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 43

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 43
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 43
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 43
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 43

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).

S. M. Hoagland, farmer and stock raiser, Hast- ings, Neb. It is a fact unnecessary of denial that a person is better fitted to follow the occupation with which he became familiar early in life than to engage in an undertaking learned in later years. This truth is borne out by the career of Mr. Hoag- land, who from a boy has known all the minute de- tails of agricultural life. To this acquired know- ledge may be added a natural faculty for that call- ing, for his father, John Hoagland, was also an agriculturalist, and a very successful one at that. The elder Hoagland was a native of New Jersey, born in 1789, and by his marriage to Miss Rachel Mctler, became the father of twelve children: Jonathan J., Matilda, William, S. M., Elizabeth, Mary, Jonas, Harris (was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg when twenty-two years of age), John P., Emeline, Angeline and Annie (who died in in- fancy). Mr. and Mrs. Hoagland were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former died in Pennsylvania in 1856, and the latter at Hastings, Neb., in 1889. S. M. Hoagland received the rudi- ments of an education in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and subsequently attended Dickison · Seminary, after which he was engaged in teaching and clerking. He selected for his companion in life Miss Mary Davis, of Welsh and Pennsylvania Dutch descent respectively, and the daughter of John and Mary (Rarrig) Davis, and was united in marriage to her in 1858. The result of this happy union was the birth of eight children: Georgiana, now Mrs. Dillow; John, a member of the fire department at Hastings; Rachel E., in Chicago; Milton, a grocery-

259

ADAMS COUNTY.

man at Hastings; Clark, at home; S. Grant, at home; Ella C. and Frankie, at home. Mr. Hoag- land purchased a farm in Pennsylvania and there re- mained until 1875, when he moved to Lee County, Ill. After farming there until 1878 he emigrated to Adams County, Neb., and settled on the prairie, where he now resides. He bought 160 aeres of railroad land, all now under cultivation, and at the present time one of the finest tracts of land to be found in the county. He has a fine house, a good substantial barn, and all the modern improvements. He has made a success of farming in Nebraska, and likes the State and people. He is a strong advocate of the temperance question, and is one of the leaders. He is at present holding the office of assessor of his township, and it is his fifth time. He has been on the school board; has been justice of the peace, and is a man who takes an interest in all things for the good of the country. He has always been a Republican, and his vote was cast with the Prohibition party last election. He and Mrs. Hoagland are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

W. C. Hodges, farmer and stockman, Le Roy, Neb. Mr. Hodges was born in Mentor, Lake County, Ohio, in 1831, and is the son of Erastus and Lavina (Utley) Hodges, both natives of Massa- chusetts, and born in 1808 and 1817, respectively. The father left his native State and went to Ohio, in 1818, with his parents, Cimnion and Petty (Burnett) Hodges, and was here married about 1829 to Miss Utley. To this union were born these children: W. C., Benjamin F. and James H., the last two now residing in Ohio. Erastus Hodges was a Republican in his political views, and was a delegate to the con- vention that nominated Martin Van Buren for Presi- dent in 1844. He was deeply interested in political matters, but did not let it interfere with his farm- ing interests. He died in 1884, and the mother in 1878. Our subject's mother was the daughter of Hamilton Utley, and the sister of Col. Wil- liam L. Utley, of Racine, Wis. W. C. Hodges assisted his father on the farm and received his education in the schools of Ohio. About 1852 he started out for himself as a carpenter and followed this trade for some time. In August, 1861, he en-

listed in Company B, Forty-first Ohio Infantry, and participated in some of the principal battles: Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and was drum major of the Forty-first Ohio Regiment, for one year. Hle came home in 1865. Ile was married while home after his first enlistment to Miss Ellen Hawes, daughter of Enos and Betsey (Morton) Hawes, all of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Hodges reared four children: Lou M., now Mrs. L. R. Fowler; Leon E., married to Gertrude Rosenburgh and resides at Cleveland, Ohio; Willie C. and Lavina. Mr. Hodges followed tlie carpenter trade and was also postmaster at Ford, Geauga County, Ohio, for eighteen years. In 1884 he emi- grated to Adams County, Neb., bought one-half of Section 36, on the east, and has greatly improved the same. He votes with the Republican party, was a member of the State convention in 1888, and has attended the county convention a number of times. In 1888 he was elected township supervisor and has held that position ever since. During 1886 he was justice of the peace of the township. He is a mem- ber of the school board and a first class citizen. His wife died in Nebraska in 1889. She was born in Ohio in 1839. He is a member of the G. A. R. at Ayr.

