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 39

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 39
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 39
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 39
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 39

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).

William H. Dillon, hotel proprietor, Hastings, Neb. It is a fact long since recognized as an axiom that nothing adds so much to the success and happi- ness of the community as a well kept hotel. It is, therefore, with pride that we accord the space in this volume for one of the best and leading hotels of the commonwealth. Mr. Dillon was originally from Delaware County, Iowa, where his birth occurred on December 16, 1841, and is the son of Gilbert D. and Mary (Schoonover) Dillon, natives of New York. The father was born in 1800, came to Iowa in 1836 and established the first bank at Dubuque. He was one of the pioneers and a leading citizen of Delaware County. His death occurred in 1874. The mother was born in 1815 and died on the old Iowa home- stead in February, 1875. Their family consisted of six children, William H. being third in order of birth. His boyhood days were divided between assisting on the farm and attending the common schools, where he received a fair education. Later he attended college at Epworth, and after finishing there he went to Dubuque, in March, 1864, and

clerked in a dry goods store for three years. After this he was on the farm two years, and then em- barked in the dry goods business at Worthington, Iowa, where he continued for two more years. Ha then sold out and for nine years was in the insurance business, being special agent and collector for a number of years for the Watertown Fire Insurance Company, of New York. In 1879 he engaged in the grocery business at Hopkinton, Iowa, and con- tinued at this until 1883, when he sold out and emi- grated to Nebraska. He purchased 160 acres in the Indian Reservation and later sold out, and in August, 1885, he came to Hastings. He continued at the insurance business until February, 1886, when he engaged in the hotel business and ran the New Eng- land House for one year, and ran the Commercial Hotel for two years. In February, 1889, he took charge of the Bostwick, and this he has since con- ducted. It has gained a just celebrity since coming under the present management, its trade taxing its accommodations to the utmost. A hotel could not be conducted in a manner more pleasing to its regu- lar customers and the traveling public. He was married in Magnolia, Iowa, in 1871, to Miss Nellie Hayward, the daughter of Rev. W. H. and Lydia Hayward, and the fruits of this union have been two children: Grace G. and Harry H. In politics Mr. Dillon is a Republican, and he is a member of the A. O. U. W.

Gen. Caleb J. Dilworth. In the history of Adams County, Neb., in its development, growth and prosperity, no man has taken a more prominent part than Mr. Dilworth. His career during life has been such as to give encouragement to young men without means, for his present competence has been gained only through his own efforts, and he is now well and favorably known throughout Adams County, where he is successfully occupied in the practice of law, being associated in business with a Mr. Smith, and his son William A. Dilworth. He was born in Mount Pleasant, Ohio, April 8, 1829, and is a son of Abraham Dilworth, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1793, and died in Rushville, Ill., in 1832, having settled in that State the year before, being a pioneer of Schuyler County. He was a lawyer by profession, having been admitted to the

237

ADAMS COUNTY.

bar at Steubenville, Ohio, as early as 1829, and for some time he was in partnership with W. A. Rich- ardson in the practice of his profession. The paternal grandfather of Gen. Dilworth, Caleb by name, was a native of Pennsylvania, and died at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, in 1832. Martha (Judkins) Dilworth, the mother of the immediate subject of this sketch; was born in Raleigh, N. C., in 1796, and died in Kansas in 1888. Gen. Dilworth began his legal studies at an early day, and in 1848 was admitted to the bar at Lewiston, III., where he re- mained practicing his profession until 1862, when he joined the Federal Army to assist in the preserva- tion of the Union, and went into the service as lieu- tenant-colonel, commissioned August 27, 1865, of the Eighty-fifth Illinois Infantry; was ordered to Louisville, Ky., and until the close of the war was in the Army of the Cumberland, and participated in the following bloody battles, besides many minor engagements not mentioned: Perryville (Ky.), Stone River, where he was commissioned colonel of the Eighty-fifth Illinois on June 18, 1863; Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and while on the Atlanta cam- paign was in the battles of Resaca, Rome, Pumpkin Vine and Kenesaw Mountain, after which, Novem- ber 15, 1864, he was commissioned brevet briga- dier-general, and was assigned to the Third Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, afterward taking part in the battle of Peach Tree Creek, and in the campaign ending at Jonesboro, where he was severely wounded in the neck. The winter of 1864 he spent in Chattanooga; then went to Coving- ton, where he remained until hostilities ceased, re- ceiving his discharge in June, 1865. He was severely wounded three times, but fearless in the discharge of his duty, a trusted and faithful com- manding officer, he was beloved and respected by all. Upon his return from the war he resumed the prac- tice of law at Lewiston, Ill., but in 1870 removed to Nebraska and located at Lincoln, two years later settling in what was then Phelps County, but still continuing his practice in the above named city. From 1873 to 1877, however, his practice was con- fined to Phelps County, and in 1874 he was elected district attorney for the Second Nebraska district, which then embraced the two southern tiers of

