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 51

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 51
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 51
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 51
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 51

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).

303

ADAMS COUNTY.

native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Joseph Snodgrass, who emigrated to Illinois in 1865. The fruits of this union were four children: James D .. Arthur (who died January 30, 1889), Dwight L. and Ruby E. Mr. Reed's eldest daughter by his first wife is now the wife of Mr. Smith Luick, of Bel- mont, Wright County. lowa. Mr. Reed emigrated to Nebraska in 1878, and named the township Blaine, on the day that James G. Blaine was nomi- nated for president. Mr. Reed is active in political matters, and is a Republican in his views. He was a member of the school board for seven years, was supervisor during 1883, 1884 and 1885, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Hastings Lodge No. 50. He is also a member of the Farmers' Alli- ance. Mrs. Reed is a member of the Baptist Church. .

Enos H. Reed, contractor, was born in Livings- ton County, N. Y., July 14, 1842, and is a son of Hiram and Anna (Roberts) Reed, both of whom were born in York State, the former in 1818, and the latter in 1820. The father died in the month of May, 1842, but the mother still lives, and resides in her native State. The paternal grandfather, John Reed, was born in Connecticut, but was an early settler of Livingston County, N. Y., Reed's Corners being named after him. He died at this place about 1838, his wife's death occurring in the same State when about eighty-seven years of age. Enos H. Reed was reared and educated in Livingston County, and at the age of eighteen years, or in 1861, he left New York and emigrated to Jo Daviess County, Ill., where he followed farming for one year, after which he moved to Michigan, and was in the lumber busi- ness for ten years. In 1874 he removed to Colo- rado, and during a residence of nine years in that State was engaged in selling sewing machines and musical instruments. Since the fall of 1882 he has been a resident of Hastings, and has given his atten- tion to the grading of lawns. He was married, in 1881, to Miss Pet Loomis, who was born in Niles. Mich., in 1852, a daughter of Dr. Joel Loomis, who died in 1877. Her mother. who was formerly Miss Virginia Brown. is still living, and makes her home with Mrs. Reed, being in her sixty-fifth year. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have three children: Orsen, Myron

and Charles. Mr. Reed is a Democrat, a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the order of the Mystie Shrine. Besides owning five houses and three vacant lots in the city of Hast- ings, he also owns a one-half section of land in Adams County, all of which has been acquired through good management and industry.

Samuel F. Reed is the owner of 280 acres of land, which is one of the finest farms in Adams County for successful agricultural purposes, and the admirable manner in which it is conducted shows that energy, enterprise and good management are among its owner's chief characteristics. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1847, being the eldest of eight children born to Mitebel and Sarah (Foster) Reed, the latter a daughter of George Fos- ter, an Englishman. Mitchel Reed was born in the Buckeye State in 1827, and was one of a large fam- ily of children reared by Samuel Reed. He was married in Ohio in 1846, and reared part of his fam- ily there, their names being: Samuel, Jennie (Mrs. Armstrong), William D. (now of Hastings, Neb.), Emmet, George, Frank, Ella (Mrs. Johnston), and Thomas. In 1855 Mr. Reed moved to Iowa, and after residing in Wapello County until 1859 he re- moved to Page County, and settled on a farm, where he is still living. Ile and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is his political views he is a Republican. Samuel F. Reed spent his school days in Iowa, but in 1868 started out in life for himself, and was engaged in teaching school for several years. His marriage to Catherine Nich- olas took place in 1868, she being a daughter of J. J. and Lucinda (Lewis) Nicholas, natives, respect- ively, of Ohio and Indiana. Mr. Reed removed with his family to Nebraska in 1873, and first home- steaded 160 acres of land in Adams County, which by good management and striet attention to details, he has since increased to 280 acres. Ilis property is well improved and stocked with fifty head of eat- tle. 100 head of hogs and the necessary horses for a farm. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and in polities he is a Republican, being eleeted on this tieket in 1887 to the office of township assessor. Besides holding the office of justice of the peace several years he has been a member of his district

304

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

school board. His children are: Eva (who is the wife of G. A. Gruver, living in Hayes County, Neb., and is the mother of one child, Bertha), Floyd, Orin, Mabel, Gertrude, Minnie and Samuel.

