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 119

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 119
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 119
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 119
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 119

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J. M. Weldon was born in the State of New York, in 1862, and like all native New Yorkers, is intelligent, enterprising and industrions. He is a son of J. M. and Jane (Irving) Weldon, who were born in York State in 1824 and England in 1834, respectively, the former being a blacksmith and machinist by occupation. Their union took place August 10, 1851, and after making their home in

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New York until 1872, they came to Hall County, Neb., and took up a homestead claim, but subse- quently moved to Wood River, where the father resided until his death in 1887. During the Re- bellion he served in the Union army, in the Fourth New York Heavy Artillery, under Gen. Hancock, and for many years was a member of the Republican party, and socially belonged to the A. F. & A. M. The paternal grandfather was born in the "Empire State," was a farmer by occupation and lived and died in the Mohawk Valley. His wife was also born in that State. J. M. Weldon, the immediate subject of this biography, was eleven years of age when he came to Nebraska, and he received excellent educa- tional advantages in the district schools near his home and in the high school at Gibbon. In Novem- ber, 1882, he was married to Miss Ella M. Dunlap, who was born in Sullivan County, Mo., December 25, 1862, and by her he is the father of three children: Blanche, Carrie and E. K. He inherited some money from his father, purchased some land when twenty years of age, and now has 120 acres in his home farm and 200 acres in other tracts. Mr. Weldon is one of the wealthiest and most en- terprising young farmers of the county, and owing to the many estimable qualities which he possesses, he is respected and esteemed by all. He is an officer of Chamberlin Encampment of the I. O. O. F. at Wood River, being a charter member of the same, and holds a life insurance of $2,000 in the A. O. U. W. His wife is a daughter of Tennessee and Mary L. (Myers) Dunlap, the former being a native of Illinois, although his people came from Tennessee. He is now residing in Eureka Springs, Ark. His mother is still alive and resides in Springfield, Ill., aged eighty-four years.

Riley Wescoatt, general merchant of Wood River, Neb., has a well-stocked establishment, and being strictly honest in his dealing with his custom- ers and selling his goods at reasonable prices, he has built up a paying trade. He was born in the " Hoosier State " in 1828, and is a son of Joseph S. and Sarah (Metzgar) Wescoatt, who were born in Cayuga County, N. Y., and Dutchess County, Pa., in 1790 and 1785, respectively. The father was a

farmer by occupation, and at an early day removed with his family to Ohio, thence to Indiana in 1828, locating in Vermillion County near Eugene. From this State he removed to Iowa in 1837 and made his home in Van Buren County until his death, in 1860. He was judge of the Van Buren County Court at this time, and had been a member of the Territorial Legislature at one time. He served in the Black Hawk War, and in his political views was an old line Whig, being a man exceptionally well educated for those times and well posted on all current topics. His wife lived until 1888, making her one hundred and three years of age, and was hearty and spry, with not a gray hair in her head, but met with an accident which resulted fatally. Riley Wescoatt is one of seven children, the youngest of whom is now over fifty-eight years of age, and grew to manhood and was educated in the State of Iowa. He followed merchandising in Alva, Ill., from 1858 until the opening of the war, and in May, 1861, enlisted in Company A, First Iowa Cavalry, United States Army, but after serving two years and nine months was dis- charged for disability. He was in the engage- ments at Rolla, Mo., Pea Ridge, Cross Roads, Newtonia, Prairie Grove, Little Rock, and was on the Camden expedition. He was at home when the war closed and from that time farmed until 1874 when he removed to Nebraska and purchased land. In 1883 he sold his estate and removed to Wood River where he began merchandising, con- tinuing successfully up to the present time. He is an influential citizen, popular with all, and is ever ready to extend the right hand of fellowship. He is a member of the G. A. R , the I. O. O. F., and is trustee of the Building & Loan Association of Wood River. He was married in Iowa to Miss May J. Richardson, who was born in Illinois in 1855. and by her he has four children: Nelson, Frank, Harry and Emma.

