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 129

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 129
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 129
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 129
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 129

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).

Soon after the establishment of the station Mr. Sweeny put up a small frame building for the handling of grain. The first lot sold in the town was to J. A. Waddell. on September 12, 1882. G. H. Shears and W. H. Fairchild shortly after pur- chased lots, and each of the three began the erec- tion of store buildings at about the same time, that of G. H. Shears being the first completed. This building was occupied jointly by Mr. Shears with a stock of groceries and Dr. Nickerson with drugs. This was the first retail store in the town. The enterprise was short lived, and Shears soon after turned it into a boarding-house, the bill of fare consisting principally of wild goose. The building was subsequently much enlarged, as well as the menu, and was traded to W. O. Barngrover for a

stock of goods. Fairchild & Deal opened a gen. eral stock immediately on the completion of their building in 1882, J. A. Waddell opening np a grocery stock at about the same time. The town grew rapidly, and in 1883 increased to a population of about 300. It was incorporated as a village on February 28, 1889, with the following board of trustees: T. H. Line, S. P. Boyd, M. E. Farr, Reuben Cox and H. D. Hall.

The village is situated in the midst of a highly prosperous community, and gives evidence of the fact in the success of its various business enter. prises. All branches of business are well repre- sented, including two banks, two elevators, flour- ing-mill, large brick blacksmith and machine shop, etc. Among the leading business men of the village at the present time are: Fairchild & Deal, general stock; J. A. Waddell, groceries; Bank of Mar- quette; Farley's Bank, R. K. Hughes, drugs; J. F. Adams, lumber; J. D. and B. A. Hickman, drugs; F. H. Line, M. D., physician and surgeon, Larson & Peterson, machine shops; Greer & Hall, hardware and furniture; Aaron Eichelberger, real- estate owner; J. A Ruby, president Bank of Mar- quette; Hon. J. J. Farley, president Furley's Bank. Mr. Farley is one of the present members of the Legislature. Samuel Raynor, Elias Farr and Will- iam Ray are honored residents of the village, and have been closely identified with the prosperity of the community for a number of years. There were shipped from this station last year, 421 cars of grain, and eighty eight cars of stock. At the vil- lage election in April, 1889, the following board of trustees and village officers were elected: H. D. Hall, chairman; James Adams, James Peterson, S. P. Boyd and J. A. Waddell; B. H. Walker, clerk; James A. Ruby, treasurer. In March, 1890, James Adams removed from the village, and J. W. Nich- olson was appointed to fill the vacancy. O. H. Wiesig was succeeded as postmaster in August, 1884, by Miss Lillian Davy, who served for three years, and was succeeded by the present post- master, Joseph Pinkerton.

A commodious frame school house was erected in the village in 1884, and a graded course of study adopted. There is an average attendance of over

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100 pupils. Churches are represented by four de- nominations, Presbyterian, Christian, United Breth- ren and Methodist Episcopal. The Presbyterians and Christians erected church buildings in 1884 and 1885, respectively. Each of the societies has a good membership.

The secret societies having lodges in the village are the G. A. R., A. O. U. W., I. O. G. T. and M. W. of A.

Putnam Post No. 142, G. A. R., was organized March 12, 1883, with the following charter mem- bers: George Liebhart, H. B. Goodrich, W. W. Shenberger, W. De Hart, J. P. Jones, Ed Nugent, R. D. Stotler, William H. Ray, John Doak, R. W. Graham, H. P. Hiscock, Henry Jennings, Joseph Pinkerton, E. Henderson, William Thomas, James Ruby, Ed Henderson, William Henderson, R. C. Butler, John Jones, James Hallowell, T. Clother, J. Allen, Andrew Hickman. The post is in a pros- perous condition, the following being the present officers: W. H. Ray, C .; J Buffington, S. V. C .; D. Fye, J. V. C .; James Ruby, adjutant; Joseph Pinkerton, Q .; Joseph Fye, chaplain.