Carl Robert Hohlfeld, farmer, stock raiser and blacksmith, Holstein, Neb.' Among those in this country who have come from other continents and have made for themselves homes, the men of Ger- man origin and birth should not be overlooked. Carl Robert Hohlfeld, a native of Saxony, Germany, was born on January 12, 1843, and is the son of Carl G. and Christina (Kinzel) Hollfeld, both na- tives of Germany. The family emigrated to the States in 1847, loeating first in Wisconsin, Sheboy- gan County, where they remained until 1873, when in the fall of that year they moved to Nebraska, and settled in Adams County. There the father died in 1885, but his wife is still living. Carl Robert Hohlfeld was early taught the duties of farm life in Wisconsin and Illinois, and in the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the Ninth Wisconsin Infantry. He was in active duty until discharged, at the expiration of his term of service, January, 1865, with the rank of corporal. Ile was in the battle of Prairie Grove,

260

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

Ark., also in the battles of Gen. Price's raid and in many skirmishes. After the war he returned to Wisconsin, and soon after moved to Illinois, where he remained until coming to Nebraska in 1873, being the first settler of Cottonwood Township. He has now 400 acres of good land all in a state of cul- tivation, and has an orchard of some 200 trees, from which he got about eighty-five bushels of apples last fall (1889). He was married in Illinois, in March, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Wiegant, a na- tive of Hesse, Germany, and the daughter of Con- rad Wiegant, a native of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Hohlfeld were born seven children: Fred, Gus- tave, Bertha, Henry, Charles, Anna and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Hohlfeld are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a member of the G. A. R., and a Democrat in politics. He was elected supervisor in 1888 and served two terms, and has also been a member of the school board.

Charles Hohlfeld, farmer and stock raiser, Rose- land, Neb. On November 17, 1849, in Milwaukee, Wis:, there was born to C. G. and Christina H. (Kinzel) Hohlfeld, a son, who is taken as the sub- ject of this sketch. The parents were born in Saxony, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1848. They located in Wisconsin, where they resided until 1873, and then moved to Nebraska and settled in Adams County on a farm. There the father died on May 25, 1885, but his wife is still living. Charles Hohlfeld was reared to mature years in Sheboygan County, Wis., and remained with his father until fifteen years of age, when he went to Illinois, and there worked on a farm with a brother-in-law. He remained in that State for about ten years and then, in 1873, moved to Nebraska, arriving in Adams County in November of that year. In the spring of 1874 he was afflicted with fever sores on his left limb, and was obliged to have this amputated at Omaha in the following spring. Although he has but one leg Mr. Hohlfeld has carried on his farm and has been very successful. He has his place well cultivated and has 160 acres of land in one tract, all in a good state of cultivation and about four miles from Roseland. He has good buildings on his place, a young bearing orchard, some small fruits, etc. Mr. Hohlfeld is Democratic in his polit-

ical views and adheres firmly to that party. He was elected assessor in 1879 and re-elected in 1887, and has made two assessments of Roseland Township. He was elected clerk of the township in 1880 and re-elected in 1888 and 1889. He was a candidate for Representative at one time, and received a very flattering vote, having run ahead of his ticket. Mr. Hohlfeld was married in Adams County on October 20, 1882, to Miss Anna M. Bunde, who was born and reared in Prussia, and who was a daughter of Ludwig and Caroline Bunde. To Mr. and Mrs. Hohlfeld was born one son: Oscar Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Hohlfeld are members of the Lutheran Church and he is a member of the I. O. O. F.

