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 130

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 130
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 130
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 130
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 130

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finest places to be found far or near. He has a flourishing young orchard and hus set ont a nice grove. Socially he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., and is a member of the G. A. R. Post at Bromfield. He is a Republican and a man interested in political matters of his county and State. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To their union have been born seven children, two sons and five daughters: Radie (now Mrs. Bain, residing in In diana), Mary (now Mrs. Smith, wife of Rev. C. L. Smith, a Methodist Episcopal minister), William J. (married Miss Sarah E. Brock), Mattie M. (now Mrs. Jones, residing in Jefferson County, Ill. ), John A. (married a Miss Anna Powell, now of Bromfield; he is a grain dealer at Bromfield), Lncy B. (now Mrs. Soward, residing in Wyoming Ter- ritory) and Gladys (a school-teacher in Hamilton County.

Israel Gibbons, farmer, Stockham, Neb. For many years, or since his location in this county, the reputation which Mr. Gibbons has enjoyed has been not only that of a substantial and progressive farmer, but of an intelligent and thoroughly posted man in all public affairs. He was born in Eng- land October 8, 1830, and is the son of Israel and Betsey Elizabeth (Lindsey) Gibbons, natives also of England, the father born in 1806 and the mother about 1789. The latter died in Illinois in 1864. Israel Gibbons, Jr., the only child born to the above marriage, came with his parents to America in 1832, settled in Canada, and there remained un- til twenty-one years of age. He then went to Win- nebago County, Ill .. made that county his home for eighteen years, and then removed to Iowa, where he resided until 1873. At that date he em igrated to Nebraska, settled in Orville Township, Hamilton County, and there resided until June 10. 1889, when he removed to Farmers' Valley Town- ship. He is now the owner of eighty acres of land, all well improved and two and a half miles from Stockham. He was married July 6, 1863, to Mrs. Ann Brown, who was born in Ireland in 1827, and whose maiden name was Evans. To this union were born the following children: Rnth, Jessie, Bettie, Maggie and Nancy. By her former mar

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riage Mrs. Gibbons was the mother of six children: Mary F., Helen A., Sarah E., Esther G., George S. and Arvilla. In his political views Mr. Gibbons is an independent Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln in 1860. He is an honorable man and one of the county's best citi- zens.

John W. Gray, grocer and dealer in general merchandise, Stockham, Neb. Among the im- portant industrial enterprises which contribute to the commercial standing of the thriving town of Stockham is the establishment of John W. Gray. This gentleman is a native of the "Blue Grass State," his birth occurring on January 23, 1841, and is the son of George W. and Ellen (Tipton) Gray, natives of the Old Dominion. The former is now living, but the latter died in 1852. When our subject was but two years of age his parents removed to St. Louis, Mo., and he there spent his boyhood. He accompanied his father to Clinton County, Ill., remained there about four years, and in 1862 went to Hancock County of that State, and was there married, June 9, 1867, to Miss Athena M. Stone, a native of New York, and the daughter of Joseph D. and Frances C. (Sutherland) Stone, natives of Vermont, who are now residents of Friend, Neb. After his marriage Mr. Gray con- tinned to reside in Hancock County, Ill., until 1869, when he emigrated to Nebraska, and re- sided in Saunders County engaged in farming until 1875, when he moved to Hamilton County. He located in Farmers'Valley Township, where he bought a grist mill, and ran the same until 1887. He then located in Stockham, having been appoint- ed postmaster of that place, and in connection with the post-office conducted a book, stationery and news store. On retiring from the office, in 1889, he added to his books, stationery, etc., a first-class stock of groceries. He is now doing a successful business, and is one of the leading merchants of the place. He and wife have two children: George Dexter (born November 30, 1864) and Azro C. (born July 24, 1868). Mr. Gray is a Democrat in politics.