counties from the Missouri River to the Colorado line. After serving in this capacity two terms, in 1878 he was elected attorney general of the State of Nebraska, discharging the duties of this office also two terms. In the month of January, 1883, he came to Ilastings, and has since been a member of the legal firm of Dilworth, Smith & Dilworth, well known in Adams and many surrounding coun- ties. Gen. Dilworth has always been a radical Re- publican, and has ever supported the men and measures of his party. He has been very success- ful in the practice of his profession, and is now one of the weathy land holders of the State, being the owner of 2,600 acres of land in Phelps County. November 25, 1853, he wedded Miss Emily Phelps, a native of Missouri, by whom he has a son named William A., a member of the above firm.

Lafayette Dominy, farmer, Hansen, Neb. Mr. Dominy is one of the much respected and esteemed citizens of Adams County, and one of the pioneer settlers of the same, locating on his present farm March 2, 1876. He was born in Brookfield Town- ship, La Salle County, Ill., in 1844, and was the seventh of a family of nine children, the result of the union of Nathaniel and Philinda (Finch) Dominy, natives of New York. The parents were married in their native State, and in 1836 emigrated to La Salle County, Ill., where the father entered land and cul- tivated the soil. They were early settlers of that State and experienced some of the hardships en- dured by the pioneers. They came overland from New York, and after reaching this State were obliged to do their marketing at Chicago, when it took five days to make the trip. Mr. Dominy made that State his home until 1880, when he moved to Nebraska and settled in Hansen. His death oc -. curred in November, 1887. His excellent wife still survives him. Grandfather Dominy owned a farm on which was fought a battle of the War of 1812. He was an early settler of La Salle County, where he passed his last days. Lafayette Dominy was early instructed in the mysteries of farm life, and received his education in the schools of La Salle County, Ill. He commenced farming for himself in that county and was married in Brookfield Town- ship, of that county, in November, 1867, to Miss

238

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

Sarah A. Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Morgan and Mary (Kane) Smith, also natives of Pennsylvania. Her parents emigrated to Putman County, Ill., where they remained but a short time, and then moved to La Salle County, of the same State, and settled in Brookfield Township, where the father tilled the soil until his death in 1857. The mother is still living and resides in Jewell County, Kan. Mr. Dominy moved to Adams County, Neb., in 1876 and is now the owner of a good farm of 320 acres, and is also engaged in raising fine thoroughbred short horned cattle. He has a good orchard on his place and is prosperous and contented. He votes with the Republican party and is active in politics. He was township treasurer for some time and assisted in the organization of the townships. Mr. and Mrs. Dominy are members of the Presbyterian Church at Hansen. Their union has been blessed by the birth of six children, three of whom are now living: Charles M., Flora M., died in April, 1879, at the age of four years; Eva N., died in April, 1883, at the age of nearly four years; Edward M., Lewis M., died in May, 1886, at the age of fourteen months, and Arthur L. Mr. Dom- iny's market for years was at Hastings, but now his marketing is done three-fourths of a mile from his home.

Jesse Doty is a well known agriculturist of Adams County, Neb., and was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1840, being the eldest child born to John and Eliza (McBride) Doty, and grandson of Jesse Doty, one of the pioneers of Butler County, Ohio. John Doty was born in Ohio about 1812, and his early career was spent as a tiller of the soil, but he is now engaged in the livery business at Ox- ford. He and wife became the pareuts of five chil- dren: Jesse, Agnes, Aaron, Jane and Charley; but after her death in 1849 he (in 1850) married again, and became the father of five more chil- dren: Frank, George, William, David and Ida. He is a Republican in his political views. Jesse Doty, the immediate subject of this sketch, attended the schools of Oxford, and in 1862 enlisted in Company A, Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry, but after receiving his discharge at the end of three months he, in 1864, again entered the army, this time becoming a mem-

