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 47

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 47
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 47
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 47
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 47

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).

281

ADAMS COUNTY.

Ginevra, James L. and Bliss W. (the last two being twins).

John D. Mines, eity treasurer, Hastings, Neb. A glance at the lives of many representative men whose names appear in this volume will reveal sketches of some honored, influential citizens, but none more worthy or deserving of mention than John D. Mines. This gentleman was originally from Ingersoll, Canada, where his birth occurred on July 9, 1856, and is the son of Robert and Christina (Morrison) Mines, who were of Irish and Scotch descent. John D. Mines was reared and educated in his native country, and there learned the trade of cutter in a tailoring establishment. At the age of eighteen he came to the United States and followed his trade in Chicago until 1878. when he emigrated to Lincoln, Neb., and thenee the fol- lowing year to Hastings, where he has followed the occupation of cutter for the large clothing and mer- chant tailoring establishment of Barnes Bros. He is a Republican in politics, and was elected city clerk in 1886, serving two years. He was then elected treasurer in 1888, and this position he now fills in an able and efficient manner. He was mar- ried on November 21, 1883, to Miss Irene E. Myers, a native of West Virginia, and to this union has been born one child, a daughter, Hazel C. Mr. Mines is a member of the Modern Woodmen Order and K. of P., and is recognized as one of Hastings' eminent and most successful young business men and citizens.

Hon. Hugh Carter Minnix is a man who seems to be well adapted to the occupation of a planter, and in the pursuit of this calling, as well as in the occupation of stock raising, he has been more than ordinarily successful. He was born in Waterloo, Fayette County, Ohio, January 7, 1830, and is a son of Elijah B. and Rachel (Dyer) Minnix, who were born in West Virginia, and came from near Win- chester. The Minnixes date their advent in this country to about the time of the Revolutionary War, when a worthy member of the family, probably the first of the name in America, did honorable service as a soldier in that memorable war. The presump- tion is that he settled in Virginia, married, and had born to him Elijah B., the father of the subject of

this sketch. Rachel Dyer was a daughter of Isaac Dyer, a soldier in the War of 1812, from Virginia. Hon. Ilugh Carter Minnix was one of two sons and three daughters, only himself and two sisters now living, and his earliest recollections are those of spending his time upon the home farm and in at- tending the common schools of his native State. In 1857 he located in Champaign County, III., and was engaged in the occupation of agriculture until the opening of the Civil War, and in 1862 enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which company he helped to raise, and did honorable service until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged as a non-commissioned officer, on June 30, 1865, at Chi- cago. He was at Perryville, Stone River, Chicka- mauga, Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. After the war Mr. Minnix returned to his plow in Champaign County, and here continued to make his home until 1873, when he came to Nebraska and made invest- ments in Webster and Adams Counties, which in- terests have occupied his attention more or less ever since, as he buys and sells considerable real estate during the year. He was married in Fayette County, Ohio, to Miss Catherine Monser, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Mouser, natives of Virginia. Mr. Minnix and his wife have a family of six sons and two daughters, only the following of whom are liv- ing: John Q. (a substantial farmer of Logan Town- ship), Warren A., and Elijah S. (a resident of Logan Township). William I. died at the age of ten months; Hugh C. was a blacksmith by trade, and died in his twenty-fourth year; Elizabeth J. became the wife of William H. Remer, and died when twen- ty-eight years of age, leaving a son; Lydia A., who married W. E. Munson, died in her twenty-ninth year, leaving two daughters and a son. Mr. Minnix has always taken an active interest in G. A. R. cir- cles, and held different official positions in Roeky Face Post during its existence at Morseville. Ile has been a member of the county board of supervi- sors for three years, and during the sessions of 1887-88 he represented his county in the State Leg- islature, and served with credit and distinction on the committees of public lands and buildings, cities

282

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

and towns, and claims, besides on several special committees. He is now president of the Agricultu- ral Society of Adams County, and is a member of the State Board of Agriculture. In his political views he is a stanch Republican. In every walk of life he has been honorable and npright in his deal- ings, and is universally respected and esteemed for his many worthy qualities.

