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 45

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 45
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 45
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 45
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 45

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).

270

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

Mrs. A. D. McNeer, of Blue Hill, Neb .; Joseph, in San Francisco, Cal .; Charles, Wesley, Burt, Frank, who died in 1884 at the age of five years; Lloyd Garfield, Raymond Bliss and Fred. Mr. Klingaman came to Nebraska with very limited means, and has made all his property by his own pluck and industry. When he first settled in Adams County, Hastings contained but two or three small stores and no bank. He mortgaged his team the first year for a sack of flour, but since then he has surmounted all obstacles and is in a very prosperous condition. He was the seventh son of twelve children born to the union of Jacob and Lydia (Furry) Klingaman, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a millwright and a bridge carpenter, and worked for the railroad, erect- ing bridges. He moved to Ohio in 1845, in Auglaize County, where he was engaged in tilling the soil. He was killed by a runaway team. The mother died in the Keystone State in 1842.

John Kohl, farmer and stock raiser, Hastings, Neb. Among the many prominent citizens of for- eign birth now residing in Adams County, very few, if any, are more respected than Mr. Kohl, who was originally from Rhineshire, Germany. His mother died when he was young and his father died in Illi- nois, in 1889. The latter, Jacob Kohl, emigrated to the United States, and settled in Boston in 1852, but moved from there one year later and settled in Mar- shall County, near Lacon, Ill. Of the seven chil- dren born to his marriage, John is the eldest, then Charley, Jacob, died in 1875; Fred, Henry, Michael and August. John Kohl was born in the old coun- try in 1842, and was nine years of age when his parents came to the United States. He secured a fair education in the schools of Boston, Mass., and in 1859 emigrated with his parents to Illinois. He began to fight life's battles for himself in 1863 as an agriculturist, and was married, in Illinois, in 1871, to Miss Mary Roth, a native of Woodford County, III., and the daughter of Christopher Roth. The fruits of this union have been four living chil- dren: Charley A., Frank F., Anna M. and Clara E. They lost two, Minnie and Elizabeth. Mr. Kohl emigrated to Nebraska in 1875, bonght eighty acres of land, and in 1889 increased this by an addition of 160 acres of excellent prairie land. He is one of

the progressive farmers of the county and owes his success to his own industry and perseverance. He and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church, in which they are active workers. He is a Democrat in his political views. He is interested in educational matters, and has been moderator for the school district in District No. 8.

Mortimer N. Kress, is a resident of Ayr, Neh. There are a number of men prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of the county, but none among them are more deserving of mention than Mortimer N. Kress. He owes his nativity to Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pa., where his birth occurred in 1841, and as early as 1865 he moved to Colorado, where the stirring life he ex. perienced on the plains is faithfully outlined in an- other part of this volume. He was a great hunter and trapper, and although he killed his last buffalo in Adams County, Neb., in 1873, he still continued to hunt and trap in Kansas, Colorado and Texas to 1880. He has spent seventeen years of his life on the plains, and as might naturally be supposed he has seen some exciting and stirring times. Many and interesting are the stories related by this gentle- man of the seventeen years spent by him on the plains, where his bed at night was either in the shadow of a camp-fire or frequently under the starry canopy of heaven. He is pleasant and agreeable in conversation, and is well known and respected among the old settlers of Nebraska to-day. At the time of the trouble with the Indians in 1873 he took quite a prominent part, and his name was in all the papers of the country. In 1880 he gave up his nomadic habits, and was united in marriage to Miss Helen Moote, whose acquaintance he had made while on a trip to Canada after coming west. She was the daughter of Isaiah and Mary A. Moote, of Canada. After marriage Mr. Kress ran a livery barn and hotel at Ayr, besides a store, and for some years past they have resided in that village. They are the parents of two children: Lena and Guy. Mrs. Kress is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In his political views Mr. Kress is a stanch Republi- can, and is interested in all the affairs of the county. He is a charter member of the G. A. R. Post at Ayr, and is at present the chaplain. He was elected

271

ADAMS COUNTY.

assessor of Ayr Township in 1889. Mr. Kress was the first settler in the county, and has been a wit- ness to the rapid development of the same up to the present time. As a hunter and trapper he is of more than local repute, and is acquainted with every foot of land for miles around. He is at present liv- ing in retirement in Ayr.

