Skip to main content

Full text of "York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state"

See other formats 


NYPL  RESEARCH  LIBRARIES 


3  3433  08044132  6 


A      r/        /        XC 


YORK  COUNTY 

NEBRASKA 

AND  ITS  PEOPLE 

Together  with  a  Condensed  History  of  the  State 


T.  E.  SEDGWICK 

Supervising  Editor 


A  Record  of  Settlement,  Organization, 
Progress  and  Achievement 


VOL.  II 
ILLUSTRATED 


CHICAGO 

THE  S.  .1.  CLARKE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

1921 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBEARY 


7C72 


f 


ASTOR, LENOX   AND 

TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS 

R  1934  L 


CONTENTS 


0 


CHAPTER  XIII      . 
EDUCATION  IN  YORK  COUNTY 

FIRST  SC1I00I-S  IN  COUNTY — YOIUC  SCHOOL  DISTRICT — YORK  SCHOOL  BOARDS — EARLY 
TEACHERS LATER  SCHOOL  BOARDS — TEACHERS  IN  1921 — YORK  COLLEGE — REV- 
EREND  SCHELL YORK'S   SUPPORT— THE  .  YORK  ACADEMY,    1874 THE    METHODIST 

EPISCOPAL  COLLEGE  (1879-1886) — YORK  BUSINESS  COLLEGE — THE  URSULINE  CON- 
VENT— SCHOOL  REPORTS  IN  1881 — ORICSUAM  SCHOOLS  IN  1920 — SCHOOL  CONSOLI- 
DATION   "  '  ■' 

CHAPTER  XIV 
RELIGIOUS  INSTITUTIONS  OF  YORK  COUNTY 

METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH    OF    YORK — PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH — A.     C.     MONT- 

GOMEHY's  paper — DOCTOR   MC   CONAUGHY's   PAPER CONGREGATIONAL   CHURCH — 

CHRISTIAN  CHURCH UNITED  BRETHREN  CHURCH — HOLY  TRINITY  CHURCH- 
BAPTIST     CHURCH — ST.     JOSEPH     CATHOLIC UNIVERSALIS! — GERMAN     REFORMED 

CONGREGATION FIRST      LUTHEUAN UNITED      EVANGELICAL      CHURCII — GERMAN 

EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN HOSPITALS OTHER    CHURCHES ^FEDERATED    CHURCH 

656 

CHAPTER  XV 

FRATERNAL,  *  SOCIAL   AND   WELFARE   ORGANIZATIONS   IN 

YORK  COUNTY 

EARLY    LODOES,    1885,    1895,    1905 — A.    F.    &    A.    M.    AND    MASONIC    BODIES NO.    35, 

I.  0.  0.  F. — ELKS A.  O.  U.  W. — G.  A.  R.,  ROliERT  ANDERSON  POST — CIVIL  WAR  VET- 
ERANS,  1915 SPANISH  WAR  VETERANS,   1915 WOMAN'S  RELIEF  CORPS SONS  OF 

VETERANS — AMERICAN    LEGION    POST    NO.    19 — SOCIAL    AFFAIRS    OF    OTHER    DAY'S — 

YORK    COUNTRY    CLUB — AVON     Ci,UH — AMATEUR    MUSICAL    CLUB REVIEW    &    ART 

(Lrii — WOjMFN's    CLUH — YOKK    V.    M.    C.    a. women's    COMMITTEE    DEPARTMKNT 

6i);5 

CHAPTER  XVI 
BANKING  AND   FINANCIAL  INSTITUTIONS 

EARLY   BANKING   IX   YORK  COUNTY — COilMERCIAL  STATE  BANK YORK    COUNTY  BANK 


^  FIRST  NATIONAL  HANK,  YOIIK  —  VOKK  NATIONAL  BANK CITIZENS  STATE  BANK — 


MEAD    STATE    BANK FIRST    NATIOXAL    POST   REGIME — EXTENSION    OF    ACTIVITIES 

INTO     OTHER     TOWNS — MEUCiER     WITH     FARMERS     NATIONAL     BANK MC     CLOUD 

REdLMF,    FIRST    NATIOXAL — (TI'Y    NATIOXAL    BANK — GERMAN-AMERICAN    BANK 

FARMERS    STATE    BANK — OTIIHI!     HANKS    IN     THE    COUNTY' COXDITION    OF    YORK 

COUNTY  BANKS,  1917-192(1 7;M 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  XVII 
THE  PRESS  OF  YORK  COUNTY 

THE  LOCAL  NEWSPAPER — THE  EARLY  NEWSPAPERS — THE  REPUBLICAN — THE  TRIBUNE 

THE    DEJIOCRAT THE    TIMES THE    NEWS-TIilES — THE    NEW    TELLER — OTHER 

PAPERS  IN  THE  COUNTY LAZY  MAN's  CORNER WHAT's  IN  A  NAME? — OLD-TIME 

PRESS    RAILLERY' — THE    DAILY     SQUAWKER 753 

CHAPTER  XVIII 
THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION" 

CALL  THE   DOCTOR — THE   PIONEER   PHYSICIAN — THE   MEDICAL  ROSTER — DURING  THE 
'9()S    AND   SINCE — THE    HOSPITALS 'l'?? 

CHAPTER  XIX 
THE  BENCH  AND  BAR  OF  YORK  COUNTY 

THE  LAW — EARLIEST  CASE,  BY  J.  B.  MEEHAN DISTRICT  COURT — INDIAN  TRIAL,  N.  A. 

DEAN — GEORGE    W.    POST — THE    DISTRICT    COURTS    OF    YORK    COUNTY — THE    YORK 
COUNTY    BAH 787 


CHAPTER  XX 
A  CHRONOLOGICAL  SURVEY  OP  YORK  COUNTY'S  PROGRESS 79.5 

CHAPTER  XXI 
YORK  COUNTY  IN  THE  WORLD  WAR 

YORK   county's   service  "bACK    HERE" — THE   MILITIA   BOYS   CALLED — FLAG   TO   COM- 
PANY M — FIRST  HOME  ACTIVITIES — THE   ELKS   RESOLUTION RECRUITING   BEGINS 

— MAKING  EACH  ACRE  COUNT — MEETING  OF  APRIL  28tII — YORK  ilEN  CALLED  UPON 

RED    CROSS    ORGANIZED COUNTY    COUNCIL    OF    DEFENSE — REGISTRATION    DAY, 

JUNE  5,  1917 — HOW  THE  MEN  REGISTERED — THOSE  WHO  REGISTERED RED  CROSS 

DRIVE — YORK    COUNTY's    JULY    4,    1917 THE    FIRST    DRAWING EARLY    ENLIST- 
MENTS— LATE  SUMMER  AND  EARLY  FALL   OF   1917 — ^THE  CONTINGENT  STARTED 

LIBERTY     BOND    DRIVES — LATE    FALL    AND     EARLY     WINTER     OF     1917 — ENRIGHT, 

GRESHAM    AND    HAY THE    QUESTIONNAIRES — LEGAL    ADVISORY    BOARD WINTER 

DRIVES THE     HOME     GUARDS — THIRD     LIBERTY     LOAN — FOURTH     REGISTRATION, 

SEPTEMBER    13,    1918 — A    REAL    RECORD FOURTH    LIBERTY    LOAN — SPRING    AND 

SUilMER  OF  1918 — ARMISTICE  DAY — AFTER-EFFECTS  OF  THE  WAR 799 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES    839 


..m.^ 


■--   -V 
n  fi 


VI 


I  'M^u.JL  «f  rzi'jK'iaKinixxavfi 


High  School,  Toek 


Central  School,  Youk 


CHAPTEE  XIII 
EDUCATION  m  YOEK  COUNTY 

FIRST  SCHOOLS  IN  COUNTY — YOKK  SCHOOL  DISTRICT YORK   SCHOOL   BOARDS EARLY 

TEACHERS LATER  SCHOOL  BOARDS — TEACHERS  IN  1921 — YORK  COLLEGE — REV- 
EREND scHELL — York's  support — the  tore  academy,  1871 — the  methodist 
EPISCOPAL  college  (1879-1886) — york  business  college — the  ursuline  con- 
vent— school  reports  in  1881 — gresham  schools  in  1920 — school  consoli- 
dation. 

Schools 

The  first  public  school  in  the  western  half  of  York  County  was  held  in  a  little 
dugout  over  on  Lincoln  Creek  in  1872,  with  Mrs.  A.  Linsley  as  teacher.  The  dis- 
trict was  eight  by  twelve  miles  in  extent  and  known  as  District  No.  15.  As  the 
country  was  settled  up  the  district  was  divided  and  other  little  soddies  were  built. 
Then  a  "frame  school"  was  started  in  Owens  Bros',  old  store  building,  which  stood 
on  Mr.  Steinberg's  farm.  In  1881  the  first  little  school  house  was  built  in  Brad- 
shaw.  To  this  additions  were  made  from  time  to  time  as  needed.  But  this,  the 
toil  and  savings  of  many  years,  like  the  most  of  Bradshaw  was  laid  in  ruins  in  one 
brief  hour. 

Bradshaw  has  graduated  two  uf  her  principals  into  the  office  of  county  superin- 
tendent, Mr.  E.  S.  Franklin,  in  1887,  and  E.  C.  Bishop  in  1899. 

The  following  teachers  have  served  as  principals  of  the  Bradshaw  schools  since 
1881:  Misses  Sylvia  Butler  and  Carrie  Moftitt;  Messrs.  George  Greer,  A.  B.  Cod- 
ding, E.  S.  Franklin,  Charles  Harlan,  William  Bartz,  H.  B.  McDermed,  W.  T.  Oats, 
Fred  Archard,  W.  S.  Wright,  W.  T.  Utterbeck,  T.  A.  Gierins,  J.  H.  Frew,  E.  C. 
Bishoi?,  B.  F.  Marquis  and  J.  N.  Peck. 

other  localities 

The  beginning  of  school  work,  which  in  almost  every  instance  was  practically 
coincident  with  the  settlement  of  the  locality,  is  detailed  througliout  the  accounts 
of  the  settlement  of  the  various  townships  and  towns. 

YORK    SCHOOL    DISTRICT 

York  School  District  was  organized  June  14,  1871.  It  included  a  territory  five 
miles  square,  in  which  the  city  occupied  aljout  the  central  position.  Notice  of  the 
fornuition  of  this  district  was  served  upon  the  entire  voting  population  residing  in 
its  limits.    In  the  school  records  the  names  of  the  male  residents  of  the  district  are 

Vol.  II— 2  619 


620  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

entered,  which  will  give  the  reader  an  idea  of  how  sparsely  the  county  was  settled  at 
this  period,  and  also  the  names  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  now  prosperous  city.  The 
total  number  then  claiming  a  residence  in  the  above  territory,  which  included  the 
City  of  York,  was  only  twenty-two  and  were  the  following  persons :  H.  M.  Detrick, 
G.  W.  Dixon,  W.  L.  Draper,  Thomas  Myers,  Gottleib  Hofer.  J.  II.  Bell,  F.  0. 
Bell,  A.  B.  Tutton,  K.  S.  Tutton,  A.  E.  Hendricks.  J.  P.  Miller.  James  .1.  Holley, 
Ichabod  Cook,  M.  B.  Noel,  A.  J.  Day,  Isaac  Crable,  C.  F.  Day,  Edward  Bates,  L.  D. 
Brakeman,  D.  A.  Ritner,  R.  Charlton,  and  August  Bonge. 

A.  B.  Tutton  was  elected  director,  A.  C.  Montgomery,  moderator,  and 
Dr.  Thomas  L.  Myers,  treasurer.  No  further  steps  were  made  towai'ds  perfecting 
the  organization  until  January  15,  1873.  At  a  meeting  held  at  this  date,  the  dis- 
trict voted  to  issue  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $2,000  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  a 
building  site  and  erecting  a  schoolhouse.  This  building  was  completed  in  season 
for  a  summer  school,  which  was  taught  by  Miss  M.  A.  Hill.  During  the  winter 
session  of  this  year  J.  Cochran  was  employed  as  teacher.  The  first  school  estab- 
lished in  York  was  taught  by  A.  C.  Montgomery  in  the  winter  of  1870-71.  The 
old  pre-emption  house  served  as  a  schoolhouse,  and  twenty-two  pujnls  were  in 
attendance,  some  coming  a  distance  of  eight  miles.  It  was  maintained  by  subscrip- 
tion and  was  of  two  mouths'  duration.  Mr.  Montgomery  received  his  wages  in 
wood,  grain,  cash,  or  whatever  the  settlers  could  best  give  from  an  individual 
standpoint. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  board  in  1879,  it  was  decided  to  call  a  special 
election,  and  submit  a  proposition  to  the  citizens  of  York,  for  issuing  the  bonds  of 
the  district  to  the  amount  of  $58,000  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  new  school 
building,  the  old  house  having  become  too  small  to  accommodate  the  fast  growing 
school  population.  This  election  took  place  May  16,  and  was  universally  favored. 
A  building  was  commenced  immediately,  and  it  was  completed  in  1881. 

YORE   SCHOOL   BOAEDS 

There  are  numerous  offices  in  each  community  which  are  real  labors  of  love. 
One  of  these  is  a  membership  upon  the  Board  of  Education.  Not  for  munificent 
salary,  nor  for  high  honor,  does  the  enterprising  citizen  of  the  community  serve 
at  this  post  year  after  year,  but  for  the  love  of  doing  some  service  in  building  np 
the  public  school  system.  It  is  the  public  school  system  which  is  the  real  bulwark 
of  this  wonderful  nation  of  ours.  It  is  the  public  school  where  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  rich  and  poor,  capitalist  and  laborer,  banker,  farmer,  clerk,  merchant, 
business  man  and  every  class  and  creed  attend  upon  an  equal  basis,  that  has  served 
the  most  to  leaven  our  i\.merican  melting  pot  into  a  real  democracy. 

Right  from  the  start,  in  the  earlier  days  when  a  board  of  three  ruled  the  school 
affairs  of  the  little  Village  of  York,  certain  faithful  spirits  began  their  perennial 
careers  of  service  in  this  field.  In  1876,  Cliarles  Le  Count  was  director,  T.  D. 
Knapfi,  miidcTiitdr,  and  II.  ('.  Kleiiischinidt.  treasurer  of  School  District  No.  Vi. 
tbe  York  district.  Mr.  Kleinsclimidt  remained  as  treasurer  until  1878,  when 
Charles  Le  Count  assumed  this  post  and  held  it  until  1883.  A.  C.  Montgomery 
scrxed  as  director  in  1879  and  in  1880  F.  A.  Bidwell  became  director  and  served 
until   ISS."..     n.  T.  ;Moore  was  iiiodrrator  in  1870  and  1880.  T.  D.  Knajip  in  1881 


HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY  621 

and  Henry  Seymour  in  1882.  The  board  had  as  fourth  and  fifth  members  in  1881 
and  1882  H.  M.  Detrick  and  John  A.  Etherly. 

In  1883  the  board  was  composed  of  Henry  Seymour,  chairman;  F.  A.  Bidwell, 
secretary;  Charles  Le  Count,  treasurer;  H.  M.  Detrick,  and  L.  J.  Gandy.     In  1884 

5.  A.  Newell  came  on.  In  1887  Henry  Seymour  and  S.  A.  Newell  were  still  serv- 
ing, N.  V.  Harlan  had  come  onto  the  board,  destined  to  perform  a  long  period  of 
service,  and  L.  L.  Sorrick,  M.  Sovereign,  and  B.  A.  Gilbert  finished  the  roster. 

EAELT  TEACHERS 

Among  the  very  earliest  contracts  for  teachers  shown  on  the  board's  minutes  in 
the  office  of  the  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Education  at  York  are  those  with  Albert 
Logan,  made  July  8,  1876,  for  three  months'  service  for  $150.    And  on  September 

6,  1876,  a  contract  with  Mary  L.  Betcher  provided  for  three  months'  service  for 
$120  and  Nellie  Gunnell  was  hired  in  1879  at  $30  per  month.  Prof.  M.  Bridges 
was  principal  of  York  schools  in  1880,  at  a  salary  of  $80  per  month.  His  teaching 
staff  consisted  of  Kate  Keckley,  grammar  room,  and  Emma  Hays,  intermediate 
room;  Effie  Cutter  and  Annie  Knapp,  the  other  rooms. 

In  1884  Mr.  Bridges  was  still  principal,  with  a  salary  of  $100  a  month,  and  his 
staff  of  teachers,  receiving  $40  per  month,  were  Hattie  Woolley,  Anna  Knapp, 
Ada  S.  Eoe,  Mary  McCray,  Alice  Crownover,  Vana  Crownover,  Sylvia  Butler  and 
Flora  WyckofE.  The  staff'  in  1887  showed:  Central  Building,  between  Grant  and 
Nebraska  avenues  on  Seventh  Street,  Prof.  C.  S.  Edwards,  principal;  Misses  Carrie 
Matthews,  Lucy  Gould,  Ella  Montgomery,  Appa  Linch,  Jennie  Eaper,  Ella  Graves, 
and  Bella  Vance.  At  the  West  Ward  Building,  southeast  corner  of  Sixth  and 
Division  Avenue,  Misses  Vana  Crownover,  Effie  Detrick  and  Mary  McKenzie  were 
teaching.  In  the  North  Building,  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Pine  and  Fifth 
streets.  Misses  Hattie  Woolley  and  Flora  A.  Barton  held  out. 

LATEH  SCHOOL  BOARDS 

In  1890  the  board  roster  shows  Mrs.  Wing,  F.  B.  Daggy,  N.  V.  Harlan,  L.  L. 
Sorrick,  Mrs.  Carscadden,  and  E.  A.  Gilbert.  Prof.  Corbett  was  principal.  The 
year  1891  found  the  same  members  serving,  e.xcept  that  upon  the  resignation  of 
L.  L.  Sorrick,  Mrs.  W.  F.  Reynolds  was  chosen  to  fill  his  place.  In  1892  Mrs. 
Wing,  Mrs.  Reynolds,  Messrs.  Daggy  and  Harlan  remained,  and  Mr.  Marcellus 
came  on  the  board.  In  1893  the  board  was  Reynolds,  Myers,  Harlan,  Daggy,  New- 
man, and  Gilbert.  In  1894  Mrs.  Ella  Harrison  and  E.  S.  Franklin  and  E.  A. 
Baker  came  on  the  board,  Harlan,  Mrs.  Reynolds,  and  Gilbert  holding  over. 

B.  G.  Moulton  was  elected  principal  in  1894  and  Eunice  Coy  as  assistant.  In 
1895,  Mrs.  Harrison,  Mrs.  Reynolds,  Messrs.  Baker,  Franklin,  Harlan,  and  Gilbert 
continued  to  serve  together.  The  year  1896  found  Mrs.  D.  C.  Bell  serving,  the 
balance  of  the  board  being  the  older  members.  In  1897  Reverend  Baker  was  suc- 
ceeded by  J.  E.  Evans.  In  1898  the  board  remained  intact,  Evans,  Franklin, 
Harlan,  Gilbert,  Mrs.  Bell,  and  Mrs.  Reynolds.  In  1899  Mrs.  Reynolds  gave  way 
to  Mrs.  Jerome  and  the  balance  of  the  board  remained. 

On  June  3,  1895,  the  board  had  entered  into  a  contract  to  employ  Prof.  W.  W. 
Stoner  as  principal  of  the  high  school  and  Mrs.  W.  W.   Stoner  as  eightli  grade 


C,2-i  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

teacher,  at  a  joint  salary  of  $1,000  per  auiium.  At  this  time  Professor  Moulton 
stepped  up  to  the  elevation  of  superintendent  of  York  Schools.  Doris  McMaster 
was  made  assistant  principal  of  the  high  school  in  1897. 

This  brings  us  down  to  1900,  when  the  board  of  1899  remained  in  office,  except 
that  Mrs.  Bell  was  succeeded  by  Mrs.  E.  A.  Warner.  Prof.  C.  R.  Atkinson  suc- 
ceeded Superintendent  Moulton  in  1900.  This  left  the  board  as  Mrs.  Jerome,  Mrs. 
Warner,  Messrs.  Gilbert,  Harlan,  Evans,  and  Franklin.  The  year  1901  brought  a 
couple  of  noticeable  changes,  when  Messrs.  Franklin  and  Harlan  gave  way  to 
Doctor  McConaughy  and  H.  M.  Childs,  the  remaining  members  being  Gilbert, 
Evans,  Mrs.  .Teronic  and  Mrs.  Warner.  In  1902,  two  more  new  members  came  on, 
George  W.  Slirerk  and  G.  H.  Holdeman  succeeding  Gilbert  and  McConaughy.  The 
board  in  1903  were  Harris  M.  Childs,  George  W.  Shreck,  G.  H.  Holdeman,  John  E. 
Evans,  Adelaide  Jerome  and  Phila  H.  Warner.  Professor  Atkinson  had 
resigned  the  superintendency  and  Prof.  Stoner  assumed  this  post.  In  1904 
Dr.  McConaughy  succeeded  Evans  and  began  a  long  term  of  service.  Nineteen 
hundred  and  six  witnessed  some  changes,  Jessie  R.  Myers,  Julia  T.  Bell  and  Etta 
Hoyt  coming  on  the  board  to  serve  with  Childs,  Shreck  and  McConaughy.  Nineteen 
hundred  and  seven  found  the  same  board  serving.  In  1908  one  change  took  place, 
George  M.  Spurlock  succeeding  Mrs.  Myers.  In  1909  Mrs.  Jessie  R.  Myers 
returned,  A.  M.  White  succeeded  Mrs.  Julia  Green  Bell,  and  Mrs.  Hoyt  remained 
with  Messrs.  Childs,  Spurlock,  and  McConaughy:  1910  and  1911  saw  no  changes 
in  the  hdiii-d  ami  tliis  sextette  served  harmoniously  together  for  three  years.  In 
1912  five  of  them  remained  at  the  task  and  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Bradwell  displaced 
Mrs.  Etta  Y.  Hoyt.  In  1913,  four  of  the  faithful  se.xtette  and  five  of  the  1912 
board  remained,  Childs  giving  way  to  Henry  W.  Brott ;  1914  found  this  board 
remaining  intact.  At  a  bond  election  on  June  -5,  1912,  to  provide  $80,000  bonds 
for  building  three  new  school  houses,  the  vote  was  decisively  against  the  proposition, 
being  123  for  and  586  against.    The  vote  was  distriliuted  by  wards: 

For  Against 

First  Ward 44  185 

Second    W  ai'd 38  127 

Third    Ward 16  91 

Fourth    Ward 25  183 

Til  1915  a  IVw  ciianges  resulted  upon  the  board.  Dr.  W.  L.  Bernard  and  King 
taking  the  phices  of  Myers  and  Bradwell.  The  year  1916  saw  Dr.  McConaughy 
succeeded  by  A.  C.  Hubbell.  Nineteen  seventeen  saw  two  new  members,  W.  W. 
Wyckoir  ami  C.  R.  Keckley  succeed  Spurlock  and  White.  On  March  20,  1917,  an 
election  was  held  at  which  $225,000  bonds  were  voted  for  the  construction  of  three 
new  buildings.     This  resulted  in  a  vote  by  wards: 

For  Against 

First  Ward 372  75 

Second    Ward 341  95 

Third    Waril 178  60 

Fourth    Ward 265  100 

Totals    1.156  330 


Lincoln  School,  York 


Edison  Schooi,,  North  Ward,  York 


-■"■  \ 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


625 


For  some  time,  W.  B.  Johns  had  been  serving  as  principal  of  the  high  school 
and  Geo.  S.  Cook  as  treasurer  for  the  board.  Nineteen  seventeen  saw  not  only  the 
inauguration  of  the  very  heavy  program  for  the  building  of  the  three  new  buildings, 
but  the  necessity  of  another  election  on  August  7,  1917,  called  for  another  issue  of 
$60,000  bonds  for  the  new  Central  School  Building.  With  the  money  realized  from 
sale  of  property  and  these  two  issues,  the  new  Central  Building  was  built  at  a  cost 
of  some  $175,000  and  the  other  two  buildings  completed,  over  $.300,000  being  put 
into  this  new,  but  tiioroughly  modern  school  plant.  The  election  of  August  7,  1917, 
showed  a  vote  upon  the  $60,000  bond  issue,  of 

For  Against 

First  Ward 100  50 

Second   Ward 98  71 

Third   Ward 44  37 

Fourth   Ward 84  56 

Totals 326  214 


In  1918  Wyckoff,  King,  Brott,  Keckley  and  Hubbell  remained  on  the  board  and 
Mrs.  Pearle  Felton  succeeded  Doctor  Bernard.  Sui)erinteudent  Stoner  resigned  and 
Prof.  James  B.  Crabbe,  of  Laramie,  Wyoming,  was  elected  on  June  5,  1917,  to 
take  his  place.  M.  S.  Jones  was  principal  of  the  high  school.  Nineteen  nineteen 
saw  two  changes  on  the  board,  Dean  C.  E.  Ashcraft  of  York  College  and  EfRe 
Detrick  displaced  HnblK'H  and  Brott.  This  leaves  the  same  board  as  have  been 
serving  in  1920  and  early  1921,  Miss  EfRe  Detrick,  Mrs.  Pearle  Felton,  Dean  C.  E. 
Ashcraft,  Atty.  W .  W.  Wyckoff,  who  is  secretary  of  the  board.  Mr.  King,  and 
C.  E.  Keckley.  Superintendent  Crabbe  resigned  in  1918  and  was  succeeded  by 
York's  present  efficient  superintendent,  F.  A.  Graham,  who  came  here  from  Mis- 
souri Valley,  Iowa.    W.  E.  Nelson  is  the  present  principal  of  the  high  school. 

York  now  has  a  thoroughly  modern  school  plant  that  will  compare  with  any  in 
the  state.  Its  high  school  gives  a  complete  college  preparatory  course,  a  splendid 
normal  training  course,  a  vocational  agricultural  department  (Smith-Hughes 
courses  and  home  economics),  and  a  splendid  commercial  course. 

The  teachers  of  the  York  schools  in  Januai7,  1921,  are: 


A.  W.  Graham 
W.  E.  Nelson 
Edna  Ittner 
Ruth  Watson 
Jennie  Muir 
A.  Tv.  Speece 
Mildred  Holts 
Harriett  Holley 
Luflie  Lee 
Bess  Alexander 
Louise  McNerney 
Hazelle  Hedbloom 
Charles  Cox 
Helen  Copsey 


Mrs.  W.  C.  Noll 
Mrs.  Lottie  Meek 
Veva  Boren 
Jessie  Stewart 
Ruth  Callender 
R.  E.  Townsend 
E.  V.  Deason 
Clara  King 
Matie  Hall 
Cora  Conawa}' 
Lillian  Shanks 
R.  L.  Clark 
Helen  Wells 
Guy  Davis 


Zora  Wunderlieli 
Cassye  Baugh 
Clara  Beck 
Hazel  C!hapin 
Ruth  Peterson 
Edith  Lambert 
Esther  McDonald 
Mrs.  Kathryn  Morrow 
Myrna  Hall 
Bertha  Brooks 
Mrs.  Hester  Brown 
Ruth  Chapin 
Clara  James 
Cecile  Newbold 


G2G  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Margaret  James  Ethel  Tliompsou  Myrtle  Fceeborn 

Mrs.  Sybil  Askine  Gladys  Hitchcock  Mrs.  Russell  Rogers 

Mrs.  C.  E.  Anderson  Hazel  Poster  Mrs.  Franklin  Hunt 

HISTOBY    OF    YOUK    L'OLLEGE 

The  foreruimer  of  'fork  College  was  Cihbon  Collegiate  Institute  at  Gibbon, 
Nebraska.  This  institution  had  been  bought  in  1886  from  the  Baptist  people,  and 
was  conducted  as  an  academy.  It  was  a  success  for  three  or  four  years,  but  the 
size  of  the  town  and  the  lack  of  full  co-operation  made  it  impracticable  to  continue 
its  existence. 

In  the  summer  of  1890  several  cities  made  propositions  to  the  trustees  for  the 
re-location  of  the  school  and  for  making  it  full  college  grade.  Kearney  and  York 
were  the  leading  bidders,  and  the  following  persons  constituted  the  first  board  of 
trustees:  Judge  D.  T.  Moore,  Rev.  E.  A.  Leeper,  D.  D.,  Lee  Love,  Judge  N.  A. 
Dean,  C.  J.  Nobes,  I).  E.  Sedgwick,  I\t.  I).,  Judge  A.  C.  ilontgomeiT,  Rev.  J.  C. 
Countermine,  D.  I)..  F.  0.  Bell,  Judge  G.  W.  Post,  Rev.  G.  F.  Deal,  and  Rev. 
F.  W.  Jones. 

Its  Beautiful  Site.  A  more  beautiful  site  .could  not  be  fmiiid  in  the  State  of 
Nebraska — a  gentle  eminence  in  the  eastern  i)art  of  the  city,  the  highest  ground  in 
York  County.  Here,  on  a  campus  of  eleven  acres,  the  first  building  was  erected, 
and  dedicated  in  June,  1892.  It  is  a  splendid  edifice  of  brick  and  stone,  88x99 
feet,  basement  and  three  stories,  beautiful  in  architectural  design  and  in  approach- 
ing the  city  from  any  direction  can  be  seen  for  many  miles. 

Excellent  Equi/nnents.  The  building  is  well  furnished  and  well  equipped  and 
unusually  well  planned  for  college  purposes.  The  recitation  rooms  are  large  and 
light.  The  commercial  room  covers  nearly  half  of  the  second  floor.  The  chapel 
will  seat  about  six  hundred.  The  literary  halls  are  among  the  finest  in  the  state. 
The  library  contains  about  1,500  volumes,  and  the  reading  tables  are  constantly 
supplied  with  an  abundance  of  the  liest  periodicals  of  the  day.  The  museum  has 
several  hundred  feet  of  shelf-room  filled  with  specimens  in  geology,  zoology  and 
botany.  The  laboratories  are  well  supplied  with  apparatus  to  facilitate  the  work 
in  the  natural  sciences. 

Anotlier  HuUding.  Another  liuilding  has  lieen  projected  and  the  work  begun. 
The  foundation  was  laid  and  struiture  was  completed  in  190.3.  Its  dimensions  are 
80x36  feet,  four  floors,  containing  thirty-five  rooms,  besides  halls,  closets  and  bath- 
rooms. It  is  heated  by  steam,  as  is  the  main  building,  and  lioth  supplied  with  city 
water  and  electric  light.  Tliis  Iniiiding  is  devoted  to  the  conservatory  of  music  and 
ladies"  dormitory. 

It  contains  an  executive  board  of  six  inembers,  all  residents  of  York,  whose  duty 
it  is  to  carry  out  the  will  of  the  board  of  trustees. 

Such  strong  managing  boards  are  an  assurance  to  all  patrons  that  their  interests 
are  carefully  guarded  and  wiselj'  conserved. 

Since  the  founding  of  the  institution,  the  following  ministers  have  served  as 
presidents:  Jeremiah  George,  A.  M. ;  William  S.  Reese,  D.  D. ;  William  E.  Sehell, 
D.  D.;  Melvin  0.  McLaughlin,  D.  D. ;  Hervin  U.  Roop,  Ph.  D.,  LL.  D. 

Reverend  George,  A.  M.,  D.  D.,  served  as  president  from  August,  1890,  to 
August,  1894.     Tlie  average  yearly  enrollment  during  his  term  was  176. 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  627 

Eev.  W.  S.  Eeese,  Ph.  M.,  D.  D.,  succeeded  President  George  and  served  three 
years.  During  this  time  the  average  yearly  enrolhiient  was  149.  Tlie  large  debt 
incurred  by  the  erection  of  the  main  building  became  a  heavy  burden  during  this 
administration,  owing  to  financial  jianic  and  crop  failure. 

Eev.  William  E.  Schell,  A.  M.,  D.  D.,  was  called  to  take  charge  on  August  3, 

1897.  That  was  a  dark  hour  in  the  history  of  the  institution.  Every  dollar  of  a 
great  debt  .was  due  and  suits  entered  for  collection.  There  was  nothing  in  the 
treasury  to  stay  the  impending  crisis.  Some  of  the  trustees  advised  giving  up  the 
•work.  Every  member  of  the  faculty  had  resigned  except  J.  E.  Maxwell,  M.  S., 
professor  of  Natural  Sciences,  and  Mrs.  D.  E.  Sedgwick,  director  of  tiie  music 
department.     Xo  catalogue  had  been  issued. 

The  details  of  the  five  succeeding  years  cannot  here  be  given.  It  is  enough  to 
say  that  the  entire  situation  has  been  changed.  The  debt  is  liquidated.  The  sum  of 
$8,000  dollars  has  been  expended  for  additional  equipments  and  $6,000  in  good 
pledges  is  now  on  hand  for  another  building.  The  courses  of  study  have  been 
strengthened,  the  faculty  enlarged,  and  York  College  has  taken  high  rank  among 
the  institutions  of  Nebraska  and  the  West.  The  average  yearly  enrollment  during 
the  five  years  of  President  SchelTs  term  has  been  281 — over  three  hundred  yearly 
for  the  last  three  years. 

The  faculty  in  1903  were: 

William  E.  Schell,  A.  M.,  D.  D.,  president  and  professor  of  philosopliy  (Western 
College,  Toledo,  Iowa,  June,  1890,  A.  B. ;  June,  1893,  A.  M. ;  Lane  University, 
Lecompton,  Kas,.,  June,  1902,  D.  D.). 

J.  E.  Maxwell,  M.  S.,  vice  president  and  professor  of  natural  sciences  ( Nebraska 
Wesleyan  University,  June,  1894,  B.  S. ;  June,  1895,  M.  S.). 

Sareva  Dowell,  A.  M.,  professor  of  Latin  and  Greek  (Amity  College,  College 
Springs,  Iowa,  June,  1893,  A.  B. ;  June,  1898,  A.  M. ;  post-graduate  work  in 
Europe). 

Theodore  Jorgenson,  A.  B.,  professor  of  modern  languages  (Western  College, 
Toledo,  Iowa,  June,  1900,  A.  B. ;  post-graduate  work  in  Europe). 

Annie  P.  Jorgensen,  A.  M.,  professor  of  mathematics  (Nebraska  State  Univer- 
sity, June,  1899,  A.  B.;  June,  1902,  A.  M.). 

Lena  E.  Schell,  A.  B.,  assistant  in  English  and  history  (York  College,  June, 
1902,  A.  B.). 

M.  D.  Adams,  M.  Acc'ts,  principal  of  the  College  of  Commerce  and  professor  of 
commercial  branches  and  shorthand  (Gem  Ciity  Business  College,  Quincy,  111.,  June, 

1898,  M.  Acc'ts). 

Euth  Smith,  director  of  the  Conservatory  of  Music  and  instructor  of  piano,  pipe 
organ,  reed  organ,  harmony,  general  theory,  history  of  music  and  voice  culture 
(Western  College  Conservatory,  June,  1899,  diploma  in  piano  course;  June,  1901, 
dij^loma  in  voice;  Victoria  College  of  Music,  London,  June,  1902,  diploma  as 
associate  in  piano). 

■    Max  Baumeister,  instructor  on  violin   (studied  in  Omaha  and  St.  Louis,  then 
five  years  at  the  Bavarian  Conservatory,  Wuerzburg,  Germany,  court  musician). 

L.  E.  Porter,  principal  of  the  School  of  Expression  and  instructor  in  elocution 
and  physical  culture  (studied  at  York  College,  and  Cohnubia  School  of  Oratory, 
Chicago). 


628  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Lauriette  Dowell,  principal  of  the  Art  Department  and  instructor  in  drawing  and 
all  lines  of  art  work  (studied  at  Tarkio  College,  Tarkio,  Mo.,  and  Nebraska  State 
University). 

G.  E.  Driver,  college  pastor  (educated  in  England;  traveled  extensively  in 
Europe  and  Palestine). 

Students.  The  aggregate  of  the  enrollment  for  1892-1904  was  2,556.  The 
students  have  always  been  of  a  most  excellent  class  and  the  graduates  are  toiling 
in  fields  of  usefulness  this  wide  world  over,  even  in  India,  China  and  Philippine.-. 
In  Chicago,  Washington,  St.  Louis,  Onuiha,  Kansas  City,  Denver,  Cheyenne,  St. 
Paul,  Miimeapolis,  San  Francisco,  Lincoln  and  in  almost  all  the  cities  and  towns 
of  Nebraska  they  are  doing  a  good  and  honorable  part  in  the  business  and  pro- 
fessional work  of  the  world.  Their  ranks  include  college  professors,  ministers, 
missionaries,  civil  service  men,  lawyers,  physicians,  merchants,  musicians,  machinists, 
superintendents  of  schools,  teachers,  public  officers  and  other  vocations  worthy  of 
note.  And  many,  tliougli  not  completing  courses,  have  gone  forth  after  terms  of  years 
of  profitable  association  and  study,  with  increased  knowledge,  improved  gifts  and 
larger  life,  and  are  now  filling  useful  positions  in  the  industrial  pursuits  and  pro- 
fessions of  this  busy  age.  The  passing  days,  ever  and  anon,  bring  back  the  story 
of  their  success  and  their  joy  in  having  made  York  College  their  choice. 

Fifty-eight  of  the  business  men  of  York  and  eighty-four  of  the  teachers  in 
charge  of  schools  in  York  County  in  1901:  were  old  York  College  students. 

The  present  board  of  trustees  for  1920-1921  are: 

Officers 

N.  A.  Dean,  president  Chas.  Bissett,  treasurer. 

R.  E.  Townsend,  secretary 

Yorl:  County 

C.  A.  McCloud  L.   S.  Loomer 

N.  A.  Dean  Wm.  A.  Harrison 

J.  R.  McCloud  Arthur  Thompson 

Nebraska  Conference 

Rev.  W.  F.  Brink,  Angus,  Nebraska  S.  C.  Caldwell,  Swanton,  Nebraska 

J.  W.  Rollings,  Dayton,  Ohio  F.  L.  Pothast,  Pickrell,  Nebraska 

George  Barrett,  Gibbon,  Nebraska  F.  J.  TTalc.  Onuiha,  Nebraska 

Colorado 

A.  A.  Nieman  W.  II.  i[r('ornnek,  Berthoud,  Colorado 

R.  W.  Harlow,  Pueblo,  Colorado 

Alumni  Association 

Paul  Porter,  A.  B.,  Swanton,  Nebraska  W.  11.  Morton,  A.  B.,  Fairbury, 

Chas.  'Bowers,  A.  B.,  York,  Nebraska  Nebraska. 


o 


THE  NfW  YCKK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  631 

Executive  Committee 

Hervin  TJ.  Roop,  chairman  L.  S.  Loonier 

Charles  Bissett,  secretary  Commodore  Beaver 

C.  A.  McCloud  Wm.  Harrison 

N.  A.  Dean  A.  W.  Tliompson 
J.  R.  McCloiid 

The  college  faculty  serving  in  1920-21  are: 

Hervin  U.  Roop,  Ph.  D.,  Le.  D.,  LL.  D.,  president,  logic  and  educational 
psychology. 

M.  0.  McLaughlin,  A.  M.,  D.  D.,  vice  president;  member  of  66th  Congress. 

Charles  E.  Ashcraft,  dean  of  the  Liberal  Arts  College;  A.  B.,  Campbell  College; 
A.  M.,  University  of  Chicago;  B.  D.  Bonebrake  Seminary;  one  year  post-graduate 
work  at  the  University  of  Chicago;  philosophy  and  English  Bible  (1913). 

Charles  Bissett,  treasurer  and  registi-ar;  Ph.  B.,  San  Joaquin  Valley  College; 
A.  M.,  University  of  Kansas;  B.  D.,  Bonebrake  Theological  Seminary;  graduate 
work.  University  of  Chicago,  one  year;  history  and  social  science  (1913). 

Howard  C.  Feemster,  A.  B.,  Drury  College;  A.  M.,  University  of  Nebraska; 
mathematics  (1906). 

J.  Clifford  Morgan,  A.  B.,  Campbell  College;  X.  M.,  University  of  Kansas;  Latin 
and  Greek  (1914). 

E.  Ethel  Clarke,  A.  B..  A.  M.,  University  of  Kansas;  modern  languages  and 
English   (1914). 

William  C.  Noll,  A.  B.,  York  College;  A.  M.,  University  of  Nebraska;  biology 
(1918). 

Lewis  Franklin  John,  college  pastor  (1915)  ;  A.  B.,  Otterbein  University;  B.  D., 
Yale  University;  D.  D.,  Otterbein  University. 

Georgiana  Adams,  A.  B.,  A.  M.,  University  of  Nebraska;  chemistry  and  physics 
(1919). 

Daniel  H.  Verder,  M.  A.,  Harvard  University;  English  (1919). 

Edity  Cone,  B.  S.,  University  of  Nebraska;  domestic  science  (1915). 

Edith  M.  Callender,  A.  B.,  York  College;  academy  English  (1913). 

Charles  H.  Amadon,  dean  of  Hulitt  Conservatory  of  Music;  New  England  Con- 
servatory of  Music;  voice,  violin  and  wind  instruments  (1914). 

Eda  M.  Rankin,  M.  B.,  University  of  Nebraska;  piano  (1912). 

Gladys  Pearson,  assistant  in  piano. 

Mrs.  Elmira  Graves  Koon,  Art  Institute  of  Chicago;  art  (1916). 

Ruth  Chapin,  director  of  Model  School. 

Emma  Fye,  dean  of  women. 

Vincent  V.  Moore,  business  manager,  School  of  Commerce;  bookkeeping. 

lona  Geiger,  bookkeeping. 

Ella  Pederson,  stenography  and  typewriting. 

Mina  Francis  Porter,  commercial  English,  arithmetic  and  spelling. 

E.  V.  Deason,  penmanship. 

0.  S.  Gilmore,  commercial  law. 

Harriet  Holly,  physical  culture  for  women. 


632  HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY 

STANDING    COMMITTEES   OF    THE    FACULTY 

The  president  is  ex-ofiScio  member  of  all  committees. 

Classification — C.  E.  Ashcrai't,  Edith  Callender. 

Course  of  Study — C.  E.  Ashcraft,  Chas.  Bissett,  H.  C.  Feemster. 

Library— Chas.  Bissett,  E.  Ethel  Clarke,  J.  C.  Morgan,  D.  H.  Verder. 

Student  Organizations — H.  C.  Feemster,  Wm.  Noll,  Edith  Cone,  Georgiana 
Adams. 

Chapel  Attractions — C.  H.  Amadou.  Eda  Eankin,  Edith  Callender. 

Athletics— E.  Ethel  Clarke,  Charles  Bissett,  Harriet  Holly. 

Publicity— Edith  Callender,  E.  Ethel  Clarke,  J.  C.  Morgan,  Edith  Cone,  William 
Noll. 

Dates — C.  H.  Amadon,  C.  E.  Ashcraft,  Chas.  Bissett. 

Lecture  Course — C.  E.  Ashcraft,  C.  H.  Amadon,  Chas.  Bissett. 

Debating  and  Oratory — D.  H.  Yerder,  E.  E.  Clarke. 

Schedulf^The  faculty. 

EEV.   •V\'ILLIAM   E.    SCHELL,  A.   M.,   D.   D. 

President  of  York  College  Since  August  3,  1897 

William  E.  Schell  was  born  iu  Carroll  County,  Indiana,  October  25,  1861.  He 
is  of  German  decent,  related  to  some  of  the  best  families  of  the  land  and  his  kin 
are  found  in  the  United  States  Congress,  among  financiers,  bishops  and  scholars 
of  wide  reputation. 

His  mother  died  when  he  was  but  a  child.  His  father,  a  prominent  Chicago 
business  man,  went  down  iu  the  panic  of  1873.  This  left  the  lad  to  face  the  world 
alone,  long  before  he  had  reached  his  teens.  With  the  true  spirit  of  German  inde- 
pendence he  remained  away  from  his  relatives,  leaning  upon  his  own  efforts  for 
success.  He  taught  school  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  was  in  the  mercantile  business  in 
his  early  twenties,  bending  his  energies,  meanwhile,  in  the  direction  of  a  college 
course,  which  he  completed  in  due  time  at  Western  College,  Toledo,  Iowa,  iu  June, 
1890,  with  the  degree  A.  B.  and  with  highest  honors. 

After  graduation  he  served  for  three  years  as  pastor  of  the  U.  B.  Church,  DuBois, 
Nebraska. 

The  next  two  years  he  was  tlie  York  College  pastor.  Being  an  indefatigable 
worker,  fully  appreciating  the  various  needs  of  the  church  and  one  upon  whom 
God  has  set  his  seal  of  approval,  his  years  in  pastoral  labor  were  fruitful  in  an 
unusual  degree,  many  being  added  to  the  church  year  by  year.  But  during  these 
years  so  crowded  with  pastoral  duties  he  still  found  time  for  study,  and  in  June, 
1893,  he  took  the  degree  A.  M. 

Then  followed  nearly  three  years  of  service  as  presiding  elder  of  Y^ork  district 
before  he  was  called  a  second  time  to  the  presidency  of  Y'ork  College,  the  first  call 
being  declined  three  years  before. 

Though  a  modest,  unassuming  man.  President  Schell  is  an  excellent  financier, 
prepossessing  in  appearance,  an  eloquent  speali^r,  possessed  of  good  judgment,  keen 
insight,  rare  tact,  and  a  faculty  of  bringing  things  to  pass. 

He  has  served  the  church  as  a  member  of  two  general  conferences  and  as  a 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  633 

director  of  the  board  of  missions.  He  has  served  a  four  years'  term  on  the  board 
of  education,  which  lias  the  supervision  of  all  the  colleges  of  the  denomination. 

He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Nebraska  College  Association  for  several  years 
and  has  served  as  secretary  and  as  president  of  the  same.  He  has  been  elected 
to  membership  in  a  number  of  national  associations  of  scholars,  and  his  name 
appears  in  several  biographical  cyclopedias,  while  in  June,  1903,  Lane  University, 
LeCompton,  Kan.,  honored  him  with  the  degree  D.  D. 

His  services  have  been  repeatedly  sought  by  other  institutions,  but  at  the  earnest 
solicitation  of  his  many  friends  he  has  continued  in  his  present  relation. 

STUDENT    ACTIVITIES 

Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Two  Christian  associations  are  maintained  by 
the  students.  The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  Y.  W.  C.  A.  both  have  meetings  every  week  in 
their  own  halls.  Both  are  branches  of  the  international  Christian  associations. 
The  Christian  associations  help  to  develop  and  maintain  the  moral  and  religious 
life  of  the  student  body. 

Various  conmiittees  are  at  work.  Bible  and  mission  study  classes  are  con- 
ducted, making  the  associations  a  most  valuable  auxiliary  to  the  spiritual  life  of 
the  college. 

Student  Volunteer  Band.  The  Student  Volunteer  Band  is  composed  of  young 
men  and  young  women  who  have  pledged  themselves  to  foreign  missionary  service 
and  who  are  considering  the  great  problems  of  world-wide  missions. 

Literary  Societies.  The  college  has  four  literary  societies — the  Amphictyon  and 
Zetagathean  for  young  men,  and  the  Philomathean  and  Zetaethean  for  young 
women,  each  of  which  offers  its  privileges  to  students  in  any  department.  These 
societies  have  large  and  well  furnished  halls  and  direct  their  own  affairs.  They 
afford  excellent  means  for  social  and  literary  culture  under  the  most  wholesome 
Christian  influences. 

College  Periodicals.  The  Sandburr  is  a  monthly  college  paper  edited  and 
published  by  the  students;  its  contents  are  interesting  and  helpful  and  it  furnishes 
a  live  link  between  the  college  and  the  students  of  other  days.  The  Sandburr  will 
be  mailed  free  of  charge  to  each  regularly  enrolled  student. 

Bulletins  are  issued  from  time  to  time  for  instruction  and  inspiration  of  our 
constituents. 

A  neat  pocket  manual  for  free  distribution,  containing  valuable  information 
for  new  students,  is  published  yearly  by  joint  committees  of  the  Y.  M.  and  the 
Y.  W.  C.  A. 

Athletics.  The  athletic  association  of  York  College  is  composed  of  all  the 
students.  They  elect  their  own  board  for  the  control  of  the  difEerent  sports.  Two 
members  of  the  faculty  are  elected  to  act  with  the  board.  Coaches  are  provided 
for  all  the  sports.  Football,  baseball,  track,  tennis  and  basketball  are  encouraged. 
Our  gymnasium  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  state,  having  regulation  size  floor,  run- 
ning track,  lockers  and  shower  baths.  The  college  backs  the  athletic  association 
financially. 

Oratory  and  Delate.  An  oratorical  and  debating  association  is  maintained. 
Its  affairs  are  managed  by  an  executive  committee  of  four  members,  consisting  of 
three  student  members  and  the  debating  coach.     It  has  charge  of  all  inter-class 


634  TiySTOKY    OF    Y()]M\    COUXTY 

debates,  inter-collegiate  and  oratorical  contests.  College  credit  is  given  for  work 
properly  done  in  this  department.  In  addition  to  the  credit  given,  the  ahimni  offers 
a  prize  of  twenty  dollars  to  the  one  winning  first  place  in  the  preliminary  state 
oratorical  contest.  All  students  winning  places  on  college  teams  will  be  given  instruc- 
tion and  training  under  the  head  of  the  expression  department  at  the  expense  of 
the  college.  Some  features  of  the  present  plan  are  new,  and  under  the  new  system 
a  lively  interest  in  debate  and  oratory  has  developed. 

Total  Enroll ineitt 

College 78          Harmony 10 

Academy    39          Art   38 

Summer  School    94           Duplicates    136 

School  of  Coiiiiiu'i'ie 168                                                                         

Voice   73              Xet  enrollment    516 

Piano 152 


THE    IH'ILDINGS    AND   tilidl'Xns    IX    1920 

There  are  thi-ee  buildiugs  on  the  campus,  the  Administration  Building,  Hulitt 
Conservatory  and  the  Gymnasium. 

The  Administration  Building  is  88x99  feet.  It  is  built  of  brick  and  is  three 
stories  high  above  the  basement.  It  contains  the  chapel,  recitation  rooms,  library, 
ofBce,  literary  halls  and  laboratories. 

Hulitt  Conservatory  is  36x80  feet  and  is  modern  throughout.  It  is  built  of 
brick  with  limestone  trimmings  and  is  three  stories  above  the  basement.  The  first 
story  is  used  by  the  conservatory  of  music  and  the  other  two  are  used  as  a  ladies' 
dormitory  and  will  accommodate  forty-two  girls.  The  basement  is  well  equipped 
for  serving  meals. 

The  Gymnasium  is  40x80  feet.  It  is  made  of  brick  and  is  one  of  the  best 
college  gynmasiums  in  the  state.  It  is  modern  in  every  way,  having  a  hard  maple 
floor  of  regulation  size,  a  running  track,  lockers  and  shower  baths. 

The  college  has  a  commodious  campus  of  eleven  acres  where  all  the  out-of-door 
sports  can  be  maintained.  In  addition  to  this  the  city  of  York  grants  the  privilege 
of  using  the  city  park  located  just  south  of  the  college  campus. 

YORK    COLLI'XIE    XOW    COMPKISES    THE    FOLLOWING    DEPAKTMEXTS 

1.  The  College  of  Liberal  Arts   (Standard). 

2.  The  Academy   (or  Standard  High  Sclmol). 

3.  The  School  of  Commerce  (the  York  Business  College). 

4.  The  School  of  Home  Economics   (cooking  and  sewing). 

5.  The  School  of  Expression   (elocution,  jmblic  speaking). 

6.  The  School  of  Music  (voice,  piano,  violin,  public  school  methods,  pipe 
organ,  wind  instruments). 

7.  The  School  of  Fine  Arts. 


HISTOEY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY  635 

LABORATORIES    AND   LIBRARY 

The  college  is  provided  with  chemical,  physical,  biological  and  geological  labora- 
tories. The  chemical  laboratories  are  well  equipped  with  all  the  apparatus  for 
general,  inorganic  and  organic  chemistry ;  also  qualitative  and  quantitative  analysis. 
The  laboratories  are  supplied  with  water,  sinks,  gas  and  other  necessities.  The 
physics  laboratory  is  thoroughly  equipped  with  all  the  necessary  apparatus  for 
teaching  of  physics  in  a  first  class  way.  The  biological  laboratory  is  well  equipped 
fldth  first  class  compound  microscopes,  microtome,  camera,  etc.  The  geological 
laboratory  has  a  large  number  of  fine  specimens  of  fossils,  rocks  and  minerals. 
A  special  room  is  fitted  up  for  the  geological  work. 

Lihriinj.  The  library  has  received  a  substantial  gift  of  $10,000  from  Andrew 
Carnegie.  The  interest,  amounting  to  $500  a  year,  is  spent  in  purchasing  the  best 
books  for  a  working  library.  Our  library  ranks  among  the  best  in  the  state.  It  is 
of  sufficient  size  now  to  offer  a  number  of  library  courses.  Daily  papers  and 
many  of  the  best  magazines  are  to  be  found  on  the  reading  tables  of  the  library. 

RELIGIOUS    A(^TIVITIES 

A  majority  of  its  students  are  from  Christian  homes.  The  college  therefore 
seeks  to  furnish  such  religious  training  as  will  supplement  and  conserve  the  sacred 
influences  of  the  home.  It  believes  in  heart  culture  as  well  as  head  culture  and 
encourages  every  agency  and  activity  that  tends  to  promote  Christian  influence. 

Every  school  day  chapel  exercises  are  held  in  the  college  chapel  and  all  students 
are  required  to  attend.  Members  of  the  faculty  and  occasionally  students  lead 
these  exercises.  Bible  classes  are  conducted  and  credit  given  both  in  the  college 
and  academy.  Mission  study  classes  are  conducted  by  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  Y.  W. 
C.  A.  Study  of  comparative  religions  and  non-Christian  faiths  is  presented  in  the 
college. 

All  students  are  required  to  attend  at  least  one  religious  service  every  >Sunday 
in  the  church  of  their  choice. 

York's  support 

We  want  posterity  to  know  of  the  interest  York  County  takes  in  this  institution, 
so  allot  the  space  to  let  the  York  Republican  of  August  26,  1930,  tell  that  story: 

The  prologue  in  the  final  act  of  the  drama,  entitled  "Eaising  the  Endowment 
of  York  College,"  was  given  at  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  rooms  on  Monday  evening.  On 
that  occasion  members  of  the  county  organization  met  with  the  trustees  of  the 
school  for  the  purpo-se  of  launching  the  campaign  in  Y^'ork  County  outside  the  city 
of  York.  The  drive  in  the  city  was  made  last  spring  and  netted  $103,000  before 
the  subscription  takers  folded  up  their  subscription  blanks  and  left  the  field. 
Now  the  county  is  to  be  invited  to  do  its  part. 

The  financial  goal  of  the  college  has  been  fixed  as  follows:  $150,000  for 
York  County,  $150,000  for  the  United  Brethren  denomination  in  Nebraska  and 
Colorado,  $200,000  from  tlie  denominational  funds  devoted  to  Christian  education. 

Vol.  II— 3 


636  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

These  sums  invested  in  securities  are  expected  to  raise  the  sum  which  is  yearly 
needed  to  bridge  over  the  financial  gap  between  what  the  students  pay  in  tuition 
and  what  the  expenses  of  the  institution  are.  Witli  the  endowment  raised  and 
the  finances  of  the  school  established,  improvements,  both  in  the  equipment  and 
the  work  of  the  school,  can  be  undertaken;  without  the  endomnent  the  school  is 
headed  for  the  financial  rocks. 

A  number  of  progressive  peojile  from  the  county  attended  the  meeting.  A 
dinner  was  served  at  7:00  o'clock.  After  that  had  been  properly  discussed  and 
disposed  of,  C.  A.  McCloud,  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  school,  took 
charge  of  affairs  and  in  a  brief  speech  outlined  tlie  financial  needs  of  the  college. 

The  college  is  the  property  of  the  people  of  Y'ork  County,  declared  Mr.  McCloud, 
and  they  should  for  financial  reasons,  if  for  no  other,  come  to  its  support.  He 
declared  that  if  another  community  were  bidding  for  the  school  and  there  was  a 
prospect  of  its  being  moved  elsewhere,  a  sum  of  a  half  million  dollars  could  be 
raised  over  night  to  retain  it.  Some  of  the  same  spirit  should  be  showing  itself 
when  the  school  is  in  financial  need  to  guarantee  the  stability  of  its  finances  so 
that  the  future  work  of  the  school  can  be  laid  out  and  protected.  Mr.  McCloud 
declared  that  every  acre  of  land  in  York  County  is  enhanced  in  value  by  reason  of 
the  school  being  located  here,  and  that  if  every  acre  has  been  increased  one  dollar — 
a  conservative  estimate — that  increase  alone  is  sufficient  to  raise  an  endo\nnent  to 
provide  the  present  and  future  financial  needs  of  the  school. 

Other  speakers,  whose  remarks  brought  out  the  value  of  the  school  to  the  com- 
munity and  the  duty  devolving  upon  the  citizens  of  Y^ork  County  to  assist  it  with 
their  gifts  toward  the  endowment  and  also  witli  their  good  will  and  interest,  were 
A.  W.  Thompson,  Dr.  0.  M.  Moore  and  J.  G.  Alden. 

Dr.  H.  U.  Roop,  president  of  the  school,  gave  much  interesting  detail  about 
the  work  of  the  school.  They  have  two  goals  in  view,  a  financial  goal  and  student 
goal.  Their  financial  goal  is  the  one  above  detailed,  creating  a  total  endowment 
of  a  half  million  dollars.  The  student  goal  is  twice  the  number  of  students  enrolled 
last  year. 

Doctor  Roop  stated  that  two  things  are  essential  before  the  school  can  avail 
itself  of  aid  from  the.  large  educational  funds  established  for  the  aid  of  colleges 
by  the  men  of  great  finance  interested  in  educational  objects — there  must  be  an 
endowment  of  not  less  than  $100,000  and  a  student  body  of  not  less  than  100. 
These  conditions  will  soon  be  met  and  then  the  college  can  apply  for  aid  from  the 
foundations  in  establishing  professorships,  founding  chairs  and  erecting  new  build- 
ings. He  is  sanguine  the  endowment  hopes  will  be  realized  and  the  college  put 
on  its  financial  feet  so  that  it  can  with  this  school  year  begin  to  stretch  out  for  its 
waiting,  beckoning  future. 

A  very  complete  canvass  of  the  county  is  to  be  made  under  direction  of  a 
captain  and  team  for  each  township.  Some  work  in  the  county  has  already  been 
done  with  good  report.  The  captains  of  the  teams  who  will  do  the  soliciting  work 
in  company  with  volunteers  from  the  school  and  from  Y^ork  City  are:  Stewart, 
Herman  Diers;  Thayer,  David  Price;  West  Blue,  A.  E.  Caldwell;  McFaddeu, 
Merl  Harner;  Henderson,  J.  R.  Mouer :  Brown,  P.  H.  Epp;  Waco,  R.  F.  Getty; 
Morton,  Wm.  ilyers:  Arborville,  S.  Harvey;  Bradshaw,  Dr.  Geo.  Morrison;  Lock- 
ridge,  R.  L.  Brill;  Baker,  B.  S.  Kuhn ;  Leroy,  Harvey  Pickrel. 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  637 

THE   YOEK    ACADEMY 

In  the  fall  of  1871  C.  S.  Harrison  of  Eastville,  111.,  was  asked  by  Geo.  Harris, 
land  commissioner  of  the  B.  &  M.  Railroad,  to  take  charge  of  a  colony  to  be  located 
in  York,  N'eb.,  with  F.  A.  Bidwell,  land  agent.  He  first  came  to  view  the  situation 
in  September,  1871.  There  were  then  but  six  buildings  and  those  on  a  very  small 
scale,  one  being  a  sod  house.  At  this  time  there  was  not  a  tree,  shrub  or  flower 
on  the  whole  towusite.  It  was  simply  a  dry,  dreary,  monotonous  prairie.  The 
grass  was  short  and  the  country  had  a  parched  and  pinched  appearance. 

He  told  the  commissioner  that  if  he  took  charge  of  a  colony  he  must  have  a 
nucleus  around  which  to  build  it.  So  the  commissioner  asked  him  what  he  wanted. 
He  told  him  that  he  wanted  forty  acres  of  land  deeded  to  the  Congregational 
Church  for  an  academy  and  wanted  it  joining  town  on  the  west  side.  The  forty 
acres  were  received  without  the  cost  of  a  dollar  and  deeded  to  the  Congregational 
Church  when  it  was  organized.  Then  circulars  were  put  out  calling  attention  to 
the  "Mayflower  Colony,"  with  a  New  England  academy  attachment,  and  that  began 
to  draw  the  people  till  by  such  advertising  about  six  hundred  people  came  to  York 
County.  It  brought  in  a  better  class  of  people  than  the  other  towns  secured.  This 
was  due  to  the  fact  that  church  and  school  was  the  watchword  instead  of  saloons 
and  gambling  dens. 

The  next  thing  to  be  done  was  to  make  the  land  available.  So  Mr.  Harrison 
and  Mr.  Bidwell  bouglit  lots  on  the  west  side  of  town  and  when  other  people  came 
in  they  commenced  to  settle  near  the  academy  land.  G.  P.  Chessman  came  soon. 
after  and  also  built  in  that  locality. 

When  an  impetus  was  given  in  that  direction,  then  it  was  thought  best  to  sell 
thirty  acres  of  the  land  and  put  up  the  building  from  the  proceeds,  retaining  ten 
acres  for  the  campus.  To  Mr.  Chessman  and  Henry  Seymour  the  community  was 
largely  indebted  for  the  success  of  the  enterprise.  Sufficient  land  was  sold  to 
commence  the  building  of  a  two  story  building  30x50  feet  with  an  addition  for 
entrance  and  bell  tower.  It  was  in  the  awful  year  of  the  grasshopper  scourge,  but 
the  noble  building  went  up  like  a  great  hope  rising  out  of  despair.  For  the  times 
it  was  a  large  building.  The  lumber  was  hauled  from  Fairmont  as  there  was  no 
railroad  in  those  days.  As  it  was  to  be  a  Congregational  school  the  advisability 
of  opening  it  was  brought  before  the  Blue  Valley  Association,  and  a  committee  of 
three  brought  in  a  report  against  opening  it,  as  it  was  too  near  Doane  College. 
Sentiment  has  changed  since  then.  Doane  College  realizes  the  need  of  academies 
as  feeders.     There  are  now  four  of  these  in  the  state  sending  students  to  Doane. 

In  the  meantime,  however,  tlie  building  was  not  idle.     For  some  time  it  was 

given  to  the  public  school,  as  it  had   rooms  adapted  for  their  work.     Not  long 

.  after  its  erection  the  M.  E.   Conference  located  their  state  college  in  York   and 

the  doors  of  the  academy  were  cordially  thrown  open  to  them.     In  the  meantime 

it  was  used  as  a  Congregational  church. 

THE    METHODIST   EPISCOPAL    COLLEGE    OF    NEBRASKA 

This  institution  of  learning,  located  in  this  city,  owes  its  origin  to  the 
Nebraska  Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  which,  at  its 
session  in  the  fall  of  1879,  established  it  under  the  name  of  the  Nebraska  Conference 


638  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Seminary.  However,  during  the  first  three  years  of  its  existence  the  school 
developed  so  rajjidly  that  tlie  Annual  Conference,  at  its  session  in  1873,  found  it 
necessary  to  raise  the  grade  of  the  institution ;  and  it  was  accordingly  incorporated 
as  the  Methodist  Episcopal  College  of  Nebraska,  and  opened  as  such  in  September, 
1883. 

The  educational  advantages  offered  here  to  the  youth  of  our  young  state  are 
certainly  of  a  high  grade.  A  full  classical  course  of  six  years  is  preparing  many 
of  our  young  men  for  the  learned  professions.  The  philosophical  course,  requiring 
five  years  for  its  completion,  pays  special  attention  to  the  philosophies  and 
physical  sciences.  The  scientific  course,  also  of  five  years,  differs  from  the  last 
principally  in  that  it  carries  the  student  farther  into  the  higher  mathematics,  pay- 
ing somewhat  less  attention  to  the  study  oi  languages;  it  is  arranged  with  the  design 
of  qualifying  the  student,  by  a  thorough  drill  and  study  in  mathematics  and 
physical  science  for  scientific  pursuits. 

Other  shorter  courses  are  open  to  the  student  who  does  not  wish  to  remain 
so  long  at  college,  yet  desires  to  enter  upon  life's  work  with  a  better  preparation 
than  he  can  get  at  the  high  schools,  ^uch  is  the  literary  course,  requiring  but 
three  years  of  study.  It  embraces  studies  from  various  departments  of  art,  science, 
history,  philosophy  and  language.     This  is  a  very  popular  course. 

There  is  also  a  normal  course  requiring  three  years'  work,  specially  designed  for 
those  wishing  to  qualify  themselves  for  the  profession  of  teaching.  It  introduces 
those  studies  which  are  essential  to  the  teacher  in  his  special  work,  and  gives  promi- 
nence to  those  studies  required  under  the  hnvs  of  Nebraska  for  a  first  grade 
certificate. 

The  fact  is  also  recognized  tliat  there  is  necessarily  among  us  a  class  of  young- 
people  who  must  fit  themselves  for  business  with  the  least  possible  delay,  having 
no  leisure  for  the  acquirement  of  any  knowledge,  however  nseful  and  desirable 
except  such  knowledge  as  develops  the  indispensal)le  qualifications  of  the  business 
man.  With  special  reference  to  such  needs  we  have  the  business  course,  discarding 
all  studies  but  those  absolutely  indispensable  to  the  successful  prosecution  of 
business.  In  this  course  the  student  is  taught  bookkeeping,  practical  rapid  business 
penmanship,  commercial  law,  l)usiuess  forms,  commercial  aritlimetic,  rajjid  calcula- 
tion, etc. 

As  an  ajjpropriate  introduction  to  any  of  these  courses  we  have  an  English 
preparatory  course  of  one  year,  covering  the  common  English  branches  of  study. 

If  for  any  special  reason  the  student  wishes  to  select  studies  from  the  various 
courses,  he  may  do  so  under  the  advice  and  discretion  of  the  faculty. 

Diplomas  are  granted  and  appnq)riate  degrees  conferred  upon  the  graduate  in 
any  of  these  courses. 

The  museum  of  this  institution  is  a  noteworthy  feature.  Fine  collections  have 
been  added  from  time  to  time.  Lately  the  Bower's  cabinet,  one  of  the  finest  col- 
lections in  the  West,  representing  the  patient  toil  of  a  lifetime  of  an  eminent 
scientist,  has  been  purchased  by  the  trustees  and  added  to  the  museum. 

Students  have  free  access  to  the  library,  are  furnished  with  apparatus  to 
illustrate  natural  science,  and  with  instruments  for  surveying,  etc. 

Great  care  and  Judgment  have  been  exercised  in  the  selection  of  the  faculty 
for  our  college;  the  chairs  of  the  varidus  departments  are  filled   with  persons  of 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  G39 

wide  experience,  broad  culture,  of  acknowledged  competency  and  literary  standing. 
As  at  present  constituted,  the  faculty  in  the  literary  department  consists  of  the 
following : 

Eev.  E.  Thompson,  Ph.  D.,  S.  T.  B.,  j^resident  and  professor  of  ethics  and 
psychology. 

Ella  A.  Thompson,  M.  E.  L.,  preceptress,  professor  of  English  language  and 
history. 

Eev.  Wm.  Peck,  A.  M.,  professor  of  German  and  French  and  instructor  in 
military  science. 

Dexter  P.  Nicholson,  M.  S.,  professor  of  natural  science. 

Eev.  A.  E.  Wightman,  professor  of  Latin  and  Greek. 

Professor  Smith,  A.  M.,  professor  higher  mathematics. 

Edwin  E.  Andrus,  M.  Accounts,  professor  of  commercial  science. 

The  art  department  of  the  college  is  accomplishing  a  great  work  in  our  midst. 
It  is  certainly  a  rare  treat  to  visit  the  art  rooms,  study  the  fine  productions  of  art, 
and  note  the  skill  and  progress  of  the  students.  This  department  is  taught  by 
Ella  Thomson,  instructor  in  portrait  painting  and  crayoning. 

Miss  Louisa  Vance,  instructor  in  dra-iWng,  pastel  painting,  etc. 

Our  music  department  offers  a  fine  opportunity  to  the  student  for  music 
culture.  It  is  constantly  growing  in  magnitude  and  influence.  The  instructors 
in  this  department  are: 

D.  B.  Worley,  M.  G.,  professor  of  musical  composition,  vocal  music  and  organ. 

Miss  Anna  Eeavis,  M.  G.,  professor  of  piano  music. 

Miss  Montie  Harper,  M.  G.,  professor  of  violin  and  assistant  on  piano. 

Connected  with  the  college  is  the  ladies'  hall,  in  which  young  ladies  may  room 
and  live  in  the  family  of  the  president,  under  the  special  charge  of  the  preceptress. 

The  financial  basis  of  the  college  is  good.  While  its  endowment  fund  is  indeed 
not  yet  sufficient  to  sustain  the  heavy  financial  burden  of  an  institution  of  this 
kind,  yet  this  fund  is  daily  increasing.  As  an  evidence  of  the  hold  this  college 
has  upon  the  sympathies  of  the  people  of  this  state  may  be  mentioned  the  fact 
that  one  man,  Hon.  J.  W.  Small  of  Fairfield,  contributed  lately  the  sum  of 
$15,000  to  its  support.  Besides  this,  the  simple  fact  that  the  college  is  under 
the  control  and  management  of  one  of  the  great  religious  denominations  of  the  land, 
which  is  pledged  to  its  support,  is  sufficient  to  insure  its  permanency  and  success. 

A  fight  was  put  up  to  retain  this  school,  as  shown  better  by  the  following  story 
from  the  Democrat  in  November  and  December,  1888 : 

Voters  should  bear  the  fact  in  mind  that  the  location  of  the  imiversity  at 
this  place  largely  depends  upon  the  result  of  the  vote  next  Saturday.  Three  of 
the  board  of  control  have  expressed  themselves  as  willing  to  vote  for  the  location  at 
York  if  the  bonds  carry.  The  great  complaint  that  has  always  been  urged  against 
our  city  in  matters  of  this  kind  has  been  our  want  of  railroad  facilities.  Parties 
living  north  or  south  of  this  place  find  it  impossible  to  reach  York  unless  by 
traveling  a  hundred  miles  out  of  their  way.  With  this  great  drawback  removed, 
we  are  informed  that  our  chances  are  good  to  secure  the  university.  There  is  no 
question  whatever  that  the  bonds  will  carry  in  the  City  of  York,  and  there  should 
be  none  in  the  adjacent  townships.  A  vote  for  the  bonds  is  a  vote  indirectly  for 
the  location  of  a  great  institution  of  learning  in  our  midst. 


G4U  HISTORY    OF    YOIUv    COUNTY 

List  of  Contrihutors  for  the  Location  of  the  University  at  York 


F.  L.  Mayhew $3,000.00 

F.   0.   Bell 1,000.00 

McNeal   and  wife 1,000.00 

F.  F.   Mead 1,000.00 

G.  W.    Post 1,000.00 

Mrs.  J.  W.  Small 1,000.00 

G.  A.  Beck 500.00 

W.  M.  Knapp 500.00 

M.  Sovereign    500.00 

E.   P.   Warner 500.00 

Lee  Love    500.00 

N.   M.   Ferguson 500.00 

A.    B.    Codding 250.00 

J.  M.   McKenzie 250.00 

J.   E.    Beveridge 250.00 

A.  Montgomery   250.00 

D.    E.    Sedgwiek 250.00 

W.    E.    Morgan 250.00 

D.  Hiesler    250.00 

J.  V.  Gardner 250.00 

John  Galagher 250.00 

P.  H.  Isham 100.00 

E.  B.  Atkins 100.00 

Doctor  Carseadden    100.00 

C.  C.    Cobb 100.00 

A.    F.    Bloomer 100.00 

0.  P.  Sheldon 100.00 

S.  C.   Grippen 100.00 

\V.  J.  Linch 100.00 

J.    Sollenberger    100.00 

W.  T.  Scott. 100.00 

G.   II.  Jerome 100.00 

Mrs.  H.  T.  Davis 100.00 

Doctor  Forristall   100.00 

W.  Kneeshaw   100.00 

P.  B.  Daggy 100.00 

Ewen  &  Butler 100.00 

D.  E.  Sayre '•  •  100.00 

T.  J.  Hatfield 50.00 

S.  P.  Buckmaster 50.00 

F.  A.  Creigbton 50.00 

Leroy  Hill    50.00 

E.  McCarty    "'0.00 

G.  W.  Markham 50.00 

Yenie  Harrison    50.00 

J.  A.  Johnson 50.00 


Jas.  D.  White 50.00 

E.    A.    Gilbert 50.00 

Hackney  &   Son 50.00 

J.  Pagan 50.00 

E.  J.  Wightman 50.00 

H.  Klein.scbmidt    50.00 

W.    D.    Stuart 50.00 

A.  B.  Test 25.00 

D.  Hutchison    25.00 

August  Baker    25.00 

F.  X.  Rial 25.00 

C.   T.   Macy 25.00 

Clem  Wilde    25.00 

Ella   Graves    25.00 

X.  Kennedy   25.00 

W.  Frew   25.00 

J.   X.  Plumb 25.00 

F.   C.   Merrifield 25.00 

F.   Sovereign 25.00 

R.   F.   Chipperfield 25.00 

Mrs.  Blackburn    25.00 

Mrs.  Jackson   25.00 

E.  Yandeventer   25.00 

M.   M.  Wildman 25.00 

Mrs.  L.  A.  Weed 25.00 

H.  S.  Brancht 25.00 

W.  H.  Eagleson 25.00 

Geo.  Holgate    5.00 

W.  L.  Morgan 25.00 

J.  K.  Lewis 25.00 

R.  M.  McKaig $2,000.00 

E.  M.  Cheney 1,000.00 

J.  H.  Mickey l,(ii)0.00 

J.  W.  Barnes 1.000.00 

F.  G.  Mayhew 1,000.00 

F.  K.  Atkins 500.00 

Kate  Harrison   500.00 

E.  M.  Battis 5(i0.00 

Airs.   Crapser    500.00 

Ladies   M.   E.-Cburcli 500.00 

M.  B.  Atkins 500.00 

Wm.  Cowell   250.00 

Doctor  Farley    250.00 

M.    P.    Harrison 250.00 

J.  C.  Lenox 250.00 

A.  C.  Snyder 250.00 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


641 


D.  P.  Nicholson 250.00 

M.  E.   Sunday  School 250.00 

A.  R.  Wightman 250.00 

E.  W.  Mosher 250.00 

Mrs.  G.  Harrison 200.00 

S.  Alexander   200.00 

C.    S.   Edwards 100.00 

A.  J.   Newman 100.00 

J.   S.   Morrison 100.00 

G.   H.   Wehn 100.00 

T.  D.  Knapp 100.00 

Dnke   Slavens    100.00 

J.  M.  Bell 100.00 

W.   L.    Whedon 100.00 

A.  D.    Wyckoff 100.00 

B.  H.   Westervelt 100.00 

A.  Bnibaker 100.00 

T.   Eddy  Bennett 100.00 

G.  A.  Hobson 100.00 

Woods  Bros 100.00 

0.    H.    Blackburn 50.00 

G.  F.  Ingalls 50.00 

H.E.Wells 50.00 

Harper    50.00 

Mrs.  Doctor  Sedgwick 50.00 

R.  McCarty    50.00 

Buckmaster  &  Knight 50.00 

M.  A.   Green 50.00 


L.  F.  Smith  and  wife 50.00 

Will  Wyckoflf   50.00 

A.  0.  Faulkner 50.00 

H.  J.  Porter 50.00 

John  Frew   50.00 

N.  A.  Sherman 25.00 

P.   W.   Dale 25.00 

J.  L.  Sleeper 25.00 

Wm.    Bernstein    5.00 

0.  Washburn    5.00 

Anna  Beck   25.00 

L.  F.  Newville 25.00 

Blanche    Burns    25.00 

Mrs.    C.    Beveridge '  25.00 

G.  H.  Jerome 25.00 

Lottie  Corn  well   25.00 

Annie  Harrison   25.00 

C.  A.  Ewen 20.00 

T.  L.  Baily 25.00 

Jennie  Osborn    25.00 

Geo.  Flock   25.00 

Jolm  Atkinson 25.00 

L.    R.    Bickley 25.00 

Robbie  Codding 25.00 

Mrs.  McKinzie 25.00 

John   Bishop    25.00 

Goldson  Prewitt    25.00 


WE.SI.EYAX     inwTORY 


The  following  press  excerpt  describes  tbe  development  of  Nebraska  Wesleyan 
as  the  outgrowth  of  pioneer  experience.  Over  forty  years  ago  a  college  was 
founded  at  York.  For  five  years  there  were  graduating  classes.  In  1886  a 
joint  university  commission  representing  tlie  annual  conferences  and  the  then 
existing  colleges  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Nebraska  evolved  a 
plan  of  consolidation  for  one  university.  A  board  of  trustees  was  organized  to 
consist  of  seven  trustees  from  each  conference  in  Nebraska.  The  charter  was 
granted  in  1887.  Since  then  the  alumni  have  been  given  places  on  the  board. 
With  the  opening  of  classes  on  the  present  site  of  Wesleyan  in  University  Place, 
September  18,  1888,  there  were  thirty  students.  The  institution  has  multiplied 
that  number  many  times. 

Nebraska  Wesleyan  alumni  are  found  in  twenty-eight  states  of  the  Union  and 
aliout  a  dozen  countries.  The  student  body  is  drawn  mainly  from  Nebraska,  but 
large  numbers  of  students  from  neighboring  states  also  attend.  The  faculty  has 
been  largely  increased  this  summer.  Also  a  number  of  the  professors  have  received 
this  summer  advanced  degrees  for  work  completed  in  other  institutions. 


642  HISTOKY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

YORK    BUSINESS    COLLEGE 

The  York  Business  College  was  founded  during  the  summer  of  1901,  and 
commenced  operations  September  10th  of  that  year.  President  Jacobs,  the  founder 
of  this  school,  has  had  four  years'  experience  as  teacher  of  commercial  and  short- 
hand branches,  and  this,  combined  with  his  business  and  executive  ability,  has 
accounted  in  large  part  for  the  success  of  the  school. 

Before  the  opening  of  the  school  the  second  floor  of  the  Wirt  Block,  consisting 
of  ten  large  and  convenient  rooms,  was  secured  for  the  use  of  the  school.  Two 
of  these  rooms  have  since  been  thrown  into  one  to  make  room  for  the  greatly 
increased  attendance  and  other  rooms  have  been  secured  until  in  1903  the  York 
Business  College  occupies  in  all  thirteen  rooms. 

The  furniture  and  equipment  are  everything  that  could  be  desired  for  business 
college  work.  The  offices  for  business  practice,  the  furniture  of  which  was  manu- 
factured ex])rcssly  for  its  use,  contain  large  counters,  containing  drawers,  book 
vaults,  and  every  convenience  known  to  the  modern  accounting  house.  The  type- 
writing room  is  well  equipped  with  new  Eemington  and  Smith  Premier  type^Titers, 
mimeograph,  etc.  A  lilirary  of  several  hundred  volumes  occupies  one  end  of  the 
large  recitation  room.  An  elegant  piano,  which  is  used  in  the  chapel  exercises, 
literary,  etc.,  occupies  a  corner  in  the  large  commercial  room.  The  furniture 
tlirongliout  is  such  as  might  be  expected  in  a  \vell-0(|ui[)])ed  business  college. 

For  night  school,  literary,  receptions,  lectures,  etc.,  the  school  is  lighted  by 
electric  lights.  The  city  water  in  the  hall  connecting  the  rooms  is  a  great  con- 
venience. 

The  attendance  at  the  York  Business  College  has  shown  a  remarkable  growth. 
While  the  school  opened  September  10,  1901,  with  nine  students  and  increased,  to 
135  during  the  first  year,  it  began  its  second  years  work  with  an  enrollment  of 
twenty-five  the  first  day,  and  on  January  1,  1903.  had  a  much  larger  attendance 
than  it  had  one  year  before. 

The  graduates  of  the  first  year  numlier  thirty-five,  many  of  whom  hold  some 
of  the  most  important  positions  in  the  business  world.  Among  its  graduates 
may  be  found  the  must  successful  teachers,  stenographers  and  accountants,  while 
manv  have  entered  other  fiekls  of  usefulness.  But  whatever  vocation  they  have 
entered,  they  are  eminently  successful  and  their  success  reflects  credit  upon  their 
alma  mater. 

Five  courses  of  study  were  oiferoil  by  this  school,  viz.,  commercial,  post-graduate 
commercial,  shorthand  and  typewriting,  reporting  shorthand  and  normal.  These 
courses  are  practical,  and  while  short  they  give  the  student  the  training  necessary 
in  Ills  chosen  line. 

The  teachers  were  specialists  in  their  respective  branches  and  took  great  interest 
in  the  individual  welfare  of  each  student.  Professor  Eberly,  the  penmanship  spe- 
cialist, made  a  wide  reputation  as  a  ]ilain  and  ornamental  penman.  The  colored 
cards  written  by  him  were  very  attractive.  Professor  Jacobs  was  eminently  suc- 
cessful in  placing  his  students  and  graduates  in  good  positions.  During  the  year 
he  recei\ed  many  calls  that  he  could  nut  fill. 

A  1)1  ief  history  of  the  York  Business  College  would  not  be  complete  without 
mentioning  in  a  siiecial  way  the  great  commencement  exercises  which  were  held  in 
the   York    auditorium,  April    10,   1902.      The   large   auditorium   was  packed   with 


YoEK  Business  College  and  Noemal  School 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ABTOH,  X-ENOX  AND 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  645 

friends,  and  Chancellor  Aylsworth  of  Cotner  University  delivered  a  very  interesting 
address  upon  "The  Modern  Era  of  Education."  Excellent  music  was  rendered  and 
at  the  close  of  the  exercises  President  Jacobs  presented  diplomas  to  twenty-six  grad- 
uates. After  the  commencement  exercLses  a  banquet  was  held  in  the  business  col- 
lege. A  graduation  banquet  was  also  held  June  15,  at  which  time  the  second  class 
of  the  York  Business  College  graduated.  The  next  commencement  exercises  were 
held  about  April  1,  15)03. 

In  the  brief  period  which  marks  the  existence  of  the  York  Business  College  it 
has  made  a  remarkable  record,  and  its  future  even  promises  a  greater  success  than 
the  past  has  achieved.  It  has  already  taken  front  rank  among  the  business  colleges 
of  the  West. 

After  President  Jacobs  terminated  his  connection  with  this  institution,  about 
1905,  it  was  taken  over  and  for  many  years  very  successfully  conducted  l)y  Buckley 
Brothers. 

In  1916  the  school  became  affiliated  with  York  College  and,  under  the  auspices 
of  that  institution,  is  managed  by  Prof.  0.  V.  Moore. 

PRESIDENT  G.   M.   JACOBS 

Sketches  of  Professor  and  Mrs.  Jacobs  prepared  in  1903  showed  that 
President  Jacobs,  founder  of  this  school,  was  born  in  Xemaha  County,  Kansas, 
November  10,  1878.  His  education  began  in  a  little  country  schoolhouse,  and, 
upon  graduating  from  the  common  school,  he  entered  the  commercial  department  of 
Campbell  University,  Holton,  Kan.,  from  which  he  graduated  in  the  spring  of 
1896.  The  next  year  was  spent  in  the  Western  Normal  College,  Shenandoah,  Iowa, 
from  which  he  graduated  Marcli  22,  1897.  Mr.  Jacobs  is  also  a  graduate  of  the 
shorthand  department  of  the  Fremont  Normal  School.  He  holds  five  diplomas,  two 
of  which  confer  degrees.  In  his  work  as  teacher,  which  covers  a  period  of  nearly 
six  years,  he  has  ever  been  a  close  student,  which  accounts  in  a  large  measure  for 
his  success.  September  3,  1901,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Iniogene  Houser,  a  charm- 
ing young  lady  of  Illinois. 

Mrs.  G.  M.  Jacobs  was  a  native  of  Illinois.  She,  like  her  husband,  was  reared 
in  the  country,  and  after  completing  her  course  in  the  district  school  entered  the 
high  school  at  Lincoln,  111.,  and  upon  her  graduation  she  entered  the  Illinois 
Woman's  College  at  Jacksonville,  where  her  literary  education  was  obtained. 

Mrs.  Jacobs,  having  a  strong  desire  for  business  college  work,  entered  the  com- 
mercial department  of  the  Eureka  (111.)  Business  College,  graduating  in  the  spring 
of  1900.  The  following  year  was  spent  in  the  study  of  shorthand  at  York,  Neb., 
where  she  graduated  with  high  honors  June  12,  1901.  She  is  conversant  with  both 
the  Pitman  and  Gregg  systems,  and  has  proved  an  eminently  successful  teacher. 
Mrs.  Jacobs  took  an  active  part  in  teaching  and  management  of  the  York  Business 
College,  and  its  early  success  was  due  in  no  small  degree  to  her  untiring  efforts. 

THE  UBSULINE   CONVENT 

This  wonderful  institution  was  located  at  York  in  1890.  The  following  account 
details  the  part  played  by  the  citizens  of  this  community  in  receiving  it  and 
starting  it  upon  its  grand  work  here : 


646  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

'  Considerable  talk  and  some  little  work  has  been  indulged  in  the  past  week,  in 
regard  to  securing  the  TJrsuline  School  for  York.  The  board  of  trade  has  held  two 
meetings  and  on  Tuesday  night  a  mass  meeting, was  held  and  the  matter  thoroughly 
discussed.  The  committee  appointed  by  the  board  was  endorsed  and  considerable 
enthusiasm  was  manifested.  It  was  decided  to  relieve  the  syndicate  property  of 
debt  which  is  about  $9,000  by  subscribing  ninety  shares  of  $100  each.  To  aiiect 
this  indebtedness  it  is  estimated  that  nearly  or  about  $6,000  can  be  collected  from 
the  contracts  of  the  lots  that  have  been  sold,  leaving  but  about  one-third  of  the 
indebtedness  to  raise  in  cash.  A  person  who  subscribes  one  share  or  $100  will 
probably  not  be  called  upon  to  pay  over  $30  of  the  amount,  the  balance  of  his 
$100  being  realized  from  the  lots  already  sold.  Judge  Post,  C.  J.  Xobes,  and  F.  0. 
Bell  each  headed  lists  with  subscriptions  of  five  shares,  or  $500  each.  Other  good 
subscriptions  have  been  taken,  and  with  one  last  effort  the  matter  can  Ije  brought 
to  a  successful  issue  and  the  necessary  amount  pledged  in  a  very  short  time.  From 
the  Peoria  Journal  of  Monday  morning  we  learn  that  the  Sisters  have  made  the 
sale  of  the  convent  property  at  Peoria  and  are  ready  to  come  to  York  just  as  soon 
as  their  proposition  is  accepted  here.  The  citizens'  committee  who  have  the  matter 
in  charge  are  M.  Sovereign,  G.  W.  Post,  C.  J.  Xobes,  N.  P.  Lundeen  and  George  F. 
Corcoran.  If  the  committee  does  not  find  yon,  hunt  them  and  p>it  down  your  name 
for  a  few  hundred. 

In  deference  to  tlie  wishes  of  those  who  condiict  this  institution,  the  compiler 
has  refrained  from  any  personal  roster  of  those  iu  charge  or  attendance  thereat,  and 
given  the  space  that  is  allotted  to  this  noble  enterprise  to  a  short,  historical  account 
of  the  order.  So  thoroughly  and  completely  does  each  member  of  this  order  merge 
her  personality  into  the  order  to  which  she  dedicates  her  life,  that  this  is  entirely 
appropriate,  for  they  prefer  the  tribute  paid  to  the  noble  order  rather  than  to  the 
individual.  The  institutinn  at  Ydvk  was  opened  by  a  band  of  Ursulines  driven 
from  their  German  home  by  the  Kulterkampf.  after  they  had  worked  for  some 
time  in  the  diocese  of  Peoria,  111. 

From  time  to  time  notable  improvements  have  been  made  to  the  plant  at  York, 
and  it  is  now  a  well-equipped  and  very  successful  school. 

St.  Angela's  Hall,  a  more  recent  addition  to  the  Ursuline  Convent,  was 
dedicated  on  Thursday,  May  6,  1909,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Thomas  Bonacum,  bishop  of 
Lincoln.  This  new  building,  fully  equipped,  was  an  addition  of  much  worth  to  the 
TJrsuline  Convent  and  an  improvement  which  the  patrons  of  the  school  fully 
appreciated. 

The  Ursulines.  A  religious  order  founded  by  St.  Angela  de  Merici  for  the  sole 
purpose  of  educating  young  girls.  It  was  the  first  teaching  order  of  women  estab- 
lished in  the  church,  and  up  to  the  present  date  has  adhered  strictly  to  the  work 
of  its  appointed  mission  to  lay  the  foundations  of  an  educational  order.  Angela 
for  seventeen  years  could  do  no  more  than  direct  a  number  of  young  women  who 
were  known  as  "The  Company  of  St.  Ursula,"  but  who  continued  to  live  in  the 
midst  of  their  own  families,  meeting  at  stated  times  for  conferences  and  devotional 
exercises.  The  many  difficulties  that  hindered  the  formation  of  the  new  institute 
gave  way  at  last,  and  in  1535  twelve  members  were  gathered  together  in  a  com- 
munity with  episcopal  approbation,  and  with  St.  Angela  de  Merici  as  superioress. 
The  movement  was  taken  up  with  great  enthusiasm  and  spread  rapidly  through- 
out Italv,  (iermany  and  France.     Within  a  few  years  the  company  numbered  many 


o 


o 


THE  NEW  YORK      1 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
I  tlLDBH  f  OUNOAXiONS 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  649 

houses,  each  independent.  Constitutions  suited  to  the  work  of  the  institute  were 
developed  and  completed  shortly  before  the  death  of  the  foundress  in  1540.  In 
1544  the  first  approbation  was  received  from  Paul  III  and  the  Rule  of  St.  Augustine 
adopted.  Many  important  details  were  left  unsettled  at  this  time,  ajid  as  a  result 
several  congregations  developed,  all  calling  themselves  Ursulines  but  differing 
widely  in  dress  and  customs.  The  largest  and  most  influential  of  these  were  the 
Congregation  of  Paris  and  tlie  Congregation  of  Bordeaux.  In  1572  St.  Charles 
Borromeo,  cardinal  archbishop  of  Milan,  obtained  for  the  new  congregation  the 
status  of  a  monastic  order  with  enclosure.  In  some  of  the  older  European  con- 
vents, in  Canada  and  Cuba,  strict  enclosure  is  still  observed :  in  other  sections, 
though  nowhere  entirely  abolished,  the  enclosure  has  been  modified  to  meet  local 
conditions.     A  bull  of  final  approbation  was  given  in  1618  by  Paul  V. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  an  appeal  was  made  from  Canada 
for  bands  of  religious  women  to  undertake  the  arduous  task  of  training  the  Indian 
girls  to  Christian  habits  of  life.  It  met  with  an  instant  and  generous  response.  In 
1630  Madame  de  la  Peltrie,  a  French  widow  of  comfortable  means,  offered  herself 
and  all  that  she  had  to  found  a  mission  in  Canada.  In  May  of  that  year  she  sailed 
from  Dieppe  accompanied  by  three  Ursulines  and  three  hospital  sisters.  At  Quebec 
the  latter  founded  a  Hotel  Dieu,  the  former,  the  first  Ursuline  convent  on  the 
western  continent. 

The  superioress  of  the  new  foundation  was  Mother  Marie  de  Tlncarnation 
Guyard,  whose  heroic  virtues  won  from  the  Holy  See  the  title  of  venerable  in  the 
year  1877,  and  the  process  of  whose  canonization  is  about  to  be  presented.  The 
earliest  establishment  of  the  Ursulines  in  the  United  States  also  owes  its  origin  to 
French  initiative.  In  1727  Mother  Marie  Trancliepain,  with  ten  companions, 
embarked  from  L'Orient  to  found  their  convent  at  New  Orleans.  After  years  of 
struggle  a  firm  foothold  was  secured,  and  the  Ursulines  still  flourish  in  the  city  of 
their  original  foundation.  A  notable  feature  of  Ursuline  labors  in  the  United 
States  may  be  found  in  the  history  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  missions,  where  for 
years  they  have  labored  for  the  Indians,  and  have  established  ten  flourishing  centers. 
From  these  western  foundations  have  sprung  two  branches  in  Alaska. 

In  accordance  with  the  wish  of  Leo  XIII,  a  congress  of  Ursulines  from  all 
parts  of  the  world  convened  at  Rome  during  the  fall  of  the  year  1900.  Repre- 
sentatives were  sent  from  the  United  States,  South  America,  Java,  and  all  parts  of 
Europe.  Under  the  auspices  of  the  Sacred  Congregation  of  Bishops  and  Regulars, 
the  Roman  Union  of  Ursulines  was  then  formed,  with  the  Most  Reverend  Mother 
Mary  of  St.  Julien  as  the  first  mother-general.  Cardinal  Satolli  was  appointed  the 
first  cardinal  protector.  To  this  union  belong  over  a  hundred  communities,  and 
aggregations  are  made  from  year  to  year.  The  united  communities  are  divided 
into  eight  provinces  as  follows:  Italy,  Austro-Hungary,  Hungary,  the  East  of 
France,  the  West  of  France,  Holland-Belgium-England-Germany,  the  Xorth  of  the 
United  States,  the  South  of  the  United  States,  Spain  and  Portugal.  Many  large 
and  important  communities  still  retain  their  independent  organization.  Of  late 
years  the  Ursulines  have  suffered  severely  in  France  and  Portugal.  The  members 
of  the  expelled  communities  have  become  aflaliated  with  other  foundations  both  in 
Europe  and  the  United  States. 

The  habit  of  the  order  is  of  black  serge,  falling  in  folds,  with  wide  sleeves.  On 
ceremonial  occasions  a  long  train  is  worn.     The  veil  of  the  professed  religious  is 


6.50  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

black,  of  the  novice  wliite.  The  guiiiipe  and  bandeau  are  of  plain  white  linen,  the 
cincture  of  black  leather.  There  are  two  grades  in  each  community:  the  choir 
religious,  so  called  from  their  obligation  to  recite  the  office  daily  in  choir;  and  the 
lay  sisters.  The  former  are  occupied  in  teaching,  the  latter  in  domestic  duties. 
Candidates  for  either  grade  pass  six  months'  probation  as  postulants  in  the  com- 
munity in  which  they  desire  to  become  stabilitated.  This  period  is  followed  by  two 
years  of  preparation  in  a  central  novitiate  at  the  expiration  of  which  the  three 
vows  of  religion  are  pronounced  temporarily  for  a  term  of  three  years.  At  the  end 
of  the  third  year  the  profession  is  made  perpetual.  In  some  Ursuline  communities 
solemn  vows  are  taken,  and  there  papal  enclosure  is  in  force.  The  vows  of 
the  Ursulines  in  the  United  States,  though  perpetual,  are  simple.  From  their 
earliest  foimdations  the  Ursulines  have  been  thorough  and  progressive  teachers. 
Their  system  might  be  termed  eclectic,  utilizing  the  effective  points  of  all  methods. 
The  European  houses  are  for  the  most  part  boarding  schools;  in  the  United  States 
combinations  of  boarding  and  day  schools.  The  nuns  also  conduct  many  parochial 
schools,  which,  like  the  others,  comprise  all  grades,  elementary,  academic,  and  college 
courses.  The  first  Catholic  college  for  women  in  Xew  York  State  was  founded  by 
the  Ursulines  at  New  Rochelle  in  1904.  The  Ursulines  in  several  other  parts  of 
the  United  States  have  followed  this  precedent,  and  are  laboring  practically  to 
further  the  higher  education  of  women.  TJie  German  Ursulines,  who  were  expelled 
through  the  influence  of  the  Kiilterkamjif  and  readmitted  after  an  exile  of  ten 
years,  are  permitted  to  resume  their  teaching,  but  for  pupils  of  high  school  grade 
only.  In  Europe  and  America  alike  the  Ursulines  make  it  a  point  to  secure 
state  approval,  and  avail  themselves  of  every  advantage  offered  liy  the  ]niljlic 
institutions.* 

EAELT    SCHOOL    STATUS 

The  following  reports  prepared  in  1881  will  show  the  status  of  the  public 
school  system  in  York  County  at  that  time,  and  the  various  data  upon  the  school 
system  of  the  present,  some  forty  years  later,  will  show  the  great  progress  made 
during  that  period : 

Summary  of  the  County  Superintendent's  Report  for  the  Year  Ending 

April  3,  1881 

To  make  it  of  more  interest,  I  shall  briefly  compare  in  part  the  reports  of  last 
year  and  this : 

Number  of  school  districts,  1880 85 

Number  of  school  districts,  1881 8G 

Number  of  frame  school  houses,  1880 61 

Number  of  frame  school  houses,  1881 71 

Besides  these  there  are  ten  sod  houses  and  one  brick. 

Total   enumeration   for    1880 3,627 

Total   enumeration   for    1881 3,993 

Increase 366 

Number  of  teachers,   1880 128 

Number  of  teachers,  ISSl 101 

•  From    the    CathoHc    Encyclopfdia,    Vol.    XV.    page.s    22S-229.    by    Mother    Mary    FideHs. 


HISTOltV    f)F    YOIMv    COUXTY  651 

Decrease    27 

Districts  having  six  months'  school,  1880 43 

Districts  having  six  months'  school,  1881 Gl 

Increase    21 

'  dumber  months"  school,  1880 448 

Number  months'  school,  1881 555 

Increase    1(17 

Number  children  attending  school,  1881 2,557 

Average  attendance  for  county,  1881 1,660 

These  two  items  cannot  be  given  for  1880,  as  the  reports  of 
that  year  were  incomplete. 

Value  of  school  projjerty,  18,S() $:il,245.09 

Value  of  school  property,  1881 35,465.84 

Increase    4,220.75 

Paid   teachers,    1880 12,245.28 

Paid    teachers,    1881 13,053.57 

Increase 808.2!) 

Total  cost  of  schools,  including  expenditures  of  all  kinds, 

whether  paid  or  not,  1880 26,983.36 

do    1881 23,278.87 

Decrease    3,704.49 

Total  indebtedness,  1880 17,141.90 

Total  indebtedness,  1881 1 7,071.53 

Decrease    70.37 

Number   institutes,    1880 1 

Number   institutes,    1881 1 

Number    attending    institute,    1880 45 

Number  attending  institute,   1881 72 

Length  of  institute,  1880 1  week 

Length  of  institute,  1881 2  weeks 

Number  of  days  employed   by  county   superintendent   for 

1881    266 

Compensation   per  day $3.00 

Total  compensation  for  year $798.00 

It  is  not  improper  to  remark  in  this  connection  that  the  last  named  amount 
includes  all  expenses  connected  with  the  office,  they  being  paid  by  the  superinten- 
dent. 

Number  of  visits  by  superintendent  for  last  year  were  eighty-one. 

In  this  respect,  it  will  be  seen  he  has  fallen  somewhat  short  of  his  duty,  as  the 
law  requires  him  to  visit  each  school  at  lea.st  once  during  the  year.  But,  owing  to 
the  great  amount  of  other  work,  the  severe  wnter,  and  several  weeks  lost  by 
sickness,  he  has  been  unable  to  meet  this  requirement. 

Series  of  Te.vt-Boolcs 

The  committee  on  text-books  met  Saturday  and  after  carefully  examining  several 
standard  series  selected  the  following  which  they  recommend  for  adoption  through- 

Vol.  II — 4 


652  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COFXTY 

out  the  county.     The  first  column  shows  the  price  wlien  an  old  book  is  given  in 
exchange;  the  second  shows  the  regular  price. 

Webster  Franklin  First    Reader $0.10  $0.18 

Webster  Franklin  Second    Reader 15  .30 

Webster  Franklin  Third  Reader 20  .42 

Webster  Franklin  Fourth    Reader 25  .54 

Webster  Franklin  Fifth   Reader 35  .90 

Harper's  Introductory  Geography 25  .50 

Harper's  School  Geography 6(1  1.10 

MeVicar's  Elementary  Arithmetic 20  .35 

McVicar's  Complete  Arithmetic,  Part  1 30  .57 

MeVicar's  Complete  Arithmetic,  Part  II 30  .57 

Swinton's  Language   Primer 15  .28 

Swinton's  Language  Lessons 20  .38 

Swinton's  Language  English  Grammar 30  .56 

Warren's  Class  Word   Speller 10  .18 

Barnes'  Brief  History •''5 

Dalton's  Physiology 32  .84 

'  Duff's  Bookkeeping   26  .44 

It  will  be  observed  that  these  books  are  extreiuely  cheap,  nuu-h  clieaper  than 
those  now  in  use,  and  by  examination  they  will  be  found  to  be  decidedly  better.  Of 
course  the  action  of  this  committee  is  simply  advisory.  Districts  are  at  liberty  to 
adopt  or  not  as  they  think  best.  I  am  not  in  favor  of  a  frequent  change  of  books 
but  the  great  variety  which  we  now  have  in  our  schools  render  them  very  ineffectual 
and  calls  for  a  united  effort  to  remedy  the  evil.  The  publishers  through  their  agents 
agree  to  keep  these  books  on  sale  in  the  county  for  the  prices  as  given  in  the  right- 
hand  column.  It  will  be  understood  that  each  district  is  expected  to  make  its  own 
arrangements  with  agents  about  the  introduction  of  the  books.  Where  the  districts 
buy  their  books  in  quantities  to  sell  td  the  scholars  or  for  use  free,  better  prices 
than  either  the  "exchange"  or  "retail"  prices  as  given  above  can  usually  be  made. 
A  full  and  authoritative  report  from  tlie  committee  will  appear  in  the  next  issue. 

E.  E.  Armor. 

Typical  of  the  progress  nuidc  tlu-dughout  the  county  by  the  various  towns,  may 
be  taken  the  following  description  of  the  progress  of  scIkidI  work  in  (iresham  in 
1920. 

A  fine  report  of  the  activities  of  the  Gresham  schools  dui-iiig  tlic  first  week  and 
much  interesting  information  about  the  schools  was  given  in  tbc  (iresham  (iazette. 
Since  many  friends  of  education'  in  other  parts  of  the  county  may  be  interested  in 
knowing  what  their  ideals  and  plans  are  in  Gresham  the  items  are  here  reprinted. 

Gresham  schools  opened  Monday  morning  with  a  nn-onl  attendance  in  all 
departments.  In  the  high  school  every  seat  is  occupied,  with  ninre  students  still 
coming. 

Vocational  agriculture,  the  new  course  added  this  year,  starts  with  a  class  of 


HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUXTY  653 

twenty  boys.  This  work  is  given  under  tlie  auspices  of  the  National  Government, 
the  State  of  Nebraska  and  the  Gresham  School  District.  Three-fourths  of  the 
salary  of  the  instructor  is  paid  by  the  state.  Mr.  W.  A.  Dunbar  of  De  Kalb,  Mo.,  a 
graduate  of  our  State  University,  and  for  the  past  three  years  in  charge  of  voca- 
tional agriculture  in  Scottsbluff,  is  the  teacher  in  charge  of  the  new  course  in 
Gresham. 

The  high  school  course  has  further  been  enriched  by  initiating  a  teachers'  train- 
ing last  year  and  this  year  this  course  is  being  carried  out  in  strict  conformity  with 
the  state  requirements.  Fifteen  pupils  from  the  junior  and  senior  grades  are 
registered  for  the  normal  training  work.  The  State  of  Nebraska  provides  a  fund 
of  one  thousand  dollars  for  the  biennium  which  is  paid  to  schools  otforing  this 
course  as  prescribed  by  law. 

Gresham  is  fully  accredited  to  the  State  University  and  all  students  who  finish 
the  course  of  study  and  graduate  are  prepared  and  are  given  a  certificate  of  entrance 
to  any  college  or  university  without  examination. 

The  work  in  the  grades  below  the  high  school  is  carefully  graded  and  is  in 
charge  of  able,  well  trained  and  experienced  teachers  so  that  the  education  of  the 
children  through  the  common  branches  is  thorough  and  well  done.  The  teachers 
are :  Miss  Fllen  Doan,  primary ;  Miss  Euth  Gudgel,  intermediate :  Miss  Cordia 
Brittell,  second  intermediate;  Miss  Elma  McGinley,  grammar;  Mrs.  Bertha  M. 
Lindstrom,  music ;  Miss  Alma  Ash,  English  and  history ;  Mrs.  Beryl  Walford, 
Latin;  Miss  Annie  G.  Davidson,  mathematics  and  normal  training;  Mr.  AV.  A.  Dun- 
bar, vocational  agriculture;  A.  F.  Becker,  superintendent  of  school  and  instructor 
in  science. 

CONSOLIDATED  SCHOOLS 

In  1920  considerable  effort  has  been  directed  by  school  authorities  to  launching 
the  new  consolidation  law.  A  very  large  amount  of  work  lias  been  accomplished  in 
the  state  during  the  year  along  the  lines  of  consolidating  rural  schools  under  the 
act  passed  by  the  1919  Legislature.  Thirty-two  districts  have  been  formed,  and 
others  are  in  progress.  This  nmkes  a  total  of  nearly  100  consolidated  districts  in 
the  state,  the  others  having  been  made  under  the  act  that  has  been  in  force  for  a 
numbers  of  years.  The  fact  that  half  as  many  have  been  made  in  two  years  under 
the  new  act  as  under  the  old  one,  which  has  been  in  force  for  a  number  of  years,  is 
pointed  to  as  proof  of  its  superior  value  as  a  method,  and  of  its  popularity. 

Under  the  old  act,  whenever  a  group  of  rural  districts  desired  to  consolidate,  all 
they  had  to  do  was  to  get  together  and  lay  out  the  territorial  lines.  Then  if  each 
district,  at  an  election,  approved  of  it,  it  came  into  being.  As  this  work  developed 
it  was  seen  that  between  these  districts  there  would  be  many,  strips  of  territory  tliat 
it  would  be  neither  desirable  or  possible  to  consolidate  or  annex  at  some  time  in  the 
future. 

The  new  law  aims  to  prevent  this.  The  first  step  is  the  organization,  made 
mandatory  under  the  law,  of  a  redistricting  committee.  This  lays  out  the  limits  of 
various  consolidated  districts.  Its  action  is  binding  on  no  school  district  except  as 
to  territorial  limits.  The  initiative  must  be  taken  by  those  who  want  the  district. 
In  the  open  territory — that  is,  outside  of  the  high  school  districts — if  twenty-five 
per  cent  of  the  people  file  a  petition  an  election  is  called  and  the  district  created 
or  the  proposition  defeated.    Tliis  latter  has  happened  in  a  few  cases  only. 


654  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

HOW  NEW  LAW  WORKS 

W]iere  a  high  school  district  exists,  a  consolidated  district  can  be  created  if 
fifty-one  per  cent  of  those  living  outside  the  high  school  district  file  a  petition  and 
the  high  school  district  board  consents. 

The  objections  to  the  consolidated  system  are  based  largely  on  the  fact  that  the 
taxes  are  higher  under  it  than  under  the  old  small  district  plan,  and  also  to  the 
methods  of  transportation.  Children  are  picked  up  by  the  motor  bus  or  horse- 
drawn  vehicle  at  the  junction  of  the  road  with  the  farmhouse  lane  or  grounds,  and 
it  sometimes  happens  that  they  must  walk  through  a  lot  of  snow  or  mud  and  then 
wait  in  the  cold.  Routes  are  arranged,  however,  and  a  time  table  adhered  to  that 
reduce  their  discomfort  to  a  minimum. 

The  consolidated  school  does  cost  more  to  each  individual  taxpayer,  but  ho  gets 
more  for  his  money.  It  gives  him  a  four-year  high  school  course  in  addition  to  the 
eight  grades,  and  enables  the  boys  and  girls  to  stay  at  home  while  taking  high 
school.  The  parents  are  spared  the  expense  of  board  and  tuition  where,  as  in  the 
past,  they  went  to  the  nearest  high  school. 

Purpose  of  Cunsolidatiun. 

The  great  purpose  of  the  consolidation  of  rural  schools  is  to  give  the  country 
child  educational  advantages.    This  system  will  provide: 

First — A  well  organized,  well  equipped  and  properly  conducted  rural  school. 

Second — Enough  children  in  the  classes  to  make  the  work  interesting  and  vital. 

Third — Enough  territory  to  make  the  district  efficient,  financially. 

Fourth — Well-trained,  efficient  teachers,  with  an  effective  and  agreeable  division 
of  labor. 

Fifth — Proper  system  of  gradation  and  classification  of  pupils. 

Sixth — Longer  recitation  periods. 

Seventh — An  enriched  course  of  study. 

Eighth — High   school   advantages   for  every  country  boy   and  girl. 

Nebraska  and  other  states  have  found  it  impossible  to  secure  these  advantages  in 
the  one-room  rural  school. 

The  first  election  to  approve  or  reject  the  work  of  the  county  school  re-districting 
committee  was  held  on  Saturday  last  in  Benedict  and  the  decision  was  decidedly  in 
favor  of  ajiproving  the  work  of  the  committee.  This  newspaper  has  heretofore  and 
many  times  called  attention  to  the  amount  and  perplexities  of  the  work  which  has 
been  done  by  Messrs.  Geo.  Westwood,  H.  B.  Bottum,  and  Supt.  T.  C.  Lord,  mem- 
bers of  the  re-districting  committee.  They  spent  many  long  hours  in  digesting 
information  and  facts  which  would  enable  them  to  comprehensively  establish  dis- 
trict boundary  lines.  It  required  much  travel,  many  conferences  with  patrons  and 
the  exercise  of  good  judgment  to  arrive  at  a  general  conclusion.  Even  then  changes 
were  forced  by  the  pressure  of  public  opinion.  But  when  at  last  the  job  of  the 
committee  was  completed,  the  members  surveyed  their  work,  concluded  they  had 
done  the  best  they  could  and  have  since  stuck  unanimously  and  unswervingly  to 
their  findings.  It  brings  the  mendjers  of  the  committee  a  decided  sense  of  satisfac- 
tion that  the  first  verdict  upon  their  work  is  favorable. 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUJfTY  655 

The  election,  held  in  Benedict,  effects  a  readjustment  of  boundary  lines  of  a 
number  of  districts.  Districts  84,  68,  100,  59,  91,  and  16  are  entirely  or  almost 
so  absorbed  in  the  newly  created  district.  Districts  57,  53,  85,  78,  and  79  are 
partially  included.  The  vote  stood  191  for  and  98  against.  There  are  about  325 
voters  in  the  proposed  district  and  the  number  who  voted  is  large  considering  the 
condition  of  the  roads  which  made  going  to  the  polls  a  difficult  matter. 

The  territory  affected  by  the  new  district  contains  about  two  hundred  school 
pupils.  There  are  possibly  fifty  more  children  in  the  territory  eligible  to  attend  the 
school.  The  district  will  include  a  fraction  over  thirty-three  sections.  The  assessed 
valuation  of  the  property  in  the  district  is  $722,000. 

It  will  become  the  duty  of  the  county  superintendent  to  call  a  school  meeting 
for  the  new  district  shortly.  The  patrons  will  elect  a  school  board  of  si.x  members 
and  from  thi.s  board  the  officers  of  the  district  will  be  selected. 

It  is  very  probable  that  this  election  will  be  followed  soon  by  aiuither  in  the 
Bradshaw  neighborhood.  Petitions  are  being  circulated  there  and  it  is  reported 
that  a  sufficient  number  of  .signatures  have  been  obtained  to  issue  the  call. 

The  .success  of  the  first  election  gives  courage  to  the  friends  of  consolidated 
schools  to  believe  that  other  elections  in  prospect  will  have  a  favorable  verdict  at 
the  hands  of  the  voters. 

Residents  in  the  boundaries  of  a  proposed  new  school  district  Xo.  6  voted 
on  the  con.solidation  of  the  districts  now  in  the  territory  on  Wednesday,  January 
5th.  The  election  was  held  in  the  Bradshaw  Town  Hall.  If  District  No.  6  had 
been  established  the  Town  of  Bradshaw  would  have  been  the  center  of  the  territory 
and  adequate  buildings  to  accommodate  the  larger  schools  would  have  been  called 
for-,  but  it  was  voted  down,  148  for  to  186  against  consolidation.  District  No.  3, 
which  was  established  at  Benedict  recently,  will  probably  arrange  to  begin  school 
work  under  the  new  plan  in  the  fall  of  1921,  and  the  facilities  afforded  by  the 
Benedict  schoolhouse  will  be  supplemented  by  moving  one  or  more  of  the  school- 
houses  from  the  country  districts  to  town. 


CHAPTEE  XIV 
EELIGIOUS  INSTITUTIOXS  OF  YOEK  COUNTY 

METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH    OF    YORK — PHESBYTERIAX    CHURCH — A.    C.     MONT- 
GOMERY'S  PAPER — DOCTOR   MC   CONAUGHY's  PAPER — CONGREGATIONAL   CHURCH — 

CHRISTIAN     CHURCH — UNITED    BRETHREN     CHURCH HOLY    TRINITY     CHURCH 

BAPTIST     CHURCH — ST.     JOSEPH     CATHOLIC UNIVERSALIST GERMAN    REFORMED 

CONGREGATION — FIRST      LUTHERAN UNITED      EVANGELICAL      CHURCH — GERMAN 

EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN — HOSPITALS OTHER    CHURCHES — FEDERATED    CHURCH. 

THE    METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH    OF    YORK 

The  York  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  traces  its  history  back  to  June,  1871, 
when  a  little  class  of  sixteen  Methodists  was  enrolled  at  the  home  of  David  Baker, 
who  lived  on  Beaver  Creek  about  two  miles  from  the  present  city.  Brother  Baker 
was  a  pioneer  Methodist  class  leader,  and  it  seems  that  his  zeal  and  leadership 
brought  about  the  organization  of  the  class.  The  details  of  the  proceedings  are  not 
obtainable,  for  the  organization  of  a  Methodist  class  is  not  a  stately  affair  in  worldly 
terms  and  in  those  pioneer  times  it  was  far  away  from  being  formal  and  ostentatious. 

The  records  show  that  on  May  14,  1871,  the  Eev.  W.  E.  Morgan  of  the  Eock 
Eiver  Conference  preached  in  Brother  Baker's  house.  Mr.  Morgan  was  looking  up 
a  homestead  and  intended  to  remove  to  Nebraska  in  the  fall.  The  knowledge  of 
this  fact  seems  to  have  caused  Mr.  Baker  to  collect  the  names  of  Methodists  in  the 
vicinity  of  York  and  informally  to  constitute  a  class.  This  was  undoubtedly  in 
June.  On  July  2,  1871,  the  presiding  elder  of  the  Beatrice  district,  the  Eev.  J.  B. 
Maxfield,  held  the  first  quarterly  meeting  in  a  grove  near  Mr.  Baker's  house.  The 
little  class  at  that  time,  or  perhaps  a  few  weeks  before,  was  placed  in  charge  of 
W.  H.  B.  Wilson,  a  local  preacher.  The  first  relation  this  minister  held  to  the 
York  class  is  not  clear,  but  it  is  plain  that  on  the  2d  of  July  he  was  in  charge  and 
the  following  persons  had  been  enrolled :  David  and  Elvira  Baker,  J.  H.  Bell, 
Thomas  Bassett  and  wife,  L.  D.  Brakeman,  Mary  Brakeman,  Ella  Brakeman, 
Thomas  Myers  and  wife,  John  and  Mary  Murphy,  S.  W.  Pettis  and  Amanda  Pettis, 
Mrs.  M.  Shackelford,  and  Mrs.  Sarah  N.  Moore. 

During  the  summer  occasional  services  Avere  held  at  Mr.  Baker's  house.  On 
Octolier  16.  1871,  Mr.  Morgan  was  transferred  to  the  Nebraska  conference  and 
appointed  to  York  circuit,  then  consisting  of  the  entire  county.  On  the  29th  of 
October  the  first  services  by  a  Methodist  preacher  in  York  were  held  by  Mr.  Mor- 
gan, in  an  unfinished  building  on  the  west  side  of  the  square,  known  as  Brahmstadt's 
and  Kleinschmidt's  store.  There  were  no  doors  or  windows  in  the  building.  Carpen- 
ters" benches,  nail  kegs  and  l)oards  served  as  seats. 

656 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  657 

During  the  winter  services  were  held  at  Mr.  Baker's.  On  February  9,  1873,  the 
first  trustees  were  appointed,  as  follows:    David  Baker,  J.  li.  Bell,  T.  C.  Tagg,  and 

A.  Deems,  the  latter  serviijg  also  as  recording  steward. 

The  first  quarterly  meeting  in  the  town  was  held  by  Eev.  H.  T.  Davis,  presid- 
ing elder  of  the  Lincoln  district,  in  April,  1872.    The  meeting  was  held  in  the  old 

B.  &  M.  land  office. 

At  this  meeting  steps  were  taken  for  the  building  of  the  first  M.  E.  Church  of 
York.  Its  dimensions  were  to  be  21x36  feet.  The  lumber  to  build  the  church  was 
hauled  from  Lincoln  on  wagons,  L.  D.  Brakeman  being  one  of  those  who  thus 
assisted  in  the  construction.  The  church  was  located  on  Seventh  Street  and  Platte 
Avenue,  where  the  old  jDarsonage  now  stands.  It  was  enclosed  during  the  summer 
and  while  the  church  walls  were  being  built  the  people  did  not  neglect  the  assem- 
bling of  themselves  together,  and  services  were  conducted  in  a  store  building,  in  the 
schoolhouse,  and  afterwards  in  the  church  home  of  the  Presbyterians,  who  had 
completed  their  house  of  worship. 

In  1873  the  sum  of  $100  was  secured  from  the  Church  Extension  Society.  The 
house  was  completed  and  dedicated  on  September  14th  by  Dr.  Miner  Eaymond  of 
Garrett  Biblical  Institute  at  Evauston,  111.  All  who  remember  that  day  unite  in 
pronouncing  it  one  of  the  great  days  in  the  history  of  York,  and  especially  of  the 
York  M.  E.  Church.  Eleven  hundred  dollars  were  subscribed  and  the  building 
presented  to  the  church  with  several  hundred  dollars  more  than  the  indebtedness 
provided  for. 

Edwin  Buck  was  the  next  pastor.  He  held  a  very  encouraging  revival  meeting 
in  the  winter  of  1875  and  1876.  The  interest  spread  all  over  the  county  and 
people  came  ten  and  twelve  miles  to  attend  the  services.  As  one  result  of  this 
revival  the  first  Methodist  Sunday  school  was  organized  February  27,  1876. 

The  first  parsonage  was  built  in  1877  and  consisted  of  two  rooms,  which  after- 
ward formed  the  west  part  of  the  remodeled  parsonage,  so  long  occupied  and  so 
fondly  renunnliered  by  the  later  pastors. 

Following  Edwin  Buck  as  pastors  were  E.  J.  Willis,  1877-78,  and  W.  S.  Black- 
burn, lS7i)-S0.  The  increase  in  congregation  and  membership  was  so  great  that 
the  need  for  a  larger  room  in  which  to  worship  became  imperative. 

In  1880  the  church  building  was  sold  to  the  Swedish  Lutherans  and  removed  to 
its  present  site,  southwest  corner  of  Eighth  Street  and  Platte  Avenue.  Then  for 
five  years  services  were  held  first  in  the  old  City  Hall,  the  building  long  occupied 
by  Marshall's  carriage  factory,  and  then  in  Bell's  Hall.  God  continued  with  his 
people  in  these  places,  and  during  the  three  years"  pastorate  of  Rev.  G.  A.  Smith, 
1881-83,  the  work  was  carried  nn  with  faitli  and  courage,  with  corresponding 
rewards  for  faithful  work. 

In  1883  Eev.  H.  T.  Davis  was  appointed  to  the  York  station.  There  were  271 
members.  The  history  of  the  church  during  the  three  years  of  Brother  Davis'  pas- 
torate is  full  of  interest  and  is  fittingly  told  in  his  book,  "Solitary  Places  Made 
Glad." 

In  the  winters  of  1883  and  1881  Bell's  Hall  was  the  scene  of  revival  meetings 
that  will  never  l)e  forgotten.  After  these  meetings  all  seemed  to  think  that  the 
time  had  come  to  build  a  church,  as  the  results  of  the  meetings  had  added  largely 
to  the  memljership.  After  some  discussion  as  to  place,  the  board  decided  upon  the 
corner  of  Seventh  Street  and  Kebraska  Avenue  as  the  most  desirable  location.     It 


6.58  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

was  decided  that  the  c-him-li  should  not  cost  more  than  twelve  thousand  dollars,  and 
the  work  was  not  to  begin  until  ten  thousand  dollars  was  subscribed. 

On  the  20tli  of  April,  1885,  the  subscrijition  for  the  new  church  was  taken, 
amounting  to  $10,360.  Work  was  immediately  begun,  and  at  conference  time  the 
church  was  well  under  way.  Brother  Davis  was  returned  to  York  to  complete  his 
work.  This  occupied  the  most  of  the  time  during  the  first  i)art  of  the  year.  The 
work  was  pushed,  the  basement  was  finished  and  informally  dedicated  December  fi, 
188.5.     The  press  account  of  this  occasion  stated  that : 

"The  new  M.  E.  Church  was  dedicated  last  Sunday  by  Bishop  Warren.  The 
day  was  all  that  could  be  asked,  a  beautiful  sunshine  invited  hundreds  of  our  people 
to  attend  the  impressive  service.  The  church  has  a  seating  capacity  of  about 
nine  hundred  and  fifty  but  over  thirteen  hundred  were  crowded  into  the  building 
and  a  number  turned  away.  The  dedication  services  were  conducted  by  the  bishop, 
who  announced  that  $8,000  was  needed  to  clear  the  church  from  debt.  In  an 
incredibly  short  space  of  time  over  $8,600  was  ])ledged  for  this  ]nirpose.  The  other 
churches  in  the  city  were  closed  on  Sunday  morning  to  allow  all  their  members  to 
attend.  The  church  is  beautifully  finished  and  furnished  throughout  and  is  a  credit 
to  the  painstaking  congregation  who  June  acccinijijishcd  its  erection  and  the  pride 
of  the  liberal  people,  of  the  city." 

February  27,  1886,  the  church  was  completed  and  dedicated  by  Bisho])  H.  W. 
Warren.  Tlie  seating  capacity  was  larger  than  the  present  auditorium,  with  base- 
ment and  classrooms. 

Rev.  Duke  Slavens  followed  Brother  Davis  with  a  pastorate  of  two  years  of 
good  and  efficient  work.  Rev.  W.  K.  Beans  was  the  pastor  one  year,  and  held  a 
revival  meeting  which  will  always  be  held  dear  in  t4ie  memory  of  those  attending. 
It  was  wonderful,  indeed.  Brother  T.  B.  Hilton  was  the  pastor  one  year  and  con- 
tinued the  work,  and  Rev.  A.  C.  Crosthwaite  gave  three  years  of  his  most  ea»rnest 
effort  with  the  best  of  results.  In  fact,  when  Rev.  J.  W.  Stewart  came  as  the 
pastor  the  members  had  begun  to  feel  as  old  people  do  who  have  gone  through  many 
hardships  and  have  at  last  builded  a  home  in  which  to  spend  their  old  age,  and 
welcome  their  children  and  grandchildren,  and  feel  that  their  troubles  were  about 
over.  But  alas!  misfortune  will  come.  One  calm,  beautiful  night  on  October  16, 
1895,  while  prayer  meeting  was  in  session,  in  the  lecture  room,  fire  was  steadily  mak- 
ing its  way  through  the  roof  of  the  building,  and  by  the  time  it  was  discovered  it  was 
too  late  to  save  the  building;  and  while  members  and  friends  stood  by  and  watched 
with  tears  running  down  their  cheeks,  and  exclamations  of  sorrow  and  regret 
coming  from  their  lips,  the  beautiful  church  home  was  burned  to  the  ground.  It 
was  the  second  year  of  the  drouth,  and  it  was  deemed  almost  an  impossibility  to 
rebuild. 

Sister  congregations  offered  to  share  their  church  homes,  but  the  membership 
was  large  and  it  was  thought  best  to  secure  a  room,  though  it  might  be  small  and 
inconvenient,  where  regular  services  could  be  held  without  interfering  with  the 
rights  of  others.  As  in  the  early  days  there  was  no  room  suitable  for  a  place  of 
worship.  But  the  Sunday  after  the  fire  found  the  congregation  assembled  in  an 
empty  store  room  on  the  south  side  of  the  square,  fitted  up  with  a  pulpit,  a  few 
pews,  and  the  organ,  which  had  been  saved  from  the  fire,  and  chairs  sufficient  for 
the  seating  capacity.  After  a  stirring  sermon  from  the  pastor,  Brother  Stewart, 
made  an  appeal  foi-  money  to  rcluiild  the  clmnli,  and  in  an  incredibly  short  time 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  659 

$6,000  had  been  subscribed,  and  it  was  settled  tliat  the  M.  E.  Church  of  York  would 
not  be  homeless  for  a  very  long  time. 

The  task  was  an  arduous  one,  and  many  who  had  been  very  helpful  in  building 
both  of  the  other  churches  were  unable,  because  of  the  financial  stress,  to  suljscribe 
even  one  dollar  and  be  sure  of  paying  it. 

The  work  of  collecting  went  on,  and  the  people  assembled  in  their  uncom- 
foi'table  quarters  through  the  frosts  of  one  winter  and  the  heat  of  the  next  summer, 
holding  regular  services.  Sunday  school  and  prayer  meetings,  the  pastor  talking 
and  preaching  at  such  a  disadvantage  that  he  was  advised  by  his  physicians  to  stop, 
or  his  throat  might  be  permanently  injured.  But  he  persevered,  trusting  in  his 
Heavenly  Father  for  strength  to  carry  on  his  work.  The  building  went  on,  and 
Wednesday  night,  October  17th,  the  anniversary  of  the  burning  of  the  brick  church, 
the  new  stone  church  was  dedicated  to  the  Lord  amid  the  rejoicings  of  members, 
friends  and  neighbors.  The  church  had  cost  $12,000,  and  was  dedicated  entirely 
free  from  debt.  Bishop  McCahe  officiated,  aided  by  tlie  untiring  and  faithful 
pastor.  Brother  Stewart. 

Since  the  building  of  the  stone  tliurch,  the  growth  of  the  church  has  been 
steady.  The  membership  enrolled  in  January,  1903,  was  74.3,  of  whom  ninety-eight 
were  probationers. 

The  thirtieth  anniversary  of  the  church  was  observed  June  .'Jo  ami  .Inly  1,  lOOl, 
with  appropriate  services. 

The  old  parsonage  property  was  sold  in  August,  1902,  and  a  new  and  modern 
pai'sonage    was   built   north    of   the   church. 

In  1904  Kev.  F.  A.  Colony  became  pastor  and  served  for  some  five  years,  when 
Rev.  Ale.vander  G.  Bennett  eame  and  served  this  congregation  for  another  five 
years;  then  Rev.  W.  C.  Wasser,  who  came  in  1914,  was  his  successor.  In  1918 
Bev.  F.  M.  Sisson  was  sent  to  this  congregation,  and  in  1920  he  was  succeeded  by 
Reverend  De  Wolfe. 

The  following  two  short  announcements  concerning  Reverends  Bennett  and 
Sis.son  are  appropriately  placed  here : 

"This  announcement  from  the  Twin  Falls  (Idaho)  Daily  Times  will  interest 
many  York  people: 

"  'Dr.  A.  G.  Bennett  delivers  his  last  sermon  in  the  M.  E.  Church  on  next 
Sunday  morning.  For  some  weeks  the  bishop  of  the  area  has  been  considering  the 
transfer  of  Dr.  Bennett  to  Great  Falls,  Mont.,  in  exchange  with  the  Rev.  Edgar  L. 
White,  who  has  been  in  charge  there  for  the  past  seven  years.  At  Great  Falls  a 
great  edifice  is  planned  to  be  built  soon,  and  as  Doctor  Bennett  has  had  considerable 
experience  in  this  line,  there  was  a  request  made  for  him  in  that  im])ortant  pas- 
torate. Though  he  has  been  in  Twin  Falls  only  one  year,  there  is  now  a  building 
activity  of  no  mean  proportion  going  on  in  the  Methodist  church,  including  a  fine 
new  $11,000  Austin  pipe  organ,  and  an  interior  dome  to  auditorium  with  beautiful 
decorations  and  general  enrichment  and  remodeling.  Also  a  commodious  parsonage 
has  been  purchased  facing  the  city  park  on  Second  Street  East.  Doctor  Bennett 
has  had  a  creditable  year  here,  and  popular  regret  is  expressed  over  his  departure, 
yet  with  general  good  wishes  for  his  success  in  his  new  field.  The  pastor  and  family 
will  leave  Twin  Falls  on  the  16th,  in  the  meantime  the  pastor  attending  annual 
conference  at  Canyon  City,  Oregon,  to  make  his  report.' "' 

"Rev.  J.  W.  Embree,  superintendent  of  the  Hastings  District  of  the  Methodist 


660  HISTOKY    OF    YoTiK    COUNTY 

C'luircli.  was  ill  York  on  ilomlay,  and  presided  at  the  session  of  the  Fourth  Quar- 
terly Conference  of  the  York  church.  At  this  meeting,  Judge  Spurlock  of  this 
place  was  endorsed  as  one  of  the  nine  delegates  from  the  Nebraska  conference  to  the 
General  Conference,  which  meets  at  Des  Moines,  in  May,  1920.  These  delegates 
are  elected  at  the  session  of  the  Annual  Conference,  which  meets  this  year  at 
University  Place,  September  9th.  Judge  S])urlock  has  represented  the  Nebraska 
conference  at  the  last  three  sessions  of  the  General  Conference,  which  meets  every 
four  years,  and  is  the  supreme  governing  body  of  this  church.  At  this  session  of 
the  local  (piarterly  conference  the  pastor  of  the  York  church,  Dr.  F.  M.  Sissou, 
announced  his  intention  to  retire  from  the  active  ministry  at  the  end  of  this  con- 
ference year,  in  September.  Doctor  Sisson  has  Ijecn  in  York  two  years,  coming 
here  from  Fremont,  where  he  was  pastor  for  nine  years.  He  has  been  an  active 
minister  in  the  Methodist  Church  for  forty-five  j'ears,  serving  important  charges  in 
Illinois,  and  for  many  years  in  Nebraska.  While  he  has  not  announced  wbere  he 
exjiects  to  live  after  his  retirement,  it  is  probable  he  will  go  to  Fremont,  where  it  is 
understood  he  owns  a  comfortable  residence."' 

"On  December  11,  1912,  occurred  the  reopening  of  the  renovated  auditorium 
and  the  dedication  of  the  new  building. 

"Congregations  which  completely  filled  the  church  attended  both  morning  and 
evening.  It  was  a  money-raising  day  and  in  the  morning  a  call  was  made  for 
$7,000,  which  was  fully  subscribed.  At  night  in  ten  minutes  $420  more  was  sub- 
scribed to  buy  a  new  piano  for  the  building  and  some  more  needed  things  in  con- 
nection  with   the   plant. 

"Leading  in  the  financial  appeal  was  a  veteran  gentleman  whose  dignified 
presence  and  eloquence  had  telling  effect,  Eev.  Dr.  Thomas  C.  Uiff,  of  Denver, 
known  far  and  wide  in  American  Methodism.  Thirty  local  laymen  went  to  work 
with  a  will  among  their  friends,  and  in  a  very  few  minutes  the  victory  was  won,  and 
the  people  sang  for  joy.  The  total  cost  of  the  new  three-story  Sunday  school  build- 
ing and  the  heating,  frescoing  and  improving  the  main  building  and  grounds  w^as 
$15,000,  of  which  $8,000  was  sub.scribed  before  beginning  work.  Preacher  Bennett 
and  his  people  have  been  hustling  now  for  about  eight  months,  and  feel  gratified  at 
the  successful  outcome.  G.  W.  Shreck,  chairman  of  the  building  committee,  and 
A.  M.  White,  chairman  of  the  trustees,  have  put  forth  their  best  efforts  to  furnish 
the  equipment  for  religious  work  on  the  large  scale  planned  by  the  pastor.  Before 
the  Sunday  closed  there  were  five  persons  who  gave  themselves  to  the  Christian  life 
and  membership  of  the  church.  The  sermons  of  Eev.  Dr.  Uiff  and  Eev.  Dr.  Bil- 
lingslcy  were  u])liftirig  and  profound.  The  afternoon  meeting  was  addressed  by  the 
visiting  ministers,  and  by  Messrs.  Shreck,  Spurlock,  Bissell  and  Wightmau, 
Eev.  Dr.  1!.  W.  Marsh  presiding.  At  9  ;;?0  in  the  morning  Doctor  Marsh,  the  York 
district  superintendent,  conducted  the  Lord's  Supper  in  the  new  building.  The 
dedication  service  was  held  at  the  close  of  the  night  service,  in  charge  of  Doctor 
Uiff. 

"Tonight  Doctor  Uiff  delivers  his  famous  lecture  on  the  'Sunny  Side  of  Soldier 
Life,'  with  Major  Pembleton  making  martial  music.  All  old  soldiers  are  to  be 
special  guests  of  the  church. 

"Tomorrow  night  at  6:30  a  men's  banquet  will  be  held  in  the  new  dining 
room.  Dr.  J.  N.  Plumb  presiding.  Eev.  Dr.  Marsh  is  to  be  the  chief  speaker. 
Tlii;rsilay  is  given  to  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  foi'  tlieii-  annual  bazaar.     Friday  night 


FiEST  Presbyterian  Church,  York 


First  Methodist  Church,  York 


^^' 


sto^;*o'- 


.^^^ 


HISTOEY    OF    YOUK    COUNTY  663 

the  Sunday  school  workers  are  to  hokl  a  banquet  at  6  :30.  Miss  Margaret  Brown, 
state  elementary  superintendent,  will  be  the  speaker. 

"Next  Sunday  another  great  occasion  is  planned.  Preacher  Bennett  declares 
he  has  engaged  another  great  speaker  for  both  morning  and  evening  in  the 
Rev.  Dr.  W.  A.  Brown  of  Chicago,  missionary  superintendent  of  the  International 
Sunday  School  Association.  All  the  pastors  and  Sunday  school  workers  of  the 
city  and  county  are  iuNated  to  meet  at  3  o'clock,  when  Doctor  Brown,  Miss  Brown 
and  others  will  deliver  addresses. 

"This  new,  modern  arrangement  for  Sunday  school  and  social  work  is  a  model 
in  convenience  and  completeness.  York  may  well  be  proud  of  this  enterprise,  so 
successfully  brought  to  conclusion.  It  is  one  of  a  very  small  number  of  churches  in 
the  west  that  has  such  a  building.  Preacher  Bennett  says,  'York  Methodists  have 
done  tlieir  duty  nobly,  and   it  cci-tainly  makes  a  ])reacher  happy.'" 

PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH 

The  major  portion  of  the  following  historical  account  of  this  institution  is 
taken  from  anniversary  papers  prepared  by  Elders  A.  C.  Montgomery  and  Dr.  Eobert 
McConaughy.  Mr.  Montgomery's  paper  was  prepared  for  the  twentieth  anniversary 
and  Doctor  McConaughy 's  for  the  thirtieth. 

A.  C.  Montgomery's  Paper 

Twenty  years  ago  there  were  only  four  l)uildings  in  what  is  now  known  as  the 
City  of  York.  Two  of  these  were  frame  buildings  and  two  were  made  of  sod. 
Scattered  throughout  the  adjacent  country  were  several  other  buildings  of  different 
kinds,  making  some  twenty  houses  in  all.  The  occupants  of  these  frontier  homes 
were  for  the  most  part  religious  people.  The  great  majority  of  ns  had  been  born 
and  educated  amid  the  religious  influences  of  the  East.  Consequently  we  were 
never  entirely  without  the  ordinary  means  of  grace,  for  we  brought  our  father's 
God  and  our  father's  Bible  and  hymn  book  with  us.  Armed  with  these,  we  fre- 
quently assembled  in  some  one  of  our  private  dwellings  and  read  and  prayed  and 
sang,  as  men  and  women  only  can  read,  pray  and  sing  under  similar  circumstances. 
Moved  as  it  were,  by  a  common  impulse,  a  number  of  us  anxiou^s  for  our  families 
and  the  public  good,  came  together  July  22,  1871,  and  organized  ourselves  into  a 
Presbyterian  church.  There  being  no  building  in  which  we  could  meet,  we 
assembled  under  the  wide-spreading  branches  of  some  stately  elms  which  stood  on 
the  south  bank  of  the  Beaver,  just  where  the  center  of  the  mill  dam  now  is. 
Eev.  George  E.  Carroll,  afterwards  of  Wyoming,  Iowa,  was  at  that  time  district 
missionary  for  the  Presbytery  of  Missouri  Eiver,  which  embraced  western  Iowa  and 
all  of  Nebraska.  He  was  present  and  presided  over  the  deliberations.  He  also 
preached  an  appropriate  sermon  and  led  us  in  prayer  to  the  throne  of  God.  It  was 
on  God  we  waited  and,  as  we  believe,  it  was  according  to  His  will,  that  we  then  and 
there  entered  into  the  following  covenant :  Whereas,  we  believe  that  the  worship  of 
Almighty  God  is  a  solemn  duty  as  well  as  a  high  and  holy  privilege,  and  is  calcu- 
lated to  secure  the  highest  good  of  our  race  both  in  time  and  eternit}',  and  whereas, 
the  church  of  Christ  in  its  organic  capacity  is  the  great  instrument  through 
which  God  is  pleased  to  work  in  elevating,  blessing  and  saving  the  world,  we  so 


(564  HISTORY    OF    Vol.'K    rOUXTY 

earnestly  request  the  organization  of  a  J're^ljyterian  church  of  whicli  we  may 
become  members,  and  to  which  we  pledge  our  cordial  support.  Only  eight  persons 
signed  their  names  to  the  foregoing  instrument  and  became  charter  members,  viz : 
A.  ('.  Montgomery,  Mrs.  A.  M.  Montgomery,  Kobcrt  Charlton,  F.O.Bell, Mrs.  Dixon, 
K.  B.  Crawford.  Mrs.  B.  A.  Crawford,  -.md  Mrs.  Hattie  E.  French.  A.  C.  Montgom- 
ery was  elected  elder,  in  w-hich  capacity  be  liad  previously  served  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church  at  New  Vernon,  Pa.  Being  thus  duly  organized,  the  church  entered 
at  once  on  its  life-long  work  of  saving  souls.  Its  membership,  as  we  have  seen,  was 
small  and  so  was  its  material  wealth.  It  had  no  building  and  no  money  wherewith 
to  secure  one,  hence  it  continued  during  the  s.ummer  to  worship  as  best  it  could  in 
the  grove  where  it  was  organized.  Here  was  alscj  liehl  in  connection  with  the 
church  a  union  Sabbath  school  which  proved  a  great  blessing  to  us  all. 

In  1872,  by  the  assistance  of  the  Board  of  Church  Erection,  we  were  able  to 
build  our  first  house  of  worship.  It  was  a  very  unpretentious  structure,  being  only 
24.\40  feet.  It  still  stands  on  the  corner  of  Lincoln  Avenue  and  Eighth  Street 
and  was  the  first  church  edifice  erected  in  the  city.  It  cost  about  a  thousand  dol- 
lars, which  at  tliat  time  seemed  a  large  amount  of  money  to  be  invested  in  a  church 
in  a  city  where  fine  corner  lots  like  those  of  Mr.  F.  O.  Bell  and  Mr.  Cheney  could 
be  purchased  for  five  dollars.  Mr.  Robert  Charlton  was  chairman  of  the  building 
committee  and  on  the  17th  of  November,  1872,  the  very  day  the  church  was  dedi- 
cateil  be  (lied.  Rev.  H.  P.  Peck,  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Cbui'ch  of 
Lincoln,  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon. 

In  1880  our  congregation  had  grown  beyond  the  capacity  of  the  first  huibling,  so 
we  were  under  the  necessity  of  enlarging  it.  This  was  done  at  a  cost  of  $4,000,  and 
gave  us  quite  a  large  audience  room  in  which  we  worshipped  till  1887,  wdien  the 
building  once  more  became  too  narrow-  for  us  and,  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  T.  N. 
Riale,  we  l)egan  to  take  subscriptions  for  the  beautifnl  brick  edifice  in  which  we  are 
this  day  assembled.  During  the  twenty  years  of  its  existence  the  church  has  been 
served  by  eleven  elders,  si.x  of  wdiom  are  still  on  duty  (1!)0:?)  : 

A.   C.  Montgomery 1871-1900  Dr.  R.  McConaughy 1887-1900 

D.  P.  Temple 1876-188(5  Ira  Smith 1889 

\V.  W.  OillVn 1879-1887  E.   D.  Marselus 1889-1900 

S.  C.  Grippeii 1885-1886  Prof.  II.  R.  Corbett 1891 

G.  P.  French 1885-1888  Edwin  W.  Bell 1891 

William    I'.ell 1SS7-1S1III 

Elder  Montgomery  has  served  the  church  during  its  entire  existence.  Elder 
French  was  drowned  in  Lincoln  Creek  August  23,  1888.  Elder  \\'illiani  Bell  "fell 
asleep"  .\|n-il  19.  ISOO.  In  1889  the  church  ado]ited  the  rotary  system  of  elder- 
shiji. 

The  chuich  (hiiing  the  first  eight  months  of  its  existence  had  no  regular  preach- 
ing. Rev.  ilr.  Smith  of  Seward  occupied  the  pulpit  in  March,  1872.  Rev.  D.  B. 
Fleming  preached  during  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year  in  Y'ork  and  also  in 
Fairniiint.  in  1S7.'!  I'ev.  T.  K.  Hedges  took  chai'ge  of  the  church.  He  was  fol- 
lowed i)y  Rev.  A.  S.  Powell,  who  remained  two  years.  In  1S77  Rev.  W.  T.  Gibson 
was  the  minister  in  charge.  Rev.  B.  F.  Sharp  entered  u[)on  his  labors  with  the 
clini-ch  .\|iril    I,   1S78,  and  continued  seven  years.     Rev.  A.  T.  Ashley  followed  and 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  665 

remained  only  six  months.  In  1886  Rev.  F.  N.  Riale  commenced  his  ministry  with 
the  church.  He  was  so  successful  that  the  sickly  child  soon  became  too  large  for  its 
wardrobe,  and  it  was  evident  that  a  larger  and  better  one  must  be  provided.  Dr.  Riale 
immediately  set  to  work  to  see  what  could  be  done  in  the  way  of  raising  the  neces- 
sary funds.  He  met  with  a  generous  response  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with 
appropriate  ceremonies  in  the  year  1887.  Mr.  Riale  remained  fifteen  months  and 
left  us  in  the  midst  of  our  building  difficulties.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  S.  M. 
Crissman,  who  remained  one  year,  during  which  time  the  new  church  was  dedicated 
and  the  sickly  youth  of  fifteen  years  had  grown  into  a  healthy  boy  of  seventeen. 

This  church  building  was  dedicated  September  2,  1888,  with  an  elaborate  pro- 
gram covering  both  the  morning  and  evening  services.  There  were  five  ministers 
present.  Rev.  S.  M.  Crissman  preached  the  morning  sermon,  and  Rev.  Duke  Slavens 
of  the  M.  E.  Church  the  evening  sermon.  Doctor  Riale  unfortunately  had  most  of 
the  subscription  list  in  his  head  rather  than  on  paper,  and  being  several  hundred 
miles  away  and  having  his  head  with  him,  the  list  was  not  available,  so  that  on  the 
morning  of  the  dedication  it  was  found  necessary  to  provide  for  the  entire  indebted- 
ness, amounting  to  $13,000.  About  $8,000  was  raised  and  a  loan  of  $.5,000  made 
for  future  generations  to  pay. 

Doctor  McConaugJii/'s  Paper 

Once  more  the  church  began  looking  for  a  new  Moses  to  take  the  helm  and  lead 
her  people  out  of  the  wilderness,  for  there  seemed  yet  to  be  much  land  to  jjossess 
and  some  debt  to  take  care  of.  A  star  in  the  East  was  seen,  and  as  everything  great 
comes  out  of  the  East,  it  was  natural  to  follow  up  this  luminary  and  see  whether 
it  was  of  the  proper  nuignitude  to  guide  the  destiny  of  this  chosen  people  in  their 
new  and  enlarged  spliere.  A  nearer  approach  and  injtimacy  satisfied  us  that  all  was 
well,  and  tiie  Rev.  John  D.  Countermine,  D.  D.,  came  all  the  way  from  the  State  of 
New  York  to  accept  tlie  pastorate  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  York.  He 
was  the  first  pastor  the  church  had  ever  had.  Although  eighteen  years  old  and 
having  had  nine  ministers,  not  one  of  them  had  ever  been  installed  as  pastor. 
Docter  Countermine  was  able,  aggressive,  and  zealous  in  the  good  work,  the  church 
once  more  began  to  move  onward  and  upward  in  members  and  influence,  the  remain- 
ing church  debt,  which  by  this  time  had  increased  to  $8,000,  was  paid  off  and  the 
mortgage  publicly  cremated. 

Once  more  we  were  in  a  wilderness,  looking  for  a  Moses  or  a  Joshua,  but  we 
were  not  long  in  waiting.  Again  we  looked  toward  the  East,  and  behold,  a  star 
was  right  in  our  midst.  He  was  shining  in  another  denomination  and  had  come 
over  from  Iowa  to  deliver  a  lecture  at  the  college.  He  was  invited  to  preach  for 
us,  a  call  was  given  and  accepted,  and  on  July  1,  1803,  Rev.  B.  M.  Ijong  was 
installed  the  second  pastor  of  the  church  of  York.  The  mantle  of  Elijah  dropped 
easily  upon  the  shoulders  of  this  Elisha,  and  was  gracefully  worn  by  him  for  six 
years,  or  until  August  1,  1899,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Second  Church  of 
Lincoln.  It  can  be  said  of  him  as  of  his  predecessors,  he  was  zealous,  earnest,  con- 
secrated, talented,  and  the  work  and  influence  of  the  church  widened.  The  legacy  of 
the  parsonage  delit  was  growing  larger  rather  than  smaller,  and  other  delits  were 
accumulating.  The  church  was  perhaps  overreaching  itself,  and  the  pastor  went  to 
work  to  lift  the  load.     He  succeeded,  and  the  $2,00(.)  mortgage  was  lifted  from  the 


666  HISTORY    OF    YOlMv    COUXTY 

manse.  Having  resisted  several  flattering  offers  during  the  years  of  his  sojourn 
here,  having  served  the  church  longer  than  any  previous  jiastor,  with  one  exception, 
that  of  Father  Sharp,  liaving  delivered  us  from  another  debt,  though  leaving  us 
with  a  smaller  one,  the  presbytery  transferred  him  from  one  of  its  churches  to 
another.  The  line  of  succession  appeared  to  have  been  broken.  We  wandered  far- 
ther and  farther.  We  appeared  to  be  up  against  the  Eed  Sea.  There  were  many 
Elishas,  but  the  mantle  would  not  light.  Once  it  dropped  on  the  Rev.  James  L. 
Countermine,  D.  D.,  but  he  flung  it  aside,  and  it  came  down  on  the  broad  shoulders 
of  the  Rev.  Andrew  Thompson  Wolff.  He  was  an  eastern  star,  but  came  out  of  the 
northern  heavens  by  way  of  South  Dakota,  and  landed  in  our  midst  in  January, 
1900.  He  was  soon  after  installed  as  the  third  pastor  of  the  York  church.  Doctor 
Wolff  took  rank  among  his  predecessors  as  a  man  of  ability,  an  eloquent  preacher, 
and  a  consecrated  man,  but  the  church  was  out  of  joint,  everything  was  at  cross- 
purpose.  We  were  all  out  of  tune.  The  work  of  the  Lord  was  hindered.  We  were 
accumulating  another  assortment  of  debts,  and  in  one  year  he  asked  to  be  released. 
The  church  had  lost  its  old-time  prestige.  We  were  like  the  prodigal,  feeding  on 
husks,  and,  like  the  prodigal,  we  soon  came  to  our  senses,  realized  our  condition 
and  started  on  the  return  trip.  While  we  were  on  the  way,  and  not  a  great  way  off, 
V  behold !  "Father"  Creighton  ran  out  to  meet  us,  fell  on  our  neck,  said  he  was  from 
Missouri  and  would  "show  us"  the  way  out  of  all  our  troubles.  He  has  done  it, 
with  the  aid  of  "The  Elder  Brother"  Marsliall. 

The  church  held  its  annual  congregational  meeting  December  30,  1902.  At 
this  meeting  encouraging  reports  were  read  from  all  the  societies  in  the  church  and 
officers  elected  for  the  ensuing  year. 

The  church  officers  were  as  follows: 

Elders  Trustees 

Ira  A.  Smith  B.  F.  Marshall,  Jr. 

M.  H.  Kirkpatrick  W.  L.  Kirkpatrick 

Dr.  Robert  McConaughy  E.  A.  Warner 

W.  E.  Bell  "  E.  M.  Rankin 

F.  H.  Runner  James  A.  Barr 
Robert  James 

Bookkeeper — A.  B.  C'batterton. 

Church  Treasurer — J.  R.  Shreck. 

Organist  and  Choir  Ticader — Mrs.  Robert  McConaughy. 

Reverend  Creighton  renuiined  with  this  flock  until  1909,  when  Reverend  Thomas 
F.  B.  Smith  became  their  pastor.  After  a  faithful  service  of  almost  ten  years  he  was 
succeeded  by  the  present  pastor.  Rev.  E.  E.  Emhoffi. 

CONGREG-iTlOXAL  CHURCH 

The  Congregational  Church  was  organized  in  F.  A.  Bidwell's  B.  &  M.  land  office, 
near  where  Cobb's  store  was,  on  Sunday,  May  12,  1872,  by  Rev.  0.  W.  Merrill,  super- 
intendent of  home  missions  in  Nebraska.  The  six  charter  members  were:  Austin 
Harris,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  W.  A.  Anderson,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  A.  Bidwell.  and  Mr.  L.  D. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  667 

Stilson,  who  still  re.^ides  in  York.  The  first  four  presented  Congregational  letters, 
the  last  a  Baptist  letter,  while  Mrs.  Bidwell  united  on  confession.  Eight  others  who 
had  promised  to  join  united  afterwards. .  Rev.  C.  S.  Harrison,  superintendent  of 
the  Mayflower  Colony,  gathered  the  chiiivh  and  sent  for  Superintendent  Merrill  to 
come  and  organize  it. 

The  church  was  incorporated  June  24,  1872.  The  first  communion  service  was 
on  June  23,  1872,  Rev.  C.  S.  Harrison  preaching  and  Rev.  W.  S.  Hills  conducting 
the  service.  During  the  next  two  years  services  were  held  in  the  new  schoolhouse, 
huilt  in  1872  on  or  near  the  site  of  the  present  high  school  building,  and  also  on 
alternate  Sundays  in  the  Methodist  Church,  on  the  corner  where  the  Methodist 
parsonage  now  is,  and  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  corner  of  Lincoln  Avenue  and 
Eighth  Street.  Then  from  1874  or  1875  to  1882  they  were  held  in  the  Academy 
Building,  which  stood  on  Academy  Avenue  facing  the  end  of  Seventh  Street,  which 
then  ended  at  Academy  Avenue.  Its  location  is  now  a  part  of  Seventh  Street.  The 
proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  building  went  into  the  new  church,  while  the  lumber, 
when  it  was  torn  down,  was  used  in  building  the  two  houses  just  north  of  Doctor 
Sedgwick's  residence. 

During  a  part  of  1882  services  were  held  in  the  City  Hall,  which  was  the  sec- 
ond story  of  the  building  on  the  north  side  of  Sixth  Street  and  west  corner  of  the 
alley,  one-half  block  west  of  the  northwest  corner  of  the  square.  The  church  build- 
ing was  dedicated  December  31,  1882.  With  lots  and  furnishings,  its  cost  or  value 
was  a  little  over  ten  thoirsand  dollars.  The  church  was  improved,  and  stained  glass 
windows  added  in  1887. 

From  June,  1872,  to  March,  1873,  Rev.  William  S.  Hills  supplied  the  church 
while  living  on  a  homestead  some  eight  miles  southwest  of  Y'ork.  From  March, 
1873,  to  October,  1881,  Rev.  C.  S.  Harrison,  the  real  founder  of  the  church,  was 
pastor,  except  one  year,  1875-76,  when  Rev.  H.  Herrick  Johnson  acted  as  pastor. 
Some  twenty  or  twenty-five  times  Mr.  Harrison  came  from  Illinois  to  fill  his 
appointments,  a  round  trip  of  about  one  thousand  miles.  Of  course  he  had  a  pass, 
on  account  of  the  work  that  he  was  doing  in  getting  colonists  for  York  and  Arbor- 
ville.  It  is  to  Mr.  Harrison  more  probably  than  to  any  other  person  that  York 
owes  her  countless  trees,  a  forest  where  was  once  a  prairie,  and  also  her  freedom 
from  saloons.  During  his  pastorate  there  was  a  liquor  war  and  one  day  two  roughs 
from  Xorth  York  started  out  to  brutally  beat,  if  not  kill,  Mr.  Rice  and  Mr.  Harrison. 
They  were  beating  Mr.  Rice  and  crying  "Kill  him,'"  when  Henry  Seymour  of  the 
Congregational  Church  knocked  them  both  down.  Fearing  that  he  might  be 
expelled  from  the  church  for  it,  ilr.  Harrison  assured  him  that  instead  of  expelling 
him  they  would  canonize  him.  Mr.  Harrison,  after  a  remarkably  useful  career  in 
the  pioneer  work  of  church  and  academy  building,  at  the  age  of  seventv,  resided  in 
York,  supplied  churches  and  carried  on  a  nursery.  When  he  left  the  churi'h  in  1881 
it  had  ]()0  members. 

Rev.  C.  H.  Mcintosh  was  pastor  from  January,  1882,  to  June.  1SS4.  He  was 
the  only  pastor  the  church  ever  liad,  who  came  first  as  a  candidate. 

Rev.  Henry  S.  Harrison  was  pastor  from  September,  1884,  to  July  1.  1886.  It 
was  his  only  pastorate,  and  it  was  a  successful  one,  sixty  or  seventy  uniting  with 
the  church.  He  was  called  to  a  position  on  The  Advance,  of  Chicago,  of  which  he 
afterwards  became  the  proprietor.  He  was  instantly  killed  on  the  railroad  near 
Chicago  in  November,  1804. 

Vol.  II— 5 


668  HISTORY    OF    YOIJK    COUNTY 

Eev.  Robert  S.  Lindsay  was  pastor  from  ilareh  30,  issT,  to  ilay,  1889.  For 
nine  months  preceding  liis  pastorate  the  church  was  supplied  niUL-h  of  the  time  by 
]_)rofessors  in  the  Methodist  College,  then  located  at  York.  Jlr.  Lindsay  was  the 
first  pastor  to  live  in  the  new  parsonage,  which  was  Iniilt  in  1887,  costing,  with  the 
lot,  about  $2,500.  Seventy  or  eighty  united  with  the  church  during  his  pastorate. 
Since  leaving  York  he  has  preached  in  Ohio,  at  Columbus  and  Geneva. 

Eev.  Edward  A.  Leeper  was  pastor  from  June  2,  1889,  to  October,  1892.  Up- 
wards of  one  hundred  and  fifty  united  while  he  was  pastor,  while  the  losses  by 
removals  and  otherwise  were  over  one  hundred.  Since  leaving  York,  Mr.  Leeper 
has  preached  at  Wellsville,  N.  Y.,  and  Dover,  Ohio. 

Rev.  Eoselle  T.  Cross  became  pastor  February  15,  1893,  and  remained  until 
19(16,  the  longest  in  the  history  of  the  church  and  the  longest  of  any  church  in 
York,  e.xcept  the  Catholic.  His  and  Mr.  Harrison's  pastorates  cover  more  than 
half  of  the  history  of  the  church.  More  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  members  were 
received  into  the  fold  by  him.  The  losses  during  his  pastorate  were  less  than  the 
gains.    On  January  1,  1903,  the  church  had  a  membership  of  311. 

Reverend  Cross  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Medlar,  who  stayed  Init  a  short 
time,  when  this  church  was  again  favored  with  a  pastor.  Rev.  R.  S.  Lindsay,  who 
has  now  served  these  people  for  practically  fourteen  years. 

R.  r.  Cross,  Pastor.  Rev.  R.  T.  Cro.«s  was  born  August  21,  1841:,  at  Riehville, 
St.  Lawrence  County,  Xew  York,  where  his  father,  Eev.  Gorgam  Cross,  was  Congre- 
gational pastor  forty  years.  He  studied  in  a  common  school,  and  in  the  Oberlin 
Preparatory  Department  and  Oberlin  College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1867. 
He  studied  theology  one  year  at  Union  Seminary,  New  York  City.  He  worked  his 
way  through  college,  mainly  by  teaching  school  in  the  winter.  He  taught  six 
months  in  Austinburg  Academy  at  Austinburg,  Ohio,  and  for  five  years,  from  1869 
to  1874,  was  principal  of  Oberlin  Academy,  or  Preparatory  Department,  as  it  was 
then  called.  During  part  of  the  time  he  preached  for  the  First  Church  at  Oberlin, 
after  Mr.  Finney  resigned.  The  ministry  was  his  chosen  life  work  and  in  1874, 
after  a  few  months'  study  at  Andover,  he  took  a  pastorate  at  Hamilton,  N.  Y.  In 
the  summer  of  1876  he  accepted  a  call  to  Colorado  Springs,  Colo.,  where  he 
remained  until  1887.  While  at  Colorado  Springs  he  built  a  new  church,  received 
about  two  hundred  and  forty  members,  organized  the  church  at  Manitou,  and,  with 
some  of  his  Sunday  school  boys,  discovered  the  "Cave  of  the  Winds"'  at  Manitou. 
In  1881  he  organized  a  new  church  in  Denver,  built  a  building  for  it,  and  remained 
with  it  over  eight  years.  During  nearly  two  years  of  that  time  he  also  served  as 
superintendent  of  home  missions'  in  Colorado  and  Wyoming,  organizing  churches 
and  raising  money  for  church  buildings.  He  was  pastor  in  Minneapolis,  Minn., 
from  1889  to  1893.  In  February,  1893,  he  came  to  York,  where  he  has  remained 
ten  years.  He  is  author  of  "Home  Duties,"  "Clear  as  Crystal,"  and  of  two  or 
three  books  published  later,  also  of  several  serials,  and  of  several  hundred  news- 
paper and  magazine  articles.  In  1898  ho  received  the  degree  of  D.  D.  from  Oberlin 
College,  and  in  1902  the  same  degree  from'  York  College. 

In  1869,  at  De  Soto,  Wis.,  he  married  Emma  A.,  daughter  of  Rev.  Lewis  Bridg- 
man.  Of  the  five  children  born  to  them,  two  died  in  infancy.  Leora  M.  graduated 
at  Oberlin  in  1898,  Judson  L.  studied  theology  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  and  Cleve- 
land R.,  also  a  graduate  of  the  Oberlin  College. 

:^unday  School.     This  is  the  oldest  Sunday  school  in  York.     It  was  organized 


HISTORY    OF    YOBK    COUNTY  669 

in  the  spring  of  1872  as  the  York  Union  Sunday  School,  under  a  tree  on  Beaver 
Creek,  Just  lielow  Wright's  mill.  During  the  first  year  it  met  in  the  schoolhouse, 
then  in  the  Preshyterian  Church,  then  in  the  Methodist  Church  till  1875,  then 
in  the  Academy.  The  Methodists  withdrew  in  1876,  and  the  Presbyterians  in  1877. 
The  average  attendance  in  the  ten  years,  beginning  with  1893,  has  been  as  follows: 
160,  197,  197,  19.3,  1.56,  165,  160,  159,  152,  177.  In  some  of  these  years  the  number 
included  the  home  department.  The  early  superintendents  were:  F.  A.  Bidwell 
(6  years).  Henry  Seymour  (2  years),  C.  C.  Cobb  (3  years),  Geo.  B.  France, 
Dr.  D.  E.  Foristall,  Frank  Kiiapp  (2  years),  Charles  Daniels,  W.  K.  Williams 
(2  years),  J.  B.  Maylard,  Frank  A.  Hannis  (2  years),  Miss  Abbie  Whitney, 
Rev.  E.  H.  Baker  (2  years),  John  E.  Evans  (5  years).  Merle  S.  Brown,  iliss 
Whitney  and  Mr.  Hannis  served  for  many  years  as  assistant  superintendent. 

Christian  Endeavor  Societies.  The  Senior  Christian  Endeavor  Society  was 
organized  during  Rev.  H.  S.  Harrison's  pastorate,  in  March,  1885,  with  thirty-tive 
members.  Charles  M.  Boynton  was  president.  The  other  afficers  were  Mabel  Chil- 
cote.  Flora  Wyekoff  and  Mr.  J.  B.  Maylard.  It  was  the  second  society  organized 
in  the  state.  In  October,  1888,  the  third  state  convention  was  held  in  this  church. 
There  were  162  delegates  and  thirty-one  visitors.  The  senior  society  has  had  a 
continuous  existence. 

The  junior  and  intermediate  societies  have  existed  intermittently. 

The  Woman's  Missionary  Society.  It  was  organized  February  14,  1883,  with 
Mrs.  J.  Seymour  as  directress.  The  other  officers  were  Mrs.  Cobb,  Mrs.  Spees  and 
Mrs.  H.  Seymour.  It  began  with  six  members  and  increased  to  twenty  the  first 
year.  It  pledged  seven  dollars  the  first  year  and  fifty  the  second  year.  The  presi- 
dents have  been  Mrs.  J.  Seymour,  Mrs.  Cobb,  Mrs.  M.  E.  Morgan,  Mrs.  Harrison 
(mother  of  Rev.-H.  S.  Harrison),  Mrs.  Grippen,  Mrs.  Geo.  P.  Chessman,  Mrs.  B. 
H.  Baker,  Mrs.  W.  Sanford,  Mrs.  G.  F.  Xorthup,  Mrs.  A.  Stevens  and  Mrs.  R.  T. 
Cross.  In  1886  there  was  a  mission  band  which  was  kept  up  until  the  Junior 
Endeavor  was  organized.  The  woman's  society  has  raised  in  all  in  twenty  years 
about  $1,550. 

The  thirty-fifth  anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  Ladies'  Missionary  and 
Aid  Society  of  the  Congregational  Church  was  celebrated  September  29,  1920,  when 
in  response  to  invitations  about  seventy  members  and  their  husbands,  friends  and 
guests  gathered  together  and  helped  to  make  one  of  the  most  memorable  events  in 
the  history  of  our  society.  After  the  first  hearty  handclasps  and  words  of  greeting 
to  our  visitors  from  Polk  and  York  were  over,  all  partook  of  and  seemed  to  enjoy 
the  bountiful  dinner.  At  about  2  :00  o'clock  the  president  called  to  order  for  the 
short  program.  First  was  a  duet  by  Mrs.  Winnifred  Lackey  and  Mrs.  Clark 
Stouffer,  which  was  followed  by  a  few  words  of  welcome  by  Mrs.  Stouffer.  A 
response  to  this  was  given  by  Mrs.  R.  J.  Overstreet,  who  iu  her  pleasant,  inimitable 
way  recalled  many  of  the  events  of  their  first  meetings,  sometimes  in  sod  houses, 
and  of  the  pleasures  and  encouragement  received  by  missionary  teas  and  other  social 
gatherings,  in  the  years  which  followed  their  organization  in  1885,  when  six  earnest, 
consecrated  women  met  at  the  call  of  the  pastor's  wife,  Mrs.  Storm,  to  organize  a 
missionary  society.  The  first  officers  were :  President,  Mrs.  L.  P.  Ensign ;  treasurer, 
Mrs.  B.  W.  Newton;  secretarj',  Mrs.  R.  J.  Overstreet.  Mrs.  F.  N.  Recknor  then 
read  the  minutes  of  the  first  meeting  for  us,  and  also  the  names  of  the  eighteen 
charter  members,  four  of  whom  were  present:'  Mrs.  Ij.  Diehl,  Mrs.  R.  J.   Over- 


670  IIISTOIJY    OF    YOT?K    C'OrXTY 

street  and  Mrs.  F.  X.  Recknor  of  York;  Mrs.  Geo.  Bingham  of  ArborviUe;  two 
others  of  Y'ork  were  not  present,  Mrs.  L.  S.  Loonier  and  Mrs.  P.  Church.  Mrs. 
Eecknor  followed  with  many  other  interesting  items  of  the  early  days  of  the 
society  and  their  labors  in  the  "old  church"  under  circumstances  not  always  the 
most  favorable  and  of  their  first  real  live  missionary's  visit.  Four  officers  we  found 
had  given  from  ten  to  eighteen  years  of  continuous,  unstinted  service — Mrs.  Over- 
street,  Mrs.  Loomer,  Mrs.  Eecknor  and  Mrs.  E.  L.  Gray,  the  latter  having  been 
treasurer  for  eighteen  years.  Mrs.  James  Arnold  and  Mrs.  Diehl  were  asked  to 
give  a  few  reminiscences.  Mrs.  Hastings  then  read  a  list  of  the  members  who 
had  answered  the  call  to  higher  service,  and  this  was  followed  by  a  touching  poem, 
"He  Giveth  His  Beloved  Sleep,"  read  by  Mrs.  A.  0.  Whittemore,  and  the  program 
was  closed  by  a  solo  by  Mrs.  Lackey. 

Ladies'  Aid  Societi/.  A  band  of  ladies  in  the  church,  who  had  given  suppers 
and  entertainments  for  the  church  treasury,  organized  themselves  in  the  spring  of 
1878  into  the  Ladies'  Aid  and  Missionary  Society.  Mrs.  C.  S.  Harrison  was  presi- 
dent. For  five  years  the  earnings  were  divided  between  home  expenses  and  missions. 
In  1883  the  missionary  society  was  organized  by  itself.  Li  1878  the  Ladies'  Aid 
paid  $195  for  a  bell:  in  1881,  $300  to  meet  a  note:  in  1882,  $300  for  the  new 
church;  in  1885-fi,  $37.')  for  chandelier  and  stained  glass  windows:  in  1891,  $500 
for  the  debt;  in  1893,  $200  for  a  furnace  in  the  parsonage,  etc.  From  1885  to  1896 
they  raised  $3,791,  or  in  all  up  to  1903  nearly  $5,000.  This  money  was  raised 
chiefly  by  sewing  and  cooking.  In  1891  an  industrial  store,  open  on  Saturdays, 
was  started,  from  which  $1,419  was  realized  in  six  years.  The  annual  chicken 
pie  supper,  held  on  election  evening  in  November,  has  been  a  feature  of  their  work. 
The  Ladies'  Aid  has  been  an  important  factor  of  the  church  activities. 

Very  much  of  historical  value  was  conserved  in  the  account  now  reproduced  of 
the  dedication  in  1913  of  this  congregation's  new,  wonderful  house  of  worship: 

Without  regard  to  church  membership  or  creed  the  people  of  Y^ork  and  vicinity 
united  with  the  members  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  the  Joyful  dedication 
of  their  new  church  building  in  March,  1913.  The  handsome  structure,  which 
represents  the  generosity  and  self-sacrifice  of  many,  was  erected  during  the  winter 
which  has  just  closed  in  what  seems  a  short  space  of  time  for  the  completion  of 
so  fine  a  building.  The  first  excavation  was  made  on  September  12,  1912,  and 
six  months  and  one  week  from  that  time  the  building  committee  accepted  the 
church  from  the  contractor.  It  was  first  planned  to  have  the  formal  dedication 
on  Easter  Sunday,  but  the  desire  to  choose  a  day  for  the  ceremonies  when  other 
churches  would  feel  free  to  join  in  tiie  delightful  services  led  to  the  postponement 
of  the  occasion  for  one  week. 

The  first  Congregational  Church  of  York  was  organized  forty-one  years  ago 
this  spring,  and  of  the  eight  men  who  have  served  as  pastors  during  that  time 
three  were  present  on  Sunday:  Rev.  C.  S.  Harrison,  who  was  the  second  minister 
in  charge  of  the  work,  serving  the  ehurcii  fnnn  1871  to  1881;  Rev.  W.  H.  Medlar, 
whose  pastorate  covered  the  years  between  1901  and  1907,  and  the  man  who  has 
led  to  a  successful  culmination  the  building  enterprise.  Rev.  Robert  S.  Lindsay. 
Mr.  Lindsay  first  came  to  York  in  1887  and  after  a  brief  pastorate  returned  to 
his  Ohio  home.  Six  years  ago  he  again  listened  to  the  call  of  the  West  and  once 
more  took  charge  of  the  Y'ork  church.  The  success  of  his  labors  is  evidenced  by 
the  unity  in  his  church  and  the  happy  conclusion  of  the  building  enterprise. 


Christian  Church,  York 


First  Congregational  Church,  York 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  673 

The  first  service  of  dedication  day  was  held  at  the  usual  hour  for  morning 
worship.  The  sermon  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Newell  of  Chicago.  Appro- 
priate music  was  exquisitely  rendered  by  the  church  choir  under  the  leadership  of 
Miss  Blanche  Cox.  At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  capacity  of  the  building 
was  taxed  to  accommodate  those  who  gathered  for  the  service.  The  pastors  of 
all  the  York  churches  with  ministers  from  other  cities  present  were  seated  upon 
the  platform  and  had  parts  in  the  opening  service.  The  sermon  was  delivered  by 
the  Rev.  T.  'SI.  Shepard  of  the  First  Congregational  Church  of  Lincoln,  who  was 
followed  by  Doctor  ISTewell  in  a  brief  address.  A  solemn  dedication  service  of 
great  beauty,  which  had  been  prepared  for  the  occasion  by  Reverend  Mr.  Lindsay, 
was  participated  in  Ijy  the  pastor  and  people  and  the  final  dedicatory  prayer  was 
offered  by  the  venerable  Father  Harrison.  The  ritual  used  declared  the  church 
to  be  dedicated  for  "social  service,  intercourse  and  fellowship;  for  help  to  the 
needy ;  for  strength  to  the  weak ;  for  every  form  of  service  that  will  hasten  the 
coming  of  the  kingdom :  for  the  succor  and  consolation  of  the  poor  and  wayward, 
tlie  triiuljled  and  the  weary,  the  discouraged  and  the  feeble,  the  widow  and  the 
stranger."' 

In  the  evening  the  Reverend  Dr.  Newell  was  again  the  speaker.  The  soloists 
of  the  day  were  Claudia  Schell,  Miss  Charlotte  Van  Wickle  and  Mrs.  G.  W. 
France.  Not  the  least  interesting  feature  of  the  services  of  the  day  was  the  taking 
of  pledges  sufficient  to  allow  the  l)uilding  to  be  dedicated  free  of  debt.  That  this 
might  be  done  it  was  necessary  to  secure  promises  of  $15,000,  but  large  as  the 
amount  seemed,  it  was  all  cheerfully  given  and  so  ihiectious  was  the  spirit  of 
giving  that  additional  offerings  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  building  committee 
on  Monday.  The  securing  of  pledges  was  in  charge  of  Doctor  Newell,  whose  tactful 
appeals  made  this  portion  of  the  exercises  as  interesting  and  profitable  as  any 
other.  While  the  greater  burden  of  the  debt  on  the  building  was,  of  course, 
assumed  by  members  of  the  church  who  gave  most  generously,  there  were  also 
numerous  contributions  from  other  friends.  The  Woman's  Guild  added  to  their 
first  pledge  of  $4,000  one  of  $3,500.  The  Sunday  'school  is  responsible  for  the 
payment  of  $1,000  and  other  organizations  of  the  church  will  do  their  share.  The 
total  cost  of  the  church  and  its  furnishings  is  $32,000. 

The  building  is  fully  equipped  for  all  the  work  of  the  modern  church.  The 
basement  story  contains  dining-rooms  and  a  convenient  kitchen.  A  Sunday  school 
room  adjoins  the  auditorium  on  the  first  floor  and  the  seating  capacity  is  added 
to  by  the  graceful  balconies.  The  auditorium  and  the  additional  rooms  when 
thrown  together  will  seat  750.  The  first  impression  nn  entering  the  church  is 
that  the  seating  capacity  is  small,  but  closer  observation  shows  that  the  audience 
is  so  placed  as  to  be  near  the  pulpit  and  that  the  accommodations  are  greater  than 
they  seem.  Doctor  Newell  complimented  this  feature  of  the  building,  saying  that 
the  church  had  not  spent  money  building  a  large  auditorium  but  had  planned  to 
care  for  every  phase  of  active  church  life.  The  church  is  said  to  be  one  of  the 
best  equipped  in  the  state.  The  finishings  and  furnishings  are  all  in  oak;  the 
walls  are  tinted  in  cream  and  brown  and  the  opalescent  art  glass  dome  and  windows 
harmonize  with  the  colorings.  The  pipe  organ  was  brought  from  the  old  church 
and  rebuilt  by  the  makers.  Hook  and  Hastings.  The  choir  loft  will  accommodate 
forty  persons.  The  best  heating  system  known  was  installed  and  is  connected  with 
city  heating  plant.     The  electric  lighting  has  been  cared  for  with  as  much  care 


674:  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

as  the  balance  of  the  equipment  and  is  very  complete  and  efficient — partly  direct 
and  partly  indirect.  The  lighting  system  was  installed  by  C.  D.  Shreck  and  the 
interior  decoration  was  executed  by  the  R.  D.  Fountain  Company.  Four  fine 
art  windows  grace  the  building  three  of  them  put  in  by  friends  of  three  of  the 
oldest  living  members  of  the  church,  the  Rev.  C.  S.  Harrison,  Mr.  G.  P.  Chessman 
and  A.  D.  Wyckoff  being  so  honored.  'J'lie  window  in  the  south  was  given  by  Mrs. 
John  Hyder  in  memory  of  her  husband. 

CHHISTIAX    CHURCH 

In  this  sketch  no  effort  is  made  to  mention  in  detail  all  happenings  good  or 
bad  in  connection  with  the  history  of  the  Church  of  Christ  of  Y'ork,  Neb.  The 
present  organization  of  the  Church  of  Christ  (commonly  known  in  York  as 
the  Christian  Church)  was  organized  in  North  York,  May  28,  1883,  by  R.  C. 
Barrow.     The  minutes  of  this  organization  read  as  follows : 

■"York,  Xeb.,  May  28,  1883 — We  the  undersigned  agree  to  associate  ourselves 
together  as  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Xorth  York,  acknowledging  no 
creed  but  Christ  and  no  discipline  but  the  Bible,  and  pledging  ourselves  to  live  to 
the  best  of  our  ability  in  accordance  with  the  teaching  of  the  inspired  word." 

There  were  over  thirty  names  written  under  the  above  as  charter  members  of 
the  organization 

June  3,  1883,  Dr.  T.  J.  Hatfield,  W.  AY.  Williams  and  J.  S.  Hiett  were  elected 
by  the  congregation  as  elders  and  H.  H.  Bowker  as  deacon.  Soon  the  brethren 
decided  to  build  a  place  of  worship  in  Xorth  York  and  as  the  result  a  substantial 
frame  building  28x48  was  erected  and  dedicated  June,  1884,  by  Rev.  D.  R.  Lucas. 
This  was  a  time  of  rejoicing  for  the  little  flock  and  added  permanency  to  the 
work  so  well  begun.  Unfortunately,  a  few  years  after  the  dedication  of  the 
church  troubles  of  harmful,  deep  and  lasting  influence  entered  into  the  organiza- 
tion which  cooled  the  spiritual  life  and  hindered  the  numerical  growth  of  the 
church  for  a  number  of  years.  Xotwithstanding  the  unpleasant  memories  and 
happenings,  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Xorth  York,  in  Christ's  name,  conquered 
foes  and  won  victories. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  men  wlio  have  ministered  for  the  church 
since  its  organization :  Brother  T.  J.  Burton,  A.  W.  Harney  (who  was  the  pastor 
three  times),  T.  J.  Oliver,  J.  H.  McSparron,  H.  A.  Limon,  T.  L.  Reed,  Joel 
Fisher,  T.  A.  Maxwell,  J.  A.  Kierfle  and  G.  James  Chapman,  who  entered  upon 
his  fifth  year  as  pastor  of  the  church. 

It  was  unfortunate  for  the  chixrch  that  it  was  first  Ijuilt  in  Xortli  York  instead 
of  the  more  populous  part  of  the  city.  In  1898,  during  Brother  T.  A.  Maxwell's 
energetic,  progressive  and  wise  ministry,  the  church  edifice  fortunately  was  moved 
from  Xorth  York  to  the  beautiful  and  centrally  located  site,  corner  of  Eighth 
Street  and  Platte  Avenue.  Soon  after  this  move  the  church  began  to  increase  in 
prestige  in  the  community  and  in  good  works.  In  February,  1899,  Brother  G.  J. 
Cliapman  was  called  to  assist  iu  a  revival  which  resulted  in  several  additions  to 
the  church.  Soon  after  the  church  tendered  Brother  G.  J.  Chapman  a  call  as 
pastor,  which  he  accepted  and  began  his  pastoral  labors  April  31,  1899.  He  found 
the  church  in  some  uncomfortable  circumstances:  the  membership  was  small, 
somewhat  in  debt.    The  building,  besides  being  small  was  in  need  of  repairs  outside 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  675 

and  inside,  and  several  of  the  members  were  not  regular  in  attending  services  or 
in  meeting  upon  the  first  day  of  every  week  to  break  bread.  During  the  first 
year  of  Brother  Chapman's  ministry  all  debts  were  paid  and  several  persons  being 
converted  were  added  to  the  church.  The  second  year  besides  paying  the  pastor 
an  increase  in  salary,  $500  was  raised  for  repairs  and  beautifying  the  old  building 
and  the  substantial  growth  of  the  membership  continued  without  ceasing.  Old 
\inpleasant  memories  were  forgotten  and  dismissed  and  all  hearts  united  in  Christian 
love  and  fellowship.  As  Mr.  Chapman  entered  his  third  year's  pastorate  the  old 
building  was  found  inadequate  to  accommodate  the  congregations  that  met  to  hear 
him  preach  and  thus  hindered  tlie  progressive  and  continued  growth  of  the  church. 
A  new  building  was  agitated  and  finance  solicited.  Plans  were  agreed  upon,  the 
old  building  was  torn  down  (except  the  belfry)  and  the  present  beautiful,  sub- 
stantial and  commodious  edifice  was  erected  by  contractors  D.  Y.  Hieslar  and 
A.  G.  Chessman.  The  new  building  was  dedicated  by  Z.  T.  Sweeney  of  Columbus, 
Ind.,  October  27,  1901.  All  indebtedness  was  provided  for  and  thus  marked  the 
gladdest  day  in  the  history  of  the  York  church. 

The  building  has  a  seating  capacity  of  500,  and  is  valued,  including  lot,  at 
$7,000;  is  furnished  with  l)eautiful  curve  seat  and  curve  back  pews,  stationed 
on  a  slant  floor,  heated  with  two  splendid  furnaces,  lighted  with  electricity  and 
tlie  city  water  attached  to  the  baptistry.  The  auditoriuiu  is  48x50,  and  the  lecture 
room  16x38,  the  two  classrooms  are  8x10  each,  the  pulpit  is  large  and  fronted  by 
a  large  arch.  The  ceiling  of  the  auditorium  is  32  feet  high  and  thus  nuikes  one 
of  the  best  auditoriums  in  the  city  and  a  most  splendid  room  in  which  to  speak. 
The  success  in  building  stimulated  and  increased  the  faith  of  the  pastor  and 
congregation  and  the  year  Just  closed  lias  been  one  filled  witli  victories  for  the 
Cluirch  of  Clirist  in  York.  The  spiritual  life  of  the  church  is  good,  and  thus  the 
organization  is  endeavoring  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace, 
and  the  prestige  and  standing  of  tlie  clnirch  in  the  community  lias  been  much 
increased. 

In  1906  Brother  Tlionms  A.  Maxwell  returned  for  a  short  stay.  His  successor 
for  a  sliort  period  was  Eev.  W.  E.  Brandenburg,  and  in  1914  Rev.  A.  T.  Ritchey 
began  a  pastorate  which  has  lasted-  now  for  seven  years. 

Sunday  School.  There  are  150  enrolled  in  the  Sunday  school  and  the  school 
is  thoroughly  awake  and  enthusiastic  in  the  study  of  the  Word,  and  meets  all  appoint- 
ments for  home  and  foreign  missions.  J.  B.  Frickey  was  for  years  an  efficient 
and  well  beloved  superintendent  and  had  assisting  him  fifteen  officers  and  teachers. 

Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  Senior.  We  have  fifty-two  active  members  in  the  senior  Y.  P.  S. 
C.  E.  These  meetings  were  attended  by  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  enthusiastic 
young  people.  An  hour  was  seldom  long  enough  for  all  to  take  part  who  were 
moved  to  do  so.  The  society  supported  an  orphan  in  India  and  payed  its  home  and 
national  apportionments  for  missions  and  bore  a  part  of  the  financial  burden  of 
the  church. 

Christum  Woman's  Board  of  Missions.  The  C.  W.  B.  M.  had  a  nicmhcrship  of 
twenty-two  and  met  once  a  month  for  prayer  and  the  study  of  missions.  The 
prayers  and  good  works  of  these  sisters  were  felt  by  the  entire  church  membership. 

T.  P.  S.  C.  E.  Juniors.  The  juniors  numbered  fifty  and  met  once  each  week 
for  prayer  and  study  of  the  Bible.  The  children  were  especially  interested  in  the 
building  of  orphanages  in  heathen  lands. 


fi?C  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Ladies'  Aid  Society.  This  society  has  for  years  met  once  each  week  to  do 
work  of  most  any  sort  tliat  would  bring  them  money  to  help  the  needy  and  the 
work  generally.  Much  \^•as  trusted  to  the  hands  of  these  earnest  and  hard  working 
sisters. 

This  congregation  has  consistently  maintained  a  wide  awake  and  well  attended 
Sunday  school,  a  splendid  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  and  Christian  Woman's  Board  of 
Missions. 

THE    UNITED   BRETHREN    CHURCH    OF    YORK,    NEB. 

The  church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  has  always  been  distinctly  an 
American  church.  Phillip  William  Otterbein,  the  founder,  and  liis  coadjutors 
inculcated  into  the  minds  aixl  hearts  of  their  followers  the  equality  of  man.  The 
iron  bands  which  had  bound  them  to  the  time  honored  churches — German  Reformed, 
Mennonite,  etc. — were  forced  asunder  under  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ;  so  affec- 
tionately and  tenderly  uttered  by  the  cultured  evangelical  son  of  Germany,  when 
he  fell  on  the  neck  of  the  Spirit-filled  Mennonite  and  said,  "We  are  brethren."  If 
there  is  any  virtue  in  a  name,  the  name  of  this  denomination  has  borne  down  upon 
the  wings  of  the  century  the  prayer  of  Christ  for  spiritual  unity  and  brotherhood. 
The  great  life  of  Otterbein  bequeathed  to  the  United  Brethren  Church  a  testimony 
in  death  which  still  lingers  in  the  church  as  a  call  to  consecrated  and  holy  living. 
"Jesus,  Jesus,  I  die,  but  thou  livcst,  and  soon  I  shall  live  with  thee.  The  conflict 
is  over  and  past.  I  begin  to  feel  an  unspeakable  fullness  of  love  and  praise 
divine.     Lay  my  head  upon  my  pillow  and  let  me  be  still." 

In  the  year  1887  the  local  church  at  York  was  organized  with  thirteen  charter 
members.  Only  three  remain — ^X.  A.  Dean  and  wife  and  Geo.  Spears.  The 
organization  was  perfected  in  the  Universalist  Church  on  E.  Seventh  Street, 
with  Rev.  E.  W.  Johnson  presiding  elder.  Services  were  occasionally  held  in  a 
store  building  in  North  York.  Tlie  need  of  a  church  house  pressed  heavily  upon 
this  young  society,  so  that  they  early  purposed  to  build  a  house.  Two  lots  were 
purchased  on  Grant  Avenue,  corner  of  Twelfth  vStreet.  The  first  board  of  trustees 
consisted  of  N.  A.  Dean,  William  Jappath,  Peter  Hcllier  and  J.  S.  Lohr.  Revs. 
G.  H.  Swartz  and  J.  J.  Lohr  served  as  pastors  during  ISS^  and  1888.  Early  in 
the  year  of  1889  a  new  church  house  was  completed  upon  the  lots  mentioned  above. 
Having  a  church  building  with  but  a  snuiU  society,  they  felt  the  need  of  a  revival 
effort.  Evangelist  Geo.  K.  Little  was  secured,  whose  labors  were  graciously  blessed 
by  God  in  a  very  successful  campaign.  A  large  number  testified  to  conversion  and 
some  fifty  were  received  into  church  fellowship.  During  this  period  the  minister 
traveled  a  circuit,  preaching  at  two  other  appointments.  In  March  of  this  same 
year  Rev.  T.  K.  Surface  accepted  the  pastorate,  and,  considering  the  division  of 
his  time,  witnessed  good  results.  At  the  March  conference  of  1890  J.  M.  Haskins 
was  appointed  to  York.  He  remained  but  one  year  and  was  succeeded  b}^  Rev.  D. 
W.  Proffitt.  After  laboring  for  seven  months  Mr.  Protfitt  resigned.  The  presiding 
elder  secured  Rev.  (4.  D.  Stromire,  whose  ministry  continued  for  seventeen  months. 
Seventy  new  mendrers  were  received  and  the  various  departments  of  the  church 
strengtiiened.  Negotiations  were  perfected  in  1892  for  the  sale  of  their  church 
property,  the  transfer  being  to  a  society  of  the  German  Methodists. 


United  Brethren  Church,  York 


Trinity  Church,  York 


..ot>^^ 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUXTY  679 

The  church  officials  were  considering  the  erection  of  a  more  commodious 
churcli  buikling  and  in  the  meantime  they  accepted  an  invitation  to  conduct  their 
services  in  the  college  chapel.  The  annual  conference  of  March,  1893,  appointed 
Eev.  AV.  E.  Schell  as  pastor.  In  con.sulting  the  conference  minutes  and  local 
records,  we  find  that  success  attended  Mr.  Schell's  ministry.  The  site  of  the 
present  church  was  purchased,  but  because  of  drouth  and  a  stringency  in  money  no 
effort  was  exerted  to  build.  Reverend  Schell's  pastorate  was  severed  at  the  expira- 
tion of  two  years,  when  the  conference  elected  him  presiding  elder.  Rev.  T.  W. 
Jones  was  pastor  from  March,  189.5,  to  1896.  His  ministry  was  marked  with 
intense  sincerity  and  nobleness  of  purpose.  R.  A.  Longman  succeeded  Reverend 
Jones.  He  gave  acceptable  service,  received  twenty-five  new  members,  and  closed 
his  year's  work  with  good  reports.  Rev.  H.  T>.  Crawford  followed  as  minister 
and  served  during  a  short  conference  year  of  six  months,  dividing  his  time  with 
the  college  as  field  collector;  very  little  was  accomplished  in  forwarding  local 
church  interests.  The  ministry  of  Rev.  H.  J.  Gunnels  was  highly  appreciated 
by  the  church.  His  removal  from  the  state  at  the  expiration  of  one  year  was 
regretted.  At  the  conference  of  September,  1898,  Rev.  W.  W.  Hart  was  assigned 
to  York  Church.     He  labored  with  continuous  diligence  and  very  apparent  results. 

Rev.  E.  F.  Bowers  connncneed  his  pastorate  in  September,  1899.  The  work 
yielded  excellent  results,  and  by  the  end  of  the  conference  year  plans  for  a  new 
church  building  developed  into  an  encouraging  prospect  of  success.  In  1900  the 
project  was  begun.  The  trustees  and  Iniilding  committee,  which  consisted  of 
N".  A.  Dean,  Adam  Seed,  W.  C.  Buchanan,  Phillip  Fink.  J.  L.  Medlar  and  Henry 
Jacobs,  prosecuted  their  work  with  commendable  zeal.  After  about  eighteen 
months'  pastorate  Rev.  Bowers  resigned.  This  unexpected  resignation  somewhat 
obstructed  rsCpid  advancement.  Nevertheless,  forward  was  the  watchword.  In 
September,  1901,  Geo.  E.  Driver  was  appointed  and  unanimously  accepted  as  pastor. 
Following  the  pastorate  of  Reverend  Driver  this  church  has  been  favoi-ed  with  the 
services  of  E.  B.  Mauer.  Wren  J.  Grinstead,  C.  S.  Long,  J.  W.  Burkell,  who  served 
for  more  than  five  years,  G.  P.  Graham  and  C.  S.  Parker. 

The  new  church  house  of  this  congregation  was  completed  and  dedicated  in 
December,  1901.  Rev.  George  Miller,  D.  D.,  officiated  and  a  subscription  of  $3,000 
was  secured  to  free  the  property  from  debt.  The  building  is  a  brick  structure  and 
is  splendidly  located  on  East  Seventh  Street  and  York  Avenue,  one  of  the  fijiest 
sites  in  the  city.  The  dimensions  are  50x70  feet.  The  arrangement  of  the  audi- 
torium with  Sunday  school  room,  four  classrooms,  and  pastor's  study  afford  a  most 
convenient  house  for  all  purposes.  The  inclined  floor  is  seated  with  opera  chairs, 
with  a  seating  capacity  of  600.  The  total  valuation  of  grounds  and  buildings  is 
$8,000. 

HOLY    TRINITY    CIIUECII 

The  Episcopal  Church  in  York  has  been  in  existence  some  thirty-nine  years, 
and  a  somewhat  checkered  career  it  has  had.  It  was  organized  under  the  name  of 
St.  Mary's  Mission  at  a  service  held  in  Bell's  Hall  on  October  3,  1881,  when  the 
first  bishop  of  Nebraska  preached  to  a  congregation  of  some  one  hundred  and  fifty 
people.  G.  H.  Jerome  was  appointed  warden,  J.  M.  Young  treasurer,  and  G.  H. 
Jerome   secretary   and   lay   reader;   the   services   were   continued   at    intervals    by 


fi.su  [IIS'l'nitY    OF   YortK    corxTY 

I'evs.  F.  O'Connell  and  G.  1!.  Hawkins.  At  a  later  date  services  were  held  in 
the  Swedish  Church. 

After  a  somewhat  protracted  interval  fer\ices  were  again  held  in  Bell's  Hall 
in  1885  Ijy  the  Eev.  E.  A.  Wells  of  Central  City,  and  at  a  later  service  in  the 
Cona-re.sjational  Church  several  children  of  B.  J.  Coles,  T.  Houston  and  J.  Porter 
were  baptized;  Bislio])  Worthington  on  the  same  evenina;  preached  his  first  sermon 
in  York,  and  again  ap]iointed  (i.  H.  Jerome  warilen,  with  B.  J.  Coles  treasurer 
and  J.  X.  Jerome  secretary,  with  the  latter  Geo.  Xewmau  and  \Vm.  Manning  lay 
readers.  It  was  decided  that  from  now  on  services  were  to  lie  held  once  a  month, 
and  $4,2.50  was  subscribed  towards  diocesan  missions. 

For  a  time  services  were  held  in  the  Swedish  Clinrcli  by  Bev.  E.  A.  Wells, 
who  formed  the  first  Ladies'  Guild  of  the  church  with  the  following  officers: 
President,  Mrs.  McCann ;  secretary,  Mrs.  J.  X.  Jerome :  treasurer,  Mrs.  Talbot. 
Plans  were  perfected  for  using  the  Swedish  clnirch  i}ermanently  with  a  lav  reader 
in  charge  when  priestly  ministrations  were  not  availaiile. 

During  one  of  Bishop  Worthington's  services  he  confirmed  the  following  persons: 
James  Houston,  W.  B.  Houston  and  Andrew  Houston. 

At  a  meeting  held  subsequently  to  this  service  the  name  of  the  mission  was 
changed  to  Trinity  Mission,  and  was  served  under  that  name  until  April  11,  1886, 
by  Bev.  E.  A.  Wells,  G.  H.  Jerome  being  lay  reader. 

The  records  of  the  ne.xt  tt'ii  years  are  not  available,  though  three  clergymen 
were  at  various  times  residents  in  the  parish,  namely,  Mr.  Gardiner,  who  performed 
the  first  marriage  ceremony  in  the  church,  uniting  in  wedlock  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Papin, 
who  were  strong  members  of  the  church  :  ^Ir.  Simpson,  who  baptized  the  present 
warden's  daughter,  Stella,  and  Mr.  Baxter,  under  wdiom  the  churcli  may  be  said 
to  have  had  its  most  prosperous  times.  At  intervals  during  this  period  the  bishop 
visited  the  parish  and  several  confirmation  services  were  held. 

The  Bev.  W.  P.  N.  AVharton,  M.  A.,  of  the  University  of  Durham,  first  officiated 
in  Holy  Trinity  Church  in  October,  ]S!I6,  when  he  took  up  his  residence  at 
Fairmont  as  local  missionary.  His  work  brought  him  to  York  the  third  Sunday 
of  each  nu)nth.  He  commenced  residence  in  the  city  September  1,  1897,  officiating 
until  August  of  the  following  year.  During  his  tenure  of  office  Bishop  Graves  of 
the  Platte  confirmed  ten  persons.  Subseipiently  Mr.  Wharton  removed  to  St. 
George's  Church,  LeMars,  Iowa. 

After  a  period  of  some  three  years  Bisho[i  Williams  sent  the  Bev.  T.  Percival 
Tate  to  take  charge  of  the  nussion.  And  since  his  advent,  mainly  owing  to  the 
energetic  work  of  the  members  of  the  Ladies'  Guild,  presided  over  at  first  by  Mrs. 
Pick  and  later  by  Mrs.  Eroe,  the  church  has  taken  on  a  new  lease  of  life.  Mr.  Craw- 
ford, the  energetic  Sunday  .school  superintendent,  alily  assisted  by  Mr.  Sorren  J. 
Hedelund,  was  a  great  source  of  strength  in  holding  up  the  present  incunilient's 
hands,  and  the  prospects  are  good  for  a  sure  and  steady  increase  in  church 
membership. 

The  late  Bishop  Williams  always  visited  the  little  church,  to  find  a  splendid 
welcome  and  many  were  unable  to  find  room  in  the  crowded  building  to  listen 
to  his  eloquent  and  inspiring  words. 

The  people  though  small  in  numbers  always  re-sponded  nobly  to  the  bishop's 
call   for  funds  towards  securing  the  permanent  residence  of  the  missionary,  and 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  681 

the  members  of  Holy  Trinity  paid  far  more  in  proportion  to  membership  than  any 
church  in  York  towards  the  salary  of  their  ministers  and  the  running  expenses 
of  the  church. 

The  church  has  been  repainted,  electric  lights  put  in,  pavement  laid  down, 
sewerage  tax  paid,  new  stove  erected,  a  complete  set  of  altar  hangings  made,  and 
all  expenses  promptly  met  as  they  fall  due.  Holy  Trinity  members  have  no  cause 
to  be  ashamed  of  their  efforts. 

Since  Reverend  Tate  left,  Rev.  A.  E.  Cash  and  J.  Senior  served  this  church 
in  the  next  few  years. 

In  1916  to  1918  Rev.  Geo.  G.  Tyner  served  this  congregation. 

BAPTIST    CHURCH 

In  the  fall  of  1871  the  South  Phitte  Land  Company  agreed  to  donate,  free  of 
expense,  two  lots  in  the  town  site  of  York  to  each  church  which  should  erect  a 
church  building  thereon.  Today  the  First  Baptist  Church  is  the  only  church 
receiving  such  donation  in  the  town,  which  has  kept  their  church  building  upon 
the  site  originally  selected. 

The  organization  of  the  church  dates  back  to  Augu.?t  23,  1873,  when  a  small 
company  were  gathered  into  what  miglit  more  properly  be  called  a  class.  Some 
meetings  were  held  in  wliat  was  then  called  "the  new  schoolhouse,"  and  at  one 
of  these  meetings  David  Graham  was  ordained  as  a  deacon  of  the  church. 

Until  1879  no  regular  pastor  was  located  here,  and  with  but  a  few  scattered 
memliers  it  was  difficult  to  keep  up  regubir  prayer  or  church  meetings.  In  the 
fall  of  1879  Rev.  A.  W.  Peck  moved  into  the  county  from  New  Jersey  and  began 
the  work  of  collecting  the  names  of  Baptists  who  had  moved  here  and  of  building 
up  the  church.    The  first  baptisms  were  August  9,  1879. 

October  18,  1879,  at  a  service  held  in  a  vacant  store  room  on  the  southeast 
corner  of  the  square,  a  call  was  given  to  Reverend  Peck  to  become  pastor  of  the 
church,  which  was  accepted,  and  he  immediately  began  his  work  as  pastor.  For  a 
year  he  worked  hard  to  build  up  the  membership  and  hold  regular  services.  After 
this  came  a  time  when  the  church  was  without  a  regular  pastor. 

On  July  26,  1883,  Rev.  A.  W.  Clark  was  secured  as  pastor,  entering  at  once 
upon  his  work.  The  Universalist  Church  was  secured  as  a  regular  place  of  worship, 
and  the  organization  of  a  Sunday  school  was  perfected,  which  began  the  work 
that  has  steadily  kept  pace  with  our  town  and  community.  At  this  time  there 
were  about  thirty  members  connected  witli  the  church.  Preparations  were  at  once 
begun  for  the  building  of  a  church.  A  committee  was  appointed,  money  sub- 
scribed and  plans  submitted  and  adopted,  and  on  February  31,  1884,  the  contract 
was  let  and  the  result  we  see  in  the  present  church  building.  The  church  was 
dedicated  November  16,  1881,  by  Dr.  Wm.  Lawrence  of  Chicago  and  Rev.  W.  R. 
Connelly  of  the  Home  Mission  Society  of  Nebraska.  A  bell  had  been  presented 
and  placed  on  the  church  by  D.  E.  Sayer  of  York,  just  before  the  dedication. 
The  Home  Mission  Society  gave  a  donation  of  $500  on  the  cost  of  the  building. 
The  church  membership  had  increased  to  about  eighty-five,  so  that  as  the  church 
began  the  worsliip  of  God  in  its  new  home  they  were  cheered  by  a  good  memljcrship 
and  large  congregations. 


682  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

The  pastors  of  tlie  churcli  have  been  men  well  thought  of  and  earnest  in 
their  endeavors  to  estal)lish  a  fruitful  church  of  God-fearing  men  and  women  in 
York  and  the  surrounding  community. 

Reverend  Peck  lived  on  a  farm  two  miles  south  of  town,  hut  was  "in  and  out" 
among  his  people  doing  good. 

Rev.  A.  W.  Clark  followed  and  was  a  huildcr  in  one  sense,  working  with 
his  own  hands  to  erect  a  house  of  worship  and  then  getting  the  people  to  worship. 
The  first  candidate  for  baptism  in  the  new  church  was  later  one  of  the  deacons, 
M.  Castle,  baptized  December  14,  1884.  The  Baptist  state  convention  met  here 
during  Reverend  Clark's  pastorate. 

Rev.  R.  L.  Halsey  proved  to  be  a  missionary  preacher,  resigning  his  pastorate 
here  to  go  to  India  as  a  foreign  missionary. 

Rev.  W.  G.  Evans  built  np  the  church  in  many  ways  and  won  many  into  its 
folds  by  his  preaciiing  and  teaching.  He  resigned  to  engage  in  the  financial  work 
of  Grand  Island  College. 

Rev.  E.  D.  Bewick  was  a  teacher  of  the  scriptures  and  aside  from  the  work 
of  the  church  gave  extra  time  to  teaciiing  the  Bible  and  giving  instruction.  He 
closed  his  labors  here  to  re-enter  the  work  in  Wisconsin. 

Rev.  B.  F.  Fellman  came  to  the  York  church  as  a  young  man,  and  as  such 
won  many  young  people  as  well  as  old  into  the  church.  He  also  took  up  the  work 
at  Maple  Grove  sehoolhouse  during  two  summers.  He  was  ordained  while  serving 
the  York  church.  It  was  during  his  pastorate  the  Baptist  state  convention  again 
met  in  York.  About  five  hundred  dollars  was  expended  for  .fixing  the  interior 
of  the  church  the  last  year  of  his  pastorate.  Brother  Fellman  left  York  to  build 
up  a  church  in  South  Omaha. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Median  was  called  from  Iowa  to  take  charge  here  at  York,  and 
during  his  short  stay  of  a  year  made  friends  and  sought  to  build  up  a  spiritual 
and  earnest  church  membership.  Brother  Meehan  left  the  church  here  to  enter 
the  medical  school  at  Des  Moines,  la. 

Rev.  S.  C.  Green  stayed  from  1901  to  1904.  It  was  by  his  efforts  that  the  par- 
sonage was  erected  in  1902,  at  a  cost  of  over  one  thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 
The  church  building  was  repaired  also  in  this  time  and  the  large  pedal  organ  added 
to  the  audience  room  of  the  church. 

His  successor  was  Rev.  A.  H.  Ballard,  who  served  this  congregation  for  about 
five  years,  when  Rev.  F.  W.  Clifife  came  to  them.  About  five  years  later  Rev.  J.  G. 
Dickson  began  a  pastorate  which  lasted  until  Rev.  L.  R.  Bobbitt  came  in  1918. 

The  church  has  granted  ministerial  license  to  three  of  its  members:  Brother 
L.  F.  Salee,  in  1891 ;  Brother  C.  R.  Rockwell,  July  13,  1890;  Brother  Marion  Bollen, 
January  1,  1903. 

Among  the  early  deacons  of  the  church  who  served  in  the  past  were  David 
Graham,  who  died  February  19,  1903;  J.  M.  Stilson  died  September  12,  1902; 
E.  V.  Green,  Daniel  Longwell,  William  Ong  (died  June  20,  1888),  J.  W.  Shoetler, 
Melvin  McCracken,  Louis  Provost,  and  A.  J.  Wilkins. 

Among  the  church  clerks  of  early  years  we  find  the  names  of  Thomas  Porter, 
0.  A.  Stubbs,  Prof.  R.  M.  Bridges,  and  eleven  others.  William  E.  Stilson  served 
for  a  long  period  in  this  capacity. 

No  church  history  of  York  would  be  complete  witiiout  mention  of  Mr.  Butter- 
field,  father  of  E.  A.  Butterfield.     He  homesteaded  the  land  where  his  son  lived, 


German  Congrkgatioxal  Church,  York 


St.  Joseph's  Catholic  Church,  York 


First  Baptist  Church,  York 


Vol.  II— 6 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  685 

building  a  small  sod  house  about  where  the  K.  C.  Railroad  comes  onto  the  farm, 
living  here  alone  the  latter  part  of  1870  and  1871.  He  sought  the  companionship 
of  his  fellow-man,  and  at  times  on  Sunday  would  collect  some  neighbors  and  teach 
them,  from  the  Bible.  We  think  that  to  him  should  be  accorded  the  honor  of  being 
the  first  Bible  class  teacher  upon  the  territory  now  covered  by  the  City  of  York. 
We  recollect  him  as  standing  beside  a  dry  goods  box,  near  a  little  building  about 
where  Murphy's  blacksmith  shop  stood,  in  the  spring  of  1871,  teaching  from  his 
open  Bible  to  the  three  or  ff)ur  persons  who  would  listen  to  him.  These  early 
pioneers  builded  better  than  they  knew. 

ST.  JOSEPH  CATHOLIC  CHURCH 

St.  Joseph  Catholic  Churdi  was  first  attended  as  a  mission  in  1877  by  Father 
William  Byrne,  and  by  him  organized  into  a  church.  It  was  under  his  charge  until 
the  spring  of  1878,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Father  O'Brien,  who  was  in  attend- 
ance until  1880.  Father  Wallace  attended  during  the  years  of  1880  and  1881  and 
was  succeeded  by  Father  C.  J.  Quinn  of  Utica.  The  church  was  commenced  in  1879 
and  completed  in  1881  at  a  cost  of  $1,100.  Father  F.  E.  Clark  and  Rev.  P.  Lysaght 
served  this  parish  and  then  came  Father  Thomas  CuUen.  In  November,  1920,  this 
congregation  commemorated  a  service  of  thirty  years  by  its  present  pastor.  Father 
Cullen,  described  by  the  local  press  as  follows : 

Thiriij  Years  in,  YorJc 

Father  Cullen,  as  he  is  familiarly  called  by  the  members  of  his  parish  and  York 
people  in  general,  was  honor  guest  at  Hotel  McCloud  on  Thursday  evening.  The 
event  celebrating  the  close  of  thirty  years  of  work  for  his  parish  and  the  community 
in  which  his  parish  is  situated. 

Dennis  Meehan,  with  his  fund  of  wit,  was  toastmaster.  Judge  George  F.  Cor- 
coran, who  has  been  a  York  resident  even  longer  than  Father  Cullen,  responded  to 
the  first  toast,  so  was  especially  fitted  to  speak  of  the  early  day  struggles  not  only 
of  this  church  but  of  the  community  in  general.  He  contrasted  the  limitations  and 
hardships  of  early  settlers  with  the  church  and  community  today,  with  its  fine 
assemblage  of  buildings,  and  brought  out  the  point  that  it  was  the  same  spirit  of 
loyalty  all  through  the  years  that  has  brought  the  church  to  its  present  status. 
August  Zimmerer,  in  response  to  the  second  toast,  also  related  experiences  of  the 
early  settlers  and  the  early  work  of  the  church.  Mr.  Zimmerer  has  been  connected 
with  the  work  of  the  choir  in  this  church  for  many  years.  There  were  responses 
to  toasts  also  by  Mr.  James  Neville,  Joseph  Paschang,  Philip  Kennedy,  and  from 
Peter  Meehan  and  Miles  Duffy,  who  represented  the  young  people  of  the  parish,  and 
their  love  and  loyalty  to  Father  Cullen.  Father  Hays,  chaplain  of  the  ITrsuline 
Convent,  gave  a  brief  address,  witty  and  eloquent.  Reverend  Hagan  of  Beaver 
Crossing  was  a  welcome  visitor  coming  to  share  in  the  honor  paid  a  fellow-worker. 

In  behalf  of  the  parish  Mr.  Meehan  presented  Reverend  Father  Cullen  with  a 
beautiful  gold-headed  cane,  as  a  token  of  esteem  and  respect  from  his  parishioners. 

The  tables  were  beautifully  decorated  with  baskets  of  roses,  the  large  bouquet 
of  Russel  roses  at  the  speakers'  table  later  being  presented  to  Reverend  Cullen. 

Young  ladies  of  the  congregation  efficiently  served   in  waiting  on  the  guests. 


GSfi  HISTOUY    OF    YOEK    COFXTY 

Music-  was  furnished  by  Miss  Eose  Zimmerer  at  tlie  piano  and  James  Diirbin^with 
violin.  About  one  hundred  and  forty  guests  were  present.  Many  good  wishes  were 
extended  to  Father  Cullen  for  a  long  continuance  of  his  work  among  his  people. 

Thirty  years  is  a  long  time  to  labor  in  one  field,  yet  as  it  is  lived  a  day  at  a 
time  it  is  short  to  look  back  upon.  Father  Cullen  can  see  many  successes  crowning 
his  score  and  a  half  years'  work  here.  His  coming  was  in  the  early  days  of  his 
ministry,  he  having  served  but  .seven  years  at  that  time,  and  his  work  has  been 
broken  by  but  one  vacation.  He  made  a  trip  to  Ireland  for  a  last  visit  with  his 
aged  mother. 

Out-of-town  guests  included  many  who  have  been  members  of  St.  Joseph's  con- 
gregation. Among  them  from  away  who  attended  the  ceremonies  are  found  the 
names  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  W.  Wolfe  and  son,  John,  of  Utica;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lamb 
and  Mrs.  Xychill  of  Ulysses,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miles  Dully  of  Hordville,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Philip  Duffy  of  Central  City,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  Bund  of  Alliance,  who  are 
on  their  honeymoon  trip.  Miss  Catherine  Gallegher,  a  niece  of  Father  Cullen,  and 
Miss  Culley  of  Omaha. 

UXIVERSALIST 

The  organization  of  this  church  dates  back  to  June,  1880,  at  which  date  it  was 
organized  by  Pev.  L.  S.  Koripaugh.  Eev.  E.  P.  Earl,  pastor.  This  house  of  worship 
was  completed  iu  April,  1881,  and  the  property  was  valued  at  $1,800.  The  trustees 
of  the  church  were:     John  Ittner,  J.  D.  P.  Small,  and  Charles  Le  Count. 

GERMAN    REFORMED   EI^rANEEL's    COXGREfiATIOX 

Corner  of  Nebraska  Avenue  and  Eleventh  Street 

The  first  German  emigrants  from  the  Volga  region  of  Russia  to  settle  in  York 
came  here  iu  November,  1888.  Even  before  they  had  homes  of  their  own  or  visible 
means  of  support,  they  appealed  to  the  pastors  of  their  denomination  in  Sutton, 
Neb.,  for  spiritual  supply,  and  in  answer  to  this  appeal,  dilfereut  jiastors  of  the 
Eeformed  Church  preached  to  these  people  for  years. 

The  first  resident  pastor  was  Eev.  J.  Vollpreeht,  now  of  Huniboldt,  and  under 
his  pastorate  the  congregation  was  organized  in  1891  as  the  German  Eeformed 
Emanuel's  Congregation,  affiliated  with  the  Nebraska  class  of  the  Eeformed  Church 
in  the  United  States. 

The  services  were  at  first  held  iu  the  homes,  then  in  the  building  on  Si.xth 
Street,  which  was  destroyed  by  fire;'above  Blackburn's  store;  and  for  six  years  above 
W.  W.  Wyekoff's  office. 

In  1906,  under  the  pastorate  of  Eev.  F.  Maurer  of  Harvard,  the  congregation 
erected  its'  first  church  home,  the  little  frame  building  on  the  corner  of  Nebraska 
Avenue  and  Eleventh  Street.  From  1907  to  1908  it  was  part  of  the  charge  of 
Eev.  U.  Zogg  of  Sutton. 

In  1910  the  congregation  declared  itself  self-sui^porting  and  elected  Eev.  W. 
Bonekemper;  since  November,  1911,  the  present  pastor,  Eev.  J.  Biery,  has  been  iu 
charge. 

The  five  of  the  charter  members  still  residing  here  in  1913  were:  Mv.  and 
Mrs.  Peter  Pfenning,  Mr.  John  Hesler,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Eeisbig.     The  congre- 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  687 

gation  had  116  adult  members,  and  as  all  were  in  comfortable  eirc-umstances,  hoped 
to  enlarge  its  present  church  edifice  and  build  a  parsonage. 

FIRST  LUTHEEAN  CHURCH  OF  YORK 

In  October,  1902,  a  committee  composed  of  Revs.  M.  D.  Berg,  J.  X.  Lentz,  and 
A.  B.  Leamer,  made  a  canvass  of  the  City  of  York  to  ascertain  the  feasibility  of 
establishing  an  English  Lutheran  Church.  Meeting  with  encouraging  results  they 
appointed  a  Sunday  service  in  the  Swedish  church  on  West  Eighth  Street  and 
Platte  Avenue.  The  response  was  so  favorable  that  the  president  of  the  Xebraska 
Synod  sent  supplies  for  a  time. 

The  following  winter  Rev.  W.  T.  Kahse,  a  student  of  the  Western  Theological 
Seminary,  Atchison,  Kan.,  spent  his  Christmas  vacation  in  York.  He  made  a 
canvass  for  Lutheran  people,  and  started  a  Sunday  school.  It  was  the  intention  of 
the  president  of  the  Synod  to  send  supplies,  but  in  the  meantime  the  building  having 
been  rented  to  the  Free  Methodists,  the  Sunday  school  was  disbanded  and  the 
supplies  for  the  winter  postponed. 

In  190.3  Rev.  C.  E.  Sparks,  a  student  of  Wittenberg  College,  spent  a  summer 
vacation  in  York  and  succeeded  in  rallying  the  Lutheran  forces.  With  the  aid  of 
the  Board  of  Church  Extension,  he  was  enabled  to  secure  the  Fraternal  Hall  for 
Sunday  services.  He  organized  the  Sunday  school,  and  on  August  2,  190.3,  the 
congregation  was  regularly  organized  by  Rev.  L.  P.  Ludden,  I).  I).,  the  western 
secretary  of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions.  There  were  twenty-nine  charter  members. 
The  following  comprised  the  official  board:  George  Harr,  L.  'SI.  Worman,  S.  F. 
Hansen,  W.  M.  Swartzwelder,  J.  E.  Johnson  and  C.  D.  Dreier. 

From  September  1,  1903,  until  April  1.  1904,  Rev.  J.  G.  Griffith,  D.  D.,  acted 
as  a  supply  pastor.  During  his  incumbency  the  Ladies"  Aid  Society  was  organized, 
six  new  members  received  and  the  church  now  owaied  by  the  congregation  was 
leased. 

June  1,  1904,  Rev.  George  F.  Scheese  of  Selinsgrove,  Pa.,  took  charge  and 
served  until  November  1,  1904,  when  he  resigned  and  returned  to  the  East. 

January  12,  1905,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  South  Platte  Conference  of 
the  Xebraska  Synod,  Rev.  R.  A.  AVhite  took  charge  and  served  the  congregation 
until  April  1,  1913.  He  found  the  membership  very  much  discouraged  and  scat- 
tered. By  heroic  effort  he  rallied  them  and  soon  infused  new  life  in  the  congrega- 
tion. The  Ladies"  Aid  Society  has  been  a  very  important  factor  in  the  development 
of  the  work.  Though  only  a  few  in  number,  they  raised  and  expended  about 
two  thousand  eight  hundred  dollars  during  the  pa.storate.  Each  year  the  church 
raised  her  full  apportionment  for  all  benevolent  purposes.  July  28,  1908,  the 
church  was  bought  for  $1,480.  The  transfer  was  made  November  14,  1908.  The 
trustees  signing  legal  documents  were  R.  A.  White,  Pastor  L.  M.  Worman,  C.  D. 
Dreier  and  August  Dreier.  J.  E.  Johnson  was  one  of  the  church  council,  but  he 
was  away  from  home  at  the  time,  so  his  name  does  not  appear.  Following  the  pur- 
chase were  extensive  repairs  and  renovations  of  the  building.  The  old  rickety  tower 
was  taken  down,  a  new  roof  was  put  on,  a  basement  was  constructed  underneath  the 
entire  church,  the  doors  were  changed  from  the  center  to  the  southeast  corner,  a 
beautiful  art  glass  window  was  put  in  the  east  end  of  the  church  where  the  doors 
had  been,  an  art  glass  transom  was  placed  over  the  doors,  a  Gibinn  furnace  by  which 


688  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

the  church  is  heated  was  installed,  the  interior  was  beautifully  papered,  the  wood- 
work painted  and  grained,  and  beautiful  oak  pews  installed.  Besides  these  there 
were  many  smaller  improvements  made,  which  gives  the  congregation  a  delightful 
auditorium  in  which  to  worship.  The  membership  is  now  about  fifty-five.  It  would 
have  been  more  than  a  hundred  except  for  removals. 

On  January  23  Rev.  R.  A.  White  offered  his  resignation  to  take  effect  April  1, 
1913. 

Rev.  C.  E.  Sparks  of  Auburn,  Neb.,  was  then  called  and  began  his  work  as 
pastor  June  1,  1913.  The  church  council  constituted  the  new  pastor.  Rev.  Sparks, 
M.  L.  Warner,  Fred  C.  J.  Voss  and  William  H.  Newcomer,  Jr. 

UNITED  EVANGELICAL  CHURCH  IN  YORK  COUNTY,   NEBRASKA 

On  April  10,  1879,  at  a  session  of  the  Des  Moines  Conference  of  the  Evangelical 
churches  of  Iowa,  it  was  resolved  that  York  Center,  Waco,  and  surrounding  country 
be  taken  up  as  a  mission  to  be  known  as  York  Center  Mission.  Rev.  E.  D.  Einsel 
was  sent  as  the  first  preacher  in  charge.  A  couple  of  years  later  some  of  the 
appointments  were  attached  to  charges  outside  of  York  County  and  York  Center 
Mission  was  discontinued. 

On  March  13,  1903,  at  a  session  of  the  Platte  River  Conference  of  the  United 
Evangelical  Church,  it  was  resolved  that  York  and  surrounding  country  be  taken 
up  and  called  York  Mission.  Rev.  Arthur  E.  Miller  was  appointed  the  first  pastor 
and  with  his  wife  and  the  families  of  E.  Reisinger,  E.  P.  McCoy,  and  Elias 
Anderson  constituted  the  charter  membership  of  the  church.  In  May  of  the  same 
year  the  lot  at  the  corner  of  Grant  Avenue  and  Eighth  Street  was  purchased  and 
on  the  first  Sunday  in  June  the  first  service  was  held  in  the  building  then  there. 
This  was  a  part  of  the  Boyer's  old  drug  store  building.  A  class  was  organized  on 
June  14,  1903,  with  twelve  members.  The  corner-.stone  of  the  present  church 
building  was  laid  in  the  spring  of  1907,  and  on  October  37th,  under  the  pastorate 
of  Rev.  W.  C.  Brewer,  the  church  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God.  The  prop- 
erty was  valued  at  $10,000.  The  membership  of  the  church  is  ninety-three.  The 
pastors  have  been  as  follows:  Rev.  Arthur  E.  Miller,  1903  to  1907;  Rev.  W.  C. 
Brewer,  1907  to  1908;  Rev.  A.  Essley,  1908  to  1909;  Rev.  B.  Hiller,  1909  to  1913. 
Rev.  Arthur  E.  Miller  came  again  in  1913. 

Mr.  E.  Reisinger  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  during  the  first  years 
of  its  existence. 

E.  Reisinger,  J.  L.  Browitt  and  Arthur  E.  Miller  were  the  first  board  of 
trustees. 

GERMAN  EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN  ST.    JOIIn's   CONGREGATION   OF   YORK 

The  people  of  this  congregation  are  mostly  German  or  of  German  descent,  and 
most  of  them  reared  in  Lutheran  faith.  The  first  settlers  of  the  township  came  in 
1869,  and  for  the  next  three  or  four  years  homesteads  were  to  be  secured.  In  the 
year  1873  Rev.  P.  H.  Gruber  came  to  the  neighborhood  and  preached.  Next  came 
Rev.  Burger  from  Hampton,  Hamilton  County.  The  first  church  was  a  sod  house 
erected  in  1875.  In  1878  Rev.  P.  G.  Endres  was  called.  In  1882  a  schoolhouse  was 
erected    27x32x12.     Mr.  A.  Reinhard  was  the   first  teacher.     In   1885  Reverend 


German  Eefobmed  Church,  York 


Pentecostal  Church,  Nazarene,  York 


Lutheran  Church,  York 


St.  John's  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Beaver  Township 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  691 

Emlres  died,  and  he  was  siieceeded  liy  Eev.  P.'G.  Tung.  In  LSO.j  he  was  suc- 
ceeded hy  Rev.  P.  C.  Seltz.  Under  liis  eliarge  the  present  house  of  worship  was 
erected  in  l!t03,  tliis  building  being  42x86x24.  In  1904  Reverend  Seltz  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  A.  Bergt.  In  1906  he  died  and  Eev.  F.  Wunderlich  came  and 
has  served  this  flock  ever  since. 

The  congregation  consisted  of  twenty-one  families  when  they  organized  in  1877. 
The  membership  later  increased  to  360.  Two  schools  were  maintained,  one  of 
tliirty-six  pupils,  with  F.  Kiekhacfer  as  their  teacher,  and  the  other  with  forty-two 
pupils,  with  0.  Wilk  as  teacher. 

The  elders  were  Herman  Welliiiaiin,  II.  R.  Stuhr,  and  William  Staehr;  trustees, 
Henry  Dinkelmann,  Henry  (ioecke,  Simon  Obermeier.  The  school  trustees  were 
D.  Xaber  and  H.  Morner. 

The  announcement  was  made  in  September,  1917,  that  tliree  of  the  most 
prominent  religious  denominations  were  planning  to  unite  in  their  spiritual  admin- 
istrations, and  after  a  short  time  instead  of  maintaining  three  churches  and  carry- 
ing the  necessary  expenses  they  would  unite  in  one  and  get  along  with  but  one 
preacher.  The  churches  considering  this  union  were  the  Presbyterian,  United 
Brethren  and  Congregational.  The  latter  denomination  had  worshipped  during 
the  summer  with  the  Baptist  and  the  Christian  churches,  and  found  the  experi- 
ment a  very  gratifying  one. 

When  the  move  was  carried  into  effect  the  Presbyterian  Church  was  used  by  the 
trio  of  congregations  as  their  house  of  worship,  and  at  first  the  Rev.  L.  F.  John, 
pastor  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  was  the  minister  for  the  combined  churches, 
with  Dean  Ashcraft  assisting,  one  of  them  preaching  in  the  morning,  the  other 
oftentimes  in  the  evening. 

Members  of  all  three  congregations  took  to  the  move  with  much  favor.  Two  of 
the  churches  were  then  without  pastors — the  Rev.  E.  E.  Emhoff,  of  the  Presbyterian, 
and  the  Rev.  E.  Merle  Adams  both  being  in  the  army  Y.  M.  C.  A.  services  on  leaves 
of  absence  from  their  congregations. 

Reverend  Emhoflf  returned  to  his  flock  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  withdrew. 
Late  in  1920  the  announcement  was  made  of  the  fate  of  the  "dual  relation"  con- 
tinued by  the  other  two. 

Denominational  inducements  are  responsible  for  the  decision  of  the  members  of 
the  Congregational  and  United  Brethren  churches  to  sever  their  federated  church 
relations  and  return  to  the  holding  of  separate  church  services.  The  federated 
church  has  been  in  operation  a  year  on  next  October  1st.  It  succeeded  a  federation 
of  three  churches,  the  two  referred  to  and  the  Presbyterian.  The  Presbyterian  con- 
gregation withdrew  from  the  federation  when  its  pastor  returned  from  overseas. 
Now  the  United  Brethren  people  feel  the  pressure  of  the  argument  that  the  denom- 
ination supporting  a  college  here  should  also  have  a  church.  And  the  Congrega- 
tional people,  who  are  to  entertain  the  state  meeting  of  the  Congregational  churches 
here  in  Octolier,  feel  they  should  by  that  time  and  for  that  occasion  be  operating 
under  their  denominational  name.  Hence  the  decision  to  sever  ties  which  have 
been  mutually  friendly  and  have  resulted  in  a  fine  example  of  fraternity  and  good 
will,  and  is  an  earnest  of  the  ultimate  wiping  out  of  denominational  ties  which  is  a 
thing  very  much  desired  among  church  people.  The  United  Brethren  people  will 
return  to  their  church  edifice  and  continue  under  the  leadership  of  Dr.  L.  F.  John. 
The  Congregationalists  are  considering  calling  a  pastor. 


692  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

OTHER  CHURCHES 

There  are  other  cliurches  in  York  County,  upon  which  tlie  compiler  was  not 
able  to  get  the  proper  material,  or  the  same  was  not  furnished  from  sources  to 
which  attention  was  directed,  and  the  oversight  was  not  intentional.  It  might  be 
added,  though,  that  the  Xazarene  Congregation  at  this  time  are  rendering  very- 
active  service,  under  the  leadership  of  Anne  Nutter. 


CHAPTER  XY 

FEATERXAL,    SOCIAL   AND   WELFARE   ORGANIZATIONS   IN 

YORK  COUNTY 

EAKLY    LODGES,    1885,    1895,    1905 A.    F.    &    A.    M.    AND    MASONIC    BODIES NO.    35, 

I.  0.  0.  F. — ELKS A.  0.  U.  W. — G.  A.  H.,  ROBERT  ANDERSON  POST CIVIL  WAR  VET- 
ERANS, 1915 SPANISH  WAR  VETERANS,   1915 WOMAN'S  RELIEF  CORPS SONS  OF 

VETERANS — AMERICAN    LEGION   POST    NO.    19 SOCIAL   AFFAIRS   OF   OTHER   DAYS — • 

YORK    COUNTRY    CLUB — AVON    CLUB — AMATEUR    MUSICAL    CLUB REVIEW    &    ART 

CLUB — women's    CLUB — YORK    Y.    M.    C.    A. — WOMEn's    COMMITTEE    DEPARTMENT. 

The  compiler  has  not  been  able  to  .secure  detailed  data  from  many  fraternal  or- 
ganizations in  the  city  and  throughout  the  county.  The  following  roster  of  societies 
in  1885,  1895  and  1905  will  show  the  growth  and  multiplication  of  these  orders. 
Most  of  those  listed  in  1905  were  in  actual  operation  ten  years  later  in  1915  and 
practically  all  of  them  are  still  flourishing,  more  or  less  successfully,  in  1920. 

A  very  detailed  historical  review  is  herewith  given  of  those  which  furnished 
sufficient  data. 

Societies 

1885 

Masonic  Lodge  No.  56,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  Meets  first  Friday  in  each  month  at 
7:30  P.  M. 

I.  0.  0.  F.  No.  35.  Meets  every  Wednesday  evening  at  Odd  Fellows'  Hall 
at  8  P.  M. 

G.  A.  R.,  Robert  Anderson  P'ost  No.  33.  Meets  the  second  and  fourth  'J'hursday 
at  Odd  Fellows'  Hall  at  7 :30  P.  M. 

Woman's  Relief  Corps  No.  5,  x\uxiliary  to  Robert  Anderson  Post,  G.  A.  R. 
Meets  every  second  and  fourth  Thursday  afternoon  at  Odd  Fellows'  Hall  at  3  P.  M. 

Knights  of  Pythias,  York  Lodge  No.  13.  Meets  every  Monday  evening  at  7  :30 
P.  M. 

1895 

Masonic  Lodge,  No.  56,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  Meets  first  Friday  in  each  month  at 
7  :30  P.  M. 

Eastern  Star.     Meets  the  second  Thursday  in  each  month,  in  Masonic  Hall. 

I.  0.  0.  F.,  No.  35.  Meets  every  Monday  evening  at  Odd  Fellows'  Hall  at  7  :30 
P.M. 

York  Encampment  No.  33,  I.  0.  0.  F.  Jleets  every  second  and  fourth  Thursday 
night  of  each  month  in  Odd  Fellows'  Hall. 

Canton  Paran.     Meets  the  first  Wednesday  of  each  month  in  I.  0.  0.  F.  Hall. 

693 


694  TTTSTOTtY    OF    T0T7K    COUXTY 

Daughters  of  Eebekali.  Eveiiiiio-  Star  Lodge  Xo.  55,  I.  0.  O.  F.  Meets  every 
first  and  third  Tuesday  of  each  iiiontli  in  ()(hl  Fellows'  Hall. 

Knights  of  Pythias,  York  Lodge  Xo.  l:i.  Meets  second  and  lourth  Monday 
nights  of  each  month. 

Home  Forum  Benefit  Order,  York  Forum  Xo.  68(>.  Meets  every  first  and  third 
Monday  evening  in  each  month,  in  A.  0.  U.  W.  Hall. 

A.  0.  U.  W.  Meets. second  and  fourth  Tuesday  in  each  month  at  A.  0.  F.  W. 
Hall.    All  visiting  members  cordially  welcomed. 

Tate  Lodge  Degree  of  Honor,  Xo.  15,  A.  0.  U.  W.  Meets  first  and  third  Thurs- 
day each  month.     Visiting  members  made  welcome. 

Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Y^ork  Camp  Xo.  -455.  Meets  every  first  and  third 
Tuesday  evening  of  each  month  at  7:30  o'clock  in  Woodmen's  Hall,  Wirt  Block. 

Eoyal  Xeighbors  of  America,  Franklin  Camp  Xo.  49.  Meets  the  first  Fi-iday 
afternoon  and  every  third  Friday  evening  in  each  month  in  Wirt  Block. 

K.  0.  T.  M.  Meets  every  second  and  last  Wednesday  evening  in  each  month,  in 
A.  0.  U.  W.  Hall. 

I.  0.  T.  M.,  York  Hive  Xo.  6.  Ladies  of  the  Maccabees.  Meets  first  Wednesday 
at  2  :30  P.  M.  and  third  Wednesday  at  7  :30  P.  M.  of  each  month.  Glad  to  welcome 
visitors. 

G.  A.  B.,  Eol.tert  Anderson  Post  Xo.  32.  Meets  the  second  and  fourth  Thursday 
at  A.  0.  U.  W.  Hall  at  7  :30  P.  M. 

Woman's  Kelief  Corps  Xo.  5,  Auxiliary  to  Kobert  Anderson  Post,  G.  A.  R. 
Meets  every  second  and  fourth  Thursday  afternoon  at  A.  0.  TJ.  W.  Hall,  at  2  P.  M. 

Lyceum  League  of  America,  Yorktown  Lyceum  Xo.  1327.  Meets  every  Friday 
at  High  School  Building.  Memliers  of  other  Lyceums  visiting  in  city  are  cordially 
invited  to  attend. 

Comjjany  '"A,"  First  Regiment,  Xebraska  National  Guard.  Meets  for  drill  every 
first  and  third  Friday  of  each  month. 

SECRET   AND  BENEVOLENT   SOCIETIE.S 

1905 

A.  0.  TJ.  W.  Xo.  32.  Meets  at  Fraternal  Hall  second  and  fourth  Tuesday  of 
each  month. 

Tate  Lodge  Xo.  L5,  D.  of  H.  Meets  first  Wednesday  night  and  third  afternoon 
of  each  month  at  Fraternal  Hall. 

G.  A.  R.,  Robert  Anderson  Post  Xo.  32.  Meets  every  second  and  fourth  Thurs- 
day of  each  month. 

W.  R.  C.  Xo.  5.  Meets  second  and  fourth  Thursday  afternoon.  ,lulia  G.  Howe 
Tent  D.  of  V.     Meets  at  Fraternal  Hall. 

Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  Ute  Tribe  Xo.  27.  ]\Ieets  second  and  fourth 
Wednesday  of  each  month  at  Fraternal  Hall. 

I.  0.  0.  F.,  Hall,  500  Grant. 

Y^ork  Lodge  Xo.  35.     Meets  every  ilonday. 

Evening  Star  Lodge  Xo.  55.  Meets  every  first  and  third  Tuesday  of  the 
month. 

P.  M.  C.  P.  Xo.  7.     Meets  first  Wednesday  of  the  month. 


HISTOrtY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  695 

York  Encampment  No.  32.     Meets  second  and  fourth  Thursday. 

Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security  Xo.  860.  Meets  first  and  tliird  Monday  at 
Fraternal  Hall. 

Knights  of  Pythias,  Lodge  Xo.  13.  Meets  second  and  fourth  Monday  of 
month  at  Fraternal  Hall. 

Knights  of  the  Maccabees,  York  Tent,  Xo.  41.     Xo  regular  meeting  place. 

K.  0.  T.  M.,  Y'ork  Hive  Xo.  6.     Meets  first  Wednesday  of  the  month. 

Loyal  Mystic  Legion  of  America,  Xo.  107.  Meet  first  Friday  of  the  month  at 
Fraternal  Hall. 

Masonic  Hall,  south  side  of  square. 

York  Lodge  Xo.  56,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.    Last  Friday  of  each  month. 

Solomon  Chapter  Xo.  '33.     Third  Tuesday  of  the  month. 

Joppa  Commandry  Xo.  17,  K.  T.     First  Monday  of  month. 

Grace  Chapter  Xo.  87,  0.  E.  S.     Meets  second  Thursday  of  tlie  month. 

Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  York  Camp  Xo.  455.  First  and  Third  Tuesday 
at  Fraternal  Hall. 

Franklin  Camp  Xo.  49,  R.  X.  of  A.  First  and  third  Friday  of  each  month  at 
Fraternal  Hall. 

Eoyal  Highlanders,  Harlan  Castle  Xo.  G6.  First  and  third  Thursday  at 
Fraternal  Hall. 

Tribe  of  Ben  Hur,  Y^ork  Court  Xo.  61.  Second  and  fourth  Friday  of  each 
month  at  Fraternal  Hall. 

Woodmen  of  the  World,  Sherman  Camp  Xo.  5.  First  and  tliird  Monday, 
Fraternal  Hall. 

YORK    LODGE    XO.    56,    A.    F.    &   A.    31. 

October  1,  1874,  the  grand  master  of  Xebraska  issued  a  dispensation  to  the 
following  Master  Masons,  viz :  William  M.  Knapp,  Lee  Love,  Malcolm  G.  Barney, 
Henry  Smith,  Andrew  Rowley,  Joseph  1).  P.  Small,  James  A.  McKillip,  John  A. 
Fatherly,  Alfred  A.  Burtch,  Charles  Le  Count,  Samuel  McConaughy  and  John  W. 
Foster  to  open  and  hold  a  lodge  of  Master  Masons,  with  W.  M.  Knapp  as  W.  M. 
A  charter  was  granted  by  the  grand  lodge  on  the  24th  day  of  June,  1875,  estaljlish- 
ing  York  Lodge  Xo.  56,  A.  P.  &  A.  M.,  at  York,  Xeb.,  with  the  aliove  named 
Masons  as  charter  members. 

The  worshipful  masters  of  this  lodge  liave  been : 

1874-77 William  M.  Knapp  (suspended) 

1877-79 George  B.   France 

1879-80 \\'illiam  M.  Knapp  (suspended) 

1880-81 Lee  Love  (died  April  3,  1894) 

1881-82 William  Knapp  (suspended) 

1882-84 David   E.   Sayre    (demitted) 

1884-85 Funnet  H.  Dorr  (died  August  6,  1890) 

1885-86 John  Ziegler  (died  Xovember  16,  1887) 

1886-87 Robert  Armstrong   ' 

1887-88 Daniel  X.   Blood 

1888-89 George  E.  Peabody 


696  HISTORY    OF    YOUK    COUNTY 

1880-90 Albert  0.   Faulkner    (demitted) 

1890-92 George  E.   Chilcote 

1892-93 William  H.  Reader 

]893-94 (iiistav  F.  Wruck   (demitted) 

1894-95 William    H.    Davis 

1895-96 Elbert  A.   Butterfield 

1896-97 Walter  F.  Reynolds  (died  February  24.  1912) 

1897-99 Henry  S.  Harrison 

1899-1901 Almon  J.  Ryan 

1901-02 Daniel  W.  Baker 

1902-04 Samuel  E.  Cain 

1904-05 Bernard  King 

1905-06 George  H.  Holdeman 

1906-07 George  R.  Reed  (died  February  18,  1910) 

1907-08 Homer  E.  Hatfield 

1 908-09 Ezra  H.  Smith 

1909-10 Joseph  L.  Browitt 

1910-11 John  W.  Broadwell 

1911-12 Joseph  A.  Jacobs 

1912-13 Wilbur  G.  Liggett 

1913-15 Ira  C.  Freet 

1915-16 Charley  M.  Moyer 

1916-17 Robert  M.  Rankin 

1917-18 Lewis  P.  Green 

1918-19 James  H.  Chain 

1919-20 W.   W.   Buckley 

1920-21 Harry  V.  Cain 

The  officers  for  1919  and  1920  are: 

Harry  V.  Cain Worshipful  master 

Robert  C.  Stewart Senior  warden 

Marion  King Junior  warden 

George  E.  Chilcote Treasurer 

John    Muir Secretary 

Wendell  Froyd Senior  deacon 

Ira  M.  Rankin Junior  deacon 

Frederick  M.  Staley Tyler 

The  treasurers  have  been : 

1874-81 Charles  Le  Count   (deceased) 

1881-82 Elbert  A.  Butterfield 

1882-86 Elon  Granger  (deceased) 

1886-87 Nathan  V.  Harlan  (deceased) 

1887-89 Stephen  P.   Buckmaster    (demitted) 

1889-96 Charles  L.  Meissner  (demitted) 

1896-1919 George  E.  Chilcote 

The  secretaries  have  been : 

1874-76 John  A.  Fatherly   (deceased) 


I 


I 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  697 

1876-78 Frederick  W.  Liedtke    (demitted) 

1878-79 Lee   Love    (deceased) 

1879-80 David  E.  Sayre  (demitted) 

1880-82 Leoiiidas  A.  Brandhoefer  (demitted) 

1882-83 George  S.  Cook 

1883-84 Frederick   C.   Power 

1884-93 Willard  L.  Sheddon    (demitted) 

1893-94 William  H.  Race    (demitted) 

1894-1905 George  R.   Reed    (deceased) 

1905-14 Irvin  A.  Baker 

1914-15 Henry  F.  Chapin 

1915-16 Charles  D.  Shreck 

1916-21 John    Muir 

SOLOMON   CHAPTER   NO.    33,  E.   A.    M. 

On  the  third  day  of  June,  A.  I.  2415,  A.  D.  1885,  the  grand  high  priest  of  the 
Grand  Chapter  of  the  State  of  Nebraska  issued  a  dispensation  to  C!ompanions 
Robert  Armstrong.  William  H.  Bagnell,  John  W.  Bennett,  Daniel  N.  Blood,  Jr., 
Leonidas  A.  Brandhoefer,  John  H.  Chilcote,  Robert  J.  Coles,  Benjamin  Crabb, 
Emmett  H.  Dorr,  George  B.  France,  Jonathan  C.  Kingsley,  William  M.  Knapp, 
William  H.  Reader,  Luther  Reed,  David  E.  Sayre,  Horace  Wellington  and  John 
Ziegler  authorizing  and  empowering  them  to  open  and  hold  a  chapter  of  Royal 
Arch  Masons,  at  York,  Nebraska,  with  Benjamin  Crabb  as  M.  E.  H.  P. ;  William  M. 
Knapp,  K.,  and  Daniel  N.  Blood,  Jr..  S.  Afterwards  on  the  sixteenth  day  of 
December,  A.  I.  2415,  A.  D.  1885,  the  Grand  Chapter  issued  a  charter  to  the  above 
named  companions,  establishing  Solomon  Chapter  No.  33,  R.  A.  M. 

JOPPA    COMMANDERY    NO.    17,    K.    T. 

The  grand  commander  of  the  State  of  Nebraska  issued  a  dispensation  on  the 
seventh  day  of  October,  A.  I.  768,  A.  D.  1886,  to  the  following  Sir  Knights,  viz. : 
Wilton  K.  Williams,  William  M.  Knapp,  Jonathan  C.  Kingsley,  Benjamin  Crabb, 
William  H.  Reader,  Robert  Armstrong,  George  B.  France,  Daniel  N.  Blood,  Jr., 
David  E.  Sayre,  John  Ziegler,  Leonidas  A.  Brandhoefer,  George  C.  Randall  and 
James  Small,  empowering  them  to  open  and  hold  a  Commandery  of  Knights  Tem- 
plar, at  York,  Neb.,  with  Wilton  K.  Williams  as  E.  C.  On  the  nineteenth  day  of 
April,  A.  I.  769,  A.  D.  1887,  the  Grand  Commandery  issued  a  charter  establish- 
ing a  commandery  at  York,  Neb.,  under  the  name  of  Joppa  Commandery,  No.  17, 
K.  T.,  with  the  following  named  charter  members :  Wilton  K.  Williams,  William  M. 
Knapp,  Jonathan  C.  Kingsley,  Benjamin  Crabb,  William  H.  Reader,  Robert  Arm- 
strong, George  B.  France,  Daniel  N.  Blood,  Jr.,  David  E.  Sayre,  John  Ziegler, 
Leonidas,  A.  Brandhoefer,  George  C.  Randall,  James  W.  Small,  Carl  Anderson, 
John  W.  Bennett,  Digory  J.  Colling,  Robert  J.  Coles,  Moses  D.  Einsel,  Elon 
Granger,  Julius  F.  Hale,  John  L.  Hutcherson,  Lee  Love,  Charles  A.  McCloud, 
Charles  Nicolai,  Charles  J.  Nobes,  George  W.  Post,  Frederick  C.  Power,  David  E. 
Sedgwick,  Daniel  C.  Sleeper  and  Willard  L.  Whedon. 


(i!i>!  IIISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

YORK  LODGE  NO.   35,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Y'ork  Lodge  Xo.  35,  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellow^;,  was  founded  on 
the  second  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1872,  binder  the  administration  of  Grand  Master 
D.  A.  Cline,  who  for  several  years  so  faithfully  performed  the  duties  of  the  office 
of  grand  secretary.  Y'ork  Lodge  No.  35  was  chartered  by  the  following  named 
members :  W.  H.  Keckley,  S.  E.  Gandy,  J.  F.  Miller,  Austin  Linsley,  D.  A.  Eitt- 
ner,  E.  H.  White,  Francis  Brooks,  E.  B.  Stevens.  York  Lodge  being  founded  in  an 
early  day  in  the  history  of  York,  worked  under  the  most  unfavorable  circumstances 
for  a  few  j'ears :  l)ut  tlinmgh  the  energy  and  zeal  of  its  members,  gradually  rose  in 
strength  both  numcvieally  and  financially,  until  today  it  is  in  a  strong  and  flourish- 
ing condition,  their  membership  being  over  one  hundred  in  good  standing.  No.  35 
being  started  in  the  early  history  of  York,  gave  it  the  advantage  of  securing  a 
desirable  location  for  a  hall,  having  jiurchased  the  lot  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
the  square. 

Its  original  set  of  officers  were:  Jas.  F.  ilillcr,  noble  grand:  P.  G.  Butterfield, 
vice  grand ;  Thomas  Gray,  secretary. 

The  list  of  members  who  have  served  as  noble  grand  shows  Wm.  H.  Keckley, 
S.  E.  Gandy,  Austin  Linsley,  D.  A.  Eittner,  E.  H.  White,  Francis  Brooks,  J.  P. 
Miller,  R.  B.  Stevens,  H.  C.  Kleinschmidt,  W.  B.  Cummins,  C.  R.  Keckley,  A.  Lee 
McClelland,  Geo.  E.  Reed,  W.  T.  Scott  and  W.  E.  Dayton. 

The  list  of  members  who  have  served  as  secretary  is:  Thomas  Gray,  E.  Tidy- 
man,  F.  W.  Lcidtke,  E.  A.  Butterfield,  Geo.  E.  Eeed,  AV.  T.  Scott.  W.  E.  Dayton 
and  H.  C.  Kleinschmidt. 

This  lodge  entertained  the  grand  lodge  or  state  convention  of  the  society  in 
the  fall  of  1900  and  the  fall  of  1919. 

The  present  officers  in  1920  are:  Nolile  grand.  Dr.  I).  I).  King;  vice  grand, 
Milton  Johnson ;  treasurer,  A.  C.  Hubbell ;  secretary,  A.  B.  Chatterton ;  trustees, 

C.  A.  Keefe,  S.  V.  Johnson  and  J.  M.  Meadville.     There  are  now  160  members. 

TOEK    ENCAMPMENT    NO.    32    I.    0.    0.    F. 

The  Y^jrk  Encampment  No.  32  I.  0.  0.  F.  was  instituted  February  28,  1889, 
with  the  following  charter  members:  H.  E.  Baker,  A.  J.  Wilkius,  J.  L.  Ingrey, 
W.  E.  Knapp,  J.  1).  White,  Chris  Hallstrom,  N.  P.  Pearson,  J.  A.  Johnson,  G.  F. 
Burr,  S.  S.  Chapman,  J.  R.  Brisbin,  P.  W.  Dale,  E.  Y.  Green. 

The  first  elective  officers  were:  E.  V.  Green,  chief  patriarch;  W.  R.  Knapp, 
senior  warden;  J.  D.  White,  high  priest;  H.  E.  Baker,  scribe;  Chris  Hallstrom, 
treasurer;  S.  S.  Chapnnm,  junior  warden. 

The  1920  York  Encampment  No.  32  directory  presents  mendiers  and  dllieers: 
R.  0.  Allen,  Y'ork :  J.  W.  Barnett,  York;  H.  G.  Beckord,  Waco;  F.  W.  Berger, 
Bradshaw :  John  Bickley,  Waco ;  Walter  Berry,  Waco ;  E.  A.  Bishop,  Waco ;  T.  E. 
Blount,  Gresham;  John  Bowen,  Waco;  M.  E.  Boren,   Fairmont;  D.  E.   Button, 

D.  D.  G.  P.,  scribe,  Y^ork;  C.  A.  Calkins,  York;  T.  H.  Carroll,  Waco;  A.  B.  Chat- 
terton, York;  Charles  S.  Cook,  York;  F.  J.  Edwards,  Y'ork;  G.  E.  Fair,  senior 
warden,  Y^ork ;  C.  A.  Franks,  Y^ork;  W.  R.  Furman,  York;  William  Gassman,  Waco; 
W.  K.  Geer,  York;  J.  T.  Gibbs,  Y'ork;  T.  I.  Grewell,  York;  C.  E.  Hart,  McCool; 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  699 

M.  L.  Halstead,  York;  H.  E.  Hedriek,  World  war  veteran,  Waco;  Charles  Huegel, 
McCool:  Chris  Hilbert,  Waco;  Oliu  Hitchcock,  York;  A.  J.  Honbaiun,  Waco;  E.  R. 
Howarth,  McCool;  A.  C.  Hubbell,  York;  A.  D.  Inbody,  Waco;  J.  L.  Ingrey,  past 
grand  patriarch,  Salem,  Ore.;  S.  V.  Johnson,  York;  Monroe  Jones,  Waco;  C.  A. 
Keefe,  York ;  M.  B.  King,  York ;  D.  D.  King,  World  war  veteran,  chief  patriarch, 
York;  H.  C.  Kleinscliniidt,  treasurer,  York;  Herman  Klone,  Jr.,  Waco;  J.  M. 
Kirk,  York;  E.  E.  Lesh,  Lincoln;  A.  L.  Lierman,  Waco;  Thomas  Marshall,  McCool; 
A.  W.  Mason,  York;  J.  B.  McGinley,  York;  J.  M.  Meadville,  York;  J.  W.  Miller, 
Benedict :  J.  W.  Pittman,  past  grand  patriach,  York ;  C.  0.  Peterson,  high  priest, 
York ;  J.  N.  Plumb,  World  war  veteran,  York ;  F.  L.  Propst,  York ;  Turner  Pruiett, 
York;  B.  A.  Root,  York;  W.  J.  Sahling,  Benedict;  J.  C.  Samson,  Kearney;  Byrd 
Shrum,  Waco;  J.  D.  Skaden,  Waco;  W.  F.  Snook,  Waco;  W.  D.  Stewart,  York; 
E.  D.  Smith,  York;  A.  C.  Stream,  Waco;  J.  G.  Stream,  junior  warden,  Waco; 
N.  J.  Stonecypher,  Oelerichs,  S.  D. ;  R.  G.  Talbot,  World  war  veteran,  Benedict; 
W.  L.  Tompkins,  York ;  George  Westwood,  Waco ;  J.  D.  Wheaton,  York ;  A.  J. 
Wilkins,  Lincoln;  J.  R.  Wilson,  York;  H.  H.  Winsor.  Waco;  H.  R.  Wollard,  Burke, 
Idaho;  C.  F.  Wood,  McCool;  T.  F.  Worthington,  Waco;  C.  E.  Wheeler,  York; 
A.  0.  Wyman,  York;  D.  J.  Young,  Waco. 


ELKS 

Lodge  No.  103-1:,  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  was  organized  in  April, 
1906,  with  its  first  meeting  place  at  Fraternal  Hall.  There  were  about  fifty  charter 
members.  Those  members  who  have  served  as  exalted  ruler  are:  C.  A.  McCloud, 
W.  W.  Wyckoflf,  John  McFadden,  George  F.  Corcoran,  John  M.  Meradith,  C.  F. 
Stroman,  V.  H.  Read,  G.  C.  Long,  R.  B.  Goble,  F.  E.  McFarland,  George  W. 
France  and  George  J.  Wallace.  Those  who  have  been  secretary  are:  F.  E.  Lloyd, 
A.  E.  Van  Rankin,  C.  A.  McCloud,  and  W.  E.  McCloud  since  1914.  The  1920 
officers  were:  G.  J.  Wallace,  exalted  ruler;  W.  E.  McCloud,  secretary;  H.  0.  Bell, 
leading  knight;  W.  J.  O'Donnell,  loyal  knight,  and  Murray  Halstead,  lecturing 
knight.  There  are  now  almost  four  hundred  members.  This  lodge  entertained  the 
state  convention  in  1919  and  in  that  same  year  one  of  its  most  loyal  members, 
Judge  George  F.  Corcoran,  was  state  president,  having  been  elected  at  the  state 
convention  in  Grand   Island  in   1918. 


A.  o.  u.  w. 

This  organization  has  been  represented  in  York  by  two  lodges,  comprised  of 
representative  citizens  and  business  men  of  the  '"Banner  City."  York  Lodge  No.  33 
was  organized  August  7,  1886,  with  twenty-seven  charter  memliers  and  bids  fair 
to  .soon  rank  first  among  the  lodges  in  the  state. 

York  Legion  No.  21,  S.  K.,  A.  0.  U.  W.,  was  organized  in  May,  1888,  with 
thirty-three  charter  members,  and  like  the  parent  order,  it  is  having  a  steady  growth 
in  niemiiership.  This  lodge  occupies  the  A.  0.  IT.  W.  Hall  and  meets  on  the  first 
and  third  Friday  evenings  of  each  month.  J.  <).  Steinbach,  connnander;  W.  W. 
Wyckolf,  secretary,  were  the  first  to  hold  those  offices. 


Vol.  II- 


707206A 


700  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

YORK  CAMP  XO.  455,  Si.  V,'.  A. 

This  lodge  was  organized  on  Xovemlier  0,  1887.  and  was  chartered  Xoveml)er 
12,  1887. 

Its  first  meeting  place  was  I.  O.  O.  F.  Hall,  corner  Grant  Avemie  and  Fifth 
Street. 

The  charter  members  were:  Frank  O.  C'lapp.  L.  D.  Reader,  George  E. 
Schoettler,  F.  F.  Osborn,  W.  R.  Knapp.  I).  F.  Boies,  H.  E.  Herrick.  H.  L.  Cxraves, 
P.  C.  Ballard.  M.  A.  Green,  A.  G.  Pruitt,  Robert  Rae,  Allen  Virgin.  M.  Torrance, 
John  A.  Smith,  J.  0.  Steinbach.  G.  W.  Shidler,  E.  R.  Plummer,  J.  L.  Ingrey, 
T.  D.  Buchanan.  Ralph  D.  Xeering.  Lincoln  Cox,  B.  A.  Ward. 

Of  the  above  twenty-three  members,  only  four  still  live  and  hobl  nicmbcrsliip  in 
this  camp  September  1,  1920,  as  follows:  George  E.  Schoettler,  Lincoln:  A.  G. 
Pruitt,  Torrance,  California ;  T.  D.  Buchanan.  Omaha :  and  B.  A.  Ward.  York. 

Its  original  set  of  officers  were :  W.  R.  Knapp,  V.  C. :  M.  A.  Green.  W.  A. ;  H.  L. 
Graves,  Ex.  B. ;  F.  F.  Osborn,  escort:  Thomas  D.  Buchanan,  sentry:  Roliert  Rae, 
clerk. 

The  list  of  members  who  have  served  as  vice  consul  are:  W.  R.  Ivnaiip. 
George  F.  Corcoran,  E.  S.  Franklin.  J.  C.  Petersen,  A.  G.  Chessman.  J.  W.  Derrick, 
George  De  Bord.  Lee  H.  Mapps,  F.  J.  Edwards.  James  A.  Christ.  E.  X.  Norwood. 

The  list  of  members  who  have  served  as  secretary  are:  Robert  Rae.  J.  L.  Ingrey, 
George  H.  Kelly.  M.  M.  Wihlinan,  B.  A.  Ward.  A.  G.  Pruitt,  Amos  C.  Johnson, 
C.  E.  Calleuder. 

The  present  officers  are:  E.  X.  Xorwood,  consul;  L.  H.  Mapps.  adviser:  J.  C. 
Peter-sen,  banker;  C.  E.  Callender,  clerk;  J.  A.  Christ,  escort;  C.  B.  Fenton, 
watchman;  G.  :\L  C.  Hall,  sentry:  E.  F.  Ruch,  B.  A.  Ward,  and  Fred  H.  Vincent, 
managers. 

It  now  has  310  members,  beneficiary,  and  two  social,  by  its  August,  1920, 
report.  This  camp  is  upon  the  readjustment  rates  to  an  adequate  basis,  based  on 
the  society's  thirty  years  of  experience  and  lost  less  than  one  per  cent  of  its  mem- 
bership. It  has  always  contributed  to  calls  of  relief  and  assisted  worthy  members 
in  true  fraternal  spirit.     Has  supjiorted  a  French  war  orphan  for  the  past  three 

years. 

C.  E.  Callender, 

Cleric. 

THE    G.    A.    R. 

York  County  has  always  been  exceptionally  loyal  to  the  Civil  war  veterans  and 
soldiers  who  served  in  any  other  war. 

In  the  early  days  the  old  soldiers"  reunions  were  events  that  could  never  be 
forgotten  nor  missed.  Space  will  not  permit  going  into  any  list  of  these  many 
enjoyable  occasions,  but  we  will  allow  ourselves  a  detailed  account  of  one  held  in 
1880  and  described  by  the  Republican  on  August  18,  1880: 

"The  old  soldiers'  reunion  last  Saturday  was  an  occasion  of  extraordinary 
interest.  From  Stewart  to  Henderson  they  filed  in  by  scores  and  hundreds. 
D.  Drauker,  B.  F.  Gary  and  T.  V.  Smith  formed  the  drum  corps  of  the  Robert 
Anderson  Post.  They  were  reinforced  by  Morgan  H.  Beech,  fifer,  and  Billy 
McCullough,  the  old  Orange  man  on  the  base  drum  of  the  Waco  Post  and  tliey 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUXTY  701 

with  the  Excelsior  Band  and  Company  D  had  the  okl  suhliers  to  Gandy's  maples 
on  the  hill  east  of  town.  There  H.  Q.  Wright  and  his  drilled  squad  of  singers, 
with  Mrs.  Stilson  at  the  organ,  welcomed  the  heroes  of  the  war  for  the  Union. 
Colonel  Crabb,  the  eonniiander  of  the  post,  of  course  marshaled  the  cohorts  and 
was  in  his  happiest  frame.  Rev.  E.  C.  Phiney  of  the  Protestant  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  opened  the  exercises  with  prayer.  Speeches  were  made  by  W.  T.  Scott, 
Doctor  Knapp  and  Colonel  Crabb,  songs  being  interspersed.  'The  Amiy  Bean,'  by 
the  "boys"  was  cheered  to  the  echo.  Tables  were  spread  that  would  accommodate 
about  four  hundred  at  a  sitting,  and  they  were  cleared  two  or  three  times.  Speeches 
were  made  after  dinner  by  William  Bergen  and  I).  R.  Ralston,  which  were  well 
received.  After  this  the  lioys  began  to  'fall  in"  for  the  dress  parade  which  was 
really  the  important  part  of  the  program.  As  the  familiar  call  sounded,  the  old  fire 
that  had  blazed  out  at  Shiloh,  Vicksburg,  Lookout  Mountain  and  a  hundred  other 
bloody  fields,  shone  out  on  faces  bronzed  by  years  of  .sturdy  toil  since  'that  cruel 
war  was  over.'  Nine  companies  were  counted  off,  commanded  as  follows :  B.  Crabb, 
colonel;  John  Lett,  adjutant;  S.  E.  Gandy,  sergeant  major;  captains:  A.  J.  B. 
Laycock,  F.  A.  C.  Ezerhart,  D.  F.  A.  Boynton,  L  H.  W.  Fay,  C.  R.  M.  Lytle, 
H.  J.  W.  Brabham,  E.  George  Flock,  K.  H.  Seymour,  (i.  C.  W.  Hays.  As  far  as 
we  learned,  the  orderlies  were  as  follows:  Nathan  Johnson,  A.  E.  Hendricks,  M.  N. 
Myrick,  G.  W.  Chapman,  E.  A.  Warner,  Albert  Wilsey,  G.  A.  Beck." 

ROBEET   ANDERSON   POST 

The  activities  of  this  post  can  lie  very  comprehensively  jiresented  by  giving  the 
account  of  its  organizations,  its  charter  mend)ers,  officiate  and  membership  in  189.5, 
■from  a  little  pamphlet  issued  at  that  time,  and  preserved  tliese  many  years  by 
Comrade  John  Lett.  The  same  information  for  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps  will 
serve  to  signify  who  bore  the  burdens  of  the  work  of  that  wonderful  auxiliary  these 
many  years. 

To  show  how  few  of  the  comrades  are  still  with  us,  there  will  be  appended  a 
roster  of  the  eighty-.seven  Civil  war  veterans  living  in  York  County  twenty  years 
later,  in  1915,  and  the  reader  will  even  there  find  many  a  name  of  beloved  comrades 
who  have  answered  the  final  roll  call  within  the  past  six  years. 

ROBERT    .\NDERSON    POST,    NO.    33 

Department  of  Nebraska,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 

This  post  was  organized  at  York,  Neb.,  January  2'.],  1880,  with  the  following 
named  comrades  as  charter  members : 

Charter  2Ie)iihers 

Benjamin  Crabb,  late  colonel  Seventh  Iowa  Infantry. 

Lemuel  J.  Gandy,  late  private  Company  H,  Seventh  Iowa  Infantry. 

Amos  W.  Gandy,  late  private  Company  E,  Third  Iowa  Cavalry. 

Samuel  Gandy,  late  private  Company  E,  Third  Iowa  Cavalry. 

William  M.  Knapp,  late  lieutenant  Company  G,  Fiftieth  New  York  Infantry. 


702 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 


A.  C.  Montgomery,  late  lieutenant  Company  B,  Eighty-secoml  Pa.  Infantry. 

David  R.  Ralston,  late  private  Company  H,  110th  Illinois  Infantry. 

John  B.  Laycock,  late  lieutenant  Company  I,  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Infantry. 

John  Lett,  late  private  Company  E,  Eleventh  Iowa  Infantry. 

Elon  Granger,  late  private  Company  I,  Twentieth  Iowa  Infantry. 

H.  C.  Graves,  late  sergeant-major  Company  D,  Sixty-fifth  Illinois  Infantry. 

J.  W.  Frost,  late  private  Company  I,  Seventh  Minnesota  Infantry. 

Charles  Penn,  late  private  Company  H,  Twenty-fourth  Iowa  Infantry. 

George  Flock,  late  private  Company  D,  Si.xth  Iowa  Infantry. 

Dillman  Hutchison,  late  private  Company  I,  Thirty-sixth  Iowa  Infantry. 

A.  H.  Camphell,  late  lieutenant  Comjjany  E,  Fifty-third  Illinois  Infantry. 

IT.  L.  Nichols,  late  private  Company  E,  Third  Wisconsin  Infantry. 

W.  H.  Keckley,  late  sergeant  Company  E,  Thirty-seventh  Iowa  Infantry. 

I).  W.  Keister,  late  private  Company  B,  Twenty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Infantry. 

L.  I).  Mullen,  late  private  Company  C,  First  Indiana  Cavalry. 

Jacoh  S.  Gray,  late  private  Company  E,  First  Indiana  Heavy  Artillery. 

H.  Q.  Wright,  late  private  Coinjjany  I,  Eleventii  Illinnis  Infantry. 

T.  V.  Smith,  late  private  Company  A,  Tenth   Iowa   infantry. 

(i.  W.  Allen,  late  ])ri\ate  Company  C,  148th  PennsyUaiiia  Infantry. 

F.  M.  Dillon,  late  jirivate  Company  — ,  Twelfth  Iowa  Battery. 

A.  M.  Fansler,  late  private  Company  B,  U.  S.  \.  R.  Corps. 

S.  R.  Lichtenberger,  late  ])rivate  Company   I),    Fifteenth    Illinois  Infantry. 

X.  M.  Morgan,  late  private  Company  L,  SccoikI  Wisconsin  Artillery. 

John  G.  Ells,  late  sergeant  Company  E,  Tenth   Illinois  Infantry. 

