also 
during the early pioneer days in Hamilton county, and Mrs. Werth remembers 
having paid as high as one dollar for a box of matches. But Mr. and Mrs. Werth 
allowed no obstacle to remain long in their path and she is now financially inde- 
pendent and one of the most prominent and highly respected women of the 
community. 



R. 0. GRIESS, M. D. 



Well known among the younger members of the medical profession in Sutton is 
Dr. E. 0. Griess who was bom in that town January 15, 1892, a son of Peter and 
Sophia (Grosshans) Griess, further mention of whom is made in the sketch of 
Henry C. Griess to be found on another page of this work. 

Dr. E. 0. Griess is indebted to the schools of Sutton for his earlv education. 



64 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

having graduated from the high school there in 1913. He then entered a pre- 
paratory school at Lincoln, remaining for two years and then deciding upon the 
medical profession as his life work, entered the State Medical College at Omaha, 
receiving his M. D. degree on May 26, 1919. He then returned to his home in 
Sutton, bought out the practice of Dr. J. W. Thompson and has been practicing 
there ever since, building up an extensive and lucrative patronage. For eighteen 
months before his removal to Sutton for active practice Dr. Griess was an interne 
in the Methodist Episcopal hospital at Omaha, Nebraska. 

On the 8th of March, 1920, Dr. Griess was united in marriage to Miss Marian 
Purdy, a native of Clarks, Nebraska, and a daughter of Clark Purdy, an old settler 
of that vicinity. 

The religious faith of Dr. Griess is that of the German Reformed church and 
he is fraternally connected with Phi Chi, a college organization. In the line of 
his profession he is a member of the American Medical Association and is fast 
becoming recognized by leading members of his profession in the county as a 
most promising young physician and surgeon. 



C. E. GOSSARD 



C. E. Gossard, who was for many years prominent in the agricultural circles of 
Hamilton county, is now living retired in Trumbull, enjoying the fruits of a life 
spent in diligence and industry. 

A native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, C. E. Gossard was born there on 
the 30th of September, 1854, a son of David and Mary (Elliott) Gossard, the 
former born on the Mason and Dixon line between Maryland and Pennsylvania 
and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. The father engaged in farming throughout 
his life and was a well known man in the vicinity in which he made his home. 

C. E. Gossard received his education in the common schools of Pennsylvania. 
He lived with an uncle from the age of nine to nineteen years and then returned 
to his father's home where he resided for one year. He learned the blacksmith's 
trade, which he followed for three years and then in 1876 went to Illinois, where 
he obtained work on farms at the wages of twenty dollars per month. The first 
years of his residence in Illinois were spent in Canton and he then removed to 
Bushnell, where he remained for some time. He rented one hundred and sixty acres 
of fine farm land and there engaged in general farming until 1887, when he 
decided to come west. He landed in Hamilton county in that year and purchased 
two hundred acres of land, well improved for that time, having a frame house and 
barn. Mr. Gossard immediately set out an orchard and some shade trees but the 
orchard mostly dried out during the droughts of 1893 and 1894. In 1890 and 
1891 in order to obtain fuel Mr. Gossard had to burn some of his corn which he 
had to replace at a cost of fifty-two cents per pushel. He sold his hogs during 
that period for two dollars and sixty cents per hundred. Mr. Gossard has been 
extremely successful in all of his farming ventures and is now in possession of 
two hundred and eighty acres of fine farm land. In 1908 he retired from farm 
life and removed to Hastings, where he remained for two years, then returned to 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 65 

the farm until 1915, when he moved to Trumbull. There he is now residing in a 
fine home which he purchased, a highly respected and successful citizen. 

On the 3d of March, 1881, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gossard and Mis3 
Minnie Hageman, a native of Illinois and a daughter of William Hageman, who 
made his home in Illinois until his death at the age of eighty-seven years. To them 
four children have been born : Ernest, who is engaged in farming in Clay county ; 
Creigh, a farmer of Hamilton county; David W., who is Washington state manager 
for the White Eiver Lumber Company; and Floyd C, who is a well known restau- 
rant man of Everson, Washington. David W. received his training for service in 
the World war at Camp Lewis, Washington, and won the commission of second 
lieutenant. Floyd also trained at Camp Lewis and had reached New York on his 
way to France when he was disabled and received an honorable discharge. 

In politics Mr. Gossard has never taken a prominent part, although he has 
taken an active part in civic affairs. He is an independent voter but favors the 
principles of the republican party. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern 
Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed 
through all the chairs in each lodge. He has served as school director of district 
number seventy-five in Hamilton county and hai been chairman of the town board 
of Trumbull. The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist Episcopal 
church and Mr. Gossard serves that organization as librarian. Mr. Gossard is 
widely recognized as a highly principled man and has won the confidence of all 
with whom he has come into contact. Trumbull is fortunate in having C. E. Gos- 
sard for a citizen. 



GEOEGE MAEVEL 



The goodly heritage of pioneer proclivities found constructive value and appli- 
cation in the earlier period of the Nebraska career of George Marvel, a venerable 
and honored citizen of Hamilton county, for he has been a resident of tliis common- 
wealth for more than forty years and has contributed his quota to civic and indus- 
trial development and progress. He was born on a farm near Waynesville, DeWitt 
county, Illinois, in the year 1841 — a date which shows that his parents had a 
measure of pioneer distinction in that state. He is a son of Prittman and Eebecca 
(Barr) Marvel, the fonner born in South Carolina and the latter in Indiana, both 
families having been established in the United States for many generations. The 
father became a successful farmer and dealer in live stock in Illinois, but both he 
and his wife passed the closing years of their lives in Indiana. 

The common schools of his native state afforded to George Marvel his early 
education and in his youth he also gained definite fellowship with practical industrial 
and business affairs. In view of conditions obtaining in Illinois at the present 
time it is interesting to record that as a boy Mr. Marvel there pursued his studies 
in a primitive log schoolhouse, equipped with slab seats and other rude accessories. 
He was twenty years of age when he subordinated all personal interests and ambi- 
tions to respond to the call of patriotism when the Civil war broke out. In 1863 he 
enlisted as a member of Company B, Second Illinois Cavalry and with this gallant 
command he continued in service until the expiration of his term in 1861, when he 



66 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

re-enlisted, with the result that he continued in the ranks of the Union army until 
the close of the war, he having been at San Antonio, Texas, at the time of receiving 
his honorable discharge in the summer of 1865. He served with his original com- 
pany during his entire military career and took part in numerous battles and many 
minor engagements. It may be specially noted that he participated in the battles 
of Shiloh and Corinth and that he lived up to the full tension of the great conflict 
through which the integrity of the nation was preserved. During two years of 
his service he was with raiding parties. In later years he has vitalized his interest 
in his old comrades by his active affiliation with the Grand Army of the Eepublic. 

After the close of the war Mr. Marvel returned to Illinois and engaged in farm 
enterprise in his native county, where he became the owner of a farm of one 
hundred and forty acres. For a time thereafter he was associated in the operation 
of a sawmill at Waynesville, that state, where also he was identiiied with the 
general merchandise business. In 1880 he came to Dawson county, Nebraska, 
where he was engaged in farming until 1883, when he came to Hamilton county 
and in company with his brother-in-law, T. D. Houchin, prosecuted farm opera- 
tions on land which is the site of the present village of Phillips. In his home his 
wife provided board for the men who were engaged in surveying the line of the 
Burlington & Missouri Eiver Railroad through this county. The family dwelling 
was a small frame house and in this county Mr. Marvel continued his progressive 
activities as an agriculturist and stock grower until 1899, since which year he has 
lived virtually retired in the village of Phillips. 

On the 9th of A'pril, 1864, while he was home on a furlough, in DeWitt county, 
Illinois, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Marvel to Miss Louisa Houchin, and 
to this union were born the following children: Eebecca E., died young; Carrie 
B., likewise is deceased; the third and fourth children died in infancy; Mary Jane 
is the wife of Monroe Travis, of Aurora, Hamilton county; Hattie C. is the wife 
of Frederick Nielson, of Fairbury, Jefferson county; and William is a successful 
carpenter and builder at Phillips, Hamilton county. 

Mr. Marvel has been unflagging in his allegiance to the democratic party and 
while he has never been ambitious for official preferment he served for a time as 
deputy sheriff of his native county, in Illinois. He and his wife have been for many 
years earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



GEORGE L. LEVEE 



George L. Levee, who resides on section 6, Deepwell township, Hamilton 
county, claims the old Empire state as the place of his nativity, but in his youth 
■was not denied a goodly measui-e of pioneer experience in the west. He was born 
in Madison county, New York, on the 2d of June, 1839, and there was reared to 
the age of fifteen years, his educational advantages having been those of the 
common schools of the locality and period. As a lad of five years, in 1844 he 
accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. The journey was made with 
team and -wagon and the parents became pioneer settlers in the Hawkeye state, 
where the father developed a farm and where he passed the remainder of his 




MR. AND MBS. GEORGE L. LEVEE 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 69 

life, as did also his wife. In the schools of Iowa George L. Levee continued his 
studies when opportunity offered, and there also he learned the trade of black- 
smith, under the effective direction of his father, who was a skilled workman. 
When the dark cloud of Civil war cast its pall over the national horizon, George 
L. Levee was one of the gallant young men of Iowa who tendered aid in defense 
of the Union. He enlisted in Companj' G, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and with this 
command proceeded to the front. He did a large amount of scouting service, 
took part in many .skirmishes and other minor engagements, and was with his 
regiment in the army commanded by General Sherman, his .service having con- 
tinued until the close of the war and he having attained to the rank of orderly 
sergeant. He made a record of faithful and valiant service and one of his 
prized treasures is the old sword which he carried during his military career. 
His continued interest in his old comrades is signalized by his affiliation with the 
Grand Island post of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

After the war Mr. Levee returned to Iowa, and there continued to be asso- 
ciated with his father in conducting a blacksmith shop at West Point until the 
spring of 1873, when he fortified himself for his experience as a pioneer in 
Nebraska. With team and wagon he drove through from Iowa to Hamilton 
county, accompanied by his wife and their one child and the supplies 
which he took with him included a stove and two cows. I^pon his arrival in 
Hamilton county, just after the historic Easter blizzard that had held this 
section of the state snowbound for three or more days, Mr. Levee entered claim 
to a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, in Deepwell township. On his 
land he erected a frame shanty, and this primitive dwelling long since gave place 
to a better habitation, while the building improvements upon the farm at the 
present day are of modern order and aid in marking the property as one of 
the model farms of the county. An orchard and a goodly number of native 
trees were planted by Mr. Levee in the early years and they add to the attrac- 
tions of his farm. He and his w'ife endured their full share of the trials and 
vicissitudes of the pioneer period and he recalls that he was able to supply the 
family larder by his skill as a marksman, with deer, antelopes and other wild 
game which were much in evidence in the earlier period of his residence in 
Hamilton county, where he has remained continuously on his original homestead. 

Mr. Levee gave his zealous co-operation in the furtherances of measures and 
enterprises projected for the general good of the community and has ben essen- 
tially one of the builders of Hamilton county along both civic and industrial lines. 
He was one of the organizers of the school district of his community and gave 
effective service as a school director. Soon after coming to the county he 
established a blacksmith shop on his farm, and there was much demand for his 
skilled service at his trade. In this connection it is interesting to record that in 
this shop he invented and perfected a grasshopper breaking plow and for a 
number of years manufactured a large number of these plows annually, their 
eiScieucy causing a ready demand for his i)roducts. 

In Iowa was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Levee to Miss Emily V. 
Woodman, and the supreme loss and bereavement in his life came when his 
devoted wife was summoned to eternal rest on the 16tli of April, 1920. She was 
a true pioneer woman of gracious i)ersonality and her memory is revered in the 



70 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

community that represented her home for nearly half a century. Of the four 
children, the first, George P., died at the age of ten years; Vermont remains 
Avith his father on the old homestead and has the active management of the farm ; 
Mary is the wife of L. H. Schultz, of Hamilton county ; and Abbie is the wife 
of Abraham Ummel, likewise a resident of this county. The political allegiance 
of Mr. Levee is given to the republican party and he has been affiliated with the 
Masonic fraternity since the year 1866. 



JUDGE J. H. SMITH 



Judge J. H. Smith was one who wrote his name high on the keystone of the 
legal arch of Nebraska. He was widely known as an eminent jurist, serving as 
judge of the sixth judicial district and for many years he was active and prominent 
in the practice of law. His birth occurred in Peoria, Illinois, March 2, 1854, and 
his life record covered the intervening years to January', 1913. His parents were 
Thomas and Parmelia (Hill) Smith, the former a native of Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania, who devoted his life to mechanical pursuits. The grandfather in the 
paternal line was Samuel Smith, an artisan and man of large stature. The 
maternal grandfather was Thomas Hill who always followed the occupation of 
farming. It was in the year 1855 that Thomas and Parmelia (Hill) Smith 
removed from their home in Pennsylvania to Arlington, Illinois, and later became 
residents of Princeton, that state, where they were living at the time the father 
enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company A, of the Sixty-ninth Illinois 
Infantry. In 1868 he removed with his family to Osceola, Iowa, where Jerome H. 
Smith worked at the trade of carpenter for five years. He had pursued his early 
education in the schools of Illinois and following the removal of the family to Iowa 
he devoted his leisure hours, while following his trade, to the study of law. Later 
he entered the office of Chaney & Temple and on the 2d of June, 1875, was 
admitted to the bar. Immediately thereafter he entered upon the practice of his 
profession in Osceola, where he continued until March, 1879, and then removed to 
Aurora. In this city he began practice alone and later entered into partnership 
with E. J. Haines and Phillip Likes. For years he remained an active and promi- 
nent member of the Aurora bar, proving his ability by the careful analysis of his 
eases and the clearness with which he presented his cause before the court. In 1906 
he removed to Lincoln and was attorney for the Royal Highlanders until his deatli. 

It was in Osceola, Iowa, in 1878, that Judge Smith was united in marriage to 
Miss Eoseltha F. Likes, a daughter of Phillip and Harriett (Agar) Likes, who 
went to Iowa in pioneer times, the father practicing in Osceola for a number of 
years and afterward removing to Aurora, where he continued in the active work 
of the profession until his death. He became one of the leading attorneys and 
pioneer settlers of Hamilton county and was prominent and successful not only in 
law practice, but in other business enterprises of a financial nature. To Judge and 
Mrs. Smith there were born six children, five of whom are living: Herbert H., who 
is a prominent orchestral leader of Lincoln, Nebraska ; H. Leslie, an attorney of 
Scotts Bluff, Nebraska; Eoscoe L., a practicing physician of Lincoln, who has been 
extremely successful in his chosen profession; Fred F., who died from influenza in 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 71 

1918, at which time he had engaged in merchandising until a short time before his 
death; Jerome H., engaged in the real estate business at Scotts Bluff, Nebraska; 
and Phillip T., who is a veterinarian, residing at Scotts Bluff. 

In his political views Judge Smith was a republican, but the only offices he ever 
held were in the strict path of his profession. He served for a number of years as 
prosecuting attorney at Osceola and through appointment of Governor Thayer took 
his place upon the bench of the sixth judicial district, serving until 1892. His 
decisions were strictly fair and impartial, being based upon comprehensive knowl- 
edge of the law with ability to apply accurately its principles. Personal opinion 
and prejudice never entered as a disturbing force into his decisions and his record 
was one which reflected credit and honor upon the judicial history of the state. He 
at one time served as a member of the city council and his entire career was charac- 
terized by the utmost devotion to the public welfare. While residing in Aurora 
Judge Smith owned a fine home and also several valuable Hamilton county farms. 
He was a man of great energy, never stopping short of the accomplishment of his 
objective, and his judicial cast of mind enabled him readily to recognize each side 
of a question and to detennine concerning the relative values thereof. All who 
knew him speak of him in terms of the highest regard. 



JAMES E. HOWARD 



James E. Howard, sheriff of Hamilton county, was born in DeWitt county, 
Illinois, April 2, 1869, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families 
of that state. His grandfather, Joseph Howard, a native of Kentucky, removed to 
DeWitt county during the period of its early settlement and development and there 
devoted his life to farming and was also a preacher of the Methodist church. His 
son, Francis M. Howard, was born in Illinois and continued his residence there until 
1889 when he came to Nebraska and made investment in two hundred and eighty 
acres of well improved land in Hamilton county. His attention was then given to 
the further cultivation of his farm until 1905 when he removed to Aurora where 
his remaining days were spent in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He married 
Sarah Trowbridge, also a native of Illinois and a daughter of Jacob Trowbridge 
who established his home in Illinois when the work of settlement and development 
there seemed scarcely begun. Both Mr. and Mrs. Francis M. Howard were con- 
sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, guiding their lives according 
to its teachings for many years and later they joined the Congregational church. 
In his political views Mr. Howard was a stalwart democrat and served as state 
senator from Hamilton and Clay counties. While in the general assembly he gave 
careful consideration to all the vital questions and problems that came up for 
settlement and left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation of that 
period. He passed away in 1906 and his wife passed away in 1871. They were 
the parents of three children: William, a farmer of Missouri; Lee, a brick mason 
living in Waterloo, Iowa; and James E. After losing his first wife Mr. Howard 
married again and there were five children of the second union : Robert, of Kansas 
City; Wade, who is engaged in the hardware business in Aurora; Frank, who is 



72 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

postmaster at Eavenna, Nebraska ; Lawrence, a traveling salesman residing in 
Oklahoma City; and Edith, the wife of Al Cessna, a mail carrier of Aurora. 

James B. Howard, spending his youthful days upon the home farm in Illinois, 
pursued his education in the public schools there supplemented by a term's study 
in Aurora in 1890 following the removal of the family to Nebraska the previous 
year. After putting aside his textbooks he devoted his attention to the occupation 
to which he had been reared and continued to engage in farming until 1916 when he 
was elected sheriff of Hamilton county, taking up the duties of the office on the 
1st of January, 1917. At the close of his two years' term he was reelected, so that 
he is the incumbent in this position. He has ever discharged his duties fearlessly 
and faithfully and has made a most capable record, as evidenced by the fact of his 
reelection. 

On the 15th of November, 1893, Mr. Howard was married to Miss Edith Zuck 
who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Eugene H. Zuck who came to Hamilton 
county in 1876 and was here the owner of farm land. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have 
become parents of four children, of whom three are living: Elva, who is employed 
by Governor McKelvey ; Frances, the wife of Percy Yost, a traveling salesman ; Ross, 
who died at the age of nineteen years; and Eugene, who is in school. The parents 
are members of the Congregational church and in social circles occupy an enviable 
place, having many friends in Aurora and throughout the county. Mr. Howard 
has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party and is one of 
its recognized leaders in this section of the state. Since called to office he has rented 
his farm on which previous to assuming public duties he made his home, having one 
hundred and twenty acres of well improved land on which he engaged extensively 
in stock raising, handling a large amount of registered stock. He now leases his 
land that he may devote his entire time to the duties of the office and is making a 
most creditable record as a county official. 



JAMES J. SMITH 



A prominent citizen of Giltner, Hamilton county, is James J. Smith who has 
been living there since his retirement from active farm life about 1904. He was 
born in eastern Canada, November 30, 1847, a son of James and Margaret (Rickaby) 
Smith, both natives of Ireland. The father was a shoemaker by trade and also 
did some farming in his native country before coming to America. For some time 
they resided in Canada, then removed to New York and subsequently came to 
Nebraska, settling in Cheyenne county where both James and Margaret Smith 
passed away. 

James J. Smith received his education in the Canada schools, having to walk 
six miles each day to the schoolhouse. After putting his textbooks aside he worked 
on his father's farm and later in a brickyard in Canada but in the early '60s came 
to the United States, settling in New York state. There he purchased one hundred 
acres of wooded land which he cleared and on which he erected a log house. He 
was married in that state in 1S69 and in 1873 came west to Nebraska, making the 
trip by train as far as Harvard, this state. He secured a homestead of eighty acres 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 7:5 

in township 9. range 81, and thereon erected a frame and sod house and suitable 
outbuildings. He bought a team and broke his own land, which he immediately set 
about to cultivate but suffered the total destruction of his crops at two different 
times, when ihe grasshopper storm hit the country. During the Easter blizzard 
they were snowed in for several days and his fuel supply was willows cut from the 
banks of the Platte river and cornstalks. Later buying a yoke of cattle Mr. Smith 
hauled his grain to Hastings, where he found a ready market. From time to time 
he added to his original tract and at one time had two hundred acres of fine improved 
land. He still owns one hundred and twenty acres, upon which he has planted 
trees and which he has otherwise improved. He planted a fine orchard, but this 
was killed by hail. General farming took up his time until about 1904, when he 
decided to retire from active farm life with the result that he removed to Giltner, 
where he is now residing. 

In 1869 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Maria Barlow, a native of 
New York state and to them ten children were born: James S., a mechanic of 
Chappell; Delbert, residing in Louisville, Nebraska; Jessie, the wife of J. M. 
Miller, a prominent farmer of Hamilton county; E. J., living on the old home 
farm; S. R., residing in Colorado; 0. L., a farmer residing in Hamilton county; 
H. B. of Hampton, Nebraska; William, deceased; George; and Mary, now deceased, 
who was the wife of George Fry. 

Mr. Smith follows an independent course in politics and he is a member of the 
Baptist church. Mrs. Smith is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Smith is indeed well known throughout Hamilton county as a man 
whose integrity of character and industrious life have gained for him the considera- 
tion and respect of all his acquaintances and associates. 



MAECUS H. SMITH 



As a young man Mr. Smith gained much experience in connection with pioneer 
farm industry in Hamilton county, Nebraska, and here he now has secure prestige 
as one of the progressive exponents of the agricultural and live stock enterprise in 
Union township, his land being located in section 34. He was born in Orleans 
county. New York, in the year 1853, a son of Francis and Jemima (Wiles) Smith, 
both natives of England. Francis Smith became a farmer in the old Empire 
state and later followed the same vocation near Galesburg, Illinois, where he re- 
mained until 1880, when he came with his family to Hamilton county, Nebraska, 
and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. Here he reclaimed and 
developed a productive farm and was one of the honored patriarchs of this county at 
the time of his death, when ninety-one years of age, his wife having passed away at 
the age of seventy-six years. 

Marcus H. Smith gained his youthful education in the public schools of Illi- 
nois and his entire active career has been marked by close association with the 
basic industries of agriculture and stock raising, in connection with which he 
has won substantial prosperity within the period of his residence in Nebraska, 



74 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

having been a young man when he accompanied his parents on their removal to 
Hamilton county, this state. 

On the 1st of February, 1888, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Smith to 
Miss Clara Patterson, who was born near Galesburg, Illinois, and whose father, 
William S. Patterson, is accorded a memorial tribute elsewhere in this work. Mr. 
Smith is an independent in politics and his wife is an active member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Harvard. They have no children. 



THOMAS A. SIEFKBN 



Thomas A. Siefken, who has been prominent in the agricultural business and 
political circles of Clay county for many years and who is now in charge of the 
Farmers' Elevator Company at Harvard, was born in Lee county, Illinois, April 
12, 1873, a son of Hero S. and Jane (Sutton) Siefken, the former a native of 
Germany and the latter of Ohio. Both parents came to Illinois at an early date 
and were there married. They made their home in Illinois until 1879 when they 
came west to Nebraska and settled in Clay county, where the father purchased 
land from the laiion Pacific Railroad. Being a man of grim determination and 
courage he allowed no obstacle, however great, to remain long in his path and he 
met all the hardships of those early pioneer days with no thought except to 
succeed. He applied him.self with great diligence to the cultivation of his land 
with the result that he soon became recognized throughout the county^ as a prom- 
inent and progressive farmer. He had one of the first frame houses in the county, 
hauled the lumber from Harvard and completed the erection of his dwelling in 
February, 1879. He still owns his homestead and has two hundred and forty 
acres of fine land. Mrs. Siefken passed away in July, 1909, on the homestead. To 
them six children were born: Mrs. Mary McCoy of Arapahoe, who is residing 
on a fai-m; Hannah, who is the wife of James Robertshaw, a farmer near 
Hastings; Frank E., who is engaged in farming in Clay county; Thomas A., 
whose name initiates this review ; Oliver A., who is farming near Imperial ; and 
Charles, who died in 1906. When age conferred upon Mr. Siefken the right of 
franchise, he became a stanch supporter of the republican party, later trans- 
ferred his allegiance to the populist party and now is inclined toward the demo- 
cratic party, although he follows, generally, an independent course, voting for 
the man he thinks best fitted for the office. His religious faith is that of the 
Christian church, of which he is a consistent member. Upon the outbreak of the 
Civil war, Hero S. Siefken joined Company G, Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
and served for four years. He was wounded while in action and was con- 
fined to the hospital for six months. He participated in many of the important 
battles of that conflict and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. Mr Siefken 
has held many township offices and was county supervisor for a nincaber of 
years. He is well known throughout the community as a representative citizen 
and is now residing with our subject, Thomas A. 

Thomas A. Siefken received his education in the common schools of Clay 
county and later entered the Fremont Normal School. He then taught school 




THOMAS A. SIEFKEN 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 77 

for one year, subsequently entering a business college in Grand Island. After 
completing his business course he accepted a position in a wholesale house in 
Hastings, where he remained for six years and then entered a harness store in 
the same town and was there employed for the same number of years. Upon 
the death of his eldest brother, who had been taking care of the homestead, the 
father of Mr. Siefken prevailed upon him to take charge and for five years he 
was occupied in that connection. He was then appointed to the office of deputy 
county clerk in 1912, and after serving three years in that capacity engaged with 
a Mr. Ripateauen in the mercantile business at Clay Center. In 1915 he became 
manager of the Farmers' Elevator here, having sold out his interest in the store, 
but after one year resigned when he was elected clerk of the district court by a 
very large majority. He held that office for a period of two years, then resigned, 
returned to Harvard and has since been in charge of the elevator there. 

In 1898 Mr. Siefken was united in marriage to Miss Effie Lineaweaver, a 
native of Burlington, Iowa, and a daughter of Henry Lineaweaver. Her father 
was born in Pennsylvania, and went to Iowa in the early '70s, where he spent 
the remainder of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Siefken three children have been 
born : Ruth, who is attending the State University at Lincoln ; Mildred, who is 
in the grade schools ; and Robert, three years of age. 

Although Mr. Siefken follows an independent course in politics, he is inclined 
toward the democratic party. Fraternally he is well known as an Ancient Free 
and Accepted Mason, a member of the eommandery and shrine and he is like- 
wise identified with the Odd Fellows and the Royal Highlanders. The religious 
faith of the family is that of the Federated church. Although Mr. Siefken 
devotes the greater portion of his time to his interests at the elevator, he is also 
active in agricultural circles and is tlie owner of one hundred and sixty acres of 
fine farm land near Burlington, Colorado. He is one of the self-made men of 
Harvard, for starting out in life with practically nothing he has achieved a 
substantial success and his reputation as an honorable business man and repre- 
.sentative citizen has spread throughout the county. 



FRANK E. EDGERTON 



Frank E. Edgerton, who since 1915 has engaged in the practice of law in 
Aurora, is found as a most worthy and capable follower of that profession to wliich 
life and liberty must look for protection. He has done much to uphold the legal 
status of the community for it is ever his aim to insure Justice. While a native 
of Iowa, Mr. Edgerton is descended from one of the oldest and best known families 
of New England. The ancestral line can be traced back to Richard Edgerton who 
came from England about 166-5 and was associated with twenty-nine other men 
in founding the town of Norwich, Connecticut. A grandson of Richard Edgerton 
married a daughter of William Bradford, the second governor of the Plymoutli 
colony. Two of the great-great-grandfathers of Frank E. Edgerton in the paternal 
line served as soldiers of the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, James M. Edger- 
ton, who was born in the state of New York, went to Iowa in 1871 and there devoted 



78 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

his attention to farming. He had been among the early gold seekers of California 
in 1849 and had accumulated a considerable fortune. He met all of the hardships 
of a trip across the plains in the early days but took back with him to New York 
six thousand dollars as the result of his labors in the mines of the Pacific coast. He 
then resumed farming in the Empire state where he also conducted a lime kiln for 
a number of years. Eventually, however, he determined to establish his home in 
Iowa but had been a resident of that state for only two years when in 1873 he 
passed away. His son, LeRoy A. Eidgerton, was likewise bom in the Empire state 
and at Baldwinsville, New York, wedded Mary E. Luke, also a native of that state 
and a daughter of John W. Luke who spent his entire life in New York. In the 
year 1871 Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy A. Edgerton became residents of Iowa and he 
made investment in land in Harrison county, after which he carried on farming 
to the time of his death. He was born in 1848 and departed this life in 1904, 
while his wife who was also born in 1848, survived him for a number of years, being 
called to her final rest in 1917. In his political views he was a republican and he 
held membership with the Woodmen of the World. To Mr. and Mrs. Edgerton 
were born three children : Ralph, who is residing at Missouri Valley, Iowa, where 
he is engaged in the auto tire and repair business; Frank E.; and Claude W., who 
is the chief plant pathologist in the Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge. 

Frank E. Edgerton was born at Woodbine, Iowa, September 29, 1875. In the 
pursutt of his education he attended the Woodbine Normal School of Woodbine. 
Iowa, and afterward entered the University of Nebraska, from which he was 
graduated in 1900. He taught school for a number of years in early manhood and 
afterward engaged in the newspaper business. In 1907 he went to Washington, 
D. C, as private secretary to Senator Norris Brown and while thus engaged com- 
pleted a law course in the George Washington University at Washington, D. C, 
winning his diploma and degree in 1910. In 1911 he was appointed assistant attor- 
ney general of Nebraska at Lincoln and remained in that ofifice for four years, after 
which he engaged in the private practice of his profession in the capital city for a 
year. In 1915 he came to Aurora where he has since remained, practicing as a 
member of the firm of Hainer, Craft & Edgerton. In 1918 he was elected county 
attorney of Hamilton county and has made a creditable record in office, just as he 
has in the conduct of his private practice. 

On the 2d of April, 1902, Mr. Edgerton was married to Miss Mary Coe, who 
was born in Woodbine, Iowa, and was a schoolmate of her husband in their child- 
hood days. She is a daughter of Josiah Coe, a native of Ohio, who removed to 
Iowa prior to the building of the railroads through that state. He devoted his 
attention to farming and banking and became an active factor in the development 
and improvement of the section of the state in which he lived. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Edgerton were born three children: Harold Eugene, who is a senior in the high 
school at Aurora; Mary Ellen, also a high school pupil; and Margaret Coe, who is 
likewise pursuing her studies in the Aurora public schools. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Edgerton are members of the Christian church and he is a Scottish Rite Mason 
and member of the Mystic Shrine. While in Lincoln he served as senior warden in 
the Masonic lodge. His political endorsement has always been given to the repub- 
lican party, for he is a firm believer in its principles as factors in good government. 
He stands for all those interests and activities which are elements in public progress 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES ^g 

and civic development and as a member of the bar has made a most creditable 
record, holding to the highest ethical standards of the profession and at the same 
time displaj'ing marked ability in handling the litigated interests entrusted to his 
care. 



M. F. STANLEY 



For a quarter of a century M. F. Stanley has been a member of the bar at 
Aurora and the zeal with which he has ever devoted his energies to his profession, 
the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and 
unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases have brought him a large business 
and made him very successful in its conduct. Mr. Stanley was born in Eichmond, 
Virginia, his birth having occurred in that historic and beautiful old city on the 5th 
of December, 1862, his parents being Joseph and Margaret (Morrison) Stanley, 
the ancestral line of the father being tracetl back to Dublin, Ireland, while the 
mother's people came from Saxony, Germany. Mr. Stanley was born in Ohio and 
his wife was a native of Virginia, in which state their marriage was celebrated. 
They removed to Illinois about 1870 when M. F. Stanley was eight years of age and 
afterward took up their abode in Indiana, finally settling in Nebraska. His 
father served his country in the Mexican war under General Taylor, taking part 
in the battles of Matamoros and Monterey as well as a number of other engage- 
ments. To him and his wife were born four sons and a daughter, of whom three 
sons are living, namely: M. F., of this review; H. M., a general contractor living 
at Fullerton, Nebraska; and L. M., who resides near Oakland, California, where 
he is the owner of a fruit ranch. 

M. F. Stanley pursued his education in the Fremont Normal College and in 
the Nebraska State Normal School of Peru and took up the profession of teaching 
which he followed in the schools of Hamilton county. He has resided within the 
borders of this county since 1885, or for a period of thirty-six years, and in 1889 
he was elected county superintendent of schools, in which position he served for six 
years, making a most creditable record by his support of the highest educational 
standards and his ability to inspire teachers and pupils under him with much of his 
own zeal and interest in the work. Before entering upon the duties of the position 
he had taken up the study of law and in 1895 was admitted to the bar. The 
following year he began practice and throughout the intervening period has re- 
mained in Aiirora. His practice is extensive and of an important character. At 
no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitations of the question at 
issue. It has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone 
for the expected but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as 
frequently as out of them. 

In February, 1891, Mr. Stanley was married to Miss Ethzelda Rush, who was 
born in Iowa and came with her parents to Hamilton county in 1885, her father 
settling with the family upon a farm. She was educated in the high school of 
Aurora and in the Nebraska State Normal School at Peru and was a successful 
teacher prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley have become parents of 
three children: Lamar, who was graduated from the high school and State Uni- 
versity of Nebraska and United States Army Aviation School, balloon section; 



80 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Ethel, who is in school; and Marion E., who is a student in the Colorado College 
at Colorado Springs. Mrs. Stanley is a member of the United Brethren church. 
Mr. Stanley has membership with the Knights of Pythias and is a past chancellor 
commander. He is also identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 
His political support is given to the republican party but he was among those who 
were identified with the progressive party movement and was made a member of 
the state executive committee of that party. He supported Eoosevelt in 1912 and 
was a warm admirer of the "best loved and most typically American citizen." Mr. 
Stanley has been called to official position, having served as county attorney of 
Hamilton county for seven years and was the only republican elected to the office 
for twenty-five years. In June, 1930, he was made receiver for the W. C. Wentz 
Company and is now trustee in bankruptcy. He gives his attention to the duties 
of this position and to his important law practice and is a member of the American 
Bar Association. He is recognized as a prominent and worthy follower of his call- 
ing — one who at all times maintains its highest ethical standards. 



JOHN BERGMAEK 



Now holding status as one of the honored pioneers and venerable citizens of 
Hamilton county Mr. Bergmark is a man to whom is to be ascribed a goodly share 
of distinction in connection with the development and advancement of farm industry 
in this section of the state. He was born in Sweden in the year 1848, was there 
reared to manhood and received his early education in the common schools and he 
was a self-reliant and ambitious young man when he crossed the Atlantic in 1867 
and established his home in the United States, where he felt assured of better oppor- 
tunities for the winning of independence and stable prosperity through personal 
ability and effort. Soon after his arrival in America he made his way to the city 
of Chicago, where he found employment at his trade, that of blacksmith, in the 
service of the Chicago, Eock Island & Pacific Eailroad, with which he continued his 
connection in this capacity for a period of seventeen years. About two years after 
his arrival in this country his parents severed the ties that bound them to their 
native land and the father was a resident of Chicago at the time of his death, when 
sixty-three years of age. The mother later came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, 
where she presided over the domestic affairs in the home of her sons and where 
she remained until her death, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. 

It was in the year 1884 that John Bergmark and his wife established their home 
in Hamilton county, though prior to this both had visited the site of the new home, 
at the time when the Burlington & Missouri Eiver Eailroad was in process of 
construction through the county. Mr. Bergmark purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres of prairie land in what is now the progressive township of Phillips and he 
vigorously instituted the development of the land, on which not a furrow had been 
turned at the time when the property came into his possession. His capital was 
very limited at that time and in the purchase of his land he assumed a burden 
of indebtedness for nearly the entire amount. He and his brother, the latter com- 
ing to Nebraska about the same time, resided with their widowed mother, until 



HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 81 

John Bergmark married and took possession of the substantial house which he 
erected on his land, which is now one of the well improved farm estates of the 
county and its general appearance bears testimony to the abundant prosperity that 
has rewarded his persistent and well ordered activities in past years. He has 
made each successive year count in worthy achievement, has done his part in the 
furtherance of the agricultural and live stock industry in this section of Nebraska, 
has been loyal to all civic duties and responsibilities and has so ordered his course 
as to merit and receive the unqualified esteem of those wit^i whom he has come into 
contact in the varied relations of life. He remains on the old home farm, in the 
activities of which he still maintains lively interest, though his sons now relieve 
him of the active management that was his port'on for many years. He and his 
wife had full fellowship with the hardships that marked the pioneer days and their 
appreciation of the state of their adoption has grown with the passing years, which 
have brought to them peace and prosperity and a well established position in their 
home community. Mr. Bergmark has had no desire for political preferment but 
is found stanchly aligned as a supporter of the cause of the republican party. 

In the city of Chicago, in the year 1879, Mr. Bergmark was married to Miss 
Hattie Sophie Brand, who likewise was born and reared in Sweden and who became 
a resident of Chicago in 1871, her parents coming to this country about two years 
later and they were residents of Chicago at the time of their death. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bergmark became the parents of six children, all of whom are living except one: 
Mrs. Enuna Anderson is the wife of one of the prosperous farmers of Hamilton 
county; Mrs. Tillie Scanman and her husband reside in the state of Washington; 
Charles died at the age of twenty-two years; Theodore is married and is engaged 
in independent farm enterprise in Hamilton county; Frank is connected with the 
work and management of the home farm in association with his brother Theodore ; 
and Arthur, who was in the nation's military service in the World war, now resides 
at Ellensburg, Washington. 



THOMAS JEFFERSON DUDGEON 

Thomas Jefferson Dudgeon, who for a long period was actively and prominently 
identified with the farming interests of Clay county and became the owner of 
a valuable tract of three hundred and twenty acres, was born in Ohio, August 
18, 1860, but was only four years of age when his parents removed to Iowa, 
settling in Wapello county, where he was reared to manhood and obtained a common 
school education. He early assisted in the work of the home farm and thus gained 
the valuable experience which proved of great worth to him when he began farm- 
ing on his own account. In the fall of 1882 he purchased one hundred and twenty 
acres of land in Leicester township, Clay county, Nebraska, where his house now 
stands, pajing eight dollars per acre for the property. There were no improve- 
ments on the farm, but with characteristic energy he began its development and 
erected a small frame house and also a little granary. He likewise planted shade 
trees and fruit trees and carried on the work of further developing and improv- 
ing the property until he had converted it into one of the fine and productive 



82 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

farms of this section of the state. As his financial resources increased he also 
added to his holdings and became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres, 
which he held to the time of his death and which constituted a valuable legacy 
to leave to his family. While engaged in general farming he also raised Percheron 
horses starting this only two years before his death, and lioth branches of his 
business proved quite successful. 

On the 11th of October, 1885. Mr. Dudgeon was married to Miss Ella Pine and 
to them have been born three children : Jennie, the wife of W. L. Hageman ; and 
Orpha and Bay, both at home. The family circle was broken by the hand of death 
on the 26th of September, 1909, when Mr. Dudgeon passed away. His political 
support was given to the democratic party, but he never sought nor desired office, 
preferring at all times to concentrate his efforts and his energy upon his farming 
interests, which brought him to well merited and substantial success. 



J. J. EEFSHAUGE 



J. J. Eefshauge, an Aurora banker, recognized as a man of keen sagacity 
and sound judgment in business affairs, was born at Cedar Falls, Iowa, June 18, 
1882, a son of Christian J. and Marie (Andresen) Eefshauge. The father was 
born in the Danish province of Slesvig in 1840 and the mother was also a native 
of Denmark. For many years the father was a schoolmaster. He had almost 
completed a seminary education when the war of 1864 occurred and the province 
of Slesvig, through the fortunes of war, became a province of Germany. He was 
bitterly opposed to German control of his country and refused to teach the Ger- 
man language. Not wishing to live under German rule he removed into that 
section of the country which still belonged to Denmark and for eight or nine years 
engaged in teaching there. In the early '70s he came to the United States, settling 
near Cedar Falls, Iowa, and in that locality purchased land. He then concentrated 
his efforts and attention upon farming, wliich he followed throughout his re- 
maining days. His financial resources were limited when he came to tlie United 
States, but in this country he prospered and won a place among the well-to-do 
men of his community. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran 
church and his political views were in accord with the teaching and principles 
of the republican party. To this worthy couple were born eleven children, ten 
of whom are living, but only two are residents of Hamilton county: J. J., of this 
review; and P. J., who is secretary and treasurer of the First Trust Company. 

J. J. Eefshauge, like the others of the family, was accorded excellent educa- 
tional privileges, completing his studies in the State Teachers' College at Cedar 
Falls, Iowa. He started out on his business career in a humble capacity in connec- 
tion with the Citizens' National Bank of Cedar Falls and 'there remained for about 
four years, working his way steadily upward to the position of assistant cashier. 
In 1905 he removed to Davey, Nebraska, where he became connected with the 
Farmers' State Bank, purchasing an interest in the business with which he was 
connected for a year and a half. While tliere he became acquainted with W. I. 
Farley, who persuaded him to come to Aurora. In 1907 he was made the vice 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 83 

president and cashier of the First National Bank of Marquette and in 1919 entered 
the First National Bank of Aurora as cashier. He has since continued in this 
position and his personal popularity, his business ability and his enterprise are 
featuring largely in the growth and advancement of the business. 

On the 15th of March, 1906, Mr. Eefshauge was married to Miss Magdeline 
Erieksen, who was born in Iowa, her father having settled near Clinton, Iowa, in 
early life. Mr. and Mrs. Eefshauge have three children : Lucile, a high school 
pupil; and Elmer and Bernard, also in school. The parents are members of the 
Lutheran church and they occupy an attractive social position. Mr. Eefshauge 
is a Eoyal Arch Mason and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, while his 
political support is given to the republican party. He served as a member of the 
town council and of the school board while living in Marquette and it was during 
his connection with the town board that all modern improvements were there in- 
stalled. He is now acting as a member of the school board of Aurora and the 
cause of education has always found in him a stalwart champion. The greater 
part of his time and attention, however, are devoted to the bank in which he is 
serving as cashier, and to other banking interests in the county. His life has been 
actuated by a spirit of progress and difficulties in his path have ever seemed to 
serve as an impetus for renewed efEort on his part. Steadily he has worked his way 
upward and his position in banking circles is a most creditable one. 



GEOEGE EVANJ 



George Evans is now living retired in Harvard but is still the owner of valuable 
property. For many years he was identified with the agricultural development of 
Clay county and in addition to his farm of one hundred and sixty acres is in 
possession of six lots in Harvard. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 
24th of November, 1845, a son of Jeremiah and Ellen (Liggett) Evans, both 
natives of Pennsylvania. When young people they removed from their native state 
to Ohio, where they were married and later moved to Indiana and thence to 
Nebraska in 1881. The father was a progressive and successful farmer and followed 
that line of work until his death. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Evans, 
three of whom are living: George, the subject of this review; William, a farmer 
of Hayes county; and Thomas. Throughout their lives Mr. and Mrs. Evans were 
consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was a whig and later 
a stanch republican. The Evans family are of Scotch descent. The maternal 
grandfather of George Evans, Jeremiah Liggett, was a native of Pennsylvania but 
later removed to Ohio, where his demise occurred. 

In the acquirement of an education George Evans attended the schools at Crown 
Point, Indiana, and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming. In 1876 
he came to Clay county, where he bought a homestead right, improved the land and 
resided thereon until 1911. He lived in a sod house the first year and passed 
through all the hardships of those early days. In 1911 he rented his farm and 
moved into Harvard, where he is now living retired. He is a veteran of the Civil 



84 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

war, having entered the service in 1863 as a member of the Twelfth Indiana 
Cavalry, with which he served for two years. 

Mr. Evans was married in 1874 to Margaret Wesner, a native of Ohio, and a 
daughter of George and Mary (Saudall) Wesner, the former a native of France and 
the latter of Ohio. They removed to Indiana in 1856 and there died. Eleven 
children were born to them, Mrs. Evans being the eldest. Ten are living but 
Mrs. Evans is the only one residing in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Wesner were 
members of the Lutheran church and for many years he was a democrat, later 
transferring his allegiance to the republican party. To the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Evans five children have been born: Elmer, Charles, Emma, Georgia, and 
Ealph. Elmer is living in Seward, where he is a well known electrician. He is 
married and has five children : Guy, Charles, Cecil, Pearl and Hazel ; Charles left 
home twenty-six years ago and no word has ever been received from him ; the third 
member of the family, Emma, is the wife of Andrew Megrue, a ranchman of Colo- 
rado and they are the parents of three children: Fay, Elba and Elwin; Georgia 
married Bert Osborn, a rancher of Ogallala; and Ralph is married to Miss Rosa 
Golding, lives on his fathers farm and is the father of four children: George, 
Raymond, Evelyn, and Wayne. 

Mr. Evans gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has mem- 
bership in the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife is a con- 
sistent member of the Congregational church. As the result of laudable ambition 
and determined effort on his part Mr. Evans reached his present day success and 
tliose who know him, and he has a very wide acquaintance, speak of him in terms 
of the warmest regard. 



CHARLES MIDEKE 



The willingness to put forth his best efforts and the ability to direct those efforts 
effectively have been the positive forces in the winning of the substantial success 
that has come to Charles Mideke in his many years of practical experience as a 
representative of farm industry in Hamilton county, where he resides upon the old 
home farm which was raw prairie land at the time when he here established his 
home, as a pioneer of the year 1878. Mr. Mideke was born at Freeport, Illinois, 
on the 4th of June, 1853, and is a son of Frederick and Caroline Mideke, both 
natives of Germany. The father was born al)out the year 1848 and was a young man 
when he came to the United States. In Illinois he followed the carpenter's trade 
until his son, Charles, was about eighteen years of age and thereafter was there 
engaged in farming until his death at the age of sixty-four years, his wife having 
been thirty-six years of age at the time of her passing away. Public schools of 
Illinois gave to Charles Mideke his early educational advantages and there he 
continued his residence and his association with farm enterprise until 1878, when 
he came to Hamilton county, Nebraska. He first purchased eighty acres of rail- 
road land, in section 31, South Platte township, and for this he paid at the rate 
of five dollars per acre, his financial resources at the time of his arrival in the 
county having been summed u]) in the amovint of about six hundred dollars. On 




MR. AND MRS. CHARLES MIDEKE 



Vol. II— 6 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 87 

his land he erected a little frame house of one room and in the early days had no 
lack of obstacles and adversities to overcome, for his was the experience of the 
average pioneer of this section, but persistence and faith eventually triumphed and 
he is now the owner of an admirably improved and most productive landed estate 
of five hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Mideke has shown much discrimination and 
judgment in his various experiments and readjustments in connection with farm 
enterprise and he attributes much of his success to the fact that he has specializeil 
in the raising of the cereal crops best adapted to the soil and climate. In the 
early days his finances were somewhat precarious and he has stated that six years 
passed before he was able to make the final payment for the construction of his 
first house. Now his status is that of a substantial citizen whose returns from his 
farm are certain and secure and no citizen is more loyal to Nebraska than this 
sterling and popular pioneer of Hamilton county. 

Mr. Mideke has always been ready to give his influence and cooperation in the ad- 
vancing of measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community, 
is a democrat in basic politics, has served one term as a member of the school board 
of his district and is a member of the United Brethren church, as was also his 
wife, who died in 1919, at the age of sixty-three years, and who had shared with him 
in the trying experiences of the pioneer period, even as she lived to enjoy with him 
the eventual prosperity that came to them. 

The year 1879 recorded the marriage of Mr. Mideke to Miss Emma Goethe, who 
was born and reared in Illinois and who was one of the revered pioneer women 
of Hamilton county at the time of her death. Of the children the eldest is G. W., 
who is a representative of successful farm enterprise in Hamilton county; Hattie 
and Arthur remain at the paternal home; Ida is the wife of Everett Winkler and 
they reside in the state of Colorado, as does also Clara, the next younger daughter ; 
and Frank, Mabel and Lela are the younger memhers of the attractive home circle 
on the old homestead farm. 



J. A. ISAMAN 



J. A. Isaman is the senior partner of the firm of J. A. Isaman & Company, 
engaged in the real estate and abstract business, and is also connected with banking 
interests as the vice president of the Farmers' State Bank. In the real estate field 
he has negotiated many important property transfers and has won substantial suc- 
cess by the careful and able manner in which he has conducted his interests. A 
native of Iowa, his birth occurred in Van Buren county, July 4, 1869, his parents 
being B. F. and Mary A. (Newbold) Isaman, both of whom were natives of 
Pennsylvania but were married in Iowa, to which state they removed in early life. 
The father was a son of Samuel G. Isaman, also a native of the Keystone state, 
who learned the shoemaker's trade and followed it for a time but afterward took 
up the occupation of farming. He removed from Pennsylvania to Iowa and gave 
his attention to agricultural pursuits there throughout his remaining days, reaching 
an advanced age. The maternal grandfather of J. A. Isaman was Joshua G. New- 
bold, who in many ways was prominently connected with the history of Iowa, serving 



88 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

as a member of the state legislature, as governor of the commonwealth and in other 
important public connections whereby he did much to shape the policy and promote 
the progress of the state. 

B. F. Isaman followed the occupation of farming as a life work but at the time 
of the Civil war put aside all business and personal considerations and joined Com- 
pany F of the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, with which he served for more than 
three years. Being captured he was incarcerated in Libby prison, in Aindersonville 
prison and also at Macon, Georgia, and contracted a disease which ultimately ter- 
minated his life. It was in 1873 that he removed from Iowa to Hamilton county, 
Nebraska, where he took up a homestead and first lived in the cellar of a house 
that he was building until the superstructure was completed. He had driven over- 
land from Iowa and reached Hamilton county a few days before the big Easter 
storm. In his farming he was quite successful, carefully tilling the soil and gather- 
ing abundant harvests each year until he had acquired thereby a substantial compe- 
tence. After living on the farm until 1896 he retired from active business and 
removed to Aurora, where his remaining days were spent, his death occurring in 
1900, while his widow survived until 1914. In early life they were members of the 
Baptist church, later became identified with the Presbyterian church and still later 
returned to the Baptist church. Eeligious connections were with them a matter 
of Christianity rather than of denominationalism and they ever endeavored to follow 
closely the teachings of Him who came not to be ministered unto but to minister. 
They were the parents of four children: Kate, now the wife of J. H. White, 
a real estate dealer of Seattle, Washington; J. A., of this review; George E., who 
is engaged in the hardware business in Hastings, Nebraska; and Rachel, the wife 
of A. B. Cole, who is connected with the department of finance in the government 
office at Lincoln. 

The first school which J. A. Isaman attended was taught by a woman in her 
own home, but afterward public schools were established and J. A. Isaman thus 
continued his education, while still later he attended school at Mount Pleasant, 
Iowa, also became a student in the Aurora high school and in York College of 
Nebraska. His youthful experiences were those of the farm bred Ijoy and he early 
became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. 
He afterward went to North Platte, Nebraska, where he lived for two years, en- 
gaged in the abstract business. While there residing he was married in 1896 to 
Miss May E. Salisbury, a daughter of William N. Salisbury, and to them were 
born two children : Francis, at home; and Emma, the wife of Mac C. Brown, who is 
deputy county treasurer at Aurora. 

Mr. Isaman is a stalwart republican in politics, thus following in the political 
footsteps of his father, who was a recognized leader in political circles in Hamilton 
county and who served at an early day as county commissioner and was again called 
to that office in later life. The same qualities of faithful citizenship and capability 
have been manifested by J. A. Isaman and in 1902 his fellow townsmen called him 
to the office of county clerk, which position he filled until 1901. He also served as 
city treasurer for seven years and made a most capable record in office. In 1896 
he returned to Aurora and again resided on a farm, cultivating land belonging to 
his father for a number of j'ears. In November, 1903, he took up his abode in the 
city and in December of the same year purchased the abstract and insurance busi- 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 89 

ness from tlie firm of Hainer & Smith. He afterward extended the scope of his 
business to include real estate dealing. He has the only set of abstract books in 
the county and his accuracy in this connection is well known. In 1919 he admitted 
Irviu H. Otto to a partnership and they conduct a general real estate business, 
largely handling local property. Mr. Isaman has negotiated many important realty 
transfers and has been very successful as a real estate man. He is today the owner 
of valuable farm lands and city property, from which he derives a gratifying income 
and he is also well known as the vice president of the Farmers' State Bank but 
devotes the greater part of his attention to the real estate, abstract and insurance 
business, having today the largest fire insurance agency in the county. 

Mr. Isaman became a charter member of the Rotary Club of Aurora and is well 
known in Masonic circles, belonging to the lodge, chapter, Scottish Rite bodies and 
the Mystic Shrine. He serve<l as secretary for the Royal Arch Masons for a num- 
ber of years and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern 
Star, in which he is a past patron and his wife a past matron. They are also 
members of the Congregational church and they occupy an enviable position in social 
circles where true worth and intelligence are accepted as the passports to good 
society. 



SYLVESTER R. SIDDERS 

An earnest and upright life, filled with worthy achievement, was that of the 
late Sylvester R. Sidders, and thus his memory is especially honored in Hamilton 
county, Nebraska, where he lived and labored to goodly ends and where he became 
the owner of a fine farm property, having maintained his residence in this county 
from 1884 until his death, which occurred on the 6th of November, 1913. 

Mr. Sidders was born in the state of New Jer.sey, on the 6th of June, 1854, and 
was eight years of age at the time of the family removal to Ohio, where he was 
reared to manhood and received the advantages of the public schools. At the age 
of twenty-one years he came to Nebraska and for a time was associated with his 
hrother-in-law' in farming enterprise near Bennet, Lancaster county, where he 
farmed on shares. Thereafter he served one year as a guard at the state penitentiary 
and in 1884 came to Hamilton county, where he and his brother John, under 
partnership alliance, purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land. Mr. 
Sidders was a man of fine initiative and constructive energy and with the passing 
years developed one of the valuable farm properties of the county, his success and 
progressiveness having been attested by the excellent buildings and other improve- 
ments which he provided for his home farm. At the time of his death Mr. Sidders 
was the owner of a valuable farm property of three hundred and sixty acres in 
Scoville township, and this land is now in possession of his family. He was a 
vigorous exponent of agricultural and live stock industry, commanded the respect 
and goodwill of all who knew him, was influential in public affairs in his township 
and served several years as township assessor. He was affiliated with the Modern 
Woodmen of America and his religious faith was tliat of the Baptist church, of 
which his widow likewise is an earnest member. 

Mr. Sidders was twice married, the first time in 188.5 to Miss Jennie Case, 



90 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

who is survived by one child, Laura, who is now the wife of William Race, their 
home being in the state of Colorado. On the 10th of March, 1895, was solemnized 
the marriage of Mr. Bidders to Miss Lucy Gallentine, who was born in the state 
of Pennsylvania and who was two years old when her parents came to Nebraska 
and numbered themselves among the pioneer settlers of Clay county, where she 
was reared and educated. Mrs. Sidders' father, William Gallentine, was a home- 
steader of Clay county in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Sidders became the parents of two 
sons and one daughter: William, Sylvester B., and Charity. The sons now have 
the active management of the old home farm and are numbered among the pro- 
gressive farmers of the younger generation in their native county. Mrs. Sidders 
remained on the farm until 1916, when she removed to the village of Giltner, where 
she purchased an attractive residence property and where she and her daughter now 
maintain their home. Mrs. Sidders is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church in her home village and is a popular figure in connection with the repre- 
sentative social activities of the community. 



CHARLES L. WHITNEY 

Charles L. Whitney, who for more than a decade has engaged in the practice 
of law in Aurora, was born in Shelby county, Iowa, in April, 1884, a son of M. L. 
and Jennie (Weatherill) Whitney, both of whom are natives of New England. The 
paternal grandfather, D. R. Whitney, removed to Iowa in pioneer times and spent 
his remaining days in that state, becoming a well-to-do farmer there and. ultimately 
retiring from active business. The maternal grandfather, Thomas Weatherill was 
a native of England and crossing the Atlantic took up his abode in Canada, while 
later he, too, established his home in Iowa, where he remained until called to his final 
rest. M. L. Whitney was quite young when the family home was established in 
Iowa and there he was reared to pioneer life. In 1886 he came to Nebraska and 
purchased land in Wayne county, becoming identified with the early development 
of this state. He afterward removed to Cedar county and was identified with 
farming interests in that locality. Year by year his cultivation of his farm con- 
stituted an asset in the progress and upbuilding of the section in which he lived. 
In 1911 he removed to Aurora and retired from active business, having won a com- 
fortable competency through the years of his earnest and intelligently directed toil. 
He is now enjoying a well earned rest, his success supplying him with all of the 
comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He is a member of the Christian church 
and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. For many years he has 
been a faithful follower of the Indejiendent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he has 
never maintained a partisan attitude but has always pursued an independent course 
in casting his ballot. To him and his wife were born five children, but only Charles 
L. is living. 

It was in the country schools of Wayne county that Charles L. Whitney began 
his education, for he was but two years of age when brought by his parents from 
Iowa to this state. He continued his education in the high school at Hartington, 
Nebraska, ai^d afterward pursued a teacher's course in the Fremont Normal Col- 
lege, graduating from the scientific course as a member of the class of 1906. He 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 91 

later attended the State University and was graduated in June, 1910, upon the 
completion of a course in law. He was then admitted to the bar and started to 
practice his profession in Aurora in December, 1910. He has always practiced alone 
and his ability in the path of his profession is widely recognized. His legal learn- 
ing, his analytical mind, the readiness with which he grasps the points in an argu- 
ment all combine to make him one of the able lawyers of the district and his 
reputation has been won through earnest, honest labor, while his standing at the bar 
is a merited tribute to his ability. 

On the 27th of December, 1916, Mr. Whitney was married to Miss Leona 
Entrekin, of Aurora, a daughter of A. L. Entrekin, a retired farmer of this city. 
They have one son, Charles L., born October 1, 1918. Mrs. Whitney is a member 
of the Bethany Baptist church and Mr. Whitney belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
church. He has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 
the age of twenty-one years and has passed all of the chairs in the local lodge. He 
has also held all of the offices in the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a 
democrat and for two terms filled the office of county attorney of Hamilton county 
but has never sought nor desired official preferment outside of the strict path of 
his profession. He has always devoted his entire time to law practice, has been 
admitted to all of the courts and as the years have passed has been accorded a 
liberal clientage of a distinctively representative character. 



JOHN S. HALSTED 



Among the prominent agriculturists of Clay county is John S. Halsted, who has 
been a resident in that county since March, 1880. Like many other prominent and 
successful men of Nebraska he is the state's son by adoption, his birth having oc- 
curred in Wabash county, Indiana, April 25, 1849. 

John S. Halsted was seven years of age when his parents moved to Illinois, and 
he received his education in the country schools in the vicinity of his home. He 
there resided until on reaching man's estate he left the parental roof and set out 
for the west. He arrived in Clay county, Nebraska, in March of the year 1880 and 
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land, paying four hundred dollars 
for the improvements on this land, which consisted of a shanty, straw stable, and 
ninety acres of land already broken. Mr. Halsted is now in possession of two 
hundred and forty acres of fine land. He has set out many shade trees and has 
made his farm one of the attractive places of the county. He has always carried on 
general farming and stock raising, specializing in Hereford cattle and Poland China 
hogs. In addition to this land in Clay county Mr. Halsted is the Oflaier of six 
hundred and forty acres in Lincoln county. 

On the 1st of January, 1873, occurred the marriage of Mr. Halsted and Miss 
Mary L. Coleman and to them four children have been born: Lewis, who is on 
the farm in Lincoln county; Eawley H., who is engaged in farming near his 
father; Mary A., who is now the wife of John Livingston, a farmer of Adams 
county; and Cora B., who is residing at home. 

Mr. Halsted has always taken an active part in civic affairs and his stanch 



92 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

support may ever be counted upon in furthering a movement which he deems of 
necessity to the improvement and development of the community. For several years 
he was township clerk and has been a member of the school board for one year. 
Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen and took a prominent part in 
the activities of that lodge in past years. His wife and daughter are consistent 
members of the Christian church and are prominent in the social and club circles 
of their community. Mr. Halsted has proved liimself to be a farmer of great 
ability and progressiveness and there is no phase of modern scientific farming with 
which he is not familiar. He is indeed a representative citizen of Clay county and 
one of whom that county has a right to be proud. 



SAMUEL M. KENSINGER 

Prominent in the ranching circles of Hamilton county is Samuel M. Kensinger, 
a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where he was born September 25, 
1849, a son of Samuel and Nancy (McLean) Kensinger, also natives of that 
state. There the father engaged in farming and was a successful and highly 
respected citizen of the community in which he made his home. 

Samuel M. Kensinger received his education in the country schools of his native 
state, the schools being made of plastered logs and fitted inside with home-made 
wooden benches. He began working on his father's farm at the age of nine 
years and then worked out on farms in the surrounding vicinity, being in one 
man's employ for a period of eight years. In 1866 he decided to engage in farming 
on his own account with the result that he located in Illinois and there rented 
land for two years. He then removed to Whiteside county and worked on a 
farm for two years. In 1870, in company with his brother, Daniel, Mr. Kensingei* 
came west, driving through to Hamilton county in a covered wagon. They 
had but one team and four weeks were spent in making the journey. Arriving 
in Hamilton county Mr. Kensinger took a homestead of eighty acres on township 
9, range 6, which land he still owns and operates. His first home on this land 
was a most primitive one being part dugout and logs. Later he built an addition 
of sod and a sod stable and subsequently erected a small frame house. His lumber 
he hauled from Harvard and his provisions from Lincoln and Grand Island. 
Mr. Kensinger walked to Grand Island one Fourth of July and played for a dance. 
Hunting was fine in the county at that time and he shot many buffalo and antelope 
and also caught many beaver on the Blue river during the winter months. In 
the grasshopper storm of 1874, Mr. Ken.singer lost all of his crops with the 
exception of some barley and during the Easter blizzard of 1873 he was snowed 
in for three days. His brother Daniel had a yoke of oxen that drifted with the 
blizzard to Sutton, Nebraska. During the years of '93 and '9-t Mr. Kensinger 
had about twenty milch cows on his place. Achieving a great amount of success 
in his ranching, he purchased an additional eighty acres and also bought two 
hiindred acres in Union township. 

On the 22nd of April, 1873, occurred the marriage of Mr. Kensinger and 
Miss Ella A. Franklin, a native of Pennsylvania, whose death occurred in 1886 




ME. AND MES. SAMUEL M. KEMSINGEE 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 95 

at the age of thirty-six years. Her father, Lora A. Franklin, turned his log 
carpenter shop into a schoolhouse, made and supplied it with" benches, and 
Mrs. Kensinger had the distinction of teaching the first school in their precinct 
in Hamilton county. She was the mother of six children, two of whom are now 
living: Burton E., who is farming with his father; and Anna, the wife of Oscar 
Van Deusen of Giltner, who is manager of the Farmers Union store of that 
place. The other children are as follows: Charles F., who died in 1874:, and 
Carrie F., his twin, whose death occurred at the same time; Ida B., who passed 
away in 1876; and Lucinda M., whose death occurred in 1886. 

Since age conferred on Mr. Kensinger the right of franchise he has been a 
stanch supporter of the democratic party being a firm believer in the principles 
of that party as factors in good government. Any movement for the further 
development and improvement of the community is always assured his support. 
He is a firm believer in education and has served on the school board for many 
years. For over half a century, Mr. Kensinger has made his home in Hamilton 
county and during that time he has risen to a high place among the agriculturists 
of the county and state. He is justly entitled to the proud American title of self- 
made man for as a man of strong purpose he has carried to successful completion 
every undertaking. 



WILLIAM S. PATTERSON 

A man of broad vision, marked initiative and distinctive business acumen, the 
late William S. Patterson proved a potent force in the furtherance of farm indus- 
try and civic advancement in Hamilton county, Nebraska, and especially did he 
do much to further the advancing of live stock standards in this state. His 
character and his achievement were of positive order and for his sterling qualities 
and his worthy work in connection with the practical and productive affairs of life, 
he is remembered with unequivocal respect and honor in the County to whose 
progress he contributed much. 

Mr. Patterson was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on the 21st of December, 
1825, and he received his youthful education in the pioneer schools of the old 
Buckeye state. He was a lad of eleven years at the time of his mother's death 
and thereafter depended largely upon his own resources in making his way to the 
goal of independence and prosperity. He was seventeen j'ears old when he ac- 
companied his father to Knox county, Illinois, and became a skilled workman at 
the trade of barrel-maker. As a pioneer workman at his trade in Illinois he 
hauled his cooperage products overland a distance of fifty miles to Peoria, where 
he found a market for his barrels. Among his other early experiences in Illinois 
was that of driving flocks of turkeys overland a distance of one hundred and 
thirty-six miles to the market in Chicago and later he became extensively engaged 
in the buying and selling of live stock, besides becoming owner of a large landed 
estate in Illinois. In 1884 Mr. Patterson came with his family to Hamilton county, 
Nebraska, having here purchased, fully ten years previous, the present celebrated 
Patterson ranch of three hundred acres located in Union township, and having 



96 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

instituted its improvement in connection with the raising of cattle. He made this 
ranch the stage and center of a peculiarly vigorous and progressive enterprise in 
the raising and shipping of live stock and the growing of the best type of blooded 
shorthorn cattle, in the exploiting of which he did much to raise the standards 
in Nebraska, as he brought full blooded sires from Kentucky and bred entirely 
from this source. He developed his ranch into one of the best properties of 
Hamilton county and continued his active supervision of the same until his death, 
November 7, 1902, aged seventy-six years, eleven months and sixteen days. 

In Illinois the month of November, 1846, recorded the marriage of Mr. Patterson 
to Miss Matilda Miller, who was born at Monroe, Michigan, May 2, 1828, a 
representative of one of the most prominent and influential families of that 
section of the Wolverine state and in 1896 they celebrated their golden wedding 
anniversary. Mrs. Patterson preceded her husband to eternal rest, her death having 
occurred January 38, 1900, and her memory was revered by all who came within 
the compass of her gentle and kindly influence. Of the four surviving children 
the eldest is Edward, who is engaged in the real estate business in the city of 
Los Angeles, California; Clara is the wife of Marcus H. Smith, of whom mention 
is made elsewhere in this work; Jennie is the wife of William A. Lee, a farmer 
near Galcsburg, Illinois; and Frederick A. is manager and buyer for Patterson & 
Shannon in the live stock commission business in Sioux City, Iowa. 

In politics, with well fortified opinions concerning matters of economic and 
governmental import, Mr. Patterson gave a fundamental support to the principles 
of the democratic party, but in local politics he was not constrained by partisan 
lines. He and his wife attended the Christian church. 



FREDERICK AVILLIAM SW ANSON 

For many years Frederick William Swanson was prominent in the agricultural 
circles of Clay county. He is now deceased, his death having occurred on the 6th 
of February, 1916. 

Frederick W. Swanson was born in Sweden on the 10th of December, 1845, and 
in that country received his education. He learned the trade of shoemaker, being 
taught by his brother, and followed that trade for some time before coming to 
the United States. In 1869 he determined to come to this country and after 
landing here made his first home in Illinois. For some time he made shoes in 
Chicago and also followed that line of business in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, 
Michigan. In 1875, however, he came west and located in Clay county, Nebraska, 
where he' purchased eighty acres of railroad land at six dollars per acre. He put 
up a frame house and barn on the place and immediately set about to cultivate it. 
He broke most of his land himself with the aid of a team of horses and also put 
out some shade trees and an orchard. His wife cooked in a hotel in Harvard and 
cooperated with her husband in every way. There were many Indians in the 
vicinity and one time Mrs. Swanson upon entering the kitchen found her freshly 
baked biscuits had been stolen by some Indian stragglers. For the most part, 
however, the Indians were friendlv and harmless. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson suffered 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 97 

all the hardships of those pioneer days, being snowed under for three days in 
the Easter blizzard of 1873 and later the grasshoppers completely destroyed their 
crops. All they managed to save during those grasshopper storms were some 
potatoes. The grasshoppers were so thick that they shaded the sun. Mr. Swanson 
was a man of great force and determination and each misfortune seemed only 
to spur Inm on to greater effort. At the time of his death he owned one-half 
section of fine land, on which stood two sets of improvements. He had been for 
many years a leader in the agricultural circles of the county and was readily 
conceded the proud American title of self-made man. 

In 1875 in Clay county occurred the marriage of Mr. Swanson and Miss Louise 
Carlson, who came to that county in 1872 and homesteaded eighty acres. To them 
three children were born: Ellen Elizabeth, who is the wife of Otto Huffman, a 
farmer of Clay county: Joseph, whose death occurred in infancy; and J. W., who 
is farming the old place. 

The political allegiance of Mr. Swanson was always given to the republican 
party and his religious faith was that of the Swedish Lutheran church. At an 
early day, before he helped organize the church at Saronville, the people in the 
vicinity of his home of that faith often held their meetings at the old homestead. 
Mr. Swanson was a supporter of every movement which he deemed of necessity 
to the improvement and development of the community and as a stanch advocate 
of education he was influential in organizing school district No. 69. Through- 
out the greater part of his life he followed farming and his demise left a void 
in the community which will he hard to fill. 



HENRY GIMPEL 



Henry Gimpel is now living retired in Aurora although for many years he 
was actively engaged in agricultural interests in this section of the state. He was 
born in Germany, January 20, 1857, and in early life learned the harness-makers' 
trade in his native country. In 1SS2 he bade iidieu to his friends and to his native 
land and came to the new world, scttlin.y- lirst in Hamilton county, Nebraska. Here 
he began earning his living by working out as a farm hand at nineteen and twenty 
dollars per month, being thus employed until 1886. During this period he saved 
a sufficient sum to enable him to buy a team of horses. He continued to work 
as a farm hand until 1886 and then began renting land, which he cultivated for four 
years. He afterward bought eighty acres, for which he paid twenty dollars per acre. 
There were no buildings on the place but the land had been plowed. He erected 
a frame dwelling and barn and devoted his attntion to the further care and culti- 
vation of the place until 1898. He then removed to another eighty acre tract 
in the same section and now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in 
Hamilton precinct and one hundred and sixty acres in Deepwell precinct. He has 
buildings on all three quarter sections and successfully carries on general farming, 
raising the various grains best adapted for the soil and climatic conditions. In 
1919, however, he removed to Aurora and rented his farms to his sons, so that at the 
present time he is largely enjoying rest from further labor. 



98 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

In 1890 Mr. Gimpel was married to Miss Augusta Lange and they have become 
parents of eight children : William H., Henry, George, Arthur F., Clara, Emily, 
and John and Annie, twins. Two of the sons, George and Henry, served with the 
American army in the World war. Henry went across the water and saw service 
in France. - Mr. and Mrs. Gimpel are members of the United Brethren church 
and he has served as school director and as constable. He is interested in all 
matters which pertain to the welfare and progress of the community in which 
he has so long made his home and aids in many projects for the public good. More- 
over, his life serves to indicate what can be accomplished through individual effort 
and industry, for he started out in the world empty-handed and has steadily ad- 
vanced by reason of his perseverance and diligence, until he is today one of the 
substantial citizens of his adopted county. 



JAMES BEAT, SR. 



Not in vain were the labors and the trials of the pioneers of Nebraska, for all 
that they wrought and endured has found fruition in the prosperity of the present 
day. It is pleasing to pay tribute to such sturdy pioneer citizens as James Beat, 
whose varied experiences in the early days were similar to those of other settlers in 
Hamilton county, where he so ordered his course as to reap consistent returns from 
his labors as a farmer, with the result that he is fully justified in the semi-retire- 
ment that is now his in his attractive home at Stockham. 

Mr. Beat was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, September 13, 1856, a date 
which indicates that his parents, John and Mary Ann (Edie) Beat, were num- 
bered among the pioneers of the Badger state, both having been born and reared 
in Scotland, though their marriage occurred after' their immigration to the 
United States. John Beat made the voyage on an old-time sailing vessel known as 
the "Adam Carr," and six weeks elapsed ere the boat arrived in port in New 
York city. He became a pioneer farmer in Wisconsin and in that state both he 
and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, secure in the high esteem of all 
who knew them and both earnest members of the Presbyterian church. 

James Beat, Sr., was reared on the home farm and acquired his early education 
in the district schools of his native county, which he attended principally during 
the winter terms when his services were not needed in connection with the work 
of the farm. In addition to his farm experience he gained also a practical knowl- 
edge of carpenter work, and he continued his residence in Wisconsin until 
March, 1877, when he came to Hamilton county, Nebraska. He here found em- 
ployment at farm work, but in the following year here obtained eighty acres of 
land, for which he paid four hundred dollars, this having been government land, 
as was also the timber claim of forty acres which he secured that same fall. He 
continued in the employ of others during the first eight years of his residence in 
the county and then established his home on his own land, in Farmers Valley 
precinct, his first house having been a frame building, twelve by eighteen feet and 
his first barn having been of the sod type. He planted many trees on his farm, 
including pine trees and also an orchard, but only a few of the orchard trees now 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 99 

remain. His vigorous activities and good management brought him increasing 
prosperity with the advancing years and he is now the owner of a well improved 
and valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres. 

Mr. Beat has been liberal and progressive as a citizen and has aided in many 
important enterprises, including the organization of the Farmers Elevator Com- 
pany at Stockham, of which he continued a director ten years. He was also one 
of the organizers and incorporators of the Stockham State Bank, in Vhich he 
continues a substantial stockholder. He is a republican in politics, is affiliated 
with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
both he and his wife are active members of the Presbyterian church at Stockham. 

In Wisconsin, in 1884, Mr. Beat was married to Miss Sarah L. Housel, of 
whose family record adequate mention is made elsewhere in this work, in the 
personal sketch of her brother, P. C. Housel. Mr. and Mrs. Beat became parents 
of the following children: Jane is the wife of Eoy Flickenger and they reside 
in the state of California; James, Jr., resides at Stockham, in his native county; 
Furman J. is a resident of South Dakota, as is also his sister Enos; Harvey lives 
at Stockham; Margaret is the wife of Martin Wellcock of this place; Sadie is the 
wife of Ray Gellatly, likewise of Stockham ; and Ezra has the active management 
of his father's old home farm, the subject of this review having retired from the 
farm and established his residence at Stockham in the year 1910. 



HENRY C. GRIESS 



Henry C. Griess is prominent in banking circles of Sutton as vice president 
of the Sutton State Bank. A native of Nebraska, he was born in Clay county, 
January 19, 1875, a son of Peter H. and Sophia (Grosshans) Griess, both natives 
of Germany where they were married and resided until 1873. In that year they 
emigrated to America and settled in Sutton, Nebraska, where the father engaged 
in the grain and coal business. For a number of years he conducted this business 
successfully but in the panic of 1895 met with severe financial losses from which 
he never fully recovered. He was a liberal man and during the panic offered every 
aid to his many friends. His family was a large one and his sons speak of him 
as a comrade, for he was their constant companion in his later life. Eleven 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Griess, nine of them boys, and all of the 
children are living but one daughter. They are: Theodore, a prominent banker 
and financier of Harvard ; Henry C, whose name initiates this review ; John G., in 
the bank at Sutton; William, who is engaged in the lumber and coal business in 
Sutton ; Edward P., postmaster at Sutton, Nebraska ; Ferdinand, prominent in 
the dental profession of Sutton; Gustave, who is engaged with his brother in the 
dental practice at Sutton ; Edward P., who is now serving as postmaster of Sutton 
and of whom further mention is made on another page of this work; Albert, 
active in the lumber and coal business in Sutton ; and Lydia, who is the wife of 
J. A. Dennis, a merchant of Eldorado. Throughout his life Mr. Griess was a 
stanch democrat and took an active part in all local campaigns and movements of 
that party. 



100 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

Henry C. Griess received his education in the Sutton schools and at the age 
of seventeen years began working in a hardware store for twenty dollars per 
month. For fifteen years he clerked in that store and then decided to enter the 
hardware business on his own account. He was very successful in this venture 
and remained in that connection until 1912, when he entered the bank of Sutton 
as assistant cashier. His rise in the bank was rapid and soon he was made vice 
president of that organization, in which office he is now serving. 

On the 23d of November, 1899, Mr. Griess was united in marriage to Miss 
Eosana Griess, a daughter of H. P. Griess, an old settler of York county. As a 
business man her father had achieved a substantial amount of success and in 
agricultural circles he had taken an influential and leading part. Four children 
have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Griess: Alfred H., who is attending 
the State University at Lincoln : Esther, a graduate of the Sutton high school with 
the class of 1921 ; Helen, in school ; and Otto, who is but four and one-half years 
of age. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Griess the right of franchise he has been a stanch 
suppoi-ter of the democratic party. The religious faith of the family is that of 
the Free Keformed church, in the activities of which they take a prominent part. 
Mr. Griess maintains an interest in agriculture as the owner of farms in Fillmore, 
Clay and York counties and aside from his banking interests he devotes some time 
to writing insurance. Mr. Griess is a prominent and progressive man and readily 
acknowledged a leading citizen of Sutton. 



MARTIN V. CLAEK, M. B., M. D. 

Dr. Martin V. Clark of Sutton is known as the pioneer doctor of Clay county, 
having been actively engaged in the practice of his profession here since 1871. 
There are few of the older residents of the county that do not remember him when 
he first came to Nebraska, a young doctor Just starting out in his professional career. 
They have watched the rapid strides made by Dr. Clark, his achievement of success, 
and there is not one among them but sincerely admires him for his energy, determi- 
nation and his sterling personal worth. 

A native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, Dr. Clark was born at Parma, April 28, 
1840, and is a son of David and Ximena (Roberts) Clark. The father was born in 
Burlington, Connecticut, August 2, 1806, and the mother was a native of Hartford, 
that state. Their marriage was celebrated in Ohio, however, where both had come as 
young people, Mr. Clark having made the trip in 1838 with an ox team. Four chil- 
dren were born to this union, two of whom are living: Isaac N., of whom further 
mention is made on another page of this work ; and Martin Y., whose name initiates 
this review. Both Mr. and Mrs. Clark were active patrons of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church and he was for many years a democrat, later becoming a republican. 
He served as justice of the peace of his county for some time and was chairman 
for war work in the county in 1861. 

Following his preliminary education, on the outbreak of the Civil war. Dr. 
Martin Y. Clark enlisted in the Union service, June 20, 1861, going to Camp 




DR. MAETIX V. CLAEK 



HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 103 

Denniston near Cincinnati, Oliio. He became a member of Company C, Seventh 
Ohio Vohmteer Infantry and later served with the rank of sergeant in the Eighth 
Battery Ohio Artillery for fourteen months. He reenlisted and was in both 
national and state service for a period of five years. Dr. Clark heard a speech made 
by Abraham Lincoln at Champaign, Illinois, in 1856, and he was one of the escort 
who fired the salute when they brought the body of that great man through Cleve- 
land, Ohio, following his assassination. After the war Dr. Clark again resumed 
his studies, entering Baldwin University in Ohio, from which he was graduated 
in 1867. He decided to enter the medical profession with the result that he became 
a student in the Western Eeserve University at Cleveland, Ohio, obtaining his 
degree in 1869. After graduation he was professor of pharmacy at Berea, Ohio, 
and was on the committee to revise the United States pharmacopoeia at Washington, 
D. C, in 1870. He practiced medicine in Ohio until 1871 when he came to Clay 
county, Nebraska, and entered the drug business and medical profession, building 
up a large trade and lucrative practice. In addition to his professional interests 
Dr. Clark has been identified with some of the representative business enterprises 
of the county, having at one time been editor and proprietor of the Sutton Adver- 
tiser. For many years he has been a newspaper correspondent and is now cor- 
respondent for the Daily Bee of Omaha. During the Harrison administration 
he also served as postmaster of Sutton. When he first came to Clay county, 
Dr. Clark, in connection with his brother, Isaac N. Clark, purchased the townsite 
of Sutton from its original homesteader and the Doctor still owns about four and 
one-half acres there. Further mention of this land deal is made in the sketch of his 
brother Isaac N. Clark. 

On the 4th of July, 1865, Dr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Mary D. 
Henrj', a native of Parma, Ohio, Her death occurred January 17, 1917, and came 
as a severe shock to her family and many friends in the community. Four children 
had been born to this union, three of whom are living: Alice, who is the wife of 
Dr. J. W. Thompson, a physician of Lincoln, Nebraska; Edith, who is the wife 
of 0. W. Challburg, a real estate man and county commissioner; and Ruth, who 
married Elmer G. Briard, a farmer of Madison, Nebraska. Mamie, the second child 
born to Dr. and Mrs. Clark, died at the age of eleven years. 

Politically Dr. Clark gives his support to the republican party, in the interests 
of which he takes a prominent part although he has neither sought nor desired 
public oflBce. He was, however, a member of the first town council of Sutton and was 
the second coroner of Clay county. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church and his wiie took a prominent part in the affairs of that organization. 
Fraternally Dr. Clark is a blue lodge and a Royal Arch Mason. In 1876 he compiled 
a history of Clay county, called the Centennial History. It gives a complete 
history of the county up to 1876 and is authentic in every detail. A committee had 
been appointed to gather the data but when the time came for active work it failed 
and the entire responsibility for the work devolved upon Dr. Clark. Among the 
many respected citizens of Sutton and Clay county are few if any who are entitled 
to more credit for an active and useful life than Dr. Clark. He has an extensive 
aquaintance throughout the county and is regarded as one of its most representative 
citizens. 

Dr. Clark's biography would not be complete without recording his active and 



104 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

extensive career as a legal chemist. After resigning his professorship of pharmacy. 
applied chemistry and toxicology in Baldwin University, Ohio, he came west, as 
before stated. Soon after, his training as an analytical chemist becoming known, 
he was employed by the courts of Clay and the adjoining counties and made 
toxicological analyses in the following cases of criminal poisonings, State vs. Ander- 
son, Clay county, arsenic; State vs. Lee, Saline county, strychnia; State vs. Rath, 
Clay county, strychnia; State vs. Stevenson, Nuckolls county, corrosive sublimate, 
this being the first prosecution under the pharmacy act; State vs. Morse, Gage 
county, strychnia. A remarkable episode occurred during the trial of the latter case. 
After the case was given the jury Dr. Clark, having testified that a certain solu- 
tion submitted in evidence contained strychnia in chloroform, General L. W. Colby, 
attorney for Morse — himself an expert chemist — poiired out some of the alleged solu- 
tion into a narrow, tall glass and filled it with water. Going on with his plea the 
contents of the glass had time to settle, the chloroorm being colorless like water 
and heavier than it, carried all the poison to the bottom. Raising the glass before 
the astonished court and jury the attorney exclaimed "See me drink the poison," 
being careful, however, to leave all of the poisonous solution in the bottom of 
the glass. It was a clever ruse. The jury brought in a verdict of murder in first 
degree. On a technical error a new trial was had. Next trial jury disagreed. 
Morse died later, effects of bloodpoison. The Doctor has extensive and valuable 
interests in mines in Mexico and California, also oil interests in California, Mon- 
tana and Wyoming. He with his brother Isaac N. gave a half interest in twelve 
acres to the city of Sutton, now covered with beautiful elms — "Clark Square" for 
a perpetual pleasure ground. 



A. G. COREY 



Among the valued and substantial citizens of Fairfield, Clay county, is A. G. 
Corey, who for many years was prominent in the agricultural development of 
York county. On removing to Fairfield he engaged in the implement business for 
some time and then received an appointment as postmaster. He received another 
appointment to the same position by Woodrow Wilson and is still active in that 
connection. 

A. G. Corey was born near Janesville, Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1847, a son 
of Enos and Electo (Wilcox) Corey, both born near Meadville, Pennsylvania, the 
former in 1800 and the latter in 1803. They were married there and removed to 
Wisconsin at an early day, where the father bought land and engaged in farming. 
Mrs. Corey passed away on the farm in 1866 and the death of her husband occurred 
in 1898 in San Diego, California, where he had gone for a trip and rest. Nine 
children were born to that union, five of whom are living: Lucy, the wife of A. A. 
Titus of California; Alnora, the widow of a Mr. Tidman, and a resident of Wis- 
consin; A. G., the subject of this review; and Ira, a fruit farmer of Arkansas. 
The fraternal affiliation of Mr. Corey was with the Masons, of which order he was 
a Knight Templar, and his political allegiance was given to the democratic party. 
Four of his sons fought in the Civil war. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 105 

In tlie acquirement of an education A. G. Corey attended the schools of Kekoskee, 
Dodge county, Wisconsin, and after putting his schoolbooks aside engaged in farm- 
ing with his father. At the age of seventeen years he offered his services to the 
Union amiy and enlisted in 1865 in the Two Hundred and Forty-fourth Wisconsin 
Infantry. He was in active service for nine months. At the close of the war he 
returned to his home in Wisconsin but soon afterward came to Nebraska and in 
1868 located in York county, whoro he took up a homestead, whereon he resided for 
nearly twenty years. lie tlun sold his homestead and removed to Fairfield, where 
for six months he engaged in tln' iiii]ilement business. During Cleveland's second ad- 
ministration he was appointed postmaster and was again appointed to that office 
by Woodrow Wilson. 

, In 1871 occurred the marriage of Mr. Corey and Miss Mary Gilmore, further 
mention of whose family is made in the sketch of her brother, Sebastian Gilmore, 
to be found in another part of this work. Five children have been born to this union : 
Clarence, who owns a job printing plant in Omaha; Ethel, the wife of Ed. Lewis, 
a traveling man; Vernie, at home; M. L., in Omaha, where he is attorney for the 
Bank of Omaha ; and A. B., roadmaster at Vancouver, Washington. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Corey the right of franchise he has been a stanch 
supporter of the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party 
as factors in good government. He was supervisor for five terms in York county 
and was holding that position at the time the courthouse was built. His religious 
faith is that of the Christian church and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen. 
Mi-. Corey devotes his entire time and attention to his duties as postmaster and 
his many admirable traits of character, combined with his public-spirited citizen- 
ship, make him a highly esteemed and representative resident of Fairfield. 



Y. W. WILLIAMS 



In the year 1889 Y. W. Williams became a resident of York county, Nebraska, 
and through many years devoted his attention actively and successfully to the 
occupation of farming, but is now living retired in Giltner, although still the 
owner of a valuable farm property of two hundred and forty acres. He was born 
near Vera, Fayette county, Illinois, March 10, 1864, and was reared on a farm there. 
His father went to war when the subject of this review was only a few months 
old and was with Sherman on the celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea. Con- 
tracting measles he died while in the army, leaving his widow with four young 
children. When Y. W. Williams was but ten years of age his mother removed 
with her family to Vera. But the son ran the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, 
going from the mother's home in Vera to and from the farm which she owned, 
and as soon as he was old enough the son took charge of the place. He lived 
with his mother and cared for her property until 1889, or when twenty-five 
years of age. At that date he left Illinois and made his way westward to McCool 
Junction, York county, Nebraska, where he lived for a year. He then took up 
his abode at Clay Center, where he conducted a restaurant for eighteen months 



106 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

and on the expiration of that period located in Giltner, where he conducted a 
restaurant for two years. He then' resumed agricultural pursuits, going on a 
farm as a renter and for seven years cultivated leased land, during which period 
he carefully saved his earnings until industry and economy had brought him 
sufficient capital to enable him to purchase eighty acres of land in Scoville precinct. 
He later owned several farms acquired by trading property and devoted his atten- 
tion to stock farming near Marquette for three years. In 1902 he located on a 
tract of one hundred and twenty acres and made that place his home for four 
years. He then purchased another farm of one hundred and sixty acres, previously 
having bought eighty acres adjoining and afterwards bought another one hundred 
and sixty acres. This land he sold in 1919 and later purchased two hundred and 
forty acres in Scoville township, which he still owns and from which he secures a sub- 
stantial annual rental. He has put aside the more active work of the farm and 
is now living retired in Giltner, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned 
rest. 

On the 10th of March, 1891, Mr. Williams was married to Miss Jennie Upton, 
who was born and reared in the same place as her husband in Illinois, they having 
been schoolmates in early life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams are charter members 
of the Highlanders and Mrs. Williams is also an active worker in the Christian 
church. She has likewise been the secretary of the Eoyal Neighbors, which organi- 
zation she joined as a charter member. She has been identified with the lodge 
at Giltner for twenty-five years and has been a delegate to state conventions. 
Her father was a soldier in the Civil war and her mother acted as a nurse among 
the soldiers. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams are widely and favorably known in this 
part of the state and it has been through the industry and perseverance of Mr. 
Williams that he has reached a place among the men of affluence in the community. 
Year after year he labored diligently in the cultivation of his fields and the care 
of his crops and today is numbered among the substantial retired farmers of 
Hamilton county. 



LEWIS CLAKK DAVIS 



Lewis Clark Davis was truly a self-made man and one whose life record should 
serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what can 
be accomplished by persistent effort intelligently directed. His birth occurred at 
Waterloo, Illinois, in 1829 and he passed away on April 4, 1914. His father was 
George Davis, a native of Wales, who came to the United States in early life and 
settled in Illinois, where his remaining days were passed. 

