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 48

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 48
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 48
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 48
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 48

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and stock raising. He was born in Columbia County, N. Y., May 22, 1844, and like the majority of the natives of the " Empire State" he is indus- trious, enterprising and intelligent. He is the eldest of three surviving members of a family of eight children born to Nelson B. and Melvina (Shutts) Nash, who were also born in York State, the former July 24, 1812, and the latter November 3, 1813. In early life the father learned the trade of a clock maker in the Seth Thomas Clock Factory, but subsequently gave his attention to farming, stock raising and the mercantile business. He died in Adams County, Neb., in 1882, still survived by his widow, who is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and makes her home with her son. Stephen A. Nash was educated in the common schools, and worked on the old home- stead until August 29, 1864, when he entered Com- pany K, Forty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, being "honor- ably discharged June 30, 1865. In the fall of 1866 he entered the employ of the United States govern- ment as surveyor of the lands belonging to the Osage Indians, and the following year was spent in trading with the Indians, after which he went to Wisconsin and remained until 1870. Since that time he has been a resident of Nebraska, but the first two years were spent in hunting buffaloes, be- ing an associate of "Buckskin Charley," a noted hunter of the West. In 1872 he came to Adams County and took up a homestead claim, and in 1882-83 purchased grain in Hastings, but since 1887 has given his attention to general farming and stock raising. He is a Republican. Mr. Nash is one of the leading agriculturists of Adams County, and is the owner of 480 acres of valnable land

F. V. Nash. As might naturally be expected. mention is made in the present work of many citi- zens of Adams County, Neb., who were born in the " Hoosier State," and Mr. Nash is one of these, and his experience has been with the agricultural inter- ests of the county. Born on December 26, 1852, he is a son of Nelson and Melvina Nash, nee Shutts, a short sketch of whom appears in the sketch of Stephen A. Nash. F. V. Nash is next to the youngest of their eight children, and has ever de-

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voted his time and attention to farming. It is the calling to which he was reared, and in which his father achieved success; and it is but to be supposed that he would meet with substantial results in the same capacity. Ilis farm comprises a well improved tract of 200 acres, it being situated about three miles southwest from the county court house. When less than two years of age he was taken by his parents to the State of Wisconsin, and there made his home, receiving his education in the common sehools, until his removal to Adams County, Neb., in November, 1872, where, the following year, he began life on his own responsibility. Although a man young in years, he may be said to be an old settler of the county, and also one of its leading agriculturists. Ile is a Republican in politics, and in 1887 was elected clerk of Denver Township; was re-elected in 1888, and also in 1889. Mr. Nash was married January 10, 1878, to Mary M. Babcock. They have one child named Rea, who was born April 3, 1889. Mrs. Nash was born in Monroe County, Mich., in 1858, and came with her parents to Ne- braska in 1872. She is a daughter of Peter H. and Isabell Babcock, the latter of whom died in Adams County, Neb., in 1877.

Silas W. Niles is one of the old settlers of Den- ver Township, Adams County, Neb., and is one of the sturdy, independent agriculturists of the same. His birth occurred in Madison County of the Empire State, September 24, 1840, and he is the youngest of eight living children born to the marriage of John Niles and Sarah Mosley, who were born in 1800 and 1803, and died in Sterling, Ill., in 1882 and 1885, respectively. The paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of John, died in Madison County, N. Y., at a ripe old age. Silas W. was reared in the Nutmeg State, and received an excellent high school education. Being quiek to learn and of a rather studious disposition, he made rapid progress in his books, and upon starting out for himself was well fitted to make his own way in the world. He re- moved to the State of Iowa in 1855, and was en- gaged in tilling the soil in that State until 1874, when he came to Adams County, Neb., and home- steaded his present farm of 200 acres, in Section 20, of Denver Township. He has greatly improved his

property by buildings, fences, etc., since locating, and besides doing general farm work he gives con- siderable attention to the raising of stock, which has so far proved quite remunerative. He was married in 1864 to Miss Lois James, who was born in Vir- ginia in 1845, and by her is the father of four sons: Jolin W. (a successful educator of Adams County), Albert M., Arthur and James I. Mrs. Niles is a daughter of James and Susanna (Ault) James, na- tives of Maryland, the former's birth occurring in 1804. The mother died in 1863 when about fifty- two years of age. Mr. Niles is one of the well-known and highly respected men of the county, and for several years has filled the office of justice of the peace of Denver Township. Although formerly a Republican in his political views, he is now a Prohi- bitionist. He and wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

