USA > Nebraska > A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 35
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On the 8th of April, 1891, Mr. Jelinek was married to Miss Mary Nedela, who was born in Crete and is a daughter of F. Nedela, of this city, who was one of the early settlers and is a wealthy resident of Crete. They became the parents of five children, of whom three daughters and a son are now living, Erma having died at the age of two years and eight months. The others are Ruth, twelve years of age;
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Hugo, aged eight years; Lillian, who was born July 17, 1898; and Mar- guerite, born in September, 1902. Mr. Jelinek erected his present resi- dence in 1895, and lie has twenty-two lots in the city. He also owns an eighty-acre farm two and a half miles southeast of Crete, worth five thousand dollars. In the present year he took his wife and two children to St. Louis, visiting the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. He has made money and spends it freely, doing everything in his power to promote the happiness and welfare of his wife and children. He has always been a stanch Republican in politics, and while residing on the farm he served as township clerk. He is well known in Crete, and through his business activity has accumulated a comfortable competence. He rep- resents one of the oldest families of Saline county, his parents having come direct from Wisconsin after Lincoln signed the homestead bill in 1864. They were accompanied by eight families and these were the first Bohemian settlers of this portion of the state. Joseph Jelinek of this review has witnessed much of the progress of Saline county and takes much interest in what has been accomplished here.
MRS. LAURA D. KIRK.
Mrs. Laura D. Kirk, who has long been a resident of Crete, was born in Otsego county, New York, on the 16th of February, 1827, and spent her early life in that state, her girlhood days passing quietly and uneventfully. She attended school and also became familiar with the household duties, and in 1852 she left her father's home for a home of her own. It was on the 14th of March, of that year, near Charlotteville, New York, that she gave her hand in marriage to Jacob J. Wayman, who was also a native of the Empire state, born January 5, 1827. After
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the death of their only child they removed to Pennsylvania, settling near Carbondale, but in 1863 they returned to New York to take care of Mr. Wayman's aged parents. His mother died in that state, and in 1869 Mr. Wayman and his wife removed to Nebraska, arriving in the month of September. They settled four miles south of Friend on a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which Mr. Way- man carried on general farming until his death, which occurred January 5, 1879. He left all of his property to his worthy wife, who had indeed been a helpmate and faithful companion on the journey of life.
Mrs. Wayman lived a widow for over thirty years, but on the 8th of June, 1904, was married, in her seventy-eighth year, to Rev. William Kirk, D. D., who is in his eighty-first year. He had five children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mrs. Kirk has lived in Crete ten years and occupied her pretty vine-embowered home for three years. She is well known as a woman of sterling worth, well preserved in mind and body. Both Rev. and Mrs. Kirk have many friends in Crete, who extend to them best wishes that the evening of life, which they have chosen to spend together, shall pass quietly and happily and that the years of their earthly pilgrimage may yet continue for some time to come.
MELCHIOR KECHELY.
Melchior Kechely, one of the well known and highly respected resi- dents of Glenwood township, Gage county, Nebraska, and a veteran of the Civil war, has been a resident of the state since 1871. His soldier's life commenced August 13, 1862, when he enlisted at Bellevue, Ohio, in Company H, One Hundred and Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Myers commanding, for three years or until the close of the
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war. At that time he was receiving fifty dollars a month working as a carpenter, but he cheerfully left it all to defend his country. During his term of service he participated in many engagements, among which may be mentioned the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, three charges on Fort Wagner, at Jacksonville, Florida, was stationed near Fort Sumter, and finally August 10, 1865, he was honorably discharged and returned to his home with a good record as a soldier.
Our subject was born in Bavaria February 8, 1841, the same year as King Edward of England. He is a son of John and Barbara Kechely, the former of whom came to the United States in 1855, his wife and children following in 1857.
Our subject went to school in Ohio and there learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed successfully until the war broke out. After his return home, he again engaged in the same line, but, finding his old home too confined for his new aspirations, he finally in 1871 emigrated to Gage county, Nebraska, where he has since found a very pleasant home, and opportunity to exercise his ability as a carpenter. Many of the finest residences in the locality have been built by him, but in 1893 he retired to his fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he has a comfortable house and substantial barn and outbuildings.
