USA > Nebraska > A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 32
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The parents of H. L. Ward were John M. and Nancy J. (War- ren) Ward, natives of Tennessee. In politics Mr. Ward was former- ly a Clay Whig, later a Republican. They were the parents of thir- teen children, and a number of the sons took gallant part in the Civil war. The sons were: James; John was a captain in the Forty-ninth of Kentucky, and Thomas S. was a lieutenant in the same regiment, and H. L. was also a member of it; Alexander; Isaac S .; Franklin; George E., junior member of Ward Brothers. The daughters of the family were: Mahala, Mary, Eliza, Sarah and Susan. The mother died at the age of forty-nine years, but the father survived until his eighty-second year. Both were consistent members of the Baptist church.
Our subject was reared in Kentucky and was educated in the local schools. In August, 1861, he volunteered his services in the Civil war struggle, enlisting in Company F, Forty-ninth Kentucky In- fantry, under his brother, Captain J. A. Ward, the regiment being under the command of Colonel Eve and in General Hancock's divi- sion. During his term of service he participated in a number of battles, the most notable ones being Richmond, Kentucky, Chattanooga and Franklin, Tennessee, and Florence, Alabama, and also many skir-
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mishes. He was injured at Somerset, by a fall from a horse, and was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Ward then located at Craig, Missouri, where he engaged in an extensive mercantile busi- ness, and remained there from 1873 until 1902, when he settled at Pawnee city. He is associated with his brother, and the firm is one of the leading dry-goods and general mercantile houses in this part of the state. They carry a large and well selected stock of dry-goods, clothing, boots and shoes, and in every way are prepared to meet the demands of a constantly increasing trade.
In 1877 Mr. Ward was married to Miss Frances Sharpe, who is a daughter of Abraham and Matilda Sharpe. Four children have been born to this marriage, the two younger ones being still at home, while George Custer and Jacob, the older ones, are located at Craig, Missouri.
Mr. Ward has always taken an intelligent interest in public mat- ters, and during his residence in Missouri served four years as county judge of Holt county. He is identified with the Masonic bodies and is prominent in the Grand Army post in this city. He is one of the progres- sive, reliable business men of Pawnee city and in every way is a represen- tative citizen.
GEORGE E. WARD.
George E. Ward, junior member of the prominent business firm of Ward Brothers, of Pawnee city, Nebraska, and a much respected citizen, was born in Kentucky, and is a son of John M. and Nancy J. (Warren) Ward, who for many years were old and honored residents of Harlan county, Kentucky.
Mr. Ward prior to coming to Pawnee city and entering into a mer- cantile partnership here with his brother H. L., conducted a store at
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Rulo, Richardson county, Nebraska. The firm is a strong one and the line of goods handled meets with the approval of a large and constantly increasing trade.
In 1885 Mr. Ward married Miss Emma Ocamb, who is a daughter of Charles and Mary ( Priestey) Ocamb, of Kansas City. Five children have been born to this union, namely: T. E., Samuel G., Mary Hope, G. F., and Paul. The religious connection of the family is with the Methodist church. Fraternally Mr. Ward belongs to the order of Odd Fellows. He is recognized in Pawnee city as a business man of integ- rity and in every way is a first-class citizen.
G. A. HARRIS, M. D.
G. A. Harris, M. D., a prominent young physician and surgeon of Beatrice, Nebraska, whose skill and professional ability have gained him a leading position in the county, was born August 7, 1871, in Macoupin county, Illinois. He is a son of the late Dr. W. J. Harris, who was for years one of the most esteemed physicians in Beatrice. His death occurred in January, 1901, at the age of sixty years.
Dr. W. J. Harris was born in Canada of Welsh ancestry, and was an unusual type of the race, being six feet in stature and weighing two hundred pounds. He was a man of genial presence and brought cheer into the sick room. For many years he was a consistent member of the Methodist church. Fraternally he was both a Mason and an Odd Fellow. The three sons born to him were: Dr. G. A .; D. H., of Valentine, Ne- braska ; and Wylie.
