USA > Nebraska > A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 25
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during the battle at Sackett's Harbor his wife, with her son Asil in her arms, sought shelter in the woods near by. Her maiden name was Field, and she lived to the great age of one hundred and six years. This son Asil was reared in New York, and married Jane Brown, who was also born in Jefferson county, New York, a daughter of Joseph Brown. In 1854 Asil Randall and his family came west to Illinois by way of the lakes and railroad, and settled in Warren county, where he farmed until his death at the age of seventy-seven years. By his first wife there are two children living, Dillie E. Stone, of Pillar Point, New York, and Orlando T .; and by his second wife, Mary Mathews, there are children as follows: Edward, Emma, Eva, Frank, William, Homer and Mary.
Mr. Randall was reared in his native place and in Illinois, and ob- tained a common school education. He was at home until May, 1864, when he enlisted, at Quincy, Illinois, in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Illinois Infantry, under Captain J. N. Reese and Colonel Goodwin, and saw six months' service in Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas, against the Confederate leaders Price and Marmaduke and against the bushwhackers and guerillas. He was stationed at Fort Smith, Kansas, for two months, was then returned to Springfield, Illinois, thence was sent for service on the Iron Mountain Railroad, and was discharged with an honorable record and returned home. He con- tinued to farm in Illinois until 1886, and then came to Gage county, Nebraska. He has an excellent farm, improved with good orchard, barn and other conveniences for profitable farming, and has some of the finest horses in his stable to be found anywhere within the bounds of the county. He has made his present prosperity almost entirely by his own efforts, and is fully deserving of the confidence and esteem which his neighbors and friends show for him.
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In 1873 Mr. Randall was married to Miss Jane M. Robertson, who was born, reared and educated in Warren county, Illinois, a daugh- ter of James Robertson, who is still living at a ripe old age. Her mother died in 1886. Mrs. Randall died in 1892 at the age of forty- one years. She was a noble, Christian woman, graced with many do- mestic virtues. Their son Earnest R. died in October, 1901, at the age of twenty-seven years, after giving promise of a useful career and bright future; Carrol is still living; and Myron died at the age of five. In 1896 Mr. Randall was married to Florence Reedy, who was born and reared in Kansas and Nebraska, and was a daughter of an old soldier, Andrew Reedy, of Blue Springs, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Ran- dall have three children, Morrell, and Lester and Leslie, twins.
JASPER M. SYKES.
Jasper M. Sykes, who has been a resident of Gage county, Ne- braska, for over thirty years, is not only one of the old-time citizens but a prominent man and successful in his life's enterprises. He has had a career of nearly seventy years, and while he has been steadily progressing and winning a better foothold in the world, his life has not been altogether uneventful or prosaic. The very fact that he is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, in which he took a brave and dutiful soldier's part, gives his record more than ordinary interest and charm. Since his battles and marches have been ended he has been worthily pursuing the arts of peace, and has become noted for his efficient citizenship and excellencies as a man and farmer.
Mr. Sykes was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, December 14, 1836, a son of Charles and Susan (Waldron) Sykes, the former
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of whom was born in Delaware county, New Jersey, and is now deceased, while the latter is living in Hobart, Indiana. Mr. Sykes was brought to Lake county, Indiana, by his parents, and was reared there and re- ceived his education in the public schools which were then provided for the children of a comparatively new county. In April, 1862, he enlisted at Centerville, Indiana, in Company A, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, under Captain Sawyer and Colonel Fowler. After going into camp at the rendezvous he was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, and then took part in the battle at Memphis, and was later with the troops engaged in the siege of Vicksburg. He was one of the expedition sent up the Yazoo river in the rear of Vicksburg. He was in the battle at Jackson and Black River, opposed to General Joe Johnston's forces, was at Lookout Mountain and the battles of the following Atlanta campaign under Sherman, thence to the sea, and up through the Caro- linas to Bentonville, and at the close of the war participated in the mag- nificent grand review at Washington, after which his company was sent to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he received his honorable discharge in June, 1865. He had served creditably and made a good record, and was now willing to perform his duty as a civilian.