F. W. Lanfear, manager of the grain firm of Oliver & Baker, Hansen, Neb. Although Mr. Lan- fear in his active career thus far during life has not, perhaps, amassed the wealth that has fallen to the lot of others, he has gained to an unlimited extent the confidence and esteem always awarded integrity, honor and industry. He was born in Oneida, Knox County, Ill., in 1861, and came to Nebraska in the fall of 1882, where he entered the employ of the above mentioned firm. He was married in Hall Connty, Neb., in May, 1887, to Miss Ruby Free- man, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of David Freeman, who was originally from New York. Mr. Freeman moved from his native State to Illinois, and thence in an early day to Hamilton County, Neb., where he received his final summons. Mr. Lanfear is not active in politics, but votes with the Repub- lican party. He has seen a vast change in the coun- try since coming here, and has assisted in every laudable enterprise for the development of the same. Although young in years, he is one of the promising business men of Hansen, and has built up a good grain trade. He is the third of a family. of five children born to the union of William and Saloma (Carr) Lanfear, natives of New York. His father was a farmer and followed this oceupation in his native State until 1860, when he moved to Knox County, Ill., and there continued his former pursuit. His death occurred in 1877, but the mother is still living and resides in Knox County, Ill.

Ezra Langevin, president of the Wholesale Gro- cery Company, of Hastings, Neb., was born at Ver- chere, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, twenty- four miles below Montreal, on the St. Lawrence River, August 8, 1842. His parents, F. X. and Catherine (Girard) Langevin, were also born in Can- ada, the former's birth occurring in October, 1809, and his death in June, 1888. His grandfather, Vietor Langevin was also a Canadian, born in 1749,

and was a captain in the English Army, when Gen. Montgomery made his raid into that country in 1775. He died at the age of ninety-one years. The great- grandfather was a Frenchman, who emigrated to Canada in 1737, settling on a farm twenty-four miles below Montreal, on the St. Lawrence River, which farm has been in possession of the family up to the present date, a period of 152 years. Ezra Lange- vin is the eldest of ten children, and resided on the old homestead on the St. Lawrence until he attained his eleventh year, when he was taken to St. Hya- einthe, and in January, 1861, came to the United States, being a resident of Fort Edward, New York, until 1878. Since that time he has resided in Hast- ings, Neb., and has sinee given his attention to the grocery business, being for some time a member of the firm of Langevin & Plamondon. Since the fall of 1889, however, he has been in the wholesale grocery business under the title of the Hastings Wholesale Grocery Company, which is incorporated and has a capital stock of $20,000. He has a new business block located at the corner of First Street and Denver Avenue, which was built in 1889, and is very conveniently arranged, being 44x49 feet. Being compelled to make his own way in the world he has succeeded admirably, for which he deserves much credit. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1886 was elected a member of the city council from the First ward, and was re-elected in 1888, filling this position to the satisfaction of all concerned. October 6, 1879, he was married to Miss Octavia Guilmette, who was born in Assumption, Ill., October 10, 1860, and their union has resulted in the birth of four children: Arthur (born May 1, 1881), Victor (born June 7, 1882), Agnes (born April 19, 1885), and Florence (born January 15, 1890). Mr. Langevin and his wife are prominent members of the Catholic Church. His mother was born in April, 1818, and died in Canada in 1862.

Dirk G. Lay is one of the wealthy farmers and stoekmen of Hanover Township, Adams County, Neb., and like the majority of native Germans is thrify, industrious and frugal. Hle was born in Ilanover, in 1832, being the third child born to Geerd and Goeske (Huisenga) Lay, the former of