Dr. G. A. Harris attended the schools in Illinois until his thirteenth year, when his father removed to Nebraska. He then entered a private
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school and later the University of Illinois, at Champaign. After three years devoted to teaching he began the practice of his profession. He served as house physician at the city hospital at St. Joe, Missouri, and at Omaha, Nebraska, for seven years. He is now associated with Dr. Fall in conducting the Beatrice sanitarium, an institution which stands very high in public esteem in Gage county.
In 1898 Dr. Harris was married to Myrtle Parks, a daughter of Colonel F. M. Parks, who for some years was identified with the busi- ness interests of Shenandoah and Woodbine, Iowa. One son has been born to this union, William D. Dr. Harris is a Republican in his political affiliation, and is fraternally connected with the Elks and the Odd Fellows.
W. P. WILSON.
W. P. Wilson, of Wymore, Gage county, Nebraska, is a well known and very popular railroad man of the Burlington road and has been a resident of the state for thirty-three years. He is also a veteran of the Civil war and a man highly esteemed by all who are associated with him. His enlistment took place at Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, in August, 1861, in Company I, Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Colonel P. P. Henderson and Captain J. A. Garrett commanding. He was in the following events of the war : Iuka, Corinth, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, siege of Atlanta, with Sherman to the sea and north to Richmond and Wash- ington. He was discharged September 1, 1865.
Mr. Wilson was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, December 27, 1840, and is a son of Reuben and Catharine (Miller) Wilson. When but a boy of sixteen years Mr. Wilson was taken by his parents to the
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wilds of Iowa, where he lived until the breaking out of the war, and upon his return home he resided in that locality until 1870, when he removed to Hubbell, Thayer county, Nebraska, and has made that state his home ever since. For seventeen years he has been in the employ of the Burlington road, and is one of its most trusted locomotive engi- neers, running from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Concordia, Kansas. Some years ago in a railroad accident he lost a foot, but manages to attend to his duties exceedingly well.
In 1866 he was married in Iowa to Mary S. Street. She was born in Wayne county, Indiana, near Richmond, but was reared and educated in Iowa. She is a daughter of David Street, who died in Iowa. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amanda Tout, was born in Pennsylvania, and is living at the age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have the following children, namely: Mrs. Josephine Stuff, of Seattle, Washington; Lena, wife of A. G. Smart, of Wymore, Nebraska; Edward, of Iowa; and John, of Seattle. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have a beautiful home and show a gracious hospitality to all their friends. They are much respected in the community and their suc- cess in life is well merited. Their children are a credit to them and they have cause to be proud of them.
JOHN H. BRANDT.
John H. Brandt, of Glenwood township, Gage county, Nebraska, is one of the well known citizens of this locality, and also one of the honored veterans of the Civil war. His career as a soldier commenced with his enlistment at Waverly, Bremer county, Iowa, in the Thirty- eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry Company. Among the other engage-
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ments, Mr. Brandt participated in the siege of Vicksburg and was as- signed to the Department of the Gulf. He crossed the Gulf of Mexico, was at Brownville, Texas, and was finally discharged at Galveston that state, in the fall of 1865, after a hard and gallant service.
The birth of Mr. Brandt occurred in Bedford, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1844, and he is a son of Jacob and Mary (Long) Brandt, and a grandson of Benjamin. The father of Benjamin was in the Revolutionary war, and his sons in the war of 1812, and the family originated in Germany. Jacob Brandt removed in 1850 to Adams county, Illinois, but later located at Bremer county, Iowa, and still later at Palmyra, Missouri, where the mother died. The father passed away at Summer- ville, Illinois, at the age of seventy-eight, a man of honor who attained to prominence in the several communities in which he resided. Among the children born to himself and wife were: Lydia, deceased; John, James Philip, Charles, Perry, Anna, Lizzie, Albert and Alfred, twins, one of whom died young.
John H. Brandt was reared upon his father's farm and educated in the schools of Pennsylvania. In March, 1884, he removed to Gage county, Nebraska, and developed one of the best farms in that locality, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, upon which he has erected a comfortable house, big barn and excellent other buildings. He carries on general farming and raises considerable stock, and is recognized as one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Gage county.