Marquette Lodge No. 45, A. O. U. W., was organized in July. 1884, with the following officers and charter members: J. R. Erford, P. M. W .; H. P. Hiscock, M. W .; Joseph Hollowell, F .; Joseph Pinkerton, O .; A. W. Wicker, recorder; Thomas J. Chenowith, F .; Reuben Cox, R. ; T. E. Chambers, Charles Harder, J. L. Thomas, George Liebhart, W. W. Shenberger, George Bennett, T. H. Line, James Ballard, William Thomas, Ed Mundhenke, D. A. Hiscock, O. W. Kenoyer, R. D. Stotler and William Hickman. The lodge now numbers sixty members, the following being the present officers: U. Fink, P. M. W .; H. D. Hall, M. W .; J. P. Jones, F .; M. E. Farr, O .; William H. Swope, recorder; B. H. Walker, F .; Joseph Peterson, R .; D. W. Brunk, G.

An I. O. G. T. lodge was organized March 26, 1887, with forty members. It is in a highly pros- perous and flourishing condition.

South Platte Camp No. 861, M. W. of A., was organized March 6, 1889, with the following offi- cers: T. H. Line, V. C .; U. Fink, A .; John E. Boyd, B .; B. A. Hickman, C .; B. H. Walker, E .;

Charles Stalnaker, S. The camp is growing rap- idly, having increased from six at date of organ- ization to a present membership of thirty-six. The present officers are: U. Fink, V. C .; H. P. His- cock, A .; H. B. Walker, B .; B. A. Hickman, clerk.

The town of Phillips is pleasantly located on the line of the Burlington & Missouri River Rail- road, on Section 27, Town 11, Range 8, one mile and a half from the Platte River. The site was purchased from P. M. Cross, in the winter of 1873-74, by the Lincoln Land Company, and was surveyed by them in the spring of 1884. The said railroad being extended westward from Aurora the same season reached the town in June. One- half the town site was owned by the Lincoln Land Company, the other by Hon. William G. Hastings, of Wilber, Neb., and others.

The first building was erected by J. C. Mur- phy and was commenced April 16, 1884. Soon after Messrs. Burk & Dingman, hardware dealers, and Raben & Myers, druggists, built substantial frame store buildings. These were soon followed by the store buildings of S. D. I. Emerson, W. H. Fairchild, J. O. Baker, M. Grass, and Dr. R. Smith; the lumber yards and offices of J. H. Wil. sey, National Lumber Company, and Richey Bros. ; the hotel of A. Prathur in June, 1884; hotel and livery stable of N. F. Lane, the summer of the same year; the real-estate office of Samuel Span- ogle, and the grain elevator of S. W. Little & Co. The first family residing in the town was that of W. B. Dingman, who moved into the old "Cross house" before any new buildings were erected. Early in the summer of 1884 dwellings had been built, and were occupied by the families of J. C. Murphy, J. C. Miller, Charles L. Crane, F. R. Reiter, N. F. Lane, Samuel Spanogle, D. V. Joy- ner, A. P. Peterson, S. R. Bickley, and others.

On July 20, 1884, a tornado visited the town doing considerable damage. The hotel of A. Prathur was entirely demolished, and a number of persons injured, but none seriously. The post- office was removed to this place from St. Joe in the summer of 1884, and J. O. Baker was ap- pointed postmaster, which he held until October

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1, 1885, when he was succeeded by Mrs. Minnie Baker, who presided behind the window until June 10, 1889, when the present incumbent, Hon. A. J. Spanogle, was appointed. It was made a money order office October 1, 1888. The business of the office for 1889 was $800.

Among the prominent business men, at the present time, who have been closely identified with the interests and history of the town are N. F. Lane, commonly and better known as "Dad" Lane, in whose honor, Dad Lane Camp M. W., was named; J. O. Baker, banker; Richey Bros., lumber; R. Connell & Co., Grand Island Grain Company, and Farmers' Alliance Business Asso- ciation, grain dealers; W. H. Fairchild & Co., William Bebb & Son, M. K. Grass, merchants; E. D. Smith, drugs; B. J. Fulton and Levi Cox, live- stock shippers, and others.