After the war Mr. Sykes was married in Chicago, Illinois, to Miss Mary Debbeth, who has been a noble helpmate and companion to him during all the remaining years. She was born, reared and educated in Lake county, Indiana, and is of German ancestry. They have three children, Harriet Boyd; George Sykes, of Gage county; and Charles Sykes, of Gage county.
Mr. Sykes came to Gage county in 1873, and has been one of the prosperous farmers here ever since. He owns eighty acres of fine farm- ing land in Clatonia township, not far from the town of Clatonia, and this makes a beautiful farmstead, productive of excellent crops and
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furnishing a comfortable home. Mr. Sykes is a stanch Republican, and as a soldier of the late rebellion has membership in the Grand Army of the Republic.
HENRY C. BRIDGES.
Henry C. Bridges, owner of one of the finest farms in Gage county, situated on section 15, Riverside township, postoffice Beatrice, has been an honored resident of this county since 1878. His enterprise and thrift have made him unusually prosperous in his business matters, and he is a farmer who takes immense pride in what he does, so that his place deserves to be ranked as a model in appearance and in produc- tivity. While he has made for himself a satisfying degree of material prosperity, he has not been recreant of his privileges or duties as a citizen, and it is to his honor and an immemorial heritage to his des- cendants that he made a creditable record as a soldier in the Civil war, in which he served almost from the very beginning to the end and rose from the ranks to the place at the head of his company.
Mr. Bridges was born in Milford, New York, October 2, 1838, a son of Alonzo and Fidelia (Barber) Bridges. The former was born in New York, and was the son of a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a life-long farmer, was prominent in his community, believing in the political doctrines of Andrew Jackson and being a worthy member of the Presbyterian church. He died at the age of sixty-eight years, and his wife was forty-nine years old at the time of her death. They were the parents of the following children: Dexter, Elizabeth, Lucy, Albert, Julia, Henry C. and Anna.
Mr. Bridges was reared on a farm, where he learned first of all the value and dignity of manual labor, and he received a common school
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education. On the 20th of September, 1861, he offered his services at the call of Lincoln for troops, and was enrolled as a member of Company D, Eighth New York Cavalry, under Captain Frisbee and Colonel Davis, the latter meeting death at Beverly Ford. The com- pany was at Harper's Ferry for a time, and took part in most of the cavalry operations along the Potomac, and James river valley, at An- tietam, Gettysburg; made sixteen trips up and down the Shenandoah valley, being present at Winchester when Sheridan made his famous ride; was during the war part of the commands of Generals Kilpatrick, Custer and Sheridan. He enlisted as a private, was promoted to ser- geant, to second lieutenant, and left the army as captain. He was wounded on the arm by a spent ball, and had a horse shot from under him, and in one battle his comrade on each side of him was killed.
After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to peaceful pursuits in New York state, and in 1866 took up his residence at Odell, Livingston county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1878. He came to Nebraska and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Gage county for six dollars an acre, and this farm, with its many improve- ments, is now worth many times its purchase price. He has two houses on the farm, barns and outbuildings in abundance, a nice orchard, and, situated as it is only three miles from Beatrice, it is considered as fine a farm as there is in the township. He carries on general farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Bridges was married in LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1869, to Miss Anna Hotchkiss, who was a native of Ottawa, LaSalle county, a daughter of Benjamin and Delia (Baldwin) Hotchkiss, who both died at the home of Mr. Bridges, having owned an adjoining farm. Mrs. Bridges was a successful teacher before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges have had six children, but Benjamin and Nellie died in child-
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hood, the others being : Dexter F., who married Nellie Kinman and has one child, Bernice; Harvey, at home; Bessie; and Margery, in school. Mr. Bridges is a Republican in politics, and served as township trustee for fourteen years. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, and he and his wife are members of the Congregational church.