Mr. Brandt was married in Adams county, Illinois, to Adalaide Bethel. She was born in Illinois and is a daughter of C. Bethel. Mrs. Brandt died in January, 1884, having borne her husband twelve chil- dren, eight of whom are now living, namely : Loretta, George, William, John, Jessie, Tola, Nettie and Lizzie. In 1888 Mr. Brandt married Susanna Foltz, who was born in Nebraska, a daughter of Solomon Foltz.
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The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brandt, namely : Arthur, Margette, Nimrod, Allie, Homer, Maude and two who died in infancy. For many years Mr. Brandt has been prominent in G. A. R. work. The entire family is highly respected in the neighborhood, and Mr. Brandt himself stands high among his associates and friends, as a man of integrity, hardworking and reliable in every respect.
JESSE B. CALLISON.
Jesse B. Callison is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Saline county, Nebraska, having resided in this portion of the state since 1870. He is, therefore, familiar with the history of its development, and he has borne a helpful and important part in the work of progress and im- provement as the years have gone by. He was born in West Virginia on the Ist of August, 1834, and is a son of Joseph Callison, whose birth occurred in Virginia. The father represented one of the early families of the Old Dominion, his ancestors having located there about 1790. His father was Anthony Callison, also a native of Virginia, and he and his wife both died in Pocahontas county, that state, at an advanced age. Joseph Callison was reared under the parental roof, and after attaining his majority was married to Miss Elizabeth Bright, who was born in Virginia and was a daughter of Jesse Bright, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania and who was a representative of an old Pennsylvania Dutch family. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Callison removed from West Vir- ginia to Knox county, Illinois, and later to Iowa, settling in Davis county, near Bloomfield. In the year 1873 they came to Nebraska, spending their last days in Richardson county near Falls City, where the father died at the very advanced age of ninety-three years. Throughout his entire
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life he had followed agricultural pursuits, and his persistency, industry and well directed labor brought to him a good living. His early politi- cal support was given to the Whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. His wife, who was to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey, died at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Anthony was a soldier of the Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry. He served for five years with the army and is now deceased. Addison F. was a member of the Fifty-fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers and now re- sides in Idaho.
Jesse P. Callison spent his early boyhood days in Greenbier county, Virginia, and when still a young lad accompanied his parents on their removal to Knox county, Illinois, the family home being established near Abingdon, where he lived until 1867. In the meantime the country became involved in Civil war, and his patriotic spirit was aroused, prompt- ing his enlistment as a soldier of the Union army. It was on the 6th of August, 1862, that he enrolled his name among those who had offered service to the government, becoming members of Company I, Eighty- third Illinois Infantry for three years' service. A. Harding was placed in command of the regiment and later was succeeded by Colonel Smith. The regiment went into camp at Monmouth, Illinois, and after a short time spent in drill they were ordered south, proceeding to Fort Donelson, Tennessee, and later to Nashville. Mr. Callison participated in the battle of Nashville and Clarksville, and was in active service in Tennessee dur- ing the greater part of his enlistment. He was mustered out on the 28tlı of June, 1865, and gladly returned to his home, although he had been a devoted and loyal soldier, never faltering in performance of any mili- tary duty assigned him. Making his way northward after the cessation of hostilities he continued to reside in Abingdon, Illinois, until 1867.
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In the meantime Mr. Callison was united in marriage to Miss Jane Grumble, an estimable lady, who for thirty-seven years has traveled life's journey with him and has been of great assistance to him. She was born in Hancock county, Illinois, and is a daughter of John and Maria (Davis) Grumble. Her father was born in New York city, while her mother's birth occurred in Jersey City, New Jersey. Mr. Grum- ble is still living and now makes his home near White City in Morris county, Kansas, at the age of eighty-eight years, but his wife passed away at the age of seventy-two years. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which lie still belongs, and his upright life has ever been in consistent harmony with his Christian principles. To this worthy couple were born nine children, five sons and four daughters. One son, William Grumble, was a soldier of the Civil war and is now living in Arkansas. He was taken prisoner by the rebel troops and for nine months was held in captivity, but then managed to make his escape and rejoined the Union army.