Reared in his native state, Lewis Clark Davis after reaching adult age was 
married at Waterloo, Illinois, to Mary Catherine Anson, who was there born, a 
daughter of F. B. Anson, a native of England, who came to the United States at 
the age of fifteen years, establishing his home in Illinois, where he spent the rest 
of his life. 

Lewis C. Davis devoted his life to the occupation of farming, which he followed 
successfully in Illinois for a considerable period, winning splendid returns from 
his labor during the period of his residence at Macon, Illinois. He came to Clay 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 107 

Center in 1892 and afterward lived retired liere until his death but was the owner 
of several sections of land in Clay county and also had a section near Sidney, 
Nebraska, and a section and a half near Alliance, owning several thousand acres 
of land. His extensive property interests were acquired entirely through his own 
efforts. He passed through all of the hardships of the pioneer days and had two 
severe losses by fire. It was necessary to borrow money at twenty per cent in order 
to gain a start, but with determination and energy he overcame all obstacles and 
difficulties in his path and step by step advanced toward the goal of prosperity. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Davis was born one child, Mrs. George Olive. Her first 
husband was Elwood N. Williamson, who died in 1884. She later became the wife 
of J. G. Slick and is now living in Clay Center. She had seven children, of whom 
six are living: Lewis Williamson, who is looking after his grandfather's interests 
in Clay Center; Ruby, the wife of W. C. Hobrock, engaged in the clothing business 
in Seattle, Washington; Joseph D., a newspaper man of Los Angeles, California; 
John Willard, a photographer at Los Angeles; Pearl, who is attending the Con- 
servatory of Music in Lincoln ; and Opal, who is a student in the State University. 
Paul died in 1917. Her eldest child, Lewis Williamson, was a son of her first mar- 
riage, while the others were born of her second marriage. 

Her father, Lewis Clark Davis, was a democrat in his political views and his 
religious faith was that of the Baptist church. He was loyal to any cause which 
he espoused and the sterling worth of his character was recognized by all who 
knew him. His life record proves conclusively what can be accomplished through 
earnestness and determination and throughout his entire career his integrity 
and honor measured up to his industry. 



REV. KARL A. IS ARSON 

Rev. Karl A. Isakson, minister of the Swedish Evangelical Mission at Aurora, 
was born September 1.5, 1855, in Sweden, a son of Isaac and Elise (Anderson) 
Swanson, who were also natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives, 
the father devoting his attention to farming. He passed away at the age of forty 
years while the mother long survived, her death occurring in 1908. They were 
both members of the Liitheran church and in that faith reared their family of five 
children : John, who is now a lumberman of Sweden ; Joseph, likewise of Sweden ; 
Karl A. of this review; and Johanes and Johanna, who are also living in Sweden. 

Karl A. Isakson was educated in Sweden pursuing a high school course there 
and after coming to the new world entered a theological college at Minneapolis, 
Minnesota. He began preaching before leaving his native country and continued 
in the work of the ministry there until he came to the new world in 1881. Later 
he preached in Minneapolis for six years and then went to Buffalo, Minnesota, 
where he remained as pastor of the church for nineteen years. Moreover, he was 
the organizer of the church of that place and his influence was a marked element 
in the moral progress of the community. In 1904 he located at Malmo, Nebraska, 
where he remained as pastor of the church until 1913 and then came to Aurora to 
take charge of the Swedish Evangelical Mission at this place. 



108 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

In 1884 Mr. Isakson was married to Miss Elise Johnson who was born in 
Sweden, where her parents spent their entire lives. They have become parents of 
six children, one of whom has passed away. The others are: Minnie, the wife 
of C. 0. Anderson, an attorney of Omaha, Nebraska; Edith, who is in charge of 
the oifice of the Swedish Mission Hospital at Omaha ; Frances, the wife of William 
Houquist, a jeweler of Minneapolis; Manard, cashier of the First National Bank 
at Marquette, Nebraska; and Arnold, who is employed in the First National Bank 
at Aurora. 

In his political views Mr. Isakson is a republiran and keeps well informed on 
questions and issues of the day but practically his entire time and attention are 
devoted to the work of the church which has a membership of more than a hundred. 
He is widely known in this section, enjoying the warm regard of not only his own 
parishioners but of people of all denominations. Mr. Isakson is also president of 
the Swedish Evangelical Association of Nebraska. 



PHILIP V. HOrHE] 



A prominent agriculturist of Stockham, Hamilton county, Nebraska, is Philip 
C. Housel who since 1913 has been living retired iii that place. He was born in 
Henderson county. New Jersey, May 15, 1841, a son of Thurman and Marguerite 
(Carpenter) Housel. In 1854 the parents removed to Wisconsin and there the 
father engaged in farming in the wooded country. There were some bears and 
deer were plentiful in the vicinity of the home farm where they resided until 
death claimed them. 

Phili]) C. Housel received some of his education in his niiti\e state Init in 
1S54 removed with his parents to Wisconsin, where he completed his education. He 
attended primitive schools constructed of logs and containing wooden benches and 
when he could spare time from his school and farm duties he often went hunting 
with the other boys in the neighborhood, deer and bears being plentiful in that 
section of the country. After putting his textbooks aside he worked out on farms, 
being in one man's employ for three years. During this time he learned every 
phase of farming and then started farming on his own account, operating rented 
land for one year. In 1870 he determined to come west and started from Wis- 
consin that year. He took with him one team, two colts, one yearling colt, a half 
dozen chickens and two fox liounds. This journey took twenty-one days and he 
arrived in Nebraska on the 16th of June. He preempted one hundred and sixty 
acres of land in Orville precinct and built a house, part log and with, a sod roof 
and a dugout barn. He broke the greater part of this land himself and hauled 
his first provisions from Lincoln. His fuel was obtained along the creek and 
river banks and his grist had to be taken to Milford, a distance of fifty miles. 
Twice he experienced loss in the grasshopper storms, in one of them losing every 
ear of corn. During the severe Easter blizzard of 1873 Mr. Housel was snowed in 
for three days and three nights. He and his brother, Gardner, weathered a 
part of this storm in their endeavor to save their cattle and as a result lost but 
one cow and a calf. Buffalo hunting was then both a jileasure and a necessity 




MR. AND MBS. PHILIP C. HOUSEL 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 111 

and on one of those hunts in company with eleven men, they returned home with 
all the meat their horses could pull. Indians came through Mr. Housel's land 
twice a yeir on hunting trips. He brought his land up to a highly cultivated 
state, adding more to his original tract until he had two hundred and twenty 
acres. He is still in possession of this land and is widely known throughout the 
country as a leader in general farming and stock raising circles. In 1913 Mr. 
Housel retired from active farm life and removed to Stockham where he is now 
residing. 

On the 19th of March, 1872, occurred the marriage of Mr. Housel and Miss 
Sarah Land, a native of Green county, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Jackson 
Land. The marriage took place in Hamilton county where Jackson Land had 
acquired a homestead. The father was an old soldier and one of the prominent 
and successful men of the county in which he made his home. To the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Housel nine children have been born: Furman of Lewiston, 
Montana, where he is engaged in farming; Maggie, deceased; Sidney, who carries 
raidroad mail for Stockham; Bertha, the wife of Elmer Cole of near Ansley, 
Nebraska; William, who is residing on a homestead in Montana; Gardner, farming 
on the old place; Lucy, who is the wife of Elmer Mintun, a homesteader of Kim- 
berly, Idaho; Osia, the wife of Eobert Johnson, a farmer of Custer county; and 
Susie Jane, who is the wife of Lloyd Kissel, farming in Hamilton county. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Housel the right of franchise he has been a 
stanch supporter of the democratic party, being a firm believer in the principles 
of that party as factors in good government. The religious faith of the family 
is that of the Methodist church and Mr. and Mrs. Housel are very active in the 
charitable affairs of the church. Fraternally Mr. Housel is a Master Mason, belong- 
ing to the lodge at Sutton. He has always taken a very active interest in 
the affairs of the community and has served his fellow citizens as county com- 
missioner for a period of four years and as a member of the town board for 
four years. For thirty-five years he has been treasurer of the school board 
and he has in every way endeavored to promote educational advantages in 
his community. He is recognized as a man of keen business ability and has 
acted as administrator of two estates in the county in past years. The success 
which Mr. Housel now enjoys is the result of his own labor, energy and grim 
determination. He allowed no obstacle to long remain in his path and as a result 
has achieved the goal which was his aim. 



OSCAR GUNNARSON 



Oscar Gunnarson, a prominent figure in real estate circles in Aurora, was born 
in Sweden, September 17, 1861, his parents being Andrew and Christina (Ander- 
son) Gunnarson, who were also natives of Sweden and came to the United States 
in 1867, first settling in Bureau county, Illinois. There they resided for two years 
and in 1869 went to Kansas, while in 1873 they removed to Lincoln, Nebraska. Six 
years later they established their home in Polk county, Nebraska, and in 1883 they 
came to Hamilton county. Mr. Gunnarson's father homesteaded in Polk county and 



112 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

occupied the farm for twenty years, first living in a sod house while later he erected 
a frame residence. After many years devoted to successful farming he retired from 
business and removed to Aurora, where he died in 1901, having for several years 
survived his wife who passed away in 1895. They were members of the Swedish 
Mission church and Mr. Gunnarson gave his political support to the republican 
party. He deserved much credit for what he accomplished in the world, being a 
self-made man and his progress and prosperity were due entirely to his industry 
and capability. To him and his wife were born nine children, of whom seven are 
living: Joe, who resided in the United States for a number of years, but is now 
a retired business man of Stockholm, Sweden; Alfred, a retired farmer, living at 
Aurora; Oscar, of this review; Mrs. Anna Meyer, a widow living at Lincoln, 
Nebraska; Ida, who has been postmistress at Station A in Lincoln for twenty-six 
years ; Emma, the wife of Oliver Westberg, a retired farmer of Osceola, Nebraska ; 
and Charles, who is assistant manager of a large wholesale and retail store in Los 
Angeles, California. 

Oscar Gunnarson was educated in the schools of Lincoln and his first occupa- 
tion was that of farming and stock feeding. In early manhood he also traveled 
for the firm of Clay Eobinson & Company of Chicago and later turned his attention 
to the real estate business in which he has now been.eugaurd in Aurora for twenty- 
three years. He is thoroughly familiar with the property mi tlu' market, is a most 
accurate valuator of real estate and has negotiated many impdrtaiit property trans- 
fers. In all of his business affairs he is thoroughly progressive and reliable and 
his enterprise has brought him a gratifying measure of success. An important 
feature of his business has been immigration work. For eight years he was with 
the Burlington Eailroad, .selling land in Montana, Nebraska, Colorado, and Canada. 
He has improved his opportunities for judicious investment and owns considerable 
land and a nice home. 

In 188-1 Mr. Gunnarson was married to Miss Emma Berg, who was born in 
Sweden and came to the United States with her parents. Her father, Peter Berg, 
settled in Iowa and their home was near Dayton. Both he and his wife are deceased. 
A. J. Bernquest, governor of Minnesota, is an own cousin of Mrs. Gunnarson. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Gunnarson have been born two children : Max, a prominent 
wheat raiser of Canada, who for four years was in the Aurora State Bank, who 
served as tax collector in Texas, and was a soldier in the World war. He was 
graduated from the high school, from the Nebraska State University and in 1917 
entered the service, participating in some of tlie leading battles and drives that oc- 
curred on the western front. He served as second sergeant in the quartermaster's 
department; Mae, the second of the family, was graduated from the high school 
and from the State University and is also connected with wheat raising in Canada, 
living with her brother. 

The religious faith of the family is that of the Swedish Mission church, in the 
work of which Mr. Gunnarson and his wife take an active and helpful interest. 
For fourteen years he has served as a member of the school board and is still 
acting in that capacity because education finds in him a stalwart champion. He 
has also been an earnest worker in the Young Men's Christian Association. He 
assisted in establishing the Swedish Mission Hospital at Omaha and was a member 
of its board of directors for some time and also served on the home finding board 



HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUXTIES 113 

at Omaha for twelve years. He has heen instrumental in erecting- four new school 
buildings during the period of his service on the school board and there is no 
plan nor pi-ogress for the benefit and upbuilding of the county that (Iocs udt re- 
ceive his endorsement and cooperation. For thirty-six years he has been a stalwart 
advocate of the democratic party and is ever most loyal in support of any cause 
which he espouses. His life, honorable and upright in every particular, has been 
a force for good in the community in which he lives and the sterling worth of his 
character is attested by all who know him. 



CHRISTIAN A. WILSON 

The year 1881 was the time of the immigration of Christian A. Wilson to the 
United States, and the same year recorded his arrival in Nebraska, which has been 
his home during the major part of the intervening period. He has been actively 
concerned with mercantile enterprise for many years and is now one of the leading 
merchants at Marquette, Hamilton county, where he has a well equipped general 
store and controls a large and representative trade. 

Mr. Wilson was bom in that part of the German province of Schleswiu-TIcilstein 
which formerly constituted a grand duchy of Denmark, and the date of liis nativity 
was February 28, 1863. He is a son of J. F. N. and Bothilla (Anderson) Wilson, 
who passed their entire lives in that section of Germany, the father having been a 
man of high intellectual attainments who gave the major part of his active career 
to effective service as a teacher in the schools of his native land. Of the surviving 
children four sons are residents of the United States: Andrew, who learned the 
trade of baker in Germany, is now engaged in the work of his trade at Aurora, 
Illinois; Julius is a tailor in the city of Chicago; John is one of the main stock- 
holders in the Chicago Artificial Ice Company in that city; and C. A. is the subject 
of this sketch. Four of the children remain in Europe, namely : John P., who is 
a teacher by vocation; Mary, who is the wife of Peter Christenson, a farmer; 
Arnold, who is a miller and farmer in Denmark ; and Catherine, who is the wife 
of Sonich Sorenson of Schleswig. 

In his native land C. A. Wilson received excellent educational advantages, in- 
cluding those of the gymnasium, which is similar to the high school of the United 
States. Upon leaving school he was employed in mercantile establishments in his 
native land until 1881, when he severed home ties and came to America. Before 
the close of that year he was cnqiloyed on a farm in Hamilton county, Nebraska, 
near the York county line, but his service in this capacity- continued only two months 
and eight days, at the princely salary of fifteen dollars a month ! After his brief 
■farm experience he was employed eighteen months as a clerk in the general store of 
W. J. Williamson of Hampton, Hamilton county, and the next two years found him 
similarly engaged with the firm of Stubbs & White of Bradshaw, York county. 
Later he was a partner of his former employer, Mr. Williamson, in the general 
merchandise business at Hampton for one and one-half years, at the expiration of 
which time he sold his interest and removed to Akron, Colorado, where he was 
engaged in the meat market, real estate and locating business about eighteen months. 



114 HAMILTON AND ' CLAY COUNTIES 

He then returned to Hampton, again in the employ of Mr. Williamson, and upon 
leaving that position was similarly employed for four years in a store at St. Paul, 
Howard county. He then made a trip to Wyoming after which he visited his old 
home in Germany, where he remained six months. Upon his return to Nebraska 
he again became associated with the Williamson mercantile establishment at Hamp- 
ton, but in April, 1895, he formed a partnership with Peter A. Jacobson and 
opened a general store at Marquette. The firm developed a prosperous enterprise 
and the original alliance continued until 1900, when Mr. Jacobson sold his interest 
in the business, which was conducted under the firm name of Wilson & Ostblom 
until 1909, when Mr. Wilson purchased his partner's interest and assumed full 
control. He has since continued the business in an individual way and his reputa- 
tion as a progressive and reliable business man is in harmony with his standing 
as a loyal and public-spirited citizen. 

Mr. Wilson takes lively interest in community affairs of a public order, is a 
stanch republican, is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen 
of America, the Royal Highlanders and the Danish Brotherhood and he and his 
wife are communicants of the Lutheran church. 

In 1893 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wilson to Miss Jennie Bendstrup, 
who was born in Denmark, and they have four children : John C, who is assistant 
cashier of the First National Bank of Marquette, was in the nation's service in 
the late World war, his training having been received at Camp Funston, Kansas, 
and he saw twenty-two months' service with the American Expeditionary Forces 
in France, as a member of the headquarters medical department of the Eighty- 
ninth Division ; Blanche is a popular teacher in the public schools of Alliance, Box 
Butte county, being principal of the school at the time of this writing, in the spring 
of 1931 ; Alvin is an effective assistant in his father's store ; and Esther is employed 
as a stenographer in the offices of the Griswold Seed Company at Lincoln. 



ELLIOT D. SNIDER 



In section 1 of Scoville township is found the well improved and attractive 
homestead farm which marks Mr. Snider as one of the prosperous and progressive 
representatives of agricultural and live stock industry in Hamilton county and his is 
a goodly measure of pioneer honors in connection with the civic and industrial 
development of this county. His ability is attested by the marked success he has 
achieved within the years of his residence in Nebraska and his high standing 
in popular esteem vouches for his admirable personal characteristics. 

Mr. Snider was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, on the 8th of August, 18.58, 
and is a scion of sterling pioneer stock in the Badger state, his parents, David D. 
and Jane E. (Casler) Snider, having been natives, respectively, of Maryland and 
New York and their marriage having been solemnized in Wisconsin, where the 
Snider and Casler families were founded in the pioneer days. David D. Snider, 
a son of John Jacob Snider, was a youth at the time of the family removal to 
Wisconsin, where he early gained full experience in connection with the work of 
the pioneer farm, the family habitation having been a log house, and this type 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 115 

of domicile having been the birthplace of Elliot D. Snider. The father was a 
resident of Hamilton county, Nebraska, at the time of his death, in 1915, aged 
eighty years. The mother is living in Giltner, Nebraska, aged eighty years. They 
so ordered their course as to merit the high regard in which they were uniformly 
held. 

The public schools of his native state afforded Elliot D. Snider his early 
education, which included a high school course. That he made good use of these 
advantages is evident when it is stated that as a young man he became a successful 
and popular teacher in the schools of Hamilton county, Nebraska. 

In 1879, shortly after attaining his majority, Mr. Snider and his father drove 
through, with two teams and two wagons, from Wisconsin to Hamilton county, 
Nebraska, three weeks being spent in completing the trip and an incident of the 
journey was the crossing of the Missouri river, at Plattsmouth, where they were 
delayed for a time by reason of the fact that the ferry-boat became lodged in the 
mud of that stream. They brought a small supply of household goods and in- 
stalled them in the sod house which they erected on eighty acres of railroad land 
which they purchased, in the present township of Union. This pioneer house was 
fourteen by twenty-eight feet in dimensions and continued to be the family's abiding 
place for six years. On his old place Elliot D. Snider set out a goodly number 
of native trees, as well as orchard trees, the most of the latter having died out in 
later years. He reclaimed his land to cultivation and with increasing prosperity 
added to the area of his farm holdings. He experienced his share of losses and 
hardslaips in the early days, including loss of crops through droughts, but adverse 
conditions did not cause him to lose faith in the state of his adoption and his 
present prosperity fully justifies that faith. He is the eldest in a family of five 
children, and his next younger brother, Elmer, is living retired at Giltner, this 
county; Charles died in 1898, at the age of twenty-eight years; David, Jr., is 
engaged in the bakery business at Gothenburg, Dawson county; and Melvia, the 
widow of Charles Hochruter, resides at Ravenna, Buffalo county. The honored father 
served as assessor in Hamilton county in the early days and was one of the highly 
honored citizens of this county at the time of his death, when eighty years of 
age. He was a Civil war veteran, having enlisted from Wisconsin in 1861 with 
Company 0, Forty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was a corporal and 
participated in several skirmishes, serving to the end of the war. 

Elliot D. Snider found his previous teaching experience of distinctive value 
after establishing his residence in Hamilton county, for here he gave about ten 
years of specially effective service as a teacher in the rural schools. He thus 
presided in typical sod schoolhouses of the early days, the equipment being of 
primitive type and including handmade benches and desks. In 1879, the year 
of his arrival in the county, he purchased eighty acres of land in Scoville town- 
ship and for this now valuable property he paid at the rate of five dollars an acre. 
He made payment largely through the medium of his earnings as a teacher and 
hired men to do the breaking of most of his land. He still owns and resides on 
his original homestead farm, which is now one of the model places of Scoville 
township and his total holdings of farm land in this county now aggregate fully 
seven hundred and twenty acres. He has been one of the vigorous and progressive 
representatives of the agricultural and live stock industry in the county and has 



116 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

been successful also in the feeding and the buying and shipping of live stock. 
He is the owner also of land in Cheyenne and Deuel counties and is actively 
interested in development work in those counties. Mr. Snider is an uncompromising 
advocate of the principles of the republican party and has been influential in its 
councils and campaign activities in Hamilton county. He is president of the 
Hamilton County Telephone Company and is known and valued as a most loyal 
and liberal citizen. In his immediate family circle there is no division of political 
sentiment, for his wife likewise is a republican, she having cast her first vote in 1920. 
In 1890 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Snider to Miss Elizabeth J. 
Sherrard, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Sowers) 
Sherrard, who resided in Mercer county, Illinois, but are now deceased. Mrs. 
Snider was one of the successful teachers of Hamilton county, to which place she 
came in 1887. She taught in the city schools of Eeynolds, Illinois, and in the 
country schools of Hamilton county for three years. One son (Mark) was born 
to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Snider. He died at the age of eight months. 



CHARLES MILTON JUETT 

In the passing of Charles Milton Juett Hamilton county lost a progressive and 
representative citizen. His death occurred on the home farm December 10, 1914:, 
and was an occasion of deep grief to his many friends throughout the community. 
A native of Ohio he was born in Fayette county, February 26, 1839, a son of 
Eobert D. and Elizabeth (Clifton) Juett, the former a native of Kentucky while 
the latter was born in Ohio. 

In early boyhood Charles M. Juett removed with his parents to New London, 
Iowa, and there received his education in the common schools. They made their 
home in Henry county, that state, where the father had taken up some timber 
land and Charles M. Juett assisted him with the farm work until the outbreak 
of the Civil war. He then enlisted in Company K, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, serving 
four years, and receiving his honorable discharge in 1865. He participated in 
many of the important battles of that conflict and was with Sherman on his march 
to the sea. After the close of the war he returned to Iowa, residing in Mt. Pleasant 
for a time, but in 1872 came west, settling in Hamilton county. There he home- 
steaded one hundred and sixty acres but after the destruction of his crops by the 
grasshoppers returned to his home in Iowa. There he was married and soon after- 
ward came west again, returning to Hamilton county. He made the trip overland 
with a mule team and brought some farm equipment in the shape of a mower and 
corn planter. His first home was a dugout with but one window and there he lived 
for two years and then built a small frame house. Their fuel was secured by 
burning cornstalks. And again in the year 1876 he lost everything as the result of 
another grasshopper storm. During the severe Easter blizzard he brought his 
horses into the house to keep them from freezing. Mr. Juett hauled his freight 
from Grand Island and Harvard and took his wheat to Farmers Valley mill. He 
survived all the hardships of early pioneer life, made a success of his farming and 




MR. AND MES. CHAELES M. JUETT 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 119 

at the time of his death owned four hundred and twenty acres of valuable land. 
He had but twenty-six dollars when he first came to Hamilton county. 

In 1876 in Iowa occurred the marriage of Mr. Juett and Miss Elizabeth M. 
Juett, a native of Fulton county, Illinois. Nine children were born to their union: 
L. E., who died at the age of thirty-three years; Versses, engaged in farming in 
Hamilton county; Yelk, the wife of Charles Brieker of Northport; Burt, a 
farmer of Hamilton county; Charles, who died at the age of two years; Mont J., 
farming in Hamilton county ; Milton R., who is living with his mother ; Sarah J., 
who is the wife of Calvin Lewis, residing near Litchfield, where he is engaged 
in farming; and Lafayette. Lafayette enlisted from Hamilton county, July 22, 
1917, for service in the World war. He received his training at Camp Dodge, 
went overseas, was soon afterwards placed in the medical corps and participated 
in the battle at St. Mihiel. After the signing of the armistice he was sent home 
and received his discharge at Camp Dodge. 

Throughout his life Mr. Juett was a stanch democrat and also held membership 
in the Grand Army of the Eepublie at Giltner. He was known throughout the 
country as a progressive and successful agriculturist and his death has left a void 
in the community which will be hard to fill. His widow is still living on the 
home farm and is one of the prominent women of the vicinity. 



ALBERT RATH 



Albert Rath, who is now farming two hundred and eighty acres of fine land in 
Clay county, was born in Maywood, Illinois, on the 22d of October, 1865, and 
tJiere resided, receiving his education in the country schools until he reached the 
age of eighteen years. 

After putting his textbooks aside Albert Rath began working out on farms and 
in 1886 went to Kansas where he engaged in like work for one year. He then 
came to Nebraska, locating in Clay county, where he rented land and then pur- 
chased the lease on some school land of one hundred and twenty acres and started 
farming on his own account. He was successful in this farming venture from 
the first and soon increased his farm tract until he is now in possession of two 
hundred and eighty acres of fine improved land. He experienced all of the pioneer 
hardships of the early times and during the years of 1893 and 1894 raised practi- 
cally nothing. But as a man of great force and strong determination Mr. Rath 
never allowed any obstacle to remain long in his path and as a result is now enjoy- 
ing well earned success. He has always engaged in general farming and is recog- 
nized as one of the leading agriculturists of the county. 

Before leaving Illinois Mr. Rath was married to Miss Irene Hanna, also a 
native of that state, and to them seven children have been born: William; Irving; 
Grace; Laura; Effie; Howard; and Everett. 

Mr. Rath is a stanch supporter of the democratic party, being a firm believer in 
the principles of that party as factors in good government. He has always been 
active in the affairs of the community and has served as moderator on the school 
board and also as to^niship treasurer. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern 



120 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Woodmen of America. Mrs. Rath is prominent in the activities of the Methodist 
Episcopal church of Eldorado, of which she is a consistent member. Although 
the greater part of Mr. Rath's time has been devoted to his agricultural interests 
he has taken some interest in business circles, being a stockholder in the Farmers 
Elevator at Eldorado. Mr. Eath is indeed a representative citizen of Clay county 
and has many friends who appreciate his sterling characteristics and true personal 
worth. 



SIMEON B. MONTGOMERY 

When Simeon B. Montgomery passed away on the 9th of March, 1920, Clay and 
Nuckolls counties lost a pioneer and representative citizen. A native of Ohio, his 
birth occurred in Franklin county on the 11th of August, 18-42, a son of Boone and 
Sallie Montgomery. His father was a tanner by trade and was well known 
throughout the community. Both parents resided in Ohio until death called them. 

Simeon B. Montgomery received his education in Ohio and in 1873 came west, 
taking up a homestead in Nuckolls county. He passed through the Easter blizzard 
of 1873 and for three days was confined to the house, having to stay in bed in order 
to keep warm. He was a carpenter by trade and would go from the homestead every 
Monday morning to work in the vicinity throughout the week, leaving his wife and 
two children to hold down the land. It was two years before Mr. Montgomery got 
the title to the land. In 1875 he removed to Edgar and for two years worked out, 
afthe end of that time engaging in the lumber business with his oldest son, William. 
From that year until 1918 he was active along that line of work and then retired. 
His death, which occurred on the 9th of March, 1920, came as a severe shock to his 
many friends in the county. 

On the 28th of November, 1867, Mr. Montgomery was united in marriage to 
Miss Maria J. Peterson, a native of Ohio, where her birth occurred on the 21st of 
August, 1848. Her parents were Cornelius and Rhoda Peterson, also natives of 
Ohio and the parents of eleven children, four of whom are living. Mrs. Mont- 
gomery was the youngest member of the family. Six children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Montgomery: Sallie B., who was born October 28, 1868, became the wife of 
Gaylord Wright, and died in 1908; William Ellis, whose birth occurred September 
28, 1872, and is now bookkeeper for a large lumber-yard at Lewiston, Montana; 
George Thomas, born on the 7th of October, 1876, and now clerking in Rochester, 
Minnesota; Olive May, who is the wife of David Lee and resides in Detroit, 
Michigan; Mary Grace, the wife of Elmer Hager, a jeweler of Clay Center; and 
Ellie Frees, who married George Miller of Beatrice, a traveling salesman. 

Throughout his entire life Mr. Montgomery was a stanch supporter of the 
democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in 
good government. His religious faith was that of the Christian church and 
fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which 
order he was a member for twenty years. His funeral was in charge of that organi- 
zation. There was no phase of the pioneer life and development of Nuckolls and 
Clay counties with which he was not thoroughly familiar, experience bringing him 
into contact with many of the conditions and hardships of the early days, while with 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUXTIES 121 

the pai^sing years, as the result of his industry and perseverance, he prosjjered. 
Mrs. Montgomery is now residing in Edgar, where she owns a nice home and in 
addition one hundred and sixty acres of fine land in Nuckolls county. 



WILLIAM H. SUNDEEMEIEE 

In scrutinizing the more salient points in the career of this well known citizen 
and representative farmer of Hamilton county, there is given a definite apprecia- 
tion of the fact that in the most emphatic sense he has been the architect of his 
own fortunes. He became virtually dependent upon his own resources when a mere 
boy, has known from youthful experience a goodly amount about pioneer times 
in Nebraska and his ability and well ordered activities have enabled him here to 
win a generous measure of material prosperity. In Deepwell township, Hamilton 
county, his attractiv'e homestead farm is found in sections Nos. 19 and 20, and 
his landed estate in the county now comprises four hundred acres of valuable 
land a fact that bears its own significance as to his status in the community and 
the splendid success that has attended his earnest endeavors as one of the world's 
productive workers. 

Mr. Sundermeier was born in Gernumy, on the 24:th of December, 1872, and 
is a son of Henry and Minnie (Meier) Sundermeier, who came to America and 
established their home in Merrick county, Nebraska, on the 2d of June, 1881. 
For a time the father was employed at farm work in Merrick county and later 
became the owner of a farm. He developed this farm and continued his residence 
in Merrick county until he and his wife removed to the state of Oregon, where 
they passed the remainder of their lives. William H. Sundermeier was eleven 
years old at the time of the family arrival in Merrick county, Nebraska, but 
even prior to this, when but eight years old, he had begun to work for his board 
and clothing. He attended school at intervals as a boy and youth in Merrick 
county, and at thr ai^c of twelve years was receiving six dollars a month for his 
services as a farm wdrkmaii. He continued in the employ of one man for five 
years and seven months and at the age of twenty-one years initiated his independent 
career as a farmer by renting land in Hamilton county. He thus continued 
oi)ei-iiti(iiis ilii-ee years and then purchased eighty acres in Deepwell township, for 
a e(lM^illel■;ltl(lll n I' one thousand and seven hundred dollars. The building im- 
]ir(i\ciiieiits nil tlie pliiee when it came into his possession were mainly represented 
by a small house of frame and sod construction and a small frame barn. Later 
he purchased an adjoining eighty acres and it was about the year 1904 that he 
sold this property and removed to Oregon, in which state he remained eleven 
months. He then returned to Hamilton county and repurchased his former fann. 
Two years later he purchased three hundred and twenty acres in section 20, Deep- 
well township, and here has developed one of the model farm properties of this 
section of Nebraska. He erected on the farm a modern house and other good 
buildings, has set oiit an orchard, to which he has given scientific care and has 
brought his land up to the best standard of productiveness. He is now owner of 
four hundred acres, devoted to diversified agriculture and the raising of excellent 
types of live stock and it is interesting to record that he showed his loyalty during 



122 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

the nation's participation in the World war by keeping the productive activities 
of his farm up to the higliest possible point, in keeping with the policy earnestly 
urged by the government. In achieving this result he and one of his sons had the 
personal care of the entire four hundred acres and did in an individual way the 
large amount of work required of them in this connection at a time when it was 
virtually impossible to hire farm hands in this section, of the state. 

At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Sundermeier was united in marriage to 
Miss Anna Schroeder, who likewise is a native of Germany and who has proved 
a veritable helpmeet to her husband in his forward movement to the goal of sub- 
stantial prosperity. Of their children the eldest is William, who resides on and 
has active management of one of his father's farms; Ida is the wife of Henry 
Obermeier, another prosperous farmer of Hamilton county; Rose is the wife of 
Gottlieb Kuehner, a farmer of this county; and Alice, Theodore, Arthur, Jessie, 
Elaine and Delares all remain at home, the vitality and cheer of which is assured 
by this gracious family circle. 

Mr. Sundermeier naturally takes pride in his fine farm property and con- 
tinues to give to it his personal supervision, the while he is progressive alike in 
his industrial enterprise and in his attitude as a citizen. He is a stockholder in 
the Bank of Phillips and the Phillips Grain Company and is a. director of the 
Farmers Lumber Company at Phillips. He is a member of the school board of 
his district and is a trustee of the Lutheran church at Doniphan, of which 
he and his wife are zealous communicants. 



PETER C. KRABIEL 



Peter C. Krabiel, engaged in general farming on section 34 in the precinct 
of Hamilton, Hamilton county, and also interested in the Farmers' Elevator at 
Giltner, was born in Woodford county, Illinois, August 23, 1863. He was reared 
on a farm and pursued his early education in the district schools, while later 
he attended the town schools and for a time studied in Metamora, Illinois. Through 
his youthful days he remained with his parents on the home farm and early be- 
came familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. 
He afterward worked out as a farm hand at eighteen dollars per month and still 
later worked at the carpenter's trade at a dollar and a quarter per day. 

The year 1883 witnessed the arrival of Peter C. Krabiel in Nebraska, for in 
that year he came with his parents to Hamilton county. Here he began farming 
on his own account on rented land in 1888 and for several years continued to 
cultivate leased land, but carefully saved his earnings until his capital was suf- 
ficient to enable him to purchase a forty acre farm. Then he and his father bought 
eighty acres upon which there was a small frame house and some minor improve- 
ments. Mr. Krabiel put every fence, post and tree on the place, substantial build- 
ings now adorning it, and he broke about one-half of the land. He now owns 
altogether four hundred acres of excellent farm property on which are two sets 
of good farm buildings and his attention is given to general agricultural pur- 
suits and stock raising, although he rents most of his land. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 123 

Mr. Krabiel is connected with the Farmers' Elevator Company of Giltner. 
He is an independent voter, nor has he ever been an office holder, but has served 
on the school board of district No. 70. He has led an active and useful life and 
his energy has carried him steadily forward to the goal of success, so that he is 
now one of the substantial agriculturists of Hamilton precinct. 



MELCHIOE FICxI 



Melchior Figi has been a resident of Sutton for twenty-five years and during 
that time has become widely known throughout the community as a business man 
of great ability. Twenty-four years of this time Melchior Figi has devoted to 
the conduct of a mercantile establishment, building up an extensive trade, but 
in March, 1920, he retired from that business and entered the Sutton Bank as 
vice president. 

Melchior Figi was born in Switzerland, March 21, 1865, a son of Adam and Sarah 
(Speich) Figi, both natives of that country. They came to America and made 
their home in Wisconsin for four years, but at the termination of that period 
returned to Switzerland where both passed away. The father was a successful 
merchant and had followed that line of business throughout his entire life. Five 
children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Figi, four of whom are living, 
Mr. Figi being the only member of the family residing in the TFnited States. Mr. 
and Mrs. Figi were consistent members of the Congregational church. 

Mr. Figi received his early education in Switzerland, but also attended the 
country schools in York county for a number of years. In 1880 he settled in 
Hamilton county, where he obtained work on his uncle's farm and there re- 
mained until he saved up enough to purchase some land and engage in farming 
on his own account. For sixteen years he was a leading figure in the agricultural 
circles of the county and then disposing of his farm removed to Sutton, where 
he has made his home for twenty-five years. On arriving in Sutton he engaged 
in the general mercantile business, in which line of work he was actively engaged 
until in March of the year 1920, when he became vice president of the Sutton 
State Bank. 

In 1887 in Hamilton county occurred the marriage of Mr. Figi and Miss 
Abbie Clark, a daughter of F. H. Clark, an early pioneer of Hamilton county. 
He was an old soldier and built the first frame house in Hamilton county, haul- 
ing lumber from Beaver Crossing and Lincoln to build his home. Mrs. Figi 
was the first female white child born in Hamilton county. Five children have 
been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Figi : Sarah, who is the wife of V. 
Breeden, station agent for the B. & M. Railroad at Ericson ; Lucy, who married 
St. Clair Dickson, a farmer near Saronville; Fred A., who is residing in Rochester, 
Minnesota, where he is a doctor connected with the Mayo Brothers Sanitarium; 
Anna, who is the wife of Harold Patterson, a dentist of Geneva ; and Robert, 
in school. Dr. Fred A. Figi was in service in the World war nine months, but 
did not get across. He was located at a base hospital at Hampton Roads. 

Mr. Figi is a stanch republican and takes an active interest in the affairs 



124 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

of that party, both locally and nationally. His religious faith is that of the 
Congregational church and fraternally he is a Woodman, Odd Fellow and a 
member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Figi has been active 
in civic affairs as a member of the town board and is now serving^ on the town- 
ship board. He is owner of considerable land and other property, being in posses- 
sion of two farms, one in Hamilton county and the other in Buffalo county and 
also owns the opera house in Sutton. Mr. Figi is in every sense of the word a 
self-made man, having acquired every dollar of his fortune by his own diligence 
and industry. 



THOMAS EDAVARD WILLIAMS 

Thomas Edward Williams, who has retired from business after almost thirty 
years' connection with banking in Aurora, took up his abode in this city in 1888. 
His straightforward policy, his progressiveness tempered by a safe conservatism and 
his enterprise and reliability were salient features in the attainment of the success 
which he is now enjoying. Mr. Williams was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, 
March 23, 1819, and is a son of George W. and Malinda (Streeter) Williams. 
The father was born in Le Roy, Genesee county. New York, June 7, 1824, and 
his life record covered the intervening years to February, 1886. He was a son 
of James Williams, who removed westward to Wisconsin in 1844 and spent his last 
days on a farm in Jefferson county, Wisconsin. He came of Welsh ancestry. The 
maternal grandfather, Henry Streeter,"was also a native of the Empire state and 
in 1844 took up his abode in Wisconsin. In 1872 he came to Nebraska to reside 
until his life's labors were ended in death. He came of a family of English 
ancestry. His daughter, Mrs. George W. Williams, was born near Ogdensburg, 
St. Lawrence county, New York, August 2, 1829. It was in the year 1844 that 
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Williams went to Wisconsin — the same year in which 
their respective parents became residents of that state. Mr. Williams settled on 
a farm and it was in the Badger state that he wedded Malinda Streeter. He 
concentrated his efforts and attention upon business affairs and became well 
known as a business man at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he continued to live until 
his death in February, 1886. His affairs were capably and successfully managed 
and he thus gained a substantial measure of prosperity. His early political support 
was given to the whig party and he afterward became a stanch republican, doing 
everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the 
party. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both 
he and his wife were consistent members of the Universalist church. They had 
a family of seven children, but only four are living: Thomas E. ; Ella, the wife 
of L. C. Fredricks, a grocer of Helena, Montana ; William P., an expert accountant 
who is now engaged in the auto parts business in Seattle, Wasliington ; and George. 
The mother, Mrs. Malinda (Streeter) Williams, passed away in February, 1911. 

Thomas E. Williams obtained a high school education in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 
and afterward completed three years' work in Cornell University at Ithaca, New 
York. He early took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the 
schools of Wisconsin, spending eleven years as superintendent of schools at Augusta, 




THOMAS E. WILLIAMS 



HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES . 127 

that state. He afterward turned his attention to mercantile pursuits in Eau 
Claire and was thus engaged in business for five years. In 1888 he arrived in 
Aurora, where he purchased an interest in the Farmers & Merchants Bank, of 
which he became cashier and manager. After two j'ears this bank was merged 
with the Hamilton County Bank and Mr. Williams continued as cashier of the 
consolidated organization. He remained with the Hamilton County Bank until 
1896, when it was merged with the Aurora Bank Company under the name of 
the Hamilton County Bank, and in October, 1898, the Hamilton County Bank 
purchased the First National Bank, the new organization being perfected under 
the name of the First National, having the same officers, with Mr. Williams as 
cashier. In this position he continued to serve until 1909, when he became 
president and as head of the bank bent his energies to administrative direction 
and executive control. He sold his interest in the bank in 1917, after almost 
thirty years' identification with the financial interests of Aurora, and throughout 
the entire period he bore an unassailable reputation for the integrity of his methods 
as well as for his enterprise. 

On the 1st of August, 1873, Mr. Williams was married to Miss Lida Kemp, 
who was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and passed away in June, 1899. On the 
21st of December, 1904, Mr. Williams wedded Susanna Eliza Sirwell, who was 
born in Evahsville, Indiana, but educated and reared in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Mr. Williams belongs to the Masonic lodge and is a loyal follower of the 
teachings and purposes of the craft. In politics he is a stalwart republican and 
in 1885 was elected to represent his district in the state legislature of Wisconsin. 
He has never sought nor desired political office, preferring that his public service 
should be performed as a private citizen. He was a delegate to the national con- 
vention when Taft was elected president and has been a delegate to the state 
conventions at different times. In 1916 he was one of the presidential electors 
on the republican ticket. Mr. Williams was very active in all World war cam- 
paigns and gave liberally to the support of all war work and to charities, etc. 
He is loyal to all interests pertaining to the welfare and upbuilding of his com- 
munity and his cooperation can at all times be counted upon to further meaisures 
for the general good. He is a gentleman of genial, social disposition whose circle 
of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance. 



JONATHAN BIERBOWER 

After many years of vigorous and productive activity in connection with agri- 
culture and stock raising Mr. Bierbower is now living in well earned retirement 
and comfort and has an attractive home in the village of Giltner, his residence 
in Hamilton county having covered a period of more than thirty years, so that 
he is entitled to a measure of pioneer distinction. 

Mr. Bierbower was born in Brown county, Ohio, on the 10th of September, 1846, 
and in the year of his birth his parents set forth to number themselves among the 
pioneer settlers of Iowa. They journeyed down the Ohio river and then up the 
Mississippi river to Muscatine, Iowa, and resided in this state for about twelve 



128 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

years. They then removed to McLean county, Illinois, in which state they 

the remainder of their lives, the father having given the major part of his active 

life to farm industry. 

Jonathan Bierbower gained his rudimentary education in the pioneer schools of 
Iowa and was twelve years old at the time of the family removal to Illinois, where 
he was reared to manhood and continued his studies in the common schools at such 
times as opportunity afforded. He was too young to realize his patriotic ambition 
in the earlier part of the Civil war, but in 1864, at the age of seventeen years, he 
enlisted in Company B, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with vrhich 
command he continued in service twenty-two months and with which he was present 
at Appomattox at the time of the surrender of General Lee, his service having 
thus continued until the close of the war. x\fter receiving his honorable discharge 
Mr. Bierbower resumed his alliance with farm enterprise in Illinois and there he 
continued his residence until the spring of 1889, when he came to Hamilton county, 
Nebraska, and purchased two hundred and forty acres of unimproved land in sec- 
tion 4, Scoville tdwiishiii. Here he developed one of the fine farm estates of the 
county, his prnmcssivi'iiess having been shown in the erecting of excellent buildings 
and providing other improvements of the best type. Though he encountered his 
share of adverse conditions in the passing years, yet abundant success attended his 
vigorous activities in a general way and he had much of leadership in progressive 
farm enterprise in this section of the state. He remained on his farm until 1911, 
since which time he has lived retired from active business, in his attractive home 
at Giltner. 

Mr. Bierbower was a charter member of the Giltner Post of the Grand Army 
of the Eepublic, with which he continued his affiliation until the membership so 
decreased as to cause lapse of the organization. In polities he is a stanch republican 
and as a citizen he has always been ready to aid movements and enterprises for the 
general good of the community. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret 
Cavett, died in the year 1914, and of their twelve children all are living except 
Jacob, the firstborn. The names of the surviving children are: John L., Mary 
A., Martin, Leslie, William, Frank, Jonathan D., James C, Charles W., M. Ruth, 
and Margaret J., the wife of Hubert Cox, a Hamilton county farmer. 



ANDREW G. PETERSON 

The life story of Andrew G. Peterson is one of steady progression, intelligently 
directed. Realizing at the outset of his career the value of industry, perseverance 
and determination he has ever cultivated these qualities and step by step has ad- 
vanced, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunity. 
For many years he was identified with mercantile pursuits, but is now living retired 
in Aurora, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toils. He belongs 
to that class of substantial citizens which Sweden has furnished to Hamilton county 
and who have been so potent a force in the development and progress of this 
section of the state. His birth occurred in Sweden, November 33, 1847, his parents 
being Peter and Anna Marie (Rosengren) Anderson, who spent their entire lives 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 129 

in that country, where the father successfully followed farming and became the 
owner of considerable land. They were members of the Lutheran church and Mr. 
Peterson served as one of the church oflBcials, acting as a deacon and in other 
capacities. He and his wife had ten children, seven of whotai are living, but only 
two are now residents of Hamilton county: Andrew C; and Iner E., who is 
engaged in merchandising in Aurora. 

Andrew G. Peterson pursued his education in the public schools of his native 
country and was reared on a farm in Sweden, where he spent the period of liis 
minority. On reaching the age of twenty-one years he determined to try his 
fortunes in the new world and crossing the Atlantic became a resident of Council 
Bluffs, Iowa, in 1868. He was empty handed when he arrived in the United States, 
but he possessed courage and firm purpose and these qualities stood liim in stead 
of capital. He started to earn his living as a day laborer in Iowa and later secured 
a position as engine wiper for a short time on the Burlington Kailroad. Steadily 
he worked his way upward, becoming first a fireman and later an engineer. He 
was in the railroad service at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and continued his railroad 
work until 1879, when he came to Aurora and with the capital which he had saved 
through his industry and economy established a small clothing and shoe store in 
this city. In the meantime, during his railroad work, he took an engine from 
Omaha to Lincoln in the fastest time ever made by any train over that road — a 
mile a minute. This was in 1894. 

With his removal to Aurora Mr. Peterson instituted a new chapter in his life 
history. He was entirely without mercantile experience and knew practically noth- 
ing of the methods of conducting conunercial enterprise. However, good, practical 
common sense guided him in everything and honorable dealings and an earnest 
desire to please his patrons soon brouglit to him a large number o"f customers. He 
increased his stock and it was not long before his business was a good paying 
proposition. He was also the owner of a ranch in Hitchcock county, on which he 
had two hundred and fifty head of cattle and this investment was also the result 
of savings earned while working on the railroad. 

On the 19th of September, 1882, Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Carrie M. 
Kendall, a native of DeKalb, Illinois, who was reared in Beloit, Wisconsin, wliere 
she was educated. She is a daughter of Charles Kendall, an insurance man, who 
has filled the office of police judge and Justice of the peace. By her marriage 
she became the mother of two children: Ilai-ry A., who is a graduate of the 
Aurora high school and of the Shattuck Militaiy Academy of Faribault, Minnesota, 
there winning a certificate of first lieutenant. He is now on a prune ranch at 
Healdsburg, California; Nellie K. is a graduate of the high school and also of the 
St. Mary's Hall, Faribault, Minnesota, and she did post-graduate work in the 
State University. For some time she assisted her father in the store while he was 
actively engaged in merchandising. With America's entrance into the World war 
she volunteered as a canteen worker and was in France and Germany for fifteen 
months. She was one of the first women to go from Nebraska and did most valuable 
service for her country in this connection. Mrs. Peterson is prominent in the 
social and club circles of Aurora and the state, has been president of the Nineteenth 
Century Club, president of the State Federation of Clubs and state treasurer of 
the P. E. 0. sisterhood. She has likewise been president of the state organization 



130 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

of that sisterhood of college bred women for two years and was appointed by the 
supreme president as chairman to revise the edict of the order. After she 
had revised the edict she was made supreme president. She was appointed by 
a board as chairman of the endowment fund to invest the money made by the 
P. E. 0. sisterhood so that their funds would be safe and in this she was asso- 
ciated with Mrs. Mary Garret Hay of New York and Mrs. Homer Miller of Des 
Moines, Iowa. She is a director of the general Supreme Order Federated Clubs 
of Nebraska. She was also elected vice president of the State Federation of Clubs 
and later was chosen to the presidency of that organization. Eecognition of her 
ability has come to her from those in authority in the state, for she was appointed 
by Governor McKelvie on the board of control, being the first woman to serve in 
this position. Mrs. Peterson was state chairman of the Woman's Committee of 
the Nebraska Liberty Loan Campaign during the World war. 

Mr. Peterson is well known in Masonic circles, having taken the degrees of 
both York and Scottish Bites and he is also a noble of the Mystic Shrine. He has 
traveled extensively and has crossed the ocean a number of times with his family, 
visiting all the principal places of modern and historic interest in Europe and 
on each occasion his visit extended over from four to ten months. His trips would 
total up to nineteen or twenty times. His last trip was made to South America 
during President Wilson's second administration. He was in Washington at the 
time of the inauguration and then went to Cuba, to Kingston, Jamaica, Colon 
and the Panama Canal. From there he proceeded to South America, visiting many 
countries on the southern continent and returned by way of the Danish islands. 
He left home in September, 1913, and took a trip around the world, being gone 
three hundred and sixty days and arriving in Berlin on the first day of the war. 
He was forced to remain in the German capital eleven days before he could get 
out. He then sailed from Europe, glad to be away from the war stricken country 
and little dreaming that America would be involved in the great world conflict. 
In politics Mr. Peterson is a republican but has never aspired to office. 

Although Mr. Peterson has retired from active connection with business af- 
fairs he is still financially interested in the store with which he has been identified 
since 1879. In 1889 he became associated with D. E. Thompson, Ed. Bignall and 
John Tidball in establishing the State Bank at Aurora which was capitalized for 
seventy-five thousand dollars. Mr. Peterson entered the bank as cashier, was after- 
ward elected to the vice presidency and later was chosen president, continuing 
at the head of the institution until 1916, when he sold out. It was then that he prac- 
tically retired from active management of business affairs, for in the same year he 
disposed of his interest in the Aurora lumber-yard and also of his interest in the 
Peterson Clothing Company of York. Thus he severed his connection with all 
business organizations save the Peterson Brothers Clothing Company of Aurora. 
He was one of the eight men that built the Terminal building at Lincoln. He is 
still interested in the Fairmont Creamery Company as a stockholder and is like- 
wise a stockholder in the Omaha & Lincoln Street Railway Company. His property 
includes eight store buildings in Aurora and one or two buildings in Lincoln. All 
that he has had and enjoyed is attributable to his own efforts. Starting out in 
the business world empty handed he steadily worked his way upward through the 
wise utilization of his time and his opportunities. He has ever been recognized 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 131 

as a man of well balanced capacities and powers and has occupied a central place 
on the stage of action almost from the time when his initial effort was made in the 
field of business. His labors have found culmination in the development not only of 
various business enterprises, but in the promotion of public welfare and public 
improvement. He has never allowed personal interests nor ambition to dwarf his 
public spirit or his activities. His is the record of a strenuous life — a record of a 
strong individuality, sure of itself, stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in 
decision, energetic and persistent in action. Mastering the lessons of life day by 
day, his post-graduate work in the school of experience, his broad travel and recep- 
tive mind have placed him with men of learning and ability who have figured 
prominently in connection with the history of Aurora and the state for many years. 



DANIEL S. WOODARD, M. D. 

For thirty-nine years Dr. Daniel S. Woodard has been engaged in the practice 
of medicine and surgery in Hamilton county and since 1897 has been located in 
Aurora. He was born in Rappahannock county, Virginia, near Woodville, Novem- 
ber 26, 1848, a son of James Madison and Frances (Driver) Woodard. The paternal 
grandfather was James Woodard of Irish descent, who married Miss Anna Young, 
a lady of Scotch lineage. They resided throughout their entire life in Virginia, 
Mr. Woodard passing away in 1872 at the notable old age of ninety-two years while 
his wife died in 1862. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Woodard was Daniel 
Driver who was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, but in early life removed to 
Virginia. 

James Madison Woodard was born in Rappahannock county, Virginia, and in 
early manhood took up the profession of school teaching which he followed in 
connection with farming, operating his land through slave labor for he was the owner 
of a number of slaves. He wedded Frances Driver who was born in Rockingham 
county, Virginia, and who was a member of the Mennonite church. They became the 
parents of three children only two of whom are living: Daniel S. and James J., 
the latter an officer in the Reform School near Grafton, West Virginia. 

Dr. Woodard was but five years of age at the time of his father's death and his 
mother passed away in 1866. He lived with her during the period of the Civil 
war and guarded the horses in order to keep them from falling into the hands 
of the soldiers. He obtained a country school education, attending the subscription 
schools of the neighborhood and in 1876 he began the study of medicine alone. In 
1880 he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, and there entered the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons from which he was graduated on the 15th of March, 1882. For a short 
time he practiced in St. Joseph and then removed to Hampton, Nebraska, where 
he opened an office in 1882. Throughout the intervening period he has practiced 
in Hamilton county, save from November, 1919, until June, 1920, when he was 
practicing in Watsonville, California. He first came to Aurora in 1897 and in 
July of that year purchased the Northside Drug Store, having previously had 
experience in the drug business as owner of an interest in a store of that kind in 
Hampton. His Aurora store was destroyed by fire in 1898. In April, 1899, he 



132 HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

was appointed first assistant physician to tlie Hospital for tlie Insane at Hastings, 
Nebraslia, and there served for two j'ears. In June, 1902, in connection with his 
elder son, he established another drug store on the Xorthside in Aurora and while 
engaged in its conduct he received the appointment in 1908 of superintendent of 
the Hospital at Lincoln. During his term there his son sold the drug store in 
1910. After his two years hospital service in Lincoln Dr. Woodard returned to 
Aurora and has here since been engaged in the practice of medicine. He is 
recognized as one of the ablest physicians of this section of the state, his skill and 
ability being demonstrated on countless occasions. In 1914 he once more became 
connected with the drug business by opening a store on the west side of the Square, 
but later disposed of this and is now concentrating his undivided time and attention 
upon his practice. He is a member of the Hamilton County Medical Society, the 
Nebraska State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and has 
taken a most active and helpful part in the proceedings of the State Medical Society 
for several years. 

In 1868 Dr. Woodard was married to Miss Sarah Ann Casteel, who was born 
in Coshocton county, Ohio, January 16, 1851. To them have been born six chil- 
dren : Cora, who is the wife of George E. Lane, a coal and produce merchant- of 
Salem, Massachusetts; Samuel F., a druggist located at Gannett, Idaho; John A., of 
Bozeman, Montana, who is devoting his time to educational work, being now 
principal of the Gallatin county high school ; William A., a dentist at Long Beach, 
California; James M.. who was graduated from the medical department of the 
University of Nebraska in 1907 and is now practicing with his father ; and Dean 
S., a physician and surgeon of Watsonville, California, who was graduated from 
the St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1914. 

Dr. Woodard and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and his 
political belief is that of the democratic party. He has twice represented his district 
in the state legislature, exercising his official prerogative in support of many benefi- 
cial progressive measures. He is chairman of the Democratic County Committee 
and is keenly interested in everything that has to do with the advancement of 
county and commonwealth. His cooperation can at all times be counted upon to 
further any measure for the general good and there is an almost countless legion 
who attest the worth and ability of Dr. Woodard both as a physician and as a citizen. 



ALBERT L. DAWSON 



Four different states of the Union have been associated with the life record of 
Albert L. Dawson, a representative farmer of Hamilton county, who was born in 
Jeflferson county, Ohio, January 31, 1861. The following year marked the removal 
of his parents to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in the year 1861 the family went to 
Douglas county, Illinois, where the son, Albert L. Dawson, was reared on the home 
farm and received the advantages of the public schools of the period. There he 
continued to be associated wdth his father in farm enterprise until he was twenty- 
two years of age and in the spring of 1884 he came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, 
where his father had previously purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land 




MR. AND MRS. ALBERT L. DAWSON 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 135 

in Union precinct. Ou the land were erected a small house and barn and -during 
the first five years of his residence here Albert L. Dawson kept bachelors hall. 
He brought about the excellent development of the farm, upon which he erected 
good buildings and made other improvements and there he continued his activities 
as an agriculturist and stock raiser until the autumn of 1899, when he removed to 
Thomas county and established himself in the cattle business. There he conducted 
his successful enterprise on a large stock ranch until the fall of 1910, when he 
returned to Hamilton county and established his residence on his present farm, 
in section 17, Union precinct. Here he erected a commodious and modern house 
and other good buildings and in addition to owning this fine home farm of tliree 
hundred and twenty acres, he is now the owner of another farm of two hundred 
acres in the same township, this latter place being in charge of his son, Claude. 
Mr. Dawson has always been vital and progressive in his farm enterprise and thus 
has achieved substantial success, the while he has given much attention to the 
raising and feeding of cattle of the shorthorn type. 

In September, 1888, Mr. Dawson was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Burley, 
and of this union have been born nine children : Eoy is associated in the work and 
management of the home farm ; Jessie died at the age of one year ; Osceola continues 
a member of the home circle; Claude has active management of the second farm 
owned by his father; Ernest is now a resident of the state of Utah, as is also 
Percival; Euth; Alberta remains with her parents; and Wilbur died at the age of 
eight years. 

Mr. Dawson has not been self-centered but has shown marked loyalty and lib- 
erality in his civic attitude and has supported measures and enterprises that have 
tended to advance the communal welfare in general. His allegiance to the repub- 
lican party is unswerving, he has served five years as township assessor of Union 
township and for many years has been a member of the school board of his district. 
While a resident of Thomas county he served two terms as county commissioner 
and was reelected for a third term but resigned the office before the completion 
of this term. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. 



C. M. FEREEE 



C. M. Ferree, engaged in the real estate, insurance and loan business, has through 
individual effort risen to a position of prominence in Edgar. Like many other 
prominent and successful men of Clay county, Mr. Ferree is a native of another 
state, his birth having occurred in Clermont county, Ohio, on the 6th of October, 
1866. His parents were George W. and Mary E. (Eobinson) Ferree, both natives 
of Clermont county, Ohio, where they resided until 1869, and then removed to 
Illinois. For ten years they made that state their home and the father engaged in 
teaching school, both there and in Ohio. In 1879, however, they determined to come 
west and later in that year located in Clay county, where the father purchased farm 
land whereon he built a three-room frame house. There the death of Mrs. Ferree oc- 
curred and George W. Ferree then removed to Edgar, where he passed away, an 
honored and respected citizen. Three children were born to that union, two of 



136 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

whom are living: C. M., whose name initiates this review; and Ella, the wife of 
S. 0. Lewis, a rancher at Gold Bar, Washington. Frank M., the other child, passed 
away in August, 1919. The family was reared in the faith of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and for a number of years George W. Ferree was identified with 
the Masons. Many were the hardships endured but prompted by the laudable 
ambition to make the most of his opportunities, he allowed no obstacles to remain 
long in his path and advanced steadily step by step to success. Upon the outbreak 
of the Civil war Mr. Ferree enlisted in Company E, Fifty-seventh Ohio Regiment and 
participated in some of the most important battles of that conflict. He was wound- 
ed at the battle of Missionary Ridge and confined to the hospital for a short time. 

C. M. Ferree received his education in the schools of Illinois and Nebraska. 
He engaged in farming with his father until he was seventeen years of age, when 
he came with him to Edgar and accepted a position as clerk in a general store. In 
the summer of 1894 he entered into the conduct of a mercantile store with his 
brother and continued in that connection until 1919, when they sold out the busi- 
ness. Six months later his brother died. C. M. Ferree is now doing an extensive 
business in real estate, insurance and loans in connection with C. C. Stout and 
he devotes his entire time to the development of these interests. 

On the 14th of October, 1891, occurred the marriage of Mr. Ferree and Miss 
Margaret 0. French, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Her parents re- 
moved to Nuckolls county, Nebraska, in 1880, and there Mrs. Ferree completed her 
education. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ferree one daughter has been born : Edna 
M., who died one month later. 

Mr. Ferree gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his religious 
faith is that of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Ferree is a consistent member of 
the Christian church. He is a Knight Templar, Shriner and past master and for 
five years held chairs of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. In addition to 
his business Mr. Ferree owns some fine land in Nuckolls county and maintains a 
great interest in the agricultural development of the state. Mr. Ferree has spent 
practically his entire life in Edgar and Clay counties and has seen the community 
progress and prosper. He is a self-made man, having won his present success by 
his own determined effort and his many friends entertain for him the warm regard 
that arises from a recognition of high personal worth and appreciation for loyalty 
and fidelity in public life. 



JOSHUA WILSON 



A well known man, highly respected throughout Clay county and for many years 
prominent in the agricultural circles of that county, is Joshua Wilson who is now 
a resident of the Soldiers' Home at Grand Island. 

Joshua Wilson was born in Indiana and there received his education. He 
enlisted for service in the Civil war from that state and after serving about four 
years in the Union army received his discharge, returned to Illinois and obtained 
employment on various farms. In 1876 he came to Nebraska and settled in Clay 
county, making the journey as far as Hastings by rail. He worked on the railroad 
for some time, at the end of each week walking to his homestead of one hundred 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 137 

and sixty acres which he had acquired upon coming to the county. His first dwell- 
ing on the land was a dugout of one room with a dirt floor and he also made a 
dugout barn. His land he broke himself with the aid of a team of oxen. Corn- 
stalks furnished the greater part of his fuel, although he also gathered branches 
and reeds from along the creek banks. He put out an orchard and shade trees 
and set about to bring his land to a highly cultivated state. He suffered some loss 
as the result of grasshopper visitations and hailstorms, but as a man of great 
determination and energy he allowed no obstacle to remain long in his path. In 
1905 Mr. Wilson decided to retire from active farm life and subsequently removed 
to Trumbull. He traded his one hundred and sixty acres of well improved Clay 
county land for some land in Kansas. Mr. Wilson is now residing in the Old 
Soldiers' Home at Grand Island and is much respected and loved by his former 
comrades in arms. 

AVhile residing in Indiana Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah 
Sleeth, a native of Shelby' county, that state, and she proved a fitting helpmeet 
for an honored husband. Her death occurred at the age of sixty-five years and 
came as a severe blow to her devoted family and friends. To the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Wilson seven children were born : A. S., who is farming in Clay county ; 
Scott, also farming in Clay county; Harry, who is engaged in farming in Logan 
county, Colorado; Maude, who is now the wife of Ed Labrie, a farmer of Fre- 
mont; Lola, who is married to James Prince, a prominent farmer of Colorado; 
Chandler, who is engaged in railroading at North Platte: and Benjamin, who is 
deceased. 

Throughout his life Mr. Wilson has been a stanch supporter of the republican 
party, having firm faith in the principles of that party as factors in good govern- 
ment. His religious faith is of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was that of his 
wife, and he is also a member of the Grand Alrmy of the Eepublic. He was al- 
ways active in community aifairs and could be counted upon to give his imdivided 
support to any movement he deemed necessary to the moral development and 
general welfare of the vicinity. Mr. Wilson has held many school offices and served 
his fellowmen to the best of his ability while so connected. 



CHARLES A. CARLSON 

Charles A. Carlson is the owner and manager of the Aurora Republican, the 
oldest paper published in Hamilton county, it having been established in 1873. His 
identification with this paper dates from 1904 and he has been connected with the 
printing trade since the age of nineteen years, at wiiich time he started out in 
the business world. He was born in Sweden, September 5, 1879, and is a son of 
S. A. and Christine (Johnson) Carlson, both of whom are natives of Sweden. They 
came -to Lancaster county, Nebraska, in 1881, and the father purchased land on 
which he still lives, having transformed the place into a valuable and productive 
farm. His wife died on the old homestead in 1915. They were members of the 
Swedish Mission church with which Mr. Carlson is still identified and his political 
allegiance is given to the republican party. He is truly a self-made man and 



138 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

deserves much credit for what he lias accomplished. When he arrived in Lancaster 
county, Nebraska, he was entirely without capital and today is the owner of over 
two hundred acres of rich and valuable land, besides considerable personal property. 
To him and his wife were born thirteen children of whom eleven are living. 

Charles A. Carlson, the second in order of birth in this family, \Vas educated 
in the country schools of Lancaster county and was reared on the home farm with 
the usual experiences of the farm bred boy to the age of nineteen years, when 
wishing to try his fortune along some other line he turned his attention to the 
printing business, obtaining a position on the Lincoln Daily Post in 1898. He 
worked on that paper for two and a half years and then went to Omaha, Nebraska, 
where he was employed in different printing establishments for six months. He 
then joined with two others in establishing a job printing business in which he 
continued for a year and then sold out. Eeturning to Lincoln he entered the employ 
of the Woodruff Printing Company and State Journal, there remaining until 
1904 when he removed to Aurora and began work on the Republican. He con- 
tinued with that paper until the Advocate was started and with the new paper he 
remained for a year. He then joined Clark Perkins in purchasing the Eepublican 
and together they published the paper until January, 1920, when Mr. Carlson 
bought out the interests of his partner and is now owner and manager of the 
Aurora Eepublican, which has a circulation of sixteen hundred. He also has a 
large job printing business, this constituting an important branch, although he has 
been very successful also with the paper which he has made a most readable journal 
devoted to the dissemination of local and general news. When he first began work 
on the republican he received a wage of nine dollars per week but saved his money 
and eventually was able to acquire an interest in the paper and at length to become 
its owner. 

In 1904 Mr. Carlson was married to Miss Carrie Johnson who was born in 
Copenhagen, Denmark, coming with her parents to Hampton, Nebraska, when 
two years of age, and they have become parents of five children : Edna, attending 
high school; Leora and Herbert in school; Lyle and Kenneth. The parents are 
members of the Congregational church and Mr. Carlson is identified with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his political allegiance is given to the 
republican party. He stands for progressiveness in all public affairs and is actuated 
by a spirit of enterprise and determination in all that he undertakes. 



FEANCIS JOSEPH TALICH 

Francis Joseph Talich, living on section 24, Deepwell township, Hamilton 
county, is there engaged in general farming which he carries on successfully, 
owing to his industry, perseverance and capable management. He came to Ne- 
braska from Grant county, Wisconsin, where his birth occurred on the 12th of 
April, 1867. There he remained until thirteen years of age, when he removed 
to Iowa, where for a time he was engaged in herding cattle. He spent the sum- 
mer there and then made his way to South Dakota, securing employment on a 
steamboat on the river, carrying supplies up the Missouri as far as navigation 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 139 

would permit. The fall and winter were spent in that way, after which he worked 
on a cattle ranch in Montana, remaining in that state for more than two and a 
half years. About that time his parents removed to South Dakota, where they 
homesteaded and F. J. Talich also took up a homestead, proving up on his property. 
He had a sod house which he occupied for eight years, but produced only one 
crop in all that period. He passed through all of the hardships and privations of 
pioneer life. The early settlers burned hay and cow chips and Mr. Talich also 
hauled wood from the Missouri river a distance of eighteen miles. After eight 
years spent in that locality, however, he sold his property there and came to 
Hamilton county, where he rented land for a year. Here things took an upward 
turn for the better and he purchased an eighty acre farm, which he occupied and 
cultivated for a time and then sold. He next bought another eighty acre tract 
and in the summer of 1917 purchased the fann whereon he now resides, com- 
prising two hundred acres. This he has in addition to the home place of one 
hundred and sixty acres and he o.wns altogether five hundred and twenty acres 
in three separate farms, all improved with excellent buildings. He carries on 
general agricultural pursuits and his industry and enterprise have been the basis 
of his constantly growing success. 

On the 14th of February, 1892, Mr. Talich was married to Miss Christiana 
Martin, who was born in Grant county, Wisconsin. They have become parents 
of eight children, seven of whom are living, Raymond having died at the age 
of six months. Those who survive are John, Sylvia, Elmer, Francis, George, 
May and Myrtle. The parents are members of the Catholic church and Mr. 
Talich gives his political support to the democratic party. He has served as road 
overseer and for twenty years has been a member of the school board. His life 
has been an active and useful one and his own industry has constituted the 
foundation upon which he has built his success. 



EZRA AYER 



, For thirty-six yeivs Ezra Ayer has engaged in farming in Clay county, his 
home being on section 10, Eldorado township. He was born in Canada on the 
26th of March, 1853, and at the age of two years removed with his parents to 
DeKalb county, Illinois. They resided there until 1855, when the father went 
to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he homesteaded and remained until 1857, 
when he returned to Illinois and located in Henderson county. 

Ezra Ayer received his education in the country schools of Henderson county, 
Illinois, and there resided until 1870 when he went to Mills county, Iowa. For 
thirteen years he made that county his home and then for two years resided in 
Sarpy county, Nebraska. In 1885 he decided to come west with the result that he 
located in Clay county, Nebraska, where he bought a farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres, on which land he is still residing. He immediately set about to im- 
prove the place and put it on a paying basis and he is now one of the most success- 
ful general farmers and stock raisers in the county. 

In 1875 Mr. Ayer was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Hay and they 



140 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

have become parents of four children : Leonard E. ; Gertrude ; Geneva L. ; and 
Blanche. 

Throughout his entire life Mr. Ayer has been a stanch supporter of the 
republican party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in 
good government. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian 
church and they are prominent and active members of that congregation. Mr. 
Ayer has always taken a keen interest in the development and improvement of 
the community in which he has so long resided and as a stanch advocate of educa- 
tion he served as a member of the school board for twenty years. He has followed 
scientific methods in his farming and his success is the result of diligence and 
industry intelligently directed. 



H. H. TURNER 



H. H. Turner, an honored veteran of the Civil war, has been residing retired 
in Harvard since about 1902. He was born in Otsega county, New York, on 
the 3d of July, 1843, a son of Isaiah and Mary (Hoagg) Turner, both natives of 
the same county. In 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Turner removed to Byron, Illinois, 
where they resided until 1860, when they went to Iowa. The death of Mr. 
Turner occurred in the latter state. Throughout his entire life he had followed 
farming and at the time of his death owned two hundred and forty acres of fine 
land. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner: Mary, who is the wife 
of John Cherry and resides in Iowa; H. H., the subject of this review; T. B., 
a retired farmer residing at Harvard ; Jane, who is the wife of Palaska Hughes, 
a miller of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; and William, who is residing in Iowa. Mr. 
Turner gave his political allegiance to the republican party and was for many 
years tax assessor in Iowa. He was a stanch advocate of education and served as 
school director for many years. The grandfather of H. H. Turner was Ezra 
Turner, whose birth and death occurred in Otsego county. New York, where 
he was a well known and highly respected citizen. 

H. H. Turner received his education in the public schools of New York and 
Iowa and in due time attended Beloit College in Wisconsin. In 1862 he entered 
the Union army from Iowa, joining Company H, Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry, and served three years. He was in the Army of the Tennessee 
and participated in the battles of Pleasant Hill, Brice's Cross Roads, Spanish 
Fort, Blakely, as well as other battles and skirmishes. At the close of the war 
he returned to Iowa and engaged in farming, achieving a substantial amount of 
success. In 1870 he was appointed to take the census and had eight townships 
under his supervision. In 1878 he came to Clay county and bought eighty acres 
of land for which he paid cash. He built a frame house and some outbuildings 
on the land and there resided until about 1902, when he moved into Harvard. 
He is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of a life spent in diligence and 
industry. 

Mr. Turner has been married twice. On returning to Iowa after the close 
of the Civil war he was wed on the 16th of April, 1871, to Miss Laura White- 




MRi AKD ICRiS. H. H. TURNER 



HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUXTIES 143 

nack, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Abraham Whitenack, who was an 
early settler in that state. Her father later removed to Iowa and in 1871 settled 
in Milford, Nebraska. Five children were born to the first marriage: Etha, 
who is the wife of Fred Clark and resides in Kansas; Walter, who is engaged 
in the apple business in the state of Washington; Alice, deceased; Albert, who 
is a painter of Ardmore, Oklahoma ; and Maude, now the wife of Earl L. Seit- 
singer, a farmer of Washington state. Mrs. Turner's demise occurred on the 
4th of June, 1891, and on the 4th of December, 1901, Mr. Turner was married 
to Miss Alice Bulson, a native of Victoria, Illinois, and a daughter of Frederick 
and Mary D. Bulson. Her father was born in Otsego county. New York, and 
her mother in Kentucky. They located in Illinois in 1847 and there they both 
passed away. Frederick Bulson served in the Mexican war one year and three 
months. Four children out of the family of eight born to Mr. and Mrs. Bulson 
are living. In 1886 Mrs. Turner came, to Clay county, locating just east of 
Harvard, and lived with her sister for some time. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Turner the right of franchise he has been a 
stanch supporter of the republican pai-ty and the principles for which it stands. 
His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and he is a member of 
the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Turner has always taken an active inter- 
est in the development and improvement of the community and for many years 
was justice of the peace and a member of the school board. He has become well 
known in the agricultural circles of the county and his wife now owns a fine 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres located six miles east of Harvard. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Turner have many friends in the county and are readily conceded 
to be representative citizens. 



ALVIN 0. HARTQUEST 



No man occupies a more enviable position in the financial and business circles 
of Aurora than Alvin 0. Hartquest, vice president of the First Trust Company. 
His position is due not only to the success which he has achieved but also to the 
straightforward business policy which he has ever followed. He has won his suc- 
cess through constructive measures and his progressiveness has carried him into 
important relations. Mr. Hartquest is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred 
in McHenry county, April 14, 1865, his parents being Abraham A. and Nettie 
(Page) Hartquest, both of whom were natives of Sweden. Coming to America 
in early life they were married in McHenry county in 1847. Mr. Hartquest 
purchased land and resided upon a faim in that state until he removed to Hamilton 
county, Nebraska, in April, 1883. He invested in land in South Platte township 
and resided thereon for a number of years. In April, 1891, he took up his abode 
in Lincoln, and retired from farming, with the purpose of spending his remaining 
days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, but death called him in September of 
that year. The mother afterwards lived with her daughter, until she, too, was called 
to her final home in August, 1896. They were consistent Christian people, holding 
membership in the Episcopal church and Mr. Hartquest gave his political allegiance 



144 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

to the republican party. He was a self-made man, his prosperity being due entirely 
to his own efforts and his course illustrates what can be accomplished by perse- 
verance, industry and unfaltering energy. To Mr. and Mrs. Hartquest were born 
nine children of whom five are living: Emma, the wife of Morton Kee, a retired 
farmer of Los Angeles, California, who is still the owner of land in Hamilton 
and Adams counties, Nebraska; Josie, the wife of Sumner Pingry, who is living 
retired at Crystal Lake, Illinois; Mrs. Hanna Warneke, residing in California; Alvin 
0. ; and Otis F. who is engaged in the drug business in Aurora. 

Alvin 0. Hartquest pursued his education in the public schools of his native 
state and was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with 
the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He afterward engaged 
in the creamery business in Aurora and was active along that line for fifteen 
years, conducting his business systematically and progressively so that success 
crowned his labors. He then turned his. attentions to the real estate business and 
afterward formed a partnership with J. B. Cunningham with whom he was asso- 
ciated iintil the latter's death, two years later. Mr. Hartquest then organized the 
First Trust Company of Aurora, of which he became vice president and general 
manager. He is thus the executive head of the business and under his guidance 
the patronage of the company has steadily increased, making the business one of 
the profitable concerns of Hamilton county and an important feature in financial 
circles. He is also one of the stockholders in the Farmers' State Bank of Aurora 
and has made considerable investments in land in Hamilton county. 

In December, 1893, Mr. Hartquest was married to Miss Amelia Adamek, a 
native of Chicago and a daughter of Joseph Adamek who conducted a wagon and 
carriage shop at Algonquin, Illinois, for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Hart- 
quest have become parents of three daughters: Erma, the wife of Floyd Eldridge 
who is with the Haney Company of Hastings, Nebraska; Lura, who attended the 
Wesleyan University at University Place, Nebraska ; and Mary, who like her sisters 
is a graduate of the Aurora high school. Mrs. Hartquest is a member of the Epis- 
copal church but the family attends the Congregational church. Mr. Hartquest 
is a Scottish Eite Mason and also a n;ember of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise 
has membership with the Highlanders. His political allegiance is given to the 
republican party and he has served as a member of the city council, exercising 
his official prerogative in support of all plans and measures for the general good. 
In fact his support can be counted upon to further any movement that has to do 
with the welfare and upbuilding of his adopted county and state. Men know that 
what he says he will do and that his enterprise is of a character which qualifies 
him for leadership in public affairs. 



MICHAEL PEESSLER 



Among the valuable and representative citizens that Germany has furnished 
Nebraska is Michael Pressler, prominent in the agricultural and political circles 
of Hamilton county. Mr. Pressler was born in Germany on the 4th of March, 
1851, and in 1863 came with his parents to America. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 145 

Upon arriving in the United States Michael Pressler and his parents first settled 
in Sangamon county, Illinois, and there he received his education and grew to 
manhood. He worked on his father's farm until he was twenty years of age, when 
he engaged in the blacksmith business which he followed for nine months, or 
until his marriage which occurred on the 31st of December, 1874. He then 
rented some land and commenced farming in Illinois, achieving a gratifying amount 
of success in that occupation. In 1881, however, he determined to come west 
and in the latter part of that year arrived in Hamilton county, Nebraska, where 
he has since remained. He purchased eighty acres of land, on which he now 
resides, for six hundred dollars and set about to improve the place. He built a 
small frame house and otherwise improved the land and in 1898 bought an 
additional eighty acres, working both tracts. He engaged in general farming and 
soon became recognized as one of Hamilton county's most progressive and success- 
ful farmers. This land, which is located in section 32, Scoville township, is 
now under his supervision. 

On the 31st of December, 1874, occurred the marriage of Mr. Pressler and 
Miss Catherine C. Horschler, a native of Illinois. To them four children have 
been born: George M., who is farming in Scoville township; John J., otherwise 
known as Jack Bums, a moving picture actor with headquarters in New York; 
William T., who died at the age of seventeen years as the result of having been 
kicked by a horse; and Walter, who is residing in Trumbull. 

Politically Mr. Pressler is well known throughout the county as a stanch 
supporter of the republican party. For many years he has taken a prominent 
part in the political affairs of the community and has wielded much influence. 
He has attended many of the county and state conventions but has always refused to 
have his name put before any of the committees as a candidate for any public office. 
Fraternally Mr. Pressler is a Mason and is an exemplary member of the craft. 
He has been an honorary member of the Doniphan Lodge for thirty-six years, 
is a member of the Hasting's Consistory and Tehamah Temple of the Mystic 
Shrine. Mr. Pressler became a thirty-second degree Mason in 1902. Mrs. Pressler 
is a consistent member of the Catholic church. Mr. Pressler has served his 
fellowmen as assessor for a period of over twenty years and was Justice of the 
peace for six years. Although a native of Germany he .secured his citizenship 
papers as soon after arriving in this country as possible and no native born American 
in the county has more love or respect for this great nation than he. 



AMOS CUETIS 



In the passing of Amos Curtis on the 4th of April, 1917, Hamilton county 
lost a representative and pioneer citizen. He had spent the greater part of his 
life on his homestead in that county and had a large circle of friends who were 
deeply bereaved at his demise. 

Amos Curtis was bom in Monroe county, Ohio, May 14, 1846, and lived there 
for some years when he removed with his parents to Iowa. On the outbreak of 
the Civil war he enlisted in Company K, Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry, with which 



146 • HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

he served for one hundred days. At the close of the war he returned to Iowa, 
locating at Lucas. There he remained until 1871 when he came to Nebraska by 
team and had but two dollars in his pocket when he arrived in Hamilton county. 
With this money he purchased some corn and meal. He homesteaded one hundred 
and sixty acres located one and a quarter miles east of Hampton and there put 
up a sod house and barn. This land was all prairie and he set about to break it 
himself. For seventeen years he "bached" it on his homestead. Mr. Curtis passed 
through all the pioneer hardships, losing crops during the droughts, the grass- 
hopper plague and hailstorms, but ever a man of grim determination and energy 
each misfortune seemed but to spur him to greater effort. Game was very plenti- 
ful in the. vicinity of his home and he killed many buffaloes, antelopes and some 
small game. It was not long before Mr. Curtis' land was brought to a highly 
cultivated state and he was recognized throughout the community as a progressive 
and successful agriculturist. 

On the 15th of March, 1888, occurred the marriage of Mr. Curtis and Miss 
Eosa Forsythe, a native of MeLean county, Illinois. She came to Nebraska with 
her parents when, but fourteen years of age. Nine children were born to their 
union: Elmer B. ; Homer F. ; William H., deceased; Louise, who has passed 
away;. Lloyd C. ; Sanford E.; and Ealph. Homer enlisted in the navy and served 
during the World war. 

Throughout the greater part of his life Mr. Curtis lived on his homestead in 
Hamilton county and engaged in general farming. He made friends who ap- 
preciated his true personal worth and many sterling traits of character and they 
felt a great loss in his passing. He was a consistent member of the Methodist 
church, as is his wife, and a generous contributor to its charities. Mrs. Curtis 
is now in possession of the old homestead and makes her home in Hampton. Elmer 
is farming the old homestead. 



A. H. TITMAN 



A. H. Titman, living on section 20, Aurora township, Hamilton county, where 
he is actively and profitably engaged in farming, was bom in New Jersey, January 
15, 1865, and is a son of George and Martha (Hooey) Titman. In his youthful 
days he attended the country schools of his native state, having to walk three miles 
to school. He pursued his studies for about three months each year, attending 
through the winter seasons when his services were not needed in connection with 
the development of the home farm. He, however, worked in the fields during the 
period of his youth and also in the timber region. 

In 1886 Mr. Titman left his native state in company with his parents and 
went to Iowa, being at that time about twenty-one years of age. He lived in 
Iowa for a year and in 1887 came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, where his father 
rented land, both he and his wife continuing to make their home in this county 
until called to their final rest, the former passing away in 1893, at the age of 
sixty-eight years, while the mother survived until 1908 and was seventy-four years 
of age at the time of her demise. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 147 

A. H. Titman continued to aid his father in the devolpnient and improvement 
of the home farm until he reached the age of thirty years and then began farm- 
ing on his own account by buying land, living near Mema, Nebraska, for three 
years. He afterward became the owner of four hundred and forty acres but 
eventually sold that farm and purchased an equal amount near Marquette, Hamil- 
ton county. Afterward, however, he returned to the old farm, which he rented. 
He has improved liis land and as the years have passed has won a place among the 
substantial and progressive farmers of this section of the state. On his farm 
he has built a large silo and has added other modern equipments in accordance 
with the progressive methods of farming at the present time. In addition to cul- 
tivating his fields he raises stock, making a specialty of pure blooded Poland 
China hogs and a good grade of other farm stock. He is now featuring the 
dairy business to a considerable extent and this is proving to him a profitable 
source of revenue. 

Mr. Titman was married to Miss Lillian Hiatt and they have become parents 
of twelve children : Benjamin, Victor, Virgil, Edmond, Lela, Gladys, Donald, Lola, 
Francis, Lyle, William and Gerrell. The parents are members of the United 
Brethren church and Mr. Titman is connected with the Modern Woodmen of 
America. He has served as treasurer of the school board and has always been 
an independent voter. He is interested in the Farmers' Elevator, in the Farmers' 
Union and in the Aurora Creamery. He has always preferred to give his atten- 
tion to business affairs rather than to take active part in public life and by reason 
of his concetration of purpose, his diligence and determination he has become 
one of the prosperous and representative farmers of his adopted county. 



FREDERICK EGGERICHS 

Since 1908 Frederick Eggerichs has made his home in Trumbull, where he 
is recognized as a successful and representative citizen. For many years he was 
prominent in agricultural circles of Clay county and is now reaping the reward 
of his labors. A native of Germany, he was born in that country December 27, 
1841, and there received his common school education. After putting his text- 
books aside he hired out for farm work by the year and after twelve years in that 
connection managed to save one hundred dollars, enough to secure his passage 
to the United States. His highest earnings in Germany in one year totaled sixty- 
six dollars whicli.he received for the twelfth year of his farm work. On arriving 
in the United States in 1868 he went to Illinois locating in Dixon where he 
secured work on a farm for which he received twenty dollars per month. In 1871 
he bought a team and rented land in Lee county, Illinois, which he farmed for 
some time and later sold for a substantial sum. The following six years he spent 
in working for the railroad and in 1878 came to Clay county, Nebraska, and 
purchased eighty acres of land at five dollars per acre, with ten years to complete 
payment. In 1880 he removed his family to Clay county, they coming by train 
as far as Harvard. He built a dugout with one window and the family made this 
their home for four years. He underwent all of the pioneer hardships of those 



148 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

early days, being "hailed" out in 1881 and 1883. He broke forty acres of this 
land the first year with the aid of the horse team he brought with him from 
Illinois and another which he purchased on two years' time. He later bought 
an additional tract of eighty acres and put out trees and an orchard, but the 
latter mostly died out during the years of 1893 and 1891. For four years he 
burned cornstalks for fuel and brought back branches from the banks of nearby 
streams. On this farm Mr. Eggerichs resided until 1908, whefi he retired and 
moved to Trumbull. His success in general farming and stock raising had made 
possible his retirement from active farm life and he is now enjoying the results 
of his early diligence and industry. 

In May, 1868, in Germany, Mr. Eggerichs married Miss Mary Johnson and 
they left the following month for the United States. One child has been born 
to this union, Christ J., who is residing at home. 

Mr. Eggerichs now rents the home place. He maintains an interest in the 
advances being made along agricultural lines and is ever ready to give his support 
to any movement he deems necessary in the improvement and development of the 
community. For some time he has served as road overseer. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Eggerichs are consistent members of the Lutheran church and prominent in the 
social and charitable affairs of that organization. The son is a member of the 
same church. 



JOSEPH C. GALLENTINE 

C. Gallentine resides on a farm on section 12, Inland township, Clay 
county. He broke the sod on this place and has added all of the improvements 
planting an excellent orchard and erecting many buildings which make his 
farm a valuable property. Mr. Gallentine came to this state from Marshall 
county, West Virginia, where he was born November 10, 1848. He was there 
reared on a farm with the visual experiences of the boy who divides his time 
between the work of the fields and the acquirement of a district school education. 
At the age of sixteen years, however, he entered the army, joining Company A 
of the Seventh West Virginia Infantry in 1864. He participated in the battle 
of the Wilderness, also in the engagements of Smoky Hollow, Spotsylvania, Cold 
Harbor, Weldon Railroad and two of the charges on Petersburg. He was also 
present at the time of the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox and partici- 
pated in the Grand Review to celebrate the Union victory. At Spotsylvania he 
was wounded in the right shoulder and received a gunshot wound in the right 
hand. 

When the war was over Mr. Gallentine returned to his native state, where he 
continued to live for two years longer and then in 1867 went to Ohio, where 
he resided until 1873. That year witnessed his arrival in Clay county, Nebraska, 
then a pioneer di.strict, in which he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres. 
There was a dugout on the place and he lived in it for fifteen years, after which 
he built a frame house twelve by sixteen feet. He also had a sod and straw barn 
and he dug a well on his land. Only ten acres of the place had been broken 
when he took possession of it, and Mr. Gallentine turned the sod on the remainder 




JOSEPH C. GALLEXTINE 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 151 

of the farm with oxen and mule teams. He also planted trees and set out an 
orchard, but this died out. He has lived upon his place continuously since 
coming to Nebraska and the finely developed farm of the present bears little 
resemblance to the unimproved tract of land of which he took possession almost 
a half century ago. He is today the owner of three himdred and twenty acres 
of rich and valuable land, on which are two sets of farm buildings and all 
modern improvements. He now rents all of his land and the place brings to 
him a most substantial annual income. 

Mr. Gallentine's father electioneered for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and 
when Joseph Gallentiue secured the right of franchise on attaining his majority 
he cast his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant, and has since been a stalwart 
advocate of the republican party. He proudly wears the little bronze button 
that proclaims him a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being identi- 
fied with the post at Hastings, and throughout the years since the Civil war 
he has been as true and loyal to his country and her interests as when he 
followed the nation's starry banner on the battle fields of the south and wore 
the blue uniform that proclaimed him a supporter of the Union cause. 



FEANK JOHNSON SPENCER 

Frank Johnson Spencer, who passed away in 1911, was a native of Sweden, 
and came alone to tlie United States when a youth of fifteen years, joining his 
brother at Walnut, Illinois. For a short time he remained with his brother and 
then accepted a position as foreman at a stone quarry at Joliet, Illinois, where 
subsequently he acquired an interest in the business and worked there to the time 
of his marriage. He was always actuated by a progressive spirit and made the best 
use of his time and opportunities to gain a start and develop his fortunes. 

Mr. Spencer wedded Miss Anna Peterson, a native of Sweden, who came to 
America with her sister when twenty years of age, settling in Chicago and after- 
ward removing to Joliet. To them were born three children : Albert H., who is 
living on a farm in Hamilton county, and whose birth occurred in this state ; Alvin 
B., who lives on the farm with his brother, Albert; and Elmer Fred, who in 1920 
was located in Perkins county, where he farmed six hundred and forty acres of 
land in connection with Oscar G. Anderson. He also conducted the Dean Theatre 
in York, Nebraska, for four months. He is a veteran of the World war, having 
entered the service on the 15th of August, 1918, being trained at Lincoln in the 
Signal Corps. He was in the State University as a member of the Junior class 
when he entered the service from which he received his discharge in 1919. 

