USA > Nebraska > A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
JAMES A. WILLIAMS.
James A. Williams, proprietor of the well known Brick livery barn at Hebron, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1853, a son of George W. and Mary J. (Little) Williams. Both these parents are now de- ceased. They moved to Indiana, during the childhood of James, and fifteen years later went to Iowa, where they resided some twenty years, and then located in Kansas, where they had their permanent residence until their death.
Mr. Williams was reared to manhood in these several places, and enjoyed a common school education. He took up farming while in Kansas, where he homesteaded a claim and remained until 1891, in which year he located in Hebron. In addition to his livery business he has also engaged in stock dealing.
Mr. Williams has always been allied with the Republican party, and
1041
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
on its ticket was elected a member of the city council, being now in his second term in that office. He was married in Jackson county, Iowa, in 1873, to Miss Elizabeth M. McCarty. Her parents, John and Annie (Beatty) McCarty, after coming to this country were married in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, whence they moved to Illinois, from there to Iowa, and are now residents of Republic county, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have four children : George E .; Annie, now Mrs. David H. Lloyd, of Hebron; Cora E., at home ; and Frederick E. The family belong to the Christian church, and fraternally Mr. Williams affiliates with Hebron Lodge No. 25, I. O. O. F., and with the Modern Woodmen of America.
JOSEPH FORNEY.
Joseph Forney, a citizen of Richardson county of nearly fifty years' standing, has a long and active life crowned with success and prosper- ity, and with length of years have come likewise honor and veneration from all around him. His span of life has been stretched over eighty years, and from a very youthful period he made his own way in the world, also helping to support the rest of the family, he being the oldest child. Accordingly he had little education, six months in a school room altogether, but his industry and perseverance have none the less had their deserved reward. He has been retired from activity for several years, and has been living in Falls City for a number of years, and his fine home was built here twenty-two years ago.
Mr. Forney was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1824, the family being of Swiss descent. His father, Peter Forney, was born in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, and died in Holt county, Missouri, at the age of eighty-nine years. Peter Forney was married to his second
1042
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
wife, Fanny Grundy, of Ohio, in Harrison county, in 1823, and Joseph was their oldest child.
Mr. Joseph Forney was married in Ohio, when about twenty years old, to Miss Mary Brannier, who, with one child, died of the cholera in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1851, and left two children. By his present wife Mr. Forney has the following children : Peter, of Custer county, Nebraska, and has two daughters; George died in Chase county, Nebraska, leaving four children; Thomas died in Richardson county, leaving two sons; Miss Nettie May remains at home and faithfully cares for her aged parents, her mother having been almost a helpless invalid for several years. Mr. Forney has always been a Republican, and has held various school offices.
FRANK L. MARRS.
Frank L. Marrs, a well known and popular citizen of Island Grove township, has spent most of his life in Nebraska and has been a resident of Gage county since 1886. He was born near Newtonia, Newton county, Missouri, May 14, 1862, and on both the paternal and maternal sides comes of old Tennessee families. His father, Alexander Marrs, was, however, a native of Newton county, Missouri where the grand- parents settled at an early day in the development of that state, but the mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Susan Rice, was a native of Tennessee. The father was a strong Union man during the Civil war, and on account of the persecution he sustained at the hands of the rebels he came north in 1864 and settled in Johnson county, Neb- raska, northeast of Tecumseh, becoming one of the pioneers of that locality. In his political affiliations he was a Republican and in religious
1043
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
belief was a Methodist, while fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order. Upright and honorable in all things. he gained the res- pect and confidence of those who knew him. He died at the age of fifty-four years. His first wife was Susan Rice, and to them were born four children: Catherine; Frank L., of this review; Henry C .; and Lizzie, who died at the age of fourteen years. The father was again married, and by the second union had two children: William and Maggie.
