USA > Nebraska > A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 7
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After the war Dr. Green remained for five or six years longer in Michigan and then made his way to western Kansas, settling at Beloit. He took up the study of veterinary surgery and pursued his investigation along this line under some of the most skilled representatives of the
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profession, so that when he entered upon the work he was well equipped for the practical duties which devolve upon him. While living in Be- loit his profession extended over a wide area, and he met with excellent success there. During twenty-eight years he continued to reside at that place, and then came to Nebraska, where he has continued in his chosen life work. Here he has also secured a liberal patronage, which is ac- corded him in recognition of his ability and also by reason of his honor- able business methods.
Dr. Green was first married in Midland county, Michigan, in Febru- ary, 1866, to Miss Judith McCollister. By this marriage they had six children, five of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Arrena Peavey; Sher- idan, who is a minister of the gospel of Nebraska; Oakley, who is living in Michigan; Evelina, whose home is in Mitchell county, Kansas; Ray, who resides in Beloit, Kansas. For his second wife Dr. Green chose Mrs. Emma Bruce, a lady of intelligence and culture who is widely and favorably known in Reynolds. It was here that their marriage was cele- brated on the 13th of January, 1903. Dr. Green is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Beloit Post, at Beloit, Kan- sas. He is also a member of the Masonic order and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He has the characteristics of a man who has traveled and met many people, being broad-minded and intelli- gent, while in manner he is genial, frank and courteous. He has gained many friends during his residence here as well as made for himself an enviable prefessional reputation.
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U. S. AMMERMAN, M. D.
In the practice of his profession Dr. Ammerman has made an excellent reputation by reason of skill and ability, continually making advance in a profession where progress is secured only as a result of marked and comprehensive knowledge. He is a young man who has re- sided in Reynolds only since 1898, and he is in close touch with modern methods and the latest improvements and discoveries known to the medical science. During twenty-five years he has made his home in Nebraska, having come to this state in his boyhood days.
He was born in Decatur county, Iowa, near High Point, January 5, 1865, and is a son of Dr. W. S. and Mrs. (Ritter) Ammerman. His father was for thirty years a successful physician of Decatur county, Iowa. His death occurred about ten years ago in Plymouth, Jefferson county, Nebraska, when he was sixty-five years of age. He was a graduate of the Keokuk Medical College of Keokuk, Iowa, was a popu- lar and capable physician, and his success in this profession was due to his thorough understanding of medical principles and correct application to the needs of his patients. At the time of the Civil war he served as a surgeon in an Iowa regiment. His wife, who was born in Ohio, died in Iowa. Of their seven children four are now living, namely : Wilda Maurer, who resides in Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Emma Gasford, of Rogers, Arksansas: Winfield W., of Plymouth, Nebraska; and U. S. Those who have passed away are Alice, who died about the age of twenty-two ; Jennie, who was the wife of Colonel Bishop, of Beatrice, Nebraska; and Martha, who married T. L. Ewing.
Dr. U. S. Ammerman was brought to Nebraska in pioneer times when still but a boy, the family home being established in Plymouth. He received his early education in the public schools here and later con- tinued his studies in Keokuk, Iowa. Determining to make the practice
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of medicine his life work he began preparation for the calling under the direction of his father, and later matriculated in the Keokuk Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1898 with a class of eighty students. He then came to Reynolds, opening his office here in 1898, and has since been engaged in practice in this town, meeting with con- stantly growing success. He is a close and discriminating student and one whose knowledge is being continually broadened by investigation, research and practical experience. Already he has obtained a good patronage and has won the favorable regard of the profession as well as of the general public.