It was in the '70s that Mr. Spencer removed from Illinois to Nebraska and here 
purchased eighty acres of land from the railroad company. He built thereon a nice 
home and substantial outbuildings and as the years passed converted his place 
into a highly improved farm. He had made some money while in the stone quarry, 
so that he brought with him to this county capital sufficient to enable him to pay 
for his land, add improvements thereto and put some stock on his place. Later he 
extended the boundaries of his farm by the purchase of an additional tract of one 



152 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

hundred and sixty acres and afterwards sold his original eighty acres, but at 
different periods continued to add to his land until at the time of his death he 
owned two hundred and forty acres. Year by year he tilled the soil keeping his 
fields under a high state of cultivation and also winning success through the careful 
management of his stock raising interests. He continued to reside on the farm 
until his demise in 1911, and was accounted one of the progressive farmers and 
representative citizens of his community. 

In 1917 Mrs. Spencer removed to Aurora, where she built a pleasant home at 
No. 1318 Eleventh street. None of her sons are married and the younger one 
resides with his mother. He owns land in this county but leases it and is now 
giving his attention to the insurance business, selling life, accident and health 
insurance. He is connected with Kenneth Hillis in his business affairs and has 
been very successful in all that he has undertaken. He is a well read young man, 
ambitious, alert, energetic and progressive and judging from what he has already 
accomplished it would seem that his future career would be well worth watching. 
The name of Spencer has long been an honored one in Hnmiltnn county, for during 
the years of his residence here Frank J. Spencer was a liiiilily i-c>;pcct(:Ml citizen and 
his sterling worth, thorough reliability and his progressivoiicss in business won him 
the respect and confidence of all who knew him. 



WILLIAM McDANNEL 



Since 1883 William McDannel has lived on his present excellent farm in Deep- 
well township, Hamilton county, but prior to this he had gained wide and varied 
experience as a pioneer of the western frontier country, having made his arrival 
in Nebraska in 1867, the year which marked the admission of the state to the 
Union. 

Mr. McDannel was born in Deerfield, Warren county, Ohio, on the 4th of March, 
1844, and there was reared on the home farm to the age of sixteen years, his 
educational advantages in the meanwhile having been those of the common schools. 
At the age noted he entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of harnessmaker 
and his technical knowledge thus acquired enabled him to render to the government 
effective service in the period of the Civil war. He learned his trade in the city 
of Cincinnati, Ohio. As a skilled saddler he gave thirteen months of service in 
connection with the Union forces in the Civil war as brigade saddler having had 
charge of the saddles of four trains in the supply department, each of these trains 
consisting of twenty-five teams of mules, with six mules constituting a team. His 
service was in keeping the saddles and other harness equipment in condition and 
he received from the government seventy-five dollars a month and his board. After 
the close of the war Mr. McDannel continued to be associated with his father in 
the work and management of the home farm about two years. In the spring of 
1867 he came to Omaha, Nebraska, all of the trip having been made by way of 
the Mississippi and Missoiiri rivers and within a short time he was found busily 
engaged in driving a six-mule team for the government, hauling supplies to the 
army posts at Fort Laramie and Fort Eeno. After about six months he found 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 153 

employment in the operation of a pile-driver that was in use in connection with 
the building of bridges on the line of the Union Pacific Eailroad, then in process 
of construction. He was thus identified with construction work about two years 
and had the distinction of witnessing the driving of the golden spike that marked 
the completion of the great transcontinental railroad. Thereafter Mr. McDannel 
assisted in supplying wood used in the construction of the army post at Camp 
Halleek, Nevada, in which state he next followed mining for a. short time. He 
then went to Green Eiver, Wyoming, and became wagon boss with a freighting 
outfit, his connection with overland freighting through the western wilds con- 
tinuing for sixteen years and giving him many experiences in connection with 
frontier life. 

In 1883 Mr. McDannel came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, and at the rate 
of sixteen dollars and seventy-five cents per acre, purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres of land in section 14, Deepwell township, where he has continued his resi- 
dence during the intervening period and where he has had his share of pioneer 
difficulties and losses, but substantial prosperity has now crowned his well ordered 
activities as an agriculturist and stock raiser. The little sod house and lean-to 
barn that were on the property when he purchased it long ago disappeared and in 
surveying the well kept farm and the modern buildings of the jiresent day it is 
almost impossible to realize the change. Eesiilts have justified all lalmi-s and trials 
and Mr. McDannel takes pride in the fact that he was not diMiioil a share in jiioneer 
experiences in his home county, the development and progress of which he has 
not only viewed with satisfaction but also assisted in promoting through his indi- 
vidual service and activities as a citizen and farmer. 

On November 24, 1887, Mr. McDannel was united in marriage to Miss Lucy 
Hilpert, and they have five children : Nettie is the wife of Niel DeVore and they 
reside in the state of Wyoming; Enuna is the wife of Christopher Good, of Gillett, 
that state; Alexander remains on the home farm; and AVilliam and Frank are 
farmers in Whitney, Nebraska. Mr. McDannel is a democrat in politics, has served 
as township assessor two terms and has filled the offices of moderator and treasurer 
of the school board of his district for twelve years. 



ELMEE C. BEEGESON 



Elmer C. Bergeson, who is engaged in the real estate business and in auctioneer- 
ing, was born seven miles southeast of Aurora, March 16, 1886, a son of B. 0. 
Bergeson, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He attended the Aurora high school 
and also was a student in the Fremont Normal School for two terms. He then 
returned home and assisted his father in farming and also in auctioneering, thus 
gaining experience of great value to him in his later years. He began to cry 
sales when but eighteen years of age and has followed the auctioneering business 
ever since. In 1918 he also took up the real estate and insurance business in con- 
nection with P. L. MeCarty and they have now won a liberal clientage and are doing 
important work in connection with the immigration business that promotes real 
estate sales. 



154 HAMILTOISr AND CLAY COUNTIES 

On the 21st of March, 1906, Mr. Bergeson was married to Miss May Castle, a 
native of Hamilton county and a daughter of Frank Castle, one of the pioneer 
settlers here who resided in the county to the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bergeson have become parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters : Alice, 
Nina, Francis, Boyd 0., Elva, and Viola, all in school ; Elmer Franklin and 
Maxine, who are not yet of school age. 

The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Bergeson belongs 
to the Masonic fraternity and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics 
he is a republican but is not an office seeker, preferring to devote his entire time 
to his varied and important business interests. He conducts the Mid West Eealty 
Auction Company and has carried on a large auctioneering business, crying sales in 
many states of the Union. He has also developed an excellent clientage in his 
real estate and insurance work and is today one of the progressive business men of 
the county. 



GEOEGE H. MAEVEL, M. D. 

Dr. George H. Marvel, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in 
Hamilton county, opened his office in Aurora in 1905. He was born in Vermilion 
county, Illinois, June 26, 1873. His father, Thompson Marvel, is also a native 
of Illinois and was a son of James Marvel, one of the early settlers of that state. 
Thompson Marvel, having arrived at years of maturity, was married to Miss 
Margaret J. French, also a native of Illinois and a representative of one of the 
pioneer families of the state, her father being George French. Following their 
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Marvel resided in Illinois until 1884 and then removed to 
Hamilton county, Nebraska, where he purchased land upon which he resided for 
a number of years, carefully and successfully cultivating his fields. He still owns 
more than a section of land, together with business property. He was a very ener- 
getic man in his younger days and always led his sons in hard work. His industry, 
capability and determination were the salient features in the attainment of the 
success which now enables him to live retired. In 1905 he put aside the active 
work of the fields and removed to . Giltner where he and his wife now make their 
home. They and all of their family are members of the Christian church and in 
politics Mr. Marvel has maintained rather an independent course. To him and his 
wife were born three sons and three daughters : James, who is a merchant of Gilt- 
ner; George H., of this review; P. 0., who is a practicing physician of Giltner; 
Irene, the wife of Claude Chapman, a merchant of Giltner; Maggie, the wife of 
Lemoyne J. Gallentine, of Ogden, Utah, who is a well-to-do business man and large 
landowner and rancher; and Delia, who has charge of the Glass Block Beauty 
Parlor in Duluth, Minnesota. 

Georo-e H. Marvel acquired a country school education and afterward attended 
the old Lincoln Normal University which he entered in 1898. Later he took special 
work in the State University and was graduated from the Lincoln Medical Col- 
lege in 1905. He also pursued a post-graduate course in the Illinois Medical College 
of Chicago and throughout his professional career has constantly broadened his 
knowledge and efficiency by wide reading and study as well as by broad experience. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 155 

He has always continued in general jiractice and has been located in Aurora since 
1905. 

In 1910 Dr. Marvel was married to Miss Bernice L. Weekly, a native of West 
Virginia and a daughter of William Weekly, who resided in Lincoln, Nebraska, 
for a number of years but is now living in California. While in Lincoln he en- 
gaged in business as a contractor. Dr. and Mrs. Marvel have had no children of 
their own but have reared two : Darlien, who is now the wife of Elgie C. Bute, 
a farmer of Hamilton county; and Claire Weekly, who is attending high school. 
Both Dr. and Mrs. Marvel are members of the Christian church and he belongs 
to the Masonic lodge and to the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is independent. 
He is the owner of eighty acres of irrigated land in Colorado and has stock in 
various enterprises but devotes the greater part of his time and attention to the 
practice of medicine and is a member of the Hamilton County and Nebraska 
State Medical Societies. He holds to high standards in his professional career and 
is at all times most conscientious in the performance of his professional duties. 



JAMES READY 



One of the prosperous and representative citizens who profited by his pioneer 
experiences in Hamilton county is James Ready, and though he encountered severe 
reverses, owing to conditions that brought similar trouble to many other pioneers, 
his courage and self-reliance continued stanch under disaster as well as success 
and his appreciation of and loyalty to Nebraska is unstinted at the present time. 

Mr. Ready, who now resides at Stockham, was born in Jackson county, Ohio, 
June 6, 1849, and is a son of James and Catherine (Tope) Ready, the fomier 
born in Virginia and the latter in Ohio. The father gave virtually his entire 
active life to farm enterprise and resided for a number of years in Illinois, though 
both he and his wife died in Ohio. James Ready, the subject of this review, is 
indebted to the district schools of Illinois for his youthful education and there 
he gained early fellowship with the work of the home farm. He remained with 
his parents until he attained his majority and thereafter was employed at farm 
work and the draining and tiling of swamp land in Illinois, in which state he 
continued his residence until 1880, when he came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, 
and purchased eighty acres of railroad land, to which he later added a second 
tract of equal area, this also being railroad land and fifteen acres of the soil having 
been broken when it came into his possession. A rude board shanty provided the 
first dwelling on the farm, the roof boards being bent over to give drainage dur- 
ing rainfalls. Mr. Ready earnestly applied himself to the breaking, cultivating 
and general improving of his land, but the reverses which attended him by loss 
of crops in the drought years of 1893 and 1894 compelled him to sacrifice his 
land holdings. He thereafter farmed for a time in Clay county and upon his 
return to Hamilton county he turned his attention to the blacksmith trade and 
wagon repairing, from which he later turned to identify himself with the lumber 
business, in connection with which he has been employed at Stockton for about 



156 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

twelve years. He is an independent voter in political lines and his wife is a zealous 
member of the Presbyterian church at Stockham. 

In Hamilton county was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ready to Miss Anna 
Van Duesen, a representative of a well kno^vn pioneer family of which adequate 
mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Ready have three children : 
Laura is the wife of James Beat, Jr., a farmer of Hamilton county ; May is the 
wife of Gardner P. Housel, also a farmer of this county; and Earl resides at 
Seward, judicial center of Seward county. 



JOHN A. SHAFER 



Among those who have proved specially resourceful and energetic in connec- 
tion with the furtherance of farm industry in Hamilton county a ulace of no minor 
distinction it to be accorded to John A. Shaf er, who is one of the sterling pioneers 
of the county and who here faced the adverse conditions and manifold perplexities 
of the early days, who has never faltered in his faith in the country and who has 
here realized substantial success with the passing years, as is attested by his 
ownersliip of a well improved and valuable farm of six hundred and thirty-eight 
acres, his homestead place being situated in section 11, Scoville precinct, with 
the village of Giltner as his post office. 

Mr. Shafer was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, on the 28th of July, 1851. 
His father, the late Nicholas Shafer, established his residence in Wisconsin as a 
pioneer of the year 1848, first working in lead mines and later becoming a farmer 
in Grant county. John A. Shafer was reared on the small farm of his father and 
while he attended the pioneer district schools when opportunity offered, the broader 
education which is his has been gained in the school of practical experience. 
As a youth he began working in a sawmill and for three years continued Ms asso- 
ciation with lumbering operations in the forests of his native state. Thereafter 
he was for some time employed in a flour mill and was an ambitious young man 
of twenty-seven years when he initiated his pioneer experience in Hamilton county, 
Nebraska. In Wisconsin he purchased two yoke of oxen and with these plodding 
animals and a wagon he transported his small stock of household effects to Nebraska, 
the Journey having been one of several weeks' duration. Upon his arrival he 
purchased one hundred and twenty acres of railroad land, at the rate of five dol- 
lars per acre, and it is this original tract which still represents his home. Here 
he began breaking the raw prairie sod and making his land available for cultivation, 
his ox teams coming into requisition in this preliminary work. A little sod house 
of one room was the first habitation on the new farm and in supplying the home 
larder Mr. Shafer drew liberally from the many prairie chickens and wild geese 
and ducks that were here in evidence in the early days. His earnest labors were 
virtually set at naught in the lean years of drought, and in 1881 a superabundance 
of rain wrought almost equal disaster to the growing crops. He did not escape 
the further adversity incurred in the visitation of grasshoppers, but with faith 
and confidence he persisted in his work, with the result that the hardships paled into 
insignificance in comparison with his increasing prosperity, shown today in his 




MR. AND JIES. JOHN A. SHAFEE 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 159 

o^\iiership of a large and valuable farm property, upon which he has erected 
modern buildings and made other excellent improvements. He planted a grove 
of trees on his original farm but this died out, as did also the second which he 
planted. His characteristic determination not to be bafQed by failure was shown 
in his planting of a third grove £md this has reached vigorous maturity. Mr. 
Shafer has brought to bear progressive policies in all departments of his farm 
enterprise and in the raising of live stocTi has given special attention to the raising 
of hogs. 

The maiden name of Mr. Shafer's wife was Caroline Goodweiler and she 
proved his faithful and valued helpmeet in the pioneer experiences they shared in 
Nebraska, where the supreme loss and bereavement of his life came when this 
loved companion was summoned to eternal rest in the year of 1913. They became 
the parents of nine children: Clara remains at home; Otto L. is a successful 
farmer in Scoville precinct; May is the wife of Albert G. Rupp, and they reside 
in the state of North Dakota; Gertrude is at home; Paul resides in the village of 
Giltner, this county; Albert met a tragic death in 1907, having fallen from a 
cornerib and broken his neck; Frank is associated with the activities of the home 
farm; Margaret is a successful teacher in the rural schools of Hamilton county; 
and Josephine is the youngest member of the home circle. 

Mr. Shafer has been loyal in supporting enterprises which have tended to con- 
serve the community welfare and has served nearly thirty years as director of 
his school district. He and his family are communicants of the Catholic church 
and his political allegiance is given to the republican party in a national way, 
but he is liberal in his views locally. 



EDWARD P. GRIESS 



Since 1914 Edward P. Griess has served as postmaster of Sutton. He is a 
native son of Clay county, having been born six miles north of Sutton on the 
30th of June, 1879, a son of Peter H. and Sophia (Grosshans) Griess, further 
mention of whom is made in a sketch of H. C. Griess to be found on another page 
of this work. 

Edward P. Griess is indebted to the schools of Sutton for his education and 
there started out into the business world as extra helper ut the depot, for the wage 
of fifteen dollars per month. His father had suffered a severe financial loss and 
it was because of this misfortune that Mr. Griess was thrown upon his own re- 
sources at such an early age. His next occupation was that of clerk in a drug 
store in which connection he remained for one and one-half years and he then 
became a clerk in the drug store of Carl Spielman in Sutton. Subsequently he 
removed to Eldorado, Nebraska, and there engaged in the general mercantile 
business, remaining in that connection for a period of one year and then returned 
to Sutton. He met with an accident there which resulted in a broken foot and 
invalided him for a year. When he was again able to get around he became a 
bookkeeper for his brother in the Union State Bank at Harvard and held that 
position until 1914, when he was appointed postmaster of Sutton. 



160 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

On the 10th of March, 1903, Mr. Cxriess was married to Miss Trances Laura 
Krieg, a native of Geneva, Nebraska, and a daughter of an old homesteader in 
Fillmore county. Two children have been born to their imion : Florence M., 
who is sixteen years of age and is attending school; and Eobert Edward, nine 
years of age. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Griess the right of franchise he has been a 
stanch supporter of the democratic party, being a firm believer in the principles 
of that party as factors in good government. The religious faith of the family 
is that of the Congregational church and fraternally Mr. Griess is a member of 
the Eoyal Highlanders. He is recognized throughout the community as a rep- 
resentative citizen and devotes his entire time to his duties as postmaster. 



GEORGE L. BUER 



George L. Burr, president of the Burr Publishing Company, is well known 
in journalistic circles in Nebraska and since 1890 has been owner and editor 
of tlie Hamilton County Eegister. This, however, does not constitute his actual 
experience in the newspaper field, for he had previously owned and edited other 
papers, bringing him a wide acquaintance in this character throughout the state. 
A native of Iowa, he was born in Mt. Pleasant, July 12, 1859, a son of Edwin M. 
and Margaret Jeanette (Chandler) Burr, both of whom were natives of Ohio, 
the former bom in 1836 and the latter in 1837. They had a family of four 
children, of whom George L. Burr is the eldest. He was a lad of but six years 
when in 1865 the family removed to Missouri, and in 1872 went to Kansas. The 
father was an attorney, devoting his life to law practice with creditable success. 
During the Civil war he served for three years and eight months with the Third 
Ohio Cavalry. 

George L. Burr pursued his education in the high school at Keytesville, 
Missouri, and in normal schools of western Kansas, and then took up the pro- 
fession of teaching, which he followed in Kansas for six years, becoming super- 
intendent of schools at Gaylord and Smith Center, Kansas. Later, however, he 
turned his attention to newspaper interests and became owner and editor of the 
Smith County Record, published in Smith Center, Kansas. Eemoving to Eiver- 
ton, Nebraska, he there published the Entorprise and afterward the Lawrence 
Locomotive of Lawrence, Nebraska. He afterward became editor and owner of 
the Curtis-Courier, the Stratton Herald, Bloomington Echo and the Hamilton 
County Register, of Nebraska publication. He was likewise owner of the Blue 
Hill Winner and Blue Hill Times before removing to Aurora in 1890. In 
that year he became owner of the Hamilton County Register, which he has since 
published and of which he has always been editor. The paper has an excellent 
circulation, making a good advertising medium. Its editorials are clear and 
concise and are widely read. While Mr. Burr was originally a republican, he 
later became independent in politics and since 1900 has published the Register 
as an independent paper. For six years he filled the office of secretary to Congress- 
man W. L. Stark, but since 1900 has devoted liis attention exclusively to newspaper 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 161 

work, his only political activity being the discussion of vital questions and issues 
through the columns of his paper. 

On the 12th of July, 1880, Mr. Burr was married to Miss Hattie S. Bonnette 
of Kansas, and they have become parents of four sons, Albert L., Fred, George 
L., and Edwin M. The first named now conducts the Register. The second son 
is vice president and general manager of the Giltner State Bank. George L. is 
a graduate of Nebraska State University and his younger brother also completed 
a course there. They are now engaged in the publication of the Alliance Herald 
of Alliance, Nebraska, which they own and edit. Both were soldiers of the late war, 
George L. serving in the navy, while Edwin M. became captain of Company C, 
Three Hundred and Thirteenth Ammunition Train, Eighty-eighth Division. 

Mr. Burr is identified fraternally with the Woodmen and Highlanders and 
both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and they enjoy the 
regard of all who know them. 



J. H. ELLER 



J. H. Eller is not only a leading merchant of Clay Center but is actively con- 
nected with commercial pursuits in various towns of Nebraska and a spirit of 
enterprise and progress has not only brought to him substantial success but has 
made him a factor in the upbuilding and progress of the various localities in which 
his interests are located. The recognition of his service as an element in the 
advancement of the state makes it imperative that his life history be given in this 
volume. He was born in Wapello county, Iowa, August 27, 1861, a son of Harvey 
and Mary^ C. (Vannoy) Eller, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, where 
they were reared and married, removing to Iowa in 1852. The father purchased a 
farm there and both remained residents of the Hawkeye state until called to their 
final rest. They had a family of fifteen children, of whom ten are living. 

J. H. Eller, who was the twelfth in order of birth and is the only one now in 
Clay county, received his early educational training in the district schools of Iowa 
and spent his youth on the home farm, his experiences being those that usually fall 
to the farm bred boy. He arrived in Clay Center in 1883, when a yoimg man of 
about twenty-two years. His financial resources were very limited at that time and 
during the first year of his residence here he rented land. During the following 
year, 1884, be engaged in the hardware business as partner in a store and they 
likewise handled agricultural implements and farm machinery on commission. 
Mr. Eller also owned a team and did some hauling. As the years passed he made 
some progress, ever improving the opportunities that came his way, and in 1894 he 
embarked in the grocery business, although borrowing seven hundred dollars to 
make the venture. The new undertaking prospered and he later extended the 
scope of his business by establishing other departments until he now has a large 
double store building full of general merchandise of all kinds. He is likewise 
associated with others in the ownership of a store at Geneva, at Exeter, at Friend 
and at Beaver Crossing, Nebraska, the business interests being carried on under the 



162 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

name of J. H. Eller iSr Conn-tnnv. Each of these stores is under the direction of a 
manager and Mr. Eller himself manages the business at Clay Center. He has one 
of the largest stocks of merchandise carried in the county and his Clay Center store 
would be a credit to a city of much larger size. Enterprise, diligence, close applica- 
tion and indefatigable energy have been the salient features in his growing 
success. 

In 1888 Mr. Eller was married to Miss Bertha Athey, a native of Missouri, 
while her parents, Martin V. and Mary (Bailey) Athey, were both born in Ohio. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Eller were born five children : Merle, who married C. EoUins, who 
is in business with Mr. Eller ; Mabel, the wife of J. G. Jessup, who makes his home 
in California and is a landowner of Kansas, but is filling the position of rural mail 
carrier on the Pacific coast; Florence, the wife of E. E. Cowan, a real estate and 
insurance agent at Lincoln, Nebraska ; Francis, who is attending business college in 
Lincoln ; and Eaymond, who is in the aviation department of the regular army at 
San Antonio, Texas. Mrs. Eller passed away January 25, 1914, in the faith of the 
Congregational church, of which she was a consistent member. Her many sterling 
qualities won her the love and friendship of all with whom she came into contact. 
Mr. Eller also belongs to the Congregational church and fraternally is a Mason, 
having served for three terms as master of his lodge. He is likewise a member of 
the Order of the Eastern Star, as was Mrs. Eller, and his daughters also belong. 
Politically Mr. Eller is a republican and has served on the town board and on the 
school board, being secretary of the latter and chairman of the town board. He 
is interested in all that pertains to public progress and cooperates in all movements 
for the benefit of the community and the upbuilding of the state.. Energy and enter- 
prise have at all times characterized his business career and he is today one of the 
successful men of Clay county, but the most envious cannot grudge him his suc- 
cess, so worthily has it been won and so wisely used. 



LEWIS H. HANSEN 



Since 1882 Lewis H. Hansen has engaged in general farming, stock raising and 
feeding in Hamilton county, Nebraska. He has achieved a substantial amount of 
success along this line and is regarded as one of the representative agriculturists of 
the community, his farm being in section 30, Valley township. 

A native of Denmark, his birth occurred in that country, November 25, 1853, 
and at an early age, in 1869, he with his father and three brothers and two sisters, 
came to the 'United States. One brother, Hans, is in Aurora and a sister. Minnie, 
is residing in Chicago. Upon arriving in this country Mr. Hansen and his father 
settled in Illinois, one hundred miles south of Chicago in Vermilion county, and 
there the father purchased eighty acres of land and started farming. Many hard- 
ships had to be endured in order to get the land upon a paying basis and as the 
father was too old to do much work almost the entire responsibility fell upon the 
shoulders of Lewis H. Hansen. For thirteen years they resided in Illinois, in that 
time achieving a siibstantial amount of success, but in 1882 they removed to 
Nebraska, bringing with them a car of mixed stock and some tools. Before remov- 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 163, 

ing to this state they disposed of their eighty acres of Illinois land and bought one 
hundred and sixty acres in Hamilton county. The only improvements on this 
land were two small houses, one of sod and the other, frame. Eats were the 
greatest nuisance and the sod house while it was a very good dwelling in fair 
weather, proved to be a veritable sieve during the rainy seasons. In 1883 
Mr. Hansen built a new home which was modern and up to date in every way for 
that period and made this his home until 1912, when he erected his present resi- 
dence, one of the finest in this section of the county. The father of Mr. Hansen 
made his home with him until May, 1894, when his death occurred at the age of 
seventy-seven years. Mr. Hansen's farm now consists of eight hundred acres, on 
which stand four sets of buildings. He has always engaged in general farming, 
stock raising and feeding and along these lines has won a gratifying amount of 
success. 

On the 29th of May, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hansen and Miss Maria 
Frank, a daughter of Andrew and Anne Frank. She removed to Nebraska with her 
parents in the same year that her husband arrived here. To them ten children have 
been born: Bemhart; Thyra; Walter; Agnes; Harold; George; Eeynor; Warner; 
Yrssa ; and Herluf. Herluf and Harold saw active service during the World war, 
going across to France. George was also in the service, but did not go overseas. 

Mr. Hansen is a stanch supporter of the republican party, in the interests of 
which he takes an active part. His religious faith is that of the Danish Lutheran 
church and he was one of the men influential in the building of that church at 
Kronborg. As a prominent farmer and the father of a large family Mr. Hansen 
has always taken an active part in the civic affairs of the community, his support 
always being relied upon to further any movement for the improvement and 
development of the county. He was a member of the school board for a few years. 
The success which Mr. Hansen now enjoys is the result of his own diligence and 
industry and he still prefers to devote his time and attention to the improvement 
and cultivation of his land. His prosperity has been rapid and sure and founded 
upon an expert knowledge of the value of land and the methods of its scientific 
cultivation. 



DAVID E. SEIVEE 



David E. Seiver, who passed away on the 6th of December, 1917, at the age 
of sixty-seven years, had long been a valued and honored resident of Hamilton 
county. While a progressive, enterprising and successful business man, the at- 
tainment of prosperity never constituted the whole end and aim of his life. On 
the contrary he recognized and fully met his duties and obligations in every rela- 
tion and was keenly interested in the educational and moral development of the 
community in which he made his home, his labors and influence proving a potent 
force for good in Hamilton county. 

Mr. Seiver was bom in New Hampden, Highland county, Virginia, in 1850, 
a son of James and Martha ( SuUenberger) Seiver, who were also natives of the 



164 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Old Dominion. The father was a successful tailor and prominent citizen of High- 
land county, and both he and his wife passed away in the state of their nativity. 
To them were born nine children, five daughters and four sons: John, Maggie 
and Susan, all of whom have passed away ; Samuel, who is residing in Salina, 
Kansas; Mrs. Lucy Kexroad, who makes her home in Oklahoma; Mrs. Emma J. 
Mauzy, of New Hampden, Virginia; Mrs. Abbie Brown, of San Bernardino, 
California; James, who located in Plattsmouth for some time, but is now living 
in Perkins county; and David E. 

The last named acquired his education in the common schools of Virginia and 
after his marriage, in 1867, went to Kansas, where he acquired a homestead of 
eighty acres. He had sod buildings on his place and when he took possession the 
land was unbroken and uncultivated. In 1880, after the death of his wife, he dis- 
posed of his homestead and came to Nebraska. During 1881 he cultivated land 
in the vicinity of Plattsmouth and afterward was associated with C. H. Parmele 
of Plattsmouth in the buying of grain and live stock. He afterward removed to 
Cedar Creek, where he continued in the same business until 1892, at which time he 
took up his abode in Marquette, Hamilton county, and there purchased land in 
partnership with Mr. Parmele and W. H. Newell. Their purchase consisted of 
thirteen hundred acres of ranch land three miles northwest of the town and the 
home place at the south edge of town, on which Mr. Seiver lived until his death, 
making his home on that place in order to be near a good school that his children 
might enjoy the advantages thereof. Although he raised and developed a high 
type of pure bred Hereford cattle, in which occupation he took much interest 
and pride, he was more concerned with the educational and moral development 
of his children than he was in raising cattle and making money. Mr. Seiver and 
his wife possessed a remarkable influence over their children and through their 
efforts and sacrifice all were enabled to secure a high school and college education 
and are now active members of the Methodist church, taking a helpful interest in 
progressive movements of their community and county. , 

Mr. Seiver was twice married. In Virginia, in 1867, he wedded Clara Fleisher, 
wliose death occurred in 1880 and who was the mother of three children: Gertrude, 
who passed away in January, 1920; Guy, now a plumber of Broken Bow, Nebraska; 
and Claudia, who is the wife of G. W. Parr, of Miles City, Montana, where 
he is successfully engaged in the practice of law. In 1883 Mr. Seiver was united 
in marriage to Miss Anna Louisa Shryock, a native of Stephens City, Virginia, 
born October 1, 1853, and a daughter of Thomas William and Rachel A. (Meyers) 
Shryock. Mrs. Seiver completed her education in the Plattsmouth high school and 
afterward successfully engaged in teaching prior to her marriage. It was on 
the 15th of March, 1883, at Weeping Water, Nebraska, that she became the wife 
of David E. Seiver and to them were born six children : Anna Kathryn, who is 
now the widow of Ira Shaneyfelt of Marquette; Thomas W., who married Florence 
V. Karr and is now engaged in farming in Hamilton county; Clara Louise, who 
is the wife of Dr. J. C. Malster, a physician of Stromsburg, Nebraska; William 
Shryock, who married Dora M. Johnson of North Loup, Nebraska, and is engaged 
in farming near Marquette; David Edwin, who married Velma Flower of Hebron, 
Nebraska, and is now cultivating the home place and also assisting on the ranch; 
and Bertie D., who lives at Marquette with the mother. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 165 

Throughout his entire life Mr. Seiver was a stanch supporter of the democratic 
party, in the activities of which he took a keen interest. Fraternally he was 
identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen and loyally at all times supported the beneficent purpose underlying 
these organizations. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, of which Mrs. Seiver is a most consistent and helpful member. The life 
record of David E. Seiver is one worthy of high commendation. Starting out 
empty-handed he steadily worked his way upward to a position of prominence in 
the county as the result of his diligence, perseverance and energy. Moreover, he 
stood loyally in support of all the plans and measures for the public good, his aid 
and influence being on the side of progress, reform, right and truth. Mrs. Seiver 
shared with him in all the high ideals which governed his life and is most highly 
esteemed in the community where she and her family reside. 



BENJAMIN F. MAPES 



Benjamin F. Mapes is now living in well earned retirement and prosperity 
in the village of Phillips, Hamilton county, a representative pione«r citizen who 
here contributed in generous measure to the early civic and industrial development 
of the county and who has ever stood an exponent of loyal and appreciative citizen- 
ship in the state of his adoption. 

Mr. Mapes was born at St. Joseph, Illinois, in the year 18-57, and is a son 
of Daniel and Elizabeth (Swearingen) Mapes, the former a native of the state 
of New York and the latter of Illinois. Daniel Mapes was a child of two 
years when his parents became pioneer settlers in a timber and prairie district 
of Illinois, where his father reclaimed and developed a productive farm, both 
he and his wife having there passed the remainder of their lives. Daniel Mapes 
was reare<l and educated in Illinois and eventually became one of the substantial 
farmers and representative citizens of Champaign county, that state, where both 
he and his wife remained until the close of their lives. Of their children seven 
are living : John, a resident of Indiana ; Henry, living retired at Phillips, Nebraska ; 
Benjamin F., of this review, the next younger; Thomas, who lives in Illinois, as 
do also Samuel M. and Charles ; and Ethel, who resides in the state of Indiana. 

The district schools of his native state gave to Benjamin F. Mapes his youthful 
education and in the meantime he aided in the work of the home farm. He worked 
as a farm employe in Illinois for a number of years and it was his determined ambi- 
tion to -win for himself independence and definite prosperity that he decided to cast 
in his lot with the sturdy pioneers of Hamilton county, Nebraska, where he has 
not been denied a due reward and where he has prospered with the general advance- 
ment of this now favored section of the state. 

In 1878, with team and wagon, Mr. Mapes left his native state of Illinois 
and set out on the 15th of September for Hamilton county, Nebraska. At 
Burlington, Iowa, he ferried across the Mississippi river and a ferry-boat at 
Nebraska City transferred him and his equipment across the Missouri river. 
He arrived in Hamilton county on the 30th of October and here leased eighty 



166 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

acres of school land, on which he and liis brother erected a small frame house 
as their pioneer habitation. The lumber for this building was hauled from Grand 
Island, as were also all provisions required in the new home, as there were no 
roads at that time and wild game being plentiful the somewhat irregular trips 
across the prairies were not without their attractive and interesting features. 
In the early days the brother assumed charge of development work on the land, 
while the subject of this sketch worked out as a farm hand in order to provide 
funds for continuing operations. With the passing years his success as a farmer 
increased and he was enabled to buy land from time to time until he became the 
owner of a well improved farm property of two hundred acres, which he still re- 
tains in his possession and which is one of the valuable landed estates of Phillips 
township. In addition to erecting good buildings on his homestead and bringing 
the place to a high standard along agricultural and live stock lines, Mr. Mapes 
further manifested his good judgment by planting and developing a large orchard, 
besides setting out other trees on the farm. He did not escape the hardships and 
reverses that marked the pioneer days and even as late as 1894 crops in this 
section failed. In 1910 the house on his farm was destroyed by fire, but it was 
soon replaced with the present modern dwelling that adorns the place. He remained 
on the farm in active supervision of its operations until March, 1920, when he re- 
moved to Phillips, where he and his wife have an attractive home and are enjoying 
the gracious rewards of former years of earnest toil and endeavor. 

In 1885, in Hamilton county, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Mapes to 
Miss Louise Eeinhard, who was born in the state of Wisconsin and she proved to 
him a true helpmeet in his progressive career as a farmer. Of their children the 
eldest is Annabelle, who is the wife of Charles Dettamore George of Phillips ; Frank 
has the active management of his father's farm ; Irvin is an expressman in the city 
of Omaha; Cora is the wife of August Katchkau, who conducts an automobile 
garage at Phillips ; Mary, who became the wife of Otto Sharnow, is deceased ; 
Clara is the wife of Frederick Shonenberg, a farmer in Hamilton county; Edward 
is a prosperous farmer near Grant, Perkins county, this state; Ethel is the wife of 
Dewey Channey of Hamilton county; and Lester is at home with his parents. 

Mr. Mapes is aligned in the ranks of the democratic party, is aiTiliated with the 
Knights of the Maccabees and he and his wife are active members of the Presbyterian 
church in their home village. 



JAMES CAMERON 



The character of the late James Cameron was the positive expression of a strong 
and noble nature and he played well his part in all relations of life. Thus special 
interest attaches to his constructive career as one of the sterling pioneers of Hamil- 
ton county, Nebraska, where he lived and labored to goodly ends and where he 
died on the 5th of July, 1901, aged fifty-nine years, one month and twenty-eight 
days. 

Mr. Cameron was born in Perthshire, Scotland, and there received his youthful 
education. He was seventeen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their 




MR. AND MRS. JAMES CAMERON 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 169 

immigration to the United States and his father, James Cameron, established the 
family home in Wisconsin, where he became the owner of a farm of eighty acres 
and proved successful as an agriculturist, though his vocation in Scotland had been 
that of cabinet-maker. He continued to reside in the Badger state until his death. 
His wife died in Scotland. 

In Wisconsin James Cameron, of this review, early found employment at farm 
work and after his marriage in 1864 he engaged in independent operations on his 
father's old home farm. The maiden name of his wife was Ann Adie Cumming and 
she also was born in Scotland. She was but fourteen months old when her parents 
set sail for the United States, and nine weeks passed ere the old-time sailing vessel 
completed the voyage across the Atlantic, about the same period of time having 
been consumed by the Cameron family in making a similar voyage. The parents 
of Mrs. Cameron established their home on a pioneer farm in Wisconsin, where 
they passed the remainder of their lives. 

In 1867 James Cameron and his young wife set forth from Wisconsin with 
team and covered wagon and made their way to Nebraska, which state was admitted 
to the Union in that year. They brought with them a cow and while ferrying 
across the Missouri river, at Nebraska City, this demure animal manifested her 
independence by jumping off the ferry-boat and swimming to the opposite shore 
in advance of the boat. The trip from Wisconsin to Nebraska was completed in 
one month and seven days and upon arrival in Hamilton county Mr. Cameron 
obtained a homestead of eighty acres, in what is Orville precinct. The wagon 
cover was the family habitation until it was possible to complete a pioneer dugout 
and after occupying this primitive dwelling three years Mr. Cameron built on his 
farm a log house having a dirt roof and dirt floor for the first four years, lumber 
having then been hauled from Lincoln to supply more fitting equipment in these 
particulars. In the early days Mr. Cameron obtained his mail from Camden, 
Seward county, and in view of the free mail delivery service in the rural districts 
of the same section at the present time, it is significant to recall that Mr. Cameron 
considered himself fortunate if he could obtain mail about twice a year in the 
early pioneer era. Camden was the nearest milling point, produce from the farm 
was hauled by team and wagon to Nebraska City, and Indians frequently traversed 
Hamilton county on their hunting trips, one visitation of this kind having resulted 
in the redskins appropriating all of the hosiery of the Camden family. Mr. 
Cameron killed many buffaloes, as well as deer and other wild game and thus did 
much to supply the family larder, his good wife drying portions of the meat for 
future use. After he began to prosper in his farm enterprise Mr. Cameron pur- 
chased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land and eventually became the 
owner of a fine farm property of four hundred acres, which he retained until his 
death and which he developed into a high state of productiveness. He planted 
forest trees around the home, eventually erected a substantial and commodious 
house and other good buildings and also developed an excellent orchard, the first 
one which he set out having failed to produce, as the trees died out after a 
devastating visitation of grasshoppers. In the great blizzard of 1873 the Cameron 
family was snowbound three days, though the home was considerably sheltered by 
trees along the river, which trees supplied the greater part of the winter fuel. 
Mr. Cameron lived to see his efforts rewarded with generous prosperity and he 



170 HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

remained on the old homestead until his death, his venerable widow being now 
a resident of the village of Stockham and one of the revered pioneer women of 
Hamilton county. She is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church, as was 
also her husband, and they were charter members of the first church of this denomi- 
nation organized in Hamilton county, the organization having been effected in one 
of the pioneer dugout houses. Mr. Cameron was a man of superior mentality 
and strong convictions, was a Master Mason, and in politics was a stanch republican. 
Of the fourteen children ten survive the honored father: Thomas S., in the 
employ of the street railway company of Sioux City, Iowa; Jessie M., the wife of 
George Fralick of Whichita, Kansas; James E. and William H., who reside at 
Stockham, Hamilton county; George F., who has active charge of the old home 
farm; Robert A.; Mary E., the wife of David Eowe of Fremont, Nebraska; Annie 
Laura, the wife of Elmer Chorn of Boise, Idaho; Fred B., who resides at Sutton, 
Nebraska; and AValter, a farmer in York county, this state. Annie E. and Marian 
E. died young; and two children died in infancy. 



NATHAN W. TITMAN 



In the passing of Nathan W. Titman Aurora and Hamilton county lost a 
pioneer and representative citizen. A native of New Jersey, he was born in Sussex 
county in 1853, reared on a farm in that county and received his education in 
the country schools. 

In 1878 Mr. Titman removed from New Jersey to Iowa where he obtained em- 
ployment on farms and his wife assisted him in every way. She did the cooking 
and took care of the home of a neighbor farmer who was a bachelor. In the fall 
his wife helped him husk eighty acres of corn and from their labor Mr. Titman 
realized enough to purchase a team of colts, a wagon and a harness. In February, 
1879, Mr. Titman with his wife and three children started overland in a covered 
wagon for Nebraska. The journey proved to be long and tedious, the weather was 
very cold and the muddy roads made the traveling very slow. Water was scarce, 
for that was one of the drought years and most of the wells were dry. They finally, 
however, reached Hamilton county and Mr. Titman rented a farm in Orville 
precinct that year. In the same summer he went further west and took up a 
homestead and timber claim in Red Willow county and went to work to dig 
wells. He lost two horses that year, one from a rattlesnake bite and the other 
from colic, and with but forty dollars to his name Mr. Titman purchased a wild 
pony and returned to his home in Orville precinct. Subsequently he traded the 
pony for an ox team and hauled his grain to Harvard, where he found a ready 
market. He rented land for some years and had a hard time. His wife proved 
to be a helpmeet in every sense of the word and it was with her cooperation that 
they were able to purchase eighty acres of railroad land at six dollars an acre. 
They put up a sod house on this land and were so successful in farming that they 
soon added an additional one hundred and sixty acres, making a total of two 
hundred and forty acres of land which he brought to a high state of cultivation. 
Mr. and Mrs. Titman resided on tlie farm until 1905 when they removed to Aurora, 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 171 

where he purchased five acres of ground and erected a fine home. His death oc- 
curred there on the 27th of July, 1907, and came as a severe shock to his many 
friends in the community. Mrs. Titman is still living and makes her home in 
Aurora, where she is a respected and prominent citizen. 

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Titman six children were born: Charles H., 
at home; Emma, who is the wife of Fred Eckerson; Sanford, whose death oc- 
curred at the age of thirty-three years ; Mary, who was the wife of Thomas Milliken 
and passed away in 1919; George, who is residing in Garden county; and Orville 
W., living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Throughout his entire life Mr. Titman was a democrat, having firm belief in 
the principles of that party as factors in good government. Mrs. Titman is also 
a stanch supporter of that party. Mr. Titman attended the United Brethren church 
and his widow is a member of that church. His fraternal affiliations were with 
the Woodmen. He was a member of the school board for years and was always 
active in any movement for the development and improvement of the community. 
The life of Mr. Titman was spent in diligence and industry. He was a self-made 
man in every sense of the word, for his success was due to his own efforts and to 
the cooperation of his wife. In his passing Aurora lost a prominent and representa- 
tive citizen and he has left a void in the communitv that will be hard to fill. 



A. C. EPPERSON 



A. C. Epperson, engaged in law practice at Clay Center, where his ability ranks 
him with the leading attorneys, was born in McDouough county, Illinois, November 
18, 1870, his parents being John L. and Sarah (Rine) Epperson, the former a 
native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, while the latter was born in Franklin 
county, Pennsylvania. In early life the father became a resident of Illinois and 
devoted his early manhood to teaching school. He afterward became a station 
agent and telegraph operator and devoted his time and energy to work of that 
character from 1870 until 1880. In the latter year he removed to Clay county, 
Nebraska, settling on a farm, but took up the practice of law when well advanced' 
in years. He practiced at Fairfield and at Clay Center, and in 1888 was elected 
to the office of county attorney, filling that position for two years. At a subsequent 
period he was again elected and for a second term. Both he and his wife passed 
away in Clay county, where they were regarded as representative and valued 
citizens. They had a family of three children : Martha, the wife of George 
Gaumer, a retired farmer living in Scotts Bluff ; Charles H., a prominent member 
of the bar at Fairfield; and A. C, of this review. Both parents were faithful 
members of the Christian church and Mr. Epperson also belonged to the Masonic 
fraternity, loyally follo\\dng the teachings of the craft. His political allegiance was 
given to the republican party. At the time of the Civil war he joined Company L 
of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, of which his brother, S. A. Epperson, was serving 
as captain and later was promoted to the rank of major. Mr. Epperson was with 
the army for more than a year and participated in the ])attle of Shiloh. 



172 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

It is always interesting to know something of the ancestral record of an indi- 
vidual, for much is indicated concerning the qualities that are displayed in later 
generations. The paternal grandfather of A. C. Epperson was James H. Epper- 
son, a native of Kentucky, who, removing to the west, resided in Clay county for a 
number of years and here passed away at the venerable age of eighty-seven, his 
death occurring on the 30th of September, 1898. The maternal grandfather of 
Mr. Epperson was Isaac Eine, a native of Pennsylvania, who went to Nebraska and 
finally took up his abode in Nuckolls county, where he departed this life. Pre- 
viously, however, he had made his way westward and in the early '80s became a 
resident of Saline county. 

A. C. Epperson was educated in the public schools and the law department of 
the State University and his life has been that of a busy and successful lawyer. For 
years he has now practiced law, devoting the greater part of his time to his pro- 
fessional duties, but has also become a director of the Citizens' Bank of Fairfield 
and is interested with Sydney W. Smith of Omaha in a large apple orchard in the 
state of Washington. 

In February, 1891, Mr. Epperson was united in marriage to Miss Blanche 
Haylett, a native of Adams county, Iowa, and a daughter of Jacob and Mattie 
(Ruble) Haylett, natives of England and of Iowa, respectively. The father was a 
blacksmith and farmer and served in the navy during the Civil war. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Epperson have been born three children: Charles H., who is a graduate of 
the State University and now a law partner of his father; Mildred, the wife of 
Doctor Gartrell, a practicing osteopath of Clay Center, Nebraska; and Kathryn, 
the wife of Evan Jenkins, a merchant of White City, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Epper- 
son belong to the Christian church and he has taken the degrees of the Masonic 
lodge and the fourteenth degre« of the Scottish Rite. He served as master of his 
lodge in Clay Center and was grand master of the state in 1918-19. He likewise 
belongs to the Knights of Pythias. His political endorsement has always been 
given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise 
and for eight years he served as county attorney of Clay county, and he was also a 
member of the supreme court commission of the state from 1906 until 1909. His 
has been a very active and \iseful life, one that is far-reaching and beneficial, for 
the results achieved are such as uphold the legal status of the community and 
further all that tends to higher standards in citizenship. 



JASPER F. COLE, D. D. S. 

Dr. Jasper F. Cole, successfully engaged in dental practice in Aurora, was born 
in Hamilton county, near this city, December 31, 1883, a son of Harvey and Nellie 
Jane (Mallory) Cole, both of whom were natives of Stephenson county, Illinois. In 
the acquirement of his education he passed through consecutive grades to the Aurora 
high school, from which he was graduated in 1903. He afterward attended the 
Doane College at Crete, Nebraska, for a year and then determining to make the 
practice of dentistry his life work, he spent two years in the dental college of the 
University of Iowa and was graduated from the LTniversity of Nebraska as a dental 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 173 

surgeon in 1909. In the same year he opened an office in Aurora where he has 
since continued in practice. His office is supplied with the latest dental equip- 
ment and appliances and he displays marked skill and ingenuity in performing 
the multitudinous delicate duties of dental practice. 

In 1906 Dr. Cole was married to Miss Ruth Erie Johnson, who was born at 
Crete, Nebi-aska, a daughter of Frank Johnson, a native of Iowa, who came to 
Crete and was a miller there for a number of years. To this marriage have been 
born three children : Maurice, thirteen years of age ; Norman, aged nine ; and 
Frank, five. Dr. Cole and his wife attend the Congregational church and he be- 
longs to the Masonic fraternity, having taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite 
and the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and of the Rotary Club and of the latter is now secretary. In politics he is 
a republican and in 1920 was an elector from the fourth congressional district. 
He is much interested in politics and recognizes the obligations and responsibilities 
as well as the opportunities and privileges of citzenship. He manifests a spirit of 
progress in all that he does and year by year is making advance in professional 
circles, while throughout the period of his connection with Aurora he has been 
accorded a liberal patronage. 



EDWIN CUTTS 



The present eflBcient and popular postmaster of the village of Giltner, Hamilton 
county, Edwin Cutts, has been a resident of this county since he was a lad of twelve 
years and is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of this now 
favored sections of Nebraska. He was born at Castle Rock, Grant county, Wisconsin, 
on the 5th of March, 1864, and is a son of George and Mary E. (Campbell) Cutts. 
He acquired his rudimentary education in the schools of the Badger state and was 
twelve years old when his parents settled in Hamilton county, Nebraska, in the 
autumn of 1876. His father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in 
section 34, Hamilton township, forty acres of the tract having been broken and a 
dugout house having been constructed on the place. It was on this pioneer farm, 
of which he is now the owner, that the postmaster of Giltner was reared to man- 
hood and in the meanwhile he profited fully by the advantages afforded in the rural 
schools of the locality. As a young man he assumed active management of the old 
home farm and after the death of his father purchased the property, which is now 
one of the admirably improved farms of the county, and his land holdings com- 
prise three hundred and twenty acres. Aside from his official duties he finds much 
satisfaction in giving a general supervision to his farm interests and in doing his 
part in maintaining the high agricultural and live stock standards of his home 
county. His father was one of the honored pioneer citizens of the county at the 
time of his death, when about eight-four years of age and the mother passed away 
at the age of eighty-one years. Of the children one half brother and a half 
sister are living. 

Edwin Cutts remained on his farm until 1913, when he removed to the village 
of Giltner and liere has held since 1913 the office of postmaster, in which his ad- 



174 HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

ministration has been effective and popular, and he is known as one of the most 
liberal and progressive citizens of this thriving little town. He is a stockholder 
in the Farmers Elevator Company at Giltner and is an active and valued member 
of the local Farmers Union. While residing on his farm Mr. Cutts served twenty 
years as a member of the school board of the district and at the present time is 
president of the board of education at Giltner. He is affiliated with the Masonic 
fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America. 

In 1886 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Cutts to Miss Maria B. Krabiel, 
a representative of another of the sterling pioneer families of Hamilton county, 
and their children are : Nettie, the wife of Oscar P. McDaniel, a prosperous farmer 
of Hamilton county; Elsie, the wife of William E. Rawlings, who has active charge 
of the old Cutts homestead farm ; Minnie, the wife of Chris. B. Erb of this county ; 
Georgia, who died in 1899 : and Edwin, who remains at home. 



MRS. LOUISA FENSTER 

Since 1871, Mrs. Louisa Fenster, widow of Frank Fenster, has made her 
home in York county, where she is residing, a beloved and respected citizen. A 
native of Missouri, she was born in St. Louis on the 28th of August, 1850. 

In 1869, while residing in Wisconsin, Mrs. Fenster, then Miss Louise Van 
Houseu, became the wife of Frank Fenster, a native of Germany. His birth 
occurred in that country on the 25th of September, 1843, and in I860, when about 
eighteen years of age, he came to the United States. He settled near Madison, 
Wisconsin, and there met and married his wife. In 1861, Mr. Fenster enlisted 
in the Union army, participated in the siege of Vicksburg, was with Sherman 
on his march to the sea and in 1865 received his honorable discharge. Returning 
to Wisconsin, he was married in 1869, and, in 1871, Mr. and Mrs. Fenster set 
out for York county, Nebraska. On arriving there, Mr. Fenster homesteaded one 
himdred and sixty acres. The trip to the west had been made overland in a 
covered wagon and the usual pioneer hardships were passed through. A period 
of eighteen days was required for the journey The first abode of the Feusters 
on their homestead was of sod, they living with neighbors until it could be built. 
Mr. Fenster had but one team, with the aid of which he set about to put his land 
into cultivation, breaking it himself. During their early life in the county they 
suffered many privations and white bi-ead was almost a luxury, corn bi-ead 
being its substitute ; their fuel was mostly corn stalks and twisted grass and their 
first callers were Indians, who would stop at the farm while on their fall and 
spring hunting trips and proved to be very friendly. The first trading was done at 
Lincoln, that town, Central City and Sutton then being the main trading posts. 
Two days were required in making the trip. Prairie fires were a great menace 
to the pioneers, and Mr. and Mrs. Fenster experienced several disasters, at one 
time losing everything but their sod home. The winters were very severe and the 
Easter storm of 1873 caused them considerable suffering. For three days they 
were completely snowed under and were compelled to burn the logs which formed 
a part of their sod dwelling. Thev had to u.se snow, water to drink and for 




FRAXK FENSTER 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 177 

making coffee. Although their path was strewn with many obstacles Mr. and 
Mrs. Fenster never lost heart, but each misfortune seemed only to spur them on 
to greater effort. Their land reached a high state of cultivation and some time 
before his death, Mr. Fenster was in possession of seven hundred and forty 
acres of fine farm land. He was known throughout the community as a success- 
ful and progressive farmer and as a man quick to grasp every opportunity 
within his reach. On the 15th of October, 1902, Mr. Fenster met with an acci- 
dent and as a result of internal injuries passed away on the 19th, just four days 
later. News of his death caused a feeling of widespread bereavement, for in his 
passing the community lost a valuable and representative citizen. For a quarter 
of a century he was a steward in the Lutheran church and was a generous con- 
tributor to all charitable affairs. 

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fenster eleven children were born : Tildie ; 
Charles ; Annie ; Augusta ; Dora ; Rhienart ; Herman ; Emil ; Richard, who 
passed away at the age of eight years; Frank, whose death occurred when but 
thirteen months old; and another child who passed away in infancy. Emil saw 
active service in the World war, being a member of Company D, Thirty-Fifth 
Division, Infantry, and was abroad for seven months. 

Mrs. Fenster is now residing in Hampton, where she has a nice home and as 
a result of their former years of diligence and industry is financially indepen- 
dent. 



WILLIAM STEPHENS 



William Stephens, who is now farming two hundred and forty acres in Eldorado 
township, in Clay county, is a native of Scotland, in which country his birth 
occurred on the 24th of December, 1863. His father was William Stephens, whose 
death occurred in Illinois. 

When but four years of age William Stephens came to the United States with 
his parents, who located at Paterson, New Jersey, for some time and subsequently 
removed to Illinois. There they engaged in farming and there William Stephens 
received his education, attending the country schools of the county. He went to 
school, however, but three months out of each year and spent the remainder of the 
time helping his father farm the home place. In 1880 he left the parental roof and 
went to Iowa, where he rented laud and engaged in farming for six years, at the 
end of which time he came west and located in Clay county. For two years he 
farmed rented land in that county and then bought one hundred and sLxty acres, 
one eighty in Hamilton county and the other eighty in Clay county. He lived on 
the land in Clay county, where he built a little shack house and shed stable and 
broke part of the land himself. He brought both farms to a high state of cultiva- 
tion and made many improvements on them. He has always engaged in general 
farming, stock raising and feeding and is widely recognized as an agriculturist of 
much ability. He experienced the hard,ships of those early times, losing his crops 
in the droughts of 1893 and 1894, but he was ever determined to success and as a 
result allowed no obstacle, however great, to remain long in his path. 

While residing in Iowa Mr. Stephens was united in marriage to Miss Bertha 



178 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Kichards, a native of Pottawattamie county, Iowa, aud her demise occurred in 
September, 1916. Nine children were born to their union: Florence; Edna; Esta; 
Grace; Hazel; James; Ruth, who is teaching in the district school; Clara; and Ida, 
who is deceased. 

Mr. Stephens gives his political allegiance to the republican party, in the 
interests of which he takes an active part. Fraternally he is identified with the 
Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen of 
Harvard. He is school moderator of school district No. 69 and likewise promi- 
nent in the civic affairs of the community. His wife was for many years preceding 
her death a consistent member of the Christian church. Mr. Stephens is now in 
possession of two hundred and forty acres of well improved land and in the culti- 
vation of this land is achieving more than a gratifying amount of success. 



DANIEL J. KRABIEL 



The boyhood memories of Daniel J. Krabiel, a substantial citizen and repre- 
sentative farmer of Hamilton county, touch the pioneer era in the history of this 
county and here he has so availed himself of opportunities as to achieve a high 
degree of success and prestige in connection with progressive farm industry. 

Mr. Krabiel was born in Woodford county, Illinois, on the 2.3d of December, 
1869, and is a sou of Daniel and Magdalena Schweitzer Krabiel, the formei' a native 
of Germany aud the latter of France, from which country her parents immigrated to 
the United States when she was ten years of age. Daniel Krabiel had been employed 
by the month at farm work in Ohio prior to his removal to Illinois, to which state 
he drove from Ohio with team and wagon. In Woodford county, Illinois, he became 
the owner of a farm of eighty acres and this property he sold when he determined 
to number himself among the pioneer settlers in Hamilton county, Nebraska. He 
came with his family to this county in 1883 and in Hamilton township as now 
constituted he purchased two hundred acres of land, on which had been erected a 
small frame house and barn. Only a minor part of the soil had been broken and 
prepared for cultivation, but he not only reclaimed and developed this tract but 
also added to the area of his farm property until he was the owner of three 
quarter sections in Hamilton county. He won substantial success as a farmer in 
this state and continued in possession of the farm property until his death in 1903 
at the age of sixty-nine years, his widow having passed away at the age of seventy 
years, in 1911, and both were earnest and consistent members of the Mennonite 
church. They were sterling folk and were held in high esteem in Hamilton county. 

Daniel ,T. Krabiel acoi'ired his rudimentary education in the schools of his 
native county and was a lad of thirteen years when he accompanied his parents from 
Illinois to Nebraska. In Hamilton county he attended the pioneer district schools 
during the winter terms when his services were not needed on the lionie farm and 
upon attaining to his lesral mainrity he initiated his independent activities as a 
farmer. After utilizing for some time land owned by his father he purchased eighty 
acres in Orville township and of his progressive success since that time no further 
voucher is required than the statement that lie is now the owner of a finely improved 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUXTIES 179 

farm estate of three luiiidred and twenty acres, devoted to diversified agriculture 
and to the raising of excellent types of live stock, especially red polled cattle and 
Duroc Jersey hogs, to which Mr. Krabiel has given marked attention during the 
past decade. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Grain & Livestock 
Company, is independent in politics, has served as school director of district No. 11, 
and has showm lively and helpful interest in those projects and enterprises that 
have been for the general good of his home community and county. 

On December 15, 1897, Mr Krabiel was united in marriage to Miss Matilda 
Engel, who likewise is a native of Illinois, and their only child, Glenn, remains 
with them on the home farm, in the activities of which he takes part. 



HAEVEY COLE 



With various important Inisiness interests that have contributed to the agri- 
cultural and financial development of Hamilton county Harvey Cole was closely 
associated and his position was that of a leading and influential citizen. He was 
born in Eock Eun township, Stephenson couuty, Illinois, January 21, 1850. His 
father, Wilson Cole, was of English descent but was of American birth. His mother, 
who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Wells, was born in England but came to 
the United States at the age of twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Cole became 
pioneer residents of Stephenson county, Illinois, and there they reared their family 
of seven sons, of whom Harvey was the fifth in order of-birth. Sidney, the eldest 
son, joined the Union army and died during the war, while Frank passed away 
soon afterward. The mother's death occurred in 1863. Three of the sons. Freeman, 
Darwin and Harvey, went to work on a farm during the summer months and at- 
tended school in the winter, while the two younger sons, Adelbert and David, re- 
mained at home under the care of a housekeeper, being not yet old enough to 
attend school. Freeman, Harvey, Adelbert and David afterward became pioneer 
settlers of Hamilton county. 

After completing his course in the district schools Harvey Cole attended Mount 
Morris College at Mount Morris, Illinois, and was there graduated with the class 
of 1871. The following winter he engaged in teaching school at Bock Eun and 
in April, 1872, came to this state, where he homesteaded on eighty acres of land 
four and a half miles southwest of Aurora. At the same time he purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of railroad land adjoining, for which he paid two dollars 
and fifty cents per acre. Through the two following years grasshoppers destroyed 
practically all of the crops and the early settlers were therefore involved in many 
hardships and trials. In 1875 Mr. Cole proved up on the homestead and returned 
to Illinois, where he again engaged in farming for two years, while the winter 
months were spent in teaching school. He then returned to Nebraska and bought 
another eighty acres, making his farm three hundred and twenty acres. At a 
subsequent period he purchased a quarter section two miles to the north and a half 
mile east of Aurora and thus became the owner of considerable valuable farm 
property. In the year 1883 he was elected county treasurer, to which office he 
was reelected in 1885. On first being called to the position he removed with his 



180 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

family to Aurora and purchased the okl home known as the Hellings place. From 
that time until his death he continued a resident of the county seat. In 1887 
he assisted in organizing the Aurora State Bank, of which he became cashier, 
continuing to fill that position until 1903, when he resigned and engaged in buying 
live stock until June, 1906. In the latter year he returned to the field of banking, 
becoming one of the directors and cashier of the Fidelity National Bank upon its 
organization and continuing to serve until forced to resign on account of ill health 
in 1909. He was also a member of the Farmers Telephone Association, the Aurora 
Building & Loan Association and the Aurora College Building. He cooperated 
in many plans and measures for the public good as well as for the promotion and 
upbuilding of his own fortunes and his worth as a man and citizen was widely 
acknowledged. 

At Rock Run, Illinois, in 1873, Mr. Cole was married to Miss Nellie Jane Mal- 
lory, the eldest daughter of Jasper and Elsie Mallory, of Rock Run. Her parents 
were early settlers of Illinois. Her father was born in Ohio and her mother in New 
York, but when quite young they became residents of the Prairie state. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Cole were born eight children, of whom two, Edwin and Roy, died in 
early infancy, while Jessie passed away at the age of twelve years. The five still 
living are: Arthur B., now of Lincoln, Nebraska, who married Rachel Isaman, 
daughter of one of the early settlers of Hamilton county; Carrie M., the wife 
of Dr. J. W. Dorwart, now of Seattle, Washington ; Jasper F., who is a practicing 
dentist of Aurora and who married Ruth Erie Johnson, daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Frank Johnson, of Aurora ; Josephine, the wife of Walter M. Boyd of Aurora ; 
and Viva, now at home. The family circle was again broken by the hand of death 
when on the 4th of April, 1910, Mr. Cole passed away and was laid to rest in the 
Aurora cemetery. Mrs. Cole was the donor of Cole Park in Aurora, a playground 
for children, the gift being made in memory of her husband. 

Mr. Cole was a member of Aurora Lodge, A. F. & A. M., also of the Royal 
Arch chapter, the Eastern Star and the Royal Highlanders. His political allegiance 
was always given to the republican party and in addition to filling the ofiice of 
county treasurer for two terms he served as a member of the board of education 
in Aurora during the early "90s and again from 1905 until 1910. The cause of the 
public schools always found in him a stalwart champion and he did everything in 
his power to promote education and improve the system of the public schools. He 
was keenly interested in everything that had to do with welfare and progress and 
his aid and influence were ever on the side of right, reform and improvement. 



A. EINER PETERSON 



A. Einer Peterson, one of the foremost merchants of Aurora, conducting a 
large general store which includes almost every line save groceries, has built up 
an extensive business through enterprise, determination and capability. He was 
born in Sweden, March 21, 1866, and acquired his education in the schools of 
that country, although he attended school to a limited extent after reaching the 
new world. He came alone to Hamilton county in 1883 and for two years after 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 181 

becoming a resident of Nebraska was employed in a store in Lincoln. It was 
then that he took up his abode in Aurora and here entered the employ of his brother, 
Aw G. Peteison, with whom he remained until 1888. In that year he purchased 
an interest in the business, continuing in the store until 1889 and in 1891 sold 
his interest. In 1893 he again entered into partnership with his brother but 
again sold out in 1911. He then established a store independently and now has 
one of the large mercantile interests of the city, carrying an extensive line of 
goods, so that his establishment ranks with the leading department stores of 
Hamilton county. He is thoroughly progressive in his methods and has ever 
recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. Moreover, 
his previous experience was broad and thorough and well qualified him for the 
care of his trade. 

In 1900 Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Adelaide Thomas who was born jn 
South Bend, Indiana, a daughter of A. N. Thomas, a pioneer of Aurora who was, 
engaged in the shoe trade and in the hotel business here for many years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Peterson have become parents of two children: Thomas A., who is now a 
student in Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois; and Adelaide, a pupil in the 
graded schools of Aurora. Mrs. Peterson is a member of the Christian church. 
Mr. Peterson is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and has taken 
the degrees of the Scottish Rite and Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the 
Knights of Pythias. His political endorsement is given to the republican party 
and for six years he served as a member of the city council, exercising his official 
prerogatives in support of all those plans and measures which feature in the public 
good. He and his family occupy an attractive home in Aurora and their position 
in social circles is an enviable one. Mr. Peterson is now devoting his entire atten- 
tion to his business and his store is one of the leading commercial enterprises of 
Aurora. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the 
new world, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought and in 
their utilization has worked his way steadily upward until he now ranks with the 
progressive and prosperous merchants of the city. 



LEWIS C. ANDERSON 



A sterling pioneer citizen whose activities in connection with the development 
of the agricultural resources of Hamilton county marked him as a constructive 
agent in furthering the civic and material progress of this section of Nebraska, is 
Lewis C. Anderson, now living virtually retired in a pleasant home at Marquette, 
and his character and achievement well entitle him to recognition in this historj'. 
He was born in Denmark, in the year 1855, and is a son of Andrew C. and Dora 
M. (Larsen) Larsen, who did not come to America until after their son Lewis 
C, of this review, had established his home in Nebraska. In his native land the 
father became a skilled artisan in the manufacturing of wooden shoes and he 
continued to follow his trade in Denmark until 1876, when he and his wife came 
to the United States and established their home in Hamilton county, Nebraska, 
where he purchased forty acres of government land and forty acres of school land. 

Vol. 11—12 



182 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

in Otis to\vTiship. His original habitation on this pioneer farm was a small sod 
house whicJi he provided with a board floor, an improvement that was lacking in 
many similar houses of the locality and period. The lumber used in this primitive 
domicile cost only thirteen dollars and was hauled by team from Central City. 
In the developing and improving of his land he set out a small orchard and also 
planted a number of forest trees. He reclaimed much of his land to cultivation 
and both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives in Hamilton county, 
where he died in 1895, at the age of si.xty-six years, and his wife lived to be seventy- 
eight years of age. Both were zealous communicants of the Danish Lutheran 
church. It is interesting to record that Mr. Larsen found ready demand for the 
wooden shoes which he manufactured after establishing his residence in Nebraska. 
Mr. and Mrs. Larsen became the parents of four children : Antamena, the eldest, 
still resides in Hamilton county, where her husband, the late J. P. Christenson, was 
a prosperous farmer; Lewis C, of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; 
Lena is the widow of Samuel Anderson, who was a farmer of Hamilton county; 
and Anton P. is a resident of Grand Island, Nebraska. 

Lewis C. Anderson is indebted to the schools of his native land for his early 
education, and there he served a five years' apprenticeship to the trade of car- 
penter. He received no pay for his services during this period, but the discipline 
was of enduring value, as he became a skilled artisan. He continued to work at 
his trade in Denmark until 1874, when he immigrated to the United States and 
came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, where he purchased eighty acres of railroad 
land. At a price of five dollars per acre he employed men to break the land of 
this embryonic farm and in the meantime added to his revenues by finding em- 
ployment at his trade in Grand Island, Hall county. As a builder he worked on 
the first schoolhouse in that now vital and progressive little city and continued 
to devote the greater part of his time to work at the carpenter's trade until 1876, 
when he established his residence on his farm. In that year he erected a small 
frame house on the place and from time to time purchased more land in the same 
part of Otis township. He has since sold the greater part of his land in Hamilton 
county, but is the owner of a valuable tract of one hundred and seventy acres in 
Merrick county. He. endured the trials and perplexities that fell to the lot of all 
the pioneer farmers of this locality and knows well the efficacy of corn and corn- 
stalks as fuel and the dubious pleasure of being compelled to grind wheat in a 
coffee mill when it proved impossible to take the grain to a mill on the Platte river, 
a number of miles distant. He continued his residence on his farm until 1915 
and in the meantime had developed it into one of the valuable landed propertie.? 
of Hamilton county. Upon leaving the farm he removed to Marquette, in which 
village he is now living retired, in full enjoyment of the prosperity that has crowned 
his many years of zealous toil and enterprise in connection with farm industry. 
Mr. Anderson is a loyal and appreciative citizen of his adopted county and state, 
is independent in politics and he and his wife are communicants of the Danish 
Lutheran church. 

The year 1887 recorded the marriage of Mr. Anderson to Miss Martena Chri.s- 
tensen, who was born in Denmark, a daughter of Peter and Johanna Christensen, 
who came to Hamilton county in 1872 and became pioneer settlers near the present 
village of Hampton, where Mr. Christensen took up a homestead and reclaimed 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 183 

a productive farm. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson became the parents of eleven children, 
of whom nine are living : Dora is the widow of Otto Fethersen, who was a farmer 
in Hamilton county; Edward F. is a farmer in Merrick county; Elmer F. and 
Andrew C. are vigorous exponents of farm enterprise in Hamilton county; Emma 
N. is the wife of Jeremiah Benson, a farmer of this county ; Louis P., Clara M., 
Scenne and Eudolph M. remain at home. One child died in infancy and Josephine 
died at the age of seven years. 



CLARENCE CASS 



Clarence Cass, operating extensively and successfully in the real estate field 
of Aurora and Hamilton county, was born in Oswego county. New York, October 
89, 1868, his parents being 0. W. and Mary Jane (Crippen) Cass, both of whom 
were natives of the Empire state where they resided until 1872. Attracted by the 
opportunities of the growing west they came to Nebraska, settling in Hamilton 
county where Mr. Cass secured a homestead claim which he still owns, having 
in the meantime converted it into a rich and valuable property. He is now living 
in California, but his wife passed away in 1889. They were the parents of five 
children, three of whom were bom in New York and two in Hamilton county. 
The three born in New York first opened their eyes to the light of day in the 
same house where had occurred the birth of their father, his six brothers and one 
sister. The children of Mr. and Mrs. 0. W. Cass are: Clarence; Melvin J., 
who is connected with his brother Clarence in business but is now at Long Beach, 
California, for his health ; H. D., a farmer living near Burwell, Nebraska ; 0. 
W., who carries on farming near Aurora ; and Florence, the wife of George Bowen, 
a druggist of Rainier, Oregon. The parents were members of the Baptist church 
with which Mr. Cass is still identified and fraternally he is connected with the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, while in political faith he is a democrat. 

Clarence Cass completed his education as a high school pupil in Aurora and 
through the period of his boyhood and youth, when not busy with the duties of the 
.schoolroom, his attention was largely given to the work of the home farm. He 
continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits until he attained his majority 
and then became connected with the dry goods trade as clerk in an Aurora store 
in which he was employed for five years. On the expiration of that period he 
turned his attention to the restaurant business and was active along that line for 
seventeen years, conducting a business of gratifying proportions. He dates his 
residence in Aurora from about 1891. In 1914 he purchased the real estate busi- 
ness of W. W. Shenberger and has since handled real estate, collections and in- 
surance. He has both farm and city property for rent and has negotiated many 
important realty transfers. With the thoroughness that has always characterized 
him he has acquainted himself with all property that is on the market and thor- 
oughly knows real estate values. He is also a stockholder in the First National 
Bank and the Farmers' State Bank and is the owner of land in Hamilton county. 

On the 10th of October, 1910, Mr. Cass was married to Miss Clara Pense, a 
native of Illinois, whose father was one of the pioneer residents of Clay county. 



184 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Nebraska, where he secured a homestead claim upon which he spent his remaining 
days. Mr. and Mrs. Cass have one child, Lawrence, now nine years of age. Mrs. 
Cass belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is a lady of many admirable 
qualities. Mr. Cass holds membership with the Masonic fraternity, with the High- 
landers and with the Modern Woodmen and his political endorsement is given 
to the republican party. He is interested in all that pertains to general progress 
and improvement in his community and his aid has been a tangible force in bringing 
about advancement and development along various lines. 



C. P. NELSON 



In former years C. P. Nelson was closely associated with agricultural interests 
in Hamilton county but is now living retired in Aurora. He has passed the 
seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey and it is fitting that in the evening 
of his day he should enjoy rest as a reward for his former industry and business 
activity. He was born in Sweden, March 18, 1845, and is a son of Nels Nelson 
and Catherina Peterson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, where they spent 
their entire lives, the father being a well-to-do farmer of that country. They belong 
to the Lutheran church and in that faith they reared their family of eight children, 
seven of whom are living, all of them residents of Sweden with the exception of 
C. P. of this review. 

In the school of his native country C. P. Nelson pursued his education, worked 
upon the farm in Sweden until 1871, when at the age of twenty-six years he crossed 
the Atlantic to the new world, attracted by the opportunities which he believed he 
could secure on this side of the water. He arrived in Hamilton county on the 
17th of August of that year and took up a homestead and also a preemption 
claim. For a number of months he had remained in Illinois, where he and another 
man purchased an old wagon and a horse apiece, making a team, and with this 
outfit started across the country to Nebraska. When they arrived they had a 
cash capital of but thirty dollars between them. They built a sod house, going in debt 
for some windows and lumber necessary to complete the dwelling. Their experiences 
were such as usually fell to the lot of pioneer settlers. Their meat was largely 
furnished by the game that they could kill and they made coffee out of parched 
corn. Mr. Nelson began working for a man at twenty-five cents per day and was 
thus employed for some time. He continued to live on the homestead and as the 
years passed was able to carry on the work of improvement. He built a frame 
house and added all necessary equipment for the development and cultivation of 
the farm, which in the course of years was converted into a productive place, so 
that he annually gathered golden harvests and thus year by year added to his 
financial resources. In 1916 he sold his homestead and removed to Aurora, where 
he has since lived. 

In 1875 Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Anna Sophia Swanson, who was 
born in Wisconsin, and they have become the parents of four children, three of 
whom are living: Clarence, who is employed in a real estate office in Chicago; 
Henry V., who is county clerk: and Arthur S., who is county superintendent of 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 187 

schools in Hamilton county. Mrs. Nelson passed away May 30, 1891, her death 
being deeply felt by many friends, as well as her immediate family, for she was 
a lady of many excellent traits of character which ejideared her to all who knew 
her. Mr. Nelson now occupies a beautiful home in Aurora at No. 918 Fifteenth 
street and is the owner of a large amount of land in Chase and Hitchcock counties, 
Nebraska, and in Weld county, Colorado. He also has another tract of three 
hundred and twenty acres in Western Nebraska and his holdings are the visible 
evidences of his life of well directed energy and thrift. Every dollar he possesses 
he has made through his own efforts and his life record should serve to inspire 
and encourage others, showing what can be accomplished through individual labor, 
intelligently directed. He is a member of the Swedish Mission church and his 
political allegiance is given to the republican party. He served as a member of the 
school board and also a member of the town board while on the farm for a number 
of years and at no time has he been neglectful of the duties of citizenship. On the 
contrary he has cooperated in all the improvements which tend to promote business 
progress and advance the welfare of this section of the state and his worth as a 
man and citizen is widely acknowledged. 



CHARLES F. MEYER 



Charles F. Meyer is one of the respected and influential citizens of Sutton, 
where he now resides in retirement from active business life. A native of Prussia 
he was born in that country February 3, 1847, a son of Charles F. and Pauline 
(Deubrich) Meyer, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was of Spanish 
descent. The father came to America in 1853 and resided in New York state for 
but a short time and then removed to Wisconsin in 1856. He was a shoemaker 
and tanner by trade and followed these occupations there wdth a great amount 
of success. His death occurred while residing in that state. Five children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Meyer, Charles F., our subject, being the only one living. Mr. 
Meyer was married three times and to his second marriage two children were born, 
both of whom are deceased. Throughout his life the father was a stanch democrat 
and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. 

Charles F. Meyer received his education in the public schools of Wisconsin 
and after putting his textbooks aside learned the shoemaker's trade, which he fol- 
lowed for some time. In 1864, at the age of seventeen years, he enlisted in Company 
B, Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and participated in many of the im- 
portant battles of the Civil war, among them the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi. 
After the close of the war he returned to Wisconsin, where he resumed his shoe- 
making business and in addition learned wagon and carriage painting, following 
this latter line of work for two years. In the fall of 1872 he came to Nebraska, 
locating in Sutton on the 17th of October, that year, at the time of his arrival 
the population of Sutton numbering but about fifty people. He followed his trade 
as a shoemaker in Sutton until 1881, when he w^as made deputy postmaster and 
served in that office from 1884 to 1888. At the termination of that office he en- 
gaged in the conduct of a general mercantile store, continuing in this business 



188 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

in which he realized a substantial amount of success until 1893, at which time he 
retired. 

In March, 1868, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage to Miss Rachael Honey, 
a native of Wisconsin and of Scotch parentage. Her father was one of the pioneer 
homesteaders of Fillmore county, having come to that county in 1870. To the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Meyer four children have been born : Frank, who is an electri- 
cian at Trenton, New Jersey; Viola J., who is teaching in the schools of Florence; 
Madge Evelyn, superintendent of the Milford Home; and Llora, who is filling 
a government position at Port Townsend, Oregon. 

Mr. Meyer has the distinction of having been the first town marshal of Sutton, 
elected to that office in 1878. Fraternally Mr. Meyer is identified with the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and he is a member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic. Mr. Meyer has for many years been one of the influential citizens of 
Clay county and a man who readily gives his assistance to the advancement of 
every enterprise seeking the further development and improvement of his county 
and state. He and his wife are now residing in a very comfortable home near 
the business district of Sutton. 



N. 0. DEINES 



N. 0. Deines, who is engaged in the conduct of a butchering business and 
grocery store in Clay Center, was born in Eussia, in November, 1877, a son of 
John and Lena (Schliker) Deines, both of whom were natives of Eussia, born 
in 1833. They came to Clay county, Nebraska, in 1878, when the father purchased 
land which he farmed for a time and then sold. On the expiration of that period 
he took up his abode in Clay Center, where both he and his wife passed away, 
his death occurring in September, 1896. In their family were twelve children, 
of whom eleven are living. 

N. 0. Deines is the third in order of birth in the family and all are living 
in Clay county with the exception of the eldest sister. The father gave his political 
endorsement to the republican party, voting in support of its men and measures, 
yet never seeking office. Both he and his wife Were members of the Congregational 
church and their w-ell-spent lives gained for them the respect and confidence of all 
who knew them. 

N. 0. Deines attended the Clay county schools, completing his studies in 
Clay Center. His first work was in connection with the butchering business, which 
he followed with his brother, William M., about thirty years ago. He afterward 
purchased the interest of his brother in the business and has conducted the store 
to the present time. He has also secured a line of groceries and ranks with the 
progressive merchants of the town, carrying an attractive stock of staple and fancy 
groceries and an excellent line of meats. He likewise owns land in Colorado and 
is truly a self-made man, for his success has all come to him as a reward of his 
persistency, energy and fair dealing. 

In March, 1904, Mr. Deines was married to Miss Elizabeth Schwingle, who 
was born in Clay county, Nebraska, a daughter of George Schwingle, who became 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 189 

one of the early homesteaders in this part of the state and passed away in Clay 
Center in May, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Deines are the parents of six children : Helen, 
Bumette, Catherine, Norval and Eoyce, all in school; and Mary Elizabeth, three 
years of age. The parents attend the Congregational church and are also members 
of the Highlanders. Mr. Deines has voted -ndth the republican party since age 
conferred upon him the right of franchise but does not seek nor desire office, de- 
voting his entire attention to his business affairs since he made his initial start 
in the business world about thirty years ago. 



THOMAS HOWARD 



This publication exercises one of its most consistent and important functions 
when it enters memorial tribute to such honored and resourceful pioneers as the 
late Thomas Howard, who came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, about four years 
after the admission of the state to the Union, proved well his powers of mind and 
body in coping with the conditions and influences that marked the early period in 
the history of this now opulent commonwealth. He was one of the venerable 
pioneer citizens of this section of the state at the time of his death, which occurred 
at his home in the village of Giltner, on the 28th of December, 1920, his birth 
having occurred in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1837. Mr. Howard was 
reared in the old Keystone state, where he received the advantages of the common 
schools of the period and liis earlier pioneer experience was gained in the state of 
Wisconsin, where he was residing at the outbreak of the Civil war. His youthful 
patriotism was shown by his prompt enlistment in response to President Lincoln's 
first call for volunteers. At Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, he enlisted as a 
private in Company H, Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and the history of 
this gallant command represents virtually the record of his career as a soldier of 
the Union, for with it he served during practically the entire period of the war: 
He participated in twenty-seven battles, a number of them of major importance, 
including Bull Eun and Gettysburg. He was three times wounded, but was not 
long incapacitated for service. After receiving his honorable discharge at the close 
of the war, Mr. Howard returned to Wisconsin and there gave his attention to farm 
enterprise until 1871, when, with team and covered wagon, he and his wife set 
out for the new state of Nebraska. They brought with them about sixty head of 
horses and cattle and six weeks elapsed before they reached their destination in 
Hamilton county. Here Mr. Howard entered claim to a homestead of one himdred 
and sixty acres in Union township and the original domicile which he provided was 
a small shanty, with dirt roof and floor, a sod addition having later added to the 
accommodations of the primitive dwelling, the first stable also having been of sod 
construction. Sutton and Lincoln were Mr. Howard's principal trading points in 
the early days and he did much to provide the family larder by his prowess with 
the rifle, with which he killed antelopes, deer and wild turkeys and participated in 
two or three buffalo hunts. He was out-of-doors during much of the historic Easter 
blizzard, as he found it necessary to keep careful watch of his live stock and during 
the three days that the storm prevailed the family depended upon melted snow for 



190 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

water, as it was impossible to use the well ou the place. The usual experience of the 
pioneers in connection with loss through droughts and grasshoppers fell to the lot 
of Mr. Howard, and on one occasion not only all vegetation on the Howard farm 
was destroyed by the grasshoppers, but the granary was literally covered with the 
insects. Mr. Howard and his wife did not falter in faith or courage under adverse 
conditions and their persistency was rewarded with the substantial prosperity which 
eventually came to them in connection with farm industry in the state of their 
adoption. 

In Wisconsin was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Howard to Miss Elizabeth 
Cutts, who was born in St. Lawrence county. New York, and concerning whose 
family history adequate record appears elsewhere in this work, in the personal 
sketch of her brother, Edw^ard Cutts. Mr. Howard continued in active supervision 
of his fine farm until 1906, when he and his wife established their home at Giltner, 
where he passed the remainder of his life. Of their ten children the eldest is 
Laura, who is the wife of Henry Gimple, a farmer in Hamilton county; Eussell 
now owns and has charge of his father's old home farm; Alice, Alva, Margaret, 
George, Scott, May, Eva and Bertha are all deceased. Mrs. Howard endured the 
trials and hardships of the pioneer days but in the gracious twilight of life she is 
surrounded by friends who are tried and true, is enjoying peace and prosperity and 
finds that in her widowhood there is a generous measure of consolation and com- 
pensation granted to her in the community in which she is knowTi and honored as 
a true pioneer woman. 

Mr. Howard took lively and helpful interest in. community affairs, was a 
stanch republican, was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Eepublic and was 
an earnest member of the Presbvterian church, as is also his widow. 



CHARLES FRANK 



Charles Frank, who is now residing on his farm of three hundred and twenty 
acres in Harvard township. Clay county, was born in Germany on the 15th of 
November, 1854, and at the age of ten years came with his parents to the United 
States. The parents first located at Bloomington, Illinois, and there Charles 
Frank grew to manhood. His parents had a fine farm in that vicinity and after 
putting his textbooks aside Mr. Frank engaged in working out on various farms, 
for his services receiving eighteen dollars a month. He started out into life for 
himself at the age of sixteen years. In the spring of 188-1 he came west to 
Nebraska and located in Clav conntv, where he lived on rented land for six years. 
In 1890, however, he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, for which 
he paid twelve dollars and fifty cents per acre. This land now forms a part of his 
present farm. There were a few improvements on the place, consisting of a log 
house and log barn and Mr. Frank immediately set about to bring the land to a 
highly cultivated state. From time to time he increased his acreage until he is now 
in possession of three hundred and twenty acres on which he engages in general 
farming, mostly grain, and raising cattle and hogs. 

On the 1st of Julv, 1880, Mr. Franlc was married to Miss Minnie Casselman 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 191 

and they have become parents of eight chiklren : Howard; Ida; Walter; Harry; 
Clara; Leo; Charles; and Gordon. 

In the civic affairs of the community Mr. Frank has always taken an active part 
and fraternally is identified with the Woodmen. He is one of the valuable citizens 
of Nebraska of Gemian birth and has proved himself to be a citizen of whom any 
community would be proud. 



J. C. OSBORN 



Death often removes those whom a community can ill afford to lose. Such was 
the case when J. C. Osborn passed away on the 11th of January, 1910, leaving a 
widow and nine children. He had played well his part in the world's work as a 
representative agriculturist of the community and as a supporter of all those things 
which make for progress and for public welfare. He was born in Coffeeville, 
Missouri, March 2, 1861, and was a son of John W. and Catherine (Knox) Osborn, 
who were natives of Tennessee, but became early residents of Missouri and in 1871 
removed to Kansas, where their remaining days were passed. The father served 
on the Union side in the Civil war and when not engaged in militaiy service his 
attention was devoted to the development of his farm that he might thus provide 
for his family. 

J. C. Osborn was reared and educated in Missouri and Kansas, spending his 
youtliful days as a farm bred boy. He owned land in Kansas and while there 
residing was united in marriage in October, 1886, to Miss Jennie Williams, who 
was born in Trenton, Missouri, a daughter of Thomas and Anninta (Embree) 
Williams, the former a native of Indiana, while the latter was born in Missouri. 
They were married in that state and afterward removed to Indiana where they 
lived for some time, subsequently returning to Missouri. The father was a soldier 
of the Confederate army during the Civil war and lost his eyesight while with the 
southern troops. To him and his wife were born six children of whom Mrs. Osborn 
was the third in order of birth. By her marriage she became the mother of nine 
children : Carl, living on a farm in Hamilton county ; Mabel, the wife of L. A. 
Cunningham, a farmer residing at Lodge Pole, Nebraska; Alice, the wife of J. E. 
Lilliewhite, who occupies a farm in Utah and is a member of the state legislature ; 
Allen, the twin brother of Alice, a resident farmer of Hamilton county ; Myra, the 
wife of Joe Green who is engaged in farming in this county; Eonald Osborn of 
San Diego, California, who enlisted in the navy in April, 1917, and is still a 
member, while during the World war he saw service overseas; John C. who was 
in the army in the Coast Artillery and is now at home ; Essie, who will graduate 
from the high school in 1922 ; and Oriole, also in school. 

Mrs. Osborn attends the Christian church and she and her family are highly 
esteemed in Aurora, where she took up her abode in the spring of 1920, having 
a nice home at No. 517 M street. Mr. Osborn was a member of the Modern Wood- 
men of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Improved Order 
of Red Men, wiiile his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Coming 
to Nebraska in 1889 he continued a resident of this state until his death, which 



193 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

occurred on the home farm in 1910. To Mrs. Osborn was left the care of her 
large family, the eldest being but twenty-two years of age at the time Mr. Osborn 
passed away. She provided for the household through capable business management 
and is now sitilated in a comfortable home in Aurora, while her financial resources 
are sufficient to supply her with all of the necessities and many of the luxuries of 
life. 



JOHN PIEESON 



A life of industrj' and activity brought John Pierson to the goal of success 
in business, while the integrity and reliability of his business methods gained for 
him the respect and confidence of all who knew him. For a long period he was 
connected with agricultural pursuits in Hamilton county and spent his last days 
in Aurora in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was born in Sweden in 1853 
and passed away in 1916. He had acquired liis education in the schools of his 
native country and came to the United States alone wiien about twenty years of 
age, for the reports which he had heard concerning the opportunities of the new 
world determined him to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. He settled 
first at Princeton, Illinois, and worked as a farm hand there for about two years. 
In the 'SOs he arrived in Nebraska, taking up his abode in York coimty and subse- 
quently removed to Saunders county where he purchased a farm from the railroad. 
With characteristic energy he bent his efforts to the development and improvement 
of his land and eventually sold the farm, removiiig to Hamilton county in 1886. 
Here he made investment in eighty acres of land northwest of Aurora and from 
time to time as his financial resources increased he added to his original tract, 
until at the time of his death he was the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred 
acres, all of which was acquired through his own effort. His original home was a 
little three-room dwelling but later he built a nice residence and carried on the 
work of improving his farm until he had one of the best properties in his section 
of the county. Year after year he continued to till the fields and cultivate his 
crops until 1916 when he put aside active work and removed to Aurora, purchasing 
an attractive home on West M street. His widow is now living in a comfortable 
home at 13l6 M street. 