Charles C. Rittenhouse is a professional arehitect, and is the oldest in the State of Nebraska in point of continnous labor at the business. His birth occurred in Van Wert County, Ohio, August 16, 1852, and he is a son of M. M. and Christina (Meely) Rittenhouse, who were born in Wayne County, Ohio, and Adams County, Pa., on June 5, 1827, and in 1828, respectively. They are now residing in Van Wert County, Ohio, and are pros- perous tillers of the soil. The paternal grandfather, Christian Rittenhouse, was born in Montgomery County, Pa., January 17, 1803, and died in Steu- ben County, Ind., in August, 1889. Charles C. Rittenhouse is the second of six children, and from his earliest youth was reared to farm labor, receiv- ing a fair knowledge of books in the district schools near his home. From the age of seventeen until he had attained his majority he was engaged in teach- ing the " young idea " during the winter months, but in the spring of 1871 he began serving an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, the compen- sation he received for his labor being $8 per month, and the time spent at the work, fifteen hours per day. After becoming a thorough master of the business he began contracting on his own account, and the winter of 1875-76 was spent in the office of Tolan & Son, architects of Fort Wayne, Ind. He remained in this city until August, 1877, when he came to Hastings, and in September, 1878, he opened an office of his own, being now the leading architect of Central Nebraska. The following are some of the most important buildings he has planned: Publie school building, of Sidney, Neb .; publie school building, York, Neb .; State Asylum for the Chronic Insane, Hastings, Neb .; court house Ogalalla, Neb .; First National Bank, Holdrege, Neb .; Bartenbach's Opera House, Grand Island, Neb .; First National Bank, MeCook, Neb .; the Citi- zens' National Bank, and the public school build- ings of Grand Island; the Methodist Episcopal Col- lege building, Central City, Neb .; and the following buildings in Hastings: Nebraska Loan and Trust

Company's building, Kerr Opera House, Hastings College buildings, public school buildings, the Masonie Hall and the Adams County court house, now in process of erection. Politically Mr. Ritten- house is a Demoerat, and in 1886 was elected a member of the city council from the Second ward, and is at present acting mayor of the city. He is Past Master of Hastings Masonie Lodge No. 50, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. In No- vember, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Vira Morse, who was born in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1851, and by her has three children: Frank H., Ralph G. and Charles C.

O. C. Rogers, farmer and stock raiser, Ayr, Neb. For a period of nineteen years Mr. Rogers has been a resident of Adams County, and during that time he has seen the entire growth and devel- opment of the country. He came to Nebraska in company with Tom Fleming when there were but five settlers in Adams Connty, and they hunted and trapped together for the first few years. Deer and buffalo were plentiful, wolves were also numerous, and Mr. Rogers, with his unerring rifle, has brought down many of these animals. Mr. Rogers was born in Litchfield County, Conn., in 1838, and was the seeond in a family of five children, the result of the union of H. N. and Juniata (Hart) Rogers, natives of New York. The father was born about 1810 or 1812, and was a blacksmith by trade, although he also owned a large farm in Illinois, whither he had moved at an early date. He was a Republican in polities, and both he and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he being class leader in the same. Both died in Illinois, the father in 1866 and the mother in 1885. Their children were named as follows: T. H., O. C., Aaron, Phoebe and Henry. O. C. Rogers' school boy days were spent in New York State, and at the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company G, Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry, and participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, siege of Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, Stone Mountain, Burnt Hiekory, Franklin, Tenn., Nashville, Atlanta. Al- though he received five gun-shot wounds, Mr. Rogers never left the company, and has never asked for a

305

ADAMS COUNTY.

pension. He served faithfully for four years and four months, and was then honorably discharged in Texas. Returning to Illinois he followed farming until 1871, when he emigrated to Nebraska and set- tled on Section 28, on 160 acres of good land, which he still owns. He was married, in 1873. to Mrs. Mary M. Wilson, a daughter of Rev. John Fleming. Mr. Rogers is a member of the G. A. R. , and was a member of both the Odd Fellows and Masons. He is interested in the upbuilding of the county, and is active in educational and religious matters. He has been a member of the school board. His vote is east with the Republican party.