ber of Company B, Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry. During his term of service he took part in the fol- lowing engagements: Resaca, the Atlanta campaign, and on December 3, 1864, was taken prisoner at Statesboro, Ga., and for three months was kept in captivity at Florence. After receiving his discharge in 1865 he returned to Ohio and engaged in farm- ing, and was married the same year of his return to Miss Emeline Poyner, a daughter of Jesse M. and Emily (Jones) Poyner, the former born in Georgia and the latter in Ohio. Mrs. Doty was born in the " Buckeye State," in 1842, and by Mr. Doty has become the mother of the following children: Louis E., Homer A. (married to Miss Maud Hileman, of Hastings), Orlia, Spencer V. (who died in 1887), Ira R. and Jesse L. After his marriage Mr. Doty moved to Indiana, but at the end of seven years re- turned to Ohio, and in 1878 came to Otoe County, Neb., where he was engaged in tilling the soil until 1887, since which time he has been a resident of Adams County. He bought the farm where the present insane asylum is now located, but the same year sold out to the State and purchased his present property, an improved farm of 160 acres. He gives considerable attention to stock raising, and makes a specialty of Poland China hogs. His property has been acquired through honest and persistent endeavor, and his farm is admirably conducted. He is a Re- publican, a member of the G. A. R., and he and wife are members of the Congregational Church.

William A. Dilworth. A truth that must every- where be conceded is that keen perception, sound judgment and a determined will, supported by per- severing and continuous efforts, will surely result in success in whatever occupation one may be engaged. No young man possessing these qualities need go through the world unknown or poor. He is sure to reach the top, and if, as in the following case, the possessor be honest and moral, he need have no fears for his future. Among the younger mem- bers of the legal profession of Adams County, and one of its rising lawyers, is Mr. W. A. Dilworth, a member of the well known law firm of Dilworth, Smith & Dilworth. He was born at Lewistown, Ill., October 28, 1854, the only child born to the union of Gen. C. J. and Emily Dilworth. His early boy-

239

ADAMS COUNTY.

hood days were spent in his native town, where he attended the public schools. In 1870 he came with his parents to Lincoln, and entered the University of Nebraska. In 1877 he began the study of law, con- tinuing until he had attained a proficiency in the legal profession when he was admitted to the bar, in 1880, at Sidney, Neb., and immediately entered upon his chosen calling in Phelps and Dawson Counties, Neb., continuing there for two years. In 1882 he went to the Black Hills, and in connection with James W. Fowler opened a law office at that place, which, however, was discontinued the next year. He then came to Hastings where he organ- ized the firm of Dilworth, Smith & Dilworth, which has been continued successfully ever since, and where he has established a reputation, which for a young attorney is very flattering. In 1881 Mr. Dilworth was married, selecting as his life compan- ion Miss Alice Morton, a native of Michigan. This union was blessed with one child, a bright and inter- esting little girl named Maude. In secret societies, Mr. Dilworth belongs to the Masonic fraternity, is a Knight Templar, K. of P. and Modern Woodmen of America. In his political views he is a stanch Republican, but is too deeply engrossed in his pro- fession to take a very active interest in politics. He is a man of keen observation, great tact and shrewd- ness, a good lawyer, and enjoys a large and growing clientage, and is a very popular man.

George A. Dreitzler, liveryman, Hastings, Neb. This enterprising business man was born near War- saw, Ind., on September 27, 1865, and is the son of Jacob H. and Mary (Ertzinger) Dreitzler, the father a native of Germany and now a resident of Ne- braska. The mother was born in the United States, and died (in Indiana) when George Dreitzler was but nine years of age. The latter remained in Indiana until twenty-one years of age, and then emigrated to Hastings, Neb. , in July, 1887. He worked with his brother at the livery business for four months, and December 7, 1887, he bought his brother out and engaged in the business for himself. This he has since continued. He now has a well stocked livery barn, and holds the patronage of the entire neighborhood. It is situated on Third Street, between Denver and St. Joe Avennes. In politics

Mr. Dreitzler is independent, and supports those men who, in his judgment, are the best and most capable. IIe has made his own way in life and deserves the credit and respect of all.