In  1895,  this  sketch  nutliiieil  the  progress  and  status  of  this  Post  as  follows: 

"From  this  small  beginning  in  1880,  the  inembershi])  of  this  post  has  increased 
to  339  in  189.J.  Of  cour.se  during  these  fifteen  years  many  changes  have  taken 
place  in  our  ranks,  .some  comrades  have  been  transferred  to  other  posts  in  the 
county  and  throughout  the  country :  others  still,  as  will  be  seen,  have  been  trans- 
ferred to  "The  Silent  Battalion"  beyond  the  dark  river.  However,  the  majority 
of  tliem  arc  still  residents  of  York  Countv  and  vicinity. 


Allen,  G.  W..  U8th  Pa.,  farmer 
Allen.  I).  P.,  2d  Mich.,  farmer 
Alberts,  H.  W.,  1st  Wisconsin  Artillery, 

farmer 
Allen,  J.  T.,  i;38th  111.,  merchant 
Andrews,    J.    W.,    4th    Iowa    Cavalry, 

farmer 
Addison,  Julius  A.,  61st  N.  Y.,  farmer 
Anderson,  Charles,  11th  Ind.  Inf.,  plas- 
terer 

Austin,  George. 111.,  farmer 

Adams,  W.  R.,  133d  111.,  minister 
Alcott,  L.  C.,  fith  Mich.  Cav.,  farmer 
Bell,  Andrew  J.,  3.3th  Ohio,  insurance 
Bell,  Gforge  A.,  2d  Iowa,  carpenter 


Bell,  George,  3d  Ky.  Cav.,  miner 
Bever,  David.  146th  Ind.,  tinner 
Beveridge,  John  R.,  H2th  111.,  butcher 
Beck,    George   A.,    13th    111.    Cavalry, 

farmer 
Beck,  Charles  W.,  farmer 
Barber,    Thomas    L.,    13th    Wis.    Art., 

farmer 
Ball,  Simeon  X.,  4th  Wis.  Cav.,  farmer 
Baldwin,  S.  S.,  2d  Ohio  Cav.,  painter 
Baldwin,  John  S.,  2d  Iowa,  farmer 
Baldwin,  R.  L.,  22d  Pa.  Cav.,  barber 
Bates,  J.  H.,  7th  Kan.  Cav.,  farmer 
Bates,  Edward.   16th  III.  Inf.,  district 

judge 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


703 


Bick,  John,  1st  Iowa  Inf.,  oth  5Io.  Cav., 

carpenter 
Bishop,  William,  -ISth  Wis.,  farmer 
Bergan,  William,  62d  Ohio,  farmer 
Bowker,  Homer  II.,  15th  111.  Inf.,  2(1 

U.  S.  V.  v.,  police  judge 
Blair,  Cyrus,  11th  III.,  farmer 
Blanchard,  E.  L.,  3d  Wisconsin,  farmer 
Boslaw,  C.  G.,  4?th  111.,  laborer 
Boynton,  F.  A.,  7th  Wis.,  farmer 
Buchanan,  William  C.,  36th  111.,  farmer 
Bowers,  George  W.,  Clii.  Bd.  Tr.  Bat., 

farmer 
Brooks,  Jerome  B.,   11th  Ohio,  L.  A., 

Oth  IT.  S.  V.  v..  farmer 
Brabham,  J.  W.,  77th  Ohio,  farmer 
Brakeman,    Lorenzo    D.,    lG9th     Pa., 

farmer 
Browning,  H.,  1st  Mo.  Art.,  butcher 
Bruner,  F.  M.,  65th  111.,  blacksmith 
Brubaker,  A.,  75th  Ohio,  coal  dealer 
Brown,  S.  S.,  3d  Cal.  Inf.,  farmer 
Brown,  George,  48th  111.,  farmer 
Brock,  Charles  P.,  102d  III.,  drayman 
Bullock,  W.  F.,  2d  Iowa  Cav.,  farmer 
Bullock,  R.  J.,  I(l5th  111.,  44th  Iowa, 

drayman 
Burns,  Martin,  44th  New  York,  farmer 
Buchanan,  Z.  S.,  92d  111.,  dairyman 
Burton,  Thomas  J.,  Idlst  Ind.,  minister 
Boyer,  Joseph,  75th  111.,  druggist 
Crofoot,  John  M.,  23d  Mo.,  laliorer 
Castetter,  D.  S.,  30th  Iowa,  contractor 
Campl)ell,  A.  IL,  53d  111.,  farmer 
Campbell,  James,  fl4th  111.,  farmer 
Cathcart,  George,  65th  111.,  drayman 
Carey,  Benjamin,  36th  111.,  farmer 
Carter,  John  E.,  119th  111.,  farmer 
Chittenden,  E.  F.,  14tli  111.  Inf.,  printer 
Clark,  F.  W.,  4th  111.  Cav.,  farmer 
Chapman,  Samuel  S.,  134th  Pa.,  3d  Pa. 

H.  A.,  painter 
Chapman,  William  G.,  62d  Pa.,  155th 

Pa.,  painter 
Cole,  W.  0.,  85th  III.,  farmer 
Cook,  George  S.,  47th  Mass.,  Insurance 
Colt,  P.  H.  K.,  8th  V.  R.  Corps,  painter 


Conaway,  John  B.,  5tli  Ind.  B.  T.  L. 

().  V.  C,  13th  Ohio  Cav.,  physician 
Cox,  R.  L.,  84th  111.,  laborer 
Creegan,  John  H.,  farmer 
Couch,  Calvin  B.,  11th  111.  Cav.,  farmer 
Coy,  L.  R.,  123d  N.  Y.,  farmer 
Conant,  R.  H.,  33d  III.,  farmer 
Corey,  A.  G.,  44th  Wis.,  farmer 
Crownover,  F.  L.,  119th  111.,  farmer 
Cross,  J.  H.  N.,  31st  Iowa,  farmer 
Cross,  W.  H.,  9th  X.  Y.  Cav.,  farmer 
Crabb,     Benjamin,     7th     Iowa,     hotel 

keeper 
Cummins,  William  B.,  2d  111.  Cav.,  ex- 
county  judge 
Crawahaw,  Adam,  14th  U.  S.,  farmer 
Cornell,  A.  C,  6th  New  Jersey,  farmer 
Curtis  A.  B.,  1st  Wis.  Cav.,  farmer 
Crosthwait,  A.  C,  103d  Pa.,  minister 
Day,  Charles  F.,  42d  Iowa,  farmer 
Day,  Andrew  J.,  11th  Pa.,  farmer 
Dale,    Peter    W.,    Chi.    Bd.    Tr.    Bat., 

farmer 
Dart,  Wilson,  34th  Iowa,  farmer 
Davis,  John  A.,  28th  Iowa,  farmer 
Davis,  J.  N.,  36th  Iowa,  physician 
Davis,  D.   S.,  126th  III.,  minister 
Davis,  A.   S.,  13th  111.,  carpenter 
Davis,  David,  51st  111.,  carpenter 
Deremer,  J.  C,  50th  Pa.,  laborer 
Dilley,  W.  T.,  36th  111.,  farmer 
Dillon,  12th  111.  Cav.,  farmer 
Dillon,  F.  M.,  12tb  Iowa  Bat.,  jeweler 
Dixon,  George  W.,  131st  Pa.,  shoemaker 
Doty,  0.  C,  4th  Mich.  Cav.,  carpenter 
Dorothy,  C.  H.,  1st  Minn.,  farmer 
Donovan,  James  W'.,   43d  New  York, 

farmer 
Draucher,  David,  10th  Iowa,  policeman 
Draucher,  A.  M.,  2d  Iowa,  farmer 
Dcmglass,  J.  M.,  2d  111.  Cav.,  farmer 
Drake,    Charles   B.,   141st  Xew   York, 

blacksmith 
Detrick,    Hoyt     :\I.,    4th     Iowa    Cav., 

farmer 
Dugger,  George  W.,  32d  111.,  133d  111., 

farmer 
Dusenbury,  William,  80th  Ohio,  farmer 


704 


TTTSTOTtY    OF    YOT^K    COFXTY 


Durett,  Houry,  3d  Mich.,  plasterer 
Durett,  Lewis,  STtli  Mich.,  phisterer 
Ells.  John  G..  40th  111.  Inf..  laborer 
Eberhart,  A.  ('.,  10th  Iowa  Inf..  fanner 
Eads,  James  R..  mth  Iowa  Inf..  dray- 
man 
Epley,  Thomas  C,  3d  Iowa  C'av.,  engi- 
neer 
Edwards,  E.,  27tli  Ohio,  insnrance 
Evans,  L.  L.,  53d  Tnd..  farmer 
Ellis,  Harmon,  3d  Iowa  C'av.,  farmer 
Ellis,  Jo.-:eph.  6th  Iowa  Inf.,  farmer 
Farley,   Benjamin    F..   fiOth    111.,   phy- 
sician 
France,  (ieorge  B.,  31st  Ind.  Bat.,  at- 
torney at  law 
Flock,  Morris,  36th  Iowa,  farmer 
Flock,  (ieorge,  6th  Iowa  Inf.,  Ind. -Iowa 

Art.,  farmer 
Frost,  J.  W.,  7th  Minn.,  merchant 
Fenster,  A.,  U.  S.  Y.  R.  C,  jeweler 
Farrel,  J.  B.,  98th  Ohio,  wagonmaker 
Fay,  Henry  W.,  47th  Iowa,  farmer 
Fuller.  Henry  E..  34th  111.,  farmer 
Funk,  E.  H.,  3(iOth  Pa.,  farmer 
Ferguson,    Nelson    M.,    ITjth    111.    Inf., 
147th  111.,  real  estate 

Fansler,  A.  M., IT.  S.  Res.,  farn\er 

Fountain,  Joseph,  13th  111.,  painter 
Gandy,  Lemuel  J.,  7th  Iowa,  pension 

attorney 
Gandy,  Amos  W.,  3d  Iowa  Cav.,  faimier 
Gandy,    Samuel    E.,    3d    Iowa    C"av., 

farmer 
Geiger,  S.  P.,  24th  Iowa,  trader 
Gilbert,    (ieorge    E.,    13th    Wis.    Bat., 

farmer 
Gilbert.  Charles  S.,  11th  Wis.,  carpenter 
Gilmore,  Jacob  R.,  30th  111.,  farmer 
Giauque,  A.  T.,  otli  Iowa,  farmer 
Graves,  63th  111.,  farmer 
Granger,  Elon,  20th  Iowa,  carpenter 
Gray,   Jacob   S..   1st   Ind.   H.  A.,  car- 
penter 
Graham,  Rush  W.,  129th  111.,  farmer 
Graham,     Jonathan,     (ith     Ind.     Cav., 

farmer 
Grobe,  Henry,  loth  111.  Inf.,  farmer 


CJoble,  James,  23d  Ind.,  fanner 
Haggard,    Charles    J'.,    3d    Mo.    Cav., 

farmer 
Ilarvey,    George    W.,    7th    Mo.    Cav., 

farmer 
Harrison,  John  F.,  lUli  Ohio  Bat.,  G3d 

U.  S.  Col.  Tr.,  farmer 
Hampton,  John,  1st  Iowa,  farmer 
Hill,  Charles,  26th  Iowa,  farmer 
Hager,  John,  ](*'nh  Pa.,  farmer 
Hamilton,     James      IL,      17th     Iowa, 

sheriff 
Hayes,    Charles    W.,    1st    Ohio    Cav., 

farmer 
Hendricks,  A.  E.,  3d  Mo.  Cav.,  farmer 
Hendrick,  Daniel,  36th  Iowa,  farmer 
Heath,  0.  S.,  18th  Wis.,  farmer 
Heaton.  E.  M.,  13th  111.,  farmer 
Hiett,  W.  J.,  10th  W.  Va.,  fanner 
High,  S.  R.,  loth  111.,  contractor 
High,  Solomon  M.,  3d  Colo.  Cav.,  con- 
tractor 
Howe,  Sidney  A..  Goth  111.,  contractor 
Howe,  Benjamin,  3lith  Wis.,  barber 
Hoyt.    Daniel     W..     ll!»th    III.,    stock 

dealer 
Hutchison,  Dilhnan,  36th  Iowa,  livery 

stable 
Hull,    Peter    S.,    31  sf   Pa.    Cav.,    con- 
tractor 
Hudson,  R.  L.,  10th  Pa.,  farmer 
Huffman.  L.  D.,  142d  111.,  farmer 
Hunt,  Henry  H.,  1st  Mo.  Eng'rs,  con- 
tractor 
Hurlbut,  George  J.,  U.  S.  Navy,  farmer 
Japhet,  William  M.,  64th  N.  Y.,  laborer 
Johnson,  Nathan,  4;)th  X.  Y.,  farmer 
Johnson,  William.  127th  111.,  farmer 
Johnson  John,    44th    U.    S.    Col.    Tr., 

laborer 
Johnson,  Wm.  H.,  loth  Mich.,  farmer 
Jones,  J.  T.,  3d  Iowa  Cav.,  banker 
Keith,    George   J.,    3d    Pa.    Art.,    con- 
tractor 
Keister,  D.  W.,  28th  Pa.,  contractor 
Keckley,  William  H.,  37th  Iowa,  farmer 
Keckley,  Charles  R.,  22d  Iowa,  farmer 
Keeler,"  0.  D.,  100th  111.,  farmer 


TIISTOKV    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


705 


Kealiher.  John,  2(\  Mo.  Cav.,  farmer 
KiiifT.'^ton,  J.  W.,  ]i)tli  Mich.,  farmer 
Kiitlantl,  II.  J.,  Kl.ltli  III.,  farmer 
Kiii.nslev.  .1.  v..  .S()tli  III.,  real  estate 
Kluiup,  .laeoi).  ;i!tth  III.,  farmer 
Kna])]i.  William   M..  ."idth   X.  Y.,  phy- 

s-iciaii 
La  Uiew.  X.  .1..  4tli  III.  Cav.,  laborer 
Layeock.  .Tolm  B..  ?tli  Pa..  fai-iner 
Lett,  Joliii.  11th  Ljvva.  fanner 
Le  Count.  S.   X.,  3(1  Wis.,  hardware 
Lefier.  .lames  H.,  -Ith  Inil.  Cav..  farmer 
Lemon,  .lames,  44th  III.,  farmer 
Liclitenlierjfer,  Sam'l,  loth  III.,  farmer 
Logan,  Robert  D.,  36th  111.,  farmer 
Long,  Horace,  18th  Ohio,  engineer 
Lytle,  Robert  M.,  3(1   Iowa   Inf.,  30th 

Iowa  Inf.,  farmer 
Love.  William  M.,  .Sl..;t  Ind.,  farmer 
Leach.   Robert   E.,  32d  Wis.,  farmer 
Larkin.  Carlos  W..  34tb  Iowa,  minister 
Larkin,  John  A.,  6th  Iowa,  farmer 
McFadden,  William,  44th  III.,  farmer 
McTaggart,  Neill.  77th  Ohio,  engineer 
Mayo,  (ieorge  W.,  7th  III.  Cav.,  farmer 
Meeker,  W.  D.,  38th  III.,  pension  attor- 
ney 
Metcalf.  La   Fayette,  3.")th   Iowa,  grain 

dealer 
Medlar.  .1.  L.,  03(1   111.,  farmer 
Meloy,  David,  l(l7th  III.,  farmer 
McCabe,  John,  1st  Wis.  Art.,  farmer 
McCarty,  Edward,  4th  III.  Cavj.,  farmer 
McCann,  P.  F'.,  loth  Maine,  blacksmith 
McClaes.  J.  H.,  8th  Ind.  Cav..  farmer 
McDaniel,  William,  36th   Iowa,  street 

commissioner 
Martin,  Jerinia,  3d  Wis.,  farmer 
Miller.  James  P.,  4th  Iowa  Cav..  138th 

F.  S.  Col.  Tr.,  auctioneer 
Miller,  O.  M.,  30th  Iowa,  farmer 
Miller,  Wm.    H.    H.,    oth    III.    Cav., 

farmer 
Miller.  W.  .1..  13!)th  III.,  farmer 
Miller.   Robert     K..     4th     Iowa     Cav., 

farmer 
Miller,  William,  Oth  Ind.,  farmer 
Miller,  John  ^Y.,  168th  Ohio,  barber 


Mills,    E.    P.,    13(ith    Ind..    insurance 

agent 
Morgan,  X'.  M..  3(1  Wis.  Art.,  farmer 
Morgan.  William  K.,  Stii  III.  Cav..  min- 
ister 
iloore.   I).  M..  64tlf  111.,  farmer 
iloores,  (ieorge  l>..  34tb  III.,  farmer 
Mosl)arger,  John  A..  i;')-")th  TIL.  farmer 
Montgomery,   A.    ('.,    S3(l    Pa.,   county 

judge 
Mullen.  I).  P..  1st   Ind.  Cav..  railroad- 
ing 
ilunger.  O.  S..  ooth   III.,  blacksmith 
Mullihan,  Sanford,  3d  R.  I.  Art.,  tinner 
Myers,  George  B.,  135th  Ind.,  farmer 
Myers.  George,  10th  Iowa,  farmer 
Manning,  R.  S.,  2d  111.  Art.,  farmer 
Myers,  B.  F.,  lolst  III.,  farmer 
ilyrick.  Myrcm  X..  16th  III..  137th  III., 

farmer 
Nichols,  H.  M..  l.st  Mich.  Art.,  farmer 
Xichols,  IT.  L.,  3d  Wis.,  farmer 
Newman,  George  S.,  38th  Ind.,  farmer 
Newville,    Le   Roy.    1st    N.    Y\    Rifles, 

laborer 
Norton,  Reuben   I).,  loTth   III.,  .saddler 
Outhwaite,  M.  C..  13Sth  IiuL.  merchant 
Otis,  Anson  M.,  16tli  Wis.,  carpenter 
Osborn,  J.  A.,  45th   Pa.,  blacksmith 
Paine,  J.  0.,  36th  Iowa,  farmer 
Potts,  George,  40th  Wis.,  farmer 
Parris,  F.  J.,  14th  \'ermont,  farmer 
Parker.  W.   R..  4th  Wis.  Cav..  farmer 
Parker,  J.  H.,  I»4th  III.,  farmer 
Parker.  W.  H.,  S6th  III.,  farmer 
Penn,  Charles,  24th  Iowa,  blacksmith 
Pierson,  T  .B.,  13th  Iowa,iarmer 
Pennington,    Thonuis,    11th    111.    Cav., 

farmer 
Pembleton,  Martin.  I(i4th  Pa.,  tinner 
Pettis,  Sedgwick  W..  37th  Wis.,  farmer 
Porter,  Thomas,  44th    111.,  farmer 
Post,  George  W.,  4fith  Iowa,  banker 
Powell,  W.  v.,  30th   I  ml.,   farmer 
Prewitt.  Goldson,  30th  Iowa,  carpenter 
Prewitt,  James,  30th  Iowa,  farmer 
Pringle,  Robert,  8oth  111.,  plasterer 
Purcell,  Wm.  B.,  loth  III,  gardener 


?06 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUXTY 


Piiryear,   Philip,   4tli   Ind.   Cav.,  iiier- 

c-liant 
Ralston,  D.  R..  imth  111.,  atturiiey  at 

law 
Raper,  Francis  A.,  84th  111.,  tailor 
Randolph,  J.  F.,  27th  Mo.,  farmer 
Randall,  W.  H.,  2d  Xeb.,  farmer 
Reed,  George  R.,  IfiGth  Ohio,  insurance 
Reed,  John  D.,  133d  Ind.,  attorney  at 

law 
Reeves,  Robert,  02d  111.,  farmer 
Reisinger,   Emanuel,   140th   Pa.,  shoe- 
maker 
Richards,  Martin,  34th  111.,  laborer 
Richter,  William,  oOtli  III.,  laborer 
Rittner,  D.  A.,  140th  Pa.,  farmer 
Ross,  F.  M.,  13th  Wis.,  trader 
Rogers,  A.  H.,  29th  Iowa,  farmer 
Rossiter,   George,   7th   111.   Inf.,    lOGth 

111.,  farmer 
Rush,  John  W.,  12i1th  111.,  farmer 
Russell,  William  J.,  88th  111.,  farmer 
Ryman,  B.  F.,  7th  Ind.  Cav.,  plasterer 
Sanderson,  Wm.  A.,  34th  Iowa,  farmer 
Scott,  J.  C,  92d  Ohio,  carpenter 
Shockey,  A.  C,  I35th  Pa.,  stonemason 
Shockey,  Jairus,  87th  Pa.,  farmer 
Seymonr,  Benjamin,  22d  Wis.,  farmer 
Seymour,   Henry,   14th  111.   Cav.,  ma- 
chinery 
Shafer,  J.  A.,  84th  III,  merchant 
Shafer,  Lewis,  6th  Iowa  Cav.,  farmer 
Shipman,  Richard   C,   6th  Iowa  Inf., 

contractor 
Shultz,  D.  H.,  137th  111.,  nth  111.  Cav., 

farmer 
Shackelford,  M.  J.,  86th  111.,  farmer 
Shurlock,  Park,  lOOth  Pa.,  farmer 
Simmons,  B.  R.,  2d  Iowa  Bat.,  farmer 
Slawson,  Moses,  107th  N.  Y.,  farmer 
Sloan  David,  26th  Ind.,  farmer 
Small,  James  W.,  2d  111.  A.,  stockman 
Sovereign,  Milton,  31st  111.,  real  estate 
Smith,  T.  v.,  10th  Iowa,  farmer 
Smith,  Jacob,  l!)th  U.  S.  Inf.,  fanner 
Smith,  J.  P.,  17th  Pa.  Cav.,  farmer 
Smith,  X.  T.,  1st  Iowa,  merchant 
Smith,  S.  A.,  12t.h  Ohio  Cav.,  plasterer 


Smith,  J.  D.,  12tli  Ohio  Cav.,  laborer 
S])elhnan,  Charles  S.,  10th  Mass.,  miller 
Spaulding,  Augustus,  'Jth  X.  J.,  farmer 
Steeidetoii,  66th  Ind..  carpenter 
Stewart,  James,  2d  Cal.  Cav.,  farmer 
Stewart,  J.  W.,  64th  111.,  minister 
Stevens,  Thomas  F.,  122d  111.,  attorney 

at  law 
Stilson,    Lyman    D..   49th    X.   Y.,  car- 

])enter 
Stout,  Al)ner,  7th  Ohio  Bat.,  fanner 
Swanson,  Swan,  1st  Mo.  Engr's,  farmer 
Taylor,  W.  S.,  11th  Wis.,  mechanic 
'i'hamer,  Casper  G.,  47th  111.,  farmer 
Torrence,  George,  7th  Wis.,  farmer 
Towle,  John  T..  3d  Wis.,  farmer 
Tracey,  J.  A..  95th  111.,  farmer 
Tussey,  James,  34th  111.,  farmer 
Vanberg,  Charles,  .5th  Mich.,  farmer 
Walsh,  John,  64th  111.,  county  jailer 
Walkup,  David,  19th  Iowa,  farmer 
Walkup,  John  W.,  19th  Iowa,  farmer 
Wellman,  Alonzo,  105th  Ohio,  farmer 
Weitzel,  M.,  39th  111.,  farmer 
Wostervelt,   Peter  J.,  146th  111.,  .shoe- 
Warner,  E.  A.,  5th  Mich.  Cav.,  farmer 
Wagner  S.  J.,  17th  Ohio,  farmer 

maker 
Wheeler,  Lyman  S.,  25th  Mass.,  farmer 
Wheeler,  W.  W.,  4th  Mich.  Cav.,  farmer 
Wilsey,  Albert,  147th  111.,  farmer 
Wilco.x,  W.  R.,  25th  Mich.,  farmer 
Wintersteen,  P.  X.,  13th  Ohio  Cav.,  In- 
surance agent 
Williams,  0.  W.,  128th  Ind.,  machinist 
Winnie,  J.  G.,  16th  X.  Y.  Art.,  farmer 
Winslow,  L.  B.,  7th  Minn.,  farmer 
Worley,  D.  B.,  96th  N.  Y.,  professor  of 

music 
Worley,  J.  C,  135th  111.,  insurance 
Wray,  E.  S.,  150th  111.,  laborer 
Wright,  Henry  Q.,  11th  111.,  carpenter 
Wyckoflf,  A.  D.,  64th  111.,  minister 
Wirt,  Aaron  W.,  2d  Bat.,  18th  U.  S.. 

grain  dealer 
Wilcox,  A.,  4th  Mich.  Cav.,  blacksmith 
Young,  Milton  J.,  62d  Ohio,  farmer 
Young,  C.  H.,  1st  Mich.,  farmer 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  707 

YORK  county's  CIVIL  WAR  VETERAN'S  IN  1915   NUMBERED  87 


Name  Residence 

Albert,  H.  W York 

Applegard,   W.   H Waco 

Augustine,    P.    S Stromsburg 

Arhucklc,    D York 

BarlitT,  Thomas York 

Bullock,  R.  J York 

Buhk,  Harry York 

Bowers,    George York 

Babcock,  William Lushton 

Babcock,  A.  J Bradshaw 

Cooper,  C.  M York 

Couch,  C.  B York 

Cutler,  R.  E York 

Codgill,  M York 

Calkins,  H.  J York 

Copsey,  E.  D York 

Churt'h,  P York 

Chapman,  W.  G York 

Custer,  C.  C York 

Cook,  George  S York 

Coburn,  S.  G Bradshaw' 

Clark,  R.  0 Bradshaw 

Detrick,  H.  M York 

Deremer,   J.   C York 

Doty,  0.  M York 

Deason,  X York 

Deboer,  John McCool 

Dey,  John  B Bradshaw 

Douglas,  J.  W Benedict 

Evans,   Ezekiel York 

Evans,  J.  J York 

Edsen,  George  C York 

Farley,  B.  F York 

Folts,   George York 

Fay,  H.  W Bradshaw 

Funk,  Albert  H Bradshaw 

Giauque,  A.   T York 

Graham,  J.  W McCool 

Gerris,  John  B McCool 

Hager,  John York 

Harwood,    R York 

Hayworth,   George McCool 

Hohembaum,  William Waco 

Hastings,  D.  A Bradshaw 

Ittner,  John York 


Company 
F 

Battery,  Vessel 
or  Regiment 

1 

From 
State  of 
Wis. 

D 

11 

Minn. 

H 

188 

Pa. 

B 

137 

13  L.  Art. 

HI. 

H 

105 

HI. 

K 

■l  Cav. 

HI. 

G 

Sharp  S. 
7  Art. 

Wis. 
Ohio 

H 

6 

Iowa 

H 

11 

HI. 

H 

163 

F 

28 

111. 

K 

24 

Iowa 

F 

8 

Wis. 

K 

62 

Pa. 

K 

62 

Pa. 

L 

7 

Ind. 

I 

47 

Mass. 

D 

97 

Ind. 

B 

85 

HI. 

D 

4 

Iowa 

C 

52 

Pa. 

F 

4 

Mich. 

A 

81 

111. 

D 

31 

111. 

F 

8 

Iowa 

I 

2 

111. 

R 

118 

111. 

G 

2 

111. 

E 

1 

Neb. 

F 

141 

111. 

B 

40 

Wis. 

K 

47 

Iowa 

B 

■     191 

Pa. 

H 

5 

Iowa 

K 

197 

Ohio 

C 

105 

Pa. 

C 

110 

Pa. 

E 

135 

Ind. 
Pa. 

F 

111 

Ind. 

B 

Body  G. 

Mo. 

r08  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


Name                                           Residence 
Janiess,    liobert York 

Kerwood,    T Y'ork 

Kirtland,  H.  J York 

Kingslover,  C (iref;haiii 

Kisler,  Henry Arhorx  ille 

Keeler,  0.  D Benedict 

Keith,  Q.  J Benedict 

Ledford,  William MeCool 

Limy,  J.  L Y'ork 

Love,  William  II York 

Lanphere,  H.  (' (ire^hani 

Miltner,  August Waco 

McFadden,  William Mc( 'ool 

Mays,  G.  W York 

MeClees,  J.  H York 

Murphy,  TT.  A York 

McDonalil,    D York 

Owing,   Walter Bradshaw 

Putnam,  George York 

Pembleton,  M.  I^ York 

Pickerel,   Harvey York 

Purington,    Charles Waco 

Robins,  M York 

Rogers,  George York 

Reisinger,  E York 

Ruch,    Philip Bradshaw 

Stutherdt,  Heber Waco 

Smith,  J.  H Mc(  'ool 

Staley,  F.  M York 

Summers,  E.J York 

Smith,  Jacob    York 

Smith,  S.  A York 

Somers,  T.  A Y'ork 

Schoemacher,  Albert York 

Snyder,  Casper Lushton 

Tucker,  J.  M York 

Thomas,  W.  A Lushton 

Thanier,  C.  (i York 

Wolford,  L.   E York 

Weaver,  A.  R York 

Wirt,   Aaron York 

Warner,  E.  A York 

Wilkins,  W.  J York 

Wilson,  J.  n York 

Welch,  Jacob Waco 

Wiseman.    .lohii FTondorson 


Battery,  Vessel 

From 

Company 

or  Regiment 
L.  Art. 

State  of 

B 

106 

111. 

11 

10.5 

111. 

H 

28 

Wis. 

B 

1.5-3 

Ind. 

D 

100 

111. 

Pa. 

Ind. 

G 

1 

111. 

E 

8  J 

Ind. 
111. 

I 

147 

111. 

C 

44 

111. 

A 

5 

111. 

I 

8 

Ind. 

E 

49 

Wis. 

Navy 

Neb. 

D 

4 

Mo. 

E 

ns 

Ohio 

A 

104 

Pa. 

A 

14  Cav. 

111. 

I 

46 

Wis. 

K 

68 

•   Ind. 

G 

14.5 

111. 

D 

149 

Pa. 

17 

111. 

4 

K  N.  G. 

Neb. 

F 

88 

Pa. 

E 

133 

Pa. 

D 

4  Cav. 

Ind. 

F 

1  Bat. 

I 

12 

I 

9!) 

111. 

C 

47 

111. 

B 

31 

Wis. 

K 

11 

111. 

F 

84 

111. 

B 

47 

111. 

F 

8  Cav. 

Iowa 

B 

29 

Wis. 

B 

2  Bat.,  18 

Wis. 

I 

5  Cav. 

Mich. 

G 

4 

111. 

H 

147 

N.  Y. 

H 

78 

111. 

K 

62 

Iowa 

HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  709 

YOIiK    COCXTY's    SPAXISII-AMKKICAiV    WAll    AETERANS    NUlIBEIiEn    17 


Name  Residence 

Corcoran,  D.  T York 

Conaty,  H.  J Bradsliaw 

Halstead,  Murry Stronishurg 

Knapp,  T.  F McCool 

Karrer,  F.  W Beneiliet 

Moulton,    Fred York 

Olson,   A York 

Price,  Harry  W York 

Reisinger,  Herbert York 

Root,  Dr.  B.  A York 

Ramsey,   Homer Polk 

Smith,    William McCool 

Schroder,  F.  W _.  York 

Stepleton,   John York 

Stall,  C.  R Waco 

Williams,  Frank  C Gresham 

Wriffht,  J.  R Lnsliton 


Company 
A 

Battery,  Vessel 
or  Regiment 

1 

From 
State  of 

Neb. 

E 

3 

Wyo. 

H 

3 

Neb. 

Band 

2 

Neb. 

E 

1 

Neb. 

A 
A 
A 

Navy 
Navy 
51 

Cal. 

Cal. 

Iowa 

A 

1 

Neb. 

B 

3 

Neb. 

H 

3 

Neb. 

H 

3 

Neb. 

K 

2 

Neb. 

A 

1 

Neb. 

H 

1 

Neb. 

B 

23 

Kan. 

K 

31 

Ky. 

WOMAN-  S    RELIEF    CORPS 

The  first  movement  toward  forming  an  auxiliary  relief  corps  was  when  several 
comrades  talked  over  the  suggestion  and  iiftcrward  at  a  meeting  of  the  post,  early 
in  1883,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  re(pu'st  the  attendance  of  the  ladies  to  meet 
for  consultation.  Only  one  comrade  and  three  ladies  put  in  an  appearance.  Later 
on  the  post  invited  their  wives  and  daughters  to  attend  their  next  meeting,  and 
ascertain  how  many  would  sign  for  a  charter  for  a  woman's  relief  corps  for  Robert 
Anderson  Post.  The  result  was  very  gratifying;  between  thirty  and  forty  names 
were  handed  in,  each  accompanied  with  one  dollar  to  pay  for  charter  and  badges. 
Post  Commander  Laycock  wrote  to  national  headquarters  at  Boston,  Mass.  (there 
being  no  department  of  Nebraska  at  that  time).  November  13,  1883,  the  com- 
mander instituted  in  the  presence  of  the  post  the  "Robert  Anderson  Woman's 
Relief  Corps,  No.  5,  auxiliary  to  Robert  Anderson  Post  No.  32,"  and  installed  the 
following  as  officers:  President,  Mrs.  Juliet  G.  Howe;  senior  vice  president,  Mrs. 
Lizzie  Newman ;  chaplain,  Mrs.  Barbara  Chapman ;  secretary,  Mrs.  Nettie  Hartin ; 
treasurer,  Mrs.  L.  D.  Stilson;  conductor,  Mrs.  Jennie  Andrews;  guard,  Mrs.  Lilian 
Baldwin. 

Following  is  a  list  of  the  charter  members  of  Woman's  Relief  Corps  No.  5 : 


Juliet  G.  Howe 
Lizzie  Newman 
Maggie  Jones 
Nettie  Hartin 
La  Dell  Stilson 
Maggie  Chapman 
Barbara  Chapman 


Ellen  Johnson 
Phoebe  Addison 
Mariette  Parkinson 
Carrie  Ellis 
Miranda  Larkin 
Martha  Carter 
Amanda  Baldwin 


Sarah  C.  Bullock 
Barbara  Draucher 
Anna  Davis 
Rebecca  McCarty 
Alvira  Flock 
Margaret  Gandy 
Annie  Hendricks 


no 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


Jennie  Andrews 
Mary  Meeker 
Adeline  Boynton 
Calista  Myrick 


Susan  Eiehter 
Lizzie  T.  Reed 
Alice  Bowker 
Annie  Campbell 


Melissa  Cross 
Phoebe  Hull 
Calista  Eossiter 
Ijilian  Baldwin 


Presidents  Secretaries 

1883 Juliet   G.   Howe Xettie    Hartin 

1884 Juliet    G.   Howe Nettie    Hartin 

1885 Ladell   Stilson Mary  M.  Eeed 

1886 Juliet   G.   Howe Jlary  il.  Reed 

1887 M.  E.  Wheeler K.  McCarty 

1888 M.  E.  Wheeler La  Dell  Stilson 

1889 Juliet   G.   Howe Mary  A.  Small 

1890 Emma   Farley Mary  A.  Small 

1891 La   Dell    Stilson Calista  Rossiter 

1892 Carrie  B.  Parris Calista   Rossiter 

1893 La   Dell    Stilson Louisa  Bullock 

1894 Carrie  B.  Parri Louisa  Bullock 

1895 L.    Burton Louisa  Bullock 

AUXILIARY    woman's    RELIEF    CORPS    NO.    5    IN    1893 


Anderson,  Eliza 
Arnold,  Martha  0. 

B 
Burton,  Lucinda 
Beck,  Sarah 
Bruner,  L.  J. 
Booker,  Sarah  E. 
Barnes,  Marinda  D. 
Brown,  Julia  A. 
Bullock,  Louisa  T. 
Beggs,  Mina 
Bullock,  Clara 
Blanchard,  Ann 
Bick,  Augusta 
Ball,  Beulah 
Bryerton,  Emma 
Bell.  Lucy  A. 
Brooks,  Mary  0. 

C 
Cook,  Anna 
Crabb,  Ruth 
Cross,  Agnes 
Crosthwaite,  Ennua  H. 
Cook,  Mary 
Coy,  Saral'i  W. 


Conaway,  Matilda 
Cannon,  Phoebe 

D 
Davis,  Mary 
Detrick,  Virginia  C. 
Day,  Frances  A. 
Deremer,  Maggie 
Dale,  Almina 
Durett,  Sarah 
Dean,  Belinda 
DeNoyer,  Mary 

E 
Eads,  Harriet 

F 
Farley,  Emma 
Flock,  Elizabeth 
Fisher,  Ida  M. 

G 
Geiger,  Esther 
Giller,  Mary  E. 
Gandy,  Carrie 
Garternicht,  Amelia 
Graham,  Mary  A. 

H 
Higby,   Elizabeth 
Huff,  Elizabeth 


Hoyt,  Sarah  M. 
Huffman,  Lydia 
Hampton,  Jennie 
Ilankins,  Sarah  A. 
Hull,  Tillie 

I 
Jlgenfritz,  Dora 

J 
Johnson,  Julia  F. 
Johnson,  Mary  E. 
Jackson,  R.  T. 
Japhet,  Marietta 

K 
Kluiii]!.  Jane 
Knogo,  Carrie 

L 
Larkin,  Sarah 
Letler,  Sarah  M. 
Lefler,  Walker  May 
Latham,  Etta 
Love,  ilnry  il. 

'  il 
Morgan,  W.  E. 
Moore,  ilary 
McDaniel,  C.  A. 
McDonough,  Rosa 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


711 


McCulley,  Henrietta 
]Miillihan,  Sarah 
Martin,  Alice 
Miller,  Emma 
Miller,  Freda 
Miller,  Cynthia 
Miller,  Maria 
Medlar,  Sarah 
Marsfield,  Frances 
Moores,  E.  C. 
McTaggart,  Mrs. 

N 
Xewell,  Hanna 

0 
Osborn,  Barbara 

P 
Parris,  Carrie  B. 
Parker,  Lydia 
Pnrcell,  Mary 
PembJeton.  Mattie 


E 

Randolph,  Octavia 
Raper,  Elizabeth 
Randall,  Charlotte 
Richards,  Sarah 
Ronch,  Lucy  E. 
Reed,  Mary 
Reed,   Mary 
Reynolds,  Elizabeth 
Reisinger,  Elizabeth 

S 
Shackelford,  Emma 
Small,  Mary  A. 
Stevens,  Abigail 
Shufelt,  J^miiy 
Shipman,  Catharine 
Small,  Anrelia  F. 
Spellman,  Amelia 
Shafer,  J.  A. 
Sovereign,  Nancy  A. 


Smith,  Libbie 
Steinbach,  Hattie  A. 
Seed,  Louise 
Stewart,  Mary  (i. 

t' 

Towle,  Sarah  M. 
Tucker,  Sarah 
Tucker,  Eva 
W 
Wheeler,  Mary  E. 
Wirt,  Jane 
Wohigamuth,  Elitha 
Winnie,  Carrie  E. 
Wilkins,  Harriet  P. 
Wood,  Ida  M. 
Wirt,  Jennie  L. 
Winslow,  Mary  E. 
Wintersteen,  May 
Worley,  Catharine 


SONS  AND  GRANDSONS 

The   fiillowing  press  excerpt  describes  the  start  of  this  organization   in   York 
County : 
'  Descendants  of  Veterans  Organize  Camp  in  Tiiis  City 

John  Lett  Camp  is  the  name  very  properly  bestowed  upon  an  organization  of 
Sons  of  Veterans  effected  in  this  city  during  the  week  of  July  4,  1!)18.  The  new- 
feature  in  local  military  affairs  starts  off  with  thirty-six  charter  members,  and 
there  is  every  promise  that  it  will  grow.  Pat  Barrows  of  Lincoln  was  the  installing 
officer  and  he  was  assisted  by  State  Auditor  Smith,  division  commander ;  Paul  Goss, 
senior  division  commander;  L.  W.  Garoutte,  counselor;  Messrs.  Hiram  Myers, 
Prank  Mills,  G.  E.  Stille  and  George  A.  Dart,  all  of  the  capital  city,  were  also  present. 

The  officers  of  the  new  formation  are :  W.  G.  Liggett,  commander ;  E.  B.  Koon, 
S.  V.  C;  R.  M.  Rankin,  J.  V.  C;  W.  W.  Wyckoff,  M.  0.  McLaughlin  ami  J.  H. 
Newbold,  camp  counsel;  Rev.  S.  Harvey,  chaplain;  Rev.  L.  R.  Bobbitt,  patriotic 
instructor;  Chas.  F.  Stroman,  guide;  L.  F.  Richardson,  color  hearer;  Harry  Ship- 
man,  inside  guard;  Lee  Warman,  outside  guard;  George  DeBord,  treasurer,  and 
Raymond  Woodrum,  secretary. 

Let  us  include  a  recent  appreciation  penned  of  the  noble  puri)oses  of  this  organi- 
zation : 

SONS  OF  VETEKANS 


By  invitation  of  Commander  Lett  we  visited  with  him  John  Lett  Camp  S.  of  V. 
last  Thursday  night  at  Fraternal  Hall,  it  being  the  regular  meeting,  the  one 
prescribed  for  the  election  of  officers.  This  visit  awakened  some  thoughts,  some 
reflections,   which,   while    no   one   has   suggested   that   tliey   be   by   me   given,   yet 


712  HISTOEY    OF    YOltK    f'OUXTY 

pardon  me  if  in  obedience  to  the  impulse,  always  strong,  I  break  into  the  good 
old  Ref)iihlir-an  office  long  enough  to  delineate  a  few  of  these  same  reflections. 
First,  tliat  although  the  j-oung  organization  is  somewhat  impeded  in  its  onward 
push  by  certain  conditions,  yet  we  cduld  not  but  admire  the  spirit  manifested 
by  those  present  at  that  meeting,  'riicy  cxteiiilccl  their  lease  of  life  by  the  selec- 
tion of  a  full  corps  of  officers  wliirli  no  doubt  will  come  to  the  public  from  an 
official  and,  therefore,  more  authentic  source. 

We  speak  of  the  spirit  of  these  Sons.  Why  should  they  not  display  spirit? 
Some,  yes  many,  of  these  boys  are  gray  headed,  indicating  that  they  were  begotten 
and  born  while  their  honored  fathers — and  mothers — were  yet  in  the  full  flush 
of  their  conscious  achievements,  the  preservation  of  our  Union,  its  flag  returned 
with  not  a  star  of  its  blue  field  erased,  not  a  stripe  nor  a  line  of  its  illustrious 
history  torn  nor  besmirched.  Begotten  and  born  in  the  full  tide  of  virile  patriotism 
do  we  say,  and  is  it  any  wonder  that  this  large  class  now  in  full  possession  of 
the  w-orld's  business  and  world's  affairs  should  manifest  somewhat  of  spirit?  We 
are  proud  of  them.  They,  with  our  Daughters  of  Veterans,  who,  as  we  learn,  liave 
effected  a  fine  organization,  strong  both  numerically  and  morally,  are  our  rightful, 
our  only  logical  legatees.  We  are  proud  of  them,  both  and  each,  and  feel  a  good 
degree  of  confidence  in  their  will  and  ability  to  care  for  and  perpetuate  the  proud 
legacy  we  so  soon,  even  now,  must  bequeath  them.  May  they  prove  true  to 
their  trust,  a  united  country  one,  one  res})ected  and  feared  alike  by  the  whole  world  ; 
whose  flag,  untarnished,  floats  freely  over  all;  symbolizing  the  central  tenet  of 
our  good  government,  ''E(pial  Eights  for  All,  Special  P'rivileges  for  None." 

— A  Veteran. 

THE    AMEI!IC.\X    LEGION'    POST    NO.    10,    DErAIiT.MENT    OF    XEBUASKA 

April  23,  1!)19,  a  group  of  ex-service  men  met  in  County  Court  room  at  the 
request  of  York  County  Commercial  Club  and  founded  the  York  County  World 
War  A'eteran  Association. 

On  April  2I»,  lOl'J,  they  met  again  and  elected  (ieo.  H.  Holtleman  commander; 
Edward  White,  senior  vice  commander;  D.  I).  King,  junior  vice  commander;  Harry 
Hubbel,  secretary;  and  Leigh  Lincoln,  treasurer.  This  continued  as  such  during 
the  summer  till  Se])teml)er  25,  1!J10,  when  it  was  voted  to  transfer  organization 
as  a  whole  and  take  up  charter  of  York  Post  No.  19,  American  Legion  Depart- 
ment of  Nebraska,  which  had  been  procured  by  fifteen  members  only  in  order  to 
facilitate  matters.  The  first  otticers  after  taking  over  American  Legion  charter 
were:  D.  D.  King,  commander:  Wray  Edwards,  vice  commander;  AVendell  Froid. 
secretary;  and  Edward  Shrigley,  treasurer.  Wendell  Froid  later  resigned  and 
Peter  Meehan  was  elected  secretary. 

The  post  has  taken  active  part  in  all  Decoration  Day  and  other  patriotic  pro- 
grams. Has  held  memorial  services  for  departed  comrades,  etc.:  maintains  splendid 
club  rooms,  with  ball  room  in  connection:  also  houses  the  Woman's  Auxiliary. 
York  Post  organized  the  first  Woman's  Auxiliary  in  the  State  of  Nebraska  under 
the  rules  as  laid  down  at  the  Minneapolis  conveuf ion. 

The  present  officers  are:  D.  D.  King,  conumindcr:  Wray  Edwards,  first  vice 
commander;    Edward    White,   second    vice   commander:    Peter    Meehan,    adjutant; 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


713 


Edward  Shrigley,  finance 
officers  and  Geo.  Hopkins, 


officer.     The  e.xecutive  committee  consists  of  tlie  above 
John  Aultand  and  Irvin  Askine. 


The  roster  of  membership  of  the  American  Legion  Post  late  in  1920  shows: 


George  H.  Holdeman 
Dexter  D.  King 
Brown  C.  Woodbnry 
Wendell  Oscar  Froid 
Harold  .T.  Iieqirirtte 
Jolin  Ii.  Eeisbeck 
Reuben  F.  Blacketer 
James  Stephen  Casey 
Walter  Green 
Ernest  Victor  Ellis 
Alphonse  G.  Zinimerer 
Evan  Holixk 
Kelly  Lee  Hokomb 
LYle":\L  Brock 
Jiollic  ('lifforil  Jdhnsou 
X.  'J\  Rakcstraw 
Max  8.  Gleason 
John  M.  Anderson 
Lois  A.  Kirkpatrick 
William  Francis  Keefe 
Chester   Stanley   Mc- 

Kenzie 
Ralph  James  Danley 
Fred  Nelson  Miller 
Harlan  Valentine  Boyer 
Francis  Edward  Perry 
Roy  L.  Harrison 
Roscoe  C.  Hitchcock 
Clifford  G.  Hill 
Archie  R.  Rlioads 
Percy  W.  Hardesty 
Simon  S.  Partlow 
Lowell  L.  Calhoon 
James  D.  Hulett 
7Jall)h  C.  Proffitt 
.liihii  Edward  Jeske 
Earl  Warner 
Homer  Lester  Zentz 
Henry  A.  Gillan 
Felix  Wholstenholm 
Arthur  G.  Schwarz 
Clarence  H.  Bell 
Herbert  August  Freitag 
Lloyd  Louis  L.  Lindberg 


Emmet  H.  Ross 
Eda  Helena  Ziegelbein 
Lucy  Ree  Inbody 
K'nlph  Herman  Stone 
Jjouis  Patrick  Maguire 
Rudolph  A.  Rademacker 
Peter  A.  Meehan 
(ieorge  Harrison   Beyer 
Alvin  Leland  Dodson 
(J rant  Baker 
Francis  Mai'ion   Hum-' 

])hrey 
Eugene   F.   Moore 
Frank  B.  Stowe 
Charles  O.  Sears 
Horace  01  in  Bottum 
Thomas  W.  O'Brien 
Floyd  O.  Cooper 
Lee  Norman  Anderson 
Harry  Wayne  Summers 
James  William  Browitt 
Harry  W.  Moore 
(iiiy  T.  Morgan 
William  Green 
(luy  Thomas  Buswell 
Tliomas  J.  Van  Decar 
Earl  E.  Wood 
Frank  H.  Price 
Paul  E.  Peterson 
Henry  AVilliams 
John  Alt 
James  S.  Bell 
J>eonard  H.  Chambers 
James  Thomas  Peters 
Marion  B.  Schmelzel 
Tony  E.  Blount 
Clarence  A.  Stephens 
Clarkson  N.  Olmsted 
H.  C.  Carpenter 
Irvin  Askine 
Floyd  A.  Rice 
Warren  F.  Sturtevant 
Joseph  E.  Shrigley 
Roy  D.  Purcel 


E.  Loyal  Roggy 
Edward  Myers 
Leigh  Lincoln 
Ralph  E.  Monson 
John  J.  Black 
J.  A.  Krumback 
Lloyd  Richards 
Harry  H.  Thompson 
Lynn  R.  Sparling 
Walter  L.  Will 
Howard  E.  Mapps 
Ralph  E.  Cox 
Rae  M.  Pierce 
Dr.  J.  N.  Plumb 
Daniel  Chilcote 
John  R.  Steel 
Richard  G.  Talbot 
Kenneth  F.  Wert 
Clifford  Bisset 
Russel  J.  Rogers 
Ira  L.  Baker 
Charles  I.  Hannis 
Edwin  W.  Otto 
John  S.  Gardner 
Maria  S.  Ziegelbein 
Earl  N.  Samuelson 
Fred  C.  Voss,  Jr. 
Edwin  R.  Stimson 
A.  Geil 
Floyd  D.  Cox 
Arthur  Bell 
Everett  B.  Bellows 
C.  L.  Brewer 
Lester  S.  Morrison 
Charles  M.  Cox 
M.  F.  Mulvaney 
Elbert  F.  Bowers 
Hugh  A.  Arnold 
Herbert  L.  Loomis 
Paul   H.  Hopper 
Leo  V.  Jacks 
Roy  H.  Larson 
J.  K.  Melcer 
Andrew  F.  Irwin 


714 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


W.  W.  Stevenson 
Tom  L.  Hayes 
Roy  E.  Anderson 
Lewis  H.  John 
Thomas  II.  Leddy 
Clarence  W.  Myers 
Edwin  Dean  Chambers 
John  Brehm 
Lawrence  W.  Cox 
Andrew  J.  Eberle 
Charles  Leader 
Frank  Baker 
Floyd  C.  Thompson 
Harold  L.  Myers 
Otto  Leroy  KalifE 


John  F.  KalilT 
Clara  B.  McReynolds 
Elijah  A.  Levitt 
Carl  W.  Xelms 
C.  .1.  Wertz 
Fred  II.  Richardson 
Clyde  E.  McKiuley 
Alice  G.  Afflerback 
Leo  V.  Beckord 
Eugene  A.  Bishop 
George  B.  Hopkins 
E.  G.  White 
W.  Everett  James 
('has.  Bradwell 
Clyde  Little 


Horace  S.  McCartney 
Roy  E.  Fox 
Henry  C.  Becker 
Marion  \V.  Graham 
Willard  E.  Bullock 
Henry  A.  Hessler 
Charles  H.  vStewart 
Darrell  T.  Robertson 
\Vm.  J.  Stewart 
Henry  \V.  Wellman 
Walter  W.  Wellman 
Harry  Hedriek 
Walter  R.  Mohring 
Geo.  A.   Shroyer 
Harry  L.  Hubbell 
Harry  Icl.  Palmer 


The  York  AVoman's  Auxiliary  No.  1  of  the  American  Legion,  Department  of 
Nebraska  held  their  first  meeting  at  the  District  Court  room  November  28,  liilfl. 
This  meeting  was  called  by  Dr.  D.  D.  King,  commander  of  the  American  Legion 
Post  No.  19  of  York,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  the  Woman's  Auxiliary.  At  a 
meeting  held  at  the  Hotel  McCloud  Deccmlter  5,  litli),  a  temporary  constitution 
was  adopted  and  the  following  officers  elected:  Mrs.  J.  C.  McKinlcy,  chairman; 
Miss  Imogene  Thomas,  vice  chairnian;  Mr.*.  H.  F.  Requartte,  secretary;  Miss 
Hazel  Stowe,  treasurer.  The  auxiliary  has  given  a  reception  to  legion  and  ex-service 
men,  has  furnished  a  reception  room  at  the  Legion  Hall,  helps  to  pay  rent  of 
hall  and  plans  to  aid  the  American  Legion  at  all  times. 


Roy  E.  Carlisle 
Fred  A.  Muir 
Clarence  E.  Foster 
Earl  D.  Richards 
James  G.  Felton    . 
Clark  S.  Pine 
Lawrence  B.  Myers 
Charles   L.    Millholen 
Alvin  E.  Cluunan 
Carl  A.  V.  Samuelson 
Hubert  L.  White 
Elmer  W.  Shuttlewnrth 
Frank  T.  Miller 
Sheridan  C.  Howley 
Chas.  A.  Baker 
Earl  E.  Schmekcl 
Carl  W.  Weber 
Chas.  M.  Laird 
Peter  A.   Dill 
Patrick  M.   McGowan 
Ralph  E.  DeBoer 


Frank  H.  Schall 
W.  E.  Castile 
Edwin  A.  Busk 
J.  E.  McCarty 
Jas.  J.  Beauseigneur 
Elmer  L.  Spray 
Frank  L.  Munro 
John  L.  Wochncr 
Frank  B.  Yoss 
Frank  W.  Taylor 
Floyd  Stone 
(ieo.  W.  Noler 
Yern   M.   Elliott 
Walter  P.  Matlock 
Thomas  E.  Dryden 
Dan  H.  Berger 
Lloyd  E.  Cottrell 
Albert  K.  Whitehead 
Walter  B.  Ilillberg 
Geo.  A.  Jenkins 
Evan  E.  Miller 


Lawrence  C.  Robson 
Leo  T.  Sackschewsky 
Woodson  Spiirlock 
Chas.  E.  Croson 
Andy  C.  Eberle 
P.  J.  Yan  Yleet 
Alpha  Morrow 
Ernest  E.  Berger 
Veral  S.  Jockisch 
James  L.  Campbell 
H.  D.  easier 
Alkana  B.  Cantrcll 
Chester  L.   Miller 
Albert  C.  Carmichael 
H.  C.  Salmen 
Edward  L.  Gould 
Howard  A.  Mansfield 
Adolph  0.  Smaha 
Frank  M.  Bottum 
Benj.  H.  Coonley 
James  A'elvick 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


715 


Edwin  E.  May 
James  B.  McGuire 
Wade  M.  McCalloii 
L.  V.  Newman 
Fred  Carlisle 
Archie  Gray 
Louis  E.  Gould 
J.  0.  Eich 


Eoss  Mansir 
Ernest  A.  Marquardt 
Bryce  D.  Tracy 
Geo.  E.  Wilkins 
Chester  L.  Johnson 
Clarence  M.  Bray 
Glenn  I.  Voyles 
Dean  W.  Myers 


Walter  Wieland 
Roy  M.  Larsen 
Harry  Eoberts 
Guy  B.  Thompson 
John  E.  Bennett 
John  W.  Schmalz 
Fred  P.  McCarty 
Henry  M.  Hiebert 


Affairs  of  Other  Days 

By  way  of  calling  back  tiie  mind  to  the  character  of  social  affairs  of  a  couple 
decades  ago,  the  following  few  excerpts  have  been  chosen  of  various  sorts  of  social 
activities  that  ruled  in  the  social  calendar  of  the  past. 

YORK    DRIVIXG    CLUB 

The  first  matinee  of  the  York  Driving  Club  will  be  held  at  the  fair  grounds 

Sntunlay,    May    37,    1893. 

Program 
Green  race,  trot  or  pace. 
Three  minute  race. 
2  :4.5  mixed,  trot  or  pace. 
Half  mile  running  race. 

All  races  two  best  in  three;  entrance  fee  $2..JU  in  all  races.  Entries  close  at 
11 :50  same  day. 

This  club  will  make  good  races,  open  to  the  world,  on  July  4th. 

YORK    ATHLETIC    CLUB 

A  meeting  was  held  in  the  District  Court  rooms  May  27,  1897,  to  further 
discuss  the  question  of  organizing  an  athletic  clul),  which  resulted  in  an  organiza- 
tion to  be  known  as  the  York  Athletic  Club.  The  organization  starts  out  with  a 
membership  of  forty  members.  The  officers  elected  were  A.  W.  Eichardson,  presi- 
dent; W.  W.  WyckofP,  secretary;  T.  E.  Hamilton,  treasurer.  W.  H.  Boyer  and 
Clyde  Waterman  were  elected  as  directors. 


OLD  SETTLERS     PICXIC 

I'he  Old  Settlers'  Historical  Society  will  hold  its  annual  picnic  and  elect  officers 
for  the  ensuing  year  on  Saturday,  October  3,  1897,  at  the  courthou.se  in  York. 
All  old  settlers  and  their  families  are  cordially  invited  to  be  present.  Come  and 
bring  well  tilled  baskets.  Hot  coffee  will  be  furnished  free  to  all.  The  forenoon 
will  be  spent  in  a  social  good  time,  and  the  renewal  of  old  acquaintance.  The 
following  program  has  been  prepared  for  the  afternoon : 


Vol.  II— s 


716  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Program 

Called  to  order  by  tlie  president. 

Prayer  by  Rev.  D.  Bruadwell. 

Song. 

Address  of  welcome,  A.  C.  Montgomery. 

Response  by  the  president. 

Recitation,  Miss  Anna  Dean. 

Song. 

Annual  address  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Presson. 

Recitation,  Miss  Bessie  Lett. 

Experience  meeting. 

Five  minute  talks  on  early  experience.  This  is  to  give  all  an  opportunity  to 
tell  why  and  how  they  came,  what  they  did  and  how  they  lived,  and  why  they 
stayed.     Let  this  meeting  be  improved  by  all. 

Recitation,  Earl  Myers. 

Roll  call  of  those  who  have  resided  in  the  county  twenty  years  and  over,  by  years. 

Election  of  officers. 

Song. 

Benediction. 

J.  P.  Miller,  President. 

E.  A.  BuTTEiiFiELD,  Secretary. 

YORK   MILITARY   liAXD 1891 

The  new  band  as  it  is  now  constituted  is  comprised  as  follows.  Tlie  new 
instruments,  which  cost  $1,000,  are  now  in  full  blast. 

Cornet  Bb,  Douglas  ICIiuck ;  cornet  Bb,  Geo.  F.  Abbott;  cornet  Bb,  Harry 
Love;  cornet  Bb.  C.  C.  Campbell;  clarionet  Eb,  Dave  Abbott;  clarionet  Eb,  Jude 
Clark;  clarionet  Bb,  Ruben  Clark,  Jr.;  clarionet  Bb,  Doctor  Hatfield;  solo  alto, 
Robert  Rae ;  slide  trombone  alto,  P.  N.  Elarth ;  slide  trombone  tenor,  J.  A.  Parks : 
tenor  Bb,  Henry  Sej'mour;  saxophone  Eb,  L.  H.  Dale:  saxophone  Bb,  Frank  Smith; 
double  bell  euphonium,  June  Abbott;  Bb  bass,  Wilson  Tout;  Eb  liass,  4  valve, 
A.  L.  Gray;  Eb  contra  bass,  Elgin  Klinck;  bass  drum,  H.  C.  Waldrip;  side  drum, 
Fred  George. 

Man.  1S03 

The  following  s])ecial  from  Aurora  to  the  State  Journal  will  be  interesting  to 
our  readers: 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Aurora  citizens'  hand  and  the  York  military  it  was  decided 
to  unite  the  two  bands  under  the  name  of  the  Xebraska  State  Military  Band.  The 
following  officers  were  elected  for  the  following  year:  John  S.  Jlusser,  president; 
W.  H.  Dood,  first  vice  president;  L.  H.  Dale,  .secretary;  treasurer,  H.  E.  Metzger; 
leader  and  director,  C.  C.  Campbell.  The  new  band  has  an  instrumentation  of 
thirty-five  pieces  and  the  players  are  all  experts  upon  their  various  instruments. 
The  new  band  will  compare  favorably  with  all  the  professional  liands  of  sister  states 
and  will  be  heard  from  favorably  in  the  near  future. 


The  "Sun,"  York 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  719 

YORK    COUNTRY    CLUB 

In  UtSO  took  place  the  organization  and  successful  development  of  an  enterprise 
which  in  years  to  come  will  stand  out  ]jrominently  in  the  social  side  of  the  com- 
munity's life. 

On  August  20,  1920,  the  fine  new  clubhouse  at  the  York  Country  Club 
will  be  formally  opened.  Workmen  are  busily  engaged  in  putting  on  the  finish- 
ing touches.  The  big  dancing  floor  is  having  the  final  touches  of  the  sanding 
machines  and  tomorrow  it  will  invite  the  feet  of  the  dancers  at  the  opening  ball. 

The  reception  in  the  early  hours  of  the  evening  will  be  open  to  the  general 
public.  All  who  so  desire  are  invited  to  call  and  see  the  clubhouse  and  its  appoint- 
ments. The  ball  will  open  at  9  :30  and  this  is  for  club  members  only,  since  the 
dancing  floor  is  not  large  enough  to  accommodate  all  who  might  wish  to  take 
advantage  of  tlie  opportunity  to  make  the  call  of  inspection. 

Visitors  will  find  a  beautiful  clubhouse  on  the  brow  of  a  hill  which  overlooks 
the  city  from  the  southwest.  The  house  faces  northeast  and  from  its  front  porch 
a  beautiful  view  of  the  city  and  surrounding  country  can  be  obtained.  The  house 
itself  is  a  spacious  building  which  has  cost  nearly  $15,000  to  Iniild  and  equip.  The 
main  floor  has  a  reception  room,  ornamented  with  a  great  fireplace,  two  coat 
rooms  and  the  dancing  floor.  The  dancing  hall  is  a  spacious  room  entirely 
surrounded  by  windows  which  will  insure  fine  ventilation  and  a  cool  evening 
atmosphere.  The  location  of  the  house  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  is  s\ich  that  every 
breeze,  no  matter  from  what  quarter,  is  felt  there.  The  porch,  which  runs  the 
whole  length  of  the  front  of  the  building,  is  spacious  and  always  cool  in  the  after- 
noon and  evening. 

The  basement  floor  has  locker  and  dressing  rooms,  a  suite  each  for  men  and 
women,  a  game  room  and  living  quarters  for  the  caretaker.  Water  is  obtained 
from  a  well  and  pressure  is  supplied  by  a  motor  system  and  pressure  tank.  Electric 
service  is  supplied  by  a  special  wire  running  from  the  city.  A  sewerage  system 
takes  care  properly  of  all  waste. 

The  building  itself  is  very  ornate.  It  has  a  shingled  exterior.  The  shingles 
have  been  dipped  in  shingle  stain  and  the  outside  presents  a  very  appi-opriate 
country  club  appearance  in  brown  and  white. 

The  country  club  is  a  place  of  great  interest  this  summer.  Besides  having 
one  of  the  finest  nine-hole  courses  in  this  section,  there  are  two  model  tennis  courts 
which  attract  more  players  each  afternoon  and  evening  than  can  be  accommodated. 
With  the  clubhouse  open  for  social  events  and  for  the  entertainment  of  non-playing 
members  the  club  will  be  still  more  popular  and  the  clubhouse  a  center  of  social 
life  in  the  community. 

The  stockholders  of  the  York  Country  Club  held  their  annual  meeting  on 
Tuesday  evening.  The  principal  item  of  business  was  the  election  of  six  directors, 
five  for  a  term  of  three  years  each,  and  one  to  fill  a  one  year  vacancy.  The  stock- 
holders drafted  these  men  for  the  six  jobs:  W.  A.  Harrison,  Dr.  G.  H.  Yoder, 
L.  E.  Fo.ster,  Dr.  D.  D.  King,  H.  G.  Hopkins  and  C.  A.  McCloud.  The  directors 
met  later  and  chose  officers  for  the  coming  year  as  follows:  W.  A.  Harrison, 
president ;  W.  6.  Boyer,  vice  president ;  Dr.  G.  H.  Yoder,  secretary ;  J.  E.  McCloud, 
treasurer ;  Dr.  W.  P.  Eckles,  sergeant  at  arms.  The  stockholders  took  note  of  the 
fact  that  the  ladies  of  the  club  have  effected  an  organization  for  their  mutual 


720 


HLSTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


pleasure  and  to  stimulate  social  interest.  The  club  members  went  on  record  as 
being  very  much  in  favor  of  extending  encouragement  and  support  to  the  ladies' 
auxiliary.  The  club's  finances  are  in  good  condition.  The  year  V.)2l  looks  from 
this  vantage  ground  as  a  most  successful  one  in  interest  and  prosperity. 

A  number  of  women's  clubs,  musical  and  social  clubs  were  organized  some 
twenty-five  years  ag(j  which  have  played  an  important  part  in  Y'ork's  social  life. 

THE    AVOX    CLUB 

The  Avon  Club  was  founded  on  November  14,  1894.  The  charter  members 
were:  Mesdames  George  Chilcote,  C.  C.  Cobb,  C.  M.  Cowan,  E.  A.  Gilbert,  D.  J. 
Hamilton,  H.  S.  Harrison,  W.  A.  Harrison,  G.  H.  Jerome,  John  S.  Knott,  C.  A. 
McCloud,  John  A.  Pierson.  A.  J.  Ryan,  D.  E.  Sedgwick,  S.  H.  Sedgwick,  T.  E. 
Sedgwick  and  Duncan  Smith. 

As  the  chief  study  for  years  was  the  works  of  Shakespeare  the  club  was  named 
the  Avon.  The  club  was  federated  in  1897  with  Mrs.  Ryan  as  its  first  president. 
During  the  years  of  its  existence  the  members  have  studied  Shakespeare,  Tenny- 
son's Idylls  of  the  King,  Parliamentary  Law,  Current  Events  and  Book  Reviews. 
They  have  also  made  a  systematic  study  of  the  countries  of  Gennany,  France  and 
England  and  the  art  of  all  countries.   . 

The  present  year  is  devoted  to  the  study  of  America.  The  Avon  Club  has 
been  honored  in  having  one  of  its  members.  Miss  Hill,  elected  secretary  of  the 
State  Federation  of  Woman's  Clubs,  and  Mrs.  Stephens  is  at  present  chief  of  the 
Reciprocity  Bureau  of  the  State  Federation. 

The  membershii-i  is  limited  to  twenty  members  and  the  meetings  are  held  on 
the  first  and  third  Wednesdays  of  the  month  from  October  to  May. 

The  members  when  the  club  was  about  si.x  years  old  were: 

Miss   Annie   Beck  Mrs.  Flora  McCloud 

Mrs.  Ida  Bell  Mrs.  Lena  Mead 

Mrs.   Emma   Brown  Mrs.  Lucy  Northup 

Mrs.  Chira  Carscadden  Mrs.  Laura  Post 

Mrs.  Lydia  Clark  .  Mrs.  Lottie  Ryan 

Mrs.   Bertha   Copsey  Mrs.  Clara  Sedgwick 

Mrs.   Maria   Cowan  .  Mrs.  Jennie  Sedgwick 

Mrs.   Etta  Harrison  *  Mrs.  Jennie  Stephens 

Miss  Mary  Hill  Mrs.  May  Wyckoff 

Mrs.  Adelaide  Jerome 

AMATEUR    MUSICAL    CLUB 


This  chill  was  organized  in  1894  under  the  name  of  the  "Dilettante  Club"'  with 


the  following  charter  menibers: 

Miss  Mabel  Cobb 
Mrs.  Maud  Harrison 
Mrs.  Mabel  Jeffery 
Mrs.  Winifred  Kilner 
Mrs.  Clementine  Long 


Mrs.  Floy  MeConaughy 
Mrs.  Lena  Parks 
Miss  Grace  Reynolds 
Mrs.  Jennie  Sedgwick 
Mrs.  Maud  Woods 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  731 

■  The  object  of  the  club  was  to  promote  the  knowledge  and  enjoyment  of  the 
art  of  music. 

That  it  has  not  failed  in  its  object  is  shown  by  the  ever  increasing  interest 
of  its  members,  this,  1902,  lieing  one  of  the  most  successful  years  since  its  organi- 
zation. 

The  plan  of  study  has  been  broad  and  comprehensive,  including  some  of  the 
best  selections  from  the  classic  and  romantic  schools.  Composers  have  been  studied 
chronologically  and  according  to  their  nationality  so  that  members  of  this  club 
feel  that  they  have  at  least  a  bowing  acquaintance  with  the  best  of  them  from 
the  great  Johann  Sebastian  Bach  to  those  of  the  present  day. 

The  study  of  the  Symphony  Suite  and  Danie  Foren  has  been  given  prominence 
in  such  a  way  as  to  enable  the  student  to  understand  and  thoroughly  enjoy  the 
music  of  the  great  symphony  orchestras. 

One  year's  work  included  a  study  of  the  most  popular  of  the  standard  operas. 
Tlie  name  of  this  club  was  changed  in  1897  to  Amateur  Musical  Club. 

Five  open  meetings  and  two  artist's  recitals  have  been  given  during  the  eight 
years  of  its  existence. 

The  personnel  of  the  club  has  changed  greatly  since  its  organization ;  out  of 
the  ten  charter  members  five  still  remain. 

That  music  clubs  are  a  great  educational  factor  in  the  development  of  good 
music  all  over  the  country  cannot  be  questioned.  They  keep  the  singer,  the  pianist 
the  violinist  and  the  teacher  in  touch  with  the  best  that  there  is  in  music,  and 
the  Amateur  Musical  Club  having  had  high  ideals  from  the  beginning  will  say 
that  "the  great  purpose  of  music  is  to  say  a  thing  that  you  mean  deeply,  in  the 
strongest  and  clearest  possible  way." 

The  stability  of  this  organization's  efforts  and  work  is  indicated  by  the  following 
program  of  its  twenty-fifth  anniversary,  Thursday,  January  30,   1919. 

Program 

Mrs.    Floy   Lawrence   McConaughy Piano-organ 

Mr.  J.  A.  Parks Tenor 

Federated  Ladies'  Quartet. 
Harmonic  Male  Quartet. 

Solfeggietto • Bach 

Nocturne  Number  1 Schumann 

Chant  Polonaise   Chopin-Liszt 

"Snowflakes"' Harmonic  Quartet 

The  Mermaid's  Song Edward  Ba.xter  Perry 

An  Old  Love  Story McDowell 

Hungarian  Etude    McDowell 

Two  Unpublished  Songs:      (a)   "A  Dream  Song";   (b)   "Rain" J.  A.  Parks 

The  Banjo  Picker John  Powell 

The  Juggler Mowzkowski 

Good-night,  Good-night,  Beloved Lohr,  Federated  Quartet 

Dragon-flies James  R.  Gillette 

Toccata Dubois 

Presbyterian  Church,  8  :30,  no  charge. 


722  HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

THE  EEVIEW    AND   ART   CLUB 

This  was  organized  in  1896  with  a  membership  limited  to  eighteen.  The  first 
year's  work  was  the  study  of  art,  reviews  of  new  books  and  Browning.  The  second 
year  the  same  program  was  continued  with  a  study  of  American  art  and  three 
Browning  dramas,  "Colombe's  Birthday,"  "A  Soul's  Tragedy"  and  "Luria."  The 
third  year  the  program  was  a  survey  of  Greek  and  Roman  architecture  and  sculjiture, 
book  reviews  and  Browning — eight  short  poems  and  tliree  dramas. 

In  1899  the  plan  of  study  was  considerably  changed.  p]ach  meeting  was  devoted 
to  a  discussion  of  one  of  the  old  masters,  with  current  events  to  complete  the 
program.  In  1900  the  club  studied  Dutch  and  early  German  art,  English  litera- 
ture of  Queen  Anne's  time,  and  current  events.  At  the  close  of  the  year  tlie 
membership  was  increased  to  twenty-four,  and  a  program  of  foreign  travel  and 
English  and  French  art  was  presented  for  1901  and  1902. 

The  program  for  1902  and  1903  is  foreign  travel  and  Shakespeare.  The  club 
was  to  meet  every  alternate  Saturday  at  the  home  of  one  of  the  members.  The 
study  of  art  continued  year  after  year  was  of  great  interest  and  jjrofit.  The  ladies 
became  familiar  with  the  masterpieces  of  ancient  and  modern  times  and  found 
genuine  delight  in  preparing  papers  and  collecting  pictures.  Every  club  member 
felt  that  while  the  study  of  art  was  pleasurable,  there  was  the  added  satisfaction 
of  constantly  acquiring  tliat  whicli  keeps  her  in  touch  with  other  chili  women  and 
the  rest  of  the  world. 

THE    woman's    club 

The  Woman's  Club  was  organized  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  C.  C.  Cobb,  iSTovember, 
1894.  Its  plan  was  to  be  a  permanent  organization,  not  to  exceed  thirty  members. 
Its  object  was  for  self -improvement,  mutual  help,  sympathy  and  counsel,  and 
united  effort  toward  the  higher  civilization  of  humanity.  The  club  was  composed 
of  committees  representing  these  lines  of  work,  viz.,  home,  education,  art,  litera- 
ture, philanthropy  and  science.  The  underlying  principle  of  the  Woman's  Club 
was  the  acquisition  of  knowledge,  seeking  to  cultivate  on  broad  grounds  the  spirit 
of  unity  and  fellowship,  enlarging  their  sphere  of  action  until  they  include  all 
classes  and  all  lines  of  endeavor.  It  has  been  well  said  the  club  was  maintained, 
not  for  the  sake  of  the  club,  but  for  the  members  composing  it,  and  with  increasing 
knowledge  of  the  needs  will  come  increasing  influence,  which  will  help  to  put  the 
best  within  the  reach  of  all,  and  make  all  better  able  to  decide  what  is  really  the 
best.     Our  Woman's  Club  began  with  the  following  charter  members: 

Mrs.   C.   C.   Cobb  Mrs.  W.  Sanford 

Mrs.  R.  T.  Cross  Mrs.  C.  C.  Boston 

Mrs.  J.  W.  Steward  Mrs.  G.  B.  France 

Mrs.  Anna  Clark  Mrs.  G.  W.  Shreck 

Mrs.  L.  M.  Street  ■                          Mrs.  Josie  Sorrenberger 
Mrs.  M.  J.  Hammond 

Mrs.  C.  C.  Cobb  was  elected  president  during  the  years  of  1894-1897,  with 
Mrs.  G.  B.  France,  Mrs.  W.  D.  Mead  and  Mrs.  Geo.  Shreck  as  secretaries.  Mrs. 
W.  D.  Mead  was  elected  president  during  the  years  1897-1898,  with  Miss  Grace 
Moore  secretary.     Mrs.   Cobb  was  again  elected  president  from   1898-1899,   with 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  723 

Mrs.  Emma  Wellman  secretary.  Mrs.  D.  T.  Moore  was  elected  president  from 
1899-1902,  with  Mrs.  Anna  Clark  and  Mrs.  E.  M.  Worthington  as  recording  secre- 
taries. Mrs.  Cobb,  elected  president  from  1902  to  1903,  with  Mrs.  Worthington 
as  secretary. 

To  indicate  the  stage  of  progress  accomplished  by  the  women's  club  work  in 
York  County,  the  following  few  excerpts  from  press  accounts  late  in  1920  are 
here  appended. 

WOMEN   AT   WORK 

Items  of  Interest  from  York  Women's  Clubs 

The  Home  Economics  Club  in  large  numbers  assembled  at  the  "Y"  for  its 
regular  1 :00  o'clock  hmeheon  Monday.  The  hostesses  were  Mrs.  C.  D.  Pritchard, 
Miss  Olive  Allen,  Mrs.  R.  0.  Bartlett  and  Mrs.  Al  Jess.  The  response  to  roll 
call  on  ''The  Most  Pleasant  Memory  of  Your  Old  Home''  was  interesting  and 
varied  and  often  mirthful.  Mrs.  C.  F.  Gilbert,  club  chorister,  drilled  the  club 
on  a  "Negro  Spiritual"  of  the  upper  south,  "I  Want  to  Be  Ready,  Just  Like  John." 
Mrs.  Lena  Mead  read  a  fine  paper  on  "The  Daughter  in  the  Home"  that  could 
scarcely  be  excelled.  Some  of  the  club  daughters  gave  some  tried  recipes  for 
fig  pudding,  corn  flake  cookies  and  cracked  wheat  breakfast  dish.  The  club  now 
has  ninety-five  members. 

The  Civics  Club  met  in  the  administration  room  of  the  city  library.  The 
meeting  was  opened  by  repeating  the  Lord's  Prayer  in  unison.  Mrs.  J.  W.  Little, 
the  leader,  presided.  Roll  call  was  responded  to  by  a  discussion  of  the  good  and 
bad  influence  of  moving  pictures.  It  was  the  belief  that  our  theater  managers 
would  like  to  give  the  people  the  better  fllms  if  they  would  ask  for  them  and 
that  it  would  have  influence  if  the  managers  were  informed  when  objectionable 
fllms  were  shown.  On  account  of  sickness  in  the  family,  Miss  Bddith  Haggard's 
paper  on  "Visual  Education"  was  read  by  Mrs.  A.  E.  Mead.  The  next  meeting 
will  be  held  December  20th  when  there  will  be  a  double  program.  There  were 
several  new  members  present  and  the  meeting  was  of  interest.  The  new  secretary 
is  Mrs.  Edwin  Miller. 

Dean  C.  E.  Amadon  gave  his  lecture  on  the  "Minuet  and  Other  Forms."  He 
said  consider  a  period  in  music  as  a  sentence.  Put  two  sentences  together  and 
you  have  one  theme  of  a  composition.  Two  themes  of  two  periods  each  put  together 
form  a  movement.  Miss  Eda  Rankin  played  on  the  piano  an  example  from 
Beethoven's  Sonata.  The  first  theme  is  the  chief  theme.  It  is  often  repeated 
then  a  second  theme  played  and  the  first  repeated  again  in  a  movement.  The 
Minuet  is  a  rather  stately  dance  form  not  used  so  much  today.  It  is  more  simple 
than  the  Schertzo  and  starts  with  the  chief  theme.  The  Minuet  from  Haydn's 
Symphony  in  D  was  mentioned  as  an  example.  Professor  Amadon  closed  with  a 
plea  for  patronage  of  the  "All  Stars"  music  course  with  Eddy  Brown  appearing 
as  the  first  number,  November  29th.  Miss  Rankin,  who  has  heard  this  violinist, 
recommended  him  as  even  better  than  Maud  Powell. 

The  Nebraska  Music  Teachers'  Association  is  an  organization  in  its  fifth  year 
and  has  a  membership  of  nearly  seven  hundred,  mostly  drawn  from  the  larger 
cities  of  the  state.  It  stands  for  good  music  and  a  hearty  desire  to  foster  the 
appreciation  of  this  wonderful  universal  language. 


734  HISTORY    OF    YOKR    LOUXTY 

The  music  department  of  the  Y'ork  Woman's  Department  Club  met  last  Friday 
at  the  home  of  Miss  Euby  Loomer  and  the  program  was  in  her  charge.  The  topic 
for  study  was  "Mountain  Music."  "My  Heart's  in  the  Highland"  was  sung 
sweetly  by  Mrs.  Charles  Amadon.  Mrs.  H.  U.  Eoop  sang  "Billy  Boy,"'  a  Kentucky 
folk  song,  with  an  interpretation  worthy  of  a  classic.  Master  Ivan  Caldwell  played 
"The  Gypsies'  Vengeance,''  from  II  'frovatore  by  Veixli  on  the  violin,  his  mother', 
Mrs.  R.  E.  Caldwell  accompanying  him  on  the  piano,  and  Mrs.  Caldwell  sang 
"Song  of  the  Hills,"  by  Carrie  Jacobs  Bond  with  Mrs.  Charles  Fisher  at  the  piano. 

The  Harvard  Woman's  Chili  held  a  rousing  meeting  'November  12th  in  the 
interest  of  the  state  endowment  fund  and  has  gone  about  raising  money  for  the 
fund.  The  interest  on  this  fund,  only,  is  to  be  used  to  purchase  stationery  and  pay 
postage  and  otherwise  finance  the  .state  federation.  Each  club  is  a.sked  to  pledge 
one  dollar  per  member,  although  it  may  pay  a  part  of  it  each  year.  The  Y^ork 
Woman's  Department  has  paid  its  one  hundred  per  cent  pledge  and  is  on  the 
honor  I'oll  and  the  Fourth  District,  up  to  the  present  time,  has  made  the  most 
pledges  of  the  six  districts. 

Woman's  Chih  Notes 

The  first  meeting  of  the  music  department  of  the  Y.  ^\'.  D.  C.  will  be  held  at 
the  home  of  Mrs.  F.  P.  Van  Wickle  Friday,  October  .Stli  at  3  P.  M.  Prof.  C.  H. 
Amadon  will  begin  his  lecture  course  at  this  time.  The  admission  fee  to  members 
for  the  year's  work  is  $1.  Come  prepared  to  get  your  ticket.  There  will  be  a  short 
interesting  musical  program  given  as  a  prelude  to  the  lecture.  The  department  now 
numbers  fifty-five  members.  The  officers  are  Miss  Ruby  Loomer,  leader;  Miss 
Harriett  Read,  vice  leader:  Mrs.  W.  W.  Buckley,  recording  secretary;  Mrs.  H.  E. 
Detrick,  treasurer. 

Mrs.  Charlotte  Jacobs  and  Mrs.  Winifred  Ruwe  have  a  music  studio  at  401 
Lyric  Building,  19th  and  Farn^im  Street,  Omaha.  Mrs.  Jacobs  is  the  paid  soloist  for 
First  Centenary  Congregational  Church,  Omaha.    Dr.  F.  G.  Smith  is  the  pastor. 

The  Nebraska  Federation  issues  quarterly  a  twenty-four  page  bulletin  well  sup- 
ported by  advertisers.  Mrs.  James  T.  Lees,  20]  2  A  Street,  Lincoln,  is  the  editor. 
Members  of  clubs  belonging  to  the  state  federation  receive  the  bulletin  free.  If 
your  name  is  not  on  the  mailing  list  drop  Mrs.  Lees  a  card.  The  bulletin  is  issued 
in  September,  December,  March  and  June.    The  September  bulletin  is  due  now. 

Mrs.  T.  (-i.  Winter  of  Minneapolis,  president  of  the  General  Federation  of 
Women's  Clubs,  will  be  the  Federation's  delegate  to  the  International  Council  of 
Women  which  meets  at  Christiania,  Norway,  this  fall. 

The  state  chairman  for  Ohio  on  the  pre.ss  and  pui)licity  committee  of  the  Gen- 
eral Federation  is  Mrs.  G.  E.  McCormick,  wife  of  the  city  editor  of  the  Marion 
Daily  Star,  Senator  W.  G.  Harding's  newspaper.  She  is  a  trained  newspaper 
woman  ami  sends  club  news  to  eight  leading  Ohio  papers  every  week. 

The  Nebraska  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs  will  hold  its  state  convention  in 
Fremont,  October  26-2!).  The  national  president,  Mrs.  T.  G.  Winter,  will  be  present 
October  28th.    If  you  are  not  a  delegate  plan  to  go  anyway  as  a  visitor. 

Literature  department  furnished  an  excellent  program  for  the  general  club 
meeting  of  the  York  Woman's  Club  Monday  afternoon. 

Miss  Ruth  Keyes,  the  talented  teacher  of  the  Y'ork  College  School  of  Expres- 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY"  725 

sion,  assisted  by  one  of  her  student  boys,  gave  the  play  "Drifted  Apart"  in  a  realistic 
and  sympathetic  manner,  and  followed  with  a  good  two-part  comedy  entitled 
"Courtship  of  Y^esterday  and  Today,"  which  was  very  pleasing.  Mrs.  Eobert 
McConanghy  played  McDowell's  "Hungarian  Etude"  and  responded  to  an  encore 
with  a  waltz  in  E  Minor  by  Chopin.  The  business  session  was  opened  by  singing 
"Let's  Have  Everybody  Neighbors,"  led  by  the  club  chorister,  Mrs.  Charles  Gilbert. 
The  committee  to  award  the  prize  reported  that  the  Home  Economics  Club  had 
brought  fifty-six  new  members  into  the  general  club,  the  Music  department  twenty- 
five  and  the  Art  department  thirteen,  giving  the  prize  of  five  dollars  to  the  Home 
Economics  department.  The  general  club  now  numbers  288  paid  members  and  the 
president,  Mrs.  C.  D.  Pritchard,  hopes  it  may  reach  300  by  anniversary  day,  Febru- 
ary 7th.     At  present  there  are  reasons  to  believe  it  will. 

Mrs.  W.  A.  Harrison,  member  of  the  club  custodial  home  committee,  reported 
visits  to  the  farm  and  said  "to  try  to  do  something  for  the  dwellers  out  there  was 
like  trying  to  make  bricks  without  straw."  She  said  crochet  hooks,  embroidery 
hoops,  yarns  and  materials  were  needed  to  help  the  girls  to  be  useful.  If  we  want 
to  do  anything  for  them  we  must  first  make  them  feel  someone  cares  for  them.  The 
club  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  committee  a  small  sum  of  money  to  be  used  to  make 
Christmas  brighter  by  purchasing  some  of  the  little  things  that  they  need. 

The  Home  Economics  luncheon  was  held  at  6  :30  o'clock  Monday  at  the  "Y"." 
Small  tables  were  used,  prettily  decorated  with  fern  leaves  and  red  ash  berries. 
The  hostesses  who  prepared  and  served  the  luncheon  were  Mrs.  L.  E.  Loonier,  Ruby 
Loonier,  Mrs. E.E.Welch,  Cora  Conaway,  Pearl  Conaway,  Mrs.  Kate  Clark, Mrs. T. P. 
Rose  and  Mrs.  Edwin  Miller.  After  luncheon  some  time  was  spent  in  singing 
rounds  and  roll  call  responded  to  with  favorite  Scripture  texts  which  showed  that 
proper  religious  training  liad  not  been  neglected  in  the  tender  years  of  the  members 
of  the  club. 

Miss  Alice  Florer,  who  has  been  engaged  in  institute  and  school  inspection  work 
for  some  years,  was  present  and  gave  the  club  a  good  talk  from  her  own  experience 
about  special  types  of  schools.  She  mentioned  the  schools  of  Delaware  County, 
Maryland,  as  being  the  best  supervised  and  best  organized  rural  schools  in  the 
United  States.  The  schools  there  are  of  high  type,  high  standard,  have  every  mod- 
ern convenience  and  the  children  stay  in  school.  North  Carolina  has  the  poorest 
schools,  most  inexperienced  teachers  and  pays  the  lowest  salaries.  Minnesota  makes 
the  largest  appropriations.  One  county  has  school  buildings  costing  from  four  to 
eleven  million  dollars.  But  there  is  a  problem  in  our  country,  the  children  are  not 
in  school  as  they  should  be,  five  and  a  half  million  people  do  not  read  nor  write. 
This  makes  them  easily  susceptible  to  the  propaganda  of  unrest  going  about. 
America  is  a  nation  of  si.xth  graders.  A  vast  army  of  children  leave  school  right 
around  the  sixth  grade.  This  is  because  of  lack  of  trained  teachers  and  nervous 
excitement  and  unrest  among  grown-ups,  which  is  passed  on  to  the  children,  causing 
them  to  want  to  work  to  get  money  to  spend  for  picture  shows,  cigarettes,  candy,  etc. 
The  child  that  has  all  the  money  he  wants  to  spend  is  not  going  to  like  school.  We 
are  doing  splendid  work  along  health  lines  in  our  schools,  but  we  are  not  rallying  to 
thrift  lines  as  we  should.  Teachers  and  parents  should  work  together  to  correct 
this  delinquency  and  to  keep  us  a  balanced  and  sane  nation.  After  Miss  Florer's 
talk  Miss  Lurlie  Lee,  dramatic  teacher  for  the  Y^ork  High  School,  gave  two  pleasant 
readings,  "Between  Two  Fires,"  by  Thomas  Daly,  and  "The  Folks  Got  Back,"  by 


726  HISTOIJY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Riley,  and  responded  to  a  hearty  encore  with  Paul  Laurence  Dunhar's  "Angelina 
Johnson." 

The  Music  Club  will  meet  Friday,  December  10th,  at  2  :30  P.  M.,  at  the  home 
of  A'irginia  Clarke,  303  East  Sixth  Street.  The  subject  for  study  will  be  "Fire 
Music."  Sketch  of  Wagner's  "Die  Walkure,"  Mrs.  Lena  Mead;  "Ho-yo-to-ho"  (Die 
Walkure).  Gadski ;  "Brumhilde"s  Battle  Cry"  (Die  Walkure),  Gadski;  "Story  of 
II  Trovatore,"  Yerdi,  Effie  Detrick;  "Let  My  Tears  Iiiiplore  Thee"  (Trovatore), 
Eames,  Gogorza;  piano  duet,  "The  Anvil  Chorus,"  Mrs.  R.  E.  Caldwell,  Mrs.  R.  E. 
Townsend;  "Burn,  Fire,  Burn,"  Neidlinger,  Camp  Fire  Girls. 

At  4  o'clock  Miss  Cora  Conaway  will  lead  the  club  chorus  rehearsal.  These 
rehearsals  are  fine.  All  members  of  the  Music  Club  are  invited  to  take  part  in 
them  and  those  who  have  not  yet  paid  their  dues  are  requested  to  come  and  bring 
them. 

Grcuhaiu    Wumun's  Club 

The  Gresham  Woman's  Club  met  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  William  Hills  October 
31,  11120.  Notwithstanding  the  rain  there  was  a  good  attendance  present.  Plans 
were  made  for  the  sending  of  delegates  to  the  State  Federation  Convention 
which  meets  this  week  from  Thursday  to  Friday.  Mrs.  Ethel  Davidson  was  elected 
delegate  and  Mrs.  Fern  Gudgel,  alternate.  Roll  call  was  responded  to  with  cur- 
rent events.  Among  other  items  of  interest  was  the  fact  that  a  number  of  the 
leading  political  women  of  the  state  have  declared  themselves  for  Arthur  G.  Wray 
of  York  for  governor  of  Nebraska. 

After  the  business  session  a  very  pleasing  number  was  furnished  on  the  Yictrola 
by  the  hostess.  Then  the  study  of  "The  Next  Generation"  was  taken  up.  with 
Mrs.  Mattie  Lindstrom  and  Mrs.  Gertrude  Lanphere  in  charge.  The  next  meeting 
will  be  held  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Fay  Diers  on  the  first  Thursday  in  November  at 
2  P.  M.,  instead  of  2  :30  as  has  been  our  custom.  This  will  be  Shakespeare  day 
and  the  leader  requests  that  all  respond  to  roll  call  by  giving  a  quotation  from 
Shakespeare. 

MrC'ool  Woman's  Club 

The  :McCoo1  Woman's  Club  uu-t  in  regular  session  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  J.  A. 
Giauque  on  Tuesday  afternoon.  September  28th.  The  president,  Mrs.  Nina  Seng, 
presided  at  the  meeting  and  a  large  percentage  of  members  were  present. 

An  especially  honored  guest  of  the  club  was  Mrs.  Slaker  of  Hastings,  Neb.,  state 
president  of  the  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs.  Mrs.  Slaker  gave  a  fine  address, 
which  was  received  by  the  women  with  great  interest  and  feeling. 

The  regular  business  meeting  and  program  followed,  numbers  on  the  program 
being  given  by  Mmes.  Jennie  Philson,  Jean  Saddoris,  and  Sigred  White. 

Refreshments  were  served  by  the  hostess  at  the  close  of  the  meeting. 
Mrs.  Giauque  was  assisted  in  entertaining  by  her  daughter,  Miss  Martha  Giauque, 
and  sister.  Miss  Hathaway. 

YOIiK    Y.    il.    c.    A. 

Feeling  the  need  of  a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  in  York,  some  of  the  citizens  announced  a 
meeting,  and  in  response  to  the  call  a  number  of  men  got  together  and  organized 
an   association,   February   26,   1889. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  727 

At  the  meeting  which  was  held  March  lotli,  the  following  directors  were  elected: 

B.  F.  Farley,  M.  D.,  president  W.  W.  Giffen 

W.  K.  Williams,  vice  president  A.  B.  Codding 

E.  C.  Knight,  recording  secretary  J.  W.  Carpenter 

M.  M.  George,  treasurer  J.  C.  Lenox 
J.  C.  Kilner 

In  June  Edward  A.  Ford  was  engaged  to  act  as  general  secretary  and  served 
until  May  1,  1891,  when  C.  K.  Powell  of  Hastings,  Neb.,  was  employed  and  man- 
aged the  affairs  of  the  association  faithfully  until  January,  1893,  when  Willard 
Mitchell  was  secured  and  conducted  the  work  until  1894,  when  the  active  operations 
of  the  association  ceased.  At  the  time  the  organization  closed  its  rooms  it  was 
perfectly  solvent,  having  money  in  the  bank  and  a  town  lot.  When  the  association 
was  first  organized  the  upper  floor  of  the  building  then  known  as  the  Times  Build- 
ing, but  now  occupied  by  the  York  steam  laundry,  was  rented  and,  after  some 
changes,  was  used  until  about  October  1,  1890,  when  the  rooms  over  the  First 
Xational  Bank  were  leased  and  fitted  up  and  occupied  until  the  work  ceased  in 
1891. 

The  work  of  this  infant  Y.  M.  C.  A.  was  crude  and  limited.  The  inducements 
were  few  and  appealed  to  a  very  small  number,  owing  to  the  small  quarters,  but 
at  that  time  the  best  that  could  be  had.  There  was  very  little  opportunity  to  make 
an  attractive  place  for  young  men.  Many  of  our  early  directors  are  still  residents 
of  the  city.  They  are:  B.  F.  Farley,  M.  D. ;  W.  K.  Williams,  Robert  McConaughy, 
M.  D.;  E.  C.  Knight,  T.  J.  Hatfield,  A.  B.  Codding,  E.  J.  Wightnuui,  E.  A.  Warner, 
L.  Provost,  W.  F.  Reynolds,  M.  1).;  Adam  Seed  and  F.  A.  Hannis. 

Edward  A.  Ford,  the  first  general  secretary,  is  now  laboring  in  Libreville,  Congo 
Francais,  West  Africa,  and  his  missionary  work  there  is  (juite  a  success.  Crayton  K. 
Powell,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Ford,  was  an  able  and  faithful  secretary.  His  work  is 
now  in  Colorado  under  the  Presbyterian  Sunday  School  Missionary  Board.  His 
successor,  Willard  Mitchell,  is  practicing  dentistry  at  Davenport,  Iowa. 

Ira  J.  Beard  became  general  secretary  of  the  association  in  1905,  and  in  1906 
C.  J.  Stauffacher  assumed  this  work.  His  successor  was  J.  W.  Kempton,  who 
remained  with  this  work  for  some  six  or  seven  years,  and  J.  C.  Oliver  succeeded 
him.  The  present  general  secretary,  De  Witt  Lee,  came  to  the  association  almost 
five  years  ago,  in  1916. 

THE  BriLDING  MOVEMENTS 

For  several  years  prior  to  spring  of  1902  it  had  been  in  the  thoughts  of  several 
most  interested  in  the  cause  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  that  York  should  have  an  associa- 
tion of  a  permanent  character  and  substantial  birth,  but  the  time  did  not  seem  to 
be  propitious,  and  all  of  our  conferences  ended  in  talk.  But  at  the  close  of  the 
state  convention  held  in  York,  February  20  to  23,  1902,  the  pastors  and  a  number 
of  the  business  men  held  a  meeting  attended  by  Mr.  Ober  and  State  Secretary 
Bailey,  at  which  time  a  provisional  committee  was  appointed,  which  reported  at  a 
later  date  quite  favorably  on  the  undertaking.  The  committee  met  from  time  to 
time  and  a  quiet  canvass  was  made,  but  interest  seemed  to  lag,  and  a  vote  was 
taken  by  the  committee  the  sense  of  which  was  that  if  the  public  had  no  more 
sympathy  in  the  undertaking  than  the  committee,  our  time  had  not  arrived.     This 


728  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

report  was  made  to  tlie  state  secretan-,  and  did  not  receive  a  favorable  indorsement. 
It  was  concluded  to  let  the  matter  drop  until  the  fall  of  1902,  wdieu  Evangelist 
Williams  was  expected  to  hold  a  union  meeting,  when,  if  it  seemed  favorable,  there 
would  be  a  final  effort  made. 

Therefore,  Sunday  evening,  October  oth,  with  the  assistance  of  Evangelist  Wil- 
liams, the  attempt  was  made,  and  in  about  two  hours  there  was  pledged  $!),C00, 
which,  within  a  few  days,  by  the  co-operation  and  help  of  a  large  volunteer  soliciting 
committee,  was  increased  to  $15,000. 

On  October  (ith  State  Secretary  Bailey  called  a  general  committee  meeting,  and 
with  the  a]ipointment  of  additional  members  to  said  committee  from  the  several 
churches  which  were  not  represented  before,  a  general  committee  was  formed,  which 
including  the  pastors  of  the  several  churches  numbered  twenty-four  members.  Out 
of  this  committee  our  several  committees  were  formed. 

Purchasing  committee  reported  the  selection  of  several  sites,  one  of  which,  cen- 
trally located,  was  approved  of  and  purchased  for  the  sum  of  $3,100. 

The  building  committee  ■  took  immediate  steps  looking  towards  suitable  plans 
and  specifications.  An  office  plan  was  at  last  adopted  and  approved.  This  plan 
contemplated  the  erection  of  a  three-story  and  a  high  basement  building.  Profes- 
sional offices  were  in  the  basement  and  on  the  second  floor.  The  upper  floor  contains 
nineteen  dormitories.  The  main  floor  of  the  building  will  be  the  working  room  of 
the  Y.  M.  ('.  A.  proper. 

LAYING   OF  THE   COKNER-STOXE   OF  THE  Y.   11.    C.   A.   BCILDIXG 

Thursday,  Xovember  5,  was  Y.  M.  C.  A.  day  for  Y'ork,  and  it  marked  a  period 
in  the  history  of  our  city  that  will  mean  much  for  our  young  men  and  boys  of  the 
future  as  well  as  the  present. 

The  committee  having  charge  of  the  affair  had  been  at  work  for  some  time 
trying  to  prepare  a  program  commensurate  with  the  occasion.  Some  of  the  speakers 
were  not  able  to  be  present,  among  whom  were  Hon.  Silas  A.  Holcomb  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  who  sent  a  very  kind  letter  of  regret:  Judge  Sedgwick,  Hon.  W.  .1. 
Bryan,  and  E.  E.  Bennett  of  Lincoln. 

The  out-of-town  guests  were  Gov.  John  H.  Mickey,  who  made  a  brief  address 
from  the  platform  at  the  new  building  and,  with  the  assistance  of  the  contractor, 
put  the  stone  in  place,  which  bears  the  in.-icription  "Y'.  M.  C.  A.,  1903"; 
Rev.  Dr.  .1.  W.  Conley,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Omaha  ;  State  Secretary 
Bailey,  Dr.  Henry  B.  Ward  of  the  State  University,  and  J.  H.  Waterman,  store- 
keeper for  the  B.  &  M.  Railway  at  Lincoln. 

The  serxice  at  the  building  was  short,  and  consisted  of  the  singing  of 
"America"  at  the  opening,  a  brief  prayer  by  Reverend  Harrison,  short  address  by 
the  governor  and  laying  of  the  stone,  singing  "Blest  Be  the  Tie  That  Binds,"  and 
adjournment  to  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Here  the  regular  program  of  the  day  was  carried  out.  Chairman  AV.  D.  Mead,  Jr., 
presided  and  made  a  brief  statement  of  the  work  as  it  had  been  done,  stating,  among 
other  things,  that  more  than  five  hundred  out  of  the  seven  hundred  or  more  pledges 
that  were  made  for  the  building  had  been  honored  and  fifty  per  cent  of  the  money 
pledged  had  already  been  paid  into  the  treasury.  Doctor  Conley  of  Omaha  did  not 
in  the  least  disappoint  the  committee  in  their  expectation.    He  gave  the  clearest  and 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  729 

most  comprehensive  address  of  the  association  work  that  has  ever  been  delivered  in 
our  city.  It  is  to  be  regretted  tliat  every  business  man  in  the  city  did  not  hear  it. 
The  reception  at  Fraternal  Hall  closed  a  day  of  delightful  experiences.  That  gath- 
ering was  only  a  shadowing  of  many  more  that  will  be  held  in  the  spacious  building 
that  is  now  being  erected.  Doctor  McConaughy  presided  very  gracefully.  Secretary 
Bailey  responded  first  and  let  his  vast  fund  of  enthusiasm  loose  upon  the  large 
audience.  Doctor  Ward,  J.  H.  Waterman,  Doctor  Conley,  G.  W.  Shreck,  Governor 
Mickey,  ex-Mayor  Post,  and  others  spoke  briefly.  A  general  good  time  was  enjoyed, 
refreshments  were  served  by  the  young  ladies,  and  all  went  home  feeling  that  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  cause  had  been  ])ushed  a  long  way  forward  in  our  city. 

THE    BUILDING 

Our  building  covers  one  and  one-half  city  lots,  12x45  feet,  and  faces  east.  The 
front  is  built  of  cream  pressed  brick  with  Bedford  gray  stone  trimmings.  It  is 
designed  with  high  basement,  the  first  floor  being  four  and  one-half  feet  above 
grade-line,  thus  aifording  good  light  and  ventilation  for  the  basement  story.  We 
have  two  commercial  front  rooms  with  independent  entrance  from  the  street,  that 
are  commodious  and  attractive,  having  nine-foot  ceilings  and  are  lo.GxlO.G  and 
22x19.6  feet  in  size,  respectively. 

As  seen  in  cut  of  front  elevation,  we  enter  through  a  wide  and  attractive 
entrance,  between  stone  turned  culuinns,  ascending  two  flights  of  easy  steps  of  four 
each.  As  we  pass  through  the  vestibule  we  face  the  public  stairway  leading  to  the 
commercial  or  professional  offices  on  the  second  floor,  which  are  arranged  in  suites 
of  twii  and  three  rooms  each,  about  13xlS.  These  offices  have  their  independent 
lavatories  and  toilet,  and  are  not  connected  with  the  association  rooms  proper. 
Coming  through  the  first  entrance,  we  turn  slightly  to  the  right  passing  the  secre- 
tary's office  into  the  parlor,  13x20  feet.  At  the  rear  of  the  secretary's  office  we  have 
our  director's  office  room,  IT.Sxll  feet. 

Passing  from  the  large  lobby,  we  find  on  our  right  toilet  and  lavatory  for  this 
floor.  Ascending  4i/2  f^et,  we  reach  the  gymnasium,  and  descending  414  feet,  we 
reach  the  natatorium.  The  gymnasium  is  40x60  feet,  IQi/^-foot  ceiling,  wainscoting 
and  ceiling  of  selected  yellow  pine,  with  l)alcony  running  across  the  east  end,  and 
22  feet  along  each  side,  large  enough  to  accommodate  about  one  hundred  spectators. 

The  natatorium  occupies  space  under  the  gymnasium,  being  23x40  feet.  We 
reach  from  this  room  the  shower-bath,  toilet  and  locker  rooms.  We  have  two 
shower-baths,  one  large  and  one  private,  also  tub  baths.  The  bowling  room  can  be 
entered  from  the  locker  room,  or  from  the  hall  leading  from  the  game  room.  The 
bowling  alley  is  full  size,  being  S3  feet  deep,  12  feet  6  inches  wide,  and  about 
eighteen  feet  ceiling,  well  lighted  and  ventilated,  having  a  concrete  floor  under 
the  foundation  joist  on  which  the  alleys  are  placed,  the  object  being  to  secure  steady 
and  fast  runs.     Our  bowling  r,oom  has  l)een  pronounced  an  ideal  one. 

The  second  story,  as  already  shown,  is  taken  up  by  the  five  commercial  offices  in 
front,  and  the  rear  by  the  upper  part  of  the  gymnasium.  In  the  space  between  we 
find  the  junior  rooms  and  ladies'  toilet.  Ascending  to  the  third  floor  nineteen  dor- 
mitories, running  from  10x12  feet  to  12x18  feet,  well  lighted  and  ventilated,  with 
clothes  closet  connecting  with  every  room.  We  have  on  this  floor  convenient  toilet 
accommodations  and  general  lavatory  privileges,  also  janitor's  room. 


730  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

MEMBERS  OF  BUSINESS  MEX's  CLUB  OF  Y.  M.  C.  A. 


Allen,  A.  A. 
Adams,  Prof.  D. 

Frank 
Adams,  L.   B. 
Blum,  Julius 
Bell,  W.  E. 
Burnham,  Frank 
Bennett.  Eev.  A.  G. 
Burnard,  Dr.  W.  L. 
Bremer,  George 
Bell,  J.  M. 
Beaver,  Michael 
Broehl,  Charles 
Bost,  F.  M. 
Bell,  R.  M. 
Bennett,  Frank 
Beardsley,  W.  F. 
Bemis,  Gene 
Baker,  Bert 
Brown,  C.  C. 
Burkett,  E.  C. 
Boslow,  C.  C. 
Cotton,  William 
Childs,  H.  M. 
Childs,  J.  S. 
Clarke,  E.  S. 
Clapper,  John 
Crone,  C.  B. 
Campbell,  M.  T. 
Cline.  Dr.  J.  D. 
Chain.  J.  H. 
Christenson,  John 
Cline,  William 
Callahan,  Dr.  B.  0. 
Chileote,  George 
Chambers,  0.  M. 
Carpenter,  C.  N. 
Davis,   W.  H. 
Detrick,  H.  E. 
DeBord,  G.  E. 
Dean,  N.  A. 
Ege,  E.  M. 
Edwards,  Wray 
Fountain,  R. 
Furman,  W.  R. 
Gilbert,  E.  A. 


Gocke,  Gus 
Gould,  W.  E. 
Grosshans,  H.  F. 
Grosshans,  J.  F. 
GrandstafT,  J.  T. 
Hokleman,  George  H. 
Hannis,  F.  A. 
Hanna,  Dr.  E.  B. 
Haas,  P.  J. 
Hubbell,  A.  C. 
Harrison,  C.  S. 
Helm,  C.  A. 
Holliday.  L.  I. 
Hitchcock.  J.  F. 
Hodapp,  Prof.   E.  P. 
Hannis,  Harold 
Hildabrand.  Charles  P. 
Johnson,  S.  V. 
Johns,  W.  B. 
Johnson,  A.  G. 
Johnson,  Bert  R. 
Jones,  A.  M. 
Johnson,  O.  T. 
Rolling,  C.  H. 
Keckley,  C.  R. 
Kirkpatrick,  W.  L. 
Kilgore,  Dr.  J.   M. 
Kirkpatrick,  M.  H. 
Liggett,  W.  G. 
Loonier,  L.  S. 
Lindsey,  Rev.  R.  S. 
Law-son,  F.  W. 
Little,  J.  W. 
Lancaster,  Dr.  J.  S. 
Lloyd,  J.  :M. 
Linstrom,  C.  0. 
Meeker,  M. 
Martin.  H.  E. 
Meradith,  Dr.  J.  M. 
Maguire,  T.  J. 
Myers,  John  W. 
Mansfield.  8.  E. 
Moyer,  Frank 
Myers,  J.  C. 
Mead,  William  D. 
Metz,  A.  A. 


Moorhouse,  J.  W. 
.McCloud.  J.  R. 
McCloud,  W.  E. 
McConaughy,  Dr.  R. 
Marshall,    Roy 
Myers,  S.  A. 
Marshall,  F.  B. 
Martin,  A.  J. 
Meradith,  Guy 
Mittendorff,  Louis  W. 
Marsh,  Rev.  B.  W. 
Marble,   L.   W. 
Xeill,  Geo.  W. 
Xorthup,  Roy 
Xewcomer,  W.  H. 
Xelson,  E.  B. 
Olson,  John 
Peebles,  M.  M. 
Price,  Alva 
Pfeft'er.  Charles 
Pick,  Joseph 
Provost,  L. 
Post.  G.  W. 
Plumb,  Dr.  J.  N. 
Peterson,  Ingraid 
Post,  Wallace 
Phipps,  S.  V. 
Price,  Harry  W. 
Perry,  Benton 
Peterson,  John 
Pickerel,  Harvey 
Read.  Wade  H. 
Radamacher,  A.  J. 
Roberts,    Ernest 
Ritchey,  Rev.  A.  T. 
Shreek,  Chas.  D. 
Sneller,  D.  C. 
Samuelson,  S.  B. 
Stoner,  Prof.  W.  W. 
Spurlock,  Geo.  M. 
Spurlock,  B. 
Schell,  Rev.  William  E. 
Smith,  Rev.  T.  F.  B. 
Shreek,  George  W. 
Swanson,  M. 
Snyder,  Dr.  Frank 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


731 


Stevens,  A.  W. 
Sandall,  C.  E. 
Shirey,  C.  E. 
Shidler,  Dr.  George  P. 
Schroeder,  F.  W. 
Stroble,  Fred  W. 
Steim,  William  S. 
Thompson,  Arthur 
Trauger,  C.  J. 
Taylor,  J.  E. 
Tinsley,  F.  M. 
Tobkin,  Dr.  J.  H. 


Tilden,  Robert 
Thamer,  C.  G. 
Van  Decar,  H.  R. 
Van  Decar,  H.  B. 
Van  Wickle,  F.  P. 
Van  Wickle,  E. 
Valentine,  F.  E. 
White,  L.  A. 
White,  A.  M. 
Wyekoff,  W.  W. 
Wightman,  E.  J. 
Williams,  E.  W. 


Woods,  E.  B. 
Wildman,  Dr.  B.  C. 
Wray,  Judge  A.  G. 
Weller,  Prof.  J.  A. 
Warner,  C.  H. 
Warner,  E.  A. 
Wildman,  M.  M. 
Wihlman,  Dr.  H.  R. 
Wells,  E.  A. 
Wilson,  J.  R. 
Weaver,  0.  W. 


WOMEN  S   COMMITTEE    DEPARTMENT 

It  has  been  requested  that  the  memljersliip  list  as  well  as  the  luncheon  dates  of 
the  Women's  Committee  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  be  published  in 
the  year  book,  to  which  all  members  say,  "Amen''  and  feel  greatly  honored  in  having 
women  of  this  type  and  character  so  closely  connected  with  the  work  of  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  and  the  Business  Men's  Club.  It  is  an  honor,  indeed,  to  have  a  club  of 
nearly  two  hundred  men  of  all  classes  associated  together  for  the  purpose  of  the 
maintenance  of  a  work  of  this  kind  in  our  city,  and  that  our  conduct  in  the  past  has 
been  such  that  over  one  hundred  of  the  most  prominent  and  influential  women  of 
the  city  are  willing  to  go  on  record  with  helpful  hands,  to  do  the  work  that  we  have 
before  us  in  the  future,  as  tliey  have  been  one  of  the  mainstays  in  the  past,  untiring 
in  their  work,  contributing  liberally  to  the  finances,  as  well  as  serving  the  Business 
Men's  Club  banquets  the  past  year,  and  as  it  will  show  in  the  monthly  banquet  dates 
that  they  are  in  for  it  another  year. 

The  Ladies 

Contributed  by  a  Member 

"And  nature  swears,  the  lovely  dears. 

Her  noblest  work  she  classes,  0 ; 

Her  'prentice  hand  she  tried  on  man 

An'  then  she  made  the  lasses,  0.'' 

— Burns. 
Tile  banquets  of  the  Business  Men's  Club  are  prepared  by  committees  appointed 
from  the  membership  of  the  Women's  Committee  of  the  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Home  cooking 
is  served  in  abundance,  and  no  occasion  arises  for  any  man  remarking  about  the 
pies  mother  used  to  make.  Mother  is  in  evidence  on  every  hand  at  these  banquets. 
York  is  blessed  with  women,  domestic,  good  and  pure,  who  have  the  culinary  art 
reduced  to  a  science  and  who  can  easily  satisfy  the  fastidious  taste  of  the  most 
exacting  epicure.  As  compared  to  the  banquets  prepared  by  these  splendid  home 
cooks,  the  ambrosia  of  the  gods  resembles  common-place  grub.  The  appreciation  of 
the  men  is  shown  by  the  harvest  hand  appetites  they  bring  along  on  banquet  occa- 
sions and  the  way  they  feed.  Xo  use  to  ask  anyone  if  he  enjoyed  the  meal;  his 
action  at  the  table  is  proof  conclusive  "the  way  to  a  nuin's  heart  is  through  his 
stomach." 


Vol.  II— 9 


732 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 


When  all  is  over  at  the  banquet  board,  a  vote  of  thanks  is  extended  to  the  ladies' 
committee.  The  men  depart  with  the  feeling:  "Time's  noblest  offspring  is  the 
last." 

women's  committee  of  the  y.  m.  c.  a. 

Officers 

President Mrs.  J.  H.  Bell 

Vice  president Mrs.  Roy  Northup 

Secretary Mrs.  Wade  Read 

Treasurer Mrs.  W.  W.  Stoner 

Rooms  committee Mrs.  A.  0.  Wyman 


Members 


Mrs.  J.  H.  Bell 
Mrs.  Edwin  Bell 
Mrs.  E.  J.  Wightman 
Mrs.  S.  A.  Myers 
Mrs.  A.  G.  Wray 
Mrs.  F.  P.  Van  Wickle 
Mrs.  Al   White 
Mrs.  ^roin  Maguire 
Sirs.  W.  n.  Mead 
Mrs.  W.  W.  Stoner 
Mrs.  J.  \\.  Kempton 
Mrs.  George   Shreck 
Mrs.  W.  B.  .Johns 
Mrs.  .1.  W.  Ramey 
Mrs.  \V;ide  Read 
Mrs.  W.  L.  Kirkpatrick 
Mrs.  A.  0.  Wyman 
Mrs.  C.  IST.  Carpenter 
Mrs.  B.  F.  Myers 
Mrs.  W.   G.  Liggett 
Mrs.  George  Jerome 
Mrs.  Clarence  Myers 
Mrs.  S.   S.   Varney 
Mrs.  L.  Shoemaker 
Mrs.  John  Lloyd 
Mrs.  L.  A.  White 
Mrs.  Lyda   Chambers 
Mrs.  II.  L.  Vradenburg 
Mrs.  Charles  Gilbert 
Mrs.  E.  A.  Warner 
Mrs.  Dan  Graves 
Mrs.  Tom  Barber 
Mrs.  Anna  Foster 
Mrs.  Sarah  Mnllihan 
Mrs.  G.  W.  Post 


Mrs.  Walter  Baer 
Mrs.  Ida  Behling 
Mrs.  B.  F.  Marshall 
Mrs.  C.  B.  Parris 
Mrs.  Bert  Van  Decar 
Mrs.  N.  F.  Tilden 
Mrs.  Roy  Northup 
Mrs.  Harry  Price 
Mrs.  R.  McConaugliy 
Mrs.   Arthnr   Thompson 
Mrs.  A.  C.  Snyder 
Mrs.  W.  M.  Overstreet 
Mrs.  I.  N.  Noll 
Mrs.  G.  W.  Lundgren 
Mrs.  W.  G.  Boyer 
Mrs.  F.  A.  Hannis 
Mrs.  B.  F.  Farley 
Mrs.  W.  D.  Fisher 
Mrs.  H.  R.  Van  Decar 
Mrs.  E.  B.  Nelson 
Mrs.  P.  J.  Haas 
Mrs.  L.  S.  Loonier 
Mrs.  A.  A.  Metz 
Mrs.  J.  A.  Diffenbacher 
Mrs.  George  Neill 
Mrs.  L.  Provost 
Mrs.  W.  A.  Miller 
Mrs.  S.  C.  Cheney 
Mrs.  George  Chilcote 
Mrs.  C.  B.  Crone 
Mrs.  George  Spnrlock 
Mrs.  S.  E.  Mansfield 
Mrs.     J.  IT.  Cowell 
Mrs.  E.  A.  Wells 
Mrs.  J.  F.  Grosshans 


HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY  733 

Mrs.  L.  M.  Lincoln  Mrs.  E.  Y.  Lawrence 

Mrs.  W.  Thorne  Mrs.   S.  V.  Johnson 

Mrs.  M.  E.  Richardson  Mrs.  J.  W.  Davidson 

Mrs.  Russell  Starkey  Mrs.  Peter  Reimer 

Mrs.  Joe  Pick  Mrs.  J.  A.  Ludwig 

Mrs.  Charles  Moyer  Mrs.  J.  H.  Chain 

Mrs.  Earl  Yost  Mrs.  Alex  Bennett 

Mrs.  J.  C.  McKinley  Mrs.  R.  S.  Lindsey 

Mrs.  J.  M.  Lloyd  Mrs.  R.  A.  White 

Mrs.  George  De  Bord  Mrs.  H.  B.  Hiller 

Mrs.  L.  B.  Adams  Mrs.  T.  F.  B.   Smith 

Mrs.  Julius  Blum  Mrs.  T.   W.  Bonekemper 

Mrs.  Alice  Ewer  Miss  Grace  Moore 

Mrs.  A.  A.  Failing  Miss  M.  A.  Edwards 

Mrs.  A.  J.  Ryan  Miss  Nell  Sovereign 


CHAPTER  XVI 
BANKING  AND  FINANCIAL  INSTITUTIONS 

EARLY  BANKING  IN  YORK  COUNTY — COMMERCIAL  STATE  BANK YORK   COLNTY  BANK 

FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK,  Y'ORK — YORK  NATIONAL  BANK CITIZENS  STATE  BANK — 

MEAD    STATE    BANK FIRST    NATIONAL    POST    REGIME — EXTENSION    OF    ACTIVITIES 

INTO     OTHER     TOWNS MERGER     WITH     FARMERS     NATIONAL     BANK MC     CLOUD 

REGIME,    FIRST    NATIONAL CITY    NATIONAL    BANK — GERMAN-AMERICAN    BANK 

FARMERS    STATE    BANK — OTHER    BANKS     IN    THE    COUNTY — CONDITION    OF    YORK 
COUNTY   BANKS,    1917-1920. 

EAELY  BANKING  IX  YORK  COUNTY 

The  first  bank  in  York  County,  a  scalping  concern,  was  establislied  in  York  in 
1875  by  William  McWhirter.  The  laws  governing  banks  were  very  lax  in  those 
days,  and  no  one  ever  knew  wliat  the  capital  stock  of  the  bank  was,  but  it  is  thought 
by  H.  C.  Kleinschmidt,  who  was  employed  as  clerk  in  the  bank,  that  Mr.  McWhir- 
ter had  about  $1,500  invested  in  the  banking  business.  There  were  no  bank  exam- 
iners in  those  days,  and  no  law  against  usury,  and  one  of  the  rules  of  the  bank  was 
not  to  buy  any  paper  unless  it  was  gilt-edged,  ami  not  to  pay  more  than  iifty  cents 
on  the  dollar  for  good  notes,  and  to  pay  forty-five  cents  on  the  dollar  for  county 
warrants,  and  charge  three  to  five  per  cent  a  month  for  the  choicest  loans. 

The  first  bank  ledger  in  York  County  was  opened  by  William  McWhirter  Jan- 
uary 1,  1877.    The  book  was  six  by  seven  inches  and  one-fourth  of  an  inch  thick. 

The  original  book  can  now  be  seen  at  the  First  National  Bank. 

It  seems  from  reliable  information  that  Mr.  McWhirter  had  been  doing  a  private 
brokerage  business  for  some  time,  but  in  1877  he  procured  a  little  room  on  the  west 
side  of  the  square  and  started  York  County's  first  bank. 

The  first  month's  business  shows  the  following  list  of  depositors :  L.  J.  Gandy, 
county  treasurer;  F.  M.  Ross,  L.  J.  Gandy,  F.  O.  Bell,  C.  S.  Hesser,  Brahmstead  & 
Kleinschmidt,  F.  J.  Greer,  D.  T.  Moore,  Sayre  &  Thompson,  Aultman  &  Co.,  John 
Bittinger,  Halstead  &  :Multncr,  M.  Sovereign,  E.  H.  Ely,  Mrs.  John  Fero,  A.  C. 
Montgomery,  F.  H.  Gerard,  David  Erb,  G.  W.  Wirt,  and  William  F.  Morrison. 

The  total  of  the  deposits  at  the  end  of  the  first  month  was  $3,186.38.  The  first 
balance  sheet  showed  up  clear  and  plain.     It  never  was  footed  u]). 

It  is  unnecessary  to  say  he  nuide  scads  of  money,  and  when  he  died  in  1879  he 
was  counted  a  rich  man. 

The  banking  business  commenced  by  Mr.  McWhirter  was  continued  after  his 
death  by  D.  E.  Sayre,  who  held  the  agency  for  Union  Pacific  lands,  and  F.  K. 
Atkins,  who  had  prepared  a  set  of  abstract  records  for  York  County.    This  business 

734 


City  National  Bank,  Yokk 


First  National  Bank,  York 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  737 

was  continued  under  the  name  of  Sayre  &  Atkius  until  1880,  wlicn  it  was  incor- 
porated as  the  Commercial  State  Bank. 

THE   COMMERCIAL    STATE   BANK 

This  bank  was  incorporated  under  the  state  laws  October  4,  1881,  to  continue 
twenty  years.  It  succeeded  to  the  general  banking  business  of  Sayre  &  Atkins.  Its 
officers  during  the  first  part  of  its  few  years  of  existence  were:  D.  E.  Sayre,  presi- 
dent; F.  Baldwin,  vice  president:  F.  K.  Atkins,  cashier;  F.  B.  Daggy,  and  F.  0. 
Bell  also  directors  witli  the  aforenamed  officers.  It  was  capitalized  for  $oO,000,  and 
by  1883  had  a  paid-up  capital  of  $33, .500.  A  fine  brick  building  was  built  for  its 
home.  In  February,  1886,  the  Commercial  State  Bank  purchased  the  stock,  charter, 
good  will  and  real  estate  of  the  old  First  National  Bank  and  moved  the  books  and 
papers  of  that  institution  into  its  own  location.  But  while  the  location  of  the  old 
Commercial  State  was  retained,  tlie  amalgamated  institution  took  the  name  of  First 
National,  and  the  separate  identity  of  the  Commercial  State  disappeared.  Shortly 
preceding  its  amalgamation  with  the  First  National,  the  officers  of  this  bank  had 
been:  F.  0.  Bell,  president;  D.  E.  Sayre,  vice  president;  W.  J.  Wildman,  cashier; 
H.  C.  Kleinschmidt,  assistant  cashier,  who  it  will  be  noticed  were  the  corps  of 
officers  who  took  the  helm  after  the  merger. 

YORK    COUNTY    BANK 

Following  the  pioneer  l)anking  venture  of  William  McWhirter,  and  competing 
with  the  Sayre  &  Atkins  banking  firm,  came  the  private  banking  business  of  C.  Lang- 
worthy,  started  in  1877.  Mr.  Langworthy  became  cashier,  along  with  N.  C.  Eogers 
as  president  of  the  York  County  Bank.  This  bank  operated  through  1880  and  1881 
as  the  competitor  of  the  Sayre  &  Atkins  banking  firm,  and  its  successor,  the  Com- 
mercial State  Bank,  and  of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank,  with  E.  W.  Mosher 
as  cashier  and  W.  A.  Mosher  assistant  cashier.  In  1883  Mr.  Langworthy  was  presi- 
dent and  A.  C.  VA^ard  was  cashier.  Mr.  Langworthy  conducted  the  York  County 
Bank  in  connection  with  the  Seward  County  Bank  at  Seward.  In  1881  he  erected 
a  two  story  banking  building,  Six.")!),  on  Lincoln  Avenue  and  Sixth  Street.  Before 
coming  to  York  Mr.  Langworthy  had  been  cashier  of  the  Monticello  National  Bank 
at  Monticello,  Iowa,  and  was  eipiipped  with  fourteen  years  of  experience  in  banking 
work. 

THE    FIRST    NATIONAL    BANK 

As  already  mentioned,  W.  A.  Sharrar  came  from  Lincoln,  Neb.,  in  1879,  and 
opened  a  private  bank  known  as  the  Farmers  Bank,  which  for  some  time  bore 
the  official  title  of  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank.  The  business  grew  to  proportions 
that  led  Mr.  Sharrar  and  business  associates  to  seek  a  larger  field  than  that  of 
the  private  or  small  state  liank,  and  resulted  in  the  organization  of  the  First 
National  Bank,  which  was  chartered  on  April  33,  1882.  It  was  started  out  with 
a  capital  stock  of  $.50,000,  and  the  following  complement  of  officers:  E.  C.  Outealt, 
president;  W.  A.  Sharrar,  vice  president;  E.  C.  Outealt,  C.  W.  Mosher,  E.  W. 
Mosher,  W.  A.  Sharrar,  directors;  and  E.  W.  Mosher,  cashier.  This  centered  the 
banking  activities   of   the   community  into   two   channels — the   Commercial   State, 


'^38  HISTOKY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

succeeding  Sayre  &  Atkins,  and  the  Firrt  National,  conducted  by  the  men  who 
had  promoted  and  built  up  the  old  York  County  Bank  and  the  Farmers  and  Mer- 
chants Bank,  which  now  disappeared  from  the  boards.  No  one  in  York  County 
in  1882  would  have  dared  to  prophesy  that  thirty-five  years  later  there  would  be 
a  bank  in  York  with  a  capital  and  surplus  of  more  than  $400,000,  and  in  less  than 
forty  years  a  bank  possessing  a  fine  four  story  In-iek  office  building,  one  of  the  most 
palatial  in  the  state.  Yet  that  is  the  record  necomplished  by  the  First  National 
Bank  of  York. 

The  banking  situation  in  York  was  widened  from  two  to  three  competing 
banks  in  a  very  short  time  by  tlie  entrance  of  a  private  banking  business,  which 
became  the  York  Exchange  Bank. 

On  February  U.  1886,  the  stock,  good  will,  charter  and  real  estate  of  the  First 
National  Bank  was  purchased  by  the  Commercial  State  Bank,  which  moved  it  i»to 
the  building  of  the  Commercial  State,  but  retained  the  name  and  identity  of  the 
First  National  for  the  new  concern. 

The  officers  and  directors  of  the  new  bank  became:  F.  0.  Bell,  D.  E.  Sayre, 
H.  C.  Kleinschmidt,  F.  B.  Daggy,  B.  Lombard,  Jr.,  Nelson  C.  Brock,  W.  J.  Wild- 
man  and  E.  M.  Cheney,  directors.  The  officers  were :  F.  0.  Bell,  president ;  D.  E. 
Sayre,  vice  president;  W.  J.  Wildman.  cashier:  H.  C.  Kleinschmidt,  assistant 
ca.shier. 

In  February,  1886,  articles  of  incorporation  were  filed  for  the  York  Savings 
Bank,  designed  to  carry  on  a  general  banking  business  and  also  the  business  of  a 
safe  deposit  and  trust  company.  The  capital  stock  was  placed  at  $100,000  and 
was  very  largely  taken  before  starting  business.  This  concern  occupied  the  building 
vacated  by  the  First  National  when  the  merger  with  the  Commercial  State  was 
made,  and  its  incorporators  were  D.  E.  Sayre,  F.  0.  Bell,  E.  M.  Cheney,  F.  L. 
Mayhew  and  Mrs.  Kate  Harrison,  these  names  presenting  a  somewhat  interlocking 
intereist  with  the  new  First  National  Bank  holdings.  Mr.  H.  C.  Kleinschmidt 
assumed  the  duties  of  cashier  of  the  York  County  Savings  Bank  until  the  resigna- 
tion of  Cashier  W.  J.  Wildman  of  the  First  National  in  December,  188G.  He  then 
took  the  post  in  the  First  National  vacated  by  Mr.  Wildman,  and  E.  M.  Cheney 
took  his  place  with  the  York  County  Savings  Bank  for  a  time.  Mr.  Wildman 
retired  to  remove  to  Marquette,  to  be  associated  with  F.  K.  Atkins  in  real  estate 
and  cattle  interests. 

The  steady  growth  of  the  First  National  during  this  period  is  evidenced  by 
its  statements.  Its  resources  on  March  7,  1881,  under  the  Outcalt-Mosher-Sharrar 
management,  were  $154,705.19.  In  1892  its  statement  showed  resources  of 
$223,477.55. 

In  1893  another  radical  cJiange  occurred  in  the  management  and  owiiership 
of  the  First  National  Bank  when  George  Wallace  Post,  president  of  the  York 
Nalinnal  Bank,  and  his  associates  bought  the  First  National  and  consolidated  the 
two  l)anks. 

THE   YORK    NATIONAL    BANK 

This  bank  was  an  outgrowth  (jf  the  York  Ex-change  Bank,  which  was  started  in 
September,  1882,  as  a  private  bank.  In  April,  1884,  it  was  organized  under  the 
national  laws  as  the  York  National  Bank,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000.  It  soon 
accuinidated    an    undivided    sur))lns   of   $G,000    on    the   credit   side   of   the   ledger. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  739 

Its  ofScers  and  board  of  directors  during  the  next  few  years  were :  President, 
Geo.  W.  Post;  vice  president,  J.  C.  Kingsley;  cashier,  Lee  Love;  assistant  cashier, 
E.  J.  Wightman.  Directors:  G.  W.  Post,  Lee  Love,  Jesse  Love,  J.  C.  Kingsley, 
E.  M.  Cheney  and  W.  L.  White.  The  personnel  of  this  board  needs  no  fulsome 
comment.  G.  W.  Post,  familiarly  known  as  "Judge"  Post,  was  eight  years  district 
judge:  was  connected  with  the  internal  revenue  department  four  years  as  collector, 
and  was  identified  with  the  growth  of  York  from  its  infancy.  Messrs.  Kingsley 
and  Cheney  were  prominent  real  estate  men,  while  Messrs.  Lee  Love,  Jesse  Love 
and  W.  L.  White  were  capitalists  and  bankers,  having  interests  in  several  financial 
institutions  throughout  the  state.  The  York  National  Bank  grew  rapidly,  and  in 
1891  had  resources  of  over  $311,000,  and  before  its  merger  with  the  First  National 
Bank  had  outgrown  its  competitor.  The  personnel  of  the  directorate  and  officers 
had  changed  slightly  before  its  merger  in  1893,  when  it  stood:  G.  W.  Post,  presi- 
dent; W.  K.  Williams,  vice  president;  E.  J.  Wightman,  cashier;  E.  M.  Cheney, 
Lee  Love,  G.  P.  Chessman  and  Jesse  Love  as  the  other  directors. 

E.  J.  Wightman,  known  commonly  as  "Jud,"  was  promoted  liy  the  York 
National  to  cashier  in  March,  1891,  after  four  years  of  faithful  service  as  assistant 
cashier.  Mr.  Wightman,  of  course,  went  to  the  First  National  after  the  merger 
in  1893. 

THE    CITIZENS    STATE    BANK 

In  February,  1886,  still  another  candidate  for  public  favor  in  the  banking  field 
showed  up  in  York,  with  the  organization  of  the  Citizens  State  Bank.  It  started 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000,  and  built  a  new  brick  building  during  the  first  two 
years  of  its  existence.  Its  officers  were :  J.  W.  Barnes,  president,  interested  in 
buying  and  selling  western  land ;  vice  president,  D.  E.  Sedgwick,  one  of  the  pioneer 
physicians  of  York ;  ca.'?hier,  W.  A.  Sharrar,  who  had  been  instrumental  in  the 
founding  and  development  of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank  and  the  First 
National  Bank,  for  its  first  few-  years  of  existence.  C.  A.  McCloud,  destined  to 
play  a  very  important  part  in  later  years  of  York  County  banking  activities,  was 
assistant  cashier,  and  the  other  directors  wore  E.  P.  Warner,  later  assistant  cashier, 
an  old  resident  of  York  and  experienced  operator  in  real  estate  and  loans,  and 
J.  F.  McConaughy,  a  prominent  dry  goods  merchant,  and  later  David  Fisher,  a 
grain  buyer. 

THE   MEAD    STATE   BANK 

Another  banking  venture  started  in  York  in  April,  1888,  when  articles  of 
incorporation  were  filed  for  the  Mead  State  Bank.  An  account  of  the  organization 
of  this  bank  detailed  it  as  follows:  The  capital  stock  is  placed  at  $100,000  with 
an  authorized  capital  of  $500,000.  The  articles  are  signed  by  F.  F.  Mead,  W.  D. 
Mead,  Geo.  H.  Jerome,  S.  H.  Sedgwick,  D.  T.  Moore,  L.  L.  Mcllvain,  J.  V.  Gardner 
and  S.  C.  Grippen.  At  a  meeting  of  the  stockholders  held  on  Tuesday  evening 
the  following  officers  were  elected:  W.  D.  Mead,  president;  F.  F.  Mead,  vice 
president;  S.  H.  Sedgwick,  assistant  vice  president;  S.  C.  Grippen,  cashier;  L.  L. 
Mcllvain,  assistant  cashier.  The  new  concern  starts  out  with  flattering  prospects, 
and  gives  promise  of  becoming  one  of  the  strongest  institutions  in  the  city.  Their 
elegant  new  building  will  be  commenced  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  square  in 
a  few  days,  and  will  be  an  ornament  to  the  city.    The  many  friends  of  Mr.  Gripjien 


740  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

will  be  glad  to  learn  that  he  has  identified  himself  with  the  new  bank,  as  it  insures 
that  he  will  remain  one  of  the  pushing,  enterprising  men  who  are  making  York  a 
great  city. 

Another  account  of  the  status  of  this  bank,  in  1888,  narrated  its  growth  as 
follows : 

The  Mead  State  Bank  succeeded  or  rather  is  an  outgrowth  of  the  Nebraska 
Land  and  Loan  Company  that  had  operated  for  five  years  previous  to  May  1,  1888, 
when  the  present  bank  was  organized  under  the  state  laws  of  Nebraska,  with  a 
paid  up  capital  of  $100,000  and  an  authorized  capital  of  $500,000,  each  subscriber 
being  directly  obligated  to  twice  the  amount  of  stock  held  by  him.  The  bank  is 
vested  with  full  power  to  act  as  trustees,  administrators  or  guardian;  also  to  issue 
debenture  bonds,  which  are  secured  by  real  estate  mortgages,  upon  improved  real 
estate  representing  in  no  case  over  forty  per  cent  of  the  appraised  value  of  the 
jjroperty,  and  deposited  with  the  Title  Guarantee  and  Trust  Company,  Chicago,  111., 
whose  capital  is  $1,600,000  and  who  hold  said  mortgages  in  trust  for  the  lawful 
holder  or  holders  of  the  company's  debentures.  The  debenture  bonds  are  issued  in 
series  of  $100,000,  divided  into  $300,  $500  and  $1,000  each,  and  drawing  six  per 
cent  interest  annually,  which  is  paid  semi-annually  at  the  Title  Guarantee  and 
Trust  Company  of  Chicago.  The  Mead  State  Bank,  on  the  day  it  opened  its 
doors,  had  no  deposits  assured,  and  at  the  end  of  thirty  days  issued  the  following 
statement : 

Resources  Liabilities 

Loans   and   discounts $108,353.29  Capital  .«tock    $100,000.00 

Real  estate,  furniture,  etc.       5,064.98  Undivided  profits 1,449.91 

Current  expenses  paid 219.30  Insurance    32.36 

Due  from  other  banks 17,442.25  Deposits 36,648.00 

Cash  on  hand 7,050.48  

Total   $138,130.30 

Total    $138,130.30 

And  still  thirty  days  later,  and  sixty  days  from  date  of  its  organization,  the 
totals  are  swelled  to  $150,839.96.  To  practical  financiers  those  statements  duly 
attested  speak  volumes  on  the  manner  in  which  the  management  is  handled.  The 
elegant  new  structure  of  Warrensburg  blue  sandstone  that  is  being  built  for  the 
bank's  quarters  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  square  will,  when  finished,  be  the 
costliest  and  best  equipped  l)ank  in  this  section  of  the  country.  The  furnishings 
will  be  of  antique  oak,  plate  glass  and  brass  finishings;  it  will  be  heated  liy  steam 
and  lighted  by  incandescent  lights;  one  of  the  latest  improved  Herring  double 
burglar  proof  safes  will  be  used  for  cash  and  paper  valuables.  The  officers  and 
directors  of  the  bank  are  as  follows:  W.  D.  Mead,  ])resident;  F.  F.  Mead,  first 
vice  president;  S.  H.  Sedgwick,  second  vice  president;  S.  C.  Grippen,  cashier; 
L.  L.  McUvain,  assistant  cashier;  directors,  F.  F.  Mead,  S.  C.  Grippen,  W.  H. 
Brevoort.  L.  L.  Mcllvain  and  I.  H.  Sheeks. 

\\".  It.  ^fead,  the  president,  came  to  York  ten  years  ago  and  opened  a  broker's 
oflice.  Ill  1882  he  took  in  as  a  partner  his  son,  F.  F.  Mead,  who  is  now  first  vice 
president.  In  1885  they  organized  the  Neliraska  Land  and  Loan  Company,  which 
was  succeeded  by  the  present  organization. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  741 

Mr.  Sedgwick,  second  vice  president,  is  an  attorney  of  York,  and  from  his 
standing  in  liis  profession  and  reputation  throughout  the  state  needs  no  fulsome 
comment. 

Mr.  Grippen,  the  cashier,  was  for  years  identified  witli  the  hardware  Ijusiness, 
and  has  a  very  extensive  acquaintance  with  the  farmer  and  agriculturalist  throughout 
this  section. 

Mr.  Mcllvain  was  formerly  a  bookkeeper  in  the  land  and  loan  office,  and  later 
assistant  cashier  of  the  Tamora  State  Bank,  until  this  bank  was  organized,  when  he 
accepted  the  present  position. 

The  new  building,  a  cut  of  which  appears  on  the  opposite  page,  is  31.x6(),  three 
stories,  and  will  cost  when  furnished  and  completed  $15,000.  Mendelsohn,  Fisher 
and  Lowrie  of  Omaha  are  the  architects :  the  floor  will  be  tile  and  windows  of 
plate  glass  with  cathedral  transoms. 

While  this  bank  is  organized  under  the  state  laws  of  Xebraska  to  do  a  general 
banking  business,  it  also  deals  in  municipal,  county  and  school  bonds  and  makes 
first  mortgage  real  estate  loans  a  specialty. 

Another  bank  which  flourished  in  the  late  nineties  was  the  Nebraska  X'ational 
of  York.  Earnest  Davis  was  president  for  a  time,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  T.  B. 
Clawson,  then  cashier  of  the  State  Bank  of  Lushton.  This  bank  met  difficulties  in 
the  summer  of  1897  and  disappeared  from  the  banking  roster  of  the  county. 

THE    I'IRST    NATIOXAL    BANK — POST    REGIME 

During  the  period  between  October,  1893,  when  George  W.  Post  and  his  asso- 
ciates took  the  management  of  the  First  National  Bank,  until  August,  1912,  when 
Judge  Post  retired,  the  First  National  Bank  showed  a  remarkable  growth.  During 
this  [jeriod  Judge  George  W.  Post  served  as  president  and  E.  J.  Wightman  as 
cashier  of  this  bank.  Cashier  Wightman  w'as  vice  president  a  portion  of  this  time. 
August  Zimnicrer  was  assistant  cashier  during  most  of  this  period.  By  190^' 
this  bank  bad  reached  a  point  where  its  statement  of  resources  showed 
$.S1."'),47S.97;  iu  May,  1905,  this  had  reached  .$981,188.01,  and  in  December, 
1907,  had  passed  the  million  mark,  being  $1,021,237.32,  and  the  deposits  were  over 
$700,000.  Before  1916  the  deposits  had  passed  the  million  dollar  mark.  The 
directors  who  served  with  the  above  named  officers  through  most  of  this  period 
were  G.  P.  Chessman,  N.  A.  Dean,  George  W.  Neill,  T.  W.  Smith  and  George 
M.  Spurlock. 

Eaieiision  of  Activities 

During  the  regime  of  Judge  Post  and  his  associates  at  the  helm  of  the  First 
National  Bank,  they  became  associated  with  a  number  of  other  banks  in  York 
County.  This  tended  fn  build  up  a  cohesive  system  and  made  lioth  the  banks 
in  these  other  towns  and  the  bank  at  York  that  much  stronger.  During  tlie  regime 
of  Judge  Post  he  and  his  associates  formed  the  First  Trust  Company  in  1911. 
Before  he  came  to  the  First  National  and  during  his  connection  with  the  old  York 
.National,  Judge  Post  had  organized  and  became  president  of  the  Bank  of  Benedict, 
November  27,  1889,  and  continued  as  its  president  until  February  8,  1906,  when  that 
bank  was  converted  into  the  First  National  Bank  of  Benedict.  In  1910  G.  W.  Post 
was  president,  E.  J.  Wightman,  vice  president,  and  B.  B.  Crownover  was  cashier 
of  that  bank. 


742  HISTOEY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY 

On  May  14,  1897,  Judge  Post  and  his  associates  organized  the  State  Bank  of 
Bradshaw.  He  served  as  president  until  in  1906,  when  this  bank  was  convertetl  into 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Bradshaw,  of  which  new  banl^  he  served  as  president 
until  August,  1912. 

In  1910  the  other  officers  of  this  bank  were:  E.  A.  Wells,  vice  president; 
,T.  F.  Houseman,  cashier;  and  C.  B.  Palmer,  Jr.,  assistant  cashier.  In  1921 
Mr.  Wells  is  still  vice  president  and  C.  B.  Palmer,  Jr.,  has  succeeded  to  the 
cashiership.  But  since  the  change  of  ownership  in  the  First  National  Bank  at 
York,  Charles  A.  MeCloud  has  become  president  of  this  bank. 

In  June,  1889,  Judge  Post  became  president  of  the  Blue  Kiver  Bank  of  McCool 
and  served  as  such  until  Augiist,  1912.  In  1910  T.  AV.  Smith  was  vice  president 
and  Arthur  I.  Moore  was  cashier. 

In  April,  1903,  Judge  Post  bought  a  controlling  interest  in  the  Bank  of  Lushton 
and  served  as  its  vice  president  until  1912.  In  1910  E.  J.  Wightman  was  presi- 
dent and  J.  L.  Ashmore  cashier  of  this  bank.  Judge  Post  w^as  also  president  of 
the  Bank  of  Thayer,  organized  in  1890,  of  which  E.  J.  Wightman  was  vice  presi- 
dent,   Otto  Wutke  cashier,   and   Ambrose   Retzlalf  assistant   cashier. 

In  May,  1885,  Judge  Post  had  liecome  president  of  the  Farmers  and  Traders 
Bank  of  Waco  and  served  continuously  as  its  president  until  August,  1912. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  when  Judge  Post  and  his  associates  sold  the  First 
National  Bauk  of  York  and  their  holdings  in  banks  at  Benedict,  Bradshaw,  McCool, 
Liishton,  Tliayer  and  AVaco,  they  had  formed  prnftically  a  county-wide  banking 
system. 

Merger  trifh  Farmers  National  Banlc 

In  August,  1905,  another  bank  had  been  organized  in  York,  named  the  Farmers 
National  Bank,  with  a  capital  stock  of  -1550,000.  Charles  A.  McCloud  was  president 
of  this  bank,  C.  A.  Schrandt,  vice  president,  A.  B.  Christian,  cashier,  and  in 
October,  1906,  William  E.  MeCloud  came  from  the  cashiership  of  the  Bank  of 
Lushton  and  took  the  assistant  cashiership  until  his  election  to  the  county  treasurer- 
ship  of  the  county  in  1909. 

But  the  purchase  of  the  First  National  Bank  in  1912  by  the  officers  and  stock- 
holders of  the  Farmers  National  and  the  consolidation  into  the  First  National 
ended  the  separate  career  of  this  bank. 

Upon  the  occasion  of  the  sale  of  interests,  of  Judge  Post  and  his  associates  to 
the  new  owners,  the  management  of  the  First  National  issued  the  following  letter 
of  farewell,  explanation  and  greeting: 

York,  Neb.,  August  6,  1912. 
To  Our   Customers  and   Friends: 

By  the  time  this  letter  reaches  you,  you  will  no  doulit  have  learned  uf  the  change 
in  the  presidency  of  this  bank.  On  account  of  health  conditions  in  his  family, 
Judge  Post  has  sold  his  interest  in  the  bank  to  Charles  A.  McCloud,  George  H. 
Holdeman,  Robert  E.  Copsey,  J.  E.  McCloud,  Mrs.  Hattie  E.  Conway  and  others. 
Mr.  Charles  A.  McCloud  has  been  elected  as  director  and  president  of  the  bank. 

Plans  are  under  way  looking  to  the  consolidation  of  the  Farmers  National  Bank 
with  this  bank,  with  an  increa.sed  capital  and  surplus  sufficient  to  meet  fully  the 
needs  of  the  community. 


HISTOKY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  743 

It  is  a  source  of  deep  regret  to  me,  as  it  is  to  all  of  the  other  officers  and 
directors  of  the  bank,  to  be  compelled  to  sever  the  close  business  relations  of 
many  years  of  service  with  our  retiring  president.  To  Judge  Post  a  large  measure 
of  credit  is  due  for  the  success  of  the  business  in  the  past. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  for  me  to  introduce  our  new  president.  Mr.  McCloud 
has  been  known  to  you  as  one  of  the  successful  business  men  and  bankers  of  Y^ork 
for  the  past  thirty  years  or  more,  and  is  well  known  throughout  the  state  as  one 
of  our  leading  citizens. 

I  bespeak  for  him  your  hearty  support  and  confidence.  The  other  new  stock- 
holders are  also  well  known  to  you  as  successful  and  responsible  business  men 
closely  associated  with  the  business  affairs  of  our  city  and  county.  It  is  gratifying 
to  know  that  none  of  the  stock  of  the  bank  goes  outside  of  York  County.  The  bank 
will  continue  to  be  as  in  the  past,  a  strictly  home  institution.  All  the  stockholders 
of  the  bank  live  in  York  County  except  three,  who  own  forty-five  shares  out  of  a 
total  of  1,000  shares. 

At  the  earnest  request  of  the  new  stockholders  I  am  retaining  my  interest  in 
the  bank  and  will  remain  in  the  same  capacity  as  heretofore.  The  same  familiar 
line  of  faces  will  greet  you  at  the  counter,  and  the  business  of  the  bank  will  be 
conducted  on  the  same  liberal  yet  conservative  lines  as  in  the  past.  I  sincerely 
hope  that  everyone  of  you  will  remain  loyal  to  the  First  Xatimial  Bank  and  that 
you  will  help  us  in  building  up  an  even  better  and  stronger  institution. 

Thanking  you  very  sincerely  for  many  favors  shown,  I  am. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 

E.  J.  WiGHTJiAN,  Vice  Presiileiif  and  Cashier. 

First  National  Under  McCloud  Regime 

The  period  since  1012  has  brought  but  a  few  changes  in  the  official  directory  of 
the  First  N^ational  Bank.  Prior  to  the  last  sale,  E.  J.  Wightman  was  vice  president 
and  cashier,  and  August  Zimmerer  and  A.  C.  Hubbell  were  assistant  cashiers. 
In  1916  the  officers  were:  C.  A.  McCloud,  president;  E.  R.  Copsey,  vice  presi- 
dent; J.  E.  McCloud,  cashier;  August  Zimmerer,  assistant  cashier;  Mamie 
Wood,  assistant  cashier;  and  H.  E.  Nordlund,  assistant  cashier.  The  officers  in  1!»17 
were:  C.  A.  McCloud,  president;  T.W.Smith,  George  M.Spurlock  and  R.  R.  Copsey, 
vice  presidents;  J.  E.  McCloud,  cashier;  August  Zimmerer.  Allan  C.  Hubbell  and 
Mamie  Wood,  assistant  cashiers;  and  Harry  Xordlund,  auditor.  In  1018  the  officers 
were:  C.  A.  McCloud,  president;  R.  R.  Copsey,  vice  president;  G.  M.  Spurlock, 
vice  president;  T.  W.  Smith,  vice  president;  J.  R.  McCloud,  cashier;  August 
Zimmerer,  assistant  cashier;  Mamie  \Yood,  assistant  cashier;  H.  E.  Nordlund, 
assistant  cashier.  Directors:  George  M.  Spurlock,  E.  A.  Wells,  0.  M.  Moore, 
R.  R.  Copsey,  Geo.  W.  Shreck,  C.  M.  Moyer,  H.  D.  Hall.  L.  S.  Loonier,  J.  R. 
McCloud,  T.  W.  Smith,  A.  W.  Thompson,  Dennis  Meehan,  C.  A.  McCloud. 

The  official  directory  of  this  bank  in  10-20  remained  practically  the  same  as 
that  given  above. 

The  management  of  the  various  banks  in  outside  towns  passed  also  to  the 
McClouds  and  their  associates. 

Of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Benedict,  J.  R.  McCloud  has  for  the  past  few 


744 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


years  been  president,  Harley  Xettleton,  vice  president,  and  B.  B.  Crownover, 
cashier. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Bradshaw  lias  as  president  C.  A.  McCloud,  with 
E.  A.  Wells  remaining  as  vice  president  and  C.  B.  Palmer,  Jr.,  as  cashier. 

Of  the  Bank  of  Lushton,  C.  A.  McCloud  is  president,  R.  R.  Copsey,  vice  presi- 
dent, and  H.  0.   Merserve,  cashier. 

At  McCool  Junction  C.  A.  McCloud  is  president  of  the  Blue  River  Bank, 
with  T.  W.  Smith  remaining  as  vice  president  and  R.  F.  Lord  as  cashier  in  1920. 

The  Bank  of  Thayer:  C.  A.  McCloud  became  president;  R.  R.  Copsey,  vice 
president;  and  Ambrose  Retzlaff,  cashier,  vice  Otto  Wutke,  who  served  for  several 
years  as  easliier. 

C.  A.  McCloud  became  president  of  the  Farmers  and  Traders  Bank  of  Waco, 
T.  J.  Kirby  succeeded  E.  J.  Wightmau  as  vice  president,  and  J.  H.  Fisher,  who 
was  cashier,  remained  with  the  new  management. 

So  with  these  seven  banks,  these  men  so  associated  together  have  built  up  a 
line  of  banks  witli  over  $600,000  capital  and  surplus. 

THE    CITY    XATIOXAL    I5ANK 


Tlie  City  National  Bank  of  York  was  organized  in  1801  and  through  years 
of  steady  growth  has  built  up  a  substantial  banking  institution  in  York,  and  its 
principal  stockholders  and  officers,  co-operating  with  the  capitalists  of  the  other 
towns  of  the  county,  have  somewhat  emulated  the  example  of  the  First  National 
group  and  built  up  a  number  of  contributing  and  co-operating  institutions  through- 
out the  county. 

For  many  years  Harris  M.  Cliilds  was  president  of  this  institution,  D.  S.  Zim- 
merman was  vice  president,  Fred  S.  Bodie,  cashier,  and  L.  W.  Childs,  assistant 
cashier,  and  later  C.  H.  Kolling  became  cashier. 

A  recent  list  of  stockholders  of  the  City  National  Bank,  York  Neb.,  showed 
the  following; 


Andreesen,  Henry 
Brooke,  Richard 
Brown,  E.  E.,  estate 
Brown,  Mrs.  Jennie  E. 
Bell,  J.  M. 
Barber,  Thomas 
Bell,  W.  E. 
Behling,  Mrs.  Ida 
Beaver,  C.  N. 
Baldwin,  F.  H. 
Barr,  James  A. 
Borden,  Mrs.  Louise 
Borden,  F.  L. 
Childs,  Anna  Gertrude 
Craig,  Bess 
Childs,  Harris  M. 
Childs,  L.  W. 


Childs,  J.  S. 
Chessman,  Mrs.  M.  H. 
Cites,  H.  C. 
Dean,  W.  H. 
Dean,  N.  A. 
Doran,  John 
Dean,  E.  J. 
Davis,  LeRoy 
Edmisten,  A.  R. 
Erb,  H.  Q. 
Graves,  Daniel 
Graves,  Mrs.  Martha  H. 
Gill)ert,  Mrs.  Lois  A. 
Green,  L.  P. 
Gunlach,  Mrs.  M.  M. 
Howell,  Mrs.  Rebecca 
Hager,  W.  P. 


Houston,  W.  B. 
Henton,  George 
Hartley,   G.  A. 
Hartley,  Mrs.  Elsie  F. 
Knott,  J.  S. 
Kuns,  D.  C. 
Kolling,  C.  H. 
Kirby,  T.  J. 
Kolling,  C. 
Lloyd,  F.  E. 
McCloud,  Mrs.  Flora  S. 
Mapps,  S.  T. 
Newcomer,  W.  A. 
Prohaska,  A. 
Prohaska,  Joseph 
Peterson,  Alex  J. 
Plumb,  J.  N. 


American  State  Bank,  York 


t*i' 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  747 

Righter,  Mrs.  Harriet  S.  Seng,  W.  W.  Wildman,  M.  M. 

Eeynolds,  W.  F.,  estate  Saddoris,  Ora  Wilcox,  Mrs.  Anna  Z. 

Roberts,  J.  M.  Saddoris,  Nerval  Zimmerman,  D.  S. 

Rea,  M.  Swanson,  N".  B.  Zimmerman,  Mrs.  C. 

Soutliworth,  L.  F.  Williston,  M.  H.  Zimmerman,  J.  and  C. 

Simmons,  Ira  R.  Welhnan,  A.  W.  Zinnnerman,  Mrs.  H.  E. 

In  1916  the  officiate  of  this  bank  was:  H.  M.  Childs,  president;  D.  S.  Zimmer- 
man, vice  president;  J.  M.  Bell,  vice  president;  J.  E.  Hart,  cashier;  B.  Perry 
and  L.  W.  Childs,  assistant  cashiers. 

The  following  tribute  was  paid  to  President  Cliilds  after  his  death  in  1917: 

Harris  M.  Childs,  one  of  York's  bankers  and  one  of  the  county's  foremost 
citizens,  died  at  his  home  at  615  East  Sixth  Street,  Monday  afternoon,  September  10. 
1917.  Mr.  Childs  has  been  ill  for  many  months  and  his  death  was  not  unexpected. 
The  final  services  were  held  Wednesday  afternoon. 

Born  in  Iowa  on  June  31,  18.59,  he  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
state,  and  while  yet  a  boy  began  work  in  his  father's  store.  In  1890  he  came  to 
Nebraska,  locating  at  Sterling  where  he  organized  a  bank.  Successfully  conducting 
the  Sterling  Bank  for  nine  years,  he  disposed  of  his  interests  therein  and  came  to 
York.  He  bought  an  interest  in  the  City  National  Bank  and  became  its  president, 
which  position  he  held  until  his  death.  While  not  a  politician  Mr.  Childs  took  an 
interest  in  public  questions,  and  in  1904  he  was  a  delegate  from  Nebraska  to  the 
repul)lican  national  convention.  He  is  survived  by  his  wife  and  one  son  and  two 
daughters. 

Mr.  Childs  was  a  man  of  charming  personality,  a  level-headed  man  of  business 
and  a  progressive  citizen.  He  took  an  interest  in  civic  affairs  and  gave  liberally 
of  his  time  and  money  to  advance  every  good  cause  brought  to  his  attention.  In  his 
death  the  community  loses  one  who  performed  splendid  service,  and  whose  place 
will  not  easily  be  filled. 

The  officers  in  1920  are:  C!.  N.  Beaver,  president;  J.  M.  Bell  and  D.  S. 
Zimmerman,  vice  presidents;  J.  I.  Moore,  cashier;  and  G.  G.  Stoll  and  J.  E. 
Sheigley,  assistant  cashiers.  J.  E.  Hart  succeeded  H.  M.  Childs,  but  in  1919  was 
appointed  secretary  of  state  banking  board  and  later  secretary  of  department  of 
trade  and  commerce  at  Lincoln.  This  bank  in  1920  has  a  capital  stock  of  $100,000 
and  surplus  of  $128,000. 

The  group  of  capitalists  and  liankers  who  have  managed  the  affairs  of  the  City 
National  Bank  and  built  up  that  institution  have  developed  the  Farmers  State 
Bank  of  Benedict,  which  was  organized  in  1912,  and  for  a  few  years  its  principal 
officers  were:  H.  M.  Childs,  president;  W.  S.  Jeffery,  vice  jDresident,  and  W.  J. 
Sahling,  cashier.  Its  officers  in  1920  are  C.  N.  Beaver,  president;  F.  R.  Waid  and 
W.  S.  JefEers,  vice  presidents,  and  E.  W.  Witten,  cashier. 

As  mentioned  before  J.  E.  Hart,  formerly  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Gresham,  was  connected  with  the  City  National  Bank  at  the  time  he  was  appointed 
in  1918  as  secretary  of  the  State  Banking  Department,  which  position  he  now 
holds  as  secretary  of  finance  in  the  new  civil  code  cabinet.  When  he  removed  to 
Lincoln,  C.  N.  Beaver  became  president  of  the  City  National  Bank. 

The  City  Trust  Company  was  organized  in  1916,  with  H.  M.  Childs  as  presi- 
dent, J.  M.  Bell  as  vice  president,  and  J.  E.  Hart  as  secretary  and  treasurer. 

Vol.  II — 10 


748  HISTOEY    OP   YOEK    COUNTY 

THE    GERM.Wf-AMERICAN   BANK 

111  1905  was  organized  a  bank  wliieli  has  grown  until  it  has  reached  the  second 
rank  in  the  roster  of  York  County  banks.  The  German-American  Bank  was  organ- 
ized with  a  roster  of  officials  some  of  wliom  have  remained  at  its  helm  throughout 
the  remarkable  growth  herein  noted.  Joshua  Cox,  formerly  of  Hampton,  has  been 
and  is  now  president;  James  Forbes,  vice  president;  R.  S.  Carscadden,  casliier.  and 
C.  F.  Stroman,  assistant  cashier.  R.  S.  Carscadden  became  vice  president  before 
1916  and  C.  F.  Stroman,  cashier.  E.  L.  Brott  was  assistant  cashier  in  1918.  In 
1920,  Joshua  Cox  remains  president,  E.  S.  Carscadden,  vice  president;  E.  S.  Law- 
rence, cashier,  and  J.  H.  Krumbach,  assistant  cashier.  H.  W.  Brott  is  a  director 
and  a  vice  president  with  E.  S.  Carscadden,  also  secretary  of  the  American  Trust 
Company.    In  1918  this  bank  changed  its  name  to  American  State  Bank. 

The  following  table  tells  the  story  of  this  bank's  growth : 

Coiirparative  Statement  of  the  Deposits  Each  Year  Since  Its  Organization, 

June  5,  1905 

May  19,  1906 $  89,110.61 

May  25,  1907 131,309.18 

May  14,  1908 142,414.09 

May  22,  1909 204,907.57 

May  11,  1910 225,242.81 

June    1,  1911 239,747.34 

Aug.  31,  1911 270,517.09 

Dec.    5,  1911 292,822.56 

Mar.  16,  1912 328,223.20 

June  14,  1912 335,807.84 

Aug.  16,  1920 770,936.88 

FAEMEIiS   STATE  BAXK 

The  youngest  member  of  the  lianking  institutions  of  York  is  the  Farmers  State 
Bank,  organized  in  1916,  with  John  Doraii,  formerly  of  Burwell,  Neb.,  as  president; 
S.  A.  Myers,  vice  ijresident ;  A.  C.  Hubliell.  cashier,  and  B.  E.  Doran,  assistant 
cashier. 

In  1920,  John  iJoran  remains  as  president,  S.  A.  Myers  and  J.  \V.  Myers  are 
vice  presidents  and  A.  C.  Hubliell,  cashier,  and  the  renuiining  directors  are 
Charles  P.  Hildebrand  and  Jasper  Lawrence. 

The  following  statement  shows  the  growth  enjoyed  by  this  bank: 

August  16,  1920— By  Call  of  the  State  Bureau  of  Banking 
Resources  lAahilities 

Loans  and   Discounts $239,560.16  Capital  Stock $  50,000.00 

Overdrafts  2,340.44  Surplus  and   Profits 6.631.05 

Bonds    13,350.00  Deposits    194,972.44 

Eeveuue    Stamps 73.40  Bills  Payable 40,000.00 

Furniture  and  Fixtures.  .  .        5,300.00  Depositors   (iiiarantec    Fund      1,757.84 

Exi)enses  and  Interest  Paid       2,024.29 
Cash  and  due  from  banks.  .      30,713.04 


$293,361.33  $293,361.33 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  749 

OTHER  BANKS   IN   THE   COUNTY 

Many  of  the  other  banks  in  the  county  have  been  somewhat  covered  in  the  notes 
made  upon  the  historical  development  of  the  respective  towns  of  the  county.  Both 
banks  at  Benedict  and  the  First  National  at  Bradshaw  have  been  lieretofore  covered. 

An  interesting  chapter  of  early  banking  history  of  the  county  was  recited  in  the 
press  of  York,  in  May,  1889,  concerning  the  incorporation  of  the  first  bank  started 
at  Bradshaw: 

"The  Bradshaw  bank,  at  Bradshaw,  has  been  incoriDorated  with  a  capital,  fully 
paid  in,  of  $20,000.  The  incorporators  and  board  of  directors  are  W.  M.  Kerr, 
president;  6.  W.  Kirby,  vice  president;  T.  M.  Shallenberger,  cashier;  John  M. 
Ragan  and  Otto  G.  Smith.  This  bank  will  soon  be  one  of  the  strongest  financial 
institutions  in  the  county.  The  president,  Mr.  Kerr,  is  one  of  the  heavy  capitalists 
of  Hastings,  and  John  M.  Ragan,  of  the  same  place,  is  well  known  to  our  people. 
The  cashier,  T.  M.  Shallenberger,  has  been  engaged  in  the  banking  business  for  the 
past  six  years  at  Bradshaw,  and  by  his  integrity  and  close  attention  to  the  demands 
and  needs  of  his  patrons  has  built  up  a  well  established  and  desirable  class  of  custom. 
Mr.  Shallenberger  enjoys  a  personal  acquaintance  with  nearly  every  man  in  the 
western  portion  of  the  county  and  by  his  genial  and  social  disposition  is  enabled 
to  count  his  friends  by  the  hundred.  The  family  of  the  Shallenbergers  is  one  of  suc- 
cessful business  men.  vSix  brothers  are  now  in  this  state  and  all  are  actively  engaged 
in  the  banking  business.  The  four  older  brothers  read  law  in  their  father's  office 
at  Toulon,  111.,  and  fitted  for  the  practice  of  law.  One  by  one,  they  came  west  and 
to  Bradshaw  and  from  there  branched  out  in  the  banking  business.  The  four  older 
brothers  are  now  cashiers — T.  M.  at  Bradshaw,  Eugene  at  Elwood,  Ashton  at  Alma, 
and  Onslow  at  Imperial.  Percy  is  also  in  the  bank  at  Imperial  as  assistant  and 
Herman  at  Bradshaw,  in  the  same  position.  Eugene  served  during  the  Cleveland 
administration  as  postmaster  at  Bradshaw.  The  Adams  County  Bank  at  Hastings, 
one  of  the  strongest  financial  institutions  at  Hastings,  is  more  or  less  interested  in 
all  of  the  above  banks,  and,  working  together,  they  are  enabled  to  materially  assist 
each  other  at  certain  times.  All  are  strictly  honorable  young  men,  who  are  bound 
to  come  to  the  front  in  the  near  future  as  the  solid  men  of  the  state.  The  incident 
is  a  very  rare  one,  six  brothers,  all  engaged  in  one  line  of  business  and  all  successful 
in  their  business  ventures.  The  Democrat  wishes  this  illustrious  family  continued 
success  in  their  undertakings  and  a  bright  business  career  in  the  rustling  state  of 
their  adoption.  Every  one  of  the  six  is  a  rustler  and  they  must  reap  the  rustler's 
reward." 

For  many  years  Bradshaw  had  only  one  bank.  In  1912  the  Farmers  State 
Bank  of  Bradshaw  was  organized,  with  J.  M.  Cox  as  president,  C.  H.  Bedient,  vice 
president,  and  F.  R.  Belleville  was  cashier  in  1916.  In  1920,  B.  F.  Mincks  is 
president,  C.  H.  Bedient  still  vice  president;  A.  M.  Strunk,  cashier,  and  C.  D. 
Mincks,  assistant  cashier. 

Gresham  has  had  the  First  Xational  Bank  since  1890:  W.  C.  Norton,  president; 
R.  E.  Byers,  vice  president;  S.  C.  Oaks,  cashier;  W.  E.  Norton,  assistant  cashier; 
George  R.  Colton,  Paul  DuUum  and  R.  S.  Hirsch,  directors.  Noah  Clem  later 
became  vice  president  and  then  president,  W.  N.  Hylton  was  vice  president.  J.  E. 
Hart  succeeded  Oaks  as  cashier. 


750  HISTOTIY    OF    YOEK    fOUXTY 

Til  1010  W.  X.  Hylton  was  president,  R.  S.  Hirsch,  vice  president,  J.  E.  Hart, 
cashier,  and  C.  H.  Eyan,  assistant  cashier.  Later,  H.  1.  Hylton  became  cashier,  and 
in  1920  was  vice  president.  E.  B.  Hart  and  H.  E.  Brown  were  assistant  cashiers  in 
191  f),  and  in  1920  H.  E.  Brown  was  cashier  and  J.  E.  Sperry,  assistant  cashier. 
W.  X.  Hylton  was  still  president  in  1920.  C.  E.  Brown,  H.  E.  Brown.  A.  L.  Clem 
and  B.  K.  Sperry  were  directors. 

Gresham  State  Bank  was  organized  in  1910.  Its  first  officers  were:  A.  F. 
Johnson,  president;  J.  T.  Quigley,  vice  president;  W.  B.  Thorp,  cashier.  Board 
of  directors:  W.  M.  Rasp,  D.  W.  Rogers,  Ole  Olsen,  Charles  Xeujahr,  George  Cook, 
J.  T.  Quigley,  Adam  Schmidt,  W.  B.  Thorp,  and  A.  F.  Johnson.  Succeeding  presi- 
dents were  H.  A.  Eyestone  and  S.  A.  Lindstrom.  Succeeding  vice  president  was 
A.  A.  Eklund.  Succeeding  cashiers  have  lieen  George  B.  Cainphell,  S.  R.  Severn; 
and  David  Jung. 

The  present  directors  and  officers  are:  George  Bond,  Charles  Xeujahr,  Herman 
Diers,  Robert  Heineka,  S.  A.  Lindstrom,  A.  A.  Eklund,  David  Jung,  S.  A.  Lind- 
strom, president;  A.  A.  Eklund,  vice  president;  David  Jung,  cashier. 

Statement  of  January  21,  1915,  shows:  Deposits,  -$71,838.57;  loans,  $58,137.46. 
In  1920:     Loans,  $171,801.44;  deposits,  $193,952.90. 

The  banks  of  Henderson  have  been  mentioned  at  length  in  the  notes  on  that 
town.  The  Bank  of  Henderson  was  organized  in  1889  and  for  many  years  G.  W. 
Friesen  has  been  president,  J.  Friesen,  Sr.,  and  A.  J.  Friesen,  vice  presidents,  the 
latter  in  1920  still  being  vice  president;  P.  L.  Friesen,  cashier,  and  P.  P.  Braun, 
assistant  cashier. 

The  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Henderson,  formerly  the  First  Xational  Bank,  was 
organized  in  1902.  Its  early  officers  were  Jacob  I.  Kroeker,  president;  D.  J. 
Kroeker,  vice  president;  J.  J.  Kroeker,  cashier,  who  now  in  1920  is  president; 
A.  Franz,  for  many  years  assistant  cashier.  J.  J.  Goossen  is  the  present  vice 
president  and  B.  E.  Naclitigal,  cashier. 

The  Bank  of  Lushton,  the  Bank  of  Thayer,  the  Blue  River  Bank  at  McCool  and 
the  Farmers  and  Traders  Bank  at  Waco  have  been  discussed  in  connection  with  the 
First  Xational  of  York  group. 

The  Farmers  &  Merchants  Bank  of  McCool  was  organized  in  1904.  In  1910 
E.  R.  Lincoln  was  president,  W.  C.  Smith,  vice  president;  W.  W.  Seng,  cashier,  and 
W.  L.  Seng,  assistant  cashier.  In  1920,  W.  W.  Seng  was  president,  X.  L.  Seng, 
vice  president,  and  W.  L.  Seng,  cashier. 

The  Waco  State  Bank  was  organized  in  191(i  by  II.  M.  Childs,  as  president; 
J.  B.  Erwine,  vice  president,  and  V.  A.  Warfield,  cashier.  In  1920  F.  0.  Steffen 
was  president  and  L.  E.  Cooper,  cashier. 

The  Farmers  &  Traders  Bank  of  Waco  had  been  organized  July  7,  1884,  with 
J.  H.  Sheeks  as  vice  president,  and  then  president.  In  1885  Judge  G.  W.  Post 
became  president.  C.  0.  Wilcox  was  the  first  cashier  and  W.  L.  White  succeeded 
him.  Following  Judge  Post,  the  presidents  of  this  bank  have  been  W.  L.  White, 
E.  J.  Wiglitiiinii.  and  V.  A.  McCloud.  Its  vice  presidents  following  Sheeks  have 
been:  H.  C.  Smith,  T.  J.  Kirby,  E.  J.  Wightman,  and  Henry  Stulir.  Succeeding 
White,  cashiers  have  been  E.  L.  Harris,  D.  W.  Hoyt,  L.  E.  Bickley,  E.  S.  Carscad- 
den,  L.  J.  Wilkins,  and  J.  H.  Fisher,  who  died  in  January,  1921.  'J'lie  directors  in 
1920  were  C.  A.  McCloud,  president;  T.  J.  Kerby,  vice  president;  J.  H.  Fisher, 
cashier;  Robert  Beckord,  and  R.  R.  Copsey. 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  751 

CONDITION  OF  YOEK  COUNTY  BANKS — 1917 

As  a  means  of  couipari.sou  of  the  various  bauks  of  York  C'uunty  with  each  other, 
and  making  a  survey  of  the  banking  field  of  the  county,  a  table  is  hereto  appended 
giving  the  condition  of  tlie  banks  of  the  county  in  1917,  and  another  giving  their 
condition  in  1020.  This  table  somewhat  reflects  the  effect  of  the  agricultural 
mishaps  of  the  county  in  not  showing  a  better  ratio  of  growth  for  these  tliree  years. 

In  Good  Old  Yorh  County 

A  summary  of  the  condition  of  the  national  and  state  banks  and  trust  companies 

of  York  County,  Nebraska,  at  the  time  of  the  last  call.     The  state  banks  under 
date  of  August  21,   1917,  aud   the   national   banks   September   11,   1917,   show  a 

dciKJsit  of   nearly  $7,000,000;   loans   of  more   than  $5,000,000;  cash  on  hand   of 

$2.0(10,000;  total   resources,  $8,000,000;  an  increase  in  the  last  eight  months  of 
nearly  $2,000,000. 

Cash  on 

Banks                         Deposits  Loans                 Hand  Eesources 

First  Nat.  Bank,  York.  .  .$1,781,.394.06  $1,585,631.58  $    -474,993.39  $2,282,528.11 

City  Nat.  Bank.  York 764,187.81  691,834.02        191,783.80  1,087.065.57 

Gernum-Am.  Bank,  York.       911,607.47  602,490.04        273,230.76  895,278.92 

Farmers  State  Bank,  York      146,798.12  156,928.96          35,253.40  200,890.85 

First  State  Savs.  Bk.,  York        98,048.56  110,964.78            5,026.16  116,063.12 

First  Trust  Co.,  York 104,596.87  154,656.52            5,046.50  159,704.02 

City  Trust  Co.,  York 20,081.93  40,000.00            7,369.90  47,391.41 

German  -  American    Trust 

Co.,   York 25,300.00            4,691.05  30,691.05 

First  Nat.  Bank,  Benedict      392,134.27  204,827.29        177,572.63  449,759.37 
Farmers  State  Bank,  Bene- 
dict        124,922.62  90,295.85          48,378.02  144,678.33 

Blue  Eiver  Bank.  McCool      265,335.39  159,658.27        120,328.00  291,471.57 
Farmers   &   Merchants 

Bank,  McCool 152,600.09  125,931.48          41,091.46  172,816.47 

Farmers  &  Traders  Bank, 

Waco    288,305.42  112,035.39        191,329.37  310,524.76 

Waco  State  Bank,  Waco..         89,034.90  71,718.84          34,383.14  107,505.44 
First     National      Bank, 

Gresham    315,593.86  250.274.44        104,254.08  380,585.92 

Gresham     State     Bank, 

Gresham    206,869.69  163,695.14          66,933.25  229,141.93 

Bank  of  Henderson,  Hen- 
derson           287,988.67  254,150.99          59,369.77  316,938.64 

Farmers  State  Bank,  Hen- 
derson           186,732.13  173,968.79          31,042.69  207,095.05 

First  National  Bank.  Brad- 

shaw   298,002.31  163,024.48        171,328.38  368,972.86 

Farmers  State  Bank,  Brad- 

shaw 165,323.38  87,007.75          92,437.27  186,114.88 


752  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Cash  on 

Banks  Deposits  Loans  Hand  Resources 

Bank  of  Thayer,  Thayer. .       117,515.49  45,637.09  77,253.62        126,841.22 

Bank  of  Lushton.  Lushton      165,548.54        106,441.50  67,010.34  182,806.37 

Total    $6,882,615.58  $5,376,473.30  $3,280,105.88  $8,394,865.86 

December  27.  1916 5.122,639.81     4,243,805.06     1,793,008.62     6,690,733.44 

Increase     $1,659,985.77  $1,133,668.14  $    488,097.26  $1,704,132.42 

YORK    COUNTY   BANKS    IN    1920 

A  summary  of  the  condition  of  the  national  and  state  banks  of  York  County, 
Nebraska,  about  July,  1930,  showed  the  following  status: 

Banks                                                     Deposits  Loans  Cash,  Etc. 

First  National  Bank.  York $1,600,000         $1,609,000  $281,000 

City  National  Bank.  York 700,000  625.000  115,000 

American  State  Bank  York 894,000  778,400  203,700 

Farmers  State  Bank,  York 230,000  254,290  35,000 

American  Trust  Co.,  York 4,500  23,000  6.500 

City  Trust  Co.,  York 40,000  60,000  2,000 

First  Trust  Co.,  York 85,000  130,000  13,000 

First  State  Savings  Bank.  York 111.000  124,900  9.320 

Farmers  State  Bank,  Benedict 137,000  118,470  20,790 

First  National  Bank,  Benedict    320,000  295,000  82,000 

Farmers  State  Bank,  Bradshaw 125,000  110.000  30,000 

First  National  Bank,  Bradshaw  210,370  251,640  30,020 

First  National  Bank,  Gresham    289,380  351,150  61,460 

Gresham  State  Bank,  Gresham 174,000  181,000  38,000 

Bank   of  Henderson,   Henderson 285,000  240,000  70,000 

Farmers  State  Bank,  Henderson 190,000  185,000  40,000 

Bank  of  Lushton,  Lushton 143,120  139,.340  21,370 

Blue  River  Bank,  McCool  Junction. ..;....  317,480  309,000  40,000 

Farmers  &  Merchants,  McCool 150,000  125,000  43,000 

Bank  of  Thayer,  Thayer 99.370  85,830  20,520 

Farmers  &  Traders  Bank,  Waco 190,000  169,000  42,000 

Waco   State   Bank,   Waco    140,0iK)  110.000  35,000 

York  County  bankers  took  advantage  of  the  presence  of  the  Liberty  Bond  drive 
managers  in  1918  and  organized  the  York  County  Bankers'  Association.  The  fol- 
lowing officers  of  the  association  were  elected  for  the  first  year:  J.  E.  Hart,  York, 
president;  Jarvis  Yates,  Bradshaw,  vice  president;  E.  S.  Lawrence,  York,  secretary 
and  treasurer. 

The  executive  committee  is  composed  of  B.  B.  Crownover  of  Benedict.  W.  W. 
Seng  of  McCool  and  P.  J.  Frieseu  of  Henderson. 


CHAPTER  XVII 
THE  PEESS  OF  YORK  COUNTY 

THE  LOCAL  NEWSPAPER — THE  EARLY  NEWSPAPERS — THE  REPUBLICAN THE  TRIBUNE 

THE    DEMOCRAT THE    TIMES — THE    NEWS-TIMES THE    NEW    TELLER OTHER 

PAPERS  IN  THE  COUNTY LAZY  MAn's  CORNER WHAt's  IN  A  NAME? — OLD-TIME 

PRESS  RAILERY THE   DAILY   SQUAWKER. 

THE  LOCAL  NEWSPAPER 

No  adequate  historical  review  of  any  subdivision  of  American  government  or 
territory  can  l)e  compiled  without  very  extensive  aid  from  the  newspapers  of  the 
particular  territory.  History  is  formed  from  the  actions  of  the  people  of  the  com- 
munity, day  liy  day,  and  it  falls  to  the  lot  of  the  local  newspaper  to  record  this 
history  as  it  is  developed,  and  to  do  so  wliile  the  facts  and  circumstances  are  fresh 
in  everyone's  minds.  Therefore,  not  only  should  extensive  reference  and  valuable 
reliance  be  placed  upon  the  press  of  York  County,  but  the  following  tribute  can  be 
appropriately  paid  to  that  important  institution  of  the  county's  life  in  opening  this 
chapter.  The  following  is  taken  from  tlie  Union  (N.  Y.)  Newspaper  Dispatch, 
published  therein  in  1920: 

"There  are  three  most  potent  factors  in  the  life,  growth  and  development  of  a 
community.  They  are  the  church,  the  school  and  the  newspaper,  and  this  is  in  the 
order  of  importance. 

"It  is  not  our  purpose  here  to  eulogize. 

''We  will  pass  over  the  first  two  of  these  factors  and  perhaps  treat  of  them  later. 
If  the  churches  were  thrown  out  of  this  community  no  self-respecting  person  could 
stay  here.  With  all  our  material  prosperity  we  would  soon  drop  back  to  conditions 
such  as  ancient  Rome  witnessed.  And  if  the  school  were  discontinued  material 
progress  would  also  stop  and  we  would  sink  beyond  redemption. 

"The  church  is  a  public  institution  and  is  supported  by  voluntary  contributions. 
The  school  is  also  a  public  institution  and  is  supported  by  the  state  through  taxation. 
The  newspaper  is  a  semi-public  institution,  but  receives  no  public  support.  It  has 
to  earn  its  livelihood  through  the  regular  channels  of  competitive  business. 

"It  is  of  the  newspaper  that  we  wish  now  to  speak. 

"If  all  the  newspapers  and  other  periodicals  were  discontinued  today  the  effect 
would  be  somewhat  similar  to  a  mighty  plague  sweeping  over  the  land.  Darkness 
would  creep  in,  the  darkness  of  intellect  as  people  would  remain  in  ignorance  of  the 
happenings  in  localities  only  a  few  miles  distant.  Business  would  slow  down,  and 
telegraph  communication  would  soon  fall  into  disuse  because  no  stimulus  would 
come  from  the  newspapers.  Even  the  post-office  receipts  would  dwindle,  for  much  of 
its  revenue  comes  in  direct  response  to  advertising. 

753 


?54  HISTOl^Y    OF    YOEK    COUXTY 

"The  newspaper  is  the  third  great  agency  in  the  advancement  of  civilization,  yet 
it  is  underestimated  more  often  than  the  first  two.  It  is  too  often  treated  as  merely 
a  hiisiness  proposition.  Few  people  seem  ever  to  get  the  vision  that  tlie  true-hlue 
editor  has  of  using  business  to  advance  the  interests  of  a  whole  community.  The 
preaclier  has  one  job — to  preach  ;  the  teacher  has  one  job — to  teach;  but  the  editor, 
if  he  be  true,  has  a  triple  job,  and  that  is  to  teach  and  preach,  and  hardest  of  all,  and 
with  it  all,  too,  to  meet  his  weekly  payroll,  pay  the  other  costs  of  production,  and  try 
to  get  a  comfortable  living — and  we  all  have  a  right  to  that. 

"Omitting  the  church  and  the  school  we  can  make  claim  witliout  exagg'eration 
that  a  true  newspaper  is  of  more  real  importance,  does  more  good  with  less  money, 
gives  more  for  less  money,  than  any  other  Inisiness  in  a  community.  It  is  true  that 
some  will  point  to  the  large  industries  that  flourish  in  the  community  and  say  that 
those  concerns  with  their  big  payrolls  form  the  life  of  the  community.  This  we 
answer  is  only  apparently  so.  This  appears  to  be  so  from  a  superficial  materialistic 
survey  of  the  field.  But  the  life  is  more  than  the  food  and  clothing.  The  big  indus- 
trial plants  deal  in  wealth  that  is  produced  by  labor,  but  the  newspaper,  besides 
dealing  in  news,  deals  in  bigger  things — thoughts." 

THE    PRESS 

The  story  of  the  press  is  that  of  civilization.  Its  history  is  that  of  the  locality  in 
which  it  is  situated.  It  is  the  antiquarian,  the  historian,  and  the  prophet.  It  makes 
or  uunuikes  parties ;  establishes  or  destroys  reputations ;  perpetuates,  or  by  its  sin  of 
omission,  allows  to  perish,  the  records  of  the  day.  What,  then,  can  be  more  interest- 
ing than  a  history  of  the  press  itself — a  history  of  histories?  And  when,  as  is  the 
case  with  the  newspaper  press  of  Y'ork  County,  this  history  extends  back  to  a  period 
almost  preceding  the  civilization  of  the  locality;  when  it  almost  antedates  the  days 
of  the  generation  and  touches  upon  the  lives  and  actions  of  those  who  established  the 
community,  their  social  doings  and  business  pursuits,  then  is  it  necessarily  of  a 
historical  interest,  second  to  nothing  which  can  be  written.  It  is  to  be  regretted 
that  space  will  not  permit  of  a  more  extended  collation  of  extracts,  toitching  upon 
the  origin  or  the  foundation  of  the  things  that  exist  today,  the  objection  to  such  a 
presentation  being  that  it  would  necessarily  involve  repetition  of  much  of  the  early 
history  of  the  city  and  county  treated  of  in  possibly  a  more  appropriate  place. 

THE  EABLT   XEWSPAPEHS 

The  I'epublican.  a  very  detailed  historical  review  of  which  immediately  follows 
this  opening  paragraph,  is  the  oldest  of  the  present  newspapers  of  Y'ork  County. 
But  it  was  preceded  by  a  couple  of  newspaper  ventures.  In  May,  1872,  F.  H. 
White  started  the  Y^ork  Monitor,  which  he  conducted  until  the  fall  of  1873,  when 
he  transferred  the  plant  to  E.  F.  Chittenden.  Mr.  Chittenden  immediately  changed 
the  name  of  his  enterprise  to  the  Y'ork  Eecord.  In  April,  1875,  Messrs.  Morgan  and 
Ross  took  over  the  newspajjcr  venture  and  issued  one  number,  when  they  sold  their 
interest  to  Messrs.  Scott  and  Miller.  These  gentlemen  named  their  newspaper  issues 
the  Sentinel,  and  after  six  months'  participation,  Mr.  Miller  sold  his  share  to  F.  H. 
Gerard  and  the  firm  became  Scott  &  Gerard.  In  a  short  time  Mr.  Gerard  became 
the  sole  proprietor.     In  April,  1876,  Messrs.  Morgan  and  Ross  purchased  the  plant 


r*i.lETY     STORe. 


I  ■■ 


TTTETWfvMOMTOE. 


M  O  N  I  T  0  H 


voijK  COUNT \  ni:('(>ui). 


t::;AP  CASH  ';ruBt 


^,_,^,,. 
--"-l-^. 


^m. 


......J,t-J5y„^^«; 


£'iV::,-3|| 


f 


.....  -..r 

■— ■• 

-  ■■■'■■■  — 

—  ™r.- 

„ 

„;,_.,* 

_   n-.   .. 

■-. 

51. 

f«;r» 

«.■       ji^v. 

'-"-cl 

i 


HISTOKY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  757 

and  chauged  the  name  to  the  York  Eepublican.  These  changes  are  reviewed  and 
noted  in  somewhat  more  detail,  and  carried  forward  in  the  following  historical 
review  of  the  Eepublican. 

Upon  the  fortieth  anniversary  of  its  birth,  the  editor  of  the  York  Eepublican 
issued  an  elaborate  birthday  edition,  wherein  he  not  only  reviewed  the  history  of 
the  paper  but  secured  numerous  reminiscences  of  "old  timers"  and  those  who  had 
played  a  part  in  the  "younger  days  of  York"  in  making  the  wheels  go  around.  The 
following  historical  review  of  the  early  days  of  the  Eepulilican,  published  upon 
April  28,  1916,  serves  as  a  very  effective  method  of  reviewing  the  beginnings  of  the 
press  in  York  County: 

''On  April  28,  1876,  at  the  suggestion  of  W.  B.  Cummins,  at  that  time  county 
judge,  W.  E.  Morgan,  a  homesteader  living  three  miles  east  of  the  county  seat, 
bought  the  Sentinel  of  E.  H.  Gerard,  rechristened  it  the  Eepublican  and  sent  out 
volume  one,  nimiber  one  of  the  new  newspaper.  Its  home  was  in  the  old  B.  &  M. 
land  office,  built  for  F.  A.  Bidwell,  on  the  west  side  of  the  square.  The  building 
outside  was  as  meager  as  those  pioneer  days  would  suggest — a  Washington  hand 
press  (Armstrong)  and  a  job  press  of  equally  ancient  pattern  and  a  case  of  type  to 
match.  Some  time  in  the  spring  and  winter  of  1878,  or  the  spring  of  1873, 
Mr.  Whitehead  started  the  Monitor,  in  Bell  Brothers"  store,  on  the  site  now  occupied 
by  Mr.  Hannis.  It  lasted  but  a  short  time,  but  it  was  good  while  it  lasted.  Then 
E.  F.  Chittenden  put  out  the  Advocate  on  the  south  side  of  the  square,  and  was 
followed  by  the  Sentinel.  One  of  the  first  steps  taken  was  to  go  to  the  William 
Dayton  fai-ni  across  the  Blue  Eiver  to  take  Elmer  away  from  the  plow  and  start 
him  in  this  reorganized  print  shop  to  run  the  mechanical  end  of  the  paper.  Then 
Frank  M.  Eoss,  another  homesteader  southwest  of  town,  became  a  partner,  but 
remained  only  a  few  mouths.  Then  Lee  Love,  who  was  elected  to  the  Legislature 
that  fall,  took  a  half  interest  in  the  venture. 

"The  next  winter  the  first  petition  for  local  option  on  the  saloon  question  was 
worked  off  on  the  ancient  'jobber'  and  scattered  among  the  church  people  of  the 
various  denominations  of  the  state  and  sent  out  to  the  honorable  lawmakers  and 
made  the  first  strong  temperance  impression  on  .tliat  august  body. 

"The  office  did  the  work  at  its  own  expens^,  paying  the  postage  for  distribu- 
tion. A.  1j.  McClelland  became  part  of  the  mechanical  force  of  the  office.  Later 
on,  the  plant  was  moved  to  the  south  side  of  Sixth  Street,  across  the  alley  w'est  of 
the  First  National  Bank.  Lee  Love  later  sold  his  interest  in  the  paper  to  E.  E. 
Post,  a  brother  of  Judges  A.  M.  and  G.  W.  Post.  Another  move  was  made  to  the 
building  on  the  street  west  of  Lincoln  Avenue,  between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets. 
Still  another  move  placed  it  in  the  east  room,  under  the  old  city  hall  on  Sixth 
Street.  Here  Mr.  Post  thought  he  had  a  more  attractive  business  opened  at  St.  Paul, 
so  severed  his  connection  with  the  Eepublican  and  sold  his  half  to  A.  L.  McClelland 
and  W.  E.  Dayton,  who  had  hitherto  been  in  charge  of  the  printing  part  of  the 
business.  After  the  strain  of  his  hard  work  and  the  struggle  to  pay  for  his  holding 
in  the  plant  was  about  accomplished,  Mr.  McClelland"s  health  failed  and  he  was 
compelled  to  leave  the  paper,  and  lived  but  a  short  time.  Mr.  Dayton  bought 
Mr.  McClelland's  share  in  the  fall  of  1888,  and  W.  E.  Morgan  sold  his  interest  to 
M.  C.  Frank,  who  in  turn  sold  his  portion  to  Mr.  Dayton,  who  had  been  one  of  the 
pioneer  printers  of  the  state  and  who  was  one  of  the  mainstays  of  the  Eepublican 


758  HISTORY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY 

for  over  thirty  years,  until  the  grim  destroyer  put  a  sudden  stop  to  his  honorahle 
career. 

"AYlicn  the  pajier  was  ilrst  issued  Fairmont  was  the  nearest  railroad  station. 
The  county  seat  had  only  two  or  three  hundred  inhabitants.  Now  it  is  second  to 
none  of  its  size  in  the  state,  or  any  state,  in  nuji'al,  social  or  business  characteristics. 
While  these  changes  were  being  wrought  out  the  Republican  has  been  a  leader  in 
reaching  for  higher  ideals  in  all  lines  of  activity. 

"It  might  not  be  out  of  place  to  relate  that  the  next  month  after  the  paper  was 
first  issued  the  Board  of  Commissioners  had  decided  to  license  a  li(pior  saloon  at 
their  next  meeting.  The  editor  and  a  few  kindred  spirits  concluded  to  meet  with 
the  board  and  protest  against  the  issuance  of  a  permit  to  put  a  saloon  in  the 
county.  At  the  outset  of  that  meeting  it  was  ascertained  that  the  county  officers 
had  nuule  up  their  minds  that  the  protest  was  useless.  The  protestants,  however, 
insisted  that  the  price  of  the  license  he  fixed  at  the  highest  legal  limit,  that  being 
$5,000  for  the  license  and  $4,000  for  the  bond.  The  l>oard  granted  this  concession, 
but  the  applicant  for  the  license  thought  that  six  months  was  too  short  a  time  for 
his  fi'rst  trial.  So  next  November  it  will  be  forty  years  since  the  City  of  Y'ork 
proper  has  had  a  licensed  saloon. 

"W.  E.  Morgan, 
"Grceh'ij.  Colo." 

Following  the  above  reminiscent  letter  of  Mr.  Morgan,  the  artick'  of  April  28, 
1916,  continues  with  the  historical  development  of  tliis  enterprise  and  numerous 
other  contrilnitions  and  excerpts  recalling  "old  times." 

THE  REPUBLICAN 

"For  forty  years  the  Republican  has  been  an  institution  of  Y^ork  and  Y'ork 
County.  When  it  started  in  1876,  Y'ork  was  a  struggling  village  with  a  population 
of  a  couple  of  hundred.  It  was  seventeen  miles  to  the  nearest  railroad  and  the 
Blue  River  lay  between.  The  first  efforts  to  establish  a  paper  here  were  successive 
failures,  and  the  Republican  was  the  third  attempt.  Rev.  W.  E.  Morgan  and 
Frank  Ross  were  the  first  to  give  it  strength.  Mr.  Morgan  was  a  pioneer  Methodist 
minister,  a  man  with  high  ideals  and  earnest  desire  to  do  some  good  in  the  world. 
He  was  soon  succeeded  by  Morgan  and  Love.  Mr.  Love  retired  in  a  few  years,  and 
two  young  men  who  had  been  employed  in  the  office  were  made  partners,  and  subse- 
quently the  business  became  Morgan,  McClelland  &  Dayton.  Later  Mr.  Morgan 
retired  from  the  business,  which  was  carried  forward  l)y  McClelland  &  Dayton  until 
the  death  of  Mr.  McClelland,  when  W.  E.  Dayton  became  the  sole  proprietor  and 
publisher.  Later,  M.  C.  Frank  purchased  an  interest  in  the  paper  and  became 
editor.  Dayton  &  Frank  continued  together  for  a  few  years,  when  Mr.  Frank  sold 
his  interest  to  Mr.  Dayton,  who  became  the  sole  owner,  and  remained  so  until  his 
death. 

"For  a  short  time  (I.  \V.  licniis  edited  the  [laper  prior  to  the  death  of  Mr.  Dayton, 
and  for  some  time  after  his  death,  the  estate  of  W.  E.  Dayton.  T.  E.  Sedgwick  and 
J.  D.  Field  purchased  the  Republican  about  four  years  ago  (1912)  and  consolidated 
it  with  the  Daily  and  Semi-Weekly  Times,  with  Mr.  Sedgwick  as  its  editor.  About 
a  vear  later,  Mr.  Fields  took  the  Daily  Times  and  moved  out,  leaving  IMr.  Sedgwick 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  759 

with  the  Repiihlican,  and  since  tlien  the  entire  enterprise  has  l)een  purchased  by 
him,  and  lie  is  tiie  sole  owner,  with  the  exception  of  one  share  which  is  owned  by 
Miss  Phila  Sedgwick,  who  is  associate  editor." 

In  September,  1917,  J.  6.  Alden,  who  had  been  a  successful  newspaper  man  at 
Aurora,  and  from  neighborhood  experience  was  fairly  well  acquainted  with  the  sit- 
uation in  York,  purchased  the  Republican  from  T.  E.  Sedgwick,  and  for  the  past 
four  years  or  more  has  conducted  the  paper  in  a  modern,  up-to-date  manner  that 
has  added  to  its  splendid  record. 

"From  a  village  of  a  couple  of  hundred  wlien  the  Republican  was  born,  York 
has  grown  to  be  a  city  of  six  thousand,  with  all  of  the  public  improvements  and 
evidences  of  wealtli  that  go  to  make  a  metropolis.  The  success  of  the  Republican 
has  grown  with  the  growth  of  the  community.  As  the  wild,  wind-swept  prairie  has 
become  a  garden,  the  bleak  plains  became  fields  of  growing  grass;  as  the  beautiful 
rural  homes  have  displaced  the  .soddy  and  the  dugout,  the  Republican  has  found  its 
way  into  three-fourths  of  all  farm  homes  in  York  County  and  has  become  a  welcome 
visitor  to  many  who  have  removed  from  the  county." 

Two  men  stand  out  prominently  in  connection  with  the  Republican  and  have 
left  their  imprint  upon  the  press  of  York  County  no  matter  how  long  history  runs 
into  the  future — W.  E.  Morgan  and  W.  E.  Dayton.  Mr.  Morgan  steered  it  through 
its  early  struggles  and  stayect  with  it,  faithfully  working  and  denying  himself  many 
things  to  make  it  good.  He  remained  when  others  deserted  the  .ship  and  found 
other  employment.  He  relinquished  it  only  when  he  was  able  to  hand  it  over  to 
men  who  he  had  the  utmost  confidence  would  keep  it  going.  Mr.  Dayton  came  to 
it  as  a  boy  from  his  father's  farm  on  the  Blue,  and  from  "devil"  rose  until  he  was 
the  sole  owner  for  thirty  years  and  gave  all  he  had  to  the  Repuldican.  His  service, 
his  devotion  and  his  energy  were  such  as  to  entitle  him  to  a  very  prominent  place 
in  its  history  and  in  the  histoij  of  the  York  County  press. 

The  following  response  by  Cliff  Frank,  ujion  March  1,2,  191G,  develops  a  little 
further  a  reflection  upon  the  past  days  of  the  Republican : 

"Your  re(|ucst  for  a  few  lines  in  memory  of  the  days  when  I  was  editor  and 
correspondent  of  the  York  Republican  cauises  the  past  to  rise  before  me  like  a 
dream.  Twenty  or  thirty  years  ago  I  wanted  to  mould  public  opinion.  I  have 
turned  my  mind  backward  to  recall  some  of  the  men  who  did  things  at  that  time — 
men  who  left  their  imprint  on  the  city  and  who  worked  on  questions  that  came  up 
for  settlement — and  I  find,  among  many  others  who  could  be  named,  the  following 
thinkers  and  leaders  of  my  time  on  that  paper:  Dad  Keckley,  Joe  Stricklet,  Ed 
Lancaster,  W.  A.  Beck,  A.  J.  Newman,  C.  J.  Nobes,  John  Chilcote,  0.  Froid,  Nels 
Ferguson,  F.  B.  Daggy,  Colonel  Crabb,  John  Bremer,  Dad  Blodgett,  John  Reel, 
Barney  Friel,  A.  S.  Thomas,  Jude  Clark,  Lee  Love,  J.  C.  Kingsley,  Charles  Le 
Count,  John  Etherly,  T.  IX  Knapp,  Benton  Barnett,  F.  Baldwin,  William  Mapps, 
William  Melton,  F.  B.  Reed,  Eli  Chittenden,  L.  D.  Stilson,  Carpenter  Morgan, 
W.  E.  McCloud,  Alex.  Stephens,  Dave  Meloy,  Joe  Boyer,  Major  Pembleton,  George 
Rossiter,  B.  A.  Warner,  Wash  Wirt,  E.  M.  Cheney,  I.  H.  Shieks,  J.  P.  Small,  Nate 
Johnson,  Colonel  Morrison,  Lew  Weeks,  G.  P.  Chessman,  Bob  Lytle,  Henry  Poor, 
David  Fisher,  J.  Raper,  John  Osborn,  Will  Meradith,  S.  Hubbell,  Lafe  Cline, 
William  Glover,  Peter  Hull,  Link  Bell,  Jerry  Tondrau,  Levi  Sidwell,  T.  0.  Wright, 
Joe  Newcomer,  Phil  Fink,  Kim  Sturgeon,  Dick  Price,  J.  K.  Sheen,  Dad  Gould, 


?60  HTSTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

George  Howe,  J.  E.  Prest,  Joe  Detrick,  Cap  Eberhardt,  John  Moulds,  Jack  Walsh, 

Jonathon  Shaw,  and  George  Hartbnrt.  Professional  men  in  those  days  included 
W.  T.  Scott,  J.  F.  Hall,  W.  P.  Connor,  A.  C.  Montgomery,  D.  T.  Moore,  George  B. 
France,  J.  C.  Naylor,  AV.  W.  Giffen,  Judge  Cummings,  lawyers,  and  Doctors  Eeader, 
Davis,  McConaughy,  Porter,  Shidler,  Eyau,  Sedgwick,  WyckofE,  Carscadden,  and 
S.  V.  Moore. 

"May  the  present  leaders  and  thinkers  of  York,  twenty  or  thirty  years  from 
now  be  able  to  look  back  as  delightfully  as  we  do  upon  these  men.  I  love  those 
boys  yet,  and  know  those  of  them  still  there  care  for  me." 

OTHER  P.\PERS  IN  YORK 

The  York  County  Tribune  was  inaugurated  by  Frank  A.  Wellman,  a  brother  of 
the  Walter  Wellman  who  made  the  famous  North  Polar  e.xpedition  for  the  Chicago 
Record-Herald  some  fifteen  or  twenty  years  ago.  Its  first  number  was  issued  in 
March,  1877.  It  remained  under  the  editorship  of  Mr.  Wellman  until  the  summer 
of  1880,  at  which  time  Messrs.  Whedon  and  Culley  became  its  proprietors.  Mr. 
Whedon  later  became  a  notable  figure  in  Nebraska  press  history  through  his  many 
years  of  notable  management  of  the  Kearney  Democrat.  On  March  85,  1882, 
Mr.  J.  C.  Armstrong  took  possession  of  this  plant.  About  this  time  its  name  was 
changed  to  the  Democrat. 

The  York  Democrat  has  been  a  notable  member  of  the  newspaper  family  of 
York  County.  Its  publication  under  that  name  began  in  1882  and  has  continued 
until  this  date.  The  paper  was  sold  by  Armstrong  a  short  while  later,  and  L.  D. 
Woodruff  was  publisher  in  1884.  In  1885  Woodruff  and  Corcoran  was  the  firm 
name  of  the  owners  of  the  plant.  It  was  soon  after  that  taken  over  by  George  F. 
Corcoran,  who  has  remained  the  owner  of  this  plant  through  the  many  intervening 
years,  though  his  duties  in  court  circles  and  legal  practice  have  deterred  his  personal 
management  of  the  paper,  and  it  has  been  under  many  other  guiding  hands  for 
various  lengths  of  time.  Through  the  later  '80s  and  early  '90s  George  F.  Cor- 
coran was  editor  of  the  paper.  Through  the  later  '90s,  Dan  T.  Corcoran  was 
editor  most  of  the  time.  About  IflOO  it  was  conducted  for  a  time  by  Corcoran  and 
Frank,  this  firm  being  Dan  T.  Corcoran  and  Cliff  Frank.  There  was  a  short  period 
it  was  named  the  Teller-Democrat.  When  Judge  Corcoran  first  purchased  the 
paper,  there  was  a  period  during  which  F.  L.  Whedon  remained  editor,  and  about 
1892  H.  C.  Waldrip,  who  for  many  years  has  published  the  Scotia  (Neb.)  Register, 
was  denominated  as  publisher  for  the  Democrat.  At  another  period  Albert  P. 
Sprague  conducted  this  paper.  But  the  longest  period  of  service  was  that  of 
Dan  T.  Corcoran.  Will  M.  Maupin  took  charge  of  this  paper  in  1915  and  conducted 
it  for  about  three  years.  During  this  time  his  notable  Midwest  Magazine  was 
issued  from  this  office.  When  this  talented  writer  left  York  in  1918,  for  a  short 
time  John  E.  Kavanaugh  of  Spalding,  Neb.,  took  the  management  of  this  paper,  but 
it  was  turned  over  shortly  to  A.  G.  Ward,  who  has  faithfully  handled  this  enter- 
prise for  the  last  couple  of  years,  and  in  1921  is  publishing  a  bright,  breezy  sheet. 

The  York  Times,  which  has  been  the  third  newspaper  in  age  in  York,  in  com- 
petition with  the  Republican  and  the  Democrat  for  the  past  forty  years,  was 
started  on  August  13,  1880,  by  Adams  and  Woolman.     It  was  first  published  as 


HISTOKY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  761 

the  Tidal  Wave.  G.  W.  Woolman  had  sold  his  farm  and  came  in  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1880  and  started  the  Tidal  Wave  and  conducted  it  for  a  few  weeks  during 
the  campaign  in  the  interests  of  the  greenback  currency  campaign.  When  that 
mission  was  performed  the  new  enterprise  was  taken  over  by  Adams  and  Woolman 
and  conducted  for  a  few  months  as  the  York  "Times."  In  March,  1881,  this 
paper  was  taken  over  by  Theron  E.  Sedgwick,  who  conducted  it  as  a  republican 
newspaper  for  many  years,  in  fact  until  it  was  consolidated  for  a  time  with  the 
Republican  by  Sedgwick  and  Field  in  1912.  A  little  while  later  Mr.  J.  D.  Field 
took  the  Daily  Times  and  Mr.  Sedgwick  took  the  Repulilican.  Tliis  paper  was  then 
sold  to  Thomas  Curran  of  the  York  Blank  Book  Company  and  York  News 
Company. 

This  paper  is  the  one  among  the  press  of  York  which  has  been  maintained  for 
many  years  upon  a  daily  basis.  It  was  first  is.sued  as  a  daily  in  1888.  It  has  also 
at  times  been  issued  as  a  weekly  and  semi-weekly  as  well  as  a  daily  sheet.  After  it 
was  sold  to  Mr.  Curran  it  became  consolidated  with  the  York  Daily  News,  which 
Mr.  Curran  was  managing  for  the  York  Blank  Book  Company.  For  the  past  few 
,  years  it  has  been  handled  as  the  York  Daily  News-Times,  and  during  1920  Mr.  T.  E. 
Sedgwick  returned  to  the  newspaper  fold  and  assumed  the  editorship  of  this  paper. 

In  1897  another  newspaper  was  started  in  York,  which  is  surviving  in  1920  as 
the  fourth  York  paper,  the  York  Teller.  It  was  organized  by  M.  C.  Frank  in  1897 
as  a  weekly  sheet.  He  sold  it  some  years  ago  to  Miss  Grace  Moore,  who,  with  the 
assistance  of  Mr.  Bemis  and  her  faithful  staff,  published  a  splendid  paper  under 
the  name,  the  New  Teller. 

In  1889  local  capitalists,  mainly  through  the  energy  of  the  Sedgwicks,  pro- 
moted the  Nebraska  Newspaper  Union.  This  enterprise  developed  into  an  impor- 
tant institution,  which  made  a  business  of  collecting  news  items  and  articles  from 
all  sources  imaginable,  preparing  the  plates  and  furnishing  these  as  "inside  plate 
sheets''  to  hundreds  of  smaller  newspapers  throughout  Nebraska  and  some  neighbor- 
ing states.  In  1910  this  enterprise  was  sold  to  the  Western  Newspaper  Union  and 
York  lost  the  same.  But  during  its  existence  this  company  built  the  splendid  four- 
story  building  now  used  by  the  News-Times  and  York  Blank  Book  Company  as 
their  business  home. 

OTHER  PAPERS  IN  YORK  COUNTY 

Bradshaw  has  a  very  excellent  newspaper,  the  Monitor,  which  has  been  pub- 
lished for  several  years  by  I.  D.  Beltzer.    This  paper  is  about  twenty-five  years  old. 

McCool  Junction  has  a  paper  called  the  Blue  Valley  Journal,  which  began  pub- 
lication June  10,  1897.  Mr.  E.  C.  Gilliland  and  wife  carried  this  enterprise  through 
its  first  years  of  life,  as  editors,  publishers  and  proprietors.  I.  L.  Slagle  was  the 
publisher  and  editor  in  1920. 

Waco  has  a  live  newspaper  called  the  Waconion.  In  1920  tliis  sheet  was 
started  by  F.  P.  Shields  of  Tamora,  who  issues  it  in  a  very  interesting  book  form, 
with  pages  6x9  inches,  usually  twelve  to  sixteen  pages,  and  different  colors  used  for 
various  pages. 

Gresliam  has  had  a  newspaper  for  many  years,  the  Gresham  Gazette.  J.  A. 
Ruddock  is  the  present  editor  and  publisher. 


762  IIISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COITXTY 

THE   PLEASANTRIES 

York  County  journalism  presents  many  interesting  phases,  and  none  more  so 
than  some  of  the  departments  of  local  humor  and  jesting  "personality"  indulged  in 
by  the  various  papers.  Space  prohibits  any  very  lengthy  excursion  into  this  realm, 
but  the  comjiiler  has  selected  a  few  excerpts  from  the  Lazy  Man's  Corner,  con- 
ducted for  many  years  during  the  late  ".Sfls  and  early  "90s  by  the  Democrat,  and  a 
few  similar  excerpts  from  the  Squawker,  of  the  past  few  years,  conducted  by  the 
Xew  Teller. 

Believing  that  the  reader  will  accept  the  older  pleasantries  of  forty  years  ago 
with  the  same  spirit  of  understanding  that  the  current  ribaldries  are  taken,  these 
are  included  for  purposes  of  contrast  and  comparison,  and  to  give  a  balanced  con- 
ception of  this  interesting  jihase  of  newspaper  work. 

LAZY   JIAN's   corner 

Leroy,  Feb.  26,  1886. 
To  the  Faithful : — Having  organized  a  caucus  on  Lazy  Man's  Corner,  and  know- 
ing that  the  success  of  all  societies  depends  on  the  grit  and  integrity  of  the  members, 
we  are  holding  under  consideration  the  projjriety  of  admitting  to  membership  our 
honorable,  his  higli  mightiness,  our  ex-supervisor;  and  if  received  into  the  fold  of 
the  faithful,  we  propose  to  make  him  the  Grand  Mogul,  for  we  all  know  that  he 
can  get  more  solid  comfort  out  of  a  dry  goods  box  and  a  good  jackknife  than  any 
of  the  faithful.  We  shall  ]>robably  be  obliged  to  stay  his  initiation  "till  the  ice  runs 
out  of  the  creek,  or  till  tlie  oh-he-joyful  gets  cheajier  as  a  cold  chill  would  be 
dangerous  to  a  lazy  man,  and  he  being  hollow  to  the  tops  of  his  boots,  it  would  take 
about  four  gallons  of  old  Bourbon  to  fill  him  up. 

Yours  for  the  faithful. 

Salt-peter. 

LAZY   man's   corner 

Annual  Meeting 

March  K),  1887. 

Chairman  Wenihill  looked  very  handsome  with  a  quid  (}f  tobacco,  and  his  linen 
duster  buttoned  up  with  brass  buttons,  which  gave  him  a  decidedly  military  appear- 
ance. The  chairman  said  we  should  all  return  thanks  that  the  winter  was  so  far 
advanced  that  we  could  liear  the  squeak  of  the  wild  goose  and  lie  on  the  south  side  of 
the  straw  stack,  in  the  warm  sun,  and  play  seven-u]).  The  chairman  said  the  dele- 
gate they  sent  to  Lincoln  to  get  offices  for  the  club  had  lieen  very  successful.  He 
had  succeeded  in  getting  an  ollice  I'm'  cai-li  inciul>cr  of  the  chili.  Imt  unfortunately, 
like  09  out  of  every  100  applicants  for  office  at  Lincoln,  this  winter,  our  inaugura- 
tion does  not  take  place  for  two  years  yet.  The  chairman  then  announced  that  the 
old  year  had  expired,  and  the  new  year  began  on  the  4th  of  March,  the  same  as 
Congress.  At  the  beginning  of  the  new  year.  Secretary  Small  would  report  how 
each  member's  account  stood  on  the  ledger.  The  secretary  then  read :  Lyman  Mil- 
ler, Cr. — To  drinking  21  gallons  of  boss  medicine,  3  kegs  of  beer,  and  one  gallon 
of  gin.     Dr. — By  drinking  one  quart  of  water. 

Hutchison,  Cr. — To  whipping  his  wife  27  times.  Dr. — By  not  whipping  her 
10  times. 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  763 

Wendall,  Cr. — By  going  to  20  dances,  13  card  parties,  3  raffling  matches  and  one 
dozen  fights.  Dr. — To  going  to  Sunday  school  once,  but  made  a  mistake  and  went 
on  Saturday.    To  going  to  church  once,  but  did  not  get  there  until  church  was  out. 

Small,  Cr. — By  allowing  the  club  to  use  his  head  for  a  reflector  to  the  lamp. 
Dr. — To  shearing  25  head  of  sheep  in  the  month  of  January. 

The  .secretary  announced  that  the  rest  of  the  member's  account  was  not  posted. 
The  I'liairman  said  he  wanted  to  give  the  club  a  little  advice,  at  the  beginning  of 
the  new  j'ear :  Figuratively  speaking,  we  were  now  standing  with  one  foot  on  the 
caboose  of  the  past  year,  as  it  went  thundering  down  the  foggy  road  of  the  fast 
fading  past,  laden  with  politicians  who  had  been  false  to  the  people,  and  traded 
their  souls  for  a  free  pass  and  a  few  dollars.  There  were  several  Methodist  preach- 
ers aboard,  of  Lincoln  University  notoriety.  The  Omaha  Herald  was  engineer,  the 
Omaha  Republican,  conductor  and  the  editor  of  the  York  Repulilican,  peanut  boy, 
on  said  train.  Our  other  foot  on  the  cowcatcher  of  the  new  year,  as  it  comes  rush- 
ing around  the  curve,  with  steam  up  and  brakes  off,  laden  with  good  resolutions 
and  promises  of  the  new  year.  Every  member  should  firmly  resolve  that  during 
the  coming  year  he  will  do  nothing  worse  than  whip  his  wife,  steal,  and  vote  the 
democratic  ticket.  But  man  was  so  prone  to  evil,  and  naturally  depraved,  that  he 
was  afraid'  they  would  forget  all  these  good  resolutions,  and  before  dog  days,  be 
reading  the  anti-monopoly  editorials  of  the  York  Repuldican,  and  drinking  mixed 
drinks  and  be  guilty  of  all  the  crimes  that  would  naturally  follow  such  a  course.  As 
the  chairman  took  hi.s  seat,  Tom  Pence  passed  around  his  old  boss  medicine,  winter 
prescription.  Luckey  played  on  his  jewsharp  and  Carter  danced.  The  chaplain 
then  arose  and  said  if  he  could  always  live  in  such  society  as  this,  he  would  like 
to  turn  to  a  scruldling  and  live  forever.  He  said  the  cluli  must  not  disband,  as  this 
club  and  the  Methodist  preachers  and  the  saloons  had  to  elect  our  Jim  once  more 
to  Congress,  which  was  going  to  be  a  big  job,  unless  a  certain  man  took  the  cramp 
cholera.  Magna  Charta. 

LAZY   man's   corner 

July  1,  1886. 
Wendall,  on  taking  the  chair,  said  we  would  have  to  curtail  the  boundary  of  the 
Corners  or  have  more  drug  stores  or  larger  bottles,  as  our  supjjly  of  stimulants  was 
insufficient.  Carter  moved  that  as  "Wendall  was  done  gathering  corn  he  be  allowed 
to  go  to  the  celebration  on  the  Fourth.  Carried  by  a  rising  vote.  Vandeventer  then 
took  the  floor  and  stated  he  had  been  away  out  west  in  Custer  and  Sherman  counties 
among  the  Indians  and  Buffaloes;  had  several  narrow  escapes,  but  his  beauty  saved 
him.  When  he  got  to  Grand  Island  he  heard  that  James  Hamilton,  Powers,  Scott, 
and  several  other  parties  from  York  were  in  town.  He  wanted  to  find  them  and 
of  course  went  to  the  saloons  (which  are  every  other  house  in  town)  but  they  were 
not  there,  nor  had  they  been  there.  He  went  to  the  police  and  stated  the  facts 
and  told  them  he  was  satisfied  they  had  lieen  foully  dealt  with.  The  police  laughed 
and  said  if  they  were  from  York  he  would  find  them  at  the  drug  stores,  as  Yorkites 
never  patronized  saloons  for  it  was  a  little  disgraceful,  besides  it  was  more  economical 
to  deal  with  drug  stores.  This  satisfied  him  as  he  knew  habit  was  second  nature. 
Secretary  Small  then  read  a  communication  from  the  York  ring  stating  that 
Doctor  Knaj)p  had  changed  to  a  Van  Wyck  man,  as  he  thought  a  man  running  for 
governor  of  Nebraska  as  anti-Van  Wyck  would  be  in  as  poor  a  business  as  a  farmer 
raising  corn  for  the  railroads.    Also,  Laird  is  to  be  elected  to  Congress,  Knapp,  gov- 

Vol.  II — 11 


764  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

ernor;  then  all  hands  are  to  join  and  elect  Laird  United  States  senator.  Governor 
Knapp  will  appoint  Judge  Post  to  fill  the  vacancy,  then  the  millennium  is  close  at 
hand.  All  members  of  the  L.  M.  C.  were  ordered  not  to  read  the  Y^ork  Times, 
as  it  was  no  good.  Henry  Smith  wanted  to  know  what  the  railroads  would  tink 
ven  dey  see  Knapp  mit  der  "\"an  Wyck  beoples.  The  chairman  said  as  long  as 
Knapp  kept  in  go(jd  company  like  Post,  Laird,  and  the  Y^'ork  Republican  it  was  no 
difference  he  said  the  railroads  were  satisfied.  Lyman  Miller  said  if  we  could  get 
Bill  McCloud  to  support  Van  Wyck  he  would  be  defeated  for  Bill  never  supported 
a  nuui  in  his  life  but  what  he  was  defeated. 

Wendall  and  Sovereign  have  stopped  plowing  their  corn,  for  they  were  afraid 
they  would  spoil  their  hay  crop  as  they  think  their  corn  ground  will  make  two  tons 
of  foxtail  hay  to  the  acre.  They  say  every  farmer  could  raise  enough  foxtail  hay  to 
do  them,  like  they  do  if  it  was  not  for  laziness. 

Hutchison  was  fined  the  usual  pint  for  addressing  the  chairman  lying  down  in 
the  corner  of  the  hall.  The  chairman  remitted  the  fine  because  he  was  unable  to 
stand  up;  his  medicine  did  not  agree  with  his  stomach.  As  he  lay  in  the  corner  he 
sang  "We  Won't  Go  Home  'Till  Morning." 

Magna  Charta. 

LAZY  man's   COKNER 

December  2,  188G. 

The  club  met  after  a  two  weeks"  recess,  caused  partly  by  cold  weather,  partly  by 
scarcity  of  boss  medicine,  and  partly  by  having  failed  to  sell  our  votes  at  the  late 
election,  to  purchase  winter  clothing;  consequently  our  faded  summer  clothes  were 
rather  thin,  to  attend  club  meetings  on  stormy  nights,  when  stimulants  were  scarce. 

Chairman  Wendall  said  to  economize  light  Secretary  Small  would  sit  behind  the 
lamp  in  such  a  position  that  his  bald  head  could  be  used  for  a  reflector  to  the  lamp. 

Miller  moved  that  the  committee  on  stimulants  report  immediately,  as  he  was 
very  dry;  he  had  been  confined  to  the  house  during  this  cold  weather,  while  his  wife 
wore  his  boots  to  do  the  chores.  Vandeventer  then  passed  several  bottles  of 
St.  Joseph  whiskey.  Hutchison  said  im  wonder  Missouri  gave  40,000  democratic 
majority;  after  drinking  such  good  medicine,  he  felt  like  voting  the  democratic 
ticket  himself.  Vandeventer  then,  as  special  reporter  of  the  corners,  of  the  late 
railroad  excursion  to  St.  Joseph,  reported  as  follows:  The  committee,  twenty-five 
of  us  in  number,  all  opposed  to  voting  bonds,  left  York  for  Grand  Island.  Arrived 
at  Grand  Island,  found  corn  3  cents  per  bushel  higher  there  than  at  Y'ork;  wheat, 
10  cents;  hogs,  25  to  50  cents  higher;  coal,  from  $1.25  to  $2.75  per  ton  cheaper  at 
the  Island  than  at  Y^ork.  All  these  figures  had  no  effect  on  the  committee.  Then 
T.  W.  Smith,  who  was  acting  as  commissary  general,  took  us  to  a  place  called  a 
saloon;  says,  ''Gentlemen,  what  will  you  have?  Beer,  whiskey  straight,  brandy 
sling,  whiskey  mash,  ginger  rum  or  cocktail?"  We  all  answered  in  the  affirmative. 
When  all  had  their  drinks  on  the  counter  ready  to  drink,  T.  W.  said :  "Boys,  I  am 
for  bonds;  what  are  you  for?"  We  all  said,  with  a  loud  voice,  and  a  clear  conscience, 
"We  are  for  taking  something."'  We  took  something,  by  a  large  majority.  After 
repeating  the  operation,  ad  injinJLtuin,  we  took  a  vote  on  the  bond  question,  which  was 
carried  unanimously.  We  then  took  supper,  then  something  else.  Then  we  were 
all  in  favor  of  doubling  the  amount  of  bonds  that  were  asked.  We  took  a  sleeping 
car  for  St.  Joseph,  or  rather  the  car  took  us.  The  porter  thought  it^  a  curious 
crowd;  for  some  bunks  had  four  in  them,  others  one,  and  some  none;  some  slept  on 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUXTY  765 

the  floor.  We  arrived  at  St.  Joseph  the  next  morning.  Eiding  on  the  cars  gave  us 
all  the  headache,  and  we  were  very  dry.  After  drinking  some  Missouri  Eiver  water 
we  felt  better,  but  towards  night  it  began  to  make  us  act  very  singular.  Some 
seemed  very  serious,  others  very  hilarious,  but  all  were  in  good  humor  except  J.  B. 
Allen,  who  saw  something  he  did  not  like,  and  began  feeling  for  his  revolver,  but 
luckily  it  had  no  cap  on. 

St.  Joseph  is  a  fine  city,  but  the  sidewalks  are  too  narrow  for  men  like  us  who 
are  used  to  broad  prairies ;  in  fact,  they  were  so  narrow^  we  were  in  the  street  about 
half  the  time.  The  citizens,  with  southern  hospitality,  treated  us  so  kindly  that  we 
will  never  forget  it,  especially  the  treating  part.  Your  humble  representative  was  a 
great  favorite  with  the  ladies,  on  account  of  his  beauty.  We  will  say  right  now,  if 
they  ever  want  any  more  bonds  in  this  county,  we  speak  for  the  job  to  go  to 
St.  Joseph  to  investigate. 

We  all  l)rought  back  stimulants  to  do  us  till  the  bonds  were  carried,  except  the 
representatives  from  Morton,  who  failed  to  get  enough  to  keep  them  up  to  the 
voting  point,  till  election.  (.)ur  captain,  T.  W.  Smith,  says  he  never  can  forget  the 
kindness  of  the  police  of  St.  Joseph,  in  helping  him  collect  his  crowd  and  put  them 
aboard  the  cars.  By  9  o'clock  they  had  collected  about  one-half  the  crowd  in  a 
place  called  a  station  (not  a  railroad  station)  ;  the  rest  he  hauled  to  the  cars  in  a 
carriage  called  a  dray.  We  all  got  home  safe,  except  one  man  who  got  hurt  trying 
to  come  down  a  flight  of  stairs,  headforemost  at  one  step. 

Magna  Charta. 

P.  S.  The  committee  was  the  most  temperate  crowd  I  ever  saw  (under  the 
circumstances;  even  such  men  as  Buckley,  Woolstenholm  and  Small  were  per- 
fectly solter  all  the  time.  Chairman  Wendall  said  he  would  deliver  his  lecture  as 
soon  as  the  weather  was  warm  enough  to  wear  summer  clothes.  We  think  the 
singular  conduct  of  the  committee  at  St.  Joseph  was  caused  by  climatic  and 
atmospheric  condition. 

LAZY  man's   COKNER 

1888. 

The  club  met  at  the  residence  of  Hon.  Eichard  Johnson  (colored). 

Chairman  Flock  ordered  the  janitor  to  tine  Otto  Hutchison  a  quart  of  boss 
medicine,  a  deck  of  cards  and  a  fine-tooth  comb  for  trying  to  put  on  style,  by 
eating  pie  with  one  hand  and  a  fork.  The  chairman  said  when  he  saw  a  naturalized 
or  native-born  American  citizen  of  tolerable  sound  mind,  dissecting  pie  with  a  fork 
and  one  hand,  he  lost  all  self-control,  and  it  was  lucky  for  the  culprit  that  the  by- 
laws and  constitution  of  the  club  positively  prohibited  capital  punishment.  The 
janitor  was  ordered  to  collect  said  fine,  and  pay  it  into  the  commissary  for  the 
general  use  of  the  club. 

Hon.  Eichard  Johnson  (colored)  saidjie  wanted  the  people  of  this  district  to 
understand  that  he  had  not  declined  to  run  for  Congress.  He  also  wanted  every- 
body to  know  that  his  health  was  good,  except  he  had  raised  some  gum  boils  on  his 
fingers,  picking  the  banjo.  He  was  like  General  Sheridan,  there  was  some  dispute 
as  to  where  he  was  born.  Some  said  in  the  United  States,  while  other  good  authori- 
ties said  he  was  born  in  Missouri;  while  otliers  equally  as  knowing  said  it  would 
have  been  best  for  his  mother  and  the  community  at  large  if  he  had  not  been 
born  at  all.  Chairman  Flock  said  so  many  of  our  great  men  were  dying  so  sud- 
denly it  nuide  him  feel  a  little  weak  in  the  knees.     It  looked  as  if  the  next  great 


766  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

man  that  would  be  called  to  settle  his  accounts  would  be  him  or  Bismarck.  As  he 
had  done  a  few  little  inaccuracies  (when  a  boy)  that  were  not  just  according  to 
Hoyle's   unabridged   dictionary,   he  had   consulted   Chaplain   Briley,  who  thought 

something  should  be  done  d d  quick,  as  he  expected  most  any  day  to  hear  the 

telegrajih  flash  the  news  throughout  the  length  and  thickness  of  this  land,  that 
Chairman  Flock  had  collected  the  last  delinquent  tax  list  and  last  hard  debt,  and 
he  would  be  called  on  to  preach  his  funeral  and  eulogize  his  many  shortcomings. 
That  the  club  hall  be  draperj  in  mourning  and  each  member  would  be  required  not 
to  drink  anything  for  twenty-four  hours  that  was  flavored  with  alcohol.  All  would 
say  the  chairman  was  a  good  man  of  the  kind.  That  lie  was  like  the  rest  of  the 
club,  a  very  promising  man ;  that  is,  he  promised  a  great  deal  but  performed  little. 
He  would  be  missed  by  many,  especially  his  wife,  who  would  not  have  to  take  in 
washing  to  support  him.  The  chairman  said  he  wanted  to  join  the  best  church,  so 
his  credentials  would  be  a  kind  of  a  recommend  so  he  w^ould  not  have  to  depend 
entirely  on  his  own  platform.  When  he  went  out  on  the  streets  to  see  which  church's 
members  did  the  best,  he  could  see  no  difference.  In  fact,  he  could  not  tell  by 
their  conduct,  a  church  member  from  a  son  of  a  gun  from  Omaha. 

Chaplain  Briley  in  conclusion  said  there  were  some  things  he  would  like  to  see. 
He  would  like  to  see  a  lawyer  that  knew  enough  law  and  was  honest  enough  that 
when  you  paid  him  to  tell  you  the  law  on  a  certain  point,  you  would  not  have  to  go 
into  court  and  pay  a  hundred  dollars'  cost  to  find  out  that  he  was  mistaken.  He 
would  like  to  see  a  doctor  that  knew  enough  medicine  and  had  confidence  enough 
in  his  ability,  to  take  his  own  medicine  when  sick.  He  would  like  to  see  a  church 
member  do  in  practice  what  he  preached  in  theory.  In  other  words,  he  wanted  to 
see  a  church  member  that  when  he  said  a  thing,  we  knew  it  was  a  fact  because  we 
knew  he  was  a  church  member  and  not  because  we  knew  he  was  a  truthful  man.  He 
would  like  to  see  a  church  member  that  had  a  horse  to  sell  or-  trade  that  was  more 
than  "nine  years  old  next  spring."  He  would  like  to  see  a  church  member  have 
such  a  regard  for  truth  that  you  would  know  he  was  a  member  of  the  church 
by  his  boss  he  was  trying  to  sell  you  being  more  than  "nine  years  old  next 
spring."  He  would  like  to  see  a  merchant  that  was  not  selling  goods  at  "less 
than  cost,"  for  when  you  buy  goods  of  a  man  that  is  selling  at  "less  than  cost," 
then  find  out  that  you  have  paid  twenty-five  per  cent  more  than  you  would  have  to 
pay  the  man  that  is  selling  for  a  good  profit,  it  makes  a  man  feel  like  he  had 
declined  a  nomination  for  office,  and  your  constituents  had  accepted  your  declination. 

The  janitor  then  i)assed  the  boss  medicine,  and  the  club  adjourned  with  three 
cheer.s  fur  Jim  Laird  and  dirty  lard. 

Magna  Chakta. 
Lazy  Man's  Corner 

January  8,  1891. 

The  club  met  in  Newman's  ofiice,  chainnan  Flock  presiding,  sitting  on  a  chair. 
The  reason  he  did  not  preside  standing  was  because  he  had  more  than  he  could 
stand  lately.  The  reasons  the  club  had  not  met  for  some  time  are  various  and  very 
serious.  Firstly,  since  the  election  Joe  Boyer  would  let  no  one  have  stimulants  on 
time,  hut  the  independents.  It  seemed  to  him  that  all  the  good  things  of  this 
world  was  for  the  exclusive  benefit  of  the  independents.  Secretary  C.  A.  McCloud 
took  the  -$250  that  was  sent  to  York  for  the  use  of  this  club  and  its  friends  to  beat 
prohibition  and  bet  it  on  the  election,  and  we  have  so  far  failed  to  see  any  of  said 


HISTOKY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  767 

$250,  or  the  $250  he  was  sure  to  -win.  We  hegiu  to  suspect  that  he  bet  it  on  the 
wrong  boss,  as  a  good  deal  of  his  money  went  in  the  same  way.  We  begin  to  feel 
a  little  weak  in  the  stomach.  If  we  had  that  $250  and  the  $850  we  ought  to  have 
won  we  would  have  been  heeled  for  this  winter.  Thirdly,  we  have  had  no  place  to 
hold  our  club  meetings,  as  all  through  the  late  lamented  campaign  we  held  our 
meetings  in  the  rooms  of  the  republican  committee,  but  since  the  election  we  could 
never  get  a  quorum  in  said  committee  rooms  because  most  of  the  members  of  this 
club  was  afraid  of  graveyards,  ghosts,  and  haunted  rooms.  In  rooms  where  great  men 
have  been  killed  in  cold  blood,  strange  noises  are  heard  and  blood-curdling  phantoms 
flit  about  the  room.  The  paraphernalia  of  the  late  campaign  that  was  left  in  the 
aforesaid  rooms  looked  as  forlorn  and  desolate  as  a  graveyard  of  a  dark  night.  Our 
members  could  have  stood  all  this,  but  were  afraid  they  might  hear  an  echo  of  one 
of  those  soul-stirring  speeches  that  were  delivered  by  Hon.  E.  A.  Gilbert,  Hon.  J.  W. 
Small,  and  Hon.  T.  Eddy  Bennett.  We  were  compelled  to  hear  said  speeches  before 
the  election,  but  now  we  are  afraid  of  an  echo  of  them  after  night.  The  chairman 
said  the  club  was  now  ready  for  business.  Hon.  Richard  Johnson  (colored)  said  as 
there  were  no  stimulants  to  stimulate  us  to  deeds  of  daring  and  desperation.  Choir- 
master T.  J.  Hatfield  would  please  sing  that  soul-stirring  campaign  song  he  sang  so 
feelingly  during  the  late  campaign,  entitled  "McKeighan  Running  Through  the 
Corn,  Watch  Him  or  He  Will  Take  Another  Horn."  As  T.  J.  Hatfield  arose  to  sing 
the  song,  E.  A.  Gilbert  took  the  croup,  C.  A.  McCloud  took  a  fit,  J.  W.  Small,  the 
flatulency;  N.  A.  Dean  took  the  cholera  infantum  and  the  janitor  took  the  singer 
out  of  the  room.  The  singing  of  campaign  songs  was  laid  on  the  table.  Hon.  Rich- 
ard Johnson  (colored)  then  continued  his  remarks.  The  poet  said  "The  saddest 
words  ever  penned,  was,  it  might  have  been."  The  man  that  -wrote  that  thought  he 
was  saying  something  smart  and  wise,  but  had  never  been  through  a  political  fight 
resulting  like  the  late  cusseil  disaster.  He  did  not  care  a  cuss  for  what  "might 
have  been."  What  is  and  what  is  to  be,  is  what  looks  so  appalling  to  this  club.  To 
see  Tom  Smith,  Corcoran,  Governor  Kelso,  Hurlbut,  J.  D.  P.  Small,  Jerry  Martin, 
Captain  El)erhardt,  (ieorge  Bowers,  et  al.,  talking  right  before  our  eyes,  and  in 
our  hearing  in  this  fashion :  "We  will  put  this  independent  in  Doc.  Xewman's 
place.  That  one  in  Shreck's  place,  the  other  one  in  Reader's  place,"  etc.  Just  as 
though  there  had  never  been  a  republican  party  in  the  county,  nor  ever  would  be 
again.  This  is  what  made  Chairman  Flock's  liair  so  white.  It  was  not  caused  by 
excessive  piety,  hard  drink,  high  living  or  fast  women,  but  trouble  over  the  downfall 
of  our  nation,  for  the  farmers  don't  know  any  more  about  how  to  run  a  government 
than  I  did  about  those  hides  a  coup?e  of  years  ago.  We  won't  miss  the  offices  so 
much  as  we  will  the  salaries  attached  tliereto.  This  grand  old  party  must  be 
reorganized.  We  must  have  better  discipline,  so  when  a  man  wants  to  withdraw 
from  the  party  we  must  draw  him  back  again.  This  want  of  discipline  was  the 
cause  of  our  present  trouble,  and  M.  C.  Frank  is  the  cause  of  it  all.  When  he 
demanded  McKeighan  to  withdraw  from  the  late  campaign  on  account  of  his 
record  if  he  had  enforced  strict  discipline  and  made  him  withdraw  all  this  sorrow 
and  trouble  woulil  have  iK'en  avoided.  You  see,  it  was  a  bad  example  when  Frank 
failed  to  make  Mc.  withdraw.  Nobody  would  withdraw  but  republicans.  It  looks 
like  most  all  of  them  had  withdrawn.  John  Kelso  offered  the  following  preamble 
and  resolutions : 

Whereas,  The  eyesight  of  chairman  Flock  was  failing,  and 


768  HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

Wliereas,  he  can't  see  anything  in  the  room  where  he  is  now  located,  therefore 
be  it — 

SOMETIMES  ON  ITSELF 

The  press,  neither  pioneer  or  modern,  does  not  always  parry  its  thrusts  at  other 
towns,  hut  sometimes  indulges  in  n  little  ])layl'ul  humor  directed  at  its  own  town. 
Evidencing  this,  we  reproduce  from  the  York  Xew  Teller  of  February  26,  1913: 
Wliat's  in  a  Name? — After  Mature  Deliberation  It  Is  Decided  to  Change  Yorh's 

and  Keep   the   Change — Send  in  Your  Change,  It'll  Do   Yoit  Good^P.   S.: 

t<ince  the  Change  in  the  Weather  This  Morning  Mang  People  Have  Changed 

Their  Minds,  So  This  Article  Is  Withdrawn — Don't  Read  It. 

"York"  is  a  poor  name  for  a  town. 

Xow  that  complaint  has  been  made  about  it,  the  Xew  Teller  has  decided  to 
change  it.  Our  readers  are  invited  to  make  suggestions,  to  which  no  attention  will 
be  paid,  though  the  names  of  the  suggesterers  will  be  published  in  huge,  fat,  black, 
juicy  type. 

Since  the  foregoing  was  written,  hundreds  of  suggestions  have  not  been  received 
at  this  office. 

Mrs.  Pankhurst  sent  a  cablegram  as  soon  as  she  got  out  of  jail  this  morning: 
"Why  not  name  it  'Pork'  ?     Your  ball  team  is  always  on  tlie  \ng  train." 

A  wireless  message  came  at  six  o'clock  tomorrow  evening,  signed  by  the  three 
memliers  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  in  Grand  Island.  It  read:  "We  suggest  the  name 
'Cork"  for  your  town,  as  your  ball  team  habitually  gets  it  in  the  neck.'" 

W.  G.  Boyer,  who  was  connected  with  the  York  Alfalfa  Mills,  sent  this  by  parcels 
post:  "Call  it  'Fork' — there  would  be  some  point  to  that.  It  might  attract  some 
pitchers  for  the  ball  team." 

Though  it  can't  possibly  get  here  before  next  week,  a  telegram  is  momentarily 
expected  from  Mr.  Woodrow  Boat  of  Fairview,  which  will  say:  "Don't  get  dis- 
couraged. Xame  it  'Yorrick.'  The  fans  in  the  state  league  have  been  saying,  'Alas, 
poor  Yorrick !"  for  two  seasons." 

Jim  Dahlman  expressed  this,  collect,  expressly  from  Hot  Springs:  "I  under- 
stand j^our  mayor  and  city  council  are  protesting  against  the  name  of  your  city,  and 
will  submit  the  proposition  to  the  voters  at  a  special  election.  Spare  the  useless 
expense,  since  York  will  continue  to  be  known  in  Douglas  County  as  'The  Holy 
City."' 

So  the  Xew  Teller  has  decided  not  to  change  the  name  after  all,  though, 
by  all  the  violets  that  ever  growed,  we've  got  just  as  darn  good  a  right  to  change  it 
as  anyone  else. 

The  old-time  newspaiier  showed  more  real  partisan  bitterness  and  exercised  more 
intense  vitriolic  abuse  than  the  modern  press  is  accustomed  to  display.  Just  a 
couple  of  excerpts  indicative  of  this  phase  of  newspaper  "penmanship""  are  here 
included : 

"The  repul)lican  party  in  Xebraska  fairly  roars  for  fear  the  iwpulist  party  has 
been  swallowed  l)y  the  democratic  party  and  because  the  free-silver  republicans  have 
also  been  gulped  down  by  this  cannibalistic  brute.  There — there,  dear,  don't  fret. 
You're  too  old  and  senile  to  be  startled  by  such  bogie  stories.  We  promise  that 
'the  Gobble"un  shan't  get  vou,"  and  we"ll  sure  trounce  anyone  who  scares  you  again. 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  769 

so  that  you  'see  things  at  night'  in  this  way.  Just  carry  your  record  around  with 
you  and  nothing  will  ever  swallow  you. 

"What  a  jjrecious  old  hypocrite  you  are,  to  be  sure;  and  what  a  transparent 
dodge  you  are  trying  to  work  in  this  campaign.  A  few  weeks  ago  your  man  Johnson 
was  describing  the  slimy,  spiney,  unswallowableness  of  the  dread  Glasticutis  of 
Anarchy  that  had  its  hole  in  Polk  County,  the  fearful  Jabberwock  of  populism  and 
the  Willowpus  wallopus  of  free-silver  republicanism  and  a  tliousand  other  snaky 
things  that  made  us  dream  of  prehistoric  natural  history,  and  now  he  tells  us  that 
the  democratic  party  has  swallowed  all  this  menagerie:  Ye  gods,  what  a  digestion 
the  democratic  party  must  have.  If  the  story  of  Jonah's  whale  is  an  allegory,  this 
must  be  something  worse,  and  thafs  what  we  guess  it  is.     Tell  another. 

"And  now  a  word  to  the  faithful :  Don't  waste  any  time  worrying  yourselves 
about  the  men  of  the  democratic  party  unless  it  should  eat  something  that  would 
disable  it  for  this  campaign.  Our  populist  organization  is  complete  and  more 
efficient  than  it  ever  was  before.  The  republicans  know  that  unless  they  can  start 
discord  in  our  ranks,  we  are  certain  to  make  the  dry  bones  rattle  from  Chadron  to 
Peru  as  they  never  did  before  in  Nebraska. 

"And  now  comes  the  Times,  a  little  two-for-a-cent  sheet  and  by  courtesy  called 
a  daily,  published  over  on  the  north  side  of  the  square,  and  attempts  to  sneer  the 
Democrat  out  of  town  because  it  dare  to  venture  an  honest  criticism  upon  the  policy 
of  the  public  school  emliarking  in  the  show  business.  The  trouble  was  occasioned 
by  an  article  in  last  week's  Democrat  commenting  ujton  the  production  of  the 
opera,  'Little  Tycoon,'  by  the  public  school.  This  paper  asserted  upon  reasonably 
good  authority,  information  and  belief  that  such  practices  had  a  certain  demoraliz- 
ing effect  upon  the  school  and  its  work  for  good.  The  Times  does  not  take  kindly 
to  this  idea,  but  closes  its  article  in  last  Friday's  daily  thus: 

"  'Now  that  is  the  gospel  as  expounded  by  the  Democrat.  It  savors  of  the 
mould  and  moth  of  fifty  years'  accumulation.  The  real  facts  are  that  never  before 
was  such  interest  taken  in  the  schools  and  .school  work,  both  by  pupils  and  parents, 
as  during  the  present  year.  The  "Little  Tycoon"  was  given  to  raise  money  for  the 
library,  and  to  that  end  the  pupils  united  with  their  friends  and  worked  hard  for 
the  successful  termination  of  the  undertaking.  True,  some  pleasure  and  enjoy- 
ment was  derived  from  its  preparation,  but  where  is  the  mossback  who  will  dare 
venture  the  assertion  that  it  was  not  of  a  wholesome  nature,  or  that  it  had  a 
"demoralizing  effect  upon  the  school  and  its  work  for  good."  The  schools  have  been 
doing  most  excellent  work  and,  as  it  may  seem  strange  to  the  Democrat,  right 
through  the  "Little  Tycoon"  season.  The  venture  terminated  successfully  in  every 
particular.  It  awakened  more  interest  in  the  schools,  and  the  pupils  worked  with 
more  zest  and  energy.  It  is  the  opinion  of  the  Times  that  Professor  McClelland 
understands  his  business  pretty  thoroughly,  and  don't  need  newspaper  suggestions.' 

"The  Democrat  is  sorry  for  the  Times.  We  have  no  desire  to  keep  up  this  con- 
troversy, knowing  that  to  go  into  all  the  facts  must  result  in  a  detriment  to  the 
York  high  school.  Even  if  the  Times  and  Professor  McClelland  do  not  know  it, 
this  paper  knows  that  a  very  large  aud  respectable  number  of  the  patrons  of  school 
district  Xo.  18  are  not  satisfied  with  the  venture  of  the  high  school  in  the  show 
business.  Many  good  men  who  have  children  in  the  school  have  spoken  in  terms 
concerning  the  matter  that  cannot  be  misunderstood.  We  have  yet  to  meet  a  man 
that  indorses  the  venture.    There  is  no  need  to  compromise  pupils,  or  innocent  par- 


770 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


ticipants  to  go  into  facts.  The  Democrat  may  be  a  mossback,  but  it  certainly  dares 
to  assert  that  such  practices  are  not  calculated  to  benefit  the  school,  and  in  so  saying 
we  do  not  fear  those  who  make  the  inquiry  as  to  who  'dare  venture  the  assertion.' 
There  are  a  great  many  facts  connected  with  this  matter  which  would  not  appear 
well  in  print,  and  we  sincerely  hope  that  there  will  be  no  need  of  making  them 
pulilic.  Professor  McClelland  may  'understand  his  business  pretty  thoroughly  and 
may  not  need  newspaper  suggestions,'  but  he  evidently  needs  some  suggestions  from 
a  board  of  education,  with  backbone  enough  to  drive  the  theatrical  craze  out  of  the 
public  schools." 

Coming  down  to  our  own  day,  let  us  peruse  a  "few  squawks"'  from 


The   World's  Poorest  Newspaper 

THE    DAILY    SQUAWKER 


Volume  A  No.  287 


ISSUED  ANY  DARN  TIME  WE  PLEASE  OR  OFTENER 


la  The  Interetts  of  Nobody 


Pure  Locals 
Brake,  brake,  brake — on  thy  cold,  gray 
stones,  oh  see — 
You  can  brake  away  till  the  brake 
of  day 
And  not  be  as  liroke  as  me. 

Candidate  Cox,  who  is  caudidating 
for  the  presidency  on  the  democrat 
ticket,  it  is  alleged,  was  had  to  stop 
in  York  a  Monday  last  to  pay  visit  to 
the  editor  of  the  -vScjuawkier.  We  were 
pleased  to  receive  the  extinguished 
guest — he  must  lie  extinguished  on 
ac'ct  he  went  out  on  the  Burlington. 
We  received  him  uii  his  special  train 
for  iffen  he  had  came  down  town  he 
might  a  staid  to  lunch.  "Hullo,  Cox," 
said  we.  "Hullo,  Squawker,"  he  bril- 
liantly replied.  "What  do  you  want?"' 
asked  we,  with  our  usual  kindly  hos- 
pitality. "Will  you  vote  for  me?"'  asked 
he  face-blank.  "Naw,"  said  we.  "Why 
not,"  asked  he.  "Because  you  have  not 
got  no  nickname,"  said  we,  "and  we 
do  not  like  to  vote  for  a  man  who  has 
not  got  no  nickname."  "Why  don't  you 
give  me  one?"  asked  he.  "Because  we 
can"t  think  of  nothing,"  w^e  sorrowfully 
replied,  "unless  it  would  be  'Foxy  Cox,' 
or    'Proxy    Cox,'    or    'Smallpox    Cox.' 


How  are  we  going  to  find  a  nickname 
for  a  man  who  has  got  a  name  like  ox?" 

"A  rose  by  any  other  name 

Would  smell  as  sweet,"  said  he. 

''So  would  the  sox  that  ilr.  Cox 
Wears  on  his  feet,"  said  we. 

"To  speak  of  sox  is  very  bad  taste," 
said  he.  "Some  sox  is,"  said  we,  "in 
very  bad  odor  on  ac'ct  they  are  so  loud, 
but  we  refer  to  the  nice,  quiet,  refined 
silk  ones  like  what  the  poor  working- 
men  and  iioliticians  and  tiie  chorus 
girls  wear — they  all  have  to  have  100 
per  cent  silk  sox  un  ac"ct  they  kick  so 
nuieh,  Init  2  per  cent  kick  is  enough 
for  the  great  middle  class."  "I  ain't 
no  reactionary,'"  said  he.  "Neither  is 
Harding,"'  said  we,  for  we  were  on,  he 
was  reputed  to  be  running  for  office. 
"Harding  hasn't  got  no  nickname 
eytlier,"  said  he.  "No,"  said  we,  "you 
have  both  got  hick-names  and  (hivned 
if  we"ll  vote  for  eyether  one  of  you."' 
Oir  metal  and  made  up  our  mind  that 
Mr.  Cox  couldn"t  tell  any  bigger  lie 
than  we  could  even  if — "Whom  will 
you  vote  for  then?""  asked  he.  "We 
rather  think  we"ll  vote  for  Debs,"  said 
we.  "Because  he's  got  a  nickname?" 
asked  he  with  a  sneer.     "Because  he's 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


771 


in  jail,"  said  we,  "for  iffen  we've  got 
to  Iiave  a  reactionary  anyhow,  you'll 
have  to  admit  that  he's  much  safer  and 
probably  just  as  sane  as  eyether  one  of 
you.  We  would  as  soon  vote  for  a  jail- 
bird as  a  railbird."  "I  don't  need  your 
vote,"  said  he.  "That's  why  you  got  a 
special  train,"  said  we.  "Toot-toot !" 
said  the  engineer.  "That's  a  pretty 
weak  toot,"  said  we.  "Aren't  you  going 
to  fix  it  so  that  underpaid  engineer 
can  get  at  least  a  two  per  cent  toot  when 
he  wets  his  whistle  ?"  "Tut-tut !"  said 
Mr.  Cox.  "Toot-toot!"  said  the  en- 
gineer.   "Ta-ta,"  said  we.    Such  is  life. 


Some  corn  crop. 


What  has  become  of  Ex-Mare  Wray? 


Do  your  Xmas  shopping  early. 


Knockers  are  seldom  workers. 


Next    Friday    is    the    Worst    of    the 
niDiith,   and    we   will   he   out   of   town. 


We  are  still  waiting  for  Lige  Leavitt 
to  come  accrost  with  the  balance  of  the 
coal  we  ordered  a  year  ago  last  June. 


Sossiefi/ 
Carl    Behling,    a    hot-dog    merchant 
from   Long   Beach,   is   in   the  city   at 
jircscnt.     He  looks  sheepish  when  you 
ask  him  how  he  likes  the  West. 


Sports 
York  lady  golphers  skun  Hastings 
ditto  recently.  We  don't  want  to  get 
Jawn  Raeside,  our  perfessional,  in  bad 
but  it  should  be  recorded,  for  its  scien- 
tific value,  that  Jawn  states  that  it  is 
a  well  established  fact,  proven  by 
figures,  that  the  better  looking  a  lady 
golpher  is  the  poorer  game  she  plays. 
We  ho])e  the  Hastings  contingent  will 
give  our  players  a  return  match  in  the 


near  future.     And  we  feel  sure  York 
will  win — we  hasten  to  add. 


Eddytorial 
We  are  among  the  few  who  are  not 
in  any  desperate  hurry  to  see  prices 
come  down,  and  we  are  in  still  less  of  a 
hurry  as  we  note  that  they  are  putting 
the  skids  under  wheat,  just  as  we  ex- 
pected. 


This  is  a  very  quiet  state  campaign. 
We  are  suspicious  of  quiet  campains. 


Pure  Locals 
Xews  is  scarce  this  week. 


So  is  time. 
So  is  space. 


Kit  considers  the  space  more  imjior- 
tant  than  anything  else.  She  is  willing 
and  anxious  any  time  to  cut  out  the 
Squawker  to  make  room  for  ads.  No- 
body appreciates  us  l)ut  the  fat  bar- 
tender in  at  Guy  &  Buck's  place  on  the 
corner,  and  he  ain't  right  in  the  head. 
Sometimes  we  get  so  mad  we  are  ready 
to  quit,  and  then  we  remendier  the  way 
to  get  even  is  to  keep  right  on. 


The    Commercial    Club    et    Monday 
night.    A  good  time  was  had  by  all. 


The  Notary  Club  et  Thursday  noon. 
A  good  time  was  had  by  all. 


The  K.  Peas  will  eat  tomorry  night 
and  a  good  time  will  be  had  bv  all. 


Seems  to  us  like  there  is  a  dickens 
of  a  lot  of  eating  going  on  around  this 
town. 


Also  a  lot  of  escaping.   Why  not  play 
the  piano. 


772 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 


Iffen  yovi  can't  be  thankful  for  any- 
thing else,  be  thankful  its  no  worse. 


I'd  liate  to  be 

in  Turkey 
Where  it's 
murky 
and  it's 
dirkey — 
I'd  rather  far 
in  old 
York  County  be 
I'd  hate  to  be  " 
in  Turkey, 
The  subject 
makes  me 
jerky ; 
But  I  do  not 
mind  when 
Turkey 
Is  in  me. 


We  hear  tell  ez  how  out  there  in 
Loekridge  Township  Cash  Newman  wuz 
had  to  git  accorded  th'  complimentiary 
and  surprizin'  testimonial  uv  one  vote 
fer  county  jedge.  Th'  boys  wuzn't 
gonna  enter  the  result  on  the  pole  book, 
fust  off,  but  Cash  says  ez  how  he 
rockoned  they  had  better  do  so,  ez  long 
ez  th'  vote  wuz  cast  an'  counted  ac- 
cordin'  tew  dew  process  uv  law,  an'  he 
would  make  it  prety  durned  hot  fer  "em 
iffen  they  neglected  thet  there  little 
ceremony  of  enterin'  it  in  th'  books. 
Waal,  th'  boys  argued  with  Cash  a  spell, 
an'  telt  him  thet  they  didn't  like  f 
enter  thet  there  one  lettel  lonesome  vote 
fer  him  ez  it  looked  like  a  joke  some- 
one wuz  playin'  onto  him,  er  mebbe 
some  half-wit  had  snuck  in  the  bootli 
an'  then  dropped  thet  there  vote  in  th" 
box  while  they  wuzn't  lookiii'.  I!ut 
Cash  sed  he  guessed  there  wuzn't 
nuthin'  so  blamed  foolish  erbout  thet 
vote  ez  fur  ez  he  could  see;  thet  it  wuz 
th'  most  sensible  vote  he  seen  cast  thet 
day,  an'  how  did  they  know  until  all 


tlr"  returns  wuz  in  how  he  wuz  runnin" 
in  th'  other  townships,  fer  th'  good  uv 
all.     He  sed  he  took  thet  vote  plumb 
serious,  an'  he  made  a  lettel  speech  an' 
thanked  which  ever  one  it  wuz  in  the 
crowd  thet  bed  did  him  th'  honor  an' 
he  sed  thet  while  he  might  be  defeated 
still  there  wuz  no  denyin'  thet  he  had 
made  a  surprizin'  gain  over  last  year, 
an'  hed  every  reason  t'  feel  gratified 
over  th'  increase  uv  100  per  cent  in  his 
hum  precinct.    An'  he  sed  he  would  like 
t'  call  th'  attenslum  uv  his  enemies,  an' 
point  'ith  pride  t'  his  friends  ez  how  he 
took  a  easy  second  place,  an'  iffen  this 
here  cheap  politicul  crook,  Harry  Hop- 
kins,   hedn't    spent    oodles    of    tainted 
money  which  he  had  wrenched  fr'm  th' 
pockets  uv  th'  poor,  he  wouldda  beat 
him   hands   down.      An'  then   th'  boys 
tolt   Cash   they    reckoned   thet   't  wuz 
■  easy  t'  tell  who  voted  fer  him,  'n  they 
guest  it   wuz   lucky  he  didn't  get  no 
more  'n  one  vote  er  it  would  a  become 
their  painful  dooty  't  arrest  him  fer 
repeatin'.      An'    what    Cash    sed    then 
won't   bear   repeatin'   in   good   society. 
And  he  telt  'em  iffen  they  sed  tew  much 
he    would    demand    a    recount.      Lby 
Clithero  sed  he  wouldn't  advise  him  tew 
dew  that — sed  he  might  lose  that  there 
vote  if  he  did.     Such  is  life. 


Mighty  near  it  had  a  ])old  bank  rob- 
bery the  other  night.  Josh  Cow  caught 
a  couppla  birds,  one  of  .same  being  Jack 
Crumpaugh,  an  alleged  eni])Ioye,  lurk- 
ing around  the  basement  and  called  the 
night  police.  The  night  police  crawled 
in  a  window  and  was  going  to  cut  loose 
with  a  gat  and  only  desisted  when  he 
iliscovered  he  didn't  have  his  gat  along. 
Jack  and  his  accomplish  (we  haven't 
heard  whom)  claimed  they  had  come  in 
there  to  skin  a  mink.  We  are  innocent 
and  unsuspecting,  but  iffen  a  coupla 
guys  were  caught  in  tnir  bank  and  they 
t'hiiiiied  thcv  come  in  there  to  skin  a 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


773 


mink  we  would  tell  tliein  j.o  go  tell  that 
to  the  judge,  even  iffeu  they  did  have  a 
mink  along  to  prove  it  with.  Still,  on 
second  hand,  there  is  considerabul  skin- 
ning done  in  banks — in  fact,  they  are 
darn  near  it  packing-houses  when  it 
comes  to  skinning  there  customers,  so 
let  the  story  ride.  We  understand  Jack 
got  his  key  tooken  up  on  him  by  Josh. 


Pure  Locals 
IIap])y  Xew  Year. 


York,  Neb.,  Dec.  29th. 
Dear    Squawker:     I   don't   think   it 
would  be  out  of  place  to  wish  you  a 
Happy  New  Jeer.  Squib. 


Spent  Christmas  out  at  Jen's.     Tur- 
key 'n  everythin'. 


We  didn't  get  no  Ford  for  Christmas, 
but  we  got  a  tin  horn. 


Gus  Schneider  of  Benedict  paid  his 
prescription,  greatly  to  our  surprise. 


We  threatened  to  go  on  a  strike  the 
other  day.  "Zatso?"  said  Kit,  "I  didn't 
even  know  you  had  been  working." 
Such  is  married  life. 


It  may  come  to  pass  that  some  of  the 
people  who  were  not  satisfied  with 
ten  dollars  a  day  will  be  tickled  to  death 
with  two.  We  sincerely  hope  not,  but 
such  is  life. 


Truth  is  stronger  than  fiction.  The 
other  night  we  were  hastening  home  in 
a  driving  snowstorm,  on  ac'ct  we  could 
not  afford  to  hasten  home  in  a  taxicab, 
and  as  we  crossed  the  street  near  the 
meeting  house,  we  met  a  large  barrel 
rolling  sullenly  down  tlie  pavement. 
We  looked  at  it  twicet  and  then  we 
never  believed  it  until  it  knocked  our 
feet  out  from  under  us  and  we  fell  over 


it  quite  emphatically.  We  told  Kit 
about  it  when  we  got  home,  and  she 
looked  stern  and  asked  us  where  we  had 
been.  We  couldn't  make  her  believe 
anybody  had  lost  a  barrel  while  doing 
their  Christmas  shopping  surly.  The 
next  morning  we  learned  that  it  was 
our  own  rain  barrel  that  had  attackted 
us  whilst  we  stood  transfixe<l  with  aston- 
ishment. The  boys  of  the  neighbor- 
hood had  borrowed  same,  along  with 
our  ladder,  to  barricade  the  street  for 
their  sleighing  operations,  thereby 
nearly  sleighing  us  with  our  own  rain 
barrel.  Bless  the  boys !  They  can  have 
any  darn  thing  we've  got,  but  we  want 
to  be  absolved  from  responsibility,  iffen 
they  don't  keep  there  rain  barrels  tied 
up. 

As  to  the  ladder  which  was  smashed 
up,  we  do  not  care  for  it.  It  was  one 
we  borrowed  of  Ed  Johnson. 


Sossiety  News 
Grace  is  quite  an  observant  cuss. 
Frinstance,  it  was  had  to  snow  quite 
heavily  last  week,  for  the  good  of  all. 
Grace  observed  the  next  morning  on  her 
way  down  town  to  loaf  that  everybody 
had  their  walks  cleaned  off,  except  the 
lawyers  and  editors.  Her  walk  wasn't 
cleaned  off,  and  neither  was  Bill  Kirk- 
patriek's  nor  Ed  Sandall's.  Then  she 
got  along  all  right  till  she  got  down  to 
Ed  Gilbert's,  and  the  walk  in  front  of 
Ed's  place  looked  like  a  cut  on  the 
Burlington  after  a  three  days'  whizzard. 
When  she  got  as  far  as  the  Squawker's 
palatial  re.sidence  she  said  she  had  to 
back  up  and  make  a  running  start  in 
order  to  eat  her  way  through  the  moun- 
tainous drifts,  and  when  she  finally 
labored  through  there  was  snow  cling- 
ing to  the  fringe  on  her  bonnet,  and 
her  face  was  so  full  of  same  she  would, 
if  she  had  been  a  goat,  have  been  com- 
pelled to  amputate  her  whiskers  before 
she  could  have  taken  a  chew  of  tobacco 


774 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


— in  case,  as  we  said  before,  slie  had 
been  a  <joat. 


Doe  Sliidler  lias  us  deeply  in  his  debt 
on  acVt  he  wrote  last  week's  Squawker 
so  we  could  go  fishing  for  the  good  of 
all.  This  is  three  or  four  times  Doc 
has  come  to  the  rescue  in  this  neigh- 
borly fashion,  and  we  appreciate  it 
more  than  we  could  well  mention  with- 
out becoming  maudlin.  Thanks,  Doc, 
and  any  time  you  want  us  to  help  cut 
out  a  appendix  or  anything,  don't  hesi- 
tate to  call  on  us. 


In  last  week's  paper  by  a  slip  of  the 
typewriter  we  inadvertently  referred  to 
Gnat  Dean  as  police  judge  when  we 
should  have  said  B.  A.  Ward.  We 
apologize  to  both  of  them.  Judge  AVard 
may  recover  from  the  cruel  blow  in 
time,  but  he  is  inconsolable  at  present. 
Gnat  Dean,  as  our  readers  well  know, 
is  our  ju.stly  celebrated  dam  contractor, 
who  is  one  of  the  best  dammers  in  the 
country  and  can  dam  anything  large  or 
small,  while  Judge  Ward  is  dammed  by 
everybody  and  gets  even  by  saying  five 
and  costs. 


I'xilnj  Slioir 
(Jet  your  babies  fat  and  in  good  con- 
dition for  the  Better  Babies  show  to 
be  held  in  conjunction  with  the  county 
fair  September  20-24th,  for  the  good 
of  all.  E.  B.  Woods,  chairman  of  the 
Better  Babies  Committee,  with  Evert 
Gonld  and  Charlie  Stroman.  the  other 
members,  have  been  working  like 
demons  to  make  the  show  a  winner,  and 
they  announce  that  it  is  beyond  per- 
adventure  of  a  doubt  it  will  prove  a 
howling  success.  Chairman  Woods  says 
that  safety-pins  will  lie  furnished  free 
as  jier  usual,  and  talcum  powder  can 
be  bail  at  cost  on  the  premises.  He  is 
also  glad  to  announce  that  while  in  the 
past  the  prizes  for  pigs  have  been  some- 


what larger  than  those  offered  for 
babies,  he  has  succeeded  in  getting  the 
ajijiropriation  enlarged  so  that  the 
babies  will  now  be  given  an  even  break 
with  the  pigs. 


Eddijtorial 

'"Looking  for  an  Issue  with  Which 
to  Win"  was  the  headline  carried  by 
the  Sunday  papers,  referring  to  the 
republican  and  democratic  parties. 
They  didn't  use  to  be  so  frank  and 
ingenuous  about  these  things,  but 
they're  wearing  'em  higher  this  year. 

We  see  where  the  Standard  Oil  Com- 
pany has  declared  another  quarterly 
dividend  of  about  steen  millions.  We 
are  in  favor  of  passing  the  hat  for 
the  poor  harassed  stockholders  of  that 
bankrupt  institution  that  the  govern- 
ment has  ruined  along  with  the  rail- 
roads and  the  sugar  trust  and  the 
packers  and  the  shoe  manufacturers. 
With  oil  getting  so  scarce  and  every- 
thing gasoline  will  just  have  to  go  to 
.seventy-five  cents  per  gallon.  The  poor 
devils — how  it  must  wring  their  tender 
hearts  to  have  to  rai.se  the  prices ! 


We  regret  very  much  to  note  by  his 
recent  speech  in  the  newspapers  that 
Congressman  McLaughlin  is  fast  de- 
generating into  a  typical  politician. 
Mac  succeeded  in  accomplishing  the 
impossible  when  he  secured  the  nomi- 
nation against  the  wishes  and  desires 
of  every  politician  in  his  district,  but 
now,  evidently,  a  coterie  of  Washing- 
ton politicians  have  dragged  him  into 
their  committee  meetiijgs,  coached  him 
to  be  a  regular,  and  Mac  is  spouting 
about  "one-man-iX)wer''  like  the  rest  of 
the  ward  heelers.  Cut  it  out,  Mac. 
You  may  ride  along  on  the  crest  of  a 
party  wave  for  a  while,  but  when  it 
subsides  you  will  be  left  stranded  on 
the  rocks  along  with  the  small  frv. 


HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY 


775 


A  Dinner  Dance 
There  was  had  to  lie  a  climiei'  dance 
pulled  off  down  at  the  new  hutel  the 
other  night.  A  dinner  dance  is  like  a 
cabaray  only  more  swell,  and  you  get 
something  to  eat  at  a  cabaray.  Some 
of  the  men  folks  had  a  good  time,  and 
others  wore  their  dress  suits.  There 
was  also  some  low  dresses  worn,  and 
the  other  decorations  were  in  strict 
keeping  with  the  exclusiveness  of  tlie 
function  which  was  held  in  the  hutel 
lobby,  only  they  et  in  the  dining  room. 
When  our  York  full  dress  society  gets 
started,  it  can  pull  off  stunts  on  the 
same  lavish  scale  as  London,  Paris, 
New  York,  French  Kick  Springs, 
where  the  Pluto  comes  from,  Palm 
Beach,  and  South  Omaha.  And  we 
can  think  of  nothing  more  edifying 
than  to  see  York's  high  society  danc- 
ing in  the  hutel  lobby  for  the  good  of 
all.  It  is  the  best  kind  of  advertising 
for  our  fair  city,  on  ac'ct  there  is  quite 
a  few  traveling  men  hanging  around 
the  hutel  at  all  times,  and  they  get  to 
see  that  our  society  is  just  as  swell  as 
the  best  of  them.  And  the  scene  must 
have  been  one  of  bewildering  beauty  as 
viewed  by  opery  glasses  from  the  mez- 
zanine (this  word  has  only  been  added 
to  York's  vocabidary  recently,  but  all 
it  means  is  low)  floor,  which  same  is 
reached  either  by  the  marble  staircase 
or  the  electric  lift  when  the  same  is  in 
running  order.  The  Squawker  editor 
was  not  invited  to  this  society  event  of 
the  season,  no  doubt  through  some 
technical  error  or  other  slight  over- 
sight on  the  part  of  the  invitation  com- 
mittee, which  same  neglected  to  send 
us  a  free  pass  to  same  for  the  good  of 
all,  but  if  we  had  been  there  we  would 
have  taken  keenest  delight  in  viewing 
the  fairylike  scene  as  the  sylphlike, 
dress  suited  forms  of  Bill  Overstreet, 
Bill    Bover,   Charlie   McCloud   and   we 


don't  know  who  in  thunder  else  floated 
acerost  the  tessellated  floor  like  thistle- 
down, as  it  were,  guiding  their  light- 
hearted,  lightfooted,  lightheaded  com- 
panions gracefully  hither  and  yon, 
through  the  mystic  mazes  of  the 
skimmy. 

We  think  a  good  time  was  had  by  all 
but  Bill  Overstreet,  whom,  we  under- 
stand, has  been  heard  to  .state  since 
that  he  prefers  some  dinner  along  with 
the  dance  at  a  dinner  dance,  and  that 
he  was  weak  with  hunger,  as  the  fish 
he  drew  for  lunch  looked  like  a  pre- 
served minnow  that  had  been  fished 
with  for  bass  and  drew  several  strikes 
so  it  was  in  a  draggled  condition. 
Otherwise  a  good  time  was  had  by  all. 


Some  Interesting  Figures 

There  is  some  interesting  figures  in 
York  society  when  you  come  to  con- 
sider the  same.  We  do  not  mean  legs 
— we  mean  statistics.  The  figiTres  show 
that  York  .society  is  much  more  ex- 
clusive than  New  York  society.  For 
example,  there  is  fewer  members  of 
York's  400  than  there  is  of  New  York's 
400.  There  is  40(1  members  of  New 
York's  400,  but  there  is  only  56  mem- 
bers of  York's  400. 

There  is  fourteen  dress  suits  owned 
by  male  butterflies  of  society  in  York. 
One  of  these  dress  suits  is  new.  In 
York  it  is  a  fad  t(j  wear  the  dress 
suit  for  either  morning  or  afternoon 
functions.  A  few  extremists  wear  them 
in  the  evening. 

The  Sunday  supplement  of  Worst's 
Sunday  Examineher,  which  is  the 
authority  for  style  with  York  society, 
announces,  we  are  j)leased  to  note,  that 
white  gloves  are  no  longer  being  worn 
at  any  social  functions  aside  from 
husking  bees.  This  will  be  quite  a 
relief  to  our  social  favorites,  as  it  is 
quite  a  job  to  remenil)er  to  take  same 


'70 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


off  wlien  yon  come  home  ami  have  to 
go  dovviistaivs  and  fix  the  furmii-e  for 
the  night. 

If  there  ii^  no  high  silk  hats  being 
worn  in  York,  it  is  only  because  oiir 
loeal  clothiers  have  neglected  to  lay  in 
a  stock  of  same,  and  not  because  our 
social  gadabouts  arc  too  tight  to  pur- 
chase the  same  if  they  could  be  had. 
The  hats  are  all  high  but  they  arc 
not  silk.  Anyhow  our  society  when  it 
goes  to  the  diamond  horseshoe  circle  at 
the  Sun  to  enjoy  grand  opery  goes  in 
the  luxurious  towering  car,  the  ford  or 
the  taxicab,  and  what  is  the  use  of 
wearing  a  high  silk  hat  inside  an  all- 
leather  top  where  nolmdy  can  see  the 
same,  we  ask? 

There  is  but  one  goat  owned  liv  York 


society  at  present.  We  have  not  said 
who  owns  this  goat,  but  she  is  quite 
prominent  in  society — that  is,  the  lady, 
not  the  goat.  The  goat  would  no  doubt 
be  strong  for  society  if  given  the  oppor- 
tunity, but  the  goat  fad  seems  quite 
hard  to  establish,  and  goats  are  a  drug 
on  the  market  at  present.  The  goat  in 
question  is  a  brown  plush  one,  and 
lends  it.self  readily  to  the  fashionable 
tans  in  color  schemes  of  decoration. 
To  our  notion,  if  leading  goats  around 
became  fashionable,  as.  up  to  the  hour 
of  going  to  press,  it  has  failed  to 
become,  it  would  be  much  more  sensible 
than  leading  chow  dogs  around.  Be- 
sides, goats  give  milk,  and  do  not  bark 
and  chew'  all  the  fringe  off  the  lounge 
in  the  Ijest  room. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 
THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION 

CALL   THE   DOCTOK — THE   PIONEER   PHYSICIAN — THE   MEDICAL   ROSTER — DURING  THE 

'90s  AND  SINCE THE  HOSPITALS 

CALL  THE  DOCTOR 

The  modern  generation,  who  can  step  to  the  telephone,  call  the  doctor,  await  a 
few  anxious  moments  while  the  physician's  automohile  speedily  brings  him  to  the 
bedside  of  the  sick  person,  is  very  apt  to  overlook  the  prime  importance  of  the 
country  doctor  of  some  forty  years  ago.  Then  it  was  a  long  wait,  a  period  of  intense 
suspense,  while  the  doctor,  sitting  half  awake  in  a  buggy,  with  the  faithful  horse 
steering  the  course  would  be  slowly  ambling  toward  his  destination.  To  make  a 
good  fraction  of  as  many  calls,  visits  and  examinations  as  the  modern  jDhysician  can 
dispense  with  in  a  regular  day's  work,  his  predecessor  of  a  generation  ago  had  to  put 
in  many  more  tedious,  tiresome  hours.  Words  cannot  begin  to  record  the  credit  due 
to  the  earlier  doctors  of  York  County  or  any  other  community.  The  least  we  can 
do  at  this  time  is  to  compile  a  memorial  roster  of  these  faithful  servants  of  the 
public  health. 

The  following  piece,  written  upon  the  work  of  the  pioneer  [ihysician.  will  carry 
forth  the  thought  hereinbefore  suggested. 

THE    PIONEER   PHYSICIAN 

(From  the  Xew  Teller,  February  5,  1913) 

The  historian  of  south  York  County  mentioned  in  an  article  published  last  week 
the  valuable  services  rendered  early  settlers  by  Dr.  Deweese,  who  proved  a  good 
friend  to  many  sick  and  suffering  ones.  The  northern  portion  of  the  county  was 
also  fortunate  in  having  a  pioneer  physician  in  the  person  of  Dr.  S.  V.  Moore, 
whose  home  has  been  in  York  for  a  number  of  years.  Though  his  days  of  strenuous 
effort  are  long  since  ended  and  failing  health  keeps  him  by  his  fireside  during  the 
winter  days,  he  has  a  very  keen  memory  of  the  time  when  cold  and  storms  had  no 
terrors  for  him  and  he  willingly  braved  the  worst  blizzard  to  respond  to  a  call  for 
help.  Doctor  Moore  came  to  York  County  in  1869.  He  took  a  homestead  north 
of  the  present  site  of  Bradshaw  and  built  his  sod  house  on  a  hill  about  a  half  mile 
from  Lincoln  Creek.  He  had  both  studied  and  practiced  medicine  in  his  former 
home  in  Illinois,  but  had  not  expected  to  continue  to  follow  the  profession  in 
Nebraska.  But  the  need  of  his  neighbors  was  so  great  and  their  wish  for  the 
medical  treatment  he  alone  could  give  so  urgent,  that  he  gradually  yielded  to  their 

777 


778  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

deiiiiuuls  and  soon  foiiiul  himself  practicing  medicine  over  the  most  of  York  County 
and  parts  of  Polk  and  Hamilton.  If  a  call  to  a  sick  bed  came  in  plowing  time  the 
plow  must  be  left  in  the  furrow  till  the  sick  were  visited,  and  if  a  winter  storm  was 
brewing  the  wife  and  children  must  Ije  left  to  care  for  themselves  and  the  stock  as 
best  they  could  until  the  father-doctor  could  reach  home  again. 

There  were  few  contagious  diseases  to  contend  with,  though  the  children  of  the 
plains  succeeded  in  catching  measles  and  kindred  ailments  as  do  those  of  the  towns. 
Di])litheria  was  a  dreaded  visitor  sometimes  and  pneumonia  was  grejitly  feared. 
Doctor  Moore  remembers  being  called  to  the  bedside  of  a  young  woman  who  was 
very  sick  with  this  disease.  A  storm  was  raging,  and  lighted  lanterns  were  hung 
outside  the  door  of  the  house  to  guide  the  doctor.  As  he  entered  the  little  room 
where  the  woman  lay  he  found  her  bed  surrounded  by  weeping  friends  who  believed 
her  to  be  dying.  The  doctor  left  the  door  wide  open  and  someone  in  the  room  sug- 
gested that  it  be  closed.  "No,  leave  it  open,'"  commanded  the  doctor  as  he  made 
his  way  toward  the  sick  woman.  When  she  had  recovered  the  power  of  speech  the 
patient  told  the  doctor  that  she  heard  his  command  and  blessed  him  for  it,  for  she 
was  perishing  for  lack  of  oxygen  and  the  air  in  the  little  room  was  rendered  the 
more  impure  by  the  number  of  people  who  were  crowded  in.  All  of  these  friends 
save  the  liusbaud  and  a  woman  to  serve  as  a  nurse  were  banished  by  the  physician, 
and  since  it  was  too  cold  to  send  them  to  their  homes,  he  told  them  to  make  them- 
selves as  comfortable  as  possible  in  a  sod  annex  to  the  house.  To  those  who  insisted 
that  the  patient  was  dying  he  said  "She  is  not  dead  yet,"  and  she  did  not  die.  She, 
too,  is  living  in  York  today. 

On  one  occasion  the  doctor  was  gone  from  his  home  for  three  days  and  nights, 
being  prevented  from  returning  by  a  blizzard.  As  he  was  nearing  home  on  the 
evening  of  the  third  day  he  was  stopped  by  a  settler  whose  wife  was  sick  and  who 
besought  him  to  tarry  with  them.  Though  Doctor  Moore  had  not  been  able  to  send 
word  to  or  hear  from  his  family  during  his  absence,  he  yielded  to  the  settler's 
prayer  and  watched  with  the  sick  woman  till  nearly  morning. 

A  little  mule  carried  him  many  a  mile  through  heat  and  cold  and  never  failed 
to  find  the  way  home  over  trackless  fields  of  grass  or  snow.  Sometimes  when  home- 
ward bound  Billy  would  lower  his  head  and  sniff  the  trail  like  a  dog.  Nell,  a  beauti- 
ful mare  of  high  degree  had  her  part,  too,  in  carrying  relief  to  the  suffering.  Some- 
times the  way  (there  were  no  roads  in  those  days)  led  through  the  water-filled 
basins  and  across  streams  and  more  than  once  it  was  necessary  for  the  rider  to  lift  his 
feet  and  saddle  bags  to  the  horse's  back  to  escape  a  wetting  while  fording  the  waters. 
The  travel  in  winter  of  course  called  for  the  most  endurance  and  frequently  led  to 
exposure  to  the  elements  sufficient  to  endanger  life.  The  pioneer  physician  was  not 
supplied  with  fur  coats  or  robes  and  was  often  chilled  through  and  felt  the  pangs 
resulting  from  frosted  hands  and'feet.  Once  a  woman  in  a  household  where  he  had 
a  patient  iu.sisted  on  preparing  the  doctor  for  the  homeward  trip  by  wrapping  his 
legs  in  old  quilts  tied  with  strings.  Before  he  reached  shelter  he  was  most  grateful 
for  the  kindly  solicitude,  for  without  the  extra  wrappings  he  knew  he  might  have 
frozen. 

Once  when  the  physician  was  watching  by  the  child  of  a  neighbor  which  had 
been  attacked  by  membranous  croup,  he  was  summoned  home  to  find  that  his  little 
son  was  similarly  afflicted  and  his  wife  had  been  fighting  the  disease  with  all  the 
remedies  at  her  command. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  779 

The  question  of  medicine  was  an  important  one  to  the  doctor  of  the  early  '70s. 
Drugs  must  he  procured  from  Lincoln  or  Milford  and  then  compounded  by  the 
doctor  himself.  A  good  supply  of  medicine  must  be  carried  on  every  trip,  for  often 
one  call  was  the  only  one  the  doctor  could  make,  and  at  the  best  medicine  must 
be  left  for  several  days  with  directions  for  use  or  change  as  the  patient's  condition 
might  demand. 

Often  the  doctor  was  called  to  a  home  consisting  of  a  one-room  sodhouse  with 
only  a  strip  of  carpet  for  a  door  and  heated  liy  a  cook  stove  in  which  cornstalks  were 
used  as  fuel,  it  recpiiring  the  constant  labors  of  one  person  to  replenish  the  fire.  The 
patient  in  such  a  home  had  usually  nothing  in  the  way  of  comforts.  Yet  Doctor 
Moore  recalls  that  by  far  the  greater  majority  of  his  patients  recovered  in  spite  of 
adverse  conditions.  There  were  a  few  cases  of  tuberculosis  imder  his  care  in  those 
early  days,  but  he  held  out  no  hope  of  recovery  to  tlie  patients  or  their  friends  while 
doing  all  in  his  power  to  alleviate  their  distress  and  make  their  last  days  easier. 

In  many  cases  the  only  compensation  Doctor  Moore  received  was  that  of  the 
deep  gratitude  of  his  patients.  There  was  little  to  pay  with  then,  and  it  was  not 
unwillingness  but  lack  of  means  which  left  him  unrewarded.  Some  men  payed  their 
debts  in  farm  labor,  and  their  services  were  greatly  needed  at  times  by  one  who  left 
his  own  things  so  frequently  to  care  for  the  things  of  others.  When  the  grasshoppers 
took  the  settlers'  crops  they  also  took  the  hopes  of  the  doctor  for  ready  money  which 
had  been  promised  him  liy  those  who  lost  their  all.  But  of  these  things  he  never 
complained,  and,  indeed,  it  is  necessary  to  question  him  closely  concerning  this  part 
of  his  experience.  Sometimes  the  doctor  traveled  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles  to  see  a 
patient  and  sometimes  a  trip  of  sixty  or  more  miles  would  be  necessary  in  order  to 
make  two  or  three  visits.  Charging  at  present  professional  rates  for  visits  calling  for 
such  an  expenditure  of  time  and  strength  would  have  given  Doctor  Moore  a  good 
start  on  the  road  to  wealth,  if  the  charges  could  have  been  paid. 

This  story  of  heroism  might  be  indefinitely  prolonged,  for  hundreds  of  thrilling 
incidents  doubtless  crowd,  the  history  of  that  fourteen  years.  "Hero"  is  a  very 
appropriate  name  for  a  man  who  lived  the  life  of  a  pioneer  doctor,  but  after  all  it 
does  not  express  much.  For  the  name  is  often  bestowed  for  one  act  of  supreme 
self-risk,  while  the  doctor  practices  self-sacrifice  year  in  and  year  out  with  no  great 
crisis,  save  the  ordinary  crisis  of  life,  to  nerve  him  to  endeavor. 

THE   MEDICAL   ROSTER 

The  roster  of  doctors  who  have  registered  in  York  County,  in  compliance  with 
the  requirements  of  the  state  laws,  gives  the  most  complete  list  of  medical  men  of 
Y'ork  County.  This  list,  kept  in  the  county  clerk's  office,  of  course  contains 
names  of  numerous  doctors  who  were  located  in  other  counties,  but  whose  practice 
called  them  into  Y^'ork  County  frequently  enough  that  they  deemed  it  advisable  to 
register  here.  Doctor  T.  L.  Myers  practiced  at  York  as  early  as  1871  and  Dr.  A.  J. 
Allen  was  the  first  at  Bradshaw,  in  1872. 

The  list,  beginning  with  the  registrations  in  1881,  shows  the  first  name  to  be 
that  of  George  W.  Shidler.  Doctor  Shidler,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  trained  in 
the  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  I^niversity  medical  department  and  the  College  of  Phy- 
sicians and  Surgeons  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  practiced  in  Iowa  some  three  years  and  came 
to  York  County  in  February,  1878.    In  August,  1881,  he  went  to  Red  Cloud,  where 

Vol.   11—12 


780  HISTOEY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

he  practiced  for  a  short  time,  and  then  returned  to  York  County,  where  he  com- 
pleted a  long,  useful  career  before  his  call  to  the  final  reward.  His  son,  George  P. 
Shidler,  is  one  of  the  leading  doctors  of  York  of  the  present  generation. 

Further  registrations  in  1881  brought  forth  the  names  of  Samuel  Wert  of  Waco, 
who  came  to  the  county  from  Stromsburg ;  Austin  E.  Allen,  William  Joel  Wells  of 
Waco,  in  recent  years  in  Lincoln,  Neb. ;  Levi  Pool  of  York;  L.  P.  Ensign,  at  Arbor- 
ville;  Willis  C.  Sperry,  Henry  Van  Gorden,  William  Henry  Babcock,  at  Bradshaw; 
Sarah  Parker,  J.  J.  Porter,  Mrs.  Francis  A.  Martin;  and  this  year's  registration 
brought  forth  four  names  which  stand  out  in  York  County  medical  services  for  long 
careers  of  faithful  professional  service  and  activities  in  social,  political  and  general 
affairs  of  the  community — Drs.  E.  Carscadden,  William  H.  Martin,  D.  E.  Sedgwick, 
and  W.  M.  Knapp. 

Doctor  Carscadden,  homeopathic  physician  and  surgeon,  was  bom  in  Canada, 
February  1,  1840,  where  he  received  his  literary  education  and  attended  Albert  Col- 
lege for  some  time.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1863  and  entered  the  Univer- 
sity of  Michigan  medical  department.  In  Chicago  he  studied  for  over  a  year  in 
the  office  of  Dr.  B.  Dexter ;  he  later  pursued  work  in  Rusli  Medical  College,  grad-  . 
uating  in  1866,  attended  lectures  in  Hahnemann  Medical  College  (homeopathic). 
Practicing  for  three  years  in  the  old  school,  he  turned  in  1869  to  the  homeopathic 
practice.  In  1879  he  left  his  practice  in  De  Pere,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  on 
account  of  failing  health,  and  came  out  to  the  invigorating  atmosphere  of  York 
County.  In  the  earlier  years  of  his  practice  here  he  was  the  only  physician  of  his 
school  in  the  county.  He  was  married  at  Wheaton,  111.,  in  1871  to  Miss  Clara 
Sedgwick. 

Dr.  William  M.  Knapp  was  born  in  Steuben  County,  New  York,  January  20, 
1847.  After  receiving  his  academic  education  lie  entered  the  medical  college  at 
Detroit,  Mich.,  and  later  entered  the  St.  Louis  Medical  College,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  the  spring  of  1872.  He  practiced  one  year  at  Macomb,  111.,  and  settled 
in  York  in  1873.  At  tbe  time  of  the  opening  of  the  registration  records  in  1881  he 
was  the  oldest  resident  physician  of  York  and  Hamilton  counties.  In  1880  his 
standing  in  the  profession  was  recognized  by  election  as  vice  president  of  the  Cen- 
tral Nebraska  Medical  Association.  He  was  chosen  to  represent  Hamilton  and 
York  counties  in  the  State  Senate  in  1877.  In  this  same  session  Dr.  S.  V.  Moore 
represented  York  County  in  the  House  of  Representatives.  He  was  an  original 
member  of  the  York  Masonic  Lodge  and  first  master  of  that  lodge,  and  was  one  of 
the  organizing  members  of  the  G.  A.  E.  post  at  York.  He  married  in  1876  one  of 
the  York  teachers.  Miss  E.  A.  Beecher. 

Dr.  William  H.  Martin  came  to  Nebraska  in  1868,  first  locating  at  Nebraska 
City,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  came  to  York  in  1875. 
He  was  the  son  of  D.  C.  and  Sarah  Martin,  who  were  of  English  descent;  his 
mother's  maiden  name  was  White.  He  received  his  literary  education  at  the  Ohio 
Wesleyan  University,  Delaware,  Ohio,  from  which  he  graduated  in  the  classical 
course  in  1862.  He  then  studied  medicine  in  the  offices  of  three  of  the  leading  phy- 
sicians of  the  City  of  Delaware.  In  the  wnter  of  1862-63  he  attended  lectures  at 
Michigan  University,  at  Ann  Arbor.  In  1864  he  commenced  attending  lectures  in 
the  Bellevue  Medical  College,  New  York  City,  graduating  from  the  said  college  in 
the  spring  of  1865.  His  first  practice  was  in  the  eastern  part  of  Ohio,  where  he 
remained  until  his  emigration  to  Nebraska.     He  is  a  member  both  of  the  State 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  781 

Medical  Society  of  Nebraska  and  of  the  Central  Nebraska  Medical  Society.  He  was 
married  in  1862  in  Ohio,  to  Miss  Georgiana  A.  Ladd,  a  native  of  Michigan. 

Dr.  W.  H.  Babeock  came  to  Bradshaw  in  1878.  Dr.  D.  E.  Sedgwick  came  from 
Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  in  1880.  His  name  appears  through  many  chapters  of 
this  work  with  a  frequency  that  illustrates  the  many  interests  in  the  welfare  of  the 
community  he  displayed,  beyond  his  professional  duties. 

The  registration  for  1883  shows  Dr.  Joseph  H.  Downing  at  Waco,  who  came 
from  Valparaiso  in  Saunders  County;  Frederick  Saxenberger,  from  Shelby,  Polk 
County,  who  practiced  extensively  in  northern  York  County;  Dr.  A.  C.  Harlan, 
from  Hillsboro,  Henry  County,  Iowa,  who  became  a  prominent  figure  in  York 
affairs;  John  N.  Davis,  at  New  York,  who  came  from  Iowa  with  some  five  years  of 
experience  in  the  practice;  Allen  M.  Wheeler  of  Crete,  who  registered  in  the 
county  in  April,  1882;  Elvira  Jones  of  Stewart  Township,  who  followed  obstetrical 
work;  Gustavo  Ernest  Kremer  from  Sterling,  Neb.,  registered  in  March,  1883. 
Dr.  Charlotte  Catherine  Naber  of  Waco,  Dr.  Leopold  Frederick  Saxenberger  of 
Waco,  and  W.  Godfrey  Endres  of  Utica  registered  in  the  same  month.  April,  1883, 
brought  another  prominent  figure  in  the  medical  roster  of  York  County,  Dr.  D.  E. 
Foristall,  and  at  the  same  time  Dr.  C.  M.  Scott,  now  living  in  California,  came  to 
York.  In  August  of  that  year  Chester  F.  Harris  of  Red  Lion  Mills,  York  County, 
registered. 

January,  1884,  saw  the  registration  of  Dr.  Orville  M.  Moore  of  Bradshaw,  who 
is  still  living  in  York  County,  over  thirty-five  years  later.  In  March  R.  G.  Bloom- 
field  registered,  and  July  brought  forth  Dr.  A.  0.  Faulkner  who  practiced  a  number 
of  years  in  York,  but  in  recent  years  has  become  the  head  of  an  insurance  company 
in  Lincoln,  and  a  very  successful  business  man.  The  three  registrations  of  1885 
brought  forth  two  names,  which  stand  forth  in  York  County  medical  history — J.  C. 
Panter  and  Benjamin  F.  Farley,  and  also  George  J.  Puhek.  In  this  year  Robert 
McConaughey,  the  present  pioneer  physician  and  dean  of  the  medical  profession, 
came  to  York,  and  has  served  the  people  of  the  county  for  some  thirty-five  years. 

Those  registering  in  1886  were:  Jacob  A.  Bennett,  Y'ork;  A.  R.  Downing, 
Waco;  Augustus  H.  Warren,  Shenandoah,  Iowa;  Alvin  E.  Wessell,  also  from  Iowa, 
and  James  E.  Anderson  of  Indiana.  In  1887  R.  A.  Blackburn  registered  at  York, 
William  K.  Farley,  for  practice  at  Waco,  and  Frank  S.  Morris  at  McCool  Junction. 
Almost  thirty-five  years  of  practice  has  made  Doctor  Morris  a  very  important  factor 
in  the  life  of  the  southern  part  of  York  County.  A.  L.  and  Alex  C.  Sabin  of 
Beatrice  registered  in  this  year.  J.  A.  Van  Dyke  registered  as  from  Bedient,  Neb., 
and  T.  M.  Gardner  for  practice  at  Waco.  Robert  McConaughey,  who  had  been  here 
since  1885,  coming  from  Scottsdale  and  Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa.  A.  A.  Ashby  was 
practicing  considerably  around  Waco,  so  he  registered  in  this  county. 

In  1887  those  who  registered  were  A.  Eisenbeiss  of  Lushton  and  B.  L.  Wanzer 
of  York.  In  January,  1888,  W.  N.  Hylton  registered  for  practice  at  Poston,  later 
called  Gresham.  He  has  been  a  prominent  factor  in  the  life  of  that  community  in 
a  business  as  well  as  a  professional  way.  The  same  year  saw  the  registration  of 
A.  M.  Pickett  from  Mitchell,  Ind. ;  C.  A.  Flippin  at  Henderson,  who  in  years  later 
practiced  at  Stromsburg  and  Grand  Island,  and  Mrs.  M.  Belle  Flippin,  eclectic. 
Lewis  M.  Linvill  started  at  Thayer  and  James  L.  Holbrook  at  Gresham.  Henry  M. 
Williams  registered  as  in  Blue  Valley  and  J.  B.  Conaway  located  at  York.  Susanna 
Vodt  registered  as  in  Brown  Township.    In  1889  Walter  F.  Reynolds  registered  for 


782  HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

work  at  Y'ork,  P.  Janss  of  Grand  Island,  and  now  of  California,  registered  in  the 
county;  Flavins  J.  Greer  for  practice  at  Benedict,  and  a  number  of  outside  prac- 
titioners receiving  considerable  patronage  from  here — J.  S.  Leonhardt  of  Seward, 
George  B.  M.  Free,  A.  J.  Sanders,  and  H.  S.  Aley,  doctors  at  Grand  Island,  and 
George  H.  Collins  at  Lincoln.  Elizabeth  Fast  of  Henderson  completed  the  list  for 
this  year. 

DURING  THE  '90s  AND  SINCE 


In  1S90  appears  the  name  of  Stephen  Xewman,  who  had  practiced  for  many 
years  in  Russia,  and  who  came  to  Henderson.  In  1891  were  Oren  B.  Hugg  and 
Samuel  J.  Canter,  for  York;  Peter  Goosen,  practicing  at  Lushton  and  later  at  Hen- 
derson :  F.  L.  Wiseman  of  Henderson,  W.  M.  Earnest  at  Lushton.  David  Boswell 
of  Thayer  and  Joseph  G.  Downey  of  York  complete  this  year's  list.  In  1892  came 
Austin  R.  Allen,  who  practiced  at  Bradshaw;  Frank  L.  Simon  registered  from  But- 
ler County;  Robert  S.  Hirsch,  who  practiced  at  Gresham,  and  in  1893  William  F. 
Wilson.  From  this  point  on  those  practitioners  who  stayed  here  had  established 
fixed  practices  and  the  number  of  new  arrivals  each  year  is  not  so  numerous.  In 
1895  the  records  show  John  W.  Straight  for  Benedict,  and  who  later  moved  to 
Hastings,  and  Frank  C.  ZoU  of  Merrick  County. 

The  first  dental  registration  appears  in  this  year,  when  Dr.  T.  J.  Hatfield,  the 
dean  of  the  dental  profession  in  York  County,  registered,  and  at  the  same  time 
George  0.  Zeigler,  who  hiter  went  to  Colorado. 

In  1896  came  Peter  Wems  of  Bradshaw,  who  stayed  for  a  short  while.  The 
registrants  for  1897  were  F.  E.  Gordon,  and  W.  L.  Downing  of  Harlan  County, 
iSTeb.,  also  registered  here.  The  year  1898  witnessed  a  group  of  registrants:  F.  V. 
Johnson  from  Wahoo,  William  Kirk  from  Cass  County,  James  G.  Muir  of  Seward 
County.  J.  S.  Sturtevant  of  Cass  County,  and  Benjamin  Rea  of  Dakota  County, 
Iowa.  In  1899  were  J.  W.  Dill  of  Holt  County  and  F.  E.  Calkins  of  York.  On 
May  12,  1899,  Homer  R.  Hatfield  registered  for  dental  practice,  and  started  with 
his  father;  but  he  has  ])racticed  for  many  years  past  at  Grand  Island.  Dr.  H.  Ij. 
Vradenberg,  a  homeopathic  physician,  and  S.  D.  Towle  of  Saline  County  registered 
in  1899,  also.  In  1900  F.  G.  Snyder,  Frank  B.  Slusser  from  Kearney  County, 
Edwin  Blair  Ilanna  from  Fillmore  County,  Henry  C.  Williams  of  Johnson  County, 
and  Dora  Bower  Eckles  and  Warren  F.  Eckles  registered.  The  latter  have  been 
constant  practitioners  at  York  since  then,  but  Dora  Bower  Eckles  is  not  now  prac- 
ticing. The  year  1901  saw  the  arrival  of  0.  S.  Townsend  of  Yoi;k,  George  L.  A. 
Hamilton,  who  started  in  and  stayed  for  a  while;  Dr.  James  X.  Plumb,  who  came 
from  Fillmore  County,  ami  J.  M.  Kilgore,  an  osteopathic  doctor.  In  1902  those  who 
registered  were  Dr.  Lenore  Kilgnre,  who  still  lives  in  York  County,  but  is  not  prac- 
ticing; F.  A.  Thomas,  an  osteopathic  physician  of  Hamilton  County;  Ora  M.  Cald- 
well of  York,  II.  C.  Mudding  of  Lincoln.  Xeb. ;  James  F.  Davies  from  Custer 
County,  and  Paul  R.  Howard,  who  came  to  York  from  Washington  County, 
Nebraska. 

In  1903  B.  F.  Stewart.  Elmer  G.  Lawreni'e  of  Lincoln  County,  Frank  M.  Means 
of  Y^ork  County,  A.  B.  Conaway,  who  never  practiced  here,  registered.  In  1901: 
James  S.  Romine  registered  for  dental  ])racticc,  and  Dr.  William  II.  Dearing  regis- 
tered as  a  doctor  to  practice  at  Lushton.     Edwin  Miller,  another  dentist,  came  to 


o 


< 


o 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  Un    ARY 


ASTOR,  LEN<  X       ND 
TILDEN  hOUWiJA'liONS 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  785 

York,  and  in  the  same  year  came  B.  L.  Diffenbacher,  dentist,  who  later  removed  to 
California.    J.  H.  Griffen  of  Douglas  County  registered  for  medical  practice. 

In  1905  two  osteopaths,  Drs.  Willis  E.  and  Amy  Scott  Lyman,  registered; 
Dr.  Frederick  W.  Karrer  started  at  Benedict,  Dr.  Lucien  Stark  at  Henderson. 
Walter  L.  Burnard,  osteopathic  physician,  came  this  year  from  Hamilton  County; 
also  George  H.  Marvel  of  that  county  registered,  and  George  A.  Morrison,  to  practice 
at  Bradshavv.  Two  dentists  came  to  York  in  1905 — Drs.  Norman  L.  Kerr  and 
Lorenzo  P.  Ronne — who  have  since  left.  This  year's  list  closes  with  Dr.  A.  A. 
Potterhof  of  Douglas  County  and  Freeman  E.  McConoughey,  now  of  Utica.  In  1906 
the  dentists  who  came  were  A.  E.  Calkins  and  C.  A.  Calkins  and  Drs.  J.  C.  McKin- 
ley  from  Colfax  County,  and  N.  Sellberg.  In  1907  the  doctors  arriving  were: 
Charles  C.  Stevens  from  Adams  County,  Robert  L.  Newell  from  Cass  County, 
Jolin  T.  Banning  of  Douglas  County,  William  T.  Putt  of  Adams  County,  and  Artie 
Folsom  of  Gage  County.  These  men;  filed  their  certificates  in  this  county,  and 
Holland  R.  Wildman  was  the  new  dentist  for  this.  year.  In  1908  the  registrations 
made  showed :  Ben  W.  Kinsey  of  Lancaster  Couiity,  Charles  N.  George  of  the  same 
county,  and  Harry  W.  Nye  from  Pierce  County.  John  W.  Meehan  registered  in 
July,  1909;  others  registering  in  this  year  were  W.  M.-  Blairfrom  Lincoln  County, 
and  Amos  F.  Johnson  from  Colfax  County.  In  1910  "those  .whose  names  appeared 
on  the  roster  were:  Dr.  H.  S.  Breevort  of  York,  F.  E.  Abbott  of  Lancaster, 
William  C.  Peterson  of  Madison,  Squire  Oliver  Harris  of  York,  John  W.  Wood  of 
Lancaster  County,  and  Hilmer  Carl  Schmidt  of  York,  and  in  1911  Charles  W.  Ford 
of  Nance  County,  George  E.  Zimmerer  of  York,  and  Rachel  A.  Watkins  of  York 
appeared.  In  1913  came  Enoch  Neff  of  Richardson  County  and  Jesse  Samuel 
Lancaster  of  York  County,  who  stayed  awhile  and  later  went  to  California.  M.  L. 
Rich  of  Grand  Island  registered  for  practicing  in  this  county  in  this  year,  and 
W.  L.  Foster  from  Nuckolls  County  came  to  Waco. 

In  1913  the  arrivals  on  the  roster  were  G.  G.  Douglas  of  Cass  County  and 
Dr.  Henrietta  A.  Latham  of  York;  for  osteopathic  practice,  William  F.  Race  of 
Buffalo  County.  In  1911  the  arrivals  on  the  roster  were:  B.  A.  Stockdale  of 
Douglas  County,  Gilbert  D.  Laffler,  and  P.  L  Stewart  of  Lancaster  County,  John  E. 
Prest,  who  practiced  in  Lushton,  Mildred  C.  Williams  of  York,  and  Dexter  D. 
King  of  York,  now  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Moore,  Shidler  &  King.  In  1915  those 
who  registered  were:  Lillian  E.  Coates  of  York,  Bert  0.  Callahan,  chiropractic, 
Hubert  0.  Bell  and  James  Stewart  Bell  of  York,  David  F.  Hallett,  York;  Elsie  M. 
Requartte  and  Donald  McDonald,  chiropractic,  registered  in  1916;  as  did  Clark- 
son  N.  Olmstead,  osteopathic  physician;  Emeral  J.  Culver  of  Adams  County, 
Hayes  H.  Culbertson  of  York,  and  Earl  Warner,  osteopath. 

In  1918  the  dentists  registering  were  T.  S.  Whelan  and  Addison  J.  Beebe. 

In  1920  G.  Holmes  registered  as  an  osteopathic  physician. 

The  following  tribute  was  paid  to  Dr.  B.  F.  Farley,  who  died  in  1917 : 

"Doctor  Benjamin  F.  Farley,  a  pioneer  physician  of  York  County,  died  at  his 
home  in  this  city  Wednesday  morning,  January  17,  1917,  of  acute  pneumonia. 
Doctor  Farley  was  taken  sick  Tuesday,  and  so  sudden  and  severe  was  the  attack 
that  he  died  almost  before  his  family  realized  his  condition. 

"Doctor  Farley  came  to  York  from  Illinois  in  18S5,  and  has  been  actively  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  medicine  here  up  to  the  day  of  his  fatal  illness.     Two  years 


786  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COITXTY 

ago  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Farley  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  at  the  family  himie 
in  this  city. 

"Doctor  Farley  is  survived  hy  his  wife  and  three  daughter?;.  One  dmighter.  ilrs. 
Lloyd  Lloyd,  lives  at  North  Platte;  another,  Mrs.  Grant  Karnes,  lives  in  York,  and 
another,  Mrs.  Rose  Linch,  also  lives  in  this  city.  There  are  six  grandchildren. 
Deceased  was  iu  his  seventy-third  year.  The  Democrat  goes  to  press  too  early  to 
announce  the  funeral  arrangements. 

"In  Doctor  Farley's  death  York  County  loses  a  pioneer  citizen  who  contribiited 
largely  to  the  development  of  the  community.  He  was  a  man  of  broad  vision,  kindly 
impulses  and  devoted  to  his  profession." 

HOSPITALS 

In  recent  years  Doctors  Moore,  Shidler  and  King  have  built  up  a  splendid  private 
hospital,  called  the  York  Clinic.  Before  this,  York  liad  the  Lutheran  Hospital,  an 
institution  of  which  it  is  justly  proud.  The  campaign  for  building  a  Lutheran  hos- 
pital was  started  in  1913  by  Rev.  0.  Batz,  pastor  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church, 
and  some  of  his  members,  and  some  of  the  local  physicians  took  an  active  part  in 
pushing  the  project.  In  November,  1915,  the  first  building  was  dedicated.  It  was 
a  building  54x96,  two  stories  and  basement,  or  practically  three  stories  in  height. 
The  cost  of  that  building,  including  site,  furniture  and  fixtures  was  $1:8,000.  In 
1918  an  annex  and  heating  plant  were  erected  at  a  cost  of  $85,000,  this  annex  being 
38x90,  practically  three  stories,  all  fireproof,  with  every  modern  convenience  to  be 
found  for  such  an  institution. 

Miss  C.  Rohling,  registered  nurse,  was  the  first  superintendent  and  .served  for  a 
year.  Miss  Martha  Meyer,  R.  X.,  succeeded  her  and  ,<erved  until  the  end  of  the 
year  1919.  Miss  Rohling  then  returned  and  is  still  filling  this  position  at  the 
beginning  of  1921.  A  nurses'  training  school,  fully  accredited  by  the  state  authori- 
ties, is  conduced  in  connection  with  the  hospital.  The  hospital  has  a  capacity  of 
sixty  beds.  In  1915,  193  patients  were  admitted  and  144  operations  performed.  In 
1916  this  service  increased  to  456  patients  and  357  operations.  In  1917  the  work 
spread  so  that  497  patients  were  cared  for  and  415  operations  performed.  The  year 
1918  saw  a  further  extension  of  service  to  humanity,  with  584  patients  cared  for 
and  323  operations  that  year.  The  work  reached  a  high  peak  in  1919,  with  689 
patients  and  510  operations,  and  held  up  very  well  in  1920,  with  668  patients  and 
505  operations.  The  present  officers  of  the  board  in  charge  of  the  institution  are: 
President,  C.  Bulgrin;  vice  president,  William  Witte;  secretary.  Rev.  0.  Batz,  and 
treasurer,  H.  Ziegelbein. 


CHAPTEE  XIX 
THE  BENCH  AXD  BAR  OF  YORK  COUNTY 

THE  LAW EARLIEST  CASE,  BY  J.  B.  JIEEHAX DISTRICT  COURT — INDIAN  TRIAL,  N.  A. 

DEAN — GEORGE    \V.    POST — THE    DISTRICT    COURTS    OF    YORK    COUNTY THE    YORK 

COUNTY   BAR. 

THE    LAW 

Tlie  law  travels  hand  in  haml  with  the  first  encroaches  of  civilization  upon  the 
wild,  barren  prairie.  Of  course  in  the  first  seven  years  of  the  settlement  and 
existence  of  York  County  the  machinery  of  the  state  courts  had  not  reached  this 
young  community. 

In  most  instances  the  touch  of  the  citizens  with  the  courts  starts  with  the  lower 
or  local  courts.  This  was  true  to  even  a  greater  extent  in  the  earlier  days  of  the 
community.  The  history  of  the  State  Supreme  Court,  the  highest  court  in  Nebraska, 
has  been  sketched  in  the  state  historical  section  of  this  work.  The  history  of  the  dis- 
trict court  has  likewi.se  been  briefly  touched  upon  therein,  but  the  story  of  the  District 
Court  of  York  County  will  be  treated  in  more  detail  in  this  chapter.  Next  below  the 
District  Court,  coming  down  the  ladder  of  justice,  is  the  County,  or  oftentimes 
called  the  Probate.  Court.  This  court  has  jurisdiction  of  all  probate  matters,  the 
settlement  of  estates,  handling  of  matters  of  guardian.ship,  civil  matters  involving 
amounts  up  to  $1,000,  and  concurrent  justice  of  peace  jurisdiction. 

A  picturesque  corner-stone  in  the  history  of  justice  of  any  county  is  the  Justice 
of  Peace  Court.  In  more  modern  times,  since  automobiles  have  rendered  access  to 
the  county  seat  towns  less  difficult,  in  both  time  consumed  for  travel  and  ease  in 
making  the  trip,  the  importance  of  this  local  court  has  dwindled,  as  the  county  and 
district  courts  have  gradually  absorbed  its  business.  But  in  the  horse-and-buggy 
period,  a  man  with  a  grievance  would  file  it  with  his  local  justice,  for  in  those  days 
the  law  permitting  the  selection  of  a  justice  of  peace,  or  two,  if  chosen,  for  each 
township  was  more  carefully  carried  out.  The  local  magistrate  perhaps  carried  his 
cases  and  trials  with  more  informality,  but  no  doubt  with  greater  interest  than  the 
County  Court  trials  of  the  present  day  generally  present. 

An  illustrative  word  picture  of  the  administration  of  local  justice  is  furnished 
by  the  following  article,  published  a  few  years  ago,  which  was  told  of  J.  B.  Meehan : 

J.  B.  Meehan  came  to  West  Blue  during  the  summer  of  1871,  and  was  the  first 
squire  in  the  precinct,  W.  H.  Taylor  being  elected  at  the  same  time  as  constable. 
The  first  case  in  Squire  Meehan's  court  was  in  the  summer  of  1871.  At  this  time 
large  herds  of  cattle  were  driven  each  summer  from  Texas  north  to  various  points, 
sometimes  to  Yankton,  S.  D.,  and  again  to  points  along  the  U.  P.  Railroad,  where 
they  were  shipped  east. 

787 


788  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

The  drivers  were  of  the  usual  Texas  "cowboy"  variety,  wihl  and  reckless,  and 
always  expert  in  the  use  of  their  revolvers,  an  accomplishment  they  were  always 
willing  to  demonstrate  upon  the  least  provocation.  They  drove  their  large  herds 
fearlessly  over  prairie  lands  and  the  homesteaders'  farms,  paying  but  little  attention 
to  the  growing  crops.  A  large  herd  being  thus  driven  over  Peter  Heller's  field  of 
sod  corn,  he  brought  suit  against  the  foreman  of  the  drivers,  and  Mr.  Taylor  was 
ordered  to  arrest  him.  The  herd  had  passed  north,  and  being  uncertain  as  to  the 
man's  willingness  to  return  peacefully,  Mr.  Taylor  took  with  him  several  men  of  the 
neighborhood.  They  overtook  the  herdsmen  near  Beaver  Creek.  Setting  his  men  to 
keep  from  sight  in  a  ravine,  Mr.  Taylor  rode  on  alone,  making  his  errand  known  to 
the  man,  who,  of  course,  swore  and  said  he  saw  no  corn,  and  at  first  firmly  refused 
to  go  back ;  but  after  talking  the  matter  over  with  Mr.  Taylor,  he  ordered  the  men 
to  camp,  and  they  started  on  the  return  trip.  Presently  he  stooped,  and  drawing  a 
revolver  from  his  bootleg,  proceeded  to  show  his  skill  in  the  use  of  the  same.  Find- 
ing Mr.  Taylor  not  easily  frightened,  he  began  to  look  for  other  game.  Presently 
they  came  to  A.  J.  Corey,  chopping  wood  alone  on  his  homestead.  "Watch  me  scare 
that  man,"  he  said,  and  riding  furiously  up  to  Mr.  Corey,  he  pointed  the  revolver 
in  his  face  and  prefacing  his  remarks  with  a  volley  of  oaths,  cried,  "What  do  you 
want?"  Mr.  Corey  looked  at  the  man  for  a  moment,  and  coolly  told  him  he  wanted 
nothing.  Returning  to  Mr.  Taylor,  the  man  was  then  requested  to  turn  over  his 
weapon  which  he  did  willingly;  then  stooping  once  more,  drew  another  weapon  from 
his  bootleg,  remarking  "Now  we're  both  armed."  Fearing  danger  if  the  man 
sliould  have  the  weapon  when  they  came  to  the  other  party,  Mr.  Taylor  proceeded  to 
argue  the  case  with  the  man,  who  finally  said:  "We  will  ride  up  to  where  my 
wagons  are;  you  throw  your  gun  into  the  wagon  first,  and  I  will  do  likewise."  This 
Mr.  Taylor  did,  and  the  man  was  true  to  his  promise. 

Coming  on,  they  rode  through  the  ravine  where  Mr.  Taylor's  men  were  hidden, 
who  remained  quiet  until  Mr.  Taylor  and  his  man  had  passed,  then  they  rode  up 
behind  them.  This  incensed  the  man  from  Texas,  who  seemed  to  think  lie  had  been 
tricked.  He  stopped  for  a  few  moments,  then  remarked  with  the  usual  oath,  "If  I'd 
known  this  you  never  would  have  arrested  me."  But  being  unarmed  and  one 
against  several,  he  evidently  thought  it  best  to  show  no  fighting  disposition  at  that 
time.  Coming  to  Squire  Meehan's,  a  crowd  of  interested  farmers  had  gathered. 
This  was  to  them  an  important  case.  All  had  suffered  from  the  depredations  of  the 
herds,  and  now  it  would  be  decided  how  their  fields  should  lie  protected  in  the 
future.  The  man  gave  testimony  that  he  was  only  an  employee  of  the  cattle  com- 
pany, and  the  case  was  dismissed,  but  it  served  the  purpose,  for  coming  herdsmen 
were  more  careful  to  avoid  cultivated  fields,  and  this  ended  what  was,  perhaps,  the 
first  litigation  in  West  Blue  Precinct. 

Another  one  occurred  in  a  few  months,  wherein  a  man  living  near  the  southeast 
line  of  the  county  was  arrested  for  taking  a  saddle  from  Mr.  Brower,  who  lived  in 
Fillmore  County.  More  than  ordinary  interest  was  taken  in  this  case  from  the 
fact  that  George  Post,  a  young  attorney  lately  located  at  York,  had  been  employed 
to  defend  the  accused.  Although  the  day  was  bleak  and  cold,  many  had  assembled 
to  hear  the  trial,  and  were  surprised  as  well  as  disappointed  when  the  lawyer 
informed  the  squire  that  the  case  was  not  in  his  jurisdiction,  the  property  having 
been  taken  from  Fillmore  County.  Tlie  man  was  set  free,  and  whether  or  not  he 
took  the  saddle  has  never  been  determined. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  789 

DISTEICT  COURT 

The  first  term  of  the  District  Court  in  York  County  was  held  at  York  in  the 
spring  of  1872.  His  honor  Judge  George  B.  Lake  was  the  presiding  Judge,  and  the 
trial  docket  No.  1  in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  District  Court  at  York  shows  the 
first  session  of  this  court  opened  on  May  87,  1872.  Newell  H.  Hopkins  was  bailiff. 
Lawyers  then  admitted  to  practice  in  York  County  who  were  in  attendance  were: 
D.  T.  Moore,  George  W.  Post  and  T.  L.  Warrington.  W.  J.  Connell  of  Omaha,  even 
now,  forty  years  later,  an  active  practitioner  at  Omaha,  was  district  attorney. 

Two  divorce  cases  were  the  first  cases  on  the  docket  to  disfigure  the  pure  white 
records.  Beginning  at  page  1  of  the  trial  docket  No.  1  were  two  divorce  cases, 
divorces  being  granted  May  29,  1872. 

In  the  fall  of  that  year  court  sat  for  half  a  day  and  transacted  all  the  business 
then  ready.  The  only  case  of  importance  at  that  time  was  an  injunction  suit,  to 
restrain  the  county  from  issuing  l)onds  in  the  sum  of  $150,000  to  the  Midland 
Pacific  Railroad  Company.  After  hearing  the  case,  his  honor  decided  in  favor  of  the 
plaintiflfs  and  made  the  injunction  perpetual. 

The  first  real  contested  trial  in  York  County,  in  1873,  was  not  a  white  man's 
trial,  nor  a  trial  for  divorce,  but  a  trial  among  the  original  occupants  of  the  country, 
the  Pawnee  Indians,  who  knew  nothing  of  divorce,  but  understood  that  when  a  man 
and  woman  were  legally  contracted  to  marry,  they  should  be  man  and  wife.  This 
trial  as  related  by  N.  A.  Dean  was,  in  his  own  words,  as  follows: 

Indian  Trial 
Quoted  by  N.  A.  Dean 

"It  was  the  winter  of  1870  that  the  Pawnees'  chief  camped  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Blue  River,  section  9,  township  9,  range  1,  west.  In  that  tribe  there  was  a 
young  man  who  wanted  to  get  him  a  wife.  Their  custom  was  that  if  a  young  man 
wanted  a  wife  he  must  pay  the  price.  This  young  man  fell  in  love  with  a  young 
girl  that  was  also  camped  with  these  people.  The  contract  for  their  marriage  was 
to  be  made  with  the  girl's  father.  The  contract  was  made  and  the  price  paid,  which 
was  in  ponies  and  furs.  The  marriage  ceremony  consisted  of  the  contract  with  the 
father  of  the  girl  and  a  whip  made  of  three  strands  of  rawhide  fastened  to  a  horn 
handle  of  elk  prongs  presented  to  the  young  man  by  the  chief  of  the  tribe. 

"After  all  the  arrangements  were  completed  with  the  girl's  father  and  the 
young  man  and  the  time  set  for  the  ceremony,  everybody  in  the  case  was  happy 
except  the  girl.  Here  is  where  the  trouble  began  with  these  parties.  The  girl 
objected ;  she  thought  that  she  was  the  one  who  should  be  consulted,  and  refused  to 
carry  out  her  father's  contract  with  the  young  man,  and  her  father  could  not  per- 
suade her.  The  matter  was  reported  to  the  chief ;  the  chief  with  his  select  warriors 
were  called  together  as  a  council  of  war.  After  they  had  heard  the  evidence  of  the 
father  and  the  young  man  they  listened  to  the  girl.  The  girl's  objections  were  that 
there  was  another  young  man  she  preferred.  Still  the  verdict  of  the  chief  and  his 
counselors  of  war  was  that  the  girl  should  carry  out  the  contract  and  accept  the 
young  man  as  her  bridegroom.  The  girl  still  refused  and  was  forced  to  be  married 
to  the  former  young  man. 

"The  young  man,  the  father  and  the  mother  could  not  persuade  her  to  accept. 


790  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

and  the  next  morning  the  matter  was  referred  back  to  the  chief.  Their  mode  of 
]ninishment  for  what  they  considered  a  crime  was  to  be  whipped;  so  the  chief 
ordered  the  young  girl  whipped.  She  was  taken  by  two  young  men  of  her  own 
tribe,  a  rope  was  put  around  her  neck,  her  back  was  bared,  and  she  was  then  bound 
to  a  tree.  The  chief  had  ordered  one  of  the  young  men  to  give  her  ten  lashes  with 
the  whip  that  had  been  presented  to  her  husband  at  their  marriage  ceremony. 

"Her  cries  and  screams,  so  severe  was  her  punishment,  were  lieard  half  a  mile 
away.  They  were  then  camped  on  the  south  side  of  the  Blue,  and  Heller's  folks 
were  on  the  north  side.  Heller's  folks,  hearing  the  cries  and  screams,  supposed  that 
one  of  their  neighbors  was  sick  and  had  started  across  the  river  to  the  neighbor's 
house  to  find  out  the  cause.  After  they  had  crossed  the  river  they  saw  this  young 
girl  coming,  crying  and  hallooing.  Xot  understanding  their  language,  they  could 
not  make  out  what  it  was,  but  they  saw  the  welts  that  were  npon  the  girl's  body, 
and  motioned  her  to  go  to  the  house  on  the'  other  side  of  the  river. 

"The  girl  went  to  the  house,  ran  through  the  house  into  the  bedroom  and 
jumped  on  the  bed,  still  crying  and  hallooing.  Heller's  women  folks,  not  knowing 
what  it  meant,  ran  out  of  the  house  and  waited  until  the  men  came  home.  Not 
understanding  what  the  case  was,  we  went  to  the  chief's  wigwam  and  there,  through 
the  interpreter,  found  out  what  is  stated  above.  In  talking  to  the  interpreter,  and 
he  talking  to  the  chief,  we  were  given  tu  understand  that  that  was  their  law  and 
their  custom  of  punishment  for  all  crimes.  Through  us  and  the  interpreter,  the 
chief  sent  the  father  to  the  house  and  brought  the  young  girl  back  to  camp.  Father, 
mother,  and  her  intended  persuaded  the  young  girl  to  carry  out  her  father's  contract. 
We  watched  the  couple  through  the  winter,  and  they  seemed,  after  knowing  one 
another,  to  enjoy  one  another's  company,  and  in  the  spring  left  their  camping 
ground  for  Omaha,  their  ulil  home." 

TORK  COUNTY  BAR 

York  County's  bar  began  to  attain  eminence  in  judicial  circles  very  early  in  its 
career,  and  George  W.  Post  started  this  habit  by  a  very  early  election  to  the  Dis- 
trict Bench,  a  post  of  honor  to  which  numerous  York  County  hiwyers  later 
attained. 

George  Wallace  Post  was  born  at  Cumberland,  Guernsey  County,  Ohio.  Febru- 
ary 20,  1848,  the  son  of  Eev.  AVilliam  E.  and  Sarah  S.  Post,  both  of  Scotch  lineage. 

When  George  was  about  three  years  old  the  family  removed  to  Hibbardsville, 
Ohio,  where  they  resided  until  about  the  year  1859,  when  the  entire  family  removed 
to  Clay  County,  Missouri.  This  was  just  before  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  Political 
animosity  soon  became  so  pronounced  that  men  known  to  be  in  sympathy  with  the 
Union  were  not  safe  in  that  part  of  the  country.  George's  father  was  an  outspoken 
antislavery  advocate  and  friend  of  the  Union.  As  a  result,  practically  all  of  his 
property  was  confiscated  and  destroyed,  and  he  was  glad  to  get  away  with  the  mem- 
bers of  his  family  uninjured.  The  family  then  located  at  Leon,  Decatur  County, 
Iowa,  from  which  place  they  removed  a  year  later  to  Davis  County,  Iowa,  near 
Bloomfiekl,  where  the  father  died  in  1868,  leaving  a  widow  and  six  children,  two 
daughters  and  four  sons.  In  May,  1864,  George  Wallace  Post  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany D,  45th  Iowa  Infantry,  and  was  discharged  in  September  of  the  same  year  by 
reason  of  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service. 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  791 

In  addition  to  liis  attendance  in  the  public  schools,  he  was  educated  at  Troy 
College,  an  institution  then  flourishing  at  Troy,  Iowa.  By  teaching  school  and 
working  by  the  month,  he  earned  the  money  to  assist  his  mother  and  family  and 
pay  his  way  through  school.  While  in  school  he  also  devoted  a  part  of  his  time  to 
reading  law,  and  in  1871  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Bloomfield,  Iowa.  Soon 
after  this  he  came  to  York,  Nebraska,  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
From  1871  to  1875  he  was  active  in  his  profession,  being  engaged  in  much  of  the 
important  litigation  in  this  part  of  the  state.  In  1875  he  was  elected  district  judge 
of  the  fourth  judicial  district,  which  comprised  the  counties  of  Dodge,  Colfax, 
Platte,  Merrick,  Hall,  Howard,  Hamilton,  Polk,  Butler,  Saunders,  Seward,  and 
York.  Four  years  later  he  was  elected  to  the  same  office.  Before  the  expiration  of 
his  second  term  he  was  forced  to  resign  his  office  by  reason  of  ill  health,  which 
was  induced  by  overwork.  On  March  5,  1883,  he  was  appointed  collector  of  internal 
revenue  and  United  States  disbursing  officer  for  Nebraska,  North  Dakota,  and  South 
Dakota.  This  appointment  came  to  him  without  solicitation  on  his  part.  He  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  that  office  until  October,  1886,  at  which  time  he  resigned  in 
order  to  devote  himself  to  his  personal  business.  In  1872  he  issued  the  first  call  for 
a  republican  convention  in  York  County  and  presided  over  the  convention.  He  was 
chairman  of  the  County  Republican  Committee  for  many  years.  He  was  the  chief 
attorney  for  the  Northwestern  Railway  Company  south  of  the  Platte  River  during 
all  of  its  construction  period. 

He  was  united  in  marriage  on  January  1,  1879,  with  Miss  Laura  McConaughy, 
at  Mount  Pleasant,  Westmoreland  County,  Pennsylvania.  To  tliein  have  lieen  born 
five  children,  four  daughters  and  one  son. 

On  retiring  from  public  oflice  he  devoted  himself  to  the  business  of  banking,  in 
which  he  was  already  interested.  On  March  20,  1884,  he  was  elected  president  of 
the  York  Exchange  Bank.  This  bank  was  soon  reorganized  as  tlie  York  National 
Bank,  of  which  he  was  elected  president  and  continued  as  such  until  October,  1893, 
at  which  time  he  and  liis  business  associates  bought  the  First  National  Bank  of 
York,  and  consolidated  the  two  banks  and  operated  the  same  as  the  First  National 
Bank.  He  served  as  president  of  this  bank  until  August,  1912.  He  organized  and 
became  president  of  the  First  Trust  Company  of  York  in  August,  1911.  He  organ- 
ized and  became  president  of  the  Bank  of  Benedict  November  27,  1889,  and  con- 
tinued as  president  until  February  8,  1906,  at  which  time  the  bank  of  Benedict  was 
converted  into  the  First  National  Bank  of  Benedict.  He  served  as  president  of  this 
bank  until  Augu.st,  1913.  On  May  14,  1879,  he  and  his  business  associates  organ- 
ized the  State  Bank  of  Bradshaw.  He  served  as  president  of  this  bank  until  March, 
1906,  at  which  time  this  bank  was  converted  into  the  First  National  Bank  of  Brad- 
shaw-. He  was  elected  president  and  served  until  August,  1912.  In  June,  1889,  he 
became  president  of  the  Blue  River  Bank  of  McCool  Junction  and  served  as  such 
until  August,  1912.  In  April,  1902,  he  bought  the  controlling  interest  in  the  Bank 
of  Lushton  and  served  as  vice  president  until  August,  1912.  In  May,  1885,  he 
became  president  of  the  Farmers  and  Traders  Bank  of  Waco  and  served  continuously 
as  president  until  August,  1912.  After  he  sold  his  banking  and  property  interests 
he  removed  to  Torrence,  California,  where  he  has  actively  engaged  in  many  banking 
and  business  matters,  but  has  never  lost  his  interest  in  York  County,  which  still 
holds  a  large  corner  in  his  heart. 


792  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

THE  DISTHICT  COUliTS  OF  YORK  COUNTY 

In  1873  Judge  Lake  continued  as  district  judge,  or  rather  as  the  reader  will 
gather  from  the  history  of  the  state  courts  in  that  state  section  of  this  work,  the 
members  of  the  Supreme  Court  held  the  District  Court  work  throughout  the  state 
at  that  time.  George  W.  Post  became  district  attorney  at  this  time.  George  B. 
France  and  Edward  Bates  had  opened  law  offices  by  this  time.  M.  B.  Hoxie  became 
district  attorney  in  1876,  and  Judge  William  Gaslin,  who  had  held  court  in  York 
in  1876,  was  succeeded  by  Judge  George  W.  Post.  With  its  first  resident  judge, 
court  work  in  York  County  began  to  assume  more  regularity.  M.  B.  Eeese  became 
the  next  district  attorney  for  this  jurisdiction  and  served  for  the  next  three  years, 
with  District  Judge  Post.  Bird  C.  Wakley  became  court  reporter  in  1877.  In  1879 
Attorneys  Bates,  Moore,  and  Scott  were  the  commissioners  to  examine  applicants  for 
admission  to  the  bar.  In  that  period  the  examinations  could  be  made  by  a  local 
board  of  attorneys  and  the  applicants  admitted  before  the  local  District  Court. 
M.  S.  Lindsay  was  thus  admitted  in  1879.  John  T.  Bell  acted  as  court  reporter  in 
January,  1880.  The  lawyers  not  already  mentioned  who  were  practicing  here  by 
1880  were  D.  R.  Ralston,  N.  V.  Harlan,  and  W.  W.  Giffen.  At  the  July,  1880, 
session,  Judge  Reese  and  District  Attorney  Eeese  officiated,  with  B.  C.  Wakeley  as 
court  reporter,  and  Fred  C.  Power  was  admitted  to  practice.  In  December,  1880, 
E.  M.  Battis  was  Judge  Post's  court  reporter.  The  1881  work  was  handled  by  the 
same  officers.  Thomas  Darnell  was  district  attorney  in  the  1882  and  1883  sessions. 
Judge  Gaslin,  who  was  at  this  time  presiding  over  a  district  composed  of  counties 
lying  farther  west  in  the  state,  presided  in  February,  1883,  in  York  County.  The 
term  of  May  8,  1883,  was  presided  over  by  the  new  judge  of  this  district.  Hon.  T.  L. 
Norval  of  Seward,  whose  court  reporter  was  H.  M.  Waring.  They  came  to  York  for 
court  in  January  and  December,  1884,  and  April,  1885.  In  December,  188.5, 
Frank  B.  Tipton  was  court  reporter  with  Judge  Norval.  This  pair  of  court  officers 
made  visits  to  York  County  for  court  terms  during  1886,  1887,  1888,  and  1889.  In 
January,  1890,  a  term  of  court  was  held  at  York  by  the  newly  appointed  judge. 
Jerome  H.  Smith  of  Aurora.  J.  T.  Hale  had  become  county  attorney  with  the 
change  of  system  that  supplanted  the  district  attorney,  with  a  county  attorney  for 
each  separate  county.  F.  C.  Power  took  this  office  over  in  1890.  In  1891  Edward 
Bates  of  York  became  the  county's  second  resident  district  judge,  and  T.  E.  Hamil- 
ton became  his  court  reporter,  and  Matt  Miller  of  David  City  was  the  other  judge 
of  this  district.  In  March,  1891,  Judge  J.  E.  Cochran  of  McCook  held  district 
court  in  York  for  Judge  Bates.  In  June,  1891,  Judge  William  Marshall  of  Fre- 
mont, of  the  neighboring  fifth  district,  held  court  in  York  for  Judge  Bates.  As 
reporter,  W.  T.  Bucher  worked  with  him.  Judge  Bates  held  a  term  in  October, 
1891,  with  F.  B.  Tipton  as  court  reporter.  In  January,  1892,  York  County  District 
Court  had  its  first  term,  held  by  Judge  Robert  Wheeler  of  Polk  County.  Bucher 
served  as  his  reporter,  with  H.  L.  Laird  as  deputy  at  the  February  session.  Judge 
Bates  and  Reporter  Hamilton  worked  at  the  September,  1892,  session,  and  again 
in  January,  1893.  The  district  was  now  firmly  entrenched  with  two  district  judges, 
which  system  has  prevailed  in  this  judicial  district  up  to  the  present  time  (1921). 
In  1893  George  F.  Corcoran  became  court  reporter  for  Judge  Wheeler,  and  thus 
Y^'ork  had  one  judge  and  two  reporters  for  a  time.  Judge  Bates  and  Reporter  Ham- 
ilton worked  on  the  York  County  docket  in  the  early  part  of  1894.    Judge  Wheeler 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  793 

took  the  docket  late  in  1894.  The  court  iu  1895  and  1896  was  held  by  Judge 
Bates.  In  1896  for  a  third  time  York  County  furnished  a  judge  to  this  judicial 
district,  when  Samuel  H.  Sedgwick  assumed  the  office.  Xellie  Kelly,  who  had 
served  in  the  office  of  Sedgwick  &  Power  and  at  times  worked  as  deputy  reporter, 
assumed  the  work  for  nine  months,  until  the  arrival  of  Arthur  W.  Eichardson  of 
David  City.  Mr.  Eichardson  afterwards  served  as  reporter  in  Lancaster  County 
and  is  now  an  actively  practicing  attorney  of  Lincoln.  Judge  Bates  held  the  docket 
in  January,  February,  and  May,  1897.  York  County  now  had  two  resident  judges, 
Judges  Bates  and  Sedgwick,  and  had  continuous  service.  From  then  on  the  work 
was  generally  divided  between  the  two  judges,  each  holding  part  of  the  court  work 
in  the  county.  But  in  1899  and  1900,  Judge  Sedgwick  held  most  of  the  York 
County  work.  T.  E.  Hamilton  had  served  as  reporter  with  Bates  right  along,  and 
in  1900,  when  Judge  B.  F.  Good  of  Wahoo,  Saunders  County,  succeeded  Judge 
Bates,  George  F.  Corcoran  returned  to  the  court  reportership.  When  Judge  Sedg- 
wick was  succeeded  by  Judge  S.  H.  Sornberger  of  Saunders  Coiinty,  0.  P.  Heald  of 
Osceola  became  court  reporter.  In  1901,  1903,  and  1903  the  terms  were  divided 
between  Judges  Good  and  Sornberger.  In  1901  Judge  Arthur  J.  Evans  of  David 
City  became  Judge  Good's  colleague,  and  C.  J.  Brown  of  York  his  reporter.  They 
divided  the  terms  in  York  County  during  1904,  1905,  1906,  and  1907.  Beginning 
in  1908,  Judge  Good's  colleague  on  the  bench  was  his  former  reporter,  George  F. 
Corcoran  of  York,  who  appointed  Albert  P.  Sprague  of  York  as  his  reporter.  For  a 
short  period  Eeporter  Heald  went  to  Idaho  to  do  special  work  on  the  Hayward 
trials.  In  1912  E.  E.  Good  of  Wahoo  became  district  judge,  succeeding  Judge  B.  F. 
Good.  Since  1912,  for  a  period  of  practically  nine  years.  Judges  Good  and  Corcoran 
have  worked  together  in  this  district.  Eeporters  Heald  and  Sprague  have  remained 
at  the  task,  until,  in  1919,  Eeporter  Heald  resigned  to  enter  the  banking  business 
at  Trenton,  Neb.,  and  Judge  Good  was  without  a  permanent  reporter  until  in  Jan- 
uary, 1921,  when  Eeporter  G.  M.  Baird,  who  has  served  many  years  with  District 
Judge  H.  S.  Dungan  of  Hastings,  came  to  him  for  regular  work. 

YORK  COUNTY  LAWYERS 

York  County  has  always  had  an  excellent  bar.  Mention  has  already  been  made 
of  the  earlier  lawyers — Judge  George  Wallace  Post,  Judge  Edward  Bates,  W.  T. 
Scott,  W.  W.  Giffen,  N.  V.  Harlan,  D.  T.  Moore,  George  B.  France,  and  Fred  C. 
Power.  In  1880  the  attorneys  carrying  announcement  cards  in  the  papers  were: 
J.  F.  Hale,  W.  T.  Scott  &  W.  P.  Conner,  J.  H.  Cleaves,  F.  H.  Graves,  Montgomery 
&  Harlan,  W.  W.  Gift'en,  and  France  &  Sedgwick. 

By  1884  this  list  had  expanded  so  it  shows  the  arrival  of  a  number  of  new 
members  of  the  York  County  bar.  At  that  time  lawyers  practicing  in  York 
included:  Hale  &  Head  (J.  F.  Hale  and  H.  B.  Head),  D.  T.  Moore,  Sedgwick  & 
Power,  J.  C.  Naylor,  France  &  Harlan,  Scott  &  Frank  (W.  T.  Scott  and  M.  C. 
Frank),  J.  C.  Moats,  E.  A.  Gilbert,  A.  C.  Montgomery,  T.  Eddy  Bennett,  D.  T. 
Moore,  J.  C.  Carnahan,  and  Fred  C.  Power. 

Attorney  Culbertson  in  1886  was  a  partner  with  W.  W.  GifEen.  The  bar  con- 
tinued on  through  the  later  '80s  with  very  few  changes,  even  in  the  personnel  of 
the  firms.  Another  attorney  who  began  practicing  in  York  during  this  period  was 
W.  M.  Cowell. 


?04  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

Tlio  firm  of  Scott  &  Frank  was  succeedi-d  l,y  the  firm  of  Scott  &  Gilbert.  W.  S. 
Willard  came  very  late  in  the  "80s.  G.  W.  Bemis  was  also  practicing  about  this 
time  in  York,  having  been  admitted  to  i3ractice  in  187G  and  practiced  for  r~ome 
years  in  Clay  County.  J.  W.  Purinton,  uho  is  still  practicing  in  York,  began  early 
in  the  '[m.  having  been  admitted  in  ISitd.  George  M.  Spurlock  was  also  admitted 
to  practice  in  1890.  Other  lawyers  who  have  been  actively  practicing  in  York 
in  recent  years  who  were  admitted  to  practice  in  this  same  decade  were:  W.  W. 
Wyckoff,  1894;  C.  F.  Stroman,  189.5;  W.  L.  Kirkpatrick,  1894,  and  H.  G.  Hop- 
kins, 1896.  The  firm  of  France  &  Harlan  was  dissolved  in  the  early  ■90s.  A.  S. 
and  N.  V.  Harlan  were  practicing  as  Harlan  &  Harlan. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  decade  of  1900  to  1910,  somewhat  of  a  re-alignment  of 
firms  had  taken  place.  E.  A.  and  C.  F.  Gilbert  were  practicing  together  as  Gilbert 
Brothers.  Judge  Bates,  having  retired  from  the  district  bench,  had  entered  the 
firm  of  Bates  &  Kirkpatrick.  W.  \V.  WyckolT.  T.  E.  Bennett,  and  E.  A.  Fletcher 
were  practicing  alone.  Other  firms  were  Purinton  &  Olmstead  and  Sedgwick  & 
Power.  A  short  time  later  J.  W.  Purinton  began  to  practice  alone.  After  Judge 
Sedgwick  went  on  the  bench,  F.  C.  Power  was  left  alone.  But  within  a  few  years, 
and  prior  to  1906,  new  alignments  were  formed  and  the  firms  of  Purinton  & 
Sandall  and  Power  &  Meeker  appeared.  By  1908  J.  W.  Purinton  and  C.  E.  Sandall 
were  practicing  alone. 

A  roster  of  the  York  County'  liar  in  1909  shows  those  then  i)racticing  to  be : 
a.  W.  Bemis,  T.  E.  Bennett,  France  &  France  (G.  B.  France  and  G.  W.  France). 
Gilbert  Brothers,  H.  G.  Hopkins,  W.  [>.  Kirkpatrick,  Power  &  Meeker  (F.  C.  Power 
and  M.  Meeker),  J.  W.  Purinton,  C.  E.  Sandall.  Samuel  H.  Sedgwick,  George  M. 
Spurlock,  C.  F.  Stroman,  A.  B.  Taylor,  il.  JI.  Wildman,  Arthur  G.  Wrav.  and 
AV.  W.  Wyckofi. 

Eleven  years  have  shown  but  few  changes  in  the  personnel  of  this  bar,  as  in  1920 
twelve  of  those  named  above  are  still  practicing  in  York  County.  The  roster  of  the 
bar  in  1920  shows  John  Carlin,  G.  W.  France,  C.  F.  Gilbert,  E.  A.  Gilbert,  Oden  S. 
Gilmore,  who  was  admitted  in  1911;  J.  E.  Hoover,  H.  G.  Hopkins,  W.  L.  Kirk- 
patrick, Benton  Perry,  J.  W.  Purinton,  C.  E.  Sandall,  T.  E.  Sedgwick.  George 
M.  Spurlock,  Charles  F.  Stroman,  M.  ]\r.  Wildiiiaii.  Arthur  G.  Wray,  and  \V.  \V. 
Wvckoff. 


CHAPTEE  XX 
A    CHEONOLOGICAL    SUEVEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY'S    PEOGEESS 

Xow  having  taken  the  story  of  York  County's  settlement,  development  and 
growth,  of  the  pioneers,  of  the  individuals  in  every  line  of  endeavor  who  bore  the 
burdens  of  the  past  sixty  years,  and  having  divided  this  story  into  some  twenty 
parts,  according  to  the  various  lines  of  human  endeavor,  let  us,  in  closing,  approach 
the  subject  from  one  more  angle. 

Taken  chronologically,  year  by  year,  marking  the  initial  venture  into  each 
classification  of  life  in  a  community  like  York  County,  and  recording  the  unusual 
hardships  and  successes,  unfolds  the  story  like  a  drama. 

1861.  The  location  of  the  territorial  road  at  a  point  on  the  line  of  the  old 
Government  or  California  Trail,  forty  miles  east  of  the  present  Kearney,  marked 
the  initial  step  in  bringing  the  York  County  territory  on  the  map. 

1862.  This  territory,  York  County,  was  still  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  the 
wild  animals  of  the  prairie,  and  an  occasional  trapper  or  emigrant  passing  through. 

1^63.  The  first'frame  building  was  built  on  Porcupine  Eanch  (Brown  Town- 
ship) by  Benjamin  F.  Lushbaugh,  United  States  Indian  agent,  conducted  by  Samue' 
Kearney ;  this  marks  the  beginning  of  human  building  operations  in  York  County. 

186-t.  Lushbaugh  established  Jack  Smith  Eanch,  which  was  in  charge  of 
Mr.  Chapin  six  months  and  then  of  Mr.  Smith.  The  first  death  occurred  upon  this 
ranch.  The  McDonald  Eanch  was  established  in  the  same  year.  David  Baker  in 
August  settled  near  the  present  location  of  York. 

1865.  In  February  the  first  permanent  settlement  was  made  by  John  Anderson 
and  his  son,  William  Anderson,  on  the  West  Blue  Eiver ;  they  homesteaded  the  south 
half  of  section  9,  range  1.  The  second  death  in  the  county  occurred  when  Sam 
Tate  was  shot  by  Smith  in  self-defense ;  the  grave  is  on  the  brow  of  a  hill  on  section 
15,  township  10,  range  2,  four  miles  southeast  of  York. 

1866.  The  first  white  child  was  born  in  the  county  (Lillie  M.  Gilmore,  June 
3d;  now  Mrs.  J.  E.  Hunt  of  Bayard,  Neb.),  on  the  Jerry  Stanton  homestead,  near 
where  MeCool  is  now. 

1867.  The  first  postoffice  in  the  county  was  established  at  McFadden,  with 
Fernando  McFadden  as  postmaster.  The  first  wedding  in  the  county  was  the  mar- 
riage of  Mr.  N.  J.  Dixon  and  Miss  Lydia  A.  Gilmore,  at  the  Elias  Gilmore  home, 
the  ceremony  being  performed  by  Squire  Millspaugh.  The  second  couple  was 
married  in  October — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ed  Copsey. 

1868.  A  large  herd  of  buffaloes  invaded  the  county.  A  United  Brethren  class 
was  formed.  The  Pawnees,  Omabas,  Otoes  and  Poncas  and  Sioux  invaded  the  countv 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Blue,  eight  miles  south  of  York. 

1869.  The  site  of  York  was  taken  as  a  pre-emption  by  Ghost  and  Sherwood,  for 

795 

Vol.  11— 13 


796  HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

the  South  Platte  Land  Company.     In  October  the  site  of  York  was  platted  and 
surveyed. 

1870.  By  proclamation  of  Governor  Butler,  York  County  was  formed.  Ou 
April  26th  the  iirst  election  was  held.  There  were  eighty-six  votes  cast  in  three 
precincts.    The  first  schoolhouse  was  prepared,  Lizzie  Lowery  being  teacher. 

1871.  A  new  mail  route,  from  Lincoln  via  Seward,  went  through  to  Grand 
Island.  PostofRces  were  established  at  Palo,  Thayer,  and  Aikins'  Mills  in  York 
County.  The  courthouse  election  was  held,  and  a  school  district  was  formed  in 
York. 

1872.  On  March  19th,  an  election  voted  down  the  Midland  Pacific  Railroad 
proposal.  In  June  an  agricultural  society  was  organized.  A  courthouse  was  built. 
The  first  paper,  the  York  Monitor,  was  issued. 

1873.  York  County  took  on  a  big  debt  for  the  erection  of  bridges  and  other 
internal  improvements.  The  first  county  fair  was  held.  The  big  Easter  .storm  did 
great  destruction. 

1874.  The  Congregational  Academy  was  brought  to  York.  In  August  the  first 
serious  grasshopper  invasion  took  place. 

1875.  Hon.  George  W.  Post  elected  district  judge.  County  board  incorporated 
Town  of  York.  First  bank  in  county  started  by  MeWhirter.  Arliorville  laid  out 
by  C.  S.  Harrison. 

1876.  York  Republican  started.     Very  serious  grasshopper  invasion. 

1877.  B.  &  M.  Railroad  reached  York  and  county  has  a  railroad  at  last.  Town 
site  of  Waco  laid  out. 

1878.  Liedke  elected  state  auditor.    Langworthy  establishes  York  County  Bank. 

1879.  Methodist  Episcopal  Conference  Seminary  at  York.  Red  Lyon  flour 
mill  erected.    B.  &  M.  Railroad  went  on  to  Bradshaw. 

1880.  BelFs  Block  erected  in  York.  New  York  incorporated  by  Mr.  Woolley  at 
north  end  of  Town  of  York.  Bradshaw  laid  out.  York  Times  started.  First 
Farmers'  Alliance  in  country  starts  in  West  Blue  Township  of  York  County. 

1881.  First  National  Bank  Building  erected  by  Langworthy,  Commercial  State 
Bank  started,  from  Sayre  &  Atkins'  business. 

1882.  First  National  Bank  in  York  chartered.  York  Exchange  Bank  started, 
becomes  later  York  National  Bank.    York  fire  department  organized. 

1883.  County  board  increased  from  three  to  seven  members. 

1884.  Village  of  New  York  becomes  part  of  Greater  York. 

1885.  Library  organization  formed  by  ladies  of  York.  County  board  enlarged 
to  seventeen  members. 

1886.  New  courthouse  built.  Old  courthouse  building  sold  at  public  auction  to 
S.  A.  Harper  and  Morgan  &  Green  for  $250,  and  used  for  paint  and  carpenter  shop, 
at  Lincoln  Avenue,  between  city  and  depot.  York  fire  department  won  belt,  cup, 
and  championship  at  Fremont  at  fourtli  annual  tournament.  Street  railway  (horse 
cars)  projected  in  York. 

1887.  Railroad  building  activity  in  the  county.  McCool,  Thayer,  Benedict  and 
Poston,  now  Gresham,  started  as  new  towns.  Second  victory  of  fire  department 
boys  at  Kearney,  lower  world's  record  to  44  4/5. 

1888.  January  2d,  great  storm  devastates  county.  George  B.  France  elected 
state  master  of  Masonic  order.     Henderson  and  Lushton,  new  towns,  laid  out  and 


HISTOKY    OF    YOEK    COUXTY  797 

started.     York  lost  its  university  to  Wesleyan  school  at  University  Place.     Presby- 
terian building  at  York  dedicated. 

1889.  At  Eed  Cloud  fire  department  wins  third  and  final  victory  and  secures 
possession  of  cup,  at  seventh  annual  tournament.    Y.  M.  C.  A.  at  York  organized. 

1890.  Ursuline  Convent  secured  for  York.  York  College,  United  Brethren 
school,  secured,  which  replaces  somewhat  loss  of  Methodist  school.  Pioneer  David 
Henderson  died.  On  June  3d  Town  of  Bradshaw  practically  wiped  out  by  terrible 
cyclone.     Benedict  incorporated. 

1891.  Mothers'  Jewels'  Home  at  York,  in  charge  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  Spur- 
lock.    City  National  Bank  organized  at  York. 

1892.  York  College  building  dedicated  in  June. 

189.3.  Pioneer  Lee  Martin  died.  George  W.  Post  and  associates  take  over  First 
National  Bank  at  York. 

1894.  Library  work  revived  by  new  free  library  association  in  city  building. 
Various  clubs  organized  for  women's  work  and  musical  and  literary  studies. 

189.5.     October  16,  York  Methodist  Church  burned  to  ground. 

1896.  October  17,  York  Methodists  dedicate  new  stone  church.  County  Ijoard 
of  twenty  members  reduced  to  system  of  seven  supervisors. 

1897.  York  Teller  and  Blue  Valley  Journal  at  McCool  started.  New  state 
bank  organized  at  Bradshaw. 

1898.  Spanish-American  war. 

1901.     Mrs.  Lydia  A.  B.  Woods  made  gift  of  $10,000— $8,000  for  library  site 
and  building  and  $2,000  for  books.    Christian  and  U.  B.  churches  dedicated. 
1903.     New  library  building  opened.     Y.   M.   C.   A.  building  built. 

1903.  Xew  building  at  York  College. 

1904.  E.  C.  Bishop  of  this  county  made  deputy  state  superintendent  of  public 
instruction. 

1905.  State  horticultural  meeting  at  York.    German-American  Bank  organized. 

1906.  Paving  extension  planned  in  York. 

1907.  Bad  fire  on  April  15  burns  ?ix  business  buildings  at  Benedict.  Burling- 
ton depot  at  York  built. 

1908.  Plans  laid  to  secure  I.  0.  0.  F.  home. 

1909.  County  board  returned  to  membership  of  twenty  members. 

1910.  Firemen's  tournament  at  York. 

1911.  I.  0.  0.  F.  State  Home  building  at  York. 

1912.  Merger  of  Farmers  National  and  Fir.st  National  banks  at  York.  Pro- 
posal for  city  to  change  to  commis.sion  plan  of  government  decisively  defeated. 

1913.  Terrible  storm  on  May  14th.  Fires  at  York  in  February  and  Lushton 
in  March.     Splendid  Congregational  edifice  dedicated. 

1915.  Eleven  miles  of  paving  laid  in  York.    Lutheran  hospital  dedicated. 

1916.  Hotel  company  formed  in  York. 

1917.  War  embroiled  America  in  April,  and  war  work  takes  front  of  stage  of 
all  human  activities.    Bad  hail  .storm  on  August  8th.     S.  Y.  A.  road  put  through. 

1918.  McCloud  Hotel  opened  in  December.  November  11th,  armistice  day, 
brought  actual  fighting  of  the  war  to  close. 

1919.  State  aid  road  work  started  in  earnest.  Rotary  Clul)  formed.  American 
Legion  organized. 


798  HISTOEY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

1980.  Eeport  made  on  January  1,  1921,  of  progress  of  this  year  in  York,  as 
follows : 

YORK  IN   1920 

"York,  January  1,  1920. — York  is  steadily  progressing,  and  for  a  city  of  small 
size  it  has  advantages  that  are  found  in  no  other  city  of  anything  like  its  size.  The 
following  list  of  the  city's  progress  for  the  past  year  is  hardly  believable  for  such 
a  sized  community.  York  also  claims  the  honor  of  being  the  best  lighted  city 
in  Nebraska  and  further  that  it  has  more  modern  .stores  than  any  other  city  of 
twice  its  size.  New  business  buildings  have  been  completed  as  follows:  Lincoln 
Telephone  and  Telegraph  Co.,  $28,000;  Rystrom  Implement  Co.,  fire-proof  garage, 
75x120  feet,  $45,000 ;  addition  to  the  Lutheran  Hospital,  twenty-six  rooms,  $85,000  ; 
Country  club  house,  $15,000  with  grounds  costing  $15,000;  Clinic  hospital,  sixteen 
rooms,  $20,000 ;  Public  Service  Co.,  ten-ton  ice  house  and  storage  room,  $25,000 ; 
H.  W.  Brott,  $3,000;  improvements  on  business  liouses,  $75,000;  York  Brick  & 
Tile  Co.  improvements  $35,000;  York  Water  Co.,  wells,  etc.,  $7,500;  new  elec- 
troliers and  new  cables  for  street  lighting  system,  $800;  Stines  beach,  $3,000. 
There  has  been  completed  eight  new  residences,  costing  from  $6,000  to  $15,000 
each;  improvements  on  residence  property,  $65,000;  underground  telephone  .system 
has  been  installed,  which  will  soon  be  in  working  order  and  all  poles  removed  from 
the  business  section  of  the  city.  There  are  no  empty  Imsiness  houses  in  the  city 
nor  residence  rental  property  to  be  had,  while  houses  occupied,  with  two  rooms 
to  rent  are  in  demand.  There  are  two  things  that  will  relieve  the  situation  and 
that  will  be  lower  wages  and  lower  prices  for  building  material. 


CHAPTEK  XXI 
YORK  COUNTY  IN  THE  WORLD  WAR 

YORK   county's   SERVICE  "BACK   HERE" — THE   MILITIA  BOYS   CALLED — FLAG   TO   COM- 
PANY  M — FIRST  HOME  ACTIVITIES THE   ELKS  RESOLUTION RECRUITING   BEGINS 

MAKING  EACH  ACRE  COUNT MEETING  OF  APRIL  28TH YORK  MEN  CALLED  UPON 

RED    CROSS    ORGANIZED COUNTY     COUNCIL    OF    DEFENSE — REGISTRATION     DAY, 

JUNE  5,  1917 HOVT  THE  MEN  REGISTERED— THOSE  V?HO  REGISTERED RED  CROSS 

DRIVE YORK    COUNTY's    JULY    4,    1917 THE    FIRST    DRAWING EARLY    ENLIST- 
MENTS  LATE  SUMMER  AND  EARLY  FALL  OF   1917 THE  CONTINGENT  STARTED 

LIBERTY     BOND    DRIVES — LATE    FALL    AND    EARLY     WINTER     OF     1917 — ENRIGHT, 

GRESHAM    and    hay THE    QUESTIONNAIRES — LEGAL    ADVISORY    BOARD — WINTER 

DRIVES THE     HOME     GUARDS THIRD     LIBERTY     LOAN — FOURTH     REGISTR.\TION, 

SEPTEMBER    13,     1918 A    REAL    RBCORI> — FOURTH    LIBERTY    LOAN — SPRING    AND 

SUMMER  OF   1918 — ARMISTICE  DAY AFTER-EFFECTS   OF  THE  WAR. 

YORK  county's  SERVICE  "bACK   HERE" 

York  County  received  the  news  that  the  United  States  had  declared  a  state  of 
war  upon  the  German  Empire  just  the  same  as  her  sister  counties.  The  great  mass 
of  her  citizens  immediately  dropped  all  prior  opinions  and  present  plans  and 
rallied  to  the  one  idea,  our  country  first.  The  president's  message  to  Congress  was 
published  in  full  in  the  York  newspaper  of  April  3d  and  4th. 

THE  MILITIA  BOYS  CALLED 

Just  prior  to  the  President'.?  call  upon  Congress  to  declare  a  state  of  war  upon 
Germany,  Company  M  of  York  received  notice  to  be  ready  to  move  upon  receipt  of 
transportation.  Captain  Holdeman  had  been  promoted  to  be  major  of  the  Second 
Battalion,  which  left  Second  Lieutenant  Shapland  as  the  ranking  officer  of  the 
company.  First  Lieutenant  Newbold  was  appointed  to  a  lieutenancy  in  the  reg- 
ulars in  the  aviation  corps.  The  roster  of  Company  M  was  completed  on  Monday, 
April  2d,  and  was  as  follows: 

First  Lieutenant,  Lester  B.   Shapland  Corporal,  Horace  Jenkins 

First  SergBiant,  Roy  Bradley  Cook,  Herbert  G.   Taylor 

Mess  Sergeant,  John  W.  Campbell  Cook,  N.  W.  D.  Merritt 

Supply  Sergeant,  Ernest  Ettel,  Jr.  Bugler,  Kenneth  L.  Remington. 
Sergeant,  Fred  Voss  Privates,  First  Class 

Corporal,  Leo  V.  Beckord  Baker,  Charles  A. 

Corporal,  William  E.  Taylor  Coleman,  Willard 

799 


800 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


Ettel,  Martin  W. 
Ludlow,  Charles  W. 
Sladek,  Jerry 
Stepanchuck,  John 
Stewart,  Charles  H. 
Thomas,  Forrest  B. 

Privates 
Beattie,  Arthur 
Berry,  Walter  G. 
Blakiey,  Joe  W. 
Bray,  Clarence  M. 
Brown,  Benjamin 
Cofhran,  demon  C. 
Davis,  Frank  L. 
Everts,  Ted  G. 
Fagg,  William  B. 
Flynn,  William  E. 
Fox,   Basil   G. 
Gilford,  Earl  J. 
Graham,  Marion  W. 
Galaway,  Burton  E. 
Galvin,  Harvey  A. 
Gleason,  Max  S. 
Gray,  Clark  A. 
Havel,  Fred 
Hayes,  Thomas  L. 
Holpuch,  Joe  J. 
Hull,  Clarence  C. 


Jacobsen,  Calvin  J. 
Keller,  Alfred  J. 
Keller,  Emil  C. 
Krisl,  James 
Krisl,  Rudolph 
Markworth,  Charles  A. 
Mellerup,  Carl  L. 
Miller,  Fred  E. 
Miller,  Alonzo  G. 
Morgan,  Guy  T. 
Moses,  Cecil  J. 
Mcintosh,  Erwin  E. 
Overholser,  James  E. 
Parker,  Clyde  A. 
Peters,  Edward  J. 
Powers,  Ralph  W. 
Potts,  Kirk  F. 
Eea,  John  D. 
Robertson,   Darrell  L. 
Rogers,  Henry  D. 
Smith,  Jesse  M. 
Spellman,  Charles  E. 
Stevens,  Samuel  D. 
Thomas,  Fred  D. 
Walters,  Clio  H. 
Wilkins,  George  R. 
Workentine,  Freeman  W. 
Doemling,    Emery   J. 


FLAG  TO    COMPANY   M 


Upon  the  occasion  of  the  departure  of  Company  M  the  first  important  public 
gathering  of  the  war  period  took  place  when  the  flag  was  presented  to  Company  M. 

The  Woman's  Relief  Corps  and  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  acting 
jointly,  presented  Company  M,  Fourth  Nebraska  Infantry,  with  a  handsome  flag 
Tuesday  morning.  The  presentation  took  place  from  the  north  steps  of  the  court- 
house and  was  witnessed  by  a  large  crowd.  The  notice  of  the  presentation  was 
short,  else  the  attendance  would  have  been  vastly  larger.  But  the  crowd  was  large 
enough  to  prove  to  the  soldier  boys  that  the  entire  community  held  them  in  the 
highest  esteem  and  wished  them  well ;  that  it  appreciates  their  loyalty  and  their 
patriotism. 

John  Lett,  past  department  commander  of  the  Nebraska  G.  A.  R.,  presided,  and 
a  quartette  led  in  the  singing  of  the  national  anthems.  The  program  began  with 
the  singing  of  "America"  by  the  entire  audience.  Rev.  Mr.  Adams  then  invoked 
the  divine  blessing  upon  the  soldier  boys  and  the  entire  assembly. 

Rev.  Dr.  Wasser  made  the  address  of  presentation,  speaking  briefly  and  feelingly 
of  the  crisis  confronting  the  country,  and  warning  the  people  against  giving  way  to 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  801 

prejudice  and  passion.  Doctor  Wasser  was  listened  to  with  closest  attention  and 
frequently  applauded. 

Lieutenant  Shapland,  commanding  the  company,  responded  to  the  presentation 
address,  and  holding  the  beautiful  banner  in  his  hand,  pledged  Company  M  to  up- 
hold its  traditions  and  the  traditions  of  the  fathers  and  grandfathers  whose  sacri- 
fices made  the  flag  the  symbol  of  a  free  and  united  country. 

"The  Old  Flag  Never  Touched  the  Ground,"  was  sung  by  the  quartette,  and  its 
stirring  march  strains  started  feet  to  keeping  time,  and  shoulders  squared  as  eyes 
gazed  upon  the  fluttering  folds  of  "Old  Glory"  as  they  were  held  aloft  by  the 
company  color  bearer.  Then  the  entire  assembly  joined  in  singing  "Star-Spangled 
Banner,"  after  which  the  benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  Mr.  Johns. 

After  the  completion  of  the  program  a  photograph  was  taken  of  the  company. 

In  accordance  with  instructions  from  the  war  department  Company  M  took  the 
•1 :20  P.  M.  train  for  Grand  Island.  The  company  assembled  at  Armory  Hall  at 
noon  and  at  13:30  marched  to  the  Burlington  depot,  escorted  by  a  large  crowd  of 
citizens,  conspicuous  among  whom  were  the  fathers  and  mothers  of  the  troopers. 
There  was  no  great  display  of  enthusiasm.  The  people  are  loyal  and  patriotic 
enough,  but  everybody  realizes  that  a  serious  crisis  faces  the  Republic,  and  that  this 
is  no  time  for  mere  hurrahs  and  flag  waving.  But  there  was  an  air  of  quiet  deter- 
mination that  gave  evidence  that  the  people  are  united  and  that  individual  opinion 
has  been  subordinated  to  the  one  desire  to  stand  by  the  flag  and  by  the  adminis- 
tration. 

FIRST  HOME  ACTIVITIES 

The  week  following  April  3d  witnessed  a  beginning  of  home  activities  in  behalf 
of  war  work. 

Tlie  Elks  Resolution 

York  Lodge  No.  102-t,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  acting  on  the 
suggestion  of  Grand  Exalted  Ruler  Rightor  of  Xew  Orleans,  adopted  at  regular 
meeting  Wednesday  night,  April  4,  the  following  resolutions: 

"Resolved  by  York  Lodge  Xo.  1024,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
that  while  we  deprecate  the  waging  of  unnecessary  warfare  upon  any  country,  as 
patriotic  Americans,  we  pledge  our  support  both  moral  and  material  to  the  President 
of  the  United  States  in  the  present  crisis,  and  hope  that  if  all  efforts  for  a  peaceful 
solution  of  the  present  difficulty  fail,  that  the  Congress  will  provide  adequate  means 
for  the  defense  of  our  beloved  country,  the  protection  of  our  citizens,  and  to  main- 
tain the  honor  of  our  flag." 

The  unobtrusive  support  that  was  later  given  by  this  order  in  the  entire  United 
States,  in  undertaking  the  work  of  the  Salvation  Army,  is  a  feature  of  the  war  his- 
tory of  this  Republic  that  is  a  source  of  pride  to  even  more  than  the  members  of 
this  American  order.  A  big  public  rally  was  the  next  move  made  to  arouse  the 
patriotic  enthusiasm  of  York  County  citizens. 

BECRUITING   BEGINS 

Before  the  end  of  A[)ril  the  call  to  ser\ice  was  being  sounded  and  twenty  more 
men  were  needed  from  York  County  to  fill  the  ranks  of  Company  M.     The  spirit 


803  HISTOEY    OP   YOEK    COUNTY 

of  the  appeal  as  it  was  then  felt,  and  the  eall  that  was  heiog  sounded  to  naval 
service  as  well  can  best  be  reflected  by  reproducing  here  an  appeal  to  recruiting 
made  public  in  the  York  Democrat  on  April  25,  1917: 

"Company  M,  Fourth  Nebraska  Infantry,  needs  twenty  more  men  to  recruit  it 
up  to  place  strength  of  100  men.  Major  Holdeman,  who  was  captain  of  Company  M 
for  years,  is  chief  recruiting  officer  here  now,  with  headquarters  at  the  postoffice. 
And  Major  Holdeman  wants  the  twenty  volunteers  to  be  York  County  boys,  so  the 
company  will  really  be  a  York  County  company.  Nearly  one-third  of  the  present 
membership  was  recruited  from  outside  of  this  county.  York  County  furnished  57 
men,  Fillmore  County  1-4,  Lancaster  County  1,  Polk  County  1,  Seward  County  1, 
and  the  rest  of  the  state  2.  Of  the  York  County  boys  in  Company  M,  34  are  from 
York,  11  from  McCool,  7  from  Waco,  2  from  Henderson,  and  1  each  from  Bradshaw, 
Benedict,  and  Lushton. 

"Major  Holdeman  has  his  office  at  the  postpffice  building,  but  the  company 
headquarters  are  still  at  the  Armory  building.  Whatever  arrangements  have  been 
made  for  the  disposition  of  the  Fourth  Eegiment  is  a  "state  secret"  as  yet.  The 
probabilities  are,  however,  that  the  regiment  will  not  long  remain  at  Fort  Crook. 

"Saturday  a  naval  recniiting  officer  will  be  in  York  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
enlistments  in  the  United  States  Navy.  This  branch  of  the  service  offers  splendid 
opportunities  for  young  men.  It  gives  them  a  chance  to  see  the  world,  and  the  pos- 
sibilities of  promotion  and  increased  pay  are  unusually  good.  Besides  which,  there 
is  every  incentive  to  save  the  wages  received  and  in  time  retire  on  a  .service  pension. 
There  are  a  lot  of  young  fellows  in  York  who  are  capable  of  rendering  Uncle  Sam 
good  service  in  the  Navy  Department,  and  at  the  same  time  greatly  benefit  them- 
selves." 

Poorly  advertised  and  with  the  notice  all  too  short,  a  patriotic  meeting  held  at 
the  courthouse  Saturday  afternoon,  April  28th,  was  well  attended. 

Mayor  Smith  presided  and  briefly  stated  the  oi)jeets  of  the  meeting.  Charles  S. 
Gilbert  spoke  briefly  and  interestingly  of  the  crisis  and  reviewed  the  events  leading 
up  thereto.  Mayor  Colton  said  a  few  words,  but  they  were  eloquent.  He  said  no  man 
should  urge  others  to  enlist  unless  himself  ready  to  enlist.  And  he  liad  asked  fur  a 
chance  to  serve  the  colors.  Mr.  IIa<le  ])i-(iiiilly  referred  to  the  fart  that  be  has  a  son 
in  the  navy,  and  Professor  Mcljaughlin  struck  a  popular  chord  with  his  all  too 
brief  remarks.  Next  week  President  McLaughlin  will  be  in  Washington  in  attend- 
ance upon  a  meeting  of  college  presidents  called  to  consult  with  the  federal  authori- 
ties as  to  what  the  colleges  may  best  do  to  serve  the  country  now.  "I  am  sure  that 
York  College  will  respond  to  any  call  that  may  be  made  upon  it,"  said  President 
McLaughlin. 

Major  Holdeman  briefly  stated  what  Nebraska's  share  is  in  recruiting  and  asked 
the  young  men  of  York  County  to  do  their  share.  Naval  Recruiting  Ollicer  Mal- 
lierbe,  who  has  seen  fourteen  years  of  service,  spoke  in  an  interesting  wav  and  gave 
a  leaf  or  two  out  of  his  experiences. 

ilAKIXG  EACH  ACRE  COUXT 

.  1'he  York  County  Commercial  Cluli  imiiiediately  awoke  tu  the  neeiissity  of  con- 
serving every  energy  and  utilizing  every  agency  calculated  to  produce  foodstuffs 
against  the  dark  days  that  loomed  ahead.     Witli  the  assistance  of  the  city  council, 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  803 

the  club  proceeded  to  list  every  vacant  lot  and  fraction  of  a  lot  in  the  city,  and  set 
every  foot  of  it  to  producing  staple  foodstuffs  to  be  stored  for  fall  and  winter  use, 
Messrs.  Meehan,  McCloud,  Liggett,  and  Smith  acting  as  a  committee  to  secure  the 
ground. 

An  employment  bureau  was  planned  at  once  for  the  benefit  of  the  farmers  seek- 
ing help.  Men  wanting  jobs  on  the  farm  were  invited  to  list  their  names  with 
Secretary  Shreck,  and  farmers  in  need  of  help  were  invited  to  consult  with  him. 
The  Northwestern  and  the  Burlington  both  offered  the  free  use  of  their  right-of-way 
for  the  production  of  certain  crops,  the  work  to  be  done  under  the  supervision  of 
responsible  parties. 

AT   THE   PATRIOTIC    MEETING   OF   APRIL    28tH 

The  recruiting  met  an  immediate  response,  so  many  young  men  wishing  to 
enlist  tliat  he  had  to  refuse  to  take  more,  his  time  in  York  being  limited  to  permit 
a  proper  examination. 

The  following  young  men  were  recruited,  seven  of  the  number  failing  to  pass 
the  physical  examination  :  Alviu  L.  Dodson,  Eoy  Townsend,  Allen  Lamm,  Eobert  J. 
McDonald,  Keith  Jones,  Jean  P.  Jysp,  George  F.  Maul,  Albert  Dixon,  E.  E.  Schniel- 
zel,  Ealph  L.  Ferris,  Harry  E.  Preebe,  Frank  C.  Peck,  George  A.  Johns,  Arthur  L. 
Surface,  John  E.  White,"  Floyd  W.  Woolly,  Arthur  J.  Yost,  Eobert  G.  Miller, 
Evend  A.  Nielsen,  Clarence  Pile,  YA  H.  Henning,  Carl  J.  Paulsen,  Lawrence  L. 
Valentine,  Claude  V.  Larkin,  and  Eoy  H.  Larson. 

YORK  MEN  CALLED  UPON 

Early  in  May  two  York  men  were  called  upon  by  the  national  and  state  officials 
for  consulting  services.  Mr.  J.  W.  Shorthill  served  throughout  the  war  in  assisting 
with  the  formation  and  consummation  of  plans  relating  to  the  agricultural  prob- 
lems. In  August,  1917,  he  was  selected  by  Food  Commissioner  Herbert  Hoover  as 
secretary  of  the  Federal  Corporation  to  take  over  the  grain  supply  of  the  country. 
Charles  A.  McCloud  served  throughout  the  war  period  as  a  member  of  the  State 
Council  of  Defense.  The  press  of  May  9th  carried  the  following  two  notices  which 
commented  upon  the  first  call  to  service  of  these  two  well-known  citizens  of  York : 

"J.  W.  Shorthill  of  this  city,  secretary-treasurer  of  the  Farmers'  Co-operative 
Association,  with  headquarters  here,  was  in  Washington  last  week,  consulting  with 
the  Council  for  National  Defense. 

"Mr.  Shorthill  said  that  in  view  of  the  Government  making  strenuous  efforts  to 
get  the  farmers  to  grow  additional  crops,  it  was  imperatively  necessary  that  the 
railroads  should  move  the  crops  now  in  elevators  or  in  other  storage  in  order  that 
the  crop  coming  on  might  be  taken  care  of. 

"  'The  grain  on  the  farm  is  in  the  hands  of  people  wlio  have  facilities  to  hold 
it,'  said  Mr.  Shorthill.  'If  that  grain  is  not  moved  off  the  farm  before  the  new 
crop  comes  on,  those  farmers  who  have  facilities  to  hold  will  have  to  dump  the 
grain  on  the  market  with  those  who  lack  holding  facilities.  That  would  obviously 
result  in  a  greater  congestion  than  exists  at  present.' 

"Mr.  Shorthill  was  assured  that  every  effort  would  be  made  to  give  the  farmers 
and  grain  dealers  throughout  the  country  the  sought-for  relief." 


804  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

"Last  Friday  Governor  Neville  honored  York  County  and  the  state  by  appoint- 
ing Charles  A.  McCloud  as  a  member  of  the  State  Council  of  Defense.  With  E.  0. 
Webber  of  Wahoo,  Mr.  McCloud  will  represent  the  bankers  upon  this  council.  Gen- 
eral George  Plarries  of  Omaha  is  chairman  of  the  council  and  Richard  L.  Metcalfe 
is  one  of  the  members.  There  yet  remains  two  members  to  represent  the  railroads, 
and  then  the  council  will  be  complete. 

"The  State  Council  of  Defense  will  act  in  conjunction  with  the  National  Council 
of  Defense  in  making  a  comprehensive  survey  of  the  entire  country,  with  a  view  to 
co-ordinating  its  every  activity  during  the  progress  of  the  war. 

"Mr.  McCloud's  appointment  was  a  complete  surprise  to  him,  and  was  made 
ui)on  recommendation  of  a  number  of  bankers  who  were  consulted  by  Governor 
Neville.  He  has  accepted  the  appointment  and  will  give  the  duties  the  fullest  pos- 
sible attention." 

RED   CROSS   ORGAXIZED 

A  mass  meeting  was  called  by  Mayor  Smith  for  Sunday  afternoon,  May  20th,  at 
the  Opera  House,  when  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross  was  fully  explained  and  plans  for 
organization  of  the  York  County  Chapter  were  formulated.  The  meeting  was 
called  to  order  by  Mayor  Smith,  and  Wade  H.  Read  was  elected  chairman.  The 
assembly  joined  in  singing  "America,"  and  the  divine  blessing  was  invoked  by 
Rev.  W.  C.  AVasser.  Senator  C.  E.  Sandall  explained  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross  in  a 
few  well  chosen  words,  and  Doctor  McConaughy  followed  with  cogent  reasons  why 
York  should  have  a  branch  of  the  organization.  E.  B.  Woods  spoke  of  the  part 
business  men  must  jilay  in  the  present  crisis.  "Columbia"  was  then  sung  by  the 
assembly,  after  which  Mr.  Burton,  field  secretary  of  the  Red  Cross,  Denver,  spoke 
interestingly  of  the  work  performed  by  the  Red  Cross. 

On  motion  of  Miss  Detrick,  it  was  decided  to  organize  a  local  branch  in  York, 
and  140  people  responded  to  the  call  for  enrollment.  The  following  officers  were 
selected:  Chairman,  A.  E.  Mead;  vice  chairman,  Dewitt  Lee;  secretary,  C.  C. 
Boslaw ;  treasurer,  Mrs.  W.  E.  McCloud ;  directors,  Dennis  Meehan,  Commercial 
Club;  J.  E.  Hart,  banks;  Dr.  George  Shidler,  medical  profession;  Mrs.  Jennie 
Stephens,  charities  organization ;  Mrs.  W.  A.  Harrison,  Woman's  Department  Club. 

A  meeting  of  the  officers  and  directors  was  held  the  next  Tuesday  afternoon  to 
perfect  the  plans  of  permanent  organization. 

COUNTY    COUXCIL    OF    DEFENSE 

York  County  organized  a  county  branch  of  the  Council  for  State  Defense,  with 
Mayor  T.  W.  Smith  as  chairman.  Dr.  F.  S.  Morris  of  McCool,  vice  chairman;  C.  C. 
Boslaw,  secretary,  and  A.  A.  Metz,  treasurer.  The  organization  was  perfected  at  a 
meeting  held  at  the  courthouse  Saturday  afternoon,  May  19th,  and  the  entire  com- 
mittee were  called  together  in  a  few  days  for  the  perfecting  of  plans  as  outlined  by 
the  state  council. 

At  the  close  of  Professor  Fling's  address  the  York  County  Council  of  Defense 
was  organized  with  the  officers  as  named  above.  The  precinct  mendiers  of  the  coun- 
cil were  selected  as  follows:  Stewart,  Robert  Brown;  Thayer,  Thomas  Price;  Mor- 
ton, H.  B.  Bottum;  Arhorville,  Charles  Flick;  Bradshaw,  R.  W.  Findley;  Lockridge, 
James  A.  Barr;  New  York,  Fred  Strobel;  Waco,  R.  F.  Getty;  Beaver,  Charles  Purin- 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  805 

ton;  Leroy,  W.  H.  Brooke:  Baker,  Con  McCarthy;  Brown,  C.  D.  Fay;  Henderson  A, 
Phil  Moore;  Henderson  B,  Cornelius  Peters;  Hays,  F.  M.  Churchill;  McFadden, 
R.  F.  Lord ;  West  Blue,  James  Lafferty ;  York,  First  Ward,  C.  E.  Sandall ;  York, 
Second  Ward,  William  Miller;  York,  Third  Ward.  Charles  Peterson;  York,  Fourth 
Ward,  John  J.  Price. 

REGISTRATION  DAT,  JUNE   5,   1917 

In  common  with  every  other  county  in  the  state,  or  community  in  the  country, 
June  5,  1917,  will  stand  out  as  a  red-letter  day  in  the  history  of  York  County. 
Since  the  foundation  of  the  Republic,  the  American  people  had  inherited  a  deep- 
seated  prejudice  against  anything  akin  to  universal  compulsory  military  service.  To 
ask  almost  ten  millions  of  men,  between  the  ages  of  twenty-one  and  thirty-one, 
reared  and  educated  to  the  idea  of  absolute  freedom  from  any  form  of  military 
service  except  such  as  they  might  voluntarily  assume,  to  register  for  possible  mili- 
tary service,  seemed  to  many  almost  a  dangerous  risk  for  the  federal  Government 
to  run.  But  it  proved  decisively  that  this  tradition  was  more  than  offset  by  a 
popular  will  to  win  the  war,  and  so  imbued  were  the  American  people  with  the 
determination  to  perpetuate  their  democratic  ideals,  and  so  deeply  impressed  were 
they  with  the  knowledge  that  it  was  not  only  necessary  to  raise  an  army,  but  to  do 
it  quickly,  that  the  whole  nation  registered  9,586,508  men  on  that  notable  June  5th. 

Sheriff  Miller,  County  Clerk  Beck,  and  County  Attorney  Gillmore,  the  officials 
required  to  make  the  arrangements  for  the  registration  under  the  selective  conscrip- 
tion act  on  June  5th,  show  as  registrars  in  the  famous  precincts  the  following 
persons  (the  first  name,  where  two  are  named  in  a  precinct,  was  to  act  as  chief 
registrar)  : 

Stewart — William    Davidson,    William  Henderson,  A — H.  P.  Bearing,  M.  W. 

Diers  Strater 

Thayer— G.  M.  Horsfall,  A.  Halsted.  Henderson,    B— D.    D.    Weins,    J.    J. 

Morton — W.  J.  Sahling,  D.  W.  Baker  Kroeker 

Arborville — Thomas   S.    Fisher,  E.   L.  Hays — W.   R.    Anderson,   H.   M.   Wil- 

Gray  cox 

Bradshaw— C.   B.   Palmer,   Jr.,   C.   A.  McFadden— R.  F.  Lord,  C.  C.  Norquest 

Lininger  West   Blue — John   W.    Schultz,   C.    R. 

Lockridge — Fred  Voss,  Fred  Romsdall  Deffenbaugh 

New  York— Fred  Strebel  York,  First  Ward— E.  J.  Taylor,  F.  L. 

Waco — J.  V.  Brady,  M.  J.  Keltenborn  Propst 

Beaver — Charles  Purinton,  Christ  Bui-  York,  Second  Ward — H.   G.  Hopkins, 

grin  Leroy  Davis 

Leroy — Chas.  H.  Propst,  Philip  Klone  York,    Third    Ward — C.    C.    Boslaw, 

Baker — W.    A.    Spellman,   Albert   An-  C.  A.  Keefe 

derson  York,  Fourth  Ward — E.  B.  Koon,  Den- 
Brown — J.  W.  Tracy,  D.  J.  Kroeker  nis  Meehan,  Jr. 

HOW    THE    MEN    REGISTERED    IN    YORK    COCNTT 

York  County  responded  on  June  5th  without  a  protest,  and  there  was  not  a  sign 
of  ill  feeling,  not  a  bit  of  display  of  disloyalty,  nor  a  single  disturbance.     On  the 


806  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUJ^TY 

contrary,  there  were  evi<leiiees  of  patriotism  on  every  hand.  The  twenty-one  regis- 
tration precincts  in  tlie  county  were  appropriately  decorated,  and  while  the  young 
men  who  gathered  to  register  were  not  at  all  hilarious,  they  were  registering  with 
the  air  of  young  men  willing  to  do  their  hit  in  whatever  capacity  they  might  be 
called  to  serve. 

A  tour  of  the  county  made  by  the  Y'ork  County  Commercial  Club  was  a  success 
in  every  particular.  The  schedule  of  the  trip  was  a  fast  one  and  at  the  beginning 
there  were  those  who  doubted  if  it  could  be  made  in  the  time  set.  But  the  trip  was 
made  in  an  hour  less  time  than  the  schedule  called  for,  and  with  the  excejjtion  of 
the  usual  troubles  incident  to  such  a  long  trip  there  were  no  accidents  and  no  con- 
fusion. 

The  start  was  made  promptly  at  7:30  Tuesday  morning,  and  at  6:10  the  pilot 
car  headed  back  into  York,  an  hour  and  forty  minutes  ahead  of  time. 

Col.  Charles  A.  McCloud  had  charge  of  the  speaking  part  of  the  program,  and 
also  officiated  as  manager  of  the  band  and  pilot  for  the  long  procession  of  autos. 
Every  auto  was  decorated  with  flags,  and  several  of  them  carried  women  of  the  Red 
Cross  with  their  nurses'  caps  and  their  white  aprons.  The  Y'ork  Municipal  Band 
was  taken  along,  and  at  every  stop  inspired  the  crowds  by  playing  "Star-Spangled 
Banner,"  "Stars  and  Stripes  Forever,"  and  "Let's  All  Be  Americans  Today."  The 
speakers  were  brief  in  their  remarks,  but  not  one  failed  to  win  the  applause  of  his 
listeners.  Congressman  Charles  H.  Sloan  responded  to  a  hurry-up  call  and  came 
over  from  Geneva,  joining  the  touring  party  at  Waco,  where  he  spoke  briefly. 
From  Waco  Mr.  Sloan  went  to  Gresham  and  made  a  rousing  patriotic  address  at  the 
flag-raising  exercises  in  that  progressive  and  patriotic  little  city.  Houston  was  the 
first  place  visited,  and  despite  the  early  hour  more  than  a  score  of  men  were  present 
and  the  registrars  were  already  busy.  Dennis  Meehan  spoke  briefly,  and  then  the 
tourists  hastened  on  to  Gresham.  Here  Charles  Gilbert  spoke  and  earned  the  hearty 
cheers  of  a  big  audience.  At  Thayer,  T.  E.  Sedgwick  was  the  orator,  and  he  made 
a  telling  little  speech.  There  was  a  slight  bobble  in  the  program  between  Gresham 
and  Waco,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  pilot  lost  his  compass,  and  as  a  result  the  big 
reception  committee  from  Waco  met  only  the  pilot  car  at  the  appointed  place.  The 
Wacoites  were  up  and  coming  and  they  had  six  gaily  decorated  cars  all  ready  to 
escort  the  tourists  in.  Congressman  Sloan  spoke  briefly  at  the  town  hall  in  Waco, 
and  then  the  Waco  committee  started  the  tourists  on  the  right  road  to  Beaver  town 
hall.  Here  W.  M.  Maupin  recited  H.  H.  Bennett's  patriotic  poem,  "The  Flag  Goes 
By."  At  Leroy  town  hall  Mr.  Meehan  was  again  pressed  into  service,  and  T.  W. 
Smith  sent  over  to  West  Blue  to  speak  while  the  rest  of  the  tourists  came  into  Y^'ork 
for  lunch.  Fifty  minutes  at  York  and  the  tourists  took  the  road  for  the  last  leg  of 
the  trip.  Lockridge  was  the  first  stop  of  the  afternoon,  and  there  a  fine  crowd  had 
assembled.  The  Red  Cross  people  had  taken  a  short  cut  ahead  and  gathered  in  a 
fine  lot  of  members  before  the  band  got  there.  F.  P.  Van  Wickle  was  the  orator  at 
Benedict,  and  his  brief  speech  was  greeted  with  three  rousing  cheers.  Mr.  Gilbert 
made  his  second  address  at  Arborville,  and  as  usual  aroused  the  enthusiasm  of  his 
auditors.  At  Bradshaw,  Arthur  Thompson,  who  had  registered  before  he  left  York 
in  the  morning,  made  a  most  effective  address.  Mayor  Smith  spoke  in  Brown,  and, 
by  the  way,  while  Brown  is  a  Mennonite  settlement  it  had  registered  the  largest 
percentage  of  the  eligibles  of  any  of  them.  The  registration  at  3  :30  was  forty-nine 
out  of  a  ])ossible  fifty-tliree.     Mr.  Meehan  and  Mr.  Maupin  spoke  briefly  to  a  big 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 


807 


crowd  at  Henderson,  and  at  Liishton  Mr.  Gilbert  again  thrilled  the  audience.  Hayes 
town  hall  was  reached  rather  too  early  for  those  who  had  arranged  to  be  there  to 
receive  the  visitors,  and  only  the  registrar  and  one  patriotic  woman  were  there.  But 
the  band  played  just  the  same.  Here  Doctor  Morris  of  McCool,  escorted  by  a  bevy 
of  Red  Cross  girls,  met  the  tourists  and  piloted  them  into  McCool,  the  last  stop  of 
the  day.  At  McCool  Colonel  McCloud  made  a  plea  for  everybody  to  buy  a  Liberty 
Bond. " 

Just  as  the  autoists  started  from  McCool  the  rain  began  and  followed  the 
autoists  almost  to  York.  But  aside  from  a  little  dampness  in  the  closing  hour  the 
day  couldn't  have  been  better  if  made  to  order.  Nor  could  the  roads  have  been 
improved  to  any  great  extent.  The  plans  for  the  evening  exercises  in  York  were 
abandoned  on  account  of  the  weather. 

While  the  band  was  playing  and  orators  orating,  busy  gentlemen  were  engaged 
in  spreading  the  glad  news  that  York  was  going  to  pull  ofl!  the  biggest  Fourth  of 
July  celebration  since  that  memorable  day  when  the  little  tyke  yelled  for  his  grand- 
dad to  ring  the  old  Liberty  Bell.  Waco  has  the  record  for  the  largest  crowd  that 
greeted  the  visitors. 

The  commercial  club  supplied  each  registrar  with  enough  little  flag  badges  to 
adorn  the  breast  of  every  young  man  who  registered. 

Every  town  visited  was  alive  with  the  colors  of  the  flag,  and  flags  were  flying 
from  every  vantage  point. 

At  Lushton  Colonel  MeCloud  found  it  necessary  to  issue  a  warning  against 
racing.  "There  is  too  much  of  it,"  said  Colonel  McCloud.  "Several  times  my  driver 
has  had  to  run  like  thunder  to  keep  some  fellow  from  j)assing  him." 

Lushton  was  the  only  place  visited  that  had  a  band  stand  all  ready  for  the 
musicians. 

Congressman  Sloan  visited  in  York  during  the  late  evening  of  registration  day, 
and  then  went  to  Aurora  to  see  the  races  and  incidentally  to  nail  back  a  few  pickets 
on  his  fences. 

The  dry  goods  and  clothing  stores  of  York  were  closed  all  day,  as  were  the 
banks  and  the  county  offices. 

The  roster  of  those  young  men  between  the  ages  twenty-one  and  thirty-one, 
inclusive,  who  registered  for  selective  service  on  June  5,  1917,  includes  the 
following : 


First  Ward,  Yorh 
Akofer,  Andrew  J. 
Anderson,  Harold  I. 
Ballanger,  Albert  W. 
Behkling,  Carl  F.  G. 
Bell,  James  Stewart 
Bell,  Donald  G. 
Berger,  Dan  H. 
Blinn,  Paul  H. 
Bohn,  Peter  V. 
Bullock,  Willard  E. 
Burton,  Irvin  J. 
Burnard,  Adrian  E. 


Buswell,  Guy  T. 
Cain,  Harry  V. 
Carpenter,   H.    Charles 
Chambers,  Leonard  H. 
Charlton,  Harry  R. 
Charlton,  Homer  L. 
Comstock,  Rufus  L. 
Cooper,  Isaac  S. 
Croson,  Charles  E. 
Davis,  Guy  R. 
Dean,  Earl  J. 
Dresher,   William   P. 
Eberhart,  Julian  P. 


Ek,  John  R. 
Fair,  Jay  W. 
Ferguson,  Harold  H. 
Fisher,  Charles  W. 
Fluty,  Chas.  0. 
Foster,  Leslie  E. 
Froid,  Wendell  0. 
Gale,  Robt.  G. 
Gallant,  William  G. 
Gamble,  Walter  G. 
Graham,  Benjamin  H. 
Graham,  Samuel  N. 
Granere,  Carl  J. 


808 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


Grassniueck,  Elmer  R. 
Grave?,  Henry  C. 
Gregory,  Leslie  R. 
Harritt,  Hugh  C. 
Haggard,  Raymond  D. 
Hampt,  Earl  C. 
Herzer,  Philip  C. 
Hijlette,  James  D. 
Holoch,  E. 
Huffman,  Elwood  C. 
Hubbell,  Harry  L. 
Jacobson,  Setli  A. 
James,  William  E. 
Jenkins,  George  A. 
Jockisch,  Year!  C.  S. 
Johnson,  Rollie  C. 
Kettering,  Eugene  L. 
King,  Fay  F. 
Lincoln,  Leigh 
Little,  Ralph  W. 
Looniis.  Herbert  H. 
Lord,  Telfer  C. 
Lubian,  Rosendo 
McCarty,  Leo  J. 
McC'arty,  Fred  P. 
Martin,  Harry  C. 
Mason,  Fred 
Mathiesen,  Hubert 
Muir,  Fred 
Munro,  Frank 
Nearing,  Guy  E. 
Newman,  Lloyd  V. 
Nehns,  Carl  W. 
Newman,  Benjamin  H. 
Myhre,  Anon  M. 
Osborn,  Ernest 
Yan  Ostrand,  Lee 
Otto,  Herbert  J. 
Otto,  Edwin  W.  H 
Peterson,  Claude  A. 
Rankin,  Edwin  H. 
Ranl-yn,  Glen  L. 
Requartte,  Harold  J. 
Roberts,  Calvin  B. 
Rusch,  Herman  G. 
Sfhell,  Claudia  A. 
Schell,  Louis  D. 
Sfhlarb,  Ralph  R. 


Shorthill,  Ray 
Slawson,  Marion  A. 
Snedeker,  Morton  B. 
Springer,  Marcus  A. 
Stutheit,  Herbert  H. 
Taylor,  Earl  J. 
Temple,  Benjamin  F. 
Thompson,   Arthur  W. 
Tout,  Abraham  L. 
Yincent,  Fred  H. 
Walsh,  George  J. 
Walsh,  William  R. 
Watt,  Thad  G. 
Weaver,  Ollie  L. 
Weber,  George  J. 
Wherry,  WilUam  T. 
Williamson,  Albert 
Wilson,  John  A. 
Yantz,  Vaughan 
Zieg,  John  Alex 

Second  Ward.  York 
Beaver,  Clyde  A. 
Bell,  Hubert  0. 
Bender,  Jacob  J.,  Jr. 
Bereuter,  William  H. 
Bereuter,  Reuben   A. 
Bermaster,  Walter 
Beyer,  George  H. 
Bradwell,  Charles 
Brakeman,  Floyd  H. 
Brott,  Raymond  L. 
Burnhani,  Edwin  F. 
Cartwriglit,  William  R. 
Cartwright,  Callie  G. 
Cartwriglit,  John   R. 
Castile,  Lloyd  W. 
Coffendaffer,  William  A. 
Collinghani,  Lewis  A. 
Cuchubos,  Frank 
Cuchubos,  John  P. 
Davis,  John  L. 
DeBord,  William  P. 
Dever,  Jess  L. 
Doran,  Bert  E. 
Dreier,  August  H. 
Edwards,  James  W. 
Elliott,  Elmer  E. 
Ettel,  James  B. 


Foreman,  Harold  L. 
Finch,  Floyd  P. 
Foster,  Clarence  E. 
Fox,  Charles  J. 
Friesen,  Cornelius 
Gaskill,  Harry  L. 
Gantt,  Carl  T. 
Habermann,  Alexander 
Habermann,  Henry 
Haliermann,  John 
Hoffner,  Joe 
Harmon.  Dewey  J. 
Higman.  William   E. 
Hesler,  Henry  A. 
Henderson,  Roy  D. 
Hildebrand,  Charles   P. 
Hitihcock,  Roscoe  C. 
Hoatson,  Ralph  I. 
Holoch,  William  C. 
Hopkins.  George  B. 
Howe,  Ben  K. 
Jones,  Guy  M. 
Johnson,  Glenn  R. 
Johnston,  Ray 
Keelan,  Fred 
Kellogg,  Chester  B. 
Klawonn,  Herman  C. 
Klnwonn,  Leo  T. 
Kline,  Andrew 
Koch,  Conrad 
Lake,  Frank  0. 
Lancaster,  Z.  L. 
Lauerman,  Edward   M. 
Lankin,  Wesley  B. 
Linnee,  Herman  A. 
Lindgren,  Melvin  G. 
Xorgren,  Leonard  W. 
McDonald,  Robert  J. 
McDonald.  Donald 
McKinley,  Cloyde  E. 
McMillan,  John  H. 
Markle.   William  E. 
Marshall,  Charles  C. 
Mead,  William  D. 
Miller,  Frank  H. 
Mohring,  Floyd  A. 
Monson,  Oscar  L. 
Myers,  Edward 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


809 


O'Connell,  William  J. 
Owen,  John  P. 
Palmer,  Albert  M. 
Peters,  James  T. 
Peters,  Francis 
Petersen,  Victor  0. 
Pettis,  Lester  C. 
Phillips,  Leonard  B. 
Pine,  Clark  S. 
Poullos,  James 
Proffitt,  Ralph  C. 
Pulse,  Harold  L. 
Rademacher,  Rudolph  A. 
Read,  Augustus  L. 
Reisbeck,  John,  Jr. 
Rhoads,  Archie  R. 
Rogers,  Victor 
Roth,  Henry 

Saunders,  Gilford  W. 
Shuttlesworth,  Elmer  W. 

Simonds,  Merle  C. 

Simons,  Julian  H. 

Smith,  Earl 

Steely,  Fred  L. 

Stewart,  William  D. 

Stine,  George  E. 

Sweet,  Andrew  R. 

Thompson,  Morris 

Townsend,  Ivan  E. 

Van  Vleet,  Philo  J. 

Wallingford,  William  R. 

Watson,  Ruie  T. 

White,  Edward  G. 

Whitham,  Jay  M. 

Whitehouse,    Charles   W. 

Will,  Walter  L. 

Woods,  James  E. 

Wood,   Earl  E. 

Third  Ward,  York 

Allen,  James  E. 

Alt,  John 

Askine,  Irvin 

Bailey,  Foss  Clifford 

Bartholomeu,  Chris 

Becker,  Earl 

Becker,  Henry  C. 

Bequette,  Walter  H. 

Brehm,  John 


Brewer,  George  Xed 
Bromau,  Parker  E. 
Broman,  Christopher   A. 
Buck,  Edwin  A. 
Campbell,  Arthur  E. 
Casey,  James  S. 
Casey,  John  J. 
Coleman,  Cecil 
Cox,  Charles  M. 
Clegg,  Clifford 
Cox,  Floyd  D. 
Davis,  John  R. 
Dawson,  John  I. 
Dayton,  Peter 
DeBoer,  Lester 
Eberle,  Andrew  J. 
Ellis,  Arthur  H. 
Ellis,  Charles  E. 
Failing,  Carl  C. 
Fair,  Clyde  R. 
Fenton,  Chester 
Fletcher,  Charles  C. 
Flint,  John  B. 
Fox,  Vale  L. 
Griffith,  Lawrence  W. 
Hall,  Harry  C. 
Hansen,  Charles  A. 
Hanson,  James  P. 
Harter,  Charles  W. 
Herzog,  John 
Hixson,  Lyle  L. 
Jenkins,  Ralph  C. 
Kerwood,  Homer  H. 
Kingston,  Harry  G. 
Krause,  Henry  W. 
Lake,  Charlie  M. 
Larson,  Roy  H. 
Laustsen,  Hans  C. 
Little,  Clyde  A. 
Lounsburry,  Hubert  A. 
McDermott,  Valbert  M. 
McMillen,  Frank  J. 
Martin,  John  A. 
JIayland,  Robert  E. 
Melton,  Roy  R. 
Misner,  Alva 
Morrow,  Alpha 
Moss,  Henry 


Xagel,  Henry 
Nine,  E.  J. 
Nordlund,  Harry  E. 
Oxley,  Delbert  P. 
Pembleton,  Martin  L. 
Pierce,  Rae  H. 
I'reston,  Clyde  W. 
Price,  Frank  H. 
Price,  Roy  M. 
Rayls,  Bert  J. 
Reisbeck,  John  R. 
Rice,  Charles  E. 
Rich,  August  F. 
Rhodes,  Robert  C. 
Rogers,  Joseph  F. 
Roggy,  Edson  L. 
Sandall,  John  C. 
Schleiger,  Conrad 
Schleiger,  Henry  H. 
Schleiger,  John 
Schmelzel,  Earl  E. 
Sehmelzel,  Marvin  B. 
Self,  James  C. 
Shaffer,  Jay  S. 
Shultz,  Royal  0. 
Smaha,  Emil  W. 
Smaha,  Adolph  0. 
Tavelin,  Bror  A. 
Tharp,  Charles  F. 
Thompson,  Harry  H. 
Tracy,  Claude  E. 
Valentine,  David  R. 
Van  Wlckle,  Andrew  E. 
Voss,  Frank  B. 
Wagner,  Ernest 
Wendell,  Elmer  Douglas 
White,  Robert  E. 
AYhite,  John  R. 
Williams,  Joseph  R. 
Williams,  Frank 
Wilger,  Williams  B. 
Willis,  Arcle  L. 
Yost,  William  L. 

Fourth   Ward,  York 
Adams,  Oscar  C. 
Belcher,  James  G. 
Bell,  William  H. 
Blank,  W.  Glenn 


810 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


Boor,  Harry  J. 
Bottiim,  Raymond  H. 
Bouchard,  George  J. 
Brown,  Henry  D. 
Campbell,  John  W. 
Carlson,  Edward  R. 
Clarke,  Lyle  W. 
Cormiean,  Earl  V. 
Crnmpacker,    Clifton    G. 
Davis,  William  0. 
Dayton,  William 
Diidek,  Otto  J. 
Engel,  Fred  H. 
Frazier,  Chester  L. 
Glcason,  James  J. 
Hannis,  Charles  I. 
Haney,  Roy  W. 
Harner,  Merl  W. 
Hartman,  Gordon  A. 
Henning,  Edward  H. 
Hiatt,  Roy  E. 
Hudson,  Floyd  L. 
Jacks,  Leo  V. 
Kotsiopulo,  Peter  G. 
Kreshel,  Adolph 
Lamp,  Melvin  B. 
Linstrom,  Ephraim  J. 
McBride,  Herman 
Mansir,  Ross 
Mapps,  Howard  E. 
Medaris,  Ernest  R. 
Meelian,  Dennis,  Jr. 
Meehan,  Peter  A. 
Meglemre,  James  C. 
Meinig,  Ernest  F. 
Miller,  George  R. 
Miller,  Olaf  Jv. 
Moore,  Frank 
Olmstad,  Clarkson  X. 
Pasehang,  Joseph  P. 
Perry,  John  B. 
Pope,  Vernon  W. 
Powell,  Adolphus  I. 
Price,  Lewis  M. 
Reed,  Dean  D. 
Rosenlof,  Carl  A. 
Ruble,  Fred  H. 
Runte,  Alvin  L. 


Samuelson,  Earl  N. 
Sahara,  Earl  M. 
Seigel,  John 
Shrigley,  Joseph  E. 
Spellman,  Earl  G. 
Stewart,  George  R. 
Stone,  Floyd 
Stone,  Ralph  H. 
Strohl.  Freddie  W. 
Sturgeon,  Ralph  M. 
Sturtevant,  Orrin  L. 
Sullivan,  William  F. 
Tilton,  Pierce  B. 
Titman,  Edward  W. 
Thomsen,  Martin  L. 
Wagner,  Archie  C. 
Weitzel,  Henry  C. 
Will,  Harry  M. 
Williams,  Arthur  R. 
Yost,  Harry  A. 
Zieg,  George 

Steivai't 
Anderson,  R.  Grover 
Bader,  0.  Henry 
Barbee,  W^ni.  Elsworth 
Barbee,  G.  Pogue 
Barbee,  J.  Sheldon 
Barbee,  B.  Frank 

Behni,  A.  Martine 

Beisner,  F.  William 

Berryhill,   E.   Emerson 

Blackman,  J.  Allen 

Biasing,  E. 

Blount,  T.  Elba 

Brittell,  C.  Clinton 

Bredehoft,  C.  M.  Wm. 

Blaikie,  H.  Essex 

Brittell,  H.  G. 

Barber,  Frank  E. 

Cane,  Earl  M. 

Cane,  Hugh  F. 

Clerc,  Pete  C. 

Clerc,  Henry  V. 

Cook,  Cecil 

Curts,  Osra  G. 

Davis,  John  B. 

Davidson,  Willard  W. 

Diers,  William  H. 


Diers,  Herbert 
Doan,  James  E. 
Doan,  Clarkson  0. 
Downing,  Oscar  T. 
EIrod,  Lawrence  R. 
Farmer,  William  P. 
Fewins,  Harry  M. 
Fuller,  Terria  G. 
(lonnerman,  Albert  F. 
Gonnerman,  Jacob  L. 
Grobe,  Lewis  E. 
Gruber,  William   R. 
Gruber.  Edward  A.   F. 
Gruber,  Walter  A. 
Harris,  John  S.,  Jr. 
Hastings,  Jay 
Hawley,'  Jess  L. 
Hawley,  Clifton  L.  J. 
Hawley,  Harry  D. 
Helms,  Ednnmd  A. 
Helmers,  Louis  W. 
Henricksen,  Martinus 
Hills,  Arthur  C. 
Hinze,  George  F. 
Huff,  Roy 
Hunter,  Robert 
Husbands,  Earl  K. 
Hutchinson,  John  T. 
Hylton,  Harry  T. 
Lsch,  Edgar  G. 
Jaegar,  George  H. 
Jensen,  Emil 
Jensen,  Chris   E. 
Johnson,  Elmer  L. 
Kennedy,  Thomas  A. 
Kirby,  James  E. 
Kunz,  Eugene  J. 
Lanphere,  Leonard  H. 
Lindquist,  Harry  S. 
Lindquist,  John  E. 
Lund,  John  A. 
Lund,  Walter  L. 
Marriott,  Frederick  L. 
Marsden,  Floyd  W. 
Marsden,  Vern 
Marvel,  William  L. 
Mentink,  John 
Mickey,  Carl  D. 


IIlSTUliY    OF    YOEK    COUXTY 


811 


Mooney,  iSTorman 
Xolte,  Emil 
Peterson,  Ferdinaiul  J. 
Peters,  Pay  S. 
Pozehl,  Chris  C. 
Eeetz,  George 
Richter,  George  B. 
Richter,  Fritz  J. 
Eeetz,  Otto  H. 
Ehoadarmer,  Ira  R. 
Shultz,  Robert 
Sprengel,  Lacy  H. 
Stevenson,  Harry  F. 
Scovell,  Roseoe 
Sternberg,  Carl  W.  L. 
Schoeneck,  Albert 
Sasse,  Walter  C. 
Sherwood,  Charles  F. 
Sperry,  James  E. 
Schmidt,  Edward  H. 
Tompkins,  Wilsey  L. 
Tonniges,  William  G. 
Valentine,  George  P. 
Valentine,  Lawrence  L. 
Volzke,  John  W.  G. 
Walford,  Arthur 
Walstrom,  Julius 
Welch,  Jesse  E. 
Wilson,  George  C. 
Wiswell,  Charles  T. 
Zersen,  Edward 
Zersen,  Gilbert  H. 
Zersen,  Otto  F. 
Ziemke,  John 
Zimmerman,  Oscar  N. 

Thayer 
Allison,  Willie  E. 
Alms,  Walter  E. 
Baumann,  Edward  E. 
Bergguist,  Martin  G. 
Bowersock,  Javis  0. 
Bowersock,  Eugene 
Clerc,  A^ietor  A. 
Cotner,  Claud 
Dickson,  George  H. 
Ehlers,  William  Gustave 
Ehlers,  George 
Elliott,  Verne  M. 

Vol.  II — 14 


Farnam,  Clarence  M. 
Farley,  Edgar 
Farley,  Isaac  W. 
Gaskill,   George  E. 
Grobe,  Harry  E. 
Hanson,  Eskil  T. 
Hattel,  Jesse  E. 
Harris,  Herbert  W. 
Heiden,  Abel  H.   S. 
Heiden,  Jacob  B.  G. 
Heiden,  Arnold  S. 
Heinike,  Charles  W. 
Hinze,  Paul  0. 
Hinze,  Victor  E. 
Hinze,  Carl  J. 
Hott'master,  Carl  M. 
Hower,  William  B.  H. 
Huffman,  E. 
Idlet,  Geo.  0. 
Junge,  Alljert  J.  0. 
Junge,  John  A.  J. 
Keefe,  James  H. 
Keller,  Lewis  C. 
Kohn,  Lovell  E.  T. 
Larson,  Clarence   W. 
Liedtke,  Fred  W. 
Liedtke,  Chester  F. 
Lytic,  William  H. 
McCart,  James  E. 
Marcjuardt,  Otto  R.  J. 
Marqnardt,  Ernest  A. 
Miller,  Evan  E. 
Moser,  Ray  A. 
Mooney,  Hubert 
Mooney,  Charley  R. 
Osterloh,  Albert 
Patterson,  Lloyd  E. 
Price,  Homer  0. 
(Juery,  Belbert  L. 
Reed,  Jacob  0. 
Eichert,  Bernhard  H.  W, 
Robson,  Herman  M. 
Robson,  John  H. 
Sackschewsky,  Leo.  T. 
Schoeneck,  AVilhelra 
Shaw,  George  W. 
Smith,  Herman  R. 
Sprangel,  Ed  H. 


Strickler,  II. 
Tondreau,  Ray  C. 
White,  John  B. 
Zieg,  Henry 
Zentz,  James  R. 
Zentz,  Homer  L. 
Morton 
Baker,  Oliver  P. 
Baker,  Ray 
Bartley,  Thomas 
Baker,  Francis  C. 
Berglund,  Walter  D. 
Bell,  Clarence  H. 
Bills,  Fred  B. 
Bittinger,  Ricliard  Eoy 
Bittinger,  Albert  W. 
Bolton,  Eay  D. 
Bobo,  Charles  E. 
Bottumj  Horace  0. 
Branting,  Clifford  R. 
Bruns,  Fred 
Bute,  Harry  J 
Calhoon,  Vernon  0. 
Calhoon,  Lowell  L. 
Canfield,  Lloyd  J. 
Carlson,  Fred  E. 
Carter,  Clarence  L. 
Ca vender,  Harry  P. 
Cotner,  Ira  E. 
Crounse,  Harry  L. 
Devon,  Elza  C. 
Ewer,  Renel  J. 
Freeman,  Gustav  F. 
Galusha,  David  E. 
Graham,  Clarence 
Gray,  Harry  E. 
Green,  Walter 
Grobe,  William  H. 
Hager,  Carl  S. 
Harden,  Chester  A. 
Harrison,  Ralpli  G. 
Havely,  Otis  B. 
Hoffmaster,  Horace  W. 
Hohn,  Reinhold 
Hutchius,  Floyd  0. 
Jenkins,  Elton  E. 
Jenkins,  Charles  C. 
Johnson,  Henry  H. 


812 


HISTOEY    OF   YOEK   COUNTY 


Kinyon,  Thomas  G. 
Kent,  John 
Krager,  Eobert 
Lafler,  Clifton  B. 
Lind,  George  C. 
Lower,  Fred  Wilson 
MeMullen,  William  B. 
Mace,  Boyd  W. 
Marvel,  Harold  A. 
Mincks,  Ellis  B. 
Myers,  Earl  W. 
Nelson,  Harvey  E. 
Nelson,  Dayton 
Netz,  Axel  I. 
Oberg,  Edward  B. 
Oberg,  Albert  W. 
Oberg,  Floyd  M. 
Oberg,  Arthur  Julian 
Osborn,  Myron  W. 
Parker,  Joseph  E. 
Patterson,  Eobert  E. 
Paulson,  John 
Pearson,  Jesse  G. 
Piper,  Walter  L. 
Pijjer,  Elsworth  D. 
Eencjuist,   Elmer   W. 
Ehoades,  Harry 
Eichardson,  Emmett  J. 
Bichardson,  George   M. 
Sochor,  William  C. 
Samuelson,  Maurice  A. 
Sahling,  William  J. 
Sparling,  Clifford  E. 
Stewart,  Homer 
Swanson,  Henry  E. 
Scott,  Glen  D. 
Schoch,  Guy  E. 
Schoch,  James  E. 
Shapland,  Edwin  A. 
Shear,  Elyde  T. 
Sidwell,  Lawrence  M. 
Smith,  Arthur  E. 
Sparling,  Lynn  E. 
Talbot,  Eiciiard  G. 
Tondreau,  Clarence  P. 
Vincent,  Ealph  E. 
Weeks,  Glenn  E. 
Wildman,  Guy  C. 


Wilson,  Oly  L. 
Wirt,  Kenneth  F. 
Wood.  Ealph  H. 
Wood.  Frank  E. 
Wright,  Edgar  M. 
ArborviUe 
Baack,  Martin  E. 
Barnes,  Eay  P. 
Bedient,  Herbert  F. 
Bedient,  Harold  J. 
Bills,  Joseph  J.  E. 
Blair,  George  E. 
Cockle,  Elmer  E. 
Cockle,  Clarence  W. 
Dorsey,  Knight  L. 
Dorsey,  Asa  A. 
Duiiblazier,  Guy  C. 
Ellis,  Calvin  0. 
Ellison,  Fred  F. 
Fisher,  Manley  B. 
Fratzke,  Herbert  P.  H. 
Fratzke,  G. 
Gelvin,  Clarence  W\ 
Glad,  Edwin  G. 
Goldfisch,  Charlie  H. 
Gray,  Elmo  L. 
Green,  Gus 
Henderson,  Howard 
lee.  Daniel  G. 
Jackson,  Orville  K. 
Jarmin,  Merle  W. 
Johnson,  Beughim  H. 
Kingston,  Earl  L. 
Klute,  Theodore  F.  W. 
Klute,  Arthur  H.  W. 
Kohtz,  Eichard  A.  F. 
Lackey,  Estor  L. 
Lindquist,  Albin  T. 
McCreary,  Fred  F. 
McCreary,  Harry  C. 
Mc(iinnis,  Bay  N. 
Mills,  Blaine 
Mills,  Ora  C. 
Morris,  Charles  D. 
Newman,  Lawrence  M. 
Norine,  Edwin  E. 
Olson,  John  W. 
Payne,  Guy  Harold 


Peterson,  Alvin  S. 
Pickrel,  Eobert  E. 
Pickrel,  Victor  T. 
Eatliff,  Ernest  J. 
BatlifE,  Wesley  E. 
Eeeb,  Henry  F. 
Salchow,  Karl  F.  W. 
Schrader,  Pete  F. 
Scheapler  Frank  W. 
Shockley,  John  D. 
Shockey,  Fred  D. 
Shockey,  Albert  A. 
Singhurst,  James  T. 
Smith,  Eay  A. 
Smith,  Charles  H. 
Springer,  Joseph  C. 
Stark,  Simeon  L. 
StoufEer,  Christian  F. 
Tindall,  Frank  A. 
Tindall,  John  M. 
Waak,  Otis  F. 
Wagoner,  Earl  W. 
Wilcox,  Lemuel  E. 
Wilcox,  Frank  L. 
Wilkins,  Floyd  C. 
Woodall,   James  L. 
Woods,  Eaymond  P. 
Wythers,  Orville  D. 

Bradshaw 
Anderson,  Edgar  M. 
Arillano,  Pedro 
Archer,  Lewis  H. 
Barnes,  Boy  S. 
Bauder,  Claude  C. 
Baxley,  Ira 
Bieshline,  Harold  C. 
Bieshline,  Mearl  L. 
Belville,  Frank  B. 
Bradley,  Gus 
Browitt,  James  W. 
Brown,  Howard  E. 
Brumbaugh,  Berne  C. 
Buller,  David  A. 
McCallon,  Wade 
Campbell,  Eobert  J. 
Canago,  Joe 
Carlson,  Arthur  A. 
Carlson,  Walter  A. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


813 


Carlisle,  Fred 
Carlisle,  Roy  E. 
Darling,  Benjamin  G. 
DeVoU,  Roy 
DeVoss,  William  D. 
Dicker  son,  George  W. 
Doyle,  James 
Doyle,  Patrick 
Egerblad,  Frank  G. 
Ray,  Allen  E. 
Fenster,  Otto  E. 
Finley,  Wilber  L. 
Fletcher,  Charles  W. 
Gagastegis,  Emeraldo 
Gerstner,  Anton  J. 
Gray,  Earl  E. 
Gray,  Harry  E. 
Gross,  Charles  L. 
Harlow,  Pearl  J. 
Hedrick,  Bonnie  L. 
Hungerford,  Irvin  L. 
Isaac,  Henry  R. 
Jackson,  Arthur  W. 
Johnson,  George  L. 
Keller,  Robert  C. 
Kennedy,  James  S. 
Kennedy,  John  F. 
Klinker,  Henry 
Klone,  Edward  A. 
Lake,  Earl  R. 
Lawrence,  Arcliie 
Led  ism  a,  Lupe 
Lenz,  Ernest  W. 
Lichtenberger,    Cleon    C. 
Lincoln,  Amer  L. 
Manson,   Harry   Howard 
McCarthy,  Leo  J. 
Mendona,  Lebero 
Miller,  George  W. 
Morgan,  Ralph  E. 
Morgan,  Frederick  S. 
Morrison,  Lester  S. 
Myers,  Ernest  W. 
Myers,  Charles  B. 
Opfer,  Ernest 
Palmer,  Harry  E. 
Pohl,  Charles  A. 
Pohl,  Gustav  A. 


Post,  George 
Ramo,  Parfiao 
Rhoads,  Lee  0. 
Rhoads,  Ernest  A. 
Rusler,  Lyle  0. 
Rust,  Jess   C. 
Sawyer,  Clark  L. 
Seamehorn,   Clarence   D. 
Scamehorn,  Fred  R. 
SenfF,  Amil  A. 
Senff,  Charles 
Skinner,  Charles  N. 
Stark,  Wesley  E. 
Stafford,  Charles  G. 
Stratton,  James  W. 
Stratton,  Earl  L. 
Summers,  William   E. 
Summers,  Harry  W. 
Swift,  Dean 
Thomas,  Fred  S. 
TurnbuU,  Thomas  H. 
Wandersce,  Herman  A. 
Weber,  Carl  W. 
Weeks,  John  M. 
White,  Harry  G. 
Wochner,  John  L. 
Walkemeyer,  Theodore  T. 
Wolvin,  Israel 
Yates,  Earl  J. 

Lockridge 
Anderson,  Ray  E. 
Barr,  Aubrey  A. 
Barr,  Guy   A. 
Barr,  Lindsay  J.  C. 
Bell,  Joe  H. 
Broman,  Harlan  F. 
Carmichael,  Joseph  E. 
Dahlgren,  Floyd  E. 
Daveniwrt,  Lawrence  M. 
Dunblazier,  Glenn 
Foley,  John  H. 
Froid,  Joseph   E. 
Folts,  Lloyd 
Foster,  Guy  E. 
(ireen,  William 
Grosse,  Hugo  R. 
Grosse,  Richard  B. 
(iunnerson.  Otto  A. 


Hanna,  Homer  H. 
Hansen,  Hans  L. 
Harden,  Irving  S. 
Harrison,  Alvin  G. 
Hayes,  Thomas  L. 
Hembery,  George  C. 
Hunt,  William  H. 
Jenkins,  Clarence  E. 
J(]linson,  ClifEord  W. 
Johnson,  Hugh  F. 
Johnson,  Joseph  I. 
Lake,  Albert  M. 
Learning,   Freeman  V. 
Lloyd,  Wallace  V. 
McLain,  Andrew  J. 
Masters,  Floyd  R. 
Melton,  Walter  E. 
Miller,  Claude  W. 
Xewman,  Oliver  E. 
O'Brien,  Thomas  W. 
Otto,  Arthur  E. 
Pearson,  Almy  E. 
Peterson,  Paul  E. 
Priess,  Edgar  C. 
Regelean,  Otto  A. 
Sandall,  Rudolph   L. 
Sandall,  Mandus 
Sandall,  Fred   0. 
Scamehorn,  Carl  E. 
Sterner,  Hilbert  A. 
Sterner,  Cyril  A. 
Stewart,  Lyle  J. 
Stewart,  Joseph  C. 
Thrasher,  Coburn  A. 
'I'routman,  Forrest  H. 
Turner,  Charley  J. 
Voss,  Walter  A. 
Walbrecht,  Henry  L, 
Whitehead,  Albert  E. 
Wright,  Ted  G. 

Netv  York 
Ault,  Edgar  G. 
Barth,  Carl  W.  F. 
Beattie,  Charles  E. 
Bishop,  Eugene  A. 
Bolton,  Floyd  J. 
Brehm,  George 
Brunk,  Herman  H. 


814 


HISTOKY    OF    YOIJK    COU.XTY 


Col  son,  Lyle  E. 
Cnimpaeker,  Herman  S. 
Dyer,  George  S. 
Edler,  Ben 
Fickes,   Irwin    F. 
Gillmore,  Kay  W. 
Haas,  Harlow  C. 
Hawley,  Sheridan  G. 
Hartley,  Frank  H. 
Hays,  Thomas  E. 
Heine,  Otto  C.  M. 
Herron,   Carl  E. 
Houston,  Gharles  A. 
Houston,  Frank  AV. 
Hurst,  Harold  A. 
Jokerst.  Joseph  Herman 
-lunge,  Walter  E. 
Keefe,  Frank  H. 
Koons,  Homer  J. 
McCartney,  Horace  S. 
McCormick,  John  A. 
Malster,  Emmet  L. 
Marquardt,  Leo  A. 
Marqnardt,  Frederick  P, 
Marquardt.  John  G. 
Mar(juardt,  Ledwig  C. 
Miller,   Frank  T. 
Mohler,  David  M. 
Newcomer,   Eaymond   L. 
Olson,  Carl  A. 
Powell,  Otis 
Eeed,  Irl  V. 
Samec,   Frank 
Samson,  Charles 
Sackschewsky,  Arthur  L. 
Shaw,  John,  Jr. 
'I'hrasher,  James 
Walkup,  Glen  E. 
Watkins,  George  A. 
Watson,  David  A. 
Wessels,  George  W. 
Wessels,  Dick,  Jr. 
White,  Bichard  L. 
Wliite,  James  E. 

Waco 
Adams,  Harry 
Aringdale,  G  rover 
Austine,  Leslie  C. 


Beckord,  Henry  G. 
Bell,  Clarence  Eddie 
Bennett,  Ezra  T.  J. 
Brown,  Clifford  L. 
Bredehoft,  John   C. 
Brown,  Terelius   X. 
Brown,  Charles  B. 
Bulgrin,  Walter  A.  0.  M. 
Conrad,  William  C. 
Darnall,  Walter  G. 
Dinkelmann,  Herman  G. 
Ericksen,  Herman 
Fees,  Walter  J. 
Fees,  William  I'olirrt 
Fischer,  Albert  J. 
Foreman,  Curtis  L. 
Garitz,  Nickolas 
Gilbert,  Clarence  L. 
Gloystein,  George  H. 
Gorham,  George  F. 
Gray,  Clarence  M. 
Gray,  Grover  L. 
Gust,  Oscar 

Hedrick,  Harry    Edgar 
Hedrick,  Verle  E. 
Hedrick,  Leo 
Heitman,  Paul  C. 
Heitman,  Carl  W. 
Hobson,  Zee  Dee 
Hohnliauni,  Charles    B. 
Hohnljaum,  Allen  G. 
Huffman,  John  F. 
Tnbody,  Ottis  E. 
Kaltenborn,  Ernest  J. 
Kraus,  Walter  E. 
Lemmel,  Jesse  E. 
Leuthje,  Harry   P. 
Leuthje,  Eoy  F^. 
Leuthje,  Bernard  J. 
Littler,  Edmond 
Masur,  John  Jerome 
Munson,  Charlie   Carl 
Millholen,  Charles  L. 
jMiltner,  Frederick  W. 
Naber,  Frederick  G. 
Naber,  Oscar  F. 
Naber,  Hugo  H. 
Pearson,  Andrew  J. 


Preuit,  Grover  C. 
Eogers,  Harry  S. 
Eogge,  Herman  G. 
Eoberts,  (ieorge  H. 
Eobbins,  Sable  B. 
Schroeder,  Albert 
Schroeder,  Carl  L. 
Sherman,  Harvey  E. 
Shofroth,  Walter  E. 
Skaden,  .Bobert  F. 
Snyder,  John  M. 
Stewart,  William  J. 
Strickler.  Caleb  Eoy 
Strinz,  Will 
Steft'en,  Oscar 
Steffen,  John 
Stewart,  David  A. 
Stephens,   Eichard   H. 
Stoll,  Arthur  Jacob 
Steffen,   Walter 
Stahr,  Edward  H. 
Sullivan,  John 
Sullivan,  Jame>   W. 
Tetmaer,  Albert 
Tewell,  Elwood  H. 
Thorpe,  Cecil  S. 
Trollope,  Archie  JL 
Yolzke,  Eniil    Ferdinand 
A'olzke,  Frederick  H. 
Yolzke,  Herman  A. 
Yolzke  Arnold  W. 
A'olzke,  Herman   F. 
Warfield,  Yernon  H. 
Warren,  Walter  G. 
Wellman,  Herman  W, 
\^"ellman,  Herbert  A. 
Wellman,  Henry    Walter 
Wliittenlterger,  Claude  E. 
Wilken,  Edward  B. 
Worthington,  Theodore  F 
Wullenwater,  Fred'k  C. 

Beaver 
Abrahams,  Carl  b'.  V. 
Apetz,  Carl  A. 
Blum,  Herman   F.   W. 
Bristol,  Chris  K. 
Burhoop,  Gustav  F]. 
Biehl,  Arthur  0. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


815 


Blum,  Herbert  H.  R. 
Bulgrin,  Robert  C.  F. 
Bruns,  Fred  W. 
Brackhan,  Christian   C. 
Brackhan,  Fred  A. 
Brackhan,  William 
Burton,  Ellsworth  E. 
Bulgrin,  Erich  A. 
Campbell,  Henry 
Culp,  Morris  D. 
Clyde,  Joseph  J. 
Deremer,  Daily  D. 
Dinkelman,  B.  A.  C. 
Dinkelman,  Henry  F. 
p]ggersgluss,  H.  F.  W. 
Ehler,  William  F. 
Freeman,  Winfield  G. 
Finke,  Gerhard  A. 
(iunlack,  George  C.  D. 
Gocke,  Fred  H. 
Hirschfeld,  Willie  C.  E. 
Heiden,  Theodor  E. 
Hessel,  Louis  H. 
Hcnnings,  Henry  J. 
Hemsath,  Carl  H.  F. 
Hennings,  Adolph  J. 
Hirschfeld,  Ernest  L.  H. 
Knorr,  Joseph  H. 
Kranz,  Conelius 
Krous,  John 
Learned,  Oscar  M. 
Leif,  Frank  G. 
Miller,  Albert  E. 
Miller,  Oswald  L. 
Naber,  Arthur  H. 
Peeks,  Adolph  D. 
Piekrel,  Claudius 
Pecks,  Arnold  J.  F. 
Pickrel,  Hugh  E. 
Pieper,  Martin  W.  H. 
Pollock,  Robert  R. 
Sieker,  Louie  H. 
Sanders,  Ralph 
Stuhr,  Charley  T. 
Schall,  Frank  A. 
Stahr,  Herman  C. 
Schlechte,  Henry  J. 
Schall,  Carl  J. 


Schlechte,  Louis  A. 
Seely,  Amos  H. 
Stahr,  John   H. 
Stahr,  Martin  F.  J. 
Slife,  Harold  D. 
Stindt,  William 
Stahr,  Emil  J.  D. 
Spohn,  Philip  R. 
Tieken,  William   H. 
Tieken,  John 
Tieken,  Henry  J.  D. 
Uffelmann,  Arnold   W. 
Wefer,  George  A. 
Wiemer,  Fred  William 
Wiemer,  Gerhard  A. 
Wiemer,  William  B. 
Wellman,  William  J  I.  F. 
Widle,  Herbert  A. 
Wray,  Alexander  J. 
Wellmann,  Carl  A. 
Wiemer,  Burchard  H. 
Wulff,  John  B. 

Leroij 

Allen,  Everett  L. 
Anmier,  Charles  t!. 
Axtell,  Jesse  E. 
Allen,  Bert  E. 
Brooke,  Clair 
Burke,  Jeffrey  E. 
Biede,  Henry  A. 
BIyer,  Henry 
Beauseigneur,  Joseph   J. 
Bnrge,  Earl  J. 
Banks,  Nathan  E. 
Barth,  Harry  E. 
Barnet,  John  T. 
Beauseigneur,  Louie  A. 
Brooke,  Chauncy  J. 
Chrisman,   Frank  W. 
Carbin,  Clair  E. 
Conroy,  Martin  E. 
Churchill,  Rollie  C. 
Cooper,  Ira  C. 
Feldman,  Frederick  W. 
Drucker,  Joseph 
Ferguson,  Charlie 
Foster,   Clarence  E. 


Feldman,  Otto  PL 
Foster,  John  W.,  Jr. 
Daugherty,  John  P. 
Hiatt,  Archie  L. 
Halsey,  Benjamin  F. 
Henderson,  Roscoe  L. 
Johnson,  Chester  L. 
Jurs,  Louie  J. 
Johnson,  L'l    0. 
.Jones,  Noah    E. 
Kaliff,  Charles    A. 
Kaliff,  Otto  L. 
Kaliff,  John  F. 
Klone,  Elmer  F. 
Klone,  Walter  W. 
Klone,  Philip  F. 
Klone,  Frank  O. 
Lottes,  Louie  H. 
Lanning,  Joy  E. 
McClatchey,  "Alfred  E. 
Monnier,  August  S. 
Meradith,  Earl  F. 
Mulleague,    Thomas 
Maguire,  Edwin 
Marsh,  Roscoe 
Neville,  Josejjh  L. 
Naber,  Henry  H.  D. 
Naber,  John  C. 
Noel,  Henry  S. 
Partlow,  Simon  S. 
Propst,   Charles   H. 
Price,  James  P. 
Price,  Arthur  J. 
Powell,   Oakey 
Pinneo,  Albert 
Roberts,  Harry 
Rice,  Floyd  A. 
Rogers,  John  T. 
Smith,   Floyd  F. 
Sheppard,  Allen   J. 
Steven,  William  A. 
Thomas,  Robert  H. 
Tucker,  William  R. 
Thomas,  Frank    S. 
\'inez,  Joe  P. 
Wagner,  John  P. 
Watson,  Charles   A. 
Williams,  John 


816 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


Bal-er 
Arinintrout,  Frank  C. 
Armintrout,  Clyde  J. 
Anderson,  Swan  A. 
Bryan,  Charles  A. 
Cleland,  Ralph  E. 
Downey,  Clifton   E. 
Downey,  Howard  A. 
Dorsey,  Harry  E. 
Duberstine,  Fred 
Durfee,  Merle  L. 
Ellis,  Ernest  V. 
Fuss,  Arthur  L. 
Fisk,  James   W. 
Gould,   Harrison  L. 
Harms,  Albert  W. 
Johnson,  Arthur  J. 
Jeske,  Charles  W. 
Kirkpatrick,    Clinton    F. 
Benjamin,  Harrison  L. 
Morgan,  William  E. 
McDuffee,  Ralph 
Morss,  William  W. 
Mick,  Carl  G. 
Malmquist,  Walter  I'l 
McGregor,  Don  A. 
Marik,  Peter 
McGregor,  Frank  L. 
Mauk,  Wadie  E. 
McXeill,  Charles  S. 
Murphy.  William  L. 
Morgan,  Vincent  J. 
Nelson,  James  P. 
Nelson,  Nathan   J. 
Opitz,  Frank  E. 
Riciiards,  Ijloyd 
Russell,   Charley  A. 
Rich,  Henry  W. 
Richardson,   Thomas   W. 
Reece,  Joel  A. 
Saddoris,  Norval 
Sanmanii,  Richard   T. 
Swanson,  Eugene   E. 
'J'iiompson,  Floyd  C. 
Thorn,   Marion    F. 
Thompson,  Ijee  W. 
Thompson,  Ozro 
Watt.  T.vle  E. 


Williams,  Orvis 
Walbrecht,  Christian  J. 
Woods,  Wilbur  0. 

Brown 
Bergen,  Isaac  I. 
Broehl,  Chester  A. 
Bergen,  Dietrick 
Bergen,  Henry 
Buller,  Henry  B. 
BuUer,  Andrew 
Dirksen,  Geerhard  P. 
Ediger,  Henry  B. 
Ediger,  Johann  B. 
Friesen,  Gerhard  J. 
Friesen,  Gerhard   H. 
Friesen,  Jacob  F. 
Friesen,  John  G. 
Gray,  Arthur  L. 
Gray,  Archie 
Goossen,  Jacob  K. 
Huebcrt,  Clans   J. 
Hiebert,  Nickolie  K. 

Broivn 
Hardy.  Henry  W. 
Hornyak,  Gus  A. 
Jeske,  William  F. 
Johnson,  Yern  R. 
Kliewer,  Jacob  A. 
Kliewer,  Johann  A. 
Kornelsen,  Abraham   J. 
Kornelsen,  Gerhard  G. 
Kornelson,  John  A. 
Kroeker,  Frank 
Kroeker,  Henry 
Kroeker,  Henry  G. 
Kroeker,  Jacob  G. 
Laird,  Clarence  W. 
Liedelmann,  Louis  G. 
Mierau,  Cornelius  J. 
Mason,  Harry  C. 
Mierau,  Frank  J. 
Prohaska,  Robert    A. 
Peters,  Peter  J. 
Page,  John  W. 
Prohaska,  Joseph    A. 
Parris,  Glenn  E. 
Quiring.  Cornelius 
Regier.  John  A. 


Ratzlaff,  Peter  J. 
Regier,  Peter  J. 
Ratzlatf,  Henry  B. 
Ratzlaff,  Abraham 
Siemens,  Peter  J. 
Schierling,  Jacob  A. 
Thiesseu,  Henry  D. 
Tracy,  Bryce  D. 
Van  Ostrand,  Earl  A. 
Wagner,  Lloyd  J. 
Wall,  Peter  C. 
Wiens,  Herman  P. 
Wiens,  Peter  L. 
A\'iseman,  Royal  R. 
Wiseman,  Harvey  H. 

Henderson  "A" 
Epp,  Cornelius  E. 
E})ji.  Jacob  J. 
£]pp,  Gerhard  F. 
Epp,  Jacob  F. 
Friesen,  Bernhard  D. 
Friesen,  Klaas  T. 
Franz,  Edward  E. 
Franz,  Burton  D. 
Huber,  Waltemar 
Huebert,  Isaac  J. 
Kaiser,  August  C. 
Lang,  Andrew  D. 
Lang,  Watson  S. 
Lively,  Charles  E. 
McNurlin,  Ersy  L. 
McNurlin,  Vere 
Peters,  Cornelius  C. 
Pursel,  Ray  D. 
Penner,  Gerhard  F. 
Robinson,  Forrest  L. 
Robinson,  Harold  C. 
Ronne,  Clyde  L. 
Ronne,  Carey  A. 
Smith,  Richard  A. 
Smith,  Glenn 
Siebert.  John  C. 
Senff,  August  F. 
Siebert,  John  P. 
Tiiomas.  Garrett  F. 
Yuran,  Jason 
Wright,  Lewis  E. 
Wiens.  Jacob  G. 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


817 


Henderson  "B" 
Beuke,  Johann  J. 
Benke,  Peter 
Blunianthal,   Ernst 
Block,  Jacob  J. 
Boelir,  Bernhard 
Boehr,  Isaac 
Braiin,  Peter  G. 
Braiin,  Peter  P. 
Buller,  Frank  P. 
Buller,  Frank  D. 
Carr,  Frank  L. 
Dalke  Albert 
Dell,  Isaac  B. 
Dick,  John  F.  C. 
Diekennian,  August,   J*' 
Dirksen,  Peter  P. 
Epp,  Cornelius  C. 
Epp,  Johann  D. 
Epp,  Jacob  C. 
Epp,  Heinrich  F. 
Epp,  Peter  M. 
Epp,  David  M. 
Epp,  Johann    M. 
Friesen,  Heinrich  D. 
FViesen,  Gerhard  A. 
Friesen,  Gerhard  G. 
Friesen,  Jacob  H. 
Friesen,  Diedrick  K. 
Friesen,  Frank  K. 
Friesen,  Heinrich  K. 
Franz,  Gerhard  G. 
Griess,  Oscar  J. 
Griess,  Julius 
Harder,  David  P. 
Heinriehs,  Peter  J. 
Hiebert,  Henry  M. 
Harder,  Franz 
Harder,  Peter  P. 
Heinriehs,   Johann 
Hiebert,  Dietrich  K. 
Harder,  Cornelius 
Janzen,  Jacob  J. 
Janzen,  David  D, 
Labart,  Otis  Conrad 
I^abart,  Harry  Evertt 
Kliewer,  Gerhard 
Klippenstein,  Gerhard  J. 


Kroeker,  Gerhard   G. 
Kerner,  William 
Kusch,  Edward 
Lariniore,  John  W. 
McGuire,  James  B. 
Magnuson,  John  T. 
Xeufeld,  Heinrich  F. 
Pauley,  John  P. 
Pciiiier,  Abraham 
I't'imer,  Isaac 
Penner,  Peter   F. 
Penner,  Heinrich 
Peters,  Jacob  L. 
Peters,  Isaac  C. 
Peters,  Leonhard  C. 
Petker,  John  G. 
Eatzlaff,  Peter  M. 
Eatzlaff,  Heinrich   J. 
Eatzlaff,  Bernhard  il. 
Eatzlaff,  Benjamin  A. 
Eempel,  Jacob  H. 
Eegier,  John  B. 
Eegier,  Peter  A. 
Eempel,  Gerhard    H. 
Eice,  Clarence  E. 
Eoberts,  Ellis  Eoland 
Eoemmich,  Erwin  L. 
Schock,  Johann 
Schmidt,  John  D. 
Snider,  John  L. 
Weber,  John  M. 

Hays 
Anderson,  Chester  W. 
Anderson,  Arthur   S. 
Armstrong,  Earl  E. 
Baker,  Francis  E. 
Baker,  Elmer  E. 
Baker,  Ellis  L. 
Bellows,  Everett  B. 
Brown,  August 
Churchill,  Charles  M. 
Collinghani,  Arthur   E. 
Collingham,  Walter  E. 
Cudaback,  Eoy  E. 
Dyer,  Perry  E. 
Epp.  Gerhard  M. 
Fassnacht,  Harley  E. 
Fassnacht.  Harry  W. 


Franeies,  Arthur  H. 
Froid,  Paul  F. 
Fuller,  Calvin  A. 
Fuller,  Montraville  I. 
(lil)liins,   Elmer 
Gross,  Floyd  C. 
Hager,  Eoy 
Hager,  Claud  C. 
Harms,  Eobert  C.  B. 
Hulse,  Herbert  E. 
Johnson,  Ivan  M. 
Lindquist,  Bernard  A. 
Ijindqiiist,  Elmer  J. 
McMahon,  John    P. 
McMahon,  Joseph  T. 
Mart,  Malcom  C. 
Mart,  Walter  E. 
Mastin,  John  A. 
Montgomery,   Joseph    G. 
Xolan,  Eichard  A. 
Xorman,  IJoyd 
Patterson,  \\'alter  I). 
Perrv,  Harold  A. 
Eeinhart,  Eobert  B. 
Shaner,  Harry  X. 
Sheen,  Isaac  K. 
Sloan,  Wade 
St.  John,  Jesse  E. 
Thome,  Herman  D. 
Thomas,  Gay  W. 
Thomure,  Emanuel  J. 
Walbrecht,  Fred   E. 
Walbrecht,  Willie   C. 
Walbrecht,  Lewis  J. 
Walbrecht,  Carl   W. 
Fredrick,  William  W. 
Wolstenholm,  Jesse  J. 
Woods.  William  H. 
Widlbrandt.  Eaymond  F. 

McFadden 
Arnett,  James  W. 
Barker,  Lewis  C. 
Brooke,  Carl  K. 
Campbell,  Vernon 
Cantrell,  Alkana  B. 
Cudaback,   Harry  W. 
Cudaback,  Clarence  C. 
Cudaback,  Melvin  0. 


818 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


Culbertson,  David  E. 
DeBoer,  Con  J. 
DeBoer,  Ellsworth  W. 
Dougherty,  James  E. 
Dreier,  Ernest  D. 
Dreier,  Clarence  H. 
Duffy,  Miles 
Dudgeon,  James  W. 
Dyer,  Charles   B. 
Ems,  Robert  F. 
Golvin,  Glenn  F. 
(Tfahani.  Dean  W. 
(Jrahani,  Clinton  L. 
Haack,  Wilhelm  C.  T. 
Hagernian,  William 
Halversoi),  Carl  A.  L. 
Hayworth,  Thomas  E. 
Henry,  Frank  S. 
Herbst,  Henry  J. 
Herbst,  William    G. 
Holoch,  Roy  J. 
Holoch,  Jesse  J. 
Jacobsen,  Calvin  J. 
Jacks,  Ernest 
Jacks,  Earl 
Kaliff,  Rudolph  L. 
Karre,  Diedrich 
Klinzman,  Louis  L. 
Layton,  Martin   J. 
Lincoln,  Emmett  W. 
Lord,  Robert  P. 
Lutz,  Fred  P. 
Lutz,  Henry  C. 
Mathews,  Richard  J. 
Markworth,  Edward  A. 
Nelson,  Niels  H. 
Neville,  John  A. 
Neville,  Frank  J. 
Pence,  Henry  B. 
Pence,  William  C. 
Peterson,  Edgar  E. 
Philson,  Raymond  G. 
Prest,  James  R. 
Rearden,  William  B. 
Root,  George  F. 
Rogers,  Charles  W. 


Sanders,  Clarence  J. 
Schneider,  Henry  0. 
Seng,  William  L. 
Seng,  Harry  C. 
Seiver,  Thomas  AV. 
Smith,  Harry  W. 
Smith,  John  0. 
Show,  John  V. 
Spaht,  Cloid  L. 
Stewart,  Murdo 
Teinert,  Henry 
Teinert,  Harry   W. 
Thomas,  Roy  Y. 
Tolles,  BurfR. 
Yenniim,  Frank  E. 
Ward,  Jlomer  E. 
Ware,  Ross  M. 
White,  Wilton  A. 
Wildman,  Ray  Cecil 
Wiedman.  Earl  Y. 
Wolstenliolni,  Richard  E. 
Wolf.  Harry  L. 
Wullliraiidt.  Ralph  R. 

West  Bhte 

Adams,  Rudolph  C. 
Armstrong,  Claude  C. 
Bailej-,  Levi  H. 
Bergin,  William  J. 
Braekhan,  George  A. 
Bucy,  Charles  E. 
Connolly,  Ernest  W. 
Creech,  Samuel  C. 
Davenport,  Clyde  H. 
Due,  Olaf 
Due,  John 
Eden,  John  H. 
Einsenbarth,  William   A. 
Gillan,  Henry  A. 
Gillan,  Olan  E. 
Gilmore,  Robert  L. 
Hansen,  Hans  C. 
Hiner,  A'ertie  L. 
Jackson,  Robert  S. 
Janes,  Walter 
Janes,  Yinten  H. 


Jensen,  Mattias  P.,  Jr. 
Jensen,  Walter  F. 
Johnson,  Hans  P. 
Johnson,  Walter  J. 
Kail,  Ira  Melville 
Reetz,  Fred  W. 
Kennedy,  Edward  J. 
Keohn,  Leo  Robert 
Keohu,  William  F. 
Kleinschradt,  Jerome  C. 
Kramer,  Albert  C. 
Kruse,  Herman  H. 
Lambert,  Raymond  H. 
Lawver,  Archie  D. 
Lovelace,  William  M. 
Mason,  Anton 
Masters,  Orlo  E. 
Nelson,  Peter 
Nixon,  Fred  R. 
Noler,  George  W. 
Obermier,  Henry  A. 
Paulson,  Niels  C. 
Peterson,  Alfred  P. 
Petersen,  Andrew 
Petersen,  Henry 
Peterson,  Jens  S. 
Petersen,  Julian  A. 
Petersen,  Martin  F. 
Petersen,  Peter 
Petersen,  Walter  L. 
Pieper,  Adolph  H. 
Rasmussen,  Axel 
Ruhl,  Herbert  E. 
Smith,  Jake,  Jr. 
Spray,  Elmer  L. 
Stammers,  Claude  L. 
Sullivan,  William  J. 
Taylor,  Guy  W. 
Thomsen,  Anton  E. 
Tliomsen,  Christian   A. 
Thomsen,  Martin   T. 
I^ffelman,  Ernest  E. 
Wbolstcnbohn,  Felix 
Wiess,  William  J.  0. 
Wilger.  Henry 
Witkoski,  John 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  819 

BED   rUOSS   DIUVE 

Tn  the  middle  of  June  the  Boy  Scouts  started  out  and  "tagged''  every  door  in 
York  with  nntir-es  that  ])atriotic  women  were  coining  to  canvass  for  Red  Cross  sub- 
scriptions and  mcmhersliips.  And  e(|iially  bright  and  early  Monday  morning,  June 
18tli,  the  patriotic  women  started  out  in  squads,  platoons  and  divisions.  Each 
wonum  had  her  pai'ticular  territory,  and  for  the  sake,  of  convenience,  as  well  a.s 
tor  the  confidence  that  comes  from  numbers,  two  or  three  women  went  together, 
'i'hey  were  cordially  received  everywhere.  Xot  only  were  they  cordially  received, 
but  they  were  handed  out  the  dollars  in  a  continuous  sti'eam.  The  pledges  taken 
were  gratifyingly  large,  and  only  now  and  then  did  the  solicitors  meet  with  refusals. 
Of  course  they  were  courteously  received  everywhere.  That  was  a  foregone  con- 
clusion. And,  of  course,  not  everybody  contributed.  Xtit  everyljody  could  con- 
tribute. But  some  wlio  could  easily  give  dollars  only  gave  cents,  and  some  who 
were  amply  able  to  give  largely  gave  nothing  but  excuses.  But  everybody  knows 
.who  they  are.     They  were  seen  again,  and  again,  an<l  again. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  ladies  working  in  the  field,  the  first  lady  mentioned 
in  each  team  being  the  captain : 

Xo.  1 — llrs.  John  Lloyd,  Mrs.  Jordan,  Mrs.  Clarence  flyers,  ilrs.  Oden 
Gilmore,  Hulda  Ilerzogg. 

Xo.  •3— Mrs.  Irle  A',  iteed,  Mrs.  Frank  Moyer.  .Mrs.  K.  A.  Wells,  ilrs.  .1.  H. 
Chain. 

Xo.  3— Mrs.  S.  E.  Mansfield,  Mrs.  J.  R.  McCloud,  Mrs.  A.  il.  White,  Miss  C. 
Apgar,  Mrs.  C.  D.  Shreck. 

Xo.  4 — Mrs.  Bearss,  Mrs.  Gunlach.  Mrs.  John  Black.  :Miss  Helen  Little. 

Xo.  5 — Mrs.  G.  W.  Lundgren,  Mrs.  Peterson,  Mrs.  Huesner,  Mrs.  Owen. 

Xo.  6— Mrs.  H.  C.  Graves,  Mrs.  Pettis,  Mrs.  Babbitt,  Miss  Cox. 

Xo.  7 — Mrs.  I.  F.  Cross,  Mrs.  A.  H.  Drier,  Mrs.  C.  A.  Davis,  Miss  Marjorie 
Wyek(jtf. 

Xo.  8— Mrs.  Moorhouse,  Mrs.  Burnard,  Mrs.  H.   D.  Hall,   Mrs.   Xall. 

Xo.  !)— Mrs.  Requartte,  I>ucile  Bell. 

Xo.  l()_Mrs.  C.  D.  Pritchard,  Miss  Ruth  Wood,  Miss  Brennanum,  Mrs.  I'almer. 

Xo.   11 — Mrs.   Edward  White,  Miss  Parks,  Mrs.  Harvey,  Miss  Emily  Cox. 

Xo.   12— Mrs.  Xewbold,  Mrs.  Jake  Smith,  Mrs.  R.  M.  Bell,  Mrs.  Deremer. 

Xo.  13 — Miss  Gladys  Valentine,  Mrs.  Harmon,  (iladys  Morgan. 

Xo.  1-1— Mrs.  C.  F.  Gilbert,  Mrs.  Idalette  Woods,  Mrs.  R.  S.  Carscadden, 
Mrs.  Lita  Ericson. 

Xo.  15 — Mrs.  G.  W.  France,  Mrs.  Klopp,  Mrs.  Mansfield  Hervey. 

Xo.  16 — Mr.s.  Steeley. 

Xo.  17 — Florence  Baldwin,  Pauline  Powers,  Marion  Copsey,  Ruth  Copsey, 
Lucille  Green,  Helen  0\crstreet,  Frances  Miller,  Pauline  Green. 

Xo.  18 — Mrs.  F.  A.  Hannis,  (iertrude  Smith,  Bess  Green,  Geraldine  Grippen. 

Xo.  19 — Mrs.  Hiram  Detrick,  Mrs.  Oscar  Peterson,  Mrs.  Chilcote. 

Xo.  20— Miss  Augusta  Htner,  Mrs.  Van  Wickle,  Mrs.  W.  F.  Eckles,  Miss  Lola 
Sorrick. 

The  drive  ended  the  following  Saturday,  with  apjjroximately  twenty-five  hundred 
members  enrolled  in  the  county,  l)ut  the  committee  did  not  stop  at  that  point  but 
went  right  ahead  toward  the  goal  of  securing  a  thousand  or  fifteen  hundred  more. 


820  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

Another  biy  effort  was  niaile  to  expand  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross  and  further  its 
membership  enrolhnent  at  the  wonderful  Fourth  of  July  celebration,  upon  the  tour 
advertising  the  great  celebration  held  in  York  that  year.  The  claims  of  the  Red 
Cross  on  that  occasion  shared  the  attention  of  the  joyful  crowd  with  a  plea  of 
Major  Holdeman  and  others  for  more  enlistments  in  the  pride  of  York  in  Company 
M  of  the  Fourth  Nebraska  Infantry. 

YORK   county's   1917  FOUBTH  OF  JULY 

The  flowery  and  enthusiastic  account  of  this  wonderful  day  prepared  by 
Hon.  Will  il.  Maupin.  at  that  time  editor  of  the  York  Democrat,  and  his  celebrated 
"Personality  Notes,"  while  somewhat  lengthy,  will  serve  a  triple  purpose  of,  first, 
preserving  a  perhaps  slightly  enthusiastic  record  of  the  memorable  occasion  written 
while  the  memory  of  its  enjoyable  pleasures  were  still  warm:  second,  reflecting 
somewhat  the  vivid  feeling  aroused  even  so  early  in  the  war  period,  and,  third, 
preserving  for  future  references  or  understanding  some  of  the  personalities  of  the 
local  conditions  and  current  customs  of  the  latter  part  of  the  first  decade  of  the 
Twentieth  Century. 

They  came  from  scattered  places  all  with  glad  smiles  on  their  faces. 

From  Seward  and  Aurora,  and  from  (Tresham  and  from  Polk. 
They  came  to  York  pell-melling,  their  glad  tones  the  chorus  swelling, 

To  celebrate  our  freedom  from  a  tyrant's  galling  yoke. 
They  came  with  colors  flying,  came  with  hope  and  faith  undying. 

From  Henderson  and  Waco,  from  McCool  and  Lushton,  too. 
They  came  to  York  a-swarming,  hearts  with  love  of  country  warming, 

And  their  songs  of  glad  rejoicing  pierced  the  vaulted  dome  of  blue. 

They  came  in  autcjs  humming,  and  behind  the  hoofbeats  drumming. 

From    Bradshaw   and   from   Thayer,   ami  from   Benedict   and   Friend. 
Father,  mother,  kids  and  cousins,  crowing  babies  by  the  dozens. 

Hiked  to  York  for  celebration,  and  tlieir  joys  with  ours  to  blend. 
They  came  from  farm  and  city,  stalwart  men  and  women  pretty. 

From  Stromsburg  and  from  Giltner,  and  from  Hampton  and  Marquette. 
They  came  by  thousands  singing,  every  voice  with  fervor  ringing. 

And  we  folk  in  York  were  happy  to  receive  'em  all,  you  bet! 

Something  less  than  twenty  years  ago  a  famous  Xebraskan  made  the  direful  pre- 
diction that  if  a  certain  thing  happened  we  would  cease  celebrating  the  Fourth  of 
July  in  this  Republic.  The  thing  happened  in  .sj)ite  of  his  warning  and  his  doleful 
and  direful  prediction. 

And  on  July  4,  1IU7,  we  celebrated  the  greatest  Independence  Day  in  the  history 
of  the  Republic! 

Wliy  the  greatest?  Because  it  was  the  natal  day  of  a  republic  to  which  the  whole 
civilized  world  is  looking  for  final  emancipation  from  autocracy  and  the  inaugura- 
tion of  a  world-wide  peace  that  shall  never  again  lie  liroken  by  ambition-mad 
monarchs.  Talk  about  Fourth  of  July  celebrations — it  was  the  biggest  ever.  It 
was  celebrated  from  Portland,  Maine,  to  Portland,  Oregon ;  from  Hud.son's  Bay  to 
Porto  Rico.     More  than  that — it  was  celebrated  in  France  and  Great  Britain  and 


HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY  821 

Italy;  in  the  islands  of  the  sea,  the  steppes  of  Russia  and  Siberia,  and  everywhere 
on  the  face  of  this  earth  where  men  yearn  for  liberty  and  hope  to  see  the  final 
dethronement  of  all  hereditary  rulers. 

There  never  has  been  such  a  day  in  all  this  old  world's  history  as  July  i,  1917. 

Did  we  celebi-ate  it  in  York?  We  did,  and  we  were  assisted  by  20,000  friends 
and  neighbors  who  came  in  from  sister  cities  within  a  radius  of  fifty  miles  and 
more.  They  came  in  autos,  in  buggies,  on  motorbikes  and  horseback.  They  came 
by  train  and  on  foot.  They  came  in  squads,  in  companies,  in  battalions,  in  regi- 
ments and  in  divisions.  York,  which  has  entertained  some  crowds  in  her  time, 
never  entertained  one  so  big  nor  entertained  one  so  well  as  on  Wednesday  of  last 
week.  Men  who  made  it  a  point  to  investigate  closely  estimate  that  there  were  not 
less  than  2,500  automobiles  parked  inside  of  the  city  limits.  And  men  who  are 
accustomed  to  estimating  multitudes  declare  that  there  were  not  less  than  18,000  or 
20,000  people  on  the  streets,  in  the  parks  and  on  the  lawns.  From  early  morning 
imtil  late  at  night  the  streets  were  congested.  The  courthouse  square  was  packed 
like  a  box  of  sardines,  and  to  go  against  the  human  tide  on  the  sidewalks  was  like 
breasting  Xiagara. 

A  finer  day  could  not  have  been  made  to  order.  A  light  shower  the  night  before 
laid  the  dust,  and  the  morning  of  the  great  day  dawned  bright  and  clear.  There 
was  scarcely  a  cloud  in  the  sky,  and  a  light  breeze  brought  coolness  in  its  wake. 
The  roads  were  in  excellent  condition  for  travel,  and  as  all  of  them  led  to  York 
on  that  day  each  one  looked  as  if  it  were  accomuiddating  a  parade,  so  closely  did  the 
autos  follow  one  another. 

York  was  all  "dolled  up"  to  receive  her  visitors,  too.  The  courthouse  was  deco- 
rated with  strings  of  flags  and  looked  as  pretty  as  a  sjiotted  dog  under  a  red  wagon. 
The  electroliers  were  decked  with  flags,  and  the  down  town  street  intersections  were 
ornamented  with  criss-cross  streamers  aglow  with  the  national  colors.  Business 
houses  hung  out  the  welcome  sign,  and  if  there  was  anything  left  undone  that  might 
have  added  to  tlie  comfort  of  tbe  visitors  no  one  seemed  to  notice  it.  Refreshment 
stands  everywhere  provided  food  iiiid  drink  for  the  multitudes,  and  the  ''traffic 
S(iuad""  kept  the  autos  moving,  although  at  times  they  threatened  to  get  so  tangled 
up  that  a  derrick  would  be  required  to  move  them.  And  the  glory  of  it  all  is  that 
there  was  not  a  single  accident  to  mar  the  day.  A  few  blistered  fingers  and  some 
singed  hair,  perhaps,  but  nothing  of  any  moment.  There  was  not  a  single  arrest, 
not  a  single  brawl,  not  a  single  "drunk  and  disorderly."  The  program  announced 
was  carried  out  without  a  hitch,  all  the  way  from  the  great  parade  in  the  morning 
to  the  grand  display  of  fireworks  at  night. 

The  parade  in  York  on  July  Fourth  was  fully  three  miles  long,  and  it  took 
just  one  hour  for  it  to  pass.  York  has  had  some  mighty  fine  parades  in  the  days 
gone  by,  but  never  such  a  one  as  that  which  passed  last  Wednesday  week.  It 
eclipsed  all  former  efforts  by  a  wide  margin,  and  it  is  safe  to  say  that  nothing  hand- 
somer or  more  ambitious  was  ever  accomplisheil  in  this  great  state.  Practically 
every  business  firm  in  the  city  was  represented,  as  was  every  Sunday  school,  a  num- 
ber of  fraternal  and  church  organizations,  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  and 
many  citizens  as  individuals.  The  veterans  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 
were  given  the  post  of  honor  at  the  head  of  the  long  procession,  and  the  finest  auto- 
mobiles in  the  city  were  placed  at  their  disposal.  And  why  not?  It  would  have 
been  a  slim  Fourth  of  Julv  for  us  to  celebrate  had  it  not  been  for  the  brave  services 


823  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

they  rendered  a  lialf-ei'iidirv  ago.  Every  veteran  was  su]i]>licil  uilli  a  flag,  and  these 
flags  were  ecjiistantly  \\a\cd  in  recngnition  of  the  salutes  gixiMi  to  the  veterans  as 
they  passed  by. 

The  historieal  floats  were  splendid  examples  of  original  designing  and  work- 
manship, and  the  "eomic.s"  were  really  ftmny.  T^nele  Rastus  and  Aunt  Dinah, 
aboard  a.  regular  old  soidlieni  two-wheeler  and  hehind  a  genuine  Dixie  mule, 
created  a.  lot  of  laugliter.  John  Cliinaman,  jiigtail  and  all,  earrying  a  basket  of 
laundry,  and  Charley  Chaplin  with  his  funny  hat  and  funnier  feet,  and  his  dinkey 
little  mustache,  got  a  laugh  all  along  tlu'  line.  "York  County  or  Bust""  was  typical 
of  the  old  days  when  the  prairie  schooner  set  sail  for  the  sundown  side  of  the  Big 
Muddy,  and  "The  Spirit  of  '76"  won  applause  all  along  the  route  of  the  parade. 

The  York  band  led  the  parade,  followed  liy  the  "Liberty""  float,  which  was 
greeted  with  cheers.  Then  followed  the  mayor  and  city  council  in  autos,  acting  as 
an  escort  of  honor  to  the  G.  A.  R.,  the  local  post  being  given  the  honor  place. 
Behind  the  veterans  of  the  Civil  war  came  Company  M,  sixty  strong  and  making 
a  fine  appearance.  After  Company  M  canu^  the  Spanish-American  war  veterans, 
and  then  men  dressed  in  the  uniforms  of  the  Allies.  "Nebraska"  was  the  float  that 
wound  up  the  first  section  of  the  parade.  The  second  section  was  headed  by  the 
Lushton  Itand  and  was  composed  of  ciNic  and  religious  society  floats  and  the  autos 
and  floats  of  the  Red  Cross  organization.  The  float  in  this  section  that  won  the 
greatest  attention  was  the  Red  Cross  float  showing  a  wounded  soldier,  all  bandaged 
up  and  reclining  on  a  cot,  while  sweet-faced  Red  Cross  nurses  hovered  over  him.  A 
lot  of  young  men  expressed  a  willingness  to  be  ministered  to  in  the  same  way  under 
similar  conditions,  but  to  date  only  a  few  of  them  have  manifested  a  willingness  to 
get  into  the  game  in  earnest.  Most  of  those  who  have  manifested  such  a  willingness 
are  now  enrolled  in  Company  M  or  in  the  navy.  The  Benedict  band  led  the  third 
section,  which  was  made  u})  of  industrial  floats  in  the  nmin.  Many  of  these  floats 
were  of  superior  designing  and  worknianshi|i.  and  some  of  them  were  real  works 
of  art. 

The  Middlebrook  store  was  represented  by  an  auto  covered  with  white  flowers, 
with  a  curving  canopy  top  and  the  name  "Middleiirook"  ajipcaring  in  red  flowers 
upon  the  side. 

The  Read  Dry  Goods  Co.  float  was  a  magnificently  decorated  auto,  the  color 
scheme  being  white  throughout. 

The  C.  C.  Cobb  Co.  float  was  a  handsomely  decorated  jjlatform  upon  which  rode 
several  handsomely  gowned  young  women  who  added  much  to  the  attractiveness  of 
the  float. 

The  Public  Service  Co.  had  a  regular  old  submarine  in  the  line — periscope, 
rapid-fire  rifle  and  all.  It  sent  a  thrill  through  the  spectators  as  it  sailed  slowly  by, 
the  rifle  stuttering  like  a  bashful  boy  at  a  tafly  ]iull. 

W.  G.  Boyer  was  represented  by  a  Red  Cross  nurse  piloting  a  baby  buggy  ])ulled 
by  a  bevy  of  pretty  little  girls. 

Ed  McMullen"s  float  was  of  oi'igiiial  design,  being  a  huge  jiadlock  decorated 
with  all  sorts  of  tools  and  hardware.  This  float  received  a  lot  of  favorable  comment 
because  of  its  originality. 

JefE  B.  Foster  was  in  line  with  a  gaily  decorated  motor  truck  bearing  a  load  of 
tlie  justly  celebrated  "Queen  Quality  Flour""  that  Jeff  loves  to  sell. 


HI8T0IIY    OF   YORK    COUNTY  823 

The  Grosshans  Lumber  Co.  liad  a  float  tliat  was  typical  of  tlie  business  repre- 
sented, and  it  was  xevy  attractive. 

The  Eadeniacher  Furniture  Co.'s  float  was  all  in  white  with  waving  ])lumes, 
and  .showed  two  or  three  charming  young  women  taking  their  ease  in  the  comfortable 
chairs  handled  by  this  enterprising  firm. 

The  Avery  Truck  was  well  represented  and  its  merits  dilated  upon  in  signs 
liitclicd  til  it  in  every  conceivable  place. 

E.  B.  Woods  Co.  had  a  float  in  the  line  that  conveyed  a  message  of  welcome  and 
good  cheer. 

Johnson's  Art  Store  diihi't  have  a  float;  it  had  a  strikingly  original  way  of  rep- 
resenting itself,  and  pretty  girls  acted  the  part.  This  attraction  won  a  lot  of 
applause  and  many  compliments. 

Tbe  Eogers  Shoe  Co.  had  a  big  white  shoe  surmounted  by  a  smiling  little  chap 
wild  seemed  to  be  enjoying  his  ride  in  a  novel  vehicle. 

The  German-American  Bank  had  a  handsomely  decorated  auto  in  the  line,  and 
placards  announced  the  superior  facilities  of  this  financial  institution. 

F.  A.  Hannis"  contribution  to  the  ];iarade  was  not  large,  Init  what  it  lacked  in 
that  respect  it  made  up  in  novelty,  and  it  proved  to  be  very  attractive. 

The  York  Foundry  Co.  came  along  with  a  handsomely  decorated  Hudson  auto, 
and  placards  told  of  this  car's  superior  merits. 

(ieorge  Xelson's  float  was  covered  with  ])ennants  and  placards  telling  the  people 
that  George  sells  superior  brands  of  cigars  and  tobaccos  at  wholesale. 

The  new  Meridan  garage  had  a  decorated  Auburn  car  in  the  line,  and  took 
pleasure  in  calling  attention  to  the  new  garage  just  opened. 

The  York  Tire  &  Repair  Co.  had  a  little  old  car  in  line  that  had  already  traveled 
something  like  'steen  thousand  miles  and  announced  as  ''still  rarin'  to  go."  It  was 
a  novel  little  stunt. 

The  Rystrom  Implement  Co.  had  a  well  designed  exhibit  in  the  line  and 
attracted  much  favorable  attention. 

Bradwell  was  represented  by  a  beautifully  decorated  auto  that  carried  out  a 
well-defined  color  scheme,  and  the  whole  topped  oft'  with  a  huge  American  flag. 

The  Lincoln  Telephone  Co.'s  float  showed  the  advances  made  in  the  telephone 
business  during  recent  years,  and  many  bits  of  apparatus  were  shown. 

Foster  the  Dry  Cleaner  put  his  delivery  truck  into  the  line,  and  had  it  all  tlollcd 
up  to  fit  the  occasion. 

T.  A.  Blackburn's  float  was  an  ambitious  creation  and  was  deserving  of  the 
complimeuts  it  received  all  along  the  line  of  march. 

J.  C.  Myer.s,  showing  a  decorated  Reo  car,  and  Wythers  &  Ball,  showing  deco- 
rated cars  of  their  handling,  were  in  line. 

The  Day  and  Xight  Garage  contributed  handsomely  to  the  good  looks  of  the 
parade  by  putting  in  a  handsomely  decorated  Chandler  and  another  car  or  two 
equally  well  decorated.  This  enterprising  institution  showed  a  lot  of  "pep"  in  the 
preparation  of  the  exhibit. 

The  Felton  Drug  Co.'s  decorated  auto  testified  to  the  merits  of  Rexall  remedies 
and  called  attention  to  the  coolness  and  the  refreshing  qualities  of  the  product  of  the 
Felton  fountain. 

S.  E.  Mansfield  ]nit  a  decorated  auto  into  the  line,  and  it  showed  up  handsomely. 


824  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

The  Clarke  Lumber  &  Coal  Co.  had  a  decorated  float  showing  up  its  l)usiness. 

W.  F.  Rankin  &  Son  decorated  a  float  in  fine  shape  and  put  it  in  the  line  to 
emphasize  the  fact  tliat  it  is  still  selling  farm  machinery. 

The  York  Blank  Book  Co.,  one  of  the  big  employing  institutions  of  the  city,  had 
a  handsome  float  in  line,  and  it  was  in  keeping  with  the  big  institution  it  repre- 
sented. 

Behling"s  were  "Johnny  on  the  spot"  with  a  neat  float. 

York  College  is  always  up  and  coming  when  anything  civic  is  pulled  off,  so  it 
put  a  beautiful  float  in  line  and  deserved  all  the  compliments  that  were  showered 
thereon. 

The  York  Floral  Co.,  Wilken's  cleaning  works,  the  Jerome  Drug  Co.,  and  A.  C. 
Snyder  were  also  well  represented.  The  Van  AVickle  Crain  Co.  also  had  a  float 
in  line. 

The  First  Xational  Hank  was  well  represented  by  a  float  of  original  design,  and 
held  up  its  end  of  the  game  in  good  shape. 

York's  new  hotel  was  advertised  in  proper  fashion,  and  the  news  the  banners 
told  was  greeted  with  loud  and  vociferous  applause. 

As  no  prizes  were  offered  for  the  handsomest  or  most  original  floats  there  were 
no  judges  and  no  decisions.  But  the  Democrat  opines  that  especial  mention  should 
be  made  of  the  floats  representing  Middlebrooks,  the  Cobb  Co.,  the  Read  Dry  Goods 
Co.,  Rademacher's,  McMullen,  German-American  Bank,  the  Johnson  Art  Store 
display.  But  each  one  in  line  was  a  good  one,  and  every  one  reflected  credit  upon 
the  designer  and  upon  the  enterprise  of  the  firm  represented. 

The  Darktown  Fire  Department,  the  Sight  Seeing  Car,  and  the  athletic  stunts 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  boys  added  a  lot  of  zip  to  a  parade  that  was  all  to  the  merry. 

The  first  big  event  of  the  day  after  the  parade  was  the  ball  game  at  East  Hill 
Park  between  a  picked  team  from  Company  M  and  the  Lushton  ball  tossers.  Thirty- 
five  hundred  people  saw  the  game  and  most  of  them  "pulled"'  for  the  soldiers.  But 
Lushton  was  too  strong  and  won  the  short  game  by  a  score  of  nine  to  two. 

At  4  o'clock  the  dead  game  sjiorts  and  sportesses  to  the  number  of  nearly  a 
thousand  gathered  at  Athletic  Park  to  see  a  boxing  match  and  a  wrestling  match. 
The  boxing  match  was  between  George  Brewer  of  York  and  "Battling"  Coffey  of 
Kansas  City.  Brewer's  complexion  would  make  a  piece  of  charcoal  look  gray,  and 
Coffey's  complexion  was  about  as  yellow  as  the  streak  he  displayed  in  the  ring. 
It  was  to  he  a  four-round  go,  but  something  happened.  As  a  boxing  match  it  was 
about  as  full  of  thrills  as  near  beer  is  full  of  "kick."  Coffey  had  about  as  much 
"punch"  as  grape  juice,  and  Brew'er  used  his  feet  and  legs  a  great  deal  more  than  he 
did  his  arms  and  mitts.  Coffey  was  outclassed  by  a  wide  margin,  and  in  the  middle 
of  the  third  round  he  was  counted  out  on  a  blow  to  the  chin  that  might  possibly 
have  torn  a  hole  in  a  tissue  paper  hoop.  Jim  Fleming  officiated  as  referee  to  the 
satisfaction  of  everybody. 

The  wrestling  nuitch  between  Pesek  of  Shelt(m  and  Reif  of  Kansas  was  a 
whirlwind.  It  didn't  last  long,  but  it  had  the  spectators  up  on  their  toes  all  the 
time.  There  wasn't  any  of  the  usual  "stalling"  in  this  match.  The  contestants  were 
out  to  win,  and  win  in  the  shortest  possible  time.  They  went  at  it  hammer  and 
tongs  the  minute  Referee  Cy  Sherman  of  Lincoln  gave  the  word  to  go.  Pesek  won 
two  straight  falls,  the  first  in  5:20  with  a  toehold  and  the  second  in  9:15  with  a 
head  scissors  and  wristlock.     Dennis  Meehan,  who  knows  the  record  of  every  wrestler 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  833 

and  boxer  from  the  clays  of  the  set-to  between  Cain  and  Abel  down  to  day  before 
yesterday,  made  the  announcements,  and  the  bands  played  merrily  in  between. 

A  few  less  than  a  million  people  foregathered  in  Ellis'  pasture  at  9  o'clock  in 
the  evening  to  see  the  fireworks  display.  All  the  autos  in  the  world,  it  seemed  like, 
were  parked  around  the  eiglity-acre  tract.  The  display  was  all  that  it  was  adver- 
tised to  be,  and  therefore  fully  up  to  the  expectations  of  a  multitude  that  expected  a 
whole  lot.  There  was  not  a  single  "bobble"  in  the  whole  business.  A  couple  of 
tableaux  were  staged  during  the  display,  and  while  the  band  played  "America"  and 
"The  Star-Spangled  Banner"  the  multitude  arose  and  cheered. 

And  that  finished  the  program  of  the  day.  But  the  people  seemed  loath  to  leave 
the  city,  and  until  midnight  the  firecrackers  kept  popping,  the  people  kept  buying 
pop  and  ice  cream  and  "hot  dogs,"  and  the  heavens  were  alight  with  skyrockets  and 
roman  candles. 

The  celebration  was  staged  under  the  auspices  of  the  York  County  Commercial 
Club,  with  Frank  Borden  as  the  chairman  of  the  committee.  And  right  here  and 
now  the  Democrat  doffs  its  chapeau  to  Colonel  Borden  and  hails  him  as  the 
best  Fourth  of  July  go-getter  between  the  two  oceans.  And  to  each  and  every  one 
of  his  aides  the  chapeau  is  doffed  likewise. 

Celebration  Notes 

The  Red  Cross  workers  let  no  man  escape.  They  started  in  with  the  rising 
sun  and  remained  on  the  job  until  the  streets  were  deserted.  Red  Cross  buttons 
were  as  common  as  sandfleas  in  California  before  the  day  was  done. 

Col.  Charley  McCloud  took  a  couple  of  the  Red  Cross  women  in  tow  about  2  :30 
in  the  afternoon  and  corralled  every  man  who  went  by.  He  made  sixty  of  them 
drop  a  dollar  in  the  box  inside  of  thirty  minutes,  and  had  more  fun  than  a  box  of 
monkeys  while  doing  it. 

A  lot  of  people  who  were  wise  had  a  lot  of  fun  watching  people  trying  to  slake 
their  thirst  at  the  sanitary  fountain  on  the  Felton  corner.  Despite  the  complaint 
made  in  the  Democrat  this  fountain  was  not  repaired  and  those  who  tried  to  get  a 
drink  there  received  an  involuntary  shower  bath. 

"Bob"  Bullock  on  his  Eiffel  tower  bike  attracted  a  lot  of  favorable  attention. 

For  refusing  to  countenance  a  street  carnival  on  the  big  day  the  Commercial 
Club  has  the  thanks  of  all  good  citizens.  The  addition  of  one  of  those  immoral 
carnivals  would  have  detracted  from  the  real  enjoyment  of  the  day. 

The  traffic  squad  had  its  hands  full  every  minute  of  the  time,  but  managed  to 
keep  things  moving  and  prevented  any  accidents. 

Speaking  of  sinecures,  the  special  policemen  had  'era  all  day.  All  they  had  to 
do  was  walk  around  and  see  the  sights  just  like  the  rest  of  us.  There  was  not  a 
single  arrest  during  the  day,  not  even  for  speeding. 

The  "Rube  Band"  made  a  big  hit  all  along  the  line  of  march.  Its  music  was 
as  bad  as  the  individual  make-up  was  good. 

Three  bands  kept  the  air  full  of  music  all  day,  and  it  was  mighty  good  music,  too. 

Col.  Art  Thompson  officiated  as  grand  marshal  of  the  day,  and  he  rode  his 
prancing  charger  like  a  cavalryman  of  the  old  school. 

Mayor  Tom  Smith  was  the  proudest  man  in  forty-eight  states  on  the  Glorious 
Fourth.  And  why  not  ?  Isn't  he  mayor  of  the  best  little  city  in  the  country  ?  And 
didn't  his  city  pull  off  the  biggest  celebration  in  the  West? 


826  nrSTOKY    OF    VOl.'K    ('orX'l'Y 

"Cy"  Sherman,  sports  editor  of  the  Liiieola  Daily  Star,  wiio  refereed  the 
wrestling  niatcli,  is  one  of  York's  most  enthusiastic  boosters.  "Y'ou've  got  the  best 
little  city  of  its  size  I  ever  visited,"  said  Colonel  Sherman.  "It's  got  cities  of  five 
times  its  jjopulation  backed  off  the  map  for  energy  and  civic  pride.  It  is  always  a 
pleasure  to  me  to  come  here,  for  I  not  only  meet  a  lot  of  good  fellows  but  I  know 
that   1  am  in  a  city  that  does  things  worth  while." 

The  crowds  were  too  busy  to  pause  long  enough  to  even  listen  to  such  spell- 
binders as  Judge  Wray,  Postmaster  Gilbert,  Senator  Sandal  1,  and  other  orators  who 
were  thus  forced  to  keep  bottled  up  the  thrilling  and  soul-stirring  speeches  they  had 
prepared  to  deliver  in  aid  of  the  Red  Cross.  But  the  buttons  sold  just  as  well, 
anyhow — perhaps  better. 

The  street  commissioner  deserves  praise  for  the  good  work  of  his  department  in 
getting  the  streets  cleaned  up  after  the  celebration  was  over.  By  noon  the  next  day 
the  streets  were  in  as  good  shape  as  they  were  the  day  before.  And  it  took  a  lot  of 
work  to  accomplish  this  result. 

The  fire  whistle  blew  just  as  the  crowd  was  leaving  the  fireworks  display.  The 
department  made  a  record  run.  Init  did  not  have  to  do  any  work.  But  the  run 
afforded  a  lot  of  entertainment  for  the  people. 

The  sandwich  and  soft  drink  stands  drove  a  rushing  Inisiness  all  day  long.  The 
Boy  Scout  stand  was  especially  well  patronized. 

Cols.  Leland  Lewellan  and  Raymond  Abbott  of  Lincoln  had  important  business 
to  transact  in  Y'ork  on  July  4. 

The  merry-go-round  and  the  Ferris  wheel  were  lihcrally  patronized  until  late 
at  night. 

More  than  .$l,."j(io,ouo  worth  of  automobiles  were  parked  inside  of  Y'ork's  cor- 
poration limits  during  the  day. 

Without  exception  the  local  dealers  in  fireworks  observed  the  ordinance  against 
selling  the  deadly  dynamite  crackers,  and  as  a  result  no  fingers  were  blown  off 
during  the  day.    And  at  that  there  was  noise  aplenty. 

Waco  sent  up  a  big  delegation  of  Red  Cross  girls,  every  one  of  them  as  handsome 
as  could  he  and  all  of  them  enthusiastic  workers  in  the  cause. 

A   Credit  to  BeDeiJirt—Baiid  of  That  Citi/  iJiil-es  Decided  J  fit   ivith   York  People 

One  of  the  most  pleasing  features  of  York's  successful  celeliration  of  Independence 
day  was  the  music  rendered  by  the  band  from  the  neighboring  little  city  of  Benedict. 
It  is  only  now  and  then  that  a  town  of  the  size  of  Benedict  comes  to  the  front  with 
a  band  of  that  size  and  ability,  and  when  such  happens  it  is  an  evidence  of  civic 
enterprise,  commmnty  spirit  and  musical  atmosphere.  The  Benedict  Band  of 
twenty-one  pieces,  under  the  direction  of  George  McCall  of  this  city,  rendered 
splendid  music  in  Y'ork  on  July  4th,  and  contributed  immensely  to  the  enjoyment 
of  the  day. 

Mr.  McCall  took  the  Benedict  band  in  charge  aliout  a  year  ago,  when  it  seemed 
as  if  that  organization  was  about  to  disband  for  lack  of  leadership.  He  interested 
the  young  men,  interested  the  people,  and  as  a  result  Benedict  can  now  point  with 
pride  to  a  concert  band  that  would  reflect  credit  upon  a  city  many  times  larger 
than  Y'ork's  enterprising  little  neighbor  on  the  north.  Y'ork  people  will  look  for- 
ward with  pleasure  to  another  entertainment  by  this  capal)lc  organization. 


HIS'J'UJiY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 


837 


THE  FIRST  DRAWING 

After  York  Count^-'s  sons  regi,stered  on  June  5th,  the  next  step  in  the  selection 
of  those  who  should  be  called  into  actual  military  service  was  undertaken  by  assign- 
ing to  each  registrant  a  number,  proceeding  serially  from  one  upwards,  tlie  series 
being  separate  and  independent  for  each  local  board  area  in  the  country.  Thus  each 
registrant  in  York  County  could  be  identified  by  citing  his  York  County  local  board 
number  and  his  York  County  serial  number.  The  local  board,  by  which  name  the 
Selective  Service  Board  for  the  county  has  been  commonly  designated,  proceeded  to 
number  the  cards  with  red  ink  numbers,  consecutively,  without  regard  to  alpha- 
betical arrangement.  Five  lists  were  then  prepared,  one  retained  for  the  records  of 
the  local  board,  one  copy  posted  in  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  courthouse,  one  copy 
given  out  for  publication  by  the  press,  and  the  two  remaining  copies  furnished  to  the 
state  authorities  at  Lincoln  and  the  office  of  the  provost  marshal  general  at 
Washington. 

In  order  then  to  designate  with  tiie  utmost  impartiality  the  sequence  in  which 
the  registrants  qualified  for  military  service  should  be  called  as  needed,  a  single 
national  drawing  was  held  on  J\ily  20.  1917,  for  those  who  had  registered  on 
June  5tli. 

While  it  was  held'  in  Washington,  D.  C..  this  national  drawing  was  a  notable 
event  in  the  history  of  the  lives  of  so  nuuiy  York  County  citizens,  that  it  becomes  an 
incident  in  the  history  of  York  County. 

Eoom  No.  226,  the  ]>ublic  hearing  room  of  the  United  States  Senate  Office 
Building,  was  the  scene  of  the  first  drawing,  ten  thousand  five  hundred  numbers 
were  drawn,  the  first  capsule  being  taken  from  the  glass  bowl  at  9  :30  A.  M.,  Friday, 
July  20,  and  the  last  at  2:16  A.  M.,  Saturday.  July  21,  1917:  elapsed  time,  16 
hours  -46  minutes,  during  which  time  the  nundiers  were  telegraplu'<l  and  bulletined 
all  over  the  country. 

The  first  few  numbers  drawn  were: 

1.  Xewton  D.  Baker,  the  secretary  of  war,  2-58. 

2.  George  E.  Chamberlain,  senator  from  Oregon,  chairman,  ('i)mmittee  on 
Military  Affairs,  2,.522. 

3.  S.  Hubert  Dent,  Jr.,  representative  from  Alabama,  chairnuui.  House  Com- 
mittee on  Military  Affairs,  9,613. 

4.  Francis  E.  Warren,  senator  from  Wyoming,  1,532. 

5.  Julius  Kahn,  representative  from  California,  10,218. 

6.  Tasker  H.  Bliss,  major  general,  chief  of  staff,  U.  S.  Army,  458. 

7.  Enoch  H.  Crovvder,  provost  marshal  general,  U.  S.  Army,  3,403. 

8.  Henry  P.  McCain,  adjutant  general.  U.  S.  Army,  10,015. 


The  first  few  numbers  that  affected  York  County  were: 


258  Sparling,   Clifford   E. 

458  Harrison,  Alvin  George 

1,436  Busk,  Edwin  Axel 

854  Gray,  Archie 

1,095  Kaliff,  Kudolph  L. 

1,455  Flint,  John  Brown 

783  Tucker,  William  Boy 

1,117  Schneider,  Henry   6. 

Vol.  11—15 


945  Epp,  Cornelius  C. 

596  Xai)er,  Hugo  Henry 

1,267  McCarty,  Fred  Paul 

536  Samson,  Charles 

1,495  Rogers,  Joseph  F. 

548  Aringdale,  Grover 

126  Ga.'ikill,  George  Earl 

1,237  Gale,  Robert  G. 


828 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 


1,572  Rosenlof,  Carl  A. 

837  Williams,  Orvis 

337  Wilkins,  Floyd  C. 

676  Krous,  John 

275  Bills,  Joseph  J.  R. 

509  Haas,  Harlow  Clinton 

1,185  Petersen,  Julian  A. 

564  Fischer,  Albert  John 


784  Thomas,  Frank  S. 

755  Klone,  Walter  W. 

107  Zersen,  Gilbert  Henry 

1,546  Henning,  Edward  H. 

1,563  Miller,  Olag  Nels 

1,369  Lankin,  Wesley  Bacon 

616  Stewart,  William  J. 


EARLY    EM.ISTMRXTS 

During  the  early  summer  of  1917  numerous  York  County  boys  and  men  began 
to  leave  their  respective  stations  for  posts  of  duty  and  enlist  even  before  the  call  of 
the  selective  service  reached  thorn. 

Aniiing  the  very  early  recruits  in  this  spirit  were :  Ora  Devore,  son  of  Mrs.  J.  H. 
Devore,  who  left  for  the  navy,  and  Frank  Peck,  another  York  County  boy,  who 
went  through  the  hospital  corps,  returning  in  May.  J.  H.  Wilson,  for  a  long  time 
the  superintendent  of  Odd  Fellows'  Home  in  York,  resigned  his  position,  left  for 
Fort  Snelling  for  the  first  officers'  training  camp.  Howard  Bell  was  also  another 
York  County  son  to  leave  for  this  same  camp.  Chick  Hannis  went  to  the  Xavy 
earlj'  in  June.  Harold  Requartte,  son  of  H.  F.  Rcquartte,  enlisted  in  the  hi)s|)ital 
corps  in  July. 

L.VTE  SLTMJIER  AND  EARLY   FALL  OF   1917 

York  County's  first  gold  star  came  with  the  death  of  Sergeant  Leo  of  ('om- 
pany  M,  Fourth  Nebraska  Infantry,  in  camp  at  Grand  Island,  in  July.  It  was 
reported  first  that  Sergeant  Leo  had  died  of  ])tomaine  poisoning,  and  that  other 
members  of  the  company  were  dangerously  ill.  Immediately  strange  and  alarming 
rumors  were  set  afloat.  Investigation  by  the  military  authorities,  however,  revealed 
that  Sergeant  Leo  had  died  of  a  cerebral  hemorrhage  and  that  there  were  no  traces 
whatever  of  poison.    No  other  mend)ers  of  the  company  were  sick. 

Sergeant  Leo  enlisted  in  Company  M  from  Merna,  Nebraska,  and  was  well  liked 
by  his  comrades  because  of  his  soldierly  qualities  and  his  unfailing  good  humor.  The 
remains  were  taken  to  Merna  for  interment. 

A  mighty  fine  bunch  of  young  men  left  York  early  in  August  bound  for  Fort 
Crook  to  join  Company  M,  Fourth  Nebraska.  These  young  men  found  their  num- 
bers well  towards  the  top  in  tlie  draft  drawing,  and  just  to  show  that  they  had 
neither  fear  nor  hard  feelings,  they  beat  the  draft  board  to  it  by  enlisting.  Follow- 
ing are  the  names  of  these  loyal  young  recruits:  Leonard  W^.  Herrold,  Benedict; 
Andrew  J.  Eberle,  York;  Cecil  G.  Thorpe,  Waco;  Edwin  L.  Humphrey,  Bradshaw; 
Victor  F.  Pickrel,  Bradshaw:  William  J.  Bergen,  MeCool;  Adolph  Kreshel,  Tobias; 
Allen  E.  Fay,  Bradshaw;  George  W.  nickerson,  Bradshaw;  Blaine  Grover,  McCool; 
William  R.  Courtwright,  York;  Leo  V.  Jacks,  York;  James  A.  Blackman,  Gresham; 
Frank  A.  Sdiall,  Waco;  Henry  I.  Brown,  Vermont,  III.,  and  Virgil  L.  Shadel, 
York. 

Some  idea  of  the  magnitude  of  the  task  thrown  upon  the  shoulders  of  each 
county's  selective  service  board,  which  consisted  of  the  sheriff,  the  county  clerk  and 
one  chosen  member  of  the  county's  medical  profession,  is  gained  by  the  following 
account  published  in  August,  191 7,  of  the  progress  of  the  physical  examinations 
made  in  York  County  to  supply  the  first  call  made  upon  the  county. 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  829 

'■Ph3'sical  examination  under  tlie  draft  for  the  purpose  of  securing  129  soldiers 
from  York  County  began  at  the  courthouse  last  Monday  morning.  Under  the 
direction  of  Doctor  McKinley,  assisted  by  Doctor  King,  an  average  of  about  fifty 
men  a  day  have  been  physically  examined.  The  board  proper  consists  of  Sheriff 
Miller,  County  Clerk  Beck,  and  Doctor  McKinley.  Nearly  fifty  per  cent  of  those 
examined  are  disqualified  for  physical  reasons,  and  the  claims  of  exemption  are 
running  well  above  that  figure.  Some  of  the  dependency  claims  are  far  fetched,  and 
tlie  closest  examination  will  be  given  all  claims. 

"It  is  now  quite  certain  that  the  second  call  for  24.3  men  will  bo  pretty  well 
exhau!;ted  before  the  required  129  men  are  secured.  All  claims  for  exemption  on 
occupational  grounds  will  have  to  be  submitted  to  the  district  board,  and  appeal  lies 
from  exemption  allowances.  If  appeal  on  dependency  grounds  is  denied,  then  the 
man  so  denied  has  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  district  board.  Also,  if  anyone  believes 
that  an  exemption  has  been  wrongfully  allowed,  the  one  so  aggrieved  may  appeal. 
It  is  a  common  expression  that  the  County  Council  of  Defense  should  be  represented 
when  exemptions  are  allowed  on  claims  of  dej^endency  and  see  to  it  that  all  sucli 
claims  are  well  founded." 

The  York  County  Woman's  Connnittee  of  the  National  Council  of  Defense  was 
organized  in  August,  1917,  and  did  valiant  service  in  the  different  lines  suggested 
by  the  names  of  the  following  committees,  which  are  given  here  with  the  names  of 
the  ladies  who  acted  as  chairmen  in  the  City  of  York : 

Registration,  Mrs.  C.  A.  McCloud ;  Food  Conservation,  Mrs.  Elton  Mead ;  Child 
Welfare,  Mrs.  Hanna ;  Safeguarding  Moral  and  Spiritual  Forces,  Mrs.  Wasser ; 
Home  and  Foreign  Relief  (Red  Cross).  Mrs.  Jennie  Stephens;  Naturalization, 
Mrs.  Wade  Read;  Pulilicity,  Miss  Grace  Moore,  Miss  Phila  Sedgwick.  Mrs.  Welch. 

The  registration  under  this  jilan  liad  been  taken  by  the  women  before  the  end 
of  September,  showing  tlie  following  by  townships:  Stewart,  114;  Thayer,  46; 
Morton,  111;  Arborville,  3.5;  Bradshaw,  70;  Lockridge,  23;  New  York,  47;  Waco, 
99;  Beaver,  14;  Leroy,  13;  Baker,  55;  Brown,  5;  Henderson  (A),  36;  Henderson 
(B),  12;  Hays,  54;  McFadden,  67;  West  Blue,  68— total.  859;  York,  First 
Ward,  200;  York,  Second  Ward,  136;  York,  Third  Ward,  96;  York.  Fourth  Ward, 
158— total,  590;  sum  total.  1,449. 

THE   COXTIXGENT   STARTED 

Six  men  were  York  County's  first  contribution  under  the  .selective  conscription 
act.  The  county  board  selected  the  following:  Carl  W.  Helms,  Ral|ih  I.  Hoatson, 
Andrew  Kline,  Dan  Berger,  James  S.  Barbee,  Benne  F.  Barbee.  This  was  five  per 
cent  of  York's  quota.  These  six  young  men  left  York  at  1 :54  P.  M.,  Thursday, 
September  6th. 

York's  second  draft  contingent  started  off  to  training  camp  Saturday  morning, 
September  14th.  Fifty-two  stalwart  young  men,  good  samples  of  the  Nebraska 
spirit,  answered  "Here"  when  the  roll  was  called,  and  fifty-two  earnest  young  men 
waved  their  hands  and  cheered  in  respon.se  to  the  cheers  of  relatives  and  friends  as 
the  long  train  moved  away  from  the  depot.  Those  called  for  this  contingent  were: 
Archie  Gray,  Henry  0.  Schneider,  John  Krous,  Fred  Paul  MeCaty,  George  Earl 
Gaskill.  William  James  Stewart,  Louis  Augustus  Schlechte,  Ray  Elsie  Anderson, 
Floyd  L.  Hudson,  Alkana  Ben  Cantrell,  Harry  G.  White,  August  Bro\\'n,  Fred  Rus- 


830  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

sell  Nixon,  Earl  Lee  Strattuii.  Will  Harry  Moody,  Fred  Duberstiiie,  William  E. 
Summers,  Walter  E.  Shofrotli,  Harry  D.  Hawley,  Vale  L.  Fox,  Robert  E.  Mayland, 
Johann  Heinrichs,  James  C.  Meglemre,  David  A.  Watson,  Lewis  H.  Archer,  Henry 
Beyer,  Robert  J.  Campbell,  Hans  Chris  Lautsen,  Verle  E.  Hedrick,  John  T.  Magnu- 
son,  Louis  M.  Price,  Chester  L.  Johnson,  Charles  Fay  Tharp,  Ruic  T.  Watson, 
Leslie  Clem  Austine,  Buchard  H.  Wiemer,  Herbert  E.  Hulse,  Lemuel  R.  Wilcox, 
John  C.  Siebert,  Andrew  Kline,  Roy  Edward  Carlisle,  James  Gobboney  Stewart, 
Henry  J.  D.  Tieken,  Eskil  F.  Hanson,  Arthur  John  Johnson,  William  D.  De  Voss, 
Fred  Henry  Goche,  Charles  Francis  Sherwood,  Jesse  Edward  Welch,  Harry  Leo 
Crounse,  Miller  Evan  Edgar,  Harry  Foreman. 

The  third  contingent  left  for  camp  Funston  on  October  6th  and  were  given  a 
rousing  farewell  by  the  citizens  of  York. 

LIBERTY   BOXD  DRIVES 

The  first  Liberty  Bond  Drive  was  met  in  Y^'ork  County,  as  in  practically  every 
other  county,  by  the  banks  taking  virtually  the  entire  subscription,  and  in  some 
cases  parceling  part  of  it  out  td  their  larger  custouici-s  wlm  wished  to  help.  By  the 
time  the  second  drive  came  plans  were  made  to  allow  the  entire  community  to  take 
part.  In  October  explanatory  plans  in  this  matter  were  launched  when  ex-Senator 
Burkett  made  a  rousing  patriotic  speech  at  the  courthouse  as  a  preliminary  to  the 
general  hustle,  and  he  put  the  "pep"  into  tliem  in  fine  shape.  The  bankers  held  a 
meeting  the  evening  preceding  and  arrangcil  for  their  share  of  the  big  drive.  The 
next  Sunday  had  been  designated  as  -a  (biy  nl'  prayer  by  Pi-esidi'ut  Wilson,  and  the 
Christian  men  and  women  of  the  iiatinii  |irayed  for  the  success  of  our  soldiers  and. 
sailors  who  were  fighting  the  big  battle  for  the  preservation  of  democracy.  The 
churches  of  York  observed  the  day  with  appropriate  exercises.  Y^ork  County's  quota 
in  the  second  Liberty  Loan  was  $519,000,  and  the  banks  iiiuiiediately  took  $300,000 
of  this  at  their  own  risk  in  disposing  of  that  part  they  could  not  very  well  handle 
themselves. 

LATE  FALL  AXD  EARLY  WIXTEK  OF  lOll" 

Late  in  October  as  an  auxiliary  effort  to  the  work  of  the  County  Council  of 
Defense,  local  bureaus  were  established  to  assist  the  farmers  in  securing  corn 
hnskers  in  the  uniform  rates  that  had  been  established  by  the  local  and  state 
councils  of  defense.  This  work  in  the  various  communities  was  in  charge  of  the 
following  men:  York,  George  W.  Shreck;  Henderson,  L.  R.  Misner;  Waco, 
S.  A.  May;  McCool  Junction,  J.  E.  Finney. 

In  November  Floyd  Hudson,  another  of  the  soldier  boys  from  Y'ork  County, 
died  at  Camp  Funston,  pneumonia  being  the- cause  of  death.  His  wife  and  father 
were  with  him  at  the  last.  His  mother  expected  him  home  on  sick  leave  and  hurried 
from  church  Sunday  morning  to  get  ready  for  him.  Instead  of  seeing  her  boy  she 
was  met  by  a  telegram  announcing  his  death. 

Young  Hudson,  although  married,  claimed  no  exemptions,  and  when  Uncle  Sam 
called  him  he  answered  with  a  cheerful  "Here."  Quietly  and  patriotically  he  per- 
formed his  duty  to  his  country.  It  was  not  given  to  him  to  sail  to  "somewhere  in 
France"  and  engage  his  country's  enemies  face  to  face.  For  him  there  was  no 
glory  and  dash  of  the  battle  line,  no  shouting  and  tumult  as  the  charge  swept  on. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  831 

But  Floyd  Hudson,  soldier  of  the  Republic,  doing  his  duty  where  his  lot  was  cast,  is 
•entitled  to  the  thanks  of  the  country  he  served,  and  dying  in  the  ranks  the  honors 
of  the  soldier  dead  are  his. 

The  following  poetical  tribute  to  the  first  three  American  lads  to  make  the 
supreme  sacrifice  on  foreign  soil,  penned  by  a  man  then  a  citizen  of  York  County,  is 
inserted  at  this  point  as  being  worthy  of  preservation. 

ENRIGHT,    GRESHAM   AND    HAT 

'Xeath  the  lilies  of  France,  where  the  Stripes  and  Stars 

Gleam  bright  "neath  the  wintry  sky; 
Where  each  long,  brown  rank  in  the  trenches  dank 

Is  ready  to  fight  and  die — 
They  sleep  the  sleep  of  our  soldier  dead, 

But  sleeping  they  live  alway. 
And  a  Nation  gives  them  a  laurel  wreath — 

Enright,  and  Gresham,  and  Hay. 

For  they  have  come  from  a  fighting  race 

That  ever  shall  dare  and  do 
When  the  Old  Flag's  call  to  her  brave  boys  all 

Is  answered  with  hearts  so  true. 
And  so  they  answered  to  Freedom's  plea; 

"We  are  coming,  Old  Flag,"  said  they. 
So  over  the  waves  to  their  hero  graves — 

Enright,  and  Gresham,  and  Hay. 

They  have  given  all  for  their  God  and  Right; 

For  us  they  have  paid  the  price. 
And  a  Nation's  love  is  their  treasure  trove 

As  reward  for  their  sacrifice. 
As  the  long  days  come  and  the  long  nights  go 

O'er  the  fields  of  a  world-wide  fray. 
The  Old  Flag  waves  o'er  thy  hallowed  graA'es, 

Enright,  and  Gresham,  and  Hay. 

Enright,  and  Gresham,  and  Hay;  sleep  on 

In  the  soil  that  thy  blood  has  stained. 
Old  Flag,  wave  on  till  the  fight  is  won. 

And  a  world  is  for  Freedom  gained. 
When  the  trump  shall  sound  that  a  war-cursed  world 

Has  won  to  the  great  Peace  Day, 
Then  tlie  Allied  Flags  shall  be  dipped  to  j'ou — 

I^nright,  Gresiiam,  and  Hay. 

Will  M.  Maupin. 

Arthur  Wolf,  a  resident  of  Ericson  and  formerly  a  student  at  York  College,  died 
at  Camp  Funston  late  in  November.    Monday  morning,  November  26th,  memorial 


832  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

services  for  tlie  young  soldier  were  held  at  tlie  college  chapel.  The  students  of  the 
business  college  attended  in  a  body.  The  services  were  solemn  and  impressive. 
Young  Wolf  went  to  Camp  Funston  as  a  member  of  the  Wheeler  County  contingent. 
The  services  held  in  his  memory  were  a  fitting  tribute  to  his  loyalty  and  his 
patriotism  and  were  befitting  to  the  young  soldier  of  the  J!e])uhlic  who  died  in 
the  line  of  duty. 

William  Sullivan,  a  "^'ork  county  soldier  boy  assigned  to  Camp  Cody,  died  at 
the  camp  hospital  on  J)e(end)er  17.  The  body  was  sent  home  and  buried  with 
appropriate  ceremonies  in  the  cemetery  at  E.xeter. 

William  Sullivan  enlisted  from  York  County  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was 
a  member  of  Company  G,  134th  Infantry.  Captain  Henlon  says  he  was  a  good 
soldier,  well  liked  by  his  comrades  and  always  ready  for  duty. 

Sunday  morning,  January  6th,  the  Congregational  Cliurch  organization  hung 
out  a  service  flag  with  thirteen  stars,  showing  that  thirteen  young  men  of  that  con- 
gregation had  joined  the  colors.  The  names  of  the  thirteen  young  men  were  read 
as  follows :  Martin  Ettel,  Cloyde  McKinley,  Ernest  Ettel,  Wendell  Froid,  Edward 
Gould,  Ora  Devore,  Arthur  Bell,  Allen  Lamb,  Charles  Hannis,  Harold  Hade,  Adolph 
Smalia.  Floyd  Richard,  and  Floyd  Thompson. 

THE   QUESTIOXXAIRES 

Following  the  drawing  on  July  :iOth,  the  local  selective  board  had  proceeded 
during  the  summer  and  fall  months  to  call  in  groups  of  registrants  as  their  numbers 
were  reached,  give  them  a  physical  examination,  and  receive  and  determine  upon 
their  claims  for  exemption  upon  the  various  grounds  designated.  That  method  of 
calling  all  men  as  their  numbers  were  reached  and  discharging  or  accepting  rested 
upon  the  general  assumption  that  a  specific  number  of  men  were  known  to  be 
needed  for  military  service  at  a  given  time,  and,  therefore,  enough  registrants  should 
be  called  by  the  county  board  in  the  sequence  of  their  order  numbers  and  selected 
according  to  the  laws  and  regulations,  until  a  nund)er  of  qualified  men  has  been 
obtained  equal  to  the  board's  current  quota,  and  the  remainder  discharged  or 
exempted. 

That  was  necessarily  adopted  for  the  early  stage  of  the  war,  and  proved  efl^ective 
for  the  purpose  whether  in  all  instances  absolutely  fair  to  all  concerned  or  not.  But 
experience  was  showing  that  it  was  wasteful,  and  would  grow  more  ineffective  as  the 
quotas  grew  larger  and  speed  became  more  necessary  in  meeting  the  quotas.  So, 
late  in  the  year  of  1917  a  new  method  was  worked  out  by  the  authorities  of  the  War 
Department.  This  became  effective  on  December  15,  1917,  at  which  time  the  first 
call  for  687,000  men  had  been  more  than  filled  by  local  hoards  niid  a  lull  in  the 
work  presented  the  opportunity  for  changing  the  plan. 

The  essential  change  was  this:  First,  that  the  physical  examination  followed, 
instead  of  preceding,  the  determination  of  the  claim  for  discharge  or  exemption; 
second,  the  registrant  was  required  to  fill  out  a  document  that  will  always  occupy 
a  historical  place  in  American  life  hereafter — the  questionnaire. 

The  questionnaire  was  a  document  of  some  twenty  pages,  which  included  lists  of 
questions  that  all  registrants  must  fill  out;  others  that  needed  only  be  answered 
when  applicable  to  the  particular  case  and  essential  to  constitute  the  proof  for 
filing  a  claim  for  discharge  or  exemption;  and  the  whole  document  covered  every 


HISTOKY    OF    YC)T?lv    COUNTY  833 

iuif;lt'  uT  the  classiticatidii  systems,  for  which  it  was  the  hasis  of  iufoiiimtioii  and 
proof. 

LEGAL  ADVISOIiY  BOAKD 

The  attorneys  of  York  met  witli  the  le.ual  advisory  hoard  in  Deceinhfr  and 
ai  ran,i;enients  were  made  for  liandling  the  work  ineideiit  to  the  making  out  of  the 
(luestioniiaires  which  were  then  being  maih'd  to  the  registered  men  at  regular  inter- 
vals. The  legal  advisory  hoard  consisted  of  .luilge  Corcoran,  Judge  Spurlock,  and 
Senator  Sandall.  'Jdiere  were  twelve  Uivvyers,  hesides  these  gentlemen,  and  two 
attorneys  who  sat  with  a  niendier  of  the  hoard  each  ihiy  to  attend  to  the  husiness 
as  it  was  required. 

Kach  registrant  was  reijuired  to  make  out  his  own  statement  unless  he  was 
unable  to  write.  But  the  two  assistants  did  what  was  permissible  in  giving  advice 
and  assistance  subject  to  the  rules  as  inter])reted  by  the  member  of  the  legal  advisory 
hoard  and  the  provost  marshal.  They  met  in  the  juryrooni  or  the  District  Court 
room  at  the  courthouse  regularly  each  day  at  il  o'clock  until  the  close  of  the  specified 
time. 

The  assignments  for  the  fir.st  six  days  were  as  follows:  Monday,  December  ITtli, 
Judge  Corcoran,  W.  L.  Kirkpatrick  and  O.  S.  (iilniore:  Tuesday,  December  18th. 
George  M.  Spurlock,  H.  G.  Hopkins,  and  W".  \V.  Wyckoff:  Wednesday,  December 
l!)th,  C.  E.  Sandall,  E.  A.  Gilbert,  J.  W.  I'urinton  ;  Thursday,  December  ^Oth, 
Judge  Corcoran,  J.  E.  Carlin,  (■!.  W.  France;  Friday,  December  21st,  George  M. 
Spurlock,  F.  C.  Power,  Arthur  W.  Wray.  Saturday,  Decendter  22d,  C.  E.  Sandall, 
Charles  F.  Stroman,  and  M.  M.  Wildman. 

WIXTEI!   DlilVES 

The  winter  of  liMT-lS  witnessed  drive  after  drive.  Fir.st  came  the  annual  Christ- 
mas season.  Bed  Cross  Boll  Call,  which  met  a  very  liberal  response.  This  was  fol- 
lowed in  January  and  February  by  the  War  Savings  Stamp  campaign,  shortly  after 
that  came  the  relief  drive  for  the  Armenian  funds.  At  a  meeting  held  in  York, 
attended  by  a  Mr.  Azim,  the  following  relief  committee  was  appointed  to  raise  funds 
to  send  to  the  starving  Armenians:  C.  A.  McCloud,  A.  li.  Mead,  J.  I.  Moore, 
James  B.  Harvey,  Professor  Bissett,  Judge  Corcoran,  Dennis  Meehan,  George 
Shrcck.  Senator  Sandall,  F.  A.  Hannis,  Mesdames  E.  S.  Clark,  Will  Kirk|«itrick, 
Burnard,  Bobert  Cojjsey,  Overstreet,  Behling.  An  advisory  committee  consisting  of 
all  the  clergy  in  the  county  was  also  appointed. 

THE   HOME  GUARDS 

During  the  first  months  of  1918  a  company  of  Home  Guards  was  organized  in 
Y^ork.  This  organization  drilled  regularly  and  prepared  itself  for  service  in 
emergencies.  While  such  companies  were  never  called  away  from  home,  an  exam- 
ination of  their  roster  discloses  the  names  of  many  men  of  middle  age,  succe.ssful  in 
their  respective  lines,  civilian  life  and  ofttimes  beyond  the  years  of  military  service. 
The  roster  as  recruited  by  the  middle  of  March  was  as  follows: 

Capt.  A.  W.  Thompson,  First  Lieut.  James  B.  Harvey,  Second  Lieut.  W.  V. 


834  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

MacCartiifv.  First  .Serj^t.  P^arl  WiUuun.s  (.^larteriiiaster  8ergt.  Wade  Reatl,  Sergt. 
Bugler  Tom  Van  Deear,  Bugler  Loyal  Roggy. 

Sergeants:  William  DeBord,  E.  J.  Taylor,  Charles  Fisher,  Dr.  George  Shidler, 
Mansfield  Hervey,  R.  0.  Allen. 

Corporals :  Fred  Wilkins,  E.  A.  Levitt,  F.  W.  Schroeder,  Dan  Stevens,  Dennis 
Meelian,  Jr.,  Clark  Pine. 

Company:  J.  G.  Aldeii,  A.  W.  Ballenger,  S.  A.  Anderscm,  A.  E.  Andrews, 
C.  S.  Byrnes,  E.  C.  Bristol,  J.  P.  Conway,  J.  P.  Cunningham,  Dan  Chikote.  J.  M. 
Meradith,  Harold  Myers,  Guy  Meradith,  Grover  May,  L.  Y.  Newman,  J.  B. 
McGinle?',  G.  E.  Nearing,  C.  C.  Nelson,  Emmet  Osborne,  M.  L.  Pembleton.  C.  E. 
Callender,  J.  H.  Crane,  0.  J.  Dudek,  W.  H.  Davis,  E.  Y.  Ellis,  S.  M.  Ellis,  D.  C. 
Freet,  Clarence  Foster,  H.  W.  Freeman,  Roy  Foster,  0.  S.  Gilmore,  J.  F.  Gibbs, 
H.  C.  Harrett,  E.  Holoch,  T.  J.  Hatfield,  P.  J.  Hesler,  Alex  Haberman,  S.  F. 
Hanson,  Charles  Hildebrand,  Martin  Humphrey,  Gus  Hornyak.  Al  J.  Jess,  Floyd 
Kerwood,  Edwin  Miller,  Floyd  Mohring,  F.  L.  Probst,  James  Poullas,  J.  R.  Reed, 
H.  P.  Requartte,  F.  H.  Rockwell,  Russell  Rogers,  L.  M.  Sypher,  Clarence  Stevens, 
F.  0.  Sake,  G.  R.  Stewart,  Ralph  H.  Stone,  John  Schneider,  Fred  H.  Vincent, 
C.  H.  Venholm,  P.  J.  Van  Vleet,  G.  W.  Wallender,  B.  A.  Wythers,  Mils  Wallerstedt, 
Vic  Lundgren. 

THIRD  LIBERTY   LOAN 

The  third  Liberty  Loan  was  inaugurated  all  over  the  United  States  on  April  6th. 
A  patriotic  parade  in  York  that  day  to  celebrate  the  company's  first  anniversary  of 
entrance  to  the  war  was  taken  as  an  opportunity  to  arouse  interest  in  this  drive. 
With  a  quota  of  $509,400  for  this  drive  by  May  10th,  York  County  had  "gone  over 
the  top,"  the  subscriptions  being  $648,900  as  announced  by  the  county  chairman, 
J.  E.  Hart. 

FOURTH  REGISTRATIOX 

The  fourth  registration  was  held  on  September  12,  1918,  when  the  citizens  of 
Y^ork  County  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  twenty-one,  thirty-one  and  forty-five, 
stepped  up  and  filled  out  the  registration  cards. 

The  following  named  persons  volunteered  to  serve  as  registrars  and  copyists  for 
the  registration  at  polling  places  in  each  township  and  ward  in  York  County 
September  12,  1918: 

Gresham— F.  F.  Cane,  B.  L.  Hawley,  T.  C.  Thomas,  W.  H.  Diers. 

Thayer— W.  E.  Prather,  Rev.  W.  C.  Brewer,  C.  M.  Horsfall. 

Benedict— William  Hagemeister,  D.  W.  Baker,  L.  F.  Steinbach. 

ArborviUe— T.  S.  Fisher,  C.  W.  Flick,  F.  E.  Merchant,  E.  M.  AVood. 

Bradshaw— J.  B.  Carlisle,  C.  B.  Palmer,  Jr.,  R.  W.  Fmley,  W' .  E.  Stafford,  Alva 
Lininger. 

Lockridge  Town  Hall— Fred  Strobel,  Herbert  Otto,  Arthur  Otto. 

Houston— Marion  King,  William  Florer,  T.  H.  Clifford,  Homer  Koons. 

Waco— J.  V.  Brady,  E.  J.  Kaltenborn,  J.  H.  Fisher. 

Beaver    Town    Hall— William    AVitte,    Charles    Purinton,    Henry    Pieper,    Paul 

Geyser. 

Leroy    Town    Hall— Joseph    Neville,   John    DeBoer,    Robert    Thomas,    Charles 

Propst. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  ^  835 

Charleston — Peter  Marik,  E.  0.  Stone,  Roy  Weston. 

Bergen  School  House— H.  W.  Hardy,  J.  W.  Tracy,  Chester  Kroehl. 

Lushton — H.  P.  Bearing,  Joy  Payne. 

Henderson — H.  J.  Kroeker,  D.  D.  Wiens. 

Hays  Town  Hall — F.  M.  Churchill,  John  Boren,  Fred  Barker,  George  Jenkins. 

McCool  Junction— A-  R.  McFadden,  L.  L.  Slagel,  R.  F.  Lord,  R.  M.  Ware. 

West  Blue  Town  Hall — Ira  Kail,  Henry  Gillan,  John  Sehultz. 

Y'ork,  First  Ward— Frank  L.  Propst,  E.  W.  Williams,  W.  E.  McCloud,  E.  H. 
Beniis,  Alma  Stoll. 

York,  Second  Ward— H.  G.  Hopkins,  J.  B.  Ettel,  J.  P.  Guidinger,  R.  L.  Brett, 
R.  C.  Stewart. 

York,  Third  Ward— R.  C.  Stewart,  C.  A.  Keefe,  Charles  Read,  J.  G.  Alden. 

York,  Fourth  Ward— E.  B.  Koon,  E.  C.  Knight,  De  Witt  Lee,  0.  J.  Dudek, 
W.  W.  Buckley. 

A  REAL  RECORD 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  Thomas  of  York,  Neb.,  prominent  retired  farmers,  appar- 
ently held  the  state  honors  for  the  largest  number  of  sons  in  Uncle  Sam's  service, 
according  to  the  records  compiled  by  Governor  Keith  Neville. 

Six  sons  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  responded  to  their  country's  call  and  were 
serving  on  the  battlefields  in  Europe  or  training  in  American  camps.  Several  other 
Nebraska  families  have  reported  five  sons  in  the  service,  but  none  offer  six,  so  far  as 
the  compiler  of  this  work  lias  learned. 

Two  of  the  Thomas  boys  accompanied  the  Fourth  Nebraska  Regiment  south  to 
Camp  Cody  and  served  in  the  127th  Field  Artillery  under  Col.  P.  L.  Hall,  Jr., 
Lincoln.    The  Fourth  was  one  of  the  first  regiments  called  into  service. 

The  Thomas  boys  and  the  places  where  they  were  serving  in  September,  1918, 
were:  Sergeant  Fred  D.  Thomas,  127th  Field  Artillery,  Camp  Cody;  Corporal 
Edward  S.  Thomas,  Headquarters  Company,  Forty-second  Lifantry,  Dover,  N.  J.; 
Corporal  Forest  Thomas,  Battery  E.  127th  Field  Artillery,  Camp  Cody;  Gordan  C. 
Thomas,  103d  Engineers,  Infantry,  Fort  Benjamin,  Indianapolis;  George  Homer 
Thomas,  wagoner,  medical  department.  Sixty-first  Infantry,  A.  E.  F. ;  Warren  S. 
Thomas,  called  in  July  quota  of  draft  from  Nebraska. 

FOURTH   LIBERTY  LOAN 

The  quota  of  York  County  for  the  fourth  Liberty  Loan  was  fixed  at  $729,900, 
and  Monday,  October  7,  1918,  was  .set  as  the  day  upon  which  the  campaign  would 
open.  There  was  not  an  extensive  canvass  made  for  this  loan,  but  the  people  were 
asked  to  come  and  to  get  their  respective  committees  at  their  usual  voting  places  on 
that  day  and  make  such  subscriptions  as  they  could. 

SPRING    AND   SUMMER    OF    1918 

On  Saturday,  April  6th,  a  great  parade  was  held  to  celebrate  the  first  anniversary 
of  York  County's  entrance  upon  the  great  war.    The  day's  program  was  as  follows : 

The  parade  at  11  o'clock  A.  M. ;  Benedict  Band;  Goddess  of  Liberty;  Uncle 
Sam;  Abe  Lincoln;  Council  of  Defense;  Liberty  Loan  Committee;  City  Council; 


836  HISTORY    OF    YOliK    COUNTY 

County  Officials:  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublie; -Woman's  Relief  Corps;  all  Red 
Cross  units  of  the  county;  Home  Guards;  the  S])irit  of  '7(5;  Boy  Scouts;  Lushton 
Band;  Junior  (larden  Unit;  all  school  children  of  the  couiitv;  1  :30  o'clock  P.  M., 
patriotic  concert;  2  o'clock  P.  M.,  speaking  by  Mr.  F.  S.  Howell,  Omaha. 

When  on  March  32,  1!:)18,  meetings  were  held  simultaneously  in  every  school- 
hovxse  in  the  State  of  Nebraska  for  the  War  Saving  Staniji  work.  York  Countv  went 
"over  the  top"  in  that  same  day.  Although  lier  quota  was  ^SDd.OOO,  .something  in 
the  neighborhood  of  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  was  subscril)ed  that  day. 

The  next  drive  that  appeared  was  the  mid-year  Red  Cross  drive,  beginning  on 
May  20th.     York  County  was  assigned  its  quota  of  $l!),0()(i. 

In  May,  1918,  the  labor  bureau  connected  with  the  Commercial  Cliili  widened  its 
scope  of  usefulness  by  making  arrangements  to  operate  the  free  einiiloymcnt  agency 
in  every  town  in  the  county  in  conjunction  with  the  Y'^ork  office,  aud  to  cany  on  this 
e.\tensiou  work  representatives  and  assistants  were  chosen  as  follows: 

McCool,  L.  W.  Williams;  Benedict,  W.  B.  McMullen ;  Waco,  S.  A.  May;  Thayer, 
Paul  Mueller;  Bradshaw,  Frank  Bedient;  Lushton,  H.  P.  Deering;  Gresham. 
Herman  Diers;  Henderson,  Jj.   \l.  Meisner;  Charleston,  Peter  Marik. 

These  gentlemen  Joined  with  President  Shreck  and  Secretary  Woodrum  in  the 
work  of  supplying  hel]i"of  all  kinds  to  all  who  needed  and  in  finding  places  for  men 
in  search  of  work. 

The  York  high  school,  toward  the  end  of  the  war,  took  great  pride  in  its  service 
flag  of  forty-nine  members  and  the  Alumni  Association  of  the  Y^ork  high  school 
who  went  into  the  service  of  their  country.  These  stars  represented  the  following 
alumni ; 

1892— Capt.  Otis  Newiman. 

1904— First  Lieut.  D.  D.  King. 

1906— Wendell  Froid,  Capt.  Dale  ilcDonald,  First  Lieut.  William  Mead, 
Edward  Wood. 

1907— Charles  Beard,  Charles  Lesh,  Lieut.  Albert  May. 

1908— First  Lieut.  Stewart  Bell. 

1909— First  Lieut.  Glen  Whitcomb,  Floyd  Cox,  Clarke  Pine,  Earl  Wood. 

1910 — Charles  Bradwell,  Peter  Meehan. 

1911 — First  Lieut.  Howard  Bell,  Dan  Blood,  Cloyd  McKinley,  Earl  Warner, 
l*]arl  Samuelson,  Otto  Zumquinkle,  Willard  Wiley. 

1912— Hugh  Mulvaney. 

1913 — First  Lieut.  Harold  Miller,  First  Lieut.  Harry  Hubbell,  Harvey  Salmen, 
Harry  Osborn,  First  Lieut.  Chester  Sandall,  Earl  Y'ates,  Earl  W'ideman. 

1914 — Ervin  May,  Roy  Bradley,  William  Davidson,  Charles  Hannis,  Evertt 
James,  Harold  Eeqnartte. 

191.5 — Vincent  Morgan,  Charles  Cox,  Ral]>li  Little,  Alonzo  Miller,  Bernard 
Trauger. 

1916— Dan  Chilcote,  Darrel  Mohler,  David  Mohler,  Rali)h  Stone. 

1918 — Floyd  Cooper,  Dean  Myers,  Harlan  Boyer. 

ARMISTICE    DAY 

'J'he  liapi)icst  day  Y'ork  County  ever  knew,  or  perhaps  within  the  experience  of 
anyone  now  li\ing  may  ever  know,  was  November  11,  1918.  when  the  bells,  whistles. 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  837 

guns  and  every  other  noise-making  appliance  man,  boy  or  mob  could  find  awakened 
everyone  from  their  slumbers  in  the  early  hours  of  the  morning  to  announce  that  the 
Arnustice  had  been  signed,  and  tlie  actual  fighting  of  the  terrible  World  war  was 
over. 

During  October  numerous  preparations  had  been  made  to  send  a  very  heavy 
contingent  to  camps,  but  the  Spanish  influenza  epidemic  was  already  raging  through 
the  country.  From  the  camps  where  it  had  been  spreading  its  dire  and  dreadful 
fatalities,  it  rapidly  encroached  ujion  the  civilian  population. 

'J'he  united  war  work  drive  of  the  seven  great  agencies  of  relief  and  cheer  was 
in  its  midst,  and  was  helped  considerably  by  the  enthusiasm  of  Armistice  day.  That 
day  every  line  of  business,  school  and  all  endeavor  was  abandoned  to  one  wild, 
riotous,  unprecedented  carnival  of  joy  and  celebration. 

AFTER-EFFECTS  OF  THE  WAR 

For  two  years  after  the  Armistice  concluded  the  active  actual  fighting  across  the 
waters,  certain  effects  of  the  World  war  were  visibly  evident  upon  the  life  of  the 
community.  The  era  of  high  prices,  loose  money,  and  the  speculative  spending  orgy 
continued  until  in  October,  1920,  a  decided,  sudden  slump  occurred.  The  depleted 
condition  of  the  European  nations,  the  destruction  of  their  credit  and  their  inability 
to  purchase  food  supplies  available  in  America  brought  about  a  very  sudden  tumble 
in  market  prices.  This  fact,  coupled  with  the  achievement  of  this  portion  of  the 
country  in  raising  in  1930  a  crop  absolutely  unparalleled  in  pro|)ortions,  created  a 
rather  decided  stringency  in  the  winter  of  1020.  Corn  that  had  been  selling  less 
than  a  year  before  around  .^l.oO  to  $1.6.-)  and  which  had  been  planted  in  the  spring 
of  1920  at  seed,  labor  and  land  costs  anticipating  its  eventual  sale  at  around  a 
dollar  a  bushel  at  least,  fell  to  around  fifty  cents,  with  the  market  so  stagnant  that 
it  could  hardly  be  sold  at  that.  Wlieat,  raised  in  anticipation  of  two  dollars, 
went  far  below  a  dollar  and  a  half. 

Along  with  this  situation  came  another  drive  to  help  the  starving  people  of 
Europe,  so  as  to  keep  those  nations  in  some  shape  to  rehabilitate  themselves,  and 
eventually  to  repay  at  least  some  of  the  ten  billions  of  dollars  loaned  to  them  during 
the  war  by  the  United  States. 

In  December,  1920,  York  County  again  marshalled  her  faithful  forces  and 
undertook  this  rather  late,  post-war  drive.  The  movement  to  finance  this  giant 
benevolent  and  charitable  enterprise  was  headed  by  Herbert  Hoover  for  the  nation 
and  G.  W.  Wattles  of  Omaha  for  the  state,  and  engaged  the  thoughtful,  heart- 
felt attention  of  the  people  of  the  nation. 

A.  E.  Mead,  county  Eed  Cross  chairman,  was  requested  by  the  state  chairman, 
Mr.  Wattles,  to  put  machinery  in  motion  to  provide  an  agency  to  raise  funds  in 
York  County.  Mr.  Mead  has  taken  the  initiative  and  the  result  is  a  skeleton 
organization  which  will  be  quickly  developed  and  energized.  De  Witt  Lee  is  chair- 
man, A.  W.  Ballenger,  secretary,  Rev.  George  J.  Weber  publicity  director.  Dr.  George 
Shidler  in  charge  of  four-minute  speakers. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


I 

I 


,      THE  NEW  YO,iK"~ 
'PUBLIC  LIB- ARy 


ellAKLEy    A.    Mcl'LOL'l-) 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


CHARLES  A.  McCLOUD- 

Business  enterprise  and  business  integrity  liave  both  found  in  Charles  A. 
McCloud  an  exponent.  His  -record  indicates  that  success  and  an  honored  name 
may  be  won  simultaneously,  for  through  individual  effort  he  has  worked  his  way 
steadily  upward,  following  at  all  times  constructive  methods,  his  path  never  being 
strewn  with  the  wreck  of  other  men's  failures.  He  is  today  prominently  known  as 
a  banker  and  capitalist  of  York.  He  was  born  at  Moravia,  Iowa,  in  1860,  a  son 
of  William  and  Ann  (Sears)  McCloud,  the  former  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  while 
the  latter  was  born  in  Ohio.  The  father  was  a  son  of  James  R.  McCloud,  whose 
birth  occurred  in  Virginia  and  who  removed  to  Iowa  about  1866.  He  devoted  his 
entire  life  to  the  occupation  of  farming  and  passed  away  in  Iowa,  respected  and 
honored  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  son  William  E.  McCloud  became  one  of  the 
pioneer  residents  of  Iowa,  where  he  took  up  his  abode  in  1856.  He,  too,  became  a 
farmer  and  stock  raiser  and  dealer.  In  1877  he  removed  to  York,  Nebraska,  and 
purchased  railroad  land,  remaining  on  the  farm  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1897, 
however,  he  retired  from  active  business  and  established  his  home  in  the  city  of 
York.  His  life  was  ever  an  honorable  and  upright  one.  He  belonged  to  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  was  a  member  of  York  Lodge,  No.  56,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  including 
Solomon  chapter,  No.  33,  and  Joppa  commandery.  No.  17.  In  early  life  he  gave 
his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party  Init  afterward  became  a  stanch  advo- 
cate of  republican  principles,  and  held  a  number  of  town  offices,  the  duties  of  which 
he  discharged  with  prom])tncss  and  fidelity.  While  he  was  in  limited  financial 
circumstances  at  the  time  of  his  removal  to  Nebraska,  he  won  a  substantial  measure 
of  prosperity  as  the  years  pas.sed  on  and  was  thus  able  to  leave  his  family  financially 
comfortaljle.  It  was  in  Iowa  that  he  wedded  Ann  Sears,  a  daughter  of  Presley  W. 
Sears,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  but  removed  to  Iowa  in  1854,  becoming  one  of  the 
early  residents  of  that  state.  The  death  of  Mr.  McCloud  occurred  June  11,  1902, 
while  his  wife  passed  away  December  11,  1912.  They  were  the  ])arents  of  ten 
children  who  are  all  living:  Charles  A.,  of  this  review;  Mary  the  wife  of  Archi- 
bald G.  Evans,  who  has  been  state  agent  for  a  fire  insurance  company  for  forty 
years  and  makes  his  home  at  Lincoln,  Nebraska :  Harriett,  the  wife  of  Daniel 
Hardesty,  who  resides  on  a  small  farm  near  York ;  Mrs.  Rosa  Cook,  living  in 
Denver;  William  E.,  who  is  casliier  of  the  First  State  Savings  Bank  of  York; 
Carrie,  living  in  Lincoln;  Frank,  who  is  assistant  manager  for  Swift  &  Company 
at  Seattle,  Washington;  Jessie,  the  wife  of  John  B.  Winfield,  a  farmer  of  York 
county;  Anna  May,  the  wife  of  W.  E.  Losee,  who  is  engaged  in  the  lumber  business 
in  Salt  Lake  City;  and  J.  R.,  who  is  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  York. 
Mr.  McCloud  of  this  review  l)egan  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Iowa 
and  afterward  attended  the  Iowa  Wesleyan  University  at  Mount  Pleasant,  leaving 
college  in  his  senior  year.  He  came  to  York  in  1877,  and  although  he  was  then  a 
young  man  of  but  seventeen  years,  he  had  already  taught  school  in  Iowa.  After  his 
Vol.  11—16  843 


844  HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY 

parents  moved  to  Nebraska  he  worked  his  way  through  college.  His  first  business 
activity  in  York  county  was  that  of  clerk  in  a  hardware  store,  and  he  was  also 
employed  in  a  lumber-yard  and  in  connection  with  a  grain  and  implement  business 
at  Waco.  In  1881  he  wag  appointed  to  the  othce  of  deputy  county  treasurer  and 
filled  the  position  until  1885  in  a  most  creditable  manner.  He  then  entered  the 
Citizens  State  Bank  in  1886  and  was  connected  with  that  institution  for  a  little 
more  than  a  year,  after  which  he  purchased  right  of  way  for  the  Chicago  &  North- 
western Railroad  Company,  this  task  engaging  his  attention  in  1887  and  1888.  He 
next  established  a  real  estate  agency  at  York  and  continued  in  the  business  until 
1905,  or  for  a  period  of  seventeen  years.  During  that  time  he  also  served  as  county 
commissioner  for  five  years  and  was  traveling  auditor  for  the  state  of  Nebraska  for 
four  years. 

In  1905  Mr.  McCloud  organized  the  Farmers  National  Bank  of  York  and  was 
its  president  until  it  was  consolidated  with  the  First  National  Bank,  of  which  he 
became  president.  He  has  been  active  in  shaping  the  policy  and  directing  the 
interests  of  that  institution  and  has  ever  recognized  the  fact  that  the  bank  is  most 
worthy  of  credit  that  most  carefully  safeguards  the  interests  of  its  depositors.  His 
business  methods  have  ever  been  such  as  would  bear  the  closest  investigation  and 
scrutiny.  While  active  in  the  development  of  interests  that  have  been  of  impor- 
tance to  the  city  and  state  in  its  material  development  as  well  as  a  source  of 
individual  profit,  he  has  also  remained  active  in  public  affairs  and  from  1900  until 
1904  was  mayor  of  York.  Moreover,  he  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  only  man 
to  the  present  time  who  has  ever  been  reelected  to  the  position,  and  both  times  he 
had  no  opposition.  There  is  no  fact  which  could  more  clearly  indicate  his  per- 
sonal popularity  nor  the  confidence  reposed  in  him.  He  is  now  concentrating  his 
efforts  and  attention  upon  his  banking  business.  The  First  National  Bank  has  a 
capital  stock,  surplus  and  undivided  profits  amounting  to  thi-ee  hundred  and 
eighty-five  thousand  dollars  and  the  First  Trust  Company,  a  subsidiary  organiza- 
tion, has  a  capital  and  surplus  of  seventy  thousand  dollars,  while  the  First  State 
Savings  Bank  is  capitalized  for  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.  Mr.  McCloud  is 
president  of  all  three  institutions  and  also  has  interests  in  six  other  banks  in  York 
county,  being  president  of  five  of  the  number,  including  the  First  National  of 
Brawshaw,  the  Bank  of  Thayer,  the  Farmers  &  Traders  Bank  of  Waco,  the  Blue 
Eiver  Bank  at  McCool  Junction  and  the  Bank  of  Lushton.  He  is  a  director  of  the 
City  National  Bank  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  and  is  one  of  the  stockholders  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa.  He  is  also  the  vice  president  of  the 
Mutual  Building  &  Loan  Association  and  has  served  in  this  official  connection  for 
thirty  years.  He  is  likewise  the  president  of  the  Elks  Building  Company  and  of 
the  York  Hotel  Company,  and  thus  with  many  of  the  chief  business  concerns  of 
city  and  county  he  has  been  closely  associated,  so  that  he  justly  deserves  to  be 
numbered  among  the  promoters  and  builders  of  the  state.  He  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  York  Brick  &  Tile  Company  and  assisted  in  the  organization  and 
development  of  every  community  building  that  has  been  erected  in  York.  In 
addition  to  his  other  interests  and  investments  Mr.  McCloud  owns  several  business 
properties  of  York.  His  realty  holdings  are  quite  extensive  in  several  other 
counties  in  Nebraska. 

On  the  28th  of  November,  1883,  Mr.  McCloud  was  married  to  Miss  Flora 
Bownum,  a  granddaughter  of  Presley  Saunders,  wlio  laid  mit  the  town  of  Mount 


HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY  845 

Pleasant,  Iowa.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  C.  and  Eliza  Bowman,  who  followed 
their  daughter  to  York  and  continued  to  make  it  their  home  until  their  death. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  MeCloud  has  been  born  a  daughter,  Elsie,  now  the  wife  of 
William  T.  Conley,  a  banker  of  Columbia,  Missouri. 