Christian Nissen, farmer and stockman, Hast- ings, Neb. A glance at the lives of the many rep- resentative men whose names appear in this volume will reveal sketches of some honored, influential eit- izens, but none more deserving of mention than Christian Nissen. He owes his nativity to Denmark, where his birth occurred in 1838, and is the son of Nicholas and Martha Nissen. The father was a suc- cessful tiller of the soil, and both he and wife died when their son Christian was quite small. The lat- ter remained in Denmark until twenty-one years of age and then emigrated to Wisconsin, settled in Waukesha County, and there engaged in farming. and also followed the earpenter trade. He had been in that State about two years when the war broke out, and he enlisted, in 1861, in Company P, Fif- teenth Wisconsin Infantry, participating in the ba - tle of Island No. 10, and was in a great many skir- mishes. He was then taken siek and was discharged in 1862 on account of disability. Returning to Wis- consin, he engaged in agricultural pursuits, also his former trade as a carpenter, and there remained for some time. In 1862 he married Miss Mary HIotcar. daughter of A. Holcar, and to them were born twelve children, eight now living: August, Joe, Louisa, Mary, Christian, Jennie, Minnie and John. Those deceased were named: Mattie, John, Nicholas and an infant. Mr. Nissen and family immigrate 1

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to Nebraska, settled on 160 acres, where he now lives, and has it all well improved. He likes the State and expects to make it his home. He is mod- erator of the school district in which he lives, and has been a member of the school board several times. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and both are deeply interested in religious and edu- cational matters. He is Republican in politics and a member of the G. A. R. Post at Hastings. He was one of the very first settlers of the township.

Hon. Henry E. Norton, Kenesaw, Neb. Emi- nent success achieved through honorable endeavor affords one of the greatest sources of pleasure to him, who, in a retrospective view of life, traces his progress by such tokens as deserve admiration and esteem. Such an enjoyment is afforded in its full- est sense to Mr. Henry E. Norton, of whose life but a brief summary is presented in this biographical sketch. The Norton family is known as one of the earliest families of Connecticut. When the May- flower landed at Plymouth Rock with her precious load of weary pilgrims, who, in order that they might enjoy the freedom of worship, and follow this after the dictates of their own conscience, left their native lands and pushed westward across the broad Atlantic, there was numbered among this little band, one, John Norton, in whose veins flowed the blood of the sturdy Scotch, and who, settling at Guilford, Conn., became the progenitor of the Nor- ton family in America. Henry E. Norton was born at Madison, Conn., on August 3, 1836, and is the son of Jonathan E. and Eliza (Stone) Norton, both worthy people of the same town and State, where the father died in 1880, at the age of eighty years, but where the mother now resides at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Of a family of three sons and three daughters born to this worthy couple, Henry E. is the third child in order of birth. Grow- ing to manhood in his New England home, he in- herited those Puritanical principles of industry and sterling integrity which have ever characterized his after life. Young Norton secured his education in the high schools of his native place, and early pos- sessing a longing for active business, we find him when but seventeen years of age, acting in the capacity of traveling salesman, and in 1861 he

became a member of the general merchandising firm of Munger, Norton & Co. Two years later he en- gaged in the oil industry at Titusville, Pa., as a member of the firm of Hale & Norton. The com- pany did a general business, pumping, refining and shipping petroleum, and were so successful, and their business increased so rapidly, that the follow- ing year they found it necessary to establish an office at the corner of Maiden Lane and Water Streets, New York, Mr. Norton acting as general manager of the company. In 1865 he went to Canada, and organized an oiling and prospecting company, at Oil Springs, Ontario. Soon afterward he returned to his native State, where he engaged at merchandising, also in the hard wood timber business for a number of years. In 1879 he organ- ized the Guilford Enterprise Company, for the manu- facture of vegetable ivory buttons, and was elected general manager, secretary and treasurer of the

