USA > Nebraska > A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska, Vol. II > Part 9
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James Houck was reared on his father's farm and was early taught lessons of industry, integrity and perseverance-qualities which have been manifested throughout his entire career and have contributed in large measure to the success that has attended his business life. His education was acquired in the common schools. He was a youth of only seventeen years when he responded to the country's call for aid to crush out the rebellion in the south. He enlisted on the 5th of August, 1861, at Columbus, Ohio, and was assigned to Company D, First Ohio Cavalry, under command of Captain B. Moore, who was afterward succeeded by Captain Hamilton. The first commander of the regiment, Colonel Ran-
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som, resigned and Major Millikin then took command, but he was killed at the battle of Stone river, and Colonel Cupp then succeeded him. The regiment went into camp at Columbus, Ohio, and was sent south to Louisville, Kentucky, afterward to Mills Springs, that state, and then marched to various places in the south, participating in many important engagements. Mr. Houck took part in the battles of Nashville, Tennes- see; Liberty ; Shiloh; Corinth; Booneville, Mississippi; Rushville and Cortland, Alabama ; Barnestown, Kentucky; Perryville, Kentucky ; Franklin, Tennessee; Stone River; Tullahoma and Elk River, Tennes- see; Alpina and Chickamauga, Georgia. He was also in the engage- ments at Murfreesboro and Shelbyville, Tennessee; at Point Rock, Alabama; Missionary Ridge; Tunnel Hill, Georgia; Buzzard's Roost; Decatur, Alabama ; Kenesaw Mountain; Chatahoochie River ; Peach Tree Creek ; the siege and capture of Atlanta ; and in General Kilpatrick's raid around Atlanta. Later he met the enemy in engagements at Freeborne, Georgia, Lovejoy Station and Rome, Georgia, and was in General Wil- son's raid. He was also at Montvalo, Alabama, Ebenezer Church, Selma, Georgia, Columbus, Georgia, West Point and Macon, Georgia, and alto- gether he participated in forty-nine battles. At the last named place he received the news of the surrender of General Lee, which meant that the war had been brought to a successful termination. Mr. Houck was mustered out at Hilton's Head, South Carolina, September 13, 1865, and received an honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio, on the 28th of September, after which he returned to his home. He was a non-com- missioned officer, serving with the rank of colonel, and his military record was a most creditable one. He was always loyal to the stars and stripes, and never faltered in the performance of any duty, whether it led him into the thickest of the fight or stationed him in the lonely picket line.
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Mr. Houck was first married in 1864 when home on a veteran fur- lough. After he had served for three years he re-enlisted and was then granted a thirty days' furlough. During this period he wedded Miss Emily Dixon, who was born in Ohio and was a daughter of Archibald and Eliza (Peters) Dixon, both of whom died in the Buckeye state. In the year 1869 Mr. Houck removed with his family to McLean county, Illinois, and there in 1871 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in October of that year at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving three children, Mrs. Amy Clett, who is now deceased; Abel, a barber of Ohio; and John, who is also living in the Buckeye state. On the 22d of October, 1873. Mr. Houck was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary J. Campbell, who was born in Kentucky and is a daughter of Archibald Campbell, whose birth also occurred in Kentucky as did that of his father, Audley Campbell. His ancestors lived in the highlands of Scotland, and he was there kidnapped and put aboard a vessel on which he was brought to New York. Archibald Campbell was married to Miss Margaret Witt, who was also born in Kentucky, a daughter of William Witt, a native of Virginia. Mr. Campbell departed this life in McLean county, Illinois, at the age of sixty-three years, and his wife passed away at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving three children : William Campbell, who is in the govern- ment service; Archibald; and Mrs. Houck. To Mr. Houck and his wife have been born ten children, nine of whom are yet living: Adin, a res- ident of Daykin ; Noah ; Flora, the wife of Nathaniel Shefstall, of Eureka precinct, Jefferson county; Pearl; Mrs. Eliza Woodman, of Thayer county, Nebraska ; William: Mrs. Cora Heston, of Thayer county ; Fern; and Alta. One daughter, Laura, died at the age of nine months.