On January 1, 1867, in Ohio, he was married to Catherine Cook. The following children have been born to them, namely : Emma, Frank, Elizabeth, William, Don, Herbert, Edward, studying for the ministry of the Christian church at Lincoln; Anna, John, Pearl, Clarence and Clara, the last being twins. Mr. Kechely is a Republican and very stanch in his support of party measures. In religious faith he is a Lutheran and is very well informed on the bible and church creed. Like all the veterans he takes an active interest in G. A. R. matters, and is a
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cordial, genial gentleman and one who has many friends throughout the neighborhood.
WILLIAM A. ELLIS.
William A. Ellis, of Glenwood township, Gage county, Nebraska. is one of the well known and highly respected residents of this locality and a veteran of the Civil war. He enlisted in Stark county, Illinois, August 12, 1862, in Company E, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Colonel T. J. Henderson and Captain C. S. Ottman commanding
Our subject was born in Stark county, Illinois, April 1, 1837, a son of Simeon Ellis, a native of Tennessee. Ellisdale, Illinois, was founded by the Ellis family in the early days of the state, when Simeon and his wife Matilda Bunch located in the state. After many hardships they became prosperous. She died in 1841, aged about forty years, while he survived until he was sixty-eight years of age. They had a family of eleven children.
William A. Ellis was reared in Illinois and after returning from the war he settled in his old home and remained until 1883, when he came west and located in Gage county, Nebraska, and has become one of the influential men of that vicinity. He purchased one hundred acres, which he has developed, and upon which he has erected a comfortable house, substantial barn and other buildings. In the grounds he has planted shrubs and trees, and flowers bloom about the door. Mr. Ellis married Miss Adaline Davis, November 18, 1865, and they have seven children, as follows: Alberta, of Liberty, Nebraska, married Frank Bunnell; Martha, of Odell, Nebraska, married Henry C. Colwell; Paulina Rathburn; Harry C., of Norton, Kansas; Leonie, at home;
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B. M., at home; Lora, in the high school of Odell. In politics Mr. Ellis is a Republican, and he is also very active in G. A. R. matters, and is very highly esteemed in the home post. Both he and his estimable wife are very charitable and make all welcome at their pleasant home.
ALFRED MCKINNEY.
Alfred McKinney, chaplain of Coleman Post No. 115, at Wymore, is one of the well known and highly respected residents of that locality and a veteran of the Civil war. His career as a soldier commenced with his enlistment at Peoria, Illinois, August 14, 1862, Company D, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Captain Hitch- cock and Colonel Dave McGee in command.
The birth of Mr. Mckinney occurred at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1831, and he is a son of David McKinney, who in turn is a son of Irish parents, who emigrated to the United States, settling in Penn- sylvania. In that state David grew to manhood and married Abigail Ensley, after which he removed to Ohio and made his home in the wilderness, when Indians were very numerous. He took up govern- ment land and made a home, but returned in 1842 to Pennsylvania, from whence he finally moved to Peoria county, Illinois, and there he died in 1878. His wife lived to be one hundred years of age, and was one of the oldest women in the state. This worthy couple had nine children, three of whom grew to maturity, and two were soldiers, our subject and David, who was in the Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served three years.
Alfred Mckinney was eleven years of age when he came with his parents to Illinois, and in addition to working upon the farm, he learned
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the cooper's trade, at which he later worked and also at teaming. While residing in Peoria county, September 18, 1851, he married Louise Pric- tor, born in Sangamon county, Illinois. She is a daughter of Reuben Prictor, a farmer who died in Iowa at the age of seventy-five years. In politics he was a Democrat. The mother died at the age of eighty-four years, and both were Methodists. They had twelve children.