Frank L. Marrs was reared amid pioneer surroundings in Johnson county, Nebraska, being only two years old when the family located there. He attended the public schools, and the knowledge there acquired has been greatly supplemented by reading and experience in later years. In Johnson county he was married January 3, 1884, to Miss Mattie Morton, who was born in Otce county, Nebraska, but was principally reared and educated in Johnson county. Her father, Wilburn Morton, was a native of Tennessee, and from there went to Illinois with his par- ents when a child, living in Pike county, that state, till the age of twen- ty-six years. There he married Susanna Brown, a native of Ohio. Later they came to Nebraska, becoming early settlers of Otoe county, and from there they removed to Johnson county, this state, where Mrs. Morton died at the age of fifty-three years. The father now makes his home in Watonga, Oklahoma, where he carries on farming. He was formerly a Republican, but now supports the Populist party, and he is a member of the Christian church, but Mrs. Morton held membership in the Methodist church. Their family consisted of twelve children, four of whom are now deceased, namely: Mary L., May, Helen and Ed. The living are William, Charlie, Mattie, Lizzie, Edith, Dora, James and Andrew.
In 1886 Mr. and Mrs. Marrs came to Gage county, and he pur-
1044
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
chased eighty acres of land in Island Grove township. He has a good orchard of five acres, and the buildings upon his place are neat and sub- stantial, everything being in first-class condition and indicating the pro- gressive spirit of the owner. He has been called upon to serve as as- sessor of his township for five terms, being elected three times in suc- cession, and his official duties have been promptly and faithfully dis- charged and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Politically he is a Republican. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Marrs: Elmer A. and Susie E. Marrs. Mr. Marrs is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. His religious belief is Methodist, and Mrs. Marrs is a member of the Methodist church.
JOHN I. FRIEZE.
John I. Frieze, senior vice of Coleman Post No. 115, of Wy- more, Gage county, Nebraska, is one of the well known and highly respected men of this locality, and he has a good record as a soldier during the Civil war. His enlistment took place in Newton county, Indiana, September 7, 1863, when he entered Company A, One Hun- dred and Twenty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Joseph Bissell.
Mr. Frieze was reared in Livingston county, Illinois, near Pontiac. He was first married to Henrietta Farmer, who died, leaving two chil- dren, John Wesley and Bertha. On March 26, 1878, Mr. Frieze was married to Susan E. Holmes, who was born in Delaware county, Indiana, being a daughter of Henry Holmes, a native of Balti- more, Maryland, and Anna (Dale) Holmes, who was born in Ohio. The father of Mrs. Frieze is an engineer, but is now retired and is sev-
1045
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
enty-seven years of age. In religion he is a Dunkard. Mr. and Mrs. Frieze have had three children, but they all died in infancy. Formerly Mr. Frieze was a Republican, but he is now a Populist and believes in the same rights for all. Both he and his excellent wife are members of the Christian church, and they are very highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
ROBERT T. TURNER.
Robert T. Turner, living in South Fork precinct, Saline county, where he is now conducting a well improved farm, is one of the pro- gressive, practical and wide-awake agriculturists of this part of the state. He was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, near Harrison- burg, on the 31st of January, 1847, and belonged to one of the old and honorable families of that portion of the country. His parents were James and Susan Turner, also natives of the Old Dominion, and the mother was the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier who was of English descent but fought against the mother country in the effort to obtain independence for the colonies. James and Susan Turner became the parents of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, and two of the sons were soldiers in the Civil war. John R., who was a mem- ber of the same company and regiment to which his brother Robert belonged, died in Colorado about thirteen years ago. One brother, Henry, is now living in West Virginia, and two sisters are also resi- dents of that state. These are the only ones now living with the exception of our subject. The father, who had made farming his life work, died at the age of sixty-two years, and his wife passed away at the age of seventy-six years. They were members of the Methodist church, and in his political faith he was a Republican. Their home
9to1
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
was noted for its generous hospitality, and they were widely and favor- ably known for their good deeds and many excellent traits of character.
