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 110

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 110
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 110
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 110
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 110

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).

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natives of the "Blue Grass State." Mrs. Lamon was born and reared in Kentucky, and after her marriage she and Mr. Lamon settled on a farm in Crawford County, which they continued to till until the fall of 1874, when they came to Nebraska. From that time until the spring of 1880 Mr. Lamon rented land, but in the last-named year located on the farm he now occupies, which con- sists of 274 acres of fine land. He has just sold 200 acres, and now has a neat little farm of seventy- four acres all under cultivation and well improved with excellent buildings. He has a fine young bearing orchard of about 800 trees, also some cherry and plum trees. He has always been a Republican in his political views, and has served as a delegate to numerons county conventions. He has been a member of the school board in his dis- trict, and socially is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Deuel Chapter No. 11. His family consists of the following children: Manuel (who is married and resides in Sherman County, Neb.), William C. (who is married and resides in Grand Island), John, Walter, Virginia A. (wife of Charles Labatt, of Los Angeles, Cal.), Mary J. (wife of E. C. Walker, a sketch of whom appears in this work), Amy E. (wife of Austin Roberts, of Decatur County, Iowa), Minerva, Ida C. and Cora M.

John F. Langan, dealer in retail liquor, Wood River, Neb. This gentleman is a native of Penn- sylvania, born January 5, 1857, and is the son of James and Mary (Bresnihan) Langan. The father was a native of the Emerald Isle, and came to the United States when a young man, located in Pitts- ton, Luzerne County, Pa., and there worked in the mines for some time. He was married in that State, and there reared six of the seven children born to his union. He still resides in Pittston, but comes out West to visit his son, J. F., quite often. The mother was born in Cork, Ireland, but came to America and was married in Pennsylvania to Mr. Langan. She was the mother of seventeen chil- dren. J. F. Langan grew to manhood in Penn- sylvania, received a common school education, and worked in machine shops, and engaged in run- ning a sewing machine factory for four and a half years. He came to this State in 1885 and re-

mained here about ten months, when he went back and worked for the same company for about nine months. Again he returned to this State and em- barked in the liquor business in Wood River, and has been here about three years. He has been quite successful, and is an enterprising and industrious man. He was married June 12, 1888, to Miss Maggie Conner, a native of Farmsdale, Pa., where she received her education. She is a lady of superior mental ability, and of high personal at- tainments. They have one child, a daughter, named Mary A. Mr. Langan owns the fixtures for two saloons here and is doing well. He is a member of the Catholic Church.

Seth Lee, farmer and stock-raiser, Cameron, Neb. A glance at the lives of the many repre- sentative men whose names appear in this volume will reveal sketches of some honored, influential citizens, who have passed beyond man's allotted age of three-score years and ten, and among those deserving of mention is Mr. Seth Lee. He was born in Bristol County, Mass., July 12, 1818, and his father, Stephen Lee, was also a native of the same county in Massachusetts. The latter grew to manhood, received his education, and was mar- ried to Miss Sarah West in Bristol County. She was also a native of that county, and there grew to womanhood. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, all of whom reached maturity. Both parents were members of the Christian Church. The pa- ternal great-grandfather, G. F. Stephen Lee, was born in Bristol County, Mass., and was a farmer by occupation. He was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, and his grandson, Stephen D. Lee, has his gun. Seth Lee was eighteen years of age when he moved to Providence, R. I., where he learned the trade of carpenter, and was married August 13, 1840, to Miss Lucy Pearce, a native of that city, who was born March 22, 1822. They were the parents of the following children: Edwin S. (born June 17, 1842), Julia M. (born October 13, 1844), Amanda E. (born February 15, 1848), Willard H. (born March 28, 1856) and Charles F. (born March 18, 1862, and died February 27, 1867). Seth Lee worked at contracting and building for twenty-five years, and in that way accumulated

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considerable wealth. He came west in 1872, invested in land, and is now the owner of two sec- tions, valued at $30 per acre. He began life with little or no means, but by saving $100 a year was worth $10,000 when he left Rhode Island. He is a member of the Christian Church, and in his political views affiliates with the Republican party. During the late unpleasantness between the North and South he was a stanch Union man, and op- posed to slavery. His wife is still living, and if both survive until August 13, 1890, they will be per- mitted to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. The grandparents on both sides were uatives of Bristol County, Mass., and the maternal grandfather was a mechanic by trade, and a mem- ber of the Christian Church. He died in Warren, R. I.