John B. Monlux, superintendent of city schools, Hastings, Neb. There is probably no man within the limits of Adams County who is deserving of more credit for the interest he has taken in its be- half than Mr. Monlux; and the brief facts here presented indicate to more than an ordinary degree the relations he has borne to the county's develop- ment, especially so in educational matters. He owes his nativity to Guernsey County, Ohio, his birth oc- curring near North Salem, July 18, 1855, and is the son of Samuel and Agnes (Clark) Monlux, natives of Ohio County, Va., and Guernsey County, Ohio, respectively. John B. Monlux moved with his parents to Monroe, Jasper County, Iowa, in 1869, and there received a liberal education in the common and high schools. In 1873 he entered the Iowa State University, graduating from the classical course in 1878, and afterward taught school near his home until 1879. After this he became assistant in the high schools of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and subse- quently became principal of the same, which he conducted for two years. For four years after this he was city superintendent of the Fairfield, Iowa, schools, and in 1887 he came to Hastings, where he has since filled his present position to the satisfac- tion of all. Under his management the schools have been thoroughly and carefully graded and now hold a high rank among the graded schools of the State. He is an able educator and a man universally respected. On August 8, 1888, he was united in marriage with a Miss Tillie E. Creeth, a native of Knoxville, III. Socially Mr. Monlux is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in his political views he affiliates with the Republican party. In religion he is a Congregationalist.

Eugene B. Moore, furniture dealer, Kenesaw, Neb. Mr. Moore, one of the earliest settlers of Kenesaw, is a native of Syracuse, N. Y., where his

birth occurred on May 26, 1845, being the son of Ornan Moore, who was a native of the Green Mountain State, and who, at an early day, moved with his parents to New York. There the latter grew to manhood, and was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Folts, a native of New York and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of that State. In 1859 they came to Illinois, settling in Fulton County, where they resided until 1876, when they removed to Nebraska and settled near Kene- saw. There the father purchased a farm and there resided until 1883, when he received his final sum- mons at the age of seventy years. Mrs. Moore is still living, is seventy-one years of age, and makes her home with her son, Albert C., ou the original homestead. Eugene B. Moore moved to Table Grove, Ill., with his parents, in December, 1859, and received a limited education in the common schools. When about twenty years of age he went to Belvidere, Ill., where he served an apprentice- ship at the wagon and carriage making trade, and then, in 1867, he returned to his home at Table Grove, Ill., where he established himself at his trade, conducting a general carriage and wagon making business until 1871. Then on account of failing health he was compelled to seek out door employment, and engaged at the carpenter and builder's trade. In 1874 he moved to Adams County, Neb., located on his present farm, adjoin-' ing the city limits, and there he now resides. He had visited the place the preceding year, and first purchased eighty acres, which he has since increased to 360 acres, and now has one of the best farms in the county. In May, 1889, he established his pres- ent furniture business in the town of Kenesaw, and is now the only furniture dealer in the place. Mr. Moore has taken an active interest in the general advancement of the town and county, and is recog- nized as one of Kenesaw's leading citizens. He has served as a member of the board of public educa- tion, has also served as justice of the peace, and is a member of Kenesaw Lodge No. 144, A. F. & A. M. At the time of his settlement there was but one house in Kenesaw, and Mr. Moore and family lived in that the first summer of their resi- dence here. In 1868, on December 12, Mr. Moore

283

ADAMS COUNTY.

married Miss Martha J. Kelly, a native of Vermont, Ill. , her parents coming to Illinois from Kentucky, their native State. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore have been born three children: Frank D. and Fred E. (born at Table Grove, Ill., January 17, 1870, and December 6, 1872, respectively), Pearl M. (born at Juniata, Neb. , May 4, 1879). The family are mem- bers of the Christian Church.