Mrs.  McCloud  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and  takes  a  most 
active  interest  in  church  and  charitable  work.  She  assisted  in  organizing  and 
sustaining  the  library  of  York  many  years  before  it  became  a  public  library  and 
has  been  its  only  president.  She  is  also  well  known  in  club  circles  and  is 
constantly  aiding  in  the  promotion  of  all  interests  which  have  to  do  with  civic 
welfare,  with  intellectual  advancement  and  moral  progress. 

Mr.  McCloud  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  in  wliich  he  has  taken 
the  degrees  of  York  and  Scottish  Eites  and  also  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  was  for  five  years  exalted  ruler  of  the 
last  named.  He  was  also  chairman  of  the  building  committee  and  raised  the 
money  to  build  the  Elks  home  in  York.  In  politics  he  has  ever  been  an  active  and 
earnest  republican  and  has  served  as  a  delegate  to  county,  state  and  national  con- 
ventions, being  at  the  present  writing  chairman  of  the  republican  state  central 
committee,  which  in  the  year  1920  placed  Nebraska  in  the  republican  ranks  and 
aided  in  promoting  the  overwhelming  majority  accorded  Warren  G.  Harding  as 
president.  He  is  also  the  president  of  the  park  board  of  York  and  was  largely 
instrumental  in  promoting  the  park  and  sewerage  systems  of  the  city.  He  has 
been  a  director  of  the  Commercial  Club  since  its  organization  and  belongs  to  the 
Country  Club  and  is  one  of  its  directors  and  treasurer  of  the  York  Eotary  Club. 
He  was  president  of  the  Nebraska  Association  of  Elks  for  two  years  and  was  grand 
district  deputy  under  Brother  John  P.  Sullivan  of  New  Orleans.  He  was  also 
chairman  of  the  committee  that  secured  the  establishment  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
home  in  York  and  also  the  Custodial  Home  and  the  Lutheran  Hdspital.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  State  Council  of  Defense  during  the  World  war  and  was  cliairman 
of  the  tenth  district  for  all  the  five  bond  drives,  serving  entirely  without  financial 
recompense.  He  is  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  York  College,  one  of  the 
leading  educational  institutions  of  the  middle  west.  He  has  ever  recognized  the 
duties  and  obligations  as  well  as  the  privileges  and  opportunities  of  citizenship. 
Throughout  his  life  he  has  labored  for  the  public  good  in  many  ways  and  has  ever 
held  to  liigh  standards.  Men  who  know  Charles  A.  McCloud — and  he  has  a  wide 
acquaintance — speak  of  him  in  terms  of  the  highest  regard ;  and  the  things  he  has 
accomplished  and  the  methods  he  has  followed  entitle  him  to  rank  with  Nebraska's 
leading  citizens. 


JOHN    B.   DEY 


There  are  not  many  men  living  in  York  county  whose  careers  have  been 
varied  by  so  many  interesting  experiences  as  have  fallen  to  the  lot  of  John  B. 
Dey,  now  a  resident  of  Bradshaw,  who  in  his  time  has  been  successively  a  Federal 
soldier,  a  farmer,  a  newspaper  editor  and  printer,  and  has  filled  public  office  at 
different  periods.    He  was  born  in  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  October  14,  184.5,  a  son  of 


846  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY" 

Lewis  and  Polly  M.  (Taleiitine)  De\',  the  former  a  farmer  aud  blacksmith  during 
his  active  life.  The  family  moved  to  Washington,  Iowa,  the  father  being  accom- 
panied on  the  trip  liy  three  brothers  and  a  brother-in-law,  aud  the  party  com- 
menced an  effort  to  secure  a  tract  of  land  by  making  periodical  payments  of 
twenty-five  cents  an  acre.  Lewis  Dey  resumed  working  at  his  trade  as  a  black- 
smith and  also  worked  a  farm  and  the  family  continued  to  reside  in  Washington 
until  1859,  when  they  moved  to  Wayne  county,  Iowa,  the  county  being  then  in  a 
wild  state  and  but  sparsely  settled.  A  log  cabin  was  erected  in  which  the  family 
lived  for  some  time  until  they  were  able  to  replace  it  by  a  more  substantial  and 
commodious  house.  Numerous  bands  of  Indians  on  luinting  trips  passed  the 
Dey  holding  in  those  days,  but  they  never  molested  or  interfered  with  the 
settlers.  Game  was  plentiful  for  the  family  larder  and  included  wild  turkey,  deer 
and  wild  prairie  chickens,  the  latter  being  found  iu  huge  flocks. 

John  B.  Dey  received  his  early  education  in  a  subscription  log  schoolhouse,  for 
the  floors  and  seats  of  which  he  si)lit  the  logs.  The  school  was  located  on  a  corner 
of  his  grandmother's  farm  and  the  school  term  was  for  three  months  of  the  winter 
season,  his  time  during  the  fine  weather  being  occupied  in  the  work  of  the  farm. 
There  was  little  to  vary  the  monotony  of  the  daily  existence  at  that  period.  When 
the  Civil  war  was  in  its  second  year  he  decided  to  try  the  life  of  a  soldier  and  in 
December,  1862,  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Eighth  Iowa  Cavalry,  but  was  not 
mustered  into  the  service  until  June,  1863.  He  was  sent  into  Kentucky  and  then 
to  Xashville,  Tennessee,  and  immediately  began  to  see  active  service  iu  the  engage- 
ment at  Red  Clay  Station  and  at  Resaca,  Marietta  and  Kenesaw  Mountain.  He 
was  seriously  wounded  in  the  latter  battle  and  was  sent  to  the  field  hospital, 
where  he  was  detained  from  the  middle  of  July  until  September.  After  he  left 
the  hospital  he  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Franklin,  Tennessee,  and  was  in  the 
battles  of  Franklin  and  Xashville,  later  being  in  Wilson's  raid  through  Alabama, 
Mississippi  aud  Georgia.  He  saw  service  with  General  Sherman  during  one  of 
his  campaigns  and  served  in  the  command  led  by  General  Thomas.  His  lirigade 
was  noted  as  being  one  of  the  few  to  fight  in  the  last  engagement  of  the  war.  He 
was  iu  the  cavalry  nearly  all  of  his  term  of  his  service  in  the  war  and  when 
getting  about  the  country  had  to  ford  aud  swim  rivers  and  take  other  risks 
incident  to  war.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  September,  186.5,  at  Clinton, 
Iowa. 

At  the  close  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Dey  returned  to  Wayne  county,  Iowa, 
and  there  lived  for  a  brief  period,  later  going  to  Lucas  in  the  same  state.  In  1870 
he  moved  to  Taylor  county,  Iowa,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  came  to  Stewart, 
Xebraska,  and  took  a  homestead  of  one  hundred  aud  sixty  acres  of  land  on  which 
he  erected  a  sod  house  containing  two  rooms  and  remained  on  that  place  until 
1878.  In  the  latter  year  he  went  to  Polk  county  and  there  took  up  carpenter 
w^ork  and  continued  to  reside  in  that  county  until  1890.  At  David  City  where  he 
next  sojourned  he  became  associated  with  the  Tribune  newspaper,  of  which  lie  was 
editor  and  when  that  connection  ceased  he  weut  to  Y'ork  and  conducted  a  job 
printing  business,  remaining  in  that  line  until  1896.  Mr.  Dey  then  settled  in 
Bradshaw  and  started  the  Bradshaw  Republican  which  he  conducted  up  to  1911, 
in  which  year  he  sold  the  paper  and  retired  from  active  business  life.  His  busi- 
ness affairs  were  wisely  and  carefully  controlled,  his  investments  most  judiciously 
made  and  his  enterprise  brought  him  a  substantial  measure  of  success. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  847 

lu  1866  Mr.  Dey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Hall  ami  to  that 
union  eight  children  were  born :  Laura  and  Flora,  twins,  the  latter  of  whom  is 
deceased ;  Viola,  deceased ;  Adeline ;  Lillian ;  Alta ;  Iva,  deceased ;  and  Pearl. 
After  nearly  fifty  years  of  married  life  Mrs.  Dey  passed  away  on  June  31,  1916, 
leaving  a  void  in  the  family  circle  and  among  numbers  of  friends  that  will  endiire 
for  many  years.  Mr.  Dey  cast  his  first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  and  ever  since 
has  been  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party.  He  has  filled  the  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace  and  served  as  assistant  postmaster  of  Stromsburg  for  a  time. 
He  was  elected  to  the  state  legislature  on  the  party  ticket  and  while  serving  in 
that  representative  capacity  gave  general  satisfaction,  placing  the  public  welfare 
before  any  other  consideration.  He  is  a  member  of  Post  32,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  at  York,  and  has  been  actively  connected  with  that  patriotic  organiza- 
tion since  it  was  established  in  the  state.  From  time  to  time  in  past  years  he 
acted  as  an  organizer  and  helped  to  form  posts  at  different  points  throughout  the 
state.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  order  at  Bradshaw  and  has  memliership 
in  the  order  since  1884.  Mr.  Dey  is  now  in  his  seventy-si.xth  year  and  in  the 
enjoyment  of  good  health.  His  life  has  been  a  busy  and  useful  one  and  by 
unfaltering  industry  and  determination  he  advanced  steadily  on  the  highroad 
to  success.  Bradshaw  numbers  him  among  her  foremost  citizens  and  accords  him 
a  high  measure  of  respect  and  good  will. 


JUDGE   HARRY    G.    HOPKIXS 

Xo  higher  testimonial  of  faithful  and  aiile  judicial  service  could  lie  given  than 
in  the  fact  that  Harry  G.  Hopkins  has  three  times  been  elected  county  judge. 
Born  in  Lucas  county,  Iowa,  on  the  16th  of  August,  1867,  he  is  a  son  of  George  W. 
and  Laura  (White)  Hopkins,  the  former  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and  the  latter 
of  Indiana.  They  were  married  in  Lucas  county,  Iowa,  to  which  place  Mr.  Hopkins 
removed  in  1853.  He  was  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  devoting  his  life  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits  and  passing  away  in  Iowa  in  188.5.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican 
and  was  sheriff  of  Lucas  county  during  the  Civil  war.  He  took  a  keen  interest  in 
everything  pertaining  to  the  general  welfare  and  at  the  same  time  so  carefully 
managed  his  business  affairs  that  he  won  substantial  success  and  gained  the  proud 
American  title  of  a  self-made  man.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  nine  children, 
of  whom  four  are  yet  living;  Mary,  now  the  widow  of  J.  B.  Enslow  of  Chariton, 
Iowa;  Louina,  the  wife  of  E.  B.  Crownover,  who  is  living  retired  in  Lincoln, 
Nebraska;  Nettie,  tlie  widow  of  F.  H.  Reid,  and  a  resident  of  Perry,  Iowa;  and 
Judge  Hopkins  of  this  review.  The  last  named  was  reared  on  a  farm  with  the 
usual  experiences  of  the  country  bred  boy  who  works  in  the  fields  throughout  the 
summer  seasons  and  attends  the  country  schools  in  the  winter  months,  thus  laying 
the  foundation  for  future  success  in  the  lessons  which  he  learns  in  the  schoolroom. 
For  a  few  years  he  followed  farm  work  in  Iowa  before  removing  to  York  county, 
Nebraska,  in  1887.  Here  he  rented  land  and  in  connection  with  the  cultivation 
of  the  soil  taught  school  until  1896.  He  then  went  to  Benedict  where  he  studied 
law  iu  addition  to  teaching  until  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1899.  He  then  opened  a 
law  office  in  Benedict  and  engaged  in  practice  there  until  coming  to  York  in  1001. 


8-18  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

He  at  once  entered  upon  tlie  active  work  of  the  profession  in  this  city  and  was 
soon  accorded  a  liberal  clientage  by  reason  of  the  ability  which  he  displayed.  In 
1914  he  was  elected  to  the  bench  for  a  two  years'  term  and  has  twice  been  reelected 
since  that  time,  his  judicial  service  reflecting  credit  and  honor  upon  those  who 
have  thus  honored  him. 

On  the  17th  of  January,  1893,  Judge  Hopkins  was  married  to  Miss  Ella  Myers, 
who  was  born  in  Illinois,  January  16,  1870,  a  daughter  of  B.  F.  and  Marietta 
(Crownover)  Myers,  who  are  natives  of  Indiana  and  Pennsylvania  respectively. 
They  came  to  York  county  in  1875  and  here  Mr.  Myers  homesteaded  and  still 
continues  a  resident  of  the  county,  but  his  wife  has  passed  away. 

To  Judge  and  Mrs.  Hopkins  were  born  two  children :  George  B.,  who  is  engaged 
in  the  abstract  and  insurance  business  in  York  and  is  now  with  the  Fisher  Perry 
Insurance  Company.  After  acquiring  a  high  school  education  here  he  studied 
civil  engineering  independently  and  has  made  a  creditable  place  for  himself  in 
the  l)usiness  circles  of  tlie  city :  and  Ruth  M.,  the  daughter,  who  is  still  in  school. 

Judge  Hopkins  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  served 
as  county  assessor  of  York  county  before  being  elected  to  the  bench.  Fraternally 
he  is  connected  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
and  his  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  His  life  is  at  all  times 
actuated  by  high  ideals  and  his  cooperation  has  ever  been  counted  upon  as  a 
factor  in  the  development  of  those  interests  which  make  for  upright  manhood  and 
honorable  citizenship. 


F.    C.    WILLIAMS 


F.  C.  Williams,  the  present  popular  mayor  of  Gresham,  to  which  responsible 
office  he  was  elected  largely  because  of  his  military  service,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
born  in  Bath  county,  that  state,  January  3,  1871,  a  son  of  Joseph  G.  and  Nancy 
(Alley)  Williams,  also  natives  of  Kentucky,  where  their  last  days  were  spent. 
During  his  active  life  the  father  was  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
in  his  native  state  and  in  these  lines  of  work  he  was  very  successful.  To  his 
marriage  with  Nancy  Alley  the  following  children  were  born:  Miller,  who  died 
some  years  ago;  Betty,  also  deceased;  F.  C,  .subject  of  this  sketch;  Henrj',  a 
farmer,  living  in  Kentucky;  Willie,  who  lives  in  Newcastle,  Indiana;  Ollie,  also 
in  Newcastle;  and  Blanche,  living  in  Kentucky.  The  parents  were  earnest  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  church  and  faithful  attendants  on  its  services.  He  gave  his 
political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  was  well  informed  concerning  the 
questions  and  issues  of  his  day.  He  died  in  Kentucky  in  1903,  being  then  in  his 
sixty-second  year.  His  widow  survived  until  1919,  when  she  passed  away,  having 
reached  sixty-nine  years  of  age. 

F.  C.  Williams  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Ohio  and  later  spent  one 
year  in  the  Normal  College  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  from  which  he  emerged  well  equipped 
in  all  educational  essentials.  In  1898,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Spanish-American 
war,  he  enlisted  in  Company  M,  Third  Kentucky  United  States  Volunteers  and 
entered  the  service  at  Lexington,  Kentucky.  He  was  sent  to  Cuba  and  there 
was  in  active  military  service  for  six  months,  or  until  the  termination  of  the  war. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  849 

Following  his  discharge  he  re-enlisted  in  Company  B,  31st  United  States  Volun- 
teers and  was  ordered  to  the  Philippines,  where  at  that  time  a  revolution  was 
raging,  and  he  participated  in  several  skirmishes  but  escaped  without  injury. 
At  the  close  of  hostilities  he  returned  to  San  Francisco  and  was  there  discharged 
in  March,  1900.  Prior  to  his  military  service  he  had  been  helping  with  the  work 
on  his  father's  farm   in  Kentucky. 

It  was  in  1894  that  Mr.  Williams  first  came  to  York  county  and  worked  for  a 
time  on  a  farm  owned  by  an  uncle,  later  returning  to  Kentucky  and  subsequently 
entering  the  military  service.  In  1901  he  returned  to  York  county  and  settled  in 
Gresham  and  assisted  in  the  work  of  the  Moorehouse  elevator  for  four  years,  his 
connection  there  giving  liim  a  keen  insight  into  the  grain  business.  The  next  two 
years  were  spent  on  a  farm,  from  which  he  moved  to  Gresham  and  entered  the 
confectionery  business,  the  results  which  he  obtained  from  this  line  proving  satis- 
factory. A  desire  for  more  military  life  came  to  him  when  the  great  World  war 
was  in  progress  and  after  America  had  become  a  participant  in  it.  Mr.  Williams 
enlisted  at  Omaha  as  a  member  of  Company  A,  2nd  Battalion  United  States 
Guards  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Travis,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  was  in  the  service 
for  eleven  months,  when  he  was  discharged  at  Camp  Funston  and  returned  to 
Gresham,  making  the  latter  his  home  ever  since. 

In  1902  Mr.  Williams  was  united  in  marriage  to  Gertrude  Walford,  a  native 
of  Seward  county,  Nebraska,  and  a  daughter  of  John  Walford,  of  that  county, 
and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  one  child,  Unice,  who  lives  at  home.  The 
family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  endeavor  to  follow  closely  the 
Golden  Rule.  They  are  influenced  by  high  principles  of  conduct  and  their  genuine 
worth  has  commended  them  to  the  friendship  and  regard  of  all  with  whom  they 
have  been  associated.  Evidence  of  this  feeling  was  shown  when  Mr.  Williams 
was  elected  to  fill  the  office  of  mayor  of  Gresham,  the  duties  of  which  office  he 
has  been  worthily  discharging  and  he  has  been  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  make 
Gresham  a  bigger  and  better  place  in  which  to  live.  His  political  support  is  always 
with  the  republican  party,  whose  policies  he  consistently  advocates.  He  holds 
fraternal  affiliation  with  the  Masonic  order  and  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  Tem- 
plars, of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  of  the  Workmen  of  the  World, 
in  all  of  which  he  takes  a  warm  interest,  as  he  does  in  every  movement  designed 
to  promote  the  moral  and  material  welfare  of  the  community  in  which  he  resides. 


JACOB    M.    STOUT 


Jacob  M.  Stout,  who  departed  this  life  after  he  had  passed  his  seventieth  year, 
was  one  of  the  pioneer  farmers  of  York  county,  Nebraska.  He  was  born  in  Butler 
county,  Ohio,  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Freeman)  Stout,  the  latter  a 
native  of  Vermont.  They  resided  in  Pennsylvania,  then  in  Ohio  and  still  later 
in  Indiana  where  they  passed  away.  Jacob  M.  Stout  grew  to  manhood  on  his 
father's  farm  in  Indiana  and  in  1874  came  to  Nebraska  where  he  settled  in 
Arborville  township,  York  county.  He  bought  eighty  acres  of  unimproved  rail- 
road land  at  five  dollars  per  acre  and  by  saving  and  careful  managing  he  added 
one   hundred   and   sixty   acres   to   this   farm.      He   came   by   railroad  to    Seward, 


850  HISTOBY    OF    YOEK    COUXTY 

Nebraska,  and  took  a  stage  coach  to  York,  where  he  secured  another  hired  con- 
veyance to  take  him  to  the  farm. 

His  brother-in-law,  James  H.  Tyson,  who  had  acquired  a  homestead,  lived 
here  and  his  sod  house  sheltered  Mr.  Stout  until  he  built  his  house,  a  structure 
made  of  plank  and  covered  with  thin  boards  like  the  roof  of  a  box-car,  which  was 
his  home  until  later  years  when  he  erected  the  frame  house  still  standing  on  the 
farm.  The  life  of  the  early  settler  was  one  of  numerous  and  trying  hardships 
and  it  required  ambition  and  perseverance  to  win  even  a  mediocre  success.  When 
Mr.  Stout  first  began  farming  in  tliis  new  locality  he  met  with  more  than  ordinary 
hardships  as  this  was  the  time  when  the  grasshopper  pestilence  was  so  trying  to 
farmers.  However,  he  overcame  all  his  difficulties  accepting  each  trial  that  put 
strength,  patience  and  faith  to  the  test,  and  emerged  victorious  with  a  splendid 
home,  a  fine  family,  substantial  wealth  and  the  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him 
as  a  reward  for  his  years  of  toil. 

On  March  8,  1855,  he  was  married  to  Isabelle  Jane  Primrose,  the  daughter 
of  Allen  Primrose,  a  native  of  Scotland,  "and  Mary  (McKain)  Primrose,  a  native 
of  South  Carolina.  They  were  early  settlers  in  Indiana  where  they  both  passed 
away.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stout  had  four  children,  all  of  whom  are  living:  John  A. 
Stout,  the  oldest,  was  a  boy  of  seventeen  when  the  family  came  to  York  county, 
and  with  his  sisters  Anna  and  Mary,  now  owns  the  old  homestead  farm  of  his 
father.  In  addition  to  this  he  is  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres  of  land  in 
Arborville  township  and  a  beautiful  home  which  he  shares  with  his  sister  Anna, 
as  they  are  l)oth  unmarried.  Another  daughter,  Mary,  is  the  wife  of  A.  A.  Peter- 
son who  resides  in  Arborville  township,  and  a  son,  Sanford  Kenton,  is  married 
and  lives  in  Minnesota.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stout  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
church  and  in  politics  Mr.  Stout  was  a  republican.  He  passed  away  on  the  farm 
in  Arborville  township,  York  county,  in  his  seventy-first  year,  leaving  to  mourn 
his  demise  man}'  friends  and  his  devoted  children. 


EICHAED  0.  ALLEX 


Among  the  prominent  men  of  York,  Y'ork  county,  is  Eichard  O.  Allen,  clerk  of 
the  district  court  of  that  couftty.  He  was  born  in  Casey  county,  Kentucky,  Febru- 
ary 2,  1879,  a  son  of  William  S.  and  Mary  (Miller)  Allen,  the  latter  a  native  of 
Kentucky.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Indiana,  having  been  born  in  Daviess 
county,  that  state,  but  in  early  manhood  he  removed  to  Kentucky.  He  was  a  phy- 
sician of  some  note  and  had  secured  his  medical  education  in  the  Indiana  Medical 
College  and  the  Medical  College  at  Lexington,  Kentucky.  He  practiced  in  Knox 
and  Casey  counties,  Kentucky,  and  Cookeville,  Tennessee.  He  began  the  practice 
of  his  profession  in  Daviess  county,  Indiana,  and  later  returned  there  where  his 
death  occurred  in  1889.  His  wife  and  the  mother  of  Eichard  0.  Allen  is  still  living 
and  resides  in  Knox  county,  Kentucky.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children, 
namely:  Eichard  ().,  subject  of  this  sketch ;  William  S.,  who  lives  in  Knox  county, 
Kentucky,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming  and  is  a  minister  of  the  Christian 
church;  James  E.,  who  is  engaged  in  railroading  in  Chicago:  Ciiarbitte.  who  is  the 
wife  of  William  P>ailcy  and  live:;  in  southern  Kentucky,  and  Benjamin,  who  resides 


EICHARD   O.   ALLEN 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  853 

at  Piueville,  Kentucky,  where  he  engages  in  farming.  The  father  was  a  member  of 
the  Christian  church  and  a  member  of  the  Masons  and  Odd  Fellows,  in  which 
fraternal  organizations  he  was  very  active.     In  politics  he  was  a  stanch  republican. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Richard  0.  Allen  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Kno.x  county,  Kentucky,  and  was  graduated  from  the  Pineville  high 
schools  in  1897.  He  then  took  a  business  course  and  at  Williamsburg  made  his 
initial  step  into  the  business  world.  He  worked  as  printer  and  newspaper  man  for 
several  years  and  for  three  years  served  in  the  Spanish-American  war  and  the 
Philippine  insurrection.  Just  prior  to  his  enlistment  he  was  employed  l\y  the 
master  commissioner  of  Clay  county,  Kentucky. 

In  1906  Mr.  Allen  settled  in  York,  being  employed  by  the  different  newspapers 
of  York  and  York  county  until  1916,  when  he  made  the  race  for  clerk  of  the 
district  court.  In  1916  Mr.  Allen  was  elected  to  the  office  of  clerk  of  the  district 
court  and  has  served  the  county  since  1917.  He  was  nominated  for  his  second  term 
without  opposition  from  either  party  and  was  re-elected  in  November,  1920,  with 
the  highest  vote  of  any  man  on  his  party  ticket.  He  has  given  his  entire  time  to 
the  duties  of  his  office,  systematized  the  work,  formulated  a  new  system  of  financial 
accounting,  revised  record  forms  and  written  new  ones,  copied  and  transferred  old 
inde.x  records  that  went  back  to  1890  of  all  cases  i^tpTsince  that  time  and  which  had 
been  in  continuous  use  all  these  many  years;-  hej  a}so  mride  a  summary  of  all  cases 
filed  and  money  collected  for  the  past  thirty  years,  and  has  l)rought  the  office  up  to 
the  highest  standards  of  efficiency. 

During  the  World  war  Mr.  Allen,  was  busf'ffi  "^11  activities,  made  out  bonus, 
compensation  and  clothing  applications  for  York  coiihty's  soldiers  and  sailors  who 
served  in  the  World  war  and  helped  them  in  ever-y -possible  way.  He  has  secured  a 
number  of  pensions  for  soldiers  of  other  wars. 

On  the  1st  of  October,  1904,  Mr.  Allen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Maud  E.  Putman,  a  native  of  Merrick  county,  and  a  daughter  of  George  W.  and 
Rosa  Putman.  They  were  pioneers  of  Nebraska.  The  father  died  in  November, 
1916,  at  York,  a  retired  farmer,  and  the  mother  still  resides  in  York.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Allen  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Richard  T.,  who  is  fifteen  years  of 
age;  Aubrey  K.,  ten  years  of  age,  and  Charlsey  F.,  aged  eight  years. 

Politically  Mr.  Allen  is  a  republican  and  fraternally  an  Odd  Fellow  and  both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church.  He  was  adjutant 
of  the  Spanish-American  War  Veterans  at  York  and  was  active  in  the  state 
encampments.  In  1918  he  was  department  chief  of  staff  and  in  1919  held  the 
position  of  junior  vice  department  commander  of  Nebraska.  In  his  service  to  the 
public  Mr.  Allen  has  well  demonstrated  his  ability  and  efficiency  and  he  is  a  man 
and  citizen  of  whom  York  and  York  county  may  well  be  proud. 


JUDGE  GEORGE  F.  CORCORAN 

George  F.  Corcoran,  judge  of  the  fifth  judicial  district  of  Nebraska  to  which 
office  he  was  called  after  three  years'  service  as  assistant  attorney  general,  is  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  distinguished  members  of  the  York  county  bar.  He  was  born 
in   Rockford,   Winnebago   countj',   Illinois,   January    13,    1863,   a   son   of   Patrick 


854  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

and  Julia  (Moran)  Corcuraii,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Irehuul,  whence  they 
came  to  the  United  States  in  the  fifties,  and  settled  in  Roekford,  Illinois,  in  March, 
1860.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and  veterinary  surgeon  who  devoted  his  entire 
life  to  those  activities.  In  the  fall  of  1878  he  removed  to  York  county,  settling 
on  a  farm,  purchasing  railroad  land,  and  in  connection  with  its  cultivation  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  being  one  of  the  pioneers  in  that  field  of  activity 
in  Nebraska.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  nine  children,  of  whom  five  are  living. 
Judge  Corcoran  is  the  eldest  and  a  sister  Mary  is  the  only  other  member  of  the 
family  now  living  in  York  county,  she  being  employed  as  proofreader  in  the  office 
of  The  News-Times.  The  father  was  a  democrat  in  his  political  views  and  a 
Catholic  in  his  religious  faith.  He  sold  his  farm  some  time  prior  to  his  death, 
spending  his  last  days  in  the  city  of  Ycirk. 

Judge  Corcoran  came  to  this  county  in  February,  l.s?!),  when  a  youth  of 
seventeen  years  and  took  up  his  abode  on  the  old  homestead  on  section  twenty- 
seven,  in  what  is  now  Leroy  township.  He  had  previously  attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  state  and  a  business  college  in  Eockford,  Illinois,  and  one  in 
Omaha,  N"ebraska.  He  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  and  also  engaged  in  teach- 
ing a  district  school.  During  the  busy  season  he  assisted  in  tlie  office  of  the 
county  treasurer.  Soon  afterward  he  became  interested  in  the  York  Democrat  of 
which  he  became  owner  in  188fi,  and  has  since  been  proprietor  of  the  paper. 
His  initial  step  toward  a  professional  career  was  made  as  court  reporter,  a  posi- 
tion whicli  he  occupied  for  twelve  years,  and  during  that  period  entered  upon 
the  study  of  law,  carefully  pursuing  his  reading  until  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1894. 
For  a  short  time  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  liut  has  been  in  state  offices 
altogether  for  about  twenty-nine  years,  first  as  court  reporter  for  thirteen  years 
then  as  assistant  attorney  general  for  three  years  and  since  1!)0?  as  Judge  of  the 
district  court  of  the  fifth  Judicial  district  which  comprises  six  counties.  He  was 
appointed  court  reporter  by  District  Judge  Robert  Wheeler,  in  January,  1892, 
serving  for  a  four  year  term  and  then  in  1896  entered  upon  the  private  ]>ractice 
of  law,  liecoming  in  the  following  year  an  active  worker  in  connection  with  the 
first  presidential  campaign  of  AVilliam  Jennings  Bryan.  In  1897  he  was  appointed 
stenographer  to  Attorney  General  C.  J.  Smyth,  and  afterwards  was  made  assistant 
attorney  general,  a  position  he  resigned  in  1900  to  become  court  reporter  under 
Judge  B.  F.  Good,  remaining  in  that  position  for  eight  years.  He  was  elected 
district  Judge  in  1907  and  has  remained  upon  the  bench  for  thirteen  years,  having 
thus  through  the  steps  of  an  orderly  progression  reached  the  place  which  he  now 
fills.  His  decisions  bear  the  stamp  of  broad  knowledge  of  the  law,  of  clear  insight 
into  situations  and  of  the  utmost  fairness,  his  rulings  being  ever  characterized  by 
impartiality  that  is  acknowledged  by  all.  Nor  have  Jiulge  Corcoran's  activities 
been  confined  only  to  professional  lines.  He  served  as  a  member  of  the  city  council 
of  York  and  was  active  in  the  organization  of  the  volunteer  fire  department,  of 
which  he  served  for  many  years  as  chief.  Tu  fact  thrdughnut  his  years  of  resi- 
dence in  Nebraska  his  cooperation  could  always  lie  counted  upon  for  the  public 
good  along  all  lines  of  material,  political  and  moral  progress. 

In  1886  Judge  Corcoran  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Neville,  who  was  born 
in  Canada  and  passed  away  October  6,  1893,  leaving  two  children:  Rose,  the  wife 
of  Miles  Duffy,  who  is  engaged  in  the  produce  business  at  Hordville,  Nebraska; 
and  Maraaret,  who  is  a  Sister  of  Mercv  at  (luialia.  kmiwn  as  Sister  ^farv   Kevin. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  855 

Judge  Corcoran  was  married  a  second  time  wlien  Miss  Christine  Walla  became 
his  wife.  She  was  born  in  Saunders  county,  Nebraska,  a  daughter  of  Mathias 
Walla,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  that  county  who  is  of  Bohemian  birth  and 
served  in  the  Austrian  army.  Two  children  have  been  born  of  this  marriage: 
Francis  Dorothy  and  Maurice  William. 

Judge  Corcoran  and  his  family  are  communicants  of  the  Catholic  church 
and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  having  been  head  officer  in  the 
order  in  Nebraska  for  several  years.  He  is  now  master  of  the  fourth  degree  in 
the  state.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  of  which 
he  has  lieen  exalted  ruler,  and  is  now  district  dejnity.  He  likewise  has  membership 
with  the  Highlanders  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  is  secretary 
of  the  Old  Settler's  Association  of  the  county,  in  which  he  has  been  deeply 
interested  for  years.  He  also  takes  active  part  in  the  annual  Chautauqua,  assisted 
in  building  the  pavilion  in  which  it  is  held  and  has  been  an  earnest  supporter 
thereof  from  the  beginning.  In  politics  he  is  a  democrat  but  not  an  active  party 
worker  at  the  present  devoting  his  entire  time  to  his  judicial  duties. 


FRANK    A.    PETERSON 


Of  Swedish  descent,  Frank  A.  Peterson,  a  well  known  and  prosperous  farmer 
owning  an  excellent  holding  located  on  section  35,  Bradshaw  township,  York 
county,  has  all  the  attributes  of  thrift  and  industrial  energy  for  which  the  Swedes 
are  noted,  and  these  qualities  he  has  brought  into  operation  in  the  handling  of 
his  farming  affairs.  He  was  born  in  Henry  county,  Iowa,  October  22,  1875,  a 
son  of  Nels  and  Anna  (Christenson)  Peterson,  both  natives  of  Sweden,  and  wlio 
on  coming  to  this  country  first  settled  in  Minnesota  where  tlie  father  worked  at 
railroad  construction.  From  Minnesota  he  removed  to  Iowa  and  in  that  state 
worked  at  farm  labor  and  rented  land  in  Henry  cnunty,  remaining  thus  engaged 
for  some  years.  Nels  Peterson  was  married  in  Iowa  and  in  the  early  '70s  he 
and  his  wife  came  to  York  county  and  here  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  which  was  devoid  of  all  improvements.  He  built  a  small  frame 
house  and  a  small  sod  barn,  both  of  those  serving  until  more  substantial  struc- 
tures were  erected.  About  that  time  the  Burlington  Railroad  was  under  con- 
struction and  in  the  building  of  that  line  he  assisted,  going  west  as  far  as  possible 
without  inconvenience  to  his  family.  Later  he  broke  the  sod  on  his  homestead  and 
commenced  farming  operations,  gradually  bringing  the  farm  to  a  condition  of 
excellent  improvement,  and  as  time  went  on  he  added  to  his  holding  and  at  the 
date  of  his  death  was  the  owner  of  a  valuable  place  containing  two  hundred  and 
eighty  acres.  His  passing  away  in  1916  at  the  age  of  seventy  years  was  regretted 
by  numy  friends.  His  wife  predeceased  him  in  ]!)00.  They  were  members  of 
the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  and  he  gave  his  political  support  to  the  republican 
party.  They  had  three  children:  Frank  A.  of  this  review;  Joe,  a  farmer  of 
York  county ;  and  Emma,  the  wife  of  E.  L.  Gustafson  of  Omaha.  Rightly  re- 
garded as  a  pioneer  farmer  in  the  county  his  work  and  efforts  during  the  thirty- 
eight  years  of  residence  here  were  always  directed  toward  the  well-being  of  the 
community,  in  the  affairs  of  which  he  was  an  important  factor. 


856  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Frank  A.  Peterson,  when  three  years  old  wa?  brought  In'  his  parents  from 
Iowa  to  York  county,  in  the  schools  of  which  he  secured  an  education.  He  rcuiained 
with  his  parents  on  the  farm  and  helped  in  the  agricultural  operations,  proving  a 
valuable  assistant  to  his  father  in  the  work  of  reclaiming  and  cultivating  the 
homestead.  Under  the  sound  tiiitiou  given  him  he  rapidly  became  a  skilled  farmer 
and  stockman  and  is  now  engaged  in  general  farming  and  raising  cattle,  giving 
special  attention  to  marketing  feed  cattle  and  obtaining  good  prices  for  his 
work  in  this  connection.  The  fact  that  he  gives  close  personal  attention  to  his 
farming  operations  indicates  that  he  manages  his  affairs  in  a  systematic  manner 
and  that  he  possesses  marked  business  ability.  Aside  from  his  farming  interests 
he  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Co-operative  Association  at  Bradshaw,  the 
latter  a  thriving  organization  devoted  to  agricultural  expansion. 

In  1898  Mr.  Peterson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ella  C.  Sandall,  further 
reference  to  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work.  To  this  union  three  children 
have  been  born:  Viva,  wife  of  Benson  Clithereou  of  Sterling,  Colorado;  Genevieve, 
at  home ;  and  Frank  Edmande,  also  at  home.  In  politics  he  is  a  stalwart  republican 
and  for  three  years  he  served  as  school  moderator  at  Bradshaw.  He  and  his 
wife  attend  the  services  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  in  the  good  works  of 
■which  they  are  active  participants.  They  enjoy  the  confidence,  goodwill  and  high 
regard  of  numerous  friends  in  the  community  in  which  they  reside. 


ODEN    S.    GILMORE 


Among  the  leading  attorneys  of  Y'ork,  Y'ork  county,  is  Oden  S.  Gilmore  who 
was  born  on  a  farm  in  that  county  on  the  4th  of  May,  1878,  the  son  of  Sebastian 
and  Lura  (Randall)  Gilmore.  The  father  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, March  2,  1847,  and  in  1866  removed  to  York  county  where  he  homesteaded. 
Previous  to  his  going  to  Nebraska  he  had  worked  on  farms  in  Illinois  and  came 
to  Nebraska  when  nineteen  years  old  where  he  met  Miss  Randall  whom  he  later 
married.  The  homestead  which  he  acquired  in  Y'ork  county  he  still  owns  and 
thereon  resides,  his  wife  having  died  on  the  6th  of  March,  1914.  At  the  time 
he  took  up  the  homestead  he  had  only  eighty  acres  but  he  now  owns  four  hundred 
acres  all  being  well  improved  and  consisting  of  some  of  the  best  land  in  the 
county.  The  Blue  river  runs  through  it.  Eight  children  were  born  of  this  union, 
three  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Oden  S.,  the  subject  of  this  review; 
Robert  L.,  a  traveling  salesman  who  resides  in  Omaha;  and  Blanche  who  married 
Charles  Bucy  and  they  make  their  home  with  her  father.  Sebastian  Gilmore 
is  a  faithful  member  of  the  Christian  church  and  a  democrat  in  politics.  When 
he  first  came  to  Y''ork  county  he  had  practically  nothing,  but  by  his  perseverance 
and  determination  he  has  succeeded  in  making  himself  financially  successful.  For 
some  time  he  served  as  township  clerk  and  treasurer  and  ho  built  the  first  shingled 
log  house  west  of  Lincoln  in  the  state.  His  father,  Elias  Gilmore,  erected  the 
first  frame  house  in  Y''ork  county.  The  house  now  belongs  to  Sebastian  Gilmore 
and  is  still  standing.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Oden  S.  Gilmore,  Ira  Randall, 
came  to  Nebraska  from  Wisconsin  about  1873  and  engaged  in  farming.  Both 
grandfathers  died  in  Y^ork  county. 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  857 

Oden  S.  Gilmore  received  liis  education  in  the  country  schools  until  he  reached 
the  eighth  grade  when  he  took  a  two  years'  course  at  Cotner  University,  Bethany, 
and  spent  four  years  in  the  State  University  where  he  was  graduated  in  law  in 
1911.  He  practiced  for  one  and  one-half  years  at  Edgar  and  in  1914  was  elected 
county  attorney  for  York  county,  which  position  he  filled  until  1919.  Previous 
to  his  election  as  county  attorney  he  had  resided  on  his  farm  in  York  county, 
having  sold  out  his  practice  in  Edgar,  and  after  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office 
he  opened  an  office  in  York  and  again  started  into  the  general  practice.  He  has 
a  large  clientele  and  has  been  admitted  to  practice  in  all  courts  in  the  state. 
During  the  World  war  he  was  very  active  and  served  as  one  of  the  Four  Minute 
men.  He  still  owns  the  farm  in  York  county  which  he  has  successfully  conducted 
for  twenty  years. 

On  the  12th  of  September,  1912,  Mr.  Gilmore  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Helen  C.  Conant,  a  native  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  to  them  three  children  have 
been  born:  Wilson  Conant  was  born  August  5,  1913;  Doris  Evelyn  was  born  on 
the  10th  of  November,  1915,  and  the  last  member  of  the  family,  Robert  Rush  was 
born  November  11,  1919. 

Mr.  Gilmore  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  church,  and  fra- 
ternally he  is  a  Mason,  an  Elk,  a  Knight  of  Pythias,  and  a  Woodman.  In 
politics  he  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party  and  has  always  taken  an 
active  part  in  all  political  events.  In  1902  he  ran  for  the  legislature  but  was 
defeated  because  of  tha  fact  that  his  district  was  mostly  republican.  He  is  a 
member  of  Delta  Chi,  a  college  fraternity.  Mr.  Gilmore  has  always  been  among 
the  foremost  in  any  action  for  the  improvement  of  his  community  and  is  a  firm 
believer  in  education.  He  taught  school  for  three  years,  for  two  years,  1901-02, 
being  principal  of  the  McCool  high  school.  In  the  conduct  of  his  law  practice  he 
has  employed  only  the  highest  methods  and  principles  and  the  position  which  he 
now  occupies  in  his  community  is  the  result  of  his  own  industry  and  efficiency. 


WILLIAM  B.  HOUSTON 

It  has  been  said  that  the  field  of  opportunity  finds  its  boundaries  only  in  the 
limitations  of  the  individual,  and  to  the  man  who  believes  that  there  is  a  chance 
for  every  individ-ual  and  who  is  willing  to  take  his  chance  with  others  there  will 
always  come  a  time  when  he  can  take  the  initial  step  that  will  lead  on  to  fortune. 
This  is  exemplified  in  the  life  story  of  three  members  of  the  Houston  family,  but 
is  more  particularly  shown  in  the  case  of  William  B.  Houston,  with  whom  this 
sketch  briefly  deals.  Mr.  Houston  was  born  in  Buckinghamshire,  England,  Octo- 
ber 1,  1869,  a  son  of  J.  D.,  and  Mary  (Ledington)  Houston,  the  former  a  native  of 
Scotland,  born  in  1841  and  still  living  at  an  advanced  age,  and  the  latter  a  native 
of  England,  where  she  was  born  in  1837  and  passed  away  in  1920. 

J.  D.  Houston  married  Mary  Ledington  in  England  and  sometime  later  immi- 
grated to  America,  on  arrival  going  to  Wisconsin,  thence  to  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  in 
1870.  In  the  latter  year  he  moved  to  York  county  and  took  a  homestead  which 
he  immediately  proceeded  to  develop  and  cultivate.  His  father,  Andrew  Houston, 
also   acquired   a   homestead   on   which   he   died   in   1880,   and   he  may   be   rightly 


858  HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUXTY^ 

regarded  as  one  of  the  pioneers  of  farming  in  the  part  of  Y'ork  county  iu  wliich 
he  lived.  After  settling  on  the  homestead  J.  D.  Houston  lived  in  a  sod  house  for 
some  time  and  later  decided  to  build.  He  hauled  the  lumber  from  Seward  and 
built  a  substantial  frame  house  and  from  that  time  his  circumstances  became  more 
comfortable  and  prosperous.  He  is  now  living  retired  with  his  son  William  B. 
Houston  on  the  old  homestead,  enjoying  that  well  earned  rest  to  which  his  energy 
and  industry  fully  entitle  him.  He  and  his  wife  had  seven  children,  six  of  whom 
are  living:  James,  a  farmer,  living  in  Y'ork  county;  William  B.,  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  Andrew,  a  farmer,  in  Washington ;  Kate,  wife  of  Eugene  Beniis ;  Richard,  a 
farmer,  living  at  Wauneta,  Xebraska;  George,  who  died  at  the  age  of  ten  years;  and 
John,  a  merchant  and  farmer,  living  at  Dietrich,  Idaho.  J.  D.  Houston  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Episcopal  church,  in  the  good  works  of  which  he  still 
takes  a  deep  interest.  In  political  affairs  he  has  given  the  weight  of  his  support 
to  the  republican  party.  During  his  active  life  he  achieved  considerable  success, 
having  started  in  with  very  little,  having  found  difficulty  in  securing  enough 
money  to  pay  his  passage  from  England.  He  is  now  in  his  eighty-second  year 
and  considering  his  advanced  age  is  iu  the  possession  of  good  health.  He  has 
hosts  of  friends  and  wellwishers. 

William  B.  Houston  was  brought  by  his  parents  from  England  when  an 
infant.  He  grew  up  in  the  surroundings  of  his  father's  homestead  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  schools  of  York  county  and  here  has  ever  since  been  living.  He  began 
to  earn  his  own  living  by  working  on  the  farm  for  his  father,  his  keynote  has  been 
indefatigable  industry  and  hard  work  and  he  has  missed  no  opportunity  that 
would  enable  him  to  conduct  his  agricultural  operations  along  the  best  scientific 
lines  and  approved  methods.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  a  quarter  section  of  well- 
improved  land  to  which  he  gives  his  personal  attention  and  in  addition  to  culti- 
vation of  crops  he  also  raises  a  good  grade  of  cattle  and  hogs. 

On  October,  1,  1903,  Mr.  Houston  was  united  in  marriage  to  Jennie  Sovereign, 
a  native  of  Y^ork  county  and  a  daughter  of  Milton  Sovereign  who  homesteaded  in 
this  county  in  an  early  day  and  now  lives  in  Montana.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Houston 
are  the  parents  of  five  children :  Helen,  attending  high  school ;  Brighton,  in  the 
public  school;  Margaret,  Milton  and  David  John,  at  home.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  good  works  of  which  they  are 
active  participants,  as  they  are  in  all  movements  calculated  to  advance  the  public 
welfare.  Mr.  Houston  is  aiSliated  with  the  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 
During  his  long  years  of  residence  in  Y'ork  county  he  has  become  widely  and 
favorably  known,  his  many  excellent  qualities  gaining  for  him  many  warm  friends. 


GEORGE  M.  SPURLOCK 

George  M.  Spurlock,  lawyer,  successfully  practicing  at  the  bar  of  York  where 
he  is  accorded  an  extensive  clientage  of  a  most  important  character,  is  a  native  of 
Nebraska,  his  birth  having  occurred  at  Plattsmoutli.  His  parents  were  Burwell 
and  Isabella  S.  (Davis)  Spurlock,  mention  of  whom  is  made  on  other  pages  of 
this  volume. 

George  M.  Spurlock  pursued  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Cass 


IITST0T;Y    of    YORK    county  859 

county  and  afterwards  spent  three  years  as  a  student  in  the  Nebraska  State  Uni- 
versity, and  in  1892  was  graduated  from  the  Law  School  of  DePauw  University, 
Greencastle,  Indiana.  Having  thus  qualified  for  the  profession  he  entered  upon 
the  practice  in  Plattsmouth,  where  he  remained  until  1905,  when  he  removed  to 
Y^ork.  In  the  meantime  he  served  as  county  judge  of  Cass  county  for  two  terms 
and  made  a  most  capable  official  on  the  bench.  He  was  also  twice  elected  to  the  state 
legislature,  the  last  time  in  1903,  and  he  gave  the  most  thoughtful  and  earnest 
consideration  to  all  the  vital  questions  which  came  up  for  settlement,  and  left  the 
impress  of  his  individuality  and  ability  upon  the  statutes  enacted.  He  has  business 
interests  outside  of  his  profession  and  is  a  director  in  the  First  National  Bank 
and  vice  president  of  the  First  Trust  Company. 

In  March,  1898,  Mr.  Spurlock  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Virginia 
Smith,  who  was  born  in  Saline  county.  Missouri,  and  they  have  two  children: 
Woodson,  twenty  years  of  age,  who  was  graduated  from  the  New  Mexico  Military 
Institute  in  1919,  and  is  now  a  student  in  the  Nebraska  State  University;  and 
Burwell,  ten  years   of  age. 

Mr.  Spurlock  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and 
he  is  a  Mason  who  has  taken  degrees  in  both  Y^ork  and  Scottish  Rites.  He  is 
likewise  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Politically  he  is  a  repulilican,  who 
has  taken  a  somewhat  active  part  in  politics,  recognizing  the  duties  and  ol)ligations 
as  well  as  the  privileges  and  opportunities  of  citizenship.  The  cause  of  education 
lias  found  in  him  a  warm  friend  and  for  nine  years  he  served  as  a  mendjer  of  the 
school  l)oard  of  Y'ork,  and  is  now  on  the  board  of  trustees  of  Nebraska  Wesleyan 
University.  He  has  also  Ijeen  active  as  an  officer  in  the  church  and  was  representa- 
tive at  the  general  conference  for  four  quadrennial  periods.  He  is  serving  on  the 
library  board  and  is  treasurer  of  Jlothers"  Jewels'  Home.  He  is  interested  in  all 
those  agencies  which  make  for  the  amelioration-  of  the  hard  conditions  of  the 
unfortunate,  and  is  a  man  of  kindly  sympathies  and  high  ideals.  Mrs.  Spurlock  is 
a  granddaughter  of  Joseph  Huston,  late  of  Marshall,  Missouri. 


PIEECE  HAPtDIN 


Among  Y^ork  county's  highly  respected  citizens  is  numbered  Pierce  Hardin,  a 
retired  farmer,  who  is  now  living  in  Benedict.  Moreover,  he  has  lived  in  this 
district  forty-three  years  and  during  that  period  has  become  familiar  with  every 
phase  of  its  growth  and  development,  in  which  he  largely  participated  since  his 
arrival  in  1878.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  September  29,  1850,  a  son  of 
Solomon  and  Susan  (Uhl)  Hardin,  also  natives  of  the  Keystone  state,  where 
Solomon  Hardin  was  a  farmer  and  from  whence  he  moved  to  Illinois  in  185-1.  On 
settling  in  Illinois  he  continued  his  farming  operations,  presently  purchasing  a 
tract  of  prime  land  on  which  he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  his 
efforts  being  rewarded  by  a  commendable  measure  of  success.  Death  claimed  him 
at  the  comparatively  early  age  of  forty-four  years,  while  his  widow  passed  the 
alloted  span  of  three-score  and  ten.  Four  of  their  children  are  still  living:  Pierce, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  W.  W.,  a  farmer,  of  Dixon,  Illinois;  J.  T.,  a  banker, 
of  Beatrice,  Nebraska,  and  A.  E.,  in  the  wholesale  fruit  and  produce  business  in 

Vol.  11—17 


860  HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY 

the  state  of  Washington.  Solomon  Hardin  and  his  wife  were  earnest  and  active 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  to  the  upkeep  of  which  they  were  liberal  con- 
tributors. He  voted  an  independent  ticket,  believing  that  discrimination  thus 
exercised  was  for  the  best  interests  of  the  community. 

Pierce  Hardin  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  schools  of  his  home  district  in 
Illinois  and  helped  his  father  for  some  years  on  the  farm.  In  1878  he  came  to 
York  county  and  after  looking  about  for  a  while  purchased  a  tract  of  railroad 
land  and  presently  set  to  work  to  improve  and  develop  it,  finally  bringing  the 
place  to  a  state  of  excellent  cultivation.  On  that  farm  he  lived  for  thirty-two 
years  and  his  labors  wroiight  a  marked  change  in  its  appearance,  for  he  broke  the 
sod,  tilled  the  fields,  and  in  course  of  time  gathered  good  harvests,  at  the  same 
time  raising  a  good  grade  of  cattle.  Feeling  the  need  for  a  rest,  and  having 
acquired  a  competence,  he  retired  from  active  work  in  1910  and  moved  to 
Benedict,  where  he  is  spending  the  evening  of  his  life  secure  in  the  friendship  and 
esteem  of  many  friends  and  neighbors  who  appreciate  his  wortli  ami  services  in 
making  this  part  of  Nebraska  a  better  place  in  which  to  live. 

In  1875  Mr.  Hardin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Christina  Troutman,  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania.  They  became  tlie  parents  of  six  children :  Avis  M.,  wife  of 
Ed  James,  a  farmer,  of  York  county ;  Eussell  S.,  a  farmer ;  Irving  S.,  living  on  the 
home  farm;  Gertrude,  wife  of  Walter  O'Brien,  a  farmer;  Chester,  who  conducts  an 
undertaking  establishment  in  Omaha ;  and  Edwin,  who  is  attending  the  Midland 
College  at  Fremont,  Nebraska.  Mr.  Hardin  votes  an  independent  ticket  in  polit- 
ical affairs.  For  years  he  was  identified  with  the  development  of  the  school  dis- 
tricts of  the  county  and  served  as  school  director  for  district  85,  his  efforts  in  that 
connection  Ijeing  rewarded  by  practical  results,  and  he  has  been  at  all  times  most 
loyal  to  any  public  trust  reposed  in  him.  He  and  his  wife  have  guided  their  lives 
on  Christian  principles,  being  always  careful  to  conform  their  actions  to  high 
standards.  In  a  word  they  have  endeavored  to  follow  the  Golden  Rule,  doing  unto 
others  as  they  would  have  others  do  unto  them. 


COMMODORE  N.  BEAVER 

Among  the  prominent  citizens  of  York  is  Commodore  N.  Beaver,  a  retired 
farmer  and  president  of  the  City  National  Bank.  He  was  born  near  Lincoln, 
Illinois,  on  the  11th  of  Septemlier,  1862,  a  son  of  Michael  H.  and  Sarah  (Pence) 
Beaver,  the  former  born  in  Ohio,  while  the  latter  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  When 
Michael  Beaver  was  a  young  man  he  removed  to  Illi-nois  and  engaged  in  farming 
all  his  life,  never  moving  out  of  the  state.  In  1884  he  bought  some  land  in  York 
county,  unimproved,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  owned  sixteen  hundred  acres.  He 
built  a  house  and  cultivated  this  land.  In  politics  he  was  a  stanch  member  of  the 
democratic  party  and  held  several  different  township  offices.  He  was  also  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Baptist  church.  In  the  development  and  improvement  of  his 
community  he  always  took  an  active  part  and  his  death  in  1895  came  as  a  blow 
to  his  many  friends.  Michael  H.  Beaver,  the  grandfather  of  Commodore  N.  Beaver, 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  later  removed  to  Ohio,  became  engaged  in 
farming  and  died  in  that  state,  a   well-to-do  and  highly  respected  man. 


COMMODORE  N.  BEAVER 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIB-ARY 


ASTOR, LENOX  AND 

TILDBN  l-'OUMUATlUNa 

K  h 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  863 

Commodore  N.  Beaver  is  one  of  three  children  who  are  still  living-  out  of  a 
family  of  seven.  His  brother  Wilson  is  a  retired  farmer  residing  in  Lincoln, 
Illinois,  and  he  has  another  brother,  Elmer,  a  retired  farmer  living  in  York, 
Xebraska.  In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Commodore  X.  Beaver  attended  the 
country  schools  of  Illinois  and  in  due  time  entered  the  Lincoln  University.  After 
putting  his  text-books  aside  he  began  farming  and  in  1887  came  to  York  county 
to  take  charge  of  his  father's  farm.  He  soon  purchased  some  land  on  his  own 
account,  steadily  enlarging  it,  and  engaged  in  the  stock  feeding  business.  In  1904 
he  removed  to  York  but  continued  to  conduct  his  farm  until  1919,  when  he  became 
president  of  the  City  Xational  Bank.  His  time  is  now  devoted  solely  to  his 
banking  affairs  and  he  rents  the  eight  hundred  acres  of  land  which  he  owns  and 
which  is  well  improved.  In  addition  to  his  duties  as  president  of  the  bank  he  is  a 
director  of  the  Lincoln  Telephone  and  Telegraph  Company. 

On  the  9th  of  March,  1887,  Mr.  Beaver  was  united  in  nuirriage  to  Miss  Fannie 
Sparks,  who  was  born  near  Lincoln,  Illinois,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Sparks 
who  is  a  retired  farmer  residing  at  that  place.  Four  children  have  been  born  of 
this  union:  Sarah  W.,  who  is  the.-^^ifevQfvEu^ene  A.  Bishop,  a  teacher  in  the 
schools  of  Logansport,  Indiana :.  Samuel,  •.!.,; e-.iai'mer  who  resides  with  his  parents 
in  York:  and  Michael  H.,  third  in  ofdcT'df 'liirth,  died  January  2,  1916,  aged 
twenty-six  year.     The  oldest  child  died  in  infancy. 

The  religious  faith  of  the  family' is  that fdf  tjie  Presbyterian  church  and  in  his 
political  belief  Mr.  Beaver  is  a  democrat.  IJe'lfas  always  taken  an  active  interest 
in  politics  and  served  as  amembCT-^f-thfe-ei-ty  jpouncil  for  two  terms.  Fraternally 
he  is  identified  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  the  Woodmen  and  the  Maccabees.  The  interest  which  he  takes  in  his 
community  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Commercial  and  Eotary  Clubs, 
serving  the  former  as  president,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Country  Club.  In 
every  enterprise  undertaken  Mr.  Beaver  has  proved  adequate  to  all  demands  nuide 
upon  him  and  by  reason  of  the  mature  judgment  which  characterizes  his  efforts  at 
all  times  he  stands  today  as  a  splendid  representative  of  a  prominent  banker  and 
retired  farmer  to  whom  business  is  but  one  phase  of  life  and  does  not  exclude  his 
active  participation  in  and  support  of  the  other  vital  interests  which  go  to  make 
up  human  existence. 


MELVIX  G.  KOOXS 


Melvin  G.  Koons,  a  grain  buyer  of  extensive  experience  and  one  of  Thaj'er's 
foremost  business  men  and  representative  citizens,  was  born  in  Fulton  county, 
Illinois,  April  6,  1862,  a  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Kost)  Koons,  the  former 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  The  father  lost  his  life  in  the 
service  of  his  country,  having  been  through  the  Civil  war,  serving  as  a  member  of 
the  Eighty-fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  While  actively  engaged  with  that 
regiment  he  became  a  victim  to  fever  and  passed  away  at  the  early  age  of  twenty- 
three  years,  to  the  sorrow  and  regret  of  his  family,  friends  and  comrades  in  arms. 

Deprived  of  his  father  Melvin  G.  Koons  was  reared  by  his  mother  and  educated 
in  the  country  schools  of  Ipava,  Illinois.     In  making  an  early  choice  of  an  occupa- 


864  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

tiou  he  decided  to  start  farming  and  rented  land  for  a  time  in  his  native  state, 
thus  laying  the  foundation  of  his  future  success  and  opening  the  way  for  larger 
undertakings  in  which  he  presently  embarked.  It  was  in  1880,  when  he  was  in  his 
.eighteenth  year,  that  Mr.  Koons  came  to  York  county  and  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  excellent  land  in  Thayer,  which  he  operated  on  general  agricultural  lines 
for  the  next  five  years.  Convinced  that  a  still  larger  field  offered  him  opportunity 
he  entered  the  grain  business  and  worked  for  G.  W.  Wirt  with  whom  he  remained 
eighteen  months,  in  that  period  acquiring  a  sound  knowledge  of  the  grain  business, 
especially  of  the  buying  and  selling  end.  He  next  accepted  a  position  with  the 
Van  Wickle  Grain  &  Lumber  Company,  with  whom  he  remained  from  1894  until 
1915,  during  five  years  of  that  time  being  a  superintendent  of  terminal  at  Council 
Bluffs,  Iowa. 

In  1916  Mr.  Koons  returned  to  Thayer  and  took  over  the  responsibilities  of 
management  for  the  Farmers  Grain  Association,  and  he  is  still  with  that  company 
buying  all  the  grain,  and  also  sells  coal  and  flour  which  the  company  handles.  In 
1919  a  new  elevator  was  erected  under  his  superintendency  with  a  capacity  of 
thirty  thousand  bushels  and  modern  in  every  respect.  The  company  enjoys  a  large 
volume  of  business,  its  success  being  due  mainly  to  Mr.  Koons'  initiative  and 
to  the  thorough  confidence  which  the  public  reposes  in  him.  In  association  with 
his  son,  Homer  J.  Koons,  he  built  an  elevator  in  Houston,  Nebraska,  in  1919,  with 
a  capacity  of  fifteen  thousand  bushels,  and  in  this  business  he  and  his  son  are 
equal  partners.  He  is  generally  regarded  as  an  expert  in  judging  wheat  and  keeps 
in  the  closest  touch  with  the  grain  markets  and  has  been  very  successful  in  his 
business  affairs. 

In  1881  Mr.  Koons  was  united  in  marriage  to  Frances  Miller,  a  native  of 
Illinois,  the  marriage  being  celebrated  in  that  state.  To  their  union  four  children 
were  born :  Iva,  widow  of  Clyde  J.  Chambers,  of  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa ;  Nellie, 
wife  of  A.  C.  Stream,  a  York  county  farmer;  Homer  J.,  manager  of  the  elevator 
at  Houston,  and  William,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twelve,  having  met  with  an 
accident  in  the  elevator.  Mr.  Koons  holds  fraternal  affiliation  with  the  Ancient 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons  and  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  his 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  Eastern  Star,  in  botli  of  which  popular  organizations  they 
evince  a  keen  interest.  He  casts  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  republican  party 
whose  principles  accord  with  his  political  beliefs.  He  has  never  been  a  seeker  after 
public  office,  preferring  to  devote  all  his  time  to  the  large  business  responsibilities 
which  he  has  assumed  and  which  are  growing  continuously.  He  has  met  these 
responsibilities  with  a  fidelity  which  has  placed  him  in  the  front  rank  among  the 
best  business  men  of  York  countv  and  the  surrounding  district. 


CHARLES  M.  SANDALL 

Among  the  honored  early  settlers  of  York  county  was  the  the  late  Charles  M. 
Sandall,  who  settled  here  in  1871  and  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life  was 
actively  identified  with  the  interests  of  this  section  of  Nebraska.  He  was  born  in 
Sweden,  December  2.3,  184.5,  and  died  November  26,  1917,  his  passing  being  the 
occasion  of  widespread  regret,  not  alone  on  account  of  his  long  years  of  residence 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  865 

in  the  county  but  for  the  excellent  character  which  he  bore  and  for  his  honesty  of 
purpose  in  all  his  relations  with  his  neighbors  and  the  pul)lic  at  large. 

Mr.  Sandall  accompanied  his  parents  from  Sweden  to  the  United  States  in 
1858,  and  the  family  on  arrival  went  to  New  Sweden,  Iowa,  where  his  father  farmed 
for  some  time  and  later  removed  to  Swedenburg  in  the  same  state.  Before  leaving 
Sweden  he  had  acquired  the  rudiments  of  such  education  as  the  schools  of  his 
native  place  afforded  and  during  the  years  of  his  young  manhood  he  assisted  his 
father  in  the  operations  of  the  farm,  thus  laying  the  foundation  of  the  agricultural 
skill  which  in  later  years  proved  invaluable  when  he  secured  a  farm  of  his  own.  In 
1871  he  decided  to  move  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  York  county,  where  he  took 
over  a  homestead,  in  addition  to  which  he  also  acted  as  a  collector  for  a  pump 
manufacturing  company.  When  Mr.  Sandall  came  to  York  county  he  had  reached 
his  twenty-sixth  year,  and  being  then  in  the  prime  of  his  young  manhood  he  pro- 
ceeded vigorously  with  the  development  of  the  homestead,  which  he  later  placed 
under  excellent  cultivation.  Up  to  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising,  raising  a  fine  strain  of  pure  blooded  shorthorn  cattle,  for 
which  he  found  a  ready  market  at  paying  prices.  His  first  home  was  a  sod  house 
with  dirt  floor,  which  in  time  gave  way  to  a  well  built  and  comfortable  abode, 
where  he  and  his  family  were  pleasantly  situated. 

In  1872  Mr.  Sandall  was  united  in  marriage  to  Fredricka  Anderson,  also  a 
native  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  in  1868  and  lived  for  a  time  in  Cam- 
bridge, Illinois,  going  later  to  Iowa.  They  became  the  parents  of  nine  children  as 
follows:  Clara,  who  married  F.  J.  Johnson,  professor  of  music  at  Muskegon, 
Michigan ;  Silas,  a  farmer  living  in  York  county ;  Rebecca,  at  home ;  Oscar,  engaged 
at  banking  in  Snyder,  Colorado;  Esther,  who  married  Rev.  D.  N.  Anderson,  now 
serving  as  a  pastor  at  Butte,  Montana ;  Ottillia,  deceased,  who  married  C.  M. 
Kull,  of  Spencer,  Nebraska;  Ernest,  a  farmer  living  in  York  county;  Fred,  also  a 
farmer  of  York  county,  and  Rudolph,  at  home. 

Mr.  Sandall  was  an  earnest  and  consistent  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran 
church,  as  are  also  the  members  of  his  family,  and  in  the  work  of  the  church  they 
take  a  most  active  and  helpful  part.  He  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  repub- 
lican party  and  served  as  a  director  on  the  local  school  board  for  many  years  and 
also  as  road  overseer.  His  interest  in  education  was  of  a  deep  and  practical  char- 
acter, believing  that  in  the  school  were  laid  the  foundations  for  future  usefulness. 
Mr.  Sandall  was  a  man  whom  to  know  was  to  esteem  and  honor,  for  his  life  was 
ever  upright  and  he  was  a  worthy  representative  of  high  standards  of  manhood  and 
citizenship. 


AUGUST  SACKSCHEWSKY 

August  Sackschewsky,  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  prominent  farmers  of 
York  county,  owns  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Thayer  township  and  enjoys 
an  enviable  reputation  as  a  successful  and  representative  agriculturist.  His  pros- 
perity is  entirely  attributable  to  his  own  efforts,  for  he  came  to  this  country 
almost   empty-handed   about  five   decades  ago.     His  birth   occurred  in   Germany, 


866  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

March  7,  1847,  a  sou  of  Cierman  parents  who  wore  farming  peojile  and  he  was 
reared  on  a  farm  where  he  followed  agricultural  pursuite. 

In  1872  Mr.  Saekschewsky  immigrated  to  the  United  States  and  following  his 
arrival  at  the  port  of  Xew  York  went  straight  through  to  Wisconsin  and  worked 
for  one  year  at  railroad  construction  in  that  state.  In  December,  1873,  he  removed 
to  York  county,  Nebraska,  and  in  January  of  the  following  year  came  to  York 
county  and  took  u]i  an  eighty-acre  homestead  on  section  34,  Thayer  township.  His 
first  abode  was  a  dugout  in  which  he  lived  for  five  years  and  then  erected  a  two- 
room  frame  house,  which  made  the  domestic  life  more  comfortable.  His  initial 
efforts  at  the  raising  of  crops  met  with  a  serious  setback  owing  to  the  grasshopper 
visitation  and  during  that  period  everything  growing  on  the  land  was  destroyed. 
When  the  grasshoppers  had  come  to  be  but  a  memory  Ids  art'airs  took  a  successful 
turn  and  his  agricultural  labors  proved  jirofitable.  He  made  some  fine  improve- 
ments on  his  place  including  the  planting  of  trees,  and  as  he  prospered  he  added 
more  land  to  the  original  homestead,  at  the  time  of  his  retirement  to  Thayer  in  192IJ 
being  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  which  he  has  four  sets  of 
buildings,  the  whole  forming  one  of  the  choicest  pieces  of  property  in  his  part  of 
the  county.  He  is  a  progressive  business  juan,  wideawake,  alert  and  energetic,  and 
carries  forward  to  successful  completion  whatever  he  undertakes. 

On  April  17,  1876,  Mr.  Saekschewsky  was  united  in  marriage  to  Albertina  Reich, 
who  accompanied  her  parents  from  Germany  about  1870,  her  father  some  short 
lime  afterwards  taking  a  homestead  in  York  county.  She  recalls  that  antelopes 
were  numerous  at  that  date,  and  between  her  home  and  York — a  distance  of  fifteen 
miles — there  was  but  one  other  family.  To  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Saekschewsky  the  following  children  have  been  born:  Lndwig  C;  Otto  11.;  Albert, 
deceased;  Henrietta;  ilinnie:  August;  Arthur;  Leo;  Matilda;  Ennna,  deceased; 
William  A.;  Herbert  and  Elsie.  The  family  are  regular  attendants  on  the  services 
of  the  i>iitlieran  church,  in  the  faith  of  which  the  parents  were  reared.  He  gives 
his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  but  has  never  manifested  a  desire 
for  public  office.  He  has  always  found  time  to  cooperate  in  plans  and  measures  for 
the  public  good  and  has  proved  himself  a  most  loyal  and  devoted  citizen  from  the 
date  of  his  first  landing  on  American  soil. 


WALTER  W.  SENG 


Walter  W.  Seng,  one  of  the  prosperous  men  of  York  county  who  is  prominent  in 
financial  circles,  having  been  president  of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  bank  since 
l!in.  was  born  in  Carroll  county,  Illinois,  December  27,  1861,  the  son  of  Casper 
and  Catherine  (  Fuehs)  Seng  wim  came  iVcmi  Germany  with  a  party  of  twelve  other 
families  in  1857.  For  four  years  his  parents  worked  on  a  farm  near  Milledgeville, 
Carroll  county,  Illinois,  receiving  eighteen  dollars  a  month  for  their  combined 
services.  Later  they  rented,  then  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  where  they  made 
their  home  until  1884  when  Casper  Seng  passed  away  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven 
years,  and  his  wife's  demise  occurred  August  26,  1920,  at  the  age  of  ninety  years. 
He  became  successful  and  owned  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  at  his  death,  whicli 
was  held  by  the  mother  until  her  death.     They  were  the  parents  of  five  children: 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  867 

Walter,  of  York  eouuty;  George,  of  Milledgeville,  Illinois;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Jacob 
Johann  of  Shannon,  Illinois;  Agues,  the  widow  of  Lewis  Beck,  of  Polo,  Illinois; 
and  Henry,  who  resides  in  York  county. 

The  boyhood  of  Walter  W.  Seng  was  si)ent  on  a  farm  in  Carroll  county,  Illinois, 
and  he  received  his  education  in  the  schools  there,  being  graduated  from  the  Lanark 
high  school  in  1883.  He  came  to  York  county  in  1887  and  became  interested  in 
farming  and  pure  bred  draft  horses,  in  which  business  he  engaged  for  several  years. 
Later  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  insurance  business,  handling  farm  loans  and 
collections,  and  in  1904  when  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank  was  organized  he 
became  its  cashier,  and  since  1911  has  been  the  president  of  that  institution. 
Mr.  Seng  is  connected  financially  with  other  projects,  owning  much  property 
including  farm  lands. 

He  was  nuirried  in  Carroll  county,  Illinois,  to  Catherine  Kniess,  a  native  of 
that  county,  and  to  them  have  been  born  four  children :  Henry  C,  a  resident  of 
York;  Myrtle  Naomi,  the  wife  of  R.  L.  KalifE,  of  York  county;  William  L.,  cashier 
of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank  of  McCool,  who  married  Nina  L.  Howell,  and 
is  the  father  of  one  son,  Walter  M. ;  and  Yerna  V.,  the  wife  of  R.  E.  Hendrick. 

Mr.  Seng  holds  membership  in  the  English  Lutheran  church  and  is  connected 
with  the  Masons,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  the  Order  of  the  Eastern 
Star.  In  politics  Mr.  Seng  maintains  an  independent  course  and  has  never  been  an 
office  seeker,  preferring  to  discharge  his  public  duties  in  other  connections.  Mr.  Seng 
has  risen  by  his  own  efforts  and  that  his  career  has  ever  been  upright  and  honorable 
is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  he  enjoys  the  high  regard  and  esteem  of  the  people  in 
the  community  where  he  has  resided  for  many  years. 


JUDGE  DAVID  TEUAX  MOOEE 

Judge  David  Truax  Moore  was  a  man  who  left  the  impress  of  his  individuality 
and  ability  upon  the  history  of  Nebraska.  He  was  recognized  as  a  distinguished 
lawyer  and  an  eminent  representative  of  the  judiciary  of  the  state,  nor  was  the 
worth  of  his  work  confined  to  his  profession.  He  sought  to  advance  all  those 
forces  which  contribute  to  the  intellectual,  cultural  and  moral  progress  of  the 
race.  He  became  identified  with  the  state  during  its  pioneer  era  and  was  closely 
associated  with  its  formative  policy  along  many  lines  and  through  many  years. 

Mr.  Moore  came  of  Scotch  ancestry,  the  family,  however,  being  founded  in 
America  by  his  grandfather  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war.  in  which  he  liore  his 
part  as  one  of  the  heroes  who  valiantly  fought  for  American  independence.  His 
father,  John  Moore,  was  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1812.  The  latter  married  Sarah 
Snowden  and  the  eighth  of  their  children  was  Judge  Moore,  who  was  born  in 
Waynesburg,  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  September  2.3,  1831.  He  was  only  five  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  removed  with  their  family  to  Putnam  county,  Ohio,  and 
there  the  father's  death  occurred  in  less  than  a  year  later,  subsequent  to  which 
time  the  widow  with  her  eleven  children  returned  to  Wayne  county.  Left  in  some- 
what straitened  financial  circumstances,  the  children  were  of  necessity  separated, 
David  T.  Moore  and  one  sister  finding  a  home  with  a  cousin,  .John  Miller,  of 
Holmes  county,  Ohio.     His  youth  was  largely  a  period  of  struggle  and  hardship,  of 


868  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

loneliness  and  sorrow.  He  worked  on  a  farm  and  during  two  or  three  months  each 
year  attended  school  until  he  had  reached  the  age  of  sixteen,  when  he  Ijegau 
teaching,  securing  the  three  months'  school  in  his  home  district.  iVlways  ambitious 
to  secure  an  education  he  then  entered  the  Vermillion  Institute  at  Hayesville,  Ash- 
land county,  Ohio,  and  alternated  his  study  and  liis  teaching  there  for  a  period  of 
several  years.  He  afterward  went  to  Athens,  Harrison  county,  and  matriculated  in 
a  college  conducted  liy  the  Associate  Presbyterians.  He  had  to  meet  all  of  the 
expense  of  his  college  course  and  by  the  most  earnest  labor,  close  economy  and 
unfaltering  resolution  managed  to  reach  the  point  of  graduation.  He  then 
resumed  teaching  in  St.  Clairsville,  Ohio,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  the 
efficient   superintendent  of  schools   there. 

While  thus  engaged  Judge  Moore  entered  upon  the  study  of  law,  i)ut  ill  health 
forced  him  to  take  a  trip  and  he  traveled  through  the  south  in  1856  and  1857, 
visiting  Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  Alabama.  For  a  time  he  taught  school  at 
Franklin  Springs,  Alabama,  and  in  185?  returned  to  the  north,  securing  a  position 
as  teacher  of  a  school  at  Taylorville,  Illinois.  His  leisure  was  devoted  to  the 
study  of  law  and  he  secured  admission  to  the  bar  upon  examination  before  Judge 
David  Davis  in  1859.  Again  his  health  became  impaired  and  he  made  a  trip 
through  the  west  as  far  as  Colorado.  In  1860  he  again  became  a  resident  of  Tay- 
lorville, where  he  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Al)raham  Lincoln,  having 
previously  been  an  alternate  delegate  to  the  convention  in  1856  which  nominated 
John  C.  Fremont  for  the  presidency. 

While  in  Taylorville,  Judge  Moore  had  been  a  law  student  in  the  office  of 
Mr.  Shumway,  whose  daughter  had  previously  been  one  of  the  Judge's  pupils.  The 
acquaintance  thus  formed  ripened  into  friendship  and  love  and  on  the  li)th  of 
January,  1864,  the  marriage  of  David  Truax  Moore  and  Sarah  X.  Shumway  was 
celebrated,  this  being  the  birthday  anniversary  of  the  bride.  They  traveled  life's 
journey  most  happily  together  for  many  years,  the  husband  passing  away  on  the 
day  preceding  the  thirty-eighth  anniversary  of  their  wedding. 

For  about  four  years  after  their  marriage  Judge  Moore  and  his  wife  resided  in 
Washington,  Iowa,  where  he  was  engaged  in  business,  and  in  'the  spring  of  1869, 
with  their  young  son,  they  traveled  by  team  and  wagon  to  York  county,  Xebraska, 
where  in  the  month  of  June  Judge  Moore  homesteaded  and  preempted  a  claim  on 
Lincoln  creek,  three  miles  north  of  York.  The  family  bravely  met  all  of  the 
hardships  and  privations  incident  to  pioneer  life.  They  recognized  the  opportu- 
nity before  them  to  establish  a  home  and  aid  in  founding  a  community  here,  into 
which  they  might  bear  their  part  in  infusing  those  principles  which  make  for 
progressive  and  honorable  citizenship  and  for  upright  manhood  and  womanhood. 
Their  nearest  postoffice  was  at  Seward,  the  nearest  mill  at  Milford  and  their  home 
lacked  many  of  the  advantages  and  conveniences  to  which  they  had  l)i^H?n  accustomed, 
but  courage  and  faith  in  the  future  led  them  courageously  to  meet  these  conditions. 
After  seven  years'  residence  on  the  farm  they  took  up  their  abode  in  York,  Judge 
Moore  being  the  first  attorney  to  settle  in  York  county.  He  assisted  in  organizing 
the  county  at  a  time  w^hen  its  population  numbered  only  six  hundred  and  forty, 
but  it  had  doubled  in  size  since  the  previous  year  and  the  future  outlook  was  bright.  ' 
At  the  time  of  his  arrival  there  was  but  one  frame  house  in  the  county  and  but  one 
schoolhouse,  which  was  of  sod.  The  year  following  the  organization  of  the  county 
only  eighty-six  votes  were  cast.     Judge  Moore  became  the  first  probate  judge,  at 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  869 

which  period  there  was  no  courthouse  and  the  officers  carried  the  records  in  their 
hats  or  wherever  most  convenient.  In  the  spring  of  1871  he  was  made  a  delegate 
to  the  constitutional  convention  which  met  in  Lincoln  and  in  1872,  at  the  republican 
state  convention,  he  received  a  complimentary  vote  for  the  nomination  for  governor. 
Throughout  the  years  of  his  residence  in  this  state  Judge  Moore  exerted  a  widely 
felt  influence  over  public  thought  and  action,  yet  could  never  be  said  to  be  a  politi- 
cal leader  in  the  commonly  accejsted  sense  of  the  term.  His  influence  was  moral 
rather  than  political  and  it  was  ever  known  that  his  aid  could  be  counted  on  the 
side  of  progress,  improvement  and  right.  He  continued  in  law  practice  successfully 
for  many  years  but  in  his  later  life  turned  his  attention  and  his  strength  in  a  great 
measure  to  other  business.  He  was  survived  by  his  wife,  two  sons  and  a  daughter. 
His  elder  son.  Dr.  Dwight  Moore,  is  a  practicing  physician  of  Los  Angeles,  Califor- 
nia, who  is  specializing  in  nervous  diseases.  The  daughter,  Miss  Grace  Moore,  is 
the  owner  and  editor  of  The  New  Teller,  published  at  York.  The  younger  son, 
Arthur  L.,  is  engaged  in  the  insurance  and  real  estate  business  at  Ventura, 
California. 

Perhaps  no  better  testimonial  of  the  professional  qualities  and  of  the  high  char- 
acter of  Judge  Moore  can  Vie  given  than  to  quote  from  the  tribute  paid  to  him  by 
Orien  W.  Fifer,  who  in  the  funeral  service  said  in  part:  "Judge  Moore  was  a  lawyer 
of  ability.  Some  traits  of  character  led  him  to  prevent  rather  than  encourage 
litigation.  He  shunned  and  had  little  taste  or  adaptability  for  the  technical 
requirements  of  the  law.  Preliminaries  were  avoided.  He  was  eager  to  grapple 
with  the  great  fact  or  principle  in  the  case.  Before  a  jury  he  had  an  appearance 
of  sincerity,  a  way  of  putting  facts  highly  to  his  advantage  and  credit.  In  political 
life  he  was  much  interested.  He  gave  much  attention  to  such  affairs  yet  was  inde- 
pendent in  thinking  and  action.  Judge  Moore  was  a  man  of  pronounced  convictions 
and  example  of  plain,  rugged,  strong,  independent  thinking.  He  had  traits  of 
character  peculiarly  his  own.  His  love  of  innocent  fun,  his  dry,  droll  humor,  his 
frankness  and  tenderness  in  remonstrance  or  urging  were  marked  traits.  His  life 
ran  in  deep,  broad  channels.  In  some  things  he  thought  far  ahead  of  his  day.  He 
was  a  reader  of  good  things.  His  mind  was  a  great  library  of  knowledge.  He  could 
converse  intelligently  upon  many  topiqs  which  required  careful  study  and  investi- 
gation. Sometimes  he  probed  to  the  bottom  of  certain  great  questions.  I  doubt  if 
many  people  in  this  community  knew  the  depth  of  his  reading  and  thinking.  It 
was  unusual.  He  was  an  unusual  character — not  always  best  understood,  not 
always  revealing  himself  to  men.  Not  that  he  concealed  himself,  but  his  life  in 
some  portion  was  a  deep  current.  His  childhood  had  been  hard,  crowded  with  toil, 
sorrow,  loneliness.  His  youth  was  marked  by  ill  health  which  forced  changes  of 
occupation  and  the  turning  aside  from  plans  cherished.  Life  to  him  for  a  quarter 
of  a  century  was  'bearing  the  yoke  in  his  youth.'  That  this  had  some  effect  upon 
him  as  he  grew  to  maturity  I  cannot  doubt.  Other  trials  later  in  life  were  not 
without  effect,  and  probably  some,  noticing  a  few  hours  or  incidents  of  his  life,  did 
not  see  the  whole  man.  But  many  friends  were  impressed  that  in  him  certain 
unusual  and  strong  elements  had  flourished.  Alone  he  had  fought  the  early  battles 
of  life  and  practically  an  orphan  he  had  won  character  and  place  unaided.  No  man 
does  this  successfully  without  being  profoundly  moved  or  influenced  for  all  remain- 
ing years.  I  firmly  believe  he  had  tried  always  to  make  his  way  without  working 
injury  or  unkinduess  to  his  fellow-man.     His  nature  was  modest,  somewhat  sensi- 


870  HTS'1-01!Y    OF    Y01?K    (OrXTY 

tive,  trausparent,  religious  in  temperament,  somewhat  retiring  as  he  met  trials.  He 
had  more  than  ordinary  trust  in  his  fellow-man,  and  he  had  intimated  to  me  that 
this  had  caused  his  l)etraYal  at  times,  but  he  told  the  experiences  without  bitterness 
or  rancor.  lie  was  a  man  of  high  ambitions.  If  he  failed  to  reach  them  all,  per- 
haps it  was  liecause  he  was  unwilling  to  pay  what  he  thought  an  unjust  price  in  point 
of  forgetfu]ne.«s  of  his  own  honor  or  the  welfare  of  others.  He  was  by  long  habit  a 
self-controlled,  somewliat  reserved  man  Iiut  under  great  or  unusual  strain  he  let  out 
flashes  which  showed  the  strong  fire  within,  the  blaze  of  an  intense  nature.  Yet  he 
was  a  man  of  kindness  habitually,  compassionate  and  gentle  as  years  increased.  His 
intimate  friends  knew  a  larger  man  than  some  others.  Judge  Moore  had  a  peculiar 
bent  towards  instruction.  He  could  teach  in  clear  terms.  He  loved  knowledge  for 
its  own  sake,  not  for  profit.  It  must  have  been  something  of  a  sacrifice  for  him  to 
turn  from  this  calling  to  the  strenuous,  intense,  keen  activity  of  the  law.  In  the 
teaching  of  the  Christian  faith  he  was  exceptional  in  his  prime.  One  of  his  former 
pastors  told  me  that  he  was  one  of  the  best  Bible  teachers  he  ever  knew.  For  some 
years  he  led  the  instruction  to  the  Sunday  school  teachers.  This  was  his  favorite 
duty.  Into  this  he  put  his  time  and  out  of  it  drew  rare  joy.  He  was  a  master  of 
the  English  Bible.  Its  solemnity,  the  varied  character  in  style  and  composition 
were  an  attraction  to  him,  while  the  religious  (piality  of  the  Hebrew  had  for  liim  a 
peculiar  charm.  He  taught  a  Sunday  school  class  for  years.  In  the  days  of  old 
Y^ork  College  he  gave  much  time  and  interest  to  the  young  men.  He  possessed  a 
religious  temperanu'ut.  He  had  been  a  Christian  fnnii  vav]\  childhood.  Hardships 
of  youth  had  not  embittered  him  towards  God.  He  w.as  an  example  that  wide  read- 
ing, careful  study  strengthened  the  faith  accepted  in  early  life.  He  told  me  he  did 
not  know  when  he  Iiecame  a  Christian.  It  was  very  early.  His  faith  had  grown 
with  the  years.  He  was  long  a  mend)er  of  one  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  faith,  the 
more  progressive  and  liberal  element  of  the  Covenanter  organization.  After  coming 
to  Xebraska  he  united  with  the  Methodist  church,  of  which  his  wife  was  a  first 
member,  and  in  various  positions  had  been  faithful  to  his  trust  and  to  his  faith.  He 
died  facing  death  without  fear,  not  deceived  but  not  afraid.  He  was  somewhat 
weary  with  the  toil  of  life  and  he  greeted  the  dawn  of  the  new  life  with  the  comfort 
and  strength  of  the  Christian  faith."' 


JAY  G.  BITTIXGER 


Jay  G.  Bittinger  is  spoken  of  by  friends  and  neighbors  as  a  man  of  high  purpose 
which  has  found  expression  in  his  daily  conduct.  He  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock  raising  on  section  S,  M<irton  township,  Y'ork  county.  He  was  born  on  the 
farm  where  he  lives,  January  21,  1874,  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Flora  (Tongue) 
Bittinger,  the  father  f^  native  of  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother 
a  native  of  Ohio. 

Frederick  Bittinger  accompanied  his  parents  when  he  was  four  years  old  from 
the  Key.stone  state  to  Ohio  and  from  there  to  Clinton  county,  Iowa,  where  he 
grew  to  maniiood,  Iielping  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm  which  the  family 
acquired  shortly  after  settling  there.  He  remained  in  Iowa  until  1871  when  he 
decided  to  come  farther  west,  selecting  Nebraska  as  his  objective  and  York  county 


FBEDEEICK   BITTINOEE 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIB-ARY 


ASTOR,  LtNOX   ANp. 


HISTOEY    OP   YORK    COUNTY  873 

as  his  final  destination.  He  and  two  of  his  brothers  set  out  on  the  cross  country 
journey  and  driving  through  with  three  teams  of  horses  finally  reached  their  goal 
and  Frederick  came  direct  to  York  county.  He  homesteaded  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  located  on  section  8,  Morton  township,  and  erected  a  small  one-room 
frame  house,  which  he  occupied  for  about  seven  years.  He  put  considerable  energy 
into  the  work  of  reclaiming  and  cultivating  his  homestead  and  with  the  lapse  of 
years  improved  and  developed  the  entire  place,  ultimately  bringing  the  farm  to  be 
recognized  as  one  of  the  best  in  the  township.  He  added  another  forty  to  the 
original  holding  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  July,  1918,  was  the  owner  of  two- 
hundred  acres  of  excellent  laud,  in  the  operation  of  which  he  was  successful  from 
the  vei-y  beginning.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Woodmen  and  Elks  and  in  his 
political  attitude  was  disposed  to  be  independent  and  at  the  same  time  liberal  in 
his  views.  He  took  a  practical  part  in  the  public  life  of  his  township  which  he 
served  as  assessor  and  supervisor,  filling  the  latter  office  for  six  years.  His  long 
residence  in  the  county  coupled  with  his  high  character  made  him  popular  with  all 
classes. 

Jay  G.  Bittinger,  who  is  proving  himself  a"-worthy  successor  to  his  father,  was 
reared  on  the  home  farm  and  secured-  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He 
early  applied  himself  to-,  the;  .'duties,  ofi-d^riciultural  life  and  under  his  father's 
guidance  acquired  a  sound  knowledge  of  farm  jwork.  In  1914  he  was  entrusted 
with  the  management  of  the  entire,  place  ^gi.d  iji  the  intervening  years  has  main- 
tained a  high  standard  in  his  agrieultur-al^opeMtions,  employing  modern  methods 
and  the  latest  machinery,  the  results  in,evfry  direction  being  eminently  satisfac- 
tory. Well  defined  plans  and  purposes  have  carried  him  forward  and  each  step  in 
his  career  has  brought  him  a  broader  outlook  and  wider  opportunities. 

On  January  8,  191-1,  Mr.  Bittinger  was  united  in  marriage  to  Hester  Gatchel 
and  to  their  union  two  children  have  been  born:  Earl  and  Euth,  at  home  with 
their  parents.  Mr.  Bittinger  is  not  active  in  politics  but  takes  a  good  citizen's 
interest  in  all  movements  intended  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  community  and 
in  these  efforts  he  is  assisted  by  his  wife.  They  have  a  wide  circle  of  friends  by 
whom  they  are  held  in  the  highest  esteem. 


ARTHUR  G.  BITTINGER 

Arthur  G.  Bittinger,  a  native  son  of  York  county  who  is  devoting  his  time  and 
energies  to  the  operation  of  a  good  farm  on  section  14,  Morton  township,  was 
born  January  14,  1881,  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Flora  (Tongue)  Bittinger,  the 
former  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  died  in  1919  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  His 
widow  resides  in  York  and  is  now  in  her  seventieth  year,  still  active  and  in  the 
enjoyment  of  good  health. 

Fred  Bittinger  started  his  farming  career  in  Pennsylvania  and  some  years  later 
in  company  with  his  father,  John  Bittinger,  went  to  Iowa  and  they  were  engaged 
in  agricultural  operations,  but  not  finding  conditions  to  their  liking  they  started 
for  York  county  and  settled  in  Morton  township  in  1871,  where  each  homesteaded 
and  began  to  develop  the  land,  using  energy  and  steady  application  in  the  further- 
ance of  their  farm  work.    However,  it  was  not  all  plain  sailing  and  hardships  beset 


874  HISTOKY    OF    V()I!I\    CurXTY 

their  way  for  a  coiisiilcrable  timo  after  they  settled  in  the  township.  The  grass- 
lioppers  descended  on  tlieir  fields  and  destroyed  the  crops  and  dry  seasons  produced 
the  same  undesirable  results.  They  persevered  in  their  etforts  and  ultimately 
were  rewarded  by  good  seasons  and  bountiful  crops.  They  had  to  haul  household 
necessities  from  Fairmont  and  Columbus,  these  trips  occupying  several  days  at  a 
time.  They  put  up  a  frame  house,  the  lumber  for  which  had  to  be  hauled  from 
Seward,  and  a  sod  barn  was  erected  which  did  temporary  duty  until  a  better  and 
more  modern  structure  was  built.  At  the  time  of  his  death  Fred  Bittinger  was 
the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  well  improved  land  and  part  of  this  holding  is 
now  being  operated  by  Arthur  G.  Bittinget.  Fred  Bittinger  and  his  wife  were  the 
parents  of  five  children:  Xellie,  who  died  some  years  ago;  Jay,  a  farmer,  of 
Morton  township;  Ada,  wife  of  Moiiier  Grieve?,  of  Omaha:  Fannie,  wife  of  Frank 
Layton,  of  Beatrice,  Xebraska :  and  Arthur  G.  The  father  was  affiliated  with  the 
Elks  and  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  was  a  democrat  in  politics 
and  served  the  public  as  county  commissioner  for  two  terms  and  filled  the  office 
of  township  assessor  for  six  years,  the  confidence  reposed  in  him  being  amply 
rewarded  by  faithful  and  efficient  service. 

Arthur  G.  Bittinger  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  secured  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Y'ork  county  and  in  his  early  youth  helped  in  the  work  of 
the  farm.  He  .started  farming  un  his  own  account  and  took  over  the  manage- 
ment of  one  of  his  father's  holdings  on  which  he  carried  on  general  agriculture. 
Later  he  opened  up  a  blacksmith  shop  and  garage  known  as  the  Benedict  Auto 
Company  and  continued  in  this  line  for  three  years,  making  a  good  living.  His 
next  move  was  to  secure  employment  in  a  lumber-yard  in  Benedict,  spending  three 
years  in  that  connection.  Finally  Mr.  Bittinger  returned  to  farm  life  and  resumed 
agricultural  oi)erations.  He  uses  up-to-date  methods  and  implements  in  carrying 
on  his  work  and  also  gives  careful  thought  to  the  problem  of  profitable  marketing. 

In  December,  1919,  Mr.  Bittinger  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lulla  Johnson,  born 
in  York  county  and  a  daughter  of  C.  J.  Johnson,  of  Benedict.  Her  religious 
affiliation  is  with  the  Methodist  church,  to  the  teachings  of  which  she  has  alw^ays 
been  loyal.  Mr.  Bittinger  votes  an  independent  ticket  and  is  a  member  of  the  Elks 
lodge  at  York,  in  the  afl:airs  of  which  fraternal  order  he  takes  a  keen  interest. 
His  farming  activities  do  not  leave  him  much  time  for  outside  affairs  but  it  is 
generally  known  that  he  supports  all  movements  seeking  the  material,  moral  or 
civic  advancement  of  his  community. 


JOHX  ABRAHAMS 

Prominent  among  the  self-made  men  of  Y'ork  county  is  John  Abrahams  whose 
life  has  been  largely  identified  with  agricultural  pursuits  and  business  activities  and 
success  has  attended  his  well  directed  efforts.  He  was  born  in  southern  Russia,  June 
18,  1860,  a  son  of  John  and  Kathrine  (Voth)  Abrahams,  also  natives  of  Russia 
where  the  father  spent  his  entire  life,  his  death  occurring  there  in  1872.  Some 
two  years  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  in  1874,  Mrs.  Abrahams  and  her  family 
immigrated  ti>  America  and  after  their  arrival  they  went  to  Nebraska,  coming  to 
Y'ork  county  and  settling  on  section  29,  Brown  township.     Their  first  house  was 


mSTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  875 

constructed  of  sod  with  a  board  roof  and  in  this  the  farailj-  lived  for  six  years,  later 
replacing  it  with  a  more  substantial  and  commodious  building.  There  were  twelve 
children  born  to  Jolm  and  Kathrine  Alirahams,  of  whom  seven  are  living  and  doing 
well  in  their  various  lines  of  activity. 

In  his  boyhood  John  Abrahams  had  but  little  opportunity  for  acquiring  an 
education  but  attended  the  schools  of  his  native  country  for  a  time.  He  was  four- 
teen years  old  when  he  accompanied  his  mother  to  the  new  world  and  remained  with 
her,  working  on  the  home  farm,  until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  He  then 
engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account,  continuing  in  that  line  for  one  year  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  entered  a  general  store  at  Bradshaw  where  he  acquired  a  full 
knowledge  of  business  methods  and  the  buying  and  selling  of  goods  and  followed 
this  line  of  activity  for  thirteen  years.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  farming 
again  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  now  operating  a  fine 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  devoted  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
It  is  a  well  improved  proiDerty  and  in  the  conduct  of  his  agricultural  interests  he 
has  met  with  gratifying  success,  being  energetic,  enterprising  and  progressive.  He 
has  kept  in  touch  with  all  modern  methods  and  farming  machinery  and  has  utilized 
both  to  the  fullest  extent  in  the  carrying  on  of  his  aifairs,  thus  securing  maximum 
results  from  his  investments. 

In  1883  Mr.  Abrahams  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Kathrine  Ivroeker,  who 
was  born  in  Eussia,  a  daughter  of  Heinrich  Kroeker  and  wife,  the  former  of  whom 
died  some  years  ago.  They  have  no  children.  Mr.  Abrahams  and  his  wife  are  active 
members  of  the  Mennonite  church,  to  the  teachings  of  which  they  consistently 
adhere  and  their  influence  is  always  on  the  side  of  right,  progress  and  improvement. 
He  is  a  preacher  of  the  church  and  by  self -education,  wide  reading  and  close  study 
is  amply  qualified  for  the  duties  which  the  work  of  a  preacher  entails,  his  efforts  for 
the  moral  and  social  uplift  of  the  community  being  worthy  of  special  commenda- 
tion. His  political  support  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  while  not  an  office 
seeker  he  served  years  ago  on  the  township  school  board  as  a  director,  his  interest  in 
the  advancement  of  educational  facilities  being  on  a  par  with  his  other  efforts  for 
the  welfare  of  the  community.  His  honorable  principles  have  won  him  many 
friends  and  all  who  know  him  hold  him  in  the  highest  esteem. 


OTTO  B.  LIEDTKE 


Otto  B.  Liedtke  is  a  well  known  representative  of  farming  interests  in  York 
county,  where  prior  to  his  retirement  to  Thayer  in  1916  he  had  been  actively 
engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  prime  land,  the 
ownership  of  which  he  still  retains.  He  is  a  native  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 
born  August  20,  1867,  a  son  of  F.  W.  and  Ann  (Chemfaren)  Liedtke,  the  latter 
born  in  Philadelphia. 

The  father  was  a  captain  in  the  Union  army  during  the  CUvil  war  and  at  the 
close  of  his  service  with  the  Federal  forces  he  joined  the  United  States  regular  army, 
with  which  he  remained  for  several  years,  his  last  place  of  service  being  at  Detroit. 
In  1872  he  migrated  to  Y'ork  county  and  took  a  homestead  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  located  in  Thayer  township,  that  holding  being  now  in  the  possession  of 

Vol.  II— IS 


876  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COITXTY 

his  son  Otto  B.  Liedtke.  In  the  winter  of  18?2  lie  built  a  shack  on  the  homestead 
and  in  the  following  year  brought  his  family  to  reside  on  the  place.  Being  a  man 
of  considerable  education  he  taught  school  for  a  time,  and  having  shown  himself 
possessed  of  the  necessary  ability  he  was  elected  county  clerk  in  1873,  retaining  that 
office  until  1879,  when  he  was  further  honored  by  election  to  the  office  of  state 
auditor,  serving  one  term  in  that  responsible  capacity.  In  the  meantime  he  had 
been  attending  to  his  land  which  he  improved  and  developed  and  brought  to  an 
excellent  state  of  cultivation.  Shortly  after  his  retirement  from  the  office  of 
auditor  Mr.  Liedtke  went  to  Texas  and  there  bought  a  cattle  ranch  which  he 
operated  for  several  years  with  excellent  results.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  men 
in  the  ranch  country  in  which  he  resided  and  enjoyed  a  prosperity  which  was  the 
merited  reward  of  his  labors.  He  passed  away  in  1914,  being  then  seventy-eight 
years  old. 

Otto  B.  Liedtke  accompanied  his  father  to  Lincoln  when  the  latter  was  filling 
the  office  of  state  auditor.  A  portion  of  his  education  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools  of  York  and  he  completed  his  school  course  at  Lincoln,  after  which  lie 
moved  to  Kansas  City  and  worked  at  his  trade  as  a  harness-maker  for  about  three 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  period  he  returned  to  York  and  worked  at  his  trade  for 
a  year.  He  then  accepted  an  appointment  in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  district 
court  and  served  for  one  year,  after  which  he  returned  to  the  old  homestead  and 
there  pursued  agricultural  operations  up  to  1916,  when  he  retired  to  Thayer. 
During  his  active  years  on  the  farm  he  had  been  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  adding  gradually  to  his  holdings  as  he  prospered  in  his  work  and  he 
is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  which  he  brought  to  an  excellent 
state  of  improvement.  He  employed  modern  methods  and  utilized  modern  machin- 
ery in  the  conduct  of  his  agricultural  operations,  with  the  result  that  he  converted  it 
into  a  most  valuable  and  productive  farming  property. 

On  February  36,  1887,  Mr.  Liedtke  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  A. 
Fewins  and  to  that  union  three  children  were  born :  Frederick,  a  farmer,  of  York 
county ;  Frank,  who  operates  the  home  farm ;  and  Yesta,  the  wife  of  Castle  Brewer, 
of  York.  Mr.  Liedtke  has  given  his  consistent  support  to  the  principles  of  the 
republican  party  and  has  been  actively  identified  with  the  public  affairs  of  Y^ork 
county  for  several  years.  He  served  as  county  supervisor  for  four  years.  He  has 
been  township  clerk  and  is  now  filling  the  office  of  township  assessor,  the  duties  of 
which  office  he  is  performing  with  fidelity  and  ability.  He  is  affiliated  with  the 
Masonic  order  at  Gresham.  The  county  is  fortunate  in  having  his  services  in 
connection  with  its  important  growth  and  development  and  is  proud  to  number  liim 
among  its  citizens. 


BUinVELL  SPUKLOCK 


Burwell  Spurlock  has  been  a  resident  of  !v!"ebraska  for  sixty-five  years  and  his 
active  life  has  been  one  of  service  and  usefulness  to  his  fellowmen. 

Burwell  Spurlock  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Virginia,  June  28,  1835,  where 
his  parents  were   also  born,   ami   Avhilc  the   son   was  too  young  to  remember  the 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  877 

family  home  was  established  in  Illinois  and  later  in  Iowa.  In  the  latter  state  the 
subject  of  this  review  was  reared  on  a  pioneer  farm,  obtaining  his  early  education  by 
the  light  of  the  old-fashioned  fireplace.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  found  employ- 
ment in  a  store  at  Glenwood,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  one  year  and  with  the  wages 
thus  earned  attended  Iowa  Wesleyan  University  for  a  term  of  six  months.  April  1, 
1856,  before  he  had  reached  his  majority,  he  arrived  at  Plattsmouth,  Nebraska,  and 
entered  the  employ  of  a  business  firm  which  had  recently  located  there.  Having 
become  a  Christian  in  early  boyhood  and  having  formed  a  strong  aversion  to  the 
use  of  intoxicating  beverages,  for  a  time  in  the  mixed  population  he  seemed  an 
anomaly.  But  he  had  been  taught  at  home  to  be  respectful  and  courteous  to  all, 
irrespective  of  class,  color  or  station.  Observing  these  rules  he  safely  passed  through 
the  crucial  test,  and  won  the  respect  and  friendship  of  all  classes,  without  making 
a  single  compromise  to  their  ways.  His  parents  became  residents  of  Nebraska  City 
in  1858,  and  here  they  both  passed  away,  the  father  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  and 
the  mother  in  her  nineties. 

November  1,  1860,  Burwell  Spurlock  was  married  to  Miss  Isabella  S.  Davis, 
who  was  born  in  Nodaway  county,  Missouri,  January  21,  1843.  Her  father, 
William  H.  Davis,  became  a  pioneer  settler  of  Cass  county,  Nebraska,  coming  here 
before  the  passage  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska  Bill  and  bought  from  the  Indians  the 
privilege  of  selecting  his  claim.  He  joined  with  a  few  friends  in  hiring  private 
teachers  to  instruct  their  children  and  in  1855  erected  on  his  own  land  probably  the 
first  schoolhouse  built  in  Cass  county.  In  1858  his  daughter  was  engaged  to  teach 
the  neighborhood  school,  which  she  did  in  an  acceptable  manner,  and  although  but 
fifteen  years  old  had  grown  boys  and  girls  for  her  pupils.  After  her  marriage  she 
became  active  in  the  social  and  religious  life  of  the  young  city  of  Plattsmouth,  and 
soon  after  was  selected  as  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Christian  Commission.  In 
this  position  she  rendered  excellent  service  and  aided  materially  in  gathering  sup- 
plies for  the  wounded  and  dying  in  southern  hospitals.  In  the  early  temperance 
work  of  the  state  she  took  an  active  part  as  editor  of  the  Olive  Branch,  and  of  a 
temperance  column  in  the  Plattsmouth  Herald.  About  this  time  she  organized  a 
corps  of  eighty  boys  known  as  the  Cold  Water  Army.  Many  of  these  became  promi- 
nent in  the  civic  and  commercial  life  of  the  state.  She  was  prominent  in  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  was  chosen  corresponding  sec- 
retary of  the  state  department,  and  sent  as  the  first  delegate  from  Nebraska  to  the 
national  executive  meeting  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  For  many  years  she  was  prominent 
in  the  work  of  the  Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist  church  and 
this  work  led  to  the  establishment  of  a  home  and  industrial  school  for  boys  and 
girls  located  at  York,  Nebraska,  known  as  "Mothers'  Jewels'  Home,"  in  the  man- 
agement of  which  she  assisted  her  husband  until  her  death,  which  occurred  October 
14,  1906. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Spurlock  continued  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  one  form  or 
another  until  elected  county  clerk  and  recorder  in  the  fall  of  1860.  After  the 
expiration  of  his  first  term — two  years — he  was  renominated  and  elected  for  a 
second  term.  Then  afterwards  two  other  terms,  in  each  succeeding  convention 
receiving  the  nomination  by  acclamation.  In  his  last  election,  after  the  famous 
election  contest  over  the  Rockbluff  matter,  his  majority  was  greater  than  at  any 
previous  election.  Many  democrats  voted  for  him.  He  was  importuned  by  the 
leading  and  best  men  in  the  republican  party  to  become  a  candidate  for  the  fifth 


878  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

term,  but  jiositively  decliued.  Also  after  this  he  was  urged  by  prominent  and 
influential  men  in  the  state  to  become  a  candidate  for  secretary  of  state,  but  he 
declined  this  also. 

To  show  the  character  of  the  man  and  his  loyalty  to  his  convictions,  mention 
must  be  made  of  the  Rockbluff  affair.  Of  this  affair  it  may  be  said  that,  as 
relating  to  Spurlock  it  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  only  time  in  his  life  that 
his  integrity  or  purity  of  motive  was  ever  questioned.  As  related  to  the  interest  and 
progress  of  Nebraska  it  is  one  of  the  most  important  events  in  its  history.  The 
following  brief  facts  are  taken  from  an  extensive  account  of  the  affair,  prepared 
by  Eev.  David  Marquette,  a  pioneer  Methodist  minister  in  Nebraska. 

"There  was  an  election  held  June  2,  1866.  Primarily,  the  issue  was  the  admis- 
sion of  Nebraska  as  a  state;  incidentally,  the  election  of  state  officers,  legislators,  and 
congressmen  were  involved,  the  legislature  to  select  two  United  States  senators. 
The  election  was  held  under  great  excitement  and  bitter  feeling.  A  class  of  people 
then  known  as  Missouri  refugees,  that  is,  people  whose  sympathies  were  with  the 
South  during  the  war,  but  who,  being  too  cowardly  to  fight  for  the  Confederate 
flag,  had  run  away  from  the  scene  of  war  and  had  settled  at  Eockbluffl  and  other 
places  in  Nebraska.  They  were  not  only  considered  rebels,  by  the  Unionists,  but 
were  a  tough  set.  They  had  settled  in  Eockbluffl  in  such  numbers  that  they  had 
complete  control  of  the  election  machinery,  having  elected  their  own  judges  and 
clerks  of  election.  Spurlock  was  county  clerk  and  shared  in  the  general  distrust  in 
which  these  people  were  held  and  before  the  election  expected  some  crookedness.  To 
guard  against  it  as  far  as  possible  he  had  sent  them  written  instructions  regarding 
the  law.  He  was  not  surprised  the  next  morning  to  find  that  his  pre-election 
suspicions  were  confirmed  with  rumors  of  gross  irregularities  at  the  polls  in  Eock- 
bluff  precinct.  When  old-time  residents  of  the  precinct  came  to  him  and  protested 
against  having  the  vote  counted  he  became  convinced  that  the  vote  should  be  thrown 
out.  But  later  when  it  became  apparent,  through  the  slowly  incoming  returns  from 
the  county  and  territory,  that  the  result  in  the  territory  depended  upon  the  vote  in 
Cass  county,  and  that  in  Cass  county  it  depended  upon  the  vote  in  Eockbluffl 
precinct,  and  further  that  the  official  action  of  the  board  of  canvassers  of  which  he 
was  ex-officio  a  member,  and  his  own  action  as  county  clerk  in  giving  certificates  of 
election  to  members  of  the  legislature,  which  in  turn  would  determine  the  question 
of  the  admission  of  the  state  into  the  union  and  the  political  complexion  of  the 
legislature  which  would  determine  who  would  be  the  United  States  senators.  Bur- 
well  Spurlock  had  ])ressing  upon  him  a  responsibility  that  comes  to  few  men,  and 
which  few  men  would  feel  more  keenly  than  he,  Upon  consulting  legal  advice  he 
was  told  that  he  would  have  to  act  as  his  own  judgment  and  conscience  dictated. 
Tlie  result  was  that  the  vote  of  Eockbluffl  precinct  was  thrown  out  and  certificates 
of  election  given  to  the  re])ublican  candidates.  A  contest  was  called  for,  the  matter 
placed  in  the  proper  committees  in  the  legislature,  and  some  of  the  ablest  attorneys 
of  the  state  were  employed.  Mr.  Spurlock's  action  was  sustained  by  the  legislative 
committee  and  further  proof  of  his  vindication  is  attested  by  the  fact  that  at  the 
next  election  he  was  given  a  larger  majority  than  had  ever  before  been  accorded 
him." 

After  his  term  of  office  expired  he  again  entered  upon  mercantile  pursuits  and 
for  twenty  years  continued  to  reside  at  Plattsmouth.  In  18!)1  he  was  made  superin- 
tendent of  ''Mothers'  Jewels'  Home"  in  York  and  for  twenty-seven  years  conducted 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY  879 

the  affairs  of  this  institution  in  a  very  able  manner.     He  is  still  a  resident  of 
York  and  is  one  of  the  few  remaining  Territorial  Pioneers  of  Nebraska. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spurlock  became  the  parents  of  two  children :     William  Wesley, 
who  died  in  childhood;  and  George  M.,  an  attorney  of  York,  Nebraska. 


DANIEL  W.  BAKER 


Farming  interests  of  York  county  find  a  worthy  representative  in  the  person  of 
Daniel  W.  Baker,  who  is  living  on  section  29,  Morton  township,  where  he  has  an 
excellent  farm  of  two  hundred  acres.  In  former  years  he  was  an  active  member  of 
the  state  legislature,  serving  the  jicople  of  his  district  and  of  the  state  with  fidelity 
and  ability.  He  was  l)orn  in  Fulton  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  25,  185-1,  a 
son  of  Jacob  and  Maria  (Bergstresser)  Baker,  natives  of  Pennsylvania;  the  former 
was  born  November  7,  1814,  and  died  September  16,  1879.  The  mother  was  born 
March  4,  1819,  and  passed  away  December  13,  1886.  Jacob  Baker  taught  school  in 
the  Keystone  state  during  his  early  years  and  also  farmed  for  a  time.  In  1871  the 
trend  of  migration  being  headed  for  the  west,  he  set  out  for  Nebraska  and  settled 
in  York  county,  later  buying  a  tract  of  railroad  land,  doing  his  trading  at  Seward. 
He  built  a  frame  house  twelve  by  sixteen  feet,  and  it  is  claimed  that  it  was  the 
first  of  its  kind  put  up  in  the  district.  He  proceeded  to  develop  and  improve  the 
railroad  land  which  he  had  acquired  and  soon  had  the  place  in  a  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, doing  general  farming  and  raising  stock.  It  was  on  this  holding  that  he  and 
his  wife  spent  their  last  days.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  children :  Francis  A., 
a  York  county  farmer,  and  Daniel  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  His  wife  was  an 
ardent  supporter  of  the  activities  of  the  Methodist  church,  on  whose  services  she 
was  a  constant  attendant.  His  political  allegiance  was  extended  to  the  republican 
party,  but  he  never  sought  public  office. 

Daniel  W.  Baker,  an  ea.stern  man  by  birth  and  training,  displays  in  his  life  the 
spirit  of  enterprise  and  progress  which  have  ever  been  a  dominant  factor  in  the 
upbuilding  of  that  section  of  the  country.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Pennsylvania  and  later  attended  the  Juniata  Institute  Academy  of  that 
state.  He  accompanied  his  parents  to  York  county  in  1874  and  in  that  year 
taught  school  in  the  district  schools  of  what  is  now  Thayer  township  and  also  in 
Morton  township.  He  helped  his  father  in  the  farming  operations  on  the  home 
place  and  later  decided  to  make  the  life  of  an  agriculturist  his  ultimate  goal.  He 
began  on  his  present  place  in  1880,  applied  himself  diligently  to  learning  the  best 
and  most  profitable  methods  of  conducting  agricultural  affairs,  progressed  as  time 
went  on,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  fine  place  of  two  hundred  acres  on  which  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising  is  carried  on.  He  has  brought  the  fields  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation  and  upon  the  farm  there  are  substantial  buildings  which 
indicate  the  care  and  supervision  of  the  owner.  He  seems  to  lose  sight  of  nothing 
that  should  be  accomplished  in  the  work  of  further  developing  his  place  and  his 
labors  have  brought  substantial  results. 

April  13,  1879,  Mr.  Baker  was  united  in  marriage  to  Esther  A.  Black,  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  that  union  the  following  children  have  been  born:  Ray, 
living  in  Keensburg,  Colorado;  Frank,  a  farmer  in  York  county;  Edward  A.,  living 


880  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

in  Kimball  county,  Nebraska;  Charles  A.,  of  Big  Springs;  Grant,  of  Enumelaw, 
Washington;  Ella,  wife  of  H.  P.  Harrington;  Ira  L.,  of  Washington;  Clyde,  of 
York  county;  Oliver  P.,  Pearl,  William  M.,  Earl,  Floyd  and  Wayne,  all  at  home. 
Mr.  Baker  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  a  Knight  Templar.  He  has  been 
active  and  influential  in  republican  politics  for  many  years  and  has  held  office  in 
the  state  legislature  for  three  terms — 1907-09-11,  his  successive  re-elections  to  the 
house  at  once  proclaiming  his  legislative  ability  and  popularity.  He  made  an 
excellent  record  while  serving  his  district  and  in  1913  was  appointed  to  the  office 
of  sergeant-at-arms  in  the  state  senate,  his  services  in  this  highly  important  position 
being  fully  appreciated  by  the  members  of  the  senate,  the  officials  and  the  public. 
He  served  as  a  member  of  the  county  board  for  four  years  and  a  further  mark  of 
favor  was  conferred  upon  him  when  he  became  precinct  assessor,  an  office  of  which 
he  was  the  incumbent  for  five  terms.  He  discharged  the  duties  of  these  various 
offices  with  great  efficiency  and  faithfulness  and  is  spoken  of  by  his  friends  and 
contemporaries  as  a  man  of  well  rounded  character  and  finely  balanced  mind. 


WILLIAM  J.  LANYON 


The  son  of  William  J.  Lanyon,  residing  in  Stewart  t(iu'nship,  York  county,  pays 
fitting  tribute  to  his  memory  in  preserving  the  record  of  his  life  in  this  history  of 
the  county  and  district.  He  was  born  in  Linden,  Iowa  county,  Wisconsin,  February 
2,  1843,  a  son  of  Simon  and  Mary  (Batten)  Lanyon,  both  natives  of  the  parish  of 
St.  Alban,  Cornwall,  England,  where  they  were  married  in  1838.  A  short  time 
after  their  marriage  they  immigrated  to  America  and  later  located  in  Iowa  county, 
Wisconsin,  and  at  Linden,  that  state,  the  father  followed  his  trade  of  l^lacksmitb, 
continuing  to  reside  there  until  1853.  Later  he  moved  to  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin, 
and  there  his  last  days  were  spent.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simon  Lanyon  were  the  parents 
of  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  dead. 

William  J.  Lanyon  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Linden  and  at  Mineral 
Point,  Wisconsin,  and  lived  in  the  home  of  his  parents  until  reaching  young  man- 
hood. When  he  was  twenty-nine  years  old  he  started  out  for  himself,  and  in 
April,  1872,  came  to  York  county  and  looked  over  the  district  with  a  view  to  set- 
tling here.  He  preempted  a  tract  of  land  but  lost  the  place  in  consequence  of  his 
absence  while  making  the  return  journey  to  Wisconsin  for  his  family.  However,  in 
tlie  spring  of  the  same  year  he  started  with  his  family  from  Wisconsin  and  drove 
through  to  York  county,  bringing  three  horses  as  part  of  his  equipment.  He  settled 
on  section  24  in  Stewart  township,  selecting  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  section  for 
his  holding.  He  improved  and  developed  the  farm  and  was  doing  splendidly  until 
the  grasshoppers  destroyed  his  crops.  He  held  tliis  place  for  thirty-tliree  months 
under  squatter's  rights  and  then  homesteaded  one  eighty  acres  and  tinilicr  claimed 
the  other  eighty  acres,  and  later  homesteaded  and  jjroved  up.  He  erected  a  frame 
house,  fourteen  feet  by  twenty-two  feet,  hauling  the  lund)er  from  CoJumljus  and 
Lincoln  and  he  continued  to  reside  there  until  1.SS3  when  he  sold  out  to  advantage. 
;\Ir.  Lanyon  then  bought  a  half  section  of  land  in  the  southwest  quarter  of  section 
22.  and  on  this  there  were  some  small  improvements  in  the  form  of  frame  houses. 

During  his  active  years  in   agricultural  life,   Mr.   Lanyon   specialized   in   the 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  !^H3 

breeding  of  Shorthorn  cattle  and  Perclieron  horses.  He  liDii.uht  imported  mares 
from  France  and  in  this  way  developed  a  line  of  Inisiness  from  which  he  derived 
handsome  returns,  and  he  was  one  of  the  first  breeders  of  Percheron  horses  in  this 
part  of  the  state  to  see  great  possil)ilities  in  using  imported  animals  for  breeding 
purposes.  His  son,  Irving  H..  is  following  his  father's  work  on  the  farm  and  in 
every  respect  is  proving  a  worthy  representative.  He  is  largely  engaged  in  the 
breeding  of  blooded  horses  and  cattle,  in  which  he  has  considerable  investments, 
and  his  enterprise,  as  in  the  case  of  his  father,  is  being  substantially  rewarded. 
He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  First  Xational  Bank  of  Gresham  and  in  the  Farmers 
State  Bank  of  Thayer.  The  extent  and  importance  of  his  business  interests  have 
made  Iiim  widely  and  favoral)ly  known  and  his  life  record  should  serve  as  a  source 
of  inspiration  and  encouragement  to  others,  indicating  what  may  be  accomplished 
by  honorable  effort.  He  is  prominent  in  Masonic  circles  and  is  a  Knight  Templar, 
while  in  other  directioiis  he  gives  of  his  time  and  ability  to  the  furtherance  of  all 
projects  intended  to  advance  the  moral  and  material  welfare  of  the  community. 

On  March  8,  1866,  Mr.  Lanyon  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizaljeth  J.  James,  a 
native  of  Camborne,  Cornwall,  England,  born  on  October  26,  1843,  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Jane  (Rogers)  James,  also  natives  of  Cornwall.  They  came  to  the 
United  States  in  18-18  and  settled  at  Dodgeville,  Wisconsin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lanyon 
became  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Mary  L.,  of  Gresham;  Irving  H., 
now  operating  his  father's  place;  Morris  S.,  of  Pittslnirg,  Kansas;  Reulien  J.,  of 
Harra,  Oklahoma;  William  J.y  of  *  Oklahoma  City  ;.>^iuly  J-,  of  Gresham,  and 
Carrie  B.,  who  died  in  infancy .'■■  The  parents  were'«i,enT[bera:of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  in  social  life  occupied  a  very  prOljiinent  position.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  in- politics  supported  the  republican  party  and 
for  a  time  served  as  township  treasurer.  .  In  1,9 17  he  retired  from  the  farm  arid 
moved  to  Gresham  where  he  passed  away  in^fttne,  1918,  being  then  in  his  seventy- 
fifth  year.  His  wife  predeceased  him  by  five  years,  her  death  taking  place  in  June, 
1913.  Mr.  Lanyon,  as  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  county,  as  a  man  who  performed 
many  good  deeds  in  his  day,  will  always  lie  remembered  and  held  in  the  highest 
respect. 


HIEAM  S.  PLESSINGEE 

Hiram  S.  Plessinger  is  now  and  has  been  for  years  a  representative  agriculturist 
of  York  county,  owning  and  cultivating  a  compact  and  well-kept  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty-six  acres  of  valuable  land  on  section  18,  New  York  township. 
He  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  16,  1878,  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Jane  (McDaniel)  Plessinger.  natives  of  the  Keystone  State,  near  to  the  borders  of 
which  they  spent  their  last  days. 

Joseph  Plessinger  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  farming  operations  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  continued  in  that  line  up  to  1883  when  he  came  to  York  county.  On 
settling  here  he  bought  and  operated  land  in  Arborville  township  but  lived  in  the 
village  of  Arborville,  which  at  that  time  was  beginning  to  come  into  some  promi- 
nence as  a  business  and  residence  neighborhood.  After  working  the  place  for  some 
years  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  Box  Butte  county,  Neliraska,  where  he  remained  for 


S84  HISTORY    OF    YOTJK    COUNTY 

two  years,  at  the  end  of  that  period  returning  to  Arborville  where  he  passed  away 
at  the  old  home.  Mr.  Plessinger  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of  ten  children, 
nine  of  whom  are  living,  three  of  the  latter  being  residents  of  York  county: 
Mrs.  F.  L.  Bedient,  of  Bradshaw;  Mrs.  John  Blair,  of  Arborville,  and  Hiram  S. 
J.  N.  and  Mrs.  A.  W.  Shaffer  are  residents  of  Polk  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Plessin- 
ger  were  members- of  the  Christian  church,  in  the  good  works  of  which  they  were 
active  participants  and  were  ever  ready  to  assist  in  ]jroniotiiig  all  movements  calcu- 
lated to  advance  the  moral  progress  of  their  adopted  county.  He  was  a  republican 
in  politics  and  was  a  consistent  supporter  of  the  principles  and  policies  of  the 
])arty.  Coming  to  York  county  as  he  did  in  humble  circumstances  he  attained  a 
fair  measure  of  success  and  left  behind  him  a  good  name  and  character  worthy  of 
emulation. 

In  188.S.  when  Hiram  S.  Plessinger  was  but  five  years  old,  he  accompanied  his 
]iarents  to  York  county,  was  reared  on  his  father's  place  and  was  educated  in  the 
village  schools  of  Arborville.  On  the  completion  of  his  school  course  he  began  to 
work  at  farming  and  commenced  by  renting  land  in  Arborville  township,  con- 
tinuing to  operate  in  this  way  for  three  years.  He  then  purchased  farm  land 
securing  eighty  acres  in  Lockridge  township,  which  he  held  for  a  time  and  subse- 
quently sold  at  a  good  price,  then  bought  another  place  of  eighty  acres  in  the  same 
township.  Mr.  Plessinger  secured  his  present  holding  containing  one  hundred  and 
sixty-six  acres  in  1918.  It  is  a  well  developed,  farm  where  he  carries  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising,  the  entire  holdirig  being  under  his  own  immediate 
supervision,  thus  entailing  a  large  outlay  of  physical  energy  on  his  part.  He  raises 
pure-blooded  Shorthorn  cattle,  the  quality  being  unsurpassed  in  the  district,  and  in 
all  of  his  agricultural  operations  he  is  primarily  progressive. 

In  1900  Mr.  Plessinger  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sylvia  Darling,  born  in 
Arborville  township,  a  daughter  of  David  Darling,  a  well-known  homesteader  in  that 
township  where  his  last  days  were  spent.  One  son  has  been  born  to  the  union,  Eoy 
David,  now  eleven  years  old.  The  Plessinger  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  of  York  and  take  a  praiseworthy  interest  in  its  work.  He  sup- 
ports the  republican  party  in  political  affairs  and  for  a  time  served  the  cause  of 
education  as  a  member  of  the  local  school  board,  his  activity  in  this  line  being 
commendable.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  the  county  in  which  practically  all  of 
his  life  has  been  spent  and  his  sterling  worth  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  his 
stanchest  friends  are  those  who  have  known  hiui  intimately  since  boyhood. 


WILLIAil  W.  WYCKOFF 

AMlliam  \\'.  Wyckoff,  an  attorney  of  York  who  is  also  engaged  in  the  abstract 
business,  was  born  in  La  Salle  county,  Illinois,  July  l.J,  18.38,  his  parents  being 
Alfonso  and  Lovina  (Beresford)  Wyckoff,  the  former  a  native  of  Brown  county, 
Ohio,  while  the  latter  was  one  of  the  first  white  children  born  in  La  Salle  county, 
Illinois,  her  natal  year  being  1828.  Her  father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  La 
Salle  county,  while  "William  Wyekoff,  the  grandfather  in  the  paternal  line,  arrived 
in  18.38.  He  was  born  in  Ohio  and  died  a  few  years  after  reaching  Illinois.  The 
father  was  but  eight  years  of  age  when,  in  1838,  he  accompanied  his  parents  to 


HISTOKY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY  885 

Illinois  where  he  was  reared  on  a  farm.  When  a  young  man  he  went  to  California 
iu  1851  making  the  trip  largely  by  boat.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  after 
reaching  the  Pacific  coast  engaged  in  the  building  of  yiining  machinery,  remaining 
for  three  years  in  the  far  west  when  he  returned  with  a  capital  of  three  thousand 
dollars  saved  from  his  earnings.  After  rejoining  his  family  iu  Illinois  he  removed 
with  them  to  York  county,  Nebraska,  in  1880,  and  purchased  a  frame  building  at 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  square  in  the  city  of  York.  Tearing  down  this  store 
he  erected  a  brick  building  upon  the  lot  and  also  put  up  a  second  irick  business 
block.  He  opened  a  drug  store  which  he  conducted  successfully  until  1887  and 
then  sold  out.  In  1895  he  removed  to  southern  California  where  his  last  days 
w'ere  spent,  his  death  occurring  in  1915  when  he  was  eighty-five  years  of  age.  His 
wife  died  in  York  in  1890.  Their  family  numbered  four  children  of  whom  three 
are  living.  Helen  L. ;  was  a  teacher  iu  the  schools  of  Omaha  for  thirty-five  years, 
but  has  now  retired  from  the  profession  and  is  living  in  Berkeley,  California. 
William  AV.  is  the  second  of  the  family;  Florence  deceased,  became  the  wife  of 
M.  D.  Cameron;  Eilla  L.,  twin  sister  of  Florence,  is  the  wife  of  Charles  M.  Boynton 
of  Berkeley,  California,  who  is  manager  of  the  coast  branch  of  the  Kawneer  Manu- 
facturing Company  of  Niles,  Michigan.  The  religious  faith  of  the  family  was  that 
of  the  Congregational  church  and  the  father  was  a  minister  of  this  church,  taking 
a  most  helpful  part  in  church  work  in  addition  to  his  various  activities  along  other 
lines.  He  did  much  for  York  and  her  upbuilding,  at  all  times  supporting  those 
interests  and  activities  which  were  of  greatest  benefit  to  the  community.  He  was 
mayor  during  the  time  the  city  hall  was  built  and  the  city  waterworks  installed, 
and  he  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  at  all  times,  believing 
in  its  principles  most  thoroughly.  He  was  chaplain  of  the  Sixty-eighth  Illinois 
A'olunteer  Infantry  during  the  Civil  war,  serving  for  three  years,  and  he  was 
afterward  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublic. 

William  W.  Wyckoff,  after  attending  the  common  schools,  was  graduated  from 
a  college  of  pharmacy  in  Chicago,  in  1880,  and  then  joined  his  father  in  the 
conduct  of  the  drug  store  in  York,  with  which  he  was  associated  until  1887  when 
the  business  was  sold.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  the  abstract  business  in 
which  he  is  still  engaged.  At  the  same  time  he  took  up  the  study  of  law,  w^as 
admitted  to  practice  in  1895,  and  has  since  followed  his  profession.  He  was 
admitted  to  practice  in  all  of  the  courts  and  throughout  the  intervening  years  has 
tried  all  kinds  of  cases  and  tried  them  well,  being  a  strong,  resourceful  lawyer. 
He  is  also  associate  judge  of  the  county  court  and  has  held  the  position  for  four 
years.  He  lias  the  only  set  of  abstract  books  in  York  county,  and  aside  from  his 
activity  in  this  field  he  has  for  the  past  thirty  years,  or  since  its  organization,  been 
a  director  of  the  York  Mutual  Building  &  Loan  Association. 

In  1887  occurred  the  marriage  of  William  W.  Wyckoff  and  Miss  Mary  L. 
Baldwin,  who  was  born  in  Sandwich,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Franklin  Baldwin, 
who  came  to  Nebraska  in  1883,  settling  in  York  county.  The  father  was  a  real 
estate  and  abstract  man  and  both  he  and  his  w'ife  passed  away  iu  York.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wyckoff  have  one  child,  Marjorie,  the  wife  of  Brown  C.  Woodbury,  who  is 
connected  with  the  Liggett  Lumber  Company  of  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wyckoff  are 
members  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  he  is  well  known  in  fraternal  circles 
being  connected  with  Masonic  lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Elks,  and  in  the  last 
named  he  has  been  exalted  ruler.     He  is  likewise  a  member  of  the  United  Work- 


886  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

mon.  The  Wooclnien  of  the  World  and  the  IJcival  Hiiiiihiiider?.  He  belongs  to  the 
('oimiiercial  Chib,  and  to  the  C'ountrv  Cliili  and  Rotary  Club  and  he  is  keenly 
a])preeiative  of  the  social  amenities  of  life.  In  pdlitics  he  has  been  a  republican 
since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.  For  sixteen  years  he  served 
as  city  attorney  and  for  three  years  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors, 
serving  as  its  chairman  for  one  year.  H.e  is  now  for  the  fourth  year  a  member  of 
the  I)oard  of  eilucation  aiul  is  its  secretary,  and  he  manifests  the  keenest  interest 
in  everything  pertaining  to  the  welfare  and  progress  of  city  and  county,  his  aid 
and  influence  toeing  at  all  times  on  the  side  of  advancement. 


FRANK  L.  PROPST 


County  treasurer  Frank  L.  Propst  wlio  resides  in  York,  was  born  on  the  1st  of 
December,  1885,  in  Rowan  county,  North  Carolina,  the  son  of  Lawson  E.  and 
Diana  (Goodman)  Propst.  The  father  was  a  North  Carolinian,  born  in  that  state 
on  the  19th  of  January,  1861,  and  later  removed  to  Illinois  where  he  w-as  married. 
He  and  his  wife  settled  in  North  Carolina  and  there  he  engaged  in  farming  and 
contracting.  He  is  still  enjoying  the  best  of  health  and  continues  to  reside  on  his 
farm.  The  mother,  who  was  a  native  of  Illinois,  died  in  11)16.  Twelve  children 
were  born  of  this  union :  Paul  E.,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  4th  of  December, 
1883,  is  engaged  as  government  civil  engineer  at  Martha,  Texas;  Frank  L.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Willie  Elmer,  whose  birth  occurred  April  3,  1887,  is  a  rail- 
road conductor  and  resides  in  Illinois;  Effie  May,  born  January  3,  1889,  is  the  wife 
of  William  F.  Flinckinger,  a  station  agent,  and  they  reside  at  St.  Michael;  Viola, 
born  on  the  11th  of  September,  1890,  is  the  wife  of  A.  J.  Renneker  of  Memphis, 
Tennessee,  who  is  engaged  in  the  tailoring  business;  Charles  H.,  whose  natal  day 
was  August  22,  1S91,  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Young  county;  Bessie  Ruth,  born 
on  the  28th  of  December,  1891,ms  holding  a  position  as  bookkeeper  in  Waco, 
Texas,  as  is  also  Bertha  Marie,  who  was  born  on  the  23rd  of  August,  1897; 
Johnnie  V.,  born  March  30,  1900,  died  in  infancy;  George  Lee.  liorn  in  1902,  is 
working  on  the  farm  of  his  brother  in  York  county;  Glen  Arthur,  born  on  the  29th 
of  July,  1905,  resides  with  his  father;  and  Dorris  Lawson,  born  July  22,  1908,  is 
at  home.  They  are  all  faithful  members  of  tlie  Evangelical  Lutheran  church.  The 
maternal  grandfather,  Moses  Goodman,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Illinois  having 
driven  overland  with  his  parents  at  an  early  day  with  ox  teams.  When  the  Civil 
war  broke  out  he  entered  the  southern  army  and  served  in  the  position  of  general 
until  he  received  injuries  which  retired  him  from  active  service,  and  from  the 
results  of  which  he  soon  after  died. 

Few  were  the  educational  advantages  offered,  but  Frank  L.  Propst  was  not  to 
be  deterred  in  his  effort  to  obtain  knowledge  and  he  faithfully  attended  the  little 
log  cabin  schoolhouse  with  its  l)oards  for  seats.  When  the  family  removed  to 
Illinois  he  attended  the  country  and  village  schools  and  it  was  only  after  he  had 
completed  every  course  of  study  offered  that  he  put  his  textbooks  aside.  He  then 
worked  for  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  at  which 
time  he  left  the  ]iarental  roof  and  went  to  Joneslxiro,  Arkansas,  where  he  worked  on 
a  lumber  farm  for  eighteen  months.    In  1907  he  went  to  Nebraska  on  a  visit  and 


IHSTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  887 

Ijeing  much  impressed  with  the  progressiveuess  of  the  country  and  the  many  oppor- 
tunities ottered,  decided  to  make  the  state  his  home  and  here  he  has  resided  ever 
since.  Mr.  Propst  had  practically  nothing  when  he  settled  in  Y'ork  county  and  for 
tliree  years  he  engaged  as  a  farm  laborer.  His  next  venture  was  in  the  restaurant 
and  confectionery  business  at  Waco,  which  he  successfully  conducted  for  eighteen 
months,  and  at  the  termination  of  that  period  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Farmers 
and  Traders  Bank  at  Waco  as  assistant  cashier.  For  four  years  he  served  in  that 
capacity  and  then  for  another  four  years  served  as  deputy  county  treasurer.  In  1918 
he  was  elected  to  the  oflfice  of  treasurer  and  is  still  holding  this  position. 

In  1913  Mr.  Proi)st  was  united  in  nuirriage  to  Miss  Ella  M.  Beckord,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  Beckord  wliose  sketch  appears  on  another  page  of  this  work.  Of  this 
union  two  children  have  been  l)orn :  Margaret  Lucille,  aged  four  years;  and  Robert 
Lawson,  thirteen  months  old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Propst  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  churcli  and  lie  is  president  of  the  Metliodist  Brotherhood.  Fraternally  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  Since 
age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Propst  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a  stanch  sup- 
porter of  the  republican  party.  His  success  is  due  to  his  persistent  eft'ort,  and 
determination  and  energy  have  enabled  him  to  overcome  obstacles  and  difficulties  in 
his  path.  Those  who  know  him  and  have  watched  his  course  in  every  relation  of 
life  entertain  for  him  warm  respect  and  high  regard. 


HENRY  SCHLECHTE 


Henry  Schlechte  whose  death  occurred  in  1917  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  was 
one  of  York  county's  earliest  pioneers.  He  was  born  in  Germany  a  son  of  Carl 
Schlechte,  and  in  1845  came  to  the  United  States,  crossing  in  an  old  sailing  vessel 
and  being  several  weeks  on  the  w-ater.  On  landing  in  this  country  he  went  to  St. 
Louis  and  for  a  month  was  employed  on  a  farm  in  that  vicinity.  In  187"?  he  came  to 
Neljraska,  settling  in  York  county  where  he  honiesteaded  on  section  2,  Beaver 
township.  His  home  on  this  place  was  of  sod  with  a  board  floor  and  his  barn  and 
other  outbuildings  were  of  sod.  He  set  out  an  orchard  and  put  his  land  in  cultiva- 
tion but  in  1871:  his  crops  were  entirely  destroyed  by  grasshoppers.  He  was  forced 
to  burn  cornstalks  during  the  winter  months  and  when  the  severe  blizzards  came 
he  brought  his  cattle  into  the  house  to  keep  them  from  freezing.  There  were  few 
pioneer  hardslii]js  he  did  not  experience,  but  his  courage  and  grim  determination 
overcame  all  obstacles.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  in  possession  of  six  liuiidred 
and  eighty  acres  in  Y^ork   county   besides  owning  some   Kansas  and   Idaho  land. 

In  York  county  in  1875  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Schlechte  to  Miss  Ann 
Tieken,  also  a  native  of  Germany,  and  to  them  sixteen  children  were  born :  C.  G.  L., 
who  is  farming  in  Y'ork  county ;  Katie,  the  wife  of  Henry  Wiese,  a  farmer  in 
Seward  county;  Lena,  the  wife  of  Charles  Staehr,  a  farmer  of  Waco  township; 
Anna,  the  wife  of  Carl  Uffelnian,  engaged  in  farming  in  Y'ork  countv;  Ernest,  a 
Y'ork  county  fanner;  Rieke,  the  wife  of  Antone  Wiemken  of  Canada  who  is  engaged 
in  fanning;  William,  engaged  in  the  garage  business  at  Waco;  George,  who  is  farm- 
ing in  Canada :  Mary,  the  wife  of  Max  Keller,  a  farmer  in  Canada ;  Louis,  who 
is  living  at  home;  Henry  and  Alex  who  are  residing  at  home;  Eva  and  Lawrence 


888  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

of  Canada;  Sopliia,  the  wife  of  Traugot  Wunderlich,  a  teacher  in  Chicago;  and 
Bertha,  the  wife  of  Louis  Wenz,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Colorado.  The  first 
member  of  the  family,  C.  G.  L.,  was  born  in  York  county  in  1876.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  county  of  his  birth  and  later  attended  the  State  Agricultural 
school  at  Lincoln.  In  1901  he  started  into  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  in 
which  line  of  work  he  is  very  successful. 

Mr.  Schlechte  was  a  man  of  sterling  characteristics  that  endeared  him  to  all 
with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  never  had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination 
to  leave  his  native  land  and  he  lived  to  prosper  in  his  undertakings  and  witness  the 
marvelous  growth  and  development  of  this  great  state.  He  was  familiar  -irith 
every  phase  of  pioneer  life  and  with  the  complete  story  of  the  early  develop- 
ment of  York  county,  and  in  his  passing  the  community  mourned  the  loss  of  one 
of  its  representative  pioneer  citizens. 


FREDERICK  MARONDE 


In  the  front  rank  of  those  who  have  advanced  the  civilization  of  York  county 
Frederick  Maronde  has  led  the  way  to  the  substantial  development,  progress  and 
upbuilding  of  this  {-ommunity  where  he  still  makes  his  liome.  He  was  born  in 
Germany,  December  14,  ISI-l,  the  son  of  John  Maronde.  His  childhood  was  spent 
in  his  native  country  where  he  received  his  education,  but  when  lie  grew  to  man- 
hood and  learned  of  the  opportunities  for  a  young  man  in  the  United  States  he 
determined  to  come  to  this  country  to  seek  his  fortune.  In  1869  he  came  to 
America  and  secured  work  in  Cliicago  where  he  remained  until  188.5,  when  he 
settled  in  York  county. 

In  1872  he  bought  railroad  land  in  Xew  York  township,  and  when  he  came 
here  in  188.5  lie  built  a  frame  shack  and  began  to  cultivate  the  land  that  is  now 
considered  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county.  There  were  many  hardships  to 
be  endured  but  he  met  them  bravely  and  overcame  them  one  by  one,  emerging 
from  the  drought  period  of  1893  and  1894  with  very  little  to  show  for  his  years 
of  toil,  but  courageous,  none  the  le.ss.  His  success  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  is 
now  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres  of  rich  farm  land,  where  there 
are  three  well  improved  sets  of  farm  buildings.  In  1913  Mr.  Maronde  retired 
from  active  farming  and  moved  to  York,  where  he  has  a  comfortable  home. 

He  was  married  in  1874  to  Miss  Caroline  Sansig,  a  native  of  Germany,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  nine  children :  Anna,  who  is  the  wife  of  August  Keating, 
resides  on  a  farm  in  York  county ;  Bertha,  the  wife  of  Godfrey  Keating,  lives  on 
a  farm  in  York  county ;  Ernest,  is  a  farmer  in  York  county ;  Emma,  the  wife  of 
William  Stover,  resides  on  the  old  lionie  place;  Louis  is  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits  in  York  county ;  Martha  is  the  wife  of  August  Craig  of  York  county ;  Ida 
is  the  wife  of  Paul  Wise,  who  lives  on  a  farm  in  York  county;  Lena  is  the  wife 
of  Otto  Young,  and  living  on  a  farm  in  York  county;  and  Lizzie,  who  is  married 
to  Carl  Schroeder,  is  residing  on  a  farm  in  York  county. 

Mr.  Maronde  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  in 
polities  Mr.  Maronde  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party.  His  life  has  been 
one  of  continuous  activitv  in  wliich  has  been  accorded  due  recognition  of  labor  and 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  889 

today  he  is  numbered  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  the  county.  His  interests 
are  thoroughly  identified  with  those  of  agriculture  and  stock  raising  and  at  all 
times  he  is  ready  to  lend  his  aid  and  cooperation  to  any  movement  calculated  to 
benefit  this  section  of  the  country  or  advance  its  development. 


THOMAS  HENAHAN 


Thomas  Henahan,  one  of  the  most  prosperous  residents  of  York  county,  has 
made  his  home  in  McCool  for  many  years,  giving  his  attention  largely  to  the 
supervision  of  his  investments  and  business  interests.  Mr.  Henahan  is  widely 
recognized  as  a  self-made  man  and  one  who  deserves  great  credit  for  his  success 
and  constant  progress  which  are  the  result  of  individual  merit.  He  was  born  in 
County  Mayo,  Ireland,  Dec.  21,  1847,  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Delila  (Welch) 
Henahan,  natives  of  Ireland  who  have  since  passed  away  in  that  country.  He  was 
one  of  eight  children,  all  of  whom  have  passed  away  except  one  sister,  Mary,  who 
is  living  in  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

The  early  youth  of  Thomas  Henahan  was  spent  in  Ireland,  where  at  the  age 
of  fifteen  he  was  apprenticed  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store,  his  father  having 
payed  thirty  pounds  as  a  guarantee  of  the  boy's  honesty.  After  three  years 
employment  in  this  place  he  joined  the  Royal  Irish  constabulary,  a  semi-military 
organization,  remaining  with  them  for  three  years,  when  he  left  Ireland  and  came 
to  America  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  land  that  promised  so  much  to  the  ambitious 
youth.  His  first  employment  was  secured  with  A.  T.  Stewart,  of  New  York  city, 
who  at  his  death  wa.s  reputed  to  be  the  richest  individual  in  the  world.  Mr. 
Henahan  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Horace  Greeley,  and  he  took  that 
gentleman's  advice  and  came  west  to  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  and  then  to  York  county 
where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  from  a  C!ivil  war  soldier 
who  had  not  made  a  success  of  farming.  This  property  was  in  the  vicinity  of  what 
is  now  known  as  McFadden  township,  York  county,  where  he  resided  seven  years. 
When  the  town  of  McCool  was  in  its  infancy  he  purchased  a  store  built  by  Vander- 
hoof,  and  became  one  of  the  first  merchants  of  the  town,  where  he  conducted  his 
business  for  twenty  years.  The  original  store  was  an  old  frame  building  which 
was  replaced  by  the  second  brick  building  in  the  town.  Mr.  Henahan  can  remember 
the  days  when  he  came  to  York  by  team,  when  the  curling  smoke  emerging 
from  the  ground  pointed  out  the  dugout  homes  of  the  pioneers,  and  he  has  reason 
to  be  proud  that  he  was  one  of  those  who  braved  the  hardships  of  the  pioneer 
settler,  deserving  great  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished  since  coming  to  the 
new  world. 

Mr.  Henahan  was  married  to  Hannah  Rea,  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  they  have 
reared  three  nieces  of  Mr.  Henahan,  having  no  children  of  their  own.  The  children 
who  are  all  married  now,  are:  Mrs.  J.  A.  Dinsmore,  of  McCool,  Nebraska;  Mrs. 
Earl  Hovse,  of  Haxton,  Colorado;  and  Mrs.  J.  T.  Burns,  who  lives  at  Holyoke, 
Colorado. 

Mr.  Henahan  is  a  public  spirited  man  and  has  always  recognized  his  duties  to 
his  fellowmen,  in  many  ways  contributing  to  the  benefit  of  the  community.  In 
politics  Mr.  Henahan  is  a  democrat,  and  has  held  various  oflRces  in  the  county 


8i»0  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

liaviiig  1)0011  11  iiu'iiilxT  ul'  tlio  si-lii.inl  liuanl.  tlio  \illage  board  and  for  six  years  was 
on  the  hoard  of  su|iervisors  of  tlie  county.  Mr.  Henahan  was  an  early  day  post- 
master in  McCool.  lie  now  enjoys  prosperity  and  as  a  result  of  his  diligence  and 
untiring  efforts  is  the  owner  of  valuable  property  including  four  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  of  rich  farm  land  in  the  county.  Mr.  Henahan  has  carefully  and 
successfully  managed  his  work,  and  now  in  splendid  health  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three  he  enjoys  the  fruit  of  his  years  of  well  directed  effort. 


ORYH.LE  M.  MOORE,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Orville  M.  Moore,  who  since  1896  has  been  a  representative  of  the  medical 
profession  at  York,  his  ability  and  fidelity  to  the  highest  standards  of  the  profes- 
sion gaining  him  distinction  as  one  of  the  representative  physicians  of  the  state, 
was  born  at  Eipley,  Brown  county,  Illinois,  July  30,  18.59,  his  parents  being  S.  V. 
and  Laura  A.  (Morris)  Moore.  The  family  comes  of  English  and  Scotch  ancestry. 
John  Moore,  the  great-grandfather  of  Dr.  Moore,  went  from  England  to  Scotland, 
where  he  married  Annie  MacNair.  Jq1w>  Moore  was  an  officer  in  the  British  army 
and  came  to  America  to  t3ke-'.part'in  the  French  and  Indian  war.  He  settled  in 
this  country,  and  when  the  War^fg?  Ijii^ependence  broke  out,  joined  the  American 
forces  and  was  made'  a'  captain.  Three  months  after  the  death  of  John  Moore,  a 
son  was  born  to  his  widow  and  soon  afterward  her  death  occurred,  while  her 
brother,  Archie  MacNair,  retitrned  to  S'p,p/|and.  John  and  Annie  (MacNair)  Moore 
were  also  the  parents  of  two  daughters,  Ma^ry,  called  Polly,  and  Jane,  called  Jinnie. 
John  Moore,  the  s.on  born  after  Tiis' fathers  death,  became  identified  with  agricul- 
tural interests  in  Ohio  during  pioneer  times  and  there  maintained  his  home  and 
reared  his  family,  his  death  occurring  in  that  state.  His  son,  S.  V.  Moore,  was  born 
in  the  Buckeye  state  but  removed  to  Illinois,  and  it  was  at  Ripley  that  he  met  and 
married  Laura  A.  Morris,  a  native  of  Virginia.  She  was  a  daughter  of  D.  D. 
Morris,  who  was  born  in  New  Y'^ork  city  but  died  in  Illinois.  He  was  a  tailor  by 
trade.  Following  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  V.  Moore  lived  in  Illinois  until 
1869  when  they  came  to  York  county.  He  took  a  homestead  north  of  the  present 
site  of  Bradshaw  and  built  a  sod  house  upon  u  hill  overlooking  the  valley  of 
Lincoln  creek.  He  had  studied  and  practised  medicine  in  his  Illinois  home  but 
had  not  intended  to  follow  the  profession  in  Nebraska.  But  the  .need  of  his 
neighbors  was  so  great  and  the  demand  for  the  help  he  could  give  so  urgent,  tliat 
he  gradually  yielded  and  soon  found  himself  with  a  practise  extending  over  the 
most  of  York  county  and  parts  of  Polk  and  Hamilton.  If  a  call  to  a  sick  bed 
came  in  plowing  time  the  plow  must  be  left  in  the  furrow  till  the  sick  were 
visited;  if  a  winter  storm  was  brewing  the  wife  and  children  must  be  left  to  care 
for  themselves  and  the  stock  as  best  they  could  until  the  doctor-father  could 
reach  home  again.  In  many  cases  the  only  compensation  Dr.  Moore  received  was 
the  deep  gratitude  of  his  patients.  'J'hcrc  was  little  to  pay  with,  and  it  was 
not,  unwillingness  but  lack  of  means  which  left  him  unrewarded. 

Ill  addition  to  liis  services  to  the  community  as  a  physician  Dr.  Moore  was 
active  in  the  organization  of  the  county  and  in  assisting  in  the  establishment  of 
religious  and  educational  opportunities  for  the  settlers.     He  was  a  member  of  the 


THE  NEW  YORK 
^^BUC  LlBPARy 


Vol.  II_19 


DR.    S.   V.   MOOEE 


DR.    ORYILLE    M.    MOOEE 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  895 

first   county   board   of   supervisors   and   his  advice   on   all   important  matters   was 
eagerly  sought. 

He  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  at  Bradshaw  from  1884  until  1898  and 
then  removed  to  York,  making  his  home  with  his  son,  Dr.  Moore,  until  his  death. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  were  born  four  children,  but  only  two  are  living,  the 
younger  being  Alice,  the  wife  of  C.  S.  Byrnes,  a  dentist  of  York.  Mr.  Moore  was 
a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and  was  also  a  faithful  foiluwor  of  the 
Masonic  order.  His  political  allegiance  was  given  to  the  republican  party,  but  in 
later  life  he  maintained  a  somewhat  independent  political  course.  For  two  terms, 
from  1875  until  1877,  he  served  in  the  state  legislature  and  was  defeated  for 
congress  by  James  Laird  in  1882.  He  took  keen  interest  in  political  questions, 
was  a  forceful  and  earnest  speaker  and  the  strength  and  validity  of  his  arguments 
were  widely  acknowledged. 

Orville  M.  Moore  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois  and  Nebraska 
and  for  one  term  attended  the  York  Seminary.  He  was  reared  to  the  occupation 
of  farming,  which  he  followed  until  1880  when  he  began  preparation  for  a  pro- 
fessional career  by  entering  the  Bennett  Medical  College  of  Chicago.  He  was 
gi-aduated  from  the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1884,  and 
located  for  practice  at  Bradshaw,  Nebraska.  There  he  built  up  a  good  practice, 
enjoying  liberal  support  from  the  first.  There  were  four  physicians  in  Bradshaw 
when  he  located  there  and  only  one  remaining  when  he  left.  In  1896  he  removed 
to  York  and"  established  gerrerab  practice  in  connection  vnth  Dr.  G.  W.  Shidler, 
which  association  was  maintained  until  Dr.  Shidlers  death.  Dr.  Moore  then 
became  associated  with'  tM' 'son?  of  his  former  partner,  G.  P.  Shidler,  and  the 
firm  name  is  now  Moore,  Shifller  &  King.  They  are  recognized  as  eminent 
physicians  of  this  part  of. the  slate.  They  engage  in  clinical  work  and  also  con- 
duct a  well  equipped  hospitBlC  i  Dr.  Moore  devotes  much  of  his  time  to  surgery 
and  has  taken  post-graduate  work  in  the  New  York  Post-Graduate  Medical  School, 
which  he  attended  in  1891, -and  also  in  the  Chicago  Post-Graduate  School  and 
at  Mayo  Brothers  Hospital  at  Rochester,  Minnesota.  In  fact,  he  has  embraced 
every  opportunity  to  broaden  his  knowledge  and  promote  his  efficiency  and  his 
professional  interests  and  activities  have  long  been  of  an  important  character. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  York  County  and  Nebraska  State  Medical  Societies  and 
at  one  time  was  president  of  the  State  Eclectic  Society.  He  likewise  belongs  to 
the  American  Medical  Association  and  has  served  as  the  president  of  the  county 
organization.  Ho  is  now  devoting  practically  all  of  his  time  to  his  professional 
duties  and  interests  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  physicians  of  the  county.  His  practice 
is  now  very  large  and  important. 

On  the  24th  of  June,  1903,  Dr.  Moore  was  married  to  Miss  Marion  D.  Car- 
penter, a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  a  daughter  of  W.  A.  Carpenter,  who  was 
a  pioneer  of  York  and  became  manager  of  the  creamery  company  here.  To  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Moore  have  been  born  three  children:  Robert  H.,  Marion  Ruth  and  Orville  M., 
aged  respectively  sixteen,  ten  and  eight  years.  Mrs.  Moore  is  a  mendjer  of  the 
Congregational  church.  Dr.  Moore  is  affiliated  with  the  York  Rite  bodies  of 
Masonry  and  is  a  member  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  connected  with  the 
Royal  Highlanders,  while  his  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  democratic  party. 
He  takes  a  decided  interest  in  the  Rotary  Chib  of  which  he  was  the  first  president, 
and  cooperates  in  all  those  forces  which  make  for  the  material,  intellectual,  social 


896  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

and  moral  progress  of  the  community.  His  career  has  ever  heen  actuated  hy 
advanced  standards,  and  not  to  know  Orville  M.  Moore  in  York  is  to  argue  one's 
self  unknown. 


ROBERT  HENDERSON 


Among  the  citizens  of  York  wIkj  are  living  retired  after  many  years  of  diligently 
directed  and  jjrofitable  activity  in  business  fields  is  Robert  Henderson,  who  for  a 
long  period  was  actively  engaged  in  farming  in  Nebraska  but  is  now  enjoying  a 
well  earned  rest.  He  was  born  in  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  January  16,  1850,  and  is 
a  son  of  David  and  Helen  (Brown)  Henderson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Scotland,  their  marriage,  however,  being  celebrated  in  Liverpool,  England.  The 
father  was  born  December  21,  1813,  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  June  11,  1811. 
They  came  to  the  United  States  in  1841:  and  made  their  way  to  Rock  county,  Wis- 
consin, where  the  father  engaged  in  business  as  a  carpenter  and  cabinetmaker. 
In  1866  he  removed  with  his  family  to  York  county,  Nebraska,  and  here  secured 
a  homestead  claim,  erected  a  hewn  log  house  with  one  room  downstairs  and  one 
room  upstairs,  and  spent  his  remaining  days  upon  this  land,  and  his  son  John  also 
homesteaded  at  that  time.  The  land  upon  which  David  Henderson  settled  is  now 
section  twenty,  Henderson  township.  He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  when 
Henderson  township  was  organized  and  it  was  named  in  his  honor.  There  were 
no  settlers  in  the  district  at  that  period  and  the  Indians  were  more  numerous  than 
the  white  men.  They  would  hunt  and  trap  around  the  homestead  and  there  they 
endured  together  the  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life.  In  his  political 
views  Mr.  Henderson  was  a  republican  and  held  most  strongly  to  its  belief.  He 
occupied  various  township  offices  and  in  an  early  day  filled  the  position  of  county 
commissioner  ^id  assessor.  Death  called  him  in  March,  1890,  while  his  wife 
survived  until  September  10,  1893.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children: 
John,  who  died  in  1896 ;  Mary,  the  deceased  wife  of  Daniel  C4eorge,  who  was  also 
a  homesteader  in  Henderson  township ;  Jeanette,  who  is  the  widow  of  E.  D.  Copsey, 
and  lives  in  York;  Agnes,  who  became  the  wife  of  Rollen  Shepherd,  and  died  in 
1905;  Robert;  Nellie,  who  makes  her  home  in  York  with  her  brother  Robert,  and 
is  the  widow  of  W.  I).  Young  who  died  in  lSS(i,  and  who  was  a  bridge  builder  and 
contractor  ol'  this  section  of  the  state;  Elizabeth,  who  resides  with  her  brother 
Robert ;  and  Thomas,  who  died  in  infancy.  The  parents  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  ( liiii-ch  and  in  that  faith  reared  tiieir  family. 

•Robert  Henderson  obtained  his  early  education  in  rural  scliools  of  Wisconsin. 
He  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  early  became  familiar  with  the  best  methods 
of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.  He  came  with  the  family  to  Nebraska 
and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  homesteaded.  He  first  lived  in  a  dugout  on  his 
land  and  later  built  a  frame  house.  He  continued  to  reside  on  that  farm  w^th  his 
sister  imtil  ]!(li9,  when  he  rented  the  old  home  place  and  took  up  b.is  abode  in  York. 
For  a  long  period  he  had  carefully  cngagi'd  in  farming  and  liad  brought  liis 
fields  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  making  his  place  a  very  productive  one.  He 
is  now  enjoying  a  well  ciirned  rest,  the  fruits  of  his  former  toils  bringing  to  him 
all  of  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  life. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  897 

Mr.  Henderson  is  a  reinihliean  and  has  held  several  political  offices,  having 
heen  supervisor  of  the  county  for  eight  years  and  acted  as  chairman  of  the  ijoard 
for  several  years  during  that  period.  He  was  also  elected  to  the  state  legislature 
and  through  one  term  was  active  in  framing  the  laws  of  the  commonwealth.  He 
was  also  elected  county  treasurer  and  filled  that  position  for  two  terms,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  retired  and  has  since  taken  no  active  part  in  political  or  business 
affairs. 

Mr.  Henderson  began  living  in  a  modest  way  and  passed  through  all  .the 
struggles  incidental  to  the  settlement  of  the  frontier  and  the  development  of  new 
farms.  In  the  early  days  game  was  plentiful  and  he  frequently  indulged  his  love  of 
hunting.  Through  one  winter  in  young  manhood  he  devoted  his  time  to  hunting 
buffaloes.  On  one  occasion  his  companion,  Will  Collins,  wounded  a  buffalo  which 
then  started  in  pursuit  of  him,  but  Mr.  Henderson  shot  the  animal  and  thus  saved 
the  life  of  his  friend.  On  another  occasion  he  was  hunting  with  a  companion  who 
shot  a  buffalo  but  did  not  kill  him.  The  man's  horse  stumbled  and  the  buffalo 
was  just  ready  to  kill  the  hunter  when  Mr.  Henderson's  trusty  rifle  pierced  the 
lungs  of  the  buffalo,  and  again  he  was  instrumental  in  saving  a  life.  Fraternally  he 
is  connected  with  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  The  town  of  Henderson 
was  named  for  his  father  and  throughout  the  intervening  period  since  the  arrival 
of  the  family  in  the  state,  the  Hendersons  have  ever  taken  active  parts  in  promoting 
the  work  of  development  and  improvement.  Mr.  Henderson  was  a  member  of  the 
state  legislature  when  Governor  Holcomb  occupied  the  executive  office,  at  which 
time  there  were  but  si.xteen  republican  legislators,  the  remainder  of  the  assembly- 
men being  populist.  Mr.  Henderson  has  at  all  times  borne  his  part  in  the  work  of 
progress  and  improvement. 


GEORGE  HENTON 


Many  changes  have  taken  place  in  York  county  since  George  Henton  came  here, 
and  he  is  deserving  of  a  place  in  this  volume  for  having  been  a  pioneer  and  an 
honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  war. 

George  Henton  was  born  at  Logansport,  Cass  county,  Indiana,  August  30,  1844. 
His  parents  were  John  Rigney  and  Mary  (McCurry)  Henton.  The  father  was  a 
native  of  Virginia  and  in  young  manhood  went  to  Kentucky  where  he  met  and 
married  the  mother  of  our  subject.  In  1830  he  went  to  Cass  county,  Indiana,  when 
there  were  but  one  or  two  log  houses  in  Logansport.  He  put  in  a  dam  and  sawmill, 
sawed  the  lumber,  made  and  burned  the  brick  and  erected  one  of  the  first  brick 
residences  in  that  part  of  the  country.  He  took  up  land  and  engaged  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits  for  many  years  with  good  success.  In  1866  he  moved  to  Platts- 
moutli,  Nebraska,  where  his  death  occurred  the  next  year.  The  mother  survived  for 
many  years  passing  away  in  1887.  She  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina  and 
tradition  says  her  uncle,  Samuel  McCurry,  was  a  teamster  in  the  Revolutionery  war 
and  aided  in  the  defeat  of  Braddock.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  George 
Henton,  probably  a  native  of  England. 

George  ITenton  was  the  youngest  of  seven  children.  He  and  his  sister  Ovanda 
who   lives   with   a   daughter  at   Minatare,  Nebraska,  are  the  onlv  members  of   the 


898  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

family  now  living.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  his  native  county  and 
attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  then  began 
learning  the  carpenter  trade  at  which  he  was  employed  until  President  Lincoln 
called  for  seventy-five  thousand  troops  in  April,  1861,  and  on  the  fourth  of  June 
George  Henton,  not  yet  seventeen  years  of  age,  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Fifteenth 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  three  years  or  during  the  wai-.  The  regiment  was 
organized  at  Indianapolis  and  three  weeks  later  they  went  to  Virginia  and  par- 
ticipated in  the  battles  of  Greenbrier  and  Elk  Water,  after  which  they  went  to 
Camp  Wyckliff,  Kentucky.  In  the  spring  of  ]8()2  they  were  among  the  first  troops 
to  arrive  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  soon  after  proceeded  to  Pittsburg  Landing, 
where  they  arrived  just  about,  the  time  that  memorable  fight  ended.  He  followed 
Beauregard's  retreating  army  to  Corinth  and  then  was  sent  back  to  Louisville  in 
pursuit  of  General  Bragg.  When  that  general  turned  back  across  Kentucky  the 
engagement  at  Berryville  took  place  in  which  Mr.  Henton  participated.  He  then 
went  to  Nashville  where  he  was  encamped  for  some  time,  his  next  scene  of  active 
fighting  being  at  Stone  Eiver.  Being  on  detached  service  Mr.  Henton  was  with 
the  Tenth  Indiana  Battery  during  the  first  day's  fighting  but  was  with  his  own 
regiment  the  second  day.  After  this  battle  they  went  into  camp  at  Murfreesboro, 
and  shortly  afterward  were  ordered  to  Chattanooga.  He  took  part  in  the  battle 
of  Missionary  Ridge.  Of  the  three  hundred  and  thirty-four  men  who  went  into 
this  battle  two  hundred  two  were  killed  or  wounded.  Of  his  own  company  but  seven 
returned  to  tell  the  tale.  Shortly  after  this  battle  an  attack  of  pneumonia  made 
it  necessary  for  Mr.  Henton  to  be  sent  to  the  hosiiital  at  Nashville,  and  on  his 
recovery  he  remained  at  the  barracks  at  Nashville  until  the  expiration  of  his  terar 
of  enlistment.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  June  25,  1864.  He 
returned  home  and  attended  school  until  the  spring  of  1865,  when  he  again  enlisted, 
this  time  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-fifth  Indiana  Infantry.  He  remained  in 
camp  at  Indianapolis  until  the  latter  part  of  .\\>vi\  and  was  then  onlered  to  Wash- 
ington, and  from  there  to  Alexandria,  Virginia,  for  guard  duty,  but  two  weeks  later 
was  sent  to  Dover,  Delaware,  where  he  was  discharged  August  4,  1865.  Although 
he  saw  so  much  active  service  and  participated  in  some  of  the  fiercest  battles  of  the 
war  he  was  never  wounded  nor  captured,  although  at  Missionary  Eidge  he  was 
knocked  down  by  an  exjdodcd  shell  and  came  out  of  the  fight  with  several  bullet 
holes  in  his  clothes. 

After  the  war  he  returned  home  and  in  1S(;(i  a((din|iniiied  his  parents  on  their 
removal  to  Plattsmouth,  Nebraska.  He  worked  at  the  carpenter  trade  until  0^12. 
when  he  started  for  Franklin  county,  Nebraska,  with  the  intention  of  taking  a 
homestead.  Stopping  at  York  on  the  way  he  learned  that  a  elaim  in  this  county 
has  been  vacated  by  a  Civil  war  soldier  and  that  it  could  be  had.  For  fear  the 
former  claimant  might  return  Mr.  Henton  had  almut  deciiled  not  to  take  it  when 
he  learned  that  another  was  about  to  lay  claim  to  the  land.  Hastening  to  Lincoln 
he  filed  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  34,  Baker  township.  Returning  to 
Plattsmouth  he  shipped  his  household  goods  to  Fairmonl  and  hired  a  team  to  haul 
a  load  of  hi  nil  Hi-  to  the  place  he  had  selected  for  a  home.  The  land  was  wholly 
unimproved  and  he  erected  a  frame  dwelling  fourteen  feet  by  fourteen  feet,  and  in 
this  they  made  their  home  for  six  years.  Then  the  house  which  still  stands  and 
which  has  served  all  these  years  was  built.  For  many  years  Mr.  Henton  successfully 
engaged  in   fai'iiiiiig  but  for  some  years  past  has  lived  retired. 


HISTOKY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  899 

On  October  6,  1868,  in  Cass  county,  N'ebraska,  occurred  the  marriage  of  (ieorge 
Heiiton  and  Miss  Lydia  Eikenbary  who  was  Ixirn  at  Burlington,  Iowa,  May  11, 
1844.  Her  parents  were  Samuel  and  Martha  (Crawford)  Eikenbary  the  former 
born  in  Preble  county,  Ohio,  and  the  latter  in  Union  county,  Indiana.  They  were 
early  settlers  of  Cass  county,  Nebraska,  coming  there  in  1856.  Samuel  Eikenljary 
served   in   the   territorial    legislature   when  the   capital   of   the   state   was   Omaha. 

The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henton  has  been  blessed  with  the  birth  of  four 
children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Frank  E.  resides  in  Alberta,  Canada;  Ethel 
is  the  wife  of  Herbert  Harris,  a  dentist  of  Auburn,  Nebraska ;  Madge  passed  away 
at  the  age  of  two  and  a  half  years;  and  George  Earl,  a  physician  of  Portland, 
Oregon. 

Mr.  Henton  has  been  a  republican  since  casting  his  first  vote  for  Abraham 
Lincoln  at  his  second  election.  For  many  years  he  has  maintained  pleasant  rela- 
tions with  his  army  comrades  by  membership  in  Eobert  Anderson  Post,  ii.  A.  R.,  at 
York.    Mrs.  Henton  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  find  a  more  devoted  couple  than  ilr.  and  Mrs.  Henton, 
who  have  traveled  life's  pathway  together  for  more  than  fifty-two  years,  and  still 
reside  on  the  old  farm  where  they  located  forty-eight  years  ago.  Time  and  fortune 
have  dealt  kindly  with  them  and  no  worthy  cause  ever  seeks  their  aid  in  vain.  Mr. 
Henton  has  been  as  faithful  to  duty  in  days  of  peace  as  when  he  followed  the  stars 
and  stripes  on  the  battle  fields  of  the  south. 


JACOB  P.  KEGIEK 


Jacob  P.  Kegier  a  well  known  and  enterprising  farmer  of  York  county  where 
he  operates  a  splendid  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  is  a  native  of  Kussia, 
born  in  that  country  April  7,  1874,  a  son  of  Peter  and  Kathrino  (Quiring)  Kegier, 
both  also  of  Russian  birth.  In  1876  they  crossed  the  Atlantic  and  first  located 
in  Minnesota,  remained  in  that  state  for  a  short  time  and  then  migrated  to 
Nebraska  and  settled  on  a  farm.  Some  years  later  the  family  went  to  Oklahoma  and 
there  the  father  passed  away  and  the  mother  is  still  living,  being  well  advanced 
in  years.     To  their  marriage  twelve  children  were  born,  six  of  whom  arc  living. 

Jacob  P.  Eegier  was  reared  in  Nebraska  and  attended  the  common  schools  of 
the  state.  He  grew  to  manhood  with  the  usual  advantages  of  a  boy  of  that  period 
and  after  he  had  attained  his  majority  started  on  his  career  as  a  farmer  and  has 
been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  ever  since  with  good  results,  becoming  one 
of  the  well-to-do  men  of  his  community.  He  has  a  well  kept  and  highly  improved 
holding  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  devoted  to  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  and  he  ranks  as  one  of  the  progressive  farmers  of  the  district.  His  place 
is  located  on  section  20,  Brown  township,  and  he  has  been  utilizing  modern  ma- 
chinery and  skilled  methods  in  the  operation  of  his  holdings,  wdiich  is  now  one  of  the 
most  valuable  farm  properties  in  the  district. 

In  1897  Mr.  Eegier  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Kathrine  Goertzen,  a 
native  of  Hamilton  county,  Nebraska,  and  a  daughter  of  Isaac  ami  Agnes  Goertzen, 
both  born  in  Russia  and  came  to  America  in  the  early  70's  the  father  dying  some 
years  later  while  the  mother  is  still  living  aged  seventy.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eegier  have 


!)00  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

become  the  parents  of  five  eliildieii :  J\^iitliriiie,  the  wife  of  Joliii  D.  Quiring,  a 
farmer,  of  York  county;  Agnes,  living  at  lioine ;  .Jacob  E.;  Daniel  E.  and  Heinrich 
E.  The  Regier  family  are  members  of  the  Mennonite  churcli  anil  take  an  active 
part  in  all  church  work.  He  supports  the  re]iul)liean  party  ami  has  served  his 
district  on  the  school  board.  Mr.  Regier  enjoys  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  self- 
made  7nan  whose  success  is  the  merited  reward  of  his  unremitting  industry  and 
.?onnd   business  judgment. 


GEOROE  W.  FRANCE 


George  W.  France,  attorney  at  York,  is  a  native  of  that  place  having  been 
born  there  on  the  10th  of  April,  1879.  His  father  was  George  B.  France  who 
was  prominent  among  the  lawmakers  of  the  county.  The  death  of  the  senior  Jlr. 
France  occurred  on  the  Kith  of  August,  1914,  after  a  life  of  unselfish  devotion  to 
service  of  the  public  and  to  his  home  and  family.  He  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
born  in  that  state  January  10,  1837,  and  was  over  seventy-seven  years  of  age  at  tlie 
time  of  his  death.  Mr.  France  was  reared  on  a,  farm  and  was  enrolled  at  Oberlin 
College  in  1S61,  when  the  Civil  war  interrupted  his  studies.  On  the  1.5th  of 
August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  'J'wenty-first  Indiana  Battery  and  participated  in 
several  battles.  One  year  after  his  enlistment  he  was  seriously  wounded  by  an 
accidental  explosion  of  jKiwder,  and  was  discharged,  returning  to  Oberlin  College, 
where  lie  graduated  with  honor  in  1867.  Immediately  after  his  graduation  he 
entered  the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Michigan  and  was  graduated 
therefrom  a  year  later.  In  1869  lie  came  to  Nebraska  and  opened  a  law  office  at 
Milford,  which  was  then  the  county  seat  of  Seward  county.  In  the  same  year  he 
was  elected  to  the  office  of  county  superintendent  of  Seward  county,  then  embracing 
the  territory  which  was  organized  into  York  county  in  1870.  For  six  year  he  held 
the  position  of  superintendent  of  schools,  at  the  expiration  of  that  period  removing 
to  York.  In  1874  he  had  married  Miss  Edith  Courtright  of  Milford  and  they 
made  their  home  in  York  until  Mr.  France's  death.  In  1879  and  1880  Mr  France 
was  mayor  of  York  and  served  the  public  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all.  In  1879 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  S.  H.  Sedgwick,  at  one  time  judge  of  the  supreme 
court  of  tlie  state,  under  the  firm  name  of  France  &  Sedgwick,  and  subsequently 
formed  a  partnership  with  N.  V.  Harlan,  the  firm  name  being  France  &  Harlan. 
When  liis  son,  George  W.  France,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  he  took  him  into 
partnershi]>  and  the  firm  became  France  &  France.  For  many  years  George 
B.  France  enjoyed  a  large  practice  and  was  widely  known  throughout  the  state  as  a 
criminal  lawyer.  He  was  a  tliirty-third  degree  Mason  and  stood  high  in  that 
ancient  order,  and  was  grand  master  of  the  state  at  one  time.  He  was  reared  in  the 
faith  of  the  Christian  church,  but  while  attending  Oberlin  College  he  embraced  the 
Congregational  faith.  In  the  death  of  Mr.  France  the  community  suffered  a  great 
loss,  for  he  was  a  kind  and  faithful  friend  and  a  good  and  active  citizen. 

George  W.  France,  following  in  his  father's  footsteps,  decided  to  make  law  his 
life  work,  and  after  graduating  from  the  University  of  Nebraska  in  1903,  he  began 
practice  with  his  father  and  continued  in  this  connection  until  the  death  of  the 
former.     He  is  now  practicing  alone  and  has  built  up  a  hirge  clientage,  gaining 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  901 

for  himself  the  reputation  aud  respect  enjoyed  by  his  father.  In  the  conduct  of 
criminal  eases  he  is  proving  his  ability,  for  he  was  lawyer  for  the  defense  in  the 
latest  murder  trial  in  York  county,  the  second  case  of  that  kind  ever  brought  up 
in  the  county. 

On  the  23rd  of  June,  1!>03,  Mr.  France  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jane 
M.  Morrow  who  is  a  native  of  Iowa.  Three  children  have  lieen  born  to  this  union, 
namely:  Grace  Edith,  aged  ten  years;  Jane  Winnifred,  aged  eight  years,  and 
Mary  Elizabeth,  deceased.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church 
and  prominent  in  all  activities  of  that  organization.  Mr.  France  is  a  Royal  Arch 
Mason  and  a  member  of  the  Elks,  being  past  exalted  ruler.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  tlie  York  Country  Club.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican 
party  but  has  never  been  very  active.  In  addition  to  his  professional  duties  he  takes 
much  interest  in  his  farm  and  in  the  civic  improvements  of  his  community  and 
is  a  citizen  of  whom  York  has  a  right  to  feel  proud. 


RAY  COOMBS 


Ray  Coombs,  who  follows  farming  in  York  county  is  a  representative  business 
man  whose  wise  use  of  time  and  opportunities  has  gained  for  him  a  place  among 
the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  this  part  of  the  state.  He  was  born  in  York  county. 
May,  9,  1880,  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabetli  (Keckley)  Coombs,  the  former  born 
in  England,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  early  70's,  and  the  latter  a 
daughter  of  William  Keckley  who  was  an  early  settler  in  York  county.  The 
mother  is  now  residing  in  Portland,  Oregon. 

When  John  Coombs  came  from  England  and  made  Nebraska  his  destination, 
eventually  coming  to  York  county,  this  part  of  the  state  was  sparsely  settled  and 
was  in  a  primitive  condition.  He  took  a  homestead  of  eighty  acres  in  Thayer 
township,  where  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  settle,  and  immediately  proceeded  to  get 
his  place  in  order.  It  was  all  raw  land  without  any  improvements  and  his  first 
house  and  also  his  first  barns  were  of  sod  construction.  There  were  no  local 
facilities  for  the  purchas^e  of  household  commodities  and  other  reciuirements,  and 
everything  had  to  be  hauk^d  from  Seward.  Later  he  bought  another  place  south  of 
Benedict  and  adjoining  tliat  town,  but  during  the  grasshopper  visitation  all  the 
growing  crops  on  the  holding  were  destroyed.  However,  he  set  to  work  to  retrieve 
his  fortunes  and  at  last  had  the  satisfaction  of  having  his  hibors  rewarded  in  the 
enjoyment  of  a  secure  competence.  He  died  in  1910,  being  then  in  his  sixtieth 
year.  He  was  the  father  of  three  children :  Margaret,  wife  of  John  Welch,  of 
Portland,  Oregon;  May,  who  married  James  Marks  of  Montana;  and  Ray  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

Ray  Coombs  acquired  an  education  in  the  district  schools  near  his  father's  farm 
and  through  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  aided  in  the  work  of  the  fields, 
early  becoming  familiar  with  the  arduous  tasks  incident  to  the  development  and 
cultivation  of  the  crops.  He  started  farming  on  the  place  on  which  he  now  resides 
and  since  it  has  come  into  his  possession  has  improved  and  increased  its  earning 
power  to  a  very  appreciable  extent.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  and  feeds  live  stock  for  the  market,  in  the  latter  line  being  very  successful. 


902  TTTSTOl^Y    OF    YOTlTv    ("'OrXTY 

He  started  buying  aiul  shipping  live  stock  iit  13ene(li<-t  and  devutes  ;dl  of  his  time 
to  the  farm  and  to  his  stock,  his  steady  application  in  tliis  connection  phiciug  hira 
in  tile  fi'ont  rank  among  the  leading  agriculturists  of  the  townsliip.  His  methods 
are  most  progressive,  his  business  affairs  are  s_ystematically  liamlled  ami  in  nil 
things  he  displays  sound  judgment  as  M-ell  as  unfaltering  enterprise. 

Tn  1906  ilr.  ('()ombs  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mabel  Eeady,  a  native  of  Illinois, 
and  to  this  union  six  childicn  hue  lieen  born:  \\'rmni,  deceased:  Cliei-yl.  Ivlitb, 
Marion,  Alden  and  Koland,  all  of  whom  live  with  their  parents.  Mrs.  ('oon)bs  is 
a  memlier  of  the  Unitarian  church  and  of  the  Order  of  Rebekah,  while  in  the  social 
atfaii's  of  her  community  she  takes  a  practical  pait.  Ml'.  Coombs  is  alliliated  with 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  l<>llows  and  with  the  -Klks,  gi\ing  considerable 
attention  to  the  interests  of  these  ])opular  organizations.  In  ])olitics  his  leanings 
are  toward  the  republican  party  but  lie  exercises  the  right  to  vote  independently 
where  he  feels  that  party  lines  are  not  of  as  great  importance  as  the  necessities  of 
the  hour.  He  and  his  wife  have  an  e.xtensive  circle  of  friends  throughout  the 
locality  and  are  widely  recognizeil  as  people  of  gennine  personal  worth. 


A.  FRED  ROBSON 


Prominent  among  the  most  alert  and  progressive  farmers  of  York  county  is 
A.  Fred  Robson  who  is  the  owner  of  extensive  and  valuable  holdings  in  Thayer,  his 
entire  land  interests  amounting  to  seven  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He  was  b(u-n 
in  the  City  of  Lincoln,  England,  January  7,  1848,  and  w'as  educated  in  the  schools  of 
that  city.  When  he  was  fourteen  years  old  he  began  working  at  the  machinist's 
trade,  for  the  first  year  his  wages  being  one  dollar  a  week,  and  for  each  successive 
year  of  his  seven  years'  apprenticeship  he  received  a  small  automatic  advance,  this 
being  the  trade  custom  at  that  time  in  England,  lie  then  workcil  as  a  journevman 
at  his  trade  for  one  year,  during  this  period  saving  enough  nioiiev  to  enable  liini 
to  ]iay  bis  passage  to  America. 

In  1870,  being  then  in  his  twenty-second  year,  Mr.  Robson  immigrated  to 
this  country  and  landed  at  Portland,  Maine,  going  thence  to  Omaha  where  he 
worked  on  the  construction  of  the  Omaha  bridge  across  the  Missouri  river  for 
about  two  years.  He  then  turned  "liis  attention  to  farming  and  in  the  spring  of 
1872  came  to  York  county  and  took  a  homestead  of  eighty  acres  in  Thayer  township 
and  is  still  residing  on  his  original  holding.  He  erected  a  small  frame  house  and 
began  to  break  the  ground,  remaining,  however,  but  a  short  time.  He  returned  to 
Omaha  aiid  operated  a  steam  shovel  during  the  summer  and  then  went  back  to  the 
homestead  and  resumed  farm  work.  From  the  very  beginning  of  his  life  as  a 
farmer  Mr.  Robson  prospered  in  all  his  undertakings  and  as  he  went  along  added 
to  bis  laiul  interests  until  he  finally  became  the  owner  of  seven  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  prime  land  on  which  he  erected  a  fine  set  of  buildings.  His  chief 
line  of  activity  on  the  farm  apart  from  the  cultivation  of  general  crops  was  the 
raising  of  Shorthorn  cattle.  He  has  been  actuated  by  a  spirit  of  progressiveness  in 
all  he  has  accomplished  and  there  have  been  but  few  leisure  hours  in  his  life,  which 
has  been  one  continuous  round  of  energy  and  industry,  these  factors  being  largely 
responsible  for  his  success. 


o 

03 

ffl 

o 


03 


HISTOBY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  905 

On  January  4,  1878,  Mr.  Robson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Frances  A. 
Porter,  a  native  of  Bristol,  England,  who  came  to  iVmerica  with  her  mother, 
her  brotlier  William  and  her  sisters  Lucy  and  Sarah,  in  the  summer  of  1872, 
being  then  thirteen  years  old.  They  settled  on  a  homestead  in  Thayer  town- 
ship, York  county,  and  there  the  family  erected  a  frame  house,  in  which  they 
lived  for  some  years.  Tlie  mother  later  returned  to  England,  where  she  is 
now  living  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robson  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children :  Augustus,  who  lives  in  Montana :  Vinnie,  the 
wife  of  Harry  Hustead,  of  Omaha:  Edith,  the  wife  of  Christian  Farley,  of  Thayer 
township;  Annie,  who  died  in  her  twenty-sixth  year;  William,  who  lives  in  Kim- 
ball, Nebraska;  Roy,  who  passed  away  at  thirteen  years  of  age;  Evylin,  the  wife  of 
Rolla  Mace,  living  in  Nebraska ;  John,  who  resides  in  Thayer  township ;  Herman, 
also  in  Thayer  township;  Rhoda,  the  wife  of  Glen  Warner,  of  Polk  county, 
Nebraska,  and  Mary  and  Albert,  living  at  home.  Mrs.  Robson  is  a  m^nber  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  while  her  activities  in  community  affairs  during  her 
long  residence  in  the  county  have  endeared  her  to  a  wide  circle  of  friends  by  whom 
she  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem.  Mr.  Robson  has  for  years  given  attention  to 
public  affairs  and  has  served  as  school  director  and  treasurer  of  his  school  district, 
his  interest  in  the  cause  of  education  being  a  valuable  factor  in  promoting  the 
welfare  of  the  schools  in  Thayer  township. 

MILTON  M:,WI.LDMA'N'' 

Milton  M.  Wildman,  for  many  years  an  a-tto-rney  of  York  and  prominent  in  the 
political  affairs  of  his  community,  was  born  in  Piatt  county,  Illinois,  in  1856,  a  son 
of  Thomas  and  Mary  J.  (Longuecker)  Wildnran,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York 
state  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  They  came  to  Illinois  in  their  youth,  where  they 
met  and  were  married  and  settled  in  that  state  on  a  farm.  Mr.  Wildman  held  a 
number  of  township  offices  and  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  principles  for  which 
the  rei^ublican  party  is  sponsor.  Three  children  were  born  of  this  union,  of  which 
the  sxxbject  of  this  sketch  is  the  second.  One  child,  David,  is  a  retired  farmer  of 
York  and  the  other  is  deceased.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  Milton  M.  Wildman 
was  Jonathan  AYildman,  a  native  of  New  York  state  who  later  removed  to  Ohio 
where  he  resided  until  his  death.  The  maternal  grandfather,  David  Longnecker, 
was  of  English  origin,  but  removed  tn  Illinois  where  he  was  living  at  the  time  of 
his  death. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Milton  M.  Wildman  attended  the  country 
schools  of  Illinois,  took  a  short  course  in  a  college  at  Ladoga,  Indiana,  and  taught 
school  three  years  in  Illinois.  In  ]882  he  came  to  Nebraska  and  for  the  first  three 
years  of  his  residence  in  this  state  taught  school  and  farmed.  He  then  became 
desirous  of  becoming  a  lawyer  and  with  that  object  in  view  read  law  in  an  attorney's 
office  at  York,  after  which  he  entered  the  Ann  Arbor  Law  School  and  was  graduated 
from  this  institution  in  1888.  He  began  to  practice  in  York  in  partnership  with 
C.  S.  Rainbolt,  in  which  connection  he  continued  for  a  short  time  and  then 
launched  into  the  practice  on  his  own  account  and  has  since  continued  alone,  except 
for  a  short  time  with  G.  W.  Bemis. 


OOG  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

On  the  30th  of  March,  1881,  Mr.  Wihlmnn  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  A. 
Yalentine,  a  native  of  Ohio  and  a  daughter  of  John  Yalentine  who  removed  from 
Illinois  to  Nebraska  where  his  death  occurred.  Four  children  have  been  born  of 
the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wildman:  Holland  Roscoe,  a  dentist  in  York;  Blaine 
Cecil,  a  teacher  in  the  dental  department  of  the  Nebraska  State  University;  Ethel 
Louise,  a  teacher;  and  Elsie  Pearl,  a  teacher.  These  young  people  are  graduates 
of  the  York  high  school  and  each  received  a  college  education.  They  are  all 
members  of  the  Congregational  church  and  citizens  of  whom  the  state  may  be  justly 
proud. 

ilr.  Wildman  has  always  been  active  in  the  work  of  tlie  Congregational  church 
and  has  served  on  the  board  of  trustees  and  on  the  board  of  directors  of  that 
organization  for  a  number  of  years.  He  also  taught  the  men's  class  for  several 
years.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  ilodern  "Woodman  and  Eoyal  Highlanders 
and  politically  he  is  a  republican.  In  the  support  of  his  party  he  has  always  been 
very  active  and  has  held  several  public  offices.  He  has  served  as  county  judge  and 
city  and  county  attorney  and  in  1919  was  a  member  of  the  state  legislature.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  city  council  and  has  acted  as  city  clerk.  With  this  record  of 
])olitical  activity  behind  him  he  is  now  a  candidate  for  district  judge  and  as  he  has 
ahvavs  carried  a  splendid  vote  in  this  county  he  e.xpeets  to  carry  a  good  vote  in  the 
judicial  district.  The  success  that  Mr.  AVildman  enjoys  today  is  the  result  of  his 
own  labors,  for  when  he  came  to  Nebraska  he  had  practically  nothing  except  a  grim 
determination  and  the  courage  to  stand  back  of  it.  Now  in  addition  to  the  income 
from  his  large  practice  he  owns  two  good  pieces -of  business  property  and  also  some 
city  property.  In  every  phase  of  his  life,  whether  as  lawyer,  business  man  or 
citizen,  he  has  displayed  thorough  reliability  as  well  as  enterprise  and  in  many  ways 
has  contributed  to  the  material,  political  and  moral  development  of  the  community. 


GEORGE  W.  SHEECK 


Among  the  enterprising  and  progressive  business  men  of  York  George  A^ . 
Shreck  is  numbered,  lie  is  now  conducting  a  i-eal  estate  and  insurance  agency 
and  in  this  capacity  lias  won  a  clientage  of  large  and  gratifying  proportions.  He 
arrived  in  York  county  in  early  manhood  having  just  enough  money  to  reach  his 
destination,  and  the  .success  which  he  has  achieved  through  the  intervening  years 
has  been  tlic  direct  result  of  his  energy,  enterprise  and  sound  judgment. 

Mr.  Shreck  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Indiana,  August  6,  1857,  a  son  of 
Philip  and  Sarah  A.  (Reed)  Shreck,  who  were  natives  of  Yirginia  and  Indiana 
respectively.  Ilis  father  was  a  son  of  George  Shreck  wlm  removed  to  Indiana  in 
1835  and  purchased  land  in  this  state.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  worked 
along  that  line  in  addition  to  the  development  of  the  fields.  A  great-grandfather 
of  George  AV.  Shreck  was  William  Deatrick.  who  removed  from  Virginia  to  Indiana 
at  a  very  early  day  and  on  three  different  occasions  made  the  trip  between  the  two 
states  on  horseback.  William  Eeed.  the  maternal  grandfather  of  George  W.  Shreck, 
was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  he,  too,  became  a  pioneer  settler  of  Indiana, 
where  he  followed  farming  to  the  time  of  his  death.  The  father  journeyed  across 
the  country  with  team  and  wagon  from  the  Old  Dominion  to  the  Hoosier  state.    He 


HISTOEY    OP   YORK    COUNTY  907 

was  reared  on  a  farm  and  made  agriculture  his  life  work,  remaining  a  resident  of 
Indiana  till  called  to  his  final  rest.  He  possessed,  however,  considerable  mechan- 
ical skill,  and  in  early  life  learned  the  blacksmith  trade  and  afterward  conducted  a 
blacksmith  shop  on  his  farm.  He  also  built  wagons  biit  repairing  was  the  principal 
part  of  his  work  in  that  connection.  It  was  in  Indiana  that  he  married  Miss  Eeed 
and  both  have  passed  away.  They  were  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church,  and  in  his  political  views  Philip  Shreck  was  a  republican.  During  the 
Civil  war  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  Home  Guard  and  was  captured  by  Morgan. 
He  had  enlisted  in  the  volunteer  army  and  raised  a  company,  but  was  rejected  on 
account  of  physical  disability.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Philip  Shreck  were  born  nine 
children  of  whom  seven  are  living:  George  W. ;  J.  R.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  business  in  Portland,  Oregon ;  W.  A.,  a  practicing  physician  of  Bertrand,  ^ 
Nebraska:  Emma,  the  wife  of  Jacob  P.  Smith,  who  is  living  on  a  farm  in  York 
county;  Mary  P.,  the  wife  of  Blithe  Ludlow,  a  farmer  of  Medford,  Oklahoma; 
Amzi  J.,  a  farmer  of  Aberdeen,  Idaho;  and  Anna  B.,  who  is  a  professional  nurse 
of  York. 

George  W.  Shreck  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Harrison 
county,  Indiana,  and  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  early  becoming  familiar  with 
the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.  He  learned  the  black- 
smith's trade  in  early  life  and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  removed  to  Waco, 
Nebraska,  where  he  established  a  smithy.  The  old  building  which  was  put  up  in 
1878  is  still  standing.  He  continued  in  active  business  in  Waco  for  three  years  and 
in  188-i  removed  to  York.  His  fellow  townsmen,  appreciative  of  his  worth  and 
ability,  called  him  to  public  office.  He  was  deputy  sheriff  for  five  years  and  was 
afterward  three  times  elected  to  the  office  of  sheriff.  In  190.5  he  was  elected  state 
senator,  representing  the  district  being  comprised  of  Fillmore  and  York  counties. 
He  was  made  postmaster  under  President  Roosevelt,  occupying  the  position  for 
eight  years.  After  his  term  expired  he  once  more  engaged  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness, and  there  is  nu  man  more  thoroughly  familiar  with  property  conditions  and 
values  in  York  than  Mr.  Shreck.  At  all  times  he  has  been  most  loyal  to  public 
duties  and  has  made  a  most  excellent  record  in  office.  He  now  devotes  most  of  his 
time  to  the  real  estate  and  fire  insurance  business,  and  while  he  largely  handles 
local  property  he  also  deals  to  some  extent  in  Colorado  lands.  Mr.  Shreck  is  a 
director  of  the  First  National  Bank  and  as  a  business  man  is  most  widely  and 
favorably  known. 

In  Indiana  Mr.  Shreck  was  married  to  Miss  Miranda  Melton  who  passed  away 
in  1879,  and  he  next  wedded  Laura  Melton  of  the  same  state.  Two  sons  have  been 
born  of  this  marriage :  Charles  D.,  who  is  an  electrician  of  York ;  and  Jay,  who  is 
engaged  in  the  newspaper  business  in  Chicago,  being  now  connected  with  the 
Exhibitors  Herald.  He  has  been  well  trained  for  this  work,  and  was  formerly 
identified  with  the  Chicago  Tribune  and  with  the  Record-Herald.  The  mother  of 
these  sons  died  in  1917.    Later  Mr.  Shreck  wedded  Dora  Knight,  his  present  wife. 

Mr.  Shreck  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  has  become  a  Knight  Templar  and  member 
of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  connected  with  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of 
Elks  and  with  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  has  filled  all  of  the 
chairs  in  the  latter.  He  has  also  rendered  official  service  to  his  church  having  been 
recording  steward   keeper  of  finance  for  twenty-two   years,  and   has   also  been  a 

Vol.  11—20 


908  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

member  of  tlie  board  of  trustees  for  a  number  of  years.  He  has  also  been  secretary 
and  president  of  the  Commercial  Club  of  York,  and  secretarj'  of  the  York  Agricul- 
tural Society.  He  has  thus  coojjerated  in  many  agencies  which  have  had  to  do  with 
the  upbuilding  and  progress  of  the  district  in  which  he  makes  his  home,  and  his 
contribution  thereto  has  been  extensive  and  valuable.  He  is  everywhere  spoken  of 
in  terms  of  high  regard  by  reason  of  the  sterling  worth  of  his  character  and  his 
devotion  to  the  public  welfare. 


W.  X.  HYLTON,  M.  D. 


Prepared  by  comprehensive  study  and  diligent  attention  to  duty  Dr.  W.  X. 
Hylton  has  won  for  himself  a  distinguished  position  in  the  ranks  of  the  medical 
profession  in  York  county  and  surrounding  district.  He  has  wisely  utilized  his 
native  talents  and  as  the  years  have  gone  on  his  reading  and  research  have  kept  him 
in  touch  with  the  trend  of  medical  scientific  attainment.  He  was  born  in  Xew 
Virginia,  Iowa,  May  22,  1862,  a  son  of  George  W.  and  Letitia  (Irwin)  Hylton,  the 
former  a  native  of  Indiana  and  the  latter  of  Ireland,  both  of  whom  are  now  living 
retired  and  are  well  advanced  in  years. 

CTeorge  W.  Hylton,  who  followed  farming  in  his  native  state,  went  to  Iowa  in 
the  latter  50's  and  conducted  a  general  merchandise  store  in  New  Virginia  where  he 
also  served  as  postmaster  for  a  time  and  was  one  of  the  best  known  men  of  that 
place.  In  1873  he  set  out  for  Cass  county,  Nebraska,  and  drove  overland  from 
Iowa,  crossing  the  river  at  Nebraska  City  by  ferry  on  March  1  of  that  year,  and 
after  a  perilous  journey  reached  his  destination,  where  he  acquired  a  homestead.  In 
that  part  of  the  country  he  put  up  one  of  the  first  houses  and  it  was  composed  of 
part  sod  and  part  frame,  the  hauling  of  lumber  and  other  necessaries  having  to  be 
done  from  Unadilla  and  South  Bend,  Nebraska.  He  proved  up  on  the  homestead 
and  proceeded  without  delay  to  improve  and  develop  its  fields,  planting  and  culti- 
vating crops  only  to  find  that  as  a  result  of  the  grasshopper  visitation  he  lost  every- 
thing, a  somewhat  similar  result  following  the  advent  of  several  blizzards.  Apart 
from  these  disasters  he  was  successful  in  his  agricultural  o])erations  and  continued 
along  farming  lines  for  several  years,  finally  disposing  of  the  homestead.  In  1910 
Mr.  Hylton  retired  from  active  farm  life  and  moved  to  Ehnwood,  Nebraska,  and 
bought  a  tract  of  land  in  that  neighborhood,  which  he  still  owns.  He  is  now 
eighty-three  years  old  while  his  wife  is  in  her  seventy-ninth  year.  They  became  the 
parents  of  the  following  children :  Alfred,  who  died  in  California j  W.  N.,  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Harry,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Brown ville,  Nebraska; 
Mary,  deceased;  Mattie,  the  wife  of  Dr.  G.  G.  Douglas,  of  Ehnwood;  Anna,  the 
widow  of  Frank  Richardson,  of  Elmwood ;  Cora,  the  wife  of  William  Gerbeling,  of 
Nuckols  county,  Nebraska ;  Lucy,  the  wife  of  Edw^ard  Gustin,  of  Elmwood,  and 
Grace,  who  teaches  in  Blue  Hill  high  school.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist church,  to  the  teachings  of  which  they  have  ever  conformed.  He  gives  his 
political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  in  purely  local  affairs  he  has  always 
been  a  consistent  advocate  of  progress. 

Dr.  W.  N.  Hylton  was  a  young  lad  when  his  parents  left  Iowa  in  1ST2  and  he 
secured  his  preliminary  education  in  the  schools  of  Elmwood,  Nebraska,  later  enter- 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  !)09 

ing  the  Nebraska  State  University,  from  which  institution  lie  was  graduated  in 
1886  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  that 
year,  locating  at  Valparaiso,  Nebraska,  where  he  remained  for  one  year.  In  1887 
Dr.  Hylton  came  to  Gresham  and  continued  his  practice,  which  as  time  passed  and 
as  he  became  better  known  gradually  grew  to  large  proportions  and  in  the  inter- 
vening years  he  has  won  a  place  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  medical  practitioners  of 
this  part  of  the  state.  In  1898  he  took  a  post-graduate  course  at  Chicago,  thus 
gaining  broad  and  valuable  practical  experience  along  professional  lines.  His  ability 
is  pronounced  and  he  has  gained  a  most  creditable  name  and  place  in  a  profession 
where  advancement  depends  entirely  upon  individual  merit.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
American  Medical  Association  and  of  the  Nebraska  and  York  County  Medical  Asso- 
ciations. Dr.  Hylton  is  interested  in  business  affairs  as  leisure  from  his  prbfessional 
duties  permits.  In  1906  he  became  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Gresham  and  has  been  serving  in  that  capacity  ever  since.  In  1908  he  was  responsi- 
ble for  the  installation  of  the  lighting  plant  in  Gresham  which  has  been  a  success 
and  proved  an  immense  boon  to  the  public,  and  in  other  directions  he  has  given  of 
his  time  and  ability  to  the  advancement  of  the  town  and  district.  However,  the 
demands  of  his  profes.sion  leave  him  but  little  time  for  other  work  and  to  the 
duties  of  his  practice  he  gives  his  best  efforts. 

In  1892  Dr.  Hylton  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lula  Lanphere,  a  daughter  of 
Henry  C.  Lanphere,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born :  Harry,  who 
holds  the  office  of  vice  president  of  the  First  National  Bank ;  Helen,  a  graduate  of 
the  Gresham  and  York  high  schools,  and  the  University  Conservatory  of  Music  at 
Lincoln,  is  now  head  of  the  piano  department  of  the  Peru  Normal ;  and  George  W., 
attending  the  Nebraska  State  University.  During  the  World  war  Dr.  Hylton  joined 
the  volunteer  medical  service  attached  to  the  United  States  military  department.  In 
politics  he  espouses  the  cause  of  the  republican  party  and  has  held  local  offices  from 
time  to  time.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men, with  the  Woodmen  of  the  World  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  in  the 
affairs  of  all  of  which  he  takes  a  vital  interest.  The  doctor  and  his  wife  are  promi- 
nent in  the  social  life  of  Gresham,  where  she  is  recognized  as  a  lady  of  culture  and 
refinement. 


GEORGE  FISHER 


George  Fisher  is  a  retired  farmer  and  Civil  war  veteran  residing  at  Bradshaw, 
York  county.  He  has  passed  the  eighty-third  milestone  on  life's  journey  and  well 
deserves  the  rest  which  has  come  to  him  for  it  is  the  reward  of  persistent,  earnest 
and  intelligently  directed  effort  in  former  years.  He  was  born  in  Wurttemberg, 
Germany,  October  6,  1837,  a  son  of  Fredrick  and  Catherine  (Shilling)  Fisher,  both 
natives  of  Germany,  where  the  father  had  Ijeen  a  farmer  for  many  years. 

George  Fisher  came  to  America  when  fifteen  years  of  age,  the  voyage  being  made 
on  an  old  sailing  vessel  which  spent  sixty  days  in  crossing  the  Atlantic  to  New  York. 
After  arriving  in  this  country  he  went  to  Brandonville,  Maryland,  and  started  to 
work  at  the  saddlery  trade,  binding  himself  to  the  owner  of  the  business  for  one 
year.    He  then  migrated  to  Pennsylvania  and  engaged  in  farm  labor  in  that  state, 


!)10  HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY 

remaining  in  tlie  employ  of  one  family  for  twenty-two  years.  When  lie  first  went  to 
Pennsylvania  he  attended  the  district  schools  to  learn  the  language,  etc.  Shortly 
after  the  outltreak  of  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Fisher  enlisted  in  Pennsylvania  for  service 
in  the  Federal  army  and  became  a  member  of  Company  E,  Eighty-fifth  Pennsyl- 
vania Infantry.  He  was  mustered  into  the  service  at  Uniontown,  October  4,  1861, 
and  was  with  the  Union  forces  for  three  years  and  three  months,  during  this  period 
having  seen  much  active  service  and  was  in  some  of  the  hottest  engagements  of  the 
war,  without,  however,  having  received  any  dangerous  or  serious  wounds.  He  was 
honoraljly  discharged  and  returned  to  the  farm  work  he  was  doing  in  Pennsylvania 
when  he  entered  the  army. 

In  1881  Mr.  Fisher  went  to  Illinois  and  remained  there  for  three  years;  at  the 
end  of  that  period,  or  in  1884,  he  came  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  York  county, 
buying  a  tract  of  land  in  Arborville  township.  He  built  a  frame  house  on  his 
holding  and  began  to  cultivate  and  develop  the  fields,  his  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  soon  coming  to  a  standard  which  placed  jiim  among  the  representative 
and  progressive  farmers  of  the  township.  As  he  prospered  he  added  more  land  to 
his  original  holding  and  continued  to  bring  the  latter  to  an  excellent  state  of 
improvement,  finally  disposing  of  the  place  he  first  bought,  but  still  retains  owner- 
ship in  two  hundred  acres,  most  of  which  he  rents.  In  1909  Mr.  Fisher  retired 
from  active  connection  with  farm  life  and  now  lives  in  Bradshaw.  He  utilized  every 
chance  for  judicious  investment  and  never  lost  faith  in  the  future  of  this  district, 
for  he  readily  appreciated  the  fact  that  nature  was  kind  to  this  region  and  had 
placed  before  man  numerous  opportunities  for  successful  business  in  this  section. 

In  1867,  while  residing  in  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Fisher  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Martha  Eockwell,  a  native  of  the  Keystone  state,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
six  children:  Catherine,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Picthall;  Thomas,  who  lives  in  Arbor- 
ville township ;  Charles,  living  in  Cheyenne,  Wyoming,  a  preacher  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church ;  Albert,  who  practices  medicine  at  Bismarck,  North  Dakota ;  Dora  E., 
the  wife  of'Charles  Swauson,  a  York  county  farmer,  and  Walter  J.,  who  lives  on  the 
old  home  place.  Mr.  Fisher  and  his  wife  are  earnest  members  of  the  Congregational 
church  and  he  is  affiliated  with  Rickets  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublic.  Politi- 
'  cally  he  is  a  republican,  giving  stalwart  support  to  the  party,  while  in  1920 
Mrs.  Fi.sher  recorded  her  first  vote  in  the  national  elections  of  that  year,  casting  it  for 
the  republican  party.  Mr.  Fisher  is  a  self-made  man,  having  come  to  this 
country  empty-handed  but  through  the  opportunities  here  offered  and  his  industry 
and  good  management  he  has  gained  financial  independence.  He  has  reached  an 
advanced  age  but  is  still  keen  of  mind  and  is  accorded  the  honor  due  those  who 
have  left  behind  them  the  record  of  a  long  and  honorable  life. 


THOMAS  KIEBY 


The  history  of  the  pioneer  settlement  of  York  would  not  be  complete  without  the 
record  of  Thomas  Kirby,  one  of  the  few  early  residents  who  still  live  on  their 
homesteads.  Thomas  Kirby  was  born  near  Dublin,  Ireland,  in  1844,  and  was 
brought  to  the  United  States  by  an  uncle  when  he  was  very  young.  His  youth  was 
spent  in  New  York  city  l)ut  his  educatinu  was  acquired  in  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  911 

Thomas  Kirby  began  to  make  his  mvu  way  in  the  worhl  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
when  he  was  employed  on  a  farm,  later  securing  work  on  a  railroad.  In  1869  he 
came  to  Nebraska,  taking  up  a  liomestead  in  Beaver  township,  Y^ork  county,  where 
he  lived  in  a  dugout,  the  primitive  home  of  the  pioneer.  Later  he  lived  in  a  log 
hoiise  and  in  1890  built  the  frame  house  that  has  been  his  home  since.  Mr.  Kirby's 
success  is  due  entirely  to  his  own  untiring  zeal,  perseverance  and  determination,  as 
he  had  no  other  capital  with  which  to  begin  his  life  work. 

He  was  married  in  1882  to  Miss  Millie  Nichols,  who  died  leaving  one  child  who 
has  since  passed  away.  His  second  marriage  occurred  in  1893  when  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Lizzie  L.  Hoffman.  He  was  at  one  time  a  director  in  the  First  National 
Bank  of  York.  Mr.  Kirby's  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party, 
and  he  keeps  well  informed  upon  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  He  has  mem- 
bership with  the  Independent  Tlrder  of  Odd  Fellows  at  York,  Neltraska.  His  prog- 
ress is  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  owns  seven  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  valuable 
farm  land  and  at  one  time  had  in  his  possession  more  than  eight  hundred  acres. 
Mr.  Kirby  is  now  in  a  position  to  enjoy  life,  receiving  from  his  property  a  substan- 
tial income  sufficient  to  keep  him  in  comfort  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  has 
always  been  honorable,  upright  and  straightforward  in  his  dealings,  and  is  a  stanch 
advocate  of  all  those  forces  which  make  for  the  moral  welfare  and  progress  of  the 
community  and  country. 


GEOEGE  A.  MOERISON,  M.  D. 

Dr.  George  A.  Morrison,  a  prominent  member  of  the  medical  profession  in  York 
county  who  has  been  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  for  more  than  si.xteen  years,  is 
a  native  son  of  the  county,  born  near  where  Bradshaw  stands,  April  23,  1877,  a  son 
of  William  F.  and  Virginia  (Lichtenberger)  Morrison,  the  former  born  and  reared 
in  Pennsylvania,  continuing  to  reside  in  that  state  for  several  years  and  later  going 
to  Illinois,  where  he  lived  for  some  years  before  moving  to  Nebraska. 

In  1870  William  F.  Morrison  came  to  York  county  and  took  a  homestead  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres,  located  one  mile  east  and  one  and  one-half  miles  north  of 
Bradshaw.  He  made  the  journey  from  Illinois  by  team,  driving  across  the  country 
accompanied  by  his  family.  They  first  lived  in  a  dugout  and  later  built  a  sod 
house  which  in  time  was  replaced  by  a  newer  building  and  in  these  circumstances 
made  the  most  of  life.  The  ground  was  broken  and  cultivation  commenced  with  as 
little  delay  as  possible  after  they  had  settled  on  the  homestead,  improvements  were 
effected  and  prosperity  attended  their  industry  and  consistent  efforts.  In  1880 
Mr.  Morrison  moved  to  another  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  situated  a 
cjuarter  of  a  mile  east  of  Bradshaw  and  lived  on  that  place  for  several  years,  bring- 
ing the  land  to  a  very  high  state  of  cultivation  and  conducting  the  work  along  the 
most  progressive  lines.  Later  he  moved  to  Bradshaw  and  there  passed  away  in  May, 
1901,  and  in  his  death  the  community  mourned  the  loss  of  an  honored  pioneer  settler 
and  most  respected  citizen.  Mr.  Morrison  took  an  active  part  in  public  affairs.  He 
was  the  first  assessor  of  the  west  half  of  York  county,  served  as  county  commis- 
sioner and  chairman  of  the  board  and  was  a  member  of  the  board  committee  to 
whose  care  was  committed  the  building  of  the  courthouse.    His  ijolitical  allegiance 


913  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

was  given  to  the  republican  party.  His  marriage  to  Virginia  Liehtenberger  resulted 
in  the  birth  of  ten  children:  Harry  L.,  who  died  in  1882,  and  was  the  owner  of  the 
first  livery  stable  at  Bradshaw;  Annie,  who  died  in  infancy;  Edmund  W.,  who  lives 
at  Bayard,  Nebraska;  Charles  0.,  also  living  at  Bayard;  Samuel  A.,  of  Bradshaw; 
Joseph  E.,  living  retired  at  Callaway,  Nebraska;  Frederick  W.,  also  of  Callaway; 
Alfred  E.,  a  farmer,  of  York  county ;  Lee,  a  farmer  and  stockman,  of  Callaway ;  and 
George  A.,  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

George  A.  Morrison  secured  his  preliminary  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  the  county  and  later  entered  York  College,  going  from  that  institution  to  the 
Nebraska  State  University.  He  had  been  reading  medicine  before  entering  the 
medical  college  and  in  1901  entered  the  medical  department  of  Nebraska  University, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  190.3  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  Following  his 
graduation  Dr.  Morrison  returned  to  Bradshaw  and  opened  an  office  for  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  at  which  he  has  during  the  intervening  years  been  very  success- 
fully engaged  and  is  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  foremost  members  of  the  medical 
faculty  in  the  county.  He  gives  close  study  to  all  literature  and  standard  works  as 
well  as  to  the  latest  phases  of  scientific  research  calculated  to  advance  his  profes- 
sional attainments.  Dr.  Morrison  is  a  member  of  the  County  Medical  Association, 
the  Nebraska  State  Medical  Association  and  the  American  Medical  Association,  in 
the  affairs  of  which  he  takes  a  practical  interest.  He  is  a  Scottish  Rite  Mason, 
thirty-second  degree,  and  a  Shriner,  also  holding  membership  in  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  has  filled  many  of  the  chairs  in  these  lodges.  He  is 
affiliated  with  the  Phi  Rho  Sigma  Honorary  Medical  fraternity,  holding  this  con- 
nection since  his  college  days. 

In  June,  1907,  Dr.  Morrison  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nellie  King,  who  was 
born  in  Collins,  Iowa,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children :  William 
Howard  Morrison  and  Frank  Andrew  Morrison.  Mrs.  Morrison  is  an  active  member 
of  the  Eastern  Star  and  in  the  social  and  cultural  movements  of  her  neighborhood 
she  is  a  zealous  participant.  Dr.  Morrison's  life  has  been  an  active  and  useful  one 
and  lie  has  made  steady  progress  in  the  field  of  his  chosen  profession,  and  his  ability, 
industry  and  thoroughness  have  lirought  him  a  substantial  measure  of  success. 


ARTHUR  AV.  THOMPSON 

Arthur  \V.  Thompson  of  York  is  readily  conceded  to  be  the  best  auctioneer 
in  the  state  of  Nebraska  and  one  of  the  best  in  the  United  States.  He  was  born 
in  Bradshaw,  York  county,  on  the  21st  of  August,  1886,  the  son  of  Elwood  and 
Sarah  (Wiemer)  Thompson,  the  former  liorn  in  Morgan  county,  Ohio,  in  1849, 
while  the  latter  was  i)orn  in  Germany.  They  were  married  in  Clark  county,  Ohio, 
and  for  a  number  of  years  engaged  in  farming  in  that  state.  In  1881  they  removed 
to  York  county,  where  Mr.  Thompson  purchased  a  farm  west  of  Bradshaw  and 
they  resided  thereon  for  a  number  of  years,  bringing  up  their  family  of  three 
children.  Mrs.  Thompson  passed  away  in  1902  and  shortly  after  that  Mr.  Thomp- 
son sold  the  farm  and  made  his  home  with  his  children.  His  last  days  were  spent 
at  the  home  of  his  son,  Arthur  W.  His  death  occurred  in  March,  1917.  In  their 
youth  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  had  been  members  of  the  Quaker  church  and  the 


AKTHUE  W.  THOMPSON 


,oUi 


(p*-"- 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  915 

former  was  an  ardent  republican.  Four  children  were  born  to  them,  three  of 
whom  are  living:  Abbie  L.,  who  is  the  wife  of  C.  M.  Anderson  and  resides  on  a 
farm  near  York;  Edgar,  who  is  residing  in  York  and  is  a  large  ranch  owner  in 
both  York  and  Cherry  counties;  and  Arthur  W.,  the  subject  of  this  review.  The 
grandfather  of  Arthur  W.  Thompson,  William  Thompson,  was  born  and  reared  in 
Ohio,  but  came  to  Nebraska  in  later  life,  passing  his  last  years  at  the  home  of  his 
son,  Elwood.  The  maternal  grandfather  was  born  in  Germany  and  served  some 
time  in  the  German  army.  He  later  removed  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at 
New  Orleans,  where  his  death  occurred. 

Arthur  W.  Thompson  attended  the  country  schools  of  York  county  and  the 
York  high  school,  receiving  honors  in  his  school  work  and  a  scholarship  in  the 
Lincoln  Business  College.  Besides  the  course  which  he  completed  in  this  college 
he  has  taken  several  correspondence  school  courses  with  the  result  that  he  is 
excellently  fitted  for  his  life's  work.  His  first  occupation  on  leaving  school  was 
on  the  farm  and  it  was  here  that  he  laid  the  foundation  for  the  work  in  which  he 
is  now  engaged.  He  frequently  attended  salgs  with  T.  W.  Smith,  who  was  one  of 
the  best  auctioneers  in  that  part  of  the  countryVAnd,.aft(jr  Mr.  Smith  was  appointed 
warden  of  the  state  penitentiary  Mr.  Thompson  succeeded  to  his  place.  He  has 
studied  every  phase  of  the  business  and  there  is  no  paft  of  it  with  which  he  is  not 
familiar.  His  success  in  this  line  has  been  rernarkable  and  he  is  considered  the 
best  auctioneer  in  the  state  of  Nebraska  and  one-of  the  best  in  the  United  States. 
Mr.  Thompson  makes  a  specialty  of  selling  reaF^'j^te  and  full  blooded  stock  and 
has  conducted  large  sales  in  Nebraska,  Missouri,  Iowa,  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Minne- 
sota, North  and  South  Dakota,  Colorado,  Wyoming,  and  Oregon.  He  has  broken 
several  records  in  his  live  stock  sales  because  of  his  expert  knowledge.  In  the 
conduct  of  his  business  he  comes  in  contact  with  some  of  the  most  prominent 
breeders  of  blooded  stock  in  the  county,  and  by  his  honorable  and  fair  business 
methods  has  won  the  respect  and  regard  of  all  of  them.  He  owns  some  land  in 
the  county  and  is  also  well  known  in  the  financial  circles  of  his  community,  being 
director  of  the  York  Milling  Company  and  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  York. 
Mr.  Thompson  wrote  life  insurance  for  some  time  for  the  Northwestern  Life 
Insurance  Company  and  was  also  successful  in  this  line. 

On  the  15th  of  December,  1909,  Mr.  Thompson  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Viola  N.  Swanson,  a  daugliter  of  N.  B.  Swanson,  who  is  a  native  of  Sweden. 
Mr.  Swanson  came  to  this  country  in  an  early  da^  and  homesteaded  in  York 
county,  where  he  reared  his  family.  He  was  financially  successful  and  is  now 
residing  retired  in  York.  Mrs.  Thompson  is  a  graduate  of  York  College.  After 
having  finished  her  education  she  became  one  of  York  county's  most  successful 
teachers.  She  also  was  assistant  county  superintendent  for  some  time.  To  the 
union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  one  child,  Elwood  N.,  has  been  born.  He  is 
now  a  sturdy  lad  of  seven  years.  The  Thompson  family  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  prominent  in  the  activities  and  charities  of  that 
organization. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Thompson  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party.  Fraternally  he  is  a  thirty-second  degree 
Mason  and  a  Shriner  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  are  members  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  In  the 
business  career  of  Mr.   Thompson  his   achievements   have  been   the  direct   result 


01 G  HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUXTY 

of  enterprise,  determination  and  persistency  of  purpose.  He  is  a  well  known  and 
popular  citizen  and  as  a  business  man  has  made  for  himself  a  creditable  place  in 
the  regard  of  his  fellow  townsmen  in  York. 


THOMAS  WILLIAM  SMITH 

Thomas  William  Smith  now  a  retired  resident  of  York,  has  been  a  prominent 
figure  in  business  circles  in  York  county  for  a  period  of  forty-six  years  and  is 
thoroughly  familiar  with  the  history  of  business  advancement  here.  He  was  born 
in  Ormstown,  Province  of  Quebec,  Canada,  on  the  12th  of  Xovember,  18.53,  a  son  of 
Patrick  and  Catherine  (Caughlin)  Smith,  both  natives  of  Ireland.  At  the  age  of 
fifteen  years  Patrick  Smith  came  to  Canada  with  his  parents,  while  his  wife  came 
with  her  parents  at  the  age  of  three  years.  Their  marriage  took  place  in  Canada 
and  there  they  resided  throughout  their  lives.  His  death  occurred  in  1863,  and 
Mrs.  Smith  died  in  1904.  Patrick  Smith  was  a  successful  farmer  and  lumberman 
and  active  in  politics,  being  a  member  of  the  liberal  party.  He  was  a  faithful 
member  of  the  Eoman  Catholic  church.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  eight 
children  were  born,  but  the  only  one  now  living  is  the  subject  of  this  review, 
Thomas  W.  Smith.  The  paternal  grandfather.  Francis  Smith,  was  a  native  of 
Ireland  but  later  removed  to  Canada  where  his  death  occurred. 

Thomas  W.  Smith  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  .schools  of  Canada  and 
learned  the  harness  maker's  trade.  In  April  of  the  year  1869  he  removed  to  Illinois 
and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Grundy  county  where  he  remained  for  five  years,  during 
which  time  his  marriage  took  place.  On  the  18th  of  April,  1874,  he  removed  to 
York  county  where  he  purchased  some  laud  from  the  B.  &  M.  Eailroad  Company 
and  l)ecame  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  country.  He  built  a  house  on  this  land 
whicli  he  cultivated  with  the  aid  of  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  today  he  not  only  owns  this 
original  farm  but  five  hundred  acres  of  improved  land  in  the  county,  besides  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  residences  in  York.  In  1887  Mr.  Smith,  in  company  with 
G.  W.  Post  and  Lee  Love,  bought  the  Blue  River  Bank  at  McCool.  becoming  vice 
president,  in  which  position  he  is  still  serving.  He  has  also  been  a  director  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  York  for  the  past  fourteen  years.  In  1887  he  was  engaged 
by  the  Kansas  City  &  Omaha  Eailroad  to  purchase  the  right  of  way  through  York 
county  and  it  was  through  his  influence  that  the  road  was  built  from  Henderson, 
east  to  McCool,  it  having  been  first  surveyed  from  Henderson  to  York.  He  also 
secured  the  hication  of  the  village  known  as  McCool  Junction.  For  some  time  he 
was  engaged  in  this  work,  settling  claims  and  other  disputes,  and  he  was  the  first 
to  place  town  lots  on  the  market.  He  then  removed  his  family  to  McCool  and  was 
for  seventeen  years  engaged  in  the  grain  business,  managing  the  T.  W.  Smith  Grain 
Company,  which  had  thirteen  elevators  situated  along  the  line  of  the  railroad.  This 
Inisiness  venture  proved  to  be  very  prosperous  and  in  addition  he  acted  as  live  stock 
auctioneer  for  twenty-two  years.  In  1885  and  1886  he  had  served  as  county  super- 
visor, and  was  chairman  of  the  board  in  the  latter  year.  In  1905  Mr.  Smith  and 
his  family  removed  to  York  and  in  that  same  year  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
city  council,  serving  for  a  term  of  two  years.  In  1906  he  was  influential  in  obtain- 
ing for  York  its  first  pavement.     Mr.  Smith  was  appointed  to  his  next  office  of 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  917 

importance  by  Governor  Shallenberger.  This  office  was  that  of  warden  of  the  state 
penitentiary  in  which  position  he  was  so  efficient  and  successful  that  at  the  end  of 
his  administration  he  was  warmly  commended  by  both  parties.  For  the  first  time 
in  the  history  of  the  institution  it  was  put  on  a  paying  basis  and  when  Mr.  Smith 
made  his  final  report  tlie  successful  management  of  the  institution  was  so  manifest 
that  it  awakened  an  interest  in  other  states  and  a  second  issue  of  the  report  was 
made  to  supply  the  demand.  He  served  York  as  mayor  in  1917-1918,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  his  other  financial  connections  is  a  director  of  the  First  Trust  Company  and 
vice  president  of  the  First  Savings  Bank  at  York. 

.  In  1873  Mr.  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  at  Morris,  Illinois,  to  Miss  Francila 
Lincoln,  a  native  of  Canton,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  Myron  Lincoln  who  was  a 
farmer  and  stock  dealer  of  that  state.  To  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  nine 
children  have  been  Itoru,  six  boys  and  three  girls:  Gertrude,  who  resides  at  home; 
Myron,  of  Crawford,  who  is  a  prominent  horse  dealer;  0.  M.,  the  manager  of  the 
TJpdyke  Grain  Company  of  Omaha;  T.  L.,  a  rancher  in  Arthur  county;  Leo,  a 
ranchman ;  Mary,  who  is  manager  of  a  large  department  store  in  Long  Beach,  Cali- 
fornia; Clifford,  who  runs  the  Updyke  Grain  Elevator  at  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa; 
0.  A.,  who  is  a  veterinary  surgeon  residing  in  York  county,  and  during  the  World 
war  served  as  instructor  at  Camp  Lee,  Virginia,  with  the  rank  of  captain;  and 
Louise,  the  wife  of  Howard  Mansfield. 

In  politics  Mr.  Smith  is  a  democrat  and  on  coming  to  this  county  when  a  young 
man  organized  the  party  here.  He  is  active  in  his  party  and  is  well  versed  on  the 
questions  apd  issues  of  the  day.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  a  charter  member  of  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  was  one 
of  the  first  trustees  of  the  lodge.  During  the  World  war  Mr.  Smith  was  chairman 
of  the  council  of  defense  and  government  agent. 


JOHN  DORAN 


ThroiTgh  the  steps  of  an  orderly  progression  John  Doran  has  reached  a  con- 
spicuous and  enviable  position  as  one  of  the  most  prominent  business  men  of  York 
county.  He  has  been  identified  with  various  lines  of  activity,  became  one  of  the 
extensive  landowners  of  this  section  of  the  state  and  for  a  number  of  years  has 
been  the  president  of  the  Farmers'  State  Bank  of  York.  He  was  born  in  New 
York,  his  parents  being  Patrick  and  Kathryu  (Keeley)  Doran,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  County  Carlow,  Ireland.  The  father  who  was  born  in  1811,  passed  away 
in  1865.  The  parents  came  to  the  United  States  about  1848,  settling  in  New  York 
and  afterward  they  removed  to  Illinois,  the  father  devoting  his  remaining  days  to 
the  development  and  improvement  of  a  farm  in  LaSalle  county,  although  his  death 
occurred  in  Livingston  county.  They  were  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  in 
politics  Mr.  Doran  was  a  Douglas  democrat.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  six 
children,  of  whom  three  are  living:  T.  H.,  who  for  the  past  thirty  years  has  resided 
at  Burwell,  Nebraska;  Justin  R.,  a  resident  farmer  of  Beaver,  Boone  county,  Iowa, 
wlio  has  figured  prominently  in  connection  with  puldic  affairs  of  that  state,  serving 
as  a  member  of  the  house  of  representatives  and  of  the  state  senate  for  fifteen  years ; 
and  John,  of  this  review. 


918  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

The  last  named  acquired  a  common  school  education  in  Illinois  and  took  np  the 
occupation  of  farming,  to  which  he  had  been  reared.  He  had  early  become  familiar 
with  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops  and  he  concen- 
trated his  efforts  and  attention  upon  agricultural  pursuits  until  1889.  He  was  also 
engaged  in  the  grain  business  at  Grand  Junction  and  at  Beaver,  Iowa,  for  a  time 
and  later  removed  to  Burwell,  Nebraska,  where  he  established  the  first  bank  of 
Burwell  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  T.  H.  This  association  was  maintained  for 
ten  years.  They  also  purchased  the  Garfield  County  Bank  while  living  at  Burwell 
and  consolidated  the  two  institutions.  On  account  of  poor  health,  John  Doran 
disposed  of  his  bank  there  in  1899  and  removed  to  Bradshaw,  taking  up  his  abode 
on  a  farm.  He  became  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  in  that 
locality  and  concentrated  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  its  development  and 
improvement  for  nine  years.  He  is  still  the  owner  of  this  tract  of  land,  which  is 
now  very  valuable.  In  1908  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Y'ork  and  for  some  time  gave 
his  supervision  to  his  extensive  landed  interests,  for  he  has  owned  property  in  Iowa, 
Nebraska,  South  Dakota  and  Kansas.  He  inherited  very  little  from  his  father  and 
his  possessions  have  all  been  acquired  through  his  own  labors.  His  life  has  been 
crowned  with  a  notable  and  gratifying  measure  of  success.  In  all  things  he  has 
manifested  sound  judgment  and  keen  enterprise  and  his  sagacity  and  determination 
have  been  salient  features  in  winning  his  present  prosperity.  He  has  never  allowed 
anything  to  discourage  or  dishearten  him  and  he  has  ever  realized  the  fact  that  when 
one  avenue  of  opportunity  has  seemed  closed  he  could  carve  out  other  paths  whereby 
to  reach  the  desired  goal.  In  May,  1916,  he  became  president  of  the  Farmers 
State  Bank  of  York,  which  was  capitalized  for  fifty  thousand  dollars  and  which  has 
a  surplus  and  undivided  profits  of  five  thousand  dollars,  while  its  average  deposits 
now  amount  to  two  hundred  and  forty  thousand  dollars.  This  is  the  youngest  bank 
in  York  and  is  growing  rapidly.  It  has  back  of  it  as  its  ofiicers  and  stockholders 
men  of  well  known  reliability  and  of  the  most  substantial  business  qualities,  and  the 
spirit  of  enterprise  back  of  the  institution  is  leading  to  its  rapid  expansion. 

In  1879  Mr.  Doran  was  married  to  Miss  Mamie  E.  Lafferty,  who  was  liorn  in 
Monroe,  Wisconsin,  a  daughter  of  George  Lafferty,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Iowa. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doran  have  been  born  four  sons  and  two  daughters:  George  M., 
who  is  a  ranchman  of  Pierre,  South  Dakota ;  John  T.  M.,  a  banker  and  stockman  of 
Erieson,  Nebraska,  who  has  won  substantial  success;  Bert,  a  farmer  and  stockman 
of  Platte,  South  Dakota;  Mabel,  the  wife  of  ('.  P.  Hildebrand,  a  druggist  of  York; 
Justin  Roland,  a  stock  feeder  of  Platte,  South  Dakota;  and  Kathryn,  the  wife  of 
H.  C.  Van  Decar,  who  is  connected  with  the  State  Journal  of  Lincoln.  All  of  the 
family  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Doran  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church. 
He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  in  which  he  has  taken  the  degrees  of  the  York 
Rite,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  likewise  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  His  service  in  behalf  of  Masonry  has  been  far-reaching  and 
effective.  He  assisted  in  organizing  two  Masonic  lodges  in  the  state,  one  at  Hamp- 
ton and  one  at  Bradshaw,  and  he  has  ever  been  a  most  faithful  follower  of  the 
craft. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Doran  has  always  been  an  earnest  repiablican  since 
age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.  He  was  a  candidate  for  the  state 
senate  in  1908  but  was  defeated,  for  the  party  had  endorsed  the  local  option  issue. 
He  carried  his  own  county,  where  he  is  most  widely  and  favorably  known,  but  was 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  919 

defeated  in  Fillmore  county  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  the  fourteen  saloons  worked 
against  him  and  used  their  influence  in  favor  of  his  opponent.  Mr.  Doran,  how- 
ever, would  never  sacrifice  principle  to  place  or  power.  He  has  always  been  a  stanch 
prohibitionist,  doing  everything  possible  to  promote  the  cause  of  temperance,  and 
he  rejoices  that  he  has  lived  to  see  a  prohibition  statute  placed  among  the  laws  of 
the  nation.  He  is  now  devoting  most  of  his  time  and  attention  to  the  bank  but  also 
has  large  landed  interests  and  is  half  owner  of  an  extensive  cattle  ranch  near 
Ericson,  in  Garfield  county,  Nebraska.  His  success  is  the  direct  outcome  of  his 
labors,  his  perseverance  and  his  capable  management.  He  is  indeed  a  self-made 
man  and  the  most  envious  cannot  grudge  liim  his  jjrosperity,  for  it  has  been  most 
lionorably  won  and  worthily  used. 


CHARLES  R.  DEFFENBAUGH 

Charles  R.  Deffenbaugh,  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  York  county  was  born 
in  Illinois  in  1870,  a  son  of  S.  S.  and  Arminda  (Rush)  Deffenbaugh,  a  record  of 
whom  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Their  son  was  four  years  old  when  the 
liome  was  established  in  York  county  and  here  among  the  pioneer  conditions  which 
existed  at  the  time  he  grew  to  manhood  and  no  man  in  tlie  county  is  more  familiar 
with  the  early  events  and  the  location  of  the  historical  spots  than  he.  He  attended 
the  first  school  established  in  York  county  and  later  was  a  pupil  in  the  village  school 
at  McCool  Junction.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  went  to  Alliance,  Nebraska,  and  after 
spending  one  year  there,  went  to  Denver,  Colorado,  where  he  was  employed  by  the 
Denver  and  Rio  Grande  Railroad,  working  the  last  six  years  as  air  brakeman  for 
that  company  at  Tennessee  Pass,  the  highest  point  of  the  road  over  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  In  1906  he  returned  to  York  county  and  took  up  farming.  His  splen- 
did farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  is  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  boyhood  home. 

In  October,  1900,  Mr.  Deffenbaugh  was  married  to  Miss  Minnie  E.  Fouse,  a 
native  of  Nebraska,  who  formerly  taught  school  in  York  county  and  in  Colorado. 
Her  father,  John  Fouse,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  located  in  Seward  county 
in  1865,  one  mile  east  of  the  York  county  line.  He  was  on  his  way  to  Denver  or 
Fort  Laramie  with  three  wagons  loaded  with  lard,  when  he  learned  that  the  Indians 
west  of  here  were  on  the  warpath.  He  traded  his  cargo  of  lard  for  the  ranch,  and 
the  former  owner  of  the  ranch  went  on  west  with  the  lard.  From  that  time  the 
place  was  always  known  as  "Fouse's  Ranch."  It  was  a  stage  station  on  the  Nebraska 
City  cut-off,  a  part  of  the  famous  Oregon  Trail,  joining  the  main  line  west  of  here 
near  the  Platte  river.  John  Fouse  was  married  in  Penn.sylvania  to  Miss  Isabelle 
McMichael,  a  native  of  Ireland.  She  had  been  advised  to  go  west  for  her  health. 
She  is  now  living  in  Wyoming,  and  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  is  keeping  house  for 
two  of  her  grandsons,  her  husband  having  died  in  1898.  She  came  to  America  on 
the  sailing  vessel  "Tonawanda,"  and  arrived  in  this  country  after  a  voyage  of  six 
weeks.  During  the  early  days  of  the  "Ranch"  in  Seward  county  she  worked  very 
hard,  helping  to  run  the  store,  prepare  food  for  the  travelers  and  cook  meals  for  the 
men  employed  by  the  stage  company.  This  company  of  the  early  days  was  the 
origin  of  Wells  Fargo  Express  Company  of  today.  The  quarter  section  of  land 
where  Beaver  Crossing  now  stands  she  owned  at  one  time,  inheriting  it  from  a  rela- 


920  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

tive.  In  the  deed  to  that  phice  it  was  stipulated  that  there  should  never  be  a  saloon 
on  the  land,  and  there  never  has  been. 

A  brother  of  John  Fouse,  Nerva  Fouse,  was  the  fourth  man  to  take  a  homestead 
in  York  county  where  he  resided  the  rest  of  liis  life.  The  history  of  York  county 
would  be  incomplete  without  mention  of  these  people,  who  from  the  early  settle- 
ments in  this  community  played  an  important  part  in  its  development  and  improve- 
ment. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Deffenbaugh  are  the  parents  of  two  children :  Isabel,  aged  thir- 
teen, and  Helen,  nine  year.*  old.  Mr.  Deffenbaugh  is  one  of  the  prosperous  and 
influential  men  of  the  county  and  takes  a  keen  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  com- 
munity. In  politics  he  is  a  democrat  and  has  served  as  township  clerk,  treasurer 
and  has  held  other  offices. 


HEN^EY  REETZ 


Henry  Eeetz  is  a  resident  and  representative  farmer  of  York  county,  his  home 
being  on  section  31,  Stewart  township.  He  was  horn  in  Sterns  county,  Minnesota, 
October  24,  1859,  a  son  of  Martin  Reetz,  a  native  of  Germany  who  immigrated  to 
America  in  1855  and  following  his  arrival  went  to  Illinois.  He  spent  the  first  sum- 
mer at  work  in  the  City  of  Chicago  and  found  employment  in  the  lumber  yards  of 
Michigan  and  Wisconsin  during  the  winter  months,  continuing  in  that  line  for  two 
years.  In  1857  he  went  to  Minnesota  and  bought  forty  acres  of  government  land 
near  Sauk  Center  and  there  carried  on  agricultural  operations  for  several  years.  In 
the  fall  of  1868  Mr.  Reetz  set  out  for  Nebraska  from  Minnesota,  making  the  jour- 
ney by  ox  team  through  Iowa  and  Kansas,  driving  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  two  cows  and 
accompanied  by  his  wife  and  five  children.  On  coming  to  York  county  he  took  a 
homestead  of  eighty  acres  on  .section  30,  Stewart  township,  and  for  two  years  lived 
in  a  dugout,  but  later  built  a  log  house  containing  two  rooms  below  and  two  above. 
In  the  spring  of  1869  he  succeeded  in  breaking  a  few  acres  of  his  ground  and  iilauted 
sod  corn  and  potatoes,  in  the  next  few  years  increasing  the  tillalile  area  and  as  he 
opened  the  land  he  put  it  into  cultivation  without  delay.  In  common  with  all  his 
neighbors  he  felt  the  effects  of  the  grasshopper  plague,  but  by  a  stroke  of  good  luck 
fifteen  acres  of  corn  that  was  surrounded  by  timber  escaped.  Martin  Reetz  was 
married  to  Mary  Mueller,  who  is  still  living  on  the  old  lujuiestead,  being  now  in 
her  eighty-second  year.  He  passed  away  in  1904,  when  he  was  eighty-three  years 
old.  He  is  numbered  among  the  honored  pioneer  settlers  of  this  part  of  Nebraska 
and  during  his  thirty-six  years  of  residence  did  his  full  share  in  the  development 
and  progress  of  York  county. 

Henry  Reetz  was  a  lad  of  nine  j'ears  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  York 
county.  He  relates  that  while  ou  the  journey  from  Minnesota  they  were  forced  to 
ford  a  stream  in  Iowa  and  the  water  went  over  the  wagon-box  and  practically  every- 
thing in  the  wagon  was  lost.  The  first  school  he  attended  was  more  than  two  miles 
distant  from  his  home  and  was  built  of  sod,  the  school  term  being  only  for  three 
months  of  the  winter.  He  spent  his  youth  and  yonng  manhood  working  on  his 
father's  farm  and  hauled  grain  to  Lincoln  for  marketing,  returning  with  necessary 
supplies.     He  bought  the  first  cookstove   used  in  his  district  at   Nebraska  City. 


HISTOEY    OF   YORK    COUNTY  921 

Mr.  Eeetz  remained  in  his  father's  home  up  to  the  time  of  his  marriage  in  1884, 
when  he  wed  Miss  Otilia  Bulgrin,  a  native  of  Germany  who  was  brought  by  hgr 
parents  to  America  when  she  was  six  weeks  old.  Her  parents  settled  in  Wisconsin, 
where  she  lived  for  several  years  and  came  to  York  county  two  years  before  lier 
marriage.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eeetz:  Martha,  who 
married  J.  L.  Meixel  and  passed  away  on  November  1,  1918,  her  parents  taking  her 
boy  Donald  to  rear ;  Helen,  who  became  the  wife  of  J.  P.  Cambridge,  of  California, 
November  28,  1920;  George,  at  home  with  his  parents;  and  Martin,  who  attends 
college  at  Winfield,  Kansas,  and  is  studying  for  the  ministry. 

Some  time  after  his  marriage  Mr.  Eeetz  moved  to  the  farm  where  he  now  lives, 
located  on  section  31,  Stewart  township,  across  the  road  from  the  old  homestead. 
He  is  now  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  prime  land,  all  in  a  state  of 
excellent  improvement,  in  which  work  he  was  assisted  by  his  wife  who  planted  all 
the  trees  on  the  place.  He  devotes  a  large  part  of  his  ground  to  grain  farming  and 
also  gives  special  attention  to  the  feeding  of  hogs,  these  two  branches  of  his  agricul- 
tural pursuits  bringing  him  most  satisfactory  results.  He  has  one  of  the  best  kept 
places  in  the  county  and  is  acknowledged  on  all  hands  to  be  a  progressive  and 
capable  farmer,  his  success  being  largely  attributable  to  his  business-like  methods 
of  handling  his  affairs.  The  Eeetz  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  at 
Thayer,  in  which  he  has  been  serving  as  a  trustee  for  a  number  of  3'ears.  In  poli- 
tics he  generally  takes  an  independent  attitude  and  has  always  placed  the  public 
welfare  before  all  other  considerations.  His  interest  in  the  cause  of  education  is 
very  pronounced  and  for  thirty-three  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  local  school 
board,  resigning  at  the  end  of  that  long  period  of  public  service  which  was  well  and 
faithfully  rendered. 


JOHN  W.  MYEES 


Since  1910  John  W.  Myers  has  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  live  stock  business 
in  York  and  in  these  connections  is  enjoying  a  large  amount  of  success.  His  birth 
occurred  on  the  8th  of  October,  1873,  in  McDonough  county,  Illinois,  a  son  of 
S.  A.  and  Eliza  (Kost)  Myers,  the  father  a  native  of  Indiana  and  the  mother  born 
in  Illinois.  Mr.  S.  A.  Myers  was  married  in  Illinois  and  removed  to  York  at  the 
time  when  there  were  no  railroads  and  when  the  village  consisted  of  but  three  stores 
and  a  sprinkling  of  houses.  This  move  was  made  in  the  spring  of  1875,  and  he 
settled  on  a  homestead  ten  miles  north  of  York  where  he  resided  until  1901,  wdien 
he  came  into  town.  He  then  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  in  which  he  still 
continues,  dealing  mostly  in  local  estates  although  he  has  done  some  immigration 
land  business.  He  is  a  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  the  Kniglits  of  Pythias.  In  politics  he  has 
always  stanchly  supported  the  republican  party  and  is  chairman  of  the  York  county 
republican  central  committee.  He  is  a  prominent  man  in  his  community  and  has 
many  friends,  having  won  them  by  his  honesty  and  upright  dealings.  Four  children 
were  born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Myers:  William  A.,  a  physician  and  sur- 
geon of  Caspar;  John  W.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Frank,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  seventeen  years ;  and  James  Clarence.    After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Mr.  S.  A. 


922  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COITXTY 

Myers  married  again,  tliis  time  to  Miss  Jessie  Eose,  and  he  has  two  children  by 
this  marriage :  Charles  B.,  a  farmer  of  Lexington ;  and  Harold,  who  is  conducting 
a  repair  auto  service  in  York. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  John  W.  Myers  attended  the  schools  of  York 
county  and  studied  for  one  year  in  York  College — the  year  the  college  was  first 
opened.  Having  always  been  interested  in  farming  and  live  stock  raising  he  then 
engaged  in  that  business  making  a  specialty  of  shorthorn  cattle.  For  twenty  years 
he  followed  this  line  of  work  successfully  in  Benedict.  In  1910  Mr.  Myers  and  his 
family  removed  to  York  and  he  entered  into  the  real  estate  business  there  in  con- 
nection with  his  father,  and  in  addition  conducts  a  feed  yard  near  the  town.  He 
has  always  taken  much  pride  in  full  blooded  shorthorn  cattle  and  is  considered  one 
of  the  best  informed  men  in  the  county  on  live  stock. 

Mr.  Myers  was  united  in  marriage  in  1895  to  Nettie  A.  Grobe,  a  native  of  York 
county,  and  a  daughter  of  Henry  Grobe  who  came  to  York  county  in  1872,  secured 
a  homestead  and  lived  there  for  many  years.  He  is  now  retired  and  residing  in 
Benedict  with  his  wife,  and  they  are  prominent  citizens  of  the  community.  Four 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Myers :  Lena,  who  is  in  her  senior  year 
at  York  College;  Dean  W.,  who  is  attending  York  College  and  is  a  football  player 
of  note,  having  been  chosen  as  end  on  the  all  state  team;  Alice,  who  is  attending 
school  and  specializing  in  expression :  and  Dwight,  who  is  attending  business  col- 
lege. Dean  W.  Myers  enlisted  in  the  navy  July  27,  1918,  and  was  stationed  at  San 
Francisco,  never  getting  out  of  the  United  States.  He  was  in  line  for  the  promo- 
tion when  the  armistice  was  signed  and  was  well  recommended  when  he  was 
discharged.  Mrs.  Myers  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Myers  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and 
is  a  republican  in  politics.  Although  he  is  active  in  the  interests  of  his  party  he  has 
never  aspired  to  political  office.  Both  John  W.  Myers  and  his  father  are  on  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  York.  Mr.  Myers  has  worked  his 
way  upward  almost  entirely  unaided  and  stands  high  not  only  as  a  real  estate  and 
live  stock  dealer  but  as  a  citizen  of  York. 


AUGUST  C.  JUNGE 


August  C.  Junge,  one  of  the  most  prominent  agriculturists  in  York  county 
where  for  nearly  fifty  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming,  has  in  his  own  name 
four  hundred  acres  of  prime  land  all  in  Thayer  township.  He  is  a  native  of 
Gernuniy,  born  in  that  country  September  15,  1840,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm 
operated  liy  his  parents  and  there  he  laid  the  foundations  of  the  agricultural 
knowledge  which  proved  so  valuable  to  him  when  he  ac(iuired  land  in  this 
county. 

In  1867  'Sh-.  .Tunge  immigrated  to  America,  the  voyage  to  New  York  being  made 
by  steamer  and  he  went  thence  to  Illinois,  remaining  in  Cook  county  for  a  brief 
period.  He  next  visited  Eock  Island  and  worked  on  farms  by  the  month,  so  con- 
tinuing for  three  years,  receiving  two  hundred  dollars  per  year  for  his  services,  a 
large  part  of  which  he  managed  to  save  for  the  purpose  of  acquiring  a  holding  of 
his  own.     In  1878  he  came  to  York  county  and  took  up  a  homestead  of  eighty 


O 

1-3 


EH 
11 


Q 


Vol.   11—21 


.■t^^,»)f-   ^ 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  925 

acres  in  Thayer  township,  of  which  he  is  still  the  owner.  He  first  built  a  sod 
house  of  two  rooms  and  this  served  as  a  habitation  for  several  years.  He  made 
no  delay  in  planting  crops  and  in  effecting  improvements  on  the  holding,  success 
eventually  attending  his  efforts,  so  much  so  that  he  was  enabled  to  add  more  land 
to  his  original  homestead  and  is  now  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres  of  excellent 
land  "on  which  he  has  made  valuable  improvements  in  the  shape  of  substantial 
buildings,  as  well  as  setting  out  trees  which  add  immensely  to  the  appearance  and 
value  of  the  entire  property.  He  has  employed  progressive  methods  and  utilized 
modern  machinery  in  the  care  and  cultivation  of  his  land  and  these  factors  have 
contributed  largely  to  his  success. 

In  1868  Mr.  Junge  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Dora  Conrad  and  their 
union  was  blessed  with  eleven  children:  William,  deceased;  Louie,  who  lives  in 
Thayer  township ;  one,  unnamed,  who  died  in  infancy ;  August  W.,  who  lives  in 
Thayer  township;  Mary,  who  resides  at  Gresham;  Henry,  living  in  Holt  county; 
Albert,  who  resides  in  Thayer  township;  Elvina;  Godfred,  living  in  Thayer 
township;  Otto,  who  lives  on  the  home  farm,  and  Edward,  who  passed  away  when 
fifteen  years  old.  To  the  sincere  regret  of  her  relatives  and  a  wide  circle  of 
friends  Mrs.  Junge's  death  occurred  September  13,  1912.  She  and  the  members 
of  her  family  held  religious  affiliation  with  the  Lutheran  church,  in  whose  teachings 
she  was  reared.  Mr.  Junge  votes  with  the  republican  party,  but  has  never  sought 
public  office.  He  is  interested  in  all  that  pertains~t«sj;he  welfare  and  upbuilding  of 
the  community  in  which  he  has  been  a  resident  for  n-^arly  fifty  years,  and  he  has 
been  a  factor  in  advancing  its  material,  social  and  moral  progress. 


DICK  WESSELS,  SE. 


Dick  Wessels,  Sr.,  who  is  now  practically  living  retired  on  a  farm  located  on 
section  1,  New  York  township,  York  county,  is  now  enjoying  a  period  of  well 
merited  leisure  made  possible  by  his  former  successful  labors  along  agricultural 
lines,  and  he  has  turned  over  to  his. sons  the  work  of  conducting  the  place.  He  was 
born  in  Germany,  October  11,  1857,  a  son  of  John  and  Marie  (Gerkin)  Wessels, 
also  natives  of  that  country,  where  the  former  followed  the  occupation  of  a  linen 
weaver  and  where  they  spent  all  their  lives.  One  other  child  besides  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  Catherine  Wessels,  came  to  the  United  States  from  the  old  country. 

Dick  Wessels  spent  his  early  boyhood  and  youth  in  his  father's  home  and  was 
educated  in  the  schools  of  Germany,  where  he  remained  until  his  twenty-fourth 
year,  engaged  at  such  work  as  his  hands  could  find  to  do,  but  mainly  following  his 
father's  trade  of  linen  weaver.  In  August,  1881,  he  immigrated  to  America,  went 
to  Peoria,  Illinois,  and  there  worked  in  lumber  yards  for  a  time.  He  then  started 
farming  in  that  state  and  rapidly  acquired  a  sound  working  knowledge  of  agricul- 
tural operations.  Desiring  to  see  more  of  the  country  and  believing  from  reports 
that  there  were  vast  farming  possibilities  in  Nebraska,  he  came  to  York  county  in 
1903,  having  sold  the  interest  in  his  Illinois  land.  Success  attended  Mr.  Wessels' 
efforts  from  the  beginning  of  his  farming  career  and  he  was  enabled  from  time  to 
time  to  remit  money  to  his  relatives  in  Germany  to  help  them.  On  settling  in  York 
county  in  1903  he  purchased  a  tract  of  valuable  land,  the  area  of  which  is  two  hun- 


986  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

dred  and  forty  acres,  and  immediately  proceeded  to  operate  tlie  place,  adding 
improvements  as  time  passed,  finally  Itringing  the  holding  up  to  the  level  of  the 
best  in  the  district.  For  years  he  followed  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and 
finally  decided  to  retire  from  active  participation  in  the  work  of  the  farm,  which  is 
now  rented  to  his  sons  in  suitable  divisions.  Much  credit  is  due  Mr.  Wessels  for  his 
success  on  the  farm,  more  especially  in  view  of  the  fact  that  when  he  came  to  this 
country  he  was  almost  without  funds,  but  by  the  exercise  of  industry  and  frugality 
he  surmounted  all  obstacles  and  now  enjoys  a  comfortable  competence. 

Before  leaving  Germany  Mr.  Wessels  was  united  in  marriage  to  Fannie 
Goudschaal  and  they  became  the  parents  of  ten  children  as  follows:  Mary,  widow 
of  Louis  Simon,  living  in  Illinois ;  John  and  Dick,  farmers  in  York  county ;  Carrie, 
wife  of  Richard  Conrad,  a  farmer;  George,  a  farmer  in  York  county;  Maggie,  wife 
of  William  Conrad,  a  York  county  farmer;  Katie,  wife  of  Emil  Moggeusan,  a 
farmer  of  Hamilton  county ;  Anna,  wife  of  Mr.  Robert  Marcpiardt,  a  York  county 
farmer;  Albert,  who  operates  the  home  place,  and  Freddie,  living  at  home.  George 
Wessels  entered  the  military  service  of  the  United  States,  September  G,  1918,  and 
went  into  training  at  Camp  Grant  and  later  at  Camp  Hancock.  He  was  not,  how- 
ever, called  for  overseas  service  as  the  armistice  was  declared  some  two  months 
later. 

Mr.  Wessels  and  mendjers  of  his  family  have  religious  affiliation  with  the 
Lutheran  church  at^Thayer  and  are  active  participants  in  all  its  good  works.  Polit- 
ically he  is  aligned  with  the  republican  party  and  has  served  as  road  overseer  and 
as  game  warden  for  six  years,  bringing  to  the  duties  of  these  offices  a  sound 
common  sense  and  good  judgment.  Tho.se  who  know  him,  and  he  has  a  wide 
acquaintance,  esteem  him  as  a  man  of  genuine  worth  who  well  merits  the  success 
that  has  crowned  his  efforts. 


JAMES  R.  McCLOUD 


Prominent  in  the  financial  circles  of  York  and  York  county  is  James  R. 
McCloud,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  at  York.  He  was  born  on  the  12th 
of  December,  1881,  in  Y^ork  county,  a  son  of  William  and  Ann  (Sears)  McCloud, 
the  former  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  while  the  latter  was  bom  in  Ohio.  Further 
reference  to  the  mother  and  father  is  made  in  the  sketch  of  Charles  A.  McCloud,  a 
brother  of  the  subject  of  this  review,  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

James  R.  McCloud  received  his  education  in  the  country  schools  and  in  the 
grade  and  high  schools  of  York  and  graduated  from  the  latter  institution  in  1901. 
His  initial  step  into  the  business  world  was  made  on  the  16th  of  July,  1901,  when 
he  entered  the  employ  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  York  as  helper  and  book- 
kee])er.  He  was  not  content  to  stand  still,  however,  and  through  his  individual 
effort  worked  his  way  steadily  upward  through  the  different  departments,  with  the 
result  that  in  1903  he  was  made  assistant  cashier.  He  retained  this  position  until 
the  spring  of  1909  when  he  removed  to  Idaho  where  he  stayed  two  years.  At  the 
expiration  of  this  period  Mr.  McCloud  returned  to  York  and  resumed  his  bank 
connections,  as  cashier  of  the  Farmers  National  Bank.  This  was  in  1911  and  in 
November,  1913,  when  this  bank  was  consolidated  with  the  First  National  Bank,  he 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  927 

retained  his  position  as  cashier  and  is  still  serving  in  that  capacity.  There  is  no 
feature  of  the  banking  business  that  is  not  thoroughly  understood  by  Mr.  McCloud 
and  he  devotes  his  entire  time  to  the  interests  of  the  institution.  Besides  the 
interest  he  manifests  in  the  bank  at  Y^ork  he  owns  stock  in  seven  banks  in  the 
county  and  is  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  at  Benedict. 

On  the  10th  of  August,  1909,  Mr.  McCloud  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Nellie  Belle  Nobes,  whose  birth  occurred  in  the  penitentiary  at  Lincoln,  where  her 
father  was  warden.  Mr.  Nobes  came  to  York  at  an  early  day  and  was  a  prominent 
factor  in  the  development  of  the  town.  In  1882  he  built  a  large  business  block 
and  became  in  time  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  in  that  section  of  the  country.  To 
the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCloud  two  children  have  been  born :  Mildred,  ten 
years  of  age;  and  x\nn,  nine  years  of  age.  Mrs.  McCloud  is  one  of  the  prominent 
women  of  her  community,  taking  part  in  all  civic  organizations  and  woman's  club 
activities  of  York.    She  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Science  Church. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  Mr.  McCloud  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  repul)lican  party,  and  fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Masons,  belonging  to  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Benevolent 
Protective  Order  of  Elks,  No.  1024,  and  also  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  No.  1.3. 
In  the  conduct  of  his  banking  affairs  Mr.  McCloud  has  won  a  host  of  friends,  for 
in  the  execution  of  his  duties  he  treats  all  with  marked  courtesy  and  respect.  His 
success  is  the  result  of  his  own  diligence  and  labor,  his  determination  and  strength 
of  character  allowing  no  obstacle  to  bar  his  path. 


IRVING  S.  HARDEN 


Irving  S.  Harden,  who  is  devoting  his  time  and  energies  to  the  operation  of  a 
good  farm  on  section  3,  Lockridge  township,  York  county,  has  been  identified  with 
the  agricultural  life  of  the  county  for  many  years.  Mr.  Harden  was  born  in  Y^ork 
county  in  1889,  a  son  of  Pierce  and  Christina  (Troutraan)  Harden,  both  natives  of 
the  Keystone  State,  but  who  came  to  York  county  in  1878  from  Illinois.  Pierce 
Harden  was  engaged  during  his  active  years  in  the  profitable  operation  of  a  farm, 
from  which  he  retired  in  1910  and  is  now  residing  at  Benedict,  Nebraska. 

Irving  S.  Harden  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  his  boyhood  and  youth  were 
spent  in  the  acquirement  of  a  public  school  education  and  in  helping  his  father  on 
the  farm.  When  his  father  retired  from  active  participation  in  the  work  of  the 
holding  Mr.  Harden  began  an  agricultural  career  on  his  own  account  in  1910  and 
has  since  been  steadily  devoting  himself  to  the  development  of  the  farm,  finally 
bringing  the  place  to  a  condition  not  excelled  by  any  in  the  district  in  which  it  is 
located.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  raises  a  good  grade  of  live  stock, 
the  produce  in  the  latter  line  always  finding  a  ready  market.  He  also  raises  feed 
which  is  disposed  of  in  the  neighboring  markets. 

In  1912  Mr.  Harden  was  united  in  marriage  to  Adeline  .Johnson,  a  daughter 
of  William  Johnson  of  Benedict,  a  native  of  Lee  county,  Illinois,  where  his  parents 
settled  in  1863;  further  reference  to  Mr.  Johnson  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this 
work.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harden  are  the  parents  of  three  children,  namely :  Margaret, 
Jocelyn  and   Boyd,  all  of  whom  are  living  with  their  parents.     The  family  are 


928  HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

members  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Benedict  and  Mr  Harden  is  an  active  member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  i^olitical  atl'airs  he  takes  an  inde- 
pendent attitude  and  casts  his  vote  for  worthy  men  and  measures  rather  than  for 
parties  and  party  emblems,  and  it  is  generally  known  that  he  supports  all  move- 
ments seeking  the  material,  moi-al  or  civic  advancement  of  his  conimunitv. 


EOBEKT  McCONAUGHY,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Eobert  McConaughy  an  able  physician  and  surgeon  who  since  1885  has 
engaged  in  practice  in  York,  was  born  in  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pennsylvania,  in  18.52,  a  son 
of  James  and  Harriett  (Shallenberger)  McConaughy.  Both  were  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  in  1.S86  they  removed  to  York  county,  Nebraska.  The  father  was  a 
physician  well  known  in  the  east  in  his  professional  capacity  for  forty-five  years. 
He  attended  Washington  College,  at  Washington,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  afterward 
graduated  from  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  at  Philadelphia,  with  the  class  of 
1845.  Following  his  removal  to  the  west  he  retired  from  active  practice  spending 
his  remaining  days  in  the  enjoyment  of  well  earned  rest,  and  he  and  his  wife  were 
consistent  niemljers  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  in  ]iolitics  he  was  a  republican. 
In  their  family  were  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living :  Mrs.  George  W.  Post, 
who  was  one  of  the  pioneer  residents  of  Y'ork  but  is  now  living  in  California ; 
Mrs.  Idak'tte  Woods,  a  widow  living  in  Y'ork ;  and  Dr.  Eobert  McConaughy  of  this 
review. 

The  last  named  obtained  his  preliminary  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
city  and  afterward  attended  Lafayette  College,  at  Ea.ston,  Pennsylvania,  there  pur- 
suing a  specifically  literary  course.  He  was  afterward  a  student  in  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  of  which  his  father  was  an  alumnus  and  there  he  was  graduated  in  1875. 
He  located  for  practice  in  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  until 
1885  and  then  sought  the  opportunities  of  the  growing  west.  Coming  to  York  he 
has  since  remained  here  and  through  all  the  intervening  years  has  enjoyed  an 
extensive  practice.  Moreover,  he  has  kept  in  touch  at  all  times  with  the  trend  of 
professional  thought  and  progress  and  is  thoroughly  informed  concerning  the  most 
advanced  ideas  in  relation  to  the  practice  of  both  medicine  and  surgery. 

On  September  26,  1888,  Dr.  McConaughy  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Miriam 
Eice,  of  Osceola,  Iowa,  who  [lassed  away  in  September,  1889.  On  October  5,  1892, 
the  Doctor  wedded  Mary  Floy  Lawrence,  who  was  born  in  Gladbrook,  Iowa.  He 
was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  has  long  been  a  faithful 
member  thereof.  He  is  also  a  Knight  Templar,  and  a  past  grand  commander  of  the 
grand  commandery  of  Nebraska.  He  is  a  jiast  president  of  the  State  Medical  Asso- 
ciation and  is  president  for  the  year  of  1!)2()  of  the  American  Association  of 
Eailway  Surgeons.  He  likewise  belongs  to  the  York  County  Medical  Society 
and  to  the  American  Medical  Associaticm.  He  has  ever  discharged  his  professional 
duties  with  a  sense  of  conscientious  obligation  and  has  put  forth  every  power 
to  broaden  his  knowledge  and  promote  his  etficiency.  Accordingly  he  has  taken 
post-graduate  work  in  Chicago  and  in  London,  England,  and  has  often  visited 
different  hospitals  td  ac([uaint  himself  with  methods  therein  followed.  For 
twentv-tive  years  he  has  been  the  surgeon  fur  the  Chicago.  Burlington  &  Quincy 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  929 

Railroad  Company  and  lias  also  at  different  times  been  surgeon  for  the  North- 
western and  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railway  Systems,  representing  the  latter  during 
his  residence  in  Pennsylvania.  He  is  now  the  oldest  practicing  phj'sician  of  York 
and  for  about  twenty  years  served  as  city  physician.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican 
and  for  several  years  was  a  member  of  the  school  board,  Ijut  otherwise  has  never 
sought  nor  desired  political  honor.  The  cause  of  education,  however,  has  always 
found  in  him  a  stanch  friend  and  he  has  given  his  support  to  every  project  and 
plan  for  the  city's  betterment  and  improvement,  and  for  its  development  along 
material,  intellectual,  social  and  moral  lines. 


ELMER  BEAVER 


Among  the  prosperous  and  well  known  farmers  of  Y'ork  county  is  Elmer  Beaver 
who  resides  in  York.  He  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Illinois,  on  October  7,  1870, 
the  son  of  Michael  H.  and  Sarah  (Pence)  Beaver.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Ohio 
and  the  mother  of  Illinois.  They  were  married  in  the  latter  state  and  made  their 
home  there.  The  death  of  Michael  Beaver  occurred  in  1895  and  the  mother  still 
lives,  residing  in  Lincoln,  Illinois.  Mr.  Beaver  was  a  stockman  and  a  farmer  of 
note  and  was  an  active  supporter  of  the  democratic  party.  Seven  children  were 
born  to  this  union  of  which  the  sul^ject  and  two  brothers,  C.  N.  and  W.  R.,  are  the 
only  ones  living.  C.  N.  Beaver's  review  a];>pears  on  another  page  of  this  volume, 
and  W.  R.  Beaver  is  a  retired  farmer  of  Lincoln,  Illinois. 

In  the  accjuirement  of  an  education,  Elmer  Beaver  attended  the  schools  of  Lin- 
coln, Illinois.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he 
engaged  in  farming  until  he  was  thirty  years  of  age.  His  father  left  him  some 
land  in  York  county,  so  in  1899  he  removed  to  this  county  where  he  bought  an 
additional  farm.  For  fo.ur  years  he  remained  on  this  land  and  then  removed  to  Y''ork 
in  1902  and  bought  a  house  on  Burlington  avenue  which  he  later  sold,  and  subse- 
quently jjurchased  a  beautiful  residence  on  Lincoln  avenue  where  he  now  resides. 
He  is  a  musician  of  some  ability  and  played  in  the  town  band  for  a  number  of 
years.  Most  of  his  time  is  spent  in  caring  for  his  five  hundred  and  eleven  acres  of 
well  improved  land  and  in  addition  he  supervises  the  care  of  the  land  in  York 
county  belonging  to  his  brother  W.  E.  Beaver,  of  Lincoln,  Illinois. 

In  the  spring  of  1895  Mr.  Beaver  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  Maltby, 
a  native  of  Logan  county,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  John  Maltby  who  was  a  farmer  in 
that  state.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beaver  seven  children  have  been  born, 
namely :  Clyde  who  is  a  musician  of  some  ability  and  plays  in  a  theatre  at  Lincoln ; 
Conaway,  who  is  director  of  an  orchestra  in  Lincoln;  W.  R.,  a  musician  in  a  theatre 
at  Grand  Island;  Fred,  who  is  employed  in  a  freight  office  at  York;  and  Eugene  and 
Ruth  at  school.  One  child,  Jessie,  who  was  a  member  of  the  band,  died  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  years.  Mrs.  Beaver  is  prominent  in  social  circles  in  York  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  church. 

Mr.  Beaver  is  independent  in  politics,  supporting  the  man  rather  than  the  party 
and  though  he  takes  an  active  part  in  any  movement  promoting  growth  and 
improvement  of  his  community,  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  public  office.  Dur- 
ing the  World  war  he  took  part  in  all  the  various  activities  and  his  son  Clyde  entered 


930  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

tliu  ai'iiiy  in  11)17  in  the  Dunwootley  Naval  Reserve  Band  at  Miiineajjulis.  He  was 
stationed  at  tlie  Great  I^akes  until  tlie  signing  of  the  armistiee  after  which  time  he 
made  five  trips  to  Eurojje  on  the  W.  S.  Henderson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beaver  are 
Ijopidar  residents  of  York  and  Mr.  Beaver's  genial  dispo.sitiou  has  won  for  him 
iunumerahle  friends  and  the  high  regard  of  all  those  with  wliom  he  comes  in 
contact. 


EOBERT  BECKORD 


Robert  Beckord,  a  prominent  and  progressive  business  man  of  Waco,  York 
county,  where  he  has  been  residing  for  near  forty  years,  is  a  native  of  Germany, 
born  November  9,  1864,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Anna  (Shieltment)  Beckord,  also 
natives  of  Germany,  the  father  being  a  carjjenter  in  that  country  during  his  active 
years  and  there  he  and  his  wife  passed  their  entire  lives.  Fritz  Beckord,  a  brother 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  immigrated  to  the  United  States  and  for  a  time  lived 
in  Kansas.  Later  he  became  identified  with  the  furniture  business  at  Seward, 
Nebraska,  and  then  moved  to  Utica,  where  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  He 
remained  there  until  the  last  few  years,  which  were  spent  in  California,  where  his 
death  took  place. 

