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 106

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 106
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 106
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 106
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 106

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).

628

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

chased land and tilled the soil for sixteen years, then sold out and came to Nebraska in 1888. He is now the owner of 210 acres of excellent land, which brings him in a yearly income more than suf- ficient to supply himself and wife with all necessary comforts during their declining years. He was married in 1882 to Mrs. Rebecca Arnold, but as they have no children of their own, they have adopted a grandson of Mrs. Ellington's, Charley Evans, the adoption taking place April 17, 1886, in De Witt County, Ill. The present Mrs. Elling. ton was married first, in Wisconsin, to 'Lemuel Evans, and to them a family of three children were born: Thomas, John and William. Mr. and Mrs. Ellington are living in happiness and contentment, and their only care is the rearing and educating of their adopted son. Mr. Ellington in his early travels visited Central America twice. He is a Democrat, but liberal in his views.

Robert Ewing. Among the many families that emigrated westward early in the decade of '70, and located in Hall County, Neb., none have been more successful than that of the Ewings. They are native New Yorkers, and hail from Alle- gany County. In the year 1866 they settled in Cedar County, Iowa, where they followed farming, to which occupation they had been reared, and made that State their home until 1871, when the father of our immediate subject, who also bore the name of Robert, died. In 1872, the family wish- ing to find a place where industry would receive its highest reward, wisely sought the prairies of Ne- braska, and settled in Hall County, where they have stood in the vanguard among the agricultur- ists, the many broad acres which they own and the social position which they occupy, testifying to this fact. Four of the brothers now occupy one of the most valuable tracts of land in the county, and are honorable and useful citizens, their names being Robert, William, Charles and Edwin. Hon. James Ewing, one of this family, rose to distinction in Hall County, and was at one time one of the most popular men in this portion of the State, but the numerous duties, both public and private, imposed upon him became more than the physical man could endure, and death called him in the midst of

his public duties and in the zenith of his power, on October 31, 1888. He was born in Allegany County, N. Y., July 7, 1850, and assisted his father on the farm and attended the common schools near his home until he was sixteen years of age, then removed with his parents to Cedar County, Iowa, and until twenty-three years of age his time was spent in attending and teaching in the public. schools. He then came to Hall County, Neb., to seek his fortnne, and soon found employment as a teacher in the Moore district, but after a few terms he took charge of the school at Shelton. He was exceptionally successful as an educator, and took such an interest in educational matters that in the fall of 1877 he was elected superintendent of pub- lic instruction for Hall County, displaying much ability and energy in the discharge of his duties, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected. Upon leaving this office he purchased the Wood River Gazette, then a five column folio struggling for existence, and in the management of this he was as successful as in his former occupation, and soon advanced the subscription list from 200 to 700, the result of his ability as an editorial writer, his good judgment and sagacity. The first three years of his career as an editor he also filled the position of deputy county treasurer, which necessitated him leaving Wood River early in the morning and re- turning late in the afternoon, and during this period the readers of his paper were treated to the midnight productions of his pen. At the close of his work as deputy treasurer he devoted his time entirely to his paper, but his rest from public cares was very short, and in 1886 he was elected to represent Hall County in the State Legislature, and received every vote in Wood River Township with the exception of ten. He also proved a val- uable public servant in this capacity, and in rec- ognition of his services he was re-nominated by acclamation in the Republican convention held at Grand Island, but did not live to discharge his duties. On January 10, 1884, he was married to Miss Alma E. Thompson, of Hall County, and the result of this union was a son, Arthur (who died December 31, 1888). Mr. Ewing held a number of local offices also, and in the capacity of justice of

HALL COUNTY.