M. M. BROWN.
M. M. Brown, who is living in Washington precinct, Jefferson county, purchased his present farm in 1874 and took up his abode thereon in 1880. His well directed efforts and intense business activity well entitle him to distinction as one of the leading business men and farmers of his community. He was born near Warsaw in Kosciusko county, Indiana, on the 9th of September, 1847. His father, E. K. Brown, represented an old Maryland family and was born in that state and was a soldier of the Civil war. The days of his boyhood and youth were largely passed in Maryland and Indiana, where he worked in the woods and aided in the development of a farm in pioneer days. In the paternal line he was of Scotch descent. In Kosciusko county, Indi- ana, he was married to Miss Sabra Lattimer, whose birth occurred in Ohio. In 1852 the family removed to Illinois, settling in Henry county near Geneseo, upon a farm, which the father developed and cultivated, making it a very productive farm. In response to the president's call for aid to crush out the rebellion in the south he enlisted as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry, under command of Captain John Low and Colonel Henderson. He served for two and a half years and then received an honorable discharge. He never faltered in the performance of any duty, whether it called
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him to the scene of battle or stationed him upon the lonely picket line, but was always found loyal to the cause which he espoused. He con- tinued to engage in farming until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-two years of age. He voted with the Republican party, being unfaltering in his advocacy of its principles, and he was a mem- ber of the Christian church. He passed away at the age of seventy- two years, and his wife died in Henry county, Illinois, at the age of sixty-one years. She was also a member of the Christian church and was greatly beloved for her many good qualities of heart and mind. In the family of this worthy couple were eight children : M. M., Jolin, Emeline, George, Emily, Sabine, L. L., and Elmer. Of this number L. L. Brown is now living in Jefferson county.
M. M. Brown was reared on the old family homestead in Henry county, Illinois, and in his youth attended the public schools. He worked in the fields during the period of his boyhood and continued to assist his father until he had passed his minority. In 1874 he purchased land in Nebraska, but that was the year of the great grasshopper scourge. In 1888, however, he returned to this state, making the journey by rail, and has since resided in Washington precinct upon a farm which is now his home. Here he has developed a good home. His farm is neat and thrifty in appearance and indicates his careful supervision and management. There is a good house tastefully furnished, he has planted a grove and orchard, has a windmill and a good barn and corncribs and feed lots and well kept fences. He follows general farming and stock- raising, and his business affairs are well managed and result in bring- ing to him a very gratifying competence.
In 1875 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Lavina Stag- ner, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, near Columbus, and when eight years of age went to Illinois, being reared and educated in Bureau
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county, that state. She is a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Althouse) Stagner, the former a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, while the latter was also born in the Keystone state. Both are now deceased. The father was a farmer by occupation, was a Whig in politics and a Baptist in religious faith. He died in Ohio at the age of thirty-seven years, leaving a widow and four children : Lewis, who was a soldier of the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry, serving throughout the war; Henry, who died in childhood; Sarah, who is liv- ing in Austin, Texas; and Mrs. Brown. The mother, long surviving her husband, died in Bureau county, Illinois, at the age of seventy-five years, passing away in the faith of the Baptist church, in which she long held membership. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Brown has been blessed with three children : Alice Olive, Elisha Kirk and Nellie Angie. The son is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Brown exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. He was reared in that faith and his mature judgment endorses the party platform, and he has never wavered in his allegiance thereto. He belongs to the United Brethren church, as do his wife and elder daughter, and they have been active in church and Sunday-school work. He endorses every movement which he believes will benefit his fellow men, is an advocate of temperance and of intellectual and moral development, and he has been the champion of many interests which he believes are for the public good in Jefferson county.
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W. B. LOWERY.