company. Mr. Norton not only took an active interest in the business development of his country, but also took a deep interest in politics, and in 1864 represented Guilford in the General Assembly of Connecticut. He had become a stockholder in the Lyon's Rock and Lime Quarry Company, of Lyons, Col., and in the spring of 1884 he went to the west to view his property, and was at once elected presi- dent of the company, which position he now holds. In 1884 he came to Kenesaw, Neb., and established the Kenesaw Exchange Bank, which opened for business November 11, of that year, with Mr. Nor- ton as president, and under his guidance has proved a success. The firm, first known as Norton & Fry, has since been changed to Norton & Hatch, who, in June, 1888, established the Madrid Exchange Bank. In 1859, at Madison, Conn., he was united in marriage to Miss Lucy A. Munger, a native of Madison, and also of old Puritan stock. The fruits of this union were two sons and one daughter: Elouise C. (now Mrs. P. E. Hatch, of Kenesaw, Neb.), Charles G. (who died at Guilford, Conn., at the age of fourteen years), and Elbert E. (assistant cashier of Kenesaw Exchange Bank, and a graduate of Yale College in the class of 1888). In 1880 Mrs. Norton passed to her last long sleep, and now lies at rest in the cemetery at Guilford, Conn., she being

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at the time of her death a respected member of the Third Congregational Church of that place. In April, 1885, at Atlantic, Iowa, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Norton with Miss Ella S. Talmadge, who died the following September, at Kenesaw, Neb. His marriage with Laura Gertrude Francis occurred on June 2, 1887. 'inis lady is a native of Thibodeaux, La Fourche Parish, La. The family worship at the First Presbyterian Church of Kene- saw, of which they are members, and in which organization Mr. Norton is an elder. He has for many years been prominent in Masonic circles, both in the East and West, first becoming a member of the fraternity in 1861, when he entered into St. Albans' Lodge No. 38, at Guilford, Conn. He was made a Royal Arch Mason at Fair Haven, in 1883, and the following year became a member of the New Haven Commandery No. 2, K. T. He was prominent in organizing Kenesaw Lodge No. 144, of which he is a charter member and was first Master. He is also a member of Mt. Nebo Com- mandery No. 11, at Hastings, Neb. Since his resi- dence in Kenesaw, Mr. Norton has been prominently identified with all movements tending toward its advancement. A noticeable event in his career is the thorough principles upon which all his business ventures were conducted, and the eminent success with which they were attended. Mr. Norton is in every respect a self-made man, and his achievements are due to his own personal efforts. His successful career in life furnishes for the younger generation a valuable example, showing, as it does, what may be accomplished by one having pluck and energy.

Hon. Fred P. Olmstead is one of the leading lawyers of Adams County, Neb., and is an example of what can be accomplished when the spirit of determination is exercised in connection with the every-day affairs of life. He was born in White- side County, Ill., October 29, 1850, and is a son of Daniel C. Olmstead, who was born April 21, 1818, and removed from his native State to Illinois in 1833, where he spent a number of years as government contractor. In 1873 Adams County, Neb., became his home, and he is now one of the leading and en- terprising residents of Little Blue Township. His wife, who was formerly Miss Octavia Kendall, was

born in the State of Maine, and in 1840 removed to Illinois. Hon. Fred P. Olmstead is the younger of two children, and from his earliest recollections was familiar with the duties of farm life. After receiv- ing an excellent knowledge of the common branches in the district schools of his native county, he en- tered Cornell College, Iowa, and was graduated from this institution in 1871. From that time until 1880 he was engaged in teaching school, a por- tion of the time being principal of the schools of Cleveland, Ill., but in 1878 came to Nebraska, and as an educator became one of the best in the State, his reputation being made at Harvard and Grand Island. In 1882 he began farming and stock rais- ing in Little Blue Township, his operations in these branches of business resulting satisfactorily, but having previously acquired an excellent knowledge of legal lore, he passed an examination and in 1887 was admitted to the Adams County bar, since which time he has given this calling his undivided attention. In 1888 he became associated with O. B. Hewett, in the law practice, and although he has acquired an excellent civil law practice he makes a specialty of criminal cases, in the handling of which he is very successful. Having always been a Republican his first Presidential vote was cast for U. S. Grant in 1872, and on this ticket, in 1884, he was elected a member of the State Legislature by a majority of 887, and was afterward made chairman of a special committee appointed to investigate frauds said to have been perpetrated on school lands and funds. He introduced a bill for the location of the Insane Asylum at Hastings, and upon the expiration of his term was returned to the General Assembly and became a prominent candidate for speaker of the House. He was chairman of committee on railroads, a member of the judiciary committee, finance, ways and means, and also of common public lands and buildings. He is a total abstainer, and is a man who has through honest and consistent endeavor at- tained his present enviable position among the prominent men of Adams County. Ile is a man of commanding presence; is six feet two inches in height, and weighs 230 pounds.