It was in 1884 that Mr. Pierson was unitetl in marriage to Miss Anna Eapp 
who was born in Sweden, a daughter of John and Anna Eapp who came to the 
United States in 1868, settling first at Princeton, Illinois, where her father fol- 
lowed the occupation of farming. He was for many years actively identified with 
agricultural interests in that locality and passed away in Illinois at the venerable 
age of eighty-six years. Mrs. Eapp survives and is now living with her daughter 
Mrs. Pierson, at the notable age of one hundred years, having been born in May, 
1821. Mr. and Mrs. Pierson became the parents of five children: Julia, the wife 
of Art Johnston, a farmer of this co\mty; Herman, who carries on farming in 
Hamilton county; Plenney, a farmer who died in 1920 at the age of thirty-two 
years; Eobert, who lives with his mother; and Effie, the wife of Ealph Jones, a 
farmer of Hamilton county. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 195 

Mr. Pierson was very successful in the conduct of his business affairs and in 
addition to tilling the soil he raised considerable stock while on the farm, making 
a specialty of hogs. He borrowed money with which to come to the United States 
and as the years passed worked his way steadily upward, all of his success and 
prosperity being attributable entirely to his own labors, perseverance and capable 
management. In his political views he was a republican and his religious faith 
was that of the Swedish Mission church, with which Mrs. Pierson is still identified. 
He was devoted to the welfare of home and family and found his greatest happiness 
at his own fireside, so that his loss has been there most deeply felt. Mrs. Pierson 
still makes her home in Aurora, being most pleasantly situated, her time being 
given to filial care of her mother, to the direction of her own household and to the 
social pleasures in which she is sought as an active participant. 



PHILLIP H. SCHWAB 



Since 1885 Phillip H. Schwab has been prominent in the agricultural circles of 
Clay county and he is now living retired in Sutton, enjoying the fruits of his 
years of diligence and industry. A native of Germany, his birth occurred near 
Darmstadt, June 29, 1841, a son of Henry and Margaret (Kuhl) Schwab, both 
natives of that country. The father and mother came to Illinois and settled in Lee 
county in 1847. There the father bought a farm, whereon he resided until his 
death. He was a successful and progressive farmer and hauled his grain and hogs 
to Chicago, a distance of ninety-three miles, viiere he found a ready market for 
them. The hogs brought two and one-half dollars per hundred pounds. Eight chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schwab, four sons and four daughters. Only two of 
the family are living, however, Phillip H., whose name initiates this review, and Mar- 
garet, who is the wife of Henry Beard and resides in California. Throughout his 
life Mr. Schwab was a member of the republican party, casting his first vote for 
John C. Fremont. Both he and his wife were consistent and active members of the 
Lutheran church. 

Phillip H. Schwab received his education in the country schools of Illinois, then 
offering but few educational opportunities, and after putting his textbooks aside 
assisted his father on the farm. He entered the Civil war in 1861, enlisting in 
Company B, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. He served with that regiment until 
the end of the war and was wounded slightly a number of times. He participated 
in many of the hard fought battles of the war, and was at Fort Donelson, Shiloh 
and the siege of Corinth. He was also with Sherman on his march to the sea. On 
the 6th of July, 1865, he received his discharge at Louisville, Kentucky, and 
returned to Illinois, where he bought a farm and there resided for a number of 
years. He was a member of the state militia in 1878 and served as first lieutenant 
of Company F, Fourth Illinois Infantry from 1878 to 1885. In that year he 
tendered his resignation and removed to Clay county. He sold his Illinois land 
and purchased some land in Clay county, part of which he still owns. He has 
owned various farms, which he has improved and then sold. For a number of years 
he engaged in the grain elevator business in Sutton. He also had a grain elevator 



196 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

at Lushtou and elevators at several other places and achieved a substantial amount 
of success in that connection. 

In 1868 occurred the marriage of Mr. Schwab and Miss Mary Schaefie, a native 
of northern Illinois and a daughter of Jacob Schaefie, who was a pioneer of that 
state. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Schwab four children have been born : Celina, 
who is the wife of C. L. Kosa, who works for the Standard Oil Company at Chicago. 
Illinois; Laura, who is the wife of A. H. Lewis, formerly engaged in the Jewelry 
business but now a traveling salesman; Eeuben P., who is a chiropractor and 
resides in California ; and Nellie, who is the wife of W. F. Hoeger of Sutton. 

In politics Mr. Schwab is a stanch republican and for a number of years served 
as county commissioner. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal 
church and fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and the Grand Army of the Eepulilic, having served the latter organization as post 
commander for a period of fifteen years. He has been on the Soldiers" Relief Board 
since 1893. Mr. Schwab is now residing in a fine home in Sutton, retired from all 
active business life. His many years of diligence and industry have brought him 
success and financial independence and he is respected and loved by all who know 
him. 



EDWARD P. TITMAN 



Edward P. Titman, widely known as one of the prominent farmers and suc- 
cessful stock raisers living in the vicinity of Aurora, was born in New Jersey on 
the 30th of August, 1868. His boyhood days were passed on the old home farm in 
that state and his educational opportunities were those accorded by the country 
school system in New Jersey. He attended usually about three months in the year 
and while still in the east he worked in the timber regions and on farms. In 1885, 
when a youth of seventeen years, he went to Iowa with his parents and two years 
afterward came to Hamilton county, where since 1887 he has made his home. 
He continued to assist his father in the work of the home farm a part of the time 
and worked out by the month a part of the time until 1892. In the following year 
he began farming on his own account on rented land, but was able to raise nothing 
in 1893 and 1894 because of the widespread drought. 

In the year 1896 Mr. Titman was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Zehr, a 
native of Illinois, and they began their domestic life on a rented farm, which they 
occupied for seven years. During that period they carefully saved their earnings 
and Mr. Titman, in 1904, purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on 
which were a few small and insignificant improvements. There were some trees on 
the place and he put out an orchard. Today he has a finely improved property that 
is a monument to his labor, his enterprise and his business ability. Today he owns 
altogether three hundred and twenty acres with two sets of fine buildings and 
improvements on the place and he likewise has a half section of land at Stratton, 
Colorado. He carries on general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of 
Poland China hogs, and there are no better specimens of this breed to be found in 
Hamilton county. He also owns a shorthorn bull and jack and raises fine Per- 
cheron horses. He holds annual sales of his Poland China hogs and his stock 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUXTIP:S 197 

raising interests have for three j-ears been an important and profitable feature of his 
business. 

Mr. and Mrs. Titnian are widely and favorably known in Hamilton county, 
where they have reared their family of six ehildreu. Their eldest son, Elwiu, 
enlisted in the United States service at the time of America's entrance into the 
World war and was trained at Camp Cody. He left with the old Company H, 
holding the rank of sergeant. He did office work and later was made sergeant 
major. After a time he went across and was within two days of the front when 
the armistice was signed. The second member of the family is Chauncey, who is at 
home, and the others are : Merton, also at home, who was made one of the judges 
for the team from Aurora for the judging of hogs. He is considered one of the 
best hog judges in the state. Mazie, who is attending the high school at Aurora; 
Fairy, who died at the age of eighteen months; and Yelva, at home. The parents 
and children are members of the Lysinger Presbyterian church and take an active 
interest in its work, contributing generously to its support. Mr. Titman has also 
served as a member of the school board. He is an independent voter, considering 
the capability of the candidates rather than party ties, and fraternally he is con- 
nected with the Modem Woodmen of America. 



B. F. NALL 



Among the number of most substantial and higlily lopi'ctril citizens of Clay 
County, who by reason of their industry and progressi\ciirs> in lornier years have 
been enabled to spend their last years in well earned it'tirfnient, was the late 
B. F. Nail, who, was born in Morgan county, Illinois, May 3, 1841, a son of Russell 
and Hannah (Peters) Nail, the former a native of Tennessee, while the latter w-as 
bom in Kentucky. In early life they became residents of Illinois and were married 
in that state. The father was a farmer and brick-maker and burned the first kiln 
of brick in Macoupin county. Illinois. He was associated with J. I. Einaker, a 
prominent man of that locality. Jlr. Nail and his wife were loyal members of the 
Christian church and bis ]iolitical support was given to the democratic party. He 
was quite successful in his liusiness affairs and in addition to the lines of activity 
previously mentioned he was well known as a stock buyer and drove his stock from 
Illinois to St. Louis. He lived a life of intense industry, being never afraid of 
hard work and his diligence was the basis of his prosperity. Both he and his w'ife 
departed this life in Illinois. They were the parents of nine children and the mother 
also had nine children by a second marriage. One of the first family is still living: 
Mrs. Susana Berryman, who is now a widow, residing in Texas. B. F., of this 
review, passed away March 28, 1921. 

In the common schools of Illinois B. F. Nail pursued his education and on the 
20th of October, 1801, wiien twenty years of age, he volunteered for service in the 
Union army, becoming a member of Company A, Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, with which he served for nine months. He then became ill of brain fever 
and his eyesight was thus destroyed, so that he was totally blind for forty years. 
After the war he returned to Illinois and was married in that state to Miss Martha 



198 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Evaus, who was there born March 9, 1842, a daughter of William M. and Amy 
(Seymour) Evans, who were natives of Alabama and of North Carolina, respec- 
tively. Her father was a preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church and served as 
a chaplain in the. Ninety-ninth Illinois Eegiment during the Civil war. He was a 
millwright by occupation, but engaged in preaching the gospel for many years. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Nail were born nine children, of whom seven are living: Mrs. Ella 
Hart, whose husband is a retired farmer of Edgar, Nebraska; Mrs. Sina Hayes of 
Colorado, whose husband follows farming there; Mrs. Anna Lewis, whose husband 
is a retired farmer of Clay Center; William A., who carries on farming in Clay 
county; Franklin, also living on a farm in the same county; Mrs. Mary Schwab, 
whose husband is a farmer of Wyoming; and Mrs. Minnie Cooper, whose husband 
is a ranchman and farmer of California. 

It was in October, 1872, that Mr. Nail brought his family to Clay county and 
here he homesteaded, securing one hundred and sixty acres of land. He lived in a 
sod house in the early days and had a sod barn on his place. As time passed he 
improved the property and purchased one hundred and eighty acres of additional 
land. His family still owns the three himdred and twenty acres of rich and 
valuable farm land in Clay county, on which he placed many splendid modern 
improvements and his sons now occupy the farm. In September, 1906, the parents 
removed to Clay Center where he and his wife were living at the time of his death, 
he having here erected a nice home. Mr. Nail certainly deserved great credit for 
what he accomplished. He came to Nebraska empty-handed and, moreover, was 
handicapped by his blindness. Notwithstanding all this, his industry, his careful 
management and sound business judgment enabled him to wring fortunes from the 
hands of fate, and he became one of the men of affluence in Clay Center. His 
political support was given to the republican party and he was a member of the 
Evangelical church, as is also his widow. They have long been numbered among 
the most highly esteemed residents of this part of the state, enjoying the friendship 
and kindly regard of all. He was a member of the G. A. E. Post for many years. 



CAEL F. HUENEFELD 



Carl P. Huenefeld, who devoted his life to the occupation of farming and was 
numbered among the leading agriculturists of Hamilton county, was born October 
6, 1853, in Veldrom, Lippe Detmold, Germany, his parents being Carl and Louise 
Huenefeld, who emigrated to America in 1854, settling near Fennimore, Wisconsin, 
in the spring of 1855. There the father followed farming as a life work. Both the 
paternal and the maternal grandfathers of Carl F. Huenefeld were soldiers in the 
Napoleonic wars in the beginning of the nineteenth century. 

Carl F. Huenefeld obtained a common school education in the English and 
German languages, while spending his youthful days on his father's farm in Wis- 
consin. After his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts and attention 
upon the further work of the fields until he reached the age of twenty-four years, in 
1878. He then began farming on his own account in Aurora precinct, purchasing 
the northeast quarter of section 31 in 1880. He built a house on this property and 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 199 

he and his wife — for lie previously married — took up their abode there. In 1911, 
however, they removed to Arkansas, where they now reside. Mr. Huenefeld has 
become the owner of land in Nebraska, Arkansas and Louisiana and has also made 
other judicious investments. 

It was at Liberty Ridge, Wisconsin, on the 30th of May, 1880, that Mr. Huene- 
feld was married to Miss Anna Elizabeth Bald, whose parents were natives of 
Germany, but came to America when quite young. They lived in Philadelphia for 
a number of years and settled in the town of Liberty, Grant county, Wisconsin, in 
1858. To Mr. and Mrs. Huenefeld have been born eleven children, all of whom 
are living and five of the number are married. Three of the sons reside in 
Nebraska, one daughter in Las Vegas, New Mexico, one son in Louisiana and six 
of the children in Arkansas. There are also thirteen grandchildren. One of the 
sons, Arnold, was with the American forces in France during the World war, while 
another son, Fred, was in training at Camp Stanley, Texas, at the time the 
armistice was signed. 

Mr. Huenefeld never held office save serving on the election board and as school 
director, for he always preferred to devote his time and attention to his business 
interests. He has given his political support at times to the democratic and to the 
populist parties, but in 1916 supported the republican candidate for the presidency. 
He has become identified with no secret organizations except the Farmers' Alliance 
and served as secretary of Harmony Alliance, its meeting place being the Prairie 
Center schoolhouse. When a resident of Nebraska he attended the German Evangel- 
ical church of Aurora, but since taking up his abode in Arkansas has attended the 
Methodist church. His has been an active and useful life and his industry and 
perseverance have been the broad basis upon which he has builded his success. 



JOHN W. PINE 



John W. Pine, now deceased, was for many years well known in the agricultural 
circles of Clay county as a successful and progressive farmer. Born in Ohio, Novem- 
ber 21, 1833, he came to Illinois with his parents, William and Nancy (Tedrow) 
Pine, being then but six years of age. 

John W. Pine is indebted to the schools of Illinois for his early education and 
he remained on his parents' farm until reaching man's estate. The town of Baylis 
now stands on land which was included in his father's farm. Mr. Pine then bought 
eighty acres of land in Illinois, also renting other land, and there he engaged in 
general farming and stock raising until his removal to Missouri in 1883. The 
following year he came to Nebraska and located in Fall City for a year, after 
which time, in 1884, he bought two hundred and forty acres of land in Clay 
county. There was a small two-room house on this land and also some outbuildings 
and he worked to bring the place to a high state of cultivation. He set out shade 
trees and also an orchard, but the latter mostly died out during the droughts of 1893 
and 1894. In his agricultural ventures Mr. Pine achieved a great amount of success 
and at the time of his death was in possession of four hundred and forty acres of 



200 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

fine land, well improved. In llHiii he retired from active life and removed to 
Trumbull, where his death occurred December 1, 1917. 

While living in Illinois Mr. Pine was married to Miss Mary McCleery, a native 
of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Thomas and Martha (Lawson) McCleery, who 
came to Illinois at an early clay. Nine children have been born to the marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Pine : Lncinda, who is the wife of E. M. Rader of Trumbull ; Lizzie, 
the wife of Alfred Hill of Pike county, Illinois; George, deceased; Martha, also 
deceased ; Jennie, who is the wife of John Wass of Oklahoma ; Lucetta, who was the 
wife of Oliver McCoy, but is now deceased ; Ella, who is the widow of T. J. Dudgeon, 
a farmer in Clay county; Lucy, the wife of Ed. Talbert of Hastings, Nebraska; and 
Irene, who is at home. 

For many years Mr. Pine was a stanch republican but in later life became a 
supporter of the populist faction. In religions circles of Trumbull he played a 
prominent part, having assisted in the Irailding of the Methodist church there, of 
which he became a trustee. He was active in civic afEairs as a member of the 
school board and while residing in Illinois served as road overseer. Practically his 
entire life was devoted to farming and only by his own industry and diligence did 
he achieve his success. His death left a void in the community which will be hard 
to fill for he was widely acknowledged a self-made man and a representative citizen. 



JOHN N. BROCK 



No man is to be commended specially for having lived a goodly number of 
years, but if he has made those years count in worthy achievement and has 
exemplified the character and the powers that make for usefulness as a man 
among men, then he is entitled to definite tribute and honor when the shadows 
of his life begin to lengthen toward the golden west. Judge John N. Brock of 
Giltner, Hamilton county, has been a resident of this county nearly half a cen- 
tury and is now one of the county's most venerable and honored pioneer citi- 
zens, his being the distinction also of having given gallant service as a soldier 
of the Union in the Civil war. His loyalty at that period of the nation's history 
has been equalled by that which he has exemplified in all of the relations of his 
long and useful career. 

Judge Brock, who has served continuoiisly as justice of the peace or police 
judge in Hamilton count.v since 1882, claims the old Empire state as the place 
of his nativity and is a scion of a family whose name has been linked with 
American history for many generations. He was born at Cuba, New York, on 
the 19th of November, 1838, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Pittsly) Brock. 
He was about five years old when his parents removed to Erie, Pennsylvania, in 
1843, and two years later he accompanied them on the journey to Grant county, 
Wisconsin. There his father purchased a tract of government land, for eighty 
acres of which he paid at the rate of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, 
and for the remaining eightj^ acres he paid fifty cents per acre. The entire tract 
was covered with a heavy growth of timber and in the little log house which the 
father constructed on the embryonic farm was the home in which the subject of 




ME. AND MRS. JOHN X. BEOCK 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 203 

this review was reared to adult age. Under the conditions and influences that 
marked the pioneer period in the history of that section of the Badger state, 
Mr. Brock progressed mentally and physically, and he recalls with pleasing 
memory that he attended school in a little schoolhouse of log construction, with 
slab benches and other primitive accessories. lie walked nearly two miles back 
and forth from his home to pursue his studies in this pioneer school and did 
not fail to make good use of the advantages there afforded. As a young man 
he was for two years employed on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and then learned 
the miller's trade, to which he there continued to give his time and attention for 
seven years. When the Civil war broke out Mr. Brock did not long resti-ain 
his patriotic ardor, for in August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, 
Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. After serving about one year with 
this regiment he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability, but 
in October, 1864, he was again able to enter the nation's service, and enlisted 
in Company G, forty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he was 
assigned to duty in guarding railroads between Chattanooga and Nashville, 
Tennessee. He also served as drill sergeant and remained with his regiment 
until the close of the war. Thereafter lie continued his residence in Wisconsin 
until 1875, when, accompanied by his wife and their four children, he set forth 
with team and wagon on the long overland journey to Nebraska. In making 
preliminary provision for the new home in the pioneer community he brought 
with him five head of cattle and upon arrival in Hamilton county he settled one- 
half mile west of the present village of Giltner. Here he purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres of railroad land, built a small house of combined frame and sod 
construction and girded himself for the work and i-esponsibilities of a pioneer 
farmer. The village of Giltner had not then been established and he did most 
of his early trading at Hastings and Grand Island. He bi-ought much of his land 
under cultivation, continued to make improvements on the place and, like other 
settlers, met loss through drought and grasshopper visitations, besides facing the 
many other trials and perplexities common to the pioneers of the locality and 
period. 

Judge Brock remained on his farm until 1885, when he removed to the village 
of Giltner, where he has since maintained his residence and where he is giving 
characteristically efficient service as police judge, his original commission as 
justice of the peace having been received by him in 1882, while he was still living 
on his farm and he has continued as a magistrate in this county during the 
intervening years. A stalwart supporter of the republican party Judge Brock cast 
his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and he is known as a resourceful 
and ardent advocate of the principles of the party which has enlisted his al- 
legiance during his entire mature life. He has been affiliated with the Grand 
Army of the Republic, being a member of the post at Giltner until its enrollment 
became so diminished that the organization was permitted to lapse. He has been 
affiliated with the Masonic fraternity since 1882 and his religious faith is that of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 

On the 19th of November, 1861, was .solemnized the marriage of Judge 
Brock to Miss Adelaide Bailey, and not until after they had celebrated their 
golden wedding anniversary were these ties severed by the death of Mrs. Brock, 



204 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

who passed to eternal rest in the year 1912, slie having been a zealous member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their eight children four are living. In 
1915 Judge Brock was united in marriage to Hannah E. Bellairs and she is 
the popular presiding genius of their pleasant home in the village of Giltner. 

Judge Brock became a member of the school board of his district in Union 
township, this county, in 1877, and after removing to Giltner served many years 
as a member of the local school board. He also held for several years the posi- 
tion of chairman of the village board of Giltner. 



JOHN HOMER GEOSVENOR 

John Homer Grosvenor, who has made the practice of law his life work and 
has been a representative of the bar of "Aurora since Jime, 1898, has done much 
to maintain the legal and moral status of his community, being an able representa- 
tive of that profession which stands as a firm conservator of justice and the 
safeguard of the rights and privileges of the individual. Mr. Grosvenor was born 
on a farm in York county, Nebraska, April 5, 1873, his parents being George 
W. and Caroline Grosvenor. The father was born at Mansfield, Richland county, 
Ohio, and was a son of John Grosvenor and a grandson of Richard Allen Grosvenor, 
who came from England to the new world, settling in Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania. Tlie ancestral line in England can be traced back to the time of 
William the Conqueror, for the family is one of the oldest of the "Merrie Isle." 
The present head of the English family is the Duke of Westminster and only 
a limited number of the family is to be found within the United States. George 
Washington Grosvenor had reached early manhood when the Civil war was inaugu- 
rated and joined Company A of the Third Iowa Cavalry, serving through the 
four years of hostilities from 1861 until 1865. He married Caroline Leach, who 
was born near Wheeling, West Virginia, and both saw much of the pioneer life 
as represented in the log cabin and sod house experiences of the frontier in Ohio, 
Iowa and Nebraska. 

John H. Grosvenor pursued his early education in the common schools of 
Hamilton county, Nebraska, and afterward attended the Fremont Normal College, 
now the Midland College, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of 
Pedagogy in 1896. In preparation for a career at the bar he entered the College 
of Law of the University of Nebraska and completed his course by graduation 
in 1898, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. In his youthful 
days his experiences were those of the farm bred boy and in young manhood his time 
was divided between teaching and college work. Subsequent to his graduation from 
the State University he entered immediately upon the practice of law in Aurora, 
where he has since continued. As the years have passed he has been accorded 
a large clientage of an important character and enjoys an enviable reputation by 
reason of the thoroughness and precision with which he prepares his cases and 
the clearness and logic with which he presents his cause before the courts. The 
story of his progression is the record of perseverance and determination and wise 
use of the talents with which nature endowed him. After practicing for a few 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 205 

years he became city attorney for Aurora and later filled the position of county 
attorney of Hamilton county. Subsequent to that period he was chairman of the 
special tax commission of the state in 1913 and 1914 and he enjoyed a large 
general law practice until April, 1916, when he was appointed postmaster of 
Aurora and concentrated his attentions in large measure to the duties of that 
position. From early manhood he has manifested' a deep and conscientious 
interest in the affairs of state and has exerted not a little influence over the public 
thought and action, especially along political lines. 

Mr. Grosvenor was originally a member of the people's independent party and 
later joined the democratic party. He served as state chairman of the people's 
party in 1911-12. In 1897 he was elected to represent the forty-first district 
of Nebraska in the house of representatives and remained a member thereof for 
four years or until 1901 and during that period was in 1899 the caucus chairman 
of the Fusion forces. His service as county attorney extended from 1907 until 
1911 and as chairman of the special tax commission from 191.3 until 191-5, while 
on the 16th of April, 1916, he was appointed postmaster. For fiiany terms he 
has acted as city attorney for Aurora and has also been a member of the board 
of "the insane commission of Hamilton county for many years. 

At Bostwick, Nebraska, on the loth of June, 1904, Mr. Grosvenor was married 
to Miss Florence White, a daughter of the late Captain Arthur W. and Lora 
Josephine White of Nuckolls county, Nebraska. Mrs. Grosvenor's father was a well 
known veteran of the Civil war and acted as one of the personal bodyguard of 
Abraham Lincoln. His wife was well known as an artist in oils, china and water 
colors. Both have now passed away, their remains resting in the Aurora cemetery. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Grosvenor have been born seven children: Grace Florence, 
Josephine Caroline, John Homer, Jr., George Arthur, Hannah White, Gertrude 
Helen, and Euth Louise. The education of their children is one of the foremost 
ambitions of the parents. 

Mr. Grosvenor belongs to several fraternal organizations, being a Mason, an 
Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, an Elk, a Highlander and also a member of the 
W^oodmen and of the Workmen lodges. He was formerly great sachem of the 
Improved Order of Red 5Ien in Nebraska and has made many fraternal addresses 
on various occasions. He is identified witli Commercial and Golf clubs and is 
a life member of the Hamilton County Agricultural Association. He has earnestly 
championed the eaiisf cif the Young Men's Christian Association and of the Sal- 
vation Army and is interested in all those forces which make for higher ideals 
of life and for advanced standards of citizenship. 



JUDGE WILLIAM FREDERICK JEFFEES 

William Frederick Jeft'ers, familiarly known as "Fred'' Jeffers, who since 
1911 has been judge of the county court of Hamilton county, is a representative 
of a family that was of English origin but was established in America in the 
seventeenth century. The grandfather, Elijah Jefl'ers, was born in Ohio. The 
father, William P. Jeffers, was a native of Clermont county, Ohio, and in Pike 



206 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

county, Illinois, to which he removed in 1837, he was married to Miss Martha 
Potter whose birth occurred in Adams county, Illinois. Her father was David 
Potter who removed to that state in the '30s and settled upon a farm, spending 
his remaining days there. William P. Jeffers devoted his life to farming and 
fruit raising in Illinois for many years and in 1884 came to Hamilton county, 
Ne'braska, purchasing land seven miles southwest of Aurora. There was nothing 
on the farm at that time but a: barn and granary but with characteristic energy 
he began improvements and erected a frame house in the midst of a cornfield. 
As the years passed he continued the work of development and became the 
owner of an excellent fann property, upon which he and his wife spent their 
remaining days. They were the parents of fourteen children, three of whom died 
in Illinois in infancy. Nine of the family are living: Mrs. Mary A. Starks, 
residing in Wyoming; Jennie, the wife of N. S. Cole, living on a farm near 
Aurora; Thomas P., a resident farmer of the state of Washington; Mrs. Emma 
Fye, whose home is near Aurora ; William F. ; Etta, the wife of Omer Auten, 
occupying a homestead in Arizona; Warren, who resides on the old home farm 
in Hamilton county ; Alta, the wife of J. E. Eolstin who has retired from business 
and is located in Aurora; and Nellie, who is a nurse in Los Angeles, California. 
The parents were consistent members of the United Brethren church and Mr. 
Jeffers gave his political allegiance in later years to the democratic party. He 
won a fair measure of success and was highly esteemed in the community in 
which he made his home. 

William Frederick Jeffers attended common schools in Illinois and Nebraska 
and also pursued his education in York College. He afterward took up the 
profession of teaching, which he followed successfully for seven years and was 
then called to public office, being elected clerk of the circuit court in 1899, again 
in 1903 and for a third term in 1907, so that he occupied the office altogether 
for twelve years. In 1911 he was elected county judge and by reelection has con- 
tinued on the bench to the present time. He was also city clerk of Aurora for 
one year, was councilman for two terms and has been an active figure in politics 
for twenty-one years, never being defeated for office throughout this entire period. 
He is a democrat in politics. 

On the 14th of February, 1900, Mr. Jeffers was married to Miss Jennie M. 
Will, a daughter of N. B. and Alice (Ferguson) Will, who were natives of Penn- 
sylvania but removed to York county in pioneer times, the father securing a 
homestead claim. Here he passed away in York county. Mrs. Jeffers taught school 
in York and Hamilton county for eleven years and is recognized as a lady of 
liberal culture. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children: 
Marie, who is now teaching in the country schools of Hamilton county; Madge, 
a pupil in the tenth grade; Kenneth; Marthena and William J., all yet in school. 

Judge and Mrs. Jeffers are members of the United Brethren church, while 
both have taken an active part in the various branches of church work. Two 
years ago Judge Jeffers was a delegate to the General Conference of the World, 
held in Topeka, Kansas. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Eoyal Highlanders. Judge 
Jeffers started out on his own resources in early life. He has always been self- 
reliant and progressive and now devotes his entire attention to the imiJortant 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 207* 

duties of the office which he is tilling. He has studied law extensively and 
the fact that he has been continuous on the county bench for a decade is a proof 
of the fairness and impartiality of his decisions. 



JOHN NISSEN 



In the vigorous contingent of successful farmers to be found in Otis township, 
Hamilton county, a place of prominence and pioneer distinction is to be accorded 
to John Nissen, who has here maintained his residence for nearly half a century 
and whose prosperity has been in keeping with that which has marked the general 
development and progress of this now favored section of Nebraska. 

Mr. Nissen was born in Denmark, on the 31st of October, 1849, is indebted 
to the schools of his native land for his youthful education, and there also he 
gained his initial experience in connection with farm enterprise. In 1871, shortly 
after attaining to his legal majority, he severed the home ties and set forth to seek 
his fortunes in the United States. For the first two years he was employed at 
farm work in the state of Illinois, and in 1873, in company with his brother, A. B., 
and their mutual friend. Mat Mattsen, he came by train to Seward, Nebraska, 
and thence overland to Hamilton county, where he took up a homestead of eighty 
acres and a timber claim of equal area. On this unbroken prairie land in Otis 
township he constructed a little sod house of the most primitive pioneer type 
which met the requirements and became the abode of happiness and good cheer. 
The township had but few settlers at the time when Mr. Nissen here established 
his home, but the following spring brought in a goodly number. Not a tree was 
visible from the little sod house in which Mr. Nissen lived. His brother had also 
taken up land in this locality and had become the owner of a team of horses. 
John Nissen depended upon an ox team principally in the breaking of his land 
and in the meanwhile gained a full quota of pioneer experience, including the 
obtaining of fuel from trees along the Platte river, the hunting of antelopes, deer 
and other wild game and the frequent visits of Indians, who, however, never caused 
him any trouble. In 1874 he saw his growing crops eaten up by grasshoppers and 
a similar visitation worked even greater havoc in the season of 1876. Losses 
through drought likewise became his portion, but in a general way the years did 
not fail in tribute and increasing prosperity attended his earnest activities in con- 
nection with agricultural and live stock enterprise. He became the owner of 
four hundred and sixty acres of the excellent land of Hamilton county which he 
brought to a high standard in the matter of buildings and productiveness. He 
has now divided his land to a large extent among his children but still retains 
and resides upon his fine old homestead, which is endeared to him by many pleas- 
ing memories and associations. 

In 1879 Mr. Nissen was united in marriage to Miss Helena Green and the 
supreme loss and bereavement in his life came when his devoted companion and 
helpmeet was summoned to eternal rest in 1918, at the age of seventy years. 
She bore with fortitude and graciousness the trials and reverses of the pioneer 
days and her gentle personality gained for her the affectionate regard of all who 



208 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

came within the sphere of her influence. She is survived by her husband and 
four children. The children are: Eric, who is a progressive farmer of Hamilton 
county; and Otto, Elsie and Marie remain at home, the younger son having active 
management of the home farm. 

Mr. Nissen is a man of well fortified opinions and convictions, is a republican 
in politics, is a loyal and liberal citizen and is a communicant of the Danish 
Lutheran church, as was also his wife. 



JOHN BOAG 



It required courage and self-reliance of high order when the early settlers of 
Nebraska essayed the task of reclaiming the virgin prairies to the uses of civiliza- 
tion, for there were many obstacles to be overcome, adverse conditions to be con- 
sidered and many hardships and privations to be endured. The pioneers of Hamil- 
ton county were in general men of sturdy physical powers, resolute purpose and 
high ambition and thus were fortified for the important tasks to which they set 
themselves. Among the number was the sterling Scotsman, John Boag, who has 
exemplified in all of the stages of his career the fine traits of character for which 
the sons of Scotland are invariably known. 

Mr. Boag was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in the year 1848, was reared on a 
farm and was but twelve years of age when he began to earn his own living, his 
compensation for his labors having been about thirty dollars a year in the early 
stages of his independent career. At intervals he was enabled to attend the 
schools of his native land and there he remained until 1869, when at the age of 
nineteen years he immigrated to America. During the summer of that first year 
he found employment at farm work in the Province of Ontario, Canada, and in 
the autumn of 1869 he proceeded to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained 
two years and workpd as a farm hand near Madison, the capital of the state. 
On his salary of two hundred dollars a year he saved enough to enable him to buy 
a team of horses and a wagon, as well as a small supply of requisite household 
effects, and in the year 1871, in company with his brothers, William and David, he 
made the long overland trip to the state of Nebraska. Upon his arrival in Hamilton 
county Mr. Boag obtained a homestead of eighty acres in Union precinct and as a 
necessary preliminary he here provided a dwelling in the construction of a rude 
sod house of the primitive pioneer type and also a dugout stable in which to 
shelter his team. With characteristic vigor he carried forward the reclaiming and 
improving of his land, but lost his crops when the grasshopper invaders saw fit 
to make their disastrous visitations to this section of the state. He experienced 
losses also through droughts, was snowbound at tlie time of the memorable blizzard 
of 1873 and did not flinch from the various hardships which he faced with other 
pioneers. In comparison with present-day prices it is interesting to recall that 
when he hauled his early crops of grain to Grand Island he received payment for 
the same at the rate of seventy-five cents per bushel, for wheat. He gained as a 
hunter his share of prairie chickens, antelopes, deer and other wild game then 
plentiful in this section, and after remaining on hi.-; original homestead two years 




MR. AND MRS. JOHN BOAG 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 211 

he sold the property and purchased railroad land at five dollars per acre. His 
original purchase comprised one hundred and twenty acres of his present farm 
property, an additional tract of the same area having been purchased by him a 
little later. On this aggregate tract of two hundred and forty acres he has made 
the best of improvements, including good buildings and the setting out of shade 
trees and a nice apple orchard. His eventual success fully repaid him for all 
he endured in the early days, and he now lives "on the sunny side of the street," 
with gratifying prosperity as his portion and with secure place in the esteem of 
the people of the county to whose development he has contributed his quota. Mr. 
Boag has shown discrimination and progressiveness both as an agriculturist and 
stock raiser and in the live stock department of his farm industry he gives prefer- 
ence to red polled cattle and Poland China hogs. He utilizes forty-five acres of his 
land for pasturage, devotes fifteen acres to alfalfa and the remainder of the place 
is given to the raising of wheat and corn. 

In 1880 Mr. Boag was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Stewart, who like- 
wise is a native of Scotland and who was fourteen years of age when she accom- 
panied her parents to the United States, the family home having been established 
in Hamilton county, Nebraska, in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Boag have six children: 
Jessie, John, Mary, Annie, Margaret and Eoy. 

The attractive homestead farm of the Boag family is situated in section 21, 
Scoville township, on one of the rural mail routes from the village of Giltner, and 
the home is pervaded by an atmosphere of generous hospitality and good cheer. 
In expressing his political convictions Mr. Boag takes an independent stand. He 
and his wife are earnest members of the Baptist church, in which he has served 
as a deacon. 



JOHN A. SWANSON 



Since I'JIO John A. Swanson has engaged in the real estate business in Ong, 
Clay county, where he is recognized as a successful and representative citizen. He 
was born in Sweden on the 19th of December, 1862, a son of Swan Swanson and 
Asrina Swanson, also natives of that country. His father was a carpenter by 
trade and was well known in the community in which he made his home. The 
parents of Mr. Swanson never came to the United States but passed their lives in 
Sweden. Four children were born to their union, three of whom are living : Peter, 
a retired farmer of Loretta ; John A., the subject of this review ; and Tillie, who is 
the wife of F. J. Engdahl, a retired farmer of Ong. The religious faith of Mr. and 
Mrs. Swanson was that of the Lutheran church, in the activities of which they took 
a prominent part. 

In May, 1880, John A. Swanson came to the United States and located in 
Dunbar, Nebraska, where he started farming. For nine years he worked out on 
farms and engaged in farming on his own account and then removed to Wilcox, 
where he was similarly employed for three years. At the end of that time, in 1893, 
he located in Clay county, and there purchased eighty acres of land whereon he 
lived for a number of years. He brought his land to a high state of cultivation 
and was recognized as a successful and progressive agriculturist. In 1910, how- 



212 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

ever, he moved into Oiig and established a real estate business, in which line he has 
continued. He deals mostly in lands in west Nebraska and Colorado, and the 
honorable principles on which he conducts his business have won for him an 
extensive trade. 

In 1916 Mr. Swanson was united in marriage to Josie L. Gustes, the widow of 
A. E. Kudd. She was born in Henry county, Illinois, a daughter of John Gustes, an 
early settler of Fillmore county. He was a homesteader in that county and also a 
veteran of the Civil war. 

The political allegiance of Mr. Swanson has always been given to the republican 
party and it is well known that he is a stalwart champion of any cause which it 
espouses. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and fraternally he is 
identified with the Odd Fellows, which he has served as Nolile. The success that 
Mr. Swanson enjoys is the result of his own grim determination and labor, for he 
had practically notliing when he came to the United States. A brother paid his 
passage over and when he arrived in Nebraska City he had but two dollars to his 
name. Thrown upon his own resources at an early age he learned his lessons in the 
•school of experience and his life illustrates that it is under the pressure of adversity 
and the stimulus of necessity that the strongest and best in men is brought out and 
developed. 



CHEISTOPHER C. COON 

Christopher C. Coon is living retired at Aurora but for many years was closely 
associated with farming interests and through his activity and enterprise in busi- 
ness won the success that now enables him to rest from further labor. Moreover, 
he came to Nebraska in pioneer times and is familiar with the early history of 
the state with all of its hardships and privations incident to the settlement of the 
frontier. He rejoices in what has been accomplished and has borne his full share 
in bringing about modern day progress and improvement. Mi-. Coon was born in 
Knox county, Ohio, June 24, 1847, a son of Chauncy S. and Olive (Hurd) Coon, 
both of whom were natives of New York, in which state they were reared and 
married. Two of their children were born ere they left New York to become 
residents of Ohio. The father was a carpenter and followed his trade for many 
years in the Buckeye state. In 1860 he went to Michigan and both he and his 
wife died there. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. 
Coon gave his iwliticarsupijort to the republican party. The family numbered 
eight children, of whom four are living: ChristoiAer C. ; Melvina, who is now 
the wife of George Trayor of Michigan; W. T., also living in Michigan; and Mrs. 
Calista Eussell of the same state. 

Christopher C. Coon was a youth of thirteen years when the family home was 
established in Michigan where he continued his education in the public school, 
having previously entered upon his studies in Ohio. When still quite young he 
started out to earn his own living by working by the month on farms in that 
section. He afterwards turned his attention to the carpenter's trade which he 
followed in Michigan for a number of years. Oh the 5th of April, 1871, he ar- 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 213 

rived in Hamilton county, Nebraska, and here homesteaded the south half of the 
southwest quarter of section 2, township 10, range 6, thus obtaining eighty acres 
of land. He built thereon a shanty ten feet square with a dirt floor and dirt 
roof. 

It was in June, 1873, that Mr. Coon married Miss Mary Kutch who was born 
in Indiana, a daughter of Nelson Kutch who came to Hamilton county when it 
was a largely undeveloped and unsettled district and here homesteaded. He was 
a well known pioneer and continued an honored resident of the county to the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-four years when he was called to his final rest. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Coon have been born five children: Glenn, who conducts a lumber-yard at 
Hastings, Nebraska; A. B., who is connected with the shoe department of the 
Herckenshimer Store in Lincoln, Nebraska; Charles J., a farmer and fruit grower 
of Idaho; Merle, who is connected with the dray business in Aurora; and Olive, 
the wife of C. C. Firth who is connected with the Burlington Railroad. 

It was soon after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Coon that they took up their 
abode on the old homestead in the little shanty which he had built. When he 
first came to the state he drove with a team to Lincoln, Nebraska, and there made 
a payment of fourteen dollars on his homestead, spent seventy cents, and returned 
with fifty cents which constituted his entire capital. He had a bedstead and went 
to the creek to cut poles in order to make the frame work on which to lay a bed. 
He also had a small stove which he had borrowed, while a large tool-chest which 
he brought from Michigan served for a table. Two nail-kegs were used for chairs 
and thus in the most primitive style the young couple began their domestic life 
on the homestead which he had secured. There are many experiences of frontier 
life in Nebraska which Mr. Coon will never forget. On the 13th day of April, 
1873 — Easter Sunday — there was a storm that will ever live in the memories of 
those who were in this section of the state at the time, Mr. Coon went to see his 
future wife on that day, wearing a light coat. He started home late in the evening 
and had gone but a short distance when it began to snow and blow. It was with 
the utmost difficulty that he reached the home of a neighbor where he remained 
through the night, it being impossible to proceed farther. The next day it seemed 
equally impossible to go on, but his brother-in-law was ill and Mr. Coon became 
anxious about him, so he started out for his house a mile away and it was two 
o'clock in the afternoon before he reached the barn at his place. The house was 
entirely covered with snow but he managed at length to effect an entrance. The 
storm lasted until Wednesday, this being the hardest storm within the memory of 
people living in Hamilton county. In the early days there were many antelopes 
in the region and game of all kinds was very plentiful. In 1874 the Indians drove 
seven buffaloes into the county when engaged in a hunt which had begun further 
west. Mr. Coon resided on his homestead until 1882 when he removed to Aurora 
where he has since lived. Here he took up carpenter work and followed his 
trade for a number of years. Through his industry, economy and diligence 
in his business affairs Mr. Coon met with a fair measure of success, so that 
he is now able to live retired and enjoy the comforts of life, owning town prop- 
erty from which he derives a good income. Great, indeed, have been the changes 
which have occurred since he arrived in Nebraska. There was not a building in 
Aurora when he came in April. 1871, and it was not until the following October 



214 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

that the first building was put up, so that lie has witnessed the entire growth and 
development of the city in which he now resides. 

In 1917 Mr. Coon was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife who passed 
away on the 23d of December, of that year. She was a consistent member of the 
Christian church, to which Mr. Coon also belonged and for twenty-six years he 
has been a member of the Modern Woodmen. In politics he is a republican and 
while interested in the success of the party he has never aspired to office. There 
is no one who can speak with gTeater authority upon the history of the county 
than this honored pioneer, Christopher C. Coon. 



HENEY C. LITTLER 



Pioneer experience came to the late Henry C. Littler both in Iowa and Nebraska 
and in all of the relations of a long and useful life he exemplified the high spirit 
of loyalty and personal stewardship which marked his service as a gallant young 
soldier of the Union in the Civil war. He was born in Ohio in the year 1836 and 
was one of the venerable and honored pioneer citizens of Hamilton county, Nebraska, 
at the time of his death, on the 19th of December, 1912. 

The pioneer schools of Illinois and Iowa were the medium through which Mr. 
Littler gained the early education that was to be the basis of a broad superstructure 
of knowledge to be reared through wide and varied experience in connection with 
the practical affairs of a busy and useful life. In Iowa he found employment at 
farm work, as he also did after his return to Illinois, of which latter state he was 
a resident at the beginning of the Civil war. In response to President Lincoln's 
first call for volunteers Mr. Littler promptly tendered his services in defense of 
the Union by enlisting in 1861 as a corporal in the Sixty-fifth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, and he was discharged as a sergeant, his service continuing until the 
close of the war and involving his active participation in many major battles and 
minor engagements. At Harper's Ferry he was captured by the enemy and for some 
time thereafter was held as a prisoner of war. His exchange was finally effected 
and he rejoined his regiment, with which he remained until victory crowned the 
Union arms and the war came to an end, his honorable discharge being received by 
him in the city of Chicago. 

After the close of the war Mr. Littler engaged in farm work, sa\nnill operation 
and railroad work in Illinois, and in that state the year 1867 recorded his mar- 
riage to Miss Emeline Laird, who was there born and reared. In 1874, traveling 
overland in an old-time "prairie schooner," Mr. and Mrs. Littler came to Hamilton 
county, Nebraska, five weeks being required to complete the journey. They arrived 
at their destination on the 9th of October, having utilized ferry-boats in crossing 
both the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Mr. Littler took up a homestead of sixty- 
nine acres of raw prairie land in Deepwell precinct and here he and his wife had 
as their first habitation a dugout of the most primitive pioneer type, having one 
small window and a dirt floor until a board floor could be installed. They resided 
here for two years and then removed to a slab shanty, sixteen by twenty-four feet in 
dimensions and covered with tar paper, the lumber for the house having been hauled 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 315 

by team from Hastings. The hardships and trials of the pioneer days did not 
dishearten Mr. and Mrs. Littler, for they were hopeful of what the future had in 
store and were ready to work and endure until success came to them. Mr. Littler 
broke his land and made it available for cultivation, planted an orchard and 
gradually made other improvements, his orchard, however, having died out without 
giving returns for the labor and money expended. For three years after coming to 
the pioneer farm Mr. Littler had no surplus crops to sell, but the lean years 
were in due course followed by those of plentiful harvest and attending prosperity 
and advancement. He became one of the substantial farmers and valued and in- 
fluential citizens of the county and here remained on his farm until 1905, when 
he and his wife removed to Phillips, where he lived practically retired until his 
death and where Mrs. Littler still maintains her home. He also had eighty acres 
of land in Hall county. He was a stalwart republican and was affiliated with the 
Grand Army of the Eepublic, his religious faith having been that of the Methodist 
church. His widow is a zealous member of the Christian church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Littler were the parents of the following children : Melvin, asso- 
ciated with the manufacture of beet sugar in the city of Denver, Colorado ; Edward, 
a railroad man, who resides in the state of Washington; Alice, the wife of Luther 
Wilson, employed in shipyards in the state of Oregon; Frank, who has the active 
management of the old home farm; Otis, a barber in the city of Omaha; and 
Laura, who died at the age of twenty-nine years. Mrs. Littler's memory com- 
passes most of the period of development and progress in Hamilton county and in 
retrospect the pioneer days are replete with pleasing recollections, while she rests 
secure in the companionship and high regard of friends who are tried and true, 
many of whom shared with her the experiences of the pioneer period of Hamilton 
county history. 



FEEDIXAND GRIESS, D. D. S. 

Dr. Ferdinand Griess is one of the successful dentists engaged in business in 
Sutton, in which town he was born and he is regarded as one of the highly respected 
and enterprising citizens of that place. His birth occurred on the 5th of Novem- 
ber, 1883, his parents being Peter H. and Sophia (Grosshans) Griess, extended 
mention of whom is made in the sketch of C. H. Griess to be found on another page 
of this work. 

Dr. Ferdinand Griess received his education in the Sutton schools and then for 
two years engaged in the coal business for his father. He saved enough of his 
earnings to enable him to complete his education and decided upon the dental 
profession as a life work, with the result thut he entered the dental department of 
the State University, receiving his degree in 1909. He then returned to his home 
in Sutton, where he commenced practice and has built up a most enviable and 
lucrative business. 

On the 22d of June, 1910, Dr. Griess was married to Miss Georgia Shivers, a 
native of Lincoln, Nebraska. To this union two children have been born : Donald, 
who is six years of age; and Marjorie .Teanette. two years of age. 



216 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Since age conferred upon Dr. Griess the right of franchise he has been a stanch 
supporter of the democratic party, having firm faith in the principles of that party 
as factors in good government. He is a consistent member of the German Reformed 
church, while his wife is a member of the Congregational church. Fraternally 
Dr. Griess is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, having mem- 
bership in the York Lodge, and he is likewise a member of Xi Psi Phi, a college 
fraternity. In the line of his profession he has been a member of the Nebraska 
State Dental Board for five years. Dr. Griess has always been active in the civic 
affairs of the community and for many years has been a member of the Sutton 
school board, which he is now serving: as secretary. He is the owner of some fine 
land in Clay county and f>s a result of his extensive practice is financially inde- 
pendent. Since openino- his office in Sutton for the practice of his profession 
Dr. Griess has devoted his entire attention to his work and is regarded as one of 
the most skilful and poiMilar members of his profession in tlie .state. 



CHARLES A. PEMBROOK 

A prominent and well known citizen of Harvard is Charles Pembrook, who 
for eighteen years carried a rui-al route in Clay county and also for a number 
of years was prominent in the agricultural development of the community. He is 
now making his home in Harvard, where he has been residing retired since 
August 20, 1920. Charles A. Pembrook was born in Ottawa, La Salle county, 
Illinois, on the 4th of May, 1846, a son of David and Mary (Reynolds) Pem- 
brook, both natives of New York state. His grandfather was Enos Pembrook, a 
native of England and about whom it is .said in the History of Ottawa, Illinois : 
"A notable arrival in 1825 was Enos Pembrook. He had previously lived in Alton, 
having come to that place from New York state. He came to Ottawa, May 1, 
1825, and settled on a section in the eastern part of the township, where he 
lived with his wife until his death, which occurred in 1832. He served in the 
Indian war, and after his death, his wife receii-ed a pension." The parents of 
Charles A. Pembrook went to Illinois from their native state when young people 
and the father had the distinction of being one of the first boys to locate in 
Ottawa. David Pembrook received his education in the schools of Illinois 
and made a trip up the river from Alton to Ottawa, in company with two 
Indians. He later in life engaged in farming and became one of the leading 
agriculturists in the community in which he resided. Eleven children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Pembi-ook, eight now living, of whom our subject is the 
only one residing in Nebraska. He was the fourth in order of birth in the family. 
Mr. and Mrs. Pembrook were active and consi-stent members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and he always gave his allegiance to the republican party. 

Charles A. Pembrook is indebted to the schools of Illinois for his education. 
In 1863 he volunteered his services to the Union army and enlisted in Company E, 
One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served 
until the close of the war. He participated in the important battles of that 
conflict, was in the Atlanta campaign, with Sherman on his march to the sea, 




ME. AND MRS. CHAELES A. PEMBROOK 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 219 

and in July, 1865, received his honorable discharge at Chicago. He then returned 
to Illinois, where he took up farming and there remained until 1886, when he 
came to Nebraska and located in Clay county. He bought a farm, which he 
later lost, and then rented land until 1902, when he moved into Harvard and 
engaged in delivering mail on a rural mail route for eighteen years. As a result 
of his diligence and determined effort, Mr. Pembrook became financially indepen- 
dent and on the 20th of August, 1920, he retired from active life. 

In 1868 occurred the marriage of Mr. Pembrook and Miss Hortense Soule, 
a native of New York and a daughter of Louis and Angeline (Stuck) Soule, 
also natives of that state. On the paternal side, she is of English descent, one 
ancestor of the family, George Soule, having come from England in the May- 
flower. Her grandfather, Enos Soule, was a native of New York and her mater- 
nal grandfather, John Stuck, was born in Germany. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. 
Soule went to Illinois, where they resided until death. Six children were born 
to them, five of whom are living, Mrs. Pembrook being the only one residing 
in Nebraska. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Pembrook six children have been 
born: Ella, the widow of Ed F. King, a former traveling salesman, resides in 
Harvard; E. E., foreman in a railroad shop at South Sioux City; William E., 
who is engineer on the Burlington and resides at South Sioux City; Grace, the 
widow of James Hennessey, makes her home at Lincoln; Herbert, a mechanic 
at Harvard; and Ralph is a civil engineer and has traveled extensively in the 
United States and in South America. He participated in the World war and 
received the commission of first lieutenant, and at the close of that conflict 
returned with the rank of captain. He was active at Ai-gonne and was gassed 
at St. Mihiel. 

The political allegiance of Mr. Pembrook is given to the republican party 
in the interests of which he takes an active part. His religious faith is that of 
the Christian church and he has membership in the Grand Army of the Republic 
and has been commander of his post. Obstacles and difficulties in his path 
have seemed but to serve as an impetus for renewed effort on his part and his 
persistent labor has enabled him ultimately to win a place among the pros- 
perous residents of Clay county. 



FREDERICK C. MATHER 

Frederick C. Mather, now a retired hardware merchant living in Aurora, was 
born in Michigan, February 22, 1856, his parents being Frederick and A'ngeline 
(Carver) Mather, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Con- 
necticut. The paternal grandfather, Don C. Mather, was a native of Boston, Ohio, 
or rather he was born on the site of Boston, which town was founded by himself 
and his brother and has since become a part of Akron, Ohio. The father of Angeline 
Carver was William Carver, who was born in Connecticut, where he followed the 
occupation of farming for many years and in old age removed to Michigan, where 
his last days were spent. The marriage of Frederick Mather and Angeline Carver 
was celebrated in Indiana, to which state they had removed in earlv life. In 



220 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

1836 Mr. Mather became a resident of Michigan, where he took up the occupation 
of farming and he and his wife continued to make their home in this state through- 
out their remaining days. He had homesteaded forty acres of land which he secured 
as a government claim and which remained in his possession to the time of his 
death. He had brought a log chain from Ohio to Michigan and used this in break- 
ing up the ground with an ox-team. He passed through all of the hardships and 
privations of pioneer life and by his labors contributed to the upbuilding and 
progress of the community in which he settled. He voted with the republican party 
and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They 
were the parents of three children: Frederick of this review; Frank, who was en- 
gaged in the hardware business for a number of years at Milford, Nebraska, where 
he passed away in July, 1920; and May, the wife of Lewis R. Taylor, who was 
the owner of a telephone system for a number of years and is now extensively 
engaged in farming at Angola, Indiana. 

Frederick C. Mather obtained a district school education and afterward attended 
academies in Indiana, thus completing his preparation for life's practical and 
responsible duties. When not busy with his textbooks he gave his attention to 
farming and teaching school until he reached the age of twenty-two years and had 
also clerked in a store in Orland, Indiana, on Saturdays, this bringing him his 
initial experience along mercantile lines. It was in 1880 that he arrived in Aurora, 
Nebraska, where he established a hardware store on the 20th of January, 1881, 
opening his stock of goods in a little room sixteen by twenty-two feet. As the 
years passed he built up a nice business and increased his stock as the demands of 
his trade warranted. Naturally from time to time he was obliged to seek more 
commodious quarters and as the years passed he became owner of two stores and 
had a half interest in still another. He thus ranked with the leading hardware 
merchants of his section of the state and continued actively in the business until 
1907 when he sold his store and is now living retired in the enjoyment of well 
earned rest. In 1880 he had erected a large two-story building in which he con- 
tinued to the time in which he sold his hardware stock. He disposed of the 
building to the First National Bank in 1918. 

On the 1st of October, 1878, Mr. Mather was married to Miss Alice Sears, 
a native of Sandwich, Illinois, and a daughter of Archibald and Eachael (Carver) 
Sears, the former a native of the state of New York, while the latter was from 
Connecticut. Removing westward they settled in Illinois and there the death of Mr. 
Sears occurred, while Mrs. Sears made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Mather to the 
time of her death. Three sons have been born to this marriage: Merle S., an 
electrician of Aurora, who was graduated from the Aurora high school and also 
from the Nebraska State University ; Orion, who was graduated from the AHirora 
high school, the State University and Harvard University, is now financial editor 
on the Chicago Tribune; Roy F. is associate editor of the Los Angeles Herald of 
Los Angeles, California. He, too, was educated in the high school and in the 
State University. 

Mr. Mather is a Mason, loyally following the teachings and purposes of the 
craft. In politics he is a republican and has served on the school board and as a 
member of the city council. He and his wife now spend the winter months in 
California, thus enjoying the milder climate of the Pacific coast. Progressiveness, 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 221 

diligence and constructive methods in business won for Mr. Mather a very sub- 
stantial competence, so that he and his wife are able to enjoy all of the comforts 
and many of the luxuries of life. The most envious cannot grudge them their 
prosperity so honorably has it been won and so worthily iised, and, moreover, 
throughout his active business career Mr. Mather contributed, in large measure, 
to the commercial development and upbuilding of city and county. 



PETER J. REFSHAUGE 



Peter J. Refshauge, secretary and treasurer of the First Trust Company of 
Aurora, was born on the 14th of June, 1886, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and is a brother 
of J. J. Refshauge, cashier of the First National Bank, in connection with whose 
sketch on another page of this work is found extended reference to the family. 

Peter J. Refshauge obtained his education in the schools of Cedar Falls, passing 
through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school. He was bom 
and reared on a farm and through vacation periods his time was largely devoted 
to the work of the fields. In fact his opportunity to attend school largely came in 
the winter season, while in the spring he took his place as an assistant in the work 
of plowing and planting. In 1906 Mr. Refshauge arrived in Davey, Nebraska, and 
became associated with his brother in a bank. While thus engaged he pursued a 
course in bookkeeping in Lincoln, Nebraska, and in 1907 removed to Marquette 
where he accepted the position as bookkeeper in the First National Bank, con- 
tinuing to occupy that position for a year. He next went to Rutland, South Dakota, 
where he purchased a bank, which he conducted until May, 1909. He then re- 
moved to Hordville, Nebraska, and made investment in the First State Bank of that 
place, but sold his interest there in September, 1918, and came to Aurora where 
he aided in organizing the First Trust Company, and became secretary and treas- 
urer. Through the intervening period he has acted in this capacity and his previous 
banking experience and his knowledge of financial matters well qualify him for 
the onerous and responsible duties that devolve upon him. 

On the 10th of May, 1911, Mr. Refshauge was married to Miss Elfreda Hansen, 
a daughter of the Rev. L. Hansen of Davey, Nebraska, a Lutheran minister who 
engaged in preaching in this state for a quarter of a century but is now living 
retired, making his home at Davey. Mr. and Mrs. Refshauge have become the 
parents of a daughter, Adelaide, eight years of age. Mr. Refshauge is a member 
of the Lutheran church and has attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry, while 
with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He 
also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. Politically he is a republican and has served as a member of 
the school board and of the town board. He assisted materially in upbuilding and 
beautifying the town of Hordville and erected a fine residence there noted for its 
architecture and for the landscape gardening surrounding the home. He took up 
his abode at Hordville when the town was new and contributed in most substantial 
measure to its progress and improvement. He now devotes his entire attention to 
the First Trust Company, with which he has been identified since its organization. 



222 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

This company is today conducting an extensive farm loan business and also has a 
large insurance department, both branches of the business constituting sources of 
substantial success. 



0. 0. BUCK 



0. 0. (Ole) Buck, editor of the Harvard Courier and executive secretary 
of the Nebraska Press Association, was born in DeWitt county, Illinois, November 
19, 1871. An injury received when he was only five years old made it impossible 
for him to get but two years' schooling and rendered him a cripple for life. In 
spite of this handicap he studied at home and commenced teaching a country school 
when only seventeen years old. 

August 8, 1894, Mr. Buck was married to Lilly M. Dewey of Cherry county, 
Nebraska. To this union five children were born : Frances, now Mrs. Frances 
Piatt, lives at Treynor, Iowa, where her husband is engaged in business. She 
has three children : Naomi is a student in the University of Nebraska, where she is 
specializing in journalism and expert accounting; three boys, Whitacre, Judah and 
Max, died in infancy. 

After teaching four years the subject of this sketch became interested in news- 
paper work and gave up a position at fifty dollars a month to go into a newspaper 
office at six dollars a week. Since his marriage he has been engaged in newspaper 
work almost continuously. He was in the banking business one year and has had 
some experience in other lines. January 1, 1918, he took charge of the Harvard 
Courier as editor and manager, the paper being owned by a corporation. In Feb- 
ruary, 1919, he was elected secretary and field man of the Nebraska Press Associa- 
tion and has since devoted almost his entire time to the work of the association, 
but he still gives general supervision to the Courier and WTites the editorial page. 
A column of paragraphs, under the heading "Buckshot," has gained much more than 
state wide reputation for the writer. His work for the state association has proven 
very successful and Nebraska country papers are now more closely organized and 
are getting more valuable results from their organization than is true of the papers 
of any other state in the Union. 



WILLIAM PEETZKE 



William Peetzke is one of the few remaining Civil war veterans and pioneer 
citizens of Nebraska. Born in Germany of poor parents he came to the new world 
and as a result of his own diligence and industry is now a wealthy man, retired 
from active life. He has many friends throughout Hamilton county and his word 
is as good as a "government bond." to quote his friends. 

A native of Germany, William Peetzke was born there in the year 1835 and on 
the 13th of May, 1861, came to the United States and settled in Oshkosh, Wis- 
consin. There he obtained farm work, being employed by the month and remained 
in that connection until on the IStli of March, 1864, wlien he enlisted in the Union 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 233 

army as a member of Company B, Thirty-seventh Wisconsin Infantry. He was in 
active service until he received his discharge in I860. He then returned to Wis- 
consin and remained there until 1873, when he came to Nebraska and located in 
York county, buying a man's homestead right to one hundred and sixty acres. He 
engaged in general farming, overcame all of the obstacles of early pioneer life and 
soon became recognized as one of the most progressive and successful agriculturists 
in the community. He later bought some railroad land in Hamilton county and 
operated both farms. As a result of his success in his farming ventures 
Mr. Peetzke is financially independent and is residing retired in Hampton. 

While residing in Wisconsin the marriage of Mr. Peetzke took place, Misa 
Augusta Zahn becoming his wife. To their union nine children were born, three of 
whom are living. 

Mr. Peetzke is a consistent member of the Lutheran church and is a prominent 
member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Eepublic. He is a highly 
respected and representative citizen of Hampton and is justly entitled to that 
proud American title of self-made man. 



P. J. MAUPIN 



Since 1896 P. J. Maupin has engaged in the mercantile business in Stoekham. 
He is one of the leading merchants of that place, giving strict attention to his 
business and universal satisfaction to his patrons. A native of Missouri he was 
born in Gasconade county, March 4, 1861, a son of Jacob and Rhoda (Holt) Maupin, 
both natives of that state. There the father engaged in farming and blacksmithing 
and was recognized as one of the progressive and substantial citizens of the county in 
which he made his home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Maupin passed away in the state 
of their nativity. 

P. J. Maupin is indebted to the common schools of Missouri for his education. 
He remained under the parental roof until he became of age when he went to 
Texas and from there to Oklahoma, where he obtained work in logging camps. 
In 1884 he went to Kansas, where he worked on a farm for two years, at the termina- 
tion of which time he came to Nuckolls county, Nebraska, where he engaged in 
the same line of work for a time. In 1888 he removed to Hamilton county and worked 
on the farm of P. M. Wilson for a while, then rented and bached for a couple of 
years, at the termination of that time going to California and Oregon. Subse- 
quently in 1894 he returned to Hamilton county and worked on a farm until 
1896 when he bought the store of William Stoekham and has since that time been 
actively engaged in the conduct of a merchandise business. 

In 1889 occurred the marriage of Mr. Maupin and Miss Berta May Eounds, 
a native of Iowa, and to them one son, Burtie J., was born. The son is now con- 
nected with his father in the mercantile business. Mrs. Maupin passed away on the 
11th of April, 1891, and four years later Mr. Maupin was again wed, choosing 
Atona Martin for his wife. In the club and social circles of Stoekham Mrs. Maupin 
is well known. She is also a consistent member of the P'resbyterian church and 
active in all of the charitable interests of that organization. 



224 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

In politics Mr. Maiipiu maintains an independent course, voting for the man 
without regard for party. He has never had desire for political preferment but 
devotes his entire time to the development of his business. He has, however, served 
on the town and school boards. Mr. Maupin is one of the progressive and up-to- 
date business men of the thriving city of Stockham. His store is known throughout 
the entire county and his patronage is widely distributed throughout that portion 
of the state. 



H. M. HANSON 



H. M. Hanson, engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Sutton, 
was born in Clay county, June 11, 1880, a son of Nels and Carrie Hanson, both 
natives of Denmark. Their marriage was celebrated in Sutton, where both had 
come at an early age. The father went to Illinois at an early date and worked 
on a farm until 1S78 when he came to Nebraska, settling in Clay county. 
He acquired a homestead on his arrival, whereon he built a sod house in which 
he resided for a number of years. He later built a frame dwelling. In 1912 he 
and his wife removed to Sutton and there her death occurred in 1914. Mr 
Hanson is still making his home there. He has divided his land between his 
children, but maintains an interest until his death. Five children were born 
to that union : Mary, who is the wife of Ola Hanson and lives on a farm in 
Clay county ; H. M., the subject of this review ; G. W., who is engaged in the real 
estate business at Forsyth, Montana; Dora, who is the wife of Roy Johnson 
and is residing on her father's old homestead; and Anna, who is the wife of 
A. G. Anderson, a farmer in Clay county. Mr. Hanson has always been a 
stanch supporter of the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the 
Congregational church. 

H. M. Hanson received his education in the country schools of Clay county 
and for two months attended the Sutton high .school. After putting his text- 
books aside, he engaged in farming, renting land for five years, but in December 
of the year 1905, he removed to Sutton. He there engaged in the real estate and 
insurance business in January, 1906, and does both a local and immigration 
business. His insurance business is of extensive proportions for he handles all 
kinds of insurance. He still maintains an interest in agriculture, however, own- 
ing land in Clay and Hayes counties, Nebraska, some in Colorado and property 
in Lincoln. In all he is in possession of four thousand, four hundred acres of 
fine land. 

On the 30th of June, 1900, Mr. Hanson was united in marriage to Miss Sina 
Holmes, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a daughter of John A. Holmes, who 
came to Clay county in 1875 and rented land, later moving to his own farm, 
but eventually retired and died in Sutton in 1914. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanson 
nine children have been born : Roy, who graduated in 1920 from the Sutton 
high school; Alvin, Francis, Leslie, Reuben, Mabel, Merle and Mervin, all in 
school ; and Ramona. Merle and Mervin are twins. 

Mr. Hanson follows an independent course in politics, giving his support 
to the man rather than to any particular party. Fraternally he is a Knight 




H. M. HANSON 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 227 

of Pythias and an Odd Fellow and his religious faith, is that of the Congre- 
gational church. For ten years he has been a member of the school board of 
Sutton and is now a member of the city council. Mr. Hanson was also a 
member of the township board for a number of terms. He has risen to a high 
place among the agriculturists and business men of the town and county. He 
is justly entitled to the proud American title of self-made man, for as a man 
of strong purpose he has carried to successful completion every undertaking. 



SAMUEL FLETCHER 



Samuel Fletcher, a retired farmer living at Edgar, Clay county, was born in 
Canada, November 5, 1849, a son of Samuel and Eliza (Lee) Fletcher, both 
natives of Ireland, where the father conducted a woolen mill. After fire destroyed 
his mill he and his wife came to the new world, locating in Canada where the 
father engaged in farming for eight or nine years. At the end of that time they 
removed to Illinois, rented land and there resided one year, then moved to Ogle 
county and died there. Three children were born to that union, two of whom are 
living: Mrs. Lizzie Page, who is making her home with tlie subject of this sketch; 
and Samuel, whose name initiates this review. The other son, Thomas, served 
in the Civil war from 1862 until its close. Throughout their lives Mr. and Mrs. 
Fletcher were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the political allegi- 
ance of Mr. Fletcher was always given to the republican party, in the interests of 
which he took an active part. 

Samuel Fletcher received his education in the schools of Illinois, for the most 
part attending the Brooklyn school two and one-lialf miles from his homestead. 
After putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming with his father but in 
1871 left the parental roof and came to Clay county. He took up a homestead 
and from the timber secured along Blue river built a frame house, in which he re- 
sided for seven years. He then sold his homestead and purchased some land in 
Pope county, where he lived in a sod house for four and one-half years, subsequently 
he returned to Clay county and has since remained there. He has two hundred 
and forty acres of valuable land in the county, which he has acquired by his own 
determined effort. 

In 1889 occurred the marriage of Mr. Fletcher and Miss Ella Jones, a native 
of Illinois and a daughter of Mark Jones, who went to Kansas, where he lived for 
a number of years. His death occurred on the homestead of his eldest daughter 
at Nelson, Nebraska. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, nine children have 
been born : Effie. who is the wife of Claude Hungerford, a store and restaurant 
man of Grant; Carl, farming in Clay county; Clarence, a farmer of Idaho; Grace, 
the wife of Louie Bolding, operating an orange grove in California; Frank, a 
farmer of Nelson ; Willard, a painter residing in California,, who was in the World 
war eighteen mouths and in France the greater part of that time: Bertha, a school 
teacher of Portland, Oregon; Lloyd served in the navy from April, 1917, to March 
4. 1919, and was on the Cyclops at the time it went down; and Donald, a resident of 
Santa Ana, California. 



228 HAMILTON AND rj.AY fOUNTIES 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Fletcher tlie right of franchise he has given his 
support to the republican party, in the interests of which he has taken an active 
part. He is now living retired, enjoying the reward of years spent in diligence 
and industry. He owns considerable property, both in town and county, and his 
home is located on a five-acre tract. The life of Mr. Fletcher has indeed been a 
busy one, fraught with good for the community, and at the same time he has pro- 
moted his individual interests. 



ANDREW GROSSHANS 



The upbuilding of a city depends not so much upon the machinery of govern- 
ment nor even the men who occupy its public offices as upon those who are directing 
its business development and progress. In this connection, therefore, it is imperative 
that mention be made of Andrew Grosshans of the Grosshans Lumber Company, who. 
is carrying on an extensive business in Aurora, Nebraska. He was born in 
Russia, November 1, 1867, and is a son of Christian and Margaret (Fritchle) 
Grosshans, who were also of Russian birth and came to the United States in 1873, 
settling six miles north of Sutton, Clay county, Nebraska. The father purchased 
railroad land at four dollars and a quarter per acre, becoming owner of a half 
section. Later he bought another half section at ten dollars per acre and as the 
years passed he accumulated a great amount of land, the careful cultivation and 
development of which made him a wealthy man. About 1908 he removed to Sutton 
and retired from active business. Both he and his wife died in that place. They 
were members of the German Reformed church and in political belief Mr. Gross- 
hans was a republican. He served as school director, was a well educated man for 
his day and always kept thoroughly informed concerning the leading questions and 
interests of the times. He read extensively and could always support his position 
upon any vital question by intelligent argument. In business, too, he displayed 
marked capability and resourcefulness. He engaged extensively in the breeding 
of cattle, horses and sheep and at one time was devoting his attention largely to 
full-blooded shorthorn cattle. It was through his capable business methods, close 
application and industry that he became one of the prosperous men of his adopted 
county. To him and his wife were born ten children of whom eight are living: 
Andrew; Christian, who is practically living retired in Sutton, speculating occa- 
sionally in real estate; John C, who occupies a farm near Sutton; T. C, a ranch- 
man living at North Platte, Nebraska; Henry P., who was formerly engaged in 
business with his brother Andrew but is now conducting a lumber-yard at Kimball, 
Nebraska; Johanna, the wife of Peter Schwartz, a retired farmer living at Sutton, 
Nebraska; Eugenie, the wife of Fred Unterseahr, a plumber of Sutton, Nebraska; 
and Martha, who also makes her home in Sutton. 

Andrew Grosshans pursued his education in country schools, in the schools of 
Sutton and in a business college at Lincoln. He remained on the home farm until 
he reached the age of nineteen, dividing his time between the duties of the school- 
room, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He was not 
desirous of devoting his life to agricultural pursuits, however, and on reaching the 
age of nineteen left home and became connected with the lumber business in 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 229 

Sutton in 1898. He was there identified with the Sutton Lumber Company for 
several years and in 1903 went to Kearney, Nebraska, where he engaged in the coal 
trade until 1905. In the latter year he removed to Aurora and i>urchased the 
lumber business of H. N. Bell which was incorporated with a capital stock of 
sixteen thousand dollars, but since then the capital stock has been increased to 
forty thousand dollars and the business is now under the incorporated name of 
the Grosshans Lumber Company. They conduct a general lumber and coal busi- 
ness and their trade has reached extensive and gratifying proportions. Mr. Gross- 
hans is also interested in lumber and coal yards at Murphy, Nebraska, and also 
at Kimball. He became a yard man at the beginning of his connection with 
the lumber trade and through the intervening period has made steady progress, 
until he is now at the head of the profitable and growing business. 

In 1892 Mr. Grosshans was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Harter, a 
native of Hamilton county and a daughter of Jacob. Harter who arrived in this 
county in 1871, after which he homesteaded north of Blue Eiver and lived there 
to the time of his death. Mrs. Harter went to France to visit the grave of her 
son who was killed in the late war and died on shipboard while returning home 
on the 30th of May, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Grosshans became the parents of three 
daughters: Alma, who attended the high school of Aurora, was also graduated 
from the Doane College at Crete, and is now principal of the high school at Crete, 
Nebraska ; Leota, who completed a high school course in Aurora, has been a music 
pupil at Grand Island and at Lincoln and is now teaching music and penmanship 
at Crete high school ; and Marie, still attending school. 

Mr. Grosshans and his wife are members of the Congregational church and he 
belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias 
and the Highlanders. He has passed through all of the chairs in the Odd Fellows 
Lodge and is now chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias. In politics 
he is a republican and has served as a member of the city council and also as 
mayor of Aurora, while at Sutton he occupied the office of city treasurer for one 
term. He made an excellent public official by the prompt and capable manner in 
which he discharged his duties and at all time he is interested in everything that 
pertains to the general welfare, lending his aid and cooperation to all movements 
toward the public good and progress of the community. His own life history should 
serve to encourage and inspire others, showing what could be accomplished through 
individual effort and proving that success and an honorable name can be won 
simultaneously. 



EGBERT F. BOYD 



Since the year 1892 farm industry in Hamilton county has found an aggressive 
and vigorous exponent in the person of Robert F. Boj'd, who has lived consecu- 
tively on his present farm, in section 30, Union towTiship, and whose progressiveness 
and material success are manifest in the excellent improvement and general high 
standard that mark this as one of the valuable farm properties of this section of the 
state. 

Mr. Boyd was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of February, 



230 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

1866, and is a son of Henry F. and Sarah J. Boyd, who removed from the Key- 
stone state to Ohio when their sou Kobert was about six years old and who passed 
the closing years of their lives in the state of Wisconsin, the father having been a 
shoemaker by trade. Eobert F. Boyd acquired his early education principally in the 
public schools of Ohio, and at Wellston, that state, he began working in an iron 
furnace when a youth. He followed this vocation a few years and thereafter became 
a skillful worker at the trade of stone and brick mason. He was eighteen years of 
age when he came to Nebraska and rented land in Otoe county, not far distant from 
Nebraska City, in which locality he was engaged in farm enterprise three years. 
Thereafter he was a representative of the same line of industry in Lancaster county 
until 1892, when he came to Hamilton county and rented a farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres in Union township. This property he purchased before the close of 
that year and as a voucher for his dynamic energy and enterprise it may be stated 
that at one period he here farmed two hundred acres in an individual way at a 
time when he could avail himself of no farm implements nor machinery that gave 
him opportunity to ride while cultivating or doing other work on the farm. During 
the first iive years of his residence in the county he realized virtually no returns 
from his earnest labors, as drought caused failure of crops in each of these years. 
He paid four thousand three hundred dollars for the quarter-section that constitutes 
his present fine home and he has made on the place excellent improvements, includ- 
ing the erection of substantial and modern buildings. In addition to his activities 
as an agriculturist, Mr. Boyd has worked more or less at his trade of mason within 
the period of his residence in Nebraska and for three years he was engaged in 
farming near Twin Falls, Idaho, where he became the owner of sixty acres of 
irrigated land. He believes thoroughly in Nebraska and its resources and through 
his alliance with farm industry here has won substantial success. He is a stanch 
republican and is loyal as a citizen, though he has never desired public office. He 
has taken much interest in educational affairs and served as a member of the 
school board of district No. 98 for several years. He is affiliated with the Masonic 
fraternity. 

In Hamilton county was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Boyd to Miss Mary 0. 
Torgerson, a member of a representative family, of whom mention is made else- 
where in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have seven children, all of whom yet 
remain members of the attractive home circle, namely : Carl F., Mae, Ethel, Eoss, 
Clifford, Francis and Opal. 



EEUBEN BOOTH 



For thirty years Eeuben Booth has lived in retirement in Sutton, a respected 
and representative citizen. His fortune is the result of his own diligence and 
industry and he is justly entitled to the proud American title of a self-made man. 

Eeuben Booth was born in western Canada, May 6, 1833, a son of James and 
Mary (Acklin) Booth, the former a native of England, while the latter was bom 
in Ireland. Their marriage was celebrated in Canada and there they resided for 
many years and the father successfully engaged in farming. Mrs. Booth was twice 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 231 

married, having one child by the first union and nine by the second. Her death 
occurred in Iowa, where she spent the last years of her life. She was a consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Eeuben Booth received his education in the country schools of Canada, coming 
to Illinois in 1848, and in 1861 entered the service of the Union army, enlisting in 
the First Illinois Light Artillery, Battery F, with wliich he served three years, 
three months and three days. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Memphis, 
Vicksburg, Atlanta, Georgia, and Missionary Eidge. Two different mounts of 
Mr. Booth's were shot and killed but he escaped injury. At the close of the war 
Mr. Booth returned to Lee county, Illinois, and started farming his forty acres of 
farm land. He remained on that land until 1873, when he removed to Nebraska, 
located in Clay county and homesteaded a tract of eighty acres and bought out a 
woman's homestead right of eighty acres. Mr. Booth and his family took up their 
residence on the farm and for a number of years Tived in a small frame house, but 
they later built a fine large home. The land was brought to a high state of culti- 
vation and Mr. Booth took his place among the representative agriculturists of the 
county. In 1891, however, he decided to retire from active farm life and removetl 
to Sutton. There he purchased four lots and erected a fine residence. Mr. Booth 
has been retired for a period of thirty years, the early years of his life spent in 
diligence and industry having made this possible. Since coming to Clay county he 
has continually prospered and is still in possession of his farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres, which yields him a substantial income. 

In 1855 occurred the marriage of Mr. Booth to Miss Maria Throop, a native of 
Canada and a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Throop. Her parents both passed 
away in Canada, in which country they spent their entire lives. One child has been 
bom to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Booth, Lewis L. He is an extensive farmer near 
Sutton. Lewis L. Booth was married to Miss Caroline Swallow and they have 
become parents of four children : Ona, who is teaching school ; Rhoda, also teaching 
school; Ora, who is now attending school in Lincoln, after teaching two years; and 
Byron, attending the Sutton schools. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Booth the right of franchise he has been a stanch 
supporter of the republican party, in the interests of which he takes an active part. 
The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
fraternally Mr. Booth is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His life 
has indeed been an honorable and upright one. He has not only done his duty but 
has extended a helping hand wherever aid was needed, being always ready to assist 
a fellow traveler upon life's journey. 



L. ESKILDSEN 



Since 1917 L. Eskildsen, who has been prominent in the agricultural and busi- 
ness circles of Hamilton county, has lived retired in Hampton, enjoying the rewards 
of a life spent in diligence and industry. 

A native of Denmark, L. Eskildsen was born in that country on the 1st of 
April, 1848, and there received his education. After putting his textbooks aside he 



232 HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

learned the carpenter's trade and soon afterward, at the age of twenty-three years, 
came to the United States. In 1871 he arrived in Christian county, Illinois, and 
there resided until after the fire in Chicago, when he went to that city to help 
rebuild that devastated place. He spent one and one-half years there and in 1873 
came west, locating in Omaha, where he resumed his trade. In the fall of that same 
year, however, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land in Ham- 
ilton county, for which he paid five dollars per acre. In the latter part of that 
year he removed to California, where he followed his trade as carpenter for four 
years and then returned to Hamilton county and resumed his farming. His land 
was uncultivated and had no improvements but Mr. Eskildsen immediately began to 
work to place it upon a paying basis. He put up a small house and stable, broke 
his own land and set out an orchard. He engaged in general farming and stock 
raising and achieved a substantial amount of success. Subsequently he removed to 
Hampton and became manager of a lumber-yard known as the Eskildsen & Hough- 
ton Lumber Company, remaining in that connection for five years. At the termina- 
tion of that time he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of farm land in 
Hamilton county, added additional land in 1900, and was in possession of a fine 
four hundred acre tract at the time he disposed of it. There were two sets of fine 
buildings on this land and the sale of the farm brought him a substantial sum. In 
1917 he retired to Hampton, where he built a nice home and is now residing here, a 
highly respected and representative citizen. 

In Hamilton county occurred the marriage of Mr. Eskildsen and Elsie D. 
Bertelsen, also a native of Denmark. They have become parents of eight children : 
Bernard, who is engaged in farming in Hamilton county; Marie, the wife of Soren 
Petersen, a farmer of Hamilton county; Edward, who is engaged in farming at 
Malta, Montana; Anna, the wife of P. C. Ligaard, a missionary at Brisbane, 
Australia; Mark, farming in Hamilton county; Emma, who resides at home; 
John, who is auditor for the Farmers Elevator Company; and Sina, the wife 
of Harry Larsen, who is engaged in farming in Montana. 

Politically Mr. Eskildsen has always been a stanch supporter of the republican 
party and the principles for which it stands. He has never sought nor desired 
public office, however, preferring to devote his entire time to his farming and 
lumber business. He was a member of the town board for one year. Mr. and 
Mrs. Eskildsen are consistent members of the Danish Lutheran church and donate 
generously to its various charities. Mr. Eskildsen has many friends who ap- 
preciate his true personal worth and sterling traits of character and he is indeed 
a citizen of whom any community would be proud. 



OWEX WRIGHT 



To the younger generation of the present day there is much of romance in 
the history of the pioneer period in Nebraska, and only those who participated 
in the labors and trying experiences of the pioneers can realize fully that the 
romantic features have needed the haze and glamour of the perspective of years 
to bring them into relief. Owen Wright, now one of the venerable and honored 




MR. AND MES. OWEN WEIGHT 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 235 

citizens of Hamilton county, is a man who gained more tlian casual pioneer 
experience, for in the early period of Nebraska statehood he devoted much time 
to hunting and trapping in the wilds of this commonwealth, knew the Indians 
by personal contact, endured the hardsliips of the wilderness and yet enjoyed to 
the fullest extent the free and open life of the prairies and hills. He has been a 
resident of Nebraska for a full half century and his reminiscences of the early 
days are graphic and interesting. 

Mr. Wright was born at Belmont, Wisconsin, October 25, 1847, and is a son 
of Ajalon and Sarah Wright, w'ho were numbered among the pioneer settlers of 
the Badger state and of whose eight children all are living except one who was 
killed at the battle of the Wilderness. 

Owen Wright was reared to adult age under the conditions of the pioneer 
days in Wisconsin, w^here he attended the common schools and where he gained 
his initial experience in connection with farm industry. In the autumn of 1871 
he and his brother Cyrus drove overland from Wisconsin to Nebraska with two 
teams and wagons and they passed the first winter in Fillmore county. In the 
spring of 1872 Owen Wright came to the farm which is his present place of resi- 
dence, in Hamilton towTiship, Hamilton county, he having here taken a preemption 
claim of one hundred and sixty acres and his original habitation on the place 
having been a rude dugout. The unbroken prairie gave little semblance of the 
fine farms which mark the county at the present day, but Mr. Wright was a 
vigorous and sturdy young man who was well equipped for the hardships and 
labors of the pioneer. His little prairie farm was soon made deserving of the 
name of home, for in the summer of 1872 his parents joined him, they having 
driven through from Wisconsin with ox teams. They passed the remainder of 
their lives in Nebraska. Mr. Wright began the development and cultivation of 
his land, upon which he gradually made good improvements in the erection of 
needed buildings and here he continued to maintain his headquarters until 1886, 
when he removed to Grant county, where he took up a homestead of one hundred 
and sixty acres and a tree claim of one hundred and sixty acres and where he 
remained five years, within which time he perfected his title to the land. He then 
returned to his old preemption farm, in section 32, Hamilton township, Hamilton 
county, and this excellent farm has since continued to be his home. He is asso- 
ciated with his brother and his sons in the ownership of nearly an entire township 
in Grant county and they have made this land one of the fine stock ranches of that 
section of the state. On his home farm Mr. Wright has erected the substantial 
buildings which now mark the place as one of the model fanns of Hamilton 
township and every one of the large trees on the place was planted by him 
many years ago. He was the first homesteader in Hamilton towTiship and has 
done well his part in the development of the resources of the county and in further- 
ing civic and industrial advancement. He has been a successful agriculturist 
and stock raiser and on his farm today may be seen excellent types of shorthorn 
cattle and Poland China swine, to which types of live stock he has given special 
attention. 

As a hunter Mr. Wright has shot buffaloes, deer and antelopes through the 
Hamilton county section of Nebraska, and during the first five years of his 
residence in the state he gave much time to trapping all through the wilds of 



236 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

western Nebraska, besides continuing his journeyings across the line into Colorado. 
He was often absent six months on such expeditions and was a successful trapper 
of otter and beaver. On his trips he encountered many Indians and at times 
weeks would pass without his seeing a white man. More pleasing in retrospect 
than participation were his experiences in connection with droughts, grasshopper 
devastations and blizzards of the early days, but it is most interesting to listen 
to his many reminiscences concerning the pioneer period in Nebraska history, for 
his fellowship in pioneer life was of the closest order. 

On the 14th of February, 1876, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Wright to 
Miss Letitia B. Collins, who was born in Athens county, Ohio, and who was a 
childhood ijlayraate and sweetheart of Mr. Wright's in Wisconsin, where their 
marriage was solemnized, their bridal tour having been the journey to the pioneer 
home which Mr. Wright liad provided in Hamilton county, Nebraska. Their 
children are: Ida, the eldest, is the wife of Edgar Graham and they reside 
in Wisconsin; Eva is the widow of William Donaldson and maintains her home 
in Kansas; Addie is the wife of John Marks, a farmer in the state of Iowa; Ira 
is a prosperous farmer in Union township, Hamilton county, as is also Orren ; 
Lena remains at home; and Lloyd is a progressive exponent of farm enterprise 
in Hamilton precinct. 

Mr. Wright has interested himself loyally in community affairs, has given 
many years of service as a member of the school board of his district, both as director 
and treasurer; is a republican in politics; has been affiliated with the Masonic 
fraternity for more than twenty years and has received the thirty-second degree of 
the Scottish Eite, and his wife holds membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. 



JOHN HAGEEMAN 



While now living retired in Aurora John.Hagerman was for many years identi- 
fied with agricultural pursuits and through the careful and capable manner in 
which he operated his fields and cared for his crops he won the success that now en- 
ables him to rest from further labor. He has passed the seventy-fourth jnilestone on 
life's journey, his birth having occurred at Van Wert, Ohio, November, 1846, his 
parents being William and Mary Ann (Barlean) Hagerman, the former a native 
of Pennsylvania while the latter was born in Ohio. The paternal grandfather, 
William Hagerman, was also a native of Pennsylvania and from that state removed 
to Ohio where his death occurred. His parents came from Holland, being the 
founders of the family in the new world. The maternal grandfather, John Barlean, 
was born in Germany and in early life became a resident of the Buckeye state 
where he continued to make his home until called to his final rest. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. William Hagerman was celebrated in Ohio, to 
which state they had removed with their parents in early childhood. They had 
both been pupils in the public schools of Pennsylvania and afterward continued 
their education in Ohio. William Hagerman became a farmer but died when only 
twenty-seven years of age. Two years after his death Mrs. Hagerman became the 
wife of Edward Hattery and they continued to make their home in Van Wert 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 237 

county. John Hagernian was the youngest child and is now the only survivor 
of the three children who were born of his mother's first marriage. She also 
had three children by the second marriage, two daughters and a son, the latter now 
deceased. The others still make their home in Ohio and in that state the mother 
died in 1888. Both the parents of John Hagerman were members of the Presby- 
terian chxirch and the father a republican in his political views. 

John Hagerman acquired a common school education in his native county and 
started out to earn his own livelihood by following agricultural pursuits. In 
1868 he went to Iowa where he remained for three years upon a farm and then in 
1871 came to Hamilton county which was then a frontier district where the work 
of settlement and development had scarcely begun. He homesteaijed eighty acres 
east of Aurora, preempted eighty acres, and also purchased forty acres of railroad 
land. He still owns these various tracts which he accjuired and for many years 
was one of the energetic and capable farmers of the county. His first home was 
a sod house but after two years he built a frame dwelling and continued on the 
farm until 1896, at which time he settled in Aurora. Here he built a nice home 
at the corner of L and Sixth streets. There was not a single house in Aurora when 
he came to Hamilton county and he assisted in hauling from Grand Island the 
lumber that was used in constructing the first dwelling built in the present county 
seat. 

In 1872, in Iowa, Mr. Hagerman was married to Miss Ajiianda Thompson who 
was bom in Ohio, a daughter of William Thompson who went to Iowa at an early 
day and died at the home of his daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Hagerman have been 
born two children : Bertha, who is the wife of Arthur Miller, a rural mail carrier 
of Avirora: and Arthur, who is engaged in the poultry business in St. Paul, 
Nebraska. Mrs. Hagerman is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Hagerman is a loyal supporter of the republican party but has never 
been 'an office seeker. His life has been devoted to business and his close applica- 
tion and energy have been the salient features in the attainment of his present po.si- 
tion of prosperity. He was poor when he came to the county and borrowed money with 
which to help make payment on preempted land. Step by step he has progressed, 
the years bringing him eventually to the goal of success and he is still the owner 
of his original farm property on which there has never been a mortgage, and which 
through the intervening years has returned to him a golden harvest, resulting in a 
gratifying annual income. 