As long as memory remains to the American people the soldier of the Civil war will be honored by his fellow men because of the personal bravery which he displayed and the loyalty which he manifested to his country in her hour of need. Mr. Lowery was one who wore the uniform at the time of hostilities between the north and the south. He is well known in Nebraska and northern Kansas and has been a resident of Jefferson county for twenty-one years or since 1882. He was born in Ashland county, Ohio, while his father, Walter Lowery, was a native of Ireland and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He married Margaret Thornton, who was born in the north of Ireland and was of Scotch lin- eage. They came to the United States at an early day, settling in Ohio, where both spent the remainder of their days. They were honest, hardworking people, intelligent and industrious, respected by all who knew them. Their religious faith was in harmony with Protestant views. In their family were nine children and two of the sons were soldiers of the Civil war, namely: W. B .; and Walter Lowery, who offered his life upon the altar of his country, dying on the field of battle.
W. B. Lowery was reared in Ohio and in his youth worked in a shop and in a store. He enlisted at Ashland, Ohio, at the time of the Civil war, becoming a member of the Union army in August, 1861, when he was but eighteen years of age. His weight at that time was only ninety-six pounds. He became a member of Battery D, of the First Ohio Light Artillery, under the command of Captain A. J. Conkle. He went into Camp Denison, September 1, 1861. The regiment was ordered south and went at once into active service. He served under General Nelson in the campaign of eastern Kentucky ; also General Du- mont and under General Burnside, at the siege of Knoxville; under General Corse, at the battle of Alatoona Pass; served under General
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Scoffield, in the Atlanta campaign; and in Sherman's march to the sea. The principal battles in which Battery D was engaged were: Fort Don- elson, Stone River, Chickamauga, Iuka, Pittsburg Landing, Murfrees- boro, Mills Springs; and in all the battles of the Atlantic campaign from May 5 to September 2, 1864; from Atlanta to the sea, November 15, 1864, with sixty thousand men, marching in four divisions, taking in a territory forty miles wide. They went into Camp Denison with full battery of one hundred and sixty-five men, were mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, in September, 1865, with sixteen of the original men of the battery. He was present when General Joe Johnston surrendered his troops at Raleigh, South Carolina. He afterward went to Rich- mond, Virginia, and on to Washington, D. C., being there at the time that President Lincoln was assassinated. He was always found at his post of duty, whether it called him to the picket line or the firing line, never once faltering in his allegiance to the starry banner of the nation and the cause it represented. Following the war Mr. Lowery returned to Ohio and remained a resident of that state until 1882, when he came to Kansas. He has here two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land, constituting a fine and well improved farm. Upon his place he has a good residence, a barn, a fine grove and an excellent orchard. Ev- erything about his place is kept in good condition, and in addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he is also engaged in the raising of cattle and hogs. His business activity also extends to auctioneering, and he is recognized as one of the popular and successful auctioneers of Nebraska and Kansas.
Mr. Lowery was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Newby, and to them have been born five children, namely: Mary, Walter, Effie, Artie and Mattie. Mr. Lowery cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln during the period of the Civil war, but is now independent
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in politics, casting his ballot in support of the men whom he thinks best qualified for office. He belongs to Reynolds Post No. 157, G. A. R., has been very active in its work, and has filled a number of its official positions. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His characteristics are such as have won for him warm regard, and he is justly accounted one of the progressive and enter- prising agriculturists of Jefferson county.
M. C. HURLBURT.
One of the most attractive features of the landscape in Richiland township is the home of M. C. Hurlburt, an enterprising farmer whose residence is a monument to his life of enterprise and well directed effort. The house contains ten rooms and stands upon a natural building site. Forest and fruit trees are also seen upon the farm together with substan- tial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. The latest improved machinery facilitates the farm work, and everything about the place is in keeping with modern progressive ideas of agriculture. Mr. Hurl- burt, moreover, is entitled to mention in this volume as one of the pioneer residents of southeastern Nebraska, having made his home in this part of the state since 1869. He drove to the county with two teams and a wagon, bringing with him some household goods and, securing land, he began the development of a farm and has steadily maintained a place in the foremost ranks of the leading agriculturists of his com- munity.
