USA > Nebraska > A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 22
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At the next meeting in June, 1872, held in the First Congregational church of Omaha, the General Association accepted the report of its con- mittee on education and thereby located its college at Crete. Doane College came into corporate existence July 11, 1872.
No name was attached to the college when it was located. Mr. Thomas -Doane had brought into Nebraska not only the fame of an excellent civil engineer but also a reputation for sterling worth. In virtue of his generous aid, his active co-operation in every good enter- prise, but more especially because of his character as a man, with no pledge on his part, the corporate body wrote his name into the articles of incorporation and the institution was called DOANE COLLEGE. Dur- ing his life Mr. Doane was a constant and liberal giver, an invaluable adviser and colaborer. Since his death his estate has yielded more than $70,000 and made it possible to advance the endowment of the college to $165,000. Other property, such as lands, buildings and equipment, would carry the total assets of the college to nearly $300,000.
What motive wrought in the minds of the founders of Doane Col- lege? It is the story of old Yale which has just celebrated its two hun- dredth anniversary. Said the Congregational ministers of Connecticut : We plant a school "Wherein youth may be instructed in the arts and sciences, who through the blessing of Almighty God may be fitted for public employment in church and civil state." Said Nebraska Congrega- tionalists : "No order of Christians can hope to be respectable or useful which neglects its educational interests. The order, under God, which embodies the most Christian thinkers will be the molding power of the age and nation and will do most for God and Humanity."
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Doane College is the center of a Congregational educational system that has four academies which stand to it in the relation of feeders, though there is no organic connection. These academies are at Chadron in the northwest corner of the state, at Neligh in the northeast, at Frank- lin in the southwest and at Weeping Water in the southeast. These volunteer agencies, supported by the benefactions of far-sighted, large- hearted men and women, seek to strengthen our magnificent public school system at a point where it is professedly weak. State institutions can put little emphasis upon the very important religious element in education.
Doane College early adopted for its motto, "We build on Christ," that it might point to the noblest ideal of manhood, to the source of the highest educational inspiration, to the light and the life of the world.
The government of the college is in the hands of a self-perpetuating board of trustees who serve for three years but are eligible for re-election. The college has at all times sought to keep in close touch with its con- stituents. For this reason the trustees increased their number, at first fifteen, to eighteen, and then to twenty-seven, the maximum allowed by the articles of incorporation. To extend still further the responsibility and privilege of caring for the institution, in June, 1893, they invited college graduates to nominate each year one or more of their number, that the board might annually elect one from the list to serve three years. At the same time a like invitation was extended by the trustees to mem- bers of Congregational churches in every part of the state with a view to the yearly election of three to be special representatives of the Nebraska Congregational churches.
The institution has had a healthy growth in student attendance, in faculty and in facilities for instruction. There were fifteen students and one teacher the first year; forty students and two teachers the second;
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sixty students and three teachers the third. At present it has an annual attendance of about two hundred students and a corps of ten permanent instructors. There are four substantial brick buildings : biological, chem- ical and physical laboratories ; a library that contains 9,000 volumes and 5,300 pamphlets ; a well equipped observatory ; a time service ; a museum with varied collections of plants, minerals and animals.
Three carefully prepared collegiate courses of study lead to the baccalaureate degrees of arts, literature and science. Each course covers a period of four years, although the longer period of five years has had its advocates as against any shortening of the time to three years, a re- duction which finds favor in some institutions. Trustees and faculty have from the first insisted upon high standards. The elective principle has a good place in junior and senior years. Laboratory methods of teaching are extensively employed. An academy organized in 1871, and reorganized in 1893, has two courses each of three years, which prepare for college. There is also an excellent music department.
The college early came into possession of six hundred acres of high table-land, over looking the city of Crete and the beautiful valley of the Big Blue. The campus of ninety acres rises in knolls and falls away in slight ravines which contain choice springs of water. These ravines have been filled with groves while the high grounds have their winding drives bordered with shade trees. A more beautiful college site cannot easily be found.
It is an important feature in the history of the college that a great number of people within the state have given generously to it from their limited means. On the other hand by far the largest gifts have come from outside Nebraska, especially from Massachusetts and Connec- ticut.
As the college has always sought to perpetuate the names of benefac-
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tors the buildings and professorships are called after those who stand in close relation to the life of the institution.
Expenses that students must incur have been kept down, the charge for tuition hardly equaling one quarter of the actual cost of instruction. Every possible inducement is offered to encourage deserving students who must largely depend upon their own earnings.
The graduates of Doane have won distinction in all the learned professions, also as teachers, editors, writers of fiction, and in the spheres of home and business occupations.
These and the much larger student body, that has not taken a full college course, have gone out into active life to make the world better by reason of their educational training and well formed character.