William H. West is a successful agriculturist and is a raiser and dealer in Polled-Angus cattle and Poland-China hogs. Although born in New- castle County, Del., January 23, 1832, he was reared to manhood in Kent County of that State, making his home with his parents. After farming

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for himself in his native State for eight years, he began merchandising at Wilmington, continuing there until 1874, when he moved to Nebraska, and located at Grand Island, where he also opened a mercantile establishment, and was successfully engaged np to 1888, when he closed ont and removed to the farm where he now resides. His first purchase of land was in 1878, and he is now the owner of 480 acres of land, all in one tract and very valuable. He has a good one and one-half story residence, substantial and commodious barns, and besides his home property he owns a section of timber land in Arkansas. He is devoting much of his attention to raising Polled-Angus cattle, and now has a herd of twenty-six head of thoroughbred registered cattle, with a fine young animal, "Ken- neth," four years old and weighing 2,000 pounds, at the head. This animal was sired by Baronet, an imported animal. He also has twenty-nine head of graded stock, and is prepared to furnish both registered and graded animals for sale. His drove of swine is of the Poland-China breed and is one of the finest in the State. He has made a business of buying and shipping cattle since com- ing on his farm, and there is now no man in the county more extensively engaged in their propaga tion than he. His farm is well fitted for this purpose, the conveniences, etc., being unsurpassed. He has always been a Democrat in his political views, and has held a number of positions of honor and trust since coming to the county. He was married in Delaware, in 1853, to Miss Rachel Syl- vester, who was born in that State and died in 1870, leaving a son, Leonard J., of Grand Island. His second marriage also took place in Delaware, October 4, 1872, his wife being Miss Sallie A. Luff, reared and educated in that State and a daughter of John and Martha Luff. Mr. West and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which order he has attained to the Commandery. His parents, James and Rachel Ann (Davis) West, were born in Delaware, and in the spring of 1837 moved from Newcastle County to Kent County, where they died in March, 1850, and in May, 1849, respectively. The father

was a mechanic by trade, and was a worthy man and a highly honored citizen.

Frauk S. West. Among the young men deter- mined to make a home for themselves and families on the fertile prairies of Nebraska was Mr. West, who left his native State of Iowa, and came to Hall County in the fall of 1883, and purchased a quarter section of fine land in Section 16, and has since been identified with the growth and prosperity of the county. He is a young man of much push, energy and enterprise, and the manner in which he has acquired his present estate denotes him to be a thorough master of his calling. He was born in the "Hawkeye State" in 1860, and is a son of Isaac and Watty (Weldon) West, and in his early youth received the advantages of the common schools of his native State, acquiring a fair knowl- edge of the " world of books." When quite a young man he went to California and was engaged in agricultural pursuits and sheep-raising in that State for five years, but, as above stated, came to Nebraska in 1883, and here has since made his home. In the summer of 1885 Miss Mary Ewing, a member of one of the most influential families of this portion of the State, became his wife, and their union has resulted in the birth of one child, Ray W. Mr. West has always supported the Repub- lican party, and has taken quite an interest in local politics. He is universally respected, and socially is a member of the A. O. U. W., Wood River Lodge.

Frederick Whitehead, farmer and stock-raiser, Wood River, Neb. Mr. Whitehead is a native of the Empire State, where his birth occurred in 1844, and is the son of William and Sarah (Watson) Whitehead, both natives of England. The father was born in 1810 and was a cotton-spinner by trade, working at his trade in his native country until he came to America in 1834. He was mar ried in England in 1830, and after reaching this continent continued his former trade for about ten years in New York. He then went to Middleville, town of Newport, and followed the same business there for six years, after which he moved to Wis- consin and engaged in agricultural pursuits, con- tinuing the same until 1884, when he emigrated to