There were shipped from this station in 1886, 404 cars of corn, 42 of oats, 34 of wheat, 7 of bar- ley, 4 of flax, 4 of rye, 21 of hogs, 31 of cattle, 41 of brick, and 7 of miscellaneous goods; 1887, corn 467, oats 73, wheat 9, rye 3, flax 23, hogs 24, cat- tle 12, brick 82, miscellaneous, 10; 1888, corn 330, oats 110, wheat 1, rye 3, flax 16, hogs 31. cattle 71, brick 22, miscellaneous 8; 1889, corn 283, oats 125, rye 1, flax 11, hogs 43, cattle 68, brick 7, miscellaneous 8.

A good school-house was built in 1886, in which school is held from six to nine months each year; the district was organized in 1885. Two church societies hold regular services in the town, the Methodist and Baptist. The former was organized in 1884, with Rev. G. M. Jones as pastor. He was succeeded in 1886 by Rev. C. E. Rowe, and he in 1886 by the present pastor, Rev. Francis Deal. A handsome church edifice was erected in 1888. The church is in a flourishing condition, and now numbers fifty members. The Baptist Church was organized here in July, 1889. The membership is small. Rev. J. McLeod is pastor and has services every alternate Sunday.

In the fall of 1885 a company consisting of N. F. Lane, J. O. Baker, C. L. Crane and Samuel Spanogle erected a two-story and basement brick building, the second story of which was arranged

with a good, large hall, reception and ante rooms, etc., designed for serving as lodge rooms. Soon after the completion of the hall the Masonic lodge at St. Joe was removed from that place to Phillips, holding its meetings in the hall. This was Key. stone Lodge No. 62. A. F. & A. M., the oldest Masonic organization in the county, having re- ceived its charter June 20, 1876.

The following is a list of the first officers (U. D.) and the charter members: Martin Ennis, W. M .; J. T. Price, S. W .; William J. Ball, J. W. At the end of a year the lodge received its charter, and Martin Ennis was elected W. M .; J. T. Price, S. W .; D. S. Parkhurst, J. W .; Ed Dearing, treasurer: S. P. Cowgill, secretary; I. E. Ball, S. D. ; William H. Sampson, J. D. ; George L. Levee, S. S .; Joseph A. Campbell, J. S .; William J. Parker, tyler. Charter members: William H. Sampson, George L. Levee, Martin Ennis, S. P. Cowgill, William J. Parker, D. S. Parkhurst, Ed. ward Dearing, Jonathan Foster, J. T. Price, Will- iam J. Ball, I. E. Ball and J. W. Skelton. Since its organization the Worshipful Master's chair has successively been filled as follows: Martin Ennis, J. T. Price, Martin Ennis, D. E. Price, J. N. Brock, A. W. Price, Samuel Spanogle, George L. Levee and W. U. Biggart. The lodge has now thirty-five mem- bers, and the present officers are: W. U. Biggart, W. M .; J. O. Baker, S. W .; W. H. England, J. W .; N. F. Lane, treasurer; L. F. England, sec- retary; A. C. Adams, S. D .; J. W. Skelton, J. D .; B. J. Fulton, tyler.

Phillips Lodge No. 92, A. O. U. W., was or ganized September 20, 1886, with the following officers and charter members: A. J. Spanogle, P. M. W .; Levi Cox, M. W .; J. D. Lucas, F .; E. L. Stephens, O .; J. C. Brannock, Samuel Spanogle, J. M. Gillespie, Charles Tompkins, B. F. Mc- Daniels, N. F. Lane, D. F. Roach, Alden Gar- wood, C. L. Crane, C. B. Edmunds. The presout membership is twenty-six, and the officers are: M. J. Peterson, M. W .; F. R. Reiter, F .; E. Rogers, O .; B. F. Webb, recorder.

Dad Lane Camp No. 971, M. W. A., was or ganized May 15, 1889, with the following-named officers and charter members: W. U. Biggart, V.

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C .; J. O. Baker, W. A .; J. C. Faught, E. B .; Mark Spanogle, clerk; Eben Rogers, W .; J. W. Hiler, E .; C. B. Coleman, S. The camp has a membership of twenty, the following-named being the officers: W. U. Biggart, V. C .; J. C. Faught, W. A .; J. O. Baker, E. B .; R. G. Mckibben, clerk; B. J. Fulton, W .; J. W. Hiler, E .; Eli Decker, S.