After his marriage Mr. Houck continued to make his home in Illi- nois until 1886, when he resolved to come to Nebraska, and made his
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way to Jefferson county, locating in Eureka township. Here he pur- chased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres for fifty-five hundred dollars, and has since devoted his time and energies to its further culti- vation and improvement. He has a good house and barn upon his place, the latest improved machinery and many modern equipments, which constitute his property one of the valuable and desirable places of Eureka precinct. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy, and he is a strong advocate of free silver and other principles set forth by W. J. Bryan. He has been a member of the school board for a number of years, and the cause of education found in him a warm champion. He belongs to Newton Post, G. A. R., of Daykin, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is held in high regard by his brethren of these fraterni- ties as well as by those with whom he has come in contact through business and social relations.
MARCUS STAINBROOK.
Thirty-four years have come and gone since Marcus Stainbrook arrived in Jefferson county to identify his interests with the agricul- tural affairs in this part of the state. He has since labored indefatigably and earnestly, and all that he possesses has been acquired as the result of his untiring efforts and perseverance. He certainly deserves credit for what he has accomplished, and his life indicates the opportunities that the great west furnishes to its citizens. He was born in Mead- ville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1843, and is a son of Frederick Stainbrook, also a native of the Keystone state. The family is of German descent, and the grandfather, John Stainbrook, was born across the water. He came to the United States in early manhood and
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proved his loyalty to his adopted country by serving in the war of 1812. His death occurred in Pennsylvania, Frederick Stainbrook was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Hulings, who was born in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Marcus Hulings, who was of French and Scotch descent and represented an old and well known family of Pennsylvania. Both he and his wife died in that state. Frederick Stainbrook and his wife removed from the Keystone state to the middle west and established their home at West Paw Paw, Lee county, Illinois. There the father purchased land and made a good home, continuing to reside in that lo- cality until his death, which occurred at the very advanced age of ninety- six years. He was a Democrat in his political views and in his religious faith was a Methodist. His widow is now living at the age of eighty- eight years, making her home in Chicago, Illinois. There were twelve children in the family, two of whom died in early life, while ten reached adult age, namely : Almeda, Alfred, Marcus, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Charles, William, Oscar, James and Lewis. Maria died in infancy and George died in childhood. Charles was a soldier of the Civil war, en- listing in an Illinois regiment, and his death occurred during his ser- vice at Louisville, Kentucky. Three of the family, Marcus, William and Oscar, are now residents of Nebraska.
Marcus Stainbrook spent the first eleven years of his life in Penn- sylvania, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Lee county, Illinois. He was early trained to active labor on the home farm, becoming familiar with all the duties and tasks that devolve upon the agriculturist in connection with the raising of grain and stock. He assisted his father through the period of his youth and at the age of twenty-six years he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Shefstall, who was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Daniel Shefstall, who is mentioned on another page of this volume.
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In the year 1870 Mr. Stainbrook came to Nebraska, traveling by rail to St. Jolins, Iowa. He spent three months on Logan Bottoms, and then secured a homestead claim on which he has since lived in Eureka township. In this place he built a sod house, twelve by sixteen feet, and occupied it for four years. The roof was made of hay and dirt baked hard. There were hot winds and blizzards, also grasshoppers to destroy the crops and render his efforts as a farmer of little avail, but he perse- vered in his determination to make a home in the west, and he has won success as the result of his labors. Buffalo meat was to be had in abun- dance, as was also venison, for large number of deer roamed over the prairie and smaller game was also plentiful. Assisted by his good wife, who has done her full share in the work of making a home, Mr. Stainbrook has labored on year after year, and his efforts have at length been crowned with very commendable and desirable success. He is the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land, constituting one of the best farms of Jefferson county. It is well im- proved, and everything about the place is indicative of his careful super- vision and progressive ideas. He built a second house sixteen by twenty- four feet, and his home at the present writing is a modern one, well furnished, comfortable and attractive in appearance. He has built a large barn, forty by forty-four feet, with eighteen feet posts, and there are a commodious granary and corn cribs upon the place. The windmills pump the water for the stock, and there are good pasture lands, while the fields are richly cultivated. Mr. Stainbrook is one of the most success- ful farmers in Eureka precinct, and his prosperity has come to him as the legitimate reward of his own labors, his life having been a busy one, in which strong purpose and careful management have been important elements in bringing to him prosperity.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stainbrook are as follows: Clarence
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W., who was born on the family homestead in Jefferson county and is an able assistant to his father in the operation and management of the farm: Lottie L., the wife of William McCurty, of Fillmore county, Nebraska; and Myrtle M., the wife of William Greve, of Fairbury, Nebraska. Mr. Stainbrook is independent in his political affairs, while his son Clarence W. is a Democrat. The family is prominent in the community, having many warm friends, and Mr. Stainbrook is highly respected as a man of noble purpose and sterling worth, whose word is as good as his bond. The household is noted for its hospitality and the good cheer which there abounds, and the Stainbrook family is cer- tainly deserving of honorable mention in this volume.