Robert  Beckord  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  country  and 
when  he  was  thirteen  years  old,  in  1879,  he  came  to  the  United  States,  landing  in 
Philadelphia,  the  ocean  voyage  being  made  on  a  steamship.  He  went  to  Nebraska 
and  settled  in  Utica,  where  he  worked  for  his  brotlier  in  a  lumber-yard,  remaining 
in  that  line  for  about  one  year.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  farm  labor  for 
about  a  year  and  a  half  and  worked  on  farms  by  the  month,  his  remuneration  being 
at  the  rate  of  twelve  and  one-half  dollars  per  month,  during  this  time  acquiring  a 
good  knowledge  of  agricultural  operations.  His  stay  in  this  connection  covered 
about  eighteen  months.  In  1882  Mr.  Beckord  moved  to  Waco  and  renewed  his  con- 
nection with  the  lumber  business,  becoming  manager  of  the  yard  known  as  the 
Fritz  Beckord  Lumber  Company,  later  transferring  his  services  to  the  S.  K.  Martin 
Lumber  Company,  here  also  holding  the  responsible  position  of  manager  and 
remaining  in  that  capacity  for  several  years.  His  next  venture  in  a  business  direc- 
tion was  to  purchase  the  elevator  owned  by  T.  C.  Tagg,  which  he  managed  and 
operated  for  four  years,  and  then  bought  a  drug  store,  managing  the  store  and  the 
elevator  for  a  considerable  time.  He  now  devotes  much  of  his  time  to  the  drug 
store  to  which  is  attached  a  paint  and  wall-paper  department,  the  entire  business 
being  under  his  immediate  control  and  yielding  satisfactory  financial  results.  He 
also  owns  farm  lands  in  York  county,  in  western  Nebraska  and  in  Kansas.  He  is  a 
progressive,  energetic  business  man  of  sound  judgment  and  keen  discrimination.  He 
is  a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  Farmers  &  Traders  Bank  of  Waco  and  also  is  a 
director  in  the  American  State  Bank  of  York,  and  in  other  ways  has  given  of  his 
time  and  ability  to  the  development  of  the  commercial  interests  of  the  community 
in  which  he  is  well  and  favorably  known. 

In  1887  Mr.  Beckord  was  united  in  iiiarriage  at  Waco  to  Adolphena  Ziegen- 
hagen,  who  was  born  in  Germany,  and  to  this  union  the  following  children  have 
been  born :  Henry,  associated  in  the  drug  business  with  his  father,  is  a  graduate  of 
the  Nebraska  State  School  of  Pharmacy;  Ella,  the  wife  of  F.  L.  Propst,  county 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  931 

treasurer  of  York  county ;  Leo,  a  farmer  in  Y^ork  county ;  Edward,  who  is  attending 
the  engineering  school  of  the  State  University  at  Lincoln ;  Esther,  who  is  attending 
the  State  University  at  Lincoln;  and  Donald,  who  attends  the  Waco  high  school. 
Mr.  Beckord  has  been  prominent  in  public  affairs  for  many  years  and  his  efforts 
fiave  ever  been  directed  to  the  welfare  of  his  city  and  district.  He  is  a  stanch  repub- 
lican and  under  the  auspices  of  that  party  has  filled  several  local  offices,  including 
that  of  mayor,  giving  faithful  and  intelligent  service  to  the  people.  His  fraternal 
affiliation  is  with  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  and  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  not  only  progressive  in  all  that  he  undertakes,  but  is 
tlioroughly  reliable  and  his  business  integrity  stands  as  an  unquestioned  fact  in  his 
career. 


SOLOMON  S.  DEFFENBAUGH 

As  a  representative  of  the  class  of  substantial  builders  of  the  great  common- 
wealth who  served  faithfully  and  long  in  the  enterprising  west  Solomon  S.  Deffen- 
baugh  stands  in  the  front  rank  of  pioneers.  He  was  born  in  Ohio,  March  25,  1838, 
and  when  he  had  grown  to  manhood  and  married  he  decided  to  try  his  fortune  in 
the  west,  so  in  May,  187-1,  he  left  Wyoming,  Stark  county,  Illinois,  with  a  team 
and  wagon  which  held  all  his  worldly  possessions  and  set  out  for  his  new  home.  In 
June  of  the  same  year  he  reached  York  county,  Nebraska,  and  spent  the  fall  and 
winter  at  the  homestead  of  his  father-in-law,  John  Rush,  who  lived  in  West  Blue 
township. 

Mr.  Deffenbaugh  established  his  first  home  on  section  eight  of  this  township, 
where  he  bought  railroad  land.  In  1889  he  sold  this  property  and  engaged  in  the 
cattle  business  in  Box  Butte  county,  Nebraska,  remaining  there  a  few  years,  after 
which  he  returned  to  York  county  and  purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  resides  on 
section  five,  West  Blue  township. 

He  was  married  at  Ancona,  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  to  Arminda  Rush,  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Susan  (Stanton)  Rush.  John  Rush  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  to  take  a  homestead  in  the  county  where  he  lived  until  he  had  passed  the 
ninetieth  milestone.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Deffenbaugh  have  become  the  parents  of  seven 
cliildren,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Charles  R.,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  York 
county,  and  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work;  Louie,  the  wife  of  Smith  Hutch- 
ins,  who  resides  in  Philipsburg,  Montana ;  J.  C,  who  is  at  home ;  Ella,  the  wife  of 
John  Hiner,  of  York ;  Maude,  who  is  married  to  Louis  Cook,  a  resident  of  York ; 
and  Marie,  who  is  married  to  Sam  Williams,  of  Omaha,  Nebraska. 

Years  have  passed  since  Mr.  Deffenbaugh  cast  in  his  lot  with  the  pioneers  of 
York  county.  People  of  the  present  day  can  hardly  realize  the  struggles  and  dan- 
gers which  attended  the  early  settlers,  the  heroism  and  self-sacrifice  of  lives  passed 
on  the  borders  of  civilization,  the  hardships  endured  and  the  difficulties  which  had 
to  be  overcome.  He  ex2)erienced  all  of  the  privations  and  hardships  of  the  times 
and  recalls  the  terrible  grasshopper  pestilence  which  sorely  tried  the  courage  and 
patience  of  so  many  of  the  farmers  at  that  time.  He  has  eighty  acres  of  well  culti- 
vated land  and  splendid  buildings  on  his  farm  which  stand  forth  as  proof  of  his 
victory  over  the  storms  and  trials  of  the  years. 


m2  HISTORY    OF    YOIJK    COUXTY 

In  politics  Mr.  Deffciibaugh  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democratic 
party  but  does  not  seek  nor  desire  office,  his  attention  being  concentrated  upon  his 
business  affairs.  Mrs.  Deffenbaugh  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church.  Mr.  Def- 
fenbaugh  has  brought  his  farm  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  the  many 
improvements  which  he  has  added  thereto  make  it  one  of  the  valuable  properties  of 
the  district. 


GEORGE   S.  COOK 


George  S.  Cook,  engaged  in  the  abstract  business  in  York,  is  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial residents  of  the  city  who  yet  remains  active  in  business,  although  he  has 
passed  the  seventy-seventh  milestone  on  life's  journey.  He  was  born  in  Province- 
town,  Massachusetts,  June  4,  1843,  a  son  of  Ephraim  and  Rebecca  (Wiley)  Cook. 
The  father  was  born  in  Massachusetts  Novemljer  4,  1806,  and  passed  away  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1891,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years.  The  mother  was  born  in 
Xew  England  in  1816,  and  her  death  occurred  December  27,  1850.  Their  marriage 
was  celebrated  in  Massachusetts.  The  father  was  on  a  fisliing  and  whaling  vessel 
for  a  number  of  years,  after  which  he  took  up  his  abode  at  Ptovincetown,  where  he 
engaged  in  fitting  out  vessels,  conducting  his  business  very  successfully.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  his  early  political  support  was 
given  to  the  whig  party,  but  upon  its  dissolution  he  joined  the  ranks  of  the  new 
republican  party.  He  represented  one  of  the  old  New  England  families,  his  father 
Ephraim  Cook  having  also  been  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  a  fisherman  of  that 
state.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  George  S.  Copk,  however,  was  a  Methodist  min- 
ister, devoting  his  entire  life  to  the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel.  George  S.  Cook 
was  one  of  a  family  of  four  children,  of  whom  three  are  living:  Phoebe,  the  wife 
of  W.  E.  Morgan,  of  Vienna,  Virginia,  who  is  doorkeeper  in  the  United  States 
senate ;  E.  Parker,  who  is  living  retired  in  Boston,  Massachusetts ;  and  George  S. 

The  last  named  obtained  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  city  and 
then  entered  his  father's  store  as  soon  as  he  had  put  aside  his  textbooks.  He 
acted  as  bookkeeper  and  did  other  work  in  the  store  and  there  remained  until 
1871,  save  for  the  period  of  his  service  in  the  Civil  war.  He  enlisted  in  1862 
as  a  member  of  Company  I,  Forty-seventh  Massachusetts  Infantry,  with  which  he 
served  for  nine  months,  taking  part  in  the  Red  river  expedition.  He  was  an 
orderly  at  General  Banks''  headquarters,  and  had  not  yet  reached  his  twenties  when 
he  enlisted  and  saw  active  service  in  defense  of  the  Union. 

In  April,  1871,  Mr.  Cook  removed  to  York  county,  where  he  homesteaded. 
There  was  not  a  dwelling  in  the  city  of  York  at  the  time  of  his  arrival.  All 
around  was  the  broad  open  prairie  starred  with  a  million  wild  flowers  in  June, 
and  in  the  winter  covered  with  a  dazzling,  unbroken  sheet  of  snow.  He  at  once 
began  the  development  of  his  land  and  resided  thereon  until  1878,  when  he  built 
a  nice  home  in  the  village  of  York  and  afterward  sold  his  farm  property.  When 
he  erected  his  dwelling  he  regarded  it  as  a  long  distance  from  the  business  street. 
He  paid  fifty  dollars-for  the  lot  and  twenty-five  dollars  down  and  with  a  year's  time 
to  make  the  remaining  payments.  The  home  is  just  three  blocks  from  the  public 
scjuare,  so  that  today  it  is  in  the  very  heart  of  the  city  and  is  a  comfortable,  modern 


GEOEGE  S.  COOK 


PUBLIC  LIB-  kV.^ 


.is^'^^r' 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    C'OUI^TY  935 

residence  in  whieli  he  lias  enjoj'ed  many  of  the  best  things  that  life  has  to  offer. 
Durino-  most  of  the  intervening  period  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  abstract  business 
to  which  he  still  gives  his  attention. 

On  the  5th  of  December,  1866,  Mr.  Cook  was  married  to  Miss  Julia  M.  Smith, 
who  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  and  passed  away  June  12,  1896,  leaving  one  child, 
Lydia  Smith,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  F.  E.  Clarke,  a  miner  of  Spokane,  Washington. 
Mr.  Cook  was  again  married  November  21,  lS!)i),  his  second  union  being  with 
Martha  Ellen  Hitchcock,  who  was  burn  in  Indiana. 

Mr.  Cook  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and  has  ever  guided  his 
life  according  to  its  teachings.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Mason  and  was  secretary  of  his 
lodge  for  a  number  of  years.  He  also  served  for  a  considerable  period  as  secretary 
for  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  has  discharged  the  secretarial  duties  in  the  Grand 
Army  Post,  to  which  he  belongs.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  republican 
and  has  served  as  city  treasurer  for  thirty  years,  deputy  county  treasurer  under 
two  administrations  and  deputy  county  clerk  for  three  years. 

He  has  served  as  secretary  of  the  cemetery  for  a  number  of  years  and  at  all 
times  has  been  interested  in  every  project  and  plan  for  the  city's  benefit  and  im- 
provement. He  passed  throiTgh  all  of  tilie  harrdshJfis  and  privations  incident  to  the 
pioneer  development  of  this  section  of 'the  G9untry,  and  is  now  largely  enjoying 
rest  from  business,  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil  supplying  him  with  all  of  the 
comforts  and  some  of  the  lu.xuries  of  life. 


H.  BLLFM,  Sfi. 


H.  Blum,  Sr.,  one  of  the  prosperous  residents  of  York  county,  was  born  in  Posen, 
Germany,  in  1855,  the  son  of  Michael  and  Augusta  (Warnek)  Blum,  natives  of 
the  province  of  Posen,  who  passed  away  when  their  son  was  a  child.  His  boyhood 
was  spent  in  Germany,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  came  to  America,  and  made 
his  way  to  York  county  where  he  had  a  brother  Julius,  who  had  settled  on  a  home- 
stead there  a  year  before.  He  worked  on  his  brother's  farm  for  more  than  a  year 
and  at  the  end  of  that  time  found  employment  on  a  railroad  south  of  Lincoln,  where 
he  worked  in  1873  and  1871,  later  working  on  a  railroad  in  Iowa. 

He  then  came  to  York  county  and  bought  out  a  homestead  from  a  man  who 
had  occupied  it  but  a  short  time.  He  paid  for  the  improvements  on  it  and  lived  the 
required  five  years  on  the  eighty  acres,  that  it  might  become  his  property.  This 
has  been  his  home  ever  since  and  he  is  now  the  owner  of  six  liundred  and  eighty 
acres  of  valuable  land,  with  four  sets  of  farm  buildings.  When  Mr.  Blum  came  to 
York  county  he  was  without  capital  and  was  two  hundred  dollars  in  debt,  so  it  is 
easily  seen  to  what  success  he  has  attained. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Otillia  Suckschewsky  who  came  from  the  same  province 
in  Germany  as  did  her  husband,  when  she  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  They  are 
the  parents  of  seven  children :  Ludwig,  who  is  married  to  Tillie  Schleuter,  is  a 
farmer  in  York  county,  and  has  four  children;  Gustav  lives  at  home;  Herman,  Jr., 
who  is  married  to  Anna  Fuss,  is  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  York  county, 
and  has  two  children;  Julius,  who  is  the  husband  of  Esther  Wightman,  is  a  banker 
in  California;  Otto,  who  is  married  to  Alta  Gradosky,  is  a  farmer  in  York  county; 
Walter  lives  at  home;  and  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Dick  Wessel,  Jr.,  of  York  county. 


936  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Mr.  Blum  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Lutheran  church  in  Beaver  towiisliip.  lu 
politics  he  is  independent,  preferring  to  use  his  judgment  in  casting  his  vote.  He 
displays  a  keen  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  community  and  has  been  assessor  of 
the  township  for  many  years  and  a  member  of  the  school  board.  His  life  has  been 
one  of  continuous  activity  in  which  has  been  accorded  due  recognition  of  labor  and 
today  he  is  numbered  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  the  county.  His  interests 
are  thoroughly  identified  with  those  of  farming  and  he  is  always  ready  to  lend  his 
aid  and  co-ojieration  to  advance  the  development  of  his  county  and  community. 


GEORGE  r.  SHIDLER,  Jl.  D. 

Dr.  George  P.  Shidler,  of  York,  ranks  among  the  progressive  and  successful 
physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  city  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  both  the  general 
public  and  his  professional  brethren.  He  was  born  in  York,  February  3,  1883,  the 
son  of  Dr.  George  W.  and  Alice  J.  (Shirey)  Shidler.  The  mother  was  a  native  of 
Clearfield  county,  Pennsylvania,  her  birth  having  occurred  in  that  state  in  1855. 
She  was  married  to  Dr.  George  W.  Shidler  in  1880,  and  of  this  union  two  children 
were  born,  namely :  the  subject  of  this  review ;  and  Bertha  who  is  the  wife  of 
George  H.  Edwards.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwards  reside  in  San  Franci.sco,  California, 
where  Mr.  Edwards  is  engaged  in  the  wholesale  hat  business.  Dr.  George  W.  Shid- 
ler was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1849  and  received  his  medical  education  at  Ann 
Arbor  and  Keokuk,  Iowa,  graduating  in  1875.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Swedesburg,  Iowa,  and  in  1879  removed  to  York  where  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  Dr.  Porter,  under  the  name  of  Porter  &  Shidler.  For  ten  years 
this  partnership  continued,  at  the  termination  of  which  time  the  doctor  practiced 
alone  until  1897  when  he  entered  practice  in  connection  with  Dr.  0.  M.  Moore.  In 
1909  the  son  of  Dr.  George  W.  Shidler,  Dr.  George  P.  Shidler,  joined  the  partner- 
ship and  the  firm  name  became  Shidler,  Moore  &  Shidler.  After  the  death  of  the 
elder  Dr.  Shidler,  Dr.  King  became  a  member  of  the  firm  hut  in  1917  entered  the 
service  of  the  United  States  in  the  World  war.  Upon  his  return  to  York  in  1919  he 
immediately  resumed  his  connection  with  the  firm,  and  it  is  now  known  as  Moore, 
Shidler  &  King,  or  the  York  Clinic.  Dr.  George  W.  Shidler  and  his  wife  attended 
the  Presbyterian  churcli  and  he  was  a  democrat  in  politics.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
surgeons  west  of  the  Mississippi  river  and  was  also  among  the  first  to  use  a  local 
anaesthetic.  The  first  appendix  operation  in  York  county  was  performed  by 
Dr.  Shidler,  and  in  order  to  keep  up  with  the  advance  in  knowledge  of  the  profes- 
sion he  took  a  post-graduate  course  every  year.  In  fact  so  widely  known  did 
Dr.  Shidler  become  that  he  received  a  request  from  Germany  for  a  picture  of 
himself  to  be  placed  with  the  noted  physicians  and  surgeons  of  their  own  country. 
Mrs.  Shidler  was  a  typical  Ariierican  woman.  She  was  a  leader  in  social  affairs  and 
an  excellent  housewife.  She  was  also  quite  talented,  and  painted  a  number  of 
charming  pictures.  After  a  life  of  usefulness  and  unselfish  devotion  to  her  family 
she  passed  away  in  1908. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Dr.  George  P.  Shidler  attended  the  public 
schools  of  York  and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  in  1899.  He  then  entered 
the  State  University  and  was  graduated  therefrom,  A.  B.,  in  1903.     For  two  years 


HISTOEY    OF    YOBK    COUNTY  937 

he  pursued  a  course  in  the  Ann  Arbor  jMedical  College  and  was  graduated  from 
Xorthwestern  University  in  1907.  He  conimeaced  his  professional  career  as  interne 
in  the  Cook  County  Institution  where  he  remained  for  six  months,  and  then  spent 
one  year  and  three  months  in  St.  Luke's  Hospital,  both  institutions  being  located  in 
Chicago.  In  1908  he  returned  to  York  and  entered  into  practice  with  his  father 
and  Dr.  Moore  and  he  is  now  connected  with  Drs.  Moore  and  King.  These  three 
men  are  known  as  the  York  Clinic  and  have  established  a  private  hospital,  the 
Clinic  Hospital,  which  they  have  conducted  since  June  20,  1910,  where  all  of  their 
operations  are  performed.  In  addition  to  his  duties  at  the  hospital  and  his  general 
practice  Dr.  Shidler  is  an  attendant  at  the  York  convent  and  at  the  Odd  Fellows 
home.  He  is  thoroughly  conscientious  in  the  performance  of  his  duties  as  a 
physician  and  surgeon  and  his  skill  is  generally  recognized.  He  performed,  and 
with  great  success,  the  first  Caesarean  operation  in  York  county. 

Dr.  Shidler  was  married  in  1909  in  Michigan  City,  Indiana,  to  Miss  Mina 
Ashton  of  that  place,  whose  father  was  a  wholesale  grocer  there  for  fifty  years.  To 
the  union  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Shidler  four  boys  have  been  born :  George,  ten  years  of 
age ;  John,  aged  nine  years ;  Fred,  six  years  of  age ;  and  James,  aged  three  years. 
Dr.  Shidler  and  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  are  active  in 
the  work  of  that  organization.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Scottish  Kite  Mason,  a  member 
of  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  and  a  Knight  of  Pythias.  Dr.  Shidler 
and  his  wife  are  well  known  in  the  social  circles  of  the  town  being  members  of  the 
York  Country  Club  of  which  Dr.  Shidler  is  director,  and  his  interest  in  the  public 
progress  and  welfare  of  his  community  is  manifest  in  his  membership  in  the  Kotary 
Club. 


CHABLES  J.  BUSLER 


A  pioneer  farmer  of  York  county  is  Charles  J.  Busier,  who  was  born  in  Germany 
on  the  10th  of  August,  1849,  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Busier,  both  natives  of 
that  country.  In  1830  Joseph  Busier  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  at 
Oregon,  Illinois.  He  worked  out  on  farms,  being  with  one  man  for  a  period  of 
four  years,  and  later  rented  land  which  he  fanned  successfully.  Joseph  Busier 
managed  to  save  enough  money  to  purchase  some  land  on  wliich  he  built  a  log 
house  and  soon  after  he  sent  to  Germany  for  his  wife  and  family.  For  some  time 
they  resided  on  the  farm  and  then  retired  to  the  town  of  Oregon,  Illinois,  where 
they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Mr.  Busier  was  married  twice,  three 
children  being  born  to  the  first  union,  namely :  Michael,  whose  death  occurred  in 
Custer  county,  Nebraska;  Sophia,  who  died  in  Illinois;  and  Charles  J.,  whose 
name  initiates  this  review.  The  second  wife  of  Mr.  Busier  was  Elizabeth  Busier, 
and  to  them  four  children  were  born,  namely :  Susan,  who  is  deceased ;  Anna, 
residing  in  Chicago ;  Daniel,  wlio  lives  in  Canada ;  and  George,  a  resident  of 
Oklahoma.  Joseph  Busier  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party  and  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Catholic  church. 

Charles  J.  Busier  came  to  the  United  States  from  his  native  land  in  1852,  the 
journey  taking  a  period  of  three  months.  He  settled  with  his  parents  in  Oregon, 
Illinois,  and  was  educated  in  the  country  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home. 
After  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was 


938  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  lie  liired  out  to  otlier  farmers,  breaking  land  and 
running  threshing  machines.  On  the  Gth  of  April,  1874,  Mr.  Rusler  came  to 
Nebraska,  settling  in  York  county  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  railroad  land  for  which  he  paid  seven  dollars  an  acre.  He  purchased  the  fir,st 
threshing  machine  ever  used  in  the  county  and  set  about  to  cultivate  his  land.  He 
built  a  one  room  sod  house  with  a  dirt  floor  and  roof  and  there  he  resided,  breaking 
his  own  land,  sixty  acres  the  first  year,  which  he  ]n)t  out  in  sod  corn.  He  also 
set  out  an  orchard  but  this  later  mostly  died  out.  The  hardships  passed  through 
by  Mr.  Rusler  were  many  and  in  the  year  1874  the  grasshoppers  destroyed  every 
one  of  his  crops.  Supplies  had  to  be  hauled  from  Fairmont,  and  wood  from  the 
Blue  River.  During  the  winter  he  often  had  to  burn  cornstalks.  Game  was  plenti- 
ful in  that  section  of  the  county  and  he  remembers  seeing  many  antelopes.  The 
Indians  on  their  season  hunts  would  pa,ss  his  place  and  often  stop  for  food  and 
warmth.  Mr.  Rusler  allowed  no  obstacle,  however  great,  to  obstruct  his  path,  and 
his  determination  and  energy  have  been  rewarded  with  a  substantial  amount  of 
success.  He  is  now  in  possession  of  eight  hundred  and  forty  acres,  the  land  all 
adjoining,  on  whit-h  he  has  three  sets  of  fine  improvements. 

It  was  while  residing  in  Illinois  that  Mr.  Rusler  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Diana  Calkins,  a  native  of  that  state.  A  niece  of  Mr.  Rusler's,  Minnie 
Burton,  makes  her  home  with  them. 

Mr.  Rusler  has  always  maintained  an  independent  course  in  politics,  voting  for 
the  man  rather  than  for  any  particular  party.  He  has  taken  an  active  interest  in 
the  development  and  improvement  of  the  community  in  which  he  makes  his  home 
and  has  served  both  as  road  overseer  and  assessor.  The  greater  part  of  his  time, 
however,  he  has  devoted  to  his  agricultural  interests.  The  religious  faith  of 
Mr.  Rusler  is  that  of  the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  Rusler  is  in  every  sense  of  the 
word  a  self-made  man,  having  reached  his  present  day  success  only  as  the  result 
of  his  own  efforts.  He  is  recognized  as  such  a  man  by  his  fellow-citizens,  and  is 
conceded  the  confidence,  goodwill  and  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 


GEORGE  ^V.  ROSSITER 


George  W.  Rossiter,  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  York  county,  was  born  near 
Utica,  New  York,  March  7,  1845.  When  he  was  very  young  his  mother  passed 
away  and  he  went  to  live  with  an  uncle  in  Illinois,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood  and 
received  his  education. 

When  Lincoln  called  for  troops  George  Rossiter  was  among  the  first  of  the 
gallant  young  men  who  responded,  enlisting  in  an  Illinois  Infantry,  Seventh  Regi- 
ment. He  received  a  gunshot  wound  in  his  left  foot  but  nothing  daunted  and 
determined  to  do  not  less  than  his  utmost  for  his  country,  he  reenlisted  in  the 
One  Hundred  and  Sixth  Regiment  where  he  was  detailed  on  .secret  service  work 
until  the  close  of  the^war.  He  then  returned  to  Lincoln,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits.  In  1870  he  came  to  York  county  where  he  took  up  a  home- 
stead of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  in  LeRoy  township.  For  the  ten  following 
years  he  lived  in  a  sod  house,  consisting  of  two  little  rooms,  which  was  improved 
as  the  years  jiassod  until  it  became  a  very  comfortable  dwelling. 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  939 

George  Eossiter  was  married  to  Colista  Rinehart  in  1875,  and  they  liave  become 
the  parents  of  five  children :  Roland  R.,  who  lives  in  Montana ;  Mary,  the  wife  of 
D.  W.  Smith,  who  lives  with  her  mother;  Fanny  G.,  the  wife  of  E.  E.  Bird,  who 
resides  in  Grand  Island;  Warren  L.,  of  York,  Nebraska;  and  Virna  E.,  who  is 
married  to  P.  J.  Hessler,  of  York,  and  resides  with  her  mother. 

Mr.  Eossiter  was  always  deeply  interested  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
and  belonged  to  the  Robert  Anderson  Post  No.  32.  He  gave  his  political  endorse- 
ment to  the  republican  party  and  always  kept  well  informed  on  the  questions  and 
issues  of  the  day.  On  March  7,  1909,  Mr.  Rossiter  passed  away,  leaving  his 
sorrowing  wife  and  children,  who  feel  that  their  loss  is  irreparable,  and  many 
friends  and  relatives.  Mr.  Rossiter  is  justly  accorded  a  place  among  the  prominent 
and  representative  citizens  of  York  county,  for  he  belonged  to  that  class  of  men 
whose  enterprising  spirit  is  used  not  alone  for  their  own  benefit ;  he  also  advanced 
the  general  good  and  promoted  public  prosperity  by  his  ably  managed  individual 
interests,  thus  placing  this  section  of  the  county  on  a  par  with  the  older  east. 


GEORGE  W.  FEIESEN 


Among  the  representative  residents  of  York  county  is  George  W.  Friesen,  for 
many  years  identified  with  banking  and  farming  and  at  present  serving  as  president 
of  the  Bank  of  Henderson.  He  was  born  in  Southern  Eussia,  August  21:,  1870,  a 
son  of  John  and  Mary  (Klassen)  Friesen,  also  natives  of  that  part  of  Eussia. 
These  parents  immigrated  to  America  in  1875  and  in  that  year  came  out  to 
Nebraska,  locating  in  Hamilton  count}',  where  John  Friesen  took  up  a  homestead 
on  which  he  erected  a  sod  house  in  which  he  lived  for  a  considerable  time.  Later 
he  improved  the  holding  with  a  frame  building  and  carried  out  other  useful  projects, 
all  of  which  served  to  increase  the  value  of  the  place.  He  broke  the  ground,  planted 
crops  and  as  he  prospered  in  liis  agricultural  operations  built  fences  and  effected 
other  worth-while  improvements,  gradually  bringing  his  holding  to  the  front  rank 
among  the  best  kept  farms  of  the  county.  He  and  his  wife  became  the  parents 
of  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living.  His  wife  passed  away  in  1911  to  the 
deep  regret  of  her  relatives  and  numerous  friends,  and  he  survived  until  1919  being 
then  in  his  seventy-ninth  year.  Coming  to  this  part  of  Nebraska  when  it  was 
virtually  in  the  pioneer  stage  he  experienced  many  of  the  hardships  and  disad- 
vantages of  that  time  but  lived  to  see  a  wonderful  transformation  and  the  face 
of  the  country  changed  from  a  prairie  state  to  one  of  well  cultivated  fields  and 
established  government  prevailing  throughout,  and  in  the  bringing  about  of  these 
results  he  played  a  conspicuous  part. 

George  W.  Friesen  was  a  lad  of  five  years  when  he  accompanied  his  parents 
to  the  new  world  and  he  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  county,  later 
attending  the  Fremont  Normal  School,  finishing  his  educational  course  in  that 
institution.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  school  work  he  served  for  four  years  as 
deputy  county  clerk  of  Hamilton  county,  giving  much  satisfaction.  Mr.  Friesen 
then  turned  his  attention  to  banking  and  entered  the  Bank  of  Henderson,  of  which 
he  later  became  cashier,  filling  that  responsible  position  with  fidelity  and  distinction 
for  ten  years,  meriting  alike  the  warm  approval  and  esteem  of  the  bank  officers 

Vol.   II — 22 


1110  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COrXTY" 

iiml  the  pviblic.  Later  Mr.  Friesen  became  president  of  the  bank  anil  under 
his  guidance  the  bank's  business  is  in  a  prosperous  and  tiourishing  cundition,  carry- 
ing a  substantial  surplus  to  its  credit,  keen  business  acumen  and  sagacity  being 
resjionsible  for  its  present  sound  financial  position.  Apart  from  his  banking  inter- 
ests Mr.  Friesen  is  giving  close  attention  to  the  management  of  a  quarter  section 
of  land  which  he  owns  in  Hamilton  county,  all  of  which  is  in  an  excellent  state 
of  improvement,  operated  along  modern  agricultural  lines  and  yielding  annually 
most  gratifying  returns. 

Mr.  Friesen  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Miss  Hannah  Stark, 
a  daughter  of  William  L.  and  Gertrude  (Elworth)  Stark,  both  of  whom  are  still 
living  in  Aurora,  Nebraska.  Mrs.  Frie.sen  pas.sed  away  in  1901,  some  six  months 
after  her  marriage.  In  lOlT  Mr.  Fi'iesen  took  for  his  second  wife  Miss  Marie 
A.  Koss,  a  native  of  Lee  county,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  Anthony  and  Anna 
(Ketterer)  Koss,  also  natives  of  Iowa  and  still  living  in  Lee  county,  that  state. 
To  this  second  union  a  son  was  born,  George  A.,  who.se  birth  occurred  on  March 
27,  1918. 

In  his  political  affiliation  Mr.  Friesen  gives  undivided  support  to  the  progressive 
party  and  in  local  affairs  has  given  of  his  time  and  ability  to  the  public  interest. 
He  served  on  the  city  council  for  a  time,  taking  a  prominent  part  in  the  shaping 
and  formulating  of  conditions  necessary  to  the  well-being  of  the  community.  His 
interest  in  the  advancement  of  educational  affairs  has  been  not  less  practical  and 
he  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  several  years.  His  life  has  been  a  busy 
and  useful  one,  divided  between  his  banking  and  farming  interests  and  by  unfal- 
tering industry  and  determination  he  has  advanced  steadily  on  the  high  road  to 
success.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  county  in  which  he  resides  and  is 
enjoying  a  prosperity  which  is  the  merited  reward  of  his  labor.?,  being  in  the 
highest  sense  of  the  term  a  self-made  man. 


SAMUEL  E.  LICHTENBEEGER 

Samuel  R.  Lichtenberger,  proprietor  of  the  Cottonwood  Stock  Farm  and  a 
prosperous  and  well  known  resident  of  York  county,  having  come  to  this  part  of 
Nebraska  in  1873,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Somerset  county,  January 
8,  1847,  a  son  of  Josiah  and  Eliza  (Schneider)  Lichtenberger,  both  of  whom  were 
born  in  that  same  county.  Josiah  was  a  son  of  John  J.  Lichtenberger,  and  the 
latter  with  one  of  his  brothers  assisted  their  grandfather  in  laying  out  the  town 
of  Somerset  in  the  Keystone  state.  When  that  town  was  being  organized  the 
Schneider  family  Just  mentioned  presented  the  first  courthouse  building,  the  jail, 
seminary  and  Lutheran  church  buildings  to  the  people  of  Somerset,  and  in  many 
other  directions  they  were  l^enefactors  to  the  well-being  of  the  town  and  their 
names  are  gratefully  remembered  to  this  day  in  the  locality. 

Samuel  R.  Lichtenberger  was  one  of  nine  ciiildren  born  to  his  parents  and  was 
educated  in  the  puljlic  schools  of  his  native  county.  He  learned  his  father's  trade, 
that  of  a  tanner,  and  continued  to  work  at  that  business  during  his  boyhood  years. 
In  186.3  he  migrated  to  Dixon,  Illinois,  and  there  continued  to  reside  until  March, 
1864,  w'hen  he  enlisted  as  a  corporal  in  Company  D,  Fifteenth  Illinois  Volunteer 


HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY  9-il 

Infantry,  for  service  with  the  Federal  troops  in  the  Civil  war.  He  was  mustered 
ill  at  Chicago  and  from  that  point  was  sent  to  Tennessee  with  Sherman's  army, 
where  his  company  became  part  of  the  Seventeenth  Corps  under  General  Blair  who 
accompanied  Sherman  on  his  famous  march  to  the  sea.  He  was  in  several  engage- 
ments and  continued  to  serve  until  the  close  of  the  war  when  he  was  mustered  out 
at  Springfield  in  September,  1865. 

At  the  close  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Lichteiiberger  returned  to  Dixon,  Illi- 
nois, and  there  rented  land  which  he  operated  until  the  spring  of  1872.  In  that 
year  he  made  the  overland  Journey  to  York  county  by  horse  team  and  took  up  a 
homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  located  on  section  8,  Bradshaw  township. 
His  first  house  was  built  of  sod  with  a  sod  roof  and  a  dirt  floor  and  here  he 
"bached"  for  eleven  years.  The  holding  was  all  raw  prairie  land  and  he  began  to 
break  it  with  ox  teams  in  1873  and  in  that  year  started  to  put  out  his  first  crops. 
In  the  following  year  he  had  broken  fifty  acres  of  the  ground  and  put  it  to  wheat 
when  the  grasshoppers  came  in  myriads,  being  so  thick  that  he  could  shovel  them 
up  with  a  scoop  shovel.  In  the  morning  of  the  following  day  they  rose  in  a  cloud 
and  disappeared  as  mysteriously  as  they  had  come,  leaving  the  wheat  practically 
uninjured.  Mr.  Lichtenberger  has  many  interesting  stories  to  tell  of  those  early 
days  in  the  county.  He  was  in  the  big  storm  of  April  2,  1873,  when  on  the  after- 
noon of  that  date  a  drizzling  rain  started,  which  later  turned  into  big  soft  snow- 
flakes  which  fell  to  a  thickness  of  about  flve  inches  on  the  ground.  It  froze  hard 
all  that  night  and  the  following  morning  a  snow  blizzard  was  raging  which  lasted 
for  three  days,  during  that  time  numbers  of  cattle,  hogs  and  horses  being  frozen 
to  death.  Some  time  after  he  settled  here  he  hunted  antelopes  on  the  spot  where 
Bradshaw  now  stands,  but  buffaloes  were  not  very  plentiful.  He  did  most  of  his 
trading  at  Lincoln  and  hauled  his  grain  to  market  at  Fairmont  and  Sutton,  the 
latter  being  twenty-five  miles  distant. 

In  January,  1883,  Mr.  Lichtenberger  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah 
Dickson,  a  native  of  Danville,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Eobert  M.  Dickson,  who  came 
to  Nebraska  and  homesteaded  in  Custer  county.  Five  cliildren  were  born  to  this 
union:  Mae,  the  wife  of  C.  W.  Will,  of  Litchfield,  Nebraska;  Josiah,  who  works 
on  a  farm  in  Bradshaw  township;  Cleon,  who  lives  on  his  father's  old  homestead; 
Alice,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Lula,  now  attending  high  school.  Mr.  Lichtenberger 
is  a  democrat  and  served  as  school  director  and  treasurer  of  his  school  district  for 
thirty  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublic,  affiliated  with 
Noble  Groves  Post,  and  in  the  affairs  of  that  organization  continues  to  take  a 
warm  interest.  Since  1878  he  has  held  membership  in  the  Masonic  order  and  for 
many  years  has  been  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His 
wife  and  daughter  are  earnest  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  all  com- 
munity movements  intended  to  promote  the  public  welfare  have  their  practical 
support.  They  are  people  of  genuine  personal  worth,  enjoying  in  large  measure 
tlie  friendship  and  kindly  regard  of  those  with  whom  they  have  been  brought  into 
contact.  Their  own  home  is  noted  for  its  warmhearted  hospitality  and  is  the 
scene  of  many  delightful  social  gatherings. 

Mr.  Lichtenberger  continued  to  reside  on  his  old  homestead  until  1017,  when 

he  moved  to  Bradshaw.     During  his  active  years  on  the  farm  he  was  extensively 

■  engaged  in  stock  raising  and  general  farming,  having  been  one  of  the  most  successful 

stock  raisers  in  the  county  and  was  engaged  in  the  buying  and  selling  of  stock 


yia  HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUXTY 

for  forty  years.  He  was  the  first  farmer  to  ship  a  load  of  grain  out  of  Brarlshaw. 
After  the  first  few  years  of  his  residence  on  the  homestead  he  began  to  see  greater 
possibilities  ahead  and  added  to  his  land  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  he  had 
accumulated  fi%-e  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  prime  land  of  which  he  is  still  the 
owner.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination  to  try  his  fortune 
in  this  part  of  Xebraska.  Here  he  found  conditions  favorable  to  the  man  who  is 
willing  to  work,  for  the  land  is  rich  in  its  natural  resources  and  Mr.  Lichtenberger 
accordingly  brought  his  diligence  to  play  with  the  result  that  he  is  today  the 
possessor  of  a  handsome  competence  which  surrounds  him  with  all  the  necessities 
and  cofnforts  of  life  and  some  of  its  luxuries. 


WILLIAM   S.   JEFFERY 


Willirtin  S.  Jeffery,  a  prominent  and  prosperous  citizen  of  York  county  of  which 
he  has  lieen  a  resident  for  more  than  forty-six  years,  now  living  practically  retired 
from  active  participation  in  farm  life,  has  in  his  time  played  many  parts  in  business 
affairs.  He  was  born  in  Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  24,  1844,  a  son  of 
Robert  and  Mary  (Scott)  Jeffery,  the  former  a  native  of  Allegheny  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  was  born  in  1819  and  died  in  1906,.  having  then  reached  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  Mrs.  Mary  (Scott)  Jeffery,  his  wife,  was  a 
native  of  Hancock  county,  Virginia,  where  she  was  born  in  1837  and  passed  away 
in  1884,  being  then  in  her  fifty-seventh  year. 

Robert  Jeffery  had  a  somewhat  varied  career.  He  had  lieen  a  school  teacher  in 
the  Keystone  state  and  in  1853  moved  into  Illinois.  He  became  deputy  clerk  of 
McDouough  count}'  and  filled  this  responsible  position  for  eleven  years,  enjoying 
the  confidence  of  his  brother  officials  and  the  public,  and  serving  with  fidelity 
and  ability.  For  six  years  he  was  deputy  postmaster  at  Macomb,  Illinois,  and 
brought  to  ijcar  on  the  duties  of  that  public  department  a  keen  administrative 
capacity.  Later  he  became  express  messenger  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and 
Quincy  Railroad.  In  1878  he  moved  into  Xebraska,  living  near  Red  Cloud  with 
a  brother  and  began  farming.  He  started  for  Kansas  and  purchased  a  tract  of 
land  on  which  he  resumed  agricultural  operations,  and  there  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  his  death  taking  place  in  1906,  in  his  eighty-seventh  year.  To  Robert 
Jeffery  and  wife  six  children  were  born:  William  S.,  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mary 
Ann,  deceased;  Jennie,  wife  of  Mike  Ryan,  of  Lincoln;  Austin  X.,  deceased;  Anna, 
widow  of  Cade  Holcomb,  of  Illinois;  and  Sarah,  deceased  in  infancy.  He  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Pi'esby terian  church  and  in  its  work  took  an  •  active 
and  helpful  interest,  doing  all  in  their  power  to  extend  its  growth  and  promote 
its  purpose.  His  political  support  was  given  to  sustain  the  policies  and  principles 
of  the  republican  party. 

William  S.  Jefiery  was  reared  in  the  home  of  his  parents  and  .secured  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  of  Virginia  and  Illinois.  One  of  his  earliest  forms  of 
employment  was  as  a  clerk  in  a  grocery  store  at  Macomb,  Illinois,  being  engaged 
for  two  years  in  this  line.  Later  he  worked  in  the  office  of  the  Macomb  Enterprise, 
a  newspaper  of  that  place,  and  remained  there  for  twelve  months  following  which 
he  found   employment  as  a  clerk  in  a   clothing  store.     While  living  in   Illinois 


> 

Z 
O 


D 

S 

Ln 

L 

m 

Tl 

■n 
m 

3 

-< 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  945 

Mr.  Jeffcry  started  out  as  a  fanner,  bought  land  and  carried  on  general  fanning. 
About  that  time  he  married  Laura  Louisa  Dickey,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  they 
moved  to  Iowa  in  1869,  going  out  to  the  prairie  country  where  he  purchased  a 
tract  of  land  on  time  payments,  and  on  this  place  he  carried  on  general  farming 
and  operated  a  threshing  machine.  He  remained  in  the  prairie  country  fof  about 
five  years  and  in  March,  187-1,  came  to  York  county  and  bought  railroad  land, 
experiencing  in  common  with  others  the  effects  of  the  grasshopper  visitation  of 
that  period.  Mr.  Jeffery  diligently  applied  himself  to  the  development  of  his 
agric-idtural  interests  and  finally  acquired  over  one  thousand  acres  at  one  time 
of  well  improved  land,  some  of  which  he  divided  among  his  children,  giving  each 
a  farm,  and  he  is  now  living  practically  retired,  having  reached  his  seventy-seventh 
year,  enjoying  the  repose  to  which  liis  active  years  of  energy  and  industry  fully 
entitle  him. 

In  1906  Mr.  Jeffery's  wife  passed  to  her  reward,  and  was  buried  near  Benedict. 
She  became  the  mother  of  five  children:  Orman  S.,  in  charge  of  the  home  place; 
W.  Earl,  living  in  Loveland,  Colorado;  Idella,  the  wife  of  Charles  Wallace,  of 
Hastings,  Nebraska ;  Elmer  0.,  of  Stromsburg,  Nebraska ;  and  Basil,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-two,  at  that  time  being  a  medical  student.  Mr.  Jeffery  and  his 
wife  have  been  prominently  identified  with  the  services  of  the  Methodist  church, 
in  which  she  always  took  a  deep  interest.  He  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the 
republican  party  and  served  one  term  oli.  the  county  board,  discharging  the  duties 
thereof  with  fidelity  and  ability.  In  ffafeT-oal  circles  he  is  identified  with  the 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  and  the  Ribdern  Woodmen  of  America.  His 
memory  practically  compasses  the  period  of  pioneer  development  and  later  progress 
here,  and  he  has  ever  borne  his  share  in  the  work  of  upbuilding  and  improvement, 
and  as  a  citizen  he  occupies  a  foremost  place  in  the  hearts  and  confidence  of  his 
numerous  friends  and  neighbors. 


GEOEGE  H.    DICKSON 


The  potential  possibilities  of  farming  and  stock  raising  in  York  county  have 
no  more  able  exponent  than  George  H.  Dickson,  who  is  operating  a  fine  farm  on 
section  5,  Thayer  township,  and  in  the  management  of  which  he  has  demonstrated 
his  fitness  for  agricultural  life.  He  was  born  in  the  county,  February  18,  1890, 
a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Troutman)  Dickson,  both  natives  of  Iowa  who  were 
reared  in  that  state. 

William  Dickson  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Iowa  and  started  his 
farming  career  in  his  native  place.  In  1878  he  came  to  York  county  and  became 
the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  railroad  land  which  was  in  a  raw 
condition  when  he  acquired  it.  He  figured  prominently  in  connection  with  the 
pioneer  development  of  the  county  and  is  classed  with  those  who  aided  in  reclaim- 
ing this  region  for  the  purposes  of  civilization.  In  the  early  days  of  his  residence 
he  had  to  haul  grain  to  Seward,  usually  returning  with  necessary  supplies  from 
the  same  point.  He  improved  and  develo]ted  his  half  section  of  land  and  as  his 
financial  standing  permitted  he  bought  another  quarter  section,  this  latter  holding 
being  located  near  Holdrege.      He  made  everything  through  his  own  efforts  and 


i)4(;  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

may  justly  be  termed  a  self-made  num.  William  Dickson  married  Mary  Troutman 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  seven  diildren :  Lela,  the  wife  of  Bert  Tilbert, 
of  Holdrege;  Bertha,  deceased;  Hattie,  wife  of  Dr.  Frank  Warner  of  Gresham;  Ray, 
a  farmer  of  Polk  county;  Claude,  also  farming  in  Polk  county;  George  H.;  and 
Earl,  now  attending  school  in  Denver.  Mr.  William  Dickson  passed  away  in  1910, 
being  then  fifty-five  years  old.  His  widow  is  living  in  Denver  and  is  in  her  sixty- 
fifth  year.  Members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  they  were  always  earnest  adherents  of 
its  religious  practices.  While  giving  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  he 
never  sought  public  office,  preferring  to  devote  his  time  and  attention  to  his  agri- 
cultural interests;  nevertheless  he  always  gave  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  all 
movements  calculated  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  community  in  the  development 
of  which  he  played  an  active  part. 

George  H.  Dickson  was  reared  on  his  father's  homestead  and  early  became 
acquainted  with  agricultural  operations,  fitting  iiimself  for  the  responsibilities 
which  ultimately  devolved  upon  him.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the 
county  and  worked  on  the  home  farm,  giving  his  father  the  benefit  of  his  labors. 
He  is  now  actively  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and  during  the 
period  the  place  has  been  in  his  possession  has  made  many  e.xcellent  improvements 
thereon,  converting  it  into  one  of  the  model  farm  properties  of  the  county.  In 
1913  he  was  married  to  Hazel  Warner,  a  daughter  of  George  E.  Warner,  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born:  Lowell  and 
Lyle,  residing  with  their  parents.  George  E.  W^arner,  father  of  Mrs.  Dickson,  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1848  and  married  Rose  B.  Shrader,  also  a  native  of  the 
Keystone  state.  He  came  to  Nebraska  in  1873,  driving  across  the  country  to  his 
destination,  and  settled  in  Polk  county  where  he  homesteaded  eighty  acres  of  land 
on  which  he  put  a  sod  house  and  later  a  frame  shanty  in  which  he  lived  for  several 
years.  He  prospered  as  he  proceeded  with  his  farm  work  and  bought  more  land 
as  circumstances  permitted,  at  the  time  of  his  death  being  the  owner  of  five  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  excellent  land  all  well  improved.  He  and  his  wife  became  the 
parents  of  eight  children :  Bertha,  the  wife  of  Herbert  Richardson,  of  Polk  county ; 
Dr.  Frank  Warner,  living  in  Gresham;  Eva,  living  at  home;  Hattie,  married; 
Eay,  a  farmer  of  Polk  county;  Hazel,  the  wife  of  George  H.  Dickson;  Glenn,  a 
farmer  living  in  Polk  county;  and  Merle,  at  home.  The  parents  were  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church  and  had  a  wide  circle  of  friends  in  the  community  where 
many  of  their  best  years  were  spent.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dickson  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church  and  he  is  a  republican  in  political  affiliation. 


H.  W.  FAY 


For  fifty  years  II.  W'.  Fay,  who  is  now  Ijving  retired  at  Bradshaw,  has  been 
identified  with  the  agricultural  growth  and  development  of  York  county,  and 
during  that  period  has  made  wise  use  of  his  time,  his  talents  and  his  opportunities, 
and  in  laboring  to  promote  his  individual  interests  has  also  advanced  the  welfare 
and  progress  of  his  district  and  the  county  at  large.  He  was  born  at  Port  Huron, 
Michigan,  October  5,  1844,  a  son  of  Hiram  and  Lucy  (Chapin)  Fay,  the  former  a 
native  of  New  York  state  and  the  latter  of  Massachusetts. 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  947 

Hiram  Fay  was  a  builder  and  fontractor  who  migrated  from  Xew  York  to 
Michigan  when  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  going  thence  to  Chicago  in  1850  and 
there  became  engaged  at  his  trade.  In  1853  he  went  to  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  and 
resmned  his  occupation  there,  working  for  several  years.  Later  he  came  to 
Nebraska,  spending  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  this  state,  his  death  occurring  in 
1883,  being  then  seventy-four  years  old.  His  wife  predeceased  him  in  September, 
1874,  having  reached  her  fifty-eighth  year.  He  was  a  republican  in  politics  and  in 
religious  belief  was  ai^iliated  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  the  faith  of 
which  his  wife  also  was  attached.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children :  Lucy, 
the  wife  of  James  Sisco,  of  Alliance,  Nebraska ;  Reuben  A.,  living  at  Portland, 
Oregon;  H.  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Hiram,  whose  death  occurred  when 
eight  years  old;  Claude,  who  died  in  his  first  year;  Harlow  L.,  who  passed  away, 
aged  eighteen;  and  Alice,  who  died  when  eighteen  months  old. 

H.  W.  Fay  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Iowa,  the  schoolhouses  at 
that  time  being  constructed  of  logs  and  slab  benches  doing  duty  for  the  regulation 
desks  of  a  more  modern  day.  He  lived  with  his  parents  until  his  twentieth  year, 
nothing  occurring  in  his  young  manhood  worthy  of  note  until  he  decided  to  enter 
the  military  service  of  the  country.  He  enlisted  at  Belle  Plaine,  Iowa,  in  the 
Forty-seventh  Iowa  Infantry  and  was  mustered  into  the  Federal  army  at  Daven- 
port, that  state,  in  June,  1864,  his  entire  period  of  service  being  alxnit  seventeen 
months.  In  October,  1864,  Mr.  Fay  had  a  fortunate  escape  from  being  wounded, 
a  memorandum  book  in  his  pocket  causing  a  bullet  to  deflect  without  causing  him 
any  injury.  He  saw  considerable  activity  while  with  the  Federal  army  and  was  in 
many  engagements  and  at  the  close  of  hostilities  was  mustered  out,  receiving  an 
honorable  discharge.  In  1865  he  returned  to  Iowa  and  started  work  on  the  railroad, 
being  employed  by  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  Railroad  Company,  remaining  in 
that  line  for  four  years. 

About  1871  Mr.  Fay  migrated  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  York  county,  making 
the  overland  journey  from  Iowa  with  the  aid  of  a  team  of  ponies.  He  took  a 
homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Henderson  township  and  commenced 
without  delay  to  break  the  sod  and  prepare  it  for  tillage,  at  the  end  of  a  few  years 
having  twenty  acres  fit  for  cultivation.  His  first  house  was  constructed  out  of 
poles  and  in  this  he  had  to  live  during  the  winter  season.  The  barns  were  of  sod 
and  later  he  built  a  sod  and  log  house  for  a  residence.  All  freighting  had  to  be 
done  from  Lincoln,  over  roads  which  at  certain  periods  of  the  year  were  impassable. 
His  agricultural  operations  turned  out  satisfactorily,  notwithstanding  the  disad- 
vantageous experiences  entailed  by  visits  from  grasshoppers,  hailstorms  and  chinch- 
bugs.  As  he  prospered  he  added  many  valuable  improvements  to  the  farm,  on 
which  he  continued  to  reside  until  1915  when  he  moved  to  Bradshaw  and  began 
buying  and  shipping  produce.  He  still  retains  ownership  in  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  all  of  which  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  improvement. 

On  January  8,  1870,  Mr.  Fay  was  united  in  marriage  to  Frances  E.  Brown,  a 
native  of  Iowa,  and  of  that  marriage  tliere  are  seven  children  now  living :  Hiram 
W.,  who  lives  at  Havelock,  and  who  served  for  eighteen  months  with  the  First 
South  Dakota  Volunteers  in  the  Philippines,  and  was  wounded  at  the  Block  House 
No.  2;  Cora  E.,  the  wife  of  Leroy  Perine,  who  lives  in  New  York  City;  Henry 
A.,  a  ship  carpenter;  Clark  D.,  who  farms  the  home  place;  Maude  M.,  the  wife 
of  P.  0.  Ferree,  of  Hershey ;  Gaynelle,  a  teacher  in  the  Dundee  schools  at  Omaha ; 


948  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Allen  E.,  living  at  Ilershey,  who  served  for  eighteen  months  with  Battery  F, 
One  Hundred  Twenty-seventh  Heavy  Field  Artillery,  training  at  Camp  Cody; 
Leonora,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four;  and  Cornelius,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr. 
Fay  has  always  voted  for  the  republican  cause  and  for  years  has  been  identified 
■n;ith  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.  He  served  the  public  as  postmaster  of  Henderson  for  five  years.  lie  is 
a  man  of  sound  business  judgment,  sagacious  and  far-sighted,  and  his  well  defined 
plans  have  always  been  carried  to  successful  completion. 


HENRY  WELLMAN 


Henry  Wellman  arrived  in  the  United  States  in  1870  a  young  man  with  little 
capital,  and  he  is  now  living  in  Waco,  York  county,  having  retired  from  active 
business  affairs.  H!is  career  was  at  the  outset  a  struggle  for  existence,  but  since 
then  he  has  steadily  progressed  and  his  record  indicates  clearly  what  may  be 
accomplished  when  there  is  a  will  to  dare  and  to  do.  He  was  born  in  Germany,  a 
son  of  George  and  Louise  Wellman,  also  natives  of  that  country. 

Henry  Wellman  received  his  education  under  the  excellent  system  prevailing 
in  the  schools  of  Gemiany  and  in  1870  he  immigrated  to  this  country,  making 
the  voyage  on  a  steamship  which  took  fourteen  days  to  cross  the  Atlantic.  In  that 
year  he  came  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  York  county,  which  then  was  in  a  state 
of  infancy  and  was  sparsely  populated.  He  has  seen  the  county  when  it  had  but 
a  few  frame  buildings  and  one  sod  house  in  its  entire  area.  He  reached  Nebraska 
City  by  train  and  there  bought  a  team  and  wagon  and  completed  the  journey  to 
York  county,  which  took  a  week  owing  to  his  missing  the  road.  He  walked  from 
Nebraska  City,  driving  a  couple  of  cows  behind  the  wagon,  and  when  he  became 
of  age  in  1873  he  filed  on  a  liomestead,  on  which  his  first  house  was  of  the  dugout 
type.  Later  he  l)uilt  a  sod  house  with  a  dirt  fioor  and  subsequently  erected  the 
biggest  frame  house  in  the  township  at  that  time,  the  lumber  being  hauled  from 
Utica,  Nebraska.  He  then  plunged  actively  into  the  work  of  developing  and  im- 
proving tlie  homestead,  cultivating  crops,  planting  (juantities  of  trees  and  setting 
out  an  orchard,  which  died  in  later  years.  Mr.  Wellman  was  getting  along  splen- 
didly when  the  grasshoppers  came  and  destroyed  every  growing  thing  on  his 
place.  He  asserts  that  within  two  hours  after  the  pests  visited  the  farm  a  leaf 
could  not  be  seen  on  the  cornstalks,  so  complete  was  the  destnu-tion.  In  time  he 
recovered  from  the  setback  caused  by  the  grasshoppers  and  by  economy  and  indus- 
try was  enabled  to  purchase  more  land  and  also  bought  a  tract  of  land  in  Minne- 
sota. From  time  to  time  he  investeil  in  Ixildings  in  York  county  which  he  in- 
variably disposed  of  at  terms  that  left  substantial  profits.  During  his  active  con- 
nection with  agricultural  operations  ho  displayed  a  marked  spirit  of  progress.  He 
has  ever  been  watchful  of  indications  pointing  to  success  and  has  never  feared  to 
venture  where  favoring  opportunity  has  led  the  way. 

In  IST.'i  Mr.  Wellman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Augusta  Bolgren,  a  native  of 
W^isconsin,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Arthur,  living 
in  Waco;  Rinehart,  residing  in  Waco;  Arnold,  a  farmer  of  Dodge,  Nebraska;  Laura, 
the  wife  of  Paul  Ivottke  of  Beaver  township.    Mrs.  Augusta  Wellman  died  in  1888, 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  949 

and  some  time  later  lie  married  Miss  Clara  Bolgren,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife,  and 
they  became  the  jsarents  of  six  children:  George,  who  farms  in  Minnesota; 
Herbert,  living  in  Hebert,  Nebraska ;  Henry,  who  enlisted  dnring  the  great  war  in 
the  naval  service,  but  being  a  carpenter  was  transferred  to  shiplniilding;  Walter, 
who  enlisted  in  the  aviation  service,  served  as  a  mechanic  for  two  years;  Elsie,  the 
wife  of  Harry  Lawver,  of  Waco;  and  Hilda,  who  lives  at  home.  TJie  second  wife 
died  in  1913. 

Since  moving  to  Waco  to  make  his  permanent  home  Mr.  Wellman  has  built  a 
well  finished  and  comfortable  house,  modern  in  all  respects,  and  here  he  enjoys 
the  fruits  of  his  early  enterprise  and  persistent  industry.  He  has  always  cast  a 
consistent  ballot  for  the  republican  party  and  has  filled  various  public  offices,  among 
others  having  served  on  the  county  board  for  two  terms  and  on  the  Beaver  township 
school  board  for  many  years.  He  has  been  president  of  the  German  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Co.  for  twenty-nine  years — its  first  and  only  president.  So  well  do  the 
people  think  of  him  that  he  is  now  filling  the  office  of  mayor  of  Waco,  and  in 
this  position  the  interests  of  all  the  people  are  his  first  care,  the  same  ripe  intelli- 
gence and  characteristic  energy  which  marked  his  business  affairs  being  also  evident 
in  discharging  the  duties  of  his  public  trust.  In  all  his  dealings  he  is  thoroughly 
reliable  as  well  as  progressive  and  his  word  is  considered  as  good  as  any  bond 
solemnized  by  signature  or  seal. 


RAYMOND  L.  BROTT 


Raymond  L.  Brott  a  prominent  figure  in  the  insurance  circles  in  York,  his 
native  city,  was  born  March  7,  1890.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
passing  through  consecutive  grades  to  his  graduation  from  the  high  school,  with 
the  class  of  1910.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  American  State  Bank,  at 
York,  and  was  advanced  to  various  positions  in  that  institution  until  he  resigned 
as  assistant  cashier.  In  1918  he  became  district  manager  of  the  Franklin  Life 
Insurance  Company,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  has  since  built  up  an  extensive 
business,  having  now  twenty  sub-agencies.  His  clientage  has  become  a  very 
important  one  and  in  a  period  of  the  first  seven  months  of  1930  he  wrote  insurance 
to  the  amount  of  one  million  dollars.  His  close  application,  his  systematic  methods, 
his  unfaltering  energy  and  his  laudable  ambition  liavc  been  the  salient  features  in 
the  attainment  of  his  success. 

On  the  18th  of  September.  1913,  Mr.  Brott  was  married  to  Helen  L.  Kingsiey, 
a  daughter  of  Jonathan  C.  Kingsiey,  who  was  a  captain  in  the  Civil  war  and 
became  one  of  the  early  residents  of  York,  where  for  many  years  he  figured 
prominently  in  financial  circles  as  vice  president  of  the  First  National  Bank.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Brott  have  one  daughter,  Patricia,  who  is  five  years  old.  Their  religious 
faith  is  that  of  the  Congregational  church  and  ]\Ir.  Brott  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  having  taken  the  York  Rite  degree.  He  belongs  to  the  KnigJits 
of  Pythias  Lodge,  to  the  Rotary  Club,  to  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association, 
the  Country  Club,  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  the  Old  Settlers  Association  and  other 
organizations  which  indicate  the  nature  of  his  interests  and  activities.  He  has 
served  as  secretary  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Business  Men's  Association  also 


950  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

of  tlie  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and  at  all  times  is  an  active  worker 
iu  support  of  any  pi'ojeet  \\-hich  seems  of  lienefit  to  the  conuuuuity  in  auy  way. 
His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  but  he  has  never  been 
ambitious  for  oiEce,  devoting  his  entire  time  to  business,  save  where  a  leisure  hour 
permits  him  to  engage  in  a  game  of  golf  in  which  he  and  his  father  are  much 
interested  as  well  as  in  other  clean  outdoor  sports.  He  is  regarded  as  one  of  the 
alert  and  progressive  business  men  to  whom  opportunity  is  ever  a  call  to  action. 
In  1920  the  company  which  ^Ir.  Brott  represents  saw  fit  to  appoint  him  as 
their  agent  to  place  money  on  farm  mortages,  in  his  territory. 


JAMES  D.  HOUSTON 


Since  1917  James  D.  Houston,  who  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  farmer 
and  stock  raiser  in  York  county,  has  resided  in  his  home  at  708  Burlington  avenue, 
York.  Mr.  Houston  is  of  Scotch  descent  having  been  born  in  Scotland  on  the 
20tli  of  June,  1841,  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Emily  (Ritchie)  Houston,  both  natives 
of  Scotland.  In  1870  Andrew  Houston  and  his  family  removed  from  their 
native  country  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Columbia  county,  Wisconsin,  where 
they  resided  until  1871,  when  they  came  to  York  county,  settling  in  the  Thayer 
precinct.  There  Mr.  Houston  homesteaded  eighty  acres,  putting  up  a  frame  house 
the  lumber  for  which  was  hauled  from  Lincoln.  The  father  was  getting  too  old 
to  engage  in  active  farming  and  in  1880  both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away,  their 
deaths  occurring  within  two  weeks  of  each  other.  They  had  been  caught  in  a  sand 
storm  some  time  previous  and  the  dust  settling  on  their  lungs  was  the  cause  of 
their  deaths.  Andrew  Houston  was  a  very  prominent  man  in  his  community  and 
was  one  of  the  first  county  commissioners  of  York  county.  Needless  to  say  a 
feeling  of  deep  bereavement  swept  the  community  at  his  death. 

James  D.  Houston  was  twenty-nine  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed  to 
this  county  and  upon  his  arrival  here  he  also  homesteaded  eighty  acres,  engaging 
in  farming  on  his  own  account.  He  broke  his  own  land  and  the  first  frame  house 
he  erected  upon  his  land  was  the  second  largest  house  of  its  kind  in  the  county. 
The  wood  for  his  fuel  he  got  from  Lincoln  creek,  and  he  hauled  his  provisions 
from  Seward  and  Fairmont.  During  the  Easter  blizzard  of  1873  he  was  snowed 
in  for  three  days  and  after  the  storm  subsided  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  dig  his 
way  out  to  his  barn.  During  the  grasshopper  storms  he  managed  to  save  some 
wheat,  and  it  was  not  long  before  he  was  making  a  success  in  his  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  began  to  increase  his  acreage  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  railroad  land  for  which  he  paid  five  dollars  an  acre,  with  a  ten-years  limit 
in  which  to  pay  the  total  amount.  He  later  bought  eighty  acres  for  which  he  paid 
ten  dollars  an  acre  and  he  was  soon  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  successful  and 
progressive  farmers  in  the  county.  At  one  time  he  owned  four  hundred  acres 
of  finely  improved  land  and  had  two  sets  of  improvements  on  this  land.  He  suffered 
loss  during  the  droughts  of  '93,  '94,  and  '95,  but  he,  soon  recovered.  When  his 
son  James  became  of  age  and  wished  to  engage  in  farming  Mr.  Houston  gave  to  him 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  to  his  son  William  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  951 

In  1917  ]\Ir.  liout^ton  deciiled  to  retire  from  active  farm  life  and  lie  removed  to 
York  and  is  now  residiiii(  in  his  home  at  708  Burlington  avenue. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Houston  occurred  in  England.  His  wife  was  Mary  Liding- 
ton,  a  native  of  that  country  whose  death  occurred  in  1920,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
three  years.  Seven  children  were  born  to  this  union:  James,  a  native  of  England, 
who  is  now  farming  in  York  county;  William,  whose  birth  occurred  in  England 
and  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  York  county;  Andrew,  who  was  the  first  child  to 
be  baptized  in  York  county  by  Rev.  Mr.  Morgan,  and  who  is  now  engaged  in  dairy 
farming  in  Washington ;  Ritchie,  farming  in  Colorado ;  George,  whose  death  occurred 
in  1880;  Kittie,  the  wife  of  Eugene  Bemis  of  York;  and  John  E.  who  is  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  as  well  as  farming  in  Idaho. 

For  eight  years  Mr.  Houston  has  served  on  the  county  board  and  was  chair- 
man of  this  board  for  one  year.  He  likewise  served  as  county  assessor  two  terms. 
The  religious  faith  of  Mr.  Houston  is  that  of  the  Episcopal  church  of  which 
organization  he  is  a  consistant  member. 

Two  sisters  of  Mr.  Houston  came  to  York  county  with  liim.  Mary  Ann  died 
in  this  county  some  years  ago  and  Effie  who  was  the  wife  of  John  Fatherly,  is  also 
deceased.  Mrs.  Fatherly  owned  and  built  a  house  on  the  west  side  of  the  square 
where  the  public  market  now  stands,  the  front  of  which  she  used  for  a  millinery 
store.  The  Houston  family  have  played  an  important  part  in  the  development  of 
York  county.  Mr.  Houston  has  seen  the  country  grow  from  a  wild  and  uncultivated 
state  into  one  having  many  large  and  busy  communities  and  comfortable  homes. 
He  has  led  a  life  of  diligence  and  industry  and  as  the  result  of  this  close  application 
to  his  agricultural  affairs  has  become  one  of  the  most  prosperous  and  highly 
respected  men  of  his  district. 


WILLIAM  L.  WHITE 


William  L.  White,  an  insurance  man  of  York,  was  born  in  Connecticut  August 
1,  1859,  and  was  an  adopted  son  of  Edward  R.  and  Elmira  C.  (Franklin) 
White,  both  natives  of  Connecticut.  The  parents  died  when  William  L.  White 
was  but  two  years  of  age  and  he  was  adopted  by  his  father's  people,  Edward  R.  and 
Elmira  C.  (Franklin)  White,  and  removed  with  them  to  Illinois  about  1867.  His 
father  by  adoption  was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  cattle-man  and  the  family  were 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

William  L.  White  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Illinois, 
working  on  the  farm  in  his  spare  time.  He  continued  work  on  the  farm  until  he 
reacJied  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  at  which  time  he  removed  to  York  county 
and  settled  in  York.  He  obtained  a  clerkship  in  a  store  and  remained  there  for 
four  years,  at  the  termination  of  which  time  he  went  to  Waco,  bought  an  interest 
in  the  Farmers  &  Traders  State  Bank  and  remained  there  for  thirteen  years. 
Tiring  of  the  banking  business  he  sold  his  interest  and  returned  to  York  where 
he  took  up  insurance  as  his  vocation.  While  in  Waco  he  had  written  some 
insurance  in  the  bank  and  so  had  had  some  practical  experience  in  this  venture.  In 
a  short  time  he  had  built  up  a  large  patronage  and  his  business  is  steadily  growing. 


952  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

His   time   is   devoted   to   his   business   and   he   lias   twenty-six   companies   and    the 
strongest  tire  insurance  agency  in  the  state. 

In  1888  Mr.  White  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Laurali  B.  Xally,  a  native 
of  Lafayette,  Indiana.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  White  came  to  York  county  about  1881 
and  bought  a  half  section  of  land  near  Waco.  Her  death  occurred  at  the  home 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  White  in  York  in  1909.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  White 
four  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Edward,  who  has  been  special  state  agent 
of  the  Home  Insurance  Company  for  the  last  six  or  seven  years;  Agnes  M.,  at 
home ;  D.  G.,  who  has  been  in  the  navy  for  twelve  years  and  was  chief  commissary 
steward  on  a  transport  traveling  back  and  forth  to  France  during  the  World  war; 
and  Hubert  L.,  who  has  charge  of  the  clothing  department  of  the  Middlebrooker 
Department  Store.  Both  Edward  and  Hubert  L.  were  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States  during  the  World  war,  the  former  having  been  in  training  camp  in  Arkansas 
and  had  just  received  his  lieutenant's  commission  when  the  armistice  was  signed; 
and  the  latter  was  in  the  quartermaster's  department  and  served  in  France  for 
one  year. 

Politically  Mr.  White  is  a  republican  and  has  served  on  the  York  city  council 
and  the  school  board  at  Waco.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  United 
Brethren  church,  which  organization  he  serves  as  treasurer.  Fraternally  Mr. 
White  is  connected  with  the  Masons  and  has  obtained  high  rank  in  the  order, 
belonging  to  the  Knight  Templar  commandeiy  and  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Benovolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  has  held  every  chair 
with  the  exception  of  exalted  ruler.  He  has  always  employed  fair  and  honorable 
methods  in  his  dealings  and  as  a  result  has  won  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his 
fellowmen. 


GEORGE  HAYWORTH 


George  Hayworth,  now  living  retired  at  McCool  Junction,  was  born  in  Davis 
county,  North  Carolina,  April  14,  1846,  the  son  of  Riley  and  Priscilla  (Chambers) 
Hayworth  of  North  Carolina.  His  father  spent  some  years  farming  in  Virginia 
and  Appanoose  county,  Iowa,  and  later  in  Indiana  where  he  remained  but  a  short 
time,  returning  to  Iowa,  where  he  passed  away  in  1895.    The  mother  died  in  Indiana. 

The  boyhood  of  George  Hayworth  was  spent  on  his  father's  farm,  and  wlien  he 
grew  to  manhood  he  enlisted  with  Company  G  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fifth 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  in  outpost  duty  in  the  vicinity  of  Bridge- 
port, Alabama,  for  one  hundred  days,  when  he  was  discharged.  He  re-enlisted  with 
Company  E  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantiy,  serving  until  the  end 
of  the  war.  He  took  part  in  the  battles  around  Petersburg  and  on  April  ninth, 
the  day  General  Lee  surrendered,  he  was  captured  and  was  a  prisoner  for  one  day. 
After  the  war  was  over  Mr.  Hayworth  sought  a  quiet  and  peaceful  life,  so  he 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Iowa.  In  August,  1871,  he  made  a  trip  to 
York  county,  Nebraska,  and  was  so  well  pleased  with  the  prospects  in  that  com- 
munity that  he  moved  there  in  the  fall  of  that  year  with  his  wife  and  two  children, 
coming  by  horse  team  with  very  little  household  goods  in  a  wagon.  He  traded  the 
horses  for  a  yoke  of  oxen  because  they  were  easier  to  feed,  as  they  could  work 
with  the  native  prairie  grass  as  feed.     Horses  had  to  have  grain.     During  the 


< 

Q 


K 
O 

< 

H 

« 
O 


THE  NBW  YORK      i 
PUBLIC  LIB- A-^ 

,      ASTOR,  LENOX  AND      ', 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  955 

hardships  of  the  memorable  winter  of  1871-3  they  lived  in  a  dugout  on  Indian 
Creek,  and  in  the  spring  of  that  year  took  a  soldier's  homestead  claim  in  the  loca- 
tion known  as  the  McFadden  precinct.  Here  he  broke  forty  acres  of  rough  land 
the  first  year  and  raised  enough  corn  to  feed  the  stock.  Their  home  was  a  fourteen 
by  fourteen  sod  house,  and  their  beds  consisted  of  ash  poles  driven  ia  the  walls 
and  bound  around  by  rope.  A  great  deal  of  labor  and  perseverance  were  required 
to  accomplish  anything  in  those  days,  for  the  ox  teams  were  slow  and  the  journey 
to  Fairmont  or  Crete  to  market  and  to  Beaver  Crossing  to  mill  required  more  than 
a  day. 

On  December  17,  1867,  he  was  married  to  Mary  Ford,  who  was  born  in 
Indiana,  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Jordan)  Ford,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Kentucky,  respectively.  To  this  union  have  been  born  twelve  children : 
Louis  S.,  of  Frontier  county,  Nebraska,  who  has  six  children;  Lucy  E.,  the  wife 
of  Grant  Spra}',  who  resides  in  Colorado,  and  is  the  mother  of  five  children; 
Missouri,  the  wife  of  Jeff  Stoker  of  York,  Nebraska,  who  has  five  children;  Flora, 
who  is  married  to  Court  Glen,  resides  in  York,  Nebraska,  and  is  the  mother  of 
four  children;  George  and  Charles  who  have  passed  away;  Frances  P.,  the  wife  of 
Frank  Johnson,  who  has  five  children;  Jacob;  Alice,  who  is  married  to  Ervin 
Waldren,  resides  in  Phelpscounty,";  Nebraska,  and  has  seven  children;  Amelia,  who 
is  married  to  Leon  Waldren  of  York  county  and  is  the  mother  of  five  children; 
Thomas,  who  lives  in  Lincoln  county,  Nebraska,  and  has  two  children ;  and  Mary, 
who  passed  away.  ^ 

Mr.  Hayworth  is  a  member  of  the  John  Brown  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Eepublie,  at  Exeter,  Nebraska,  and  in  politics  is  a  republican.  He  always  mani- 
fests an  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  conimunity  and  for  seven  years  has  been 
a  member  of  the  school  board.  Mr.  Hayworth  still  gives  his  attention  to  the 
fences  and  repairs  on  his  two  hundred  and  forty  acre  farm,  but  for  the  most  part 
his  tinie  is  spent  in  his  comfortable  home  in  McCooI  Junction  where  he  and  his 
wife  reside.  He  is  never  negligent  in  the  duties  of  citizenship  but  has  always 
supported  measures  that  have  had  to  do  with  the  upbuilding  of  his  community, 
and  has  wisely  directed  his  individual  affairs,  so  that  he  is  ranked  with  the  suc- 
cessful men  of  the  county. 


HENEY  W.  BROTT 


A  spirit  of  energy  and  enterprise  has  actuated  Henry  W.  Brott  at  every  point 
in  his  business  career  and  gained  for  him  prominence  in  the  real  estate  and  insur- 
ance circles  of  York.  He  was  born  in  Appanoose  county,  Iowa,  on  the  17th  of 
March,  1861,  the  son  of  George  and  Sarilda  (Delay)  Brott,  both  natives  of  Ohio. 
They  removed  to  Iowa  in  their  early  childhood  with  their  parents.  George  Brott 
owned  a  small  eighty-acre  farm  in  that  state  and  engaged  in  its  cultivation  prior 
to  the  Civil  war.  On  the  outbreak  of  the  war  he  enlisted  and  met  his  death  at  the 
battle  of  Marker  Mill  in  Arkansas.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  a  republican  in  politics.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brott  three 
children  were  born,  namely :  Eosetta  E.,  who  married  J.  W.  Townsend  of  Y^'ork 
who  retired  from  active  business  life  in  1911,  but' had  for  twenty-five  years  engaged 


9.56  HISTOEY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

in  the  mercantile  business  in  Blockton;  Henry  W.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  and 
George  Wesley,  a  farmer  residing  near  Eeading,  Iowa. 

Henry  W.  Brett  was  reared  by  his  maternal  grandfather,  Henry  Delay,  who 
was  a  local  preacher  of  the  Methodist  church.  Mr.  Delay  had  charge  of  a  church 
and  Sunday  school  for  many  years  of  his  life,  and  when  he  left  his  charge  and  re- 
moved to  town  the  church  and  Sunday  school  soon  faded  into  oblivion.  Mr.  Delay 
had  been  nearly  blind  for  several  years  prior  to  his  death  which  occurred  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  Although  he  had  never  had  a  day  in  school  Mr. 
Delay  was  particularly  quick  in  mathematics  and  when  anyone  would  state  a  propo- 
sition he  could  solve  it  without  paper  or  pencil.  It  was  amid  such  surroundings 
that  Henry  W.  Brott  spent  his  childhood,  receiving  the  educational  advantages 
offered  in  the  country  schools  of  the  state.  He  was  ever  ambitious  to  increase  his 
knowledge  and  this  he  did  by  reading  and  studying  in  his  spare  time.  Until  he 
was  twenty-four  years  of  age  Henry  Brott  followed  farming,  and  then  learning 
the  mason's  trade  he  came  to  York  in  1887  and  began  to  contract  in  brick  and 
plaster.  In  this  venture  he  was  so  successful  that  he  saved  enough  to  build  a 
home.  This  home  he  traded  for  a  farm  situated  five  miles  from  the  town.  For  ten 
months  he  kept  this  farm,  making  over  two  thousand  dollars  out  of  the  investment, 
and  then  returned  to  York  where  he  bought  another  home.  The  success  which  he 
enjoyed  from  his  first  trade  was  perhaps  the  stepping  stone  to  his  present  business, 
for  since  that  time  he  has  been  buying  and  selling  on  an  ever  increasing  scale. 
Tn  1900  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  York  county,  in  which  office  he  proved  so  efficient 
that  he  was  reelected  to  the  office  in  1902.  In  connection  with  his"  general  real  estate 
business  he  has  done  some  immigration  land  work,  and  has  sold  much  land  in 
Brown  county.  South  Dakota.  His  entire  time  is  devoted  to  his  business  and  he 
has  built  up  a  large  trade  because  of  his  fair  and  honorable  dealings.  Mr.  Brott 
has  been  through  the  hard  school  of  experience  and  is  in  every  sense  of  the  word 
a  self-made  man.  When  he  started  out  in  the  business,  world  he  had  practically 
nothing  and  today  he  is  worth  over  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  He  owns  land 
in  Brown  county.  South  Dakota,  some  business  buildings  in  York  as  well  as 
residence  property,  and  also  ow-ns  a  fine  piece  of  business  jiroperty  in  Scottsbluff. 

In  1885  Mr.  Brott  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rosa  Sarver,  a  daughter  of 
Jacob  Sarver,  who  at  one  time  had  charge  of  the  state  poor  farm  in  Kansas.  It  was 
while  holding  this  position  that  he  met  and  married  his  wife.  He  came  to  York 
county  in  the  eighties,  and  his  death  occurred  in  April,  1893.  After  his  death  the 
widow  made  her  home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brott  until  she  passed  away  in  April, 
1920.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brott  four  children  have  been  born:  Elsie, 
the  wife  of  George  J.  Dow-ney,  a  real  estate  dealer  and  insurance  man  of  Scottsbluff; 
Raymond,  who  for  ten  years  was  connected  with  the  American  State  Bank  of  York, 
five  years  of  the  time  holding  the  position  of  assistant  cashier,  and  'who  is  now 
district  agent  for  the  Franklin  Life  Insurance  Company  of  Springfield,  Illinois, 
having  charge  of  many  sub-agencies;  Edith,  who  is  at  home;  and  Marjorie,  at  home. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brott  are  faithful  members  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  he  is 
a  Master  Mason  and  a  Royal  Arch  Mason.  He  has  been  a  member  of  that  fraternity 
for  thirty-five  years.  Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Brott  the  right  of  franchise 
he  has  been  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  the  principles  for  which 
it  stands.  He  has  held  the  office  of  alderman  of  York  and  was  a  member  of  the 
school  board  for  a  number  of  vears.    He  is  a  director  in  the  American  State  Bank 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  957 

and  assisted  in  organizing  the  York  Investment  Company.  He  lias  always  taken  an 
active  part  in  the  development  of  York  and  York  connty  and  has  given  unselfishly 
of  his  time  and  money  in  the  raising  of  funds  to  support  various  charities.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Commercial  Club  and  the  Country  Club  and  is  an  ardent  devotee 
of  all  outdoor  sports,  particularly  of  golf,  in  which  he  excels. 


JEROME  C.  McKIXLEY,  M.  D. 

For  fourteen  years  Jerome  C.  McKinley  has  been  residing  in  York  county  and 
in  this  time  has  built  up  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  physician  and  surgeon.  He 
is  a  native  son  of  Ohio,  born  in  that  state  on  the  10th  of  October,  1861,  in  Fairfield 
county.  His  parents  were  James  and  Effie  (Courtright)  McKinley.  the  former 
born  in  Scotland,  while  the  latter  was  a  native  of  Fairfield  county,  Ohio.  James 
McKinley  came  to  Ohio  with  his  parents  when  he  was  quite  young  and  here  he  met 
and  married  his  wife.  He  engaged  for  many  years  in  farming  but  enjoyed  a  few 
years  of  retirement  in  Lithopolis.  His  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine 
years  and  Mrs.  McKinley  was  called  to  another  life  at  the  age  of  forty-two  years. 
Ten  children  were  born  to  this  union,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Mrs.  Maggie  Click 
who  is  a  widow  and  resides  in  Lithopolis;  J.  Andrew,  a  retired  cattle-man  of 
Columbus,  Ohio;  J.  F.,  a  druggist  of  Leigh,  Xebraska  ;  and  Jerome  C.,  the  subject 
of  this  review.  Mr.  McKinley  was  always  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic 
party,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  active  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 

In  the  ac(iuirement  of  his  education  Dr.  McKinley  attended  Central  College 
near  Columbus  and  Bleasantville,  and  in  1884  came  to  Dodge  county  where  for  one 
year  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  school.  He  then  taught  for  two  years  in  Colfax 
county  and  for  three  years  in  Dodge  county,  at  the  termination  of  which  period 
of  time  he  entered  the  medical  college  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  from  which 
institution  he  was  graduated  in  1891.  He  immediately  began  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Leigh,  and  after  seven  years  removed  to  Humphrey  where  he 
practiced  successfully  for  eight  years.  On  the  1st  of  August,  1906,  he  came  to 
York  and  here  he  has  since  resided,  having  a  very  prosperous  and  steadily  in- 
creasing practice. 

In  1888  Dr.  McKinley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Cathurine  Westfall, 
who  was  a  daughter  of  D.  C.  Westfall.  Mr.  Westfall  resided  on  a  homestead  in 
Dodge  county  for  a  number  of  years,  but  in  later  life  he  and  his  wife  removed  to 
Dr.  McKinley's  liome  where  they  died.  To  the  union  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  McKinley 
four  children  have  been  born,  two  girls  and  two  boys,  namely:  Effie  L.,  the  wife 
of  Walter  Bernd,  secretary  of  the  Wholesalers  Association  of  Omaha ;  Alfretta 
Susan,  the  wife  of  George  N.  Gibbs,  an  attorney  at  Xorth  Platte;  Cloyde  Edwin 
of  York,  who  travels  for  Armour  &  Com])any;  and  Harold  Courtright,  who  is 
completing  his  last  year  at  the  University  of  Xebraska  and  is  a  member  of  Kappa 
Sigma  fraternity. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  McKinley  are  members  of  the  Congregational  chun-h  and  take 
an  active  part  in  all  the  various  activities  connected  with  that  organization.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  democratic  party  and  fraternally  is  a  Mason  and  an  Elk. '  For 
one  year  he  has  served  the  county  as  county  health  officer  and  has  been  county 

Vol.  II — 23 


958  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

physician  for  three  years.  In  connection  with  his  professional  duties  Dr.  McKinley 
is  a  member  of  the  County,  State,  and  American  Medical  Associations  and  has 
held  the  office  of  president  of  tlie  county  association.  In  order  to  keep  abreast 
with  the  strides  ever  being  made  in  the  medical  world  Dr.  McKinley  has  taken 
three  post-graduate  courses  at  the  medical  college  in  Chicago  and  lias  also  attended 
different  clinics.  Throughout  York  county  he  is  known  as  a  physician  and  surgeon 
of  much  ability,  and  although  his  practice  is  mostly  a  general  one  he  makes  the 
diseases  of  children  a  specialty. 


MARCUS  E.  PLAXK 


Marcus  E.  Plank  is  now  living  retired  in  Bradshaw,  but  for  a  long  period  was 
actively  identified  with  farming  interests  in  this  section  of  the  state  and  through 
close  application  and  unremitting  energy  won  a  substantial  measure  of  success. 
He  was  born  February  18,  1851,  in  Fulton  county,  Kew  York,  on  a  farm  near 
Johnstown  and  the  following  year  his  parents  moved  to  DeKalb  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  was  reared  on  a  farm.  He  began  his  educational  course  in  the  common 
schools  of  that  state  and  finished  in  the  high  schools,  retiring  from  school  well 
equipped  with  the  essentials  of  a  sound  education.  He  remained  in  the  family 
home  helping  in  the  work  of  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old,  when  he 
began  to  work  out  on  farms  by  the  month  and  continued  this  for  three  years, 
although  wages  at  that  period  were  not  very  tempting.  When  he  was  twenty-five  he 
returned  to  New  York  state  and  for  five  years  taught  school  during  the  winter  and 
summer  terms,  between  times  working  on  a  fann.  ilr.  Plank  was  conductor  on  a 
street  car  in  1873-74. 

On  November  28,  1878,  Mr.  Plank  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ida  Shaffer,  a 
native  of  New  York  state  who  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  that  state. 
■For  some  years  before  her  marriage  she  taught  school,  the  system  at  that  time 
being  to  board  around  with  the  families  whose  children  were  being  taught.  Mr. 
Plank  taught  school  for  one  term  after  his  marriage  and  then  turned  his  attention 
to  farming  in  New  York  state  where  he  remained  for  a  while  and  later  returned 
to  DeKalb  county,  Illinois,  where  he  resumed  farming  on  his  father's  place  and 
cultivated  that  holding  until  March,  1887.  Mr.  Plank  then  came  to  York  county 
and  purchased  two  hundred  acres  of  land  for  which  he  paid  five  thousand  dollars. 
When  he  moved  onto  the  farm  there  was  a  small  frame  house  and  a  small  barn 
already  erected  and  after  a  time  these  were  discarded  and  sub.stantial  buildings 
substituted,  the  improvements  consisting  of  a  modem  house  and  outbuildings  in 
keeping  with  the  demands  of  the  times.  From  the  date  of  settling  down  to  the 
work  of  his  farm  his  efforts  were  crowned  with  a  well  deserved  measure  of  success. 
He  applied  himself  to  general  fanning  and  to  the  breeding  of  registered  Shorthorn 
cattle  and  registered  Poland  China  hogs,  his  produce  in  these  lines  netting  him 
handsome  returns.  Industry  and  perseverance,  guided  by  keen  intelligence,  have 
been  the  basis  of  his  success,  and  he  can  look  back  over  the  past  without  regret. 
In  1911  Mr.  Plank  felt  that  he  had  earned  a  rest  from  the  strenuous  life  and  he 
bought  a  home  in  Bradshaw  where  he  has  since  been  living  retired  surrounded  by 
every  comfort  and  cnnvcnience,  rewards  to  which  his  years  of  toil  fully  entitle  him. 


HISTOBY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  959 

To  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Plank  two  children  were  born :  Xeal,  born  in 
Simmonsville,  New  York,  January  8,  1880,  and  now  in  Montana  where  he  practices 
as  a  veterinary  surgeon.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Kansas  City  Veterinary  College  and 
during  the  World  war  he  was  stock  inspector  for  the  American  government  and 
so  continues;  Nancy,  the  second  child,  became  the  wife  of  Carl  E.  Nicholson  and 
is  living  on  the  old  home  place.  They  are  the  parents  of  three  children :  Irene, 
born  July  20,  1909;  Madeline,  born  October  27,  1916;  and  Neil  Edward,  born 
November  26,  1920.  In  politics  Mr.  Plank  gives  his  support  to  the  democratic 
party  and  holds  membership  in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  in 
the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America.  At  the  presidential  election  of  1920  Mrs.  Plank 
cast  her  first  vote  for  the  candidate  of  her  choice  and  appreciates  the  duties  which 
the  franchise  confers  upon  women.  She  is  an  earnest  member  of  the  Christian 
church  of  Bradshaw,  and  like  her  husband  enjoys  the  respect  and  good  will  of 
those  with  whom  she  has  been  brought  in  contact. 


CASPER  GEORGE  THAMER 

Casper  George  Thamer  is  now  living  retired  in  York.  For  many  years  he  was 
closely  connected  with  agricultural  interests  and  through  the  careful  conduct  of 
his  business  aflairs  acquired  a  competence  that  now  enables  him  to  rest  in  large 
degree  from  business  cares  and  labors.  He  was  born  in  Kurhessen  Castle, 
Germany,  on  the  27th  of  April,  1836,  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Goembel) 
Thamer.     The  father  was  a  weaver  by  trade. 

Casper  G.  Thamer  learned  the  weaver's  trade  from  liis  father  and  in  1856 
came  to  Canada,  settling  in  Waterloo.  The  trip  to  America  was  made  in  an  old 
sailing  vessel  and  seven  weeks  were  passed  in  the  crossing.  For  some  time  in  the 
old  country  he  engaged  in  damask  weaving.  In  1859  he  went  to  Illinois,  settling 
in  Peoria.  He  there  engaged  in  farming,  working  out  among  the  various  farmers, 
his  wages  being  but  ten  dollars  a  month.  Subsequently  he  removed  to  Tazewell 
county  where  he  worked  on  a  farm  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  when  he 
enlisted  in  Co.  B,  Forty-seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  w'hich  he  served  for 
three  years  and  two  months.  During  his  entire  service  Mr.  Thamer  never  had  a 
furlough.  He  was  on  duty  on  the  Mississippi,  participated  in  the  battle  of  Corinth 
where  he  lost  a  number  of  comrades,  and  was  in  the  many  engagements  taking  place 
around  the  Red  river.  He  was  wounded  in  the  wrist  at  the  battle  of  Lake  Shico 
and  received  his  discharge  in  October,  1864,  at  Springfield.  He  remained  in  that 
state  where  he  rented  land  on  which  he  raised  hogs,  selling  them  for  two  dollars 
per  hundred.  While  living  in  Illinois  liis  marriage  occurred  and  he  continued  to 
farm  as  a  tenant  in  that  state  for  nineteen  years.  In  1883  he  removed  to  Nebraska 
and  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Lockridge  township  for  the 
sum  of  twenty-five  dollars  per  acre,  also  including  the  crop  for  that  year.  The 
only  improvements  on  the  place  were  a  frame  house  and  a  slab  barn.  He 
immediately  set  about  to  put  the  land  in  high  cultivation  and  some  time  later 
purchased  another  one  hundred  and  sixty  acre  tract.  He  is  now  in  possession  of  a 
half  section  of  the  finest  land  in  the  county.  He  set  out  an  orchard  on  his 
place  but  it  was  destroyed  by  hail  storms.     He  then  devoted  his  time  to  general 


<JG()  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

fanning  and  stock  feeding.  In  1890  he  decided  to  retire  from  active  life  and 
removed  to  York. 

In  July,  1865,  in  Illinois,  Mr.  Thamer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  ilargaret 
J.  MeCloud  whose  death  occurred  on  August  11,  1913,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
seventy-five  years.  Ten  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thamer:  John  C'., 
who  is  residing  in  York,  and  William  G.,  who  is  his  twin ;  Flora  E.,  the  wife  of 
Sam  Mapps  of  York:  JIary  E.,  living  at  home;  Trennie  L.,  the  wife  of  Lewis 
Rothman  of  York;  Ida  J.,  the  widow  of  X.  G.  Brown  of  Hastings;  George  H.,  an 
osteopath  residing  in  Stamford,  Connecticut;  Charles  0.,  farming  in  York  county; 
Margaret  E.,  who  is  engaged  in  nursing  at  Hastings:  and  Telua  Jf..  the  wife  of  Ed 
A.  Garvin  of  Chester.  Mrs.  Thamer  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Fnited 
Brethren  church. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Thamer  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  is  well  versed  on  all  questions  and 
issues  of  the  day.  He  served  for  some  time  as  tax  collector  in  Illinois  and  also 
held  the  same  position  in  Loekridge  township,  and  he  was  at  one  time  sent  as 
a  delegate  to  a  state  republican  convention.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  chirrch.  Mr.  Thamer  is  likewise  a  member  of  Post  No.  33,  G.  A.  R.,  in 
which  organization  he  has  held  ofiicial  positions.  He  has  always  been  active  in 
the  development  and  improvement  of  the  community  in  which  he  resides  and  is  a 
highly  respected  nnd  honored  citizen  of  York. 


WILHELM  HEIDEN 


Wilhelm  Heiden  is  widely  and  favorably  known  as  one  of  the  worthy  pioneer 
farmers  of  York  county  where  he  owns  a  valuable  farm  property  from  which  lie 
derives  a  gratifying  income.  He  has  been  actively  indentifi.ed  with  the  agricultural 
interests  of  the  county  for  fifty  years.  He  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  that 
country  November  19,  1848,  and  there  received  his  early  education. 

In  1865  when  he  was  seventeen  years  old  Mr.  Heiden  immigrated  to  America, 
making  the  ocean  voyage  on  a  sailing  vessel  which  occupied  five  weeks  in  the 
crossing.  On  his  arrival  at  New  York  he  went  through  to  the  state  of  Iowa  and 
there  worked  on  farms  by  the  month,  doing  that  kind  of  work  for  two  years 
during  which  he  acquired  a  good  knowledge  of  agricultural  operations  and  thus 
fitted  himself  to  work  a  place  of  his  own  at  a  later  date.  In  1867  he  migrated  to 
Nebraska  City,  finding  work  in  a  brewery  at  which  he  continued  for  a  time.  When 
the  first  state  capitol  was  being  built  at  Lincoln  Mr.  Heiden  assisted  in  its  con- 
struction, doing  the  w-ork  of  a  laboror  and  remaining  until  the  job  was  finished. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  York  county  and  has  therefore  witnessed  the 
greater  part  of  its  growth  and  development.  He  took  eighty  acres  of  land  in 
Thayer  township  where  he  built  himself  a  dugout  of  two  rooms,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  cn-cupy  until  he  moved  to  his  present  place.  He  is  now  the  owner  of 
two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  prime  land  and  has  been  giving  his  undivideil 
attention  to  stock  raising  and  general  farming.  By  steady  application  and  industry 
he  surmounted  all  the  initial  difficulties  in  the  ]iatli  of  the  pioneer,  and  today  he  is 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  961 

recognized  as  au  excellent  farmer  who  fought  all  obstacles  for  the  worthy  pui'pose 
of  reaching  his  present  satisfactory  condition. 

Mr.  Heiden  was  united  in  marriage  to  Carolina  Reitz  and  they  have  become 
the  parents  of  nine  children,  five  sons  and  four  daughters.  He  votes  with  the 
republican  party  but  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  otfice.  His  religious  atfilation 
is  with  the  Lutheran  church,  in  tlie  faith  of  which  he  was  reared  and  to  whose 
tenets  he  rigidly  holds.  He  has  many  friends  who  entertain  the  warmest  esteem 
for  him. 


ASA  B.  BENNETT 


Asa  B.  Bennett  who  died  in  1!)11  in  York  county  was  one  of  the  representative 
residents  of  the  county  and  a  self-made  man  who  in  his  farming  career  steadily 
progressed.  He  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Indiana,  January  14,  1.S13,  a  son  of 
Thomas  H.  and  Rachael  (Prather)  Bennett,  also  natives  of  the  Hoosier  state, 
where  they  lived  for  several  years  and  later  went  to  Illinois  and  there  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  earnest,  conscientious  people  and  left  the 
impress  of  excellent  qualities  on  all  the  duties  which  fell  to  their  lot. 

Asa  B.  Bennett  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Indiana  and  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Illinois  and  lived  in  that  state  until  his  thirty-fourth  year.  In  1876  he 
decided  to  try  his  fortunes  in  Nebraska  and  settled  in  York  county.  In  1875  he 
had  purchased  a  quarter  section  of  land,  upon  which  he  built  a  soil  house  with 
board  floors  and  board  roof,  these  additions  being  in  advance  of  the  usual  start 
made  by  the  early  settler.  The  board  roof  had  sod  on  the  outside  and  the  walls 
were  composed  of  plaster  made  of  alkali  clay  and  lime,  while  the  bottom  wall  was 
three  feet  thick,  and  in  this  abode  Mr  Bennett  lived  for  thirteen  years.  Later 
he  built  a  frame  house  wdiich  was  the  equal  of  any  in  the  district  and  was  subst.mtial 
in  every  respect.  The  first  stage  of  his  journey  to  his  farm  was  made  from 
Illinois  to  Seward  and  from  the  latter  place  he  went  liy  team  to  York  county.  It 
was  from  Seward  also  that  supplies  had  to  be  hauled. 

When  Mr.  Bennett  had  taken  up  his  residence  on  the  land  he  commenced 
without  delay  to  get  it  into  a  state  of  cultivation  and  presently  had  a  large  part 
of  it  under  tillage.  He  progressed  nicely  and  the  resultant  crops  yielded  good 
returns,  notwithstanding  the  distance  to  markets  and  other  disadvantages  insepar- 
able from  circumstances  of  the  county  in  its  formative  stage.  He  carried  out 
some  valuable  improvements,  including  the  planting  of  trees  and  setting  out  of  an 
orchard,  and  brought  his  fields  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  demonstrated 
the  possibility  of  producing  fine  crops  in  this  section  of  the  state.  But  his  efforts 
were  hampered  when  the  grasshoppers  destroyed  every  vestige  of  vegetation  and 
left  the  fields  barren.  And  again  during  the  dry  seasons  of  1893-94  the  work  of 
the  farmer  was  seriously  harassed  and  nothing  was  produced  ^  in  those  years. 
Attempts  at  economy  included  the  burning  of  weeds  and  cornstalks  as  substitutes 
for  fuel.  An  occasional  roving  band  of  Indians  might  be  seen  in  the  spring  and 
fall  of  each  year,  but  the  settlers  were  never  molested. 

On  January  24,  1867,  Mr.  Bennett. was  united  in  marriage  to  Kate  Davidson, 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  the  following  children: 
Flora,    the   wife   of   William    Perry    of    York;    Eugene,    a    farmer   of    Scottsbluff, 


962  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Nebraska;  John,  who  lives  in  Chase  county,  Nebraska;  Ida  M.,  the  wife  of  Frank 
Stevens  of  Julesbiirg,  Colorado;  Charles  E.,  who  died  in  1902;  and  William,  w-hose 
death  occurred  in  1888.  Mr.  Bennett  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  church,  to  the  upkeep  of  which  he  was  a  liberal  contributor.  He  was  an 
independent  voter  and  was  affiliated  with  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 
Following  his  retirement  from  the  farm  in  1901  he  moved  to  Waco  and  there  spent 
the  nest  ten  years  of  his  life — a  life  which  at  all  times  was  marked  by  uncompro- 
mising honesty.  At  the  date  of  his  death,  July  27,  1911,  many  expressions  of 
sincere  sympathy  found  their  way  to  his  widow  and  other  members  of  his  family. 
His  passing  was  regarded  as  a  distinct  loss  to  the  community  and  those  who  knew 
him  well  still  cherish  his  memory. 


HERMAN  BEHLING 


Though  more  than  a  decade  has  passed  away  since  Herman  Behling  was  called 
to  his  final  rest  he  is  yet  remembered  by  many  of  York's  citizens  as  a  most  sub- 
stantial and  progressive  business  man  and  one  who  at  all  times  commanded  the 
respect,  confidence  and  esteem  of  those  who  knew  him.  He  was  born  in  Watertown, 
Wisconsin,  November  30,  1844,  and  died  on  the  13th  of  February,  1909.  His 
parents  were  Herman  and  Caroline  Behling,  who  settled  at  Watertown  at  a  very 
early  day,  the  father  there  engaging  in  the  furniture  business.  The  son  was  educated 
in  the  schools  of  Watertown  and  turned  his  attention  to  the  dry  goods  business 
in  connection  with  George  Crawford  of  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin.  In  the  "GOs  he 
removed  westward  to  York  county,  Nebraska,  and  homesteaded  land.  He  also 
opened  a  general  store  at  North  York  and  was  one  of  the  oldest  merchants  of 
the  city.  He  afterward  removed  to  the  present  city  of  York,  where  he  continued 
in  merchandising  as  a  dealer  in  clothing,  remaining  active  in  the  business  to  the 
time  of  his  death. 

January  19,  1887,  Mr.  Behling  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ida  Ganzer,  of 
Oshkosh,  Wisconsin,  a  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Caroline  (Arnold)  Ganzer,  who 
were  early  residents  of  Wisconsin  where  the  father  engaged  extensively  in  vinegar 
manufacturing.  Both  he  and  his  wife  there  passed  away.  They  were  parents  of 
four  sons  and  tliree  daughters,  of  whom  five -are  yet  living:  Mrs.  Brauer,  of 
Oshkosh,  Wisconsin;  Mrs.  Maria  Uonumn.  also  of  Oshkosh:  Lewis,  who  is  living  in 
the  same  city,  where  he  is  a  mill  man :  Edward,  a  wood  buyer  of  Oshkosh :  and 
Mrs.  Behling.  The  parents  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  chui-cli,  while  the 
children  have  become  members  of  the  Episcopal  church.  In  his  political  views 
Mr.  Ganzer  was  a  democrat  and  fraternally  he  was  identified  with  the  Independent 
Order  of  Oihl  Fellows  and  the  Sons  of  Herman. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Behling  were  born  three  children:  Carl  F.,  who  is  an  auto- 
mobile dealer  of  Long  Beach.  California;  Eda.  the  wife  of  E.  U.  Gunzel,  who  is 
a  merchant  in  Lincoln;  and  Lena,  who  is  a  graihiate  of  Notre  Dame  College  of 
Indiana. 

]Mr.  and  ilrs.  Behling  were  members  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  he  was  a 
Scottish  Rite  Mason  and  member  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  In  fact  he  was  very 
active  in  Masonic  circles  and  his  funeral  services  were  conducted  by  his  lircthren 


HERMAN  BEHLING 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  965 

of  tlie  order.  He  likewise  lieloiiged  to  tlie  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
In  politics  he  was  a  democrat  but  never  an  office  seeker.  He  started  out  in  the 
business  world  with  a  small  general  store  in  Xorth  York  and  for  some  time 
devoted  his  attention  exclusively  to  the  clothing  trade,  Iniilding  up  an  extensive 
business.  He  was  county  treasurer  of  York  county  for  two  years,  and  owned  con- 
siderable farm  lands,  buying  at  different  times.  His  success  was  entirely  due  to 
his  enterprise,  energy  and  ability  and  he  left  his  family  in  comfortable  financial 
circumstances  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  during  the  last  seven  years  of  his  life 
he  suffered  from  paralysis.  He  was  a  well  educated  man  who  read  extensively  and 
was  a  most  interesting  talker.  His  widow  and  daughter  now  occupy  a  beautiful 
home  in  York  and  are  well  known  socially  throughout  the  city. 


EEV.  HEINRICH  D.  EPP 

The  statement  that  prosperity  is  the  dtitcoiiTe  o^'persistent  cifort  and  indefati- 
gable industiy  combined  with  close  applicaliqijj  fiijds  verification  in  the  life  record 
of  Rev.  Heinrich  D.  Epp,  a  well  known  educator' of  Henderson  township,  York 
county.  He  is  a  native  son  of  this  township  and,, county,  born  October  12,  1882, 
a  son  of  H.  H.  and  Helena  (Peters) ''Epp,  natives  of  southern  Russia,  who  came 
to  America  in  1874.  Four  years  later  the  mother  came  and  they  settled  in  York 
county,  where  she  and  her  husband  are  still -lining,  well  known  and  respected 
citizens.    To  their  marriage  eleven  children  were  born,  eight  of  whom  are  living. 

Heinrich  D.  Epp  was  reared  in  the  home  of  his  parents  and  secured  his 
preliminary  education  in  the  common  schools  of  York  county.  He  later  entered 
Bethel  College,  at  Xewton,  Kansas,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in 
190.5,  following  which  he  taught  school  for  three  years,  during  this  period  proving 
his  fitness  for  the  instruction  of  youth  in  educational  matters.  With  the  view  to 
better  equipping  himself  for  carrying  on  his  professional  career  ili'.  Kpp  entered 
the  State  University  of  Kebraska,  there  taking  a  two-year  course  and  emerging 
master  of  all  educational  requirements.  He  then  resumed  teaching  school  at 
Henderson,  in  which  occupation  he  is  now  actively  engaged,  bringing  to  bear  u]joii 
the  conduct  of  his  exacting  <lutics  a  ripe  experience  and  practical  methods,  coupled 
with  a  resourceful  and  tactful  disposition,  the  wdiole  tending  in  no  small  degiee  to 
promote  the  welfare  of  the  community  at  large.  He  also  is  an  assistant  minister  in 
the  services  of  the  Bethesda  cliurch  at  Henderson.  He  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of 
eighty  acres  adjoining  Henderson,  the  place  being  well  improved  and  successfully 
operated  under  his  supervision.  His  life  is  an  example  worthy  the  emulation  of 
every  young  man. 

In  1910  Mr.  Epp  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Fllizaheth  Riehert,  a  native 
of  McPherson  county,  Kansas,  and  a  daughter  of  H.  and  Helena  (Unruh)  Riehert, 
both  of  whom  were  born  in  southern  Russia  and  immigrated  to  America  in  1874, 
settling  in  Kansas,  where  the  father  died  in  1895  and  where  tlie  mother  is  still 
living.  Mr.  Unruh  was  twice  married  and  was  the  father  of  fourteen  children. 
To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  p]i)p  two  children  have  been  born  :  Dorothea  Helena, 
born  March  11,  1913,  and  Karl  Heinrich,  born  February  13,  1919.  Mr.  Epp  gives 
his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  but  has  never  sought  public  office. 


966  HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY 

preferring  to  devote  his  time  to  the  demands  of  his  school  and  to  his  other  under- 
takings. He  serves  as  a  director  on  the  Henderson  school  board,  his  experience 
and  sound  judgment  being  of  especial  value  to  that  body  in  the  conduct  of  its 
affairs.  Mr.  Epp  and  his  wife  manifest  a  praiseworthy  interest  in  the  social  and 
cultural  movements  of  their  town  and  district  and  are  always  to  be  found  assisting 
those  projects  designed  to  advance  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  the  community. 


CHARLES  E.  CALLENDER 

Charles  E.  Callender  has  been  a  resident  of  Nebraska  for  the  last  forty  years, 
and  is  therefore  numbered  among  the  pioneers.  He  was  born  in  Luzerne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  his  parents  being  Newell  and  Harriet  (Ferris)  Callender,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  the  former  spent  many  useful  years  as 
an  active  minister  of  the  Baptist  church.  Rev.  Mr.  Callender  was  an  abolitionist, 
later  a  prohibitionist,  and  always  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party.  'He 
died  in  1910  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years,  and  his  wife  died  in  1901  at  the  age 
of  seventy-eight.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  only  three  of  whom  are 
now  living:  Dr.  J.  M.  Callender,  a  physician  of  forty-five  years'  experience  in 
Pennsylvania,  Illinois,  and  Nebraska,  now  living  in  Kansas;  C.  E.  Callender,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Nathan  Callender,  a  market  gardener  living  near 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  The  two  oldest  sons,  Samuel  N.  and  Dr.  J.  M.,  served 
in  the  Civil  war. 

After  attending  the  public  schools  of  Pennsylvania  Charles  E.  Callender  entered 
the  Waverly  Normal  School  of  the  same  state,  from  which  institution  he  was 
graduated  in  1874.  After  finishing  his  education  he  taught  school  in  Pennsylvania 
and  later  in  Illinois.  In  1879  he  was  married  to  Miss  Emily  S.  Snyder  of  Waverly, 
Pennsylvania,  whose  ancestors  were  .also  pioneers  in  northeastern  Pennsylvania 
where  they  were  prominent  in  religious  and  social  work. 

In  the  fall  of  1879  Mr.  Callender  came  with  his  wife  to  Nebraska  where  he 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Webster  county.  Later  he  was  in  business 
in  Fillmore  county  where  he  lived  for  five  years  before  removing  to  tiie  north- 
western part  of  the  state  where  he  acquired  a  ranch.  He  took  a  prominent  part 
in  the  organization  of  Thomas  county  where  he  became  the  first  county  clerk.  He 
had  studied  law  and  in  1890  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  subsequently  becoming 
county  attorney.  In  1905  he  sold  the  ranch  and  removed  to  York  where  for  more 
than  thirteen  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business,  a  line  of  work 
for  which  his  knowledge  of  the  west  and  of  legal  usage  has  especially  fitted  him. 
He  has  confined  his  attention  mostly  to  the  emigration  business,  and  has  handled 
land  in  Minnesota,  North  and  South  Dakota,  western  Nebraska,  and  eastern 
Colorado. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Callender  have  two  daughters,  Edith  M.  and  Ruth  E.,  both  of 
whom  were  graduated  from  York  high  school  with  first  honors  in  their  respective 
classes.  Both  are  graduates  of  York  College  where  they  received  the  Bachelor  of 
Arts  degree.  Edith  M.  has  had  post-graduate  work  in  the  L^niversity  of  Nebraska 
and  in  the  L^niversity  of  Chicago,  and  is  now  Principal  of  York  College  Academy, 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  967 

where  she  is  instructor  in  English.     Ruth  E.  has  had  post-graduate  work  in  the 
University  of  Nebraska  and  is  now  teaching  geometry  in  York  high  school 

The  Callender  family  are  all  members  of  the  Baptist  church  and  Mr.  Callender 
is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Highlanders  and  of  the  Modern  Woodmen,  which 
organization  he  serves  as  clerk.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  republican. 
He  now  holds  the  office  of  city  treasurer,  in  which  capacity  he  has  shown  himself 
to  be  both  reliable  and  efficient.  In  his  long  residence  in  Nebraska  he  has  had 
opportunity  to  watch  the  steady  growth  and  increasing  prosperity  of  the  state 
and  has  always  contributed  his  influence  to  clean  politics  and  good  citizenship. 
His  active  disposition  will  not  allow  him  to  retire  as  long  as  he  is  able  to  work, 
and  his  work  has  always  been  such  as  to  command  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all 
who  know  him. 


SAMUEL  A.  TOBEY 


Samuel  A.  Tobey,  the  popular  and  efficient  postmaster  of  Gresham,  formerly 
connected  with  the  operation  of  farm  land  and  with  the  management  of  a  grain 
elevator,  and  who  has  witnessed  the  growth  and  development  of  the  town  since 
it  was  organized  in  1887,  is  a  native  of  Whiteside  county,  Jllinois,  born  May  31, 
1861,  a  son  of  George  A.  and  Sylvania  B.  (Barney)  Tobey,  both  natives  of  New 
England,  where  the  father  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade. 

About  1857  George  A.  Tobey  left  Rhode  Island  and  crossed  tlie  country  to 
Illinois,  settling  in  the  town  of  Erie  and  resuming  his  occupation  of  blacksmithing. 
Sometime  later  he  moved  to  Cedar  county,  Iowa,  and  there  followed  his  trade  for 
four  years,  at  the  end  of  that  period  going  to  Boone  county,  where  he  conducted 
a  hotel  for  five  years.  In  1874  he  an-ived  in  Butler  county,  Nebraska,  making 
the  journey  from  Iowa  by  horse  team,  and  crossing  the  Missouri  river  on  a  ferry 
boat,  the  entire  trip  occupying  about  three  weeks.  He  took  a  homestead  in  Butler 
county  and  built  a  two  room  sod  house  with  board  roof,  constructing  a  cellar 
under  the  house  and  a  barn  of  the  dugout  variety.  All  the  hauling  had  to  be  done 
from  Seward  and  Columbus  and  in  the  winter  season,  owing  to  the  condition  of 
the  roads,  it  was  practically  impossible  to  obtain  supplies  from  these  points.  Mr. 
Tobey  broke  the  land  on  his  homestead  of  eighty  acres  and  set  out  the  fields  to  the 
cultivation  of  crops,  but  the  grasshoppers  destroyed  almost  everything  on  the  land 
but  a  small  quantity  of  growing  w'heat.  Hte  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the 
disaster  and  applied  himself  with  renewed  vigor  to  the  work  of  the  homestead, 
which  he  gradually  improved  and  developed  and  brought  to  an  excellent  state 
of  cultivation,  and  there  he  remained  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight. 
His  wife  died  in  1895,  being  then  in  her  sixty-fifth  year.  .Both  were  members  of 
the  Baptist  church  and  their  Christian  lives  gained  them  the  respect  of  all  who 
knew  them.     He  gave  his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party. 

Samuel  A.  Tobey  accompanied  his  parents  to  Nebraska  but  before  he  left  Iowa 
he  had  been  attending  the  schools  of  that  state  and  continued  his  course  in  the 
common  schools  of  Butler  county,  the  term  being  about  three  months  in  each  year. 
He  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm  and  when  he  reached  his  twenty- 
fourth  year  started  farming  on  his  own  account  by  buying  eighty  acres  of  railroad 
land  in  Polk  county  for  which  he  paid  seven  dollars  an  acre.     He  occupied  this 


968  HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUIS^TY 

place  for  four  years,  during  this  time  improving  and  cultivating  the  holding  to 
advantage  and  then  disposed  of  it  at  a  substantial  profit.  In  1887  Mr.  Tobey 
moved  to  Gresham  Just  as  it  was  beginning  to  take  on  town-like  form  and  for 
the  ne.xt  five  years  he  worked  in  the  grain  elevator  then  owned  by  Lord  &  Spitts. 
Under  the  Cleveland  administration  in  1893  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of 
Gresham  and  in  that  office  gave  very  general  satisfaction.  He  then  entered  the 
.=ervice  of  the  Updike  Grain  Elevator  Company  of  Gresham,  first  as  carpenter  and 
then  as  manager,  the  entire  period  of  his  connection  with  the  elevator  being  twenty- 
one  years.  On  January  5,  1916,  President  Wilson  appointed  him  postmaster  of 
Gresham  and  in  this  capacity  he  still  continues,  his  fidelity  and  efficiency  being 
beyond  all  question.  He  has  not  at  any  time  held  himself  aloof  from  the  everyday 
interests  of  life,  but  has  been  a  factor  in  the  development  of  Gresham  along  various 
lines. 

In  1885  Mr.  Tobey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Janet  Davidson,  a  native  of 
Canada,  and  to  this  union  eight  children  have  been  born:  Mary  E.,  assistant 
postmaster  at  Gresham;  Leota,  at  home;  Grace,  the  wife  of  Fred  Hoscheit,  a  farmer 
of  Boyd  county;  G.  Archie,  a  railroad  man  of  Wyoming;  Paul  H.,  of  Ulysses, 
Nebraska;  Bessie,  who  is  employed  in  Gresham;  Lynn,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
eighteen;  and  Beynold  A.,  at  home.  Mrs.  Tobey  is  a  regular  attendant  on  the 
services  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order  and 
the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Worl-nnen.  A  democrat  in  policy  and  practice  Mr. 
Tobey  has  filled  various  local  offices  apart  from  his  present  responsibility  as  post- 
master and  at  all  times  has  rendered  e.xcellent  and  valuable  service.  His  has  been 
an  active  and  useful  life  and  one  which,  by  its  integrity  and  honor,  has  gained 
for  him  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  has  been  brought  into 
contact. 


WILHELM  GOCKE 


In  the  period  of  pioneer  development  Wilhclm  Gocke  came  to  Nebraska.  He 
was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  June  22,  1843,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years 
came  to  the  United  States.  He  made  his  way  immediately  to  Nebraska  and  the 
first  year  of  his  arrival  in  this  country  was  spent  at  the  ranch  of  John  Fouse,  in 
Seward  county.  This  ranch  was  at  that  time  a  well  known  stage  station  on  the 
Nebraska  city  cutoff,  and  was  located  on  a  part  of  the  Oregon  trail,  ilr.  Gocke 
had  heard  many  e.xciting  tales  of  the  .Indian  massacres  and  he  tells  of  an  interest- 
ing incident  that  happened  soon  after  his  arrival  at  the  Fouse  ranch.  One  ilay  on 
returning  to  the  Fouse  residence  he  found  Mrs.  Fou.se  surrounded  by  twenty 
gesticulating  Indians.  On  approaching  the  group  he  was  questioned  by  one  of  the 
Indians  in  good  English  as  to  what  he  wanted.  Mrs.  Fouse  then  told  him  that 
there  was  no  trouble,  she  was  simply  trading  them  groceries  for  what  they  might 
have  in  return,  and  that  they  were  friendly.  The  following  spring,  in  1869,  Mr. 
Gocke  removed  to  York  county  and  ac(|uired  a  homestead  of  eighty  acres  in 
section  thirty-four,  now  Beaver  town.ship.  Here  he  built  a  log  house,  sixteen  by 
sixteen  feet,  paying  one  hundred  dollars  for  the  logs,  and  th.en  sent  for  his  father, 
mother  and  brother  in  the  old  country.  They  soon -arrived  in  York  county  and 
each  took  an  eighty  acre  homestead  adjoining  Mr.  Gocke's.     For  some  time  they 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  969 

lived  in  the  house  oa  Mr.  Gocke's  land,  but  when  he  was  married  he  purchased 
some  logs  from  Mr.  Fouse  and  built  himself  another  home.  For  five  years  he 
lived,  cooked  and  slept  all  in  one  room.  It  was  while  he  was  residing  there  that 
the  grasshoppers  came.  They  made  their  first  appearance  one  day  at  noon.  Some- 
one on  looking  out  of  the  window  renwrked  that  the  flowers  seemed  to  be  drying 
up.  Upon  investigation  great  numbers  of  grasshoppers  were  found.  The  only 
method  of  conveyance  Mr.  Gocke  had  was  his  yoke  of  oxen,  but  in  those  early  days 
they  were  thought  to  make  good  time.  The  nearest  settlement  to  Mr.  Gocke's 
homestead  was  at  Milford,  a  distance  of  forty-two  miles,  and  calling  for  a  doctor 
there  at  one  time  Mr.  Gocke  made  the  trip  between  sun-up  and  sun-down,  his 
oxen  going  along  at  a  steady  trot.  Pie  hauled  his  wheat  to  Lincoln,  which  was 
a  three  days  trip,  and  sold  it  for  from  fifty  to  seventy  cents  a  l)ushel.  Mr.  Gocke 
has  many  interesting  experiences  to  tell  of  his  early  pioneer  days.  He  is  now 
making  his  home  with  his  son,  H.  F.,  who  is  a  prosperous  farmer  in  West  Blue 
township. 

Mr.  Gocke  at  an  early  age  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bertha  Schemft,  a 
native  of  Germany.  She  was  but  a  young  girl  when  she  came  with  her  parents  to 
York  county.  To  this  union  five  children  were  born,  two  of  whom  died  in  child- 
hood. The  living  are:  H.  F.,  with  whom  his  father  lives;  Gustav,  who  is  residing 
in  California;  and  Herman,  residing  in  Grand  Island.  Mrs.  Gocke  died  at  the  age 
of  forty-one  years,  and  some  time  later  Mr.  Gocke  was  united  in  marriage  to  a 
Mrs.  Schwarting,  whose  death  occurred  six  years  ago. 

Mr.  Gocke  has  always  given  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  is  well 
versed  on  all  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  He  is  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  Not  only  has  JMr.  Gocke  seen  York  county  grow  from  a  wild 
country  with  only  a  few  wliite  inhabitants  to  a  rich  agricultural  country  con- 
taining thousands  of  good  liomes  and  scores  of  growing  towns  inhabited  by 
industrious,  prosperous,  enlightened  and  progressive  people,  but  he  has  participated 
in  the  slow,  persistent  work  of  development  which  was  necessary  to  produce  a 
change  which  is  so  complete  that  it  has  come  to  be  popularly  referred  to  as  magical. 


FRANK  G.  SNYDER,  M.  D. 

Since  1904  Frank  G.  Snyder  has  been  a  practicing  physician  of  York,  devoting 
the  greater  part  of  his  time  to  surgery.  He  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  able 
and  efficient  surgeons  of  the  county  and  has  a  large  and  steadily  increasing  practice. 
His  birth  occurred  in  Carlinville,  Illinois,  June  16,  187.5,  the  son  of  Augustus  C. 
and  Belle  (Teany)  Snyder,  the  former  born  in  Germany  while  the  latter  is  a 
native  of  Illinois.  The  father  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  when 
but  a  baby,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  this  country.  When 
he  started  out  in  the  business  world  he  located  at  Carlinville  and  there  engaged  in 
the  hardware  business  for  a  few  years.  In  1883  he  moved  to  York,  engaged  in  the 
hardware  business  here  and  is  still  conducting  his  store  at  the  age  of  seventy-one 
years.  In  politics  he  is  a  democrat  and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snyder  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Frank  G.  of  this  review, 
and  Roy,  who  is  in  the  hardware  business  with  his  father. 


970  HISTOEY    OF   YORK    COUXTY 

Dr.  Frank  G.  Siij'der  attended  the  public  schools  of  York  and  graduated  from 
York  high  school  with  the  class  of  1891.  He  then  went  to  Northwestern  University 
where  he  remained  two  years,  subsequently  entering  the  medical  department, 
pursuing  his  studies  there  for  two  years.  He  then  entered  Barnes  Medical  College 
of  St.  Louis  and  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  doctor  of  medicine  in  1897. 
Dr.  Snyder  began  his  practice  at  Arborville  and  after  spending  two  years  there 
went  to  Chicago  and  took  a  post-graduate  course.  While  on  a  visit  to  California 
he  took  an  examination  and  practiced  in  Los  Angeles  during  the  year  1903.  In 
190-1  he  returned  to  York  county  and  resumed  the  practice  of  medicine  at  York 
where  he  has  built  up  a  large  practice.  Since  locating  in  York  Dr.  Snyder  has 
specialized  in  surgery  and  his  reputation  in  this  line  is  becoming  widely  known. 
He  believes  in  keeping  up  with  the  trend  of  his  profession  and  every  year  takes  a 
course  at  one  of  the  universities. 

Dr.  Snyder  was  married  in  1905  to  Miss  Amy  Haggard,  whose  death  occurred 
in  March,  1916.  She  was  a  native  of  Nebraska  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  In  August,  1919,  Dr.  Snyder  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Edith 
Montgomery  who  was  born  in  York  county.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
and  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Politically  Dr.  Snyder  is  a  democrat. 
He  has  served  the  county  as  health  officer  and  is  a  member  of  the  county  and  state 
medical  societies,  having  served  as  president  of  the  county  association.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  American  Medical  Association. 


WILLIAM  P.  COOKUS 


William  P.  Cookus,  a  prominent  and  representative  business  man  of  Lushton, 
York  county,  where  he  is  engaged  in  conducting  a  hardware  store  and  also  acts  as 
postmaster  of  the  town,  is  a  native  of  Iowa,  born  in  Linn  county,  that  state, 
April  8,  1857,  a  son  of  Joseph  S.  and  Minerva  (Doty)  Cookus,  the  former  bom 
in  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  in  Ohio.  They  settled  in  Linn  county,  Iowa,  in 
an  early  day  and  removed  to  Nebraska  in  1874,  both  spending  the  remainder  of 
their  lives  in  this  state.  Joseph  S.  Cookus  was  a  soldier  in  the  Federal  army  and 
served  throughout  the  Civil  war.  He  saw  much  service  and  was  in  many  engage- 
ments during  the  period  of  hostilities  and  at  the  close  of  the  war,  having  served 
three  years  and  six  months,  he  was  honorably  discharged  and  returned  to  his 
family  in  lOwa. 

William  P.  Cookus  was  reared  in  Iowa  and  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  that  state.  In  his  early  youth  he  became  engaged  in  the  blacksmith  trade  and 
followed  that  occupation  for  twenty-two  years,  in  the  meantime  saving  his  money 
with  a  view  to  going  into  business  in  another  line.  He  then  started  in  the  hard- 
ware business  in  Lushton,  Y'ork  county,  Nebraska,  and  has  been  successfully 
conducting  a  general  hardware  store  ever  since,  well  known  to  the  people  of  the 
district  as  a  conscientious  and  industrious  citizen  in  whom  all  have  unlimited 
confidence.  He  is  also  postmaster  of  Lushton  and  in  that  capacity  is  giving 
universal  satisfaction,  his  courtesy  and  business  qualities  being  always  in  evidence. 
Mr.  Cookus  has  the  honor  of  being  the  first  man  to  build  a  house  in  Lushton  in 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  971 

1887  and  he  is  now  the  owner  of  a  comfortable  residence.  He  has  witnessed  the 
growth  of  the  town  from  the  very  commencement  of  its  settlement  and  has  played 
no  small  part  in  its  development  and  npbnilding.  He  is  regarded  one  of  the 
representative  citizens  of  Lushton,  actuated  by  a  spirit  of  enterprise  and  progress 
in  all  that  he  does.  His  business  has  been  carefully  managed  and  wisely  conducted 
and  his  patronage  has  grown  to  extensive  and  gratifying  proportions. 

In  1880  Mr.  Cookus  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Florence  Billington,  a 
native  of  Linn  county,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  Israel  C.  and  Mary  (Parsons) 
Billington,  both  of  whom  passed  away  some  years  ago.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cookus 
are  the  parents  of  six  children:  George,  in  Omaha;  Pearl  the  wife  of  Charles 
Smith;  Stephen,  in  Bladen,  Nebraska;  Clara,  who  lives  at  home;  Alma,  the  wife 
of  Martin  Hebert;  and  Ruby,  who  lives  with  her  parents.  The  family  enjoys  the 
high  esteem  and  regard  of  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  all  are  active  in  movements 
intended  to  advance  the  social  and  material  progress  of  the  community. 


L.  H.  ROGERS 


L.  H.  Rogers,  after  long  years  of  connection  with  agricultural  interests  in  York 
county  is  living  retired  at  York.  He  was  born  in  Casco,  Cumberland  county, 
Maine,  on  the  15th  of  January,  1841,  a  son  of  David  and  Susan  (Harmon)  Rogers, 
also  natives  of  Maine.  The  father  engaged  in  farming  successfully  for  a  number 
of  years  and  for  three  years  served  as  seaman.  In  1852  he  removed  to  Illinois 
where  he  purchased  a  fifty-five  acre  tract  and  engaged  in  general  farming  for  the 
remainder  of  his  life. 

L.  H.  Rogers  obtained  his  education  in  the  country  schools  the  school  houses 
being  of  the  primitive  kind  made  of  slab  with  home-made  wooden  benches.  He 
began  to  work  out  on  farms  at  an  early  day,  receiving  the  sum  of  tliirteen  dollars  a 
month  for  his  labors  and  later  started  farming  on  his  own  account  on  rented  land. 
When  his  finances  permitted  he  bought  forty  acres  of  land  in  La  Salle  county  and 
engaged  in  general  farming.  He  experienced  the  pioneer  hardships  of  those  days 
and  remembers  having  seen  large  herds  of  deer  throughout  the  county.  In  1885  he 
came  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  York  county  where  he  purchased  a  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acre  tract  in  Lockridge  township.  The  improvements  on  the  land  con- 
sisted of  a  small  frame  house  with  orchard  and  the  purchase  price  was  thirty-five 
dollars  per  acre.  Being  successful  in  his  agricultural  pursuits  he  gradually  in- 
creased his  holdings  by  an  additional  four  hundred  acres.  He  also  had  two  sets 
of  good  buildings.  For  many  years  he  engaged  in  general  fanning  and  feeding. 
He  had  many  discouragements  in  his  first  years  in  York,  his  crops  of  1893  and  1894 
being  almost  total  failures.  He  had  two  thousand  five  hundred  bushels  of  old  corn 
on  hand  which  he  sold  for  fifty-six  cents  per  bushel,  and  he  burned  wood  taken 
from  his  own  grove. 

While  living  in  Illinois  Mr.  Rogers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sopliia 
Knight,  a  native  of  Maine,  and  to  them  six  children  have  been  born :  Hattie,  the 
wife  of  William  Reed  who  is  farming  in  York  county;  Bennett,  whose  death 
occurred  at  the  age  of  forty-nine  years;  Ciu'tis,  who  is  residing  in  Bradshaw; 
Cyrenius,  who  is  fanning  the  old  place;  Sherman,  who  is  engaged  in  railroading 


972  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

at  Council  Bluff,  Iowa:  Blanche,  who  is  the  wife  of  Ezra  Lloyd  of  Lockridge 
township.  Mrs.  Rogers  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church  in  the  activities 
of  which  she  takes  a  prominent  part. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Rogers  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  educational  atfairs  and  for  some  time  served 
as  school  director  in  district  il.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Mason,  belonging  to  the  blue 
lodge.  Mr.  Rogers  is  also  interested  in  the  Farmers'  Elevator  at  ilapps.  He  has 
seen  the  work  of  progress  and  development  carried  steadily  forward  and  at  all 
times  has  borne  his  part,  especially  along  the  line  of  agricultural  improvement. 


WILLIAM   DOWNEY 


A  well  spent  life  was  that  of  William  Downey,  whose  industry  and  integrity 
in  business  affairs  won  him  success  and  the  respect  of  his  fellow  men.  He  possessed 
many  sterling  traits  of  character  and  his  death  was  the  occasion  of  deep  and  wide- 
spread regret  among  those  with  whom  he  was  associated.  He  was  born  in  Derry, 
Ireland,  in  1839,  and  passed  away  on  October  7,  1917,  being  then  in  his  seventy- 
eighth  year.  In  1858  Mr.  Downey  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  the  ocean 
voyage  being  made  on  an  old  sailing  vessel  which  arrived  in  New  York  harbor 
after  several  weeks,  and  he  went  from  there  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  rented 
a  tract  of  land.  Later  he  joined  the  military  service  in  Illinois  but  was  subse- 
quently discharged  owing  to  an  attack  of  rheumatism.  He  married  Margaret  A. 
Ferguson  in  Illinois.  Mrs.  Downey  was  born  in  Cockermouth,  England,  a  daughter 
of  John  Ferguson  of  that  place,  who  came  to  America  in  a  sailing  vessel  and  located 
in  Illinois,  working  there  as  a  coal  miner  and  at  intervals  acted  as  a  minister  of 
the  Presbyterian  church. 

In  1871  William  Downey  drove  from  Illinois  to  Nebraska,  the  trip  occupying 
three  weeks  before  he  reached  Stewart  township  and  here  he  homesteaded  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land.  About  that  time  he  was  not  in  the  best  of 
health  and  his  wife  built  the  first  house  which  was  of  the  dugout  type,  and  also 
put  up  a  sod  barn  and  some  time  later  a  sod  house.  Provisions  had  to  be  hauled 
from  Lincoln  and  trailed  across  the  country  and  wood  had  to  lie  hauled  from 
lincoln  creek.  He  broke  the  land  and  commenced  the  cultivation  of  crops,  but 
during  the  two  seasons  of  the  grasshopper  invasion  everything  that  was  growing 
upon  the  land  was  destroyed  and  his  labors  went  for  nothing.  He  was  not  dis- 
couraged by  the.se  disasters  and  in  time  liad  his  place  again  in  good  condition, 
crops  growing,  two  orchards  set  out  and  other  nuiterial  improvements  effected, 
finally  bringing  the  holding  to  be  one  of  the  best  in  the  district.  In  this  work 
his  wife  played  no  small  part  and  was  untiring  in  her  efforts  to  make  the  farm  a 
financial  success.  In  the  dry  seasons  of  the  early  '90s  cultivation  was  almost  at 
a  standstill  and  they  were  compelled  to  burn  corn  and  cornstalks  for  fuel. 

Following  her  husliand's  death  in  1917  Mrs.  Downey  took  over  the  ownership  of 
the  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  the  old  homestead,  which  is  now  operated 
by  her  son,  Alex  G.  Downey,  who  is  successfully  conducting  its  affairs.  In  politics 
the  late  Mr.  Downey  gave  his  adherence  to  the  republican  party  and  his  religious 


iz; 

o 

o 

I— I 


O 
< 
PS 


Vol.  11— 24 


THE  NEW  ^'ori'r: 

PUBLIC  urr." 

\ 

ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 


HISTORY    OP    YORK    COUNTY  975 

affiliation  was  with  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  his  widow  also  holds  mem- 
bership and  attends  its  services  in  Gresham,  being  now  comfortably  circumstanced 
in  a  fine  home  in  that  town.  Coming  to  York  county  while  it  was  in  its  infancy 
Mr.  Downey  witnessed  its  growth  and  development  and  in  this  expansion  he  played 
a  full  part.  He  followed  the  most  progressive  methods  in  the  development  of  his 
land  and  stood  at  all  times  for  every  movement  calculated  to  advance  the  welfare 
of  the  community  in  which  he  resided  for  well  nigh  fifty  years. 


THERON  E.  SEDGWICK 

Theron  E.  Sedgwick  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Bloomingdale,  Dupage  county, 
Illinois,  on  the  second  day  of  September,  1852.  His  father  was  Doctor  Parker 
Sedgwick,  who  had  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  retire  from  the  practice  of 
medicine.  His  mother  was  Hepsibah  (Goodwin)  Sedgwick,  who  was  born  in 
Hartford,  Connecticut.  She  was  of  Revolutionary  stock,  a  descendant  of  the 
Captain  Goodwin  who  rode  in  "Yankee  Doodle." 

When  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  thirteeii.  years  old  his  parents  moved  to 
Wheaton,  Illinois,  where  he  attended  college'  four  years.  When  he  was  seventeen 
years  of  age  he  taught  school  in  Champaign  county,  Illinois.  In  the  fall  of  1871 
he  entered  the  law  department  of  Michigan  University,  at  Ann  Arbor,  where  he 
remained  one  year.  He  entered  the  law  office  of  Elbert  H.  Gary,  in  Chicago, 
where  he  remained  until.,  the  spring  of  1874,  when  he  went  to  Wisconsin,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  that  state  at  Oconto,  and  entered  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  De  Pere,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  the  late  Judge  Samuel  H. 
Sedgwick.  He  served  as  city  attorney,  county  supervisor  and  county  superintendent 
of  schools,  of  Brown  county,  Wisconsin. 

On  the  second  day  of  July,  1874,  T.  E.  Sedgwick  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Adelaide  Thurston,  at  PuUersburg,  Illinois.  In  September,  1878,  they 
removed  to  York,  Nebraska,  where  they  have  since  resided.  In  company  with  his 
brother,  Samuel,  he  opened  a  law  office  and  pursued  the  practice  of  his  chosen 
profession  until  compelled  to  give  it  up  because  of  a  disease  which  resulted  in 
the  loss  of  one  eye.  In  March,  1881,  he  purchased  a  local  paper  in  York,  rechris- 
tened  it  "The  York  Times,"  and  made  it  a  republican  paper.  He  continued  its 
publication  and  in  1888  started  the  Daily  Times,  which  has  since  been  combined 
with  the  Daily  News,  and  which  he  now  edits.  In  the  spring  of  1880  Mr.  Sedgwick 
was  elected  city  councilman.  He  was  secretary  of  the  Republican  State  Central 
Committee  two  years — 1894  and  1895 — and  was  secretary  of  the  state  senate  in 
1895.  Mr.  Sedgwick  was  appointed  postmaster  of  York  by  President  McKinley 
and  held  that  position  nine  je^rs  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  patrons  of  the 
office.  During  his  incumbency  of  that  position  free  delivery  was  established  in 
the  city  and  rural  free  delivery  throughout  the  county.  Also  a  site  was  purchased 
by  the  government  for  a  federal  building,  which  was  afterward  built  and  which 
is  an  ornament  to  the  city. 

Mr.  Sedgwick  has  always  been  a  progressive  and  enterprising  citizen.  He  has 
built  several  dwellings,  some  of  which  are  among  the  best  in  the  city,  and  has 
erected  business  buildings,  one  of  which  is  among  the  most  imposing  in  the  business 


976  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

district.  Three  children  wore  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sedgwick:  Clara  A.,  wife  of 
John  Alvah  Rockwood  of  Portland,  Oregon,  valuation  engineer  of  the  Portland 
Railway,  Light  and  Power  Company;  Theron  E.,  Jr.,  an  electrician,  of  Portland; 
and  Phila  M.  Sedgwick,  who  resides  at  home. 


DEXTER  D.  KIXG,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Dexter  D.  King,  junior  partner  of  the  firm  Moore,  Shidler  &  King,  the 
York  clinic,  is  widely  known  throughout  York  county  as  a  physician  and  surgeon 
of  ability.  He  is  a  native  of  York  county  having  been  born  near  Bradshaw  on  the 
19th  of  September,  1884,  the  .son  of  Burnard  and  Lillie  F.  (Clark)  King,  the 
former  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  a  native  of  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King 
were  married  in  Illinois  and  came  to  York  county  in  1878,  settling  on  a  farm. 
Here  they  remained  until  1887  when  they  removed  to  Fremont  and  engaged  in  the 
furniture  business.  They  conducted  ihis  venture  iu  Fremont  until  1801  when 
they  returned  to  York  and  engaged  in  the  furniture,  grocery,  and  undertaking 
business.  He  conducted  the  undertaking  and  furniture  business  until  1895  when  he 
discontinued  his  connection  with  the  former  business  venture  and  became  exclusively 
an  undertaker.  Ju.st  recently  he  has  retired  fjom  active  business  life  and  both 
he  and  his  wife  are  residing  in  York.  Mr.  King  has  always  been  a  member  of  the 
republican  party  and  served  York  as  mayor  for  two  terms.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  he  is  an  Elk  and  a  Mason. 
They  are  the  parents  of  six  children  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the 
fourth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being:  Gertie,  the  wife  of  Frank  Couch,  a 
well  known  electrician  of  Erie,  Pennsylvania ;  Jennie  Maude,  the  wife  of  Albert 
A.  Allen,  an  auto  dealer  of  York;  Lillie  F.,  the  wife  of  Charles  Lytle,  a  farmer 
of  York  county;  Emeline,  the  wife  of  William  Holoch,  a  farmer  of  York  county; 
J.  L.,  who  is  the  manager  of  the  Basket  stores  of  Omaha.  Two  brothers  of 
Burnard  King,  Dexter  David  and  Delbert,  served  in  the  Civil  war  and  the  former 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg. 

Dr.  Dexter  D.  King  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  York  and 
was  graduated  from  the  York  high  school  in  1001.  He  then  removed  to  Omaha 
where  he  resided  for  four  years,  being  engaged  in  the  express  business.  He  then 
decided  upon  the  medical  profession  as  his  life  work  with  the  result  that  he  entered 
the  University  of  Xebraska,  taking  a  six-year  course  in  medicine  and  graduating 
on  the  11th  of  June,  1914.  After  his  graduation  he  served  as  hospital  jihysician 
in  the  Iowa  Methodist  Hospital  of  Des  jMoiues  and  iu  1915  came  to  Waco  where 
he  practiced  for  two  years.  On  the  1st  of  December,  1916,  he  renioVed  to  York 
and  became  connected  with  Drs.  Moore  &  Shidler.  He  did  not  practice  here  long, 
liowever,  for  he  entered  the  service  of  the  United  States  in  the  World  war  on  the 
9th  of  October,  1917,  and  served  until  March  3,  1919.  The  first  three  months  of 
his  service  he  spent  at  a  medical  officers  training  camp,  at  Camp  Greenleaf, 
Georgia,  and  the  next  two  months  was  spent  in  charge  of  the  officers'  ward  at 
Camp  Beauregard,  Louisiana,  in  Base  Hospital  Xo.  39.  He  was  then  assigned 
to  Base  Hospital  Xo.  19  at  Rochester,  Xew  York,  and  from  there  he  sailed  over- 
seas on  the  3d  of  June,  1918.    He  was  at  Vichy  in  June  and  during  part  of  July 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  977 

and  August  of  that  year  was  stationed  with  Evacuation  Hospital  No.  7,  at  Cliateau 
Thierry.  He  was  tlien  returned  to  the  Vichy  base  where  he  remained  until  February, 
1919,  when  he  returnd  to  the  United  States.  During  his  stay  in  France  he  received  a 
captaincy  and  he  was  discharged  at  Camp  Dix,  N.  J.,  March  3,  1919.  On  his  return 
he  again  became  connected  with  tlie  York  Clinic  and  is  still  practicing  in  that 
connection. 

In  June  of  the  year  1906  Dr.  King  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Anderson  a 
native  of  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  Albert  A.  Anderson  who  lives  in  York,  having 
retired  from  active  farm  life  in  1916.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  King,  namely :  Boyd  G.,  aged  twelve  years ;  and  Thomas  A.,  five  years  of  age. 
Both  children  are  now  attending  school.  Dr.  King  follows  an  independent  course 
in  politics,  supporting  the  man  rather  than  the  party.  Fraternally  he  is  a  thirty- 
second  degree  Mason  and  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  is  a  member  of  all  branches  in  the 
latter  organization.  Aside  from  his  profession  Dr.  King  devotes  much  time  to 
the  interests  of  the  American  Legion,  and  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  first  convention 
in  Lincoln  in  1919  to  organize  the  American  Legion.  He  was  also  a  delegate  to 
the  first  state  convention  and  to  the  first  national  convention  at  Minneapolis. 
He  was  first  commander  of  the  local  post,  No.  19,  and  was  instrumental  in 
organizing  the  first  Woman's  Auxiliary  in  the  state  of  Nebraska.  Dr.  King  is  well 
known  throughout  the  county  in  connection  with  many  public  affairs  and  as  a 
physician  and  surgeon  he  is  ranked  among  the  foremost,  xllthough  he  has  a  large 
general  practice  he  makes  a  specialty  of  surgery. 

The  York  Clinic,  commonly  known  as  the  firm  of  Moore,  Shidler  and  King, 
was  formed  as  such  in  1911:  by  Drs.  0.  M.  Moore  and  George  P.  Shidler, 
successors  to  the  old  firm  of  Moore  and  Shidler.  Dr.  D.  D.  King  became  a  member 
of  the  firm  in  the  spring  of  1917,  coming  from  Waco,  Nebraska,  at  that  time. 
The  facilities  at  this  time  include  different  departments  dealing  with  diagnosis 
and  treatment  of  diseases,  such  as  complete  X-ray  laboratory  for  diagnosis  and 
treatment,  a  pathological  and  bacteriological  laboratory,  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat 
department,  electrotlierapeutic  offices.  The  general  idea  of  the  doctors  in  charge 
is  to  have  a  specialist  for  most  of  the  commoner  troubles  that  afflict  mankind. 
The  clinic  is  located  at  107-09  W.  7th  St.  and  is  run  in  connection  with  the 
Clinic  Hospital.  The  Clinic  Hospital  is  a  modern,  up-to-the-minute  hospital 
located  at  the  corner  of  Seventh  and  Nebraska  avenue,  consisting  of  sixteen  rooms 
with  facilities  for  fifteen  patients.  Mrs.  May  Thompson,  E.  N.,  is  in  charge  of 
the  hospital.  Surgical,  obstetrical  and  medical  cases  are  treated  here.  The  staff 
doctors  are  those  of  the  Clinic. 


PETER  C.  FRIESEN 


Peter  C.  Friesen  is  a  resident  farmer  of  York  county,  owning  and  cultivating 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  prime  land  on  section  19,  Brown  township.  He  is  a 
native  son  of  the  county,  born  September  20,  1878,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Anna  Frie- 
sen, both  natives  of  Russia  where  they  lived  until  1874,  in  that  year  immigrating  to 
America.  On  arriving  in  this  country  Jacob  Friesen  came  to  Nebraska,  settled 
on  section  30,  Brown  township,  York  county,  and  erected  a  sod  house  in  which  the 


978  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

family  lived  for  several  years.  He  was  engaged  in  agricultural  operations  which 
he  carried  on  with  success  during  his  active  years  and  passed  away  in  1913, 
having  reached  an  advanced  age.  His  widow  is  living.  They  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  survive. 

Peter  C.  Friesen  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  acquired  his  education 
in  the  common,  schools  of  York  county  and  for  some  years  thereafter  helped  his 
father  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm.  Later  he  decided  to  engage  in  agricultural 
pursuits  on  his  own  account  and  secured  a  tract  of  land  which  ever  since  he  has 
been  operating  with  decided  success.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  a  half  section  located 
in  Brown  township,  all  of  which  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  improvement  and  he  is 
actively  engaged  in  general  fanning  and  stock  raising.  His  place  is  improved 
with  substantial  buildings,  well  kept  fences  and  good  farm  machinery  and  every- 
thing about  his  farm  indicates  his  careful  supervision  and  his  practical  and 
progressive  methods. 

On  March  7,  1901,  Mr.  Friesen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Katherine  Doell, 
and  to  this  union  five  children  have  been  born:  Eosa,  born  March  8,  1902,  died 
September  16,  1904;  Walter  J.,  born  January  26,  1906,  died  June  27,  1909;  Selma 
S.,  born  April  26,  1909;  Ada  L.,  born  June  18,  1911,  and  Waldo  R.,  born  September 
7,  1912.  Mr.  Friesen  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  democratic  party. 
He  is  now  serving  as  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  is  a  member  of  the  school  board 
for  his  township.  He  is  a  self-made  man,  whose  success  in  life  is  due  to  his  ovm 
unaided  efforts  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  community 
in  which  he  resides. 


HOMER  0.  MESERVE 


Homer  0.  Meserve,  the  popular  and  well  known  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Lushton, 
York  county,  is  a  native  of  Colorado,  born  in  that  state,  October  2,  1888,' a  son  of 
William  H.  and  Flora  (Gross)  Meserve,  natives  of  Illinois,  who  came  to  Nebraska 
in  1S72  and  are  now  living  on  their  farm  near  Cortland,  this  state,  having  retired 
from  life's  active  affairs.  Tliey  are  the  parents  of  three  children,  all  of  whom  are 
living.  In  their  home  town  they  are  deservedly  esteemed  for  their  good  citizen- 
ship and  per.sonal  worth. 

Homer  0.  Meserve  of  this  review  was  reared  in  Nebraska,  received  his 
preliminary  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  state  and  later  graduated 
from  Cortland  high  school.  He  then  entered  the  Lincoln  Business  College  from 
which  he  emerged  well  qualified  for  his  chosen  work  in  life.  He  became  associated 
with  banking  business  in  1910  and  in  the  intervening  years  has  maintained  his 
connection  with  that  line  of  activity.  In  1918  he  moved  to  Lushton  and  accepted 
the  responsible  position  of  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Lushton  and  has  since  been 
conducting  that  department  of  the  bank's  affairs  with  credit  to  himself  and  with 
satisfaction  to  the  stockholders  and  depositors  of  the  bank  which  is  a  growing 
institution  with  great  promise  of  substantial  advancement  in  the  public  favor  as 
time  progresses. 

On  September  3,  1917,  Mr.  Meserve  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Winifred 
Rothman,  a  native  of  York  county  and  a  daughter  of  Louis  and  Trennie  (Thamer) 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  979 

Eothman,  both  of  whom  are  well  known  residents  of  the  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Meserve  are  the  parents  of  one  child :  Homer  0.,  Jr.,  born  October  12,  1918.  They 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  good  works  of  which  they 
take  an  active  part.  He  supports  the  republican  party  and  is  now  serving  as 
treasurer  of  the  local  school  board  and  also  has  a  seat  on  the  town  board,  to  the 
work  of  these  two  public  trusts  giving  close  attention  and  efficient  service.  He  has 
achieved  a  well  deserved  measure  of  success  and  is  a  man  of  sterling  worth  and 
unremitting   industry. 


AXEL  EENQUIST 


Among  the  men  who  have  found  success  in  following  agricultural  pursuits 
and  are  now  able  to  live  retired  is  Axel  Renquist,  a  native  of  Sweden,  born  in  that 
country  June  4,  1853,  a  son  of  Jonas  and  Gustave  (Johnson)  Eenquist,  also 
natives  of  Sweden  where  their  entire  lives  were  spent.  Jonas  Eenquist  pursued 
his  occupation  of  wagon-maker  during  all  the  active  years  of  his  life.  Of  the 
children  born  to  these  parents  six  came  to  the  United  States,  namely :  Lottie, 
deceased,  who  married  August  Johnson;  Charles,  deceased,  formerly  a  resident  of 
York  county ;  Axel,  subject  of  this  sketch ;  August  W.,  retired  farmer,  now  living 
in  Stromsburg;  Alfred,  living  in  California;  and  John,  deceased. 

Axel  Eenquist  was  reared  in  his  father's  home  in  Sweden  and  in  the  schools  of 
that  country  received  such  education  as  the  family  circumstances  permitted  him 
to  secure.  In  1870,  being  then  seventeen  years  old,  he  and  other  members  of  the 
Eenquist  family  immigrated  to  America  and  he  went  to  Illinois,  shortly  after 
arriving  in  that  state  securing  work  on  farms,  tliereby  acquiring  knowledge  of 
American  agricultural  methods  and  continuing  in  this  line  for  three  years.  He 
then  went  to  California,  spending  one  year  in  that  state  and  going  thence  to  Sweden 
to  visit  relatives  and  friends  to  whom  he  recounted  his  experiences  in  America 
and  the  possibilities  which  this  country  offered  to  industrious  people.  In  1875 
Mr.  Eenquist  returned  to  Illinois,  re-engaged  in  farming  and  kindred  pursuits, 
spent  about  five  years  in  that  state  and  then  in  1S80  moved  to  Nebraska  in  quest 
of  that  fortune  which  all  new  territory  is  expected  to  yield. 

On  coming  to  Nebraska  in  1880  Mr.  Renquist  was  one  of  a  number  who  came  by 
immigrant  train  to  Stromburg,  and  it  is  stated  that  it  was  the  first  car  of  its 
kind  to  touch  that  town.  He  bought  land  in  Morton  township  and  erected  a  sod 
house.  With  characteristic  Swedish  application  he  proceeded  to  develop  and 
cultivate  his  land,  gradually  adding  to  the  original  tract  as  his  efforts  proved 
successful  and  he  is  now  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres  of  valuable,  well  improved 
land,  the  etfual  of  any  in  Morton  township.  His  main  energies  were  directed  to 
the  supervision  of  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and  in  the  latter  line  his 
produce  always  found  ready  markets.  Having  acquired  sufficient  of  the  world's  goods 
to  justify  him  in  handing  over  his  agricultural  responsibilities  to  others  Mr.  Renquist 
retired  from  the  farm  in  1903  and  moved  to  Benedict,  where  he  is  in  enjoyment  of 
that  rest  to  wliich  his  early  energy  and  industry  fully  entitle  him.  Apart  form  his 
work  in  connection  with  the  farm  he  was  for  eleven  years  a  stockholder  and  director 


DSO  HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

of  the  Fanners  Elevator  at   Benedict,  bringing  sound  business  judgment  to  bear 
on  the  duties  which  his  directorship  called  for. 

In  1876,  while  living  in  Illinois,  Mr  Eenquist  was  united  in  marriage  to  Bettie 
Johnson,  a  native  of  Sweden,  and  to  their  union  four  children  have  been  born: 
Hennie,  wife  of  John  P.  Seymour,  of  Arborville  townsliip;  J.  A.,  of  Scottsbluff, 
Nebraska;  Alice  Maud,  wife  of  A.  E.  Marshall,  of  Omaha,  and  Henry  E.,  who 
operates  the  old  home  farm.  Mr.  Eenquist  and  the  members  of  his  immediate 
family  have  religious  affiliations  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Benedict. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  has  practically  passed  all 
the  chairs  in  the  organization.  He  gives  his  political  support  to  the  democratic 
party  but  prefers  at  all  times  to  devote  his  energies  to  the  demands  of  his  farm 
rather  than  to  the  seeking  of  public  office.  He  is  held  in  high  esteem  as  a  citizen 
and  as  a  man,  and  his  success  as  a  farmer  entitles  him  to  rank  among  the  leaders 
in   the  agricultural   dcvelo]iment   of  York  county. 


ALBEET  HEINE 


Albert  Heine  is  a  resident  and  a  well-to-do  farmer  of  York  county,  owning  and 
cultivating  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  eighty  acres  of  which  lie  in  York 
township  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Thayer  township.  He  was  born  in 
Germany,  February  7,  18(53,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm  where  he  ac(juired  a 
sound  knowledge  of  agricultural  operations.  In  1882,  when  he  was  nineteen  years 
old,  he  accompanied  his  parents  and  six  other  children  to  America,  the  family 
coming  to  Nebraska  and  settling  in  York  county,  residing  here  for  one  year.  At 
the  end  of  that  time  the  family  went  to  North  Dakota  and  there  the  father 
entered  a  homestead,  while  the  son  Albert  went  to  Dickey  county  in  North  Dakota 
and  there  preempted  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  put  up  a  sod 
house,  proved  up  on  the  land,  broke  the  sod  and  began  to  get  in  some  crops,  at  the 
same  time  working  at  the  carpenter  trade,  and  he  continued  to  live  on  that  holding 
for  about  seven  years. 

In  1889  Albert  Heine  returned  to  Nebraska  and  located  in  Buffalo  where  he 
bought  a  quarter  section  of  land  and  resumed  his  trade  of  carpenter.  He  remained 
in  Buffalo  until  1900  and  then  moved  to  York  county,  settling  on  section  3.5, 
Thayer  township,  buying  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  for  which  he  paid 
fifty  dollars  an  acre.  At  that  time  there  was  one  old  shack  on  the  farm  doing  duty 
for  a  house,  but  as  he  progressed  with  his  farming  operations  he  effected  many 
valuable  improvements  and  by  degrees,  giving  unremitting  effort  and  attention 
to  the  place,  he  brought  the  holding  up  to  a  standard  which  ranks  it  as  a  valuable 
property.  He  later  bought  eighty  acres  in  York  township  on  which  some  excellent 
improvements  were  made  and  he  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres 
well  fenced  with  substantial  buildings  and  good  farming  machinery  and  everything 
about  his  place  indicates  his  careful  supervision  and  his  practical  and  progressive 
methods.  The  results  from  his  general  farming  and  stock  rai.sing  have  heen 
commensurate  with  the  uniform  enei-gy  and'industry  put  into  the  work. 

In  1889  Mr.  Heine  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Helen  Eeetz,  born  in  the 
state  of  Minnesota.     She  came  to  York  county  in  1868,  being  then  a  mere  child, 


HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUXTY  981 

and  her  father  took  a  homestead  of  eighty  acres  where  his  son  John  Eeetz  now 
lives.  Their  first  house  was  a  dugout  which  was  later  replaced  by  a  log  cabin. 
Mrs.  Heine  recalls  that  when  she  was  a  little  girl  wild  deer,  buffalo  and  antelopes 
were  plentiful  on  the  surrounding  prairie  and  all  the  trading  was  done  at  Nebraska 
City.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heine  four  children  were  born :  Otto,  a  farmer,  of  Thyer 
township;  Ernest,  who  lives  on  his  father's  farm  in  York  township;  Martha,  the 
widow  of  William  Schoeneck ;  and  John,  who  farms  the  home  place.  The  Heine 
family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  its  teachings  have  been  the  guiding 
force  in  their  lives.  In  his  efforts  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  community  he  has 
displayed  the  same  spirit  of  enterprise  and  recognition  of  opportunity  that  has 
marked  his  business  career  and  York  county  has  reason  to  be  proud  of  him  as  a 
citizen. 


BENJAMIN  A.  EOOT,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Benjamin  A.  Eoot,  who  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  and 
surgery  in  York,  has  by  reason  of  broad  study  and  wide  experience  gained  dis- 
tinction as  one  of  the  eminent  physicians  of  his  connnunity.  He  was  born  in  Cass 
county,  in  the  month  of  August,  1875,  his  parents  being  Byron  A.  and  Eliza  A. 
(Alton)  Eoot,  both  natives  of  Ohio.  Byron  A.  Eoot  settled  in  Cass  county  in  1874 
and  has  resided  there  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  Before  engaging  in  farming  in 
that  county,  however,  he  had  lived  in  Deuel  county  for  a  period  of  five  or  six  years 
owning  and  operating  a  farm  there.  He  is  now  residing  in  Murray  where  for  a 
number  of  years  he  conducted  a  drug  business,  but  is  now  retired.  Fraternally 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Christian  church.  The  grandfather  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Eoot,  Anson  L.  Eoot,  was 
born  in  Ohio.  The  Eoot  family  originally  came  from  England  in  the  sixteenth 
century,  three  brothers  of  that  name  settling  in  Connecticut.  The  great-grand- 
father on  the  paternal  side  was  a  surgeon  in  the  Eevolutionary  war.  Benjamin 
Alton,  the  maternal  grandfather,  was  born  in  Indiana  and  later  removed  to 
Newaygo  county,  Michigan.  He  served  in  the  Civil  war  for  a  period  of  three 
years. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Dr.  Benjamin  A.  Eoot  attended  the  rural 
schools  of  Cass  county  and  graduated  from  the  high  school  at  Elmwood.  He  then 
entered  the  State  Normal  school  at  Peru,  and  in  1898  entered  the  service  of  the 
United  States  in  the  Spanish-American  war.  He  served  in  Cuba  and  was  dis- 
charged on  the  11th  day  of  May,  1899.  He  returned  to  Cass  county  in  1901, 
entered  a  medical  college,  and  in  1905  was  graduated  from  the  Lincoln  Medical 
College.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Phillips  where  he 
remained  until  November  8,  1908,  when  he  came  to  York.  He  has  since  resided 
in  York  and  has  built  up  a  large  general  practice,  and  in  addition  to  his  professional 
duties  takes  a  good  deal  of  interest  in  his  real  estate. 

In  1901  Dr.  Boot  was  married  to  Miss  Liicy  Duncan,  a  native  of  Michigan, 
whose  death  occurred  in  1916.  She  was  the  mother  of  one  son,  Carl  E.,  who  is 
seventeen  years  of  age.  Dr.  Eoot  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  of  which 
his  wife  was  also  a  member.  Politically  he  is  an  independent  republican  and 
fraternally  he  is  a  memher  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  of  the 


982  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Encampment  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  also  a  Mason,  a  Woodmen  of  the  World,  and 
a  member  of  the  Spanish  Veterans.  He  is  the  present  commander  of  the  Walter 
Poor  Post,  Camp  No.  13,  York,  and  has  passed  throusrh  all  the  chairs  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Woodmen. 

Dr.  Root  makes  no  specialty  in  his  ])rofession  and  is  active  in  the  county,  state 
and  American  medical  societies.  From  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  has  made  his 
own  way  in  the  w'orld  and  his  is  therefore  the  notable  record  of  a  self-made  man 
who  by  the  sheer  force  of  his  determination  and  ability  has  gained  prominence  and 
success. 


WILLIAM  B.  MALCOLM 

William  B.  Malcolm,  a  real  estate  dealer  of  York,  is  in  every  sense  of  the  word 
a  self-made  man.  Starting  out  in  the  business  world  early  in  life  and  working  at 
various  occupations  he  has  gradually  advanced  until  he  now  has  one  of  the 
largest  and  most  lucrative  real  estate  businesses  in  York  county. 

William  B.  Malcolm  was  born  at  High  Prairie,  near  Lodi,  Wisconsin,  on  the 
22nd  day  of  July,  1867.  He  was  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Martha  (Burt)  Malcolm,  the 
former  born  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  while  the  latter  was  born  near  Cincinnati, 
Ohio.  The  father  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-two  years  and  the  mother 
died  when  sixty-five  years  of  age.  In  their  early  youth,  coming  to  Wisconsin  they 
had  met  and  married  and  in  1869  removed  to  Iowa.  The  journey  was  made  with 
their  children  by  wagon.  Mr.  Malcolm  purchased  some  railroad  laud,  the  section 
being  located  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  This  land  he  improved  and  built  a  fine 
home  on  it  where  he  resided  until  he  retired  to  Belle  Plaine  where  his  death 
occurred  in  1904.  Five  children  were  born  to  this  union,  only  one  of  whom  is 
living.  Mrs.  Malcolm  was  formerly  married  to  a  Mr.  Clarke  and  to  them  two 
children  were  born,  one  of  whom,  David  H.  Clarke,  is  still  living.  David  H. 
Clarke  is  residing  in  Boulder,  Wyoming,  and  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  that 
state.  He  has  a  large  horse  ranch  one  hundred  miles  northwest  of  Green  River. 
During  their  entire  wedded  lives  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Malcolm  were  consistent  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  every  year  he  gave  a  settled  amount  to  the 
church.  He  had  always  given  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  was  very 
active  in  its  interests. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  William  B.  Malcolm  attended  the  district 
school  and  high  school  at  Belle  Plaine,  Iowa,  and  after  putting  his  te.xt-books 
aside  made  his  initial  step  in  the  business  world  as  a  brakeman  on  the  Chicago  and 
Northwestern  Railroad.  He  served  at  this  occupation  until  September  10,  1887, 
when  he  came  to  Grand  Island,  Nebraska,  and  entered  a  business  college  for  six 
months.  At  the  termination  of  that  period  he  entered  into  the  employ  of  W.  F. 
Cody  at  North  Platte,  remaining  there  until  1889,  when  he  removed  to  Merrick 
county  and  farmed  for  one  year.  For  three  years  he  farmed  in  Polk  county  and 
then  on  the  1st  of  March,  1896,  moved  to  York.  On  first  removing  to  York  county 
he  had  engaged  as  a  salesman  in  an  implement  house  for  two  years  and  then  became 
connected  with  the  Deering  Harvester  Company,  for  which  concern  he  traveled  five 
years.  He  also  traveled  for  the  International  Harvester  Company  for  one  year.  On 
the  1st  of  March,  1905,  he  again  moved  onto  a  farm  because  of  his  wife's  health,  but 


WILLIAM  B.  MALCOLM 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIB' A' 

;,STOR,  LENOX  AND 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COFXTY  985 

her  death  oceiirred  on  the  10th  of  November,  1907,  aud  the  following  spring  he 
moved  to  York,  where  he  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  in  which  he  has  since 
continued.  Mr.  Malcolm  has  made  a  specialty  of  emigration  liusiness  and  has  land 
in  Texas,  Colorado,  and  Wyoming.  He  also  has  local  land  for  sale  and  trade  and 
owns  land  in  Kimball  county.  The  oflfices  of  Mr.  Malcolm  in  the  City  iSTational 
Bank  building  are  handsomely  appointed. 

On  March  1,  1896,  in  Polk  county,  Mr.  Malcolm  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Nancy  A.  Rystrom,  a  widow.  She  had  five  children  by  her  first  marriage  and  by 
her  second  marriage  two  children :  Martha,  the  wife  of  J.  H.  LaMunyon,  a 
farmer  in  Butler  county ;  and  Daniel  Dewey,  who  is  in  Denver,  Colorado.  Daniel  D. 
Malcolm  was  too  young  for  active  service  during  the  World  war,  but  after  the 
armistice  was  signed  he  enlisted  at  Des  Moines,  serving  less  than  a  year  when  he 
was  honorably  discharged  because  of  a  disabled  hand.  Mrs.  Malcolm  died  in  1907 
and  on  the  6th  of  September,  1911,  Mr.  Malcolm  was  again  married,  this  time  to 
Mrs.  Grace  Roby,  a  widow. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Malcolm  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  aud  he 
is  a  Mason  and  an  Elk.  He  has  always  been  ijidgijendent  in  politics,  voting  for  the 
man  rather  than  the  party,  but  'he  has  slightly  favored  the  democratic  faction. 
Hard  work  is  the  keynote  of  Mr.  Malcolm's  sitccess  and  every  minute  of  his  time 
is  devoted  to  his  business  which  is  always  on  the  increase. 

i 

^i^iu\ : — 

D.  J.  IvROEIviR 

Among  the  prominent  and  successful  men  of  York  lounty  it  is  fitting  to 
mention  D.  J.  Ivroeker,  a  progressive  farmer,  stock  raiser  and  grain  dealer.  He  is 
a  native  of  southern  Russia,  born  there  August  20,  1873,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Agnes 
(Jensen)  Ivroeker,  also  natives  of  that  country  wdiere  they  spent  their  early  lives 
and  immigrated  to  America  in  1875.  Jacob  I.  Ivroeker  located  in  Brown  town- 
ship, York  county,  and  bought  a  farm  which  he  operated  successfully  for  many 
years  and  here  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  1911.  His 
widow  survives  and  is  now  in  her  sixty-eighth  year.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  six  of  whom  are  living.  When  Mr.  Ivroeker  settled  in  Y'ork  county 
a  process  of  development  and  expansion  was  in  progress  to  which  he  rendered 
material  assistance  and  practical  effort. 

D.  J.  Ivroeker  was  but  two  years  old  when  he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  York 
county  and  was  here  reared  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  later  taking  a 
course  at  the  Fremont  Nonnal  School.  When  he  was  twenty-three  years  old  Mr. 
Ivroeker  became  identified  with  the  grain  business  at  Henderson,  in  this  line  of 
activity  proving  himself  equal  to  the  most  exacting  demands  w^hich  the  successful 
handling  of  that  business  entails.  He  rapidly  gained  a  reputation  as  an  expert  in 
the  buying  and  selling  of  grain,  together  with  a  keen  knowledge  of  what  con- 
stituted quality,  and  he  realized  corresponding  financial  results  as  a  reward  for  his 
sagacity.  He  also  engaged  in  farming,  proving  himself  an  adept  from  the  very 
beginning  in  stock  raising  and  general  agricultural  pursuits,  controlling  a  business 
of  large  volume  that  brings  him  a  good  financial  return.  He  is  now  the  owner  of 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  excellent  land,  located  in  Brown  township,  all  of 


986  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

which  is  splendidly  improved  with  fine  buildings,  and  it?  neat  and  attractive 
appearance  indicates  his  intelligently  directed  activity.  He  has  other  business 
connections  in  Henderson  and  is  a  stockholder  and  one  of  the  directors  of  the 
Farmers  State  Bank  of  Henderson,  this  prosperous  concern  deriving  considerable 
advantage  from  his  association  with  its  affairs. 

Mr.  Kroeker  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  marriage  was  to  Miss  Anna 
Friesen  and  to  this  union  was  born  one  daughter,  Anna,  now  the  wife  of  Jacob  H. 
Eampel,  who  lives  in  California.  Mrs.  Anna  Kroeker  passed  away  in  1896  and  two 
years  later  he  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Wolff,  a  daughter  of  Peter  Wolff,  a 
resident  of  this  county.  To  his  second  marriage  eight  children  have  been  born : 
John  D.,  Era,  Henry  D.,  Peter,  Agnes,  Jacob,  Mary  and  Daniel.  ]\Ir.  Kroeker  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Bethesda  church  and  their  lives  have  been  guided 
by  high  moral  standards.  He  supports  the  democratic  party  and  has  served  as 
assessor  for  five  years,  handling  the  duties  of  that  office  with  strict  impartiality. 
For  thirty  years  he  has  been  identified  with  the  life  and  business  of  York  county 
and  has  witnessed  many  favorable  changes  during  this  period,  having  by  his  own 
labors  in  no  small  measure  contributed  to  the  general  development  and  progress 
which  are  in  evidence  on  all  sides. 


WILLIAM  HENRY  DAVIS 

Prominent  among  the  energetic,  farsighted,  and  successful  business  men  of 
York  is  William  Henry  Davis,  who  has  contributed  much  to  the  public  progress  and 
improvement  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent  insurance 
men  of  the  state,  being  district  manager  of  the  Northwest  Life  Insurance  Company 
of  Milwaukee,  in  York.  He  was  born  in  Parke  county,  Indiana,  July  15,  1855,  the 
son  of  Alonzo  and  Maranda  (Applegate)  Davis.  The  father  was  born  in  New 
York  in  1824  and  passed  away  in  March,  1919,  while  the  mother  was  born  in 
Kentucky  in  1834,  and  died  in  1900.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  were  married  in  Indiana 
where  they  came  at  an  early  day,  and  lived  there  until  1877,  Mr.  Davis  being 
successfully  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber  and  shingles.  Disposing  of 
this  business  Mr.  Davis  removed  to  Howard  county,  Nebraska,  where  he  bought 
land  and  homesteaded,  remaining  there  for  eighteen  years,  at  the  end  of  this  time 
returning  to  Indiana  where  he  bought  a  farm  in  Vigo  county  and  resided  until 
the  death  of  his  wife.  After  her  death  he  lived  with  his  children  and  died  ih 
Oklahoma  at  the  home  of  his  eldest  daughter.  Mr.  Davis  and  his  wife  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  he  was  a  republican  in  politics.  He 
was  a  man  of  importance  in  his  community  and  did  much  to  aid  in  the  growth 
and  upbuilding  of  Parke  county,  Indiana.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Leland 
Davis,  was  born  in  New  York  but  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Parke  county, 
while  the  maternal  grandfather,  Nicholas  Applegate,  was  born  in  Kentucky  and 
later  removed  to  Indiana  where  he  died.  William  H.  Davis,  the  subject  of  this 
review,  is  one  of  the  four  living  children  out 'of  a  family  of  seven  born  to  Alonzo 
and  Maranda  Davis.  The  three  other  children  are:  Ella,  the  widow  of  William 
Irvin,  who  resides  in  Oklahoma;  Ada,  the  wife  of  C.  H.  Patterson  of  Chevenne, 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  987 

Wyoming,  who  is  an  engineer;  and  Levi,  who  is  manager  of  an  ice  plant  in  Terre 
Haute. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  William  Henry  Davis  attended  the  jjublic 
schools  of  Indiana  and  was  employed  in  the  woods  during  the  summer  months, 
earning  the  money  with  which  to  take  a  course  in  telegraphy.  His  first  occupation 
was  that  of  telegraph  operator,  and  he  served  in  that  capacity  and  as  station  agent 
for  a  period  of  twenty-nine  years.  He  was  engaged  at  several  stations  in  Indiana, 
and  in  November,  1879,  removed  to  Nebraska,  settling  in  Sutton.  The  Burlington 
was  building  west  and  he  was  sent  to  Hampton  and  then  to  York  as  station  agent 
in  1889.  For  five  years  he  remained  in  this  position  and  then  became  interested 
in  the  insurance  business.  He  became  connected  with  the  Northwest  Life  Insurance 
Company  of  Milwaukee  and  has  built  up  a  very  extensive  business.  He  is  district 
supervisor  and  has  twelve  district  agents  under  his  direction.  He  has  an  average 
yearly  business  of  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  and  the  year  of  1920  promises 
to  be  much  larger. 

In  1877  Mr.  Davis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Minnie  Cheney,  whose  death 
occurred  on  the  12th  of  September,  1894.  She  was  the  mother  of  two  children: 
Dora  May,  the  wife  of  I.  M.  Rice,  postmaster  at  Valentine;  and  Glenn  C,  a 
physician  and  surgeon  of  California.  On  the  first  of  January,  1896,  he  was  again 
married,  this  time  to  Miss  Clara  Clift  of  Sutton.  No  children  have  been  born 
to  this  union.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis'  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
and  she  is  very  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  organization. 

Politically  Mr.  Davis  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party.  He  is  a 
Eoyal  Arch  Mason  and  lias  always  been  active  in  Masonic  work.  He  is  past  master 
and  past  high  priest,  and  exemplified  the  master  masons  degree  before  one  of  the 
largest  bodies  of  Masons  ever  gathered,  the  event  taking  place  in  the  Chicago  Masonic 
Temple  in  1893.  For  many  years  he  has  been  an  officer  and  trustee  of  the  York 
lodge.  The  success  which  Mr.  Davis  now  enjoys  is  the  result  of  his  own 
individuality  and  merit,  for  he  determined  to  allow  no  obstacles  to  bar  his  path  if 
they  could  be  overcome  by  persistent,  earnest  and  honorable  effort,  and  gradually 
as  the  result  of  his  determination  and  enterprise  he  has  advanced  until  he  is  classed 
with  the  representative  business  men  of  York. 


SOLOMON  SWANSON 


Solomon  Swanson,  who  is  living  retired  in  Gresham,  York  county,  is  now 
enjoying  a  period  of  well  merited  leisure  made  possible  by  his  former  successful 
labors  as  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  in  which  lines  of  labor  he  was  actively  engaged 
in  the  county  for  about  thirty  years.  He  was  born  in  Sweden,  September  35, 
18.39,  a  son  of  Swan  Swanson  and  Mattie  Lawson,  both  of  whom  spent  their 
entire  lives  in  that  country  where  they  passed  away  many  years  ago. 

Solomon  Swanson  was  a  farmer  in  Sweden  and  when  he  had  reached  his  thirty- 
second  year  he  decided  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  United  States.  Accordingly,  in 
1871,  he  inmiigrated  to  this  counti-y  landing  at  New  York,  the  passage  being 
made  by  steamboat.  He  went  to  Branston,  Illinois,  and  worked  on  farms  by  the 
month,  remaining  in  one  employment  for  nine  years,  which  easily  established  a 


O.SS  ITTSTOT^Y    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

record  in  that  connection.  Later  lie  worked  on  a  railroad  in  Indiana,  following 
which  he  came  to  Stewart  townsliip  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  railroad  land  for 
which  he  paid  seven  dollars  an  acre.  This  was  in  1880  but  he  did  not  occupy  his 
holding  until  1882,  when  he  arrived  on  the  place  and  ])ut  up  a  frame  house,  four- 
teen feet  by  twenty  feet  and  also  a  frame  barn.  He  broke  the  sod  and  commenced 
the  cultivation  of  crops,  but  during  the  dry  seasons  failed  to  ])roduce  anything  of 
value.  He  gave  persistent  attention  tn  the  iiiiprcivenu'iit  and  care  of  his  farm, 
planted  many  rows  of  trees  and  set  out  a  tine  orchard,  while  the  management  of 
his  general  farming  and  stock  raising  was  tjie  equal  of  any  in  the  district.  During 
the  great  blizzard  of  1887  he  was  fortunate  enough  to  have  all  his  stock  in  the 
liarns  and  so  escaped  much  loss.  In  1910  Mr.  Swanson  retired  from  the  farm  and 
moved  to  Gresham,  where  he  is  comfortably  situated. 

Mr.  Swanson  was  married  in  Princeton,  Illinois,  to  Ida  Carlson,  a  native  of 
Sweden,  and  they  are  ths  i)arents  of  one  son,  C.  Henry,  who  now  operates  the  old 
farm.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  at  Gresham  and  he  gives 
his  political  support  to  the  republican  ])arty.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers 
Elevator,  in  the  Telephone  Company  and  in  the  Farmers  Co-operative  Store,  and  in 
other  ways  has  helped  to  promote  the  business  interests  of  Gresham. 


JOHN  J.  GOOSSEN 


A  successful  career  has  lieen  that  of  John  J.  Goossen,  who  now  follows  farming 
and  stock  raising  on  section  27.  Brown  township,  York  county.  He  has  lived  in 
this  county  for  nearly  forty  years  and  is  concentrating  his  efforts  and  attention 
upon  the  development  and  improvement  of  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres. 
He  is  a  native  of  southern  Eussia.  itorn  in  that  country  January  16,  1868,  a  son  of 
Johann  and  Hellen  (Peters)  Goossen,  also  natives  of  Kussia  and  who  immigrated 
to  America  in  187!).  The  parents  located  in  York  county  and  became  engaged  in 
farming,  operating  with  much  success  a  holding  which  they  acquired.  On  this  farm 
the  mother  died  in  liJ06  and  in  that  year  the  father  returned  to  Russia,  where  he 
survived  until  1914,  passing  away  at  an  advanced  age.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  childi'en,  fnur  of  whom  are  living.  During  their  residence  in  York  county 
they  won  the  esteem  and  friendship  of  a  large  percentage  of  the  citizenship,  Ijecause 
of  their  sterling  worth  and  uprightness  of  character. 

AVhen  his  parents  left  Russia  John  J.  Goossen  was  but  a  lad  of  eleven  years  and 
he  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  York  county,  attending  the  public  schools  for 
a  few  years.  He  helped  on  the  home  farm  until  he  reached  his  majority  when  he 
started  farming  on  his  own  account  and  has  ever  since  been  successfully  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits.  Mr.  Goossen  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  excellent  land,  located  on  section  87,  Brown  township,  where  he  carries 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  his  efforts  and  industry  from  the  beginning 
having  been  well  rewarded.  Upon  this  ]dace  many  modern  improvements  have  lieen 
nuulc,  the  buildings  are  substantial  and  commodious,  the  fences  well  kejit  and  every- 
thing about  the  place  indicates  the  progressive  spirit  of  the  owner.  In  addition  tn 
looking  after  his  business  on  the  farm  he  finds  time  to  take  an  interest  in  the 
affairs  of  the   Farmers   State  Bank  of   Henderson,  serving  that  institution   as  a 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  989 

member  of  the  board  of  directors.    He  has  learned  much  in  life  through  observation 
and  experience  and  has  become  a  well  informed  business  man. 

In  1891  Mr.  Goossen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Agnetha  Kroeker,  a  native 
of  southern  Russia  and  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Agnetha  (Jensen)  Kroeker,  men- 
tioned elsewhere  in  this  work.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goossen  eleven  children  have  been 
born,  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the  others  being  as  follows :  Jacob  K.  married 
Grace  Fisher,  and  is  a  farmer  in  York  county ;  Helen,  the  wife  of  J.  H.  Friesen 
of  York  county;  Agnes,  who  married  P.  L.  Wiens  of  York  county;  Mary,  who  is 
training  as  a  nurse  in  the  Lutheran  Hospital  in  York;  J.  M.,  who  is  now  in  the 
United  States  Army;  Kathrine ;  Daniel,  and  William.  They  are  members  of  the 
Bethesda  church  at  Henderson  and  cheerfully  give  moral  and  financial  support  to 
its  work.  Mr.  Goossen's  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the  democratic  party  and 
he  has  served  very  acceptably  as  a  member  of  the  local  school  board,  his  interest  in 
educational  matters  being  very  pronounced.  He  has  readily  adapted  himself  to 
changing  conditions  in  the  business  world  and  as  he  has  progressed  step  by  step 
has  gained  a  broader  outlook  and  wider  opportunities. 


SEDGWICK  W.  PETTIS 


Sedgwick  W.  Pettis,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  York  county,  having 
come  here  in  1870,  and  there  were  few  experiences  of  pioneer  life  with  which  he  was 
not  familiar.  He  was-born  in  Wyoming,  New  York,  July  3,  1844,  a  son  of  Zina  H. 
and  Amanda  (Sedgwick)  Pettis,  natives  of  New  York.  In  tlie  later  50's^  the 
father  removed  to  Sheboygan  county,  Wisconsin,  and  there  engaged  in  general 
farming. 

Sedgwick  W.  Pettis  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  New  York  and  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  years  removed  with  his  parents  to  Wisconsin.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  years  he  commenced  farming  on  his  own  account,  but  on  the  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  war  put  aside  his  agricultural  pursuits  and  entered  the  service.  He  Joined 
Co.  F,  Twenty-Seventh  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry,  his  company  being  second 
of  the  regiment  to  arrive  at  Camp  Washburn,  Milwaukee,  where  they  were  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service.  They  were  not  ordered  south,  however,  until  the  30th 
of  the  following  March,  when  they  went  to  Columbus,  Kentucky.  From  this  time 
on  Mr.  Pettis  was  in  active  service  and  while  in  the  Camden  expedition  in 
Arkansas,  April  10,  1864,  received  a  wound  in  the  left  leg  which  was  not  con- 
sidered serious  at  the  time.  However,  the  wound  caused  him  constant  pain  and 
later  in  life  it  was  necessary  to  have  the  leg  amputated  above  the  knee.  His 
death,  which  occurred  on  the  27th  of  December,  1894,  was  attributed  to  the  effects 
of  the  wound.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  Wisconsin,  farming  his  forty  acres 
of  land  which  he  had  acquired  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  This  land  was  thickly 
studded  with  timber,  mostly  maple  trees  which  were  the  source  of  a  plentiful  supply 
of  sugar.  In  1870  he  came  to  York  county  where  he  acquired  a  homestead  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Leroy  township.  He  drove  from  Wisconsin  to  York 
county  in  a  prairie  schooner,  it  taking  him  four  weeks  to  make  the  trip,  crossing  the 
Missouri  river  at  Plattsmouth,  Nebraska,  on  a  ferry  boat.  There  were  only  two 
small  buildings  in  this  county  when  Mr.  Pettis  first  settled  here,  and  his  land  was 

Vol.  II — 25 


9!)0  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

in  a  wild  and  uncultivated  state.  His  first  home  was  part  sod  and  part  dugout, 
having  a  dirt  floor  and  roof,  and  two  half  windows  which  aided  in  lighting  the 
otherwise  dark  interior.  The  liarn  was  also  a  primitive  structure  of  sod  with  a 
straw  roof.  The  first  year  he  broke  thirty  acres  which  he  planted  in  sod  corn,  this 
crop  yielding  three  hundred,  bushels.  He  also  put  out  an  orchard  and  a  grove,  the 
first  venture  proving  unsuccessful.  He  took  his  grain  to  the  grist-mill  at  Milford, 
thirty  miles  away,  and  his  buckwheat  for  flour  had  to  he  ground  in  a  coffee  mill. 
Mr.  Pettis  had  a  cash  capital  of  but  fifty  cents  when  he  came  to  York  and  one 
team,  a  cow  and  a  pig.  He  sold  his  wheat  for  twenty-five  cents  a  bushel  and  used 
his  cornstalks  for  fuel.  Mrs.  Pettis  remembers  many  meals  which  she  prepared 
over  the  cornstalks.  During  "93  and  '94  he  was  burned  out  by  the  hot  winds. 
Mr.  Pettis  worked  under  difficulties  which  would  have  overpowered  most  men  but 
he  was  of  the  brave,  red-blooded  pioneer  stock  that  allowed  no  obstacle  to  remain 
in  his  way.  His  wounded  leg  caused  him  much  trouble  and  he  underwent  three 
operations,  finally  having  the  leg  amputated  above  the  knee.  His  farm,  however, 
soon  reached  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  he  later  purchased  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  well  improved  railroad  land  which  he  disposed  of,  realizing  a  sub- 
stantial sum  on  the  sale. 

In  Wisconsin  Mr.  Pettis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Amanda  Townsend,  a 
native  of  Jlonroe  county,  New  York,  and  to  them  si.x  children  were  born ;  the  two 
oldest,  Lewis  and  Harry,  are  deceased ;  Eliza,  the  wife  of  J.  P.  Hart,  of  Cald- 
well, Idaho;  Alice,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years;  Martin,  who  is  deceased; 
and  Euth,  who  is  the  wife  of  George  Page.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Page  are  the  parents  of 
two  children,  May  and  Effie,  who  are  now  attending  grade  school,  and  they  all 
make  their  home  with  Mrs.  Pettis.  Mrs.  Pettis  is  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  the  activities  of  which  organization  she  takes  an 
active  part. 

Politically  Mr.  Pettis  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  and  for  some 
time  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  of  Leroy  township.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  was  for  many  years  a  trustee  in  the  church.  He 
was  likewi.se  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  of  York.  Mr.  Pettis  saw  the  work  of  progress 
and  development  carried  steadily  forward  and  at  all  times  bore  his  jsart,  especially 
along  the  line  of  agricultural  improvement.  He  never  hesitated  to  take  a  forward 
step  and  he  gradually  advanced  until  he  was  ranked  among  the  most  successful 
farmers  in  York  county.  The  sterling  traits  of  his  character  were  many  and  all 
who  knew  him  speak  of  him  in  terms  of  high  regard. 


HERBERT  E.  BLUM 


Herbert  R.  Blum  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  York  county  who  is  successfully 
engaged  in  the  occupation  of  farming.  He  was  born  on  the  farm  which  he  now 
owns  and  operates,  January  5,  1892,  a  son  of  Julius  Blum,  a  record  of  whom 
appears  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

Reared  under  the  parental  roof,  acquiring  an  education  in  the  pulilic  schools 
and  learning  the  best  methods  of  planting  and  harvesting  under  the  guidance  of  hie 
father,  he  wisely  chose  tlie  occupation  with  which  he  was  familiar.     He  assisted  in 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  991 

the  conduct  of  the  home  farm  and  later  became  a  farmer  on  his  own  account.  He 
has  come  into  possession  of  the  old  homestead  by  purchase  from  his  father  and 
owns  a  well  improved  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  devoted  to  general 
farming. 

Herbert  E.  Blum  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bertha  Burhoop,  a  native  of 
York  county  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  four  childreen :  Eoy,  Verna, 
Erwin  and  Clarence. 


CHAELES  N.  CAEPENTEE 

Charles  X.  Carpenter,  who  is  engaged  in  the  retail  coal  business,  is  one  of  the 
prominent  citizens  of  York.  His  birth  occurred  on  the  14th  of  October,  1862,  in 
Wisconsin,  the  son  of  Horatio  Nelson  and  Sarah  Elizabeth  (White)  Carpenter,  the 
former  born  in  Onondaga  county,  New  York,  in  1833  and  died  in  1912,  and  the 
latter  born  in  Missouri  in  1839,  and  now  residing  in  Chicago.  Their  marriage  took 
place  in  Wisconsin  where  they  resided  for  a  number  of  years.  On  the  first  of 
March,  1878,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carpenter  removed  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  Syracuse 
where  Mr.  Carpenter  conducted  a  lumber-yard  for  a  number  of  years,  and  about 
four  years  prior  to  his  death  retired  to  Wymore,  at  which  place  his  death  occurred. 
In  the  conduct  of  his  lumber  business  he  was  very  successful  and  in  addition  to  his 
yard  at  Syracuse  he  had  purchased  two  yards  in  York  which  he  consolidated  and 
put  in  charge  of  his  son,  Charles  N.  Carpenter.  Upon  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil 
war  Mr.  Carpenter  immediately  volunteered  his  services  and  served  for  some  time 
in  a  Wisconsin  regiment.  His  father  was  a  native  of  New  York  state  and  a  shoe- 
maker by  trade.  He  followed  his  trade  in  Wisconsin  for  some  years  and  his  death 
occurred  while  at  work  on  the  bench.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Horatio  N.  Carpenter  were 
the  parents  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely :  Charles  N.,  the 
subject  of  this  review;  Berdina,  who  is  employed  with  the  Burlington  Eailway  at 
Wymore  and  has  been  with  them  for  years;  Dr.  Alden  Carpenter;  and  Eubie,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Leon  Murdock,  one  of  the  prominent  men  connected  with  the  Bur- 
lington Railroad.  Dr.  Alden  Carpenter  was  the  first  dental  surgeon  in  government 
service  from  Nebraska.  He  has  been  in  service  since  the  Spanish- American  war, 
when  he  was  the  first  to  be  sent  from  the  state  of  Nebraska.  During  the  World 
war  he  was  chief  surgeon  at  Fort  Sam  Houston,  and  he  is  now  located  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Charles  N.  Carpenter  attended  the  high 
school  at  Darlington,  Wisconsin,  and  later  entered  the  University  of  Nebraska 
where  he  remained  for  a  short  time.  He  then  went  to  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  where 
he  took  a  course  in  a  business  college,  at  the  completion  of  which  he  entered  into 
the  employ  of  his  father  for  a  year.  At  the  termination  of  this  time  his  father 
placed  him  in  charge  of  the  yard,  which  he  conducted  from  1882  until  1893.  He 
met  with  much  competition  in  this  business,  but  by  his  fair  and  honorable  methods 
built  up  a  large  trade  and  made  many  friends.  In  1893  he  sold  his  lumber-yard 
and  for  twenty  years  traveled  on  the  road  in  the  capacity  of  general  eastern  agent 
for  the  Wyoming  Coal  Company.  He  traveled  throughout  the  state  selling  coal  and 
handled  all  of  the  coal  shipments  to  the  east.  During  this  time  he  made  his  home 
in  York.     In  1910  he  quit  the  road  and  started  into  the  retail  coal  business  in 


998  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

which  he  is  still  successfully  engaged.  Although  most  of  his  time  has  been  spent 
furthering  the  development  of  his  coal  business  he  served  York  as  city  clerk  for 
three  terms  and  has  always  been  interested  in  the  growth  and  improvement  of  his 
community. 

In  1884  Mr.  Carpenter  was  married  to  Miss  Eva  I.  Bray,  a  native  of  Michigan, 
and  to  them  two  daughters  were  born,  namely :  Pearl,  wiio  was  first  married  to 
Gray  Bemis,  who  was  on  the  staff  of  the  World-Herald  for  a  number  of  years  to 
the  time  of  his  death;  she  later  became  the  wife  of  a  Mr.  Leonard,  a  wholesale 
druggist,  and  makes  her  home  in  Omaha;  and  Cecile,  who  is  the  wife  of  Orson 
Sovereign,  an  employe  of  the  Burlington  Railroad  at  Lincoln.  Mrs.  Carpenter's 
death  occurred  in  1887,  and  in  March,  1888,  Mr.  Carpenter  was  again  wedded,  this 
time  to  Miss  Elaine  Barnes,  a  native  of  Nebraska.  To  this  last  union  two  children 
have  been  born:  Elaine,  who  is  married  and  resides  in  Newcastle,  Wyoming;  and 
Charles,  who  resides  on  a  claim  in  Medicine  Bow.  Charles  Carpenter  is  an  expert 
horseman.  He  entered  the  World  war  in  1917  and  went  to  France  where  he  was 
engaged  in  active  service  for  one  and  one-half  years.  The  death  of  the  second 
Mrs.  Carpenter  occurred  in  1916.  She  was  an  active  member  of  the  Episcopal 
church. 

Politically  Mr.  Carpenter  is  a  republican  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Masons  and  to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Not  only  has  Mr.  Car- 
penter aided  in  the  development  and  growth  of  York  but  he  was  also  influential  in 
the  development  of  the  oil  business  in  Wyoming  at  an  early  day.  He  is  still 
actively  engaged  in  the  coal  business  and  is  recognized  by  his  fellowmen  as  one  of 
the  most  successful  business  men  in  York  county. 


WILLIAM  HOHNBAUM 


William  Hohnbauni,  formerly  connected  with  the  agricultural  development  of 
York  County  and  in  more  recent  years  associated  \ritii  the  business  life  of  Waco 
where  lie  lived  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  December  39,  1919,  was  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  March  15,  1847,  a  son  of  Conrad  Hohnbauni  and  wife.  The 
parents  immigrated  to  America  about  1853,  the  voyage  being  made  on  an  old 
sailing  vessel  and  about  six  weeks  were  occupied  in  crossing  the  Atlantic.  Follow- 
ing his  arrival  in  New  York  harbor  the  father  went  on  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
worked  for  some  years  and  in  that  state  his  last  days  were  sjient. 

William  HdJnibauni,  when  a  little  lad  of  five  years,  accompanied  his  father  to 
this  country  in  1833  and  received  a  limited  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  reared  in  his  father's  home  and  when  he  had  reached  his 
seventeenth  year  volunteered  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  liccoming  a  member  of 
Battery  L,  Third  Pennsylvania  Artillery,  serving  for  a  time  as  a  colonel's  orderly. 
Later  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  guard  placed  over  Jefferson  Davis,  president 
of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  when  Davis  was  captured  at  Ft.  Monroe.  His  war 
service  extended  over  a  period  of  one  year  and  eight  months  and  at  the  end  of 
hostilities  he  was  honorably  discharged  and  returned  to  Pennsylvania  where  he 
began  the  life  of  a  farmer,  in  which  line  he  continued  for  about  six  years  in  that 
state. 


m 

'A 

w 
o 

K 

% 
< 


K 

Q 
Z 
< 


\ 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  995 

On  December  26,  1867,  Mr.  Hohnbaum  %yas  united  in  nmniage  to  Catherine 
Girton  and  to  this  union  one  child  was  born :  Mrs.  Sadie  Stroup,  now  residing  in 
Burke,  South  Dakota.  About  four  years  after  his  marriage,  or  in  October,  1871, 
Mr.  Hohnbaum  came  to  Nebraska,  making  the  journey  to  Lincoln  by  train,  and 
took  a  homestead  within  one-half  mile  of  Waco.  His  place  consisted  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  which  he  put  up  a  small  shanty  built  of  lumber 
which  he  hauled  from  Lincoln  and  a  barn  constructed  of  sods.  He  proved  up  on 
the  holding  and  commenced  to  prepare  the  ground  for  cultivation,  breaking  the 
sod  with  a  team  composed  of  a  cow  and  an  ox  and  in  a  short  time  had  a  large 
part  of  the  open  prairie  under  control  and  in  productive  condition.  As  things 
progressed  with  him  he  improved  and  developed  the  farm  on  which  he  planted 
large  numbers  of  trees,  but  in  bad  seasons  he  was  compelled  to  burn  corn-stalks 
for  fuel  and  also  chopped  wood  along  the  banks  of  the  Blue  river,  which  he  hauled 
home  for  the  same  purpose.  Finally  Mr.  Hohnbaum  succeeded  in  getting  his  entire 
holding  into  a  condition  of  profitable  agricultural  operation  and  continued  to 
reside  on  the  place  for  several  years,  when  he  sold  the  homestead  and  bought  a 
home  in  Waco.  On  taking  up  his  residence  in  Waco  he  bought  and  sold  grain  and 
handled  live  stock,  in  addition  to  these  activities "  managing  a  general  mercantile 
store  and  at  the  same  time  gave  attention  to  farming.  His  business  energy  was 
practically  without  bounds  and  his  indefatigable  efforts  produced  splendid  results. 
He  was  exceedingly  popular  and  his  death  on  December  39,  1919,  was  the  occa- 
sion for  widespread  expressions  of  regret  and  sympathy  to  his  widow  and  family. 

Sometime  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife  Mr.  Hohnbaum  married  Elizabeth 
Knorr,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Miranda  (Skaden) 
Knorr,  who  settled  in  York  county  and  bought  a  tract  of  railroad  land  which  they 
operated  for  many  years,  finally  moving  to  Waco,  where  their  last  days  were  spent. 
To  Mr.  Hohnbaum's  second  marriage  the  following  children  were  born:  Dora, 
who  was  married  and  subsequently  died,  after  which  her  father  reared  her  family; 
John  W.,  a  farmer  of  York  county;  Carrie  Ellen,  the  wife  of  Gene  Roland  of 
Havelock;  Harry  S.,  living  at  Friend,  Nebraska;  and  William  C,  deceased.  For 
years  Mr.  Hohnbaum  was  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 
and  also  held  membership  in  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  His  religious 
affiliation  was  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  the  teachings  of  which  he 
was  ever  loyal,  modeling  his  life  Ijy  the  Golden  Rule.  In  political  matters  he 
supported  the  republican  party  but  had  never  been  a  seeker  after  public  office, 
preferring  to  devote  his  time  and  efforts  to  his  business  interests. 


WARREN  F.  ECKLES,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Warren  F.  Eckles,  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat  specialist  of  York,  has  by 
reason  of  broad  study  and  wide  experience  gained  distinction  as  one  of  the  most 
eminent  physicians  west  of  Omaha  in  the  state  of  Nebraska.  He  performs  most 
of  the  surgical  operations  of  the  kind  in  York  and  is  one  of  the  most  successful 
physicians  in  the  state. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Dr.  Eckles  attended  the  Carthage  College,  at 
Carthage,  Illinois,  for  a  period  of  four  years,  at  the  termination  of  which  time, 


996  HISTOEY    OF   YORK    COUXTY 

deciding  upon  a  professional  career,  lie  entered  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Sur- 
geons at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  now  the  University  of  Iowa.  In  1898  he  was  graduated 
from  this  college  and  commenced  practice  at  Carthage,  Illinois,  remaining  there  for 
two  years.  In  1900  he  removed  to  York  where  he  engaged  in  a  general  practice  for 
thirteen  years,  when  he  decided  to  specialize.  As  a  result  of  this  decision 
Dr.  Eckles  discontinued  his  general  practice  and  devotes  his  time  and  practice 
exclusively  to  the  diseases  of  the  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat.  He  has  Iniilt  up  a 
practice  and  does  most  of  the  surgical  work  of  this  kind  in  the  county.  In  keeping 
ahreast  with  the  advances  being  made  in  his  profession  Dr.  Eckles  has  taken  a 
number  of  post-graduate  course-^,  attending  the  Eye,  Ear,  Xose  and  Throat  College 
of  Chicago,  taking  a  course  under  A.  H.  Andrews  of  Cliieago,  and  under 
Dr.  Ketcham  of  Los  Angeles.  California.  He  has  made  a  study  of  the  eye  alone 
under  J.  E.  Yallee  of  Xew  York,  and  alsci  in  Cliieago  and  Kansas  City,  and  at  the 
Knapp  Memorial  Hospital  in  New  York. 

In  1898  Dr.  Eckles  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Dora  Bower,  who  was  a 
native  of  Kansas.  One  son,  Eobert,  has  been  born  to  this  union,  and  is  now  a 
.sturdy  lad  of  ten  years.  Mrs.  Eckles  was  also  educated  in  medicine  and  while 
attending  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  she  met  her  husband.  For  ten 
years  following  their  marriage  she  practiced  with  Dr.  Eckles,  but  has  now  given  up 
her  profession.     Dr.  and  Mrs.  Eckles  attend  the  Congregational  church. 

Politically  Dr.  Eckles  is  a  republican,  well  versed  on  the  questions  and  issues 
of  the  day  but  without  ambition  in  the  line  of  office  holding.  Fraternally  he  is 
affiliated  with  the  Masons  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  professionally  he  is  a 
member  of  the  York  County,  Nebraska  State  and  the  American  Medical  x\ssocia- 
tions.  Dr.  Eckles  stands  very  high  in  professional  circles  and  has  one  of  the 
largest  practices  west  of  Omaha  in  the  state  of  Nebraska. 


F.  0.  PRICE 

Among  the  native  sons  of  York  county  who  have  elected  to  continue  residents 
thereof  is  F.  0.  Price,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  on  section  2,  New  York  township. 
He  was  born  in  1882,  a  son  of  Thomas  Price  and  wife,  well  known  residents  of  this 
part  of  Nebraska  and  further  and  extended  reference  to  whom  is  made  elsewhere 
in  this  work. 

F.  0.  Price  was  reared  in  his  father's  home  and  received  his  early  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  the  county,  later  entering  the  York  Business  College  at  York, 
from  which  institution  he  emerged  well  equipped  with  a  business  education,  the 
advantages  of  which  have  been  apparent  in  the  results  of  his  farming  ojjerations. 
Believing  that  a  farming  career  offered  inducements  the  equal  of  any  other  that  a 
man  starting  in  life  may  select,  Mr.  Price  commenced  the  operation  of  a  farm  on 
his  own  account  in  1906,  and  his  well  directed  efforts  have  brought  him  a  substan- 
tial competence,  enabling  him  and  his  family  to  enjoy  some  of  the  solid  comforts  of 
life.  His  sphere  of  farm  activities  covers  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  at  the 
same  time  feeding  a  choice  strain  of  live  stock  which  find  ready  markets  at  good 
prices.  The  farm  is  maintained  in  good  condition  and  a  substantial  and  well-built 
residence  houses  the  family. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  997 

In  1907  Mr.  Price  was  united  in  marriage  to  Xora  Bowesock,  a  native  of  Tiiaj'er, 
daughter  of  S.  H.  Bowesock,  a  sketch  of  whose  life  is  given  elsewhere  in  tliis  work. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Price  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Sheldon  and  Reginald,  both 
attending  school.  The  Price  family  are  earnest  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  in  all  the  good  works  of  which  they  take  a  deejj  interest.  He  gives  political 
allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  in  local  affairs  stands  for  progressiveness  and 
clean  public  life.  For  years  he  has  been  serving  as  a  member  of  the  county  board, 
to  the  duties  of  which  he  brings  a  sound  intelligence  and  practical  common  sense. 
Men  who  know  him  speak  of  him  in  terms  of  the  highest  regard  both  as  to  rela- 
tionship with  business  affairs  and  in  matters  of  citizenship. 


THOMAS  J.  HATFIELD,  D.  D.  S. 

For  forty  years  Dr.  Thomas  J.  Hatfield  has  practiced  dentistry  in  York  and  he 
is  now  the  oldest  representative  of  his  profession  in  that  place  and  one  of  the  oldest 
in  eastern  Nebraska.  He  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Indiana,  on  the  11th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1851,  the  son  of  Armisted  and  Mary  (Richison)  Hatfield,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Tennessee  and  removed  to  Indiana  in  1830.  The  grandfather  of 
Dr.  Hatfield,  Ale  Hatfield  was  a  native  of  Virginia  and  was  descended  from  the 
Hatfields  of  England  who  were  among  the  Roundheads.  When  he  grew  to  manhood 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Xancy  Young.  During  early  life  they  removed  to  eastern 
Tennessee,  and  located  in  the  midst  of  the  beauty  and  grandeur  of  the  Cumberland 
mountains,  on  the  last  fork  of  the  Cumberland  river  where  the  inhabitants  were 
very  few.  Here  nature  was  found  in  her  wildest  forms,  and  this  isolated  spot  held 
a  great  attraction  for  Mr.  Hatfield.  Bear,  deer  and  other  game  were  in  abundance 
and  he  was  a  strong  devotee  of  the  chase.  His  little  valley  farm  he  cultivated  with 
great  care  and  pride,  and  the  products  of  this  little  farm  together  with  the  deer 
and  bear  meat  kept  his  table  plentifully  supplied.  The  greater  part  of  their  lives 
was  passed  on  this  farm  wliich  contained  not  more  than  thirty  acres.  During  their 
early  residence  here  the  nearest  cabin  was  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles  and  no  wagon 
could  be  driven  within  twenty  miles  of  this  "hunter's  paradise."  It  was  amid  these 
beautiful  natural  surroundings  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hatfield  reared  their  family. 
Some  of  them  reached  manhood  and  womanhood  imable  to  read  or  write,  and  none 
of  them  had  ever  seen  a  newspaper  or  book  until  they  reached  middle  life.  The 
boys  became  experts  in  the  use  of  the  rifle,  and  also  with  the  hoe,  the  only  agricul- 
tural implement  in  use  at  that  time.  The  girls  of  the  family  were  taught  to  grow 
and  spin  flax  and  they  wove  all  of  the  cloth  used  in  making  the  garments  worn  by 
the  family.  It  was  in  this  mountain  home  that  Armisted  Hatfield  grew  to  man- 
hood. His  birth  occurred  in  Fentress  county,  March  9,  1809,  and  on  reaching  man's 
estate  he  was  married  to  Mary  Richison,  who  was  a  native  of  eastern  Tennessee. 
After  their  marriage  they  left  the  mountains  and  removed  to  southern  Indiana  set- 
tling on  a  farm  in  Greene  county,  in  1828.  Here  they  resided  for  thirty-two  years 
and  cultivated  and  developed  their  land.  Dr.  Thomas  J.  Hatfield,  whose  name 
heads  this  review,  was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  twelve  children  born  to  this 
union,  ten  of  whom  grew  to  maturity. 


998  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Dr.  'J'humas  J.  Hatfield  is  indebted  to  the  public  schools  of  Greene  county,  Indi- 
ana, for  his  education,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  was  married.  He  con- 
tinued to  work  with  and  for  his  father  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-five  years, 
when  having  aided  his  father  in  securing  considerable  property  he  felt  that  he  was 
free  to  seek  another  means  of  livelihood.  He  then  commenced  the  study  of  den- 
tistry in  the  office  of  Dr.  Driscoll  where  he  remained  for  one  year,  at  the  termina- 
tion of  which  time  he  entered  the  dental  department  of  the  Indiana  University.  On 
completing  his  dental  education  he  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Owensburg  and 
opened  an  office  where  he  practiced  successfully  for  a  period  of  four  years.  In  1882 
he  decided  to  remove  to  Nebraska  and  as  a  re.sult  located  in  York.  He  opened 
an  office  here  and  immediately  estaldished  a  very  large  practice,  which  he  still  enjoys 
at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years. 

In  1871  Dr.  Hatfield  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  ]\Iartha  Ensh  and  they 
have  become  parents  of  one  son.  Homer  R.  Homer  R.  has  followed  in  the  footsteps 
of  his  father  and  is  now  a  successful  dentist  at.  Grand  Island.  He  was  prepared 
for  his  professional  career  at  the  Xorthwestern  Dental  School  of  Chicago  and  later 
was  graduated  from  the  Omaha  Dental  College. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Dr.  Hatfield  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party,  and  fraternally  he  is  a  Mason  and  a 
Knight  of  Pythias. 


C.  MASON  ALBIN 


C.  Mason  Albin,  a  prominent  and  well-to-do  farmer  living  on  section  33,  Lock- 
ridge  township,  is  generally  regarded  as  one  of  the  representative  agriculturists  of 
York  county.  Mr.  Albin  is  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  born  in  that  state  January 
26,  1867,  a  son  of  John  A.  and  Betty  (Allison)  Albin,  also  natives  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, where  for  many  years  John  A.  Albin  was  in  the  milling  business,  conducting 
a  flour  mill  at  Kabletown  and  carrying  on  others  under  lease.  Mr.  Albin  was  one 
of  the  prominent  millers  in  the  section  of  West  Virginia  in  which  he  resided  and 
in  that  place  his  family  was  reared.  Mr.  Albin  and  his  wife  were  earnest  members 
of  the  Methodist  church,  in  the  good  works  of  which  they  were  active  participants, 
and  he  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  His  political  affiliation  was  with  the 
democratic  party  but  he  had  never  been  a  seeker  after  public  office,  and  at  all  times 
gave  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  development  and  progress  along  sane  lines. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Albin  became  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  those  besides  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  being:  Alice,  wife  of  Horace  Hoffmaster  of  Benedict; 
John  A.,  of  Osceola,  Nebraska,  in  former  years  living  at  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Mary, 
deceased,  who  married  Joe  Jackson  of  Osceola;  Nanny,  wife  of  William  Lewis  of 
Springfield,  Missouri;  Maggie,  widow  of  James  Langdon  of  Charlestown,  West 
Virginia;  Ida,  wife  of  Edgar  Konklin,  also  of  Charlestown;  Bessie,  living  in 
Charlestown;  James,  living  in  Charlestown ;  Abner,  an  M.  I),  of  Charlestown ;  Lewis, 
cashier  in  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank,  Charlestown;  and  William,  deceased. 
The  members  of  the  family  are  all  well  circumstanced  and  owe  their  success  in 
large  degree  to  the  worthy  example  set  by  their  parents. 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  999 

C.  Mason  Albiii,  the  subject  of  this  sketch",  was  reared  in  his  father's  home  in 
West  Virginia  where  he  received  liis  edneation  in  the  pulilic  schools,  continuLiig  to 
live  in  liis  native  state  until  1891  in  which  year  he  took  up  residence  in  Benedict. 
On  settling  in  this  part  of  Nebraska  he  commenced  working  out  by  the  month 
engaged  on  neighborhood  farms  and  after  the  lapse  of  some  time  he  rented  land 
which  he  continued  to  operate  for  some  years.  He  then  moved  to  Harlan  county 
where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  worked  that  place  along  agricultural  lines,  ulti- 
mately selling  to  advantage  and  returning  to  York  county  in  1914.  In  the  latter 
year  he  acquired  his  present  place  and  has  since  been  closely  identified  with  the 
agricultural  life  of  the  district,  being  extensively  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  success  attending  his  well-directed  efforts  from  the  very  commence- 
ment. Mr.  Albin  has  effected  extensive  improvements  on  his  holding  and  has  now 
one  of  the  best  kept  and  most  valuable  farms  in  his  section  of  the  county.  He 
operates  his  place  on  the  most  scientific  plans  and  in  consequence  his  labors  are 
rewarded  with  maximum  results. 

In  1895  Mr.  Albin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Emma  Sidwell,  a  daughter  of 
Levi  Sidwell,  a  well  known  citizen  of  York  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albin  are  faith- 
ful attendants  on  the  services  of  the  Methodist  church,  in  the  practical  affairs  of 
which  they  are  active  participants  as  they  are  in  all  community  good  works.  He 
gives  his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party  but  has  never  been  a  seeker  after 
public  office,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  his  agricultural 
interests.  He  is  genial  in  manner  and  social  in  disposition.  These  qualities  have 
won  Mm  personal  popularity,  while  his  enterprise  and  diligence  have  gained  him 
prominence  in  business  circles. 


JOHN  A.  MERKEL 


John  A.  Merkel  after  long  years  of  connection  with  agricultural  interests  in 
York  county  is  now  living  retired  in  York,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  own  diligence 
and  industry.  He  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  October  3,  1856,  a  son  of 
Jacob  and  Mary  (Emig)  Merkel.  both  natives  of  Germany,  but  their  marriage 
occurred  in  Ohio.  The  father  was  a  brick  maker  and  plasterer  by  trade  and 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  the  late  '50s.  He  located  in  New  York  and  later 
in  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  some  time.  In  1858  he 
removed  to  Iowa  where  he  bought  some  land  which  he  farmed  in  connection  with 
his  other  trades.  In  1871  he  decided  to  come  to  Nebraska,  with  the  result  that  he 
set  out  from  Iowa  in  that  year  with  an  ox  team.  He  left  Boone,  Iowa,  on  the  18th 
of  April  and  arrived  in  York  on  the  6th  of  May,  driving  up  what  is  now  Lincoln 
avenue.  At  the  time  he  came  to  that  town  it  consisted  of  but  two  frame  buildings 
and  a  sod  shanty.  He  pre-empted  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Bradshaw  town- 
ship which  he  later  bought,  and  his  first  home  on  this  land  was  a  dugout  with  dirt 
floor  and  two  small  windows.  The  next  house  he  built  of  frame  which  was  sixteen 
by  twenty-four  feet,  hauling  the  lumber  from  Lincoln  and  Columbus.  All  supplies 
were  also  hauled  from  these  places.  His  land  he  broke  with  an  ox  team  and  he 
also  planted  a  grove  and  orchard,  but  the  latter  mostly  died  out.  He  hauled  his 
coal  from  Central  City  and  got  his  wood  from  the  Platte  river.    Mr.  Merkel  remem- 


1000  HISTOEY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY 

bers  having  seen  many  antelopes  an'd  stray  herds  of  buffalo.  In  1873  the  grass- 
hoppers destroyed  all  of  the  corn  and  in  the  same  year  at  Easter  time  a  blizzard 
kept  the  members  of  the  family  in  the  house  for  a  period  of  three  days.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  lived  on  the  land  and  then  sold  it,  removing  to  another  place 
which  he  had  bought  and  resided  there  until  he  retired.  He  spent  the  remaining 
years  of  his  life  with  his  son,  Jolin  A.  Merkel,  the  subject  of  this  review,  and  died 
in  1908  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  He  was  married  in  Ohio  to  Mary  Emig  who 
preceded  him  in  death.  The  following  children  were  born  to  them :  John  A.,  the 
subject  of  this  review;  Katie,  who  is  deceased;  Fannie,  deceased;  Emma,  deceased; 
Maggie,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Glasser,  a  farmer  in  York  county;  Xora,  who  is 
the  wife  of  W.  A.  Miller  of  York,  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business;  Charle.s,  resid- 
ing in  Marion,  Ohio,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  implement  business;  and  one  child 
who  died  in  infancy  in  Iowa.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jlerkel  were  stanch  supporters  of 
the  United  Brethren  church,  and  lie  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  John  A.  Merkel  attended  the  public  schools 
of  York  county,  the  first  school  he  attended  being  built  of  sod  and  containing  home- 
made benches.  At  an  early  age  he  started  farming  and  liomesteaded  eighty  acres 
in  Bradshaw-  township.  He  also  bought  forty  acres  in  Arborville  township.  His 
first  house  was  built  of  sod  and  was  fourteen  by  twenty  feet,  consisted  of  one  room 
and  had  a  dirt  roof.  Here  he  made  his  home  for  a  number  of  years  wlien  he  sold 
the  homestead  in  1910,  purchasing  a  quarter  section  in  South  Dakota  and  a  half 
section  in  Canada.  He  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and  had  a 
fine  grade  of  cattle.  In  1910  he  retired  and  moved  to  York  as  a  result  of  impaired 
health  and  here  he  is  now  residing. 

In  1878  Mr.  Merkel  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Hattie  ]\Iosgrove,  a  native 
of  Iowa,  and  they  have  become  parents  of  two  children:  Arthur,  who  is  a  graduate 
of  the  State  University  and  is  now  practicing  medicine  in  Aukeny,  Iowa ;  and 
Blanche,  who  is  the  wife  of  W.  E.  Findall  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Canada. 

Mr.  Merkel  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party,  having  firm  belief  in 
the  efficacy  of  the  principles  of  the  party  as  factors  in  good  government.  He  is 
likewise  a  consistent  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merkel 
are  now  residing  in  York,  where  they  enjoy  all  of  the  comforts  and  many  of  the 
luxuries  of  life  as  the  result  of  his  well  directed  thrift  and  energy  in  former  years. 
His  labors  have  brought  about  settlement  and  development  in  various  districts  and 
he  is  now  enjoying  tlje  well  earned  rewards  of  former  toil. 


HENEY  H.  JOHXSOX 


Henry  H.  Johnson  is  one  of  the  younger  farmers  of  York  county  who  is  carry- 
ing on  farming  operations  very  successfully.  He  was  born  in  Tacoma,  Washington, 
November  7,  1893,  a  son  of  John  H.  and  Sophia  (Jemson)  Johnson,  both  natives 
of  Sweden  who  came  to  America  as  young  people.  In  1898  the  Johnson  family  left 
Washington  and  came  to  York  county,  the  father  purchasing  a  farm  which  he 
operated  for  several  years  and  on  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  now  residing. 
John  H.  Johnson  gave  careful  attention  to  the  development  of  his  place,  added  land 
to  the  original  holding  as  he  prospered  and  finally  succeeded  in  getting  under  his 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY  1001 

control  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  the  best  of  land.  From  the  very  com- 
mencement his  efforts  were  rewarded  with  success  and  when  he  retired  from  active 
control  of  his  farm  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  turning  over  to  his  son  a  well 
improved  and  highly  valuable  holding.  He  and  his  wife  are  constant  attendants  on 
the  services  of  the  Methodist  church,  in  the  good  works  of  which  they  actively 
participate.     In  politics  he  takes  an  independent  attitude. 

Henry  H.  Johnson  was  the  only  child  born  to  his  parents  and  was  iive  years  old 
when  he  accompanied  them  from  Washington  to  Y^ork  county,  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  county  receiving  his  education  and  helping  his  father  in  the  labors  of  the 
farm.  He  now  resides  on  the  home  farm  which  he  is  successfully  operating,  using 
modern  methods  and  latest  machinery  in  the  carrying  out  of  the  work.  Yet  young 
in  years  he  has  before  him  a  great  prospect  for  agricultural  development  and 
present  indications  are  that  he  will  measure  up  to  all  demands  in  that  connection. 

On  June  29,  1920,  Mr.  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Miriam  Bent,  a 
native  of  Buffalo  county,  Nebraska.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  in  all  affairs  designed  for  the  welfare  of  the  community  they  take  an 
active  and  practical  part.  They  have  a  wide  acquaintance  and  a  large  number  of 
warm  personal  friends. 


WILLIAM  H.  FOTHERGILL 

For  the  past  fifteen  years  William  H.  Fothergill  has  been  living  retired  at 
Gresham,  York  county,  and  there  he  is  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  many  comforts  to 
which  his  early  industry  and  self-denial  justly  entitle  him.  For  many  years  he 
was  prominently  and  actively  identified  with  farming,  taking  up  that  work  when 
the  county  was  in  its  formative  stages  and  encountering  all  the  hardships  and  priva- 
tions incident  to  the  conditions  of  life  at  that  time.  He  was  born  in  London, 
England,  July  31,  1848,  a  son  of  George  and  Freike  Fothergill,  also  natives  of  that 
country  and  there  they  passed  away,  having  reached  advanced  ages.  For  many 
years  of  his  active  life  the  father  operated  a  steam  hammer  in  the  old  country. 

William  H.  Fothergill,  in  18(59,  left  England  and  immigrated  to  America,  the 
ocean  voyage  being  made  on  a  steamship  which  arrived  at  Portland,  Maine.  He 
went  directly  to  Omaha,  Nebraska,  and  the  first  money  he  made  on  American  soil 
was  in  payment  for  his  distribution  of  handbills  in  Omaha.  Later  he  found  employ- 
ment on  the  Union  Pacific  Bridge  across  the  Missouri  at  Omaha  and  continued  in 
that  line  for  two  years.  It  was  in  1871  that  Mr.  Fothergill  came  to  York  county, 
took  a  homestead  of  eighty  acres  in  Thayer  township  and  immediately  began  to  get 
the  place  into  shape.  He  started  by  putting  up  a  half  sod  and  half  dugout  house  in 
which  he  took  up  his  residence,  and  also  put  up  a  temporary  liarn  which  was  super- 
seded in  time  by  proper  buildings.  He  broke  every  foot  of  his  land  and  commenced 
the  planting  of  crops  and  for  the  better  carrying  out  of  the  work  he  bought  a  team 
of  horses  in  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  and  hauled  lumber  for  the  construction  of  his 
buildings,  both  horses  and  lumber  having  to  be  ferried  over  the  river,  the  entire 
journey  occupying  about  two  weeks.  Provisions  and  other  commodities  had  to  be 
hauled  from  Lincoln  and  Columlnis  in  like  manner.  In  1876  he  built  a  frame 
house  fourteen  feet  by  twenty  feet  and  this  structure  is  still  standing.     He  set  out 


100-3  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

trees  and  planted  an  orchard,  for  some  years  getting  good  results  from  the  latter 
but  finally  it  died  out. 

Mr.  Fothergill  is  now  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  prime  land, 
which  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  improvement,  and  up  to  the  date  of  his  retirement 
in  100.5  he  had  been  carrying  on  general  farniiiij;-  and  stock  raising  with  sustained 
success,  except  during  the  period  that  the  grasshoppers  visited  York  county  when 
he  lost  everything  with  the  exception  of  some  wheat,  and  the  seasons  l!^0;5-!)J: 
proved  so  bad  that  he  was  unalile  to  raise  any  crops.  In  hard  times  lie  had  to 
burn  InilTalo  chips  and  brush  from  the  creek  for  fuel,  at  another  time  burning  corn 
and  cornstalks  for  the  same  purpose.  When  the  blizzard  of  l.ST-t  came  he  was  lucky 
enough  to  have  all  his  stuff  housed  and  consequently  escaped  destruction..  He 
asserts  that  while  Indian  scares  were  plentiful  in  the  early  years  he  never  suffered 
any  inconvenience. 

Since  Mr.  Fothergill  retired  to  Gresham  in  1905  he  has  continued  to  retain 
ownership  of  his  place,  which  he  rents.  For  fifteen'  years  he  has  resided  in 
Gresham  where  he  has  become  widely  and  favorably  known  and  he  has  never  had 
occasion  to  regret  his  determination  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  new  world,  for  here 
he  found  good  business  opportunities  and  in  their  utilization  has  worked  his  way 
steadily  upward.  He  supports  the  policies  and  principles  of  the  republican  party 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  the  work  of  wliich 
he  has  ever  taken  a  warm  interest. 


JACOB  SMITH 


Jacob  Smith,  a  retired  farmer,  is  one  of  York's  most  prosperous  and  revered 
citizens,  having  been  a  gallant  soldier  in  the  Civil  war  where  his  record  was  as 
splendid  as  it  has  since  been  in  his  years  of  civilian  life  in  York  county.  He  was 
born  in  Hessen-Darmstadt,  Germany,  July  2,  1S34.  the  son  of  Peter  and  Elizaljeth 
(Cecher)  Schmidt,  who  have  since  died.  When  Mr.  Smith  took  out  his  naturaliza- 
tion papers  the  German  way  of  spelling  the  name  was  droiiped.  and  since  that 
time  it  has  been  spelled  Smith.  His  grandfather  on  his  mother's  side  was  a 
well-to-do  farmer  in  their  province  when  the  war  between  Germany  and  France 
was  in  progress,  having  on  his  farm  twenty-eight  milch  cows  and  several  teams 
when  Napoleon's  army  invaded  that  country  and  took  possession  of  his  stock. 
Their  owner  being  a  loyal  Gennan  at  once  crossed  to  the  other  side  of  the 
mountain  and  reported  to  the  Prussian  general  the  location  of  Napoleon's  men 
and  the  information  that  they  intended  to  nuike  a  raid  the  following  day.  The 
news  bearer  was  held  under  guard  until  his  story  was  investigated  and  verified, 
and  the  Germans  made  a  night  attack  and  completely  routed  the  French.  For  his 
loyalty  to  his  country  Jacob  Smith's  grandfather  was  made  a  Prussian  count,  was 
given  the  land  he  rented  from  the  king  free  from  rent  or  taxes,  and  was  exempted 
from  military  service. 

The  mother  of  Jacob  Smith  was  born  in  ISOO  and  immigrated  to  America  in 
1848  with  her  three  sons,  her  husband  having  passed  away.  It  took  a  great  deal 
of  courage  to  make  this  venture  and  the  trip  was. an  expensive  one,  as  she  had  to 
pay  one  hundred  dollars  for  each  child's  transportation  charges  on  the  ocean  sailing 


JACOB  SMITH 

When  a  Soldier  in  Civil  War 


HISTOEY    OY   YOEK    COUNTY  1005 

vessel.  After  landing  in  this  eountiT  they  settled  in  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  when 
but  a  few  houses  were  to  be  seen  in  that  town.  Jacob  Smith  was  then  not  yet 
fourteen  years  old  but  it  was  necessary  for  all  the  children  to  go  to  work  in  order 
to  make  a  living,  and  so  it  was  that  he  never  saw  the  interior  of  a  schoolhouse  in 
this  country.  However,  he  learned  to  read  though  he  never  did  much  writing.  In 
1855  his  mother  passed  away  at  the  home  of  her  daughter  in  Fort  Wayne  where 
she  lived  since  she  came  to  America. 

Jacob  Smith's  first  trade  was  learning  to  chop  wood  as  there  was  much  heavy 
timber  in  Indiana  then.  At  that  time  there  ,was  not  a  railroad  in  the  state  and 
in  1856  he  made  a  trip  to  Minnesota  driving  a  team.  For  thirty-five  miles  of  the 
journey  there  was  not  a  house  to  be  seen  and  his  only  companions  on  this  lonely 
ride  were  two  revolvers. 

When  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  went  back  to  Indiana  and  enlisted.  The 
following  is  a  copy  of  the  record  of  Jacob  Smith's  life  as  a  soldier : 

"This  certifies  that  Jacob  Smith  enlisted  October  18,  1861,  from  Fort  Wayne, 
Indiana,  to  serve  five  years,  afterward  changed  to  three  years,  and  was  mustered 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States  at  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  as  a  private  of 
Captain  William's,  Company  D,  Nineteenth  Unitfid  States  Infantry,  First  Battalion, 
Major   Carpenter  commanding  the   battalion.' 

"The  United  States  Infantry  was  organized;  in  conformity  with  the  president's 
proclamation  of  May  4,  1861.  Company  A  was  organized  August  24,  Company  B 
in  September,  and  in  October  companies  A  and  B  were  ordered  to  report  to  Gen- 
eral Sherman  in  Kentucky  and  were  attached  temporarily  to  the  first  liattalion  of 
the  Fifteenth  Infantry.  Company  C  was  organized'  in  November,  1861.  In  Febru- 
ary, 1862,  orders  were  issued  designating  companies  A,  B,  C,  D,  and  E,  F,  G,  and 
H  as  the  first  battalion  of  the  regiment.  Companies  C  and  D,  under  Major  Camp- 
bell, were  ordered  to  proceed  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  report  to  General  Buell. 
Company  E  was  organized  March  15,  1862,  and  with  companies  A,  B,  C,  and  D 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  April  6-7,  1862.  Major  Carpenter  was  com- 
plimented for  his  gallant  conduct  in  this  engagement  by  his  brigade  commander, 
General  Eosseau.  The  first  battalion  participated  in  the  battle  of  Corinth,  Missis- 
sippi. Company  F  was  organized  in  April  and  sent  to  Pittsburg  Landing  and 
companies  G  and  H  were  organized  in  May  and  were  ordered  to  Washington, 
D.  C,  joining  the  Brmy  of  the  Potomac,  and  Company  G  was  present  at  the  battles 
of  South  Mountain  and  Antietam.  In  September  Company  H  was  detailed  as  a 
body-guard  to  General  McClcUan.  Colonel  Canby  was  made  brigadier  general. 
During  the  battle  of  Murfreesljoro,  on  Stone  Elver,  Tennessee,  the  gallant  com- 
mander. Major  Carpenter,  gave  up  his  life,  falling  from  his  horse  with  six  mortal 
wounds.  The  loss  to  the  regiment  was  heavy.  It  was  eighteen  months  in  the 
field,  including  a  march  of  over  a  thousand  miles,  in  two  battles  and  a  number  of 
skirmishes.  Early  in  1863  the  regiment  was  united,  the  battalion  having  been 
reduced  from  five  hundred  to  less  than  a  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and  on  Septem- 
ber 19  the  first  battalion  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  suffering 
heavily  in  killed  and  wounded.  Lieutenant  King  being  killed  during  the  battle 
September  20th.  During  tlie  Chattanooga-Einggold  campaign  and  at  the  battle 
of  Missionary  Eidge,  the  Nineteenth  Infantry  was  a  mere  detachment  and  was 
reconsolidated  with  the  Sixteenth  Infantry  and  designated  as  a  detachment  of  the 
Sixteenth  and  Nineteenth   liifuiitry.     Fort  Wiliard,  a  redoubt  in  the  Piitnmac,  was 

Vol.  11—26 


1006  HISTOEY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY 

named  after  General  Willard,  major  of  the  Nineteenth  Infantry.  In  the  spring  of 
1864  the  regiment  was  on  the  march  toward  Einggold,  Georgia,  and  was  in  many 
skirmislies  and  engaged  in  tlie  battles  of  Eesaea,  Georgia,  New  Hope  Church,  near 
Dallas,  Georgia,  and  on  June  1,  1864,  the  battalion  was  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  and 
took  part  in  the  battle  there.  It  was  also  in  action  at  Neal  Dow  Station,  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  and  finally  on  July  22d  took  a  position  on  the  railroad  within  two 
miles  of  the  Atlantic  and  built  breastworks.  September  1st  it  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Jonesboro  and  on  October  1st  went  into  camp  at  Lookout  Mountain,  where 
it  remained  during  the  winter.  The  said  Jacob  Smith  was  mustered  into  service 
of  the  United  States  and  remained  a  few  days  at  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  then  moved 
to  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  remaining  there  in  drill  and  military  discipline  until 
February  14,  1862,  then  ordered  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  later  marched  with 
the  army  on  the  campaign.  He  was  always  to  be  found  with  his  army  at  his  post 
of  duty  with  his  comrades,  and  he  bore  a  loyal  and  faithful  part  in  all  its  cam- 
paigns and  battles  as  above  outlined  until  August,  1864,  when  on  account  of 
having  contracted  rheumatism  and  heart  disease  from  exposure  and  hardships,  he 
was  ordered  to  Fort  Wayne,  Detroit,  Michigan,  where  he  remained  until  October, 
1864,  when  he  received  a  certificate  of  honorable  discharge  at  Fort  Wayne,  Detroit, 
Michigan,  by  reason  of  expiration  of  term  of  enlistment,  having  achieved  a 
gallant  record  for  meritorious  service  and  soldierly  conduct  at  all  times." 

During  his  life  as  a  civilian  Mr.  Smith  worked  at  many  occupations,  driving 
a  team  on  a  towpath,  working  in  a  paint  shop  which  injured  his  health  so  that  he 
had  to  give  it  up,  clerking  in  a  store  and  working  in  a  saloon.  However  he  did  not 
remain  at  any  of  these  very  long,  always  returning  to  the  farm  after  each  new 
venture  lost  its  allurement.  On  March  22,  1871,  he  came  to  Nebraska  and  filed 
on  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  what  is  now  Baker  township.  He  left  his  wife 
and  three  children  and  his  mother-in-law  in  Lincoln  three  weeks  while  he  came 
on  and  looked  for  a  location.  He  rode  on  the  first  train  to  come  from  Lincoln  to 
Fairmont,  a  conveyance  which  ran  on  a  track  laid  in  grass  with  the  low  places 
filled  with  dirt.  His  first  home  was  a  fourteen  by  sixteen  frame  house,  but  the 
following  year  he  built  a  sod  house,  thirteen  by  nineteen  feet  inside  and  walls 
three  feet  thick.  Because  of  the  thickness  of  the  walls  Mr.  Smith  called  his  home 
his  "fort."  A  ridgepole  from  the  roof  was  covered  with  willow  brush  which 
reached  to  the  eaves  and  this  was  covered  with  thatch  and  sod  shingles.  This 
was  the  home  of  the  family  for  eleven  years  during  which  time  they  endured  the 
privations  and  hardships  that  were  the  lot  of  the  early  settler.  There  were  many 
dry  seasons  and  then  came  the  grasshopper  plague  that  devastated  the  fields  and 
laid  waste  the  much  needed  grain.  However,  he  did  not  lose  heart  and  after 
eleven  years  during  which  time  he  was  prosperous  he  sold  and  rebought  tracts  of 
land  until  1903  when  he  moved  to  York.  Since  then  Mr.  Smith  has  lived  retired, 
engaging  in  no  business  enterprise  other  than  looking  after  residence  properties. 

Jacob  Smith  was  married  at  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  July  24,  1868,  to  Miss 
Katherine  Brick,  a  native  of  Hessen-Darmstadt,  daughter  of  Theodore  and  Marie 
Brick.  The  former  died  in  Germany,  the  latter  died  in  York  county,  Nebraska. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  six  living  children :  A  daughter,  Annie  Maria,  is  the 
wife  of  Frank  Cunningham,  a  farmer  of  York,  and  they  have  eleven  children; 
G.  H.  Cornelius,  who  is  also  married,  is  engaged  in  farming  in  York;  Matilda,  the 


HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY  1007 

wife  of  Dan  Eoutt,  lives  in  Perkins  county,  Nebraska,  where  her  liusband  is 
engaged  in  farming;  William,  who  was  a  farmer  in  Montana,  is  now  an  engineer  at 
Antioch,  Nebraska,  is  married  and  has  one  child;  Katherine  is  the  wife  of 
Edward  M.  Johnson,  a  carpenter  at  Pawnee  City,  Nebraska,  and  the  mother  of 
ten  children;  a  son,  Edward  D.  Smith,  died  in  childhood;  and  Minnie  is  the  wife 
of  Charles  Southworth,  living  in  Montana.  Mrs.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the 
Woman's  Relief  Corps  and  Mr.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the  Robert  Anderson  Post 
and  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  No.  32  at  York.  They  attend  the  Lutheran  church.  In 
politics  Mr.  Smith  is  a  republican.  He  is  now  past  eighty-six  years  of  age  and 
quite  as  keen  and  interested  in  the  affairs  of  today  as  many  of  the  younger  genera- 
tion. He  is  in  splendid  health,  and  his  wife,  who  is  seventy-three  years  of  age,  is 
very  active  and  well  able  to  do  all  her  own  housework.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have 
braved  the  storms  of  the  years  and  now  live  comfortably  and  happily  with  many 
memories  of  the  past  to  recall,  now  that  they  have  earned  a  well  deserved  rest. 


ANDREW  PINNEO 


Andrew  Pinneo,  who  is  residing  on  the  southeastern  edge  of  York,  has  reached 
the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years  and  is  living  retired,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his 
former  well  directed  labor.  He  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  January  3,  1840,  a 
son  of  Andrew  Pinneo,  who  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1768.  The  father  was  reared 
in  that  state  from  which  he  enlisted  in  the  war  of  1812,  taking  an  active  part.  He 
was  but  a  little  lad  at  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  war  but  often  told  his  family 
of  the  cannonading  during  that  period.  He  married  in  Vermont  and  later  moved 
to  Ohio  where  his  wife  died,  and  at  the  age  of  seventy  years  he  married  again,  this 
time  Mrs.  Sarah  Mead,  nee  Oliver,  who  was  a  widow.  Of  the  last  marriage  there 
were  three  children:  Thomas,  living  in  Dlinois;  Mary,  died  in  1865;  and  Andrew, 
of  this  review.  The  father's  death  occurred  on  his  farm  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  Previous  to  his  death  he  made  application  for  a 
land  warrant  which  his  widow  received,  but  as  it  was  for  land  in  Iowa  or  Nebraska 
and  she  did  not  care  to  come  west  she  sold  it.  She  brought  her  family  to  Illinois 
after  the  death  of  her  husband  and  died  in  Logan  county.  Mr.  Pinneo  was  in 
politics  a  whig. 

Andrew  Pinneo  was  but  sixteen  years  of  age  when  the  family  came  to  Illinois. 
His  education  was  very  limited  and  at  an  early  age  he  engaged  in  farming.  He 
later  purchased  some  land  in  Champaign  county,  Illinois,  and  there  resided  for  ten 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  Logan  county.  In  1891  he  came  to 
Nebraska  and  bought  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Leroy  township,  York 
county,  which  land  was  but  slightly  improved.  Mr.  Pinneo  experienced  hard  times 
after  coming  to  this  county  and  during  those  Cleveland  years  when  Nebraska  suf- 
fered from  drought  and  money  was  scarce  he  had  a  hard  time  to  make  ends  meet. 
As  it  was  he  was  thirty-three  hundred  dollars  in  debt.  It  was  not  long,  however, 
until  time  readjusted  affairs  and  he  became  a  very  successful  farmer.  He  was  ever 
diligent  and  persistent  and  difficulties  and  obstacles  seemed  only  to  stimulate  him 
to  further  effort.  A  number  of  years  ago  he  decided  to  retire  from  active  life  and 
is  now  living  in  a  comfortable  home  on  the  southeastern  edge  of  York.     He  was  at 


1008  HISTOEY    OF    Yf)RK    (orXTY 

one  time  in  possession  of  valuable  land  in  Ked  Willow  county  whieli  he  recently 
sold,  realizing  a  fair  profit. 

While  residing  in  Illinois,  Mr.  Pinneo  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Leah 
Shaw,  a  native  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  They  have  spent  fifty-four  happy  years  together 
and  Mrs.  Pinneo  says  of  this  union :  "We  have  raised  ten  children  and  God  has 
spared  the  lives  of  all  of  them.  The  family  is  still  unbroken."  The  five  sons  and  five 
daughters  are:  Jennie,  who  is  the  widow  of  Henry  Alecock,  and  with  her  three 
children  resides  in  York;  William,  who  resides  on  his  father's  farm  in  LeEoy 
township  and  is  the  father  of  six  children;  Sarah,  who  is  the  widow  of  Albert 
Woodruff,  and  has  two  children;  Joseph,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  McFadden 
township  and  is  the  father  of  eight  children ;  Elizabeth,  who  is  the  widow  of  Jasper 
Hall,  and  is  residing  in  Fairmont  with  her  eight  children ;  Andrew,  who  is  residing 
in  Washington  state;  Laura,  who  is  the  wife  of  Peter  Walbright  of  Buffalo  county 
and  has  ten  children ;  Edward,  who  is  farming  in  LeRoy  township  and  has  one 
child;  Alice,  who  is  the  wife  of  Charles  A.  Briley,  of  Colorado,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren ;  and  Albert,  who  is  farming  in  McFadden  township  and  has  become  the 
father  of  three  children.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pinneo  are  devoted  to  their  large  family 
and  to  their  forty-three  grandchildren  and  one  great  grandson. 

The  first  vote  cast  by  Mr.  Pinneo  was  for  Abraham  Lincoln  for  his  first  term, 
and  he  was  not  then  quite  twenty-one  years  of  age,  but  was  allowed  to  vote.  Had 
his  father  lived  a  few  months  and  voted  in  the  election  of  1856  the  Pinneo  family, 
father  and  son,  would  have  voted  at  every  election  from  that  of  Washington  to  the 
present  day.  Mr.  Pinneo  has  led  a  very  busy  life,  being  dependent  upon  his  own 
resources  from  an  early  age.  The  success  he  has  achieved  has  come  to  him  as  the 
direct  reward  of  his  persistent  and  earnest  labor  and  he  is  indeed  a  self-made  man, 
deserving  much  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished. 


JOHX  J.  DAVIS 


John  J.  Davis,  a  real  estate  dealer  of  York,  was  born  in  Earlvillo,  LaSalle 
county,  Illinois,  October  14,  1856,  a  son  of  David  Jenkins,  and  Dorcas  (Folsom) 
Davis,  the  former  was  born  in  Wales,  while  the  latter  was  born  in  Maine.  Their 
marriage  took  place  in  Illinois,  where  they  both  came  in  their  youth,  and  the 
father  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death.  To  this  union  six  children  were  born: 
May  and  Samuel  J.,  deceased;  Eachael,  who  lives  in  Illinois;  John  J.,  the  subject 
of  this  review;  Arthur,  who  manages  a  store  in  Wichita,  Kansas;  and  Theron, 
who  resides  in  Earlville,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  were  faithful  attendants 
of  the  LTniversalist  church,  and  he  was  a  stanch  republican. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  John  J.  Davis  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Illinois.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  and  in  1879  removed  to  York  county, 
where  he  resided  on  a  farm  which  he  i)urchased  there,  until  1907.  At  that 
time  he  sold  his  farm  and  removed  to  York.  In  his  farnung  enterprise  he  had 
been  very  successful  and  this  was  due  entirely  to  his  own  labor  and  determina- 
tion. The  hardships  endured  in  his  early  struggles  were  many,  but  he  determined 
that  no  obstacles,  however  great,  should  obstruct  his  path.     Three  different  times 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  1009 

his  crops  were  ruined  by  hail  and  he  liad  hardly  enough  to  live  on,  but  he  again 
immediately  set  about  to  cultivate  his  land,  and  as  a  result  of  this  indomitable 
courage  he  made  of  his  farming  a  success.  When  he  removed  to  Y"ork  he  retired 
from  active  farm  life,  but  purchased  some  land  in  Brown  county,  South  Dakota, 
which  he  still  owns  and  visits  at  various  times.  In  1909  he  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  business,  confining  himself  mostly  to  local  deals.  In  addition  he  also  does 
some  insurance  business. 

In  August,  1878,  in  Illinois,  Mr.  Davis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Louise 
E.  Bean,  of  Polk  City,  Iowa,  whose  father  Steven  S.  Bean,  of  the  state  of  Maine, 
was  killed  in  action  in  the  Civil  war.  Her  mother's  maiden  name  was  Ellen  L. 
Halladay,  born  in  Earlville,  Illinois.  To  this  union  three  children  have  been  born: 
David  Earl,  who  homesteaded  in  Cherry  county  and  later  removed  to  the  state  of 
Washington  where  he  now  resides ;  Mable,  deceased ;  and  LeEoy,  who  is  a  book- 
keeper in  Arlington,  Colorado.  Both  sons  are  .stanch  supporters  of  the  republican 
party.  Mr.  Davis  has  two  grandsons  namely:  Glen  Leroy  Davis  and  John  Albert 
Davis. 

Mr.  Davis  is  of  a  retiring  dispositinn  and  has  never  lieen  active  in  politics  as 
regards  the  holding  of  public  office,  however,  he  is  a  member  of  the  republican 
party,  as  was  his  father  before  him.  He  is  in  every  sense  of  the  word  a  self-made 
man  and  one  of  whom  York  lias  a  right  to  be  jDroud. 


EGBERT  F.  LGED 


Eobert  F.  Lord,  cashier  of  the  Blue  Eiver  Bank  of  McCool  Junction,  is  one  of 
the  successful  and  prosperovis  men  of  the  community.  He  was  born  in  McFadden 
township  Xovembcr  20,  1890.  His  father,  Eobert  Felsted  Lord,  was  Ijorn  in  Lon- 
don, England,  June  10,  18.50,  and  when  a  child  five  3'ears  of  age  was  brought  by  his 
parents  to  America,  the  family  home  being  established  at  Bloomington,  Illinois. 
Here  he  attended  the  public  schools  and  also  the  Illinois  State  Xormal  at  Xormal, 
Illinois.  Uf)on  reaching  manhood  he  became  a  farmer  and  resided  there  until 
1884  when  he  came  to  York  county,  Nebraska,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  unimproved  land  in  McFadden  township.  This  he  improved  and 
resided  there  three  years  when  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Eed  Lyon, 
one  of  the  early  day  trading  points  in  this  neighborhood.  When  the  town  of  Mc- 
Cool Junction  was  etsablished  he  became  one  of  the  early  merchants  there  con- 
tinuing in  business  several  years.  He  then  became  a  teacher  and  preacher  and  his 
last  days  were  spent  as  a  farmer  and  gardener.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the 
United  Brethren  church  and  will  long  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  men  who  was 
anxious  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  community  along  educational  and  religious 
lines.  He  died  October  4,  1908.  In  J884  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Sarah  E.  Wilcox,  who  was  born  in  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Saraphina 
Wilcox  who  came  to  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  in  1870  where  they  both  passed  away. 
After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Lord  became  the  wife  of  Charles  M.  Turner 
and  resides  in  York. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lord  were  the  parents  of  six  children :  Frank  E.,  a  resident  of 
Pasadena,   California;    Telfor    C,   superintendent   of    schools   for    York    county; 


1010  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

Charles  S.,  a  re.^^ident  of  Idaho  Falls,  Idaho:  Rolwrt  F.,  of  McCool  Junction;  Xellie, 
the  wife  of  Lawrence  Valentine,  of  York  county;  and  Mabel,  the  wife  of  Clarence 
Cndaback,  of  McCool  Junction. 

Robert  F.  Lord  attended  the  jjublic  schools  of  McCool  Junction  and  his  boy- 
hood days  were  spent  in  his  native  place.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Blue  River  Bank  as  bookkeeper  and  two  years  later  became  assistant 
cashier  of  that  institution.  Ability  and  worthiness  were  demonstrated  when  after 
five  years  he  was  made  cashier,  a  position  he  has  held  for  nine  years. 

Mr.  Lord  was  married  to  Miss  Gladys  M.  Bellows  of  McCool  Junction  and  they 
have  become  the  parents  of  four  children :  Dwight,  Roland  and  Kenneth  are  mem- 
bers of  the  family  household.  Forrest  died  May  8,  li)20.  from  an  attack  (if  doui)le 
pneumonia,  aged  seven  months  and  eighteen  days. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lord  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church  ami  in  politics 
Mr.  Lord  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party.  He  is  serving  the  com- 
munity in  many  positions  of  trust  and  is  township  treasurer,  village  treasurer, 
school  treasurer  and  treasurer  of  the  Sunday  school.  He  has  membership  with 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He 
stands  loyally  for  what  he  believes  to  he  for  the  i)est  interests  of  the  communitv 
and  has  cooperated  with  all  those  enterprises  which  are  of  the  greatest  value  to 
the  public. 


WILLIAM   C.  PETERSOX,  M.   1). 

Dr.  William  C.  Peterson,  living  in  Henderson,  is  a  well  known  and  prominent 
member  of  the  medical  profession  in  York  county  wliere  he  has  been  engaged  in 
practice  for  several  years.  He  was  born  in  Platte  county,  Nebraska,  April  7,  18S6, 
a  son  of  Nels  C.  and  Elsie  (Sorensen)  Peterson,  natives  of  Denmark,  who  im- 
migrated to  America  about  the  year  187:?.  Shortly  after  arriving  in  this  country 
the  parents  came  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  Platte  county,  residing  there  for  a 
time  and  later  moved  to  Hoone  county,  where  they  are  now  living,  hoiored  citizens 
whose  probity  and  sterling  characters  command  the  respect  of  all  who  know  them. 
To  their  marriage  si.x  children  were  born,  the  of  whom  are  living. 

Or.  Peterson  sjient  his  early  days  in  Platte  and  Boone  counties.  He  pursued 
his  education  in  the  ]iublic  schools  and  later  entered  high  school,  going  thence  to 
Creighton  College,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  ]!t09,  receiving 
his  medical  degree.  Following  his  graduation  he  located  at  Ilendei'son  and  there 
began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  adding  to  his  medical  and  scientific  knowledge 
in  the  intervering  years,  and  he  is  now  regarded  by  his  brethren  in  the  profession 
and  the  ])ublic  at  large  as  an  eminently  skilled  and  jminstaking  doctor.  His  ever 
i;rowing  clientele  embraces  some  of  the  most  inlluential  citizens  of  the  ilistrict 
in  which  he  resides.  Dr.  Peterson  keeps  well  informed  on  all  the  latest  ])hases  per- 
taining to  the  development  of  his  ])rofession  and  misses  no  opportunitv  to  liroaden 
the  sco])e  of  his  knowledge  ti>  the  eml  that  he  nuiy  be  the  better  able  to  alleviate 
jiain  and  suffering.  His  present  status  indicates  that  he  has  many  years  of  use- 
fulness before  him,  with  every  prospect  that  he  will  reach  the  position  to  which  his 
establisi  ed  ability  entitles  him. 

In   llMo   Dr.   Peterson  was   united   in   marriage  to   Jliss    Xannie   Case,   who   was 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COLTXTY  1011 

born  in  Boone  county  and  a  daughter  of  E.  E.  Case  and  wife,  both  of  whom  are 
still  living  in  that  county.  To  this  union  one  son,  Wendell  Peterson,  has  been 
born,  his  birth  occurring  on  April  7,  1912.  The  Doctor  and  his  wife  are  popular 
in  social  circles,  their  aid  and  influence  are  always  given  on  the  side  of  progress 
and  improvement  and  they  advocate  as  well  those  high  standards  which  work  for 
civic  betterment.  His  political  influence  is  extended  to  the  repulilican  party  and 
for  eight  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  local  council,  during  this  period  serving 
the  people  with  ability.  His  interest  in  education  is  pronounced  and  he  lias  served 
on  the  board  of  school  directors  for  three  terms,  thus  demonstrating  the  hold 
which  cultural  advancement  has  on  his  time  and  attention. 


CHARLES  G.  PFEFFER 


Charles  G.'  Pfeffer,  president  of  the  York  Water  Company,  was  born  in  Wiirt- 
temburg,  Germany,  January  30,  1858,  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Eva  Marie  (Bentzlar) 
Pfeffer,  both  natives  of  Wiirttemburg.  The  father  was  born  in  1810  and  died  in 
18.58  and  the  mother  was  born  in  1820  and  passed  away  at  the  age  of  fifty-four 
years.  They  were  married  in  Germany  and  spent  their  lives  there,  Mr.  Pfeffer 
being  a  successful  and  well-to-do  farmer.  Seven  children  were  born  to  this  union, 
four  boys  and  three  girls,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Frederick,  who  resides  in 
Germany;  Fredericka,  a  widow  who  resides  in  Kankakee,  Illinois;  Christiana,  a 
widow  who  resides  in  Otis,  Colorado;  Gottlob,  a  retired  farmer  of  York;  and 
Charles  G.,  the  subject  of  this  review.  The  family  were  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  ' 

Charles  G.  Pfeffer  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Germany  and  when 
tales  reached  him  concerning  the  opportunities  of  the  United  States  he  determined 
to  try  his  fortune  in  America,  with  the  result  that  he  and  his  brother  set  out  on 
their  voyage  alone.  Financial  conditions  rendered  it  necessary  for  him  to  start 
to  work  immediately,  and  his  first  venture  into  the  business  life  of  this  country 
was  as  a  baker,  which  trade  he  had  learned  in  Germany.  He  settled  in  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  and  there  successfully  conducted  a  bakery  from  1884  until  1900. 
At  that  time  he  removed  to  York  and  lived  practically  retired  for  about  four 
years  on  an  acre  and  half  of  land  on  which  he  raised  a  garden  and  did  a  little 
truck  farming.  He  again  entered  into  active  business  life,  however,  when  on  the 
1st  of  July,  1905,  he  became  connected  with  the  York  Water  Company  which  was 
incorporated  at  sixty  thousand  dollars.  He  was  secretary  and  treasurer  of  this  com- 
pany until  1912  when  he  succeeded  to  the  presidency  and  is  still  serving  the  city 
in  that  capacity.  This  company  supplies  water  for  the  entire  city.  In  addition 
to  his  interests  in  this  company  he  became  connected  with  the  York  Gas  and 
Electric  Company,  but  sold  his  interest  in  this  business  in  December,  1912. 

In  1887  Mr.  Pfeffer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Killius,  who 
was  a  native  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  to  them  four  children  have  been  born: 
Clara,  Helena,  Angela,  and  Frederick  Charles,  all  of  whom  are  attending  school. 
The  family  are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Mr.  Pfeffer  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  served  his  com- 
munity as  a  member  of  the  city  council  from  1902-1904.     His  fraternal  affiliation 


1015  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

is  with  the  Kniglits  of  Pythias.  Hi?  career  is  that  of  a  self-made  mau  and  York 
recognizes  him  as  one  of  its  public-spirited  citizens,  devoted  to  the  general  welfare, 
honorable  and  straightforward  in  every  relation  of  life  and  at  all  times  a  man 
whom  to  know  is  to  esteem  and  honor. 


JOHN  A.  BOOX 


In  the  passing  of  Julin  A.  Boon.  York  county  lost  an  honored  pioneer  who 
had  contributed  in  sulistantial  measure  to  the  agricultural  development  and 
progress  of  the  community  in  which  he  made  his  home  for  more  than  a  quarter  of 
a  century.  During  the  last  twelve  years  of  his  life  he  lived  retired  in  Utica, 
enjoying  in  well  earned  rest  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil.  His  birth  occurred  at 
Selinsgrovc,  in  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  17th  of  Xovember,  1839,  his 
parents  being  Thomas  and  Harriett  (Robinson)  Boon,  who  were  likewise  natives  of 
the  Keystone  state.  They  removed  westward  to  Illinois  at  an  early  period  in  the 
settlement  of  that  state  and  there  the  father  followed  farming  and  also  worked  at 
the  carpenter's  trade.    The  mother  passed  away  at  Weeping  Water,  Nebraska. 

John  A.  Boon  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  renujval  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Illinois,  continuing  a  resident  of  the  latter  state  until  he  came  to  York  county.  At 
the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  joined  the  Union  army  aiul  served  for  two  years  and 
ten  months  as  a  member  of  the  Eighty-fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  with  which  com- 
mand he  ])articipated  in  the  battle  of  Lookout  ilouutain  and  also  went  with 
Sherman  on  the  celebrated  march  to  the  sea.  Though  spared  to  celebrate  the 
victory  of  the  Union  arhis  he  saw  his  brother  fall  in  battle  by  his  side.  He  was  a 
young  man  of  about  thirty-three  years  when  he  decided  to  establish  his  home  in 
Nebraska  and  traveled  to  Lincoln  by  train.  After  reaching  his  destination  he 
homesteaded  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Waco  To\niship,  York 
county.  This  was  in  1872  and  the  district  was  still  largely  unsettled  and  unde- 
veloped. He  erected  a  shack  with  lumber  whicii  he  hauled  from  Lincoln,  that 
fall,  Ijuilt  a  sod  house,  covering  the  dirt  floor  with  hay.  He  broke  his  land  with  a 
team  of  horses  which  he  had  brought  from  Illinois  and  set  out  an  orchard,  but 
most  of  the  trees  died  and  he  was  obliged  to  plant  others.  All  of  the  obstacles  and 
difficulties  of  life  in  a  frontier  region  had  to  be  overcome  before  he  could  carry  on 
the  work  of  farming  with  any  degree  of  success.  All  supplies  had  to  be  hauled 
from  Lincoln  and  wood  was  so  scarce  that  he  burned  corn-stalk  and  corn  for 
fuel.  During  the  memorable  Easter  blizzard  of  187.3  he  and  his  family  were  shut 
in  the  house  for  three  .days,  when  they  shoveled  their  way  out.  During  the 
period  of  the  grasshopper  scourge  his  farm  produced  nothing.  However,  as  the 
years  passed  success  rewarded  his  well  directed  industry  and  untiring  labors  until 
at  length  the  property  yielded  him  a  gratifying  annual  income.  He  had  put  a 
hedge  around  his  quarter  section  and  made  many  other  improvements  which 
enhanced  its  value  and  attractiveness.  He  came  to  the  west  in  limited  financial 
circum-stances  and  through  his  own  efforts  worked  his  w^ay  steadily  upward  to  a 
place  among  the  prosperous  and  resi>ected  citizens  of  his  community.  It  was  in 
1887  that  he  put  aside  the  active  work  of  the  fields  and  took  up  his  abode  in 
Utica,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  honorable  retirement. 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1015 

March  2,  1860,  Mr.  Boon  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Hannah  Ruckman,  a 
native  of  New  Jersey.  They  became  the  parents  of  ten  children,  namely :  David, 
who  died  in  infancy;  Wallace  N.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  grain  business  in  Minne- 
apolis, Minnesota ;  Anna  R.,  the  wife  of  P.  A.  Drake,  who  is  a  carpenter  residing  at 
Winner,  South  Dakota;  P.  S.,  who  is  living  retired  at  Utica;  Hattie,  who  is  the 
wife  of  E.  J.  Jones,  an  agriculturist  of  York  county;  Emma,  the  wife  of  A.  B. 
Carter,  who  is  engaged  in  the  grain  business  at  Kimball,  Nebraska;  Mildred,  the 
wife  of  John  Frazer,  who  operates  the  old  homestead  farm ;  John,  deceased ;  Lucia, 
at  home  with  her  mother;  and  Archie,  who  has  also  passed  away. 

Mr.  Boon  was  a  stanch  republican  in  politics,  ever  supporting  the  party  which 
was  the  defense  of  the  Union  during  the  dark  days  of  the  Civil  war.  He  served 
as  justice  of  the  }>eace  and  made  an  enviable  record  in  that  official  capacity. 
Fraternally  he  was  a  Master  Mason  and  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  he  maintained 
pleasant  relations  with  his  old  military  comrades  through  his  membership  in  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  His  demise,  which  occurred  November  24,  1899, 
when  he  was  sixty  years  of  age,  was  deeply  deplored  by  all  who  knew  him  and  it 
was  generally  conceded  that  the  county  had  lost  one  of  its  most  esteemed  and 
valued  citizens.  His  widow,  who  still,  resides  in  Utica,  is  a  Methodist  in  religious 
faith  and  a  woman  whose  many  excellent  traits  of  character  have  won  her  a 
large  circle  of  warm  friends. 


ISAAC  J.  FARLEY 


The  family  of  Isaac  J.  Farley  residing  in  Benedict,  pays  fitting  tribute  to 
his  memory  in  preserving  a  brief  record  of  his  life  in  this  history  of  York  county. 
He  was  born  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  reared,  educated  and 
grew  to  manhood,  during  his  youth  being  engaged  in  farming. 

Mr.  Farley  was  married  in  Pennsylvania  to  Annie  C.  Sidler,  a  native  of  that 
state,  and  after  their  marriage  they  moved  to  a  farm  which  he  continued  to  operate 
for  two  years.  In  1875  they  migrated  to  York  county,  locating  in  Thayer  town- 
ship, and  bought  eighty  acres  of  raw  prairie  land  for  which  six  dollars  per  acre 
was  paid.  There  were  no  improvements  of  any  kind  on  tlie  holding  and  a  house 
sufficient  for  their  temporary  needs  was  erected.  The  ground  was  broken  and  tilled 
and  Mr.  Farley  was  in  a  fair  way  to  make  a  success  of  his  labors  when  death  called 
him.  He  passed  away  in  1896,  while  still  in  the  prime  of  manhood.  To  his  family 
he  was  a  devoted  husband  and  father  and  found  his  greatest  happiness  in  pro- 
moting the  welfare  of  his  wife  and  children.  In  business  affairs  he  was  progressive 
and  reliable  and  his  sterling  worth  was  acknowledged  in  many  relations. 

After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Farley  assumed  the  responsibility  of 
carrying  on  the  farm  and  paid  off  all  the  accrued  debts.  From  time  to  time  she 
added  land  to  the  original  holding  and  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  prime  land,  on  which  she  effected  many  valuable  improvements  and  planted 
large  numbers  of  trees  which  enhanced  the  appearance  and  value  of  the  place. 
She  became  the  mother  of  six  children  as  follows:  Catherine,  the  wife  of  Ellis 
Troup ;  Christian,  who  lives  in  Thayer  township ;  Hattie,  the  wife  of  Fred  Liebtke : 
Edgar,  who  lives  in  Thayer  township;  Isaac,  who  assists  on  the  home  farm;  and 


1(11(5  HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY 

Samuel,  who  dieil  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  ilrs.  Farley  rcinained  on  the  farm 
until  1917  when  she  moved  to  Benedict,  where  she  is  pleasantly  and  eomfovtahly 
situated.  She  is  a  regular  attendant  on  the  services  of  the  Lutheran  church,  as 
was  her  hushand.  Her  social  position  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  the  hospitality 
of  the  best  homes  of  Benedict  is  freely  accorded  her. 


JULIUS   BLUM 


Julius  Blum  was  one  of  the  courageous  frontiersmen  who  dared  to  locate  in 
York  county  in  the  days  when  it  was  a  wild  district  with  its  lands  unclaimed  and 
its  resources  undeveloped.  Mr.  Blum  has  not  only  witnessed  the  wonderful  trans- 
formation but  has  aided  largely  in  the  labors  that  have  converted  this  raw 
country  into  the  splendid  commonwealth  of  today.  Julius  Blum  was  born  in 
Posen,  Germany,  November  23,  184-1,  the  son  of  Michael  and  Augusta  (Warnek) 
Blum,  who  ])assed  away  while  their  son  was  in  military  service.  Julius  Blum 
was  excused  to  go  home  to  the  family  of  brothers  and  sisters,  and  rather  than  re- 
enter the  service  he  came  to  the  United  States  in  1868,  locating  at  Watertown, 
Wisconsin,  for  a  time,  and  later  in  Clayton,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm. 

In  1871  he  came  to  York  county  where  he  took  up  a  homestead  of  eighty  acres 
on  section  thirty-two  of  what  is  now  Beaver  township,  built  a  dugout  and  expe- 
rienced the  hardships  that  were  so  well  known  to  the  pioneer.  Whenever  it  rained 
the  dirt  on  the  roof  of  his  little  home  crumbled  down  upon  him,  often  falling  on 
the  table  during  a  meal.  In  1871  Mr.  Blum  liought  a  reaper.  This  was  q  ite 
an  investment  and  proved  an  unfortunate  one,  for  that  was  the  year  when  the 
grasshopper  plague  wrought  such  havoc  with  the  crops  and  the  reaper  remained 
unused.  In  spite  of  adversity  and  misfortune  of  the  years  Mr.  Blum  prospered 
and  at  one  time  was  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres  of  good  farm  land  which 
he  has  since  sold  to  his  sons.  He  still  resides  on  the  old  jilace.  though  he  is 
retired  from  active  labor. 

lie  was  married  to  Caroline  Markworth,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  passed 
away  leaving  a  family  of  four  children:  Louis,  who  is  married,  resides  in  Mc- 
Fadden  township;  William,  who  lives  in  Beaver  township;  Herman,  of  Beaver 
township;  and  Augusta,  deceased.  Later  Mr.  Blum  was  married  to  the  widow  of_ 
Ludwig  Brueggemann,  whose  maiden  name  was  Sophia  Wellman.  She  had  five 
children  l)y  her  former  marriage:  Alice,  the  wife  of  B.  Widle,  who  resides  in 
Nance  county,  Nebraska:  Eose,  who  is  married  to  Fred  Gocke,  of  Pierce  county, 
Nebraska;  Albert,  who  lives  in  Beaver  township;  Tillie,  the  wife  of  William  Blum, 
of  Beaver  township;  and  R.  L.,  who  resides  in  Beaver  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Blum  are  the  ])arcnts  of  five  children :  Emma,  the  wife  of  Leonard  Leyboldt, 
of  Beaver  township;  Ed.  F.,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Beaver  township; 
Clara,  the  wife  of  Adolph  Pieper,  of  West  Blue  township:  Hulda,  who  is  married 
to  John  Burhoop,  a  resident  of  Seward  county;  and  Herbert  R.,  born  January 
5.  1892,  who  is  farming  the  home  jilace.    A  sketch  of  him  ajipcars  elsewhere  in  this 

work. 

Mr.   Blum   lias  not  only  became  a  substantial   citizt'U   who  now  enjoys  life  in 
rest  and   ciinirort   l)ut  has  also  rendered  service  to  his  adopted   country  in  times 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1017 

of  peace  as  well  as  iu  times  of  war.  As  a  pioneer  he  contributed  materially  toward 
the  upbuilding  along  agricultural  lines  and  thus  heli)ed  to  make  possible  the 
prosperous  conditions  that  now  maintain  in  York  county,  while  as  a  citizen  he  has 
always  been  loyal  to  American  ideals  and  American  standards. 