In 1867 Mr. Mckinney moved to Warren county, Iowa, and in 1879 settled in Gage county, on one hundred and twenty acres of land which he has greatly improved and upon which he has excellent buildings. His land is creek bottom and well watered, and his acres yield a good profit. Five children have been born to himself and wife, namely: Mary Fosler, of Fort Scott, Kansas; Nancy Ellen Edwards, of Russell, Nortlı Dakota; Julia May Shroff, of Sheridan, Wyoming; Amy F. Tollman, of Wymore, Nebraska; Reuben Edward, of Gage county, near Beatrice. Five other children died in infancy. Mr. Mckinney is a Republican in politics and has always been interested in political affairs. For nine years he was a member of the Nebraska State Guards, and for seven of that time served as second lieutenant. He made two of the gun carriages for the battery, and one is still in use. He has also been most active in G. A. R. work, and is now serving his post as chaplain. In appearance he stands six feet and one and one-half inches in height, and looks like a soldier. In manner he is genial and courteous, and makes welcome every visitor to his pleasant home. Needless to say that he is one of the most popular men in Gage county, as well as one of the representative farmers of that locality.
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FRANCIS LAFAYETTE PROUTY.
Francis Lafayette Prouty, now a retired merchant in Peru, is one of the first-comers to this part of Nebraska, having been acquainted with it as a territory and a state for nearly half a century. He has had a career both eventful and prosperous. Beginning the battle of life at the age of nine years, he earned his living as a child factory operative for six years, with little pay and long hours of drudgery; learning a trade, he followed it in the east, then came to the Missouri river and soon after- ward to Nebraska; thence had experience as a gold-seeker in the western wilds; returned to Nebraska, and with the enterprise, the business ability and force of character which are his natural gifts entered upon a business career which has long since put him above the daily struggle for exis- tence and allowed him the repose granted the later years of the aspiring and successful. This epitome but deals with his material prosperity, but he has also played a useful and worthy part as a citizen, soldier and public official. However much individual success he has gained, in winning it he has not been compelled to "look down on the hate of those below," for trustfulness and helpfulness have been keynotes in his char- acter, and more than once he has suffered financial loss because of this willingness to aid others. His long life of seventy years has developed . in him a well rounded character, a matter of satisfaction to himself, of pride to his friends and family, and an example worthy of emulation by all.
Mr. Prouty was born in Vermont, October 28, 1834. His father, Lewis Prouty, was born in Guilford, Vermont, in 1796, and died in Petersham, Massachusetts. He was a tanner and engaged in that busi- ness in Vermont, but in 1838 reverses in business caused him to move over into Massachusetts to North Adams. His first wife was Sarah Warner, a granddaughter of the Colonel Seth Warner who was with
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Montgomery at Quebec and in other noted battles of the Revolution. They were the parents of ten children; seven sons being born in succes- sion : Mrs. Elizabeth Peete, the eldest, born in 1815, lives in northern Ohio and had nine children by her two husbands, and is still active in mind and body at the age of eighty-eight. Ann, wife of Lewis Goddard, died while he was in the war and left two living children, her husband being now an inmate of a soldiers' home. Francis Lafayette, the first of the name, died young. Lewis and Lorenzo, twins, the latter dying at the age of twenty-six. Lyman sailed before the mast and was captain of a coasting vessel for many years, and as a coasting merchant lost heavily during the war; he was no ordinary seaman, but a refined and intelligent man; he was born in 1832 and died in Nebraska in 1891. Francis Lafayette, who was named after the first son of that name, comes next of the children. Horace is a retired farmer of Hebron, Illi- nois, and has six children. Albert, the seventh successive son, resides at Genoa Junction, Wisconsin, and has three children. Sarah, the tenth child, died at the age of four years. The mother of these children died in North Adams, Massachusetts, in 1844, and Lewis Prouty was afterwards married to Roxalvania Harrington, by whom he reared four of five children.
Mr. Prouty was put to work in a cotton mill in North Adams, Massachusetts, when he was nine years old, so that he has recollection of but one schoolroom in that town, and his mental training was meagre and short. He began in the factory as bobbin boy and was advanced to fifth place, but his highest pay was four dollars a week and he spent from thirteen to sixteen hours in the mill. In the cold winter days he had to light up and work a long time before breakfast, and had but twenty or thirty minutes for meals. This continued until he was fifteen years old, and he then began as helper to a tinsmith, being bound out for
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board and clothes, with wages at thirty dollars for the first year, forty for the second and sixty for the third. He worked a year at his trade in Meriden, Connecticut, at one dollar and a half a day, and in the spring of 1850 went to Warren county, North Carolina, where he fol- lowed his trade a year; returning to his father's home in Cheshire, Mas- sachusetts, he worked at Westfield a year.