Loren W. Hastings, editor and proprietor of the Aurora Republican, was born on the banks of

the Connecticut River, at Turner's Falls, Franklin County, Mass., February 26, 1835. He was the first son born to Richard and Betsey Hastings; three other sons, Lewis, Edmond and Lyman, and one daughter, Eveline, were born to them. Richard Hastings, the father of Loren W., was born in what used to be known as the Black River country, in York State, and Betsey Lee, his wife, was born near the town of Gill, Mass., the for- mer of English, and the latter of Irish extrac- tion, dating back to the Revolutionary Wars of 1776-1782, in which wars these names were well known, and figured most prominently as among the leaders of American Independence. The early life of Loren W. Hastings was spent on a farm, though his father for a number of years was a carder in a woolen-mill at a little village called Greenfield Factory Village, now Turner's Falls, but afterward the father purchased and operated a ferry boat above the falls, where he lived till he moved his family to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1852 or 1853. While in Massachusetts on the farm, the young man worked in the summer months and went to school in the winter. Six to eight dollars a month in those days was considered to be the best wages paid. After the young man was four- teen years of age he attended two terms of a select school four miles distant from his home, during the first of which he lived at home and walked four miles morning and evening; during the last term he worked for his board near the school. At the age of sixteen he moved west with his father and mother, two brothers, Edward and Lyman, and sister Eveline, his other brother, Lewis, having died at the age of twelve years. The family settled at Milwaukee in the spring of 1852. Loren was not content with his new home in the west, and soon went upon the lakes as a sailor before the mast. He sailed first from Mil- waukee, then from Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Ogdensburg and Kingston. He was gone from home three years, and on his return was grief- stricken to learn that his father, mother, brothers and sisters, there having been another sister born during his absence, had all been stricken down, and died by that terrible malady, the cholera, which

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had scourged the Eastern cities during the year 1854. Alone in the world, he now turned from the city on the lakes, known as the Cream City, and to this day so unpleasant has been the memory of that place where thirty-six years ago he sought in vain to find the last resting place, or even one who heard the last dying words of those most dear to him on this earth, that he has never cared to return. Loren went again upon the lakes as a sailor, and soon after drifted down on the Missis- sippi and Ohio Rivers. There as a steamboat- man, by his knowledge of the ropes gained while upon the lakes, he soon rose from a common deck hand to the position of mate of a mail packet, the "Lady Madison," plying between Cincinnati and Madison, on the Ohio River. From here he went on the Mississippi, and from there in the summer of 1856, being sick with the chills and fever, he went to live in the city of Rock Island, III. In Rock Island he engaged as runner for the City Hotel, one of the largest hotels in the city, and it was here he cast his first vote, which was for John C. Fremont for president, but not, however, until he had sworn in his vote, having been challenged by a Democrat, by whom he was well known, and who knew he was entitled to a vote, and who, to prevent his voting, attempted to have him arrested. Young Hastings had always inclined to be a Repub- lican, but if this was Democracy, he swore never to be a Democrat, and to this day he has kept his word. The next season he went to St. Panl, Minn., and engaged to pilot a raft down the Mis- sissippi River. At Port Byron he left the raft and went to Bureau County, Ill., and again worked on a farm for a living. Here at the age of twenty- three, he soon appreciated the need of a better education, and so after his day's work behind the plow, he attended a series of night schools, where in the winter of 1858-59 he became acquainted with Maseroa Abigail Matthews, and July 3, 1859, they were united in marriage. Here they resided, where on August 26, 1860, a son, Lewis Edward, was born to them. In the spring of 1861 they moved to Iowa City, Ia., where they were living when the war for the Union broke out. August 6, 1861, Mr. Hastings enlisted in the Sixth Iowa

Volunteer Infantry, his wife and babe returning to Bureau County, Ill., where they lived till the close of the war, and the return of the husband and father. On April 6, 1862, Mr. Hastings believing that he could render his country better service in the United States navy than in the army, went into the navy, and served on board the U. S. S. Ironclad "Cairo," on which vessel he partic- ipated in the capture of Island No. 10, the naval fight with the rebel Mississippi fleet above Fort Pillow, on the morning of May 10, 1862, the evac- uation of Fort Pillow on June 4, 1862, the naval engagement with the entire rebel fleet before Memphis, June 6, in which the entire rebel fleet with the exception of one fast ram was sunk or captured, the bombardment of Haines' Bluff in the Yazoo River, above Vicksburg, in December of the same year, in which engagement the old "Cairo" was blown up with a torpedo planted in the river by the rebels. When the "Cairo" was blown up December 20, Mr. Hastings alone, after every other gunner had left the gun-deck of the sinking vessel, elevated, pointed and fired the last gun ever fired from the old "Cairo," after which he made his way to the spar deck, just in time to escape from the doomed ship, by plunging over- board into the river, where he was received by a shower of bullets from the rebels on shore. Other gunboats were now coming up and opening fire on the rebels, and driving them back, while small boats picked up the "Cairo's" crew. About January 1, 1863, Hastings, with one or two others. was ordered for duty on board the U. S. S. "Cricket," when for meritorions conduct at the sinking of the "Cairo" he was promoted to the rank of quartermaster. In June, 1863, his enlist- ment expiring, and not having seen his family for nearly two years, he took the discharge he was entitled to, and visited his wife and children, a girl, Julia Iona, having been born to them during his absence. After a short visit he returned to the navy, and July 5, 1863, received his commis- sion as master's mate, U. S. N., and ordered for duty on board the U. S. Ironclad " Carondelet." where he served till April 1, 1865, when he was promoted to an ensign U. S. N. and assigned for