Robert T. Turner spent his early boyhood days in his parents' home and attended the public schools. When still but a lad he of- fered his services to the government in defense of the Union, and at the age of sixteen became a member of Company C, Fourth Virginia Cavalry, under command of Captain Robert C. Arbuckle. This was in 1863. He went into camp at Webster, West Virginia, was afterward at Parkersburg, Virginia, and was first under fire at Salt Lick, West Virginia, taking part in an engagement with the troops under General Stonewall Jackson. He was also at Petersburg. He was honorably discharged, but re-enlisted as a veteran in Company F, Seventeenth Virginia Infantry. The regiment was engaged in scouting duty in West Virginia, and in fighting bushwhackers and small bodies of Confederate troops. He did gallant service, never faltering in the discharge of any duty that came to him in his military service, and well does he deserve mention among the honored veterans to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.
When the war was over Mr. Turner engaged in the oil business in Virginia, and then entered the railroad service in the capacity of brakeman, and subsequently was promoted to conductor. He continued in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company as one of the most trusted representatives of its operative department for twenty- two years. He was always most careful and painstaking in his work, was obliging and courteous to the patrons of the road and while thus engaged he made many warm friends. On account of his health he at length resigned his position and came to his farm in Nebraska. He has a good modern house which was erected at a cost of a thousand dollars and is furnished with a regard to both taste and comfort. It stands
1047
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
upon a natural building site in the midst of a grove of trees. Mr. Turner also built a barn with a rock basement at a cost of six hundred dollars, and has added many other modern improvements indicating him to be a progressive agriculturist.
In 1868, at Webster, West Virginia, Mr. Turner was married to Miss Zeda Pierce, who was reared in that state. Her parents were Adam and Mary Pierce, of the Old Dominion. Mr. and Mrs. Turner now have two children in their home, Dessie and Gertie, the lat- ter a niece of Mrs. Turner.
Mr. Turner cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln while serving as a soldier of the Civil war, and has since been un- faltering in his loyalty to the Republican party. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and exemplifies in his life its helpful, brotherly spirit.
THOMAS C. MARSHALL.
Thomas C. Marshall, who has been numbered among the prominent lawyers of Hebron, Nebraska, for the past fifteen years, has had a career of unusual activity from an early age and has achieved through his earnest and steadfast efforts an honorable degree of success in his profession. He took up the study of law after earning his living for a number of years by other occupations, and has gained in experience and acquaintance with men and affairs which are essential qualifications in any profession. Since his admission to the bar he has advanced rapidly in the esteem of his associates and has gained a liberal patronage and served in several offices of trust, so that he ranks among the repre- sentative attorneys and citizens of Thayer county.
Mr. Marshall was born at Richland, Wisconsin, November 14,
1048
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
1862, of an old and respected family having its original seat in Vir- ginia, and connected hy blood relationship with the family of Chief Justice Marshall. His grandfather, Moses Marshall, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and served throughout the campaigns of General Jackson. Joseph H. Marshall, the father of Thomas C. Marshall, was born in Ohio, whither the family had removed from Virginia, and he died at Ruskin, Nuckolls county, Nebraska, in 1893. His wife was Mary J. Darst, a native of Ohio and of German extraction. They had nine children, of whom Thomas was the seventh in order of birth. The family removed from Wisconsin to Des Moines, Iowa, where they resided for seven years, and thence came to Nebraska, where Joseph H. Marshall took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres near Alexandria.
After completing his schooling, Mr. Marshall became chainman with a surveying party, and was engaged in the construction of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy lines through Colorado. He next went to Chicago and learned telegraphy and shorthand, and was an operator on the board of trade. From there he went to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he completed a commercial course and began the study of law. He was admitted to the bar, and in 1887 located at Bel- videre, Nebraska, where he formed a partnership under the name of McKee and Marshall and engaged in practice for two years. He then took up his permanent location in Hebron, where he has conducted a successful practice to the present time. In 1903 he formed a part- nership, known as Marshall and Birkin. Mr. Marshall was elected county attorney and served for two years, giving a most efficient and satisfactory administration. He is a stanch Democrat and allied with the progressive element of the party.