REV.   HEIXRICH  H.  EPP 

Rev.  Heinrich  H.  Epp  is  a  retired  farmer  residing  in  Henderson  township, 
his  home  being  on  section  9.  For  many  years  he  was  closely  associated  with  the 
agricultural  development  of  this  section  of  the  state  and  owns  a  highly  improved 
and  productive  farm  which  annually  returns  to  him  a  substantial  income.  Mr. 
Epp  was  born  in  southern  Russia,  April  8,  1857,  his  parents  l)eing  Heinrich  and 
Marie  (Regier)  Epp,  who  were  also  natives  of  Russia,  in  which  country  the  mother 
passed  away.  Later  the  father  married  again  and  in  187J:  came  to  America,  set- 
tling on  the  farm  in  York  county  which  is  now  owned  by  his  son  Heinrich.  He 
secured  a  tract  of  railroad  land  which  he  purchased  for  four  dollars  and  twenty 
cents  per  acre.  It  was  entirely  undeveloped  and  unimproved  but  with  characteristic 
energy  he  began  to  break  the  sod  and  till  the  fields  and  on  his  place  he  built  a 
little  board  dwelling  and  a  sod  barn.  He  continued  to  engage  in  the  cultivation 
and  development  of  this  place  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1885. 

Heinrich  H.  Epp  of  this  review  is  the  only  surviving  member  of  a  family  of 
four  children.  He  spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  and  acquired  his 
education  in  Russia  and  in  Germany.  He  was  but  seventeen  years  of  age  when 
he  came  to  the  new  world  and  he  continued  to  make  his  home  with  his  father 
until  the  latter's  death.  He  then  came  into  possession  of  the  farm  but  has  ex- 
tended its  boundaries  from  time  to  time  by  additional  purchase  and  was  once  the 
owner  of  sixteen  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  valuable  laud.  Since  then,  however, 
he  has  given  to  each  of  his  children  an  eighty-acre  tract  but  still  retains  a  valuable 
holding  for  himself.  He  always  carried  on  general  farming,  producing  the  crops 
best  adapted  to  soil  and  climatic  conditions  here  and  likewise  engaged  successfully 
in  stock  raising.  In  fact  he  became  recognized  as  a  very  progressive  agriculturist 
and  one  who  at  all  times  displayed  sound  business  judgment.  He  added  to  his 
farm  all  modern  improvements,  secured  the  most  up-to-date  machinery  to  facilitate 
the  work  of  the  fields,  planted  a  fine  orchard  and  raised  fruit  of  all  kinds.  He 
also  became  one  of  the  stockholders  of  the  MeCloud  Hotel. 

In  1880  Mr.  Epp  was  married  to  Miss  Helena  Peters,  a  native  of  Russia, 
who  came  to  America  in  1878  with  her  parents,  Dietrich  and  Helena  (Fast) 
Peters,  who  were  also  natives  of  that  country.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Epp  were  born 
the  following  children:  Margaret,  the  wife  of  D.  J.  Mierau  of  York  county;  Rev. 
H.  D.  Dietrich;  Cornelius;  Helen,  the  wife  of  D.  P.  Mierau;  Marie  tlie  wife  of 
J.  K.  Freisen :  Jacob,  who  was  born  February  13,  18!)3,  and  died  on  the  4th  of 
September  following;  Joliann,  who  was  born  in  1891:;  Elizabeth,  l)orn  July  19, 
1896;  Sarah,  who  was  born  July  24,  1898,  and  died  January  3,  1909;  and  Gustav, 
who  was  born  August  7,  IDiil,  and  died  December  31,  1908. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Epp  has  been  a  stalwart  republican  since  age  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  and  for  several  years  he  served  as  school 


1018  HISTORY    OE   YORK    COUNTY 

director.  He  has  always  been  interested  in  everything  pertaining  to  public  welfare 
and  progress  and  his  cooperation  has  been  an  important  element  in  advancing 
many  interests  for  the  public  good.  He  has  long  been  a  most  active  worker  in 
the  Bethesda  church,  served  as  deacon  for  eleven  years  and  in  1895  was  ordained 
as  a  minister  of  the  church  in  which  he  is  now  also  serving  as  elder.  He  has  aljvays 
stood  for  those  forces  which  make  for  the  material,  intellectual,  social  and  moral 
progress  of  the  community  and  has  long  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  valued 
and  representative  citizens  of  York  county. 


FRANCIS  M.  BRABHAM 

A  man  of  well  balanced  capacities  and  powers  is  always  a  strong  character 
and  one  who  inspires  confidepce  in  others :  he  may  not  have  genius  or  any  phe- 
nomenal characteristics,  yet  he  is  capable  of  mature  judgment  of  his  own  capacities 
and  of  the  people  and  circumstances  that  make  up  his  life's  contacts  and  ex- 
periences. What  a  man  does  and  what  he  attains  depend  largely  upon  his  oppor- 
tunities, and  even-paced  energy  will  generally  carry  him  forward  to  the  goal  of 
success.  These  thoughts  are  reflected  in  the  life  and  work  of  Francis  M.  Brabham, 
born  in  Washington  county,  Ohio,  June  17,  1846,  now  in  his  seventy-fifth  year, 
living  retired  after  the  strenuous  activity  of  a  life  on  the  farm. 

His  parents  were  John  P.  and  Docia  (Webster)  Brabham,  the  former  a  native 
of  the  state  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  Connecticut.  Early  in  life  they  found 
themselves  in  Ohio,  were  married  in  that  state  and  there  brought  up  their  family. 
In  18G7  they  moved  to  Illinois  and  secured  a  tract  of  land  for  which  John  P. 
Brabham  paid  eighteen  dollars  per  acre  and  there,  assisted  by  his  sons,  he  broke 
the  sod  and  cultivated  the  fields,  finally  bringing  the  place  to  a  condition  of 
excellent  improvement  and  he  and  his  wife  there  spent  the  remained  of  their  lives. 
Before  taking  to  farming  he  had  been  following  the  trade  of  a  cooper.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Brabham  were  the  parents  of  five  children :  Walter  and  Leonidas,  both  de- 
ceased:  David,  living  in  Decatur,  Illinois,  employed  as  salesman  by  a  whole.sale 
house;  Dianthy,  deceased,  and  Francis  M.,  subject  of  this  sketch.  The  parents 
were  Methodists  and  loyal  to  the  teachings  of  their  denomination.  He  had  always 
been  an  active  adherent  of  the  republican  party  and  displayed  a  progressive  spirit 
in  community  affairs. 

Francis  M.  Brabham  attended  the  public  school  of  Ohio  in  the  acquirement 
of  an  education  and  in  his  early  youth  he  learned  the  cooper  trade  and  also 
worked  at  farming.  In  1867,  being  then  in  his  twenty-first  year,  he  accompanied 
his  parents  to  Illinois  and  worked  at  farming,  receiving,  as  he  asserts,  fifty  cents 
per  day  for  his  labor.  In  1871  he  purchased  a  tract  of  land  which  he  operated  for 
some  time  and  finally  sold  out,  realizing  a  handsome  profit  on  the  investment.  It 
was  in  1882  that  Mr.  Brabham  came  to  Nebraska  and  purchased  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  school  land  located  in  Morton  township,  York  county.  He  paid 
seven  dollars  per  acre  for  the  holding,  proceeded  to  set  it  out  to  cultivation,  im- 
proved and  developed  the  tract  as  he  went  along,  finally  making  it  one  of  the 
best  kept  places  in  the  township  or  county.  His  practical  methods  and  his  in- 
dustry were  rewarded  by  large  crops  and  he  gave  careful  attention   to  markets. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1019 

and  thus  was  able  to  dispose  of  his  crops  and  stock  to  good  advantage.  He  has 
had  numerous  offers  made  for  the  farm  and  has  refused  as  high  as  three  hundred 
dollars  an  acre  for  it.  In  1910,  feeling  that  he  had  earned  a  period  of  repose, 
he  retired  from  active  participation  in  the  agricultural  affairs  of  his  place,  and 
since  that  date  has  been  living  in  comfortable  retirement  in  Benedict.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  at  Benedict. 

Mr.  Brabham's  marriage  took  place  in  Illinois,  his  bride  being  Rebecca  Dieter, 
a  native  of  Akron  Heights,  Ohio,  and  to  their  union  two  children  were  born: 
Carrie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years;  and  Ella,  wife  of  Fred  Grobe,  a  York 
county  farmer.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  Mr.  Brab- 
ham is  a  stanch  republican.  Interested  in  the  advancement  of  eflucation,  he 
served  on  the  local  school  board  for  some  years.  He  is  a  man  of  genuine  worth 
and  occupies  a  high  place  as  a  citizen,  unstinted  esteem  being  extended  to  him 
on  all  sides. 


HENRY  H.  SHRIGLEY 


For  a  number  of  years  Henry  H.  Shrigley  engaged  in  farming  in  Nebraska, 
and  in  191-1  when  his  death  occurred  in  York  widespread  grief  was  experienced 
by  his  many  friends.  He  was  an  Englishman  by  birth,  born  on  the  14th  day  of 
February,  1862,  in  London,  England,  the  son  of  English  parents  who  died  in 
his  early  manhood. 

Henry  H.  Shrigley  received  his  education  in  England  where  he  resided  until 
he  was  twenty  years  of  age  at  which  time  he  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in 
Galena,  Illinois.  For  one  year  he  remained  there  working  on  a  farm  and  in  1885, 
removed  to  York  county  and  worked  as  a  farm  hand  near  Arborville  for  several 
months.  This  farm  wliich  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  he  later  pur- 
chased and  operated  for  a  period  of  years.  He  sold  this  farm  but  purchased  a 
farm  in  South  Dakota  and  one  in  western  Nebraska,  removing  to  the  former 
where  he  remained  for  only  six  months,  at  the  termination  of  which  time  he  re- 
turned to  York  and  retired  from  active  farm  life.  He  had  bought  a  nice  home 
on  Blackburn  avenue  in  1911  and  here  he  resided  until  his  death  which  occurred 
on  the  18th  of  August,  1914.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  had  acquired  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  and  was  considered  one  of  the  progressive  far- 
mers of  his  community. 

In  1889  Mr.  Shrigley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Catherine  Jane  Moore, 
a  native  of  Hanover,  Jo  Daviess  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Jane  Moore,  who  were  born  in  Ireland  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  They  came 
to  this  country  in  their  early  life  and  settled  in  Jo  Daviess  county,  Illinois,  where 
they  died.  Mrs.  Shrigley  was  one  of  ten  children  born  to  them  :  the  others  living 
being :  Mrs.  Lynn,  who  resides  in  South  Dakota ;  Mrs.  Wilson  of  Davenport,  Iowa ; 
Mrs.  Woodward  of  York,  Nebraska;  and  Josiah,  a  farmer  of  Jo  Daviess  county, 
Illinois.  Five  other  children  are  deceased.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shrigley 
three  children  were  born :  Joseph  Edward,  who  is  assistant  cashier  of  the  City 
National  Bank  of  York;  Margaret  Katherine,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years; 
and  Muriel,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Shrigley  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  and  frater- 


10-20  HISTOEY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

iially  he  was  an  Odd  Felluw  and  a  Woodman.  He  also  belonged  to  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen.  Mr.  Shrigley  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church  and  his  widow  is  still  active  in  the  various  activities  of  this 
church.  Mrs.  Shrigley  is  residing  in  the  home  place  with  her  son,  Edward.  All 
that  Mr.  Shrigley  acquired  during  his  life  was  the  result  of  his  own  diligence  and 
industry  and  for  three  years  prior  to  his  death  he  lived  in  York,  retired,  enjoying 
the  fruits  of  a  successful  life. 


ROBERT  E.  BYERS 


Robert  E.  Byers,  a  well  known  and  well-to-do  retired  farmer  and  business  man, 
who  for  more  than  forty  years  has  been  a  resident  of  York  county  and  in  that 
period  has  been  a  witness  to  and  a  participant  in  its  growth  and  development, 
is  a  native  of  Illinois,  born  in  Putnam  county,  that  state,  in  1853.  He  is  a  son 
of  William  and  Lydia  Ann  (Plank)  Byers,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania  who  later 
moved  to  Illinois,  where  the  father  followed  the  occupations  of  farming  and  black- 
smithing.  In  addition  to  the  subject  of  this  .sketch,  the  other  members  of  his 
family  were:  Oella  Ham,  a  daughter,  who  lived  for  three  years  in  Polk  county 
and  then  returned  to  Illinois:  Emma  Hilton,  who  lived  in  York  county  for  three 
years  and  then  moved  to  Iowa ;  and  William,  who  lived  in  York  where  he  taught 
school  and  is  now  living  in  Salt  Lake  City.  The  parents  of  tliese  children  passed 
away  many  years  ago. 

R.  E.  Byers  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Illinois  and  helped  on  his  father's 
farm  for  some  years.  In  1878,  being  then  in  his  twenty-fifth  year,  he  came  to 
Nebraska  and  bought  land  in  York  county  on  the  county  line,  also  buying  a  tract 
in  Polk  county  two  years  later.  His  first  purchase  consisted  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  later  added  eighty  acres  of  railroad  land,  the 
price  of  the  latter  being  seven  dollars  an  acre.  One  of  the  holdings  had  a  small 
frame  house  upon  it  and  he  erected  another  of  the  same  description,  hauling  the 
hunlier  from  York.  As  he  progressed  with  his  agricultural  operations  Mr.  Byers 
added  valuable  improvements  in  the  way  of  buildings  and  planted  trees  and  set 
out  orchards,  thereliy  bringing  his  place  into  the  front  rank  among  farming  lands 
in  the  county.  For  about  eight  years  he  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  his  .success  being  assured  from  the  very  beginning,  as  he  brought  keen 
Judgment  and  business-like  methods  to  bear  upon  all  of  his  operations.  At  the 
time  of  his  retirement  from  the  farm  in  1886  he  was  the  owner  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  excellent  land,  all  of  which  is  still  his  property. 

When  Mr.  Byers  retired  from  the  farm  he  moved  to  Gresham  which  in  that 
year  was  being  organized  and  settled.  He  brought  a  little  house  from  the  farm  to 
the  town  and  placed  it  in  a  cornfield  and  was  one  of  the  very  first  settlers  to  reside  in 
Gresham.  From  the  commencement  of  his  residence  in  the  town  he  saw  the  great 
possibilities  for  commercial  development  which  it  offered.  He  established  the 
first  hardware  store  in  Gre.sham,  styled  the  Byers  &  DuUuni  Hardware  Company, 
which  was  under  his  management  for  ten  years.  This  was  followed  by  the  open- 
ing u])  of  general  merchandise  stores  and  a  drug  store.  Two  years  after  starting 
the  store  he  was  in  the  elevator  business  with  Mr.  Davidson  and  his  son.     He  also 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1021 

for  a  time  was  a  director  of  and  a  stockholder  in  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Gresham,  this  being  an  institution  which  he  helped  to  organize.  He  retired  from 
active  participation  in  commercial  affairs  in  1910  and  has  since  been  living  amid 
the  most  pleasant  surroundings,  honored  and  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

In  1875,  in  Iowa,  Mr.  Byers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Carrie  Graff,  a  daughter 
of  John  Graff,  who  immigrated  to  American  and  settled  in  Iowa,  where  his  last 
days  were  spent.  For  many  years  Mr.  Byers  has  been  an  active  supporter  of  the 
prohibitionist  cause  and  has  lived  to  see  his  desires  in  that  connection  become  a 
legislative  fact.  He  served  as  mayor  of  Gresham  for  some  years  and  in  that 
representative  capacity  lent  much  dignity  to  the  good  name  of  the  town.  His 
religious  affiliation  is  with  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  the  upkeep  of  which  he  is 
a  liberal  contributor.  At  different  points  in  his  career  difficulties  have  barred 
his  path  and  he  has  had  many  obstacles  to  overcome,  but  presistent  energy  has 
enabled  him  to  work  his  way  upward  and  his  life  proves  the  eternal  principle  that 
industry  wins. 


WILLIAM  A.  CHORN 


William  A.  Chorn,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  farmer  in 
Nebraska,  owning  land  in  Saline,  Jefferson  and  York  counties.  He  was  born  near 
Kansas  City,  Missouri,  on  the  20th  of  March,  1852,  and  died  in  York  in  August, 
1909.  His  parents  were  James  K.  and  Sarah  (Russell)  Chorn,  the  former  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  while  the  latter  was  born  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri.  Seven 
children  were  born  to  this  union,  among  them  the  subject  of  this  review. 

William  A.  Chorn  was  reared  and  received  his  education  in  Indiana,  but  on 
reaching  young  manhood  removed  to  Iowa  settling  near  Hamburg.  Here  he 
engaged  in  farming  for  some  time  and  in  1881  was  married.  In  1886  he  and 
his  wife  came  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  Saline  county  where  they  rented  land 
for  one  year.  The  following  year  he  bought  a  farm  in  Jefferson  county  and  moved 
on  to  it.  The  original  land  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  but  he  soon 
added  another  one  Inmdred  and  sixty  acres  and  subsequently  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  more.  This  farm  was  highly  cultivated  and  one  of  the  finest  in  the 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chorn  made  their  home  here  until  February,  1909,  when 
they  removed  to  York  and  purchased  a  home.  Mr.  Chorn  did  not  live  long  to 
enjoy  his  home,  however,  for  he  passed  away  in  Augu-st  of  that  year.  His  widow 
still  resides  there  enjoying  a  substantial  income  from  two  hundred  and  forty  acres 
of  the  original  farm  in  Jefferson  county. 

Mr.  Chorn's  marriage  took  place  in  Iowa,  in  1881.  He  was  wedded  to  Miss 
Viola  E.  Snyder,  a  native  of  Lee  county,  Iowa,  and  the  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Pauline  Snyder,  the  former  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  in  Columbus, 
Ohio.  For  a  number  of  years  they  resided  in  Illinois  but  later  removed  to  Iowa 
where  they  died.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chorn  three  sons  were  born: 
Sidney  R.,  a  ranchman  in  Idaho;  Wallace  S.,  automobile  agent  for  the  Paige  car, 
in  Los  Angeles;  and  Miller  II.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  clothing  business  in  San 
Francisco. 

Throughout  his  life  Mr.  Chorn  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party 
and  well  versed  on  the  issues  and  questions  of  the  day.    He  did  not  lightly  shoulder 

Vol.  11—27 


1022  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COITXTY 

the  responsibility  of  his  citizenship  and  was  ever  active  in  the  interest  of  his 
party,  although  he  never  desired  nor  souglit  public  office.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  United  Brethren  church  and  a  strong  prohibitionist.  During  the  early  married 
life  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chorn  they  experienced  many  hardships,  but  later  enjoyed  the 
success  of  their  courage  and  labors.  Although  Mr.  Chorn  resided  in  York  but  a 
short  time  before  his  death  he  made  many  and  fast  friends  who  felt  a  great  liereave- 
ment  at  his  demise. 


SEBASTIAN  GILMORE 


It  has  been  said  that  when  a  boy  or  a  man  has  a  nickname  it  is  a  good  sign  that 
he  has  friends.  This  is  certainly  true  in  the  case  of  Sebastian  Gilmore,  familiarly 
known  as  '"Boss,"'  who  was  one  of  the  pioneer  homesteaders  of  York  county. 
Mr.  Gilmore  had  an  uncle  in  Pennsylvania  who  was  called  "Boss"  and  this  is 
probably  where  his  name  originated.  "Boss"  Gilmore  was  born  in  Fayette 
county,  Pennsylvania,  March  2,  1847,  the  son  of  Elias  Gilmore  of  Virginia,  who 
married  Hulda  Rush,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  became  a  resident  of  Living- 
ston county,  Illinois,  in  1858.  In  1865,  accompanied  by  his  oldest  son,  John  Rush 
Gilmore,  and  William  Taylor,  Elias  Gilmore  left  Livingston  county  for  Nebraska, 
traveling  overland  with  a  team  and  wagon.  They  were  delayed  at  Sidney,  Iowa, 
for  some  weeks  waiting  for  the  ice  on  the  Missouri  river  to  become  sufficiently  strong 
to  permit  them  to  drive  across  and  consequently  did  not  arrive  in  York  county 
until  the  latter  part  of  December.  Leaving  the  old  freight  road  at  the  Fouse 
ranch  they  followed  a  dim  wagon  track  westward  along  the  Blue  river,  finding  John 
Anderson,  who  was  the  first  homesteader  in  York  county,  already  located  near  the 
eastern  line  of  the  county  on  what  is  now  the  southwest  one  quarter  of  section  two 
of  West, Blue  township.  Coming  west  they  ate  their  Christmas  dinner  in  camp  on 
section  six,  just  north  of  where  the  Knights  of  Pythias  camp  is  now  located. 

After  looking  over  their  land  they  returned  to  Nebraska  City  and  homesteaded 
their  claim,  January  1,  1866.  Driving  back  to  the  land  they  made  preparations 
for  their  new  home.  The  winter  was  spent  in  a  small  dugout  which  was  situated 
near  the  river  and  completely  surrounded  by  Indians.  They  went  back  to  Illinois 
the  next  summer  and  November  3,  1866,  Elias  Gilmore  returned  to  Nebraska  with 
his  family,  and  made  a  permanent  settlement.  Their  home  was  built  by  digging  a 
cave  in  the  side  of  a  hill  audxthe  front  built  up  with  logs.  A  huge  fireplace  in  one 
end  of  the  ten  by  twenty-four  feet  dwelling  was  built  of  sod,  plastered  with  mud 
and  the  rough  boards  overhead  were  covered  with  dirt.  It  was  a  wet  summer, 
unfortunately,  and  the  dirt  roof  failed  to  keep  out  the  rain,  so  it  was  necessary  to 
build  a  new  home.  Mr.  Gilmore  raised  a  good  crop  of  barley  and  buckwheat,  taking 
the  latter  to  Camden  Mills,  thirty  miles  distant,  to  be  ground  into  flour  which  he 
took  to  Nebraska  City  and  sold  for  eleven  dollars  per  hundred  pounds.  The 
barley  was  also  sold  there  for  one  dollar  and  seventy-five  cents  \~>er  bushel.  Lumber 
was  purchased  and  brought  back  and  the  first  frame  house  was  built  in  York 
county.  The  building  was  twenty-four  by  fourteen  with  a  sixteen-foot  ell  and  the 
fact  that  it  is  still  standing  proves  that  it  was  well  built.  It  was  here  that  Elias 
Gilmore  resided  and  successfully  engaged  in  farming  until  he  passed  away  twenty- 


SEBASTIAN  GILMORE 


THE  NEW  YOIli^ 
PUBLIC  LIB"  ARY 

ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
1  TILDEN  fOUNOA'auNE 

R 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1025 

two  years  ago  after  he  had  passed  his  eightieth  milestone.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gihnore 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children,  and  two  who  died  in  Pennsylvania : 
Arminda  J.,  who  resides  in  California;  Mary  C,  the  wife  of  A.  J.  Corey,  of 
Fairfield,  Nebraska;  Sabina.  the  widow  of  Nelson  Creech,  of  Portland,  Oregon; 
Margaret,  the  widow  of  Asahiel  Beckwith,  of  Livingston  county,  Illinois;  W.  C, 
born  in  Illinois,  who  resides  in  Shenandoah,  .Iowa;  J.  W.,  who  passed  away  in 
California,  where  he  lived  with  his  sister,  Arminda;  Sebastian,  of  this  review;  and 
J.  E.,  who  formerly  conducted  a  store  at  Blue  Valley  and  is  now  a  resident  of 
California.  Elias  Gilmore  was  a  member  of  and  helped  to  organize  the  first  Chris- 
tian church  in  the  county.  In  politics  his  endorsement  was  given  to  the  democratic 
party  and  he  was  a  man  who  kept  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the 
day.  It  is  to  such  men  as  Mr.  Gilmore,  men  who  have  displayed  a  spirit  of 
undaiinted  enterprise,  that  York  county  owes  her  development  and  progress,  for 
they  have  utilized  her  natural  resources  to  the  best  possible  advantage,  overcoming 
the  hardships  that  must,  needs  be  theirs  who  make  easier  the  way  for  others  who 
are  to  come  to  a  new  country. 

Sebastian  Gilmore  was  a  lad  of  nineteen  years  when  the  family  came  to  York 
county  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  took  tp  a  homestead  of  eighty  acres  where 
he  built  a  log  house  in  which  he  lived  for  ten  years.  Later  he  built  a  large  frame 
house  and  is  now  the  owner  of  over  four  hundred  acres  of  rich  farm  land.  "Boss" 
Gilmore  was  a  young  man  when  the  first  post-ofiice  was  established  in  that  neighbor- 
hood in  1869  and  he  became  a  mail  carrier,  riding  on  a  pony  from  Lincoln  to 
Milford,  Camden,  West  Mills,  Beaver  Crossing,  Blue  Valley  and  McFadden.  "Boss" 
Gilmore  was  very  successful  in  general  farming  and  devoted  his  time  to  feeding 
cattle  for  several  years.  He  was  one  of  the  very  first  residents  in  the  county,  there 
being  not  more  than  two  or  three  who  preceded  him  here.  The  privations  and 
hardships  of  the  pioneer  are  all  familiar  to  him  and  he  well  remembers  the  year 
of  the  grasshopper  pestilence. 

Mr.  Gilmore  was  married  to  Lura  Randall,  a  native  of  Wisconsin,  who  passed 
away  seven  years  ago  leaving  eight  children,  three  of  whom  are  living :  Odin  S.,  an 
attorney  of  York,  Nebraska ;  Robert  L.,  who  practices  law  in  Omaha,  Nebraska  ;  and 
Blanche,  the  wife  of  Charles  Bucy,  who  is  operating  Mr.  Gilmore's  farm.  His  life 
has  been  one  of  continuous  activity  in  which  has  been  accorded  due  recognition  of 
labor,  and  today  he  is  numbered  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  his  community. 
His  interests  are  thoroughly  identified  with  farming  and  he  is  at  all  times  ready 
to  lend  his  aid  and  cooperation  to  any  movement  calculated  to  benefit  this  section 
of  the  country  or  advance  its  development. 


WINFIELD  SCOTT  FREEMAN 

A  life  of  industry  and  thrift  brought  to  Winfield  Scott  Freeman  a  substantial 
measure  of  success,  while  the  sterling  worth  of  his  character  gained  for  him  warm 
friendships  and  high  regard.  He  resided  for  a  number  of  years  in  York  county 
and  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  born  in 
Genoa,  Wisconsin,  July  18,  1854,  and  his  life  record  covered  the  intervening  years 
to  the  1-1  th  of  November,  1919.     He  was  reared  and  educated  in  Wisconsin  and 


1026  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

when  twenty-tliree  years  of  age  left  that  state  and  removed  to  Nehraska,  settling 
in  York  county  in  1876.  Here  he  purchased  railroad  land  twelve  miles  south- 
west of  the  city  of  York  and  this  he  improved  and  developed.  There  was  a  tiny 
house  on  this  place  when  he  bought  it,  and  he  occupied  it  for  some  time,  but  later 
built  a  larger  residence,  the  lumber  for  which  was  hauled  from  Nebraska  City.  In 
IDll  he  moved  to  York. 

In  1878  Mr.  Freeman  was  united  in  marriage  in  York  to  Miss  Sophia  Spindell, 
who  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Myra  (Long) 
Spindell,  both  of  whom  were  born  and  reared  in  Germany.  Following  the  marriage 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spindell  they  sailed  for  New  Orleans  in  1846  and  there  Mr. 
Spindell  became  connected  with  the  French  market,  selling  poultry.  His  death 
occurred  in  the  Crescent  City  and  there  he  was  buried.  The  mother  afterward 
came  with  her  daughter  to  York  county  in  1876.  She  purchased  land  which  she 
turned  over  to  Mr.  Freeman  to  take  care  of,  and  for  a  long  period  he  was  closely 
associated  with  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  state.  He  became  the  owner  of 
two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  constituting  a  valuable  and  highly  developed  property. 
Mrs.  Freeman  still  owns  the  same  farm.  He  was  a  hard  worker,  his  industry  and 
capable  management  constituting  the  basis  of  his  success. 

Mr.  Freeman  held  membership  in  the  Christian  church.  His  political  support 
was  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  took  a  deep  interest  in  all  matters  of 
progressive  citizenship.  While  he  was  active  in  politics  he  never  sought  nor  de- 
sired office.  He  and  his  wife  left  their  old  home  in  1911  and  removed  to  the 
city  of  York,  where  he  passed  away,  while  his  widow  resides  in  a  pleasant  home 
at  No.  101  Lincoln  avenue.  He  was  in  very  limited  circumstances  when  he  came 
to  the  west  and  had  but  fifty  cents  left  after  his  marriage.  His  courage  and 
determination,  however,  carried  him  steadily  forward  to  success  and  he  was  thus 
able  to  leave  his  widow  in  very  comfortable  financial  circumstances.  He  was  also 
survived  by  two  brothers  and  a  sister:  Adolph  and  Earl,  both  of  whom  live  at 
Maywood,  Nebraska;  and  Mrs.  Ella  Faling,  a  resident  of  Oregon.  Coming  to  York 
county  in  early  manhood  Mr.  Freeman  was  well  known,  gaining  many  friends 
during  tihe  'long  years  of  his  residence  in  this  state,  so  that  his  death  was  the 
occasion  of  deep  and  widespread  regret. 


GEORGE  A.  FRIESEN 


It  is  said  that  few  men  possess  the  ability  to  attain  success  along  both  commer- 
cial and  agricultural  lines  but  George  A.  Friesen,  a  well  known  merchant  of  Hen- 
derson, York  county,  has  made  a  creditable  record  in  both  connections.  He  was 
born  in  Hamilton  county,  Nebraska,  March  28,  1888,-  a  son  of  Peter  B.  and 
Magrata  (Abrahams)  Friesen,  both  natives  of  the  southern  part  of  Russia  and  who 
immigrated  to  America  in  1875.  Shortly  after  arriving  in  this  country  the  parents 
came  to  Nebraska  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Hamilton  county  which  they  operated 
for  several  years,  making  a  splendid  success  of  their  holding.  In  1012  they  retired 
from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and  moved  to  Henderson  where  they  are  very 
comfortably  and  pleasantly  situated,  enjoying  the  esteem  and  regard  of  a  wide 
circle  of  friends  to  whom  they  have  endeared  themselves  by  their  sinqilicity  of  life 


HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY  1037 

and  uii(|uestioiied  integrity.  To  their  marriage  six  cliildren  were  born,  five  of  wliom 
are  living  and  doing  well  in  the  world's  work. 

George  A.  Friesen  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Hamilton  county  and  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  county,  later  entering  college  in  which  he 
spent  one  term.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  farming  and  for  several  years  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  applying  himself  with  close  attention  to  its  many 
details  and  operating  his  holding  to  considerable  advantage,  gradually  taking  a 
front  place  among  the  younger  group  of  successful  farmers  in  the  county.  In  1916 
Mr.  Friesen  forsook  the  fields  for  mercantile  life  and  became  associated  first  with  the 
clothing  business,  remaining  in  that  line  for  four  years.  He  then  formed  a  part- 
nership with  Mr.  P.  J.  Eatzlaff  in  the  general  mercantile  and  clothing  business  in 
Henderson,  and  their  combined  efforts  and. industry  have  met  with  results  of  a 
most  encouraging  and  satisfactory  character.  A  reputation  for  integrity  and 
straight  dealing  has  been  no  small  factor  in  their  success  and  an  increased  volume 
of  trade  is  constantly  being  accorded  them.  In  addition  to  his  interest  in  the 
mercantile  store  Mr.  Friesen  is  the  owner  of  forty  acres  of  prime  land  located  in 
Hamilton  county,  from  which  he  derives  a  gratifying  annual  income. 

Mr.  Friesen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Katie  A.  Friesen,  a  namesake  but 
no  relation  and  she  is  a  daughter  of  John  W.  Friesen,  of  Henderson,  where  he  is 
widely  and  popularly  known.  To  this  union  four  children  have  been  born :  Elsie, 
Lenora,  Eichard  and  Carolina.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Batarta  church  at 
Henderson,  in  the  work  of  which  they  take  an  active  and  helpful  part.  In  politics 
he  votes  for  progress  without  regard  to  party  and  his  efforts  are  always  directed 
toward  the  advancement  of  all  projects  calculated  to  improve  the  material  and 
social  welfare  of  the  community,  and  in  these  movements  he  is  ably  supported  by 
his  wife.  Mr.  Friesen  is  chief  of  the  fire  department  in  Henderson  and  is  always 
in  readiness  to  do  his  duty  in  connection  with  this  work.  His  name  is  virtually  a 
household  word  and  his  influence  on  the  life  of  the  district  in  which  he  lives  is 
far-reaching  and  useful  in  all  its  phases. 


EDWARD  F.  BLUM 


A  successful  farmer  and  landowner  of  York  county  is  Edward  F.  Blum,  who 
was  born  on  the  old  homestead  farm  of  his  father,  Julius  Blum,  of  whom  further 
mention  is  made  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

Edward  F.  Blum  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  York  county,  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools,  and  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  decided  to  engage  in 
farming.  In  1907  he  commenced  farming  on  his  own  account  and  is  now  the  pos- 
sessor of  one  hunclred  and  sixty  acres  purchased  from  his  father.  This  land  is  very 
well  improved  and  Mr.  Blum  engages  in  general  farming. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Blum  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Zwieg,  a  native  of 
Beaver  township  and  a  daughter  of  William  Zwieg,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of 
this  township.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blum : 
Lawrence,  Victor,  Alfred  and  Harold.  Miss  Euth  Brueggeman,  a  niece  of  Mrs. 
Blum,  also  makes  her  home  with  them,  her  mother  having  died  when  she  was  just 
a   child.     Mr.   and   Mrs.    Blum   take   an   active   interest  in   the   development   and 


1028  HISTOEY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY 

improvement  of  the  community  in  whicli  they  reside,  and  their  land,  section 
thirty-two,  Beaver  township,  this  county,  is  highly  improved  and  cultivated.  They 
are  known  to  be  progressive  citizens  and  are  happy  in  the  esteem  and  regard  of 
their  fellowmen. 


CHAELES  11.  BEDIENT 

Charles  H.  Bedient,  who  has  been  living  retired  in  Bradshaw  for  many  years, 
was  long  and  actively  identified  with  agricultural  pursuits  in  York  county  and  is 
still  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  valuable  land.  His  birth 
occurred  in  Lee  county,  Illinois,  December  27,  1863,  his  parents  being  Osborn  and 
Hannah  (Marshall)  Bedient,  both  natives  of  Boone  county,  Xew  York  state,  where 
the  former  was  a  farmer  and  stock  buyer. 

In  1854  Osborn  Bedient  migrated  to  Illinois  and  was  in  possession  of  but  two 
dollars.  He  went  to  Amboy  and  there  prevailed  on  a  friend  to  return  to  Mendota 
wdth  a  team  to  bring  his  family  to  Amboy.  The  country  around  was  almost  all  in 
a  raw  prairie  state  and  the  settlers  were  living  in  log  houses.  Mr.  Bedient  com- 
menced farming  on  his  own  account  by  renting  land  and  in  the  absence  of  the 
necessary  machinery  had  to  plant  corn  by  hand.  After  the  lapse  of  some  years  his 
agricultural  operations  began  to  prove  successful.  He  devoted  the  greater  part  of 
his  time  to  the  buying  and  shipping  of  live  stock  and  his  efforts  met  with  satisfac- 
tory financial  results.  He  spent  the  remaining  years  of  his  life  in  Illinois  and  at 
the  date  of  his  death,  in  1916,  he  was  eighty-four  years  old,  having  been  born  in 
1832.  His  wife,  who  was  born  in  1830,  passed  away  on  June  22,  1906.  They  were 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Lewis,  who  lives  in  Lee  county,  Illinois; 
Edwin,  living  in  Arborville;  Alice,  the  widow  of  Daniel  Craig,  who  lived  in  Illi- 
nois ;  Carrie,  who  married  A.  J.  Eogers,  now  deceased ;  Eugene,  a  farmer,  living  in 
Illinois:  Frank,  who  farms  in  York  county;  Charles  H.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  Addie  A.,  the  wife  of  F.  J.  Tewell,  of  Julesburg,  Colorado ;  Edith  M.,  the 
widow  of  William  Fell,  of  Illinois;  Fred,  a  farmer  living  in  Arborville  township; 
Grace,  the  wife  of  John  Theiss,  of  Jialesburg,  Colorado;  and  Sarah,  who  died  in 
infancy.  Osborn  Bedient  gave  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party,  but 
never  sought  public  office,  preferring  to  devote  his  energies  to  his  farming  operations. 

Charles  II.  Bedient  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois  and  was 
reared  in  his  father's  home,  assisting  in  the  labors  of  the  fai-m  during  his  youth 
and  early  manhood  and  was  in  his  twenty-second  year  before  he  left  his  parents' 
roof.  In  1887  he  arrived  in  York  county  and  settled  in  Arborville,  commencing  his 
agricultural  career  by  renting  land.  He  continued  to  rent  until  he  had  accumulated 
sufficient  money  to  enable  him  to  make  a  purchase  of  a  holding  for  himself.  This 
he  eventually  acquired  and  devoted  his  place  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising, 
his  untiring  energy  and  industry  being  rewarded  by  excellent  returns.  He  added 
more  land  to  the  first  purchase  and  is  now  the  owier  of  four  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  farm  land,  all  well  improved  and  the  equal  of  any  in  his  part  of  the  county. 
In  1901  Mr.  Bedient  moved  to  Bradshaw,  from  which  point  he  bought  and  shipped 
live  stock.  Apart  from  his  farming  interests  he  displays  activity  in  the  affairs  of 
the  Farmers  State  Bank,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  in  1912  and  now 
fills  the  office  of  vice  president  of  the  institution. 


HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY  1039 

Mr.  Bedient  has  been  twice  married.  lu  1895  he  was  married  to  Tillie  Euch, 
who  died  in  1914.  On  Xovember  3,  1915,  he  took  for  his  second  wife  Mattie  C. 
Steinberg  and  tliey  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  Franlv  Osborn  Bedient.  Mrs. 
Bedient  attends  the  services  of  tlie  Christian  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order  and  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  while  in  political  affairs 
he  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  held  several  township  and 
city  offices  and  served  on  the  county  board  for  some  years.  His  well  directed  busi- 
ness activities  have  w-on  him  material  success  and  by  his  upright  and  honorable  life 
he  has  gained  the  warm  regard  and  friendship  of  many  with  whom  he  has  been 
brought  into  contact. 


EMANUEL  EEISIXGEE 


The  agricultural  development  of  York  county  is  largely  attributable  to  the 
efforts  of  such  men  as  Emanuel  Eeisinger,  who  has  now  reached  the  venerable  age 
of  eighty  years  and  who  has  for  an  extended  period  been  actively  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising  in  Y^ork  county.  In  addition  to  his  agricultural  pursuits  he 
has  also  followed  the  shoemaker's  trade,  being  so  successful  in  all  lines  of  work 
that  he  is  now  living  retired  in  York  at  317  Nebraska  Avenue,  enjoying  the  reward 
of  his  labor  and  diligence. 

Emanuel  Eeisinger  was  born  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  18,  1840,  a 
son  of  John  and  Polly  (Wyland)  Eeisinger,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Germany. 
They  later  emigrated  to  the  United  States  where  the  father  was  employed  as  a 
laborer  and  lioth  of  them  died  in  Pennsylvania.  In  the  acquirement  of  an  educa- 
tion Emanuel  Eeisinger  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native  state  and  early 
in  life  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade.  He  followed  this  trade  at  Marysville,  Penn- 
sylvania, until  1863,  at  which  time  he  enlisted  for  service  during  the  Civil  war.  At 
Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  he  joined  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-ninth 
Battalion  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  Xorthend 
Eiver,  Cold  Harbor,  and  Petersburg.  He  was  discharged  at  Elmyra,  New  York,  in 
1865.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania  and  resumed  his  trade 
at  Marysville.  There  he  remained  until  1875  at  which  time  he  went  to  Illinois, 
settling  in  Bureau  county  and  following  his  trade.  In  1879  he  came  to  York  county 
where  he  worked  for  some  time  as  a  shoemaker  and  in  the  same  year  purchased  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  railroad  land  which  he  moved  onto  and  began  to  culti- 
vate. The  land  was  located  in  Beaver  township  and  was  entirely  unimproved  and 
he  broke  the  ground  himself,  also  building  a  small  frame  house  and  barn.  He  also 
set  out  an  orchard  and  shade  trees  and  until  1884  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  In  1884  he  disposed  of  the  land,  resumed  his  trade  for  a  short  time 
and  in  1905  retired  from  active  life. 

In  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Eeisinger  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Dice,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  nine  children  have  been  born  to 
them,  five  dying  in  infancy.  The  four  children  living  are:  F.  P.,  who  is  residing 
in  Y'ork;  J.  W.,  who  is  farming  in  York  county;  Millie,  who  is  the  wife  of 
A.  H.  Trim,  engaged  in  farming  in  York  county;  and  Herbert,  who  is  engaged  in 
the  shoemaking  business  in  Y'ork. 

Mr.   Eeisinger's  political   allegiance  has   always  been  given  to  the  republican 


1030  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

party  and  it  is  a  well  known  faet  that  he  is  a  stalwart  champion  of  any  good 
cause.  The  duties  of  dtizensliip  have  not  set  lightly  upon  his  shoulders  and  he 
served  as  a  member  of  the  county  board  for  one  term,  1887,  and  was  a  member  of 
the  city  council  several  times.  He  has  also  taken  an  active  interest  in  promoting 
the  educational  opportunities  of  his  community  and  to  this  end  was  for  a  number 
of  years  school  director.  Mr.  Reisinger  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  United 
Evangelical  church  in  the  activities  of  which  organization  he  takes  a  prominent 
part.  He  is  well  accounted  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  York  and  his  worth 
as  a  man  and  as  a  citizen  is  widely  acknowledged,  for  he  measures  up  to  high 
standards  in  both  connections. 


GEORGE  J.  HURLBUT 


George  J.  Hurlbut  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  farming  on  a  tract  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty-six  acres  of  excellent  land  in  York  county,  and  it  was  recognized 
that  the  county  had  lost  a  valued  citizen  when  he  was  called  to  the  home  beyond  in 
1912,  regret  for  his  demise  being  very  general.  He  was  born  at  Mishawaka,  Indi- 
ana, 1843,  a  son  of  Harris  and  Melissa  Hurlbut,  the  former  of  whom  was  in  legal 
practice  as  an  attorney  in  that  town  for  many  years  and  here  he  and  his  wife  spent 
the  remainder  of  their  lives,  being  among  the  earliest  settlers  in  that  part  of  the 
Hoosier  state. 

The  early  days  of  George  J.  Hurlbut  were  passed  under  the  parental  roof  and 
he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town,  where  he  also  sjient  the 
first  period  of  his  young  manhood.  Some  time  later  he  moved  to  Lincoln,  Illinois, 
and  there  became  identified  with  the  drug  business  in  partnership  with  his  brother 
Edward.  He  then  moved  to  Charles  City,  Iowa,  and  resumed  his  connection 
with  the  drug  trade,  residing  in  that  city  for  a  considerable  period  and  finally, 
owing  to  the  state  of  his  health,  he  moved  to  Nebraska  in  1878.  He  purchased  a 
tract  of  land  and  presently  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  in  York  county. 
The  outdoor  life  of  the  farmer  gave  him  renewed  vigor  and  he  applied  himself 
diligently  to  the  problems  of  wresting  from  the  soil  the  Ijest  it  could  yield,  and 
finally  succeeded  in  getting  a  well-improved  place  around  him,  tlie  holding  con- 
taining one  hundred  and  sixty-six  acres  of  excellent  land.  For  a  considerable 
time  his  life  had  been  one  of  untiring  industry  and  perseverance,  during  which  he 
was  watchful  of  every  o])portunity  and  indication  pointing  toward  progress.  His 
death  occurred  in  1912  and  was  a  source  of  grief  to  the  large  numbers  of  friends 
he  had  made  during  his  residence  in  York  county. 

In  1870  Mr.  Hurlbut  was  united  in  marriage  to  Adelaide  Wilber,  born  in  Rut- 
land Hollow,  New  York,  but  the  marriage  was  celebrated  in  Charles  City,  Iowa, 
where  her  husband  was  living  at  the  time.  They  became  the  parents  of  four 
children:  Grace,  deceased,  who  married  Frank  Kibler,  of  California;  William, 
engaged  in  the  California  vineyards;  Myron,  who  farms  the  home  place,  and 
George,  of  Portland,  Oregon.  His  widow  still  survives  and  cherishes  her  hus- 
band's memory,  for  he  was  most  devoted  to  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  his 
family,  ilr.  Hurlbut  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  in  the 
affairs  of  which  he  took  a  practical  interest,  as  he  also  did  in  the  Order  of  Elks.    In 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1031 

politics  he  pursued  a  line  of  independent  thought  and  action;  not  being  a  seeker 
after  office  himself  he  did  not  countenance  the  mere  professional  politician,  but 
believed  in  supporting  all  movements  designed  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity where  he  had  made  his  adopted  home.  When  the  present  courthouse  at 
York  was  being  erected  he  was  chairman  of  the  commission  appointed  to  superintend 
the  work  and  in  this  capacity  gave  excellent  service. 


MONTRAVILLE  BOBBINS 

Among  the  pioneer  farmers  of  Nebraska  was  Montraville  Eobbins,  whose  death 
occurred  in  York  on  the  17th  of  March,  1917.  He  was  born  in  Ohio,  August  31, 
1840,  the  son  of  Elijah  Eobbins,  who  came  to  Indiana  in  an  early  day  but  died  in 
Ohio. 

Montraville  Bobbins  received  his  education  in  Indiana  and  when  the  Civil 
war  broke  out  enlisted  from  that  state  in  the  Sixty-eighth  Indiana  Volunteers  with 
whom  he  served  for  three  years.  He  participated  in  many  of  the  famous  battles  of 
that  war  and  was  wounded  and  captured,  spending  some  time  in  a  prison  in  Ken- 
tucky. In  1869  Mr.  Bobbins  was  married  and  in  1871  removed  to  York  county, 
Nebraska,  Hayes  township,  as  one  of  the  early  pioneers.  The  fall  had  set  in  when 
they  arrived  in  this  state  and  they  acquired  a  homestead  some  miles  from  Lincoln. 
There  were  few  settlers  in  the  vicinity  and  the  country  was  in  a  wild  and  unculti- 
vated state.  Their  first  home  was  a  dugout  Init  later  they  succeeded  in  hauling 
some  timber  from  Fairmont  and  built  a  frame  house.  This  home  proved  to  be  a 
shelter  for  travelers  coming  from  miles  around  and  many  Indians  who  were  out  on 
hunting  expeditions  stopped  here  for  food.  Game  was  in  abundance  and  Mr.  Rob- 
bins  brought  in  many  elk,  deer  and  smaller  game.  Whenever  it  was  necessary  to 
replenish  their  supplies  Mr.  Bobbins  had  to  travel  to  Lincoln  which  trip  took 
three  days.  In  the  cultivation  of  the  land  they  were  gratifyingly  successful  and 
here  they  resided  until  190-4,  watching  the  growth  of  the  community  around  them. 
In  1904  Mr.  Bobbins  desired  to  retire  from  active  farm  life  and  he  and  Mrs.  Rob- 
bins  removed  to  York  where  they  built  one  of  the  finest  homes  in  the  town.  For 
thirteen  years  Mr.  Robbins  lived  here  in  retirement,  although  he  took  an  active 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  his  community,  and  his  death  which  occurred  on  the  17th 
of  March,  1917,  was  a  sad  blow  to  his  many  friends.  Mr.  Robbins  before  he  died 
owned  eight  hundred  acres  of  land  which  was  divided  after  his  death.  He  also 
owned  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  in  Hayes  county.  Mrs.  Bobbins  is  still  living 
and  resides  in  York  with  her  son  Harry.  She  is  still  in  possession  of  the  old  home- 
stead and  makes  frequent  visits  there. 

Montraville  Robbins  married  Miss  Martha  Sloan,  a  native  of  Dearborn  county, 
Indiana,  and  a  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Rebecca  (Anderson)  Sloan,  the  former  born 
in  Maryland  and  the  latter  in  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sloan  had  come  to 
Indiana  in  an  early  day  but  later  removed  to  Illinois  where  the  latter's  death 
occurred.  In  1871  Mr.  Sloan  removed  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  York  county 
where  he  homesteaded  until  his  death.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bobbins  have  become  the 
parents  of  four  children:  Eva,  who  is  the  wife  of  Irvin  Puller,  a  farmer  near 
McCool ;  Lillie,  the  wife  of  Edward  Hayes  who  is  in  the  United  States  mail  service 


1032  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

in  Omaha;  Lulu,  who  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Van  Yleet,  a  garage  man  in  Omaha; 
and  Harry  who  resides  in  York  with  his  mother. 

Mr.  Eoljbins  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  repul)lican  party  and  of  the  prin- 
ciples for  which  it  stands  and  he  held  many  different  township  offices.  He  was  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  church  and  an  active  worker  in  the  Y^ork  G.  A.  E. 
He  was  in  every  sense  of  the  word  a  self-made  man.  When  he  first  started  farming 
his  only  assets  consisted  of  a  team  and  wagon,  indomitable  courage  and  grim 
determination.  He  allowed  no  obstacle  to  obstruct  his  way,  however,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  the  owner  of  twelve  hundred  acres  of  land. 


WASHINGTON  C.  CONKLE 

For  many  years  farming  interests  of  York  county  found' a  worthy  representa- 
tive in  Washington  C.  Conkle,  now  living  practically  retired  in  his  home  at  Bene- 
dict. He  was  born  in  Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  G,  1847,  a  son  of 
Henry  and  Mary  Jane  (Whims)  Conkle,  natives  also  of  the  Keystone  state,  where 
the  father  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  followed  that  line  of  work  for  several 
years.  In  1877  Henry  Conkle  decided  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  rapidly  developing 
west  and  moved  to  Nebraska,  carrying  on  general  farming  shortly  after  he  settled. 
Later  he  moved  to  Holt  county,  and  took  up  a  homestead  north  of  O'Neill, 
Nebraska,  where  he  resumed  farming  operations,  meeting  with  considerable  success, 
and  there  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  wife  passed  away  in  Colorado  in 
1910,  being  then  in  her  sixty-seventh  year.  To  their  marriage  twelve  children 
were  born,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Washington  C,  subject  of  this  sketch  ;  Laure, 
wife  of  Andrew  Gibson,  of  Wisner,  Idaho;  Estella,  wife  of  Thomas  Eoy,  of  Alma, 
-Texas;  and  John,  living  in  Washington  state.  Henry  Conkle  and  his  wife  were 
earnest  and  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  were  ever  ready 
to  endorse  plans  and  measures  for  the  moral  uplift  of  the  individual  or  for  tlie 
betterment  of  the  community  at  large.     In  politics  he  voted  independently. 

Washington  C.  Conkle  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  remained  with  his  parents  during  his  boyhood  and  youth,  engaged  for 
some  time  in  farm  work.  In  1874,  being  then  in  his  twenty-seventh  year,  he  came 
to  Nel)raska  and  worked  on  farms  during  the  years  which  covered  the  grasshopper 
plague.  He  succeeded  in  accumulating  sufficient  money  to  enable  him  to  purchase 
a  tract  of  school  land  which  he  presently  worked  into  a  .state  of  cultivation  and 
conducted  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  meeting  with  considerable  success  in 
his  agricultural  operations.  Finally  he  acquired  a  place  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres,  all  under  excellent  improvement,  which  he  turned  over  to  his  son 
Francis  E.,  who  now  carries  on  and  directs  the  work  on  the  farm.  Aside  from  his 
farming  interests  Mr.  Conkle  is  a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  Farmers  Elevator 
at  Benedict  and  also  holds  stock  in  the  Benedict  Lumber  &  Fuel  Company.  While 
connected  with  the  farm  he  closely  applied  himself  to  the  care  and  management  of 
his  property  interests  and  has  long  ranked  with  the  leading  and  representative 
agriculturists  of  his  section  of  the  state. 

On  October  1,  1877,  Mr.  Conkle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Isabelle  Herron,  a 
native  of  West  Virginia,  the  marriage  ceremony  taking  place  in  that  state.     The 


O 


!z; 
o 

iz; 

I— I 

w 

05 

K 

:§ 

Q 
Z 

-< 


HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY  1035 

first  house  in  which  they  lived  after  settling  in  Morton  township  was  a  sod  structure 
and  provisions  liad  to  be  hauled  from  York.  He  put  up  a  well  built  home  in  later 
years  which  is  now  occupied  by  his  son.  They  became  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren:  Mina  E.,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Francis  E.,  farming  the  home  place. 
Mrs.  Conkle  passed  away  September  12,  1920.  being  then  in  her  sixty-eighth  year 
and  expressions  of  sympathy  and  regret  at  her  death  were  widespread  and  sincere. 
She  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  church.  Mr.  Conkle  has  always  been 
identified  with  the  democratic  party  and  is  a  consistent  supporter  of  its  principles 
and  policies.  There  is  in  his  life  record  nothing  spectacular  but  his  career  is  one 
that  places  him  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  this  part  of  the  state  of 
Nebraska. 


FEED  W.  EOMSDAL 


Fred  "W.  Eomsdal  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  Y'ork  county  who  has  decided  to 
continue  as  a  resident  thereof  and  operates  a  farm  on  section  10,  Lockridge  town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  York  in  1878,  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  -(Danielson)  Eomsdal, 
natives  of  Norway.  The  father  was  a  miner  by  ^occupation  and  commenced  work- 
ing at  that  occupation  in  his  native  country  whe'n  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  In 
1869  he  and  his  family  set  out  for  America  and  on  reaching  this  country  went  to 
Calumet,  Michigan,  securing  employment  in  helping  to  sink  the  Hecla  and  Calumet 
shafts  in  that  region.  Later  lie  moved  to  Helena,  Montana,  and  worked  in  the 
mines. 

It  was  in  1870  that  John  Eomsdal  decided  to  come  west,  and  making  Nebraska 
his  objective  settled  in  York  county  and  is  credited  with  having  erected  the  first 
log  house  in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  earned  money  by  doing  freighting  between 
Lincoln  and  Fairmont,  and  subsequently  turned  his  attention  to  general  farming 
and  stock  raising.  He  had  previously  acquired  a  tract  of  land  which  he  proceeded 
to  develop  and  put  into  cultivation.  After  laboring  strenuously  for  some  years  he 
succeeded  in  getting  his  agricultural  affairs  into  good  condition,  and  having 
secured  to  himself  a  substantial  competence  he  retired  from  active  work  in  1899, 
turning  the  conduct  of  the  farm  over  to  his  son,  Fred  W.  Eomsdal,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  For  a  time  after  his  retirement  Mr.  Eomsdal  made  his  home  in  York 
and  in  1919  moved  to  California.  His  wife  died  in  1902  in  the  sixty-fifth  year  of 
her  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  cliildren,  those  besides  Fred  W.  being: 
Jacob,  living  in  Iowa;  Philip,  in  North  Dakota;  Charles,  of  Hastings,  Nebraska; 
John,  deceased;  Lena,  married  and  living  at  Dalton,  Nebraska;  Eosa,  the  wife  of 
A.  J.  Quick,  of  York  county;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Charles  Saudall,  of  York,  and 
Elizabeth,  -ndfe  of  0.  F.  Quick,  of  Washington.  The  parents  had  religious  affilia- 
tion with  the  United  Brethren  church,  to  the  upkeep  of  which  they  were  liberal 
contributors.  He  always  voted  an  independent  ticket  and  served  two  terms  as  a 
member  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners. 

Fred  W.  Eomsdal  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  his  boyhood  and  youth 
were  spent  in  the  acquirement  of  a  district  school  education  and  in  lielping  his 
father  in  the  labors  of  tlie  farm.  He  continued  along  the  latter  line  until  1899, 
when  his  father  retired  from  active  connection  with  the  holding,  and  from  that 
date  has  been  keeping  the  place  up  to  the  standard  to  which  his  father  had  brought 


1036  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

it.  He  has  effected  several  valuable  improvements  and  is  constantly  on  the  alert 
for  any  contrivance  that  will  help  to  improve  cultivation  or  increase  the  yield  of  his 
fields.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming  he  gives  special  attention  to  the  breeding 
of  a  choice  strain  of  Poland  China  hogs,  liberal  returns  from  this  branch  reward- 
ing his  labors.  His  energy  and  practical  industry  have  placed  him  in  a  sound 
financial  position,  and  he  has  been  immune  from  the  risks  which  usually  accompany 
a  bad  season. 

In  1900  Mr.  Eomsdal  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lucy  Miller,  a  daughter  of 
Oscar  Miller,  who  took  a  homestead  in  York  county  in  1870  and  now  lives  in 
Washington.  To  this  union  four  children  have  been  born:  Cecil,  Earl,  John  and 
Fred  W.,  all  living  witli  their  parents.  The  Romsdal  family  arc  members  of  the 
United  Brethren  church  and  are  active  in  attendance  upon  its  services.  He  holds 
fraternal  affiliation  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  In  political  affairs 
he  usually  casts  an  independent  vote.  He  was  appointed  to  fill  an  unexpired  term 
as  county  commissioner,  and  when  that  term  was  completed  was  re-elected  and  is 
now  serving  his  first  term.  During  the  many  years  that  he  has  been  active  in  the 
affairs  of  York  county  he  has  done  his  part  in  bringing  about  the  wonderful 
developments  that  have  taken  place.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  and  a  large 
number  of  personal  friends. 


CHARLES  SIMMONS  HARRISON 

Charles  Simmons  Harrison  left  the  impress  of  his  individuality  and  ability  upon 
the  history  of  Nebraska  in  large  measure.  He  resided  for  many  years  in  York  and 
as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  contributed  largely  to  the  moral  progress  of  the  state, 
while  there  was  probably  no  one  who  did  more  to  develop  the  horticultural  interests 
of  Nebraska  than  he.  His  life  was  indeed  one  of  great  activity  and  usefulness, 
winning  him  well  deserved  honor,  and  in  his  passing  the  most  sincere  sorrow  was 
felt  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Charles  Simmons  Harrison  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York  in  1832.  He 
pursued  his  education  in  Illinois  and  in  early  life  became  a  resident  of  the  middle 
west.  It  was  in  Huntley,  Illinois,  that  he  married  Miss  Charlotte  Cummings,  also 
a  native  of  the  Empire  state.  After  his  marriage  he  started  out  as  a  young  mis- 
sionary, going  to  Minnesota  in  the  '.50s,  his  duties  extending  over  a  territory  of 
one  hundred  square  miles  in  that  state.  He  rode  horseback  over  the  entire  section 
and  engaged  in  missionary  work  there  until  1862,  when  he  returned  to  Huntley, 
Illinois,  where  for  a  short  time  he  occupied  the  pulpit  and  was  also  instrumental  in 
building  a  church.  He  next  went  to  Union,  Illinois,  where  he  also  built  a  church, 
and  afterward  removed  to  Tipton,  Iowa,  where  lie  was  instrumental  in  building 
three  churches.  At  a  later  period  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Earhille,  Illinois,  and  a 
church  edifice  there  stands  as  a  monument  to  his  untiring  labor  and  zeal.  He 
remained  in  Earlville  from  1867  until  1872  and  during  that  period  built  churches 
at  Piano  and  at  Sandwich,  Illinois.  At  the  same  time  he  engaged  in  the  nursery 
business,  establishing  a  nursery  in  Earlville  in  1868  and  conducting  it  successfully 
in  connection  with  his  church  work. 

In  the  year  1872  Mr.  Harrison  left  Illinois  and  removed  to  York,  Nebraska, 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1037 

wliere  he  was  joined  by  liis  family  in  1876.  For  a  number  of  years  he  conducted 
excursions  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  in  order  to  bring  settlers 
into  Xebrnska,  and  at  the  same  time  continued  preaching  in  York,  visiting  different 
homes  until  it  was  ]jossible  to  erect  a  church  building.  He  was  untiring  in  his 
efforts  in  connection  with  church  affairs  and  his  influence  in  that  direction  was 
immeasurable.  It  was  Mr.  Harrison  who  induced  the  Burlington  Railroad  to  donate 
forty  acres  of  land  in  connection  with  the  establishment  of  an  academy,  which  was 
conducted  for  a  numlier  of  years  as  a  high  school,  while  later  a  college  took  over  the 
property  and  eventually  the  lots  were  divided  and  sold.  In  1873  Mr.  Harrison  laid 
out  Arborville  for  the  Union  Pacifie  Railroad  and  l.>uilt  a  church  there. 

With  his  removal  to  Y'ork  he  brought  with  him  his  nursery  stock  from  Earlville, 
Illinois,  transferring  it  a  little  at  a  time,  beginning  in  1875,  and  in  the  course  (if 
years  he  had  developed  a  splendid  nursery,  which  eventually  passed  into  the  hands 
of  his  sons.  All  through  his  life  Mr.  Harrison  conducted  profitable  business  enter- 
prises and  yet  devoted  much  time  to  the  church,  accomplishing  great  good  in  that 
connection.  In  1881  lie  removed  to  Pueblo,  Colorado,  and  built  two  or  three 
churches  in  that  state.  He  afterward  went  to  Boston,  Massachusetts,  where  he 
acted  as  financial  agent  to  get  money  for  the  academies  of  the  Congregational 
churches  of  Nebraska.  Removing  to  Weeping  Water,  Nebraska,  he  was  there 
instrumental  in  freeing  the  church  from  its  debt  during  the  two  or  three  years  of 
his  residence  there. 

Mr.  Harrison  also  made  valuable  contribution  to  the  horticultural  development 
of  the  state.  He  was  greatly  interested  in  fruit  raising  and  was  the  author  of 
some  of  the  works  on  the  subject  which  are  still  used  as  textbooks  in  different 
colleges  throughout  the  United  States.  He  probably  did  more  to  develop  an 
interest  in  horticultural  affairs  in  Nebraska  than  any  other  one  man  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  one  of  the  best  known  Imrticulturists  in  the  entire  country. 
He  was  a  large  man  weighing  over  two  hundred  pounds,  and  a  man  of  wonderful 
strength.  He  possessed  great  energy  and  endurance  and  his  entire  life  was  charac- 
terized by  an  nnf altering  industry.  He  greatly  enjoyed  manual  labor  and  it  was 
nndorditedly  this  that  led  to  his  splendid  physical  development.  In  a  word  the 
interests  of  his  life  were  well  balanced,  leading  to  a  splendidly  rounded  character  in 
the  line  of  physical,  intellectual  and  moral  progress. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harrison  were  born  three  children,  of  whom  two  are  living: 
Willard  A.,  of  Y'ork,  who  is  president  of  the  Harrison  Nursery  Company ;  and  H.  S., 
who  was  born  in  Tipton,  Iowa,  in  1867  and  who  was  married  in  York,  Nebraska,  to 
Miss  Maude  Chilcote,  their  home  being  now  in  California,  where  he  owns  a  large 
orange  grove  in  which  his  brother,  Willard  A.,  is  a  partner.  For  the  past  eight 
years  he  has  resided  in  California,  while  Willard  retains  his  residence  in  York  and 
manages  the  nursery  business  here.  The  company  is  now  incorporated  for  five  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars,  of  which  three  hundred  thousand  dollars  is  paid  up.  W.  A. 
Harrison  is  the  president,  with  H.  S.  Harrison  as  vice  president  of  the  company, 
E.  H.  Smith  as  secretary  and  treasurer  and  Ernest  Mason  as  sales  manager.  They 
sell  their  stock  all  over  the  western  states  and  the  business  is  one  of  extensive  and 
gratifying  proportions.  This  was  the  business  that  was  established  and  developed 
through  the  father,  who  as  age  came  upon  him  lost  his  eyesight  and  became  almost 
totally  deaf,  yet  in  spite  of  these  afflictions  he  prepared  a  book  on  peonies — a  work 
that  became  recognized  as  a.  standard  volume  of  its  kind.     A  few  years  before  his 

Vol.  11—28 


1038  HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY 

demise  he  returned  to  Boston,  Massiichu.setts,  thinking  that  he  would  retire,  but 
he  soon  began  in  a  small  way  to  raise  plants,  as  indolence  and  idleness  were 
utterly  foreign  to  his  nature  and  he  could  not  be  content  without  some  occupation. 
He  found  this  work  too  slow  for  him,  however,  and  returned  to  York,  where  he 
established  another  nursery,  which  he  conducted  until  about  four  years  prior  to  his 
demise,  when  he  sold  the  business  and  retired,  his  death  occurring  in  February, 
1919.  At  his  passing  Nebraska  lost  one  of  its  valued  pioneers  and  honored  citizens. 
He  had  contributed  in  most  notable  manner  to  the  growth  and  progress  of  the 
state,  leaving  the  impress  of  his  individuality  upon  its  improvement  and  develop- 
ment in  many  ways,  especially  along  horticultural  lines,  and  in  the  work  of  moral 
advancement  through  his  intense  activity  in  the  church. 


PETEE  J.  HUEBEET 


Peter  J.  Huebert,  one  of  the  leading  agriculturists  of  York  county  where  his 
holdings  embrace  four  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  valuable  land,  resides  on 
section  28,  Brown  township.  His  birth  occurred  in  York  county,  February  9, 
1876,  a  son  of  Johann  Huebert  and  wife,  both  natives  of  southern  Eussia  and 
now  living  in  Brown  township.  The  parents  of  Johann  Huebert  were  Peter  and 
Katie  (Peters)  Huebert,  both  natives  of  Eussia,  where  they  were  reared  and  spent 
all  their  lives.  They  had  ten  cliildi-en,  five  of  whom  survive.  Johann  Huebert 
received  his  education  in  his  native  land  where  he  resided  for  the  first  twenty-two 
years  of  his  life  and  in  1874  decided  to  try  his  fortunes  in  the  new  world.  In  that 
year  he  inmiigrated  to  America  and  on  coming  to  Nebraska  located  in  York  county, 
settling  on  a  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  on  which  he  has  been  living  ever 
since,  lield  in  the  highest  esteem  as  a  citizen  and  as  one  of  the  pioneer  farmers 
who  helped  to  bring  living  conditions  to  the  present  satisfactory  status.  He  is  a 
man  of  unassuming  dispositi(m  and  of  genuine  worth,  and  his  energy  in  former 
years  and  his  unquestioned  integrity  have  gained  for  him  the  respect  of  his  fellow- 
men.  He  was  married  in  York  county,  to  Sarah  Buller,  and  they  have  become 
the  parents  of  twelve  children,  eleven  of  whom  are  living.  He  supports  the 
republican  party  by  vote  and  influence. 

Peter  J.  Huebert  of  this  review  was  reared  on  his  father's  holding  and 
secured  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  York  county,  dividing  his  time 
between  the  schoolhouse  ajul  work  on  the  home  farm  where  he  assisted  until 
he  became  of  age.  He  then  began  agricultural  operations  on  his  own  account 
and  bought  a  tract  of  land  wdiich  he  farmed  successfully  for  years,  employing 
modern  methods  and  machinery  and  in  the  cultivation  of  his  crops  met  with 
excellent  results,  annually  gathering  substantial  harvests.  As  his  affairs  prospered 
he  added  to  his  original  holding  and  is  now  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  located  on  section  28,  Brown  township,  all  of  winch  he  has  brought 
to  a  state  of  splendid  improvement,  with  good  buildings  and  well  kept  fences, 
the  whole  a  tribute  to  his  untiring  industry  and  progressive  spirit,  and  he  is 
generally  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  prosperous  fanners  of  his  township. 

In  1906  Mr.  Huebert  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lena  Goossen,  a  daughter  of 
Johann  Goossen,  further  reference  t»  whom  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work.   Jlr.  and 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1039 

Mrs.  Huebert  have  no  children  of  their  own  but  have  adopted  two  children  who  bear 
the  family  name:  EJma  Huebert  and  Levi  Huebert.  They  are  members  of  the  United 
Brethren  church  and  take  an  active  part  in  all  church  work,  as  they  do  in  all 
community  movements  having  for  their  object  the  welfare  and  advancement  of  the 
people  along  legitimate  lines.  They  are  widely  and  favorably  known  in  their  part  of 
York  county  and  have  an  extensive  circle  of  warm  frienils  who  esteem  them 
highly.  Mr.  Huebert  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  but  has  never  aspired 
to  public  office.  He  prefers  to  concentrate  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  his 
farming  interests  which  are  wisely  and  carefully  directed  and  as  the  years  pass 
he  is  meeting  with  continued  success. 


WILLIAM  ZWIEG 


William  Zwieg  is  an  example  of  what  a  poor  boy  with  no  advantages  but  his 
own  determination  to  succeed  can  do  if  he  possesses  brains,  perseverance,  and 
the  ability  for  hard  work.  He  was  born  in  Brandenburg,  Germany,  which  is 
six  hours  travel  from  Berlin,  on  the  2'2nd  of  August,  18-13.  His  father,  William 
Zwieg,  came  to  America  in  1848,  the  subject  of  this  review  being  then  but  five 
years  of  age,  and  settled  in  Dodge  county,  Wisconsin.  Sixty-three  days  were 
spent  in  crossing  the  ocean  from  Hamburg  to  New  York.  In  Dodge  county  the 
father  purchased  some  good  land  for  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  an  acre, 
which  he  cleared  and  on  which  he  built  a  nice  home.  Here  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  The  mother's  death  occurred  on  August  30,  1855,  just  eight  days 
after  the  son  William  was  twelve  years  old.     Mr.  Zwieg  passed  away  July  4,  1876. 

William  Zwieg  was  reared  on  the  pioneer  homestead  in  Wisconsin,  receiving 
a  limited  education,  for  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  go  to  work  at  an  early  age. 
He  was  but  a  young  man  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out  and  on  the  3d  of  September, 
1864,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  First  Wisconsin  Cavalry  for  a  period  of  three  years, 
or  for  the  duration  of  the  war.  He  was  mustered  out  July  22,  1865.  He  was 
active  in  several  small  skirmishes  and  was  on  his  way  to  take  part  in  the  battle 
of  Nashville  when  his  detachment  was  shut  oft  by  the  rebels  and  did  not  participate 
in  the  battle.  He  was  afterwards  on  the  battle  fields  of  Atlanta,  Chattanooga 
and  Franklin,  and  never  received  a  wound,  although  he  saw  many  of  his  comrades 
shot  down  when  they  were  standing  but  three  feet  from  him.  After  the  close 
of  the  war  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Wisconsin,  arriving  there  at  three  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  of  July  26,  1865,  and  the  next  morning  he  shouldered  a  cradle 
and  cut  wheat  all  day.  In  the  spring  of  1869  he  set  out  for  Nebraska,  coming 
to  Lincoln  and  from  there  he  walked  to  York  county  where  he  took  a  soldier's 
claim  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  he  moved  onto  it,  thereby  answering  the 
requirements  of  the  homestead  law  for  five  years  occupancy.  He  hired  a  team, 
went  to  Lincoln  for  his  wife  and  while  there  purchased  a  yoke  of  oxen,  a  cow,  a 
second-hand  wagon  and  a  plow.  He  left  his  family  in  a  log  house  on  the  east 
side  of  Beaver  township  while  he  returned  to  his  claim  and  completed  the  dugout 
home.  This  was  the  family  home  for  a  period  of  two  years,  at  the  termination 
of  which  time  a  sod  house  was  built.  In  the  cultivation  of  his  land  he  had  good 
success  and  from  his  seed  corn  raised  a  plentiful  crop.     From  Lincoln  he  brought 


1040  HISTOBY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

a  washtub  full  of  potatoes  ami  cut  oif  tlie  cuds  which  he  plautod  iu  tlie  ground. 
With  no  further  attention  his  crop  iu  tlie  fall  netted  tweuty-four  bushel  sacks  of 
the  finest  potatoes  he  had  ever  seen.  To  sell  his  grain  it  was  necessary  for  Mr. 
Zwicg  to  drive  his  yoke  of  oxen  to  Milford  and  Crete  to  the  mill,  and  it  was  1877 
before  the  road  went  through  and  Exeter  became  the  trading  point.  When  ilr. 
Zwieg  iirst  came  to  York  county  there  was  not  a  house  where  the  town  of  York 
now  stands  and  he  watched  the  wild  country  grow  from  a  place  witli  but  few  white 
inhabitants  to  a  rich  agricultural  country,  containing  thousands  of  homes  and 
scores  of  good  towns.  Mr.  Zwieg  is  still  hale  and  hearty  and  is  residing  on  his 
old  homestead  with  his  son  William  and  wife. 

On  September  23,  1867,  Mr.  Zwieg  was  unitcil  in  marriage  to  iliss  Augusta 
Schurstine,  a  native  of  Wisconsin,  whose  death  occurred  in  York  county.  May  8, 
1896.  Twelve  children  were  born  to  this  union,  seven  of  whom  are  living:  Ida, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Tom  Kenedy,  residing  near  McCook;  Frank,  who  is  engaged 
in  blacksmithing  at  Blue  Vale;  Charles,  who  is  farming  in  York  county;  William, 
who  is  on  the  old  homestead ;  Henry,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  West  Blue 
township;  Mrs.  Ed.  Blum  of  Beaver  township;  and  Mrs.  Henry  Heckroat.  Mrs. 
N.  Ferguson,  and  Melinda  who  married  Eobert  Brueggeman,  are  deceased.  Three 
other  children  died  in  childhood.  Mrs.  Zwieg  was  a  stanch  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church. 

During  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Zwieg  left  the  army  and  went  to  his  home  to  vote, 
casting  his  vote  for  Lincoln  for  his  second  term.  He  voted  for  the  republican 
partv  until  the  second  term  of  Cleveland,  at  which  time  he  gave  his  allegiance  to 
the  democratic  party.  He  voted  for  Woodrow  Wilson  in  1916  and  is  still  a  stalwart 
advocate  of  the  party.  Mr.  Zwieg  receives  a  pension  of  fifty  dollars  a  month  for 
his  service  during  the  Civil  war  and  together  with  the  income  from  his  land  is 
financially  independent.  The  success  which  Mr.  Zwieg  has  won  has  come  to  him 
as  the  reward  of  persistent,  earnest  labor,  and  his  life  illustrates  what  can  be 
accomplished  through  individual  effort,  combined  with   persistency  of  purpose. 


JOSEPH  FOUNTAIX 


Joseph  Fountain,  who  passed  away  August  31,  1918,  made  for  himself  an 
enviable  and  creditable  position  in  public  regard  by  reason  of  the  success  he  achieved 
in  business  life  and  by  reason  of  the  straightforward  and  honorable  methods  which 
he  always  followed.  He  was  born  in  Waterford.  Pennsylvania,  July  22,  18-13,  and 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Illinois,  in  which  state  their  deaths  soon  afterward 
occurred.  Mr.  Fountain  was  then  adopted  and  reared  liy  another  family.  He 
made  the  best  of  such  educational  advantages  as  were  offered  and  in  1863,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-one  years,  joined  Conrpany  C,  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry,  at  Cairo, 
Illinois,  for  service  during  the  Civil  war.  He  enlisted  December  21,  1863,  and 
served  until  receiving  his  discharge  on  the  29th  of  May,  1866,  at  Houston,  Texas. 
He  participated  in  many  skirmishes.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to 
Illinois  whore  he  farmed  for  one  year,  after  which  time  he  went  to  Glenellyn,  that 
state,  and  engaged  in  the  painting  business.  In  1876  he  came  to  Nebraska  and 
settled  in  York  county  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land   in   Rradshaw  town- 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1041 

ship.  His  first  home  was  built  of  sod  and  consisted  of  one  room  witli  a  board 
floor  and  dirt  roof.  He  also  erected  a  sod  barn.  Mr.  Fountain  broke  his  land  with 
a  horse  team.  When  he  came  to  this  county  he  made  the  trip  from  Illinois  in  a 
prairie  schooner  which  took  him  five  weeks.  He  crossed  the  Missouri  river  at 
Plattsmouth,  thence  coming  direct  to  York  county.  In  addition  to  the  general 
cultivation  of  his  homestead  Mr.  Fountain  set  out  a  large  orchard  which  was 
entirely  destroyed  by  hail.  For  five  years  he  resided  on  his  farm  and  then  removed 
to  Bradshaw  where  he  engaged  in  painting  for  a  period  of  eight  years.  Subse- 
quently he  came  to  Y^'ork  and  engaged  in  the  painting  business  with  his  two  sons, 
building  up  a  fine  reputation.  They  had  charge  of  that  line  of  work  in  connection 
with  many  of  the  largest  and  most  important  buildings  of  York.  In  101.5  he  went 
to  Fergus  county,  Montana,  where  he  homesteaded  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  and  returned  to  York  in  1017  because  of  his  health.  His  death  occurred 
on  the  31st  of  August,  1018,  and  came  as  a  severe  loss  to  the  community  which 
recognized  his  true  worth  and  ability. 

In  1868  Mr.  Fountain  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emily  Rhoacls,  in 
Aurora,  Illinois,  of  which  state  Mrs.  Fountain  is  a  native.  They  became  the  parents 
of  six  children:  Charles  F.,  now  deceased:  Xorman  W.,  deceased;  Ina  J.,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Myron  Hurlburt,  but  is  now  deceased:  Herbert,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  the  painting  business  in  South  Dakota;  Rollaml,  also  engaged  in  the 
painting  business  at  Trinidad,  Colorado;  and  Cora,  who  is  the  wife  of  Harry 
Martin,  of  Lewiston,  Montana,  a  farmer.  The  Fountain  family  were  reared  in 
the  faith  of  the  Congregational  cluirch  and  ^Irs.  Fountain  still  maintains  an 
active  interest  in  the  organization. 

Mr.  Fountain  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  had  a 
firm  belief  in  the  efficacy  of  the  principles  of  the  party  as  factors  in  good  govern- 
ment. He  held  but  one  public  office,  however,  and  that  was  when  he  served  as 
constable  at  Bradshaw.  Fraternally  he  ^Vas  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen  to  which  organization  he  had  belonged  for  a  period  of  twenty 
years,  and  he  was  also  a  member  of  G.  A.  R.  Post  Xo.  32,  of  York.  Progressive- 
ness  in  business  and  agricultural  affairs  brought  him  steadily  to  the  front  and 
his  worth  as  a  man  and  a  citizen  was  widely  recognized. 


AUG  REETZ 


Aug  Reetz,  who  resides  on  section  31,  Stewart  township,  York  county,  is  the 
owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  prime  land  and  enjoys  an  excellent  reputa- 
tion as  a  successful  and  representative  agriculturist.  He  was  born  in  Germany, 
December  17,  1867,  a  son  of  Carl  and  Henrietta  Reetz,  who  also  were  natives  of 
Germany  and  immigrated  to  America  in  1882.  On  arriving  in  tliis  country  the 
family  came  direct  to  York  county  and  in  Stewart  township  Carl  Reetz  bought 
eighty  acres  of  prairie  land,  for  which  he  paid  ten  dollars  per  acre.  Here  he  and 
his  family  settled  and  managed  to  live  in  a  sod  house  for  some  time,  while  a  dugout 
served  for  a  barn  to  house  the  cattle.  He  broke  the  land  and  )ilanted  crops  as  he 
cleared  the  place,  gradually  bringing  the  holding  to  a  condition  sufficient  to  make  it 
tolerable  for  the  family  to  live.    He  also  rented  land  in  Thayer  township  and  as  his 


1042  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

efforts  began  to  meet  the  success  he  deserved  he  purchased  an  additional  eighty- 
acres  in  Stewart  township,  all  of  which  was  well  improved  and  had  a  fine  set  of 
buildings.  Carl  Eeetz  died  December  11,  1918,  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven.  He  was 
held  in  respect  by  all  who  knew  him  and  was  regarded  as  a  good  citizen  and  a 
skillful  farmer.  His  widow  passed  away  December  6,  1920,  in  her  eighty-sixth 
year.  There  were  six  children  born  to  their  marriage :  William,  of  Stewart  town- 
ship, a  farmer;  Ernstine,  the  wife  of  Otto  Woodke,  of  Thayer;  Aug,  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Anna,  wife  of  Joe  Eostler,  of  Saline  county,  Nebraska;  Amelia,  the  widow 
of  Anton  Eostler,  of  Wilcox,  Nebraska,  and  Albert,  of  York  county.  The  parents 
were  faithful  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  were  liberal  subscribers  to  its 
upkeep. 

Aug  Eeetz  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Germany  and  was  fifteen 
years  old  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  America.  He  helped  his  father  in 
the  work  of  breaking  and  reclaiming  the  homestead  and  here  learned  the  rudiments 
of  agriculture.  Later  he  worked  on  neighboring  farms  by  the  month  and  was  paid 
ten  dollars  per  month  for  his  services,  continuing  in  this  way  for  two  years.  He  is 
now  operating  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  prime  land  on  which  he  is  doing 
,  general  farming,  producing  crops  that  it  pays  to  cultivate,  while  his  live  stock 
section  is  also  worked  on  a  profitable  basis.  His  success  is  entirely  due  to  his  own 
industry  and  untiring  eiforts  as  he  started  virtually  without  any  assistance;  in  fact 
he  is  a  self-made  man,  having  come  to  this  country  empty-handed,  but  through  the 
opportunities  here  offered  and  his  industry  and  good  management  he  has  gained 
financial  independence. 

'Sir.  Eeetz  lived  with  his  parents  uji  to  the  time  of  his  nmrriage  which  took  place 
in  1895,  in  that  year  taking  for  his  wife  Ernstine  Hoffmann,  a  native  of  Nebraska. 
They  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Herbert,  who  lives  at  home.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  the  good  works  of  which  they  are  active  and 
practical  and  they  have  won  an  extensive  circle  of  warm  friends  throughout  the 
community,  being  recognized  as  people  of  genuine  worth  whose  aim  and  influence 
are  given  on  the  side  of  right,  progress  and  improvement.  Mr.  Eeetz  votes  inde- 
pendently in  political  affairs,  feeling  that  freedom  of  Judgment  is  sometimes 
impaired  through  blind  adherence  to  party. 


AUGUST  C.  DREIEE 


August  C.  Dreier,  a  retired  farmer  of  McCool,  now  deceased,  was  born  March  26, 
1855,  in  Germany,  the  son  of  Christian  and  Lena  (Ebbeke)  Dreier,  natives  of 
Germany  who  passed  away  in  that  country.  When  August  Dreier  was  sixteen  years 
of  age  he  came  to  this  country  to  escape  military  training,  finding  his  way  to 
Pennsylvania  where  he  was  employed  on  a  farm,  and  later  going  to  West  Virginia 
where  he  worked  one  year.  He  came  west  and  lived  in  Carroll  coimty,  Illinois,  for 
two  years,  after  which  he  came  to  York  county,  Nebraska,  where  he  continued  as  a 
hired  helper  until  he  had  saved  enough  to  rent  land  for  his  own  use.  His  first 
purchase  was  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  unimproved  land  which  he 
brout,dit  to  a  hiffh  state  of  cultivation.     He  and  his  young  wife  worked  hard  and 


AUGUST  C.  DREIER 


THE  NEW  YCP.K 
PUBLIC  LIBFARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
TILDiiN  Jr'OUWOATlONS 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1045 

accomplished  much,  ami  in  1911  Mr.  Dreier  retired  and  moved  to  McCool  Junction, 
where  he  built  a  beautifid  home. 

He  was  married  in  York  county,  to  Miss  Ada  S.  Soelter,  a  native  of  Oakland, 
Garrett  county,  Maryland,  the  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Elizabeth  (Tekelnburg) 
Soelter,  natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  Dreier's  father  and  his  wife's  fatlier  were  school- 
mates in  Germany,  a  fact  which  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dreier  discovered  in  Maryland.  To 
this  union  were  born  nine  children :  Lena,  the  wife  of  Homer  Fair,  of  Custer 
county,  Nebraska;  Albert  A.,  a  teacher  in  Horton,  Kansas;  Bertha  M.,  the  wife  of 
Henry  Miller,  of  West  Blue  township,  York  county;  Lillie  M.,  the  widow  of 
Edwin  Cites,  who  resides  with  her  mother;  Clarence,  who  is  married  to  Edna 
DeBoer.  and  is  a  fanner  in  York  county ;  Ernest,  a  farmer  in  York  county ;  Dora, 
the  wife  of  Orville  Jacks,  a  farmer  in  Fillmore  county;  Frank,  who  is  engaged  in 
farming  in  York  county;  and  Carl  G.,  who  is  employed  in  the  Farmers  and 
Merchants  Bank  in  McCool  Junction.  Mrs.  Dreier  is  very  proud  of  her  twenty 
grandchildren. 

In  1007  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dreier  made  a  trip  to  his  old  home  in  Germany,  remained 
there  visiting  for  two  months,  and  before  returning  home  paid  a  visit  to  Berlin. 
Mrs.  Dreier's  father  had  often  told  her  of  the  conditions  and  mode  of  living  in 
Germany  and  she  found  that  there  had  not  been  many  changes  since  his  youth. 
Before  his  death  which  occurred  January  10,  1914,  Mr.  Dreier  divided  his  prop- 
erty between  his  children.  He  had  five  eighty-acre  tracts  the  accumulation  of  which 
was  the  fruit  of  his  own  toil,  as  he  had  no  capital  with  which  to  begin,  did  not 
inherit  a  penny,  and  received  but  fifteen  dollars  a  month  at  the  time  of  his 
marriage. 

Mr.  Dreier  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  his  political  endorsement 
was  given  to  the  democratic  party,  kee])ing  well  informed  on  the  questions  and 
issues  of  the  day.  He  was  always  ready  to  do  his  share  for  the  service  of  the 
community  and  served  as  township  clerk,  school  treasurer,  and  as  road  overseer  for 
many  years.  He  had  the  respect  and  good-will  of  all  who  knew  him,  was  faithful 
in  friendship  and  devoted  to  the  welfare  of  the  family,  and  his  manv  sterling 
traits  won  for  him  the  confidence  and  high  regard  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in 
contact. 


WILLIAM  H.  SCHOCH 


William  H.  Schoch,  a  leading  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Morton  township, 
York  county,  is  the  owner  of  a  compact  and  well  kept  place  and  is  meeting  with 
signal  success  in  the  manairi'nient  of  his  affairs.  He  was  born  in  Pickaway  county, 
Ohio,  Julv  26,  1853,  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Harriet  (Martin)  Schoch,  who  were 
farming  people  in  that  part  of  the  Buckeye  state  and  there  spent  the  renuiinder  of 
their  lives. 

William  H.  Schoch  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Ohio  and  was  educated 
in.  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county,  at  the  same  time  helping  on  the 
home  farm  thereby  acquiring  a  sound  knowledge  of  agricultural  afPairs.  He 
remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old  and  then  went  to  Tippecanoe 
county,  Indiana,  and  worked  out  on  farms  by  the  month,  continuing  thus  for  four 
years.     At  the  end   of  that  period   he  became   connected   with  the   car  shops   at 


1046  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Lafayette  where  lie  found  employment  for  six  years.  About  that  time  a  desire  to 
return  to  agriculture  took  hold  of  him  and  in  1886  he  removed  to  Nebraska  and 
settled  in  Lancaster  county,  there  renting  land  for  five  years.  He  had  in  all  the 
preceding  years  been  making  good  use  of  his  earnings  and  steadily  saving  with  the 
view  to  securing  a  farm  of  his  own.  He  then  purchased  one  hundred  and  si.xty 
acres  which  now  comprise  the  home  farm  located  on  section  27,  Morton  township, 
York  county,  and  on  this  place  he  now  lives.  At  the  time  of  the  purchase  there 
were  a  few  improvements  of  small  value  on  the  place  and  one  hundred  and  thirty 
acres  of  the  sod  was  broken.  Mr.  Schoch  overhauled  the  entire  holding  and  made 
many  valuable  improvements,  bringing  the  farm  into  the  front  rank  in  all  respects. 
He  added  to  the  original  purchase  and  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of 
excellent  land,  all  in  one  hoily,  and  on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming  opera- 
tions and  stock  raising.  He  gives  special  attention  to  the  breeding  of  Shorthorn 
cattle,  of  which  some  fine  strains  are  to  be  found  on  his  place.  He  is  now  enjoying 
a  substantial  income  from  his  industry  and  energy,  and  has  the  satisfaction  of 
knowing  that  his  farm  is  the  equal  in  every  respect  of  any  of  its  size  in  the  county. 
In  1888  Mr.  Schoch  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jennie  Turner  and  to  them 
five  children  were  born:  Roy,  now  living  in  York;  Ray,  living  at  home;  Carrie; 
Laura,  the  wife  of  Walter  Melton,  of  near  Charleston,  Nebraska;  and  Guy,  residing 
in  York  county.  In  politics  he  supports  the  democratic  party  and  from  time  to 
time  has  been  tlie  incumbent  of  various  minor  offices.  He  and  his  wife  hold  reli- 
gious affiliation  with  the  Methodist  Episco})al  church  in  the  affairs  of  which  they 
take  an  active  and  helpful  part.  Mr.  Scli6ch  has  been  a  resident  of  York  county 
during  the  period  of  its  most  active  development  and  expansion,  and  has  been  a 
participant  in  and  zealous  worker  for  that  expansion  for  about  thirty-five  years, 
having  earned  the  respect  and  esteem  of  countless  friends  and  wellwishers. 


JOHN  SHAW 


John  Shaw,  a  prosperous  and  progressive  farmer,  owner  of  a  compact  and  well- 
kept  farm  on  section  10,  New  York  township,  York  county,  is  a  native  of  the  Buck- 
eye State,  born  in  Newcomerstown,  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio,  in  18-51,  a  son  of 
Jonathan  and  Carolina  (Park)  Shaw.  His  father  was  born  in  Brownsville,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  mother  was  a  native  of  Newcomerstown,  Ohio,  and  passed  away  at 
the  early  age  of  thirty-six  years.  Jonathan  Shaw  was  a  plasterer  by  occupation, 
having  learned  that  trade  in  Pennsjdvania  and  worked  at  it  as  an  operative  in 
Ohio.  In  1858  he  moved  to  Marion  county,  Iowa,  and  there  purchased  a  tract  of 
land,  which  he  cultivated,  at  the  same  tinu'  following  his  trade  of  plasterer,  and 
remained  in  that  part  of  Iowa  for  fourteen  years.  In  1872  Jonathan  Shaw  came 
to  York  county  and  continued  to  w'ork  at  his  trade,  later  taking  a  free  claim  in  sec- 
tion 10  in  New  York  townshij)  and  became  actively  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  which  in  due  course  brought  him  success  and  profitable  results.  He 
hauled  the  first  lumber  from  Lincoln  and  built  a  combination  house  composed  of 
sod  and  frame,  and  here  he  and  his  family  lived  for  several  years.  He  was  the 
father  of  six  children,  three  of  whom  are  liviuir.     He  and  his  wife  were  members 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1047 

of  the  Methodist  church  and  earnest  attendants  on  its  services.  He  gave  his  political 
support  to  the  republican  party  but  was  never  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

John  Shaw  was  reared  at  home  and  in  the  acquirement  of  his  education 
attended  the  common  schools  of  Iowa,  following  which  he  learned  the  plasterer's 
trade  from  his  father  and  having  become  expert  tinder  that  training  he  plastered 
some  of  the  first  buildings  in  York,  his  proficiency  along  this  line  bringing  his 
services  into  much  demand  by  house  builders  and  contractors.  When  he  had  accu- 
mulated sufficient  money  Mr.  Shaw  turned  his  attention  to  farming  and  purchased 
a  tract  of  land  on  which  he  commenced  agricultural  operations,  at  first  on  a  modest 
scale  but  as  success  attended  his  business-like  efforts  he  added  to  his  holdings  and 
is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  well  improved  land,  to  the  cultivation  of 
which  he  devotes  all  his  time.  The  success  which  he  gained  in  a  comparatively 
short  time  is  quite  unusual  but  amply  serves  to  demonstrate  his  ability  to  adapt 
himself  to  a  new  condition  and  to  make  it  pay. 

Mr.  Shaw  has  been  twice  married.  In  1884  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Esther  Egley  and  they  became  the  parents  of  three  children,  namely:  Guy  Shaw, 
living  on  a  farm  in  Cheyenne  county;  Gertrude,  wife  of  Earl  Hiett,  of  Cheyenne 
county,  and  Grace,  wife  of  Fred  Schriner,  living  in  Unadilla,  Nebraska.  Some- 
time after  the  death  of  his  first  wife  Mr.  Shaw  was  married  to  Hanna  Denny,  who 
became  the  mother  of  three  children:  Miles,  living  on  a  farm  in  York  county; 
Blanche,  who  married  Ray  Rolton  ;  and  John,  who  lives  at  Kimball,  Nebraska, 
engaged  in  farming.  All  these  children  are  Jiving  and  in  comfortalile  circum- 
stances, the  guidance  and  assistance  of  the  father  being  a  consideralile  factor  in 
shaping  their  welfare.  Mr.  Shaw  casts  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  democratic 
party,  whose  principles  accord  with  his  political  beliefs.  His  fraternal  affiliation  is 
with  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  at  all  times  he  consistently  gives  his  influence  on 
the  side  of  moral  advancement.  He  has  gained  many  friends  since  coming  to  York 
county,  his  salient  characteristics  being  such  as  never  fail  to  command  respect  and 
win  regard. 


HENRY  C.  CITES 


Henry  C.  Cites  who  is  a  retired  farmer  of  York  county,  was  l)orn  in  Harrison 
county,  Indiana,  September  21,  1861,  the  son  of  Frederick  Cites  who  was  born  in 
Holstein,  Germany,  and  worked  there  at  his  trade  of  nail-making  until  he  came  to 
the  United  States  in  the  early  "50s.  When  President  Lincoln  called  for  volunteers 
Frederick  Cites  was  one  of  the  gallant  men  who  answered  the  summons,  for  he 
enlisted  in  Company  E,  Eighty-first  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  died  from 
sickness  in  December,  1863,  and  was  buried  in  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee.  The 
mother  of  H.  C.  Cites  was  Harriett  (Swift)  Cites,  a  native  of  Indiana  who  died 
when  her  son  was  but  five  years  old. 

Henry  C.  Cites  lived  with  his  grandmother  after  the  death  of  his  mother,  and 
later  made  his  home  with  F.  M.  Stapleton  who  came  to  York  county  at  an  early  day. 
Mr.  Cites  bought  a  farm  in  Leroy  township  where  he  engaged  in  agrioiltural  pur- 
suits until  1893  when  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Hayes  township, 
which  he  improved  greatly,  converting  it  to  a  model  farm  where  he  lived  until  two 
years  ago.    He  then  retired  and  moved  to  York  where  he  has  a  nice  home  at  529 


1048  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

West  Fifth  street.  Since  takinp  up  liis  residence  in  town  Mr.  Cites  has  sold  his 
farm  and  is  enjoying  a  well  earned  rest.  The  early  days  of  his  life  were  filled  with 
hardships  so  well  known  to  the  pioneer  farmer  whose  manual  lahor  took  the  place 
of  the  many  devices  wliich  make  farm  work  comparatively  easy  today. 

Mr.  Cites  was  married  in  York  county  to  Miss  Janette  Kingsley,  a  native  of 
Harrison  county,  Indiana,  the  daughter  of  Absalom  and  Elizabeth  Burns,  of  Indi- 
ana and  Germany,  respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cites  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren: Edwin  Lee,  now  deceased,  who  married  Miss  Dreier  of  McCool,  and  became 
the  father  of  Mr.  Cites'  only  grandchild;  Mabel,  the  wife  of  Frank  McGregor,  a 
farmer  of  Leroy  townshi]);  Frank  M.  and  Helen,  who  are  living  at  home. 

For  twenty  years  after  his  arrival  in  York  county  Mr.  Cites  gave  his  attention  so 
unre-servedly  to  his  farm  work  that  he  never  left  the  county  except  on  the  occasion 
when  he  took  the  girl  who  afterwards  became  his  wife  to  Fairmont  to  the  railroad 
station  that  she  might  take  the  train  to  vi,«it  her  people  in  Kansas.  However,  later 
in  1915  when  leisure  was  i^ermitted  him,  he  took  a  trip  to  the  Pacific  coast,  visiting 
many  im])ortant  places  in  the  west,  and  covering  over  seven  thousand  miles. 

Mr.  Cites  is  a  republican  in  politics.  He  lias  held  many  minor  township  offices 
and  is  now  filling  a  vacancy  by  appointment  on  the  county  board  of  supervisors. 
He  has  a  record  of  honesty  and  uprightness,  always  applying  the  Golden  Rule  to 
his  dealings  with  business  associates  and  neighbors,  owing  not  a  dollar  to  any  man 
and  content  in  the  knowledge  that  he  possesses  sufficient  wealth  to  care  for  him  the 
rest  of  his  days. 


JOHN  JACOB  HUBENBECKER 

John  Jacob  Hubenbccker,  a  former  sailor  and  farmer,  is  now  living  retired  at 
McCool  Junction,  York  county,  Nebraska.  He  was  born  in  the  free  city  of 
Lubeek,  Germany,  April  18,  1850,  the  son  of  David  and  Magdalena  Hubenbecker 
who  passed  away  in  that  country  when,  he  was  but  three  years  old.  He  was  reared 
by  relatives  in  the  city  of  Hamburg,  where  as  a  boy  he  used  to  watch  the  sailboats 
passing  on  the  canal  until  he  became  so  attached  to  them  that  he  decided  to  go  to 
sea.  When  he  was  fourteen  years  old  he  became  apprenticed  to  serve  three  years  as 
a  sailor,  for  which  he  received  the  sum  of  thirty  pounds,  equivalent  to  about  forty 
dollars  a  year.  He  became  a  good  sailor  and  was  fascinated  by  the  roving  life, 
cruising  in  many  waters  and  visiting  many  foreign  ports,  including  Florida,  Cuba 
and  Havana.  During  the  Franco-Prussian  war  in  1871  he  was  on  a  vessel  plying 
on  the  coa.st  of  China  and  Japan  and  for  forty  months  had  his  headquarters  at 
Yokohama.  On  one  occasion  while  the  ship  "Vieksburg"  was  sailing  between  New- 
York  and  Florida  a  dense  fog  was  encountered  and  the  ship  broke  in  two,  one  of 
the  crew  losing  his  life.  Soon  after  this  Mr.  Hubenbecker  gave  up  the  life  of  the 
sailor,  though  he  was  very  fond  of  the  sea  and  often  wished  he  might  become  the 
owner  of  a  vessel.  Even  after  he  came  west  he  thought  that  when  he  had  saved  five 
thousand  dollars  he  would  buy  a  ship,  but  when  he  had  become  prosperous  and  the 
possessor  of  more  than  that  amount  a  friend  reminded  him  of  his  often  repeated 
wish,  to  which  he  replied,  "Now  I  am  too  old."  The  strenuous  life  of  the  sea  held 
its  charm  for  him,  however,  and  he  often  recounts  the  adventures  he  experienced  in 
the  days  when  each  sailor  was  given  ten  minutes  in  which  to  dress  and  be  on  deck. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  KHO 

He  had  to  furnish  his  own  clothes  and  Ijedding  and  was  aUowed  a  small  space  for  a 
bunk  which  was  all  he  could  call  his  own.  In  case  of  a  storm  or  hurry  call  the 
sailors  often  went  on  deck  clad  only  in  their  woolen  underwear  and  in  one  instance 
Mr.  Hubenbecker  tells  of  his  shirt  being  torn  to  pieces  and  blown  otf  when  he 
climbed  the  rigging  during  a  storm. 

He  had  a  brother  somewhere  in  America  who  was  a  stone-cutter  by  trade,  but 
never  succeeded  in  locating  him.  He  thought  of  following  his  brother's  trade  but 
was  advised  that  owing  to  his  unsound  lungs  it  would  be  unwise  as  the  dust  might 
injure  his  health.  He  went  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  shoveled  coal  in  loading 
steamers,  which  meant  handling  from  seventy-five  to  one  hundred  tons  a  day, 
for  which  he  received  the  sum  of  one  dollar  and  a  half  a  day.  After  two  years 
spent  in  this  work  he  came  to  Nebraska  and  in  the  winter  of  1878-9  went  to 
McFadden  township,  York  county,  where  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  unimproved  railroad  land  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  there  for  many 
years.  His  first  home  was  an  upright  board  shanty  which  the  Nebraska  wind 
destroyed  and  another  was  built  in  its  place  with  the  addition  of  a  sod  roof  and  sod 
walls  built  around  it  to  withstand  the  havoc  of  the  wind.  In  1881  the  crops  were 
good  and  the  little  home  was  enlarged  to  sixteen  by  twenty-four  feet.  Later  as 
Mr.  Hubenbecker  prospered  he  replaced  this  crude  structure  by  a  frame  house  and 
added  the  necessary  buildings  of  shelter  for  the  stock.  This  nicely  improved  farm 
has  been  his  home  until  six  years  ago  when  he  moved  to  MeCool  Junction  and 
retired  from  active  labor.  Recently  he  sold  the  tract  of  land  that  was  formerly  his 
home  but  still  owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  tine  land,  which  is  his  proof  of 
triumph  over  the  hardships  and  privations  endured  as  a  pioneer  settler. 

He  was  married  in  New  York  city  to  Dorothea  Stein,  a  native  of  Hessen, 
Darmstadt,  Germany,  who  passed  away  twenty-two  years  ago  leaving  five  children : 
Dorothea ;  Henry,  an  attorney  at  Sioux  City,  Iowa ;  Marie :  Emma ;  and  John,  a 
doctor  practicing  at  Morse  Bluff,  Nebraska. 

Mr.  Hubenbecker  has  during  his  leisure  time  devoted  his  moments  to  modeling  a 
sailing  vessel.  It  is  a  work  of  art,  carefully  cut  out  of  wood  with  a  pocket  knife, 
with  sixteen  sails  that  appear  to  be  filled  with  wind.  This  little  ship  is  said  to  be 
perfect  and  the  creation  of  it  no  doubt  gave  the  old  sailor  much  pleasure  in  the 
hours  when  he  could  recall  his  sea-going  days. 

Mr.  Hubenbecker  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  in  politics  is  inde- 
pendent, voting  for  men  and  measures  without  regard  to  party  ties.  As  a  result  of 
a  life  of  perseverance  and  diligence  he  has  obtained  a  comfortable  competence,  and  is 
in  a  position  to  enjoy  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  comfort.     - 


ALBERT  A.  METZ 


Albert  A.  Metz  who  is  engaged  in  the  undertaking  business  in  York  was  born 
in  Seward  county  on  the  26th  of  November,  1880,  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Anderson)  Metz,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Pennsylvania.  In  early  life  they 
came  to  Seward  county  where  they  met  and  \vere  married,  farming  in  that  county 
for  many  years.  They  retired  about  1905  and  removed  to  Seward  where  they  are 
now  residing,  he  being  seventy-two  years  of  age  and  she  sixty.     When  Mr.  John 


lOoO  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUXTY 

Metz  came  to  Seward  county  he  was  a  poor  boy  and  he  has  worked  his  way  to  suc- 
cess practically  unaided.  They  are  consistent  members  of  the  United  Brethren 
church  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  Three  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  two  of  them  still  living,  namely :  Albert  A.,  the  subject  of 
this  review;  and  Mabel,  who  is  the  wife  of  Bert  Kirk,. an  oilman  of  Topeka,  Kansas. 

Albert  A.  Metz  received  his  education  in  the  country  schools  of  Seward  county 
and  later  entered  the  Western  Normal  College  at  Shenandoah,  Iowa.  He  then 
entered  the  Lincoln  Business  College  and  took  a  commercial  course  with  the  result 
that  he  soon  obtained  a  position  with  the  Deering  Harvester  Company.  He  severed 
connections  with  this  firm  and  removed  to  Seward  where  he  entered  into  the  furni- 
ture and  undertaking  business  with  W.  H.  Moore,  remaining  for  a  period  of  five 
years.  In  1905  he  came  to  York  and  for  three  years  was  engaged  in  like  business 
with  Al  White,  at  the  termination  of  this  time  selling  out  the  furniture  and 
engaging  exclusively  in  undertaking.  In  1914  he  took  into  partnership  with  him 
Olin  Hitchcock,  the  firm  name  becoming  Metz  &  Hitchcock,  and  they  have  a  large 
business.  AVhen  he  first  started  in  this  business  he  took  some  cour.ses  in  the  Barnes 
School  of  Embalming  in  Chicago  and  there  is  no  phase  of  the  business  with  which 
he  is  not  familiar. 

In  1902  Mr.  Metz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Olga  Oppenheimer  who  was 
born  in  Iowa  and  whose  parents  are  now  residing  in  Shenandoah,  that  state.  Three 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union :  Don,  aged  seventeen  years,  who  is  in  school : 
Dorothy,  aged  thirteen  years:  and  Jean,  four  and  one-half  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Metz  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  in  which  he  has 
always  been  very  active.  For  two  terms  he  served  York  county  as  county  treasurer 
and  is  county  central  committee-man  of  his  party  at  the  present  time.  Fraternally 
he  is  affiliated  with  the  Masons,  in  whicli  he  has  attained  the  thirty-second  degree; 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  which  he  has  served  as  past  chancellor  commander;  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  Odd  Fellows;  Woodmen;  Ben  Hur  and  Royal 
Highlanders.  Although  the  greater  part  of  his  time  is  devoted  to  business  he  lias 
not  forgotten  that  there  are  duties  of  citizenship  demanding  his  attention  and  he  is 
one  of  the  most  active  members  of  the  Rotary  Club.  In  social  affairs  he  and  his 
wife  are  also  prominent  and  they  are  members  of  the  York  Country  Club. 


CHARLES  A.  WONDERLY 

Charles  A.  Wonderly.  who  has  been  living  retired  in  Benedict  for  several  years, 
was  long  and  actively  identified  with  agricultural  pursuits  in  York  county  and  is 
still  the  owner  of  a  tract  of  valuable  land.  His  birth  occurred  in  Jackson  Hall, 
Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  27,  1843,  a  son  of  John  and  Anna 
(Ma well)  Wonderly.  John  Wonderly  was  born  in  Shippensburg,  Pennsylvania, 
and  lived  to  the  great  age  of  ninety  years.  His  wife  was  born  in  Lancaster^  Penn- 
sylvania, and  passed  away  in  1866,  being  then  in  her  sixty-sixth  year.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  worked  for  a  time  in  a  store  at  Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania, 
and  later  carried  on  a  country  store  on  his  own  account  and  served  as  postmaster 
for  fifteen  years.  The  great-grandfather  on  the  paternal  side  came  originally  from 
Prussia,  was  a  printer  by  trade  and  conducted  the  Lancaster  County  Press  for  forty 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  lor,] 

years,  the  journal  at  tliat  time  being  one  of  the  few  papers  circulated  in  that  dis- 
trict. The  maternal  grandfather  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  at  the  time  of  his 
departure  being  but  twelve  years  old.  John  Wonderly  devoted  most  of  his  active 
years  to  mercantile  pursuits.  In  18-54  he  and  his  wife  moved  to  Illinois  and  were 
among  the  pioneers  of  that  period  in  the  state,  and  it  was  there  many  of  their 
cliildren  were  born  and  reared.  The  children  were  as  follows :  Sarah  E.,  now  liv- 
ing iu  Jefferson,  Iowa,  aged  eighty-five;  F.  M.,  living  in  Mendota,  Illinois;  John, 
Anna  L.  and  Mary  E.,  all  died  some  years  ago;  Charles  A.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Joseph  P.,  died  at  the  age  of  twelve;  William  H.,  living  in  Mendota,  Illinois; 
Clara  and  David,  both  deceased;  and  Emma  Iv.,  a  widow,  also  living  at  Mendota. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  his  political  adherence  was  given  to 
the  democratic  party.  His  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  in  the  teach- 
ings and  practices  of  which  .she  was  a  firm  believer. 

Charles  A.  Wonderly  was  reared  in  his  father's  home  and  secured  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Pennsylvania,  later,  on  moving  to  Illinois,  attend- 
ing the  Henderson  Institute  at  Mendota  for  one  year.  He  worked  on  the  home 
place  assisting  his  father  and  later  was  employed  as  foreman  of  a  lumber  yard  at 
Rock  Falls,  Illinois,  continuing  his  connection  with  the  lumber  business  for  five 
years.  In  1879  the  lure  of  the  west  attracted  him  to  Nebraska  and  he  settled  in 
York  county.  He  started  farming  three  miles  west  of  York  and  later  rented  land 
east  of  Benedict  which  he  operated  for  fifteen  years,  during  these  years,  by  thrift 
and  industry,  placing  himself  in  a  position  to  buy  a  tract,  and  he  ultimately  secured 
a  quarter  section  of  land.  He  put  all  his  energy  into  the  development  of  his  hold- 
ing, living  in  the  beginning  of  his  occupancy  in  a  sod  house.  Finally  his  practical 
and  progressive  methods  bore  fruit  and  he  rapidly  came  to  the  front  as  one  of  the 
foremost  farmers  in  that  section  of  the  county.  He  still  owns  the  land  but  has  in 
recent  years  retired  from  active  participation  in  carrying  on  the  affairs  of  the  farm, 
is  now  living  in  comfortable  surroundings  in  Benedict,  and  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Farmers  Elevator  at  that  jalace. 

On  December  31,  1884,  Mr.  Wonderly  was  married  to  Clarissa  E.  Guunell,  of 
Marston,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  John  Gunnell.  The  marriage  was  celebrated  at 
York,  and  has  been  blessed  with  four  children :  Grace  E.,  wife  of  John  B.  Ellis, 
who  operates  the  old  Wonderly  farm ;  Jennie,  living  at  home ;  Mary  Winifred,  at 
home;  and  Robert  Wayne,  now  six  years  old,  also  at  home.  Mrs.  Wonderly  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  her  aid  and  influence  have  always  been 
directed  for  the  advancement  of  the  moral  welfare  of  the  community.  Mr.  Won- 
derly ca.sts  an  independent  vote  and  at  all  times  his  attitude  has  been  that  of  a 
public-spirited  citizen,  willing  to  subordinate  private  interests  to  the  general  good 
and  entirely  free  from  self-seeking  ambitions  or  the  taint  of  cheap  popularity. 


JAMES  WOLSTENHOLM 

James  Wolstenholm,  who  is  a  respected  and  valued  resident  of  York  county,  and 
who  now  lives  retired  in  McCool  Junction,  was  born  in  Peoria  county,  Illinois, 
January  18,  1854,  the  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Lonsdale)  Wolstenholm,  mention 
of  whom  is  found  elsewhere. 


10.V2  HISTOEY    OF    YOTJK    COUXTY 

He  came  to  York  county  with  the  family  when  lie  was  a  hoy  and  witnessed  the 
hardships  and  privations  that  were  the  lot  of  the  pioneer  farmer.  When  he  became 
of  age  he  pre-empted  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  twenty-six  of  McFadden  town- 
ship, and  his  first  home  was  like  that  of  the  early  settlers,  a  little  dugout  on  the 
side  of  a  hill.  After  years  of  well  directed  eilort,  perseverance  and  hard  work,  he 
became  a  prosperous  agricultvirist  and  the  little  farm  was  improved  and  enlarged 
until  it  covered  four  hundred  acres.  A  few  years  ago  Mr.  Wolstenholm  sold  this 
property  and  bought  one  hundred  acres  of  land  adjoining  the  town  of  McCool 
Junction,  which  he  has  improved  with  a  new  set  of  farm  buildings  making  it  one 
of  the  ideal  country  homes  of  the  county.  He  rents  the  land  and  is  living 
retired. 

Mr.  Wolstenholm  was  married  September  28,  1878,  in  McFadden  township,  to 
Miss  Mary  Wullbrandt,  the  daughter  of  Charles  H.  and  Fredericka  (Hollock) 
WuUbrandt,  early  settlers  of  the  township  who  have  since  passed  away,  mention  of 
whom  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  review.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolstenholm  have  become 
the  parents  of  seven  children :  C.  E.,  who  is  married,  and  resides  in  Califoi-nia ; 
William,  of  Hayes  township.  York  county,  who  is  married:  Elva,  who  lives  at 
home :  Jesse  J.,  a  resident  of  Hayes  township,  York  county,  who  is  married ; 
Richard  E.,  who  was  a  soldier  in  tlie  World  war,  now  at  home;  Harry  E.,  who  is 
married  and  lives  in  Hayes  township;  and  Mabel  E.^  who  lives  at  home. 

Mr.  Wolstenholm  is  interested  in  any  project  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  com- 
munity where  he  resides  and  has  held  several  township  offices  including  assessor  of 
the  county  and  membership  on  the  school  board.  He  stands  today  as  one  of  the 
most  prosperous  and  substantial  citizens,  and  looking  back  to  the  days  of  the 
pioneer  farmer  he  shouhl  have  the  satisfaction  of  feeling  that  he  has  had  a  part  in 
bringing  about  the  prosperous  conditions  which  now  prevail. 


DIETRICH  TEINERT 


Dietrich  Teinert,  one  of  the  prosperous  and  progressive  farmers  of  McFadden 
township,  York  county,  was  horn  in  Westphalia,  Prussia,  (iermany,  August  -i,  1851, 
the  son  of  Andrew  and  Gertrude  Teinert,  natives  of  the  same  place.  The  father 
died  when  the  son  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  The  mother  died  in  York  county, 
Nebraska,  the  same  year  the  family  located  here. 

Dietrich  Teinert  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  place  and  as  a  boy 
was  taught  by  his  grandfather  to  care  for  milch  cows,  attend  to  crops  and  swing 
the  scythe  with  much  skill,  and  worked  on  the  threshing  machine,  for  which  he 
received  ten  cents  a  day.  He  also  spent  ten  years  as  a  stone-cutter.  When  nine 
years  old  he  suffered  an  attack  of  black  typhoid  fever  which  affected  his  hearing. 
It  was  quite  annoying  to  him  when  a  boy  in  school  to  have  the  teacher  ask  him  a 
question  which  he  did  not  hear  and  then  ask  him  if  he  were  dreaming.  The  family 
lived  in  a  village  and  he  was  excused  from  military  duty  because  his  mother  was 
a  widow  and  his  services  were  needed  in  the  support  of  the  family. 

In  1882  Mr.  Teinert  and  a  brother-in-law,  Henry  Karre,  came  to  the  United 
States  and  to  York  county,  Nebraska,  where  they  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  on  section  5,  McFadden  township.     The  first  year  the  two  families  occupied 


^ 

S!i'9^^^^K^^K/Ki 

_  ^s 

^I^IC 

. 

^^^^Km^X^rV^    ■~»-~ 

1^ 

1 

P        1 

'Vi 

^^H^  «^^    ,F^                 ^ 

'f?»>.^ 

f^ii'^  ' 

c; 

1 

M 
B 

H 


Vol.  11—29 


PUBLIC  UB^  AI^^^   '^ 

.cTOR    LENOX  AND 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUXTY  1055 

the  liouse  that  stood  on  the  place  but  the  next  year  Mr.  Teiuert  erected  a  dwelling 
on  his  own  laud  and  this  is  one  of  the  finest  country  homes  in  this  part  of  the 
county.  Other  suh.«tantial  buildings  make  his  one  of  the  well  improved  farms  of 
the  neighborhood.  Mr.  Teinert  has  given  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of 
pure  bred  horses  and  has  owned  some  very  fine  animals.  He  has  l)oeii  successful  in 
his  farming  operations  and  is  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres  of  land.  Having 
shifted  the  active  work  to  younger  shoulders  he  is  now  living  retired. 

In  Germany  Mr.  Teinert  was  married  to  Miss  Marie  Eddlchrook,  a  native  of 
the  same  place  as  her  husband,  born  there  September  20,  1856,  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Elizabeth  Eddlebrook,  who  became  residents  of  York  county  several 
years  ago,  and  here  the  mother  passed  away  while  the  father  is  living  at  the  age 
of  eighty-five  years,  making  his  home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Teinert.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Teinert  have  become  the  parents  of  nine  children,  three  of  whom  died  in  childhood. 
Those  living  are:  Lizetta,  the  wife  of  Joe  Shafer,  residing  in  Missouri;  Marv,  who 
married  George  Shafer  and  lives  in  Minnesota;  Henry,  lives  at  home;  Eda  is  the 
wife  of  William  Stuck,  living  in  Minnesota;  Harry  William,  who  is  at  lionie,  and 
Anna,  the  wife  of  Clarence  Foster,  of  York  county. 

Mr.  Teinert  was  possessed  of  about  twenty-four  hundred  dolhirs  when  he  landed 
in  America  and  the  success  that  has  come  to  him  is  the  result  of  his  own  well 
directed  efforts  and  perseverance.  He  is  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  the  county 
and  is  a  good  citizen  and  neighlior.  The  family  are  memliers  of  the  Lutheran 
church  and  held   in   the   highest  esteem  bv  all  who  know  them. 


GEORGE  A.  THOMPSON 

George  A.  Thompson,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  farmer  in 
York  county.  He  was  born  in  Green  county,  Wisconsin,  March  21,  1862,  and  his 
death  occurred  on  the  10th  of  September,  1918,  in  York  county  on  his  farm.  He 
was  a  son  of  Alden  B.  and  Mary  E.  Thompson,  the  fonner  a  native  of  Maine  and 
the  latter  of  Xew  York  state.  At  an  early  day  the  father  removed  to  Wisconsin 
where  he  purchased  some  land  and  in  1873  he  came  to  Hamilton  county,  Nebraska. 
Here  he  acquired  a  homestead  where  he  resided  for  a  number  of  years  and  then 
went  to  Montana  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  The  mother  is  still 
living  and  makes  her  home  in  Kalispell,  Montana.  She  is  now  eighty-nine  years 
of  age.  Nine  children  were  born  to  this  union,  six  of  whom  are  living,  Frank  who 
is  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  at  Edgar,  being  the  only  child  besides  (ieorge  A. 
residing  in  Nebraska. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  George  A.  Thompson  attended  the  district 
schools  of  Wisconsin  and  Hamilton  county.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  after 
putting  his  textbooks  aside  it  seemed  only  natural  that  he  should  choose  to  follow 
that  line  of  work.  He  owned  a  farm  in  Hamilton  county  whereon  he  resided  for 
some  time  but  in  1009  came  to  York  county  where  he  purchased  land  on  which  he 
remained  until  his  death.  He  .started  life  on  practically  nothing  but  had  a  strong 
determination  and  was  not  afraid  of  hard  work.  His  land  soon  became  some  of 
the  finest  in  the  county  and  in  addition  to  general  farming  he  engaged  extensively 
in  cattle  and  stock  raising.     As  he  progressed  his  opportunities  and   advantages 


]056  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

increased  and  he  gathered  to  himself  the  rewards  of  a  well  spent  life.  When  his 
death  occurred  on  the  10th  of  September,  1918,  the  community  suffered  a  great  loss. 

On  the  26th  of  November,  1891,  Mr.  Thompson  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Dillie  Ely,  a  native  of  Monroe,  Wisconsin,  and  a  daughter  of  David  and 
Mary  C.  (Starr)  Ely.  Her  father  was  born  in  Green  county,  Wisconsin,  while  her 
mother  was  born  in  Illinois.  Their  marriage  was  celebrated  in  Wisconsin  and  the 
father  engaged  in  farming  in  that  state  ixntil  1873  when  he  removed  to  Hamilton 
county,  Nebraska.  Here  he  acquired  a  homestead  and  resided  until  1913  when  he 
went  to  Sutton  in  Clay  county  where  he  located  and  remained  until  his  death  in 
April,  1919.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ely  six  children  were  born:  Mrs. 
George  A.  Thompson,  the  widow  of  the  subject  of  this  review;  Mrs.  Fay  Copsey, 
whose  husband  is  a  retired  farmer  residing  in  York;  Thurman  H.,  who  is  farming 
near  Broken  Bow;  Mrs.  Rose  Hagemeister,  who  resides  in  Potter;  Arthur  G.,  who 
is  a  cattle  man  and  rancher  residing  at  Sun  River,  Montana;  and  Walter  D.,  a 
farmer  of  Stockham  and  also  a  grain  buyer  and  in  the  elevator  business.  The  Ely 
family  were  consistent  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  the  father  was  a  repub- 
lican in  politics.  He  was  fraternally  connected  with  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen.  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  became  parents  of  two  children,  namely: 
Mary  Ethel  and  Floyd  C.  Mary  Ethel  received  her  education  in  the  country 
schools  and  later  attended  Sutton  high  school  and  the  York  college.  She  is  now 
teaching  in  the  York  schools.  Floyd  is  farming  near  Stockham.  He  obtained  his 
education  in  the  rural  schools  and  later  took  a  commercial  course  at  York  College. 

Throughout  his  life  Mr.  Thompson  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican 
party  and  fraternally  was  affiliated  with  the  Woodmen.  He  was  likewise  a  member 
of  the  Congregational  church  and  his  widow  is  still  prominent  in  the  various  church 
activities.  For  one  year  Mrs.  Thompson  remained  on  the  farm  after  her  husband's 
death.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  however,  she  removed  to  York  and  purchased  her 
present  home  at  802  East  Fifth  street.  During  the  World  war  Mrs.  Thompson 
took  a  prominent  part  in  the  various  activities  of  the  community  and  her  son  Floyd 
entered  into  service  in  the  fall  of  1917.  His  branch  of  service  was  the  aviation  and 
he  w-as  stationed  at  both  Kelly  and  Wright  Fields.  The  armistice  was  signed  before 
he  got  across  and  he  was  discharged  at  Montgomerj-,  Alabama,  in  March,  1919. 


OLIN  HITCHCOCK 


Among  the  prominent  citizens  of  York  county  is  Oliu  Hitchcock,  junior  part- 
ner in  the  undertaking  firm  of  Metz  &  Hitchcock.  He  is  a  native  of  Shoals,  Indiana, 
having  been  born  in  that  place,  May  1-5,  1883,  a  son  of  James  F.  and  Dora 
(Beaver)  Hitchcock.  The  father  was  born  in  Canton,  Ohio,  on  the  15th  of  Febru- 
arv,  1850,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  Indiana,  December  27,  1853.  In  their  early 
life  they  went  to  Indiana  where  they  met  and  were  married.  For  some  time 
Mr.  Hitchcock  engaged  in  farming  in  Martin  county,  Indiana,  but  in  1882 
removed  to  York  county  where  he  purchased  some  railroad  land.  For  thirty  years 
he  resided  on  this  land  and  in  1910,  desiring  to  retire  from  any  kind  of  active  life, 
he  removed  to  York  and  here  they  are  still  living,  respected  and  prominent  citizens. 
On  the  last  farm  owned  by  Mr.  Hitchcock  many  improvements  were  made  and  a 


HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY  1057 

modem  home  erected,  having  electric  lights,  steam  heat  and  other  comforts  of  the 
city  home.  He  did  not  sell  this  place  until  1915.  Seven  children  were  born  to 
the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hitchcock,  five  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Olin,  the 
subject  of  this  review;  E.  C,  a  traveling  salesman  residing  in  Kansas  City, 
Nebraska;  Dwight,  who  is  with  the  Pacific  Electric  Railway  Company  of  Los 
Angeles ;  Mrs.  Wayne  Soper,  whose  liusliand  is  principal  of  schools  at  Eagle ;  and 
Gladys,  who  is  teaching  school  in  Y'ork.  Mr.  Hitchcock  is  a  consistent  member  of 
the  United  Brethren  church,  as  is  also  his  wife,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
democratic  party. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Olin  Hitchcock  attended  the  public  schools 
of  York  and  in  due  time  entered  York  college.  His  initial  step  into  the  business 
world  was  in  191.3  when  he  entered  the  undertaking  business.  To  prepare  himself 
for  this  work  he  entered  the  Worsham  School  of  embalming  in  Chicago  and  became 
familiar  with  every  detail.  In  1914  he  sold  out  his  business  and  entered  into 
partnership  with  Mr.  Metz.    They  have  the  only  undertaking  business  in  York. 

On  the  22nd  of  September,  1904,  Mr.  Hitchcock  was  married  to  Miss  Edith  M. 
Montsmith,  who  is  a  native  of  York  county.  Her  father  was  Henry  Montsmith,  one 
of  York  county's  earliest  pioneers.  To  the  imion  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hitchcock  two 
children  have  been  born,  namely:  Helen  V.  who  is  eight  years  of  age;  and  Ree 
Maribel,  aged  four  months. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Hitchcock  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party  and  the  principles  for  which  it  stands. 
He  served  York  county  as  coroner  for  two  years,  from  1914-1916.  When  elected  to 
this  office  he  carried  the  county  by  three  hundred  votes  which  well  demonstrated  his 
popularity,  for  normally  there  was  a  republican  majority  of  seven  hundred  or  eight 
hundred.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Elks;  Knights  of  Pythias;  Royal 
Highlanders;  and  Odd  P'ellows.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  United 
Brethren  church  in  which  they  take  an  active  part  and  Mr.  Hitchcock  is  regarded 
as  a  leading  and  progressive  citizen  of  the  community. 


DIETRICH  D.  EPP 


Dietrich  D.  Epp,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  in 
Henderson  township,  York  county,  was  born  on  the  10th  of  June,  1884,  in  this 
county,  his  father  being  Heinrich  H.  Epp,  who  is  mentioned  at  length  on  another 
page  of  this  work.  The  son  spent  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  and  at 
the  usual  age  began  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  while  later  he  spent  one 
term  as  a  student  in  a  college  at  Newton,  Kansas.  During  vacation  periods  he 
worked  in  the  fields  and  early  became  familiar  with  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the 
soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.  He  continued  at  home  until  he  had  attained  his 
majority  and  then  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  taking  up  the  work  of  culti- 
vating the  place  upon  which  he  now  resides  on  section  14,  Henderson  township. 
As  the  years  have  passed  he  has  become  the  owner  of  a  valuable  property,  having 
today  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  finely  improved  land.  He  follows  the 
most  progressive  methods  in  the  cultivation  of  his  fields  and  the  care  of  his  crops 


10.58  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

and  is  accounted  one  of  the  representative  and  enterprising  business  men  of  his 
community. 

In  1907  Mr.  Epp  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Barbara  Epp,  who,  though  of 
the  same  name  was  not  a  relative.  To  them  have  been  born  five  children :  Elbert  E., 
born  April  2,  1908:  ^A'.  H.,  born  February  3.  1910:  Edward  H.,  born  March  10, 
1913;  Arthur  R.,  born  December  5,  1915;  and  Elsie  M.,  born  October  30,  1918. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Epp  are  members  of  the  Betliesda  church  of  Henderson  and 
are  loyal  followers  of  its  teachings,  wliile  to  its  support  they  make  generous  contribu- 
tion. In  politics  Mr.  Epp  is  a  republican  and  is  now  serving  as  supervisor  of 
Henderson  township.  He  has  also  tilled  the  office  of  township  assessor  for  four 
years  and  at  the  present  time  is  acting  as  school  treasurer  of  his  district.  He 
started  out  in  life  without  financial  assistance  and  liy  industry  and  energy  has 
steadily  worked  his  way  upward,  overcoming  all  difficulties  and  obstacles  in  his 
path  and  winning  a  place  among  the  prosperous  farmers  of  his  section  of  the  state. 


EDWARD  D.  COPSEY 


Edward  D.  Copsey.  deceased,  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  farmer  of  York 
county,  and  his  death  which  occurred  on  the  8th  of  August,  1917,  came  as  a  great 
shock  to  his  friends.  He  was  born  in  Herkimer  county,  Xew  York,  in  18-11,  the 
son  of  John  and  Mary  (Talbott)  Copsey,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  England. 
They  removed  to  Wisconsin  before  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  and  there  engaged 
in  farming.  Edward  Copsey,  was  one  of  their  seventeen  children,  fourteen  of 
whom  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood.  While  a  boy  he  attended  the  country 
schools  in  Wisconsin  receiving  such  education  as  these  facilities  offered. 

On  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  Edward  Copsey  enlisted  with  the  Eighth 
Wisconsin  Regiment,  which  was  famous  as  the  eagle  regiiuent.  At  the  completion 
of  this  term  of  enlistment,  he  joined  a  New  York  regiment.  During  the  four  years 
of  the  war  he  was  engaged  in  active  service  and  participated  in  many  important 
battles,  among  them  being  Vicksburg,  luka  and  Corinth.  On  receiving  his  discharge 
at  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Copsey  returned  to  Wisconsin  but  soon  turned  his  face 
westward.  He  arrived  in  York  county  in  1867,  securing  a  homestead  upon  which 
he  built  a  log  house.  After  spending  about  a  year  on  this  claim  he  became  homesick 
for  Wisconsin  and  returned  to  that  state.  In  1870,  however,  he  again  made  the  long 
trip  by  wagon  back  to  York  county,  enlarging  his  farm  by  purchasing  railroad  land. 
He  was  successful  in  the  cultivation  of  his  land  and  after  a  few  years  built  a  frame 
house.  During  the  early  days  of  pioneering  supplies  were  hauled  from  Nebraska 
City,  a  distance  of  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles.  In  1870  the  Burlington 
and  Missouri  Railroad  was  built  through  Sutton,  which  furnished  a  market  only 
eleven  miles  away.  There  were  numerous  Indians  in  the  country  in  the  early  days, 
for  the  most  part  inclined  to  be  friendly.  At  one  time  three  thousand  of  them 
accom]ianicd  by  a  white  man  passed  the  homestead.  However,  the  community  soon 
became  settled  and  civilized  and  after  twenty-five  years  of  hard  though  successful 
work  on  the  farm,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Copsey  retired  to  York,  where  his  death  occurred. 
In  October,  1867,  Mr.  Copsey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jennie  Henderson,  a 
daughter   of   David   and   Helen    (Brown)    Henderson,   both   natives   of    Scotland. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1059 

Mrs.  Copsey  is  a  sister  of  Robert  Henderson,  mention  of  whom  is  made  elsewhere  ia 
this  work.  To  this  union  four  children  were  born:  Fay  D.,  who  farmed  until  1913 
when  he  retired  and  lives  in  York;  Nellie,  the  only  daughter,  is  the  wife  of  W.  M. 
Welsh,  who  is  agent  for  the  Burlington  at  Central  City:  Robert,  the  third  member 
of  the  family,  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work;  and  Hugh,  the  youngest,  lives  in 
Lincoln  and  is  a  conductor  with  the  Burlington  Railroad.  Mrs.  Copsey  still  resides 
in  York  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  its  affairs. 

Mr.  Copsey  was  always  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  repulilicaii  i)avty,  and  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repulilic.  He  was  a  loving  husband  and  a 
kind  and  devoted  father,  who  found  his  greatest  happiness  in  providing  for  the 
welfare  of  his  family.  The  salient  traits  of  his  character  were  snch  as  won  for  him 
the  highest  regard  and  si'oodwill  of  all. 


JOHN  WHOLSTENHOLM 

John  Wholstenholm,  now  deceased,  was  lifirn  in  Lancashire,  England,  April  27, 
1888,  the  son  of  William  and  Martha  (Aspinwall)  Wholstenholm,  who  spent  their 
lives  in  England.  John  Wholstenholm  was  reared  in  his  native  town  and  owing  to 
the  financial  circumstances  of  his  parents  was  obliged  to  go  to  work  in  the  cotton 
mills  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  where  he  received  the  sum  of  one  shilling  for  his 
week's  labor.  When  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-five  years  he  had  become  a  very 
capable  carder  but  as  he  was  an  ambitious  youth  he  was  not  satisfied  with  this  sort 
of  career,  so  he  sailed  to  America  in  1850,  landing  at  New  Orleans.  Later  he  made 
his  way  to  Peoria,  Illinois,  where  he  found  employment  on  a  farm,  receiving  thirteen 
dollars  a  month  which  he  considered  a  large  salary. 

On  August  15,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K  of  the  Seventy-seventh  Illinois 
A-^olunteer  Infantry,  and  served  throughout  the  war,  taking  part  in  many  important 
engagements  in  the  war  in  the  west.  He  saw  service  at  Chickasaw  Bluffs,  Arkansas 
Post,  Magnolia  Hills,  Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  Vicksburg,  Jackson, 
Mansfield,  Kane  River,  Marksville,  Yellow  Bayou,  Fort  Gaines,  Spanish  Fort, 
Blakeley,  Whistler  Station,  and  was  in  other  important  skirmishes.  He  encountered 
many  dangerous  situations  but  was  never  wounded  nor  taken  prisoner,  though  he 
would  have  sold  his  chances  for  a  small  consideration  many  times.  On  one  occasion 
he  was  struck  by  a  spent  rifle  bullet  which  pierced  two  thicknesses  of  his  leather 
belt  and  was  stopped  by  his  cartridge  box.  When  the  war  was  over  he  received  his 
discharge  at  Mobile,  AJabanui,  July  10,  1865,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield, 
Illinois. 

In  1871  he  came  to  Nebraska  and  filed  on  a  claim  in  McFadden  township,  where 
he  secured  a  quarter  section  under  the  laws  relating  to  soldiers  claims  under  the 
homestead  act.  In  1874  his  sod  house  was  replaced  by  a  two-story  frame  house 
which  was  considered  a  most  imposing  residence  at  that  time.  The  new  settler  found 
no  water  in  that  locality  except  in  the  basins,  but  Mr.  Wholstenholm  foresaw  this 
difficulty  and  came  prepared  with  tools  and  immediately  drilled  a  well.  As  neigh- 
bors began  to  congregate  he  found  well  drilling  a  paying  occupation,  and  many  of 
the  best  farm  wells  in  this  region  are  the  result  of  his  labors.  At  that  time  Lincoln 
was  the  nearest  trading  post  for  the  people  of  this  vicinity  and  as  it  was  fifty  miles 


K»r,0  HISTORY    OP    YORK    COUXTY 

distant  going  to  market  was  an  inconvenient  undertaking.  There  were  no  roads  on 
the  prairie  and  on  one  occasion  wlien  the  neighbors  had  exhausted  their  supply  of 
flour,  Mr.  Wholstenholni  started  for  the  mill  which  was  about  eight  miles  distant,  to 
get  more  flour,  and  lost  his  way  and  as  the  sun  was  hidden  by  clouds  he  became 
confused  as  to  the  directions.  Three  days  passed  before  he  returned  with  four 
sacks  of  flour,  during  which  time  the  neighbors  lived  on  crushed  corn,  and  his 
coming  was  the  event  of  a  demonstration  of  joy.  He  relates  that  when  the  settlers 
were  coming  in  rajiidly  and  the  land  was  being  taken  correspondingly  fast  he  started 
for  Fairmont  one  morning  to  do  some  trading,  taking  the  usual  path,  and  before  he 
had  noticed  anything  unusual  about  the  path  he  had  driven  across  an  elevation  on 
the  ground  which  proved  to  be  the  dugout  home  of  a  newcomer.  The  man  came  out 
and  talked  to  him,  saying  that  he  had  lived  there  for  two  weeks  in  his  little  cave 
covered  with  a  roof  of  sf)d.  Mr.  Wholstenholm  remained  on  his  homestead  con- 
verting it  into  a  splendid  farm  home,  adding  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  to  the 
property  which  he  later  divided  between  his  two  sons. 

Mr.  Wholstenholm  was  married  to  Miss  Hannah  Lonsdale,  who  was  born  in  his 
native  town  in  England.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Helen  (Halsted) 
Lonsdale,  and  passed  away  in  1875.  Mr.  Wholstenholm  later  married  Mrs.  Hannah 
Eamsden  who  has  since  passed  away.  Of  his  eight  children,  four  are  living :  James, 
of  McCool  Junction ;  Miles,  a  farmer  in  West  Blue  township,  York  county ;  Ellen, 
the  wife  of  Charles  Prescott,  who  resides  at  Merna,  Nebraska ;  and  Alice,  the  wife 
of  C.  E.  Seeger,  of  Merna,  Nebraska.    . 

Mr.  Wholstenholm  took  much  interest  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  Post 
at  Lushton,  of  which  he  was  a  member.  In  politics  he  was  independent,  voting  for 
the  men  he  considered  best  qualified  to  fill  the  offices,  and  for  the  measures  he 
deemed  most  wise.  After  many  years  of  active  life  on  the  farm  he  retired  and 
moved  to  McCool  Junction  where  his  death  occurred  in  March,  1899. 

Mr.  Wholstenholm  was  a  man  who  never  allowed  obstacles  nor  difficulties  to 
discourage  nor  deter  him,  but  regarded  them  as  an  impetus  for  renewed  effort  on 
his  part,  and  as  the  years  passed  his  progress  continued  until  at  the  time  of  his 
death  he  was  one  of  the  most  prosperous  and  prominent  men  in  the  county,  with  a 
host  of  friends  who  regarded  him  as  a  man  of  sterling  worth  and  splendid 
principles. 


NELS  B.  SWANSON 


Nels  B.  Swanson,  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  York  founty  has  by  his  own 
efforts  become  one  of  the  prosperous  residents  in  York,  where  he  lives  retired.  He 
was  born  in  Sweden,  March  4,  1848,  the  son  of  Swan  Nelson  and  Kauer  Jepson 
Nelson  who  owned  a  little  farm  in  the  old  country  where  he  spent  his  yt)uthful 
days  and  helped  with  the  farm  work. 

In  1871  he  came  to  the  United  States  making  his  way  to  Johnson  county  where 
he  found  employment  on  a  farm  and  later  rented  land  and  farmed  there  and  in 
Henderson  county,  Illinois.  In  1879  he  came  to  York  county,  Nebraska,  and 
bought  eighty  acres  of  raw  land  where  the  town  of  Charleston  is  now  located.  Here 
he  built  a  sod  house  with  a  board  roof,  which,  after  it  was  whitewashed  and  plas- 
tered, made  a  very  comfortable  little  home.     When  the  Northwestern  railroad  was 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1061 

built  he  sold  a  portion  of  his  land  to  the  towusite  compan}-,  keeping  the  land  in 
section  seventeen,  Baker  township,  which  he  improved  and  made  one  of  the  best 
farms  in  the  county.  Here  he  engaged  successfully  in  farming  his  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  until  eleven  years  ago,  when  he  retired  and  moved  to  York  where  he  has 
a  comfortable  home  at  827  West  Fourth  street.  Besides  this  property  he  still  owns 
his  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres. 

On  October  6,  1877,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Carrie  Pierson  who  was  born  in 
Sweden,  October  24,  1849.  To  them  were  born  the  following  children :  Alma,  the 
wife  of  Claude  Swanson  who  operates  his  father-in-law's  farm ;  Hulda,  who  is  a  clerk 
at  the  Middlebrook  store  at  York;  Selma  and  Oscar  who  have  passed  away:  Mabel, 
who  is  a  teacher  in  Lincoln;  Viola,  the  wife  of  Arthur  W.  Thompson,  a  noted 
auctioneer  of  York:  and  Clara,  who  is  teaching  at  Shickley,  Xebraska. 

In  politics  Mr.  Swanson  is  not  bound  to  any  party  but  votes  for  men  and 
measures,  taking  into  consideration  the  qualifications  of  the  men  and  the  advisa- 
bility of  the  measures.  He  is  always  willing  to  do  all  he  can  for  the  service  and 
betterment  of  his  community  and  has  served  on  the  county  board  of  supervisors 
and  on  the  school  board  for  several  years.  Mr.  Swanson  may  well  be  proud  of  the 
success  he  has  gained,  for  he  has  risen  entirely  by  his  own  effort,  having  but  two 
dollars  and  a  half  when  he  landed  in  this  country.  His  progress  and  the  success  he 
has  earned  should  serve  to  encourage  others,  for  his  life  has  proved  that  his 
prosperity  is  the  result  of  individual  effort  and  ability. 


SIMEON  STAEK 


Simeon  Stark,  a  well  known  farmer  of  York  county,  residing  on  section  4, 
Bradshaw  township,  now  owns  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  valuable  farming 
land  and  enjoys  an  excellent  reputation  as  a  successful  and  representative  agricul- 
turist. He  was  born  in  Boone  county,  Iowa,  November  24,  1856,  a  son  of  Jesse 
Stark  and  wife,  the  former  a  native  of  Indiana. 

The  father  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Iowa,  where  he  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated and  spent  many  years  of  his  active  life  engaged  in  farming.  In  1875  he  left 
Iowa  and  made  the  journey  to  Nebraska  accompanied  by  the  members  of  his  family, 
coming  straight  to  York  county  and  settling  in  Arborville  township,  where  he 
rented  land  for  two  years.  In  1877  Mr.  Stark  acquired  a  holding  of  his  own  on 
section  4,  Bradshaw  township,  consisting  of  eighty  acres,  for  which  he  paid  about 
six  hundred  dollars.  There  was  a  sod  house  upon  the  ground,  part  of  which  was 
broken  for  tillage,  and  there  he  continued  to  reside  for  about  fifteen  years  during 
this  period  improving  and  developing  the  place  with  satisfactory  financial  results. 
In  1890  he  moved  to  Frontier  county  and  bought  a  homestead  on  which  he  resided 
for  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  March,  1910,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-seven  years.  He  married  Winnie  Mitchell  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
thirteen  children,  eight  sons  and  five  daughters,  and  eight  of  these  children  are 
living.  Mrs.  Winnie  Stark  passed  away  in  March,  1919,  having  then  reached  the 
age  of  ninety  years.  They  were  very  worthy  people,  esteemed  by  all  who  knew 
them,  no  less  for  their  homely  virtues  than  for  their  stability  and  uprightness  of 
character. 


1062  HISTORY    OF    YOT^K    COFXTY 

Simeon  Stiii'k  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Towa  and  there  assisted  in  the 
work  during  his  boyhood  and  youthful  days.  His  opportunity  for  securing  aa 
education  was  very  limited  as  the  school  term  at  that  date  did  not  last  more  than 
three  months,  but  he  availed  himself  of  the  advantages  such  as  they  were.  In  1875 
he  accompanied  his  parents  to  York  county  and  remained  on  the  home  place  until 
he  was  twenty-one  years  old  when  he  began  to  work  out  on  neighboring  farms  at 
seventeen  dollars  a  mouth,  so  continuing  for  two  years.  He  saved  enough  money 
to  buy  a  team  of  horses,  a  wagon  and  a  plow,  and  then  began  work  on  his  own 
account  by  renting  land,  his  industry  and  energy-  being  rewarded  at  the  end  of  four 
years  with  a  large  measure  of  success.  The  favorable  results  of  his  renting  opera- 
tions induced  Mr.  Stark  to  purchase  forty  acres  of  land  which  he  still  owns.  He 
secured  this  tract  by  making  an  initial  payment  of  only  forty  dollars,  the  purchase 
conditions  calling  for  seven  dollars  an  acre,  which  was  tiien  the  standard  price  for 
railroad  land.  There  was  a  sod  house  already  on  the  place  and  he  lived  on  the 
holding  for  twelve  months,  "baching"  it  during  that  period.  He  then  bought 
another  forty  acres  on  which  fine  buildings  now  stand,  first  putting  up  a  sod  house, 
wiiich  he  later  replaced  by  a  small  frame.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  of  most  productive  land,  all  well  improved,  having  two  fine  sets  of 
buildings  and  trees  scattered  over  the  entire  acreage.  His  crops  have  been  iiniformly 
successful  and  in  the  raising  and  marketing  of  stock  he  has  had  equally  satisfac- 
tory results.  He  has  brought  his  fields  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and 
everything  about  his  place  indicates  careful  supervision  and  progressive  methods. 

On  September  1,  1881,  Mr.  Stark  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  C. 
Lockwood  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  eight  children:  William  Lester; 
Winnie  F.,  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Gray;  Simeon  L. ;  Dora  Elizabeth;  Wesley  E. ;  Viola, 
the  wife  of  Elmer  Cash;  Millie  A.;  and  Harold  L.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five. 
Mr.  Stark  is  a  member  of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  York  and  in  politics  gives  his 
support  to  the  democratic  party,  without  seeking  or  desiring  public  office.  He  and 
his  wife  are  actuated  by  a  spirit  of  progress  and  enterprise  in  all  they  undertake 
and  their  interest  deeply  centers  in  those  affairs  which  promise  to  upbuild  and 
develop  further  the  section  of  the  state  in  which  they  live. 


OTTO  E.  EVANS 


Otto  E.  Evans  is  now  living  retired  in  York  but  for  many  years  was  active  along 
commercial  and  industrial  lines  and  also  for  .some  time  filled  public  office.  He  was 
born  in  Manitowoc,  Wisconsin,  November  2,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  E.  N.  and  Eliza 
(Dorr)  Flvans,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Maine,  and  they  were  married  there, 
having  removed  to  that  state  in  1819.  The  father  engaged  in  the  lumber  business 
there  and  was  connected  with  three  or  four  .'^awmill  enterprises  of  the  state,  suc- 
cessfully conducting  his  business  affairs.  He  came  to  Nebraska  in  April,  1879, 
and  settling  in  York  was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  for  a  time  but  retired 
soon  after  his  removal  to  this  state,  spending  his  remaining  days  in  the  enjoyment 
of  well  earned  rest.  He  passed  away  in  1906  in  the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  in  which  he  had  long  been  a  consistent  member  and  active  worker.  In 
politics  he  was  a  republican  and  served  on  the  village  board  in  North  York  and 


_" 

Ib 

^^^^^^^B^^^^^^^v 

"^ 

^^^r* 

1^1 

^|B 

Hfjl 

^^^H    V 

'■r^^^^^ 

^B   i 

^'^^  fl^^^^l 

^^1 

|5^^^ '  V^^^^^^^H 

k3 

^g^^l 

OTTO  E.  EA'AXS 


^-  -^ 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBFARY 

ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
,TILDEN  fOUNOATlONS 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1065 

was  also  active  in  consolidating  the  two  towns  of  York  and  Xorth  York.  To  him 
and  his  wife  were  horn  three  children,  of  whom  (ine  dicil  in  infancy,  while  Fred 
passed  away  in  1898. 

The  surviving  niemher  of  the  family  is  Otto  E.  Evans  of  this  review,  who 
pursued  his  education  in  the  schools  of  York  and  in  the  Methodist  Seminary  of 
this  city.  He  started  out  in  the  liusiness  world  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  his  uncle 
and  for  a  time  was  employed  in  a  hank.  He  afterward  worked  in  the  office  of  the 
county  clerk  and  county  recorder  and  later  conducted  a  paint  and  wall  paper  husi- 
ness  in  York.  He  is  an  expert  mechanical  draftsman  and  followed  the  business  for 
a  number  of  years.  His  father  was  also  a  mechanical  engineer  of  some  note  and 
Otto  E.  Evans  took  up  drawing  soon  after  completing  his  jjublic  school  educa- 
tion. He  is  now  living  a  retired  life  and  for  some  time  has  engaged  in  no  active 
business  pursuit.  At  present  he  is  erecting  a  lieautiful  home  at  Xo.  2300  Lincoln 
avenue  and  the  success  he  has  attained  enables  him  to  supply  himself  with  all  of 
the   comforts  and   conveniences  of  life. 

Mr.  Evans  is  an  attendant  on  the  Pi-esl)yterian  church.  He  belongs  to  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  his  membership  being  in  York  Lodge 
Xo.  1024,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  republican  who  for  eight  or  ten  years  served  as  a 
member  of  the  city  council.  He  is  republican  committee-man  from  the  second 
ward  and  does  everything  in  his  power  to  promote  the  success  of  his  party  and 
secure  the  adoption  of  its  principles.  He  belongs  to  the  Country  Club  and  is 
popular  in  its  membership.  Throughput  the- period  of  .his  residence  in  Nebraska  he 
has  been  an  earnest  champion  of  the  city,  anjrl  county  in  which  he  resides  and  at 
all  times  his  aid  and  cooperation  can  be  counted  upon'  to  promote  measures  for 
the  general  good. 


HENEY  C.  GEAVES 


Among  the  alert  and  enterprising  business  men  of  York  is  Henry  C.  Graves, 
who  is  one  of  the  largest  real  estate  men  in  the  county.  The  greater  part  of  his 
life  has  been  spent  in  this  connection  and  his  success  indicates  the  keenness  of  his 
sagacity  and  the  soundness  of  his  business  opinions. 

Henry  C.  Graves  was  born  two  and  one-half  miles  east  of  Arborville,  on  the  6th 
of  April,  1890,  a  son  of  Dan  and  Martha  H.  (Loonier)  Graves,  the  former  born  in 
Vermont  in  18-11,  while  the  latter  was  born  in  Illinois  in  1816.  The  mother  is  still 
living  and  resides  in  York  but  Mr.  Graves  died  July  27,  1917.  In  early  manhood 
Dan  Graves  removed  to  Illinois  and  there  met  and  married  his  wife.  In  the  early 
sixties  they  came  to  York  county  where  they  acquired  a  homestead  on  which  they 
built  a  sod  house  and  resided  there  for  fifteen  years.  The  country  was  in  a  some- 
what wild  and  uncultivated  state  and  the  wild  geese  were  so  numerous  that  they 
woiild  eat  the  oats  as  they  were  put  into  the  ground.  Indians  were  also  numerous 
but  for  the  most  part  of  friendly  disposition,  and  would  often  stopi  at  the  Graves 
house  on  their  hunting  expeditions  for  food  and  warmth.  Dan  Graves  was  always 
a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party  and  held  a  number  of  local  offices  in 
Arborville.  During  the  years  of  his  residence  on  the  farm  he  was  head  of  District 
School   No.  66,  and  was  a  strong  advocate  of  education.     When  he  later  went  to 


1066  HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUXTY 

York  to  live  lie  diil  his  purt  in  the  hiiilding  of  the  courthouse  with  the  understanding 
that  no  saloons  were  to  he  allowed  in  York  witliiii  a  period  of  twenty  years.  He  was 
also  a  prominent'man  in  financial  circles  being  a  stockholder  in  the  York  Bank  and 
a  director  in  the  bank  at  Polk.  Jt  was  about  1905  that  he  retired  from  active  busi- 
ness life  and  his  death  occurred  in  Bailey's  Sanitarium  at  Lincoln.  He  had  always 
been  a  large  landowner  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  in  possession  of  two 
sections  of  land  in  York  county,  a  large  number  of  acres  in  California,  and  some  city 
property  in  Lincoln.  Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graves,  five  of  ' 
whom  are  still  living:  Myra,  the  wife  of  Edward  Koon,  a  real  estate  man  in  York; 
Xora,  who  married  H.  J.  Clarke,  a  dealer  in  tombstones  in  Omaha:  Daniel,  residing 
on  the  farm  homesteaded  by  his  father ;  Mable,  who  is  the  wife  of  Moses  Keahlier,  a 
farmer  near  York ;  and  Henry  C,  whose  name  heads  this  review.  The  family  were 
reared  in  the  Congregational  faith,  and  the  father,  Dan  Graves,  was  a  leader  in  the 
activities  of  that  organization.  Mrs.  Graves  is  .still  residing  in  York  at  the 
advanced  age  of  seventy-four  years. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Henry  C.  Graves  attended  District  School, 
Xo.  66,  and  in  due  time  entered  the  Kearney  Military  Academy,  from  which  insti- 
tution he  was  graduated  in  1906.  He  then  entered  the  state  agricultural  school  at 
Lincoln  where  he  remained  for  one  year,  at  the  termination  of  which  time  he 
engaged  in  farming  for  a  period  of  seven  years.  On  the  11  th  of  August,  1913,  he 
removed  to  York  and  built  a  garage.  He  ran  this  business  for  five  years,  selling 
Cadillac,  Chandler  and  Xash  cars.  On  the  l")th  of  September,  1918,  he  sold  this 
business  but  continued  to  manage  it  for  one  year  after  the  sale.  He  had  been  very 
successful  in  this  business  but  it  was  not  the  line  of  work  in  which  he  wished  to 
continue.  His  next  venture  was  in  the  real  estate  business  and  while  it  is  mostly  ' 
general  he  does  some  emigration  business  in  Colorado  and  western  Xebraska.  He 
is  perhaps  one  of  the  biggest  landowners  in  the  county  having  thirty-one  hundred 
acres  in  Colorado,  two  hundred  acres  in  York,  and  his  home  at  216  East  Xinth 
street.     He  also  owns  one-fourth  of  a  section  in  Perkins  county. 

In  1908  Mr.  Graves  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  X'ettie  E.  Tewell,  a  native  of 
Arborville  and  a  daughter  of  Jordan  Tewell.  AVlien  Mr.  Tewell  first  settled  in 
York  he  worked  for  a  Mr.  Grover  a  while  and  then  decided  to  go  into  business  on 
his  owu  account.  He  ran  stores  at  Arborville  and  Polk  and  is  now  living  retired 
and  well-to-do  in  Julesburg,  Colorado. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Graves  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  democratic  party  and  is  well  versed  on  all  the  issues  and  questions 
of  the  day.  His  fraternal  atiiliation  is  with  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of 
Elks  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graves 
is  one  of  the  finest  in  York  and  is  noted  for  its  hospitality. 


EICHARD  PRYCE 


Richard  Pryce,  deceased,  an  honored  pioneei-  of  the  west  in  the  60"s,  was  during 
the  latter  part  of  his  life  a  prominent  factor  in  the  advancement  of  the  business 
interests  and  development  of  this  section  of  the  country.  Mr.  Pryce  was  born  in 
Montgomeryshire,   Xorth   Wales,   February    5,   1837,   and   died   at  his  home  near 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1067 

Thayor,  Xebraska,  February  -1,  1920,  being  eighty-three  years  old  lacking  one  day. 
He  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1845  and  the  family  settled  on  a  piece 
of  government  land  in  Wisconsin,  where  the  parents  made  their  home  for  the  rest 
of  their  lives. 

Richard  Pryce  crossed  tiie  plains  in  the  early  days,  starting  from  Nebraska  City 
and  driving  five  yoke  of  oxen  through  to  Denver,  Colorado.  There  were  sixty 
wagons  in  the  train  and  nearly  five  hundred  head  of  oxen  and  cattle,  and  the 
journey  was  a  slow  and  perilous  one,  in  which  they  covered  aliout  twenty  miles  a 
day.  He  afterwards  made  the  trip  Ijy  rail  and  lived  to  see  the  automobile  and 
aeroplane  in  successful  operation.  He  remarked  a  short  time  before  his  death  that 
he  had  lived  to  see  all  the  modern  methods  of  travel  and  transportation,  none  of 
which  was  in  use  when  his  father  was  a  boy.  In  1882  Mr.  I'ryce  bought  a  tract  of 
railroad  land  in  Thayer  tovvnshij)  which  by  unremitting  toil  he  developed  .into  a 
well  arranged  and  productive  farm,  building  thereon  a  commodious  home  which  he 
occupied  until  the  time  of  his  death.  He  became  the  owner  of  five  hundred  acres 
of  fine  land  which  he  acquired  at  the  moderate  figure  of  seven  and  one-half  dollars 
per  acre.  He  made  many  valuable  improvements  on  his  holdings  and  his  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  were  conducted  with  success,  while  his  diligence  and 
determination  brought  him  prominently  to  the  front  in  connection  with  the  line  of 
his  chosen  occupation.  He  was  regarded  by  all  who  knew  him  as  a  man  of  strict 
integrity  Mid  sterling  honesty.  He  was  of  kindly  spirit  and  generous  disposition 
toward  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact  and  was  liked  by  all.  It  fell  to  his  lot 
to  experience  many  phases  of  pioneer  and  frontier  life  and  he  made  liberal  contribu- 
tions of  strength  and  wisdom  to  the  development  of  the  great  west.  He  stood  in  the 
front  rank  of  those  who  planted  civilization  in  this  part  of  Nebraska  and  was  par- 
ticularly active  in  the  growth  of  York  county.  Although  an  ardent  supporter  of 
the  republican  party  he  never  aspired  to  public  office,  preferring  to  devote  his  time 
to  his  agricultural  interests,  hut  at  the  same  time  he  never  neglected  to  use  his 
influence  to  advance  any  movement  intended  to  promote  the  social  and  material 
welfare  of  the  county. 

In  1867  Mr.  Pryce  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha  George,  also  a  native 
of  Wales,  and  to  their  union  five  children  were  born,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy, 
"^riie  surviving  members  of  the  family  are:  Russel,  who  lives  on  the  home  farm; 
Mrs.  Malissa  Ilattel,  who  lives  near  Thayer;  Albert  J.,  also  living  near  Thayer; 
and  Mrs.  Carrie  Harris,  of  Stromsburg,  Nebraska ;  also  a  foster-daughter,  Miss 
Grace  Pryce,  who  had  been  a  member  of  the  family  since  childhood.  One  sister 
survived  Mr.  Pryce — Mrs.  Bartlett  of  Attica,  Wisconsin,  who  passed  away  in 
March,  1920.  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Pryce's  death  he  had  seventeen  grandchildren  and 
three  great-grandchildren.  Mrs.  Pryce  passed  away  February  6,  1912,  to  the  deep 
sorrow  of  her  family  to  whom  her  domestic  virtues  and  nolile  character  had  ever 
been  sources  of  abiding  love  and  veneration. 

Russel  Pryce,  the  eldest  of  the  children,  now  owns  the  old  homestead  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres.  He  had  always  lived  on  the  home  farm  during  his 
father's  lifetime,  and  was  a  great  help  from  young  manhood  in  carrying  on  the 
affairs  of  the  holding.  In  his  father's  declining  years  he  practically  relieved  him  of 
all  business  cares  and  is  now  proving  himself  a  worthy  successor,  having  long 
since  established  a  reputation  as  an  experienced  agriculturist.  Albert  L.  Pryce,  the 
second  son,  remained  on  tlie  home  farm  until  1908,  when  he  moved  to  the  other 


1068  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUIS'TY 

part  of  his  father's  estate  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  located  in 
Stewart  township  and  there  makes  his  home.  He  married  Margaret  Hoffer  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  nine  are  living,  one  having  died 
in  infancy.  Following  tlie  lead  of  their  father,  Riissel  and  Albert  Pryce  give 
undivided  support  to  the  republican  party. 


JAMES  N.  PLUMB,  M.  D. 

For  twenty  years  Dr.  James  X.  Plumb  has  been  practicing  in  Yorlc  and  in  that 
time  has  built  np  a  large  and  steadily  increasing  practice.  He  is  a  native  son  of 
Nebraska,  horn  in  Eulo  in  1868.  His  parents,  Lewis  and  Mary  (SchafE)  Plumb, 
were  natives  of  Ohio  and  were  married  in  that  state.  The  father  was  a  carpenter  by 
trade  and  for  some  time  ran  a  lumber-yard  and  contiuned  his  carpentering,  becom- 
ing very  successful  in  both  lines.  During  the  t'ivil  war  Mr.  Plumb  served  in  the 
provost  marshal's  office  at  Camp  Chase  and  his  wife  was  in  charge  of  the  prison 
camp  dining-room.  It  was  during  the  war  that  Jacoli  Schaff,  the  father  of  Mary 
Schaff,  went  to  Nebraska.  He  was  born  in  Somerset  county.  Turkeyfoot  township, 
Pennsvlvania,  but  at  an  early  day  removed  to  Ohio.  When  he  left  for  Nebraska 
Mr.  Plumb  gave  him  some  money  with  which  to  purchase  some  land  for  him  with 
the  result  that  at  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Plumb  removed  to  this  state. 
That  was  in  the  year  1866  and  they  settled  in  Eichard.son  county  taking  up  the 
cultivation  of  their  land.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  union :  Perry  E.,  who 
was  a  physician  at  Gothenburg,  Nebraska,  and  died  at  tlie  age  of  forty-five  years; 
and  James  N.,  the  subject  of  this  review.  The  mother  died  in  1891  and 
Mr.  Plumb  was  again  married,  this  time  to  Mary  Simpson.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  republican  ])arty  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  James  Plumb,  the 
grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  review,  followed  the  carpenter's  trade  in  Ohio 
and  died  as  the  result  of  a  fall  from  the  top  of  a  house  he  was  razing.  Grandfather 
Scbatf  was  a  prominent  mendjer  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  was  well  known 
throughout  Eichardson  county  wbicli  lie  represented  one  term  in  the  state  legis- 
lature. 

Dr.  James  N.  Phuub  acquired  his  educatinu  in  the  schools  of  Eulo  and  in  due 
time  entered  York  College.  For  two  years  he  attended  the  University  of  Neliraska 
and  then  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  L^niversity  of  Iowa  at  Iowa  City 
where  he  remained  for  one  year.  At  the  termination  of  this  period  he  enrolled  in 
the  Eush  Medical  College  and  was  graduated  therefrom  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.,  in 
1891.  Establishing  himself  in  Fairmont,  Nebraska,  he  began  his  practice  and 
remained  there  for  ten  years.  His  success  was  insured  from  the  lieginning  and  he 
built  up  a  very  large  practice.  He  gave  up  his  practice  there  in  1901.  however,  and 
removed  to  York,  determining  to  retire  from  general  practice  and  to  specialize  in 
eve,  ear,  nose  and  throat.  In  this  special  line  of  work  he  is  recognized  as  one  of 
the  finest  specialists  in  the  county.  About  every  two  years  he  takes  post-graduate 
work  at  the  Polyclinic  at  Chicago,  his  last  course  having  been  in  1918.  Although 
the  greater  part  of  his  time  is  devoted  to  his  profession  he  is  interested  in  the 
financial  circles  of  York,  being  a  stockholder  in  the  City  National  Pank  and  a 
director  in  the  City  National  Trust  Company. 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1069 

lu  1899  at  FiUi-iniiiit.  <iii.-iirrcil  the  marriage  of  Dr.  I'hinili  ami  iliss  Ella 
Graves.  She  was  horn  near  Winnebago,  Illinois,  and  was  the  tlaughter  of  Xoble 
and  Betsy  B.  (Beeeher)  Graves.  Her  parents  came  to  Y'ork  county  in  1871  and 
acquired  a  homestead  southwest  of  Bradshaw.  In  their  later  life  they  removed  to 
York  wliere  Mr.  Graves'  death  orcurred  in  1879  and  she  passed  away  in  1893. 
Mr.  Graves  served  in  the  Civil  war,  and  the  G.  A.  E.  post  at  Bradshaw  is  named 
in  honor  of  him.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Plumb  have  become  parents  of  three  daughters: 
Helen  who  is  the  wife  of  W.  R.  Ward,  a  farmer  near  Overton;  Florence,  who  is 
engaged  in  teaching;  and  Elanor,  who  is  in  school.  The  two  ehler  daughters  were 
graduates  of  the  Wesleyan  University  at  Lincoln  and  Helen  also  graduated  from 
the  Omaha  Methodist  Hospital  as  nurse. 

Dr.  Plumb  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  repulilican  party  in  the  interests  of  which 
he  takes  an  active  part,  although  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  public  office. 
Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Highlanders,  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen  and  holds  chairs  in  all  three  orders.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Plumb 
are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  active  in  that 
organization.  He  has  built  up  a  large  practice  and  ranks  high  among  the  men  of 
his  profession. 


THOMAS  ELWOOD  DOAN 

Thomas  Elwood  Doan  is  one  of  the  few  men  now  living  in  York  county  who 
came  to  this  part  of  Nebraska  in  the  spring  of  1868.  In  the  fifty-two  intervening 
years  he  has  been  a  witness  to  the  wonderful  transformation  which  the  prairie  soil 
underwent — converting  the  district  from  a  state  of  nonproduction  to  one  of  well 
tilled  fields  and  abundant  crops  and  side  by  side  with  this  evolution  was  the 
increase  year  by  year  of  the  pojnilation.  Mr.  Doan  passed  through  the  scourge  of 
the  grasshopper  invasion,  the  blizzards  and  the  droughts  and  he  is  one  of  the  men 
who  has  lived  through  all  the  hardships  of  .a  new  country  settlement,  faithfully 
performing  his  part  of  the  tasks  necessary  to  bringing  about  a  settleil  and  contented 
civilization. 

Thomas  Elwood  Doan  was  born  in  Henry  county,  Iowa,  June  1!),  1853,  and 
educated  in  the  schools  of  York  county.  In  1858  his  father  moved  to  Jjinn  county, 
Kansas,  and  settled  on  a  tract  of  government  land  on  which  he  continued  to  reside 
until  1861,  when  he  returned  to  Iowa  owing  to  war  conditions  then  existing  in 
Kansas.  He  remained  in  Henry  county,  Iowa,  for  a  further  period  of  si.x  years 
and  in  1867  went  to  Council  Bluffs,  going  thence  in  the  spring  of  1868  to  York 
county  where  he  settled  in  Stewart  township  and  took  up  a  tract  of  eighty  acres 
of  government  land  located  on  section  26.  Here  he  erected  a  log  caliin  in  which 
he  lived  for  several  years.  On  taking  possession  of  the  holding  he  immediately 
began  to  get  the  place  into  productive  condition  and  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  years 
had  effected  many  substantial  improvements.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-three 
years  while  living  in  Nuckolls  county,  whither  he  had  gone  to  reside  some  years 
before. 

Thomas  E.  Doan  was  fifteen  years  old  when  he  accompanied  his  father  to  York 
county,  other  members  of  the  family  driving  two  yoke  of  oxen  while  he  walked 

Vol.  11—30 


1070  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COFXTY 

nearly  all  the  way  driving  two  milch  cows.  His  school  clays  were  spent  in  a  log 
schoolhouse  which  stood  on  land  owned  by  his  uncle,  Newton  Hyatt,  and  in  those 
days  everything  in  connection  with  educational  facilities  and  equipment  was  of  the 
most  primitive  character.  Mr.  Doan  assisted  his  father  in  the  agricultural  opera- 
tions of  the  home  farm,  continuing  in  this  line  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old 
when  he  went  to  Iowa  and  worked  for  an  uncle  at  shucking  corn.  At  the  end  of  a 
year  he  returned  to  York  county  and  worked  out  on  farms  by  the  month,  after 
which  he  bought  a  team  and  began  to  farm  on  his  own  account  by  renting  land, 
during  this  period  saving  all  his  available  money  to  enable  him  to  purchase  a 
holding  of  his  own.  In  the  early  days  he  had  to  haul  grain  and  other  produce  to 
Ijincolu  and  Nebraska  City  for  marketing,  returning  from  each  trip  with  necessary 
supplies  for  home  and  farm.  In  1890  Mr.  Doan  found  himself  in  a  position  to  buy 
a  farm  of  his  own  and  secured  a  tract  on  section  32,  Stewart  township,  on  which  he 
now  resides.  As  he  prospered  in  his  farming  work  he  was  enabled  to  add  to  his 
holding  and  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  prime  land,  a  large  f)art  of 
which  is  given  over  to  the  cultivation  of  grain.  He  also  raises  a  tine  grade  of  hogs 
for  which  he  finds  a  ready  market  at  good  prices.  The  property  yields  him  a  grati- 
fying annual  income  and  he  has  long  been  numbered  among  the  representative 
agriculturists  and  substantial  citizens  of  the  county. 

In  1880  Mr.  Doan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ella  Hendrickson  and  they 
have  be(;ome  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Alice,  the  wife  of  Roy  Rogers ; 
Ellen,  who  married  Tanney  Blount:  Elmer;  Maude,  living  at  home;  Clark;  Louie; 
and  Arthur  and  Mabel,  deceased. 

Mr.  Doan  is  a  stanch  republican,  having  supported  the  men  and  measures  of  that 
l^arty  since  he  was  entitled  to  exercise  the  franchise.  His  has  given  active  support 
to  the  cause  of  education  along  practical  lines  and  has  served  as  school  treasurer  of 
his  district  for  several  years.  He  has  witnessed  the  development  of  this  section  of 
the  state  from  pioneer  times  to  the  present  and  has  borne  his  share  in  the  work  of 
progress  and  improvement,  while  in  the  conduct  of  his  private  business  interests  he 
has  always  manifested  the  sterling  traits  of  character  which  have  won  him  the  high 
regard  and  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


THOMAS  CUERAN 


Thomas  Curran,  owner  and  editor  of  the  Daily  Xews  of  York,  has  devoted 
practically  his  entire  life  to  newspaper  work.  He  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in 
county  Donegal,  on  the  16th  of  November,  1872,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
(Heekin)  Curran,  both  of  Iri.sh  birth  and  ancestry.  The  father  engaged  in  farm- 
ing throughout  his  life  and  they  were  both  consistent  members  of  the  Catholic 
church.  Eight  children  were  born  to  this  union,  si.\  of  whom  are  still  living, 
Thomas  Curran,  the  subject  of  this  review,  being  the  youngest.  Both  parents  died 
when  he  was  just  a  lad  and  at  an  early  age  he  began  to  shoulder  responsibility. 

The  education  of  Thomas  Curran  was  obtained  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
country,  and  upon  hearing  of  the  wonderful  opportunities  offered  here  he  deter- 
mined to  leave  his  native  land,  with  the  result  that  in  1888  he  came  to  Nebraska 
and  has  resided  in  this  state  ever  since.    He  established  himself  in  Lincoln  and  his 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1071 

first  employment  was  as  an  apprentice  on  the  Lincoln  Xews.  He  worked  for  this 
paper  for  nine  years,  at  the  termination  of  which  time  he  removed  to  Fremont 
obtaining  employment  on  the  Tribune.  During  the  five  years  of  his  work  on  this 
paper  he  learned  book  niannfactnring  with  the  result  that  in  1!)02  he  came  to  York 
and  started  the  York  Blank  Rouk  Company,  running  it  as  a  printing  establishment. 
Some  time  later  he  established  the  Daily  Xews  and  in  1916  purchased  the  Times, 
consolidating  the  two  papers  under  the  name  of  the  News-Times,  which  is  the  only 
daily  paper  in  York.  In  connection  with  his  newspaper  he  has  a  complete  manu- 
facturing plant,  one  of  the  best  between  Omaha  and  Denver. 

In  1897  Mr.  Curran  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Menlove,  a  native 
of  Lincoln,  and  to  them  seven  children  have  been  born,  six  of  whom  are  living: 
Edward  and  Thomas  A.  are  engaged  in  business  with  their  father ;  and  Frank, 
Bessie,  James,  and  Xellie  are  all  attending  school.  Stelhi  was  drowned  in  the  city 
park  in  1912. 

Mr.  Curran  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  i-epublican  party  and  fraternally  is  a 
Knight  of  Columbus  and  an  Elk.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Curran  and  family  are  also  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  church.  It  has  always  been  the  habit  of  Mr.  Curran  to  give 
strict  attention  to  his  newspaper  interests  and  it  is  this  spirit  of  thoroughness  and 
fidelity  which  has  constituted  one  of  the  basic  elements  of  his  progress  and  success 
since  he  started  out  in  life  on  his  own  account  when  but  a  boj'. 


ERWm  EUGENE  LINCOLN 

Erwin  Eugene  Lincoln  is  a  relative  of  the  immortal  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  is 
numbered  among  the  prominent  and  successful  merchants  of  McCool  where  he 
conducts  the  leading  hardware  and  furniture  store  in  the  town.  He  was  born  in 
Canton,  New  York,  Ai>ril  27,  1857,  the  son  of  Myron  and  Sylvia  A.  (Page) 
Lincoln,  natives  of  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont,  respectively.  His  father  moved 
to  New  York  at  an  early  age  and  later  went  to  Grundy  county,  Illinois,  in  1857, 
where  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  many  years.  He  passed  away  in 
Streator,  Illinois,  in  1871,  and  his  wife's  demise  occurred  about  five  years  ago. 
Erwin  Lincoln  grew  to  manliood  in  Illinois  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
there. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  moved  to  Streator,  Illinois,  with  his  parents  and  began 
an  independent  career  as  a  teamster.  Later  he  entered  a  partnership  with  his 
brother-in-law,  buying  a  farm  and  engaging  in  its  cultivation  until  1877  when  he 
made  a  trip  to  Nebraska,  and  spent  the  two  following  years  farming  some  leased 
school  land  in  York  county.  In  1888  he  located  at  McCool  where  he  worked  in  an 
elevator  for  a  few  months  and  later  conducted  a  butcher  shop  before  he  entered 
upon  the  successful  business  career  that  has  been  his.  He  purchased  one-half 
interest  in  a  hardware  store  and  went  into  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Lin- 
coln &  Grier,  where  he  prospered  to  such  an  extent  as  to  be  able  to  buy  out  his 
partner's  share  of  the  business  uithin  a  year.  For  twenty  years  he  was  the  leading 
hardware,  furniture  and  implement  dealer  in  the  town,  and  at  the  end  of  that 
time  retired  from  business  for  a  few  3'ears.  Four  years  ago  he  again  purchased  the 
business  and  since  that  time  has  enjoyed  a  large  trade  and  a  flourishing  business. 


1072  llISTOTiY    OF    YORK    COrXTY 

SepteiuliiT  IS,  1S81,  Erwiii  E.  Lincoln  was  married  to  Miss  Kate  Teter,  a 
native  of  (iriimly  county,  Illinois,  the  daughter  of  John  and  Susan  (McAllister) 
Teter,  natives  of  Ohio.  To  this  union  have  been  born  four  children:  Cora,  the 
wife  of  William  Owen,  of  Seattle,  Washington;  Lewis,  who  is  married  and  resides  in 
Xamjia,  Tdaiio:  Emmet,  of  Lusliton,  Xebraska,  who  is  married;  and  Forrest  who 
lives  at  home,  assisting  his  father  in  the  store. 

As  one  of  the  leading  men  and  jirogressive  merchants  of  his  community  Mi-.  Lin- 
coln has  always  been  interested  in  progress  and  development  and  is  ready  to  give  his 
support  to  worthy  movements.  He  has  served  on  the  village  board  many  times  and 
was  a  member  of  the  county  board  of  supervisors  several  terms.  In  politics  he  is  a 
democrat.  When  the  Farmer.s  and  Merchants  Bank  was  organized  in  lOOi 
Mr.  Lincoln  was  made  president  of  that  institution,  holding  this  office  for  seven 
years.  He  has  well  earned  the  reputation  of  a  successful  and  high  principled 
business  man  and  public  spirited  citizen,  always  giving  his  service  or  means  in 
order  to  promote  tlie  development  of  his  community. 


FRANK  G.  BURXHAM 


Frank  G.  Burnham,  president  of  the  Y'ork  Brick  and  Tile  Company  of  York,  is 
one  of  the  county's  most  progressive  and  representative  citizens.  He  is  a  native  son 
of  Xebraska,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Lincoln  on  the  Slst  of  December,  1877,  a 
.son  of  Horace  A.  and  Lizzie  A.  Burnham.  Both  parents  were  born  in  Portland, 
Maine,  and  in  1874  removed  westward  settling  in  Lincoln.  The  father  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock  raising,  to  which  occupations  he  devoted  the  greater  part  of  his 
life.  In  1882  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burnham  removed  to  Custer  county,  going  as  far  as 
Kearney  by  train  and  driving  the  remainder  of  the  way  and  here  the  father  acquired 
a  homestead  on  which  he  lived  until  1895.  The  mother's  death  occurred  in  1889. 
In  1895  Mr.  Burnham  removed  to  Cherry  county  where  his  death  occurred.  Five 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burnham,  namely :  Harry,  who  is  farming  in 
Custer  county;  Frank  G.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Horace  E.,  who  is  engaged  in 
the  insurance  business  at  Seattle,  Washington :  Sumner,  a  ranchman  in  Scotts  Bluff 
county;  and  Silas,  a  farmer  in  Custer  county.  The  Burnham  family  were  reared 
in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  ilumh  and  the  father  was  a  republican  in 
politics.    In  every  sense  of  the  word  Horace  A.  Burnham  was  a  self-made  man. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Frank  G.  Burnham  attended  the  common 
schools  of  Lincoln  and  in  due  time  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  at  that 
place.  On  completing  his  education  lie  started  upon  his  busine.«s  career  in  connec- 
tion with  the  American  Exchange  Bank  at  Lincoln,  and  for  some  time  he  remained 
in  this  position.  In  1896  he  went  into  business  on  his  own  account  and  commenced 
the  manufacture  of  brick  in  Lincoln.  He  carried  on  this  line  of  work  successfully 
for  a  period  of  eleven  years,  and  in  1907  came  to  Y^ork,  continuing  in  this  same 
business  and  he  now  has  a  large  plant  worth  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  He  is 
president  and  general  manager  of  the  company  and  under  his  guidance  the  business 
has  flourished.  The  bricks  are  of  the  best  quality  on  the  market  and  are  shipped 
to  all  points  in  X^ebraska,  Kansas,  the  Dakotas,  and  Iowa.  When  he  first  entered 
into  the  business  he  shipped  an   avei'age  of  twenty-five  cars  of  brick   per  annum 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Hr"*   "<  ^J^^^l 

HHIHH 

^^^^^^^^l  ''^  «>  1 

^^^^^^HMI^^hI         It 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H 

^■p^ 

^■^^^^hP^  w 

/'/        \  'jhI^^Bp^^  ^'  ^^^^^^^1 

^^^^^HEi  '*^  "  Sk^hb^^ 

r  "^fln^  ^iH 

k^  j[H 

■•  *r^'  n 

^I^B^     I^H 

^^^^^^E<w-     i^^^l 

IBP 

1 1    ky  ^^^^H 

FEAXK  G.  BUENHAM  AND  FAMILY 


i 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUiMDATiONS 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1075 

out  of  the  state  but  now  his  shipments  amount  to  over  tlve  hundred  cars  per 
annum. 

In  1899  Mr.  Buruham  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Maude  Wilson,  a  native 
of  Lincoln,  and  to  them  four  sons  have  been  born :  Sumner  aged  eighteen  years ; 
Ralph,  sixteen  years  of  age;  Frank,  who  is  thirteen  years  old;  and  Herbert,  eight 
years  of  age.  The  Burnham  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  and 
Mrs.  Burnham  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  charities  of  that  organization. 

Mr.  Burnham  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  in  the  interest  of 
which  he  takes  an  active  part.  He  served  as  county  councilman  of  York  for  a 
period  extending  over  three  years.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen,  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  the  Highlanders.  In  each 
of  these  orders  he  is  an  exemplary  member.  His  business  interests  demand  the 
greater  part  of  his  time  and  he  is  always  endeavoring  to  improve  the  conditions 
under  which  his  employes,  numbering  forty  men,  work.  There  is  the  best  of  feeling 
between  Mr.  Burnham  and  his  men  for  he  pays  them  fair  wages,  his  pay  roll 
amounting  to  forty  thousand  dollars  per  annum.  Mr.  Burnham  has  always  been 
quick  to  recognize  the  possibilities  of  a  situation,  prompt  in  formulating  his  plans 
and  energetic  in  their  execution,  and  it  is  to  these  qualities  that  his  success  is  due. 


WILLIAM  G.  TROUTMAN 

Since  1907  William  G.  Troutman,  a  successful  farmer  in  York  county  for  many 
years,  has  lived  retired  in  York.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  on  the  31st  of 
March,  1850,  a  son  of  Michael- and  Rachael  (Winters)  Troutman.  His  father  was 
bom  In  Pennsylvania  December  25,  r823,  and  died  in  1913,  while  the  mother  was 
born  in  Maryland  in  1828  and  died  in  1881.  They  were  both  educated  and  grew 
to  maturity  in  Pennsylvania  and  their  marriage  occurred  in  Somerset  county,  that 
state.  The  father  followed  the  carpenter's  trade  there  for  a  number  of  years  but  in 
1856  went  to  Illinois  where  he  purchased  some  land  and  engaged  in  farming  for 
twenty-two  years  after  which  time  he  came  to  Nebraska.  He  settled  in  York  county 
and  retired.  His  death  occurred  here  at  tlie  age  of  eighty-six  years.  Mrs.  Trout- 
man's  death  occurred  in  Benedict  and  she  is  buried  there.  Eight  children  were  born 
to  this  marriage,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  Joseph  Boyer 
who  resides  in  California;  William  G.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Christina,  the 
wife  of  Pierce  Harden,  who  is  a  retired  farmer  living  at  Benedict ;  Oscar,  who  is 
engaged  in  farming  in  Colorado;  Ella,  the  wife  of  H.  P.  Walker  who  is  retired  and 
is  residing  in  Benedict;  and  Albert,  a  real  estate  dealer  in  Omaha.  The  Troutman 
familv  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  the  father  was  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  democratic  party.  The  first  of  the  Troutman  family  in  the  United 
States  were  William  and  Peter  Troutman  who  removed  from  Berks  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, to  Somerset  county,  that  state,  at  an  early  day.  The  grandfather  of 
William  G.  Troutman,  the  subject  of  this  review,  was  William  Troutman  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  he  married  Catherine  Uhl  who  was  born  in  Gennany  and 
crossed  to  the  United  States  when  Init  seven  years  of  age. 

William  G.  Ti-outman  received  his  education  in  Illinois  and  after  putting  his 
textbooks  aside  began  life  as  a  farmer.    While  residing  in  Illinois  he  rented  a  farm 


1076  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

but  in  1S75  pureliased  some  land  in  York  county  and  four  years  later  removed  to 
that  county.  The  land  he  had  purchased  was  unimproved  railroad  land  in  Lock- 
ridge  township,  and  for  many  j'ears  he  made  his  home  there,  residing  in  a  little 
frame  house,  sixteen  by  twenty-four  feet.  In  that  early  day  there  were  no  school- 
houses  and  churches  and  for  the  first  few  years  of  his  residence  in  that  township 
school  and  church  services  were  held  in  the  different  homes.  He  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  also  fed  live  stock.  In  1907  he  decided  to  retire  from  active  farm 
life  and  so  removed  to  York,  building  a  fine  home  at  1026  Grant  avenue,  although 
lie  spends  considerable  time  on  his  farm.  He  is  owner  of  a  farm  in  Lockridg& 
township  and  a  half  section  of  fine  land.  He  rents  his  farm  to  his  son  on  a  fifty- 
fifty  basis.  Besides  the  interest  he  still  retains  in  his  land  he  holds  stock  in  the 
telephone  company  and  elevator  at  Benedict. 

In  1875,  while  residing  in  Illinois,  Mr.  Troutman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Malinda  Harden,  a  native  of  Maryland  and  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catherine 
(Cook)  Harden.  Her  parents  were  l)otli  born. in  Pennsylvania  but  Inter  removed 
to  Maryland  where  they  resided  fur  a  number  of  years.  In  1851  they  removed  to 
Illinois  and  settled  in  Lee  county  and  liere  the  father  died.  Mrs.  Harden  nuide  her 
liome  with  Mrs.  Troutman  for  a  few  years  until  her  deatli.  Se^en  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harden,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Dennis  C,  a  farmer  in  Lee 
county,  Illinois ;  Mrs.  Troutman,  the  wife  of  the  subject  of  this  review  ;  Demetrius  G., 
lives  in  California ;  Emanuel  J.,  who  is  head  man  of  the  International  Harvester 
Company  at  Winnipeg,  Canada:  Je.«se,  a  farmer  at  Falon.  To  the  union  of  ilr.  and 
Mrs.  Troutman  six  children  have  been  born :  Josie,  the  wife  of  S.  S.  Reed,  who  is 
farming  in  York  county;  Flossie  C,  who  is  the  wife  of  C.  E.  Huft',  a  farmer  raising 
principally  wheat  in  Kimball  county:  Agnes  E.,  the  wife  of  T.  L.  tJrcen  who  is  in 
the  lumber  and  coal  business  at  Sterling,  Colorado;  Lester  L.,  a  farmer  in  York 
county:  Bertha,  who  is  living  at  home;  and  Forrest  H.,  who  is  residing  on  his 
fathers  farm. 

Mr.  Troutman  has  always  given  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  is 
well  versed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Ancient  Order  of  L'nited  Workmen  in  which  order  he  has  won  the  degree  of 
honor.  Mr.  Troutman  has  made  his  way  in  the  world  by  liis  own  diligence  and 
labor  and  lie  is  a  well  known  and  representative  citizen  of  York. 


JOHN  TOWLE 


John  Towle  is  numbered  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  York  county  whose 
life  bore  the  impress  of  many  events  which  shaped  the  history  of  the  county, 
marking  the  development  and  the  progress  of  the  region.  He  was  born  in  Leeds, 
England,  April  7,  1838,  was  brought  to  the  United  States  when  an  infant,  and 
liis  childhood  was  spent  in  Wisconsin  where  his  people  settleil  after  arriving  in 
this  country. 

He  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Wisconsin  and  his  initial  step  in 
the  business  world  was  made  with  a  wook'U  manufacturing  company  owned  by  his 
father  and  an  uncle.  Jn  1871  be  came  to  York  county  Nebraska,  and  took  u])  a 
homestead   where  he  experienced    all    tlie   hardshi])s  and    privations   known   to   the 


HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY  1077 

pioneer  settler.  On  one  occasion  he  and  liis  brother  nearly  lost  their  lives  when 
they  became  lost  in  a  storm.  Mr.  Towle's  first  home  was  a  frame  house  for  which 
he  hauled  the  lumber  from  Lincoln.  The  betterment  of  homes  and  living  con- 
ditions marked  the  progress  of  the  homesteader  and  when  Mr.  Towle  had  completed 
his  frame  house  he  sent  for  his  wife,  who  came  the  following  year — 1872.  During 
the  next  year  they  eiidurcil  many  trials  including  the  grasshopper  plague  and 
drougJit  periods  and  moved  back  to  Wisconsin  in  187.3  where  they  remained  the 
following  ten  years,  Mr.  Towle  being  employed  in  the  woolen  factory. 

Mr.  Towle  was  married  on  December  25,  186fi,  to  Sarah  Barlow,  who  was  born 
in  England,  September  1,  1847,  the  ilaughter  of  John  and  Eliza  Barlow,  natives 
of  England  who  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1S18.  IMr.  Barlow  pa.ssed  away  there  at  tlie 
age  of  eighty-four  years,  ili-.  and  Mrs.  ISarhiw  became  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  five  of  whom  arc  living.  All  are  residents  of  Wisconsin  with  the 
exception  of  Mrs.  Towle.  To  Mv.  and  .Airs.  Towle  were  born  nine  chihlren,  seven 
of  whom  are  living:  A.  J.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  at  Snyder, 
Texas;  William  Charles,  who  lives  on  a  farm  near  Charleston;  Sarah  Elena, 
wife  of  X.  P.  Watt  who  li\es  on  a  faiin  in  York  county:  Samuel  D.,  who  passed 
awav;  George  G..  who  died  in  infancy:  Effie  G.,  wife  of  C.  B.  Caniphell,  who  is 
employed  in  an  oil  station  in  York,  Nebraska ;  Howard  Garfield,  who  is  engaged 
in  the  jewelry  business  at  Snyder.  Texas;  Gordon  P.,  who  is  a  telegraph  operator  at 
Trenton,  Nebraska:  and  Ilalpli  K.,  who  is  an  eye,  ear,  no.se  and  throat  sjjecialist 
practicing  in  Boise,  Idaho. 

Mr.  Towle  served  three  years  in  the  Civil  war  during  which  time  he  was 
M-oundcd.     The  following  is  a  recoi'd  of  his  life  as  a  soldier: 

'•When  the  war  broke  (nit  John  Towle  was  among  the  first  to  respond  to  the 
country's  call  for  aid,  enlisting  May  17,  1861,  for  three  months  service  as  a 
member  of  Company  D,  Third  Wisconsin  Infantry.  He  was  mustered  in  at  Fond 
du  Lac,  Wisconsin,  on  June  29th  for  three  years  service.  The  regiment  went 
immediately  to  the  south,  arriving  at  Harpers  Ferry,  July  18,  1861,  and  Mr. 
Towle  served  in  the  campaigns  in  Virginia  and  Maryland  for  two  years,  two 
months  and  sixteen  days,  in  the  army  of  the  Shenandoah  under  General  Banks, 
the  army  of  Virginia  under  General  Pope,  the  army  of  the  Potomac  under  Generals 
McClellan,  Burnsides,  Hooker  and  Meade,  and  was  in  New  York  city  on  military 
duty  during  the  draft  riots  of  August,  1863,  under  General  Colby.  He  left 
Bealton  Station.  Virginia,  with  his  regiment  October  3,  1863,  to  join  the  army 
of  the  Cumberland  at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  and  was  mustered  out  at  the  latter 
place  July  5,  1864,  on  account  of  disability.  He  participated  in  the  following 
engagements:  Bolivar  Heights,  Winchester,  Cedar  Mountain,  Pope's  campaign, 
Antietam,  Cbancellorsville,  Beverly  Ford,  Gettysburg  and  the  draft  riots.  He 
was  mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  cor])oral.  During  the  battle  of  Antietam  he  was 
shot  through  the  leg  and  had  both  ear  drums  punctured  which  destroyed  his 
hearing.  He  was  also  wounded  at  Beverly  Ford  when  an  exploding  shell  struck 
him  in  the  leg.  On  account  of  his  wounds  and  the  loss  of  his  hearing  he  has 
experienced  ill  health  for  years  and  is  one  of  the  honorable  pensioners  of  the 
government." 

This  is  a  record  of  which  any  soldier  might  well  be  proud  and  it  is  kept  in 
reverent  memory  of  Mr.  Towle  who  passed  away  March  17.  1916.  Mr.  Towle  was 
a   member   of   the   Methodist   church    and   fraternally    had    membership    with   the 


1078  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Indepcndc'iit  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  resided  at  York  <it  the  time  of  his  death, 
at  900  Burlington  Avenue,  where  his  widow  now  lives.  He  was  a  man  well 
informed  on  the  toj)ies  of  the  day,  a  good  reader  anil  a  very  intelligent  man  whose 
life  devoted  to  the  welfare  and  service  of  his  fellowmen  has  made  his  memory 
honored  wherever  he  was  known. 


SOLOMOX  A.  MYERS 


Solomon  A.  Myers,  who  since  1901  has  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  in 
York,  was  born  near  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  December  16,  1849,  a  son  of  James 
and  Sophia  (West)  Myers,  who  are  natives  of  Indiana  and  Ohio  respectively,  their 
marriage  being  celebrated  in  the  former  state.  The  father  was  a  farmer  throughout 
his  entire  life.  In  the  early  '50s  he  removed  to  Illinois,  wdiere  he  purcha.sed  land 
near  Bushncll,  and  upon  that  farm  his  wife  passed  away.  Subsequently  Mr. 
Myers  moved  to  Oregon  where  he  spent  his  last  days.  However,  he  was  in  many 
places  prior  to  that  time,  residing  for  a  period  in  Oklahoma,  afterward  in  Nebraska, 
later  in  Colorado,  and  eventually  in  Oregon.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church  and  gave  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party.  To  him  and  his  wife 
were  born  the  following  children,  of  whom  six  are  living:  B.  F.,  a  retired  farmer 
residing  in  Yoj-k,  Nebraska ;  Anna,  who  is  the  widow  of  John  Keppel  and  resides 
in  Bardolph,  llliiKiis:  Cassandra,  who  is  the  widow  of  Dudley  Pelley  of  Macomb, 
Illinois:  Solomon  A.,  of  this  review;  Emma  A.,  the  wife  of  William  Jackson,  a 
retired  farmer  of  Bardolph,  Illinois:  and  William  P.,  an  attorney  of  Culver,  Oregon. 
Alice  grew  to  wnnianhond,  then  passed  away.     She  was  not   married. 

Solomon  A.  Myers  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  country  schools  of  Illinois. 
He  started  out  in  life  as  a  fanner,  renting  land  in  Illinois,  and  also  took  up 
veterinary  work  in  early  manhood.  In  IS?.")  \w  came  to  Nebraska,  purchased  a 
homestead  right  and  took  up  his  abode  in  a  sod  house  in  York  county.  The 
following  year  he  brought  his  wife  and  two  children  to  his  new  home  and  in  time 
built  a  frame  house  on  his  land  and  continued  the  woi-k  n(  I'urthei-  developing  and 
improving  the  ])roperty  which  he  transformed  into  an  excellent  farm,  residing 
thereon  until  1001,  when  he  sold  the  place.  In  that  year  he  took  up  his  abode  in 
York  and  tui-iied  his  attention  to  the  real  estate  business  in  wliirli  he  has  since 
engaged.  He  conducts  a  general  real  estate,  emigration  and  insurance  business 
and  in  this  way  has  done  much  to  promote  the  settlement  and  development  of 
York  county. 

In  1870  Mr.  Myers  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  R.  Kost,  and  to  them  were  born 
four  children:  William  A.,  a  physician  of  Casper,  Wyoming:  John  W.,  living  at 
York;  Frank,  who  died  in  IS'.ci  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years:  and  James  C,  who 
is  in  California.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  August  :>,  1888,  and  on  the 
85th  of  December,  1890,  Mr.  Myers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Jessie  R.  Rose,  who 
was  born  in  Sheridan,  Iowa,  and  they  have  two  children:  Charles  B.,  a  farmer  of 
Lexington,  Nebraska  :  and  H.  G.,    a  mechanic  living  at  York. 

Mr.  Myers  and  his  wife  are  mendiers  of  the  Methodist  E])iscopal  church.  He 
has  attained  the  Royal  .\rch  degree  in  ^lasonry  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pvthias.     His  jHilitical  endorsement  is  given  to  the  re]uil)liean  party.     He  filled 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1079 

the  office  of  county  commissioner,  has  served  on  the  city  council  and  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board,  and  at  all  times  has  discharged  his  public  duties  with  marked 
capability  and  fidelity.  He  is  always  loyal  to  any  interests  tending  to  advance  the 
welfare  and  progress  of  the  community,  and  his  cooperation  is  valued  as  an  element 
in  general  improvements.  As  a  business  man  he  has  been  systematic  and  thoroughly 
reliable.  At  different  periods  he  has  owned  land  in  Nebraska,  Colorado  and  Illinois, 
but  has  now  disposed  of  most  of  it. 


WILLIAM  BRAHMSTEADT 

William  Brahmsteadt  has  been  actively  and  prominently  identified  with  farm- 
ing and  agricultural  interests  and  stock  raising  for  many  years  in  York  county  and 
is  now  handling  a  vast  tract  of  eight  hundred  acres  of  prime  land  to  the  operation 
of  which  he  devotes  all  his  activities.  He  was  born  in  Cook  county,  Illinois,  in 
1870,  a  son  of  Henry  Brahmsteadt  and  wife,  both  natives  of  Germany,  from  which 
country  they  immigrated  to  America  in  company  with  Henry's  father,  William 
Brahmsteadt,  who  located  in  Chicago,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of  blacksmith 
for  several  years  and  also  worked  with  Henry  for  the  American  E.xpress  Company. 

It  was  in  1870  that  the  elder  William  Brahmsteadt  (grandfather  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch),  came  to  York  county  and  here  bought  a  tract  of  land  which  he 
immediately  proceeded  to  cultivate  and  on  which  he  did  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  continued  in  these  lines  during  the  active  years  of  his  life,  his  death 
occurring  in  1901:  at  an  advanced  age,  and  his  widow  passing  away  two  years  later, 
in  1906.  Henry  Brahmsteadt,  father  of  our  subject,  also  was  engaged  in  agricultural 
operations  and  worked  the  old  home  place  after  the  death  of  his  father.  He  died 
in  1909  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years;  his  wife  predeceased  him  by  several  years. 
These  worthy  people  were  the  parents  of  six  children:  Ann,  wife  of  John  Churchill, 
of  York;  William,  of  this  sketcli ;  Louis  D.,  a  farmer;  Henry,  who  works  for 
William;  Ralph,  a  farmer  of  Monmouth,  Illinois,  and  Edward,  a  machinist,  living 
in  Chicago.  His  first  wife  died  and  Henry  Brahmsteadt  married  Minnie  Swatfager, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  one  child,  I]lla,  wife  of  Carl  Barr,  a  York  county 
farmer.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  the  affairs  of  whicli  he  took 
a  practical  part;  he  supported  tlie  republican  party  and  warmly  espoused  their 
principles.  He  counted  it  his  greatest  happiness  to  provide  for  the  welfare  and 
comfort  of  his  family,  and  in  every  relation  of  life  he  manifested  those  sterling 
qualities  which  command  respect,  confidence  and  honor. 

William  Brahmsteadt  spent  his  boyhood  and  youthful  days  in  his  fatlier's  home 
and  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Illinois.  When  little  more 
than  an  infant  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Nebraska,  where  his  grandfather 
settled  and  acquired  land.  In  time  Mr.  Brahmsteadt  became  proficient  in 
agricultural  operations  and  added  to  his  land  holdings,  set  out  additional  improve- 
ments to  those  already  placed  on  the  farm  by  his  grandfather,  and  he  is  now  the 
owner  of  eight  hundred  acres  of  the  very  best  land  in  this  part  of  the  state.  He 
is  extensively  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  ranking  among  the 
foremost  agriculturists  of  the  county,  and  his  energy  and  time  are  devoted  to 
maintaining  the  hisrh  standard  he  has  reached  in  the  farming  world. 


1080  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

In  1901  Mr.  Braliiiisteailt  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mattie  Wck-li,  a  native  of 
Illinois,  and  this  union  has  heen  hlesseil  with  five  ehililren:  Oliva,  Charles,  Nora, 
Benjamin  and  Ivan,  all  living  at  home  with  their  parents.  He  acts  independently 
in  political  affairs,  i)referring  to  su])port  well  considered  measures  and  men  rather 
than  professional  politicians  and  doubtful  legislation  of  the  "pork  liariel"'  variety. 
As  a  business  man  ]iis  position  is  one  of  prominence  and  his  capability  is  widely 
recognized.  He  deserves  much  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished,  for  from  an 
early  age  he  has  been  iiractically  dependent  on  his  own  resources.  As  the  years 
have  gone  by  his  labors  have  brought  substantial  results  and  he  is  today  accounted 
one  of  the  foremost  agriculturists  in   York  county. 


ALBERT  E.  CALKINS,  D.  D.  S. 

Dr.  Albert  E.  Calkins  of  York  raidvs  among  the  most  progressive  and  succ-essful 
dental  surgeons  of  the  city  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  both  the  general  public 
and  his  professional  brethren.  Ho  was  born  in  Polk  county  in  1S77,  the  son  of 
Kirkland  J.  and  Louella  (Williams)  Calkins,  both  natives  of  New  York  state.  The 
father  and  mother  were  married  in  Iowa  to  which  state  they  had  come  with  their 
parents  at  an  early  date  and  he  was  employed  as  a  teamster  there  for  many  years. 
In  the  early  sixties  they  decided  to  remove  to  Nebraska  and  finally  settled  in  Polk 
county  where  they  had  ac(|ui)-ed  a  homestead.  In  18ii5  they  removed  to  York  and 
retired,  liis  death  occurring  in  1!)30.  Mi's.  Calkins  is  still  residing  in  York. 
Albert  E.  Calkins  the  subject  of  this  review,  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  l)irth  of 
their  live  children,  the  other  children  being:  Fred.  11.  1)..  who  resides  in  Fremont; 
Royal  W.,  a  physician  of  Cortez,  Colorado;  Lucy,  who  is  the  wife  of  J.  M. 
Rovenscroft  a  farm  owner,  and  a  mason  by  trade  living  in  York;  Charles  A.,  a 
dentist  in  York.  The  family  were  reared  in  the  Presbyterian  faith,  and  the 
father  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party.  When  the  Civil  war 
broke  out  Kirkland  .J.  Calkins  was  one  of  the  first  to  volunteer  his  services  and 
joined  the  Twenty-fourth  Liwa  regiment  Company  1.  A  sketch  <>\'  him  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  The  Calkins  family  is  a  very  old  family  dating  back 
before  the  Revolutionary  war  and  it  is  said  that  Hugh  Calkins,  an  early  ancestor, 
was  at  one  time  governor  of  the  English  colonies. 

The  early  education  of  Dr.  Calkins  was  received  in  the  schools  of  Polk  and  York 
counties  and  in  order  to  obtain  the  further  education  which  he  deemed  necessary  to 
fit  him  foi-  his  cho.sen  career,  it  was  necessary  to  earn  the  money,  which  he  did 
by  working  at  various  occupations.  In  1!)(tl  he  entered  the  college  of  dentistry  at 
.the  Omaha  University  and  was  graduated  from  this  institution  with  his  degree 
in  liMl4.  Hjs  first  ]irofessional  venture  was  in  North  Bend  where  he  remained  for 
a  little  more  than  a  year  and  then  in  liio.'i  removed  to  York.  He  here  entered 
into  the  profession  with  his  brother,  Charles  .\.,  and  remained  in  this  connection 
for  a  period  of  ten  years.  He  has  taken  two  post-graduate  courses  in  this  line  of 
"work  and  is  always  interested  in  the  strides  being  made  in  his  profession.  Aside 
from  his  ]irofessional  duties  Dr.  Calkins  devotes  some  time  to  his  farm  which  is 
located  in  Kimball  county  and  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  community. 

In  Februarv,  l!f^O,  Dr.  Calkins  was  nniteil  in  marriai:!'  to  Mrs.  Martha  Walling- 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1081 

ford  who  was  born  in  Lancaster  Lounty.  her  parents  being  among  the  early  settlers 
of  this  state.  The  father  is  now  engaged  in  the  harness  business  in  Panama.  Mrs. 
Calkins  is  one  of  the  prominent  young  matrons  in  York  and  as  a  member  of  the 
Christian  church  is  a  leader  in  its  activities. 

In  polities  Dr.  Calkins  is  an  indejiendent.  supiiorting  the  man  I'ather  than  the 
party.  Dr.  Calkins  has  always  been  a  close  and  discriminating  student  of  the 
principles  of  dentistry  and  has  made  continuous  advance  in  his  profession  by  reason 
of  his  devotion  thereto  as  displayed  in  wide  reading  and  study.  He  })uts  forth 
every  effort  possible  to  make  his  services  of  greater  professional  worth  and  his 
ability  is  widely  recognized  throughout  the  community  in  which  he  resides. 


PETER  J.  RATZLAFF 


The  best  traditions  of  the  commercial  life  of  York  county  are  well  sustained 
in  the  business  activities  of  Peter  J.  Ratzlaif.  a  well  known  resident  of  Henderson. 
He  is  a  native  son  of  the  county,  born  July  10,  1890,  a  son  of  John  and  Maria 
(Dueck)  Ratzlaff,  both  natives  of  the  southern  part  of  Russia  who  immigrated 
to  America  in  1876.  After  landing  in  this  country  the  parents  came  to  J^ebraska 
and  located  in  York  county,  where  the  father  acquired  a  farm  which  he  con- 
tinued to  operate  with  a  marked  measure  of  success  for  many  years.  He  passed 
away  in  1915  and  his  widow  is  still  living.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children, 
three  of  whom  are  living. 

Peter  J.  Ratzlaff  was  educated  i]i  the  public  and  high  schools  of  York 
county  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  where,  for  some  years  he  assisted  in 
carrying  on  the  agricultural  operations.  At  the  close  of  his  high  school  course  he 
entered  college,  receiving  tuition  for  a  period  of  one  year.  He  then  engaged  in 
business  on  his  own  account  and  became  identified  with  dairying,  which  he  found 
to  be  a  remunerative  occupation.  He  remained  in  that  business  for  three  years 
when  he  sold  out,  and  turned  his  attention  to  the  mercantile  trade,  joining  in 
partnership  with  George  A.  Friesen  in  Henderson,  under  the  firm  title  of  Friesen 
&  Ratzlaff.  The  business  handled  is  of  a  general  character  and  the  store  is 
reputed  to  be  one  of  the  best  of  its  kind  in  the  town.  Mr.  Ratzlaff  has  proved 
himself  an  invaluable  factor  in  expanding  the  business  connections  of  the  store 
and  industry  and  perseverance  are  among  the  salient  characteristics — shared  equally 
by  the  partners — upon  which  the  success  so  far  attained  has  been  built.  He  is  the 
owner  of  a  well-improved  piece  of  land  containing  seventy-two  and  one  half  acres, 
located  in  York  county,  and  from  this  he  derives  a  substantial  revenue,  his  income 
from  all  sources  placing  him  in  a  position  of  secure  independence,' this  satisfactory 
condition  being  entirely  due  to  his  foresight  and  sagacity  in  handling  business 
affairs. 

In  1917  Mr.  Ratzlaff  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  E.  Friesen,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  P.  J.  Friesen  who  is  now  deceased,  and  to  this  union  one  son,  Robert  L. 
Ratzlaff,  has  been  born.  Mr.  Ratzlaff'  and  his  wife  are  faithful  members  of  the 
Mennonite  church,  in  whose  teachings  and  doctrines  they  were  reared  and  upon 
whose  services  they  are  regular  attendants.  They  are  widely  and  favorably  kiKiwn 
in  the  community  where  they  reside  and  they  give  practical  aid  to  all  movements 


1082  HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

designed  to  advaiu-e  the  welfare  of  the  people  as  a  whole.  He  lias  no  particular 
political  party  leanings  and  has  never  aspired  to  otKce;  however,  he  ranks  among 
those  progressive  citizens  who  give  of  their  time  and  ability  to  further 
civic  development  by  all  legitimate  methods,  and  in  this  as  well  as  in  his  commercial 
relations  he  measures  up  to  the  highest  standards  of  citizenship. 


THILANDEE  CHURCH 


Philander  Church,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  and  a  retired  farmer  residing  in 
York,  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Xew*  Y'ork,  October  24,  1841,  a  son  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Hunt)  Church,  both  natives  of  Ireland.  The  father  died  in  1842 
and  the  mother  fifteen  years  later,  the  death  of  the  former  occurring  in  Xew  York, 
while  the  latter  passed  away  in  Iowa.  Soon  after  their  marriage,  which  took  place 
in  Ireland,  they  removed  to  tlie  United  States  and  in  this  country  their  two  chil- 
dren were  born,  the  subject  of  this  review,  Philander,  being  the  only  one  living. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Church  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  he  was  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Cliurch  his 
widow  married  again,  this  time  to  Samuel  Negus,  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  to 
them  four  children  were  born,  two  of  whom  are  living :  Abbie,  who  is  the  wife  of  a 
Mr.  Whittimore  and  lives  in  Seattle ;  and  Lucy,  the  wife  of  a  Mr.  Whittimore,  who 
resides  in  Central  City. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Philander  Church  attended  the  schools  in 
New  York  state  and  Iowa,  having  removed  to  the  latter  state  with  his  mother  in 
1854.  He  began  life  as  a  farmer  and  followed  that  occupation  until  his  retirement. 
On  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Church  was  among  the  first  to  volunteer  his 
services  to  the  Union  army,  with  the  result  that  in  September,  1861,  he  joined 
Company  K,  Twelfth  Iowa  Regiment  with  which  he  served  until  receiving  his 
discharge  on  the  20th  of  January,  1866.  His  regiment  was  a  part  of  the  western 
army.  He  participated  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  at  Fort  DoneLson,  and  was 
captured  at  Shiloh,  being  imprisoned  at  various  places  in  the  south.  For  eight 
months  he  was  held  prisoner  and  was  then  exchanged,  remaining  with  the  army 
until  1866  when  he  was  discharged  with  the  rank  of  first  corporal.  He  was  also 
present  at  the  battles  of  Tupelo,  Mississippi ;  Jackson,  Mississippi ;  Nashville,  Ten- 
nessee: Mobile,  Alabama;  the  Spanish  Fort;  and  many  others.  After  the  close  of 
the  war  he  returned  to  Iowa,  where  he  was  married  and  in  1871  removed  to  York 
county  acquiring  a  homestead.  For  thirty-five  years  Mr.  Church  and  his  wife  lived 
on  this  homestead  and  in  1906  they  sold  the  place  and  removed  to  York,  where 
they  are  now  residing,  at  1603  Iowa  avenue.  Mr.  Church  owns  considerable  prop- 
erty in  York,  and  has  land  in  Texas  in  the  oil  district.  Ntimerous  gushers  have 
been  found  near  his  Texas  land  and  it  is  consequently  of  much  value. 

On  his  return  to  Iowa  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Church  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Alice  Hurlbutt,  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Sarah  Hurlbutt,  also  natives  of  that  state.  Her  parents  came  to 
Iowa  in  1854  and  the  father  engaged  in  the  carpenter  and  contracting  business  for 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  Mrs.  Church  is  the  second  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family 
of  four  cliildren  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hurlbutt.     To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 


PHILANDER  CHURCH 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIB~AF,Y 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1085 

Church  seven  children  have  been  born,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Xellie,  Jennie, 
and  Julia.  Nellie  is  the  wife  of  George  Tilden,  of  Stronisburg,  an  auctioneer,  now 
working  for  the  Harrison  Murray  Company.  Two  children  have  been  born  to 
them:  Wallace  and  Donald;  Jennie  is  the  wife  of  Pirl  Frazer,  a  farmer  and  stock 
raiser,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  six  children :  Lloyd,  Vesta,  Iva,  Laura,  Dorothy, 
and  Enola ;  Julia,  now  Mrs.  August  Dreier,  of  York,  has  become  the  mother  of  two 
children:  Albert  and  Alice.  Mr.  Dreier  is  manager  of  the  outside  work  of  the 
electric  plant  in  York. 

Politically  Mr.  Church  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  of  the 
principles  for  which  it  stands.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  justice  of  the  peace 
and  for  five  years  served  on  the  county  board  of  supervisors.  Throughout  the 
seventy-nine  years  of  his  life  Mr.  Church  has  witnessed  the  great  advances  made 
in  civilization.  His  life  has  been  one  of  labor  and  diligence  and  the  success  which 
he  now  enjoys  is  only  his  fair  reward.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Church  are  now  retired, 
happy  in  the  love  of  their  children  and  grandchildren  and  in  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  the  community.     He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post. 


REV.  H.  WIJNDERLICH 

One  of  the  spiritual  leaders  in  York  county  who  is  the  abject  of  much  affection 
and  veneration  is  Rev.  H.  Wunderlich,  pastor  of  the  German  Evangelical  Lutheran 
John's  congregation,  at  Beaver  Creek.  He  was  born  in  Spring,  Texas,  July  13, 
1860,  a  son  of  Peter  and  Marie  (Hofius)  Wunderlich,  both  natives  of  Westphalia, 
Germany.  His  parents  came  to  the  United  States  when  young  people  and  met  and 
were  married  in  Texas.  The  father  was  killed  in  1864  when  an  explosion  destroyed 
the  powder  mill  in  which  he  was  working.  He  had  been  in  the  employ  of  the 
government  for  some  time.     The  mother  is  now  also  deceased. 

Rev.  H.  Wunderlich  received  his  early  education  in  his  native  towTi  and  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  years  entered  Concordia  College  at  P'ort  Wayne,  Indiana,  where 
he  remained  for  a  period  of  six  years.  He  then  decided  to  enter  the  ministry  and 
as  a  result  went  to  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  College  in  St.  Ijouis  for  his  theological 
training.  His  first  charge  was  at  Perry,  Texas,  where  he  ministered  to  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  that  community  for  a  period  of  twenty  years.  In  1907  he 
came  to  his  present  charge  at  Beaver  Creek  and  during  the  years  of  his  residence 
has  endeared  himself  to  tlie  hearts  of  his  people.  lie  is  pastor  of  a  church  with 
a  membership  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  and  is  in  charge  of  two  schools  of  thirty- 
six  and  forty-two  pupils  respectively.  Mr.  Wunderlich  has  found  his  work  a  great 
physical  and  mental  strain  and  he  prepares  the  greatest  part  of  his  material  on 
the  typewriter. 

Mr.  \\'un(lcrlich  was  married  in  'i'exas  to  Miss  Bertha  Klein,  whose  death 
occurred  three  years  ago.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  namely: 
Travengott  and  Theophile,  who  are  teaching  in  Chicago:  Alma,  who  is  the  wife 
of  a  Mr.  Wanke,  teacher  in  the  schools  of  St.  Louis;  Ellen,  a  musician;  Renata, 
who  keeps  house  for  the  father ;  Frieda,  who  is  attending  the  state  university  at 
Lincoln;  Walter  and  Arthur  at  home;  I.,awrence,  who  is  attending  the  high  school 

Vol.  11—31 


lOSr,  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

in  Lincoln;  Roland  and  Robert,  in  fchool  in  Lincoln;  and  Herald  in  school  at  St. 
Louis. 

Mr.  Wunderlich  is  a  man  of  broad  sympathies  and  the  poor  and  needy  have 
found  in  him  a  friend.  It  is  widely  acknowledged  fact  that  the  most  important 
work  to  which  a  man  can  direct  his  energies  is  that  of  teaching,  whether  it  be  from 
the  pulpit,  from  the  lecture  platfomi  or  from  the  schoolroom,  and  to  this  teaching 
of  the  gospel  ilr.  Wunderlich  has  devoted  his  time,  energies  and  thought. 


CITIZEN  BEN  SOX  ILITHERO 

Citizen  Benson  Clithero  is  an  honored  resident  of  York.  For  many  years  he 
engaged  in  farming  but  retired  from  active  life  in  1901.  He  is  a  native  of  Belmont 
county,  Ohio,  having  been  born  there  on  the  1st  of  February,  1846,  son  of  J.  1).  and 
Jemima  R.  (Rush)  Clithero.  His  parents  were  botli  born  in  Ohio  and  were 
married  and  died  there.  The  father  was  a  well-to-do  farmer  and  one  of  the  most 
progressive  men  in  his  coinmunity.  Eleven  children  were  born  to  this  union,  two 
of  whom  are  living:  Citizen  B.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  and  Cyrus  W.,  who 
lives  in  Kansas  and  is  a  retired  farmer.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clithero  were  reared  in  the 
faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  the  affairs  of  which  they  took  an  active 
part.  The  father  was  known  throughout  the  community  as  Bishop  Clithero.  The 
paternal  grandfather  was  a  native  of  England  and  the  maternal  grandfather,  Isaac 
Rush,  was  born  in  Ohio. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Citizen  B.  Clithero  attended  the  schools  of, 
Ohio.  His  first  work  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  was  farming  and  he  followed 
that  occupation  for  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade 
in  early  youth  and  in  186.5  went  to  Grundy  county,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in 
that  line  of  work  for  a  jjeriod  of  ten  years.  At  the  termination  of  that  time  he 
came  to  York  county  where  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  Ignd.  He 
moved  onto  this  place  in  1876.  The  land  was  unimproved  and  badly  in  need  of 
cultivation.  Along  with  his  household  goods  he  had  brought  enough  timber  to 
erect  a  small  frame  house,  eighteen  by  twenty  feet,  and  this  was  his  home  for  about 
ten  years.  He  later  built  a  more  modern  home  on  the  place  and  it  is  still  standing. 
Subsequently  he  sold  the  old  home  place  and  purchased  another  piece  of  land 
in  York  county.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  a  quarter  section  of  the  finest  land  in 
the  county,  in  McFadden  township.  In  1905  he  removed  to  the  city  of  Y^ork  and 
purchased  two  lots,  putting  out  shade  trees.  He  built  a  modem  home  on  one  of 
the  lots  at  1202  Nebraska  avenue  and  here  he  and  Mrs.  Clithero  are  residing.  For 
four  years  before  coming  to  York  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clithero  were  residents  of  Benedict. 

While  Mr.  Clithero  was  residing  in  Illinois  he  returned  to  Ohio  for  a  short 
period  and  was  at  that  time  married  to  Miss  Amanda  M.  Timberlake,  a  native  of 
Noble  county,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Nelson  and  Hannah  Timberlake.  Her 
parents  were  Ohioans  and  tlie  father  wlio  was  a  carriage-maker,  was  killed  when 
Mrs.  Clithero  was  but  a  child.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  the  union  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Clithero,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Alice  who  is  the  wife  of  Willis  Moul, 
a  farmer  near  Fairmont :  William,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  and  vegetable 
trucking  in  Kimball  county;  Louis  B..  who  is  farming  in  York  county;  and  Mary 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1087 

Louise,  the  wife  of  Otis  M.  Smith  who  is  a  very  successful  grain  man  of  Omaha. 
Mr.  Smith  is  president  of  the  Updyke  Grain  Company.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clithero 
lost  their  youngest  son,  Romeo,  in  1910.  He  was  but  twenty-six  years  of  age  and  a 
young  man  of  considerable  ability.  He  was  a  graduate  of  the  York  high  school 
in  the  activities  of  which  he  had  always  taken  an  active  part.  He  was  also  the 
possessor  of  a  splendid  tenor  voice. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Clithero  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  the  principles  for  which  it  stands. 
Although  most  of  his  time  was  spent  in  farming  he  served  on  the  city  council  for 
a  number  of  years.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Woodmen  and  takes  an 
active  interest  in  the  order.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clithero  are  consistent  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mr.  Clithero  has  conducted  the  church  ciioir  for 
many  years.  For  thirty  years  he  has  conducted  the  choirs  of  the  various  churches 
which  he  has  attended.  He  is  at  present  assistant  chorister  in  the  Sunday  school 
and  is  likewise  a  class  leader.  He  has  served  in  this  capacity  for  a  period  of  thirty 
years.  To  every  occupation  undertaken  he  has  given  his  entire  attention  and 
energy  with  the  result  tJiat  his  life  is  now  crowned  with  successful  achievement.  He 
takes  an  active  interest  in  tiic  development  and  improvement  of  his  community  and 
Y'ork  is  fortunate  in  having  him  for  a  citizen. 


DIETRICH  PETERS 


For  four  years  Dietrich  Peters,  now  deceased,  was  a  prominent  and  progressive 
farmer  of  York  county.  He  was  born  in  southern  Russia  and  died  in  this  county 
in  1882  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  land,  engaged  in  farming  for  some  time  tiiere,  and  in  1878 
came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  York  county.  Here  he  purchased  a  home- 
stead of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  also  eighty  acres  of  railroad  land. 

Dietrich  Peters  was  married  in  his  native  land  to  Helena  Fast,  a  native  of 
Russia,  whose  deatli  occurred  in  1910  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  Xine  children 
were  born  to  tliis  union :  Helena,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  H.  H.  Epp,  a  fanuer  of 
York  county;  Sarah,  tiie  wife  of  Isaac  Bergen,  farming  in  York  county;  Dietrich, 
deceased;  Cornelius,  farming  in  York  county;  Marguerite,  the  wife  of  Peter 
Hiebert,  a  farmer  of  Hamilton  county;  Jacob;  John,  farming  in  York  county; 
Isaac,  farming  in  York  county;  and  Abraham,  who  is  living  in  Henderson. 

Deitrich  Peters,  whose  name  initiates  this  review,  maintained  an  independent 
course  in  politics  and  his  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Mennonite  church  in  which 
organization  he  always  took  a  prominent  part.  The  Peters  family  have  taken  a 
prominent  and  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  York  county  since  their  emigration  here, 
and  all  of  them  are  citizens  of  whom  Y^ork  county  has  a  right  to  be  proud. 

Jacob  D.  Peters  was  eleven  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed  to  this 
country.  He  helped  his  father  break  the  land  of  the  homestead  and  received  his 
education  in  the  country  schools  of  the  county.  He  remained  at  home  assisting  his 
mother  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  bought  eighty  acres 
and  started  farming  on  his  own  account.  He  later  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  which  land  he  highly  cultivated  and  improved.     During  the  drought  of  '93, 


1088  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

''!)!,  and  '95  he  raised  no  crops  and  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  burn  cornstalks, 
corn  and  straw.  In  1895  Jacob  Peters  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Catherine 
Thieszen,  a  native  of  Russia  whose  death  occurred  in  1918.  To  this  union  four 
children  were  born :  Mary,  who  was  the  wife  of  George  Friesen,  both  of  whom  are 
now  deceased,  her  death  having  occurred  in  1918;  and  Fred,  Aaron  and  Helena, 
at  home.  Some  time  after  his  wife's  death  Jacob  Peters  was  again  wed,  Miss  Sarah 
Harder  becoming  his  wife.  To  this  union  one  child,  Sarah,  has  been  born.  The 
Peters  family  are  members  of  the  Mennonite  church,  of  which  Mr.  Peters  is  a 
trustee.  He  maintains  an  independent  course  in  politics  supporting  the  man  rather 
than  the  party.  As  an  active  man  in  the  community  he  has  served  as  road  over- 
seer and  is  director  of  school  board  district,  number  37.  Mr.  Peters  has  always 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and  is  recognized  as  a  representative 
agriculturist  throughout  the  county. 


SWAX  LTNUSTROM 


An  eventful  career  has  been  that  of  Swan  Lindstrom,  who,  of  Swedish  birth, 
came  to  America  when  he  was  about  twenty  years  old,  unaccompanied  by  any 
friends,  and  being  of  a  progressive  spirit  speedily  applied  liimself  to  the  new 
conditions  and  ultimately  achieved  success  along  agricultural  lines.  He  was  born 
in  Sweden,  July  33,  1849,  a  son  of  Swan  and  Josephine  (Swanson)  Lindstrom, 
also  natives  of  that  country  where  the  father  was  a  manufacturer  of  pig  iron  for 
many  years. 

Swau  Lindstrom  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Sweden  and  when  he  was 
about  twenty  years  old  he  decided  to  inmiigrate  to  this  country.  After  his  arrival 
in  New  York  he  went  to  Princeton,  Illinois,  and  there  worked  at  the  carpenter 
trade  which  he  had  learned  in  Sweden  and  in  that  way  made  a  living  for  several 
years.  Altogether  he  spent  eleven  years  in  Illinois  and  three  of  these  he  devoted 
to  farming,  renting  land  for  the  purpose  and  materially  increasing  his  income  by 
laboring  in  the  fields  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  crops.  In  1880  Mr.  Lindstrom 
came  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  Yoik  county,  but  prior  to  coming  he  had  bought 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Stewart  township,  for  which  he  paid  six  dollars  and  ninety 
cents  an  acre.  On  taking  possession  of  the  holding  he  built  a  small  frame  house 
which  now  forms  part  of  his  home  and  put  up  a  small  frame  barn,  also  planting 
large  numbers  of  trees  and  otherwise  improxing  the  place.  He  broke  all  the  land 
and  prospered  in  his  farming  operations  from  the  beginning,  his  success  inducing 
him  in  1895  to  buy  a  further  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  is  in 
excellent  condition.  In  1893  he  raised  corn  which  yielded  fifty  bushels  to  the  acre, 
this  being  regarded  as  a  record  crop  at  that  time.  When  fuel  was  scarce  he  burned 
corn  and  cornstalks  as  substitute.  There  were  ample  supplies  of  prairie  chickens 
and  geese  in  the  district  and  Mr  Lindstrom  relates  that  on  one  occasion  he  killed 
five  geese  in  his  cornfield  with  one  shot.  Being  in  York  county  for  forty  years  he 
is  familiar  with  all  phases  of  the  history  of  the  district  in  its  development  and  he 
rejoices  in  what  has  been  accomplished  as  the  work  of  improvement  has  been 
carried  forward. 

In   1872,  while   livino-  in  Illinois,   Mr.  Lindstrom  was  united  in  marriage  to 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  1089 

Ilanna  Swauson,  a  native  of  Sweden,  and  to  their  union  four  children  have  been 
born:  S.  A.,  a  farmer,  of  Stewart  township;  John  M.,  of  Gresham,  working  as  a 
carpenter ;  Frank,  who  farms  in  Stewart  township ;  and  C.  A.,  w'ho  conducts  a 
mercantile  business  in  Gresham.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church 
and  are  earnest  advocates  of  its  teachings. 

Mr.  Lindstrom  in  his  political  views  is  a  stanch  democrat  and  served  on  the 
county  board  at  the  time  the  present  courthouse  was  being  built.  Intere.sted  in  the 
cause  of  education  he  has  served  as  a  school  director  in  district  35  for  over  thirty- 
five  years,  and  in  other  directions  he  has  given  unstintingly  of  his  help  to  all 
projects  intended  to  serve  the  public  welfare.  For  some  time  past  he  has  been 
renting  the  greater  part  of  his  land,  and  from  this  source  derives  a  handsome 
income.  He  retains  ten  acres  for  his  own  use,  on  which  he  carries  on  farming. 
The  period  of  his  residence  in  York  county  covers  four  decades  and  he  has  won  a 
place  among  its  esteemed  and  representative  citizens. 


WILLIAM  STAEHE 


One  of  the  most  successful  farmers  and  largest  landowners  in  York  county  is 
William  Staehr,  who  has  resided  in  this  county  since  he  was  a  boy  of  ten  years.  He 
was  born  in  Oldenburg,  Germany,  October  15,  1863,  a  son  of  Carsten  Staehr,  further 
mention  of  whom  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

The  early  education  of  William  Staehr  was  obtained  in  his  native  town  in 
Germany  and  he  was  but  ten  years  of  age  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  the 
United  States,  settling  in  York  county.  He  has  vivid  recollections  of  the  early 
pioneer  days  and  of  his  first  home  in  this  country — a  dugout.  He  assisted  in 
farming  in  the  early  days,  being  so  small  that  he  had  to  stand  on  tiptoe  to  grasp 
the  handles  of  the  plow  while  his  brother  drove  the  oxen.  When  he  was  twenty- 
five  years  of  age  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  and  four  years  later  with  the 
assistance  of  his  father  purchased  one  hundred  acres  of  land,  the  improvements  on 
the  land  consisting  of  a  small  house  and  shed  for  a  stable.  Today  he  is  in  posses- 
sion of  twenty  acres  in  addition  to  his  four  eighty-acre  tracts.  He  has  a  fine  set 
of  buildings  on  each  of  his  farms  and  is  widely  recognized  throughout  the  sur- 
rounding country  as  a  successful  and  progressive  farmer.  Mr.  Staehr  recollects  the 
awful  cold  winters  when  he  first  came  to  York  county,  there  Ijeing  days  at  a  time 
when  no  member  of  the  household  would  venture  out-of-doors.  During  these  cold, 
stormy  spells  the  oxen  were  put  in  the  dugout  to  keep  them  from  freezing. 

Mr.  Staehr  at  an  early  age  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Huffschneider,  a 
native  of  York  county,  and  a  daughter  of  Henry  Huffschneider.  Her  father,  who 
is  now  deceased,  was  an  early  settler  of  York  county.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Staehr,  ten  children  were  born,  eight  of  whom  are  living:  Bertha,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Carl  Stuhr;  John,  who  is  married  and  lives  in  N'orth  Dakota;  Martin,  who 
is  married  and  residing  on  one  of  his  fathers  farms;  Emma,  who  is  employed  at 
Lincoln;  and  Walter,  Dora,  Elsie,  and  Edmond  who  are  at  home.  Two  children 
died  in  early  childhood. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Staehr  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  the  principles  for  which  it  stands.     He  is 


1090  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

also  well  informed  on  the  topics  of  the  day.  The  Staehr  family  are  all  consistent 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  attending  the  church  at  Beaver  Creek,  and 
Mr.  Staelir  is  serving  his  second  year  as  elder  in  the  local  church.  A  life  of  intense 
and  well  directed  activity  has  bro\ight  Mr.  Staehr  to  a  position  among  the  most 
successful  farmers  of  York  countv. 


EDGAR  A.  WELLS 


Edgar  A.  Wells,  a  retired  farmer  and  stock  raiser  who  in  former  years  was  most 
actively  and  extensively  engaged  in  carrying  on  agricultural  pursuits  in  York 
county  and  who  now  makes  his  home  in  the  city  of  York,  was  born  in  Chenango 
county,  New  York,  on  September  23,  1854,  a  son  of  Halsey  and  Lorania  (Rogers) 
Wells,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  the  Empire  state.  They  went  to  Illinois  in  1855, 
settling  in  De  Kalb  county,  where  the  father  purchased  land  and  thereon  spent  his 
remaining  days.  He  was  of  English  lineage,  while  the  maternal  grandfather,  Davis 
Rogers,  was  born  in  New  York  but  was  of  Irish  descent.  Halsey  Wells  gave  his 
political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  in  his  religious  faith  was  a  Baptist. 
To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  five  children,  of  whom  three  are  living:  Augusta, 
the  wife  of  Marcinas  Hall,  a  farmer  of  De  Kalb  county,  Illinois ;  George,  who  also 
follows  farming  in  De  Kalb  county ;  and  Edgar  A.,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Illinois  and  after  his  textbooks 
were  put  aside  he  took  up  the  work  of  boring  wells  and  followed  that  occupation 
for  a  year  and  a  half.  He  afterward  rented  a  farm  for  two  years  in  Illinois  and 
in  1879  arrived  in  York  county,  Nebraska,  where  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
unimproved  land.  With  characteristic  energy  lie  began  the  development  and 
improvement  of  his  farm  and  built  thereon  a  small  frame  house.  After  obtaining 
title  to  his  land  he  sold  it  the  same  year  and  then  purchased  a  quarter  section  which 
he  improved  and  upon  which  he  erected  new  buildings.  From  time  to  time  he 
bought  other  property,  extending  the  boundaries  of  his  farm  until  he  became  one 
of  the  leading  agriculturists  of  his  section  of  the  state.  He  also  engaged  very 
extensively  in  raising  hogs  and  cattle  and  also  in  feeding  stock,  and  his  carefully 
managed  business  affairs  brought  to  him  gratifying  success.  In  1907  he  removed 
to  York  and  built  a  beautiful  home  at  605  East  Ninth  street.  However,  he  still 
gives  supervision  to  his  farming  interests  and  raises  between  four  hundred  and  six 
hundred  head  of  hogs  annually.  His  landed  possessions  embrace  eight  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  and  from  his  fields  he  annually  gathers  golden  harvests,  making  his 
yearly  income  a  most  substantial  one.  He  was  largely  without  capital  when  he 
arrived  in  Nebraska.  He  paid  six  dollars  per  acre  for  his  first  land,  making  a 
payment  of  one  dollar  down  and  meeting  the  remaining  payments  on  time.  He 
became  connected  with  the  First  National  Bank  of  Bradshaw  upon  its  organization, 
serving  as  a  member  of  its  board  of  directors,  and  is  also  the  vice  president.  He  is 
likewise  on  the  directorate  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  York  and  of  the  First 
Trust  Company  &  Savings  Bank.  He  assisted  in  organizing  the  Bradshaw  Tele- 
phone Company,  of  which  he  was  president  for  ten  years.  Thus  he  has  been 
actively  and  prominently  connected  with  business  interests  in  this  section  of  the 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1091 

state,  his  labors  at  all  times  being  of  a  character  that  have  contributed  to  public 
prosperity  and  progress  as  well  as  to  individual  success. 

In  1877  Mr.  Wells  was  married  to  Miss  Stella  Ball,  who  was  liorn  in  Kane 
county,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Julia  Ann  (Arnold)  Ball,  the 
former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  while  the  latter  was  born  in  Ohio.  They  were 
married  in  Illinois  and  resided  in  that  state  for  a  number  of  'years.  Her  father 
died  in  1!)07,  but  Mrs.  Ball  is  still  living,  making  her  home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wells  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years.  Mrs.  Wells  taught  school  in  Di.striet  48 
of  York  county  in  1880  and  1881  and  she  was  also  a  teacher  in  Illinois  prior  to  her 
removal  to  the  west.  She  had  attended  high  school  in  Sycamore,  Illinois,  and  was 
also  a  student  in  the  normal  school  at  Valparaiso,  Indiana.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wells 
has  been  born  a  daughter,  Coila,  the  wife  of  Frank  Mover,  formerly  a  resident  of 
York. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wells  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
He  is  also  identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  his  political  sup- 
port is  given  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  never  been  an  office  seeker,  however, 
preferring  to  concentrate  his  eflorts  and  attention  upon  his  Imsiness  affairs,  and  for 
many  years  his  activity  made  him  one  of  the  leading  live  stock  raisers  of  the  county. 
He  always  gave  more  attention  to  feeding  cattle  than  to  cultivating  his  fields  and 
always  kept  high-grade  cattle,  for  which  he  received  the  highest  market  price.  For 
thirty-five  years,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  he  never  fed  less  than  three  car- 
loads of  cattle  and  sometimes  fed  as  many  as  five  hundred  head.  He  also  raised 
more  alfalfa  than  any  other  resident  of  the  county  and  at  one  time  had  three 
hundred  acres  planted  to  that  crop.  His  entire  life  has  been  actuated  by  a  spirit  of 
enterprise  and  progressiveness,  and  as  the  result  of  his  carefully  directed  labors  he 
is  today  one  of  the  prosperous  citizens  of  York  county. 


EDWARD  BLEXDER 


Twelve  years  have  passed  since  Edward  Blender  was  called  to  his  final  rest,  but 
his  memory  is  cherished  by  many  who  knew  him  in  and  about  York  county,  as  he 
stood  as  a  high  type  of  manhood  and  citizenship  and  was  devoted  to  the  welfare  and 
progress  not  only  of  his  family  but  of  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  He  was 
born  in  Germany  June  5,  1842,  and  died  in  1908,  being  then  in  his  sixty-fifth  year. 
While  a  mere  boy  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  America  from  the  old  country  and 
on  arrival  the  family  went  to  the  state  of  Illinois,  where  the  father  engaged  in 
farming  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Edward  Blender  completed  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Illinois,  con- 
tinued to  reside  in  his  father's  home  helping  in  the  work  of  the  farm,  and  when 
he  was  about  twenty  years  old  enlisted  as  a  member  of  the  58th  Illinois  Infantry 
and  served  with  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war,  his  service  covering  a  period 
of  over  three  years.  He  was  in  numerous  engagements  while  with  the  colors  of  the 
North  and  at  the  close  of  his  military  service  he  received  an  honorable  discharge, 
returned  to  the  family  home  in  Illinois  and  resumed  farming  operations.  He  felt 
the  call  of  the  west  and  in  1872  set  out  for  Nebraska,  coming  straight  to  York 
county  and  taking  a  homestead  in  Morton  township.     On  taking  up  his  residence 


1002  HISTORY    OF    YORK    fOT'XTY 

on  the  holding  lie  put  a  frame  shanty  together  which  served  as  a  home  until  bettfer 
times  came,  and  his  first  barn  was  composed  of  sod  and  earth.  Mr.  Blender  lived 
amid  those  primitive  surroimdings  for  about  two  years,  in  the  meantime  having 
steadily  applied  himself  to  the  development  and  cultivation  of  the  farm.  He 
experienced  the  hardshi])s  of  dry  seasons  and  struggled  through  the  grasshopper 
plague  which  made  havoc  among  the  crops  in  that  region.  However,  fortune  l)egan 
to  smile.  His  agricultural  interests  were  carefully  and  successfully  conducted  and 
for  many  years  he  concentrated  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  the  development  of 
the  fields.  He  ultimately  became  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
well  improved  land,  and  when  he  was  called  away  February  13,  1908,  he  left  behind 
him  a  substantial  property  for  the  benefit  of  his  widow  and  family.  With  very 
little  of  this  world's  goods  to  his  credit  when  locating  in  the  county  he  applied  him- 
self to  the  problems  of  wresting  from  the  soil  all  that  it  could  be  expected  to  yield, 
and  marked  success  attended  his  efforts.  Prosperity  came  to  him,  but  his  natural 
modestv  and  simplicity  of  manner  were  in  nowise  impaired.  His  personal  qualities 
were  such  as  won  for  him  the  warm  regard  of  many  and  there  was  sincere  regret 
when  he  died. 

In  1874  Mr.  Blender  was  united  in  marriage  to  Louise  Blessman,  a  native  of 
Germany  who  came  to  this  country  in  the  year  of  her  marriage,  accompanied  by 
her  sister,  Elizabeth  Bristol,  now  living  near  Waco.  To  their  union  nine  children 
were  born:  John,  a  farmer,  living  in  South  Dakota;  Edward,  farming  his  father's 
place;  Albert,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-six;  William,  a  farmer,  of  Arborville 
township;  Charles,  a  farmer,  of  York  county;  Clara,  wife  of  Pat  Mulligan,  of 
Newton,  Kansas;  Louise,  who  married  Neil  Deremus,  and  lives  in  Polk  county, 
Nebraska;  Belle,  wife  of  Guy  Wildman,  a  farmer,  of  Morton  township;  and  Minnie, 
who  married  Russell  Nixon,  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Blender  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church  and  in  the  social  and  cultural  activities  of  her  neighborhood  .she 
takes  a  prominent  place.  She  lives  amid  pleasant  surroundings  in  Benedict  and  has 
hosts  of  friends  who  admire  her  traits  of  character  and  cordiality  of  manner. 
Mr.  Blender  was  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 


EDWIN  MILLER,  D.  D.  S. 

Since  November,  191(!,  Dr.  Edwin  ililler  has  been  a  resident  of  York  and  his 
thorough  training  and  previous  experiences  as  a  dentist  have  gained  for  him  the 
confidence  of  the  public  and  his  fellow  practitioners.  He  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Illinois,  on  the  11th  of  March,  1874,  a  son  of  Joseph  R.  and  Mary  (Buri)  Millei-, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  southern  Germany.  The  father  served  in  the  German 
Revolution  of  1848  and  soon  after  that  time  removed  to  the  United  States,  settling 
in  St.  Louis.  It  was  here  that  he  met  and  married  his  wdfe  and  in  1850  they  went 
to  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  nnike  their  home.  For  thirty-four  years  they  resided 
in  that  city  and  then  removed  to  York  where  he  purchased  some  land  from  one  of 
the  early  pioneers  of  that  place.  Here  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  resided  until  their 
deaths,  becoming  well  known  and  prominent  citizens  of  the  community,  Mr.  Miller 
was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  the  first  presidential  vote  ever 
cast  by  him  w^as  for  Abraham  Lincoln.     It  is  said  of  Mr.  Miller  that  his  features 


'''\h,\A\llU:.,.. 


From  a  Medallion'  Made  by  His  Sox,  Dr.  Edwin   Miller 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBF.ARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNOATiONS 


R 


L 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1095 

were  similar  to  ilr.  LinculiiV  :uiil  lie  was  known  throughout  York  county  as  ''Old 
Abe."  Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller,  five  of  whom  are  living : 
Mrs.  George  Ragan,  whose  husband  is  a  retired  fanner  of  York;  Frank  R.,  a  bridge 
contractor  residing  in  Springfield,  Illinois;  W.  A.,  a  real  estate  man  in  York 
who  was  at  one  time  county  clerk  of  York  county;  H.  M.,  who  resides  near 
Bradshaw  and  is  county  supervisor  and  farmer;  and  Dr.  Edwin  Miller  the  subject 
of  this  sketch.     The  family  were  reared  in  the  United  Brethren  faith. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Dr.  Miller  attended  the  public  schools  of 
York  county  and  later  deciding  upon  a  professional  career  entered  the  dental  depart- 
ment of  the  Omaha  University,  in  September,  1901,  and  was  graduated  from  this 
university  with  his  degree  in  1904.  He  first  located  in  Bradshaw  for  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  but  in  1916  removed  to  York  where  he  has  since  continued  to 
practice.  He  has  ever  kept  abreast  with  the  advances  made  in  his  profession  and 
in  1907  took  a  post-graduate  course  at  Haskall  Post  Graduate  Dental  College. 
Dr.  Miller  has  gained  a  wide  and  favorable  reputation  as  a  dentist  and  has  built 
up  a  large  and  representative  patronage. 

On  the  24th  of  September,  1907,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Dr.  Miller  and  Miss 
Pearl  Boles,  a  daughter  of  M.  M.  Boles,  who  is  now  residing  in  David  City  and 
is  one  of  the  high  officers  in  the  Royal  Highlanders.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  have 
become  the  parfents  of  three  children,  namely:  Joseph  M.,  aged  ten  years; 
Edwin,  Jr.,  who  is  six  years  of  age;  and  Dan  McMuUin,  who  is  three  years  of  age. 
Mrs.  Miller  is  prominent  in  club  and  social  circles  and  is  a  consistent  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

As  was  his  father  before  him  Dr.  Miller  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican 
party  and  when  he  resided  in  Bradshaw  served  for  two  terms  on  the  board  of 
trustees  of  that  village.  He  was  also  village  treasurer  for  three  years.  Fraternally 
Dr.  Miller  is  affiliated  with  the  Masons,  the  Modern  Woodmen,  Woodmen  of  the 
World,  the  Royal  Highlanders,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Eastern 
Star.  Dr.  Miller  is  fond  of  sculpturing  and  finds  some  recreation  in  this  work, 
although  most  of  his  time  is  devoted  to  his  duties  at  the  office.  He  considers  that  his 
professional  duties  have  the  first  claim  upon  his  time  and  interest  but  is  not 
indifferent  to  the  progress  of  his  city  along  various  lines  of  endeavor.  His  out- 
standing characteristics  are  such  as  commend  liim  to  the  warm  regard  and  con- 
fidence of  his  fellowmen,  and  he  is  held  in  high  esteem  in  York  and  in  the 
surrounding  community. 


DANIEL  GRAVES 


For  many  years  Daniel  Graves,  now  deceased,  was  an  honored  and  respected 
citizen  of  York  county  being  widely  known  as  an  agriculturist  and  business  man 
of  great  ability.  He  was  born  in  Rutland  county,  Vermont,  June  23,  1844,  a  son 
of  Daniel  and  Almira  (Rogers)  Graves,  both  natives  of  the  same  state.  The 
Graves  and  Rogers  families  are  among  the  representative  families  of  New  England 
and  are  of  English  ancestry.  For  nine  generations  the  Graves  family  have  resided 
in  the  United  States,  Thomas  Graves  who  came  from  England  in  1G40  being  the 
progenitor  of  the  family  in  this  country.     Thomas  Graves  died  in  1G62,  leaving  a 


1096  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

son  John  who  was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  1677  while  defending  his  home  in 
Hatfield,  Massachusetts.  John  Graves,  another  ancestor,  was  born  in  1652  and 
died  in  1750  and  his  son  John  was  born  in  1682  and  died  in  1716.  Nathan,  the 
son  of  John,  was  born  in  March,  1716,  and  died  in  1786.  The  grandfather  of 
Daniel  Graves  the  subject  of  this  review,  was  also  named  Daniel  and  was  born  in 
either  Vermont  or  Massachusetts  on  the  25th  of  September,  1769.  During  the 
War  of  1812,  he  was  captain  of  a  company  of  militia.  For  some  time  he  conducted 
a  hotel  and  tannery,  also  engaging,  in  the  manufacture  of  potash.  He  had  learned 
the  hatter's  trade  when  a  young  man  but  seldom  followed  it,  devoting  the  latter 
part  of  his  life  to  farming.  When  grandfather  Graves  was  but  a  lad  of  fourteen 
years  he  played  the  fife  and  his  brother  the  drum  and  they  assisted  in  the  enlist- 
ment and  mustering  of  a  regiment  in  which  their  father  was  captain  of  a  company. 
When  the  regiment  started  on  the  rtiarch  Mr.  Graves  and  his  brother  went  with 
them  to  Crown  Point,  but  when  the  battle  commenced  were  sent  to  the  rear  and 
soon  afterward  sent  home.  The  father  of  the  subject  of  this  review,  Daniel  Graves, 
removed  to  McHenry  county,  Illinois,  in  1847  and  engaged  in  farming  until  his 
death  on  the  21st  of  July,  1869.  His  wife  was  Almira  Rogers  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  six  children,  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  the  sul.)ject  of  this 
sketch  is  the  youngest.  One  of  the  sons  is  Bishop  Graves  of  Nebraska  and  California 
for  the  past  ten  years. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Daniel  Graves  of  this  review  attended  the 
common  schools  of  McHenry  county,  Illinois,  and  having  been  reared  on  a  farm 
followed  that  occupation  his  entire  life.  When  but  twenty-one  years  of  age  he 
started  out  in  the  world  empty-handed  but  soon  became  owner  of  a  small  farm  of 
fifty-six  acres  in  Illinois,  which  he  sold  in  1877.  He  then  came  to  York  county 
where  he  purchased  four  hundred  acres  of  railroad  land  near  Arborville,  subse- 
quently increasing  his  acreage  until  he  owned  one  thousand  and  forty  acres.  This 
land  at  the  time  of  purchase  was  nothing  but  a  wild  prairie  but  soon  became  some 
of  the  most  highly  cultivated  land  in  the  county.  His  next  step  in  improvements 
was  to  build  a  beautiful  home  and  outbuildings  in  keeping  with  it.  The  timber  for 
this  house  they  shipped'  from  Chicago  as  far  as  Clarks  and  hauled  it  across  the 
Platte  river  the  remainder  of  the  waj'.  He  set  out  three  thousand  pine  trees  on 
his  place  and  it  was  not  long  before  they  made  a  fine  grove  in  which  church  and 
Sunday  school  picnics  were  held  for  many  years.  As  a  result  of  his  diligence  and 
labor  he  was  soon  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  in  the  county  and  was 
readily  acknowledged  the  largest  stock  feeder  in  the  covmty.  For  seventeen  years 
before  his  death  Mr.  Graves  suffered  from  paralysis  and  when  he  passed  away  on 
the  27th  of  July,  1917,  it  came  as  a  sad  blow  to  his  many  friends  as  well  as  to  his 
devoted  family. 

In  1872  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Graves  and  Miss  Martha  Loonier,  a 
daughter  of  Timothy  and  Almira  Loonier,  the  former  a  native  of  Nova  Scotia, 
while  the  latter  was  born  in  Vermont.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loonier  .settled  in  Illinois 
in  an  early  day.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graves,  the  following  children  were  born: 
Almira  who  is  teaching  art  in  the  LTiiited  Brethren  college  is  the  wife  of  E.  B. 
Koon,  a  real  estate  dealer  and  retired  farmer  of  York.  Mrs.  Koon  received  her 
training  in  art  in  Chicago  where  she  attended  the  Art  Institute;  Nora  is  the  wife 
of  H.  J.  Clarke  of  Lincoln,  who  is  engaged  in  the  monument  business;  Daniel  is 
residing  on  the  old  homestead;  Mabel  P.  is  the  wife  of  M.  H.  Kealiher,  a  farmer  in 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1097 

York  county;  and  Henry  C.   is  mentioned  on  another  page  of  this  work.     The 
family  were  reared  in  the  Episcopalian  faith. 

Throughout  his  entire  life  Mr.  Graves  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  democratic 
party  and  was  always  interested  in  the  development  and  improvement  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  lived.  He  was  a  member  of  the  committee  to  build  the  court- 
house at  York,  and  was  also  on  the  committee  having  in  charge  the  building  of  a 
Congregational  church  at  Arborville.  Fraternally  he  was  a  member  of  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen  and  of  the  Modern  Woodmen.  In  church  circles  both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graves  always  took  an  active  part.  For  many  years  he  taught  classes 
in  the  Sunday  school  and  for  twenty-five  years  Mrs.  Graves  led  the  singing  in  both 
church  and  Sunday  school.  Mr.  Graves  was  a  man  of  unusual  character,  one 
inspiring  the  confidence  and  trust  of  every  person  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 
In  all  matters  needing  advice  his  neighbors  appealed  to  him  and  he  was  always 
called  upon  to  settle  differences,  both  parties  being  assured  fair  judgment.  During 
the  seventeen  years  of  his  affliction  he  was  ever  cheerful  and  Mrs.  Graves  sacrificed 
everything  for  his  comfort.  For  eleven  years  Mrs.  Graves  took  Mr.  Graves  to 
Florida  and  two  years  to  California.  In  fact  for  years  she  devoted  her  time  night 
and  day  to  Mr.  Graves'  comfort,  sacrificing  years  of  her  life  to  that  noble  effort. 
In  his  passing  York  county  lost  an  honorable,  upright  and  successful  citizen.  Mrs. 
Graves  is  residing  in  her  beautiful  home  at  916  East  avenue,  secure  in  the  deep 
respect  and  regard  held  for  her  by  her  fellow  citizens. 


HARRY  L.  BLAIR 


An  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  pays  tribute  to  the  care  and 
labor  bestowed  upon  it  by  Harry  L.  Blair,  whose  place  is  located  on  section  32, 
Stewart  township,  York  county.  Moreover,  he  is  a  native  son  of  the  county,  born 
March  li,  1872,  a  son  of  Cyrus  and  Emma  (Bedell)  Blair,  the  former  a  native  of 
Illinois  and  the  latter  of  Ohio,  who  lived  in  Illinois  until  1870  when  they  came  to 
York  county  and  homesteaded. 

Cyrus  Blair  was  a  farmer  in  Illinois  up  to  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  and  in 
response  to  President  Lincoln's  first  call  for  volunteers  he  enlisted  in  April,  1861, 
becoming  a  member  of  the  60th  Company,  11th  Illinois  Infantry  and  served  with 
that  command  throughout  the  entire  period  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  fatuous 
battle  of  Gettysburg  and  at  Shiloh  and  participated  in  other  important  engage- 
ments. In  one  of  those  battles  his  clothes  were  riddled  with  bullets  but  he  escaped 
serious  injury.  During  his  war  service  he  applied  for  and  olitaiiied  a  short  furlough 
and  while  home  on  leave  he  was  married,  after  which  he  returned  to  his  regiment. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Blair  was  mustered  out,  receiving  an  honorable  dis- 
charge, and  went  back  to  Illinois  where  his  wife  was  awaiting  him,  and  in  that 
state  he  engaged  in  farming  for  about  five  years.  In  1870  he  decided  to  go  further 
afield  and  came  to  York  county  in  that  year.  He  took  a  homestead  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  in  Thayer  township  and  there  erected  a  dugout  for  a  temporary  home 
and  also  put  up  sod  barns  for  the  cattle,  and  it  was  in  the  dugout  that  his  son, 
Harry  L.  Blair,  was  born.  Lincoln  was  the  nearest  place  from  which  supplies  could 
be  had  and  he  had  to  do  all  the  freighting  from  that  town.     He  broke  the  land  and 


1098  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

opened  it  up  to  cultivation  and  tilings  were  going  well  with  him  until  the  grass- 
hopper invasion,  when  he  lost  all  his  crops  and  had  to  l)urn  his  corn.  However,  he 
renewed  his  efforts  and  in  time  his  place  had  recovered  from  the  ravages  of  the 
grasshopper  plague  and  he  finally  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  his  place  in  first- 
class  condition  and  well  improved,  the  equal  of  any  in  the  township.  He  disposed 
of  the  homestead  in  1891  and  retired  to  the  Soldiers  Home  at  Grand  Island  and 
there  passed  away  in  lUlO,  being  in  his  seventy-fifth  year.  His  wife  predeceased 
him  by  several  years,  her  death  occurring  in  1893,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four.  They 
were  the  parents  of  four  children :  Nellie,  the  wife  of  Charles  Heaton,  a  farmer  of 
Gothenburg,  Nebraska ;  Ida,  the  wife  of  H.  B.  Mower}',  of  Greenfield,  Massachu- 
setts; Harry  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Guy,  living  in  Bayard,  Nebraska. 
He  was  a  stanch  republican  and  an  active  and  earnest  nuMiiber  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  of  Y^ork. 

Harry  L.  Blair  spent  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  and  early  became 
familiar  with  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops,  dividing 
his  time  between  the  acquirement  of  an  education  and  the  work  of  the  fields.  Later 
he  started  farming  on  his  own  account  and  bought  a  tract  of  land  which  he  operated 
successfully  in  the  early  years  of  his  occupation.  He  added  to  his  holding  as  cir- 
cumstances permitted  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  well  kept  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  and  is  giving  his  undivided  attention  to  general  agricultural  pur- 
suits, including  the  raising  of  a  good  grade  of  live  stock.  There  are  Substantial 
buildings  on  the  land  and  he  utilizes  the  latest  improved  machinery  in  carrying  on 
the  work  of  the  fields.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  State  Bank  and  in  the 
elevator  at  Thayer. 

In  1893  Mr.  Blair  was  united  in  marriage  to  Gharbitte  E.  Robertson,  a  native 
of  Illinois  and  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Robertson  who  came  to  York  county  in  the 
80's.  They  are  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Xina,  the  wife  of  Perry  Schwasinger, 
of  Alliance;  Utha,  who  married  Charles  Elrod,  of  Hazard,  Nebraska;  Emma,  the 
wife  of  D.  R.  Kinney,  of  Lincoln ;  Florence,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen ;  and 
Hosea,  Homer,  Marion  and  Joseph,  all  at  home.  Mr.  Blair  gives  his  political  alle- 
giance to  the  republican  party  and  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America.  Those  wlio  know  him  esteem  him  highly,  for  his  marked  characteristics 
of  manhood  and  citizenship  are  those  which  commend  him  to  the  warm  regard,  the 
confidence  and  the  goodwill  of  tho.se  with  whom  he  has  been  associated. 


CHARLES  A.  CALKINS,  D.  D.  S. 

.\  native  son  of  Nebraska  is  Charles  A.  Calkins  whn  since  1903  has  been  engaged 
in  the  dental  business  in  York.  In  his  profession  Dr.  Calkins  has  achieved  a  sub- 
stantial amount  of  .success  and  his  practice  which  is  now  one  of  the  largest  in  the 
county  is  steadily  increasing. 

Dr.  Charles  A.  Calkins  was  born  in  Polk  county,  Nebraska,  Decendier  25,  1881,  a 
son  of  Kirkland  and  Lorilla  V.  (Williams)  Calkins,  extended  mention  of  whom  is 
made  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Dr.  Calkins  received  his  early  education  in  Polk 
county  and  on  the  removal  of  his  parents  to  York  county  attended  the  high  school. 
He   then   entered   ^'oi-k   College  and  after  completing   a   cour.«e   there   decided   on 


HISTOKY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  1099 

dentistry  as  his  life  work.  He  began  the  study  of  this  profession  at  tlie  Omaha 
University  and  was  graduated,  D.  D.  S.  in  1903.  The  same  year  he  commenced 
practice  in  York  and  sometime  later  his  brother  Bert  entered  into  practice  with  him, 
continuing  in  this  connection  for  some  time.  Dr.  Calkins  is  now  practicing  his 
profession  alone,  however,  and  is  winning  a  name  for  himself  among  the  members 
of  his  profession  in  the  county.  Dr.  Calkins  also  maintains  a  great  deal  of  interest 
in  country  life,  and  has  purchased  one  thousand  acres  of  land  in  Colorado,  making 
trips  there  each  year.  This  land  is  some  of  the  finest  in  the  state  and  is  very 
productive. 

In  1904  Dr.  Calkins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Olga  Wiig,  a  native  of 
Omaha  and  a  daughter  of  Peter  Wiig,  a  pioneer  merchant  of  that  place.  He  estab- 
lished tlie  first  Boston  Store  there  and  is  still  in  the  business  owning  the  New  York 
Department  Store.  To  the  union  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Calkins  two  children  have  been 
born:    Ardith  and  Kirkland  Jack,  both  of  whom  are  attending  school. 

Dr.  Calkins  aside  from  his  work  has  devoted  considerable  time  to  the  improve- 
ment and  development  of  York  and  was  for  some  time  a  member  of  the  city  council. 
Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Dr.  Calkins  is  a  member  of 
the  United  Brethi'en  cburch  while  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  church.  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Calkins  are  likewise  members  of  the  York  Country'  Club  and  are  prominent  in 
the  social  affairs  of  tlie  community.  Industry,  energy  and  laudable  ambition  have 
carried  Dr.  Calkins  steadily  forwai-(l  and  he  is  today  a  representative  citizen  of  York. 


MILES  WHOLSTEXHOLM 

For  nniny  years  Miles  WhoLstenholm  engaged  in  farming  in  York  county  and 
so  ably  managed  his  affairs  that  he  gained  financial  independence  and  is  now  trying 
to  content  himself  with  a  retired  life.  He  was  born  in  Peoria  county,  Illinois, 
October  2.i,  185-5,  a  son  of  John  Wholstenholm  who  is  now  deceased,  and  further 
mention  of  whom  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

]Miles  Wholstenholm  was  a  lad  of  sixteen  years  when  the  family  came  to 
Nebraska  and  for  some  time  lived  in  a  dugout  on  his  father's  land.  His  father  had 
taken  a  tree  claim  to  which  our  subject,  Miles  Wholstenholm,  fell  heir  by  purchasing 
a  relinquishment  and  proving  up  under  the  homestead  act.  He  sold  this  land, 
however,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  slightly  improved  land  in 
section  .30,  West  Blue  town.«hip.  He  has  since  greatly  improved  his  land  and  his 
farm  is  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  finest  in  the  community.  In  the  intervening 
years  he. has  also  purchased  more  land  and  now  owns  a  (juarter  section  in  Fillmore 
county  and  a  half  section  in  Kansas.  Employing  every  opportunity  for  advance- 
ment Mr.  Wliolstenholm  has  made  steady  progress  and  is  now  regarded  as  one  of 
the  substantial  farmers  of  York  county. 

In  York  county  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Wholstenholm  to  Miss  Sarah 
Eamsden  who  was  born  in  England  in  1857.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Edwin  and 
Hannah  (Perrin)  Eamsden  who  came  to  the  United  States  when  their  daughter 
was  but  one  year  old.  They  settled  in  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  where  Mr.  Eamsden 
died.   The  mother  died  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  June  25,  1917.   Mrs.  Wholsten- 


11(M)  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

holm  was  a  young  woman  of  twenty  wlien  she  removed  to  York  county  where  she 
was  married.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wholstenholm : 
Euth,  who  is  residing  at  home:  Felix,  who  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  war  and  is 
now  living  at  home;  Freda,  who  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Gillan,  a  farmer  of  West 
Blue  township;  and  Alice,  who  is  the  wife  of  Bryan  Tatman  of  Lincoln.  The 
Wholstenholm  family  are  all  consistent  memiiers  of  the  Jlethodist  Episcopal  church. 
Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Wholstenholm  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  Ijeen 
a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  of  the  principles  for  which  it  stands. 
He  has  always  been  active  in  the  educative  circles  of  his  community  and  has  been  a 
member  of  the  school  board  for  twenty-five  years,  with  the  exception  of  one  term. 
Mr.  Wholstenholm  is  now  living  a  retired  life  and  is  very  prominent  in  West  Blue 
township  where  he  continues  to  make  his  home.  In  all  of  his  business  affairs  he 
has  displayed  sound  judgment  and  indefatigable  energy,  and  these  qualities  have 
been  the  basis  of  his  jiresent  success. 


EZRA  H.  SMITH 


Business  enterprise  at  York  finds  a  worthy  representative  in  Ezra  H.  Smith 
who  is  manager  as  well  as  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Harrison  Xursery  Com- 
pany. He  is  a  native  son  of  Nebraska  born  in  Clay  county  on  the  8th  of  January, 
1873,  a  sou  of  Neri  and  Esther  (Faires)  Smith,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  the  latter  of  the  state  of  Ohio.  Their  marriage  occurred  in  Iowa  where 
they  had  removed  witli  their  respective  parents  at  an  early  day,  and  where  they 
remained  until  1871,  then  removing  to  Clay  county,  Nebraska.  Mr.  Smith  was 
successful  in  acquiring  a  homestead  in  this  county  which  was  also  the  home  of 
numerous  Indians  and  big  game.  Hunting  was  not  so  much  a  sport  as  a  necessity 
in  those  early  days,  and  Mr.  Smith  brought  in  many  elk,  buffaloes  and  smaller 
game.  Antelopes  were  especially  plentiful.  ,Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  resided  on  this 
farm  until  1911  when  they  went  to  California,  after  three  years  returning  to 
Nebraska.  This  time  they  settled  in  York  and  here  they  are  now  residing,  retired. 
When  the  Civil  war  broke  out  Mr.  Smith  was  among  the  first  to  enlist  from  Ohio, 
joining  the  Forty-third  Ohio  'N'olunteer  Infantry  with  which  he  served  three  years 
and  seven  months.  He  participated  in  some  of  the  important  battles  of  the  war 
and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  .sea.  Ezra  H.  Smith  is  the  first  in 
order  of  birth  of  a  family  of  five  children  born  to  this  union,  four  of  whom  are 
living :  the  subject  of  this  review :  Nona,  who  is  married  and  living  at  Long  Beach, 
California;  Rollo  N.,  a  contractor  residing  at  Long  Beach;  and  Rena,  the  wife  of 
L.  M.  Swartz,  a  farmer  near  Kearney.  The  family  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  the 
Christian  church  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  still  take  an  active  interest  in  that 
organization.  Mr.  Smith  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Grandfather  Martin  Smith  was  a  compara- 
tively young  man  at  the  time  of  his  death  which  occurred  at  his  home  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  maternal  grandfather  was  Thomas  Faires  who  was  born  in  Ohio  but 
later  removed  to  Missouri  where  he  made  his  home  and  engaged  in  farming  and 
fruit  growing. 

But  little  education  was  received  bv  Ezra  H.  Smith,  for  at  an  earlv  aw  he  began 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1101 

to  work  for  his  father.  Subsequently  in  189-t  lie  started  to  work  on  a  railroad 
section  for  which  he  was  paid  the  sum  of  one  dollar  and  fifteen  cents  per  day. 
From  his  home  to  his  work  was  a  distance  of  two  miles,  and  this  Mr.  Smith  covered 
on  foot  daily.  While  working  on  the  section  he  learned  telegraphy,  stxidying  it  in 
his  spare  time,  with  the  result  that  soon  he  was  employed  in  that  capacity  on  the 
Burlington  road  at  various  offices.  At  Havelock  he  was  paid  fifteen  dollars  per 
month  and  was  soon  transferred  to  Aurora  where  as  night  operator  he  received  forty 
dollars  per  month.  He  was  operator  at  Aurora  and  Ravenna,  then  agent  at  Gush- 
ing, Cairo,  Palmer  and  York.  He  was  the  youngest  man  to  hold  a  competitive 
station  when  he  came  to  York.  For  seven  years  he  held  the  agency  in  York  and 
then  became  connected  with  the  Harrison  Nursery  Company,  acting  as  sales  man- 
ager for  a  period  of  two  and  one-half  years.  His  devotion  to  his  work  soon  won 
him  the  position  of  manager  and  he  has  served  in  this  connection  since.  In  addi- 
tion to  his  duties  as  manager  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  company.  In  the 
financial  circles  of  York  he  is  also  prominent,  being  a  director  in  the  American 
State  Bank  and  secretary  of  the  York  Investment  Company. 

