Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties, Part 104

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820

USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 104
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 104
USA > Nebraska > Hall County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 104
USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 104

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Hon. Henry Emerson Clifford, probate judge of Hall County, Neb., was born in South Paris, Oxford County, Me., September 19, 1853, and is a son of Jonathan Kendall and Harriet Newell (Hall) Clifford, the former a son of David Clifford,

of South Paris, Me., and the latter a daughter of Maj. Cyprian Hall, of South Paris. Both parents belonged to old families of Maine and both pre- sumably date their ancestry in America to the early pioneers of Massachusetts. Judge Clifford devoted his early manhood to teaching school, but his early predilections were for the study of law, but, like many another of the honored members of that pro- fession in this country, his finances were limited and it was some time before he could find means to attain his end. He first devoted some attention to cheese-making and farming, after which he went to Worcester, Mass., and conducted a bakery estab- lishment. All this time during odd months he devoted to the perusal of Blackstone and found but little satisfaction in other pursuits. In the spring of 1882 he came West and located at Grand Island, entering the law office of the Hon. O. A. Abbott, and in January of the following year was admitted to the bar. He at once entered upon a career of distinction and success, and business came to him unsolicited, for his strong good sense, his knowledge of human nature, his calm conservatism and his genuine legal ability were soon perceived and he gained the universal confidence of the peo- ple. He was elected to his present incumbency in 1889, but also served the city as clerk, justice of the peace and assessor. He is one of the origi- nal stockholders of the Grand Island Improve. ment Company, and supports all enterprises for the good of his community. He and wife are members of the Congregational Church, their union having taken place in Shirley, Mass., she being a Miss Hattie E. Whitney, a daughter of Rev. Charles H. Whitney, a Congregational minis- ter. Mrs. Clifford has borne her husband a son, Leon E.

Hon. Irving M. Cole. Born in Jefferson County, N. Y., March 22, 1842, Mr. Cole is a little past his forty eighth year, and a man well and favorably known throughout Hall County, es- pecially in the vicinity of Cairo, where he is suc- cessfully engaged in the mercantile business. Irv- ing M.'s father, Philip Cole, was born in York State and was married there to Miss Angeline Aus- tin, they being also natives of Jefferson County,

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but in 1844 they removed to Illinois, and in 1849 settled in La Salle County, of which they were among the pioneers, and are there still residing. They reared four sons and one daughter to mature years, and all are living at the present time and are the heads of families. One brother lived in Adams County, Neb., and one brother and sister in Hall County. Irving M. Cole attained manhood in La Salle County, and there received a good common-school education. On Angust 18, 1861, he enlisted in the First Illinois Artillery and was honorably discharged in October, 1864, having participated in the battle of Stone River, Chicka- mauga, siege of Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge and siege of Atlanta. He also participated in the capture of Island No. 10, was taken prisoner at Stone River, and was kept in captivity for about forty days at Libby Prison, after which he was ex- changed; after his discharge he returned to La Salle County, and there continued the occupation of farming for several years. In 1876 he came to Hall County, Neb., and in January of that year he took a homestead claim near the present town of Doniphan, and here continued to till the soil until about 1885, when he sold ont, moved to the town and embarked in the hotel business. In 1886 he came to Cairo, and now represents the North Platte Lumber Company. being manager of the business at this point. He carries a large stock of building material and is doing an excellent and paying business. He has always supported the Republican party, and in the fall of 1882 he was elected to the State Legislature by the people of Hall County, and filled the position with distinc- tion in the Eighteenth General Assembly of the State. He is recorder in the A. O. U. W., and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was mar- ried in La Salle County, Ill., December 22, 1864, to Maria, a daughter of Henry Lntchford; she was born in England but was reared and educated in the above-named county. They have fonr chil- dren: Sherman (who is married), Ida (wife of L. W. Lyon), Minnie and Wilbert. Mrs. Cole is a member of the Baptist Church.