W. B. STAINBROOK.
In a history of Jefferson county mention should certainly be made of W. B. Stainbrook, who has resided in this portion of the state since 1884, and has ever been active in promoting the public welfare while advancing his individual prosperity through well conducted business in- terests. He is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred near Meadville in Crawford county on the 14th of April, 1851. He is a son of Frederick Stainbrook, who was born in the Keystone state, while the grandfather, John Stainbrook, was a native of Germany, whence he emigrated to America at an early day. He manifested his loyalty to his adopted land by active service as an American soldier in the war of 1812.
After arriving at years of maturity Frederick Stainbrook married Miss Agnes Hulings, who was of Scotch and French ancestry. Both of her parents died in Pennsylvania. Frederick Stainbrook removed
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with his family from that state to Illinois, settling in Lee county, where for many years he made his home, his death there occurring at the ad- vanced age of ninety-six years, and his widow now resides in Chicago at the age of eighty-eight years. In their family were twelve children, two of whom are now deceased, Maria and George. The others are Almeda, Alfred, Marcus, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Charles, William B., Oscar, James and Lewis. The son Charles was a soldier of the Civil war and died at Louisville, Kentucky. Three of the children now reside in Nebraska, Marcus, William B. and Alfred.
William B. Stainbrook was only three years old when in 1854 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Lee county, Illinois. There he was reared upon the home farm and was early trained to habits of industry and economy. His education was acquired in the district schools and through reading and practical experience. In November, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances Emma Burwell, who was born in LaSalle county and is a daughter of Joseph and Ann (Ames) Burwell. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and both he and his wife died in Lee county, Illinois. He devoted his energies to agri- cultural pursuits and lived an upright honorable life. being ever fair and just in his business dealings. In politics he was a Republican, and his Christian faith was manifest by his membership in the Presbyterian church. Nine children, two sons and seven daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burwell, and of those, the following are now living : Cornelia, Jane, Albert, Hettie, Charles and Mrs. Stainbrook. Those who have passed away are Harriet, Elizabeth, and Nancy, two of whom died in Illinois and one in Kansas. The parents also passed away in Illinois.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stainbrook has been blessed with six
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children : Charles, Agnes, Mrs. Maude Kinsey, of this county, Mattie, Eva and William Mckinley.
In the year 1877 Mr. Stainbrook went with his family to Miami county, Kansas, settling near Paola, where he remained for three years. He took up his abode upon his present farm in 1884 and has since de- voted his energies to agricultural pursuits in this part of the state. His labors have resulted in the development of an excellent farm, well im- proved, and he annually harvests good crops as the return for the care and labor which he bestows upon his place. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a man always reliable in business affairs, his word being as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by signature or seal. He deserves great credit for all he has accomplished, as from early life he has been dependent upon his own resources, and he may well be called a self-made man.
E. H. DAY.
Among the many citizens of Jefferson county who proved their loyalty to their country upon the battlefields of the south during the Civil war is numbered E. D. Day. now living in Washington precinct, where he follows agricultural pursuits. He was born in Jamestown, Ohio, October 26, 1831, a son of Joseph Day, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and a grandson of Joseph Day, Sr., who was one of the government guards at Boston in 1776 when the tea was thrown into the Boston harbor by a band of American patriots disguised as Indians. Joseph Day was reared in New England, and after arriving at years of maturity he wedded Miss Mary A. Griffith, who was born in Virginia
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and represented one of the old families of that state. She held men- bership in the Baptist church and lived a consistent Christian life and died in Indiana at the age of fifty years. Mr. Joseph Day long survived her and departed this life in Iowa at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He was a shoemaker by trade and afterward engaged in the manufacture and sale of shoes. His political allegiance was given the Republican party, and he was a member of the Episcopal church. To him and his wife were born four children, three sons and a daughter, but the latter died at the age of eighteen months. One son, John, died in Indiana.