Mr. Hurlburt was born near St. Albans, Vermont, and belonged to an old patriotic family of New England. His natal day was the 9th of January, 1832. His paternal grandfather, Elijah Hurlburt, was also
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a native of the Green Mountain state, and the father, Calvin Hurlburt, was born in Rutland, Vermont. After a number of years of happy mar- ried life the mother passed away, leaving five children, and by the sec- ond marriage the father had four children. He devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits throughout his business career, gave his political support to the Democracy and indicated his religious faith by member- ship in the Methodist church, in which he was an active and zealous worker.
M. C. Hurlburt remained in Vermont until thirteen years of age and then went to Canada, where he spent two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to New York, where he spent two years, and during these different periods he attended the public schools. Attracted by the opportunities and business possibilities of the west he made his way to the Mississippi valley in 1864, settling in Lafayette county, Wis- consin, in the midst of a lead mining district.
Mr. Hurlburt had been married in Oswego county, New York, to Miss Martha Turck, an estimable lady, whose family was well known in western New York. Her birth occurred in that state and she pursued her education there. Her father, Charles Turck, was born in the Empire state and was a son of Jonathan Turck, who was a soldier of the war of 1812, and a representative of one of the old Knickerbocker fam- ilies of the Mohawk valley, living near Albany, New York. His grandfather was one of the first circuit riders and pioneer preachers of western New York, and his name is closely interwoven with the history of the religious development of that section of the state. Charles Turck, reared in New York, was married there to Magdalena Turck, his cousin. She was a daughter of Jonathan Turck, also a native of the Empire state. The father of Mrs. Hurlburt died in Oswego county, New York, at the age of sixty-two. The mother made her home with Mrs. Hurl-
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burt after the death of her husband and died at that home in Jefferson county, Nebraska, in 1881, aged seventy-seven years. The father was a Douglas Democrat and his religious faith was that of the Methodist church, to which his wife also belonged. They left five children : Peter, Jonathan, Henry, Julia and Mrs. Hurlburt. The last named is the only one now living. One son, William, served in the army during the Mexican war and when the Civil war broke out he again enlisted in the Union army and was killed at Shiloh.
Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt continued to make their home in Wiscon- sin until 1869, when they started for Nebraska, driving two teams. On reaching their destination Mr. Hurlburt secured a homestead and built a house sixteen by sixteen feet. Here in true pioneer style he began life in Nebraska, and they suffered many hardships and privations, but made the most of their opportunities and as the years passed they prospered. Mr. Hurlburt now has a good farm of eighty acres, on which he erected a modern residence, which was built in 1888 at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. It contains ten rooms and is furnished in an attractive manner. There is an orchard in good bearing condition, and shade and ornamental trees add to the attractive appearance of the farm, which is indeed a de- lightful rural home. It has been blessed with the presence of three children : Charles, who is now a prominent nurseryman of Nebraska, conducting a very successful business; Llewellyn A., who is a popular conductor on the Burlington & Missouri Railroad in Nebraska and lives at McCook; and Mrs. Mildred Burbridge, who was formerly one of the capable teachers of the county. They also lost one child, Magdalene, who died at the age of two years. The children were all provided with good educational privileges and are a credit to their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt have long been earnest and zealous mem- bers of the Methodist church, and in pioneer times their home was the
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headquarters for people of the denomination visiting this region. In the early days they attended the camp meetings held at Red Cloud, Nebraska, and while there in 1872 their supply of provisions gave out. Mr. Hurl- burt, accompanied by J. B. Maxfield and others, went on a buffalo hunt and returned with a goodly supply of meat after which the religious services were resumed. In 1860 he cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln and has since been a stanch Republican. His greatest activity aside from his farming interests, however, is manifest in his religious work, in which he is ably assisted by Mrs. Hurlburt. Her mother was a member of a Methodist class of only four members, which was held in Richland township in 1871 in a sod cabin. Mrs. Hurlburt has mani- fested her Christian spirit in her helpfulness to neighbors and friends in time of sickness and need. Kindhearted and sympathetic, her willing hand has been of great service in this way. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hurl- burt are held in the highest esteem because of their lives of honesty and uprightness.
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