J. E. INGEAM, M. D. 



Dr. J. E. Ingram, physician and surgeon of Harvard, is enjoying a good practice 
that is constantly increasing. His college training and his post-graduate work have 
been most thorough and his office is equipped with X-ray machines and other facili- 
ties for professional work of an advanced character. Doctor Ingram comes to 
Nebraska from the neighboring state of Kansas, his birth having occurred in 
Eepublic county on the 30th of April, 1883, his parents being J. T. and Alice 
(Kerby) Ingram, both of whom were natives of Iowa, in which state they were 



238 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

reared and married. In 1872 they removed to Thayer county, Nebraska, where the 
father homesteaded and in 1886 they went to Kansas. In that state he purchased 
land near the city of Republic and continued to reside there for fourteen years, or 
until 1900, when he took his family to Franklin county, Nebraska, securing a farm 
there which he further developed and improved imtil 1907. In that year he sold 
tlie property and retired from active life, establishing his home at Bethany, Ne- 
braska. Since that time, however, he has acquired a fruit farm in California, where 
he now makes his home. His wife passed away in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1909. 
They were the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, J. E. Ingram being 
the sixth in order of birth. The parents were members of the Christian church 
and J. T. Ingram was a republican in politics in early manhood but afterward 
became a supporter of the populist party. In 1891 he was called to represent his 
district in the Kansas legislature and some time afterward became an advocate of 
democratic principles. 

J. E. Ingram attended the common schools of Kansas and also the high school 
at Bloomington, Nebraska, while subsequently he was for four years a student in 
Cotner University. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he 
afterward entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was there 
graduated in 1915. He then came to Harvard, where he opened an office, but in 
the meantime served as an interne in a hospital at Cincinnati and also as interne 
in a hospital at Lincoln, Nebraska, for eight months, thus gaining valuable pro- 
fessional experience. He was likewise at one time assistant to a physician at 
Chanute, Kansas, but has practiced at Harvard continuously since July 17, 1916. 
He here has a nice practice which is constantly growing and he has splendid X-ray 
equipment in his office. In 1917 he pursued post-graduate studies at Rochester, 
Minnesota, and has also studied in the Chicago Polyclinic Post Graduate School. 
In August, 1920, he pursued special work in rectal diseases in Chicago and thus by 
advanced study he is constantly promoting his skill and efficiency. 

On the 4th of July, 1915, Dr. Ingram was married to Miss Ada B. Sipes, 
who was born in Franklin county, Nebraska, and to them has been born a son, 
Bernard Everett, now three years of age. The parents are members of the Christian 
church, loyally following its teachings and high purposes. Dr. Ingram belongs 
also to the Masonic fraternity and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Polit- 
ically he is a democrat but without aspiration for office. He belongs to the County, 
State and American Medical Associations and the State and National Eclectic 
Associations and has ever made his professional duties his first interest and con- 
sideration, so that he enjoys the confidence of the general public and of his 
professional brethren as well. 



ABRAHAM G. HAGEY 



Abraham G. Hagey was one of the honored settlers of Hamilton county and was 
familiar with every phase of early development in this section of the state. He 
came here when the work of progress and improvement had scarcely begun and bore 
his full share in carrying it forward. Not only were his labors a factor in the 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 239 

cultivation of farms but were also an element in public progress through his efforts 
to promote the schools and to advance every project for the general good. 

Mr. Hagey was born in Pennsylvania in 1834 and in 1847 or 1848 went with 
liis parents to Illinois, where his father engaged in the jewelry business. He drew 
lots with his brothers to see who would enter the service at the time of the Civil 
war and it fell to him to remain at home, for some one was needed in caring for 
the farm property. 

It was in the spring of 1873 that Mr. Hagey came to Hamilton county, Ne- 
braska, making his way to what was then a frontier region into which it seemed 
that civilization had scarcely penetrated. He purchased a relinquishment from a 
man who was driven out by the Easter blizzard. Mr. Hagey had driven through 
from Illinois with three horses and a covered wagon, camping out along the road 
at night. His first place was an eighty-acre tract of land and his first house was 
partly of sod and partly a dugout. He also had a sod stable on his place and a well 
was put down. He likewise planted forest trees and continued the work of steady 
development and improvement in this section of the state. On various occasions 
Indians passed through the district on their hunting trips. In those pioneer days 
Mr. Hagey did most of his trading at Har\-ard and often took his grist to mill in 
York county and sometimes to Springranch in Clay county. There were still some 
antelopes in this section of the state and various evidences of unimprovement and of 
unsettled conditions of the west. His labors constituted an. element in planting the 
seeds of civilization and of development which have since borne rich fruit here. 

At Sterling, Illinois, in 1860, Mr. Hagey was married to Miss Agnes Lyle, a 
native of Scotland, who was born February 22, 1832, and accompanied her parents 
on their emigration to the United States about 1843. She departed tliis life 
April 7, 1901, having long survived her husband, who died in Hamilton county, 
Nebraska, in February, 1878. They were the parents of four children: George, 
who still occupies the old homestead ; Frances, the wife of W. E. Cutts of Alliance, 
Nebraska; James, living in Downey, California; and John, who is farming in 
Hamilton county. After the mother's death the sons George and John took over 
the old home place, planted an orchard and greatly improved the property. 

Abraham G. Hagey assisted in organizing the school in District No. 64. He 
belonged to the Grange, becoming connected therewith in 1871 and 1872 while 
dealing with Montgomery Ward & Company of Cliicago. He remained a member 
until his death. His name is high on the roll of valued pioneer residents of this 
section of the state and the work which he instituted as a farmer is still being 
carried on by his sons George and John, who own the old homestead jointly. 



CHRISTIAN GEORGE 



Russia has contributed a substantial portion to the population of Hamilton 
county and the representatives of that land have been closely associated with the 
substantial development of this section of the state, especially along agricultural 
lines. Christian George is numbered among those who formerly engaged in 
farming and by reason of capable business management are now enabled to enjoy 



240 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

well earned rest. He was born in southern Enssia, April 1, 1850, and is a brother 
of John George, iu connection with whose sketch on another page of this work the 
family history is given. He was educated in his native country and in 1874 came 
to Hamilton county where he assisted in the arduous task of breaking sod and 
preparing the undeveloped prairie land for farming. He purchased a half section 
of railroad land at four dollars per acre, paying one tenth down and the balance 
in ten years. His first home was a sod house, or rather a mud house with a sod 
roof, which he built and in which he lived until he had completed payment on 
the property. In time he replaced this primitive home with a frame dwelling. 
From time to time as his financial resources increased he bought more land and had 
at one time five hundred and eighty acres. 

In 1872 Mr. George married Rosanna Ormen, a native of Russia and a daughter 
of Phillip and Freda (Wall) Ormen, who passed away in Russia, where her father 
had followed farming. Ten children have been born of this marriage: John M., 
a farmer of this county; J. C, also farming here; Matilda, the wife of Jacob 
Niekloes of Hamilton county; Carl and Gussie, who are farming in this county; 
Peter, living in Aurora; Lydia, the wife of Edwin Banks of Aurora, who is a 
railroad man; Rose, at home; Paul, in the railroad employ; and Ernest, upon 
the farm. 

Mr. and Mrs. George are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his 
political endorsement is given to the republican party. While on the farm he served 
as a member of the school board but has never been active in seeking public office. 
He occupied the farm until 1915 when he removed to Aurora and retired from 
business, his land being at that time worth two hundred dollars per acre. He gave 
each child land worth five thousand dollars and still holds a mortgage of twenty- 
three thousand dollars on land which he sold. All of this he has accomplished in 
an active and busv life. 



WILLIAM PROUTY 



William Prouty is one of the prominent and influential residents of Clay 
county, making his home at Edgar. He has devoted his entire life to agri- 
culture and has won a measure of success that is of a most substantial character 
and which has come to him as the direct reward of his perseverance and earnest 
labor. He was born in Berrien county, Michigan, on the 30th of October, 1851, 
a son of Caleb and Margaret (Williams) Prouty, the former a native of Vermont, 
while the latter was born in New York. Their marriage occurred in Michigan, 
where both had come as young people. Six children were born to that union, 
three of whom are living: Louise, who is the wife of Mason Hungerford, a 
veteran of the Civil war, residing in California ; Ida, the wife of J. W. Jameson, 
a veteran of that conflict, now a resident of Hillsboro, Oregon ; and William, 
whose name initiates this review. Throughout their lives both Mr. and Mrs. 
Prouty were consistent members of the Christian church and he was a stanch 
supporter of the republican party. 

William Prouty is indebted to the schools of Michigan for his education and 





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HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 243 

after putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming with his father. In 
1872, however, he determined to come west and as a result located in Clay 
county, where he acquired a homestead of eighty acres. He built a log house on 
this land and there resided alone until 1877, when he returned to Michigan and 
was married. Soon after that event he and his wife came to the homestead and 
thereon resided until July 9, 1919, when they removed to Edgar. Mr. Prouty 
sold his homestead, realizing a substantial sum, and purchased a five acre tract 
on the edge of Edgar, where he built a fine home. 

In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr. Prouty and Miss Ida Schweisthal, a 
native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Bobbins) 
Schweisthal, the former a native of Germany and the latter of England. They 
both came to the United States at an early day and their marriage was cele- 
brated in Wisconsin. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war the father enlisted in 
the Wisconsin regulars and served with them two years. During his active serv- 
ice he was quite severely wounded and confined to an army hospital for several 
months. The death of Mr. Schweisthal occurred June, 1881, at the Soldiers Home 
in Milwaukee. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Schweisthal four girls were born, 
three of whom are living ; Mrs. Proutj' ; Mary, who is the wife of E. C. Stephens of 
Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Hannah, who is the wife of E. J. Jones, who is en- 
gaged in plumbing in Aurora. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Prouty: William Ross, whose death occurred at the age of nineteen months; 
Luella, who is the wife of A. N. Squires, a farmer of Clay county; Alta, who 
married E. A. Hunter, a musician, and they reside in Missouri ; Fi-ed W. works 
for the county on the roads ; Grace, the wife of H. M. Larkin, a resident of Ayr ; 
and Pearl, whose death occurred on the 15th of March, 1920, and who was the wife 
of Dr. W. T. Simpson. 

Mr. Prouty follows an independent course in politics and fraternally is iden- 
tified with the Odd Fellows. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Prouty is that 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He passed through all the hardships of the 
pioneer days but allowed no obstacle to remain long in his path. His success is 
the result of his own determined effort, intelligently directed, and he is living 
retired in Edgar, an honored and representative citizen. 



HENEY T. WILLISS 



Among the well known men in Clay county is Henry T. Williss, a retired farmer 
of Fairfield. He was born in Indiana on the 7th of February, 1855, a son of Jesse 
and Jane (Manwell) Williss. His parents were both born in Ohio and removed to 
Iowa in 1857, settling in Prairie county. From that time until 1875 Jesse Williss 
engaged in farming and then came to Nebraska, Gage county, where he purchased 
land and resided thereon until his death. 

Henry Williss received his education in the country schools of Iowa and walked 
a distance of seven miles to the little log schoolhouse each day. He attended school 
for two or three months in the year and the remainder of the time helped his 
fatlier on the home farm. When his parents located in Gage county in 1875 he 



244 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

came with them and until he was twenty-seven years of age remained under the 
parental roof. He then rented land for some time and later purchased eighty 
acres, on which place he erected some fine frame improvements. He traded that 
eighty for one hundred and sixty acres in Gage county, which he soon afterward 
disposed of and subsequently purchased a one hundred and sixty acre tract one 
mile east of Fairfield. That land was fairly well improved and under Mr. Williss's 
able management was soon brought to a highly cultivated state. He engaged in 
general farming and kept a good grade of stock and was known throughout the 
county as a most successful agriculturist. In 1914 he retired from active life, 
selling his one hundred and sixty acres, and moved into Fairfield, where he is 
residing, a highly respected citizen. He is active in the development and improve- 
ment of the community and has an interest in the Farmers & Merchants Bank and 
the Farmers Elevator. 

On January 29, 1879, in Nebraska, occurred the marriage of Mr. Williss and 
Miss Jennie Gemmill, a native of Canada, and to them six children have been born : 
Emma, who is the wife of C. E. Duntz of Smith county, Kansas; Ella, the widow 
of Marion Ests and a resident of Davey ; Will, a resident of Smith Center, Kansas ; 
Erma, who is the wife of Edward Bailey of Harvard; Lewis LeEoy, of Smith 
Center, Kansas, who received training for entrance into the World war at Camp 
Cody, New Mexico, and saw active service abroad; and Charles, of Smith Center, 
Kansas. 

In politics Mr. Williss follows an independent course, giving his support to the 
man he thinks best fitted for any particular office. His religious faith is that of 
the Methodist Episcopal church and both he and his wife are consistent members 
of that organization. Mr. Williss has led a useful and active life and his success is 
due to his own determined effort, intelligently directed. 



D. C. HAGER 



One of the attractive commercial establishments of Clay Center is the jewelry 
store of D. C. Hager, who has continuously been connected with the Jewelry trade 
in this city since 1886, or for a period of thirty-five years. He was born in Ai> 
panoose county, Iowa, November 12, 1861, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret 
(Craft) Hager, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Penn- 
sylvania. They were married in Iowa, having removed to that state when young 
people, and the father followed the occupation of farming, having a small tract 
of land which he afterward sold prior to removing to Clay county, Nebraska, in 
1875. Here he purchased a homestead right of one hundred and sixty acres, which 
had a little house on it. He added some improvements to the place and after- 
ward sold it, at which time he bought land one mile south and town property in 
Clay Center and took up his abode in the city, there spending his remaining days. 
His widow still makes her home in Clay Center. Mrs. Hager is a faithful member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mr. Hager also belonged and he was 
likewise a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having served for three 



HAMILTO^T AXD CLAY COUNTIES 245 

years as a Union soldier in the Civil war. On one occasion he was captured by 
the Confederate forces and sent to prison in Tyler, Texas, where he was in- 
carcerated for three months. To Mr. and Mrs. Hager were born ten children: 
D. C, of this review; Clara, the widow of Hugh Louden and now a resident 
of Montana; Frank, who is clerking in a store at Clay Center; Ida, the wife of 
W. F. Taylor, a carpenter of Clay Center; John, who is farming in Minnesota; 
Cora, the wife of John Athey, a farmer, living near Ord, Nebraska; G. Edward, 
a prominent attorney of Lincoln, who formerly served as county attorney; Addie, 
who lives with her mother; Eva, the wife of Eev. Charles Burns, a minister of the 
Methodist Episcopal church located at Chester, Nebraska ; and Pearl, the wife of W. 
P. Hertel, a merchant of Clay Center. 

D. C. Hager was educated in the country schools of Clay county and began 
life on a farm. He learned the jewelry business in a store at^Ottumvva, Iowa, 
and started in business on his own account along the same line in 1886. He 
has been engaged in the jewelry trade since that time, covering a period of thirty- 
five years, and has long been accounted one of the prominent and representative 
merchants of this section of the state by reason of the thorough-going business 
methods he has displayed, his unfaltering enterprise and his unquestioned reliability 
in all trade transactions. 

In 1886 Mr. Hager was married to Mrs. Addie (Brooks) Wohrman, a native 
of Illinois and a daughter of George Brooks, who was a jsioneer settler of Clay 
county, where he took up the occupation of farming. He afterward removed to 
Buffalo county, Nebraska, where he purchased land and at a later date went to 
California, where his remaining days were passed. He served as a soldier of the 
Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Hager have been born four children: Elmer L., 
born in 1888, was educated in the high schools of Clay Center and is now a partner 
of his father in the optical business; Margaret is at home; Edna is a student in 
Cotner University, of Lincoln; and Ruth is emplo3'ed in the office of the county 
attorney. Mrs. Hager also had a daughter by her previous marriage, Etta, the 
wife of Allan Campbell of Clay Center. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hager hold membership 
in the Christian church and he belongs also to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern 
Woodmen and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political endorsement 
is given to the republican party, but his entire time and attention are given to his 
store and the careful management of his business has brought to him a substantial 
measure of prosperity. 



JOHN J. KLINE 



A pioneer farmer of Hamilton county was John J. Kline and his death which 
occurred March 14, 1914, came as a servere shock to his many friends. A native 
of Ohio he was born in Portage county in 1848, a son of John and Margaret (May) 
Kline. John J. Kline was but eight years of age at the time of his father's death 
and at that early age began to assume responsibilities. He obtained such education 
as was afforded in the country schools of Ohio, and when seventeen years of age 
learned the carpenter's trade which line of work he followed until the removal 
of the family to Illinois, when he was a young man. He farmed rented land in 



246 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

that state where his marriage occurred in 1875 and in 1880 Mr. Kline and his 
family came west. The trip was made hy train and they settled in Hamilton 
county in 1883, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land whereon he built 
a small frame house, shed and stable and made additional improvements. He 
planted an orchard but this largely died out as the result of the droughts of '93 
and '94. He was a very successful farmer and increased his holdings from time 
to time until he had a fine ranch of two hundred and forty acres in section 32, 
Scoville township. He was a man of great energy and determination and allowed 
no obstacle, however great, long to remain in his path. 

In 1875, while residing in Illinois, Mr. Kline was married to Miss Bertha 
Horschler, a native of Mount Pulaski, Logan county, that state. Her parents were 
Melchior and Mary (Young) Horschler. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Kline: Anthony H., whose death occurred at the age of twenty-three years; George, 
engaged in farming in Hamilton county ; Lena, who is the wife of William Wonder- 
lich, a farmer of Hamilton county; Katherine L., at home; Ralph, who passed away 
at the age of two years ; Cecelia, at home ; Daniel E., farming in Hamilton county ; 
Elmer, who died in infancy; Mary L., who is the wife of Cyril Wonderlich, a 
farmer of Hamilton county; Clara M., who is Sister Leonarda at St. Anthony's 
School, Cedar Rapids, Nebraska ; Francisca, who is Sister Francis Dominick in the 
St. Agnes Academy at Memphis, Tennessee; and Irene, who is also a nun, being 
known as Sister Theodore and is at St. Patrick's School, Fremont, Nebraska. 

Throughout his life Mr. Kline was a stanch democrat, having firm faith in the 
principles of that party as factors in good government. Fraternally he was well 
known as a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Highlanders 
and the Knights of Columbus. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church 
and he was a member of the St. Joseph church at Giltner. Having had but few 
educational advantages himself, Mr. Kline was a fervent worker in furthering any 
movement along that line and he served as school treasurer for a period of twenty- 
seven years. He was also for many years road overseer of the precinct. The 
greater part of Mr. Kline's life was devoted to farming and he became well known 
and an influential leader in the community. His death, March 14, 1914, was an 
occasion of deep sorrow throughout the vicinity, for in his passing Hamilton county 
lost a representative citizen. 



JACOB BUDLER 



Jacob Budler, for many years prominent in agricultural circles of Hamilton 
county, is now residing retired on his home farm in section 31, Valley township, a 
prosperous and respected citizen. A native of Germany, he was born on the 28th 
of December, 1851, and twenty years later came to the United States, in the spring 
of 1871. 

Upon his arrival in this country Jacob Budler first located in Pittsburgh, Penn- 
sylvania, where he obtained employment in a dairy. He remained in that connec- 
tion until May of that year, when he began to realize the greater opportunities 
offered in the west and as a result left Pennsylvania for Illinois, locating at 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 247 

Aurora. He made his home there for about nine years, working out by the month 
for about four years and then farming rented land for the remainder of the time. 
In 1879 he came to Nebraska, locating in Hamilton county, where he bought one 
hundred and twenty acres of land and there was a sod house and a shed on the 
place. Part of the land had been broken and the remainder being in prairie he 
immediately set about to cultivate it. He had brought a horse team and some farm 
machinery with him from Illinois. After purchasing his land, for whieli he paid 
eight and a quarter dollars per acre, Mr. Budler was without funds, but it was not 
long before he had his land on a paying basis. His farm is now composed of three 
hundred and ninety-three acres with two sets of buildings. 

While residing in Illinois the marriage of Mr. Budler to Miss Katrina Bermes 
was celebrated at Aurora on the 25th of February, 1872. To them thirteen children 
have been born, four claiming Illinois as their native state: John, Antone, Henry 
and Nettie, all bom in Illinois ; Frank, died in infancy ; Marie ; Bennie ; Kosy ; 
George; Albert; Annie and Lula. One died unnamed, Henry is in the United 
States army and was active in the Spanish-American war. This family has been 
closely bound together, each doing his part toward the making of the family 
fortune. Sickness has played but little part in their lives and for the most part 
the family circle remains intact. 

Mr. Budler and family are consistent members of the Catholic church and he is 
a generous contributor to its every cause. He has always taken an active part in 
the development and improvement of the community in which he has so long 
resided, and he served his fellowinen as road overseer for one year. Mr. Budler is 
now living retired on his home farm, which is being conducted by his son, Bennie, 
and his son-in-law, Clyde Henthome. He has labored hard and faithfully and is 
well entitled to the rest from hard work which he is now enjoying. 



NELS W. PETERSON 



Another of that fine element of Scamliiiavian citizenship that has played a 
large and important part in the civic and industrial progress of Hamilton county 
is Nels W. Peterson, who is one of the substantial exponents of farm enterprise in 
the township where his well improved farm is situated. 

Mr. Peterson was born in Sweden, April 6, 1850, and in his native land he 
was reared and educated. At the age of twenty years, moved by the urge of ambi- 
tion and resolute purpose, he came to the United States and it is entirely through 
his own ability and well ordered eilorts that he has made his way upward to the 
plane of substantial prosperity. He passed the first ioiiT years in the state of 
Mississippi, where he found employment in the cotton fields. Later he went to 
Tennessee and other parts of the country and within a short time after the great 
Chicago fire established his residence at Princeton, Illinois, where he worked on a 
farm for two years and here his marriage occurred. He gave nine years of ef- 
fective service in connection with the nursery business conducted in Illinois by 
a nephew of William Cullen Bryant, the distinguished American poet, and in 1885 
numbered himself among the pioneer settlers of Hamilton county, Nebraska. Here 



248 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

he rented land for five years. He recalls with somewhat grim humor that when 
the assessor made his first official visit to the Peterson home he found the pos- 
sessions of Mr. Peterson to be chiefly summed up in a good wife and three vigorous 
children. He continued his residence for five years on the farm of John J. Nord- 
gren, who aided him in buying horses and otherwise getting a start on the road 
to independence. Mr. Peterson recalls with most appreciative memory this old 
and loyal friend of the early days. 

Upon leaving the Nordgren farm Mr. Peterson purchased his present fine home- 
stead place of one hundred and sixty acres, the farm having at that time virtually 
no buildings except a small and crude shanty, which served as the temporary habi- 
tation of the family. The land of this locality was then without fences and it 
required both courage and vision to develop a farm from the virgin soil. The 
homestead is now equipped with good buildings, including a commodious and 
modern house which was erected by Mr. Peterson in 1902 and a fine orchard adds 
to the attraction and value of the place. Mr. Peterson's former nursery experience 
proved of great service to him in his development of this orchard and his technical 
skill is shown in his growing three kinds of fruit on one tree. He has been one 
of the energetic and progressive agriculturists and stock raisers of the county and 
gives special attention to the raising of hogs of excellent grade. So noteworthy 
have been his activities in the supplying of the best of seed corn that he has locally 
gained the title of "Seed-corn Peterson." He has raised and sold more seed corn 
than any other man in Hamilton county, his annual sales aggregating hundreds of 
bushels of the wonderful "Golden Superior" corn, in the propagation of which he 
has been remarkably successful and in which fact he takes much pride. Knowing 
well the needs and limitations of farmers he always sells his seed corn at reasonable 
prices. He takes loyal interest in all that touches the well being of the community, 
is a democrat in politics, has served twenty years as a member of the school board 
of his district and he and his wife are active members of the Swedish Mission church. 

The maiden name of Mrs. Peterson was Annie Swanson. She was born in 
Sweden and was thirteen years old when she accompanied her parents, John and 
Christina (Erickson) Swanson on their immigration to the United States, where 
the parents passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have a 
fine family of seven children: Albert, Oscar, Meda, Nancy, Delia, Esther and 
Hiram. Meda, who passed away in March, 1921, was the wife of Nels Peterson, 
who is engaged in farming not far distant from the home of his wife's father. All 
of the other children are at home with their parents. 



LOUIS F. FRYAR 



Louis F. Fryar, engaged in the abstract and insurance business at Clay. 
Center, was born in Darke county, Ohio, November 1, 1842, a son of Hezekiah 
and Delilah (Spencer) Fryar, the former a native of Virginia, while the latter 
was born in Maryland. The parents spent the greater part of their lives in Darke 
county, Ohio, and were there residing when called to the home beyond. 

Louis F. Fryar spent his boyhood days in his native county and pursued his 




LOUIS F. FBYAR 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 251 

education in the district schools, remaining in Ohio until 1860, when he removed 
to Rock Island county, Illinois. There in 1861 he responded to the country's call 
for troops, enlisting as a member of Company A, Thirty-seventh Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry, with which he served for four years and nine months during the 
Civil war. He participated in several important battles and at all times loyally 
defended the interests of the Union until victory perched upon the starry 
banner of the nation. 

Returning to Illinois after the war Mr. Pryar there resided until 1869, when 
he came to Nebraska, taking up his abode in Thayer county. In the fall of 1870, 
he came to Clay county, settling at Liberty Farm, and when the town of Fair- 
field was established a year and a half later, he removed to that place and opened 
an implement business. In 1882 he removed to Clay Center, where he has since 
resided, and as one of the pioneer settlers and progressive citizens, he has contrib- 
uted in large measure to the progress and development of this section of the state. 
His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, elected him county 
clerk in 1882, and he filled that position most acceptably for eight years. He 
was also county supervisor for some time and his public duties have ever been 
discharged with conscientious fidelity. Taking up the real estate business a num- 
ber of years ago, he has since been active in that line. He has given his atten- 
tion almost exclusively to this business since about 1892, previous to which time 
he served as private secretary under Benjamin R. Cowdery, secretary of state, 
from 1889 until 1891. 

In the year 1873 Mr. Fryar was married to Miss Laura A. Bancroft a native 
of New Hampshire, who taught school for a number of years in Clay county prior 
to her marriage. They became the parents of five children: Louis C, who has 
charge of the books for the Johnson Incubator Company of Clay Center, and has 
been secretary and treasurer of the company for a niunber of years ; Mabel, the 
wife of C. J. Keith, living on a farm near Bladen, Nebraska ; Myrtle, who is a twin 
sister of Mabel and is the wife of A. B. Jones of Mitchell, Nebraska; Earl, living 
at Clay Center, Nebraska, where he is filling the position of chief clerk in the 
postofiBce; and Stanley, who is in the office of the Incubator Company at Clay 
Center. 

Mr. Fryar is well known in Masonic circles and has attained the thirty- 
second degree of the Scottish Rite and is also a Knight Templar. He likewise 
belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and has served as commander of his 
post. In politics he has always been a stalwart republican. After his service in 
the Civil war, he became a member of the state militia and so continued from 
June, 1869, until November as a member of Company A, First Regiment of Mili- 
tary Cavalry. He has always been interested in the military conditions and 
questions before the country and his influence has always been on the side of prog- 
ress and improvement. He is indeed one of the pioneer settlers of Clay county, and 
one who has contributed in large measure to its welfare and progress. On coming 
to Nebraska, he homesteaded in Jones county, now Thayer county, in 1869 and 
lived on the land for a short time but afterward .sold it and became identified 
with the interests of Clay county, where he has taken part in many measures and 
projects that have been of direct value to this section of the state. He now 
devotes his entire time to his abstract and insurance business and has gained 



252 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

a good clientage in this connection. Enterprise and ability have brought him to 
the front and at all times he has faithfully discharged the duties of citizenship, 
making a splendid public official and doing everything in his power to advance 
the welfare and progress of the community, commonwealth and country, his 
loyalty in days of peace being of the same character as that which prompted 
his enlistment in active service in defense of the Union during the Civil war. 



JOHN GEORGE 



John George, a retired farmer living in Aurora, was born in Russia, December 
11, 1854. He is a son of Christ and Frede (Myer) George, who were also of 
Russian birth. The father came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, in 1876, secured 
a homestead claim and spent his remaining days here, his attention being devoted 
to the occupation of farming. He was- the owner of one hundred and sixty acres 
of land at the time of his demise. When he began he had a small sod house and 
little money with which to carry on the work of improving his farm, but as 
the years passed his labors wrought a marked transformation in the appearance 
of his land which in the course of years yielded him a good harvest. To him and 
his wife were born nine children, of whom eight are living: Henry, a farmer 
residing near Loup City, Nebraska; Christ, a retired farmer of Aurora; Jacob, 
who has also retired from agricultural pursuits and lives in Aurora; John, of this 
review; Fred, owner of a fruit ranch in California; Gus, a stockman, residing at 
Ericson, Nebraska; Adam, who is engaged in general farming in this county; and 
Josephine, the wife of August Holdgraf, a retired farmer of Aurora. The parents 
were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and politically Mr. 
George was a republican. 

In the schools of his native country John George obtained his education and 
on coming to the United States in 1874, when a young man of nineteen years, 
settled in Hamilton county. He first worked by the month as a farm hand, re- 
ceiving a wage of sixteen dollars per month for two and a half years. He was 
ambitious to engage in business on his own account, however, and contracted for 
land from the railroad company. On his purchase he made a cash payment of 
fifty-seven dollars down and paid the remainder in ten years, acquiring one hundred 
and sixty acres for which he paid five dollars per acre. He still owns this land 
which is situated in Beaver precinct and is valuable "farm property. He sub.se- 
quently purchased one hundred and twenty acres more which is also still in his 
possession. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and to his farm added many 
modern equipments and improvements. In 1917, however, he left the farm and 
removed to Aurora, where he erected a nice home at No. 1016 Sixteenth street. 
While he is living practically retired he makes frequent visits to his farm to give 
general supervision thereto and it is regarded as one of the splendidly improved 
properties of the district. 

In 1881 Mr. George was married to Miss Amelia Holdgraf, who was born in 
Missouri, a daughter of S. H. and C. M. (Osthoff) Holdgraf, who were natives of 
Germany and came to the United States about 1848. They settled in Missouri 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 253 

and tlie father there followed the profession of teaching. He afterward removed 
to Freeport, Illinois, where he taught for a number of years and in November, 
1878, became a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, and was teacher of German in the 
public schools there. To him and his wife were born ten children, of whom three 
are living, Mrs. George being the seventh child. The parents were members of 
the Evangelical church in which her father was a minister, acting at one time as 
minister of the church at Aurora. 

Mr. and Mrs. George have become parents of three children : R. G., who was 
educated in Aurora and is now on his father's farm; Clara, who is employed in 
the Farmer's State Bank at Aurora ; and Mata, at home. The parents are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. George votes with the republican 
party. He has served on the school board and the cause of education has found in 
him a warm friend. He stands loyally by all those projects which promise progress 
and improvement in public aifairs and is interested in all that pertains to the 
welfare and upbuilding of the community. His own life illustrates what could 
be accomplished through individual eifort and determined purpose, for he started 
out in the business world empty handed and all he has won and enjoyed is at- 
tributable entirely to his own labors. 



ALBEET- HULTINE 



Albert Hultine, owner of the Gray Gable stock farm in Eldorado township and 
one of the leading stock raisers of Clay county, was born in that county on the 
2d of January, 1877, a son of John and Emma (Nelson) Hultine. The father 
came to Clay county in 1872 and for some time worked for the Burlington Railroad 
at Hastings and other places farther west. Later he acquired a homestead, section 
12 of Lewis precinct, and there built his first house of sod and a barn. In later 
years he built a more modern dwelling of frame with a sod kitchen and bedroom. 
Mr. Hultine broke some of his land himself and hired the rest of it done. He put 
out many shade trees on the place and an orchard. Indians were fn'(|Uciit visitors 
to the homestead, where they begged for food and warmth and the huspiiality of 
John Hultine was known far and wide. There was plenty of game in the vicinity 
of the farm, a few buffaloes but many antelopes, and hunting in those days was 
more a necessity than a pleasure. During the severe blizzard of 1873, which lasted 
several days, Mr. Hultine lost his hat and the following spring found it in a creek 
one mile from the house. In order to secure provisions trips had to be made to 
Sutton and Grafton and fuel was obtained from along the creek banks. Although 
Mr. Hultine met with many overwhelming discouragements he had determined to 
succeed, and as a result of his grim determination and intelligently directed efforts 
was in possession of four hundred acres of fine land at the time of his death. His 
demise occurred in 1892 and in his passing Clay county lost another of her pioneer 
citizens. In religious circles of the county John Hultine was most prominent, 
having been one of the organizers of the Swedish Lutheran church, which he served 
as deacon for many years. He also assisted in the organization of the first school 
district and served as school treasurer. 



254 HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

Albert Hultine received his education in the public schools of his native county 
and after putting his textbooks aside engaged with his father in farming for some 
time. He then decided to enter that line of work on his own account and now owns 
nine hundred and sixty acres of land. He started a shorthorn cattle ranch in 1899. 
For seven years he engaged in breeding this grade of cattle and then began to 
raise the polled (now known as shorthorn) cattle, in which line he is still specializ- 
ing. He has one of the finest cattle ranches in the county and is widely known 
throughout the state and country as a stockman of much ability. At all important 
stock shows Mr. Hultine has had some of his cattle on display and has carried off 
many prizes. For three years in succession he took the grand champion prize on 
females at the International Stock Show in Chicago, and took eight first prizes 
there also. At the same place in 1980 he won the senior and junior awards and 
had a grand champion female. For eight years he has had entries in the Iowa, 
Nebraska and Kansas State fairs and in 1980 had a grand champion male and 
female at the Iowa state fair, a female grand champion in Nebraska, and in Kansas 
received the awards for both male and female grand champion. In the stock show 
at Denver in January, 1921, in the competition of shorthorn cattle Mr. Hultine took 
first prize on a female two-year-old; a two-year-old bull won third prize, a cow won 
fourth place and Mr. Hultine took fourth prize on his aged herd. 

In 1901 Mr. Hultine was united in marriage to Hulda England and they have 
two children: Lloyd and Cleo, both at home. 

Politically Mr. Hultine is an independent voter, giving his support to the man 
he thinks most suited for the office, regardless of party. The religious faith of the 
family is that of the Swedish Lutheran church. The success of Mr. Hultine as a 
stock raiser is widely known, not only throughout this country but in foreign 
countries as well. Last year he shipped a bull to Australia and three heifers to 
Uruguay, South America, and this year will ship two bulls and two heifers to 
Uruguay. Although Mr. Hultine devotes the greater part of his time to his stock 
raising he is interested in the improvement and development of the community and 
also has an interest in the elevators at Saronville. 



BEN PABEN 



Ben Paben has become specially *ell known as one of the progressive and suc- 
cessful exponents of live stock industry in Hamilton county, where liis well 
improved agricultural and stock farm is eligibly situated in Otis township, his 
attractive farm being in section 24 of that township. He was born in Menard 
county, Illinois, in the year 1862, but was only six years of age when his parents 
came to the new state of Nebraska, which had just emerged from the territorial 
regime, and numbered themselves among the pioneer settlers in Otoe county, where 
he was reared to manhood and where he received the advantages of the common 
schools of the period. Mr. Paben continued his active association with farm enter- 
prise in that county until 1892, when he came to Hsimilton county and purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 24, Otis township, where he has since 
maintained his home. Only forty acres of this tract had been broken when he 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 255 

assumed possession, but all is now available for effective cultivation, while lie has 
made the best of improvements on the place, including the erection of modern 
buildings. With increasing prosperity he has added gradually to his land holdings 
until he is now the owner of a valuable property of four hundred and eighty acres. 
While showing discrimination and jKogressiveness in the agricultural department 
of his farm enterprise Mr. Paben has given much study and attention to the raising 
and feeding of live stock, has for a number of years maintained on his farm the 
best types of full-blooded cattle and hogs and he attributes much of his success as 
an agriculturist and stock raiser to his insistent policy of keeping in touch with 
modern and scientific methods and policies. He encountered his quota of losses 
through seasons of drought and through grasshopper visitations, but he has looked 
upon these reverses as far from the normal trend of affairs in the county and state 
and his substantial success has fully justified his confidence and persistent applica- 
tion. He takes loyal interest in community affairs but has had no desire for 
political activity nor public office. 

At the age of twenty-seven years Mr. Paben was united in marriage to Miss 
Minnie Neubauer, who was born and reared in Nebraska, and of this union have 
been born ten children, all of whom are living, namely: William, Matilda, Katie, 
Archie, Lulu, Clarence, Hazel, Mabel, Pearl, and Irvin. In the attractive home 
circle is found also an adopted daughter, Floyd. William, the eldest son, is now a 
prosperous farmer in Valley county, and the eldest daughter, Matilda, is the wife 
of John Wesley, likewise a farmer in York county. 



EMIL ANDEESON 



Emil Anderson is progressive in his activities as one of the representative agri- 
culturists and stock raisers of Hamilton county, his farm being in section 9, Monroe 
and Phillips township. He Was born in Sweden in the year 1873, the date of his 
nativity having been August 27, and he was but a boy when his parents numbered 
themselves among the sturdy pioneer settlers of Hamilton county, Nebraska. He is 
a son of Carl and Anna Anderson, who immigrated to America in 1878 and who, 
after remaining about four months in the city of Chicago, came to Nebraska. The 
father obtained wild land in Hamilton county and instituted the development of the 
fine farm now o^raed and occupied by his son Emil, the immediate subject of this 
review. On this old homestead Carl Anderson passed the remainder of his life, and 
here he died at the age of seventy years. On first coming to the county he rented 
land, but in 1888 purchased a tract of one hundre.d and sixty acres, this being the 
farm which he brought to productiveness and which represented his home at the 
time of his death, his widow being now a resident of Tacoma, Washington. 

Emil Anderson was reared and educated in Hamilton county and he recalls that 
in his boyhood days Indians were still in evidence in this section of the state, while 
herds of antelopes were frequently to be seen. He was reared under the conditions 
and infiuences of the pioneer farm which is the present stage of his activities and 
which he rents from his widowed mother. He recalls the little sod house of two 
rooms which was the first home of the family and realizes fully the burdens and 



256 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

responsibilities borne by his honored parents in connection with the hardships that 
marked the pioneer period in the history of this section of Nebraska. He has 
literally grown up with the country and has continuously been associated with 
farm enterprise, having assumed control of the old home farm in the year 1900, and 
his success has been on a par with his energy and good judgment in his agricultural 
and live stock enterprise. The family name is one that has long been honored in 
connection with the civic and industrial history of Hamilton county, and he is fully 
upholding its prestige. 

In 1900 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Anderson to Miss Emma Berg- 
mark, daughter of John Bergniark, of whom mention is made elsevdiere in this 
work, and the two children of this union are Myrtle and Irving. 

Mr. Anderson's political allegiance is given to the republican party; he served as 
township assessor in 1919-20 and has given effective service also as moderator of 
the school board of his district. He and his wife hold membership in the Swedish 
Mission church of their community. 



LEVI E. OTTO 



For twenty-eight years Levi E. Otto was a resident of the state of Nebraska 
and his death occurred at Aurora on the 12th of January, 1916. He had been 
living retired in Aurora since 1911 and his death caused a deep feeling of bereave- 
ment to sweep the community in which he had made so many friends. 

Levi E. Otto was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of April, 
1861, and when four years of age removed with his parents to McLean county, 
Illinois, where he was reared on a farm. He received his education in the country 
schools of the county and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming 
with his father until twenty-one years of age. In 1884 he came to Hamilton 
county, but later returned to Illinois, where he was married in 1885. In 1888 
Mr. Otto came to Nebraska and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of fine 
land in Deepwell township, for twenty-five dollars per acre. He brought this 
land to a state of high cultivation and continued to add to it until he was finally 
in possession of fourteen hundred acres of well inijiruved land. He engaged in 
stock feeding on quite an extensive scale ami ]mt most of his land in grain. It 
was not long before he became a very well known member of the community in 
which he resided and was widely recognized as a successful and progressive agri- 
culturist. Not only was Mr. Otto prominent in agricultural circles but he was 
one of the organizers and president of the Pliillips Bank for many years and was 
also largely interested in the elevator and lumber yards at that place. 

On the 8th of March, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Otto and Miss Louella 
Barbee, a native of McLean county, Illinois, and to them the following children 
were born : Edgar, who is residing on the home farm ; Homer, who is farming in 
Hamilton county; Gertrude, now the wife of Frank Wright, a Hamilton county 
farmer; Harvey, who is residing in Deepwell township; Lester and Clarence, both 
farmers of Hamilton county; and Dorothy, at home. Homer and Clarence ruu a 




AND MRS. LEVI E. OTTO 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 259 

dairy near Aurora. One child, Clara, died at the age of six months. All the 
children with the exception of Clara, were born in Nebraska. 

The life of Mr. Otto was one of diligence and industry and as a result his last 
years were spent in retirement. He was one of the foremost agriculturists and 
stock feeders in the community and in both business and financial circles of 
Phillips he was also prominent. He was the second largest taxpayer in Hamil- 
ton county in personal property. Their first property of one hundred and sixty 
acres had few small improvements when he bought. He developed this all. Mr. 
Otto was always active in any movement for the development and improvement 
of the community and for many years was a member of the school board. His 
death left a void in the community that will be hard to fill for in his 
Aurora and Hamilton county lost a representative citizen. 



JOHN TAYLOR 



For the past fifteen years John Taylor has been residing retired in Edgar, 
enjoying a life of ease and comfort as the result of former years spent in intelli- 
gently directed industry. A native of Ohio, Mr. Taylor, was born in Urbana on the 
20th of August, 1845, a son of J. C. V. and Lucinda J. (Van Meter) Taylor, both 
natives of Ohio, where they resided all their lives. The father was a prominent and 
successful farmer of the community in which he resided and he also conducted a 
mill for several years. Six children were born to that union, three of whom are 
living: John, whose name initiates this review; Jennie B., a resident of Urbana, 
Ohio ; and J. S., who is living in Seattle, Washington. Both Mr. and Mrs. Taylor 
were consistent members of the Presbyterian church and fraternally he was iden- 
tified with the Odd Fellows. Throughout his life he was a stanch republican and 
for many years served as assessor of his native county. 

John Taylor received his education in the country schools of his native county 
and entered the Union army at the age of sixteen years, enlisting in Company 6, 
Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served three years and eight 
months. He was in the army of the Potomac until the battle of Chickamauga and 
then was transferred to the army of the Cumberland. He participated in the 
battles of Lookout Mountain, Gettysburg and Peach Tree Creek. At the close of 
the war he returned to Ohio and engaged in farming until 1865, when he removed 
to Illinois and worked out on farms for four or five years. At the end of that 
time he again returned to Ohio, where he was married. A man of great force and 
determination and one eager to grasp every opportunity offered, he decided to come 
west in 1886 and as a result located in Clay county. He purchased a farm con- 
sisting of eighty acres before he removed to the county and this land he brought 
to a high state of cultivation and sold at a time of high prices. For several years 
Mr. Taylor was auctioneer for the surrounding community and along this line 
demonstrated a great amount of ability. For fifteen years he has been living 
retired in Edgar, where he is readily conceded to be a representative citizen. 

In 1873 in Ohio occurred the marriage of Mr. Taylor and Miss Frances R. 
Barger, a native of the vicinity near Urltana. and a daughter of F. M. and Sarah 



360 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

(Strayer) Barger, both natives of Virginia. At an early day they removed to 
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have become the parents of six children, four of whom 
are living; Joe B., a farmer of Clay Center; Margaret, who is the wife of Ed. T. 
Wise, also farming in Clay county ; Frank, who is residing on a farm ; and Paul, 
working in an oil field in Eock Eiver, Wyoming. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Taylor the right of franchise he has been a stanch 
supporter of the republican party and the principles for which it stands. He has 
always taken an active interest in the development and improvement of the com- 
munity but has neither sought nor desired public oflBce. He is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Kepublic and his religious faith is that of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Mrs. Taylor takes an active part in the affairs of that organiza- 
tion, for the promotion of which she cheerfully gives a large portion of her time. 
Laudable ambition has prompted Mr. Taylor at every point in his career and his 
enterprise and diligence have gained him his present-day success. 



ASHLEY BENNETT 



Since 1905 Ashley Bennett has been residing retired in Sutton. For many 
years he has been prominent in the agricultural circles of Clay county and has 
arrived at his present success solely through his own effort. A native of Wisconsin, 
his birth occurred in Argyle, October 13, 1846. His father died when he was but a 
baby and his mother later married Levi Jacobs by whom he Was reared, knowing no 
other father. He is the only child now living who was born to the first marriage of 
his mother. Four children were born to the latter marriage, Clarissa Davis of 
MoiTill being the only one living. 

Ashley Bennett received his education in the country schools of Wisconsin and 
acquired a good education. He was quick to learn, applied himself diligently and 
was in every sense of the word a fine student. He remained with his parents on 
the home farm until 1873, when he came to Clay county and purchased two hundred 
and forty acres of railroad and school land. He had but sixteen hundred dollars 
when he arrived there. Sutton was at that time sparsely populated, having but four 
homes and four business buildings. Mr. Bennett set about immediately to put the 
land in cultivation and as a result of his energy and determination his land became 
some of the most productive in the county. Until 1905 he remained on his farm 
but in that year decided to retire from active life and removed to Sutton, where he 
bought a nice piece of property on which he erected a comfortable residence. In 
1930 he sold his farm, on which he realized a substantial sum. 

In 1868 Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Mary Humphrey, a native 
of New York state and a daughter of John and Margaret (Lamerson) Humphrey, 
the former born in New Jersey and the latter in New York. Mr. Humphrey was a 
successful farmer there and they both passed away in that state. He had been twice 
married and was the father of twenty-one children, sixteen by the first union and 
five by the latter. Mrs. Bennett was the youngest of the children born to the 
second union, and is the only one living. The parents of Mrs. Bennett were con- 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 261 

sistent members of the Baptist church. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett 
one son, Floyd, has been born. He is married and has three children: Alton and 
Olive, who are attending school ; and Ashley, eighteen months old. Floyd Bennett 
makes his home in Denver, Colorado, and during the war worked for the govern- 
ment in machine shops. 

The political allegiance of Ashley Bennett is given to the republican party, in 
the interests of which he takes an active part. He has never sought nor desired 
public office, however, preferring to devote his entire time to his farming interests,. 
The religious faith of both Mr. Bennett and his wife is that of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and he is fraternally identified with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. Mr. Bennett may well be called a self-made man, for he started out 
in life empty handed and by his persistence and energy has won independence and 
financial success. Today he stands among his fellowmen honored for his sterling 
character, his pertinacity of jrarpose and his well merited attainments. Mrs. Bennett 
belongs to the Daughters of the American Eevolution. 



CHRISTIAN SCHLIESKE 

Among the prominent and successful agriculturists whom Germany has con- 
tributed to the ranks of those active in the development of the state of Nebraska 
few are more favorably known than Christian Schlieske. He was born in Germany 
on the 5th of July, 1836, and in 1872 came to the United States. 

Upon the arrival of Mr. Schlieske iu this country he made his way first to Eock 
Island, Illinois, where he remained for two and one-half years. At the termination 
of that time he determined to remove further west and in November of the year 
1874 arrived in Hamilton county, Nebraska. He then homesteaded his present 
place of eighty acres and built thereon a house of sod with dirt floor and brush 
roof. He set about to break his land which he succeeded in accomplishing with the 
aid of ox teams. The fir.st year of his residence on the homestead he put under 
cultivation seven acres of land and the second year, thirty-five. When Mr. Schlieske, 
his wife and family arrived in the United States they had practically nothing and 
Mr. Schlieske hauled his neighbors' grain to Sutton, a distance of thirty-four miles, 
for the sum of two dollars per load. He was ever ambitious and energetic, and it 
seemed that every discouragement and misfortune but spurred him on to greater 
effort. His first two crops were destroyed by the grasshopper storms and the 
droughts of the '90s. For about two years Mr. Schlieske and his family lived in 
the old sod house and then he built another sod dwelling, which he improved upon 
by the addition of a board floor and sod roof. Mr. Schlieske now has one hundred 
and sixty acres, having added an additional eighty acre tract to the original home- 
stead. This land is located in section 2, Valley township, and is well improved, 
having a set of modern buildings and is now being farmed by a son, Henry. 

In 1861 in Germany Mr. Schlieske was married to Ernestine Erdman, whose 
death occurred in 1913. To them nine children were born: Adolph, who passed 
away at the age of fifty years; Carl, deceased; William, whose death occurred at 
the age of eighteen years; Hulda, who is now Mrs. Herman Stage; Fred, wliose 



262 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

death occurred at the age of three years; Tillie, who is the wife of Otto Grodske; 
Sophia, the wife of Ed. Gausman of Elba; Mary, who is the wife of E. Fenster of 
Waco; and Henry, who is farming the home place. 

Mr. Schlieske is a consistent member of the German Lutheran church of Hamp- 
ton and is a generous contributor to all of its charities. His life has been one of 
hardship and labor, but he is now reaping the reward to which he is so justly 
entitled. 



JAMES EOLLO 



Courageous and self-reliant were the men whose ambitions led them to determine 
to cast in their lot with the new commonwealth of Nebraska in the earlier stages 
of its development and among the pioneers of Hamilton county to whom must be 
ascribed marked priority in the matter of comparatively early settlement within 
its borders was the late James Eollo, who here established his home in the year 
following that of the admission of Nebraska to the Union. 

Mr. Eollo was born in Scotland on the 15th of April, 1840, and was there reared 
to adult age, his educational advantages having been those of the common schools. 
He was a youth of nineteen years when he accompanied his parents on their immi- 
gration to the United States and the family home was established in the state 
of Wisconsin. There James Eollo found employment by the month, principally 
at farm work, and he continued his residence in the Badger state until 1868, 
in November of which year he arrived in Hamilton county, Nebraska. In company 
with his brother-in law, John Salmon, he made the overland journey from Wiscon- 
sin with team and wagon and upon his arrival entered claim to a homestead of 
eighty acres in what is now Farmers Valley township. His first house was a dugout 
and this was later replaced by a log house on the bank of the Blue river. He 
made good improvements on his farm in the passing years and though he met with 
the losses and reverses common to the pioneer settlers he never wavered in his 
faith in Nebraska and continued to work with courage and singleness of purpose 
until substantial rewards became his, as is shown in the fact that at the time of 
his death he was here the owner of a valuabled farm property of four hundred 
acres. 

A man of superior mentality and sterling character, James Eollo had much 
of leadership in community affairs during the period of his residence in Hamilton 
county. He was a republican in politics, had the distinction of serving as the 
first coroner of the county and held also the office of constable and that of member 
of the school board of his district. His loyalty to the land of his adoption was 
significantly manifested by his giving nearly two years of service as a soldier of 
the Union in the Civil war. He enlisted in a Wisconsin volunteer regiment of 
infantry, took part in a number of battles and minor engagements and was finally 
incapacitated by the loss of the sight of one eye as a result of an attack of typhoid 
fever while he was still in service at the front. In later years he showed his abiding 
interest in his old comrades by maintaining active affiliation with the Grand Army 
of the Eepublic. 

Mr. Eollo married Jessie Bothwick, whose death occurred about the year 1881, 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 263 

he having long survived her, passing away in the year 1912, secure in his status 
as one of the honored and venerable pioneers of Hamilton county. Four children 
survive the parents, namely: Walter, John, Jessie (Mrs. James Bird), and Robert J. 

Walter Rollo, eldest of the children, was born on the pioneer farm in 
Hamilton county, June 20, 1874, and was reared under the conditions and influ- 
ences of the pioneer period in the history of this section of the state. He early 
gained close fellowship with the work of the farm and in addition to receiving the 
advantages of the local schools he completed a course in a business college in 
the city of Omaha. He has had full appreciation of the county of his birth and 
has had no desire to sever his connection with it, and he here holds secure vantage 
ground as a progressive agriculturist and stock raiser and as a citizen who is well 
upholding the prestige of the family name. In 1913 he took possession of his 
present farm in section 19, Farmers Valley township, comprising one hundred and 
eighty acres and the modern buildings on the place erected by him and the other 
excellent improvements are tokens of his vital and progressive policies. In con- 
nection with diversified agriculture he gives special attention to the raising of fine 
Holstein cattle and registered Clydesdale horses. 

In 1903 was solemnized the marriage of Walter Rollo to Mrs. Eva-Linna Salmon, 
widow of Peter Salmon and a daughter of the late John Goff. Mrs. Rollo entered 
into eternal rest in the year 1915 and is survived by two children, James and 
William. In 1918 Mr. Rollo wedded Miss Gertrude James and they have one 
child, Evelyn. The attractive family home is a center of hospitality. Mr. Rollo 
is serving as treasurer of the school board of his district and is otherwise influential 
in community affairs, as a liberal and public-spirited citizen. 



JACOB E. GEORGE 



Among the enterprising and progressive citizens that Russia has furnished to 
Hamilton county is numbered Jacob E. George who won his success through his 
farming operations and is now living retired in Aurora, enjoying the comforts and 
luxuries of life by reason of his former industry and toil. He was born in southern 
Russia, October 30, 1851, and was there educated. He took up the profession of 
teaching which he followed for four years before coming to the new world, teaching 
in both the German and Russian languages. He had been educated in the Gym- 
nasium school and at length determined to try his fortune in the new world, crossing 
the Atlantic in 1874. He at once made his way to Nebraska and purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of railroad land. For a few months he worked for a farmer 
at fifteen dollars per month and then his employer advanced him fifty-six dollars 
and he made his first payment on his farm. He continued flith his employer, 
however, for two years and in the meantime was getting a start on his land. He 
first built a sod house in 1875 and when his parents came to the new world he 
gave them the primitive little dwelling. Subsequently he built another sod house 
and in 1878 built his first frame house which contained two rooms. He lived 
on the farm until 1884, continuing its cultivation year by year until that time, 
when he traded the property for a farmers' flour mill in the southern part of the 



264 HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

county. He afterward bought more land, liowever, when he sold his mill in 1889, 
acquiring three eighty-acre tracts in York county. This he subsequently sold and 
bought more land in Hamilton county. He now owns eleven hundred and twenty 
acres of land, all of which has been acquired through his own efforts and from 
his property he derives a most substantial and gratifying annual income. All of 
this land is now very valuable and would sell at a high figure. He has always 
displayed sound judgment in making his investments and his business record is 
such as should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what can be accom- 
plished through resolute will intelligently directed. 

On the 25th of November, 1877, Mr. George was married to Christina Eberhardt, 
a native of Russia and a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Eberhardt. Her father, 
who was a blacksmith, died in Russia but the mother afterward came to the United 
States and passed away in Mississippi. To them were born eleven children, five 
of whom are living, Mrs. George being the eldest. By her marriage she has become 
the mother of six children, five of .whom survive : Louisa, the wife of C. K. 
Penner, a dairyman of York county, Nebraska; William C, a minister of the 
German Methodist Episcopal church, who was educated in Warrenton, Missouri, 
and Chicago, and is now located at Clatonia, Nebraska ; Emil, who is on his father's 
home farm ; John J., who is engaged in farming in Hamilton county ; and Mollie, 
the wife of Helmuth Griess, also a farmer of Hamilton county. Annie is deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. George are loyal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church 
and in politics he is a republican. He has served on the school board, has been 
road supervisor and at all times is loyal to the interests and welfare of his adopted 
county. Since 1913 he has made his home in Aurora, purchasing a residence at 
No. 905 K street which he rebuilt in 1915 and which is today a modern and attrac- 
tive dwelling. There amid pleasant surroundings he is spending the evening of 
life. He has reached the Psalmist's allotted span of threescore years and ten but 
in spirit and interests seems yet a man in his prime. 



HENRY WUNDERLICH 



Henry Wunderlich, a retired farmer now living in Giltner, Nebraska, engaged 
in general farming and stock raising in Hamilton county from 1878 to 1914. He 
was born in Illinois, March 10, 1843, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Shuman) 
Wunderlich, both natives of Germany. The parents came to the United States 
in 1840 on an old sailing vessel and located on a farm in Illinois. 

Henry Wunderlich received his education in the common schools of Illinois, 
which schools were conducted in primitive log houses, and he later went to St. 
Louis, Missouri, where he entered a parish school. After putting his textbooks 
aside he started to work on his father's farm in Illinois, remaining in that state 
until 1856, when he removed with his parents to Minnesota. He was married in 
that state and followed farming there for twelve years, renting land for three 
years and later purchasing eighty acres. His first home on the Minnesota land 
was built from the timber secured on the farm. In 1878 he decided to come west, 
with the result that he located in Hamilton county, going as far as Grand Island 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 367 

by train. He iDurchased three hundred and twenty acres of railroad land in this 
county for four dollars per acre and broke his own land. For five weeks he 
made his home in a nearby schoolhouse but then built a small frame house and slab 
barn on his own place to which he removed. He put out trees and planted a large 
orchard, the latter having mostly died, and he now has a fine small vineyard. 
At first he was compelled to haul all of his necessities from Grand Island and 
he obtained his fuel by cutting willows from along the banks of the Platte river, 
also burning cornstalks. Mr. Wunderlich experienced many hardships and has 
been snowed in for many days when severe blizzards hit that section of the country. 
He has built two sets of good improvements on the land and he achieved a sub- 
stantial amount of success in his general farming and stock raising. Mr. Wunder- 
lich has always taken an active interest in the development and improvement of 
the community and for several years he served on the school board of District 41. 
He was also road overseer for six years. 

In Winona, Minnesota, occurred the marriage of Mr. Wunderlich and Miss 
Eosana Felzer, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth 
(Maier) Felzer. Her parents were both natives of Germany, having been born 
near the river Rhine. They came to the United States in 1840, taking nine weeks 
to make the journey, and first settled in Maryland. From there they removed 
to Pennsylvania and later to Minnesota, where the father followed the blacksmith's 
trade. Mr. and Mrs. Wunderlich have become the parents of ten children: Eliza- 
beth, who is the wife of Jacob J. Lindgren of Albany, Oregon; John, who is 
engaged in farming in Hamilton county ; Prank, who died March 31, 1931 ; Elnora 
C, the wife of Charles Wanek, a farmer of Hamilton county ; Charles H., deceased ; 
George L., of Colorado Springs, Colorado; William M., a farmer of Burwell, 
Nebraska; Rudolph, who is farming in Hamilton county; Edith M., the wife of 
Otto Shaffer, a Hamilton county farmer; and Janette, deceased. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Wunderlich the right of franchise he has been 
an independent voter, giving his support to the man he thinks most fitted for the 
position. The Wunderlich family are members of the Catholic church at Giltner, 
in the activities of which they take a prominent part. Mr. Wunderlich has lived 
a useful, active and busy life, as has also his wife, and whatever success he has 
achieved has come to him as the reward of ability and industry. He has been a 
dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country and has been a 
witness of its progress and improvement. Mr. and Mrs. Wunderlich celebrated 
their golden wedding April 8, 1916. 



GUST W. SANDIN 



Gust W. Sandin, who has the agency at Aurora for the Ford car and also main- 
tains a garage and repair shop in connection with his salesrooms, was born in 
Sweden, April 6, 1878, and his parents, A. G. and Gustava (Ericson) Sandin, 
were also natives of that country. The father, who was a tool maker by trade, 
died in Sweden and Mrs. Sandin was remarried in Sweden, to P. A. Ekberg. and 
brought the family to the Unitetl States in 1890, settling in Polk county, where 



268 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

they resided until 1896, when she removed to Marquette, Nebraska. Mr. Ekberg 
was a farmer by occupation and has passed away. Mrs. P. A. Ekberg had a family 
of three sons by her first marriage, of whom two are living: Fred and Gust, 
who are associated in business. One son, Sigfred, died at Swedehome, Nebraska, 
at the age of thirty-six years. The mother was a member of the Lutheran church 
and was a woman of many sterling qualities, devoted to her family and doing every- 
thing in her power to qualify her children for life's practical and responsible duties. 

Gust W. Sandin was educated in the schools of Sweden to the age of twelve 
years, when he came to the United States with his mother and stepfather and then 
started out to earn his own living. For ten years he was connected with farming 
west of Marquette and eventually purchased the Baleys homestead of two hundred 
acres. Later he sold this land when he turned his attention to the automobile 
business in Marquette in 1909. There he remained until 1914 but established his 
garage in Aurora in 1912. He began handling the Ford car and has since had the 
agency for this. He also has a branch agency at Giltner. His business has reached 
extensive proportions and in addition to selling many cars annually he does all 
kinds of Ford repairing. He is energetic, alert and determined and carries forward 
to successful completion whatever he undertakes. 

In 1900 Mr. Sandin was married to Miss Edna Cowling, who was born in 
Ohio, a daughter of John W. Cowling, who in 1889 became a resident of Marquette, 
Nebraska, and devoted his life to the occupation of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Sandin 
have become parents of six children : Ada, who was a teacher in the schools 
of Hamilton county for two years and now occupies a position with Hainer, Craft 
& Edgerton, attorneys of Aurora, was graduated from the high school at Aurora 
when sixteen years of age; Freda is now a high school pupil; Mabel, Phyllis and 
Gust W. are also in school ; and Wilbur, two years of age, completes the family. 

Mr. Sandin is a Scottish Rite Mason and Noble of the Mystic Shrine and he 
also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he maintains 
an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment with 
little regard for party ties. For three years he served as assessor while in Marquette 
but does not seek nor desire political preferment, as his time is fully occupied 
by his business affairs and though he started out to make his own living when but 
twelve years of age and had no financial resources at all at the outset of his 
career, he is today one of the men of affluence in Aurora, occupying an enviable 
position in its business circles. 



RICHARD H. PEARD 



In the year 1872 variously equipped "prairie schooners" were to be seen making 
their way across the prairies from the east to Hamilton county, Nebraska, and one 
of these with its more or less jaded teams, was that occupied by Richard H. Peard, 
the sterling citizen whose name introduces this review, who was destined to do 
well his allotted part in connection with the civic and material development and 
upbuilding of the county, he having been about twenty-six years of age at the time of 
his arrival in the county. 



HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 269 

Mr. Peard was born in England, in 1846, and is a son of Kichard and Grace 
(Buckingham) Peard, the father having been a prosperous farmer in his native 
land. The subject of this review gained his early education principally in boarding 
schools in England, and in 1867, the year in which he attained his legal majority, 
he severed home ties and set out to se^k his fortunes in the United States. He made 
his way to Wisconsin, where he was variously employed for some time and where 
also he initiated independent enterprise as a farmer. In 1873 he came with team 
and wagon to Nebraska and en route crossed both the Mississippi and Missouri rivers 
on ferry-boats. Upon his arrival in Hainiltoii county he filed preemption and 
timber claims and on his laiul his liist doniiiilc was a house constructed partly of 
framed timber and partly of sod. In the building of this pioneer structure he hauled 
the requisite timber overland from Grand Island and his early crops of grain 
he transported in a similar way to Hastings. He finally sold his two claims and 
then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land, at five dollars per 
acre and eighty acres of school land, for seven dollars per acre. He vigorously 
set himself to the task of reclaiming his land and making it available for cultiva- 
tion and he had his share of losses through drovfghts and grasshoppers, the gi-ass- 
hoppers entirely destroying his crops except such wheat as he had already har- 
vested. He made appreciable improvements on his second acquirement of land. 
He was later elected sheriff of the county, whereupon he removed to Aurora,- the 
county seat. He held this office one term, in an excellent administration. There- 
after he was for five years an efficient assistant in the office of the county clerk and 
then resumed his active association with farm enterprise, on land which he had 
purchased near the village of Phillips while living at Aurora. He made this 
one of the model farms of the county and the valuable property still remains 
in possession of his widow, this being still the family home, the farm lying adjacent 
to the corporate limits of Phillips, ilr. Peard depended solely upon his own 
abiUty and efforts in making his way to the goal of financial and economic inde- 
pendence and his success has been worthily won, as is shown in the high position 
which he held in popular esteem. His political allegiance was given to the repub- 
lican party, he was reared in and held to the faith of the Protestant Episcopal 
church, represented in his native land by the established Church of England, and 
his wife is a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Phillips. The 
first crop of corn raised by Mr. Peard in Hamilton county was that obtained from 
eleven acres of the virgin prairie soil which he had prepared for cultivation. He 
hauled fued from the Platte river to his pioneer farm and also utilized corn for 
fuel, and he and his wife otherwise resorted to various expedients made necessary 
by conditions in the pioneer days. 

In Hamilton county was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Peard to Miss Albertina 
James, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Eobert James, who came overland 
with his family to Hamilton county in 1873 and took up a preemption claim in the 
present township of Phillips, where he had barely initiated the work of reclamation 
when his labors were ended in death in 1874. His widow survived him twenty years 
and passed to eternal rest in 1894. 

Mr. and Mrs. Peard became the parents of eight children, of whom four are 
living: Ethel is the widow of William Dresher and still maintains her home in 
Hamilton county ; Richard H. is now at home and was one of the gallant young 



370 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

men wiio represented Hamilton county in the nation's military ranks in the great 
World war, his training having been received in four different army camps and his 
service having covered a period of sixteen months, though he was not called to 
active duty overseas; Hazel and Frank, twins, are the younger members of the 
home circle. Mrs. Peard moved to her present home in 1903. 



JAY J. JONES 

Jay J. Jones is now living retired in Clay Center, although for many years he 
was actively identified with farming interests, his success in the cultivation of his 
fields bringing to him the prosperity that now enables him to enjoy a well earned 
rest. He was born in Woodstock, Illinois, in 1865, a son of J. W. and Mary E. 
(Brown) Jones, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in New 
Hampshire. They were married, however, in Illinois, having removed to that- state 
in early life and there the father afterward followed the occupation of farming. In 
1865 he went with his family to Minnesota and in July, 1876, they arrived in Clay 
county, Nebraska, where Mr. Jones purchased railroad land and built a frame 
house. He then concentrated his efforts and attention upon the development and 
improvement of his farm, on which he lived for several years. In fact his death 
occurred on the old home place, while his widow died when visiting her son in 
Lincoln, Nebraska. They held membership in the Christian church and Mr. Jones 
was also loyal as a supporter of the republican party. He was a son of John Jones, a 
native of Wales, who on leaving the old world established his home in New York, 
where he spent his remaining days. The maternal grandfather, Joshua Brown, was 
a pioneer of Minnesota and there resided until called to his final rest. In the 
family of J. W. and Mary Jones were ten children, of whom four are living : J. D., 
who was employed on the Burlington Eailroad from 1884 until October, 1920 ; H. E., 
a resident farmer of Minnesota; W. M., a carpenter of Bethany, Nebraska; and 
Jay J. 

The last named obtained his education in the schools of Minnesota and of Clay 
county, Nebraska, and when his textbooks were put aside concentrated his efforts 
and attention upon the work of the home farm. He continued to engage in 
agricultural pursuits, save for the years 1883 and 1884 when he worked in the 
Burlington bridge shop at Lincoln, Nebraska. He then returned to Clay county, 
went on his father's place and there resided until 1890, when he removed to his 
brother-in-law's farm, but continued to cultivate both tracts of land. In 1892 he 
bought eighty acres on time and afterward added to his holdings until his landed 
possessions now include four hundred acres of valuable farm property. Many 
improvements have been added thereto and his farm is one of the attractive places 
in this section of the county. He has made every dollars he possesses and whatever 
success and opportunity he has had in life is due to his own careful planning and 
able management. He is now working at the carpenter's trade, for a life of 
indolence and idleness is utterly abhorrent to him and while he derives a substan- 
tial income from his farm holdings he prefers to have some business cares rather 
than to live absolutely retired. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 271 

In 1886 Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Hayes, who was 
born in Knoxville, Illinois, a daughter of John M. and Nancy (Hockenberry) 
Hayes, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, and were 
married in the latter state. At an early day they removed to Illinois and the father 
there followed the occupation of farming, both he and his wife dying in that state. 
Their daughter, Mrs. Jones, was their only child. Both parents were members of 
the Presb)'terian church and Mr. Hayes voted with the republican party. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born four children: Jesse Ernest, who is 
engaged in the oil business at Laramie, Wyoming; Inez, the wife of Foster Mock, 
living on her fathers farm ; Bessie Myrtle, wife of Fred Mock, also on the farm ; 
and Euby Jones, who is a high school pupil. In his political views Mr. Jones is a 
republican. Fraternally he is connected with the Modem Woodmen of America and 
both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. In 1918 they removed 
to Clay Center, where he purchased an attractive home and there they are living 
among many friends, his enterprise and diligence in former years supplying them 
now with all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. 



THOMAS TIMMONS 



Thomas Timmons is one of the many men actively engaged in the cultivation of 
the soil of Hamilton county, of which he has been a resident since April, 1873. A 
native of Maryland, he was born in that state on the 15th of June, 1812, a son of 
Stephen Timmons. His father removed from Maryland to Indiana about 1869 and 
there resided until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty-five years. 

Thomas Timmons came to Hamilton county about April, 1873, driving through 
from Ottumwa, Iowa, the trip being made with a yoke of cattle and covering a 
period of about four weeks. In the spring of that year Thomas Timmons home- 
steaded eighty acres in the county and on that prairie land he made a dugout in 
which he resided for four years. At the termination of that time he moved onto 
the flats and there built a sod house. He broke some of his land with his oxen, but 
finding them too slow, sold them and purchased a team of horses. When Thomas 
Timmons arrived on this land he had in his possession twenty dollars, one cow, and 
a plow. He soon had his land in a state of cultivation, however, and there were 
plenty of wild birds and a few deer from which to obtain meat. Central City was 
then the closest trading post and was known as Lone Tree. Mr. Timmons is still 
residing on his original eighty acre tract in section 34, BluS township, which is 
highly improved and on which stand good buildings, those structures having been 
built by Mr. Timmons himself. His brother, Lem, came to Hamilton county about 
1880. 

In 1884 Mr. Timmons was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Benson, the event 
taking place in Ottumwa, Iowa. To them seven children have been born: Mary 
and Alice, both deceased; Benjamin, who is residing in Hamilton county; Ethel 
Benson of Hamilton county ; Sally Jensen, also a resident of Hamilton county ; and 
Amos is residing on the home place, and runs his father's farm ; and Ernest, who is 
at home. 



272 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

The earnest aud persistent work of Mr. Timmons has been the source of his 
success, enabling him to surpass many who started out in life earlier or more 
advantageously. His record may well serve as a source of encouragement to others, 
showing what may be accomplished by one who has the will to dare and to do. 



ANDREW PETERSON 



His own industry, economy and careful management brought to the late Andrew 
Peterson a large degree of success in his farm enterprise in Hamilton county, and 
though he worked hard and practiced utmost self-denial in getting a start, he 
gradually made his way forward to the plane of prosperity, and ever ascribed 
a large share of his success to the earnest and effective cooperation of his devoted 
wife, who since his death has remained on the old home place, in section 11, 
Otis township, and who has proved a specially capable and discriminating business 
woman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were born and reared in Sweden. He 
came to the United States when about twenty-five years of age and his future 
wife came as a young woman of twenty-two years, their marriage being solemnized 
at Hampton, Hamilton county, Nebraska, in 1880, a date which indicates that 
they had their share of pioneer experiences in this county. Mr. Peterson died in 
the year 1900, at the age of fifty-five years, secure in the confidence and respect 
of the people of Hamilton county, where he had long lived and labored to worthy 
ends. Mr. aud Mrs. Peterson became the parents of the following children : Mrs. 
Mary Carlson; Charles; Mrs. Selma Burkman; Mrs. Ida Bush; Arthur; and Mrs. 
Ellen Bowers. All of the children are residents of Hamilton county and Arthur re- 
mains with his widowed mother on the old home farm, of which he has the active 
management. Two other children have passed away. The maiden name of Mrs. 
Peterson was Emma H. Erickson and she gained her early education in the schools of 
her native land. 

Mr. Peterson made the overland journey from Illinois to Nebraska with a 
wagon and team of horses and on his arrival his available cash capital was reduced 
to twenty-five cents. He found work by the day and though his wages were not 
large he continued his service as a farm workman and carefully saved his earnings 
until he became able to purchase a tract of land and engage in independent farm 
enterprise. From an average wage of twenty dollars a month he eventually 
accumulated one thousand four hundred dollars and thus fortified he purchased 
eighty acres of land, but two years later traded this property for the present home- 
stead farm on which his widow resides. This latter farm he reclaimed from the raw 
prairie and here the original dwelling wliich he erected was a small frame house of 
two rooms. It is interesting to record that Mr. Peterson had great fondness for the 
fine team of horses which he brought from Illinois and that he ever gave to 
these horses the best of care, retaining them in his possession until they died. 
While living in their original sod house Mr. and Mrs. Peterson experienced no little 
hardship and at times had to burn corn and cornstalks for fuel, though much 
of the time fuel for the little home w-as obtained by cutting trees along the bank 
of the Platte river. Industry and perseverance brought success to Mr. Peterson 




ME. AND MRS. ANDREW PETERSON 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 275 

in his indepeudent farm enterprise, and at the time of his death he was the owner 
of two hundred and eighty acres of land, well improved and under effective 
cultivation. His widow has kept the place up to the high standard which he 
set and since his death has added two hundred and eighty acres to the family 
holdings, working five hundred and sixty acres with five different sets of buildings 
on this land. Though her son Arthur is now her able aid, Mrs. Peterson takes 
great satisfaction in maintaining a general supervision of her farm property and 
incidental business interests. She is an earnest communicant of the Lutheran 
church, as was also her husband, and he signalized his civic loyalty by doing 
his part in the furtherance of measures advanced for the general good of the 
community, while he gave his political allegiance to the republican party, to 
which his widow also gives her political support. 



CHAELES H. EPPEESON 

Charles H. Epperson, engaged in law practice in Clay Center as the partner 
of his father, A. C. Epperson, mentioned elsewhere in this work, was born on the 
1st of September, 1892, in the city which is still his home. In the acquirement of 
his education he attended the Clay Center high .school and afterward matriculated 
in the State University, completing a course in literature with the class of 1915 
and a course in law with the class of 1916. During his last term in school he was 
editor of the Nebraskan and was a member of the Silver Links fraternity during 
his college days. He also became a member of the Sigma Delta Chi, a journalistic 
fraternity, and of the Phi Delta Alpha, a law fraternity. He likewise belonged 
to the Phi Alpha Tau, a public speaking fraternity and dramatic club. His various 
activities during his college days made him a favorite with his fellow students 
and friendships- begun at that time have since maintained. 

With his graduation on the completion of his law course Mr. Epperson -entered 
into active practice in association with his father and this connection has continued, 
the firm of Epperson & Epperson ranking as one of the foremost at the bar of Clay 
county. 

On the 22d of July, 1916, Mr. Epperson was united in marriage to Miss Beulah 
McCaw, who was born in Belvidere, Nebraska, a daughter of Dr. H. E. McCaw, who 
was one of the pioneers of that place and is now living in Missoula, Montana. Mr. 
and Mrs. Epperson have become parents of a daughter, Catherine Blanche, who 
was born April 3, 1919; and a son, Charles Hugh, bom April 11th, 1921. 

Mr. Epperson entered the army as a student at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, on the 
27th of August, 1917, and was commissioned a first lieutenant on the 27th of 
November of that year. He was then assigned to Camp Custer, Michigan, and 
was promoted to a captaincy in August, 1918, receiving his discharge in March, 
1919. He still holds a commission as captain in the United States Reserves. 
Eratemally he is connected with the Masons and is a prominent member of the 
American Legion. He served on the executive committee for the year 1919-20 
and is a member of the republican state central committee, being a recognized 
leader in political ranks. He has recently purchased the old Patriot, changing 



276 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

its name to the Eepnbliean, and thus has again taken up a line of work with which 
he first became familiar during his college days. He is alive to all the vital ques- 
tions and issues before the state and the country at large and keeps well informed 
on important public problems, his position being a progressive one on many questions 
of importance to the community and to the commonwealth. 



HAKRY E. SIMS 



Harry E. Sims, who since May, 1908, has been engaged in the automobile busi- 
ness at Aurora, was born in Hamilton county in 1883. His parents, Albert G. 
and Sarah E. (Dixon) Sims, are natives of Illinois, coming to Hamilton county 
in 1874. Here he purchased railroad land at five dollars per acre, making a partial 
payment on the property and meeting further payments from time to time until 
he had cleared his place of all indebtedness. He first occupied a sod house and 
later erected a frame dwelling on his land. Year by year he continued to culti- 
vate his fields and brought his farm to a high point of improvement. He removed 
to Aurora in 1913, at which time he retired from active business but he still owns 
the old homestead which comprises two hundred and forty acres of land and in 
addition has other farm property. He came to the county empty-handed but has 
steadily worked his way upward and by determination and energy has overcome all 
diflBculties and obstacles in his path. He passed through the hardships of the early 
days and has lived to see marked changes in the countj', bearing his part at all 
times in the work of general progress and improvement. He and his wife attend 
the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to the Highlanders, while his 
political allegiance is given to the republican party. To Mr. and Mrs. Sims have 
been born six children, of whom five are living : Harry E. ; Hollis, a farmer resid- 
ing at Minatare, Nebraska; Frank, who is on the old homestead; Violet, who is 
in the sugar factory at ScottsbluflE, Nebraska; and Leota, the wife of Irvin Otto, 
a real estate dealer of Aurora. 

Harry E. Sims pursued his education in the country schools until he had mas- 
tered the elementary branches of learning and later was graduated from the high 
school of Aurora and from Doane College in the class of 1907. His youthful 
experiences were those of the farm bred boy and for a time in early manhood he 
continued to engage in the tilling of the fields and the cultivation of the crops. 
Later, however, he turned his attention to the automobile business, establishing 
a sales agency and garage in May, 1908. Through the intervening period he has 
been engaged in the sale of Buick and Chevrolet cars and is today the oldest auto- 
jmobile merchant in A\irora. He has a large garage, forty-four by ninety feet 
and two stories in height, and his repair shop is an important branch of his busi- 
ness. He handles a full line of automobile supplies and equipments of all kinds 
and has won substantial success through the capable management of his interests. 

In 1917 Mr. Sims was married to Miss Nelle Bright, who was born in Hall 
county, Nebraska, a daughter of James Bright, who settled in that county in the 
early '80s. Mr. and Mrs. Sims have become parents of two children, Margaret 
and Harriett. The parents are members of the Congregational church and enjoy 
the confidence and goodwill of all who know them, owing to their sterling personal 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 277 

worth. Mr. Sims belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also to the 
Highlanders, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He 
has never been an aspirant for office, however, but gives his time and attention 
fully to his business affairs and by reason of his energy and close application is 
now numbered among the successful business men of his adopted city. 



EGBERT G. THOMPSON 

In his character and service the late Robert G. Thompson gave to the world 
a distinct assurance of sterling manhood and worthy achievement, and in his 
youth he went to gain pioneer experience in Nebraska, where he won substantial 
prosperity through his long and active association with farm industry in Hamilton 
county. In this county he continued liis residence until the close of his life, his 
death occurring on the 11th of November, 1916. 

Mr. Thompson was born in the state of Illinois, on the 25th of October, 1857, 
and was a son of David and Mary Thompson, who removed from Illinois to Wis- 
consin, in which latter state the death of the father occurred. In Wisconsin Robert 
G. Thompson was reared to adult age and received the advantages of the public 
schools. After the death of his father the widowed mother came with her five 
children to Nebraska, in the year 1871, about four years after the admission of 
the state to the Union, and she entered claim to a homestead in what is now 
Union township, Hamilton county, where she and her children thus became pioneer 
settlers, she having passed the remainder of her life on this old homestead, where 
also occurred the death of her son, Robert G. The sod house constructed on the 
farm continued to be the habitation of the family for several years and in the mean- 
while Mr. Thompson put forth herculean efforts in connection with the reclaiming 
and developing of the land. 

On the 1st of January, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of Robert G. Thomp- 
son to Miss Charlotte L. Powell, who was born near Montreal, Canada, a daughter 
of Joseph and Mary Powell, who established their residence in Wisconsin in the 
year 1863 and who came to Nebraska in 1872. Mr. Powell bought railroad land 
in Hamilton county and paid for the same at the rate of live dollars per acre. 
This old homestead is situated just east of the present village of Giltner. The 
Powell family made the journey from Wisconsin to Nebraska with wagon and 
teams, there having been one team of horses and another of oxen, and the equipment 
included a few cows. Upon the arrival of the family in Hamilton county the 
home was established in a sod house of two rooms. Mrs. Thompson here gained 
her initial experience in connection with pioneer life and she recalls vividly the 
conditions of the early days — in marked contrast with those which are now in evi- 
dence in this progressive and opulent section of Nebraska. She has seen antelopes 
and other wild game which aided in supplying the pioneer larders of the early 
day and she has known by definite experience the disasters wrought by droughts and 
by grasshoppers. Her parents were numbered among the representative pioneers 
of Hamilton county, where they lived and labored to goodly ends and played well 
their part in the development and progress along both civic and material lines. 

Vol. II— IS 



278 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

After his marriage Mr. Thompson coutiuued for four years in charge of the 
old home farm of his mother and thereafter lived a few years on another farm 
in the same township. He then returned to the old home place of eighty acres and 
erected the present excellent buildings and made such other improvements as 
suggested progressiveness, with the result that he made the place one of the 
model farms of Union township, he having owned not only this homestead but also 
an additional tract of twenty-two acres not far distant. He was a vigorous agri- 
culturist and stock raiser and gave special attention to the propagation of alfalfa, 
which he made a profitable feature of his farm enterprise. 

Eobert G. Thompson was a stanch democrat in politics and was an earnest 
member of the Presbyterian church, as is also his widow, who now maintains her 
home on the outskirts of Giltner. Mr. Thompson ordered his life upon a high 
plane of rectitude and honor and thus to him came the fullest measure of popular 
confidence and esteem in the county that long represented his home and the stage 
of his earnest endeavors. 

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson became the parents of six children : Eoy is a prosperous 
farmer in Hamilton township; Ethel, wife of Mr. McDannel resides four miles 
west of Giltner on a farm; Jessie, who was born in 1883, died on the 10th of 
November, 1904; Margaret is the wife of Eayburn Cunningham of Dawes county, 
Nebraska; George R. is at home; and Hazel M. is the wife of Edward Luby of 
Hamilton county. 



J. W. ELAETON 



J. W. Elarton, who passed 'away June 21, 1919, was through the last twenty 
years of his life a successful photographer of Aurora. He became a resident of 
Hamilton county in 1879 and thus for forty years made his home in this section 
of the state, winning many friends, so that his death was the occasion of deep and 
widespread regret. He was born in Jackson, Ohio, August 21, 1844, and was a 
son of William J. and Mary J. Elarton, who in 1854 removed to Iowa and con- 
tinued to live in that state until they were called to the home beyond, the mother 
recently passing away at the notable old age of ninety-six years. They were the 
parents of five children, all of whom are living with the exception of Mr. Elarton 
of this review. Mr. and Mrs. William J. Elarton were members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and in politics he was a republican. He was engaged in the 
undertaking and cabinet-making business. 

J. W. Elarton was but ten years of age when the family home was established in 
Iowa, so that his education was largely acquired in the public schools of that 
state. He was but seventeen years of age when in 1861 he joined Company F, 
Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry for service in the Civil war. With his com- 
pany he encamped at Davenport, Iowa, for some months and later was sent to the 
front, participating in a number of the hotly contested engagements which led 
lip to the final victory that crowned the Union arms. In the battle of Shiloh he 
was taken prisoner and was incarcerated as a prisoner of war for four months, 
after which he was exchanged. On one occasion he returned home on a furlough 
but soon afterward rejoined his coinmand and served altogetlier for three years. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 279 

Wheu the war was over Mr. Elarton returned to Iowa and gave his attention 
to the wagon-making business for a time, while later he took up carpentering. 
In the year 1879 he removed with his family to Aurora where his remaining days 
were passed. During the last twenty years of his life he gave his attention to 
photography and was very successful in following that art, for he displayed ex- 
cellent ability in securing likenesses of his patrons and his business reached sub- 
stantial proportions. 

It was in Iowa on the 16th of October, 1870, that Mr. Elarton was united in 
marriage to Miss Ella F. Nixon, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Bryan) Nixon. 
The father was a native of Peimsylvania and in 1847 removed to Iowa where he fol- 
lowed farming and passed away in 1864. Mrs. Nixon's father was a native of 
Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon were parents of eleven children, their youngest child 
being Joseph C. Nixon, who was killed at Franklin, Tennessee, while serving in 
the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Elarton have been born six children, but only 
one is living, Nellie, the wife of A. Carter, a resident of the state of Washington 
who follows farming and he and his wife each own a homestead. 

Mr. Elarton held membership in the Congregational church and for forty-three 
years belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was likewise identi- 
fied with the Grand Army of the Eepublic and served as commander of the Post 
at Aurora. Through this association he always maintained close comradeship with 
the "boys in blue" and enjoyed the reminiscences around their camp fires. His 
political allegiance was given to the republican party but he was never ambitious 
to hold political office. On coming to Aurora in 1879 he built a comfortable home 
but sold it after two years and erected a more commodious residence in the same 
block. His remaining days were here passed and he enjoyed at all times the high 
respect and warm regard of those with whom he was associated through business 
or social relations. Mrs. Elarton occupies a comfortable home at No. 1217 Tenth 
street in Aurora, where she is most widely and favorably known. 



ANDEEAS NISSEN 



A native of Denmark, where he was born in the year 1851, Mr. Nissen was there 
reared to manhood, received the advantages of the national schools and gained 
practical experience in connection with farm industry, with which he there con- 
tinued his active alliance until he had attained the age of thirty-one years, when, in 
1882, he came to the United States and numbered himself among the pioneers of 
Hamilton county, Nebraska, where he purchased, at seven dollars per acre, a tract 
of one hundred and sixty acres in Otis precinct. His financial resources were very 
limited, but he was fortified in energy, ambition and good judgment and thus was 
well equipped for meeting the duties and responsibilities that came to him in con- 
nection with the reclaiming of his land and the developing of a productive farm 
from the raw prairie. On his farm he erected a frame house, twenty-four feet 
square and concentrated his full powers in furthering his farm enterprise, with the 
result that cumulative success attended his efforts, though he did not escape his 
share of reverses, including the destruction of his crops by hail in the year 1884. 



280 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

He made his labors count iu definite advancement toward the goal of independence 
and prosperity, and today he is the owner of a well improved and valuable farm 
property of two hundred and forty acres, with secure status as one of the substan- 
tial citizens of his adopted county and state. He remained on the farm until 1918, 
when he erected his present modern and attractive residence at Kronborg, where he 
has since lived virtually retired, though he maintains a general supervision of his 
farm interests. He is found aligned in the ranks of the republican party and he 
and his wife are earnest communicants of the Danish Lutheran church in their 
home village. 

In the year 1883 occurred the marriage of Mr. Nissen to Miss Marion Ostergard, 
who likewise is a native of Denmark and who was a young woman when she came 
to the United States, about the same time her future husband immigrated to this 
country. They have two children: Peter E. has the active management of his 
father's fine farm; and Anna is the wife' of Peter B. Peterson of Kronborg, 
Nebraska. 



OZIAR J. MERRILL 



Oziar J. Merrill is living retired in Edgar. For many years he was promi- 
nent in the business circles of Edgar and Clay county and as the result of his 
ability and determination is now financially independent. He owns six or seven 
himdred acres of valuable land in the county and has one of the finest resi- 
dences in Edgar. He was born in Fulton comity, Ohio, in 1850, a son of N. 
and Harriett (Zimmerman) Merrill, the former a native of Maine and the 
latter of Ohio. Their marriage occurred in Ohio and there they resided until 
death. N. Merrill was prominent as an attorney and banker throughout the 
community in which he resided, having engaged along those lines at Wauseon. 
Four children were born to that union, of whom 0. J., the subject of this review, 
is the only one living. Mr. Merrill was a Mason and an Odd Fellow and gave 
his political allegiance to the republican party. For nine years he served as 
county clerk of his countj'. Both Mr. and Mrs. Merrill were consistent members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church and active iu the charitable affairs of that 
organization. 

In the acquirement of an education 0. J. Merrill attended the schools in 
"Wauseon, Ohio, and his first occupation after putting his textbooks aside was 
farming. In 1872 he came to Clay county and bought a homestead right, which 
he improved and upon which he resided for a short time. In 1877 he moved 
into Edgar and entered the mercantile business, in which connection he re- 
mained for a period of eleven years. For about eleven years after disposing 
of his mercantile business he resided retired, but subsequently entered active life 
again as a dealer in hardware, in which business he engaged until 1902, and 
then retired. Success has come to him as the result of his own determined 
effort and his ability. 

Mr. Merrill has been twice married. In 1880 he married Miss Emma 
Nichols, a native of Wisconsin, whose death occurred in 1884. She became 




MR. AND MRS. OZIAE J. MERRILL 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 283 

the mother of one child, now deceased. The second marriage was celebrated 
in 1885, when Mr. Merrill chose as his wife Grace Wiltshire, a native of Illinois. 
To the second union three children have been born, two living : Bruce, engaged 
in the picture show business at Edgar; and Charles, an employe of the light 
plant at Edgar. 

Mr. Merrill gives his political support to the republican party and has served 
on the town board. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. Mr. 
Merrill has made many friends throughout the county who appreciate his true 
personal worth and many sterling traits of character. 