In 1856 he came west to St. Joseph, Missouri, and from there walked up the Missouri river fifteen miles. He then bought a team of horses, and in company with twelve men started for Colorado, but stopped at Nebraska City. He had left Massachusetts with three hundred dollars and arrived in Nebraska City with two hundred and fifty, but most of this had been spent to help his comrades sick with smallpox. He was in Nebraska City and Minersville until the fall of 1857, and then, in company with two hundred and ninety others, in a train of six covered wagons, each drawn by five yoke of oxen, he set out for the mines and mountains of Colorado. After an interesting journey they arrived at a point fifteen miles from where the city of Denver afterward arose, and there went into winter quarters in log cabins. In squads of five each they prospected for gold and thirty-five miles from Boulder found it but not in paying quantities. In April Mr. Prouty returned to Nebraska, without money, prepared to begin anew.
He worked at his trade and in a sawmill and broke the prairie sod until the 8th of June, 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, First Nebraska Infantry. He served in Missouri against Price, was at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, and was then attacked with the lung fever and sent to Jefferson barracks at St. Louis and discharged for disability, in June, 1862. He came home, but soon re-enlisted, as second sergeant of the Twenty-seventh Nebraska Infantry, with which he served a year under General Sellers in the frontier campaigns against
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the Indians, helping to clean up Little Crow and his band. He was mustered out at Brownville in 1864. He was wounded slightly in the left leg.
Mr. Prouty was a successful hardware merchant in Peru for twenty years, and made money, although he lost much by signing notes and be- ing accommodating. He owns his nice residence in Peru, as well as one which he rents. He also has town property in New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming and has stock in a Wyoming railroad. He has mining stock in Old and New Mexico and Wyoming. He has done much for his children, but still has a comfortable competence for his declining years.
In November, 1859, Mr. Prouty was married in Peru to Miss Jessie Rugg, who was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, in 1836, a daughter of Wright Rugg. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Prouty : Herbert Winchester is clerk of court in Denver, Colorado, and has a wife and two sons and a daughter; Kate Alberta is the wife of Seth Bowers (her second husband), in Centennial, Wyoming, and has five children ; Eloise is the wife of Fred Miller, at Laramie, Wyom- ing, and has one daughter: Sarah Ann is the wife of M. F. Reed, of Centennial, Wyoming, and has one son: Mamie is the wife of Elias Conkle, of Peru, and has three sons; Francis L. died at the age of three months, and the second of the same name died at the age of five months; Lewis, the eighth child, died in 1891 at the age of nineteen, having been located in business in Lincoln, Nebraska, for three weeks before his death.
Mr. Prouty is past commander of the Martin Stowell Post, G. A. R., at Peru. Since 1876 he has drawn a pension of from four to thirty dollars a month, and his noble wife, who was a field nurse during the war and was with her husband at Fort Donelson, her oldest child being a
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baby at the time, is also a pensioner of the government. Mr. Prouty is a Republican in politics, and has been in the town council for many years; was treasurer of the school board many years, and was also elected judge. He bought his present home place of an Indian agent many years ago, and about ten years ago he remodeled the house and made it the comfortable and pleasant dwelling where the many friends of the family now delight to gather and honor their host.
DANIEL MATHER.
Daniel Mather, who follows farming in South Fork precinct, Saline county, is one of the old settlers of southeastern Nebraska. He was born near Marysville in Union county, Ohio, on the 26th of December, 1832. His father, William Mather, was born in Ross county, Ohio, and was a son of Daniel Mather, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania and who was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Reared in the state of his nativity, Wil- liam Mather afterward married Phoebe Allen, who was born in Ohio and was a daughter of Isaac Allen, who served as a soldier of the war of 1812. He was noted for his strength, his activity and also for his genial, jovial nature. William and Phoebe Mather became parents of several children, namely : Daniel; Allen; John, who was a soldier of Company I, Tenth Iowa Infantry, during the Civil war and is now living in Denver, Colorado; Myra; Ebenezer, who was a soldier of Company E, Fortieth Iowa Infantry, in the war of the rebellion and was wounded at Sabine creek; Wesley; Job; Frank; and Eliza. The father of this family removed to Iowa in 1850 and spent his remaining days in that state, passing away at the age of fifty-seven years. He endorsed the principles of the Republican party after its organization and gave his
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influence not only to political measures which he believed would benefit the community but to all matters pertaining to the general good along educational and moral lines. For many years he was a local minister of the Methodist church, a godly man whose upright career was well worthy of emulation. His wife, who was also a consistent Christian, died at the age of seventy-three years, loved and respected by all who knew her.