The Farmers' Alliance also has an organiza- tion and business association at this place, with 160 members. The officers are: J. W. Eaton, president; E. C. Purdy, vice-president; E. H. Ball, secretary, and August Baartz, treasurer.

Hamilton was surveyed and platted by J. F. and T. H Glover, in April, 1874, on the north- west quarter of Section 10, Township 10, Range 6. During 1874-75 it was an active, lively place, but after the location of the county seat at Aurora, the business houses were moved from Hamilton into the limits of its more successful rival. Hamilton consists now of less than a dozen residences and a school-house.

St. Joe was surveyed and platted in 1881 by Joe Skelton, and for a few years was an enter- prising little burg. The post-offices of Bunker Hill and Lincoln Valley were discontinued, and that of St. Joe established. In 1884 the Bur- lington & Missouri River Railroad was built through the west part of the county, and the town of Phillips located. The post office at St. Joe was then removed to Phillips, and most of the buildings of St. Joe followed. Maj. Skelton purchased the lots which had been sold, and on July 7, 1886, the commissioners on petition of Mr. Skelton, vacated the town, and it is now a | part of that gentleman's farm.

Farmers' Valley is a post-office point, at this time, and is the only one off the lines of railroad in the county. It is on Section 24, Township 9, Range 5, on one of the first farms located in the county.

Lerton, Alvin, Leonard, Case, St. Joe, Lin- coln Valley, Bunker Hill, Buckeye, Shiloh and Otis, were post-office points in the county, but have been discontinued.

A number of country churches have been erected

by the various religious societies throughout the county, many of them having regular pastors and a large membership. Of these the Russian Men- nonite (Rev. Peter Regier, pastor) is one of the larg- est. It was built in 1887 at a cost of $3,000, and is one of the strongest congregations, numerically, in the county.

The Danish Lutheran also have several large societies in the northeast part of the county, with an aggregate membership of 200 families. There are also four Swedish, four German Lutheran, one Baptist, one Catholic, one Presbyterian, one Con- gregational, one Methodist, one Christian, one Evangelical, and one United Brethren.

The county is in good financial condition, the bonded indebtedness being small, and a large por- tion of that being already provided for by the ac- cumulation of a sinking fund.

While a few "sod" honses remain, relics of the early days, the farmers, as a rule, have good, sub- stantial frame-houses and barns, which give evi- dence of the thrifty class of people by whom the county has been settled. Already-although but twenty-three years have elapsed since the first homesteader camped on the Blue- the well-fenced farms, fine, thrifty orchards, elegant dwellings and large, substantial barns will compare favorably with those of the best agricultural counties in the older States, and if the past is an indication of the future, it will be but a few years until " Little Hamilton " takes its place in the front rank among the agricultural counties of the United States.

B. F. Anderson, farmer and stock-raiser, Au- rora, Neb. Mr. Anderson is a man who has arisen to considerable prominence in the affairs of Ham- ilton County, not less in agricultural matters than in other circles of active business life. At this time he is the possessor of 200 acres of land one and one-half mile east of Aurora, and in con- nection with farming is engaged in raising a good grade of stock. He has made a great many im- provements on his place, and take him all in all is about as comfortably situated as any man in the county. He was born in Greene County, Pa., in

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1837 and was the third of six children, all deceased but a brother who now lives in La Salle County, Ill., born to the union of Samuel and Eleanor (Mahannah) Anderson, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was born about 1800, was a cooper by trade, and early in life emigrated to Western Pennsylvania. He was a large man, over six feet tall, and was hardy and strong. He was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and was a Jackson Democrat. The mother died in Illinois. Grandfather Anderson and also Grandfather Mahannah were natives of the Emerald Isle. B. F. Anderson grew to manhood in La Salle and Fulton Counties, Ill., and received his education in the subscription schools. He then farmed in that State, and in 1866 was married to Miss Kate Yost, a native of the Keystone State, of English-Dutch and Scotch descent. Mr. Ander- son then removed to Page County, Iowa, where he remained until 1880, and then emigrated to his present farm in Hamilton County. He has a fine place and is one of the representative citizens. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Republican. His family consists of four children, three girls and one son: Frank, Laura. Leona, and Ella (who died at the age of thirteen years).

