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 49
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 49
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 49
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 49
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Gen. Harrison at the battle of the Thames. George W. Parks grew to manhood principally in Johnson County, Iowa, received a good common school edu- cation, and afterward taught school for about two years in that State. Later he engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in the last named county, continued at this for a number of years, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Company B, Twenty-eighth Iowa Infan- try, and served until discharged for disability on January 5, 1865. He enlisted as corporal, and was in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Big Black River, siege of Vicksburg, Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill, La .; was wounded in the foot and arm at Winchester, Va. He was perman= ently disabled, and after being discharged returned home. He taught school, and in connection carried on farming uutil he came to Nebraska in 1875. He arrived here in June of that year and located on his present property, which consists of 635 acres, about half of which is under a high state of cultivation, with osage hedge, orchards and good frame build- ings. Mr. Parks is a Democrat in politics; has held the office of justice of the peace, and has been a member of the school board. He was married first on September 1, 1859, in Gentry County, Mo., to Miss Martha Candle, who died in Nebraska in 1887, leaving nine children: Nettie, Russell, B. W., Frank G., Maggie, Ella, William S., Melville B. and Arthur E. Mr. Parks' second marriage occurred in Adams County, Neb., in October, 1888, to Miss Alice Linn, a native of Missouri, and the fruit of this union has been one child, a son, Alpine. Mr. Parks is an active member of the G. A. R.
Luther B. Partridge, county clerk of Adams County, although a young man, has made his way to the front ranks among the enterprising citizens of this locality, and his name is identified with the well- fare and material and social happiness of Adams County. He was born in St. Joseph County, Ind., March 3, 1858, and is a son of Harper and Eunice (Boyden) Partridge, who were born in Vermont and Massachusetts, iu February, 1806, and March 26, 1825, respectively. At an early day the Partridge family settled in Ohio, later in Indiana, thence in 1865 to Niles, Mich., and in 1878 came to Nebraska, settling in Adams county, where the father's death
occurred October 5, 1879, and where the mother is still living. Luther B. Partridge is one of their five children and received his early education in the schools of Niles, Mich. On coming to Nebraska he engaged in farming, which occupation received his undivided attention until 1882, when he came to Hastings, and for five years acted as clerk in a mercantile house. Politically he has always been an ardent Republican, and in 1887 he was elected to the clerkship of Adams County, a position to which he was elected a second time in 1889 by a plurality of 668. He is a faithful, competent offi- cial, and possesses that strength of character and genuine merit which place him among the leading men of the county. He is Past Master in the Masonic Lodge (Kenesaw No. 14), and also belongs to Hastings Lodge No. 28, of the K. of P. He was married March 25, 1873, to Miss Lucy K. Rob- ertson, a native of Indiana, and by her has one child: Elsworth N.
Charles H. Paul. For the past eighteen years, since locating in Adams County, Neb., Mr. Paul has enjoyed the reputation of being not only pro- gressive in his views, but thoroughly posted on all matters of public interest. He has become well known for honorable, upright dealing, and has kept the name he bears pure in the sight of all. He was born in York County, Me., April 11, 1847, and is a descendant of William Paul, who left England, at Gravesend, in 1717, and settled at Taunton, Mass. The paternal grandfather was John Paul, born at Kittery, Me., in 1770, and died on the old home- stead in that State, at a ripe old age. His son, John Paul, Jr., uncle to the subject of this sketch, went to sea in his youth, and during the War of 1812 his vessel was at New Orleans, and was blockaded by the English. He was forced to aban- don his ship, and returned to his home in Maine on foot, the journey comprising nine months. Luther W. Paul, father of Charles H., was born in 1817, in Maine, as was his wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Fall, her birth occurring in 1819. They are now residents of Great Falls, N. H., and although quite aged they are yet hale and hearty. Charles H. Paul is the eldest of four children, and at the age of cight years was taken by his parents to Man
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chester, N. H., where he attended school until the breaking out of the late Civil War, at which time he enlisted in Company A, Seventh New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry (being at that time only fourteen years old), and with his regiment participated in seventeen hard fought battles, some of the most important being: Morris Island, S. C .; Fort Wag- ner, S. C .; Chester Station, Va .; Olusee, Fla .; Drury's Bluff, Va. : Mine Run, Va .; Deep Bottom, Va .; Fort Fisher, N. C., and Wilmington, N. C. After an honorable service of three years and ten months, he was discharged at Goldsboro, N. C., as sergeant, He returned to New Hampshire, and for two and one-half years was clerk in the postoffice of Manchester, after which he entered his father's boot and shoe manufactory, remaining with him about one year and a half. The year 1869 found him in Lynn, Mass., where he was employed by a large manufacturing establishment as a shoe cutter. This city continued to be his home until 1872, when he settled in Adams County, Neb., engaging the fol- lowing year in the boot and shoe business in Hast- ings, which occupation received the greater part of his attention for eight years. In 1881 he was ap- pointed postmaster of Hastings, and served until his successor was appointed by President Cleveland. In 1887 he was elected treasurer of Adams County. He was honored by a re-election in 1889, with a majority of 710, in which capacity he is ably dis- charging his duties, and as an official has the implicit confidence of his constituents. Always an uncompromising Republican, he has aided his party to the utmost, and in return his party has honored him with his present position. His union to Miss Eliza F. Durgin took place in 1868. She was born in Compton, N. H., in 1849, and she and Mr. Paul are the parents of two daughters: Ada and Blanche.