Prof. Edward Everett Cole is the efficient principal of the Grand Island High School, and is

one of the prominent and most successful ednca- tors of the State of Nebraska. He was born in Henderson, Ky., August 5, 1859, and is a son of Rev. Jacob and Margaret (Worsham) Cole, the for- mer of whom came from his native land of Ger many to America with his parents when he was nine years of age. Upon reaching this country the family resided for a few years in New York City, after which they removed to Henderson, Ky., and here Rev. Jacob Cole was reared. He entered the Baptist ministry in early life. and for abont forty years labored in that field, and during the late Re- bellion he served as chaplain of Gen. Logan's regiment. He and his wife are still living, and their union was blessed in the birth of seven chil- dren, of whom five survive. Prof. Edward Everett Cole was the fifth of his father's family, and when but two years of age was removed by his parents to Du Quoin, Ill., where he resided until he was seventeen years of age, his early education being obtained in the public schools of that place. In 1876 the family removed to Champaign County, Ill., and in the fall of 1878 he entered the Illinois State University at Champaign, and in this insti- tntion completed a full classical course, graduating in June, 1882. He also during this time completed a military course in this same institution, and after leaving college decided to become a teacher, the first two years being spent as a teacher in a coun- try school, the first year in St. Clair County, and the second in Champaign County. During the will- ter of 1884-85 he was principal of the graded school of Parksville, Ill., but in the fall of the latter year he determined to come westward, and during the winter which followed he taught a dis- trict school four miles north of Grand Island, Neb. In the fall of 1886 he entered upon the duties of his present position, and has filled it with character- istic ability ever since. He is a very thorough educator, and as principal of the high school of Grand Island has given the best satisfaction. He is an exemplary young man in every respect, and is an earnest worker in the Y. M. C. A. of Grand Island, and belongs to the Central Nebraska Teach-' ers' Association. He was married July 12, 1887, to Miss Sophie J. Norris, a daughter of James F.

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and Cordelia A. (Deckard) Norris, the former a na- tive of Culpeper, Va., and the latter of Otterville, Mo. The mother of Mrs. Cole has been married twice, her first husband being Silas Jenkins, by whom she had four children, two now living. Her union with Mr. Norris resulted in the birth of five children, four daughters and a son, the latter being deceased. The parents of these children located in Grand Island in 1869, and are now among the oldest residents of the city. Prof. Cole and his wife are members of the Emanuel Baptist Church, and he is also a member of the M. W. A. Mrs. Cole is the eldest child born to her parents, and for six years prior to her marriage was engaged in teaching music, for which art she has much talent.

B. L. Colwell, farmer, Wood River, Neb. The subject of this sketch was born in Darke County, Ohio, in the year 1815, and is the son of John and Electa (Hand) Colwell, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was born in 1782 and was a farmer by occupation. He left his native State in boyhood, emigrated to Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Hand, and later moved to Darke County, Ohio. He was killed by a falling tree while passing through the woods in Cham- paign County of that State. In his political views he was a Whig. To his marriage were born nine children, eight of whom grew to maturity, married, and had families. As before stated, Mr. Colwell was killed by a falling tree, he had one brother killed by the breaking of a blood-vessel, and another killed by a kick from a horse. B. L. Colwell at- tained his majority in Ohio and was married there in 1837 to Miss Matilda Plummer, a native of Ohio, born in 1819. Mr. Colwell had very limited edu- cational advantages in the primitive log school- house, with the puncheon floor, split logs for seats, and fire-place. After his marriage he resided in Ohio until 1850, and then emigrated to De Witt County, Ill., where he remained for some time. When first settling there he had a team, $200 in money and a family of five children. By energy, economy and close attention to business he made considerable money while in Illinois, and there remained, engaged part of the time in the

manufacture of brick, until 1882 he came west to have more room. He purchased 480 acres of land, his children are now residing near him, and he is prepared to spend his declining years in peace and comfort. Of the ten children born to bis mar- riage, nine are still living, are married, and have families. They are named as follows: Fidelia (wife of Milton Giddings), Milton R. (married Ida Simpson), Hannah J. (wife of Mr. Brittin, who is postmaster at Wood River), Me- lissa (wife of Nicholas Burchard), Orin T. (married Flora Mitchel), Sarah (wife of C. Brockelhurst), Peter E. (married Jennie Glendening), Savilla (married T. C. Taylor) and William (married Anna Potts). Next to the youngest was Mary, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Colwell are happy and contented, are surrounded by their children and grandchildren (twenty-three of the latter), and are universally respected by all acquainted with them. They celebrated their fiftieth anniver- sary in 1887 and received many valuable presents from relatives and friends as tokens of the respect and esteem in which they are held. Both are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, to which they have belonged for many years, he being one of the board of elders the most of the time. Mr. Colwell is a Republican in his political views, casting his first presidential vote for Harrison, the grandfather of the present President Harrison. Our subject's maternal grandmother was one hundred and five years of age at the time of her death, and his great- grandfather, John Colwell, was a native of Ireland.