William W. Dungan, furniture dealer, Hast- ings, Neb. Among American industries, that of furniture mannfactoring has come to occupy a first place, and our goods are to be found in every foreign market. Of late years the furui- ture factories of the West have distanced all competitors, and not only do they supply the whole Western continent, but dictate prices in Eastern markets, and control the trade of the South. `Mr. Dungan, one of the prominent men of business in Hastings, has been dealing in furniture in that place since 1889, and has a complete line of goods, and makes a specialty of upholstering. He was born in Lawrence County, Pa., on June 7, 1836, and is the son of Thomas H. and Jane (Witherspoon) Dungan. The father was born in what is now West Virginia in 1797, and died in Lawrence County, Pa., in 1872. He was by oc- cnpation a farmer. He was elected by the Whigs to represent Lawrence County, Pa., in the Lower House of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The mother was born in what was then Beaver County, but is now Lawrence County, Pa., in 1803, and died in Lawrence County in 1851. The paternal grandfather, Robert Dungan, was a Virginian by birth, and died in Beaver County when about eighty years of age. He was an uncompromising Aboli- tionist. Of the cleven children born to his parents, William W. was the seventh in order of birth, and six are now living. He was reared on a farm in Pennsylvania, and was a pupil in his native school, where he received a good practical education. In 1855 Mr. Dungan came west, and lived for a short time at Leavenworth, Kan., after which he went to Jasper County, Iowa, and there he attended and taught school until June, 1861. At that date he enlisted in Company B, Fifth Iowa Infantry, and September, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of captain of Company E, Forty-ninth United States colored troops, serving in that capacity until March 26, 1866, when he was mustered out of service as an efficient officer and a brave soldier. Returning to

240

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

Jasper County, Iowa, after the war, he engaged in tilling the soil, and this he carried on until 1873, when he emigrated to Hastings, Neb., and here has since resided. In 1878 he began the real estate business in Hastings, and continued the same until 1889, when he embarked in the furniture business, at which he has been quite successful. He was married on October 15, 1864, to Miss Bell Sturgeon of Jasper County, Iowa, but a native of Lawrence County, Pa., born January 13, 1846. Four chil- dren have been the result of this union: Harry D., Mamie W., William H. and Panl B. In politics Mr. Dungan is a Prohibitionist, and at one time represented what was then the Second ward in the city council. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. He is a member of the G. A. R., and is a pioneer of Hastings.

John P. Duncan is a prosperous grain, stock and coal merchant of Roseland, Neb., and is in partner- ship with his brother. He was born in Elgin, Ill., September 14, 1845, being a son of P. W. Duncan, a native of Ireland, who came to the United States in 1841 and settled in Illinois, having previously married in Hartford, Conn., Miss Bridget Kingsley, who died when John P. was an infant. The latter grew to manhood in his native State, and after reaching his tenth year was a resident of Savannah, and is principally self educated, the most of his knowledge of books being acquired since reaching years of 'maturity. He learned the stone mason's trade of his father, and after starting out in life for himself worked at this trade in Illinois up to 1870, coming to Nebraska in May of that year, and set- tling in Adams County, where he took up a home- stead in the southern part of the county, on the Lit tle Blue River, which place he still owns. Many fine improvements were made on this farm, which continned to be his home until 1887, since which time he has been a resident of Roseland, being one of the first business men of the place. He has al- ways held to the principles and supported the men and measures of the Democratic party, and for a number of years has held the position of supervisor of Silver Lake Township, and in 1888 was elected in Roseland Township for the same position. He was married in Iowa in 1878, and wedded his second

wife in Illinois in 1883, her maiden name being Bridget Loughran. A danghter blessed his first marriage, named Frances, and his second union has resulted in the birth of four children: Stephen P., Mary E., Anna and John William. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Eben L. Dutton, farmer and stock raiser, Hol- stein, Neb. Prominent among the esteemed and en- terprising agriculturists of the county stands the name of Mr. Eben L. Dutton, who was born in the village of Gray, Cumberland County, Me., on June 19, 1844, and who is the son of Henry Dutton, a native of the same State and county. Henry Dutton was reared there and there married Miss Catherine M. Dolley, who was also a native of that State and county. He was a builder and contractor, and re- sided in Cumberland County all his life, his death occurring in November, 1881, at the age of sixty- four. The mother is still living and resides on the old homestead. Eben L. Dutton passed his boy- hood days in his native county, and at the age of eighteen he began learning the mason trade, which occupied his attention for three years. He then went to Boston and was engaged in contracting and building for about three years, after which, in 1864, he came west to Illinois, located in Henry County, and was there interested with his brother in farming for two years. From there he went to Chicago and worked at his trade for three years, after which he emigrated to Nebraska in the spring of 1872, located in Adams County, six miles northwest of Juniata, and there tilled the soil. He improved three farms in Adams County, and in the fall of 1885 settled on his present tract of land, which he has improved and cultivated. He moved to Kene- saw in the spring of 1882, engaged in the hardware business, which he continued for three years, then sold out and moved to his present farm. He is the owner of 400 acres of land, all under a good state of cultivation, has a comfortable residence, good out-buildings, and is one of the prosperous men of the county. He rents some of his land, but still controls 120 acres near Kenesaw, and this year he has 65 acres in corn and 65 acres in small grain. In his political views Mr. Dutton affiliates with the Re- publican party, and has ever voted with the same.