K. Pearson, farmer and stock raiser, has been worthily and prominently identified with the farming interests of Adams County, Neb., since coming to this country in 1872. He was born in Sweden in 1837, being the eldest of three children born to K. and Charley (Olson) Pearson, who were agricultur- ists in their native land. The mother died about 1863, leaving three children: Anna (in Sweden), Ella (Mrs. Nelson, residing in Hastings, Neb.), and
the subject of this sketch. The latter, upon his arrival in America, settled almost immediately in Adams County, on the farm where he now lives, and on taking out his homestead papers he found that it was No. 33, showing that only thirty-two home- steads had been taken up before. On this property he set energetically to work, and it now shows to a noticeable extent what years of industry, good man- agement and superior knowledge will do toward improving land. He has now a half section of superior land, all of which is the result of honest and conscientious work. He has been interested in all worthy movements since coming here, and in his political views is Independent, voting rather for the man than the party. He has always been found ready to support the cause of Christianity and schools, and he and his wife are earnest members of the Lutheran Church. He was married in 1863, while in Sweden, to Anna Benson, and by her has three children: Charley, Barney and Henrietta.
A. R. Pearson, farmer and stock raiser, Hast- ings, Neb. A representative citizen of Adams County, and a man recognized and respected as such where- ever known, Mr. Pearson is at this time largely in- terested in farming and stock raising, to which he has given his attention for many years. He was born in Lenawee County, Mich., in 1848, and was the fifth in a family of nine children born to David and Jane (Pickering) Pearson, natives of Lincoln- shire, England. The parents were married in their native country, and in 1836 emigrated to America, locating in New York, where they remained for two years. They then moved to Lenawee County, Mich., purchased land, improved it, and there the death of the father occurred in 1873. The mother still sur- vives, and resides on the old homestead. A. R. Pearson was early initiated into the duties of farm life, and he was fortunate in securing a good educa- tion in the schools of Lenawee County, Mich. He was married in that county in 1875 to Miss Eola G. Saulsbury, a native of Lenawee County, Mich. , and the daughter of Levi and Cordelia Saulsbury, natives of New York. Her parents moved to Michigan at an early day, and there they are now residing. After marrying Mr. Pearson farmed for one year, and then moved to Adams County. Neb., where he
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purchased a farm of 160 acres. All this he has now under cultivation, and is also interested in stock raising. He is active in politics and his vote is cast with the Republican party. He has served as mag- istrate of his township since 1885, and served as a member of the school board for six years, taking much interest in educational matters. He and Mrs. Pearson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in their own district. Mr. Pearson's and other families organized a church, which prospered, and now has thirty-five members. Mr. Pearson has been church official for six years, and was Sunday- school superintendent for two years. He is a man who takes a deep interest in the progress of the county, and his aid and means are liberally given to all landable enterprises for the good of the same. To his marriage were born the following children: Ethel, Earl and Effie. Ethel is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
M. V. Perkins, another pioneer settler of High- land Township, came to Adams County, Neb., in April, 1873, settled on the farm where he now re- sides, and there he has since made his home. He first homesteaded eighty acres in Section 22, High- land Township, and this he has improved, added to and cultivated, until he has one of the best farms in the county. He was born in Bureau County, Ill., in 1837, and was the eldest of four children born to Timothy and Cynthia (Perkins) Perkins, natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. Timothy Perkins went with his parents to Illinois at an early day, and was reared to the arduous duties of the farm. He was married in Bureau County, Ill. , and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He took an active part in politics, and was a soldier in the Blackhawk War. His death occurred in 1865, and the mother's death occurred a number of years pre- vious. Being reared to farm life, it was but natural, perhaps, that when it became time for M. V. Per- kins to start ont in life for himself, he chose that as his calling, although previous to this, however, he had made a journey to California (1864), overland; was five months on the road, and followed mining there until 1866, when he returned to Illinois and engaged in tilling the soil, which has been his prin- cipal occupation since. He was married in his