After his marriage Mr. Callison removed to Davis county, Iowa, and in the spring of 1870 came to Nebraska, where he secured a home- stead claim, upon which he is still living. His first home was a log and sod house, which he occupied for seven years, and then he replaced this by a more modern and commodious residence. Although he has pros- pered here his course has been beset by many difficulties and obstacles as the years have advanced. There have been hot winds and blizzards and also a scourge of grasshoppers. In the early days buffalo meat and other wild game largely furnished the table of the early settlers. He saw hard times for years, but his resolute purpose and energy at length triumphed over these various difficulties, and he is now the pos- sessor of an excellent farm of eighty acres valued at sixty dollars per acre. On the place is a good house, a substantial barn, a windmill, well
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improved machinery, and, in fact, various modern equipments and ac- cessories which go to facilitate farm work and render agricultural labor profitable. The home is pleasantly located about three miles north of Daykin.
Mr. Callison and his wife are the parents of eight children : Robert, Mrs. Anna Higgins, Pauline, Mrs. Bertha Pointer, Flora, Nettie, Oliver J. and John C. They also lost two children, one dying in infancy, while Nellie passed away at the age of thirteen years. Mrs. Callison is a mem- ber of the United Brethren church. Mr. Callison gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and in matters of citizenship is public- spirited and progressive, manifesting the same loyalty to his country and her welfare that he displayed when defending the old flag on southern battlefields. He is a man of strong and honorable principles, and in his business life has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any trade transaction. As one of the pioneer settlers and respected citizens of his county he well deserves representation in this volume.
SAMUEL, PETTIT.
Samuel Pettit, who has been living retired from his long career of farmer and building contractor since 1897, has been a resident of Nemaha county for nearly fifty years. He is not only one of the honored pioneers and old-timers, but has been foremost in all the activ- ities in which he has engaged. While desiring and taking no part in practical politics, he was one of the earliest representatives of this county in the territorial legislature, and was there when Lincoln was assassinated. For this half century he has quietly performed his duties
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as a citizen and man, has been always reliable and capable, has won friends and kept their high esteem, and now at the age of more than fourscore has passed a life of worthy activity and creditable performance and can enjoy his remaining years as befits the true workman whose labors have been well done.
Mr. Pettit was born about five miles from Batavia, New York, June 3, 1823, and from his native state, in 1833, went to Logan county, Ohio, and thence, in 1850, became a pioneer of Wisconsin, and in October, 1856, took up his permanent residence in Nemaha county, Nebraska, which has proved the last stage of his earthly pilgrimage. David Pettit, his father, was born in Albany, New York, in 1783, and died near Lima, Allen county, Ohio, in 1853. He was a non-commissioned offcer in the war of 1812, and was a teacher in Batavia. The family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. In 1820 he married Scenia Elms, who was born in France about 1803, and who had three brothers that served under Napoleon at Moscow, only one ever returning to his native land. David Pettit and wife had five sons and two daughters, one son dying in child- hood, and Samuel being the only survivor. The son Rodolphus was for many years a teacher in Logan county, Ohio, giving his most en- thusiastic efforts and best years to this profession, and for several years before his death served as clerk of the district court; he died in 1900 at the age of eighty years, and had been twice married, rearing three children; he was not a money-getter, but gave all his children good educations. Jonathan Pettit, another son, was a carpenter, and met his death as a Union soldier at the siege of Vicksburg, filling an unknown grave; he had a wife and three children. Mrs. David Pettit was a widow for many years, and died in Henry county, Indiana, when past the age of eighty.
Samuel Pettit had all his schooling before he was eleven years old,
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and since that age has been dependent on his own resources. He lived at home until he reached his majority. At the age of twenty-one he learned the carpenter's trade, and served four years for board and clothes alone. He was a mechanic and contractor and builder in Ohio, then in Wisconsin, and also after coming to Nebraska. He bought his first farm land in 1862, paying a thousand dollars for three hundred and twenty acres situated on the west bank of the Missouri river. Within four years this land had all been swept away by the currents of the Big Muddy. He saved some of the timbers from this place, and with them built his house on the one hundred and twenty acre tract which he bought in 1868 and which is still his home farm. He bought nine lots in Peru in 1871, and still owns three of them. He has built many of the dwell- ings in this vicinity, and has worked on all the fine school buildings in this town.