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duty to the U. S. S. " General Price," a steamer captured from the rebels at Memphis, in June, 1862. In July, 1865, he was detached from the " General Price " and ordered to duty as second in command of the U. S. S. " Pearta," where at the close of the war, December 25, 1865, he was honorably discharged with the thanks of the Navy Department. After the war was over Mr. Hast- ings returned to Mineral, Bureau County, Ill., where his wife was then living, and where on Sep- tember 3, 1863, Julia Iona, the little daughter, had died. No other children were ever born to them. They lived here but a short time, and then in 1868 moved to Des Moines, where they lived in Polk County till 1870, when they came to Ne- braska, and settled on Section 2, Township 10, Range 6, west of the sixth principal meridian, on Lincoln Creek, about two miles east of what is now the city of Aurora, being the first white set- tler in Aurora Precinct. Here they lived till 1875, when death removed the wife and broke up the home. Mr. Hastings now rented the farm and went to Harvard, where he was again married to Miss Annie E. Peterson, of Lafayette, Ind., and in the spring of 1877 returned to Aurora, and took editorial charge of the Aurora Republican, having purchased a half interest in the paper in the spring of 1875, of F. M. Ellsworth, an attorney of Seward, Neb., and who at that time also owned a part in the town site of Aurora. Mr. Hast- ings continued to edit the paper and have the busi- ness management of it till 1878, when he came into full possession of the entire plant, since which time it has been greatly improved, and is now located in a fine large new brick building, on the south side of the square, built expressly for it, and fitted up with steam power, Hoe cylinder, and Gordon presses, with one of the best job offices in the State. Mr. Hastings is a member of Zach Chandler Post No. 40, G. A. R., and also a mem- ber of Hamilton Lodge No. 60, I. O. O. F., of Aurora. He is also a pensioner for injuries re- ceived in the defense of his country and his coun- try's flag.

Chauncey Jones was born in Hinsdale, Catta- raugus County, N. Y., September 3, 1829, being a

son of Chauncey Allen and Harriet (Terrill) Jones, the former of whom was a farmer by occupation and a native of York State, his father being also Chauncey Allen Jones, whose progenitors were among the early settlers of that State. The Ter rills were of old Connecticut stock. Chauncey Jones, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared to a farm life, and was engaged in that and the lumbering business until 1869, when he came west and located at Nebraska City, remaining there until 1880, at which time he came to Aurora and has since kept a hotel, at which he is doing well. He was married in Crawford County, Pa., to Miss Maggie Bostwick, a native of Cattaraugns County, and a daughter of Henry and Mabel (Hayward) Bostwick, who were also born in that county, the former a farmer by occupation and a son of Truma Bostwick and Malinda (Smith) Bost- wick, belonging to an old and highly honored family of that State. Mabel Hayward was a daughter of Josiah Hayward, a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had a family of two sons born to them: Clifton A. (who is attending a commercial college at Lincoln, Neb.) and Chauncey Clayton.