Edwin S. Lee, farmer and stock-raiser, Wood River, Neb. This prosperous farmer and stock- raiser of Hall County, Neb., owes his nativity to Providence, R. I., where his birth occurred June 17. 1842 [see sketch of Seth Lee, for parents], and remained there until sixteen years of age, at- tending the public schools of that city. He then moved with his parents to Massachusetts, and at- tended school in that State until twenty-one years of age. In 1864 he married Miss Amanda C. Wood, who was born in the town of Swansea, Mass., in 1844, and who received a more than ordi- nary education. They remained in Massachusetts, where Mr. Lee followed agricultural pursuits un- til 1872, when he emigrated to Nebraska, and set- tled in Hall County, where he homesteaded a good tract of land. He is now the owner of 320 acres, all of which is tillable, and is one of the flourish- ing stock-raisers and feeders of the county. His farm shows evidence of thrift and energy. They came to Nebraska at a day when the marks of pioneer life were everywhere present, and brought with them the customs of the urbane population of the Eastern States. They are the parents of four living children: Arthur (who was born May 20, 1867), Stephen (born in September, 1869), Lawrence (born December 25, 1873), and Seba (born November 29, 1881); Hattie, who died May 28, 1888, was twenty three years of age. Ste-

phen attended the Methodist Episcopal School at Central City, Neb., and is especially proficient in mathematics. Mr. and Mrs. Lee made a visit to their old home during the autumn of 1889, visiting Bunker Hill Monument and old Faneul Hall, and other important places in and about their old home. They bronght with them on their return as family relics two readers bearing the date of 1802 and 1805, respectively, also the arithmetic used in the eighteenth century by ancestors of the family. Mrs. Lee is a lady of education and refinement, and is above the average in culture and attain- ments. Her parents, Abel B. and Amanda C. (Case) Wood, were both natives of Massachusetts, the former born in 1814 and the latter in 1818. He was a farmer and died in Massachusetts in 1887. He was a member of the Christian Church. The mother died in December, 1888, and was one of eighteen children born to her parents, her mother being fifty-one years of age when Mrs. Wood was born. Mr. Lee has acceptably served as justice of the peace. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Edward Lennan, farmer and stock-raiser, Un- derwood. What is usually termed genius has lit- tle to do with the success of men in general. Keen perception, sound judgment and a determined will, supported by persevering and continuous effort, are essential elements to success in any calling. Mr. Lennan was born in Maine, in 1848, and was reared and educated in that State. He went to Wisconsin in 1870, remained there but a short time and then went to Woodford County, Ill., where he worked in a store for about a year. In 1874 he came to Hall County, Neb., and was married in Hastings County, Neb., in 1878, to Miss Mary C. Page, a native of New Hampshire, and the daughter of John W. and Sarah A. (Page) Page, natives of the Granite State. Mrs. Page is still a native of that State, but Mr. Page is deceased. After his mar- riage Mr. Lennan settled on the farm where he now lives, and has made many improvements. He planted an orchard, also has some small frnit, and is very comfortably fixed. His farm, consisting of 160 acres, is situated from eight to ten miles from

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HALL COUNTY.

three or four towns, is all cultivated, and on it he has two houses. He is interested in politics, and votes with the Republican party; is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and has held office in this organization, and he and Mrs. Lennan are mem- bers of the North Hastings Congregational Church. Mr. Lennan, being one of the early settlers south of the Platte River, passed through the grasshop- per raids, the drought and the bad storms of Ne- braska, but likes the State and is permanently located here. His parents, Thomas and Dorothea (Page) Lennan, were natives of the Pine Tree State, and the father always made his home in that State. He was a wool-carder and died in 1869. The mother died in 1869. They were the parents of four children, of whom Edward Lennan was the youngest.

Joseph Lilley. The subject of this sketch is one of the honored residents of Hall County, Neb., and although he has only resided here for a period of ten years, he has become well known and the respect and esteem shown him is as wide as his acquaint- ance. His finely improved farm of 151 acres is well improved with good buildings, fences, orchard, etc., and he is accounted by all a successful tiller of the soil. He was born in the "Keystone State" in 1837, being a son of Isaac and Mary (De Walt) Lilley, who were born in 1801 and 1803, respect- ively, and died in Pennsylvania in 1885. Joseph Lilley received the education and rearing which is usually accorded the farmer's boy, and upon reach- ing a proper age was united in the bonds of matri- mony to Miss Caroline McCarter, who was born in 1845, also in Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of E. B. and Eunice (Bacon) McCarter, who were born in 1796 in Pennsylvania, and in New York in 1801, and died in Pennsylvania in 1871 and 1885, respectively. Mr. Lilley's marriage took place in Pennsylvania in 1864, and their union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Isabella, Daniel De Walt, Edwin K., Pharez B., Ennice M., J. Harley, Sarah E., Bertie C., Emma F. (de- ceased), Lora V. and Orville H. Isabella, the eldest daughter, is now the wife of Robert L. Converse, their union taking place in 1882, and they have since been residents of Montana. During the late

