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 44

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 44
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 44
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 44
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 44

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George B. Johnson, manager and principal stockholder, also secretary and treasurer of Hastings Electric Light & Power Company, was born in Owego, N. Y., November 20, 1862, and is the son of William and Caroline (Herrick) Johnson. The father was born in the Empire State, and died in Hastings, Neb., in 1886, at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother was born in Pennsylvania, and is now a resident of Hastings, and is sixty-four years of age. George B. Johnson was the sixth of eight children by his father's second marriage, and received a common school education, The family moved to Hastings, Neb., in 1876, and George B. assisted his father in the duties of the farm until twenty-one years of age, after which he engaged in the grain business in the employ of H. M. Oliver & Co., and later with W. M. Vastine. In the fall of 1886 he embarked in the business for himself, and continned the same until 1889, being very success- ful. In 1887 he also engaged in his present busi- ness which has, through his untiring efforts, been bronght up from one of no consequence and loss of money to a thriving and successful standard. It is now a well established plant. Mr. Johnson selected as his companion in life Miss Anna Cook, of New York, who became his wife in 1886. They have one child, Irene Lois. Mr. Johnson is a Republi- can in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is one of the progres- sive citizens of Hastings, and a man of unusual business ability.

William A. Jones, farmer and stock raiser, Hast- ings, Neb. , came originally from Middlesex County, Coun. , where his birth occurred in 1830. He is the son of William B. and Caroline (Stark) Jones, na- tives of Connecticut. The father followed agricul- tural and mechanical pursuits all his life in Connect- icut, and died in that State in 1877. The mother died many years ago. William A. Jones attained his growth in his native State, and there received the rudiments of an education. Subsequently he attended Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass. , and also attended commercial school under the tutelage of Nicholas Harris, at Hartford, Conn. He was then engaged as secretary and treasurer of a manufacturing company at Torrington, Conn., re- maining there a number of years, and in 1856 he moved to Knox County, Ill., locating at Altona, where he was engaged in teaching school. After remaining thus employed for six years he moved to Toulon, Stark County, where he taught one year. He then returned to Altona, where, in 1864, he was appointed superintendent of Aurora schools, remain- ing in that capacity for six years and giving excel- lent satisfaction. Mr. Jones was married in Litch- field County, Conn., in 1852, to Miss Caroline E. Wilson, a native of that county, and the daughter of Darius and Clarissa (Treadway) Wilson, natives of Connecticut. Mr. Wilson was a mechanic by trade, was married in Connecticut, and in 1860 moved to Knox County, Ill. He and wife both died at the age of eighty years, he in 1880 and she in 1881. The maternal grandmother of Mrs. Jones, Aurelia (Gil- lette) Treadway, remembered seeing Gens. Wash- ington and Lafayette. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Jones was Stark by name, and he was a de- scendant of Gen. Stark. In 1870 Mr. Jones was elected president of the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Hante, Ind. He was the original organizer of the same. He remained with this institution until 1880, when he resigned. Although it started with an enrollment of sixteen pupils, at the above mentioned date it numbered 600, and was in a flour- ishing condition when Mr Jones resigned. In 1883 Mr. Jones moved to Adams County, Neb., where he has since made his home. He takes an interest in politics. His first presidential vote was cast for

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Gen. Scott, Whig. He voted with the Republican party from its formation until 1888, when, accord- ing to conviction, he became a free trader, voted with the Democratic party and was a candidate for State Senator. By his marriage Mr. Jones became the father of five children (four living): Mary Eliza- beth, died in Indiana at the age of sixteen years; Walter, married, and resides in Hall County, Neb .; Winthrop, Albert and Carrie, at home. Mr. Jones takes an interest in educational affairs, and his chil- dren have had the advantages afforded by good schools. He is one of the progressive farmers and stock raisers of the county, and is universally re- spected. When he first came to Adams County, Neb., Mr. Jones purchased 320 acres of land with 250 acres under cultivation, and to this he has since added 160, making 480 acres in this and Hall Counties. He has made many improvements in the way of buildings, and makes a specialty of the dairy business. His barns will shelter 100 head of cattle and twenty head of horses.