John N. Brock, farmer, Bromfield, Neb. The name that heads this sketch is that of one of the pioneer settlers of this county, and whose life here has been such as to win him the respect and esteem of all who are favored with his acquaintance. He owes his nativity to Allegany County, N. Y., where his birth occurred in 1838, and is the son of David and Eliza (Pittsley) Brock, natives of New York. The maternal grandfather, G. F. Pittsley, was a native of the Green Mountain State and was the son of John and Polly (Evans) Pittsley. The mother of our subject is still living and makes her home in Brown County, Neb. John N. Brock en- listed in the United States service in 1862, in Com- pany B, Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went directly to Memphis, Tenn., where he engaged in the battle of Holly Springs. He was then in the battles of Island No. 10, Stone River, Nashville and Chattanooga. In the spring of 1863

he returned to Tallahoma, Tenn., remained there three months, and then took part in the siege of Vicksburg. He was sick most of the time after this battle until August, 1865, when he was mus- tered ont of service. Mr. Brock moved from New York to Erie, Pa., when five years of age, remained there until the fall of 1849 and then came to Belvi dere, Ill., where he remained until 1850, and then moved to Wisconsin. From there he came to Nebraska in 1873, settling in Hamilton County, where he bought a claim and began improving it. In 1875 he brought his family here. He was mar- ried in 1861 to Miss Adelaide Bailey, a native of Pennsylvania, and they had eight children: Sarah, Anna (deceased), Charles, Frank, Alva, Bell (de ceased), Myrtie and Velma. Aside from his agri- cultural pursuits Mr. Brock is engaged in the real- estate business and has been quite successful at this. He is a Republican, was justice of the peace eight years, has been supervisor and a member of the school-board. Mrs. Brock is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Hon. John Nelson Cassell. In giving an nu- thentic history of the business interests of Aurora, Neb., and her capabilities for supplying the de- mands made npon her by the surrounding country, mention must not be omitted of the coal and ice in- terests as conducted by Mr. Cassell. He was born in Frederick, Md., on May 21, 1835, being a son of George and Sarah (Nelson) Cassell, the former a farmer and native of that State, and a son of George Cassell, the latter's father being a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, who made a settlement in America prior to the Revolutionary War. The principal occupation to which this family seems to have given their attention is that of agriculture, although we find members of the family successful professional men, merchants and artisans Mrs. Sarah (Nelson) Cassell was born in Maryland, and was a daughter of Rev. Burgess Nelson, of the Methodist Episcopal faith, who was born in Eng- land, this family, like the Cassells, being of excel- lent constitution and long lived. John Nelson Cassell, about 1840, removed with his parents neur Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood on a farm, acquiring a good edu-

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cation in the common schools, with a collegiate training at Madison College, Uniontown, Pa., from which institution he was graduated in 1859. He afterward became principal of the high schools of Mount Vernon, Ohio, but resigned this position to devote his services to his country, and after assist- ing in raising Company G, Twentieth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, he was chosen its captain, and served faithfully for two years. Owing to impaired health he then resigned and returned home, having taken an active part in the engagements at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, Shiloh, and in all the engagements of the Atlanta campaign. After re- covering his health he recruited Company A, One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and went with it to the front, but was again compelled to return home owing to failing health. In order to recruit his declining energies he came west in 1868, and sought a home in Nebraska, and for about ten years was actively identified with the business interests of Lincoln. While a resident of this city he was elected a delegate from Lancaster County, to serve in the State Constitutional Con- vention of 1871, and filled this responsible position in a very creditable manner. Since 1878 his home has been in Aurora, and in 1879 he served as ser- geant at-arms of the State Senate. He is the owner of a fine farm in this county, on which is a large artificial pond which furnishes him with an abnn- dance of ice, and this and the coal business keep him busily employed the greater part of the year. He built a fine business block in the town in 1884, and is also the owner of some fine residence property. He, in serving his second term as a member of the town council of Aurora, has just been elected mayor of the city, by a very flattering majority, and is president of the Big Horn Petroleum & Land Com- pany, the headquarters of which are at Aurora. He is a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chap- ter of Aurora and the Mount Maria Commandery (Knights Templars) of Lincoln. He has advanced to the Encampment in the I. O. O. F., and is prince of the Grant Orient Order and Sons of Malta. He belongs to Chandler Post No. 44, of the G. A. R., in which he has filled all the chairs, and ever since the organization of the Hamilton