war Mr. Lilley served in the One Hundred and Seventy-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry (drafted), until 1863. He is now a member of the G. A. R., and in his political views is a Republican and is a director of his school district. E. B. McCarter had four sons in the Volunteer army, the youngest of whom, Henry, died of fever contracted in Virginia. James died also of disease. Warren was wounded and held a prisoner, and Elisha is still living. Mr. Lilley had also a brother among the Volunteers.

George Loan, Sr., water commissioner of Grand Island, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, March 23, 1826, being a son of George and Mary (Glen- denning) Loan, the former a physician in the royal navy and an eminent man, who became a sacrifice in the East India service to the fever prev- alent there. George Loan attained manhood in his native land, and in his early youth became proficient in the art of wire-making, and afterward worked for about fourteen years as an expert. His trade carried him over Scotland, England and Ire. .land, and in 1867 he came to America and settled in Grand Island, where he has made his home ever since. For about four years he worked in the Union Pacific car shops at Grand Island and three years in the Union Pacific machine shops at North Platte, Neb., and afterward spent some time in the Black Hills, but returned in 1877, and has since been closely identified with Grand Island's interests. He served four years as chief of police, and is now filling the office of water commissioner, and is a stockholder in the Grand Island Improvement Company and the Grand Island Canning Company. He has reared and educated his family well, and has the pleasure of seeing them occupy honorable citizenship in the different localities in which they live. He came to these shores a poor man, willing and capable to earn a respectable livelihood, but has succeeded far beyond his expectations, and to day enjoys the blessings of plenty and the es- teem and respect of all who know him. He still retains a healthy constitution, and the pleasant geniality of his youth. He was married in Down patrick, Ireland, to a Miss Sarah Johnson, a native of Northumberland, England, a daughter of Thomas

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Johnson, and by her became the father of the fol- lowing family of children: Alice (wife of Robert Patterson, a substantial citizen of Sedalia, Colo., and an engineer by profession), Mary (wife of Warren Goddard, engineer at Raton, N. M.), Fannie (wife of Robert M. Stout, also an engineer, of Como, Colo.), Matilda W. and Bessie G. (at home, the latter being her father's assistant), George, Jr. (a business man in Grand Island) and Edgar G. (a printer in Denver, Colo.)

Frederick Lohmann is a member of the firm of Hehnke & Lohmann, contractors and builders, Grand Island, Neb. His birth occurred near Bunde, Westphalen, Prussia, February 15, 1860, his parents, Henry and Charlotte (Brunhaus) Loh- mann, being also born there, the father a fairly suc- cessful tiller of the soil. He came with his family to the United States in 1882 and took up his abode in Grand Island, Neb., his son, Frederick, having come here in 1881. He had learned the carpen- ter's trade in his native land, and after reaching the United States he worked at his trade for a short time in St. Louis, and from 1882 to 1885 followed the same occupation in Grand Island, after which he became associated with Mr. Hehnke in business and has since successfully continued. He is a young man of active and energetic temperament, is intelligent and public spirited, a thorough master of his trade, and he and Mr. Hehnke con- stitute a substantial firm. Since settling in Grand Island he has been married to Miss Mary Grove- meyer, who was born in Kirchlingen, Westphalen, Prussia, in 1864, and a son and daughter have blessed their union: Mary and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Lohmann attend the Lutheran Church, and are worthy citizens of Hall County.