629

the peace of Wood River filled the position in everything the name implies, and by his kindly advice and fairness made many warm friends. He was township treasurer six years, and at the time of his death was nominee for the two last offices. From the time the village of Wood River was or ganized he was a member of the town board, being all of the time chairman, and his advice was always found to be sound and to the best interests of the town. His life, an active and successful one, was devoted greatly to the welfare and happiness of others, and he was liberal and charitable in his views to all. and by all his death was deeply lamented. His funeral, which was conducted by the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W., to which he he- longed, was the largest gathering of the kind ever held in Wood River, and all business houses were closed and heavily draped in mourning out of re- spect for him who had been a friend and brother to all. Such a man as he could not associate with the young men of the community without inspiring them with a wish to live an upright, honorable life, to live for others as well as themselves, and to leave such monuments to their memory as he has done wherever they may reside. John Ewing, another brother, was also born in Allegany County, N. Y., in 1857, and supplemented his common-school ed- ucation with a course at Gibbon Academy, Buffalo County, Neb., his first term of school being tanght in Hall County, at the age of nineteen years, this occupation receiving his attention for abont seven years. He became well known throughont Hall County as a successful educator, but is now giving his attention to farming, his land lying about six miles northwest of Wood River, and comprising 360 acres. His wife, Miss Laura Dubbs, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1864, and by her he has a family of four children: Gertrude, Will- iam, John A. and James A. Mr. Ewing is a Re- publican, and is a member of the A. O. U. W. His wife is a daughter of W. W. Dubbs, who was born in Ohio, and came to Hall County, Neb., in the spring of 1872. Robert Ewing, our immediate subject, owes his nativity to Allegany County, N. Y., his birth occurring in 1853. For several years after coming to Nebraska the brothers had a very

hard time to get along, owing to lack of rain, but they were ever ready to put their shoulders to the wheel when honorable work could be found, and they are now reaping their reward, for they are accounted among the most successful of Hall County's agriculturists and stockmen. The four brothers mentioned above now own 640 acres of land, have 121 head of fat steers feeding, 100 head of hogs and sixty head of stock cattle. They are wide awake and enterprising young men, and owing to their native pluck and enterprise have made their present valuable property. They are quite talented musicians, one playing first violin, another second violin, the third the Bell clarionet and the fourth the bass viol. They are bachelors, and in their political views are stanch Republicans. Charles Ewing was elected as a member of the board of supervisors of Hall County in 1888, and re-elected in 1889. His re-election proves that he possesses in a considerable degree some of the elements of personal popularity. The township where Mr. Ewing has been re-elected has a Dem- ocratic majority of sixty-two votes on the State ticket, and Mr. Ewing overcame this with a large majority. The father and mother, Robert Ewing and wife, were born in Scotland in 1819 and 1824, and died in 1871 and 1883, respectively. All of their nine children grew to maturity.

Cay Henry Ewoldt is an old pioneer of Center Township, who located in Hall County, Neb., in 1857, although his birth occurred in Germany, August 14, 1831, he being a son of Paul and Cecilia Ewoldt. He became a subject of "Uncle Sam " in 1852, and from that time until 1857 he resided in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, spend- ing two years iu Davenport, of the first State, one year in the next and one in the last. He then re- turned to Davenport and joined a party of thirty. one emigrants, who came to Hall County, Neb., but it was not until 1862 that Mr. Ewollt settled on his present farm. He has from time to time in- creased his original purchase, and is now the owner of 460 acres of magnificent land, well stocked and improved. He has always been closely identified with agricultural pursuits in this vicinity, and his well-established characteristics of energy, per-

630

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

severance and unbounded industry have brought him safe returns. He gives excellent management to his farm, and no man in the entire county stands higher for honor and integrity than Mr. Ewoldt. He was married September 1, 1862, to Miss Eliza C. Stuben, a native of Germany, born November 15, 1842, a daughter of Clans and Lena Stuben. She came to America in 1858, and after spending four years in La Fayette, Ind., came to Hall County, Neb. They have a family of eleven chil- dren: Bernard, Cecilia, Caroline, Henry, Wilhel- mine, Julius, Amelia, Clara, Laura, Hermann and Lizzie, of whom Caroline, Laura and Lizzie are deceased. Mr. Ewoldt and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church, and in his polit- ical views he is a Democrat.

D. A. Finch, D. D. S., a young man still in his twenties, is, however, conceded to be one of the leading dentists of Hall County, Neb. He was born in Oneida County, N. Y., November 19, 1863, and is the second of four children born to Daniel and Maria (Livesey) Finch, who were born in Eng- land and brought to the United States when chil- dren, and here reared to maturity. The former's death occurred in York State in 1878, at the age of forty two years, but the mother, who was born in 1843, is still living, and resides at Camden, that State. Dr. Finch received a good practical education in the public schools of his native State, and finished his literary education in the Camden High School, from which he graduated in 1882. The following year he began the study of dentistry in the office of Doten & Martin, of Camden, N. Y., and with them remained until the spring of 1885, when he followed Horace Greeley's advice, and came west to grow up with the country, locating at Grand Island, and has done exceptionally well, for his ability and learning are well recognized in Hall County, and the people have given him a large patronage. He is in every respect a self- made man, and has done much to advance the business interests of Grand Island. He belongs to the K. of P., the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His marriage occurred in Au- gust, 1888, at which time Miss Addie M. Hall,

born near Terre Haute, Ind., January 8, 1864, be- came his wife. She is a daughter of Harrison and Eliza (Carpenter) Hall, who now reside in Tacoma, Wash.