Thomas T. Jones, farmer and stock raiser, Paul- ine, Neb. Among those who have been a witness to the growth and development of the country in the last seventeen years stands the name of Thomas T. Jones, who settled on a tract of land, 160 acres, on Section 30, Little Blue Township, on March 10, 1873. He erected a dug out and sod house com- bined, and commenced improving his place. He was born in Wales in 1846, and was the eldest in a family of eight children born to the union of Thomas T., Sr. , and Ellen (Owens) Jones, natives of England and Wales, respectively. The father was a farmer and laborer, and remained in the old country until 1881, when he came to Adams County, Neb., where his death occurred in 1884. The mother resides with our subject. The latter, when a boy, was a farm laborer, and later was en- gaged in slate quarrying. Previons to coming to the United States, on August 14, 1869, he was married in Wales to Miss Margaret Davies, a native of that country, and the daughter of Pierce and Jane (Williams) Davies, also natives of Wales. Her father, when a young man, worked in the slate quarries, and later became manager and slate mer- chant. He died in Wales, in July, 1882. The

mother is still living and resides in Wales. Thomas T. Jones, Jr., in June, 1871, took passage on n steamer at Liverpool, England, and after a pleasant voyage of ten days landed at New York, and from there went to Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa, where he was engaged at farm labor. There he re- mained until coming to Nebraska as before men -. tioned. He has added to his farm from to time, and is now the owner of 560 acres, all in a good state of cultivation, and has it nearly all paid for. Ile is also engaged in raising a good grade of stock, and fattened a car load last year. He is a Republi- can and is active in politics, is a member of the board of supervisors, and is now serving his third term, two in succession. Ile and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in their district, and are much esteemed members of the same. To . their union have been born nine children, six now living: Thomas, Jennie, David, Nellie, Ann and Pierce. Three died in infancy. Mr. Jones passed through the grasshopper raids of 1874 and 1875, and everything looked discouraging, but he was not a man to be disheartened. He kept at work and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Campbell D. Jones, farmer and stock raiser, Blue Hill, Neb. The carcer of Mr. Jones illustrates to a marked degree what can be accomplished where the qualities of industry and close application are supported by a willful determination to move forward in the affairs of the world, and a willingness to do himself what others might leave for some one else to perform. Born in Crawford County, Pa., in March, 1852, Mr. Jones is the son of Charles and Sarah (Oliver) Jones, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively. The father was a suc- cessful farmer and moved to Knox County, Ill., where he located in 1861. He was a contractor on the railroad, and died about 1862. The mother died about 1872. Campbell D. Jones was reared and educated in Illinois, and from there moved to Nebraska in 1872, where he homesteaded a farm. He was one of the first to take a claim in Silver Lake Township, and he afterward went to Saline Township, where he remained about five months. He then returned to his claim and in 1873 put perma- nent improvements on the place which he has made

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his home ever since. He has 160 acres all well cultivated, and has the requisites for a comforta- ble and happy home. He had about fifty acres in corn last year and forty acres in small grain. He was married in Adams County December 26, 1880, to Miss Sarah Mattock, daughter of Robert Mattock, and a native of Kalamazoo, Mich., although she was reared principally in Iowa, and was but fourteen years of age when she came to Nebraska. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born three children: Katie, Ernest and Robert R.

James C. Kay, a leading citizen of the " Queen City" was born in Yorkshire, England, and like all his countrymen he possesses an unlimited amount of pluck and enterprise. His birth occurred June 23, 1826, he being a son of John and Ann (Cousins) Kay, who were also born in England, in 1776 and 1780, and died in New Haven, Conn., in 1857 and 1862, respectively. James C. Kay is the tenth of their eleven children and is the only one now living. In the year of 1846 he emigrated to the United States, and for almost one year he was a resident of York State, after which he removed to Connecticut, where he made his home for about eleven years, learning the moulder's trade in the meantime. In 1857 he came West, or to what was then the West, and purchased a farm in Lafayette County, Wis., and was there actively and success- fully engaged in tilling the soil until 1881, when he came to Hastings, Neb., having previously purchased property here. He has been actively engaged in buying and selling real estate since his sojourn in Hastings, and is now the owner of two excellent farms in Adams County, near Hastings, besides nine houses, twenty-one improved lots, an interest in two of the leading business houses in the city, and one- half section near Culbertson. He has made his own way in life and his start was obtained by working in a foundry. He is one of the most enterprising men of Adams County, and is highly esteemed by all. In 1888-89 he was a member of the Adams County board of supervisors, and took a leading part in the affairs of that body, and to him must be ac- credited the first work in the erection of the Adams County court house. In 1854 he was married to Miss Caroline Burgess, who was born in England,

January 10, 1830, and was brought to the United States in 1848. They have seven children: Harriet E., James B., Henry D., Albert U., Charles F., Ida S. and Minnie H. A son, John W., died in 1881 at the age of fourteen years. Mr. Kay is a stanch Republican in his political views, and in 1874 was made a Mason at Darlington, Wis., and became a Knight Templar in Mount Nebo Com- mandery in Hastings in 1883, being present at the Masonic conclave which was held in Washington, D. C., in the fall of 1889. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P.