Dr. Ammerman was married April 21, 1889, in Plymouth, Ne- braska, to Miss Orpha Shindall, a daughter of Jacob Shindall, of Beatrice, Nebraska. Her death occurred at Dakin, Nebraska, in 1894. at the age of twenty-two years. The one child by his first marriage died in infancy. In 1899 Dr. Ammerman was again married, his second union being with Miss Mildred Parker, a lady of intelligence and culture and a daughter of Walter Parker, one of the early settlers and business men of Rey- nolds. He has one child, Helen, now four years of age. Mrs. Am- merman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have a pleasant home in Reynolds and the Doctor owns this property in ad- dition to other real estate, a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Reynold. He is a man of strong intellectual powers, of marked in- dividuality, of laudable ambition and strong determination, and in his profession he has already attained a creditable position while his genial manner and unfailing courtesy have gained for him an enviable social position.
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HON. W. H. DILLER.
Hon. W. H. Diller, whose name will be perpetuated through suc- ceeding generations as one of the founders and foremost men of the town of Diller, Jefferson county, Nebraska, came to this part of the county in 1878. He has taken a leading place as a farmer and business man, has participated actively in politics and public upbilding and prog- ress, and the entire county has benefited by his worth and energy as a man and citizen.
Mr. Diller was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1846, being a descendant of a substantial native of Switzerland, who, spelling his name then as Tuellar, came to America in 1754, and his transport was signed by the king of Saxony. Several generations have succeeded this original American progenitor, and the family has always held an honored place in the communities where they made their home. Samuel Diller, the father of Hon. W. H. Diller, was born in Pennsyl- vania, and married Catherine Bear, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and they removed to the state of Nebraska in 1877. They had four children : Rebecca Longnecker, who died in Pennsylvania in 1861; John B., who died in 1902, leaving a widow and children; Wil- 1 liam H .; and Joseph S., who is a graduate of Harvard, a Doctor of Divinity, and a prominent and well known geologist in the government service at Washington. Samuel Diller was a miller in early life, and after coming to Nebraska bought a large tract of land two and a half miles north of Diller ; he lived in Fairbury until a short time before his death, which occurred when he was sixty-six years old. He was a man of fine business judgment, and his knowledge of equity often brought his services into requisition as an adjuster of estates in Pennsylvania. He was a Whig and a Republican in politics, and a Presbyterian in re-
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ligion. His wife, who was a member of the Presbyterian church, died in 1892 at the age of seventy.
W. H. Diller was reared in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, re- ceived a good education in the public schools and academy, and remained at home until the Civil war. While still in his teens he volunteered in Captain Sharp's company, but his father did not permit him to serve out his term. He came to Jefferson county, Nebraska, in 1878, and engaged in farming and stock-raising for a few years. He still owns a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres. He came to Diller in 1884, and be- gan dealing in grain, building an elevator there, and the town was named in his honor. as he was the most prominent and active of the business men of the village at its incipiency. He also served with honor and credit in the state legislature for two terms. He has been justice of the peace and a member of the school board of the town, was instrumental in gaining the establishment of the postoffice and also the rural mail routes since then, and has aided in every way possible the educational, material and moral advancement of his adopted place.
In 1867 Mr. Diller was married in Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, to Miss Anna C. Hacks, who was born and reared in that county, a daughter of George Hacks, and a granddaughter of John Hacks. Mr. and Mrs. Diller have had eight children : George H., deceased, left a widow ; Sam is a railroad man in Tobias, Nebraska : Emma P. Wag- ner lives in Menden, Iowa; William S., former county clerk of Jefferson county, died January 30, 1904; J. S. is a farmer of this county; Miss Rebecca is at home; and Charles and Frederick are also at home.
Mr. Diller founded the Grand Army post at Diller in 1887, and has been its commander, and has also assisted in the formation of a Sons of Veterans post. He was a delegate to the national encampment at Boston in 1890. He affiliates with the blue lodge of the Masons,
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with Silvam chapter at Fairbury, with Mt. Herman Commandery at Beatrice, and with the temple of the Mystic Shrine at Lincoln; and his son Sam is also a Mason. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church, and he and his family are held in the highest esteem throughout the county, both for their social worth and for the useful part they have all played in everything that pertains to the general welfare.