A. J. Rogers, M. D. To the skill and talent of this gentleman is due the appreciation and gratitude of hundreds, for he has built up an enviable reputa- tion as a practitioner of the " healing art," and has restored seores to health and happiness. He was born in Henry County, Iowa, in 1851, and is the sixth of ten children born to Dr. Levi J. and ' Maria (Husted) Rogers, the former of whom removed from his native State of Pennsylvania to the Hawkeye State in 1845, he being one of the pioneers of Henry County. After making his home there until 1885 he came to Hastings, Neb., and was in the active practice of his profession up to the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1888. His wife still survives him, and makes her home with her chil- dren. Dr. A. J. Rogers attended the village school at Salem, Iowa, until seventeen years of age, and, being desirous of acquiring a more thorough eduea- tion, he entered Whittier College, of that place, and while in this institution did not neglect the opportu nities offered him. In 1879 he coneluded to follow in his father's footsteps, and accordingly entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Keokuk, Iowa, from which he graduated in March, 1881, as an M. D. In June of the same year he was married to Miss Sarah Lynn, a native of Iowa, and a daugh- ter of George W. Lynn, one of the early settlers of Henry County, and soon after went to Afton, Union County, where he entered actively upon the practice of his profession. Sixteen months later he removed to Letts, and after spending about the same lengthi of time at this place he, in 1884, removed to Min- den, Neb., and eighteen months later to Blue Hill.

After spending two years in the last named place he went to Hastings, and in November, 1888, located at Juniata, where his practice has met with gratify- ing results, as it could not fail to do, for he is thor- oughly fitted by study and experience for a superior physician and surgeon. Socially he is a member of the Modern Woodmen, White Cover Lodge No. 1240, and since locating in Adams County he has been deeply interested in all matters pertaining to its welfare. He and wife have one child, Inez, aged seven years. The Doctor and two brothers re- sided in Red Oak, Iowa, one of whom, Elliott L., has been auditor of Montgomery County for five years, and is now filling his third term. Prior to this he was postmaster of the town for nine years, but resigned. He has always been a stanch Repub- lican and an active politician of that connty. The other brother, Hiram S., is in partnership with Dr. Hiatt, and they constitute the leading medical firm of Red Oak. Of the four sisters, two, Mrs. Barnes and Mrs. Hollingsworth, resides in Hastings, where Mr. Barnes is a prominent clothier and Mr. Hollings- worth an active speenlator. Another sister, Mrs. Phar, resides in Minden, her husband being a lead- ing druggist of that place, where he has a fine store and a large patronage. Mrs. Pray, the youngest sister, is a resident of Chicago, her husband being a traveling salesman.

Ur. S. Rohrer is a member of the well established and reliable firm of Cramer & Rohrer, of Hastings, Neb., which firm was established in 1886. The subject of this sketch was born in Sterling, Ill., February 5, 1859, and is an only child born to the marriage of B. F. Rohrer and Esther Stauffer, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania, the former's birth occurring December 29, 1833, and the latter's in August. 1841. They are now residing in Ster- ling, of which place they are old and prominent set- tlers. In this town Ur. S. Rohrer was reared to manhood, and here he received his early education; but after passing a rather monotonous youth he be- came desirous of supplementing his primary educa- tion with a more thorough knowledge, such as could be obtained in more advanced institutions of learn- ing, and in 1878 he left the paternal roof and entered Knox College, at Galesburg, Ill., where he

306

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

spent four years, his career being marked by rapid advancement. After finishing his collegiate course, and being well versed in the National game-base ball-he began making this his calling, and played with some of the best teams in the West. In 1885 he came to Hastings, Neb., as catcher for the Hast- ings club, and continued playing ball off and on until 1887. In 1885 he entered the employ of A. H. Cramer, and since 1886 has been in partnership with this gentleman in the abstract business. He is a representative of the energetic young business men of the place, and possesses sufficient energy, pluck and perseverance to insure his future suc- cess in life. Being a stanch Republican in politics, his first presidential vote was cast for James G. Blaine in 1884. December 26, 1887, was the date of his marriage with Miss Kate F. Forder, a native of Sterling, Ill., and a daughter of William Forder. She and Mr. Rohrer have one child, a son named William U.