U. C. Holderman, farmer and stockman, Trum- bull, Neb. This enterprising citizen resides on Sec- tion 12, West Blue Township, Adams County, Neb., where he homesteaded 160 acres of land in the spring of 1873. He was born in Cedar County, Iowa, on December 6, 1844, but was reared in John- son County of that State. He was the youngest of three children born to Christian and Mary (Coe) Holder- man, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Indiana. When a young man the father went to Ohio, from there to Iowa, where he was mar- ried, and where he carried on the milling business, on Cedar River. He was both a millwright and a cabinet maker by trade, and his death occurred in Cedar County, Iowa, in 1845. His widow still sur- vives him and resides in Iowa. U. C. Holderman was educated in the schools of Johnson County, Iowa, was early initiated into the mysteries of farm life, and when it became necessary for him to start out in life he chose agricultural pursuits as his call- ing. In August, 1862, in Johnson County, Iowa, he enlisted for three years in Company A, Twenty- second Iowa Infantry, and was mustered into service at Iowa City. He was first assigned to the Western department and participated in the battles of Cham- pion's Hill and Vicksburg. He was transferred to the Army of the Potomac and was in the battle of Winchester, Fisher Hill, Cedar Creek, etc. He was discharged at Savannah, Ga., on July 6, 1865, and returned to Johnson County, where he was married, in 1868, to Miss Myra Morse, a native of Johnson County, Iowa, and the daughter of Nathaniel and

261

ADAMS COUNTY.

Emily (Parks) Morse, natives of New York and In- diana, respectively. Mr. Morse was a farmer, and settled in Johnson County, Iowa, in 1839, entered land and bought his property at the land sales in Dubnque. The father died in 1847 and the mother is still living and resides in Hastings. After his marriage Mr. Holderman remained in Iowa until 1873, and then, as before stated, moved to Adams County, Neb. He has improved his farm, planted groves, an orchard, and is now burning wood raised on the farm. He now owns 400 acres of good tilla- ble land, and besides his farming interests is also engaged in raising considerable stock, making a specialty of the Galloway breed. He is active in polities, votes with the Republican party, and his first vote was cast while he was in service during the war. He has been a member of the school board for about ten years, and takes an active interest in educational matters. He is a member of William H. Harrison Post No. 283, G. A. R., at Trumbull, Neb., and is adjutant of the Post. He and Mrs. Holderman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Trumbull. To their marriage have been born six children: Hubbard, Emma, Myra, Lydia, Miles and Grant. When he first settled in Adams County there was but one settler on the road to Hastings from his place, a distance of ten miles. He is practically a self-made man, having accumu- lated all his property by his own exertions.

Frank D. Hollingsworth, live stock dealer, Hast- ings, Neb. What is usually termed genius has lit- tle to do with the success of men in general. Keen perception, sound judgment, and a determined will, supported by persevering and continuous effort, are essential elements to success in any calling. One is led to these reflections by a study of the life of the above mentioned gentleman. Mr. Hollings- worth owes his nativity to Keokuk, Iowa, where his birth occurred on September 12, 1854, and is the eldest of five children born to the union of Zebulous and Mars'a (Davey) Hollingsworth, natives of Leb- anon, Ohio, and Terre Haute, Ind., respectively. The parents now reside at Keokuk, Iowa, and the father is engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is about sixty-seven years of age and his wife about sixty-three years of age. Frank D. Hollingsworth

first attended the public schools of Iowa, and later became a student at the Iowa State University, at Iowa City. At the age of sixteen years he began the stock business, buying and shipping, and suc- cessfully continued the same in his native State un- til 1885. Ile shipped to the markets of the South, and was one of the best known stock dealers in Iowa. He came to Hastings, Neb., in 1885, and has since continued the stock business, buying and shipping horses and mules to the South, and finding a ready sale in Georgia. For nineteen years he has been engaged in this business. November 16, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie, daughter of L. J. and Maria Rogers, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Rogers died in Hastings, Neb., in August, 1888, and the mother now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Hollingsworth. The latter was born in Salem, Iowa, on March 7, 1862. To Mr. and Mrs. Hol- lingsworth has been born one child, Elizabeth, whose birth occurred on March 28, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth have a pleasant home at 617 Saunders Avenue.