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Nebraska. He is now eighty years of age, reads and writes without glasses, takes care of a car- load of cattle and carries corn to them on his shoulders. He belonged to the regular military in England, was with them a year, when his peo- ple bought his discharge. When the Civil War broke out he was a Union man in principle and gave instruction to the bugler of the Third Wis- consin Cavalry. His two sons, Fred and William, were in service. The mother of our subject died in July, 1857. She was the mother of nine chil- dren, seven of whom are still living. After her death, or in 1863, the father married again, to Miss Mary Rhines, who bore him two daughters, both now living. The grandfather, William White- head, was born in England in 1765, and died there in 1837. He was a hatter by trade. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Ashworth, was a native of Denton County, England, born in 1772. They were the parents of fourteen chil. dren, twelve daughters and two sons, and six of whom grew' to maturity, but our subject's father is the only one now living. The last one that died was eighty-one years of age. The great- grandfather, Robert Ashworth, was born in the town of Denton, England, and was a hatter also. Frederick Whitehead passed his youthful days in Wisconsin and there received a fair education. He was early instructed in the duties of farm life by his father, and at the breaking out of the late war entered the Federal service in Company C, Thirty second Wisconsin Infantry. He was discharged in June, 1865, and participated in the following battles: Tallahatchie, Holly Springs, Par- ker's Cross Roads, Colliersville, Monroe, Lafayette, Marion Station, Paducah, Decatur, Courtland, the siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah, Salke- hatchie, Orangeburg, Columbia, Cheraw, Fay- etteville, Bentonville, Raleigh, and many other skirmishes. He participated in twenty-two gen- eral engagements. He then returned home, and in April, 1867, he was married to Miss R. Carter, a native of Wisconsin, born in 1851, and the fruits of this union have been two children : Alvin and Merty. Mr. Whitehead continued to farm in Wisconsin until 1872, when he came to Nebraska and home-

steaded Section 18, Town 10, Range 11. He sold this in 1878 and the following year bought his present property, paying $10 an acre for it, and raised enough the first year to pay for it all. He is now the owner of 155 acres and feeds cattle every winter. He has about ninety head of cattle on his farm, hogs in proportion, and also raises some horses. He is a member of the Shaupps- ville Farmers' Alliance and is chaplain for the lodge. He belongs to Brady Post No. 134, G. A. R., and is also a member of the A. O. U. W. In his political views he affiliates with the Republican party. The father of Mrs. Whitehead, William Carter, was born in Massachusetts, and the mother in Wales. The father was a joiner and ship car- penter by trade, and died on January 28, 1882, at the age of eighty-one years. The mother died in 1866 at the age of forty-one years. Her maiden name was Laura Williams. Grandfather Will- iams was a native of Wales, who came to America at an early day.

E. Whitehead, farmer and stock-raiser, Cairo, Hall County, Neb. The estate which Mr. White- head now cultivates embraces 200 acres, land well adapted to the purposes of general farming, and in his operations he displays those sterling principles characteristic of men of New York State, espe- cially industry and wise, judicions management. He was born in Herkimer County in 1851, and was one of nine children born to his parents [see sketch of Fred Whitehead]. The children were named as follows: James, Mariah, Mary, Samuel, William, Frederick, Eleanor, Margaret and Ervin. Seven of these children grew to maturity. In 1857 the family emigrated from New York to Wis- consin, and there remained until 1873, when they broke up. Ervin Whitehead emigrated to Hall County, Neb., and took up the southwest quarter of Section 2, Township 11, Range 12 west, where he still resides. When he came to Nebraska he was without money but was blessed with good health and plenty of energy, a fact which is clearly demonstrated by his success. He is a man of more than ordinary business ability, and one who is universally respected. He served three ternis from Cameron Township, as county supervisor,

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and has for eight years filled the office of school treasurer in the district where he lives. He is at present the president of Cairo Farmers' Alliance Business Association, and is a member of the A. O. U. W. Of his fine farm every acre is tillable, and all is under fence. He has a good young orchard, in fact one of the best in this part of the county. To his marriage have been born three children: Lloyd, Edith and Ervin.

Henry Wiese, farmer and stock-raiser, Grand Island, Neb. This prominent and most successful citizen was originally from Holstein, Germany, where his birth occurred in 1836, and is the sec- ond in a family of children born to the union of A. and Catherine (Wiese) Wiese, natives also of Holstein, Germany. The parents sailed from Ham- burg, Germany, in the fall of 1858, on the vessel " Anstria" which was burned in mid ocean, and both parents perished. Henry Wiese was edu- cated in Holstein, Germany, and immigrated to the United States in 1856. He came direct to Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, and engaged in agricultural pursuits for some time. In 1859 he was married in Scott County to Miss Anna Wiese, a native also of Germany and the daughter of Paul and Bertha (Spaeth) Wiese, who were born in the same country. Her parents emigrated to the United States, located in Nebraska, and both died in Hall County of that State. After farming in Scott County, Iowa, until 1871, Mr. Wiese emi- grated to Nebraska, and bought a partly improved farm of 174 acres in Hall County. This he has since added to and improved, until he now has 274 acres of as good land as is to be found in the county. He has good substantial buildings and is pros- perous and contented. Although not active in poli- tics, he votes with the Democratic party. He and Mrs. Wiese are members of the German Lutheran Church. To their marriage have been born six children: Lena (now Mrs. Krnger, of Hall County), Katie (now Mrs. Buttner, of Hall County), William (married, and resides in this county), Henry, Gustav, and Otto (who is married and resides at home). Mr. Wiese has seen a great many changes in the country since coming here, and has aided in all laudable enterprises for the good of his adopted