Alvin H. Keller, pharmacist and physician, was born in Clarion County, Pa., April 4, 1853, and is a son of William Keller, who was born in 1818, also in the "Keystone State," and died there in 1883. His wife, formerly Catherine Kratzer, is a Pennsyl- vanian, born in 1832, and is now a resident of McCook, Neb. After attending the public schools for some time Dr. Keller became a student in the Clarion Institute, and at the age of sixteen years began serving an apprenticeship at the drug busi- ness in Oil City, Pa., and after acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business he had charge of a drug store in Philadelphia for six years. Here, in 1876, he graduated from the Philadelphia School of Pharmacy, and the following year took a special course in physics and clinics in the same city. In 1879 he determined to see what change of location would do for him in the way of acquiring wealth, and he accordingly came to Nebraska and took up his abode in Sutton, where he conducted a success- ful business for two years. He next entered the Omaha Medical College, from which he graduated in 1883; then returned to Sutton, continuing his former occupation, and built up an extensive and paying trade. He, however, disposed of his stock of goods in 1885 and located in Hastings, and in addition to carrying on a drug store has been en- gaged in practicing medicine for the past three years, and makes a specialty of urine analysis and the analysis of well and spring water. He is considered one of the best chemists in the State, and has com- piled charts of chemistry and pharmacy, materia medica and perpetual clinical index. He is the orginator of the Keller Medicine Company, and is

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one of the foremost members of the medical fra- ternity in Adams County, and keeps thoroughly apace with the times, being a warm advocate of further advancement in the science. He is a Re- publican. In 1880 he was married to Miss Martha E. Brown, by whom he has two children: Edith M. and Samuel A.

William M. Kelley, farmer and stockman, Ayr. Neb. William M. Kelley, whose life has been an active one, and who has by his own industry and in- telligent management secured a substantial footing among the citizens of this community, was born in Cass County, Ind., in 1844, and there he received a fairly good education. His parents, John P. and Margaret M. (Payne) Kelley, were natives of the Buckeye State. The father was born in 1816, and was a cabinet maker by trade, which occupation he continued, in connection with the carpenter trade, until his death, which oceurred in Nebraska in 1876, whither he had moved in 1871. He was a successful business man and was a man who held a number of public offices in Stark County, Ind. The mother died in Adams County, Neb., in 1889. She was a member of the Christian Church, and he was a Uni- versalist. Their children were named as follows: Harriet (deceased), Samuel, William M., Sarah and Scott. William M. Kelley started out in the battle of life for himself in 1866, and the year following was married to Miss Mary C. Speelmon, the daughter of Peter Speelmon, of Indiana. Mr. Kelley followed cutting timber in Indiana until 1871, and then emi- grated to Nebraska, and was one of the very first settlers of Adams County. He entered 160 acres of land, and in connection with farming hunted and trapped for the first six or seven years after coming to the State. This he found paid him well. The last buffalo Mr. Kelley shot in Adams County was in 1874. He has killed many antelopes and trapped beaver, mink and otter. His married life has been blessed by the birth of six children: Marion, Philip, Wilbur, Hartford, Winnifred and Lena. Mr. Kelley is a Democrat and takes a great interest in political matters. He has been a member of the school board in District No. 9, Zero Township, and as a matter of course is interested in educational affairs. He has witnessed the entire growth of the country, and

has seen it change from a wilderness inhabited by Indians to its present prosperous condition. In 1872 he shot a buffalo in his door-yard, about thirty feet from where his house stands. He is one of the wide-awake farmers of the community, has his farm well stocked and has a fine orchard, together with plenty of small fruit. During 1888 he farmed 275 acres of land, and in 1889, 330 acres. Mr. Kelley is a natural musician and is a fine performer on the violin. Ilis children all inherit a taste for music. and they have an orchestra in their family of five pieces. Ile is taking pains to give each of his chil- dren a good musical education.