David J. J. Hornback is a worthy and represen- tative agriculturist of Adams County, Neb., and acquired his knowledge of the calling from his father, Jacob Hornback, who was also a tiller of the soil, and this knowledge of the calling was put to practical experience on the old homestead in Ken- tucky. Ile was born in Bath County of that State in 1832, and is the third of eight children born to his father's union with Elizabeth Bradshaw, who was a cousin of Gen. Bradshaw, and died in 1856. Jacob Hornback was a Kentuckian, and served throughout the Blackhawk War. The youth of David J. J. Hornbaek was unfortunately deprived of any favorable opportunities for obtaining an education, and he never received a day's schooling until after he was twenty-one years of age. When sixteen years old he went with his father to Illinois, they being pioneers of Menard County. Upon attaining his majority he began farming for himself, and after his father's death he took charge of the family, consisting of five small children, to whom he nobly devoted many of his youthful years, rear- ing them to maturity. He was married in 1857 to Miss Harriet Perkins, who died about a year later,

262

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

leaving an infant son, Samuel. About this time Mr. Hornback bought sixty acres of land, and was actively engaged in following the plow when the Rebellion broke out. In 1861 he enlisted in Com- pany E, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Fort Henry, Lamar, Pittsburgh Landing, both battles of Corinth, Holly Springs, siege of Vicksburg, and received his dis- charge at Springfield, Ill., September 16, 1865. He was in thirteen bloody combats and was twice wounded, first at Shiloh, and then at Champion's Hill. After the close of the war he returned to his farm, and on September 29, 1865, was married to Miss Sarah Ennis, a native of Maryland. Mr. Horn- back continued his farming operations in Illinois until 1876, when he traded his land for 243 acres in Hall County, and soon after moved on his new possessions, where he made his home for three years. Since that time he has resided in Adams County, Neb., and is the owner of 480 acres of land two miles west of Prosser. On this property he has erected good buildings, and 360 acres are under cultivation, well stocked, he owning ten head of horses and mules, eight head of cattle, and eighty head of hogs. In March, 1885, a party of robbers came to Mr. Hornback's house, thinking to secure money which he was supposed to have in his pos- session, and although a revolver was pointed at his head and he was threatened with instant death, did he not comply with their wishes, he firmly refused to give up a farthing of his money, and they were humane enough not to put the threat into execution. Mr. Hornback recognized them notwithstanding their disguises, and brought action in law against them, which resulted in their conviction. He has ever been a stanch Republican, and is a member of Prosser Post of the G. A. R. In addition to his farm he owns a business house and stock of general merchandise in Prosser, of which he became the owner in June, 1889, making his purchase of his son Charles D., who established the house in 1888. To Mr. Hornback and his wife the following family have been born: Samuel J., John C., M. E. Stan- ton, deceased; Dora, wife of Ed Duffy; Charles D., Isaac J., Wesley, M. Luvina, Sarah M., and fonr children who died in infancy unnamed.

H. A. Howe, postmaster, Ayr, Neb. Mr. Howe was originally from Cornwall, Litchfield County, Conn., where his birth occurred in 1847, and is the youngest child born to the union of Levy and Ercyn- tha (Spencer) Howe, natives of the same place as their son, and born in 1801 and 1802, respectively. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and followed this in the town of Cornwall for many years, or until his death in 1870. The mother received her final summons in 1862. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and in his political views the father affiliated with the Democratic party. Of the seven children born to their union, four are now living: Dyre, Levy, Eliza and H. A .; two died in childhood. and Cyntha died at the age of twenty-five years. H. A. spent his early life in his native State and received a fair education in the common schools. In the fall of 1876 he started West and spent the winter in Indiana. In 1877 he came to Nebraska, located in Adams County, six miles south of Juniata, and in company with a young man, Albert Peck, who came with him, bought railroad land which they farmed for two years. In 1879 Mr. Howe came to Ayr, and has been engaged in business here ever since. In 1884 he took the post office under Presi- dent Arthur's administration, and has held that posi- tion ever since. The country was new when he first came to Nebraska, and Hastings was but a small place. Mr. Howe has traveled a great deal, but is confident that there is no climate or soil to equal that of Nebraska. He has been successful since coming to this State, and now owns the land on which he first settled when coming here, 160 acres, all well improved. His success is chiefly owing to good business ability. Like his father, Mr. Howe is a stanch Democrat

Harm H. Idus, farmer and stockman, Hastings, Neb. Mr. Idus is numbered among the younger of the successful and rising agriculturists of this county, but none have a brighter future or will make better use of their advantages. He was born in Germany in 1850, and was the son of Harm G. Idus and Anna Idus, both natives of that country. The father's birth occurred in 1805, and he is still living in the old country, at Arick, Osfrigsland. The mother died in 1879. Their children were named

ADAMS COUNTY.