It is the full purpose of the trustees to go on increasing the facilities for imparting instruction and to bring the advantages of a good educa- tion within the reach of every capable and deserving young man or woman in the state. Opening its doors alike to young people of both sexes, thor- oughly identifying itself with educational and religious progress, suc- cessful in the past, hopeful for the future, Doane College seeks to fill a good place in developing the best interests of Nebraska. The outlook for the institution was never better.
-D. B. PERRY.
E. P. GRIFFIN.
E. P. Griffin, clerk of the district court of Jefferson county, Nebras- ka, being now in his second term, has been a resident of this state since 1880. He has had a very successful career, both in what he has accom- plished as a man and citizen and in the degree of prosperity he has attained in material things. He has acquired considerable property in this county,
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and his public-spirited endeavors in matters affecting the general welfare make him one of the best known and most popular of the long-time resi- dents of the county.
Mr. Griffin was born near Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, July 9, 1848: His grandfather was one of the early settlers of Henry county, Indiana. His father, Jacob Griffin, was born in Henry county, and was one of six brothers. He married Rebecca Harvey who was born in Henry county, and some time after their marriage they moved to Lee county, Iowa, where they were farmers. They are both now deceased, the mother having died in Iowa at the age of sixty-three and the father in Kansas, in Douglas county, when seventy-one years old. They had five sons and five daughters, and one son is in Iowa, one in San Francisco, California, one in Kansas, and one deceased.
Mr. Griffin was eight years old when he went to Iowa, and he was educated in the graded and high schools there, in Whittier College, Salem, Iowa, being graduated from there in 1871, and subsequently graduated from the State University of Iowa at Iowa City. He taught in Henry county, Iowa, and was a principal and teacher in Iowa, follow- ing this profession altogether for twenty years. After coming to Jeffer- son county, Nebraska, he taught school in the winter and farmed during the summer. He has been a more successful teacher from the material point of view than the great majority, and by his good management and industry has acquired two good farms in this county. He was appointed clerk of the district court to fill a vacancy, and was then elected to the office and has since been re-elected, having given excellent satisfaction in the discharge of his duties.
Mr. Griffin was married in Salem, Iowa, in 1875, to Miss Ella Frances Phar, who was born in Boonville, Warrick county, Indiana, a daughter of Colonel V. K. (state militia) and Z. J. (Armstrong) Phar,
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both deceased. A brother of Mrs. Griffin, Dr. W. W. Phar, lives in Minden , Nebraska, and a sister, Miss Anna Phar, is in Colorado Springs. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin have three children: Max, Miss Anna, who was educated at the State University of Nebraska, making a specialty of music, and her sister Lelia, also educated at Lincoln. Both daughters are talented musicians and skilled performers. Mr. Griffin affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights and Ladies of Security, and he and his family are members of the Baptist church.
DANIEL SHEPSTALL.
Daniel Shepstall, now deceased, was numbered among the honored pioneer settlers of Jefferson county, arriving in this portion of the state in 1870, and through the remainder of his life he was actively connected with the progress and improvement of his community, taking a deep interest in everything that pertained to its advancement along its mate- rial, social and moral lines. He was a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Dauphin county, that state. His parents were Peter and Carrie (Hoffman) Shepstall, who were also natives of Pennsylvania and died there. They were highly respected people, and Mr. Shepstall enjoyed the advantages of a good home in his youth. He was reared under the parental roof and early learned lessons of industry and economy which have proved of value to him in his later years. After arriving at adult age he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Klinger, who was to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. She, too, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Daniel and Mar- garet (First) Klinger, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Shepstall continued to make their
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home upon a Pennsylvania farm, but, believing that he would have better business opportunities in the west, Mr. Shepstalll then made arrange- ments to come to Nebraska and in the year 1870 arrived in Jefferson county. He secured a homestead claim according to the laws for pre- empting land, and, although not a furrow had been turned or an improve- ment made upon the place at that time, he began its development and with characteristic energy continued the work until rich fields returned to him golden harvests. He was a man of much energy and strong force of character, and his integrity stood as an unquestioned fact in his career. All who knew him trusted him because of his upright dealing, and he won the respect of his fellow townsmen to a high degree.
To Mr. and Mrs. Shepstall were born eight children, namely : Mrs. Julia Stainbrook; Adelaide; Sampson, who died in childhood; William; Clayton; George and Nathaniel I., who were partners in farming and building enterprises in Eureka precinct; and Rose, who completes the family. Mr. Shepstall died in 1894 respected by all who knew him, and in his death the community lost one of its valued pioneer settlers. His widow is now living on the hold homestead at the age of seventy-nine years, and she retains her mental and physical faculties to a remarkable degree.
GEORGE W. SHEPSTALL.
George W. Shepstall is residing in Eureka precinct, Jefferson county, where he follows both farming and carpentering, being a member of the firm of Shepstall Brothers, well known in business circles in this part of the state, his partner being Nathaniel Shepstall.