Henry W. Olmstead is a tiller of the soil and stock raiser of Little Blue Township, Adams County,

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

Neb., and is the youngest of four children reared by Henry and Sarah (Merritt) Olmstead, born in Ridge- field, Conn., and New York, in 1795 and 1787, respectively. The father was a son of Henry Olm- stead; and was also a farmer by occupation, his death occurring in 1870, and his wife's in 1884. She was a daughter of Daniel Merritt, of Port Chester, N. Y., and the children born to herself and Mr. Olmstead are as follows: Oliver, Daniel C. Mariat J. and Henry W. The latter began making his own way in the world in 1850, removing to Whiteside County, Ill., where he engaged in agri- culture, and four years later he united his fortunes with those of Miss Sarah W. Oatman, a daughter of Daniel and Betsey Oatman of Virginia. Mr. Olm- stead removed to Nebraska with his wife and family in 1874, taking up a homestead claim of 160 acres; and owing to the energy and enterprise which have ever characterized his efforts, he has become the owner of 336 acres of well improved and fertile land. Much of his attention is given to the raising of horses and broom corn. He has always assisted in matters pertaining to the improvement of the connty; is a Republican in politics, and in addition to being treasurer of his district he is a member of his school board. He and wife have one son, Edward S. (who lives in Little Blue Township, near his father, and is conducting a poultry farm). He is married to Ella C. Ioset, of Zero Township, Adams County.

D. C. Palmer, liveryman of Hastings, Neb. Considering the fact that since Mr. Palmer's arrival upon the stage of human action he has been com- pelled to fight the battle of life for himself, his career has been more than ordinarily successful, and for the past three years his time and attention have been given to his present calling, for the proper carrying on of which he seems to have a natural aptitude. Born in New York on June 28, 1835, he was the only child of Guy Palmer and his first wife, the latter of whom died when her son was five years old. The senior Palmer married twice afterward, and is now living with his third wife in the "Empire State." D. C. was taught the intricacies of farm work on his farmer's homestead, and after starting out in life for himself this occupation continued to

be his calling for many years, in connection with which he conducted a butchering business. Both enterprises proved fairly remunerative, but becom- ing dissatisfied with his location he, in 1887, came to Hastings, Neb., and opened a livery stable, which he has since conducted in a highly successful man- ner. His early education was acquired in the dis- trict schools of his native county and in the Caze- novia Seminary, which institution he attended one and a half terms, but his knowledge of matters and facts has not alone been confined to this, for by contact with the world and reading the current literature of the day, he would be accounted an in- telligent and wide-awake man in whatever com- mnnity he might chose to locate. Politically he is a Republican, and he and wife, whose maiden name was Lucinda E. Bard, and whom he married in the State of New York, are members of the Congrega- tional Church. To them have been born a family of four children: Frank, Charles, Herbert and Florence. Mr. Palmer has had three half brothers, one of whom, D. W. Palmer, still survives, and is also a resident of Hastings.

William H. Palmer has been connected with the farming interests of Adams County, Neb., since March, 1878, and is the owner of 400 acres of valn- able land, the greater portion of which is under cul- tivation, his original purchase on coming here amounting to 420 acres. He was born in St. Joseph County, Ind., in 1840, a son of James and Almira (Taylor) Palmer, and grandson of James and Cyn- thia (Palmer) Palmer and Adjanaza Taylor. James Palmer was born in Pennsylvania in 1794, and was married about 1820, becoming the father of the fol- lowing children: James S., Adelbert B., Louisa, Alvina, Dorothea, Sophia, George W. and William 'H. The father of these children was a successful farmer, a soldier in the War of 1812, and in his po- litical views was formerly a Whig in politics, but at the time of his death in 1861 he was a Republi- can. His wife died in Indiana in 1869. The early life of William H. Palmer was spent in Indiana, and upon his marriage in 1864 he started out in life for himself, and after farming in Lake County, Ind., until March, 1878, he settled on his present prop- erty in Adams County, Neb. He is a member of