272

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

whom was a carpenter by trade, and a man of excel- lent business qualifieations, becoming quite wealthy by his successful business ventures. He died in his native land in 1875, followed by his wife in 1878, both having been members of the Reformed Church. The names of their children are as follows: Ulderk, Geertge, Dirk G., Lammert, Klaas, Twaantje Geeske and Sarah. Like all German youths Dirk G. Lay received a good education, and while still a resident of his native land was married, in 1858, to Miss Margaretha Bouwmann, by whom he became the father of the following children: George (mar- ried and residing in Hanover Township, the father of four children, Margaret, Menno, Katie and Johan), Albertus (married and also residing in Hanover Township, the father of two children, Dirk and Dena), Lammert (married, a farmer of Hanover Township), Simeon (who died in 1878), Aalerich and Katie. Mr. Lay came with his family to the United States in 1868, and settled in Illinois, but after a nine months' stay there emigrated to Iowa, and made a location in Grundy County, where he remained six years, following the occupation of farming. In 1874 he came to Adams County, Neb., and took up 160 acres of school land on a lease, and by good management and strict attention to every detail of farm work, he has now in his possession 800 acres of land, all well improved. Three years after locat- ing here he bought 160 acres at 88 per acre, and three years later purchased another 160-acre tract at about $11 per acre, and the following year pur- chased 160 acres more, paying the sum of $11 per acre for this land also, and in 1886 bought 160 acres at $27.50 per acre. He is a Republican, a man of keen business foresight, public spirited in every respect, and is a worthy member of the Pres- byterian Church, which he assisted in organizing and contributed liberally toward building. He was called upon to mourn the death of his estimable wife November 9, 1887, and is still living with his two children, Aalerich and Katie, on his farm which he first occupied.

Peter Lebrie, farmer and stock raiser, Hastings, Neb. This enterprising young agriculturalist is also numbered among the substantial and progres- sive citizens of the county, and .his thorough

familiarity with agricultural pursuits has placed him prominently toward the front among the farmers of the township. He owes his nativity to Canada, where his birth occurred in 1854, and is the son of John and Ellen (Hawley) Lebrie. The father was born in Canada in 1812, and followed farming the principal part of his life. To his marriage were born these children (four of whom moved to Ne- braska): Phero, Exivia, Exalia, Peter, Francis, Frederick and Edmond. Several died in infancy. Jolin Lebrie moved to Illinois in 1855, settled in Christian County and made that his home. Peter Lebrie passed his boyhood days in Illinois, and in 1874 moved to Adams County, Neb., where he now lives, and where he entered 160 acres of land, all now well improved. He chose for his companion in life Miss Eliza Ganreral, daughter of Prosper Gan- reral, and was united in marriage to her in Nebraska in 1878. To this marriage have been born four chil- dren: Henry, Anna, Lizzie and Eddie (all at school). There were but few houses comparatively in the county when he first settled here, but many and great have been the changes since then. He takes a deep interest in religious and educational matters, and, in fact, all laudable enterprises tending to the good of the county. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and in his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party.

Herman Lepin, proprietor of the Lepin Hotel, Hastings, Neb. In respect to hotels Hastings is especially favored, and to the traveler in these Western states the name of Lepin has about it the ring of a familiar and tried friend, for its reputation as a model house has extended far and near. The proprietor, Mr. Herman Lepin, was born in Germany in 1832, and Adams County is indeed fortunate in having among her foreign-born element men whose industry, strict attention to business, economy and perseverance have produed such substantial results in the different affairs with which they have con- nected themselves. He emigrated to the United States in 1852, located at Lowell, Lake County, Ind., and was engaged in mercantile business at that place for nineteen years, but also conducted a grist, saw and woolen mills for eight years of that period. In 1871 he was engaged as traveling sales-

ADAMS COUNTY.

273

man in the hat and eap business at Chicago, and in the fall of 1873 he removed to Hastings, Neb., as general agent for McCormick's harvesting machines, which position he filled for one year. After this he was engaged in the hotel business, but was burned out September 16, 1879, subsequently building his present hotel. He opened the same under the style of "Lepin Hotel" on January 1, 1880, and his honse is one of the most popular in the city. Ile has the best aeeommodations for forty persons, the service is polite and attentive, and everything makes it as comfortable as a home. He was married in 1864 to Miss Hermine Westermann, who was born in 1842, and they have one ehild, Louise. In poli- ties Mr. Lepin is a Demoerat, and socially he is a member of the A. F. & A. M.