I. W. HAUGHEY, M. D. 



This is preeminently an age of specialization. In few lines of business does 
one attempt to cover an entire field but concentrates upon a single department 
in order to obtain a degree of efficiency that makes for success and leadership. 
In keeping with this tendency Dr. Haughey is now devoting his attention to 
diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He has had special training for this 
branch of practice and is meeting with very gratifying success in his work. A 
native of Iowa he was born in Davis county, January 12, 1868, and is a son of 
Stephen G. and Annie M. (Irvin) Haughey, who were natives of Ohio where they 
were reared and married. On leaving the Buckeye state they became residents of 
Illinois and about 1867 removed to Iowa where the death of the father occurred, 
while the mother passed away at the home of her son. Dr. Haughey, in Aurora. 
The father was a brick manufacturer and for a long period conducted a brick 
yard at Moulton, Iowa. During the latter part of the Civil war he served with the 
Union army. His people came from Ireland, while the ancestors of Dr. Haughey 
in the maternal line were from Scotland. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stephen G. Haughey 
were members of the Christian church and he was affiliated with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, while his political belief was that of the republican party. 

Dr. Haughey was the youngest of the family of six children, five of whom are 
living. His education was pursued in the schools of Moulton, Iowa, and he was 
graduated from the high school with the class of 1885. He afterward took a 
medical course in the State University of Iowa and is numbered among its alumni 
of 1889. He then located for practice at Palmer, Nebraska, where he continued 
for a few months and then removed to Elmwood, Cass county, there residing for 
three years. In 1893 he took up his abode in Hampton, where he continued in 
practice for eight years and since 1901 has made his home in Aurora. Here he 
remained in general practice until 1920, since which time he has specialized in 
the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He has taken post- 
graduate work at Harvard University on the eye and in the Children's Hospital 
on the throat. He also pursued a course at Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, during the 
period of the World war. He enlisted for service in the army, reporting for duty 
August 7, 1918, and was discharged on the 6th of December following, having 
spent nine weeks at Camp Greenleaf, two weeks at Camp Sevier, North Carolina, 
and the remainder of the time at Camp Wheeler, Macon, Georgia. 



284 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

On the 12th of March, 1891, Dr. Haughey was united in marriage to Miss 
Mary J. Humphreys who was born in Davis county, Iowa, a daughter of Lewis 
Humphreys who in an early day removed to Otoe county, Nebraska. He was a 
minister of the Christian church for a number of years and preached in various 
places through a period of three decades, being regarded as one of the able repre- 
sentatives of the Christian ministry in this section of the country. Two children 
have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Haughey : Irene E., who attended the high school 
and spent a part of one year at Simpson College at Indianola, Iowa, and is now 
at home; Lois H., who also completed the high school course and for a part of a 
year was a student in the State University at Nebraska. 

Dr. Haughey gives his political allegiance to the republican party and was a 
member of the park board of Aurora for a number of years. Fraternally he is 
connected with the Ma.sons, belonging to the Eoyal Arch Chapter, while in the 
consistory he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Eite and has 
also become a member of the Mystic Shrine. He filled the master's chair for three 
terms and was also high priest for three terms. He and his wife are active mem- 
bers of the Christian church, taking a helpful interest in all that pertains to its 
growth and Dr. Haughey is also a member of the Eotary Club and along strictly 
professional lines is connected with the Hamilton County, the Nebraska State 
and the American Medical Associations and has served as secretary of the County 
organization. He is interested in all that pertains to the profession and in anything 
that tends to bring to man a key to the complex mystery which we call life. He is 
continually broadening his knowledge through study and experience and his ability 
is widely recognized, especially along the line upon which he is now concentrating his 
thoughts, efforts and attention. 



EDWAED A. McVEY 



The section of Nebraska to which this publication is dedicated claims Edward 
A. MeVey as one of its venerable and honored pioneer citizens. He played a large 
part in the earlier stages of development and progress in Clay county and is now 
living in retirement in the village of Stockham, Hamilton county, not far distant 
from the dividing line between the two counties mentioned. He was well fortified 
in youthful pioneer experience, gained in the state of Iowa, and thus was ready 
to face the labors and hardsliips that might come to him when he cast in his lot 
with the pioneer settlers of Clay county, Nebraska. 

Edward A. McVey was born in Delaware county, Indiana, January 9, 1844, and 
is a son of James 0. and Hannah (Ward) McVey, his maternal grandfather, 
Edward Ward, having attained to the patriarchal age of ninety-nine years. James 
0. McVey continued his alliance with farm industry in Indiana until 1852, when 
he removed with his family to Iowa and became a pioneer farmer in Poweshiek 
county, where he purchased land at the rate of one dollar and twenty-five cents 
an acre and where the original domicile of the family was a log house. Both he 
and his wife passed the remainder of their lives in the Hawkeye state and their 
names merit place on the roll of the honored pioneers of that commonwealth. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 285 

Edward A. McVey was a. lad of eight years at the time of the family removal 
to Iowa, where he was reared under the conditions and influences of the 
pioneer days and where, between the ages of ten and fourteen years, he attended 
school about three months each year. For two years he prosecuted his studies in 
a subscription school maintained in a pioneer log building, with rough-hewed desks 
and benches and with windows of oiled paper. It is needless to say that his 
broader education has been that gained in the school of practical experience and 
all who know can realize that he has profited fully by this discipline. He remained 
at the parental hojne until he was nineteen years old and then manifested his 
patriotism by enlisting for service in defense of the Union.- In the autumn of 1863 
lie enlisted in Company E, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and was mustered in at Davenport, 
Iowa. He proceeded with his command to the stage of conflict and with it con- 
tinued in service until the close of the war. He took part in the battle of 
Guntown, Mississippi, where the Union forces lost their artillery and supply train 
and in the command of General Wilson the Fourth Iowa Cavalry went from Gravelly 
Spring, Alabama, to the Atlantic coast, with assignment to the tearing up of rail- 
roads, which involved almost daily conflict with Confederate forces. Mr. McVey 
aided in destroying a Confederate munitions factory at Selma, Alabama, and in his 
career as a soldier lived up to the full tension of responsibility. 

After the close of the war Mr. McVey returned to the parental home and soon 
afterward bought eighty acres of land in Poweshiek county, Iowa. There he 
continued his activities as a farmer until he came to Nebraska, in 1871. 

On the 20th of April, 1871, was recorded the arrival of Mr. McVey and his 
brother in Clay county, the journey from Iowa having been made with a covered 
wagon and team of mules and completed in sixteen days. In the wagon were 
transported also a small supply of household goods and a few fann implements. 
There was nothing of stately splendor in the arrival or equipment of these sterling 
pioneers, but they had those qualities which beget success and which make for 
definite communal value in the march of civilization into a new country. In what 
is now School Creek township. Clay county, Mr. McVey obtained a homestead of 
one hundred and sixty acres, this having been one of the first seven homesteads 
entered in that township. On his land, which was unbroken prairie, he erected a 
small frame house, somewhat more pretentious and inviting than the average dwell- 
ing of the locality and period and said to be the first house to be equipped with 
a brick chimney in Clay county. The lumber and brick for this pioneer dwelling 
were hauled overland from Lincoln and Crete, respectively. Mrs. McVey came to 
this new home in October of the same year. In the sod barn which Mr. McVey 
constructed on his farm the only lumber utilized was that for the door. With 
characteristic vigor and discrimination Mr. McVey bent his energies to the reclaim- 
ing and cultivation of his land, and among early improvements which he essayed 
was the planting of an orchard, the trees having later been killed by hail and a 
similar fate attended the second orchard which he planted. In the early days he 
went to Lincoln for necessary supplies for the farm and household, and his grists 
of grain were taken to mills at Beaver Crossing and Milford. On his own farm 
he killed wild turkey and on the place both deer and buffaloes were seen at intervals. 
The family was snowbound three days during the famous Easter blizzard that visited 
this section in 1873 and he met with his quota of loss through droughts and 



286 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

devastations by grasshoppers and fuel for the home was acquired maiuly from trees 
along the neighboring creek. Time and well directed industry brought results aud 
prosperity crowned the earnest efforts of Mr. McVey and his wife. He eventually 
became the owner of a finely improved landed estate of two hundred and forty 
acres in School Creek townsliip and the old homestead place is now owned by his 
youngest son. Mr. McVey and his wife remained on the farm until 1908, when 
they removed to Stockhani, Hamilton county, in which pleasant village they have 
since resided, in an attractive home that is equipped with all the comforts to reward 
them for former years of earnest endeavor. 

Mr. and Mrs. McVey are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
at Stockham and in a fraternal way Mr. McVey is affiliated with the Grand Army 
of the Republic. He has been influential in public affairs of local order, served 
twenty-eight years as justice of the peace in Clay county, where he gave a quarter 
of a century of service as school director of his district, besides representing that 
county one term in the state legislature, in its twenty-third session. He also served 
one term as a member of the county board of commissioners. In politics he votes 
in accord with his judgment as to men and measures, rather than being constrained 
by strict partisan dictates. 

On February 7, 1866, in Poweshiek county, Iowa, was solemnized the marriage 
of Mr. McVey to Miss Margaret Breniman, who was bom near Berne, Switzerland, 
and who was nine years of age at the time her parents came to the United States 
and established a home in Ohio, whence they removed to Iowa in the pioneer period 
in the history of that state. Mr. and Mrs. McVey became the parents of the fol- 
lowing children : Mary E., who resides with her parents at Stockham : Nettie J., 
the wife of Delbert Call, of Aurora, Hamilton county ; Oliver Clay, a farmer near 
Ogallala, Keith county ; James B., who owns and has charge of his father's old 
homestead farm in Clay county; and Grace Maude, the wife of Elmer Hunter, a 
prosperous farmer of Hamilton county. 



J. H. HAGGARD 



J. H. Haggard- is well kno^vn as a successful banker and agriculturist. He is 
prominent in financial circles as well, being vice president and a director of the 
Farmer's Exchange Bank at Trumbull, which institution he helped organize. As 
are many other prominent men of Nebraska, Mr. Haggard is a native of another 
state, his birth having occurred in Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois, May 2, 
1855, a son of H. F. and Frankie J. (Todd) Haggard. His parents who were both 
natives of Kentucky came to Illinois in prairie schooners at an early day. They 
secured some land, part timber, and after clearing the place built a substantial log 
house. There H. F. Haggard engaged in general farming until 1868 when he 
removed with his family to Iowa, buying land in Marshall county which he broke 
himself. This country was then but sparsely settled and the fuel had to be obtained 
from branches along the river banks which he cut and hauled to his home, a dis- 
tance of nine miles. In 1887, however, the Haggard family came to Nebraska and 
resided in Clay county, where they became successful farmers. The mother of 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 287 

J. H. Haggard passed away when he was but ten years of age, but his father lived 
to the advanced age of ninety-one years, six months and three days. Mr. and Mrs. 
Haggard were consistent members of the Christian church and he was for the 
greater part of his life a stanch republican. 

J. H. Haggard received his education in the public schools of Illinois and Iowa 
and after putting his textbooks aside farmed for his father until he became of age. 
He then started out in life on his own account, working on farms for wages of 
fifteen and twenty dollars per month. In 1877 he began farming for himself in 
Clay county, Nebraska, buying one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land, well 
improved. He had driven through from Iowa and gave his team and wagon and 
twenty-five hundred dollars as first payment on this land. He valued the team and 
wagon at four hundred dollars. During the drought years of '93 and '94 he raised 
practically nothing but after that began to be successful in his farming and now 
owns three hundred and twenty acres in Hamilton county, also land in Box Butte 
county and Kit Carson county, Colorado. He has always done general farming and 
for twelve years has been buying and feeding live stock. In 1907 he sold a number 
of pure bred Poland China hogs, realizing a substantial sum on the sale. He retired 
in 1910. He moved to Trumbull, where he built a nice home and later went to 
Lincoln, where he gave his Children further educational advantages. In due time, 
however, he returned to Trumbull and is now residing there. 

Mr. Haggard was twice married. Miss Mary J. Kennedy becoming his first ^Yiie. 
Her death occurred in 1898. She became the mother of seven children: Myrtle, 
now the wife of Wallace Martin of Lincoln; Joseph A., who is managing an 
elevator at Trumbull ; H. M., who is engaged in farming near Trumbull ; Martha, 
whose death occurred at the age of twenty-four; Everett K., engaged in the under- 
taking business at Omaha; Euth, who is the wife of Doctor Alldritt of Lincoln, 
where he has built up an extensive dental practice ; and Fannie B., who is a teacher 
in the grade schools of Lincoln. Mr. Haggard's second wife was Jennie 
Cunningham. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Haggard are prominent workers in the Christian church 
and he has held the office of elder for some years, while Mrs. Haggard is a dea- 
coness. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. Not 
only has Mr. Haggard been interested in agriculture, but in the financial circles of 
Trumbull he has also taken an active part. He has always been honorable in every 
business dealing and his reputation as a fine agriculturist and business man has 
spread throughout the county. 



GENEEAL DELEVAN BATES 

No history of Hamilton county would be complete without extended reference to 
General Delevan Bates, who was so long an active, prominent and honored figure 
in connection with the upbuilding and progress of this part of the state. He was 
among those who homesteaded land here in an early day and later he was on various 
occasions in public office, while in business affairs he contributed to the material 
development and substantial welfare of the community. His record as a soldier 



288 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

of the Civil war was a brilliant one and at all times his career reflected credit and 
honor upon the people of the state who honored him. 

General Bates was born in Eichmondville, Schoharie county. New York, March 
17, 1840, and had attained the age of seventy-eight years when he passed away at 
Aurora on the 19th of December, 1918. His youthful days were passed in the 
Empire state and his educational advantages were those accorded by the public 
schools. He had attained his majority when on the 23d of August, 1862, he 
responded to the country's call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union 
and became a second lieutenant. He was at that time residing at Worcester, 
Otsego county. New York, and he assisted in recruiting the One Hundred and 
Twenty-first New York Volunteers, being mustered in with that regiment on the 
18th of August. The command was assigned to the Sixth army corps and had its 
baptism of fire in the battle of South Mountain, Maryland, on the 14th of September, 
less than four weeks after entering service. It soon won a well deserved reputation 
as a fighting regiment and in the course of the war lost two hundred and twenty- 
six of its men or one fourth of the entire number of the regiment. It was during 
the disastrous campaign of General Joe Hooker that Lieutenant Bates was taken 
prisoner and for sixteen days incarcerated in Libby prison, his capture being efEected 
at Salem church, just after the fall of Fredericksburg, when he and about forty 
companions were surrounded by a superior force. They were sent to Eichmond 
where they were placed with between three and four thousand other Union prisoners 
who had been captured at Chancellorsville. After Lieutenant Bates had been 
confined in Libby prison for a little more than two weeks his exchange was effected, 
his name being the last one called on a list of several thousand prisoners and an 
entire year elapsed before another exchange was made. 

He rejoined his regiment just before the battle of Gettysburg, participating 
in a forced march in the race with Lee and reaching Little Bound Top during 
the second day's fight, just before Longstreet charged that critical position. When 
the rebels caught sight of the Greek cross, which was the battle flag of the Sixth 
army corps, they halted and never renewed the assault. From his vantage point 
on Round Top Lieutenant Bates had an excellent view of Pickett's famous charge 
through what became known as the Bloody Angle. It was at Gettysburg that Mr. 
Bates' promotion to a first lieutenancy came to him. When in 1864 congress passed 
a resolution to accept colored volunteers, providing, however, that the regiments 
must be officered by white men who had seen service in the field, Lieutenant Bates 
was examined for an appointment of this character in February, 1864, and was 
made colonel of the Thirtieth Regiment, United States Colored Troops, on the 
1st of March following. His military record from that time on has been given 
in a local paper as follows : "For weeks the Union forces had unsuccessfully assaulted 
the rebel works around Petersburg. Finally a tunnel was dug under the entrench- 
ments and a plan was made to explode several tons of gimpowder. Through the 
gap thus made in the rebel line the works were stormed. The colored division of 
which Colonel Bates' regiment was a part was first chosen for this important duty 
but the plan was changed on account of a fear that if the assault failed the com- 
manding general would be censured for 'sending the niggers into such a place.' The 
weakest division in the corps was chosen by lot and when the explosion gave signal 
for the assault it was repulsed. Bates' division was then ordered forward and as 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 289 

ranking colonel he led the first regiment into 'the crater' made by the explosion. 
This hole was about the size of a city block and was the grave of two hundred and 
fifty men. Several hours' delay ensued in preparing for the second attack and the 
enemy had recovered to a considerable extent from the almost complete demoraliza- 
tion which immediately followed the explosion. The black soldiers drove them out, 
however, and kept them out. Just as they were settling down to a rest, a staff officer 
rode up to Colonel Bates with an order from General Burnside to charge a rebel 
battery on a nearby hill. which was doing considerable damage to the Union forces. 
In forming for this charge Colonel Bates gave his men the usual instructions to 
pay no attention to the wounded who fell until after the battery was taken. If 
that order had been obeyed his life would surely have been lost that day. Just as 
the colored troops swept across a ravine they encountered a galling crossfire from 
five thousand enforcements under General Mahone and Colonel Bates fell with a 
fifty-eight calibre Enfield ball through his head. The bullet entered his right cheek 
and passed out just behind the left ear. The variation of a hair's breadth in its 
course would have meant instant death. But worse danger was coming. Bitter 
prejudice existed among the confederates against colored soldiers and especially 
against their white officers. The confederate congress had, in fact, declared that 
no mercy should be shown them. Wounded officers in such cases were invariably 
killed by bayonet. But for the heroism of Bates' black soldiers who carried him 
to safety he would undoubtedly have met that fate. October 11th he returned to 
duty and was given command of a brigade with the rank of general, also a medal 
of honor for the work he did at Petersburg. In January, 1865, his brigade was 
sent to North Carolina, where it joined General Sherman's army. General Bates' 
brigade remained at Beaufort, North Carolina, during the period of reconstruction 
and was mustered out in December, 1865." 

With the close of the war General Bates returned to his old home in New York. 
He was married on the 1st of January, 1870, to Miss Lana A. Green of the 
Empire state and to them were born the following children: Lena Metzger, who 
died at the age of twenty-two years ; LaVerne, a fruit farmer of Modesta, Cali- 
fornia; C. L., who is chief clerk in the auditing department of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Eailroad and resides at LaGrange, Illinois ; Mrs. Daisy Tunison, 
living at Aurora, and the mother of two children, Lawrence and Margaret Tunison, 
who are in school. Mrs. Bates passed away in the year 1902, while the death of 
General Bates occurred December 19, 1918. He was therefore nearing the eightieth 
milestone on life's journey when called to his final rest. He had long been a con- 
sistent member of the Masonic fraternity, also belonged to the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen and he proudly wore the little bronze button that proclaimed him 
a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. For a number of years he served 
as commander of his post and was most highly esteemed by all of his old military 
comrades. 

General Bates dated his residence in Hamilton county from 1872, at which 
time he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. When he had com- 
plied with the law concerning the cultivation of the claim and had received his 
patent to the land he removed to Aurora, where he continued to reside to the 
time of his death. For a number of years he was vice president of the First National 
Bank of Aurora and was recognized as a business man of superior ability, of keen 



290 HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

iusight and sound judgment, successfully managing all of the interests with which 
he was associated. His fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and his devotion 
to the general good called him to several offices. He served as county sujJerinteudent 
of schools, was a member of the city council of Aurora for eight years and for 
two terms served as mayor of the city. It was while acting as county superintendent 
of schools that he took up his abode in Aurora, which was then but a tiny village 
and the subsequent growth, development and prosperity of the city are attributable 
in no small degree to the efforts of General Bates. When Aurora was made the 
county seat it was not even incorporated as a town and there was no legal way 
to raise money for any purpose. The citizens agreed to build a courthouse if the 
voters of Hamilton county would give them the opportunity and at the fifth election 
at which this question was before the people Aurora won the location. Immediately 
work on the courthouse was commenced but when the frame was constructed work 
stopped. Then Aurora learned that the people of the county were claiming that 
the election had been won by fraud and that an appeal would be made to the 
courts to declare the election illegal. A mass meeting was then called at wdiich 
every voter of Aurora was present and the following resolution was passed, "Re- 
solved that the courthouse must be built, and Aurora must build it." General 
Bafes was appointed a member of the committee, together with John Helms and 
William H. Streeter, to carry this resolution into effect and the next morning he 
started out with an agreement to be- signed by the voters, that each one would 
stand by the committee in all that they did. Only two men refused to sign the 
paper. Work was at once begun. General Bates guaranteeing the pay of the 
workmen and at an early date the courthouse was completed. General Bates 
was then instrumental in bringing about the incorporation of the town, which was 
accomplished at the next meeting of the county commissioners, on the 3d of July, 
1877. He became a member of the first board of trustees and so continued to 
serve until Aurora was made a city of the second class. He later served as a 
member of the city council for eight years and was chief executive by reason of 
his election to the mayoralty for two terms. He did much to guide the policy and 
shape the destiny during the formative period and his work in behalf of Aurora 
is one which entitles him to the respect and the gratitude of all of her citizens. 
He likewise was instrumental in securing a site for a cemetery for the town. Ar- 
rangements had been made to purchase such a site from the Union Pacific Eailroad 
Company but subscriptions were not forthcoming and the contract for the land 
was cancelled. When his son Loraine died in 1874 General Bates began investi- 
gating the condition of the cemetery, renewed the contract with the railroad com- 
pany and made all payments until the town was incorporated, at which time the 
contract was turned over to the newly organized municipality. General Bates, 
however, served as superintendent of the cemetery for the first sixteen years at a 
nominal salary. He was one of the most enthusiastic champions of the Republican 
Valley Railroad from the time of the first committee meeting until the county bonds 
were voted. It was during his. mayoralty term that the city water works were 
built and at all times he stood for progress and improvement in anything relating 
to the general welfare. For many years he did important work on the school board 
without financial reward and he advanced the money to pay for the ground whereon 
the present high school building stands, tlic district having no available funds at 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 291 

that time. He it was who raised the fuuds for the band stand and memorial part 
in the, public square and had charge of both from the beginning to completion. 
It is almost impossible to give account of his public service, so wide and resultant 
were his activities. Throughout days of peace he displayed the same loyalty to the 
public good that he manifested when he followed the nation's banner on the battle 
fields of the south and while his reward came in less tangible way than during 
the Civil war when he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general, he never- 
theless enjoyed the highest regard, confidence and goodwill of his fellow townsmen, 
who during his life honored him for what he accomplished and since his death 
have revered and cherished his memory. 



D. S. W. CAELSON 



D. S. W. Carlson, whose well conducted garage at Aurora is bringing him grati- 
fying success, is numbered among Nebraska's native sons, his birth having occurred 
in Saunders coujity, October 3, 1884. His parents, John and Marie (Nelson) 
Carlson, were both born near Stockholm, Sweden, the former in 1835 and the latter 
in 1850. They were married in that country and came to the United States in early 
life. The father crossed the Atlantic in 1845, becoming a resident of Detroit, 
Michigan. He was a blacksmith by trade and worked along that line at various 
places. Eemoving to Omaha, Nebraska, he followed blacksmithing in the shops 
of the Union Pacific Eailroad and at an early day, in the settlement and develop- 
ment of Saunders county, he took up a homestead within its borders. There was 
not a house between Fremont and Lincoln at that time and he and Jack Carlson 
lived in a little sod house such as was common on the frontier. A prairie fire 
burned everything around their home one year. Mr. Carlson afterward improved 
his farm, built thereon a good residence and equipped the place with all modern 
accessories incident to the progress and development of a modern farm. In 1903 
he disposed of his property there and removed to Hamilton county, where he pur- 
chased two hundred and seventy-seven acres of good land. His wife passed away 
in Saunders, while Mr. Carlson survived for some time and died in a hospital 
at Omaha, Nebraska. They were the parents of two children, one of whom was 
Signa, who became the wife of Nels Nelson, who was drowned November 7, 1907. 
The other member of the family was D. S. W. Carlson of this review. The parents 
were both members of the Lutheran church and in his political views Mr. Carlson 
was a republican. He started out in the business world empty handed, but as the 
years passed won a substantial measure of success. 

D. S. W. Carlson was educated in the schools of Dodge county and of Fremont, 
Nebraska, attending the Fremont Normal. His youthful experiences were those of 
the farm bred boy, and when not busy with his textbooks he worked on the home 
farm, continuing to till the fields after reaching manhood, until 1905. He then 
turned his attention to carpentering and contracting and built a niimber of farm 
buildings and churches in Hamilton county. In February, 1920, he turned his 
attention to the automobile business, in which he has since been engaged. He now 
handles the Studebaker car, having the county agency therefor. He owns a large 



292 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

garage and does all kinds of repair work on automobiles. He also has an oil 
station and every branch of his business is proving profitable, owing to his capable 
management, keen discernment and unabating energy. He devotes his entire time 
to the garage and the agency and is today one of the prominent representatives of 
the automobile trade in Hamilton county. He still owns the old home farm which 
is well improved and from that property he derives a substantial annual income. 

It was in 1908 that Mr. Carlson was united in marriage to Miss Laura E. 
Hunt, who was born at Phillips, Nebraska, a daughter of Joseph Hunt, who settled 
in Hamilton county in 1871, owning land near Phillips where he makes his home 
at the present time, having retired from active business. To Mr. and Mrs. Carlson 
have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters: Marie, Deroyce, 
Hubert and Donald, all in school; Helen, Millard and Dorline. 

Mr. Carlson is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, loyal at 
all times to the teachings and purposes of the craft. In politics he maintains an 
independent course, voting for men and measures rather than parties, nor is he at 
any time neglectful of the duties of citizenship, but gives active aid and support 
to all measures and movements for the public good. He and his family occupy a 
nice home at No. 1405 L street in Aurora and are now pleasantly situated in life. 
Mr. Carlson's record illustrates what can be accomplished through determined 
purpose and laudable ambition. He is one of the native sons of Nebraska whose 
record reflects credit upon the parent state. 



JOHN GEORGE BAESCHLIN 

A history of Hamilton county would not be complete without mention of John 
G. Baeschlin who passed away on the 6th of January, 1912, but who through 
many years of an active and useful life contributed to the development and up- 
building of Hamilton county. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, May 19, 1857, and 
pursued his education in the public schools of Wisconsin while spending his youth- 
ful days in that state. His parents were Jacob and Dorothea Webber Baeschlin, 
both of whom were natives of Switzerland. The father- taught school in the land 
of the Alps, giving instruction in the French and German languages. After 
crossing the Atlantic he took up farming in Ohio and afterward removed to Wis- 
consin where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. He made several 
trips back to Switzerland, crossing the Atlantic on return visits to his native land 
on five different occasions. 

John George Baeschlin started out in the business world empty handed -but he 
steadily worked his way upward and as the years passed, by reason of his diligence 
and persistency of purpose, he gained a very substantial competence.. In 1889 he 
married Miss Georgiana Hayworth, who was born at Thorntown, Indiana, a daughter 
of George W. and Caroline (Kirk) Hayworth. The father was engaged in the 
milling business at Thorntown and at Lebanon, Indiana, for many years and in 
1882 removed with his family to Hamilton county, Nebraska, where he turned his 
attention to farming. He and his wife spent their remaining days in this county. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Baeschlin was born a daughter. Fern. Mrs. Baeschlin is a 




JOHX G. BAESCHLIN 



Vol. II — 19 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 295 

consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Both Mr. and. Mrs. 
Baeschlin were charter members of the Highlanders. 

Mr. Baesclilin had many sterling traits of character which won him the high 
regard of all who knew him. When quite young he was taken by his parents to 
Wisconsin, was there reared to manhood and later the family removed to Missouri, 
but George, as he was familiarly known, drifted into Nebraska. He followed 
various pursuits at different times and at length settled down to the business of 
wholesale produce merchant. It was about 1888 that he became a resident of 
Aurora, and continuing in this business his trade at length grew to such propor- 
tions that it seemed wise to remove to Lincoln, which he did in 1906. At the 
time of his death he was said to be the largest independent wholesale produce 
merchant in the United States. During the last sixteen years of his life he shipped 
several carloads of poultry to the Pacific coast each week. In addition to his 
main ofRce in Lincoln he maintained offices in Aurora, York, Seward, Fremont, 
Wahoo, Holdrege and Grand Island, Nebraska, and the entire business was under 
his direct sxapervision. He displayed notably sound judgment in all business 
affairs and quickly discriminated between the essential and the non-essential at 
all times. He was indeed a self-made man, dependent upon his own resources 
as soon as he was old enough to make a start in life. Year by year he developed 
his business interests until liis position was one of leadership in connection with 
the poultry and egg trade of the country and thus as the years passed he won 
a notable and gratifying measure of prosperity, so that he was able to leave his 
family in very comfortable financial circumstances. Mrs. Baeschlin now occupies 
a beautful modern home at No. 1012 Ninth street, in Aurora, where she has 
many friends who esteem her highly and her position in social circles of the city is 
indeed enviable. 



NELS H. ANDEESEN 



Denmark has given its goodly quota of sterling citizens to Nebraska, and among 
the number is the well known pioneer of Hamilton county, Nels H. Andersen, 
within whose borders he has maintained his residence since 1879. Mr. Andersen 
has sold his farm property and is now living retired in the village of Kronborg, 
where he erected the modern and attractive house in which he and his wife maintain 
their home and take pleasure in extending hospitality to their wide circle of 
friends. 

Mr. Andersen was born in Denmark in the year 1850, was there reared and 
educated, and in 1872, shortly after attaining his majority, came to the United 
States. He arrived in the city of Chicago at a time when it was just beginning to 
rehabilitate itself after the historic fire of 1871, and after there remaining about 
one year he went to Wisconsin, in which state he was employed for a time in a 
tannery and thereafter at farm work. There, in 1877, he was married to Miss Mary 
Hansen, and in the follo\ving year he purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land 
in Hamilton county, Nebraska, and in 1879 he and his wife came to establish their 
home on the pioneer farm in Otis township. They brought with them no household 
effects nor other equipment and as their funds were summed up in one hundred 



296 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

dollars, they passed the first summer in tlie home of a neighbor and in the autumn 
Mr. Andersen erected on his land a little frame house, fourteen by eighteen feet in 
dimensions. Privations and other hardships were faced by the young pioneers, and 
they lost their crops by hail in the second year of their residence. However, he 
persisted in the cultivation of this eighty acres and later added a tract of equal area 
and eventually an abundant prosperity attended his vigorous and progressive activi- 
ties as an agriculturist and stock raiser. He remained on his farm until 1916, since 
which year he has lived retired at Kronborg, and he has sold all of his farm 
property. 

Mr. Andersen is a democrat in political allegiance, and he and his wife are 
earnest communicants of the Danish Lutheran church in their home village. Of 
their children the eldest, Christ, resides at Burwell, Garfield county; Herman died 
at the age of thirty-one years and Johanna died at the age of thirty-six years; 
Kenneth is identified with farm industry in Hamilton county; Mavis died at the 
age of twenty-one years; Carolina, a nurse by vocation, resides at Central Cit}', 
Merrick county; Agnes is a resident of Brush, Colorado; Hans and Mata are 
deceased ; and Otto, who was in the nation's military service in connection with the 
World war, now owns and has the active management of the old home farm in Otis 
township. 



C. H. EEED 

C. H. Eeed, whose death occurred in 1897, was the seventh settler of Bluff pre- 
cinct, having removed to Hamilton county in 1873. He secured a homestead and 
after passing through years of hardships and misfortunes became a successful and 
progressive agriculturist and one widely known throughout the community. 

C. H. Eeed was born in Sweden in 1833 and when thirty-five years of age came 
to the United States, first settling in Illinois. There he worked out on farms by 
the month, but hearing of greater opportunities offered in the west he came alone to 
Nebraska and loqated in Hamilton county in 1873, thereby becoming the seventh 
pioneer settler in Bluffs township. The trip to the west was made by train as far 
as Lone Tree, now Central City, and he arrived there on the 14th of February, that 
year. Mr. Eeed was without finances but secured a homestead of eighty acres and 
began to cultivate his land. He built a sod house on the land that summer and a 
hay shed for live stock, although he had no live stock then nor for a period of two 
years afterward. He then purchased a yoke of oxen and with them started to 
break his ground. The grasshoppers took his first crop, also his second and third 
and as a result he walked to Lincoln and there secured a job. He experienced 'the 
severe Easter blizzard of 1873 and was snowed in for three days. In the early days 
of his residence in the county Indians were numerous but they were quite friendly, 
often stopping at the farm house for food and warmth during their fall and spring 
hunting trips. Mr. Eeed had to take his grain to a mill some miles distant and 
when he went on this journey the entire neighborhood accompanied him. Although 
there were many obstacles in Mr. Eeed's path to success, he overcame all of them 
by his grim detennination and remarkable energy. At the time of his death in 
1897 Mr. Eeed was in possession of two hundred acres of fine farm land whereon 



HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUXTIES 297 

stood a modem home. Tlie widow of Mr. Eeed is still making her homi! on this 
land in section 26, Bluff precinct. 

Before coming to the United States Mr. Eeed was united in marriage to Miss 
Johanna Peterson, and their son, C. H., who was born in Sweden, is managing 
the old homestead. Two other children were born to this union: George, who is 
engaged in farming in Alberta, Canada; and Albert, who is also farming on the 
home place. The two brothers on the home place rent the greater part of the land 
and engage in general farming on the remainder. 

The death of Mr. Reed came as a severe blow to the community for he was one 
of their few remaining pioneers. He was justly entitled to that proud American 
title of self-made man for his success was the result vi his own efforts, intelligently 
directed. 



HAXS P. MADSEX 



The year 1873 recorded the arrival of the late Hans P. Madsen and his faithful 
wife in Hamilton county, Nebraska, and theirs was a life of struggle and many 
hardships in the earlier period of their residence on one of the pioneer farms of the 
county. They suffered loss of crops through grasshoppers, hailstorms and 
droughts, but they did not lose confidence nor coiirage and the passing years finally 
rewarded them with generous prosperity. Mr. Madsen was one of the substantial 
farmers and highly esteemed pioneer citizens of Otis township at the time of his 
death, when seventy years of age, and his widow still maintains her residence on the 
old home farm, in section 28, Otis township, the place being dear to her through 
gracious memories and associations of years that have passed. 

Mr. Madsen was born in Denmark, or rather in the former Danish province of 
Slesvig, which had become a German possession at the time of his birth, in 18^4, he 
having been of stanch Danish ancestry. He was reared and educated in his native 
province and was twenty-two years of age when he immigrated to America, in 1866, 
and established his residence in Illinois, where he contimied to be employed at farm 
work until 1869, in which year he was joined by his wife on the 8th of April. She 
was born and reared in Denmark and her maiden name was Alice M. Mortensen. 
From 1869 to 1873 Mr. Madsen was engaged in farming in the state of Illinois. 
He then came to Hamilton county, Xebraska, and took up a preemption claim of 
eighty acres, in the present Otis township. Later he took also a homestead claim, 
adjoining his preemption and for several years he and his wife continued to occupy 
the little sod house which he constructed on his land. He purchased a team of 
horses and broke a few acres of his land, which he planted with wheat. He was 
isolated on the prairie farm during the historic Easter blizzard wiiieh swept this 
section in April, 1873, and which held the country snowbound for three days. He 
and his wife encountered their full share of the privations and other hardships that 
marked the pioneer days, but eventually prosperity smiled upon them and at the 
time of his death he was the owner of a well improved and very productive farm of 
one hundred acres. He was a man of unassailable character, industrious and ambi- 
tious, loyal to all civic and communal obligations, kindly and considerate in his 



298 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

association with his fellowmen and honored for his uprightness and his worthy 
achievement. 

Mr. and Mrs. Madsen became the parents of four children: Hannah M.; 
Hans T.; and Nels P. and Nelcena, both of whom died young. Mr. Madsen's 
political convictions placed him in the ranks of the republican party and he was an 
earnest communicant of the Danish Lutheran church, as is also his widow, who is 
one of the revered pioneer women of Otis township. 



JOHN A. ANDERSON 



It is" only a few decades ago that Hamilton county and all this section of 
Nebraska was a wild and unimproved district, but into the region came men of 
enterprise and industry, men who were not afraid of the hard work necessary to 
the reclamation of the wild land and its conversion into rich and productive farms. 
To this class belonged John A. Anderson, who for many years was closely associated 
with farming interests but who is now living retired, enjoying in well earned rest 
the fruits of his former toils. He was bom in Sweden, April 7, 1862, and is a 
son of Andrew and Johanna (Jones) Anderson who were also natives of Sweden 
where they spent their entire lives', passing away during the boyhood days of the 
subject of this review. The father was for some time. a soldier in the Swedish 
army and both he and his wife were members of the State church of that country. 
Their family numbered nine children, of whom only two are living, the surviving 
daughter being Minnie who is yet a resident of Sweden. 

The only representative of the family in the United States is John A. Anderson 
who obtained a public school education and who, on coming to the new world, 
settled in Edgar, Clay county, Nebraska, in 1888. He was then a young man of 
twenty-six years and he believed that he would have better business advantages 
on this side of the Atlantic and win success more rapidly. He worked as a farm 
hand for one summer and then rented a farm, thus gaining his start in life. It was 
in 1894 that he first purchased land but this proved to be a dry season and he 
gathered practically no crop. In 1896 hail destroyed his crop and thus he suffered 
various hardships and trials during the early days. He purchased his farm on 
time, first securing eighty acres and later investing in one hundred and twenty 
acres of improved land, his original tract being unimproved. He turned the first 
furrows theron and in course of time transformed the land into productive fields 
from which he annually gathered a golden harvest. His growing success was 
indicated by his later purchase and in the course of years he ranked with the sub- 
stantial and prosperous farmers of the community. 

On the 1st of September, 1892, Mr. Anderson was married to L. Freda Larson, 
who was born in Sweden, October 8, 1868, a daughter of Lars and Marie Peterson 
who were also natives of Sweden where the father died and where the mother is 
still living at the age of eighty-eight years. Mrs. Anderson came to the United 
States in 1889 and settled first in Edgar, Nebraska. By her marriage she has 
become the, mother of four children: Ruth Amelia, who is at home; Oscar Gordon, 
who was among the first to join the army after America declared war on Germany 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 299 

and was with the Coast Artillery in California and Virginia, being honorably dis- 
charged in December, 1918, with the rank of sergeant; Ada Dorotha, who married 
Morris W. Snyder of Lincoln, Nebraska, a railroad man on the Chicago, Burlington 
& Quincy, who was also with the army and served in France. Following his en- 
listment he was in camp at Dennison, New Mexico, until sent across ; and Earl 
Amandus, who is living with his parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson belong to the Swedish Mission church and are interested 
in all that pertains to the moral progress and welfare of the city and county. In 
politics Mr. Anderson maintains an independent course, voting for men and meas- 
ures rather than parties. In 1916 he sold his farm and removed to Aurora, retiring 
from active business and erecting here a nice residence at No. 1005 P street. He 
has since enjoyed a well earned rest and he certainly deserves the prosperity which 
has come to him as it is the direct outgrowth of unabating industry and energy 
that never flags. 



TOM FAGAN 



Among the early pioneers of Hamilton county was Tom Fagan, who came to 
that county in 1873 and secured a homestead. He has since resided in Hamilton 
county and has become one of the successful, progressive and leading agriculturists 
of the community. He was born in Ireland in 1847 and at the age of twenty-three 
years came to the United States. He first located in New York state and there 
remained for three years, being employed by the day and saving a little money. In 
1873, realizing that bigger opportunities were being offered in the west, he came 
to Nebraska and located in Hamilton county, where he homesteaded eighty acres. 
The trip as far as Lincoln he made by way of train but on reaching that town 
purchased a team and drove overland to his homestead. He had been in his new 
home but a few days when the Easter blizzard struck the country and he was 
snowed in for several days. His first dwelling was of sod and he used oxen to 
break his land. Wild geese and antelopes were plentiful in the vicinity of his home 
and many Indians passed through his land on their spring and fall hunting trips. 
Mr. Fagan experienced all of fhe pioneer hardships but allowed no obstacle, 
however great, to remain long in his path. Bradshaw was the nearest place to 
trade at that time and the storekeeper brought out his supplies from Lincoln with 
mule teams. The country was indeed but sparsely settled and Aurora, one of the 
nearest settlements, had then but two sod houses. Prairie fires, several of which 
Mr. Fagan passed through, were most feared by the pioneers and the grasshopper 
storms brought about total destruction of crops. The fir.st corn crop of Mr. Fagan 
was destroyed in that manner. Although he had but twenty-five dollars when he 
first came to Hamilton county, Mr. Fagan has through his own efforts become 
financially independent, but still maintains an active interest in farm life. As his 
original eighty acres of land was brought to a high cultivation, he purchased more 
land and he now owns five hundred and twenty acres in section 9, Valley township, 
on which stand four sets of buildings. 

In 1878 Mr. Fagan was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Butler, a native of 



300 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Ohio, tlieir marriage being celebrated in Crete, Nebraska. To them seven children 
have been born: James, who passed away at the age of thirty-five years; Anna; 
Alice; Edward; Florence; George; and Emma. 

Although Mr. Fagan is now seventy-three years of age he is well preserved and 
active in the agricultural and civic affairs of the community. He is widely known 
as a successful and progressive farmer and is one of the few pioneer residents of the 
county now jiving. 



FESTrS VAN DEI SEN 



In the early "TOs, witliin a few j-cars after the admission of Nebraska to state- 
hood, the new commonwealtli gained a sterling pioneer in the person of the late 
Festus Van Deusen, M'ho came with his family to Hamilton county, sustained by 
high courage and a determination to gain from the prairie soil a tribute that 
eventually should lead to his independence and substantial prosperity. He and 
his wife met with fortitude the varied tribulations and hardships that fell to the 
lot of the early settlers throughout this section, proved themselves masters in 
conforming to the primitive condition.s, and thus were not baffled by their losses 
through droughts, grasshopper scourges, etc., but made the best of adverse as well 
as favorable conditions, and ks the years pa.ssed they found their efforts crowned 
■with success. Mr. Van Deusen was one of the venerable and honored pioneer 
citizens of Hamilton county at the time of his death, in 1919, he having passed 
away at the age of eighty-five jears. He was born and reared in the state of New 
York, where the common schools enlisted a due share of his youthful attention 
and he was a youtli when he made his way to "Wisconsin. The voyage was made 
by way of the Great Lakes, and in the shipwrecking of the vessel on which he and 
his parents had taken passage, the family lost the gi-eater part of their material 
possessions. Mr. Van Deusen became a vigorous exponent of farm enterprise in 
the Badger state, where his marriage occurred and from there he came to Nebraska 
in the early 70s, by means of a team and covered wagon, bringing with him a 
cow, the leisurely movements of which did not tend to hasten the progress of the 
long overland journey. Upon arriving in Hamilton county, Mr. Van Deusen 
took up a homestead of eighty acres, in Union precinct, and here the first habita- 
tion of the family was a dugout of the type common to that period. The Van 
Deusen family endured its full sliare of vicissitudes and privations, but the home- 
stead gradually began to assume the appearance of a well ordered farm, and witli 
the general development of the country the adverse conditions were overcome and 
the faith of the pioneers justified. Eventually Mr. Van Deusen sold his original 
homestead, on which he had made good improvements, including the planting of 
an orchard and other trees, and purchased and brought to a high standard the 
farm of eighty acres which still continues in the possession of his widow. He was 
a stanch republican and was a man of broad views and intense civic loyalty, the 
while his sterling character gained and retained to him unqualified popular con- 
fidence and respect. 

In Wisconsin occurred the marriage of Mr. Van Deusen to Miss Ellen Gordon, 
who was born in Virginia and who accompanied her parents to Wisconsin in the 




ME. AND MRS. FESTUS A"A\ LiKUSEJST 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 303 

pioneer period of the history of tliat state. She is now in advanced years and with 
friends on every side maintains her home in the village of Stockham, where she 
finds the pleasing conditions and associations that fully compensate for the 
pioneer trials and perplexities that fell to her lot. Of the children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Van Deusen the eldest, Amos, is a resident of Illinois; George is a 
prosperous farmer near Mullen, Hooker county, Nebraska; Thomas re.sides at 
Stockham, Hamilton county ; Oscar lives at Giltner, this county ; Prank lives at 
Stockham ; Lueinda is the wife of John Beacom, a substantial farmer of Hamil- 
ton county; Anna is the wife of J. Ready of Stockham; and Ida is the wife 
of Grant Evans of Aurora. 



FRED B. HOWARD 



The value of the local newspapers in the upbuilding of the best interests of 
any community is universally conceded. The rule is that good papers are found 
in good towns, inferior journals in towns of stunted growth and uncertain future. 
It is not so much a matter of size and of excellence as adaptability to the needs 
of the locality in which it is established. The Clay County Sun, which Fred B. 
Howard of Clay Center is the owner and editor, has an excellent circulation and is a 
leader in the work of progress and improvement in the county. -For the past ten 
years Mr. Howard has been active in his present connection and his friends are man- 
ifold. Starting from the printing trade he has progressed in orderly manner through 
every phase of the newspaper business until ke now heads an organization of his 
own. In Harvard he received his first newspaper training, entering the printing 
office of a paper there, and after that time he worked on different metropolitan 
papers. As a citizen he is no unthinking "booster," but is at all times a supporter 
of Clay Center's best interests and the steady growth of that place is due to such 



EDWIN HUENEFELD 



Edwin Huenefeld, who is successfully engaged in stock raising in Aurora town- 
ship, has spent bis entire life in Hamilton county, his birth occurring there Novem- 
ber 25, 1886. He is a son of Carl F. and Elizabeth (Bald) Huenefeld, a sketch of 
whom appears elsewhere in this volume. After attending the common schools he 
entered a Nebraska agricultural college and thus became well qualified for the 
occupation to which he now gives his attention. Since 1911 he has had charge of 
his father's farm and is today specializing in the feeding of hogs, sheep and cattle, 
winning for himself a high place among the stockmen of Hamilton county. 

Mr. Huenefeld was married in July, 1917, to Miss Rissie Eggert, who today is a 
prominent woman in the connnunity, taking an active part in clubs and .social 
affairs. 

In addition to bis stock raising interests Mr. Huenefeld is identified with the 



304 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

cooperative elevators at Aurora and Giltner, and also with the cooperative stores 
of those towns. He has been president of the Hamilton County Farm Bureau since 
its organization in 1918 and fraternally is identiiied with the Masons, having taken 
the master's degree. He is a consistent member of the United Brethren church 
and has served as president of the State Cliristian Endeavor Union of that church 
■for two years. He is today recognized as one of the representative citizens and 
stockmen of his community. 



JOHN NICKALSOX 



Since 1879 John Mckalson has been a resident of Hamilton county and since 
1908 of Hordville, where he is now enjoying a life of retirement. A native of 
Sweden, he was born in that country in 1848 and when twenty years of age came to 
the United States. He obtained work in Pennsylvania, where he remained for a 
short time and then removed to California, subsequently locating in Hamilton 
county, Nebraska, in 1879. He purchased one huiulred and twenty acres of railroad 
land, part of it under cultivation and thereon built a small frame house. When he 
landed in the United States John Niekalsim was without funds, but he was deter- 
mined to succeed, and succeed he did. His ability a< a farmer soon asserted itself 
and today he is in possession of three hundred acres of well improved farm land. 
After the death of his wife Mr. Nickalson removed to Hordville and retired from 
active farm life in 1908. He takes an active interest in the development and 
improvement of the community in wliich he resides and is readily acknowledged a 
representative citizen. 

In 1867 occurred the marriage of Mr. Nickalson and Miss Nellie Bengtson, and 
to them ten children were born, five living in Hamilton county and one in Merrick 
county. In 1913 the death of Mrs. Nickalson occurred and was an occasion of deep 
grief to her many friends throughout the community. She was a consistent 
member of the Lutheran church for years. 

, Mr. Nickalson is now . enjoying the reward that comes from many years of 
diligence and industry. His sons are managing the farm, although as a true agricul- 
turist he maintains a great interest in it. Mr. Nickalson has proved himself to be 
the highest type of American citizen and as such has won the respect and good- 
will of his fellowmen. 



GRIFFITH J. THOMAS 



Griffith J. Thomas is now living retired in Harvard after long and active con- 
nection with newspaper interests here and with public affairs. He has ever been 
recognized as a substantial citizen whose aid is on the side of progress and improve- 
ment at all times. Mr. Thomas was born near Harlech, Wales, on the 20th of 
January, 1847, so that he has now passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's 
journey. His jiarents were John G. and Mary (Williams) Thomas, who emigrated 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 305 

to America in 1851, settling at Eemsen, New York, not far from Utica, remaining 
here until they went to Frankfort Hill, in Herkimer county, where Mrs. Thomas 
passed away in April, 1854. In September of the following year the father and son 
removed to Wisconsin, taking up their abode at Berlin in Green Lake county, 
where Griffith J. Thomas was reared to manhood. There his father passed away in 
1900, at the venerable age of eighty-eight years. 

G. J. Thomas attended school in Green Lake county until 1859 and then, putting 
aside his textbooks, concentrated his efforts and attention upon farm work, save for 
about three months in the winter season when he again had the opportunity of 
attending school. He continued to follow farming until August 20, 1862, when at 
the age of fifteen years he enlisted as a drummer in Company C, Thirty-second 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for a month, but failed to 
pass muster because of his youth and size. Being barred from active military duty 
he then entered the office of the Berlin (Wis.) Courant to learn the printing trade, 
at which he worked until July 27, 1863. He then went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 
and enlisted as a drummer in Company B, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, with 
which he served until the close of the war, thus realizing his hope of aiding the 
country in the preservation of the Union. He was mustered out at Madison, Wis- 
consin, September 4, 1865, and in April of the following j-ear entered the revenue 
marine service as quartermaster on board the revenue cutter John A. Dix, stationed 
at Detroit, Michigan, and cruising on Lake Superior. Mr. Thomas was assigned to 
duty at Detroit as ship keeper during the winter and on the 1st of April following 
was discharged at his own request that he might return home and complete his 
trade of printing. He remained with the Berlin Courant as devil, foreman and for 
two years as managing editor and then in 1876 resigned his position, having been 
elected to the office of city clerk. On the 1st of May, 1877, Mr. Thomas was 
appointed postmaster of Berlin, Wisconsin, by President Hayes and entered upon the 
duties of that position, in which he continued as the incumbent until Augu.st, 1886, 
having in the meantime been reappointed to the office. He was then released at his 
own request on account of ill health. 

Mr. Thomas had become identified with the Grand Army of the Eepublic imme- 
diately after his retirement from the revenue service and has been an active member 
of the organization since. He served as adjutant of his post in Berlin, Wisconsin, for 
six years and held numerous department offices, having also the honor of serving 
the department of Wisconsin as commander from 1879 until 1881 inclusive. He 
was likewise an early member of the Knights of Pythias, becoming a representative 
of that order in 1871. He served as keeper of the records and seal in his local lodge 
for seven years and was recorder of the Temple of Honor. He is likewise a member 
of the Masonic lodge and of the iVncient Order of United Workmen. 

On the 1st of November, 1874, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Anna E. 
Griffith, a native of Utica, New York, and to them have been born two sons: 
George Henry, a prominent banker of Harvard; and Harrie Griffith, who is 
assistant cashier of the Union State Bank of Harvard. 

It was in October, 1886, that Mr. Thomas came to Harvard on account of his 
health. He had previously purchased a farm in this section of the state and for two 
years resided thereon, life in the open proving greatly beneficial to him, but in the 
fall of 1888 he removed his family to Harvard in order to give his sons the advan- 



306 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

tage of the city schools. In 1889 he purchased the Harvard Courier, which he 
edited and published until February, 1898, when he entered upon his duties as 
postmaster and his younger son took over the paper. Mr. Thomas became actively 
interested in the development of the city and has figured prominently in connection 
with public affairs. He was chosen city clerk in 1893 to fill a vacancy and the 
same year was elected a member of the board of education, serving as its secretary 
until 1896. The cause of education found in him a stalwart friend and his aid and 
cooperation can at all times be counted upon as factors in general progress and 
improvement. He has been continuously in some position of public trust and at all 
times has been active in the Grand Army of the Eepublic and the Knights of 
Pythias. He is still secretary of the Masonic lodge, after filling that position for 
twenty-seven years. On the 16th of February, 1898, he received from President 
McKinley appointment to the position of postmaster of Harvard and served until 
August 15, 1915. He still assists in the post office to some extent, although he is 
now practically living a retired life. He is recognized as one of the prominent and 
influential residents of Harvard, highly respected by all who know him. He and 
his wife attend the Congregational church, are members of the order of the Eastern 
Star, and take helpful interest in many plans for the extension of the church work. 
Mr. Thomas was a member of the Soldiers Eelief Committee for a number of years 
and he served on the school redistricting committee. In a word, when any helpful 
public project is to be carried forward the cooperation and aid of Mr. Thomas are 
sought and are always freely given, making his life one of great worth and value to 
the community in which he. lives. 



REV. L. A. DUNPHY 



Since 1904 Eev. Father L. A. Dunphy has been in charge of the Church of the 
Immaculate Conception at Sutton. His strong personality, fine character and 
ability have won him many friends throughout the community and the membership 
of his church so increased that it was necessary to build a larger and more modern 
church, this structure being completed in 1907. Father Dunphy was born in 
County Queens, Ireland, in 1857, a son of Thomas and Margaret (Moore) Dunphy, 
both natives of that country, in which they resided until death. The father was a 
successful farmer and a well known member of the community in which he made 
his home. Thirteen children were born to that union, six of whom arc living. 
Father Dunphy has one brother and one sister residing in New York state but the 
remainder of the family are still in Ireland. The paternal grandfather of our 
subject was William Dunphy and the maternal grandfather Laurence Moore, both 
respected and progressive citizens of their various communities. 

Father Dunphy received his education in the local schools of his native county 
and in due time entered St. Patrick's Monastery at Mountrath. In 1883 he was 
ordained and had charge of a church in Canada from 1883 until 1887. In the 
latter part of that year he came to Nebraska, and for one and one-half years was 
assistant to Bishop Bonacum in Lincoln. The next four years he was in charge of 
a church at Colon and was in Aurora from 1893 until 1897. From 1897 to 1904 he 



HAMILTOIvr AND CLAY COUNTIES 307 

served in Doniphan and in the latter part of 190i went to Sutton. He has since 
been in charge of the Church of the Immaculate Conception there and administers 
to the moral welfare of sixty-five families. The old church soon proved to be too 
small to take care of Father Dunphy's congregation and in 1907 a handsome new 
building was erected. 

The popularity of Father Dunphy extends over the greater part of the com- 
munity and he is considered one of its most representative and valuable citizens. 
He is well known in fraternal circles as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He 
has devoted his entire life to his church and to the moral strengthening and 
development of his fellowmen. 



GEORGE A. HEEZOG 



George A. Herzog, postmaster of Harvard, was born in Bavaria, Germany, 
August 12, 1850, and his youthful days were spent on the home farm to the age of 
sixteen years, when he came to America, attracted by the opportunities of the new 
world. From 1867 until 1874 he resided near Buffalo, New York, where he was 
employed at farm labor, and in the fall of 1874 he came to Clay county, Nebraska, 
casting in his lot with the early settlers. For forty-seven years he has remained a 
resident of this section of the state and has witnessed the marvelous growth, settle- 
ment and development of the region. He first took up an eighty-acre homestead in 
Leicester township and with characteristic energy began tilling the soil and develop- 
ing the fields, remaining on that place until 1883, when he removed to Harvard. 
Here he was first employed by an implement dealer for a year and later he turned 
his attention to the insurance business, which he followed for a number of years, 
gaining a good clientage in that connection and having one of the successful 
insurance agencies of this part of the state. He was called to the position of post- 
master under appointment from President Cleveland and continued to serve during 
a part of the McKinley administration, filling the office for five years. He was 
again made postmaster in August, 1915, to succeed Griffith J. Thomas and is the 
present incumbent in the position. He is most systematic and careful in all the 
work of the office and has made an excellent official. As the years have passed he 
has also prospered in his business affairs. He sold the old homestead in 1905 and 
bought land in North and South Dakota, and still owns four hundred acres there, 
besides which he owns some good business properties in Harvard, including the 
hotel. He began life empty-handed and whatever he has achieved and enjoyed is 
attributable to his own efforts. He was one of a family of twelve children bom to 
George A. and Margaret (Rife) Herzog, who spent their entire lives in Germany, 
but nine of their children came to America and here found excellent opportunities, 
which they have improved. Making good use of his time and of the chances which 
have come to him, George A. Herzog has steadily advanced toward the goal of 
success and is now one of the substantial residents of Clay county. 

On the 7th of October, 1877, Mr. Herzog was married to Miss Emma Parks, a 
native of Benton Harbor, Michigan, and a daughter of David B. and Alsona 
(Aldrich) Parks. They have become the parents of five children: Frank H., 



308 HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

Arthur M., William H., Anna V. and Eaymond H. The first two of this number 
have been called to the home beyond and the other three are still living. Mrs. 
Herzog is a member of the Congregational church and Mr. Herzog is a member of 
the First Eeformed church and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Wood- 
men of America. He has always given his political support to the democratic party 
and has filled the office of city alderman for eight years and mayor for six years, in 
addition to his service as postmaster. At all times he is most loyal to the trust 
reposed in him and his worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged in the 
community in which he has now lived for almost a half century. 



HENEY BEANDT 



A resident for more than thirty years of Hamilton county, Nebraska, the late 
Henry Brandt gained through his own efforts a generous measure of temporal 
prosperity and in his activities as an agriculturist and stock raiser he contributed 
definitely to the industrial development of the county, even as in his loyal and 
liberal civic attitude he did well his part in furthering social advancement. He 
won success by worthy means and so ordered his course in all of the relations 
of life as to merit and receive the unqualified commendation and respect of his fel- 
lowmen. He was born and reared in Germany and was a self-reliant and ambitious 
youth of seventeen years when he came to the United States and found employ- 
ment at farm work, near Postville, Iowa. He likewise passed a year in Minnesota, 
and in that state on the 39th of February, 1888, was solemnized his marriage to 
Miss Katie Minges, who was born and reared in Minnesota, a daughter of 
Joseph and Frederica (Eesch) Minges, of whose three sons and three daughters 
she was the fifth in order of birth. In 1888 Mr. Brandt and his bride came to 
Hamilton county, Nebraska, and settled on a tract of eighty acres, near Giltner. 
On this farm he continued his progressive activities for fifteen years and then 
sold the property and purchased the fine farm on which his widow still resides, 
the same comprising two hundred and forty acres and the home being in section 
28, Monroe township. A man of energy and mature judgment, Mr. Brandt made 
his labors count in increasing success in his farm enterprise and he gained high 
reputation as a thoroughgoing and successful farmer who achieved wealth through 
his own ability and efEorts. Appreciative of the comforts which add to the happi- 
ness in the home and ever solicitous for the welfare of his family, he provided 
on his farm one of the modern and attractive rural houses of the county and his 
business sagacity led him to erect also farm buildings of the best type. He was 
aligned in the ranks of the democratic party, was affiliated with the Modern Wood- 
men of America and was a communicant of the Lutheran church, while his widow 
is a member of the Methodist church. Mrs. Brandt remains on the home farm, 
sustained and comforted by the devotion of her children and by gracious association 
with an unusually wide circle of loyal friends in the county which has long been 
her home and in which she has realized jnany of the finer ideals of thoiight and 
action and is stanch in her loyalty to the county and the state. 

The death of Mr. Brandt occurred on the IGth of May, 1918, and besides his 




MR. AND MRS. HENRY BRANDT 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 311 

widow he is survived by four children: Fi-ederick is a progressive young farmer 
near the old home farm ; Edward and Walter have the active management of the old 
home place, where they remain with their widowed mother; and Gladys is the 
wife of Cecil Jacobs and they reside on a farm in Hamilton county. 



J. J. McCONAUGHEY 



Aurora's population contains a goodly percentage of retired farmers — men who 
in previous years have been very active in directing the agricultural development 
of this district and whose labors have brought to them a gratifying and substantial 
measure of success. With this class J. J. McConaughey is numbered and Aurora 
finds him a valued representative citizen. Iowa claims him as a native son, 
for his birth occurred in Marion county, that state, April 13, 1854, his parents 
being James and Mary Ann (Wires) McConaughey, the former a native of Guernsey 
county, Ohio, while the latter was born in Germany. The father was reared and 
educated in the Buckeye state and was a man of studious nature who was con- 
stantly promoting his knowledge and efficiency. In 1853 he removed to Iowa 
where he devoted his attention to farming. He was very capable, accomplishing 
everything which he undertook and displaying versatility and enterprise in all of his 
work. For several years he served as constable and was thoroughly loyal in the 
discharge of his duties. His political support was given to the republican party. 
At the time of the Civil war he attempted to join the army but was rejected on 
account of being crippled in his feet. His son, Andrew McConaughey, served as 
sheriff of Hamilton county for several years and was very prominent in the public 
life of this section. He took up his abode in Hamilton county in 1871 and here 
homesteaded, securing land which he converted into a rich and productive farm. 
He served for several years in the Civil war in defense of the Union and was at 
all times a loyal and progressive citizen. His death occurred in 1918. 

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. James McConaughey there were eight children, 
of whom two died in infancy and two are living, the surviving brother being Wil- 
liam, who resides in Oklahoma, where he follows farming. 

The youngest of the family was J. J. McConaughey of this review. He obtained 
his education at Knoxville, Iowa, and started out in the business world in connection 
wdth farming. The year 1890 witnessed his arrival in Hamilton county, although 
he had visited the county in 1874- but soon afterward returned to Iowa. While 
in that state he worked by the month for a time and afterward purchased a farm 
which he owned and cultivated until he sought the opportunities offered in Nebraska. 
Here in 1889 he purchased two hundred acres of land upon which he took up his 
abode in 1890, continuing to own the property until 1918 when he sold it. He lived 
on the farm for ten years and then removed to Aurora where for twenty years 
he has resided. He carried the mail on the rural route for sixteen years, continuing 
to sene in that connection until 1916 when owing to impaired health he resigned 
his position. He has a pleasant home at 912 L stireet and is living retired. 

It was in 1877 that Mr. McConaughey was married to Miss Frances Myers, 
who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Enos W. and Rebecca Jane (Fernowl) Myers, 



312 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

the former a native of Pennsylvania while the latter was born in Ohio. They 
removed to Iowa at an early day and the year 1887 witnessed their arrival in 
Nebraska. Mr. Myers purchased a large farm and afterward removed to Table 
Eock, Nebraska, where his remaining days were passed, while the mother died at 
the home of a daughter in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. McConaughey have become parents 
of eight children : Dorotha May, who is the wife of A. R. Ocker, a railroad man 
residing at Beatrice, Nebraska; Clyde L., who is in the Fidelity National Bank of 
Aurora; Minnie Ann, the wife of Tunis T. Lapp, of Lincoln, Nebraska, who is 
with a paper and bag company; Lula B., the wife of Carl Witham, an engineer 
of Alliance, Nebraska ; Mary Jane, the wife of Dr. L. D. Smith, a chiropractor of 
Lincoln; Francis Earl, a farmer living- in Hamilton county; Enos J., who is 
employed in the Fidelity and Eeal Estate Bank at Aurora; and Cecil A., who occu- 
pies a position in the First National Bank at Lincoln, Nebraska. 

In his political views Mr. McConaughey is a republican but has never been 
ambitious to hold office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon 
business affairs. The only official position he has filled was that of rural mail 
carrier. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and with the Modern Wood- 
men of America and to the teachings of both organizations is loyal. He and his 
wife are consistent members of the Christian church and they have a circle of 
friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance. , Mr. McConaughey 
well deserves to be classed with the self-made men of Hamilton county. When he 
went to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, in 1877 he rented land and was withoiit funds. 
Instead of paying part of his crop for rent he decided to buy an eighty-acre tract 
of land on time. An agent showed him several pieces of land and he finally decided 
upon eighty acres for which he paid ten dollars per acre, making the first pay- 
ment in March following his agreement tia purchase the property in the previous 
fall. Each year he continued to pay one hundred dollars imtil the indebtedness 
was discharged and thus he gained his start in life. From that point fon\-ard 
he has steadily advanced and obstacles and difficulties in his path have seemed to 
call forth greater courage and firmer purpose. Year by year he progressed and 
for a considerable period was numbered among the successful farmers of Hamilton 
county. Today he is living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil and he 
has the satisfaction of knowing that every dollar he possesses has been industriously 
and honorably earned. 



JOHN G. MOBERG 



The land of Hamilton county has afforded to Mr. Moberg the excellent medium 
through which he has made his way to a stage of definite independence and pros- 
perity. Depending entirely upon his own resources and placing true values upon 
men and affairs, he has giiided his course firmly and wisely and has not been 
denied the goodly reward of merited success. He was born in Sweden in the year 
1859, was there reared and educated and was a young man of twenty-five years 
when he came to the United States and made Nebraska his destination. His 
brother, Andrew P., had established his home on a pioneer farm in Hamilton county 
and John G. assisted in the work of this farm about one year and eventually 



HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 313 

located his home farm not far distant. He farmed indejjendently on rented land 
about three years and then purchased, at the rate of eighteen dollars an acre, 
his present farm, of one hundred and sixty acres, in section 9, Monroe township. 
Here his labors and good management have been crowned with substantial success 
and he is now the owner of a well improved farm that yields goodly returns year 
after year. He is a reliable and upright citizen who commands unqualified popular 
esteem, has done his part in the furtherance of social and industrial development 
and progress in Hamilton county, is a stanch republican in polities and both he 
and his wife are active communicants of the Swedish Lutheran church. 

In the city of Omaha was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Moberg to Miss Anna 
Burgman, who came from Sweden to the United States when she was twenty-five 
years of age. They have two children, Amelia and Esther, both of whom are residing 
in the city of Omaha, where the elder daughter is attending a school for trained 



A. MUNSON 



Business enterprise in Aurora finds a worthy representative in B. A. Munson, 
a furniture dealer and undertaker whose carefully directed interests have placed him 
among the prosperous merchants of the city. His life record began on the 10th of 
December, 1858, in Carroll county, Illinois. His father, B. F. Munson, was a native 
of Ohio and in young manhood removed to Illinois, where he was living at the 
time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Joining the army he served with the boys 
in blue of the Ninety-second Illinois Infantry for a period of three years and aided 
valiantly in defense of the Union. He afterward returned to Illinois and there 
followed the occupation of farming. It was in that state that he married Catherine 
Loughran, who was born in Illinois and in 1871 they removed with their family 
to Nebraska, settling in Adams county among the pioneers who were engaged in 
reclaiming a wild and undeveloped region for the purposes of civilization. Mr. 
Munson secured a claim and at once began the arduous task of transforming the 
wild land into productive fields. He continued to own and cultivate the home- 
stead to the time of his demise and his wife also passed away upon this farm. They 
were earnest Christian people, loyal to the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, in which they held membership. Mr. Munson was a republican in his 
political views, serving as justice of the peace and at all times supporting those 
activities and interests which he believed would be of benefit to the community. 
To him and his wife were born thirteen sons and three daughters and of this family 
fifteen reached adult age, while ten are yet living. 

B. A. Munson, who was the sixth in order of birth, was a youth of twelve 
years when the family home was established in Nebraska, so that he, too, became 
familiar with the experiences of frontier life. He was educated in the country 
schools and later pursued a business course in Burlington, Iowa. In his youthful 
days he learned the blacksmith's trade which he followed for three years and 
afterward turned his attention to the furniture business at Blue Hill, Nebraska, 
where he remained an active factor in mercantile circles for a period of seven j'ears. 
It was in 1891 that he became a resident of Aurora and opened a furniture store 



314 HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

and undertaking establishment, being a graduate undertaker and embalmer. He 
carries an attractive line of furniture and household goods and his success is the 
direct outcome of the careful management of his affairs, his sound judgment in 
selecting stock and his straightforward dealings with his customers. 

On the 29th of December, 1886, Mr. Munson was married to Miss Margaret 
McClelland, who was born in Canada, a daughter of John and Margaret (Mathison) 
McClelland, both of whom were natives of Scotland and resided at Blue Hill, 
Nebraska, for a number of years, the father being there engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness. To Mr. and Mrs. Munson have been born five children: Goldie, who is 
the wife of Claude Patrick, living on a ranch near Craig, Colorado; Elroy, who 
has charge of the furniture department of the Benway Furniture Company at 
Lincoln, Nebraska; Russell, who is in the store with his father; Jeannie, the wife 
of William Finney, of Aurora, who is senior land appraiser for the Burlington 
Eailroad Company; and Francis, who is ticket clerk for the Burlington and resides 
at home. 

In his fraternal relations Mr. Munson is a Mason and an Odd Fellow and 
has passed through all of the chairs in the Odd Fellows lodge several times. He 
and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church and are interested in all those forces 
which make for the moral development of the community. Politically he is a repub- 
lican and has served as coroner of Hamilton county but is not an aspirant for 
office and prefers to devote his entire attention to his mercantile business, which is 
a large and growing one and which makes full demand upon his time and energies. 



E. J. EGGEET 



There is no phase of pioneer life, with its hardships, privations, its trials and 
its opportunities, with which E. J. Eggert, a retired farmer of Aurora, is not 
familiar. He came here in the days of early development and as the years passed 
performed all the arduous work of cultivating and improving a new farm. At 
length success rewarded his efforts and he is now living retired, enjoying in well 
earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Princeton, Illinois, 
November 8, 1856, and is a son of Henry and Henrietta (Eggert) Eggert, both 
of whom were natives of Germany and came to the United States in the latter 
part of the '40s, settling in St. Louis, where they resided for a short time. Mr. 
Eggert afterward removed to Bureau county, Illinois, where he purchased land, 
residing thereon until he came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, in 1882. Here he 
bought a farm and both he and his wife spent their remaining days thereon. They 
belonged to the German Lutheran church and Mr. Eggert gave his political en- 
dorsement to the democratic party. Their family numbered seven children : Mary, 
the wife of F. W. Welhner, connected with the stockyards at Kansas City; Lena, 
the wife of Jake Barrick, of Aurora ; E. J. ; Henry, a retired farmer of Aurora ; 
Henrietta, the wife of John McCarthy, of Orange, California ; C. S., who is living 
retired in Lincoln : and August, a retired farmer of Aurora. 

At the usual age E. J. Eggert entered the district schools near his father's 
farm in Illinois and through vacation periods worked in the fields and after liis 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 315 

school days were over continued in the same occupation. It was in April, 1879, that 
he came to Hamilton county, bringing with him a team and breaking plow. 
He made Lhe journey westward in a box car with a cousin. In this box car 
were loaded their household goods, four horses, two wagons and some lumber. They 
went to Grand Island by railroad and when they arrived the cousin's wife and 
uncle, who were to come first, had not yet reached there. Mr. Eggert and his cousin 
had no money and were not allowed to unload their car. He went into a livery 
stable, however, and the proprietor, John Saas, loaned him the money and the 
goods and supplies were then unloaded. This generosity to a stranger was typical 
of the spirit of helpfulness that prevailed among the pioneers. After getting their 
things from the car Mr. Eggert loaded the wagon with lumber and made a start 
for the homestead. So anxious was he to begin putting up his shack that he forgot 
all about provisions until hunger asserted itself. He went to a neighbor and asked 
for some water for his horses but the people had no water; and he then asked if 
the woman of the house would sell him a loaf of bread but she said she never 
baked. The situation was discouraging but Mr. Eggert finally spied another house 
some distance away where there was a windmill and thus he obtained water for 
the horses and also a fresh loaf of bread that had just been baked. After caring 
for his stock and appeasing his hunger he felt much better, setting to his work 
with renewed zeal. He obtained his assistance on the farm of Frank Wanek, who 
is still living near Giltner and is one of the substantial farmers of the county. 
Mr. Elggert at once began breaking prairie and followed this for two or three 
years. He then rented a farm, also engaged in threshing and in fact would do 
anything that would yield him an honest dollar. He purchased his first land — a 
tract of eighty acres — about 1883 or 1884, paying three hundred dollars down 
on the property and the balance at the rate of two hundred dollars per ye^r. He 
broke a part of this land and sold it for twenty dollars per acre to his father-in-law. 
Later he purchased the interests of the heirs in his father's old homestead and he 
now owns the place which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich and 
productive land. He also owns two hundred and forty acres of land in Missouri 
and his property returns to him a gratifying annual income. He continued to till 
his fields and further develop and improve his farm until December 16, 1914, when 
he removed to Aurora, where he has since made his home. 

In 1882 Mr. Eggert was married to Miss Nellie McCarthy and they became 
parents of three children : Mabel Esther, the wife of J. T. Stenner, an electrical 
engineer at the ice plant in Omaha ; Charles Francis, who is on his father's farm ; 
and Effie May. The wife and mother passed away in 1913 and on the 5th of 
September, 1917, Mr. Eggert was married to Mrs. Mary McEae, who was born 
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Stewart and Annie Beers. She was 
a widow at the time of her marriage to Mr. Eggert. She belongs to the Episcopal 
church and Mr. Eggert has membership with the Highlanders, while his political 
support is given to the democratic party. For many years he has been connected 
with the Hamilton County Fair Association, served as its vice president for eight 
years and was then elected to the presidency which position he has occupied for 
the past five years. In this connection he has done much to stimulate interest in 
improved methods of agriculture and production and has aided largely in upholding 
the highest standards in everything that has to do with agricultural life in any 



316 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

way. He has lived to see remarkable changes in the eouuty since he arrived 
here as a young man of twenty-two years. There were then great sections of the 
county undeveloped and unimproved and many of the now thriving towns and 
cities had not yet sprung into existence, while no railroad crossed the county. In 
the work of progress Mr. Eggert has since borne his full share and has contributed 
especially in notable measure to the agricultural improvement of this section of 
the state. 



JOHN J. SPRINGER 



By knowing how to do things and then doing them with characteristic vigor and 
discrimination John J. Springer has won large and worthy success in connection 
with farm industry in Nebraska. Though he has met with discouragements and 
reverses at various times in his career, he has not faltered in courage or determina- 
tion and Hamilton county has been the scene of his most effective activities as an 
agriculturist and stock ra'iser. Here he is now the owner of a well improved landed 
estate of three hundred and twenty acres, his fine home farm being situated one- 
half mile south of the village of Murphy, and one of the model places of Monroe 
township. 

John J. Springer was born in Bureau county, Illinois, in the year 1867, and 
was there reared and educated, his father having become a prosperous farmer of 
that county, where he owned a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres at the time of his death. He is a son of Joseph and Madeline (Zimmerman) 
Springer, whose marriage was solemnized in Illinois and who passed the remainder 
of their lives in that state. Joseph Springer was born at Metz, France, and was 
twenty-four years of age at the time of the family immigration to the United 
States. He was eighty-four years of age at the time of his death, his wife having 
preceded him to eternal rest. They became the parents of three children, all 
sons, and of the number the subject of this sketch is the only one residing in 
Nebraska. 

As a boy and youth John J. Springer gained wide knowledge of the labors and 
general operations of the home farm and this has proved of inestimable value to 
him in his independent farm enterprise of later years. He continued his residence 
in Illinois until 1890, when he came to Nebraska and established his residence in 
Seward county. He there invested virtually his total capital, seven hundred and 
fifty dollar.?, in farm land, but unfavorable conditions and circumstances over which 
he had no control finally caused him to lose all that he had invested, as well as 
the results of his earnest toil and endeavor as a farmer. It was at this juncture 
in his career, after eight years of residence in Seward county, that he came, in 
1898, to Hamilton county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
land in Monroe township, for which property he paid twenty-five dollars an acre. 
The place was but partly improved and he has not only erected excellent buildings 
but has otherwise brought the farm to a fine state of cultivation and with increas- 
ing prosperity has invested in additional land, until he now has a valuable estate 
of three hundred and twenty acres. While still a resident of Illinois he had 
worked as a farm hand and it was thus he earned the money with which he made 



HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 317 

his original investment in Nebraska. He has known the efficacy of honest toil 
and this, coupled with good judgment and careful business policies, has brought 
his success m life and he has every reason to be gratified in the independence and 
prosperity that are his in the state and county of his adoption. In connection 
with diversified agriculture Mr. Springer has become a prominent breeder of 
fine Percheron horses and his is one of the best horse farms in this section of 
Nebraska, sales of horses from the place having been made in most diverse sections 
of the state and his reputation being wide in this special field of enterprise. On 
his farm he also raises full-blooded registered Poland China hogs of the best type. 

Mr. Springer has been vital and progressive not only in his individual activities 
but also in his attitude as a citizen. While he has had no ambtion for political 
office he has been unswerving in his allegiance to the republican party and has 
taken well his part in community affairs. He held for tw^elve years the office of 
school director of his district. He and his family hold membership in the Mennonite 
church. 

While a resident of Seward county Mr. Springer there married Miss Katie I. 
Springer and of this union have been born five sons and two daughters: Joseph 
C. died at the age of twenty-eight years and was survived by his widow and one 
child : John J., Ealph B., Frank E., and Albert E. remain at the parental home 
and are proving effective aids to their father in connection with farm operations; 
Mrs. Anna M. Eeibger resides at Brule, Keith county ; and Mrs. Lulu N. Schertz and 
her husband live on a farm near Aurora, judicial center of Hamilton county. 



OSCAE SWANSON 



Oscar Swanson, who is now residing in Saronville, was one of the early pioneers 
of Clay county. For many years he was prominent in the agricultural circles of the 
county as a successful and progressive farmer and is now enjoying a life of retire- 
ment as the result of former years spent in diligence and industry. 

A native of Sweden, Oscar Swanson was born in that country on the 1st of 
December, 1846, and there remained until 1867, when he came to the United States. 
He spent his first year in Illinois, the succeeding year in Iowa and in 1871 came 
west, locating in Clay county. In that year the railroad came through Nebraska as 
far as Lincoln and Mr. Swanson made the journey by train. He acquired a home- 
stead of eighty acres near Sutton, on which he built a lumber shanty, the first 
lumber dwelling to be built in the Sutton precinct. He broke the land himself 
with a yoke of oxen and soon had' the homestead highly cultivated. There were very 
few settlers in the country at that time but some time after the railroad was put 
through the surrounding vicinity was quickly settled. There were three saloons in 
Sutton and no stores when Mr. Swanson moved into the county but soon after a 
store was established there, dealing in general merchandise, where most of his 
trading was done. Game such as antelopes, prairie chickens, quails, ducks and 
geese were plentiful in the community and Mr. Swanson enjoyed many hunting 
trips. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson resided on the old homestead until 1900, when they 
removed to Sutton, where they made their home until 1901 and subsequently went 



318 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

to Saronville, where he built a nice home and there is now residing. Mr. Swanson 
is in possession of a four hundred acre tract of fine land in Clay county, from the 
cultivation of which he receives a substantial income. 

In 1870 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Mr. Swanson was united in marriage to Miss 
Betsy Hokenson and they have become parents of two children: Charles A., who is 
farming in Clay county near Sutton ; and John W., also a farmer in the vicinity of 
Sutton. 

For many years Mr. Swanson was a stanch supporter of the republican party, 
but he now gives his allegiance to the democratic party. Although he has devoted 
the greater part of his time to his farming he has taken an active interest in the 
development and improvement of the community and for two years served in the 
office of county supervisor. Both Mr. and Mrs. Swanson are consistent members of 
the Swedish Lutheran church and are generous contributors to its various charities. 
Throughout the county Mr. Swanson is recognized as a man of much ability and he 
is readily conceded to be a representative citizen of Saronville. 



FRANK P. HARRISON 



Frank P. Harrison, now deceased, was numbered among the representative 
farmers of Clay county, and his death on the 23rd of October, 1917, left a void 
in the community that will not be easily filled. A native of Illinois, he was 
born in McHenry county, September 3, 1862, a son of Charles and Mary (Rock- 
wood) Harrison, the former a native of England and the latter of Vermont. 
The father came to this country when a young man, was for some time con- 
nected with railroad work as station agent at Ringwood and in later life fol- 
lowed farming. 

Frank P. Harrison is indebted to the country schools of Illinois for his edu- 
cation and after putting his textbooks aside lived with his parents until seventeen 
years of age, when he started out in the world on his own account, getting work 
on farms in the vicinity of his home. After obtaining some experience along that 
line he rented land in Illinois, which he successfully operated until the early '90s, 
when he came to Nebraska and located in Thayer county. There he rented land 
for some time and then removed to Nuckolls county, remaining there for five 
years before coming to Claj' county in 1900, where he followed farming one year. 
At the end of that time, in August, 1901, he moved into Ong and there bought 
stock in a hardware and furniture business, in the conduct of which he was asso- 
ciated with J. 0. Walker. He later established a general hardware, furniture 
and undertaking business with Frank Bell, and became widely recognized 
throughout the county as a representative and successful business man. In 1909 
he retired from active life,, having acquired a competence that enabled him to 
live in comfort until his death. 

In 1897 Mr. Harrison was married to Edith Walker, a native of Pennsylvania 
and a daughter of J. F. and Louisa (Hay) Walker, who came to Nebi-aska and 
located in Thayer county at an early day. Her father engaged in the real 
estate business and achieved a substantial amount of success in that connec- 




FEAXK P. HAEEISOX 



HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUXTIES 321 

tion. To the uuion of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison three children were born : Mary 
L., Edith Elizabeth and Charles, all at home. 

Throng'hout his life Mr. Harrison gave his support to the republican party, 
in the interests of which he took an active part, although he neither sought nor 
desired office as a reward for party fealty. His religious faith was that of the 
Presbyterian church, in the activities of which organization his widow and chil- 
dren take a prominent part. Mr. Harrison identified his interests with tliose of 
his community and could always be counted upon to do his part in furthering 
the public welfare. At the news of his death a feeling of deep bereavement swept 
the community, for in his passing Clay county and Ong lost a progressive and 
representative citizen. 



L. A. HIGGIXS 



Among Harvard'.s representative business men is numbered L. A. Higgins, 
proprietor of a hanlwaic stiin\ who owes his success and advancement in a business 
way to his close apiilicaticm and determined purpose. He comes from Illinois, 
his birth having occurred in Peoria county, July 23, 1868, his parents being 
J. W. and Caroline (Hunt) Higgins, who are likewise natives of Illinois. In 
the year 1885, when their son, L. A., was a youth of seventeen years, they came 
to Nebraska, settling in Buffalo county, and throughout his entire lil'e the father 
followed the occupation of farming until his unfaltering industry ami perseverance 
have brought him sufficient capital to enable him to live retired, since which time 
he and his wife have made their home in Amherst, Nebraska. They have always 
been loyal to the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they hold 
membership and Mr. Higgins has. long given his political siipport to the democratic 
party. For a number of years he served as county supervisor in Buffalo county 
and in many tangible' ways has manifested his allegiance to all those interests 
which make for good citizenship and the welfare of the state. 

L. A. Higgins is the eldest of a family of ten children. Liberal educational 
advantages were accorded him and he is today a well read man. He attended the 
district schools of Buffalo county, Nebraska, and throughout life has added much 
to his early knowledge gained in the schools by reading, by study and by observation. 
He started out to provide for his own support by farm work and later secured a 
clerkship in a store when twenty-five years of age. There he was employed as a sales- 
man until 1896, when he removed to Kearney, Nebraska, and obtained a position 
as clerk in a hardware store, continuing at that place for four years. In 1901 
he removed to Harvard and formed a partnership with W. E. Jakway and E. E. 
Hinkle of Lincoln, for the purchase of a hardware business which has been continued 
under the name of the L. A. Higgins Hardware Company until the present time. 
Mr. Higgins started out in this business in a small way but now has an extensive 
stock of shelf and heavy hardware and his patronage is most gratifying. He has 
ever realized that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and he puts forth 
every effort to please his customers, while his straightforward dealings and progres- 
sive methods insure him a continuance of the trade. 



322 HAMILTON AND CLAY COFNTIES 

In 1896, in Kearney, Nebraska, Mr. Higgins was married to Miss Ella Eutsler, 
who was born in Iowa and whose father was one of the prominent early farmers 
of Dawson county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have become the parents 
of five children : Marguerite, the wife of Ernest D. Lefever, a farmer of Stockham, 
Nebraska; Howard, who operates an elevator at Harvard; L. A., who is in the 
employ of his father; and Clyde and Blanche, who are attending school. Mr. and 
Mrs. Higgins have many warm friends and their social position is an enviable one, 
the best homes of the community being at all times open to them. Mrs. Higgins is a 
member of the Christian church. Mr. Higgins belongs to the Masonic fraternity 
and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Eite and is a member 
of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise indentified with the Knights of Pythias, the 
Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of the United Workmen. 
He is past master of the Masonic lodge and a past chancellor commander of the 
Knights of Pythias. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, 
but he does not seek nor desire office, concentrating his entire time and attention 
upon his business affairs, and the thoroughness and energy which have character- 
ized him have been the important features in the attainment of his present-day 
success. Moreover, the creditable methods which he has followed have established 
him high in the regard of his fellow townsmen. 



AUGUST HOLDGKAF 



August Holdgraf is occupying a pleasant home at No. 1214 Tenth street in 
Aurora. He removed to the city in 1917, after long connection with the farming 
interests of Hamilton county and through the intervening period has lived retired. 
He was bom in Westphalia, Germany, February 2, 1852, a son of Henry and 
Christina (Holdgraf) Holdgraf, who were also natives of that country where 
they spent their entire lives, the father successfully following the occupation of 
farming. The grandfather, Henry Holdgraf, was also born and died in Germany 
and he, too, devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Both of the parents of August 
Holdgraf were members of the German Reformed church. Their family numbered 
two children, the elder being Frederick William, who died in Germany. 

The younger son, August Holdgraf of this review, obtained his education in 
the schools of his native country and lived on a farm in his youthful days, working 
at farm labor after his textbooks were put aside. At length he determined to try 
Iris fortune in the new world for the favorable reports which he had heard con- 
cerning the opportunities offered in the United States were very attractive to him. 
He arrived in Hamilton county in 1881 and here purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres of railroad land on which he made a partial payment, meeting the remaining 
payments on time. He built a small house, liauling the lumber from Aurora 
and began the arduous task of developing and improving his place. As the j'ears 
went by he converted his farm into a rich and productive tract and thereon engaged 
in raising stock of all kinds in addition to the production of the crops best adapted 
to soil and climate. He made a success in his undertakings and is still the owner 
of the farm property. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 323 

In 1882 Mr. Holdgraf was married to Miss Josephine George, a sister of John 
George, mentioned elsewhere in this work. To them have been born two children: 
Paul George, who is cultivating a rented farm near Marquette; and Eanil August, 
who is living on his father's farm. Mr. Holdgraf and his wife are members of 
the Presbyterian church, interested in its growth and upbuilding. In politics he is 
a republican and when on the farm served as a member of the school board but 
has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He always preferred to 
concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and his close applica- 
tion and energy were the basis of his substantial success. 



M. E. FLEMING 



Sutton is fortunate in having among its citizens so progressive and valuable a 
man as M. E. Fleming, who for many years has been engaged in the coal business 
there. A native of New York, he was born in Tarrytown, December 15, 1873, his 
parents being Henry and Catherine (Magher) Fleming, both natives of Ireland. 
The father was bom in County Kilkenny and the mother in County Tipperary and 
both came to the United States about 1863 or 1864. Their marriage occurred in 
New York and for three or four years they made their home in Tarrytown. In 1874, 
however, Henry Fleming removed his family to Clay county, Nebraska, and there 
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land, for which he paid cash. 
His first home on that place was a dugout, but later he built a frame house. His 
death occurred on the old farm place, June 18, 1918, and his widow still resides 
there, being now in possession of the land. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fleming 
nine children were born, eight of whom are living : Mrs. M. J. McLaughlin, who 
is residing on a farm in Clay county; M. E., whose name initiates this review; 
Mrs. George Dunham, who is residing in Fillmore county on a farm; Mrs. Ed. D. 
Allen, residing on a farm in Hastings; Dr. T. N., who is a fine physician of Cold 
Springs, Minnesota; James F., who is residing on a farm in Clay county; John J., 
residing with his mother on the old home place; and William P., who is working 
for the state in the chemical department at Grand Island. Another son, Henry, is 
deceased. Mr. Fleming was a consistent member of the Catholic church and well 
known as a member of the Knights of Columbus. His political allegiance was 
given to the democratic party. At the time of his death Mr. Fleming owned a 
whole section of land in Clay county and the fortune he acquired was the result of 
his own diligence and industry. Deep grief was felt by his many friends at his 
passing and the void left in the community will be hard to fill. 

M. E. Fleming received his education in school district No. 9, Clay county, and 
after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming, which line of work, he fol- 
lowed for seven years. He then came to Sutton in 1905 and engaged in the clothing 
business, building up a large trade and continuing in that connection for a period 
of fifteen years. At the termination of that time he sold out his clothing establish- 
ment and launched into the coal business. He is still active in the conduct of the 
latter business and has built up an extensive and lucrative trade. 