John W. Fines, farmer and stock raiser, Shel. ton, Neb. The name that heads this sketch is that of one of the well-known residents of Hall County, Neb. Like many other settlers in the county he came originally from Pike County, Ill., where his birth occurred on June 5, 1858. His father, William Fines, was a native of England, born about 1810, and in 1830 he emigrated to America, where he was one of the pioneer settlers of Pike County, Ill. About 1852 he married Mrs. Sarah Musgrave, the widow of Joseph Musgrave, who came from England with his family, and by her became the father of four children: Martha, James, Joseph and Sarah Ann. Joseph is deceased. Mr. Fines died immediately after landing. Mrs. Fines was the mother of five children by her former marriage: Charles, Esau (deceased), Jacob, John W., Abi- gail. The father of the last-named children came from England to America in 1830. John W. Fines started out for bimself at the age of twenty years, and one year later was married to Miss Zerlda Myers, daughter of John and Annie Myers, of Hall County, Neb. This union resulted in the birth of four children: Lilly M., Amzie, Loretta and an infant unnamed, all living. Mr. Fines has secured a good start in life by his close application to all enterprises undertaken by good business investments. He has a good stock of cattle, horses and hogs, and a large tract of land, which is fenced. Water is found in abundance a few feet below the surface, and, take it all in all, Mr. Fines is highly pleased with Nebraska He is a member of no po- litical party or church, but has recently become a member of the Farmers' Alliance.

Thomas Francis possesses advanced ideas re- garding agricultural life and since 1869 has been engaged in tilling his present farm, which com- prises 160 acres of good land. He is a son of Will- iam and Mary (Haley) Francis, and was born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1832, and was reared to manhood in his native land. Two brothers hav- ing become subjects of Uncle Sam, he determined

631

HALL COUNTY.

to seek a home in the United States also, and ac- cordingly landed on American shores, and went to Wheeling, W. Va., but soon after joined his broth- ers, at Barnesville, Ohio, remaining with them two years. He then pushed westward and for nearly two years he was engaged in railroading between Chicago and Detroit, Mich.,but the year 1854 found him in Louisville, Ky., and a short time after in New Orleans, where he remained until 1856. then went to Nashville, Tenn., thence to St. Louis, where he again followed railroading, this time be- ing on the Iron Mountain Road. In 1858 he re- turned to Nashville. was there during the opening of the Rebellion, joined the army and served nearly four years, participating in the following en- gagements: Perryville, Blue Springs, Strawberry Plains, Cumberland Gap and numerous skirmishes. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Bridget Ryan, a daughter of William and Sabina Ryan, and to them the following family was born: Will- iam (who was born March 31. 1869), Michael (born December 22, 1872), Mary (born May 15, 1874), and Sabina (born July 17, 1876). Mr. Fran- cis came with his family to Hall County, Neb., in March, 1869, and located on 160 acres of land which is well watered by Wood River, which runs through it. He has a fine yonng orchard and his residence is located abont a mile and a half from Shelton, Buffalo County, Neb. Mr. Francis and all his family are strict members of the Roman Catholic Church and he is a stanch Democrat and a member of the Farmers' Alliance.

Henry Theodore Julius Fuehrman is a well- known and highly skillful architect of Grand Is- land, Neb., and was born in Brunswick, Germany, March 27, 1858, being the only son of Henry and Tulia Fuehrman, the latter of whom is now de- ceased. The father still resides in Germany. The immediate subject of this biography attended the schools of his native land until he was fonrteen years of age, after which he served an apprentice- ship at the mason's trade. Upon leaving school he decided to prepare himself for the duties of an architect, and throughout his entire youth he de- voted himself closely to the study of architecture in different polytechnic institutions throughout his