W. M. RIDDLE.
W. M. Riddle, living in Newton precinct of Jefferson county, is one of the active and influential farmers of his community and one who has ever been a loyal citizen, manifesting the same patriotic devotion to his country in days of peace that he showed when a soldier of the Civil war defending the old flag upon southern battlefields. He was born in eastern Tennessee on the 23d of June, 1844. His father, George F. Riddle, was a native of South Carolina and a son of John Riddle, whose birth occurred in North Carolina. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Rachel Alford, and was born in Tennessee of an old family of that state. In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. George F. Riddle removed from Tennessee to Macoupin county, Illinois. They were among the early settlers of Palmyra and became greatly respected in that commun- ity because of their excellent traits of character. The mother died there at the age of fifty-three years and many friends mourned her loss. The father passed away at the age of seventy, and his community was thus deprived of a representative agriculturist and honorable business man. He had given his political allegiance to the Whig party until the time of its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. Both he and his wife held membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian
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church, and he served as one of its leaders for a number of years. To this worthy couple were born nine children, three sons and six daughters, namely : William, Eveline, Martha E., Jane, Charles, Lou, George, Raney, and a daughter deceased.
WV. M. Riddle was a boy when he accompanied his parents on their removal from his native state to Illinois. He was reared upon the home farm, where he early began work in the fields, and his father's practical training prepared him for the duties of life, while the public school sys- tem afforeded him his educational privileges. He was a youth of eighteen years when in response to his country's call for aid he enlisted in the Union army in August, 1862. He was enrolled as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Infantry, under Captain Ben Lee and Colonel John I. Reniker. The regiment was ordered south and spent some time in Tennessee. The first battle in which he participated was an engagement with General Forrest's troops at Parkers Crossroads. He also participated in other skirmishes and battles in that locality and later did service in Missouri and Arkan- sas. He was also in the Kansas line fighting against General Price and General Marmaduke. He also participated in the engagement at Tupelo, Mississippi, at Nashville and in the Red River campaign under General A. J. Smith. Later he went south to New Orleans and afterward to Mobile, Alabama, and took part in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. The command was then ordered back to New Orleans, where it took passage on transports bound for St. Louis, Mis- souri. From there Mr. Riddle made his way to Springfield, Illinois, where he received an honorable discharge. He had several narrow escapes, his clothing being pierced with bullets on more than one occa- sion. He suffered a sunstroke in the Tupelo engagement, and from the effects of it he has never fully recovered.
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Following the close of his military service Mr. Riddle rturned to his home in Illinois, and in 1869 he was united in marraige to Miss Elvira Gooch, a lady of many excellent traits of character, who has been to him a devoted wife for thirty-four years. She was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, and spent the days of her girlhood there. She is a daughter of John Gooch, who was born in Kentucky and was a son of Clayburn, a native of Virgina. John Gooch wedded Miss Juriah Jones, whose birth occurred in Morgan county, Illinois, and who made her home with Mrs. Riddle till her death, March 14, 1904, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-three years. Her father was also a native of Vir- ginia. To Mr. and Mrs. John Gooch were born nine children, but only two are now living, Mrs. Riddle and Mrs. Emma Hayes, the latter of Lincoln, Nebraska. Three of the children died in early youth and three others reached mature years, including W. T. Gooch, who was a soldier of the Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry at the time of the Civil war. His death occurred at Oquam, Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Riddle have been born four children: John, who now makes his home in Diller, Nebras- ka; Charles, who is living in Meriden, Idaho; and William, at home. They also lost one son, Walter, who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Riddle continued to make their home in Illinois until 1887, when they came to Nebraska. Here he has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, splendidly equipped with modern accessories and improvements. In addition to the comfortable residence there are good barns and other necessary outbulidings, a fine grove and a bear- ing orchard. The home is pleasantly located about three miles south of Diller, and Mr. Riddle is recognized as a progressive agriculturist, win- ning success in his chosen field of labor. He votes with the Republican party, and belongs to Diller Post, G. A. R. He also has membership relations with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independ-
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ent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. They are well known in the community where they now reside, and the circle of their friends is extensive.