In 1907 Mr. Fleming was married to Miss Rose E. Egan, a native of Illinois 



324 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

and a daughter of Cornelius Egan, who came to Nebraska in 1903. He was a well 
knoflTi man in the community in which he resided and his death occurred near 
Grafton. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have become parents of four children : Henry J., 
Mary, Clara and Edward, all attending school. 

In his political views Mr. Fleming has always been a member of the democratic 
party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good govern- 
ment. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and fraternally he is con- 
nected with the Knights of Columbus, of which lodge he has been financial secre- 
tary since its organization. Mr. Fleming is widely known throughout Clay county, 
is highly respected for his integrity in all-business matters, and is one of the thrifty 
and enterprising citizens of his portion of the state. 



S. P. ROSEXBAUM 



S. P. Eosenbaum, closely associated with the commercial interests of Harvard as 
proprietor of a general mercantile establishment, was born in Syracuse, New York, 
April 12, 1853, and is a son of Phillip and Lena (Braun) Eosenbaum, both of 
Whom were natives of Bavaria, Germany. They came to America in a sailing vessel 
in the '"iOs and were six weeks on the voyage. He settled in Syracuse, New York, 
where he engaged in the wholesale hardware business and in 1861 removed to New 
York, where he conducted a hardware store until 1863. He then retired from 
business but both he and his wife continued to make their home in New York until 
called to their final rest, their remains being interred in one of the cemeteries of 
the eastern metropolis. Both were members of the Eeformed church and 
Mr. Eosenbaum gave his political support to the republican party. They were the 
parents of four children, of whom but two are living: Eay and S. P., the former 
now Mrs. Smith and resident of Brooklyn, New York. 

S. P. Eosenbaum was educated in New York city and started out in the business 
world )n connection with a wholesale millinery enterprise, remaining with that 
house for ten years. In 1877 he came to Nebraska, settling at Hastings, where he 
remained for a short time but the following year removed to Harvard. Here he 
was connected with Sam Wolbach, now of Grand Island, Nebraska, and opened a 
general store in 1881, taking over the business from Wolbach Brothers. He in- 
creased the stock and in November, 1912, erected a large building, in which he 
carries everything found in a general merchandise establishment, save furniture. 
His stock is extensive and attractive and the store is accorded a liberal patronage. 
Mr. Eosenbaum also conducts a store at Fairfield and devotes his entire time to the 
management of the business which he has carefully and systematically directed, 
making his eSorts the broad foundation upon which he has built the superstructure 
of success. 

On the 6th of March, 1881, Mr. Eosenbaum was married to Miss Henrietta 
Weil, a native of Newark, New Jersey, and to them have been born five children : 
Percival, who is in the store with his father ; Edwin and Eolland S., who are also 
with their father; Harold A., who is a practicing physician of Chicago; and Eva, 
who is a teacher in a Chicago kindergarten. Mr. Eosenbaum is a member of the 



HAMILTON" AXD CLAY COUXTIES 325 

Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen 
of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is a loyal follower of 
the teachings and purposes of these societies. In politics he is a republican and 
has served as a member of the city council and president of the board and for 
some time was acting mayor of Harvard. He has at all times sought the public 
good through the capable discharge of his official duties and his fellow townsmen 
recognize in him a progressive and reliable citizen as well as an enterprising 
business man. 



JOHX P. PETEESOX 



For forty-three years John P. Peterson, now deceased, was a prominent resident 
of Clay county, where he successfully engaged in farming. He was born in 
Sweden December 9, 1848. 

John P. Peterson was about twenty years of age when he decided to come to 
America and landing in this country went to Illinois, where he made his first 
home. For about five years he resided in that state, farming rented land, but in 
1874 determined to remove farther west, \dth the result that he came to Nebraska 
and bought land in Clay county. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
school land on which there were no improvements but with the aid of his farm 
machinery which he brought from Illinois he soon had the land under cultivation. 
Along with the other things he shipped from Illinois was a house belonging to his 
wife's father, which he put on the farm and therein resided for the first summer. 
He later, however, moved a larger and more modern dwelling onto the place. 
When Mr. Peterson arrived in Clay county he had but little money and he bought 
his land on time but being a man of grim determination and energ}' he worked 
himself upward step by step until at the time of his death he was in possession of 
two hundred and eighty acres of fine improved land in the county. In November, 
1917, occurred the death of Mr. Peterson and at the news of his demise a deep 
feeling of bereavement swept the community in which he had so long resided and 
in which he had many stanch friends. 

While residing in Illinois in 1869 Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss 
Martha Johnson, a native of Sweden and to them twelve children were born : 
Mrs. Ida Aspregren of Clay county; Nellie Nelson, residing in Clay county; Helma 
Aspregren of Clay county; Hanna England, a resident of Clay county; Wendel 
Peterson, who is farming in Clay county; Lillie Johnson, residing near Harvard; 
Eddie, living in Clay county; Irene Kodelius, residing in Evauston, Illinois; Boy, 
who is living on the old home place; Esther, at home; Nettie Swartz, who is resid- 
ing at Staplehurst; and Ethel at home. In 1900 Mr. and Mrs. Peterson removed 
to Saronville, where they built a fine home and there Mrs. Peterson is now residing. 
She is a consistent member of the Methodist church and active in all of the affairs 
of that organization. 

Mr. Peterson was in every sense of the word a self-made man, his success 
having been achieved by hard work, intelligently directed. He was quick to grasp 
every opportunity offered him and though he suffered loss of crops by grasshopper 



326 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

and hailstorms he allowed no obstacle to remain in his path nor to dampen his 
spirits. Although the greater portion of Mr. Peterson's time was devoted to farm- 
ing he also took an active part in the development and improvement of the com- 
munity and for many years was a member of the school board and held the office 
of county assessor. In his passing Clay county lost both a representative and 
pioneer citizen, and his demise left a void in the community which will be hard to 
fill. 



J. P. CHAPMAN 



J. P. Chapman, whose furtniture and undertaking establishment in Aurora 
is one of the progressive business enterprises of the city, was born in Lucas county, 
Iowa, August 13, 1855, and is a son of Simeon B. and Sarah Jane (Mitchell) Chap- 
man. The father was bom in Pennsylvania and the mother in Indiana, in which 
state they were married. The Chapman family is of English lineage and the 
ancestral line is traced back to Uriah Chapman, the great-grandfather of J. P. 
Chapman of this review. His son, Simeon Chapman, removed from Pennsylvania 
to Ohio and afterward became a resident of Missouri, then moved to Iowa in an early 
day, where his last days were passed. He was a cooper by trade and was also one 
of the heroes of the Eevolutionary war, joining the army when very young and 
aiding in the struggle for independence. The grandfather in the maternal line 
was a native of Kentucky and in an early day became one of the pioneer residents 
of Indiana. He had a son, Eobert Mitchell, who was killed in the Mexican war 
and was buried in the land of the Montezumas. It was his sister, Sarah Jane 
Mitchell, who became the wife of Simeon B. Chapman and following their mar- 
riage in Indiana they removed to Missouri and afterward to Iowa, where they con- 
tinued to reside until called to their final rest. The father always followed the 
occupation of farming as a life work, thus providing for the support of his 
family. He was a most thorough Bible student and possessed a remarkable memory. 
He held membership in the Universalist church and gave his political support to 
the republican party. To him and his wife were born ten children, but only three 
are living : L. M., a retired ranchman residing in Oregon ; R. R., a retired farmer 
of Aurora, Nebraska; and J. P., of this review. 

The last named pursued his education in the common schools of Iowa, attend- 
ing first the district schools and afterward those of the town, for his parents left 
the farm when he was ten years of age. In early life he began learning the painting 
and paper-hanging trades which he followed for a short time and then took up 
photography. Still later he engaged in the furniture business, opening a store of 
that kind in the old town of Hamilton in October, 1877. Later he disposed of 
his interest in the furniture business to his partner, C. R. Glover, and removed his 
photographic studio to Aurora, where he has since made his home. In 1885 he again 
became connected with mercantile pursuits, becoming associated with William 
Glover in the hardware and furniture trade under the firm style of William Glover 
& Company. At a later period the hardware stock was sold and Mr. Chapman 
concentrated his energies upon the furniture and undertaking business, in which 
he has since been engaged, carrying on his interests under the firm style of the 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 327 

Chapman Furniture Company in which his son is now associated with him. Both 
are graduate undertakers. He won his undertaking license in 1890, completing his 
course with the second class in the state. The firm enjoys a liberal patronage in 
both branches of its business and progressive methods have always characterized the 
work of Mr. Chapman, who early realized that industry and perseverance are 
indispensable elements of success and has utilized those qualities to good account 
in the attainment of prosperity. The firm today has a very large store and carries 
an extensive stock of furniture. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Chap- 
man owns one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land near Aurora and his 
property is the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift. 

In August, 1879, Mr. Chapman was married to Sarah Eckerson, who was born 
in Wisconsin and removed to De Kalb, Illinois, with her parents, afterward going 
to Iowa, while at a later period her father established the family home in Nebraska, 
arriving in this state in 1878. He purchased land and passed away in Hamilton 
county in 1884. His widow survives at the age of more than eighty years and 
is now making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Chapman, who by their marriage be- 
came the parents of two children : Glenn S., who was born in 1883, was graduated 
from the Aurora high .school in 1901 and afterward studied for a year in the 
State University. In June, 1903, he became connected in business with his 
father and the partnership has since been maintained. He was married in 1911 to 
Fay Dixon and they have become parents of three daughters: Phyllis, Marian 
and Ruth; the second member of the family of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Chapman is 
Erma, now the wife of Emil Holdgraf. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are members of 
the Presbyterian church, loyal to its teachings and interested in its growth. He 
also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Modern Woodmen of America, 
while his political faith is that of the republican party. He is truly a self-made 
man and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he started out in 
life empty handed at an early age. Steadily he has advanced, each forward step 
bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunities and today he is classed 
among the most progressive and prosperous merchants of Aurora. 



AXEL FREDRICKSON 



The vigorous optimism born of self reliance and determined purpose has been 
a definite force in the career of Axel Fredrickson, who through his own efforts has 
become one of the substantial representatives of farm industry in Hamilton county, 
where his excellently improved farm is situated in section 18, Phillips township. 

Mr. Fredrickson was born in Sweden in 1868, and there he received his early 
education, besides gaining a due quota of practical experience. He was twenty-one 
years of age when in 1889 he came to the United States, firm in his confidence 
that through his own labors he could here make for himself a place of independence. 
With a sane outlook upon life he was ready to prove his value in whatever line 
he directed his energies and soon found employment in connection with construction 
work on the first division of the Union Pacific Eailroad, which was virtually his 
first service after he came to Nebraska. He was given charge of a construction 



338 HAMILTOX A\D CLAY COUNTIES 

gang and continued liis active alliance with' this branch of railroad work until 
1902, when he purchased eighty acres of his present farm. He had accumulated 
a fund of one thousand and four hundred dollars and in purchasing his farm ex- 
pended this and also assumed an indebtedness of two thousand and six hundred dol- 
lars. By energy and good management he not only developed and improved his 
land but was able also to clear himself of debt within a period of six years. All 
this meant hard work and close application, but the end justified the means, as is 
evident in the fact that he is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres, improved with modern buildings and maintained at a high standard 
of productiveness. He gives his attention largely to the raising of corn and his 
success has proved the value of his work in this department of agricultural enter- 
prise. 

Mr. Fredrickson's interest in politics is simply that of a loyal public-spirited 
citizen who has no ambition for office of any kind, and he gives his support to the 
republican party. He and his wife are earnest communicants of the Swedish 
Lutheran church. 

At Aurora, Hamilton county, in 1899, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. 
Fredrickson to Miss Mary Anderson, daughter of Andrew p]rickson, one of the 
sterling pioneer settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Fredrickson have three 
children : Florence, Lillie and Aldie, all of whom remain at the parental home. 
A fourth child died in infancy. Mr. Fredrickson is distinctly one of the world's 
productive workers and is well entitled to the substantial prosperity that has 
attended his earnest efforts. 



J. P. CHEREY 



The attractiveness of Hamilton county as a place of residence is indicated in 
the fact that so many of her farmers have won success that now enables them to 
live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of their former toil. To this class • 
belono-s J. 1'. Cherry who is a resident of Aurora and who comes to the state from 
Ohio, his birth having occurred in Muskingum county, July 13, 1850. His parents 
were Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey Cherry who were reared in Ohio, but at the time of 
the gold excitement in California the father started for the Pacific coast. He was 
shipwrecked en route and was never heard from again. The mother died when her 
son, J. P. Cherry, was but three years of age and the boy was reared by a cousin, 
Mr. Shamblin. He pursued his education in the public schools of his native state 
and continued a resident of Ohio until 1863, when he went to Iowa and there rented 
a farm, continuing to make his home in that state for two decades. In 1883 
he became a resident of Nebraska and purchased two hundred and forty acres of 
land at ten and twenty dollars per acre, buying this from the railroad company. 
He had ten years in which to make the payments upon this property. He had 
a three-room frame house and in the early days met the usual experiences of life 
on the frontier but persistently and energetically carried on his work and as the 
result of his diligence and determination won success as the years passed. He 




MR. AND MRS. J. P. CHEERY 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 331 

continued to reside upon the farm until January 13, 1915, when he removed to 
Aurora, thus putting aside the active work of the fields. 

It was in Iowa, before his removal to this state, that Mr. Cherry was united 
in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Grim who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter 
of Joseph Grim, who became a resident of Iowa in early times and there followed 
the occupation of farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Cherry were born three children, 
two of whom are living: Joseph, a farmer residing on his father's farm near 
Phillips, Nebraska; and Vernie, the wife of Clyde Cogil, also living on her father's 
farm near Phillips. Mrs. Cherry passed away in 1905, at the age of forty-five 
years and eighteen days. She was a member of the Freewill Baptist church and 
was a lady of many estimable qualities. In 1908 Mr. Cherry was married to 
Georgiana Eppner, a native of Iowa, where her father settled in early pioneer times. 
Again Mr. Cherry was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife in 1919, for 
Mrs. Georgiana Cherry passed away on the 4th of July of that year. She was a 
loyal member of the Christian church and Mr. Cherry attends services at that 
church. His political endorsement is given to the republican party but he has 
never sought nor desired office, preferring always to concentrate his energies 
and attention upon his business affairs. It has been by reason of his close applica- 
tion and unabating diligence that he has gained the place which he now occupies 
as one of the men of affluence in Aurora and his record illustrates what can be 
accomplished through individual effort. He still owns eighty acres of land, having 
given his children eighty acres each. While upon the farm he raised considerable 
stock and in all that he undertook met with success, so that he is thoroughly 
justified in enjoying the rest which is now his, the result of his former activities 
supplying him at the present time with all of the comforts of life. 



F. A. BTJTLEK, M. D. 



For thirty-six years Dr. F. A. Butler has engaged in the practice of medicine 
and surgery in Harvard and such has been his devotion to the duties of his pro- 
fession that he well merits the high regard and warm esteem entertained for him 
throughout the county. The summer's sun has never been too hot nor the winter's 
cold too severe for him to respond to a call of suffering and in the earlier days 
perhaps no one was better known than Dr. Butler as he drove from place to place in 
all parts of the county, alleviating pain and suffering and carrying with him an 
atmosphere of cheer and comfort. A native of Illinois, his birth occurred in Jack- 
sonville, January 82, 1854, his parents being James L. and Oletha P. (Sargent) 
Butler, the former a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in Ohio. The 
grandfather, William Sargent, represented Morgan county, Illinois, in the state 
legislature at the time that Abraham Lincoln was a member from Sangamon 
county. The parents were married in Illinois, having become residents of that 
state in an early day and there the father engaged in the occupation of farming. 
He served in the Black Hawk war of 1832 and went through many of the expe- 
riences and hardships of pioneer life. Some time afterward he removed to Parsons, 
Kansas, where he lived a few years when death called him to the home beyond and 



332 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

his wife also passed away there. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church and Mr. Butler gave his political endorsement to the republican party. To 
him and his wife were born twelve children, of whom seven are living: A. C, who 
has been superintendent of schools at Abingdon, Illinois, for fifteen years ; F. A., of 
this review; Thomas Butler, who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine 
in Seattle, Washington; Melton, who occupies the old homestead farm in Kansas; 
Mrs. Belle Duree, living at Edna, Kansas: Harriett, the wife of John Henson, a 
farmer and stockman, residing at Newalla, Oklahoma; and Mary Malinda, the wife 
of Joseph Essig of Parsons, Kansas. One son, John T. Butler, was a very promi- 
nent figure in political circles in San Diego, California, serving as county clerk and 
as a city official. He was also very prominent in Masonic circles, the honorary 
thirty-third degree being conferred upon him. He passed away in 1916. The 
eldest of the family was Charles Wesley Butler who went with Sherman on the 
celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea during the Civil war. Later he was 
taken prisoner and for a time was at Libby prison, after which he was transferred 
to Richmond and was there incarcerated at the time Grant captured the city. 
After a furlough home he went to camp in Springfield, Illinois, and there passed 
away. 

Doctor Butler obtained his education in the common schools of Illinois and 
later attended the Kansas Normal school at Fort Scott, afterwards winning the 
degrees of D. S. C. and A. M. in Chicago College. He also attended the Iowa 
State Medical College, where he studied both pharmacy and medicine and in 1879 
was graduated in medicine from the Louisville University of Louisville, Kentucky. 
He practiced in a hospital at Sheridan, Illinois, for a period of six years and 
gained the broad and valuable knowledge and experience which hospital practice 
brings. In 1885 Doctor Butler arrived in Harvard, Nebraska, and through the 
intervening period to the present time' sixty-eight physicians have located in this 
city but the greater number have been forced to seek a location elsewhere. Doctor 
Butler, however, throughout the years has enjoyed a good and paying practice, the 
public recognizing his ability and efficiency in his chosen field. In twenty-five 
years he drove but six horses in making his calls all over the county. He would 
go day and night at any time his services were needed and his course has always 
been characterized by a broad humanitarian spirit as well as comprehensive pro- 
fessional knowledge and skill, so that through the years he has ever enjoyed a 
large practice and has won success as time has passed. 

On the 1st of September, 1887, Doctor Butler was married to Miss Emma 
Keebler, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have become parents of two children: 
Fletcher A. of Lincoln, Nebraska, who is married and has one child, Virginia ; and 
Oletha, the wife of William McCommins of Eock Island, Illinois, who served as a 
soldier of the World war. Mrs. McCommins is a talented musician and is now 
playing the pipe organ in a church of Eock Island. 

Both Dr. Butler and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and politically he is a democrat, but has never sought 
nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energy and attention uixin his 
practice and his business affairs, for as the years have gone by he has accumulated 
large property holdings, having now ten hundred and forty acres of land, of which 
four hundred acres is situated in Clay county and the remainder in various sections 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 333 

of Nebraska. He is also the owner of land in Oklahoma. In his profession lie has 
ever held to the highest standards and has kept in touch with progressive thought 
and methods through his membership in the Clay County, Nebraska State and 
American Medical Associations. He has attended the American Medical Associa- 
tion six different times as a delegate from the state and has been president of the 
county organization and also of the York District Medical Society. He has like- 
wise held many positions of honor and trust in the State Medical Association and 
for thirty years has been the contract surgeon of the Northwestern Railway Com- 
pany of Clay county. He has recently attended the American College of Surgeons 
at Omaha with the expectation of becoming a member thereof. He has always 
specialized in gynecology and surgery and has been particularly skillful in these 
fields of practice. He has taken much post-graduate work in Chicago, in Rochester, 
Minnesota, in Louisville, Kentuckv', and in New York city, thus acquainting 
himself with the most advanced methods and ideas of the eminent physicians and 
surgeons of America. 



J. M. GRAY 



Among the worthy and representative citizens of Sutton is J. M. Gray, who for 
many years was prominent in the lumber circles there and throughout the county, 
but is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his many years of industry. 
Mr. Gray was born in Marion, Iowa, August 30, 1843, a son of Ilosea and Nancy 
Ann (Smith) Gray, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Indiana. 
They were married in Marion, Iowa, however, where the father had come in 1837 
and the mother a year later. Hosea Gray was an able and prominent attorney and 
for many years practiced in Marion., He also had the distinction of being the first 
sheriff of Lynn county, that state. In 1871 he decided to come west, with the result 
that he located in Sutton, resuming his law practice. At the tiirie of his arrival 
Sutton boasted of but one house and that a dugout belonging to Luther French, an 
early homesteader. Mr. Gray loaned money to Mr. French to lay out the town of 
Sutton in lots. For some time Mr. Gray had a partner, A. A. McCoy, and they 
dealt in land in connection with their law practice. At the time of his death in 
1885 Mr. Gray had become quite prosperous and was widely known throughout the 
county. His wife passed away in 1868 in Iowa. Nine children were born to that 
union, of whom J. M. Gray is the oldest. Seven are living, but only one besides 
our subject resides in Sutton, a sister, Mrs. Sam Carney. Mrs. Gray was a con- 
sistent member of the Congregational church, while her husband was a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a Scottish Rite Mason and served as 
master of the Marion, Iowa, lodge for many years. Politically Hosea Gray was a 
stanch republican, having helped to organize that party in Iowa. He always took 
an active part in politics and was a member of the constitutional convention of 
Iowa in 1856. Mr. Gray was a well educated man and great reader. Upon the 
outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army, organizing Company A, 
Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and went into service as captain of that regiment, 
with which he served for nearly three years. He was then taken sick and received 



334 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

an honorable discharge. He was commissioned a brevet colonel at the close of the 
war. 

J. M. Gray is indebted to the schools of Marion, Iowa, for his education and 
after graduating from the high school there he worked in a woolen factory at Cedar 
Rapids, that state, remaining in that connection for three years. In 1869 he 
removed to Belle Plaine and for the next three years engaged in the general mer- 
cantile business. At the termination of that time, or in the fall of 1871, he came 
to Sutton and opened the first lumber-yard there. He soon proved his ability, 
establishing an extensive business, in the conduct of which he was active until 1919 
when he sold the yard. He is now financially independent and is enjoying a life of 
retirement. 

In 1875 Mr. Gray was married to Miss Emma Jane Wolcott, a native of 
Illinois and a daughter of Daniel H. and Jane (Seymour) Wolcott. Both of her 
parents were natives of New York state but were married in Illinois. In the early 
'40s they went to Illinois and afterward removed to Iowa, where he successfully 
engaged in farming. Mr. Wolcott was in service during the Civil war, having 
enlisted in a company of Iowa infantry, with which he served for three years. His 
death occurred in a hospital as the result of a wound received while in action. 
One of his sons, Alden, enlisted in the service with him. Four children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott, Mrs. Gray and Alden being the only ones living. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Gray three children have been born, two of whom are living: 
Homer W., who is residing in Havelock, where he is conducting one of his father's 
lumber-yards, is married and has four children: John Maxwell, Catherine, Homer 
Thomas, and Mary Margaret; and Ada Jane, who is now the wife of G. H. Huard 
of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, a retired lumberman. 

The political allegiance of Mr. Gray is given to the republican party, in the 
interests of which he takes an active part. His religious faith is that of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is an Ancient Free and Accepted 
Mason. In the banking circles of Sutton he is likewise prominent, being a stock- 
holder in the City National Bank. Mr. Gray built a beautiful residence in 1876, in 
which he resided for a number of years, but in 1905 he erected a more modern one 
in which he now makes his home. 



W. T. PERRY 



W. T. Perry, whose well appointed furniture and hardware store is one of the 
leading commercial interests of Harvard, was born in Marshall county, Illinois, 
December 26, 1844, his parents being W. H. and Mary (HoUenbeck) Perry, who 
were natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. Their marriage was celebrated, 
however, in Illinois and there the father devoted his life to the occupation of farm- 
ing, thus providing for the support of his family. He had a section of good land 
and his careful cultivation of his fields brought to him a substantial annual income. 
In his late years he became a member of the Christian church, while his wife was 
long an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he was a 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 335 

democrat. In the family of this worthy couple were thirteen children, six of whom 
are living. 

W. T. Perry is the eldest of the family and the only one residing in Nebraska. 
He obtained a district school education in his native county and when not busy 
with his textbooks gave his attention to the work of the fields, continuing to devote 
his time to farming there until thirty-two years of age. He then decided to take 
up commercial pursuits and established a hardware business at La Eose, Illinois, in 
1876, continuing to reside at that place until his removal to Harvard. Here he 
opened a hardware store and is today the oldest merchant in this place in years of 
continuous connection with its trade interests and also one of the oldest merchants 
of the county, having taken up his abode in Nebraska in 1879. He started in 
business with a small .stock and now has a large store, carrying a fine line of hard- 
ware and furniture. He owns the building which he occupies, which is twenty-four 
by sixty feet. This he erected in 1884. 

In 1873 Mr. Perry was united in marriage to Miss Susan McCune, who was 
born in Ohio, and they became the parents of four sons: James Leroy, who is 
deputy county clerk at Clay Center; Charles, who is in business with his father; 
B. Frank, who is filling the office of county clerk at Red Cloud, Nebraska; and 
Fred, a radiator repair man, living in Hastings, Nebraska. After the death of 
Mrs. Perry in 1914 Mr. Perry wedded Mrs. Vernie Turner, the widow of William 
Turner and a representative of one of the pioneer families of Clay county, her 
parents having located here at a very early day. Mr. Perry belongs to the Modern 
Woodmen of America and his political support is given to the democratic party. 
He withholds his cooperation from no plan nor measure that he deems of general 
public worth and in all matters of citizenship has stood on the side of progress, 
reform, improvement and advancement. 



JOHN BENSON 



John Benson, now living retired in Saronville, was born in Sweden on the 28th 
of October, 1843, and there resided until 1870, when he came to the United States. 

The education of John Benson was received in his native country, where he 
made his home until he was twenty-seven years of age, at which time he came to 
the United States, moved directly to Nebraska and secured work in Saunders 
county. For about two years he was employed on the railroad in that county and 
then removed to Friend, where he was engaged as section foreman for seven years. 
In 1873 he bought eighty acres orf land in Clay county, near Saronville, but retained 
his worK on the railroad until he had the land entirely paid for. In 1879 he moved 
upon the land and commenced farming, making his home in a small lumber house 
which stood on the farm. He erected a straw barn for his cattle. The success of 
Mr. Benson as an agriculturist seemed assured from the start and he at one time 
owned seventeen hundred acres of land, one hundred and seventy-two acres of 
which are located in Fillmore county. He has given this land to his children, who 
are following in his footsteps as successful farmers. After becoming financially 
independent Mr. Benson decided to retire from active life and removed to Saron- 



336 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

ville, where he built a fine home. He also owns a twenty-acre tract just outside 
of that place. 

In 1866 Mr. Benson was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Swanson, and to 
them eleven children have been born, nine of whom are living. 

As a prominent member of the commiuiity Mr. Benson has always taken an 
active part in every movement for the furtherance of the general welfare. For 
nine years he was county supervisor and he is now a member of the board of 
directors of the State Bank at Saronville. Mr. Benson has many friends who 
appreciate his true personal worth and he is readily conceded to be a representative 
citizen. 



T. H. BENNETT 



Thomas H. Bennett, deceased, who was familiarly known as "Tom," was for 
many years a well known resident of Clay county and for a considerable period 
conducted business as a merchant of Harvard. He was born in Waterford, Wis- 
consin, August 6, 18.50, and passed away in May, 1909. His parents were Edward 
and Mary Bennett, the former probably born in Ireland, while the latter, it is 
definitely known, was a native of Cork, Ireland. On coming to the new world 
Edward Bennett settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, and afterward followed the occupa- 
tion of farming in Wisconsin for a number of years, He and his wife reared a 
family of four sons, of whom Thomas H. is the eldest. The parents were members 
of the Roman Catholic church. 

Thomas II. Bennett of this review acquired his education in the schools of 
Wisconsin and when starting out to provide for his own support turned his atten- 
tion to farming — the occupation to which he had been reared. On attaining his 
majority, however, he accepted a position as traveling representative of the J. I. 
Case Company, agricultural implement manufacturers, and continued on the road 
until thirty-four years of age, or for a period of thirteen years. In 1884 he pur- 
chased a half interest in the furniture and undertaking business of Joseph A. 
Rupiper, his father-in-law, and in 1886 became sole owner, acquiring his father-in- 
law's business in partnership with C. J. Scott, later buying Mr. Scott's interest. 
He then conducted the store independently until 1893, when he sold out ^nd 
returned to Wisconsin. Later, however, he again came to Harvard and was here 
living when death called him, his demise being of a tragic nature, for he was killed 
by a horse. 

On the 2.'5th of December, 1884, Mr. Bennett was married to I\Iiss Josie C. 
Eupiper, a daughter of Joseph A. and Fidelia A. ^Foat) Rupiper. The father was 
born in Westphalia, Germany, and the mother in Wisconsin. Mr. Rupiper was but 
six years of age when brought by his parents to the new world, the family home 
being established in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later he removed to Wisconsin and resided 
in that state until 1879, when he came to Harvard. Here he opened a furniture 
and undertaking establishment and built the first two-story business building in 
the town, shipping the lumber from De Pere, Wisconsin, ready to be used in the 
construction of the building. He was closely associated with the pioneer develop- 
ment and later fjrogress of the community until his death, which occurred in 1898. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 337 

His widow is now living at the old home at Harvard. Mr. and Mrs. Riipiper were 
also members of the Catholic church. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were born two 
sons and a daughter: Fidelia M., the wife of Anthonj' Dieringer and the mother 
of two children — Joseph T. and Fidelia M. ; Edward J., a Chicago credit manager 
for the Packard Automobile Company; and George, who is a telegraph operator for 
the Northwestern Eailroad Company at Wahoo, Nebraska. The religious faith of 
the family is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Bennett served as a member 
of the city council in 1887 and was always deeply interested in the welfare and 
progress of the community in which he made his home. 

In connection with the family history more extended mention should be made 
of Edward J. Bennett who was born on the 28th of July, 1887, and who in April, 
1917, enlistetl for service in the World war at Omaha, Nebraska. He was on duty 
there for three months with the Fifth Regiment at Fort Crook and was then 
rejected on account of physical disability but later was taken in the draft on the 
18th of October, 1917. He subsequently went across, remaining overseas for a year 
and eight months and was with the Army of Occupation at Coblenz, Germany, 
acting as army field clerk. He joined the American forces as sergeant in the 
Eighty-ninth Division and was discharged on the 18th of June, 1919. 



CHARLES CASE 



Charles Case during life was highly res{)ected by his friends and associates and 
for many years Was identified with the development of his adopted state, in which 
he resided at the time of his death, which occurred in Sutton, May 25, 1911. He 
was born in Burlington, Iowa, June 15, 1867, a son of Samuel and Mary (Horton) 
Case, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Ohio. They came to 
Fillmore county, Nebraska, in a covered wagon in 1871, homesteaded and also took 
up a tree claim near Sutton. 

Charles Case received his education in the country schools of the county and in 
the Sutton schools. He was reared on a farm and it was only natural that he 
should choose that line of occupation for his life work. He owned a quarter section 
of fine land in Fillmore county, four miles east of Sutton and there engaged in 
general farming, becoming well known throughout the county as an agriculturist of 
ability and enterprise. 

On the 20th of February, 1894, occurred the marriage of Mr. Case and Miss 
Jessie Kendall, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Stephen and Elvira 
(Stevens) Kendall. Her father was born in the state of New York and came to 
Illinois at the age of two. When ten years of age he removed with his parents to 
Wisconsin and subsequently came to Sutton, where his death occurred in 1907. The 
mother of Mrs. Case was born in Grant county, \Visconsin, in 1845. Her parents 
came from Chicago in a covered wagon, locating in Wisconsin. Mrs. Case is of 
English ancestry and three of her ancestors came over in the Mayflower. Eight 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Case : Lewis, whose birth occurred March 26, 
1896, and who died at Camp Funston, after being in camp but sis weeks; Helen, 
born .\usjust 27, 1897, who is the wife of Henry Everts, a farmer residing east of 



338 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Sutton; Frank, whose birth occurred on the 16th of May, 1899, and who is now 
farming the home place; Maude, whose natal day was February 28, 1901, and who 
is now teaching school; Stephen, born on the 2d of July, 1905, and who is now in 
school; Mabel, whose birth occurred January 6, 1907, and who is now in school; 
Delia, born on the 24th of February, 1909 ; and Lucy, born October 26, 1910. 

Throughout his life Mr. Case was a stanch supporter of the republican party and 
his religious faith was that of the Congregational church, in the activities of which 
organization his widow still takes a prominent part. Fraternally he was identified 
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. By the passing of Mr. Case on the 
25th of May, 1919, Sutton lost a valuable citizen, for he was ever active in the 
interests of that town and the county in which he had made his home for so many 
years. Mrs. Case remained on the old farm, following her husband's death, until 
1920, when she removed to Sutton in order to give her children greater educational 
advantages and she has bought a nice home there. Mrs. Case's mother makes her 
home with them. 



S. H. RICHARDSON 



A prosperous and highlj' respected citizen of Clay county is S. H. Richard- 
son, who has long devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He is 
now, however, living in Harvard, retired, enjoying the rewards derived from 
years of intelligently directed labor. He was born in Bureau county, Illinois, 
on the 17th of August, 1840, a son of Stephen and Erepta (Wilder) Richardson, 
both natives of Vermont. About 1832 they removed to Illinois, where the father 
engaged in farming until his death. His wife also passed away there. Seven 
children were born to that union, of whom our subject was the fourth in order 
of birth and he and a brother are the only children living. Throughout his life 
Stephen Richardson was a stanch supporter of the republican party and both 
he and his wife were consistent members of the United Brethren church. 

S. H. Rfchardson is indebted to the country schools of Illinois for his educa- 
tion and he taught school, beginning when nineteen years of age in the home 
district schools across the road from where he was born, and he lived with his 
parents on the home farm. He later engaged in farming for himself and until 
1891 operated land near Springfield, Illinois. In that year, however, he came 
to Nebraska and located in Clay county, where he bought four hxmdred acres of 
land. There he resided for about ten years, when he removed to Harvard and 
retired from active business life. He is a veteran of the Civil -war, having en- 
tered the Union army on the 17th of August, 1861, and served over three years. 
He enlisted in Company C, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, the Army of the Tennessee, 
and participated in several important battles and skirmishes. 

In 1865 Mr. Richardson was united in marriage to Emily Dayton, a native 
of Bureau county, Illinois, and a daughter of Chauncy L. Dayton. Her father 
was born in New York and went to Illinois at an early day. Five children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, all of whom are deceased. Mrs. Richardson 
passed away on the 31st of December, 1910. Mr. Richardson has five living 



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ME. AND MBS. S. H. EICHAEDSON 



HAMILTOjS^ and clay counties 341 

grandchildren: Howard Johnson, who is employed by the government at Wash- 
ington city ; May Johnson, who is residing in Clay Center, where she has charge 
of an incubator plant ; Charles Johnson, who is farming near Eldorado ; Everett 
R. Johnson, who is engaged with his brother Charles in farming; and Agnes 
Johnson, who is married and is now residing on a farm in North Dakota. 

Mr. Richardson has always given his political allegiance to the republican 
party and fraternally is identified with the Woodmen, and is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic post. Mrs. Richardson, during her life, was a con- 
sistent and active member of the Congregational church. Mr. Richardson is the 
owner of a fine farm in North Dakota and is financially independent. Following 
for many years agricultural pursuits on a large scale, he labored hard and faith- 
fully and is well entitled to the rest from hard work which he is now enjoying. 



HAMILTON J. WILLIS 



Hamilton J. Willis is now living retired in Aurora but for a long period was 
connected with farming interests in this state. He has now passed the seventy- 
ninth milestone on life's journey and the rest which has come to him is the fitting 
crown of a life of industry, enterprise and integrity. He was born in Vinton 
county, Ohio, February 15, 1842, and comes of Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, 
Amiel Willis, was born in the land of hills and heather and became the founder 
of the family in the new world, spending his last days in A^'irginia. His son, 
Stephen H. Willis, was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, and after 
arriving at years of maturity wedded Hester Stephens, a native of Ohio, their 
marriage being celebrated in that state after which they continued to reside within 
its borders. Mr. Willis was a farmer throughout his entire life and thus provided 
for his family, which numbered eight children, of whom only two are now living, 
Hamilton J. and William Alexander, the latter a resident of Cincinnati, where 
he has retired from business. The parents were devoted members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and politically Mr. Willis was a republican. In all of his business 
affairs he displayed enterprise, keen discernment and thorough reliability and won 
substantial success. 

Hamilton J. Willis was educated in the schools of Ohio and when twenty 
years of age enlisted in August, 1862, for service in the Civil war, becoming a 
member of Company B, Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served 
until the close of hostilities with the Army of the Cumberland, participating in all 
of its battles save that of Perryville, Kentucky. He made a most creditable record 
by his loyalty, bravery and fidelity, at all times hearing his full part in the 
work of preserving the Union. 

When the war was over Mr. Willis returned to Ohio, where he remained until 
1873 and then came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, securing a homestead claim 
of one hundred and sixty acres near Marquette, The first time he visited Aurora 
there were but two houses in the town and a little box store and post office, also a 
sod blacksmith shop. His own home was a sod house with dirt floor and sod and 
dirt roof. In this he lived for twelve years while gaining a start in his new 



342 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

home, meeting many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Year after 
year he carried on the work of tilling the soil and cultivating the crops best adapted 
to climatic conditions here and as the years passed he gathered good harvests and 
thus promoted his annual income. As the country became settled and railroads 
were built he found a good market for his farm products and won a substantial 
measure of success in the cultivation of his fields. He lived on his old homestead 
until 1902 when he sold it and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in 
Grant precinct on which he never lived. In 1902 he and his wife removed to 
Aurora and they now occupy a nice home at 1317 Twelfth street. 

It was on the 1st of March, 1866, that Mr. Willis was married to Miss Lydia 
J. Hixson, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Griffith and Sarah (Arganbright) 
Hixson, both of whom were natives of Ohio, where their entire lives were passed. 
They had a family of five children, four of whom are living, Mrs. Willis being 
the eldest, while the others are : P. G. Hixson, a retired farmer living in Aurora ; 
David, residing in Marquette; and William Hixson, who makes his home at Imperial, 
Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Willis became parents of eleven children, six of whom 
are living : Clara, the wife of John L. Beck, a farmer of Scotia, Nebraska ; Stephen 
H., who follows farming near Mullen, Nebraska ; Lucy, the wife of John Lord, a shoe- 
maker of Aurora; Belle, the wife of Thomas Johnson, a thresher living in Aurora; 
P. D., a clothing merchant of Grand Island; and Walter C, who conducts a news 
stand in Aurora. 

Mr. and Mrs. Willis are consistent members of the United Brethren church and 
his political support is given to the republican party. He also proudly wears the 
little bronze button that proclaims him a member of the Grand Army of the Eepublie 
and in matters of citizenship he has always been as true and loyal to his country 
as when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battle fields of the south. 



C. R. SCOVILL 



C. R. Scovill, who is extensively engaged in the produce business in Aurora, was 
born July 22, 1884, in the city which is still his home, a son of Daniel A. Scovill, 
mentioned on another page of this work. He obtained his education in the Aurora 
schools and started out in the business world as an employe in a laundry, working 
six months in that coimection. He then began driving a wagon for an express 
company and in August, 1901, turned his attention to the produce business as 
an employe of Baschlin & Schumann. He continued with that firm until the 
death of Mr. Baschlin, after which he purchased the business in which he has 
since engaged. He now ships poultry in car-lots to New York and eggs in car-lots 
to the Chicago market. His business has thus become one of extensive proportions 
and is today one of the profitable commercial enterprises of Aurora. 

On the 14th of May, 1908, Mr. Scovill was married to Miss Irma Richardson, 
who was born in Kassin, Minnesota, a daughter of Fred W. Richardson who became 
a resident of Aurora in 1890 and was employed as a railroad conductor. Mr. and 
Mrs. Scovill have become parents of two children : Claude R. and Lois M., aged, 
respectively, eleven and seven years. The parents are well known socially and 



HAMILTO?^ AND CLAY COUNTIES 343 

the hospitality of the best homes of Aurora is cordially extended them. They are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr.Scovill is a stalwart republican 
in polities. He has served as a member of the city council, is a member of the 
Eotary Club and is interested in all that has to do with progress and upbuilding 
in his native county. His works as a man and citizen are widely acknowledged. 



W. J. TUENEE 

W. J. Turner is now living retired in Harvard but has lived a busy, useful and 
active life, so that the rest which he is now enjoying is well deserved. He was born 
November 2, 1849, in Ogle county, Illinois, and is a son of Thomas E. and Martha 
(Pier) Turner, the former a native of Connecticut, while the latter was bom in the 
state of New York. Thomas E. Turner, the grandfather in the paternal line, was 
also a native of Connecticut and a member of one of the old New England families 
founded in America in early colonial days and represented in the Continental forces 
in the Eevolutionary war. In the maternal line W. J. Turner is also descended 
from ancestry who served in the war for independence. His mother's grandfather 
was Samuel Huntington, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and 
the ancestral line is one of which the present generation has every reason to be 
proud. The marriage of Thomas E. Turner and Martha Pier was celebrated in 
Otsego county. New York, and in 1848 they removed to Illinois. He had been 
educated for the ministry at Andover, Massachusetts, but never took up the active 
work of preaching and instead turned his attention to the profession of teaching, 
which he followed for a time in Illinois. He afterward removed to Iowa and there 
purchased land, devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits. Both he and his 
wife passed away in that state. They had a family of five children, of whom two 
are living, W. J. and Scott, the latter a resident of Minnesota. The father departed 
this life January 3, 1861, and was long survived by his widow, who died in 1898 in 
the faith of the Congregational church, of which she had for many years been a 
consistent member. 

W. J. Turner pursued his education in the typical little red schoolhouse of Iowa 
and after reaching man's estate he homesteaded near Harvard, Nebraska, in 1871. 
He then lived upon his property until he met the requirements of the law whereby 
he secured title to the land, after which he removed to Harvard and was employed 
in various ways. In 1876 he turned his attention to the grain trade and continued 
his dealings along that line until he retired from business in 1886. He also con- 
ducted a farm for a number of years and in addition to cultivating the crops best 
adapted to soil and climate he likewise engaged in stock raising. As his financial 
resources increased he made investment in property and is today the owner of 
considerable land. Not all days in his business career have been equally bright. In 
fact he has seen the storm clouds gathering that threatened disaster, but in the 
course of years his persistency and energy overcame all difficulties. His capital was 
quite limited when he removed to Nebraska and he sold his home in order to get 
money to engage in the grain business. He began operating in a warehouse in 
1880 and built an elevator which was destroyed by fire in 1881, thus causing the 



344 HAMILTON" AXD CLAY COUXTIES 

loss of tlic greater part of his capital. I\"ot\vithstanding, however, he summoned 
courage and energy to the front and made a new start, and as the years have 
passed his persistency of purpose and capable management have won him a place 
among the substantial residents of Clay county. 

It was in 1896 that Mr. Turner was united in marriage to Miss Eva Hjelm, a 
native of Sweden, and to them has been born a daughter, Eva, who is now a 
student in Doane College at Crete, Nebraska. Mrs. Turner is a member of the 
Congregational church. Mr. Turner is an exemplary representative of the Masonic 
order and is a past master of his lodge. In politics he is a republican and was 
elected the first mayor of Harvard, while previous to this time he served on the 
village board. He is today one of the honored pioneer residents of this section of 
the state. He was living in Harvard during the memorable Easter storm of April, 
1873, and his first home in Clay county was a sod house, which was situated on 
government land that he secured when he came to the present site of Harvard. He 
is today the oldest inhabitant of the town and has therefore witnessed its entire 
growth and development, while at all times he has lent his aid and cooperation to 
all measures for the general good. There have been few spectacular phases in his 
career, but his persistency of purpose, intelligently directed, his unfaltering industry 
and his thorough reliability have brought him to a creditable place in business 
circles and enabled him to acquire the competence that now permits him to rest 
from further labor and enjoy the fruits of his former toil. 



ANDREW J. PETERSON 

Andrew J. Peterson has the distinction of being the first white boy born in 
Lewis precinct. Clay county, his birth having occurred on his father's homestead on 
the 15th of September, ISTl. His father was A. D. Peterson and his mother 
Johanna Pearson, both natives of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1869 
and first settled in Red Oak, Iowa. There the father engaged in railroad work 
until the road was put through to Lincoln, Nebraska, when he followed the road 
and took up a homestead in Clay county in the early seventies. He secured eighty 
acres and hired a man with an ox team to bring out his goods from Lincoln. For 
several years A. D. Peterson made his home in a dugout but later erected a frame 
house. He was a very successful farmer and at the time of his death in 1899 
owned five hundred and sixty acres of land. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Peter- 
son five children were born : Charles of Omaha ; Andrew J., whose name initiates 
this review; Albert of Lincoln; Oscar, who is farming the old home place; and 
Ellen Edlar, who is residing in California. 

Andrew J. Peterson received his education in his native county and after putting 
his textbooks aside engaged in farming. He is now cultivating a quarter section of 
land in Clay county, a continental roadside farm, and follows general farming. 

In 1898 Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Alma Anderson, also a 
native of Clay county and they have become parents of six children: Ruth, Carl, 
Ethel, Dorothy, Eva, and Harold, all at home. 

Mr. Peterson, like his father, has i)econie well known in the atcricultural circles 



HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

of the county as a progressive and successful fanner and his farm i 
every respect. He is indeed a representative citizen of the county and 
any community would be proud. 



MYEON J. PETERSON 



One of the pioneer residents of Hamilton county, Nebraska, is Myrou J. Peter- 
son who is now making his home in Aurora. There are few of the old pioneers 
who have been more successful than he and he is now enjoying a retired life after 
the many experiences and hardships of his early years. 

Nebraska may claim Mr. Peterson only as her adopted sou, for he was born in 
Lee county, Illinois, on the 11th of April, 1844, a son of Jonathan and Precious 
(Avery) Peterson. His father was born in Truxton, New York, and the mother 
in Hartford, Connecticut, their marriage having taken place in the former state. 
About 1837 Jonathan Peterson removed to Lee county, Illinois, where he preempted 
land from the government upon which both he and his wife resided until their 
deaths. Jonathan Peterson was a well read and highly intellectual man and his 
prominence and prosperity made him a forceful man in the community. In politics 
he was a stanch republican and always active in the interests of that party and 
was also prominent in church circles, being a consistent member of the Baptist 
church. For many years he served as supervisor of his township. To the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson five children were born, two of whom are now living, 
namely: Myron J., the subject of this review; and Walter A., who was for many 
years a prominent livery man of Green Lake, Wisconsin, but who is now retired. 
The paternal grandfather of Myron J. Peterson, Jonathan Peterson, was born in 
New York state and the maternal grandfather Avery was a native of England. 

Myron J. Peterson received a limited education in Illinois, attending the com- 
mon schools and later entering the State Normal School at Normal. When but 
eighteen years of age he put his textbooks aside and entered the Union army, enlist- 
ing in Company E, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was in active 
service in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama, and participated in the battle of 
Perryville, Kentucky, in which he was shot through the leg, the wound being of 
such a nature as to place Irim in the hospital for six months. At the termination 
of this time he again joined his regiment and fought in the following battles: 
Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missouri Ridge, Ringgold, Rocky Face Gap, 
Tunnel Hill, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peaehtree Creek, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, and Nashville. On the 27th of June, 1865, he was 
discharged from service and returned to Illinois where he engaged in farming until 
1873, when he came to Nebraska and settled in Hamilton county. Here he acquired 
a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres whereon he built a one-room frame 
house. He had practically nothing to back him except a horse team and a grim 
determination to win out. The first year he did not raise a crop and the second 
year the greater part of his crop was destroyed by grasshoppers. His first years 
on the homestead were full of discouragement, for he passed through all the various 
droughts especially the hot winds and drought of 1804. Hunting was ]ile)itiful. 



346 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

there being many antelopes, a few deer, and numerous coyotes, and many Indians 
passed through his place in the fall and spring on their hunting trips. Mr. Peter- 
son specialized in grain for the most part and as the result of his persistency of 
purpose and forceful energy soon became known as one of the best farmers in his 
vicinity. He now owns three hundred and sixty acres of well improved and highly 
cultivated land. In 1911 he decided to retire from active farm life and removed 
to Aurora where he purchased a fine home at 1311 Twelfth street. 

Mr. Peterson has been twice married. In 1869 he was wedded to Miss Melintha 
Eobinson, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Alex and Sarah (Avery) Eobinson. 
Her parents were among the early pioneers of Illinois and spent the remainder 
of their days in that state, where they were respected and representative citizens. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson three children were bom, one of whom is living : Arthur 
J., who resides on his father's farm south of Phillips. He is married and has 
three children: Herbert Jonathan, Gladys, and Nellie. On the 19th of April, 
1917, Mr. Peterson was again wed, Dora Adell Smith of KJnoxville, Illinois, becom- 
ing his wife. She was a daughter of Chauncey B. and Adeline E. (Butler) Smith, 
the former a native of New York, wMle the latter was born in Pennsylvania. At 
an early day they removed to Illinois where they resided until they passed away. 
Mrs. Peterson had previously been married to Cornelius Wilson, by whom she had 
two children, only one child living — Lena E., who is the wife of a Mr. Ball and is 
residing near Wood Eiver, Hall county. 

Mr. Peterson has never given his support to any particular political party but 
has always been a strong prohibitionist. His religious faith is that of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, while his wife is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Grand Army of the Eepublic and has been 
commander of his post. As a prominent- and progressive farmer Mr. Peterson has 
been an active force in the community and has the distinction of being the first 
justice of the peace in his section of the county. In church affairs he has always 
taken a prominent part and was superintendent of the Sunday school for a number 
of years. Since leading a retired life Mr. Peterson has taken his wife on trips 
every winter, either to California or Mississippi or other winter resorts of note. 

During his life Mr. Peterson has seen the county wherein he now resides grow 
from a wild and uncultivated state to a county of flourishing towns and comfortable 
homes. He is still hale and hearty at the age of seventy-seven years and is widely 
recognized as a representative citizen of Aurora and Hamilton county. 



ABEAHAM W. POTTS 



As a young man Abraham W. Potts gave long and effective service as a soldier of 
the Union in the Civil war and in times of peace his loyalty and self-reliant spirit 
have been equally in evidence. These qualities came effectively into play in his en- 
durance of the responsibilities and trials of pioneer life in Nebraska and today he is 
one of the venerable and honored pioneer citizens of Hamilton county, where he is 
living in peace and prosperity, with an attractive home in the village of Stockham 
and with inviolable place in popular esteem. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 347 

Mr. Potts was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, on the 27tli of Sep- 
tember, 1811, and is a son 'of George and Susan (Bigler) Potts, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. The father became a prosperous farmer in Ohio, but passed away 
when his son Abraham was but two years of age. 

In addition to receiving the advantages of the rural schools Abraham W. Potts 
prosecuted his studies for a time in Elder's Ridge Academy, in Indiana county, 
Pennsylvania. He was not yet twenty years of age when the Civil war was pre- 
cipitated on the nation, but his youthful patriotism was promptly shown by his 
response to the first call for volunteers. Thus it was that early in the year 1861 
he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for a term 
of three years, this having been the fifth regiment for three-year service to be 
organized in and sent to the front from Ohio. At the expiration of his term Mr. 
Potts re-enlisted, this time as a member of Company G, Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry 
and thus his service covered virtually the entire period of the war. At Rockford, 
Missouri, Mr. Potts was captured by the enemy, but was shortly afterward paroled. 
He participated in many of the important engagements marking the progress of 
the great conflict, including the battle of Shiloh, the siege of Vicksburg, the 
battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill and Cain River and 
the Red River expedition. After the capture of Vicksburg he accompanied his 
regiment to the Gulf of Mexico, with General Grant's original Thirteenth Corps 
and was mustered out at New Orleans, Louisiana, in May, 1866, his honorable 
discharge having been granted him at Columbus, Ohio. In the Buckeye state he 
purchased land and engaged in farming and there also he devoted six years to 
work at the carpenter's and engineering trade. He continued his residence in 
Ohio until 1872, when, with an equipment of two teams and two covered wagons, 
he set forth to initiate his pioneer experience in Hamilton county, Nebraska. 
The overland journey was completed in six weeks and upon his arrival he entered 
claim to a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, in Beaver township. The 
virgin prairie soil challenged his most vigorous efforts, but it was necessary first 
to provide a home for his family. His skill as a carpenter came into play at this 
Juncture, for he hauled lumber from Sutton and erected on his land a small 
frame house, the first stable having been of the straw type common to the locality 
and period. He broke his land and made it available for crop production, besides 
which he planted a grove of trees and also a large orchard. While he suffered his 
share of loss through drouth and grasshoppers, the passing years rewarded his 
labors with ever increasing prosperity and eventually he became the owner of a 
valuable farm property of three hundred and sixty acres. In the early days he 
obtained fuel from trees along a neighboring creek and took his grain to Beaver 
Crossing to be ground, this trip requiring three days. Wild game was still in 
evidence and Mr. Potts reverts with satisfaction to the fact that his tnisty rifle 
brought down one deer before these animals had entirely disappeared from this 
part of the state. He made the best of improvements on his farm, which he 
fenced at an earlier day than did the average settler, and here he continued his 
successful farm enterprise until 1893. when he retired from the farm. Four years 
later he removed to Kansas, where he remained eleven years and upon his return 
to Hamilton county he established his home at Stockham, where he has since 
lived retired. In the historic Easter blizzard of the early davs Mr. Potts was 



348 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

caught in the storm while driving across country, but he managed to find the 
home of another settler, where he received shelter for liimself and his team and 
there remained snowbound for three days. Mr. Potts has ever stood ready to lend 
his influence and aid in the furtherance of measures projected for the general 
good of the community, but has had no desire for public office. In politics he 
maintains an independent attitude and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with the 
Grand Army of the Eepublic. 

In Ohio was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Potts to Miss Euhama Sykes, who 
was born and reared in that state and who died in 1876, at the age of thirty-two 
years. Of the children of this union two are living : Minerva is the wife of Milton 
Wirts, of Great Falls, Montana; and Hattie is the widow of George Eogers and 
resides at Stockham, Nebraska. The second marriage of Mr. Potts was with 
Miss Harriet White, who has been his true helpmeet and devoted companion and 
who has become the mother of two children, the elder of whom, Luella, is the 
wife of Edward Swanson of Burley, Idaho; and the younger, Edna, is the wife of 
J. H. Dann, of Omaha, Nebraska. 



HERMAN BEEITENFELDT 

Herman Breitenfeldt, a sterling citizen and representative farmer of Hamilton 
county, was reared and educated in Germany, where he was born in the year 1848, 
and he was an ambitious and self-reliant youth of eighteen years when he left 
his native land and voyaged across the Atlantic to the United States, the trip 
having been made on a sailing vessel and seven weeks and three days having passed 
ere he landed on the shores of tlie United States. From the national metropolis 
he soon made his way to Wisconsin, where he found employment and later removed 
to Minnesota. It was from the latter state that he came to Nebraska in 1874 and 
numbered himself among the pioneer settlers of Hamilton county. Here he bought 
for five dollars per acre a tract of eighty acres of unbroken prairie land, and in 
the sod house which he constructed on this embryonic farm he and his wife and 
their one child found shelter. They endured the hardships entailed by loss of 
crops through gi-asshoppers and; droughts, bravely met the deprivations which the 
isolated location and primitive surroundings entailed in the early pioneer days, 
labored earnestly and indefatigably to develop and improve their land, and in due 
time generous rewards came to them, as shown in the fact that today Mr. Breiten- 
feldt is the owner of a well improved landed estate of one thousand acres and is 
one of the leading exponents of agricultural and live stock industry in Hamilton 
county, where he and his wife are honored pioneers whose circle of friends is 
limited only by that of their acquaintances. The religious faith of the family 
is that of the Lutheran church. 

As a young man Mr. Breitenfeldt married Miss Bertha Hipka, and of the ten 
children of this union si.x are deceased; Cora is the wife of Frank Keller; Ida is 
the wife of August Hoppel! ; and Frank and Edward have assumed much of the 
active work and management of their father's extensive farm property. On the 
original tract which he obtained when he first came to the county Mr. Breitenfeldt 




HERMAN BBEITENFELDT 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 351 

has maintained his home during the intervening years and the fine buildings and 
other permanent improvements mark this as one of the model farms of Scoville 
township, where it is situated in section 9, the home receiving service on one of 
the rural mail routes from the village of Doniphan. 



S. E. HEINZMAN 



Prominent in the agricultural circles of Hamilton county, Nebraska, is S. E. 
Heinzman, who is a native of this state in which his birth occurred at Friend 
on the 9th of April, 1889, a son of Fred and Cora (Wintermute) Heinzman, the 
former a native of Illinois and the latter a native of Iowa. About 1883 or 1883 
Fred Heinzman came to Nebraska and purchased eighty acres of railroad land 
upon which he erected a small frame house. There he resided until he removed 
to York county where the death of his vrife occurred. In 1903 he came to Hamilton 
county, where he bought a half section of land and put many good improvements 
on the place. Some time later he retired from active farm life and moved to 
Long Beach, California, where he lives with two daughters, Winona and Wilma. 
He is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and both he and daughters are 
consistent members of the Christian church. 

S. E. Heinzman received a good common school education and in due time 
entered the York Business College where he completed a commercial course in 
the required time. After putting his textbooks aside he started working on the 
farms of the vicinity by the month and later determining to engage in farming 
on his own account, rented some land near Friend on wliich he remained five 
years. He then moved onto his father's old farm in Hamilton county, consisting 
of four hundred acres of fine improved land and there he is now residing doing 
general farming, raising a good grade of live stock and feeding the markets. 

In 1911 occurred the marriage of Mr. Heinzman and Miss Maude E. Gish, 
a native of Kansas. To this union three children have been born: Doris and 
Beatrice, both at home and Dale, a son. 

Fraternally Mr. Heinzman is a member of the Masons in which order he has 
reached the fourteenth degree and he is likewise a member of the Eastern Star of 
which his wife is abo a member. Having lived in Nebraska during his entire life 
Mr. Heinzman has made many friends who appreciate his true personal worth and 
many sterling traits of character. In agricultural circles he takes an important 
part and is recognized as one of the most successful and progressive ranchmen in 
Hamilton county. 



EDWAED SCHUCK 



Edward Schuck, who since 1918 has been engaged in the lumber and coal busi- 
ness in Harvard and who is prominently connected with public affairs of the com- 
munity, was born near Inland, Nebraska, October 11, 1886, a son of Charles and 
Augusta J. (Fitzke) Schuck, both of whom were natives of Germany. Coming to 



352 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

America, in early life, however, they were married in Clay county, Nebraska, where 
they had made their home from childhood. The father purchased railroad land and 
transformed it into a rich and productive farm, which he continued to make his 
home until his demise. His widow has since taken up her abode in Harvard, where 
she now resides. Mr. Schuck was the owner of a half section of valuable and pro- 
ductive land, notwithstanding the fact that he started out in the business world 
empty-handed — a fact which indicates the splendid opportunities America offers to 
her native sons and those of her adoption. He was in the county from early pioneer 
times, residing here during the memorable Easter storm of 1873, when a great bliz- 
zard raged and snow lay u]X)n the ground to the depth of more than a foot. In 
community affairs Mr. Schuck took a helpful interest and was a stalwart advocate 
of democratic principles. He filled the ofBce of county supervisor in an early day 
and was also at one time town assessor. Fraternally he was connected with the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen and belonged to the German Congregational 
church. 

Edward Schuck, whose name introduces this review, was the fifth in order of 
birth in a family of ten children. His early educational opportunities were supple- 
mented by study in the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and also in Hastings 
College. When his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts and atten- 
tion upon the- work of the home farm and for a time was also engaged in the 
lumber business in Colorado. He likewise established a lumber-yard at Milford on 
his own account in 1915. He first took up his abode in Harvard in 1905 and in 
1918 became identified with its commercial interests as a dealer in lumber and coal. 
He sells all kinds of building materials and has built up a very gratifying patronage, 
developing his business in a most progressive way, so that substantial results 
accrue. 

In 1915 Mr. Schuck w-as married to Miss Mabel E. Swake, a native of Lincoln, 
Nebraska, and to them have been born two children : Lorraine Louise, four years 
of age; and Edward, Jr., a little lad of two summers. The parents have member- 
ship in the Methodist Episcopal church at Lincoln and Mr. Schuck is a Scottish 
Eite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he maintains an inde- 
pendent course, preferring to remain free to support men and measures without 
regard to party affiliations. He is now serving as a member of the city board of 
Harvard, as a member of the school board and on the executive board of the 
Community Club. He is likewise justice of the peace and in that office renders 
decisions which are strictly fair and impartial. His cooperation at all times is 
given to projects that are worthy the support of fair-minded and progi'ossive citizens. 



DAVID PICKARD 



A pioneer settler of Clay county is David Pickard, who is now residing in Sut- 
ton, retired, at the age of eighty-nine years. A native of New York state, his birth 
occurred there January 28, 1832, a son of Jacob and Sybil (Lewis) Pickard, the 
former a native of Germany and the latter of ilassachusetts. Their marriage 
occurred in New York and in lliat state they resided until death. Seven chililren 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 353 

were born to that union, David, whose name initiates this review, being the only 
one living. 

David Pickard obtained his education in tlie state of New York and in 1857 
removed to Illinois. In 1863 he entered the Union army from that state, enlisting 
in Company K, Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in many 
of the important battles of the war and was captured at Guntown, Mississippi, and 
sent as a prisoner to Alabama. After the war he returned to Illinois and worked 
at the carpenter trade there until 1878, when he came to Clay county. He was 
then employed at farm work for some ten or twelve years, saving up enough to 
purchase eighty acres of railroad land in Fillmore county, upon which he built a 
small frame house. For twelve years he resided on this land and in 1891 removed 
to Sutton, where he again followed his trade as carpenter. He continued in that 
line of business until he was seventy-five years of age and then retired. Since 
coming to Clay county he has made many and stanch friends and he is readily 
acknowledged a representative citizen of Sutton. 

In 1867 Mr. Pickard was married to Miss Elnora Stock well, their marriage 
taking place in Illinois. To them two children were born : Marines, who is 
engaged in the carpenter business in Sutton ; and William, who is employed at the 
cement works in Sutton. Mrs. Pickard passed away in 1886, her death coming as 
a severe shock to her many friends. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Pickard the right of franchise he has been a 
stanch supporter of the republican party, in the interests of which he has taken 
an active part. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, while his wife 
was a consistent member of the Christian church. Fraternally he is an Ancient 
Free and Accepted Mason and a Eoyal Arch Mason, being past master and past 
high priest. Mr. Pickard owns his property in Sutton and as a result of industry 
and energy of former years is enabled to enjoy a well earned rest without further 
recourse to labor. He is a member of the G. A. E., George E. Meade Post, of 
Sutton. 



DANIEL A. SCOVILL 



When on the 4th of April, 1903, Daniel A. Scovill passed away death removed 
one of the valued, substantial and honored citizens of Hamilton county. In 
many ways he had been associated with the development and progress of this 
section of the state. He had aided in framing the laws of Nebraska as a member 
of the general assembly, had been commandant of the soldier's home and had been 
connected with various business interests. His birth occurred in Stephenson county, 
Illinois, near Freeport, June 6, 1841, his parents being Herman E. and Julia A. 
(Eogcrs) Scovill, both of whom were born near Catskill, New York. The father 
was a son of Amasa Scovill, a soldier of the war of 1812 who enlisted from the 
state of New York. His father was a native of France and came to the new- 
world with Marquis de Lafayette, serving under that distinguished French general 
'in the war for American independence. He determined to remain in the new 
world and afterward settled on a farm near Catskill, New York, where he spent 
his remaining days. The name was originally DeScoviJl and the family was 



354 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

noted for longevity. In the maternal line Daniel A. Scovill was a descendant 
from one of tlie old families of New England. His mother, who in her maiden- 
hood was Julia A. Eogers, was a native of the Empire state and a daughter of 
Daniel Eogers who was born in New Hampsliire and whose family was founded 
in the new world prior to the Eevolutionary war. It was about 1839 that Herman 
B. Seovill with his wife and daughter removed to what was then the far west, 
taking up their abode on a farm near Freeport, Illinois. 

On the old homestead in Stephenson county D. A. Scovill was reared, early be- 
coming acquainted with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the 
crops. Following the outbreak of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business 
and personal considerations and joined the array, feeling that his first duty was 
to his country. It was in September, 1861, that he became one of the boys in 
blue of Company A, Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, rendering valuable 
and honorable service to his country until March 28, 1866, when he returned to 
his Illinois home with a most creditable military record. He was wounded twice 
while in the service, sustaining a gunshot wound in the leg while participating in 
the battle of Shiloh and at Champion Hill his ankle was broken by a fragment of 
shell. During the entire period of the war he was absent from active duty for 
only three months, which was spent in the Field Hospital in front of Vieksburg. 
He joined the army as a private and became first sergeant. He participated in the 
battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, the second battle of luka, the second 
battle of Corinth, Champion Hill, the siege and capture of Vieksburg, the battle 
of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Nashville, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile. 

It was after his return from the army that Mr. Scovill in 1868 became a student 
in Mount Morris Seminary where he spent two collegiate years and the following 
year came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, settling in the precinct which now bears 
his name. He was one of the first of the pioneer residents of the district and 
there took up the occupation of farming. In 1875 he removed to Aurora and 
served for a time as deputy sheriff. In 1876 he was elected county sheriff and filled 
the position for two years. For a time he was engaged in the implement business 
and later took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar, after which he 
continued in the practice of his profession until his death. 

At various periods Mr. Scovill was called upon to serve in public office. He 
filled the position of state senator for two years and in 1889 was ejected to represent 
his district in the lower house of the general assembly. Throughout these periods 
he gave most careful consideration to the vital questions which came up for set- 
tlement and left the impress of his individuality for good upon the legislative 
record of the state. 

Mr. Scovill was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Wheeler, a native of New 
York, and they became the parents of eight children, six- of whom are living: 
Edith, the wife of C. F. Brown who is employed on the Union Pacific at Grand 
Island ; Effie A., the wife of J. E. Lyle, county clerk of Hall county, and a resident 
of Grand Island; C. E., mentioned elsewhere in this work; Frank L., a teller in 
the Commercial Bank of Grand Island; Vera M., the wife of Henry Carlson, 
a farmer of Hamilton county; and Max L.,'who is a bank employe in Grand Island. 

Mr. Scovill was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, guiding 
his life according to its teachings. He also belonged to Chandler Post, No. 34, G. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 355 

A. K., in which he held all the oflBces and became past commander. He was 
likewise commandant of the Soldiers' Home at Grand Island for two years. His 
political allegiance was at all times given to tlie republican party, for he was a 
very firm believer in its principles. He was a member of the old settlers' association 
and in many ways was connected with the interests of Hamilton county. His 
widow is still living, making her home in Grand Island at the age of sixty-eight 
years. The county acknowledges its indebtedness to Daniel A. Scovill in many 
ways. As one of the earliest settlers he aided in laying broad and deep the founda- 
tion upon which has been built the present progress and prosperity of the county. 
He aided in shaping the history of the state as one of its legislators and in various 
ways contributed to public improvement and advancement, so that his name should 
be placed high upon the roll of Nebraska's honored pioneers. 



PETEK HEDBLOM 



Peter Hedblom was one of the pioneers of Hamilton county. He was born in 
Henninge, Skog county, Sweden, April 3, 1841, and had therefore attained the 
age of seventy-eight years when he passed away on April 1, 1919. He was educated 
in the common schools of his native country, there spending the period of his 
boyhood and youth. 

When twenty-four years of age he came to the United States, landing in New 
York, August 6, 1865. He made his way to Illinois and shortly afterwards to 
Iowa, where for four years he was chiefly employed in railroad bridge construction. 
In April, 1869, he married Miss Maria S. Johnson. They established their first 
home on a farm near Dayton, Iowa, and seven of their nine children were born 
there. Those living are Mrs. L. F. Stowell ; Mrs. Henry Olson; Ida, Emma, Selma, 
and Anna, who are living in or near Aurora; Carl A., of Eochester, Minnesota; 
and Edward, now living in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

Attracted by the promise of greater opportunities further west he visited Hamil- 
ton county in 1879 and bought land there at that time not far from a country 
blacksmith shop, around which later grew the town of Marquette. In February, 
1882, he came with his family and began to build a home and develop a farm. From 
that time he was actively identified with the farming interests of the community 
and state. Prospering as the years passed he became the owner of a half section 
of valuable land in Hamilton county, his farm being the visible evidence of well- 
directed energy and thrift. 

In 1901 he retired from active farming and then came to Aurora, where he 
spent the remaining years of his life. He built a fine modern residence there and 
also acquired other city property. Being converted in 1867, he joined the Swedish 
Mission church in which he was an earnest, constructive worker. Nothing con- 
cerned him so vitally as the growth of the church and the extension of its influence. 
In polities he was a republican but was not a stand-patter when there was a ques- 
tion of individual worth. He believed in and worked for the principles of prohibi- 
tion and was in every particular a loyal American citizen. 

In a personal sense he was alert and progressive, a leader rather than a fol- 



356 HAMILTON' AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

lower. He was ever a fearless, uncompromising, outspoken champion of truth as 
he saw it. He retained his mental and spiritual vigor in a remarkable degree to the 
last. His departure brought a sense of bereavement into many homes where his 
friendship was cherished. 



ED HILLIGAS 



It was no minor distinction that may be claimed by Ed Hilligas in connection 
with the annals of Hamilton county, for he is a native son of this county and a 
representative of one of its sterling pioneer families, his parents having here es- 
tablished their home nearly half a century ago, when this now opulent section 
of Nebraska was little more than a prairie wilderness. 

Mr. Hilligas, who is now living retired in the village of Marquette but who 
still retains ownership of his valuable farm property, wa« born in Otis township, 
this county, on the 13th of July, 1880, and is a son of Francis M. and Barbara 
(Brown) Hilligas, natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana, who were married in 
Clay county, Indiana. Francis M. Hilligas was a boy at the time of his parents' 
removal to Indiana, where he was reared on a farm and received the advantages 
of the common schools. His parents passed the remainder of their lives in that 
state. The mother was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and was a child when, in 
1848, her parents immigrated to America and established their home in Indiana, 
the voyage across the Atlantic having been made on an old-time sailing vessel. 

Francis M. Hilligas was one of the gallant young men who represented Indiana 
in the Union ranks" in the Civil war. He enlisted in Company H, Eleventh Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry, with which he served under General Sheridan in the historic 
Shenandoah campaign in Virginia, his service covering a period of eighteen months 
and continuing until the close of tlie war, when he received his honorable discharge. 
In later years he was actively affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. 
Hilligas continued his alliance with farm enterprise in Indiana until 1873, when 
he came with his wife and three children to Nebraska and numbered himself among 
the pioneer settlers of Hamilton county. The overland journey, made with wagon 
and mule team, required twenty-two days, a ferry-boat transferring the family 
and its equipment across the Mississippi river at Keokuk, Iowa, and also across the 
Missouri river, at Nebraska City. Mr. Hilligas took up a homestead of one hundred 
and sixty acres in the present precinct of Otis and in the little sod house which 
he there constructed he established his family and their small supply of household 
effects. He had brought with him to the county ten bushels of wheat and from 
this he planted his first crop and provided flour for the family larder. He was 
able to give to his primitive dwelling a shingled roof and a board floor, provisions 
lacking in many similar habitations of the locality and period. Mr. Hilligas vigor- 
ously carried forward the reclaiming and improving of his land, but in the second 
year of his residence here, 1874, grasshoppers destroyed his crops and brought a 
measure of hardship into the little prairie home. He planted a fine orchard and 
other trees on his farm and eventually made the place one of the best in the town- 
ship at the time. Finally he left the farm and removed to Hampton, this county, 
where he conduclcil n liotcl. aiul later owned and operated a grist mill at Marquette. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 357 

He returued to hit> i'unn in Otis township, but eventually established his home 
near Marquette and later erected a house in that village, which continued to be his 
place of abode until his death in 1915, at the age of sixty-eight years, his wife 
having passed away in the preceding year. Their prosperity in the later years 
fully compensated for the trials and labors which were theirs in the pioneer days. 
Mr. Hilligas took vital interest in the general welfare and advancement of the 
community and in polities gave his support to the democratic party. Of the four 
children the eldest is John, who is living retired, in the village of Hampton ; Mary 
is the wife of John Bray, a farmer near Edinl)urg, Texas; Ellen is the wife of 
Louis Gion of Polk county, Nebraska ; and the subject of this sketch is the youngest 
of the family. 

Edward Hilligas is indebted to the public schools of Hamilton county for his 
early education and at the age of twenty-six years he initiated his independent 
career as a farmer. He purchased forty acres of land in Otis precinct and con- 
tinued to make his farm the stage of vigorous and profitable agricultural and live 
stock enterprises until the spring of 1917, when he removed to Marquette, where 
he has since lived practically retired, he being a stockholder of the Hamilton County 
Elevator Company of this village and also of the Farmers Telephone Company. His 
political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he is a loyal and popular 
citizen of his native county. 

On August 5, 1900, Mr. Hilligas was united in marriage to Miss Lena Satory, 
who was born in the state of Missouri, a daughter of Joseph and Julia (Adam) 
Satory, who came from that state and settled in York county, Nebraska. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hilligas have two children — Lottie and Euby. 



J. A. DOKEMUS 



J. A. Doremus, principal of the city schools of Aurora, and recognized as one 
of the able educators in connection with the public school system of the state, was 
Ijorn in Eantoul, Illinois, August, 1870, a son of Andrew and Mary Jane (Heward) 
Doremus, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, in which state they were reared 
and married. In 1869 they removed to Illinois, where they still make their home. 
The father has devoted his life to the ministry of the Presbyterian cliurch and 
his labors have been a potent influence for moral progress in the various com- 
munities in which he has lived. He has now reached the notable age of eighty- 
five years, while his wife is seventy-six years of age and since 1906 Mr. Doremus 
has entertained superannuated relations to the church, having up to that time 
continued active in the ministry, covering a period of fifty-six years. His political 
endorsement was given to the republican party. To him and his wife were born 
three children of whom two are living, the younger being Eobert Doremus, who 
is a minister of the Unitarian church. He was graduated from Beloit College of 
Wisconsin and afterward taught school at ^Rochester, New York. He became 
ne(|iiaiiited with Dr. Ganette, who was a leader among Unitarian people of the 
country. It was sul)sequent to this time that Robert Doremus entered Harvard 



358 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

and was graduated in the theological course. He quit the preparatory course to 
enter the ministry and has since devoted his life to the work of the church. 

J. A. Doremus had the advantage of liberal educational opportunities, sup- 
plementing his public school training by study in Gates College at Xeligh, Nebraska, 
and in the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 1897 with 
the Master of Arts degree. He then returned to Neligh, where he taught for 
five years and. then went to Madison, Nebraska, where he became superintendent 
of schools, occupying that position for five years. Later he w^as located at Auburn, 
Nebraska, and during his superintendency of the public schools there for a period 
of eight years, contributed much to the development and improvement of the school 
systems. In 1917 he came to Aurora and for four years has been school superin- 
tendent in this city with an enrollment of eight hundred and forty-five pupils and 
thirty-one teachers housed in four school buildings. His methods are practical 
and progressive. H-e regards education as the preparation for life and realizing 
fully his responsibilities in this connection, is doing everything within his power 
to maintain the schools of Aurora at the highest possible standard. 

In 1898 Mr. Doremus was married to Miss M. Belle Chellis, who was born 
ill Meriden, New Hampshire, and was graduated from the Middlebury College of 
Middlebury, A'ermont, after which she came west to teach school. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Doremus have been born five children: Harold, a student in the State 
University of Nebraska, who will graduate in 1921 from the civil engineering de- 
partment; Francis, who is pursuing the electrical engineering course in the State 
University ; Mary, a high school pupil ; Mabel and Constant, who are pupils in 
the grades. Mr. Doremus is a member of the Knights of Pythias and gives his 
political allegiance to the republican party, keeping at all times well informed on 
the questions and issues of the day. Both he and his wife are members of the 
Presbyterian church and they occupy an enviable position in those social circles 
where intelligence and true worth are accepted as passports to good society. 



WILLIAM P. RHODES 



Since 1883 William P. Rhodes has made his home near Springranch, in 
township 5, Range 8, where he is owner of an excellent farm property and is 
classed with the most enterprising and prosperous farmers of Clay county. He 
is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Greene county, that state, 
on the 28th of April, 1853, a son of William J. and Sarah Martha (Cowden) 
Rhodes, the former a native of Illinois, where he was born in 1825, and the 
latter a Kentuekian by birth. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes was cele- 
brated in McLean county, Illinois, and there they resided throughout life, the 
father being a well known and successful farmer of that community. W. J. 
Rhodes passed away in 1914. Eight children were born to that union, four of 
whom are living: W. P., whose name initiates this review; E. M., farming in 
McLean county, Illinois; James, a resident of McLean countj', Illinois; and 
Mrs. Becker, a resident of Quincy, Illinois. W. J. Rhodes was a lifelong con- 
sistent member of the Christian church, as was also his wife, and he was 




WILLIAM P. RHODES AND FAMILY 



HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 361 

likewise a staueh prohibitionist. He was always active in the development and 
improvement of the community and served his fellowmen as county commis- 
sioner for some time. Three brothers of W. J. Rhodes, Aaron P., Taylor and 
John A., were veterans of the Civil war, having served gallantly throughout 
the conflict. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John H. Rhodes, was 
born in Maryland and was an early pioneer in both Ohio and Illinois, having 
reached the latter state in 1823. The maternal grandfather was Reeves 
Cowden, a Kentuckian by birth, who removed to Illinois at an early day. 

W. P. Rhodes is indebted to the schools of Bloomington, Illinois, for his 
education and in early life engaged in farming. In 1877 he located in Adams 
county, Nebraska, purcha.sed some land and started farming on his own 
account. For six years he lived in a sod house on this land and brought it 
to a highly cultivated state. In 1883 he removed to Clay county and pur- 
chased a half section of land on which he now resides. The land is highly 
cultivated and well improved, all of the outbuildings having been erected by 
Mr. Rhodes. 

In 1897 occurred the marriage of Mr. Rhodes to Miss Laura A. Johnson, a 
native of McLean county, Illinois. They adopted one child, Russell D., who 
lives at home, and also reared a girl, Velma Burt, who is the wife of Jacob 
Johnson and resides near Mr. Rhodes. 

In politics Mr. Rhodes maintains an independent course. He has never 
sought nor desired public preferment, but devotes his entire time to his agri- 
cultural interests. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian 
church. At one time Mr. Rhodes specialized in stock raising, but he now does 
mostly general farming. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, 
the result of his own determined effort, and is recognized as one of the leading 
agriculturists of his section of the state. 



FRED C. HOFFMAN 



One of the successful and progressive agriculturists and business men of Harvard 
is Fred C. Hoffman, who is now connected with the Farmers' Elevator at that place. 
A native of Germany he was born in that country on the 25th of September, 1866, a 
son of Christian and Louise (Tietz) Hoffman, who were also natives of Germany. 
On the 26th of April, 1880, Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman and their family came to the 
United States and settled in Clay county. As the father had practically nothing 
upon his arrival in the county he obtained employment working out on farms and 
soon saved up enough to purchase some land in Clay county. He was successful in 
his farming ventures and is now residing retired in Norfolk, enjoying the fruits of a 
life of diligence and industry. Mrs. Hoffman passed away some years ago. Eight 
children were born to their union, of whom Fred C, our subject, was the second in 
order of birth. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran church, but is now- 
identified with the Methodist Episcopal church and is a democrat in politics. 

Fred C. Hoffman received his education in the public schools of his native land 
and came to this country with his parents when fourteen years of age. He worked 



363 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

out on farms in Clay county until he became of age and for seven years was in the 
employment of one man. In 1912, however, he removed to the Harvard city limits, 
where he purchased some land and thereon resided until 1920, when he disposed of 
the land and moved into Harvard. There he built & fine home and subsequently 
became connected with the Farmers' Elevator there, which line of work he in now 
following. Mr. Hoffman while residing in the country was a member of the 
National Guard, in 1890 and 1891, and participated in some of the Sioux Indian 
campaigns. 

In 1894 Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage to Miss Euth Bish, a native of 
Illinois and a daughter of Nick Bish, who was a well known farmer in that state, 
where his death occurred. They have become the parents of two children : Walter 
and Edna. Walter, who is now twenty-four years of age, is assistant teacher in the 
University of Minnesota. He graduated from the Harvard schools and receiving a 
scholarship entered Wesleyan from which he was graduated and received his A. B. 
degree and won his Bachelor's degree in the spring of 1931 ; Edna received her 
education in the Harvard schools, after which she taught for three years there and 
is now teaching in Tobias. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Hoffman the right of franchise he has been a 
stanch supporter of the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of 
that party as factors in good government. Fraternally he is an Ancient Free and 
Accepted Mason. In the civic affairs of the county Mr. Hoffman has always taken 
a prominent part, having served as road overseer for some time and as school 
director in the country schools for a period of fourteen years. He was also for sis 
years secretary of the board of school directors of Harvard and for seven years 
served his fellowmen in the office of township assessor and was elected on the city 
council in the spring of 1931. Mr. Hoffman in addition to his property in Harvard 
owns two hundred and twenty acres of improved land in Clay county. In both 
business and social circles Mr. Hoffman holds to high standards and enjoys in large 
measure the confidence and trust of those with whom he is brought into contact in 
every relation of life. 



EMIL LINDGREN 



Emil Lindgren who is farming in section 9, Lewis township, was born in 
Sweden on the 1st of July, 1871, a son of Frank and Caroline Lindgren. In 1879 
the parents removed to the United States and located in Indiana, where they 
remained for but one year when they removed to Clay county, arriving there in 
February of that year. There the father secured a homestead and for five years 
lived in a dugout. He was a successful farmer, later built a frame house on the 
place which he otherwise improved, and at the time of his death, January 9, 1895, 
he was among the influential farmers of his portion of the county. Mrs. Lindgren 
is still living and makes her home with Emil on the old farm. They were the 
parents of four children: Emil, whose name initiates this review; Albion, whose 
death occurred at the age of thirty-four years; A^ictor, who passed away at the age 
of six years; and Theodore, a veterinary surgeon of Edgar. 

Emil Lindgren received part of his education in the country schools of Clay 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 363 

county. He had had some experience in working out on farms in Indiana, and 
obtained lilce work in Nebraska and soon saved up enougli money to purchase eighty 
acres of good land. He was successful in his farming venture from the start and 
later bought an additional eighty acre tract adjoining the original one. He also 
owned some well improved land in Adams county at one time. Emil is now, 
however, residing with his mother on the old home place. He never married. 

The life of Mr. Lindgren has been one of diligence and industry and he has 
won success solely through his own efforts. He has always taken an active part in 
the development and improvement of the community and is numbered among the 
representative citizens of Clay county. 



L. G. KEMPSTEK 



Since 1888 L. G. Kempster has been agent for the Northwestern Kailroad at 
Harvard and is one of the three men west of the Missouri river who retains the 
office in which the Northwestern placed him when the station was established. He 
was bom in Baldwinsville, New York, on the 16th of August, 1863, a son of 
Thomas L. and Emma (Buston) Kempster, both of whom were born in London, 
England. Mr. and Mrs. Kempster came to the United States about 1849 and their 
marriage was celebrated in New York state. He traveled considerably, being a 
government contractor and he did extensive business along that line in Canada. He 
finally removed to Washington state and his death occurred in Seattle. Mrs. 
Kempster passed away in Oswego, New York, in 1866. Mr. Kempster was twice 
married and L. G., whose name initiates this review, was the only child born to 
the first union. Four children were born to the second marriage, two of whom are 
living: Mrs. Elkins, whose husband is a banker in Seattle, Washington; and 
Arthur, who is an electrician and is also residing in Seattle. He was general man- 
ager of the Seattle Traction Company when it sold out to the city. Thomas L. 
Kempster was a stanch supporter of the republican party and a consistent member 
of the Episcopal church. 

L. G. Kempster received the greater part of his education in Chicago, where his 
father was engaged in the contracting and building business for some time. At 
the age of sixteen years L. G. Kempster put his school books aside and began to 
study telegraphy. For one year he was employed as telegraph operator for the 
St. Paul Eailroad, but in 1888 came to Harvard and took charge of the station 
there for the Northwestern Railroad. He is one of the three men west of the 
Missouri river to open an office for the Northwestern who still retains it. 

In 1885 Mr. Kempster was married to Miss Margaret McGrane, who was born 
in Chicago, Illinois, and to tliem seven children were 1)orn: George, whose death 
occurred at the age of two years; Edward L., who is manager of the Omaha Robe 
and Tanning Company; Charlotte M., now the wife of Arthur Dixon, who is a 
painter and decorator of Harvard; Harold G., who is with the National Fur and 
Tanning Company of Omaha ; Leo R., who died at the age of twenty-three years ; 
Lawrence, at home; and Keitha M., who is the wife of Lester W. Moon, a business 
man of Loveland, Colorado. 



364 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

The political allegiance of Mr. Kempster is given to the republican party, in the 
interests of which he takes an active part. His fraternal affiliations are with the 
Knights of Columbus and his religious faitli is that of the Catholic church. He 
has served on the town board of Harvard and was a member of that organization 
when the water works was built. Mr. Kempster owns a quarter section of land in 
Clay county and has a nice home in Harvard. He is a most estimable citizen and 
his long residence in the community with which he has been so prominently 
identified has served to make him widely known, while his upright character, busi- 
ness ability and genial temperament have gained for him the high esteem of the 
entire community. 



CHAELES E. DE MAEANVILLE 

Charles E. De Maranville, a retired farmer -of Aurora, was born in the state 
of New York in 1849, his parents being James and Sophia (Brown) De Maranville 
who were also natives of the Empire state where they were reared and married. 
About the year 1856 they removed westward and the father cultivated a rented farm 
in Illinois. His first wife died in that state and he afterward married Mrs. Walker. 
He continued to reside in Illinois until 1905 and then came to Nebraska, spending 
his remaining days in the homes of his children. He was a member of the Freewill 
Baptist church in early life and later united witli the Methodist church, living at 
all times as a consistent Christian, doing everything in his power to promote moral 
progress. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his political 
support was given to the republican party. He deserved much credit for what 
he accomplished in a business way for he started out in life empty handed and 
cultivated rented land, but through industry and diligence acquired siifficient 
capital to purchase a farm and in due course of time became one of the prosperous 
farmers of his community. His family numbered seven children, of whom four 
are living: Mrs. Josephine Buchanan, a resident of Bellingham, Washington; 
Charles E. of this review; Mrs. Jennie Stone, a widow living at Leavenworth, 
Kansas; and James, living at Eavenna, Nebraska. 

In the schools of Mineral, Illinois, Charles E. De Maranville pursued his 
education and then took up the occupation of farming by renting land in that state. 
In 1878 he arrived in Hamilton county where he purchased eighty acres of railroad 
land and thereon built a sod house in which he lived for four years. On the 
expiration of that period he replaced this primitive pioneer dwelling by a frame 
building and continued the work of developing and improving his farm for many 
years. In 1879 he brought his family to Nebraska and through the intervening 
period has continued a resident of this state. He still owns the farm and also 
has two pieces of city property. In 1904 he removed to Aurora and worked at 
various things from time to time but is largely retired, having now passed the 
seventy-second milestone on life's journey. 

It was in 1872 that Mr. De Maranville was united in marriage to Miss Clara 
Kinkead, who was born in Scott county, Iowa, and they became parents of five 
children: Fred, who is on the home farm in Hamilton county; Jessie, the wife of 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 365 

Convin Squiers who is employed by the Manhattan Oil Company in Aurora; Grace, 
the wife of Clarence McLaughlin, a farmer of Loop City, Nebraska; Carl, who 
works for the Consolidated Floiir Company of Ravenna, Nebraska ; and Minnie, 
the wife of Clarence Stokesbury, who resides on a farm near Aurora. The wife 
and mother passed away August 13, 1920. She had five children and twelve 
grandchildren and was the 'first of the family to be called to her final rest. She 
was a consistent member of the Christian church and the sterling worth of her 
character endeared her to all who knew her. Mr. De Maranville is a member of 
the Modern Woodmen of America, also of the Highlanders and his political views 
are in accord with the teachings and principles of the republican party. He has 
for more than four decades been a resident of Nebraska and throughout the entire 
period has been an interested witness of the growth of Hamilton county, wliilo 
along the Hue of agricultural progress he has done his full share. 



ALEXANDER McDOUGALL 

The typical Scotch determination and thrift have been potent in enabling 
Ale.xander McDougall to win a goodly measure of material prosperity and within a 
period of nearly forty years' residence in Hamilton county, Nebraska, he has 
advanced from the status of an obscure pioneer farmer of most modest resources 
to that of one of the substantial citizens and representative agriculturists and 
stock raisers of the county, his well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, 
being situated in section 26, Monroe township. 