On December 12, 1843, Mr. Pettit was married in Logan county, Ohio, to Miss Mary A. Knox, who was born there in 1823. Her father, Leonard Knox, came from Virginia to Ohio in 1804. He was a scout under Daniel Boone, Benton McCarthy and General Cox during the Indian wars. Mrs. Pettit's family were all intense pro-slavery advocates, but she was on her part much opposed to the institution. Mr. and Mrs. Pettit had eleven children, two of whom died in childhood. James, born in Ohio in 1844, was a teacher, postmaster and followed other occupa- tions, and is now living in Iowa, having three sons and one grandson; George Pettit, who is the grain dealer and owner of the elevator in Peru, has several sons and daughters; Alfred is a farmer and prominent Republican of Thayer county, Nebraska; Mark is a railroad agent in Kansas and has three sons; Lincoln is a carpenter and contractor in Eagle, Nebraska, and has three sons; Greely died in Nemaha county at the age of three years; Mary is the wife of Booker Morrison, a farmer
Jours do GosSage
Samantha the Sage.
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in this county, and has three children; Esterline and Emeline, twins, the former the wife of Frank Rigwald and the latter of Jesse Robinson, both farmers on Mr. Pettit's place near Peru, and Mrs. Rigwald has two daughters and Mrs. Robinson has four sons and one daughter. Mr. Pettit lost his noble wife and the mother of these children, on Novem- ber 15, 1897, and he has since then lived alone, keeping his own house and passing his days in sweet and quiet simplicity. He is a strong Re- publican, and during the Civil war was a member of the home guards. He has been a member of no church, but his wife was a Methodist. His children were all educated in the normal school, and the oldest was a teacher.
EDWARD D. GAGE AND FAMILY.
Edward Downs Gage, whose death occurred in Jefferson county, March 22, 1890, was for twenty years connected with the agricultural and business interests of this county, and was a man whose integrity, reliability and personal worth were unquestioned wherever he went. He was one of the oldest men in the county at the time of his death and his long career had been useful in its work and wholesome and kindly in its influence. While he was persevering and assiduous in gaining a due amount of material prosperity, he never neglected the responsibilities laid upon him as a citizen of a great republic or as father and head of a family, whose different members gave him true- hearted devotion while he was living and now revere his memory as of one who was true to his convictions and sincere and earnest in the per- formance of life's duties as he saw them. He was unselfish, devout, religious, a "friend of the church, friend of the neighborhood, friend of humanity, friend of God."
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Some generations before the nineteenth century three brothers came from England and settled in New York. A descendant of one of these, James Gage, settled early in the nineteenth century on the "Dock Road" in Madison township, Lake county, Ohio, when this coun- try was almost a trackless wilderness. This, until his death in 1859, continued to be his home.
He married Charlana Turney in February, 1818.
To them were born three children: Edward D., the subject of this sketch, born June 7, 1819; David W. and James Alfred, the latter dying in infancy. On July 10, 1827, occurred the death of Mrs. Gage, and on June 29, 1829, he was married to Lucing Wright. To them were born five daughters and one son, namely: Helen C., A. Eliza, Charlotte M., Ardelissa V., Henry W. and Alta L.
David W. became a successful lawyer, practicing mainly in Cleve- land, Ohio. He did some work in behalf of the anti-slavery cause and has ever been much interested in all reform and church movements in behalf of which he has spent some little time both as a lecturer and in the preparation of articles for the press. He was for about three years state organizer of the Prohibition party in Ohio, in which time the vote of that party in the state increased threefold. He is now living in Ober- lin, Ohio.
Henry Warren responded to the first call for recruits in the war in behalf of the Union, and was one of the three-months men, taking part in the battle of Laurel Hill. He enlisted and served again for three years at the end of which time he enlisted again for three years, or until the close of the war. He was mustered out in the fall of 1865 at Little Rock, Arkansas. He died as the result of a railroad accident in the winter of 1882.
A cousin of James Gage was identified with the ministry of the
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Methodist church, and in the early days was sent out to Nebraska as a missionary, and it was from this devoted man of God that Gage county received its name.
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