native land. When twenty years of age he entered the German army, serving one year, and in 1882 he came to America, and after spending two years in Chicago and in different places in Dakota and in Omaha, Neb., he came to Grand Island, which place has since continued to be his home. Soon after coming to Hall County he did some brick. laying, but as soon as an opportunity presented it self he resumed the calling of an architect, and has given his entire attention to that pursuit for the past five years, and is at present one of the leading men of his calling in the State. The fol. lowing are some of the principal buildings on which he has worked: The City Hall, Michelsou Block, Catholic Church, Baptist University, Soldiers' Home, and the Oxsnard Beet-Sugar Factory in Grand Island and the Buffalo County Court-House at Kearney, Neb. He has built up an enviable repu- tation, for he is a very skillful workman and is noted for the thoroughness of his work. Septem- ber 19, 1885, he was married to Miss Dora Joehnek, a daughter of Henry Joehnck, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Fnehrman have two children: Julia and Gustav. Mr. Fuehr man is a member of the A. O. U. W., and polit- ically is a Republican. He is a skilled dranghts- man and possesses much natural ability for his chosen calling.

Charles Fuller, farmer, Alda, Hall County, Neb., a life-time of hard, earnest endeavor in pur- suing the occupation to which he now gives his attention, coupled with strict integrity, honesty of purpose and liberality in all directions, have had a result to place Mr. Fuller among the truly re- spected and honored agriculturists of the county. He was born in the State of New York May 31, 1829, and is the son of Pamenus and Hannah (Hubbard) Fuller, both natives also of the Em- pire State. They were married there and subse- quently moved to Pennsylvania, locating in Erie County, where the father followed the stone mason and plastering trade. He moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, then Medina County, where he passed the closing scenes of his life. He lived on a farm the principal part of his life. He was born October 13, 1801, and died March 1, 1861, and

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

632

the mother was born April 5, 1805. Their family consisted of the following children (four living): Marilla (born February 11, 1824), Renben (born November 10, 1826), Charles (born May 31, 1829), Thomas (born Angust 3, 1831), Sidney (born De- cember 28, 1833), James (born October 29, 1836), George (born October 13, 1839), Franklin (born February 26, 1842), Henry (born July 29, 1845) and Susan (born February 27, 1849). The mother of these children died in 1861, only about two weeks after the death of her husband. Charles Fuller was still in his teens when he moved with his par- ents to Ohio, and he got $4 per month for three months during the summer when he win- nowed hay with a hand rake. He attended the common schools of that State and worked on a farm until he was married. He then picked up the carpenter trade and went to Pennsylvania, thence to Iowa, where he settled in Fayette County, and followed his trade there for some time. He owned a farm and continued to cultivate the soil in the last-named county until 1879, when he emi- grated to Nebraska, and purchased 160 acres of land in Hall County. He was married in 1854 in Erie County, Pa., to Miss Clarinda Wicks, who was born in the Keystone State in 1837, and to them have been born fonr living children: Melvin C. (born July 7, 1858), Mary C. (born May 31, 1868), Monroe (born April 12, 1870) and Edward F. (born March 6, 1878). The children deceased were: Elnora L. (who was born April 7, 1863, and died in Iowa February 20, 1867), and the others were infants. Mrs. Fuller was the daughter of J. S. and Harriet (Conant) Wicks, the father a native of Vermont, born in 1809. The latter was reared in the State of New York, was married there, and there resided until 1836, when he went to Pennsyl- vania and there died May 21, 1889. Grandfather Wicks was a native of England, while Grandfather Conant was a native of Scotland, and emigrated to America before the War of 1812. Mrs. Fuller is in possession of a pair of eye-glasses given her by her maternal grandfather, and which have been in the family for many years.