WASHINGTON STEWART.
For more than three decades Washington Stewart has been a resi- dent of Jefferson county, and his home is in Newton precinct. He has been actively identified with the work that has resulted in the upbuilding of the great west, and is a typical representative of the agricultural class of Nebraska-enterprising in his business and progressive in his citizen- ship.
He was born in Maysville, Kentucky, on the 16th of August, 1829, and is a representative of a family noted for integrity, courage and hos- pitality. His father, George Stewart, was born in Pennsylvania and was a representative of one of the old families of that state. The ancestors were from Scotland, living in the highlands of that country, and were of Protestant faith. The family was established in America at an early day, and George Stewart was reared in the Keystone state, where he was married to Miss Eliza Smiley, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania. They afterward went to Kentucky and in 1839 became residents of Washington county, Indiana, where the subject of this review was reared. The mother's death occurred in that county when she was forty- eight years of age. She was greatly loved for her good qualities of heart and mind, and her loss was an occasion of deep regret on the part of many friends as well as her immediate family. The father long survived her and died at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party, and in his relig-
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ious faith he was a Baptist, and he enjoyed the confidence and good will of all with whom he came in contact. In the family were seven children, namely : James, Mary J., Washington, Margaret, Martha, Eliza Ann and Amanda.
Washington Stewart was reared on the old homestead in Indiana, where he was early trained to habits of industry and economy. His education was acquired in one of the old-time subscription schools held in a log building furnished with slab seats. He attended through the winter months, while throughout the remainder of the year he assisted in the work of the home farm, taking his place in the fields at the time of the early spring planting and continuing his labors until crops were harvested in the late autumn. At the age of twenty-three he married Miss Hulda Wright, who has been a faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. She was born and reared in Putnam county, Indiana, near Greencastle, and acquired her education in the public schools. Her parents were Hosea and Susan (Johnson) Wright, both of whom were natives of Tennessee and representatives of old families of that state. In their family were nine children, as follows: Thomas, who was a soldier of the Civil war and died in 1901; Mrs. Stewart ; Mary E .; Anna Jane; William J .; Phoebe L .; Sarah; Nancy Ellen; and Sasan.
Mr. Stewart continued to make his home in Indiana until 1864, when he removed to Harrison county, Iowa, settling at Harris Grove. He was among the early residents of that part of the state and was identified with its pioneer development until 1872, when he sold his property there and came to Jefferson county, Nebraska. He bought one hundred and sixty acres near Plymouth. There he resided for a number of years, after which he disposed of his property, and about ten years ago lie purchased liis present farm comprising one hundred and twenty
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acres of good land in Newton precinct, Jefferson county. This has since been his place of residence, and he now has an excellent farm, improved with a good house, barns and orchard and a fine grove. He engages in general farming, stock-raising and dairying, and his various branches of his business being well conducted have brought to him very gratifying success. In all of his business dealings he is straightforward and reliable and has never been known to take advantage of the neces- sities of his fellow men in any trade transaction.
To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have been born five children : Austin, who is living in Newton precinct; Mrs. Ella McQueen, who prior to her marriage was a popular and successful school teacher of Jefferson county and now lives in Fairbury, Nebraska; Alva, who is living on the old homestead: Thomas, at home; and Susan, who completes the family. They also lost two children : C. Edwin and Hosea, the latter dying in infancy. In his political views Mr. Stewart is a stalwart Republican, giving an unfaltering support to the principles of the party. His wife is a member of the Baptist church. He has never been an active politician in the sense of office-seeking, but served as postmaster in Harris Grove, Iowa, under General Grant's administration. Mr. Stewart is a man of fine physique, six feet and one inch in height, and intelligent, frank, and social gentleman, whose home is noted for its hospitality.
GEORGE T. HAGGARD.