Alonzo Lewis, farmer, Stockham, Neb. The history of every community is made up, so far as its most interesting features are concerned, of the events and transactions of the lives of its promi- nent representative citizens. In any worthy his- tory of Hamilton County an outline of the life of the subject of this sketch should not fail to be given, together with a sketch of his family. His parents were Daniel T. and Candace (De Wolf) Lewis, natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively. The mother died in Michigan March 13, 1884, but the father is still living and resides in that State. Alonzo Lewis was born in Michi- gan January 31, 1837, and was the third of seven children, four of whom are living, born to his parents. He was reared to the arduous duties of the farm, received the rudiments of an education in the common schools, and supplemented the same by a course at Hillsdale College. In February, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served three years, eight

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months and twenty days. He was wounded at Yorktown first and again in 1864. He was dis- charged at the city of Washington in November, 1865. He is now the owner of 160 acres of land, and on this farm the first election in Hamilton County was held. May 16, 1866, he was married to Miss Alvena Scofield, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1848, and the fruits of this union have been ten children: Minnie H., Daniel G., Ella A., Florence E., Lyman E., Alonzo D., Hattie E., Mand E., Ray V. and Le Verne G. Mr. Lewis is one of the old settlers of the county and a man eminently respected. He is a Republican in poli- tics and a member of the G. A. R.

Jason Lyon, farmer and stock-raiser, Trumbull, Neb. A life-time of hard, earnest endeavor in pursuing 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. Lyon among the truly respected and honored agriculturists in the county. He owes his nativity to the State of New York, his birth occurring in Chenango County, in 1833, and is the fourth of nine children, the result of the union of Daniel and Harriet (Carpenter) Lyon, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively. Daniel Lyon was born in 1807, and was the son of Cyrus Lyon. He was a farmer, and was married in Chenango County, N. Y., where he tilled the soil for a number of years. To his marriage were born the following children: Polly, Sarah (de- ceased), Cyrus Ralph, Jason, Myron D., Sarah Henrietta, William, Ezra and Ira. The father died in 1866, and the mother in 1870. Both were members of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Lyons was the daughter of Joseph Carpenter. Jason Lyon received his education in the State of New York, and started out to fight life's battles for himself in 1853. He first went to Sangamon County, Ill., near Springfield, and was there en- gaged in farming for some time. In 1856 he was married to Rasella Gould, a native of Greene Coun- ty, Ill., born in 1839, and one of ten children born to William and Hannah (Austin) Gould. Mr. Gould died in 1877, but his wife is still living, and resides in Hamilton County, Neb. He was a

broom-maker by trade, and was also a school-teach- er. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which his widow holds membership at the present time. In 1863 Mr. Lyon enlisted in Company I, Seventy-third Illinois Infantry, and participated in some of the principal engagements: Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Dan Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Altoona, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Frank lin, Nashville, and many other engagements of note. He enlisted as a private and was discharged as second sergeant in 1865. He was ruptured on the battle ground of Chickamauga. After the war Mr. Lyon followed agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1872, when he came to Lancaster Coun ty, Neb., and there cultivated the soil for one year. In the spring of 1873 he came to Hamilton County, Neb., settled on land given him by the government for services during the war, improved the same, and now hns a fine place of 160 neres. He is also engaged in raising a fine grade of stock, Polled- Angus cattle and Poland China hogs; also Clydesdale and Norman horses. In connection with agricultural pursuits Mr. Lyon has been en gaged in the wind mill business for the past twelve years, and has also been successful in this. He takes a decided interest in all laudable enterprises, has helped to organize School District No. 35, and has been a member of the school board. He has always voted with the Republican party, and is B member of the G. A. R. at Trumbull. He was elected justice of the peace in 1875, and has held that position for about ten years. To his marriage were born nine children: Alice D. (died in 1885), Frank M. (in Missouri), Alfred S., William D., Harriet L., Charles J., Maggie I., Sarah E. and Lawrence L. Mrs. Lyon is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Isaac Wells Schoonover is the proprietor of a well-known livery, feed and sale stable, located at Aurora, Neb., and although born in Pike County. Ohio, Jannary 20, 1817, he has identitied himself with the interests of Hamilton County, Neb., since locating here, and is considered by all to be one of its most valuable residents. He is a son of James and Laura (Wells) Schoonover, who were also born

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in the "Buckeye State," the former a carpenter by occupation and a soldier in the late Civil War. His father, Hiram Schoonover, was a native of Old Virginia, and removed to the State of Ohio during a very early period of its history. Mrs. Laura (Wells) Schoonover was a daughter of Rich- ard Wells, whose birth occurred in the State of New York. Isaac Wells Schoonover was reared to manhood in his native State, and was initiated into the mysteries of farm life during his youth, but in 1872 determined to seek his fortune in the