In  1897  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to  Miss  Myrtle  E.  Zook,  a  native  of  Clay 
county  and  a  daughter  of  William  Zook,  who  homesteaded  in  Clay  county  in  1872 
and  died  on  his  farm  in  1899.  Mrs.  Zook  is  also  deceased,  her  death  having 
occurred  in  York  in  1913.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Vivian,  the  daughter,  graduated  from  tlie  Cotner  University  at  Lincoln  in  1920 
and  is  now  teaching  music  in  Gresham  and  York;  and  the  son,  Leslie  R.,  is  in  high 
school. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Smith  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  supported  the 
republican  party.  Fraternally  he  is  a  York  Rite  Mason  and  Shriner  and  has 
passed  through  all  the  chairs  of  the  blue  lodge.  He  is  a  past  patron  of  the  0.  E.  S. 
and  past  generalissimo  in  the  commandery.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Rotary 
Club  and  one  of  its  directors,  and  is  vice  president  of  the  York  County  Commercial 
Club  and  a  member  of  the  board  on  which  he  has  served  since  its  organization.  He 
is  on  the  board  of  the  Yoxing  Men's  Christian  Association  and  past  president  of  the 
Business  Men's  Association,  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Cotner  University  of  Lincoln 
and  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans.  Since  his  entrance  into  the  horticultural 
biisiness  he  has  furthered  his  knowledge  in  this  line  by  reading  and  studying  and 
in  connection  with  his  work  is  vice  president  of  the  Western  Association  of  Nursery- 
men and  president  of  the  State  Horticultural  Society.  He  is  well  known  in  social 
circles  and  is  a  member  of  the  York  Country  Club. 


REV.  PETER  P.  EPP 


The  student  of  history  cannot  carry  his  investigations  far  into  the  records  of 
York  county  without  learning  of  the  close  connection  of  the  Epp  family  with  the 
material,  intellectual  and  moral  jjrogress  of  this  section  of  the  state.  Rev.  Peter  P. 
Epp,  well  known  as  an  honored  citizen  of  Henderson  township,  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising,  a  valuable  tract  of  land  of  five  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
paying  tribute  to  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upon  it.  He  was  born  in 
southern  Russia,  November  3,  1861,  a  son  of  Peter  and  Barbara  (Isaak)  Epp,  both 

Vol.  11—32 


1102  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

of  whom  were  natives  of  Russia.  They  came  to  America  in  1875  and  crossing  the 
continent  to  Nebraska  settled  on  section  3,  Henderson  township,  York  county, 
where  the  father  purchased  railroad  land.  Upon  this  he  built  a  little  house  of  slab 
planks  and  the  family  occupied  the  pioneer  dwelling  for  forty  years.  In  1879  the 
father  died  but  the  mother  long  survived,  passing  away  in  1906.  In  their  family 
were  ten  children,  of  wlunn  five  died  in  Russia,  while  the  other  five  came  with  their 
parents  to  the  new  world. 

Peter  P.  Epp  was  a  lad  of  thirteen  years  at  the  time  the  family  left  Russia  and 
came  to  the  United  States.  His  educational  opportunities  were  largely  received  in 
his  native  country  but  throughout  his  life  he  has  learned  many  valuable  lessons  in 
the  school  of  experience.  He  continued  upon  the  home  farm  until  he  reached  the 
age  of  twenty-seven  years  and  his  training  in  all  of  the  farm  work  was  most 
•  thorough  and  comprehensive.  He  then  determined  to  engage  in  l)usiuess  on  his  own 
account  and  purchased  a  tract  of  land  to  which  he  has  added  from  time  to  time, 
thus  constantly  extending  the  boundaries  of  his  place  until  he  now  owns  five  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres,  con.stituting  one  of  the  highly  improved  farms  of  Henderson 
township.  Upon  it  are  good  buildings  for  the  shelter  of  grain  and  stock  and  fine 
farm  machinery  enables  him  quickly  and  thoroughly  to  do  the  work  of  the  fields. 
He  has  ever  been  a  most  energetic  man  and  his  labors  are  crowned  with  sulistantial 
success. 

In  1885  Mr.  Epp  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Katherine  Wall,  a  native  of 
Russia,  who  came  to  America  with  her  parents  in  1874,  she  being  a  daughter  of 
C.  M.  and  Helen  (Dierksen)  Wall.  Her  father  has  now  passed  away  but  the 
mother  is  living  and  makes  her  home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Epp.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Epp  have  been  born  eleven  children:  Jacob  and  Barbara,  both  of  whom  have  passed 
away;  Peter  E.,  now  living  in  Montana;  Helen,  the  wife  of  Jacob  F.  Penner;  Cor- 
nelius, at  home ;  Barabara,  the  wife  of  David  A.  Regier,  of  Minnesota ;  Jacob  and 
John,  who  have  departed  this  life ;  Abraham  E. ;  Tina  E. ;  and  Marie. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Epp  are  members  of  the  Ebenezer  church,  of  which  he  was  deacon 
for  five  years,  and  they  take  a  most  active  and  helpful  interest  in  all  the  church 
work.  Mr.  Epp  was  ordained  a  preacher  and  is  now  devoting  a  part  of  his  time 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  county,  hon- 
ored and  esteemed  by  all  by  reason  of  an  upright  life  and  the  sterling  worth  of 
character  which  everywhere  wins  confidence  and  regard. 


McLANE  B.  THOMPSON 

For  a  numlier  of  years  McLane  B.  Thompson  was  a  prominent  and  progressive 
farmer  of  York  county.  He  was  a  self-made  man,  his  success  being  the  result  of 
his  own  diligence  and  determination.  For  twenty-two  years  he  lived  retired  in 
York  and  when  his  demise  occurred  on  the  20th  of  September,  1919,  it  was  the 
occasion  of  widespread  grief  in  the  community. 

^IcLane  B.  Thompson  was  born  in  Maryland  in  18-i5,  a  son  of  Edward 
and  ]\Iatilda  Thompson,  who  are  both  now  deceased  and  buried  in  Maryland. 
Mr.  Thompson  received  his  early  education  in  the  country  schools  in  Maryland  and 
some  time  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  removed  to  Illinois,  subsequently  com- 


McLANE  B.  THOMPSON 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBrARY 


ASTOR,  i-ENOX  AND 
tlLDEti  *'O0N«*ViUNB 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1105 

iiig  to  Nebraska  and  settling  in  York  county  in  1879.  He  purchased  railroad  laud 
in  this  county  and  resided  thereon  for  a  number  of  years.  He  then  removed  to 
liUshton  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  Inisiness  in  which  venture  he  won  more  than 
a  substantial  measure  of  success.  In  1898  he  removed  to  York  and  retired.  In 
1906  he  built  a  fine  modern  residence  on  his  lot  in  York  at  906  East  Sixth  street, 
and  here  resided  until  his  death.  The  widow  is  now  residing  in  the  home  alone,  a 
highly  respected  citizen  of  the  community. 

In  1876  Mr.  Thompson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  Norton,  who  was 
a  native  of  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elanor  (Berry) 
Norton.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  England. 
They  removed  to  Illinois  at  an  early  day  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  and 
here  they  resided  until  they  passed  away.  Five  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Norton,  three  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  George,  who  is  living  retired  at 
Yarna,  Illinois;  Mrs.  Thompson,  the  widow  of  the  subject  of  this  review;  and 
John,  who  is  also  living  retired  at  Varna,  Illinois.  No  children  were  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson,  but  Mr.  Thompson  had  two  children  by  a  previous 
marriage,  namely:  Carrie,  now  deceased;  and  Gertie,  the  wife  of  Charles 
McDonough,  of  York,  who  is  in  the', mercantile  business. 

Mr.  Thompson  w5s  a'stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party  and  was  well 
informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  Fraternally  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Modern  Woodmen  and  was  likewase  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  Mrs.  Thompson  is  also  a  member  of  that  church  and  takes  an  active 
part  in  the  various  affairs  of  that  organization.  The  life  of  Mr.  Thompson  was 
one  of  intense  activity,  intelligently  directed,  and  during  his  residence  in  York  made 
many  friends. 


LEWIS  S.  LOOMER 


Lewis  S.  Loomer,  who  at  one  time  was  probably  the  largest  cattle  feeder  in 
York  county,  is  now  making  his  home  in  the  city  of  York,  giving  his  attention 
largely  to  the  supervision  of  his  investments  and  business  interests.  He  is  con- 
nected financially  and  officially  with  several  important  business  concerns  and  at  the 
same  time  manifests  a  most  helpful  interest  in  many  projects  which  have  been  of 
the  greatest  worth  and  benefit  to  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  While  success 
has  attended  his  efforts  the  attainment  of  prosperity  has  never  been  the  sole  end 
and  aim  of  his  life.  He  has  ever  recognized  his  duties  to  his  fellowmen  and  in 
many  ways  is  contributing  to  the  work  which  is  making  the  world  better. 
Mr.  Loomer  was  born  in  Walworth  county,  Wisconsin,  February  32,  18.5.5,  a  son  of 
Timothy  and  Almira  (King)  Loomer,  the  fonner  a  native  of  Nova  Scotia,  while  the 
latter  was  born  in  Vermont.  They  were  married  in  Wisconsin,  having  become 
pioneer  residents  of  that  state,  and  in  1855  they  removed  to  Illinois.  The  father 
was  extensively  engaged  in  farming  in  McHenry  county  of  the  latter  state  for  a 
number  of  years  and  eventually  removed  to  York  county,  Nebraska,  where  he  and 
his  wife  spent  their  last  days  in  the  home  of  their  son  Lewis.  They  had  a  family  of 
six  children,  of  whom  five  are  yet  living :  Melvin,  who  is  a  retired  jeweler  making 
his  home  in  Waterloo,  Iowa;  Mrs.   Martha   Graves,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this 


1106  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

work;  Timothy,  a  wealthy  property  owner  of  Leadville,  Colorado;  Lewis  S.,  subject 
of  this  review,  and  Arthur,  who  is  living  on  a  farm  in  Wisconsin.  The  parents 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  lived  consistent  Christian 
lives.  Mr.  Loomer  was  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  was  always  helpfully 
interested  in  projects  for  the  general  good.  He  was  widely  recognized  as  a  self- 
made  man  and  one  who  deserved  great  credit  not  only  for  the  upbuilding  of  his 
own  fortunes  but  for  the  development  of  a  character  which  everywhere  commanded 
confidence  and  respect. 

Lewis  S.  Loomer  largely  obtained  his  education  at  Marengo,  Illinois,  and 
started  out  in  the  business  world  as  a  farmer.  In  1877  he  arrived  in  York  county, 
Nebraska,  which  was  still  a  frontier  district,  and  took  up  a  homestead  claim  of 
eighty  acres,  after  which  he  proceeded  to  buy  more  land,  adding  to  his  holdings 
from  time  to  time  until  he  now  has  two  thousand  acres.  He  had  no  assistance  at 
the  outset  of  his  career  and  his  notable  success  is  the  direct  outcome  of  his  industry, 
perseverance  and  good  business  judgment.  For  years  he  drove  oxen  in  developing 
his  farm  property  and  for  seven  years  lived  in  a  sod  house.  As  time  passed  on  all 
this  condition  changed  as  the  result  of  his  industry  and  unfaltering  enterprise,  and 
he  became  one  of  the  most  prosperous  residents  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He 
turned  his  attention  to  the  feeding  of  cattle  while  on  the  farm  and  was  probably 
the  largest  stock  feeder  in  York  county.  His  property  holdings  still  return  to  him 
a  most  substantial  annual  income.  In  November,  1909,  he  removed  to  York,  where 
he  purchased  a  new  and  attractive  home,  and  while  residing  in  the  city,  gives  his 
attention  to  the  operation  and  direction  of  his  business  affairs.  He  has  been  closely 
associated  with  many  business  enterprises  which  have  proven  of  great  benefit  to  the 
city  and  county.  He  put  an  investment  of  six  thousand  dollars  in  the  McCloud 
Hotel  and  purchased  stock  to  the  extent  of  ten  thousand  dollars  in  the  York  mill 
in  1919.  He  is  now  the  vice  president  of  the  York  Milling  Company  and  has  ten 
thousand  dollars'  worth  of  stock  in  the  York  brickyard,  of  which  he  is  the  vice 
president.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  York  and  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Bradshaw  and  is  likewise  a  director  of  the  Farmers'  State 
Bank  of  Polk,  Nebraska. 

On  the  3d  of  January,  1877,  Mr.  Loomer  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  W. 
Wild,  who  was  born  in  Union,  Illinois,  and  reared  in  Marengo,  Illinois,  and  they 
have  become  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  three  are  living:  Earl,  a  resident 
farmer  of  Wolbach,  Greeley  county,  Nebraska;  Ruth,  the  wife  of  Roy  N.  Gilbert,  of 
Nampa,  Idaho,  and  the  mother  of  two  sons,  Edward  and  George;  and  Ruby,  twin 
sister  of  Ruth,  who  is  at  home.  The  daughters  are  graduates  of  York  College  and 
of  Doane  College  and  both  were  teachers  for  two  years. 

Mr.  Loomer  holds  membership  in  the  Congregational  church  and  he  is  also 
connected  with  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  In  politics  he  is  a  repub- 
lican but  has  never  been  an  office  seeker,  preferring  to  discharge  his  public  duties  in 
other  connections.  He  has  been  most  liberal  with  his  means,  giving  to  York  Col- 
lege fifteen  hundred  dollars  in  1918  and  five  thousand  dollars  in  1919.  He  also 
gave  to  York  Hospital  fifteen  hundred  dollars  and  has  been  most  liberal  in  his 
support  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  other  public  institutions. 
As  he  has  prospered  his  benefactions  have  increased  and  he  is  constantly  extending 
aid  where  he  believes  the  best  results  can  be  achieved.  When  he  arrived  in  York 
county  his  cash  capital  was  but  fifty-five  dollars.    Today  he  is  one  of  the  wealthiest 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY  1107 

men  of  this  section  of  the  state  and  is  now  enjoying  life  with  all  of  its  comforts  and 
many  of  its  luxuries.  Tlie  most  envious  cannot  grudge  him  his  success,  so  honor- 
ably has  it  been  won  and  so  worthily  used.  He  has  recognized  and  embraced  oppor- 
tunities that  others  have  passed  heedlessly  by  and  his  sound  Judgment  and  diligence 
have  been  the  basic  elements  in  the  attainment  of  his  splendid  success. 


DENNIS  MEEHAN 


Among  the  prominent  citizens  of  York  is  Dennis  Meehan  who  has  been  engaged 
in  the  shoe  business  in  that  place  for  a  period  of  thirty-two  years.  He  was  born  in 
Morris,  Illinois,  on  the  6th  of  August,  1863,  a  son  of  Dennis  and  Mary  (O'Connor) 
Meehan,  both  of  Irish  birth.  The  father  was  born  in  County  Leitrim,  Ireland,  in 
1812  and  the  mother  in  1813.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meehan  were  married  in  Ireland  but 
later  came  to  the  United  States,  arriving  in  Chicago  in  1859.  On  first  coming  to 
this  country  the  father  worked  as  a  contractor  and  builder  and  by  liis  own  labor  and 
diligence  became  financially  so  successful  that  he  was  soon  able  to  purchase  some 
land.  This  land  was  on  what  is  now  Blue  Island  avenue  in  Chicago.  Cultivating 
and  improving  the  land  he  grew  fine  grain  and  hay  which  he  sold,  thereby  adding 
to  his  finances  and  in  1861  removed  with  his  family  to  Morris,  Illinois,  where  he 
soon  after  retired.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meehan  were  consistent  members  of  the  Catholic 
church  and  he  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party.  Eleven  children 
were  born  to  this  union  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  review,  Dennis  Meehan,  was  the 
youngest.  Four  are  living,  namely:  Mrs.  Frances  Boyle,  who  is  a  widow  and 
resides  in  Grand  Island ;  P.  W.,  a  coal  dealer  in  Galesburg ;  Mrs.  Maria  Whalen,  a 
widow  residing  in  Wichita,  Kansas;  and  Dennis,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
Mr.  Meehan's  death  occurred  in  1874:  and  his  wife  died  in  1875.  In  their  passing 
the  community  lost  two  of  its  most  progressive  and  prominent  citizens. 

Dennis  Meehan  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Braidwood,  Illinois,  and 
after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he  worked  in  the  coal  mines,  later  serving  an 
apprenticeship  to  the  shoemaker's  trade  and  worked  in  general  merchandise  stores. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  worked  at  this  trade  in  Illinois  and  in  1888  removed  to 
York.  When  he  arrived  here  his  chief  asset  was  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  shoe 
business.  He  immediately  entered  into  the  shoe  business  on  his  own  account  and  has 
since  continued.  Beginning  with  but  a  small  stock  he  has  steadily  increased  his 
trade  until  he  now  has  one  of  the  largest  stores  of  the  kind  in  Nebraska  and  also 
owns  the  building.  Aside  from  his  shoe  business  he  is  well  known  in  financial 
circles,  being  a  director  in  the  First  National  Bank  and  he  also  owns  considerable 
land  in  York  county.  His  two  farms  are  among  the  best  improved  and  most 
highly  cultivated  in  the  county. 

In  1890  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Meehan  and  Miss  Mary  E.  Gallagher,  a 
native  of  Canton,  Illinois,  and  to  them  four  children  have  been  born,  namely : 
Peter  A.;  Rose  G. ;  Dennis,  Jr.,  who  is  in  business  with  his  father;  and  Mary  A. 
The  oldest  son,  Peter  A.,  entered  the  service  of  the  United  States  in  the  World 
war  in  1917,  serving  with  Motor  Truck  Company,  No.  414.  He  sailed  for  France 
on  the  26th  of  May,  1918,  remaining  there  until  June  27,  1919,  when  he  returned 
to  this  country,  secured  his  discharge  and  came  back  to  York.     He  ttarticiitated  in 


1108  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

all  the  engagements  from  the  Champagne-Marne  to  the  Argonne.  inclusive,  having 
been  moved  to  the  front  nine  days  after  they  landed.  He  has  an  interest  in  his 
father's  business  and  spends  all  of  his  time  in  that  connection. 

The  Meehan  family  are  all  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  Mr.  Meehan  is 
a  Knight  of  Columbus  and  an  Elk.  In  politics  he  has  always  given  his  allegiance 
to  the  democratic  party.  He  has  always  been  active  in  the  development  and 
improvement  of  the  community  and  for  three  years  was  president  of  the  Commercial 
Club  and  a  member  of  the  Rotary  Clul).  Mr.  ]\Ieehan  owns  a  beautiful  home  in 
York  where  hospitality  abounds  and  here  he  and  his  family  reside — highly  respected, 
progressive  and  representative  citizens. 


WILLIAM  A.  JOHXSOX 


William  A.  Johnson,  who  is  engaged  in  farming,  was  born  in  Lee  county,  Illi- 
nois, August  29,  1868,  a  son  of  C.  B.  and  Hulda  (Holdren)  Johnson,  botli  natives 
of  Pennsylvania.  The  father,  who  started  farming  in  Pennsylvania  and  remained 
in  that  line  for  several  years,  removed  to  Illinois  in  1863  and  settled  on  a  tract  of 
prairie  land  which  he  proceeded  to  get  into  a  state  of  cultivation  and  on  which  he 
carried  on  general  farming  for  about  seven  years.  In  1879  he  came  to  York  county, 
when  this  part  of  the  state  was  assuming  definite  shape,  and  purchased  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  laud  in  Morton  township.  He  worked  his  place  and  ultimately 
brought  it  to  a  good  condition  of  improvement,  raising  fine  crops  which  were  dis- 
posed of  in  neighboring  markets  at  remunerative  prices.  Mr.  Johnson  added  to  his 
land  holdings  and  finally  became  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres, 
which  at  the  time  of  his  death  were  in  a  state  of  excellent  improvement.  All  his 
success  was  attributable  to  his  own  unaided  etforts.  He  learned  how  best  to  con- 
serve time  and  'effort  and  to  make  each  movement  tell  in  the  accomplishment  of 
his  purpose.  His  work  on  the  farm  was  done  in  a  methodical  manner  and  with  the 
view  to  securing  maximum  results,  and  it  is  to  his  systematic  habits  a  large  part  of 
his  success  may  be  traced.  He  died  in  1916  in  his  seventy-second  year.  His  wife 
predeceased  him,  passing  away  in  1901  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years.  They  were 
the  parents  of  three  children  :  J.  M.,  living  in  Benedict ;  Ida,  now  deceased,  was  the 
wife  of  C.  H.  Read ;  and  William  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  was  affiliated 
with  the  Elks  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  gave  his  political 
support  to  the  republican  party,  of  whose  principles  and  policies  he  had  always 
been  a  consistent  adherent.     . 

William  A.  Johnson  was  eleven  years  old  when  his  parents  came  to  York  county 
from  Illinois  and  he  was  educated  in  the  public  .schools  of  the  county.  For  several 
years  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  operations  of  the  home  farm  and  thus  acquired  a 
sound  working  knowledge  of  agricultural  afl^airs  wliich  proved  valuable  in  his  later 
career.  When  he  had  reached  his  twenty-.second  year  he  started  farming  on  his  own 
account  and  in  the  intervening  years  he  has  worked  diligently  and  has  gained  a 
place  among  the  substantial  farmers  of  the  county,  his  general  farming  operations, 
stock  raising  and  feeding  for  the  market  being  reckoned  among  the  best  in  the 
district.  Evidences  of  his  personal  supervision  and  attention  to  business  are  avail- 
able in  the  results  which  lie  has  achieved,  and  his  career  has  been  notablY  success- 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  110S3 

fill,  owing  to  the  steady  application  and  persistent  effort  which  he  brought  to  bear 
on  the  details  of  agricultural  affairs.  He  has  a  substantial  and  well  built  home 
and  he  and  his  family  are  very  pleasantly  and  comfortably  situated. 

In  1891  Mr.  Johnson  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Esther  Large,  a  native  of  Wis- 
consin and  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  E.  Large.  The  union  has  resulted  in  the  birth 
of  twins,  both  daughters:  Jennie,  who  became  the  wife  of  Lawrence  Sidwell; 
and  Addie,  wife  of  Irving  Hardin,  a  farmer  of  York  county.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  in  1902,  and  Mr.  Johnson  married  his  present  wife  in  190-1.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Clara  Osborne,  and  she  was  born  in  Illinois.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a 
member  of  the  Elks  order,  in  the  work  of  which  he  is  iflueh  interested.  His  polit- 
ical allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  but  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired 
office.  His  industry  and  perseverance  are  among  his  salient  characteristics  and 
upon  these  qualities  he  has  builded  his  success. 


JOHX  W.  PITTMAN 


John  W.  Pittman,  superintendent  of  the  Odd  Fellows  Home  at  York  was  born 
in  Harrison  county,  Indiana,  July  9,  1873,  a  son  of  E.  J.  and  Anna  (McBride) 
Pittman.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pittman  were  born  in  Harrison  county  and  were 
married  there.  For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Pittman  engaged  in  farming  in  Indiana 
but  in  1873  removed  to  Cass  county,  Nebraska,  where  he  bought  a  claim  on  which 
he  resided  until  1897.  In  that  year  he  removed  to  York  and  for  some  time  engaged 
in  the  handling  of  horses,  being  a  great  lover  of  them.  He  is  now  practically 
retired  but  is  serving  as  street  commissioner  of  York,  these  duties  taking  up  the 
time  which  would  otherwise  hang  so  heavily  after  a  life  of  great  activity.  Mr.  Pitt- 
man is  now  seventy-four  years  of  age  and  his  wife  is  seventy-two.  They  are  con- 
sistent members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  he  gives  his  allegiance  to  the 
republican  party.  Fraternally  they  are  members  of  the  order  of  Ben  Hur.  During 
the  Civil  war  the  father  served  in  the  home  guard.  To  this  union  two  children 
were  born;  Walter,  a  farmer  in  Y'ork  county,  Nebraska;  and  John  W.,  the  subject 
of  this  review.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  John  W.  Pittman,  David  Pittman,  was 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania  but  later  became  a  pioneer  of  Harrison  county,  Indiana, 
and  of  Cass  county,  Nebraska,  in  which  latter  place  he  died.  The  maternal  grand- 
father was  George  McBride  an  early  pioneer  of  Indiana  and  Cass  county,  his  death 
occurring  at  the  home  of  his  daughter  in  Lincoln. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  John  W.  Pittman  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Nebraska  City  and  later  took  a  course  in  a  business  college  in  Lincoln. 
His  first  experience  in  the  business  world  was  in  connection  with  the  hardware, 
undertaking,  and  furniture  business  at  Union  where  he  remained  for  three  years. 
Giving  up  this  work  he  entered  into  the  employ  of  the  Farmers  Bank  at  Nebraska 
City  as  assistant  bookkeeper  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  a  period  of  one  and 
one-half  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  went  to  Omaha  and  accepted  a 
position  with  the  firm  of  Eector  &  Wilhelm,  wholesale  grocers.  In  189-1  he 
resigned  this  position  and  for  two  years  after  his  marriage,  which  occurred  in  this 
year,  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Cass  county.  In  1879  he  came  to  York  where  he 
resided  on  rented  land  until  he  accepted  the  superintendency  of  the  State  I.  0.  0.  F. 


1110  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Home  in  1917.  The  duties  connected  with  this  institution  are  manifold  and  take 
his  entire  time.  There  are  fifty-five  children  in  the  home  and  twelve  old  people. 
The  institution  has  recently  acquired  a  farm  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres. 

In  1894  Mr.  Pittman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rose  A.  Smith  who  was 
born  in  Johnson  county,  Nebraska,  and  to  them  two  daughters  have  been  born : 
Winona,  who  is  the  wife  of  C.  A.  Hansen,  an  express  agent  at  Seward ;  and  Pansy, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Irvin  Fickes  connected  with  the  street  railway  in  Lincoln. 
Mrs.  Pittman  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  prominent  in  the 
activities  of  that  organization. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Pittman  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  is  well  informed  on  all  the  questions 
and  issues  of  the  day.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  in  which  order  he  has  filled  all  of  the  chairs  and  is  past  grand 
patriarch  of  the  state.     He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen. 


CARSTEN  STAEHR 


A  life  of  intense  and  well  directed  activity,  together  with  persistent,  earnest 
labor,  brought  to  Carsten  Staehr,  now  deceased,  a  position  among  the  successful 
pioneer  farmers  of  York  county. 

Carsten  Staehr  was  a  native  of  Germany,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  that 
country  on  the  28th  of  December,  1836.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  city 
of  his  nativity  and  on  putting  his  textbooks  aside  engaged  in  farming.  In  1862  he 
was  married  and  ten  years  later  removed  with  his  family  to  America,  coming  to 
Nebraska  and  settling  in  York  county.  He  acquired  a  homestead  of  eighty  acres  on 
section  4,  of  what  is  now  Beaver  township  and  their  first  home  on  that  land  was  a 
dugout  and  later  a  sod  house.  In  1883  he  built  a  frame  house  and  it  is  still  stand- 
ing. He  endured  all  the  pioneer  hardships  and  the  destruction  wrought  by  the 
grasshojjpers,  each  obstacle  in  his  path  only  seeming  to  spur  him  on  to  greater 
effort.  He  took  his  grain  to  Milford  to  the  mill,  using  ox  teams  for  transportation 
for  the  first  few  years.  On  arriving  in  York  county  Mr.  Staehr  had  less  than  two 
hundred  dollars  but  he  soon  became  financially  independent  as  the  result  of  hard 
work  and  good  management.  When  he  came  to  this  country  he  could  not  speak  a 
word  of  English  and  much  of  his  spare  time  was  devoted  to  stud}-.  Previous  to  his 
death  he  was  in  possession  of  several  hundred  acres  of  the  finest  land  in  the  county 
and  he  helped  each  of  his  sons  buy  farms,  one  son  Fred  now  residing  on  the  old 
homestead.  The  death  of  Mr.  Staehr,  which  occurred  on  the  home  farm  in  1917, 
was  the  occasion  of  deep  and  widespread  regret.  Mrs.  Staehr  had  died  some  years 
before,  her  health  having  been  poor  for  over  twenty  years. 

In  1862  Mr.  Staehr  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Margaretta  Hopkins,  a 
native  of  Oldenburg,  Germany,  born  tiiere  on  the  4th  of  June,  1838.  Nine  children 
were  born  to  this  uniou,  six  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  William,  of  whom  further 
mention  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work ;  Carsten,  who  is  married  and  lives  in 
North  Dakota;  Lillie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Naber,  a  farmer  in  York  county; 
and  HeniT,  Charles  and  Fred,  all  residents  of  York  countv,  and  of  whom  further 


HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY  1111 

mention  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work.     One  son,  John,  died  about  eight  years 
ago  and  another  son  and  a  daughter  passed  away  in  early  childhood. 

The  success  which  Mr.  Staeger  won  came  to  him  as  the  reward  of  persistent, 
earnest  labor,  and  his  life  illustrates  what  can  be  accomplished  through  individual 
eifort  combined  with  persistency  of  purpose. 


CLEMENT  E.  MERCHANT 

A  pioneer  farmer  of  York  county  was  Clement  E.  Merchant  who  is  now  living 
retired  in  York,  enjoying  the  success  which  comes  after  a  life  of  diligence  and 
industry.  Like  many  other  prominent  men  of  the  county  he  is  a  native  of  another 
state,  born  in  Pottawattamie  county,  Iowa,  April  16,  1850.  His  parents  were 
Lucius  and  Hortensia  (Patrick)  Merchant,  both  natives  of  Massachusetts,  the 
father's  birth  having  occurred  in  1817.  In  1842  the  father  removed  to  Hancock 
county,  Illinois,  and  in  1851  took  up  his  residence  in  Harrison  county,  Iowa.  His 
death  occurred  there  in  1895.  He  was  married  on  the  loth  of  April,  1844,  to 
Hortensia  Patrick  and  they  became  the  parents  of  seven  children,  five  sons  and 
two  daughters,  namely:  Amasa,  a  retired  farmer  residing  in  Iowa;  Clement  E.,  the 
subject  of  this  review;  Mary,  the  wife  of  J.  B.  Hardy,  a  merchant  residing  in 
Logan,  Iowa;  Joseph,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Iowa;  and  Charles,  a  farmer 
at  Oneta.     The  other  two  children  are  deceased. 

Clement  E.  Merchant  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  a  farm  in  Iowa  and  there  he 
acquired  a  fair  common  school  education.  On  becoming  of  age  he  engaged  in 
farming  in  his  native  county  where  he  was  very  successful.  In  1873  he  removed 
to  York  county  and  the  following  year  located  on  a  claim  in  section  18,  Arborville 
township.  Mr.  Merchant  was  married  in  1871  but  did  not  bring  his  wife  on  this 
trip.  The  journey  was  made  overland  in  a  covered  wagon  drawn  by  horses,  in 
which  he  carried  all  of  his  household  goods.  When  he  arrived  in  York  county 
he  had  but  five  dollars  but  soon  received  an  additional  seventy-five  from  some  wheat 
he  had  left  in  Iowa  to  be  sold.  The  first  home  on  this  land  was  a  little  frame 
house  twelve  by  fourteen  feet  which  he  built  and  piled  sod  around  it.  He  added 
a  sod  lean-to.  Mrs.  Merchant  made  the  trip  by  train  and  her  husband  met  her 
at  Columbus,  a  distance  of  fifty  miles.  This  country  was  then  in  a  most  primitive 
state  and  had  but  few  accommodations.  It  was  necessary  that  Mr.  Merchant  remain 
at  the  hotel  in  Columbus  over  night  and  funds  were  secured  for  this  purpose  by 
pawning  his  revolver.  On  this  trip  as  night  came  on  he  lost  his  way.  Wolves  were 
plentiful  in  those  days  and  their  howls  were  the  only  noise  breaking  the  great 
silence.  It  was  with  some  difficulty  that  Mr.  Merchant  found  his  way  to  Columbus. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merchant  made  their  home  on  this  farm  for  a  number  of  years 
during  which  time  they  so  improved  and  cultivated  it  that  it  soon  became  one  of 
the  finest  and  most  progressive  faruLS  in  the  community.  Becoming  quite  well- 
to-do  as  the  result  of  his  agricultural  pursuits  Mr.  Merchant  invested  in  more 
land  and  today  is  in  possession  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  well  improved. 
In  1908  he  decided  to  retire  from  active  life  and  removed  to  York  where  he 
purchased  three  lots  and  built  a  fine  home  at  1306  Burlington  avenue.     He  is  still 


1112  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

deeply  interested  in  liis  farms  to  which  lie  pays  occasional  visits  and  he  also  works 
an  mild   his   lots. 

In  ISTl  Mr.  ^[erehant  was  united  in  niiirriago  to  ^liss  Kate  Alter,  a  native  of 
Germany  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  (Geltz)  Alter.  Her  parents  came 
to  this  country  from  Germany  in  1.S52,  iirst  settling  in  Pennsylvania.  In  1869 
they  removed  to  Iowa  and  were  prominent  citizens  of  the  communities  in  which 
they  resided.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merchant,  namely: 
Frank,  who  is  residing  on  his  father's  farm  in  York  county;  Alice,  who  is  the 
wife  of  J.  B.  Kingston,  a  farmer  of  York  county.  Eollie  C.,  who  is  residing  on 
his  fathers  farm;  and  Agnes,  the  wife  of  Walter  Ely  who  is  manager  of  the 
farmers"  elevator  at  Stockham. 

As  the  result  of  a  strong  determination  and  laudable  ambition  Mr.  ilerchant 
has  crowned  bis  life  with  successful  achievement.  He  can  look  back  over  a  long  and 
useful  career  and  a  life  well  spent  and  he  is  widely  recognized  as  a  representative 
citizen  of  York. 


.TOHX  R.  ALLEX 


In  the  passing  of  John  B.  Allen,  a  retired  pioneer  farmer,  York  county  suffered 
a  severe  loss.  For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Allen  had  made  his  home  in  York  and 
was  widely  recognized  as  one  of  the  town's  progressive  and  representative  citizens. 

John  B.  Allen  was  born  in  Lawrence  county,  Indiana,  March  15,  1838,  and 
died  on  the  14th  of  March,  1911,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years.  He  was  a  son 
of  James  and  Margaret  (Phillips)  Allen.  The  father,  who  was  the  oldest  of  a 
family  of  seven  sons  and  three  daughters,  came  to  Indiana  with  his  father  when  but 
five  years  of  age.  After  liis  marriage  he  removed  to  Iowa  and  there  his  death 
occurred  in  1884.  The  mother  passed  away  in  1869.  Eight  children  were  born  to 
this  union,  of  whom  John  B.,  the  subject  of  this  review,  was  the  fifth  in  order 
of  birth. 

John  B.  Allen  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Indiana  and  Iowa,  his 
parents  having  removed  to  the  latter  state  when  he  was  but  fourteen  years  of  age. 
After  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he  engaged  in  farming  and  remained  in  Iowa 
until  1871  when  he  came  to  Nebraska.  He  acquired  a  homestead  in  Leroy  town- 
ship. York  county,  and  also  purchased  some  railroad  land.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  he  was  in  possession  of  over  one-half  section  of  land.  In  the  spring  of  1872 
Mr.  Allen  brought  his  family  to  the  homestead,  the  trip  being  made  in  covered 
wagons  wherein  the  family  resided  until  a  sod  house  was  built.  The  land  was  in  a 
wild,  uncultivated  state  and  Mr.  Allen  immediately  set  about  to  make  it  productive. 
He  was  very  successful  in  this  venture  and  after  a  period  of  two  years  erected  a 
small  frame  house  and  later  a  fine  residence  on  the  farm.  It  was  not  long  after 
Mr.  Allen  came  to  York  county  that  he  was  widely  recognized  as  an  extensive 
farmer  and  stock  raiser.  In  1898  he  determined  to  retire  from  active  life  and 
removed  with  his  family  to  York,  where  he  built  a  large  modern  home  at  723  East 
Fourth  street.  For  thirteen  years  Mr.  Allen  resided  here,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  a 
well  spent  life.     ^Irs.  Allen  makes  her  home  here,  financially  independent,  for  her 


m 

o 

m 

« 
< 

w 

< 

w 
o 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  lib:  abv 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
iTILDEN.OUNUA-itO^NS 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1115 

husband  left  her  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  fine  land  in  South  Dakota  in 
addition  to  the  home  place  in  York. 

In  1862,  in  Kansas  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Allen  to  Miss  Helen  M. 
Howard,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Hiram  and  Isabelle  (O'Harre)  Howard.  The  father  was 
a  native  of  College  Hill,  Ohio,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  Cincinnati.  He 
received  his  medical  education  in  Cincinnati  where  he  practiced  for  some  time  before 
removing  to  Kansas  in  1857.  He  also  practiced  at  Cedar  Grove  for  a  while.  On 
removing  to  Kansas  he  acquired  a  homestead  and  resumed  his  profession,  prac- 
ticing in  the  country  around  Topeka.  He  was  a  physician  of  much  ability  and 
stood  high  among  the  men  of  his  profession  in  which  he  continued  until  his  death 
in  1900.  Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howard,  five  of  whom  are  living. 
Mrs.  Allen  was  the  oldest  member  of  the  family.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Allen  twelve  children  have  been  born,  ten  of  whom  are  living,  namely : 
Edward,  who  is  a  real  estate  dealer  in  San  Diego,  California;  Laura,  who  is  the  wife 
of  Julius  Drake,  a  retired  farmer  residing  in  Kearney ;  Arthur,  who  is  engaged  in 
farming  in  York  county;  Ida,  who  is  the  wife  of  Winsel  Smith,  living  retired  at 
Curtis :  Estella,  who  is  the  widow  of  Clay  Love,  and  resides  in  York ;  Albert,  who 
is  engaged  in  the  automobile  business  in  York;  Ernest,  who  graduated  from  the 
State  University  arid  is  now  an  attorney  in  Chicago;  Clark,  who  travels  for  a  drug 
company  and  makes  his  residence  in  Norfolk ;  Roy,  who  is  Chicago  manager  for 
the  Ruben  Manufacturing  Company  of  Chicago;  and  Goldie,  the  wife  of  Claude 
Hudson  who  is  engaged  in  the  painting  and  paper-hanging  business.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hudson  make  theix  home  with  Mrs.  Allen.  Two  daughters,  Ethel  and  Clara 
Kimball,  are  deceased. 

Mr.  Allen  voted  with  the  democratic  party  which  found  in  liim  a  stalwart 
advocate  and  he  was  always  well  informed  on  the  important  questions  and  issues  of 
the  day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen  were  both  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  she  is  still  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  that  organization. 


DANIEL  GRAVES 


Daniel  Graves,  who  is  an  extensive  farmer  residing  on  section  11,  Arborville 
township,  York  county,  is  a  representative  of  one  of  the  old  families  of  the  county. 
From  an  early  period  in  the  development  of  this  section  of  the  state  the  family  has 
taken  an  active  part  in  the  work  of  general  progress  and  improvement.  Further 
reference  to  the  family  will  be  found  in  the  sketch  of  Daniel  Graves,  father  of  our 
subject,  which  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Daniel  Graves  was  born  July  26,  1883,  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  He 
supplemented  his  public  school  education  by  taking  a  course  in  the  Nebraska  State 
Agricultural  College,  emerging  from  that  institution  fully  equipped  for  the  responsi- 
bilities which  later  devolved  upon  him.  When  his  father  had  the  misfortune  to 
suffer  a  stroke  of  paralysis  which  unfitted  him  for  further  active  work,  Mr.  Graves 
was  equal  to  the  task  of  taking  charge  of  the  home  farm  and  applied  himself  with 
vigor  to  the  superintendence  of  the  place,  his  success  being  assured  from  the  begin- 
ning. He  has  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  under  his  supervision  and 
gives  personal  attention  to  the  general   farming  and  stock  raising  for  which  his 


1116  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

father  had  already  established  an  exeellent  reputation.  In  addition  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  crops  he  is  widely  known  as  a  In-eeder  of  Belgian  horses  and  also  breeds 
mules,  Shorthorn  cattle,  and  Poland  China  hogs,  the  latter  being  of  registered 
grade.  His  present  financial  condition  clearly  indicates  the  progress  he  has  made 
for  actuated  by  laudahle  ambition  he  has  worked  his  way  steadily  upward  to  a 
position  among  the  most  substantial  agriculturists  in  the  county. 

In  1905  Mr.  Graves  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Alice  Henderson  and  they 
take  an  active  and  earnest  part  in  the  social  and  cultural  movements  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  they  reside  and  where  they  have  hosts  of  friends.  His  attitude  in 
politics  is  that  of  an  independent  voter. 


CHARLES  WAGOXER 


For  a  iieriod  of  four  years  Charles  Wagoner,  for  many  years  one  of  York 
county's  most  progressive  and  successful  farmers,  has  lived  retired  in  York.  He 
was  born  in  La  Salle  county.  Illinois,  in  1S63,  a  son  of  Christian  and  Ellen 
(Brock)  Wagoner,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  The  mother  was  also  born 
in  the  east.  Their  marriage  occurre<:l  in  Illinois  where  they  both  came  in  their 
early  life,  the  father  walking  from  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  to  Ottawa,  Illinois, 
carrying  his  clothes  wTapped  in  a  package.  He  had  learned  the  tanner's  trade  in 
the  east  and  on  coming  to  Ottawa  was  employed  in  a  large  tannery  for  a  number  of 
years.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he  engaged  in  farming,  however,  and  there  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life.  The  land  on  which  he  resided  for  so  many  years  he  purchased 
from  the  government  for  the  price  of  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per  acre.  At 
the  time  of  his  death  he  had  four  hundred  acres  of  finely  improved  land.  Six  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  j\Irs.  Wagoner,,  of  whom  five  grew  to  maturity.  Charles 
Wagoner,  the  subject  of  this  review,  is  the  only  one  now  living.  The  death  of 
Mr.  Wagoner  occurred  when  Charles  was  but  fourteen  years  of  age  and  the  mother 
died  in  10i)0  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven.  Throughout  his  entire  life  the  father  was  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  held  the  position  of  school  treasurer 
for  a  period  of  twenty  years.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Solomon  Brock,  was  the 
first  settler  in  La  Salle  county,  Illinois.  He  made  the  trip  to  this  county  from  the 
east  in  a  covered  wagon. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Charles  Wagoner  attended  the  district 
schools  of  Illinois  and  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  commenced  to  farm.  In 
1888  he  removed  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  Adams  county  where  he  lived  on  a 
rented  farm  for  one  year.  While  residing  in  this  county  he  purchased  one  hundred 
and  fifty  acres  of  land  in  York  county  and  the  following  year  removed  to  this 
farm.  He  purchased  the  farm  on  credit  but  it  was  not  long  before  he  had  paid 
off  all  of  his  debts  and  was  steadily  increasing  his  acreage.  This  farm  is  near 
Arborville  and  he  now  owns  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres  of  land  there.  He 
eno-aged  in  general  farming  and  in  addition  fed  live  stock.  In  1916  he  decided  to 
retire  from  active  life  and  so  removed  to  York  where  he  purchased  a  home  at  1003 
Nebraska  avenue.  He  is  now  residing  there  enjoying  the  fruits  of  a  life  of  diligence 
and  labor. 

While  residing  in  Illinois  Mr.  Wagoner  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Fannie 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1117 

Elizabeth  Harris,  on  the  30th  of  December,  1887.  Her  23areiits  were  William  and 
Elizabeth  Harris  and  the  father  engaged  in  farming  in  Illinois.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Harris  are  deceased.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wagoner,  one  child.  Earl 
William,  has  been  born.  He  married  Miss  Bessie  Crane  and  they  are  residing  on 
his  father's  farm.  One  child,  Bernice,  has  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  W. 
Wagoner. 

Mr.  Wagoner  votes  for  the  republican  party  and  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  the 
principles  for  which  it  stands.  In  local  affairs  he  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest,  although  he  has  neither  sought  nor  desired  public  office.  Fraternally  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Highlanders.  Mr.  Wagoner  is  highly  esteemed  throughout  the 
county  and  he  well  deserves  the  proud  American  title  of  self-made  man,  for  the 
success  which  he  enjoys  is  attributable  entirely  to  his  own  efforts  and  perseverance. 


WILLIAM  C.  HAWLEY 


Among  the  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  York  county  is  William  C.  Hawley  who 
is  now  living  retired  in  Gresham  after  many  years  of  activity  in  agricultural  and 
business  pursuits.  He  is  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  born  October  18,  18.37  a  son 
of  Barton  and  Jemina  (Piles)  Hawley,  also  natives  of  West  Virginia,  where  they 
spent  all  their  lives  and  passed  away  many  years  ago. 

William  C.  Hawley  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his  native  state  and  lived 
with  his  parents  during  the  years  of  his  early  manhood.  When  he  was  about 
thirty-one  years  of  age  he  decided  to  see  more  of  the  country  and  removed  to  Iowa 
in  the  fall  of  1868  and  there  engaged  in  farming,  continuing  in  that  line  for  several 
years,  aecpiring  much  valuable  technical  knowledge  of  all  agricultural  operations 
as  carried  on  in  that  great  farming  state.  It  was  in  1881  that  Mr.  Hawley  came 
to  York  county  and  settled  on  a  holding  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Stewart 
township,  on  which  he  put  iip  a  small  frame  house  and  shed  barn,  for  which  he 
hauled  the  lumber  from  Shelby.  He  broke  the  land,  commenced  the  cultivation  of 
crops  effected  improvements  of  a  valuable  nature  in  the  form  of  new  buildings, 
planted  trees  and  set  out  an  orchard,  and  as  he  succeeded  in  his  operations  he 
extended  the  scope  of  his  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  However,  it  was  not 
all  smooth  sailing  for  in  the  dry  seasons  of  189.3-94  he  was  unable  to  raise  any 
crops  and  was  compelled  to  burn  cornstalks  and  corn  for  fuel.  One  of  the  sons 
would  haiil  the  cornstalks  by  the  wagon-load  and  stoke  the  stove  with  the  stalks 
while  the  mother  cooked  the  meals.  Eventually  Mr.  Hawley  found  himself  in 
sound  financial  circumstances  and  bought  a  further  tract  of  land  on  which  he 
added  improvements  and  finally  retired  from  active  farm  life  and  moved  to  Gresham 
in  1909.  His  wife  died  July  13,  1912,  being  then  in  her  seventy-first  year  and  was 
interred  at  Blue  Ridge  cemetery.  The  following  children  were  born  to  their 
marriage:  Emery  J.,  who  died  in  1898;  Barton  L.,  in  the  hardware  business  at 
Gresham:  A.  A.,  who  lives  with  his  father;  P.  S.,  a  farmer  living  near  Waco; 
Charles  W..  a  farmer  living  near  Alliance;  Hosea  M.,  deceased:  and  Estella,  the 
■wife  of  William  Robertson  of  Gresham.  Mr.  Hawle^'  has  always  voted  the 
republican  ticket  and  his  religious  affiliation  is  with  the  United  Brethren  church. 
He  has  passed  the  eighty-third  milestone  on  life's  journey  but  is  still  hale  and 

Vol.  II — 33 


1118  HISTORY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY 

Jiearty  and  boasts  an  endurance  in  keei)ing  with  his  years.  The  death  of  his 
wife  who  had  aeeonipanied  him  on  so  large  a  part  of  tlie  journey  was  the  occasion 
of  deep  regret  not  only  to  her  family  but  to  many  friends,  for  .she  had  earned  the 
warm  regard  and  friendship  of  many. 

A.  A.  Hawley,  with  whom  the  father  has  been  living  since  his  retirement, 
entered  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business  in  Gresham  when  the  town  was 
organized,  served  eighteen  years  and  eight  months  as  postmaster  of  Gresham,  and 
is  probably  one  of  the  best  known  men  in  the  surrounding  district.  He  was 
married  in  1885  to  Mary  E.  Hibbard  and  they  became  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Coila  U.,  who  died  in  infancy;  Bruce  P.,  a  farmer  in  York  county;  and  Hazel, 
who  died  in  11)11.  He  married  for  his  second  wife  Maynie  Gilbert  and  to  this  union 
one  child,  Glenwood  W.,  has  been  born.  Mr.  Hawley  has  been  active  in  public 
affairs  and  has  served  as  township  treasurer  and  township  assessor  at  various  times. 
He  is  an  active  sup])orter  of  the  republican  party  and  he  and  the  members  of  his 
family  attend  the  services  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


REV.  OTTO  BATZ 


Since  October  1,  1007,  Rev.  Otto  Batz  has  been  in  charge  of  the  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Emmanuel  church  in  York  and  has  become  widely  known  throughout 
the  surrounding  counties  not  only  because  of  his  successful  ministry  but  because 
he  founded  the  P'vangelical  Lutheran  Hospital. 

Mr.  Batz  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  that  country  on  the  lltli  of  August, 
1876,  the  son  of  August  and  Julia  Anna  (Fahr)  Batz  also  natives  of  Germany  in 
which  country  they  are  now  residing.  For  a  jjcriod  of  forty-five  years  the  father 
engaged  in  school-teaching  there  and  is  now  retired  an  a  pension.  To  the  union 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Batz  si.x  children  were  born,  five  of  whom  are  now  living,  namely : 
Arnold,  who  is  residing  in  Germany  and  is  a  principal  of  schools;  Richard,  also 
residing  in  Germany  wliere  he  follows  the  trade  of  a  mechanic ;  Rev.  Otto  Batz, 
the  subject  of  this  review;  Sidonie,  residing  in  Germany;  and  Augusta  who  is 
residing  in  Germany.  The  family  were  all  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran 
church. 

Rev.  Otto  Batz  received  his  education  in  Marienburg,  Germany,  and  for  two 
years  taught  school  in  his  native  country.  Having  heard  of  the  many  wonderful 
opportunities  to  be  found  in  America  he  came  to  the  United  States  in  1900,  alone. 
As  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  learn  the  English  language  he  entered  an  academy 
at  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  he  studied  diligently  for  three  years.  He  had  decided 
to  enter  the  ministry  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  in  190J:  was  ordained  to  his 
chosen  calling.  Has  first  charge  was  at  Orleans  where  he  remained  for  three  years 
and  then  on  the  1st  of  October,  1907,  came  to  York  to  accept  the  pastorate  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Emmanuel  church  there.  He  is  still  in  charge  of  the  church 
which  is  steadily  increasing  in  membership,  and  it  is  now  one  of  the  most 
flourishing  churches  in  the  county.  In  1914  he  founded  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Hospital  at  York  which  is  up  to  date  in  every  particular  and  has  an  efficient  corps 
of  nurses  and  internes.  A  training  school  has  been  established  in  connection  with 
the  hospital  and  in  addition  to  the  fifteen  or  twenty  graduate  nurses  there  are  a 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1119 

number  of  student  nurses.  Mr.  Batz  has  given  unselfishly  of  his  time  to  the 
hospital  and  as  a  result  of  its  success  has  become  widely  recognized  as  a  man  of 
great  ability  in  the  county  and  state. 

r)n  the  l!»th  of  January,  1!)05,  ilr.  Batz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Wilhelmina  Heyer  who  was  born  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Rudolph 
Heyer  who  is  engaged  in  the  merchandising  business  there.  Four  children  were 
born  to  this  union,  namely:  Gerhard,  who  is  fifteen  years  of  age;  Gertrude,  aged 
thirteen  years:  Adelaide,  who  is  eleven  years  of  age;  and  Hilda,  eight  years  of 
age.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Batz  occurred  on  the  3rd  of  August,  1914.  In  1915  Mr. 
Batz  was  again  married,  this  time  to  Miss  Bertha  Behnke,  who  was  born  in  Germany 
but  removed  to  Chicago  when  a  young  girl.  One  child  has  been  born  to  this  union, 
Ruth,  who  is  three  years  of  age. 

Until  the  election  of  1920  Mr.  Batz  had  given  his  allegiance  to  the  democratic 
party,  but  in  this  year  he  gave  his  entire  support  to  Harding.  Mr.  Batz  has  never 
had  an  occasion  to  regret  his  coming  to  the  United  States,  and  the  opportunities 
which  he  heard  were  to  be  found  here  he  quickly  seized  upon,  and  as  a  result  of 
his  labor  and  diligence  has  risen  to  his  present  position  of  beloved  pastor  and 
representative  citizen. 


WALTER  Q.  DIETRICK 


Walter  Q.  Dietrick,  identified  with  farming  interests  in  the  suburbs  of  York, 
was  born  in  Baker  township,  York  county,  in  1881,  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Laura 
(Simpson)  Dietrick.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  mother  of 
Iowa  in  which  latter  state  they  were  married.  Joseph  Dietrick  went  to  Iowa  when 
a  young  man  and  for'  some  time  worked  in  the  state  insane  asylum.  In  the  early 
'70s  he  came  to  Nebraska,  settling  in  York  county  in  Baker  to\^^lship.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  farming,  later  removing 
to  York  where  he  retired.  He  sold  his  property  to  his  son,  Walter  Q.,  in  1910. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dietrick  died  in  York.  Seven  children  were  born  to  that  union, 
four  of  whom  are  living:  Mrs.  William  Towle,  the  wife  of  a  farmer  near  Charleston; 
Paul  S.,  who  is  editor  of  a  county  newspaper  and  lyceum  and  Chautauqua  lecturer, 
living  in  Lincoln;  Walter  Q.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  and  Arthur  J.,  who  is 
residing  in  Phoenix,  Arizona,  where  he  is  employed  by  an  irrigation  company. 
Mrs.  Dietrick  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and 
he  was  a  member  of  the  populist  party.  Mr.  Dietrick  is  also  remembered  as  having 
built  the  first  frame  house  west  of  York  in  York  county,  hauling  lumber  from 
Nebraska  City.  The  mule  team  method  of  transportation  was  used  by  Mr.  Dietrick 
in  coming  from  Iowa  to  Nebraska. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Walter  Q.  Dietrick  attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  county  and  later  went  to  York  College.  In  due  time  he  entered  the 
Wesleyan  University  at  Lincoln  and  was  graduated  with  high  standing  in  1910. 
Following  his  graduation  he  taught  school  for  one  year  and  edited  a  newspaper  at 
Johnstown.  In  1910  he  purchased  the  farm  owmed  by  his  father  and  resided  on 
that  land  until  the  spring  of  1920  when  he  removed  to  his  present  farm  of  twenty 
acres  of  land  near  York.     This  land  is  located  in  Leroy  township  and  in  addition 


1120  HISTOKY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

to  his  own  twenty  acres  he  rents  land  which  he  also  operates.  In  connection  with 
his  farming  interests  he  does  some  dairying. 

In  1906  Mr.  Dietrick  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Florence  Sturgeon,  a 
native  of  York  county,  and  a  daughter  of  James  Sturgeon  who  was  one  of  the  early 
pioneers  of  this  county.  Mrs.  Dietrick's  mother  is  still  living  and  is  making  her 
home  with  her.  Six  children  have  heen  born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dietrick, 
five  of  whom  are  living:  Lincoln,  eleven  years  of  age;  Winfield,  aged  nine  years; 
Virginia,  who  is  eight  years  of  age;  Lyman,  aged  five  years;  and  Everett,  a  baby 
of  five  months.  The  Dietrick  family  are  consistent  members  of  the  United 
Brethren  church. 

Politically  Mr.  Dietrick  maintains  an  independent  course,  voting  for  the  man 
rather  than  the  party.  In  1920  he  ran  for  the  Senate  on  the  Independent  ticket, 
being  put  up  by  the  common  people,  but  was  defeated.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
non-partisan  league  and  Farmers  Union.  He  served  the  latter  organization  for 
some  time  as  treasurer.  He  is  .secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Allied  Union  Co- 
operative Association.  The  interests  of  Mr.  Dietrick's  life  are  broad  and  well 
balanced,  making  him  a  forceful  factor  in  the  community  welfare.  He  is  interested 
in  all  that  pertains  to  the  educational,  material  and  moral  development  of  the 
community,  and  his  worth  as  a  citizen  and  capal)ility  as  a  farmer  are  widely 
recognized. 


;  JEFFEESOX  B.  FOSTER 

For  twenty-one  years,  Jefl'erson  B.  Foster,  now  deceased,  was  a  prominent  and 
progressive  farmer  in  York  county.  He  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York  on 
the  27th  of  Januarj-,  18-59,  and  died  on  the  22nd  of  February,  1919.  He  was  in 
the  grain  business  in  York  for  some  years  before  his  death  which  came  as  a  sad 
blow  to  the  community.  Jefferson  B.  Poster  was  the  son  of  Joel  H.  and  Rebecca 
(Barnet)  Foster  who  removed  to  Illinois  in  1869  and  to  Nebraska  in  1893.  The 
father  bought  land  in  York  county,  and  also  owns  property  in  York  where  he 
resides.  Joel  H.  Foster  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  he 
is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party.  Five  children  were  born  to  tliis 
union,  of  whom  the  subject  was  the  eldest.  They  are:  Jefferson  B. ;  Emmett  J., 
who  is  residing  on  a  ranch  in  York  county;  John  H.,  a  stockyard's  commission 
man  in  Omaha;  Grace,  the  wife  of  W.  W.  Feaster  who  is  a  real  estate  man  in  York; 
and  Clara  E.,  the  wife  of  Grover  C.  May  who  owns  a  greenhouse  in  York. 

Jefferson  B.  Foster  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois  and 
after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  engaged  in  farming  in  that  state  for  a  short 
time.  In  1883  he  came  to  York  county  where  he  purchased  some  land  on  credit, 
residing  there  for  twenty-one  years.  During  his  residence  on  this  land  it  was 
highly  cultivated  and  as  a  result  of  his  good  crops  he  was  soon  able  to  pay  in 
full  for  the  ranch.  In  1905  he  removed  to  York  and  until  the  time  of  his  death 
was  engaged  in  the  grain,  livestock,  and  feed  biisiness,  in  which  line  of  work  he  was 
also  successful.     In  connection  with  the  grain  business  he  owned  a  large  elevator. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  1881,  Mr.  Foster  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Rebecca  Osborn,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  daughter  of  J.  A.  and  Barbara 
(Barnet)   Osborn,  also  natives  of  Pennsylvania.     Her  parents  removed  to  Illinois 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1121 

in  1865  where  they  resided  for  five  years  when  they  went  to  Iowa  and  iu  1887 
came  to  York  county.  Mr.  Osborn  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  served  in 
a  Pennsylvania  regiment  for  nearly  three  years.  After  coming  to  York  he  retired 
from  active  business.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osborn  were  the  parents  of  seven  children  and 
in  addition  took  another  child  to  rear.  Those  living  are :  Rose  A.,  the  widow 
of  Levi  Sweet,  who  resides  in  Illinois;  Francis  Marion,  a  marshal  at  Leon,  Iowa; 
Alfred,  who  is  employed  in  Illinois;  Mrs.  Foster;  Mack,  who  is  a  plasterer  by 
trade  and  resides  in  York ;  and  Mrs.  J.  W.  Barnett  who  resides  in  jSTorth  York. 
Mr.  Barnett  is  now  holding  the  position  of  county  assessor  and  he  is  a  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  a  republican  in  politics.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osborn  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foster 
two  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Harry  Clyde,  who  is  assistant  manager  of 
the  National  Refining  Company  of  Omalia ;  and  Clarence  E.,  wlio  is  also  connected 
with  the  National  Refining  Company  of  Omaha,  looking  after  the  repairing  of 
trucks.  Clarence  E.  enlisted  during  the  World  war  and  was  in  training  at  Lincoln 
preparatory  to  going  abroad,  when  the  armistice  was  signed.  Mrs.  Foster  is 
residing  in  York  in  a  nice  home  at  507  W.  6th  street,  and  she  is  active  in  the 
interest  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  wliich  she  is  a  member. 

During  all  the  years  of  Mr.  Foster's  life  he  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  democratic 
party  and  he  was  always  well  versed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  He 
was  also  active  in  fraternal  circles  being  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  and 
the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  In  the  fourteen  years  of  his  residence 
in  York  he  made  many  friends.  He  was  known  to  have  employed  only  the  most 
honorable  and  fair  methods  in  his  business  affairs  and  at  his  demise  both  town 
and  county  lost  a  progressive  and  representative  citizen. 


HENRY  STAEHR 


Among  the  prominent  farmers  of  York  county  is  Heni7  Staehr,  wlio  is  a 
native  of  Beaver  township,  this  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  tlie  old  home- 
stead of  his  father.  May  12,  1873.  He  is  a  son  of  Carsten  Staehr,  mention  of  whom 
is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

The  boyhood  days  of  Henry  Staehr  were  spent  on  the  homestead  and  ho  well 
remembers  the  pioneer  conditions  that  in  this  day  of  luxury  and  ease  would  seem 
hardships  indeed.  He  worked  with  his  father  on  the  home  place  until  he  was 
twenty-three  years  of  age  at  which  time  his  father  assisted  him  in  purchasing  a 
farm  on  wliich  he  still  resides.  There  were  only  small  buildings  on  the  land  when 
he  came  into  possession  of  it  but  it  is  now  considered  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the 
county  and  has  first-class  improvements.  This  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  is 
located  on  the  west  section,  the  home  place,  one  hundred  and  fifty-nine  acres,  being 
tlic  southwest  quarter  of  section  35,  Beaver  township. 

Mr  Staehr  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Miss  Johanna  Backhus, 
a  native  of  York  county.  Siie  died  leaving  four  children :  Kathrina,  the  wife  of 
Carl  Wellman ;  William;  Hanna,  who  is  the  wife  of  Ed  Noller;  and  Amanda.  Mr. 
Staehr's  second  wife  was  Minnie  Brackhan,  a  native  of  York  county.  Two  children 
liave  been  born  to  this  union,  nainelv :  Marv  and  Alfred. 


1128  HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COITXTY 

Mt.  and  Mrs.  Staehr  are  consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  tlie 
activities  of  whicli  organization  they  take  a  prominent  part.  The  ability  of  Mr. 
Staehr  is  readily  recognized  throughout  the  community  and  he  is  happy  in  the 
esteem  and  respect  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


JAMES  F.  COXWAY 


In  pioneer  days  James  F.  Conway  came  to  York  county  and  experienced  all  of 
the  hardships  and  privations  of  frontier  life  while  engaged  in  the  arduous  task  of 
developing  a  new  farm.  After  years  passed  on,  however,  he  was  fortunate  in  his 
undertaking  and  became  one  of  the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  his  section  of  the 
state.  He  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  February  29,  18.53,  and  was  therefore 
fifty-six  years  of  age  when  he  passed  away  in  1008.  He  was  but  a  year  old  when 
his  parents  removed  with  their  family  to  Allamakee  county,  Iowa.  He  com- 
pleted his  education  in  Prairie  du  Chien  College  of  Wisconsin,  and  for  a  year  was 
engaged  in  teaching  in  Iowa.  In  1874,  when  twenty-two  years  of  age,  he  removed 
to  Nebraska  and  for  a  year  taught  in  Seward  county. 

In  1878  in  York  county  Mr.  Conway  was  married  to  Miss  Hattie  E.  Martin, 
who  was  born  in  Dodge  county,  Wisconsin,  a  daughter  of  Xoah  and  Hannah  Jane 
(Prest)  Martin.  The  mother  was  born  in  Monmouth  county,  Xew  Jersey,  in  1816 
and  died  Xovember  28,  1891.  The  father  was  born  in  the  state  of  Xew  Jersey  in 
1818,  and  passed  away  in  1877.  They  were  married  in  Xew  Jersey  and  in  1856 
removed  to  Wisconsin,  whence  they  came  to  York  county  in  March,  1868.  The 
father  homesteaded  near  what  is  now  McCool,  where  his  death  occurred.  In  the 
Martin  family  were  twelve  children  but  ordy  four  are  living;  John  P.,  a  miller  now 
at  Big  Fork,  Montana ;  x\sa  W.,  a  contractor  and  builder  of  mills,  in  Xebraska, 
traveling  all  over  the  state  in  the  performance  of  his  work;  Richard  P.,  a  farmer 
of  Litchfield,  and  Mrs.   Conway. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conway  were  born  nine  children  :  Pose  J.;  the  wife  of  0.  E. 
Tilden,  a  farmer  living  near  Thayer;  Cora  E.,  at  home;  John  W.,  residing  on  a 
farm  east  of  York;  Thomas  0.,  who  occupies  a  farm  in  Madison  county,  Xebraska; 
Pearl  H.,  at  home;  Delia  M.,  the  wife  of  George  Bremer  of  Jerome,  Idaho,  who  for 
one  term  was  a  member  of  the  state  senate,  and  is  now  overseer  of  the  South  Side 
Irrigation  System:  Effie  B.,  the  wife  of  Paul  A.  Stein))erg,  living  on  a  farm  near 
Bradshaw;  James  F.,  who  for  three  years  followed  farming,  but  is  now  living  at 
York;  and  Asa  B.,  at  home. 

For  tliree  years  after  coming  to  York  county  ilr.  Conway  taught  school.  He 
had  homesteaded  prior  to  his  marriage  but  traded  that  property  and  he  and  his 
wife  lived  on  another  farm,  occupying  a  sod  house  for  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  they  took  up  their  abode  in  a  frame  house.  Later  they  returned  to  the  old 
homestead  which  they  occupied  for  seven  years,  and  on  the  expiration  of  the  period 
removed  to  the  village  of  Thayer,  where  they  remained  until  1900,  and  then  went 
to  York  that  their  children  might  enjoy  the  opportunities  accorded  by  the  school 
system  of  this  city.  While  at  Thayer  Mr.  Conway  engaged  in  merchandising  and 
was  also  assessor  and  justice  of  the  peace.  He  had  but  four  hundred  dollars  when 
he  came  to  Xebraska   but   as  the  years   passed   his   financial    resources  increased 


JAMES  F.  CONWAY 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  1125 

and  he  became  the  owner  of  a  large  amount  of  land  and  was  also  interested  in  the 
Farmers  Bank  at  York.  He  left  an  estate  of  nine  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in 
York,  and  Mrs.  Conway  has  since  purchased  six  hundred  and  ten  acres,  also  in 
York  county.  She  also  owns  a  beautiful  residence  which  Mr.  Conway  had  pur- 
chased in  York.  She  has  ably  managed  the  estate,  displaying  excellent  business 
ability  in  her  care  and  improvement  of  the  property.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  also  of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah.  Mr.  Conway 
belonged  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  was  well  known  in  the  order  and  by  many 
with  whom  business  and  social  relations  brought  him  into  contact,  while  the 
sterling  worth  of  his  character  gained  for  him  the  high  regard  of  all  who  knew 
him.  Therefore  his  death  was  the  occasion  of  deep  regret  to  many  who  had 
learned  to  value  him  as  a  most  substantial  citizen  and  true  friend. 


W.  H.  XEWCOMER 


For  thirty-three  years  W.  H.  Newcomer  now  deceased  was  a  successful  farmer 
in  York  county.  He  was.  born  in.  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  30th  of 
July,  1816,  a  son  of  Daniel  aild  Abigail  (Leckrone)  Newcomer.  His  parents  were 
both  natives  of  Pennsylvania- where,  they  spent  their  lives.  Mr.  Newcomer  was  a 
successful  farmer  and  followed  that  occupation  until  his  death  in  1869.  His 
widow  survived  him  for  several  years.  Seven  children  were  born  to  this  union, 
five  sons  and  two  daughters.  W.  H.  Newcomer,  the  subject  of  this  review,  is  the 
only  member  of  the  family  residing  in  the  west. 

W.  H.  Newcomer  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  his  native  county  and  received  his 
education  there.  He  continued  to  farm  in  this  county  until  1875,  at  which  time 
he  removed  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Knox  county.  For  two  years  he  farmed  there 
successfully,  at  the  termination  of  which  time  he  located  in  Henry  county,  that 
state.  In  1879  he  came  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  York  county.  He  purchased 
a  farm  in  Thayer  township  and  there  made  his  home  until  1900.  The  farm  had 
no  improvements  and  he  made  his  home  in  a  sod  house  for  a  number  of  years.  He 
later  built  a  fine  residence  and  outbuildings.  In  the  cultivation  of  the  land,  which 
had  but  eighty  acres  under  cultivation  at  the  time  he  purchased  it,  he  was 
gratifyingly  successful.  In  1900  Mr.  Newcomer  removed  to  York  and  purchased 
a  nice  home  at  81.3  Elmer  avenue.  Here  he  lived  practically  retired  until  his 
death  but  still  maintained  an  interest  in  his  land  which  consisted  of  six  hundred 
and  forty  acres  in  York  county  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Lincoln  county, 
to  which  he  would  make  frequent  visits.  For  the  twelve  years  that  Mr.  New- 
comer resided  in  York  he  made  many  and  fast  friends  and  at  his  loss  a  feeling  of 
widespread  bereavement  swept  the  community. 

In  1868  in  Pennsylvania  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Newcomer  and  Miss 
Catherine  Henderson,  a  daughter  of  Stewart  and  Elizabeth  A.  Henderson,  both 
natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henderson  later  removed  to  Illinois  where 
the  father  died.  His  widow  survived  him  a  number  of  years.  Five  children  were 
born  to  that  union,  three  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs.  Newcomer  was  the  second  in 
order  of  birth.  To  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Newcomer  eight  children  have 
been  Ijorn,  six  of  whom  are  living,  namely :   Mary,  the  wife  of  Fred  Conant,  a  retired 


\V>G  HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

farmer  of  York;  Dora,  wlio  is  the  widow  of  William  Myers,  and  resides  in  Lincoln; 
William  H.,  who  is  residing  on  the  old  homestead  in  York  county;  Cora,  the  wife 
of  George  Werner,  who  resides  in  Laporte,  Indiana;  Carrie,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Harry  Johns,  a  farmer  in  York  county;  and  Blanche,  who  is  the  wife  of  Wallace 
Lloyd  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  York  county.  The  Newcomer  family  were 
reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  Mrs.  Newcomer  is  still  active  in  the 
affairs  of  that  organization. 

Throughout  his  entire  life  Mr.  Newcomer  gave  his  support  to  the  republican 
party  which  found  in  him  a  stalwart  advocate.  Although  he  devoted  the  greater 
part  of  his  time  to  his  farming  interests  he  was  always  well  informed  .on  the 
questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  Fraternally  he  was  a  Mason  and  an  exemplary 
member  of  the  order.  Mrs.  Newcomer  is  still  living  and  is  residing  in  the  home  at 
York,  a  highly  respected  citizen.  She  is  now  in  possession  of  a  half  section  of  land 
from  which  she  derives  a  substantial  income. 


HENHY  W.  BOLTON 


Henry  W.  Bolton  now  occupies  an  attractive  home  in  Benedict  to  which  he 
retired  in  1916,  wdiere  he  is  surrounded  with  all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the 
luxuries  of  life.  For  many  years  he  was  prominently  and  actively  identified  with 
farming,  taking  up  that  work  in  York  county  in  1891,  prior  to  which  he  had  been 
similarly  engaged  in  Iowa.  He  was  born  near  Richmond,  Virginia,  December  25, 
1859,  a  sou  of  David  and  Martha  (Fisher)  Bolton,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  where 
the  father  followed  his  trade  of  millwright. 

David  Bolton  left  Virginia  in  1862  and  went  to  Cedar  county,  Iowa,  and 
there  he  built  a  frame  house  and  resumed  his  occupation  as  a  millwright.  About 
that  time  he  was  called  on  to  serve  with  the  Federal  army  and  participated  in 
many  of  the  engagements  of  the  Civil  war,  finally  being  honorably  discharged, 
when  he  returned  to  civil  life  and  took  up  his  ordinary  occupation.  He  passed  away 
in  1910,  having  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six,  and  left  behind  him  a 
name  for  probity  and  manly  worth  to  which  all  the  actions  of  his  long  life  entitled 
him.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  a  jiractiral 
supporter  of  its  teachings.  In  politics  he  gave  his  allegiance  for  a  considerable  time 
to  the  republican  party  but  later  suiii-torted  democratic  policies,  the  change  in  his 
party  athliatious  being  the  outcome  of  conviction.  His  wife  survived  until  1917 
when  she  passed  away  amid  the  sorrow  of  all  her  friends,  being  then  eighty-nine 
years  old.  They  were  the  i)arents  of  the  following  children:  Mary,  widow  of  J.  H. 
Bolton,  of  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa  :  Armetta,  deceased;  James,  living  at  Council  Bluffs; 
Tosh,  of  Milford,  Nebraska;  Anna,  wife  of  A.  H.  Garrett,  of  Brush,  Colorado; 
Sarah,  wife  of  Lee  Johnson,  of  Sargent,  Nebraska;  Henry  W.;  Edward;  Charles, 
li\iiig  in  Iowa;  and  Lloyd,  a  retired  farmer,  of  York  county. 

Henry  \X.  Bolton  was  reared  in  his  father's  home  in  Iowa  and  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  of  that  state.  Selecting  the  career  of  a  farmer  for  his  life 
work,  he  rented  land  in  Iowa  and  continued  to  work  along  that  line  for  several 
years.  In  1888  he  came  to  Nebraska,  settled  in  Saunders  county  and  rented  a 
tract  of  land  which  he  operated  for  about  two  years.     He  carefully  husbanded  his 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1127 

resources  and  saved  money  with  the  object  of  buying  a  farm.  In  this  ho  was 
successful  and  in  1891  he  removed  to  York  county,  renting  for  a  time  and  finally 
purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Morton  township,  later  increasing 
his  lioldings  to  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  in  two  farms,  having  two  sets  of 
buildings,  the  ownership  of  which  lie  still  retains.  Apart  from  the  general  farming 
and  stock  raising  he  specialized  in  feeding  cattle  for  the  market  and  in  this  latter 
department  of  his  agricultural  activities  he  achieved  a  remarkable  success.  Before 
retiring  in  1016  Mr.  Bolton  had  brought  his  properties  to  a  well  improved  con- 
dition, and  he  is  now  living  in  well  earned  comfort  at  Benedict.  He  continues  to 
be  interested  in  business  affairs,  is  a  stockholder  in  the  York  Milling  Company,  in 
the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Benedict  and  in  Farmers  Elevator  at  Mapp,  from  all  of 
these  investments  deriving  a  nice  income.  He  is  a  man  of  determined  purpose  and 
resolute  will  and  whatever  he  undertakes  he  carries  forward  to  succes.sful  completion. 
In  1886  Mr.  Bolton  was  joined  in  marriage  to  Sarah  J.  Wilkinson,  a  native  of 
Mills  county,  Iowa,  whom  he  met  and  married  while  living  in  that  state.  She 
accompanied  him  to  York  county  in  1891  and  in  all  the  intervening  years  she  has 
been  a  faithful  ^Wfc  and  practical  helpmeet,  which_no  one  is  more  ready  to 
acknowledge  than  her  husband.  To  their' union  eight  children  were  born,  six  of 
whom  are  living:  Ray,  who  operates  his  father's  fann  in  York  county;  Edith, 
deceased,  who  became  the  wife  of  Miles  Shaw ;  Ina,  wife  of  Edgar  Farley,  of  York 
county;  Floyd,  a  farmer,  of  York  county;  Frank,  residing  in  Miller,  South  Dakota; 
Lottie,  deceased;  and  Carl  and  Cecil,  living  at  home.  Mrs.  Bolton  is  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  church  and  is  prominent  socially  in  the  community  where  she 
resides.  He  supports  the  democratic  party  and  is  a  member  of  the  township  board, 
to  the  work  of  which  he  gives  diligent  service.  His  many  admirable  qualities  are 
generally  recognized  and  there  is  no  resident  of  the  county  more  highly  esteemed 
than  he. 


NELSOX  PETER  ROXXE 

Xelson  Peter  Ronne,  a  retired  farmer,  now  a  resident  of  York,  was  born  in 
Denmark,  September  29,  1857,  the  son  of  Lorenzen  Peter  and  Berge'tta  Malgaalr 
Ronne.  His  father  was  a  jeweler  and  worked  at  his  trade  in  the  old  country  until 
he  passed  away.    The  mother  also  died  in  Germany. 

Nelson  Peter  Ronne  was  reared  in  his  native  land,  educated  in  the  common 
schools  there,  and  was  apprenticed  to  the  butcher  trade  which  it  required  about 
four  or  five  years  to  learn.  Before  he  completed  his  apprenticeship,  however,  he 
came  to  America  and  found  employment  on  a  farm  near  York\'ille,  Kendal  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  worked  for  one  man  for  seven  years,  and  then  rented  land  for 
his  own  use.  In  1883  he  moved  to  Nebraska  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  unimproved 
land  in  Baker  township,  York  county.  These  were  days  when  there  were  many 
sod  houses  to  be  seen  and  the  farmer  had  many  difficulties  to  overcome,  requiring 
more  than  ordinary  courage  and  perseverance.  His  first  home  was  a  sixteen  by 
twenty  frame  house  which  burned  down  and  had  to  be  relniilt.  Four  years  later  he 
sold  this  land  and  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Henderson  township, 
and  during  the  following  ten  years  he  and  his  wife  and  sons  tore  down  and  rel)uilt 


1138  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

all  the  farm  buildings,  thus  advancing  the  value  of  the  property.  He  now  owns 
four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  well  improved  with  two  complete  sets  of  farm  build- 
ings, which  shows  that  he  has  indeed  been  successful,  as  he  had  but  one  hundred 
dollars  to  pay  on  his  land  when  he  arrived  in  this  country.  His  faithfulness  to 
his  first  employer  was  rewarded,  as  that  man  became  his  friend  and  provided 
financial  backing  whenever  Mr.  Eonne  needed  it  after  coming  to  York  county. 

Mr.  Eonne  was  married  in  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  in  1881,  to  Mary  Jane  Kerr, 
a  native  of  Belfast,  Ireland.  They  are  the  parents  of  five  boys:  Lorcnzn  Peter,  who 
is  a  dentist  in  Lincoln,  Nebraska ;  Harry,  who  has  been  blind  since  he  was  twenty 
years  old,  now  operates  a  telephone  switchboard,  at  Lushton,  Nebraska ;  John  N., 
assistant  chief  clerk  in  the  Frisco  Railroad  freight  office,  in  Kansas  City;  Clyde, 
who  operates  a  part  of  his  father's  farm;  and  Carey  A.,  who  also  is  engaged  in 
farming.     All  of  the  sons  are  married,  and  there  are  eight  grandchildren. 

Mr.  Ronne  has  always  spelled  his  name  the  way  it  was  spelled  in  the  old 
country,  although  in  English  it  should  be  spelled  Runne.  He  has  always  been  a 
credit  to  his  name  and  his  record  is  that  of  a  pioneer  farmer  who  has  not  only 
built  up  his  own  fortunes  in  a  frontier  community  but  has  aided  materially  in 
developing  the  district.  Mr.  Ronne  is  a  member  of  the  ^Methodist  church  and  in 
politics  is  a  republican  and  has  steadfastly  supported  the  candidates  and  measures 
of  that  party  although  he  is  in  no  sense  a  politician,  prefcring  to  devote  his  whole 
time  to  the  attention  of  his  private  affairs. 


J.  EDWIN  SMITH 


For  about  eighteen  years  J.  Edwin  Smith  has  been  engaged  in  the  undertaking 
business  in  York  and  as  a  result  of  his  diligence  and  industry  is  enjoying  a  sub- 
stantial amount  of  success.  He  is  a  native  of  Iowa,  born  in  Washington  county  that 
state  on  the  23rd  of  December,  1866,  a  son  of  W.  A  and  Sarah  (Singer)  Smith. 
The  father  was  born  in  Ohio  in  18.36,  and  the  mother  in  New  Y'ork  state  in  1844. 
Removing  to  Iowa  with  their  parents  in  their  early  youth,  they  met  and  were 
married  and  spent  the  remaimler  of  their  lives  there.  Mr.  Smith  engaged  in 
blacksmitliing  for  a  number  of  years  and  was  very  successful  in  this  business.  On 
the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  he  was  among  the  first  to  enlist,  joining  Company  A 
of  the  Nineteenth  Iowa  Infantry,  with  which  he  served  nearly  four  years.  He 
participated  in  many  of  the  most  important  battles  of  the  war  and  was  discharged 
with  the  rank  of  color-bearer.  Mr.  Smith  died  in  1919,  his  wife  having  passed  away 
forty-four  years  ago.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  six  children  were  born, 
three  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  J.  Edwin,  the  subject  of  this  review;  T.  E., 
overseer  in  a  chair  factory  at  Fort  Madison,  Iowa;  and  H.  A.,  who  is  state  agent 
for  an  insurance  company.  The  family  were  reared  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
faith  and  Mr.  Smith  was  a  stanch  republican  and  Mason.  The  paternal  grand- 
father, John  R.  Smith,  was  a  native  of  Ohio  but  in  later  life  removed  to  Iowa 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death.  He  was  very  active  in  the  work  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  which  he  was  a  member. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  J.  Edwin  Smith  attended  the  schools  of 
Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa,  and  in  due  time  entered  the  Methodist  College  at  York.   In 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1129 

1880  he  came  to  York  (•oiinty  with  his  uucle,  T.  N.  Smith,  and  commenced  work 
on  a  farm.  Some  time  later  his  uncle  removed  to  York  and  bought  a  grocery  store 
and  Mr.  J.  E.  Smith  gave  up  his  farm  work  and  came  to  work  for  him,  continuing 
in  this  line  of  business  for  eight  years.  For  the  next  eight  years  he  clerked  in  a 
clothing  store  and  then  engaged  in  farming  for  a  period  of  three  years.  In  1902  he 
determined  to  start  in  business  on  his  own  account  and  deciding  to  take  up  under- 
taking as  his  particular  line,  entered  the  Barnes  School  of  Anatomy  and  Science  of 
Embalming  in  1903,  becoming  thoroughly  familiar  with  all  phases  of  the  work. 

In  1892  Mr.  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Winnifred  Ferguson,  a  native 
of  Illinois  and  a  daughter  of  Nelson  E.  Ferguson  who  came  to  York  county  at  an 
early  day,  acquired  a  homestead  and  lived  thereon  until  his  death.  To  the  union  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  five  children  have  been  born :  Enid,  the  wife  of  J.  B.  Ever- 
hardt,  advertising  manager  for  the  Dempster  Manufacturing  Company,  and  she 
having  charge  of  the  first  aid  department  in  the  mill;  Mildred,  who  is  residing  at 
home;  and  Raymond,  Leland  and  Josephine,  all  in  school.  The  family  are  all 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Mr.  Smith  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  is  an  active  worker 
in  politics.  For  two  terms  he  served  the  county  of  York  as  coroner,  which  position 
he  filled  to  the  best  of  his  ability.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
belonging  to  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  and  is  also  a  Royal  Arch  Mason.  He  is  a  past 
chancellor  in  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  Starting  out  in  life  witii  nothing  but  the  grim  determination  to  win 
out  he  has  advanced  step  by  step  until  he  is  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading 
undertakers  of  the  county. 


J.  A.  RUDDOCK 


The  press  of  a  city  or  town  is  usually  regarded  as  an  index  wherehy  may  be 
gauged  the  material  and  social  progress  which  a  locality  is  making.  This  is  exem- 
plified in  the  life  work  of  J.  A.  Ruddock,  a  well  known  printer  and  publisher  of 
Gresham,  who  has  spent  all  the  active  years  of  his  life  engaged  in  newspaper  work 
and  at  present  is  the  owner  of  the  Gresham  Gazette.  He  was  born  in  Sergeant 
Bluff,  Woodbury  county,  Iowa,  September  20,  1880,  a  son  of  Thomas  .and  Vira 
(Scovell)  Ruddock,  the  former  a  railroad  man  who  came  to  Gresham  in  February, 
1892,  as  section  foreman  and  remained  here  until  1896,  when  he  returned  to  Iowa 
and  had  been  in  that  state  but  four  weeks  when  his  death  occurred  at  the  age  of 
sixty-two  years.    His  widow  is  still  living  and  is  in  her  seventieth  year. 

J.  A.  Ruddock  accompanied  his  parents  to  York  county  in  1892  and  completed 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Gresham.  On  quitting  school  he  learned  the 
trade  of  a  printer  under  the  guidance  of  H.  M.  McGaffin  of  the  Gresham  Gazette 
and  was  employed  on  the  paper  for  four  years,  during  this  period  having  acquired  a 
practical  knowledge  of  the  business.  On  leaving  the  Gazette  he  went  to  Valparaiso 
and  worked  for  a  time  on  the  Valparaiso  Visitor,  from  which  place  he  went  to  David 
City  and  there  became  foreman  of  the  Butler  County  Press,  remaining  in  that 
capacity  for  one  year.  In  October,  1919,  he  entered  into  arrangements  for  the 
purchase  of  the  Gresham  Gazette,  and  immediately  took  it  over  as  publisher  and 


1130  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

owner.  Tlie  Gazette  is  an  independent  weekly  publication  with  a  steadily  growing 
circulation  and  is  devoted  to  the  task  of  upholding  the  progressive  spirit  which  has 
brought  Gresham  and  the  surrounding  district  to  their  status.  The  paper  is 
equipped  with  the  most  modern  machinery  and  type  and  in  conjunction  therewith  a 
job  printing  department  is  operated  in  which  all  classes  of  general  printing  are  pro- 
duced. The  composing  and  publication  room  of  a  newspaper  is  sometimes  alluded 
to  as  "the  poor  man's  college,"  in  view  of  the  immense  opportunities  that  are 
offered  the  novice  for  self-advancement.  Mr.  Ruddock  was  not  slow  to  take 
advantage  of  his  opportunities  and  this  has  been  amply  demonstrated  in  his  career, 
but  more  especially  since  he  became  a  publisher  in  his  own  right. 

In  1905  Mr.  Ruddock  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ruth  Pogue,  a  native  of 
Seward  county  and  a  daughter  of  J.  W.  Pogue,  an  early  settler  and  well  known 
resident.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ruddock  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Donald.  Mrs.  Ruddock 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  all  movements  for  the  moral  and  civic 
as  well  as  for  the  material  upbuilding  of  Gresham  receive  her  hearty  support. 
Mr.  Ruddock  favors  the  principles  of  the  republican  party  and  has  been  village 
clerk  for  some  time.     He  is  affiliated  with  the  Royal  Highlanders. 


W.  H.  BROOKE 


W.  H.  Brooke  of  York  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  agricultural 
line  throughout  the  county.  He  not  only  owns  land  in  York  county  but  has  an 
extensive  farm  in  Holt  county  on  which  he  has  six  hundred  and  fifty  head  of  the 
finest  breed  cattle.  He  is  residing  in  York,  however,  where  he  has  made  his  home 
for  four  years,  during  which  time  he  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  development 
of  the  community  and  has  made  many  friends  who  recognize  his  true  worth. 

W.  H.  Brooke  was  born  in  Ottumwa,  Iowa,  December  7,  1866,  a  son  of  Richard 
and  Agnes  (Dean)  Brooke,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The  father  had  traveled 
extensively  and  was  a  well  educated  man.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  had  left 
his  home  and  crossed  the  plains  to  California,  making  this  trip  seven  times.  In 
early  life  he  engaged  in  the  cattle  business  and  during  the  Civil  war  purchased  a 
number  of  sheep  which  he  took  to  Texas  and  sold.  From  this  sale  he  realized  a 
substantial  amount  of  money  and  in  1874  came  to  York  county  as  one  of  the 
pioneer  settlers.  He  ac(iuired  a  homestead  in  LcRoy  township  and  for  a  number  of 
years  resided  in  a  sod  house  on  this  land.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richard 
Brooke  two  children  were  born,  namely:  W.  H.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  and 
Richard  F.,  a  prominent  farmer  in  York  county,  who  is  now  making  his  home  in 
York.  The  Brooke  family  were  consistent  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church 
and  the  father  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party.  Mr.  Brooke's  death 
occurred  in  1016  and  Mrs.  Brooke  is  making  her  home  with  her  son,  W.  H.  The 
maternal  grandfather  was  Levi  Dean,  and  further  mention  of  the  Dean  family  is 
made  in  the  sketch  of  Nathaniel  A.  Dean  to  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  W.  H.  Brooke  attended  the  schools  of  York 
county  and  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  engaged  in  farming,  which  occupation 
he  has  followed  throughout  his  life.  For  a  number  of  years  he  farmed  on  rented 
land  in  York  county  and  then  purchased  some  land  which  he  cultivated  for  two 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  11:31 

years.  In  1917  he  purchased  a  ranch  in  Holt  county  consisting  of  one  thousand 
four  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  a  portion  of  which  is  put  into  hay.  He  has  six 
hundred  and  fifty  head  of  cattle  on  this  ranch.  For  four  years  he  has  made  his 
home  in  York  wlaere  he  is  a  representative  citizen. 

In  1887  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Brooke  to  Miss  Ida  Heller,  a  native  of 
York  county  and  a  daughter  of  Peter  Heller.  Her  father  was  a  pioneer  home- 
steader of  York.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brooke  three  children  have  been 
born,  namely:  Carl,  who  is  a  traveling  salesman;  Clair,  who  is  working  with  his 
father  in  the  management  of  his  land;  and  Florence,  the  wife  of  John  Corcoran 
who  is  living  in  jSTorth  Dakota. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Brooke  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  given  his 
allegiance  to  the  republican  party  which  has  found  in  him  a  stanch  advocate.  For 
some  time  he  served  as  town  committee-man  and  he  is  always  interested  in  the 
leading  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  He  has  never  sought  nor  desired  public 
office,  preferring  rather  to  devote  his  time  to  his  ranching  interests.  Mrs.  Brooke 
is  an  active  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church  and  he  is  fraternally  affiliated 
with  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Throughout  York  county  Mr.  Brooke 
is  widely  recognized  as  a  most  progressive  and  successful  farmer  and  his  farm  in 
that  county  is  numbered  among  the  finest.  His  buildings  are  large  and  modern  and 
represent  the  ideal  country  home.  Mr.  Brooke  is  of  a  kindly  and  generous  disposi- 
tion, giving  freely  to  various  charitable  organizations  and  assisting  in  the  mainte- 
nance of  York  College. 


E.  W.  RAIKES 


E.  W.  Raikes,  who  for  more  than  thirty-three  years  has  been  actively  identified 
with  the  business  life  of  Gresham  where  he  is  well  known  in  the  blacksmithing 
trade,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  born  in  Marion  county,  that  state,  September  17, 
1845,  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Martha  (Murrell)  Raikes,  the  former  of  whom  spent 
his  life  engaged  in  agricultural  operations  in  Kentucky.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
passed  away  many  years  ago  and  are  buried  in  Kentucky,  that  state  being  also  their 
birthplace. 

E.  W.  Raikes  was  reared  on  liis  father's  farm  in  Kentucky  and  was  educated  in 
the  schools  of  his  native  county.  In  his  early  youth  he  helped  on  the  home  farm 
and  later  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  which  at  that  time  was  in  a  flourishing 
condition  in  and  around  his  home  district.  He  followed  his  trade  for  some  years  in 
Kentucky  and  in  1872  moved  to  the  state  of  Illinois  and  settled  near  Petersburg, 
there  resuming  his  trade  of  blacksmith  and  also  engaged  in  farming,  carrying  on 
these  dual  occupations  for  twelve  years.  He  was  successful  from  the  start  and 
became  financially  prosperous.  About  1884  he  crossed  the  country  to  Nebraska  and 
settled  in  Seward  county,  there  putting  up  a  blacksmith  shop  in  the  country  district 
where  he  followed  his  business  for  two  years.  In  1886  when  Gresham  was  being 
organized  Mr.  Raikes  saw  the  possibilities  of  the  new  town  and  moved  there,  build- 
ing a  blacksmith  shop  without  delay  and  later  established  two  more,  and  at  the 
same  time  was  a  wood  worker.  He  devotes  all  his  time  to  his  business  interests  and 
has  country-wide  reputation  for  prompt  and  excellent  work.     He  was  one  of  the 


11.32  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

first  settlers  in  Gresham  and  has  actually  grown  up  with  the  town  where  he  has 
numerous  friends  and  well-wishers. 

While  living  in  Illinois  Mr.  Raikes  was  married  to  Mary  Casteel,  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  born  in  18.56  and  who  died  in  March,  1905.  Three  children  were 
born  to  the  union:  Lizzie,  deceased;  Thomas,  of  Greeley  county,  Nebraska;  and 
Emma,  the  wife  of  Swan  Peterson  of  Polk  county.  Mr.  Raikes  attends  the  United 
Brethren  church  and  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party.  He  has  been 
affiliated  with  the  Royal  Highlanders  for  many  years.  In  matters  pertaining  to 
the  welfare  of  Gresham  he  is  practical  and  progressive  and  is  a  worthy  citizen  in 
every  respect. 


FRANK  H.  BALDWIN 


Since  about  190.5  Frank  H.  Baldwin  has  been  living  retired  in  York  in  his 
modern  home  at  507  Thompson  avenue.  Mr.  Baldwin  was  born  in  La  Salle 
county,  Illinois,  on  the  20th  of  December,  1857,  a  son  of  Franklin  and  Mary 
(Johnson)  Baldwin.  His  parents  were  natives  of  New  York  state  and  were  married 
there,  soon  after  removing  to  Illinois  where  they  settled  on  government  land.  The 
father  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  at  one  dollar  and  twenty- 
five  cents  an  acre.  For  a  number  of  years  they  resided  on  the  land  and  then 
removed  to  a  farm  in  La  Salle  county,  later  removing  to  De  Kalb  county  and 
suljsequently  to  the  little  village  of  Sandwich  where  they  resided  for  eight  years. 
The  mother's  death  occurred  while  living  on  the  farm.  Sometime  after  his  wife's 
death  Franklin  Baldwin  married  Mary  J.  Carpenter.  In  1880  he  removed  to  York 
county,  where  he  purchased  some  land.  His  land  speculations  had  been  very  suc- 
cessful and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  in  possession  of  one  thousand  acres  of 
land.  Five  children  were  born  to  the  first  marriage,  two  of  whom  are  living: 
Frank  H.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  and  Mary,  the  wife  of  W.  W.  Wykoff  of 
York.  Two  of  the  children  died  in  childhood  and  Granville  E.  died  in  York  in 
1915.  The  members  of  the  Baldwin  family  were  consistent  members  of  the  Con- 
gregational church.  Franklin  Baldwin  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican 
party  and  held  various  township  offices.  He  was  a  son  of  Seth  Baldwin  who  was 
born  in  Durham,  Connecticut,  in  1775,  removed  to  New  York  in  1804  and  died 
there  on  the  22d  of  February,  1832.  The  Baldwin  family  for  generations  were 
prominent  in  the  east,  the  ancestors  having  come  to  the  United  States  from  England 
in  the  early  part  of  the  fourteenth  century.  A  brother  of  Franklin  Baldwin,  Dwight, 
graduated  from  Yale,  later  settled  in  New  York  state  where  he  married,  and 
removed  with  his  family  to  the  Sandwich  Islands.  This  trip  he  made  around  Cape 
Horn  and  became  a  missionary  on  these  islands.  The  children  are  still  living  on 
the  island  and  are  holding  positions  of  prominence,  having  become  millionaires. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Frank  H.  Baldwin  attended  the  })ublic 
schools  of  Sandwich,  Illinois,  and  the  district  schools  of  La  Salle  county,  the  same 
state.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  quit  school  and  started  farming  on  a  part 
of  his  father's  land  in  Illinois  and  later  rented  land,  living  with  an  elder  brother. 
On  the  16th  of  December,  1880,  Mr.  Baldwin  left  for  York  county,  coming  through 
with  some  stock  in  a  freight  car,  the  trip  requiring  seven  days  and  on  the  23d  of 


FEANKLIN  BALDWIN 


Vol.  11—34 


-THE  l^EV/  YORK 
PUBLIC  UB-.ABY 


.^J'^s^r^ 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  1135 

December,  1880,  he  arrived  in  York.  His  father  had  purchased  some  land  in  this 
county  and  Mr.  Baldwin  moved  onto  it,  "baching"  it  for  a  period  of  eighteen 
months.  Besides  farming  Mr.  Baldwin  fed  and  raised  live  stock  in  which  occupa- 
tions he  was  very  successful.  About  1905  he  decided  to  retire  from  active  life  and 
removed  to  York  where  he  built  a  beautiful  modern  home  at  507  Thompson 
avenue.  He  has  rented  all  of  his  land,  still  retaining  four  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  of  it.  Although  Mr.  Baldwin  is  practically  retired  he  takes  an  interest  in  the 
financial  circles  of  York,  being  a  director  in  the  City  National  Bank. 

In  1888  Mr.  Baldwin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Graves.  She  was 
an  orphan  and  had  been  reared  to  young  womanliood  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daniel 
Graves.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baldwin  four  children  have  been  born,  three 
of  whom  are  living,  namely :  Harry  D.,  who  is  a  fireman  on  the  Union  Pacific 
railroad  and  resides  at  North  Platte;  Bernice  L.,  the  wife  of  Frank  A.  Peterson, 
residing  six  miles  northwest  of  York ;  and  Florence  Helen,  who  attended  Monticello 
seminary  at  St.  Louis,  is  at  home.  The  third  member  of  the  family,  Vernon  G., 
di^d  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baldwin  are  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Congregational  church  and  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  organization. 

Mr.  Baldwin  has  always  given  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  it  has 
always  found  in  him  a  stanch  advocate.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  At  all  points  in 
his  career  he  has  been  actuated  by  a  laudable  ambition  and  his  activity  and  even- 
paced  energy  have  carried  him  steadily  forward. 


HEINEICH  G.  EPP. 


Heinrich  G.  Epp,  actively  identified  with  farming  and  stock  raising  in  York 
county,  his  home  being  on  section  4,  Henderson  township,  belongs  to  an  old  and 
well  known  family  of  this  section  of  the  state  that  comes  to  Nebraska  from  southern 
Eussia.  It  was  there  that  Mr.  Epp  of  this  review  was  born  June  5,  1863,  his  parents 
being  Gerhard  and  Katherine  (Dick)  Epp,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Eussia, 
whence  they  came  to  the  new  world  in  1875.  They  at  once  journeyed  across  the 
country  to  York  county  and  took  up  their  abode  on  section  3,  Henderson  township, 
where  the  father  purchased  railroad  land  and  began  the  development  of  a  farm. 
He  resided  thereon  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1893,  while  his  widow  sur- 
vived for  eleven  years  and  was  then  called  to  her  final  rest.  In  their  family  were 
sixteen  children,  four  of  whom  are  living. 

Heinrich  G.  Epp  obtained  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Eussia  but  never  had 
the  opportunity  of  attending  school  in  York  county,  as  they  settled  in  a  frontier 
district  and  his  labors  were  needed  in  the  development  of  the  home  farm.  He  con- 
tinued with  his  parents  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years,  his  time  and 
attention  being  given  to  the  work  of  the  fields  from  the  time  of  early  spring  plant- 
ing until  crops  were  harvested  in  the  late  autumn.  On  lea\Tng  home  he  took  up  his 
abode  on  the  farm  which  he  now  occupies.  Here  he  owns  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  rich  and  productive  land,  which  he  has  brought  under  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation, so  that  he  annually  gathers  good  harvests.  He  also  owns  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  in   Oklahoma.     He  has  always  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock 


li;!(!  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

raisinj;  ami  butli  branches  of  liis  business  have  pmven  jirofitalile.  lie  is  now  making 
a  specialty  of  raising  Duroc  Jersey  liogs. 

In  1892  Mr.  P]j)p  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Katherine  Ruller,  a  native  of 
southern  Russian,  and  to  them  have  been  born  seventeen  cliiidren:  Sarah,  the  wife 
of  Jacob  Kreker:  Oerhart,  deceased;  Katherine,  Margaret,  David,  Dietrich,  Isaac, 
Anna  and  Abrahain  If.,  all  at  home;  Aaron  and  Benjamin,  twins,  both  of  whom 
have  passed  away;  Agnes,  at  home;  Eva,  deceased:  Jacob  and  Henry,  twins,  the 
former  now  deceased ;  Helen :  and  Peter. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Epp  are  meml)ers  of  the  Bethesda  church,  in  the  work  of  which 
Mr.  Epp  takes  an  active  and  helpful  part.  He  is  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to 
the  moral  progress  as  well  as  the  material  development  of  the  community  in  which 
he  lives.  For  more  than  forty-five  years  he  has  been  a  resident  of  York  county  and 
therefore  has  witnessed  practically  its  entire  development  and  upbuilding.  Great 
indeed  have  been  the  changes  which  have  occurred  during  this  period  and  in  all  the 
work  of  advancement  Mr.  Epp  has  been  deeply  interested,  lending  his  aid  and 
cooperation  to  every  plan  and  movement  for  the  general  good. 


HORTON  M.  DETRICK 


While  Ilorton  il.  Detrick  is  living  retired  be  was  for  many  years  actively 
identified  with  agricultural  interests  in  Nebraska  and  contributed  much  to  the 
agricultural  development  of  the  state.  Tic  is  now  enjoying  a  well  earned  rest,  the 
fruits  of  his  former  toil  supplying  him  with  all  of  the  comforts  and  many  of  the 
luxuries  of  life.  He  was  born  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  Octo- 
ber 26,  1835,  so  that  he  has  now  passed  the  eighty-fifth  milestone  on  life's  journey. 
His  parents  were  of  German  lineage.  During  his  boyhood  days  Horton  M.  Detrick 
devoted  his  time  to  school  work  and  to  assisting  his  father  who  was  a  contractor  and 
builder,  his  time  being  thus  passed  until  ISoG.  lie  then  went  with  his  father  to 
Iowa  where  the  latter  purchased  a  farm  and  Hort<Ju  M.  Detrick  aided  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  land  in  addition  to  following  his  trade.  In  September,  1861,  he  enlisted 
in  the  Fourth  Iowa  ('avalry,  as  a  member  of  Company  D,  and  in  1864  reenlisted  at 
Vicksburg  as  a  veteran  of  the  same  regiment,  serving  until  tlie  end  of  the  war. 
He  was  wounded  in  the  right  shoulder  at  Columbus,  Georgia,  during  the  last  battle 
in  which  his  regiment  participated.  He  made  liis  home  in  Iowa  until  the  spring  of 
1870  when  he  came  to  Nebraska  and  here  homesteaded  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  land  on  section  30,  township  11,  range  2,  west,  just  outside  the  city  limits  of 
York. 

With  characteristic  energy  Mr.  Detrick  began  the  improvement  ami  development 
of  his  place  and  resided  thereon  until  1890,  when  he  took  up  his  abode  in  the  city 
and  retired  from  active  business.  His  house  on  the  farm  was  located  in  a  beautiful 
grove  and  there  was  an  excellent  orchard  upon  the  place. 

In  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa,  on  the  25th  of  October,  1865,  Mr.  Detrick  was  married 
to  Miss  Jennie  C.  Andrews,  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  they  have  become  parents  of 
five  children:  Effie  E.,  who  is  a  graduate  of  Nebraska  Wesleyan  University; 
Jesse  W.,  who  was  connected  with  the  United  States  mail  service  for  twenty-three 
years  and  is  now  deceased;  Estella   N.,  who  was  city  librarian  at  York  for  nine 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1137 

years  and  is  now  the  wife  of  R.  E.  Lynds,  their  home  heing  near  \'isalia,  California ; 
Hiram,  who  was  engaged  in  the  drug  business  in  York  and  is  now  deceased:  and 
Lulu,  who  was  deputy  county  superintendent  of  schools  and  is  now  the  wife  of 
M.  S.  Hargraves,  of  Alliance,  Nebraska.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Detrick  have  four  grand- 
children. 

Mr.  Detrick  has  always  been  interested  in  the  cause  of  education  and  he  served 
on  the  school  board  for  a  number  of  years,  filling  the  otRce  for  fourteen  consecutive 
years.  He  has  labored  untiringly  for  the  welfare  and  upbuilding  of  this  section  of 
the  state.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican  and  served  for  si.x  consecutive  years  as  a 
member  of  the  York  county  board  of  supervisors,  representing  the  city  of  York.  He 
has  also  been  a  member  of  the  city  council  and  was  postmaster  of  York  from  1890 
until  189.T  through  appointment  of  President  Benjamin  Harrison.  In  1902  he  was 
elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the  state  legislature  from  the  thirty-eighth  district  and 
was  reelected  in  1904.  During  his  first  term  he  was  chairman  of  the  Soldiers'  Home 
committee  and  was  a  member  of  the  committee  on  public  lands,  judiciary  and 
county  organization.  During  the  second  session  he  served  as  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee on  claims  and  was  a  member  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  committee.  He  took  a 
most  keen  and  active  interest  in  everything  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  the  state 
and  gave  the  weight  of  his  influence  to  every  measure  that  he  deemed  of  lienefit  to 
the  commonwealth.  He  is  a  member  of  York  Lodge,  No.  35,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  of 
Robert  Anderson  Post,  No.  32,  G.  A.  R.,  of  York,  thus  maintaining  pleasant  rela- 
tions with  his  old  army  comrades.  His  life  has  been  a  busy  and  useful  one,  gaining 
for  him  the  respect,  confidence  and  goodwill  of  all,  and  liis  arc  now  "the  blest 
accompaniments  of  age — honor,  riches,  troops  of  friends." 


LEWIS  W.  TlfOLTTMAN 


Lewis  AV.  Troutman.  who  is  now  living  retired  at  Benedict  after  many  years  of 
successful  farming,  was  born  in  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  10,  18.53, 
a  son  of  John  and  Rebecca  (Hoyman)  Troutman.  His  father  was  a  farmer  in  the 
Keystone  state  for  some  years  and  died  in  1854  at  the  very  early  age  of  twenty-five 
years,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  at  that  time  being  a  mere  infant.  John  Troutman 
was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  in  politics  gave  his  su])port  to  democratic 
policies.  Some  time  later  his  widow  married  for  her  second  husband  Nicholas 
Burket,  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  to  this  second  union  five  children  were 
born :  Benjamin  Franklin  Burket,  who  died  in  Ohio :  James  P.,  deceased ; 
Charles  W.,  living  in  Kansas;  Emma,  wife  of  Lee  Smith,  and  Anna,  who  married 
a  Mr.  Frantz,  and  lives  in  Maryland.  The  mother  of  these  children  passed 
away  in  186.">,  in  her  thirty-seventh  year.  She  was  an  earnest  meml)er  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  which  she  assisted  by  her  moral  and  financial  support. 

.  Lewis  W.  Troutman,  deprived  of  his  father  in  the  first  year  of  his  life,  was  taken 
to  Iowa  and  Illinois  by  his  mother  after  her  second  marriage,  and  in  the  schools  of 
these  states  he  secured  his  education.  When  fourteen  years  old  he  commenced  his 
farming  career  in  Iowa  and  continued  to  work  out  on  farms  in  Iowa  and  Illinois 
for  about  twelve  years,  later  farming  on  his  own  account  for  twehe  months.  With 
the  experience  thus  gained  Mr.  Troutman  came  to  York  county  in  the  spring  of 


1138  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

1879  and  resumed  working  on  farms  by  the  month.  Later  he  bought  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  which  he  devoted  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  His 
first  house  was  a  frame  structure,  fourteen  by  twenty  feet,  and  he  continued  to 
occupy  this  for  twelve  years.  His  success  in  agriculture  has  been  mainly  through 
his  own  efforts  and  untiring  energy.  He  retired  in  1916  and  went  to  reside  in 
Benedict,  where  he  built  a  fine  residence  in  1917. 

On  March  23,  1881,  Mr.  Troutman  was  married  to  Emma  J.  Troutman,  who 
was  born  in  Blackhawk  county,  Iowa.  His  political  leanings  are  toward  the  repub- 
lican party,  but  he  frequently  votes  an  independent  ticket.  His  wife  is  a  member 
of  the  Lutheran  church. 


WILLIAM  M.  OVERSTREET 

Since  1910  William  M.  Overstreet  has  engaged  in  the  automobile  business  in 
York,  handling  Buick  and  Cadillac  cars  and  in  addition  conducting  a  general  auto 
repair  and  accessory  business.  He  was  born  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  February  11, 
1868,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Charlotte  (Bull)  Overstreet,  the  former  a  native  of 
Kentucky  and  the  latter  of  Connecticut.  Their  marriage  occurred  in  Galesburg 
where  Robert  Overstreet  had  come  with  his  father,  at  the  age  of  one  year,  the  trip 
from  Kentucky  to  Illinois  being  made  by  covered  wagon  and  they  settled  in  Gales- 
burg. Robert  Overstreet  received  his  education  in  Galesburg  and  spent  liis  early 
life  there.  In  1884  he  removed  to  York  county,  bought  some  land,  which  is  still 
retained  in  the  family,  and  became  a  farmer  and  stock  man.  In  190.5  he  retired 
from  active  life  and  returned  to  Galesburg.  His  death  occurred  on  the  1st  of  May, 
1917,  while  visiting  his  son.  The  mother  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of 
seventy-five  years.  Three  children  were  born  to  this  union,  two  of  whom  are  living : 
William  M.,  the  subject  of  this  review ;  and  Luther  M.,  who  attended  the  State 
L'niversity  and  the  United  States  Xaval  Academy  at  Annapolis,  Maryland,  and  is 
now  a  captain  in  the  navy,  in  which  service  he  has  been  for  twenty-seven  years. 
The  family  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Congregational  church  and  Mr.  Over- 
street  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  a  member  of  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen.  He  had  one  brother  in  the  Civil  war.  The  grandfather 
of  the  subject  of  this  review,  was  Martin  L.  Overstreet,  boni  in  Kentucky  but 
went  to  Galesburg  early  in  life,  becoming  a  farmer  and  stock  feeder.  The 
maternal  grandfather,  G.  F.  Bull,  was  a  native  of  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  but 
in  1855  removed  to  Illinois  where  he  resided  until  his  death.  He  was  a  broom 
manufacturer. 

William  M.  Overstreet  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  his  education  in  the 
schools  of  York  county.  After  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock  raising  until  1910  when  he  removed  to  York.  In  connection  with  his 
farming  he  had  carried  on  an  automobile  business  in  Polk  and  was  so  successful  in 
this  line  that  he  determined  to  enlarge  his  facilities.  On  removing  to  York  he 
immediately  entered  into  the  business  in  partnership  with  L.  M.  Lincoln  and  his 
son,  Leigh  Lincoln,  and  they  handle  Buick  and  Cadillac  cars.  They  are  the  dis- 
tributors in  this  district  which  consists  of  seven  counties.  In  connection  with  the 
agency  for  these  cars  he  does  a  general  auto  and  repair  business.     They  own  a 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COITXTY  1139 

large  brick  garage,  having  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  square  of  floor  space  with 
room  for  one  hundred  cars.  He  takes  a  great  interest  in  this  business  and  devotes 
most  of  his  time  to  it.  However,  he  owns  several  farms  in  York  county  on  which  he 
raises  Duroe  hogs — about  five  hundred  a  year.  This  particular  farm  consists  of 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He  obtained  eighty  acres  of  land  from  his 
father  to  begin  with  and  has  bought  more  land  until  he  now  owns  six  hundred  and 
forty  acres  in  York  county.  He  recently  refused  an  offer  of  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars  for  his  home  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres. 

In  December,  1891,  Mr.  Overstreet  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Edith  Grieves, 
a  native  of  Burlington,  Iowa,  and  to  this  union  one  daughter,  Helen,  has  been  born. 
She  attended  St.  Mary's  school  in  Illinois  two  years,  attended  the  State  University 
for  one  year,  and  also  spent  one  year  in  Los  Angeles,  California.  She  is  now  in 
Chicago  engaged  in  the  settlement  work  of  Northwestern  University. 

Mr.  Overstreet  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  in  the  interests  of 
which  he  is  very  active.  For  four  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  city  council,  filling 
that  position  with  ability.  Fraternally  he  is  allied  with  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks 
and  the  Travelers  Protective  Association.  In  all  of  these  orders  he  is  an  exemplary 
member.  The  Overstreet  family  are  consistent  members  of  the  Congregational 
church  and  Mrs.  Overstreet  and  daughter  take  an  active  interest  in  the  various 
church  activities.  As  a  progressive  business  man  Mr.  Overstreet  takes  an  interest 
in  the  betterment  of  all  local  conditions,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Rotary  Club 
and  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Commercial  Club.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Overstreet  are 
prominent  in  the  social  circles  of  York  and  are  members  of  the  Country  Club. 
There  is  no  phase  of  the  automobile  business  with  which  Mr.  Overstreet  in  not 
familiar  and  tlie  business  success  which  lie  now  enjoys  is  the  result  of  his  own 
diligence  and  industry. 


LIMAN  M.  MILLER 


Liman  M.  Miller,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  farmer  in  York 
county.  He  was  born  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  in  March,  1851,  and  died  on  the  8th  of 
November,  1916,  at  York.  The  ])arents  of  Liman  M.  Miller  were  Amos  and  Sarah 
(Thompson)  Miller,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  while  the  latter  was  born 
in  Ohio.  They  removed  to  Iowa  and  thence  to  Nebraska  in  187(1,  where  he  acquired 
a  homestead  and  resided  until  his  death.  Four  children  were  born  to  this  union,  all 
of  whom  are  living  with  the  exception  of  Liman  M.,  the  subject  of  this  review. 
They  were  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  he  was  a 
democrat  in  politics. 

Liman  M.  Miller  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Iowa  and  in 
1870  removed  to  York  county,  two  years  later  when  he  became  of  age,  acquiring  a 
homestead  of  eighty  acres  to  which  he  later  annexed  an  additional  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  which  he  highly  improved.  He  built  a  fine  home  on  this  land  and 
many  outbuildings  and  it  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county. 
For  thirty-seven  years  he  and  his  wife  and  family  resided  on  this  farm,  at  the 
termination  of  which  time  he  removed  to  York  l)ut  still  retained  possession  of  the 


1140  TITS1^nT7Y    OF    Y017K    rOT'XTY 

farm  which  is  now  owned  by  the  widow  and  children.  He  built  a  fine  residence  at 
521  E.  6th  street,  in  1908,  and  here  the  widow  resides  alone. 

In  1873  Mr.  Miller  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Alice  Bahcock  wlio  was  born 
near  Madison,  Wisconsin,  in  1855,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Martin)  Bab- 
cock.  Her  parents  were  both  born  in  the  state  of  Xew  ^'ork  and  at  an  early  day 
settled  in  Wisconsin.  From  there  tliey  removed  tu  Icjwa  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  for  a  time  and  in  September,  186!),  came  to  York  county  to  live.  Here 
they  acquired  a  homestead  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  At  the 
time  the  Babcocks  settled  in  York  county  the  settlement  was  very  scattered  and  they 
suffered  many  inconveniences.  In  order  to  secure  their  mail  it  was  necessary  for 
them  to  go  to  the  post  office  at  McFndden,  twelve  miles  away  and  their  grain  had 
to  be  taken  to  the  mill  at  Milfonl.  Lumber  for  the  building  of  their  houses  and 
outbuildings  had  to  be  hauled  from  Lincoln.  During  the  winter  months  Mr.  Bab- 
cock  went  with  his  neighbors  to  hunt  buffaloes  which  were  very  plentiful  in  that 
community.  Only  the  hind  quarters  of  the  buifalo  were  used  for  food  the  remainder 
being  left  on  the  plains.  Some  of  this  meat  was  dried  for  use  in  the  summer.  To 
the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  three  children  were  born:  Clifford,  who  lives  in 
Omaha;  Bertha,  who  is  the  wife  of  Harvey  Pickerell,  a  successful  farmer  of  York 
county ;  and  Dr.  George  R.,  who  is  a  veterinary  surgeon  at  York.  Clifford  Miller, 
the  eldest  son,  is  married  and  has  two  daughters,  Gladys  and  Marjorie.  Both 
daughters  are  graduates  of  the  York  high  school,  Gladys  being  twenty  years  of  age 
and  Marjorie  nineteen.  Marjorie  is  teaching  the  school  once  attended  by  her 
grandmother. 

Mr.  Miller  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party  and  while  he  was 
always  very  active  in  ])olitics  he  neither  sought  nor  desired  public  office.  He  was, 
however,  a  member  of  the  county  board  when  the  courthouse  was  built.  Fraternally 
he  was  a  Mason  and  an  Elk  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Order  of 
the  Eastern  Star,  of  which  she  is  past  matron.  During  the  years  of  his  residence 
in  York  he  made  many  friends  and  his  death  was  a  great  blow  to  the  community, 
for  in  his  passing  they  lost  a  citizen  of  great  diligence  and  progressiveness. 


WALTER  C.  BAER 


Walter  C.  Baer  of  the  W.  C.  Bacr  &  Company  Furniture  Store  of  York  was 
born  in  Wisconsin  on  the  11th  of  February,  1879,  the  son  of  Charles  and  Anna 
(Hottiger)  Baer,  mention  of  whom  is  made  on  another  page  of  this  work.  In  the 
acquirement  of  his  education  Walter  C.  Baer  attended  the  common  schools  of  York 
and  in  due  time  entered  Doan  College  where  he  remained  for  one  year  and  in  Ivan- 
sas  City  two  years.  After  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he  engaged  in  the  future  busi- 
ness with  his  father  under  the  firm  name  of  Charles  Baer  &  Sons.  For  a  numlier  of 
years  the  bu.siness  was  conducted  under  this  inune  but  in  the  fall  of  1910  a  new 
store  was  established,  his  father  having  sold  out  the  old  one.  In  this  year  the 
father  retired  and  Walter  C.  Baer  in  connection  with  a  Mr.  (irewell  conduct  the 
new  business  under  the  name  of  W.  C.  Baer  &  Company.  Under  the  guidance  of 
Mr.  Baer  the  store  has  been  steadily  enlarged  and  today  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the 
county.     Believing  that  satisfied  patrons  are  the  best  advertisement  Mr.  Baer  has 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1141 

invested  in  stock  of  the  hisrliest  qiialitj'  which  lie  sells  to  his  customers  for  reason- 
able and  fair  prices.  On  the  9th  of  February,  1913,  Mr.  Baer  suffered  a  loss  by 
fire  but  his  father  immediately  rebuilt,  starting  the  work  in  November  of  that  year. 

On  the  25th  of  June.  1907,  Mr.  Baer  was  united  in  maiTia.ye  to  Miss  Bertha  Lee, 
a  native  of  Silver  Creek,  Xeliraska,  and  a  daughter  of  Cyrus  H.  Lee,  an  early  settler 
in  Merrick  county.  Mr.  Lee  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business  there  for 
some  time  in  connection  with  his  grain  business  and  was  one  of  the  progressive  and 
prominent  men  of  his  community.  He  and  his  wife  are  now  residing  near  Jackson- 
ville, Florida.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baer,  one  son,  Charles  Homer,  has 
been  born,  his  birth  occurring  on  the  16th  of  September,  1914. 

Mr.  Baer  has  always  followed  an  independent  course  in  politics  although  he 
slightly  favors  the  republican  party.  He  has  never  sought  nor  desired  public  office 
but  as  a  booster  of  York  and  York  county  there  is  none  better.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of  which  he  is  vice  chancellor  and  also  a  member 
of  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  the 
develojiment  and  improvement  of  York  and  is  a  member  of  the  Rotary  Club  and 
the  Commercial  and  Country  Clubs.  Tn  the  social  circles  of  York  Mr.  Baer  and 
family  are  also  prominent.  Jjearning  the  business  in  his  early  youth  he  has 
advanced  step  by  step  until  he  is  one  of  the  most  progressive  business  men  and 
representative  citizens  of  York  county. 


CHARLES  BAER 


Charles  Baer  who  was  for  many  years  successfully  engaged  in  the  furniture 
business  is  now  living  retired  in  York,  a  highly  respected  citizen  of  that  place.  He 
M'as  born  in  Switzerland  in  1848,  a  son  of  Charles  and  Judith  (Uatticker)  Baer,  also 
natives  of  Switzerland,  the  former  coming  to  Wisconsin  in  1890  where  his  death 
occurred  and  the  latter's  death  occurred  in  Switzerland.  They  were  the  parents  of 
fourteen  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living  :  Charles,  the  subject  of  this  review; 
Alfred,  who  is  living  retired  in  Canyon,  Minnesota;  Henry,  who  is  retired  and 
residing  in  York;  Sophia,  the  wife  of  Charles  Kunzelman,  a  retired  farmer  at 
Baraboo,  Wisconsin:  Selina,  who  is  the  widow  of  .Mr.  Charles  Horstman,  and  who 
re.sides  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  Marie,  the  widow  of  Mr.  Oollmar,  resides  in 
Baraboo,  AVisconsin;  Arnold,  who  is  residing  in  California  where  he  is  em])loyed  as 
a  mechanic  in  the  ship  building  factories;  Otto,  a  farmer  in  Wisconsin;  and  Emma, 
who  is  living  in  California. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Charles  Baer  attended  the  schools  of  his 
luitive  land  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  decided  to  come  to  the  United  States. 
After  arriving  in  this  country  he  settled  in  Wisconsin  and  learning  the  trade  of 
cabinet-making  he  engaged  in  this  line  of  work.  For  some  time  he  conducted  a 
furniture  business  in  connection  with  his  trade  and  in  1879  came  to  Nebraska  and 
in  1880  to  York.  He  bought  out  the  J.  E.  Phillips  Furniture  Store  and  in  partner- 
ship with  his  brother  conducted  this  business  for  a  number  of  years  under  the  name 
of  Baer  Brothers.  Later  Mr.  Baer  bought  his  brother's  interest,  running  it  alone 
for  some  time  and  then  sold  out,  and  took  a  vacation,  visiting  Switzerland.  When 
he  returned  he  and  Mr.  King  bought  out  M.  B.  Atkins  in  lS!Ci.     Later  he  bought 


1142  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Mr.  King's  interest.  When  the  son  was  old  enough  he  became  a  partner  and  the 
firm  name  then  became  Charles  Baer  &  Son  and  subsequently  Charles  Baer  &  Sons. 
Mr.  Baer  retired  from  the  business  in  1910  and  now  his  son  conducts  the  store 
under  the  name  of  W.  C.  Baer  &  Company.  In  1904  the  father  erected  a  handsome 
residence  in  York  and  here  he  is  spending  his  last  years.  He  also  owns  some 
business  property. 

In  1873  Mr.  Baer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Hottiger,  whose  birth 
occurred  in  Switzerland  on  the  23rd  of  August,  1850,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Katharina  (Zweifel)  Hottiger.  Her  parents  started  for  the  United  States  to  make 
this  their  new  home,  but  the  father  died  while  on  board  ship  and  was  biiried  at 
sea.  The  mother  continued  on  her  way  with  her  two  baby  girls  and  on  arriving  in 
this  country  settled  in  Wisconsin.  Here  she  reared  her  two  daughters  to  woman- 
hood and  for  twelve  years  preceding  her  death  she  made  her  home  with  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Baer.  The  other  daughter  was  Sarah,  who  is  deceased.  To  the  union  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baer  three  children  have  been  born :  Emma,  who  received  her  educa- 
tion in  the  York  high  school,  the  York  College,  and  took  a  commercial  course  in  a 
business  college;  Henry,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  in  Loveland, 
Colorado ;  and  AV alter,  wlio  is  engaged  in  the  furniture  business  in  York. 

Mr.  Baer  has  always  followed  an  inde])endent  course  in  politics.  Starting  out  in 
life  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  with  the  grim  determination  to  succeed  he  has  over- 
come every  obstacle  that  presented  itself  and  is  now  a  well-to-do,  successful  man 
residing  in  his  fine  residence  at  423  E.  Fifth  street,  secure  in  the  high  regard  and 
esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


HENEY  MAEQUAEDT 


For  many  years  Henry  Marquardt,  deceased,  was  a  prominent  and  successful 
farmer  in  York  county.  His  death  occurred  in  1916  and  came  as  a  sad  blow  to  his 
many  friends  in  the  community. 

Henry  Marquardt  was  a  native  of  Germany,  having  been  born  in  that  country 
in  1856,  a  son  of  German  parents  who  spent  their  lives  in  Germany  and  are  now 
deceased.  Henry  Marquardt  received  his  early  education  in  Germany  and  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  years  left  his  native  land  and  in  company  with  a  brother  came  to  the 
United  States.  They  arrived  in  Wisconsin  in  the  spring  of  1872  and  a  year  later 
came  to  York  county  where  he  homesteaded  as  soon  as  he  became  of  age.  He  was 
a  man  of  great  diligence  and  industry  and  soon  became  one  of  the  most  progres- 
sive farmers  in  the  vicinity.  He  became  financially  well-to-do  and  contributed  lib- 
erally to  the  support  of  his  parents  in  Germany.  At  first  he  engaged  in  general 
farming  but  later  on  he  raised  live  stock.  At  the  time  of  his  death  in  1916 
Mr.  Marquardt  was  in  possession  of  eight  hundred  acres  of  laud. 

In  1879  Mr.  Marquardt  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Henrietta  Sacksckewsky, 
a  native  of  Germany  and  a  daughter  of  Carl  Sacksckewsky  who  died  in  that  country. 
The  ancestry  of  Mrs.  Marquardt  is  Polish.  Twelve  children  were  born  to  this 
union  :  Eobert,  who  lives  on  a  farm  in  New  York  township ;  Henry,  at  home :  Olga, 
who  is  residing  at  home ;  John,  a  farmer  residing  in  Wisconsin ;  Louie,  a  farmer  in 
York  county ;  Leo,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  York  county ;  Alma,  who  is  resid- 


HENRY  MAEQUAEDT 


PUBLIC  LIBBA.^ 


HISTOEY    OF    YOrtK    COUXTY  1145 

ii)g  ill  Fremont:  Fred,  wiio  is  engaged  in  farming:  Ilattie.  wlio  is  at  lidine:  P]ric,' 
who  is  employed  in  the  American  State  Rank:  William,  at  home;  and  Anna,  who 
is  attending  high  school.  Loviie  served  during  the  World  war,  enlisting  on  the  3rd 
of  May,  1918.  He  was  sent  to  Camp  Fremont  in  California  for  training  and  was 
aboard  ship  all  ready  to  sail  when  the  armistice  was  signed.  He  was  then  returned, 
to  Camp  Lee,  Virginia,  where  he  remained  for  three  months.  He  received  his 
discharge  at  Camp  Dodge,  Iowa. 

Throughout  his  entire  life  Mr.  Marquardt  was  a  member  of  the  democratic 
party  which  found  in  him  a  stalwart  advocate.  Although  he  devoted  the  greater 
part  of  his  time  to  farming  he  held  the  position  of  township  assessor  for  a  period 
of  four  years.  Mr.  Marquardt  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church 
and  his  widow  is  still  active  in  the  various  societies  of  that  organization.  .  He  was 
known  to  be  a  man  of  the  most  honorable  business  principles  and  was  very  well 
liked  in  the  community  in  which  resided.  In  the  early  part  of  1920  Mrs.  Mar- 
quardt removed  to  York  where  slie  bought  a  beautiful  home  at  183.5  Lincoln  avenue. 
Here  she  is  now  residing,  a  highly  esteemed  and .  respected  citizen. 


FEEDEEICK  BICHTEE 


Frederick  Eichter  is  now  living  retired  in  Gresham,  but  for  a  long  period  was 
actively  identified  with  the  farming  interests  of  this  section  of  the  state  and  through 
close  application  and  unremitting  energy  won  a  substantial  measure  of  success.  He 
was  born  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  June  19,  1861,  a  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edward 
Eichter,  the  former  a  native  of  Saxony  and  the  latter,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Wolberger,  was  born  in  Bye.r,  Germany. 

Edward  Eichter  immigrated  from  Germany  to  America,  making  the  ocean  voy- 
age on  an  old  sailing  vessel,  the  time  occupied  in  the  sea  journey  being  about  four 
weeks.  After  arriving  in  New  York  he  went  to  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  and  there 
resumed  his  trade  as  a  silk  lace  weaver,  which  he  had  learned  in  the  old  country.  Li 
1861,  following  Lincoln's  call  for  volunteers,  he  enlisted  in  the  Sixth  Connecticut 
Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  during  the  Civil  war  for  about  three  years,  at  the 
end  of  that  period  receiving  his  honorable  discharge.  At  the  close  of  his  military 
service  Mr.  Eichter  returned  to  Connecticut  and  resumed  working  at  his  trade, 
which  he  later  had  to  abandon  owing  to  failing  eyesight.  He  then  decided  to  try 
life  on  a  farm  and  in  the  late  60"s  went  to  Blackhawk  county,  Iowa,  and  bought 
forty  acres  of  land  which  he  operated  successfully  for  four  or  five  years.  In  1873 
he  came  to  Nebraska  and  took  a  homestead  of  eighty  acres  in  Polk  county  and 
pre-empted  another  eighty  acres  in  York  county,  later  coming  to  Lincoln  and  buying 
the  latter  place  out.  His  first  abode  was  a  dugout  with  dirt  floor  and  roof,  which 
was  supplemented  by  a  sod  house  and  at  the  same  time  he  put  up  a  dugout  barn. 
He  broke  the  ground  and  planted  crops,  put  out  trees  and  an  orchard  but  the  latter 
died.  His  general  farming  was  a  pronounced  success  and  all  went  well  iintil  this 
part  of  the  state  was  invaded  by  a  cloud  of  grasshoppers  which  destroyed  all  his 
crops,  giving  him  a  serious  setback.  LTJtimately  he  got  the  farm  into  shape  again 
and  increased  his  improvements  as  circumstances  permitted,  and  continued  to 
operate  his  holding  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1887  when  he 
was  sixty-eight  years  old.     His  wife  survived  until  1901,  when  she  passed  away  in 


1146  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

her  eighty-fourth  year.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children:  Edward,  who 
died  in  Connecticut;  Sophia,  who  died  in  1880;  Amelia,  widow  of  John  Graff,  of 
Greeley  county,  Nebraska,  and  Frederick.  The  parents  were  member.<  of  the 
Lutheran  church  and  active  in  its  good  works. 

Frederick  Richter  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Iowa  and  Nebraska, 
the  school  being  built  of  sod  with  a  dirt  floor  and  with  brush  and  sod  for  roof,  while 
the  school  season  did  not  last  longer  than  three  months  in  each  year.  He  remained 
at  home  for  a  time  and  later  worked  out  on  farms  in  the  vicinity  at  eight  dollars  a 
month  and  in  1876  received  ten  dollars  a  month  for  the  same  kind  of  work,  but 
managed  to  save  money  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  which  cost  him  four  dollars 
an  acre.  He  built  a  small  frame  house  without  plaster  and  otherwise  improved  the 
holding.  Emboldened  by  success  he  bought  another  eighty  acres  for  wloich  he  paid 
ten  dollars  per  acre  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  half  section  of  splendid  land  with  two 
sets  of  improvements,  the  whole  being  devoted  to  general  farming,  to  which  in  latter 
years  he  added  stock  raising.  He  placed  all  modern  farming  accessories  on  the 
"holdings  and  his  practical  industry  and  energy  enabled  him  to  derive  substantial 
results  from  the  fields,  so  that  he  was  in  a  position  to  retire  in  1919.  In  December 
of  that  year  he  bought  a  home  in  Gresham  in  which  he  is  pleasantly  and  com- 
fortably situated  and  is  still  vigorous  and  active. 

In  1881  Mr.  Richter  was  married  to  Mary  Schroeder,  who  was  born  in  Germany 
and  a  daughter  of  Herman  Schroeder.  To  this  union  seven  children  were  born : 
Herman  E.,  a  farmer  of  Polk  county;  Charlotte  L.,  the  wife  of  George  Graff  of 
Polk  county ;  Fritz  J.,  who  lives  in  Gresham ;  Sophia,  the  wife  of  Henry  Wolford  of 
Polk  county ;  George  B.,  who  farms  the  home  place ;  Gertrude,  the  wife  of  William 
Wolford  of  Seward  county ;  and  Earl,  who  assists  in  the  operation  of  the  old  farm. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  to  which  they  subscribe  liberally. 
Mr.  Richter  has  always  given  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  is 
active  in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Industry  and  perseverance,  guided 
by  keen  intelligence,  have  been  the  basis  of  his  succcess. 


HERMAN  WELLMANN 


Herman  Wellmann,  who  owns  well  improved  land  in  Beaver  township,  York 
county,  is  employing  the  progressive  and  enterprising  characteristics  of  the  west  in 
his  farm  work,  and  he  has  already  gained  a  gra-tifying  amount  of  prosperity. 

Herman  Wellmann  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  March  7,  1862,  a  son  of 
George  Fromme  and  his  wife,  Louise  Wellmann.  In  the  Wellmann  family  there  was 
no  son  to  carry  on  the  name  and  so  when  the  daughter  Louise  was  married  she 
retained  her  surname  and  Mr.  Fromme  dropped  his  own,  becoming  George  Well- 
mann. The  father  made  three  trips  to  America,  finally  making  his  home  with  his 
children.  His  death  occurred  in  York  county,  and  his  wife's  death  occurred  in 
Beaver  township.  They  were  aged  eighty-two  and  eighty-one  years  respectively.  To 
the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Wellmann  the  following  children  were  born : 
Minnie,  who  is  the  widow  of  William  Pieper  of  York  county;  Sophia,  the  wife  of 
Julius  Blume,  residing  in  York  county;  Henry,  who  was  an  early  homesteader  in 
York  countv  but  now  lives  at  Waco;  Louise,  who  is  still  residing  in  Germany; 


HISTOEY    OF   YORK    COUNTY  1147 

Herman,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Gezene,  who  is  residing  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  and 
four  other  children  who  are  deceased. 

The  subject  of  this  review,  Herman  WeUmann,  received  his  education  in  his 
native  country  and  at  tlie  age  of  eighteen  years  came  to  the  United  States.  He  had 
an  older  brother  who  was  engaged  in  farming  in  York  county  so  he  removed  there 
and  for  some  time  worked  out  on  farms.  By  thrift  and  hard  work  Mr.  Wellmann 
managed  to  save  a  substantial  amount  and  he  bought  eighty  acres  in  section  thirty- 
two,  Beaver  township,  which  he  farmed  but  a  few  years  when  he  sold  it,  realizing  a 
fair  profit.  He  then  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  section  two,  Beaver  township, 
and  on  this  farm  has  since  resided.  It  is  one  of  the  finest  improved  farms  in  the 
county  and  ten  thousand  dollars  would  not  now  cover  the  cost  of  the  many  buildings 
on  the  place.  The  farm  has  its  own  Delco  Electric  lighting  system  and  is  up  to 
date  in  every  other  way.    He  now  owns  five  hundred  acres. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Wellmann  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Katrina  Tieken,  a 
daughter  of  Gerhard  and  Katrina  Tieken,  and  ten  children  have  been  born  to  them, 
namely:  Gerhard,  who  is  married  and  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  We.st 
Blue  township  which  he  farms ;  Henry,  who  is  likewise  married  and  owns  a  farm  in 
Seward  county;  William,  who  owns  a  quarter  section  in  Beaver  township;  Anna, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Herman  Staehr,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  near  Chappell,  Deuel 
county ;  Herman,  who  is  residing  on  this  father's  farm  in  Waco  township ;  Carl,  who 
owns  a  farm  in  West  Blue  township ;  Clara,  the  wife  of  Carl  Apat,  who  is  engaged 
in  farming  in  Beaver  township ;  and  Louise,  Eiehard,  and  Dorothea,  all  at  home. 

Politically  Mr.  Wellmann  follows  an  independent  course,  voting  for  the  man 
rather  than  the  party.  He  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  German  Evangelical 
Lutheran  church  in  Beaver  township  and  for  over  a  period  of  eighteen  years  has 
been  elder  in  the  local  church.  From  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  has  been  an 
active  factor  in  the  world's  work,  earning  his  own  livelihood  throughout  the  entire 
period.  He  is  a  man  of  upright  character  and  sterling  worth  and  has  contributed 
much  to  the  agricultural  development  of  the  county. 


JACOB  M.  LLOYD 


In  the  passing  of  Jacob  Lloyd  York  county  lost  another  of  its  pioneer  farmers. 
Mr.  Lloyd  came  to  York  county  in  1876  and  it  was  not  long  before  he  was  recognized 
as  one  of  the  leading  men  in  the  community.  For  twelve  years  before  his  death, 
which  occurred  on  the  30th  of  December,  1919,  he  had  made  his  home  in  York  where 
he  was  a  highly  respected  citizen. 

Jacob  M.  Lloyd  was  born  near  Springfield,  Logan  county,  Illinois,  September 
30,  1849,  a  son  of  Belfield  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Meeker)  Lloyd,  the  former  a  native  of 
Virginia,  while  the  latter  was  born  in  New  York  state.  Their  marriage  occurred  in 
Illinois  where  they  had  come  as  young  people  and  they  later  removed  to  Iowa  where 
they  resided  until  they  passed  away. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Jacob  M.  Lloyd  attended  the  country  schools 
of  his  native  county  and  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1876  Mr.  Lloyd  and  his  wife  came  to  Nebraska.  He  had  been  married  in  Iowa  in 
1869.    The  trip  was  made  in  covered  wagons  and  they  underwent  many  hardships. 


1148  HISTORY    OF    Y()I!K    (OUXTY 

Mr.  Lldvd  ae(|uiie(l  a  hoiiu'r^tertil  and  was  t'in|il(iy('(l  at  various  kinds  of  work  \intii 
his  first  crop  was  raised.  Mrs.  Lloyd  cooperated  with  lier  husband  in  every  way  and 
a  great  measure  of  their  later  success  is  attributable  to  her.  She  was  expert  with 
the  needle  and  assisted  the  different  neighbors  with  their  sewing,  thereby  giving  her 
husband  financial  aid.  The  first  year  of  their  residence  in  Y'ork  county  was  a 
failure,  for  in  that  year  the  grasshoppers  came  and  the  crop  was  ruined.  They 
were  not  discouraged,  however,  and  as  the  result  of  hard  labor  and  determination 
succeeded  in  making  their  quarter  section  one  of  the  finest  in  the  county.  Mr.  Lloyd 
hauled  lumber  from  Fairmont,  a  distance  of  twenty-five  miles,  and  built  a  frame 
house.  At  Fairmont  Mr.  Lloyd  found  a  ready  market  for  his  grain,  the  sale  of 
which  netted  him  substantial  sums.  From  time  to  time  he  purchased  more  land 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  in  possession  of  four  hundred  acres.  Becoming 
financially  independent  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lloyd  decided  to  remove  to  York  in  1907  and 
leave  the  management  of  the  farm  to  their  sons.  In  York  they  built  a  nice  home 
at  629  East  Ninth  street  and  it  was  here  that  Mr.  Lloyd's  death  occurred  twelve 
years  later.    Mrs.  Lloyd  is  still  residing  there,  an  esteemed  and  respected  citizen. 

In  December,  1869,  Mr.  Lloyd  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Euth  Pool,  a 
native  of  Ohio  and  a  daughter  of  Levi  and  Sarah  (Dodge)  Pool.  Her  parents  had 
moved  to  Ohio  at  an  early  day  where  they  resided  imtil  1874,  when  they  came  to 
Nebraska  and  settled  in  Y'ork  county.  Here  they  both  died.  To  the  union  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lloyd  si.K  children  were  born:  Mamie,  the  wife  of  George  Devine, 
who  is  a  retired  farmer  residing  at  Beaver  City ;  Loretta,  the  wife  of  C.  W.  McWhin- 
ney  who  is  engaged  in  the  land  and  real  estate  business  in  Loveland,  Colorado; 
Bessie,  the  wife  of  Bert  Eeed,  a  farmer  residing  seven  miles  northwest  of  Y'ork; 
Herman,  who  is  residing  in  Omaha  where  he  is  employed  by  the  Manhattan  Oil 
Company;  Ezra,  who  resides  on  the  old  homestead;  and  Wallace,  who  is  farming  in 
Lockridge  township. 

Politically  Mr.  Lloyd  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  dcnioeratic  party  and  was 
well  versed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  He  always  took  an  active  part 
in  the  affairs  of  the  community  and  held  several  township  offices.  Fraternally  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  for  many  years.  Mr.  Lloyd 
was  in  every  sense  of  the  word  a  self-made  man  and  was  very  well  educated  for  his 
day.  In  his  passing  York  county  lost  one  of  its  most  successful  pioneer  citizens  and 
a  feeling  of  widespread  bereavement  swept  the  community. 


HAREY'  S.  LINDQUIST 


A  successful  career  has  been  that  of  Harry  S.  Lind(|iiist  who  now  follows  farm- 
ing on  section  21,  Stewart  township,  Y^ork  county.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  the 
county  all  his  life  and  is  concentrating  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  the  develop- 
ment and  improvement  of  a  farm  which  he  has  been  operating  since  1911.  He  was 
born  in  York  county,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Emma  (Anderson)  Lindquist, 
natives  of  Sweden,  where  the  father  was  born  in  1837  and  immigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1869,  and  of  him  further  particulars  are  recorded  elsewhere  in 
this  work. 

Harry   S.   Lindquist  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Y'ork  county  and  early 


HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY  1149 

ajjplied  himself  to  the  hest  methods  of  t-arrying  on  agricultural  operations  as  demon- 
strated on  his  father's  place.  His  father  retired  from  active  connection  with  farm 
work  and  spent  his  last  years  in  f4resham.  It  was  in  1911  that  Harry  S.  Lindquist 
commenced  farming  on  his  own  account  and  took  over  the  management  of  the 
holding  which  his  father  originally  purchased  consisting  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty-eight  acres  of  prime  land  and  on  this  place  he  is  carrying  on  general  farming 
and  stock  raising  with  gratifying  success.  He  also  runs  corn  shellers  and  a  thresh- 
ing machine.  The  farm  is  divided  into  fields  of  convenient  size  by  well  kept  fences, 
there  are  substantial  buildings  on  the  land  and  he  utilizes  the  latest  improved 
machinery  in  carrying  on  the  work  of  the  farm.  He  harvests  good  crops  and  is 
winning  success  as  the  years  go  by. 

On  December  2S,  1915,  Mr.  Lindquist  was  united  in  marriage  to  Gladys  McNeal 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Hollis  W..  Albert  H.  and  Vera  E.,  all 
living  with  the  parents. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lindquist  are  members  of  the  Methodi.st  church  and  in  social 
circles  they  occupy  a  prominent  position.  Apart  from  his  farming  interests 
Mr.  Lindquist  is  connected  with  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Thayer  and  Gresham ;  in 
the  Gresham  State  Bank;  the  Farmers  Union  Association;  the  Farmers  Union 
State  Exchange,  and  the  Overland  Tire  &  Rubber  Company,  his  income  from  all 
these  sources  being  considerable.  He  votes  an  independent  ticket  and  has  never 
sought  public  office,  preferring  to  devote  all  his  time  to  his  agricultural  affairs.  He 
sees  larger  possibilities  in  the  future  and  is  shaping  his  movements  to  cope  with 
opportunity  when  it  offers. 


JOSEPH  G.  ALDEN 


Among  the  progressive  and  public  s})irited  citizens  of  York  is  Joseph  G.-  Alden, 
owner  and  editor  of  the  York  Re|)uhlican.  His  birth  occurred  on  the  Tth  of 
September,  ISTG,  in  Minneapolis,  a  son  of  William  H.  and  Mary  (Lightfoot)  Alden. 
His  parents  were  natives  of  New  York  state  and  were  married  in  Tipton,  Iowa,  in 
1873  where  they  resided  for  a  few  years.  They  then  removed  to  Minneapolis  where 
they  lived  a  short  time  and  in  1880  came  to  Nebraska  settling  in  Aurora.  For  many 
years  Mr.  Alden  conducted  a  store  there  in  conjunction  with  his  nephew,  W.  H. 
Fairchild,  under  the  name  of  W.  H.  Fairchild  &  Coni])any.  He  was  not  accepted 
for  active  service  during  the  Civil  war  because  of  being  physically  unfit,  but  he 
assisted  in  raising  .several  companies.  William  H.  Alden  was  twice  married,  his 
second  wife  being  Mary  Lightfoot,  and  to  this  union  si.x  children  were  Iwrn,  five  of 
whom  are  living:  Joseph  G..  the  subject  of  this  review  :  J.  H.,  who  is  manager  of  a 
store  at  Wahoo;  Mrs.  Jessie  Ronin,  whose  husband  is  Charles  A.  Roiiin,  a  ]niinter 
and  decorator  residing  in  Aurora:  Chester  C,  manager  of  a  mercantile  estaldish- 
nient  at  Whitman;  and  Arthur  A.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  plumbing  business  at 
Aurora.  To  his  first  marriage  two  children  were  born,  namely:  W'illiam  M.,  a 
retired  merchant  of  Hyannis,  Nebraska  ;  and  Kate  F.,  who  is  the  wife  of  W.  A. 
Hathaway,  insurance  man  of  Portland,  Oregon.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alden  were  con- 
sistent members  of  the  Methodist   Kinscopal  church  and  he  was  a  thirty-second 

Vol.  11—35 


1150  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

degree  Mason  and  a  Knight  Templar.  Throughout  his  entire  life  he  gave  his 
allegiance  to  the  republican  party- 
Joseph  G.  Alden  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Aurora,  graduating 
from  the  high  school  there  in  1892.  As  soon  as  he  put  his  textbooks  aside  he  began 
learning  the  printing  business  on  the  Aurora  Republican.  He  was  so  successful  in 
this  venture  that  in  1899  he  bought  the  paper  which  he  ran  until  1907.  His  paper 
became  very  popular  and  was  known  throughout  the  surrounding  counties  as  a  fair . 
and  honorable  sheet.  In  1902  he  was  appointed  to  the  position  of  postmaster  and 
served  in  this  capacity  for  twelve  years.  For  nine  months  Mr.  Alden  resided  in 
Lincoln,  but  on  the  1st  of  September,  1917,  he  came  to  York  where  he  purchased 
the  York  Republican.  This  paper  he  is  still  successfully  printing,  being  the  editor 
as  well  as  the  owner  of  the  sheet.  In  connection  witli  the  paper  he  has  a  large  job 
printing  business. 

In  1899  Mr.  Alden  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eloise  Shean,  of  Aurora,  a 
daughter  of  John  Shean.  For  a  number  of  years  her  father  engaged  in  farming  and 
was  later  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  the  implement  business.  Two  children  have 
come  to  make  their  home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alden,  namely;  Joseph  Maurice,  six- 
teen years  of  age;  and  Marjorie,  who  is  twelve  years  of  age.  Mr.  Shean  is  now 
making  his  home  with  the  Aldens. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Alden  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  active  in  its  interests.  During  the  campaign 
of  Judge  S.  H.  Sedgwick  in  1916  for  supreme  judge  Mr.  Alden  served  as  campaign 
director.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  Science  church  and  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Alden  are  readers  in  the  York  society.  As  editor  of  a  newspaper,  one  of  the 
most  important  institutions  of  town  or  city,  it  is  necessary  for  Mr.  Alden  to  be 
familiar  with  all  local  activities  and  as  a  result  he  is  a  member  of  the  Rotary  Club 
of  which  he  is  president  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Commercial 
Club.  He  i^  also  active  in  the  social  aflfairs  of  York  and  is  a  member  of  the  York 
Country  Club,  serving  as  a  member  of  its  board  of  directors.  The  York  Republican 
is  a  newspaper  of  the  highest  type,  believes  in  fair  play  and  progressiveness,  and  is 
one  of  the  foremost  republican  papers  of  the  state. 


GERHARD  REMPEL 


For  many  years  Gerhard  Rempel  engaged  in  farming  iu  York  county  and  his 
death  which  occurred  January  28,  1900,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four,  came  as  a  severe 
shock  to  his  many  friends  throughout  the  community.  Mr.  Rempel  was  a  native 
of  Russia,  born  May  25,  1847,  in  the  southern  part  of  that  country,  where  he 
received  a  common  school  education.  After  putting  Iris  textbooks  aside  he  engaged 
in  farming  for  some  time  and  then  worked  in  a  flour  mill.  When  the  news  of 
the  marvelous  opportunities  offered  in  the  new  world  reached  his  ears  he  determined 
to  come  to  the  United  States  with  the  result  that  he  arrived  in  Sutton  July  3, 
1877.  He  bought  eighty  acres  of  railroad  land,  on  which  he  built  a  house,  twenty- 
four  by  thirty-four  feet,  and  also  frame  barns.  The  necessai-y  provisions  were 
hauled  from  York  and  Sutton.  The  success  which  he  attained  along  this  line  soon 
enabled    him   to   ])urchase   an    additional    eighty   acres  of   land.      Throughout  his 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1151 

period  of  residence  in  this  country  he  engaged  in  general  iarniiug  and  t^tock 
raising,  to  which  pursuits  he  devoted  liis  entire  time  and  energy. 

In  Russia  Mr.  Rempel  was  married  to  Miss  Katharina  Epp,  whose  death  occurred 
December  28,  1886,  at  the  age  of  thirty-four.  She  was  born  February  16,  1853. 
To  this  union  six  cliildren  were  born,  namely :  Gerhard  G.,  Jr. ;  Cornelius,  who  is 
fanning  in  Saskatchewan,  Canada  ;  Jacob,  also  farming  in  Canada  ;  Katharina,  now 
the  wife  of  John  B.  Peters  of  Canada;  Gertrude,  the  wife  of  John  A.  Peters  of 
Quincy,  Washington,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming;  and  Sarah,  who  is  a  trained 
nurse  in  the  Mennonite  hospital  at  Beatrice.  Mr.  Rempel  was  married  the  second 
time  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Wieler  and  five  children  were  born  to  this  union:  Peter, 
Henry,  John  who  is  deceased,  Isbrand  and  Elizabeth. 

Gerhard  G.,  Jr.,  has  succeeded  his  father  in  farming  in  York  county  where  he  has 
a  well  improved  place  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres.  He  is  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  is  considered  one  of  the  most  progressive  agriculturists  in  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  resides.  He  was  married  February  7,  1901,  to  Miss  Maria 
Thieszen  born  in  York  county,  and  they  have  eight  children :  Maria,  Gerhard, 
Elizabeth,  Katharina,  Sarah,  Jacob,  Anna  and  Lena. 

The  political  allegiance  of  Mr.  Rempel  was  given  to  the  republican  party  and 
he  had  a  firm  belief  in  the  principles  of  that  party  as  factors  in  good  government. 
He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Mennonite  church  in  which  faith  his  family  was 
reared.  As  an  active  man  who  maintained  an  interest  in  the  development  of  his 
community  he  served  the  public  as  road  overseer  for  some  time  and  was  also 
school  treasurer  of  district  37.  During  his  residence  in  York  county  Mr.  Rempel 
won  the  confidence,  respect  and  goodwill  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact  and 
his  death  caused  a  feeling  of  deep  bereavement  in  the  vicinity  in  which  he  had  for 
many  years  made  his  home. 


WALTER  V.  MACARTNEY 

Walter  V.  Macartney,  president  of  the  York  Milling  and  Grain  Company,  was 
born  in  Colorado,  on  the  27th  of  January,  1881,  a  son  of  George  G:  and  Josephine 
(Van  Horn)  Macartney,  the  former  was  born  in  Missouri  and  the  latter  was  born 
in  the  state  of  New  York.  Afther  their  marriage,  which  took  place  in  New  York 
state,  they  removed  to  Colorado  in  1878,  settling  at  Denver  where  Mr.  Macartney 
engaged  in  the  carriage  manufacturing  business.  The  mother  passed  away  in  1910 
but  the  father  is  still  living  and  resides  with  his  son  in  York.  Mr.  Macartney 
enjoyed  a  great  amount  of  success  in  the  carriage  manufacturing  business,  which  he 
later  gave  up  and  became  associated  with  tlie  Colorado  Southern  Railroad  Company, 
having  charge  of  a  department  for  a  numljer  of  years.  In  1910  he  retired  from 
active  business.  Both  Mr.  and  J[rs.  ^facartney  were  consistent  members  of  the 
Episcopal  church  and  he  is  still  active  in  the  interests  of  that  organization.  He 
has  always  been  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  is  conversant  on  all 
of  the  leading  questions  of  the  day.  Eight  children  were  born  to  this  union,  three 
of  whom  are  now  living:  Grace,  the  wife  of  F.  W.  Viele,  a  fruit  farmer  of  Los 
Angeles,  California ;  Walter  V.,  the  subject  of  this  review ;  and  George  L.,  who  is 
traffic  manager  for  a  large  lumber  concern  in  San  Francisco. 


1153  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Walter  V .  Macartney  received  his  eilucation  in  the  sclnxils  of  l)enver  hut  found 
it  necessary  to  give  up  his  studies  and  go  to  work.  When  the  Spanish- American 
war  broke  out  he  was  among  the  first  to  enlist  and  spent  three  years  with  General 
Funston  in  the  Philippines.  In  1IKI2  he  returned  to  Denver  and  accepted  a 
position  as  cashier  and  assistant  manager  of  the  Postal  Telegraph  Company,  where 
he  remained  for  a  period  of  five  years.  He  then  entered  the  milling  business  in 
the  employ  of  Washburn  Crosby  of  Minneapolis,  serving  as  branch  manager  of 
this  concern  for  five  years.  At  the  termination  of  this  time  he  went  to  Omaha 
becoming  an  employe  of  the  Wells,  Abbott,  Nieman  Company  and  worked  for  tliem 
six  years.  This  concern  owned  the  York  mill  and  in  1914  he  was  sent  to  York  to 
take  charge.  Some  time  later  a  stock  company  was  organized  which  took  over  the 
mill  in  1919,  with  a  capital  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  dollars. 
Mr.  Macartney  became  president  of  the  company,  also  serving  as  treasurer,  L.  S. 
Loonier,  vice  president,  and  0.  J.  Diidek,  secretary.  The  mill  has  a  capacity  of  four 
hundred  barrels  and  runs  twenty-four  hours  a  day.  What  flour  is  not  sold  in 
N'ebraska  goes  to  West  Virginia,  Virginia,  \c\v  ^'ork  and   ilichigan. 

In  1903  Mr.  Macartney  was  united  In  nun  ria'^'c  to  Miss  Caroline  Jones  of 
Denver  and  to  them  four  children  lia\c  been  lioi'ii,  namely:  Caroline;  Fredric ; 
Josephine;  and  Ella,  'i'lic  niotln'i-,  who  was  a  consistent  meml)er  of  the  Episcop>al 
church,  died  in  191+.  In  191.5  Mr.  Macartney  was  again  wed.  this  time  to  Mrs. 
Rosa  (Cook)  Carman  of  Chicago,  a  widow  with  one  child,  James  Frederick.  By 
his  second  marriage  Mr.  Macartney  has  two  cliildicn  :  Mary  Katherine  and  Jane 
Cook.     The  family  are  members  of  the   P]pisco|)iil   cliurcli. 

Politically  Mr.  Macartney  is  a  member  of  the  ic|)ul)lican  party  in  which  he 
takes  an  active  interest.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  Protective 
Order  of  Elks  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Mr.  Macai'tncy  is  in  every  sense  of  the 
word  a  self-made  man  for  only  by  dint  of  hard  labor  lie  lia'^  gradually  risen  to 
the  position  in  which  lu-  is  now  so  ably  serving. 


JOE  MARK  KILGORE,  D.  0. 

Perhaps  no  tnan  thrdughout  the  state  of  Nebraska  has  done  more  for  the  pro- 
motion of  osteo])athy  than  did  Dr.  Joe  Mark  Kilgore,  deceased,  who  was  for  many 
years  one  of  the  most  prominent  members  of  that  profession  in  York  county.  He 
was  a  native  of  Mexico,  Missouri,  born  in  that  state  ontthe  23rd  of  December,  1874. 
His  death  occurred  in  York,  Decemljer  7,  1918,  and  at  the  news  of  his  demise  a 
widespread  feeling  of  bereavement  swept  the  community. 

In  the  accjuirement  of  his  education  Dr.  Kilgore  attended  the  schools  in  Mexico, 
Missouri,  and  in  due  time  entered  the  military  academy  at  that  place,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  June,  1893.  After  putting  liis  textbooks  aside  he  taught 
school  for  five  years,  at  the  termination  of  which  time  he  decided  upon  a  profes- 
sional career.  Soon  afterward  he  entered  the  American  School  of  Osteopathy  at 
Kirksville,  Missouri,  and  he  was  graduated  in  this  course  in  190(1.  He  then 
removed  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  York,  where  he  commenced  his  practice,  his 
popularity  ever  increasing  until  he  had  one  of  the  largest  practices  in  the  state.  He 
was  ever  active  in  the  promotion  of  this  profession  in  Nebraska,  which  for  some 


DR.    JOE    M.    KILGORE 


THE  NEW  YOK/. 
PUBLIC  LIB'ARV 


ASTOR,  LENOX  ANC 
TILDEN   FOOMU*'4«- 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1155 

time  was  looked  upon  witli  suspicion,  and  he  was  also  instrumental  in  getting  a 
law  passed  in  1901  to  enable  the  osteopaths  to  practice  in  this  state.  For  a  numlier 
of  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  state  board  of  osteopaths  and  became  well  known 
in  this  connection.  In  addition  to  the  prominence  Dr.  Kilgore  enjoyed  in  profes- 
sional circles  he  also  took  an  active  part  in  the  business  circles  of  York,  being 
connected  with  a  number  of  well  known  business  enterprises.  At  the  time  of 
his  death  he  owned  stock  in  a  large  business  block  and  was  a  director  of  the 
American  State  Bank.  Believing  land  to  be  a  safe  investment  Dr.  Kilgore  owned 
many  acres  in  York  county  and  also  property  in  Oklahoma. 

On  the  18th  of  March,  1903,  Dr.  Kilgore  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ger- 
trude Mary  George,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Henderson)  George,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  England.  The  father  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Wisconsin  at  an  early  day  and  there  he  received  his'  education.  After  the  marriage 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  they  came  to  Nebraska,  settling  in  York  county  in  1866. 
Here  they  acquired  a  homestead  and  for  the  first  summer  made  their  home  in  a 
wagon.  Some  time  later  they  built  a  log  house  which  is  still  standing.  Five  chil- 
dren were  born  to  this  union,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Eve  H.,  the  widow  of 
Mr.  Hoisington,  who  is  residing  in  Pendleton,  Oregon ;  Mrs.  Gene  Wright,  whose 
husband  is  retired,  and  they  are  living  in  York;  and  Mrs.  Kilgore,  the  widow  of 
the  subject  of  this  review.  Members  of  the  George  family  were  reared  in  the 
faith  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  The  father  passed  away  in  1904  at  the  age  of 
sixty-nine  years  and  Mrs.  George  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years,  in  1914. 
To  the  union  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Kilgore  four  children  have  been  born:  Wil- 
liam Sherwood,  aged  sixteen  years,  who  is  a  junior  in  high  school ;  Robert 
Nelson,  fourteen  years  of  age ;  Herbert  Hale,  aged  nine  years ;  and  James 
who  died  an  infant.  The  Kilgore  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  church 
in  the  interests  of  which  Mrs.  Kilgore  takes  an  active  part.  She  is  now  resid- 
ing in  the  home  which  her  father  and  mother  occupied  at  the  time  of  their 
deaths,  at  724  East  Fifth  street.  She  is  financially  independent,  owning  three 
farms  in  York  county,  one  and  one-half  sections  of  land  in  Hays  township  and 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Brown  township. 

Fraternally  Dr.  Kilgore  was  a  member  of  the  Masons,  in  which  order  he  had 
obtained  the  thirty-second  degree  and  was  an  active  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias.  He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  church  and  was  prominent 
in  the  affairs  of  that  organization.  In  the  passing  of  Dr.  Kilgore  members  of 
his  profession  suffered  a  severe  loss  as  well  as  did  York  county  in  losing  a 
■  representative  citizen. 


EDWARD  W.  BLENDER 


Edward  W.  Blender  is  one  of  the  younger  group  of  York  county  farmers  who 
is  employing  modern  and  progressive  methods  in  the  carrying  out  of  his  farming 
operations.  He  was  born  in  York  county,  Nebraska,  November  1,  1898,  a  son  of 
Edward  and  Louise  (Blessman)  Blender,  both  natives  of  Germany.  Elsewhere  in 
this  work  will  be  found  an  extended  account  of  the  life  and  achievements  of  the 
father. 


1156  TTTSTOTiY    OF    YOT^K    COUXTY 

Edward  W.  Blender  secured  his  edueatioii  in  the  publie  schools  of  York,  the  first 
school  which  he  attended  being  of  frame  construction  the  lumber  for  which  he 
helped  to  haul  from  Lincoln.  During  his  younger  years  he  lived  with  his  parents 
on  the  farm  and  sometime  after  liis  father's  death  began  to  apply  himself  to  a 
study  of  agricultural  operations  with  the  object  in  view  of  becoming  qualiiied  to 
take  charge  of  the  home  farm.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he  took  over  the 
responsibility  of  handling  the  details  connected  with  the  home  farm  and  is  now 
actively  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  makes  a  specialty  of 
pure-blooded  Shorthorn  cattle,  a  line  of  activity  which  was  inaugurated  by  his 
father.  He  keeps  the  fields  in  the  same  high  state  of  cultivation  as  did  hir^  father 
before  him. 

Mr.  Blender  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  of  the  Independent  Oi'der 
of  Odd  Fellows.  In  political  affairs  he  supports  the  republican  party  in  its 
policies  and  principles.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Benedict,  in 
the  Benedict  Lumber  &  Fuel  Company,  and  in  the  Farmers  State  Bank.  The 
record  which  he  has  made  thus  far  is  very  creditalile  and  is  a  clear  indication  of 
success  in  future  activities. 


ALBEET  B.  CHATTEETON 

Albert  B.  Chatterton,  city  clerk  of  York,  was  born  in  riiiladeiphia,  PennsylvaniM, 
Xovember  1,  1857,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Bathsheba  (Fouse)  Chatterton,  the  former 
a  native  of  England,  while  the  latter  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  in  which  city  their 
marriage  was  celebrated.  In  186,")  Mr.  Chatterton  removed  to  York  county  where 
he  homesteaded,  becoming  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He 
occupied  his  homestead  to  the  time  of  his  death  and  his  first  dwelling  w^as  a  log 
house,  while  later  he  erected  a  frame  residence.  In  the  early  days  the  Indians 
were  numerous  and  game  of  various  kinds  was  plentiful.  For  a  great  while  there 
was  no  church  in  the  neighborhood,  so  the  settlers  would  meet  in  the  home  of  one  of 
the  residents  and  hold  service.  Mrs.  Chatterton  survived  her  husband  and  spent 
her  last  days  in  York.  They  were  parents  of  three  children,  of  whom  two  are 
living:  Mrs.  Lillian  Hedgecock,  who  is  living  at  College  View,  Washington;  and 
Albert  B.  The  father  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  his  wife  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  His  political  support  was  given  to  the  republican  party  and 
he  was  always  loyal  in  matters  of  citizenship.  Prior  to  and  during  the  Civil  war  he 
was  an  engineer  in  the  navy,  thus  serving  for  eleven  years. 

Albert  B.  Chatterton  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  York  and  attended 
the  first  district  school  of  the  county.  He  afterward  spent  two  years  as  a  student  in 
the  Adventist  College  at  Battle  Creek.  Michigan,  and  then  took  up  the  occupation 
of  farming.  He  was  married  in  York  county  to  Miss  Anna  E.  Shannon  and  tliey 
have  a  daughter,  Flossie,  the  wife  of  Harry  C.  Hessler,  of  Pawnee  City,  Nebraska, 
who  is  editor  of  the  Eepublican  there.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Chatterton  went  to 
Cheyenne,  Wyoming,  where  he  conducted  a  grocery  store  for  two  years  and  then 
returned  to  his  farm,  whereon  he  resided  for  a  two-year  period.  In  1895  he  took 
up  his  abode  in  York  and  was  employed  in  a  store  for  more  than  ten  years.  He  was 
then  elected  city  clerk  and   has  since  filled  the  office,  making  a  most  creditalile 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1157 

record  by  the  prompt,  capable  and  efficient  manner  in  wliich  he  discharges  his 
duties.  He  also  bought  and  sold  farm  and  city  property  in  York  county  for  several 
years  and  is  now  the  owner  of  two  nice  business  properties,  from  which  he  derives 
a  good  income.  He  also  owns  a  large  residence  which  is  thoroughly  modern.  He  is 
devoting  his  entire  time  to  the  business  of  the  city  and  that  he  has  made  a  most 
excellent  record  as  city  clerk  is  indicated  by  his  long  retention  in  the  office.  He  has 
always  been  a  republican  in  his  political  views,  giving  stalwart  support  to  the  party. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chatterton  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  they 
are  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  know  them.  Mr.  Chatterton  has  ever  been 
keenly  interested  in  the  welfare  and  progress  of  York  county  and  today  has  the 
distinction  of  being  the  oldest  living  settler  within  its  borders,  having  for  fifty-five 
years  made  his  home  here,  so  that  he  has  witnessed  its  entire  growth  and  develop- 
ment as  the  wild  prairie  lands  have  been  transformed  into  productive  farms,  dotted 
here  and  there  with  thriving  towns  and  villages  in  which  are  to  be  obtained  all  of 
the  advantages  and  opportunities  of  the  older  east. 


C.  BURR  GAUNT 


A  representative  citizen  and  business  man  is  C.  Burr  Gaunt,  who  has  an  ex- 
clusive Ford  agency  in  York.  He  is  a  native  of  Iowa  having  been  born  in  Bayard, 
on  the  18th  of  June,  1886,  a  son  of  George  C.  and  Josephine  (Manville)  Gaunt, 
both  natives  of  that  state.  The  father  was  a  barber  by  trade  and  a  band  teacher. 
He  was  a  great  lover  of  music  and  wrote  several  pieces.  His  death  occurred  in  1893 
and  his  widow  who  is  still  living,  -resides  at  Bayard.  Tliree  cliildren  were  born  to 
their  marriage,  two  of  whom  are  living:  C.  Burr,  the  subject  of  this  review;  and 
Gladys,  the  wife  of  Roy  Slack,  an  insurance  man  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  Mr.  Gaunt 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  iliurch  and  Mrs.  Gaunt  is  a  consistent 
member  of  the  same.  He  was  a  republican  in  jiolitics  and  fraternally  belonged  to 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 

C.  Burr  Gaunt  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Bayard  and  was 
graduated  from  the  high  school  there  in  lilOo.  His  first  occupation  on  leaving  school 
was  that  of  telegraph  operator  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  the  period  of  one 
year.  He  then  went  to  Coloradn  wlieri'  he  worked  at  various  occupations  and  in  1908 
came  to  Nebraska,  settling  in  Omaha.  Here  he  accepted  a  position  as  Ijookkeeper 
with  Paxton  and  Gallagher  Company,  wholesale  grocers,  and  remained  in  that 
service  four  and  one-half  years.  His  next  position  was  as  cashier  in  the  office  of 
the  Bradford-Kennedy  Lumber  Company  at  Omaha,  and  at  the  termination  of  six 
months  spent  in  their  employ  he  became  chief  clerk  of  the  Ford  Motor  Company. 
For  four  years  he  remained  with  tlu^  Ford  Company  in  Omaha  and  on  the  1st  of 
September,  1917,  came  to  York  where  he  established  the  Ford  Agency.  In  this  ven- 
ture he  has  been  very  successful  and  has  most  of  the  Ford  business  in  York  county. 
The  business  is  carried  on  in  a  large  brick  building  having  over  seventy-two  hundred 
feet  of  floor  space.  In  connection  with  the  agency  he  also  has  a  shop  for  the 
repairing  of  Ford  cars. 

In  1911  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Gaunt  and  Miss  Maude  C.  Fills,  a  native 
of  Omaha  and  the  daughter  of  Zack  M.  FIlis  who  is  residing  in  that  i>lace  and  has 


1158  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COFXTY 

been  a  member  of  the  municipal  court.  He  has  lived  in  Omaha  for  fifty  years.  Two 
children  have  been  born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gaunt,  namely :  Bernice, 
who  is  now  attending  school  at  the  age  of  seven  and  one-half  years;  and  Janis, 
twenty  months  old. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Gaunt  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks.  Mrs.  Gaunt  is  a  member  of  the  Kountze  Memorial  Lutheran  church  of 
Omaha.  As  a  prominent  business  man  Mr.  Gaunt  takes  an  active  interest  in  all 
local  affairs  and  is  a  member  of  the  Rotary  Club  and  the  Commercial  Club.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  In  the  social  circles  of  York  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gaunt 
are  also  prominent  and  he  is  secretary  of  the  York  Country  Club,  also  on  the  enter- 
tainment committee  of  the  Elk's  lodge.  The  success  which  Mr.  Gaunt  now  enjoys 
is  the  result  of  his  own  labor  and  diligence  for  he  began  to  help  in  the  support  of 
the  family  when  but  seven  years  old,  following  the  death  of  his  father.  He  worked 
on  a  farm  during  the  summer  months,  earning  enough  money  to  buy  his  clothes 
for  the  following  school  year.  He  has  learned  his  lessons  in  the  bitter  school  of 
experience,  and  profiting  by  them  has  become  a  man  that  any  connnuuity  would 
be  proud  to  have  as  citizen. 


LEWIS   C.   IMM 


Lewis  C.  Imm,  for  years  identified  with  the  farming  and  commercial  life  of 
York  county,  was  born  in  Posen,  Germany,  January  22,  1845.  He  immigrated  to 
America  in  1863,  the  voyage  occupying  about  six  weeks.  He  first  settled  in  Wis- 
consin and  worked  there  in  a  sawmill  and  also  rafted  timber  down  the  river  to  St. 
Louis.  He  came  to  Xebraska  in  1871,  making  the  journey  by  train  to  Columbus, 
going  from  that  city  to  Seward  county  on  foot.  He  found  but  one  settler  between 
his  place  and  Columbus.  Mr.  Imm  homesteaded  eighty  acres  of  land  and  put  up 
a  house  composed  of  mud  and  straw,  the  walls  being  about  eighteen  inches  thick 
with  a  dirt  floor,  while  the  barns  were  of  sod  with  shingle  roof.  He  had  the  help 
of  an  ox  team  in  the  breaking  of  the  land  and  when  that  was  completed  he  planted 
crops  and  in  a  short  time  had  things  going  in  good  shape.  Provisions  had  to  be 
hauled  from  Lincoln  and  Columbus  and  fuel  was  obtained  from  the  creek  where 
timber  was  chopped  for  the  purpose,  at  the  same  time  corn  and  cornstalks  were  also 
used  as  fuel.  As  his  farming  prospered  Mr.  Imm  added  to  his  holding  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  in  1002  had  a  well  improved  place,  the  equal  of  any  in  the  neigh- 
borhood. He  passed  away  in  his  fifty-seventh  year  and  his  widow  survived  until 
1919,  when  her  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-four.  They  were  the  parents 
of  six  children :  Robert  C. ;  Otto  E.,  of  South  Dakota  ;  Louis,  living  in  St.  Joseph, 
Missouri ;  Albert,  who  resides  on  a  farm  in  South  Dakota ;  Martin,  a  carpenter, 
living  in  Ohio;  and  Clara,  the  wife  of  Fred  Martin,  a  farmer  living  ip  Temple, 
Texas.  The  parents  were  members  of  the  Evangelical  church,  to  whose  teachings 
they  were  loyal.  His  political  endorsement  was  given  to  the  democratic  party  and 
he  served  as  a  member  of  the  local  school  board  for  twenty-five  years,  his  interest  in 
educational  affairs  having  been  always  of  the  most  pronounced  character. 

Robert  C.  Imm  received  his  preliminary  education  in  the  country  schools  of 
Utiea,  Nebraska,  and  later  attended  the  high  schools  of  that  phu-e,  thus  securing 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1159 

educational  advantages  beyond  the  opportunity  of  the  average  farm  boy  of  the  day. 
Fe  worked  for  some  years  on  his  father's  place  and  finally  chose  business  life  as  a 
career  and  entered  commercial  pursuits  at  Gresham.  Here  he  operated  a  general 
mercantile  store  under  the  style  of  Walford  &  Imm  for  twenty-four  years,  during 
that  long  period  the  business  showing  substantial  advances,  due  in  large  measure 
to  the  keen  business-like  methods  employed  and  to  which  Mr.  Imm's  talents  gener- 
ously contributed.  Later  Mr.  Imm  carried  on  the  company  as  a  private  venture  in 
his  own  name  and  when  he  finally  ceased  all  connection  with  mercantile  life  he 
turned  his  attention  to  farming,  moving  to  the  holding  in  Stewart  township,  where 
he  lived  for  some  years  and  then  sold  out.  He  next  bought  the  farm  in  Lockridge 
township  on  wliich  he  now  lives  and  on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  His  success  in  this  line  has  been  fully  demonstrated  and  has  been 
based  upon  the  sure  foundation  of  hard  work  and  the  most  rigorous  attention  to 
the  task  in  hand. 

In  1892  Mr.  Imm  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mina  Heineke  and  they  have 
become  the  parents  of  six  children:  Eva,  the  wife  of  C.  F.  Sherwood  of  Lincoln; 
Joseph,  Ruth,  O.scar  and  Charles,  all  at  home;  and  Clara,  who  died  when  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  Mr.  Imm  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  York  and  is 
affiliated  with  the  blue  lodge  of  the  Masonic  order.  While  he  is  inclined  to  the 
principles  of  the  democratic  party  he  usually  takes  an  independent  attitude  in  politi- 
cal affairs.  He  has  held  practically  all  township  offices  and  in  the  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  each  position  has  earned  a  reputation  for  executive  ability  and  efficiency. 
His  many  admirable  qualities  are  generally  recognized  and  there  is  no  resident  of 
the  county  more  highly  esteemed  than  he. 


MRS.  ELIZA  JANE  HITCHCOCK 

Mrs.  Eliza  Jane  Hitchcock,  widow  of  the  late  Arnold  Hitchcock,  was  born  in 
Clay  county,  Indiana,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  E.  and  Chloe  (Adkins)  Eads.  Her 
parents  were  both  natives  of  Kentucky  and  in  their  later  life  removed  to  Indiana, 
Iowa,  and  thence  to  Nebraska  in  1871,  where  the  father  acquired  a  homestead  on 
which  he  resided  until  his  death.  To  this  union  thirteen  children  were  born,  three 
of  whom  are  living:  Mrs.  Hitchcock,  the  subject  of  this  review;  William,  who  is 
a  retired  farmer  of  Dickinson  county,  Iowa;  Mrs.  Mary  Elizabeth  Dixon,  a  widow, 
residing  in  Minnesota.  Mr.  aiul  Mrs.  Eads  were  consistent  members  of  the  Baptist 
church  and  he  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party. 

In  March,  1886,  their  daughter  Eliza  was  united  in  marriage  to  William  Kyle 
Atkison.  Mr.  Atkison  was  born  in  Ohio  on  the  2nd  of  Decendjer,  1840,  a  son  of 
William  Atkison  also  a  native  of  Ohio.  William  K.  Atkison  received  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  Ohio,  and  spent  all  of  his  early  life  on  a  farm.  In  1871  he  came 
to  York  county  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1893  when  he  removed  to  York  where 
he  retired.  He  was  quite  well-to-do,  having  made  the  greater  part  of  his  money  in 
raising  hogs.  Politically  Mr.  Atkison  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic 
party  and  was  fraternally  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
His  death  occurred  on  the  24th  of  August,  1906,  and  in  his  passing  York  lost  one 
of  her  representative  citizens.     On  tlie  19th  of  October,  1909,  his  widow  became 


1160  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

the  Avife  of  Arnold  Hitchcock.  Jlr.  Hitchcock  was  born  in  Oliio.  Marcli  'i:].  1850,, 
and  died  March  3,  IDl").  His  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm  and  his  education  was 
obtained  in  Ohio  and  Indiana  in  the  country  schools.  In  the  early  eifjhties  he 
removed  to  York  county  and  purchased  a  farm  whereon  lie  resided  for  simie  time 
and  then  sold  it,  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Scotia,  Nebraska.  Through- 
out his  life  he  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  and  although  he  neither 
sought  nor  desired  inihlic  office,  was  always  active  in  the  interests  of  liis  ]iarty.  The 
religion  of  Mr.  Hitchcock  was  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  retired 
from  active  business  a  short  time  before  his  death.  Botli  Mr.  Atkison  and  Mr. 
Hitchcock  were  successful  men  and  when  they  ])assed  on  York  county  sutlVrcil  the 
loss  of  two  prominent  and  progressive  citizens. 

Mrs.  Hitchcock  was  the  niotlier  of  four  children  by  lier  lirst  marriage,  all  of 
whom  are  deceased:  Oscar,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  years;  Cornelia,  who  was 
one  year  of  age  when  lier  death  occurred:  Hattic,  who  was  two  years  and  four 
months  old  at  the  time  of  her  death:  and  Beitba.  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirteen 
years. 

Mrs.  Hitchcock  suffered  all  tlie  ])rivation  of  early  pioneer  life,  having  come  to 
York  county  with  her  husband  at  an  early  day.  .She  is  now  residing  in  York  in 
comfortable  financial  cii-cumstances,  at  715  Burlington  avenue,  and  is  must  active 
in  the  affairs  of  the  Methodist  church  of  which  she  is  a  member. 


LAWRENCE  C.  VAN  ALEN 

A  brief  record  of  the  life  and  activities  of  Lawrence  C.  Van  Alen.  wlm  for 
years  was  identified  with  the  agricultural  development  of  York  county,  discloses 
a  character  worthy  of  esteem  and  emulation.  He  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  New 
York,  near  Amsterdam,  Decenrber  5,  1828,  and  his  death  occurred  on  April  26, 
1899,  when  his  passing  was  the  occasion  for  very  general  and  deep-felt  regret,  for 
he  was  a  progressive  business  man,  a  loyal  and  patriotic  citizen,  a  faithful  friend 
and  a  devoted  husband  and  father.  He  was  a  son  of  Cornelius  Van  Alen  and  wife, 
the  former  a  native  of  New  York  state,  whci-c  hi'  was  engaged  in  farming  and 
there  spent  all  his  life. 

Lawrence  C.  Van  Alen  graduated  from  the  high  scIkmiI  at  .Tohnstmvn,  New 
York,  and  at  tlie  age  of  twenty-one  went  to  Califdrnia.  making  the  voyage  around 
Cape  Horn,  and  finished  his  education  at  Stockton,  a  well  known  educational  center 
in  the  (iolden  state.  Soine  time  later  he  opened  a  book  and  stationery  store  at 
Stockton  and  also  served  as  county  superintendent  of  schools  in  that  iilace.  After 
the  termination  of  his  official  connection  with  the  schools  Mr.  Van  Alen  returned 
to  New  York  and  was  married  to  Felicia  Harris,  a  native  of  Philadel])hia.  The 
couple  took  up  residence  on  his  father's  farm,  where  they  lived  foi-  a  time  and 
where  he  assisted  in  carrying  on  the  farming  operations. 

It  was  in  1870  that  Mr.  Van  Alen  came  to  York  county  and  secured  a  home- 
stead of  eighty  acres  in  Stewart  township,  ujxm  which  he  erected  a  fi-ame  cabin 
which  served  as  a  home  until  better  days  ensued.  To  reach  his  homestead  he  nuide 
the  journey  from  Lincoln  by  wagon.     He  broke  the  ground  and  commenced  to  put 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1161 

up  improvements,  at  the  same  time  planting  trees  and  setting  out  an  orchard.  He 
hauled  lumber  from  Seward  and  built  the  first  house  erected  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood,  and  gradually  by  persistent  efforts  he  succeeded  in  his  farming 
operations  which  were  yielding  satisfactory  returns.  Finding  his  financial  condi- 
tion to  be  sound  he  purchased  a  tract  of  railroad  land  in  Polk  county  and  on  that 
place  also  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  At  the  time  of  his  death 
he  was  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  excellent  land  on  which  he  had 
put  up  two  sets  of  improvements.  During  a  prairie  fire  he  lost  a  barn  and  was 
himself  seriously  injured,  it  being  necessary  to  have  one  of  his  legs  amputated 
above  the  knee. 

To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Alen  the  following  children  were  born: 
Clary  K.,  deceased;  Russell,  who  operates  one  of  the  old  farms;  Maude,  the  wife 
of  Rev.  J.  W.  Campbell,  a  minister  now  in  California;  Ardell,  the  wife  of  Gilbert 
Goudy,  a  York  county  farmer ;  Olive,  who  married  Lincoln  W.  Pigeon,  of  Sumner, 
Nebraska  ;  Eunice,  a  missionary,  who  served  twelve  years  in  Africa  and  is  now 
among  the  Sioux  Indians  at  Santee,  Nebraska;  and  Ethel,  now  deceased,  who  mar- 
ried Rev.  Herbert  Course.  Following  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Van  Alen 
moved  into  Gresham.  They  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  guiding 
their  lives  by  its  teachings  and  conforming  their  actions  to  its  principles.  He  was 
a  Mason  and  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  both  of 
M'liich  he  took  a  deep  interest.  He  was  a  stanch  democrat  and  served  as  township 
treasurer,  in  this  office  giving  faithful  and  efficient  service.  He  was  a  man  of 
sound  judgment,  unassuming  disposition  and  of  genuine  worth,  and  his  energy  and 
unquestioned  integrity  gained  for  liini  the  respect  of  his  feliowmen. 


JOHN  ADAM   EARTH 


A  life  of  intense  and  well  directed  activity  brought  John  Adam  Earth,  now 
deceased,  to  a  position  anuHig  the  successful  farmers  of  York  county.  He  was  born 
in  Newark,  Ohio,  March  11,  1858,  and  died  in  York  county  on  the  6th  of  December, 
1911.  His  parents  were  Michael  and  Mary  Ann  Earth,  both  natives  of  Wiirt  tern  berg, 
Germany.  In  1849  the  father  went  to  California  but  was  not  successful  there  and 
subsequently  removed  to  Ohio.  He  engaged  in  the  milling  business  in  that  state 
but  during  one  of  the  floods  his  mill  was  destroyed.  He  then  removed  to  Illinois 
and  here  he  and  his  wife  resided  until  their  deaths.  For  two  years  Michael  Earth 
served  in  the  Civil  war. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  John  Adam  Earth  attended  the  country 
schools  of  Illinois  and  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  engaged  in  farming.  For 
some  time  he  farmed  in  Illinois  and  in  that  state  his  marriage  occurred.  In  1892 
he  removed  to  Seward  county  where  he  purchased  land  which  he  later  traded  for 
a  mill  in  Silver  Creek.  For  five  years  he  remained  in  the  milling  business  and  in 
1901  removed  to  York  county.  Here  he  bought  a  farm  consisting  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  in  Leroy  townshij),  on  which  he  resided  until  his  death.  Mrs. 
Earth  is  still  in  possession  of  the  farm.  In  1915  she  removed  to  York  and  bought 
a  piece  of  property  at  314  College  avenue,  where  she  is  now  residing. 

While  fannino-  in  Illinois  Mr.  Earth  was  united  in  marriage  to  iliss  Julia  Schall, 


1162  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

a  native  of  Germany  and  a  daughter  of  Franz  and  Mary  (Sek'.er)  Schall,  botli  of 
whom  were  born  and  died  in  Germany.  The  father  was  a  successful  merchant  in 
the  okl  country.  Mrs.  Earth  came  to  the  United  States  with  a  brotfier,  Charles, 
who  was  for  some  time  a  professor  of  music  in  St.  Louis.  Mrs.  Earth  is  one  of  a 
family  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living.  She  was  a  twin,  her  twin  brother 
Joe  Schall  having  been  a  successful  farmer  of  York  county.  The  Schall  family  were 
reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Catholic  church.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  iind  Mrs.  Earth 
six  children  were  born :  Emma,  the  wife  of  G.  U.  Evans,  who  is  a  farmer  in 
Wyoming;  Carl,  residing  on  a  farm  in  Waco  township,  York  county;  Louise,  the 
wife  of  George  Snyder,  a  farmer  in  York  county:  Harry,  who  is  living  on  the  old 
homestead;  Eertha,  the  wife  of  Fred  H.  Meyer,  who  is  engaged  in  the  music 
business  in  York;  and  Albert,  who  is  on  a  homestead  in  Wyoming. 

Mr.  Earth  was  an  independent  in  politics,  voting  for  the  man  rather  than  for 
the  party.  He  held  the  office  of  township  treasurer  for  some  time  and  was  likewise 
on  the  school  board  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the 
German  Lutheran  church  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  that  church  in  the 
county.  Mrs.  Earth  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  church  and  active  in  the  inter- 
ests of  tliat  organization.  The  success  which  Mr.  Earth  won  came  as  the  reward 
of  persistent,  earnest  labor,  and  his  life  illustrates  what  can  be  accomplished 
through  individual  effort  combined  with  ])ersistency  of  purpose. 


AEXER  E.  WILCOX 


A.  E.  Wilcox,  for  upwards  of  forty  years  identified  with  the  agricultural  life  of 
York  county,  prior  to  which  he  had  established  a  fine  record  for  military  service 
during  the  Civil  war,  is  now  living  retired  on  his  farm  on  section  -i,  Arborville 
township.  He  was  born  in  Lenawee  county,  ^lichigan,  February  17,  1846,  a  son  of 
William  C.  and  Mary  Ann  (Southard)  Wilcox,  the  former  a  native  of  Xew  York 
state  and  the  latter  born  in  Pennsylvania.  The  father  for  some  years  was  an 
evangelist  in  Michigan  and  also  worked  at  his  trade  of  a  millwright,  while  for  a 
time  he  farmed  and  he  also  located  several  mills  of  Michigan.  The  parents  pas.sed 
away  many  years  ago  in  Michigan. 

Eereft  of  his  ])arents  when  he  was  thirteen  years  old  Abner  E.  Wilcox  had  but 
slight  opportunities  for  securing  an  education.  When  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age 
he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Eighth  Michigan  Cavalry,  which  later  was  consolidated 
with  Company  H,  and  his  entire  service  covered  a  period  of  seventeen  months. 
He  served  as  a  .scout  for  a  time  and  later  was  with  General  Sherman  on  the 
march  to  the  sea.  He  lost  his  horse  at  Macon  Ridge  but  obtained  a  remount  in 
Kentucky  and  then  became  a  member  of  the  command  led  by  (ieneral  Thomas.  He 
was  one  of  two  men  left  out  of  a  company  of  sixty-three  which  went  on  a  raiding 
expedition  in  Tennessee.  This  was  in  186.5  when  raiding  parties  descended  on 
almost  every  county  seat  in  Tennessee.  Toward  the  end  of  the  war  he  worked 
with  detectives  attached  to  the  Pinkerton  service  and  at  the  close  of  hostilities  was 
honorably  discharged  and  returned  to  the  more  peaceful  pursuits  of  Civil  life. 

After  his  military  service  Mr.  Wilcox  learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith  in 
Eaton  Rapids,  Michigan,  and  in  1871  went  to  Iowa  and  there  resumed  working  at 


ABNER  E.  WILCOX 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBrARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 

TILDEN  FOUWOATXONS 

«  A. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1165 

his  trade  as  a  millwriglit  and  for  a  time  was  employed  in  a  sawmill  close  to  the 
Missouri  line.  In  tiie  following  year,  1873,  he  came  to  York  county  and  took  a 
homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Arborville  township.  All  freighting 
had  to  be  done  from  Lincoln  and  Seward,  these  places  being  the  nearest  market 
towns.  His  first  house  on  the  homestead  was  of  the  dugout  variety  and  he  also 
put  up  a  smithy  constructed  of  sod.  He  worked  at  his  trade  as  a  blacksmith  for 
some  years  and  made  his  own  first  plow  with  which  to  turn  tlie  sod  of  his  holding. 
Finally,  in  188-4,  he  abandoned  his  trade  and  from  that  date  forward  devoted  all 
his  energies  to  the  work  of  the  farm.  He  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising,  at  the  same  time  feeding  live  stock  for  the  markets,  in  this  latter  line 
meeting  with  much  success.  He  gradually  improved  and  developed  his  holding,  put 
up  good  buildings  and  made  the  place  the  equal  of  any  in  the  district.  He  is  now 
the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  which  is  well  improved  and 
from  which  he  derives  splendid  financial  results.  During  the  years  of  the  grass- 
hopper visitation  he  lost  heavily,  all  his  corn  being  destroyed.  He  has  ever  been 
possessed  of  sufficient  courage  to  venture  where  favoring  opportunity  is  presented 
and  his  judgment  and  even-.paced  energy  have  carried  him  forward  to  the  goal  of 
success.  It  was  the  exercise  of  these  qualities  that  brought  him  through  his  early 
trials  and  difficulties. 

In  January,  1878,  Mr.  Wilcox  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nettie  A.  Coon,  a 
native  of  Wisconsin,  and  to  their  union  nine  children  have  been  born:  William  J., 
an  engineer  on  a  United' States  battleship,  now  in  Spain;  Grace,  who  lives  in 
Exeter,  Nebraska ;  Maude,  a  trained  nurse,  now  in  Colorado ;  Howard,  who  operates 
the  old  home  farm;  Walter,  who  runs  a  store  in  Idaho,  also  in  service;  Mary,  a 
trained  nurse  in  Omaha ;  Frank,  who  served  in  the  United  States  army ;  Lemuel, 
a  machine  gunner,  who  was  killed  in  Belleau  Woods ;  and  Edson,  who  lives  in  York 
county.  Mr.  Wilcox  had  five  children  in  the  United  States  service  at  one  time. 
Mr.  Wilcox  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and  in  fraternal  affiliation 
has  been  actively  identified  with  the  Masonic  order  for  more  than  forty-four  years 
in  the  state  of  Nebraska.  His  political  support  has  ever  been  given  to  the  republican 
party.  He  attended  the  first  election  in  Arborville  township  and  has  never  missed 
one  in  all  the  intervening  period.  As  a  member  of  the  Urand  Army  of  the 
Republic  he  has  always  displayed  a  warm  interest  in  the  work  of  his  encampment 
and  is  now  one  of  the  few  surviving  "boys  in  blue"  in  this  part  of  the  state. 
Nearly  fifty  years  have  passed  since  Mr.  Wilcox  arrived  in  York  county  and  he  can 
look  back  over  that  period  without  regret  and  to  the  future  without  fear,  for  his 
has  ever  been  an  honorable  life. 


CHARLES  F.  SMITH 


Charles  F.  Smith,  now  deceased,  was  born  in  Germany  July  10,  18-56,  the  son 
of  Adam  and  Frederica  Smith,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  this  country 
when  their  son  Charles  was  four  years  old  and  settled  in  Carroll  county,  Illinois, 
where  they  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  they  passed  away. 

Charles  F.  Smith  was  one  of  eight  children,  and  spent  his  youth  on  his 
father's  farm.     In   1882  he  moved  to  Audubon  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  one 


Vol.  II — 3S 


1166  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  whicli  he  cultivated  until  1891  when  he  came  to 
York  county,  Nebraska,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  and 
made  his  home  here  until  he  passed  away  November  23,  1897. 

He  was  married  in  Carroll  county,  Illinois,  to  Dorothea  Daehler,  the  daughter 
of  Henry  and  Eliza  Daehler,  natives  of  Germany  who  came  to  Carroll  county  and 
settled  on  a  farm.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Smith  continued  the 
management  of  the  farm  until  eight  years  ago  when  she  moved  to  McCool  Junction. 
She  has  managed  the  property  carefully  and  has  shown  herself  to  be  a  shrewd 
business  woman,  for  she  now  owns  one  hundred  and  si.xty  acres  of  land  in  West 
Blue  township,  in  addition  to  the  old  home  place.  Their  marriage  was  blessed  with 
four  children:  Adam,  who  is  married,  is  a  farmer  in  West  Blue  township;  Louis, 
who  is  a  resident  of  California,  is  married ;  Louisa  B.,  who  is  the  wife  of  H.  P. 
Smith  of  McCool  Junction;  and  Clara,  who  is  married  to  R.  W.  Young,  who  is 
farming  the  old  home  place  in  McFadden  township. 

Mr.  Smith  was  a  member  of  the  English  Lutheran  church  to  which  his  widow 
and  family  belongs.  In  politics  he  was  a  democrat  and  was  always  ready  to  give 
his  support  to  worthy  projects  undertaken  in  behalf  of  the  public.  Mr.  Smith  was 
assessor  of  McEadden  township  two  terms,  and  was  on  the  school  board  several 
years.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  at  McCool 
Junction.  All  who  knew  him  had  the  highest  regard  for  him  and  esteemed  him 
an  honest  and  honorable  man  whose  word  was  as  good  as  his  bond.  His  death  was 
a  great  loss  to  his  family,  who  lost  in  him  a  beloved  husband  and  father  who  always 
held  at  heart  the  welfare  of  those  dear  to  him. 


ELIJAH   JEEFERSOX   UNDERWOOD 

Elijah  Jefferson  Underwood  is  one  of  the  pioneer  men  of  York  county  and  makes 
his  home  in  West  Blue  township,  where  he  has  a  valuable  and  highly  productive 
property  that  responds  readily  to  the  care  and  labor  whicli  he  bestows  upon  it. 

Mr.  Underwood  is  a  native  of  Appanoose  county,  Iowa,  having  been  born  in 
that  state  on  the  1.5th  of  April,  1850,  a  son  of  Preston  and  Cassie  Underwood.  The 
father  was  born  in  Tennessee  and  when  but  a  young  man  went  to  Missouri  where 
he  engaged  in  farming  in  Mercer  county,  and  later  in  Harrison  county,  where 
his  death  occurred.  The  mother  was  killed  by  lightning  when  the  subject  of  our 
review  was  but  si.x  weeks  old.  Mr.  Underwood  was  then  reared  in  the  home  of  a 
family  in  AppanO(}se  county.  Iowa,  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  l)egan  working 
on  farms  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home.  Mr.  ITnderwood  lived  in  Iowa  until  1877 
and  then  came  to  Nebraska,  settling  in  York  county.  He  bought  a  relinquishment 
of  eighty  acres  on  section  .30,  West  Blue  townshi]),  and  this  has  been  his  home  since. 
For  four  years  he  lived  in  a  ]n'imitive  sod  house  but  today  his  farm,  which  now 
consists  of  si.x  hundrcil  acres,  is  one  of  the  finest  improved  throughout  the  county. 
When  Mr.  Underwood  first  came  to  this  county  from  Iowa  he  had  a  capital  con- 
sisting of  forty  dollars  and  a  team  of  mules.  Throughout  the  intervening  years 
he  has  traiisfornuMl  his  land  fi-oni  a  wildei-ness  of  sagebrush  to  fertile  fields  and 
his  enterprise  has  enabled  him  to  overcome  all  obstacles  and  difficulties. 

Jlr.  Underwood  was  married  in  Iowa  to  Miss  Mary  Baldridge,  a  native  of  Appa- 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  1167 

noose  county,  that  state,  and  a  dangliter  of  William  Carrol  and  Harriet  Jane 
(Miller)  Baldridge.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Tennessee  and  came  to  Iowa  in 
1849,  where  they  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Appanoose  county.  Her  father 
died  there.  Mrs.  Baldridge  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-four  years  and 
resides  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Underwood.  Besides  Mrs.  Underwood,  Mrs.  Baldridge 
has  another  daughter  living,  Mrs.  S.  L.  Smith,  who  also  resides  in  the  neighbor- 
hood and  assists  her  sister  in  caring  for  and  administering  to  the  wants  of  their 
aged  mother.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Underwood  seven  children  have  been 
born :  Fred,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  West  Blue  township ;  Ed,  a  farmer  of 
McFadden  township;  George,  who  is  residing  on  the  home  place;  Frank,  whose 
death  occurred  two  years  ago  and  who  is  survived  by  a  widow  and  four  children; 
Maude,  who  is  the  wife  of  Julian  Peterson  of  West  Blue  township;  and  Annie, 
who  is  residing  at  home.     One  died  in  childhood. 

Mr.  Underwood  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  which  finds  in  him 
a  stanch  advocate.  Mrs.  Underwood  is  a  consistent  memljer  of  the  Methodist 
church.  It  has  been  forty-three  years  since  Mr.  Underwood  came  to  York  county, 
and  during  all  of  these  years  he  has  proved  to  be  a  good  neighbor  and  friend  and 
throughout  the  community  he  is  familiarly  known  as  "Jeff."  Pioneer  hardships 
and  privations  drew  men  together  in  the  old  days  and  the  nickname  was  an  out- 
ward token  of  the  deep  affection  these  hardy  men  had  for  one  another.  Not  only 
has  Mr.  Underwood  seen  York  county  grow  from  a  wild  country  with  only  a  few 
white  inhabitants  to  a  rich  agricultural  country  containing  thousands  of  good  homes 
and  acres  of  growing  towns,  inhabited  by  an  industrious,  prosperous,  enlightened 
and  progressive  people,  but  he  has  participated  in  and  assisted  the  slow,  persistent 
work  of  development  which  was  necessary  to  produce  a  change  which  is  so  complete 
that  it  has  come  to  be  popularly  referred  to  as  magical. 


ROBERT    G.    GALE 


Since  1916  Robert  G.  Gale  has  been  in  the  photographic  business  in  York  and 
in  this  short  time  has  acquired  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  finest  photogra- 
phers in  the  county.  He  is  a  native  son  of  Nebraska,  born  in  Beatrice,  in  November, 
1891,  a  son  of  Charles  F.  and  Aldula  (Garrison)  Gale,  both  natives  of  the  state 
of  Illinois.  Their  marriage  took  place  near  Adams,  Nebraska.  The  father  came 
to  Gage  county  in  the  seventies  with  his  parents  and  settled  on  a  farm  near  Adams. 
For  two  or  three  years  he  engaged  in  school-teaching  and  then  for  a  period  of 
sixteen  years  served  as  editor  of  the  Express,  a  newspaper  at  Beatrice.  He  was  active 
in  all  of  the  affairs  of  the  community  and  for  sixteen  years  before  his  death  was 
secretary  of  the  State  Building  &  Loan  Association.  He  also  served  on  the  city 
council  of  Beatrice  for  a  number  of  years  and  was  one  of  the  leading  prohibitionists 
of  that  place.  His  death  occurred  in  1917.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gale, 
five  children  were  born:  Clarence,  who  is  in  the  photographic  business  in  Beatrice; 
Laura,  a  school-teacher,  who  was  principal  of  a  school  at  Harvard,  Nebraska,  last 
year;  Robert  G.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Margaret  Marie,  a  teacher  of  home 
economies  in  Tucson,  Arizona;  and  Dorothy  who  works  for  her  brother.  The 
family  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Metliodist  Episcopal  church  and  the  father 


1168  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

was  a  Woodman,  a  Highlander,  and  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party.  At 
the  time  of  liis  death  he  was  quite  well-to-do.  The  grandfather  of  Robert  G.  Gale, 
George  Gale,  engaged  in  farming  near  Adams  for  many  years  until  his  death.  The 
maternal  grandfather,  G.  F.  Garrison,  was  also  a  successful  farmer  and  was  one  of 
the  pioneer  settlers  of  Gage  county. 

Robert  G.  Gale  obtained  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Beatrice  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  high  school  there  in  1911.  At  an  early  age  he  took  up  the  study  of 
photography  and  for  four  years  engaged  in  this  line  of  business  with  his  brother 
in  Beatrice.  He  then  decided  to  go  into  business  on  his  own  account  with  the 
result  that  in  liiKi  he  came  to  York  and  opened  a  studio.-  It  was  not  long  before 
he  had  established  a  large  i)atronage,  his  work  being  of  such  cliaiacter  as  to  attract 
favorable  comment. 

In  1912  Mr.  Gale  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Pearl  Monismith,  a  native 
of  Glenville,  Nebraska,  and  a  daughter  of  William  Monismith  who  was  among  the 
pioneer  settlers  of  Adams  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Monismith  are  now  residing  on  a 
farm  in  Clay  county.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gale,  two  children  have  been 
born :    Evelyn,  who  is  attending  school ;  and  Robert,  aged  three  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gale  are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and 
the  Highlanders.  Although  most  of  his  time  is  devoted  to  his  business  he  is  always 
interested  in  any  local  activity  or  improvement,  as  is  manifested  by  his  membership 
in  the  Rotary  Club  and  the  Commercial  Club.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Country 
Club  and  a  devotee  of  golf,  which  is  his  favorite  form  of  recreation. 


HOLLAND  R.  WILDMAN,  D.  D.  S. 

Dr.  Holland  R.  Wildman,  a  prominent  dentist  of  York,  was  born  on  a  farm 
four  miles  northwest  of  that  place  on  tlie  1st  of  April,  1882,  the  son  of  M.  M.  and 
Martha  A.  (Valentine)  Wildman,  the  former  born  in  Piatt  county,  Illinois,  while 
the  later  was  born  in  Ohio.  Further  mention  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  M.  Wildman  is 
made  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Dr.  Wildman  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  York  and  was 
graduated  from  the  York  high  school  in  l!)0-t.  Then  deciding  on  a  professional 
career  he  entered  the  college  of  dentistry  of  the  University  of  Nebraska,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1907.  While  in  the  university  he  was  active  in  student  affairs 
and  was  a  memlier  of  the  Glee  Club,  making  several  trips.  Following  his  gradua- 
tion he  entered  into  practice  with  J.  A.  Diffenbacher,  a  pioneer  dentist  of  York, 
and  remained  in  this  connection  for  two  years.  At  the  termination  of  this  time 
he  decided  to  enter  into  practice  on  his  own  account  and  has  since  practiced  alone. 

On  the  10th  of  October,  1907,  Dr.  Wildman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mvrta  L.  Worrell,  a  native  of  Kansas.  She  came  to  York  at  an  early  age  with  her 
parents,  attended  the  schools  of  that  place  and  graduated  from  the  York  high 
school.  She  taught  school  two  years  in  York  county  country  schools,  two  years  at 
Waco,  and  two  years  in  York.  She  is  a  member  of  the  women's  department  of  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  active  in  Woman's  club  work.    To  the  union  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wild- 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COFXTY  11(59 

man  four  children  have  been  born,  one  girl  and  three  boys,  namely:     Josephine 
LeNore ;  Leonard  Eoseoe ;  Edwin  Worrell ;  and  Harry  Blaine. 

The  Wildman  family  are  all  consistent  members  of  the  Congregational  church 
and  for  some  time  Dr.  Wildman  conducted  the  Glee  t'lub  and  choir  of  that  church. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  56,  the  Royal  Arch  Masons,  Knights 
Templars,  No.  17,  and  Sesostris  Temple,  of  Lincoln.  He  is  also  a  Knight  of  Pythias 
and  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  In  each  of  these  orders 
he  is  an  exemplary  member.  Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise 
he  has  given  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  in  the  interests  of  which  he 
has  always  taken  an  active  part.  As  a  prominent  member  of  the  dental  profession 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Xi  Psi  Phi  dental  fraternity  and  of  the  Nebraska  State 
Dental  Society.  He  still  devotes  some  of  his  time  to  a  deeper  study  of  his  profes- 
sion, taking  post-graduate  work  under  Dr.  Arthur  Smith  of  Chicago,  Dr.  D.  D. 
Campbell  of  Kansas  City,  and  Dr.  H.  H.  Waite  at  the  University  of  Nebraska.  In 
the  social  circles  of  York  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wildman  also  take  an  active  part,  being 
members  of  the  Country  Club  and  Mrs.  Wildman  takes  a  great  interest  in  church 
affairs.  She  belongs  to  a  number  of  church  societies.  For  one  term  Dr.  Wildman 
did  lyceum  work  in  York  College  in  the  Harmonic  Male  Quartet.  Although  Dr. 
Wil'dman  engages  in  general  practice  for  the  most  part  he  also  specializes  in  sur- 
gery in  wdiich  line  he  has  been  very  successful.  As  a  professional  man,  business  man 
or  citizen,  there  is  no  more  progressive  man  in  York  than  Dr.  \\'il(]iiiaii  and  he  is 
highly  respected  throughout  the  comnamity. 


JOHN   REETZ 


Jolm  Reetz,  now  living  retired  in  York  county  after  many  years  devoted  to  agri- 
cultural jDursuits,  having  come  here  with  his  parents  in  1868,  is  a  native  of  Minne- 
sota, born  June  24,  1861,  a  son  of  Martin  Reetz,  who  was  born  in  Germany  where 
he  spent  his  eaidy  manhood.  In  1855  he  immigrated  to  America  and  settled  in 
Chicago,  working  in  that  city  during  the  summer  and  in  the  winter  in  the  lumber 
camps  of  Michigan  and  Wisconsin.  Two  years  later  Martin  Reetz  went  to  Minne- 
sota and  there  his  son  John  Reetz  was  bom.  He  experienced  all  the  vicissitudes  of 
the  pioneer  immigrant  and  moved  around  the  country  a  great  deal,  finally  coming 
to  Nebraska  in  1868  and  taking  a  homestead  in  York  county.  An  extended  refer- 
ence to  the  life  of  Martin  Reetz  will  be  found  under  the  name  of  Henry  Reetz 
elsewhere  in  this  work. 

John  Reetz  accompanied  his  parents  to  York  county  in  1868  and  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  of  the  county,  the  school  conditions  at  that  time  being  in  a 
very  primitive  state,  the  period  of  tuition  covering  but  three  months  and  the 
schoolhouse  itself  being  constructed  of  sod  and  minus  desks  for  the  use  of  the 
pupils.  He  lived  with  his  parents  and  in  early  life  started  farming  on  his  father's 
place,  under  his  guidance  soon  developing  into  a  skilled  agriculturist.  He  is  now 
the  owner  of  eighty  acres  of  excellent  land  and  the  entire  place  is  in  a  fine  state 
of  improvement.  A  grove  of  cedar  trees  from  the  Platte  river  has  been  placed 
around  the  laud  and  an  orchard  which  his  father  set  out  is  in  a  healthy  condition. 
Mr.  Reetz  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  for  a  numljer  of  years,  but 


1170  HISTOEY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

feeling  the  need  of  a  well  earned  rest  he  retired  from  active  farm  labor  in  1918 
though  he  still  lives  on  the  holding. 

Apart  from  his  eiglity  acre  farm  Mr.  Eeetz  is  the  owner  of  considerable  property 
in  Thayer,  in  which  city  he  also  is  identified  with  the  Farmers  Elevator.  He  was 
one  of  the  organizers  and  is  now  a  director  of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Thayer. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  independent  in  politics.  He  relates 
that  a  party  of  Indians  camped  on  his  place  some  time  ago  as  they  were  passing 
through  the  district  and  beggfed  bread  fnmi  liim,  which  he  readily  supplied. 


K.   S.   CARSCADDEN 


One  of  the  best  known  and  most  prominent  bankers  of  York  county  is  R.  S. 
Carscadden  who  was  born  in  Wisconsin,  March  15,  1877,  a  son  of  Richard  and  Clara 
(Sedgwick)  Carscadden.  The  father  was  born  in  Canada  in  1840  and  died  in  York 
in  1890,  while  the  mother  w'as  born  in  Illinois  in  1845  and  passed  away  in  1918. 
Richard  Carscadden  was  a  physician  of  much  ability  and  was  a  graduate  of  the 
Rush  Medical  College  and  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Chicago.  After  the 
marriage  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Carscadden,  which  took  place  in  Illinois,  they  removed 
to  Wisconsin  and  Dr.  Carscadden  began  his  practice  at  Sharon.  He  later  practiced 
in  De  Pere  for  some  time  and  then  in  1879  came  to  York  where  he  practiced  until 
his  death.  Four  children  were  born  to  this  union  of  whom  three  are  living:  Mrs. 
E.  G.  Felton,  whose  husband  is  a  prominent  druggist  in  York;  Mrs.  J.  E.  Wilson, 
of  Los  Angeles,  California;  and  R.  S.,  the  subject  of  this  review.  The  family  were 
reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Dr.  Carscadden  was  a 
member  of  the  Knights  Templars.  He  was  also  a  stanch  prohibitionist.  The 
grandfather  of  R.  S.  Carscadden,  the  subject  of  this  review,  was  Robert  Carscadden 
who  was  of  Irish  birth  and  later  emigrated  to  Canada  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
throughout  his  life. 

When  two  years  of  age  R.  S.  Carscadden  removed  from  Wisconsin  to  York  with 
his  parents  and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  that  place,  graduat- 
ing from  the  York  high  school  in  1892.  For  two  years  he  attended  the  University 
of  Nebraska,  until  he  was  forced  because  of  financial  reverses  to  leave  school  and 
start  to  work.  He  secured  a  position  in  a  drug  store  at  York  and  remained  in 
that  capacity  for  a  period  of  two  years,  at  the  termination  of  which  time  he  entered 
into  the  service  of  the  First  National  Bank  in  1898.  For  three  years  he  resided  in 
Wiuo  where  he  had  bought  an  interest  in  the  bank  and  then  returned  to  York, 
organizing  the  German  American  Bank  of  which  he  became  first  cashier.  In  1918 
he  was  made  vice  president  of  the  bank,  a  position  which  he  still  holds,  and  in  the 
same  year  the  name  of  the  bank  was  changed  to  the  American  State  Bank.  The 
bank  has  a  capital  of  fifty  thousand  dollars,  a  surplus  jjrofit  of  twenty-five  thousand 
dollars  and  an  average  deposit  of  eight  Inmdred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  In  1914 
the  stockliolders  erected  a  large  stone  building  which  is  not  included  in  the  capital 
stock.  Besides  Mr.  Carscadden's  interest  in  the  bank  as  its  vice  president  he  a'so 
has  interest  in  the  American  Trust  Company  aaid  the  American  Bank  Buihling 
Association. 

In   19U  occurred   tiie   marriage  of  Mr.   Cai'scaddcii   and   Jliss   Klva    liarlicr.   a 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1171 

native  of  York  county  aud  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Barber,  a  pioneer  farmer  of 
that  county. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carscadden  are  consistent  members  of  the  Metliodist  Episcopal 
church  and  take  an  active  part  in  the  various  affairs  of  that  organization.  Since 
age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Carscadden  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  republican  party  in  the  interests  of  which  he  has  always  taken  an 
active  part.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of 
Elks.  The  success  of  Mr.  Carscadden  is  the  result  of  his  own  diligence  and  labor, 
for  he  has  gradually  advanced  until  he  is  now  one  of  the  best  known  bankers  in 
York  county. 


CHARLES  M.  CARPENTER 

Charles  M.  Carpenter,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  York  county  for  nearly  thirty- 
nine  years,  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  on  section  4,  Morton  township,  this  being 
the  place  on  which  he  originally  settled.  He  was  born  in  Sandwich,  DeKalb  county, 
Illinois,  May  13,  1856,  a  son  of  Mrylin  and  Fidelia  (Bliss)  Carpenter,  the  former 
a  blacksmith  who  followed  that  occupation  during  all  the  active  years  of  his  life. 

Charles  M.  Carpenter  was  reared  in  his  father's  home  and  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  town,  where  his  father  conducted  a  blacksmith  shop  in 
which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  worked  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old.  When  he 
was  about  nineteen  he  started  on  his  own  account  and  became  a  clerk  in  a  country 
store,  wliich  line  of  activity  he  followed  for  three  years.  He  then  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  farm  life  and  rented  a  tract  of  land  in  DeKalb  county,  Illinois,  and  there 
was  engaged  in  agricultural  operations  for  a  further  period  of  three  years.  It  was 
in  1882  that  Mr.  Carpenter  came  to  York  county  and  settled  on  the  farm  on  which 
he  has  been  residing  ever  since,  purchasing  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres  for 
which  he  paid  twenty-six  hundred  dollars.  When  he  took  over  the  holding  there 
was  but  one  small  frame  house  on  it  .and  some  sixty  acres  of  the  ground  was  broken. 
He  made  extensive  improvements,  fenced  the  farm  and  erected  substantial  buildings 
and  has  since  given  his  undivided  attention  to  the  management  of  his  fann.  He 
passed  through  bad  times  and  experienced  the  hardships  of  dry  seasons ;  however, 
lie  weathered  .all  obstacles  to  success  and  is  now  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  industry 
and  skill. 

While  living  in  Illinois  Mr.  Carjienter  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lucy  C. 
Dickenson,  the  ceremony  taking  place  September  12,  1877,  and  to  their  union  two 
children  were  born:  Harriet,  who  became  the  wife  of  Henry  Xelson ;  and  Myrlin, 
who  married  Annie  Williamson,  and  they  have  three  children  ;  Lucy,  Ellen  and 
Corinne,  now  deceased.  The  Nelson  family  live  with  her  parents  and  Myrlin  Car- 
penter resides  on  a  part  of  the  old  home  place.  Mr.  Charles  Carpenter  gives  his 
political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  is  a  consistent  supporter  of  its 
policies  and  principles.  For  years  he  gave  close  attention  to  the  development  of 
educational  facilities  in  his  home  district  and  for  fifteen  years  served  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board,  during  that  period  much  progress  having  been  made  for  which 
he  is  Justly  entitled  to  claim  much  credit.  His  interest  in  good  roads  was  no  less 
mnrked  and  he  served  as  road  overseer  for  two  vears.   He  is  a  member  of  the  Wood- 


1172  HTSTOEY    OF    TOTJK    ('( )ITXTY 

men  and  of  tlie  Degree  of  Honor,  in  the  affairs  of  these  organizations  displaying 
much  interest.  The  greater  part  of  his  life  has  been  spent  in  this  section  of  the 
state  and  he  has  become  imbued  witli  the  spirit  and  enterprise  that  have  led  to  the 
rapid  and  substantial  upbuihling  of  this  county  and  district. 


EGBERT  BROWN 


RolDcrt  Brown  is  a  prosperous  resident  farmer  of  York  county,  owning  and  culti- 
vating four  hundred  acres  of  well  improved  land  on  sections  15  and  22  in  Stewart 
township.  He  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in  County  Tyrone,  October  31.  1860,  a 
son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Cousins)  Brown,  also  natives  of  the  same  county,  where 
the  former  was  born  in  1817  and  died  May  22,  1892.  The  mother  died  in  1872  at 
the  age  of  forty-seven. 

While  living  in  Ireland  the  elder  Robert  Brown  studied  with  the  view  to  enter- 
ing tlie  Baptist  ministry,  but  he  was  never  ordained.  In  1865  he  immigrated  to 
the  United  States,  accompanied  by  his  family,  the  voyage  being  made  in  a  sailing 
vessel  from  Liverpool,  the  entire  journey  to  New  York  occupying  four  weeks.  His 
first  location  was  in  Connecticut  and  there  he  took  up  gardening,  in  which  he  liad 
early  training,  as  a  means  of  livelihood,  working  at  the  time  at  Southport,  Con- 
necticut. After  spending  about  two  years  in  this  line  he  went  to  Iowa  in  1867  and 
settled  in  Cedar  county,  where  he  remained  until  1871.  In  September,  1871,  he 
made  the  overland  trip  from  Iowa  to  Nebraska,  came  to  York  county  and  took  a 
homestead  of  eighty  acres  in  section  22,  Stewart  township,  and  on  this  he  put  up 
a  sod  house  in  which  he  resided  for  some  time.  His  family  did  not  come  until  the 
spring  of  1873.  All  provisions  and  other  goods  had  to  be  hauled  from  Columbus 
and  Lincoln,  and  with  roads  in  bad  condition  or  in  the  entire  absence  of  roads  of 
any  kind  the  hauling  of  goods  was  not  exactly  a  pleasure.  But  the  pioneer  had  to 
endure  liardships  of  which  the  present  generation  has  no  concejjtion  and  Mr.  Brown 
went  about  the  breaking  of  his  ground  and  the  cultivation  of  crops  as  if  conditions 
were  ideal.  Some  two  years  later  when  success  was  beginning  to  attend  his  industry, 
the  grasshopper  plague  visited  York  county  and  took  all  of  his  corn;  thus  at  one 
fell  swoop  the  fruits  of  his  labor  were  destroyed.  This  disaster  led  to  renewed 
activity  and  he  ultimately  had  the  satisfaction  of  having  his  homestead  in  excellent 
shape,  liringing  forth  profitable  crops,  while  at  the  same  time  cattle  and  hogs  were 
successfully  raised  on  the  holding.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  were  the  parents  of  the 
following  children :  John  A.,  who  died  twenty  years  ago  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Alexander,  who  died  in  Iowa  in  1869;  Charles,  living  in  Clinton.  Iowa; 
Thomas,  who  passed  away  in  York  county  in  1883 ;  Robert,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  Margaret,  who  died  in  1868  in  Iowa ;  Catherine  Patterson,  who  died  in 
York  county  in  1880;  and  Mary,  living  in  York.  Mr.  Brown  supported  the 
democratic  party. 

Robert  Brown  was  but  a  lad  of  five  years  when  his  father  came  to  America  and 
he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Iowa.  He  accompanied  the  family  across 
the  country  from  Iowa  to  Nebraska,  the  journey  being  made  in  a  covered  wagon,  or 
"prairie  schooner,"  while  he  followed  behind  driving  six  head  of  cattle.  The  party 
crossed  the  Missouri  river  on  a  ferry  boat,  the  crossing  being  effected  near  where 


EOBEET  BBOWN 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
TIUDKN   i.-OUNUATlUNS 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1175 

the  Douglas  street  bridge  of  Omaha  now  stands,  and  there  for  the  first  time  he 
saw  a  group  of  Indians  who  were  engaged  in  cooking  a  meal  on  the  sand  bar. 
When  the  family  settled  in  York  county  Mr.  Brown  lived  with  his  parents  and 
helped  in  the  work  of  the  farm  and  after  his  father's  death  in  1892  he  took  over 
the  operation  of  the  place,  applied  himself  vigorously  to  its  development  and 
carried  on  general  farming  and  feeding  of  live  stock,  in  which  branches  he  is  still 
actively  engaged.  He  feeds  between  two  and  three  carloads  of  cattle  and  about 
the  same  amount  of  hogs  each  year,  the  financial  results  being  of  the  most  substan- 
tial character.  He  now  operates  four  hundred  acres  of  land,  all  well  improved,  on 
which  he  has  a  fine  home  around  which  he  has  planted  a  range  of  cedar  trees 
which  present  a  handsome  appearance  and  testify  to  his  excellent  taste.  His 
agricultural  life  has  been  an  unbroken  success,  he  is  rightly  regarded  as  one  of  the 
foremost  farmers  and  is  one  of  the  best  citizens  of  the  county.  By  his  ballot  he 
supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  democratic  party  but  has  never  sought 
office  for  himself.  He  is  a  Shriner  and  a  popular  Mason  and  is  a  liberal  con- 
tributor to  all  church  work.  During  the  World  war  he  served  on  the  local  council 
of  defense  and  assisted  in  other  war  activities. 


FRED  M.  BiDST 

One  of  the  most  successful  and  enterprising  business  men  of  York,  is  Fred  M. 
Bost,  who  for  nine  years  has  conducted  the  York  Laundry  at  that  place.  He  is  a 
native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Henry  county,  that  state,  in  1880,  the  son  of  Joseph  and 
Ella  (Brillhart)  Bost,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  while  the  latter  was 
born  in  Virginia.  Their  marriage  occurred  in  Ohio  and  Joseph  Bost  followed 
farming  until  his  death  in  1881.  One  cliild,  Fred  M.,  the  subject  of  this  review, 
was  bom  to  this  union.  Sometime  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Bost  was 
united  in  marriage  to  J.  T.  Turner.  One  daughter,  Doris,  has  been  born  to  this 
union.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bost  were  consistent  members  of  the  Christian  church  and 
throughout  his  life  he  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party.  Joseph  Bost,  the 
paternal  grandfather,  was  born  in  Virginia.  He  was  among  the  fir.st  to  volunteer 
his  services  on  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  and  his  death  occurred  during  his 
imprisonment  in  Libby  prison.  The  maternal  grandfather  was  John  Brillhart,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Ohio. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Fred  M.  Bost  attended  the  common  schixils 
of  Ohio  and  in  due  time  entered  college  for  a  period  of  one  year,  at  Angola,  Indiana. 
After  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he  engaged  in  fanning  for  a  short  time  and  in 
1905  came  to  Xebraska,  settling  in  Lincoln.  He  secured  a  position  as  foreman  in 
a  laundry  there  and  for  the  three  years  he  remained  in  that  capacity  he  learned 
every  phase  of  the  business  with  the  result  that  he  went  to  Galva,  Illinois,  where  he 
purchased  a  laundry,  running  it  for  a  year.  At  the  termination  of  this  time  he 
returned  to  Lincoln,  but  in  1911  came  to  York,  again  entering  the  laundry  business 
on  his  own  account.  At  first  he  conducted  his  laundry  on  a.  small  scale  but  this 
venture  proved  so  successful  that  he  gradually  increased  his  facilities  until  he  now 
occupies  a  building  in  the  downtown  district. 

In  1906  Mr.  Bost  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jennie  Wilson,  who  is  a  native 


IKi;  HISTOK'V    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

of  Cauada.  Her  parents  are  luiw  residing  in  Michigan,  where  her  fatlier  is  engaged 
in  carriage-making.  One  chikl,  Wilson,  aged  ten  years,  has  been  born  to  tliis 
nnion.  Mrs.  Bost  is  prominent  in  the  club  circles  of  York  and  is  a  member  of 
tlie  Christian  Science  church. 

Mr.  Bost  is  an  independent  in  politics  and  fraternally  is  a  member  of  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Like  other  suc- 
cessful business  men  Mr.  Bost  takes  an  interest  in  the  development  and  improve- 
ment of  his  community  and  to  this  end  is  an  active  member  of  the  Eotary  Club. 
Mr.  Bo.«t  is  in  every  sense  of  the  word  a  self-made  man,  having  started  into  the 
business  world  with  nothing  more  than  a  grim  determination  to  win  out.  Xo  ob- 
stacle, however  great,  was  allowed  to  remain  in  his  path  and  he  is  now  sole  owner 
and  operator  of  one  of  tlie  representative  business  interests  of  York. 


\villia:\i  riEPKP 


\\illiain  Pieper.  deceased,  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of 
York  county,  his  home  being  on  section  23,  Beaver  township.  Tie  was  born  in 
Prussia,  Xovemljer  10,  1840,  and  in  1874  came  to  America  with  his  wife  and  their 
nine-months-old  child.  They  came  to  York  county,  settling  in  Blue  Vale,  for  Mrs. 
Pieper  had  an  older  brother  who  was  already  located  in  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Pieper  had  eighty  dollars  in  cash  when  they  came  to  York  county  and  they  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  unimproved  land  on  .section  2:3,  Beaver  township.  For  one 
year  they  resided  in  the  sod  house  belonging  to  Mrs.  Pieper's  brother  hut  at  the  end 
of  that  time  made  a  dugout  on  their  own  place.  Sometime  later  they  built  a  sod 
house  and  then  the  frame  house  which  is  still  standing  and  in  good  condition 
although  it  was  built  thirty  years  ago.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pieper  were  hard 
workers.  He  would  commence  work  in  the  fields  as  soon  as  dawn  began  to  break 
and  would  quit  only  when  darkness  compelled  him  to  do  so.  Mrs.  Pieper  took 
care  of  the  house  and  did  the  chores  around  the  farm  so  her  husband  could  spend 
all  of  his  time  in  the  fields.  He  had  purchased  a  cow  and  a  yoke  of  steers  and 
the  first  fall  broke  sixty  acres  of  his  land.  He  took  his  grain  to  the  mill  at  Mil- 
ford  where  he  found  a  ready  market.  Mr.  Pieper  displayed  good  judgment  in  the 
cultivation  of  his  land  and  his  practical  and  progressive  farm  methods  resulted 
in  the  harvesting  of  large  crops  annually.  At  the  time  of  his  death  which  took 
place  on  the  5th  of  March,  1901,  he  was  in  possession  of  a  section  of  some  of  the 
finest  land  in  the  county.  His  death  was  a  great  shock  to  his  family  and  friends, 
for  it  came  as  the  result  of  injuries  sustained  when  his  team  of  horses  ran  away. 

In  1872  in  Prussia  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Pieper  and  iliss  Wilhelmina 
Wellman,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  ten  children:  Henry,  who  is  residing  on 
the  old  homestead;  Fred,  who  is  married  and  lives  in  Utica ;  Johanna,  who  is  the 
wife  of  J.  H.  Harms,  a  menliant  at  Utica;  \\'il]iam,  who  is  married  and  resides  in 
Colorado;  Adolph,  who  is  married  and  is  farming  in  York  county;  Martin,  who  is 
married  and  is  managing  the  home  farm  for  his  motlier;  and  Edwin,  who  is  mar- 
ried and  is  engaged  in  fanning  in  Seward  county.  Three  other  children  died  in 
early  life.  Mrs.  Pie])er  is  residing  on  the  old  home  )ilace  and  is  eiijuviiig  good 
health. 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1177 

Mr.  Pieper  always  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  but  neither  sought 
nor  desired  public  office.  He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  A 
life  of  intense  and  well  directed  energy  brought  to  Mr.  Pieper  a  substantial  amount 
of  success  and  as  a  man  of  upright  character  and  sterling  worth  he  contributed 
much  to  the  agricultural  development  of  the  county. 


ALFRED  T.  GIAUQUE 


For  forty  years  Alfred  T.  Giauque  has  been  actively  connected  with  farming 
and  other  interests  of  York  county  and  is  now  residing  practically  retired  at  his 
home,  322  West  10th  street,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  a  long  life  of  diligence  and  labor. 

Alfred  T.  Giauque  was  born  April  3,  1842,  at  Berlin,  Ohio,  a  son  of  Charles  F. 
arid  Abigail  (Anderson)  Giauque.  The  father  was  born  in  Switzerland  in  1813  and 
died  in  Birmingham,  Iowa,  on  the  23rd  of  September,  1808,  where  he  was  buried. 
The  mother  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  that  state  February  17,  182,1, 
and  her  death  occurred  on  the  21st  of  July,  1909,  at  Birmingham,  Iowa,  where 
she  is  buried.  Both  parents  came  to  Ohio  at  an  early  day  and  there  met  and  were 
married,  the  marriage  taking  place  in  Berlin.  In  1836  Charles  F.  Giauque  came 
to  America  with  his  parents  who  settled  in  Buffalo,  New  York.  Some  time  later 
Charles  F.  Giauque  removed  to  Ohio  where  he  engaged  in  carpentering  and  con- 
tracting. He  was  very  proficient  in  his  work  and  in  1853  removed  to  Birmingham, 
Iowa,  where  he  continued  in  his  trade,  retiring  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-two 
years.  Ten  children  were  born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Giauque,  five  boys 
and  five  girls,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Alfred  T.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Ulric 
F.,  who  is  residing  retired  at  Tacoma,  Washington ;  Alonzo  G.,  who  is  residing  at 
Detroit  where  he  is  freight  agent  on  the  Michigan  Central;  and  Eula,  a  widow  who 
is  residing  on  a  homestead  in  Colorado.  James  D.,  is  now  residing  in  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  a  retired  railroad  man.  For  many  years  he  was  a  conductor  on  the  Michigan 
Central  and  was  also  chief  clerk  for  the  Lake  Shore  and  Michigan  Southern,  at 
Cleveland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Giauque  were  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  the  father  was  a  member  of  the  democratic  party  until  after  the 
Civil  war  when  he  became  an  adherent  of  the  republican  party.  The  grandfather 
of  Alfred  T.  Giauque,  John  David  Giauque,  brought  his  family  from  Switzerland 
to  America  and  settled  in  Buffalo,  New  York,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  The  maternal  grandfather,  Stoddard  Anderson,  was  born  in  County  Downe. 
Ireland,  was  a  well  educated  man  and  a  fine  weaver  by  trade.  Inspired  by  the 
stories  which  he  heard  concerning  America  and  her  opportunities  he  came  to  the 
new  world  when  a  young  man.  He  was  married  in  Pennsylvania  and  then  removed 
to  Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  his  trade  and  resided  until  his  death. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Alfred  T.  Giau(|ue  attended  the  district 
schools  of  Iowa  and  the  Birmingham  Collegiate  Institute  where  he  remained  until 
the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  v.'ar.  He  immediately  answered  the  call  of  his  countrv 
and  entered  into  the  service  of  the  Union  on  the  13th  of  September,  1861,  joining 
Co.  H.  Fifth  Iowa  Infantry,  with  whicii  he  served  for  seven  months.  At  the  com- 
pletion of  this  time  his  health  became  impaired  from  exposure  and   long  niiirches 


1178  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

and  he  returned  home  receiving  liis  honorable  discharge  on  the  7th  of  April,  18(52. 
He  was  an  ardent  believer  in  the  preservation  of  the  Union  and  deeply  regretted 
that  the  condition  of  his  health  obliged  him  to  resign  ere  the  close  of  the  war. 
Eecovering  his  health  Mr.  CTiauqiie  taught  school  during  the  winter  months  and 
during  the  summer  months  engaged  in  farming.  For  seven  years  he  taught  school 
and  then  decided  to  devote  his  entire  time  to  farming.  On  the  16th  of  March,  1880, 
he  came  to  York  county  where  he  purchased  a  farm  on  which  he  resided  for  nine 
years.  He  had  a  mortgage  on  this  farm  to  the  amount  of  sixteen  hundred  dollars 
and  as  a  result  of  repeated  crop  failures  due  to  hail,  he  sold  the  farm  in  1889  and 
removed  to  York.  He  remained  in  York  for  just  one  year  when  he  again  com- 
menced farming,  buying  a  farm  located  two  miles  out  of  the  town.  For  one  year 
he  lived  on  this  farm,  at  the  termination  of  that  time  removing  to  Benedict  where 
he  rented  a  farm  on  which  he  remained  for  four  years.  He  then  farmed  for  one 
year  at  Thayer,  and  eight  years  on  a  farm  in  Polk  county,  both  being  rented  land, 
aiul  subsequently  removed  to  a  farm  near  York.  By  this  time  his  sons  were  mar- 
ried and  desired  to  go  into  business  for  themselves.  This  resulted  in  Mr.  Giauque's 
again  taking  up  residence  in  York.  He  had  no  idea  of  retiring  from  active  life, 
however,  and  obtained  a  position  as  mail  carrier  on  Route  6,  out  of  York.  He  held 
this  position  from  January  16,  1905,  to  August  20,  1920,  at  which  time  he  was 
retired  on  a  pension.  During  the  years  of  his  service  in  this  capacity  he  won  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact  and  the  people  along 
his  route  miss  his  cheery  greetings  and  timely  conversations.  In  1906  he  purchased 
a  nice  home  at  322  West  10th  street  and  here  he  now  resides. 

Mr.  Giauque  has  also  been  efficient  in  another  line  of  work,  in  which  he  is  still 
active.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a  correspondent  for  various  papers,  starting 
this  w6rk  during  his  early  teens.  One  of  his  first  articles,  written  for  the  Keokuk, 
Iowa,  paper,  was  highly  commended.  This  article  dealt  with  the  formation  of  the 
republican  party.  He  has  been  correspondent  for  the  Keosauqua,  Iowa,  Republican ; 
the  Van  Buren  Democrat  of  Bonaparte,  Iowa  ;  the  Birmingham  Enterprise ;  the 
Orange  Judd  Farmer;  the  C'larks,  Xebraska,  Enterprise;  the  Osceola  Record:  the 
Stromsburg  News;  and  the  Xew  Teller  and  Republican  paper  of  York.  For  over 
thirteen  and  one-half  years  he  has  been  connected  with  the  Republican  and  for  two 
years  with  the  Teller.  He  wrote  an  article  each  week  called  the  Rural  Rattle  and 
he  now  writes  a  letter  each  week.  In  addition  to  the  newspaper  correspondence  in 
which  he  has  been  so  successful  he  has  been  working  for  the  government  as  volun- 
teer or  cooperative  weather  observer  for  over  twenty  years. 

In  1864  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Giauque  to  Miss  Sallie  Simmons,  who 
was  born  near  Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa,  on  the  7th  of  June,  1844.  Her  parents  were 
Andrew  F.  and  Maria  E.  (Graliam)  Simmons.  The  mother  was  born  in  Indiana, 
January  11,  1809,  and  her  death  occurred  in  Iowa.  The  father's  birth  occurred  on 
the  ocean  when  his  parents  were  crossing  from  Ireland.  His  natal  day  was  the 
29th  of  March,  1804,  and  his  death  occurred  at  the  home  of  his  daughter  in 
Nebraska,  ilr.  and  Mrs.  Simmons  settled  in  Iowa  at  an  early  day  and  there 
engaged  in  fijrming.  Mr.  Simmons  had  been  a  miner  in  California  in  the  early 
days  and  he  was  a  well  informed  man.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  !Mrs.  Giauque, 
seven  children  have  been  born,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Bertha,  the  wife  of  J.  S. 
Pruett  of  York;  Ada,  the  wife  of  John  M.  Johnson  who  conducts  an  art  store  in 
York;  Charles  E.,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  at  Fort  Morgan,  Colorado;  James  A., 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  11^9 

who  is  residing  on  his  farm  seven  miles  southwest  of  York ;  and  Amy,  the  wife  of 
X.  R.  Linburg,  a  farmer  and  bank  president  of  Snyder,  Colorado. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Giauque  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  given  his 
allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  it  has  found  in  him  a  stanch  advocate.  He 
has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  prohibition.  In  the  activities  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Giauque  take  a  prominent  part,  and  he  has  been 
recording  secretary  of  the  official  board  in  York  for  a  period  of  nine  years.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  an  exemplary  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen,  and  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic.  His  has  been  an  upright  and  honorable  life  actuated  by 
high  purposes  and  fraught  with  good  results,  and  the  respect  and  high  regard  enter- 
tained for  him  are  well  merited. 


MORELI;E  B.  KING 


Morelle  B.  King,  who  has  been  successfully  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in 
York  for  a  number  of  years,  will  soon  leave  for  Omaha  where  he  will  take  charge 
of  the  city  salesmen  for  the  firm  known  as  the  Mid  State  Wholesale  Grocers.  In 
the  removal  of  Mr.  King,  York  will  lose  one  of  its  most  progressive  and  representa- 
tive citizens. 

Morelle  B.  King  was  born  in  Uniontown,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  4th  of  March, 
1878,  a  son  of  Gilmore  and  Ida  L.  (Davis)  King,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, while  the  latter  was  born  in  New  York  state.  Their  marriage  took  place  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  in  1879  they  removed  to  Nebraska  settling  at  Fremont.  Here  the 
father  engaged  in  the  harness  business  until  1890  when  he  came  to  York,  entering 
into  the  grocery,  furniture  and  queensware  business,  in  partnership  with  his  brother, 
Bernard  King.  They  later  dissolved  partnership  and  in  1904  Gilmore  King  and  his 
wife  removed  to  Omaha,  where  he  was  representative  of  a  wholesale  grocery  com- 
pany until  his  death  which  occurred  in  May,  1916.  Five  children  were  born  to  this 
union:  Morelle  B.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Bertha,  the  wife  of  George  Swartz, 
foreman  at  the  Medlar  Printing  Company  of  Omaha;  Lora,  wife  of  John  King,  a 
farmer  in  Wisconsin ;  Velma,  kindergarten  teacher  in  an  Omaha  school ;  and  another 
child  whose  death  occurred  in  infancy.  Mr.  King  was  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
and  a  republican  in  polities.  Some  time  after  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  King 
married  a  Mr.  Mason  and  she  is  still  living  in  Omaha. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Morelle  B.  King  attended  the  schools  of 
Fremont  and  York.  After  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business,  clerking  in  his  father's  store  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  at  which 
time  he  left  home  and  two  years  later  went  to  Kansas  City.  For  some  time  he 
had  charge  of  the  dry  goods  department  in  the  Bee  Hive  store  at  that  place  and 
then  removed  to  Omaha  where  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for  one  year. 
For  nine  months  he  resided  in  Lincoln  and  then  returned  to  York,  starting  into 
business  with  his  father.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five  years  he  failed  in  this  line  of 
business  and  subseqiiently  engaged  in  dairying  in  which  he  remained  for  a  period 
of  i^ine  Fuccessful  years.  He  built  the  Keystone  Creamery  in  York  and  built  up  a 
large  and  lucrative  trade.    Withdrawing  from  this  business  at  the  end  ol'  nine  years 


1180  TITSTORY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY 

he  again  started  in  the  grocery  business  and  this  time  his  venture  proved  more  than 
successful.  Starting  on  a  small  scale  he  has  gradually  increased  his  facilities  until 
he  is  now  occupying  a  large  store.  Within  a  short  time,  however,  Mr.  King  eon- 
templates  removing  to  Omaha  where  he  will  be  connected  with  a  new  firm  known 
as  the  Mid  State  Wholesale  Grocers  in  the  capacity  of  head  of  the  city  salesmen. 
The  experience  which  Mr.  King  has  had  in  this  line  of  work  will  make  him  a  very 
valuable  man  to  the  concern.  For  three  years  Mr.  King  in  addition  to  his  other 
business  owned  a  cafeteria  at  Hastings,  having  a  man  to  manage  it  for  him,  and 
he  now  owns  a  business  block  in  York. 

On  the  12th  of  January,  1900,  Mr.  King  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Julia 
Miller,  a  native  of  York  and  a  daughter  of  Fred  Miller  who  was  a  German  Metho- 
dist minister.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  one  daughter,  Esther,  has  been 
born  and  she  is  now  attending  the  University  of  Nebraska.  The  King  family  are 
all  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Fraternally  Mr.  King  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in 
which  he  takes  an  active  part  and  he  is  also  a  prominent  member  of  the  Commer- 
cial Club.  Mr.  King  is  quite  well-to-do  and  has  made  his  money  since  he  was 
twenty-five  v^ears  of  age.  One  characteristic  of  Mr.  King  is  hard  work  and  his 
success  today  is  attributable  to  his  determination,  perseverance  and  laudable 
ambition. 


FRANK  L.  BEDIENT 


Frank  L.  Bedient,  a  pro.sperous  and  progressive  land  owner  of  York  county, 
residing  on  section  35,  Bradshaw  township,  is  accounted  one  of  the  foremost 
farmers  and  successful  stock  raisers  in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  was  born  in  Lee 
county,  Hlinois,  January  12,  1862,  and  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  county.  From  the  age  of  sixteen  onwards  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming 
operations,  beginning  his  career  by  working  out  on  farms  by  the  month  and  saving 
his  earnings  with  the  ultimate  object  of  acquiring  land  for  himself.  During  the 
last  year  he  worked  in  Illinois  he  raised  corn  for  a  farmer,  the  price  paid  him  being 
ten  cents  a  bushel,  and  in  that  year  he  made  eight  hundred  dolkrs,  which  he  put 
away  as  a  «est  egg  for  future  use. 

It  was  in  1884  that  Mr.  Bedient  came  to  York  county  and  settled  in  Arborville 
township,  where  he  worked  during  one  summer  for  Daniel  Graves  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing year  rented  land  and  continued  as  a  renter  for  three  years.  He  then  decided 
on  a  more  ambitious  move  and  in  partnership  with  his  brother  Charles  boiight  one 
Iiundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Arborville  township  for  which  they  paid  twentv 
dollars  per  acre.  There  were  no  improvements  on  the  holding  and  the  brothers 
erected  all  necessary  l)uilrlings  and  otherwise  improved  the  place,  on  which  they 
continued  to  reside  until  1900.  In  that  year  they  moved  to  Bradsliaw  and  began 
to  deal  in  live  stock,  this  venture  like  their  farming  operations  proving  a  financial 
success.  In  1901  they  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  choice  land 
adjoining  Bradshaw,  the  purchase  price  of  which  was  forty  dollars  per  acre,  and 
which  they  proceeded  to  improve  and  develop,  finally  making  it  one  of  the  best 
kept  and  most  valuable  farms  in  that  part  of  the  county. 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  1181 

In  1919  Mr.  Bedient  bought  the  one  hundred  and  sixty  ac-re  tract  in  Bradshaw 
on  which  he  now  lives,  paying  the  high  figure  of  fifty-tliree  thousand  dollars 
for  it — land  which  he  could  liave  purchased  in  1901  for  forty-five  dollars  an  acre — 
the  phenomenal  increase  in  values  in  less  than  twenty  years  being  thus  shown.  The 
brothers  have  been  extensive  dealers  in  live  stock  and  also  feeders  for  the  market, 
the  returns  from  this  line  yielding  them  large  profits.  Some  few  years  ago  Mr. 
Bedient  bought  out  the  interest  of  his  brother  Charles  in  their  first  purchase  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  he  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  seventy- 
four  acres  in  Bradshaw  township  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Arborville 
township,  the  two  holdings  being  among  the  most  valuable  land  investments  in 
the  county.  He  has  prospered  as  he  deserves  to  prosper  and  his  success  is  entirely 
attributable  to  his  unremittin,g  attention  to  his  agricultural  interests  and  to  the 
business-like  care  and  supervision  which  have  marked  his  every  movement  since 
he  commenced  farm  life. 

On  December  20,  1887,  Mr.  Bedient  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma 
Plessinger  and  to  that  union  seven  children  have  been  born:  Lucy,  the  wife  of 
Van  Stratton;  Bertha,  who  married  Arthur  Starkey;  Edith,  the  wife  of  J.  Johnson; 
Orville,  at  home;  Verna,  the  wife  of  Lloyd  Gros;  Charley,  and  Glenn.  Mr.  Bedient 
gives  his  unqualified  support  to  the  republican  party,  to  whose  policies  he  is  a  warm 
adherent,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Elks  lodge  at  York.  He  has  always  preferred 
to  concentrate  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  his  business  affairs  and  working 
steadily  and  persistently  has  gained  a  comfortable  competence,  being  numbered 
among  the  leading  and  progressive  agriculturists  of  York  county. 


ISAAC  J.  FRIESEK 


Isaac  J.  Friesen  is  one  of  tlie  prominent  farmers  of  York  county,  owning  and 
cultivating  two  hundred  acres  of  splendid  land  in  Brown  township.  He  was  born 
in  this  county  September  24,  1882,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Anna  Friesen,  both  natives 
of  Eussia  where  they  lived  until  18?4,  in  that  year  immigrating  to  America.  The 
family  came  to  York  county,  settled  on  section  30,  Brown,  township,  and  there 
Peter  Friesen  erected  a  sod  house  in  which  they  lived  for  several  years.  During  his 
active  life  he  was  engaged  in  agricultural  operations  which  he  carried  on  with  suc- 
cess, passing  away  in  1913,  at  an  advanced  age.  The  family  consisted  of  ten 
children,  seven  of  whom  survive. 

Isaac  J.  Friesen  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  York  county  and  was  reared 
on  his  father's  farm  where  he  assisted  in  the  agricultural  operations  and  so  con- 
tinued until  he  reached  his  majority.  He  then  began  farming  for  himself  and  is 
now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  excellent  land,  all  of  which  is  well  improved, 
well  fenced  into  suitable  fields  and  has  some  substantial  buildings  erected  on  it.  He 
utilizes  the  latest  improved  machinery  and  methods  in  carrying  on  his  work,  annu- 
ally harvests  good  crops  and  is  winning  success  as  the  years  go  by.  He  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Henderson. 

On  December  5,  1905,  Mr.  Friesen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Kroeker,  a  daughter  of  (ierhard  and  Elizabeth  Kroeker,  residents  of  York  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Friesen  have  become  the  parents  of  tliree  children  :     Alliert  I.,  lx)rn 

Vol.   11—39 


1183  HISTOBY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

September  15,  1906_;  Herman,  l)orn  May  15,  IflOil,  and  Mabel  Anna,  Iwrn  August 
21,  1915.'  The  family  are  members  of  the  Bethesda  church  at  Heiulersou  and  in 
social  circles  occupy  a  i>rominent  position.  He  votes  with  the  democratic  party 
and  is  now  serving  as  a  member  of  the  local  school  board.  He  stands  for  progress 
and  improvement  in  all  public  afPairs  and  has  ever  displayed  devotion  to  the  county's 
welfare  and  upbuilding.  His  pronounced  characteristics  have  gained  for  him  a 
high  position  in  the  public  esteem. 


ET>T.TAH  BEADWELL 


Elijah  Bradwcll,  deceased,  was  for  a  number  of  years  prominent  in  the  business 
circles  of  York.  In  1902  he  came  to  York,  purchased  the  drug  store  of  t'.  M. 
Cowan  and  conducted  this  business  until  his  death.  His  son  Charles  is  now 
managing  the  store. 

Elijah  Bradwoll  was  a  native  of  England,  his  birth  having  occurred  at  Brad- 
well  on  the  22nd  of  October,  1856.  His  death  occurred  in  York,  August  11,  1919, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Bradwcll  were  Charles  and 
Ann  (Wright)  Bradwcll,  both  natives  of  England  in  which  country  tliey  died. 
The  father  engaged  in  lead  mining  and  was  overi^eer  for  his  father.  Seven  children 
were  born  to  this  union,  Elijah  Bradwell,  the  subject  of  this  review,  being  the 
only  member  of  the  family  in  the  United  States.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bradwell  were 
consistent  members  of  the  Church  of  England. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Elijah  Bradwcll  attended  the  common 
schools  of  England  and  in  1881  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Winchester, 
Illinois,  for  some  time  working  in  a  coal  mine.  When  he  arrived  in  Illinois  he 
had  but  five  dollars  ca])ital.  Following  his  occupation  as  miner  Mr.  Bradwell 
clerked  in  a  drug  store  for  a  while  and  then  removed  to  Wyandotte,  Kansas, 
where  he  bought  property  with  the  money  he  had  managed  to  save.  While  in 
Illinois  he  was  married  and  in  1886  they  removed  to  Fairfield  where  he  purchased 
a  drug  store.  For  a  number  of  years  he  conducted  this  store,  building  up  a  large 
patronage.  In  fact,  so  successful  was  he  in  this  venture  that  he  determined  to 
remove  to  a  larger  place,  where  he  could  conduct  his  store  on  a  broader  scale. 
As  the  result  of  this  determination  he  removed  to  York  in  1902.  buying  out  the 
drug  business  of  C.  M.  Cowan.  It  w^as  not  long  before  he  had  built  up  a  large 
patronage  here  and  soon  became  widely  recognized  as  a  business  man  of  much 
ability  and  progressiveness.  When  his  death  occurred  on  the  11th  of  August,  1919, 
it  was  the  occasion  of  deep  regret  to  the  community. 

In  1886,  in  Illinois,  Mr.  Bradwell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  E. 
Martin,  a  daughter  of  George  W.  and  Angeline  (Conway)  Martin.  Previous 
to  her  marriage  Mrs.  Bradwell  had  taught  school  in  Fairfield,  Nebraska,  since 
1879.  Her  father  had  served  in  the  Civil  war,  being  Captain  of  Co.  H,  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-Ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Regiment.  He  participated  in 
two  of  the  most  important  battles  of  that  war  but  was  soon  afterwards  honorably 
discharged  because  of  disability.  At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Martin  returned  to 
Winchester,  Illinois,  and  was  soon  afterward  elected  to  the  position  of  county 
clerk.     Subsequently  he  was  elected  sheriff.     Mr.  Martin  was  a  stanch  republican 


a 

K 

m 

w 
< 

1-5 

W 
P 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1185 

in  a  strong  democratic  county  but  his  popularity  was  plainly  manifested  in  his 
election  to  these  offices.  In  1886  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  removed  to  Harvard, 
Nebraska,  and  in  that  same  year  the  father  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  post- 
master in  which  he  served  one  term.  To  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bradwell 
two  children  were  born :  Pauline,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  York  high  school  and 
York  College*  taught  school  for  a  number  of  years  and  is  now  employed  in  the 
drug  store;  and  Charles,  who  received  his  education  in  the  York  schools  and  is 
now  running  the  store  for  his  mother.  Charles  Bradwell  entered  into  service  in 
the  World  war,  on  the  1st  of  December,  1917,  and  was  in  the  medical  department. 
He  spent  his  entire  time  at  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  and  received  his  discharge  Decem- 
ber 16,  1918. 

Throughout  his  entire  life  Mr.  Bradwell  had  been  a  stanch  supporter  of  the 
republican  jjarty  and  he  was  always  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of 
the  day.  He  was  well  read  and  spent  much  of  his  spare  time  in  this  manner. 
Only  one  vacation  was  indulged  in  by  Mr.  Bradwell  and  that  was  in  1910  when 
he  and  Mrs.  Bradwell  went  to  England  for  a  visit,  remaining  there  for  a  period 
of  two  months.  As  a  representative  of  one  of  York's  most  important  business 
interests  he  took  a  prominent  .part  in  county  and  civic  affairs  and  was  acknowl- 
edged a  most  progressive  and  representative  citizen.  In  1905  Mr.  Bradwell  pur- 
chased a  home  at  135  West  Ninth  street  and  here  Mrs.  Bradwell  resides  with  her 
son  and  daughter.  Mrs.  Bradwell  has  always  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the 
development  and  improvement  of  York  and  for  three  years  served  on  the  board 
of  education.  She  is  very  active  in  church  ■  affairs  and  has  been  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school  for  the  past  fifteen  years. 


J.  E.  FINNEY 


J.  E.  Finney,  manager  of  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Association  of  McCool  Junc- 
tion, was  born  in  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  December  6,  1873.  His  father,  Joseph 
Finney,  a  native  of  New  York,  married  Mary  J.  Conry  and  came  to  Nebraska  in 
1873,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  unimproved  Hayes  town- 
ship land  and  built  one  of  the  first  frame  houses  in  that  locality.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  settlers  in  Hayes  township  and  was  a  very  successful  farmer,  owning  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  valuable  land.  His  death  occurred  April  29,  1919,  at 
the  home  of  his  daughter  in  Chicago,  where  he  was  visiting.  His  wife  was  born 
August  19,  1845,  and  passed  away  October  17,  1895.  Mr.  Finney  was  a  public 
spirited  man  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  county  board.  His  religion  was  that 
of  the  Catholic  church  and  in  politics  he  was  a  democrat.  Mr.  Finney  was  a  good 
father  and  left  to  mourn  his  death  eight  children:  Frank,  residing  at  the  old  home 
place  in  Hayes  township ;  J.  E.  Finney,  manager  of  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Asso- 
ciation of  McCool ;  Catherine,  who  died  in  childhood ;  Agnes,  the  wife  of  Myron  J. 
Smith,  of  Crawford,  Nebraska ;  Lawrence,  who  died  in  childhood ;  Mary,  the  wife  of 
Stanley  P.  Driscoll,  residing  at  Chicago,  Illinois;  twins,  Hubert,  of  Lockridge  town- 
ship, York  county,  and  Homer,  who  lives  on  a  ranch  in  Cherry  county,  Nebraska. 

J.  E.  Finney  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  for  a  time  was  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  later  becoming  a  grain  buyer  for  the  T.  W.   Smith   Grain 


118(i  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

Company.  At  thu  time  of  the  organization  of  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Association 
four  years  ago  he  was  chosen  as  its  manager  and  has  held  that  position  since.  The 
association  handles  grain,  coal  and  farm  implements  and  is  one  of  the  most  flourish- 
ing enterprises  in  the  county.  Mr.  Finney's  career  has  always  been  straightforward, 
upright  and  honorable,  winning  for  him  the  esteem  and  high  regard  of  all  with 
whom  business  and  social  relations  have  brought  him  in  contact. 


KIRKLAND  J.  CALKINS 

In  the  history  of  agricultural  development  in  York  county  tlie  name  of  Kirklaud 
J.  Calkins  must  find  a  place,  for  through  a  long  period  he  was  an  active  representa- 
tive of  agricultural  interests  and  became  the  owner  of  a  large  farm  and  extensively 
engaged  in  raising  stock.  He  was  born  in  Watertown,  Xew  York,  October  37,  1840, 
and  died  February  14,  1920,  when  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age.  His  parents 
were  Samuel  and  Malissa  (Jaqiia)  Calkins,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York  and 
for  some  years  a  member  of  the  state  militia  there.  He  had  an  uncle  who  was 
at  one  time  governor  of  the  Empire  state.  His  family  numbered  four  children  of 
whom  but  one  is  living,  De  Wayne,  who  served  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of 
the  Thirty-fourth  Illinois  Infantrj'  and  now  lives  at  Wymore,  Nebraska,  where  he 
is  filling  the  office  of  mayor. 

Kirkland  J.  Calkins  pursued  his  education  in  the  schools  of  New  York  and  was 
eighteen  years  of  age  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Illinois.  In  1860  he 
became  a  resident  of  Iowa,  making  his  home  upon  a  farm  in  that  state  until  he 
enlisted  in  defense  of  the  Union  on  the  30th  of  July,  1862.  He  was  at  Camp 
Strong  and  became  a  member  of  Company  K,  Twenty-fourth  Iowa  Infantry,  with 
which  he  served  until  the  close  of  hositilities.  His  command  was  known  as  the 
"Fighting  Regiment."  On  the  lOth  of  October,  1862,  the  company  marched  to  the 
Levee  at  Muscatine  and  there  embarked  on  transports,  proceeding  to  St.  Louis  and 
thence  to  Helena,  Arkansas.  The  troops  endured  severe  hardships  and  privations 
during  the  years  1863  and  1864  when  near  Helena.  Mr.  Calkins  participated  in 
the  Coldwater  and  White  River  expeditions,  also  at  Du  Vails  Bluff,  and  aided  in 
cutting  the  Levee  at  Loon  Lake.  He  participated  in  the  battle  of  Magnolia  Church, 
of  Port  Gibson,  Willow  Springs,  Bolton  and  Raymond  and  was  also  at  Champion 
Hill,  at  Bayou  Teche  and  the  Red  River  campaign.  He  was  one  day  at  Pleasant 
Hill  and  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  and  at  the  last  place  was  taken  prisoner  but  escaped 
that  night  and  rejoined  his  regiment.  He  arrived  at  New  Orleans  on  the  24th  and 
was  sent  to  Washington  by  steamer,  after  which  he  participated,  iinder  command 
of  General  Sheridan,  in  the  battle  of  Winchester,  Fisher  Hill  and  Cedar  Creek. 
The  regiment  was  then  sent  to  Moorhead  City  and  marched  to  Goldsboro,  North 
Carolina,  and  on  to  Raleigh,  proceeding  thence  to  Savannah,  afterward  returning 
to  Raleigh,  and  later  being  mustered  out  at  Savannah. 

When  the  war  was  over  Mr.  Calkins  settled  in  Wyoming,  Iowa.  Before  he  went 
to  the  front  he  was  married  September  27,  1862,  to  Lorilla  Y.  Williams,  who  was 
born  in  Great  Valley,  New  York,  December  12,  1845,  a  daughter  of  Royal  S.  and 
Lucy  Fidelia  (Baker)  Williams,  who  were  natives  of  New  York,  whence  they 
removed  to  Iowa.     The  father  was  born  in  Chesterfield,  Massachusetts,  October  1, 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1187 

1824,  and  was  married  October  9,  1844,  in  Wyoming  county,  Xew  York,  to  Lucy  F. 
Baker,  whose  birth  occurred  October  8,  1825,  and  who  was  a  daughter  of  Chauncey 
and  Esther  (Greenleaf)  Baker,  the  latter  a  representative  of  the  family  in  which 
belonged  the  New  England  poet,  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  Mr.  Williams  was  first 
lieutenant  in  the  Twenty-fourth  Iowa  Infantry,  having  removed  to  Iowa  about 
1850.  There  he  resided  throughout  his  remaining  days  and  was  recognized  as  a 
leading  business  man  of  hi.s  locality,  being  owner  of  a  lumber  yard,  a  brick  yard 
and  a  store,  and  he  contributed  much  to  the  upbuilding  of  Wyoming. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Calkins  were  born  six  children  of  whom  five  are  living:  Fred, 
a  practicing  physician  of  Fremont,  Nebraska;  Royal,  who  is  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine  at  Cortez,  Colorado,  who  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  in 
tlie  fall  of  1920,  and  who  was  engaged  in  Indian  work  for  the  government  for  a 
number  of  years;  Lucy  M..  the  wife  of  J.  M.  Ravenscroft,  a  stone  mason  of  York; 
Albert  E.,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work :  and  Charles  A.,  a  dentist  of  York, 
who  is  also  the  owner  of  a  large  farm  in  Colorado. 

On  coming  to  Nebraska  in  1873  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Calkins  settled  in  Polk  county 
where  he  homesteaded  and  there  resided  until  about  1896  when  they  removed  to 
York.  Mr.  Calkins  was  very  successful  in  his  business  affairs,  accumulating  a 
large  estate  as  the  result  of  his  extensive  farming  and  stock  raising  operations. 
For  a  long  period  he  was  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Polk  county  and  was  also 
the  owner  of  a  large  amount  of  land  in  North  Dakota  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
His  investments  were  most  carefully  and  wisely  made  and  his  success  was  well 
merited.  He  was  a  democrat  in  his  political  views  and  belongs  to  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic.  He  possessed  many  sterling  traits  of  character  that  gained  him 
high  regard  and  made  him  a  valued  resident  of  York.  Mrs.  Calkins  survives  and 
occupies  a  beautiful  home  in  York,  where  she  has  many  friends. 


VINCENT  J.  MORGAN,  D.  D.  S. 

A  prominent  young  dentist  in  York  is  Dr.  Vincent  J.  Morgan,  who  has  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  there  for  a  period  of  two  years.  During  this  time 
he  has  demonstrated  his  ability  and  this,  together  with  his  strong  personality,  have 
won  for  him  a  large  and  lucrative  practice. 

Dr.  Vincent  J.  Morgan  was  born  in  York  county  on  the  17th  of  July,  1895,  a 
son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Long)  Morgan,  the  former  a  native  of  Illinois  and  the 
latter  of  York  county.  The  parents  make  their  home  on  a  farm  west  of  York.  At 
the  age  of  sixteen  years  John  Morgan  came  to  York  county  with  his  parents  and 
here  has  remained  since.  He  has  engaged  in  farming,  being  very  successful  in  this 
line  of  occupation  and  now  owns  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  the  finest 
improved  land  in  the  county.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morgan  six  children 
were  born :  William,  a  farmer  in  York  county ;  Dr.  Vincent  J.,  the  subject  of  this 
review ;  Frank,  a  student  of  medicine  at  the  State  University,  and  one  of  the  best 
men  on  the  football  te;im :  Earey,  who  is  attending  York  College;  Lloyd,  in  the 
convent  school;  and  Ella,  who  is  attending  the  convent.  The  family  have  all  been 
reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  Morgan  has  always  given  his 
allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  and  is  now  holding  the  position  of  county  com- 


1188  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

missioner.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  tlie  Knights  of  Columbus.  The  paternal 
grandfather  of  Dr.  Vincent  J.  Morgan,  William  Morgan,  was  born  in  Ireland,  later 
emigrating  to  the  United  States  and  settling  first  in  Illinois.  He  finally  removed 
to  Nebraska  and  resided  there  until  his  death.  Maternal  Grandfather  Long  was  of 
German  descent  but  a  native  of  Indiana  and  served  in  the  Civil  war.  He  is  now 
residing  in  Los  Angeles. 

Dr.  Vincent  J.  Morgan  received  his  education  in  the  country  schools  and  later 
attended  the  convent  and  high  school,  graduating  from  the  latter  institution  in  1915. 
He  then  entered  Creighton  College  in  Omaha  and  was  graduated  with  the  degree 
of  D.  D.  S.,  in  1918.  For  one  year  he  taught  in  the  dental  college  and  then  in  1919 
removed  to  York  where  he  started  the  practice  of  his  profession  on  his  own  account. 
During  the  short  time  of  his  practice  in  York  he  has  built  up  a  large  practice  and 
gives  promise  of  becoming  eminent  in  his  profession. 

Dr.  Morgan  has  always  been  a  great  lover  of  outdoor  sports  and  during  his  college 
days  was  captain  of  the  football  team.  He  is  now  also  active  in  sports,  being  assis- 
tant football  coach  for  the  higli  school  team.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Delta  Sigma  Delta  college  fraternity.  Dr.  Morgan  while  a  young 
man  is  one  on  whom  the  duties  of  citizenship  do  not  lightly  devolve  and  he  is  a 
man  any  community  would  be  glad  to  have  as  a  citizen. 