Of the stanchest of Scottish lineage on both the paternal and maternal sides, 
Alexander McDougall was bom in the state of Pennsylvania, on the 13th of 
September, 1855, and is a son of Matthew and Isabel (Douglas) McDougall, who 
became the parents of seven children, the father having died when but thirty-six 
years of age in Illinois. The mother survived him many years and was a resident 
of Hamilton county at the time of her death. Matthew McDougall was born in 
Scotland and was a youth when he came to the United States. From Pennsylvania 
he removed to Illinois in the year 1857, the major part of his active career in this 
country having been one of association with farm enterprise. 

Alexander McDougall is indebted to the public schools of Illinois for his early 
education, which was limited in scope and when he was a lad of twelve years he 
began to depend largely upon his own resources. He gave most of his time to 
farm work and his initial venture as an independent farmer was made in Illinois. 
There was solemnized his marriage to Miss Isabel McAllister and he continued 
his alliance with farm industry in Illinois until 1885, when he came with his 
family to Hamilton county, Nebraska, and prepared to undertake the labors and 
responsibilities of developing and improving a farm. He brought with him a 
goodly supply of household effects, a few farm implements, a team of mules and a 
cow, so that he was not without due provisions for establishing a comfortable home. 
He first purchased a tract of eighty acres, but this he later sold. He then rented 
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Monroe township, which he worked for 
eighteen years before purchasing it in 1904. His well ordered enterprise and 



366 HAMILTON ATn'D CLAY COUNTIES 

careful methods have resulted in the devlopment of this place into one of the 
valuable farm properties of the county. The little frame house that was the original 
habitation of the family has been supplanted by a commodious and modern dwell- 
ing and the other buildings on the farm are of excellent type, properly arranged for 
the practical uses to which they are applied in connection with the diversified 
operations of the well kept farm. The first wife of Mr. McDougall was about 
twenty-eight years of age at the time of her death in 1883, her children having 
been three in number, namely: Matthew J., who died at the age of thirty-seven 
years; Nora, who died at the age of nineteen years, in 1900; and Julia, who is 
the wife of Merle Coon, of Aurora, Hamilton county. The second wife of Mr. 
McDougall bore the maiden name of Jennie May Firth and she was born and 
reared in Illinois. She proved a true helpmeet to her husband in connection with 
his progressive career as a farmer in Hamilton county and on the old home farm 
her death occurred in the year 1909. Of this union were born seven children: 
Pearl is the wife of Fred Fowler of Aurora, this county ; Ira became a member 
of the United States army, his enlistment having occurred in New Mexico in 1910 
and his service having continued during the period in which the nation was involved 
in the great World war; Edna is the wife of Charles Cunningham, a farmer in 
Hamilton county; Minnie is the wife of Chester Cunningham of Aurora, this 
county; Iva is the wife of Wiley Garrison and they reside in the state of Illinois; 
Arvilla is the wife of James Morrell of Hamilton county and lives on a farm ; and 
Beckford remains at the paternal home. 

In politics Mr. McDougall gives his allegiance to the democratic party and 
while he has lahored earnestly and faithfully in achieving prosperity during the 
period of his residence in Hamilton county, he has not been unmindful of his 
civic responsibilities and has showTi loyal and helpful interest in community affairs. 
He is now in independent financial circumstances, as the result of his own well 
directed efforts and in view of his present status there is significance in the state- 
ment that upon coming to Hamilton county he was compelled to go in debt for 
the first bill of groceries which he here purchased. He has been one of the world's 
determined and productive workers and well merits the success which has rewarded 
his efforts. 



SWAN J. JOHNSON 



Since 1912 Swan J. Johnson has been living retired in Saronville, Clay county, 
a respected and representative citizen. A native of Sweden, he was born in that 
country August 28, 1846. 

Swan J. Johnson received his education in his native land and there remained 
until he was twenty-two years of age, at which time he came to the United States. 
He went directly to Indiana and there resided for one year and then removed to 
Galesburg, Illinois, where he lived for a period of five years. Hearing of the 
greater opportunities being offered in the west, Mr. Swanson decided to try his 
fortunes here and in 1879 arrived in Nebraska. He had farmed rented land in 
Illinois but now determined to engage in that line of work on his own account 
and he purchased a quarter section of railroad laud near Harvard. That land was 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 367 

then nothing but prairie and upon it he built a little frame house, fourteen by 
twenty-two feet, consisting of two rooms and he had a straw barn for the cattle, 
which consisted of four head of horses and two cows. He also brought some farm 
machinery with him from Illinois. For three years he was unfortunate in being 
unable to raise crops and would have gone back east had it been possible at that 
time. Mr. Swanson was a man of quick wit and ready intelligence and grasped 
every opportunity that lay in his path. He allowed nothing to discourage him and 
steadily forged ahead, until he is now living retired in Saronville, financially 
independent. 

In 1875 in Moline, Illinois, occurred the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss 
Amanda Forsell, also a native of Sweden, who came to America when fourteen years 
of age. They have become parents of nine children: Benjamin, who is farming in 
Decatur county, Kansas ; Oscar, farmer of Wilcox ; Fred, who is engaged in farm- 
ing in Clay county; Hattie Peterson, residing in Clay county; E., who makes his 
home in Clay county; Luther, a resident of Saronville; Viola Peterson, who is 
residing on the home place; Wendell, farming in Clay county; and Clifford, at home. 

At one time Mr. Johnson was in possession of nine hundred acres of fine land 
in the county but he has divided this among his children. When he removed to 
Saronville he built a fine home and now owns this, together with additional prop- 
erty. He has been active in the development and improvement of the community 
and for a number of years served his fellowmen as school treasurer. The religious 
faith of the family is that of the Swedish Lutheran church, of which they are con- 
sistent members. On looking back over the years of his life Mr. Johnson is glad 
that he did not have means sufficient to take him back east at the time when his 
crops failed him and every attempt at advancement seemed futile. He is glad he 
stayed and worked out his many problems and he attributes his success to his 
ability along an agricultural line and his ready grasping of opportunities. 



H. E. BELDEN 



H. E. Belden, deceased, was for many years one of the successful business men 
and agriculturists of Clay county, Nebraska. His death occurred on the 24th of 
November, 1917, and caused a feeling of deep bereavement to sweep the com- 
munity. He was a native of Vermont, in which state his birth occurred January 6, 
1858, his parents being Daniel and Jane Belden, also natives of that state. The 
father passed away in Vermont and after his death Mrs. Belden made her home 
with our subject, H. E., for seven years and then returned to her native state, 
where her demise occurred. Four children were born to their union, two of whom 
are living: Imogene Woodward of Vermont; and Lottie Carry of Massachusetts. 
H. E. Belden was the third in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Belden were through- 
out their lives consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

H. E. Belden received his education in the schools of Vermont and later learned 
the carpenter's trade, which line of work he followed until he came to Nebraska in 
1880. On arriving in this state he acquired a half section of land in Frontier 
county and after residing for three years on that land, disposed of it and removed 



368 HAMILTON AND CLAY COITXTIES 

to Clay county. He bought some land in that county, whereon he resided until 
January, 1916, when he sold his farm and moved into Harvard. For eight years 
he conducted a plumbing establishment in that town, going back and forth from 
his farm during that time. He was always a stanch advocate of education and for 
thirty years was a member of the board of education. 

In 1883 Mr. Belden was united in marriage to Flora WyckofE, a native of 
Livingston county, Illinois, and a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Wright) 
WyckofE. Her father was horn in Ohio, while her mother was a native of Penn- 
sylvania. Their marriage occurred in Illinois, however, and in 1871 they came to 
Nebraska, where the father secured a homestead in Fillmore county. Mr. Wyckoff 
resided on the home place until a short time before his death, when he moved to 
Harvard, where he died. The mother passed away at the home of Mrs. Belden in 
Harvard in 1917. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff, four of 
whom are living : Mrs. Belden ; Charles, who is a well known plumber of Harvard ; 
Alva, a rancher of Douglas, Wyoming; and John, who is a banker of Nebraska. 
Mrs. Wyckoff was a consistent member of the Baptist church, while her husband 
attended the Congregational church. In politics he was a stanch republican and 
fraternally was identified with the Masons. For three years he saw active service 
during the Civil war and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. Mr. and 
Mrs. Belden became the parents of four children : Luella, who is the wife of Eoy 
Hunt, a druggist at Harvard; Cora, who married Harry Bermond, a farmer six 
miles west of Harvard; Arthur, who is engaged in the plumbing and windmill 
business at Harvard; and Edith, who is the wife of Eussell Salsbury of York, 
where he is engaged in the drug business. 

Throughout his life Mr. Belden was a stanch supporter of the republican party 
and the principles for which it stands. His fraternal affiliation was with the 
Masons and his religious faith was that of the Christian church. Mr. Belden was 
one of the highly respected and enterprising citizens of Clay county, a man of 
great energy and rare business ability. He was well known for his integrity in all 
business transactions and his death removed from this portion of the state one of 
its most useful citizens. Mrs. Belden is still making her home in Harvard, where 
she owns a fine home and is financially independent. She is active in the lodge 
circles of that town as a prominent member of the Eastern Star and her children 
also have membership in that organization. 



GEORGE E. JACKETT 



George E. Jackett is among the very first of the early pioneers of Hamilton 
county, arriving here July 1, 1871. A native of Illinois he was born in Lake 
county, that state, December 10, 1845, a son of Michael and Mary (Knapp) Jackett. 

The parents of George E. Jackett removed to Wisconsin in 1846 and there he 
received his education in the primitive country schools. After putting his text- 
books aside he engaged in farming and some time after his marriage came west, 
making the trip overland in a covered wagon. He arrived in Hamilton county, 
July 1, 1871, bringing with him as a part of his equipment three horses and two 




]VIE. AST) MBS. GEORGE E. JACKETT 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 371 

cows. He cu-quired a homestead of eighty acres in the Union precinct and his first 
improvements thereon consisted of a small dugout, a sod barn and a henhouse. 
He broke his owi land and did his first freighting from Lincoln. He set out a 
number of shade trees on the land and also planted about three hundred peach 
trees, most of which soon died. His crops were destroyed at various times by 
the grasshoppers, but no obstacle was too great for him to overcome. Elk, deer, 
antelope and wild cats were plentiful around the country and he has killed many of 
these animals, whose skins he has preserved. During the winter he trapped beaver 
along the river and has had as many as four hundred Indians camping on the 
farm. The Indians frightened Mrs. Jaekett on coming to their home at one time. 
She assisted in molding bullets to be used in case of an Indian attack upon their 
home. He hauled his wood from the Blue river and during a big Eiaster blizzard he 
and his family were storm bound for several days and his dog and his hogs were 
snowed under for a week. Later Mr. Jaekett preempted eighty ad'ditional acres 
and is now in possession of two hundred and forty acres, on which stand a good 
set of improvements. 

On the 81st of March, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. Jaekett and Miss 
Mary Cameron and they have become the parents of six children: James, who is 
residing at Genoa, Colorado ; Eoyal C, at home ; George, a farmer in Hamilton 
county ; Margaret, the wife of William J. Mack of Twin Falls, Idaho ; Edna B., the 
wife of H. H. Kilburn of Kimberly, Idaho ; and L. G., at home. 

Mr. Jaekett has always taken an active interest in the development of the 
community in which he makes his home and to that end has served his fellow 
citizens as a member of the school board. His political policies are of an inde- 
pendent nature, he voting for the man best fitted for the position without regard 
for party. His fraternal affiliation is with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 
Mr. Jaekett was one of the early farmers in this state. He belongs to that class 
of representative citizens who came to the west with the determination to find 
in a new and growing country the success which perseverance, labor and energy 
merit. 



FRANK C. BUNDLE 



Frank C. Bundle began life in Aurora with a capital of but twenty- dollars. 
Today he is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres near 
Ansley and was previously the owner of another excellent property which he sold 
in 1919. For many years he was actively associated with farming interests and 
his industry and diligence brought to him a very substantial measure of success. 
Mr. Bundle was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, April 3, 1867, his parents being 
Abraham and Caroline (Townsend) Bundle, both of whom were natives of England. 
Crossing the Atlantic they became residents of Chicago in early life and afterward 
removed to Iroquois county, Illinois, where the father purchased land and continued 
to make his home until his demise. His widow still occupies the old homestead, 
having there eighty acres of valuable land. The farm at one time comprised 
one hundred and sixty acres but half of the amount has been sold. Mr. Abraham 
Bundle gave his political endorsement to the republican party and filled various town- 



373 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COUNTIES 

ship offices and also served as school director. His religious faith was that of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. He was empty-handed when he came to the United 
States but through diligence and determination won success and was able to provide 
a good living for his family, which numbered five children: Carrie, who is the 
wife of L. J. Randolph, a farmer of Enid, Oklahoma; Nellie, the wife of P. K. 
Divilbiss, and also a resident of Enid ; Frank C. ; Philadelphia Elisabetli, the wife 
of Frank S. Hogg, a farmer of Hamilton county, Nebraska ; Abraham G., a traveling 
salesman, living at Mazon, Illinois. 

Frank C. Eundle pursued his education in the country schools and in Grand 
Prairie Seminary at Onarga, Illinois. His youthful experiences were those of 
the farm bred boy and when he started out to earn his own living he continued 
to devote his attention to farm work. In 1888 he arrived in Hamilton county, 
Nebraska, reaching Aurora with but twenty dollars to his name. He assisted in 
erecting a building by carrying the hod and afterward worked for George Daniels, 
a prominent contractor. A little later he entered the employ of Samuel Hogg, a 
farmer, for whom he worked by the month and subsequently rented land, desiring 
that his labors should more directly benefit himself. His industry and economy 
at length brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase one hundred and 
sixty acres of land in 1906 and from that time until 1919 he owned and occupied 
his farm, converting it into a valuable property and annually gathering a golden 
harvest as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. 
The property which he purchased at sixty-five dollars per acre he sold in 1919 for 
two hundred dollars per acre. He then bought two hundred and eighty acres of 
land near Ansley and still owns this farm. He likewise purchased a nice modern 
residence in Aurora at No. 1516 Eleventh street and is most pleasantly located, 
engaging in no business save the supervision of his own interests and investments. 

In 1890 Mr. Eundle was united in marriage to Miss Laura Hogg, who was 
born in Morgan county, Illinois, a daughter of Samuel and Anna (AVilloughby) 
Hogg, both of whom were natives of England and settled in Illinois in early life. 
In 1884 they came to Nebraska and the father purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres of land in Hamilton county at twenty-five dollars per acre, he and his wife 
continuing to reside upon the farm throughout their remaining days. They were 
members of the Episcopal church and were highly esteemed by all who knew them. 
They had a family of six children of whom Mrs. Bundle was the sixth in order 
of birth. By her marriage Mrs. Eundle has become the mother of seven children : 
Glenn, who is living at Fort Collins, Colorado, where he is a mechanic; Edith, the 
wife of J. A. Casteel, a farmer of this county ; Ernest who is on his father's farm ; 
Clara, the wife of E. E. Garwood, a farmer of Alliance, Nebraska; Ealph, who also 
carries on farming near Alliance; Carol and Loren, both in school. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Eundle are very active and prominent members of the 
Presbyterian church in which he is serving as an elder. For several years he was 
superintendent of the Sunday school, while Mrs. Eundle was a teacher of a Sunday 
school class. They do all in their power to advance the work of the church and 
have ever been supporters of all those forces which make for moral progress in the 
community. Mr. Eundle also belongs to the Highlanders. In politics he is a repub- 
lican and for eight years served as precinct assessor, while in 1930 he was elected 
county assessor and is now filling that position. He is also connected with the 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 373 

Farm Bureau aud is orgauizing bureaus iu different counties. His entire life 
has been characterized by constructive effort resulting in the material, intellectual, 
social and moral progress of the state. 



PERLY G. HIXSON 



Perly G. Hixson dates his residence in Hamilton county from May, 1873. He 
iirst traveled westward in a prairie schooner and became a pioneer resident of 
Iowa, while later he established his home in this state when Hamilton county was 
still on the western frontier. He therefore participated in all that constituted 
pioneer life wdth the hardships and the privations, the opportunities and advantages. 
He was born in Vinton county, Ohio, June 29, 1851, and is a son of Griffith and 
Sarah (Arganbright) Hixson, both of whom were born in the east. At an early 
day they removed westward to Wisconsin and there the father engaged in car- 
pentering. He married Sarah Arganbright, a daughter of Philip Arganbright, 
a native of Pennsylvania who removed from the Keystone state to Ohio and con- 
tinued to live within its borders until called to his final rest. To the marriage 
of Mr. and Mrs. Griffith Hixson were born five children of whom four are living: 
Lydia, the wife of H. J. Willis, mentioned elsewhere in this work; Perly G. ; 
David, a resident of Hamilton county; and William ¥., who is a retired farmer 
living in Imperial, Chase county, Nebraska. The parents were consistent Christian 
people, the father belonging to the United Brethren church, while the mother was 
a member of ■ the Methodist Episcopal church. His political endorsement was 
given to the republican party but he never sought nor desired office, preferring to 
concentrate his efforts and energies upon his business affairs, thus providing a 
comfortable living for his family. 

Perly G. Hixson was educated in the common schools of Ohio and started 
out to provide for his own support by working as a farm hand at eighteen dollars 
per month. He was thus employed for seven years and from Ohio removed west- 
ward in a prairie schooner in company with his brother-in-law H. J. Willis, 
residing in Iowa for eleven months. He then resumed his westward journey and 
reached Hamilton county in 1873. Here he homesteaded and still owns the land 
which he secured. He first had a tract of eighty acres to which he afterward 
added eighty acres more and then purchased forty acres of railroad land. His 
landed possessions now aggregate one hundred and ninety-four acres which he has 
converted into a rich and productive tract that annually returns to him a gratifying 
income. His first home was a sod house in which he lived for twenty-five years. 
As time passed on he carried on the work of developing and improving his property 
and now has an excellent farm, the neat and thrifty appearance of which indicates 
his careful supervision and practical methods. 

In 1883 Mr. Hixson was married to Miss Jane Dixon, who was born in Ross 
county, Ohio, and who passed away in 1913, in the faith of the United Brethren 
church, of which she was a devoted member. Mr. Hixson was again married 
January 26, 1918, his second marriage being with Laura Shenault, who was born 
in Ohio. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Hixson 

Vol. 11—2 4 



374 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

belongs to the United Brethreii church. Hi:^ political support is given to the 
republican party and he keeps well informed on the cjuestions and issues of the day. 
In 1918 Mr. Hixson removed to Aurora and retired from active business al- 
though he goes to the farm occasionally and assists in it's cultivation but has rented 
the land. He is numbered among the pioneer settlers of the county for there were 
comparatively few residents here at the time of his arrival. Antelopes were seen 
in considerable numWrs and there were also a few buffaloes while wild geese and 
prairie chickens were numerous. The Indians were passing through here at times 
on their way to the reservations in the west and various evidences of frontier 
life were seen. Mr. Hixson has at all times borne his part in the work of general 
progress and improvement and has lived ' to see remarkable changes during the 
period of his connection with Hamilton county. His worth as a man and citizen ^re 
widely acknowledged and the most envious cannot grudge him his success, so 
worthily has it been won and so honorably used. 



C. G. YOST 



C. G. Yost, who is engaged in the automobile business in Sutton, was born near 
Harvard, Nebraska, in 1885, a son of George and Margaret (Sinner) Yost, both 
natives of Eussia. They came to Clay county in 1873 and the father purchased 
eighty acres of railroad land, later buying an additional two hundred and twenty 
acres. At the time of his death he was in possession of three hundred and forty 
acres of well improved land. Their first home on this land was of sod and he 
broke his ground with the aid of a horse. Eight children were born to that union, 
of whom C. G. was the fifth in order of birth. They are all prominent residents 
of Clay county. The death of Mr. Yost occurred on the old home place in 1911 
and came as a severe blow to his family and many friends. He was a well educated 
man for his day and a great reader. Throughout his life he was a member of the 
German Evangelical church and always took a leading part in all church affairs. 
His political allegiance was given to the republican party. His widow is still 
making her home on the old home place. 

C. G. Yost received his education in the schools of Harvard, where he grad- 
uated from the high school. He was reared on a farm and there remained until he 
was eighteen years of age, when he became an employe of the Yost Lumber Com- 
pany of Harvard. He remained in that connection for five years, at the end of 
which time he was sent to Grafton to manage the company's yard. At the end of 
two years he resigned, establishing an implement and hardware store in Grafton, 
which business he conducted on his own account for a period of four years. He 
then purchased an implement business in Sutton, which he conducted until 1917, 
when he accepted the Ford agency there, with which he is still actively connected. 
He has built up a fine trade and during the year 1920 had a business of over 
eighty-five thousand dollars. When he first took over the agency he had only a 
little shop and but one helper. The business increased so rapidly, however, under 
his able management, that he was forced to move to more commodious quarters, with 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 375 

the result that lie now occupies a large building and has four assistants. He also 
runs a garage repair shop in connection with tlie agency. 

In August, 1908, Mr. Yost was married to Miss Elizabeth Wendt, a native of 
Germany and a daughter of Herman Wendt, who is still living in that country. 
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Yost five children have been born: Freda; Cecilia; 
Ardell ; and Merlin. Otto died at the age of nine years. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Yost the right of franchise he has been a stanch 
supporter of the republican party, although he has neither sought nor desired 
public office, preferring to devote his entire time to his business. The religious 
faith of the family is that of the Evangelical church. Mr. Yost is one of th^ highly 
respected men of Sutton and has been uniformly successful in the conduct of his 
business. He is alert, energetic and progressive and has already made for himself a 
prominent position in commercial circles and is steadily climbing the path of 
advancement to success. 



THOMAS EZEA TURNER 

A veteran of the Civil war who is now living retired in Harvard is Thomas Ezra 
Turner who was born in Oswego county, New York, on the 13th of July, 1845, a 
son of Isaiah and Mary Ann (Hoagg) Turner, further mention of whom may be 
found in the sketch of H. H. Turner, appearing elsewhere in this work. 

Thomas Ezra Turner received his education in the common schools of Illinois 
and Iowa and at the age of sixteen years entered the Union army from the latter 
state, joining Company E, Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which 
he served until 1865. At the close of the war he had won the promotion of ser- 
geant. Mr. Turner participated in many of the important battles of the war, 
serving with the Army of the Cumberland, and was at Shiloh, Chaplin Hills, Stone 
River, Liberty Gap, and in the Atlanta campaign with Sherman on his march to 
the sea. He was wounded but once and that during the battle of Liberty Gap. He 
was also active at Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and Ezra church and his 
last active service was at Bentonville, North Carolina. After receiving his dis- 
charge he went to Iowa and there engaged in the milling business, which he 
followed until 1887 when he came to Nebraska. He had bought a farm in Clay 
county, erected a frame house on the land and there resided until 1910, when he 
removed to Harvard. He purchased a nice home in that town and is there residing, 
enjoying a life of retirement. He is still in possession of a quarter section of land, 
which supplies him with a substantial income. 

In Iowa Mr. Turner was married to Miss Emiua Hurd, a native of Lorain 
county, Ohio, and a daughter of S. H. and Ellen (Wallace) Hurd, both natives of 
New York state and of Scotch descent. At an early day Mr. and Mrs. Hurd went 
to Ohio and there the father engaged as a cabinet-maker and later as a miller, 
achieving a substantial amount of success in the conduct of each enterprise. Five 
children were born to them : 0. S., who is a commission broker and real estate man 
of Kansas City; Mrs. Turner; and three other children who are deceased. To the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Turner eight children have been born : Minnie, who is the 
wife of James Horn, a farmer and owner of a country store at Colby, Minnesota; 



376 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Marshall, a decorator and painter of Harvard; Grace, who is the wife of B. H. 
Blaisdell, engineer in the PhilipiDine Islands ; Emma J., who is the wife of William 
Alberding, who is working her father's farm; Mary, the wife of Paul Alberding, 
engaged in the undertaking business at Harvard ; Fred, paper hanger and painter of 
Clay Center; Wallace, traveling man with headquarters in York; and Elsie, the 
wife of D. Stone, veterinary surgeon of Harvard. Wallace was in the United States 
army for eighteen months during the World war and was the first boy to leave 
Harvard. Throughout his period of service he was stationed on the Eio Grande as 
a member of the medical corps. 

The political allegiance of Mr. Turner has always been given to the republican 
party, in the interests of which he takes an active part. His religious faith is that 
of the Christian church and he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He 
has been town clerk for many years and served as school director, also, for some 
time. The life of Mr. Turner has been a useful, active and busy one and whatever 
success he has achieved has come to him as thfe reward of ability and industry. 
Those who meet him find him a social, genial gentleman and his good qualities win 
for him the warm reg-ard of those with whom he comes into contact. 



AMBROSE BROWN 



A man who was especially prominent and influential in connection with pioneer 
affairs in Hamilton county and whose character and ability well fitted him for 
leadership in community sentiment and action, Ambrose Brown merits honor- 
able recognition in the history of the section of Nebraska to whose early development 
he contributed his quota. He was bom in Fremont county, Iowa, in 1819, a date 
which indicates that his parents were numbered among the early settlers of that 
section of the Hawkeye state, where he himself was reared under the conditions 
and influences of the pioneer days, his superior intellectual powers enabling him 
by self-discipline effectively to supplement and round out the education which 
he there obtained in the common schools. In Iowa was solemnized his marriage 
to Miss Mary Pike, likewise a native of that state, and she died in 1920, in 
California at the age of sixty-nine years, where Mr Brown now maintains his 
residence. 

In the early '70s Mr. Brown came to Hamilton county, Nebraska, and obtained 
eighty acres of unbroken prairie land in Union township. He erected a sod house 
with board floor and constructed a dugout barn. He then directed his attention 
vigorously to the breaking of his land and making the same available for cultiva- 
tion. He had to go overland to Hastings and Harvard for necessary supplies 
and his early grists were ground in the mill at Beaver Crossing and in the Seeley 
mill in York county. Indians were still in evidence in this section, as were also 
antelopes and deer, and visitors of a different type were the grasshoppers, which 
wrought havoc on the little prairie farm of Mr. Brown, where the family endured 
also their share of loss through droughts and other adverse conditions. In the now 
historic Easter blizzard that caused this section of the state to be virtually snow- 
bound for three days, Mr. Brown tied a line of twine between his house and barn. 



HAMILTON AXD CLAY COFXTIES 377 

in order to find his way back and fortli through the blinding storm. Among the 
early experiences which he encountered was the attempt to raise watermelons and 
having his efforts and hopes subverted when rabbits destroyed the growing pro- 
duct. Finally Mr. Brown sold his farm, stock and equipments and returned to Iowa, 
where he remained five years. He then came again to Hamilton rounty and 
resumed his activites on his old homestead farm, the ownership of which he had 
retained. He here served as justice of the peace for a number of years and was 
the incumbent of this office at the time a man was hanged in a livery stable at 
Giltner, he having been one of those who aided in removing the body of this victim 
from its gruesome position. 

From Nebraska Mr. Brown removed to California and there served nine years as 
district judge of Fresno county. He still resides in that county and is now venerable 
in years, even as he is known and honored for his sterling character and distinctive 
ability. He was one of the organizers of the Christian church in Hamilton county, 
Nebraska, and served as a local preacher of the same. Of his two children the 
elder is Dennis, who is engaged in the laundry business at Fresno, Califoi-nia. 
The younger son, Eobert E., continues as the representative of this pioneer family 
in Hamilton county, Nebraska. He was born in Iowa, in 1876, and accompanied 
his parents on their removal to California, wlicrc he received educational advantages 
and where he remained until -lu' had attaiiicil his majority. He then returned to 
Hamilton county, Nebraska, and turned his attention to farm enterprise, in con- 
nection with which he has achieved great suc-cess. He is now owner of a valuable 
farm property of two hundred and eighty acres, in Union township, the same 
being improved with two sets of buildings, and the land being maintained under 
a high state of productivness, besides which good grades of live stock are here 



In Hamilton' county Eobert Brown wedded Miss Anna Severson, whose father, 
Henry Severson, came to this county from Wisconsin, in 1871, and who was one of 
the honored pioneer citizens of the county at the time of his death, in October, 
1914, his wife having passed away in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have five children : 
Lyle, Oscar, Daryle, Opal and Willard. All of the children remain at home except 
liyle, who is now a resident of the state of Washington. Daryle is, in 1921, a student 
in the high school at Harvard, Clay county 

Mr. Brown advocates the principles for which the democratic party stands, 
but in local affairs maintains an independent attitude and supports men and 
measures meeting the approval of his judgment. He is a stockholder in the 
Farmers Elevator Company at Harvard, Clay county, and has served nearly a 
quarter of a century as school director of his district. 



PHILLIP KREUTZ 



Since 1920 Phillip Kreutz has been living retired in Harvard, enjoying the 
results of a life spent in intelligently directed industry. He was born in Prussia 
on the 1st of August, 1849, a son of Henry and Barbara (Braun) Krentz, also 
natives of Prussia. In 1853 his parents came to the United States and settled 



378 HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

iu Wisconsin, where they purchased land and there resided until death. Three 
children were born to them, of whom Phillip was the youngest and is the only 
one living. Henry Kreutz gave his political allegiance to the democratic party 
and was a consistent member of the Lutheran church. 

Phillip Kreutz received his education in the country schools of Wisconsin and 
in early life engaged in farming in connection with his father. In 1874 he left the 
parental roof, however, and coming to Nebraska located in Clay county, where 
he bought out a homestead. His first home on this land was a dugout but he 
later erected a fine frame dwelling. His ability as a farmer was soon recognized 
and he became one of the leading agriculturists of the county. In 1920 he decided 
to retire from active life and removed to Harvard. He maintains an interest 
in farming and has four hundred and eighty acres of fine farm land in the sur- 
rounding vicinity. 

While living in Wisconsin Mr. Kreutz was united in marriage to Miss Emaline 
Miller, a native of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Peter Miller, 
one of the early settlers of that state. Nine children have been born to them : 
Ida, who passed away in September, 1919, was the wife of John Bieck, a retired 
farmer of Harvard; Edward, who is living on the old homestead; George, who 
is engaged in farming near Trumbull; Orlo, a farmer of Clay county; Raymond, 
whose death occurred in September, 1930, and who had for some time resided on 
his father's homestead ; Delma, who lives at home and works in the Harvard 
State Bank ; Eosie, a nurse in the Evangelical hospital at Marshalltown, Iowa ; 
Arnold, who is residing in Hamilton county; and Roland. Roland was in the 
Eighty-ninth Division and saw active service in France and Germany, receiv- 
ing his discharge in June, 1919. He is now engaged in farming. 

The political allegiance of Phillip Kreutz is given to the democratic party, 
in the interests of which he takes an active part. He and his wife are members of 
the Evangelical church and he is fraternally identified with the Modern Woodmen. 
The early career of Mr. Kreutz was indeed one of adversity and hardship but as 
the years passed he gradually worked his way upward and his course proves that 
upon the sure foundation of industry and indefatigable energy success may be 
built. 



FRANK E. TURNER 



Frank E. Turner is one of the up-to-date, live, progressive business men of 
Clay county. He is the owner of a large Ford garage in the town of Harvard, 
at which place he maintains his residence. A native son of Clay county he was 
born on his father's fai-m, October 1, 1883, his parents being J. W. and Pearly 
(Smith) Turner, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of New York. 
Their marriage took place in Michigan and in 1879 they came to Clay county 
where Mr. Turner bought land from the railroad and thereon resided until the 
spring of 1897. At that time he removed to Eldorado and opened a blacksmith 
shop. He had also conducted that line of business while residing on his old 
farm. In the fall of 1898 he sold out his shop in Eldorado and removed to 
Harvard, resumed his trade and is now one of the best known and most popular 




FRANK E. TURNER 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 381 

blaoksmitlis in the county. Five cliildren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner, 
three of wliom are living: Charles, who is residing on his grandfather's farm 
in Hamilton county; Frank E., the subject of this review; and Jessie, who is 
now residing in Detroit, where she is engaged in nursing, having graduated from 
the Lincoln Sanatorium. J. W. Turner follows an independent cour.se in 
politics. He has served on the town board and is now a member of the city 
council. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Turner is that of the Christian 
church and fraternally he is identified with the Workmen and the Odd Fellows. 
The grandfather of our subject was Henry Turner, who came to Hamilton 
county at an early daj', purchased some land and thereon resided until his 
death. He was one of the well known and honored pioneers of Claj- county 
and Charles Turner is now farming his original homestead. 

Frank E. Turner received his education in the schools of Eldorado and 
Harvard and at an early age learned the backsmith's trade. He worked with 
his father from the age of fourteen years until he was twenty, when he bought 
out a blacksmith shop at Eldorado, which he conducted successfully until May, 
1911. He suffered a great loss when the building housing his business burned 
and he returned to Harvard, where he bought out his father's garage and has 
been in that line of business since. For nine years he has had the Ford ear 
agency and his business has reached extensive proportions. He has a large 
repair business which demands the services of from two to four men all of the 
time. 

In June, 1905, Mr. Turner was united in marriage to Miss Edith Osboi-n, a 
native of Clay county, and a daughter of T. J. Osborn, who came to this county 
in 1880 and still resides on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have become 
parents of two children: Ray, who is attending the Harvard schools; and 
Loraine. 

Like his father, Mr. Turner maintains an independent course in politics, and 
fraternally is identified with the Elks and the Odd Fellows. Mrs. Turner is a 
consistent member of the Christian church, in the interests of which she takes 
an active part. As the result of laudable ambition and excellent business ability 
Mr. Turner has won for himself an enviable place in the business, social and 
fraternal circles of Harvard, and he holds the confidence and respect of his 
fellow citizens. 



PETER LEFEVEE 



When recognition is taken of the fact that Peter Lefever, a well known citizen 
of Hamilton county, has passed the age of threescore years and ten and was a 
young man. when he came to Nebraska and established his home in this county, 
it is needless to oifer further evidence of his legitimate claims to pioneer honors. 
He has witnessed and taken part in the development of this section of the state 
from a veritable prairie wild to its present status of opulence and prosperity, has 
known well the trials and hardships of the early days, but has never faltered in 
appreciation and confidence and has so utilized the resources of the country as to 



382 HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

achieve substantial personal prosperity, the while he has contributed to general 
progress along civic and industrial lines. 

Mr. Lefever was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, September 2i, 1847, 
and his parents, Anthony and Elizabeth (Albright) Lefever, passed their entire 
lives in that state, the father having been a tanner by trade and vocation. Mr. 
Lefever received limited educational advantages in his youth and was but thirteen 
years of age when he began to provide for himself by working on farms, in which 
connection his original compensation was but six dollars a month. As a driver 
of ox teams in the lumber camps of his native state he commanded wages of twenty- 
six dollars a month. He attended school at irregular intervals, but his broader 
education has been gained through self-discipline and association with the practical 
affairs of life. He was twenty-four years of age when, in 1871, he came to Nebraska. 
He arrived in Lincoln on a freight train and he and his brother Hiram, who 
accompanied him, there bought a j'oke of oxen and with them came overland to 
Hamilton county, where each took up a homestead claim of eighty acres and pre- 
pared to initiate the reclaiming and cultivating of their land. Peter Lefever 
erected on his place a sod house of two rooms, with dirt roof, and also constructed 
of poles and straw a primitive stable or barn. The brothers used their ox team in 
the breaking of the prairie soil and their early activities included also the planting 
of trees and the careful cultivation of their crops, it having lieen necessary at that 
period to go to Grand Island for general provisions and to have grists of grain 
ground in the mill at Beaver Crossing, three days being spent in making the latter trip. 
Mr. Lefever has seen deer and antelopes roaming about the prairies now represented 
in finely improved farms, has suffered losses through several visitations of grass- 
hoppers, has had to depend upon corn and cornstalks for fuel at times, lost his 
crops through hot winds in 1893 and 1804, and was buffeted to the limit wdth the 
memorable Easter blizzard which kept the community snowbound for three days. 
He is now owner of a well improved and valuable farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres, which is the tangible evidence of his labors and careful planning in the 
earlier stages of his distinctly progressive career in Hamilton county. He is now- 
living retired in the village of Stockham, where he was one of the organizers of the 
Farmers Elevator Company and he has given his support to enterprises and meas- 
ures that have added greatly to the general welfare of his home county and state. 
In politics he is independent of strict partisan lines and has been so distinctively 
a productive, worker that he has had neither time nor inclination for political 
activity nor office-holding. 

In 1876 was recorded the marriage of Mr. Lefever to Miss Esther Pealen, 
daughter of the late Charles Pealen, who had served as a soldier in the Civil war 
and who thereafter became a pioneer settler in Hamilton county, Nebraska, 
where he took up and improved a homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Lefever have five 
children: Charles, Ernest, Harry, Lottie and Esther. All of the children remain 
at the parental home except Lottie, who is the wife of Stephen Dobbs of Carthage, 
South Dakota. Ernest and Harry were in the nation's service in connection with 
the World war, Ernest having been a member of Company B, Sixteenth Infantry, 
in the First Division of Engineers, and having gone with the first contingent of 
troops sent to France. He received his preliminary training at Fort Logan, 
Colorado, and rose to the rank of sergeant. He remaiiicd in France until the 



HAMILTO:S AXD CLAY COUXTIES 383 

armistice brouglit the war to a close and received his honorable discharge after 
his return to his native land. Harry received his training at Camp Dodge, Iowa, 
and was there stationed until he received his honorable discharge. 



HENRY A. EGGEET 



Among those who have won success and are now enjoying the fruits of their 
former toils ■ in retirement from business in Aurora is Henry A. Eggert. For 
many years he was closely associated with agricultural interests in Hamilton county 
and as the years passed acquired more land from time to time, being still the 
owner of three hundred and sixty acres constituting a very valuable property. 
Mr. Eggert comes to Nebraska from Illinois, his birth having occurred in Bureau 
county of the latter state, July 29, 1859. He pursued his education in the schools 
of Princeton, the county seat of Bureau county and when his textbooks were put 
aside he started out in the business world as a farmer, having been reared to that 
occupation, so that he was already familiar with the best methods of tilling the 
soil and caring for the crops. 

It was in 1880 that Mr. Eggert arrived in Hamilton county, at which time his 
financial resources consisted of but eighty dollars. He was ambitious and energetic, 
however, and renting land he began farming. He continued to cultivate these 
lands until 1885 when he purchased eighty acres for which he paid twelve hundred 
dollars, buying the property partly on time. He had to improve the farm and 
erected thereon a little dwelling. This constituted the beginning of the success 
which has since crowned his labors and which has made him one of the progressive 
farmers of this section of the state. His methods were at once practical and progres- 
sive and year by year he cultivated the fields, gathering good harvests and adding to 
his financial resources until he was able to acquire three hundred and sixty acres of 
land which he still owns, constituting a valuable property that returns to him 
a gratifying annual income. The intervening years have been a period of earnest 
and unremitting labor and his diligence and energy have been the foundation 
upon which he has biiilded his success. 

In 1883 Mr. Eggert was married to Miss Lizzie Baker, a native of Hancock 
county, Illinois, and a daughter of Thomas H. and Jane (Byland) Baker, both 
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Illinois September 30, 
1853, and continued to reside in this state until 1879, when they removed to 
Hamilton county. Here the father rented land the first year and then purchased 
a farm, occupying and cultivating that place until the death of his wife in 1898. 
He passed away at the home of his son at Alma, Nebraska, in 1906. The family 
of Mr. and Mrs. Baker numbers seven children, five of whom are living, namely: 
Leroy J. Baker, a carpenter, residing at Kansas City, Kansas ; George G., a retired 
farmer of Alma ; Theodore, who carries on farming at Alma ; Mrs. Eggert ; and 
Mrs. C. T. Holliday, who is living on a farm near Aurora. 

Mr. and Mrs. Eggert have become parents of three children of whom two 
survive, Charles Theodore having died in October, 1920, at the age of thirty-six 
years. The surviving son. Merle H., is cashier of the Hanson State Bank at Hanson, 



384 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Nebraska; and Minnie Viola is the wife of C. R. Garrett of this count}'. Mrs. Eggert 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, loyally following its teachings. 
In polities Mr. Eggert maintains an independent course, voting for men and 
measures rather than parties. In 1916 he removed to Aiinira, where he purchased 
a nice home at No. 711 N street. While on the fai-iii he had HvimI a life of intense 
and well directed activity and in addition to tilling the fields had successfully 
engaged in feeding stock in the winter seasons for a number of years. He is now 
enjoying a well earned rest and in 1915 he and his wife and daughter went to 
California, where they spent the winter. His business activities are confined only 
to the supervision of his farming and investment interests and by reason of the 
diligent life he has led he is numbered among the men of affluence in Hamilton 
county. 



JOHN) MILLIKEN 



John Milliken had almost reached the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey 
when he was called to his final rest. He was born in County Dowii, Ireland, 
December 28, 1840, and was there reared and educated. The opportunities of 
the new world, however, attracted him and about 1863 he came to America, settling 
in Pennsylvania. 

It was in January, 1865, that Mr. Milliken was united in marriage to Miss 
Jane Wilson, also a native of the Emerald isle and they began their domestic 
life in the Keystone state where they continued to reside until the death of Mrs. 
Milliken. They were the parents of five children but all have now passed away. 
In 1877 Mr. Milliken returned to his native country and was there married on 
the 4th of May of that year to Miss Eliza Gray, a daughter of William and Eliza 
Jane (Anderson) Gray, both of whom had died when Mrs. Milliken was but four 
years of age. To this union were born seven cliildren, three of whom are living: 
James, who carries on farming in Idaho; Thomas, a resident farmer of Aurora, 
Nebraska; Elizabeth, the wife of E. Slattery of Dallas, Texas. 

It was soon after his second marriage that Mr. Milliken returned with his bride 
to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania, but in the same year removed 
to Illinois. Later, however, he returned td the Keystone state where he remained 
for two years and during that period cundiicted a store and hotel, winning a very 
substantial measure of success in his business there. He then removed to Hamilton 
county, Nebraska,- in 1882 and purchased a half section of land, while later he 
purchased one hundred and sixty acres additional and subsequently another fourth 
section, while his next purchase was two hundred and forty acres. He owned all 
of this property at the time of his death, amounting to eight hundred and eighty 
acres. For a considerable period he had actively engaged in farming in this county 
but in 1905 removed with his family to Aurora and rented his farms, retiring 
from active business. His course is one which should serve to inspire and en- 
courage others, showing what can be accomplished through individual eilort, for 
when he arrived in the United States in 1863 he was the possessor of but two 
dollars and fifty cents and this sum he sent back to Ireland by some friends. 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 385 

He began working in a brickj'ard, afterward was employed as a day laborer and 
scorned n£ work that would yield him an honest dollar. Step by step he progressed 
and as the years went by he won a place among the prosperous farmers of Hamilton 
county and was one of the most extensive land owners of this section of the state at 
the time of his demise. 

In his political views Mr. Milliken was a republican and at all times kept well 
informed on the questions and issues of the day, but did not seek nor desire public 
office. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and passed away in that faith 
to which he had ever been loyal. He possessed many sterling traits of character, 
not the least of which was his thorough reliability in business and his loyalty in 
citizenship. His genuine worth was recognized by all with whom he came into 
contact and he was classed with those men whom to know is to esteem and honor. 



FKANK HANSON 



On the 20th of February, 1882, the late Frank Hanson arrived with his wife 
and two children at Aurora, the judicial center of Hamilton county, and as soon 
as possible thereafter he established himself on a rented farm, three miles north- 
east of the county seat. His equipment consisted of two good teams of horses 
and one or two cows and a small shanty sufficed to afford accommodations for 
the family in the early days, the supply of household effects being none too ample 
for even this modest dwelling. Mr. Hanson met many obstacles and difficulties 
in the earlier period of his residence in the county, but bravely and with unabated 
self-reliance he carried forward his work until he was able to make his first pur- 
chase of land and begin farming on the same. He met with losses through drought, 
grasshoppers and prairie fires, one such fire having approached within a short 
distance of his granary before he was able to extinguish it. About two years 
after his arrival in Hamilton county Mr. Hanson purchased eighty acres of rail- 
road land for five dollars per acre and to this he later added an adjoining tract 
of one hundred and sixty acres. This entire property he finally sold at the rate 
of thirty-one dollars and twenty-five cents per acre and then continued his pro- 
gressive movement by purchasing the old ranch of Martin Hannawald, for twenty 
dollars per acre, this place having had an area of five hundred and sixty acres. With 
increasing resources he later purchased of Ora Scott a place of eighty acres, some- 
what to the north of his residence farm and finally bought of Swan Youngquist 
the latter's farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Monroe township. Thus 
cumulative success attended his earnest labors and he became one of the substantial 
and honored exponents of the agricultural and live stock industry in Hamilton 
county, where he was the owner at the time of his death of a valuable landed estate 
of seven hundred and twenty acres, this having since been divided into smaller 
farm properties. Mr. Hanson was for several years a member of the school board 
of his district and was an earnest communicant of the Swedish Lutheran church. 
He was sixty-eight years of age at the time of passing away on the 2d of January, 
1914, his first wife having preceded him on the 8th of February, 1903, a devout 
communicant of the Lutheran church. Six children survive these honored pioneer 



386 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUXTIES 

parents and all remain residents of Hamilton county, namely: William, Alfred, 
Charles, Lydia, Oscar and Peter. William, eldest of the sons, married Miss Tillie 
Norsen, whose father is a clergyman of the Lutheran church; Alfred, the second 
son, is still a bachelor; Charles married Miss Emma Swedburg; Lydia is the wife 
of Carl Lorentz; Oscar married Miss Cora Taylor; and Peter married Miss Hazel 
Lonsberry, , whose paternal grandfather was the pioneer shoemaker at Aurora, 
Hamilton county. 

Mr. Hanson was a n.ative of Sweden and was an ambitious young man when he 
came to the United States and became identified with farm work near Princeton, 
Illinois, in which state was solemnized his marriage to his first wife, who shared 
with him in the trials and hardships of pioneer life in Nebraska. After her death 
Mr. Hanson married Miss Bettie Pearson, of Omaha, in 1904, and she now maintains 
her home at Aurora, the county seat of Hamilton county. Xo children were born 
of this second marriage. 



FEANK C. MILLER 



Frank C. Miller, who since 1919 has been manager for the Farmers Truck 
& Tractor Company at Aurora, was born in Bhukhawk county, Iowa, Xovember 
21, 1880, his parents being W. A. and Nora A. (Will) Miller, both of whom are 
natives of Pennsylvania but in early life became residents of Iowa, where the father 
eventually took up and followed the occupation of farming. In 1888 he left that 
state to become a resident of York county, Nebraska, where he purchased land 
which he cultivated for a time and then sold, removing to Hamilton county. Here 
he again made investment in land, upon which he resided until 1919, when he 
removed to Aurora and retired from active business. He is still a resident of this 
city and he and his wife are highly esteemed in the community in which they make 
their home. They hold membership in the Christian church and Mr. Miller also 
belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being loyal to the teachings 
and purposes of both organizations. His political endorsement is given to the repub- 
lican party, but honors and emoluments of office have never had attraction for him. 
To him and his wife have been born two children, the younger being a daughter, 
Mabel, who is now the wife of 0. C. Wingard, a resident farmer of Hamilton 
county. 

Frank C. Miller was educated in the country schools of York county and in 
his youthful days had thorough experience in farm work but afterward learned the 
machinist's trade in York and for a number of years was a traction engineer. His 
broad experience in that direction well qualified him for the work which lie un- 
dertook when in 1919 he accepted the management of the Farmers Truck & Tractor 
Company. He has thoroughly studied the question of tractors and their practical 
value to the farmer and is now devoting his entire attention to the business. 

In 1900 Mr. Miller was married to Miss Maggie Keller, who was born near 
Council Bluffs, Iowa, and they have become parents of three children : Gladys, the 
wife of L. M. Brown, a railroad man of Aurora; Glenn, at home; and Fern, who is 
in school. Mrs. Miller and her children are members of the Christian church and 
Mr. Miller is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 387 

Ancifut Order of United Workmen. He casts liis ballot without regard to party 
ties l>ut is never remiss in the duties of citizenship, supporting all those projects 
and measures which he deems of value in the public welfare. 



WILLIAM T. EOXAX 



Business ability and energy have brought William T. Eonau to the place which 
he now occupies as one of the substantial citizens and men of affluence in Aurora. 
Through the steps of an orderly progression he has worked his way steadily upward 
and for many years was actively engaged in farming, thereby winning the pros- 
perity that now enables him to rest from further labor. Born in Sutton, Canada, 
November 2, 1859, he is a son of Thomas and Mary (Perry) Eonan, both of whom 
were natives of Ireland but in early life crossed the Atlantic to Canada, where they 
were married. The father was a shoemaker by trade and after his removal to Chicago 
in 1867 there followed his trade for a number of years. Later he went to De Kalb, 
Illinois, where both' he and his wife passed away. Of their family the following 
children are living: Eichard, who works for the American Steel Company at De 
Kalb, Illinois; William T. ; John J., a resident of Dean, Nebraska; Frank, a 
Chicago painting and decorating contractor; James, of Elgin, Illinois, who is a 
painting contractor; Theodore, who is engaged in the same line of business at 
Elgin, Illinois; Mary, the wife of Francis Lyon, residing in Montana; Maggie, 
the wife of Eobert C. Davy, of De Kalb, Illinois; and Eachel, the widow of Charles 
Weston and a resident of De Kalb. The father was a member of the Catholic 
church, while the mother was of the Presbyterian faith. His political endorse- 
ment was given to the democratic party but he was never an aspirant for office. 
The success which he achieved caused him to be ranked with the self-made men, 
for he started out empty-handed and ere his demise had accumulated a considerable 
competence. 

William T. Eonan was educated in the schools of Chicago and De Kalb and 
wlien quite young began to earn his living by work as a farm hand. He was also 
employed for eight or nine years in the barbed wire factory of De Kalb, Illinois, 
now the American Steel Company, and during the last two years of his residence 
in that state he engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm. In the spring of 
1887 he arrived in Hamilton county and purchased Iwo hundred and forty acres 
at twenty-five dollars per acre, after which he gave his attention to general agri- 
cultural pursuits for more than a quarter of a century or until 1913 when he sold 
eighty acres of his land, retaining the balance. lie then took up his abode in 
Aurora, where he purchased a house and some lots and is now occupying a new 
and attractive home at Eleventh and J streets. 

On Christmas day of 1883 Mr. Eonan wedded Emma Lyon, a native of De 
Kalb. Illinois, and a sister of Mrs. Ella Lysinger. She passed away in June, 1916, 
leaving four children: Ethel, the wife of George H. Houser, a music teacher in 
the jmblic schools of Aurora; William E., a resident of Aurora; Ross I., who is 
em]il<iyed by the Burlington Eailroad Company at Aurora; and Percy E., of 
Kearney, who works for the Electric Light and Power Company. The wife and 



388 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

mother was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and was highly es- 
teemed by all who knew her. On the 22d of January, 1918, Mr. Ronan was again 
married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary E. Cain, widow of J. B. Cain, 
who was born in Pike county, Illinois, a daughter of John and Isabelle (Douglas) 
Potter, the former born in Pike county, while the latter was born in Scotland. 
Her father was a farmer of Illinois for a number of years and in 1882 came to 
Nebraska, at which time he purchased land in Hamilton county where he made 
his home until his death. Mr. Potter passed away November 19, 1920, at the 
venerable age of seventy-nine. He was a democrat in his political views and both 
he and his wife were members of the United Brethren church. They had two 
children: William D., who is upon a farm near Aurora; and Mrs. Ronan. The 
latter was first married to John D. Cain, who was a prominent citizen of Aurora 
and who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, where his parents resided until he 
was ten years of age. His father served in the One Hundred and Sixty-first 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and lost his eyesight as the result 
of his military experience. John B. Cain, by reason of his father's affliction, had 
to assume the entire support of the family. He came to Hamilton county in 1882 
and took charge of his father's homestead claim, whereon his father passed away. 
Mr. Cain served as county commissioner of Hamilton county and was also a 
member of the state legislature. He was interested in everything that pertained 
to the progress and prosperity of the community and the commonwealth and his 
aid was given to many measures for the general good. To him and his wife was 
born a daughter. Marietta, who is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Ronan. Mr. 
Ronan's sons, Ross I. and William E., joined Company H, the first company of 
Nebraska troops, and were trained at Deming, New Mexico, where they remained 
for a year and then went overseas, continuing in France from October until the 
spring of 1919. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Ronan are consistent Christian people, the former belonging 
to the Presbyterian church and the latter to the United Brethren church. He is 
also a Mason, having membership in lodge, chapter and council, and has filled all 
of the chairs in the lodge save that of master. Politically he is a democrat and has 
filled the office of chief of police in Aurora. He is now retired from all kinds 
of business, his success being made possible through his former industry and 
perseverance, his persistent labor and sound judgment bringing him a very gratify- 
ing measure of success. 



MARTIN W. JAMES 



Martin W. James, living in Aurora, has in recent years put aside the active 
duties of farm life and he and his wife now occupy an attractive home at 1219 
Sixth street, where they are most pleasantly situated. Mr. James is one of the 
substantial citizens Ohio has furnished to Hamilton county. His birth occurred in 
Columbiana county, Ohio, January 5, 1845, his parents being John and Elizabeth 
Ann (Queen) James, who were also natives of the Buckeye state, where they 
resided until removing to Knox county, Illinois, where they settled at an early period 




ME. AND MRS. MARTIX \V. JAMES 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 391 

in the development of that section of the country. The father followed farming 
there during the greater part of his life but worked as' a switchman on the railroad 
during his last year on earth. He gave his early political support to the whig party 
but upon its dissolution joined the ranks of the new republican party and both 
he and his wife were members of the Christian church. 

Martin W. James is the only surviving member in their family of five children. 
His educational opportunities were those afforded by the public school system of 
Kno.x county, Illinois, and in the spring of 1865, when about twenty years of age, 
he entered military service and remained with the Union army until honorably 
discharged the following fall. He was on duty in Mississippi, Tennessee and 
Alabama. After the war he supplemented his early education by a term's study 
in Abingdon, Illinois. 

The following year, or on the 22d of February, 1866, Mr. James was married 
to Miss Martha A. Brown, who was born in Franklin county, Indiana, a daughter of 
Henry and Aniariah (Springsteel) Brown, both of whom were natives of Hamilton 
county, Ohio, and in early life became residents of Indiana, where they were reared 
and married. They afterward removed to Illinois and in that state the mother 
passed away in 1858. Th6 father long survived her, his death occurring in Nebraska 
in ,1901. Mr. and Mrs. James have become the parents of three children, but only 
one is living, Charles D., who is a farmer residing near Ericson, Nebraska. Mr. 
and Mrs. James have a grandson, Leslie James Alter, who was in the World war, 
serving as sergeant of Company M, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Infantry, 
Thirty-second Division. He was in France for one year and seven months and 
was badly wounded in the battle of Chateau Thierry, that important engagement 
which first turned the tide of battle and caused the German hordes to turn their 
faces toward their own country, toward which thej' were forced to continue their 
march until driven across the Rhine. Leslie James Alter was also at the peace 
commission from December until July, 1919, attending to military messenger 
service. His grandparents reared the boy, his mother having died when he was but 
thirteen months old. 

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. James continued residents of Kno.x 
county, Illinois, then moved to Iowa where they lived for fourteen years and 
in 1884 they came to Hamilton county and Mr. James purchased two hundred 
acres of land on wliich was a sod house, a granary and a stable. With characteristic 
energy he began the further development and improvement of the property and 
soon brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. He continued to reside 
upon that farm for nineteen years and annually gathered good crops as the reward 
of the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. He then sold his original 
place and purchased two hundred and sixty acres of land near Marquette, on which 
he lived for three years. At the end of that time he disposed of his second farm 
and in 1906 removed to Aurora. For a few years he continued to trade in land 
to some extent but has now retired altogether from business and he and his wife 
occupy a pleasant home at 1219 Sixth street. He was the possessor of four thousand 
dollars when he came to the county and was considered well off for those days. 
During his first season in Hamilton County he lost his crop by reason of a hail 
storm, but though at times difficulties and obstacles barred his path he nevertheless 
persevered and in the course of years won a substantial competence and desirable 



393 . HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUXTIES 

success. Both Mr. and Mrs. James are meniljers of tlie Christian church and he 
belongs also to the Grand Army of the Republic, having served as commander of 
the local post, while his wife is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. Mr. James 
is a republican in his political views, having always stood loyally by that party 
which was the defense of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war and has 
always been the party of reform and progress. Mr. James and his wife celebrated 
their golden wcddinrj on February 22, 101(5. 



D. W. DULAKill. 1). I). S. 

Since 1003 Dr. D. W. Dulaigh has been i)rominent in dental circles of Sutton 
and Clay county. A native sou of Nebraska, he was born in Dorchester, October 7, 
1875, his parents being B. F. and Sarah (Denton) Dulaigh, the former a native 
of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. Their marriage was celebrated in Illinois, 
where both had come as young people and there the father engaged in teaching 
school for a number of years. In 1874, however, they came to Nebraska and bought 
a homestead right. The father set about to improve the farm and as a result of his 
diligence and grim determination brought the land up to a high state of cultivation. 
For some time Mr. and Mrs. Dulaigh resided on the homestead and then retired 
from active farm life and removed to Dorchester, where they are still residing. Five 
children have been born to them, four of whom are living: Nora, who is the wife 
of William Baker, a farmer of Elm Creek ; Cora, who is now Mrs. A. J. Britton and 
resides in Loveland, Colorado, where her husband is prominent in hardware circles: 
Ella, who is a widow and makes her home in Lincoln ; and Dr. D. W., whose name 
initiates this review. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dulaigh are members of the United 
Brethren church and they are strong prohibitionists. Upon the outbreak of the 
Civil war Mr. Dulaigh was too young to enter active service but he drove a team 
throughout the period of the conflict, hauling supplies and other materials. He 
has been a very successful man and is still in possession of his original homestead. 

Dr. D. W. Dulaigh received his education in the Dorchester schools and after 
teaching school for three years and deciding upon the dental profession as his life 
work, entered the dental department of the State University at Omaha, from which 
institution he was graduated with his degree in 1903. In that year he opened an 
office in Sutton and now has the distinction of being the oldest practicing dentist 
in Clay county. Every minute of his time is taken up by the demands of his pro- 
fession and he has all the patronage he can ably manage. 

In 1908 Dr. Dulaigh was united in marriage to Miss Frances Kleinschmidt, 
a native of Sutton and a daughter of August Kleinschmidt, a pioneer of Clay county. 
Dr. and Mrs. Dulaigh became parents of one child : Dwight Francis, tour years 
of age. The death of Mrs. Dulaigh occurred on the 24th of December. 1920, and 
was an occasion of deep grief to her family and many friends. 

In his political views Dr. Dulaigh is a stanch republican and is now serving 
on the city council. His religious faith is tllat of the Methodist I^piscopal church 
and fraternally he is a Mason. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Shriner and has 
obtained the tliirtv-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is master of Evening 



HAMILTOX AXD (LAY COUNTIES 393 

Star Lodge, No. 49. Dr. Dulaigli also liolds membership in the Independent Order 
of Odd Eellows an* is past noble grand of that lodge. Although the greater part 
of his time is devoted to his dental practice he buys and sells real estate as a side 
line and is in the possession of a splendid farm in Wyoming. 



ALBERT J. MOGER 



Albert J. Moger, now deceased, was for many years engaged in the implement 
business at Harvard. He was born in La Grange conntj', Indiana, April 3, 1851, 
and died on the 29th of July, 1920. His parents were Edward J. and Emaline A. 
(Buck) Moger, both natives of New York state. The grandfather of our subject 
was Jordan Moger and his wife was Phoebe Lyon, both of them being natives of 
Westchester county, New Yoi-k. After their marriage the gran(l|iai-ciits removed 
to New York city, where the grandfather became a member of the puliie furee. He 
died there in 1829. Edward J. Moger was left an orphan at the age of twelve years 
and inherited forty acres of land in La Grange county, Indiana, which he com- 
menced farming on his own account when reaching man's estate. He also became 
efficient in harness making and worked at that trade for a number of years. In 
1848 Edward Moger was married and soon afterward left Indiana and located in 
Illinois, near Princeton, where he engaged in farming and worked at his trade. He 
was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in 1862 in the Union army, as a 
member of Company B, Ninety-third Illinois Infantry. He was taken ill at Camp 
Douglas, returned home and there remained until the 12th of December, when he 
again joined his regiment at Memphis, Tennessee. He was first in the quarter- 
master's department and later in the post office department, his sickness having 
incapacitated him for active military duty. On the 5th of July, 1865, he received 
his discharge at Detroit, Michigan, and returned to Illinois, where he accepted a 
clerksliip in a general store, remaining in that connection until 1871. In the 
spring of that year Mr. Moger came to Clay county and took up a homestead of 
one hundred and sixty acres in Harvard township. During his first years on the 
homestead he passed through many hardships but being a man of strong determina- 
tion and energj' he allowed no obstacles to remain long in his path and as a result 
soon had his land in a high state of cultivation. He erected many outlniildings on 
the land, the improvements being above the average, and he became one of the 
leading and representative agriculturists of the county. From 1877 to 1890 he 
engaged in the practice of law with Judge John D. Hays, having offices at Harvard, 
but at the end of that time resumed his farming. He was one of the organizers of 
Clay county in 1871 and obtained the charter from the governor. In 1848 Edward 
Moger was united in marriage to Miss Emaline A. Buck, a daughter of Enoch and 
Betsy (Pittgrove) Buck, natives of New York state. They became the parents of 
six children : Albert J., whose name initiates this review; Phoebe E., who was born 
on the 31,st of July, 1853; Walter E., born May 14, 1858; W. H., whose birth 
occurred on the 1st of March, 1860, and who died on the 1st of December, that 
same year; Mary 0.. whose natal day was November 17, 1861; and Edward, born 
April 15, 1866. After the death of his first wife Mr. Moger wedded Mrs. MeCor- 



394 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

mick, a widow. As a veteran of the Civil war Mr. Moger belonged to the Grand 
Army of the Republic and was active in the affairs of his local. post. Both he and 
his wife were consistent members of the Congregational church. His death, which 
occurred May 7, 1896, came as a severe shock to the community in which he had so 
long resided and his passing took from Clay county another pioneer and repre- 
sentative citizen. A few years prior to his death Edward Moger had lived retired 
in Inland. 

Albert Jordan Moger received his education in the schools of Dover, Illinois, and 
in 1871 came to Clay county with his parents. For many years he engaged in the 
implement business at Harvard and demonstrated his ability along that line by 
achieving more than a substantial amount of success. 

In 1881 Mr. Moger was married to Miss Luella Kennedy, a native of McHenry 
county, Illinois, and a daughter of Andrew and Laura (Bostwick) Kennedy, both 
natives of Buffalo, who removed to Illinois at an early day. They both passed 
away in that state. Her father had resided in Harland county, Nebraska, for some 
years on a homestead, but subsequently disposed of it and returned to Illinois. To 
the union of Mr. and Mrs. Moger four children were born: Emily Viola, who 
married Louis Mark and lives at Eavenna, where her husband is a railroad engineer 
and they have two sons, Edward and Dorr; Florence Olive, who is the wife of 
Harley Warner, a farmer of Clay county, and they have four children: Clayton, 
Edgar, Mary Lou Olive, and Wayne; Charles Jordan, farmer and the father of 
two daughters: Mildred May and Wilma; and Samuel Wayne, district county court 
clerk. Wayne served in the World war, having enlisted in the navy and serving 
throughout the entire conflict. He was the first Harvard boy to enter the navy and 
was presented with a handsome wrist watch by his fellow citizens of Harvard. 

Throughout his life Mr. Moger was a stanch supporter of the republican party 
and of the principles for which it stands. At the time of Ms death he was clerk 
of the district court and his son, Samuel Wayne, succeeded him. His religious 
faith was that of the Congregational church, which organization he served as deacon 
for many years and his fraternal affiliations were with the Woodmen. He was 
always active in the development and improvement of the community and any 
movement for the furtherance of the general welfare was assured his undivided 
support. He was a stanch advocate of education and to that end served as presi- 
dent of tiie school board for five years. Mr. Moger was a man of great intellect 
and spent the greater part of his spare time in reading good books. His course was 
in accord with that of an honored and honorable ancestry and during his active 
and useful life he made wise use of his time, talents and opportunities. 



ORSON SHAW 



In section 29, Hamilton township, is the excellent farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres which belongs to Orson Shaw, who is known as a successful agriculturist 
and sheep raiser and who has been a resident of Hamilton county since he was 
fourteen years of age. He is associated with his brother, Albert, in the ownership 



HAMILTON AXD CLAY COUXTIES 395 

of the farm which is his phice of resilience and is the old liomestead obtained 
by his father in the autumn of 1886. 

Orson Shaw- was born in Lake county, Indiana, on the 3d of April, 1872, and 
is a son of Lemiah and Emeline (Davis) Shaw, who left the old Hoosier state 
and became pioneer settlers in Hamilton county, Nebraska, in the fall of 1886. 
Here the father purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres that is now the 
home of the subject of this sketch, and with the aid of the sons the place was 
reclaimed and developed into one of the valuable farms of Hamilton township, 
its buildings and other permanent improvements being of modern type. The 
father passed the closing period of his life in the village of Giltner, this county, 
where he died on the 15th of January, 1909, and where his widow passed away in 
November, 1918. 

In the public schools of Indiana Orson Shaw gained his earlier education, which 
was supplemented by his attendance at the district schools after the family home 
had been established on the pioneer farm in Hamilton county, Nebraska. Here 
he gained at first hand a full experience in connection with development work 
and other activities on the home farm, and he was well qualified to assume, in 
1893, the general management of the place which has continued to be the scene of 
his well ordered and successful enterprise as an agriculturist and stock raiser. 

The year 1893 recorded the marriage of Mr. Shaw to Miss Ethel M. Salter, 
and they have five children: Nettie E., Hazel M., George C, Elton L. and Max. 
Mr. Shaw is independent in politics and supports men and measures rather than 
party and he is aiBliated with the Masonic fraternity. He has prospered with 
Hamilton county and is one of its loyal and appreciative citizens. Mr. Shaw had 
the distinction of being a passenger on the first passenger train to enter the present 
village of Giltner. 



JOHN BRENNEMAN 



. John Breuneman, who has devoted practically all of his active life to farming, is 
now living 'retired in Harvard, where he moved in 1917. A native of Ohio, he was 
born July 16, 1848, a son of Martin and Mary (Garman) Brenneman, both natives 
of Pennsylvania. His parents removed to Ohio at an early day where they met 
and were married, soon after that event going to Illinois where they arrived in 1856. 
The father engaged in farming there, owning some fine land and passed away at 
the advanced age of ninety-five years. Mrs. Brenneman died at the age of seventy- 
six. Mr. Brenneman was twice married and was the father of eight children, seven 
of whom are living : Mary, who is the wife of James Lewis, a retired farmer resid- 
ing in Kansas; John, whose name initiates this review; George, who is retired at 
the age of seventy years and is residing in Cliillicothe, Missouri; Martin, sixty-six 
years of age, who is residing in Hastings; Margaret, who is the wife of L. H. Kauf- 
man, a retired farmer; Hattie, the widow of William Stockham, and a resident of 
Aurora; and Daniel, aged fifty-one years and a resident of Princeton, Illinois. 
Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman were consistent members of the Lutheran church and he 
was a stanch democrat. He was active in all movements for the development and 
improvement of the community and for some time was road overseer in Illinois. 



396 HAMILTOX AND CLAY COT^XTTES 

John Brenneman is indebted to tlie connnon fehools of Illinois for his education 
and after putting his textbooks aside he began farming with his father. In June, 
1884, however, he came to Nebraska, located in Clay county and purchased a 
quarter section of tine land. His family did not come out with him but he sent 
for them in October of that year. He brought the land to a highly cultivated state 
and was soon acknowledged a leading and successful farmer in the county. He 
resided on the farm until 1917 when he removed to Harvard and retired. 

In 1874 occurred the marriage of Mr. Brenneman and Miss Emily Louise 
Rogers, who was born in Davenport, England, on the 7th of January, 1855. Her 
parents were John and Emma Louise (Collins) Eogers. After coming to the 
United States Mr. and Mrs. Rogers settled in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1856, where the 
father rented land on which he lived until his death. Xine children were born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, five of whom are living: Mrs. Brenneman; Robert, of Iowa 
City, Iowa; Will, a farmer of Iowa; Hattie Douglas, of Lyons, Colorado; and Mary 
Douglas, who lives in Iowa. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman nine chil- 
dren have been born: Harry P., who works for the Standard Oil Company at 
Harvard; Daniel Robert, who is working on the railroad at Deadwood, South 
Dakota; Bertha, who is the wife of Robert H. Hafeloh, a farmer of Clay county; 
Charles W., who is engaged in farming northeast of Harvard; Florence Hafeloh, 
who is living on a farm in Clay county ; Arthur, residing on his father's farm ; 
Roy, farming in Clay county; Myrtle, who is the wiie of Ira D. Kershnier of 
Wyoming; and Irvin. Irvin entered the navy in 1917 and was in active service for 
two years. He made trips to Cuba and through the Panama Canal to California. 
He is now making his home with his parents and is an employe of the Lincoln 
Telephone Company. Ira Kershnier was also in active service, having been in 
France and Germany for a period of two years. Mr. Kershnier is the owner of a 
six hundred and forty acre homestead in Wyoming and is one of the leading 
ranchmen of his community. 

Mr. Brenneman follows an independent course in politics and his wife is a 
consistent member of the Baptist church. Following for many years agricultural 
pursuits he labored hard and faithfully and is well entitled to the rest from hard 
work which he is now enjoying. He is widely known throughout the community 
and is greatly respected by all who are accjuainted with him. 



WILLIAM P. GRIESS 



William P. Griess, a well known lumberman of Sutton, was born on a farm in 
Clay county, March 23, 1878. His education was completed in the high school of 
Sutton and he started out to provide for his own support as a clerk in the employ 
of L. H. Schaaf, with whom he continued for seven and a half years. In 1901 he 
embarked in business on his own account by establishing a general store, including 
a line of hardware. He continued in that business until July 1, 1913, when he 
disposed of his stock and went to Lewis, Iowa, where he conducted a store for his 
brother-in-law for eight months. In May, 1914, he returned to Sutton. Here on 
the 22(1 of January, 1915, he purchased the clothing store of Rath & Fleming, which 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 397 

lie conductuil from 1915 until 1920, when he disposed of the store to M. E. Flciuiii.L;. 
Mr. (iriess then took over his father's coal business, which he conducted for two 
years, and on the 1st of July, 1919, he and his brother Albert bought out the 
Sutton Lumber Company. He now conducts a general lumber-yard and also han- 
dles coal and has developed the business to gratifying proportions. 

On the 6th of December, 1900, Mr. Griess was married to Miss Wilhelmina 
Nuss, a native of Russia and a daughter of Fred Nuss, who came to Clay county in 
187,5. Here he purchased land, which he cultivated throughout his remaining days, 
his death occurring on the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Griess have become parents 
of three children : Eudolph K., Hubert W. and Talitha Sophia, all now in school. 
The parents are members of the First Eeformed church and in polities Mr. Griess 
is a democrat but has never been an aspirant for office, devoting his entire attention 
to the lumber business, which he has carefully and wisely managed and which is 
bringing to him a substantial return. 



JOHN H. ALLBEE 



John H. Allbee, an honored veteran of the Civil war and for many years promi- 
nent in the agricultural circles of Clay and Nuckolls county, is now living retired in 
Harvard, enjoying the rewards of a life spent in diligence and industry. A native of 
Maine, he was born in Somerset county on the 13th of April, 1845, a son of 
Henry P. and Louisa (Hutchins) Allbee. both natives of that state. The grand- 
parents of John H. Allbee were John and Betsy (Rhines) Allbee, natives of Maine, 
where they lived all their lives and his grandfather was a veteran of the War of 
1812. Henry P. Allbee went to Illinois in 1848, where he rented land and engaged 
in farming until his death. His widow then came to Nebraska and made her home 
with a son at Fairfield until her demise. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Allbee, John H. being the third in order of birth and the only one living. Both 
were consistent members of the Free Will Baptist church and the father gave his 
political allegiance to the republican party. 

John H. Allbee received his education in Livingston county, Illinois, and 
entered the Union army from the eighth grade. He joined Company M, First 
Illinois Light Artillery in 1864 and participated in many of the great battles of 
that conflict. He was in active service from the battle of Kenesaw Mountain to the 
Atlanta campaign, after which his battery was sent to Cleveland, Tennessee. 
Mr. Allbee has a complete history of his company in book form that is very 
interesting. After the close of the conflict he returned to Illinois and engaged in 
farming there until 1874, when he came to Clay county. He purchased a quarter 
section of railroad land and later bought a homestead right. He improved the 
land, bought a tree claim, later selling both and in 1891 moved to Nuckolls county. 
For four years he farmed there and then returned to Clay county, where he resided 
on rented land until he removed to Harvard in 1900. For some time Mr. Allbee 
followed the carpenter's trade, also painting, but lie is now retired from any kind 
of business life. 

On the 6tli of March, 1869, occurred the marriage of :\rr. .Vllliee and Miss Celia 



398 HAMILTOX AXD CLAY COUNTIES 

Thatcher, a native of La Salle county, Illinois, where her birth occurred in August, 
1846. Her parents were Enos and Charlotte (Torrey) Thatcher, both natives of 
Pennsylvania, who removed to Illinois in the early '30s. The death of the father 
occurred in Illinois but the mother passed away in Nebraska. Two children were 
born to that union : George W., who is in the employ of the Grand Army of the 
Republic at Great. Bend, Kansas; and Mrs. AUbee. Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher were 
consistent members of the Congregational church and active in the interests of the 
community. Mr. and Mrs. AUbee have become parents of six children, five of 
whom are living: George Eay, who is janitor of the schoolhouse at Harvard, is 
married and has a son, Ernest, who was in active service in the World war for 
nineteen months; Marcia May, who is the wife of Willis Jones, a carpenter of 
Bethany, Nebraska; Emma Euth, who taught school for twelve years in Clay 
county and is now the wife of Oscar Warp, who was county superintendent of 
Kearney county for some time but is now residing at Menden ; Lena Gertrude, who 
is the wife of Harry Strine, a farmer of Clay county; and Yerdie Agnes, the wife 
of Leighton C. Newcomb who is the owner of a large fruit ranch at Santa Cruz. 
Mr. AUbee is a strong prohibitionist, was one of the first in the state and is a 
consistent member of the Christian church. He has been elder of that church for 
years and for fifty years has been a teacher in the Sunday school. He is one of the 
valued citizens of the town and is popular in all circles in which he moves. 



THOMAS D. SHAW 



Since 1870 Thomas D. Shaw has been identified with the farming interests 
of Clay county. He was born in Hancock county, Ohio, February 22, 1845, a 
son of Lewis and Marguerite (Downing) Shaw, the former a well known and 
.successful farmer. 

When a .small boy Thomas D. Shaw removed to Illinois with his parents 
and received his education in the country schools of that state, walking a disg 
tance of four miles to school. He attended school only three months out of 
the year, spending the remainder of the time assisting his father on the home 
place. When he was twenty-four years of age he left the parental roof and 
for one year worked out on farms for wages of twenty-five dollars per month. 
In 1870 he came to Clay count}', driving through in a covered wagon, and took 
up a homestead. It took one month to make the trip from Illinois to Nebraska, 
and Mr. Shaw endured many hardships on the way. He crossed both the 
Mississippi and Missouri rivers on ferry boats. His homestead consisted of 
one hundred and sixty acres, on which stood only the most primitive of struc- 
tures. Obtaining logs from the Blue river he set about to build a home and had 
the first shingle roof and board floor in Clay county. He dug a well thirteen 
feet deep, but .secured the greater part of his water from the river. Provisions 
had to be brought from Beatrice, at which place most of the trading for that 
section of the country was done, and those trips necessitated several days' 
absence from the homestead. He planted an orchard in 1872, which was killed in 
the blizzard of the following year and he also lost eight head of cattle in that 




MR. AXD .\rRS. THOMAS T), SKA 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES KH 

stonn. This latter misfortune was the result of having no place to house his 
cattle, the bern having been burnt to the ground a few days previous. The 
grasshopper storm of 1874 destroyed forty acres of his corn. There were many 
friendly Indians in the vicinity of the homestead who often stopped at the 
ranch wliile on their hunting trips, and elk and antelopes were numerous. Mr. 
Shaw recalls having seen over one thousand antelopes near his home at one time. 

In 1869 occurred the marriage of Mr. Shaw and Miss Margaret Johnston, 
a native of Pennsylvania, who removed with her parents to Iowa, later to 
Illinois and subsequently to Nebraska with her husband. Three children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaw : Lewis, a farmer of Clay county ; Jennie, the 
wife of Peter Kneu, a retired farmer of Edgar; and James H., at home. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Shaw the right of franchise he has been a 
stanch supporter of the democratic party, in the principles of which he has 
firm belief. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian church. 
Mr. Shaw has always been a stanch advocate of education, helped organize 
district schools and served on tlie board of directors for many years. For some 
time he likewise .served on the county board, being a member of that board when 
the county seat was moved from Sutton to Clay Center. Mr. Shaw has resided 
on his homestead since 1870, with the exception of three years which he spent 
in Nuckolls county. He now owns four hundred and thiry-four acres of val- 
uable farm property with two sets of fine improvements. He has followed farm- 
ing along scientific lines and is recognized as a successful and progressive agri- 
culturist. He is one of the old pioneers of Clay county, having resided there 
for fifty-one years, a representative citizen and one of whom any community 
would be proud. 



EDWIX P. FIELD 

Eduiu P. Field, wlio passed away on the 26th of June, 1908, was a veteran 
of the Civil war and throughout his entire life was thoroughly loyal to his country, 
displaying the same fidelity to public interests in times of peace as he did in days 
of war when he marched with the "boys in blue" on the battle fields of the south. 
He was born in Ontario county. New York, May 7, 1840, and had therefore reached 
the age of sixty-eight years when called to his final rest. He spent his youthful 
days in his native county and pursued his education in the public schools there. 
In young manhood he went to Wisconsin on a visit and at Madison enlisted for 
service in the Union army when twenty-one years of age, remaining for three years 
as a member of Company H, Sixth Wisconsin Infantry. He was wounded in battle 
in Virginia and participated in many of the hotly contested battles of the war. 

When the country no longer needed his military aid Mr. Field returned to 
Wisconsin and on leaving that state removed to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, while in 
1872 he arrived in Hamilton county, Nebraska, to make his future home here. 
He first entered a claim and while developing and improving his property occupied 
a sod house for eight years, after which he replaced this primitive dwelling by a 
frame house. He continued on the homestead until 1880, when he removed to 



402 HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 

Aurora where his remaining days were spent, and where Mrs. Field still makes 
her home. He sold the homestead before locating in the city and in Aurora 
gave his attention to carpenter work and was also foreman on the railroad for a 
time, always leading a busy and useful life. To Mr. and Mrs. Field were bom 
three children, two of whom are living, the elder being Professor P. A. Field 
who was born in 1876 and was graduated from the Aurora high school and the 
Union Theological College, after which he preached for eight years and is now 
principal of an Indian school at Allen, South Dakota. He is married and has two 
children, the daughter, Eose Field, became the wife of A. G. Anderson, o^vIle^ of a 
large ranch in Carbon county, Wyoming, and they now make their home in Love- 
land, Colorado, in order to educate their children who are four in number. Mrs. 
Field in 1918, notwithstanding her advanced age, took up a homestead of three 
hundred and twenty acres in Wyoming and she proved up on the property to which 
she secured title in the spring of 1981. This land is situated in Carbon county. 
Mr. Field was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and his political 
belief was that of the republican party. Mrs. Field calls Aurora her home al- 
though she has spent some time on her Wyoming claim in order to secure title 
thereto. She is a woman of many splendid qualities and of excellent business 
ability and she enjoys in notable measure the warm regard and esteem of all who 
know her. 



MES. CHEISTINA HOEGEEN 

In section 9 of Monroe township, Hamilton county, is found the attractive farm 
home of Mrs. Hoegren, who, with her husband, gained pioneer experience by es- 
tablishing their home in tliis county in the year 1879. Thereafter they were absent 
from the county a number of years, but eventually resumed their residence in 
Hamilton county, where they now own a well improved and valuable farm property 
of three hundred and eighty acres, the house and other buildings on the homestead 
being of modern and attractive order. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hoegren claim Sweden 
as the place of their nativity, the former having been twenty-one years of age 
when he came to the United States and Mrs. Hoegren having crossed the Atlantic 
to this country when thirty-two years of age, in 1871, that year having recorded 
her marriage, which occurred in the city of Chicago, shortly after the historic fire 
that devastated much of the great western metropolis of the present day. In 
Chicago Mr. Hoegren was engaged in the manufacture of glove-fasteners and 
there he and his wife remained until 1879, when they came to Hamilton county, 
X^ebraska, where Aurora, the county seat, was represented by one store and a few 
other buildings. After remaining a few months on a pioneer farm Mr. and Mrs. 
Hoegren established their residence at Aurora, where they remained thirteen years. 
Thereafter they resided for some time in the city of Chicago, but Mrs. Hoegren 
has had much satisfaction in finally resuming her residence on one of the farms of 
Hamilton county, where fine improvements and modem facilities are in distinct 
contrast to tlie little frame shanty in which she lived during the initial period of 
her residence in the county, when settlors were few and far separated from eacli 



HAMILTON AND CLAY COUNTIES 403 

other. Mrs. Hoegren is an earnest communicant of the Lutheran church and she has 
made her pleasant farm home a center of generous hospitality, her sons Oscar 
and Victor being with her on the farm and having the active management of the 
same, while the eldest of the three children is Albert, who resides in the city of 
Chicago. 



CHAELES T. TORGERSON 

Charles T. Torgerson dates his residence in Hamilton county since 1878. He 
arrived here practically empty handed but he had heard the call of the west and 
had resolved to embrace the opportunities here offered. As the years have passed 
on he has not only overcome the difficulties and obstacles incident to pioneer life 
but also those which feature in business, and by reason of his close application, his 
unfaltering purpose and his honorable dealings he has become one of the prosperous 
farmers in this section of the state and is now living retired in Aurora. He was 
born in Wisconsin, June 5, 1853, his parents being Ole and Sarah (Stromme) 
Torgerson, both of whom were natives of Norway and became residents of Wis- 
consin in early life. There was but one log cabin in Madison, Wisconsin, when 
Mr. Torgerson arrived in that state and be was without funds but possessed a stout 
heart and willing hand and these stood him in stead of capital. As the years 
passed he prospered and became the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land 
in the Badger state. Both he and his wife spent their last days in Madison and all 
who knew them bore testimony to their sterling worth of character. They were 
consistent members of the Presbyterian church, guiding their lives at all times 
by its teachings and by the highest moral standard. In politics Mr. Torgerson 
was a republican and his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, 
called him to represent them in the state legislature. He also served at one time 
as warden of the state penitentiary of Wisconsin. To him and his wife were born 
eleven children seven of whom are living: Salina, the widow of Abraham Tweten, 
and a resident of Seattle, Washington ; Charles T. ; Callie, the wife of Mr. Stench- 
land, of Madison, Wisconsin. Louise, also living in Madison; Willie, a retired farmer 
living in Minnesota; Mrs. Tillie Wold, of Madison, Wisconsin; and Mrs. Martha 
Minor, whose home is in California. They are consistent members of the Presby- 
terian church. 

While spending his youthful days under the parental roof Charles T. Torgerson 
attended the district schools near his father's home. He worked in the fields 
through vacation periods and after his textbooks were put aside began farming in 
Wisconsin, where he resided until 1878 and then came to Hamilton county, 
Nebraska. Here he purchased railroad land and school land and began life in this 
state in a little sod house such as was typical of the frontier at that period. He 
had a wife and two children when he reached Hamilton county and his cash capital 
consisted of but twenty dollars. 

It was while residing in Wisconsin that Mr. Torgerson was married in 187.5 
to Miss Jane Gullekson, who was born in Wisconsin, June 16, 1853, a daughter 
of Gullek and Julia (Peterson) Gullekson, both of whom were natives of Norway. 
Her father was but fourteen years of age when he crossed the Atlantic and took 



404 HAMILTO^T AND CLAY COUNTIES 

up his abode in the Badger state, while Mrs. GuUekson was a little maiden of 
eleven summers when making the long voyage across the briny deep. He devoted 
his life to farming and both he and his wife passed away in Wisconsin. Their 
family numbered eleven children eight of whom are living, Mrs. Torgerson being 
the eldest. Both the father and mother were consistent members of the Lutheran 
church and through the long years of their residence in Wisconsin they gained 
the warm regard and high esteem of all who knew them. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Torgerson were born eight children, five of whom survive: 
Mrs. Mary Boyd, who is living on a farm in Hamilton county and who by her 
marriage has become the mother of seven children; 0. Oilman, a farmer residing 
near Giltner, who is married and has five children; George, who also follows farming 
near Giltner and has a wife and four children; Elliott, who is living on the old 
home place and is married and has three children; and Clarence, who is in New 
Mexico. He was drafted for service while attending college in Missouri during 
the World war and was stationed at Camp Funston. Following the war he was 
graduated from Parksville College in Missouri. 

Mr. Torgerson, in 1920, purchased a nice home in Aurora and retired from 
active business. He had become the owner of a half section of valuable and pro- 
ductive land and before retiring sold a portion of this but still owns a quarter 
section. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Degree of Honor, 
while his political endorsement is given to the republican party and in religious 
faith he and his wife are Presbyterians. They are widely known, enjoying the con- 
fidence and goodwill of many friends and Nebraska has found in them valued 
citizens during their long residence in Hamilton county. 



E. C. PURDY 



Since ISS,') Fj. C. Piirdy lias been a citizen of Hamilton county and in this time 
has risen to the foremost ranks in the agricultural and business circles of the 
county. A native of Connecticut his birth occurred in North Greenwich county, 
June 15, 1854, a son of Elias and Esther A. (Clowes) Purdy, the former a native 
of Connecticut and the latter of New York. Elias Purdy was a successful farmer 
and a well known and respected citizen of the community in which he made his 
home. 

E. C. Purdy received his education in the common schools of Illinois, where 
he came in 1867 and he worked on farms in the summer, engaging in teaching 
school during the winter months. He then engaged in farming for himself, rent- 
ing land in that state on which he resided for a period of five years, at the termina- 
tion of which time he came to Nebraska, settling in Hamilton county in 1883. In 
1875 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, at that time being but 
nineteen years of age. for which he paid four dollars an acre and on which he 
built a small frame house, a board stable and otherwise improved. He made his 
Journey to this country by railroad as far as Aurora, bringing with him two 
horses and four cows. His land which was then but a prairie he broke himself, 
with the exception of a number of acres. He cultivated this land for some time 



HAMILTOJT AND CLAY COUNTIES 405 

and then entered the grain elevator business when the Farmers Alliance was 
organized. He then had charge of the grain elevator, engaged for some time 
in the coal business and for seven years was manager of the T. B. Hoard Elevator 
Company at Phillips. In 1011 he retired from active business life and returned 
to the farm. He has planted many shade trees, evergreens and a fine orchard. 
Not only has he been prominent in agricultural and business circles but he served 
his fellow citizens in the capacity of justice of the peace for several years. 

Mr. Purdy has been twice married, his first marriage occurring at Brooklyn, 
New York, when he was wedded to Clara A. Purdy. To this union five children were 
born: Lillian, who died in October, 1918; Eolla, who is residing in Giltner, 
Nebraska; Frank, of Phillips; Hattie, who is the wife of T. J. Baker of Grand 
Island, Nebraska; and Clarence, who is residing in Greeley county, Nebraska. 
Some time after the death of his first wife Mr. Purdy was again wed, this time 
taking as his wife Sadie A. Border and to this union seven children have been born ; 
Charles, who is living in Geneva, Nebraska; Everett, attending college at York; 
Howard, at home ; Myrtle, who is teaching school in the Pleasant Hill district ; 
and Eaymond and Alvin, at home. Eva England died in October, 1918. 

In politics Mr. Purdy is an independent voter, giving his support to the man 
he thinks best fitted for the office, regardless of party principles. He is fraternally 
identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, having been clerk of this lodge 
for years and he and his family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. The history of the northwest is largely familiar to Mr. Purdy, as he has 
been a witness of much of its growth and development and at all times has stood 
for that which is best and most progressive in the business life of the community 
and in the advancement of its moral, intellectual and social interests. 



JAMES W. TURNER 



James W. Turner is numbered among the enterprising business men of Har- 
vard, where he is engaged in blacksmithing. In this connection he has developed a 
good business, his enterprise and reliable methods gaining for him a liberal 
patronage. He was born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, on the 13th of March, 
1857, a son of Hfenry and Marie (Blanchard) Turner, the former a native of 
Genesee county, New York, while the latter was also born in that state. Their 
marriage occurred in Michigan, where both had come as children in 1832, and in 
that state the father engaged in farming, later carpentering an