Hugh A. Moreland, a prominent citizen of Juni- ata, is deputy sheriff of Adams County, constable of Juniata Township, general collector and livery- man, and was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1847, being the second of nine children born to Hugh and Pru- dence Moreland, whose maiden name was Jennings. Both parents were born in York State, and in 1848 removed from Albany to De Kalb County, Ill., of which they were among the very earliest settlers. Mr. Moreland entered 160 acres of land, and like the majority of pioneer settlers had rather a hard time to make a living for a number of years, as the nearest market was Chicago, eighty miles distant, whither he hauled his products with ox teams. After living on this farm eight years he went to Minnesota and entered a piece of land near the present site of Chatsworth, and on his property erected the first house in the township. One year later he returned to Illinois, but this time took up his abode in La Salle County, and here became the owner of a large farm, on which he is still residing. After working on his father's farm and obtaining a good practical education in the common schools, Hugh A. Moreland enlisted in the Union army at the age of eighteen years (in 1863), becoming a member of Company K, of an Illinois regiment, but was soon honorably discharged, upon which he went to Iowa, and secured the position of brakeman on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and three years later began working on the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad, being conduetor on this line for three years, his train carrying all the ties with which to build the Winona & St. Peter Railroad. Upon his return to Illinois he engaged in farming in that State for about two years, after which he was connected with a railroad for some time, and in 1875 came to Adams County, Neb., and for a period was engaged in farming and operating a threshing

machine and corn sheller near Juniata. He next opened a livery stable, now one of the oldest in the town, but two years later he began auctioneering and collecting, and since being elected to the position of constable these two oceupations have received his attention. He was one of the leaders in securing the incorporation of Juniata, and served as its mar- shal until 1886, when he resigned .. He has been active in political matters, and for about five years has held the position of deputy sheriff. He became a member of a company of militia in 1885, and after serving one year as a private he was chosen captain of Company F, Nebraska National Guards, but re- signed this position one year later. Ile has attained high rank in the I. O. O. F., is a member of Juniata Lodge No. 79, and has been a delegate to the State . convention. When Mr. Moreland was a boy he pur- chased a colt, which he broke and trained, and which afterward developed into a very fast animal, either as a trotter or runner. Many races were won with this horse, which afterward acquired an enviable reputation on the race track, and became especially famous at Long Island, and sold for $10,000. Mr .. Moreland also owned " Fannie Kemble," who won for him the three mile race at Belvidere, and another horse with which he won the first race ever run on the track at Hastings, and the Fourth of July race at York. In 1889 he erected a fine livery stable in Juniata, which he also uses as a sale and feed stable, and is on hand every Saturday at his place of busi- ness ready to purchase desirable animals. He was married, in 1880, to Miss Josie Hildebrand, a na- tive of Ohio, whose parents were early pioneers of Iowa and Adams County, Neb., and are now living in Dawson County of this State. Mr. and Mrs. Moreland have had born to them four children: Imo, Chub (who died at the age of sixteen months), Frank and one other. In 1882 Mr. Moreland erected his present residence in the town, and is also the owner of other valuable property.

Benjamin Morgan, farmer and stockman, Hast- ings, Neb. Originally from the Buckeye State, where his . birth occurred (in Perry County) in January, 1840, Mr. Morgan is one of the pioneer settlers of Adams County, Neb. llis father, Samuel Morgan, was also a native of Ohio, and fol-

284

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

lowed the occupation of a farmer in that State. He married Miss Mary Elizabeth Rose, who died in 1856, and the result of this union was seven chil- dren, Benjamin being second in order of birth. The father is still living and resides in Perry County, Ohio. Grandfather Rose was a soldier in the War of 1812. The above mentioned family are Jacob (married and resides in Lincoln County, Neb.), Ben- jamin (our subject), Elizabeth (deceased), Hannah (now Mrs. Tinker of Ohio), Peter (married and re- sides in Fayette County, Ohio), Rebecca J. (now of London, Ohio). Upon growing up it was but natural, perhaps, that Benjamin Morgan should adopt farming as his future occupation, and from the very first he became acquainted with hard work. He secured a fair education in the district schools of Ohio, and at the breaking out of the war enlisted in Company D, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, for three years, being mustered into service at Camp Chase. He was in the battles of Murfreesboro, Logan, Cross Roads or Mill Springs, Perryville, Chickamauga, Pittsburgh Landing, Corinth, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and others. He was under severe fire at Chattanooga, and was with Sherman to Atlanta. He was honor- ably discharged at Atlanta in September, 1864, and returned to Ohio. He was married in Perry County, Ohio, in 1865, to Miss Mary Jane Pace, a native of that county and the daughter of Miner Pace, one of the early settlers of Ohio. Mr. Morgan followed farming in Ohio until he emigrated to Nebraska in 1873, and there settled in Roseland Township. In 1882 he sold out and purchased 160 acres in High- land Township, which he has since improved very much, erecting a good house and barn and, in fact, has all the necessary conveniences. He votes with the Republican party, but is not active in politics. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church at Hastings. To their marriage were born eight children: Flora Jane (now Mrs. Embry of Lincoln County, Neb.), Alice Elmira, Almeda Viola, Sylvester E., Charles Chester, Arletta Leona, George and Barley Edgar. Aside from his success- ful farming operations Mr. Morgan is also deeply interested in raising stock, and is one of the prom- inent agriculturists of the county.