Edward H. Day was a young man when taken by his parents to Indiana, where he was reared, remaining upon the old home farm until twenty-three years of age, during which time he gained practical know- ledge of all departments of farm labor. His education was obtained in a log schoolhouse such as was common in frontier settlements. He removed to Iowa in 1854, living in Poweshiek and Mahaska, near Gri- nell and Oskaloosa. He was married in Poweshiek county to Miss Louisa Dalbey, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Deliah (Johnson) Dalbey, the former a native of the Buckeye state. He died in Fremont county, Iowa, at the age of fifty-one years, and the mother died in Nebraska at the age of seventy- eight years. They were the parents of twelve children, and two of the sons, Walter and Simeon, were soldiers of the Civil war, the former serving with the Fourth Iowa Cavalry.
Mr. and Mrs. Day began their domestic life in the Hawkeye state and remained residents of Fremont and Faragut counties for several years, or until their removal to Jefferson county, Nebraska. Here Mr. Day has purchased a farm of eighty acres, upon which he has a good home. An orchard also yields its fruits in season, and, in fact, modern
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improvements and accessories have been added until this is now an excellent farm. The home has been blessed with the following children : Frank, who is at home; Mrs. Carrie Hudson, of Fremont, Nebraska; and Mrs. Cora Waymire of Adams, Nebraska, whose children are Lulu Glen, Merrill F., Roland and Marguerite.
Mr. Day's family is held in high esteem throughout the community in which they reside, the members of the household occupying an enviable position in social circles. He is a progressive citizen, and has always been as loyal to the interests of his community, state and nation as he was when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields. He made for himself a creditable military record at the time of the Civil war, serving for three years. He enlisted at Iowa City, Iowa, in August, 1862, in response to President Lincoln's call for sixty thousand volnn- teers, becoming a member of Company B, Fortieth Iowa Infantry, under command of Captain Campbell and Colonel Garrett, of Newton, Iowa. The regiment went into camp at Iowa City, later was ordered to Colum- bus, Kentucky, and thence to Paducah, where a skirmish occurred. For two months Mr. Day participated in the siege of Vicksburg. He was under General Steele and was in Arkansas for some time. He afterward went on the Red River expedition. Becoming ill he was taken to the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained for six months, suffering with vericose veins in the left leg. In May, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home. Such in brief is the life record of Mr. Day, and during the years of his resi- dence in Jefferson county he has won favorable regard from his many friends. He is a member of the G. A. R. at Western, Nebraska, Mulli- gan Post No. 209. In politics he is a Republican.
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J. P. BROWN.
J. P. Brown, one of the intelligent, progressive and public-spirited citizens and representative farmers of Jefferson county, living in Eureka precinct, has made his home in this section of the state since 1878, and with its development and improvement has been actively identified, being numbered among those who have laid the foundation for the present prosperity and future advancement of the county.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Brown was born in Wayne county, not far form the Delaware river, a representative of one of the sub- stantial families of the northeastern section of the Keystone state. His grandfather, John Brown, was a native of Connecticut and was the father of D. O. Brown, a well known citizen of Wayne county, who married Miss Martha Dickens, who was born in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, and was a daughter of Richard Dickens, who came from Eng- land. Mr. D. O. Brown was connected with the railroad service for twenty-two years, and then engaged in farming for twenty years, when he retired from active business life. He was a Democrat in politics, and served as a justice of the peace. In his religious belief he was a Presbyterian, and both he and his wife were respected by all who knew them. They became the parents of five children, of whom three are living : Fred W., Joshua P. and Nettie Orr. Those who have passed away are Emma and George.
Joshua P. Brown spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, and excellent educational privileges were afforded him, for after attending the public schools he attended a normal school, and was thus well qualified for teaching, a work which he took ur in early manhood. He followed that profession for a number of years, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge he ac-
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quired, and after coming to Saline county, Nebraska, he followed both teaching and farming.