A. Conn, farmer and stock-raiser, Cameron, Neb. Let a man be industriously ambitious and honorable in his ambitions and he will rise, whether having the prestige of family or the obscurity of fortune. We are led to these reflections by a pernsal of the life of Mr. Conn. This gentleman is another of the many citizens of Hall County who owe their nativity to the Buckeye State, his birth occurring in Ashland County in 1849. His parents, David and Elizabeth (Benett) Conn, were natives of Maryland. The father was born on October 21, 1821, and when about six or seven years of age went to Ohio with his parents. There he grew up and was married to Miss Benett. After living

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in Ashland County for some time he moved to Illi- nois and became a pioneer of De Witt County. He resided there for about thirty years, and in 1880 came west to make his home with his son. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and in politics is a Democrat. His wife, who died when about thirty-six years of age, was of German descent. The paternal grandfather was born in Virginia, was married in that State, and was a Revolutionary soldier. He died in Ohio. A. Conn grew to manhood in Illinois, received a common-school education, and at the age of twenty-three years was married to Miss Jane Plummer in De Witt County, Ill., in 1872. Their family consists of the following children: Ada, Cyrus, Edward, Ray and Ethel. Mr. Conn farmed in Illinois until 1875, then moved to Nebraska and homesteaded his present farm. He owns 280 acres of land, is engaged in raising stock, and is one of the progressive and substantial farmers of the county. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and in his political principles is strictly Demo- cratic.

James A. Costello is the present incumbent of the sheriff's office of Hall County, Neb., and since his election to this position, in 1889, has proved an efficient officer. He was born in Pittston, Luzerne County, Pa., October 15, 1860, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Geary) Costello, who were born in the Emerald Isle, and came to the United States unmarried and alone. The father was a stonemason by trade, but followed coal mining in Pennsylvania until 1877, when he came to Ne- braska, and has since been engaged in farming near Wood River. He and wife became the parents of five sons and three daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch is the fifth child. After the latter had attained manhood he engaged in farming and railroading, but abandoned the former occupation to accept the position of deputy sheriff under E. A. Wedgwood, which position he held during the most of that gentleman's incumbency, from 1887 to 1889. In the latter year he was elected to his present position on the Democratic ticket, although the county is strongly Republican. He has also served as treasurer of his district school

board, and was elected assessor of Jackson Town- ship, but did not serve. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and is a stockholder in the Grand Island Improvement Company. Mr. Costello's brothers and sisters are: Michael J. (residing at Wood River), Katie, Annie (wife of John E. Phillips, a locomotive engineer of North Platte), Thomas F. (a railroad conductor on the Union Pacific Road), William W. (a fireman on that road), Mollie A. and John. James A. Costello is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

John Creason, farmer and stock-raiser, Doni- phan, Neb. Among the agriculturists of this county, so many of whom are mentioned in these pages, is Mr. Creason, the owner and proprietor of a landed estate of eighty acres. His home is on Section 10, and to his chosen calling he gives close attention, and with the result which only such conduct can produce. Born in Des Moines County, Iowa, in 1848, he was the fourth in a family of nine children born to the marriage of John and Abigail (Hillman) Creason, natives of Ohio. The parents were married in that State in February, 1841, and the same year they came to Iowa, settling in Des Moines County, near Bnr- lington. There he opened up and improved two farms, one in Des Moines County and the other in Lee, and remained there until 1865, when he emi- grated to Nebraska, and settled in Nemaha Coun- ty. There he continued to reside until 1872, when he came to Hall County and settled in Doniphan Township. He homesteaded eighty acres of land, built a good house and barn, but sold it in 1883, and moved to Doniphan, where his death occurred February 15, 1887, at the age of seventy -four years. The mother is living and re sides in Doniphan, Neb. Of their children Will- iam H. (enlisted in Company D, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, was under Gen. Grant, and was killed at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing), Sarah (now Mrs. Burge, resides in Brown County, Neb.), Martha (now Mrs. W. J. Burger, resides in Doni- phan), John and James (twins), Maria (now Mrs. Joseph Denman) and Rhoda (now Mrs Collins, of Nemaha County, Neb.) John Creason was reared with a farm experience, and received his educa-