James M. Kent, a member of the firm of Kent & Courtright, of Kenesaw, Neb., and one of the prominent business men of that place, was origin- ally from Kendall County, III., where his birth occurred in December, 1844. He passed his boy- hood days with his parents, and as they were pio- neers of two States his educational advantages were limited. Upon obtaining his majority he began farming, and in 1873 came to Nebraska in company with his two brothers, taking up a claim near Kene- saw. He is now the owner of 240 acres of land, and is one of the progressive and enterprising men of the county. In the fall of the last mentioned year he brought his family out, and from that time up to 1883 he resided on this farm. He then re- moved to Kenesaw and became a member of the present firm, purchasing the livery business of J. G. Hayzlett, the pioneer liveryman of Kenesaw. Mr. Kent is a member of the town board, has served as constable and deputy sheriff of Adams County, and is a man who takes a deep interest in all general improvement, especially in educational matters. In 1871 he was married to Miss Henrietta L. Court- right, a native of Clinton County, Iowa, and the result of this union has been six children, one son and five daughters: Estella V., born in Cedar County, Iowa; Mary E., Hattie H., Jessie R. M., James M. and Pearl L., born in Adams County, Neb. Mr. Kent is the son of ex-Senator J. I. Kent, of Cedar County, Iowa, and his wife, Mary (nce Fergusson). The parents first located in Ohio; in 1842 they moved to where Plano now stands in Illinois, and in 1852 moved from there to Iowa,

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and located in Cedar County, upon the farm he now owns.

Darwin C. Kerr is one of the intelligent and well posted men of Adams County, and since 1883 has been the owner of the Gen. Bowen homestead, which comprises 164 acres, and is situated one-half mile from Juniata. He was born in Lancaster, Erie County, N. Y., September 9, 1833, and is the sixth of nine children, five now living, born to Moses and Naomi (Sprague) Kerr, who were born in Scotland and Rhode Island in 1800 and 1803, and died in Erie County, N. Y., and Illinois, in 1854 and 1879, respectively. When quite a lad the father emigrated from his native land to Canada, and a short time later settled in Erie County, N. Y., where he fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer, and spent the rest of his days. Darwin C. Kerr received a common school education, bnt being of an enterprising dis- position he determined to seek his fortune in the West, and in 1854 emigrated to Minnesota, thence to Iowa, from there to Missouri, and from there to Parke County, Ind., where, in June, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fourteenth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, and served until December, 1862, when he was discharged on account of physical dis- ability. After regaining some of his wonted strength he became an employe of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, first as station agent at St. Augustine, Ill., then at Riverside, next at Avon, and still later at Galva. He was connected with the railway service for eighteen years, and was one of the popular employes of the Burlington road for many years. After giving up his work he farmed in Illinois for two years, after which he came to Adams County, Neb. He is a Republican in politics, and during 1888-89 was a member of the connty board of supervisors, and discharged his duties in a highly efficient manner. He was made a Mason at Avon, Ill., in 1866, joined the I. O. O. F. in Aurora, N. Y., in 1854, and is also a member of the G. A. R. October 8, 1865, he married Miss M. B. Vertrees,a native of Pike County, Ill., born No- vember 3, 1839, and a daughter of John and Nancy (Bradbury) Vertrees, natives, respectively, of Ken- tucky and Ohio. The father now resides in Gales- burg, Ill., aged seventy-eight years, but the mother

died in 1887 at the age of seventy-three. To Mr. and Mrs. Kerr the following children have been born: Mary E., born at Avon, Ill., September 15, 1866; Frank V., born at Avon, November 16, 1867, died at Avon March 6, 1869; Kate L., born at Galva, Ill. , October 6, 1869, now the wife of C. F. Royce, and Charles, who was born in Galva, Decem- ber 17, 1871. Mrs. Kerr is a member of the Christian Church.

Charles Frederick Keutzer, general merchant. This gentleman is identified with the business inter- ests of Adams County, and is a man of much en- ergy, push and enterprise. He was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, December 13, 1849, being a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hepting) Keutzer, who came to America in 1864, and made a home in Peru, Ill., where their death occurred February 5, 1872, and July 16, 1871, respectively, both being earnest members of the Reformed Evangelical Church at the time of their demise. The father was a merchant tailor by occupation, and upon his death left two sons: Charles F., the subject of this biography, and John George, who died in his twenty-eighth year at Peru. A half-sister, Caroline Yost, now Mrs. Keutzer, resides near that place. Charles Frederick Keutzer received a fair English education, and in his youth acquired a thorough knowledge of merchandising. After following the occupation of agriculture in Illinois, until 1878, he came to Adams County, Neb., and continued this calling until September, 1889, when he left his farm to engage in merchan- dising in Holstein, and here has built up a good trade. He was married in Peru, September 28, 1871, to Miss Mary Annie Peters, a daughter of Christian and Mary (Mueller) Peters, both natives of Germany, and by her became the father of the fol- lowing children: Oscar George, a student in a com- mercial college; Ottillia Rosina, Orwin Charles, Olinda Louisa, Ora Belle, Otto Henry, Gustav and Olga Augusta. Mr. and Mrs. Keutzer attend differ- ent churches, but in reality are believers in the doc- trine of the Reformed Evangelical Church. Mr. Keutzer has served on the school board of his dis- trict for many years, and has been justice of the peace two years, besides holding a number of other