On the 18th of May, 1879, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Belle Karscher, who was born in Lee county, Illinois. Her father, Levi Karscher, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, and was a son of Michael Karscher, also a native of the Keystone state. The former married Marinda Brittain, who was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He was a soldier of the Civil war, serving with an Illinois regiment, and the rigors and hardships of war undermined his health. In the year 1870 he removed from Lee county, Illinois, where he had made his home for over twenty years, and came in 1870 to Jefferson county, Nebraska. He now makes his home in Phelps county, this state, near Wilcox. He was an honored member of Norton Post, G. A. R., of Daykin, and he has many warm friends in this part of the state. To him and his wife were born the following named : Mrs. Etta Church, of Ragan, Nebraska; A. A., who is living in Phelps county ; Mrs. Belle Brown; George, also of Phelps county ; and Mrs. Bessie Brown, of Ragan, Nebraska.
Since 1898 Mr. Brown has resided upon his present farm in Eureka precinct, his home being pleasantly located three-quarters of a mile from Daykin. He has a large fine dwelling, a good barn, a windmill, a fine grove, bearing orchard and the latest improved machinery upon his place. The farm comprises two hundred acres of land, which is rich and productive, and his methods of farming are modern, and therefore are factors in his success. He raises both grain and stock and his fields are well tilled, the rotation of crops perpetuating the fertility of the soil. Not far from his home are churches and schools, and all of the con- veniences of a progressive farming community are by him enjoyed.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two living children: Harry R., who at
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the age of twenty-one years is a student in the Marion Sims Beaumont Medical College of St. Louis, Missouri; and Merle, six years of age. They also lost two children : Orrin E., who was their first born and died at the age of fifteen years; and Helen B., the third child, who died at the age of fifteen.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, deeply interested in its welfare and the ex- tension of its influence, and in matters of citizenship he is loyal. The cause of education has found in him a warm friend, and he has done effective service in its behalf during fifteen years' connection with the school board. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and both he and his wife are connected with the Degree of Honor. Frank and jovial in manner, reliable in all things, he is ever true to the duties and obligations of life and to high ideals.
THOMAS JEFFERSON DEKALB.
Thomas Jefferson DeKalb, who is living in Eureka precinct, Jef- ferson county, was one of the pioneer settlers of this portion of the state and broke the first land in his township. From that time to the present he has been actively identified with agricultural pursuits, thus contributing to the success of the farming interests, which have largely been the source of Nebraska's prosperity and progress. He arrived here in 1869 and secured as a homestead the farm upon which he now lives. Prior to this time he had made a splendid record as a soldier of the Civil war.
Thomas J. DeKalb was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the
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2d of April, 1845. His father, John DeKalb, was a native of Baron DeKalb, of Germany, and was born in Alsace. He received excellent educational privileges in his native country, being a graduate of Heidel- berg University. In early manhood he came to the United States, and for a number of years was a traveling representative of a mercantile house of Philadelphia. He then returned to Europe and was married in Amsterdam, Holland, to Miss Gertrude Topp, a representative of a well known and prominent family of that country. He brought his bride to the new world and then became identified with mercantile interests in Philadelphia. Subsequently he removed to Sullivan county, Penn- sylvania, where he secured a farmi and was connected with agricultural interests up to the time of his death, which occurred at Bellasylva, Pennsylvania, in 1867, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a man of fine address and of scholarly attainments, and could speak fluently four different languages. He possessed splendid business ability, keen discernment and marked enterprise. He manifested strong attachment for the land of his adoption, taught his children lessons of patriotism and love for the old flag. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy as set forth by Andrew Jackson, and in his fraternal rela- tions he was a Mason. His widow died in Pennsylvania in 1876 at the age of sixty-seven years. She was a lady of culture and refinement, and graces of her heart and mind were such as endeared her to many friends. To Mr. and Mrs. John DeKalb were born eight children : George, who was a soldier of the regular army of the United States, lost his life in the everglades of Florida in the Indian war of 1852; Chester A. is living in New Jersey; Caroline is deceased: Susan, of Lynchburg, Virginia, is the widow of John Fouerquereau, who was an officer in the Confederate army in the Civil war: John, who was a member of General Baker's cavalry regiment during the period of hos-
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