ADAMS COUNTY.

the Farmers' Alliance, and in addition to tilling his farm he has been engaged in running a threshing machine for the past eleven years, and is now the owner of a fine steam thresher. His property is finely improved and he has a good young orchard started. He is a Republican in polities, and is a school director in his district. IIis wife was Miss Elsie L., a danghter of Daniel and Alma (Cross) Strong, of York State. She was born in Indiana in 1845, and has borne Mr. Palmer the following chil- dren: Martin D. (who was born in 1867, is married to Emma Taylor, and resides in Denver Township, Adams County), Alfaretta (born in 1868, is now Mrs. Frederick, of Denver Township), Samuel C. (was born in 1870), Walter E. (in 1871), Hattie (in 1873) and Alma (in 1883). Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

O. R. Palmer, a prosperous lumberman of Ju- niata, Neb., was born in Indiana County, Pa., in 1851, being the youngest of seven children born to Henry and Sarah Palmer, who were extensive farmers, to which occupation their son, O. R., was reared. He attended the district schools near his home until he attained his eighteenth year, then be- gan farming for himself on a fine piece of land con- sisting of sixty acres, which he had purchased. He soon after married Miss Salina Hice, whose native State was Pennsylvania, and on this farm he resided and made many improvements for seven years, then sold out and began farming near Morgantown, West Va., but only remained there a short time, and re- sided successively in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illi- nois, Missouri and Kansas, remaining in the latter State a period of eight years. In 1879 he located with four friends in Decatur County, Kan. , and with them built a house and broke up some land; but on September 30, Indians made a raid on them and killed Mr. Palmer's four companions, and he had a very narrow escape from death, being wounded twice. He managed to evade them, however, and succeeded in reaching Oberlin, where he told his story, upon which a party of men was formed to hunt the Indians down, and the result was two were killed. After this Mr. Palmer went to Glen Elder, Mitchell County, and spent three years on a farm and one year in town, being engaged in the livery

business, after which he went to Greeley, and en- gaged in digging irrigating ditches. Still later he went to Beaver Canyon, where he was engaged in lumbering for the Utah Northern Railroad Company for one year, and from that time until October, 1882, was engaged in freighting, hauling wood and hay in Glendale, Mont. At the last named date he located in Juniata, Neb. , and for five years gave his attention to the dray business and house moving, after which one year was spent in the milling busi- ness. On May 1, 1888, he opened his present lum- ber yard in Juniata, and now deals in all kinds of lumber, building materials and stone. Under his careful management and perseverance the business has prospered, and he is now justly accounted one of the leading business men of the place, and has recently . taken charge of the mill. In 1886 he erected a commodious and substantial brick resi- dence, the only one in the place, and here expects to make his home for years to come. He takes an in- terest in political matters, and has served several years as justice of Juniata, and has also been a member of the town council. He has passed all the chairs in the I. O. O. F., and is a member of Juniata Lodge No. 79. He and wife are the parents of the following children: Sarah M., Carrie A., Salina J., Myrtle A., Minnie Grace, Benjamin Roy (who died December 25, 1888, at the age of nine years), Harry R. (born November 14, 1886) and George Russell (born October 5, 1889).

G. W. Parks, farmer and stockman, Holstein, Neb. A life long experience in the channels of agrienltural pursuits has contributed not a little to- ward the success which has come to the lot of Mr. Parks since he began farming for himself. lle owes his nativity to Dearborn County, Ind., where his birth occurred on April 18, 1838, and is the son of Zephaniah Parks, who was born in the Empire State in 1792. The latter went to Indiana when a young man, settled in Dearborn County, and was there married to Miss Leah Green, daughter of Eli Green, and granddaughter of Gen. Nathaniel Green. Later he moved to Illinois, afterward to Iowa, where he improved a farm in Johnson County. He died in Poweshiek County in 1874; his wife in 1867. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, being with

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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