State. He has made all his property by his own exertions.

Hans Wiese has been a resident of Nebraska for the past nineteen years, and it is safe to say that there is not a man of sounder principles, or who possesses more sterling principles than he. He was born in Holstein, Germany, in 1843, being a son of Paul and Bertha (Spaeth) Wiese, the former of whom was a tiller of the soil in his native land. In 1865 he came to America, landing at New York City, and immediately went to a son who lived in Scott County, Iowa, and from that time until his death made his home with his children and died in Nebraska, at the home of his son, Hans, in 1876, having been an earnest member of the Lutheran Church for many years. His wife was born in Holstein, Germany, in 1806, and bore her husband six children, all of whom grew to maturity, and five are now living and are residents of Hall County. They all came to Nebraska at the same time, and are now the owners of good farms and are prosper- ous citizens. The mother was also a member of the Lutheran Church, and died in Nebraska, in June, 1883. Hans Wiese, the immediate subject of this biography, came to the United States in 1864, and landed in New York City April 14 or 15, the voyage having taken eleven days. He soon came westward, and for some time worked on a farm near Davenport, Iowa, receiving $27 for his first month's wages. After a short time he began renting land, and two years later he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Hirt, a native of Penu- sylvania, born in 1850. When three or four years old, she was taken by her parents to Davenport, Iowa, and was there reared and educated in the common schools. In 1871 Mr. Wiese came with his family to Nebraska, and for one year they re. sided near Grand Island on rented land, then homesteaded their present property, and here have made their home ever since. He has gradually in- creased his acreage until he is now the owner of 500 acres of land, well stocked and improved, and ever since locating here he has been regarded as a man of enterprising and progressive spirit, and a careful and energetic tiller of the soil. He and wife are the parents of the following children:

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Emma, John William, Charles Martin, Matilda M. and Angust Paul. Mr. Wiese is a Democrat. Mrs. Wiese's father was born in Prussia, and at an early day emigrated to America and settled in Pennsyl- vania. He was married in Germany, and his wife died when Mrs. Wiese was a child. He was a laborer in an iron furnace in Pennsylvania, but is now a farmer of Iowa.

A. H. Wilhelm, a real-estate dealer and notary public of Grand Island, Neb., was born in New York City, February 20, 1849, being a son of Hyronimus N. and Sophia (Spangenberg) Wil- helm, who were from Goettingen, Hanover, Ger- many, and after their marriage emigrated to the United States, and in the year 1840 settled in New York City. The father was a graduate in medicine from a leading German college, and upon settling in the above-named place he practiced his profession for many years, enjoying a large and lucrative patronage, but during his declining years retired from active duty, and in 1867 passed from life at the age of sixty eight years. His wife survives him and still resides in New York. A. H. Wilhelm is the second son and fifth of seven children, and grew to manhood in his native city, being reared to a commercial life, which he fol- lowed for many years, as a knight of the gripsack. In April, 1872, he came to Grand Island, Neb., and engaged in merchandising, and from 1876 to 1882 sold agricultural implements also. In 1884 he moved to Columbus, Miss., remaining there about one year, whence he returned to Grand Is- land. From that time nntil the fall of 1889 he was book-keeper and confidential clerk for John L. Means, and at the end of that time embarked in his present occupation, and is now doing a thriv- ing business. He was married in 1873 to Annie Sophia, eldest danghter of Hon. Edward Hooper, whose sketch appears in this work, and by her has had a family of four children: Edward, Alvin and Mabel (living) and Alice (deceased). The family worship in the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Wilhelm is a member of the A. O. U. W.