James Ronian, familiarly known as " Dad Ronian," is the present proprietor of the Commer- cial Hotel, Hastings, Neb. According to the family record of the Ronian family, he was born at a quar- ter past three o'clock on August 22, 1828, in the city of Providence, R. I., and his mother, being sickly, did not furnish the proper amount of nourish- ment, so he naturally took to eating oysters, which produced a sudden growth, more in circumference than in height. After a period of ten years his parents concluded to remove to New York, and as there were no railroads at that time, they embarked on the raging Erie Canal. After a long, tedious journey they landed in Buffalo, N. Y., and then moved back twenty miles in the wilderness where, on a clearing of only five acres, they commenced the toil and hardships of pioneer life. They lived in a small log house, with a stick chimney, plastered with clay outside and in, and with a large flat stone for a hearth. Stoves were an unknown luxury at that day, and all their cooking was done with pot hooks and trammels. Often when the wind was high their chimney would not carry off the smoke, and as a consequence it was often black with smoke in the room. How little do we of the present day, with every convenience around us, know of hard

times. Then commenced a series of cold, rainy seasons, with early frosts, that cut the corn off too early, and as that was the principal means of sus- tenance of fattening their pork, these animals would suffer severely if beech nuts were not plentiful. The mother always cut the hair of the children, and to get it even turned a quart bowl over the top of their heads and then cut around the edge of it. She did this even after they were grown. The young men of to-day go to a tonsorial artist (used to be called a barber), pay ten cents for a shave, more than double that amount for a shampoo, twenty-five cents per hair cut, and fifty cents for a bottle of Oriental hair balm, after which they stand on the street corners, admire each other and talk of " hard times," while their wives are at home sewing a 7x9 patch on their under garments. 1 After a few years Mr. Ronian took Horace Greeley's advice to go West, and landed in Montgomery County, Iowa, where he was engaged in the dairy business for a number of years. He also engaged in market gardening and agricultural pursuits, and met with excellent suc- cess; but on account of the ill health of some of his family, who were afflicted with asthma, he was advised by the doctors to try a change of climate. He then moved to Hastings, and has been running the Commercial Hotel ever since. This is one of the leading houses in Hastings; in fact, the best known hotel in the West, and was never in better order than at the present time. He has fifty-four beds, all in fine order, and as the genial landlord re- marks: " Not a bed-bug in the house, for the rent is so high they would not stay." He has a corps of as good cooks as are to be found in the State, and he, himself, is a prince among hotel men; and is natur- ally suited and adapted to it. He keeps his help constantly under supervision, and sees that guests are properly cared for. Traveling salesmen receive special attention, and are made easy and comfort- able by Mr. Ronian, who possesses that feeling of kindly hospitality which characterizes the people of this State. He was married in 1852 to Miss Mary Eldridge, a native of New York, and three children have blessed this union: George, Jennie and Ger- trude. In politics Mr. Ronian is an out and out Republican. His father, James Ronian, was born

307

ADAMS COUNTY.

in Ireland in 1800, came to the United States and settled in Rhode Island. His death occurred in 1880. He was a tanner by trade.

James A. Rose is a member of the firm of Rose Bros., plumbers of Hastings, Neb., and although he has only been engaged in the plumbing business for the past. four years, he has seen his business grow from insignificant proportions to its present admirable breadth, extending over a large area. He was born in Morgan County, Ohio, December 25, 1854, being one of the five surviving members of a family of seven children born to Peter and Elizabeth (Watts) Rose, natives of Ohio, and now residents of Adams County. His early days were spent in farm work, and his education was received in the district schools of his native county. He came with his parents to Adams County, Neb., in 1873, and with them settled on a farm ten miles southwest of Hastings, where he continued to re- main until 1879, at which time he came to Hastings and began selling wind-mills and pumps, adding in 1886, as above stated, the plumbing business, which is proving a success financially. He is a man of energetic and enterprising disposition, keeps thor- oughly abreast with the times, and being active in futhering the interests of the city, is regarded as one of its pillars. He is a Republican, and in the spring of 1889 was elected a member of the city council from the First ward, and is now a member of the finance committee. In 1879 he was married to Miss Lizzie Martin, by whom he has five children: Etta, Frank, Lulu, Ralph and Guy.