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

tion in the schools of Iowa. He was married in Cass County, Neb., in 1870, to Miss Rutha Bal- lard, a native of Cedar County, Mo., and the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Goodwin) Bal- lard, natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Mis- souri. Mr. and Mrs. Ballard were married in Missouri and at an early day moved to Mills County, Iowa, where the mother received her final summons. Mr. Creason followed farming for him- self on the homestead in Hall County, and this he has improved very materially since. He is a Re- publican in politics and served as supervisor in 1889. He has been a member of the school board, has been school treasurer, and is a man who has the confidence and respect of all. He. is a member of South Platte Alliance, and is also a member of the A. O. U. W., Doniphan Lodge No. 76. Mr. and Mrs. Creason are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To their marriage have been born eight children: Della (now Mrs. Stanger, resides in Littleton, Cal.), Charley, Har- vey, Kittie, Maud, Fannie, Josie and Iva. Mr. Creason has seen the country when buffalo and antelopes were numerous, and is one of the pioneer settlers.

Sumner Davis, M. D., is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Hall County, Neb., and is a credit to the profession which he represents. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 27, 1857, the son of A. Judson and Adaline (Merrill) Davis, natives of Massachusetts and Ohio, and aged fifty . seven and fifty three years, respectively. The father was for many years a well-known merchant of Cincinnati, and still makes that city his home. Dr. Davis was a student in the public and high schools of his native city, and in 1879 began the study of medicine in the office of Prof. S. R. Beck- with, with whom he remained until 1880, when he entered the Chicago Homeopathic College, and was graduated therefrom as an M. D. February 28, 1883, and the following April was appointed one of the resident surgeons of the Cook County Hospital, of Chicago, which position he continued to hold until October 1, 1884. Then he received an appointment as demonstrator of anatomy in his alma mater for the term of 1884-85, being at the

same time associated in general practice with Dr. E. H. Pratt, professor of surgery in the same col- lege. Owing to failing health he gave up a Incra- tive practice in this city (Chicago), and went to Southwestern Kansas, where he remained until July, 1888, when, having recovered his wonted health, he came to Grand Island, and here has es- tablished a practice second to none in this portion of the State. He is at once safe and skillful, and has shown from his earliest days of practice that he realizes the grave responsibilities resting on a phy- sician, and the reception which he has received in his new home shows that a very generous share of public favor is his. While he is a graduate of a homœopathic institution, he is liberal in his views and independent in his practice, and in every in- stance uses those remedies he thinks best suited to the case. He makes a specialty of surgery and the diseases of women, and in those cases handled shows a thorough knowledge of the "healing art." Dr. G. W. Weeter is associated with him in busi- ness, the firm name being Davis & Weeter, and they constitute one of the strongest medical firms in the State. Their reception, operating and consul- tation rooms, consisting of a suite of seven rooms in the Independent building, are well equipped with everything needful for the comfort of patrons, who always receive every kindness and attention. Dr. Davis was married in November, 1886, to Miss Minnie B. Gray, who was born near Athens, in Clark County, Mo., and by her he has one child, Merrill Gray (born February 7, 1888). He is a Republican in his political views, and socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Ashlar Lodge No. 33, the A. O. U. W. and the Royal Arcanum.

George P. Dean, chief of police at Grand Island, Neb., was born in Steubenville, Stenben County, N. Y., November 22, 1846, being a son of William C. and Mary (Ferguson) Dean, natives of New Jersey, the former a carpenter and builder by occupation. They moved to Michigan prior to the late Civil War and settled in Shiawassee County, from which place George P. Dean enlisted as a pri- vate in Company H, Tenth Michigan Cavalry, in 1863, and served throughout the remainder of the war, participating in a number of skirmishes and a

Summer Davis .Q.