Mr. Marshall was married at Trenton, Missouri, April 10, 1887,
1049
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
to Miss Louisa S. Martin, a daughter of Thomas Martin, who settled in Missouri in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have one child, Zona B. Mr. Marshall is a high degree Mason, affiliating with the blue lodge, chapter and commandery at Hebron, and with the Mystic Shrine at Lincoln, and also with the Eastern Star; he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Sons and Daughters of Protection, the Court of Honor, and was one of the organizers of the Imperial Sheiks of Damascus.
REUBEN J. TOWNE.
Reuben J. Towne, ex-sheriff of Thayer county, and at present one of its well known and successful farmers and stock-raisers, residing northwest of Hebron, has, during over a quarter of a century's identi- fication with the county and its institutions, become one of the most popular and substantial citizens. He is especially prominent because of his efficient record as sheriff for two terms, and he became noted as a man who never gave up the chase for a criminal, no matter how far and into what dangers it might lead him. He was thus one of the best conservators of the peace in the history of the county. There is no record that he ever failed to land his criminal, once he started in pursuit. On one occasion he trailed a criminal through Georgia, Florida and a number of other southern states, and finally, at the end of thirteen months' dogged and persevering chase, overhauled him and arrested him in Texas. Whether in the discharge of official duties, in the conduct of his private business enterprises, or in his home and in social intercourse with friends, Mr. Towne has proved himself a man of ability and worth and upright character.
1050
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
Mr. Towne was born in Ogle county, Illinois, December 2, 1859, ana is a descendant of ancestors who made their arrival on American soil in the early year of 1640. His parents were William A. and Dor- othy (Blair) Towne, both natives of New York state. His father was a carpenter by trade, although the greater part of his life was passed in farming. He moved west to Nebraska in 1876, locating near Heb- ron, where he remained until his death, in 1885. His widow still sur- vives and resides at Belvidere.
Reuben J. Towne was the second in order of birth of the nine children of his parents. He was reared to farm life, and has given his best efforts and years to the successful prosecution of the great in- dustry of tilling the soil and raising stock. He now has his home on a half section of land seven miles northwest of Hebron, where he makes a specialty of breeding blooded saddle horses, mules, Durham cattle and the noted O. I. C. strain of hogs.
Mr. Towne was married at Belvidere, Nebraska, July 2, 1883, to Miss Bertha D. Cornell. a native of Kansas and a daughter of Henry W. Cornell, who was a Kansas early settler of 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Towne have four children : Harry L., Chester L., William B. and Ber- nice. In politics he is allied with the progressive wing of the Demo- cratic party, and on its ticket was elected to the office of sheriff for two terms. He affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America at Carleton.
JOHN H. LYNCH.
John H. Lynch, who has held the position of cashier in the First National Bank of Hebron since 1884, when he first took up his perma- nent residence in this city, is one of the most enterprising and well
IO5I
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
posted financial men in this part of the state. He has devoted his en- tire career from boyhood to the theoretical and practical side of banking, and he is an expert in its details as well as in the general scope of money operations. He is esteemed not only for his competent and ef- ficient work in this capacity, but also for the part he has taken in other business affairs of Hebron and in its general progress and upbuilding. The bank with which he is connected is one of the soundest and most influential institutions in southeastern Nebraska, and its directors and officers are men in whom the public have the utmost confidence and who are most pleasant and genial men to deal with. The officers of the First National are A. G. Collins, president, W. B. Liggit, vice presi- dent, Mr. Lynch, cashier, and the directors are A. G. Collins, W. B. Liggit, W. H. Wilson, I. J. Holcomb and J. J. Maloney.
Mr. Lynch was born in Pennsylvania, December 11, 1856, and was the only child of Daniel and Mary E. (Hemler) Lynch, both natives of the same state and the former of Irish lineage. At an early age John H. Lynch entered, in a clerical position, a banking house at Hanover, Pennsylvania, where he remained six years and became thor- oughly versed in all the departments of the business. For two years he was in Montana, where he was half owner of a stage line running out of Helena, and in 1884 he permanently located in Hebron and ac- cepted the position which he has even since filled with so much credit to himself and general satisfaction to the directors and public. He has also held other positions of trust and responsibility, among them being that of city treasurer and secretary of the building and loan asso- ciation which was organized and transacted business in this city for some years.