M. C. Fuller, farmer and stock-raiser, Alda, Neb. Mr. Fuller owes his nativity to Gratiot

County, Mich, where his birth occurred July 7, 1858, and is now following a calling that has for ages received nndivided efforts from many worthy individuals, and one that always furnishes susten- ance to the ready worker. He is the eldest in a family of five children born to the union of Charles and Clarinda (Wicks) Fuller, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. The parents were married in the Keystone State, and there the father followed agricultural pursuits, but in connection carried on the carpenter trade. He subsequently moved to Ohio, thence to Gratiot County, Mich., back again to Ohio, then to Fayette County, Iowa, and there remained until 1879, when he came to Hall County, Neb., and settled in Wood River Township. There they both reside at the present time. M. C. Fuller was early initiated into the dnties of farm life, and received a liberal education in the schools of Fayette County. Iowa. He came to Nebraska in 1879, and was married at Prairie Du Chien, Wis., on April 11, of that year, to Miss Lydia H. Brooks, a native of Fayette County, Iowa, and the daughter of Chancy and Hannah Brooks, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks settled in Iowa at an early day, and there the father still resides. The mother died in 1876. In 1882 Mr. Fuller purchased an nn- improved farm of 160 acres, and went to work upon the same. He has since erected a good house, barn, ontbuildings, and is also engaged in raising a good grade of stock. He is active in politics, and votes with the Republican party. He was appointed justice of the peace in 1887, was subsequently elected and re-elected in 1889. Socially he is a member of the Alda Lodge No. 165, A. O. U. W., and as a citizen and neighbor is thoroughly liked. To his marriage have been born two children: Hannah C. (born June 19, 1880) and Wesley M. (whose birth occurred September 29, 1885.)

Robert Gillespie, assessor, Wood River, Hall County, Neb. This prominent and much esteemed citizen was originally from Virginia, where he was born in 1841, and is the son of James Gillespie, who was also a native of the Old Dominion, his birth occurring in 1812. The latter was a promi- nent tiller of the soil and died in Schuyler County,

633

HALL COUNTY.

Ill., in 1862. He married Miss Matilda Printie, a native of Virginia, born about 1814, and to them were born eleven interesting children, nine of whom grew to maturity. Robert Gillespie grew to manhood in Schuyler County, Ill., was favored with such educational advantages as the district schools afforded, and was early initiated into the duties of farm life. He was married in Illinois, on September 20, 1870, to Miss Angeline Melvin, a na- tive of Indiana, born in 1844, and the result of this union was three living children: Horton (born July 31, 1871), Charles P. (born Angust 27, 1873), Ella (born December 21, 1875, died July 21, 1888), Mil- ley (born December 15, 1877, died August 22, 1888, both of diphtheria) and George R. (born September 15, 1883.) Previous to his marriage Mr. Gillespie had enlisted in the Union army, Company F, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, and served three years. He was in the Western army and was in the battles of Nasbville and Mobile, and was in Banks' defeat on the Red River Expedition, and in the final campaign in Mis- souri. He farmed in Schuyler County, Ill., and owned town property in Huntsville, but he sold out and came west, locating in Jackson Township, Hall County, in 1873, on a soldier's homestead. He sold out in 1883, with the intention of going to the Pa- cific slope, but certain circumstances caused him to remain. He now owns 240 acres of land and has it well stocked. He was elected township as- sessor of Jackson Township for five years, and has had one appointment during the time and has had four elections in a Democratic township. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Blue Lodge, and the Farmers' Alliance. Mrs. Gillespie is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Calvin A. Goodrich. It was in the spring of 1876 that Mr. Goodrich first became a resident of Hall County, Neb., having come here from Clinton County, Mo., whither he had moved from his na- tive State of, New York, in 1870. He was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., May 5, 1846, but was taken to Oswego County, by his parents, in 1859, and was there reared to a farm life and educated in the common schools. He was the youngest of four sons and five daughters, all save one now liv-

ing and the heads of families, and July 7, 1861, at the early age of fifteen years, he joined the New York Cavalry, and after nine months' service was honorably discharged. On first coming to Hall County, Neb., he homesteaded 160 acres of land and now has this in a good state of cultivation, well improved, with a fine young bearing orchard and fair buildings. He has followed carpentering to some extent throughout life, and for some time has been engaged in putting in pumps. He was elected and served seven consecutive years as county supervisor, and was re-elected to his eighth term in the fall of 1889. He was married in Os- wego County, N. Y., November 3, 1866, to Miss Lorinda McDaniel, a daughter of Madison Mc- Daniel. She was born, reared and educated in Oswego County, and her union with Mr. Goodrich has resulted in the birth of five children: Charles J. (a successful school-teacher of Hall County), Fred W., Clara M., Harry E. and one other. Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the G. A. R. organization, and is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. His parents, William and Cyrena (Still- well) Goodrich, were born in York State, and in addition to farming the father was engaged in con- tracting and building in Jefferson and Oswego Counties, until his death which occurred in 1859, his wife dying in the fall of 1886. He was a soldier in the War of 1812.

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.

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