native county in 1860 to Mrs. Eliza Perkins, a na- tive of Nodaway County, Mo., and the daughter of Jesse Blackburn, a native of Kentucky, and one of the pioneers of Maryville, Mo. Mr. Blackburn was a farmer by occupation, and died many years ago. M. V. Perkins cultivated the soil in Bureau County, Ill., until coming to Adams County, Neb., in 1873. He has good substantial buildings on his place, and the original eighty acres have been increased to 160 acres, all of which is in tillable condition. He raises considerable stock, and makes a specialty of blooded animals, having a fine grade of Norman horses and Short-horn cattle, and taken all in all, he is one of the enterprising and progressive men of the county. He is a Democrat, and active in politics. Mr. Perkins aided in the organization of the township, is a member of the school board, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church at Hastings, Neh. To their union were born nine children: William, Isabell, Jane, Jesse (married and resides in the township), Martin, Fred, Lindsey, Ada and Emma. Mr. Perkins has seen the full and complete development of the county, and has killed buffalo near his farm. Hastings was but a small place when he first settled here, and it seems to have grown up like magic. He has aided in all enterprises for the good of the county, particularly so in educational matters. He is practically a self- made man, all his property being the result of his own exertions.
Melancthon W. Peters, farmer and stock raiser, Hastings, Neb. Mr. Peters is a typical Nebraska citizen, substantial, enterprising and progressive, and such a man as wields no small influence in the community where he makes his home. He came originally from the State of New York, his birth occurring in Oneida County in 1835, and was the second in a family of four children born to the union of Amos and Polly (Miller) Peters, natives of Whitehall, N. Y., and Kingsburg, Vt., respectively. The parents were married in New York, and in 1842 the father moved to Calumet County, Wis., where he followed the trade of a stone mason. His death occurred in 1855. The mother died in New York in 1839. Melancthon W. Peters was but seven years of age when he moved with his father
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to Wisconsin, making the trip by way of the Erie Canal and the lakes, and the principal part of his education was received in Calumet County, of that State. Ile commenced farming for himself in Fond du Lae County, Wis., and this continued until in 1861, when he enlisted for three months in the ninety day 'service, first call, and began duty at Milwaukee, Wis., in April, 1861, in Company I, First Wisconsin Infantry. He was in the battle of Falling Waters, Va., and in July of the last named year he enlisted in Company K, First Wisconsin In- fantry, for three years, or during the war, being mustered in October 8, at Milwaukee, Wis. He was assigned to the Department of the Cumberland, and was in the battles of Lallahoma and Chieka- mauga. He received a gun-shot wound in the left shoulder, was taken prisoner and confined first at Belle Island, then at Libby, and finally at Danville, Va., where he succeeded in making his escape by digging a tunnel. He was re-captured at Black- water River and taken to the Libby pen. During the re-capture he received a gun-shot wound in the neck and wrist, and was retained in the miserable den for ten days, when he was returned to Belle Island. From there he was taken to Andersonville, on June 7, 1864, and confined in that terrible prison until about the first of September, when he was taken to Florence, S. C. He remained there until November 30, 1864, when he was paroled and returned to Wisconsin, with an experience in the Southern prison pens which he would not care to repeat. At the elose of service he engaged in till- ing the soil, and in 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Harmer, a native of Calumet County, Wis., where they were married, and the daughter of Ira and Elizabeth (Johnson) Harmer. Her parents were natives of New York State, and emigrated to Calumet County, Wis., in 1836, being the first pioneers of the county. The father died in 1872, but his excellent wife still survives him, and resides in Hastings, having moved from her Wisconsin home to Omaha, Neb., in 1877, and thence to Hast- ings, in 1878. Mr. Peters moved to Fond du Lac County, Wis. , in 1868, and to Adams County, Neb., ten years later, where he now resides. He is not very active in polities, but his vote is always east
with the Republican party. He has been a member of the school board and takes much interest in edu- eational matters. To his marriage have been born nine children: Sherman, Jessie, Amos, Jolin Wes- ley, Frank, Lillie, William, Elizabeth and Harry.