HALL COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

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HALL COUNTY.

few battles. After the cessation of hostilities he served in the regular army three years. being on duty throughout the South, and was discharged as sergeant of Company H, Eighteenth United States Infantry. In 1869 he returned home and in 1872 located in Nebraska, being engaged in farming un- til 1884, since which time he has successfully con- ducted a livery stable at Grand Island. He is now serving his second term as a member of the city board of supervisors, and while a resident of May- field Township was for some time justice of the peace. He is a stockholder in the Grand Island Improvement Company, the Canning Company of that city, and is a director and stockholder of the A. O. U. W. Building, he being a member of, that order. He is a member of the G. A. R., being at present junior vice-commander, and has repre- sented his post in the county and State encamp- ments. He was married in Michigan to Miss Emily Ferster, a native of that State, and a dangh- ter of John and Maria (Haggerty) Ferster, by whom he has a son and a daughter: Guy Morris (who is associated with his father in the livery business) and Edna May. Mr. Dean is a Mason and has attained to the Commandery. He is also a member of the Select Knights, and at present is commander of Grand Island Legion No. 9.

Hon. Z. H. Denman (deceased). Nature seems to have intended Mr. Denman for a long and more than ordinarily useful existence, but while just in the meridian of life his career was closed forever. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 26, 1834, and there he attended the district schools during the winter months, and assisted his father on the home farm during the summer until he was nineteen years of age, at which time he bade adieu to his friends and went to Martinsburg College, in which institution he remained until he gradu- ated. Upon leaving college he spent some time in traveling and school teaching, and upon attain- ing his twenty-fourth year was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Robinson, of Newark, Ohio. He then settled down to farming in his native county, and while there held the office of county surveyor several terms but resigned this position to move with his family to McLean County, Ill., in 1864,

being there engaged in tilling the soil until Au- gust, 1871, when he came to Hall County, Neb. Possessing great energy and much ability he was not long in securing a comfortable home for his family in his adopted county, and soon became the owner of a homestead thirteen miles southwest of Grand Island, on which he at once set energetically to work to farming and raising stock. Owing to his enterprise, integrity and honesty of purpose he gradually increased his acreage, and in time be- came the owner of several hundred acres and a large amount of fine stock. He was well known for his many sterling characteristics, and ever after locating bere he had the interests of the county at heart, and was one of the first citizens to patronize any enterprise calculated to build up the county and benefit his fellow-men. His principles were always pure and true, his judgment sound, and his advice was earnestly sought by old and young in the community in which he resided. He was an active politician, and for many years held the position of connty supervisor from Alda Precinct, and was renominated at the election in 1889 to the same office. In 1882 the people of the county showed their appreciation of his intellect by choos- ing him to represent them in the State Legislature, and the duties of this position be filled with honor to himself and his constituents. He was president of the Hall County Agricultural Society in 1889, and his administration of the affairs of this society was so satisfactory that he was voted the most popular man in the county by the citizens, and was presented with a handsome gold headed cane as a token of their esteem. He was re-elected to the same office by the society at their last meeting and was looking forward with great pleasure to the time when the State fair would be held on the Hall County fair grounds. His death, which occurred very suddenly at the age of fifty five years, seven months and fourteen days, was lamented by all who knew him, for he was one of the county's best citizens and a generous and loving husband and father. He was beloved and respected for his sterling integrity, sound judgment, broad intelli- gence, liberality and progressive ideas, and he may justly be said to have been a man among men. He

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was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity and was buried with the honors of that order. In 1858, while a resident of Ohio, he was married, his wife being a daughter of Samuel and Harriet (Gray) Robinson, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. Mrs. Deninan was born, reared and educated in Licking County, and her union with Mr. Denman resulted in the birth of seven children: W. C. (whose sketch follows), James S., Charles W. (married and residing on a farm), Ollie I., Lucius H., Hattie E. and Cary H. (the latter being thirteen years of age).

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Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co. Number of Pages: 820

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820