Mr. Lynch was married in Hebron, June 14, 1888, to Miss Estella S. Furguson, who was born in Iowa and was a daughter of Reid I.
1052
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
Furguson, a pioneer of that state. She traces her ancestry back to the well known New England Furgusons, who resided there during the colonial period of this country's history.
MORTON O. CROOP.
Morton O. Croop, one of the progressive and prosperous farmers of Thayer county, has resided in this county for over a quarter of a century, and is thus entitled to the name of an old settler. He has from the first taken a prominent part in the development of the agri- cultural interests of the southeastern part of the state, and has been allied with that element of farmers who make for the material, moral and intellectual betterment of their communities, and thus form the sub- stantial and fine-grained class of citizens in which this country takes the most pride. He was a young man, almost at the outset of his career, when he took up his residence in this county, and it can be said to his credit that he has abundantly improved his opportunities and gained a prosperity which is one of the deserved rewards of a life of intelli- gent effort.
Mr. Croop was born at Lancaster, Erie county, New York, Janu- ary 14, 1853, a son of Peter and Lydia (Cunningham) Croop, both natives of New York state and descendants of old and respected fami- lies of the Empire commonwealth. His parents removed from New York to Michigan in 1860, and five years later took up their residence at Floyd, Iowa. Thev now live in Omaha, Nebraska.
Morton O. Croop was the second of their six children, and was reared to farming pursuits, which he has ever since followed. He came to Thayer county shortly after his marriage, and his present
1053
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
place is located about two miles east of Chester. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of first-class farming land, all under cultivation and devoted to the raising of the crops for which this part of the state is noted. Mr. Croop is active in the affairs of the Democratic party in his locality, and takes a public-spirited interest in all matters affecting the general weal.
While a resident of Floyd, Iowa, September 21, 1875, Mr. Croop married Miss Cora Thompson, one of the refined and cultured ladies of that locality, and she has proved a most capable wife and helpmate in the years that have thus passed. She was born in Illinois, a daughter of William and Mary (Cleveland) Thompson, who were natives of New York state and moved to Illinois in the early year of 1838. Mr. William Thompson was of Scotch-Irish lineage, and his ancestors came to America in the early part of the seventeenth century. In early manhood he went to St. Charles, Missouri, and for a number of years was engaged in rafting on the Ohio river. Mrs. Croop's mother was a relative and of the same branch of the family as former President Cleveland. William Thompson died in 1903, and his wife had passed away in 1890. Mrs. Croop was the second in order of birth of their seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Croop have three children, Mariam E., David E. and Albert B.
HIRAM P. HELVEY.
Hiram P. Helvey, who is one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of Fairbury and is connected with the real estate and loan bus- iness of that city, has the distinction, which few men of middle age can claim, of being a native son of Nebraska. He began life in this
1054
SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA.
state only a year after the territory had been organized under the famous "squatter sovereignty" act of Douglas, so that he has been contempo- raneous with almost every act bearing upon the progress and develop- ment of the country into one of the greatest commonwealths of the Union. And while his birth state has thus advanced, he has also been growing to fullness of powers, and has taken his place with the solid and substantial citizens, alert and enterprising in business and dis- charging promptly and efficiently the duties of citizenship.
Mr. Helvey was born in Otoe county, Nebraska, February 26, 1855, a son of Joseph and Mary Helvey. His father was one of the state's earliest pioneers. He and his wife were natives of the state of Indiana, and in 1854 came west and located in Nebraska territory. They made their home on Sandy river, and established a cattle ranch which in a few years became known to all western travelers as the Helvey Ranch or Station. It was located on the main emigrant trail to the west, and did not lose its importance until the advent of the iron horse displaced the prairie schooner. Joseph Helvev was a noted stock dealer in this section, and was also a freighter across the plains. He died in August, 1864, and his wife survived until 1882. She left a family of nine children, five of whom are still living: Thomas, Hiram W., Benjamin F., Jasper, Albert, George W., Johanna, Sarah (the wife of John Grissom, a prominent farmer of Jefferson county), and Hi- ram P.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.