Truman D. Phelps, farmer, Kenesaw, Neb. Mr. Phelps is one of the leading agriculturists of Wanda Township, and the energetic and wide-awake manner in which he has taken advantage of all methods and ideas tending to the enhanced value of his property, has had a great deal to do with obtaining the compe- tence which he now enjoys. Ile was born in Ilerki- mer County, N. Y., on April 11, 1837, and is the son of Isaac and Ruth (Viekery) Phelps, both na- tives of York State. Truman D. is the youngest of a family of five children, and when eighteen years of age he went with his parents to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he finished his education in the public high school of Warren. After this he was engaged in teaching and at various other occupations until 1863, and in 1865 he removed to Grundy County, Ill. , where for the following ten years he was a tiller of the soil. In 1875 he established a general mer- chandising business at Gardner, Ill., which in 1878 was conducted under the firm name of Pratt, Martin & Phelps, who two years later were succeeded by Phelps & Lewis. This firm continued until 1885. and during the summer of 1887 Mr. Phelps traveled through the West, and becoming impressed with the great advantages offered by Adams County, lie de- termined to locate there. Accordingly he purchased his present farm in Section 12, Wanda Township, and three and a half miles southeast of the village of Kenesaw. In September of the same year he brought his family to Kenesaw, where they continued to re- side until the completion of their present fine resi- dence, when they located on the place in December, 1887. Mr. Phelps has continued to improve his place until he now has one of the best improved farms and one of the handsomest farm residences in Wanda Township. He devotes much of his atten- tion to the raising of fine stoek, and is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of this region. Ilis marriage with Miss Clara Griswold was celebrated on January 26, 1862. She is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, born September 23, 1843, and is the
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daughter of Jesse and Susannah (Mansell) Griswold, both natives of Pennsylvania, who in 1846 removed to Trumbull County, Ohio. There the mother died, and the father then made his home with his children in Grundy County, Ill., and there died in 1874. The Phelps family are of English extraction, and for generations have resided in America. One of the ancestors served in the Revolutionary War, and the father of our subject was in the War of 1812. At the breaking out of the late war Truman D. en- listed in the Ohio Volunteer Militia, but was re- jected by the medical examining board. Politically Mr. Phelps is a stanch Republican, and both he and wife are worthy members of the Baptist Church, be- ing active in works of, charity and benevolence. Mrs. Phelps is a member of the W. C. T. U., and is also a member of the W. R. C. They now reside on their farm near Kenesaw, where they have a pleasant home and are surrounded by the comforts of life. Their only child, William M., who was born on February 9, 1876, resides with them, and adds to the sunshine of their lives. The family is universally respected and esteemed. Mr. Phelps is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
David S. Phelps by his superior management has become a well-to-do farmer and stock raiser of Adams County, Neb. Born in Bureau County, Ill., April 21, 1859, he is a son of E. H. and Mary (Morse) Phelps, natives respectively of Massachu- setts and Connecticut. When a young man, in 1831, E. H. Phelps removed to Illinois, there being only seventeen families in Bureau County at the time of his settlement, and he is now its oldest liv- ing resident. He was married in Illinois, and he and wife reared a family of three daughters and one son, two daughters being now residents of Adams County, Neb. David S. Phelps remained with his father until he was twenty years old, and besides receiving the advantages of the common schools was an attendant of the Princeton high school. Be- lieving that he could do better in Nebraska than in his native State, he came west in 1879 and located in Adams County, on the farm of 160 acres where he now lives. All his land is well fenced and under cultivation, and he has just built him a new resi- dence, and convenient to the house is an apple and
peach orchard, consisting of 150 trees just commenc- ing to bear. His crop in 1889 was exceptionally large; and he is gradually accumulating means, and will eventually be one of the wealthy men of the county, for he possesses all the requisites necessary to success, among which may be mentioned energy, enterprise and economy. His stock is all of a good grade, his cattle being of the Short-horn breed, his swine, Poland China, and he has a fine Clydesdale brood mare. Being a Republican in politics, he has served as delegate to numerous county and State conventions, and he and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, in which he is class leader. His marriage to Miss Fannie Frantz was consummated in Illinois, August 8, 1882, she being a native of and reared in Logan County, of that State. Her father, Isaac Frantz, is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have two children: Glenn (a lad of five years), and Zantie (a little girl three years of age.