263

as follows: George, in Germany; Harm H. , and Ol- vert, died in Nebraska, in 1885. Harm Il. Idus spent his younger days in Germany, and in 1870 emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Livingston County, near Chatsworth, where he worked for a very prominent farmer. In 1874, when starting out for himself, it was but natural perhaps that he should choose agricultural pursuits as his calling in life, for his father before him had been very suc- cessful in this occupation, and had early taught Harm H. all the duties of the same. He rented land for three years, and in 1877 came to Nebraska, and bought railroad land, 160 acres in Ilanover Township, which he has improved very much since that time. He was married in 1873 to Miss Lizzie Dutten, daughter of John Dutten, and the fruits of this union have been five children: Johanna, John, Harm, Olvert, and Anna (deceased). Mrs. Idus lied in Nebraska, in 1881, and in 1882 Mr. Idus married Miss Lumke Johnson, daughter of John Johnson and E. Forke Bruns, who live in Glen- ville, Clay County, Neb. Mr. Idus has four chil- dren by his last wife: Lizzie, Attie, Minnie anu Frank. Mr. Idus has been quite successful since coming to this State, and is now one of the substantial and independent farmers of the town- ship. He has a fine lot of stock, especially some Durham cattle, and his place shows that thrift and energy have not been neglected upon it. He likes Nebraska better than Illinois, or any State in which he has hitherto resided, and is prominent in assist- ing in all enterprises for the good of the county. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

Peter T. Jacobsen, although just in the prime of life, has made his way to the front ranks among the energetic farmers of this county, and owing to the attention he has always paid to each minor detail of his work, he has accumulated a fair share of this world's goods. He was born in Denmark in 1847. being the third of eight children born to Jaeoh Peterson and Aganetha (Johnson) Jacobsen, who died in their native land in 1872 and 1878, respect- ively. The father was a successful farmer. Peter T. Jacobsen's first start out in life was to join the Danish Army in 1869, but at the end of eighteen

months he left the service and began tilling the soil, after which he followed overseeing, for Mr. Nelson, of Bakkaskoy, but in 1881 embarked on board a ship for the United States, and soon after landing came to Nebraska and purchased eighty acres of . improved land in Ilanover Township, where he has since made his home. In 1882 he married Anna Margaret Anderson, who had come from Denmark to the United States at the same time as himself, a daughter of Peter Anderson, and by her has two little daughters: Aganetha and Sedse Christena. Mr. Jacobsen has taken out his naturalization papers and expects to make this country his perman- ent home, being much pleased with the State of Nebraska, and especially with Adams County. lle takes a great degree of interest in the welfare and progress of his adopted county, and is ever found ready to assist worthy enterprises. Hle and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a deacon in the same.

Charles Jesse was born in Germany, in 1838, and was the eldest of a family of three children born to Charles G. and Susan (Kermes) Jesse, who were also born in the old country, the father's birth occurring in 1818. He died in 1848, having been an agriculturist by occupation, his wife's death occurring in 1885, both being members of the Luth- eran Church. Their children are: Charles, Minnie, who died in Germany, and August, who is follow- ing farming in his native land. Charles Jesse at- tended school in his native town of Sehonlante, and in 1857 came to the United States with the expecta- tion of bettering his financial condition, and set- tled in Marshall County, Ill., where he made his home for sixteen years. He first worked as a farm hand, then engaged in tilling the soil on his own account in 1865, but in the spring of 1873 he came to Adams County, Neb., and took up 160 acres of land in Zero Township. ITis farm now comprises 240 acres of fine land, and his property is excel- lently improved with good buildings, fences etc., and is also well stocked, his hogs numbering sev- enty-five and his cattle thirty. ITis property has been acquired through his own exertions, and he (leserves much credit for the admirable way in which he has baffled with adversity, for on coming to this

264

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

country he had but little means, was a stranger in a strange land, and was unacquainted with the English language. He is deeply interested in the welfare of his adopted land, and especially of Adams County and the State of Nebraska, where he expects always to make his home. He has been a member of the school board for eight years, belongs to the Farmers' Alliance, and is an earnest member of the Lutheran Church. His marriage to Miss Malinda Brewer took place in 1868, she being a daughter of John and Merinda (White) Brewer. She was born in Illinois, and by Mr. Jesse is the mother of the fol- lowing children: Edward, William, Mary, Palina, Joseph, Elmer, Birlie and Alice. The last two are twins.

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