Clarence Lowry, farmer and stock-raiser, Don- iphan, Neb. Clarence Lowry was born in Fulton County, Ind., in 1854, and his early life was divided between working on the farm and attend- ing the common schools of the period. At the age of eighteen years he emigrated to Hall County, Neb., with his mother, and at that time there was not a house on the table land south of the Platte River. In 1876 he homesteaded eighty acres where he now resides and commenced improving the

same, and to that he has added enough to make 200 acres of good tillable land, situated on Platte River. He was married in Hall County in 1877 to Miss Maggie Dufford, a native of Pennsylvania, who was left an orphan at an early age. She came to this county with her uncle, Charles Dufford [see sketch ]. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lowry: Della. Nettie, Archie and Robert. Mr. Lowry is a Republican in politics, and takes considerable interest in the political affairs of the county. Socially he is a member of Doniphan Lodge No. 86, A. F. & A. M. Like others of the pioneer settlers, he has experienced the grasshop- per raids, but has never been discouraged, and likes the State well enough to make it his permanent home. The improvements on his place are com- plete and neat in all respects. Stock-raising in conjunction with his farming operations he is mak- ing a specialty. He was the youngest of ten children born to the marriage of William and Sarah (Clark) Lowry, natives of the Buckeye State. At an early day the parents moved to Indiana, thence to Nebraska in 1858, settling in Nemaha County, and there the father was engaged in tilling the soil. He died in 1861 and the family came to Hall County in 1872. The mother is still living and resides with the subject of this sketch.

Rev. P. Lynch, Wood River, Neb. Among the Catholic prelates of the diocese of Omaha, Neb., who have especially distinguished them- selves as laborers in the vineyard of Christ, none are more zealous, nor have the labors of any one been crowned with greater success, than those of Rev. Father Lynch, the subject of this sketch, and the present pastor of St. Mary's Church, Wood River, Neb. He is a man of medium stature, light complexion, and the benignity of his coun- tenance bespeaks a heart full of the gentleness of Christian charity; but to the astute observer there lurks behind the depth of his dark blue eye the energy of that grand old Celtic race so famed in history for their eloquence and for the zeal with which they execute all projects that advance the interest of religion. Father Lynch was born in County Cavin, Ireland, and is the son of James and Mary (Smith) Lynch. In his earlier childhood he

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attended the national school of his native village, and when twelve years of age entered St. Pat- rick's Seminary, Cavin, Ireland, and completed a six years' classical course. After graduating there he entered the Theological College, Dublin, Ire- land, and five years later, after arduous research and study, he graduated from the extensive course there. June 24, 1873, he was ordained priest in the above-named college by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Whalen. After ordination he remained three montlis in his native parish in Cavin, Ireland, with his parents, who were at this time in the vigor of life, and enjoyed a full realization of the most sanguine dreams of the devont Irish Catholic parents to see their son an ordained priest in the Roman Catholic Church. Father Lynch was or- dained for the diocese of Omaha, Neb., U. S. A., and in August of the year in which he was ordained was transferred to the city of Omaha. He acted as assistant pastor of the Cathedral at Omaha one year, was then made enrate of Colum- bns, Neb., and served in that capacity for sixteen months. The ability and fidelity with which he had filled his charges np to this time caused him to be appointed pastor of the parish of North Platte and missionary of the same. When he arrived at North Platte he found an ordi- nary parish with no church facilities. He se- enred a small room in a country hotel there, and thus devoid of all the comforts of life, with at best but gloomy possibilities and a period of painstaking labor before him, he com- menced his career as a pastor. He had a firm trust in God and a manly reliance on his own capabilities. A handsome structure, the first Catholic building ever erected in Lincoln County, Neb., still decorates Sonth Platte as a monument to the scene of Father Lynch's first efforts as a pastor. He also established new missions in that county. He was sent to Plattsmouth, Cass County, Neb., and there built two new churches, estab- lished one mission, bought two Catholic cemete- ries, and secured the property on which now stands an excellent convent school. He accom- plished his work in Cass County in the short space of five years, and at the termination of

that time was removed to Grand Island, Hall County, Neb. He remained in that city for nearly two years, when it was discovered that the incipient parish of Wood River was surely in need of the personal supervision of a man of energy and progress in order to bring it to the standard which it deserved. Accordingly Father Lynch was made the first resident pastor of Wood River. He found here nothing but the crude material, no church and no pastoral residence, no place for the service of mass. He, however, nerved himself for the struggle, and a spacious church, the largest building in the town of Wood River, and a beautiful eight-room pastoral resi- dence and other church property, altogether run- ning far up into the thousands in value and none of it incumbered by a cent of debt, are evidences of the result of his labors in Wood River. This is only excelled by the moral regeneration that has taken place in the parish since his location here. Absence of religious anthority and of religious ceremonies had cansed many of the people to fall into habits of public dissipation, giving scandal to themselves and to religion. His mild but deter- mined policy placed a check upon the career of the wayward and a seal npon the lips of the tra- ducer, and his wise and prudent counsel has raised many to a plane of moral thinking and liv- ing to which they had hitherto been strangers. Father Lynch's sermons are models of literary simplicity. The most illiterate can not fail to understand them, and the most highly educated can bnt admire their beauty and strength.