241

ADAMS COUNTY.

Ile has held the office of township treasurer, also township supervisor for one or more terms, and has served as a member of the school board ten consecu- tive years. He was commissioned in the Nebraska National Guards as follows: First lieutenant Mounted Infantry, March 13, 1878; second lientenant of in- fantry, June 9, 1882, and as captain August 9, 1884. He is deeply interested in educational mat- ters, and is a liberal supporter of all worthy move- ments. He was married in Adams County, Neb., in May, 1875, to Miss Sylvia E. Thompson, a native of the Buckeye State, but who was reared and edu- cated in Iowa. The sketch of her father, A. S. Thompson, appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Dutton has been born one daughter, Lottie. Mr. Dutton is a Master Mason, and a man much es- teemed and respected.

Levi Eddy, farmer and stock raiser, Hastings, Neb. Mr. Eddy is one of the pioneer settlers of Adams County, Neb. , locating on Section 20, West Blue Township, on October 25, 1872, and is one of the progressive, intelligent and respected citizens of this community. He was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., in 1835, and was the eldest of eleven children born to the union of John and Nancy (Wheeler) Eddy, natives of Genesee County, N. Y. The father was married in his native State, was a farmer, and in 1853 moved to Walworth County, Wis., where he opened up a farm. During the war he moved to Rock County, Wis., and there tilled the soil until October, 1866, when he moved to Eureka, Kan., and died near Elk Falls of that State in 1879. The mother died at Cherryvale, Kan., in 1884. Levi Eddy was educated in the schools of New York, and under the training and influence of his father he was led to follow agricul- tural pursuits, which has been his chief ocenpation through life. He moved with his parents to Wal- worth County, Wis., in 1853, and from there, in 1859, to Bureau County, Ill., where he engaged as a farm laborer. In Angust, 1861, he enlisted in Lee County, Ill., in Company C, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, and was assigned to the Western Depart- ment. He was in the battle of Nashville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and in many skirmishes. He received a

wound at Nashville, Tenn. , on December 16, 1864, but returned to service in the same year, and was through the entire service. He was honorably dis- charged at Camp Butler, Ill., on November 4. 1865, returned to Bureau County, III., thence to Rock County, Wis. , and was married in Walworth County, Wis., in 1866, to Miss Isadore Wilkins, a native of Walworth County, Wis. , and the daughter of James and Hannah (Ferguson) Wilkins, natives of New Jersey. About 1840 her parents moved to Wal- worth County, Wis., being pioneers of that county, and there the father followed tilling the soil. He is still living, is eighty-four years of age, but the mother died in Wisconsin in 1877. After his mar- riage Mr. Eddy cultivated the soil in Wisconsin until coming to Nebraska in 1872, and here entered 160 acres of land which he immediately commenced to improve, erecting a good house and excellent ont buildings. He raises considerable stock, and is one of the wide-awake farmers of the county. Ile is not active in politics, but votes with the Republican party; is a member of the school board, being mod- erator, and has been road supervisor for years. He was here at the organization of the preeincts, first in Denver precinct, then Mr. Eddy took an active part in forming West Blue precinet, and later West Blne Township. Socially he is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and Mrs. Eddy is a member of the Metho- dist Church. To their happy union have been born ten children, eight of whom are now living: Ida (now Mrs. Ulmer, of Hastings), Rosa (died December 31, 1887, at the age of nineteen years), Warren Alice, Seba (died in 1885 at the age of eleven years), Dora, James, Ruth, Ira and Pearl. At the time Mr. Eddy built in Adams County there was no set- tlement between his place and Hastings, a distance of five miles, and the latter place was hardly a ham- let, containing one small wooden building with a number of sod cabins. Mr. Eddy has seen the com- plete development of the country, being one of the oldest settlers in West Blue Township, and has al- ways taken an active part in furthering all laudable enterprises for the good of the same.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co. Number of Pages: 820

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820