William Moritz, proprietor of Hastings Iron Works, Hastings, Neb. Of all the occupations engaging the industrious application of human thought, energy and endeavor, there are none of more importance than that of the scientifically skilled machinist. Nor are there any affording so wide a scope for the products of genius, the benefi- cial exercise of God's best gifts to man-the intellect. The machinist is one who, educated in the laws and principles of mechanism, has the genius and skill to apply them so as to produce practical results, in the shape of machinery. Hastings has a number of these flourishing establishments, but none of more importance than that conducted by Mr. Moritz, who bought the Hastings Iron Works in 1889, and is now doing an extensive business. He employs about twenty hands and manufactures well boring and drilling tools, columns and full store fronts, hoisting elevators, bridge castings, cast and wrought iron furnaces and general foundry work. Mr. Mor- itz is a native of Saxony, Germany, where his birth occurred August 23, 1859, and is the son of Charles and Mary (Stahlhad) Moritz, both natives also of Saxony, Germany, but now residents of Hall County, Neb. William Moritz came to the United States in 1879, located in Hastings in 1885, and in the fall of that year established Hastings Iron & Brass Works, which he conducted successfully until October, 1889, when he established his present business. He was married April 9, 1868, to Miss Mary Toebele, a native of Baden, and to this union has been born one son, William. In his political views Mr. Moritz affiliates with the Democratic party, and is one of Hastings' enterprising business men and citizens. He is a member of the K. of P., and is Chancelor Commander of Teutonia Lodge No. 55.

D. M. Morris, farmer and stock raiser, Hansen, Neb. This enterprising and successful agriculturist owes his nativity to Greene County, Pa., where his birth occurred on March 10, 1840, and is the eldest of three children born to the union of Robert and Emiline (Mills) Morris, natives of Pennsylvania. The father is still living in his native State, and is a successful carpenter. The mother died in 1847. D. M. Morris' time in early youth was divided between assisting on the farm and in attending the

ADAMS COUNTY.

285

common schools of Pennsylvania. At the age of fifteen years he came to Putnam Connty, Ill. , thence to La Salle County, where he cultivated the soil, and from there to Livingston County, of the same State, in 1859, where he continued his former pursuit. In August, 1861, he enlisted at Camp Butler, Ill., in Company F, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, for three years, and was mustered into service at Camp But- ler. He was assigned to the Western department, and was in the battle of Fredericktown, Cotton Hill, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge, siege of Vicksburg, Fort Esperanza and many others. In January, 1864, he veteranized in the same company and regiment. He was in the battles of Mobile, Fort Blakely, and from there marched to Montgomery, Ala., where he learned of the assassi- nation of President Lincoln. He was honorably discharged at Yazoo City, Miss., in October, 1865. He then returned to Livingston County, Ill., and in the spring of 1866 went to Greene County, Pa., where he attended college for eighteen months. After this be returned to Illinois, taught school in La Salle County for some time, and then followed the same profession in Ringgold, Iowa, and Nemaha County, Neb., spending two and a half years in the school room. In 1869 he came to Nemaha County, Neb., settled in Bedford Township, and in 1870 purchased some land which he began cultivating. He was married in Livingston County, Ill .; in 1871, to Miss Ella Perry, a native of that county, and the daughter of Sylvester and Jane Perry, natives of the Buckeye State. D. M. Morris sold out in 1882, and emigrated to Adams County, Neb., where he purchased 320 acres of land, and is engaged in rais- ing stock. He takes an active interest in politics, and votes with the Republican party. While a resi- dent of Nemaha County, Neb., he held several offices of public trust, and discharged the duties incumbent upon them to the satisfaction of all. Socially he is a member of A. J. Smith Post No. 65, G. A. R., Doniphan, Neb., Congress Lodge No. 173, I. O. O. F., Hansen, Neb., Enterprise Encampment No. 29, I. O. O. F., Hastings, Neb., and a member of Heli Conclave No. 1, Heptasophs or Seven Wise Men, Supreme Ephor for the State of Nebraska. He was a representative to the Supreme

Conclave of the United States, which convened in Brooklyn, N. Y., in April, 1890. To Mr. Morris' marriage were born six children: Edward B. , James M., Jennie B., Emma Myrtle, Rhettie and Willie. .