George T. Haggard is the proprietor of Lawndale stock farm, which was established in 1880 and comprises four hundred and eighty acres of very rich land in Washington precinct, Jefferson county. It is numbered among the fine farms in southeastern Nebraska, and is
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stocked with a large herd of shorthorn cattle. The owner is most pro- gressive in his business methods, and his resolute spirit and honorable methods enable him to carry forward to successful completion what- ever he undertakes. He was wrought along modern business lines, and belongs to that class of representative American citizens who advance the general prosperity by promoting their individual success.
Mr. Haggard was born in Winchester, Scott county, Illinois, on the 28th of November, 1849, and is a son of David J. Haggard, who was one of the early settlers of Illinois, coming to that state in 1840. He was born in Kentucky and was a son of David Haggard, Sr., who was a native of Virginia and was a representative of one of the old and dis- tinguished colonial families of that state, the ancestors having settled in American prior to the Revolutionary war. The family has ever been noted for patriotic devotion to the welfare of America, and has been represented in every important war of the country, including the early Indian wars, the Revolutionary war, the war of 1812, the Mexican war, the Civil war and the Spanish-American war. Certainly this is a most creditable family record, and close investigation into the history of the Haggards will show unfaltering fidelity to duty and principle.
David Haggard, Jr., was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ed- mundson, who was born in Kentucky. Her ancestors had lived in Maryland for several generations. She is descended from Henry Ed- mundson, of Scotland, who was connected with several of the chiefs of the Scottish highlands prominently connected with the history of that country. David and Sarah Haggard became the parents of four chil- dren: Dr. J. R. Haggard, who is a well known practicing physician of Lincoln, Nebraska; Mrs. Sarah E. Shaw, who is living in Western, Nebraska; Z. W., a resident of Lawndale, Nebraska; and George T. The parents came to this state in 1880, and the father followed the occu-
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pation of farming up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-three years of age. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party, and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church. His wife survived him for some time and died at the age of seventy-nine years. They were well known in this county and enjoyed in high measure the respect and good will of those with whom they were associated.
George T. Haggard was reared in Scott county, Illinois, on the old home farm, and through the winter months attended the public schools while in the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the fields. He was married in that county in 1871 to Miss Hulda Pierce, an intelligent and cultured lady, whose parents were Byron and Maria Pierce, of Illi- nois. To Mr. and Mrs. Haggard lias been born a daughter, Myrtle.
Mr. and Mrs. Haggard came to Jefferson county in 1880, and he has since been engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He and his brother Z. W., own the Lawndale,stock farm, comprising four hun- dred and eighty acres of rich land in Washington precinct. Mr. Hag- gard is extensively engaged in the raising of a high grade of shorthorn cattle, having one hundred head upon his farm, the herd being a rival of the famous herds of the Blue Grass state. Mr. Haggard invested a great deal of money and expended much care in starting his herd, and is known as one of the leading shorthorn dealers of the state. He is also engaged in the breeding of Berkshire hogs and raises bronze turkeys and light brahma chickens. The live stock upon the place belongs to Mr. Haggard in person. Upon the farm Mr. Haggard has built two large barns, one forty by fifty-six feet, the other forty by sixty-four feet, and these afford ample shelter for his stock and hay. There are also good windmills upon the place, a substantial residence, a fine orchard cover- ing five acres, and a good grove. There are twenty-two acres planted to
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alfalfa, eighteen acres to blue grass and clover. The pastures are rich, the grain fields yield good crops, the farm is pleasantly located six miles south of Western, and Mr. Haggard is doing a very profitable busi- ness, which ranks him with the leading stockmen of the state.
'In his political affiliation Mr. Haggard is a Republican, active in the work of the party, and has served as a delegate to various county and state conventions. He has never been an office-seeker, caring not for the rewards of office in recognition of his party fealty, but does all in his power to promote the political interests of his friends and for fifteen years he has been the efficient chairman of the Republican committee of Washington precinct. He is a man of firm purposes, of laudable ambi- tion and sound business judgment and whatever he has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion.
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