L. A. Royce, real estate, loan and insurance broker, Hastings, Neb. The magnitude of the real estate interests in this city and county and the activity in the market have enlisted the services of many of our most responsible men, and among the number is Mr. L. A. Royce. He was born in the Buckeye State in 1835, moved from there to Iowa, and in 1878 came to Hastings, Neb., where he has since been engaged in the above mentioned business. He has been quite successful, and is one of the pro- gressive and live business men of the place.

J. W. Ruby, farmer and stockman, Pauline, Neh. Kentucky has given to Adams County many estima- ble citizens, but she has contributed none more

highly respected, or more worthy of honor and es- teem, than the subject of this sketch. He is one of the pioneer settlers of Adams County, and entered 160 acres in Section 26, Little Blue Township. He first erected a dugout, but later a log house, and is now one of the enterprising men of the county. He was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1842, and was the third in a family of thirteen children born to the union of George Washington and Taey (Riley) Ruby, natives of the Blue Grass State also, and descend- ants of old and much respected families. The father was one of the sturdy sons of toil, and at an early day emigrated to Keokuk, lowa. where he farmed until his death in 1877. The mother is still living and resides in Keokuk, Iowa. J. W. Ruby passed the early years of his life in duties upon the home place, received his education in the schools of Iowa, and commenced farming for himself in that State. He was married in Cass County, Ill., in 1867. to Miss Lydia C. Abney, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of Paul and Elizabeth (Medlin) Abney, natives of Tennessee. Her parents emi- grated to Iowa at an early day, and to Adams County, Neb., in 1872, where they entered land. The father died in Boone County, Iowa, in 1883, but the mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Ruby have been born five children: Edward F. (mar- ried and resides in Little Blue Township), Willie (married and resides at home), Alice (now Mrs. Fields. of this township), Belle and Johnnie. J. W. Ruby cultivated the soil in Iowa until his removal to Nebraska, since which time he has continued that pursuit. He was the first settler south of the Blue in Adams County, and Hastings was not heard of at that time. His nearest market was Beatrice, and there also was the nearest mill. Mr. Ruby is active in polities and votes with the Democratic party, but is no office seeker. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and he and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Being one of the first settlers of Adams County, Mr. Ruby has been a witness to its marvelous growth, and it has not been so very long ago that the Indians were numerous here. He came to this county with only a team and is now out of debt and the owner of a good farm.

Alexander Rutherford, farmer and stockman of

308

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

Denver township, Adams County, Neb., was born near Belfast, Ireland, in 1838, being the eighth of ten children born to Thomas and Fannie (Stinson) Rutherford, both being born, reared and married in Scotland, removing to Ireland soon after the last named event, and there died in 1870 and 1882, re- spectively. Their children's names are: William, Thomas, Jane, James, John, Robert, Alexander, Adam and Elisa. Alexander Rutherford was about thirteen years of age when, in company with his brother Robert, he came to the United States, land- ing at New Orleans. After spending one year in St. Louis they went to Rock Island County, Ill. , where they found employment at farm work, and here Alexander was married in 1864 to Miss Anna Langdell, a daughter of William W. and Elizabeth (Warren) Langdell, who were born in England and removed to Illinois in 1850, settling in Rock Island . County, where they both died. In 1868 Mr. Ruther- ford and his wife removed to Poweshiek County, Iowa, and there he was engaged in farming and blacksmithing until 1879, when he came to Adams County, Neb., purchased 160 acres of land, and has since been engaged in tilling the soil. His land is well improved and stocked, and his residence is substantial, commodious and convenient. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, a Democrat in his politics, and a patron of all worthy enterprises. A family of ten children have been born to himself and wife: William W. (who died in 1866), Lizzie W.,. Adam, George, Alfred T., Benjamin W. (who died in 1878), Harry T., Frank, Charley A. and Gracie (who died in 1885).

Frederick J. Schaufelberger, M. D. This ener- getic gentleman, who has acquired a flattering repu- tation as a physician, was born in Freedom, Beaver County, Pa., April 28, 1850, and is a son of Jacob and Margaretha (Fritcher) Sehanfelberger, natives of Baden, Germany, who emigrated to the United States, settling first in Pennsylvania, and later in Haneock County, Ohio. Here the father plied his trade, that of wagon making, and also followed the oeeupation of farming until 1882. when he retired from active business life, and moved to Fostoria, Ohio, where he at present resides. Dr. Sehaufelberger re- ceived his education and rearing in Hancock County,

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