Daniel Mather spent his early boyhood days upon the old home farm in Union county, Ohio, and in 1850 went to Iowa, settling in Jasper county. He has since engaged in agricultural pursuits save that at the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and prompted by a spirit of patriotism enlisted in August, 1862, as a member of Company E, Fortieth Iowa Regiment of Volunteers. The company was commanded by Captain J. W. Sennett and the regiment by Colonel John A. Garrett. They went into camp in Polk county, Iowa, were afterward sent to Cairo, Illinois, thence to Paducah, Ken- tucky, and subsequently participated in many campaigns and engage- ments in the south. Mr. Mather was in the battle of Mechanicsville and went to Helena, Arkansas, under General Steele. He was also at Little Rock, Arkansas, and at Fort Gibson. Being taken sick he was sent to the hospital at Overton, Tennessee, and later to Memphis, Ten- nessee, where he was honorably discharged in May, 1865.
When twenty-one years of age, Mr. Mather was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Bennett, who died in December, 1867. She was a daughter of George and Elizabeth Bennett. The former, who died in Illinois, was a son of Wesley Bennett, and served his country as a soldier in the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry. His death occurred in 1882. To this union four children were born : William Albert; John Emery ; Lizzie T., who died in July, 1887; and Daniel E. The boys are all married. Mr. Mather was again married, in October, 1868, to Miss
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Mary E. Worley, who was born in Union county, Ohio, in July, 1847. To this union were born thirteen children, five of whom died in infancy and one at the age of sixteen. Seven remain : Martha Adelia, who lives in Denver, Colorado; Susan Eva, who lives in Tobias, Nebraska; C. J., who lives in Rockford, Illinois; Harvey, who lives near Spring Ranch, Nebraska; Uriah B., who lives in Aurora, Nebraska; Effie Mae, who lives in Kenesaw, Nebraska; all of whom are married, and Clara Myrtle, who still remains at home.
Mr. Mather has provided his family with a good home. He has eighty acres of well improved land in South Fork precinct, Saline county, on which are a comfortable residence and substantial barns and other outbuildings. A grove and orchard are also among the attractive features on the place, and modern equipments indicate his progressive spirit and careful supervision. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the children are also identified with the same denomination. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, and with his army comrades he delights in recalling reminiscences of the days which were spent upon southern battlefields or in military camps in the south.
THOMAS B. POE.
Thomas B. Poe is one of the successful farmers of Paddock town- ship, Gage county, Nebraska, and has been a resident of this portion of southeastern Nebraska since 1878, a worthy and energetic worker, a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, and a man commanding the full esteem of all his fellow citizens.
He was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, November 9, 1840, the
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year of the famous Harrison campaign. He was just of age when the Civil war came on, and he gave three years of patriotic service to his country in defense of the Union. August 4, 1862, he entered the Union army in Company D, One Hundred and First Illinois Volunteer Infantry, the regiment being commanded by Colonel Fox. He was in various campaigns and engagements of the war, and was with Sherman on the famous march to the sea. He received his honorable discharge at Washington, D. C., and then returned home and gave his efforts to civic duties as generously as he had previously offered his service to his country. In 1878 he came out to Nebraska, and in Gage county bought the one hundred and sixty-three acres which comprise his present beautiful farm, paying three dollars and a half an acre for it, but to-day it is worth fifty dollars an acre. He has brought this property into a very high state of cultivation, and upon it has erected a comfortable house, substantial barn, and made many other improvements. The farm is well stocked, and Mr. Poe is justly regarded as one of the leading farmers of the township.
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