George W. Shepstall was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, near the city of Meadville, on the 24th of July, 1863. His father Daniel
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Shepstall, now deceased, came to the west at an early period in the devel- opment of Nebraska and secured a homestead claim in Jefferson county, thus casting his lot amid its pioneer settlers. His son, George, was then but seven years of age, and upon the home farm he was reared. He be- came familiar with the work of developing a new tract of land and of car- rying forward the work of cultivation and improvement. He also learned the carpenter's trade, which he has followed for a number of years with excellent success. His life is characterized by unabating energy and unfaltering industry and as a representative of farming in- terests and also through his connection with building operations he has become widely and favorably known in this part of the state. In addi- tion to these interests, he and his brother Nathaniel, as partners, have for the past fifteen years conducted a steam threshing outfit, and are well known throughout the county for their energetic and successful prosecution of this enterprise.
George W. Shepstall was married in 1886 to Miss Ollie Harrold, a native of Jefferson county and a daughter of John L. and Phoebe (Tur- ner) Harrold. Her father was a soldier in the Civil war, serving with an Indiana regiment. Her mother is now deceased. In their family were four children, Mrs. Shepstall, Laura, Calvin and George. To our subject and his wife have been born two interesting children, Cora and Dessie. George W. Shepstall and his family reside upon the old home- stead, and in addition to its cultivation he is working at his trade in a successful manner. He is well known in the community where his entire life has been spent, and where he has so directed his energies that he stands to-day among the progressive and prosperous young business men of Eureka precinct.
Nathaniel I. Shepstall, who is associated with his elder brother, George W. Shepstall, in farming and carpentering, first opened his eyes
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to the light of day in Meadville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, on the 27th of September, 1865, and was a little lad of only five summers when brought by his parents to the west, so that in his childhood days he became familiar with the experiences of pioneer life. A public school afforded him his educational privileges. He studied during the winter months and in the summer seasons aided in the development of the home farm. He also learned the carpenter's trade with his brother, George W., and they have since been associated in their building opera- tions. He now has a good farm and when not engaged in the cultiva- tion of the fields he gives his attention and energies to carpentering, and he and his brother have gained an excellent reputation by reason of their skillful workmanship in that direction. He possesses considerable mechanical ingenuity and ability, and the firm has built many of the best houses in this part of Jefferson and Saline counties.
N. I. Shepstall was united in marriage to Miss Flora Houck, an intelligent lady of good family, who was born in Illinois and reared and educated in Nebraska. She is a daughter of James Houck, who is mentioned on another page of this work. Their union has been blessed with four children : Lee, Ethel, Fay and Cecil. Mr. Shepstall is identi- fied with no political organization, but keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and casts his ballot in support of the candidates whom he thinks best qualified for the office.
ALEXANDER SHEPHERD.
Alexander Shepherd, who is serving as a member of the board of county commissioners of Jefferson county, to which position he was elected in 1902, is a representative citizen, active and influential in public
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affairs and prominent and successful in business life. He has resided in Jefferson county from boyhood, and has a wide acquaintance among the leading people of this part of the state.
He was born on the 13th of August, 1863, in Miami county, Indiana, and is a representative of a family noted for industry, sobriety, morality and hospitality. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Thomas Shepherd, the great-grandfather of our subject. His son, Jonathan Shepherd, the grandfather, was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Leath- erman, who was born in Ohio. They resided for many years in Indiana, and there Jonathan Shepherd passed away at the age of sixty years. His wife died in Saline county, Nebraska, when more than seventy years of age. They were consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and their influence was ever on the side of justice, right and truth. In their family were seven children, three sons and four daughters.
Of this number John Shepherd, father of our subject, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, on the 14th of August, 1832. He was reared in the state of his nativity, and was there married when twenty-two years of age to Miss Rachel Keyes, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (McHenry) Keyes. Her father was born in Virginia and died in Indiana at the age of sixty-six years, while his wife passed away in the same state at the advanced age of eighty- nine years. They, too, held membership in the Methodist church, and in their family were three sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. John Shepherd established their home in Indiana, where they continued to reside until 1870. In that year they emigrated westward to Kansas, and Mr. Shepherd secured a homestead claim in Endicott township, Jefferson county, Nebraska. He had previously espoused the Union cause, enlisting at Peru, Indiana, in 1865, and serving until the close of the war. In all matters of citizenship he has ever been loyal and progres-
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sive, and has proved a valuable factor in the development and progress of southeastern Nebraska. Here he became closely identified with agri- cultural interests and continued to engage in farming until 1903, when he took up his abode in Fairbury, where he is now living. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and keeps well informed on the issues and questions of the day. He holds membership with the Grand Army post at Fairbury, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church there. They are worthy people, enjoying the warm regard of many friends, and all who know them entertain for them the highest respect. In their family are four sons : Albert, who is a section foreman on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad; William, who follows farming; Thaddeus, who is an engineer on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad; and Alex- ander.