Seth W. Wilson is now successfully following the occupation to which he was reared, that of farming and fine stock-raising, a calling that has

for ages received undivided efforts from many worthy individuals, and one that has always fur- nished sustenance to the ready worker. His farm, which comprises 320 acres, is one of the finest for successful agricultural purposes in the county, and is well improved, with a good residence, barn and accompanying sheds for his stock, granaries, etc. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1850, and from that State removed to the State of Nebraska, in 1871, having, only a short time before coming here, been married to Miss Harriet Hartsock, a native of the "Keystone State," born in 1852. To them a family of three children have been born: Myrtle, Ora and Leon. Mr. Wilson has supported the men and measures of the Repub- lican party ever since he attained his majority, and has held a number of local offices in his township. Mr. Wilson is a son of Ira Wilson and Mary (Hart) Wilson, who were born in New Jersey and Penn- sylvania in 1811 and 1818, respectively, and re- moved to Nebraska in 1873, taking up their abode on a farm adjoining their son's. Mrs. Wilson is a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Bryan) Hartsock, who were born in New York and Pennsylvania, in 1809 and 1815, and died in their respective States in 1885 and 1880.

H. S. Winn, farmer and stock-raiser, Wood River, Neb. It is well known all over the county that he whose name heads this sketch is among the most influential and public-spirited citizens of Wood River Township. He was born in Mnskin- gum County, Ohio, in 1840, and is the son of James and Eliza (Shaw) Winn, natives of Virginia. The father was born on September 30, 1808, and is now residing in the Buckeye State. H. S. Winn received a common-school education, and on August 28, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Ohio Infantry, and was taken prisoner on September 20, 1863. Previous to that he was in a number of the prin- cipal engagements, and after his capture was taken to Richmond, Va., Danville, and thence to Ander- sonville, where he remained until September, "1864, when he was taken to Milan, Ga., and there paroled on November 18 of that year. Thir- teen of our subject's comrades went to Anderson- ville together and only four came out alive. For

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his services Mr. Winn received $552.50, which he invested in land in Illinois, and he is very proud of the fact that he got his first start on the money he drew while he was in prison. On April 4, 1866, he was married to Miss Fannie S. Bratton, and to them have been born seven children: Octavia A., Etta E., Oakley A. I., Viola M., Ida B., Annie E. and Lillian G. Mr. Winn remained in Illinois until 1873, when he moved to Nebraska, and is now one of the most successful and practical farm- ers of Hall County, in spite of mishaps and droughts. He has half a section of land, and ships and feeds a great many cattle each year. He is a member of the Farmers' Union and has his life in- sured for $3,000. He is a Republican in politics. is a member of the G. A. R., and is also a member of the A. O. U. W. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Adam Windolph is the proprietor of a well- equipped and well-conducted livery and sale stable at Grand Island, Neb., and like all his countrymen, possesses those characteristics which are necessary to the successful conduct of any business. He was born in the town of Uder, kingdom of Prussia, Germany, April 28, 1833, and is the fourth child and second son born to the marriage of Andrew Windolph and Marguerite Biel. The father was a successful groceryman, although the majority of the male members of his family were husband- men, the Biels being also followers of that call- ing. Adam Windolph grew to manhood in Ger- many, and in his youth became familiar with the details of the grocery business, which call- ing received his attention until 1864, when he came to America and settled at Kankakee, Ill., but only remained a few months, and after a still shorter stay in Iowa he found himself in Nebraska in the year 1865. He farmed for several years, and after dealing in live stock for some time he built a large feed barn, to which he has since given bis attention. His establishment is excellently conducted and nets him a paying annual income, and besides this he is the owner of the Windolph Block, and some fine residence property in Grand Island. His wife was formerly Miss Marguerite Stender, who was born in Kirchgandern, Ger-

many in the year 1840, she being a daughter of John Stender. Mr. and Mrs. Windolph became the parents of two sons and six daughters: John (who is associated with his father in the live-stock business), Adam (who is also a stockman), Eliza- beth (wife of Peter Heintz, who is engaged in the agricultural implement business in Grand Island, and by whom she is the mother of two children: Maggie and Paul), Katrina, Mary, Annie, Lena and Minnie. Mr. Windolph and his family are regular communicants of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, and he is a trustee of the same. He is a member of the Catholic Knights of Amer- ica, and is a man whom all respect and esteen.

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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