William Munroe, farmer and stock raiser, Han- sen, Neb. This much respected and enterprising citizen is another of the pioneers of West Blue Town- ship, Adams County, Neb., locating in the same Oc- tober 24, 1872, on Section 8, where he homesteaded 160 acres. He was born in the Province of New Brunswick in 1839, and was early initiated into the duties of farm life. In 1849 he moved with his parents to Rock County, Wis. , where he received the principal part of his education, and was married in July, 1861, to Miss Catharine Case, a native of Hebron, N. Y., and the daughter of Merritt and Amse (Baldridge) Case, natives of Ohio and New York, respectively. Her parents were married in New York, and in 1842 moved to Rock County, Wis., where the father resided for many years en- gaged in farming. In October, 1884, he came on a visit to his daughter, and died in November of that year. He was constable for many years. The mother died in Rock County, Wis., in 1844. Mr. Munroe followed farming for himself in Wisconsin until December 31, 1863, when he enlisted in Com- pany A, Thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry, and was mustered into service at Madison Wis., assigned to the Department of the Cumberland. IIe was in re- served division of the Twentieth Corps at Decatur, Ala., and was on garrison duty guarding the Ala- bama River. He was then taken sick, was in the hospital at Jonesboro, Tenn., for some time, and was discharged from the hospital at Nashville, Tenn., in 1865, returning to Rock County, Wis., May 14, of that year. He engaged in agricultural pursuits and in 1872 came to Adams County, Neb., where he entered 160 acres of land, which he immediately com- menced to improve, erecting a frame house and sub- stantial outbuildings. He lived in a covered wagon for six weeks, and in 1879 le purchased eighty acres of railroad land. Three years later he moved to this farm, erected a good house and barn, and now has 240 acres of excellent land in a good state of cultivation within six miles of the city limits. Ile raises considerable stock and is one of the progres_

286

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

sive men of the county. He takes an active part in politics, and his vote is cast with the Republican party. He has been a member of the school board, organized the school district and was school treasurer for four years. He is deeply interested in educa- tional matters as may be seen. He is a a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is also a member of Strickland Post No. 13, G. A. R., at Hastings. Mrs. Munroe is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Hansen. To their union five children were born: Carrie A. (now Mrs. Funk, of Doniphan, Hall County, Neb., and a teacher in the school at that place, her husband being principal of Doniphan school), Cora (now Mrs. Montague, of Hall County, Neb. ), Irving Eugene, George Albert, Nancy Amelia. Mr. Munroe has seen many changes in the country since first settling here, and was living here at the time of the blizzard of 1873, which lasted for three days. He assisted in the organization of West Blue Precinct and Township, and assisted in locating the county seat at Hastings. He was the eldest of nine children born to his parents, John and Nancy (Moores) Munroe, natives of New Brunswick. The father was a successful agriculturist, was married in New Brunswick, and soon afterward moved to Calais, Me., where he remained until 1849. He then moved to Johnstown, Rock County, Wis., purchased forty acres of land, and after remaining there for a num- ber of years moved to Masonville, Wis., where his death occurred Jannary 6, 1874. He had kept a tavern at the last mentioned place. The mother is stilll living, and now resides in Doniphan, Hall County, Neb,, whither she moved in 1881. Their family consisted of the following children: William, James (was drowned in the Wisconsin River in April, 1873), Eleanor (now Mrs Hudson, of Hall County, Neb.), John B. (married and resides on Rock Prai- rie, Rock County, Wis.), George (moved to Adams County, Neb., in May, 1880, and died in April, 1881, of consumption), Jane (now Mrs. Dykeman, of Hall County, Neb.), Charles (married and resides in Hall County, Neb.), Mary (now Mrs. Rood, of Highland Township, Adams County), and Henry (who died in Rock County, Wis. , about 1867.)

Stephen A. Nash is one of the pioneers of Adams County, Neb., and is actively engaged in farming

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