In taking up the personal history of Alexander Shepherd we pre- sent to our readers the life record of one who has resided in Jefferson county from the days of his early infancy. He was reared on the old homestead farm where he early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist in the cultivation and development of the fields. His education was acquired in the district schools and at Mount Vernon, and his knowledge has also been broad- ened by practical experience. On starting out on his business career he sought a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, and at the age of twenty-three years was married to Miss Anna Campbell, an estimable lady who was born in Canada and was reared and educated in Jefferson county, Nebraska. She is a daughter of Donald Campbell, who was of Scotch ancestry and who became one of the earliest set- tlers of Jefferson county, securing a homestead claim here in 1867. He lived an upright, honorable life and died in Endicott precinct on the
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IIth of December, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd began their domestic life upon a farm, and he has since carried on agricultural pursuits, having a valuable tract of land of eighty acres which is well improved. There are a good house and substantial barns, and everything about the place is neat and tasteful in appearance, suggesting comfort and also indicating the careful supervision of the owner. His pastures contain good stock and his fields are annually returning excellent crops.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd has been blessed with three children : Madge, Roy and John. The household is celebrated for its hospitality, which is enjoyed by many friends. In his political views Mr. Shepherd is a Republican, zealous and earnest in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He has frequently served as a delegate to its conventions, where he has labored earnestly for his friends and to pro- mote the welfare and growth of the party. He was elected on the fusion ticket to the office of county commissioner by a majority of three hundred, which indicates his popularity in the county, where he has so long made his home. On the board he has proved a valuable member and his views of public questions are sound, his judgment reliable and his efforts have been effective in promoting the welfare of this community. He has done much to advance the interests of the poor farm, also for the building of good bridges and, in fact, has labored untiringly for the best interests of the county. He is a man of fine physique, weighing two hundred and twenty-five pounds, large and well proportioned. His manner is cordial, and he is found trustworthy in all relations, so that he has gained in high degree the good will and respect of his fellow men.
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NEEDHAM BRYANT WHITFIELD.
Needham Bryant Whitfield, a retired farmer of Peru, has lived in Nemaha county for thirty-five years, and is one of the oldest men in the county. He has had a successful and worthy career, has been industrious throughout his life, has been known among all men for his uprightness and integrity, and is honored and esteemed in all the relations of life. His long span of life gives him a personal ac- quaintance with the principal events of the last century, and he is familiar with all the crude fashions and mode of living prevalent in the early half of the last century as well as with the comforts and con- veniences of the progressive present.
Mr. Whitfield was born in eastern Tennessee, June 20, 1822. His grandfather, William Whitfield, was born near Sheffield, England, and was a farmer and plantation owner in South Carolina. He owned num- erous slaves, and could ride for forty miles on his extensive cotton, sugar cane and rice fields. His wife was a Miss McKillen, also a native of England, and they reared seven children, four sons and three daugh- ters.
Charles Whitfield, the father of Mr. Whitfield, was born in South Carolina in 1782, and died in Bureau county, Illinois, at the age of sixty-five. He settled in Tennessee, and from that state brought a colony of about thirty families, in 1824, to Marion county, Illinois, which was then considered the great west. He was married in Ten- nessee in 1800 to Miss Hester Whitfield, who was born in South Caro- lina in 1782. They had five children : Charles, a printer, died in Bu- reau county, Illinois, in 1848, aged thirty years, leaving no children ; John, born in 1820, died in Illinois aged thirty-five, was a farmer and had one son and two daughters; Needham B. is the third in the family; Birthright Whitfield went across the plains to California in 1853 and
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while seeking gold died, at the age of twenty-five, and was buried there; Burton died in Illinois at the age of six years. The mother of these children died at Vandalia, Illinois, sixteen years before her hus- band.
Mr. Whitfield enjoyed but very meager schooling in the primitive schools which it was his privilege to attend in the new state of Illinois, but managed to learn to read and write. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade at Vandalia, Illinois, and worked at it for three years. At the outbreak of the war with Mexico he left his position at forty dollars a month to accept that of a soldier with the government, and after a year re-enlisted, so that he was away for two years. He came home without money, and for some years worked at his trade. In 1868 he came to Nemaha county, Nebraska, and has since done well with his farming and fruit-raising. He had an eighty acre fruit farm near here, but has since given that to his sons, and has done well by all his children. He still owns and resides on his village farm of twenty acres, in the outskirts of Peru, and most of this is in orchard. It is a beautiful place, especially when nature has clothed it all in green, and affords a com- fortable and quiet retreat for his last years.
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