James McGuire is a striking example of Irish thrift and acquisitiveness, for he came to Hall Connty, Neb., but with little means, and is now one of the wealthy agriculturists of this region, being the owner of all of Section 12. He was born in County Meade, Ireland, in 1837, and is a son of Hugh and Jane (Gogarty) McGuire, who were also born in the " Emerald Isle, " and with their family emigrated to Canada in the spring of 1843, where they made their home until their respective deaths. In the land of their adoption they reared their fam- ily, and here James received fair educational ad. vantages. In the year 1856 he was united in mar-

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riage to Miss Annie, a daughter of Jud and Kate Walters, of Ottawa, Canada, and this province continued to be his home until the year 1872, when he emigrated with his family to Nebraska, and first took up his abode in Hall County, where he has become well known as an enterprising, intelligent and successful agriculturist. To his union with Miss Walters a family of ten children have been born: Jud, Francis, Hughey, Jimmy. T. J., Pat- rick W., Michael (deceased), Matthias, Mary and Kate. Knowing the value of a good educa- tion, Mr. McGuire has given his children many advantages, and they are now grown to honorable manhood and womanhood, and are engaged in busi- ness for themselves. The entire family are mem- bers of the Catholic Church.

John F. Mader has been closely connected with the agricultural interests of Hall County, Neh., since the fall of 1871, and is now one of its wealthy and prosperous farmers and stock-raisers. He was born in Prussia, Germany, April 11, 1833, and is a son of Christopher and Margaret (Krushy) Mader, who were also born in Prussia, and removed to the United States in 1845, settling in Ohio, the father being engaged in farming in Shelby County until his death, which occurred about 1878, his wife dy- ing two years earlier. John F. Mader attended the schools of his native land until his removal to America, and from that time until he attained his majority he remained with and assisted his father in tilling the soil. He was married in Shelby County January 29, 1857, to Miss Catherine Brehm, a daughter of John Brehm, both of whom were born in Bavaria, the former making her home there until she was about ten years of age. They resided in Shelby County a number of years after their marriage, but after residing in Warren County, Ind., from 1867 until 1871, they came to Nebraska and settled on a homestead claim in Prairie Creek Township. This property he sold in 1882, and bought and has since made his present farm, which consists of 200 acres, all excellent tillable land. His farm is improved with substantial buildings, groves and a young bearing orchard, and is situ- ated about four miles from Grand Island. Mr. Mader is a Republican in politics, has been a

member of the school board for twelve years, has served as treasurer and collector, and has also held the position of township supervisor. He has been a delegate to county conventions at different times, and is a man on whose judgment one can safely rely. He and wife have a family of seven chil- dren, the two eldest, John and William, being mar- ried and residents of the county. The rest are Louis, Elizabeth (wife of Fred Hines), Isabella (wife of John Peterson), George and Charles. The family attend the Presbyterian Church, and he is a Royal Arch Mason.

Richard Mankin, of Hall County, Neb., was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, in 1836, being a son of Henry and Geresha (Tetchen) . Mankin, both natives of Hanover. The father was a soldier in the Franco- Prussian war, and is still living, but his wife passed from life when the sub- ject of this sketch was a small child, having borne a family of four children. Richard Mankin came with an uncle to America when twelve years of age, and during his residence in New York City he was a clerk in a grocery and liquor establish- ment the greater portion of the time, but after- ward worked in a packing-hox factory, and while thus employed had his hand badly mutilated by a planing machine, which necessitated the amputa- tion of all the fingers on that hand. He was married in New York to Miss Elizabeth Matthews, a native of that city, and on July 6, 1871, they came west, and first located at Brody Island, and in the · spring of the following year they settled on their present farm. He first hegan working on a railroad as a hand, but subsequently became boss on repairs, and was thus engaged about eighteen years alto- gether. He is now the owner of 400 acres of land, does general farm work, and is also engaged in feeding cattle. He is independent in politics, and he and family attend the Roman Catholic Church. He and wife are the parents of three children: Frank, William and John. Mr. Mankin is a man who thoroughly enjoys his home, and has around him all that can make life enjoyable-a faithful and intelligent wife, dutiful children, and plenty of means. Mrs. Mankin is an Irish-American lady, is an excellent manager, and as a wife and inother

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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