West, and accordingly came to Nebraska in that year, and located in Beaver Township on a farm, which he continued to till until 1884, when he engaged in the livery business. His stable is well arranged and admirably adapted for the success- ful conduct of his affairs, and being energetic, straightforward and polite, he commands a con- stantly increasing patronage. He was married in Pike County, Ohio, to Miss Mary A. Hyatt, a na- tive of Scioto County, Ohio, but in 1888 buried his wife at Aurora, Neb., she having borne him four sons and one daughter: James E. (in the mercan- tile business), William J. (a blacksmith by trade), Effie May, and Lee and Clyde (at school). Mr. Schoonover has since married Mrs. Julia E. Cro- foot, nee Burton, who was the mother of one son and two daughters by her first husband: Thomas, Clara and Nollie Crofoot. Mr. Schoonover has served in a number of local offices.

Hon. Daniel A. Scovill. The magnitude of the real-estate interests in this city and the inces- sant activity in the market have enlisted the serv- ices of many of its most responsible men, and among the number is Mr. Scovill, who besides being engaged in this business is interested in collecting and insurance, and is now holding the office of justice of the peace and that of police judge of Aurora. He was born in Stephenson Coun- ty, Ill., near Freeport, June 6, 1841, and is a son of Herman R. and Julia A. (Rogers) Scovill, who were born near Catskill, N. Y., the father a worthy tiller of the soil. He was a son of Amasa Scovill, who was a soldier in the War of 1812 from York State, the latter's father being a native of France, but came to America with Marquis de Lafayette,

and served under that worthy general in the war for American Independence. He afterward settled on a farm near Catskill, N. Y., where he spent the rest of his days. The name was originally De Scoville, and the family were noted for their lon- gevity, and were people of medium stature. Julia A. Rogers was a native of York State, a daughter of Daniel Rogers, who was born in the "Granite State," and whose ancestors in all probability came to this country prior to the Revolutionary War. About the year 1839 Herman R. Scovill with his wife and daughter removed to what was then "the West," and settled on a farm near Freeport, Ill., and here his family was reared. His son, Daniel A., became familiar with the details of farming when very young, but upon the breaking out of the late Civil War he left the plow to offer his services to his country, and in September, 1861, became a member of Company A, Forty-sixth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and did honorable and active service until March 28, 1866, when he returned to his Illinois home with an honorable discharge as a veteran of the above-named com- pany. He was twice wounded while in the service, once by a gun-shot in the left leg at Shiloh, and had an ankle broken by a fragment of shell at Champion's Hill. During the entire war he was only out of service for three months, this time being spent in the field hospital before Vicksburg. He started in as a private and did duty as first duty sergeant at the time of his discharge. He was at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, second battle of Iuka, second battle of Corinth, Champion's Hill, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, Chicka- manga, Chattanooga, Nashville, Fort Spanish, Fort Blakely and Mobile. After the war Mr. Scovill returned home, and in 1868 went to Mount Morris Seminary, where he spent two collegiate years, and the following year came to Hamilton County, Neb., and settled in the precinct that now bears his name, where he engaged in farming. In 1876 he was elected to the position of county sheriff, moved to Aurora, and ably filled this posi- tion for two years, after which he was elected to the State Senate from Hamilton and York Counties, in which capacity he also served two years, retir-

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ing to engage in his present calling. In 1889 he was elected to represent this county in the Twenty. first General Assembly, the duties of which he is now discharging very efficiently. He is a member of the G. A. R., having held nearly all the offices in Chandler Post No. 44, and he also belongs to the Old Settlers' Association of this county. As a man of business his ability is unexcelled, and being of unquestioned integrity, those who intrust their interests to him may rest assured they will receive the most prompt and careful attention. He has been identified with the county's interests for many years, is a recognized authority as to present and prospective values, and counts among his cus- tomers many of the principal investors and prop- erty holders. He is also engaged in managing the old homestead in Scovill Precinct. He was mar- ried at Freeport, Ill., to Miss Lizzie Wheeler, a native of York State, by whom he has one son and four daughters: Edith E., Effie A., Olive M., Clarence R. and Grace E. He is a steward and trustee of the Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is also a member.

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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