HERMAN  DIERS 


Herman  Diers,  now  living  retired  from  the  activities  of  business  life  with 
which  he  was  prominently  and  successfully  identified  for  thirty  years  in  York 
county,  is  a  native  of  Iowa,  born  in  Clayton  county,  that  state,  November  22,  1860, 
a  son  of  Fredrick  and  Caroline  Diers,  both  natives  of  (lermany.  The  parents 
innnigrated  to  America  in  1849,  making  the  ocean  voyage  on  an  old  sailing  vessel, 
which  took  seven  weeks  to  make  the  passage,  and  following  their  arrival  in  this 
country  they  went  to  Iowa,  where  they  resided  for  some  forty  years.  To  their  mar- 
riage the  following  children  were  born:  John,  a  retired  merchant  liviiii;  at  Fuller- 
ton;  Henry,  living  at  Lincoln;  Herman,  subject  of  this  sketch;  Fred,  living  in 
Madison,  Nebraska;  Anna,  the  wife  of  Henry  Tangeman  of  Gretna,  Nebraska, 
Louis,  a  rancher  in  JFontana ;  William,  of  Louisville,  Nebraska  ;  and  Carrie,  the  wife 
of  William  Towner  who  runs  a  store  in  Lincoln.  Fredrick  Diers  and  his  wife  con- 
tinued to  reside  in  Iowa  up  to  about  1890  and  then  moved  to  Nebraska  and  mad,.' 
their  home  with  their  children.  They  lived  to  good  ages  and  it  is  only  within  the 
past  six  years  that  tlieir  deaths  occurred. 

Herman  Diers  secured  his  preliminary  education  in  the  country  schools  of  Iowa 
and  later  took  a  business  course  at  Decorah,  that  state.  When  he  was  twenty 
years  old  he  went  to  Denver,  Colorado,  and  there  spent  some  time  working,  later 
returning  to  Ulysses,  Nebraska,  where  he  worked  for  a  brother  who  conducted  a 
general  store,  the  results  from  which  were  very  satisfactory.  It  was  in  1S90  that 
Mr.  Diers  and  his  brother  \\'illiniii  settled  in  Gresham  and  immediately  became 
identified  with  the  mercantile  business.  From  the  very  beginning  of  his  connection 
with  the  business  life  of  Gresham  Herman  Diers  gave  every  evidence  of  his  com- 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  1189 

mereial  sagacity  and  eiiterprisu  and  so  managed  his  largu  interests  that  after  the 
lapse  of  ten  years  he  was  carrying  on  what  was  probably  the  largest  mercantile 
business  in  York  county  and  it  is  asserted  that  he  was  the  largest  taxpayer  on 
stocks  of  general  mercliandise  in  the  county  for  several  years.  He  built  a  new 
store  in  1900  and  continued  developing  his  trade  along  all  legitimate  lines.  Finally 
he  decided  to  take  a  rest  from  business  cares  and  disposed  of  the  store  in  November, 
1919.  For  thirty  years  a  resident  of  Gresham  he  made  himself  an  enviable  position 
in  its  business  and  social  circles  and  those  who  know  him  speak  of  him  in  terms 
of  high  regard. 

In  1885  Herman  Diers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mattie  Barnes,  a  native  of 
Indiana.  Their  union  was  blessed  with  four  children:  Harry,  who  was  born  in 
1887,  died  in  1913.  He  graduated  from  Gresham  and  York  high  schools,  1905-07, 
and  from  the  Northwestern  University  of  Medicine,  1911.  The  second  child  is 
William  H.  Diers,  born  in  1890,  a  graduate  of  Gresham,  1907,  and  of  York,  1909; 
he  was  in  business  with  his  father  until  1919,  when  he  became  connected  with  the 
real  estate  business.  He  was  married  November  29,  191(5,  to  Marjorie  Berryhill, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  William,  Jr.  Mr.  Diers"  third  child  is  H.  K. 
Diers,  born  in  1896,  a  graduate  of  Gresham  high  school,  191-1,  and  now  employed 
in  the  Gresham  State  Bank.  He  was  married  in  June,  1918,  to  Fay  Bond  and 
they  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Harry  Stanton  Diers.  The  fourth  child  is  Margaret 
Diers,  who  was  born  in  January,  1901.  She  graduated  from  the  Gresham  high 
school  and  is  now  in  the  State  University  at  Lincoln.  H.  K.  Diers  was  in  the 
United  States  military  service  during  the  World  war,  but  was  not  overseas.  He 
was  discharged  in  February,  1919,  and  returned  to  Gresham  and  resumed  his 
activities  in  the  bank. 

Mr.  Diers  is  a  democrat  and  was  elected  in  1900  to  the  house  of  representatives 
and  in  1910  was  sent  to  the  senate ;  he  ran  for  office  of  lieutenant-governor  on  the 
same  ticket  with  Governor  Morehead.  Since  November,  1919,  he  has  been  making 
his  home  at  Lincoln.  He  is  active  in  the  Masonic  order  and  is  a  Shriner.  He  is 
a  director  of  the  Gresham  State  Bank.  During  his  many  years  of  residence  in 
York  county  he  has  been  a  witness  to  and  an  energetic  participant  in  its  growth 
and  development  and  his  association  with  its  commercial  life  has  been  one  of  the 
most  noted  events  in  the  history  of  the  county,  being  for  nearly  one-third  of  a 
century  one  of  its  most  conspicuous  figures. 


CHARLES   BROEHL 


A  prominent  and  representative  citizen  of  York  is  Charles  Broehl,  who  since 
1911  has  lived  retired  at  415  Blackburn  avenue.  The  greater  part  of  his  life  has 
been  spent  in  farming  and  he  is  now  enjoying  the  success  which  he  acquired  in 
that  occupation. 

Charles  Broehl  is  a  native  of  Illinois,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Logan 
county  on  the  26tli  of  June,  1860.  His  parents  were  Gottlieb  and  Anna  (Meischke) 
Broehl,  both  natives  of  Germany,  who  after  their  marriage  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  settling  at  Bro\vnsvillc,  Texas.  Fifty-two  days  were  spent  in  the  crossing. 
I'"(>r  about  one  year  they  remained  in  Texas  and  then  removed  to  Pekin,  Illinois, 


11!)n  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

where  the  father  worked  as  a  day  hiborer.  He  soon  saved  enough  money  to  buv 
a  farm  near  Lincoln,  Illinois,  and  here  he  resided  until  188?  when  he  removed 
to  York  county,  having  purchased  a  fine  farm  near  Bradshaw.  The  mother  had 
died  while  residing  in  Illinois,  and  some  time  later  Mr.  Broehl  married  a  second 
time.  Five  children  were  born  to  the  first  marriage,  four  of  whom  are  living: 
Amelia,  the  widow  of  Ed.  Duginer,  who  resides  in  Middletown,  Illinois;  Louis,  a 
farmer  at  Elkhart,  Illinois;  Julius,  a  retired  miner,  residing  at  Pana,  Illinois;  and 
Charles,  whose  name  heads  this  review.  Three  children  were  born  to  the  second 
marriage,  only  one  of  whom  is  living;  Herman,  who  is  a  farmer  in  North  Dakota. 
The  family  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  churcli  and  Mr.  Broehl  was  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  in  the  interests  of  which  he  took  an 
active  part. 

Charles  Broehl  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Lincoln.  Illinois,  and 
after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  engaged  in  farming.  In  1884  he  came  to  York 
county  where  he  rented  a  farm,  raising  good  crops  which  were  destroyed  bv  hail 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year.  He  was  not  discouraged  by  this  misfortune, 
however,  and  six  years  later  bought  eighty  acres,  which  he  traded  for  a  quarter 
section  near  Bradshaw  and  which  he  still  owns.  In  1911  he  removed  to  York  and 
purchased  a  nice  home  at  41.5  Blackburn  avenue  in  which  he  is  now  residing, 
retired.  Mr.  Broehl  started  farming  as  a  renter  in  York  county  and  it  took  four 
years  of  grim  determination  and  perseverance  to  acquire  enough  money  to  buy 
his  first  land. 

In  1886  Jlr.  Broehl  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Askew,  a  native 
of  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Senior)  Askew,  the 
former  a  native  of  England,  while  the  latter  was  born  in  Illinois.  Her  parents 
lived  in  Illinois  for  a  number  of  years  and  then  removed  to  Iowa  where  they  both 
died.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Broehl,  namely: 
Chester,  born  in  1888,  who  is  now  engaged  in  farming  near  Lushton;  Mabel,  the 
wife  of  Carl  Ferree,  a  farmer  near  Bradshaw;  and  Myrtle  Frances,  who  teaches 
school  in  Wood  River. 

Mr.  Broehl  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  is  well  informed 
on  all  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  For  four  years  he  has  held  the  position 
of  county  supervisor  of  the  fourth  ward.  He  is  interested  in  the  development  and 
improvement  of  his  community  and  as  a  result  is  a  member  of  the  Commercial 
Club,  serving  that  organization  as  treasurer.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.  Mr.  Broehl  is  a  man  in  whom  the  call  of  opportunity  or  of  duty 
found  ready  response  and  his  has  been  a  well  spent  life  fraught  with  \tsefulness 
and  good  work.  He  well  deserves  the  proud  .\merican  title  of  self-made  man,  for 
the  success  which  he  now  enjoys  is  attributable  entirely  to  his  own  efforts  and 
perseverance. 


S.  L.  SMITH 


S.  L.  Smith,  deceased,  was  numbered  among  the  pioneers  of  York  county,  having 
come  to  this  county  in  1870.  He  was  born  in  Tennessee  and  at  an  early  age  came 
to  Nebraska.  .  He  acfpiired  a  homestead  of  eiglity  acres  of  wild  uncultivated  lainl 
on  section  2,  West  Blue  township,  and  his  first  home  on  this  land  was  the  luimitive 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1191 

dugout.  He  followed  agricultural  pursuits  his  entire  life  and  when  in  December 
of  the  year  1901  he  passed  away  his  death  was  the  occasion  of  deep  and  widespread 
regret,  for  his  many  traits  of  sterling  character  had  endeared  him  to  those  with 
whom  he  had  come  in  contact. 

Mr.  Smith  married  Miss  Sarah  Baldridge  of  Appanoose  county,  Iowa,  and  she 
is  still  living,  residing  on  the  old  home  place.  Five  children  horn  of  this  union 
are  living:  Flora,  who  is  the  wife  of  Ward  Korris  of  Ord;  Hattie,  the  wife  of 
Lando  Larkin,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  at  Beaver  Crossing:  Earl,  who  is  living 
at  Ord,  Valley  county ;  Arthur,  who  is  residing  on  the  old  home  place ;  and  Maggie, 
the  wife  of  Ed  Kennedy  who  is  engaged  in  farming. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  were  among  the  earliest  pioneers  of  York  county  and  she 
is  one  of  the  few  old  settlers  still  living  on  the  homestead.  While  Mr.  Smith 
experienced  many  of  the  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life  here  he  lived  to 
prosper  in  his  imdertakings  and  to  witness  the  marvelous  growth  and  development 
of  this  great  state. 


XICK    GFIDIXGER 


Nick  Guidinger,  who  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  farmer  in  York  county, 
is  now  living  retired  in  York,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  a  life  of  diligence  and 
industry. 

Nick  Guidinger  was  born  in  Ozaukee  county,  Wisconsin,  on  the  21th  of  March, 
1854,  a  son  of  Perry  and  iVnnie  (Neuers)  Guidinger,  the  former  a  native  of  France 
while  the  latter  was  born  in  Luxemburg.  The  father  came  to  the  United  States 
when  but  sixteen  years  of  age  but  later  returned  to  his  native  land  where  his  mar- 
riage took  place.  For  some  time  he  resided  in  Dubuqiae,  Iowa,  where  he  worked 
for  the  Illinois  Central,  but  after  his  marriage  removed  to  Wisconsin,  settling  in 
the  woods.  Here  he  built  a  log  house  in  which  he  and  his  wife  resided  until  they 
passed  away.  Twelve  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Guidinger,  eight  of 
whom  are  living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Xick  Guidinger,  being  the  third  in 
order  of  birth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Guidinger  were  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and 
the  father  was  independent  in  politics.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  John 
Guidinger  who  was  born  and  died  in  France.  For  some  time  he  was  in  the  French 
army  and  was  with  Napoleon  at  the  battle  of  Leipsic,  in  which  engagement  he 
received  a  wound.  He  was  granted  a  pension  of  one  hundred  francs  per  month 
and  served  as  a  gendarme  until  his  death. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Nick  Guidinger  attended  the  schools  of 
Wisconsin  but  his  educational  advantages  were  limited.  He  worked  on  the  parental 
farm  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  at  w'hich  time  he  began  to  work  out.  In 
1877  he  came  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  Colfax  county  the  following  year.  He 
bought  a  timber  claim  of  eighty  acres  whereon  he  built  a  house  and  resided  until 
1902.  In  1901  he  purchased  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Arborville  township 
but  did  not  move  there  until  1902,  and  in  1910  he  removed  to  York,  retiring  from 
active  life.    He  rents  his  farm  to  his  son-in-law. 

In  1878  at  Schuyler  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Guidinger  and  Miss  Mary 
Hobel  and  to  them  five  children  were  born :  Louis  Litchfield,  a  retired  farmer 
residing  in  Nebraska:  Edgar,  who  is  a  rancher  at  Downey,  Idaho;  Benjamin,  who 


1192  HISTOEY    OF    VOIJK    COUNTY 

is  engaged  in  fanning  at  Coffee  Creek,  Montana;  Gilbert,  wlio  is  engaged  in 
ranching  in  Majors,  Canada;  and  Mrs.  Sehall  of  York.  Mrs.  Guidinger  died 
in  1889  and  in  1890  Mr.  Guidinger  was  again  wed,  this  time  to  Antonio  Balata, 
a  native  of  Austria  and  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Katie  (Moravitz)  Balata. 
The  father  spent  two  years  in  the  United  States  but  returned  to  Austria  where  his 
death  occurred.  The  mother  also  passed  away  in  that  country.  Five  children  were 
born  to  the  second  marriage,  four  of  wliom  are  living:  I^ydia,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Cyril  Sterner,  a  farmer  in  Y'ork  county:  Hari'y,  who  is  engaged  in  farming;  George 
and  Albert,  both  of  whom  are  attending  high  school.  Mrs.  Guidinger  is  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Catholic  church.  The  family  home  is  at  915  Y^ork  avenue. 
Mr.  Guidinger  follows  an  independent  course  in  politics,  supporting  the  man 
rather  than  the  party.  He  is  in  every  sense  of  the  word  a  self-made  man  and  his 
life  has  been  crowned  with  the  successful  achievement  which  comes  from  persistent 
and  earnest  labor. 


WILLIAM   V.    POWELL 


Honored  and  respected  by  all  there  is  no  man  who  occupies  a  more  favorable 
position  in  public  regard  in  Y^ork  county  than  does  William  V.  Powell,  who  for 
many  years  was  a  prominent  agriculturist  in  the  county  and  retired  in  1906  to 
spend  the  evening  of  his  life  in  repose.  An  added  reason  for  the  generous  esteem 
in  which  he  is  held  is  to  be  found  in  the  fact  that  he  served  with  the  Federal 
army  in  the  dark  days  of  the  Civil  war  and  had  been  througli  some  of  its  severest 
engagements.  Mr.  Powell  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Ohio,  March  20,  1836,  a 
son  of  John  and  Polly  (Miller)  Powell,  well  known  and  respected  residents  of 
that  part  of  Ohio.  The  father  taught  school  for  a  number  of  years  and  also  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  practically  the  whole  of  his  active  life.  Six 
children  were  born  to  these  parents,  all  of  whom  have  passed  away,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  William  V.,  subject  of  this  sketch.  They  were:  Sarah,  Mary,  Elizabeth, 
Neoma  and  Christina.  John  Powell  and  his  wife  died  many  years  ago  in  Ohio. 
The  father  married  the  second  time,  and  two  sons  were  born  of  this  union :  Thomas 
and  Uriah,  both  of  whom  served  in  the  Civil  war. 

William  V.  Powell  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
state  and  was  reared  in  his  father's  home.  At  an  early  age  he  started  working 
on  a  farm  and  also  was  engaged  in  running  a  stationary  engine.  Lincoln's  call 
for  an  army  found  in  him  a  ready  response  and  he  enlisted  in  Company  A, 
Thirty-ninth  Indiana  Infantry,  August  28,  1861.  The  company  in  which  he 
served  was  later  consolidated  with  the  Eighth  Indiana  Cavalry.  He  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  and  following  the  latter 
engagement  was  honorably  discharged.  At  the  close  of  his  military  service 
Mr.  Powell  returned  to  farm  work  in  Indiana,  remaining  in  that  state  for  some 
time,  later  moving  to  Jefferson  county,  Iowa,  where  he  also  engaged  at  farming, 
spending  about  nine  years  in  that  territory. 

In  1872  Mr.  Powell  came  to  Nebraska,  where  opportunities  for  agricultural 
development  were  then  nunicrnus.  He  took  a  homestead  on  section  6,  Thayer 
township,  York  county,  and   there  licgau  his   I'anii   life  in  real  earnest,  remaining 


ME.  AND  MES.  WILLIAM  V.  POWELL 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COITXTY  '  1195 

actively  identified  witli  farm  work  until  lilClG,  when  he  retired.  He  erected  the 
first  house  put  up  in  the  district  in  which  he  settled,  and  hauled  provisions  over 
bad  country  roads  from  Seward  and  Fairmont,  thus  experiencing  all  the  dis- 
advantages of  pioneer  life  in  that  day.  He  carried  many  and  valuable  improve- 
ments on  his  holding  and  is  still  the  owner  of  the  land  of  one  hundred  and  seventy 
acres  which  is  now  operated  by  his  son  James.  In  his  active  life  Mr.  Powell 
recognized  the  principle  that  industry  wins,  and  he  has  lived  to  see  the  district 
in  which  he  first  located  grow  from  comparative  obscurity  to  a  place  of  prominence 
and  business  status,  and  it  is  entirely  to  his  credit  that  he  gave  of  his  time  and 
ability  to  that  end. 

At  Fairfield,  Iowa,  in  September,  1864,  Mr.  Powell  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Sarah  Fansher,  a  native  of  Fayette  county,  Ohio,  and  to  that  union  nine  children 
•were  born:  Edith,  wife  of  Edward  Radley,  of  British  Columbia;  Mary  E.,  wife  of 
Ct.  W.  Young,  of  Lincoln ;  Charles,  a  farmer,  living  in  Idaho ;  Jennie,  wife  of  A.  N. 
Hurd,  a  retired  farmer  of  Stromsburg ;  Fred  W.,  of  York  county ;  W.  F.,  a  farmer, 
living  in  South  Dakota;  Stella,  wife  of  Marion  Fellows  who  lives  in  Colorado; 
James,  now  managing  the  old  homestead;  and  Maggie,  wife  of  John  Turner,  of 
Colorado.  A  stepdaughter  also  was  reared  as  one  of  the  family.  Mrs.  Powell  is 
affiliated  with  the  Presljytorian  church  and.  is  a  consistent  attendant  on  its  services. 
Mr.  Powell  is  a  strenuous  adherent  of  the  republican  party  and  always  active  in 
support  of  its  principles  and  policies.  He  is  ^a  member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  which  he  joined  while  living  in  Iowa  in  1867  and  is  prol)ably 
one  of  the  oldest  members  of  that  popular  order  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
Ever  ready  to  extend  a  helping  hand  where  aid  is  needed,  his  character  and  work 
have  been  such  as  to  shed  around  him  much  of  life's  sunshine.  He  is  a  member 
of  York  Post,  G.  A.  E. 


AMI  D.  SPEEEY 


Ami  D.  Sperry,  now  living  retired  at  Gresham,  is  another  of  the  farmers  who 
persevered  in  spite  of  early  hardships  and  is  now  reaping  the  reward  of  his  faith 
and  untiring  industry.  He  was  born  in  Plattville,  Grant  county,  Wisconsin.  }^ovem- 
ber  15,  1846,  a  son  of  Alfred  W.  and  Sophrona  A.  (Palmer)  Sperry,  the  former  a 
native  of  the  state  of  New  York  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  Some  time  after 
their  marriage  the  parents  went  to  the  state  of  Ohio  and  there  engaged  in  farming, 
going  to  Wisconsin  in  1843,  making  the  journey  by  boat.  He  settled  on  the  edge 
of  the  timber  country  and  there  acquired  a  tract  of  land  which  he  began  to  clear 
and  set  out  to  cultivation,  making  some  improvements  as  he  went  along,  among 
other  things  putting  up  a  log  house,  using  greased  paper  as  a  substitute  for  glass 
in  the  windows.  He  continued  to  reside  there  for  several  years,  during  the  greater 
part  of  the  time  laboring  under  serious  disabilities.  Isolation  was  one  of  the  great 
hardships  with  which  he  had  to  contend,  but  he  settled  down  to  existing  conditions 
and  his  efforts  were  rewarded  in  time  by  a  substantial  measure  of  success.  In  1871 
he  came  to  Xebraska  and  settled  on  a  homestead  in  Seward  county,  where  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  passing  away  in  1872,  aged  fifty-six.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried. To  his  first  marriage  four  children  were  born,  all  of  whom  are  dead.  To  his 
second   marriage   the   following   children   were  born :      George,   Orley    N.,    Frank, 


n!)6  IlISTUliY    OF    YortK    COLWTY 

Enoch,  all  deceased;  A.  D.,  a  miner,  living  in  Washington;  Evelyn,  the  wife  of 
Robert  Knoiise,  of  Gresham;  Lorene,  the  widow  of  Henry  Lawer  of  Gresham; 
Ami  D.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Gilina,  the  wife  of  Christopher  Walick,  of 
Lincohi;  Ambrose  died  in  Missouri.  Alfred  W.  Sperry  was  a  man  of  many  sterling 
traits  of  character,  genial  and  affable,  and  enjoyed  the  high  esteem  of  those  with 
whom  he  associated.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  in  politics 
gave  his  undivided  support  to  the  republican  party. 

Ami  D.  Sperry  was  educated  in  a  log  schoolhouse  in  Wisconsin  and  helped  his 
father  in  the  work  of  the  farm  for  some  years.  When  he  was  seventeen  years  old, 
in  1863,  he  enlisted  with  the  Federal  forces  for  service  in  the  Civil  war  and  was 
mustered  in  at  Darlington,  Wisconsin,  as  a  member  of  Company  I,  Second  Wis- 
consin Volunteer  Cavalry.  He  saw  considerable  service  and  was  in  several  engage- 
ments during  the  war,  including  the  battles  of  Champion  Hill  and  of  King  Creek, 
Mississippi,  where  he  received  a  gunshot  wound  in  the  left  arm  which  disabled  him 
for  the  time  being.  On  Xovember  15,  1865,  he  received  his  honorable  discharge 
at  Austin,  Texas,  after  serving  more  than  two  years  in  the  army  and  returned  to 
Wisconsin,  where  he  resumed  working  out  on  farms.  His  ambition  being  to  secure 
a  tract  of  land  for  himself  he  made  every  effort  to  accumulate  as  much  money  as 
would  enable  him  to  accomplish  his  laudable  desire,  and  he  continued  to  work  on 
farms  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  father's  place  for  about  two  years  after  his  dis- 
charge from  the  army.  He  started  auctioneering  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  and 
was  successful  at  it  for  forty  years. 

In  1867  Mr.  Sperry  was  married  to  Louisa  Knouse  and  shortly  after  they  came 
to  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  by  train  and  from  Lincoln  the  journey  was  completed  in  a 
lumber  wagon  to  a  liomestead  in  Seward  county,  the  trip  from  Lincoln  costing  him 
thirty-five  dollars.  The  homestead,  which  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
was  located  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  4,  township  13,  range  1,  east,  Seward 
county,  and  there  he  put  up  a  sod  house  in  which  the  family  lived  for  five  years. 
His  barns  were  constructed  in  the  same  manner.  About  this  time  he  was  prac- 
tically penniless,  having  but  two  ilollars  in  money.  He  had  a  family  of  three 
children  and  was  without  credit,  without  friends  and  without  work,  except  as 
shucking  corn  at  fifty  cents  a  day  could  be  termed  work.  However,  he  had  a  stout 
heart  and  the  neighbors  helped  by  loaning  him  a  team  to  work  the  farm  and  from 
tliiit  time  forward  things  began  to  take  an  upward  turn.  In  the  third  year  of  his 
lesiilence  on  the  homestead  he  bought  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  hauled  his  first  wheat 
to  Lincoln,  that  city  being  the  nearest  market.  In  conmion  with  others  he  suffered 
from  the  effects  of  the  grasshopper  siege,  during  the  ravages  of  which  all  growing 
crops  were  destroyed  and  as  a  substitute  for  fuel  he  had  to  burn  cornstalks  and 
Iniffalo  chips.  He  was  fortunate,  however,  in  having  his  cattle  housed  during  the 
big  blizzard,  the  damage  from  which  was  felt  all  over  the  entire  district.  Gradually 
Mr.  Sperry  surmounted  all  obstacles  and  his  general  farming  and  stock  raising  was 
placed  on  a  firm  footing  as  the  result  of  his  perseverance  and  practical  industry. 
He  added  to  his  land  holdings  as  circumstances  permitted  and  at  one  time  was  the 
owner  of  ten  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  prime  land,  all  of  which  he  brought  to  a 
state  of  splendid  improvement  and  some  of  which  at  a  later  time  he  divided  among 
his  children,  and  is  still  the  owner  of  six  luiudred  and  forty  acres.  In  1913  he 
retired  from  active  life  on  the  farm  and  moved  to  (Jresham  where  he  is  very 
comfortablv  circumstanced. 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1197 

By  his  marriage  to  Louisa  Kuouse  the  following  children  were  born :  Robert, 
living  in  Gresham;  Wade,  a  farmer  in  Butler  county;  Benjamin,  now  living  retired 
in  Gresham;  Scott,  Essie,  Soj^hrona  and  John,  all  of  whom  are  deceased;  Arthur, 
who  farms  the  old  home  place;  two  children  who  died  unnamed  in  infancy;  Mary, 
deceased;  Ehoda,  the  wife  of  Joe  Phillips  of  Seward;  and  Sabra,  the  wife  of  Harry 
Stephenson  of  Seward  county.  Mrs.  Sperry  passed  away  April  12,  1914,  being  then 
in  her  sixty-third  year.  Some  time  later  Mr.  Sperry  married  for  his  second  wife 
Mrs.  Sanders.  He  has  always  been  a  stanch  advocate  of  the  principles  of  the 
republican  party  and  served  as  supervisor  of  Seward  county  for  two  terms.  He  is 
a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Gresham,  and  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  in  the  affairs  of  which  he  takes  an 
active  interest.  In  Masonic  circles  he  is  prominently  known,  and  to  all  movements 
designed  for  the  welfare  of  the  community  he  gives  practical  support  and  advice. 
He  is  now  entering  his  seventy-fifth  year  and  is  in  the  enjoyment  of  excellent  health. 


JOHN  W.  BALLENGER 


John  W.  Ballenger  is  one  of  the  self-made  men  of  York,  his  success  in  life 
being  due  entirely  to  his  own  unaided  efforts.  He  is  connected  with  the  theatre 
interests  in  York,  owning  and  running  the  Sun  Theatre  and  having  charge  of  the 
opera  house. 

John  W.  Ballenger  is  a  native  of  Iowa,  born  in  Mahaska  county,  that  state,  on 
the  2nd  of  January,  1856,  a  son  of  Samuel  W.  and  Harriett  (Stewart)  Ballenger, 
both  natives  of  Illinois.  His  parents  came  to  Iowa  with  their  parents  at  an  early 
day  and  were  married  in  that  state.  The  father  engaged  in  farming  and  the  mother 
died  when  John  W.  Ballenger  was  but  six  days  old,  and  he  was  then  taken  into 
the  home  of  his  maternal  grandparents.  The  grandfather,  John  Stewart,  was  born 
in  the  north  of  Ireland.  He  and  John  W.  Ballenger  farmed  two  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land  in  Polk  county,  Nebraska,  in  1880.  The  grandfather  was 
then  eighty  years  of  age  and  was  unusually  active  for  his  age.  AVhen  John  Stewart 
came  to  Polk  county,  Nebraska,  he  had  about  fifteen  hundred  dollars.  He  pur- 
chased railroad  land  which  he  was  fortunate  in  cultivating  and  became  very  pros- 
perous, and  he  resided  on  this  land  until  his  death.  John  W.  Ballenger  was  one 
of  two  children  born  to  his  parents  and  the  only  one  living.  The  father,  Samuel 
Ballenger,  went  to  Pikes  Peak  during  the  gold  rush,  coming  back  as  far  as  Douglas 
county  where  he  acquired  a  homestead  and  resided  until  his  death.  He  had  mar- 
ried a  second  time  becoming  the  father  of  six  children.  Both  Samuel  Ballenger 
and  John  Stewart  were  stanch  supporters  of  the  democratic  party. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  John  AV.  Ballenger  attended  the  country 
schools  of  Iowa,  and  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  engaged  with  his  grandfather 
in  farming.  They  purchased  land  in  Polk  county  and  Mr.  Ballenger  said  that 
when  he  first  came  to  Nebraska  the  grasshoppers  were  so  thick  he  could  not  see 
the  sun.  From  1874  until  1893  he  farmed  in  this  county  and  then  selling  the 
land  removed  to  Shelby  where  he  engaged  in  the  hardware  business.  He  conducted 
this  business  until  1898  when  he  traded  it  for  some  land  in  Polk  county  and  subse- 
quently engaged  in  the  confectionery  business.    While  a  resident  of  Shelby  he  was 

Vol.   II— 40 


1198  HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

appointed  to  the  position  of  postmaster  by  President  McKinley  and  served  in  this 
capacity  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  community  for  over  four  years.  In  1912  he  sold 
out  the  confectionery  business  and  in  November  of  that  year  came  to  York  where 
he  purchased  the  Dean  Theatre.  For  about  five  years  he  ran  the  Dean  Theatre  at 
the  termination  of  which  time  he  estabilshed  the  Sun  Theatre.  This  business  ven- 
ture has  proved  to  be  more  than  successful  and  he  has  a  large  and  steadily 
increasing  patronage.  Since  1915  Mr.  Ballenger  has  also  had  charge  of  the  opera 
house.  His  business  connections  indicate  the  keenness  of  his  sagacity  and  the 
soundness  of  his  business  opinions  and  his  investments  which  have  been  wisely  and 
judiciously  made  are  bringing  to  him  a  substantial  financial  return.  Besides  his 
home  property  and  another  piece  of  town  property  occupied  by  his  son  he  owns 
considerable  land  in  Colorado. 

On  the  12th  of  October,  1879,  Mr.  Ballenger  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Sarah  E.  Bull,  who  was  born  near  Meaford,  Ontario,  Canada,  and  a  daughter  of 
Stephen  Bull.  Her  father  came  to  Polk  county  in  1871  and  secured  a  homestead 
on  which  he  resided  until  his  death.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ballenger  have  become  the 
parents  of  one  son,  Albert  W.,  who  is  thirty-two  years  of  age.  In  1912  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eita  Eunyon  and  to  them  two  children  have  been  born : 
Dean  W.  and  Bettie  Claire.  Albert  W.  is  associated  with  his  father  in  the  theatre 
business  and  is  secretary  of  the  Commercial  Club  of  York. 

Mr.  Ballenger  has  always  given  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  in  the 
interests  of  which  he  takes  an  active  part.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen  and  is  likewise  an  active  member  of  the  Eotary  Club.  Mr. 
Ballenger  well  deserves  the  proud  American  title  of  self-made  man,  for  his  present 
enviable  position  as  a  representative  and  prosperous  business  man  has  been  won 
by  untiring  industry,  indefatigable  energy'  and  careful  management. 


NATHANIEL  A.  DEAN 


A  prominent  and  representative  citizen  of  York,  is  Nathaniel  A.  Dean,  who 
since  pioneer  days  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  development  and  improvement 
of  the  county.  He  was  born  in  Allegany  county,  Maryland,  in  1850,  and  when 
two  years  of  age  removed  with  his  parents  to  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania.  He 
received  his  education  in  that  county,  attending  the  schools  until  1866,  the  close 
of  the  Civil  war.  The  following  year  in  company  with  his  brother-in-law,  E. 
Brooke,  he  made  a  trip  over  the  greater  part  of  Kansas,  stopping  for  the  winter 
at  Maryville,  Nodaway  county,  Missouri.  Here  Mr.  Brooke  purchased  a  farm  on 
which  he  made  his  home.  In  1868  Nathaniel  A.  Dean,  then  but  eighteen  years 
of  age,  started  out  for  the  great  American  desert.  He  rode  his  pony  and  carried 
his  lariat.  On  the  2nd  day  of  October,  1868,  he  crossed  the  line  into  York  county 
and  his  first  stop  was  at  John  Anderson's.  Mr.  Anderson  was  the  first  homesteader 
in  York  county.  Mr.  Dean  wintered  with  Elias  Gilmore  on  the  "Blue."  During 
his  residence  here  a  petition  was  gotten  up  for  the  permanent  organization  of  York 
county  to  be  presented  to  Governor  Butler  and  the  name  of  Mr.  Dean  lieaded  the 
list  of  signers.  In  1870  the  first  election  was  held,  there  being  three  precincts  in 
the  county,  one  nn  the  "Blue,"  one  where  York  now  stands,  and  one  in  the  north 


HISTOKY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  1199 

part  of  the  county.  The  election  was  to  decide  tiie  location  of  the  county  seat  and 
it  was  decided  in  favor  of  York.  The  first  two  years  of  Mr.  Dean's  life  in  this  new 
county  were  full  of  excitement.  He  hunted  buffaloes,  elk  and  antelopes  and  part 
of  the  time  he  was  brought  into  association  with  the  Indians  who  for  the  most  part 
proved  of  friendly  disposition.  The  fall  of  '79  he  passed  at  old  Fort  Kearney  and 
there  spent  a  great  deal  of  his  time  poring  over  the  adventures  of  Buffalo  Bill,  Kit 
Carson  and  Cahimity  Jane.  In  1871  Mr.  Dean  was  married  and  he  and  his  wife 
acquired  a  homestead,  successfully  passing  through  all  of  the  jDioneer  hardships, 
including  the  destructive  grasshopper  storms  in  1873  and  1888.  The  home- 
stead was  located  on  Beaver  Creek  nine  miles  east  of  York.  In  1886  Mr.  Dean 
decided  to  retire  from  active  farm  life  and  as  a  result  removed  to  York  where  he 
engaged  in  several  different  kinds  of  business,  being  successful  in  all  of  them.  In 
1889  Mr.  Dean  and  a  number  of  other  people  in  the  community  banded  together 
for  the  organization  of  the  United  Brethren  church  and  in  1890  he  was  also  instru- 
mental in  the  organization  of  York  College.  He  was  elected  treasurer  of  the  college 
in  that  year  and  has  held  the  position  since.  He  assisted  in  the  building  of  the 
First  jSTational  Bank,  which  organization  he  served  as  director  from  1893  until 
1913,  at  which  time  he  resigned.  He  has  lieen  active  in  the  interests  of  the  Chau- 
tauqua since  its  organization  in  the  county  and  has  been  director  for  a  period  of 
seventeen  years.  For  the  last  few  years  he  has  also  been  manager  of  the  grounds. 
He  is  the  owner  of  considerable  real  estate  in  York.  He  is  likewise  a  member  of 
the  cemetery  board  and  was  superintendent  of  the  cemetery  for  seventeen  years. 

In  1870  Mr.  Dean  was  united  in  marriage  to  the  daughter  of  Peter  Hellei',  also 
a  pioneer  of  this  country,  and  to  them  eight  children  have  been  born :  William  H., 
who  is  manager  of  the  Bell  Telephone  Company  at  Grand  Island ;  Ida  May,  the 
wife  of  Harry  Shilling,  who  is  engaged  in  the  telephone  business  at  Lincoln;  Lula 
A.,  the  wife  of  Albert  Jess,  a  merchant  of  York;  Elmer,  whose  death  occurred  in 
1909  at  the  age  of  thirty-one;  Eachael  Annie,  who  is  conducting  a  store  in  York 
with  another  member  of  the  family ;  Eichard  J.,  who  is  manager  of  the  Ellar  Auto 
concern  at  Lincoln ;  Earl  J.,  who  is  manager  of  a  store  in  York ;  and  Doris  E., 
the  wife  of  Harold  Myers,  who  is  engaged  in  the  shoe  business  at  York.  At  the 
time  of  his  marriage  Mr.  Dean  was  in  possession  of  but  five  dollars,  and  two  dol- 
lars and  fifty  cents  of  that  amount  went  to  the  minister.  He  was,  however,  blessed 
with  perseverance  of  purpose  and  strong  determination  and  no  obstacle,  however 
great,  was  allowed  to  obstruct  his  path.  Those  who  know  him  esteem  him  highly 
and  his  worth  as  a  business  man  and  citizen  is  widely  acknowledged  as  well  as  his 
success  as  a  pioneer  farmer.  He  is  well  deserving  of  the  proud  American  title  of 
self-made  man. 


FEED   SCHAEFENBEEG 

The  story  of  the  life  of  Fred  Scharfenberg  will  convince  the  reader  that  he  is 
a  self-made  man  and  that  he  had  good  material  with  which  to  work.  Mr.  Scharfen- 
berg is  a  retired  farmer  and  one  of  the  prosperous  citizens  of  York,  Nebraska.  He 
was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  July  6,  1842,  the  son  of  William  and  Clara  (Eop- 
sem)  Scharfenberg,  both  natives  of  Germany.  His  father  was  a  weaver  and  worked 
at  his  trade  in  the  old  country  until  he  passed  away. 


1200  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Fred  Seharl'fiibt'i'g  was  reared  and  educated  iu  his  native  land,  attending  the 
jiublic  schools  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  was  drafted  to  serve  in 
the  army,  in  18G3.  He  was  drilled  as  a  soldier  preparatory  for  war  with  Denmark, 
and  in  1866  when  the  war  between  Germany  and  Austria  came  on,  was  considered 
an  old  soldier  and  was  called  upon  to  fight.  Army  life  did  not  appeal  to  him,  how- 
ever, and  having  heard  of  America  he  borrowed  one  hundred  dollars  from  a  friend 
and  determined  to  seek  his  fortune  in  a  new  country.  With  tlie  help  of  a  kindly 
hotel-keeper  and  a  conductor  on  the  railroad  from  Bremen  to  Bremerhaven  he  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  aboard  a  vessel  bound  for  the  United  States.  All  this  was 
unknown  to  his  parents  and  the  officers  in  the  army  and  when  he  was  one  day  out 
at  sea  he  learned  that  the  oflBcers  were  looking  for  him.  While  on  the  train  he  had 
another  startling  experience  when  some  officers  became  curious  at  seeing  the 
young  man  and  inquired  of  the  conductor  as  to  his  name  and  destination.  The 
friendly  conductor  replied  tliat  the  young  man  was  going  to  port  to  see  the  ship, 
and  that  he,  the  conductor,  would  see  that  he  returned.  After  riding  the  waves 
and  braving  the  tempests  for  forty-two  days  the  sailing  vessel  landed  in  New  York 
where  Fred  Scharfenberg  viewed  the  "land  of  promise"  for  the  first  time.  After 
obtaining  help  from  relatives  in  Wisconsin  he  went  there  and  secured  his  first  work 
on  a  farm.  Later  he  located  in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  where  he  rented  land  and 
engaged  in  farming.  There  was  much  to  overcome  as  the  price  of  land  was  high 
and  there  were  many  things  for  him  to  learn  concerning  his  new  country.  In  1878 
he  came  to  Nebraska  and  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Baker  township 
for  seven  and  one  half  dollars  per  acre  with  ten  years  time  in  which  to  pay  for  it. 
His  first  home  was  a  dugout  consisting  of  a  bedroom,  dining-room  and  parlor  all 
in  one,  with  no  floor,  and  here  Mr.  Scharfenberg  lived  while  he  improved  his  land, 
which  was  one  of  the  few  farms  in  the  township  upon  which  there  has  never  been 
a  mortgage.  lie  prospered  and  it  was  not  long  before  he  owned  a  half  section  of 
the  township.  He  did  not  retain  all  this  property,  however,  disposing  of  all  but 
the  old  original  one-fourth  section. 

In  1872  he  was  married  to  Ernestine  Eeum,  a  native  of  Germany  who  came  to 
the  United  States  when  a  young  woman.  They  never  had  any  children  of  their 
own,  but  adopted  William  and  Eoy  Watkins,  two  New  York  orphans  who  were 
just  old  enough  to  go  to  school,  and  reared  them  to  successful  manhood.  Both 
young  men  are  married  now  and  owe  their  happy  childhood,  good  education  and 
careful  training  to  the  generosity  of  their  benefactor,  Mr.  Scharfenberg,  who  under- 
stood how  difficult  it  is  for  a  lonely  lad  to  make  his  way  unaided.  His  large- 
heartedness  was  further  demonstrated  when  he  took  the  three  children  of  his 
deceased  brother  into  his  home  and  reared  them  as  his  own.  The  boy  now  occupies 
the  old  farm  where  he  lives  with  his  wife  and  family.  A  few  years  ago  Mr. 
Scharfenlierg  paid  a  visit  to  Germany  and  brought  back  with  him  his  sister's  son, 
a  young  man  of  twenty  years  whom  he  placed  on  a  farm  in  North  Dakota.  Mr. 
Scharfenberg  took  great  interest  in  young  people  and  was  always  anxious  and 
willing  to  be  a  help  to  them.  He  paid  a  visit  to  his  wife's  niece  who  lived  in 
Omaha  and  found  the  young  Indy  and  her  luisliand  paying  rent  for  their  home. 
He  advised  them  to  buy  a  home  and  gave  them  one  thousand  dollars  with  which 
to  make  the  first  payment.  They  gladly  accepted  his  generosity  and  are  now  on 
their  way  to  prosperity  because  of  it.  Mr.  Scharfenberg  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church  and  has  been  a  liberal  giver  to  three  churches  and  many  other 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1201 

projects  for  the  good  of  the  community.  He  is  now  seventy-eight  years  old,  is  in 
splendid  physical  condition,  and  enjoys  his  conifortahle  home  at  603  West  8th  street, 
York,  Nebraska. 


ERNEST  BRANZ 


Ernest  Branz,  who  follows  farming  on  section  24,  Stewart  township.  York 
county,  is  a  representative  business  man  whose  wise  use  of  his  time  and  oppor- 
tunities has  gained  for  him  a  place  among  the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  this 
part  of  the  state.  He  had  but  little  assistance  at  the  outset  of  his  career  and  what- 
ever he  has  achieved  and  enjoyed  is  tlie  direct  result  of  his  own  labors.  He  was 
bom  in  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  October  21,  1867,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Annie 
(Mahl)  Branz,  both  natives  of  Germany,  where  the  former  was  born  in  May,  1834. 
These  parents  were  married  in  Germany  and  he  immigrated  to  America  in  1863, 
making  the  ocean  voyage  on  a  sailing  vessel  which  occupied  eight  weeks  coming 
across  the  Atlantic,  and  he  was  practically  without  means  on  reaching  this  country. 
Henry  Branz  worked  out  and  got  enough  money  together  to  send  for  his  wife  and 
one  child,  and  after  her  arrival  they  worked  out  on  farms,  continuing  this  line  of 
work  for  a  considerable  time.  At  the  end  of  a  few  years  he  decided  to  try  farming 
on  his  own  account  and  rented  a  tract  of  land,  buying  a  team  of  horses  to  help  in 
working  the  land.  His  efforts  were  successful  and  making  good  use  of  his  money 
he  was  enabled  to  purchase  a  holding  on  payments.  It  was  in  1882  that  Mr.  Branz 
came  to  Nebraska  and  settled  in  York  county,  securing  a  quarter  section  of  land 
in  Stewart  township  and  on  this  place  his  widow  still  resides.  He  made  payments 
to  the  extent  of  two  thousand  dollars  on  the  farm,  going  into  debt  for  the  balance 
of  the  purchase  money.  There  was  a  small  log  house  on  the  holding  when  he  took 
over  the  place  and  he  later  built  a  small  frame  house,  continuing  to  reside  in  the 
latter  until  his  death,  March  5,  1920.  For  many  years  before  his  death  he  had 
been  blind  and  in  consequence  of  this  affliction  was  unable  to  give  active  attention 
to  the  demands  of  his  farming  interests.  However,  in  spite  of  his  disability  at  the 
time  of  his  death  the  family  were  the  owners  of  nearly  two  thousand  acres.  Mr. 
Branz  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of  six  children:  Catherine,  the  widow  of 
Fred  Minike  and  she  now  lives  in  Colorado;  John,  who  lives  in  San  Antonio, 
Texas;  Ernest;  Henry,  who  lives  in  Stewart  township;  Fred,  deceased;  and  Bertha, 
the  wife  of  Ferdinand  Fisher,  of  Waco  township.  He  and  his  wife  were  earnest 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Ernest  Branz  was  reared  in  the  home  of  his  parents  and  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  county,  in  his  boyhood  days  helping  his  father  in  the 
work  of  the  farm.  He  was  fifteen  years  old  when  his  parents  came  to  York  county 
and  here  also  his  youth  and  young  manhood  were  spent  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  became  a  skilled  farmer  and  is  now  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  His  methods  are  progressive,  his  business  affairs  are  systematically  handled 
and  in  all  things  he  displays  sound  judgment  as  well  as  unfaltering  enterprise.  He 
is  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  excellent  land  and  is  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  what  can  be  done  in  the  way  of  crop  production  here. 

On  March  31,  1915,  Mr.  Branz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  .Josephine  Hot- 


1303  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

tinger,  the  widow  of  Fred  Hottiuger,  who  had  two  cliiklren  by  her  first  marriage: 
Mabel  Hottinger  and  Alfred  Hottinger.  Before  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Branz  was 
Josephine  Shields,  a  native  of  San  Antonio,  Texas.  They  have  a  wide  circle  of 
friends  throughont  the  locality  and  are  extensively  recognized  as  people  of  genuine 
personal  worth,  their  efforts  always  being  directed  to  the  betterment  of  the  com- 
niunitv  in  which  thev  reside. 


JOHN   LETT 


For  many  years  John  Lett  has  resided  in  Ycirk  county.  He  came  here  at  an 
early  day  and  lias  been  a  prominent  factor  in  its  development,  watching  it  grow 
from  a  wild  uncultivated  state  into  a  prosperous  and  progressive  community. 

John  Lett  was  born  in  Richland  county,  Ohio,  February  38,  1841,  and  when 
but  four  months  old  removed  with  his  parents  to  Cedar  county,  Iowa,  settling  in 
the  town  of  Tipton.  The  father,  Abraham  Lett,  purchased  eighty  acres  of  good 
land  adjoining  the  town.  When  John  Lett  the  subject  of  this  review  was  but 
eight  months  old  the  mother  died,  leaving  the  father  with  five  children.  Some 
time  later  Mr.  Lett  again  married  and  was  fortunate  in  choosing  a  wife  who  devoted 
her  life  to  the  rearing  of  his  little  ones. 

John  Lett  received  what  educational  advantages  his  home  place  offered  and 
when  twenty  years  of  age,  on  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  enlisted  in  Company  E, 
Eleventh  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry  for  a  period  of  three  years.  At  the  expiration 
of  this  time  he  reenlisted  and  served  throughout  the  war.  He  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Shiloh,  Corinth,  luka,  Vicksburg,  and  Kenesaw  Mountain.  He  was  also 
with  Sherman  during  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  on  the  march  to  the  sea.  He 
was  in  all  of  the  engagements  from  Savannah  to  the  Itattle  of  Bentonville,  Xorth 
Carolina,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  partici]iated  in  the  grand  review  at  Wash- 
ington. In  1865  he  returned  home,  where  he  was  married  and  for  some  time 
resided  on  his  father's  farm.  In  1871  he  removed  to  Xeliraska  and  here  acquired 
a  quarter  section  of  land  on  whicli  he  homesteaded.  This  land  was  located  in 
York  county  in  what  is  now  Morton  township.  Mr.  Lett  was  forced  to  occupy 
a  sod  house  belonging  to  I-!.  M.  Lytic  until  he  l)uilt  a  house  of  his  own  and  he 
had  a  capital  ol'  but  thi'ce  dollars,  two  horses  and  two  cows  to  start  the  winter  on. 
That  winter  was  one  ol'  hardships  but  Mr.  Lett  and  his  family  were  of  sturdy 
pioneer  stock  and  every  discouragement  ent'ountered  only  spurred  them  to  greater 
effort.  It  was  not  long  before  Mr.  Lett  became  well  known  throughout  this  county 
for  his  geniality  and  progressiveness  won  him  .many  friends  and  he  was  a  member 
of  the  first  graiul  jury  held  in  this  county.  In  1873  he  lost  a  horse  and  traded 
for  a  yoke  of  oxen  which  he  used  on  the  farm  and  to  drive  the  family  to  church, 
in  1875  Mr.  Lett  removed  to  York  and  engaged  in  the  farm  machinery  business  in 
which  venture  he  was  quite  successful,  but  in  1880  returned  to  the  homestead,  and 
subsequently  removed  to  Benedict,  then  a  new  town.  The  Lett  family  was  one  of 
the  first  to  settle  in  that  place  and  Mr.  Lett  built  and  conducted  the  first  hotel 
there.  For  six  years  be  served  as  justice  of  the  jieace  and  after  Clevelanirs  term 
was  appointed  to  the  position  of  postmaster,  holding  this  office  for  over  twenty 
yeais,  or  until    l!)i:5  when  Woodrow  Wilson  was  elected   to  the  presidency.     The 


JOHN  LETT 


HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY  1205 

followiug  year  lie  removed  to  Lincoln  where  he  remained  for  four  years,  at  the 
termination  of  which  time  he  came  to  York. 

On  the  25th  of  November,  18G5,  Mr.  Lett  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Carrie 
Draucher,  a  sister  of  Arthur  and  David  Draucher,  who  were  both  residents  of 
York  county  for  a  number  of  years.  Mrs.  Lett  was  born  in  Clearfield,  Pennsyl- 
vania, on  tire  13th  of  June,  1844,  and  she  passed  away  August  1,  1912.  Eight 
children  were  bom  to  this  union,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Edith,  who  is  residing 
at  Kearney;  Walter  E.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  life  insurance  business  at  Kearney; 
Harry  C,  who  is  a  life  insurance  man  at  Lincoln;  Bessie,  who  is  the  widow  of 
Fred  Tipton,  and  is  now  residing  in  Kansas  City;  and  John  A.,  who  is  a  baker 
in  Lincoln.  On  the  26th  of  August,  1916,  Mr.  Lett  was  again  married,  this 
time  to  Eosa  (Crowl)  Linch,  a  native  of  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter 
of  John  Crowl.  She  had  previously  been  married  and  had  one  son,  Charles 
McDonough,  who  is  residing  in  York. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Lett  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  republican  party.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  Congregational 
church.  He  is  likewise  a  member  of  the  Commercial  Club  in  the  interests  of 
which  he  takes  an  active  part.  Through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Lett  the  Sons  of 
Veterans  was  organized  in  York  and  the  camp  was  named  in  honor  of  him.  He 
was  appointed  pension  attorney  and  now  devotes  his  time  to  securing  pensions 
for  widows  and  soldiers.  He  has  served  as  commander  of  the  Grand  Army  Post, 
was  recently  re-elected  for  the  fifth  year,  and  in  1905  was  elected  department 
commander  of  the  Nehraska  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublic.  At  the  reunion  of 
the  old  veterans  held  in  Denver,  Colorado,  Mr.  Lett  had  the  honor  of  leading  in 
parade  twenty  thousand  of  his  former  comrades  of  the  battle  field.  The  success 
which  Mr.  Lett  has  won  has  come  to  him  as  the  reward  of  persistent,  earnest  labor, 
and  his  life  illustrates  what  can  be  accomplished  through  individual  effort  combined 
with  persistency  of  purpose. 


JACOB  F.  BITTINGEE 


Jacob  F.  Bittinger,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  farmer  in  York 
county.  He  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Iowa,  in  1859  and  died  in  York  on  the 
14th  of  August,  1908.  His  demise  caused  a  feeling  of  widespread  bereavement 
throughout  the  community,  for  during  his  residence  in  York  Mr.  Bittinger  liad 
made  many  friends. 

Jacob  F.  Bittinger  was  a  son  of  .John  and  Eebecca  Bittinger,  both  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  removed  to  Ohio,  later  to  Iowa,  and  thence  to  York  county  in 
1872.  This  trip  they  made  overland  with  teams,  bringing  with  them  a  number  of 
milch  cows.  They  acquired  a  homestead  which  they  improved  and  successfully  cul- 
tivated, residing  here  until  their  deaths.  Nine  children  were  born  to  this  union, 
Jacob  F.  Bittinger  being  the  youngest  of  the  family.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bittinger  were 
consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  the  father  was  a  stanch  supporter 
of  the  republican  party  and  the  principles  for  which  it  stands. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Jacob  F.  Bittinger  attended  the  country 


1206  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

scliools,  living  all  of  the  time  upon  a  farm.  After  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he 
engaged  for  two  years  as  fireman  on  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  saving  enough 
money  from  his  earnings  to  buy  a  quarter  section  of  land.  He  paid  eight  dollars 
an  acre  for  this  land,  which  is  still  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  Bittinger,  and  she 
recently  refused  an  offer  of  two  hundred  dollars  an  acre  for  it.  Mr.  Bittinger 
was  successful  in  the  cultivation  of  his  land  and  with  the  assistance  of  his  wife 
purchased  more  land  until  he  had  four  hundred  and  four  acres.  In  1898  they 
removed  to  York  w'here  Mr.  Bittinger  retired  from  active  life  and  resided  until 
his  death  which  occurred  August  14,  1908. 

On  February  22nd,  1887,  Mr.  Bittinger  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nettie  Bates, 
a  native  of  Darke  county,  Ohio,  and  a  daugliter  of  Eli  and  Penninah  (Hart)  Bates. 
Her  parents  were  born  in  Ohio  and  in  1874  came  to  Lincoln.  For  a  number  of 
years  the  father  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  buying  and  became  quite  well-to-do. 
Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bates,  all  of  whom  are  living,  namely  : 
Louisa,  the  wife  of  T.  C.  Rutter  of  Charleston,  Tennessee ;  Martin,  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  at  Benton  Harbor,  Michigan ;  Henry,  who  is  engaged  in  mining 
in  California ;  Emma,  the  wife  of  John  O'Connell,  a  retired  farmer  of  Lincoln ; 
Mrs.  Bittinger,  the  widow  of  the  subject  of  this  review;  Eva,  the  wife  of  AV.  W. 
Cook,  a  retired 'farmer  residing  at  College  View;  and  Will  E.,  who  is  engaged  in 
gardening  at  Yashon  Island,  Puget  Sound.  l\Ir.  Bates  had  considerable  land,  at 
one  time.  The  Bates  family  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Christian  church  and 
the  father  w-as  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party.  To  the  union  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bittinger  two  children  have  been  born :  Kenneth  H. ;  and  Wendell  M. 
Kenneth  H.  is  married  to  Gay  Tucker  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Evelyn  Louise;  Dorotha  Jane,  and  Bettie  Rose.  They  reside  on  a  farm 
in  York  county.  Wendell  M.  has  been  in  Denver,  Colorado,  where  he  was  a  con- 
ductor for  the  Tramway  Company,  but  now  is  at  home  with  his  mother.  He  was 
ill  the  navy  for  .eight  months  during  the  World  war  luit  had  the  flu  and  as  a  result 
did  not  get  across. 

Politically  Mr.  Bittinger  gave  his  allegiance  to  no  particular  party  Init  followed 
an  independent  course.  Mr.  Bittinger  was  a  man  of  great  industiy  and  ambition 
and  the  success  he  enjoyed  liefore  his  death  was  but  a  fair  reward  for  his  life  of 
diligence  and  labor.  Mrs.  Bittinger  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  in  the 
activities  of  which  organization  she  takes  a  prominent  part  and  she  resides  alone 
at  her  home,  1824  Lincoln  avenue,  a  highly  I'espected  citizen  of  the  community. 


CHARLES  F.  KUNS 


Charles  F.  Kuns  actively  engaged  in  farming  in  York  county,  Nebraska,  was 
born  in  Cerro  Gordo,  Illinois.  August  29,  1876,  the  son  of  David  Kuns,  mention 
of  whom  is  found  elsewhere  in  this  review.  He  was  eighteen  months  old  when  the 
family  came  to  Nebraska,  and  his  youth  was  spent  on  the  farm.  He  was  educated 
in  the  York  city  schools  and  wlien  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  he 
decided  to  become  a  farmer. 

Mr.  Kuns  went  to  Illinois  where  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits  for  three 
years,  then  returned  to  York  county  and  became  interested  in  farming  here. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  120? 

He  was  married  to  Maude  Boweu.  a  native  of  Cerro  Gordo,  Illinois,  and  this 
union  has  been  blessed  by  three  ehildren :  Dorotha,  Willard  and  Mary.  The  Kuns 
home  is  a  picturesque  bungalow  situated  in  a  beautiful  location  on  a  knoll,  with 
pine  trees  leading  from  the  road  to  the  dooryard.  His  father  who  formerly  owned 
this  land  had  planned  to  build  a  beautiful  mansion  on  this  site,  but  he  moved  to 
California  and  his  plans  were  never  earried  out.  Mr.  Kuns  is  owner  of  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  land  equipped  with  two  complete  sets  of  buildings  as  fine 
as  any  in  the  county,  and  he  has  brought  his  land  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 
Mr.  Kuns  has  earned  the  reputation  of  successful,  high  principled  business  man 
and  a  public  spirited  citizen,  always  ready  to  give  his  service  and  means  to  promote 
the  development  and  growth  of  his  connuunity. 


MARTIX  L.  DIEHL 


Martin  L.  Diehl,  a  retired  farmer  and  representative  citizen  of  York,  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania,  in  1846,  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Cohler)  Diehl.  His  parents 
were  both  born  in  Pennsylvania,  the  father  in  1807.  Their  marriage  occurred  in 
that  state  and  tliere  the  mother  died.  Some  time  after  his  wife's  death  he  again 
married  and  removed  to  Illinois,  arriving  in  that  state  in  April,  1853.  The  trip 
was  made  overland  with  teams  but  before  reaching  the  destination  it  was  necessary 
to  substitute  oxen  for  the  horses.  Daniel  Diehl  settled  in  Peoria  county  on  first 
arriving  in  Illinois,  but  in  the  fall  of  the  year  18.52  removed  to  Marshall  county. 
For  some  time  he  rented  this  land  which  he  successfully  cultivated  and  finally  pur- 
chased. His  home  consisted  of  a  log  cabin  and  here  he  resided  with  his  family 
of  ten  children  for  many  years.  His  death  occurred  in  that  county  in  1867.  To 
the  first  marriage  ten  children  were  born,  three  of  whom  are  living,  the  subject  of 
this  review  being  the  youngest  of  all :  Mary,  the  widow  of  Adolph  Forney,  of  Day- 
kin  ;  Irena,  who  married  Ichabod  McKinney  of  Sterling,  Illinois,  a  soldier  in  the 
Civil  war  who  is  now  deceased ;  and  Martin  L.  Six  children  were  born  to  the 
latter  union,  none  of  whom  are  residing  in  Nebraska.  The  Diehl  family  were 
reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  the  father  gave  his  allegiance  to 
the  republican  party,  in  the  interests  of  which  he  was  very  active. 

Martin  L.  Diehl  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  country  schools  of  this  county.  After  putting  his  textbooks 
aside  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Marshall  county  and  also  served  as  county  tax  col- 
lector. In  1883  he  came  to  Nebraska  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  land,  borrowing 
three  hundred  dollars  from  his  brother-in-law  to  make  the  first  payment.  This 
venture  proving  financially  successful  he  soon  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres.  In  ten  years'  time  he  sold  the  quarter  section  for  forty  thousand  dollars  and 
purchased  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  which  he  still  owns.  In  l!iii5  Mr.  Diehl 
and  his  wife  removed  to  York,  bought  a  nice  home  and  have  resided  here  ever 
since.  Mr.  Diehl  sometimes  goes  out  on  the  farm  and  assists  in  the  management 
but  for  the  most  part  he  lives  a  life  of  retirement. 

In  1873,  in  Illinois,  Mr.  Diehl  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Louise  Fleming, 
a  native  of  West  Virginia,  and  a  daughter  of  Rev.  James  and  Catherine  (Parks) 
Fleming.     Her  father  was  Iioimi    in    Pennsylvania   and   her  mother   in    Ohio,   their 


1208  HISTORY    OF    YO-RK    COUXTY 

marriage  occurring  in  the  latter  state.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fleming  removed  to  West 
Virginia  and  the  father  preached  in  West  Union  for  seventeen  years.  He  was  a 
Presbyterian  minister.  In  1869  they  removed  to  Illinois  and  Mr.  Fleming  retired 
from  the  ministry  a  few  years  before  his  death.  Ten  children  were  born  to  them, 
Mrs.  Diehl  being  the  sixth  member  of  the  family,  live  of  whom  are  living.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Diehl  have  become  parents  of  two  children :  Arlo  L. ;  and  Paul.  Arlo  is 
married  and  is  engaged  in  farming  three  miles  west  of  York.  He  has  become  the 
father  of  twin  boys,  Stanley  and  Stanford.  Paul  is  also  married  and  has  a  farm 
two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  York.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  him: 
Marlyn,  aged  fourteen  years;  and  Charline,  nine  years  of  age.  The  Diehl  family 
are  consistent  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Diehl  the  right  of  fi'ancbise  he  has  been  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  the  principles  for  which  it  stands.  He 
served  as  assessor  in  Arborville  township  for  some  years,  was  elected  county  super- 
visor in  1912  and  is  now  serving  his  eighth  term.  The  Diehl  family  have  never 
been  found  lacking  in  patriotism,  giving  unselfishly  of  their  time  and  money  in 
the  World  war.  Mr.  Diehl  had  one  brother,  Alfred,  who  was  wounded  three  times 
in  the  Civil  war,  and  Mrs.  Diehl  had  two  brothers  in  the  Civil  war,  Brainard  and 
James  Fleming,  both  of  whom  served  throughout  the  entire  war  without  receiving 
a  wound.  Mr.  Diehl's  land  is  of  the  best  improved  in  the  county  and  he  has  had 
great  success  in  raising  hogs.  He  is  recognized  as  one  of  York  county's  progressive 
and  representative  citizens. 


HENRY  YANTZ 


An  extensive  landowner  and  representative  citizen  of  York  is  Henry  Yantz  who 
is  living  retired  in  York.  He  is  a  native  of  Erie  county,  New  York,  his  birth 
having  occurred  there  on  April  16,  18.il:,  a  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Mantz) 
Yantz.  His  parents  were  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  Erie  county  when  children, 
moving  to  Hancock  county,  Illinois,  in  1865.  There  the  father  purchased  land  on 
which  they  resided  until  1878,  when  they  removed  to  Jefferson  county,  Nebraska, 
in  which  they  passed  their  last  days.  Nine  children  were  born  to  this  union,  eight 
of  whom  are  living.  One  son,  David,  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  during 
the  Civil  war.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yantz  were  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  the  father  was  a  stanch  su])porter  of  the  republican  party. 
Mr.  Yantz  was  a  self-made  man,  his  success  having  lieen  won  l)y  his  own  diligence 
and  labor. 

Henry  Yantz  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  New  York  and  Illinois.  After  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he  engaged  in  farming 
and  purchased  his  first  farm  in  Jefferson  county,  in  1883.  He  commenced  with 
eiglity  acres  but  steadily  increased  his  farm  until  he  had  three  quarter  sections  of 
good  land.  This  land  was  well  improved  and  he  raised  cattle  and  hogs  extensively. 
He  is  now  in  possession  of  a  half  section  in  Fillmore  county  and  a  quarter  section 
in  Hamilton  county.  On  the  27th  of  January,  1910,  he  and  his  family  removed 
to  York  and  he  built  a  fine  home  at  927  Blackburn  avenue. 

On  the  28th  of  October,  1884,  Mr.  Yantz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Pauline  Gutzmer,  a  native  of  Saline  county  and  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1209 

Gutzmer,  both  natives  of  Germany.  They  came  to  Saline  county  at  an  early  day, 
homesteaded  and  died  there.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yautz : 
Leta,  the  wife  of  Carl  G.  Swanson  who  is  connected  with  the  Fidelity  National 
Bank  at  Aurora;  Erma,  the  wife  of  Edgar  Gorham  who  is  engaged  in  farming 
south  of  Aurora ;  Vaughan,  who  is  connected  with  the  Telephone  Company ;  and 
Hazel,  the  wife  of  Clarence  Otto,  who  is  engaged  in  dairying  and  the  farming 
business  in  Aurora.  Vaughan,  the  only  son  in  the  family  served  in  the  World 
war,  receiving  his  training  at  Lincoln.  He  is  also  a  highly  educated  young  man 
and  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Nebraska  in  the  electrical  engineering 
course  in  1919. 

Mr.  Yantz  has  always  given  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  he  and 
his  Avife  are  both  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  During 
his  residence  in  Jefferson  county  he  was  very  active  in  church  work,  serving  as 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  for  over  seven  years.  He  is  now  retired, 
enjoying  the  fruits  of  a  life  of  diligence  and  industry  and  he  is  widely  recognized 
as  a  successful  farmer  and  representative  citizen  of  York  county.  , 


C.  B.  COUCH 


A  representative  citizen  of  York  is  C.  B.  Couch,  a  retired  farmer  and  minister 
who  was  born  in  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  on  the  10th  of  November,  1840,  a  son 
of  Homer  and  Clarissa  (Brooke)  Couch.  The  father  was  a  native  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, while  the  mother  was  born  in  Plymouth  county,  Massachusetts.  At  an  early 
age  they  came  to  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  and  there  they  were  married.  Mr. 
Couch  was  a  carpenter  and  contractor  by  trade  and  removed  to  Peoria  in  company 
with  an  older  brother,  building  the  First  Congregational  church  there.  He  was 
very  successful  in  his  line  of  work  and  built  up  a  large  patronage  ill  Peoria,  where 
he  resided  until  his  death  in  1859  at  the  age  of  forty-one  years.  The  mother  passed 
away  in  Oklahoma  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  Ten  children  were  born  to  this 
union  of  whom  the  subject  was  the  oldest.  Five  of  them  are  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Couch  were  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  the  interests 
of  which  they  took  an  active  part  and  the  father  was  a  whig  and  later  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  republican  party. 

C.  B.  Couch  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  Peoria.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  became  interested  in  church  work  and 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  began  preaching,  first  at  the  poorhouse  in  Illinois. 
He  held  several  charges  in  Peoria  and  received  the  small  amount  of  ninety-five 
dollars  and  board  for  his  first  year's  services.  For  sixty-seven  years  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  church  and  for  twenty-four  years  preached  in  the  Central  Illinois 
conference,  receiving  for  one  year's  service  the  sum  of  seven  hundred  dollars,  the 
largest  amount  he  ever  earned  in  that  profession.  After  retiring  from  the  ministry 
he  engaged  in  farming  and  in  1883  came  to  Nebraska,  locating  in  York  county. 
Here  lie  bought  a  homestead  right,  located  in  New  York  township  and  lived  on 
this  land  for  a  period  of  twenty-six  years,  having  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  which 
he  still  owns.  In  1908  he  removed  to  York  and  built  a  house  at  944  East  .5th  street 
where  he  is  now  residing.     Mr.  Couch  made  considerable  nidiiey  in  trading  and  as 


1210  HISTORY    OF    YOBK    COUNTY 

a  result  of  his  own  diligence  and  labor  he  owns  some  of  the  finest  land  in  York 
county.  When  Mr.  Couch  first  came  to  York  the  membership  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  was  small  but  it  has  steadily  increased  and  he  assisted  in  the 
building  of  three  Methodist  churches. 

Mr.  Couch  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha  K.  Zoll,  a  native  of  Fulton 
county,  Illinois,  and  to  them  two  children  were  born:  W.  A.  and  Frank  Herbert. 
W.  A.  Couch  is  residing  on  a  farm  five  miles  east  of  York  and  is  married.  He 
has  become  the  father  of  two  children:  William  Warren,  and  Eobert.  Frank  Her- 
bert Couch  resides  at  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  has  charge  of  the  electric  power 
station  on  the  suburban  railway.  He  is  married  and  the  father  of  two  sons:  Ralph 
Edward,  who  is  in  the  United  States  Xavy;  and  Herbert  Frank,  attending  high 
school.  The  Couch  family  are  all  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
The  death  of  Mrs.  Couch  occurred  on  the  5th  of  May,  1918,  which  was  the  occasion 
of  much  grief  to  her  devoted  family  and  friends. 

Mr.  Couch  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  held  the  position  of  county 
assessor  for  a  period  of  three  years.  He  has  always  been  a  stanch  advocate  of 
education  and  to  that  end  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  a  period  of 
over  twenty-two  years.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  he  has 
served  as  grand  commander  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  post.  Mr.  Couch 
is  indeed  a  self-made  man  and  has  learned  his  lessons  in  the  hard  school  of  experi- 
ence. When  but  nineteen  years  of  age  his  father  died,  leaving  a  debt  of  over  five 
hundred  dollars  to  be  paid  and  Mr.  Couch  set  out  to  clear  this  debt.  As  a  result 
of  his  strong  determination,  diligence  and  industry  he  has  gradually  advanced  until 
today  he  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  and  highly  respected  men  in  the  county. 
As  a  lad  in  his  early  twenties  he  entered  the  Civil  war,  joining  Co.  H,  Eleventh 
Illinois  Cavalry  Regiment,  and  he  was  in  the  army  for  seven  months.  He  was  at 
the  battle  of  Shiloh  and  the  siege  of  Corinth,  but  was  discharged  at  the  end  of  his 
seven  months  of  active  service  because  of  sickness.     He  held  the  rank  of  corporal. 


WILLIAM  MORGAN" 


William  Morgan,  who  has  been  a  lifelong  farmer,  makes  his  home  on  his  farm 
located  in  section  3-1,  West  Blue  township.  He  was  born  in  Bloomington,  McLean 
county,  Illinois,  Januaiy  28,  1876,  a  son  of  William  Morgan  who  was  born  in 
County  Meath,  Ireland,  in  1832.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  the  father  came  to 
the  United  States  with  his  parents  and  first  settled  in  Albany,  New  York.  From 
there  he  removed  to  Bloomington  aaid  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  police 
force  of  that  city.  Because  of  an  injury  to  one  hand  resulting  in  the  loss  of  a 
finger  he  was  not  accepted  for  active  service  during  the  Civil  war  but  entered  the 
secret  service.  He  had  two  brothers,  however,  who  were  in  active  service.  In  1875 
he  came  to  Nebraska  and  lived  for  one  year  in  Saline  county  at  the  termination 
of  which  time  he  came  to  York  county  and  bought  a  relinquishment  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  on  section  34,  West  Blue  township.  Here  he  engaged  in  farming 
until  his  death  in  1804.  In  Illinois  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rosa  Smith  who  was  a 
native  of  County  Meath,  Ireland,  having  been  born  in  the  same  year  as  her  husband. 
She  died  on  the  homestead  in  1S86.    Eleven  children  were  born  to  this  union,  eight 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1211 

of  wliom  are  living:  Tliree  of  the  children  are  residing  in  York  county  besides 
William  Morgan,  the  subject  of  this  review,  namely:  Mrs.  Sullivan,  who  is  living 
in  West  Blue  township ;  John  Morgan,  whose  home  is  in  Baker  towniship ;  and  Mrs. 
Bert  De  Boer  of  Bradshaw.  The  Morgan  family  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  the 
Catholic  church  and  Mr.  Morgan  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party. 

William  Morgan  was  a  boy  of  six  years  when  his  parents  came  to  York  county 
and  he  well  remembers  the  sod  house  which  was  their  tirst  home.  He  resided  on 
the  home  place  working  with  his  father  until  his  death,  after  whi^-h  he  became 
possessor  of  the  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  to  which  he  has  since  added  an  eighty 
acre  tract  of  highly  cultivated  land.  Here  Mr.  Morgan  is  now  residing,  engaging 
in  general  farming. 

Mr.  Morgan  married  Miss  Eva  Tous,  a  native  of  Bohemia,  and  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Mary  Tous,  early  settlers  of  Nebraska  who  are  now  residing  in  Exeter. 
Eight  children  have  been  born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  Morgan,  namely :  John,  Frank, 
William,  Eose,  James,  Mary,  Annie,  and  Katherine,  all  of  whom  are  residing  at 
home. 

The  political  endorsement  of  Mr.  Morgan  is  given  to  the  democratic  party  but 
he  has  never  been  ambitious  to  hold  office,  preferring  always  to  give  his  undivided 
attention  to  his  agricultural  pursuits.  The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of 
the  Catholic  church.  In  all  of  his  business  affairs  opportunity  has  ever  been  a  call 
to  action  with  Mr.  Morgan  and  his  determined  energy  and  intelligent  direction  of 
his  labors  have  brought  to  him  very  gr-atifying  success. 


H.  J.  EOGEES 


From  the  period  of  pioneer  development  to  the  present  H.  J.  Eogers  has  been 
interested  in  York  county  and  its  upbuilding  and  is  now  living  retired  in  York. 
His  birth  occurred  in  1844  in  Ireland,  a  son  of  John  and  Agnes  (Neill)  Eogers, 
the  father  being  of  Scotch  birth,  while  the  mother  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  His 
parents  never  removed  to  the  United  States  but  died  and  are  buried  in  Ireland. 
H.  J.  Eogers  was  one  of  six  children  born  to  this  union,  four  of  whom  are  living, 
namely:  the  subject;  Thomas,  who  resides  in  Texas  where  he  is  engaged  in  the 
sawmill  business;  Jane  Ann,  the  wife  of  a  Mr.  Jeffers  who  is  now  retired  and 
residing  in  New  Jersey ;  and  Martha,  who  is  the  wife  of  a  Mr.  Ackerman  and  lives 
in  New  York.  One  daughter,  Emma,  married  a  Mr.  Simpson.  She  is  deceased. 
The  father  engaged  in  landscape  gardening  in  which  he  was  very  successful. 

H.  J.  Eogers  obtained  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Ireland,  but  in  1869,  tales 
having  reached  him  of  the  wonderful  opportunities  offered  in  the  United  States, 
he  sailed  for  this  country  and  first  settled  in  Amsterdam,  New  York.  Here  he 
engaged  in  contracting  for  a  year,  at  the  termination  of  which  time  he  removed  to 
Coldwater,  Michigan,  where  he  continued  his  contracting  work  and  in  addition 
engaged  in  carpentering.  These  trades  he  had  learned  in  his  early  youth  in  his 
native  country.  For  one  year  he  remained  in  Coldwater  and  in  1873  came  to  York 
county  where  he  secured  a  homestead.  He  immediately  took  an  interest  in  the 
community  which  he  had  selected  for  his  home  and  assisted  in  the  building  of 
several  houses  throughout  the  county.     The  first  store  in  Utica  was  built  by  Mr. 


1212  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Rogers  as  was  also  the  first  store  in  AVaoo.  The  first  house  on  his  land  was  of  sod, 
but  in  1881  he  put  up  a  frame  building  sixteen  feet  by  twenty  four  feet  and  subse- 
quently erected  a  modern  home  on  his  farm. 

In  1874  Mr.  Rogers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Agnes  Stephens,  a  native 
of  Ireland,  and  to  them  eight  sons  have  been  born,  all  of  whom  are  living :  William, 
who  is  farming  in  one  of  the  Dakotas;  Charles,  who  is  residing  on  his  father's 
farm ;  Walter,  engaged  in  the  hunber  business  at  Ainsworth ;  Wallace,  who  has  a 
lumber  yard  at  Robinson;  Harry,  in  the  shoe  business  in  York;  Roy,  in  the  shoe 
business  at  Fremont;  Victor,  who  is  engaged  in  the  shoe  business  in  York;  and 
Russell,  who  is  in  the  shoe  business  in  connection  with  his  brothers  at  York. 

Mr.  Rogers  has  always  given  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  in  the 
interests  of  which  he  still  takes  an  active  part.  He  served  on  the  school  board 
at  Waco  for  a  period  of  thirty  years,  -and  gave  one  acre  of  his  farm  on  which  the 
schoolhouse  was  built.  He  is  an  exemplary  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and 
was  a  charter  member  of  the  Utica  Lodge,  Utica,  Nebraska.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Rogers  are  active  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  In  December,  1909,  they 
removed  to  York  and  he  built  a  nice  home  at  1630  Lincoln  avenue.  For  eleven 
years  Mr.  Rogers  has  been  retired,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  own  diligence  and 
industry.  He  still  owns  his  old  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Waco 
township,  York  county,  and  one  of  his  sons  is  now  managing  it  for  him.  His  life 
he  has  devoted  to  his  family  and  has  given  all  of  his  sons  a  start  in  the  business 
world.  They  are  all  following  in  the  footsteps  of  their  father  and  are  prominent 
and  representative  citizens  of  their  respective  communities.  Mr.  Rogers  left  his 
native  land,  coming  to  the  United  States  because  he  was  convinced  of  its  unusual 
opportunities  and  he  has  found  that  conditions  justified  his  expectations. 


W.  H.  WISWELL 


Among  those  whom  death  has  called  and  who  were  contributing  factors  to  the 
agricultural  development  and  improvement  of  York  county  was  W.  H.  Wiswell, 
who  while  still  active  in  the  world's  w^ork  made  his  home  on  section  7,  Stewart 
township.  lie  was  born  in  Boston,  August  5,  1858,  a  son  of  Charles  and  Mary  B. 
(Thyng)  Wiswell,  natives  of  New  Hampshire,  where  the  father  followed  his  trade 
of  cabinet-maker  during  his  active  life.  Members  of  the  Wiswell  family  have  been 
closely  identified  with  the  farming  interests  of  York  county  for  fifty  years.  In 
1871  a  grandfather  and  two  uncles,  Charles  and  Frank  Wiswell,  came  to  Lincoln 
by  train  and  then  made  the  journey  to  this  county  by  team.  Each  of  these  men 
took  a  homestead  of  eighty  acres  in  Stewart  township  and  commenced  tlieir  settle- 
luent  by  building  small  frame  and  sod  houses.  With  the  aid  of  ox  teams  they 
broke  the  land  and  tilled  it  diligently,  improved  the  holdings,  set  out  trees  and 
orchards  and  in  due  season  brought  their  places  to  a  satisfactory  condition  of  culti- 
vation and  improvement  considering  the  time  and  the  opjiortuiiities.  The  grand- 
father divided  his  labors  between  carpenter  work  at  Lincoln  ami  the  care  of  the 
homestead,  walking  from  the  farm  to  Lincoln  every  two  weeks.  All  necessary 
supplies  had  to  be  hauled  from  Lincoln  and  the  grain  had  to  be  hauled  to  that 
city  and  to  Columbus  for  marketing.     During  the  grasshopper  scare  verv  little  was 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  1213 

produced,  but,  notwithstanding  all  the  discouragements  of  the  early  years,  they 
did  very  well  and  made  a  good  living.  They  deserve  to  be  ranked  among  the 
men  who  made  living  conditions  in  this  part  of  the  state  a  possibility. 

W.  H.  Wiswell  was  but  thirteen  years  old  when  he  was  brought  to  York  county, 
in  the  district  schools  of  which  he  received  an  education.  His  youthful  experiences 
were  those  of  the  farm  bred  boy  who  divides  his  time  between  the  schoolroom  and 
the  work  of  the  fields.  No  event  of  special  importance  occurred  to  vary  the  routine 
of  life  for  him  in  that  period.  When  he  had  passed  the  preliminary  training  in 
agricultural  operations  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  railroad  land,  for  which  he 
paid  seven  and  one-half  dollars  an  acre.  By  close  application  to  work  he  gradually 
improved  his  holding  by  fencing  and  the  erection  of  good  buildings.  He  spent  his 
active  life  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and  in  the  feeding  of  live  stock  for 
the  markets,  this  latter  branch  having  proved  highly  profitable  as  a  result  of  his  care 
and  attention.  As  the  years  went  on  he  prospered  in  his  undertakings  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  February  26,  191(5.  he  was  in  comfortable  cir- 
cumstances, a  just  reward  for  his  industry  and  integrity.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  five  children,  namely:  Mary,  who  teaches  in  York  county  schools; 
Charles  T.,  who  farms  the  old  place;  Francis  E.,  physical  director  in  the  University 
Place  schools ;  Wilbur,  who  works  with  Charles  T.  on  the  home  farm ;  and  Mercy 
L.,  who  attends  York  College.  Mr.  Wiswell  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church.  He  was  a  stanch  republican  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
blue  lodge.  In  all  the  relations  of  life  he  acted  the  part  of  a  good  citizen  and  an 
honest  man. 

Charles  T.  Wiswell,  who  now  manages  the  home  farm,  was  educated  in  the  York 
county  schools  and  later  entered  the  Nebraska  School  of  Agriculture,  from  which 
he  emerged  fully  qualified  to  take  over  the  responsibilities  which  have  since 
devolved  upon  him.  His  mother  who  is  now  living  in  York,  and  his  uncle  Charles 
and  his  wife  were  among  the  first  school  teachers  in  the  county,  and  it  is  evident 
that  he  could  have  no  better  preceptors.  Mr.  Wiswell  is  now  engaged  in  the  man- 
agement of  over  a  half  section  of  land  and  is  wisely  superintending  the  general 
fanning,  stock  raising  and  feeding  for  the  markets  which  his  place  demands.  Apart 
from  these  activities  he  finds  time  to  attend  to  a  tract  of  land  which  he  rents.  He 
was  married  February  20,  1918,  to  Eleanor  E.  Fifer  and  he  and  his  wife  are  active 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  also  give  freely  of  their  time  and 
abilities  to  the  furtherance  of  all  good  movements  concerned  with  the  welfare  of 
the  community  in  which  they  live.  He  supports  the  republican  party  and  his 
fraternal  affiliation  is  with  the  Masonic  order. 


FRED   STAEHR 


Following  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father.  Fred  Staehr,  a  son  of  Carsten  Staehr  of 
whom  further  mention  is  made  on  another  page  of  this  work,  is  engaged  in  farming 
on  section  four,  Beaver  townshij),  and  is  meeting  with  excellent  success  in  his  chosen 
occupation.  He  was  born  in  a  sod  house  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  Septem- 
ber 5,  1881,  and  early  in  life  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-eight  years  he  took  charge  of  the  old  Staehr  homestead  consisting  of  one 

Vol.    II— 41 


1214  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

liimdred  and  sixty  acres  and  lias  since  made  the  farm  liis  home.  His  wife  owns 
eighty  acres  in  Waco  township  wliich  she  inherited  from  her  father,  an  early  home- 
steader in  York  county.  Mr.  Staehr  has  brought  his  land  to  a  high  state  of  develop- 
ment and  he  follows  progressive  methods  in  all  his  farm  work,  his  land  being 
devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  the  cereals  best  adapted  to  the  soil  and  climate. 

Mr.  Staehr  was  united  in  marriage  in  early  life  to  Miss  Martha  Stuhr,  who  was 
born  on  an  adjoining  farm,  and  a  daughter  of  Henry  Stuhr,  a  homesteader  who  is 
now  deceased.  Three  children  have  been  honi  to  this  union:  Alvin,  Paul  and 
Paule. 

The  political  allegiance  of  Mr.  Staehr  has  always  been  given  to  the  republican 
party  and  it  is  well  known  that  he  is  a  stalwart  advocate  of  any  cause  which  it 
espouses.  The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  the  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Staehr  is 
well  known  in  the  county  in  which  he  has  spent  his  entire  life  and  the  circle  of 
his  friends  is  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  his  aci|uuintances. 


TLAREXCE  H.  WARNER 

For  seventeen  years  Clarence  H.  Warner  has  resided  in  York  and  in  that  short 
time  has  won  many  friends  who  recognize  his  value  and  true  worth.  He  was 
born  in  Franklin  county,  Penn.sylvania,  September  25,  18.57,  a  son  of  William  and 
Hannah  (Miley)  Warner,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The  father  was  born  in 
Burks  county,  July  21,  1818,  and  his  death  occurred  in  1902.  The  mother  was 
born  in  Franklin  county  on  the  17th  of  January,  1818,  and  died  in  1896.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Warner  were  married  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  removed  to 
Carroll  county,  Illinois,  in  the  spring  of  1864.  The  father  served  in  the  Civil 
war,  having  entered  service  October  16,  1862,  in  Comjiany  J,  One  Hundred  and 
Fifty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  and  he  received  his  discharge  on  the  12th 
of  August,  1863,  at  Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania.  For  nine  years  lie  engaged  in 
farming  in  Hlinois  and  in  187.'?  removed  to  Nebraska,  settling  in  Richardson 
county  where  he  remained  for  two  years.  At  the  termination  of  that  tinu^  he 
settled  in  Polk  county  where  he  accpiired  a  homestead  near  Stromsburg,  and  there 
resided  until  his  death.  Seven  sons  were  born  to  this  union,  four  of  whom  are 
living,  namely:  M.  L.,  who  is  residing  at  1631  Iowa  avenue,  York,  a  retired 
farmer;  George  Upton,  a  farmer  in  the  southern  part  of  Polk  county;  Curtis  G., 
a  retired  farmer  of  Hollister,  California  ;  and  Clarence  H.,  the  subject  of  this 
review.  The  Warner  family  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church  and  the  father  alw-ays  gave  his  vote  to  the  democratic  party,  being  well 
informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Isaac 
Newton  Warner,  was  born  and  died  in  Pennsylvania,  and  liis  father  was  also  a 
native  of  that  state.  The  Warner  family  came  to  America  from  Germany  before 
the  Revolutionary  war  and  the  Miley  family  also  emigrated  to  this  country  at  an 
early  day,  settling  in  Pennsylvania  where  the  maternal  grandfather,  William  ililey, 
was  born. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Clarence  H.  Warner  attended  the  schools 
of  Illinois  and  Nebraska  and  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  engaged  in  farming. 
For  .some  time  he  also  engaged  in  the  teaching  of  school  <luring  the  early  70"s,  but 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1215 

soon  turned  from  tliat  profession  to  devote  all  of  his  time  to  his  farming  interests. 
He  purchased  land  in  Polk  county  on  which  he  lived  from  1875  to  1903,  and  then 
came  to  York,  placing  his  children  in  school.  He  returned  to  his  farm  which  he 
sold  in  1916  and  then  purchased  two  liundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in  LeRoy 
township,  York  county.  In  190.3  he  removed  to  Y^ork  where  he  has  retired  and 
built  a  fine  home  at  915  Iowa  avenue. 

On  the  25th  of  February,  1885,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Warner  to  Miss 
Mary  Gormley,  a  native  of  ^'irginia,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  James  and  Mariah 
Gormley.  They  came  to  Polk  county  in  1872  and  there  the  father  secured  a 
homestead  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  born  in  southern  Ireland 
and  the  mother  in  northern  Ireland.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warner  four 
children  have  been  born :  Ethel  May,  the  wife  of  William  E.  Eobson,  who  is 
engaged  in  farming  in  Kimball  county;  Kate,  at  home;  Earl,  who  is  an  osteopath 
physician  at  Caldwell,  Idaho ;  and  Ruth,  who  is  residing  at  home.  Mrs.  Warner 
passed  away  in  1915,  her  death  coming  as  a  severe  loss  to  her  devoted  family  and 
friends.  She  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the 
interests  of  which  she  always  took  an  active  part. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Warner  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  is  well  informed  on  the  questions 
and  issues  of  the  day.  He  is  a  member  of  the  York  city  council  from  the  first 
ward  and  was  assessor  of  the  Stromsburg  precinct  while  residing  in  Polk  county. 
Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  and  belongs 
to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Warner  started  out  in  life  with  no  capital 
but  a  strong  determination,  the  ability  to  work  hard  and  laudable  ambition,  and 
as  a  result  of  these  characteristics  has  won  for  himself  a  high  position  in  the 
community  in  which  he  resides. 


W.  EDGAR  THOMPSON 


One  of  the  most  progressive  men  of  York  county  is  W.  Edgar  Thompson,  who 
is  the  owner  of  a  large  ranch  in  the  sand-hills  of  Cherry  county  on  which  he  raises 
full  blooded  stock.  He  was  bom  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  January  -3,  1881,  a  son 
of  Elwood  and  Sarah  (Wilmar)  Thompson  extended  mention  of  whom  is  made  in 
the  sketch  of  another  son,  Arthur  W.  Thompson,  to  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  W.  Edgar  Thompson  attended  the  schools 
of  Y^ork  where  he  had  come  in  1883  when  but  three  years  of  age.  On  putting  his 
textbooks  aside  he  engaged  in  farming  which  occupation  he  has  followed  the 
greater  part  of  his  life.  He  is  now  the  possessor  of  a  large  ranch  in  the  sand-hills 
of  Cherry  county  on  which  he  raises  a  number  of  full  blooded  cattle  and  last 
spring  he  made  some  very  successful  sales.  Mr.  Thompson  also  has  an  interest 
in  the  West  Side  ]\Ieat  Market  in  Y'ork  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  leadinsr 
business  men  of  that  place. 

On  the  5th  of  October,  1904,  Mr.  Thompson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elsie  Weir,  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Weir.  Her 
parents  came  to  York  county  in  1898  and  the  father  engaged  in  farming  until 
his  death.     Mrs.  Weir  is  now  residing  at  the  home  of  her  daughter.    To  the  union 


1216  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  three  chihlren  have  been  born,  two  of  whom  are  living, 
namely:  Howard,  fourteen  years  of  age;  and  Glenn.  Laurence  died  at  the  age 
of  one  and  one-half  years.  The  Thompson  family  are  consistent  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  the  various  activities  of  which  Mrs.  Thompson 
takes  a  prominent  part. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Thompson  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  given 
his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  which  has  found  in  him  a  stalwart  advocate. 
For  four  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  city  council  and  when  residing  on  his  farm 
served  as  township  treasurer.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen  and  Woodmen.  In  1018  he  built  a  beautiful  home  in  York  at 
720  Hutchinson  avenue  and  here  he  resides.  The  greater  part  of  Mr.  Thompson's 
time  is  devoted  to  his  farming  and  stock  raising  and  his  life  work  has  been 
crowned  with  successful  achievement,  making  him  today  one  of  the  most  prosperous 
residents  of  his  section  of  the  state. 


DAVID  RUNS 


David  Kuns,  a  pioneer  farmer  of  York  county,  Nebraska,  now  residing  in  Cali- 
fornia, was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Indiana,  November  23,  1850,  the  .son  of  Henry 
and  Caroline  (Spidle)  Kuns,  who  were  born  near  Dayton,  Ohio.  Henry  Kuns 
moved  to  Indiana  when  he  was  a  young  man,  locating  on  a  farm  near  Delphi.  He 
was  one  of  the  pioneer  farmers  of  that  region  and  after  cultivating  and  clearing 
a  woodland  farm  sold  it  and  moved  to  Clinton  county,  Indiana,  and  later  to  Piatt 
county.  Illinois.  He  became  a  prosperous  agriculturalist  in  that  state  and  in  18;'>0 
reinoved  to  California  where  he  passed  away  in  1892.  His  wife's  demise  occurred 
two  years  previous. 

David  Kuns  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Indiana  and  later  in  Illinois,  and  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  there.  When  he  reached  manhood  he  was  put  in 
charge  of  one  of  his  father's  farms  where  he  was  very  successful.  In  1877  he  came 
to  York  county,  Nebraska,  and  bought  a  section  of  railroad  land  in  McFadden 
township,  where  he  established  his  home  the  following  year.  Interested  in  new 
and  better  methods  of  farming  and  alert  to  suggestions  that  might  lead  to  the 
improvement  of  agricultural  pursuits,  lie  was  a  very  successful  farmer  and  stock- 
man, when  he  retired  about  ten  years  ago  having  to  his  credit  eight  hundred  acres 
of  good  land  in  York  county,  and  a  ranch  of  twenty-five  hundred  acres  in  Greeley 
county,  Nebraska.     Mr.  Kuns  is  now  a  resident  of  California. 

He  was  married  in  187.5  to  Miss  Catherine  Klinzman,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  was  brought  by  her  parents  to  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  when  a  child.  She 
is  the  daiighter  of  Christian  and  Minnie  (Kratz)  Klinzman,  natives  of  Germany 
who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853  and  after  moving  to  Iowa,  located  in 
Illinois.  ;Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kuns  are  the  parents  of  ten  children ;  C.  F.,  a  farmer  who 
resides  in  York  county,  Nebraska;  Harvey  A.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  insurance 
business  in  Iowa ;  Jesse,  who  passed  away ;  John,  who  resides  in  Iowa ;  Dorothy, 
who  lives  with  her  parents  in  California;  Ray,  who  is  superintendent  of  schools  in 
Superior,  Nebraska ;  Esther,  the  wife  of  Peter  Dayton,  who  resides  in  California : 
Roy,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Imperial  Valley,  California  :  Nellie,  who  lives 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1217 

with    her   parents;    and    Eva,    who   is   the    wife   of    Don   Diebert,    of    San    Diego, 
California. 

Mr.  Kiins  exerei.ses  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  men  and  measures  of 
the  republican  party,  believing  firmly  in  its  principles.  He  is  a  man  who  stands 
for  progressiveness  in  puldic  affairs  of  the  community  wherein  he  is  a  resident, 
and  gives  his  aid  and  intiuence  to  all  measures  and  projects  which  he  believes  to 
be  of  public  worth. 


JOSEPH  WALKER 


A  retired  farmer  and  representative  citizen  of  York  is  Joseph  Walker,  who 
forty-nine  years  ago  came  to  this  country  acquiring  a  homestead.  His  success 
may  be  attributed  to  his  persistent  effort,  and  determination  and  energy  have 
enabled  him  to  overcome  obstacles  and  difficulties  in  his  path.  Those  who  know 
him  and  have  watched  his  course  in  every  relation  of  life  entertain  for  him  warm 
respect  and  high  regard. 

Joseph  Walker  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  August  IS,  1849,  a  son  of  John  and 
Jane  (Miller)  Walker,  both  natives  of  the  same  state  in  which  they  were  also 
married.  The  father  entered  the  Civil  war,  joining  Company  F,  Fifty-third  Illinois 
Regiment,  having  removed  to  Illinois  from  Oliio,  where  he  had  lived  for 
a  number  of  years,  preceding  the  outbreak  of  the  war.  For  four  years  he  served 
in  the  Union  army  and  was  neither  captured  nor  wounded.  His  death  occurred 
during  the  war  in  a  hospital  at  Quincy,  Illinois.  Nine  children  were  born  to  the 
union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker,  five  of  whom  are  living :  Phoebe  is  the  widow  of 
Isaac  T.  Smith  and  she  is  at  present  residing  in  Kansas;  Sarah  E.  is  the  widow 
of  John  H.  Haney  and  resides  in  York.  Her  husband's  death  occurred  some  years 
ago  in  York.  He  had  seen  active  service  during  the  Civil  war  and  received  the 
commission  of  lieutenant;  Joseph  is  another  son;  John  is  a  retired  farmer  living 
in  York;  and  Rebecca  Ann  is  the  wife  of  George  Foltz,  an  old  soldier,  and  they 
reside  in  York.  The  four  children  wlio  are  deceased  are  Mary  Ann,  who  died  in 
Ohio  at  the  age  of  eighteen;  James,  whose  death  occurred  as  the  result  of  wounds 
received  at  Pittsburgh  Landing;  Christ,  who  died  when  nineteen  years  of  age  in 
Illinois;  and  David,  wliose  death  occurred  in  1915.  He  had  served  three  years  in 
the  Civil  war.  David  and  Phoebe  were  twins.  The  Walker  family  were  brought 
up  in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Joseph  Walker  attended  the  district  schools 
of  Illinois  and  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  engaged  in  farming.  This  occupa- 
tion he  has  followed  throughout  his  life.  In  1871  he  came  to  York  county  and 
acquired  a  homestead.  He  immediately  set  about  to  improve  his  land,  allowing 
no  obstacles,  however  great,  to  ob.struct  his  path.  His  first  house  was  built  of  sod 
but  some  time  later  he  erected  a  frame  house  and  later  built  a  larger  and  more 
modern  residence.  He  devoted  a  measure  of  his  time  to  raising  full  blooded  hogs 
and  other  live  stock  and  in  this  line  was  particularly  successful.  He  is  now  the 
owner  of  five  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  York  county  and  considered  one 
of  the  most  progressive  farmers  of  the  vicinity. 

Mr.  Walker  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Klone  on  the  old  homestead 
of  her  father.     She  was  born  in  New  York  state,  a  daughter  of  Albert  and  Annie 


1218  HISTORY    OF    YOTfK    COUNTY 

E.  Klone,  both  natives  of  Germany.  They  removed  to  York  county  in  187],  where 
the  father  acquired  a  homestead  on  wliich  they  resided  until  their  deaths.  Mrs. 
Walker  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth  of  a  family  of  seven  children  born  to  this 
union.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  have  become  parents  of  five  children,  four  of  whom 
are  living :  William,  who  is  managing  one  of  his  father's  farms  in  York  county ; 
Ida,  the  wife  of  James  Bergin  who  owns  a  farm  in  York  county;  Ambrose,  a  real 
estate  dealer  in  Denver,  Colorado;  and  Edward,  who  resides  on  his  father's  home- 
stead. Brunson,  the  third  member  of  the  family,  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine 
years. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Walker  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  the  principles  for  which  it  stands. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  that  organization.  In  191.3  Mr.  Walker  purchased 
a  nice  home  in  York  and  here  he  is  now  residing  retired.  He  is  in  every  sense  of 
the  word  a  self-made  man. 


JOHN  LINDQUIST 


After  a  useful  and  well  spent  life  John  Lindquist,  who  for  many  years  had 
been  identified  with  agricultural  and  public  affairs  of  York  county,  passed  away  in 
1916,  honored  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  born  in  Sweden, 
February  26,  1837,  and  in  that  country  acquired  a  knowledge  of  farming  opera- 
tions. When  he  was  thirty-two  years  old,  in  1869,  he  immigrated  to  America  and 
landed  in  New  York,  going  thence  to  Princeton,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  on  farms 
for  a  time.  Later  he  rented  a  tract  of  land  and  worked  it  on  his  own  account  for 
about  nine  years,  in  the  meantime  saving  his  money  with  a  view  to  purchasing  a 
holding  for  himself. 

It  was  in  1880  when  York  county  was  being  slowly  developed  that  John  Lind- 
quist came  here  and  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  railroad  land.  For  a 
brief  period  after  taking  over  the  holding  he  lived  in  the  homes  of  neighbors  and 
later  built  himself  a  small  frame  house.  He  broke  the  land  and  divided  it  into 
fields  of  convenient  size  by  well  kept  fences,  put  up  substantial  buildings  as  he 
prospered  and  utilized  the  best  improved  machinery  in  carrying  on  the  work  of 
the  farm.  He  planted  trees  and  set  out  orchards,  but  most  of  the  latter  died  out. 
He  burned  corn  and  cornstalks  for  fuel  and  chopped  wood  on  the  creek  for  the 
same  purpose.  His  general  farming  and  stock  raising  gave  him  satisfactory  results, 
and  these  results  were  secured  only  by  his  unremitting  attention  to  the  work.  His 
success  in  York  county  induced  him  to  purchase  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in 
South  Dakota,  and  this  in  time  proved  a  sound  investment.  He  also  owned  city 
property  in  Ctresham.  After  many  years  on  the  home  farm  he  retired  to  Gresham 
and  there  passed  away  July  6,  1916,  leaving  behind  him  a  good  name  and  a  char- 
acter worthy  of  emulation.  While  his  business  interests  were  extensive  and  impor- 
tant lie  always  found  time  to  co-operate  in  plans  and  measures  intended  to  advance 
tlie  ])ublic  good. 

While  living  in  Princeton,  Illinois,  he  was  married  in  1887  to  Emma  Anderson, 
a  native  of  Sweden,  and  that  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  the  following  children: 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  121!) 

Anna  J.,  tlie  wife  of  Clarence  Tliompson,  a  York  county  farmer;  Ida  C,  who 
married  John  Britteil  of  Woodhine,  Iowa;  Harry,  who  farms  the  old  home  place; 
John  E.,  a  farmer  of  York  county  who  was  in  the  United  States  service  during 
the  World  war,  belonging  to  Company  H,  S.  A.  T.  C;  Frank  A.,  who  lives  in 
Gresham,  and  was  in  United  States  service,  Company  G,  S.  A.  T.  C,  at  University 
Farm,  Lincoln,  Nebraska;  and  Jennie,  who  lives  with  her  mother. 

Mr.  Lindquist  adhered  to  the  teachings  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  cliureh  in 
the  faith  of  which  he  was  brought  up.  He  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the 
republican  party  and  served  as  treasurer  of  school  district  No.  35  for  nine  years, 
the  cause  of  education  having  always  found  in  him  a  stalwart  champion.  He  was 
one  of  the  influential  men  of  his  community,  his  opinions  carrying  weight  regard- 
ing jjulilic  affairs.     His  life  record  should  serve  to  inspire  and  encourage  others. 


CHRISTIAN  H.  ROLLING,  SE. 

Christian  H.  Kolling  is  a  retired  farmer  of  York,  who  in  the  course  of  an 
active  life  acquired  a  very  substantial  competence  that  now  enables  him  to  rest 
from  further  labors  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil.  He  was 
born  in  Mayenfeld,  Hanover,  Germany,  October  7,  1841,  a  son  of  Frederick  and 
Dorothy  (Bosnian)  Kolling,  who  were  natives  of  Germany.  The  father  was  a 
well-to-do  farmer  who  died  in  his  native  land  about  1870.  The  mother  followed 
her  sou  to  America  in  1881  and  spent  her  last  days  in  his  home  in  this  country, 
where  her  death  occurred  when  she  had  reached  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three 
years.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children  of  whom  only  two  are  living,  the 
elder  being  Mrs.  Sophia  Seegers,  who  was  still  living  in  Germany  when  word  was 
last  received  from  her.  The  religious  faith  of  the  family  was  that  of  the  Lutheran 
church. 

Christian  H.  Kolling  obtained  a  liberal  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
country.  On  coming  to  York  county  November  8,  1880,  he  purcliased  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  land  in  Lockridge  township  and  afterward  purchased  another 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acre  tract.  On  this  farm  he  reared  his  family  and  for 
many  years  carried  on  the  work  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.  His 
labors  greatly  promoted  the  productiveness  of  the  land.  He  also  engaged  in  raising 
hogs,  cattle  and  other  live  stock,  raising  and  feeding  from  one  hundred  and  fifty 
to  two  hundred  head  of  hogs  annually,  and  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  head  of 
cattle.  He  sold  his  land  in  York  county  a  few  years  ago  but  still  owns  a  half 
section  in  Kansas.  In  1894  he  purchased  a  nice  home  at  .534  Thompson  avenne 
and  in  189.5  he  retired  from  the  farm,  removing  to  York.  Mr.  Kolling  was  more 
fortunate  than  most  of  the  pioneer  farmers  of  the  county  for  he  had  made  a 
splendid  start  when  he  came  to  Nebraska.  Through  hard  work  and  close  applica- 
tion he  has  constantly  increased  his  fortunes  and  has  become  one  of  the  prosperous 
citizens  of  this  section  of  the  country.  Before  leaving  his  native  country  Mr. 
Kolling  served  for  five  years  in  the  German  army  and  participated  in  the  Franco- 
Prussian  war  of  1870. 

On  the  26th  of  July,  1867,  at  Hoist,  Germany,  Mr.  Kolling  was  married  to 
Sophia    Dorothe   Marie    Bremer,   a    daughter   of   Henry    Christian    and    Catherine 


1220  HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

EliZiibeth    (Miller)    Bremer.      She  was  burn  October   17,  1844,  and  died  in  York 
county. 

To  ilr.  and  Mrs.  Kolling  have  been  born-  four  children  of  whom  three  are 
living:  Henry  Frederick  Christian,  born  April  "26,  1868,  has  for  thirty  years  been 
cashier  of  the  City  National  Bank  of  York.  He  is  married  and  has  two  children, 
Henry  and  Delia;  Dorotha  Wilhelmena  Louisa  Catherine  Sophie,  the  second  of 
the  family,  is  the  wife  of  Sherman  Bensen  of  York,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  business,  and  they  have  two  children,  Howard  and  Olive ;  Christian  Conrad 
Frederick  died  in  infancy;  Doras  Dorotha  Sophia  Frie(hi,  twin  of  Christian,  is  at 
home  and  acts  as  housekee])er  for  her  father.  She  is  a  graduate  of  the  York  high 
school.  Mr.  Kolling  was  originally  a  Lutheran  but  is  now  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episco])al  church.  For  many  years  tlie  family  has  resided  in  Nebraska,  and  here 
Mr.  Kolling  has  enjoyed  excellent  business  opportunities  which  he  has  improved, 
thus  advancing  step  by  step  toward  the  goal  of  success  until  he  is  now  numbered 
among  the  more  substantial  retired  farmers  of  York  county. 


HERMAN  ZIEMKE 


Herman  Ziemke  is  practically  a  self-made  man  who  has  gained  a  creditable 
position  among  the  representative  and  prosperous  farmers  of  York  county.  He 
arrived  in  this  section  of  the  state  almost  empty-handed  but  saw  the  opportunities 
here  offered  and  has  utilized  them  to  good  advantage.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  a 
valuable  farm  projierty  of  four  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  section  33,  Stewart 
township.  He  was  born  in  Germany,  January  27,  1870,  a  son  of  John  and  Wil- 
lielmina  (Stroschin)  Ziemke,  also  natives  of  Germany  and  in  that  country  both 
passed  their  last  days. 

It  was  in  1894  that  Herman  Ziemke  came  to  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  in  April 
of  the  same  year  he  reached  York  county.  During  the  droughts  of  that  year  he 
worked  on  a  thrasher  and  stacked  straw  for  seventy-tive  cents  per  day.  In  the  next 
year  he  worked  for  sixty-five  cents  a  day  and  in  1806  shucked  corn  at  a  dollar  a 
day,  from  these  meager  earnings  managing  to  save  something  with  winch  to  realize 
his  ambition  to  acquire  a  farm  of  his  own.  He  started  farming  on  his  own  account 
by  renting  laud  and  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  in  these  two 
branches  of  agricultural  activity  meeting  with  considerable  success.  He  continued 
renting  until  18!)i)  when  he  purchased  eighty  acres  located  in  New  York  township, 
the  place  at  that  time  having  but  a  small  frame  house  on  it  and  here  he  and  his 
family  lived  for  about  eight  years  and  then  sold  out  to  advantage.  In  1907  Mr. 
Ziemke  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Stewart  township,  the 
holding  at  the  time  he  acquired  it  having  but  small  improvements.  Fiion  that 
place  he  has  since  resided  and  has  made  many  valuable  improvements,  its  splendid 
appearance  being  indicative  of  the  care  and  labor  which  he  has  bestowed  upon  it. 
His  entire  property  consists  of  four  hundred  and  forty  acres  and  on  this,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  successful  cultivation  of  general  crops,  he  raises  a  good  grade  of  live 
stock  and  feeds  large  numbers  of  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  markets.  He  is  now  one 
of  the  substantial  farmers  of  this  section  of  the  state  and  the  result  achieved  is 
due  to  his  industry,  his  perseverance  and  his  determination. 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1221 

Before  leaving  Germany  in  1894  Mr.  Ziemke  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sophia 
Wiese,  also  a  native  of  Germany,  and  to  their  union  five  eliildren  have  been  born: 
John,  Ida,  Otto  and  Helen,  all  at  home  with  their  parents,  and  Fred,  who  died 
when  two  years  old.  In  addition  to  his  farming  interests  Mr.  Ziemke  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Thayer.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  to  the  upkeep  of  which  they  are  liberal  subscribers.  He  votes  an 
independent  ticket  in  political  affairs  and  in  matters  of  local  import  lends  his  aid 
and  influence  to  such  movements  as  are  calculated  to  improve  the  moral  and 
material  welfare  of  the  community  in  which  he  and  his  wife  have  large  numbers 
of  sincere  friends. 


ORSENUS  M.  DOTY 


A  long  life  of  usefulness  and  service  was  brought  to  an  end  on  the  liJth  of  July, 
1918,  when  Orsenus  M.  Doty,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 'died  at  his  home  in  York. 
His  death  was  the  occasion  of  widespread  grief  in  the  community,  for  during  his 
residence  in  York  he  had  made  many  friends. 

Orsenus  M.  Doty  was  born  in  Lenawee  county,  Michigan,  February  19,  1841,  a 
son  of  Isaac  and  Lucretia  (Bruce)  Doty,  both  natives  of  Massachusetts.  At  an 
early  day  they  removed  to  Michigan  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming.  He 
was  a  dyer  in  the  textile  mills  in  Massachusetts.  The  ancestry  of  the  family  is 
one  to  be  proud  of  for  the  line  is  traceable  to  Edward  Doty,  who  came  to  this 
country  on  the  Mayflower. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  0.  M.  Doty  attended  the  schools  of  Michi- 
gan and  when  in  early  manhood  the  Civil  war  threw  its  shadow  over  the  land  Mr. 
Doty  was  among  the  first  to  enlist  in  the  service  of  the  Union.  He  joined  the  old 
Fourth  Michigan  Infantry  and  served  until  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  In  this 
battle  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  hip  and  shoulder  which  caused  him  to  be  a 
cripple  for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  his 
home  in  Michigan.  He  was  a  decorator  and  painter  by  trade  and  at  times  was 
able  to  do  a  little  of  this  kind  of  work.  In  1870  he  removed  to  Illinois  where  he 
was  married  and  in  1882  he  and  his  wife  came  to  York  county,  where  they  con- 
tinued to  live  until  his  death.  Mr.  Doty  owned  eighty  acres  of  land  in  New  York 
township,  the  income  from  whicli,  together  with  a  large  pension,  enabled  him  to 
be  financially  independent  in  his  last  years.  He  bought  a  house  on  Lincoln  avenue 
where  they  lived  for  thirty-five  years,  and  where  Mrs.  Doty  still  resides  and  she  is 
still  in  possession  of  the  land.  For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Doty  was  paralyzed, 
lieing  unable  to  feed  himself,  but  throughout  all  of  his  suffering  he  remained  cheer- 
ful and  on  his  demise  a  keen  loss  was  felt  by  all  of  his  friends  and  acquaintances  in 
the  community. 

On  March  10,  1870,  soon  after  coming  to  Illinois,  Mr.  Doty  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Nellie  A.  Gibler  who  was  born  in  Stephenson  county,  Illinois,  in 
1849.  Her  parents  were  John  and  Elizabeth  (Wagner)  Gibler,  the  former  a  native 
of  Maryland.  They  were  married  in  Pennsylvania  and  removed  to  Ohio  where 
they  resided  for  some  time,  coming  to  Illinois  in  1844  where  they  remained  the 
rest  of  their  lives.  Ten  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibler,  of  whom  Mrs. 
Doty  was  the  seventh  in  order  of  birth.     The  death  of  Mr.  Gibler  occurred  in  1872 


1222  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

at  the  ago  of  sixty-nine  years  and  his  wife  died  in  the  same  year  at  the  age  of 
fifty-nine.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doty  two  children  were  born,  namely : 
Mark,  wlio  for  twenty  years  traveled  for  the  Broadhead  Woolen  Mills,  is  now 
traveling  for  a  large  silk  company  in  Xew  York  city,  and  who  now  makes  his 
home  in  Jamestown,  New  Y'ork ;  and  Jennie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Ora  Tucker  who  is 
in  the  stockyards  at  Omaha,  Nebraska.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tucker  are  the  parents  of 
four  girls:  Jessie,  twenty  years  of  age;  Louise,  aged  nineteen  years:  ^lary,  who 
is  three  years  of  age;  and  Jacquelin,  one  year  old. 

Throughout  his  life  Mr.  Doty  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and 
was  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day,  and  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order.  He  was  badly  disabled  by  the  wounds  received  in  the  Civil 
war  and  which  unfitted  hiiu  for  work,  but  he  was  a  man  of  strong  character,  of 
firm  purpose  and  of  high  idsals  and  he  lived  to  see  his  life  crowned  with  successful 
achievement.  Mrs.  Doty,  for  many  years  his  stanch  and  devoted  helpmeet,  is  a 
highly  esteemed  citizen  of  the  community. 


G.  C.  NORQUEST 

Ct.  C.  Norquest,  who  is  actively  engaged  in  farming  in  McFadden  township, 
York  county,  is  a  native  of  Sweden,  coming  to  this  country  at  the  age  of  seven 
with  his  parents.  His  father  was  John  Norquest,  who  was  born  in  Sweden,  coming 
to  America  in  1869  where  he  worked  on  the  railroad  in  Iowa  and  Nebraska,  later 
taking  up  a  homestead  in  1871  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  thirty-two,  in 
wiiat  is  now  LeRoy  township.  His  first  home  was  the  primitive  dngout  which 
was  rather  more  of  a  hole  in  the  ground  than  a  house.  Later  this  property  was 
traded  to  his  cousin  for  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  where  he  made  his  home  the  rest 
of  his  life,  passing  away  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight.  His  wife,  who  is  now  eighty-two 
years  of  age,  still  lives  on  the  old  homestead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norquest  are  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  were  born  in  Sweden,  and  two  born  in 
America.  They  are:  John,  who  is  employed  at  the  Moline  Plow  Company,  and 
resides  in  Moline,  Illinois;  Peter,  who  lives  in  Kansas;  C.  C,  who  is  engaged  in 
farming  in  York  county;  Emma,  the  wife  of  Oscar  Swanson,  who  lives  in  Brad- 
shaw,  York  county;  Ingrid,  the  wife  of  Nels  Nelson,  of  York  county;  Gus  G.,  who 
died,  leaving  a  widow  and  family :  and  a  daughter  who  passed  away  in  1898. 

When  his  father  came  to  York  county  C.  C.  Norquest  was  ten  years  old.  He 
remembers  very  well  the  trip  from  Sweden,  when  they  went  from  thir  native  town 
to  Malma,  Sweden,  thence  to  Copenhagen,  to  Hull,  England,  overland  to  Liverpool 
where  they  boarded  a  ves.sel  bound  for  the  United  States,  landing  at  Castle  Garden, 
wliere  they  took  a  train  for  Lincoln,  and  went  from  there  to  Fairmont.  Here  it 
was  tliat  a  man  named  Ellis  took  them  to  their  new  honu^  in  a  wairon,  witli  a 
little  hay  in  the  bottom  of  the  box.  The  conveyance  was  not  very  comfortable  and 
it  was  midnight  when  they  arrived  at  the  little  hut  that  was  to  be  their  new 
home.  Y'ork  was  but  a  small  village  at  that  time,  having  two  stores  and  a  black- 
smith shop,  and  Mr.  Norquest  remembers  roaming  over  the  prairies  as  a  barefoot 
boy  and  seeing  oxen  and  horses  hitched  to  the  same  plow.  During  the  day  the 
fai-nici'    unyoked   the   tixcn    and    let    them    feed    on    the    ])rairies   grass    which    was 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COLTXTY  122;^ 

abundant.  Antelopes  and  coyotes  were  numerous  in  those  days  and  the  black  flies 
were  a  pestilence  that  disturbed  the  oxen  and  horses.  Mr.  Xorquest  recalls  an 
amusing  incident  that  occurred  when  a  yoke  of  oxen  belonging  to  an  old  settler 
named  Peter  Feeny,  ran  away  while  on  a  journey  to  York.  Mr.  Xorc|uest's  mothei- 
was  in  the  wagon  with  a  basket  of  eggs  which  she  was  taking  to  market,  and  she 
and  the  contents  of  her  basket  were  spilled  along  the  road,  much  to  the  amusement 
of  Mr.  Feeny  who  was  an  Irishman  with  a  generous  sense  of  humor,  for  he  stood 
on  the  road  ami  laughed  at  the  result  of  the  accident  with  what  seemed  to  be 
imcalled  for  mirth. 

In  1898  Mr.  Xorquest  began  farming  with  eighty  acres  and  today  he  owns  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  well  improved  land,  which  is  the  reward  of  his  zeal 
aiul  untiring  efforts.  For  fourteen  years  he  managed  a  threshing  machine  outfit 
in  the  county.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Ida  Pierson,  a  native  of  Sweden  whose 
parents  passed  away  when  she  was  a  child.  To  this  union  have  been  born  eleven 
children,  nine  of  whom  are  living  at  home,  two  having  died  in  childhood :  Ellen 
who  passed  away;  Era,  Paul,  Albert,  June,  Frank,  Charles,  Rodna,  Elkins  and 
Wilbur.  The  Xorquest  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  McCool 
Junction.  In  politics  Mr.  Xorquest  is  independent,  preferring  to  give  his  support 
to  the  movements  he  deems  most  worthy  and  to  the  men  best  fitted  to  fill  the 
offices.  For  several  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board,  and  stands 
for  the  things  which  are  of  vital  worth  to  the  community,  the  commonwealth  and 
the  country,  and  his  aid  and  influence  are  always  given  on  the  side  of  right, 
progress  and  improvement. 


ROBERT  V.  GREWELL 


For  twenty-seven  years  Robert  V.  Grewell  has  been  a  resident  of  York  county 
and  is  widely  recognized  as  a  prominent  and  successful  farmer.  He  is  now  living 
retired  in  York  where  he  is  an  active  and  representative  citizen. 

Robert  V.  Grewell  was  born  in  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio,  on  the  14th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1847,  a  .son  of  Thomas  I),  and  Xancy  (Wilson)  Grewell.  His  parents  were 
both  Ohioans  and  the  father  was  a  successful  carpenter.  For  some  years  they 
resided  in  Iowa  and  in  1870  removed  to  Xebraska,  settling  in  Saline  county  where 
they  acquired  a  homestead.  During  the  Civil  war  the  father  drove  mules  for  the 
government.  He  had  two  sons  in  the  war  also,  John  W.  and  H.  C.  At  the  age 
of  ninety-two  years  Thomas  D.  Grewell  passed  away  and  the  mother  died  at  the 
advanced  age  of  ninety-five  years.  Xine  children  were  born  to  them  of  whom 
eight  are  living.  Robert  V.  Grewell  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth  and  is  the 
only  member  of  the  family  residing  in  York  county.  The  parents  were  both  con- 
sistent members  of  the  United  Brethren  churcli  and  he  was  a  stanch  supporter  of 
the  republican  party.  The  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  review  was  John 
Grewell  who  was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  a  prominent  man  in  his  community.  The 
maternal  grandfather  was  Robert  Wilson,  a  native  of  Ireland.  He  came  to  this 
country  at  an  early  age  and  his  death  occurred  in  Ohio  at  the  age  of  one  hundred 
and  three  years. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Robert  V.  (irewell  attended  the  schools  in 
Iowa.     After  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he  worked  out  on  a  farm,  driving  oxen 


1224  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

and  breaking  the  ground.  In  18(56  lie  made  a  trip  i'mni  Nebraska  City  to  Denver 
with  an  ox  team  and  lie  assisted  in  the  building  of  the  Union  Pacific  railway, 
being  present  when  the  golden  spike  was  driven.  In  the  spring  of  1870  he  settled 
in  Saline  county  and  there  he  homesteaded  and  married.  He  sold  his  farm  in 
this  county  in  18IK3  and  removed  to  York  county  where  he  purchased  a  farm  con- 
sisting of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Baker  township.  This  farm  has  been 
well  cultivated  and  imiiroved  and  is  considered  one  of  the  finest  in  tlie  county.  He 
has  never  resided  on  his  farm,  however,  preferring  to  make  his  home  in  York.  He 
is  now  retired  and  living  at  722  East  avenue. 

In  April  (if  the  year  1871  Mr.  Grewell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mi.ss  Lizzie 
Dawson,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Berthena  Dawson.  Her  father  was  a  native  of 
Kentucky  and  they  were  both  pioneer  settlers  iu  Saline  county,  coming  to  that 
county  in  1869.  Both  of  them  are  now  deceased,  having  died  at  their  home  there. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grewell  have  become  parents  of  three  children,  namely:  Thomas, 
who  is  engaged  in  the  furniture  business  in  York ;  Mertle,  who  is  deceased ;  and 
Willie,  also  deceased. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Grew'ell  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  is  always  well  informed  on  the 
questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  consistent  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  church  and  take  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  that  organi- 
zation. Mr.  Grewell  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  much  business  ability  and  is  one 
of  York's  most  representative  citizens. 


M.  L.  WAENER 


Since  1901)  ]\I.  L.  Warner,  who  was  for  many  years  a  farmer  in  Polk  county, 
Nebraska,  has  resided  retired  in  York.  He  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, near  Mercersburg,  January  2.5,  1847,  a  son  of  William  and  Hannah  (Miley) 
Warner,  further  mention  of  whom  is  made  in  the  sketcli  of  Clarence  H.  AVarner,  to 
be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

M.  L.  Warner  received  his  education  in  the  country  schools  of  Pennsylvania 
and  for  some  time  engaged  in  farming  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside.  He 
learned  the  harness  maker's  trade,  however,  and  followed  this  line  of  work  for  a 
period  of  eleven  years  in  Illinois  and  Iowa.  In  1873  he  came  to  Nebraska  and 
settled  in  Eiehardson  county  but  spent  the  following  year  working  at  his  trade 
in  Fremont  and  various  places  in  Omaha.  In  1875  he  removed  to  Polk  county, 
bought  land  and  farmed  it  for  over  thirty-five  years.  In  1909  he  came  to  York, 
deciding  to  retire  from  active  life  and  Iniilt  a  nice  honie  at  1631  Iowa  avenue.  He 
sold  the  land  in  Polk  county  before  coming  to  York  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a 
quarter  section  of  fine  land  in  York  county,  in  McFadden  township. 

On  the  oth  of  December,  190.5,  Mr.  Warner  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Jane  Ilauhiian,  a  native  of  Mercersburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  Herman 
and  Jlalinda  (Warner)  Haulman.  Her  father  wa.s  a  blacksmith  and  spent  his 
entire  life  in  Pennsylvania. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Warner  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party,  in  the  interests  of  which  he  has  always 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1225 

taken  an  active  part  but  has  neither  sought  nor  desired  public  otRce.  Mr.  Warner 
was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources  early  in  life  and  the  success  which  he  now 
enjoys  is  attributable  to  his  own  diligence  and  labor.  He  is  one  of  York's  repre- 
sentative and  progressive  citizens. 


MRS.  LILLIE  MAY  GILMORE  HUNT 

There  is  no  tribute  too  great  to  be  paid  to  the  pioneer  mothers  of  this  and 
other  states  who  endured  years  of  hardship  that  we  might  live  in  a  land  of  peace 
and  plenty.  Their  lives  were  for  the  most  part  uneventful,  tilled  with  the  labor  of 
love  for  their  luisbands  and  children.  There  were  few  hardships  of  those  early 
pioneer  days  with  which  Mrs.  Lillie  May  Gilmore  Hunt  was  not  familiar.  She 
was  born  on  the  3rd  of  June,  1866,  at  Bluevale.  Y^ork  county,  and  was  the  first 
white  child  born  in  that  county.  Nebraska  at  that  time  was  still  a  territory.  Her 
parents,  Jacob  Rush  and  Catherine  (Barrows)  Gilmore,  had  come  to  Y'ork  county 
after  the  Civil  war,  her  father  having  acquired  a  homestead  on  the  southeast  quarter 
of  section  7,  township  9,  range  1.  He  came  to  Nebraska  in  the  fall  of  1865  and 
in  April  of  the  following  year  her  mother  and  her  sister  who  is  now  Mrs.  Ella 
Gilmore  Button,  came  to  Nebraska  by  way  of  steamboat  down  the  Illinois  river 
to  Cairo,  then  down  the  Mississippi  to  St.  Louis,  across  the  Missouri  river  to  St. 
Joseph  and  from  there  up  the  Missouri  river  to  Nebraska  City.  There  Jacob  E. 
Gilmore  met  them  with  an  ox  team  and  wagon,  and  they  were  several  days  in 
driving  from  there  to  the  home  in  York  county,  a  distance  of  over  a  hundred 
miles.  The  farm  on  which  Mrs.  Hunt  was  born  June  3,  1866,  is  still  owned  by 
her  uncle  S.  Gilmore,  who  came  to  York  county  in  the  fall  of  that  year  from 
his  home  at  Wenona,  Marshall  county,  Illinois.  Further  mention  of  Jacob  Rush 
Gilmore  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Mrs.  Hunt  received  her  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Y''ork  county  and 
on  the  27th  of  December,  1885,  was  united  in  marriage  in  the  Christian  church 
at  Bluevale  to  John  Edward  Hunt  of  Fairmont,  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Pardee,  a  well 
known  Christian  minister  of  the  early  days  in  York  and  Fillmore  counties,  per- 
forming the  ceremony.  For  several  years  following  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hunt  resided  in  Fairmont,  thence  removing  to  Alliance  where  they  lived  for  a 
period  of  eight  years,  subsequently  removing  to  Bayard.  For  twenty-three  years 
Mrs.  Hunt  has  resided  in  this  town  where  she  is  much  respected  and  beloved  by 
her  many  friends.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bayard  several  children  were 
born,  all  of  them  now  prominent  citizens  of  their  various  communities :  Susy  Bell 
Hunt  is  the  wife  of  Arthur  Jones  of  Grand  Island,  Nebraska;  John  Edward  Hunt 
enlisted  for  service  in  the  World  war  and  left  Bayard  September  31,  1D17,  for 
Camp  Funston,  Kansas.  He  was  later  ordered  overseas  with  the  Eighty-ninth 
Division  and  was  wounded  in  action  at  the  battle  of  Chateau  Thierry,  July  21, 
1918.  After  some  time  in  a  hospital  behind  the  lines  he  was  again  sent  to  the 
front  and  was  gassed  on  the  3rd  of  October,  1918.  After  being  released  from  the 
liospital  the  second  time  he  was  sent  with  the  army  of  occupation  to  Germany 
where  he  remained  until  August,  1919,  when  he  returned  to  the  states,  receiving 
his  discharge  and  returning  home  September  11,  1919.    He  is  now  married  to  Miss 


Vi-iC,  HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

Etliel  Dorothy  Lewcllen  of  Lincoln  who  for  several  years  was  stenographer  for  the 
Territorial  Pioneer  Association  and  also  for  the  ^lississippi  Valley  Historical  Asso- 
ciation. They  are  making  their  home  in  Bayard.  Another  member  of  the  family 
to  serve  in  the  World  war  was  C  Everette  Hunt  who  went  to  Camp  Funston,  Sep- 
tember 21.  1917,  where  he  remained  for  eleven  months  when  he  was  discharged 
on  account  of  ill  health.  He  returned  to  Iiis  home  on  the  20th  of  August,  15)18. 
He  is  now  in  the  employ  of  J.  L.  Mullen  of  Lincoln,  operating  a  dray  line  in  the 
drainage  district  at  Gordon,  Nebraska.  Nellie  Hattie  is  now  Mrs.  Leslie  Allen 
and  resides  with  her  mother  on  the  home  farm  two  miles  east  of  Bayard.  Two 
more  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hunt,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
The  death  of  Mr.  Hunt  occurred  on  May  2,  1916,  and  was  a  severe  blow  to  the 
community  where  he  was  recognized  as  a  representative  citizen. 

Other  members  of  the  Gilmore  family  living  besides  Mrs.  Hunt  are  the  father, 
who  is  residing  in  Corning,  California :  a  sister,  Mrs.  Ella  Button  of  Davis  Creek, 
California;  another  sister,  Mrs.  Adelie  Underwood,  is  residing  in  Grand  Valley, 
Colorado ;  a  brother,  Otis  E.  Gilmore,  is  living  in  Geneva ;  and  Mrs.  Susy  Fouse 
makes  her  home  in  Diichesne,  Utah.  The  gi'eater  part  of  Mrs.  Hunt's  life  has 
been  spent  on  a  farm,  and  she  was  a  most  important  factor  in  contributing  to  the 
success  of  her  husband,  ilanifold  duties  made  a  great  demand  upon  her  time  but 
she  was  never  too  bu.sy  to  take  a  little  time  to  read  and  keep  up  with  the  trend  of 
the  times.  She  is  active  in  the  interests  of  the  community  in  which  she  makes 
her  home  and  in  which  she  has  many  friends  who  recognize  her  true  personal 
worth  and  .sterling  traits  of  character. 


HENRY  BRANZ,  JR. 


Henry  Branz.  Jr.,  long  identified  with  agricultural  interests  in  York  county, 
is  the  owner  of  one  of  the  well  improved  farms  of  the  county,  his  place  being  on 
section  24,  Stewart  township,  where  he  has  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  rich 
and  valuable  land.  He  was  born  near  Peoria,  Illinois,  March  25,  1871,  a  son  of 
Henry  and  Annie  (Mahl)  Branz,  both  natives  of  Germany,  where  the  former  was 
born  in  May,  1834.  The  marriage  of  these  parents  took  place  in  Germany  and 
they  came  to  America  in  1863,  living  in  the  state  of  Illinois  for  many  years  and 
coming  to  York  county  in  1882.  A  more  extended  account  of  Henry  Branz,  Sr., 
will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work  in  the  review  of  Ernest  Branz. 

Henry  Branz,  Jr.,  accompanied  his  parents  to  York  county  from  Illinois  and 
completed  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  county.  He  was  reared  in 
his  father's  home  in  Stewart  township  and  assisted  for  many  years  in  carr\'ing  on 
the  work  of  the  home  farm,  there  becoming  thoroughly  grounded  in  all  the  impor- 
tant features  of  agricultural  life.  In  1905  he  moved  to  the  farm  on  which  he 
now  resides  and  ever  since  has  kept  in  close  touch  with  the  trend  of  modern 
progress  along  agricultural  lines  and  his  valuable  farm  property  of  two  hundred 
and  eighty  acres  indicates  his  careful  supervision  and  progressive  methods.  He 
has  carried  out  many  excellent  improvements  on  his  place  and  devotes  a  large 
portion  of  his  time  to  the  raising  of  grain  and  the  feeding  of  live  stock,  in  both 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COITXTY  1227 

these  lines  having  met  a  substantial  measure  of  success,  the  same  applying  to  the 
cultivation  of  crops  in  general. 

Mr.  Branz  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  county  who  has 
gained  a  gratifying  measure  of  success,  owing  to  his  close  application  and  untiring 
energy.  His  efforts  have  been  a  contributing  factor  in  bringing  about  the  splendid 
results  that  have  been  achieved  in  making  this  part  of  Nebraska  a  notable  agricul- 
tural belt  and  well  adapted  to  grain  raising. 


JOHN  W.  MILLER 


John  W.  Miller,  for  many  years  a  fanner  in  York  county,  was  born  in  Columbia 
county,  Pennsylvania,  March  16,  1868,  a  son  of  William  and  Barbara  (Traub) 
Miller.  The  father  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1837  and  died  in  1899  at  the 
age  of  sixty-two  years  and  the  mother  who  was  born  in  the  same  state  in  1844,  is 
now  residing  in  California.  For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  lived  on 
a  farm  in  Pennsylvania  and  in  the  spring  of  1872  came  west  to  York  county. 
Here  they  lived  for  some  time  and  then  moved  to  Benedict,  in  which  village  the 
father's  death  occurred.  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Miller's  death  he  had  in  his  possession 
but  eighty  acres  of  his  original  one  hundred  and  sixty  homestead  acres.  He  was 
recognized  throughout  the  community  in  which  he  resided  as  a  prominent  and 
successful  farmer  and  he  held  various  township  offices  which  he  filled  with  ability. 
During  the  Civil  war  he  served  in  a  Pennsylvania  regiment  and  was  twice  wounded 
in  the  leg.  He  also  had  two  fingers  shot  off  of  one  hand.  During  his  early  resi- 
dence in  York  county  lie  was  postmaster  at  Cressell.  In  the  passing  of  Mr.  Miller 
York  county  lost  one  of  its  pioneer  and  progressive  citizens. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  John  W.  Miller  attended  the  district  schools 
of  York.  He  did  not  have  the  chance  to  obtain  much  education,  however,  for  as 
the  oldest  of  a  family  of  children  he  was  called  upon  to  assist  in  the  support  of 
the  family.  Therefore  at  an  early  age  he  began  to  woi'k  out  by  the  month  on 
various  farms  and  for  eight  years  continued  this  work,  at  the  termination  of  which 
time  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account. 
The  experience  which  he  had  gained  in  working  for  others  stood  him  in  good  stead 
and  he  was  so  successful  in  this  venture  that  he  gradually  increased  his  land  pos- 
sessions until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  valuable  land 
located  east  of  Benedict.  In  1893  he  was  married  and  he  and  his  wife  resided  on 
the  farm  until  the  spring  of  1920  when  they  purchased  a  home  at  709  East  avenue, 
York,  and  Mr.  Miller  retired  from  active  business  life. 

In  the  spring  of  1893  Mr.  Miller  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bertha  Derner, 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Emma  Willard  (Blair) 
Derner.  Her  parents  were  also  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Yoi'k  county 
in  1879.  The  father  had  a  quarter  section  of  land  which  he  later  sold  and  removed 
to  York  where  he  engaged  in  the  carpenter  business  for  some  time.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Derner  are  now  living  retired.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  three  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  namely:  Evan  Edgar;  Roy  Williams;  and  Ora  Pauline. 
Evan  Edgar  graduated  from  the  Benedict  schools  and  then  took  a  course  in  a 
conmiercial  college  in  York.     He  later  married  Vera  Robertson  and  they  are  now 


1228  HISTOEY    OF   YORK    COUNTY 

residing  on  the  fatlier's  home  place.  Roy  Williams  graduated  from  the  high  school 
at  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  and  he  is  now  employed  in  a  storage  station.  Ora  Pauline 
is  in  her  last  year  at  York  high  school. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Miller  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  is  always  well  versed  on  all  of  the 
important  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  which  order  he  has  filled  all  of  the  chairs; 
the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks;  and  the  ilodern  Woodmen.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Miller  are  members  of  the  Rebekahs.  They  are  likewise  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  church.  The  success  which  Mr.  Miller  now  enjoys  is  the 
result  of  his  own  diligence  and  labor  and  though  he  has  been  a  resident  of  York 
but  a  short  time  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  its  most  progressive  and  representative 
citizens. 


JACOB  RUSH  GILMORE 

One  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  York  county,  Nebraska,  was  Jacob  Rush  Gilmore, 
who  is  now  residing  in  Corning,  California,  enjoying  the  reward  of  a  life  wisely 
and  usefully  spent.  He  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  12, 
1834,  a  son  of  Elias  and  Huldah  (Rush)  Gilmore,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania 
in  which  state  the  birth  of  the  former  occurred  on  the  12th  of  March,  1812,  while 
the  latter  was  born  November  1,  1816.  Mrs.  Gilmore  was  a  descendant  of  Ben- 
jamin Rush,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  The  Gilmore 
family  came  from  their  Pennsylvania  home  to  Illinois  shortly  before  the  outbreak 
of  the  Civil  war,  after  the  close  of  which  conflict  they  removed  to  Nebraska,  settling 
in  York  county  in  1866.    They  were  one  of  the  early  pioneer  families  of  that  state. 

The  education  of  Jacob  Rush  Gilmore  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of 
Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  early  manhood  he  removed  to  Illinois  with 
his  parents,  from  which  state  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  war.  On  the 
18th  of  April,  1861,  he  joined  Company  C,  Twentieth  Illinois  Infantry,  at  Pontiac, 
for  three  months'  service,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  reenlisted  at  Joliet,  Illinois, 
for  three  years'  active  service.  He  reenlisted  for  the  second  time  at  Blackriver, 
Mississippi,  on  the  4th  of  January,  1864,  and  on  the  !)th  of  April,  1865,  was  dis- 
charged at  Goldsboro,  North  Carolina,  on  account  of  wounds.  He  was  with  Sher- 
man on  his  march  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea  and  participated  in  the  following  battles 
and  skirmishes:  Frederickstown,  Forts  Henry  aiul  Donaldson,  Shiloh,  Burton's 
Lane,  Thompson's  Hill,  Raymond,  Clinton,  Jackson,  Champion  Hill,  invasion  of 
Yicksburg,  and  was  wounded  in  charge  at  Ft.  Hill  in  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain and  Atlanta.  After  the  war  he  removed  to  York  county  and  established  the 
first  postoffice  at  Bluevale  in  1866.  This  was  the  first  office, in  this  county  and  he 
held  the  position  of  postmaster  for  a  period  of  about  nine  years.  In  1899  he  went 
to  Colorado,  his  wife  having  died,  and  soon  after  his  arrival  in  Perkins  county, 
that  state,  he  was  again  wed.  For  several  years  he  made  his  home  in  Colorado 
and  then  removed  to  California  where  he  still  resides,  leading  a  quiet  life  after 
the  many  years  of  his  adventurous  life  as  soldier  and  pioneer. 

On  the  17th  of  April,  1860,  in  ^Marshall  county,  Illinois,  Mr.  Gilmore  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Mi.ss  Catherine  Elizabeth  Barrows,  a  daughter  of  P.  A.  and 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1229 

Mary  Ann  Barrows.  To  this  union  the  following  children  Were  born :  Ella,  who 
is  the  wife  of  S.  J.  Button :  Lillie  May,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Hunt;  Adelie,  who  is  the 
wife  of  J.  L.  Underwood ;  Susy,  the  wife  of  Probus  Fouse ;  and  0.  E.  Gilmore  who 
married  Miss  Hanna  Uphouse.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Gilmore  occurred  in  York 
county  in  1883.  Mr.  Gilmore's  second  marriage  was  in  Perkins  county,  Colorado, 
when  he  wedded  Miss  Elizabeth  Bivens.  To  this  marriage  five  children  were  born: 
Raymond,  Myrtle,  Orville,  James,  and  Percy. 

Mr.  Gilmo're  has  always  given  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  having  firm 
belief  in  the  principles  of  this  party  as  factors  in  good  government.  He  has  been 
a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  church.  At  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-three 
years  Mr.  Gilmore  is  residing  in  Corning,  California,  an  honored  and  respected 
citizen. 


GEORGE  RAGAN^ 


For  thirteen  years  George  Ragan  has  been  a  resident  of  York  and  he  is  now 
residing  in  his  home  at  1833  Grant  avenue,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  a  life  of  dili- 
gence and  industry. 

George  Ragan  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  January  20,  1S16,  a  son 
of  John  and  Sarah  (Curtis)  Ragan,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  while 
the  latter  was  born  in  Ohio.  Their  marriage  took  place  in  Ohio  and  at  an  early 
date  they  removed  to  Illinois  where  their  deaths  occurred,  he  passing  away  in  1870 
and  she  in  1849.  Six  children  were  born  to  them  of  whom  only  the  subject  of 
this  review,  George  Ragan,  is  living.  On  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  John 
Ragan  volunteered  and  was  in  active  service  for  some  time.  Politically  he  was  a 
member  of  the  republican  party  and  was  well  informed  on  all  the  questions  and 
issues  of  the  day. 

George  Ragan  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Dewitt  county,  Illinois, 
and  in  1864  entered  into  the  Civil  war,  serving  until  its  close.  At  the  termination 
of  the  war  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1883  he  came  to 
York  county  where  he  bought  land  in  Lockridge  township  and  still  owns  this  land 
consisting  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  His  wife  is  also  owner  of  forty 
acres.  When  he  took  possession  of  the  farm  there  was  a  small  frame  house  on  it 
and  he  immediately  erected  a  barn  and  other  outbuildings.  Mr.  Ragan  and  his 
family  resided  on  this  farm  until  January,  1907,  when  they  removed  to  York 
where  he  had  purchased  a  nice  home  at  1823  Grant  avenue.  Here  Mr.  Ragan 
has  since  resided,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  a  life  of  diligence  and  many  hardships. 

In  1880  Mr.  Ragan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sophie  Miller,  who  was 
born  near  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Burri)  Miller. 
Her  parents  were  born  in  Germany,  coming  to  this  country  in  their  early  life  and 
settling  in  St.  Louis  where  they  were  married.  For  a  number  of  years  they 
resided  in  Missouri  and  then  removed  to  Sangamon  county  and  subsequently  to 
Tazewell  county,  Illinois.  In  1SS4  they  removed  to  York  county  where  the  father 
bought  land.  Mrs.  Miller's  death  occurred  on  the  home  place,  while  Mr.  Miller 
are  living,  namely:  Mrs.  Ragan,  the  wife  of  the  subject  of  this  review;  Frank, 
who  is  a  bridge  contractor  residing  in  Springfield,  Illinois;  William,  engaged  in 
passed  away  in  York.     Seven  cliiklren  were  born  to  that  union  of  whom  only  five 

Vol.  n— 42 


1230  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY 

tlie  real  estate  business  in  York;  Henrv,  who  is  fanning  in  York  county;  and 
Edwin,  who  is  a  well  known  dentist  in  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ragau  have  no 
children. 

Mr.  Ragan  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  part}',  in  the  interests  of 
wliich  he  takes  an'  active  part.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ragan  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren 
church  and  she  is  a  member  of  various  church  societies  of  that  organization.  When 
Mr.  Ragan  started  out  into  the  business  world  he  had  nothing  to  rely  upon  except 
his  ability  to  work  hard  and  a  strong  determination  to  succeed.  He  went  through 
all  the  pioneer  hardships  of  the  early  days,  overcoming  obstacles  that  would  have 
crushed  many  a  man.  It  was  not  long  until  he  had  his  farm  out  of  debt  and  then 
forged  steadily  ahead  until  today  he  is  financially  independent.  During  the  years 
of  his  residence  in  Yoi-k  Mr.  Ragan  has  made  many  and  fast  friends  and  he  is 
recognized  throughout  the  community  as  one  of  York's  most  representative  citizens. 


MAETIX  PIEPER 


Martin  Pieper,  who  follows  farming  on  section  23,  Beaver  township,  was  born  in 
the  house  which  is  now  his  home  on  the  18th  of  August,  1899,  a  son  of  William 
and  Wilhelmina  (Wellmann)  Pieper,  extended  mention  of  whom  is  made  elsewhere 
in  this  work. 

Martin  Pieper  received  liis  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  county  (York) 
and  early  in  life  engaged  in  farming.  He  has  always  remained  on  the  homestead 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  is  now  managing  it  for  his  mother.  He  owns 
eighty  acres  of  fine  land  in  Seward  county. 

On  the  11th  of  February,  1911,  Mr.  Pieper  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Gertrude  Brackhan,  a  daughter  of  Christ  and  Wilhelmina  (Xowack)  Brackhau, 
early  settlers  of  this  county  who  are  still  residing  on  a  farm  in  Beaver  township. 
To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pieper  one  child  has  been  born :  Clarence.  The 
religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Pieper  votes 
with  the  republican  party,  but  the  honors  and  emoluments  of  office  have  no  attrac- 
tion for  him.  Mr.  Pieper  is  employing  the  progressive  and  enterprising  charac- 
teristics of  the  west  to  liis  farm  work  and  has  already  gained  a  gratifying  aiiKumt 
of  prosperity. 


FRED  XEHSER 


Fred  Xehser,  a  prosperous  and  well  known  farmer  for  many  years  identified 
with  agricultural  operations  in  York  county,  as  well  as  having  commercial  inter- 
ests in  Gresham,  is  a  native  of  Iowa,  born  in  Clayton  county,  February  27,  1860,  • 
a  son  of  Lewis  and  Mary  (^lyer)  Xehser,  both  natives  of  Germany.  The  parents 
came  to  America  in  1855,  making  the  voyage  on  an  old  sailing  vessel,  the  passage 
occupying  thirty-one  days.  Lewis  Xehser  was  one  of  a  party  of  five  hundred 
comprised  of  all  kinds  of  tradesmen,  who  located  at  Communia,  Iowa,  and  there 
they  became  a  colony  settlement,  pursuing  their  usual  avocations  and  also  engaging 


HISTOEY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY  1231 

in  agricultural  operations.  He  proceeded  to  clear  a  tract  of  land,  removing  all  the 
timber  and  subsequently  succeeded  in  getting  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres 
into  condition  for  the  raising  of  crops.  He  used  oxen  and  was  the  first  in  the 
district  to  buy  a  horse  team  for  working  the  land.  His  efforts  in  the  cultivation  of 
his  fields  were  uniformly  successful  and  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the 
prairie  soil  yield  to  the  plow  and  harrow  and  produce  in  abundance.  His  personal 
part  in  bringing  about  these  results  will  stand  to  his  credit  for  many  generations. 
He  died  on  the  farm  at  the  age  of  seventy  years  and  his  wife  passed  away  in  1890. 

Fred  Nehser  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county  and 
was  reared  on  his  father's  place,  assisting  in  the  labors  of  the  farm.  His  early 
youth  and  young  manhood  were  uneventful  amid  the  surroundings  of  the  farm 
home  and  he  continued  to  work  along  steadily  until  his  thirty-third  year.  It  was 
in  189.3  that  Mr.  Xehser  came  to  York  county  and  settled  in  Gresham.  He  bought 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  which  a  small  frame  house  stood  and 
successfully  operated  this  place,  doing  general  fanning  and  stock  raising,  being 
for  thre^  years  engaged  in  the  buying  and  shipping  of  live  stock  which  yielded 
financial  results  of  a  substantial  character.  He  made  some  valuable  improvements 
on  his  land  and  employed  the  most  modern  machinery  in  the  work  of  the  farm. 
Aside  from  his  land  interests  he  established  and  directed  the  Xehser  Creamery,  at 
the  end  of  two  years  selling  out  to  a  firm  at  Aurora.  Later  in  connection  with 
his  farming  activities  he  commenced  the  breeding  of  Poland  China  hogs  and 
shorthorn  cattle  and  in  this  line,  as  in  his  other  enterprises,  his  labors  were 
adequately  rewarded.  The  call  of  opportunity  has  ever  been  to  him  a  call  to 
action  and  one  to  which  he  has  readily  responded,  herein  lying  the  secret  of  his 
success. 

In  1897  Mr.  Xehser  was  united  in  marriage  to  Hattie  Wolford  and  to  that 
union  three  children  have  been  born :  Eaymond,  who  died  at  the  age  of  one  year 
and  ten  days ;  James,  who  served  in  the  Students  Army  Training  Corps,  at  Has- 
tings, Xebraska;  and  Lillian,  who  is  attending  high  school.  Mr.  Xehser  votes  an 
independent  ticket  and  is  much  interested  in  everything  that  pertains  to  the  public 
welfare  and  cooperates  heartily  in  those  measures  and  movements  which  are  a 
matter  of  civic  virtue  and  civic  pride. 


SILAS  M.  SAEVER 


Since  1915,  Silas  M.  Sarver  has  been  engaged  in  the  coal  business  in  York, 
and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  that  community.  He  was 
born  in  Morgan  county,  Ohio,  February  21,  1857,  his  parents  being  Jacob  and 
Rosa  (Ahle)  Sarver,  the  former  bom  in  Butte  county,  Pennsylvania,  while  the 
latter  was  a  native  of  Germany.  Their  marriage  was  celebrated  in  Pennsylvania 
and  in  the  early  fifties  they  emigrated  to  Ohio  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  In 
March,  1864,  they  removed  to  Kansas  where  he  had  purchased  some  land  and 
resided  there  until  1886,  and  for  some  time  he  was  superintendent  of  the  county 
farm.  Mr.  Sarver  had  been  successful  in  his  farming  ventures  and  in  1886  they 
removed  to  York,  spending  their  last  days  in  retirement.  He  was  a  stanch  sup- 
porter of  tlie  republican  party  and  belonged  to  the  United  Brethren  church,  while 


1232  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

his  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  During  the  Civil  war  Mr. 
Sarver  answered  his  country's  call  to  arms  and  was  a  participant  in  many  of  the 
important  battles  of  the  war  and  iu  Morgan's  raid.  His  death  occurred  in  York 
and  Mrs.  8arver  passed  away  in  April,  1!)20,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six 
years.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  union :  Silas  M.,  the  subject  of  this 
review;  and  Rosa  Brott,  who  is  the  wife  of  H.  W.  Brott,  of  York.  Jacob  Sarver, 
the  grandfather,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  lived  and  died  there,  and  was  one  of 
the  prominent  men  of  his  community. 

The  education  received  by  Silas  M.  Sarver  was  very  limited  and  as  he  was 
reared  on  a  farm  he  followed  that  occupation,  going  to  western  Kansas  where  he 
homesteaded.  In  1883  he  sold  his  home  and  the  following  year  came  to  York 
county  where  he  lived  on  rented  land  for  two  years.  In  the  spring  of  1886  he 
removed  to  the  City  of  York  and  worked  in  a  lumber-yard  there  seventeen  years 
for  one  employer  and  ten  years  for  another.  In  1915  he  went  into  the  coal  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account,  selling  all  kinds  of  coal.  He  also  owns  two  farms  in 
western  Nebraska  iu  which  he  takes  not  a  little  interest.  The  success  which  Mr. 
Sarver  is  now  enjoying  is  the  result  of  his  invincible  courage  and  diligence.  When 
he  and  his  wife  first  settled  in  York  they  had  practically  nothing.  He  had  made 
no  money  on  the  farms,  for  his  crops  had  been  ruined  by  hail  and  it  was  only  by 
the  hardest  of  work  and  the  most  careful  saving  that  they  finally  got  ahead.  Some 
men  would  have  broken  under  the  immense  strain  suffered  by  Mr.  Sarver,  but  he 
was  determined  to  win  out  and  today  he  is  reaping  his  reward. 

In  the  fall  of  1883  Mr.  Sarver  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  Walters, 
a  native  of  Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa.  Her  parents  came  to  Nebraska  from  Iowa  and 
her  father,  William  Walters,  is  still  residing  in  York.  The  mother  passed  away 
some  years  ago.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sarver,  one  child,  Elmer  Roy,  has 
been  born.  He  is  now  residing  in  Denver,  Colorado,  where  he  conducts  a  drug 
store.     The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Mr.  Sarver  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  but  has  neither  sought 
nor  desired  public  office.  Diligence  and  persistency  of  purpose  are  numbered 
among  his  stalwart  characteristics  and  his  life  record,  which  is  an  open  book  that 
all  mav  read,  has  brouicht  him  high  standing  and  popularity. 


JOHN  ITTNER 


For  fortv-two  years  John  Ittner  engaged  in  the  brick  business  in  York,  in 
which  line  of  work  he  was  so  successful  that  he  is  now  residing  retired  at  410  East 
Si.xth  street,  financially  independent. 

John  Ittner  was  born  on  a  farm  owned  by  a  former  i)resident — William  Henry 
Harrison— in  Jliami  county,  Ohio,  on  the  21st  of  January,  1812.  His  parents  were 
John  and  Mary  (Friday)  Ittner,  the  former  was  born  in  Germany  in  1806  and 
died  in  1853,  while  the  latter  was  born  on  the  Canary  islands  in  1818  and 
died  in'  1913.  The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ittner  took  place  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  they  had  both  removed  at  an  early  day  and  in  181-1:  they  removed  to 
St.  Louis  where  the  father  followed  the  trade  of  a  baker  for  a  number  of  years. 
They  then  removed  to  St.  Paul  and  tliere  the  father  conducted  a  bakery  until  his 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1233 

death.  Nine  children  were  born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ittner,  four  of 
whom  are  living,  namely:  Anthony,  who  has  a  brickyard  near  Belleville,  Illinois; 
John,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Nicholas,  who  lives  retired  in  Apopka,  Florida; 
and  George,  who  has  an  orange  grove  at  St.  Petersburg,  Florida.  One  son,  Benja- 
min, served  through  the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of  Co.  J,  Eighth  Missouri  Regi- 
ment. The  grandfather  of  John  Ittner  was  born  in  Germany  and  the  maternal 
grandfather  Friday,  while  crossing  from  Germany  to  the  United  States,  was  ship-  , 
wrecked  and  remained  on  the  Canary  islands  for  a  period  of  six  months.  He  then 
secured  passage  to  the  United  States  and  his  first  employment  in  this  country  was 
for  the  Longworth  family  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

John  Ittner  was  reared  in  St.  Louis  and  there  received  his  education.  On  the 
20th  of  August,  1861,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Union  army,  joining  Company 
B,  Fremont's  Body  Guard.  He  served  for  the  most  part  in  Missouri  but  was  cap- 
tured and  taken  prisoner  in  November,  1861.  Some  time  later  he  was  paroled 
but  did  not  reenter  the  service.  He  then  learned  the  trade  of  brick-making  and 
brick-laying  and  followed  it  successfully  until  his  retirement.  In  the  spring  of 
1878  he  came  to  York  and  started  the  first  brick-making  establishment  there. 
Until  1904  he  engaged  in  brick-making  after  which  time  he  turned  his  attention 
to  brick-laying.  For  sixteen  years  he  continued  in  that  line  of  work,  becoming 
well  known  throughout  the  community,  but  in  the  spring  of  11)20  he  decided  to 
retire  and  is  now  living  in  his  home  which  he  erected  in  11)07,  at  410  East  Sixth 
street,  enjoying  the  success  derived  from  a  life  of  diligence  and  industry. 

On  the  1st  of  March,  1869,  Mr.  Ittner  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  AiTgusta 
Debro  Hoyt,  who  was  born  in  Milan,  Erie  county,  Ohio,  November  1,  1842,  and 
died  on  the  1st  of  October,  1904.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ittner  were  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Augusta;  and  Edna.  Augusta 'graduated 
from  the  grade  and  high  school  of  York  and  is  now  living  at  home  with  her 
father.  For  five  years  she  has  been  serving  on  the  library  Iward.  Edna  graduated 
from  the  York  high  school  and  the  State  University  and  she  is  now  assistant  prin- 
cipal of  the  York  high  school.  Mrs.  Ittner  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Uni- 
versalist  church  but  was  not  a  member  of  that  church. 

Politically  Mr.  Ittner  has  followed  an  independent  course  ever  since  the  election 
of  Cleveland.  Although  he  has  devoted  the  greater  part  of  his  time  to  his  business 
he  served  as  councilman  of  the  second  ward  for  some  time,  having  been  appointed 
to  this  position  by  Mayor  A.  D.  Wyckoif.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  post,  and  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  the  develop- 
ment of  his  business  interests  Mr.  Ittner  employed  only  the  fairest  and  most 
lionorable  of  methods  and  York  is  fortunate  indeed  in  having  him  for  a  citizen. 


ROBERT  A.  CLARK 


Robert  A.  Clark,  who  since  1913  has  been  living  retired  in  Bradshaw,  York 
county,  after  many  years  of  successful  farming,  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  born  in 
Berkeley  county,  October  24,  1841.  When  he  was  seven  years  of  age  his  parents 
moved  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Champaign  county,  where  they  lived  until  1857,  in 
that  year  going  to  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  and  in  that  state  Robert  A.  Clark 


1231  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

grew  to  manhood,  liaving  early  started  to  earn  his  own  living.  On  August  G, 
1862,  Mr.  Clark  enlisted  in  Company  B,  86th  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  as  a 
member  of  that  company  iu  the  Civil  war,  his  service  covering  about  three  years. 
During  that  period  he  was  in  some  thirteen  engagements  and  battles,  notably 
those  of  Atlanta,  Chickamauga  and  Stone  River  and  was  slightly  wounded  on 
three  different  occasions.  His  regiment  was  a  unit  of  the  Fourteenth  x\rmy  Corps 
and  he  was  with  General  Sherman  on  the  famous  march  to  the  sea.  He  partici- 
%pated  in  the  grand  review  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  was  finally  mustered  out, 
receiving  his  honorable  discharge.  Following  the  close  of  his  military  service 
he  returned  to  Illinois  and  took  up  farming,  so  continuing  for  about  twenty-five 
years,  during  that  period  acquiring  a  sound  knowledge  of  agricultural  operations 
and  his  labors  bringing  satisfactory  results. 

It  was  in  1890  tluit  Mr.  Clark  came  to  York  county  and  settled  in  Arborville 
township  where  he  purchased  two  hundred  acres  of  land  for  which  he  paid  twenty- 
five  dollars  per  acre.  There  were  not  many  improvements  on  the  place  when  he 
took  it  and  he  immediately  proceeded  to  improve  and  develop  the  holding,  erecting 
substantial  buildings  and  otherwise  increasing  its  value  until  he  finally  brought 
it  to  a  condition  the  equal  of  any  in  the  township.  He  met  with  considerable 
success,  the  outcome  largely  of  his  business-like  methods,  the  soil  yielding  him 
results  proportionate  to  the  energy  and  skill  which  he  brought  to  bear  on  the 
undertaking.  At  length,  feeling  that  he  had  earned  a  rest,  he  retired  in  lOi;!  and 
now  leaves  to  others  the  active  work  of  the  fields.  In  that  year  he  moved  to 
Bradshaw,  where  he  has  a  comfortable  home,  spending  the  evening  of  a  busy  life 
in  domestic  peace,  surrounded  by  numerous  friends  who  have  naught  but  good 
to  say  of  him. 

On  Mifich  7,  1869,  Mr.  Chirk  was  united  iu  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Bramble, 
a  native  of  ileggs  county,  Ohio,  and  to  their  union  four  children  were  born :  Wil- 
liam R.,  living  in  Custer  county,  is  the  father  of  seven  children;  Edwin  J.,  the 
father  of  three  children;  Pearl,  the  third  of  Mr.  Clark's  childreu;  and  Harry  B., 
the  fourth,  who  is  the  father  of  two  children.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  have  five 
great-grandchildren.  Mr.  Clark  is  a  member  of  the  (Jrand  Army  post  at  Brad- 
shaw, being  dee]3ly  interested  in  that  patriotic  organization.  He  has  always  voted 
the  republican  ticket,  but  has  never  been  a  seeker  after  public  office.  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church  and  in  community  affairs  the 
weight  of  their  influence  has  been  given  to  those  movements  designed  to  advance 
the  moral   and  material  welfare  of  the  people. 


WILBUR  W.  FEASTER 


Wilbur  W.  Feaster  has  been  prominent  in  the  business  circles  of  A'ork  county 
for  over  twenty  years.  He  has  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising,  the  car- 
penter business  and  since  February,  1920,  has  been  active  in  insurance  and  real 
estate  circles. 

Wilbur  W.  Feaster  was  born  July  23,  1875,  in  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  a 
son  of  John  H.  and  Nancy  J.  (Walker)  Feaster.  The  father  was  born  in  Mary- 
land in  1841  and  his  death  occurred  in  1890,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  1848 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1235 

in  Eock  Island  county,  lUiuois,  and  is  still  living.  The  marriage  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Feaster  took  place  in  Illinois  and  there  the  father  engaged  in  farming  for 
some  time  before  removing  to  Saline  county,  Nebraska,  in  1881.  He  purchased 
a  farm  in  tiiis  county  on  which  he  resided  until  two  years  before  his  death  when 
he  retired  and  removed  to  Friend.  Mr.  Feaster  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 
serving  over  four  years.  He  was  a  member  of  Company  G,  Seventy-fifth  Illinois 
Regiment,  and  while  in  active  service  with  his  company  received  a  wound  in  his 
shoulder  which  later  in  life  caused  paralysis  and  resulted  in  his  death.  Two 
children  were  born  to  this  union :  Frederick  K.  and  Wilbur  W.,  the  subject  of 
this  review.  Frederick  K.  is  now  residing  in  the  state  of  Washington.  He  has 
engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  has  managed  a  store,  and  has  farmed.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Feaster  were  consistent  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church  and  Mrs. 
Feaster  still  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  organization.  The  father  was  a  member 
of  the  democratic  party  which  found  in  him  a  stanch  advocate.  Mr.  Feaster  came 
to  Nebraska  with  practically  no  financial  backing.  His  possessions  consisted  of 
three  horses  and  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  go  into  debt  for  his  land.  However, 
by  hard  labor  and  careful  saving  he  managed  to  get  a  start  and  from  then  on 
steadily  progressed  until  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  financially  independent. 
The  grandfather  of  Wilbur  W.  Feaster,  who  was  Jonathan  Feaster,  was  born  in 
Maryland  and  came  to  Nebraska  with  his  son  John.  His  death  occurred  in  1882 
in  Saline  county  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  The  maternal  grandfather, 
Hiram  Walker,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  came  to  Illinois  at  an  early  day. 
He  engaged  in  farming  in  that  state,  was  very  successful  and  tliere  his  death 
occurred. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Wilbur  H.  Feaster  attended  the  high 
school  in  Friend  for  three  years  and  York  College  for  a  period  of  two  years.  He 
began  life  as  a  farmer  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Saline  county.  He  sold  this  farm 
some  time  later  for  a  substantial  sum  and  in  1900  removed  to  York  county.  For 
four  years  he  engaged  in  the  live  stock  business  in  York  at  the  termination  of 
which  time  he  engaged  in  carpentering.  While  engaged  in  this  line  of  work  he 
was  elected  to  the  office  of  county  recorder  by  a  large  majority  and  he  held  this 
position  for  a  period  of  five  years.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  he  again 
resumed  the  carpentering  business  but  in  February,  1920,  became  interested  in 
real  estate  and  insurance.  In  this  line  of  work  he  is  proving  his  ability  and  his 
business  is  steadily  growing. 

On  Christmas  day  of  the  year  1900  Mr.  Feaster  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
E.  Grace  Foster,  a  native  of  Illinois  and  a  daughter  of  Joel  H.  and  Rebecca 
Foster.  Her  parents  removed  from  New  York  state  to  Illinois  and  in  1893  came 
to  Nebraska,  settling  in  York  county,  where  they  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Feaster 
have  become  parents  of  five  children:  Dorothy,  who  is  attending  York  College; 
Donald,  attending  school;  Reatha  and  Wallace  Rex,  who  are  in  school;  and  Burton, 
who  is  four  years  of  age. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Feaster  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party.  Although  the  greater  part  of  his  time 
has  been  devoted  to  liis  business  he  served  York  as  postmaster  during  nine  months 
of  the  year  1913  and  at  present  is  serving  on  the  city  council.  Fraternally  he  is 
affiliated  with  the  Woodmen;  Highlanders;  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
and  in  each  order  he  is  an  exemplary  member.     Both  he  and  Mrs.-  Feaster  are 


1236  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  ami  active  in  the  various  affairs  of  that 
organization.  Mr.  Feaster  is  widely  recognized  as  one  of  York  county's  representa- 
tive citizens  and  business  men. 


WILLIAM  REETZ 


For  almost  four  decades  ^^"illialll  Eeetz  has  been  a  resident  of  York  county 
and  during  that  long  period  has  made  valuable  contributions  to  the  work  of 
development  and  progress  in  this  part  of  the  state  and  has  won  a  substantial 
measure  of  business  success  being  now  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres 
of  valuable  land.  He  was  born  in  Germany,  March  16,  1864,  a  son  of  Carl  and 
Henrietta  Eeetz,  also  natives  of  Germany,  who  in  1882  immigrated  with  their 
family  to  this  country.  Following  his  arrival  at  tlie  port  of  New  York  Carl 
Eeetz  started  for  Nebraska  and  settled  in  York  county,  buying  a  farm  of  eighty 
acres  located  in  Stewart  township  for  which  he  paid  the  sum  of  eight  hundred 
dollars.  It  was  wild  land,  without  improvements  of  any  description,  and  there  he 
lived  with  his  family  in  a  dugout  of  two  rooms  for  three  years,  tilling  the  soil 
and  developing  the  place. 

William  Eeetz  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Germany  where  he  remained 
until  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  York  county. 
He  worked  on  his  father's  place  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old,  at  that  time 
his  father  giving  him  a  team,  harness  and  wagon  to  enable  him  to  start  work  on 
his  own  account.  He  began  by  renting  land  and  worked  steadily  for  many  years 
in  this  way,  saving  his  money  and  later  was  in  a  position  to  purchase  eighty  acres 
in  Thayer  township,  paying  fourteen  hundred  dollars  for  the  land  on  which  he 
continued  to  reside  for  three  years.  He  then  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
on  which  he  and  his  family  lived  for  ten  years,  after  which  he  moved  to  Saline 
county  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  residing  in  that  county  for 
one  year.  He  returned  to  Stewart  township  and  bought  a  (piai'ter  section  of  land 
which  he  operated  for  five  years  with  considerable  success.  He  next  bought  a 
quarter  section  in  Thayer  township  but  never  took  up  residence  on  that  holding 
and  later  moved  to  the  holding  on  which  he  now  resides,  consisting  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty-two  and  one-half  acres,  located  on  section  31,  Stewart  township.  Here 
he  is  actively  engaged  in  general  farming  and  the  feeding  of  stock  for  market 
and  has  met  with  a  substantial  measure  of  success.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  over 
four  hundred  acres  of  excellent  land  laid  out  in  three  separate  holdings,  a  quarter 
section  being  in  Bradshaw  township,  a  quarter  section  in  Thayer  township  and 
the  home  farm  on  which  he  is  residing,  with  splendid  buildings  on  all  three  farms. 
His  farming  operations  have  been  conducted  along  modern  lines  and  with  good 
farming  machinery  and  everything  about  his  place  indicates  his  careful  supervision 
and  his  practical  and  progressive  methods. 

Mr.  Eeetz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Augusta  Hoffman  and  to  that  union  eight 
children  were  born:  Fred,  Lizzie,  Otto,  William,  Eena,  Emma,  Louise  and  Varner. 
The  family  attends  the  services  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  the  faith  of  which  tlie 
parents  were  reared.  Mr.  Eeetz  exercises  independent  action  in  political  affairs  and 
at  all  times  has  been  actuated  by  a  desire  to  promote  the  public  welfare  along  sane 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY  1337 

ami  sound  lines.  He  is  a  self-nuule  man,  whose  success  in  life  is  due  to  his  own 
unaided  efforts  and  he  is  now  regarded  as  one  of  the  enterprising  farmers  of  York 
county. 


OSCAR  FROID 


Oscar  Froid,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  identified  with  the  shoe  business 
in  York.  He  was  born  in  Sweden,  October  7,  1853,  and  died  in  York  on  the  2nd 
of  December,  1899.  His  father  lived  and  died  in  Sweden  where  he  followed  the 
occupations  of  farmer  and  soldier.  The  mother,  however,  after  her  husband's 
death  came  to  the  United  States  with  her  little  family  and  her  death  occurred  in 
Boulder,  Colorado,  where  she  had  made  her  home  for  a  number  of  years.  Six 
children  had  been  born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Froid,  of  whom  Oscar  the 
subject  of  this  review  was  the  third  in  order  of  birtli.  Five  children  came  to 
this  country  to  make  their  liome.  The  Froid  family  were  reared  in  the  faith  of 
the  Lutheran  church. 

Oscar  Froid  obtained  his  early  education  in  his  native  land  and  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  years  came  to  this  country  with  his  mother,  brothers  and  sisters  and 
settled  in  Jefferson  county,  Iowa.  Later  they  removed  to  Boulder,  Colorado,  and 
in  1881  Oscar  Froid  came  to  York  county.  Here  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness for  a  number  of  years  but  later  sold  out  and  launched  into  the  shoe  business, 
in  which  he  was  engaged  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  had  learned  the  trade  of 
shoe-making  in  his  native  country  at  the  age  of  seven  years  and  he  proved  so  adept 
at  this  line  of  work  that  his  business  soon  grew  to  large  proportions.  He  was 
a  man  of  strong  character,  of  firm  purpose  and  of  high  ideals  and  his  life  work 
was  crowned  with  successful  achievement. 

In  1877  Mr.  Froid  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Tillie  Sandall,  a  native  of 
Jefferson  county,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  Fred  Olsen,  but  was  reared  by  John 
Sandal),  her  mother  being  a  Sandall  and  these  were  her  grandparents.  Her  father 
was  a  pioneer  of  York  county  and  prominent  throughout  that  county.  Eight  chil- 
dren were  born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Froid,  namely:  Clarence  M.;  Viola; 
Ivan;  Windell;  Paul;  Elon;  Irene;  and  Waldo.  Clarence  M.  is  a  physician  and 
surgeon  of  prominence  in  Denver,  Colorado.  He  received  his  medical  education 
at  the  Northwestern  University,  Chicago,  and  in  Denver.  Dr.  Froid  has  one  child, 
a  daughter  Carroll,  who  is  ten  years  of  age ;  Viola  is  the  wife  of  Bert  Miller 
who  is  engaged  in  fanning  near  McCool.  She  has  become  the  mother  of  four 
children,  namely:  George,  Clarence,  Irene  Marie  and  Raymond;  Ivan  is  living 
at  home  with  his  mother  and  is  employed  in  the  post  office;  Windell  is  also  living 
at  home.  He  is  manager  of  the  Rystrom  Implement  Company,  at  York ;  Paul 
has  rented  his  mother's  farm  near  McCool  and  here  resides.  He  married  Miss 
Lillie  Donivan;  Elon  resides  in  York  where  he  is  a  mail  carrier.  His  wife  was 
Miss  Bessie  Roberts  and  they  arc  the  parents  of  three  children :  Clarice,  Elaine, 
and  Robert  Oscar;  Irene  is  a  stenographer  residing  in  Laurel;  Waldo,  the  last 
member  of  the  family,  is  living  at  home  with  his  mother. 

When  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Froid  the  right  of  franchise  he  supported  the 
democratic  party  which  found  in  him  a  stalwart  advocate.     Fraternally  he  belonged 


12.38  HISTORY    OF    YOItK    C'OUXTY 

to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men ;  the  Woodmen ;  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  was  likewise  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Congregational  church.  Following  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs. 
Froid  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  near  McCool  on  which 
one  of  her  sons  resides.  The  farm  is  well  cultivated  and  improved  and  is  one  of 
the  finest  in  the  county.  Mrs.  Froid  is  prominent  in  the  activities  of  her  com- 
nninitv  and  is  residing  with  her  (^lildren  at  her  home,  2120  Nebraska  avenue. 


JOHN  McFADDEN 


Business  enterprise  at  Y''ork  finds  a  worthy  representative  in  John  McFadden 
who  for  over  twenty  years  has  been  agent  for  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  Kail- 
road  there.  He  was  born  in  Ireland  on  the  6th  of  June,  1865,  a  son  of  John  and 
Margaret  B.  (Conroy)  McFadden,  also  natives  of  that  country.  The  father's 
birth  occurred  in  183-t  and  he  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years,  while  the  mother 
who  was  liorn  in  1830  passed  away  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  They  spent  their 
entire  lives  in  Ireland  where  the  father  was  a  blacksmith,  making  their  home  at 
Athlone  on  the  river  Shannon.  Mr.  McFadden  was  veiy  successful  in  his  line  of 
work  and  he  and  his  wife  were  respected  citizens  of  the  community  in  which  they 
resided.     They  were  both  consistent  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 

John  McFadden  received  his  education  in  Ireland  and  in  his  early  youth 
learned  telegraphy.  Tales  reaching  him  of  the  wonderful  opportiinities  oflered  in 
the  new  world  he  decided  to  try  his  fortune  in  this  country  with  the  result  that 
in  1884  he  arrived  in  I'ork  county.  His  previous  experience  as  a  telegraph  operator 
had  l)een  in  connection  with  his  duties  in  the  postoffice  as  clerk  in  Ireland  and  it 
was  his  desire  to  continue  the  former  line  of  work  in  this  country.  He  made 
inquiries  into  the  situation  and  found  that  the  code  was  entirely  different  from 
the  one  he  had  learned  and  it  was  therefore  necessary  for  him  to  master  the  new 
■  one  before  he  could  successfully  handle  a  like  position  in  this  country.  He  set 
to  work,  soon  mastered  the  new  code,  and  accepted  a  position  with  the  Burlington 
Kailroad,  working  at  various  places.  Some  time  later  he  entered  into  the  service 
of  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  Eailroad  and  was  agent  at  David  City  for  a  number 
of  years.  In  1900  he  came  to  Y'ork  where  he  became  agent  for  the  Northwestern 
and  has  since  held  that  position.  Coming  to  this  country  with  nothing  but  the 
knowledge  of  telegraphy,  a  strong  determination  and  a  laudable  ambit-ion,  he  has 
gradually  advanced  until  he  is  now  widely  recognized  throughout  the  county  as  a 
capable  and  successful  man. 

Mr.  McFadden  has  been  twice  married.  In  1893  he  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Ora  Winters  and  to  them  one  daughter,  Theresa,  was  born.  She  is  now 
the  wife  of  Ijowell  G.  Crownover,  a  civil  engineer,  and  they  reside  in  Bridegport, 
Nebraska.  Mr.  Crownover  is  employed  by  the  state.  In  189.5  Mrs.  McFadden 
died  and  in  1918  Mr.  McFadden  was  again  wed,  this  time  to  Miss  Geraldine 
Grippen,  a  native  of  Illinois.  Mrs.  McFadden  is  a  member  of  the  Congregatioiuil 
church,  in  the  activities  of  which  she  takes  a  prominent  part. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  McFadden  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  given 
his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  which  has  found  in  him  a  stanch  advocate. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    C'OUXTY  1239 

He  has  never  asiJired  to  political  office,  however,  but  has  devoted  his  whole  attention 
to  his  business  interests.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  Protective 
Order  of  Elks  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  having  passed  through 
all  of  the  chairs  of  both  orders.  He  is  likewise  a  prominent  and  active  member 
of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
He  has  by  reason  of  his  own  diligence  become  financially  independent  and  he  owns 
a  half  section  of  some  of  the  finest  land  in  Kimball  county.  Mr.  McFadden  is 
known  to  be  a  booster  of  York  and  his  aid  may  be  counted  upon  in  any  movement 
for  the  further  improvement  and  development  of  his  community. 


CLARENCE  F.  GEARHART 

Clarence  F.  Gearhart,  deceased,  was  for  a  number  of  years  prominent  in  the 
rural  life  of  York  county.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Mayberry  and 
Catherine  Gearhart,  both  natives  of  that  state  where  they  spent  their  entire  lives, 
and  there  his  death  occurred. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Clarence  F.  Gearhart  attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  state  and  after  putting  his  textbooks  aside  engaged  in  farm- 
ing on  his  father's  land.  He  remained  on  this  farm  for  several  years  but  when 
reaching  young  manhood  came  to  York  county  and  purchased  a  farm  on  which 
he  remained  for  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania. 
About  1880  he  again  settled  in  York  county  and  lived  on  his  farm  with  his  family 
for  three  years.  TKis  land  he  purchased  at  a  low  price  and  after  cultivation  and 
improvement  it  was  considered  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county.  He  raised 
some  full-blooded  stock  and  soon  became  financially  independent.  He  remained 
on  his  farm  in  York  county  for  three  years,  at  the  termination  of  which  time  he 
again  returned  to  Pennsylvania  where  his  death  occurred  a  short  time  afterward. 

Mr.  Gearhart  was  united  in  nuirriage  to  Miss  Lessie  Bird,  a  native  of  Montour 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  William  and  Jane  (Vastine)  Bird.  Her 
parents  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  lived  there  until  they  died.  The  father 
was  a  fanner  in  that  state  and  a  prominent  man  in  his  community.  Five  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bird,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Mrs.  Gearhart,  the 
widow  of  the  subject  of  this  review;  Rufus,  a  retired  farmer  residing  at  Riverside, 
Pennsylvania ;  and  Howard,  wlio  is  engaged  in  the  insurance  and  real  estate  busi- 
ness in  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  The  Bird  family  were  reared  in  the  faith  of 
the  Baptist  church  and  the  father  was  a  democrat  in  politics.  To  the  union  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gearhart  two  children  were  born :  Minnie,  the  wife  of  Elting  Mead, 
a  coal  man  of  York;  and  Magdalene,  the  wife  of  6.  E.  Peterson,  a  designer  for 
Cusack.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Gearhart  removed  to  the  home  of 
her  daughter  in  York  and  remained  there  for  some  time.  She  then  bought  a 
nice  home  at  921  Lincoln  avenue  and  here  she  now  resides.  She  owns  two  hundred 
and  seventy-six  acres  of  land  and  has  managed  successfully  her  husband's  various 
business  affairs.  She  has  rented  the  two  farms  to  a  Mr.  Norman  for  a  year.  Mrs. 
Gearhart  has  proved  to  be  a  woman  of  much  business  ability  and  she  is  a  highly 
respected  citizen  in  the  community.     She  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian 


.1240  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COITXTY 

church  and  takes  an  active  part  in  the  diflereiit  church  societies.     She  is  likewise 
a  member  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star. 

Throughout  his  entire  life  Mr.  Gearhart  was  a  member  of  the  republican  party 
which  found  in  him  a  stalwart  advocate.  His  success  was  the  result  of  his  own 
unaided  effort  and  determination  to  let  no  obstacle,  however  great,  obstruct  his  path. 


JAMES  M.  HYDE 


During  the  years  in  which  .James  il.  Hyde  resided  in  York  county  he  made 
for  himself  many  friends  who  recognized  his  true  per.sonal  worth,  sterling  traits 
of  character,  industry  and  integrity.  He  was  a  native  son  of  Ireland,  his  birth 
having  occurred  there  in  1843  and  his  death  took  place  in  1887  on  his  homestead 
in  York  county.  He  was  a  son  of  Joe  and  Margaret  (Steven)  Hyde,  both  natives 
of  Ireland  where  they  spent  their  entire  lives. 

James  M.  Hyde  received  his  education  in  his  native  country  and  in  1873  deter- 
mined to  come  to  the  United  States  with  the  result  that  he  landed  in  New  York 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year.  Eor  some  time  he  was  employed  in  a  brewery 
but  in  1880  came  to  York  county  where  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  railroad  land 
in  Waco  township,  later  buying  an  additional  eighty  acres.  His  first  home  on  this 
land  was  of  sod  and  consisted  of  one  room  with  board  floor  and  dirt  roof.  His  barn 
was  built  of  straw.  This  land  he  immediately  set  about  to  cultivate,  breaking  it 
with  a  horse  team,  and  he  also  set  out  a  large  orchard  most  of  which  was  later 
destroyed.  There  were  few  of  the  pioner  hardships  of  those  early  days  with  which 
he  was  not  familiar.  Mr.  Hyde  had  paid  the  sum  of  thirteen  hundred  dollars  for 
one  eighty  acre  tract  and  seven  hundred  and  eighty  dollars  for  the  other  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  was  heavily  in  debt.  This  burden  then  devolved  upon  the 
shoulders  of  his  widow  who  with  seven  children,  the  oldest  of  whom  was  but  seven 
years  old,  survived.  Mrs.  Hyde  with  grim  courage  and  determination  set  about  to 
pay  off  these  debts  and  she  offered  her  services  to  the  neighbors  whom  she  helped 
shuck  corn.  Pew  women  are  gifted  with  the  resourcefulness  of  Mrs.  Hyde  and 
this  in  addition  to  her  industry  and  close  a])plication  soon  enabled  her  to  clear  the 
land  of  all  debts.  She  is  still  in  possession  of  the  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
which  is  regarded  as  some  of  the  finest  land  in  the  county. 

In  January,  187(5,  Mr.  Hyde  was  married  in  Ireland  to  Miss  Mary  McClure 
and  to  them  seven  children  were  born:  Anna,  the  wife  of  William  Stewart  of 
Waco  township;  Maggie,  who  is  the  wife  of  James  MeClure,  engaged  in  dairy 
farming;  Mamy,  deceased;  James  M.,  who  is  farming  the  old  home  place;  John 
AV.,  who  is  farming  in  Cheyenne  county:  Alexander  and  Samuel,  deceased. 

The  political  allegiance  of  Mr.  Hyde  was  given  to  the  republican  party,  in  the 
interests  of  which  he  took  an  active  part.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  of  Utica,  in  which  organization  Mrs.  Hyde  still  takes  a 
prominent  part.  Mr.  Hyde  never  had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination  to  come 
to  the  new  world  and  as  a  pioneer  he  contributed  toward  material  ujDbuilding  along 
agricultural  lines.  He  was  known  to  be  a  progressive  and  industrious  citizen  and 
ever  loyal  to  American  ideals  and  standards. 


HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COITNTY  1341 

E.  E.  FEANZ 

Characterized  by  a  spirit  of  commercial  activity,  E.  E.  Franz  has  won  a  place 
among  the  substantial  and  progressive  business  men  of  Liishton,  York  county, 
where  he  has  operated  a  store  for  more  than  eight  years.  He  was  born  in  Hall 
county,  Nebraska,  October  23,  1887,  a  son  of  Fred  and  Eose  (George)   Franz. 

E.  E.  Franz  was  reared  in  York  county  and  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  county  and  lived  with  his  parents  until  he  had  attained  his 
majority.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  business  pursuits  and  became  engaged 
as  a  clerk  in  a  general  store  at  Lushton  remaining  thus  occupied  for  several  years, 
during  this  period  becoming  thoroughly  infonned  in  the  details  of  mercantile 
affairs  as  transacted  in  the  store  from  day  to  day.  He  accumulated  sufficient 
money  to  justify  him  in  embarking  in  business  for  himself  and  he  purchased  as  a 
growing  concern  the  store  in  which  he  had  been  employed  and  for  the  past  eight 
years  has  owned  and  operated  the  place  with  satisfactory  financial  results,  due  to 
his  business  methods  and  progressive  spirit.  Mr.  Franz  has  an  up-to-date  general 
store,  the  business  under  his  direction  has  been  carefully  operated,  and  he  has  ever 
recognized  the  fact  that  that  business  is  most  worthy  of  support  which  most  care- 
fully safeguards  the  interests  of  its  customers.  He  is  now  fully  established  in  the 
mercantile  life  of  Lushton. 

Mr.  Franz  was  united  in  marriage  in  1909  to  Miss  May  Smith  and  they  have 
become  the  parents  of  two  children :  Cecil  E.  and  Constantine  I.  His  political 
allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  has  served  on  the  town  board 
for  some  years,  his  efforts  for  civic  betterment  being  actuated  by  a  broad  breadth 
of  view  intended  to  secure  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number.  He  and  his 
wife  are  highly  esteemed  in  the  part  of  the  county  where  they  reside  and  have 
a  circle  of  friends  almost  coextensive  with  their  circle  of  acquaintances.  The 
future  career  of  Mr.  Franz  bids  fair  to  be  one  of  continued  and  expanding 
achievement. 


CHAELES  HILL 


Charles  Hill,  a  retired  farmer  and  landowner  of  York,  was  born  in  York 
county,  England,  June  4,  1840,  a  .son  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Train)  Hill,  also 
natives  of  that  county.  His  father  engaged  in  farming  in  the  old  country  and 
there  his  mother  died.  In  1851  the  father  determined  to  come  to  the  United  States, 
with  the  result  that  he  sailed  from  his  native  land  in  the  same  year  and  on  reach- 
ing this  country  settled  in  Clinton  county,  Iowa.  He  purchased  land  whereon  he 
farmed  until  1876  when  his  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Two 
children  had  been  born  to  this  union  of  whom  Charles  Hill,  the  subject  of  this 
review,  is  the  only  one  living.  Mr.  Hill  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  republican 
party  and  he  held  various  township  offices.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  review  was  Charles  Hill  and  the  maternal  grandfather  Christopher 
Train. 


1342  HISTORY    OF   YOEK    COUXTY 

The  early  life  of  Charles  Hill  was  spent  in  York  county,  England,  where  he 
obtained  a  part  of  his  edneation.  At  the  age  of  eleven  years  he  came  to  the  United 
States  with  his  father  and  resided  on  a  farm  in  Iowa  for  a  number  of  years.  On 
the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  Mr.  Hill  was  among  the  first  to  volunteer  his 
services  and  in  August  of  the  year  1861  he  joined  Company  A,  Eighth  Iowa 
Infantry.  For  some  months  he  served  with  his  company  when  he  was  discharged 
because  of  disability.  About  six  months  later,  however,  on  regaining  his  health 
he  joined  Company  D,  Twenty-sixth  Iowa  Infantry.  He  served  throughout  the 
remainder  of  the  war  in  this  company  and  received  his  final  discharge  at  Wash- 
ington. Mr.  Hill  is  a  veteran  of  many  of  the  important  battles  of  that  war,  among 
them  the  second  battle  of  Wilson  Creek,  Pea  Eidge,  Shiloh,  Vieksburg,  Lookout 
Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge,  being  wounded  in  this  last  engagement.  For 
some  time  he  was  in  a  hospital  but  after  his  wounds  healed  sufficiently  he  again 
joined  his  company  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Big  Shanty,  Atlanta,  Mari- 
etta, and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea.  Following  the  close  of  the 
war  he  removed  to  York  county  in  the  spring  of  1870  and  acquired  a  homestead. 
His  first  home  on  this  land  was  indeed  primitive  for  it  was  nothing  more  than  a 
dugout.  It  was  some  time  before  he  occupied  a  sod  house  and  his  first  frame 
house  was  not  erected  until  1878.  While  in  Iowa  Mr.  Hill's  marriage  had  taken 
place  and  in  1875  he  and  his  wife  went  to  Oregon  and  on  the  return  trip  drove 
from  Portland  to  Xebraska  in  a  wagon  which  was  drawn  by  two  horses  and  t^'o 
mules.  This  trip  was  made  during  the  Sioux  Indian  trouble.  His  homestead  in 
York  county  he  successfully  cultivated  and  improved  and  suffered  but  little  loss 
from  the  droughts  and  the  grasshoppers.  Mr.  Hill  steadily  increased  his  acreage 
until  he  now  has  over  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  well  improved  land  through- 
out the  county.  In  1917  Mr.  Hill  removed  to  York  and  purchased  a  nice  home 
at  1803  Nebraska  avenue  where  he  is  now  residing  having  retired  from  active  life. 
The  greater  part  of  his  life  since  coming  to  the  United  States  has  been  spent  in 
Nebraska  but  for  nine  years  he  resided  at  Del  Orta,  Colorado,  where  he  owned  a 
farm  and  some  town  property. 

In  1867  in  Iowa  ocurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Hill  and  Miss  Rosanna  Echel- 
barker,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Richland  county  in  1850.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Keziah  (Slagel)  Echelbarker,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  while  the 
latter  was  born  in  Indiana.  They  removed  to  Illinois  in  1853  and  to  Iowa  in  1863 
where  the  father  followed  his  trade  as  carpenter  and  also  engaged  in  farming. 
Eleven  children  have  been  born  to  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill,  namely: 
Nellie,  the  wife  of  John  Antliony,  who  was  formerly  a  farmer  and  is  now  a  dray- 
man at  Brown's  Valley,  Missouri :  L.  D.,  residing  in  York  county  was  the  first 
white  child  born  in  Lockridge  township,  York  county;  C.  Wayne,  who  is  engaged 
in  farming  near  Polk;  Melville,  who  is  farming  near  Polk;  0.  B.,  who  is  farming 
on  his  father's  farm ;  Lavina,  the  wife  of  George  C.  Grovesner,  who  is  engaged  in 
stock  raising  at  Aurora;  Orlin  Y.,  who  is  living  on  his  father's  farm  near  York; 
]\Ierlin,  farming  in  York  county;  May  Belle,  who  is  the  wife  of  Floyd  Masters,  a 
farmer  in  Merrick  county;  Zeta,  who  is  employed  in  the  telephone  office  at  York; 
and  Ava,  who  resides  in  Omaha  and  is  employed  in  the  Union  Pacific  Telegraph 
office  there.  Merlin  entered  into  service  in  the  World  war  in  June,  1917,  and 
went  to  France  with  the  Rainbow  division.   He  received  his  training  at  Camp  Lewis 


HISTOEY    OF   YOEK    COUNTY  1243 

and  Camp  Kearney  and  partieipated  in  some  of  the  most  important  battles  of  the 
war.     He  received  his  discharge  in  April,  1918. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Hill  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  democratic  party  in  the  interests  of  which  he  takes  an  active  part 
and  he  is  also  a  memlicr  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  has  always 
been  a  stanch  advocate  of  education  and  good  roads  and  to  those  ends  served  as 
school  director  and  road  overseer.  Mr.  Hill  had  no  financial  assistance  on  starting 
out  in  life  for  himself  and  has  won  whatever  success  he  has  achieved  at  the  price 
of  earnest,  self-denying  effort,  his  record  proving  what  may  be  accomplished 
through  close  application,  persistent  energy  and  indefatigable  industry. 


EEV.  ANDEEAV  EDWAEDS 

A  life  devoted  to  the  welfare  and  service  of  his  fellowmen  has  made  the  memory 
of  Rev.  Andrew  Edwards  revered  and  honored  wherever  he  was  known. 

He  was  born  in  England  October  10,  1828,  and  died  April  7,  1915.'  His  parents 
passed  away  in  England,  in  which  country  the  son  was  reared  and  educated.  On 
crossing  the  Atlantic  he  first  settled  in  Eochester,  New  York,  where  he  remained 
for  three  months  and  then  went  to  Canada.  He  attended  Victoria  College  at 
Coburg,  Canada,  and  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
church  in  1853  and  served  the  church  of  his  choice  for  thirty-five  years.  He  was 
liberally  educated  and  had  excellent  command  of  the  English  language,  was  a 
brilliant  talker,  clear  thinker  and  logical  reasoner  and  his  utterances  never  failed 
to  impress  those  who  heard  him. 

Eev.  Andrew  Edwards  came  to  York  in  1887  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  a 
supply  preacher  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  chirrch  of  Nebraska  but  had  practically 
retired  when  he  came  west.  On  August  1st,  1876,  Mr.  Edwards  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Ann  McEoberts  of  Lucan,  Canada,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Margaret 
(McLinden)  McEoberts,  the  former  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland,  of  Scotch 
parentage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McEoberts  went  to  Canada  in  an  early  day  and  he  was  a 
successful  farmer  there.  He  also  was  engaged  in  business  as  a  grain  merchant  and 
was  a  successful  live  stock  dealer.  Both  he  and  his  wife  died  in  Canada.  Of  their 
family  of  seven  children  but  three  are  living:  Mrs.  Edwards;  Mrs.  W.  N.  Shaver 
of  St.  Johns.  North  Dakota;  and  Charles  A.  McEoberts  of  Woodstock,  Canada. 
The  parents  were  members  of  the  Canadian  Methodist  church.  By  a  former  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Eleanor  Hadwin  of  Teeswater,  Canada,  on  June  2,  1857,  three  sons 
were  born  to  Eev.  and  Mrs.  Edwards,  namely:  Wesley  H.  and  Case,  of  the 
Edwards  and  Eierdan  Company ;  and  Thornton  A.,  of  the  Salts  Textile  Manufac- 
turing Company.     All  three  reside  in  New  York. 

To  the  second  union  were  born  six  children :  John  C,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
millinery  business  in  Portland,  Oregon;  Hadwin  P.,  who  died  in  infancy;  Mai'ion, 
who  is  manager  of  the  store  of  The  C.  C.  Cobb  Co.  of  York,  Nebraska;  George  H., 
who  is  interested  in  the  Pacific  Hat  Company  of  San  Francisco,  California; 
Ethelda,  wife  of  Mansfield  Hervey,  window  decorator  and  salesman  in  The  Cobb 


12U  HISTOEY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY 

Co.'s  store  in  York;  and  James  W.,  who  is  sales  manager  of  the  C.  C.  Cobb  Co. 
James  W.  Edwards  joined  the  U.  S.  Marines  in  the  fall  of  1917  and  remained  in 
the  service  for  two  years,  one  year's  service  overseas  with  the  American  Expedi- 
tionary Force  in  France. 

He  went  "over  the  top"  and  participated  in  the  drive  of  the  Argonne  Forest 
and  after  the  armistice  was  signed,  Nov.  11,  1918,  he  made  the  march  to  the  Rhine 
with  the  American  Forces  and  served  six  months  with  the  army  of  occupation  in 
Germany,  returning  to  the  U.  S.  A.  in  August,  being  honoroably  discharged 
Aug.  13,  1919. 

Kev.  and  Mrs.  Edwards  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and 
Mr.  Edwards  devoted  practically  his  entire  life  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  His 
political  allegiance  was  given  the  republican  party.  He  had  attained  the  age  of 
eighty-seven  years  when  "the  weary  wheels  of  life  at  length  stood  still,"  but  his 
memory  remains  as  a  blessed  benediction  to  many  who  knew  him.  Mrs.  Edwards 
now  occupies  a  home  at  815  Lincoln  avenue,  York,  Nebraska,  where  she  has 
resided  for  many  years. 


GEORGE  ANTHONY  BECK 

The  life  record  of  George  Anthony  Beck  was  such  as  endeared  him  to  all  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact  and  his  memory  remains  as  a  blessed  benediction  to  those 
who  knew  him  because  of  the  sterling  worth  of  his  character  and  the  high  ideals 
which  he  ever  followed.  Christianity  was  to  him  a  matter  of  everyday  living.  His 
beliefs  were  exemplified  in  his  life,  finding  expression  in  kindliness  and  sympathy 
toward  others,  in  the  fairness  of  his  judgment  and  in  his  straightforward  dealings 
in  all  business  transactions.  Mr.  Beck  was  born  near  Ottawa,  Illinois,  November 
11,  1838,  and  was  the  second  son  in  a  family  of  six  sons  and  one  daughter  whose 
parents  were  Benjamin  J.  and  Mary  Ann  (Walrath)  Beck,  of  St.  Johnsville,  New 
York.  In  the  year  1837  the  parents  came  to  Illinois  and  were  among  the  earliest 
settlers  in  La  Salle  county.  Soon  after  the  birth  of  their  son  George  they  removed 
to  a  farm  four  miles  from  Piano,  in  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  and  there  he  was 
reared  to  manhood.  He  was  always  eager  to  obtain  an  education,  but  the  only 
opportunity  accorded  him  in  that  direction  was  in  the  little  country  school,  which 
he  was  able  to  attend  during  the  winter  months  when  farm  work  was  impossible. 
He  laid  a  good  foundation  during  these  brief  school  days  and  with  much  natural 
talent  developed  into  a  business  man  of  marked  ability.  From  childhood  he  lived 
a  strictly  moral  life,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  decided  to  live  a  religious  life. 
He  joined  the  Methodist  church  and  during  his  remaining  days  was  untiring  in 
his  devotion  to  his  church  and  to  the  welfare  of  his  fellowmen,  doing  everything 
in  his  power  for  their  nplift.  From  young  manhood  he  served  his  church  in  dif- 
ferent official  capacities,  acting  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  as  member 
of  the  official  board  and  as  church  treasurer.  His  home  was  always  open  for  the 
entertainment  of  ministers  of  the  gospel  and  his  great  love  for  the  cause  of  Christ 
led  to  his  untiring  devotion  to  the  work  and  interests  of  the  church. 

Patriotism  was  also  one  of  the  marked  characteristics  of  Mr.  Beck,  who  in 
October,   1861,  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  troops  to  preserve  the  Union, 


HISTORY    OF    YOKK    COUNTY  1245 

enlisting  as  a  sergeant  of  Company  II,  Thirteenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  for  service  in 
the  Civil  war.  During  the  first  year  he  was  detailed  to  carry  mail  in  the  Ozark 
mountains  of  Missouri  and  on  one  occasion  was  thrown  from  his  horse,  sustaining 
a  serious  injury  from  which  he  suffered  the  remainder  of  liis  life.  This  caused  his 
discharge  from  the  service  in  September,  1862.  He  always  remained  a  loyal  sup- 
porter of  the  republican  party,  which  was  the  defense  of  the  Union  during  the 
dark  days  of  the  Civil  war  and  which  he  always  believed  to  be  the  party  of  reform 
and  progress. 

On  the  -Slst  of  December,  186-3,  near  Piano,  Illinois,  Mr.  Beck  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Sliss  Caroline  Elizabeth  Tenney,  who  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Piano, 
Kendall  county,  Illinois,  February  11,  1842.  On  her  father's  side  she  was  descended 
from  Thomas  Tenney,  a  member  of  Rev.  Ezekiel  Rogers'  compan.v,  who  came  from 
Yorkshire,  England,  arriving  in  Salem,  Massachusetts,  in  December,  1638,  and 
settling  at  Rowley,  Massachusetts,  in  April,  1630.  Her  great-grandfather  was  a 
member  of  the  Ipswich  company  of  minute  men  who  marched  at  the  memorable 
alarm  of  April  19,  1775.  Her  parents  migrated  to  Illinois  from  New  Hampshire 
in  1837  by  private  conveyances — two  wagons — the  journey  requiring  three  months. 
The  parents  of  Mrs.  Beck  were  Amos  and  Hannah  (Cass)  Tenney.  Her  mother 
was  a  gentlewoman  of  Scotch  descent  who  reared  a  family  of  eleven  children,  of 
whom  Caroline  was  the  tenth  and  was  the  last  survivor.  She  acquired  her  educa- 
tion in  a  country  school  near  Piano  and  in  the  Jennings  Seminary  at  Aurora, 
Illinois,  and  on  the  31st  of  December,  1863,  she  became  the  wife  of  George  A. 
Beck  at  Piano.  She  was  sixteen  years  of  age  when  she  joined  the  Congregational 
church  and  a  few  years  later  she  united  with  the  Methodist  church,  of  which  she 
continued  a  member  throughout  her  remaining  days.  She  possessed  a  clear  soprano 
voice  and  in  the  early  days  of  her  residence  in  York  led  the  singing  at  many 
prayer  meetings  and  revivals.  She  possessed  a  bright,  sunny  disposition  and  a 
rare  charm  of  personality.  She  had  a  genius  for  home  making  and  was  deeply 
devoted  to  her  family  and  friends.  She  was  also  given  to  hospitality,  and  in  the 
pioneer  times  before  traineil  nurses  were  available  she  gave  her  services  freely  to 
nursing  the  sick  of  the  community.  The  temperance  cause  was  also  a  matter  of 
deep  interest  to  Mrs.  Beck  and  her  influence  was  ever  on  the  side  of  right.  From 
young  womanhood  she  also  took  an  active  ])art  in  the  work  of  the  Woman's  Foreign 
Missionary  Society  and  gave  liberally  of  her  time  and  means  to  promote  the  cause. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beck  were  born  six  children:  Annie  H.,  born  February  5,  1865. 
at  Piano,  Illinois,  was  graduated  from  the  York  Methodist  College  in  1886  and 
afterward  assisted  her  father  in  the  grocery  business.  In  1889  she  secured  employ- 
ment in  the  county  clerk's  office,  was  assistant  fifteen  years,  deputy  for  ten  years 
and  in  1914  was  elected  to  the  position  of  county  clerk  on  the  republican  ticket, 
being  reelected  in  1916.  She  also  served  as  clerk  of  the  local  board  during  the 
World  war  and  at  the  present  time  is  proprietor  of  the  Needlecraft  &  Music  Shop 
at  York:  William  A.  Beck,  the  sec'ond  of  the  family,  born  September  6,  1869. 
near  Piano,  Illinois,  was  graduated  from  the  York  Methodist  College  in  1886.  He 
married  Mertie  E.  Dale  on  the  23d  of  June.  1890,  and  in  ^'^ovember  of  that  year 
they  removed  to  Denver,  Colorado,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  wholesale  cigar 
business.  They  have  two  sons:  Claude  George,  a  chiropractor  of  Denver;  and 
Harold   Lester,    who   is   associated   with    his   father   in    business;   Julia  M.,   born 

Vol.    11—43 


1246  IIIS'IOKV    OF    YOJJK    COUNTY 

December  '..',  l.sr;5,  near  riaiio,  Illinois,  uIm'i  ua.-  iMliuatcd  iii  the  York  public 
schools  ami  the  Y'ork  Methodist  College.  On  the  11th  of  June,  1896,  she  became 
the  wife  of  Sevmour  W.  Bissell  and  in  January,  19(1!),  removed  to  Hastings, 
Nebraska,  where  she  has  since  resided  with  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in 
Denver,  Colorado:  Henjainin  .1.  Heck,  the  fourth  of  the  family,  born  January  2, 
1875,  near  York.  Nebraska,  was  graduated  from  the  Y'ork  high  school  in  1894  and 
in  1899  attended  the  Chicago  Art  Institute,  specializing  in  designing.  He  became 
an  instructor  in  the  Chicago  Academy  of  Fine  Arts  and  at  present  is  manager 
of  the  designing  departinent  of  the  Charles  Everett  Johnson  Art  Service  Company 
of  Chicago.  On  the  2()th  of  December,  1901,  he  married  Magdalene  Jones  and 
tlicy  had  two  children:  (iazelle  Janice,  w^lio  died  in  infancy;  and  George  Anthony, 
his  grandfather's  namesake;  Dwiglit  H.  Beck,  born  August  7,  1877,  near  Y'ork, 
was  graduated  from  the  Y'ork  high  school  in  1897.  He  is  now  a  merchant  tailor 
of  (hnaha,  Nebraska,  and  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Ma.son.  He  was  married  March 
18,  191.5,  to  Hazel  Wilburn  and  their  two  children  are  Frederick  Werne  and 
Dwight  Harvey,  Jr.:  Elsie  M.  Beck,  Iwrii  November  28,  1878,  near  Y'ork,  Xcbra.ska, 
was  gi-aduated  from  the  York  high  school  in  189(i,  attended  the  Nebra.ska  Wes- 
leyan  University  and  was  a  teacher  in  the  public-  schools  of  York  and  University 
Place.  She  was  later  secretary  of  the  Nebraska  Industrial  Home  at  Milford, 
Nebraska,  and  bookkeeper  at  the  N'ebi'aska  Hos])ital  for  the  Insane  at  Lincoln. 
Slie  studied  voice  under  ^fadanie  Wave  Wliitcomb  and  at  the  present  time  is 
associated  willi  the  W.  C.  Baer  Furniture  Company. 

It  was  in  October,  187.'5,  that  ^Ir.  Betk,  on  account  of  failing  health,  sought 
a  new  location.  He  came  to  York  county,  wliicli  iiu]>ressed  him  so  favorably  that 
lie  bought  a  tract  of  land  and  then  returned  to  Illinois.  Having  decided  to  make 
the  change,  on  the  20th  of  Februai-y,  1874.  with  his  wife  and  three  children,  he 
arrived  in  Fairmont,  Nebraska,  which  was  the  nearest  railroad  station  to  York, 
'{"he  family  was  detained  in  Fairmont  i'or  several  days  by  a  real  Nebraska  blizzard 
and  on  the  24tli  of  FYbruary  the  ]iioneers  came  to  the  little  village  of  Y'ork.  In 
the  spring  a  small  house  was  erected  on  the  eighty-acre  farm  which  adjoins  York 
on  the  west.  The  change  of  climate  proved  .so  beneficial  that  Mr.  Beck  regained 
his  health  and  for  many  years  successfully  followed  farming,  although  in  the  early 
days,  with  other  ])ioneers,  he  endured  crop  failures,  grasshopper  raids,  droughts 
and  floods,  but  as  time  ])assed  on,  the  hardships  and  ti'ials  of  pioneer  life  were 
overcome  and  he  became  one  of  the  substantial  agriculturists  of  this  section  of 
the  .state. 

While  tlcnied  the  education  he  so  much  desired  foi'  himself,  Mr.  Beck  was 
anxious  that  his  children  should  have  better  school  facilities.  He  was  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  founding  of  the  Nebraska  Conference  Seminary,  later  the  Y'ork  Metho- 
dist College,  at  York  in  1880.  He  was  a  trustee  of  this  s(4iool  from  the  beginning 
and  gave  liberally  of  his  time  and  money  to  the  enterprise.  lie  believi'd  that  the 
Nebraska  Wesleyan  I'niversity  sluuild  be  at  York,  but  when  it  was  located  else- 
where and  the  York  Methodist  College  closed  its  doors,  his  disappointment  was  so 
keen  that  he  never  recovered  from  it. 

In  the  later  years  of  his  life  ill  health  compelled  Mr.  Beck  to  give  up  active 
farm  work  and  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  his  store  being  located  first 
where  the  Y.  M.  C  A.  now  stands,  while  later  he  removed  to  the  location  known 
as  the  M'ildman   buildinLr.     He  established   a  large  grocery  trade  and  his  success 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1247 

enabled  him  to  perforin  many  of  the  acts  of  generosity  and  kindness  that  charac- 
terized his  life.  He  was  liberal  to  a  fault  and  no  one  was  ever  turned  away  from 
his  store  empty-handed.  He  had  implicit  faith  in  humanity  and  never  wearied  in 
well  doing.  In  1888  ill  health  caused  him  to  retire  from  active  life.  His  great 
desire  was  to  live  for  his  family.  He  made  a  brave  struggle  and  did  not  despair 
of  recovery  until  the  day  of  his  death,  which  occurred  October  SG,  1889,  lacking 
but  a  few  days  of  being  fifty-one  years  of  age.  He  battled  with  disease  all  his 
life,  but  never  lost  hope.  He  was  a  man  of  faith,  full  of  courage  and  ambition. 
The  trials  incident  to  pioneer  life  never  vanquished  him.  He  was  strong  in  char- 
acter, a  man  of  pure  speech  and  clean  life,  and  at  his  going  the  unanimous  verdict 
of  the  community  was  that  if  ever  a  man  lived  and  died  a  consistent  Christian  and 
good  citizen,  that  man  was  George  A.  Beck  and  that  he  would  ever  live  in  memory 
as  an  example  worthy  to  be  followed.  Mrs.  Beck  survived  her  husband  until  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1920,  passing  away  at  her  home  in  York.  She  and  her  husband  were  a 
stanch  iniiuence  for  good  in  the  early  days,  when  society  and  opinions  here  were  in 
the  making.  They  always  stood  for  righteousness,  for  clean  living  and  the  highest 
ideals  and  are  entitled  to  a  large  share  of  the  credit  and  gratitude  due  to  those 
who  made  and  kept  York  clean  and  temperate. 


CHARLES  F.  MULIG 


Charles  F.  Mulig,  now  deceased,  who  for  many  years  was  a  respected  and  valued 
resident  of  York  county,  Nebraska,  was  born  in  Nova  Scotia,  October  13,  1840, 
the  son  of  Charles  Mulig,  a  native  of  Nova  Scotia.  The  parents  afterward  came 
to  this  country  and  they  passed  away  in  Wisconsin,  where  their  son  Charles  spent 
his  childhood. 

Charles  F.  Mulig  served  for  three  years  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil 
war.  He  received  a  gunshot  wound  and  though  he  spent  some  time  in  the  hospital 
as  a  result  of  it  he  was  not  disabled  permanently.  After  he  was  discharged  from 
the  service  of  his  country  he  moved  to  Minnesota,  where  he  remained  three  years 
and  in  1870  came  to  York  county,  Nebraska,  and  took  up  a  homestead  of  one  hun- 
dred and  si.xty  acres,  an  allotment  which  was  allowed  to  Civil  war  soldiers.  His 
first  home  was  a  dugout  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  20  of  what  is  now 
Beaver  township.  He  was  a  good  farmer  and  constantly  made  improvements,  erect- 
ing a  fine  set  of  farm  buildings  which  are  still  standing  on  the  old  farm  where  the 
widow  and  son  now  reside. 

He  was  married  in  Wisconsin  to  Miss  Josephine  Clarke  of  Maysville,  Wisconsin, 
and  to  them  were  born  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  They  are:  Myrtle, 
the  wife  of  John  Gaylord  who  resides  in  New  Mexico;  Emma,  the  wife  of  A.  A. 
Bristol  of  Omro,  Wisconsin ;  Florence,  who  is  married  to  Charles  J.  Zweig  of  York 
county;  Charles,  who  is  married  and  lives  in  York  county,  Nebraska,  and  is  engaged 
in  the  produce  business;  L.  C,  who  is  married  and  is  a  resident  of  Waco,  Nebraska; 
Fred  A.,  who  lives  in  Utica,  Nebraska :  G.  W.,  who  since  the  death  of  his  father 
has  managed  the  home  farm ;  Elmer,  who  is  married  and  resides  in  De  Ridder, 
Louisiana;  and  Edna,  the  wife  of  Fred  J.  Strinz  who  resides  in  Utica,  Nebraska. 

G.  W.   Mulig,  who  lives  with  his  mother  and  operates  the  home  place,   is  a 

Vol.  II— 43A 


1248  HISTOEY    OF   YOBK    COUNTY 

successful  farmer  ami  a  man  active  in  public  affairs.     He  is  serving  his  first  term 
as  a  member  of  the  county  board  of  supervisors. 

Charles  F.  Mulig  passed  away  in  September.  li)13,  leaving  to  mourn  his  demise 
his  devoted  wife  and  children  and  a  host  of  friends  and  neighbors  throughout  the 
community.  As  one  of  the  earliest  of  the  pioneers  of  the  west  he  contributed  in 
a  marked  measure  to  the  development  of  the  district  in  which  he  lived  and  he  left 
the  impress  of  his  individuality  upon  the  work  of  advanccmeut  and  im])rovciiierit. 


MELVIX  0.  McLAUGHLIX 

Melvin  0.  McLaughlin,  member  of  congress  from  the  York  district  since  1918 
and  prominently  known  in  educational  circles  throughout  the  state,  was  born  in 
Osceola,  Iowa,  August  8,  1876,  his  parents  being  William  D.  and  Eisby  J.  (Creger) 
McLaughlin,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1818,  while  the  latter 
was  born  in  Iowa  in  1851.  They  were  married  in  Iowa  and  lived  there  for  a 
number  of  years  but  are  now  residents  of  Oswego,  Kansas.  In  1884  they  removed 
to  Eawlins  county.  Kansas,  where  the  father  purchased  a  relinquishment  and  con- 
centrated his  efforts  and  attention  upon  farming.  In  early  manhood  he  had  followed 
the  profession  of  school  teaching  and  was  county  superintendent  of  schools  in 
Madison  county,  Iowa.  He  was  a  forceful,  earnest  and  eloquent  speaker  who  for 
many  years  was  very  active  in  politics,  engaging  extensively  in  campaign  work, 
but  in  later  years  he  has  concentrated  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  farming.  In 
early  manhood  he  was  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war,  serving  in  the  Thirty-third  Wis- 
consin Eegiment  for  a  period  of  three  years,  and  was  with  Sherman  on  the  celebrated 
march  to  the  sea.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  republican  and  in  days  of 
peace  has  been  as  true  and  loyal  to  his  country  as  when  he  followed  the  nation's 
starry  banner  on  the  battle  fields  of  the  south.  He  is  a  representative  of  one  of 
the  old  families  of  Pennsylvania,  being  a  son  of  Henry  McLaughlin,  a  native  of 
the  Keystone  state  who  removed  to  St.  Charles,  Iowa,  where  he  followed  farming 
to  the  time  of  his  death.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Melvin  0.  McLaughlin  was 
John  Creger,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  he,  too,  became  a  farmer  of  Iowa,  in 
which  state  he  also  engaged  in  preaching  as  minister  of  the  Christian  church. 

Melvin  0.  McLaughlin  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  seven 
children  of  whom  six  are  living,  but  he  is  the  only  one  residing  in  York  county. 
He  pursued  his  education  in  College  View  high  school  at  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  in  the 
Lincoln  Normal  University  and  at  different  periods  studied  in  Peru,  Nebraska, 
in  Osceola,  Iowa,  and  in  the  Union  Biblical  Seminary  of  Ohio.  He  was  in  school 
much  of  the  time  till  thirty-two  years  of  age,  constantly  broadening  his  knowledge 
along  various  lines.  He  studied  law  under  Hugh  Myers  of  Omaha  and  for  five 
years  in  early  manhood  he  taught  school  through  the  winter  months,  while  in  the 
summer  seasons  he  continued  his  own  education.  He  left  the  parental  roof  in  1892 
and  started  out  in  life  without  capital,  employing  various  means  of  obtaining  a 
livelihood  and  educating  himself.  After  teaching  for  five  years  he  entered  the 
ministry  of  the  United  Brethren  church  and  was  the  organizer  of  a  church  of  that 
denomination  at  Omaha,  Nebraska,  in  the  spring  of  1907,  remaining  there  as  min- 
ister for  six  years.     In  1913  he  came  to  York  and  accepted  the  presidency  of  York 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1249 

College,  remaiuing  at  the  head  of  this  institution  until  elected  to  congress  in  1918. 
He  served  during  his  last  two  years'  connection  with  York  College  without  pay, 
for  the  war  was  then  in  progress  and  he  made  this  contrihution  to  the  educational 
development  of  the  community. 

On  the  4th  of  August,  1897,  Mr.  McLaughlin  was  married  to  Miss  Elma  Pier- 
son,  who  was  born  in  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Justin  and  Elizabeth  (Bedell)  Pierson, 
wdio  removed  to  Lancaster  county  in  early  life  and  there  now  make  their  home. 
The  father  is  a  farmer,  having  always  given  his  attention  to  the  tilling  of  the  soil. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McLaughlin  have  been  born  four  children :  Esther,  who  is 
attending  the  Colonial  School  for  Girls  in  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Ruth,  also  in  school 
in  Washington;  John  Hale,  five  years  of  age;  and  Paul  P.,  a  little  lad  of  two 
summers. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McLaughlin  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church 
and  he  is  a  Knights  Templar  Mason  and  member  of  the  Benevolent  Protective 
Order  of  Elks.  He  devotes  his  entire  time  at  the  present  to  his  congressional 
duties  and  in  the  fall  of  1920  was  reelected  by  a  majority  of  fourteen  thousand. 
He  has  always  been  active  in  politics  but  never  sought  office  until  a  candidate  for 
congress  and  during  his  first  term  made  a  splendid  record,  being  a  most  forcible, 
earnest  and  convincing  speaker  and  actuated  at  all  times  by  patriotic  devotion 
to  duty. 


MARION  KING 


Another  man  of  York  county  who  may  lay  claim  to  the  proud  American  title 
of  self-made  man  is  Marion  King  who  since  1914  has  been  superintendent  of  the 
poor  farm.  He  is  a  native  son  of  Iowa,  born  in  Clarke  county  on  the  17th  of 
September,  1869,  a  son  of  T.  J.  and  Mary  P.  (Majors)  King.  Both  parents  were 
born  in  Kentucky  and  were  married  in  Illinois  to  which  state  they  had  come  with 
their  parents  in  early  youth.  The  father  engaged  in  farming  and  in  1888  removed 
to  Nebraska  and  farmed  in  Saline  county  for  some  time.  He  has  a  farm  in 
Kansas  but  for  the  most  part  lives  with  his  son  in  York  county.  The  mother 
passed  away  in  October,  1909.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  five  children 
were  born,  four  of  whom  are  living:  J.  W.,  who  resides  in  Louisiana  and  is 
engaged  in  the  horse  and  mule  business;  Oliver,  who  works  for  the  Burlington 
railroad  and  lives  in  Iowa;  Marion,  the  subject  of  this  review;  and  Malinda,  the 
wife  of  Otis  Derry,  a  farmer  in  Kansas.  The  King  family  were  reared  in  the 
faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mr.  King  gives  his  allegiance  to  the 
democratic  party. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Marion  King  attended  the  country  schools 
of  his  native  county  and  in  due  time  was  graduated  from  the  Osceola  liigh  school. 
After  putting  his  textbooks  aside  he  engaged  in  farming,  which  occupation  he  has 
followed  for  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  In  1909  he  came  to  York  county  and 
engaged  in  the  grain  business  at  Houston  and  Thayer,  continuing  in  this  successful 
venture  for  a  period  of  eight  years.  In  1914  he  was  made  superintendent  of  the 
poor  farm  and  to  this  work  he  devotes  his  entire  time.  He  has  considerable  land 
in  Texas  and  Louisiana  and  is  financially  independent. 

In  the  fall  of  1895  Mr.  King  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Farquhar- 


12.-,()  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

sen,  a  native  of  Canada  and  a  daughter  of  Henry  Farquharsen.  Her  father  was 
born  in  Scotland,  emigrated  to  this  country  in  an  early  day  and  was  one  of  the 
pioneer  farmers  of  Saline  county.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  two  chil- 
dren have  been  born :  Lena,  the  wife  of  Robert  McDonald  who  is  in  the  restaurant 
business  in  York;  and  Georgia,  a  stenographer  in  York.  The  King  family  are 
consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mrs.  King  and  the 
youngest  daughter  are  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  that  organization. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  King  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  democratic  party  and  is  well  versed  on  all  of  the  questions  and 
issues  of  the  day.  Fraternally  he  is  junior  warden  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  and  he 
has  passed  through  all  the  chairs  in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He 
is  likewise  a  Modern  Woodman.  Mr.  King's  life  has  been  an  active,  busy,  and 
useful  one  and  he  enjoys  to  the  fullest  extent  the  confidence  and  good  will  of 
those  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 


JAMES  E.  HART 


James  E.  Hart  of  Lincoln,  who  is  secretary  of  the  department  of  trade  and 
commerce  and  chief  of  the  bureau  of  banking  of  the  state,  received  his  appointment 
from  Gov.  McKelvey,  and  in  1919  resigned  his  position  as  president  of  the  City 
National  Bank  of  York  to  take  up  this  work.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1864,  a  son  of  John  D.  and  Nancy  (Lowery)  Hart,  both  natives  of  that  state.  The 
father  engaged  in  farming,  and  lived  and  died  on  the  farm  where  his  birth 
occurred.  He  was  born  in  1818  and  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-five  years. 
Mrs.  Hart  was  born  in  1823  and  passed  away  in  1907.  They  were  members  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  church  and  always  took  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of 
that  organization.  Seven  children  were  born  to  this  union,  four  of  whom  are  living. 
James  E.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  the  only  one  of  the  family  residing  in 
Nebraska.  John  D.  Hart  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party,  although 
he  neither  sought  nor  desired  public  office.  He  was  a  member  of  the  state  militia 
and  during  Lee's  raid  in  Pennsylvania  was  called  into  active  service.  His  father, 
or  the  grandfather  of  James  E.  Hart,  came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States 
from  Scotland  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania  at  an  early  day.  He  engaged  in  busi- 
ness there  on  reaching  manhood  and  spent  the  balance  of  his  life  in  Pennsylvania, 
becoming  a  prominent  resident  of  the  community  in  which  he  lived. 

James  E.  Hart  attended  the  public  schools  of  Pennsylvania  and  in  due  time 
entered  the  State  Normal  School  where  he  completed  his  education.  For  the  three 
years  following  he  taught  school  in  Pennsylvania  and  in  1884  xemoved  to  Gage 
county,  Nebraska,  where  he  continued  to  teach  for  one  term.  He  then  discontinued 
teaching  and  accepted  a  clerkship  in  a  store  for  a  period  of  two  years.  At  the 
termination  of  this  time  he  removed  to  Gove,  Kansas,  and  entered  into  the  employ 
of  the  bank  there  as  cashier.  For  three  years  he  remained  in  that  capacity,  or 
until  1890,  when  he  came  to  York  county,  hoping  to  improve  his  health  which  had 
been  impaired  by  the  close  confinement  of  teaching.  His  experience  as  cashier  in 
the  Kansas  bank  stood  him  in  good  stead  and  as  he  was  also  a  bookkeeper  he  soon 
obtained  a  like  position  at  Gresham,  where  he  located.     He  was  one  of  the  organ- 


HISTORY    OP   YORK    COUNTY  1251 

izers  of  the  bank  originally  known  as  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank  which  was 
later  merged  into  the  First  National  Bank.  For  twenty-six  years  he  was  cashier 
of  this  bank,  conducting  his  afl'airs  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  bank  and  its 
patrons.  In  1916  he  removed  to  York  where  he  accepted  the  position  of  cashier 
in  the  City  National  Bank  and  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Childs,  who  was  president  of 
this  institution,  succeeded  to  his  position.  He  resigned,  however,  in  June,  1919, 
to  become  secretary  of  the  department  of  trade  and  commerce  and  chief  of  the 
bureau  of  banking,  to  which  he  had  been  appointed  by  Gov.  McKelvey.  Mr.  Hart 
has  forty  people  working  under  him  in  this  state  office  and  also  has  supervision 
over  the  bank  department  of  the  state,  administration  of  the  blue  sky  law  and  hail 
insurance.  He  is  also  custodian  of  about  seven  hundred  thousands  dollars  in 
securities. 

In  1891  Mr.  Hart  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Louise  Hoth,  who  was  born 
near  Crresham  and  whose  father  had  acquired  a  homestead  in  York  county.  Two 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  namely :  Ellis  B.,  who  is  employed  at  the 
Stock  Yards  National  Bank  in  Denver;  and  Esther  L.,  who  is  an  employe  of  the 
First  National  Trust  Company  at  Lincoln. 

Mr.  Hart  is  a  member  of  the  republican  party  and  has  never  been  very  active 
in  politics.  His  present  position  is  the  only  public  position  to  which  he  has  ever 
been  appointed,  but  he  was  elected  to  the  State  legislature  from  York  county  in 
1907,  serving  one  term.  He  is  a  member  of  tlie  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
and  a  past  master  of  the  order.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  has  been 
through  all  tlic  chairs  of  the  order  and  has  represented  both  orders  in  the  Grand 
Lodge.  Mr.  Hart  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  his  wife  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Science  church.  Mr.  Hart  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  sterling 
character  and  his  activity  has  made  him  a  leading  citizen  of  Lincoln  where  the 
intelligent  direction  of  his  labors  has  wrought  good  results  in  both  the  attainment 
of  individual  success  and  the  advancement  of  public  welfare. 


REV.  THOMAS  CULLEN 

For  thirty  years  Rev.  Thomas  Cullen  has  with  zeal  and  earnestness  devoted 
himself  to  the  work  of  upbuilding  St.  Joseph's  church  at  York.  He  assumed  his 
present  pastorate  on  the  5th  of  November,  1890,  and  through  the  intervening 
period  has  worked  most  zealously,  endearing  himself  to  the  people  and  accom- 
plishing great  good  among  his  parishioners.  A  native  of  Ireland  he  was  born  in 
Camderry,  Glenfarm,  in  County  Leitrim,  Ireland,  on  the  9th  of  August,  1855, 
his  parents  being  Michael  and  Katherine  (McDermott)  Cullen,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  the  same  county  and  there  remained  until  called  to  their  final  rest. 
The  father,  who  was  a  successful  farmer,  passed  away  in  1892  while  the  mother 
survived  until  1915.  They  were  married  in  1853  and  became  the  parents  of  five 
children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Eev.  Thomas  Cullen,  of  this  review;  Mrs. 
John  Gallaher,  who  resides  in  Ireland ;  and  Mrs.  Sarah  Ann  McGowan,  who  makes 
her  home  at  Manor  Hamilton  in  Ireland. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Father  Cullen  attended  the  St.  Patrick 
College  at  Cavan.  Ireland,  and   in  1884,  having  qualified  for  the  priesthood,  was 


12.5a  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COrXTY 

ordained  at  Quebec,  Canada.  His  first  charge  was  at  Fremont,  Nebraska,  and  from 
there  he  went  to  O'Neill  where  he  remained  for  seven  months.  The  first  mission 
of  which  he  had  charge  was  at  McCook,  his  labors  there  continuing  for  five  years 
and  eight  months.  On  the  otli  of  November,  1890,  Father  Cullen  came  to  York, 
having  been  assigned  to  the  pastorate  of  St.  Joseph's  church,  in  which  he  has 
since  continued.  Under  his  guidance  and  leadership  the  church  has  steadily  grown 
and  its  membership  now  numbers  one  hundred  and  fifty  families.  The  convent 
and  school  are  continually  progressing  under  his  supervision  and  he  has  reason 
to  be  proud  of  their  high  standing  in  the  community.  Rev.  Mr.  Cullen  is  also 
the  chaplain  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus  council  in  the  work  of  which  he  takes 
active  part. 

While  maintaining  an  independent  attitude  in  politics,  he  is  perhaps  more  in 
sympathy  with  republican  principles  and  he  regards  it  as  the  duty  of  a  public- 
spirited  citizen  to  keep  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  and 
to  support  his  convictions  at  the  polls.  With  singleness  of  purpose  he  has  devoted 
his  life  to  the  service  of  the  church  and  he  is  a  man  of  resolute  will  who  never 
falls  short  of  the  accomplishment  of  any  task  to  which  he  sets  himself.  Those  who 
know  Father  Cullen — and  he  has  a  wide  acquaintance — entertain  for  him  the 
highest  regard  and  his  fellow  townsmen  are  proud  to  be  numbered  among  his 
friends.  A  testimonial  of  the  regard  of  his  parishioners  was  tendered  him  on  the 
5th  of  November,  1930,  at  the  close  of  a  pastorate  of  thirty  years,  when  a  banquet 
was  held  in  his  honor  and  he  was  presented  with  a  fine  gold-headed  cane  in  token 
of  the  esteem  entertained  for  him.  One  of  the  local  papers  on  that  occasion  said : 
"When  Father  Cullen  came  to  this  pastorate  the  new  church  was  just  begun.  Under 
his  fostering  care  the  membership  has  increased  in  number  until  now  it  is  one  of 
the  best  parishes  in  the  Lincoln  diocese.  Father  Cullen  by  his  gentle  demeanor, 
his  unostentatious  adherence  to  the  faith,  and  his  example  in  right  thov;ght  and 
living,  has  won  the  love  and  confidence  of  his  flock  and  the  sincere  respect  of  the 
entire  community."  In  the  addresses  made  on  that  occasion  many  words  of  praise 
and  of  hearty  appreciation  were  spoken  by  yoiing  men  and  old,  some  of  whom  he 
had  bajitizeil  into  the  church  and  who  had  grown  to  manhood  under  his  spiritual 
guidance.  Throughout  his  connection  with  the  church  at  York  Father  Cullen  has 
taken  but  one  real  vacation  and  that  when  he  spent  a  few  months  at  his  old  home 
in  Ireland  with  his  loved  mother,  who  has  since  passed  away.  Returning,  he 
resumed  his  duties  and  the  York  Catholic  church  has  certainly  prospered  under  his 
guidance.  An  attractive  meal,  beautiful  music  and  rare  flowers  added  to  the  joy 
of  the  occasion  at  the  lianquet  held  in  his  honor  and  never  to  be  forgotten  were 
the  words  of  sincere  and  heartfelt  appreciation  of  his  life  and  labors  spoken  by 
those  with  whom  he  has  been  so  closely  associated  in  spiritual  work  through  long 
years. 


JOSEPH  A.  JACOBS 


Jose]ih  A.  Jacobs,  real  estate  and  insurance  nmn  of  York,  was  born  in  Nemaha 
county,  Kansas,  on  the  8th  of  September,  1873.  His  parents  were  Henry  and 
Mariah  (Kerns)  Jacobs,  the  former  born  near  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  the  latter 
also  a  native  of  Missouri.     Their  marriage  took  place  in  Jefferson  county,  that 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUXTY  1253 

state.  W'lifU  the  Civil  war  brulve  out  Mr.  Jacobs  enlisted  in  the  Eighth 
Mi.ssouri  Regiment  with  which  he  served  for  one  hundred  days,  at  the  terni- 
•  ination  of  which  time  he  re-eulisted  in  a  Kansas  regiment  and  served  until 
the  end  of  the  war.  He  participated  in  several  of  the  hard  fought  battles 
of  the  war  but  was  never  wounded.  As  a  result  of  his  exposure,  how- 
ever, he  suffered  from  varicose  veins  and  eventually  this  caused  his  death.  For 
many  years  he  followed  the  occupation  of  farmer  but  in  1897  sold  his  land  in 
Kansas  and  removed  to  York  where  his  death  occurred  in  1907.  His  widow  sur- 
vived him  for  twelve  years,  her  death  taking  place  on  the  19th  of  December,  1919. 
Mr.  Jacobs  had  been  reared  in  the  Lutheran  faith  and  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Brethren  church  of  York,-  as  was  his  wife,  although  she  was  formerly  a  faithful 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren: B.  Frank,  who  is  an  attorney  in  Tacoma,  Washington;  Mrs.  D.  M.  Edgar- 
ton  who  resides  on  a  farm  in  Rulo;  L.  H.,  who  is  a  farmer  and  dairyman  of 
Kamilche,  Washington;  Joseph  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  G.  M.,  who  is 
superintendent  of  agencies  of  the  Northern  Life  Insurance  Company  at  Seattle, 
Washington. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Joseph  A.  Jacobs  attended  the  Campbell 
University  at  Holton,  Kansas,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1891:.  He  then 
taught  school  in  Kansas  for  some  time  and  in  1900  came  to  York  to  accept  a  posi- 
tion as  teacher  in  the  college.  Subsequently  he  and  his  brother  started  a  business 
college  which  they  ran  for  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  Joseph  A.  Jacobs 
sold  out  to  his  brother.  He  completed  a  law  course  at  Pawnee  City,  Kansa.s,  under 
Storey  &  Storey  in  1908,  but  never  applied  for  admission  to  the  bar  and  has  never 
practiced.  His  knowledge  of  law,  how^ever,  is  a  big  factor  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness in  which  he  has  been  engaged  since  October,  1905,  and  he  is  known  throughout 
the  county  as  being  always  fair  and  honest  in  his  dealings.  In  addition  to  his  real 
estate  business  lie  handles  some  fire  insurance. 

In  March  of  the  year  1896  Mr.  Jacobs  w-as  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sadie 
Rogers,  who  was  a  native  of  Pawnee  county.  Politically  Mr.  Jacobs  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right 
of  franchise  and  fraternally  he  is  a  Knight  Templar,  Thirty-second  degree  Mason 
and  Shriner.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  He  was  master  of  York  Lodge  in  1911.  Although 
most  of  his  time  is  devoted  to  the  conduct  of  his  business  he  is  not  unmindful  of 
the  social  amenities  of  life  and  to  that  end  is  an  active  member  of  the  York  Country 
Club.  The  life  of  Mr.  Jacobs  has  been  commendable  in  every  relation  and  he 
enjoys  an  enviable  reputation  in  both  the  business  and  the  social  circles  of  his 
communitv. 


J.  E.  PREST 


J.  E.  Prest  was  a  native  of  the  Empire  state,  and  was  born  at  Andover,  Alle- 
gany county,  New  York,  February  19,  1849,  a  son  of  Richard  and  Harriet  (Kemp) 
Prest,  also  natives  of  New  York,  who  moved  to  Dodge  county,  Wisconsin,  when 
their  son  was  sixteen  years  old.     Twenty-one  years  later  they  became  residents  of 


1254  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

jMai'tin  county,  Minnesota,  and  in  1884  came  to  York  county  where  they  sjjent  the 
remainder  of  their  days. 

J.  E.  Prest  was  reared  in  Xew  York,  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota  where  he  was 
always  associated  with  liis  father,  heing  a  very  devoted  son.  After  he  married 
he  and  his  wife  made  their  home  with  his  fatlier,  and  the  fatlier  and  son  purchased 
one  hundred  sixty  acres  of  land  in  McFadden  townsliip  which  they  improved  and 
cultivated. 

December  23,  l.sdi),  in  Martin  county.  Minnesota,  Mr.  Prest  was  married  to 
Miss  Clara  B.  Smith,  the  daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Susannah  (Seamen)  Smith. 
The  mother  of  Mrs.  Prest  died  when  the  daughter  was  a  child.  The  father  went 
to  Martin  county,  Minnesota,  where  he  became  a  homesteader  and  where  he  spent 
nine  years  of  his  life,  then  returned  to  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Prest  became  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Ruth,  the 
wife  of  Alva  Valentine,  of  Buffalo  county,  Nebraska;  Harriet  S.,  married  Rev.  M. 
E.  Bollen,  and  resides  in  Walla  Walla,  Washington;  J.  E.,  a  physician  of  Lushton, 
Nebraska;  Edith,  at  home:  Clara  B.,  tlie  wife  of  C.  R.  Davis,  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska; 
Lura,  assistant  principal  of  schools  at  Ekalaka,  ^lontana ;  James  R.,  married  and 
farming  the  home  place;  and  Percy  J.,  at  home. 

Mr.  Prest  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  having  been  converted  and 
joined  church  at  the  age  of  eighteen.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican  and  served 
as  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  his  district.  His  death  occurred  January  23, 
1904,  leaving  to  mourn  his  loss  a  devoted  wife,  his  sorrowing  children  and  many 
friends  throughout  the  community. 


GEORGE  I.  MYERS 


George  I.  Myers,  a  resident  farmer  of  York  county  who  is  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock  raising,  is  a  native  son  of  the  county,  born  July  17,  1882,  a  son  of  Riley 
and  Melissa  (Darling)  Myers,  the  former  a  native  of  Indiana  while  the  latter 
was  born  in  Illinois.  George  Myers,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  the  first  of 
the  family  to  settle  in  the  county.  He  came  here  in  1871  accompanied  by  his  son, 
Riley,  and  took  a  homestead  claim  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  to  which  he  had 
acquired  a  right  through  service  in  the  Civil  war,  from  which  he  was  veteranized. 
The  first  house  in  which  they  lived  was  built  of  sod  and  they  contrived  to  be  satis- 
fied with  that  accommodation  until  bett-er  times  arrived.  At  the  period  when 
George  Myers  settled  in  the  county  there  was  no  house  nor  business  place  in  York 
and  all  goods  and  household  requirements  had  to  be  hauled  from  Seward  and 
Central  City.  When  making  the  journey  into  Nebraska  he  came  overland  with  a 
team  of  horses  and  oxen,  the  other  mcmliers  of  the  family  also  nsing  that  method 
of  transportation.  During  the  grassho]iper  plague  he  lost  everything  and  was  com- 
pelled to  make  a  fresh  start,  whicli  he  did  with  cliaracteristic  energy  and  in  addi- 
tion to  the  planting  of  crops  set  out  large  groves  of  trees  and  planted  an  orchard. 
He  lived  to  see  his  efforts  and  ambitions  brought  to  fruition  and  died  honored  and 
respected  throughout  the  district,  at  the  date  of  his  passing  being  seventy-two 
years  old. 

Riley  Myers,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  educated  in  the  common 


HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1255 

schools  of  York  coimty,  the  sehoolhouses  in  those  days  being  built  of  sod  and  with- 
out any  of  the  equipment  of  the  present  day  for  the  instruction  of  pupils.  After 
helping  his  father  for  a  time  he  purchased  a  tract  of  land  for  his  own  cultivation 
and  for  several  years  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  worked 
hard  and  met  with  a  good  measure  of  success  in  his  agricultural  operations.  He 
reached  prosperity  through  his  own  efforts  and  finally  found  himself  in  a  position 
to  retire,  when  he  moved  to  Aurora  where  he  died  in  1916,  being  then  in  his 
sixty-eighth  year.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church  at  Harmony 
and  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  having  the  church  building  erected.  His  wife 
is  still  living  in  Aui-ora,  now  aged  sixty-seven  years.  They  were  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  James,  of  Arcadia,  a  farmer;  John,  of  Bradshaw,  foreman 
at  the  elevator;  Verne,  living  in  Waterloo,  engaged  in  insurance:  George  I.,  on  the 
old  home  farm;  David,  residing  in  Aurora;  Earl,  living  in  Hastings;  Walter,  a 
farmer,  of  York  county ;  Joseph,  living  in  Broken  Bow ;  Charles,  residing  near 
Aurora ;  Nettie,  wife  of  C.  M.  Kelly  of  Scottsbluff,  Nebraska :  Sadie,  wife  of  Harry 
Cox  of  Burwell ;  and  Virginia,  wife  of  Balph  Tivis  of  Aurora,  Nebraska.  Riley 
Myers  gave  his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party  and  in  all  community 
matters  he  took  a  practical  interest. 

George  I.  Myers  was  reared  in  his  father's  home  and  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  York.  He  helped  his  father  in  the  operations  of  the  home 
farm  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  started  on  his  own  account  by  renting  land 
which  he  worked  until  1917  when  he  bougiit  his  grandfathers  old  homestead  farm. 
He  now  resides  in  a  home  erected  on  the  site  of  the  first  house  put  up  by  his 
grandfather.  He  is  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and 
feeding  cattle  for  the  market,  in  the  latter  line  his  produce  finding  a  ready  market 
and  good  prices.  In  all  his  business  career  he  has  shown  ready  adaptability  and 
resourcefulness  combined  with  energy  and  enterprise  and  whatever  he  has  under- 
taken he  has  carried  forward  to  successful  completion,  being  regarded  in  his  district 
as  a  worthy  successor  to  his  father  and  grandfather. 

In  1904  Mr.  iMyers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Minnie  Bowers,  born  in  York 
county,  a  daughter  of  George  Bowers,  a  well  known  resident  of  the  county.  They 
are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church  and  are  liberal  contributors  to  its 
upkeep.  They  are  ever  ready  to  endorse  those  plans  and  measures  which  tend  to 
uplift  the  individual  or  uphold  the  betterment  of  the  community  at  large.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  in  politics  votes  an  independent 
ticket.  In  addition  to  his  activities  on  the  farm  he  is  also  interested  in  the 
Farmers  Elevator  at  Bradshaw  and  in  the  Farmers  Co-operative  Association  at 
Bradshaw,  in  the  business  aifairs  of  which  he  takes  a  deep  interest. 


ISAAC  N.  VAN  ALEN 


After  a  useful  and  well  spent  life  Isaac  N.  Van  Alen  passed  away  on  June  24, 
1919,  honored  and  respected  by  all  who  knew^  him.  He  was  a  native  of  the  great 
Empire  state,  born  in  Buffalo,  March  13,  1854,  a  son  of  Peter  I.  and  Wilhelmina 
(Vandenburg)  Van  Alen,  the  former  born  in  New  York  state  and  the  latter  a 
native  of  Holland,  both  of  whom  passed  away  many  years  ago. 


1256  HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUXTY 

Isaac  N.  Van  Alen  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Buffalo  and  lived  with  his 
parents  for  some  years  thereafter.  Later  he  removed  to  Michigan  and  there  found 
employment  as  a  shipping  clerk  with  a  railroad  company,  remaining  in  that  line 
for  two  years.  In  1883  he  went  to  South  Dakota  and  took  a  homestead  near  Oneida 
and  on  that  holding  proved  up  and  farmed  for  some  years.  While  living  in  South 
Dakota  in  1886  he  met  and  married  Fannie  L.  Tagg,  a  native  of  Portland,  Wis- 
consin, whose  parents  had  moved  to  South  Dakota  some  years  before.  Mr.  Van 
Alen  in  addition  to  the  demands  of  his  own  farm  also  superintended  the  work  of 
the  Tagg  place  for  a  time  and  continued  thus  engaged  until  1889,  when  he  and 
his  family  moved  to  York  county  and  located  in  Waco.  In  the  latter  town  he 
became  connected  with  the  elevator  then  operated  by  W.  G.  King  with  whom  he 
remained  for  a  time,  next  working  in  a  grocery  store  and  then  going  into  the 
implement  business  with  T.  C.  Tagg. 

Having  a  desire  to  return  to  farm  life  Mr.  Van  Alen  bought  eighty  acres  of 
land  near  Waco  and  resumed  farming,  but  the  dry  seasons  of  the  early  90"s  proved 
so  disastrous  to  farmers  in  that  neighborhood  that  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish 
the  place.  Later  he  rented  land,  finally  giving  up  residence  in  the  Waco  district 
and  moving  to  Gresham  in  1909  where  he  bought  twenty  acres  of  land.  On  this 
holding  he  built  a  fine  house,  brought  the  place  to  a  condition  of  excellent  improve- 
ment and  farmed  for  a  while,  raising  a  large  quantity  of  alfalfa  and  engaging 
in  the  dairy  business.  He  did  not,  however,  live  long  to  enjoy  his  new 
environment,  as  death  called  him  on  June  2-1,  1919.  His' character  was  of  a  kind 
that  contributed  in  marked  measure  to  the  substantial  and  moral  development  of 
the  conimunity.  He  was  an  earnest  memlier  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  was 
liberal  in  his  contributions  to  its  upkeep.  He  gave  his  political  support  to  the 
republican  party  but  had  never  been  a  seeker  after  public  office.  Mr.  Van  Alen 
and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of  two  children :  Ethel,  who  married  W.  W. 
Davidson,  of  Gresham;  and  Hazel,  the  wife  of  A.  J.  Wray,  of  Sioux  City,  Iowa, 
engaged  in  the  implement  business. 

W.  W.  Davidson,  deceased,  was  a  son  of  William  Davidson,  was  born  in  York 
county  in  1889  and  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  county,  after  which  he 
became  a  farmer.  He  was  married  at  Gresham  in  1913  to  Ethel  Van  Alen  and 
died  on  April  7,  1919.  He  spent  his  active  life  at  general  farming  and  gave  special 
attention  to  the  breeding  of  Polled  Durham  cattle.  Two  children  were  born  to 
their  union:  Lloyd  Van  Alen  and  Willard  Stanley,  both  living  with  their  widowed 
mother  at  Gresham.  Mr.  Davidson  voted  the  democratic  ticket  and  was  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  Eoyal  Highlanders.  He  was  a  man  of  much 
promise  who  had  made  many  and  ardent  friends  by  his  uncompromising  integrity 
and  sincerity  of  purpose  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 


EGBERT   E.   COPSEY 


Eobert  R.  Copsey  has  been  a  ])rominent  figure  in  financial  circles  in  York  for 
a  number  of  years  and  his  capability  in  recognizing  and  utilizing  opportunities  has 
been  a  strong  feature  in  his  growing  success.  He  is  one  of  York  county's  native 
sons,  having  been  born  here  on  the  20th  of  September,  1872,  the  sou  of  Edward  D. 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY  1257 

and  Jenuie  (Henderson)  Copsey,  mention  of  whom  is  made  on  anotlier  page  of 
this  work. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Mr.  Copsey  attended  the  country  schools 
of  the  county  and  having  been  duly  prepared  entered  the  Fremont  Xormal  College 
from  which  he  was  graduated.  With  the  exception  of  the  years  in  which  he 
attended  school  he  lived  on  a  farm  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  at  which 
time  he  started  out  into  the  world  on  his  own  account.  He  removed  to  York  and 
for  three  years  worked  in  the  City  National  Bank,  resigning  that  position  to 
become  county  treasurer.  He  served  in  that  capacity  from  1906  to  1910  and  then 
engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  for  a  short  time.  In  1911  he  again  entered  the 
employ  of  a  bank,  becoming  connected  witli  the  First  National  Bank.  He  made 
steady  advances  in  this  connection  and  soon  became  vice  president  of  the  bank,  a 
position  which  he  now  holds.  He  is  also  secretary  of  the  First  National  Bank  and 
is  vice  president  and  secretary  of  the  First  Trust  Company.  The  financial  interests 
of  Mr.  Copsey  are  not  confined  to  York  for  he  is  vice  president  and  director  of  the 
banks  at  Lushton  and  Thayer  and  is  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Brad- 
shaw  and  the  Blue  Eiver  Bank  at  McCool.  The  prominence  of  Mr.  Copsey  in 
financial  circles  is  made  manifest  by  his  connection  with  these  various  banks  and 
the  success  which  he  now  enjoys  is  the  result  of  his  own  unaided  effort. 

On  the  1st  of  October,  1895,  Mr.  Copsey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bertha 
Wangerien,  a  native  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Her  father,  A.  Wangerien,  removed  from 
Ohio  to  Vining,  Kansas,  where  he  still  resides,  a  well-to-do  grain  dealer  and  miller. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Copsey  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children :  Ruth,  who  is  a 
graduate  of  the  York  high  school  and  is  now  a  sophomore  in  the  University  of 
Nebraska;  and  Marion,  who  has  attended  York  high  school,  St.  Mary's  school  near 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  the  Forrest  Grove  school  in  Chicago.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Copsey 
and  daughters  are  consistent  members  of  the  Congregational  church  and  are  active 
in  its  interests. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Copsey  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  in  the  interests  of  which  he  has  been  very 
active.  He  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  all  civic  questions  and  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  city  council.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Mason,  a  Knight  of  Pythias,  and 
a  Knight  Templar.  The  life  of  Mr.  Copsey  has  been  characterized  by  an  orderly 
progression  that  has  resulted  from  untiring  efforts,  indefatigable  energy  and  close 
application.  In  all  of  his  business  affairs  he  seems  readily  to  discriminate  between 
the  essential  and  the  non-essential  and  discarding  the  latter  so  utilizes  the  former 
that  he  seems  to  accomplish  at  any  point  in  his  career  the  utmost  possibilities  for 
successful  accomplishment  at  that  point. 


CHARLES  E.  SANDALL 


Among  the  ])romiuent  lawyers  of  York  county  is  Charles  E.  Sandall  whose 
ability  stands  the  practical  test  of  the  work  of  the  courts  and  whose  enviable  repu- 
tation is  based  upon  what  he  has  actually  accomplished.  He  is  senior  partner  of 
the  firm  of  Sandall  &  Wray  and  they  have  one  of  the  largest  and  most  lucrative 
practices  in  the  county. 


13.-)8  HISTOEY    OF    YORK    COUNTY 

Charles  E.  Sandall  was  born  on  liis  father's  homestead  three  miles  west  of  York- 
county  on  the  13th  of  January,  1876,  a  sou  of  Andrew  L.  and  Matilda  (Kalitf) 
Sandall,  both  natives  of  Sweden,  the  former  coming  to  York  county  in  1871  and 
the  latter  coniinj;-  with  her  parents  in  LST.'i.  Jt  was  here  that  they  met  and  were 
married,  settling  on  the  homestead  acquired  by  Mr.  Sandall  which  consisted  of  a 
section  of  well  improved  land.  In  191'^  they  removed  to  York  and  the  following 
year  Mr.  Sandall  retired  from  active  business  life.  Three  years  after  coming  to 
York  he  suifered  the  loss  of  his  wife  whose  death  occurred  in  1915.  Mr.  Sandall  is 
now  retired  and  living  in  York  where  one  of  his  daughters  keeps  house  for  him. 
He  is  a  ilev<iut  mendier  of  the  Lutheran  cliurrh  anil  a  republican  in  politics.  He 
has  served  in  the  state  legislature  for  two  sessions  and  has  also  held  different  local 
and  township  offices.  The  father  of  Andrew  L.  Sandall  was  John  Z.  Sandall  who 
was  a  farmer  in  Iowa  and  later  removed  to  York  county  where  his  death  occurred. 
The  maternal  grandfather  of  Charles  E.  Sandall,  John  Kaliff,  settled  in  York 
county  in  the  early  days  and  homesteaded  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  on  which  he 
resided  until  his  death.  Charles  E.  Sandall  is  the  second  in  a  family  of  twelve 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living  but  one:  Eldora,  the  oldest  member  of  the 
family,  is  the  wife  of  Charles  C.  Moline,  a  farmer  of  York  county;  Charles  E.,  the 
subject  of  this  review ;  Ida,  the  wife  of  E.  A.  Peterson,  a  merchant  of  Olds,  Iowa ; 
Mabel,  the  wife  of  Oscar  Olson,  who  is  a  merchant  of  Olds,  Iowa ;  Maggie,  who 
married  J.  E.  Peterson,  a  farmer  of  York  county ;  Robert  F.,  a  lawyer  in  Seattle, 
Washington;  Martin  H.,  who  resides  on  the  old  homestead;  Selma,  wife  of  L.  P. 
Reger,  district  agent  for  the  Ancient  Order  of  the  United  Workmen  of  Iowa; 
Adelia,  the  wife  of  F.  A.  Johnson,  a  farmer  of  York  county ;  Enda,  married  L. 
Morgan,  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Olds,  Iowa;  Helen,  at  home  with  the  father. 
John  Chester  Sandall,  the  youngest,  entered  the  service  of  the  United  States  in 
the  World  war  in  1917  at  Montgomery,  Alabama,  joining  the  Thirty-seventh  divi- 
sion. He  went  overseas  as  the  private  secretary  of  General  C.  S.  Farnsworth  and 
died  as  results  of  the  influenza  on  the  38th  of  October,  1918,  at  Bourbourg,  France. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Charles  E.  Sandall  attended  the  country 
schools  of  York  county  and  in  due  time  attended  tlie  York  College  where  he 
completed  a  four  years"  course.  He  decided  on  law  as  his  chosen  profession  and 
attended  the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Michigan  from  whicli  he  was 
graduated  in  1904.  He  began  practice  in  York  and  has  so  continued.  In  the  con- 
ducting of  his  profession  Mr.  Sandall  has  formed  three  ])artnerships,  the  first  being 
with  C.  N.  White,  the  second  with  J.  W.  Purinton,  and  the  third  with  A.  G.  Wray. 
This  last  partnership  was  formed  in  1911  with  Mr.  Sandall  as  the  senior  partner 
and  has  continued.  They  are  both  lawyers  of  ability  and  have  built  up  a  large 
and  steady  patronage  due  to  their  fair  and  honorable  methods  in  the  conduct  of 
their  cases. 

Mr.  Sandall  was  married  in  190.5  to  Miss  Marie  Romsdal,  a  native  of  York 
county  and  the  daughter  of  John  Romsdal,  a  ]>ioneer  farmer  of  that  county  wdio 
is  now  retired  and  living  in  California.  To  the  union  of  ilr.  and  Mrs.  Sandall 
six  children  have  been  born:  Mildred  Marie,  a  junior  in  high  school;  Ruth  Iline, 
a  junior  in  high  school;  Esther  Del,  in  school:  Marion  Elizabeth;  Charles  E.  Jr.; 
and  John  Chester.    The  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Sandall  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party,  in  the  interests  of  which  he  has  been 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY  1359 

very  active.  He  lias  held  several  public  offices,  the  first  being  the  office  of  county 
attorney  which  he  held  for  three  terms.  He  then  served  as  state  senator  for  two 
terms  and  was  appointed  by  tlie  supreme  court  as  a  member  of  the  preliminary 
survey  committee  for  the  state  constitutional  convention.  He  was  a  delegate-at- 
large  to  the  last  republican  convention,  and  though  he  has  spent  a  great  deal  of 
his  time  in  the  interests  of  his  party  he  has  devoted  the  most  of  it  to  his  chosen 
profession.  He  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  in  York  county  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Country  Club.  Mr.  Sandall  is  admitted  to  practice  in  all  courts,  in  the  state, 
supreme  and  the  federal  courts,  and  as  a  result  the  firm  of  Sandall  &  Wray  has 
one  of  the  largest  clientages  in  the  county. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX 


Abrahams,  John 87-i 

Albin,  CM 998 

Allien,  J.  G 1149 

Allen,  J.   B 1113 

Allen,  E.  0 850 

Baer,  Charles 1141 

Baer,  W.  C 1140 

Baker,  D.W 879 

Baldwin,  F.  H 1133 

Ballenger,  J.  W 1197 

Barth,  J.  A IKil 

Batz,  Otto 1118 

Beaver,  C.  N 860 

Beaver,  Elmer   939 

Beck,  G.  A 1344 

Beckord,  Robert 930 

Bedient,  C.  H 1038 

Bedient,   F.  L 1180 

Behling,  Herman 963 

Bennett,  A.  B 961 

Bittinger,  A.  G 873 

Bittinger,  J.  F 1305 

Bittinger,  J.  G 870 

Blair,  H.  L 1097 

Blender,  Edward   1091 

Blender,  E.  W 1155 

Blum,  E.  F 1037 

Blum,  H.,  Sr 935 

Blum,  H.  E 990 

Blum,  Julius   1016 

Bolton,   H.   W 1136 

Boon,  J.  A 1013 

Bost,    P.    M 1175 

Brabiiam,  F.  M 1018 

Brad  well,  Elijah 1183 

Brahmsteadt,    William 1079 

Branz,  Ernest 1301 

Branz,  Henrj',  Jr 1336 


Broehl,  Charles   1189 

Brooke,  W.  H 1130 

Brott,  H.  W 955 

Brott,  E.  L 949 

Brown,  Eobert   1 173 

Burnham,  F.  G 1073 

Byers,  B.  E 1020 

Calkins,  A.  E 1080 

Calkins,  C.  A 1098 

Calkins,  K.  J 1186 

Callender,  C.  E 966 

Carpenter,  C.  M 1171 

Carpenter,  C.  X 991 

Carscadden,   E.   S 1170 

Chatterton,  A.  B 1156 

Chorn,  W.  A 1031 

Church,  Philander 1 083 

Cites,  H.  C 1047 

Clark,  E.  A 1333 

Clithero,  C.  B 1086 

Conkle,  W.  C 1033 

Conway,  J.   F 1133 

Cook,  G.  S 933 

Cookus,   W.    r 970 

Coomljs,  Eay    901 

Copsey,  E.  D 1058 

Copsey,  R.  E 1356 

Corcoran,  G.  F 853 

Couch,  C.  B 1309 

Cullen,  Thomas 1251 

Cnrran,  Thomas 1070 

Davis,  J.   J 1008 

Davis,  W.  H 986 

Dean,  X.  A 1198 

Deffenbangh,  C.  E 919 

Deffenbaugh,  S.  S 931 

Detrick,  H.  M -....1136 


1261 


1263 


BIOGKAPHlCAL    INDEX 


Dey,  J.  B 845 

Dickson,  G.  H 1)45 

Diehl,  M.  L 1307 

Diers,  Herman 1188 

Dietriek,  W.   Q 1111) 

Doau,  T.   E 1069 

Doran,  John 917 

Doty,  0.  M 1221 

Downey,  William 972 

Dreier,  A.   C 1042 

Er-kles,  W.  F 995 

Edwards,  Andrew   1243 

Epp,  D.  D 1057 

Epp,  H.  D 965 

Epp,  H.  G 1135 

Epp,  H.  H 1017 

Epp,  P.  P 1101 

Evans,  0.  E 1062 

Farley,  I.  J 1015 

Fay,  H.  W 946 

Feaster,  W.  W 1234 

Finney,  J.  E 1185 

Fisher,  George 909 

Foster,   J.   B 1120 

Fothergill,  W.  H lOOl 

Fountain,  Joseph 1040 

France,   G.   W 900 

Franz,  E.  E 1241 

Freeman,  W.  S 1025 

Friesen,   G.  A 1026 

Friesen,  G.  W 939 

Friesen,  I.  J 1181 

Friesen,  P.  C 977 

Froid,  Oscar 1237 

Gale,  E.  G 1167 

Gaunt,  C.  B 1157 

Gearhart,  C.  F 1239 

Giauque,  A.  T 1177 

Gilmore,  J.  K 1228 

Gihnore,  ().  S 856 

Gilmore,  Sebastian    1022 

Gocke,  Wilhelni   968 

Goossen,   J.   J 988 

Graves,  Daniel   1095 


Graves,  Daniel   1115 

Graves,  H.  C 1(»G5 

Grewell,  R.  V 1223 

Guidinger,  Nick 1191 

Harden,  I.  S 927 

Hardin,  Pierce 859 

Harrison,   C.  S 1036 

Hart,  J.  E 1250 

Hatiield,  T.  J 997 

Hawley,  W.  C 1117 

Hayworth,  George 952 

Heiden,  Wilhelni   960 

Heine,  Albert 980 

Henahan,  Thomas 889 

Henderson,  Robert 896 

Henton,  George 897 

Hill,  Charles   1241 

Hitchcock,  Eliza  J 1159 

Hitchcock,  Olin   1056 

Hohnbaum,  William 992 

Hopkins,  H.   G 847 

Houston,  J.  D 950 

Houston,  W.  B 857 

Hubenbecker,  J.  J 1048 

Huebert,  P.  J 1038 

Hunt,  Lillie  M.  G 1225 

Hurlbut,  G.  J 1030 

Hyde,  J.  M 1240 

Hylton.  W.  X ; 908 

Imm,  L.  C 1158 

Ittner,  John 1232 

Jacobs,  J.  A 1252 

Jeffery,  W.  S 942 

Johnson,  H.   H 1000 

Johnson,  W.  A 1108 

Juiige,  A.  C 922 

Kilgore,  J.  M 1152 

King,  D.  D 976 

King,  Marion 1249 

King,  M.  B 1179 

Kirby,  Thomas 910 

Kolling,  C.  H.,  Sr 1219 

Koons,  M.  G 863 


BIOGKAPHICAL    INDEX 


]2r>3 


Kioeker,  D.  J 985 

Kuns,  C.   F 1306 

Knns,  David T216 

Laiiyon,  W.  J 880 

Lett,  John    1202 

Lichtenberger,  S.   U !)40 

Liedtke,  0.  B 875 

Lincoln,  E.  E 1071 

Lindquist,  H.  S 1148 

Lindquist,  John 1218 

Lindstroni,  Swjui 1088 

Lh)yd.  J.  M 1147 

Looniei-.  Ij.  S 1105 

Lord.  It.  F lOiin 

Mc-Cloud,  C.  A 843 

MeCloud,  J.   R !)26 

McConaughy,   Eobert    928 

McFadden,  John   1238 

McKinley,  J.  (' !)57 

McLaughlin,  M.  () 1248 

Macartney,  W.  Y 1 151 

Malcolm,"  W.  B 982 

Maronde,  Frederick 888 

Mariiuardt,  Henry 1142 

Median.  Denin'.': 1 107 

Merchant,  C.  E 1111 

Merkel.  J.  A 999 

Meserve,  H.  0 978 

Metz,  A.  .\ 1049 

Miner.    Kdwiii    1092 

Miller,  J.  W 1227 

Miller,  L.  M 1139 

Moore,  D.  T 867 

Moore,  0.  M 890 

Morgan,  V.  J 1187 

Morgan,  Williiim   1210 

Morrison,  G.  A 911 

Mulig,  C.  F 1247 

Myers,  G."l 1254 

Myers,  J.  W 921 

Myers,  S.  A 1078 

Nehser,  Fred    1230 

Newcomer,  W.  H 1 125 

Norquest,  G.  (' 1222 

Overstreet,  W.   M 1138 


Peters,  Dietrich   1087 

Peterson,  F.   A 855 

Peterson,  W.  G 1010 

Pettis,    S.   W 989 

Pfeffer,  (".  G 1011 

Pieper,    .Alartin    1 230 

Pieper,  William   1176 

Pinneo,  Andrew 1007 

Pittman,   J.    \V 1109 

Plank,  M.   E 958 

Plessinger,  H.  S 883 

Plumb,  J.  N 1068 

Powell,  ^A^  V 1192 

Prest,  J.  E .1253 

Price.  F.   0 996 

Propst,  F.  L 886 

Pryce,  Richard 1066 

Ragan,  (ieorge 1229 

Raikes,  E.  W 1131 

Ratzlaff,   P.   J 1 081 

Reetz,   Aug 1 041 

Reetz.  Henry   920 

Reetz,  John   1169 

Reetz,  William   1236 

Regier,  J.  P 899 

Reisinger,  Emanuel 1029 

Rempel,  Gerhard 1 150 

Renquist,  Axel   979 

Richter.  Frederick 1 1 45 

Robbins,  MontraviJle 1031 

Robson,  A.  F 902 

Rogers,  H.  J 1211 

Rogers.  L.  H , 971 

Romsdal,  F.  W 1035 

Ronne.  N.  P 1127 

Root,  B.  A 981 

Rossiter.  G.  W 938 

Ruddock,  J.  \ 1129 

Rusler,  ('.  J 937 

Sackschewsky,  August    865 

Sandall.  V.  E 1257 

Sandall,  C.  M 864 

Sarver,  S.  M 1231 

Schock,  W.  H 1045 

Scharfenberg,  Fred   1199 


]2f.4 


BIOGRAPHICAL    IXDEX 


Schleehte,  Henry 887 

Sedgwick,  T.  E !)75 

Seng,  W.  W jsfif; 

Shaw,  Jdliii    1046 

Shidler,  G.  P 936 

Shreck,  G.  W 906 

Shrigley,  H.  H 1019 

Smith,  ('.  F 1165 

Smith,  E.  H 1100 

Sniitli,  Jacoli 1 002 

Smith,  J.  E 1128 

Smith,  S.  L 1190 

Smith,  T.W 916 

Snyder,  F.  (i 969 

Sperry,  A.  D 119') 

Spurlock,  Burweli    ,S?6 

Spurloek,  G.  M 858 

Staehr,  Carsten   1110 

Staehr,  Fred I  v!  1  :> 

Staehr,  Henry   1121 

Staehr,  William  1 089 

Stark.  Simeon   1(I61 

Stout,  J.  M 849 

Swanson,  N.  B 1060 

Swanson^   Solomon    98T 

Teinert,  Dietrich 1052 

Thamer,  C.  G 959 

Thompson,  A.  W 912 

Tliompson,  G.  A 1055 

Thompson,  M.  B 1 102 

Thompson,  W.  E 1215 

Tobey.  S.  A 967 

Towle,  John 1076 


Troutman,  L.  W li:!7 

Troiitman.  \V.  (J Iii75 

Underwood,  E.  J 1166 


Van  Alen,  I.  N 1255 

Van  Alen,  L.  C 11 60 

Wagoner,  diaries    1116 

Walker.  Joseph    1217 

Warner,  C.  H 1214 

Warner,  M.  L 1224 

Wellman,  Henry    948 

Welliiiann,  Herman 1146 

Weils.  E.  A 1090 

Wessels,  Dick,   Sr 925 

White,   W.  L 951 

Wholstenholm,  John   1059 

Wholstenholm.  Miles 1099 

Wilcox.  A.  E 1 1 62 

Wildman,  H.  R 1168 

Wild  man,  M.  M 905 

Williams,  F.  C 848 

Wiswell.  W.   H 1212 

Wolstenholm,  James 1051 

Wonderly,  C.  A 1050 

Wnnderlich,  H 1(IS5 

Wyrkoff,  W.  W 884 

Yantz,  Henry 1208 

Ziemke.  Herman    1 220 

Zwieg.   William    1039 


\ 


f  'MF  \ 


\ 


s 


'mi 


W 


\ 


s 


•j*^ 


■^.^:  Ai*' 


'^m 


m-