Warren Letson, hardware merchant, Hastings, Neb. In giving deseriptive accounts of the sub- divisions of Hastings' trade, we find none occupying a more important position than that of the subject of this sketeh, Warren Letson. He owes his nativity to Kenton, Ohio, where his birth oeeurred on March 16, 1843, and is the son of C. B. and Jane (Huston) Letson. The father was a native of New Jersey, and died in Iowa in 1872 at the age of fifty-eight years. The mother was born in Pennsylvania, is now a resident of Nevada, Iowa, and is sixty-three years of age. Of the six children born to their union Warren Letson is second in order of birth. He came to Iowa with his parents in 1858, received a common school education, and in 1874 emigrated to Hastings, Neb., where until 1884 he was engaged in the lumber business. After this he embarked in his present business, under the firm name of Dallas & Letson, which continued for five years. At the present time Mr. Letson is alone in the business and is doing remarkably well. He selected as his eom- panion in life Miss Cella Baughn, a native of the Buekeye State, born in 1853, and their marriage was solemnized in 1874. They are the parents of three children: George A., Flora and Helen Frances. In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is one of the old settlers of the county.

George A. Lindsay, Kenesaw, Neb. Among the many citizens of foreign birth within the limits of Adams County is the subject of this sketeh. Mr.

Lindsay owes his nativity to Augushire, Scotland, where his birth occurred near Montrose on December 17, 1843. Ilis parents, John A. and Jane (Mitchell) Lindsay, were both natives of Scotland, where they lived and died. Their family consisted of three sons, George A. being the youngest. At the age of fourteen years he began to learn the machinist trade, serving an apprenticeship of seven years, after which he began working at his trade at Dundee, and there remained until 1868. Then, in company with his two brothers, Alexander and Thomas, he came to America and landed at New York. From there they journeyed westward and located at Irvington, Neb. ; thence to Washington County, Neb., where they took up land near Kennard. Thomas still resides there, but Alexander removed to California in 1889. George A. resided in Washington County, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1873, and then removed to Juniata, where he still con- tinued to till the soil until 1881. He then moved to Kenesaw and engaged with J. M. Sewell & Co., doing an extensive business in the buying and ship- ping of grain from this point. In 1873 he married Miss Ann Eliza Brosius, and the fruits of this union have been a son, Arkley N. B. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Kenesaw, and he is a trustee in the same. In his political views Mr. Lindsay affiliates with the Republican party. He comes of a sturdy line of ancestors, whose sterling integrity of purpose has manifested itself in his sueeess.

Alfred Linegar, farmer and stockman, Hastings, Neb. Mr. Linegar on starting out in life for him- self chose as his calling the file maker's trade, which he carried on for seventeen years. Later he en- gaged in the pursuit of farming, and to this end has put forth all his energies, and not without substan- tial results. He was born in Birmingham, England, in 1836, and was married in his native country about 1861, to Miss Mary Galliers, daughter of Ed- mond Galliers, a native of England. In 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Linegar crossed the ocean to the United States, first settled at Dwight, Ill., and there fol- lowed agricultural pursuits for one year. He then moved around for some time, but at last settled at Yorkville, Kendall County, Ill., where he remained

274

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

until 1883, cultivating the soil all the time. In 1883 he emigrated to Nebraska, located in Blaine Township, and there he now resides. He purchased 160 acres of land, only a few acres of which were improved, went to work on it and now has a good house, substantial outbuildings, cribs, etc., and has a nice orchard. To his marriage were born five living children: Ada (now Mrs. Huxtable, of Blaine Township), Ernest (died in 1886), William, Carrie, Alfred and Walter. Mr. and Mrs. Linegar are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are esteemed and respected by all who know them. Mr. Linegar takes much interest in the upbuilding of schools and churches, and lends a ready hand to all laudable purposes. He was the fourth of ten children born to Samuel and Mary (Bevens) Linegar, the father being a manufacturer of buttons in his native country (England). Both parents are de- ceased, the former in 1856 and the latter in 1887, and both in England. Their children were named as follows: Eliza (deceased), Harriet (deceased), William (residing in Blaine Township, Adams County, Neb.), Alfred, Edward, . Charles, Mary, Alice, Nellie and Fannie.