County Agricultural Society he has been one of its heaviest stockholders, and served as its secretary two terms. He was married near Mount Vernon, Ohio, to Miss Jennie Stigers, whose death he mourned in 1889, she having been in full com- munion with the Congregational Church at the time of her death. She now reposes in the ceme- tery at Fredericktown, Ohio. Mr. Cassell formed a second marriage union with Mrs. Emma Winters, nee Ross, a native of Missouri. They have a daughter named Aurora. Mr. and Mrs. Cassell worship in the First Congregational Church.

C. H. Evans, veterinary surgeon and farmer, Stockham, Neb. Mr. Evans is another of those of foreign birth who have come into this county and made for themselves a comfortable home, be- coming respected citizens of the community. He was born in Ireland, on March 14, 1830, and was the son of Matthew and Nancy (Wier) Evans, both natives of the Emerald Isle. In October, 1830, the family emigrated to the United States and set- tled in Pennsylvania. The father died in Iowa on April 21, 1888, but the mother is still living, resides in Hamilton County, Neb., and is eighty- four years of age. The father worked for ten years in the iron works of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of eight children, C. H. being the second in order of birth. The latter was reared to farm labor, and in September, 1864, en- listed in Company E, Second Iowa Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was with Sherman to the sea and was a faithful soldier. After residing in Iowa for seventeen years he came to Hamilton County, Neb., in 1877, and settled on his present property, which consists of 560 acres of land. He was married in 1853 to Miss Mary A. Brown, a native of the Keystone State, born on July 23, 1833, and to them have been born ten children: Rosila A. (born in 1853), Eleanor (born in 1855), Charles S. (born in 1857), Lincoln A. (born in 1860), Violeta V. (born in 1862), Emer- son (born in 1864), Amanda L. (born in 1866), Lyman K. G. (born in 1869), Abigail (born in 1874) and Mura (born in 1876). In politics Mr. Evans is a Republican, and socially he is a mem- ber of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. He is a

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member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been very successful in agricultural pursuits, and for twenty-five years has been veterinary sur- geon. His commodious two-story residence, barns, granaries, etc., besides a fourteen-foot wind mill of the Halliday make, give evidence of his indus- try and thrift.

Jonathan Foster, farmer of Scovill Township, Hamilton County, Neb., residing on the north- east quarter of Section 12, Township 9, Range S, was born in Jennings County, Ind., in 1825, and is now one of the prominent and influential citi- zens of this community. He was the son of Jared and Mary (Branhan), the latter being a native of Kentucky, and the father was born in Gen- esee County, N. Y., in 1805. Jared followed the cabinet-maker's trade in his younger days, and later worked at building and contracting. He was a millwright. He was married in 1822 or 1823 to Miss Branhan, who died about 1835, leaving six children. The father was married four times and became the father of twenty-four children. He is still living and resides in Jefferson County, Ill. The maternal grandfather of our subject, John Branhan, was a native of the Blue Grass State. Jonathan Foster spent his school-boy days in In- diana, whither his father had moved from New York State, and in 1845 started out to make his own way in life. He was married the same year. He followed the carpenter trade for some years in Indiana, moving to Jefferson County, Ill., in 1861, where in connection with his trade he carried on farming. The same year he enlisted in Com- pany K, Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry, first as a private, and in 1864 was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant, then first lieutenant, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. Some of the battles in which he participated were as fol- lows: Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Nashville and Corinth. He was in a number of skirmishes and was a brave and capable officer. After being discharged in December, 1865, he came to Illinois and there fol- lowed his trade successfully for many years. He then emigrated to Nebraska in 1873, settling in Hamilton County on his present farm consisting of 160 acres, improved this, and now has one of the

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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