W. W. Philleo, a well known and highly es- teemed resident of Adams County, Neb., is a son of Addison and Livonia (Cummings) Philleo, who were born in Torrington, Conn., November 27, 1804, and July 21, 1816, and died June 11, 1880, and Sep- tember 20, 1845, respectively. They were married in Winfield, Herkimer County, N. Y., and in 1836 concluded to seek their fortune on the fertile prai- ries of the West, and settled on a farm near Port Byron, Rock Island County, Ill., their possessions consisting of a horse and one eight-inch cast-iron plow. They paid $40 for their horse, and after a time bought a cow at $80, and as they had only $135 when locating here, they soon learned what it was to suffer for the necessaries of life, but in time became well-to-do citizens. To them four sons were born. Russell C. was born September 28, 1837, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, having been a member of Company D, Twelfth Regiment Illinois Volunteers. William Wallace (familiarly known as Scott or Scotch, a nick-name given him by his mother, who was of Scotch descent) was born June 8, 1840, a farmer, market gardener and nurs- eryman by occupation, having been a resident of Ayr, Neb., since 1872. He was married May 12, 1870, to Miss Maggie Farris, of Coatesville, Chester
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County, Pa., her birth having occurred in Philadel- phia, May 16, 1845, and their union has been blessed in the birth of four children: Livonia M. (born March 17, 1871, married to Lou Fleming, March 2, 1889, a son of T. C. Fleming, of Ayr), Frank S. C. (born Angust 22, 1872), Wallace S. (born December 31, 1875), and Ira D. (born July 2, 1877). The third child born to Addison Philleo was Thomas A. E., who was born March 17, 1842, and was married to Maggie Cime, by whom he has three children: Li- vonia, Lily and Addison. This gentleman is a farmer by occupation, and is also engaged in stock- raising at Cheney, Spokane County, Wash. The fourth child of Addison Philleo is Edgar A., who was born September 19, 1844, a farmer and stock- man by occupation. He was married to Miss Etta McDaniels, by whom he had five children. Addi- son's second marriage was on July 15, 1846, to Mrs. Mary N. Williams, nee Rosenberg, a native of Canada, born December 24, 1821, this union result- ing in the birth of eight children: Emily L. (born May 29, 1847, wife of M. A. Rosenberg, a farmer of Ayr, Neb.), Livonia C. (born April 3. 1849, wife of J. C. Giddings, by whom she has five children: Clarence, Charles, Jennie, Frank and Emmet), Jane K. (born July 18, 1850, living in Port Byron, Ill.), Bradford N. (born March 8, 1860, a farmer of Adams County, Neb.), Eveline L. (born February 15, 1862, wife of Jesse L. Simpson, of Port Byron, Ill.), and Mordecai. Esther and Amanda are de- ceased. The father of Addison Philleo was Ar- temas Philleo, who was born in the State of New York, November 21, 1775, and died in November, 1863. He was married December 11, 1800, to Miss Louisa Loomis, who was born September 23, 1879, and died June 6, 1824, having borne her hns- band fifteen children. Phineas Philleo, the father of Artemas, was born in Norwalk, Conn., August 28, 1749, married Miss Silence Cummings, of York State, in 1770, their deaths occurring in 1789 and 1798, respectively, in the latter's native State. Samuel Philleo, the father of Phineas, was born in France about 1706, and came to this country with his father, John Fillow, about 1708. The latter was a self-exiled French Huguenot, and was born about 1667, and died in 1765. He came from Paris, and 19
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