William M. Lowman has been identified with the interests of Adams Connty, Neb., for some time, and probably there is no man within its limits who is as extensively engaged in the real estate business as he. He first saw the light of day in Stark County, Ill., August 11, 1856, being the second of four living children born to Davis and Anne M. (Williams) Lowman, the former of whom was born in Highland County, Ohio, February 3, 1827. He was united in marriage in Knox County, Ill. , April 27, 1853, to Miss Williams, and made Stark County his home until 1878, when he settled in Hastings, Neb., and from that time until his death was one of the most active business men in this portion of the State, conducting a very extensive real estate busi- ness. He was universally respected as a man of sound judgment, strict integrity and progressive views, and in matters pertaining to the welfare and advancement of Hastings and Adams County he was ever ready and willing to do all in his power. Careful, prudent and economical, he was open hearted and generous withal, filled with the "milk

of human kindness," and his many acts of charity endeared him to the hearts of all who knew him. In the death of Mr. Lowman, which occurred in October, 1886, the city lost one of her best citizens, and the church to which he belonged an. earnest worker. Out of respect to his memory the mayor caused the following proclamation to be issued: "Out of respect to the memory of D. Lowman, who for eight years has been one of our most active and esteemed citizens, I most respectfully reqnest the business men of the city to close their respective places of business from 10 to 11 o'clock A. M., October 28, this being the hour of the funeral. Samuel Alexander, mayor." The widow of Mr. Low- man was born in England, and now resides in Den- ver, Col. William M. Lowman, whose name heads this brief sketch, received an excellent education in Wheaton College, of Wheaton, Ill., and later entered Eastman's National Business College, at Pongh- keepsie, N. Y., from which institution he graduated in March, 1877, coming the following year to Hast- ings, where he has since been dealing in real estate, in which work he was associated with his father until the latter's death, and has since been alone. He is also interested in stock raising, and the man- ner in which he conducts his affairs shows that he inherits many of his talented father's sterling busi- ness qualifications. He is vice-president of the Ger- man National Bank, and is treasurer of the Adams County Agricultural Society. He is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield. In September, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence M. Garratt, who was born in Belleville, Ontario, in 1863. They have one child, Vera (born December 7, 1882).

James B. MeCleery (deceased). Nature seems to have intended Mr. McCleery for a long and more than ordinarily useful life, but he was cut down in the full vigor of his manhood October 4, 1889, at his farm in Little Blue Township, when fifty-one years of age. He was born in Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio, and was the second child born to Daniel and Mary A. (Adams) McCleery, the former a native of the " Keystone State" and a hatter by trade. About 1835 he moved to Ohio, and settled at Warren, where he followed his trade, was married,

275

ADAMS COUNTY.

and reared a family of six children: Adams, James B., Anna, Daniel, John and Samuel. About 1860 he moved to Kansas, thence to Colorado and still later to Montana, where he died in 1875. James B. McCleery spent his youth in his native State, and was twenty years old when he went with his parents to Kansas. About the year of 1858 he started out in life for himself, and in 1871 removed to Adams County, Neb., where he entered 160 acres of land, and was married in 1874 to Miss Carrie Arnold, a daughter of Oscar and Maria (Deviney) Arnold, natives of York State, and Henry County, Ill., respectively. The father removed to the latter place in an early day, becoming one of its pioneer settlers, but in the month of April, 1888, he died in Webster County, Neb., whither he had moved in 1874. His wife survives him and resides in Webster County. Mr. McCleery was elected sheriff of Adams County in 1873, serving until 1877, and a portion of this time lived in Juniata, and the rest of the time on his farm. At the expiration of his term of office he retired to his farm and entered ex- tensively in the occupation of farming and stoek raising, his operations meeting with very flattering results, and he became the owner of 1,400 acres of land, and had 400 acres under an excellent state of cultivation. In 1884 he was elected on the Repub- lican ticket to the office of treasurer of Adams County, and this position filled with ability and to the satisfaction of all concerned for four years. Not only was he interested in the political affairs of the county, but in social matters as well, and he was a generous contributor to schools, churches and other worthy enterprises. He was a member of the Ma- sonic order, having advanced to the Commandery, and belonged to Juniata Lodge. In 1861 he enlisted in Company M, First Colorado Cavalry, for three years, and served faithfully and well until 1864, when he received his discharge. From the time he lett the service until he came to Adams County, Neb., he was dealing in cattle throughout the West, and on coming to Nebraska bronght a large drove with him. Since his death his widow has successfully managed his farm, and with her reside her children, whose names are James C., John W., Carl K., Daniel R. , Mary G. , Thomas T., Carrie G. and Edna M.

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