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local offices of trust. Ile is a member of the Blue Lodge in the Masonie fraternity, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.

Matthew Klein, farmer and stock raiser, Rose- land, Neb. Among the many representative citi- zens of foreign birth in the county, none are more respected and esteemed than Mr. Klein, who owes his nativity to Prussia, Germany, where his birth occurred on February 2, 1843. He is the son of Nick Klein, a native of Prussia, who was married in the old country to Miss Barbara Klein, also a native of Prussia. The family emigrated to the United States in 1873, located in Ohio, where they remained for several years, and then moved to Kan- sas, locating at Beloit, Mitchell County. There the father died in 1889, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. The mother is still living and makes her home in Ohio. Matthew Klein was reared in Prussia, and learned the trade of mason and plasterer after coming to the States, whither he had emigrated in 1864. He first located in Lake County, Ind., but in 1868 went to Chicago, where he worked at his trade for nine years. He was there during the great fire in 1871, and six years later moved to Adams County, Neb. He located first in Hastings, where he resided for about four years, working at his trade, and then, in 1881, moved out to his place which he had bought when first coming there. He has 320 acres of fine land, all in one tract and under a good state of cultiva- tion. He has a comfortable home and all the con- veniences necessary to carry on the same. He was married in Hastings, Neb., in 1881, to Miss Katie George, a native of Prussia, where she was reared. To them have been born seven children: John, Mary, Katie, Mattie, Nick, Anna and Barbary. Mr. and Mrs. Klein are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a member of the school board.

W. Klingaman, farmer, Pauline, Neb. Mr. Klingaman, one of the pioneer settlers of Little Blue Township, and a man universally respected by all acquainted with him, owes his nativity to Colum- bia County, Pa., where his birth occurred in 1837, and remained on his father's farm until nineteen years of age. He then went to Philadelphia, where he learned the carriage-maker's trade, and from

there, in 1860, to Louisa County, lowa, settling near Columbus City, Iowa, where he continued his trade. lle was united in marriage at Lisbon. Linn County, Iowa, to Miss Mary A. Bussard, in 1863. a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Gotshalk) Bussard, natives of Penn- sylvania. The father is a minister of the Evangeli- cal faith, and quite a prominent man. He moved to Louisa County, Iowa, in 1856, and settled in Colum- bus City Township, in 1863 going to Lisbon, Linn County. From that time he devoted all his time and talents to the ministry. He is now located at Independence, Iowa. The mother died at Spring Run, Iowa, in 1878. After his marriage Mr. Kling- aman enlisted, at that place, on December 4, 1863, for three years, or during the war, and was mustered into service at Burlington, Iowa. He was assigned to the Western department, and was engaged in sev- eral hard fought battles, serving under Gens. Steele, Conby, Washburn and the famous Gen. Custer. He was honorably discharged at Austin, Texas, in Feb- ruary, 1866. Mr. Klingaman crossed the gulf to New Orleans, thence by river to Davenport, Iowa, where he was mustered out and received his dis- charge. After this he came to Adams County in 1876, where he entered a tract of land and set out a good orchard, at first living in a house built of logs and sod, but has now erected a good and substantial frame building. He owns 247 acres of land, and is engaged in the raising of stock. Ile is also one of the owners of a cheese factory, which he is engaged in running at Le Roy, and which is a very fine thing for the farming community. During the year 1889 Mr. Klingaman manufac ured 26,000 pounds of cheese. He is not active in politics but votes with the Republican party. Ile has been township treas- urer for two years. Ile takes an active interest in educational matters, and was a member of the school hoard for some time. Ile is a member of the G. A. R. Post at Ayr, being one of the charter members, and he is a strong temperance advocate. He and wife are Evangelical in belief. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Hastings Lodge No. 50. To his marriage were born ten children, eight of whom are now living: Oliver, engaged in the agricultural implement businesss at Blue Ilill, Neb. ; Laura, now

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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